Early the next morning our ears were saluted with the heavy boom of cannon. The rebels had planted several batteries during the night, and the 22d and 50th Illinois had barely time to throw off their knapsacks, for the rebels were pouring the shot and shell into them, and they had to take the cover of a heavy piece of timber. The rebels tried to dislodge them, but were unable to do so. The brigade was ordered to take a position on the left, and it was done as soon as possible. We could see the rebels as they charged in heavy masses on our men. They advanced with a yell and a rush, but were obliged to fall back from the heavy fire of our men, who were pouring heavy volleys of musketry into their columns. As their regiments were thrown into confusion the 2d Iowa cavalry made a charge, and drove the rebels back, but there were too many of them and they had to fall back with heavy loss. Their was but little artillery used on our side, as the object was not to bring on a general engagement. It was on this day that the Lieut. Colonel of the 47th Illinois was killed. He was very well liked by the regiment, and they suffered a great loss in his death. The 11th Missouri regiment was formed in line of battle within a short distance of a rebel battery which was shelling our men with pretty good effect, but they never fired a shot at us. Their object was to flank us and take all prisoners. Our Colonel at this time was Joseph A. Mowers. Plummer was promoted to a Brigadier General, and he recommended Mower for our Colonel, and he was accepted by the regiment as a fit man to command it. He was riding up and down the lines surveying with an eagle eye the operations of the enemy, when he perceived their intention was to flank us, and he ordered us to about face in retreat, and we double-quicked about two miles, came to a halt, and formed our line, waiting to receive the rebels if they made their appearance. But they did not think it advisable to venture into the timber where we were posted. We remained there until evening, and then returned to camp. An advance was made along our whole line, and that night we planted several batteries, and next day dug rifle pits at Farmington. Our line of rifle pits extended along the whole line, a distance of fourteen miles. Two companies had to lay in the pits in case of an attack, but we were not molested.