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of Burgess' mill, halting on the north side of Hatcher's run. These brigades had moved under direction of General Heth.
The march was toilsome and fatiguing, the night excessively dark, and the road muddy from heavy rain then falling in torrents.
Artillery was heard in direction of Petersburg, at times intermingled with small arms.
On the lines at various points the dark clouds were made visible occasionally by rockets sent up from the two lines.
Early the next morning-80th--these brigades were moved across the run and placed in line to the right of the road and at right angles to it, along a line partially entrenched.
Skirmishers that had covered their front, whence they had moved, remained; they were thus weakened by about 150 men each.
McCrae's brigade to the left of McGowan's, and Bushrod Jonhson's division, or a part of it, on his (McGowan's) right.
In this new position the line of skirmishers became involved in a brisk fire as soon as posted.
Scale's brigade, of my division, was moved from the right of the Petersburg lines to Burgess' mill, and occupied a line on both sides of the road.
General Lee was early in the morning present on this part of the lines.
These troops, save Scale's, were moved or extended farther to the right, their line being nearly parallel with the general direction of Hatcher's run. It rained very hard all day and most of the night.
Late in the afternoon the Thirteenth and Thirty-eighth North Carolina regiments, of Scale's brigade, under command of Colonel Ashford, of the latter, were ordered forward to dislodge the enemy from a piece of woods close in front.
This involved a sharp fight.
The enemy were driven out with a loss of quite a number of prisoners.
The Hon. Thomas Conley,1 member of the English Parliament, and my guest at the time, was present with General Lee.
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1 This genial and warm-hearted stranger was in our midst during the last days of the defence of Richmond and Petersburg. I had met him in Raleigh, North Carolina, a few weeks before, and on the eve of returning to the army. Gov. Vance introduced us, and requested me to look after him. He had run the blockade on the Owl, destined for Wilmington. On coming within easy range of Fort Fisher, the Confederate flag was not seen, but in its place waved the stars and stripes. It had been captured a few days before. The Owl made its escape, and landed Mr. Conley and two other passengers a short distance below, from which place Raleigh was reached without difficulty. On board the Owl was a full set of horse equipments, saddle, bridle, &c., for Gen. Lee and each member of his staff, presents from Mr. Conley. They were never received. We reached Richmond together. He was kindly received, and seemed much gratified at it. He made me three visits in my winter quarters near Petersburg, called to see Gen. Lee, dined with him, and secured one of his photographs. He was greatly delighted when I asked him to ride with me along my skirmish line. On much of the line the Federal skirmishers were in sight. On his last visit, he witnessed the collision between Col. Ashford, commanding two North Carolina regiments, and a small force of the enemy. This pleased him so much that he offered his services to me for the coming campaign, and said if I would permit him he would remain with me until its close. I accepted his tender of service, and told him I would make him one of my volunteer aids. He thanked me, and asked if I would let him go under fire. I replied that it would hardly be possible for him to escape being under fire. He said he would return to Richmond, get his baggage and report to me early Monday morning. He left me Saturday evening. Our lines were broken next morning, and the army retired towards Appomattox Courthouse, 8 P. M. I was in New York ten days after the surrender, on my way to Texas, a paroled prisoner; met Conley the first night. He gave an amusing account of his leaving Richmond in the night and his difficulties in reaching the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. He urged me to go to Ireland with him and supposing I wanted money, offered me his purse freely. He was eccentric in the dress he wore on the streets and about camp. He had all the vivacity, and much of the wit and humor peculiar to his race. I was much pained when I heard of his death a few years since.
Richmond, VA. 1877.
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