We had passed Savage's station where chords upon chords of heart attack and bacon were

given to the flames and were nearing White Oak swamp when the column halted.

Aids passed rapidly back and forth and that nameless feeling for boating a general engagement

pervaded the ranks.

Sure enough, General Brooks mounted on Old Baldi counter marched the brigade to Savage's

station where we were deployed in line of battle, supported by the second, third, fourth,

and sixth volunteers, composing our brigade.

The order came, fixed bayonets, and with unloaded muskets we were ordered forward.

We passed the station and the brigade swept forward in line of battle, column of brigade,

and we entered the woods.

Everything was quiet, not a shot was heard, nothing but the low, quiet, nervous commands

of the officers, and we began to ask ourselves if there had not been another mistake and

there were after all to be no uninvited guests present.

But soon we got an introduction to them.

The first animation we received that we were expected was when we saw a big butternut-colored

chap step from behind a tree and deliberately fire and then get.

Our bolster caught it through the head and then the fight became general.

With unloaded muskets we left the woods and entered a clearing to find ourselves confronted

by a rebel battery, supported by line of infantry.

Here the line was halted and dressed under a perfect storm of canister and musket balls

and ordered to load and fire at will.

Good God is I remember it now, I cannot help but wondering why, with an old fashioned

...