1862 July 4 Harrison's Landing, Va.

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

July 4  The anniversary of our Independence.  Here we are
           An Army of Americans, beaten, dispirited and
          almost demoralized. Beaten by Americans, brothers!
          Language cannot do justice to so terrible a ca-
          lamity--as this Civil War which has burst with
          such intense fury upon our once happy land--The
          God of justice to home Vengeance belongeth will
          make the right to conquer & will visit the sins of
          the fathers upon the children to seventh genera-
          tions of those who have been instrumental in
          producing this unhappy condition of affairs------.
             A salute in honor of the day was fired from
          several of our batteries & with this exception the
          Day passed quietly by.


MSS 9044