1862 July 30 Clarke County, Va.

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Cousin William Whiting was here this morning before breakfast.  Prayer meting at Mr. Clark’s.  A large attendance.  We hear Jackson is advancing in three columns on Pope’s army, with whom he had a successful engagement this week.  I heard this evening of a singular dream of a man in Richmond.  He dreamed he would die at four o’clock the next day, that on such a day the fiercest battle of the war would be fought at a place called Gaines Mill and that peace would be declared in three months.  He did die at the appointed time, the battle was fought, but peace has yet to be declared.

MSS 9759

1862 July 30 Camp at White House Farm

                                           Camp at White House Farm
                                                July 30th 1862

I received last night, my darling, your letter dated the 25th
and it was most welcome to me.  It had been so long
since once of your dear letters came that I was fear-
-ful some sickness had prevented you from
writing.                The barrel of ham was brought
safely to me.  I have had one cooked & find it
very nice.                              I notice all you say in
reference to the messages from Maria concerning the
employment of the overseers &c.  I wish I could visit
you & Cumberland & make the arrangements for working
the plantations another year, but I dont see that
it is possible.  You must write Maria that she
will have to make the bargains.  I will try &
write to her to day.  If under other circumstances I
could procure leave of absence yet  I cannot
while Col. Goode is sick, & I am in command of
the Regiment ask for it.  I heard yesterday that
he had a leave of absence for thirty days & wd
start for home this morning.
     I have money in Petersburg, & so soon as I
can learn the amount, & I will write them to day,
& will send a check which you will please
deliver to Col. Baskervill.
                               I trust your fears as to our
means of subsistence failing will prove ground-
-less, but one of the most serious apprehensions

[page 2]
I have had  is as to the difficulty of feeding our
army.  I hope for the best & think our country
ought to be able to sustain the men who will be in
the field for her defence. As to the time when the
war will end I do not think however sagacity can fix
a period to it.  We can only trust in God & do our duty.
                        You say if I am again in camp near
Richmond & write you a letter of tender entreaty
you may come to see me, & unless I need you
very much I must take care how I write. Darling, I do
need you: never did an infant need its mother, never did
the eye need light, never did the body need food, more
than I need you, my own, my precious wife.  I some
-times feel as though I was famishing for need
of you, and I know you cannot refuse my earnest
cry and will come to my piteous call.
                 So soon as I collect my pay for the time
now due me I will try to send you four hundred
dollars.  I send enclosed some pictures
of Genl McClellan brought here by the
Yankees that may amuse the children.
      Kiss Mary & Alice for me & tell them
I love them very dearly.  Kiss the children
for me.  Love to Mrs Riddle.  Remember
me to the servants.
                I have written in the midst of
constant interruptions.  Farewell, my
darling wife.  I kiss you most fondly, & pray
God that he will at all times watch over & protect
     & guide aright you & myself & our children
                                  Yr affec husband
                                       John T. Thornton

John T. Thornton, University of Virginia alumnus, lawyer and Captain, Co. K, 3rd Virginia Cavalry


MSS 4021

1862 July 30 Richmond, Va.

                              Ordnance Bureau
                     Richmond July 30th/62
Prof. S Maupin
             University of Virginia
                  Charlottesville Va
                         Sir
                           I beg to acknowledge
the receipt of your favor of the 15th inst.
         Steps have been taken to improve
the quality of Nitric acid made at the cf[?]
Laboratory, upon information of its impu-
rity conveyed in your letter.
                      The Bureau will be glad to
receive the Fulminate of Mercury mentioned.
                              Very Respectfully
                                      Yr obt servt
                              J Gorgas Colonel
                                 Chf. of ordnance

MSS 4707

1862 July 30 Camp near Mechanicsville, Va.

                                                                                     Camp near Mechanicsville, Va.
                                                                                         July 30, 1862

Friend Will  [William McCauley]

I suppose you have been looking for a reply from me for some time.  But this is the earliest opportunity since the reception of your letter.  Although dated May the 22nd, it did not arrive till a few days since.  We had been looking for a letter from you for a long time, and wondered why you did not write to us.  But we are satisfied since the arrival of your letter that you wrote in due time.  I have nothing of interest to write to you now, I have to resort to my old song, of moving about, performing toilsome marches, and of the hardships of camp life in general, all of which you are doubtless well acquainted with.  I rejoined the Reg. in the Valley and we have had but few days for recreation since.  It has gotten to be a very common thing to receive orders to cook up 2 days rations and be ready to leave at daylight.  Our trip to Richmond was a very laborious one, having had to perform the most of the trip on foot.  As soon as we had arrived within 6 or 7 miles of Richmond, the miseries of battles commenced there, and during our stay, we were going almost continually something night and day.  After the fighting was over we remained incamped there a few days and were ordered to this place. Since we came from Richmond, we have moved 4 different times.  Once we moved out as we supposed, to meet the Yankees, who were said to be advancing within a few miles of Orange C.H.  But when we had gone within a few miles of that place, we received intelligence that the Yankees were leaving.  We were then ordered to camp again.  It may not be long before we have an engagement near this place.  I know not where the enemy is, whether near here or not, but troop[s] seem to be concentrating to t his place.  I believe Gen. Hill’s and Whiting’s Divisions have lately arrived here.  Our Division is very much wearied and exhausted.  I think it would be altogether wise and prudent to let us rest a few days and recruit up.
It may be possible that you are looking for a faint description of the conduct and movements of our army on the plains before Richmond.  But knowing that you have long since received information through the press or some of your friends I feel that a repetition will but weary you.
It is enough to say that we repulsed the enemy at each engagement and were successful in gaining possession of the field, and finally drove them back and compelled them to seek refuge beneath their iron clad boats.   Our Brigade was not in actual engagement, but exposed to a great deal of firing.  We were ordered on the field on Friday the 27th, but before we got within shooting distance of the Yankees they fled from the field.  Our brigade then encamped on the battle field amid the groans of the wounded and dying Yankees.
The following morning was the most trying of all.  When daylight dawned and we we were ordered away and wended our course through the bloody field, was a scene the most shocking to humanity.  A scene inconceivable by the human mind without the sense of sight.  I hope I may never see another.  But enough of this.
Our Company has reduced very much since our recruits joined us.  Very few of our recruits are with us now.  They are scattered in almost every direction.  Some at the hospitals, some at  home and some dead and some absent without leave.  When were were in the Valley at one time, our co. numbered 115.  Now only 47 men are reported for duty.  34 are absent sick and about 12 absent without leave.  the most of these absentees are composed of our recruits.  Our old mess are all well and would be pleased to see you all well and would be pleased to see you down on a visit soon.  Can’t you come?   They all join in sending you their love and respects.  I want you to write to me as soon as this arrives.  Excuse this badly written letter for I was compelled to write it in haste.
                                                               Your true Friend,
                                                                      J. P. Houtz

James Philip Houtz, Co. E of the 42 Virginia (Dixie Grays)

MSS 14953

1862 July 30 Camp near Harrison’s Landing, Va.

Camp Near Harrisons Landing Fa July 30th 1862

My Dear Mother–your letter of July 11th has been receivd it gives me pleasure to know that you are all well at Home since we have been here, I have received so many letters that I can scarcely find time to answer them all & have to do the best I can I have delayed answering yours for this reason, I had eight letters to answer which came all at one time three of them was from Father, I thought if I answered those of Fathers it would do for you both, untill I got some of the others off my hands we have been at work about all the time since we arrived at this place & have not the rest the papers talk about so much we may stop here sometime proberly untill fall although we may leave here at any  moment, there is A rumor that our Corps (Porters) are going to reinforce Pope if this should be true, it would suit the Boys first rate perhaps you think I talk wild when I say this army is loseing confidence in Genl. McClellans ability to end this next Campaign succesfully although the papers say he is Idolized by the men such is not the Fact, the men think more of Genl Heizleman than any other Genl  in the Army next to him comes Genl Kearny.  I hear Genl Heitzleman praise by every one. I honestly beleive that if he was made commander of this Army, it would be receivd with great delight, I may be mistaken but I think not, I see Joseph quite often as we are near together he looks in good health, you say you wish our grub was better, well if I have wished so once I have A hundred times  I want something that tastes good, I have sent home for A box, & I hope it will come the men have Just begun to recieve boxes from home yesterday two of my Friends received boxes with good things to eat & I had A feast for once if you can contrive to put something in that box it will be very acceptable I think I have eaten my peck of dirt, I think you would you would [sic] go without eating your dinner if you had such as we have sometimes & cooked in the same manner, I shall be glad when this war is ended & I am able to return Home to sit down to A good dinner once more. I think I could enjoy A good dinner first rate I can eat salt fish & taters now, once I would turn up my nose & say fish, neither would I grumble at corned beef & cabbage well what is the use I cant have these things but I think of them often it gives me pleasure to receive so many letters from home, it shows although I am Far away I am not forgotten, I am always impatient to receive my letters, if I dont receive four each week I imagine something is the matter with the folks at Home, I wish I was Just at there. I think I could get A commission in one of the regiments now forming, if there was any one at Home that would interest themselves about me, to A commission, I know that if four more Regiments are to be formed there is A good chance for A commission, but as there  is no one to interest themselves, why I shall have to remain A Private but stop I have been promoted only think I am A Corporal, I should like A commission in the 17th if possible to get one but if not in any of the Other Regiments hoping that this will find you enjoying good health, & that I shall again have the pleasure of seeing you all once more in Old Portland I remain
Your Son Geo W Leavitt

Letters from George W. Leavitt of the 5th New York and his brother Joseph of the 5th Maine were copied into a ledger by their father John in the fall of 1865 as a remembrance of them.  Both boys died in the war, George at 2nd Bull Run and Joseph at Spotsylvaina


MSS 66

1862 July 30 near Warrenton, Va.

[from the diary of Ephraim A. Wood, Co. C, 13th Massachusetts]

     Wednesday   July 30th 1862
Pleasant
               Last night I went
out of Town to Mr Vowells.
They were reather surprised to see
me as they thought I was
with the Regt.  They invited
me to stop over night.
I slept on a feather bed, the first
one I think that I have slept on
since leaving Boston.  I could
not sleep two hours together.  I was
so restless.  If I had layed on
the floor I should have slept
sound.  This morning at Breakfast
Mr Vowell told me that his sons had
left the Southern army, there time
being up   He said they were some
where near our lines, but did not dare
to come home for fear they would
be arrested.  Miss Vowell told me if I

should be so unfortunate as to
get sick or wounded to come to
her house if  I could and she would take
good care of me.  After Breakfast
I bid them good bye and went
back to my quarters in Town.
I found the Boys had just
got up and were eating their
breakfast.  At nine O clock we
strapped our Knapsacks to our backs
and started for the Regt.  It was

very warm; and we did not hurry.
We would march about a mile,
and then hault for an hour.
We reached the Regt distance
of seven or eight miles, about
four O clock in the afternoon.
We found the Regt camped
on the side of a hill, near,
five or six buildings, which
is called Waterloo.  There was
some mills here, but were burnt
The Camp is in a healthy locality and
the water is very good

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

1862 July 30 Camp Green Meadow


[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Wednesday July 30, ’62
Guard Mounting
then practiced
Did little the remainder
of the day wrote some
Parade & Drill
At length by this
evening mail recd
letter from Jennie Langan
a sweet letter I love
to receive such letters
home letters
raining a little this
evening  Thunder storm
threatening  More rain

MSS 10317

1862 July 30 Camp Green Meadow

                   July 30th / 62
           Camp Green Meadow
Dear Father
                    Here we are
as usual in Camp with
with[sic] no present prospect
of our leaving soon
Citizens however fear that
we will leave and many
of them are fleeing to
the north it is very
hard for these poor fellows
who have to leave their
land their homes that they
have labored so long
for under so many
disadvantages too
People at home cant realize
such an event in its proper
light immagine yourself
obliged to leave your pleasant
home that you have labored

[page 2]
so long to procure
also all the necessary
conveniences & comforts
you have gathered around
you all you  [?] &c
leaveing you nothing but
the Clothes upon your back
and you will have
the case of the Union
people of this Country
I will give you a Case
A man named Caldwell
has considerable property in
Monroe County near a small
place called Peters Town a
short distance from the Narrows[?]
of New River just before
the rebellion broke out
he went west leaveing
his family behind he
bought a small piece of
land in Indianna improved
it a little and came back

[page 3]
this spring.  when he arrived
at Raleigh he found us
there & has remained with
us ever since he awaited
our advance anxiously as
it would have been sheer
folly for  him to go to
his home before us
When we advanced to Giles
he crossed the River & got
to his home only for a
few hours however as it
soon became known and
some rebel Cavalry started
after him but he escaped
but did not get back
again until we came
back to Flat Top he then
went by night but
was unable to get to his
house as it was watched
he however remained there
about 12 hours and managed

[page 4]
to signal his wife
he dare not approach his
house or allow his Children
to know he was there
He is a man of undoubted
courage and has done
good service as a scout
Last Friday, Colonel Hayes
with 6 companies Inf one of
Cavalry & one howitzer went
up and brought his family
over.  I accompanied the
expedition. We left
this Camp after noon of
Friday marched down to
the River or near to it (6 miles)
and remained there until
after dark.  then crossed the
River quietly & marched
rapidly up the River 5
miles from the ferry we left
two companies to guard a road
which came down to the River

[page 5]
from a considerable Camp
of the rebels  we then
marched about 7 miles
farther to the mouth of
Indian Cr, arrived there
at 3 Oclock A.M. and halted
the cavalry went on
10miles further to Caldwells
house they were not molested
but when they arrived there
they could see the picket
fires of the Enemy only
a short distance off
hurriedly arousing the
family (who knew nothing
of their comeing) they gave
them time enough only
to put on their clothes and
takeing them on behind them
they hurried away not
even allowing them time

[page 6]
to pack a change of
clothing leaveing behind
them all their stock household
furniture a wagon & crriage
&c &c which before the sett
of another sun would
all be in ashes at the
hands of the Enemy or  his
nearest neighbors & relatives
with whom he had been
brought up. they arrived
at our Bivouac soon after
daybreak We immediately
arose from our short rest
on the cold ground and
without breakfast marched
back to the ferry where
we arrived about 10 Oclock
A.M. after getting some dinner
we came on up to this camp
We had been away from
cam a little ofver 24 hours
and had accoplished about 36

[page 7]
miles hard marching
Caldwell & family left
this morning for his little
place in Ind–he has an
interest family of 5
children the eldest about
12 years old.  Mrs Caldwell
is a pleasant woman &
says she is glad to get away
although they have sacrificed
all their property in the
atempt–several familys
left this morning with
them on their way north.

[letter of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio will continue on July 31]

1862 July 30 Chapel Hill, N.C.

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Wednesday 30th  It is becoming warmer & warmer every day.  So that visit-
ing is entirely given up until after tea–Mrs. Watters & I went up to Miss
Sally Malletts last night & paid her a long visit–Today we have
all been sewing in my room & eating fruit–So far I have seen
no fruit up here to compare with that we get in Wilmington–
& the country women ask enormously high for what they do bring.
William is still quite unwell everything he eats or drinks he
throws immediately up–Mrs Saunders & daughter called to see
us all this morning & Mrs Guthree has gone into the country–I
received a letter from Tom to day–I was much disappointed at finding
it dated the 4th of July–more than 3 weeks ago-

MSS 6960