s in the four colored regiments is about three
hundred. The Seventh U. S. C. T. on the first day, carried,
with fixed bayonets, a line of rifle-pits, and carried it
without a shot, but with a loss of 35. It was one of the
most stirring and gallant affairs I have ever known'.

"It began to rain in the afternoon and continued during the
night and until nearly noon of the following day, 20th.
During the afternoon of the 20th, orders were received to
send all sick to the rear and be ready to withdraw quietly
at dark. The movement began at 7 P. M., both the Second and
Tenth Corps participating--the Second Corps and the cavalry
returning to the Petersburg line, and the Tenth to the
Bermuda Hundred front. The night was dark and the roads
muddy, and after various delays the pontoons were crossed;
and at 2 A. M., the regiment went into camp near the spot it
occupied the first night after its arrival in Virginia.

"An amusing incident occurred when we halted, after crossing
the river. When the fires were lighted our line presented
the appearance of a checker-board--alternate black and white
men. The latter belonged to the Second Corps, and having
straggled from their commands, and belonging to regiments
with the same numbers, had fallen into our solid ranks by
mistake. Their astonishment and our amusement were about
equal. Capt. Walker, having been asked if his men were all
present, replied: 'Yes, and about twenty recruits.'

"Thus ended a very hard week's work, during which the
regiment was almost constantly under fire; marching,
counter-marching, supporting a battery here or strengthening
the line there--duties which required almost constant
wakefulness and watchfulness. The losses of the brigade
footed up some two hundred and fifty.

"This movement, which had begun on the 12th by the
withdrawal of the Second Corps, Gen. Hancock, and Gregg's
cavalry division, from the Petersburg front to the north
bank of the James, to act in conjunction with the Tenth
Corps in an attempt to turn the left of the rebel line,
proved as abortive as the similar attempt made by the same
corps in the latter part of June; Gen. Lee, in both
instances, seeming to have received timely information of
our plans to enable him to transfer re-enforcements from t