[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, formerly a Sgt, Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), now with the Hampton Legion]
           
                        Saturday – June 28th 1862
Bro Geo woke me up a midnight last night
coming in from the battle field – he reports the
Enemy driven back towards their left wing with
heavy loss – a distance of six miles, our men
capturing all their field works with many guns
wagons & Small arms, & forcing them to burn all
the Commissary stores belonging to the left
wing of their army – capturing many heavy
siege guns & light pc’s of Artilery – Jackson &
A.P. Hill’s divisions worked round the left Right
flank of the Enemy, forcing them to
change front & line of battle; from latest
ac’cts – our men under three generals had
taken possession of their landing at White
House on the Pamunkey river & also of the
York River Railroad by which they had been
getting their supplies – 3400 prisoners arrived
in town today – with the Yankee generals
Reynolds & Taylor, one Colonel and three
Majors

I have been confined to the office most of
today – Rode into town today to hunt up Mullie
& attend to some business – Did not succeed in
the former object – but learned from Brother
who came up this Evening that he had gone
to Mrs Dunlops last night to find him &
they Kept him – that Mullie wanted to
go to Mr Harveys – of his Co  Smith was
Killed & some five others wounded – there
is nothing very authentic from the field
beyond the Chickahominy – Gen Magruders
Hugers & Holmes hold our front on
this other side of the river, only having slight
Artilery skirmis[h]es with that portion of
the Yankee Army on this side the Chick
-ahominy – they will probably push forward
tomorrow after the foe – I rode down to
Mrs Price’s this Evening where Magruder &
Staff were,  Mrs Prices house is

[The following is cross-written over the above page.]
completely riddled with cannon balls – We
could hear the guns this day, from Richmond
towards the fields of combat – Returned after
dark & retired after reading for a few hours.
     
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

  June 28th

Were turned out at three. A. M and marched
to the banks of the river, to protect the right
flank of the army.  the army is compelled to
fall back from before Richmond. not being
strong enough to hold our position against
the reinforcements the rebs have received
from the South.  (For all this we can thank
that poor, weak minded thing, that is styled
President Lincoln,)  All day long a steady

[in pencil,
in the margin is written, “ You don’t mean that.”]

column of sick, and wounded troops, trains,
and other material of war, was passing
by us.  At four P. M. our div was sent to
the front with orders to hold our position
at all hazzards until midnight.  we are
to be left as the rear guard to cover the
retreat.  Remained in position until mid-
-night, when we limbered up, and fell back
after the remainder of the army.  As far as I
can under stand the proceedings, the authorities
at Washington have done the best they could
to sacrifise this army, and if we ever
reach the James River it will be wholly
to the credit of Gen Mc Clellan and to
him will this country’s thanks be due.
   Warm and pleasant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[diary of Sgt. Z Lee Gilmer of the 19th Virginia Co. B (Albemarle rifles), written somewhat later, continues ]

(Saturday 28) about
12 when Maj Ellis Lt White, Sgt
Wm H Shepherd & myself were
taken to Richmond.  I went
direct to my Uncles & took
my fond friend Shepperd with
me. about an hour after I was
shot I lost my voice & did not
recover it until five or six day’s
I am much indebted to John Dicken
son for my life, for he held me
up the entire night & the next
day until I left I shall never
forget him. If he had not have
done this I would have suffica
ted in a few moments, for I could
not lay down at all. There I was
held up on the battlefield all
night listening to the fight
for it was going on all night
with the exception I guess of two
hours. when I was taken to
Richmond the next day in the
ambulance, I had to pass over
the battlefield of the day before
for six or 8 miles. They were
burying our dead, puting them
by dozens in one large grave
No useless coffin enclosed his breast
Nor in sheet, nor in shroud we wound him
                                                rest
But he lay like a warrior taking his ^
With his martial cloak around him
after a painful ride we reached
the city & we drove round to my
Uncles for me to stop & my friend
Shepherd, I took leave of Maj-
Ellis, White & Dickinson who shed
teers when he parted.  I could not
speak & they thought me mortally
wounded.  My Uncle & his family met
me at the Door. they had not heard
of my misfortune then
My clothes were saturated with blood
& it had even run down into my
shoes could not use myself much
& in all look as if I would live but
a little while.  My Uncle & Aunt helpt
me up to a room & soon had me as
comfortable as I could have been
made on earth.  they could not have
been kinder

Gilmer quotes from “The burial of Sir John Moore after Corunna” by Charles Wolfe.

MSS 4459

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]

                                  Saturday 28
Continued our advance down the
north of Chh Swamp.  Fight
continued on the South Side
by Johnston’s forces.  enemy still
retreating

                                 Camp near Richmond
                                      Saturday, June 28th 1862  101/2 am.

I have written to you twice, my darling since we parted
and have received no letter from you except the one sent by
Mrs Knight.  I fear you are sick and have thus been pre-
vented from writing to me.–I take my pencil
and paper this morning to send you a short note
and to advise you of my whereabouts and what
I am doing.–Our Regiment is in the same
position it occupied when you were in
Richmond, and is by order from Gen Lee, en-
gaged in watching the fight flank of our
position so that the enemy may not turn
it without our having our notice.  We have
thus seen none of the fighting which has
been going commenced Thursday afternoon
at 3 o’clock, was continued yesterday and
has been, I suppose, resumed this morning.
All I have learned is that Genls Hill &
Longstreet crossed the Chickahominy Thurs-
day afternoon at Mechanicsville and drove
the enemy yesterday five or six miles before
them. Genl. Jackson on our extreme left

[page 2]
engaged the enemy yesterday near Old
Church in Hanover.  After a very hard fight
the enemy gave way about night.  Our men
slept on the battle field and renewed the
battle this morning at 2 o’clock: when my
informant left it was day break, and the
the[sic] Enemy were falling back and we
were pressing on them.   I pray earnestly
that God will give us a complete and
decisive victory over our foes. The
indications of success thus far are favorable
I will try and give you the earliest
intelligence of any part I may be
called on to act in this great strife.
    Kiss the children for me.  I would
give much to see you and our darling
boys this morning.  Love to Mrs Riddle
Remember me kindly to the servants.
Upon you, my dear wife, I pour out
all the wealth of my heart, & pray our
Heavenly Father to sustain & uphold you.

                            Yr affectionate husband
                                   John T. Thornton.

John Thruston Thornton, University of Virginia alumnus, and Captain, Co. K, 3rd Virginia Cavalry

MSS 4021

Washington
June 28, 1862

My darling Sister
Miss Brooke
gave me your beautiful
letter yesterday, telling
me of our terrible loss.  I
tried to make myself be=
lieve that it was true, but
I cannot, it seems too
dreadful to believe, it is
for poor Mother that I
feel the most. it is a ter=
rible blow for her, it is a
consolation however, to know
that he died doing his du=
ty. Miss Kate Barnard

[page 2]
came to see me yesterday
mornon  morning, She
brought Willie and left
him to stay with me
untill night. the lit=
le fellow was standing
in the passage when I came
out to see him and as I
stooped to kiss him, he
whisperd, “oh Nina our
Father,” then I could not
stand it any longer. I
cried as hard as I could.
please excuse this writing
the ink is very bad.
yesterday I had a very
bad stomach ache, but I
am much better now,
give my very best love to
dear Mother, A Uncle
N Alfred, and Grandma
from you affec–little–Nina

Nina Ellet to her sister Mary Ellet on the death of their father Charles Ellet, Jr, mortally wounded in the river battle for Memphis. Mary had accompanied their mother to care for Ellet whom they had presumed was not seriously injured.  Uncle Alfred is Charles’s younger brother, Brigadier General Alfred Washington Ellet, 1820-1895.


MSS 276

[from the “War Journal” of George Hazen Dana, of the 32nd Massachusetts, a compilation of his letters and field notebook]

                                                 Cloud’s Mills, Pa.
                                                 June 28th 1862.
          As you see, we have moved about fifteen miles
to the southward of our old quarters, where we have
about 18,000 men to be commanded, probably.  Gen.
Sturgis and more regiments expected soon.   We
marched all the way here, and immediately on arrival
I was detailed as Officer of the Guard, which kept me
up all night, so I’ve not felt much like writing since.
My great trouble here is the impossibility of keeping                                                                                 
clean, as the fine powdered dust under the grass seems to
rise, even without any wind, and cover everything.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5130                                  

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Saturday –Cloudy & gloomy–Just in unison with my feelings
The Richmond dispatch of the 27th tells of a battle going on–& much less
of life–Major General Hill at 3 o clock precisely crossed the Chickahominy–The
Yankees seemed perfectly aware of  his coming.  General Hill with 12000 men
engaged the whole of McClennans forces until night put an end to the unde
cided contest.  General Branch did not reach there until nightfall–Du-
ring the whole time of the contest large reinforcements were passing the Chickaho-
miny under General Lee.  But none of the forces engaged in the gattle were un
der fire–General lee did not reach MechanicksVille untill 9 oclock at night
when the battle was over–General Hill is the Hero of Williamsburg He was
then a Brigadier & won on the field his title of Major General. & the battle of
yesterday he displayed in the highest degree all the talents of a commander
with the exception of proper caution for his own life which he exposed from the
first shot to the last with the recklessness of a trooper.  The Regiments enga
-ged were the 14th 1st Louisana[sic] The 4th 3d & 2nd Georgia. The force being
under the command of General A R Wright–This force was supported in the
engagement by a portion of General Ransom’s brigade consisting of the
48th & 28 North Carolina commanded by Colonel Rutledge–The Centre
of the enemy was attacked first driving the pickets in. The 1st Louisana[sic] made
a brilliant charge encountering 3 regiments of the Enemy on the right
of the road—This gallant Regiment & the 22d Georgia fought the enemy’s centre
for several  hours & when forced to retire fell back in good order–On the left
Colonel Rutledge led the advance with his regiment supported by the 3d Geor-
-gia on the extreme right as well as in the centre the fighting was extremely
fierce. This portion of the field being gallantly contested by the 4th Georgia which
3 times repulsed the enemy & was supported by Colonel Hills 48th N Carolina
During the engagement the Enemy brought up 2 pieces of artillery from which our men suffered
                                                                                                                     badly
Received a letter from Tom to day which caused me low spirits to think he is again
a private–Mr Mason, whose thro recommendation he obtained the appoint
ment of Ordnance Sergeant & whom to be with he accepted it–Having
asked to be relieved from his office which was over Tom–Tom has also
determined to ask the Colonel to relieve him too & return to his
situation only Mr Mason wished him to take it which he did
to be near  him & so far he says they have had a pleasant time together
[“]But as Mr Mason has determined to leave & I will be alone here amongst
strangers & an uncongenial set I think it best to go back to my
Regiment”– He says further if they would allow my wagon to stay with
the Regiment–I would still hold this office. But they will not–
He mentions the death of a Mr Collins–once Overseer for Liz & the mar
riage of Miss O Kearney a great favourite of  his with Mrs Andrews’
oldest son–a minister.  Jimmie Andrews married Miss Thomas month
ago–They ought both to be where my sons are, fighting for their
Liberty–Their homes –& their families.  I answered Toms letter but
dont know when he will receive it.

Tom= her son Thomas Hill of the  18th Mississippi Co. K (Burts Rifles)
Mr. Mason= Captain James M. Mason, her future son-in-law
Liz= Elizabeth Branch Hill, daughter of North Carolina governor John Branch and her widowed daughter-in-law

MSS 6960

x

[letter of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio continues]

June 28th  We are not practicing
this forenoon as it rains a little
and I will write to you
We have now been here
over a month and it is
difficult to tell how much
longer we will remain Some
think 30 days at least.  there
is an impression among several
of the officers that this is our
last camp in Va–they think
we will go into Eastern Tenn
and join with Buell
From a Telegram last night

[page 3]
we learn that the
combined forces of Banks
Fremont & Shields are
uinted and placed under
the Supreme Comd of Pope
to be called the Army of
Virginia. what disposition
will be made of this
position of the army is hard
to tell at this time. and
from past experiences I guess
it is useless to conjecture
the scenery around us
is very grand  I wish you
were here it see it
A few mornings ago I
borrowed the Col- field Glass
and went up to the highest
peak of the mountain
Words would fail to
express the grandeur of the
scene.  I only wish I was
able to sketch, had I known

[page 4]
two years ago that
I would pass through such
a country as this I should
certainly have spent six
months at least to acquire
that accomplishment for I
would now be amply
repaid as I now write
sitting outside the Tent I
see the mountains sweeping
away to the southward
in great billowy swells
far as the eye can reach
away to the Southeast
a depression in the
mountain rage between
the East River & Butt Mounts
marks the passage of
the New River called the
Narrows the place is a
strong natural position
now in possession of the
rebels where they ar[e] strongly

[page 5]
fortified  We passed
through there on our
way to and from Giles
the passage is rather a
remarkable one being only
wide enough for the passage
of the river the road being
constructed at the base
close to the water the
mountain  the mountains[sic]
on either side appears as
though they had once been
united but at some
subsequent period had
by some great convulsion
been separated for the
passage of the river.
the sides are very abrupt
riseing almost perpendicularly
to a great highth  and on
either side a coresponding
strata of rocks [cropp?] out
and incline from the base

[page 6]
to the summit at an
angle of about 60 deg’s
the different strata of earth
and rocks are qutie clearly
defined here and would
afford a study for a
Geologist
Whilst I write a rain-
storm is sweeping along
in the distance obscuring
a portion of the mountain
scenery whilst in front
of it the sun is throwing
its lights and shadows
upon the mountain sides.
the contrast is very strikeing
and fine

[Templeton’s letter will conclude on the 29th]

MSS 10317

its

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]

Saturday, June 28, 1862

Did not practice
after Guard mounting
as it threatened rain
Practiced this afternoon
have been writing
a little
Went in with Gillett
Charlie & Swett and
got a hay floor are
getting it [?]
at the Hospital
Heavy rain passed to
the southward
no rain of any
consequence here
Showers last night
Arthur got annother
Bell Tent–he & Fox
occupy it
Had Tibb pull new seat
in my old pants

MSS 10317