Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, June 1, 1862

Battle of Fair Oaks. Long before daylight our battery was brought in line of battle in front of the house in which General Sumner afterwards established his headquarters. The First Minnesota supported us. The battle reopened at daylight, with great fury, the enemy having been reinforced all night. Artillery was not used a great deal in this battle, but the musketry fire exceeded any ever heard during the war. In spite of the enemy's efforts, he was completely repulsed by ten o'clock A. M., retreating to Richmond. General McClellan appeared in front of the line of battle, encouraging the troops for the coming struggle.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 45

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, June 2, 1862

Fair Oaks. In line of battle since two o'clock A. M. The First Minnesota is fortifying our position. Cannonading going on near Mechanicsville, in the afternoon. The enemy is shelling our line on the railroad. Trains are arriving at the station with supplies. A heavy shower.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 45

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Tuesday, June 3, 1862

The army is fortifying its line.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 45

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, June 4, 1862

Heavy rain storm. All the bridges over the Chickahominy destroyed.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 45

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, June 5, 1862

Brisk fighting near Mechanicsville all day.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 45

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, June 6, 1862

Fair Oaks. Expiration of our first year in the service. Very quiet on the line.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 45

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, June 7, 1862

General Burns' brigade made a reconnoisance, in consequence of which a short fight took place.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 46

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, June 8, 1862

The enemy made a severe attack on our position this morning. Bad conduct of Baxter's Zouaves. Generals Sedgwick and Gorman forced them to return to the front. Visit of General McClellan, Duc de Chartres, the Count of Paris, Prince de Joinville, the Spanish Generals Prim and Milano del Bosch, Senor Justo San Miguel, Colonel Denteure, Colonel Cordazo, Senor de Sales, and Senor Perez Caloo, Spanish historian. They remained fifteen minutes at the headquarters of General Sumner, and made quite a show.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 46

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, June 9, 1862

Fair Oaks. The rebels open on General Gorman's picket line, without inflicting any damage.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 46

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Tuesday, June 10, 1862

Fair Oaks. Heavy rain. The enemy opened with artillery on General Smith's division, towards evening.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 46

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, June 11, 1862

Fair Oaks. In line of battle since two o'clock A. M. An attack expected every moment.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 46

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, June 12, 1862

Fair Oaks. Our whole line is fortifying stronger. Baxter's Zouaves are building breastworks of solid timber. Splendid moon nights.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 46

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, June 13, 1862

Fair Oaks. We are in line of battle since three o'clock A. M. At five o'clock the enemy opened on our line with two Parrott guns, two Napoleons, and a howitzer, killing a man of Company I, First Minnesota, and wounding one of the Thirty-fourth New York Regiment. General McClellan inspected the whole line of Sumner's corps. Orders were given to strengthen the breastworks. Generals Sumner and Sedgwick change their headquarters, their former quarters being too much under fire.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, pp. 46-7

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, June 14, 1862

Fair Oaks. The First Minnesota were intrenching all day. Very quiet along the line. Great raid of Stuart's cavalry at White House Landing.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, June 15, 1862

Fair Oaks. Heavy firing in the direction of Fort Darling.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, June 16, 1862

Fair Oaks. General Sickles' brigade had a short engagement with the rebels. General McClellan passed the line towards evening. Heavy firing on both wings of the army.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Tuesday, June 17, 1862

Heavy cannonading in the direction of Fort Darling.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, June 18, 1862

Fair Oaks. General Porter's artillery had quite an engagement. In the afternoon the whole of the Second corps got ready for action. Our battery was harnessed up. The infantry of Richardson's division advanced under cover of two light batteries. The engagement was of short duration. Our loss, one hundred and seventy, killed and wounded, all of Richardson's division. General McClellan was present.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, June 19, 1862

Fair Oaks. The enemy lost nearly four hundred men in yesterday's engagement.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, June 20, 1862

Fair Oaks. Heavy skirmishing along the whole line.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 48