August 1st. Monday. Commenced a letter to Sarah. Wrote home. Regt. remained saddled some time in the morning in anticipation of an attack. Went on picket in evening.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
31st. Sunday. Relieved from picket and marched to Brigade Hdqrs. Camped in woods. Fixed a bower. A very hot day, yesterday too. Report that the portion of the enemy’s works occupied after mine explosion was abandoned today by order of Gen Grant. Received letters from Mr. Brown and my good Sarah Felton, also notes from Ed and Otto.
30th. 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.).
28th. Boys exchanged papers with Johnnies. Got one of the 27th. No news. Have played chess considerably for a week or two. Have not been victor for a few days.
27th. In morning accompanied Col. P. and Maj. N. on a tour to visit our line, and brigade of infantry. Rebs in plain view. No firing in front of infantry for two weeks.
26th. Day spent improving the picket line, etc. Word came in P. M. that rebs were preparing for a movement on the left. Caution ordered. No demonstration.
25th. Monday. Waited till 10 o’clock and saw John off Started for home. We envy him. Would we could go too. Got home about noon. In the evening marched to left of the army and relieved a brigade of the 2nd Div. on picket. Our regiment on the right of the brigade.
24th. Sunday. A. M. went to the Point for John. He came out and preached for us at 4 P. M. Goodly number out. Excellent remarks. A. B. and I rode back with him and remained over night on account of rain. Horse fell upon my leg going down. No serious harm. Came near breaking it. Good visit with John. Saw Dorsey.
23rd. Saturday. Nettleton went to the Point yesterday so he did not go down this evening for John.
22nd. Transferred forge to 3rd Jersey. Thede and I rode to City Point. Bigelow and we took dinner with John. Pleasant time. Visited Capt. Dorsey. Enjoyed the ride.
