1861 August 21

Were turned out at three A. M on the 18th and by
five were in motion; at noon passed through
Williamsburg. It was at this place that Sumner
and Heinzelman after a very severe and
desperate battle, succeeded in driving the rebs
at every point from works almost impregnable.
This is next to Yorktown the most strongly
fortified place that we have seen; as far as
the eye can reach in either direction, are very
large and strong fortifications, all enfilading each
other; there are also two large and very strong lines
of rifle pits, protecting the approaches to these
works. At three. P. M we halted and encamp-
-ed for the night. Were up as early as usual the
next morning, but did not move until 8. A. M.
passed through Yorktown. and encamped just
outside the fortifications of the place. Johnny
Rebel must have been most decidedly crazy,
when he evacuated this place with out a
struggle for it. On the 20th turned out at five
A. M, hitched up, and by seven were again
on the tramp. To day we have passed a
large number of fortifications, which the rebels
built when they occupied this part of the country;
for miles in most any direction, some
kind of fortification can be seen. at
three P. M halted and encamped for the
night at. Lee’s mills. It was here that the
Vt. brigade was repulsed in the siege of
Yorktown.