October 16 — Rained nearly all last night, and we had not the least sign of a shelter. This morning we moved back about two miles, then halted to graze our horses near the Manassas Gap Railroad, about two miles west of the Junction, and we drew our rations from persimmon trees, as we have been doing for the last few days.
This evening at dusk some Yankee cavalry crossed Bull Run and drove in our pickets. On the strength of the alarm we were immediately formed in line and put our guns in battery ready for action; but soon after driving in our pickets the Yankees recrossed to their side of Bull Run again, which left everything quiet along the front.
We bivouacked where we were in position, about a mile west of Manassas Junction.
This evening while we were in line the rain just poured down and put out every spark of fire that we had a little in rear of our position, and we were in total darkness the remainder of the night, with not even fire enough to fry our persimmons.
