Saturday, July 26.—Harrison Landing. Heavy shower.
Sunday, July 27.—Harrison Landing. Mounted inspection.
Monday, July 28.—Harrison Landing. Our two howitzers were exchanged for Parrott guns from Battery G, New York volunteers, Captain Frank.
Tuesday, July 29.—Harrison Landing. Jimmy Nutts was disabled while dismounting from a limber-chest.
Friday, August 1.—The rebels opened on us with a battery last night, from the south side of the James River, killing seven men, and damaging several transports. Our gunboats silenced them soon after.
Monday, August 4.—Harrison Landing. Reconnoisance in force. Sedgwick’s and Richardson’s divisions, besides other bodies of troops, cavalry, and horse artillery, under command of General Joe Hooker, assembled by four o’clock P. M., and left our line of fortifications at sunset. We marched all night, in the direction of Charles City Court House. About one o’clock in the night the column halted.
Tuesday, August 5.—About four o’clock A. M., our column advanced, throwing out skirmishers. By five o’clock the gunboats were heard firing in the direction of Malvern Hill. At this time we were marching in the neighborhood of the White Oak Swamp, on the Charles City road, the same one we retreated by after the seven days’ battles. General Hooker’s force, amounting to twenty thousand men, advanced rapidly on to Malvern Hill. A small engagement took place between our cavalry and horse artillery, and the enemy. But the plan of capturing the rebel force, consisting of but twelve hundred men, failed entirely. They escaped, leaving only two dead and fifty prisoners in our hands. Our loss was four killed and twelve wounded. Captain Benson, of the regular horse artillery, was killed. The Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighth Illinois cavalry, mortally wounded. The cause of the enemy’s escape was attributed to Brigadier General Frank Patterson, son of General Patterson of Bull Run notoriety. General McClellan appeared in the afternoon, in high glee. We remained on the spot all day. In the evening our battery was brought in position, facing White Oak Swamp. Beautiful moon night. We slept once more on the great battle-field.
Wednesday, August 6.—On Malvern Hill. Stayed all day, and expected to stay all night. Tents were pitched, with a view to remain longer; but about nine o’clock P. M., picket firing commenced, and at midnight, very suddenly, orders were given to get ready to march back to Harrison Landing. The report circulated that the enemy was advancing with superior numbers. About half ways, we were met by the greater part of the Army of the Potomac, covering our retreat.
Thursday, August 7.—Arrived at Harrison Landing at three and a half o’clock A. M., and went back to our old camp.
Friday, August 8.—Harrison Landing. The rebels occupy Malvern Hill again. Intensely hot weather—113° in the shade.