Alfred Rudolph Waud -- Federal Assault at the Mine, July 30, 1864

"Carrying the powder down the covered way to the mine under fire" [DRWG/US - Waud, no. 52 (A size)]

Loading Powder in the "Mine, Petersburg" [DRWG/US - Waud, no. 1075 (AA size)]

"Before Petersburg at sunrise, July 30th 1864" [DRWG/US - Waud, no. 727 (B size)]

Inscribed on separate sheet of cream paper: "Explosion of the mine under the Confederate works at Petersburg July 30th 1864. The spires in the distance mark the location of the city; along the crest, in front of them are the defensive works, it was an angle of these that was blown up, with its guns & defenders. The explosion was the signal for the simultaneous opening of the artillery and musketry of the Union lines. The pickets are seen running in from their pits & shelters on the front, to the outer line of attack. In the middle distance, are the magnificent 8 & 10 inch Mortar batteries, built and commanded by Col. Abbott. Nearer is a line of abandoned rifle pits, and in the foreground is the covered way, a sunken road for communication with the siege works and the conveyance of supplies and ammunition to the forts. The chief Engineer of the A. of P. is standing upon the embankment watching progress throw [sic] a field glass."

"Scene of the explosion Saturday July 30th" [DRWG/US - Waud, no. 156 (A size)]

 Inscribed on an accompanying piece of paper in pencil and black ink: "The advance to the "crater" after the explosion of the mine. In the middle distance are the mounds of earth thrown up by the explosion: beyond upon the high ground cemetery hill the Confederates inner line of works, which if they had carried, would have given the Union Army Petersburg and Richmond. In the foreground troops are seen advancing to and beyond Burnsides outer intrenched line and moving upon the Confederate defences. These were on the left Bartlett's Massachusetts brigade, and on the right, the Negro troops this sketch was made about 8 AM July 30th 1864. / A point in the Rebel works known as Elliots Salient over this part was held by the 18th and 23rd S. Carolina infantry and a battery of artillery blown up in the explosion."