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

[?ing]. Leaving our very desira -ble camp, which the boys called "Camp Thunder & Lightning," we started for Rich -mond, moving at quick time, when nearing Richmond, we took the "nine mile road" (a railroad) leaving R__ to our right. Not to far had we proceeded upon this road, when we were greeted by the report of canon and small arms, and which spoke in tones of Thunder of a bloody contest, in which southern blood was once more to be poured upon the altar of sacri -fice, a libation to our countrys cause and with the steady tread, and defiant stepp of men who feared not. We moved forward to the bloody field of "7 Pines"

During the night of May 29th the Yanks who had never occupied in force the Richmond side of the "Chickahominy" crossed over three Yankee corps, under command of Major Genl Casey USA. The heavy rains of the day & night of the 30th, decided Genl Joe Johnston to attack them, since the Chickahominy was almost out of its banks, and it was almost impossible for Genl McClelland to reinforce Casey, conse -quently no better opportunity would be presented us for inflicting a tell -ing blow, by daylight of May 31st Johnston had a large portion of his army in a war position to Casey. Sunday at good light to give the Yell & open the contest. Whitings Division, was ordered

up not to participate unless an emergency demanded it but as reserve. We lay upon our arms till nearly 3 pm, listening to the event but dangerous music of "bloody battle", listening to the tales of straglers, who in their love of country determined not be rash, viewing different exciting scenes, attendant upon a battle, such, as flying ambulances, loaded with maimed and dying. The slightly wounded, here comes one with a slight shot in the leg, another with a bleeding hand, another minus an eye. About 3 pm, the gallant "Hood" ordered us forward, with alacrity we obeyed, ever wil-

-ling to follow when he led. We moved forward, after marching about half mile, we came up, on tents, filled with everything that could flatter the taste of an epicure, or gladden the heart of a Beau Brummel, which we had forced Mr Yank to leave, here was whiskey, preserves, fruit, fine cloth -ing, which, the power of self pres -ervation had forced our [friends?] to leave behind, for which we had given them [?] [?]. Dis -pite these rare increments, our "Texicans" kept their places. [4pm?] we had proceeded much farther, scenes that brought the tears to the eye and moved the heart to sor -row, met our view. Soon after

having this the bountifully sup -plied camp, we struck the Chick -ahominy swamp, and like a piece of [lard?] into a bucket of wa -ter, we went "kersplash" upto our waists nearly into the swamp. We moved forward, chang -ing our course, so as to strike the flank of a large force who were making a strong resistance to the Division of Longstreet, seeing us, they became demoralized & retreated, and were followed up by Longstreet. We then moved deeper into the swamp, as well as into the water, guarding & supporting the right flanks of our army Though we were several times under fire