gine and four cars on this piece of the
road. The enemy is on this side of Big Shanty, successfully holding his
own and moving up the track, tearing things as they go. We have good
reasons to expect them here soon. They will find us weak in number, but
strong in heart, ready to punish traitors any time. 63rd Illinois gone
to Kingston to meet a force reported to be moving on that place.

This is the second anniversary of that bloody day at Corinth, when so
many of the 6th Battery bit the dust while gallantly doing their duty.
Is this remnant of that band soon to pass through a like ordeal? I pray
not, but they will be true to their memory if called upon.

Etowah Bridge, Wednesday, Oct. 5. 8 A. M. heavy cannonading has been
distinctly heard in the vicinity of Allatoona for an hour, telling us
that they are coming. Simpson had the drivers harness up to get their
horses straight. Cavalry scouts gone out. Camp is very quiet, but all
are in earnest. While I write, guard mounting is going on as
deliberately as ever. Many of those that go out on out-post to-day may
never return.

Evening. This has been a busy day for us all. Terrific fighting has been
going on at Allatoona all day. Occasional shots are still heard. Brevet
General Raum, commanding Division, and Captain Zickerick, chief of
artillery, started to go into the pass early this morning, but were
intercepted by rebel pickets and narrowly escaped capture. Captain
Zickerick immediately came into the fort and vigorous measures were
taken for defense. Deeming the lower bastions where the third and fourth
pieces were stationed a poor position, the range being very limited, he
immediately sent for pioneer corps. Shacks and headquarters shanty were
torn down, and a half-moon work was erected with sand bags on the brow
of the hill with three embrasures commanding all the south and east.
While Captain McBride and his pioneers were hard at work on the new
work, the Battery boys worked hard fixing up the embrasures on the old
work, raising it with sand bags, etc. Not knowing what moment the enemy
would appear, detachments were numbered off and everything ready for
action. 59th Indiana Infantry was up in the afternoon, erecting benches
around the work so as to sharp-shoot over the parapet. About sundown the
works were so far completed as to be used if necessary, and the guns
and caissons of the left Section were hauled up by ropes, the whole
Company taking hold as gay and gleef