Friday, July 17.—Camp in Pleasant Valley. At rest for the day.
Saturday, July 18.—Left Pleasant Valley at six o’clock A. M. The Second and Third corps crossed the Potomac to Harper’s Ferry on pontoons, and the Shenandoah river on the trestlework bridge. Marched eight miles into Loudon Valley, going in camp.
Sunday, July 19.—Loudon Valley. New clothes were issued to the battery. We started at six o’clock A. M., marching only four miles. The country abounds in delicious blackberries.
Monday, July 20.—Marched ten miles on the Leesburg turnpike, and camped outside of Bloomfield.
Tuesday, July 21.—Camp at Bloomfield. Captain McMahon is to be shot to-morrow for killing Captain McManners.
Wednesday, July 22.—Bloomfield, Virginia. Started by one o’clock P. M. Marched through Upperville by six, and Paris by seven o’clock in the evening, going to camp at the foot of Ashby Gap. Marched eight miles to-day. Captain McMahon’s sentence to be shot, has been changed by President Lincoln to ten years in the State Prison. The Fifth Regular cavalry met the rebels at Manassas Gap.
Thursday, July 23.—Left Ashby Gap early, marching on the mountain road, leading to Front Royal. Arrived at Markham’s Station, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, by three o’clock P. M. Passed Linden at five. The Stone Church there is full of our wounded from the engagement two days previous. The Third corps engaged the enemy during the day. We went to park at eight o’clock P. M., in Manassas Gap, near the village of Petersburg. The Fifth corps is ahead of the Second. We marched twelve miles to-day.
Friday, July 24.—A desperate fight took place on Wapping Heights yesterday. Our infantry under General Spinola charged the enemy three times. Lee’s army is marching towards Culpepper Court House. Their long line of trains are visible on the other side of the Shenandoah river. Our troops are in want of rations, and the horses need forage. The army left Manassas Gap at one o’clock P. M. Our corps went to camp outside of Markham’s Station, for the night.
Saturday, July 25.—Started at six o’clock A. M. We had a very difficult march over the mountains, in intensely hot weather. Lost several horses during the day. Passed through Rectortown. Our rear was once attacked by guerillas. Arrived at White Plains by three o’clock P. M. Our battery parked near the woods. Rations were given out. A heavy rain fell this evening.
Sunday, July 26.—Left White Plains at five o’clock, A. M., taking the course of the Manassas Gap Railroad, turning off to New Baltimore, from there to Warrenton, arriving at noon. The battery rested until half-past one o’clock, and marched to Warrenton Junction. The weather was intensely hot. Dead and dying soldiers were lying along the roadside. Our battery lost six horses. We marched twenty-four miles to-day. The troops camped half a mile from the railroad. A shower fell in the night.