1862 March 10

[From the diary of Samuel Johnson, private, 1st Massachusetts independent light battery]

March. 10th 1862.

All night long great activity and
excitement prevailed, orderlies were
flying in all directions with orders
to move at daylight, [ ‘in the morning’ lined through]
At three A. M were turned out, and
by six were on the move for the
boasted stronghold of the rebels,
Manassas. By 10. A. M the entire
army was in motion. moving in
three separate columns., Gen Slocum’s
Brigade and our battery having the
advance of the center column.
Arrived at Annandale at noon where
we halted for a rest, at one P. M
moved on again. At 4. P. M arrived
at Fairfax Ct. House, here we went.
in to park and encamped for the
night. The weather has been very cool
and unpleasant. Toward night quite
windy.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493