1862 June 1 before Richmond

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

June 1  accordingly at daybreak
we were up.  soon disposed of our coffee & hard
bread & we were ready for the march. No orders
came & thus the morning passed away while the
fighting was going on in front.  Twas a very hot
day & the troops engaged suffered immensely
from heat & want of water.  This was the battle
of "Seven Pines" and was a substantial victory
for our arms.  Had it not been for the tremendous
rain of the 30th before spoken of which had now
raised the Chickahominy over its banks and thus
preventing his artillery from crossing Genl. McClellan
would have followed the rebels into Richmond--
The storm saved the rebel army.  We fully expected
to day a general engagement that would decide
the war and accordingly most of the officers,
myself among the number made our prepa-
rations in case we fell.  I had written a letter
to my wife and one to my brother Jacob to be
forwarded to them in case I fell on the field.

MSS 9044