1862 May 13 Cumberland on the Pamunkey River, Va.

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


May 13
We broke Camp this morning at a reason-
able hour.  The morning was very  hot and
we all suffered much from the heat.  the
roads for the most part were very muddy,
though in the sandy parts where the sun had
opportunity to exercise his power it was
very dusty, so that between heat, mud, dust
and want of good water, the march soon
became tedious & tiresome.  We however kept
ourselves to the work.  An occasional rest
helped us wonderfully & we made a respectable
distance by the middle of the afternoon.
We were trudging along slowly, hoping soon to be
called to a halt for the night, when there came
an officer galloping up in furious haste with
orders to hurry us up as we were wanted imme-
diately at New Kent Court House.  It seems that
a regiment of Cavalry had been attacked by some
rebel infantry and artillery.  They imagined that
the whole rebel army was at their heels, and
fell back on their re-inforcements. We hurried
up at double quick.  This gait I must say
is not altogether agreeable to my feelings after
a long days march.  The excitement however
nerved us & there were no stragglers.  During our
run we passed by a Volunteer regiment drawn
up alongside the road.  One of them said toone
of our men, "Give em h___ boys they drove us back"
This was refreshing.  there seemed work to do and
we were expected to do it.  New Kent was soon
reached.  There evidently was fighting to do
The 5th N.Y. Zouzves which had been ahead of us
all day, had drawn up one side & divested
themselves of t heir knapsacks.  We filed to the
left & entered the field when the whole brigade
was posted in line of battle.  The Cavalry was
drawn up in our rear.  The 5th N.Y. then came
along.  About one half were deployed as skir-
mishers.  They plunged gallantly in the deep
dense wood in front of us, apparently anxious
to meet the enemy.  I confess I was not this
anxious--This was my first trying hour.
I do not deny that I felt fear but was
determined to do my duty as an officer
and a man.  We lay here upon our arms in an
open field, without a particle of shade, under
the burning rays of an afternoon southern sun.
For an hour or two we expected the enemy.
How glad we were when no enemy came.  Finally
we were ordered to march not knowing whither
we were going.  We had already come some four-
teen miles that day, and before we halted
made some four more which brought us to the
miserable village or landing of Cumberland
on the Pamunkey River.  Our Brigade stacked
their arms on a high hill overlooking a valley
miles in extent filled with troops, where we
awaited the arrival of our wagons.  While
awaiting them, it being not quite dark,
Capt Brown & myself made a reconnaissance
towards the river in search of something one
might devour, not however expecting anything
would turn up. We reached the river a short
distance off & found it filled with every
imaginable sort of craft.  We went imme-
diately aboard a steamer & loafed around
generally---looking at the sights. We accidentally
wandered towards the cabin, looked in of course,
through curiosity, when--pleasures of pleasures--
there was a table spread with a clean white
table cloth and gentlemen & ladies actually
eating supper--'twas almost overpowering.  We
however had strength enough to buy a ticket for
25 cents and go in and sit down.  There
wasn't much but there was good coffee,  good
fresh bread and good rich sweet fresh May
butter, yellower than gold &  worth a good deal more.
It wouldn't be considered genteel to say how much we
stowed away.  That boat lost money by us.---
The scene from our encampment on the hill
at Cumberland was one of surpassing beauty.
The night was very dark & clear and the Camp
fires of the many thousand troops located in
that immense valley, looked like the reflection
of the stars in the firmament above ;upon a fast
sea below whose surface was undisturbed by
even a ripple.  We so far above them seemed
suspended in air.  It was a sight upon which
we looked almost with awe, with admiration
and in silence, drinking in all its beauties
as it were in a single draught, as such a
scene would most probably never again gladden
our senses.

MSS 9044