John D. Billings, The history of the Tenth Massachusetts battery of light artillery in the war of the rebellion

At a point north-easterly from the church, and distant from it less than a fourth of a mile, began a line of works facing westwardly. These ran south-westerly to the railroad, then continuing on the west side, extended parallel with it to the south a quarter of a mile, where, bending to the railroad, they terminated. The right of the line thus described was quite high and strong, with embrasures for artillery, and would well protect the men that might be posted behind them. In these, near where they crossed the track, the Twelfth New York Battery took position.

That part of the line west of the railroad was a mere rifle-pit not more than three feet in height, and of frail structure, being built of fence-rails within, and these were slightly banked with sods and loose earth. Behind this part of the line we were ordered to place our four pieces. Battery B, First Rhode Island Regiment, occupied the extreme left. They were separated from us by a traverse, and had stronger and better constructed works with embrasures, though inferior to those in which the Twelfth New York Battery was located.

Between us and the railroad, a distance of not more than eight rods, the ground rose slightly from the guns. In this open space the limbers took post. The caissons were just across the Halifax road. Having taken the position assigned us, there was nothing to do but enjoy ourselves as we chose, for fatigue duty did not usually pertain to the lot of light artillerymen. A cornfield not far off furnished us a liberal quantity of roasting ears during the day, and some good early apples were brought