Sunday, October 11.—Our corps fell back to Culpepper at two o’clock in the morning, halting there until daybreak, when we marched back to Rappahannock Station, the Sixth corps in our rear. The whole army is falling back. Infantry are busy levelling the redoubts that cover the ford. The battery went to Bealton Station, going in park.
Monday, October 12.—Bealton Station. Heavy fighting going; on between Kilpatrick’s and Stuart’s cavalry. At twelve o’clock the Second and Sixth corps received orders to recross the Rappahannock. Arriving there in quick time, we crossed immediately, and formed in line of battle. The two corps, drawn up in a straight line, half-way between Brandy Station and the Rappahannock, presented a splendid sight. The enemy fell back to Culpepper after sunset. General Gregg’s cavalry was defeated at White Sulphur Springs to-day. Orders came suddenly, at twelve o’clock in the night, to fall back across the Rappahannock.
Tuesday, October 18.—We arrived at Bealton Station before daybreak, and were immediately ordered to White Sulphur Springs, to support Gregg; but the order was countermanded when we were within a few miles from there. We marched at once in the direction of Warrenton Junction, and halted at dark, on account of the Third corps trains. Marched twenty-five miles since last night.
Wednesday, October 14.—Action on Coffee Hill and at Bristow Station. The Second corps was in motion at three o’clock in the morning. Large fires were burning all along the roadside. Near daybreak, one of our caissons and one of Battery B’s, were upset in crossing a stream. Reports of carbines greeted our ears, astonishing everybody, as no attack from the enemy was expected. Great excitement prevailed at first. Several men of the First division were killed and wounded, the rebels opening furiously on a hill where the infantry were busy cooking coffee. The rebel force consisted of cavalry and horse-artillery. Our battery took position on the hill, but changed front soon after, firing to the rear, facing a deep creek below the hill. Generals Warren and Caldwell were present. General Warren ordered General Hayes to march his division directly to Manassas Junction, and if opposed by the enemy, to charge with the bayonet at once. A short time after a battery appeared in our front. Captain Arnold wished to open fire; but, incredible as it sounds, yet true, General Caldwell would not allow it, taking the rebels for our own troops. They unlimbered, and opened a well-directed fire on our battery, which had a very exposed position. Our fire did not seem to have much effect. General Caldwell did not remain after finding out his mistake. Our battery was compelled to withdraw. A section of regular artillery tried to get in position, but was unable to do so. The line of march was taken up immediately, cavalry and horse-artillery marching on both flanks. We were not disturbed any more until four o’clock P. M., our troops suddenly met the enemy on the railroad at Bristow Station. Only four guns of our battery were at hand, the right section acting as rear guard. We were opposed by a six gun battery, having mostly white horses. A desperate engagement followed, lasting one hour. We fired point blank most of the time. The rebel battery was nearly annihilated, and five of their guns carried away by our infantry; but our battery deserves due credit for the capture of the rebels. The right section arrived after the engagement was over, taking up its position instantly. At dark the enemy suddenly attacked us on our left flank, bringing a battery to bear on us from the other side of the railroad; but the dam being too high, they could not fire with accuracy. We changed front at once, opening fire, and silencing the battery shortly after, ending the engagement thereby. Hill’s corps and Stewart’s cavalry were the opposing forces. The Second corps captured five guns and nearly a thousand prisoners. We all crossed Kettle Run, late in the night, marched to Centreville via Manassas Junction, arriving there in a tired-out condition. Our loss at Bristow Station was: Killed—Philip Crayton. Wounded—John Moran, died afterwards; M. Desmond, James Gardner, Patrick Healey, and Theodore Reichardt.
Thursday, October 15.—Centreville. The battery is refilling ammunition.
Friday, October 16.—A heavy rain. The battery advanced in front of Cub Run.
Saturday, October 17.—Cub Run. Cannonading is going on near Bull Run. The left section received new guns. During the afternoon the engineers laid a pontoon bridge across Cub Run, without meeting any opposition. The battery turned out to support, while a brigade of cavalry and some horse artillery, crossed the Run to reconnoitre.
Sunday, October 18.—Cub Run. The cavalry is fighting on the way from Manassas Junction to Bristow Station.
Monday, October 19.—A heavy fall of rain at four o’clock in the morning. The Second and Third corps crossed Cub Run by daybreak, marched over Bull Run and Manassas Junction, and went to camp two miles from Bristow Station. The infantry carries rations for ten days. We marched eight miles to-day. The rebels have broken up the Orange and Alexandria railroad.
Tuesday, October 20.—Marched over the battle-field at Bristow Station and through Greenwich, going in position on Coffee Hill at dark. Marched eighteen miles to-day.