Presented by Petersburg National Battlefield/Petersburg Battlefields Foundation

During the summer of 1864, Union forces began a tunneling operation that would eventually lead them under the Confederate defense line just east of Petersburg. The tunnel was an engineering marvel, extending 511 feet. The goal was to blast a hole in the defense line allowing the northern forces to gain access into the city of Petersburg. Join Ranger Tracy Chernault who will describe how the men of the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment accomplished this massive task.

Image: Drawing by Alfred Waud (Library of Congress)