Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-03
FROM BEFORE PETERSBURG.
Rebel FortIncations Blown up,

Inc new 1Ork ItHpcS SpcClal OCAON
P~etersburgh, July SOth, gives an account
of the blowing up of rebel Notifications
in front of Petersburgh, as follows:
As soon after daybreak as it was prac-
ticable for troops to move in cooperation
an immense mine, reaching far away IN
der the enemy's line of earth-Works IN
front of Burnside's corps, was fred. The
explosion was the signal for the
of every piece of artillery we have IN po-
sition from Appomatox to our extreme
left. The effect was magnificent; 70
pieces of ordnance were fired so simulta-
n~eously that it seemed as if they might
have been discharged by a pull OF one
lanyard. The firing thus hercely opened
was kept up in the same manner with
scarcely a preceptible hull for at least an
hour and a half, when 1t ker to
some extent. The result of the explos-
ure of the mine was almost to ~annlhllate
one regiment, and buryIng three guns.
Under cover of artillery, and pushing our
advantage ground by suddenness OF as
sault, the 9th corps, advanced, taking pos
session of the works through the gap
made by the explosion and driving the
enemy to his second line, which lines the
hill tops at the eastward OF the
Nineteen of the 32d S. c., buried by the
explosion nave been dug out alive, badly
bruised and scratched, and some OF them
doubtless mortally hurt. The attack
produced a surprise. The mine was
400 feet long, connected with two CALLER
les diverging from the main passage, max
ing three chambers. The train of powder
was Is inches wide and deep laid. The
| effect of the explosion was very d'sas-
trous. The grandeur of the artillery fire
l nave never seen surpassed
The enemy's artillery played but fee
bly,. A very few minutes elapsed before
the rebel lines were entirely shut from
our view by banks of smoke, and our
gunners could only be guided in their
road by having obtained a proper range
before. Many Of the shells from the
front of the 18th corps, must havestruck
far into the streets of Petersburg. From
that section a column of heavy black
smoke arose soon after the opening of the
fre-evidently from the burning build
ines. After the rebel lines were forced
they made a sudden movement to their
left. and suffered heavily from an en6lad-
ing fire. Gen. Lille, Burnside's corps,
led the attack-the 18th New York heavy
artillery having the advance About 100
prisoners, so far, brought into Burn
sides Headquarters. The c~annonading
is still hot and the rebels hold their posi-
ton obstinately. Our infantry have just
received orders to advance.
The entire Sd corps was held in reserve,
but up to the hour of writing this dis
patch they had not been called into ac-
ton. At 4 o'clock clouds of dust were seen
moving from rebel entertainments. This
was followed by a general u~pheaving OF
earth works, reaching probably so feet.
The whole mass looked like high noun
tains of earth and dust and formed q
most imposing spectacle. Simultaneous
ly with this explosion, our batteries along
the entire line opened q most murderous
and disastrous fire on the rebel breast
works, and the infantry with deafening
cheers rushed into the entertainments of
the enemy.
Constant cannonading lasting over one
hoar and twenty minutes had been going
on. At six o'clock our valiant troops
had captured and occupied the first line
of the rebel entertainments. Prisoners
are constantly arriving from the front
and several of our wounded are also com
ling in. They report the slaughter infict-
ed upon the enemy by the explosion
and accurate range of our shells
from the guns and mortars, as terrible
in extreme. So far victory is ours.
The air is filed with flying missiles. We
are pushing the enemy steadily and sure
ly and occupying his Notifications.
A letter from Fortress Monroe says
that later advices from the front show
tbof mo uara npabla IN hold all the
, ground gained in assault on SATURDAY, il
being mostly commanded by an inner
line, and that the works taken by ouI
forces were re-captured by the enemy.
We took 5000 prisoners in the assault
Loss on both sides probably from 1000 to
5000. Reports form Gettysburg and
Emmetsburg represent that . panic exists
there and throughout that country, the
people believing the rebels are approach
ing in large force.