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          Captain Robert Gaines Haile

Capt. Robt Gaines Haile Jr The son of Captain Robert Gaines Haile Sr of the war of 1812, and Elizabeth [Beeckner?]Haile was born at Beavers Hill Essex County on April 1st 1832. Here he spent his early life. In 1856 he married Mary [?] Burke to this Union three were born three children Lucy Emma, Susie Burke and Bettie Buckour. In the early days of the war between the states Captain Haile volunteered & joined the company of Essex volunteers gotten up by Thomas Burke a V.M.I. student. Capt Haile served with Company F of the 55th Regiment. He received a mortal wound in the Battle of June the 30th 1862 at Gaines Mill near Richmond & spent a night of anguish on that bloody field from which he was borne to a Hospital in the city - but thro the intervention of friends was removed to the private home of Mr. [Barnal?] where after [?] attention of friends & kindred & [?] physicians failed to heal him - he breathed his last on the 26th of July 1862. His remains were conveyed to Beavers Hill (the place of his birth & [?] years)for interment. Where among weeping relatives & friends the services were per- formed. Captain Haile only thirty years of age fell another martyr to the cause of the South. Another added to the long list of Heroes who trod the same glorious - but bloody path. He was a useful man, highly esteemed & loved in his county - he was a gentleman, a patriot and above all a Christian. He left to mourn his death a wive & three young children, and aged Father, mother & brothers & sisters. "He shall not grow old as we that are left grow old - age shall not weary them - nor the years condemn. In the going down of the sun & in the morning, we shall remember them" the following is a copy of his unfinished Diary written during the Seven days battle around Richmond

June the 2nd 1862 Day before yesterday we were visited by a severe thunderstorm commencing about 5 oclock in the evening & continuing until a late hour in the night. The large quantity of water that fell has caused the Chickahominy to overflow. Yesterday I could hear the reports of cannon and small arms very distinctly. It seemed to be a considerable distance below the meadow bridges. It is reported that a larger force of the enemy are on their side of the river & that the bridges they crossed on are washed away, thereby cutting them off from reinforcements. They were attacked by our forces yesterday. The news was that we had repulsed them three times & taken three of their batteries. This morning the fight has commenced again, I've just gotten back from a Hill from which there is a very fine view of the surrounding country. While there I could hear a perpetual roar of small arms & cannon & could see very distinctly a baloon on the opposite side of the river, sent out by the yankees to find out our position. I could see a man very plainly in the basket. Our Brigade is stationed here to guard the Central Railroad bridge which crosses the Chickahominy. At this place about 1 o'clock today we received orders to strike tents & get ready to leave. After packing every thing up & the men put on their knapsacks, another order was received ordering us to unpack our tents and raise our tents again. The men declared they would not unpack them again before night, for fear of having to strike them again. I walked to Gen. Field's headquarters just now in front of Mrs. [G?} place. I found Andrew [Whitacker?] there, he was staying there as courier for the Gen. We took a seat under the shade on the road, had been there but a short time before Gen Anderson's brigade came marching by, judging from appearances they seemed a most excited one. The men looked as if they could do good fighting. The weather today is sultry & hot & the men seemed to suffer very much from it. It took fully an hour for the Brigade to pass. It almost made my head giddy, the constant tramp of the men as they passed by. Dr. Gresham arrived here this evening, he says he was on the battle field yesterday evening. Our forces drove the enemy back on the right and captured some 2000 of them. Our loss is severe, some seventeen hundred killed & woulded among them some fine officers. Gen. Johnson is said to be slightly wounded. There are so many reports it is hard to get the truth. The drum has just beat for our men to go on picket - the sun is now nearly down & I am stationed with thirteen men on the railroad bridge. Across the Chickahominy river - to keep the enemy from crossing - they are not more than 800 yds off & have {masqued batter- ies?] which commands the bridge and Railroad. They could kill us very easily if they wanted. It made feel quite nervous when I marched up on the bridge. We have cannon posted to command the Railroad also. I don't reckon the enemy would fire unless we were to attempt to cross over. It is now 6 O'clock. I will be relieved at 10 the black nats are very annoying. They keep me slapping my face & hands all the time. Now I must close my narative for the day. June 2nd I had a most uncomfortable time last night. Never suffered as much [?] did last night with the headache. I am not entirely free from it today & am sick & feverish from the effects of it. I slept very little during the night, bathed my head in the Chickahominy river but it did o good. I have taken several naps of sleep since sun rise but was dreaming constantly of home & the Yankees. I dreamed that Mollie & the children were here with me & that the enemy were attacking our forces on all sides, that they were advancing towards our regiment & we were getting ready fight. I waked up while I was bidding Mollie & the children farewell, feeling as miserable as any poor mortal ever did feel. My feelings were just the same as they were when I left home two weeks ago today. I have heard no news to day from the fight of yesterday. I can hear no sounds indicating that a fight is going on today. I made sure on yesterday that the fight would become a general one & that matters would soon be decided one way or [the?] I am getting weary of waiting & don't care how soon the great struggle takes place. I shall go into it with fear & trembling I know - but am determined to discharge all my duty as a brave man should, as far as it is in my power to do so. I have just gotten & read todays paper. I would cheerfully give a five dollar bill if it were at home. There is a long discription of the fight that took place on Saturday & yesterday. There was great loss of life on both sides. We have to mourn the deaths of many fine officers. Our forces succeeded in driving the enemy back from all their positions. We captured their camp & a great many provisions among them one hundred barrels of whisky. It is said our soldiers feasted on Oranges & Lemons. I would have liked to have had a hand in that. The enemy is reported to have fought very desperately. We captured twenty eight pieces of artillery & seven hundred prisoners. The news from Jackson is very encouraging. It is very hot today- I am feeling better this evening than I was this morning.

June 3rd I was afraid this morning that I was going to be quite sick - had right