1861 Aug[us]t 27 Green County, Ala[bama]

Genl. J. H. Cocke

My Dear Sir

I left home three weeks since

with the expectation of paying you a short

visit in either going or coming from the

army in Virginia, but was subjected to

delays and through the carelesness of a porter

in changing baggage at Charlotte my Trunk

was changed for another and when I arrived in

Richmond found that I had another

mans Trunk I remained there four days

hoping that it might be found and

finally concluded to go on to Manassas

after supplying myself with a few articles

of clothing to meet pressing demands. the

mishap of the loss of my Trunk pressed

on me heavily for it it was many things

sent by relations to the young men that

went from this neighbourhood also letters

for them and I could not relieve myself

from the disappointment, I was also quite

unwell with cold and the continued

rainy weather all the time I was in

camp made it very unpleasant to me

I did not reach the encampment of

the 5th Ala. Regt but stoped at the 11th near

[page 2]

Bristoe; commanded Moon of

Greensboro, Ala–and sent for Joseph to come

and see me. my time was thus spent in

delays and disappointments, untill I was

compelled to return to Richmond to meet

Mr Alfred Hatch, as previously agreed upon

to return home. I was very much disappoin

-ted in having to give up my trip to

see you and the country in which you

live but will hope yet to do so before we

are seperated in this our earthy pilgrimige.

I have been very much depressed

in consequence of Joseph’s exposure in the army

he is far from a robust man and I fear that

he cannot stand the winter in the climate

the army now occupies, he has a young

and somewhat helpless family. and I am

fearful on his account. your very acceptable

letter o f the 15th came to hand the day after I

got home and it has given my Wife and

Fanny great comfort to know that there is a

friend near their Dear ones. It is the impress

-ion of many persons with whom I have

conversed in coming from Va. that Lincolns

government will be enabled to raise the means

and men to prosecute this unrighteous war

against us, and our only hope is to fight

it out–if this be their determination we may [have]

[page 3]

many trubles before us, but relying on the

Supreme Governor of the universe I have faith

to believe that we finally will succeed–but we

must expect many valuable lives as the sacrifice

God is Great and in his hands we must

put our trust . It I think is the prevailing

feeling of our people; in our Ranks are

many truly pious people and I find some

preachers. I was introduced to one while in

camp a soldier in the ranks whose face bore

the impress of a soldier of the cross. these are

strange times and there are some things

hard to be understood–It has been raining

for the last three weeks and our cotton

crop will be cut off very much. some say

one half at the time I left here the 7th Aug.

I never saw a better prospect for a large

crop of cotton and also of corn the corn

was made but I am told that a great

portion will damage with the continuous

rain I saw Smith Powel yesterday he reports

your people are well says that his uncle

was down about the time I left home and

expects him again next week

Jack Cocke’s wife died at his

Fathers during my absence from home had

been sick a long time- My family are all

well and join me in kind Regards

B[ayard?] Borden

[page 4]

N.B. On my return home retracing my steps

as I went on I found my Trunk at

Charlotte N.C. in the rail Road office

in rechecking at that Point. the Porter

had taken another Trunk so much like

mine that I did not discover the mistake

until I had reached Richmond and

went to a room to change my clothes

I saw at Richmond your son Charles

and intended to visit his encampment

but was quite too much indisposed the

day I had set apart for that purpose

yours truly

B. Borden

Borden’s son Joseph Borden, 1828-1913, was at the time a sergeant in the 5th Alabama. As his father notes he was not healthy and had a large family of eight children. He was wounded in 1862 but returned to action in 1863, and then resigned a few months later suffering from severe rheumatism.

MSS 640

1861 August 27

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond]

Worked a road in the morning –

in evening went with Capt Deyer

-le and bro. Engle for black-

berries. read four chapters

in bible – day beatiful.[sic]

Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E, 42nd Virginia (Dixie Greys)

Mss 5526

1861 August 27 Canp of the fifth M[ain]e Regt

Respected parents and friends

I have just returned from the

outposts of our lines up where our company has been on picket

duty for 24 hours past we had a grand good time we were

posted about five miles from camp we were posted near a

house which has been deserted by the owner and we went to

the house and took up our head quarters there he was I should

think a very rich man he is a decendant of one of the first settlers

of the State he left behind a great deal of furnature of different

kinds and a very large library composed of all sorts of good

books beds and bedding and a great many things to numerous

to mention he was a doctor he left a large number medical

books and a great many bottles of medicine and papers of

all kinds that doctors use if I could have some of them at

home I should like it I brought some of them to the the

camp and I guess every man brought in something old

books 200 years old one book something like a bible 200 years

old all kinds of books both ancient and modern if I could

make an assortment and get them home I should feel rich

it is strange to me that he schould leave so much behind,

the N.Y. boys got a pianno worth 400 or 500 dollars they got

three horse lods of things such as they wanted, I took a

blank boot this is one of the leaves that come out of

it I have got writing paper enough now to last me a great

while to write on We did not see any rebels to interfere with

us and we returned safe and in good order

[letter of Hiram Cash will continue on August 28]

Hiram Cash, Private, Co. K, 5th Maine

MSS 12916

1861 August 27

Muster roll from the 1st West Virginia Foot Volunteers, Thomas C. Parks Captain

MUSTER ROLL OF Captain______Company, in the ____Regiment, (_____Brigade) of ______Volunteers commanded by Colonel_____________called into the service of the United States by __________ from the _____day of______186_, (date of muster) for the term of ______________ unless sooner discharged.

[The following men were listed as enrolled by Thomas C. Parks on May 16, 1861. All were from Wheeling, Va. and enlisted for three months. The company was organized at Wellsburg, Va.]

NAMES RANK AGE

Park, Thomas C. Capt. 36

Melvin, Oscar F. 1st Lieut 23

Melvin, Enas Ensign 22

Lewis, James A 1st Sergt 30

Plattesburg, John W. Sergt 30

Amick, George H Sergt 29

Reeves, Albert W. Sergt 23

Jackson, James Corpl 44

Cale, Chester B. Corpl 21

Caney, James M. Corpl 21

Nichols, James C Corpl 21

Nichols, Edward Drummer 28

Nichols, Robert Fifer 31

Archy, John C. Private 21

Armstrong, William S. Private 25

Anderson, Martin Private 20

Brewer, George Private 19

Brownlee, Martin Private 20

Brownlee, William Private 27

Barnes, Shepley Private 21

Blankinsass, George Private 22

Briggs, John A Private 22

Burchard, David T Private 21

Bigger, Wilson Private 19

Billingsley, William A. Private 26

Ball, Richard Private 19

Creiason, William B. Private 38

Clemson, John M Private 21

Cosbly, Andrew Private 20

Collins, John H Private 21

Cowens, John Private 30

Campbell, James Private 29

Davis, Alfred Private 23

Davis, Charles H. Private 23

Dayton, William Private 28

Dean, John Private 28

Everhart, Frederic E Private 20

Everitt, John Private 42

Frazier, George A Private 18

Frank, George Private 23

Foster, Joseph Private 20

Foster, Robert Private 22

Fleming, Henry H Private 21

Good, Thomas C Private 33

Goudy, William A Private 20

Gilchrist, John B Private 24

Howard, William W Private 30

Harris, Washington W Private 23

McGilton,William Private 21

Kimberland, Henry C Private 19

Kimberland, Cornelius H Private 26

Krider, Theodore Private 26

Leazear, James Private 21

Miller, John Private 21

Melvin, William H Private 18

Martin, William J Private 36

McGrew, Anderson Private 19

MCoy, Samuel Private 20

[page 2]

Mercer, Lewis A Private 19

Mercer, Alfred T Private 18

Nangle, Samuel C Private 21

Noland, Samuel D Private 19

Pillings, Charles Jr Private 22

Palmer, John A J Private 29

Petit, Jeremiah Private 21

Romesh[?] Charles Private 20

Silender, Lewis Private 19

Silender, William Private 24

Shearer, Andrew Private 23

Shriner, William L Private 20

Sprager, Edward Private 18

Smith, William H H Private 29

Sample, Richard P Private 20

Slaugherty, Patrick Private 19

White, William Private 21

White, George M Private 21

Letizcus, Richard Private 26

I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That this Muster Roll exhibits the true state of Captain

Thomas C. Park’s Company of the first for the period herein

mentioned; that each man answers to his own proer name in person; and

that the remarks set opposite the name of each officer and soldier are accurate\and just.

Thos C Park

Capt. 1st Regt. Va. foot vols

Commanding the Company

DATE: May 16/61

STATION: Wheeling, Va

Regt.Va. foot volunteers

I CERTIFY, On HONOR, that I have carefully examined the men whos names

are borne on this Roll, their horses, and equipments, and have accepted them

into the service of the United States for the term of Three

Months
from this

Sixteenth day of May 1861

James Oake

Maj 2nd Regt. U. S. Cavlry

Mustering Officer

DATE: May 16/61

STATION: Wheeling Va

I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have at Wheeling,

on this 27th

day of August, 1861, carefully examined this Roll, and, as far as practicable, caused

the allowances, stoppages, and remarks to be justly and properly stated; and mustered the company for

discharge; and it is hereby honorably discharaed from the service of the United States.

A three month regiment was typical of the early days of the war when both sides believed the conflict would be of short duration and over in a matter of weeks.

MSS 9399

1861 August 27

[From the diary of Eugene M. Cox]

Active preparations are being made at this encampment for defensive operations and an attack is expected here very soon–It is reported and confirmed that Genl. Floyd had a battle yesterday with Col. Tyler’s forces completely routing them and scattering the whole force, killing and taking a large number–The battle was fought on rich Creek, in the neighborhood (I believe) of Summerville–Nothing more of importance transpired to-day–91/2. Taps–lights out and to bed–

Eugene M. Cox, 1833-1855, Private in Albemarle Border and later in Cos. D & I 46th Virginia

MSS 38-221

1861 August 26 Sycolin, Va.

               Sycolin, Aug: 26th 1861.
                 My dear girls,
                                         After leaving you
Thursday morning with a sad heart,
I was soon seated on the cars rolling
away for my distant field of work.
It had not been long before I heard
a scream from a young lady seated in
my rear, after which with convulsive
sobs she said “Oh my brother is dead”!
I ascertained from the conductor that
she was alone & from one of the southern
states going to see her brother sick at
S Moore’s Alb:  upon enquiring of him
about the family, he told her they had
carried up the day before the corpse of
a young man from that place, when
she gave the scream – For one hour
she cried as if her her [sic] heart would
break, after which she reached her
destination.  Poor girl I wept freely

[page 2]
for her. Oh! who can tell the sorrows
that must ring the hearts of thousands
on account of this war!  It is thought
that there are over ten thousand of our
soldiers sick in the Armies of Manassas
I reached my destination that night, and
next morning mounting Billy made for
my appointment the Grove.  Reached
Helmswood Friday night and had satur-
day to prepare my sermons for Sunday
While I write the cannon are booming
on the Potomac a few miles the other
side of Lees burg.  They were firing yester-
day and one of our men from Richmond
was killed, and some wounded so I hear
Don’t know how many of the enemy
are killed.  The enemy in small squads
have been coming over and our men
have moved to the rises to stop it.
Well my children, I reckon er’e you
receive this you will be with Cousin
Lizzie and at work among y’r books
I wanted to say more to you, but

[page 3]
it did not seem to come to my mind
sad as I felt.  But if you both can
realize this great anxiety that I feel for
y’r welfare, you will try to accomplish all
you can in the way of studying, as well
demean y’rselves with strict propriety in
every thing.  Remember my dear Bettie
what I told you about – “notions”: I could
say no more, yet I think you understood
me.  Be particular about y’r clothes, and
attend to Cousin Lizzie’s directions about
rules of deportment &C  Above all my
child don’t forget y’r prayers.  Oh! I
do want you to be an exemplary Christian
[-]. You must not fail to pray because
you don’t feel like it.  That is the very
time you ought to pray & pray until you
do feel like it.  May God bless my child
and help her by his Spirit & cause her
heart to love the blessed Savior! – My dear
[-] try to keep [-] temper, and re-
member the last words of y’r dear mother
as she laid her thin hands on both y’r

[page 4]
and committed you to God’s care.  Oh:
my child! Are you not going to try & meet
her in heaven?  You cannot begin the
preparation too soon.  Y’r heart is now
young & tender, and it will be easy to
give it to God now while if you wait
it will be growing harder & colder until
all inclination will be gone – Say y’r prayers
regularly & read y’r bible, and remember
y’r father when you both pray.  The times
are ominous of great events and we
will need all this religion we can get
Pray for you’r country, and for the sick
Soldiers at Manassas   they are burying them
every day.  My heart bleeds when I think
of the suffering – Write as soon as you
can after getting this, and direct to
Upper ville – After that to Hamilton
Give my love to Cousins J & L & children
& Uncle Wm & family –
                       Affectionately
                                Y’r father
                                     R.W. Watts.

Robert W. Watts,  1825-1910, Methodist minister who served several churches in central Virginia.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 809                      

1861 August 26

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond]

Today, remarkably pretty.

Received the news that Gen.

Johnson gained a victory

over the Northern forces

in Loudoun Co. took 1700

prisoners, of the enemy.

England acknowledged

the Independence of the

Southern republic – Also

some prospect for peace.

Nothing took place in camp

of interest.

Confederate soldier in the Dixie Greys, Co. E of the 42nd Virginia

There was a Confederate victory on August 26 at Kessler’s Cross Lanes in Nicholas County West Virginia. General John Floyd, not Johnson, was the Confederate commander.

England did not acknowledge the independence of the Confederacy on this or any other date (though on another diplomatic front on August 26 King Kamehameha IV did proclaim the neutrality of the Hawaiian Islands)

MSS 5526

1861 August 26

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox]

Slept well last night–at roll call the full strength of our company was only 19–thus the Corp has from time to time gone on the sick list until it has dwindled down to a mere squad–and many of those on the duty list unable to stand a long march and carry knap-sacs–At 8 A.M. the regiment formed promptly and stood in readiness to march–the wagons moved on before–they had not gotten out of camp bounds when they were ordered to turn back and our orders were countermanded and were dismissed and allowed to pick tents and shelters–It is pretty well understood that we were to have moved in the direction of Summerville, but from some news from Genl. Floyd this change is made–8 o’clock P.M. To the great satisfaction of us all we have this evening gotten 8 nice tents from the department–we can now do much better–have them all pitched and are comfortably fixed–We have prepared our “pay roll” to-day and hope to be paid off in a short time–91/2 P.M. Taps–lights out and to sleep.

Eugene Montraville Cox, 1833-1885, Albemarle Border Guards later Private, Co. D., 46th Virginia Infantry

MSS 38-221

1861 August 26 Camp Vernon

Respected parents and friends

I again seat

myself to write the news I have nothing very

important to write I thought as it was my

birth day I would try and write you wanted

in your last letter to know if needed any thing

I believe I do not need any thing that you can

send me unless you could send me some flag

root in a letter I lost mine it was in my

knapsack I had a small piece in my pocket

and I have not used it all yet we had

one shirt coming to our tents crew and we

drew lots for it and I drew it so I have

two now our new clothes have come and we

shall have them given out in a few days

we are still at work on the fort and we have

begun to cut the woods down six men goes

every day into the woods and of our company

there is about two hundred in the whole

that goes into the woods besides the guard

[page 2]

our sick ones are getting better Keen has

got so to walk out a little but he loos as

though he could not live long but he may

get well again the rest of the sick belonging

to this company are doing nicely I think

that two or three will get discharged as they

are not fit for duty. Tell Washington he

had better not enlist to come out here if he

wants to ever so much for t his is a bad

climate for any one with a caugh like him

we have warm days and very cold nights

when it rains here it comes down steady and

hard, the thunder showers are very heavy the

natives here say that the sickliest part of

the season is past if we are carefull and not

get the fever and ague they say the northern

people are apt to have it about here. Capt Tobie

returned here last Thursday to take command

of his company again and we was very

glad to see him again but I do not think

he will be able to stand the climate his

health is not very good, Lieut Bucknam

is now sick he has not been on duty for two

[page 3]

or three days they say t his morning he is

very sick I do not know what is the

matter with him. I should not wonder if

we had reengagements with the rebels before

a great while one brigade composed of five regts

has marched twords the reels encampment

this morning I suppose with the intention

to attack them we shall know in a few

days our brigade has passed in review before Gen

McLellan I think he is noble and brave man

and he will meet with success I have no

kind of doubt the army place full confidence

in his skill and judgment. I think

befor many days we shall have plenty

of news and then there will be

something to write

Yours in hast

Hiram M. Cash

Private Co K 5th Maine

William A. Tobie, Captain Co. K, 5th Maine

Hamlin T. Bucknam, 1st Lieutenant and later Captain Co. K. 5th Maine

MSS 12916

1861 August 25 Camp at Greenbrier River

Dear Father

We are still encamped here without

the prospect of moving for some time, as it is impossible

for us to advance, on account of the strength of the

position of the enemy on Cheat Mountain, until

Gen. Lee defeats them near Huttonsville and turns

their position, And it is said the enemy are

as strong or stronger than we are, and well

entrenched in the valley in front of Gen Lee, I hear

he intends to advance as soon as the roads are dry

enough for the transportation of bagage and for

artilery, We have had now two dry days, and if

this weather continues we may expect orders to

move forward in a few days. There is some talk

of forming a regiment for Col. Stark, of our two

companies, four companies of Col. Heck’s regiment

which escaped from Rich Mountain, and two other

companies, To which are to be joined Shoemakers

battery and a company of cavalry, In that case

we will be sent over to Gen. Lee’s column and

will no doubt be in any battle that may be

[page 2]

expected soon, Our company are in a very bad

condition, and few others here are any better off,

We have only forty three men present, and of them

there are only twenty five for duty, the rest being

sick with measles and diaraeha, Eighteen were left

in Monterery and have since been sent back to Staunton

all the sick who are here, If wo we will have left

only about thirty men in the company, We all

have plenty of clothing and other necessaries except

over coats, of which there are only sixteen in the

company, The government promises to send us a

supply of overcoats very soon, but they are always

too late in every thing, and the Quartermaster and

subsistance departments are very badly managed,

for instance every regiment has to send back twenty

four miles to Monterey for its provisions.

Tom left here this morning on leave of absence

for home by Staunton, he has been very sick for

a week with intermittent fever and diareaha, and

had become so unwell that the Doctor and I

insisted on his going home, He thought himelf

better this morning but said he had a slight

hemorage, there being some colouring of blood in

his spittle, It was for this reason, that I insisted

[page 3]

on his going home, as this climate is particularly

unfavourable to a diseased condition of the Lungs

He will get to Staunton, Tuesday evening if he is not

obliged to stop on the way from fatigue, as he is

very weak. We procured an ambulance, in which

he is able to recline, as on a bed.

The men who have returned to Halifax on furlow

from the hospital are not under any command, and

I am not responsible to the state for them. I have

received no notice that they are not in the

hospital from the authorities, and therefore to me

they are still there, Those who sent them home

must account to the state for them, It is against

the rules of the service for any officer even the general

to grant a furlow without the recommendation of

both the surgeon and captain commanding the

company, I received yesterday a letter from

Maria, who is now at the home of her uncle Mr

Robert E. Kott in Fauquier she is just recovering

from another convulsion and severe attack of head-

ache, I think, produced by he[r] ride on the cars

from Richmond, We are to have a pay master

here soon I have heard to pay the men up to

the 1st of July, If the government is not more prompt

in paying their army, They will be in danger of

[page 4]

losing it very soon, It is well enough to talk

of patriotism, but men won’t fight without pay,

particularly when they see the government paying

promptly themselves and their favorites above them

I am very well, and find this rough life agrees

with me, But Tom can not stand it, and I

think he ought to resign rather than come here

again, The climate as winter approaches will

certainly give him consumption, and one is always

subject to diareaha in camp. With love to

Eliza and Charlie

Your affectionate Son

Wm. B. Bruce

[Paper folded to envelope size and following note on back]

Thomas Bruce of

Tarover ill, had to

leave camp at Greenbrier

River in ambulance

Died Sep 19 – 1861 at

‘Tarover’

William Ballard Bruce was a captain of Company K in the 20th Virginia Infantry

refers to Lt. Col. Jonathan M. Heck of the 25th Virginia,and possibly to Lt. Col. william Edwin Starke, 1814-1862, of the 53rd Virginia, who was later killeld at Antietam.

MSS 2692