June 26 — It seems that the war business has all been transferred to the south side of the James. Even General Sheridan’s cavalry is down nosing around Petersburg looking for a job, and I think that General Hampton’s cavalry is down there ready to give the blue horsemen employment.
This morning we broke camp on the Chickahominy and struck out for Petersburg. We entered Richmond on the Brook turnpike, marched down Brook Avenue into Grace Street to within about four blocks of Capitol Square, then crossed Main Street; above Capitol Square and moved to Mayo’s bridge, where we crossed the James River to Manchester.
Manchester is on the right bank of James River right opposite Richmond, and looks like a part of the same city sliced off by the river. Just as we passed a large cotton factory in Manchester a bevy of about sixty fine young girls filed out of the doors going to dinner, forming the most attractive parade that I have eyed since the campaign opened, and the peculiar inspiring sight made me wish for this cruel war to end right now.
We marched down the Petersburg pike seven miles below Manchester and camped for the night.
