Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

May 11.--Morman found a dead Yankee floating down the river, and secured a gold watch and chain, also thirty-seven dollars in greenbacks.

May 12.--I was below last night on the river. Bombs flew thick. We had an election to-day for lieutenant; Sergeant Card was elected. We drew bear (Sic) on his expenses.

May 13.--Considerable excitement last night. Boys all left the Hermitage. I sent half of my crew. Yanks are said to be in force two miles from the breastworks. I went to the breastworks. The Yanks cut the telegraph wire and destroyed a bridge five miles from here.

May 14.--We had a pretty hot bombardment last night. We are again in camps. The long-ranged guns dropped a few shells into our camps this evening.

May 18.--The Yanks came over to the Hermitage, and drove off the beef cattle. Sent over the infantry portion of the regiment, Colonel Locke commanding, but the Yanks had left. They took Captain Pruett, Lieutenants Andrews and Crymes, and several privates prisoners.

May 19.--The Yankee fleet is above. Our company has gone over the river. The boys has had a hot time over the river. Whipped the Yanks, one hundred in number. Killed two. Captain Knowles captured a saddle, overcoat, etc. Doctor Madding captured a horse, saddle and bridle. The boys captured some coats, hats, etc., also a gun.

May 20.--We are yet over the river. No alarm. Confirmation of Grant's defeat. A detail was made to load the boat, but it failed to come.

May 21.--Have received orders to go back to camps. They are fighting outside the breastworks. They brought in several prisoners this evening. Heroic conduct of a negro. The artillery is still booming outside the breastworks. There has been a severe fight this evening.

May 23.--We had an alarm. Captain Knowles burned Doctor Bates's cotton last night. Went out to the breastworks. Very muddy. Lay on our arms all night. The Yanks did not make the attack. We have returned to camp.

Hark! the alarm gun has fired. We doubled quick to our position. We are waiting for the advance of the enemy. Company F is out as skirmishers. The Yanks have been driven back. We are leaving our position.

May 24.--There is heavy skirmishing all along the line. I think we will get a chance shortly. The Yanks are using their artillery in the woods. The lower fleet is firing. Our cavalry made a charge and killed several, also the commander.

May 25.--We were thrown out as skirmishers at two o'clock A. M., and slept on our arms. At daybreak we were deployed forward. Skirmishing commenced at nine o'clock. We have killed one and wounded two, which we captured; also, killed one and captured one horse, also three repeaters, two sabres and two saddles. We killed one.

The engagement began at one, and continued six hours. We had a hot time, sure. We repulsed the enemy, first with yells, then the artillery opened on them. They dusted. We fought a brigade with six or seven hundred men. We lost several men. Our company lost none, but had three wounded. Thank heaven, I came out unhurt. We had to fall back, being overpowered. The fight has ceased; it is dark. I have fasted all day, and have the headache very bad.

May 26.--We are preparing for the fight, throwing up rails, and digging ditches. We have finished our breastworks. I never saw so much work accomplished in the same length of time. We had a fight at Sandy Creek bridge, and killed fifteen or twenty, and captured also one captain. Fought at Plains Store, and slaughtered the Yanks. We have all lain down on the soldier's couch to rest, with the calm celestial heaven and the gentle moon. Company II brought on the engagement above. All seems to smile upon the rebels.

May 27.--Skirmishing all along the lines. It has grown warm. The Yanks attempted to charge our lower battery. They were repulsed with heavy loss. The fight has opened. Our skirmishers is giving it to them. The artillery is deafening; it is one continual roar. The muskets pop as fast as canes when the fire is in a cane-brake. Our skirmishers have been driven in. We are laying in our rifle-pit, .awaiting the hated foe. All are cool and determined. The Yanks are laying under the hill, but if they come in sight they will catch it, shure as two and two makes four. The balls fly as thick as hail. Negroes are fighting us on the left. They attempt to charge our works, but were repulsed with slaughter. They say there was a regiment of Yanks behind to make them fight. [So far from this being the case, these blacks could not always get their white officers to keep with them. Ed. R. R.] Our breastworks caught fire. We had a hot time putting it out. The Heshians have made five assaults upon our works, but were repulsed with great loss. Yankee tricks. We had two men wounded to-day. The fight opened at daybreak and closed after dark.

May 28.--The fight has opened. It opened at daybreak. I am very sleepy. The fight ceased at eleven o'clock. An armistice was agreed upon by both parties until two o'clock, and has been extended until six, for the Yanks to bury their dead. The Yanks attempted to storm our works a dozen times, and was repulsed with great loss. They carried planks to cross the ditches. The Yanks are burying their dead in a ditch. Their loss is heavy. The armistice has been extended until seven. The armistice is out; the fight has been resumed with redoubled fury.

May 29.--The fight continued until long after night yesterday evening. The fight has opened — it opened at daybreak. The Yanks played a trick; they built a battery under a flag of truce. The fight has been very warm to-day. I received a shot in the foot, but it is slight. The Yanks