November 21st. Quartermaster Broom of the Fifty-seventh is now an acting aide-de-amp, whose special duty is to look after the mess, he having peculiar talents in this line, and is unequaled in providing the larder. We are now living on roast beef, pudding, pies, etc., and expect soon to resume our original sleekness, which continued campaigning has sadly impaired. The office is the general rendezvous, and here we meet together and enjoy each other’s society. Chaplain Dwight, of the Sixty-sixth New York, a most accomplished and agreeable gentleman, is one of our constant callers, and a most interesting companion. G___ calls, too, and airs his rebellious views, and makes a good deal of fun for us. One of our regimental commanders, an accomplished colonel, I am sorry to say, is under arrest for misbehavior before the enemy, on the occasion of our taking Falmouth. He is an excellent officer in camp, but like many another, when fighting is in order, he usually finds himself out of order, which is of course, most unlucky. His regiment is now commanded by the lieutenant-colonel, a first-class officer, peculiar, but full of courage, and always ready for a fight.
The enemy occupy the range of hills opposite, and are working night and day to make them impregnable. Apparently there are a series of hills running parallel to the river, or nearly so, in rear of each other, and the camps of Lee’s army are wholly sheltered in the intervening valleys. No better position for defense could be found, and Lee must thank his stars Burnside did not establish himself on that side when he had a chance to do so almost unopposed. It is strange how constantly we fall short in our endeavors at the very moment when we might succeed. Something is missing; this time, it was the pontoon train that failed us just at the critical point in the campaign.
