to return to my regiment. The
shells were bursting all about us, and I found the regiment on my return
already in line, and soon after we moved and took a position in a less
exposed situation, where we remained through the night. I went to a
house close by, found some boards, returned to the street, where we were
ordered to remain, placed one end of these boards upon the sidewalk, the
other end resting in the middle of the street, and finding some straw in
the neighborhood, made my bed upon these, and "laid me down to sleep."

Early in the morning, the different regiments were all astir, preparing
for the coming battle. The different companies of our regiment were
drawn up in line, our haversacks were filled with three days' rations,
which consisted of crackers, pork, sugar and coffee, our canteens with
water, and moving some half mile farther down the city, we rested on our
arms, in readiness to take the part assigned us. While in this place, we
were somewhat sheltered from the enemy's shells, which were thrown at
different intervals, several of them dropping and bursting in the river,
directly in front of us, causing much dodging and twisting, throughout
the different regiments.

There was a space directly in front of our position, upon which there
were no buildings, close upon the river. This space was occupied early
in the forenoon, by the Irish Brigade, and I saw for the first time,
Thomas F. Meagher, the general commanding this brigade, well known as
the Irish patriot and fighting general. This brigade were called into
action early in the day, and moved to the front at once. This was at
about ten, A.M.

The booming of cannon and the sharp cracking of the musketry, soon told
us that the "ball had opened," and at twelve o'clock, M. we were called
upon. Our line was quickly formed, and we moved on. Filing to the left,
we passed up a steep hill on the "double quick," and soon came in sight
and within range of the enemy's guns, who immediately brought them to
bear upon us. The firing becoming too hot for us, we were brought into
line, and ordered to lie close to the ground. Down we went, accordingly,
into the mud, and the firing partly ceased. Again we rose, and rushed
ahead, the artillery playing upon us more furiously than ever. Gaining a
trench, a short distance ahead, we again came to a halt and formed our
line anew. Being partially sheltered from the enemy's fire, we stopped
long enough to catch our breath, then