e of battle instantly. The balloon went up for the last time, a
good sign of better prospects, for the balloon never brought luck to our
army. At eleven o'clock, marching was resumed. We crossed Aquia Creek at
three o'clock P. M., going in position near by, and remained there for
the rest of the day and night. The day was terribly hot,--110 deg. in the
shade. Eighteen men died from the effects of the heat. A man of the
Twenty-eighth Massachusetts regiment broke his neck, falling over a stump
of a tree. We marched seventeen miles since leaving Falmouth. Reports of
artillery firing can be heard all day.

_Tuesday, June 16._--The column got in motion at three o'clock in the
morning. Heavy cannonade in the direction of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We
arrived at Dumfries about ten o'clock A. M. Rations were issued there, and
our march resumed at noon. The right section of our battery, under
Lieutenant Peter Hunt, was acting rear-guard to-day. We passed Wolf's run
at seven o'clock, and went to camp for the night, after having marched
twenty miles. The strong fortifications at Wolf Run Shoals, are counted to
the defences of Washington.

_Wednesday, June 17._--This morning we marched to Fairfax Station, (six
miles,) and formed in line of battle. Our corps numbers not more than
eight thousand effective men. The roads leading to Manassas are full of
the army trains, coming from Warrenton.

_Thursday, June 18._--Near Fairfax Station, in line of battle.

_Friday, June 19._--Near Fairfax Station. Marched at four o'clock P. M.,
and arrived at Centreville about six. Went in position in one of the
redoubts. A heavy shower in the night.

_Saturday, June 20._--Centreville. Great row between the Tammany regiment,
New York, and some of the new troops under General Hayes. We left
Centreville at one o'clock P. M., crossed the Cub Run, and marched over
the old battle-field of Bull Run at five o'clock, which awoke all the
bitter feelings of the troops, especially the sight of the skeletons of so
many brave soldiers lying around. It is a shame to the country that the
remains of those men, who fell in the two battles, are not better taken
care of, as the ground lies within our lines. Arriving at Gainesville, the
First and Third divisions, and our battery went to camp. The Second
division marched to Thoroughfare Gap in the night.

_Sunday, June 21._--At Gainesville. A battle is going on between
Pleasanton's and Stuart's cavalry near Ashby Gap.