1862 June 26 near Richmond, Va.

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

26th  I left camp this morning
about light for the great battle
field with canteens & haversacks filled
and some of us with Oil cloths We
were haulted about two miles from
Richmond on the Macanicksville
pike about 8 O'Clock in the morning
here we remained through the
day & a very warm day it was
we amused ourselves looking at
the Balloons both ours & the
Enemy's While waiting here I
received a letter from my [hole in paper]
which did me good, about dark I
made me a little fire & made me
a cup of coffee At this time the
battle of Macanacksville was
warmly contested on the north
Chickahomany & continued
until near  10 ocloc at night
while we were waiting here we
tryed to get a little sleep, but
not a one slept, for the cannon
& shell were aluminating the
Heavens & the bustle of carts &c
had ceased made the roar of
battle distinct, about 10 at night
we received orders to march we
had been waiting here for Hills
Division to cross the Chick[hole in paper]
any while we were waiting [hole in paper]
about sun set an officer [hole in paper]
came riding down the line
& announced to the troops that
we had formed a junction
with old Stonewall  This
was received with shouts and
waving of hats. We joged
along slowly, for slow we had
to go our way lighted up by
the explosion of shells & and
about one we crossed on the
Macanacsville bridge & slept
that night on the battlefield on
the north bank--just after reach-
ing the other side one large
cannon sent a ball over us &
all was in silence until light
in the morn when the artillery
& muskets renewed the slaughter
yet a made a little coffee ere I
started & before I left the fire I
consined the letter I received from
my duck the day before to
the little blaze, for I made it a
rule never to carry a letter in
battle  Yet I read it over again
naturally in meditation & sadness.

MSS 4459