1862 June 29 before Richmond, Va.

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

 June 29th

To day the army continued its retreat.  A
great quantity of all kinds of military
stores are being destroyed, so that our
progress shall not be retarded.  At six
P. M. we halted, and encamped for the
night.  Gen Sumners Corps engaged the rebs
at Allens farm and after a severe struggle
forced the John Henry’s to retire.  Smith’s
div. of the 6th Corps, engaged a portion of
the Rebel Army at Savage Station, and
although they repulsed the rebs.  still owing
to a misunderstanding between Gen’s
Sumner and Heintzelman, they barely
escaped capture.  Pleasant and very warm.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]


MSS 8493