1862 May 24

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

May 24th  Orders came this morning to
prepare to move.  At 9 o’c went over to the Court
Martial and made my defence [sic] of the prisoner
for which was very kindly thanked by the same
with tears in his eyes.  While at dinner to

day orders five in number, came, to pack up
strike tents, load wagons, send them off
by 3 o’c. & ourselves be ready & start by twi-
-light.  All of which we did.  Our position
was the post of honour bringing up the rear
of our troops.  The order of march was delayed
very much by bad arrangement, and nonex-
-plictness of orders.  We started about 8 ½
o’c, marched & halted, waited for troops
to pass, an almost interminable line, and
then marched & halted again.  At 4 o’c
in the morning.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150