November 6, 1864,
Near Burgess Mill, West of Petersburg, Virginia.

9 am – We have been engaged in a coordinated series of movements to turn General Lee’s right flank.  I sit in an abandoned tavern near a place called Burgess’ Mill.  There are still a number of Secesh civilians in the vicinity who are assiduously making their escape in advance of the Union guns.  I obtained my pass from the Provost this morning with some difficulty, having misplaced my letter of introduction from my editors, but my friend Lt. Neal of II Corps staff vouched for my credentials, and I was given my leave.  Cols. Paddock and Knox greeted me in the command tent, and General Grant invited me to join him at his headquarters later in the day.  The Union camp is frenetic with activity, preparing for a general engagement.

The Confederates are entrenched along a four to five-mile front of earthworks, which are clearly visible from this position, on a slight rise to the north of us.  Most of the local timber has been cleared for the purpose of constructing their defenses, which also serves to deprive our troops of cover as they advance, but there are some pines and oaks scattered about the remains of the mill itself on our left, a position our commanders will be certain to exploit.  Through my field glasses I can discern what appears to be a single company of Rebel infantry positioned about the mill and its environs as advance pickets.  This should prove no large obstacle to our own scouts and sharpshooters, provided they can remain undetected as they advance.  Lee’s line appears relatively weak at this point, but appearances can be deceiving when it comes to dealing with “Marse Robert.”

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