[From the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian of Staunton, Va.]

Wednesday night, Feb. 26, 1862.

Another heavy day. General feeling of depression,
as to the war, but no idea of our final subjugation
by the enemy. Lyt (who is no longer a clerk) and Legh
come into our office every day — both gloomy to- day.
Rumors from Winchester, but no reliable, intel
ligence of any importance from any quarter.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

Castle Hill Feb. 26, 1862

I have been wishing to write to
you ever since our return home, my dearest son,
but having assured you of our safe arrival in
a letter to your sweet little moitie[?], I waited
in the hope of saying we are all well.

Papa has been quite sick since two days after
our return, though I hope he is now mending.
His attack has been like those he had in Richmond,
only more severe and protracted. Douglas has
treated him mildly but I believe very judiciously,
and we trust his restoration to his usual health
is only an affair of time.

When I told Papa I was going to write
to you, he told me to give his best love to you
and Sadie and added “tell Alfred to do his best,
but not to indulge in too much anxiety, and
not to fret about what cannot be helped–to
leave that to God.”

I can only repeat my injunction when you
were a student at the Porte-chaussées—with
an entreaty to take every precaution with regard
to that most precious of blessings, health.

[page 2]
You will have to establish rules for yourself
something after the fashion of a prize fighter
in training, in order to bring to their full
development those gifts it has pleased heaven
to engender you with, and which are now so
usefully employed. Simple food, regular rest,
and as much fresh air as the case admits of
will go very far toward this end, as you know
from experience–the only thing is for us “to
practise what we know.”

We have been provoked at the despondent
tone of the only Richmond news-paper we see.
It reminds me of Bob acres in Sheridan’s play
of “the Rivals.” When persuaded that his honour
demanded a fight, he goes to the field with his
second, sir Lucius O’Trigger. When he sees his
antagonist coming he begins to shake, and exclaims
“They are coming!–Oh Sir Lucius, I feel all my
courage oozing out of the palms of my hands-
I I s-say–Sir Lucius, we we we wo’ont-run,
will we? sir Lucius?”

This seems to be a good deal the spirit just
now. People have been talking instead of working,
and seem to be backing down just when they

[page 3]
ought to be fiercest. But the designs of
Almighty providence are yet hidden in his own
mysterious but wise decrees with regard to all this
awful change. We can only bow our heads
and worship knowing that whatever he ordains
is best, “The judge of all the earth will do right.”

I cannot tell you how thankful I have
been that we got home before Papa was sick.
It is such a comfort to have every thing at my
orders, with all the privileges of home. the
pure atmosphere, the absence of dust–the quick
attendance of servants–the absence of annoyances–
the elbow–with other things too numerous
to mention, but which you can imagine.–

We have seen none of our neighbors yet in
consequence of the rainy days and muddy roads.
We hear they are all well.–

Ella and Bijou are flourishing. Ella sends
any quantity of love, and if I were to ask Bijou
if he loved you he would certainly reply “oui” with
an expressive lengthening of the word

Kiss your little darling for us all, and offer our
love to the family.—

Knowing that you have not much time, I will
leave the last sheet blank–

God bless you my beloved child–

your fond devoted Mother.
JPR

Colonel Alfred Landon Rives, 1830–1903, son of William and Judith Rives, trained as an engineer in France and was chief of engineers to General Robert E. Lee.

Judith Page Walker Rives, 1802–1882, who married to U. S. Senator William Cabell Rives, 1793–1868, a lawyer and biographer of U. S. President James Madison

MSS 38-348

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

Wednesday
Feb 26

quite a frost this morning
the coldest night since leaving
Annapolis. Had a company drill this
forenoon, and also this afternoon. Vance
was up here to see me t his forenoon
also Capt Liscomb and Mr Coyles[?] Saw
Dr Hitchcock and spoke with him. Rainy
this evening. Have been reading “Dunallan
or “Know what you judge” this evening.
Like it much. Wrote Henry Russell to day

Grace Kennedy’s “Dunallan” was a popular novel of life in Scotland centered on the doings of Lord Dunallan’s family.

MSS 11293

Head Quarters 52 Regt Gen Vol

Brig Genl D Ruggles

Dr Sir

Yours of this date
rec’d. In answer I have to say that I have
under my command the 52 Ten Regt of which
I am Colonel numbering seven hundred and
sixty men, of which two hundred and sixty
are sick. We have no arms except one
hundred Double barrel shot guns. Capt C. S.
Robertsons Cavalry company numbering one
hundred and forty men, rank & file, armed
with double barrell shot-guns and sabres.
About Two hundred and fifty men of the
51 Ten Regt under command of Lt Col Chester
for whom he has secured about one hundred
common sporting Rifles repaired and cleaned.
They are all stationed at this place.
I send out Capt Robertson Cavalry every few
days to scout the country from Clifton to
Savanah. From scouts returned this evening
I am reliable informed that no Federal Cavalry
has been landed on the Ten River above Clifton
The Gun Boat which was up, passed down
Saturday evening. I have also been sending
guards in the direction of Savanahn by Purdy

[page 2]
Any suggestions you may make or
commands to give me will be gladly received
and promptly executed. Can you by any
possible means secure for me the musket
or Rifle with bayonet. Very Respectfully
B. J. Lea Col CSA
Comdg.
Henderson Station
Febry 26 1862

Benjamin J. Lee, Colonel of the 52nd Tennessee Infantry, 1822-1894, Tennessee lawyer, eventually appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court

C.S.A. General Daniel Ruggles, 1810-1897, afterwards a farmer and real estate agent in Virginia

MSS 2010

Columbus 26th Feby 1862
Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

We have had rain after rain
here nearly all the time for the last
month, & I started to Green County ala.
last night, Y found I could not
get there under 3 or 4 days, & returned
home to try it again next week–
I write now chiefly to let you know
my movements & present uneasiness
on you part. the last news
from [hole in paper] all were getting
on Tolerable Well–the Head men
know what to do up to planting corn
Time & I do not feel uneasy about
the work, etc–the stud Colt 3
years old this Spring was looking
fine when I saw him last–the
last cold from the old mare is the
best colt of the two I think, Both
will make good horses. The Colt you
thought would make a saddle horse
is ugly, but no doubt will move
well. I wrote you Since my
return from the Bottom & hope you
have recd it before this time.

[page 2]
You have no doubt seen from the papers
the accounts of the great Battle on the
Cumberland River at Fort Donelson.
12000 men of Confederate States taken Prison
=ers & sent to Illinoise[sic]–Great excitement
through all the South. Governors calling
for Volenteers[sic]–We need God fearing
officers, & Sober Men at the head of
our armies to Succeed in this War.
It is Certain we have lost in this last
Battle 500 men Killed, & the enemy lost
between 5 & 6000 men Killed–We fought
15 or 18000 against 52000, & before
our 1200 were taken prisoners the enemy’s
Army was increased to 72000 men–
Several hundred of the Prisioners[sic] are
men from here, & in this County. A few
from this Town brought home dead & were
intered[sic] in our grave yard–the young
fellow, I sent down to take Nickles’s place,
I learn is doing very well–I shall
go down to green early next week, &
spend a few days if the Rivers & Creeks
can be crossed. Our Tombigbee river
is falling a little, but it has been
very high for two weeks–All well
as usual on the Est of Genl. P. St. Geo. Cocke
a few days ago–I am thankful

[page 3]
to Bod to be able to say I am now
enjoying my usual good health
Mr Powell’s health tolerable good
& we write in Christian love to you
& your’s–
Yr friend
R.D. Powell

Genl. John H Cocke

P.S. I will write again from Hopewell
& hope to receive a letter from you
when I go down, if not sooner
Please invite the Excrs of the Est to
my house, when they come out
in April–
Yrs R. D. P.

MSS 640

[letter of Callender St. George Noland continues]

Wednesday 26th We have a beautiful morning, &
I wish I could have my children with me—-
We have 400 negroes at work, and expect 200 more
this week—Captain Clarke (Engineer Corps) has charge
of the work, hi is a nice fellow, & his assistant
young Johnson is a good youth—-I have
been quite poorly for several days–I think my mind
is more diseased than my body–I suppose
you read the papers—I hope the enemy will let
us alone for 2 months–I think by that time he will
have trouble in going up James River

[page 2]
I hope to hear from you to day–My Kind regards
to Mr. Christian–Love for big and little at Dew-
berry, but pick out the best love for your
Grandma—Kiss Maggie & Fent for me
and Fran if he will let you–
Remember me to Maria, Danniel
& all the good servants—My love to your
Aunt and Mother—-
Your affect Father
C. St. G. Noland

Master
F.N.B. Noland
Airwell

Callender St. George Noland, 1813-1879
MSS 6463

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]

February 26

Played for Guard mounting
went down to the mill
for bread. Wrote line
to Lieut Hood for [?]1/2 lbs
Went up to Hd Quarters
to see Uncle Billy
H West returning from
home stays with us
to night
Drizzling rain a very
little most of the day

MSS 10317

Centreville Feb. 26th 1862.
My Dear Father –
I arrived here
last Monday night after
having had a very rough
journey from Manassas, but
by no means injured by the
travel.
Before leaving Lynchburg
I heard it rumored that the
Army at Centreville had
been attacked by the Enemy,
and that a hard fought
battle was in progress.
I discredited the report as
the condition of the roads
precluded the possibility of
the movement of the army
of McClellan and there
were no concurrent facts
to indicate that the statement

[page 2]
had any reliable foundation.
On arriving here I was
informed that a detach-
ment of the enemy’s cavalry
had entrapped several of
our horse videttes, and had
been subsequently pursued
by our Infantry picket
Guard – a part of which
was our Company.
This scouting expedition
no doubt gave rise to the
rumor – which grew as it
was passed from mouth to
mouth, and terminated only
with the Engagement of
our entire force.
A number of our subor-
dinate officers express the
opinion that this place will
be evacuated by our army
at an early day and

[page 3]
that preparations are now
being made by our Generals
in that view. I cannot for
for a moment entertain the
belief that such a maneuver
is seriously contemplated
by those in authority as with
Manassas we must resign
the fertile, and extensive
valley of Virginia, must
give up a well fortified
and highly important
strategic point, and must
lose that prestige which
is essential in infusing
courage, and confidence
of an army. I am con-
vinced that this position
should never be abandoned
before our entire army
has been over whelmed, and
completely crushed by the enemy.

[page 4]
On arriving here I promptly
resumed my attempt to fill
up my Company to the num-
ber required by law, and
while engaged in enrolling
several names which had
just been presented, I was
greatly surprised to be infor-
med that Genl. Longstreet
has issued an order require-
ing the immediate arrest
of such officers as were
recruiting for companies
to serve out of the limits
of his division. I immed-
iately addressed a Commu-
nication to Col. Garland
Acting Brig. Genl. enquiring
into the matter and
received from him, and
from Genl. Longstreet

[page 5]
the directions which you will
find on the enclosed paper,
and which will explain
themselves. I regard Genl.
Longstreet as guilty of an
unwarrantable assumption
of authority, and myself
as greatly wronged.
My operations are for the
present suspended, and un-
less the restrictions at pres-
ent imposed are speedily
removed considerable em-
barrassment will be encoun-
tered. I am not as yet
satisfied as to the proper
step I should take, and
shall certainly do nothing
until I am convinced ^ ‘that’ my
action will be sustained
by the regulations of the
War Department.

[page 6]
On deliberation I think it
best to retain for the present
the paper referred to in order
to submit it to several of
my friends for inspection.
Capt. Lathan, Judge Advo-
cate Genl. can probably
advise me as to the proper
course to pursue. I will
merely quote the conclusion
of Genl. L’s remarks –
“The men who have re-
volunteered for Cavalry
service will be allowed
to reorganize in the new
arm of the service at
the end of their pres-
ent term, but none
others must be taken
for service away from
their Companies & regiments.”

[page 7]
Holding as I do the authority
of the secretary of war
for my proceeding I
can only regard this
interference as a tyrannical,
and high handed measure.
I have so far 50 good
men enlisted in my Com-
pany, and even if I should
be interdicted in continuing
to recruit here I may still
fill up from the Militia
and the Companies from
which I am not prevented
from recruiting.
I shall be by no means
discouraged and shall
never give up until
I have exhausted every
means through which
success might be
expected.

[page 8]
I shall write you again
soon and let you know my
status –
For the present I bid you
an affection[ate] adieu
Your Son
Jno.W.Daniel

John Warwick Daniel,1842-1910, disabled in the Battle of the Wilderness, later a University of Virginia law graduate, U. S. Senator and famous orator, known as the “Lame Lion of Lynchburg.”

Captain George Woodville Latham, JAG to Johnston. “b. Lynchburg, Va., Dec. 16, 1833 att. UVA. Lynchburg, Va., lawyer all his life. Capt. Co. A, 11th Va. 1861-1862

[transcription and annotation by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158

Camp Walker
Feb 26″” 1862
I have received yours mailed on
yesterday saying that you were scared and
Camp apprehending a serious illness. I hope my
darling that you are unnecessarily alarmed
about your condition in fact I feel certain
that you are in no imediate [sic] danger. I think
you have done well to tell Hillary of your
condition and I hope you he will not hes-
itate to remain with you. You must strive
to keep up your spirits and not be alarmed
at the condition of our army and country
I have have full faith that we will be able
to hold our own and that we will yet
win victories which will place us on a level
with the Nations of the Earth. Let nothing that
you hear make you dispair [sic]. I cant to day
write to you in as good spirits as I did
last night. I have just returned from

[page 2]
a visit to Genl Johnstons Hd Quarters and
have been unsuccessful in my effort, but
was led to anticipate it before I got there,
from the fact that this morning after I left
my quarters I ascertained that orders had
been issued to the army to send back to the
rail road all of our extra baggage – such
as trunks, boxes, tents & puting [sic] ourselves in
as light marching order as possible. So that
on my arrival there I was told that I
ought not & must not apply for leave under
any circumstances whatever. And I am
was told by Genl Stuart that Genl Johnston
had heretofore been applied to on the
same grounds that I applied & that he had
pertinaciosly [sic] refused. So far as I am per-
sonally concerned I did not care. I hoped
and believed that I could do my country
a service the Genl however seems to think
I can do more good here and I must
submit. Now the question is what is the

[page 3]
meaning of the orders to send baggage back
I construe it simply to mean that we
are preparing for any emergency a fight
or a fall back – a victory or a defeat –
in other words Genl Johnston dont mean
to be caught asleep. We will not leave
this point und without a great fight unless
Genl Jackson be first driven from the valley
I observed that our men are still working
for the completion of the R Road to Centre
ville. A large force are at work on the
fortifications at the Junction. So I think
you may be perfectly easy for a while
to come. So keep a cheerful heart – and
try & be perfectly quiet so that you may
go your full time. Hillary must stay with
you until I can see you. He must not
suffer any thing, no matter what, to take him
away. Let him write to Dr Wingfield & state
the reason why he remains at home and
I have no doubt he will see him safe

[page 4]
Thursday Morning If I was in your
place I would send George to H B &
let him bring over such things as
you need. He can bring you a heap
of things in the new trunk which
I got for you of Mr Cumings and
can get all the money I have in Bk
of Rockingham on the enclosed blank
check – he can write his name & the
amount in when he gets to H. B. If
he dont find the trunk at Mothers
he can get it by going to see Harry
at Mr Sprinkels store who has been
instructed to deliver it to mother
I suggest this because since the ac-
cident you mention you cant tell
what moment you may be sick
Of course I am uneasy that I cant
now leave here without resigning in
the face of an anticipated attack
Most affectionately yours
ETH Warren

“Hillary”, line 7; page 3, line 16 – ‘Hillary Magruder; Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren’s younger brother by five years.’

“go your full time”, page 3, line 16 – ‘An 19th Century term referring to pregnancy and childbirth.’


“Dr. Wingfield”, page 3, line 19 – ‘John Q. Winfield. Early in the War, he commanded Company K1, 10th VA Infantry. This company later became Company B, 7th VA Cavalry. At the time of the letter Winfield was Captain of this company. He had been a pre-War physician in Broadway, Rockingham County, and continued so after his military service ended in June 1862 and into the post-War years.’

[transcription and annotation by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g

Fort Grafton
Tuesday night Feb 25th

My darling wifey

The expedition to Newport
News has’nt yet started and as it was to
have started this morning I rather
think it has been given over–The expedi-
-tion was too much talked about not to have
miscarried–The enemy were enabled to
throw 2000 men into the place last friday
Lieut Brown was ordered to Richmond this
morning and as he had just returned
from a furlough, we are afraid that
he is to be detached from this company
If so, the company wont be worth shucks
and the sooner I can get out of it, the
better I will be pleased–He is the
only officer except perhaps Davy Watson
at all popular or qualified to govern
men—Capt Southall has’nt the judgment
of a pig and is led about by Lieut
Peyton whethersoever he will–I am
anxious and uneasy, all the time Lieut
Brown is away, lest the other officers
may do something foolish–
one of the young men in the company
has authority from the War department
to raise a company and thereby will
obtain an indefinite furlough–I dont
want to reenlist unless it is absolutely

[page 2]
necessary, but I would like to be engaged
in raising a company or at least
trying as it would relieve me from
the disagreeabilities of camp life=
I shall go to Yorktown shortly to see
if Mr Magruder has been able to
do anything for me and if not,
I think I shall apply for authority
to raise a volunteer company &
if I cant raise the company I can
see you.
I never told you how near I
came to poisoning myself sometime
ago–I had two bundles in my
trunk one of confederate coffee
and the other of tobacco and wishing
to make a cup of coffee, I used
the tobacco through mistake and
made a very fine decoction of
tobacco juice which would have
made me very sick had I not
found it out before I took more
than one mouthful.
Excuse this awful scrawl and
believe that I am as ever your
devoted Husband

[page 3]
why have’nt you sent my cape
tooth brush & Greek lexicon?
I recd last night your letter
written 10th January, and it
excited me very much–I
had’nt noticed the date, and
the letter commenced by
saying that you expected me
home immediately

Your devoted Husband

Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt., 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380