Sketch of Hoods Texas Brigade of the Virginia Army (Handwritten Civil War Diary)

caused them to withdraw and locate somewhere else. The[insert: 2nd days] battle June 1st had fairly opened by, 8 am. The Yanks having been heavily reinforced in the night of May 21st assaulted us in our positions, and till 2 pm endeavored to re cover positions, canon and plun -der lost on 31st, but we were too much for them, and repulsed them with heavy loss. About 4 pm 31st May, Genl Johnston was severely wound -ed, and he whom we have since learned to love as a Father, he whom we have fought under for three long and bloody years, he for whom each one of us would have sacrificed our life, and who is preeminent above all

others an a great chieftain and military man, one in whom all the enobling qualities of man are blended. Took command of the "Army of Northern Virginia" need I speak the name. a name that is entwined in the affections, not only of his one own army, his own soldiers but the whole peo -ple. a name that challenges the respect, the admiration & the love of the whole world. I refer to Genl "R E Lee" The Napoleon of the "Southern War" "Great souls By nature half divine, soar to the stars And hold near acquaintance with the Gods". (Rowe)

The Yanks failing to accomplish any thing excepting decimating their ranks, withdrew, and by 3 pm. all was quiet excepting the occasional humm of a "minnie" or the "where is you" noise of a stray [Gun?]. Thus ended the battle of "7 Pines" the third battle of 1862. After the battle we were engaged on out post duty, in the Chickahominy swamp. and it was a common sight to see men sleeping on logs. brush and rails, almost floating. I wont say common, but rather frequent sight. we spent our time in skirmishing, picketing and doing our post duty_ which is very trying on men, and especially in a country as swampy, we received plenty, and very good rations from Govt.

During their operations around Rich mond. "Stonewall Jackson" was carry ing out an active and successful cam -paign in the "Shandoah vally." against Banks, Fremont and Shields, even af- -ter "7 Pines" our Col. JJ Archer, was made a Brig Genl and assigned to the command of a Tennessee Brig. Lt Col J B Robertson. became Col, Maj Botts became Lt Col. and Capt J C Arion of Colorado Co Txs. became Major. McLelland, was diging into Rich -mond, day by day, and it be -came necessary to retard the ad -vance he made with the [spach?] by means of the rifle.

On the morning June 11th 62. Hoods Brigade "Whitings Brigade and Lawtons Georgia Brigade. Under command

Brig. Gen Whiting, was ordered to Rich mond. on arriving at which place we found the cars ready and waiting. we hurried aboard and were soon bounding on our way for Lynchburg. with flying colors and bouyant spirits_ Many were the speculations among the boys as to the object of the trip. The most plausible report was, That we were on our way to form a function with "Stonewall" and under him to invade Maryland from Lynchburg. We took the cars for Charlootsville. and for two days camped in the beautiful grounds & buildings of "University of Virginia", well can we say that our Brigade has been [Among?] College. With many regrets as parting from The beautiful town of C.. and