As our men were returning from this successful assault the enemy seemed to suddenly realize what had happened, and opened furiously upon our lines with three or four batteries; but by that time our troops were back within the works, the light from the burning building enabling both infantry and artillery to pour a most destructive fire into the enemy's line, who, by half-past nine, confessed their willingness to call it enough for this day, by discontinuing their firing.
Work upon the rifle-pits and north front of Fort Sanders was continued during Saturday, Nov. 21st, strengthening them in every possible way. We were not molested by the rebels, and nothing worthy of mention occurred during the day.
A rumor reached the battery about noon that the enemy had commenced the construction of a raft at Boyd's Ferry, some distance above Knoxville, on the Holston River, which they proposed setting adrift, hoping that it would carry away our pontoon bridge, and thus break our connection with the south side. At five o'clock in the afternoon Chief Engineer Poe commenced the construction of a boom, made by stretching an iron cable across the river above the bridge. This cable was finished and placed in position by nine o'clock on the next morning.
Sunday, Nov. 22d, was passed quietly. Up to this time the pickets had been relieved about nine o'clock in the morning, but as many of the men had been badly wounded while performing this duty, the commanding officer decided to change the time for doing this work, to early morning before light, and this Sunday morning was chosen to make this change. The wire entanglement which had just been completed on the northwest in front of Fort Sanders, proved its efficacy upon this occasion, for notwithstanding the men of the relief party were perfectly familiar with its existence, nearly one-half their number were sent to the ground before they were reminded of the entanglement.
On Monday, Nov. 23d, two pieces of Battery D were moved from their positions on the northern portion of Fort Sanders, and placed in Battery Galpin, a small earthwork upon the eastern side of Second Creek. From this point they covered a considerable extent of territory, reaching from the pond made by the damming of Second Creek, along the railroad to the west and north for several hundred yards.
The section had but just reached this position when the enemy made an assault on Col. Christ's brigade, driving in his skirmish line, who, as they were driven back, set fire to a considerable quantity of combustible material which had been placed in the large round-house for just such an emergency. This fire soon communicated with adjacent buildings, and created an illumination which enabled our troops to see the entire field. This was not satisfactory to the rebels, and they soon retired.
Tuesday, Nov. 24th, it began raining at daylight. During the night the rebels had dug and occupied a rifle-pit which gave them a flank fire along our west front. This proved very troublesome, and it was decided that it must be stopped if possible. As soon as it was light enough to see, the Second Michigan made a charge on the enemy's new line at this point. The brave men of this regiment formed near the ditch of our fort, pushed rapidly forward, reached the objectionable ditch and had nearly destroyed it, when the enemy hurled a very heavy reserve force against them and drove them back. Further to the right a second determined assault was made by the Forty-first Massachusetts and the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, our men driving the enemy from the rifle-pits and taking many prisoners.
On Wednesday, Now 25, the enemy made a determined effort to push forward their lines on the south side of the Holston River. It was evidently his desire to force us from our position opposite Knoxville. This would have given him the key to our position, and made it untenable for us.
Thursday, Nov. 26th, the work of strengthening our works continued, and all of the intrenching tools were kept busy.