Monday, Aug. 24, 1863, was again clear and warm, according to Spartan Band diarist William H. Hill, who added that there were “no indications of moves by either of the opposing armies.”

Instead, there was a first order message from Brigade commander Gen. Benjamin G. Humphreys at dress parade.

“Had published to us this evening on dress parade,” 17th Mississippi diarist Robert A. Moore recorded, “the first order from our new Brig. Gen. Humphreys.

“In it appears the last words of our late Gen. Barksdale who fell at Gettysburg, Pa. ‘The Rebels are invincible. Although repulsed to-day will be victorious to-morrow.'”

Tuesday was clear and warm at their camp on the North Anna River followed by a heavy shower at dark.

“The nights are becoming quite cool,” Moore wrote, “but the days continue hot. Had a very heavy rain late this evening. Drilling and policeing are very heavy now.”

Hill said the brigade’s Masonic lodge, the William Barksdale Army Lodge, had met Monday night “at St. Johns Church nearby the camp and have made arrangements to have two meetings weekly at the same place.”