ose
spurs--Kensington, Bush and Pine Mountains. Our troops were pushing up
as close as possible under a continuous and heavy fire. While advancing
our lines our forces could see the signals of the enemy on the
mountains, and very soon learned to read them.

"In one of the forward movements on our extreme right a very sharp
artillery duel took place between Davies' artillery and Polkhorn's, who
formed the enemy's left. During this engagement Polkhorn was killed
by one of our round shots. Our signal officers interpreted the enemy's
signals stating his death. Our boys sent up a great shout.

"The enemy thereby discovered that our men could read their signals and
at once changed them, much to the chagrin of our Signal Corps.

"The railroad bridges that had been destroyed in our rear by the enemy
on their retreat having been repaired, the trains began running and
bringing up supplies. One day a train came in drawn by a very powerful
engine. The engineer concluded that he would tempt or alarm the enemy,
so he put on a full head of steam and started down the track as
though he was going directly into their lines. As soon as he came in
sight--which was unavoidable, as the road ran through an open field
directly in front of Kensington Mountain, and then curved to the left
through a gap--they opened a battery directed at the engine. Peal after
peal was heard from their guns, but the engineer ran the engine down
to our skirmish line and there held it for some moments, keeping up
meanwhile the most hideous whistling and bell ringing. The number of
guns that opened fire and their rapidity in firing was such that
all along both lines they believed a battle was raging. The engineer
returned his engine to the train amid the shouts of thousands of our
troops.

"Our skirmishers were now close, approaching nearer and nearer every day
and night, the advance being made by regular stages. Several attempts
were made to double the skirmish-lines and move up the slope of the
ridge, but this could not be accomplished. Finally Gen. Anderson asked
permission to make a reconnaissance to our left and to the right and
rear of the enemy, or at least to find where his right rested. This was
permitted, and Gen. Anderson struck the enemy's cavalry some five miles
to our extreme left, driving them around the point of the mountain and
capturing very nearly two regiments. This at once disclosed the fact as
to the exposed flank of the enemy. He then move