Friday, 27th.—About 4 A. M., very heavy cannonading began and continued for some time. Orderly Harmon struck in side with spent ball. P. M., Federals shelled Baker’s Brigade just to our left, very heavily, tearing down their log fortifications and killing good many of their men. 5 P. M., 39th having long-range guns, was ordered to support Baker’s Brigade and sharp-shoot batteries. Very dangerous place; two of regiment killed and several wounded; silenced the batteries in a short time; eulogized by General Reynolds and also by the division commander. During the hottest of the fight, a mere youth, probably not over sixteen or seventeen, was by my side, a handsome boy and brave. He said to me: “Pretty hot place, but we will put our trust in God and do the best we can.” The last words he ever spoke. As he raised to fire over the works, a minnie ball struck him fair in the head, and he fell by my side. What a pang pierced my heart, and how I wished I could tell his mother his last words; but I don’t know who he was. I only know he was with Baker’s Brigade, and suppose he belonged to it. We were relieved after dark and returned to our place in the second line, but were soon ordered to be ready to move at once.
