to

We were formed in a thin line, of only one rank, to hold the works. The enemy shelled us frequently, but his artillery practice did but little damage. Deserters came in every evening, and were sent to brigade head-quarters. Finnegan's Brigade of Mahone's Divison, composed principally of Florida troops, was in our front. Close watch was kept by the enemy, prevent desertion, but after dark each day the men would often succeed in getting across to our lines, by crawling along the ground. Our boys, never omitting an opportunity for a joke, sent a letter one evening, after several deserters had come in, to General Finnegan, desiring him to come over and take command of his brigade. The deserters coming during the night, it became quite an annoyance to the officers, at headquarters, to be obliged to wake up every hour to receive them. The adjutant-general of the brigade, accordingly sent a polite message to General Finnegan's adjutant-general, requesting him to have his details report promptly at nine o'clock.

The enemy opened with all his batteries, at two o'clock, A. M., of the twenty-first, and shelled us vigorously, until eleven o'clock, when we again resorted to strategy. We marched and counter-marched by companies, behind the works, giving the enemy the impression that we were being reinforced, when he ceased his cannonading, and quiet was once more restored.

We discovered that the enemy was mining one of

the forts occupied by our brigade. We countermined sufficiently to ascertain the whereabouts of these operations, and then made such dispositions, as would result in the capture of the assailants, in the event of their springing the mine, and charging upon our works. They, however, abandoned the mine soon after, whether from the fact that they struck a vein of water, or discovered our intentions, we did not ascertain.

On the twenty-fifth of August, a severe engagement occurred at Reams' Station, in which two divisions of the Second Corps were badly cut up. The enemy captured sixteen pieces of artillery, five of which were subsequently retaken. We were held in readiness to move at a moments notice. A portion of our division was sent to reinforce Hancock, but arrived too late to be of any assistance. One-third of the command was kept awake, under arms, and on the alert at all times day and night during the time we occupied this line. We were daily in receipt of letters, and enquiries from the enemy's picket line, as to what disposition was made by our government of deserters from the Confederate service.

Notwithstanding the imperative orders against holding communication with the enemy, the men would manage to traffic, and it was really amusing to witness the manner in which this international commerce was conducted. "Johnny Reb" watches an opportunity, when his officer is otherwise engaged, steals cautious

ly out to a point equidistant from the two lines, sticks a note on a twig or bush, expressing his wishes, lays down a package of tobacco, a southern paper, or whatever commodity he may have to dispose of, and returns to his post. Immediately a “Yank" glides cautiously out, brings in the package or the note, which is, for instance, to the effect that "Johnny" would like cheese, sugar, coffee, a "nife," or "enny think" else for his "terbackker." "Yank" computes the value of the tobacco, and makes up a package of its equivalent worth, (deducting of course a liberal Yankee percentage for commission,) carries it out, and returns to his post, when "Johnny" again emerges from his pit, and receives his merchandise. Not a word is spoken; and this trading is continued day after day, with the best of feeling, and the very soul of honor. Frequently they would send in greenbacks, to purchase luxuries from our sutlers. Of course "Yank" would see that "Johnny" never received too much for his money.

CHAPTER XVIII.

FORT HELL,- -THE TRENCHES-ATTACK ON THE PICKET LINE,— BATTLES OF PEEBLES FARM AND HATCHER'S RUN.

HE line of entrenchments occupied by our brigade, from the nineteenth of August to the first of October, 1864, extended from the Jerusalem Plank Road, on the left, to the

City Point and Petersburg Railroad, a distance of about one mile. The Seventeenth held that portion of the line immediately on the right of Fort Sedgwick, or "Fort Hell," as it was generally and familiarly known, not only throughout our own army, but by the enemy, and by newspaper correspondents, many of whom believed it to be the proper name. This fort was situated on the Jerusalem Road, and was an irregular, but very strong work, and in closer proximity to the enemy than any other fortification upon our line.

But few, even of the soldiers, were aware of the origin or derivation of its popular name. By many

it was supposed to be called "Fort Hell," because it was the hottest place on the line; and when the enemy opened upon it, with their mortars, the comparison did not seem far-fetched. But the true origin of this peculiar appellation was this:—before it had been named in orders, "Fort Sedgwick," an ambitious. colonel, commanding the brigade which garrisoned the fort, caused a sign to be placed over the entrance, bearing his own name. To avoid personalities, we will suppose his name was Smith. General Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, a brave and skillful officer, but outspoken and plain in manner, was one day visiting the lines on a tour of inspection, when he noticed the sign, and as he reined up his horse, and read the imposing name of "Fort Smith," he exclaimed, with a contemptuous sneer, "Fort Hell!" Some soldiers overheard the soliloquy, and thereafter Fort Sedgwick was known only as "Fort Hell" in the army.

For nearly a month, although there was no picket firing in our front, the enemy shelled us vigorously by day and by night at intervals; but, as the men occupied a series of bomb-proofs, or, as they were familiarly called, "gopher holes," their fire did but little execution. Along a portion of the line, cells were constructed, under the breastworks; these "gophers" were proof against musketry and artillery, as well as fragments of mortar shells; there were but