Friday, November 27.—Resumed our march on the plank-road, turning off to the Orange Court House road by nine o’clock A. M. Our skirmishers met the enemy at the Red Tavern. Brisk skirmishing commenced, and some of the short range artillery went in action. We remained on the roadside until five o’clock P. M., going in park then. A large quantity of rails were secured by the battery boys to keep large fires burning all night.
Saturday, November 28.—The order was to be awake by three o’clock in the morning. At daybreak our lines advanced, but the enemy fell back some distance. Our line of battle followed rapidly until ten o’clock A. M., when suddenly our advance was checked in front of Mine Run. Finding the rebel army in battle array, presenting a formidable line, our battery was brought in position at once; but, shortly afterwards, ordered to advance and open fire on them. Our unexpected firing broke the front line of infantry very soon; but two batteries taking the position, opened a terrible fire on our battery. Owing to our exposed position, we had to withdraw our guns by hand to the rear, where the ground formed a sort of ravine. At this time, Rickett’s Pennsylvania battery, and Ames’ New York battery, opened from our left. Our battery fired sixty rounds. We had one man wounded, Burrill,—a detached infantry man,—a cannon ball breaking his arm. Shortly after we retired to our former position. All hands went to digging until eleven o’clock in the night. About midnight we were ordered to fall back on Red Tavern. The roads are in a horrid condition. Rain set in early in the morning.
Sunday, November 29.—Red Tavern. March of the Second corps and a division of the Sixth to the left flank, at seven o’clock A. M. All the rear boxes of the caissons were left behind, so as not to impede the march on the muddy roads. We turned off to the Gordonsville plank-road. Our cavalry was skirmishing all the time. Passing through the woods, the enemy’s batteries opened a heavy fire, but were responded to by our horse artillery. A line of battle was formed at once. Our battery went in position on a knoll, close to the woods. The enemy ceased firing at dark, and the glare of both armies camp-fires was soon visible. The night was very cold. We are only three miles from Orange Court House.
Monday, November 30.—Most of the infantry of the Second corps, and the division of the Sixth, advanced before daylight, with the intention to take the enemy’s works by assault. It was understood that we should open fire at an elevation of nine degrees, by the first bugle sound. The second signal of a bugle should be for the infantry to storm the works. But we waited in vain for any signal, General Warren stating the works could not be taken without immense loss of life; the main works being built of solid logs, two feet thick, the breastworks eleven feet high and six feet thick, mounted with eighteen guns. Our battery opened several times on the enemy, who was endeavoring to carry artillery by our front. Sergeant Olney made a splendid shot during the morning. Heavy cannonading was kept up on the right the whole forenoon; but neither army seemed to be very anxious to open the battle. Horse artillery fired on our position several times, without doing any damage. During the afternoon the right section took position ahead of us, a little to our right, firing some. Our whole line was fortified during the day. At dark, our battery was ordered to fall back to the rear, which was gladly responded to. Going about two miles, we went in park close to the Fredericksburg plank-road.
Tuesday, December 1.—All the trains are going towards the Rapidan. Troops were marching back all the afternoon. The right section of our battery, under Lieutenant Hunt, was sent back to the front to guard the Orange road, but returned again in the evening. At eleven o’clock in the night, the Second corps commenced marching to the rear, on the Fredericksburg plank-road. Our battery was the last of the corps. The night was cold but clear. The moon shone. We travelled very fast. A division of cavalry and some horse artillery concluded the rear-guard. We marched all night. Large fires were burning on both sides of the road. Sometimes the woods were all on fire. On this march we were undergoing great sufferings, many of us having no overcoats.
Wednesday, December 2.—We crossed the Rapidan at Culpepper Ford, early in the morning. All the troops went over at once; the cavalry cutting off on a shorter route. The pontoons were taken off immediately, while the troops halted to rest on the other side of the Rapidan. The rebel van-guard made its appearance, but were shelled by our horse artillery, dispersing them soon. We marched until eight o’clock P. M., when we reached our old camp on Colonel Thomas’ plantation. The mansion was destroyed entirely by our troops during the seven days campaign across the Rapidan. This is the first night for some time, we rest again in peace.
Friday, December 4.—All the artillery changed camp.
Saturday, December 5.—Left at eight o’clock A. M., and went to camp near Stevensburg, five miles from Culpepper; the poorest place that could be selected in winter time, as there is no firewood near at hand.
Sunday, December 6.—Camp near Stevensburg. Lieutenant Lamb left the battery, going to Battery C, Rhode Island. Lieutenant Blake, formerly orderly sergeant of Battery B, took his place.
Monday, December 7.—Camp near Stevensburg. The infantry of the Second corps marched to the woods to build winter-quarters.