William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[605] pleasant conversation with him for half an hour; here we were within a mile and a half of Petersburg. Shelling and picket-firing had been going on all night. Within a quarter of a mile of the quarters, a new fort was being erected, on which the ‘rebs’ kept up a constant fire; still the work went on. At a distance I saw ‘the crater,’ and, further on, the church-steeples of Petersburg. The rebel lines and pickets were also in sight.

After giving instructions to Colonel Rivers about the rolls, and leaving blanks on which to make them out, I took my leave, and proceeded with my colored orderly to the headquarters of Major-General Hancock, Second Army Corps. I had the pleasure of meeting him at his headquarters, and found him a most agreeable gentleman, and every inch a soldier. Here, also, was Major-General Miles, who went out in our Twenty-second Regiment a lieutenant, and by his bravery and capacity, has won the double stars of a major-general; here I also met Colonel Macy, of the Twentieth, who had that morning been brevetted a brigadier-general, an honor most nobly earned. I remained here nearly an hour, and talked of war: here again the united sentiment was ‘to fill up the old regiments.’ From thence I proceeded, in a rain-storm, to Captain Sleeper's Tenth Massachusetts Battery, three miles distant. Two of his lieutenants, Sawyer and Granger, had been killed a few days before: the battery, however, is in good condition, and the Captain in good health. I remained with him two hours; gave directions about the rolls, left blanks, and said good-by. Here I parted with my orderly ‘Jack,’ who, leading my horse, made his way back to the Ninth Corps. Captain Sleeper sent me in an ambulance to the railroad station, the rain falling fast. I arrived at City Point at seven o'clock, and made my way to ‘the hotel,’ and secured a cot for the night. My purpose, however, was to pass the night with Lieutenant-Colonel Walcott, of the Sixty-first; but I could find no conveyance to take me to his camp, and, the night being dark and rainy, I could not find my way without a guide; so I made a virtue of necessity, and stayed at ‘the hotel.’

Nov. 3.—Still raining. After breakfast, went to General Grant's headquarters, determined, if possible, to see him, but failed: he had been up nearly all night, and had not arisen. This was a disappointment, as I had to leave at nine o'clock for Washington. I left in the steamer Daniel Webster, a good boat; had a good state-room, although the boat was crowded with officers and soldiers going home to vote. I arrived at Washington the next day. During the entire trip the rain fell in torrents. Nothing of particular interest occurred during the trip. I may say here, that my opportunities were many; the