Got a sightly position in front of the 18th Corps where all
points of interest were in view. Lay till sunrise upon one of the leveled
forts. a cannon ball visiting the vicinity frequently. Just at sunrise a cloud of
dust and dirt rising suddenly into the air, followed by a distant rumble, gave
us warning that the work had commenced. The dust had hardly reached its height
when 200 guns opened. The scene was wonderfully grand. We watched for two
hours. We couldn't see the maneuvering of troops. As the fort went up, the 9th
Corps went in with a yell, and took the works where the opening was made. The colored
troops charged on against the next line and were repulsed with great slaughter.
Many regard the whole thing as a failure. Returned to camp. (This refers to one
of the most spectacular and unsuccessful events of the war — Burnside's
explosion of a mine under Mahone's rebel division and forts in front of Petersburg.
This "crater" is still a "show" place. 1911. A. B. N.).
SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman
Harris Tenney, p. 125-6
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