1862 September 30 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Tuesday 30. Not a rumor of any kind from
the army–News from Kentucky recd says
it too probable that Buell has
gotten to Louisville which he is
fortifying strongly.  With the im-
mence force we have in Kentucky
one would think this ought to
have been prevented.  There seems to
be wanting enterprize among the
generals–Oh for one day[?] of Jackson
there.
This being last of the quarter, we
had the usual count.  It is always
a day of excitement and fatigue
all was found right–At  night
Charles & Sue came over, and by the
Orange train Lanty arrived.  He looks
remarkably well though weather bea
ten and roughened.  He has been de-
tained for duty in the office of the
Medical Director. I dont
like it much–but he requires some re-
laxation–Mary Gwatkin was
here–so that it was a family re-
union–It has been a long time since
three of the Boys were in the
home at once–Staige Davis was
also in here returning from his
trip to Tennessee–In the course
of the evening Drs. Minor, Latham
& Houston called–We lodged besides
the ordinary family no less than
eight–went to bed much fatigued.

MSS 4763


1862 September 29 New Bern, N.C.

Monday
Sept 29

Signed the pay-roll this forenoon and got
paid off.  Had no dress parade.  Went in
swimming this afternoon.  Have felt faint and sick
to-day.  Did not sleep well last night.   Red some to-day
Got no news from the north lately.  Paid four dollars for
myself and Phineas for the Colonels sword
Dadmun and Alger paid me what they
owed me.

MSS 11293

1862 September 29 Bunker’s Hill, near Winchester

 Camp of 13th Va. Regt.
                        September 29th 1862.
Dear Lute:
                        I have received your two
letters of recent dates and was delighted
to hear from home again; I also recd.
letters from Pa recently.  Our Divis-
ion is now encamped near Bunker’s
Hill fourteen miles from Winches-
ter and everything seems to indicate
quiet and rest after the stormy
scenes through which we have passed
since we left the Rapid Ann.  The
Army is completely demoralized and
worn out but recruits are rapidly
pouring in and rest and abund-
ance of Commissary Stores will soon
revive the ranks considerable [&] restore
our Arms in this Department of the
War – to their original & boasted
prowess.  I believe the whole Army
is encamped on this route & that
our Division constitutes the rear
guard or advance of Infantry
while our Cavalry are in the vic-
inity of Martinsburg.  Jessie Por-
ter and his squad reached camp night
before last and [Simon] Schacht [Pvt. in Co. D] came in
last night.  I read with pleasure the
Confirmation of the capture of
Munfordsville, Tenn [sic.]  with 5400 pris-
oners, artillery &c, without any
casualties on our side.  I was also
very glad [to] learn of the vigorous
measures [of] Congress to augment

[page 2]
our effective force and to bring out
promptly all the Energies of the Repub-
lic.  I recd. a note from John
yesterday stating that he has nearly
recovered from his sickness & would
report at once for duty but Sister Page
was somewhat sick & he should wait
until she was well enough to remove
to Winchester, he sent me his horse
fearing that the Yankees would come
in and take possession.  It is possible
that they may get him but you know
that by the Cartel he will be
immediately released.  I wanted
to visit him today but we are
kept quite busy in our Dept. just
now as Forage is scarce & besides
I think it doubtful whether I could
obtain permission to go out side
of the Picket Guards.  Uncle John
is with General Early now who commands
our Division and I see him quite fre-
quently – he looks well but is tired
of this duty & told me he was going
to apply to Genl. Lee for some other
duty.  It is reported by rumor that
General Pickett is to be assigned
to the command of Ewell’s divis-
ion.  There has been great talk this
week of peace and many firmly
believe that ninety day armistice
was about to be agreed [up]on between [page torn]
the national authorities.  All hands

[page 3]
are getting sick and tired of this
wicked and unhallowed war.  The
Yankees themselves, notwithstanding their
boasted preparations and abilities to
conquer us speedily, are also wearied
with war and if we could only carry
the war into their own territory they
would soon be in favor of amicable
adjustments.  I should like to get even
a short furlough at this time to visit
home, yet I can see no prospects of
this as furloughs are foreign to every-
thing military under any circum-
stances.  Home must indeed be sad
to us all now since mother is no
longer there to cheer and comfort
but has been laid neath the green
sod ‘side her innocent babes!  I can
somewhat imagine the great change
which her death has effected.  But
we are convinced that she now rejoices
in Heaven above where all is love;
and her bright and pious example must
ever be before us that we in death
may gain the same glorious habita-
tion where parting is not known !
I was sorry to hear of the death of Sallie
Willie and of the illness of many
of our good neighbors.  As the cool
weather commences I trust that
disease and sickness may be
banished from the vicinity and
health wh. always brings happiness

[page 4]
reign among you again.  I am
delighted to hear of any improvements
in Edloe’s case and hope that he may
soon be entirely restored to health.
I was glad to hear that Eddie Bowie
was doing so well and I hope that
he may soon recover.  I saw Uncle
Walker the other day and delivered a letter
from Aunt Gillie but have not seen
him since the reception [-] for
him by Jessie Porter; Will doubtless
find him tomorrow.  Our boys are
all getting on quite well and have
stood the recent hardships remark-
ably well.  I must now close as paper
and time alike warn me to con-
clued this hastily written and unin-
teresting communication.  Kiss sweet little
Willis [or Willie] Page for me and tell her to be
a good girl.  Much love to all at home
and to the good kind neighbors.
Do write to me whenever you can &
long, newsy letters, direct to Winches-
ter and the letters will reach here
in three days after mailed unless
miscarried.  I remain as ever,
                          Yr. Aff. Brother
                               Pendleton
Miss L. M. Jones}
 [Pendleton continues this letter on the 30th by cross-writing on pages 1 & 2.]

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13407

1862 September 29 Richmond, Va.

Richmond Sept. 29th 1862.

His Excellency John Letcher
       Governor of Virginia.
             Sir:
                     You may recollect
that about one year ago Brig-
Genl. then Col. Jno. Echols addres-
sed to you a letter recommend-
ding me for promotion in
the Provisional Army of Va. for
“gallant & meritorious conduct”
in the battle of Manassas.
    You expressed regret that you
were unable to confer that
honor as the Provisional Army
of the State was soon to be disban-
ded, but transferred the testimo-
nial to the War Department of
the Confederacy accompanying
it by your own very kind
and war recommdation[sic]
   The Secretary of War upon
receiving the papers tendered
me the appointment of 2nd Lieut.

[page 2]
in the regular C.S. Army, but
not being of age I was compel-
led to decline, and there being
no other vacancy, not farther
action was taken in the
premises.
  I am again about
to apply to the President for
promotion from the rank of
1st Lieut. & Adjutant (a posi-
tion not in the regular line
of advancement) and presum
ming upon your former favor-
able consideration I venture
to request that yo will
again oblige me by your
personal recommendation.
  I have just returned woun-
ded from the battlefield of
Boonsboro, and hence my
absence from my Command.
  As a voucher of my good
conduct since my credentials
from Gen. Echols were pre-
sented to you, I accompany
this le communication with
a letter from Lt.Col. Lang-
horne of my regiment,

[page 3]
the only prominent officer
of my command acces-
sible at this time.
    With high regard
        I am
   Very Respectfully
  John W. Daniel
 1st Lt. & Adjutant
   11th Regmt. Va. Vols,

[page 4]
[Note apparently written by Governor Letcher:]
Lt. J. W. Daniel
asking recom-
mendation for promotion;
cheerfully giv-
en, and sent to
the Sec. of War
Octo 3rd J. L.
1862

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 15096

1862 September 29 “Eudora,” near Leesburg, Va.

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

   (Sept 29th) Like my new room very
much.  Have not felt quite as well this
evening.  Sent Jas. over to Waterford with
Mr Braden, after the Flannel, & with orders
to have me a pair of pants made at the
tailors there of the cloth.  He returned
with the flannel & Miss Lizzie insists on
making it up for me.  I am under ever-
-lasting obligations to her; but can only
submit for the present. Miss Lizzies “Beatrice”
is my constant companion & I shall get the
faces indelibly impressed on my mind that
I will be able to drew it from memory ere
long.  Miss Lizzie has also honored my room
with one of her own Grecian paintings on –
which I have feasted my eyes for some time
it really is exquisitely executed & a lovely

subject, & being a little Gipsey girl with a
basket on her arm, a piece of bread in her
hand, and a large dog, of St. Bernard, or
New Foundland Species with one fore paw on
her arm, as it were supplicating for the
bread, a tent is seen through the foliage
in the distance, & the, “tents ensemble”, is
perfect. _  Clouded up this evening and
had a slight rain.  Quite warm.  Miss Lizzie
has kept me supplied with fresh flowers
constantly, she received a new instalment
this evening.  In addition the vase full
she arranges me a nose-gay, intended ex-
-clusively for the use of the first part of
the word, which is generally a concentra-
-ted extract of sweetness & Citron Alice[sic], on
the latter of which I dote, as Sister Florrie
knows.  Miss Lizzie also found out I was
fond of buttermilk & now I have fresh but-
-termilk nearly every day.  Had a very

(Heard today that 1200 of our cavalry were in Leesburg).
pleasant conversation with Mrs Peyton
this afternoon & afterward with Miss
Lizzie, who spent the evening with me.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

1862 September 29 Post Hospital near Alexandria

No 70,        No. 70

Post Hospital near
Alexandria Sept 29th/62

Dear Mother
     I am still here and think
likely I shall stay here sometime
as the doctor says he can do but
little for me here.  Now I dont
want you to think I am very sick
as you would not have thought
so to have seen me travelling off
6 miles the other day which a very
sick man could not do.  There is
not much of any news here of
importance–Everything jogs along
the old way eat, drink & sleep
is all we have to do Night before
last 4 of our 60 came here paroled
prisoners from Richmond taken
at Gaines Mill a hard looking set
there was about 600 in all most
without shoes clothes all were out

[page 2]
and looking lank & lean they
represent things as in an awful
condition t Richmond Provision
scarce and everybody predicts a
famine there in a very short time.
Tea is $1 a pound, Matches 25
cts a box, and by paying $1.50 a pound
you can get an article called coffee
but which does not contain a
single kernel of it, they subsisted
on 1/2 loaf of bread a day not
such loaves as we get but said the
could take a quarter of a loaf and
shut it right up in their hand
The guards some of them said
that their army was subsisting
on corn & apples had noting else
Tell Asa I was over to the 16th
the other day, they are about a
mile from here, I saw Frank
Wright he looks slim enough
I was surprised when I was over
to Fort Corcoran the other day

[page 3]
to see the troops in front of
Washington they are as thick
as they was last winter and then
think of the force in Maryland
what an army there must be here
on the line of Virginia.  I hope the
Governors will get their request of the
President to send home all the
sick at the states expense as the
fellows will get well so much
faster Will write again soon–
Direct to Post Hospital near
Alexandria Care of Col Belknap
      From your aff son
          Wm Wallace

[envelope]

No 70

               Mrs. E. Smith
               Newton Lower Falls
                              Mass

William Wallace Smith
Co. B, 22nd Massachusetts

MSS 15360

1862 September 29 Louisville

[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, of Co. b., 97th Ohio]

     Sept. 29th, ‘62
We were awaked, as
usual, at 3 A.M., & or-
dered into line; we
have had a standing
order, since the middle
of last week, to fall
in at 3 A.M. every
morning. A difficulty
arising to day, at the
“Galt House”, between
                             
Gen’ls. Nelson & Davis,
the latter shot the
former, with a pistol,
killing him instantly.
Clear & warm today.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

1862 September 29

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

Mon 29.  very busy in New York ordering outfit &c
drove to Cent. Park with Henry, (Staid at his house,
on return made calls – .  P.C. called with his wife.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

1862 September 29 near the mouth of Antietam Creek

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

Monday, Sept. 29, 1862

this morning went
out to practice. Jo & Charlie
came to us did not succeed
in doing anything.
Have been trying to
prevent our discharge
the Adjt got our Descriptive
Lists to day & destroyed
them. rather an uneasy state
of mind owing the
the[sic] fact of our present
difficulties.
Got 5 dollars Bill Changed
bought 45 lbs sugar
Rained a very little
this afternoon mostly
clear  Parade

MSS 10317