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

Fri. 31 – A fair lovely day.  The regt. inspected & mustered
for paying off.   a hot tiresome job – Lt. Penrose who
inspected us – diner with us also Capt Champion &
his Lieuts – Called meetg. of Ch. committee in mess
Tent – tonight every man but one present – he was on
guard – very harmonious – resolved on communion
once a month, an prayer meetg; by Co. once a week
Sunday Schools – form of Ch adminis.  &c.  &c.
After meetg. a soldier came to show me his pastors
letter & then his sweetheart’s & her likeness –
As I was shutting my tent for night a soldier
seemed lingering outside – I asked him in  – found
him seeking Christ   counseled & prayed with him
he appeared earnest – solemn & tender.  May he find
the Lamb of God – is sweet moonlight night.
Such cases as this are the most important & delightful I have.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

MSS 38-258

 [from the diary of Anne Madison Ambler Willis]

Before I was dressed heard that the troops
were moving & we all went on the upper porch
to see them.  Was called to breakfast & afterwards walked
into the field with E[mma] & B[ertie] to get a nearer view.
Saw them all off & then came home to read
but my mind was so disturbed, that I was not
much benefited: Patty came up from the river
with Nat. on horseback & we all enjoyed seeing
her & hearing her talk: Did not spend my
[?] as usual = & could not write in
my Diary–sat up [?] quite late so
that I was sleepy: & not able to enjoy
my psalm. (There is no real religion
in me. I almost fear, Why should I (?) so
cold if I were a true Christian-It seems
to me that if I knew what it was to love
God at all, I would never feel as I do I
(?) to feel differently soon for an hour
is a (?) for me, so cold so impenitent
  I fear God more than I love him  &
“Perfect love casteth out fear”, sometimes
I feel that all of my profession comes
from fear=Oh, God show me the way
more plainly- I have no earthly friend that
I can go to & it seems to me that my
Bible is anything to me.  Rather than
a light.  I know that it is my fault–I
have a cold impenetrable heart.

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

MSS 15406

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

October 31  Continuation of fine weather
Nothing of particular interest
heavily engaged. In the evening
late walked to Jack Langhorne
to enquire about the condition of
Flora Stuart.  Gen S’s little daughter.
Mrs. S. was not able to see me.  the
child is very dangerously ill of
typhoid fever–Went then to Sue’s
–Stayed for supper & then with
Eugene to Deanes where we
remained until 9.  Coming home
found Eugene Davis & his mother
had arrived.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of John Ward of the 102nd Pennsylvania]

Oct 30th
Whe stade in Camp
to Day   Received orders
at 6 oclock to
march at 4 A.M.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12913

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

Thursday
Oct 30

Had drill in the forenoon as usual
This afternoon read some

MSS 11293

              Mobile  Oct 30 62
My dear Smith
                      I enquired
at the War Dept for yr
recommendations for the
appointment of Brig Genl
None could be found–Get
a strong one from Genl
Polk–go with it to Rich
-mond & urge yr claims
& say to Mr Randolph
that I want you with
me–I will write
him to day from
here–
               truly yrs
               JB Magruder
                  Majr Genl

I m assigned to duty in
Texas–Telegraph me
at Vicksburg—
to Maj Smith Bankhead
                on Gen Polks Staff Knox

[page 2]
ville Tennessee–to be sent
wherever he ma Genl Polk
may be—–

MSS 38-455

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh, Cutshaw’s Battery]

October                    Thursday 30                                      
In same camp.
7 miles from Charleston
5 miles to Berryville
S.E. of the turnpike

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E., 42nd Virginia “Dixie greys”

Thursday 30 – Was in great hope of
getting off to-day but failed again
tried to content myself as well as I
could under the circumstances
spent a good part of the day on
reading   –

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]

 Hd. Qrs. Cav. Brigade
 Purcellville Oct 30. 10. a.m.
To General W. S. Hancock
      Com’dg Division on the
      Hillsborough & Keyes Gap road
General,
              I have two squandrons at
Hillsborough, & there are no rebles
nearer your front than Snickersville
unless perhaps in Keyes Gap or
the gap below it
       There has been a considerable
force at Snickersville for some days
& it looks as if they intend to
dispute that point somewhat
with us–They have a signal
station near there they do’nt
like to give up.
                Should you wish to
communicate or obtain infor=
mation send to the officer
at Hillsborough commanding
my cavalry there & he will
attend to it–
              Yours truly
               A.Pleasanton
               Brig. Gen. &c

MSS 495