1862 June 26 near Richmond, Va.

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

                             June 26th

Skirmishing very heavily on our left all
day.  During the afternoon, our advance on
the left after a brisk and decisive fight,
succeeded in capturing redoubt No. 4 of
the defenses of Richmond.  At noon the
rebs on our right advanced, and crossed
the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge,
attacked, and drove in our pickets at
Mechanicsville.  Norrells. Div. and two
brigades of Mc Call’s div. were deployed
in line of battle.  Meade’s brigade being
held as a reserve,  At three P. M the
rebs rapidly advanced and attacked
our whole line, making a determined
attempt to drive back Reynold’s
brigade, but after a severe struggle

they were forced to retire with a heavy
loss.  A rapid Artillery fire was kept
up along the entire line.  at five P. M
the rebs made another desperate assault
on our right, and were again repulsed
by Gen Seymore with a heavy loss,
Night coming on, the conflict ended,
Pleasant and very warm

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493