University of Texas at San Antonio Civil War Diaries

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

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on guard I had full satisfaction of both storm & rain, and at night with my companions, being fatigued & wet to the skin, I lay down at the foot of a tree, with my blanket wraped around me, and I do not exagerate when I say. I found myself at day light next morning, lying as comfortable and as contented in a pond of water, as I would have been in a feather bed. I only mention this to show that a sol -diers life is not entirely devoid of pleasures. About 8 am 30th May, we were ordered on the march again, and the firing of can -nins round about. The hurried consul -tations of General officers, prognasti -cated a little excitement in the shape of a [?] with old Abe & his boys, it [rushing?] against the Yanks in