Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/562

550 Junction, moving down the Telegraph road. On this severe and weary march, which was almost continuous for twenty-four hours, my brigade was rear guard; nothing of importance occurred. The enemy followed closely upon us, occasionally engaging a squadron of cavalry in our rear, but did not molest any body materially, they rather aided us in driving stragglers before us. We crossed North Anna river about sunset on the next evening, the 22d, and went into camp on the next morning, 23d; one regiment was sent on picket to the railroad bridge over the river, had some sharpshooting with the enemy across the river. The other four rested in a road near by. About midnight I received orders to destroy the railroad bridge, and fall back to a position near to the Junction and fortify, which was done. We remained in this position three or four days, skirmishing and sharpshooting all the while with the enemy, until he retired across the river. Our loss was slight here.

On the morning (the 27th) we moved down the railroad to Ashland, thence passed Atlees to the Totopotamoi creek, near Walnut Grove church, where we relieved some of Gordon's troops, on the 30th day of May. Skirmishing on this line was severe, and our loss was greater than usual. On the evening of 31st day of May we began to slide to the right, and continued to do so until we arrived upon what was afterwards known as the Cold Harbor line. My position on this line covered the road from Mechanicsville to Old Chuch. Our skirmishers were more or less actively engaged while moving from our last position, and after we settled in this, until the enemy left our front, which they did on the night of the 5th of June. We shifted position on the line, and advanced to Totopotamoi swamp one evening, but did not come in contact with the enemy again on this line. On the morning of the 13th we moved to the right, crossed ChickahomonyChickahominy [sic] on the McClellan (Cavalry) Bridge, marched through Seven Pines battlefield, where we bivouacked for two days. On the evening of 15th I received orders to move up the Kingsland road to the Varina road, and picket towards the river from Deep Bottom up. We arrived at the place designated about 10 o'clock P. M. We found no enemy in this vicinity, except squads from gunboats lying in the river. I received orders about midday, on the next day, to move across the river at Drewry's Bluff, and rejoin the division, which was moving down the Telegraph road towards Petersburg. I moved in accordance with orders, and found the division in line on the left of, and parallel with the road, preparing to drive the enemy out of our works, which had been abandoned by Beauregard to reinforce Petersburg. I was put in position on the right of the division, near ———— [sic] creek, but night coming on, and the