1862 May 7 retreating from Yorktown, Va.

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

 May 7th.
Beautiful day, wrote to Jennie this morning.
and sent it to Guinea for mailing.  Went
out & instructed the men in the use & hand-
-ling of ammunition.  Order sent over
this morning establishing signals for
recognition of friends.  Afternoon had
drill of battery.  Horses do very well.
Today I am on duty as “battery officer
of the day”.   Rained a little this eve-
-ning and wind blowing very hard.
     Charlie Mac. & Davis Bridges came
up this evening with letters from
home, the first I have rec-d, & I am
in good humor with almost everybody.
He brought me too some splendid cake
from Jennie, which was truly accep-
-table.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson  Edwards]

MSS 6150