.MTg4NA.MzE0OQ

38

Thursday, April 17 I rode out to the James River, which is said to be some 5 or 6 miles wide at the point I visited. Went in the River bathing & some rascal stole my pistol and belt. Our Regt. has been under arms all day.

Friday, April 18 Moved back near Gen. McClaws Head= =quarters, and

39

encamped on the brink of a ravine. Some of our men started home, but have all returned. Then showed their independence, but I could not leave with the enemy so near.

Saturday, April 19 We are impressed for three years from our original enlistment, which seems to bear

40

rather hard, but I suppose the im=

mergency will jus

-tify the usurpation of such uncon= =stitutional power.

It is a precedent that will be re= =fered to and used in support of tyranical legisla= =tion, for years that are yet un= =born.

41

Sunday, April 20

A good deal of firing last night at Dam No 1 or 2. The enemy was supposed to make some attempt, to cut loose our Dams. The Warwick is quite a barrier to their advance. The day has been rainy and unpleasant.

Monday, April 21 Heavy rain in the afternoon. A good deal of cannonading during the day.

42

Tuesday, April 22 Went to Yorktown, famous as being the place where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. Washington. It is a small vil= lage, and has a very ancient appear=

ance. The fortifi

cations are strong. Dined with Lt. Nelson of the 6th Ga.

On a tomb I saw written “William Nelson Esq Late President of his Majestys Council in the Dominion. 1772.

43

Wednesday, April 23 Occasional firing, but no engagement as yet.

Thursday, April 24

Friday, April 25

Saturday, April 26 Rainy day, and un= =pleasant.

Sunday, April 27 Visited Yorktown. The enemy threw a number of shells over from their Gunboats, while I was there.

44

Monday, April 28

Wednesday, April 30 In the afternoon our Regt. and Bacons, with about 200 Cavalry and Kempers Battery, went to Lands End, and after staying there till dark, built up some fires, and left. The night was very dark, and my horse ^ jumped into a ditch and fell with me. I suppose the excursion was

45

merely a feint to draw the enemy,s forces out.

May 1st

May 2nd Left Custis Farm, and [re...?] Williamsburg with the train in the afternoon. The army of the Peninsula is evidently “falling back.” Williamsburg contains a college and Lunatic Asylum.

46

May 3d Visited the college grounds of William and Mary. The statue of Lord Berkely stands in front of the College building on it is inscribed “The Right, Honorable Norborne Berkeley Baron de Botetourt[underlined] His Majestys late Lieutenant and Govern= =or General of the colony of[crossed out] and Dominion of Virginia 1771

47

Also visited the Lunatic Asylum, which contains 280 patients. The build= =ings of the Institution are superb. Made the acquaintance of Mrs. Lee.

Sunday, May 4 Hamptons Cavalry charged the Yankees just below Williamsburg.

Reached the field just in time to see the skirmish and charge. It was a brave charge. the Hampton Cavalry lost 2 killed. Several

48

Yankee prisoners were taken. Returned to the

                  it

train, and overtook ^ at 10 o clock P.M.

Monday, May 5 After a short but hard days drive we reached a little creek at 1 o’clock at night and camped near its bank. The roads are dreadful, and some trains are throwing off baggage to facilitate travel. Our Brigade is

49

stopped at Burnt Ordinary, some 8 miles in our rear, and are destitute of provisions.

Tuesday, May 6 Received an order to send back to our Regt all the provisions on the waggons, which I have promptly executed. Went out to procure some provisions, and on returning luckily found a barrel of flour

50

that had been thrown aside for want of transportation. Some good luck now and then.

Wednesday, May 7 Moved to within two miles of the long[underlined] bridges[underlined]. Sent back our ammunition to the brigade.

Thursday, May 8 Crossed the long bridge. Camped ten miles from

51 Richmond. A great many sick and stragglers are with the waggons.

Friday, May 9 Bought corn and provisions from Mrs. Garthright. Crossed over to the stage road, and camped near a little creek or branch, some ten miles from Richmond.

The weather is fine.

52

Saturday, May 10 Rode down beyond the Chickahominy & found our Regt. An engagement seems imminent.

Sunday, May 11 Wrote a note home. Nothing of importance to day, that I have heard.

53

Tuesday, May 13 This day our Regt. went into a reorganization of companies. The following is the result in Company “D”

F. N. Walker, Captain Y. S. Bobo 1st Lieut. J. T. Ray 2nd “ C. P Abernathy 3d “

Wednesday, May 14 Held an election for Field Officers of 3d Regt. this day. Resulted as follows:

James Nance, Colonel

54

B. C. Garlington Lieut. Colonel, and D. Ruther= =ford, Major. There are now six new Captains. The follow= =ing is the order of[crossed out] Rank[crossed out] in which the different Captains now take Rank: 1st Davidson 2nd Moffitt 3d Todd 4th McGowan 5th Walker 6th Lanford 7th Langston 8th Summer

55

9th Hentz 10th Nance

Saturday, May 17 At the Spotswood in Richmond, on business for the 3d Regt. Expect to stay about 5 days.

My sweetheart is gone.

May 18 (Sunday) A very pretty day. Wrote to Miss [J?] & my sister Sue.

56

Monday, May 19

Tuesday, June 3d Owing to recent changes, during which time I have been generally very busy, I have neglected to take notes as heretofore – and hence the gap in this Diary for the past 15 days. During this past 15 days, many important events in our army have trans= =pired. The battles of Saturday and Sunday last are matters

57

of history, and will add an illustrious page thereto. Our loss is very heavy. We are now near the new Bridge, and have been under the enemys guns for several days. He throws his projectiles at us every hour in the day, but with no effect or injury to the Rebels[underlined]. A general engagement is hourly expected, and the pending issue is pregnant with