[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

30th –Sisters Ann & Mary, Eliza little
Lucy & Matsy spent the day with us and
we enjoyed their pleasant Company.
Sister Ann talks of tryng to get to
Albemarle to see Mat & Dick who
went there last week from Richmond.
But she is poorly and there are diffi
culties–Matsy says he wishes
Brother could have been in the late battle
that we hear has been going on before
Richmond: he wants him to cover
himself with glory.  We thank God
for the success that has crowned our
arms–if reports be true.

MSS 2563-b

[from the daily journal of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Monday, July 30, 1862
I arose very early thinking I would get through all
my duties so that I might enjoy my letter. But
I was doomed to be disappointed about that letter.
I had set my heart too much on it & “it is ever
thus.” Mr. Downs came back from Mr. Leonard’s & said that
our letters had been sent to Mr. Beverly’s.  There was
one from bro Tom to mother.  : Oh I never felt more
biterly disappointed in my life.  I had waited with
all the patience I could command for a week &
I had no more.  I could imagine you were dead.
There is such an awful silence about you. But
one great comfort I have I know you are wel attended
to & I must learn to bear without a murmur this
trying separation.  I hope it may blessed unto
me & teach me many lessons.
Sis B and I rod to Cousin Tom’s. G. Marshall…I was
very much pleased with the girls–am determined
I will go to see them oftener when I get back
to Clifton: They were very affectionate & kind–
We came back by Clifton to get some rose slips.
–got off our horses & walked along the lane to eat 
raspberries–  How often have we walked there 
together.  That first winter we spent at Clifton, 
I remember our waling up that way so often &
I would make Massie go too- for fear she might
 be induced to do wrong in my absence– How 
I watched over her.  I couldn’t feel more uneasy 
or try to act more conscientiously for my own child.  God 
grant me a better result for my labors.


[1972 transcript by Anne Madison Wright Baylor]


MSS 15406

[fromthe diary of private Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]

                                  Monday 30
     Crossed the battle field of yes-
-terday

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

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

Monday, June 30, 1862
      Was up Early this
morning and Cleaned
my  horn Were mustered
and inspected at 8 oclock
were not obtained long
after that had Guard
mounting.  Practiced
before & after noon
Parade but no drill
Play at Twilight
The boys have been
playing cards almost
constantly for some
time past have some
discussion about it but
Arthur told them they
must quit the abuse of it
Drizzley this morning
hazy but partly clear all
day, got package of
papers from home this eve

MSS 10317

[from the daily journal of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Sunday 20th   Though it was cloudy and Father though it might
rain, Sis B and I rode to Markham to attend services.
It did not rain and we had a delightful ride-
Mr. Duncan made a short address & in conclusion
referred to Turner’s death in a touching manner–
Many present wept. Betsy was convulsed with
grief.  I though I had never seen her look more
lovely.  I would fall in love with her if I were a
man.  I can’t keep my eyes off of her.  Mr. Duncan
rode home with us.  We stopped in at Dr. Striblings
& Mr. D. had prayers for which the doctor expressed
much gratitude.  It made me feel how near death is
to all of us, to see that poor old man lying weak &
feeble in his bed, would that we could be as ready to
die as he is when our time comes.  Oh, to think that
one of us must leave the other sooner or later. I
cannot wish you grief but I feel that were you to
die I could not live.  Oh, how little would life be
worth to me without you– Could I ever smile again
– My heart would break…I would  break.
Mr. Duncan, cousin John  Mt. Blanc  brother James all
dined here.  I was only in the parlor a few
minutes after dinner.  Spent the evening
nursing Jacque, trying to to[sic] read.  Now
that all my “jewels” are asleep, I must
endeavour to make up for lost time–  No letter
yet.  Still there is hope tomorrow may bring me a
letter.  Goodnight, my love, goodnight…your devoted
Annie.

[transcript from 1972 by granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

On the North of Chickahominy
  Sunday 29” June 1862
My dear Wife
    We have had a great victory
so far.  Nothing was done yester
day & we are still lying still
but other divisions have ad-
vanced & others are building
bridges.  our loss has been heavy
but that of the enimy [sic] terrific
& fearful.  The fight was
terable [sic] & was general  The
13” Va Reg suffered severly
George Magruder, Sheridan Reu-
ben & Conway Newman are
all wounded but none dange-
rous & will all be sent
home to day.  I have not heard
from Ned  He fought on
the other side of the river.
Our Brigade belonged to the
Reserve Corps & was not
ordered forward until 5

[page 2]
oclock & then did not
get under any thing like
a heavy fire but unfortu
nately for us it was heavy
enough to deprive us of our
gallant brigade commander
Col Fulkerson who was
mortally wounded & has since
died.  The command of the
brigade then evolved on
me.  Yesterday Hamptons
Legion was assigned to the
brigade & Genl Hampton
assigned to the command of
both, but he still keeps me
in command of our brigade.
Genl Elzie & Capt Chestney
were both wounded  Lieut
McDonald killed.  we are
expecting still further & very
hard fighting [two words illegible] skir
mishing is kept up  I will
write to you as often [word illegible]
[words illegible] dont know [words illegible]
I will send this

[the following was written along the left margin of page 2]

But by first chance  Most affectionately
E.T. H Warren

“On the North of Chickahominy”, heading – The regiment was in position near White Oak Bridge.


“My dear Wife”, salutation – Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren.


“George Magruder”, line 11 – Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Private, Company C, 13th VA Infantry, was wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Sheridan”, line 11 – No official records have survived which indicate Charles Sheridan Newman served in the 13th VA Infantry.  However, a number of men served in various organizations and no official records are extant today.  Available official records indicate Charles Sheridan Newman was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant/Adjutant in the 60th Tennessee Mounted Infantry in October 1862.
    It is unlikely Warren would have made such a mistake as mentioning Sheridan as wounded considering the detail he added about their being sent home.  However, as he obviously received the information second-, or third-, hand possibly there was some confusion concerning which Newman was wounded.  It is remotely possible the man was John Herbert Newman, Private, Company A, 13th VA Infantry.  He was mortally wounded 27 June 1862 at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill and died on 28 June.


“Reuben”, lines 11 & 12 – Reuben Manning Newman, Private, Company C, 13th VA Infantry, was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Conway Newman”, line 12 – Conway Newman, Lieutenant, Company F, 13th VA Infantry, was wounded at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Our Brigade”, line 18; page 2, line 16 – During the Seven Days’ the brigade consisted of the 10th, 23rd, and 37th VA Infantry regiments, along with Wooding’s Danville (VA) Artillery Battery.


“Col Fulkerson”, page 2, line 7 – Samuel V. Fulkerson, Colonel, 37th VA Infantry, commanded the brigade noted above at Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Hamptons Legion”, page 2, lines 11 & 12 – Hampton’s Legion (SC) Infantry Battalion.


“Genl Hampton”, page 2, line 13 – Wade Hampton III, of South Carolina, Confederate general.


“Genl Elzie”, page 2, line 17 – Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanded the Fourth Brigade, Ewell’s Division, Jackson’s Command, at Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.  Elzey was in the thick of the fight and received a severe debilitating wound in the face.


“Capt Chestney”, page 2, line 17 – Theo. O. Chestney, Captain, Assistant Adjutant-General, General Elzey’s Staff, was wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Lieut McDonald”, page 2, line 19 – Craig W. McDonald, Lieutenant, Acting Inspector, General Elzey’s Staff, was killed at the Battle of Gaines’s Mill, 27 June 1862.


“E.T.H Warren”, page 2, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.


[transcript by John P. Mann IV]

MSS 7786-g

[from the diary of Jonathan B. Hager of the 14th U.S. regulars as copied and annotated by  him at a later date]

June 29   We marched slowly the whole night towards
Sunday    morning we formed in line of battle having
               hard some firing in our front which after-
               ward proved to have been a skirmish with
               the rebel Cavalry by ours, about 6 a m. we
               halted on the road leading through White Oak
               Swamp for breakfast.  Mine consisted of
               a hard Cracker & Swamp water which was very
               refreshing.  About an hour after we moved to
               our position near Turkey Island Road where we
               remained in line of battle all day. It was hot:
               with the aid of bowers we kept in the shade &
               enjoyed the rest.  At night there were several a-
               larms on the Picket Line but they all proved
               to be false. The only effect they had was to
               deprive us of our rest.

MSS 9044
         

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, formerly a Sgt, Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), now with the Hampton Legion]

                        Sunday – June 29th 1861
Went into town before breakfast today &
saw Mullie, taking breakfast with
the Dunlops – found Mr Harvey asleep
upon his sofa, having just come in
from the battle field of Gaines Mills
where he had been all night taking off
the wounded – with his citizen’s committee –
Returned to the office by Eleven o’c &
spent the day writing up returns of our
payments for last quarter – Rec’d a letter
from Julie today – Brother Rode into
town to day to change saddles with
the man who [-] him his horse – Capt
Harrison has determined to give up his
department, & go to the springs for his
health – the old man is very ill – Find
Mullie but slightly wounded in the foot –
he will probably be here a week or ten days –
Genl Magruders division & Huger & Holmes

[The following lines are cross-written over the above page.]
moved forward on the Enemy today – the former
having a severe fight & driving them before
us with heavy loss – taking 800 prisoners &
many wagons – Tonight our troops are on the
Charles City road & four miles from our late
Picket lines – Longstreet & Hills divisions have
recrossed the Chickahominy river & are after
the foe by another route – Jackson’s also
over & making for their rear – The fighting today
was on the Yorktown railroad –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s battery]

June                          Sunday 29  1862                          
     Fighting continued on the
South Side of the Branch.
we cross to the S Side to
night.  enemy still retreating

[letter scrawled on back and front of a Union patriotic envelope]

[on front of envelope  right margin eaten away]
Sunday June 29th 1862
My Dear Wife   I am wel
the Bloody Battle was faut
the 25 & 6th the nearest shel
to me was a bout 20 feet
but the All wise Provid
protected me unharmed
I would write more but
will wait a day or two &
give you the full partic
I am on the Battle field
Our guns are 1/2 miles below

[on back of envelope; flap has sealed to back obscuring message]
McClellans grand army
shot all to pieces I hope
    army will follow them
      dead are not all buried
         wounded yankees
            kindly & they are
              ing of them from
                 tures–Our guns
                    yet but have
                        to times
                           [illegible]              
                        [illegible] is long[?]
                     he Capt is not
                   to move every
                I hope to Washington
             with Jackson he
           may move that way
         not be idle long–
      ry thing quiet his morng
    would not have an [illegible]
[illegible last line]

[on envelope flap]

Excuse this short note I hope to see you
     soon–I have some good oil cloths
        & a yankee knife which
          is the only relic

unsigned note of [Isaac Newton Rogers?]

MSS 6099-e