ent was afforded us, to relieve us
from the monotonous life which we are spending. A detachment of the
regiment, commanded by Captain Griggs, made a bold dash upon an
ill-starred portion of Mosby's band, near Aldie, where we captured three
men and twenty horses and equipments, most of which had formerly
belonged to our service, having been taken by these wily guerillas.
Nearly every horse had the familiar "U. S." upon his shoulder; and the
saddles, with very few exceptions, were of Northern manufacture.

_August 15._--The Harris Light moved from Thoroughfare Gap at ten A. M.
We reached Hartwood Church at eight in the evening, _via_ New Baltimore
and Greenwich. A considerable halt was made at Warrenton Junction,
where we drew rations and forage.

Henry E. Davies, Jr., just promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment,
joined us at the Junction, and took command. He is immensely popular
with the men, especially with those who admire bravery and heroism, and
who covet to be thoroughly drilled and disciplined.

_August 17._--We continue at Hartwood Church, with our camp located very
near General Kilpatrick's headquarters. During the day Colonel Davies
appointed me second lieutenant, and assigned me to the command of
Company M, as both the captain and first lieutenant of the company are
absent on detached service.

Late in the evening I received orders to report, with my company, at an
early hour next day, to Captain Meade, division quartermaster. At five
o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth we made our bow to the captain,
who despatched us as an escort or guard to a train from Hartwood to
Warrenton Junction.

During the march we made an exciting dash upon a band of guerillas, who
were watching for us, expecting to make some captures. But they were
disappointed, for we were not only prepared to resist them, but would
have captured them but for the superior fleetness of their horses. After
accomplishing the work we were sent out to do, and resting one night, we
returned to the regiment.

_August 22._--This is my natal day. I find myself twenty-two years of
age. I am not surrounded on this anniversary, as in former years, by the
friends of my childhood. But memories of the past come trooping up in
such vivid lines, as to make the day one of deep interest.

_August 28._--My company, which forms a part of Captain Mitchell's
battalion, is doing picket-duty at present with the battalion on the
Rappahannock between Banks a