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Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863

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picking off the gunners, but it didnt stay long. the enemy seemed inclined to retire instead of advance Berges Sharp Shooters were dressed so something after the fashion of ahunter armed with the regular hunting rifles and shot fired on their side. they were good marksmen and done good service both days. About dark apart of Gen Wallaces Divison came up and camped close on our right. they had been all day coming to our assistance from Crumps Landing five or six miles below Pittsburg Landing. they attempted first to come in on the Purdy Road but were cut off so had to march back and start anew, consequently were of no service to us that day but done well the next. Word came to us that Gen Buel had arrived opposite the landing and was crossing the river with alarge reinforcement. we threw out aheavy picket alittle in advance of the line and felt tolerably secure for the night, as we knew the enemy was falling back. The most of us took supper from awell filled Sutler Store that stood near at hand we could have had agood supper if we had been hungry, but I saw no one that was very appetity. The gun boats kept firing at short intervals all night. the flash from abursting shell and the report is very much the same as at the first report. I sat up long after night watching the shell as they burst in the air and listening to the cries of the wounded, thinking over the events of the past day, and what would be done on the morrow. We passed avery disagreeable night as we had no blankets nor were not allowed to build fires and the night was cold and rainy, but the rain was over by morning and we busied ourselves by drawing the wet loads from our guns and fixing them up for another days work. One of Gen Shermans staff officers rode along the line cheering the soldiers up by telling them that the enemy were very much demoralized and had fallen back two miles, and that we had received reinforcement of not less than twenty thousand and we would be the attacting party that morning. Alittle after daylight we moved forward marching in line of battle and after marching about two miles came up to the enemy, who seemingly were prepared and waiting for us. it fell to our lot to help protect alot of our artillery that had taken post on ahigh open peice of ground close up to the enemy and over looked alarge portion of the battle field. it was asecure place for us

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picking off the gunners, but it didnt stay long. the enemy seemed inclined to retire instead of advance Berges Sharp Shooters were dressed so something after the fashion of ahunter armed with the regular hunting rifles and shot fired on their side. they were good marksmen and done good service both days. About dark apart of Gen Wallaces Divison came up and camped close on our right. they had been all day coming to our assistance from Crumps Landing five or six miles below Pittsburg Landing. they attempted first to come in on the Purdy Road but were cut off so had to march back and start anew, consequently were of no service to us that day but done well the next. Word came to us that Gen Buel had arrived opposite the landing and was crossing the river with alarge reinforcement. we threw out aheavy picket alittle in advance of the line and felt tolerably secure for the night, as we knew the enemy was falling back. The most of us took supper from awell filled Sutler Store that stood near at hand we could have had agood supper if we had been hungry, but I saw no one that was very appetity. The gun boats kept firing at short intervals all night. the flash from abursting shell and the report is very much the same as at the first report. I sat up long after night watching the shell as they burst in the air and listening to the cries of the wounded, thinking over the events of the past day, and what would be done on the morrow. We passed avery disagreeable night as we had no blankets nor were not allowed to build fires and the night was cold and rainy, but the rain was over by morning and we busied ourselves by drawing the wet loads from our guns and fixing them up for another days work. One of Gen Shermans staff officers rode along the line cheering the soldiers up by telling them that the enemy were very much demoralized and had fallen back two miles, and that we had received reinforcement of not less than twenty thousand and we would be the attacting party that morning. Alittle after daylight we moved forward marching in line of battle and after marching about two miles came up to the enemy, who seemingly were prepared and waiting for us. it fell to our lot to help protect alot of our artillery that had taken post on ahigh open peice of ground close up to the enemy and over looked alarge portion of the battle field. it was asecure place for us