1862 September 1 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]


Monday, September 1, 1862.
Many rumors for several days past, but no reliable in
telligence. A report last night that a battle occurred on
Friday at Manassas, in which the enemy were defeated
with a loss of 2000 prisoners. Also that Jackson was at
Leesburg, and Stuart (cavalry) at Alexandria! These ru
mors need confirmation.
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258

1862 September 1 “Clifton,” Fauquier County, Va.

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Monday, September 1, 1862

[Still?] from the papers we gather that
the victory was with us but I wish we could hear directly–

Mr. Lackland is in fine spirits &
thinks the Yankees have been dreadfully
beaten  from their own accounts though
they cannot make up their minds
to acknowledge the fact
I am looking for you yet but I will
but I will make up my mind to day not to look
any longer for truly “hope in fact makes
the heart sick.”

[as transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

1864 May 16 Richmond, Va.

THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY
Forward Packages by Passenger trains and Steamers, and Dispatches by Telegraph,
                                   to all parts of the Confederate States.

————————————————————————————————————–
————————————————————————————————————–
Dispatched by Telegraph from  Richmond  16  1864
To Gov Bonham

Breckenridge met
Seigel yesterday near new
Market defeating him with
heavy loss–a Massachetts[sic] regt
840 men with Brig Genl
Heckman & staff captured
Just arrived from South Side

Evans & Cogswell, Print., Charleston.

MSS 15455

1862 August 31 near New Bern, N.C.

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

Sunday
Aug 31
Just a year since I took the
vows of God upon me and I
have enjoyed the year more than any
other one year though I have been through
peculiar trials, including two battles.
Have come short sadly in many respects
but God I feel has been with me, and
to-day I have enjoyed much although I
have been on guard nearly all the forenoon.

MSS 11293

1862 August 31 Camp Chase, Arlington Heights

Sunday [1862]
                                       Camp Chase Aug. 31st
                                       Arlington Hights
[The following is written perpendicular to above.]
Direct to 15 C.V. Co A Washington D. C.
As we don’t know how long we shall stay here.

Dear Sister Helen,
                                       Supposing you
are anxious by this time to know
how we all get along and how
far we have got.  I will spend
a little time in penning a short
account of our Journey  –
     We left New Haven Thursday
morning at 10 oclock (that is we
were ordered to “fall in” at 10 –
and had to stand with our Knap-
sacks on for 2 hours – went aboard
of the cars at 12 oc arrived at
N-York about 4 oc   I saw Elbe as
soon as the cars stopped – we fell

into line and marched down 4th
Avenue and Broadway to Jersey ferry
it commenced raining very soon after
we started from the terminal and it
poured for about ½ an hour and
we were completely soaked in a short
time     it was a tedious march for
it was the first time that we had tried
the Knapsacks and they are mighty mean
things I can tell you – we went aboard
the boat and took a “bee line” for
South Amboy   got there about mid-
night and went aboard the cars for
Philadelphia and got there at 4 ock
in the morning we “unslung knapsacks” and
took refreshments there then we loaded
right up for Baltimore where we arrived
at 7 Friday eve   there we had refreshments
also and slept on the platform in
the depot until 3 Saturday morning
then we loaded again for Washington
and arrived there at 4 o’clock P.M. and
had refreshments again then we “slung

knapsacks” and marched down Penn – Av –
and over long bridge and onto Arlington
heights – we got here at about 7 oc and
were about tired enough to lay right –
down we slept on the ground with
nothing but our blankets but it was
the easiest bed I ever had considering
the state of my under pinning at that
time we pitched our tents this –
morning and are now under cover –
and very comfortable – it was a
very tedious journey for us all but
I stood it better than I expected –
we marched about 6 miles in N. York
about 2 in Baltimore and 7 from
Washington   We are 4 miles from Falls
Church – Chas Linsley and several
others fell out on the march and
had to have their knapsacks carried
on the baggage but your cousin Jim
stuck it through till the last –
     It rained all last night and has
rained all to-day   we slept in the rain

last night – but to-day we have canvas
to get under –
     Nothing very strange happened
on our way here.  I enjoyed the
ride very much but the walking
part was awful – we saw soldiers
camped along the route some in
barracks some on picket duty and
some guarding the rail roads – cavalry –
artillery – infantry – and every other kind
of “horned cattle”… –
     Now for the last few hours that we
have spent on “Sacred soil” –
     When we were crossing long bridge we
heard constant firing in the direction
of Manassas and soon found that
terrible fighting was going on then
between Pope – Burnside – and Stonewall
Jackson – we saw baggage wagons
ambulances & artillery pass our camp
till late in the night and then
the firing ceased and this after-
noon we learn that S. Jackson –
has surrendered with 30,000 men
Bully for Bull Run   Ms. 2

[This letter continues on page five with date of 31 Aug. ‘62 noted in pencil.]
The 14th C.V. were in the fight but
we haven’t learned any of the particulars.
     About 800 Prisoners passed our camp
last night on their way to W – ton
and tomorrow all the others will
be brought by and there will be
some cheering for Pope and Burnside
you can bet — “Little did I think
that I should be so near Chas real fighting
so soon but I don’t know as I care
how soon we are ordered off – All
our boys felt pretty gay over the
late news and all are ready to
be led into the fight.  –  Our arms
are here and with the exception of
drilling we are all right for fight
          I will just tell you a few
things that I want before I forget what
they all are – In the first place tell
Father I wish he would get me that
Pistol or one just like – for we are –

in parts now where it may be useful.
Capt. Bassett came to me just before
we packed up at New Haven and
told me that if I had got a Pistol
I might carry it if I would keep it
dark but he said he didn’t want
me to let any of the boys know that
he told me so – and he said that
I might want to use it – Eugene carried
his and Aaron has sent for his –
remember that it is the smallest size
of Pondi patent and I want 100 cartges
and a holster – and if you can get
one I want a tin case to carry my
eatables in   these haversacks stink of
tar so that they spoil every thing
that we put in them   Geo Flint has got
one and they are a good thing –
[sketch of tin] made of tin  Geo got his in
                        Meridian and perhaps you can
get one ready made, and I wish you
would send me a pair of stout
slippers to wear evenings   my feet

get so hot and sore that I must
have something to change   that leather
pair of mine will go I guess and
please send me a few stamps as they
are a hard thing to get down here.
          I  cant think of half that I
want to say    I could write 16 pages
if it was quiet and I had a good
desk but writing on straw and have
about 100 humming and howling
around is very hard and I am so
excited over the firing and late
news that I can’t keep the shell
and muskets out of my head –
     I wish you would write me often
I will tell you where to direct
every time that we move, and I
will write every time that I can
get a chance but we are pretty
busy and will have to drill most
all the time now –   Please make those
things into a small bundle and forward
by express – Has Hattie gone home

yet.   I hope you wont be lonesome when
she is gone, you must try to make
yourself contented – don’t make
   “         unhappy thinking that I am
dying down here for I am enjoying
myself pretty well – of course I should
like to see you all but I don’t want
to go home until I have done my
duty.  I want to just gaze on them
Seceshers a few times and help finish
this rebellion up and then If there
is any thing left of me I shall be
very glad to go home, tell Chas that
he must write and let me know how
he gets along in the Navy   tell
Hattie to write when she gets
home if she has not gone –
     Did Father get that Bundle and
50 Dollars that I sent up by Mr. Hull
to leave at Wilcox’s.  I should like
to have him write sometimes if
he can find time between school
meetings – I must stop now
Give my love to Hattie my Regards to
all my friends and to all the boys

[The end of this 8 page letter is written at the beginning of page 5.]  
tell George that I will write to him sometime
     with love to all & dry up
                                             Jim
   
James H. Howard, 15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668

1862 August 31 Salt Sulphur Springs

                      Head Qtrs  Dept SWVa
                         Salt Sulphur Springs
                        August 31st 1862

My Dear Captain
                     It seems ages since the
pleasure of a cosy, quiet chat with you
has been offered me and yet the fault
is not solely mine, nor want of inclination
the cause Ever since here we’ve been, the
General has been on a tour of reconnoissance
to & for the different positions and commands
or had us actively employed on other duty
and by no means in our legitimate sphere–
Hope told a flattering tale, of this Dept
with its rapid advances, its several mountain
passes, that admitted of easy and extensive
fortifications, stubborn resistance and difficult
capture if assailed.  Had I was  [?] into the
believing this, just the field, a youth unknown
to fortune & fame unknown should seek in order to lead
a forlorn hope and thereby achieve mention.
But wonders never cease and we find ourself
with a conquered and demoralized army in the

[page 2]
face of a foe, vastly superior in force, spirit
& equipment. Hence we have quietly seated
ourselves upon that part of the body, most adapted
by nature, to such a consumation and been
like Macawber waiting for something to
turn up–Like that worthy Gent we were gratified
about a week passed–news came that Enemy’s
whole force had ‘skedaddled” to the rear
going beyond Kanawha it is supposed
to reinforce Buell or Pope–unless we
follow Othello’s occupation is gone.
                                            Being soon
disgusted and tired out doing little or nothing we
gave utterance to mutterings loud & deep requested
the Genls permission to ask for a transfer.  He
wouldn’t hear of our leaving him, for said he “are
on the eve of an advance and must have my Engr
officers with me then”–that upon reaching Kanawha
Valley he expected to swell his force by 3 or 4
new Regt of which he wished Robinson & self
to each command one as colonel–When a Comdg
Genl throws such a barrier in the way what
power have we within ourselves to oerleap it
to quiet our troubled spirits he sends Robinson

[page 3]
off to Richmond and our humble servant on a
Board of Examination of those country gallants
recently dignified with the title of commdg officers–
Bah! am thoroughly disgusted with the elective systems
wherever tis applied–Would decline the election to
a Colonelcy, if these ignoramuses, who can neither
spell, read, or write had the power to elevate me into
state with the sole exception of Lt Col Derricks (W. Point)
Batt (engr Corps C.S.A. Brother to our Derrrick)
Battalion we found all the officers, deficient in
every requisite of a soldier and gentleman-In
most cases on parade with their shirt-tales out below.
                    The official acts of this Engr. Dept. have
been very limited and confined to fortifying one
Pass the “Narrows” by constructing two small
casements Bullet Proof Batteries and some such
“little works up stairs” under the supervision of Lt
Elmore–apropos of Elmore I have now nothing
for him to do and place him “a votre service,”  He is
quite reliable & efficient–Hart is off on special
duty for the Genl inspecting & looking into the
supposed abuses of the Nitre Bureau–Have attempted
reconnoissances, but the Cavalry of this command are

[page 4]
such paltroons that they run & desert a fellow at
sight of a Yank or Union man  when most do
congregate in these parts, not wishing to be captured
have given up the idea and quietly accepted fate
John Robinson is very much angered
mortified and chagrined at the defeat of
his plans for an expedition to the Balt & Ohio
R R & fears he may appear in a false light
before the Dept.   He was certainly made a
victim of misplaced confidence by the
Genl. Comdg whose assurances he  bel[ieve]d–Genl
Jenkins–Comdg Cavalry & others from Kanawha, all
politicians have wormed themselves into the
Genls affections until they now hold the balance
of power–Fearing that we might be ordered to
join genl Lee’s army, -they got up a cavalry esc[a]p[a]de
to the enemy’s rear, stealing Robinson plans,
hurried off before his arrival, half cocked and
without an implement to execute them with  Yet forcing
the Genl to advance his whole force Kanawha
-wise in support. This pernicious & infernal
clique, imagine if “Kanawha” is saved the
Confederacy is also–that the centre of this social

[page 5]
system is there found and with its Salt Works, the nation will
be saved.  Hence next week we move bag &
baggage “westward ho!”
                                       When I last wrote was on the
eve of leaving to place a command (Wharton’s) in
position to shell the enemy out of theirs
at Packs Ferry.  Well we shelled away for a
hour or more with mountain [?] & [?] piece
kicking up a lot of dust and a great rumpus
without death to any thing except a squad
of 5 men at the enemy’s piece and the pack horse, yes
the historian of the Expdn with his graphic &
prolific pen makes a fine story of it, putting down
the enemy’s loss at 30 &c and total destruction of
their supplies and camp- but with Falstaff can
exclaim “how the world is given to lying”-
I wish you could run up a spend some
time with us, twould be of benefit to you
Just think of really cold nights requiring
a blanket & so over one to keep up warmth
and days charmingly cool, with plenty of
creature comforts in the way of eatables to
accompany

[page 6]
Rumor comes to us from Richmond, that Miss
Helen is engaged to and intends marrying
Walter Harrison–is it true?
                           Write me soon
Would like much to have your views on the
recent Battles and state of the Country
Excuse Bad paper & pen with love to self
& Regards to family–
                         Believe me as ever
                             Your admirer friend & wellwisher
                                            R.L. Poor

to
Capt A. L. Rives
   Chier Eng Bureau
      Richd.

Alfred Landon Rives, 1830-1903, Chief of Engineers to Robert E. Lee

MSS 38-348

1862 August 31 Fredericksburg, Va.

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

Sunday 31st  Bro. John comes
down with a letter from Mat
saying that our dab was in
Richmond–We are all of
course delighted to have him
so near us.  All the evening
we look at the fires across the
river and witness the departure
of the Yankees.  they burnt
up their Depot and made
numerous large fires of stuff
about their Camps.  About
dusk they set fire to the three
brid[g]es  Mother the girls & I
went to neighbour Rowes to wit-
ness the conflagration–After
a heavy explosion of powder
under Chetam bridge we thought
it prudent to withdraw
The town being regularly delivered
back to the civil authority a
patrol paraded the streets
all night.  Everybody in high
spirits at our deliverance
God grant that it could be
final & complete

MSS 2563-b

1862 August 31 near Fairfax Court House

[rom the diary of Lt. John Tyler, of Letcher’s Artillery]

  (Aug 31st)
Sunday raining this morning and
have been up since 3 o’c.  Ordered
back to Camp to cook rations, but
found nothing to cook & in an hour
were ordered to be on the march
again.  This time took a road leading
North which brought us into the
turnpike leading to Fairfax C.H.  We
bivouaced that night in a field
along side the road.  Have felt very
unwell all day long with fever & head-
-ache.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

1862 August 31 Suffield, Conn

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, future chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

 Augt 1862.  Windsor Suffield.  Sept.          
Sun 31,  Preached in Bro. Parsons pulpit   Windsor twice
addressed At. & conducted Eveg.[evening] Meetg.  spoke on
duties to country & prayer.  Called at Dea W –
on way home with Miss Lyon –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935