May 23, 1864
It was with regret that early this morning we left the fine
clover field of Dame Tyler, and wended our way towards the North Anna. We
crossed the Mat (or what is called South River, I am not sure which, at any
rate a mere brook), and kept straight on for Garrett's Tavern. Grant, mounted
on the purloined black pony, ambled along at a great pace, but General Meade,
who got his pride up at Grant's rapidity, set off at a rate that soon raised a
cloud of dust and left the Lieutenant-General far behind; whereat George G. was
much pleased, and his aides much the contrary, as they had to scramble after.
About ten we got to a side road, leading to the right, and here we turned off
the 9th Corps, so as to keep the telegraph road open for the passage of the
5th. Then we took a bend to the left again and came out by the Moncure house,
crossing the Polecat Creek by the way — a pleasant stream running over stones,
and with the trees quite growing into it. There, I knew, Biddle and Mason “straggled”
and took a bath. We passed also a house where dwelt four women, all alone; we
left them a guard, to stay till next morning. A hazardous position for these
people, with all the stragglers and camp scoundrels about! Old Ma'am Moncure
was a perfect old railer, and said: “They should soon see us coming back on the
double-quick.” However, they (the family) were amazing sharp and eager in
selling us sheep, and took our greenbacks with avidity. A gold dollar now is
worth about $30 in Confederate money! This afternoon Warren crossed the North
Anna at Jericho Bridge, and was fiercely attacked on the other side by
Longstreet; but he repulsed him with heavy loss, after a sharp fight. Hancock
coming along more to the left, stormed the rifle-pits near Chesterfield station
and seized the bridge, ready to cross. I have been lately up at three and four
in the morning and I am so sleepy I must stop.
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 121-2
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