The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-08-05
Uead4'rs Aimy OF the Potomac, !
July 30. 10 M.


Uead4'rs Aimy OF the Potomac, !
July 80, 10 NJ.
The great event so long anticipated,
namely, the explosion of the mine under
corps, came off this morning a. forty min
utes past four o'clock. .....-
Picket firing was kept up all night, and
in fact at the time the match was applied
to the mine, the skirmishsrs were suil en-
gagged on both sides. The volume of dirt
in the air.
The 9th corps at once charged the
works. driving the rebels to their second
line of ntreuchments and taking nun-
Der of prisoners, some Of whom were dug
out of the dirt badly bruised. These pris-
oners state that only about dozen re>
main Of their regiment IA South Carolina
onel.
As soon as the explosion took place,
12O guns Immediately opened on our
front, while the musketry played in one
continued fire along the front Of the 9th
Prisoners cay they were completely sur
prised, those in front being mostly asleep
at the time. They also state there were
four guns in the fortifica.ions, which are
of course buried far out of sight One of
the prisoners stated that they were busy
mining under our works, and tha: in a
day or two they would have been ready
to blow them up. We cot the start of
them, however, and it is hoped that long
ere this reaches you Petersburg will be in
our possession.
Baltimore, Aug. [.
A letter from Fortress Monroe states
that later advice. from the front show
that we were unable to hold ali the ground
gained in the assault on Saturday, il be-
ing mostly commanded by an inner line,
and that the works taken BY our forces
were Tecap,ured by the enemy.
We took 500 prisoners in the assault.
Tie loss on both sides is probably from
1000 TO 5000.
Headq'rs Army Of the Potomac, !
July 80, 9P NJ.
After .he explosion at an early hour this
morning everything betokened brillian.
victory, bat soon after matters assumed
d tferent aspect, part Of the attacking force
having given way, thus exposing the bal
sEce to an enfiladine FIRE from both artil-
lery and Infantry. The programme was
as follows:
Tie mine 20 be exploded at 5 A. M. the
batteries to open at once along the entire
line Immediately after the explosion, and
the Slh corps to make the charge, sup
ported by the 18th, Aver sIslivsion Of the
5,h corps and the Sd division of the 81
corps. The greater part Of the arrange
ment was carried out as ordered, although
the commencement was later than the
hour designated, on account Of the fuse
going ont twice. The explosion took
place at precisely 40 minutes past 4, at 5:
10 the charge was made, and the fort with
part Of the lire on each side was carried
in most briIian, style. The 81 division
wbich was in the centro advanced and
carried the second line, short distance
be5 ond the fort. and here rested, holding
their ground with the utmost determine
ton. Il was at this time the colored di-
vision under the command OF BrigadIer
General White was pushed forwasd and
ordered to charge and cary the crest Of
the bill, which would have decided the
contest. The troops advanced in good
order as far as the first line, where they
received a calling fire, which checked
them, and although quite a number kept
on advancing the greater portion seemed
TO become u.tet'y demoraized, part Of
them taking refuge in the fort auc The pal-
a. ce s#nning TO the rear as fas; IS posi-
Die. They were rallied and again pushed
forward, but without success. The great
er part of their officers were killed or
wounded. During this time they seemed
to be without any enc 10 manage them and
fiLaIy they fell back to the rear, out of
the range Of the voIeys of canister ard
that were plowing through their
ranks.
Their losses are very heavy, partisular>
y III officers, as will be seen by the fol-
loving figures:
wen'y-'hrd U. s.. co'ored, is officers
killed and wounded 400 men, including
missing.
Twenty-eighth L. S. colored, IL officers
and about $50 men killed, wounded and
missing.
Twenty seventh U. s, colored, officers
and about l50 men killed, wounded and
missing. -.
Twenty ninth L. s. colored, S officers
aud shout 275 men killed, wounded and
missing.
Thirty fsst u s.. colored, I officers
and about 200 men killed, woanded and
missing.
Forty y-third U. S, coIored. 6 officers
and large number of men Killed, wound
ed and missing.
1hirtr-nnth u. s, colcred, several off,
GERS and abou, $50 meu killed, wounded
and missing.
The less in tie q division of The 9.h
corps, Gen. Leslie commanding, was yery
severe The loss is estimated from 600
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