gnal lights were dimly burning. The road was
mostly corduroyed and very good, but some places not finished very badly
cut. 1st caisson got stuck and it took nearly half an hour to extricate.
The cannoneers in mud and slush above their knees. While they were
getting out, the other boys took hold and completed the bridge.

As it drew near morning it became darker. Crossed the river on pontoon
two miles from where we started. It started right under the rock and it
was quite difficult to make the landing with six horses. 3rd Brigade's
camp was on the bank. They had just started. Head of column took the
road towards Chattanooga and obliged to come back as we left it to the
right. 2nd caisson lost the road in the dark, ran against a stump and
capsized. It took some time to extricate the horses and right it. It was
loaded with percussion shells, but luckily none exploded. Infantry got
the start of us and we drove very fast. Daylight found us travelling
east through a very pretty valley formerly used as a camp. No infantry
in sight. As smoke was seen in a pocket to the right, Lieutenant Clark
halted, and sent to see if it was not our Brigade, which we found to be
the case. We entered it, found the 3rd Brigade closely quartered. Went
into park and ordered to remain quiet and orderly. Cooked an early
breakfast, although we had travelled eight miles beside the other
exploits. Wagons came up at 9 A. M. and we fed the last of our forage,
four quarts of oats to a team.

The boys were soon scattered around making up for lost sleep, but I
thought I would see our position, so I climbed the bluff to the right of
us. Chattanooga could be seen very plain right opposite, near the other
side of the river. To the right of it was Lookout, towering high above
all others, with the puffs of powder smoke vomited occasionally from
their Parrott. To the left I could see smoky Mission Ridge crossed with
reb encampments. Those with glasses could discern long wagon trains and
pack mules climbing up Lookout. I returned well-paid for my labor,
although I afterwards understood it was forbidden. We are effectually
hidden. Guards are placed over all houses to prevent anyone leaving. A
pontoon train is passing. Heavy rain in afternoon. Put up tents and went
to bed early.

Near Chattanooga, Saturday, Nov. 21. Awoke to find it had been raining
very heavy all night. Our ditch overflowed and the water flowed into the
tent under the bed wetting the blankets,