Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Friday, 22d — This morning we moved out a short distance from our bivouac and formed a line of battle. The rebels commenced throwing shells at us, and continued it all day; but as their guns were aimed too high, our greatest danger was from the falling limbs of trees hit by their shells. Four companies, including Company E, were sent out on the skirmish line. Company B had one man killed 1 and one wounded. We withdrew after dark and moved five miles farther on toward the right wing of the army and bivouacked in a cottonfield for the night. We were in heavy timber all day, which with the rough land, all hills and gullies, afforded us some protection. We are on the extreme left of Grant’s army, which almost encircles Vicksburg.