While we moved to the capture of the battery Turner Ashby with his black horse cavalry charged into the town, capturing a few prisoners. It was an inspiring sight—the black horses of Ashby charging down the valley. We captured some rations, which we devoured in short order. The next day (Sunday) we moved six miles from Bath, and took up our position opposite Hancock, Md., a beautiful little town on the mountain side, and General Hancock had occupied the town; but alas! the Potomac River separated us, and it was filled with floating ice. The next day about 9 A.M. General Jackson sent a courier across the river. We watched the horse struggling through the floating ice, and cheered as it brought the rider safely to the other side. General Jackson’s order was to move the noncombatants out of town, as he would commence to bombard at 12 M. At the hour named our batteries opened up a brisk fire, and General Hancock rushed some batteries behind the Methodist church and replied furiously. At intervals the dueling was kept up into the night, and it was a grand sight to see the solid shot moving as balls of fire. During a part of the cannonading in the daytime I stood near General Jackson and Colonel Robert Hatton, of the Seventh Tennessee. Both sat upon their horses as immovable as statues. It was said of General Jackson that he was a predestinarian. The Presbyterian boys might have explained the meaning of the term. It was also said that he was a fatalist. This was a term that I think would have been difficult for any of the boys to explain. I believe, however, that General Stonewall Jackson had that faith in God that lifted him above the field of battle, and, living or dying, he was the Lord’s; then why should he be disturbed by the roar of cannon or the bursting of shells? That night a detail was to be made to picket the Potomac, with orders not to light any fires, because the enemy might fire at us from the opposite bank. Sergeant J. W. Carter, of Company B, commenced near the head of the roster for a detail, and many of the boys were sick. Captain Patterson said: “I cannot excuse any more; the sick must go to Dr. Buist and get an excuse.” The roll call was continued, and I was a long way down the list; yet my name was reached, and I answered: “Am always on hand.” Captain Patterson turned to Sergeant Carter and said: “How many roll calls has Toney missed since leaving Big Sewell Mountain?” He replied: “Seventeen.” Captain Patterson said: “To-night’s duty on picket wipes them all out.” Gallant, chivalrous John S. Patterson, how I loved him! He was as gentle and modest as a woman. How my heart ached when I buried him the following October at Perryville, Ky.! In regard to the missing of roll call, I never regarded it as a dereliction of duty, therefore on the march from Sewell Mountain frequently when roll was called I was off foraging. In army parlance foraging was to send one of the mess out to buy something