Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-01
THIRD EDITION.
s. 81 4O'CLOeK r. M.
4 O'CLOCK r. M.
GoyERNMENT sEcURIrIEs.
LATER CONCERNING THE EXPLO
SION AND FIGHTING ON
SATURDAY ....

sion AND FIGHTING ON
SATURDAY.
The Mine to have been Exploded at a.
m.-The Explosion Delayed by the Fuse
Going Out Twice-Bad Conduct Of some
Of the Coiored Troops-They Lose very
heavily. especially in Officers-General
shah Wounded-We take a number of
Prisoners and Five Battle FIags-Inter.
estins Particulars. s.rfs
We have In formation from the army to the
effect that, after the explosion on the morning
of the 30th, everything betokened brilliant
victory. But soon afterwards matters assumed
different aspect, and part OF the attacking
force gave way, and the balance were exposed
to an eDfilading fire from artillery and infan-
try. The programme for the assault was not
fully carried out, else q decisive victory would
have crowned Gen. Grants efforts. The pro-
gramme was: Mine to be exploded at 3 q. m,
and batteries to open along the entire line at
the same hour; the 9th corps, supported by the
18th and Ayres division eff the 5th and the Sd
division Of the Cd corps, was to charge imme-
diately after the explosion. Everything was
in readiness to carry out the arrangements as
ordered, but the explosion was later than the
hour designated, the fuse having gone out
twice after being lighted.
At44O all things were in readiness, and the
fuse was again lighted, and this time the ex-
pIOSlOn LOOK place, duO q OeoAculuk IOdK VI oI~
tillery followed. Ats the charge was made,
and the fort, with part OF the line on each
side was carried in style to reflect credit
upon the Veterans engaged in the charge. 1t
was decidedly brilliant affair. The second
line of the rebels, q short distance beyond the
fort, was carried by the second division Of the
second corps, which was on the center, and
they advanced a short distance beyond the
rebel fort and rested, but held their ground
with determination that must have been ap-
palling to the rebels.
The contest was here about to be decided
Brigadier General Whites division Of COL
ored troops were ordered to push forward and
carry the crest of hill, but after advancing in
good order rs far as the first line they were
checked by CALLING fire, and the main body
faltered and fell back although number
kept on. The greater number however, seemed
to become utterly demoralized, and part of
them took refuge in the Fort, while the balance,
in confusion skedaddled to the rear as fast as
possible, and in the retreat embarrassed our
advancing white troops. An effort was made
to rally the retreating force but without sue
cess.
The officers of the colored troops behaved
nobly and bravely, and in their endeavors to
rally their retreating companies the majority
OF them were killed or badly wounded. In
ldCI sO great was tue lOSS tudt tudt tu6y seemed
to be beyond management. Indeed there was
no one to manage them, and thus they finally
fell back, embarrassing our advancing troops,
and got out Of range OF the musketry and can
mister, which had been (and was) blowing its
way through their ranks.
The losses Of the colored troops is exceed
ingly heavy, especially in officers. In the 23d
u. S. colored Is officers were killed and wound
ed, and about AGO men killed, wounded and
missing; in the 26th, IL officers and $50 men
killed, wounded and missing; in the 27th col
ored, 6 officers and $50 men; In the Goth, 8 OF.
ficers and IFS men killed, wounded and mis-.
ing; in the 3lst, officers and 200 men killed,
wounded and missing; in the 43d, 6 officers and
| large number of men; in the seth, several Of
| fcers and $50 men were lost.
Gen. Leddis, who commanded the I'd divis.
ion, lost very severely-from 200 to 1,2OO, and
reports put the figures larger.
Among those missing are Gen. Bartlett, who
| reached the fort with his command Gen. p
has cork leg, which was accidentally bro
ken, and he was unable to leave the field. He
/ held possession Of the ground he was ordered
to occupy for several hours. and only surren-
dered when all hope Of escape was gone. Some
2CO men, both black and white, were with him
| at the time Of his surrender, few Of whom
managed to escape and got back to our lines
amid a storm Of bullets. Nearly all of Gen.
Bartletts staff were captured at the same
time
The commander Of the I'd brigade Of this divi.
sion (Col. MarshalD was also taken prisoner,
with several of his staff Col. Wild, of the 55th
Massachusetts, is also reported a prisoner, and
Col. Gould, of the 59th Massachusetts, also lost
a leg; as did also Major Burton, of the 10th
| New York Lieut.. Col. Barring, Of I'd Penn
sylvania, was wounded; Major Prescott, 57th
Massachusetts,, killed; Lieut.. Col. Ross, 3lst
U. s., (colored,) leg amputated. This division
was considerable distance in advance Of the
regular line, and held their position for sew.
eral hours, but III falling back (which they
were compelled to do) suffered heavily. The
loss in the LIST and 3D. divisions Of the I'd corps
was also severe; the latter having some 400 in
hospital. The 18th corps occupied a part OF the
line on the right but their loss was not very
great. -.,r.. ..
We took about $50 prisoners, mostly South
| Carolinians, and We battle flags.
All was quiet yesterday morning.