_Sunday, June 5._--On Gaines' Hill. The enemy's sharpshooters kept up a deadly fire on our lines all day. Captain Arnold called on General Hancock to have our battery relieved, our time being out. Major Hassard appeared shortly afterwards, bringing orders that we were to be relieved by Captain Ames' New York battery. Just as we were getting ready to go to the rear, the enemy opened with artillery, and the _old battery_ replied once more, keeping up fire until nine o'clock in the night, fighting three hours beyond our time of service. On the appearance of Captain Ames' battery, we quietly withdrew our guns, and marched to the rear, being cheered by all the troops we passed, as the services of the battery were well known in the Second corps, General Hancock saying himself, he was sorry to lose the battery, as it was the best one in the whole corps. Arriving in the rear, we joined our battery-wagon, forge and caissons.
_Monday, June 6._--On Gaines' Farm. Captain Arnold is going home with the old members of the battery. Lieutenant Gamaliel L. Dwight took command of the remnants of Battery A. A number of non-commissioned officers went to the quarters of Colonel Tompkins to obtain their warrants before going home. We changed camp in the evening, but were still exposed to the enemy's artillery fire.
_Tuesday, June 7._--On Gaines' Farm. The old members returned all articles that go by the name of camp-equipage, to the battery; the non-commissioned officers, their sabres and pistols. Some old member made the following proposition: "Our time having expired, and yet being under the enemy's fire, we should go a mile further to the rear, to sleep in the woods, as it would be no honor to get killed or wounded now." The proposition was readily accepted, and carried into effect.
_Wednesday, June 8._--Before break-of-day the old members assembled at the camp of Battery A. Captain Arnold procured a mule team to carry our baggage, and off we went at seven o'clock A. M. Never marched men with a better will, the fifteen miles to White House Landing, where we arrived by two o'clock P. M. Fortune smiled on us once more. We were put on board the propeller New Jersey at four o'clock, steaming down the Pamunkey, and dropping anchor opposite West Point about nine o'clock P. M.