in
reserve. Still, we were under fire constantly. Captain Coleman, of Rhode
Island, collected letters and moneys from those who wanted to send them to
their friends at home, before the battle commenced. Private Cooper was
shot in the leg, by one of our own men; also a horse of Captain Tompkins.
About ten o'clock the great battle commenced, artillery being used mostly.
Never was such heavy cannonading heard on this continent before that. The
gunboats threw shells at four miles distance. Weeden's Rhode Island
battery lost seven men by one of the gunboat shells. The battle raged
until late in the night, ending with the repulse of the rebel army. Every
one expected an advance on the enemy the coming morning; but in vain.

_Wednesday, July 2._--Malvern Hill. After a few hours rest, orders were
given at two o'clock A. M. to get ready,--to our astonishment,--to fall
back to Harrison Landing. The rain fell in torrents. The troops were
completely demoralized; every man was going on his own hook. A great many
threw away their arms without any reason. Order was given to abandon at
once any piece of artillery that should get stuck. Soldiers fired their
guns off in all directions. Not less than forty men were killed by such
careless practice. Harrison Landing is only six miles from Malvern Hill.
The whole army was crowded in a complete mud-hole. The spirit of the men
is very low. Our wounded, left in Malvern Hill hospital, had to foot their
way to Harrison Landing in the best manner they could. In spite of the
mud, we all enjoyed the first good night's rest for some weeks past.

_Thursday, July 3._--Harrison Landing. The enemy brought artillery to bear
upon our camps this morning; but their guns were taken by the Fourteenth
Indiana, of General Shields' division. At one time, all of our troops were
drawn up in line of battle. The gunboats fired some shots.

_Friday, July 4._--The army spread out in different camps this morning.
The Second corps moved at least a mile away from the landing. The day was
duly celebrated by firing salutes and playing of bands. General McClellan
reviewed the troops.

_Monday, July 7._--We changed our location this morning and established a
new camp in the woods. The rebel gunboat "Teazer" was captured by the
Monitor. President Lincoln visited the army. The troops passed review
before him. Kirby's battery fired a salute. Our battery cheered for
General Sumner.

_Tuesday, July 8._--Intensely hot weather.