October 12th. 11 A. M. The division marched to the river, recrossed, and formed in line of battle on its north side; the Third and Sixth corps also formed in line. The enemy followed us, demonstrating in a threatening manner, so a cavalry force, supported by infantry, advanced and hustled them back in fine style to Brandy Station, giving them more fight than they expected. After dark the division bivouacked for the night, but at 1 A.M. received orders to fall back on Auburn Mills. It seems the enemy are trying their utmost to get in rear of us, hence the necessity for prompt action. All the troops on the north side of the river rapidly crossed over, and the bridges were taken up. Our division marched out on the Fayettsville road, halting at its junction with the road running to Sulphur Springs for rest at noon. The enemy showed himself in force on both flanks, as well as rear, and we were frequently obliged to stop and drive him back; the very head of the column, a brigade of the Third division, was fired into by a squadron of cavalry, so it is necessary to keep the trains surrounded by troops, and everything well in hand; arrived near Auburn Mills at sunset after a weary march of over twenty hours, and bivouacked alongside the road in the woods, the troops being too fatigued to form in regular order and the general thinking it just as well to occupy the road.
A few hundred yards ahead the road descends a ravine near the mill, crosses the small stream, and mounts a very steep hill. Pickets were thrown out surrounding the entire force, but we did not look for any serious disturbance during the night.
As soon as arms were stacked the troops prepared their supper, and soon afterwards were asleep. For once the general and staff slept right amongst the men for safety; as the enemy were apparently ubiquitous, the general thought this a case where discretion was the better part of valor.
About 10 P. M. it commenced raining, soaking us pretty well before we realized the condition of things; when once awake, however, we soon arranged our rubber blankets for shelter and then turned in again.
