1862 August 29 Upton's Farm, Va.

[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]

Upton’s Farm, Va., Aug. 29.
     We marched here today, eight miles from
Alexandria.  The greater part of the force
around Alexandria moved also, and a battle
is imminent in front.  We passed numerous
forts and defenses, all well manned, designed
for the protection of Washington.  We are
within half a mile of Munson’s Hill,
the same distance from Hall’s Church, 
a station of the Loudon & Hampshire R.R.; 
and between that Road & the Orange and
Alexandria.  This is famous soil now, not
because it is so ‘sacred”, but from the
fact of its being disputed territory for
some time, and subsequently the ‘base of
operations’ for the Army of the Potomac.
     The country bears the marks of former
thrift and luxury, but a vast change has
been effected.  Hardly a fence can be found,
former fine plantations all turned into @
commons, splendid mansions deserted, burned,
used for Head Quarters, or taken for Govern=
=ment purposes.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925