THE BATTLE OF THE PETERSBURG CRATER.

DETAILS OF THE MINE.

without being fired at. They had been in the habit of using every possible means of covering themselves from the enemy's fire.

General Meade objected to tho use of the colored troops on the ground, as he stated, that they were a new division and had never been under fire, while this was an operation requiring the very best troops. General Burnside , however, insisted upon his programme, and the question was referred to General Grant, who confirmed General Meade's ,views, although he subsequently said in his evidence ,before the Committee on the Conduct of the War :

" General Burnside wanted to put his colored division in front, and I believe if he had done so it would have been a success. Still I agreed with General Meade as to his objections to that plan.
General Meade said that if we put the colored troops in :front (we had only one division) and it should prove a failure, it would then be said, and very properly, that we were shoving these people ahead to get killed because we did not care anything about them. But that could not be said if we put white troops in front."

The mine was charged with only 8000 pounds of powder, instead of 14,000, as asked for, the amount having been reduced by order of General Meade; and while awaiting the decision of General Grant on the question of the colored