Camp before Petersburg, February 7th.
For three days we have held ourselves in readiness to march at a minute’s notice. It seems the Rebels, alarmed at our advance on Dansville, by way of Weldon, have concentrated their forces to oppose this advance. Well may they be alarmed, for, Dansville in our possession, all communication by railroad is cut off, and Lee’s army is shut out of the Confederacy and is thrown back on Virginia for supplies. The whole movement, on our part, consists in being ready to repel attack. We have heard nothing from our left today, except the roar of artillery, which, at times, is terrific. The weather is most uncomfortable for those having no shelter. It began to rain at 5 o’clock this morning, and has continued through the day, freezing as it falls. God pity the wounded who may be exposed tonight.
Through the smoke of battle we are eagerly looking for the “bow of peace.” The Rebels are now fighting for terms, and they cannot long maintain the unequal contest.
