S. Millett Thompson
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 314
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ...hour of inspection, the General quickly approaches a man of this little picket line, brusquely and sharply demands the picket's gun, and extends his hand to receive it. The picket instantly drops his gun to a 'charge bayonet, ' and positively refuses to part with it. The General leaves him, and then tries another man a little farther down the line. This man's gun comes down to a charge with a quick determined snap, and the General receives another refusal, even more emphatic than the previous one. The men of the picket line, this morning, are not generous with their guns; but Gen. Burnham appears greatly pleased. He passes on without examining any guns--but wears a very pleasant smile on his face. Any sentinel while on duty in presence of the enemy will risk less by refusing to part with his musket, no matter who demands it, than by giving it up to any one. The enemy sends in a flag of truce, desiring permission to bury his dead. Granted. The flag approaches through the deep ravine near the 13th. We are ordered to move up and remain, night and day, as near as possible to the rear of our front trenches; the wide field we are in being continually swept by shell, grape and bullets from the enemy. "There was a very deep ravine or gulch, in front of a fort, on the Union main line, commanded by Lieut. Day--name of fort not now known--and this fort was built in that part of the wheatfield which the Thirteenth occupied after the return from Drury's Bluff." Capt. Durell. May 23. Mon. Warm, clear. Thirteenth at work on the fortifications. Very quiet along the lines, save for an occasional shot. The whole army here is in shelter tents with a few old walls and A's, and every day men are seen patching or sewing up the holes made by the rebel...