New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-03

venture along that dark. dripping passage 70 examine
tho fssc when death in its most horrible form might
await his coming Lieutenant and Sergeant (wnote
sorry to say did not learn Oh tue 4eth I'd
step forward aud volunteer to enter the tunnel Inc
prefer of their services is accepted and they enter the
passage. Some delay occurs in the adjustment OF the
fuses and meantime red glow in the cast heraids inc
coming Of the sun.
At ~ the fuse is again lighted, and again the men IN
the trenches clench their guns with tighter grasp ana
avs ait the explosion. Five minutes passes ana all re-
mains silent. Tho Rebels in the fort unconscious Oh
their DOOM sleep on; the sum- as anxious TO wlress
the spectacle mounts the horizon and at that moment
the earth heaves and tremblcs II shaken by an earth
quake. An instant, and then terrific explosion; huge
masses Of earth. lifted child would toss marble
men, cannon caissons. limbors forccs, guns and tim
bers arc belchcd forth high in air. and descend with
heavy "thud." shapeless chaotic msss.
it Is doubtful whether any OF the occupants Of the
fort made their escape from death or capture. Mum
bers were doubtless engnfcd in the yawning crater
when the huge mass descended and If alive. were
deeply entombed as TO render extrication impossible
shapcless masses once were found in the debris
and some were found half buried and were dug out with
bayonets sticks and swords An officer. while sitting
!
IN by tie explosion fanoed that no discovered mo-
ton beneath Taking piece Of board. he commenced
exploring the dirt and in moment uncovered the face
Of Rebel who had been buried in the ruins. Strange
to saw he was uninured, although nearly suocated by
his premature burial The crater formed by the ex'
ploson was oblong in shape, about one hundred and
fifty feet in length and twenty five in width The de-
sructon Of the fort was complete. Four companies
Of the 18th North Carolina Regiment with portion OF
another not known supposed to have been buried
In the debris.
THE CHARGE OF TIE NINTH CoRPS.
So tremendous was the explosion, that many Of onI
own men, on hearing the report and seeing vast
column shooting into the air only short distance in
their 'front.' were for a moment struck with terror II
WA but momentary however tor IN less time than
can write II the column which had been massed and
waiting in the ravne below charged forward with a
wild cheer drove the astonishcd Rebels from portion
Of their re ON the right and lef OF the demolished fort
oanturing several coogs Of which the division OF Gen.
L. die took two The division OF Gen. Ledlie which
was selected to lead the charge consists OF two brig
ades the LIST commanded by Gen. Bartlett. and the
ID by Col Marshall Gen. b.. brigade consists Of the
oh Flat 18Th 56tb 57th and 10th Massachusetts reg
ments; that OF Col Marshall OF the Tooth Pa. 10Th
N Y. Sd Md. I'd Pa. Heavy Artillery and the l4th
" y. Heavy Artillery. His division was disposed IN
column Of regiments the 81 Brigade. Col Marshall,
leading the charge with the lih y. \ Heavy Artii-
ley In the advance.
The Rebels occupied strong lire Of breaswoiks'
with IN abntis In front and In front Of tie latter trip
ping wires were STRING several inches nom the ground
and concealed by small growth Of oats. Between
these wires and the abatis sharp stakes were driven.
for The purpose Of impaling any who might be thrown
dorm by the wires.
On reaching the work. Gen. Wilcox deployIi 10 I'll e
l O. Ledne and Cen Potter by tie right flank to the
right Undo. a fierce fre from cnhlading batteries and
mukotry on either flank. they penetrated the lbeti'
gaining he ruins Of the Rebel fort and, reforming
their shattered ranks prepared to hold tie position
lwrostcd non. x. eie.y a, al hogHrds.
On the report 81 the explosion 81 the mine the nrtl
ery along our whole line opened upon the enemy with
fierce and ncessant cannonnde which lasted for two
hour in order to divert the enemy nom our main point
OF attack BY inducing him TO believe that We were
about 10 open general engagement
i Its evident however, that the enemy discover
ell our intentions. trains were heard coming from
the direction Of Richmond bringing fresh supplies Of
troops which were discovered massed In the real
Of the crests beyond the demolished fort 1t Ia i'm
possible % be minute In giving the eIsct positions OF
regiments EXCEPT that the line formed from left e
right es originally intended. viz; Wilcox on the LEFT
Iedlie in the center aud Potter the right Exposed
as thew were In stormng the works TO = merccss fire
both Of mnskctry and artillery. was impossible to
maintain perfect organization. aud in some instances
PORTIONS Of regiments Of ono division were fighting
CALAMITY in another As the possession OF the crest OF
hills In front Of oar line Indispensable to u.s. IL be-
came evident that without htr possession our troors
wond ultimately be forced b. fall back to their original
position. Several charges for It's possession We're
made by our line but each time tho CALLING fire
compelled II 70 fall back TO the work. first cap
tured from the enemy Charges wero also frequently
esslyed by the enemy. but wcro in like manner re-
pulsed.
At o'clock Ferreros division Of coorcd troops were
brought up 70 dislodge the enemy from the hill and,
from tho gallant style In which they came up II was
believed that their attempt would be successful Sub
iected to the same severe ordeal they wavcrcd mo
men. and then breaking in disorder in spite Of tho en-
treaties and threats Of their officers who behaved spen
didly they fell back in confusion through OFT ines re-
pused and demoralizcd. 1t was their first baptism In
fire and when the severity of the ordeal is considered,
the fact that they did fall back is matter OF no great
surprise. Finally ralying they again advanced to-
ward the front but in VAIN 1t is only TO again fall
back without the accomplishment OF their purpose.
Finding the position untenable Gen. Grant. who had
como up TO the front before daybrcak ordered our lines
to retire to their original position.
| In the ruins around the immense crater formed by
the explosion OF the mine considerable number
of men and officers including Brig.-G Bartlett COM
manding LIST, and Col. Marshall, the I'd Brigade oil