In the midst of a drenching rain which set in soon after, the troops retraced their steps until midnight, when we went into bivouac. Early next day our march was resumed, and soon after we crossed the Chickahominy near where McClellan had had his headquarters. Now at every step something left by the enemy was encountered to attract our attention. Pontoon trains, wagons, cooking utensils, barrels of beef, and boxes of crackers; a balloon with apparatus complete for manufacturing the gas; towers, lookouts, &c., &c. Upon the Charles City road we found a great many of his dead, still unburied, killed the day before in an encounter with Magruder. That McClellan was retreating towards Harrison’s Landing by way of Malvern Hill was well known to our General-in-Chief, and in that direction we were ordered to direct our steps. CHAPTER XII. On the afternoon of the 1st of July the troops of Jackson passed by Frazier’s farm, and the dead that lay on every side gave evidence of the terrible conflict that Longstreet had had there the day before. About four o’clock the rattle of musketry and the roar of artillery began in our front, and rapidly increased as we advanced. Passing the Willis church we halted in the woods to await orders. The battle had now fully begun, and raged with great fury. It was evident from the very first that the enemy had greatly the advantage in position, and that on our part the battle would have to be fought almost exclusively with infantry. Several times Jackson sent in his artillery, but they were quickly compelled to return torn and disabled. Never before had I listened to such an infernal din, and it was every moment increasing. The woods in which we lay was swept by the artillery, and immense trees were cut down by the huge shells from the gunboats as though they had been straws. In the midst of all this dreadful fire Jackson sat calmly upon his horse, surrounded by his staff, who in vain urged him to seek some safer position. At last, after a shell had exploded in their very midst, killing a staff officer and several horses, he was persuaded to leave, and it was with a feeling of relief that we saw him retire. As the battle progressed we seemed to be faring badly, for our best troops were constantly coming to the rear beaten, and in the utmost confusion. For four hours did this fire continue, and for four hours was the First Maryland compelled to lay under it without being able to return a shot.