tenant Howell, and resembled an earthen monitor, or two-story bombproof, all the guns being under cover. October 13-16. All the companies were at work on the fort commenced the day before. October 16. The companies were at work as usual. Major Michler, with Captain Gillespie and Lieutenant Benyaurd, made a critical examination of the ground between Fort McGilvery and the junction of Swift Creek with the Appomattox River, as to the possibility of forcing a crossing of the river and severing the enemy's connection with Richmond. October 17. The redoubt was finished. Other works were also under construction, by the Battalion, at this time.* Company A went to the right, in marching order and prepared to camp out, while repairing works. October 18. Duties as usual. Company A was engaged in counter-mining operations at Fort Sedgwick. The construction of a stockade at Fort Conahey was commenced. October 20. Company C, which had finished its battery, assisted at the one being built by Company B. The Army at this time was full of vim, owing greatly to the successes of the cavalry under General Sheridan. A round of cheering would go along the line, for the slightest cause, from the left to the James River. October 22. At work on the stockade at Fort Conahey, the progress on which was very slow. October 23. Sunday. Inspection at 10.30 a. m. October 24. Two new redoubts were ordered to be constructed, near the Gibben or Friend house. October 25. Orders were received for the Battalion camp to move the next morning. October 26. At 8 a. m., the Battalion marched to Poplar Grove Church and camped with General Headquarters. All the trains were ordered to City Point. On October 27th a movement was made on the left, for the double purpose of capturing the South Side Railroad and of determining the extent and state of the enemy's fortifications on that flank. After reveille, at 2.30 a. m., the Battalion, under command of Lieut. Charles B. Phillips, marched to the front, having been *These works had local designations, such as "Company B's fort," "Company C's fort,'' etc. ordered to the support of General Miles, whose division manned a very considerable portion of the Union line, while the other troops were engaged in the attack at the left. We took position, under arms, in the rifle pits at the left of Fort Fisher. Shortly afterwards, however, the Battalion took up a new position, in the rifle pits between Forts Fisher and Conahey, the breast works at which point were excellently constructed, with two strong lines of abattis in front. There was heavy firing at the left, in the vicinity of the Boydton road and Hatchers Run, where the battle was being fought. The attacking troops returned to their former positions in the afternoon of October 28th, and at 6 p. m. the Battalion, relieved of its duty, started for Camp Woodbury, reaching the camp at 8 p. m., after a quick march of about 7 miles. October 29. The day was spent in clearing up camp and getting things in order. October 30. Sunday. A very careful inspection was made of the command and the camp. Heavy firing occurred on the right, during the day. October 31. Muster. Company C, in marching order, went to Fort Stedman, to work on a counter-mine there. Company D was at work on Fort Howard, and Company B on Fort Conahey. November 1. The nights were now quite cold, and a local industry began to flourish, in the making of stoves out of tin cans. The solder was first melted, after which the tin was flattened into sheets, and these closely jointed into larger ones, from which the stoves were built up. The construction of log houses was also begun; these were of all styles, and built by the individual men, as the spirit moved them. November 2. A magazine was constructed at Fort Howard, and some work was done on Fort Conahey. November 3. Usual fortification work. November 4. Company B completed the stockade commenced at Fort Conahey the 18th of October. The company returned to camp at dark. November 5-8. The Battalion was engaged in fortification work. November 8. Election day. Voting for President took place throughout the Army. November 9. Our winter clothing came in during the evening, receiving a hearty welcome. November 10. At work on the magazines. November 14. Finished the covering of the magazines. November 15. Out on works. Orders were issued to build winter quarters. November 16. Company B out revetting works. November 17. Fort Conahey, commenced October 12th, was completed. Corporal Lent and eight men, with four wagons, went to Prince George Court House for brick. November 18. Orders were issued to the Army that eight days' rations were to be kept in the company wagons, and everything held in readiness for a move. November 19. No mail, the cars having run off the track of the Military Railroad. Company C returned to camp from its work. November 22. The log huts were overhauled, and made more comfortable by being elevated the thickness of one or more logs. November 24. The Battalion received from City Point a number of barrels of turkeys and chickens, for its Thanksgiving dinner. November 25. Thanksgiving. The men had a grand dinner. A regular winter camp was laid out, under charge of First Lieut. David P. Heap, who had joined the Battalion on October 13. WINTER CAMP BEFORE PETERSBURG, 1864-1865. November 26. The construction of regular winter quarters was actively entered upon.* December 9. At 2 p. m. recall from fatigue was sounded. We fell in under arms, with blankets, and were issued four days' rations. The Battalion then marched, with the headquarters of the "Provisional Brigade," about 8 miles to the left, and held a portion of the line, with the Second Corps. Three inches of snow fell during the night. December 10. The Battalion returned to camp at 5 p. m. December 11. The guard, which had been on duty at camp since the 8th, was relieved at retreat. December 12. The Battalion was held under marching orders. December 25. Christmas. A fine dinner. December 28-30. Trouble was had in the construction of the quartermaster's quarters; the negro teamsters, whose wages were overdue, refusing to work unless paid. December 31. During a heavy rain storm, at about 2 a. m., fierce picket firing broke out in our immediate front. The yelling seemed close to camp, and the long roll was sounded by the guard, for the *These quarters were completed the last of January. |