.NDY.NTY0

100 On the skirmish line

We moved threw the woods about a mile before I saw a rebel. We was near a house which stood about ten rods from the edge of the woods where we were. A reb cavelry man came to the well near the house, dismounted and drew a bucket of water and drank from it. A dozen of our men see him but he did not see any of us. Our officers said it must be only one man. My tent mate and I leveled our rifles on him and sniped and both our pieces missed fire [misfired]. He heard the caps and left. I then went in front of the line and into the field watching up over the hill and saw him sitting on his horse facing me with his carbine at his side but lucky for me he did not see me. Not being sure of my rifles obediance I thought I would not let him get the drop on me so I stepped back into the woods and told the boys what he was. In moving about we made some noise and he skipped out.