1862 May 25 near Richmond, Va.

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


     May 25th

Yesterday all was very quiet, received orders
to march, but they were soon countermanded,
To day we again received orders, and by
eleven A. M were in motion.  at one P. M
after a short march we halted and encam-
-ped on the Gaines Plantation. about five
miles from R. and but one from our piquet
line.  During the evening the rebs by way of
compliment, threw us over a few shells
but no damage was done by them.
Warm and pleasant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493