Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-08-09
Failure of the Mine Sprung by the
RebcIs-Gsen. Ames Wounded.

NEW YORK, Aug. S.--The Herald's 18th
corps correspondent, says of the mine
sprung by the rebels, that our forces were
aware OF this intention. 1t occurred on the
afternoon of the 4th, and was Immediately
succeeded by rapid and successive volleys
of musketry. The smoke from the explo-
sion had hardly cleared away, when our
men answered the rebel fire, and drowned
the rebel yell with their wild cheer of de-
rision at the failure of their mining opera
tions. The enemy, in all probability, in
tended to have blown up sap we had run
out towards their line and charge through
the opening. They had, however, sadly
miscalculated their distance, and the eX-
plosion took place five rods in advance Of
the head of the sap. Not a particle of de-
lines, and the sharpshooters did not even
think it necessary to abandon the sap.
The explosion could bear no comparison
in magnitude with that of Burnside's mine.
1t was Immediately perceived that their
mine was failure, and they were satisfied
with rising behind their works and pouring
in musketry fire. The rebels developed
no new batteries, and fired with far more
accuracy than they have hitherto been ac-
customed to do.
Our losses were but uttrifling-hardly more
than would have been sustained through
ordinary picket firing. That of the enemy
must have been more severe, as they eX-
posed themselves firing the first volley, and
were in full range Of our batteries, which
were greatly superior in number to theirs.
The Tribune's special says Gen. Ames
was dangerously wounded in the charge
made by the rebels after exploding their
mine.
w .ou,Noro>y Auo A lo++o, r.o,, +b n
Army Of the Potomac, dated Saturday
evening, says: 1t is not generally believed
that the purpose of the enemy on Friday,
was to blow up fort in front of the Fifth
corps; but their intention was to damage a
mine which they suspected was being dug
in front of the Eighteenth corps. Certain
it is, there was an explosion, whatever may
have been the object of it. Our men were
considerably startled, and every one rushed
to his post when q rapid fire commenced
from our line in the direction of the enemy,
who were supposed to be advancing. As
soon as the smoke cleared away the true
state of affairs was discovered and firing
ceased.
A party of fifty deserters started to come
into our lines yesterday morning at an ear
ly hour. Our gunners not knowing their
intention, opened fire upon them, killing
anu dDOuU JWCHIJ, DluC VI
arrived at headquarters on Saturday fore
noon, some of them wounded.
They represent the Confederacy as being
in bad way ON account of the state Of af-
fairs at Atlanta, and tell how their army
was frightened on the previous Saturday,
when the mine was sprung, all leaving their
guns and running back some distance, fear
ing other explosions were going to occur
along the line; but they soon regained con-
fidence and fell back into their former posi-
ton in time to meet the attack, which they
say was more than an hour and half after
the explosion.
These men say the reason why the raiders
do not exchange newspapers is, they are Or
dered not to do so; but this would be of no
effect if they could afford to buy them, the
price being forty cents apiece, and they have
not been paid off for a long time. Very lit
tie firing took place on Saturday.