University of Texas at San Antonio Civil War Diaries

Peninsular could not be held, since we were confronted by a pow -erful and numerous army, which difficulty, we could perhaps have overcome, had not both our flanks been exposed by navigable streams on right and left, on each of which the enemy had powerful fleets, to which we could oppose nothing,con -sequently they could ascend these streams. Land forces in our rear cut our communications and cut us off from Richmond - which was our base, therefore the Peninsular must be given up. The retreat began on the morning of 4th of May. The "Texas Brigade" was made rear guard of the army. The retreat would have been made with

during the evening of the 6th and we went into camp, and spent a most delightful night. Early in the morning of the 7th May, we were up again, we resumed the march, not toward Richmond as all expected, but towards West Pt. We marched but a short distance, where we were halted. The 5th Txs was sent out on a reconasance. We had gone but a half mile, when we came back to the posi -tion in a hurry, having fallen in -to a Yankee trap, but the spring being rusty, did not work quick enough to ketch us. On returning to the place where we had left the rest of the "Brig" we found them gone. A corn

We lay down to rest that night, flush -ed with victory, and proud of our 1st days work, and were just on the eve of dreming of home and the loved ones there. When the long roll aroused us from our slumber just begun, and the order "prepare to march" was passed from mouth to mouth. We had saved our army and now we must save our selves and should we wait for day, our situation would be intrical, since the whole army had passed on its way to Richmond. Well do I remem -ber the night, since I was so weak and sick I could hardly move my foot, and all wagons and am -bulances had been sent on ahead hence I must either make an

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mained near "New Kent" until the evening of the 9th, when we resumed the march in a hard rain, and marched till one at night, when we found ourselves on the banks of that hereafter historical stream "Chickahomany" having made six miles in ten hours. On arriving at the bridge over the "Chickahomany" we found several several Generals - all exhorting these men "flare up and for God's sake hurry on." After crossing over, the bridge was immediately destroyed. We remained near this stream until a late hour next morning and after feasting extravagantly on a "flap jack" and one slice of bacon" we took up the march once more for Richmond