New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-03

,ors zone out to bury the dead and bring In the
wounded.
The number is represented az being quite large
The Affair Before Petersburg-A E"" Ae'
count.
| From Our Special Correspondent
| HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoTosAS
| Before PETERSBURG, Va, Sunday, July 'i' ico''
For weeks past the eyes Of an anxious puohc
have been directed to Grants army before petersburg
Certain secret operations frequently limited ~ IN suc
manner TO inae st further the universal CURIOSITY!
but never folly explained have exercised the pup
lie mind to such an extent that Its attention mas peeh
diverted from Grants army only by the movements oi
our noble army in Georgia and the recent
sc.brcasng expedition Of the Rebel Gen. EarlJ mo
Maryland But the long suspense has been oroheh' anu
although the results OF todeys operations may not
saisy the expectations OF nany It will at least serve
10 alley their Unsuitable curiosity. The fncts that the
mine which had been In process OF construction for
several weeks past was successfully sprung to-day
tia, the assaulting columns Of Gems Ledlie, Wilcox
and Potter with a galantry never exceiled. charged
over the ruins driving back in confusion the enemy in
their front, and capturing portion OF his
lire; that Fcrrero with his division of colored
position and was forced to retire, and finally that we
failed to accomplish the grand object Of the attackthe
possession of tie eneny's formidable line in font Of
Burnside and the probable capture of Petersburg
these facts have already been given to the readers Of
THE TRIBUNE. The failure of the enterprise is In no
way attributable 70 detective plan, but 20 circun'
stances as unfortunate az inexpioable.
| THE NINE AND TEE PROTECTOR.
| A. tho enccesa ~ npr Assault IN the RchP works
mainly depended upon the successful explosion of the
mine brief description Of 1t WILL doubtless, prove
interesting 10 the reader To Lieut. Col Peasants OF
tho 4sth Pennsylvania :Hegment belong the honor OF
| suggesting and constructing the work mentioned.
Several weeks since be submitted TO hs superiors q
plan by which formidable fort situated the Rebel
line In Burnsides front and about two thousand yards
from Petersburg might be destroyed by the
explosion of a mine underneath. This fort occupied
commanding position crest in front Of our lines,
and from iis location able 20 inhic considerable
Injury upon cur troops. Three hundred yards behind
this work another arses at the foot Of which on
the other side lies The City of Petersburg. II was
evident then that the occupation Of our troops OF the
crest nearest the city would give Us possession and
the only question then was how 70 gain II with The
least possible loss OF life. Could tunnel ncarly
| five hundred feet IN length be- extended
10 the Rebel work and mine constructed underneath
without detection by the enemy and after It's consrnc
ton would itz explosion facilitate the pro OF oar
army toward the town. Inc scheme. although. II IL
said considered imIractioabc by many Of ouF engineer
o;iicors WIS finally submitted 20 LientGel. Grant.
who, on dchocration. thGusAt othergise and gave
Col Peasants permission to commence the enterprise
| Col. p who. BY tie way. is practical miner immedi
atey began The work selecting his own regiment 'o
carry out Lis Instructions Intervening between ouI
Aae and that Of the Rebels and shielded from ther is
rayine In tie wescn slope OF which tie construction
ON tho cros, OF the tunnel was commenced. rs
before mcntored. 5OO feet beyond the entrance
was located the doomed Rebel fort. nd eonsc
quenuy prtssgo II that lonFth, having gradual rs
ccut toward the work. necessary. Once beneath
The Rebel earihwork ohong wings or chambers extend
ing 10 the right and let excayated The mine and
passage way when completed being similar Ia shape 10
r. the mine answering the horizontal and tie passage
way the perpendicular portion Of the letter. The
utmost caution necessary in pursuing the labor Of
excavation beneath The fort the grey jackets were
distance Of but Is above tho roof Of the chamber
and their movements were plainly dislinguishablc
by our men at work below. Supports were
placed in the chamber TO prevent the giving away
Of earth and every prceau.on taken by Col Peasants
to prevent any delay failure. Ehargements for thu
reception Of the powder then made in the oonei
and at the e1rcm,cs Of the chamber and the mine
completed The loading Of the mine. in which 10 OOt
pounds Of powder required. accomplished curly
last week. and the troops placed in readiness to advance
at a moments notice. bit for the explosion
was ostponed until yesterday II generally believed
that toe enemy were that We were engaged in
mining ard that shafts had been sunk by them
but the result shows them have been entirely ignor
ant Of the point at which We were conducting opera
tons.
PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS.
Now that the long expected engagement Is over, ,h'
reason for the maneuyering of portion Of the army
several days previous viii be readily comprehended
On Tuesday the goth instant. the "a Corps followed by
Sehridlns cavalry left It's position, and crossing the
| Appomattox the night and the James at Deep
Bottom the next morning. demonstrated against the
enemy capturing four guns and considerable number
Of prisoners Meanwhile the cavalry passing liancocEs
right at Deep Bottom moved toward Malvern Hills.
where on Thursday 1, engaged the enemy. In the in.
teIim Hancock who Oh the morning Of the 9th instant
had engaged Keishaws South Carolina troops. taking
up position short distance beyond the river began
fort ing and il evident that large body oi
the Rebels had been sent down his front In expectation
OF an attack in that direction On Friday. division OF
the cd returned and during the night took lis place In
line relieving portion Of the 18th Corps which moved
to tine rear OF the 9Th support in the grand assault
TO take place In the morning The morning Of Saturday
found the remainder Of Handcocks Corps massed In the
rear of certain point Of lines and in Iuch posi-
TN, "a, move 10 the right or the left