[253] and proud of my quarters. Very few of the men can procure plank for flooring, and their tents are surrounded by ditches to keep out rain and snow, and straw and hay are substituted for plank.
November 6. Suffered from neuralgia in my face, which has swollen considerable. Late in the day a terrible cannonading towards Kelly's Ford and Rappahannock Station surprised us, and our brigade, under Colonel O'Neal, of the Twenty-sixth Alabama, was marched rapidly to the Ford. Though in great pain, I commanded my company, and we were soon in line of battle and under a heavy shelling. This we had to endure for some time. Two North Carolina companies were captured by the Yankees in their rapid movement. At the station Hay's Louisiana, and Hoke's North Carolina brigades lost heavily in prisoners. The attack seems to have completely surprised our generals. Were in line of battle until 12 o'clock at night, then marched by the right flank across Mountain Run at Stone's Mill. Passed through Stephensburg, and went within two miles of Culpepper C. H. There halted and formed line of battle, Battle's brigade extending from top of a lofty hill, towards Brandy Station, and joined by Early's division. We began to throw up breastworks as a protection against shells in case of attack, in two different places, using our tin cups, plates and bayonets in place of spades and picks, of which we had none. How many earthworks have been quickly built in old Virginia by these simple implements! Orders came to stop our work and move to Raccoon Ford, which we reached at 9 o'clock at night, and crossed in great darkness. Colonel Pickens kindly gave me a seat on his horse behind him to cross Mountain Run and Rapidan river, and I was enabled to keep dry. After Rode's division waded the river, we were marched down to Morton's ,Ford, arriving at half past 10 o'clock and halting at the old camp ground we occupied before our tramp to Bristow Station, after General Meade in October. Just one month from the time we left we returned. As sleep had been a stranger to me for two nights, I enjoyed it, and all neuralgic pains left me, and never returned.
Nov. 9th to 18th. On picket duty and annoyed by constant alarms. On last day were suddenly aroused by rapid succession of shells in our midst, warning us of the dangerous proximity of our foes. The 6th Alabama had three men wounded on outpost. The 12th
