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� 81 April 5. Manassas

I write this within five miles of the battlefield of[inserted] last July. As we rode by the spot where our arms suffered that fatal reverse my heart was moved.

This morning it rained quite hard, and it seemed very uncomfortable. But Joe gave us an excellent breakfast.

This noon our horses came up. Mine looked gaunt enough, though in pretty good condition. This afternoon it was determined to send out a picket force, and Lt. Wead, myself and a guide who was formerly in the Rebel army went out to reconnoitre. [from the named Lt. to reconnoitre is marked off with a bracket in pencil to the left of the page.]

We rode about six miles. The guide showed us the place to which the Prince William Cavalry pursued him last evening. I