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
s