ng down. But the cannoneers fastened a rope to the axle-tree,
and down we went in good earnest. Halted at the R. R. crossing in a
complete jam of infantry, artillery and ambulances near General Smith's
headquarters, who knew nothing of our movements and demanded by whose
orders we came down. A flank movement by General Longstreet was
apprehended, and we were to guard it by order of General Sherman. We
stood there in the cold damp evening for half an hour, got a feed of
shelled corn from an out-house close by, when we moved back into the
first field above General Matthies, and came into camp alongside of
Cogswell's Battery and the 2nd and 3rd Brigades of our Division.
Unhitched but did not unharness. Our rations were entirely out with the
exception of coffee and some cornmeal picked up, so we ate hastily of
unsifted mush and coffee.

Three drivers from each piece sent after sheaf oats for horses. I was on
the detail and we rode back nearly three miles toward the river. Found
the oats all gone, but plenty of good tame hay, of which we took as much
as possible. Returned to camp by 9 P. M. I was nearly exhausted from
cold and loss of sleep, having been up since 1 A. M. Lay down in cold
and wet blankets.

[Sidenote: 1863 Mission Ridge]

Mission Ridge, Wednesday, Nov. 25. Called up before three in the morning
to feed. Suffered very much from cold during the night. The blankets
stiff with frost over us. Witnessed an almost total eclipse of the moon
and again lay down, but no sleep.

6 A. M. McCook's Brigade of Davis's Division formed in line of battle
facing to the left and supporting our artillery, should it be necessary.
1st Section (rifles) reported to be well fortified on the ridge.

9 A. M. Not much fighting as yet, the pickets advancing and skirmishing.
A reb battery shells directly over and in rear. One shell twelve-pounder
time-fuse dropped ahead of our team and was dug up by the boys. A mule
team came up and issued one day's rations of hard-tack.

11 A. M. The 2nd and 3rd Brigades went in on double quick followed by
the 11th Corps with crescents flying, a fine looking body of men, but
are looked on rather suspiciously by our sturdy veterans. They went in
and advanced towards the rebels' works on Tunnel Hill, and musketry
rattled very severe.

From that time [till] late in the evening a terrible struggle followed,
wounded men coming back thick and fast. Our position was such that we
could not witness the fiel