Diary of Private Louis Leon: November 27, 1863

This morning we marched seven miles, halted a short time, and resumed our march. Got three miles further, and firing commenced in our front. We then counter-marched and formed in line of battle, in the edge of the woods. One corps of sharpshooters was sent out to find the enemy. Fought the enemy one-half hour and were forced back. My corps then went out as reinforcement. We fought then for four hours, and were called back to our command. I, at one time in this fight, was in a close place. Being in front, I did not hear the order to fall back, and being by myself was left a target for a dozen Yankees, but my Captain White saw what a fix I was in and sent a squad of our company to my relief, so I fell back with them. We then, that night, went to Mine Run and formed our line of battle there.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 52-3

Diary of Private Louis Leon: November 28, 1863

To-day the whole army is throwing up breastworks. The sharpshooters are out in front, my corps out to-day. We made ourselves small pits to lay in as a protection from the Yankee bullets. These pits are just about large enough to hold two or three men. Pinkney King, Sam Wilson and myself are in one. We are shooting at the enemy all day. They are returning the compliment. Late this evening we saw some of them opposite our pits, trying to get into a house. We jumped out of our pits and fired at them several times, when poor King was shot and died in a few minutes. Another man was sent to relieve in his place, and we held our position.. The other corps of sharpshooters fought all day.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 53

Diary of Private Louis Leon: November 29, 1863

Ours again to-day, but not as hard as before, but heavy enough. The cannonading is getting heavier.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 54

Diary of Private Louis Leon: December 1, 1863

The other corps is out to-day. The Yankees, as well as ourselves, are well fortified, and we are confronting one another.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 54

Diary of Private Louis Leon: December 2, 1863

This morning at 3 we moved to the right until daylight, when our corps was again sent to the front. We advanced toward the enemy's works. We moved, of course, very carefully, as we saw their breastworks, and in front of us two cannon. When we got in shooting range, the order was given to "Charge!" We did so with a rebel yell, and as we got upon their breastworks, lo and behold, there were no Yankees, and the cannons we saw were nothing but logs. We followed them to the river, but their whole army had crossed. We, of course, captured a great many of their sick and stragglers.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 54

Diary of Private Louis Leon: December 3, 1863

Marched back to our camp at Moulton's Ford, and our regiment was sent on picket at Mitchell's Ford, seven miles from camp. This has been a very severe seven-days' campaign, as we fought mostly all the time. Cold, sleety, disagreeable weather, and we dare not make large fires, as that would be a sure target for the Yankees. Mine Run is a small stream on the Orange and Fredericksburg turnpike. Nothing more worth recording up to the 8th, my birthday, and spent it as dull as could be. Have been on picket, and relieved on Dole's Georgia Brigade. Up to the 27th nothing doing.

SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 54