1862 April 8 Milford Mills, Va.

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson, of the First Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

Were turned out at 4. A.M. This
morning as was expected, we are
having a very severe rain storm.
Harnessed and packed up and
by eight oclock the Cavalry and
Artillery were again in motion.
Forded two deep runs which were much
swollen by the recent rains. Arrived
at Milford Mills on Broad Run Creek
at 10 A.M. but finding the run unford-
-able we were obliged to encamp on
an open and newly plowed field,
with no covering except our
blankets. some of the men slept in
a hog pen which chanced to be
in our corner of the field. Toward
night the rain / which had been
falling all day./ turned to hail, which
fell steadily all night, rendering the
ground and all around, cold and
disabreeable.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493