Skirmishing all the remainder of the day. .... When a furious attack was made upon the 11th Corps who soon abandoned their position, letting the enemy in our rear. A sanguinary engagement .... We retreated and made out to escape from their clutches Our reg't on picket. Oh! (go to May 3)



Sunday, May 3, 1863

Eventful day! The roar of battle has ceased and a solemn stillness pervades the air. Thousands upon thousands of brave heroes are threading the mazes of eternity, their lives having been sacrificed to ...... war in our holy cause. Ah, I have no heart to chronicle today's disaster. My brave Lieut. Cos. friend gone forever. Here's to thy memory , dear boy. a grateful tear shall be thy tribute and everlasting remembrance, thy reward. My brave companions. They too are gone! Wounded yet cheerful! Thy country owes them much! .... Would that this day might be forever blotted from the book of my remembrance but alas it must remain a lasting landmark. A day never to be forgotten. The 1st brig., 1st Divis., 3rd army corp have won enduring fame--but at the expense of precious blood and noble lives. 234 out of 419 are the casualties in the 141st P.V. Early in the morning was wounded in the arm and retired from the field. Col. Watkins reported killed, a most noble man and brave officer. Indeed death loves a shining mark, Alas! My dearest friends, where are they?



Monday, May 4, 1863

Awakened by the music of whizzing shell & hurrying crowds of wounded men. A Reb battery opens upon our trains on the opposite bank but were soon silenced. Two or three wounded men were killed. A general "skedaddle" ensued. Several wounded officers from our brigade present. .....Rumors by the million afloat both of success and disaster. Since comfortably located in hos...