The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-01
THE FIFTH CORPS.
Mr. L. A. Rendrick's Despatch.

n
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CoRps,
BEFORE PETERSBURG. July SOL A. N.
write and should write, and yet what can wrirsi
Malvern H Gettysburg and the nercest
fought battles OF the present campaign present parallel
a. tho cannonadng in progress. II is terrible beyond
description. The ssh OF the cannon and musketry, and
Of battle all that DO seen, while the
Of hundred Niagaras and shrekng OF shells Ill the air.
great battle has begun-s in progress. No resuts
are determined yet II last night that Peters
burg would be bombarded ts morning. that the great
mine OF which so much has been promised and SO
much expected would be eprung In the evening II was
q busy nght--Do sleep for any one. Cannon were
hu red TO the 'front.' mortars placed In position
The guns Fort Warren and Fort Crawford put In
their paces. 1t that am munition was want
ing every possible forethought to carry out successfully
great plan OF assauls exercised and let
here tha, officers and impatient for the attack
to open.
AT three A. NJ. the attack was to have commenced.
Every preparation had completed however, at
that hour Hcantime, during tho night, our pickes
kept up lively skrmshing and there was the usual
amount or artillery firing This Of course was designed
impress enemy that pothing unusual on foot,
and have no Idea that he tho slightest ntimatioa
expectation OF the attack until IL was made.
The attack began at twenty minutes to Ave o'clock
The explosion OF the mine the signal for the opening
in detail by correspondent Of the Ninth corps
In front OF whose line it was.
had good and elevated position from which 10 see IT,
and most fearful IL was. The earth trcmbled at the
shock and far into the regions OF tbs upper air were
tossed shattered fragments the enemy fort above the
mine moment and tho minc had done its allotted
work, or q least seemed 70 have done 50, from my
standpoint Of view.
AS stated above have nothing yet 1 TO results.
uying IT, our entire artillery opened. Two hours and
over have passed there cessation In tho
adng The Are Of muskesry from behind the oppos ng
breastworks Still knows intermisson Along cloud
column OF smoke hangs over the opposing bxttte lines
AmhulAnces begin to arrive the neld In thsse two
hours many patriotic father and many hsrctc SON
havealen, and wives wearisd with watching and whit
ing have been made widows and children made father
less.
to close abruptly here to give this TO the
senger who waiting. The days work Is but begun
Our loss thus far satisfied only be slight Il is
TO be hoped the days record win add another to the
brilliant victories Of Army OF the Potomac. bave
obliged be general at this stage n the assault
present despatch In my next hope TO give fun
details OF the days operations regards at least the
Fifth corps Ono thing has thus far boeu shown, that
our men standing braveiy up their work. and thas
commanding officers are unnnchins in their duty
Our Special Washington Despaeches.
WAsmSoroS July 81, 1884
The city good dea excited this morning by sbs
OF the explosion Of the mine under the rebel earth
works at Petersburg yesterday morning. and the battle
which progress when the mail boat left City Point
Great anxiety Is felt TO learn the result OF the battle
Hopes entertained that . great success has been
achieved, which viii have important and favorable
bearing upon the result Of the campaign against Rich
mond This far more important operation has for the
time superseded the interest In tho invasion Of Pennsyi
van,a and the operations tho Shenandoah valley Up
the present time nothing known beyond the facs
Of the explosion, and great baIto having takcn place
WASHINGTON, July 31-1l:30 NJ
The War Department report tonight that they have
nothing in addition TO the reports By boat from City
Point 10 reference to the assault on Petersburg.