Sunday, May 15.—Our battery left at half-past one o’clock in the morning, marching but a few miles. The Second corps was relieved by the Eighth, General Augur, being in reserve for a few days. We rested all day. A heavy shower fell in the evening.
Monday, May 16.—Remained quiet all day. It was read in line that twenty-three thousand men, reinforcements, were on the way.
Tuesday, May 17.—All the batteries were reduced to four guns. The guns of our left section were sent to Belle Plain, by way of Fredericksburg. We changed camp at four o’clock P. M., and again about six, and marched off about ten o’clock in the night, going to the right of the line.
Wednesday, May 18.—At daybreak, heavy fighting commenced on the right. Our battery was in position, but as reserve. Generals Grant and Meade were in front of our battery, watching the progress of the contest, which was fought almost precisely where the great assault of the twelfth instant took place. Battery B, Rhode Island, was in action. Many of the new troops, the Corcoran Legion amongst them, took part in this fight. We returned to our camping-place in the afternoon.
Thursday, May 19.—Near Spottsylvania Court House. We changed camp at eleven o’clock A. M., going in front of the army headquarters, and were pleasantly situated on the edge of the woods. A little after three o’clock P. M., great excitement prevailed on the line, the rebels being reported to have made an attack on the Fredericksburg road. Our battery was ordered out, going two miles. The fight was nearly over at our arrival, the enemy being driven back. We returned to the camp with orders to be ready to march at eleven o’clock P. M. The battery remained packed up all night, but did not leave.
Friday, May 20.—Near Spottsylvania Court House. Quiet all day. Started at eleven o’clock in the night. The battery wagons were all uncovered. We marched all night.
Saturday, May 21.—Forced march of the Second corps. Crossed the Mat river at seven o’clock in the morning, struck the Fredericksburg and Gordonsville Railroad, and entered Bowling Green at noon. A fair-looking town. Nine thousand of our cavalry and horse artillery passed through early in the morning, scattering the militia of the place. Marching further, we arrived at Milford Station at five o’clock P. M. This is an important railroad junction, with a good depot, and many dwelling houses. Our cavalry and horse artillery occupied the surrounding farms. At six o’clock P. M., we crossed the Mattapony river, over a stationary bridge, going in park for the night. About seven o’clock the rebels ran out two guns, firing on our camps for a short time. We marched twenty-five miles to-day.
Sunday, May 22.—On the Mattapony river. We advanced but one mile, at seven o’clock A. M., taking our position in the line of battle, and fortified at once; but, after finishing the works, we had to give them up to another battery, and dug a new line of intrenchments about one hundred yards off. This created great dissatisfaction among the men. Heavy firing was going on to our right, some ten miles off. An attack from the enemy on our corps was expected, but we were not disturbed.
Monday, May 23.—The Second corps was in motion again at daybreak. After marching ten miles, we crossed the Pole Cat Creek. About noon we arrived in the vicinity of the North Anna River, the Fifth corps being there already. After an hour’s rest, our right section was ordered to advance, taking position behind a narrow strip of woods, in front of the river. The rest of the battery, and all the other batteries of the corps, came soon after, and went in position. At three o’clock P. M., a desultory fire was opened on the enemy’s works, ceasing by five o’clock. The right section was ordered to go in advance of the line of battle, in front of a strong redoubt of the enemy, and to open furiously, and be a signal to all the batteries of the corps. The enemy offered great resistance for some time. If it had not been for a few very large trees in front of our position, we would have lost a number of men. A heavy cannonade was kept up until dark, when our assaulting columns carried the works at the point of the bayonet. The right section having expended all ammunition, filled up at once and crossed the Creek; being the first artillery on the other side of the North Anna River. We went in position, fortifying during the night.
Tuesday, May 24.—Battle on the North Anna River. There was more or less fighting since daybreak. The enemy’s artillery fired continuously on the stationary bridge leading across the North Anna. Our sharpshooters and infantry carried the bridge at ten o’clock A. M. Our battery was attached to General Birney’s division to-day, and ordered to the right of the bridge to engage the enemy’s battery shelling it. We engaged the battery for an hour without any result at all, as they were strongly fortified. Tom Steere was shot in the leg by a sharpshooter. We were relieved by Battery K, Fourth Regulars, and returned to our first position. At four o’clock P. M. we crossed the bridge over the North Anna river, under the enemy’s artillery fire. The cannoniers were told to scatter and go ahead of the battery, as horses were likely to draw the enemy’s fire. We sustained no loss in this movement. Most of the infantry of the corps were in line of battle on the south side of the river. Our battery took position behind breastworks thrown up by our troops, and sheltered by a Virginia mansion, instantly. A short engagement took place before dark; but a heavy shower setting in, put an end to it.