1862 August 10 Harrison's Landing, Va.

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

                        Aug 10^th

The past week has been to the battery a very

busy one.  Between 8. A. M of the 5^th and 7 P. M of the

6^th  twenty three funerals passed our camp,

On the 5^th Heintzelmans corps were sent out

to Malvern hill on a reconnoisance, where a

heavy skirmish ensued:  the same day we

received our new cassions.  we are to change

our Parrotts for the brass light 12 pdr guns.

Were in harness all night.  On the 6^th five

pieces of heavy Artillery. ( 30 pdr’s) arrived at

our camp, and went into position on our

right.  Next day we were releived by battery

B. Md. Artillery.  after which we moved

our camp about ½ mile to the rear.  In the

afternoon were paid off.  On the 8^th we

received our new guns.  turned in our old

ones and our old cassions on the 9^th.  In the

evening had a severe thunder shower.  Sunday

had our usual inspection.  The weather,

has been quiet pleasant but excessively

warm.  the thermometer has not been lower

than 115  ° and as high as 122  °.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493