The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-01
BURNSIDE'S NINE.
Mr.. James c. Fitzpatfick's Despatch.

Mr. James C. Fitzpatfic KS Despatch.
NNH ARMY CoRrs
BEFORE PEfKRsBUR0, Va, July q, 1894.
No feature Of the siege Of Petersburg has been more
interesting and undertaking more important than the
construction Of the mno under the rebel fortihcaons
So extensive has been this work. 50 difficult the obsuc
tions overcome complimentary Its success TO the
genius and persever Of soldiers that more than
a passing notice is due TO II.
THE COMMENCEMENT.
After The investment Of the city, about the Goth OF
June last when further approach was disputed By
the formidable character Of the rebel works. officers
began to look about them for the means Of accom-
plishing with the least possible sacrifice Of
life what then would have required the
most desperate and bloody valor on tho part Of our
troops-vz: the successful ASSAULT OF these works The
expedisnt OF mine originated with Lieutenant Colonel
Peasants Of the Forty-eighh Pepnsyivania regiment
Not that others ala not think or H. but by Of
engineers the idea was mot entertained The distance be-
tween our front line the nearest and most important
rebel fort was four hundred long hope
for success when ali the difficulties likely TO be
encountered In the way Of quicksands, under
ground marshes and discovery by the enemy were
taken into consideration. Colonel Peasants, however
cherished the idea The rebel fort loomed tsmptingly
up In front OF his ne aDd, being man Of considerable
natural energy and possessed Of much practical cxpe
rIcnce mining 0pcratons ana knowing thHt be would
be ably supported by his regiment which Is wholly
posed Of miners from schuyki county the coal region OF
Pennsylvania, he, with permission, commenced opera
TOPS The Colonel had been sagaged In the mining
business In his native State previous the outbreak Of
Ne rebellion.
ma work was commenced on the 25th of June last az
previously stated. such the secrcsy with which Il
vas conducted that for long time the project
was unknown even to those at whose side !;
, WAS going on. is true that reports
In circulation OF a mine; but nobody could spcaS
certsp,y OF the matter. SO much doubt there, 10
desd that for a time II was dsoeoved thst any such
undertaking was on foot One solder In the breastwork
by whose side ventiating shaft emerged told his com
rades in the most surprised that "thcre
,ot of fellows under him doing somethng; he knew
there was for he could cm tax" To guard against
iudIscrscn the part OF The pickcs 70 prevent any
meeting OF our soldiers With the rebels whereat the secret
OF the mne nigh, be boastingy or mprudenty disclosed
our pockets were ordered o Are continually Honce the
never ending fusade the front OF the Ninth corps SO
70 tho other corps and which was often
referred TO newspaper paragraphs the enemy doubt
less, suspected rst that the undermining was gong
but whom several weeks elapsed without any demon
sraton their suspicious began TO vanish, especially as
their engineers must have hosgh. the plan unieaslbe
PROGRESS or rus WORK.
The progress Of tho work necessarily very slow,
and was mot until the 2Sth inssant-jsst ono month
after inceptcn--,hat u completed. A. the outset
one Of tho most important points TO ascertain the
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