Mon [April] 13 [1863]

passed quiet night -- regt called out under arms before day light
as precaution -- All seems quiet now -- Mr. H intends going this morng.
carries about $5000 -- for men &c -- they have to go because all
ladies are ordered off -- about 60. went down yesterday on open car without
seats -- Dr. Masson says his battery[?] drove rebels back a little --
Brid[g]e was repaired yesterday. Other road still out of order --
Gen Cochrane shot Col Kimball of Hawkins Zouaves died for
attempting to stop his horse Sat. Night. Col. was intoxicated -- poor fellow has served
gallantly for 2 years - & term expires in about 10 days.
Went in Ambulance to Depot with Mr. H Mrs D -- Mad[am] M. & waited
there from about 10. til 5 -- before they got off meantime we climbed on
to a pile of hay -- witnessed opening of our batteries on rebel forces -- in
front- on left --& their reply -- infantry & cavalry moving forward &c
houses burning -- to prevent sharpshooters getting lodgement
a poor family near rebel line attempted to escape fr. our shells,
bursting near them, when ordered by rebels to halt & fired upon --
The mother killed -- body brot. in a cart into town by her
husband. Mr. Causan saw it -- Good deal of cannonading from
Batteries & gun boats one of our men on gun Boat wounded --
conductor on train very rude to Mr H -- I demanded apology -- he refused
perhaps will think better of it. Met my old friend Wm. Felt he
is at present Chief of subsistence for Gen. Peck -- Our (25)
men still in fort -- rifle pits & on picket -- saw several citizens
under guard -- going to fort Monroe. houses near river dismantled
& Rose hill -- ordered to be ready to vacate for a bettery to be
planted there -- Saw an old lady come fr. a large house
tottle down St -- leaving her house -- fr fear -- An old man grey
haired with wife & pretty daughter grown up & little child coming
in -- in a cart guarded by a youthful dragoon -- riding behind
the cart. Young Woman & Soldier seemed to be very animated in
some spirited conversation --
Our Gun boats throw a shell every 20 min -- this Eveg -- to Keep
rebels awake I suppose -- now past 10 P.M. --
What will tomorrow bring forth -- battle or peace -- The Lord directs --
A good py. meetg. tho. but few could be present --
vis. hos -- poor Brewton very sick -- two rose for prayers tonight --
one an old British soldier -- A shell fr. rebel batteries struck
in rifer close by rose hll just before I reached there this P.M. they sd.

Brigadier General John Cochrane (1834-1898)

Colonel Edgar A. Kimball (1822-1863) of the 9th New York Infantry (Hawkins Zouaves) and a veteran of the Mexican War was known as 'Old gunpowder' to his men. The altercation between the two men apparently involved Cochrane refusing to give a password to the Colonel. The Zouaves nearly mutinied over the death of the popular Colonel.

Major General John James Peck (1843-1878) would soon be severely wounded in the siege.

Private Albert Brewton of the 25th New Jersey. His brother Joseph in the same Regt. (See posting for April 15)