Nov. 18th, '62

Started at 6, to
guard train to &
from Mitchellville.
Still raining;
ceased about 7 A.M.
Great difficulty
in getting the
mules up the
north side of the
Cumberland river,
the bank being very
steep. Reached
Gallatin about 3
P.M. Heard heavy
firing again this
morning to the
South; cannon only,
this time. Owing
to the fact that the
wagon in which I
was, was unable to
climb the hill, & was
left behind, I was
compelled to walk
from the river -- a-
bout 10 miles, -- fre-
quently on double
quick. We were im-
mediately thrown
out as pickets, in
an old corn field,
& it raining all night,
we got no sleep.
I dozed a little
standing by the fence
with my head on
the corner, & the rain
pelting one most
mercilessly.

The skirmish at Rural Hill, Tenn., about 35 miles from Gallatin?