1862 April 5

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

Were turned out at five. A.M. Breakfasted
and by seven were in motion, at ten,
we forded the famous Bull Run
Creek, after which we entered up on
the battle field of the 18th of July, where
the 1st Mass Regt. was repulsed. Passing
over this field we came to the fortifica-
-tion of Manassas. These works though
not as formidable as those of Centereville,
are so much more difficult to approach,
that the position is nearly impregnable to
any assault. At three P.M we arrived
at the Junction, where we went into
park and encamped using the barracks
of the 7th Va. and 16th Miss regts. The
Rebs when they evacuated this place
destroyed immense quantities of all kinds
of military goods and stores, Ammunition
Engines. Cars and the rail road for
many miles. The weather has been
cool and very unpleasant.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493