.NDY.NjQ4

128 Rebels break our lines

March 21st 1865 It storms and the wind blows hard. Nevel Smith stopped with me over night.

22d Albert Roberts came from the hospital to the regt. 23d No news of importence 24th Joseph Winslow's father came to see him and staid all night 25th A fair but cold day. Canonading began very early in the morning in front of Petersburg and continued untill daylight. The rebs made an assault on the 9th Corps breaking that line and forcing our men back to the railroad, and turning our own artillery upon our own men. The brigade call sounded the assembly and then at once to forward. We leaped from our beds and fell in to line and marched out, without any breakfast, and up to brigade headquarters and from thare down the road below corps headquarters and lay down for awhile, when the firing seased with the 6th and 9th corps. Here we took the privilege to cook coffee.

[Note along side of page:] Private G. F. Esterbrooks [George F. Estabrooks] died Mar 24th of tiphoid fever at Emery General Hospital Washington D.C.