1862 October 26 [Williamsport, Md.?]

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

                                Oct 26th

The past three weeks have been remarkably
quiet and dull.   Were reviewed by the President
and Gen Mc Clellan.  On the 9th  the battery
marched to Hagerstown to be repaired and
painted.  During the night of the 11th, Stuart and his
rebel cavalry crossed the Potomac and made
a raid through this state into Chambersburg, Pa.
destroying a large amount of Government property
in that place, and escaped across the river
without the loss of a man.  On the 16th we were
ordered to Williamsport to relieve the 3rd N. Y.
battery, who were on piquet at that place
The 26th (to day) was quite stormy:  during the afternoon
the rebs sent in a flag of truce to Gen Henley.
Gen  H. W. Slocum our div. Commander has
been appointed to the command of the 12th Corps,
Gen Brooks of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Div. has been
appointed to the command of our div.  The weather
since we have been at W. has been pleasant
and cold. And at times very windy, several heavy
frosts have fallen.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493