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

                       April 22nd

To day the men and horses disembarked
and went in to camp.  we expect how-
-ever to re-embark in a few days for
Gloucester Point. a position now held,
by the rebs, who have at that point,
an immense and powerful battery, mounting
18 eighteen thirty pounders (Columbiads).
These works will have to be carried,
before we can expect a landing that will
be permanent, and a most difficult
undertaking it will be to carry them,
as all our movements will be fully
exposed to the rebs.  Quite warm
and pleasant to day.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]