University of Texas at San Antonio Civil War Diaries

-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

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

crib, being near, the commisary is -ued two ears of corn to each man, which was quite acceptable, since we were out of rations. corn is certainly very substantial. We had hardly shaved the corn into our hav -ersacks, when the crack of the rifle and the loud boom of cannon, was heard, not very far off. We were quick -ly formed in line, and at a doub -ble quick, started to the rescue of the other regts, for we were ser -tain they had found a mouse. We were pushing ahead on the West Pt road. My company (A), and Co "E" were thrown out on the flanks of the 5th Texas, very suddenly & unexpectedly, we were greeted by a volley of "minnies".