Evening star., 1911-08-27
1901


of the powder. The greatest delay was
occasioned by taking out the mate
rial, which had to be carried the whole
length of the gallery. Every night the
pioneers of Col. Peasants regiment
had to cut bushes to cover the fresh
dirt at the mouth of the gallery; other
wise the enemy could have observed
it from trees inside. his own lines
The main gallery was 51O $40 feet
in length. The left lateral gallery
was thirty-seven feet in length and
the right lateral thirty-eight feet. The
magazines. eight in number. were
placed in the lateral ga1leries-two at
each end few feet apart in branches
at nearly right angles to the side gall
leries. and two more in each of the
side galleries similarly placed by pairs.
situated equidstant from each other
and the end of the galleries.
1t had been the intention of Gen.
Grant to make an assault the
enemy's works in the early part of
July; but the movement was deferred
in consequence of the work on the
mine, the completion Of which was
impatiently awaited. As diversion
Hancock's corps and two divisions of
cavalry had crossed to the north side
or the James al Deep Bottom and had
threatened Richmond. A part of Lees
army was sent from Petersburg to
checkmate this move. and when the
mine was ready to be sprung Hancock
was recalled in haste to Petersburg
With a view of making the attack.
the division of colored troops. under
Gen Edward Ferrero. had been drill
ing for several weeks. Gen. Burnside
thinking that they were in better con-
dftion TO head a charge than either Of
the white divisions. They had not been
in any very active service. On the
other hand. the white divisions had per-
formed very arduous duties since the
beginning of the campaign, and before
petersburg had been in such proxim-
lty to the enemy that no man could
raise his head above the parapets
without being fired at
Gen. Meade objected to the use OF the
colored troops. on the ground, as he
stated. that they were a new division
and had never been under fire, while
TINS was an operation requiring the very
best troops Gen. Burnside, however. in
sisted upon his program, and the queS-
tlon was referred to Gen. Grant, who con-
frmed Gen. Meade's views The mine was
charged with only 5000 pounds of DOW
der instead of 1900 as asked for. the
Gen. Meade.
In the afternoon Of the Goth of July
Gems. Potter and o. B. Wilcox met to-
gether at Gen. Burnside's Headquarters.
70 tax over the plans of the attack,
based upon the idea that the colored
troops would lead the charge and while
there the message was received from
Gen. Meade that Gen. Grant disapproved
OF that plan, and that Gen. Burnside must
detail one of his white divisions to take
the place of the coIored division There
were then scarcely twelve hours, and
half OF these at night. in which to make
this change-and no possible time in
which the white troops could be famil-
cd of
In connection with the assault.
Gen. Burnside was greatly disappointed
by this change: but he Immediately sent
for Gen. Ledie. who had been in COM
mand of the first division only about six
weeks. Upon his arrival Gen. Burnside
determined that the three comma anders of
his white divisions should pull straws,"
and Ledlie was (as he thought the un-
lucky victim. He.. however, took it
and. after receiving spe-
clal instructions from Gen. Burnside,
proceeded with his brigade commanders
to ascertain the way TO the point of at
tack. This was not accomplished until
after dark on the evening before the ex-
plosion
Gen Burnside. was also changed by
direction of Gen. Meade with the ap-
proval of Gen. Grant. Instead of moving
down to the right and left of the crater
of the mine. for the purpose of driving
the enemy from their intrenchments. and
removing to that extent the danger of
flank attacks. Gen. Meade directed that
the troops should push at once for the
crest of Cemetery hill.
Upon Gen. Ledies return from the
front orders were issued. and the division
was formed at midnight Shortly after
ward 1t advanced through the covered
ways. and was in position some time be-
fore daybreak July 800, behind the Union
and Immediately in front of