The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-12
TEE FIFg- CoRPs.
Lr. l.. 4. ndrick's Despatch.

Lr. l.. q. Hendricks Despatch.
HEADQUARTERS, FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
BEFORE PETERSBURG, august 9, 1854
Tnk rsaRiIE EXPLOSION
that occurred to-day distinctly heard here At first
il was supposed mine had been sprung the right OF
line; but not oug before the details Of the
terrific disaster reached Large numbers Of officers
rodo to City Poilt 20 the damage and extent Of the
explosion We have not yet learned the OF the
posion, but this and all the attendant tragic incidents
will have been furnished you before this on reach you
BY the HERALD correspondents at City Point
REBEL OFFICER DESERVING.
Among deserters coming within our lines to day was
officer giving bis Lieutenant Nix Of the Eleventh
6eorga regiment. He gives full and what is believed
70 be reliable statement or the condition OF affairs
the other sdc If the amnesty proclamation Of tho Pre-
sident could be generally made known 70 the rebel
no says the number Of deserters would increase
hu dred fold. II is privatcs are made by their
officers to believe that coming inside lines they
will At once be conscpted and put In tho army or else
compelled to work on the Notifications.
BIG GUNS.
Another statement OF this officer is that the enemy Is
putting in position in front OF General A. P. Hnls quar-
ters two hundred FOUNDER pivot gun that battery
Of PARROTS s to be located the Same
place The latter statements confirmed by other de-
serters.
BrRDsEyE VIEW THE REBEL WORKS.
In company with Captain Castle our chief corps signal
officer. visited to-day signal station our extreme
'front.' From TIE top Of tree seventy feet high aided
powerful glass; had extended view of tho rebel lines
This mornings observation developed the feet that the
enOlhy is putting up aud very strong redoubt
our left While taking our observations largo
fatigue party at work In this redoub sheled out
OF the place by of batteries The rapid success
sion with which our shells fell among them too much
fnpe eNapS
GENERAL GRIFFIN
returned today, very much improved in health. In his
absence he has suffered domestic aictop in the
death Of On only child. He his way to reon his
command when the sad news reached him.
COLONEL GwyEN ONE HUNDRED AND YIGHrEEyrH PENNsYL.
yANA VOLUNTEERS,
wounded Ia the Wilderness also returned to- day He is
still quite lame from his wound, having shot the
thigh, and waks with cane but, in bis anxiety 10 be
again with his regiment be stubborny refused apply
for an extension OF leave. He is OF best and
bravest officers, and his greatest ambition is to share
with his regiment the pers OF battle and tho glores Of
victory.
CAPTAIN MARTIN.
Alike unselGsh in his devotion to country is Captain
Martini Third Massachusetts, battery, also wounded 10
the Wilderness who likewise has Just reoined the army.
He doubtful whether he win be able to remain but he
ID bound to try it.
commanding Firs. Brigade Third division had today
a very escape from rebel shell. One passed
within foot OF him. Had be not changed his position
moment before he would have been killed outright.
WHITTIER
continues oppressively warm. and the thcmoneter
ranges among the nneties brief thunder shower this
evening fortunately has cooled the air somewhat Thero
has been very little firing today. AZ close my de-
spatch the usual nocturnal interchange Of muskery
In progress with occasional outoursis OF cannon.