rength; we passed
down into the ravine and up a steep bluff under a galling fire, but at
last we reached the top and held our position till the reserves were sent
to support both of our flanks; hard fighting all day.

June 1st, 1864. All quiet till about ten o'clock; then the enemy charged
on our left and were driven back with heavy loss. They also charged on our
right in plain sight. Two lines came up on the double-quick till within
two hundred yards. Then you might have seen a line of dusty forms spring
up as if by magic, and a sheet of fire burst forth which sent them reeling
back to their cover in the woods. They soon rallied again and came on with
double the force that had first assailed us. Just then, one of our light
batteries, of six guns, was placed in position in the woods, and gave them
grape and canister.

On they came regardless of life and fearless as demons; but soon they met
a sheet of fire which seemed to consume them; they retreated to the woods
for the second time, and made no further attack on that part of our line.

On the 2d, we fell back and moved about five miles to the left. At four
o'clock, they came down on us and tried to get in our rear; but all to no
purpose. We fought hard during the following day, but rested that night.
On the 4th, we moved about four miles, and formed on the right of the line
at Coal Harbor. Every one knows about this place. It will be sufficient to
say that we had work to do, and I think all were glad when the order came
to fall back.

Just after dark, on the 11th, we started back and took our breakfast near
Whitehouse landing, and continued our march. Our next rest was near the
James river, where we remained until the 15th, when we took up our line of
march just at dusk, and marched all night and till four o'clock of the
following day. Forming on the line of battle near the Weldon railroad, we
went in on a charge, and fought more or less all night.

On the morning of the 17th, we charged all along the line, drove the enemy
back, took several pieces of artillery, and more or less prisoners.
Advanced about one mile on the 18th, and during the night threw up earth
works in an old oat field near a peach orchard. On the 19th, we dug our
pit eight feet wide and three deep, throwing all the earth in front. Hard
fighting on the left. On the 20th, hard fighting all along the line. I
received a slight wound across my left temple.

June 21st ended my term in the field. I was