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

Day rather rainy – In morn-

ing wrote to Father & Mother.

in evening read [word lined through] 5 Chap

in bible. Today our pickets

came in contact with the

Yankees. some firing done

2 [number lined through] Yankees taken prisoners

and 3 killed, one of our men

killed one wounded. I started

on picket but did not go.



MSS 5526

[letter of Hiram Cash a private in the 5th Maine continues]

We have been detaled to day to go out and
guard the axmen in their work of destroying the
woods about here but it rains very hard, and I do
not think we shall go out the axmen have made
great havock among the trees about here one man
offered 5,000 dollars if they would stop cutting down
the woods he is a southern simpathizer and they
do not pay any attention to him we are enjoying
ourselves first rate the health of the regt is very good.
thoes thatar have been sick are gaining in health and
spirits. There will be stiring news on this side of the
Potomac soon I think according to appearances before
a great while the report is tha tthe army is preparing to
make a movement somewhare but I do not know
where it will be and there is but a few that does
know

[to be continued on August 30]

MSS 12916

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox, Albemarel Border Guards and 46th Virginia Infantry]

8 A.M. Rained all night and still it rains–9 P.M. the sun came out beautifully this evening and gave us earnest of fair weather, but as night came on clouds obscure the sky again, betokening more rain and at this hour we are threatened with a heavy story–9 1/2–Taps and all lights to out.

MSS 38-211

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

Day rainy – no drill to day

read 7 chapters in bible

Commenced reading Flavel’s

Fountain of Life. Prayer

Meeting at nigh –

1 [number lined through] Yankee [‘s’ lined through] captured by our

men to day and one killed.

John Flavel, 1627-1691, an English Presbyterian clergyman and author. Fountain of Life Opened Up is a collection of 42 of his sermons, most of which focus on the life, work, and importance of Christ.

MSS 5526

[from the diary of Harrison B. Jones of the 33rd Virginia Infantry]

we marched nearly

down to farfax Court

house to day. we stoped

about two hours. and

then had orders to face

about and march back

to camp. there being

no need of us. it rained

this evening again



MSS 14169

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Guard and 46th Virginia Infantry]

Raining this morning, not hard, but gentle and steady–9 1/2 P.M. Continued to rain all day–nothing of importance done–taps, lights out and to bed—

MSS 38-211

[letter of Hiram Cash continues]

nothing of importance took place today I

with four others of our company went to the fort

to work there was 40 men out of our regt up there and

as many New York boys with us we have got the job

about compleated we have been making a place to

protect the men in case of battle there is a report today

of the advance of a large body of our troops twords

Manassas Juncktion well supplied with artillery and cavelry

we have been looking for a battle to take place here every

day of late but it does not like like it now.

[to be continued]

Hiram D. Cash, Co. K, 5th Maine

MSS 12916

Dear Father

I received our letter of

the 27th this Afternoon and was very

glad to hear from you. You received mine

of the 20th. I wrote one to you the 18th

have you received it. I have not seen

anything of Walter Clute about hear

nor heard anything of him. There

are only four in our tent Chris

Peters, John Pollard, gill Harman &

myself. We do not have to cook our

own victuals, there is a cooks appointed

out of our company to take turns. You

speak about my good supper that

I had, I bought it of the peddlers

around the camp, The troops fare

a little better now than they did

before. We have moved our Camp

about three miles from Alexandria

[page 2]

yesterday the 27th Our whole Brigade

is here now, we can see the Rebels

from the cupalo of an Accademy

which the Officers use as there quarters

from the Maine Reg. We have got a

very good camping ground here

now but the water is scarce. The Rebels

and our pickets have been fighting

all day having drove them ^’ours‘ back once

or twice but ^’ours‘ was reinforced and sent

the rebels a flying capturing 6 pieces

of canon the fighting was near Chain

Bridge. We expect a battle before long

Our Regiment is ready for them I

hop if we have a fight it will be

the last one and I go through it all

sound. Our Reg is in the 5th Brigade

I dont know what division Comanded

by Brig Gen. Franklin. We can hear

the roar of canon here very plain

but I dont know wheter it is ours

or not We are the fartherest Reg. out

towards the enemy. Col Jackson has

[page 3]

gone home on account of his health for

seven days, he went sunday. Co. D. has

been on picket to day they were fired

on by the rebels, they throwed shell at

them but it was to high it went over

there heads none of the camp were

wounded. Two more comps go out to night

Coss. H. & C. I wrote to Doct. Van Dycke to

day I gave him an account of myself

I guess he will be pleased to hear from

me did you ask Uncle add wether he

received my letter or not I wrote you

about it in my last letter. I received

a letter from Jim to day and was

much pleased with it. I will see that

the box is all right when it comes. I

will go down the last of this week

and get it at Alexandria if comes

right through. How did you like

those Photographs that I sent you.

You did not say much about them

in your letter what did the folks say

about them Geo. Hoffman had his

taken (Aunt Lauries) Geo. You can see

[page 4]

me in his as I set aside of his tent

Ask Aunt Laurie to let you see it

I sent you some papers, did you

receive them if so let me know.

Why dont you send me more paper

than you do so I can see the news

I dont know of anyting more to write

of at present. Give my love to Herriott

Ann and Dunck and all the rest of the

folks Col Young sends his best

respect to you Tell Rodneys Father he

sends his love to him and all the

folks Direct your letters to Washington D. C.

it has been a dull rainy day.

Write soon tell George Ann to write

to me soon as the candle is most burned

up I will close with a Good Bye

From you Aff Son

A D Barhydt

Co E 18th Reg

Andrew D. Barhydt 18th New York Infantry

MSS 8979-l

My Dear Wife

I recieved your very welcome letter by W. D.

Wilkes yesterday, and was very happy to hear of your welfare, I also

recieved the socks and shirt &c all right, you ought to see me with

my hat trimmed off with the palmettos you sent me, I have the

brim of it looped up on the left side with the star, and the cockade

on the front, I could not decide which of the two was the

prettiest and so put them both on, I have also a nice black

Feather which Dugan found on the Battlefield and gave to me

every body wants the palmettoes from me they all say they are the

prettiest ones they ever saw, I wrote you some days ago aabout the

new uniforms for myself and company let me know as soon as

possible whether you think there can be enough of jeans got for

it or not, Mr. Breazeale is busy now taking the measures of

all the men and will start home this week, he will cut my

suit for you and make the coat My Drawrs were very hard

up some time ago, but the day after the Battle I found a large box in one

of the yankee waggons filled with fine grey woollen drawers

and home knit woollen socks, so I helped myself to two pairs

of each so I am very well of for them at present, they were all new

and never had been unpacked the men got the balance of them

I told Sloman to tell you what kind of shirts I wanted if you

cant get the flannel at home, I will tell Breazele to get some

[page 2]

of the right sort at Richmond and bring it to you I think I have

socks enough to do me all winter, make me some kind of a warm

cap to sleep in, in the cold weather, should I think of anything

else before Breazeale starts I will write by him.

Their is nothing new in camp today except that A part

of Genl. Longstreets Brigade had a skirmish with some

of the enemy yesterday in the neighbourhood of Falls

church, killing two of them wounding five and taking

ten prisoners, when they retreated towards Alexandria,

there was two killed on our side, our Brigade were ordered

to hold themselves in readiness but did not march our

services not being required, we have very disagreeable weather

here at present it rains nearly all the time and our camp

is getting very mudy and comfortless but the men who

are here are all in fine spirits, and anxious to give the

yankees another sound thrashing and get back home

I think if we could do that we would all get home pretty soon,

The health of our Regiment dont improve much, but I dont

think it gets any worse, I dont hear of many dangerous

cases, all that I can hear from of my company are improving

and expect to be at their posts soon, William is in good

health and stands it finely, he got his box all safe

the wine was a most acceptable present and we shall keep

it in case of sickness, it is very much needed here at present

as soon as you kill any Beeff I want ou to dry me some

and send it by some one who is coming out, it would be a

fine thing to cary when we are on the march and cant

get our provisions cooked, and you know I am very fond

[page 3]

of it anyhow, their is a great many little nick nacks

that I sometimes want but I have to console myself that I

fare as well as my fellow soldiers and as without them, it will

teach us all to appreciate the comforts of home when we get

back, and think more of our wives and firesides,

I am so happy to hear that our dear little Maggie is getting so

smart, how I do long to get back to you both and assist you

in teaching her her little lessons, I often look at your likenesses

till I fancy that you are both beside me, I dreamed last

night that you were here that I saw you standing with her

in your arms on a high Piazia in front of a House and as I

walked up the street you pointed me out to her and she stretched

out er little arms, and called me so sweet, that it woke me

up, only to be disappointed, by finding it all a dream, I

do hope this war will soon come to a close and let us all back

to the loved ones at home,

I wrote Jink a few days ago which I hope he has recieved

tell him to write me soon, and give me all the news, I have a

pretty good supply of paper and envelopes yet which I got

from the yankee plunder but it is pretty scarce in the camp

Give my kindest Regards to all of our friends and

neighbours, kiss our little angel, for me and reserve my

kindest love for yourself, and believe me your

ever Devoted Husband,

William

William sends his love to you all

William Anderson, 4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)

MSS 10366

[from the diary of Harrison B. Jones, 4th sergeant, Co. H, 33rd Virginia Infantry]

to day was quiet nothing

of much moment occurred

our pickets took a couple

of prisoners and

carried them to the Juncktion.

it rained considerably

this evening

MSS 14169