[from the diary of Wesley Hammond, Confederate soldier in the Dixie Greys (42nd Virginia, Co. E.)]

Read 26 chapters in bible 25

and 20 pages in Milton’s Paradise

Lost. in evening battalion

drill and dress parade. Good

deal of grumbling in Camp about

something to eat. Day – beautiful.

Nothing of interest transpired

in camp to day.

MSS 5526

My dear sister

Yesterday I received at Manassas

your kind & affectionate letter. I found the box also

at Manassas, and we got that brought over last

night and have its most acceptable contents now

added to our otherwise scant camp stores–

What touches my heart most in all this my

dear sister, on the consideration that at the

very moment you are parting with your

husband to take his part in this cruel war

you are still mindful of me that you have

thought & care & time for others at such a

moment–But your whole unselfish life

should have taught me–that such a moment

would be the way in which the unbounded

and all pervading sympathies of your nature

would gush forth in unbounded profusion

throughtout the whole sphere of life & friends

for which it has ever been you study and your

part to live, to cheer and to make happy.

I mean not to flatter–but I say from the fullness

of my conviction and my heart that you are

one of the women of which our glorious South

has so many & so noble–who can not fail

to [raise?] up men who will never be conquered

[page 2]

who may be exterminated but who will die fighting

worthy of the pure and noble women who will ever

regard disgrace & dishonour as far worse than

death–But my sister let me not oppress

you with these grave thoughts-that have been

inspired at the moment by the little token

of your noble nature–valued for the moral

they carry, the sympathies they awaken,

the recollection of [?] home they stimulate

in the midst of the rude scents of war

which surround us—

I have had no letter from Charles since he marched

for Richmond with his company–He has chosen

a very useful & efficient arm of the service

and I trust will in time wield it with effect

should the war be protacted–Our confederate

artillery in the late great battle did far more

[execution?] owing to the bravery coolness & skill of our

men and officers–than did that of the enemy

not withstanding he was much more numerous

well appointed & far shooting

I must tell you that the great battle was

fought not at “Manassas” but five miles from the

place of that name and so the ground occupied pre-

vious to & up to the beginning of the battle solely by my

own brigade I command ^’other portions of the army coming up [?]’ I was myself under

fire of artillery or small arms from the beginning

[page 3]

to the end of the battle–John was also the whole

time either at my side or carrying orders from one

part of the field to another and always under

fire, sometimes of the hottest character–The

sound of flying cannon & musket balls is familiar

to our ears and yet we escaped untouched–

This was but one of the thousand [?]

[?] [?] when manifested in that glorious

battle & victory–

In time you will have a full & true account of

the battle–the news paper writers are now

puffing themselves and their friends–and giving

many false & erroneous accounts of the battle–

I have sent in my report to Genl. Beauregard

of the part taken by my command–a full report

in 21 pages of letter paper and a synopsis of the

full report in four pages–In time this will

be published–I preserve a copy of this for

my own family & friends –now deposited with

my friend Mr Wm. H. Macfarland at Richmond

for safe keeping–

I know not when if ever I shall return

home– it has been my fortune to be placed

in the front line here from the beginning–First in

Alexandria & since that time with Genl Beaure-

gard’s advanced forces–The enemy has

been greatly demoralized by the defeat–but is

[page 4]

no doubt renewing his efforts to recover and to carry

on the war with all his might–On our side similar

preparations of course are going on–

Let the women and the men of the South continue

to do their parts in the heroic spirit already

manifested and the result may confidently

left to the hands of that just & overruling

Providence Who so far has so clearly mani-

fested his power on our side—

With love to all our dear ones at

Bremo I remain dear Lucy

very affectinately

yr brother

Philip St Geo Cocke

Mrs. L.C. Cocke

Bremo

MSS 640

My Dear Father

Your letter of the 12th came to hand this morning I was glad that you

received my letter. in regard to postage, we have had to pay it untill within three

days that is the reason I wrote for some now all letters are sent free, in your

letter you say that Camp life in your estimation is better than being in business at the present time, now as for myselfe I like Camp life although there are A great many unpleasant things connected with it,if it was not for my Wife & child that I leave at home I should be contented enough there are a great many things to make Camp life enjoyable among the unpleasant things are rainy days. we have to get up at 1/2 past four in the morning breakfast at five oompany drill at one halfe past five company drill at nine & then we have nothing to do untill six in the afternoon when we have battalion drill & street firing & dress parade at seven still roll call at eight taps at nine when all lights are put out & all retire. you will excuse me if this letter is short for I do not know what to write about as the Camp is A poor place for news we know nothing of movements of Troops, we never know when we shall be ordered to March untill we are ordered & then we know not where we are going untill we are all ready to start. I think we shall stop in baltimore untill the latter part of Sept we may be ordered off tomorrow we cannot tell all we have to do is to be ready whenever ordered Wednesday the old members were paid off from the ninth of May to the first of July the new recruits will not be paid off untill Oct or Nov it is now three days since they were paid off & some of the men have not got A cent left that is the way it works, of course among so many there will be some black ones & they give A great deal of trouble but as a general thing the Regiment behave remarkably well at any rate they have A good name in Balt9imore it looks strange to me not to hear A cheer when we are marching through the streets as we do every afternoon. yesterday there was more cheering than at any other time the People seem to be affraid to speak what they wish. we have A great many visitors int he Camp every day & Sunday it is crowded. I have had an invitation out to dinner, as yet I have not been out of Camp except on parade, the Union People are verry attentive to our wants & do every thing for us. you would be surprised to see the number of men out of employ the Camp is full of them every day pedling every description of goods one thing I must say of Baltimore is the best place to buy things cheap that I was ever in Fruit & everything else is as Cheap as dirt. I thought that New York was A cheap place but Baltimore beats it I recd ten cents in the letter also twenty five in your first letter for which I thank you verry much. I know that if you had you would give you dont know what A few cents will do here sometimes we do not get enough to eat we know we do not get what is allowed

us but we cannot help it & we do the best we can some one makes money out of us that is certain remember me to all from your Son

George

Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George Leavitt of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: “because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid.” Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.

MSS 66

My dear Pa:

We were glad to see Harry on Thurs-

day as also to receive the letter from home

which he delivered safely. From accounts

which we had rec d. of the dignitary’s course

at home our mess had become somewhat

uneasy about him and was agreeably

surprised at his unsuspected punctuality.

In his absence we managed between us to

get along very well and fare about as

[less?]curiously as when we enjoyed his superb

cooking; but we all attended to the kitchen

department with great reluctance and

we had become considerably spoilt by

having a waitman. I was appointed chief

cook on one occasion and Jas. Winston as

“sub”; with Ma’s receipt for bread and the

little experience acquired in camp togeth-

er with instinctive faculties, we fared sump-

tuously. Winston Payne is our commissary and

his untiring efforts and energies often furnishes

us with as good meals as one could wish.

We have about consumed the contents of

the boxes sent by Crockett, having enjoyed

them greatly. Harry was not so fortunate

with his boxes as Crockett and had to leave

[page 2]

them at the Junction as there were no wagons

of our regiment there when he arrived.

Mr. Kennon went up to-day to see about

them and I hope will return with them

safely tomorrow. It is probably well that Ma

and sister did not trouble themselves about

fixing a box for us as others in our mess

had provisions sent them and it is better

not to have too much on hand at once,

both because it would not keep so well and

in case of a move would be inconvenient

to carry and consequently have to be left.

We are greatly obliged to them for their continued

unceasing efforts to provide for our comforts

since we entered service and feel more forcibly

every day that there are few fellows in serv-

ice more blessed and highly favored than we.

In his letter to Sister John doubtless told

you that our regiment has been payed

up to the 1st July. Of course there was

great rejoicing among the men as some

really needed funds and all thought that

they ought to be well paid for their labors

and sacrifices. As an evil consequence of the

payment there is a great deal of gambling

carried on which has been forbidden here-

tofore from lack of funds. In our own com-

pany there are no few who today as I have

[page 3]

good reason to believe have been gambling

constantly. Ed received forty eight dollars

and I, unexpectedly, twenty six; John

recd. twenty nine dollars. As we will have

but little use for the whole amount in

Camp we expect to send some home by the

first opportunity which we hope will not

be unacceptable. Ed purchased a splendid Yan-

kee overcoat yesterday for thirteen dollars;

I bought one for twelve & a half – The coats of

themselves are richly worth the amounts in

times of peace but the associations have

rendered them more valuable. Captain

M. bought one also and gave fifteen for

it……Jno. L. Johnson paid us a visit

today; he looks well. Jno. Daniel came to

see us yesterday; spent night before last at

Fall’s Church – reports all quiet in that vicin-

ity. Will Jones stays with us a great deal; has

applied for a transfer to a Cavalry company and

will probably get it – will join Capt. Davis’ Co.

which is now quartered at the C.H.

It will amuse you to hear that John

was put on double duty last night for sleep-

ing too late in the morning & consequently

failing to answer at roll call – As there is

an abundance of tents now & our’s was crowded

Ed and I have moved into another & could not

[page 4 ]

wake him up in time. We can hear

cannonading here every day and there

was a rumor yesterday there was

a considerable ^ ‘fight in the’ vicinity of Leesburg –

I hardly know what to say about the truth

of the rumor. Please send for our mess

and with them an account of the follow-

ing articles: 1 Doz Tin Plates; 1 Doz cheap Knives

& Forks; ½ Doz Tea spoons; 2 Tin Pans diff. in sizes

and about [-] deep; One 1 ½ ga. Coffee Boil-

er; 1 Large Tin Cup for Ed and one for Garrett.

I commenced writing with the inten-

tion of finishing a “long letter but have

just been detailed for guard and must

close. Please send the things as soon as you

can. I see no probability of our moving

any time soon. We are getting on very

well – all the company are satisfied

and contented here. With much

love to you all and all of our good

neighbors & hoping that some of you will

write soon, I remain

Your Aff. Son

F. Pendleton Jones

F. W. Jones Esq.} Ma omitted to send sister

Page’s letter – mentioned in her

last.

MSS 13407

Dear father and mother

I drop you a few lines

to let you know that I

am well and I hope theas

few lines will find you

injoying the same bless-

ing I landed in richmond

on wednesday evening.

we air fairing verry well

we get beef & bacon & rice

sugar & coffee I like the

camp life fine there

air 30000 troops here now

I seen more cannons

than you could shake a

stick at I seen goats by

the whole sale our capt

is going to get us all the

things that we need

I dont know how long

we will stay here tha

[page 2

re throwing breast works

up all around richmond

but I am not a helping

tha have got 1000 negroes

at it I have seen the

very yankeys prisners I will

have my likeness taken

and send it out by

col sperry you know more

a bout when tha are a fight

ing than I do we he[a]r no

news some of our company

air a little sick but non

air in the hauspitle we

have not got our arms

we dont drill much

we have a regiment of

frenchmen we may form

regiment here at richmon

dear father I hope you

air getting a long fine

with the old gun capt

Breckinridge will send

[page 3]

me home when I get

sick dear mother

I read my bible twice

a day. dear father If

on earth no more I

see prepair to meat me

In heaven dear brother

prepair to meat me in

heaven give my best

respects to all my

inquireing friends

now I must bring

theas few lines to a close

write to me soon

direct your letter

to camp [?]

tion in care of capt

Breckenridge richmond

Va

I hope to remain

yours dear father

and mother untill

deat[h]

[page 4]

tell Mr hamilton

James and are well

James B Painter

tell my girl

howdy for me

ha ha ha



Corporal, Co. K 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment

MSS 10661

Dear Cousin

Your two

servants will leave

here tomorrow for

home, after having per-

formed most efficient

and valuable service

to the Hospital. For

this important aid

you have, as you

deserve, our warmest

[page 2]

thanks, and from

the poor men who

most benefitted by

it, gratitude too deep

for words. May

God reward you &

yours.

Philip made

us a flying visit

on his way to the

seat of war looking

remarkably well, even

though sad from the

[page 3

painful parting he

had passed through

at home, otherwise

bright and hopeful.

If his valor is in any

proportion to his good

looks, he will be a

fine addition to our

noble army. That

he may return to you

in safety, & full of

honors, is my earnest

wish. The Dr. left for

[page 4]

Richmond this morning

on important business.

With kind remembrances

to all around you

I am very truly yours

M[argaret] W Cabell

N[athaniel] F[rancis] Cabell Esqr

[beneath Margaret Cabell’s signature N.F. Cabell has written:]

July 17th Martha & Margaret went by the cars to Char-

lottesville to nurse the sick & wounded soldiers.

Aug. 6 Martha came home to see my daughter Betty

who had been taken suddenly ill, but soon

got better & out of danger.

8th Martha returned to Charlottesville.

17th Both returned home.

MSS 38-111

[from the diary of Harrison B. Jones, 33rd Virginia Infantry]

Today was cool and

pleasant. there was a

report in camp to day

that there was fight near

Leesburg; about 700 hun

dred killed taken

prisoners & several killed

of the enemy

The only action in Virginia the previous week was a skirmish near Grafton, now W. Va.

As Grafton is about 100 miles from Leesburg, the “report in camp” was probably an unfounded rumor

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond, Confederate soldier in the Dixie Greys (42nd Virginia, Co. E.)]

Day rather cold – read 6

chapters in bible and from

100 to 120th page in Milton

Paradise Lost – at night was

Corporal of guard to guard

the provision house night

very cool –

MSS 5526

My Dear Creek

As Mr Homan is going to start

home this morning I avail myself of the opportunity

of letting you know that I have perfectly recovered

my health (and strength almost) and intend

joining the Regiment again tomorrow. I

have been very kindly treated since I have been

here, I believe the smiles of the Ladies has done

more for me than anything else. Now dont

get jealous, for I never see a kind Lady or a

pretty one but I think of you, and wish you

were with me. Before I came to this place I had

not seen a Lady in 5 or 6 weeks and it was almost

a novel sight for me to see one, but it did not

take me long to get used to them again, but I found

that Camp life had almost done the little

etiquette of which I was possessed out of my

head, and I had to commence anew but i

was a pretty apt Scholar and got along finely.

[page 2]

I have received your letter of the fourth, and was

truly glad to hear from you. you say you have some

cotton socks for me, they are all I want–I have

some very fine woollen ones which I got out of a

Yankee Box which we found after the Battle,

if you can get any heavy grey flannel I should

like you make me two shirts to wear outside in

winter.–Homan or any of our men who are at

home can tell you how they are made, make

them long as a common shirt with sleeves

and colar the same, if you cant get grey

Blue or Pink or any other colar will do so it is

flanel. Poor Lany Reids corpse starts home

this morning, it is really distressing to see so

many noble and gallant young men dying as

there is here, at this place, there is not short

of three thousand sick and wounded in the

village at present, most of the sick have

Measals or Typhoid fever. I feel very much

distressed about Lany he was a favourite with

all of the Regiment who knew him. Robert Keys

is also very sick here in hospital he has had

Pneumonia and altho he has got rid of it

[page 3]

to some extent, yet he is far from being out

of danger, if you see his father let him know

this and say to him I think some one had

better come on and take care of him as the attention

paid to the sick in Hospital is no better than it

should be and with good care Bob would soon

get will, with bad attention his case is a

doubtless[sic] one. You must not fall out with

me for writing you such short letters paper cant

be got in this town for neither love nor money

scarcely, but I have plenty in camp and when

I get back their I will write you long letters

again. I heard from William yesterday he is

well, the Health of my Company is Better

than any in the Regiment–more of my men

being fit for duty than any others

Kiss our little Darling for me and tell her

Papa will soon come home to see her,

and bring her pretties dear little angel how

I do want to see her I never see a little dhild

but I have to speak to it. Write me often and

let me know all the news give my Regards to all

our friends and believe me Your

William

[page 4]

I send a God Dollar to make a pin

for Little Maggie

4th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)

MSS 10366

Dear Father

As I have no use for my revolver

and under shirts I thought I would send them home

as it makes such a gig load in my knapsack

I allso send you two 2 Photographs of our tent

one for you and one for Henrietta you can have

them framed if you want. The 2 that are marked

ADB are mine. the other 2 are John Pollards you

will please give them to Eleazer Clute in Green

street and tell them that John sent them. I

write this in the Express Office so you must

excuse the writing. I will write more about

it when I get to Camp I have not had a letter

from you in two weeks I sent one to you a week

ago last Wednesday write as soon as you get

this We moved Camp this morning about 1

mile from our former one near fort Ellsworth

Give my love to all the folks

From Your Aff. Son

AD Barhydt

Andrew D. Barhydt, 18th New York Infantry. Barhydt, 19 years old, enlisted May 2, 1861, at Schenectady; mustered in as corporal Co. E, May 17, 1861, to serve two years; reduced, date not stated; mustered out with company May 28, 1863, at Albany, N. Y.

MSS 8979-l