Our battery changed from the Fort to a position one-fourth of a mile to
the left of it, the two sections being placed a hundred yards apart,
where we remained until March.

It seems remarkable even now, after a lapse of over forty years, that
under such conditions and without the slightest reasonable hope of
ultimate success we could have passed six months, including a severe
winter, not only moderately comfortable, but ofttimes with real
pleasure. Huts and hovels of as varied architecture as the scarcity of
material at our disposal could be shaped into, rose above or descended
below the ground. The best shelters were built of pine logs six or eight
inches in diameter, split in half, with the bark-side out. From a swamp
a quarter of a mile in the rear, in which the trees had been previously
felled for military operations, we carried our fuel. Several hundred
negroes had been impressed, in neighboring counties within Confederate
lines, to work on the adjacent fortifications, which, by their industry,
soon became very strong. In our immediate front, manning the Federal
works, were negro troops whose voices could be distinctly heard in darky
songs and speech, and their camp-fires were in full view.

It was at this time that General Early was distinguishing himself in the
Shenandoah Valley with repeated defeats in battle, the first news of
which reached us in a peculiar way; that is, when the news reached
Grant's lines a shotted salute in celebration was fired at us, thus
"killing two birds with one stone." These volleys of shot and shell
produced consternation among the negroes working on our fortifications.
Panic-stricken, they would break for the rear, casting aside picks,
shovels, or anything that retarded speed; and to get them and their
scattered tools gathered up after such a stampede required several days.
I was requested, by a negro who had just experienced one of these
escapades, to write a letter for him to his home people. He dictated as
follows:

* * * * *

"My dear Wife: I take this opportunity of taking you down a few words
and telling you of the terrible bumming we was under yesterday. The
shells fell fast as hail and lightened as from a cloud, and we had a
smart run. Give my love to Mammy and tell her how we is sufferin' for
somethin' to eat."

* * * * *

Then followed some other pieces of news; then love to various kinsmen,
with a messag