sionally this will happen, and the poor fellow awakes only. to find himself deep-set into a mud hole, while general merriment is produced among the beholders. As no one is hurt, the man is soon remounted, and the journey pursued. With all these experiences we traveled until after midnight, and finally bivouacked and sought rest.

June 14th. Four hours' rest was all we got, not half what weary men needed. But to the bugle's shrill call every one must answer. After a very hasty meal the march was again resumed, and we finally halted at Charles City Court House, in sight of the flags and tents of army headquarters. While resting here, by the crumbling walls and chimneys of once opulent and tasty dwellings, we read in the scorched trees and in the general desolation, a few pages of Rebellion's record of sorrow. Having grazed our horses, and received forage and rations, we moved back to St. Mary's church, where we bivouacked about eleven o'clock at night. So near to us were the pickets of the enemy that we were ordered to build no fires, and the boys ate their supper without the usual coffee.

June 15th. The division moved by daybreak toward the White Oak swamps. Just beyond Smith's store, in the edge of the swamps, a strong column of Rebel infantry was encountered. So masterly had been conducted this flank movement across the James river, that the Rebels were deceived as to its object. Expecting that a strong force would advance on Richmond by way of Malvern Hills, on the north side of the James, they had sent a corresponding force to meet it. It was this force which we met. A hotly contested battle followed. Engaged with numbers far greater than our own, and infantry.at that, we suffered a

heavy loss and were compelled to fall back, which we did in good order, bringing most of our dead and wounded from the field. At St. Mary's Church was established a hospital, and in the fields and woods adjoining, the division went into bivouac. A heavy picket line was thrown out in the direction of the swamps. 1

June 16th. The regiment was detailed on picket this morning, where it remained all day. At night all the pickets were withdrawn, and the division was moved to Wyanoke Landing on the James, where we arrived after a long, toilsome march, a few hours before day.

CHAPTER IX.

Crossing the James River.- Pleasant Scene.- The Wilson Raid.First Day.- Battle of Nottoway Court House.- The Danville Rail road. What we Destroyed.- The Contrabands.- Battle of Reams Station.- The Swift Retreat.-Awful Scenes.-The Author's Personal Adventures.- Is Dismounted in the Woods.— Travels by Night and Rests by Day.- Narrow Escapes.- Assisted by Negroes. Reaches our Lines Safely.- Casualties of the Raid. The Division Ships for Geisboro' Point, D. C.- June 17th to August 9th, 1864.

June 17th. After about three hours' rest we were started on the march again, and about a mile below Wyanoke, and a little above Fort Powhatan, the division crossed the James on a pontoon bridge. This was as pleasant a scene as we had ever witnessed. The broad, smooth river, the crafts of various kinds which had collected at this point and floated so quietly on the water, the long bridge, which, swayed by the current of the stream, formed a gentle, graceful curve, the long lines of cavalry slowly moving to the opposite shore, and, poured over all, the glad sunshine of the Sabbath morning, presented a scene so much in contrast to those rough experiences, through which we had just passed, that every one was delighted. A short rest was enjoyed on the southern bank, during which were issued forage and rations. At three P. N under a sweltering sun, our march was resumed in the direction of Petersburg. Great destruc

tion of property was visible on the march. People, frightened by the advance of the Yankee army, had forsaken their houses and fled. Such places were destroyed. Had the inhabitants remained at home, the houses, at least, would not have been molested. About sundown we passed Prince George Court House and bivouacked about two miles beyond. With great difficulty the boys obtained water for their coffee, most of them being compelled to take it from the tracks of the horses where they had been led to watering, in the swamps near by.

June 18th. The division moved early, in a southeasterly direction, to the region of the Black Water swamps. The regiment was sent on picket not far from Mt. Sinai Church. As the country abounded in milk, honey, corn, wheat, meat and sorghum, the command lived well.

June 21st. These days have been spent quietly on picket. This afternoon an order was issued to prepare to move early to-morrow morning.

June 22d. About three o'clock A. M. Gen. Wilson's division, reënforced by Gen. Kautz's brigade of cavalry with fourteen pieces of flying artillery, including two mountain howitzers, was ready for a raid. At a rapid rate, principally through by-paths, and unfrequented ways, to avoid any force of the enemy, the command advanced, striking the Weldon rail road at Reams Station. Here the depot and about a mile of track were destroyed. This work was quickly done, and we moved on in a westerly course to Dinwiddie Court House, where we turned our faces northward. At Gravelly Run a short halt was made and our horses were watered. About sundown the Southside rail road was reached a little west of Sutherlands, and destruc

tion of ties, rails, culverts, bridges, &c., began in earnest. The night was soon illuminated by the destroying fires. Our march now lay along the rail road, and was continued as far as Ford's, where we halted about eleven P. M., after capturing two trains, one passenger and one freight. The engines, having been set on fire by means of rails and boards piled around them, made the night hideous with their unearthly shrieks, which continued for several hours, disturbing the rest, which, weary and sleepy, we sought in vain to enjoy.

June 23d. At early light we were on the move again, engaged in the work of destruction. The great heat and drought were very favorable to our enterprise, though men and beasts suffered much for the want of water. A few rails or sticks of wood laid along the track and ignited, sufficed to make the destruction complete. Here and there the road was torn up, the ties heaped together and set on fire, while the iron rails were laid crosswise upon the burning piles. They were thus effectually destroyed. Telegraph posts were cut down, and the wire was twisted and broken. One regiment after another was detailed to perform this labor, and such was the wisdom of the arrangement, that the main column was not impeded in its progress, while the work was going on. Uninterrupted in our progress, we advanced, beyond Blacks and Whites, crossed the Little Nottoway creek, and encountered the enemy in pretty strong force, not far from Nottoway Court House. Intent on harassing our column, the enemy engaged us with spirit and determination. The battle continued until about eleven P. M. The regiment was on the skirmish line and fought with its usual vigor. While the main force of the enemy was here en