My success seemed incredible. To put it beyond a doubt, I concluded to go back and get some officer to come and see what execution I had done. I went back to the regiment, where I found Colonel Force. I said to him, "Colonel, I have silenced those two guns that were shelling us." "I see they haven't fired much since you left." "How many did they fire after I went away?" "Only two or three, I believe." "Well, now, Colonel, for my credit, please to go over with me where I have been at work, and see what I have been doing." "Really, I don't know as I ought to leave here a moment, but I want to learn the lay of the ground, and I don't care if I go." He followed along behind me to where I had been at work, and then commenced looking with his glasses. "See there! see--see--see that man leading that horse yonder!" "Do you see him?" said he. "Yes." "Well, try him a pull." "Don't get me excited, Colonel, but watch the man." "Crack!" went my rifle. "I declare!" said the Colonel, "that's--that's a valuable piece! Excuse me, I must go back." Rifle-trenches were immediately dug on the ridges of ground nearest the enemy's works, and in them were stationed sharp-shooters, who kept up a constant fire, night and day, which answered as a cover for our fatigue parties engaged in digging approaches to his works, and also prevented him from doing much execution with his artillery. Our artillery was not idle but kept up a fire from some part of the line at all hours of the day and night. A few days after the siege was fairly in operation, General Logan asked me to go out, at night, to an elevated spot of ground between our rifle-trenches and the enemy's, on which stood a large stump, and dig myself a pit behind the stump and see if I could pick off some of the rebel sharp-shooters. As soon as it was dark, I took a spade and a canteen of water and went over. The spot was not more than fifty yards from the enemy's trenches. During the night, I dug myself a pit large enough so that I could squat down in it. When daylight came, I found that I had an excellent view of the enemy's trenches, without being seen myself. I worked out a little hole underneath one of the roots of the stump, and through that I did my shooting. Toward the middle of the day the sun shone down excessively hot, and I had nothing to shade me from its burning rays. My pit was not large enough for comfort, and, besides, I had neglected to take any rations with me. My supply of water also gave out, and by noon my position seemed almost unbearable. To leave it in daylight would be certain death. I bore my situation as well as I could, and improved it to the best advantage. During the day I had several fair shots, which I improved, and did good execution.