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

forces in our rear and one in our front, we would indeed have been in a crucial condition, hence Mc Lelland fought The "battle of W", in order to delay us, but his designs were understood. Vigorous measures had to be executed, and prompt -ly too. Our Division (Whitings) was aroused from its slumbers at 12 am on the night of 4 May, and started on march. The rain pouring down in torrents, and so dark we could distinguish nothing. We continued in the march the rest of the night and during the days of the 5th & 6th The rain never ceased, mud & water knee deep, and misery & fatigue was viable upon the coun -tenances of all. The rain cleared