About 5 o'clock a. m. a small force including our regiment,
moved down within about three quarters of a mile of the James river, formed
line of battle and threw up rifle pits; remained here until about 4 o'clock p.
m. when we were relieved by General Burnside's Division of colored troops. We
then marched down to the river and took transports for Point of Rocks; the
Tenth Vermont was favored by going on the dispatch boat; had plenty of room and
a fine time. The quiet moonlight night and cool river breeze were delightfully
enchanting after such war experiences as we had passed through. It seemed
heavenly! I withdrew to a lonely corner by myself and gave myself up to
reflection and feelings of thankfulness; has been hot all day. It is reported
that General W. F. Smith has taken the outer works of Petersburg, Va., captured
sixteen pieces of artillery and twenty-five hundred prisoners. I hardly believe
it. I know what such fighting means too well. Such victories don't grow on
bushes to be plucked by every one passing.
SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections
and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 83-4
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