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.