d half of my regiment and two of Loomis' guns to the
support of Wagner. I took six companies and started up the valley.
Reached Wagner's quarters at six o'clock. Brought neither tents nor
provisions, and to-night will turn in with the Indianians.

It is true that the enemy number three thousand; the main body being ten
or fifteen miles away. Their pickets and ours, however, are near each
other; but General Reynolds was misinformed as to two of Wagner's
companies. They had not been surrounded.

To-morrow Colonel Wagner and I will make a reconnoissance, and ascertain
if the rebels are ready to fight. Wagner has six hundred and fifty men
fit for duty, and I have four hundred. Besides these, we have three
pieces of artillery. Altogether, we expect to be able to hoe them a
pretty good row, if they should advance on us. Four of the enemy were
captured to-day. A company of cavalry is approaching. "Halt! who comes
there?" cries the sentinel. "Lieutenant Denny, without the countersign."
"All right," shouts Colonel Wagner, "let him come." I write with at
least four fleas hopping about on my legs.

5. To-day we felt our way up the valley eight miles, but did not reach
the rebels.

To-night our pickets were sure they heard firing off in the direction of
Kanawha. If so, Cox and Wise must be having a pleasant little
interchange of lead.

The chaplain of the Thirteenth Indiana is the counterpart of Scott's
Holy Clerk of Copmanhurst, or the fighting friar of the times of Robin
Hood. In answer to some request he has just said that he will "go to
thunder before doing it." The first time I saw this fighting parson was
at the burnt bridge near Huttonville. He had two revolvers and a hatchet
in his belt, and appeared more like a firebrand of war than a minister
of peace. I now hear the rough voice of a braggadocio captain in the
adjoining tent, who, if we may believe his own story, is the most
formidable man alive. His hair-breadth escapes are innumerable, and his
anxiety to get at the enemy is intense. Is it not ancient Pistol come
again to astonish the world by deeds of reckless daring?

We have sent out a scouting party, and hope to learn something more of
the rebels during the night. Wagner, Major Wood, Captain Abbott, and
others are having a game of whist.

6. Our camp equipage came up to-day, so that we are now in our own
tents.

Four of my companies are on picket, scattered up the valley for miles,
and half of the other two