August 31st
Another reconnoissance by
Rodes' division.
General Rodes received orders to drive the
Yankees out of
Martinsburg, and taking his division of
Battle's
Alabama,
Cook's
Georgia,
Cox's
North Carolina, and
Lewis' (formerly
Daniel's) North Carolina brigades, started on his errand.
Battle's brigade was in front, and was shelled severely.
General Rodes seems to think his old brigade of Alabamians entitled to the post of honor, and usually sends them to the front in times of danger.
About two miles south of the town, the brigade was deployed, and ordered forward.
We
[
433]
marched in this way through
Cemetery Hill into town, running out the
Yankee cavalry and artillery under
Averill.
At night we returned to our old camp, having made twenty-two miles during the day. These reconnoissances may be very important and very interesting to general and field officers, who ride, but those of the line, and the fighting privates, wish they were less frequent, or less tiresome this sultry weather.
We have walked this pike-road so often, that we know not only every house, fence, spring and shade tree, but very many of the citizens, their wives and children.
