The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-07
REBEL FORT AT v1cKsBuRa

pounds Of powder. and then firmly
tamped with earth, timbers. etc. Every
thing was ready for the explosion by
the morning of July 1, but the time
set for firing the fuse was 1870, and
again the whole long length of the
shooters, with heavy bodies Of troops
in the prepared rendezvous in readiness
for general assault should such be
deemed advisable. Again Gen. Grant
took up his place in the fort near ,he
White House to direct the operations,
and his subordinate officers were at
their stations at the head of their
troops.
The orders were, as before, to allow
the firing to die down to complete 81
icnce, and then at the moment Of the
explosion open up with all the force of
EIusketry and artillery. The hour set
V as awaited in tense silence by the as
sembled army. The fuses worked per-
fcctly; the explosion raised an immense
mass of earth, timber. guns and gum
carriages into the air, and threw some
Of the defenders Of the work and some
of those engaged I'm counter-mining
clear over into the Union lines. A crater
was made about 20 feet deep and so
feet in diameter, virtually destroying
the fort. At that instant the artillery
and musketry opened up In terrific vol
ume and force along the entire line,
and directly I'm front of the breach two
nine-inch Dahlgren guns battery of
large Parrott siege guns, q battery Of
field pieces and several of the wooden
coehorn mortars concentrated the most
terrific fire upon the breach. This was
accompanied by what the Confederate
Engineer described as the deadliest fire
Of musketry he had ever known.
Maj. s. II. Lockett. Pembertons Chief
Engineer. had anticipated the explo-
sion, and was a few moments before
with his counter-miners attempting To
prevent 1t by blowing up the Union
mines. Six of the seven men with him
were killed. He Immediately rushed to
the breach to do what he could to stop
1t and protect the garrison. At first
they tried to throw up an embankment
with shovels from each side, but this
was immediately swept away before the
terrific fire. Then bags were gath
| cred and thrown in, to be swept away
In their turn. The ground was too
rough for an assault, and the Union
soldiers contented themselves with
Keeping up devastating fire At last
the enemy secured some protection by
| filling tent flies and wagon covers with
earth and rolling them into the breach.
In this way they secured a temporary
respite, though the Union artillery and
| n';:sketry continued to play into the
| breach for 48 hours. During this time
Capt. ;. X. Tresilian, the Engineer OF
the Third Division. fired into the breach
1872 six-pound shells and 366 12-pound
besides an unreported number of still
heavier missiles. The enemy lost sorc e.
thing over 100 men killed and wounded
b. the shells and the awful musketry
/ fire.
| AS to the effect OF this terrible fire
upon the enemy we have the following
| report by Col. +. M. CockreIl, who
commanded the First Brigade, Mis-.
souri, Volunteers. and who was for
many years after O Senator from Mis-.
souri,. He says:
5! "On the evening Of July the enemy
exploded mine. charged with at least
1000 pounds of powder, the crater
! making a fearful breach through g
portion of the redan, burying Lieut.
John T. Crenshaw and killing Lieut.
/ John Roseberry and several priyates
OF the 9Th Mo-. some Of whom were
blown high up into the air and buried
in the wreck. Eight negroes and ths
overseer in charge working a counter.
mine, were also killed. A large mum.
/ Der. OF the 9Th Mo. were blown up and
thrown oyer the brow of the hill, and
Quite number severely wounAed