FRIDAY, May 16. Our Regiment on picket until nine o'clock this morning, when we were withdrawn, and placed on the Chickahominy Creek road, to protect the road, and get rested at the same time. The remainder of the division passed on towards Richmond. At four o'clock again on the tramp, and moved four miles nearer Richmond, to a place called Baltimore Cross Roads. Passed large strawberry fields. The rebs keep just about so far in advance of us, or we keep so far behind them, we haven't found out which. Our cavalry stirred up their rear guard, this after noon, about five miles from here.
SATURDAY, May 17. Moved forward about two miles, to Crump's Cross Roads. The dirtiest camp-ground yet. Cobb's Georgia Legion had occupied, only a day or two before, and the place of their sojourn was plainly visible.
SUNDAY, May 18. In camp all day. This has been to the tired soldier indeed a day of rest; nothing to do but clean up guns and equipments. At evening, dress parade, and prayer by the chaplain of the First Chasseurs. Our chaplain having resigned soon after we took the field, we have to borrow prayers from our comrades of other regiments.
It has been stated, how the companies at Brightwood drew pay in cash, from government, for rations which they had not received, which money was turned over to the company fund. One day, a Company A man called at the colonel's tent, and with hat off, and saluting respectfully, inquired if the soldiers could not draw from government a company savings, for prayers not received by the Regiment, from the chaplain. He thought it would make quite a little sum. The colonel's answer is not quoted.
MONDAY, May 19. Moved again three miles, to the line of the railroad from West Point to Richmond, and about sixteen miles from the latter city. Raining in the morning, but clearing off before night. Close up to the enemy's picket, and encamped in a fine grove.
TUESDAY, May 20. Inspection and light battalion drill, this afternoon, at four o clock.
WEDNESDAY, May 21. Two miles nearer Richmond, having moved camp this morning. Bivouacked in a clover field. Just before dark, Company B, Captain Smart, and Company I, Captain Newell, were detailed for outpost duty, to relieve Captain Bliss of the Seventh Massachusetts. Nearly dark when the detachment started to cross the rail road bridge, over the Chickahominy. About forty feet, the portion spanning the channel of the creek, had been burned by the enemy, and our men crossed the channel on planks, laid upon the trestle work; waded the Chickahominy swamp knee deep, lay down on the bank and watched for daylight and the enemy.
THURSDAY, May 22. At early dawn, the enemy's cavalry picket were discovered, and driven off by our rifles. By noon, the picket line had been straightened, and advanced half a mile, from the end of the bridge, with the head-quarters at what was called the Pryor house, now deserted. Started the enemy from the nearest house on our right, and captured a contraband, who gave us a graphic history of the neighborhood and people. The women and children, all colored, had been left to look after the affairs of the house, while the proprietors had taken their families, and skedaddled for Richmond. The servants returned in the afternoon, having been driven away by our firing. Put on a picket at the house, which was filled with furniture, clothing and provisions, just as the family left it. The next morning, one of the soldiers on guard at the house, was seen to dip his coffee from his haversack, with a bright silver table-spoon. Upon being requested to name where the aforesaid article of domestic use was obtained, stated that he found it in the house, and there being nobody at home, he had taken it to save it. It was found, upon inquiring, that most of the other men, who had occasion to go to the house, had also saved a spoon. On the opposite side of the railroad, and to our left, was another farm-house, which inventoried three old maids, two negro men, two colored women, five cats, four dogs, and one cow, all scared and with their backs up. They were very much frightened, when they found their visitors were "youuns," instead of " weuns," but they were assured of ample protection. Yet they were not happy. One of the old ladies stood up in one corner of the room, as tall and stiff as a rail, puffing away at an old clay pipe, as if her very existence depended on it. At the next house lived a miller, with his wife and half a dozen children. Being a miller, he was exempt, at that time, from the rebel conscription. A guard was stationed at his house, to make sure that no information was given from it, to the enemy. At the miller s house, found an official document from the rebel head-quarters, directed to "The first union officer who arrives," and within was an envelope directed to Adjutant General Williams, of our army. It was unsealed, and related to a flag of truce. At night, exchanged occasional shots with the enemy, who were on the railroad, just out of good rifle range.
FRIDAY, May 23. The Regiment crossed Bottom's bridge, and the picket companies were called in about four o'clock. The Fiftieth New York Regiment of engineers, were busy repairing the railroad bridge across the Chickahominy.
Edited By Captain Joseph Keith Newell, Historian of the Regiment, Published by C. A. Nichols & Co., Springfield, Mass. 1875-
