The rebel line, concealed by the parapet, showed no sign of unusual activity, but as our troops came in fair view, the enemy rose behind their parapet and poured a furious fire upon our lines; and, for about two hours, we had a severe and bloody battle, but at every point we were repulsed.

In the very midst of this, when shell and shot fell furious and fast, occurred that little episode which has been celebrated in song and story, of the boy Orion P.Howe, badly wounded, bearing me a message for cartridges, calibre 54, described in my letter to the Hon.

E.M.Stanton, Secretary of War.
This boy was afterward appointed a cadet to the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, but he could not graduate, and I do not now know what has become of him.
After our men had been fairly beaten back from off the parapet, and had got cover behind the spurs of ground close up to the rebel works, General Grant came to where I was, on foot, having left his horse some distance to the rear.

I pointed out to him the rebel works, admitted that my assault had failed, and he said the result with McPherson and McClernand was about the same.

While he was with me, an orderly or staff-officer came and handed him a piece of paper, which he read and handed to me.