proceeding by a narrow winding wood-road until the head of our
column had almost reached the river. A sudden order at this stage for
the right about created considerable surprise, which ceased shortly
after, as the sharp rattle of musketry, now as if picket firing, and now
swelling into a volleyed roar, told us of a Rebel movement upon our
flank. That our advance upon them in that direction had been quite
unexpected, was apparent from their hastily abandoned camp grounds; rows
of tents left standing, but slit from ridge-pole to pins; abandoned
caissons and ammunition; and the tubs in which their rations of flour
were kneaded, with undried dough in the corners. That they had rallied
to regain their lost ground, was also apparent.

* * * * *

"What's the matter, Dinah?" shouted one of our boys to an active young
wench, who was wending her way from the direction of the firing as
rapidly as the frequent contact of an extensive hooped skirt with the
undergrowth would allow.

"Dunno zackly, massa! Don't like de racket at all down yonder," she
replied, making at the same time vigorous efforts to release the hold
some bushes appeared to have upon her, upon either side. A sudden roar
of artillery, apparently nearer by, brought matters to a crisis, and
screaming "Oh, Lor," she loosened her clothing, and sprang out of the
skirt with a celerity that showed the perfection of muscular
development, and won shouts of applause from the ranks.

* * * * *

A sharp engagement was in progress upon a lower and almost parallel
road. The roar of cannon, the explosion of shells, the rattle of
musketry,--now ragged as if from detached squads,--and now volleyed as
from full ranks, mingled with the shrill cheers or rather demoniac yells
of the Rebels, pealing their banner cry of "Hell," in their successive
charges, and the gruff hoarse shouts of our troops, as they duly
repulsed them, formed a most martial accompaniment to our march. The
unity of sound of well executed volleys, told us how Sykes's Regulars
attacked, whilst marching by the flank, halted at the word, faced to the
left with the precision of an ordinary drill, and delivered their fire
with murderous exactness.

A few stray bullets flying in the direction of a temporized corral of
pack-horses in a corner of the wood in the rear of the brick house,
frightened their cowardly drivers, who commenced a stampede to the rear;