May 13th. By seven o’clock yesterday morning, the regiment was on board the steamer Louisa, and heading up the York river. The colonel had no orders, excepting those to go on board, and only found out his destination from the captain of the boat, who said he was to go to West Point. We were the last regiment to leave, and are glad to get away. Arriving at West Point towards evening, we steamed about four miles up the Pamunkey, a very narrow but deep stream, when the boat stopped and anchored about dark; in the morning the colonel sent me ashore to find out where we were expected to land. Broom volunteered to go along, and so together getting into a boat, we were rowed ashore, and soon ascertained that our division was in camp about two miles further up the river, so we returned to the ship. The captain weighed anchor and steamed slowly ahead, until opposite a wharf, where we disembarked, and marched to the ground reserved for us. The whole division lay here encamped in an enormous corn field, surrounded on three sides by dense pine woods; a delightful situation, but without water, in consequence of which the men had to dig holes and collect the surface water, which was very warm and poor. In the evening held a reception at our headquarters, and had a jolly time, congratulating each other on being within so short a distance of the rebel capital, and once more united; the flowing bowl passed merrily, every one in the best of spirits.
