This engagement was the battle of Chantilly, and was brought about by the rebel Gen. Jackson's endeavor to intercept and cut our retreating column, moving along the Warrenton Pike, by marching via Little River Pike, a road which leaves the Bull Run battlefield from a point near his position upon that field, crossing the Warrenton Pike near Fairfax Court House; but the watchfulness of our cavalry had discovered the movement, and it was promptly frustrated. Soon after dark the firing ceased, and the battery was moved into a field upon the right of the road, parked, and notwithstanding that the ground was thoroughly soaked, and the men wet to the skin, they rolled up in their blankets and were soon asleep.
Tuesday, Sept. 2d, we continued our march towards Washington, reaching the vicinity of Bailey's Cross-roads about dark. Since the 22d of August, the battery had been upon the march day and night, not once had the horses been unharnessed, and they had been short of forage for most of the time, and it may be imagined were in a very exhausted condition. The men were thoroughly used up; what with the excessive duty, lack of rations, and the discouraging termination of the campaign, they were very much disheartened.
On our arrival in the vicinity of our old camp, at sometime in the early evening, considerable cheering was heard down the road leading to Alexandria, which increased in volume as it approached. Our interest in the singular and unexpected demonstration drew us out into the road, and we could soon see in the growing darkness the approach of a large cavalcade, and by a close inspection we were able to distinguish the form of Gen. McClellan. We immediately added our cheers to the others, and when a few moments later it was said that he had been reappointed to the command of our armies, our enthusiasm was unrestrained.
From Sept. 2d until Sept. 6th, we remained in camp near our old camping grounds at Upton's Hill and Dupont. Each night a section of the battery was sent out on picket, but nothing of importance disturbed us.
South Mountain and Antietam.
About nine o'clock on the evening of Sept. 6th, the section on picket was called in, and as speedily as possible the battery packed up and started towards Washington, passing through the city towards midnight, and early on the morning of the 7th made camp about twelve miles from the city, on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, where we remained until the 10th, when we marched to Lisbon. On the 12th we reached New Market, continuing on to Frederick City the next day. Here the head of our column began to encounter the rebels, and on the 14th our troops fought a severe battle with them at South Mountain, and after persistent and hard fighting, succeeded in driving them over the mountain.
Battery D was not engaged in this battle, but from its position, which was upon very high ground, the men had an excellent view of the engagement.