1862 August 21 Hampton, Va.

 [from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery recorded at a somewhat later date]

      Aug 21^st

Were turned out at three A. M on the 18^th and by

five were in motion;  at noon passed through

Williamsburg.  It was at this place that Sumner

and Heinzelman after a very severe and

desperate battle, succeeded in driving the rebs

at every point from works almost impregnable.

This is next to Yorktown the most strongly

fortified place that we have seen;  as far as

the eye can reach in either direction, are very

large and strong fortifications, all enfilading each

other;  there are also two large and very strong lines

of rifle pits, protecting the approaches to these

works.  At three. P. M we halted and encamp-

-ed for the night.  Were up as early as usual the

next morning, but did not move until 8. A. M.

passed through Yorktown.  and encamped just

outside the fortifications of the place.  Johnny

Rebel must have been most decidedly crazy,

when he evacuated this place with out a

struggle for it.  On the 20^th turned out at five

A. M, hitched up, and by seven were again

on the tramp.  To day we have passed a

large number of fortifications, which the rebels

built when they occupied this part of the country;

for miles in most any direction, some

kind of fortification can be seen.  at

three P. M halted and encamped for the

night at. Lee’s mills.  It was here that the

Vt. brigade was repulsed in the siege of

Yorktown.  Next morning (the 21^st ) were turned

out at three A. M. and by day light were

again in motion.  Arrived at Newport News at

noon; from this place we were ordered to

Hampton.  where we are to ship for Aquia.

Creek,  Arrived at Hampton or “rather the

place where it once stood, the rebs having

burned it after the battle of Great Bethel.

At four P. M we went into camp.  This

march has been a very pleasant one but the

dust has been so very thick, that one might

catch it by hands full, as it flew in the air.

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493