Tuesday, July 7.—Marched to Taneytown, seven miles, and went to camp, on account of the infantry having been without rations for several days. The Twelfth corps passed through this afternoon. The town is under contribution of rations for the troops.
Wednesday, July 8.—Left Taneytown early. Marched twenty-four miles during a tremendous rain-storm. Passed through Woodsborough and Walkersville, and went to camp in a field of oats, live miles from Frederick City. The news of the surrender of Vicksburg were read in line on the road.
Thursday, July 9.—Marched at seven o’clock A. M. Passed through Frederick City, which was guarded by the Seventh Regiment, New York militia, and a new battery; Jefferson City and Perkinsville, crossed the South Mountain and went to camp for the night, not far from Sharpsburg. Near Frederick we saw the body of the spy Richardson, hung on a tree by order of General Buford of the cavalry. Marched eighteen miles to-day.
Friday, July 10.—Marched through Kettysville. The Third corps, General French, was fighting yesterday, and cannonading is going on now. Passed the battle-field of Antietam at twelve o’clock M., going to camp three miles beyond. The Twelfth corps is camping close to us. The different corps are fortifying their positions.
Saturday, July 11.—Marched four miles. Passed through Tillmington. The enemy was found in front. Our columns formed in line of battle. Skirmishing was kept up briskly. The rebels fell back a little, as our artillery opened on them. The cavalry advanced in a body at half-past four o’clock, gaining some ground. At midnight, the infantry was ordered to advance and take possession of the Hagerstown road. We remained all night. We have marched two hundred and twenty-three miles since the fourteenth of June.
Sunday, July 12.—We advanced a short distance at eight o’clock A. M. Our infantry is half a mile ahead. Skirmishing was going on all the morning. Artillery is used once in a while. All the artillery of the Fifth corps passed by between four and six o’clock P. M. A heavy shower this afternoon. In the evening, we changed our position, advancing a quarter of a mile nearer to the front.
Monday, July 13.—Changed position in the morning, going a short distance behind breastworks. Three fortified lines are already formed by our army. A battle is expected. We remained in our new position all day. It rained the whole evening and night.
Tuesday, July 14.—Advance and reconnoissance of parts of the Second, Fifth and Twelfth corps, cavalry ahead. Our battery marched on the Williamsport turnpike. Cannonading and musketry fire could be heard at mid-day. The roads are very muddy. Rebel caissons, full of ammunition, are frequently found on the roadside. Lee’s army is crossing the Potomac at Falling Waters. General Kilpatrick charged through Williamsport, capturing the rear guard, consisting of eight hundred men. On our approach, a short but desperate fight was going on at one of the redoubts, close to the river. A brigade, in command of General Pettigrew, defending the redoubt, hoisted the white flag. Forty men of the Eighth Michigan cavalry, charging, in good faith of their surrender, were all slaughtered after going in the trap. The redoubt was carried by the infantry shortly after; but General Pettigrew and most of his men escaped. We had a heavy shower this evening.
Wednesday, July 15.—The greater part of the army is marching towards Sharpsburg. Our battery returned to its former position. We were told to rest until one o’clock P. M., as we had to do some marching yet. About three o’clock we started, passed through Sharpsburg at five o’clock, and marched halfway to Maryland Heights, going to camp late at night. The Second and Twelfth corps occupy the place.
Thursday, July 16.—The battery followed the canal road, passed Harper’s Ferry, Sandy Hook, and went to camp in Pleasant Valley. All these places are full of our troops. Marched two hundred and fifty-six miles since the fourteenth of June. The engineers are laying pontoons at Berlin and Harper’s Ferry. Iron-clad cars, with a howitzer in each, are running between Washington and Harper’s Ferry. News of the surrender of Port Hudson, and the occupation of Morris Island, near Charleston, by our troops.