[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]
Saturday, January 24th – Bright in the morning but cloudy in the evening. Sister
Mary, Cousin Mary N and Maria here in the morning. Dr. H went to the post and
brought me some tea, sugar and pepper which were a great treat.
MSS 9759
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Saturday 24th I have been busy all day mending & writing — & had
company part of the time – Sarah sat the morning with me
& Mrs Johnston & Phillip called in the afternoon.
MSS 6960
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Friday
Jan 23
Still dull and cold. I have not
drilled but charged some clothing
and have been reading. Have read some in
“Spencers Sketches” and like it very much. Played
chess with George this evening. Frank Adams
was in here writing a letter. Five of our boys
got in the guard house for leaving the guard
quarters
MSS 11293
Camp near Corbin’s Neck
Jan’y 23 1863
Fried Reed:–
I believe I wrote
you last, but it has been so long
ago I suppose a few lines more
will not be amiss. I am again in
camp & surrounded by all the
“pomp, pride and circumstance
of glorious war”. I arrived here
on Tuesday & found nearly all
the boys on picket. Old Jim’s as
fat as a bear and has as much
fun in him as ever. The yanks
appear to be very well satisfied
to keep the other side of the river.
I haven’t heard even a cannon,
something that used to be an
every-day occurrence. Our pickets
and theirs seem to have made
peace with each other, as they
have ceased to shoot at one another
[page 2]
They did converse and trade with
each other but that has been prohibited
When our regiment was on picket,
a Yank hallowed across the river
to one of our men that he would
give him a gallon of Whiskey (which
by the way is only worth $80.00 in camp)
for a plug of tobacco; but the fellow
was not allowed to make the trade.
Another, I understand, called to
one of our men to know if we
had a sorry corporal. He said
if we had, he wanted to swap
Burnside for him. We have the
best position here in the world. Our
fortifications are on the side of a
hill, so that we could form two
distinct lines of battle in our
breast – works and have our cannon
in rear so that we could just
throw them down as they cross
the bottom which, I believe is
upwards of a mile long.
[page 3]
It is thought by some that the
Yankees will advance here, but
I think, surely their Gen’l, if it
is no body but Burnside, will have
more judgement than that. I
believe, we could whip all Yankeedom
with the position we have here.
Well, Reed, what do you think of peace.
I wish I were able to roll back the
misty vail of futurity, and see our
destiny as a nation. I do not
doubt our final success, but how
long & to what extent do will this
havoc, this butchery of human
beings continue be carried on!
Reed, you can’t conceive of the horrors
of war, without you could go over
a battle field. It is horrible!
Were you at home when I left? I
would like to have seen you before
I left. I stopped at Mr McCauley’s
as I passed, — only a few minutes.
[page 4]
Reed, the time has come when necessity
compells us to ask a favor of you.
We are entirely destitute of cooking
utensils, and know of no way of obtaining
them without out sending home & employ-
to bring them for us
ing an agent and ^ know of no one so
well suited for the task as yourself.
We all intend writing home to our daddies
to make up these things and we want
you, that is if it dont “discommode” you too
much, to bring them to us – we bearing
all expenses. If I knew of any argument
that would induce you to come, I would
willing employ it. suffice it, to say,
we are very much in need, and desire
your services very much. Jim says if
you do undertake it which he hopes
you will, you must freeze to the
box until you get it to us. You
had better come by Charlottesville
and be particularly careful at Guinea’s
Station. Well, Reed, I must close.
Please present my regards to Misses
Jinny & Callie and all enquiring
friends. Write soon.
Your true friend
M.P. Frantz
Mr James
Sir, it is not only for the
great necessity compelling us to call upon
you, as Pettie has related, that we thus
address you, but more particularly be-
cause we are anxious to see you. I have
just reproved him for it. However I am
a witness of the fact that we are in a hard
place and do hope you will pay us a visit very
soon and just do this little business as you come Houts
Marshall Petty Frantz and James Philip Houtz ot Co. E., 42nd Virginia the “Dixie Grays”
MSS 14953
/63
Camp Winder Jan 23
Dear Aunt
I take my
pen in hand to write you
a few lines to let you
know that I am well & hope
that when these lines come
to hand they may find you
enjoying the same blessing
I received your letter and
the Cheese, Apples & caps you
sent by Mr. Jarvis. I am
very much obliged to you for
sending them. the caps I gave
to those who were worst
[page 2]
off. there is no bareheaded men
in our part of the army. The
most of the men have good
hats or caps. this week has
been very disagreeable raining
almost every day. I suppose it
is snow with you as it
is much warmer here than in
the Valley. We are very comfortably
situated now the men all
have cabins or tents with
chimneys; in which we do
our cooking. I think that
as long as the weather keeps
bad we will have the
privilege of remaining n
our quarters as the roads are
too bad for the moving of
an army There is a good
many troops going from here
to North Carolina but they
are altogether North Carolina troops
[page 3]
We have a Court house & Church
built and some of the men
are now building a Theatre It
will be finished in a few
days I suppose – As I have
nothing of any interest to
write you I will close
by asking you to excuse
all mistakes and write soon
Give my love to all
enquiring friends & receive
a large share yourself from
your affectionate nephew
Thomas M Smiley
Thomas M. Smiley, co. D, 5th Virginia Infantry
MSS 1807, -a
Petersburg, Va
Jany 23d 1863
Gen Jno H.Cocke
My Dear Bro.,
Your very kind and affectionate
note of the 17th inst was yesterday received. I have been
long expecting to hear from you. I was afraid you
were sick, and felt exceedingly anxious to came to
your bedside if such had been the fact — I am truly
glad therefore to hear from you, and hope the blessing
of God may continue to smile upon you – and
preserve you for some time to come; to continue to
be a blessing to your family and friends.
The receipt within will show, that I have given over
your donation to the Evangelical Tract Society of
Petersburg, as you directed. It was well received.
I requested them to send you by mail, a few copies
of their Tract, which I hope you have received-
such I have been circulating, I trust, with success
here in Hospitals and in Camps. Many precious
souls have found Jesus precious to their souls
by the reading of these and other Tracts
[page 2]
But the other day, a lovely young man, from N.C.
told me that a tract by Dr Jeter, “a mothers parting
words to her soldier boy,” had led his heart to
embrace the Gospel –So with hundreds, have these
messengers blessed and saved-
O, my dear Bro, I could relate many instances,
thrilling and affecting, to show the value of tract
distribution. But I must wait, till, as I hope, I see
you face to face -.
You very kindly ask, “what have the prospects before
you and Sister Young for future subsistence and
usefulness” — You know I am in the army, and I
hope I am doing good- I have been in this work
since April 1860.- I left Williamsburg with Mrs
Y in may 1862, and a kind providence brought
us here – we lost all we had. My beautiful Library
worth about $2000, was taken by the enemy, and
sold in New York – all my furniture &c was
taken and destroyed – our beautiful church is now a
wreck, and our ancient city mutilated and disfigured.
I have been getting along very well up to the present
time. But now Board is rising so rapidly
[page 3]
I am beginning to be uneasy and unhappy.
I have $120 per month, and our Room and
Board amount to $100 – our Board is cheap
compared with some other places, indeed all
other houses, as far as I can find out-
While I am satisfied just to live, and willing to
make all the sacrifices I can, yet I am fearful
I can not do even as much as to live here.
What to do I cannot tell. I am willing to labor
in the army, and yet, if Board continues to rise
I shall be compelled either to settle over some
church, if God in his providence will open a
door for me, or else, try some business, which
I shudder to think about – My faith & trust is in
God – I am determined to confide in his sovereign
will and saving grace – I am just now, where
I was 11 years since when I entered the ministry
without books, and without money-
thus, my Dear Bro. I have opened my heart to you-
I have but little hope of ever returning to Williamsburg
My Dear people are scattered, and many will
never return again-
[page 4]
I mean to continue in the good work of
trying to save souls. I have but few acquaintances
here, for I confine myself mainly to the
work of the Hospitals and Camps-
Mrs Young is very well – she keeps up a good
heart – Has strong faith in our cause, and
feels, with myself, that God will fight for us.
As to the times, I must admit, after reading
and hearing opinions expressed, the mind
is still in the depth of uncertainty. There is truly an
end to all this, but when; That is the question.
One thing is clear, if the enemy should not
fill up the ranks of his army, by the 1st of may, the
time, when many will relieved, he will be forced
to make some terms of peace to us. But I fear
he will recruit his army, and out struggle
will be prolonged – I feel assured however
they never can conquer us – The day is
[just?] for that – Their cause will not prosper –
“Our God will fight for us” – Neh[emiah]-4 chap
Mrs Young sends very kind regards – and desires
much with myself to see you once more
in the flesh – Write soon – I shall be most
happy to hear from you –
Yours affectionately
Wm M Young
[page 5]
I might add, that the Evangelical Tract
Society represents all christian denomanations[sic]
in its Tracts – It does not publish anything
offensive to any christian mind –
It is doing a good work in this way. It
has published over 100 different Tracts –
Man of which have been blessed to the good
of souls – Our excellent Bro Dickenson is
also engaged in a good for the Baptists-
He represents the Baptist Sunday school
and Publication Board, which also is
largely engaged in circulating Tracts
among the Soldiers – Ican but believe
that such efforts will be largely blessed to the
good of our Army.
Since the 1st of Oct. over 100 souls have
professed conversion in the Hospitals
in this City. = Another fact – many
of our soldiers can neither read nor
write – I think, after mingling with
about 25000 of our men, and taking them
as a fair specimen of our men generally,
that about 1/2 of our army cannot write their
[page 6]
own names, and about 1/4 can
neither read nor write – I have given
attention to this fact, and have begun
the good work of teaching men to read –
about 460 men have learned to
read in our Hospitals – one old
Man about 55 years, began to learn
his letters, and in five weeks, could
read his Primer through – He went
home rejoicing = I collect money
from friends when I need it to purchase
Primers – I find more difficulty in getting
the books, than I do the money-
It is interesting to see, as I often see, about
20 or 30 of all ages trying to learn
their letters, or learning how to
spell, and, but, dog, cat, &c
Yet you would often see it here,
if you were present-
These men will do good, if spared to
reach their homes, and will become the
warm advocates of education-
They are mostly from N.C. Geo, and
Ala – some from Va——-
Aff Yours
John M. Young
MSS 640
Camp Near Guinea’s Station
Jan’y 23rd 1863
My Dear Father
More time than usual has lapsed
than usual since I wrote to you. But from
circumstances almost unavoidable. We left
our camp at sundown one week ago & reached
this place the following evening. I expected the
wagons with my knapsack containing my station-
ary – would follow immediately – but they are still
at camp & I have no stationary here. We moved
in consequence of an apprehended attack
caused by some demonstrations of the
enemy. We hope however soon to return
to our old camp. I spent only one week
in my house & that was longer term
than any one else staid in their’s, as ours
was the first done. We are about six miles
from Fredericksburg.
I am much obliged to you for your
offer but do not desire a paper sent me.
We get them in camp every day & we
move so often that I would soon cease
to get one sent by mail. I am also un-
willing that one of your negroes should
be in camp with me. One of my
[page 2]
company leave in the morning for
Richmond. I have just heard it & write
by fire light, that he may mail this in
Rd. [Richmond]. I also send by him to McKinney
& Duprey for the box which you
wrote me would be started from
home the first of this week. Tho’
I have received no letter from
you since I hope a letter tomorrow
from you as some one has gone
to our old camp to return then.
The bearer of this returns in a few
days. I have nothing in the
news line to write. Assurances of
my most devoted love is unnecessary
Give my most sincere love to
Mother George & all.
Most affly. yr. son
W.H. Perry Jr.
P. S. I fear my letter caused Mother to trouble her-
self too much trying to get the clothes she sends ready
too early. I am sorry if it did. But a pr. of pants
[The following is written in the side margin on page 2.]
will be very acceptable just now if they come.
William H. Perry, Richmond Howitzers
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 7786-d
Head Quarters 15th Conn Vols
Camp opposite Fredksburg
(No 12) Jany 23rd [1863]
Dear Brother George..
I ought to have
written you before this but have a
little some thing to do all the time
so that I could not write.. but no
matter now.. We are still here in
camp but have been under
marching orders for almost a
week but as it has rained hard
all the time we have not got off..
and shall probably stay here
now until Spring or some where
near here but if it had not been
for this rain there would have
been some hot work here this
week, but I guess the whole –
move ment is given up now as
the roads are in such a bad –
condition that artillery & baggage
can’t get along – but there was quite
a few troops ordered ahead for
they have been comming [sic] back all
to day & yesterday – Infantry – cavalry
and artillery and some lancers passed
camp to day but it is awful –
traveling I saw 20 horses on 1 gun
that had got set in the mud
but it’s strange that the rebels
know all that we are going to do
about as soon as we do and to
day the rebel pickets were yelling
across the river to ours “How are
you Burnside stuck in the mud”
It is dreadful muddy
down here now and I guess that
the rainy season has set in finally
it has rained and blowed very
hard for 4 or 5 days now and
we had a great time the other
night our tent got loosened at
one corner and came very near blowing
over but we got up in the rain and
dark and fixed it finally but
the Major and I lost our hats
and got wet through before we
got through.. Had a letter from
Elbe yesterday he is all right is
going to send me a sketch book
and I may take some interesting
sketches before I get back.. I guess
I have lost that pipe that he sent
me don’t expect to ever see it
guess it was stolen down to the depot
here at Falmouth for they smashed
into and stole a good many boxes
down there.. We have been fixing
up the tent to day, floored it
and made every thing comfortable
for the winter. How is every thing
in Meriden tell me all the news
every time you write all the little
things that transpire as I like
very much to know what you are
all about at home.. How is
Biddy? Tell her to “Pug me horn” [?]
be a good girl and Keep her nose
clean.. I am getting real fat
will weigh myself the first chance
that I get, guess I can bring down
140 lbs. There is nothing strange
down here there was a big fire in
Fredericksburg the other night but
I diden’t run to it..
Write me often and
Give my love to all at home,
J H Howard
James H. Howard, 15th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12668
[from the diary of Capt. Zachariah Heed, 91st Ohio Infantry]
JANUARY 22.
Fayetteville Va. Thursday morning. Some Snow, a blowing in my quarters. one inch on the floor. 2 oclock P.M. quit Snowing. 8 oclock P.M. Dark and Cloudy.
23.
Fayetteville Va. Friday morning, cold and cloudy, Enterd on my Duties as the Regimental Officer of the Day. all is quiet in camp 1 oclock A.M. cold and Cloudy.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS13406
[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C, 62nd Ohio]
Friday 23
At 3 O Clock received orders
to move in line at 8 O’c
arrived at the train in
New Bern at 11 AM under way
at 2 P.M. accompanied by 67th Ohio
halted on the road 1 hour arrived at
Moorehead at 7 P.M. went aboard the
Steamer Conway laid at wharf all night
–cloudy
MSS 38-129
