Monday, June 25, 2012

1862 June 26 before Richmond, Va.

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

June 26  Next morning early we left our
             bivouac to retrace our steps to our Camp
             which we reached about 9 a.m. after a very
             pleasant march, it not being so hot early in
             the morning. This is the day memorable for the
             battle of Mechanicsville, the first of the "Seven
             days fights".  On our arrival in Camp we got
             orders to cross the Chickahominy at 3. P.M. This
             order was countermanded during the day in
             consequence of the threatning aspect of affairs
             on our right flalnk.
             Towards the hour of 5 P.M. the trouble began.
             Heavy firing was heard in the direction of "New
             Bridge on our right.  Cannon & Musketry--At 6 P.M.
             we were ordered to move to the field of battle.
             We arrived there about sunset, while the battle
             was raging & took our position in line as a
             reserve. We laid here on our Arms the entire
             night, the battle closed about 9 P.M.  Our
             bivouac was on the hard ground, with the
             heavens for a covering, limitless but not dewless.

MSS 9044


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.