We worked all night on the traverse, which now looks like something; but
it will take most of another day to finish it. Firing commenced about eight
o'clock this morning, and has been continued at intervals all day. At four
o'clock in the afternoon a detail of fifteen men from "E," with
spades and guns, were sent across the river, towards the ground where
"A" and "G" had their skirmish. Three of us were sent out
on the road as picket, while the rest built a breastwork across the road, not
far from the bridge. The country here is about all swamp. As we face up the
road, on our right the river makes in close to us; in front is a creek about
twelve feet wide, and on our left the swamp—said to be impassable. Beyond the
creek, about an eighth of a mile up the road, we could see the rebel picket
quietly smoking a pipe; so we did the same, but were soon disturbed by Gen.
Potter, who came up and gave us orders not to expose ourselves to their sight,
after which we lay down beside the road in the brush. We were relieved at dark
by three men of "I," who said they were here yesterday, and heard
from the rebel picket that the prisoners were doing well. Hobart was shot
through the lungs, Leonard lost an eye, and Lawrence's wound was slight. The
working party joined the company about seven o'clock.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 45
