ion to shield themselves,
and sought cover at every opportunity. They made fire proofs
of logs and earth, and with tortuous covered ways and
traverse, endeavoring to secure themselves from the enemy's
fire. The artillery and mortars on both sides were kept
almost constantly at work. These were all precursors of the
coming, sanguinary struggle for the possession of Cemetery
Hill. Immediately in front of the salient occupied by the
Ninth Corps, the rebels had constructed a very strong
redoubt, a short distance below Cemetery Hill. In the rear
of the redoubt ran a ridge nearly at right angles with the
rebels' lines, to the hill. It appeared that if this redoubt
was captured, the enemy's line would be seriously
threatened, if not entirely broken up. A feasible plan for
the destruction of the redoubt, was seriously discussed
among the soldiers of the corps; finally Colonel Pleasants,
of the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, devised a plan to run a
mine under the intervening space between the line of the
corps and the redoubt, with the design of exploding it,
directly under the redoubt. To this plan General Burnside
lent his aid, and preparations were made for an assault upon
Cemetery Hill, at the time of its explosion. The work of
digging and preparing the mine was prosecuted under the most
disadvantageous circumstances. General Meade reluctantly
gave official sanction, and the work of excavation proceeded
with, despite the fact that General Burnside's requisitions
for supplies were not responded to. Nevertheless, in less
than a month the mine was ready, and after considerable
discussion, and not without some bickering, the plan of
attack was arranged, which, in brief, was to form two
columns, and to charge with them through the breach caused
by the explosion of the mine. Then to sweep along the
enemy's line, right and left, clearing away the artillery
and infantry, by attacking in the flank and rear. Other
columns were to make for the crest, the whole to co-operate.
General Ferrero, in command of the Phalanx division was
informed, that in accordance with the plan of attack, he was
to lead in the assault, when the attack was made, after the
mine had been fired. He was ordered to drill his troops
accordingly. After a careful examination o