From that point the railroad was straight, leading into Savannah, and about eight hundred yards off were a rebel parapet and battery.

I could see the cannoneers preparing to fire, and cautioned the officers near me to scatter, as we would likely attract a shot.

Very soon I saw the white puff of smoke, and, watching close, caught sight of the ball as it rose in its flight, and, finding it coming pretty straight, I stepped a short distance to one side, but noticed a negro very near me in the act of crossing the track at right angles.

Some one called to him to look out; but, before the poor fellow understood his danger, the ball (a thirty-two-pound round shot) struck the ground, and rose in its first ricochet, caught the negro under the right jaw, and literally carried away his head, scattering blood and brains about.

A soldier close by spread an overcoat over the body, and we all concluded to get out of that railroad-cut.