Thursday, Friday, 22d-25th.—Had to go on picket, away out in the mountains; thought it pretty doleful-looking place. Being on post at about 2 A. M. Something appeared; looking through brush, that looked like fire, so we whispered to each other: “Isn’t that fire?” All thought it was; then the question arose, who can it be making up a fire at this time of night, away out here in the mountains, and the answer came readily: “Yankees or Bushwhackers.” We were about getting ready to send and notify our officer of the guard, and the reserve, of our discovery, when a cloud that had rather obscured our vision, floated gracefully away, and the moon shined forth in resplendant beauty.
Reported some time during the night of the 24th that the Federals are crossing at Wheeler’s Gap, six miles below here. Started at daylight and marched down there. Nobody here to disturb our peace.
Sunday, 25th.—Heard good sermon to-day, 2 p. M.; ordered back to Big Creek Gap.
(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)