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30 We left this place on the 18th of May, moved only a few miles and encamped in a wheat field. However this day we passed through New Kent C. H. which in truth is nothing but a Court House and jail. and miserable things they both are. Nevertheless there is one object of interest even in this insignificant county seat. I allude to an oat tree. I have seen several larger oaks. What then is interesting about this oak tree? Nothing but the unparalleled spread of its branches. We all agreed that it could not be less than 100 feet from the extremities of one limb to the extremities of its opposite neighbor. Its top seemed nearly round resembling an umbrella. Its leaves and branches were very thick forming a delightful shade in which our entire Regt. 800 rested while they talked of its grandeur. I said we camped in a wheatfield. Here it was that the boys of our regt. first begun that trade which afterwards was brought to great perfection, viz. making pipes of laurel root. Upon this amusement of the soldiers I got up (if I may be allowed the expression) the following sentiment. "The pipe of peace, is carved by the sons of Liberty, from the root of the tree of victory." Here also I heard a prophecy that our army would enter Richmond before the 1st of June. I demurred but my battery was quickly silenced by the steady fire of the readers of the N.Y. Herald though I must say it was not a