verted the
engine-house in which they were stationed into a loopholed and casemated
battery to protect two pieces of the Eighth N. Y. troop, placed there to
rake the railroad. In the more laborious parts of this work, lifting
railroad sleepers and carrying sand-bags, they were assisted by a
detachment of negroes from the large body at work on the fortifications,
and it was really touching to see the patient, uncomplaining way in which
these poor men worked. All the preceding night and day with scanty
covering they had toiled, digging, carrying heavy beams and sand-bags, and
though almost wearied out, without the slightest compulsion, without the
use of a single harsh word from their overseer, they still continued. The
white volunteers from Harrisburg had long since abandoned the toilsome
work; the weary soldiers stopped at nine o'clock; but the negroes kept on.

At twelve o'clock P. M., the Twenty-second and Thirty-seventh, were
cautiously awakened and marched stealthily out to cut off the enemy's
advanced guard, reported to be reconnoitring in our front. It was an
imposing sight to see the long column dimly and silently winding down the
roads and through the varying shadows of the night. Not a sound was
heard--orders were given in a whisper; and as we drew nearer the enemy's
position, the silence was so profound that the heavy breathing of the men
was distinctly audible.

After a long march, whispered orders were passed down the line, and amid a
death-like silence we halted and formed line of battle, fixing bayonets,
and freshly capping our pieces in readiness for instant service. Every eye
was strained through the darkness to discern the patrols of the enemy in
the wavering shadows of the woods and fields, and every ear was stretched
to its utmost tension to catch the expected challenge. But the silence was
unbroken, and after a few moments' halt the column proceeded, feeling
their way with the utmost caution, and expecting at every instant to hear
the volley which would announce that the advanced pickets had been
encountered; but our caution was unnecessary, the enemy had fallen back
and there was nothing to be seen.

The movement was splendidly managed, and only wanted one thing to be a
magnificent success, that was--an enemy. "As there wasn't anybody to be
captured, we could not capture anybody;" so after marching out some five
miles past the pickets, we returned without seeing anything, and at five
A. M. lay dow