Camp near Petersburg, Va.,
November 30th. 1864.
“Be ready to march tomorrow morning.” This is the order that greeted us the night before last at 10 o’clock. It was a surprise to us, as we had seen no indications of such an order; not even an order to draw extra rations.
In the morning we learned the Ninth Corps was to relieve the Second Corps in front of Petersburg. At 10 o’clock the next morning we were under way. The day was cloudless, the roads in fine condition, and we made the sixteen miles at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
We halted within two miles of our destination until dark, as the rest of the way was in range of Rebel guns, and in plain view. In the interval we treated ourselves to coffee and hardtack, the first since morning. Soon as it was fairly dusk we resumed our march, and brought up, a little after dark, on the right of Petersburg, near the Appomattox River. It seems like meeting old acquaintances, after weeks of separation. This part of the line is nearest the city, and is the scene of the “usual amount of firing” mentioned in every daily paper. Many is the evening Mr. Collier and I have visited these hills and listened to the thunders of artillery that threatened to shake them from their foundations. Too tired to pitch my tent, I spread my blankets on the ground, and, undisturbed by the roar of cannon, sweetly slept until morning. This morning we relieved the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin, and took possession of their quarters, which are very comfortable.
We are encamped on a high hill that overlooks the city, and the Rebel lines are in full view, far to the right and left. Close by is a fort that mounts “thirty-two-pounders.”
Eighty of our men are permanently detailed at General Wilcox’s headquarters; the rest are scattered on temporary details.
Captain Sudborough is in command of a detachment on the railroad near City Point. I will report to him tomorrow.
