1862 May 20

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of the Letcher Artillery]

May 20th Up at 4 ½ o’c
to Roll call as Battery officer.  Sent letter
to Jennie & one to Pa by Charlie Mas-
-murdo who went to Richmond also
a bundle of clothes to Ma.  Rec-d orders
this morning to be ready to move at
a moments notice.  Rec-d a letter from
Jennie.  (although I record this in a very
matter of fact way, the reception of letters

from her gives me more pleasure than anything
that transpires in camp.)  Conducted Company
drill this afternoon at 3 o’c, afterwards
rode with Ellis over to ( we didn’t know where
till we got there) Maj. Walkers encampment
and saw three batteries drilling.  Willie
Pegram’s compy drill very well.  Saw
from a hill in the neighborhood, some
of the Yankee tents on the opposite side
of the river.  We raced our horses coming
back.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150