1862 May 28 on road to Richmond, Va.

[from the diary of Jonathan Hager of the 14th U.S. Regulars, as copied and annotated at a later date]
At dawn to day we received orders to
march but we knew not exactly whither.
We took an early start and after going a
couple of miles halted in the woods in line
of battle  where we laid until 9 o'clock.  Our
direction was north bearing towards Hanover
Court House, and as we learned later in the
day, we were to support Porter who was
destroying the Virginia Central Rail Road &
the bridge of that road across the Pamunkey.
We went about nine miles & bivouacked near
the scene of the battle which Gen Porter had
had with the rebels that day.  He had
defeated them. As a portion of the results
of that defeat, we met upon the road as
we were going up, a large number of
prisoners he had taken conveyed down.
Our help was not needed though we fully
expected to have a battle next morning
& I had brought myself, by a struggle of two days
to the proper nerve.  I must confess that after
my herculean efforts to bring about such
a condition I was a little disappointed
at not having it.  I could have gone into
it coolly and calmly relying upon the
Divine Help to take me through.  My courage
was not my own.  It was the Courage Heaven
had given me & which I had asked for
repeatedly--It was a blessed gift & under
the circumstances a gift of inestimable value.
Being also an answer to my petition made
me strong as a lion and as brave.  I have
never failed to look for help from on high
during the Campaign from this time hence,
and never failed to obtain that help
when I sought it with faith & fervor.

MSS 9044