that some
mean, malignant villain, not worthy of wearing shoulder-straps, had got
the battery in this dreadful position purposely, for our term of service
expired the next day, and we had long-range guns, while short range guns
were fired a quarter of a mile in our rear, the shells exploding over our
heads, instead of reaching the rebel works. Captain Arnold, sending word
to the commanding general, informing him of our dangerous situation,
engineers were set to work in our rear, throwing up strong works. After
their completion, prolongs were attached to each gun, and these pulled by
hand behind the works, without any loss at all. Shortly after that,
Captain Dow's Maine battery fired a signal, and all our batteries opened
on the long line of rebel works on Gaines' Hill, keeping up the
bombardment for two hours. At eight o'clock in the evening, the enemy
determined to open the fight again, provoked an artillery duel of
three-quarters of an hour's duration, ending the day's contest. Patrick
Murray was slightly wounded to-day.

_Sunday, June 5._--On Gaines' Hill. The enemy's sharpshooters kept up a
deadly fire on our lines all day. Captain Arnold called on General Hancock
to have our battery relieved, our time being out. Major Hassard appeared
shortly afterwards, bringing orders that we were to be relieved by Captain
Ames' New York battery. Just as we were getting ready to go to the rear,
the enemy opened with artillery, and the _old battery_ replied once more,
keeping up fire until nine o'clock in the night, fighting three hours
beyond our time of service. On the appearance of Captain Ames' battery, we
quietly withdrew our guns, and marched to the rear, being cheered by all
the troops we passed, as the services of the battery were well known in
the Second corps, General Hancock saying himself, he was sorry to lose the
battery, as it was the best one in the whole corps. Arriving in the rear,
we joined our battery-wagon, forge and caissons.

_Monday, June 6._--On Gaines' Farm. Captain Arnold is going home with the
old members of the battery. Lieutenant Gamaliel L. Dwight took command of
the remnants of Battery A. A number of non-commissioned officers went to
the quarters of Colonel Tompkins to obtain their warrants before going
home. We changed camp in the evening, but were still exposed to the
enemy's artillery fire.

_Tuesday, June 7._--On Gaines' Farm. The old members returned all articles
that go by the name of camp-e