[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio Infantry]
Played as usual. Thad and I
went down to Head Quarters to
get Carpet sacks left there by Will
received papers & Envelop also
Revolver caps
MSS 10317
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio Infantry]
Played as usual. Thad and I
went down to Head Quarters to
get Carpet sacks left there by Will
received papers & Envelop also
Revolver caps
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Francis G. Hale, Co. F, 34th Ohio Zouaves]
I woke up this morning
and felt tolerable well but
was awful sore we are
in a new house that has not been finished
yet we slept very well we
had hay to sleepe on and
it felt like a fea ther
bed to us or to me at least
the boys are in good health
this morning and are
flying round like every
thing getting breakfast &c
I was put on a picket to day
a bout a mile from
camp we can hear
the drumes from
camp every now an
then we are put clost
to a house by a straw
stack we got some apples
as we come a long to
eat there is eight of
us here we went to the house to
get our dinner we had a good
dinner as I have eat
since I left home
the man of the houase
comes out and talks to
us he looks like old Billy
Chinneth he has a hair
lip he is a first rate fellow
there is two girls at the house
we will have to stay here
till to morrow morning
there is three more of our
picketed up the road
farther toward camp
one of them shot his
self just now he had his
foot on the hammer
of the gun and went to
turn aroun his gun slipt
of of a pile of a boards he was
standing on the gun dischar
ged the ball entered his
fored a bout an inch above
his right eye and went
out at the top of his
head taring an awfull
hole I have to stay in
his place now here he
looks awfull his brain
is all runing out and
the blood is runing out
fast he is not dead
yet but will die soon
he is not quite incen
cible yet he took his
letters out of his pocket
and handed them out
to lieutenant Nesbit
he gave them to the chap
lain he has no brother
or relations to weepe
for him here there is not
a tear shead for him
he was not mutch loved
by the boys but was a
tolerable good boy for all
that how shure is the
old saying that in the midst
of life we are in death
they cam out with a two
horse waggeon and took him
to camp there is no doctor
here to attend to him he
will have to suffer untill
he is sent for 18 miles and comes
MSS 13405
We returned from Picket late in
the day on Tuesday. Was notified the same
evening that I was to prepare for a grand
parade of all the Virginia Regiments to Re-
ceive from the hands of the Governor
a flag. We had a grand parade &
I made the best show I could with
the Regiment, but of course a Regim-
ent is like a smart child always doing
worse when you want it to do
best. Yet on the whole dont know
that I had much cause to com-
plain. I had a very pleasant time
on Picket–good order so much so
that I brought the Regiment in camp
without having a single stragler[sic]–the
first time such a thing was ever
done. I have just had a muster
& inspection preparations for four
months pay and am now in re-
ceipt of an order to prepare the
Regiment for review by the Gov
this afternoon–so you see I am
kept very busy and am afraid
I will not have time to write
you such a letter as I desire. Col
Gibbons is still sick & starts home to
day. Genl Elzie[sic] told me when I ap-
plied for his time, the Regiment could
not be left in better hands–though he
was sorry to part with any of his
officers–A very high compliment to
[page 2]
come from a man who so seldom pays
them, dont you think so. I will endeavor
to so manage the Regiment as to deserve
it. I fully appreciate my darling Jennie
your situation and I know your delicate
modesty–Yet I can think of nothing better
for you than to go to Frascatti. There is
the place for you & there you will receive
all the kindness which brothers sisters
& father can bestow–as soon as you
get settled I would write for Jennie Mot
son to come & stay with you. and you
will have a pleasant & quiet time un-
til after X Mass–about which time the
work of the organizing the Virginia
forces will commence and then I in-
tend to apply for a Colncy Comn which
of itself will send me home to reorgan
ize–but if I fail in that, then I will
ask to be sent on that duty as Lt Col
and Genl Elzie[sic] will I know give me
a good endorsement for either. So I
really hope to be with you at any
rate as early as February & may be
before that time. Why did you
not take the old plume & trim your
bonet[sic]–take any thing I know that
you can use for either yourself or
children or if you want to give it
away I have no
scholding
scolding
for you my dear darling wife and
well do you know it–I love you to
day more than the night our destinies
were united & expect to do so as long
as we live
affectionately
E T H Warren
The flag referred to as received “from the hands of the Governor” is now on display at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, Dayton, Va. This flag has a dark blue body with the seal of the Commonwealth painted on a white disc in the center. It is one of the many flags issued by the Commonwealth to Virginia units during the War. John P. Mann, IV
MSS 7786-g
Dear brother [Wilson Miles Cary]
I enclose you a
letter Aunt Mary sent us today
from Pa–I cannot understand
why they did not write to us by
the same opportunity but such is
a sorrowful fact. I left the Hill
last Friday, Mr. Carroll put me
on the Mail Car in Charlottesville
and I had a charming tête-à-tête with
Mr. Pritchard the agent until we
reached Gordonsville; while there
as I was leaning out of the window
I was suddenly accosted by a young
man whom I never remembered
seeing before–“Miss Cary excuse
the liberty I am taking I am Mr Crane
[page 2]
an old neighbor of yours in Balto.-
have just left that place on Wednes
day last and thought you would
like to hear from home.” I welcomed
him with outstretched arms (figurative
ly speaking) and immediately invited him
in–he told me he had seen Ma the
day we left, coming out of the school
yard, that she looked very well, as
did all the rest of the family–although
afraid to let them know she was coming
to Va.–he took particular care to
inform himself of their separate well-
fare—-He reported Dr. Robinson & cousin
John Brune as having escaped to
Canada-said Federal hill was
all cut up and fortified and that
there were six fortified camps around
the city–I was mighty sorry not
to see him longer, for it was so
interesting to talk to him but he had
[page 3]
some things to attend to and so
left me–On his departure I again
occupied my place at the window
and had the intense pleasure of
meeting once more Capt. da Ponte
one of Van Dorne’s aides, whom we
met coming up from Baylors and
of whom I think Het wrote you–
he joined me immediately and
entertained me most charmingly
until we reached Orange C. H.
He is one of the editors of the New Orleans
Delta and wrote a piece about us,
bringing in my encounter with the
Yankee and several other things &
winding up with a grand flourish
about our being grand nieces of the
illustrious Jefferson &c &c–it was
copied into one of the Petersburg papers
and brought to us by a friend–
Quite [charming?] was it not? how
[page 4]
he found out all these things I
dont know, we certainly did not
tell him–Mercer me at the
C. H. and I have been here ever
since–On Sunday we drove over
expecting to meet Het and South
Lemmon, the former only came
bringing with her your most
delightful letter which I need
scarcely tell you I devoured–She
brought also a quantity of Battle
Flags which we have been diligently
working on ever since–they are
beautiful and Het intends sending
hers which is especially handsome
to Gen. Johnston! Monday evening
Banks came to see us; he stayed
all night and carried Het off
the next morning down to Wise’s
She came back today and seems
to have had a most charming
[page 5]
time. In the Mail car she met
as usual the greatest quantity
of people, Gov. Letcher, Capt
Imboden Gen Taylor and a
host of others all of them insisted
on our coming down and paying
another visit to camp–We received
a letter today from Capt. da
Ponte in which there is a req
uisition from Gen VanDorne for
us to come down and pay them
a visit offering us their residence
& saying he will appoint us on his
staff and give us an escort of
cavalry–and that we shall have
a splendid time. Would it not
be charming? So near you too
Mrs. Col. Hill offers to matronize
us so you must not be astonished
to receive a visit from us.
[page 6 ]
South Lemmon arrived today. I
suppose you know that he has
been very sick and was sent up
to the hospital at the University
Dr Warren gave him a furlough
immediately and he took advan
tage of Mrs. Slaughters invitation
and joined us here. Poor boy
he looks just as if he were in a
galloping consumption. I hope
a change of air & fare will do him
good. What do you think of Pa’s
letter? Spunky is it not? and
so like him- what would you
advise us to do? Sister Hettie
is now writing to R.M.T. Hunter
to ask him to procure us Gov
positions if he can do this and the
salary is large enough to enable
us to pay our board in Richmond
and thus relieve Aunt Sydney
[page 7]
I think we ought to stay for times
must be very hard at home
and we would not be able to support
ourselves there but would simply
be a burden on them. If on the
contrary our application prove
useless and we have to remain
dependent upon Aunt Sydney
(for I know she would not receive any
board) who and if almost in indigent
circumstances I think that we
will turn our faces homeward
almost immediately. Bankes
told sister Hettie confidentially
that you could be made Quartermaster
immediately with a salary of a
hundred and thirty dollars a
month, the rank of Capt and a
place in Richmond, if you would
accept it. he says the duties are
not arduous, and she has been
[page 8]
told by others that they are not
so difficult as those you now
fulfill–of course she would
not urge you to accept it if you
seriously object but in event of
our going to Richmond it would
be the most unspeakable comfort
to have you with us-she says
she has been very assiduous to
answer your letter and thank
you for you sweet brotherly offers
of supporting us dear Willie
we cannot bear to think of your
working so hard merely to support
us but if dependence could be
sweet it would be to depend on
you-You dont know what a
delight your letters are to us-
Miss Nannie sends here best
love and thanks for your letter
to her which she contemplated
[page 9 cross hatched on page 8]
answering in a day or two. We are expecting letters
daily from home. Bye the bye I forgot to tell you
that Mr. Evans gave me his directions in Richmond
and said he would be most happy to send letters
to Baltimore for me if I would send them to him-
he has a friend who crosses over into Maryland
constantly, and who wh will take any letters
with pleasure. I send you the direction in case you should
wish to avail yourself of this opportunity-you may
write what you please there is no danger of their
being opened–. Wm Crane-Jr–Medical Purveyors
Dept. Richmond–Is it not strange that the son
of that awful Black Republican Fuller Crane
should be in the Southern Army–I heard today
that Sam Sterrett had been forced to flee from
Maryland–and was now at Manassa with his
father–I reckon Cousin Sears and Jinnie laugh
[page 10 cross hatched on page 7]
at the L___L___ more than ever I suppose you have
seen him. Aunt Mary and Uncle Hands family
are going to Richmond. the Doctor will give up his
position of Asst Surgeon and try for practise
in the capitol–I am afraid he will not succeed-
Dr and Mrs Warren have left the Hill so that
Aunt Syd is almost without boarders she has
only fourstudents and I dont know what she’ll
do–She has been quite sick and is in very bad
spirits–They are all mighty sweet and kind to us
at the Hill but [?] so censorious–they talk so
hardly of us and indeed of everyone that we call them
nothing but the C___ C___s (censorious circle). Sam
poor fellow has again known a scorching tongue
and sometimes makes us so mad we can scarcely
contain our wrath and have to seek refuge in our room
[page 11 cross hatched on page 6]
in order to give vent to it of course this is very
wrong we ought to remember his ill health and all
he has had to make him irritable but it is very
hard to bear. Please dont work yourself so hard
I am so afraid you’ll get sick–Did sister Hettie
ever tell you how anxious your beloved Mary was
to send you a pair of socks of her own knitting it
occurred to her as She was going down to the boat with
us and she nearly cried at not having thought of
it before however she consoled herself by determining
to have them ready and she was sure an opportunity
would occur when she could send them and a box
of things to you–anyone would have imagined to
hear her railing at herself for her forgetfulness
that your feet were bleeding for want of the Socks–
Poor Mr. Cary! Banks never failing Banks
[page 12 cross hatched on page 5]
that there is a man in Richmond that he
knows who will undertake to carry a letter for us
directly to Ma and bring us a carpet bag full of
clothes back if we determine to stay we will
certainly avail ourselves of this offer–We would
like so much to make you the shirt you want
but it is utterly impossible to get a yard of blue
flannel or even light blue cloth in the Southern Confed
If we send for our clothes however we will also
send for you Md. Guard shirt– I am so
worried at your having no great coat–what is
to be done about it? cant you get a Yankee one?
I wish you had been about when the Prisoners
taken in the last battle came down Mr Pritchard
told me they were selling the most splendid
great coats at fine dollars a piece–I should certainly
[page 13 cross hatched on page 1]
have purchased one for you had I been on the
scene of the action–was not that a glorious victory by the
by? I hope Major Barbour is better if only for
your sake–Write to us as soon as you can–Oh
my expiring candle! It is late and I must hie
me to my downy couch as Constance would
say–Did you see some time ago in the Enquirer
Constance’s last effort in the poetical line entitled
“Encore Toujours Maryland” — it was beautiful
She certainly is talented and will be quite a
noted authoress in course of time I have no doubt
All send love Good night
Your sleepy sister
Jennie [Cary]
Jennie Cary, her sister Hettie Cary and their cousin Constance Cary were known as the Cary Invincibles. They did sew the first Confederate battleflags as related on page 4 above which they presented to Confederate Generals Johnston, Beauregard and Van Dorn. Hettie’s hopes for employment in the Confedetate Government described on page 6 were not realized. See the letter from R.M.T. Hunter to Hettie of November 2. As Jenny predicted on page 13 Constance did become a noted author.
MSS 1174
[to be continued]
[from the diary of Wesley Hammond of the Dixie Greys, Co. E of the 42nd Virginia]
Read 8 chapters in bible
Lieutenant Thomas go for
money to Huntersville first
to get it – Pay roll [-]
Men grumble a good deal
about it. Received a letter from Emma
MSS 5526
Dear Father I recd the letters Mother & William wrote to me or the 24th &30th & was glad to hear from home once more but I felt bad when I came to that part of Mothers Letter that said that I wrote in my last to you that I wish you would not write such foolish stuff because I did not mean anything by it what I meant what I ment[sic] by it was this you know when you wrote to me in your last letter to me you said something about fixing that box just as though I was six or seven years old & that day was A very dull day & I felt out of sorts that day & I suppose that was that Made me write that, there is nothing that I can write about Just now only that we are at work on a Fort here which is named Ward & I do not know why it is call so last night I received a new blanket which is a warm one Just as I am writing to you there is A Cavalry Regiment passing by this Camp From Washington & they are firing A salute at fort Ward this fort is most dun & has 12 Guns on it & there is Guns that keeps cumming to be placed on it every day the first named after General Lyon is most dun and the fourth of Maine is building another one about a mile from it when this was finished this part of Virgnia will be nothing but Forts tomorrow is the day to be paid off and if they pay ours off I shall send some of my money to you I am gone to get me A pair of boots & A pair of Gloves & there is A great many little things that I want to get but I shall send you home some of the money Because I told you so & I wrote to George I should I hope you wont think hard of one for writing that to you because I did not mean anything by it I want you to tell Mother I have made up my mind to go in the ranks & not be A cook for any one & tell Mary Wallace that I would not care if I did hear Mr. Cox & tell Mother that I answered the Letter that she wrote to me Just after I wrote here that I was gone to have my discharge, From your affectinate Son Joseph Leavitt I have just received two pair of drawers I have blotted this letter but I Cant afford to write another one
Letters from Joseph Leavitt and his brother George 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 int he war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864. Presumably the third brother William survived the war.
MSS 66
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
No Dress parade Practiced some this
forenoon. This afternoon W. Arthur arrive
-d brought letters from Pap and Mrs.
Campbell also one from Sarah Caldwell
inclosed in Paps also Stumps. Two from
Pap. Mostly clear, Remark Scammon taught
McClelland & Beauregard engineering at
west point. Mostly clear.
Eliakim Parker Scammon, 1816-1894, was Colonel of the 23rd Ohio. A West Point graduate he remained at the academy one year, 1837-1838, teaching mathematics. McClellan was not a cadet that year. Beauregard was.
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Francis G. Hale, Co. F, 34th Ohio Zouaves]
Last night we was at
church the chaplain
preached us a short
surmon his text was
in the 1st cor ch 16 &vs 18 quit yor
selves like men be
strong he preached
a duty surmond to
us and give some of
the lazy boys fits for
their lazyness and refusing
to duty and sighted us
to the boys on the sewell
mountains how many
had there died of fatig
quiting their selves like
men we will leavee
here about 8+ comapneys
of us for mud bridge
in a day or two I expect to go
we left camp red house
to day at a bout eleven
oclock for herican
bridge we stopt in a bout three
miles of herican a bout
three oclock we will go
to mud from there I expect
to day we arived at mud
at half after seven in the
evening after a march of
eighteen miles in eight
hours we was awful tiard
when we got here a good
many give out and had
to get in the waggeons
I thought I would give
out my self but did not
I feele awful sore to night
but I felt better after
I got my supper
MSS 13405
Rockbridge Artilley
1st Brigade 2d Corps
C.S. Army of the Potomac
Mr.Wm M. Blackford–Lynchburg
My Dear Father
Your packet of the 27th
including letters from you and mother reached
me this afternoon. I have no time now
to write at length but believe I cannot
dispatch the two notes enclosed without
a few words on general topics.
I have today had the pleasure of
seeing two of my brothers. Charles rode
by and stopped 10 or 15 minutes this mor-
ning; he was in too much hurry to dis-
mount and merely called to let me know
of his return with the Troop from Leesburg.
All the reinforcements sent up last
week came back to the army here around
last night. Bro. Charles is quite severe
on Gen. Evans who is, he declares, on the
testimony of the officers under him in
the battle, not entitled to any credit for
the achievement but quite the reverse.
His faults were those of omission, rather
than commission; e.g. he ought to have taken
all the 4000 muskets of only 7 or 800 prisoners
[page 2]
I forbear to speak further however of what
bro. Charles told me, as he will doubtless
write home more fully himself of this matter
To night just as we were going to supper
bro. William rode up. He stopped and ate
with us and set an hour or two, making
himself very agreeable. I shewed him you
letter which contained several items of general
interest. His camp is some 3 miles below this
point in the direction of the C.H. He tells
me the pickets of his cavalry regiment re-
turned last evening reporting no signs of the
enemy as far down as four or five miles below
the C. H., in the woods their outposts in
that direction must be not further out
than they were 2 or 3 weeks ago before
we fell back. Accounts somewhat similar
reached me from other quarters yesterday.
This does not look like an advance of the
Yankees, certainly, though I endeavour
never to permit myself to count upon
their not coming until it becomes impossible
Both of my brothers looked very well and
are in good spirits–that is for married soldiers.
[page 3]
On Saturday night last Brooke reached the Co.
I had just fallen out of ranks from Tattoo
when a gentleman who had asked that
I might be pointed out to him, presented himself
and told me his name was Brooke, at the
same time presenting your letter. Of course we
got acquainted directly. It was about bed
time and a place to put my friend was my
first concern. I got another place for myself
for the night, and put him in my bed, which
being a particularly comfortable one for a camp
enabled him I believe to have a good rest.
I have been much pleased with Mr. B; having
seen much in him to like and nothing to
condemn. I think we shall become fast
friends. I have introduced him to my own
circle of friends & many others and think
he begins already to fell much at home.
He is for the present in my mess and tent.
The latter will probably be a permanent
arrangement, the former to last until a
new mess to consist of Trueheart, Maury, Chs. Minor
& others is made up. Trueheart, of these, only has
yet arrived & they have not yet got their mess things.
[page 4]
Brooke has given me some very interesting items
of home intelligence. His gratitude for
the kindness received at our house from all
hands, and for his entertainment at Sis Sue’s
also, is very great. He expresses it with much
heartiness mingled with graceful delicacy.
He is very grateful too to Mr. Tucker too, at
whose house in Richmond he staid, for many
attentions and kindnesses. I think his exper-
ience of Va so far is tinged with a strong
couleur de rose. I feel glad it is so . He ack-
nowledges with many thanks your kind mes-
sages and reciprocates them.
Col. Rodes of the 5th Ala. has been made
a Brigadier General. This may help Eugene some
how, though I am not all desirous he should give
up his Co. I am glad Macon is his 2d. Lt.
The money-2 dollar notes-you sent came to hand.
Our Co. is about being paid off. I get nothing yet however
having joined the co. just 2 Days after our last muster day Aug. 31
I will write again this week & answer your letter
Eugene is at Union Mills. I have not seen him yet though I have
often heard Major Maury (Dick) was here to see me yesterday
He is near Eugene, in a different brigade, but Van Dorn’s Division.
your affectionate son
L.M. Blackford
Lancelot Minor Blackford, one of five Blackford brothers in the war, all alumni of the University of Virginia.
MSS 5088
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]
Played as usual Practiced some
this forenoon. did nothng impor-
tant this afternoono, At parade
orders were read to hafe the
Band drilled in the care of the woun
-ded. Received letter from Jno Templeton
also his meeting card. Clear fine day
MSS 10317