econd signal of a bugle should be for the infantry to storm the works.
But we waited in vain for any signal, General Warren stating the works
could not be taken without immense loss of life; the main works being
built of solid logs, two feet thick, the breastworks eleven feet high and
six feet thick, mounted with eighteen guns. Our battery opened several
times on the enemy, who was endeavoring to carry artillery by our front.
Sergeant Olney made a splendid shot during the morning. Heavy cannonading
was kept up on the right the whole forenoon; but neither army seemed to be
very anxious to open the battle. Horse artillery fired on our position
several times, without doing any damage. During the afternoon the right
section took position ahead of us, a little to our right, firing some. Our
whole line was fortified during the day. At dark, our battery was ordered
to fall back to the rear, which was gladly responded to. Going about two
miles, we went in park close to the Fredericksburg plank-road.

_Tuesday, December 1._--All the trains are going towards the Rapidan.
Troops were marching back all the afternoon. The right section of our
battery, under Lieutenant Hunt, was sent back to the front to guard the
Orange road, but returned again in the evening. At eleven o'clock in the
night, the Second corps commenced marching to the rear, on the
Fredericksburg plank-road. Our battery was the last of the corps. The
night was cold but clear. The moon shone. We travelled very fast. A
division of cavalry and some horse artillery concluded the rear-guard. We
marched all night. Large fires were burning on both sides of the road.
Sometimes the woods were all on fire. On this march we were undergoing
great sufferings, many of us having no overcoats.

_Wednesday, December 2._--We crossed the Rapidan at Culpepper Ford, early
in the morning. All the troops went over at once; the cavalry cutting off
on a shorter route. The pontoons were taken off immediately, while the
troops halted to rest on the other side of the Rapidan. The rebel
van-guard made its appearance, but were shelled by our horse artillery,
dispersing them soon. We marched until eight o'clock P. M., when we
reached our old camp on Colonel Thomas' plantation. The mansion was
destroyed entirely by our troops during the seven days campaign across the
Rapidan. This is the first night for some time, we rest again in peace.

_Friday, December 4._--All the artillery changed camp.

_Sa