RIDE TO THE FORTIFICATIONS--NUMBER OF CAVES ALONG THE ROAD--APPEARANCE OF
THE NEW HOME--CHANGE OF MISSILES.
The road we were travelling was graded out through the hills; and on every
side we could see, thickly strewn among the earthy cliffs, the
never-to-be-lost sight of caves--large caves and little caves--some cut
out substantially, roomy, and comfortable, with braces and props
throughout--many only large enough for one man to take refuge in,
standing;--again, at a low place in the earth was a seat for a passer-by
in case of danger.
Driving on rapidly, we reached the suburbs of the city, where the road
became shady and pleasant--still with caves at every large road
excavation, reminding one very much of the numberless holes that swallows
make in summer; for both the mortar and Parrott shells disputed this
district; and a cave, front in whatever direction it might, was not secure
from fragments. M---- impatiently urged on the driver, fearing that when
the firing recommenced we would still be on the road. Suddenly, a turn of
the drive brought in sight two large forts on the hills above us; and
passing down a ravine near one of these, the ambulance stopped. Here we
saw two or three of the little shell and bomb proof-houses in the earth,
covered with logs and turf. We were hastily taken out and started for our
home, when I heard a cutting of the air--the most expressive term I can
use for that peculiar sound--above my head; and the balls dropped thickly
around me, bringing leaves and small twigs from the trees with them.
I felt a sudden rush to my heart; but the soldiers were camped near, and
many stood cautiously watching the effect of the sudden fall of metal
around me. I would not for the world have shown fear; so, braced by my
pride, I walked with a firm and steady pace, notwithstanding the
treacherous suggestions of my heart that beat a loud "Run, run." M----,
fearing every moment that I might fall by his side, hurried me anxiously
along. Within a short distance was the adjutant's office, where we took
refuge until the firing became less heavy. Here we found friends, and sat
chatting some time.
The "office" was a square excavation made in the side of the hill, covered
over with logs and earth, seemingly quite cool and comfortable. I had been
confined for so long a time in a narrow space of earth, that daylight,
green trees, and ample room became a new pleasure to me. At sundown there
was a cessation in the rapid fall of balls and shells; and we again
started for our home. I was taken up a little footpath that led from the
ravine up under a careless, graceful arch of wild grape vines, whose
swinging branchlets were drawn aside; and a low, long room, cut into the
hillside and shaded by the growth of forest trees around, was presented to
my view as our future home. What a pleasant place, after the close little
cave in the city!--large enough for two rooms--the back and sides solid
walls of earth, the sloping of the hill bringing down the wall to about
four feet at the entrance, leaving the spaces above, between the wall and
roof, for light; the side, looking out on the road through the ravine, was
entirely open, yet shaded from view by the clustering vines over the
pathway.
I took possession delightedly. A blanket, hung across the centre, made us
two good-sized rooms: the front room, with a piece of carpet laid down to
protect us from the dampness of the floor, and two or three chairs, formed
our little parlor; and the back room, quiet and retired, the bedroom. Over
the top of the earth, or our house, held up by huge forked props, were the
trunks of small trees laid closely across together; over that, brush,
limbs, and leaves, and covering all this the thickness of two or three
feet of earth beaten down compactly, and thought perfectly safe from Minie
balls and Parrott or shrapnell shells.
We had our tent fly drawn over the front, making a very pleasant veranda;
for a narrow terrace had been made along the entrance, from which the hill
sloped abruptly down to the road in the ravine opposite the dwelling; in
the rear the hill rose steeply above us. All was quiet to-night, as it
usually is, I was told, when the moon is not brightly shining.
The Federal commanders fear that the Confederates will strive to improve
their defences by the moonlight, which is certainly done, firing or not,
for the fortifications need constant strengthening, being frequently
badly torn by the Parrott shells.
The next morning at four o'clock, I was awakened by a perfect tumult in
the air: the explosion of shrapnell and the rattling of shrapnell balls
around us reminded me that my dangers and cares were not yet over. How
rapidly and thickly the shells and Minie balls fell--Parrott of various
sizes--canister and solid shot, until I was almost deafened by the noise
and explosions! I lay and thought of the poor soldiers down below in the
ravine, with only their tents over their heads; and it seemed in this
storm of missiles that all must be killed. How strange so few casualties
occur during these projectile storms!
Our little home stood the test nobly. We were in the first line of hills
back of the heights that were fortified; and, of course, we felt the full
force of the very energetic firing that was constantly kept up; and being
so near, many that passed over the first line of hills would fall directly
around us.