1862 April 27 before Yorktown, Va.

[from the diary of  Captain Jonathan B. Hager of the 14th U. S. Regulars, as recopied by him at a later date]

April  27  Sunday.  As day broke the morning this morning the immense
works of the Enemy right in front of us could
be distinctly seen.  Our stay during the morning
hours was made interesting by watching the
maneuvering of the pickets on both sides. As
son as it was light enough we discovered that
we were near one of our outposts.  Our work
had been done in an open Country, with no
obstruction between us & the rebel works. A
short distance to our left a thick woods and
underbrush covered the operation of our picket
guards. On the edge of this wood & brush their
post had been established, leaving all per-
fectly clean in front of them.  The only cover the
rebel sharpshooters had was a large tree,
and about two or three hundred yards to
the right of that the chimney of a house
which had been burned, with here and
there a small rifle pit.  Our men dodged
from tree to tree & from one clump of brush
to another to get a shot at these fellows,
while others lay under the brow of the hill, with
their guns on the ground ready to draw a bead
upon the luckless devil who dared show any
portion of his rebel body from under his cover.
Many a Minié ball whistled unmusically
over our heads but of course could not touch us.
This was my first introduction to scenes of
this kind & the novelty was of a pleasing
character.  About 7 o clock we were relieved
& marched back to our camp a little sleepy,
but gratified that we had done some service.
Our life in camp was undisturbed by
any startling event.  A shell would occasion-
ally fall near us, but it created no alarm.
The balloon made its hourly ascensions and
the signal corps seemed to be the only busy one of
the Army of the Potomac--Various speculations
were indulged in as to the intentions of the rebels,
and a thousand rumors were continually flying
around the camp.  Nothing however disturbed us.
The delightful atmosphere at this season, in this
latitude was suspect & invited to continual
repose--I flatter myself that I accepted the
invitation.  the invitation was standing, so
also was the acceptance.  We all slept and
dreamed away the hours until McClellan
should call upon us to storm the rebelworks
which frowned down upon us on every side.  We
yielded without murmur to fate & resolved to
be happy & comfortable while we could.

MSS 9044