28th. D. and L. companies extremes. 2nd Ohio in advance. Stopped at one rich plantation thoroughly secesh. Col. said to the lady of the house, “We are out foraging today and are coming down here to live soon.” She said, “I guess Gen. Lee will have something to say about that.” Crossed the Nottoway at the double bridge. After crossing Stony Creek encountered rebels in force. 2nd soon in. Charged—drove rebs. Rebs charged back again and drove us. Brigade dismounted and went into the woods and soon into the open fields and drove the rebs back some distance. 2nd Batt. in picket. After firing moved up to a house and lane and formed. Advanced. Soon close and heavy work. Night came on. Boys hastily built breastworks of rails 50 yds from rebs. Soon our Regt. was reduced to 50 or 60 men who lay upon their faces till midnight, when the line withdrew a little. I was mounted for some time in the lane and behind the house, firing and carrying orders till the line advanced when I dismounted and led forward with the line. Awful hot. Horse got away once. Before midnight my lungs began to bleed so badly that I mounted and went back to Artillery and then to a fire. Several very heavy volleys by the rebs—said to be infantry.
