The assault on Kenesaw, as far as capturing the enemy's works were
concerned, was a failure; but this did not prove, by any means, that we
were whipped. So on the next day it was determined to advance the line
held by our brigade, which was formed in close column by regiments, the
125th being in the front line. The movement was made in order to mine
the works of the enemy. As the distance was not more than two hundred
feet, it was an extremely hazardous undertaking, but as yankee ingenuity
cannot be balked, Col. Langley devised a plan, the like of which was
never seen before during the war, and completely casts in the shade all
engineering exploits on record. The colonel and one man, corporal Joseph
Frankenburg, of Co. "E," who volunteered for the undertaking, crawled
from our line to a tree some twenty yards in advance, and behind it
commenced digging a small pit. After digging enough earth to give
protection, an empty cracker box was dragged up from our lines by means
of a rope, and filled with earth, this was placed in front of the pit,
and after digging a little more, another cracker box was brought along,
filled, and placed in juxtaposition. This was continued with success,
until finally the whole regiment advanced the twenty yards, and were
safely ensconced behind the cracker box fortification. Mining at once
commenced under the colonel's direction, but the evacuation of the
rebels rendered it useless to proceed with the work to its completion.
It was the intention to mine under the rebel breast works, and on the
morning of the 4th of July, to usher in the day by one of the grandest
pyrotechnic displays that had ever occurred in those parts, which would
strike terror and dismay to the hearts of the rebels, and would
undoubtedly have been, for some of their number, the last 4th of July
celebration they would ever have honored with their presence. But the
"Johnnies" found out the scheme, and evacuated the works. Prisoners
stated that they suspected something of the sort was going on, so
placing a drum on the ground, and on its head some small pieces of
gravel, the digging of our boys caused the head of the drum to vibrate,
and make the gravel move. This scheme frustrated our designs, but the
wonder of many of us was, where they learned enough of philosophy to
induce them to make the experiment. One rebel stated that he was
stationed where "the mine would have blown him to h—ll if we'uns hadn't
left."
Pending the armistice to bury the dead between the lines, the rebel army
was represented by Colonel Rice of the 28th Tennessee, our side by
Colonel Langley. Colonel Rice was very anxious that the arms and
accoutrements of our soldiers who fell at the rebel breast works, should
be given over to them, but to this Col. Langley objected, and proposed
that they should be regarded as neutral property, and not touched by
either party until one or the other should occupy the ground. To this
Colonel Rice reluctantly consented, knowing that if he did not it would
be equivalent to saying that the rebels were not going to hold their
position. The upshot of the matter was just as Colonel Langley expected,
the rebels evacuated, and we got all the arms, some 250 Enfield rifles.
The rebel generals Cheatham and Hindman, were present during the
armistice, and as everything connected with our assault on Kenesaw is of
the deepest interest, we have concluded to give a description of these
noted rebels. Cheatham's uniform consisted of an old slouch hat, a blue
hickory shirt, butternut pants, and a pair of cavalry boots. The
supports to his unmentionables were an old leather strap, and a piece of
web, the general appearance being that of a "johnney" gone to seed. In a
conversation with our colonel he stated that he was of the opinion that
the war would be settled by treaty, as neither party could conquer. He
was satisfied that we had so completely revolutionized Missouri,
Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland and Louisiana,
that, they would never form part of the Confederacy. He virtually
admitted that he was only fighting from principle, and not for the love
of the Southern Confederacy. When Tennessee passed the ordinance of
secession, he went with it, and as he had cast his lot, he did not like
to "back down." Hindman was an Arkansian, and had the reputation of
being a confirmed gambler and black-leg. He did not command the respect
of his troops, and by his brother officers he was despised. In
appearance he was very dressy. His auburn hair flowed in ringlets over
his shoulders, and it was stated that a light mulatto girl dressed it
for him every morning. Colonel Rice was very gentlemanly and humane in
the manner in which he assisted our fellows to pay the last sad rites to
those who had fallen in front of their works while bravely fighting.