The weather continues very warm, but thanks to the citizens
along our line of march for their ice houses we are doing very well by helping
ourselves to such needed comforts as happen to be in sight. Probably they would
rather the Johnnies should have them, but they are on their last legs — they
are playing out. We broke camp this morning about 6 o'clock a. m.; arriving at
the North Anna river about 10 o'clock a. m.; found the Fifth Corps had crossed
last night after a hard artillery duel which was what we heard. We crossed the
river at Jericho Mills and laid on the south side of the river until 6 o'clock
p. m., and then moved to the left to reinforce General Russell; saw General U.
S. Grant to-day for the first time, at his mess table under a tent fly; was in his
shirtsleeves; good view. The men enjoyed the bathing this afternoon greatly.
The whole army seemingly has been in swimming. At any rate I never saw so many
in bathing at once before or those who seemed to enjoy it more. It was a sight
to be remembered. We marched towards the South Anna river till 8 o'clock p. m.
when we ran into the enemy's pickets, fell back a little, camped and threw up
breastworks.
SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections
and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 64-5
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