1862 May 25

[from the diary of Jonathan Hager of the 14th U.S. Regulars, as copied at a later date]

May 25  This morning Sunday broke bright, beautiful
and cool.  Capt Brown, Lt. Horne [?] & myself
went out on a small scout in the vicinity
of the Camp to see what we could see of
the sacred soil.  We visited several farm
Houses, all of humble character. The
usual characteristics of Virginia were visible
everywhere & stamped on everything.  No
improvements seem to have been made
since the first settlement.  Houses, fences,
stables, all in a dilapidated condition.  At
one house we saw a shy looking country
girl, the daughter of the occupants, fair and
good looking.  All the people however inclined
to secession.  We took a look inside of
Beulah Meeting House, located in a very
pretty pine Grove, all dirty as if it had been
used as a guard room by soldiers as
doubtless it had been.  It was one of those
plain Country Churches to which people miles
around came to worship once every fortnight.




MSS 9044