he Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the Siege of Petersburg. It took place on July 30, 1864, between the ConfederateArmy of Northern Virginia, commanded by GeneralRobert E. Lee, and the UnionArmy of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen.George G. Meade (under the direct supervision of the general-in-chief, Lt. Gen.Ulysses S. Grant).