422. BATTLE OF THE CRATER COLONEL'S UNIFORM RELICS - HENRY M. PLEASANTS (1833-1880) Union colonel and brevet brigadier general who commanded the 48th Penn. Vols., a unit comprised largely of coal miners. He is best known for organizing the building of an underground tunnel filled with explosives under the Confederate lines outside Petersburg, Virginia, resulting in the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864, an opportunity for Union troops to break the defense of Petersburg. Poor leadership by Union officers had federal troops swarm into the giant hole left by the explosion, only to be picked-off by the Confederates who quickly ringed it and surrounded the confused Yankees. A fine set of relics, Pleasants' shoulder straps and nine brass uniform button removed from his uniform following his service, mounted on blue cloth surrounding a color image of the desperate struggle in the crater. Included in the mat is a copy of Gen. Seth Williams' Aug. 3, 1864 G.O. No. 32 commending Pleasants and his entire command for their "extraordinary labor and fatigue" in constructing the mine. Obtained directly from noted Gettysburg arms and relics dealers The Horse Soldier, whose reputation in the field is unimpeachable. A beautiful display. $1,200-1,500