1861 August 31

[From the diary of Wesley Hammond of the Dixie Greys, Co. E. 42nd Virginia Infantry]

Day beautiful – Detailed on

picket this morning. The post

on which I was placed was on

a high hill. To my right at the

foot of hill are our pickets

oblikely [sic] to the right is a Team.

Reg. in full view of me – but con-

cealed from Yankees. Directly

in front on a small hill are

Yankees plenty – watch their move-

ments all day – At night repaired

to an old barn. Read 3 chap. in bible.

MSS 5526

1861 Augst 31

[conclusion of the letter begun by Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine on August 27]

Nothing of importance has transpired today. I have

not resieved my pay yet but I expect it every day the have

made out the pay roll and we shall in a few days get two months

pay there is some in this regt that say we are coming home t his

month Sept. but I do not think it is so yet and I hope it is not

unless this war comes to an end, we shall probably know how the

case stands in a week or two at the most.

MSS 12916

1861 August 31

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Border Guards]

8 A.M. the sun light of another day has dawned upon us–all are cheerful and hopeful–8 P.M. Nothing worth writing transpired today more than we were mustered and our pay-rolls examined by the Col. of our regiment and are informed that we are to be paid off to-morrow–9 1/2 P.M. Taps

MSS 38-221

1861 August 31 Camp Bates near Washington

Dear Rosepha

I am now in that

celabrated land caled

Dixie, I have seen that celabrated

City called Washington, I will give

you a minute account of our jurney

hither. we left Syracuse, 20 minutes after

ten we arrived at Albany at four Oclock

in the morning we crossed the river took

the next rain for New York, the

Railroad laid mostly on the Banks

of the Hudson and you had a fair view

of the river most all the way and it is

a most beay beautifull sight to I can

tell you to see the larg stern boats

and schooners playing up and down

the river and we have a fare view

[page 2]

of West point it is one of the

most romantic places I ever saw

we arived in new yourk about half past

9 in the morning and staid there till

five in the afternoon we took our first

soldtiers diner at the Baricks it concisted

of two potatos a half a loaf of bread

a grate big chunk of meat and a pint

cup of soap. we had fun[?] enough over

our first soldiers meal I can tell you

at five Oclock or a little after we again

started. Each man taking one days

ration with him. We was feyred

acros the river to New jersy thin we

took cars for washington we pased through

quite a nomber of large Citys going

through New jersy we arived at

Philiadelphia a bout 10 Oclock at

night we thin changed cars crossed the

river took the next train for Baltamore

arived at that famous S City four

[page 3]

Oclock in the morning nothing of any

note took place while pasing through the

City. One of the boys rais to another clas

the blind, for sombody may throw a brick

bat through. we arived at Washington aboaut

7 Oclock in the morning What a sh sight

for miels around nothing was to be seen

but Munitions of war the ground in every

directtion is coverd with tents for three

and four milles from the City. We got our

breakfast at the baricks in the City we

then marched for our camp which is a bout

three milles from the City. just dark

our tents came we then pitched them and

bunked in for the night four in a tent

This morning while going after soom water going

after
which is about 60 or 70 rods from

camp I gatherd soom beautifull litel flowers

which I will send to ou in this leter

which you can show to your Friends as

curostys from the seat of War

[page 4]

I guess my Dear Rosa I will hafto

draw my leter to a closs as I want to write

to night to Mary and Charly yet to

day you will if cors write as soon as

you get this and write me a god long

leters to give my love to all your folks

resieve a good share for yourself.

Direct your leter to Privet Doran

CO Company I Coln Vanalan

Regt Washington, D C. Car of

Capt Joelneck

Pleas excuse my poor wrighting

as I hav to write on my knee

yours till Death John W. Doran

John W. Doran, 3rd N.Y. Cavalry

Colonel James Henry Van Alen, 1819-1886


Captain Gastorus Jocknick

MSS 8474-u

1861 August 31

My dear [word marked out] Pa,

I do n’t reckon Pen left me

anything at all to tell about our march & fight the other day, but

I will write something about it even if I have to repeat what he

has written.. Well, about an hour before day ^‘on Sunday’ orders were given

for

one day’s rations to be drawn, cooked & put in haversacks & to be re^‘a’dy

to march with our blankets at day. Our Co. with the Montpelier

Guard, the Baltimore Co. the Culpepper Minute Men & two pieces of the

New=

town artil[l]ery, start under command of Major Terrel, commenced march=

ing about half after six, we did n’t know where we ^‘were’ going; after a

march

of nine or ten miles we came to Anondale [Annandale], a little village,

where we

rested several hours. We started again at one, went two miles farther,

when we came to Chesnut hill on Cap. Ma^‘s’on’s farm, where we

halted. We could see Washington & the Yankee pickets very distinctly.

Col. Stuart with a part of his ^cavalry’ came to Chesnut Hill soon after we

arrived.

Co. Stuart took command of everything. Breastworks were laid off by

Adjutant Blackford of Stewart’s cavalry, in front of Mason’s house, & we

commenced work about four oclock. I worked harder on that hill than

I ever done in before in my life. The Baltimore Co. were sent out to

scout & they were fired upon by some of the Yankees in half a mile of us,

they returned the fire & soon drove them off, took one prisoner up a

tree. We stopped work about eight oclock & went to sleep on the ground,

but were aroused several times during the night by the fireing of the

pickets, their balls come very near us once & we all laid down on

the ground to avoid them. We were at work again early the next day.

[page 2]

We c’d still see the Yankee pickets on Munson’s Hill & their scouting

par=

ties, some of which ventured very near to us, but a few shots at them

from our men w’d soon send them off in double qu^‘i’ck time. There was

a school house, not over five hundred yards from Chesnut Hill, in the

woods, w’h the Yankees w’d get behind to fire at our men, [several words

lined out] that house house was burnt by our men. Not [a] single

one of our men were hurt near Mason’s hill, a horse belonging to one of the

cavalrymen was shot through the leg; the loss of ^‘the’ enemy is unknown,

but it is certain some were wounded if not killed. We finished the

fortifications late Monday evening. We were reinforced Monday night

by a part of the Maryland line & a part of a Georgia Regiment. Our blan=

kets, overcoats &c were sent back here Tuesday morning & our Co. with the

other

three Companies of the 13th, the two pieces of artil[l]ery & two Maryland

Companies

started for Munson’s hill about eight oclock, we marched cautiously through

the woods & got there in about an hour & a half; just before we got there we

^‘saw’ a Yankee riding as hard as he c’d down the ^‘road’ & we were

ordered to shoot him;

I did n’t get a shot ^’at’ him myself but some of our Co. did, his horse was

shot & I think he was wounded. When we got on top of the hill we

saw a body ^‘of’ Yankees drawn up at Bailey’s Xroads, a miles off, we

expected an attack. Four prisoners were taken in a peach orchard

at the bottom of the hill. Our Co. with the Mon[t]pelier Guard commanded

by Major Terrel went to Upton’s house to search it, we found no Yankees,

but they had just left, they ^ ‘had not’ finished their breakfast, they left a

bowl of

soup & hot corn on the table. C.H. Upton is the rascal who pretends to

repre=

sent Virginia in the Con Federal Congress & he is now in Washington.

Reinforcements arrived soon after the hill was taken. Our Co. was

stationed at Upton’s, a Baltimore Co. was sent up the road towards

Loudon & Hamshire R. R., but were soon driven back, two being

[page 3]

wounded, they said the enemy were advancing upon us very rapidly.

M[a]jor Terrel the^’n’ ordered all of us to retreat to Munson’s hill, we had

not

gone over a hundred yards before we met Col Stuart who turned us back,

he said it wd never do for us to run. Our detachment (excepting the

Culpepper

M. M.) with two Maryland Companies, making five Cos. in all, were led

on, right after the Yankees, by Col. Stuart. We soon got in woods very

near to

the enemy, the skirmishers were put out to bring the battle on, the firing

soon

commenced, but it was some time before anyone but the skirmishers c’d see

a single yankee, not until we got to the Loudon & Hamshire R. R., then

all of us commenced shouting, & the yankees too [word lined out] ^‘sent’

up a shout, but their

shouts did not last long, for we charged across the R. R. upon them

& you never saw such scampering in y’r life; but they rallied again

& for a few minutes their balls fell thick & heavy, they ran again [word lined

out] across

an open field & it was [word lined out] there that I got two fair shots, don’t

^‘know’ that I

did them a great deal of harm, but think I struck one, for I had rest on the

fence at him. I was right near poor Robinson when he fell mortally

wounded. The loss of the enemy is unknown, three were seen dead, I saw

one fall; our loss in all the skirmishes were five wounded & one killed,

we were certai^‘n’ly very fortunate. We were within two miles & a half of

the

Chain bridge. when we got back to Munson’s hill I was very much ex-

hausted. I was not as much excited as I expected I w’d be in my first

fight, though I ^‘was’ right much excited until after the first fire. Col. Stuart

as well as the men behaved very bravely, Col. S. is as brave as he can be

be & is a splendid officer. Lieutenant Winston also conducted himself first

rate, he kept as cool as a cucumber the whole time & gave his commands in

a clear & distinct tone as if he was on the parade ground. Our Major show=

ed a great deal of bravery & he raised himself in our estimation very much

[page 4]

I think he is most too rash. We had other reinforcements Tuesday night

& Wednesday morning, Aa part of the Washington artil]l]ery was there.

There was

right much of a skirmish Wednes. morning between Munsons Hill

& Bailey’s Xroads, a rifled cannon was fired at them at the Xroads

several times, we c’d see them running in every direction when the

ball struck. Our Co. was on picket Wednes night, we had a very hard

time of it, it rained nearly the all time, we were very near the Federal

pickets, cd hear them coughing on their post. We started back here Thurs=

day morning & had a very hard time in the rain. Bro Jno. was a

little complaining & Pen & I staid behind with him, we walked

on slowly & did n’t get to camp until late in the evening – all of us

were the mudiest looking fellows you ever saw when we got in camp.

Harry had nothing us a nice supper ready when we arrived &

you may depend upon it that all hands done ample justice to it.

After Sunday we ^‘had’ nothing to eat but peaches & corn, I used to eat as

many as seven ears of corn for a meal & peaches in proportion, I w’d

n’t like to say how many Pen ate. We had a terrible time after our

blankets

were sent back, we slept like hogs, piled up together on the ground about

four deep. It is the greatest wonder in the world that some of us were

not made sick, I don’t believe a single one ever took cold, & all of us

are ready for another bush fight, though we w’d prefer to have ^‘it’ in an

open

field. My sheet is filled so I must quit. My best love to all of

the dear ones at home, Aunt Cynthias’s & all of my friends & accept a large

share for yr self. We will write again soon. Yr devoted & most

Aff son

P. E. Jones

Major James Barbour Terrill, 1838-1864

Pvt. Marcellus Robinson

Frank V. Winston, Co. D

Charles Horace Upton, 1812-1877, an emigrant to Virginia from Massachusetts remained loyal to the Union and was elected as a Unionist to Congress. In 1863 Lincoln appointed him to a diplomatic post in Switzerland.

Jones’ letter is describing a skirmish between Munson’s Hill and Bailey’s Crossroads, August 27, 1861.

MSS 13407

1861 August 30

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond of the Dixie Greys 42nd Regiment Virginia Infantry, Co. E]

In the morning skirmish drill

of officers. Company drilled

as usual. I was not able to

attend. Wrote to Cousin N. John

MSS 5526

1861 August 30 [Richmond, Virginia?]

AN ACT

To Perpetuate Testimony in cases of Slaves Abducted of Harbored by the Enemy, and of other Property Seized, Wasted, or Destroyed by them. No. 270.

———————————————————————————

SECTION 1. The congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That when any slave or slaves owned by a citizen of the Confederate States, or an inhabitant thereof, shall be, or may have been abducted or harbored by the enemy, or by any person or persons acting under the authority, or color of authority of the United States government, or engaged in the military or naval service thereof, during the existing war, it shall be lawful for the owner of his attorney to appear before any Judge of the Confederate States, or a Commissioner of any Court thereof, or any Notary Public,…and adduce proof, oral or written, of the fact of such ownership and abduction or harboring….In all cases such owner, attorney or representative shall make affidavit of the loss. Such affidavit shall not be taken as evidence of the fact of loss, unless it shall appear to the satisfaction of the officer taking the same that no other and better evidence can be obtained…and it shall be the duty of the judicial officer…and within thirty days after the hearing, to transmit the same to the Secretary of State of the Confederate States, to be filed and preserved among the archives of the State Department….

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted,, That whenever any property, other than slaves, real or personal, belonging to any citizen of the Confederate States, or any inhabitant thereof, shall be seized, wasted or destroyed by the enemy, during the existing war, or by any person or persons acting under the authority, or color of authority of the United States government, or engaged in the military or naval service thereof, the mode of taking and preserving proof thereof shall conform in all respects to that prescribed in the above sectin, and have like effect.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of this act shall not be construed as implying that the Confederate States are in any liable to make compensation for any of the property to which it refers.

APPROVED August 30, 1861

E453 .C7

1861 August 30

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Border Guards]

This morning brought with it the promise of a beautiful day–had a very heavy rain last night, but this morning dissipated the dense clouds that enshrouded us–we are now in a muddy fix, but this bright sunshine will soon dry the ground and we can again enjoy camp life tolerably well–yesterday upwards of 100 prisoners passed by here from the direction of Summerville. They were taken by Genl. Floyd or some of his command–Building of our fortifications here is progressing rapidly and will soon by complete and almost impregnable–Nothing unusual occurred today–91/2 P.M. Taps—

MSS 38-211

1861 August 30 Camp of the 5th M[ain]e

[Letter of Hiram Cash continues]

I was detailed to work on the fort today

they are making preperation for a battle about 500

Marines arrived here today to take charge of the guns

at the fort they understand the bussiness perfectly

of manageing heavy guns like them at the fort. A report

came to the fort to day that the enemy were throwing

up intrenchments within 5 miles of our lines and they

were expected to advance every day. I do not think they

will attack us here I think they will make an attempt to cross

the Potomack into Maryland either above Arlington or some way

below here and if they get across there will be a mighty

battle neare Baltimore but I think they will not be

allowed to cross the river There is a report that a large body

of our troops are on the moove with the intention of getting

to the rear of the rebels if they advance twords the river

our men will close in behind them and bring them between

to fires and as they cannot stand a very long time.

MSS 12916

1861 August [?]

[Anonymous poem written in honor of Holmes and Tucker Conrad, two brothers, alumni of the University of Virignia, both of whom were killed in the battle of 1st Manassas/Bull Run. See letter of 1861 July 26, from Lancelot Minor Blackford at the University of Virginia]

Soldiers of Christ! well done;

Brothers in blood; in life:

Your conflict’s oer the victory won–

Ended, your mortal strife

ii

They stood upon the field

Calm, mid the iron hail.

Holding no thought their post to yield

No heart that e’er could quail.

iii

Their souls were lifted high

To where they’d long been given

Nor cared they for the foeman night

Christ! was their friend in heaven

iv

“Retreat” “Fall back” –was heard

As thick the missiles flew–

They heard but heeded not, the word–

Firm stood, the brothers two.

v

Then Holmes’s cheery cry

His brother’s ear did greet:

“Come, stand by me, tucker my boy

“We never will retreat

vi

One moment saw them stand

Instinct, with martial fire,–

The next–in front rank of their band

Right, at their posts expire

vii

The messengers of death

At the same instant sped

As one, they yielded up their breath

Were numbered with the dead!

viii

They say their forms inclined

Falling towards each other

As if the last thoughts of each mind

Was — Thus would I die my brother

ix

Brothers! in blood in faith

Brothers! in youthful bloom

Brothers! in life brother!s in death

Brothers! in one same tomb

x

Thus fought they “the good fight”

In death that victory won

Sprung at one bound to Heavens light

And God’s eternal Son