The Battle of the Crater enjoys the enigma of being one of the lesser known yet most intriguing battles of the Civil War. This book, detailing the culmination of brutal trench warfare at Petersburg, Virginia, delves into the military and political background of the battle. Beginning by tracing the rival armies through the bitter conflicts of the Overland Campaign and ending with the siege of Petersburg, this book offers a candid look at the perception of the campaign by both sides over three years of conflict.