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

                      May 23rd

To day the Balloon made an ascent
near our camp to reconnoiter the rebel
position.  They report a great number of
unoccupied tents, between the Chickahom-
-iny and Richmond.  placed there probably
to deceive our picquets in regard to the
number of troops in the defenses of the
rebel capital.  A heavy cannonading can
be heard on our left.  Warm and
pleasant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493