1862 June 24 Camp near Richmond, Va.

[from the diary of Sgt. Z. Lee Gilmer, 19th Virginia Regiment, Co. B (Albemarle Rifles)

June
24th                Camp Near Richmond Va
1862   9 O'clock yesterday we (3d Brigade)
          started on a scouting expedition
                                        Darbtown 
marched 17 miles down the Charles City
road, encountering only one Yankee &
he a drunken sergeant major. Gen
Picket has but little fealing
for his men on a march, at 7 O'clock
in the evening we about faced &
made tracks for home, but night
overtook us long ere we got out
of the Yankee lines.  we went round
in the rear of the enemys breast
works, a very dangerous excursion
but that spirit of rivalry exists
between our generals that they will
run their men to death or have
their names in the Papers, about
11 O'clock we got to an old church
where we stoped for the night.  During
the night an alarm was given in the
church which I shall never forget we
got to camp this morn about 10, very
much fatigued

MSS 4459