University of Texas at San Antonio Civil War Diaries

this celebrated retreat began under the direction of Genl Joe Johnston.

Twenty companies, were with difficulty, received by the Govt for the Virginia Army (which State was then the seat of the war.) since not only the Govt but the Southern peo -ple supposed that the war would be of short duration and South -ern independence certain. So much so was this the senti -ment of the people. That the greatest uneasiness prevailed among the companies, for fear that the war would end and an opportunity was had to [quit?][rush?] the dastard foe and wreath their brows with the

head towards the Peninsular where the Yankees were massing their army. After various delays & halts, the CSA found themselves occupying their positions on the Peninsular confront -ed by old Abes chaps - about the 8th of April - The "Rebs" were command -ed by Genl Joe E. Johnston - while the Federals were under the com -mand of Major Genl George B Mc -Lelland, at that time generally known by the title of "Young Napo -leon. Nothing of importance hap -pind while in the Peninsular. The weather being so bad as to im -pede millitary movements. Our Army numbered, as correctly as I could learn, some 25,000 men. It became evident that the

-ceived a serious lesson in the "battle of Williamsburg" The first battle of "62". I failed to mention that the "Texas Brigade" and "Whitings Brigade" formed a sub division, of Genl G W Smiths "army division," hence we were known with Whitings Brigade as "Whitings Div." On the night prior to the battle of Williamsburg, Genl Johnstonreceived reliable information, that "Little Man" had sent a large force in transport, up York river, to land at "Elthams Landing" or "West Pt", The terminus of the "Richmond & York river RR", by which movement if successful, our army, would be cut off from our base, and with a large

We camped early that evening some six miles from the city & at an early hour next morning (May 11) we moved to within two miles of Richmond and estab -lished a permanent camp, which is known as "Pine Island" This was the retreat from the Pen -insular, a retreat that was pregnant with dangers, suffering, and hard -ships, which none but a skillful Genl could alleviate, but not over -come. "Render unto Saser That which is Sasers due", and give to Genl Johnston, who by divine aid, performed a most skillful military maneuver. Thereby sav -ing Richmond, and giving a name and much prestige to an

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