Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-08-19

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Preliminary experiments were made by
Colonel Pleasants with cartridges Of pow
der, which he inserted in the earth and
ignited by fuse. He sscertained that
the work of making breach would be
etfectually secured BY distributing the
powder instead of putting it in bulk
In the latter case the explosion resulted
in deep and broad crater; in the former
in wide chasm. Where the cartridges
his miniature magazines-were not dis.
connected by packing, the tendency Of the
explosion was to find vent at the first
hole. Hence he resorted to packing be-
tween the magazines, or, as it is technic.
ally known, stamping"
The mine was charged to-day. The
quantity Of poacder ,eas sir tons! Pause
and think of it. Six tons twelve thous.
and pounds! Imagine eight dry goods
boxes (the magazines resemble them in
size aud shape) filled with powder, and
you will have an idea Of the mine
What terrific spectacle is in store for
US.
We copy from the New York Times
the following account of the explosion OF
the mine, and the subsequent assault and
repulse of our troops before Petersburg
Oh the 30th ult.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSAULT.
With the passage OF the James was
exhausted all possibilities of movement
by the left flank, with Richmond as the
objective point. Nothiny, therefore, re-
mained to Gen. Grant but to assault the
rebel line in front of him at Petersburg.
The past six weeks have been devoted to
preparation tor this assault. From day
10 day, by the aid Of the shovel and the
pick, our liues have been insidsiouly ad-
vauced by zig-zags and covered ways,
until the outlaying picket Of both armies
have scarcely averaged 500 yards, dis
tance between them. Along portions Of
the lines, the interval the rihepts was
scarcely $50 yards. The ground over
which our advance have been made is it.
self series of natural foriications, add
ing vastly to the difficulty Of taking pos
session OF it.
Over ground of this impracticable ma
ture our men nave steadily fought and
dug their way, driving the enemy before
them, until only one hill remained for
them to take to place our guns in pos
ition commanding at ali easy range the
town OF Petersburg. 1t is known as
Cemetery Hill. Its crest, frowning
with guns, is not more than 500 yards
distant from our advanced works, and its
gently-sloping sides are weited with long
rows of earthworks, pitted with redoubts
and relans, and ridged with serred sal
tents aud curtains and all the skiltul
defences known to skillful military en-
giucers.
THE EXPLOSION OF THE NINE.
TIE time fixed for the assault was 3 ~
o'clock, when, without any moon, an al.
most Cimmerian darkness would effect
ually shut out from the enemy the un-
avoidablc STIR and hustle of the trupps as
they got into position. But just here the
first misfortune of the day occurred
Upon attempting to fire the mine, the
fuse or slow match failed, and another
one was tried, | am told, with a similar
result. The third fuse was successful in
its mission, but the hours delay had made
it broad daylight, and in consequence the
enemy's suspicious were aroused (at least
along portion Of his front) and We were
robed Of the advantage of surprise.
The noise of the explosion was a dull,
rumbing thud, preceded, l am told, by
few seconds swayng and quaking Of the
ground in the immediate vicinity. The
earth was rent along the entire course OF
the excavation, heaving slow y and ma
jestically to the surface, and folding, side
ways to exhibit deep and yearning chasm
comparable, as much as anything else, to
river gorged with ice and breaking up
under the enhuence of freshet. But
there was Il grander effect than this OBJ
servabe also.
Where the charge in the burrow was
heaviest, directly under the rebel work,
an immense mass of dull red earth was
thrown high in air, in three broad coums
divergug from a single base, and to my
mind, assuming the shape of Prince Of
Wales feather, Of colossal proportions.
Those near the spot say that clods OF
earth weighing at least Il ton, and cannon
and human forms, and gan-carriages, and
small-arms were all distinctly seen shoot
ing upward in that fountain of borrow,
ard fell again in shapeless and pulverized
atoms. The explosion fully accomplish
ed what was intended. 1t demolished the
six gun battery and its garrison of one
regiment OF South Carolina troops, and
acted as the wedge which opened the way
to the assault. Our men were to rush
through this breach, so beyond upon the
second line OF works which crown the
crest Of Cemetery Hill, thus compelling
the enemy to evacuate the first line, or,
what was more probable to surrender un.
der the fire of oui artillery.
The awful instant Of the explosion had
scarcely passed when the dull morning air
was made stagnant by the thunder OF our
artillery. From ninety-6ve pieces, mich.
ed in every hillside commanding the en-.
emy's position, there belched out sheets
OF hamc and milk-white smoke, while the
shot and she'll sped forward, screeching,
bowling, rumbling like the rushing Of u
hundred railroad trains. But why at.
tempt to give an idea Of such indescriba-
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