Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/566

554 works of the enemy all day, and effectually prevented their completion. All of the unburied dead left on the hill were killed by minnie balls, and there were several (white); many of the negroes were known to be killed, and it was supposed they occupied the graves found there. Sharp-shooters were thrown well out in the field below Signal Hill, so as to fire upon their line of communication with Dutch Gap, and it was this, in my opinion, that influenced them to leave at night. Our old lines were re-established; remained quiet until I was ordered away.

On the 22nd of August I was ordered to move across the river at Drewry's, and take cars at Rice's station for Petersburg; was held in reserve about the lead-works for several days; moved on to a ravine near Reservoir Hill, and worked at night on fortifications. On the ———— moved down the Boydton Plank-Road some five (5) or six (6) miles to meet some movement of the enemy, but he retired and we were ordered back that night; marched about two miles, when we were halted, and ordered into camp, where we remained the next day and night, and on the next morning moved back, and were put into camp on Captain Whitworth's farm, near Petersburg. We remained here until September 29th. While encamped here built a line of works along the Squirrel Level road. On the morning of the 29th September received orders to take cars for Rice's station, which we did, and moved thence across the river at Drewry's to the Osborne Turnpike; reached there just before dark, started out from the works near New Market road on reconnoisance, but were ordered back as night was coming on, and went into camp; but about 10 o'clock P. M. received orders to move down Osborne Turnpike towards Battery Harrison, which had been taken by the enemy. We reconnoitered as well as we could at night, and were making dispositions to attack, when orders came to move to the rear of Fort Gilmer and rest. We reached Fort Gilmer a little before daybreak, rested until about 8 o'clock A.M. and were ordered back to the vicinity of Battery Harrison. The preliminaries were arranged for an assault, and the assault ordered at two o'clock P. M. In the meantime the enemy had thrown up a retrenchment, making Battery Harrison an enclosed work. I was to support Anderson's brigade. I occupied a rugged line on the right of Anderson. He was to move out to a ravine in his front and wait for me to file out of my rugged position and form in, in rear of him, (all the details are known to the major-general, but I mention this point for a purpose which will appear presently). I gave full and explicit instructions to my brigade; every officer and man knew exactly what he