The New York herald., 1863-07-08
General Description of Our ApprOaches-
the Opera lions or the 2Ath and 25th,
and I'm the Mines.

MR.. DE d. RANDOLPH KEIM's DESPATCH.
e HEADQUARTERS, sEvKvTKESn ARMY CORES
DHPARTM2ST THE TESsIssEE, Y
BEFORE VicssBURG, juno 20, 1861
A VISIT TO TIE MINES.
This morning at an early hour, In company with Cap
tain Andrew Hickenlooper Chief Engineer Of tho corps
and Lieutenant Colonel william E. Strong, Inspector &c
nera visited the works in front of Logans position in
the lines or this corps, in order TO examine
tho famous mines, the approaches TO which, and
which In themselves object Of attraction
t. all fortunately acquainted with their existence Tho
utmost possible secresyhas been observed concerning
them, and though may know tho intention 10 blow
up the euemys works. yet how whore IL ia to DO done
matter known to but few. Tho guards at the head Of
the sps leading to the entrance Of the mine instruct
Cd to allow 70 pass who ranks under general,
with exception In the Of engineers and worku,en
Immediately in charge The rigorous masner In which
these instructions carried oul is evidenced
In scowis upon the countenanccs OF q multi
tude Of disappointed candidates. particularly fold
officers, who, in majority OF instances, arc the
most ndcfatIgabIe and inqusitive tnsrants in camp.
After waiting seme time tho mouth o the main sap,
permission granted the uadmasts Of the party
to advance which done with no ordinary sa,sfac
ton not only a recf from the gradual ntensrying Of
the sun and warmth Of the trenches but in anSwer
70 q much more unconquerable curiosity to view the
unusual spectacle which lay but short distance ahead
GENERAL CHARACTER OF gHR APPROACHES.
In order reach the main sap running 70 the mine 1t
IL necessary distance Of three hundred
Yards, in front OF The enemy's main work.
40 do this series OF trenches hase beer dug,
taking directions at TINA exposed 10 ennadng 70
from the enemy yet at every yard approaching nearer
nearer with perfec, saioty to the sappsrs In hese
works number OF sbarpshooters posted TO keep the
enemy from looking and discovering and interfering
with labors. In different locations along these works
batteries havo thrown up and guns mounted which
have excellent oatlerng positions.
IL Is not advisable 10 mention figures, yet
IL may be safe 20 say that, In addition
10 number Of light guns atntervsle, Bat.
terry McPherson contains thirty FOUNDER PARROTS,
and another battery Of marine guns taken from gun
boat all commanded by Captain r. H. oHlay, First United
States infantry number OF other heavy batteries
ALSO in working order but In locations that do not possess
the advantages Of those already mentioned
THs MAIN SAP.
From tho head or the trench 70 tho mouth OF the m!ne
thcre ditch about SIX fcct wido and six fee, deep
the earth OF which has been thrown upon tho surface
wnrds tho enemy. This arords double security and
protection against the enemys proectes The engn Of
this sap Is about thirty i've yards .-
MOUTH TIE MINI.
As approaches the mine in looking around, he fda
himself In plain view and within five yards Of tho enc
mys strongest work. the psrape Of which Is about twcn
~ feet from the bottom Of the dtch and much ipden-
ted by our shot aud shell. Tho work, however. bears
some few marks Of its original exterior. II evidently
sod work, almost perpendicular lis outor face and
intended 10 mount four guns However, since batto
have been vigorously arug upoo u, the embrs
ali been ned and think thc.irtllcry With
drawn % IN Interior and second line of dyse, q
nearer to city. In the assault OF the 22d Inst
the sireng OF the two positions became evident
fr our 10 here tho mos, sanguinary Of the day
is supposed onco possession Of this point, hold the
key 10 The position. l..l t,.. t..s
md you stand before tho mne which here has The %
pearance or quars shaft dug into the earth, with
gradual dcelivity as you pcncratc. the entrance h
Tho scary Of the cnernyS FORT ana presents
opening four square, wen framed with timbers "a
keep up the oose earth which prccoes have
from ths fsee Of te work In order "a protect tho
trancs number q gab' and boxes havc been piled ur
bcforc the mouth. which acrds arnpls security from
hand enaacs and socs Thrown over by the rebel troops
inssds. Al
sE % mss r.se
fhs main gallery, from TIC mouth 70 the pcius OF d.
vsrgepcc of tho other galleries. measures ,ortvove fe,
Here smaller galleries out one ten fest dcep
obquely the sft another eight feet, dyerclnv a, be
right and third, eight feet In length being con,Ipp..
ioa q tho main gallery The chambers for the reception
the powder lot into tho bottom Of the shaft and
,bou, two fset In depth.
Having completed one gallery. the powder was brough,
aud packed into the chambers In almost equal quaint
Jss the sDire quantity used being twenty-five hundred
bounds ono tho,sand which placed o, the cod ci