ucted to the right and left of the sap or tunnel, so
that about four tons of powder were placed under the fort, tamped with
sand bags and wood. The intention was to explode the mine, and at the
moment of the explosion to open with all the artillery in this front
on the enemy's lines, and to rapidly move a storming column through the
crater and carry the high ground in rear, which, if in our possession,
would command the city and the enemy's works. At about 3:30 on the
morning of the 30th of July the fuse was lighted, but no explosion
followed. Many attempts were made before the powder ignited. The
suspense was great. Silent was quietly waiting to see the result.

"Finally the smoke was seen and the dead, heavy sound was heard,
like unto the mutterings of distant thunder or the rumblings of an
earthquake. Following this the whole surroundings were darkened, and up
far in the air were sent guns, gun-carriages, caissons, picks, shovels,
timbers and human beings. They went up in a confused mass and came down
as though falling from the clouds in fragments. Many poor fellows were
blown to atoms. Our artillery opened, and the cannonading that followed
perhaps was never equaled during the war. A column of infantry charged
into the crater and there hesitated and halted after capturing those
who were left alive. This hesitation gave the enemy time to recover from
their astonishment and alarm. They rallied and opened a terribly galling
fire into the crater. Support was sent in, which only made the confusion
among our men the greater. A cross-fire was now poured into them in the
breach, and it was turned into a great slaughter-pen. Both sides were
slaughtered in great numbers. Rebel and Union troops, white and colored
men, were mixed together, crying to one another for help. The scene,
as described by those who witnessed it, was one upon which no one could
wish to dwell. Our people felt this disaster as much as any during the
war. It was used by our enemies everywhere to prove our commander to be
a heartless butcher.

"About this time an ordnance boat loaded with supplies of ammunition was
exploded at or near Silent's headquarters at Sentinel Point. The report
alarmed every one for miles around. The earth shook and trembled as if
this globe was dissolving. Fragments of shell, wood and human beings
fell about the locality like hail coming down. Men shrieked and ran
wildly about, thinking that the final end of all things was at hand.