Am assigned to duty with
Genl. Thomas’ Brigade, the 3rd.
They are working on the left and
by night we can see [carrot: the] fitful flashes
and glare of the guns. Sheridan crossed his cavalry
at Varina a few days since. Must
be on the extreme left now.
2nd The firing is working up towards
us. In Fort Burnham this afternoon
with Sedgwick + Perkins + others. Enemy
in crowds on the parapet of Gilmer
looking at us. Some said they would
clear out tonight. I didn’t think so. We are all ready for anything.
I feel as though the final struggle has
commenced.
We get good news from the
Petersburg front, our people
have broken the enemies [sic]
lines in several places. They cannot possibly
hold so long a front, +
they cannot afford, I think,
to make their great fight
with a river, yes, two
rivers, behind them. Tomorrow will be an
eventful day. I feel it.
Orders have come to assault
the enemy on our front at
four o’clock tomorrow morning.
The columns [carrot: to be] massed + in their
proper places will make it necessary
for us to turn out about 3 oclock.
