[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Border Guard, Wise’s Legion]

Sunday

Another beautiful Sabbath morning has

dawned upon us and with it come the recollection of our

once happy homes and of all the sweet enjoyments of peace.

Father and brother long to join the sweet communion of

their family circles–Little do those at home know of the

hardships of a soldiers life–actual combat is nothing to

be compared with the other duties, incident to camp life,

such as hunger, thirst, cold, heat and long and toilsome

marches and counter marches–We are not long allowed to

rest on this Holy Day for we have just received orders to

cook up three days’ provisions and pack the same in our

havre sacs and be ready to march at any moment–we know

nothing of our destination–12 o’clock noon–News comes

that an engagement has commenced near “Hawks Nest” — &

we are ordered to form and march toward the scene of

battle–the battalion is in readiness in a few minutes and

we are immediately put in motion–6 o’clock P.M. We were

(1st regiment Col. Richardson’s) marched beyond the “Gap”

a short distance and halted at a point near which were

two cannons planted which we were to support–here we re

mained waiting for orders–the two other regiments went

on in the direction of the fight–As it turned out it was an

attack of the enemy in ambush upon our cavalry under Col.

Davis scouting in that direction –The surprise was complete

doing our cavalry considerable damage–wounding a considerable

number, killing [blank space]

The enemy having disappeared behind their fortification about

“Hawk’s Nest” & we seeing no chance to get an engagement,

our whole Brigade moved back to quarters–This little affair

frustrated for the time, our design of moving in another

direction, for which we had made preparations–7 P.M. Have

orders to be in readiness to march at 8 o’clock tomorrow

morning–9 P.M. All retired to rest—



Eugene M. Cox, Private, 46th Virgnia Infantry.

A reference to the skirmish at Piggots Mill in West Virignia

Col. John Harvie Richardson, 1828-1900, was a pre-war Virignia milita officer and author of an infantry manual. After the war was a Richmond city official and operator of a street car line.

MSS 38-221

My dearest Wife:

My heart was made glad last evening by your

letter which came wit two others from home dated the 20th & 22nd.

I am glad you continue well my dearest and I look upon it as one

of the many blessings our Good Lord heaps upon us at tall times and

especially now when there is so much sickness & suffering all around.

I have some good news for you. Uncle Philip has some business

to be transacted in Richmond and some papers & other things to be

went home & he is going to send me–So you may look out for me

some day this week or the first of the next. I wish to go home

also before I return & shall expect you to go up with me if possible

Or we may stop at Bremo as sister & mother somewhat ex-

pect to pay a visit there soon. How happy I am dear Pink

that I will see you so soon. Then you wont toss about so much

on your sleepless bed–I shall probably not write again before I

see you.

We had an alarm here evening before last, learning that the enemy

was making quite a formidable demonstration near our outer line–

The whole Brigade started off about sundown & marched nearly

six miles in the direction of Fairfax C.H. when an aid of Genl Jackson’s

met our staff telling us it was a false alarm & then all the

poor fellows had to march back to quarters in the night. I certain

-ly congratulated myself then on being on horseback. Uncle P. said

he was more fatigued than he was the day of the battle.

If the enemy moves at all in this direction I do not believe he

will be ready in two weeks more, And I strongly suspect he will

[page 2]

not come at all, but will probably attack some weaker point.

I have a great deal to tell you about which I cannot put

on paper now, and as I may reach you as soon as this

will close now. I am acting as Provost Marshall of this

post and as fast as I begin a sentence some one comes

in for a pass and all my ideas are scattered to the winds.

Writing passes for white people is rather a novel idea at least to the

darkey population.

I thought at one time of surprising you with my little visit

but was afraid of the effects of it. I hope this may reach you

before I come–Good bye my precious my loved wife

take good care of yourself & always love as you do now

Your devoted Husband

P[hilip] B[arraud] C[abell]

My love to Alex. & Jennie & the chldren. Try and be ready to go

up wit me when I come as I shall not remain with your father

longer than I am obliged to

Philip Barraud Cabell, 1836-1904, nephew of General Philip St. George Cocke (to whom he refers in the letter) and grandson of University of Virginia founder General John Harwell Cocke, was one of the few antebellum students at the University of Virginia to obtain a master’s degree. After the war he was a professor at Urbana University in Ohio, and later a minister of a Swedenborgian church in Wilmington Delaware. His wife Julia Calvert Bolling Cabell known as “Pinkie”, had been a popular Virginia belle before her marriage six months previously.

MSS 38-111

Notice

My Brother John Lee Andrews of Houston Texas

requests me to say to the people of Va, that he would

like to exchange lands in Texas for Negros,

Or he wants [to] join any any one who would like to

send there Negros to Texas, in farming there, from

one to ten years, he John Lee Andrews furnishing

the land and they the labour, and divide the

net profits on just and equitable proportions,

he will furnish from 50 to 100,000 Acres, or any

quantity that may be needed for the aforesaid

purposes, this 25th day of August 1861

Samuel Andrews

probably the text for a handbill or newspaper advertisement

MSS 11909

[RD]

Dear Dent

Your favor of the 22nd Inst

by Capt Baker enclosing thirty $30 Dollars

for J. A. Sylvester Selma Ala for

a Coat purchased of him is at

hand – I notice what you say about

Bullock and regret to be compelled to

state that his manner of proceedure in

this matter furnishes me abundant

cause to complain – This however would

not be the case if I was urging him

to pay the amount – or did I ever as much

as expect him to pay all of it next January

(which I am well aware will not be done) – but

when I am simply asking him to give his notes

for,, accts,, that have been standing from one

to two years at the same time being in

possession of the very these a/cs,, [accounts] and they receipted

it certainly is a source of great annoyance

to me – I would not care any thing about

it if the Amount was small – but twelve

or fourteen Hundred dollars being the Amt,,

[page 2]

without Note and the a/cs Receipted and

in his possession is pretty severe.

I cannot see for my life why he

will not give his note for it was

his own proposition to fix it the way

I have – If you cannot get him to

sign the notes send me the memoran-

dum back and I will make it convenient

to suit [or “sue” (word is smeared)] him if he ever comes home.

I dislike very much for a man to

treat me as he has done in this

case. I notice in the Columbus Sun

some Correspondent writing from

Pensacoli says one Mr Roburson from

the 10th Mississippi Reg an editor when

at home is to be shot next Friday

for sleeping at his post – this

I am powerfully ^ ‘sorry’ to hear of – also

another one from his Youthfulness and

inexperience will be punished sixty days

and then ^ ‘be’ Drummed out of Camp

Pretty bad treatment for just taking

a short nap of sleep –

Yours truly

W. H. Locke

William H. Locke Confederate soldier in John Hardy’s “Eufala Minute Men” and Captain George A. Robert’s Co. C., Fourth Battalion, Alabama Cavalry; before and after the war a dry goods merchant in Eufaula, Alabama.

MSS 13485

My Dear Wife

Having an opportunity of

sending a letter I propose to write a few

lines that you may know of our progress.

Your letter of the 12 inst came to hand

on the 23rd and although I found extreme

pleasure in reading it, yet it had been

on the road such a time that I hard-

-ly realized that I had heard from

the loved ones. Many sad scenes have

occurred since I last wrote you. ( 17th inst)

A very melancholy death occurred in our

Company since that time. I refer to

Charly Robinson’s brother. His body has

been sent home, and will probably

reach Winnsboro [N.C.] Tuesday. He was a

very warm friend of mine, and I

with the whole Company deeply regret to

chronicle the event. It will be a very

severe blow upon his parents as they

will only have heard of his sickness. There

are many deaths occurring in the Regiment

and at this time some Companies number

-ing 80 men ^ ‘before we left home’ can scarcely parade 25 effective

men. The measles and Typhoid fever seem

to be the prevailing diseases. Dan Smith is

still quite low and little or no hopes are

entertained of his recovery. Since I last

wrote you, (last Friday) our Genl received

orders to hold his Command in readiness

to march at a moments warning- This

order was issued to each of the regiments

and at 3 0Clock on Friday the long roll

was beaten, and the Brigade consisting of

four Regiments moved forward in the direc-

tion of Fall’s Church some eight miles

distant, where we expected to encounter

the enemy in considerable force. When

about half way we were ordered to

the right about as the enemy had fallen

back in the direction of Arlington Heights.

Our force moving forward that afternoon

and right from different points – but

centering at one point was said to

be 50.000 men. Numbers of Brigades

were behind and to the right and left of us

and one or two in front which we were

to support in the event of an attack.

We are still under the same orders to hold

ourselves in readiness to move forward.

The night of our return we reached our Camp

at 12 Oclock. From the signs of the times some-

thing very decisive may take place in the course

of the next month. I do not feel so sanguine

about peace as I did some time ago, yet there

is a change taking place throughout the North

which will speak out sooner or later. I very

much fear that many severe engagements

will yet take place before this change will

make itself prominent.

I regret sorely that

I have not got your likeness and the children’s.

It would be a source of endless joy to

have them, for I can scarcely tell in my

mind how you and the little jewels look.

If an opportunity should occur do not

fail to have them taken and sent to me.

Wm Creight has not yet reached here.

We understand he left home last Monday.

I expect a letter and some other tricks by

him. I want you to get me some of the

heavy brown jeans and make me [-] pr of

drawers. Get the thickest to be had. Tell Will

to write me soon. As the young man

who is to carry this is about to leave I must

close. Mr McCants is quite hearty together

with Mr. Glenon. The boys generally are all

well. Johnny wrote to recently. Give much love

to all friends, and accept the pure affection

of your aff husband

J.M. Phinney

This is written very hastily you must

Excuse its appearance

I will probably write again during

the week write soon

James M. Phinney, 1833-1862 Confederate officer from Winnsboro, S. C., in the Boyce Guards militia and the 6th Infantry Regiment; killed in action at Fair Oaks.

MSS 12661

[reply to the August 21 letter of Alfred Beckley]

Respt referred to Genl. J. B.

Floyd Commd Army of Kanawha

with copy of reply, who is directed

to give such orders as may be

necessary in the case

R E Lee

Genl commd

Original letter tiped in “Four years with General Lee” by Walter H. Taylor

E470.2 .T25 1878 COPY 1

                                                   August 25th 1861
                                                    Berwicks’ Bay La

          Dear Pa
                                             we arrived here this
morning about 4 o’clock, we left Houston on the 15
on the cars and arrived at the Bermont a little town
where we got on the Boat, the Boat left there about
5 oclock in the evening fro Niblets Bluff we arrived there
the next morning at 4 oclock, the River that we came
down on was a beautiful one large enough for most
amy size steamer to as it was the Niches we came
down it, into the Sabine bay we got in the bay
about 12 oclock and got on a boat trying to get
into the mouth of the Sabine, but got off as soon
as it was lite, and went on up to Niblets Bluff
a little place on the La side, we stoped there
one day & to make preparations to go on we all left
a foot the next morning we had not quite teams enough
bout our officers soon got enough for all we had a pretty
dry time for a day or two but after that we were not dry
a single time until we got Berwic we were 11 days
coming over an I believe it rained every day while
we were out we slept on wet blankets every night
very often we would have to wade places that run
up to our arms and never less than our up to our nees
the last three days I had a chill every day I was wal-
king along in the ranks and a very hard rain came

[page 2]
up and I had one of the hardest agues that abody
ever did have, I will have to bring my letter to
a close we will leave in a short time for
New Orleans I have miss my chill for the
last 2 days I think I will get well now, I
dont know whether you can read this it or not
there are about 500 men talking, write
soon give my love to all

yours Respectfully
A S Roberts

[possibly A S Roberts of the 4th Texas Infantry]


MSS 10207

[From the diary of Eugene M. Cox, of the Border Guard, Wise Legion]

9 A.M.

Spent the night very comfortably–arose this morning much refreshed–From what we can learn it is probably that we will remain here for some time and it is to be hoped that we will be able to get all of our necessary equipments before we move again but experience has taught us that there is no certainty in movements of a military campaign, especially in a mountainous country like this with so large a number of points to guard and comparatively a small force with which to do so. Men are all washing their clothes which have gotten quite dirty since we left the “White”–We have a beautiful place for camp and have plenty of good water and wood, things very necessary to the comfort of an army–p P.M. Spent the day very agreeably–and are now preparing for sleep–by 9 1/2 P.M. Taps–out must go our lights.

MSS 38-221

[The following is a printed form filled out by hand]



INVOICE of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores turned over by me this 24

day of August 1861

Capt Wood Asst

Quartermaster C. S. Army, for transportation to Capt Cocke

Capt. C C Cocke

Camp Magruder

NO.

44 Boxes

2 Kegs

CONTENTS

294 Rounds 6 pdr Shot

238 ” 6 ” Sph[erical] Case

70 ” 6 ” Canister

24 Spare Cartidges

900 Friction Primers

43 Yds Slow Match

43 Port fires

]



I certify that the above Invoice is correct.

W N Smith

Mil[itary] Store Keeper

CSA

MONTGOMERY Richmond August 24th 1861

Cary C. Cocke was in command of the Fluvanna Artillery.

In the above list the six pounder Shot refers to heavy iron cannonballs. Early in the war the Confederate artillery used these rounds which were no match against the Union 12 pounders. By 1862 these 6 pounders were melted down and recast as 12 pounder Napoleons. The Spherical Cases were round shells filled with balls and powder. The Canisters were Civil War “anti-personnel weapons” consisting of cans filled with balls and powder designed to explode as soon as they left the cannon’s bore. Of all the artillery they were the most dangerous and feared. Friction primers were hollow metal tubes about 3 inches long and 1/4 inch wide filled with gunpowder. A pin with a serrated edge was pushed through two holes drilled in the top. One end of the pin had a loop which was attached to a 6 inch rope lanyard. The tube was inserted into a vent at the back end of the cannon’s barrel and from there into the bore. When the lanyard was yanked the pin was drawn across the top creating a spark which ignited the powder inside the tube and threw a flash down the barrel to explode the powder behind the shot and propel the shot out of the cannon. These friction primers represented the most advanced technology available. But the armies were still using older technology to ignite the charges, hence the distribution of slow match and portfires. The conclusion from the list is that Cocke’s “Fluvanna Artillery,” along with being armed with small and easily-outmatched 6-pounder guns, was occasionally firing those pieces with technology that was literally decades old. [with thanks to Albemarle County, Va., Civil War historian Rick Britton.]

MSS 640

My darling Jennie

The alarm last evening turned out

to be nothing & we returned to camp after

dark–I send Billy with this–I will meet

you on Monday at the Junction & will bring you

down or have a first rate fight about it.

Bring the children along & leave Martha Ann

behind Billy can attend to you very well

Bring 2 maps with you & the things I mentioned

or at least as many as you can you will not

[need?] any fine clothes.

Affectionately yours

E.T.H. Warren

MSS 7786-g