Downing’s Civil War Diary.—Alexander G. Downing.

Thursday, 2d–This is a beautiful morning and we started early on our march. We had better roads than yesterday, on higher ground, and covered thirteen miles. We drove the rebels forward all day, doing some lively skirmishing in the front. The rebels have all crossed the Salkehatchie river, but have possession of the two bridges about eight miles apart. We went into camp near the river. We lost some good officers and brave men in the skirmishing today. It makes one sorrowful to think that they have to be buried here in this God-forsaken swamp country.