1862 September 29 Staunton, Va.

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

Monday, Sept. 29, 1862.
Reported that the enemy are advancing upon 
Winchester, in several columns. Our army has 
fallen back to the vicinity of that town. Have
heard from Legh — he was at Winchester on Sat-
urday, detained there to assist in the removal 
of stores.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

1862 September 29 Chapel Hill, N.C.

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

Monday 29  I have been busy all day altering Eliza’s basque–Mrs. Walters
& Sarah very busy upstairs cutting out for William–Liz spent the
day with Mrs Tyler & Person–The reported death of Dr. Dickson &
Thomas proved false, both living.  Liz has invited us all to break
fast in her room

MSS 6960

1862 September 29 Lynchburg, Va.

Monday 29  a much milder mor-
ning–quite summer-like.  Went
with Mr. Tilg[h]man to the cars at
an early hour. He recd a letter Satur
day which required him to go to Rich
mond.  I fear he will not long
survive unless he can spend the
winter in Florida.  He is a very
fine young fellow and we all
liked him greatly.
  The lines so often quoted in
ignorance of their authorship
“Last at his cross & earliest at  his grave”
is taken from a poem by Barrett
the author of the “Heaven.” The passage is
Not she with traitorous kiss her savior stung
She while apostles shank, could danger brave
Last at his cross & earliest at his grave
For edition of the Poem see Quart. Rev.: vol. 19. 1818.
The lines are very spiritual and
the poem one we should not expect
from the author of such an extra-
vaganza as the Heroine
  The sun today was occasionally
intensely hot–The feeling was that
produced by artificial heat–
I have often observed in the autumn
The day was very delightful  heard
various rumors–The Yankees accounts
represent Buell as having made his
way to Louisville & that the city was
safe.–I dont believe it. Don Hal
-sey who was taken prisoner at
Sharpsburg came home last night
to the great joy of his friends.  He was
not hurt and was detained only
five days.  He says the loss of
the federals was immense & that our
victory was decided.  They admit
a drawn battle–went at night
to the Orange Depot to receive Mrs
Rich Davis.  We had to lodge no
less than seven visitors.

MSS 4763

1862 September 28 New Bern, N.C.

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

Sunday
Sept 28
Had the sideache and did not sleep any hardly
last night, but felt better this morning so I
went out t inspection.  Went to church this fore-
noon and hear Mr Mellen preach.  Walked back to
camp with the Colonel and had a good chat with
him.  Have felt unwell all day, but went out on dress
parade. I long to be at home with my friends, partic-
ularly on the Sabbath when compelled to do so many
things unsuitable to the day, but God forgive me for
all things He may see amiss.

MSS 11293

1862 September 28 Caroline County, Va.

Caroline County Va September 18th 1862

Dear Sister
                  I seat myself this morning to
inform you that I am well hopeing these few
lines will fine you all well. but I am
sorry indeede to inform you that I
got nun of my clothing but my overcoat
but I hate it more on your account than
my one for I know you hate it worse than
I do tell James that I got his shugar.
I have bought me a coat that will do this
winter and maby I can draw other clothing
that will do me this winter but if you
have any chance I would like to have some
socks I know you all are hard run for
clothing for you have so man to clothe
my clothing was stolen on the cars between
abingdon & Lynchburg.  I would like to have a
hat get mister hunt make me a hat an send it
the first chance I would like to have a pair of
boots but they are so high I will make out
without them.  I have a pair of gloves that will
do me this winter and I have shirts and slips
enough tell uncle Vincent that I have a num
ber one six shuter and moles[molds?] that I will
send him the first chance

[page 2]
Tell ma & pa that I hate the loss of my
clothing more on their account than I do
on mine for I know they hate it worse
than I do although I need the clothing
Martha I got your two last letters I would
have writen sooner but we have been on picket
Seven days the yankees are on our side of the
river and we are on the other but we have orders
not to fire on each other.  Martha you said
you would had been writing something that
you would like for me to hear write it again
and maby I will get it.  Martha pleas excuse
my bad writing spelling and mistakes
I will write soon again So nothing more
at present but remain your brother
                                     W.R. Gilmer

William Rives Gilmer, Co. I, 37th Virginia

MSS 5194

1862 September 28 “Eudora,” near Leesburg, Va.

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

(Sept 28th )  (Sunday.)  Feel rather better
this morning.  Sat during the latter part
of the morning.  The family all went to
church this morning.  It’s rather
cloudy.  Miss Lizzie brought me in this
morning to look at a most exquisite lit-
-tle painting ( on Ivory) of “Beatrice diCenci”
which she got in Rome, & a most beauti-
-ful frame for it, made in Switzerland,
the whole thing is in excellent taste
and does credit to her taste.  I enjoy
gazing at it very much.  I think I can
detect some resemblance to my darling
Jennie, who is ever in my mind.  The
ladies seem to sympathize with me, for
not being able to hear a word from home
or from the boys in the Army.  Miss Lizzie
has kept me supplied ever since I have
been here with nice soft peaches & cream.
I long to show her in some way how
much I appreciate her kindness to me.
Have passed the day in reading my bible
& prayer book, & in pleasant converse with
the ladies who spent the evening in my room.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

1862 September 28 near mouth of the Antietam

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

Sunday, Sept. 28, 1862

Went this morning
down to the Old Iron works
at the mouth of Antietam
went to the Canal & Potomac
came back bathed
Returned to camp read some
&c.  Went this evening
over to the 100 Pa  Heard
a short sermon. Saw
Jim Munford
Parade  Mostly cool

MSS 10317

1862 September 28 Alexandria

[letter of Josiah Perry, of Co. K., 33rd Massachusetts to his wife Phebe, begun on the 27th continues]

                   Sunday 28 Since
writing the above I have recieved
yours and as you seem to be in
a little trouble I will try to
help you out:  And first about
the box You need not worry
about that at all I can get along
very well:  I shall enclose an
order to Chas Winship for a pair
of stout boots and when he sends
them you can send my things
in the box you need not send
my Patent leather boots:at all you
may send me some pepper either
black or red.  There are a number
of pairs of boots coming out here
and they will probaly[sic]  send a box
or barrel Winship or Hixons can
tell you when it will be sent
We shall probabley remain here

[page 4]
for the present – cannot tell certainly
about the other matter you must
act your own pleasure If you think
you can enjoy yourself better in Prov
go and if not stay where you are
doubtless there will be some unpleasant
things about going to Providence and
I do not wish to persuade you in this
matter do just as you wish to: As soon
as we are paid off I will send you the
money and you will be able to pay your
expenses in either place.  I do not wish
you to be dependent on anyone: nor to
feel so either: I cannot of course look
into the future but many of our officers
think that the next 6 weeks will end
the rebellion  The rebels have got their death
blow, but how long it will take them
to die remains to be seen there will
probaly be some hard fighting yet but
their days are numbered  The flower
of their army lies dead on the banks of
the Potomac and in it: and if they fight
now it is for life they have nothing to
hope for this is what we think about
it we may or may not be right it is
very difficult to judge You will find
it hard work to read this as I have
spilled my ink all over it but you
may be able to make it out: You
write that the troops about here are
not satisfied with the Presidents
Proclamation that is news to me. on
the contrary I think it gives great
satisfaction. When men get face to

[page 5]
face with the rebels and find out
what they are, they do not feel as
friendly towards them as they did
at home.  If It was left to our
Regiment, to day, they would burn
this citty before it was a day
older The lines are sharply drawn
here and there is no friendship be
tween the two  I wish it was
so at the north.  You write about
the Crippled Brigade.  Or those
men I have nothing to say: If in
the Old Bay State there lives a
man who shrinks from his
duty in a time like this: let
him stay home.  We want men
here and could not make any
use of cowards if we had a mile
square of them: When this war
is ended they will be remmem
bered and despised to.  I Pitty
them sincerely.  Of news there
is nothing of interest to write

[page 6]
You will probaly hear of another
fight before long that is if there
is any fight left in the rebels our
army will push them to the wall
Col. Maggi ways we shall turn
them end over end before winter
he is very sanguine and says we
have got the rebels at last.  It
remains to be seen.  You will
give this order to Mr Winship
and when the boots are sent you
can send the things.  I should
like to have the cheese first
rate.  Do not work to hard and
do not worry about me.  God will
take care of us if only we are faithful
in doing our duty: Yours always
                                Josiah

Josiah Perry, Co. K, 33rd Massachusetts

MSS 2215

1862 September 28 Washington

[from the “war journal” of George Hazen Dana of the 32nd Massachusetts as compiled by him at a later date from his wartime letters and diary]

                                                           Washington House
                                                       Sunday Eve’g. Sept. 28/62
I arrived here last night safe and sound, and
am so much better, that I shall, in all probability,
rejoin the regiment tomorrow –        It lies in
the vicinity of Harper’s Ferry.

MSS 5130

1862 September 28 Bakersville

[from the diary of Samuel S. Johnson, 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

 Sept. 28th

     Every thing this week has been very quiet.  Day in
camp at the St James College all day of the 22nd.
At noon of the 23rd we harnessed up, and marc-
-hed to Bakersville, where we are to remain some
time to recruit our strength, and to repair the
battery.  A number of our men are quite unwell,
I myself am quite unwell.  Pleasant and.
Warm

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493