Battle Briefs

The Saddest Affair: The Battle of the Crater, 1864

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | In-Person and Virtual

On July 30, 1864, an enormous explosion rocked Confederate trenches at the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, in the Civil War. The blast filled the air with “earth, stones, timbers, arms, legs, guns unlimbered and bodies unlimbed,” a shocked Soldier reported. Union Soldiers—including thousands of U.S. Colored Troops—rushed forward to exploit the gap in the rebels’ lines, but met a bloody repulse. Join historian John Maass to learn how a regiment of Pennsylvanians planned, built, and detonated a mine filled with gunpowder, and how the Union attack that followed was bungled from the start.

Dr. John R. Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. A former U.S. Army Reserve officer, his most recent book is “The Battle of Guilford Courthouse: A Most Desperate Engagement” (2020).

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on May 7 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, May 14. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on May 14 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on May 14 at 12 p.m. ET

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Tactical Intelligence for D-Day, 1944

with Michael Bigelow

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 | 7 p.m. ET | Virtual

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | In-Person and Virtual

When looking at the intelligence aspects of the Normandy invasion, it’s typical to focus on strategic intelligence, especially the use of ULTRA, the Allies’ reading of secret German codes. However, this intelligence only generally influenced the way that the tactical intelligence officers looked at the enemy and terrain facing them on June 6, 1944. In this program, historian Michael Bigelow will explore how the division intelligence officers prepared for their landings on UTAH and OMAHA Beaches.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael E. Bigelow has been the Command Historian for the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command since 2006. Previously, he served as an active-duty Military Intelligence officer for 22 years. He studied military history under the late Dr. Russel F. Weigley of Temple University.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on June 4 at 7 p.m. ET

This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, June 11. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on June 11 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on June 11 at 12 p.m. ET

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