[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Sunday 1st of June–We had quite a thunder & lightning storm last
night–Not much rain accompanying it–But a very heavy hail
for a few moments–It looks cloudy now–But much cooler–Being
Communion day we will all go to Church–Eliza received a letter
from Mr M–He was better. & I one from Tom. She also received
one from Mary Wilson
MSS 6960
[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]
June Sunday 1
Arrived at Martinsburg
at 10 A.M formed line
of battle waited for the
enemy. Had a small brush
left there about dark
$43.48
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
Mechanicsville June 1st 1862 Dear Mother I received Fathers letters of
the 15th and 22d last night so I thought you would think it kind of strange if I did not write
so I take this opportunity we have been here ever since last Tuesday & are on the very instance
right within five miles of Richmond & we are on Pickett every three days & the place that we
go to is not more than A quarter of A Mile the Picketts have exchanged words with each other yeste-
rday there was A great Fight our men drove them it was somewhere near the Chickany
nahominy swamp, I only write these few lines Just to let you know where I am
& if we do get to A place where we can rest I will give you & all the rest of the folks an
account of my March from West point to this place & all of the Particulars since I left Alaxandria I
am well enjoying good health tell Father that we will I think get paid off next week & if we do I will
not forget my promise give my love to all I am your Son Joseph Leavitt
Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865 “because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid.” Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.
MSS 66
[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]
June 1st
Early this morning the battle which was in
progress yesterday on our left, was recommenced
The fireing continued very heavy until 10. A. M,
when it became more distant and less
severe, by noon it had ceased entirely.
The battle of yesterday and to day, was
fought at Fair Oak’s some four miles
from Richmond. The rebs taking advantage
of a terrible storm which had flooded the
valley of the Chickahominy, and had left a
portion of our troops in an exposed
position, attacked them suddenly, (our troops
comprised the corps of Sumner. Heintzel-
man, and Key’s) and after a severe and
desperate conflict, Gen Casey’s Div. which
comprised the first line of battle fell.
[page 32]
back in disorder upon the second line,
thus causing a temporary panic. but
Heintzelman and Kearny rapidly advanced
their columns, and checked the rebs, who
were pouring down in immense force,
Night ended the battle for the day. the
rebs fell back a short distance to a strong
position, our troops formed new lines,
and placed the Artillery in strong positions
This morning the rebels again attacked
our lines, and although our Artillery
mowed them down by scores, the gaps
were immediately filled with fresh troops:
both sides fought with determination
and gallantry, but the rebs were at last
obliged to retreat in confusion. Their loss
is enormous. ours is about 7000 in all.
Jo. Johnston, the rebel Gen in chief, was
wounded in the foot. Warm and pleasant
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 8493
4 ½ miles of Richmond. Dr. Garnetts farm,
9 mile or New Bridge road
My Ever Dear Father June 1st Sunday
Yr. letter of the 25th mailed the 27th
reached me on the 29th. I was extremely glad
to get a letter of so recent date from
home. Frank Williams tells me you were
looking quite well. You say George is left
in a puny state by his sickness. I most
sincerely hope this will not continue.
Yesterday’s battle of considerable
dimensions began, away round on
our right towards James river. There,
they were driven back by our men – we
made the attack in this fight. It ex-
tended from where it began to the road on
which we are stationed. Just in
front of us there was quite a hard
fight, lasting from about a quarter
past three until night & was renewed this
morning for about an hour. here
we obtained only a very partial success,
occupying a part only of the battle field – at
[page 2]
one time we had here also their
entire camp &c. But were compelled
to abandon this. The above account
is as accurate a one as I can give
from what I heard & saw. Our company
was engaged for not more than an
hour or two & then at intervals. We had
only one man injured; the gunner to the
piece with which I act – badly in the
foot. President Davis, Generals Lee & Davis
&c etc were on the field to day & yesterday.
I am quite sorry to say that Genl.
Johnson was among the wounded, it
is said – severely tho’ the surgeon says
not mortally. I know of its seriousness
only by rumour – Brigdr. General Hatton of
Tennessee was killed. B. Gl. Pettigrue
was badly wounded. Why the battle
has lulled until now, I don’t know, save
an occasional shell. It is now half
past two. It ceased about 10 A.M. We
are said to have obtained more
stores &c &c & some artillery, very few
page 3
prisoners. The killed and wounded on both
sides must be quite heavy. Im-
mediately on our left is the Chickahom-
iny, between the contending parties, & for
this reason, the battle was limited & extended no
farther. I don’t know but suppose
our Genl. hoped to ship & capture
that part of the enemy’s forces whi. are
in our front & this side of the chicka-
hominy. This I think they could have
done had night not come so soon.
The enemy were fortifying. The field was
such that we could use very little
artillery – in fact none during the heat
of the battle, It ceased at dark. The
stragglers about are loaded with
Yankee big coats & c&c.
As to a colt from my mare, exercise your
own discretion entirely. If Wms. horse
is a fine one I would prefer either it or
Scotts horse to a Morgan horse. Tho’
as I said above exercise entirely yr. own
judgment as to these or any horse.
[page 4]
I omitted to say I don’t think any thing
of great importance has been gained
by the battle. I must close now.
If any occurs & I have an opportunity
before sending this, this evening, I
will add it if I have an opportunity. My best love to all.
Farewell dearest Father
Yr affectionate son
W. H. Perry Jr.
4 P.M. All is quiet.
William H. Perry, Jr., 1836-1915, of the Richmond Howitzers; afterward a Virginia lawyer
[the gunner who was injured was Corp. George R. Crump]
[transcription and annotation by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 7786-d
Sunday, June 1, 1862
Have done nothing
comperatively this day
Read some
Herb & I are now reading
the Old Testament of
evenings
Guns were distributed
they are rifled muskets
Two companies went
out to day with
Howitzers they went
to Pikes Fery on the
River it is supposed
with intention of
clearing the way and
preparing a way to
cross. 4 fellows of the
39th Regt was bucked &
gaged this morning for
stealing a revolver of the Col–
mostly clear Threatening Rain
MSS 10317
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, and bank officer of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate army]
Sunday June 1–Wakened with the worst
kind of nervous head ache, which
clung to me all day– Went to the
office and telegraphed to Gwatham
to learn the fate of Eugene–Heard
of some six more of the H. Guard
who were wounded–among the
rest Ro. Berkeley–Communion Sun
day–large number of communicants
-about 3 recd answer from Gwatham
saying Eugene was in the
hottest of the fight yesterday. he
heard with great gallantry–escaped
unhurt, but had sevl of his men
killed–I never felt more gratified
as I had had many forebodings
Towards night we had certain
intelligence that the fight had been
resumed to day and was going in
our favor–went to the office of
the Republican at 8 P M. –dispatches
came in saying that all reports
concurred the enemy was completely
whipped driven back 5 miles
with the loss of 14 cannons and
that our men had pursued them
into the swamp carnage dreadful
on both sides–Then renewal of
the fight renews my anxiety about
Eugene–Came home & wrote to
Ro. Saunders, who had sent a ser-
vant on for the news–There was
a most terrible storm of Rain Friday
night in Richd & vicinity, which
swelled the Chicahominy, & served a
good purpose for us.
MSS 4763
