THE BATTLE OF THE PETERSBURG CRATER.

CARRYING POWDER TO THE MINE.

Upon General Ledlie's return from the front orders were issued, and the division was formed at midnight. Shortly afterward it advanced through the covered ways, and was in position some time before daybreak, behind the Union breastworks, and immediately in front of the enemy's fort, which was to be blown up. The orders were that Ledlie's division should advance first , pass over the enemy's works and charge to Cemetery Hill four hundred yards to the right, and approached byatively free from obstacles ; as soon as the First Division I should leave the works the next division; (Willcox's) was to advance to the left of Cemetery Hill, so as to protect the left flank of the First Division ; and the next division (Potter's) was to move in the , same way to the right of Cemetery Hill. The Ninth Corps being out of the way, it was intended that the Fifth and Eighteenth corps should pass through and follow up the movement.

At 3:30 A. M. Ledlie's division was in position, the Second Brigade, Colonel E. G. Marshall, in front, and that of General W. F. Bartlett behind it, the men and officers in a feverish state of expectancy, the majority of them having been awake all night. Daylight came slowly, and still they stood with every nerve strained prepared to move for ward the instant an order should be given.

Four o'clock arrived, officers and men began to get nervous, having been on their effect four hours ; still the mine had not been exploded. General Ledlie then directed me to go to General Burnside and report to him that the command had been in readiness to move since 3 : 30 A. M., and to inquire the cause of the delay of the explosion. I found General Burnside in rear of the fourteen-gun battery, delivered my message, and received the reply from the general information that there was some trouble with the fuse dying out, but