Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/82

 brigade, anticipating an attack. Riflepits were thrown up and due preparation made. The enemy are strongly fortified between St. James' college and Williamsport, some two miles distant, and on the 14th he was reported as falling back across the Potomac. Heavy cannonading is heard towards the river, and the First division of General Williams advances in reconnoissance, the Second acting as support. A dispatch states that Lee's army, in full retreat, began crossing the river yesterday, continued through the night and to-day. Our troops are hotly engaged with his rear guard, and we remain in position until the morning of the 18th, when we move briskly forward in pursuit of the fleeing chivalry, who were now across the Potomac in Virginia. We marched via Sharpsburg and Antietam.

While passing through the woods three men were shot by Mosby's cavalry. A march of sixteen miles and we halt within three miles of Harper's Ferry. At Sandy Hook we remain until the morning of the 19th instant, when we move forward via Harper's Ferry, to Hillsboro, Virginia.

On the following morning we are early on the move, advancing as far as Snickersville, near the gap of that name, where pickets are thrown out and we bivouac for the night. We remain here for two days, during which time we muster and pass in review. Colonel W. T. Fitch recently promoted, and who has been absent on leave since March 28th, joined us here, and assumed command.

On the morning of the 23d we again moved forward, passing through Upperville and on to Ashby's gap, where, at a late hour, we go into camp. Having marched thirty miles since morning sleep was sweet that night, with mother earth for a bed, and only heaven's blue