nister. Our line of battle is getting
shorter.

_Sunday, May 3._--Battle of Chancellorsville. Our battery was ordered to
fall back to the Rappahannock at daylight. Marching back, the First corps,
commanded by General Reynolds, passed us, going to the front. Arriving at
the brick house, near the river, we found some batteries posted there
already,--Kirby's amongst them. Our line of battle fell back to the
rifle-pits we occupied last night. The enemy holds the plank-road and
tavern. The battle is raging again since six o'clock A. M. About ten
o'clock A. M., Lieutenant Kirby ordered his and our battery to the front
again, on his own responsibility. We marched back, but very unwillingly.
On the way, a division of the Third corps met us, marching back to the
river, with a rebel colonel and half of his regiment, as prisoners, and
carrying four rebel battle-flags as trophies. Arriving at the front, to
our pleasant surprise, we found out that our battery was not wanted at
all. Colonel Morgan appeared to be very angry, as there was no use of any
rifled batteries. Kirby's battery went in action. Lieutenant Kirby was
mortally wounded shortly after arriving in the line of battle. We returned
to the brick house, near the river, sending back our horses and limbers to
carry the guns of the Fifth Maine Battery off the battle-field. This
battery sustained a heavy loss. Their guns were saved by Meagher's Irish
brigade. We heard to-day that General Sedgwick, commanding the Sixth
corps, and the Second division of the Second, carried St. Mary's Heights
by storm, but had to give them up again the next day. Sedgwick is fighting
hard near Banks' Ford, being pressed towards the Rappahannock. Some of our
cavalry and horse artillery have gone to form a junction with him.
Fighting was kept up most of the night. Our battery enjoyed a good night's
rest. The horses were unharnessed.

_Monday, May 4._--General Sedgwick's corps is fighting ever since
daybreak. Little fighting was done near Chancellorsville. The battle is
evidently over. We all know that our army, though superior in numbers, has
been defeated by the rebels. We remained all day and night at the
brick-house, close to the river.

_Tuesday, May 5._--Firing is heard on our left since daybreak. Orders came
for ours, Pettit's, and Thomas' New York batteries, to recross the
Rappahannock forthwith. We crossed at United States Ford, going in
position on the surrounding heights, which enfilade t