blood, to rouse our nerves for the
coming conflict.

At daylight we arrived at Rock Castle River, and here made a halt to feed
horses and get breakfast. On the opposite side of the river lay Wild Cat
Mountain, where we soon expected to meet the foe. Breakfast was soon
dispatched, and on crossing the river, which was done by fording, we were
met by messengers with orders to hurry forward, as the battle had already
begun. Although we had a steep and rugged mountain of some three miles in
hight to ascend, and were much fatigued with our last night's march, the
whip and spur were freely applied to our horses, and hurrying along at
double quick were soon at the scene of action.

In less than ten minutes after our arrival we were in position, and at
once opened on the enemy. They were rather taken by surprise, it being the
first intimation they had received that there was any artillery on the
ground. The fighting, up to this time, had been done by infantry and
cavalry. The Rebels were in a deep ravine, and so thick were the trees we
were unable to obtain sight of them from our position, and were only
guided by the smoke from their guns.

The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry were posted on a hill directly opposite
our battery, while the Seventeenth Ohio and First Kentucky Infantry,
together with a part of Woolford's Cavalry, were stationed away to our
right. The Fourteenth Ohio Infantry were drawn up in line to our left. The
Rebels were making efforts to drive the Thirty-third Indiana from their
position. Every shot from our guns told with good effect, and the battle
continued at intervals during the day. About three o'clock in the
afternoon the firing became quite brisk, and lasted for half an hour. At
this time we rapidly threw shells into the enemy's cover, which they did
not much relish, for their fire soon perceptibly diminished, and finally
ceased. All was now quiet. At dark, one section of our battery, under
Lieutenant Sypher, moved over to where the Thirty-third Indiana held
position. It being through the woods, and as there was no road, the guns
were of necessity dragged by hand; but there were willing hearts and stout
hands at the work, and it was speedily and safely effected.

About midnight the enemy endeavored to outflank us, but in this they were
foiled; for we opened on them, throwing two or three shot, when they at
once fell back to their old position, and all again became quiet.

In the morning, nothing was