"Protection From the Yankee Bullets"

The following excerpts are from Louis Leon's diary and include part of the Mine Run Campaign from November 1863.

November 28—Today the whole army is throwing up breastworks. The sharpshooters are out in front, my corps out today. We made ourselves small pits to lay in as a protection from the Yankee bullets. These pits are just about large enough to hold two or three men. Pinkney King, Sam Wilson and myself are in one. We are shooting at the enemy all day. They are returning the compliment. Late this evening we saw some of them opposite our pits, trying to get into  house. We jumped out of our pits and fired at them several times, when poor King was shot and died in a few minutes. Another man was sent to relieve his place, and we held our position. The other corps of sharpshooters fought all day.

November 29—Our again today, but not as hard as before, but heavy enough. The cannonading is getting heavier.

December 1—The other corps is out today. The Yankees, as well as ourselves, are well fortified, and we are confronting one another.

December 2—This morning at 3 we moved to the right until daylight, when our corps was again sent to the front. We advanced toward the enemy's works. We moved, of course, very carefully, as we saw their breastworks, and in front of us two cannon. When we got in shooting range, the order was given to "Charge!" We did so with a rebel yell, and as we got upon their breastworks, lo and behold, there were no Yankees, and the cannons we saw were nothing but logs. We followed them to the river, but their whole army had crossed. We, of course, captured a great many of their sick and stragglers.