Camp near Petersburg, Va.,
September 10th, 1864.
Charlie went to City Point this morning and found confusion there, as well as here. Last week the General Hospital was moved about a mile up the river to establish winter quarters. Today it is being moved back to City Point. I refer to the Ninth Corps hospital; the others have not been disturbed. It is said we are to leave this department soon. Selfishness prompts me to wish it may be true. The campaign will then be ended for us, and there will be a possibility of getting a furlough. The corps is engaged in building fortifications to protect our rear, in case of an attack from that quarter. Recruits are pouring in rapidly; said to average seven thousand daily. Charlie says they are being drilled all the way to City Point. Grant’s railroad, running in the rear of our lines, much of the way in sight of the Rebels, seems to annoy them exceedingly. Night before last they obtained a position from which they could shell a long bridge that spanned a ravine, and began to fortify. Last night our forces charged these works, carried them and captured the working party. I could plainly hear the shouts of triumph that announced their success. General Grant is making preparations for the fall rains. In wet weather the roads are impassable for loaded wagons. The railroad is completed and cars now run from City Point to the Weldon Road.
