Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-10-31
THE 6: CRATER.o

We copy the following interesting par
ticulars Of the attempt to destroy General
Lees army at Petersburg, by means of a
mine extending under his breastworks,
from the cold Guard" for November. 1t
is from the pen of JOHN EsrEN Cook, au-
thor Of The Battles of Virginia, includ-
ing Sharpsburg and Cettysburg'':
The mine was devised by one of the Fed
eral colonels, and was long looked upon
very coldly by both Generals Meade and
Burnside. General Grant seemed not to
be aware Of the project.
The originator Of the idea, nevertheless,
worked at it with all the patience of an in
ventor, who feels that, however much he
may be disregarded now, he will, some
day, astonish the world /; and this work
was continued with true resolution and
persistence.
The point selected was near Petersburg,
on the south bank of the river, and as the
opposing lines here approached very near
each other, it seemed feasible to run sub
terranean opening beneath the Confederate
works, and blow them up.
Once undertaken, the work, as we have
said, was prosecuted with ardor. The
workmen successfully eluded the attention
of the Confederates The dirt was carried
offin cracker boxes the long hole grew
longer; the mine was becoming great
success-and then Gen. Burnside began to
see in it a very brilliant project.
Toward the end of July it was DONE
It was about FIVE hundred feet long; had
several lateral galleries; in these galleries
were placed kegs of powder, sufficient, it
was supposed, to blow up a mountain, and
then all was ready.
Then came the question how to utilize
the grand explosion. It was not worth
the while of Gen. Grant to 60 to all this
trouble on y to destroy company or a
regiment, with the cannon, at the point in
question. Obviously, the project admit
ted of greater things. Lees lines would
be broken, his defences overthrow; if,
amid the noise and confusion. the =, -
ond Tho ,,r--os1, u aux DIVISION were W
charge over the debris, push on, seize a
high crest behind the Crater" and root
themselves firmly there, would not Lees
line be disrupted; his position right and
left be rendered untenable, and the most
important results, if not the destruction Of
the Confederates, be attainable =?
The prospect was exciting, and all al
once a vivid interest in the famous mine
was betrayed by the higher officers, who,
up to that time, had looked sidewise at the
cracker-box operation, thought the plan
visionary.
The movement to seize the crest in real
was speedily determined upon, and elabo-
rate preparations were made to deliver the
great blew, and folloy it up.
ALI at once, however, singular obsta
Gle presented itself-an embarrassing ques'
ton. What division should make tht
great charge? Should white division OF
black division be selected? I
A division Of the white troops was select
ed-by pulling straws," Gen. Grant af
forwards said, in his grim, sarcastic way
/, The negro troops were not to have the no
nor-they were to follow.
X X X X y
At half-past four, on the morning 0
July Both, great roar, heard for thirt.
miles, came from the point selected, AM
under the feet of Lees soldiers manning
the breastworks opened the crater of vol
cano.
Men were hurled into the air, mere man
gled corpses, or torn to pieces where the
stood. Cannon were lifted as by the han
Of giant and thrown hundreds of feet
where a moment before had stretched
| line Of breastworks, defended by infantr
and artillery, was now seen hideous p
80 b,c JroJ o,,1 Effv foot 1orn civfv MID