The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-07
VANOUISHINGVICKSBUR
Continued from first page.)

corps.
It was the 18th of June when Sherman
and Jefferson made their successful attach
upon the commander of the Thirteenth
Corps. From this date to 25th of June vi
were having busy and anxious times.
The killing hard work went on in th'
trenches. We were ourselves nearing th
rebel fortifcations and finding our way eau
tiously toward the foundation Of two forts
as remember.
The soil there, it ought to be said, wa
clay, and when we struck that, it would sus
tain its own walls. If we had to dig {
tunnel, when we got deep enough all we hat
to do was to dig out the hole. Perhaps
bracing- -timbers were used in places, but tina
clay was favorable soil to tunnel in.
The most favorable developments seemed
to be in Logan's front. There had been {
floating rumor that the troops first
PLACING THEIR MINE UNDER FORT
should have the honor of blowing it up and
charging into the city. do not know the
support for the statement which the soldiers
heard, but 1t was not unnatural. At least
Logan's Division got ready before the rest OF
us; having, We understood, a regiment made
up largely of miners, who took to the work
like ducks to water" Indeed, it was said
that they requested the privilege of trying
their hand at the business. Very likely.
Things done in any campaign were the
result of various views, no doubt, and dozens
| n III min nf
| Our volunteers were ready and versatile in
this direction. It is said that the Colonels
of regiments at Black River, probably Col.
Kinsman first, who was killed, suggested
the charge on the enemy's left, which proved
| successful.
failed to put that In, in writing a de-
scription of the fight. One does not think
OF everything at once. And it ought to be
stated that these papers are written in Sec
tions, in the moments of busy mans life,
and dispatched with scant time for revision.
They are not seen afterward till they appear
in print. So if here the men suggested
mining under Fort Hill before the General,
it would be nothing surprising.
That hill was high and abrupt one
Logan's trench by this time ran up close to
the enemy's parapet. The digging into the
side of the hill began 35 or 40 feet distant
from the fort to be reached There never
was lack Of place to throw the dirt, which
had, of course, to be removed. There were
enough of rayines around Vicksburg to
empty the clay into, if you dug to the center
of the earth.
The mine ran straight toward the fort,
and starting so low down On the hillside
the tunnel, when it did reach the fort, was
far down beneath it. So far below was It
that, though the rebels dug and dug away
at counter mines, they never dug low enough
to strike ours.
When the miners got under the fort they
made branch tunnels right and left, so that
when all was ready there were, in reality,
FOUR MINES TO BE EXPLODED.
Seven hundred pounds of powder were placed
in the center, and ], 800 divided up in the
other three. This dark chamber under
ground had been made as solid around the
powder with beams and sand bags as posi-
bic. When all was ready, troops were dis
posed there to take advantage of the ex-
plosion-some had been detailed to rush
into the breach; some to pass the chasm, and
take theirplaees in rile-pit which had been
cut for that purpose on the side of the fort,
but which would be ordinarily too exposed
for daily use-things remaining as they
were.
Along the entire lines troops had been Or
dered to the trenches-all they would hold.
If there was not room for them in the pits
they lay on the slope just behind the
trenches.
1t was the lot of my regiment to be thus
stretched fat On the earth at the time of the
explosion. Consequently, when the explo-
sion came we did not see the cloud of smoke
as it arose, as did some in the rife pits. But
we felt blow on our stomachs as if some
Titan had rebelled against his impris0fi-
ment in the hollow earth, and dealt q
mighty stroke against its surface just be-
meath us. The conclusion fairly lifted us
from the hill, so tremendous was the shock
even where we were.
The troops before us at once opened fire |
in their front. The batteries to the right |
and left thundered in successive volleys. |
All the line engaged in this demonstration. |
The object was twofold: First, to |
keep reinforcements from Logan's front, by |
threatening every part of the line; and, Sec
ond, to act in direct assault in the given |
front, if good opportunity offered.
The noise that was made was deafeuing. |
I doubt if the 22d of May had SO much |
thunder; though it had for US any amount |
more of lightning. Meanwhile, what of the
mine? About $3.50 p. m. huge masses of
earth rose high in the air. There could be |
seen pieces of timber and objects that looked |
like men.
And no wonder, for they were men, some |
of Them A few had been left in the main !
(old) line of rebel intrenchments. Though |
this mine, the enemy had thrown
up new line behind Gnside of it, where |
their forces were kept. But there were |
men in their mine which they were digging |
to find ours. They didn't go deep enough,
and managed to get in good position just |
over our tunnel to be blown up. Some of |
these men came down on our side, alive.