1862 July 27

This week has been a very busy one to us all.

On the 21^st three men of the 2^nd Vt regt were

drummed out for cowardice in the recent battles.

Gen. Mc Clellan has reviewed the different corps

this week. On the 23^rd had another tedious brigade

drill, new tents have arrived and were pitched

in rear of the park. a machinist from Fort

Monroe is at work on the vents of our guns

which were blown out at Glendale. The

fortifications in front of the battery are

finished, and we now have one of the

best and neatest camps in the whole army.

On the 25^th had another severe drill. During

the afternoon of the 26^th, the rebel cavalry drove

in our piquets, but as soon as we could

send them reinforcements, they recovered

their lost ground, and caused Mr. John

Henry, Rebel to get up and get in a very

decided hurry. at six P. M we were reviewed

and inspected by a Col. of Art’y of Mc Clel-

-lans staff. About seven P. M a thunder

shower came up and it lasted unpleasan-

-t all night. To day were inspected by Capt

Platt. The weather this week has been

Pleasant and extremely warm

MSS 8493

1862 July 20 [Harrison's Landing, Virginia.]

During the past week every thing has been as
quiet as usual. On the 14th Gen Burnside
arrived at the landing; his command is at
Fort Monroe. One of our men was discharged
on the 15th. On the 19th the Vermont Brigade
commenced to throw up a line of breast works
in front of the batteries. To day were inspected
by Capt Platt, after which we had a long
and severe brigade drill. During the past
week, the rebel sharpshooters and their flying
artillery have greatly annoyed our transports
in their passage up and down the river,
We have had some very heavy thunder showers
this week. On the 16th we had the most severe
one I ever witnessed, the rain fell in a
perfect torrent for over an hour completely
deluging the ground. During the day time
of this week the weather has been pleasant
and warm but most every evening it has been stormy.

MSS 8793

1862 July 13 [Harrison's Landing, Va.]

Since the 7th every thing inside our lines has
been very quiet. On the 8th the President
arrived here and reviewed the army in their
encampments. To day. G. B. White a member
of the battery died after a very short illness
with the [word lined through] typhoid fever. He was one of
our very best men and had not an enemy
in the battery. he will be greatly missed by
us all. At 4 P. M he was buried near our
camps the burial services being conducted
by the chaplain of the 2nd Vt. and a detach
-ment of the same regt. fired a salute over his
grave. The balloon has made several
reconnoisances, and reports the rebs to have
fallen back to their old line in the defenses
of Richmond. A . very strong fort has.
been built on our left, mounting several
heavy guns. With the exception of the 10th and 11th ,
The weather has been warm and pleasant,
those two day’s were very stormy.

MSS 8493

1862 July 7 [Harrison's Landing, Va.]

The N. J. battery took up a position on our
left to day. both left sections being short range
guns, they were sent to the right to cross fire
our guns, if we were attacked. Were turned
out at 4. A. M and remained in harness
until 7. A. M. Very warm and pleasant.


MSS 8493

1862 July 6 [Harrison's Landing, Virginia?]

Yesterday and to day have once again passed
in quietness. the balloon was up both days;
this afternoon we changed our camp about
one mile to the front. Smith’s div. are
building fortifications on our left. Warm and
pleasant.

MSS 8493

1862 July 3

About ten A. M, Gen Mc Clellan commenced
to form his new line. Shortly after, the rebs
who had followed close on our rear, opened
on us with a rifled battery, making some
exce^ ‘l’lent shots, but they could not dance long
to the music of the 100 pdrs from our Gun boats,
so they retired, and all became quiet again.
By 9. P. M. our line was formed. Our battery is
now on piquet. Cloudy, unpleasant and very
muddy.

1862 July 2

Left our position at two A. M and again
fell back reaching Harrison Landing on
the James River at seven A. M. here we are
to form a new line of battle covered by the
gun boats. by five P. M our entire army
had arrived and encamped here. The
army in the recent battles has lost. 1,582
killed. 7,709 wounded and 5,958 are missing
total. 15, 229. Rained hard all day and
night.

1861 July 1

Early this morning we arrived at Malvern
Hill, where we halted to rest; the army
is here to be deployed in line of battle

on a range of very commanding hills; our left
is protected by the Gun boats. About 8. A. M.
the advance of the rebs. (which had followed
close upon our rear) began to engage our
picket line. Our div. being out of ammunition
and the troops completely exhausted, we were
ordered to the rear, at noon we halted on a
large plantation about seven miles from the
James River. At five P. M. the 1st N. J. and our
battery were placed in position for the night.
A severe engag ^‘e’ment has been in progress all
day at Malvern hill, in which the rebs
have been repulsed with great loss at
every point, and several stands of colors have
been taken. Pleasant and warm.

MSS 8493