The next morning our brigade was maneuvered around in various directions, the artillery placed in position, and things began to look as though a battle was imminent, but for some unknown reason, the remainder of our little army was not brought up; about noon the enemy opened upon us with artillery, to which our batteries rapidly replied, and soon their lines could be seen coming across the fields, two deep, one directly behind the other, with a heavy line of skirmishers in advance, and nothing but our brigade to receive them. We were in a good position, and with the artillery on either flank, awaited their approach. Soon our cannons opened on their rapidly advancing lines, dealing death and destruction, but not checking them for an instant; on they came, sweeping like an avalanche upon our little band. We held our fire until they were almost within pistol shot, when we poured in our volleys, with terrific effect; rapidly were our well directed volleys given, doubling their first line back upon their second, that still came unfalteringly on, lapping by our little line, both on the right flank and the left, rapidly firing as they advanced until our little band could no longer withstand their overwhelming numbers, and slowly we began to retire—taking our cannon back through a cedar thicket, our pathway marked with the blood of our braves. As they appeared over the eminence we had lately occupied, they poured in upon us such a storm of shot and shell, so thick that the very air seemed alive with bullets. On passing through here on our way up the valley a month later, we examined this spot, and found scarce a tree or bush unmarked, showing that the fire at this point must have been severe indeed. On the crest of the hill beyond another stand was made, which checked their advance for a short time, but soon we were again compelled to fall back, this time pretty badly shattered. Major Kellogg, commanding the regiment, had his horse shot from under him and received quite a severe wound himself. He, however, was supplied with another horse by the officer commanding a battery near at hand, and again rallying his command, which fell back in good order. By this time we had reached our reserves on Rood’s Hill, about three miles from where the attack commenced, which checked the enemies advance until night put an end to the conflict. In this engagement the regiments loss was sixty-three in killed and wounded, and twenty-six missing. The missing being all taken prisoners, many of whom were afterwards slowly tortured to death in prison. The army was now drawn back to Ceder Creek, where we arrived on the 17th. Gen. Siegel had been relieved and Gen. Hunter placed in command. CHAPTER V. LYNCHBURG RAID. On the 22d of May, 1864, just previous to starting on this raid, the General commanding issued the following order: