[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 32nd Ohio Infantry]

Played as usual practiced a little
during the day
nothing important across the
river so far as we have heard
Very large mail came in to
night (Back mail) received letter
from Eliza

MSS 10317

Tuesday Night 9 P.M.

I sent a letter to the office for you from this place this mor-
ning My dear Lucy [Mrs. Cary Cocke, since which some good news has reached us
here of which I hasten to inform you. A courier arrived this
afternoon giving intelligence at “Head Quarters” that a battle
was fought yesterday morning at Mason’s Island on the
Potomac near Leesburg about which place the enemy at-
tempted to cross as I understand with some 8 or 10 regiments to
attack Genl Evans who was in command of some 15 hundred
men on our side at Leesburg. The enemy made an attempt to cross
the river to the island some three miles long & 1/2 mile wide as I
am informed, & from the island to gain footing on our side by
boats, I do not learn what force effected a landing but it is
reported some 15000 or 2 thousand including a battery of 6 pieces
The engagement it is said commenced at 4 o clock yesterday morning
Genl Evans commanding on our side the 17th & 18th Mississipi re-
giments & the 8th Virginia, & the fight was a severe one & resulted
in our taking 520 prisoners, and a loss on our side of 300 killed
& wounded, of which number the loss in killed is 75. the loss
in killed on part of the enemy is not reported. The brigade
which made fight on part of our enemies was commanded by
Genl Edward C. Baker late senator from Oregon an incorrigible
abolitionist who has played out his part & fell in the action with
5 balls to give him his quietus–he belonged to Genl Banks
Division of the Federal Army. The prisoners taken were marched
down the road near by some 4 miles distance, & several of-

[page 2]
ficers from this Camp went out at 4 oclock to see them
as they passed down the road where they were halted to get
a relief guard of 300 men to attend the to Manassas Jun-
ction whence they will be carried by rail to Richmond & put
at work I hope on the city defences. Capt Dance[?] and the
now Lieut Powell went out to see the prisoners as they passed
& I have just had from them a description of their appearance
they left Leesburg on foot last night (30 miles distance from where
these gentlemen met them)about 2 oclock & reached the Sudly
road about the time [?] got them at 5 P.M. today the prisners
were marching in double files on foot & of course disarmed, with
a file of soldiers on each side–among them were several officers
of rank two Colonels with several Captains & Lieuts. The account
as it reached us states 6 field pieces were taken & rumored[?] that there
are now 700 men of the federal forces invading who are left on
our side of the river & seeking to get back, but their boats have been
burnt or sunk & their means of return has been cut off [?] [?]
[?] they will be taken in a day or two –if we hear them &
go after them. Reinforcements of 2 regiments & 12 pieces of the
Washington Artillery of New Orleans have been sent as a reinforcement to Genl Evans
& we may yet hear something more important[?] in a day or two. It
is said the purpose on part of our enemies was [?] to attack us
at this place at Norfolk & [?] yesterday –but the
advance on their part has not yet been made–The prisoners after 2 hours
rest were marched down to Manassas Junction so they have had a
heavy march as the roads are very wet & sloppy by reason of heavy
rain last night & today–I wish I could give you a fuller

[page 3]
account of the matter but I can get no more then what I have written
you tho we should hear full account tomorrow. Mr P says the men
a well dressed & in a good uniform of the Federal Govermt with good
overcoats, they all seemed much gaffed & well they might with
such roads as they have had to march over.

My brother [Genl. Philip St. George Cocke] rode in from his camp this afternoon
and stayed one hour or to He is very well and [?] [?] [?]
him And has moved his brigade some miles or so to a better
location so as to have his men within “the lines”
[The above paragraph is scratched out and rewritten over the lines]
I shall look to get a letter from you before very long
give my best love to Sally [his sister] Papa [General John H. Cocke] the Dr [Sally’s husband] with many kisses
to our precious Lelia–I now write kind remembrance to the
servants I am as ever[?] your most truly & devotedly
Cary C. Cocke

[letter will conclude on the 25th]

MSS 640

Dear brother & sister

I received your kind letters
yesterday eavning and red them with much
pleasure I was truly glad to learn that
Hayes was able to write. I am tolabry well
this morning the doctor Said that I had a Slite
attack of the feever but I feel as well as
ever except the the[sic] head ache. I am very harty
I can eat as much beef as any of the boys
I have got so that I like beef better
than bacon it is getting cool heare
and beef is getting good. The boys hear
are all cutting up some gambling Some
fighting Some one thing and Some another
Since we drawe our money the boys
are gambling right ahead. About ten of
our Sick boys come up yesterday David Cowan
has got up with us but they are agoing
to send him back to Staunton There is
a great deal Said about where we will
winter Some think we will winter
in here and Some think we will
go to Staunton Some one place and
Some another. I dont think we will
Winter in these mountains but we

[page 2]
cant tell where we will winter
when we get into winter quarters we
will know and not before but I
hope we will not have to winter
in these mountains. Tell Cummings that
I want him to ride my filly this
winter. And to not let him ride
her like he did once before out
there by the barn and if he cant
ride her let hayes try hur and if
Hayes cant ride hur Just let hur
run till Ranny comes home and he
will Show you fun. I am jus talking
Chum[?] I know you can ride hur
Hayes I am glad to learn that you
able to write and I am glad hear of
pa selling his cattle and to hear of
you getting along so well seeding
Tell James to not let the plow
kick him over the fence. Tell Axley
to save me some chestnuts. Tell all
of the little ones howdy for me
Tell peggy and marian howdy for me. I have
almost forgotten some of the little ones
but I believe I can call all of their
names. As I have no news to write I will
quit your affectionate B. W. R. Gilmer

Private 37th Regiment, Virginia Infantry

MSS 5194

My dear wife

I recd you second letter to day and
intended to give you a long reply tonight but
I have had Company until it is now past
10 oclock but I will still try to give you a
good answer. You seem to think I have chea
ted you badly because we have had no fight
from my last you will see that we have
been expecting one and yesterday we had
one which lasted all day & resulted in
a complete victory on our side–Genl Evans
who has been posted near Leesburg with
instructions to watch the enimy[sic] and if ad-
vancing too rapidly to hold him in check
harrass him if he could do so without danger
Yesterday morning with one brigade of
not over 2000 men gave him battle, the
Enemy numbering 10 000 under Generl Stone
the fight lasted all day-and the loss
on both sides is very heavy–we took
500 prisoners & 11 field pieces & drove them
back in the Potomac where many men
drownded. This victory I fear will turn
out a calamity–As I told you in my
last, Our Genls know the purposes of the
enimy[sic] and had set a trap for the him
& he was marching directly in it–we
expected in the next ten days to gain
a victory so complete that it secured our
liberty [&] terminate the war. Now they may
not advance at all & we may be kept here
all winter. or if things do advance will
in all probability change their plans which

[page 2]
not being well understood by us may de-
prive us of a complete victory–I am satis-
fied that Genl Evans went beyond his in-
structions from the first shot, although we
know he was fighting all day no rein-
forcements were sent to him James was
in the fight I suppose but I dont know how
he came out I cant help feeling anxious ab-
out him. He was well mounted & well armed
& with his carriages. I think he would come out
safe unless an accident hapened [to] him. The
infantry engaged came all from the South.
I have no further news in camp–Genl Elzie[sic]
& Co. Gibbons are both quite sick, but not
dangerous. I am glad you rented my office
& hope you will succeed in cleaning it up. I
will tell the Clarys to write home when the
upper part cleaned out. I dont know where
the receipts of John Lincoln or rather of Kyle to
Lincoln are unless they are in one of the pigeon
holes in my bookcase which stands to the left as
you enter. You will find them in a yellow en-
velope a new one I think without a mark on
it. Get If you have done nothing about Billys
clothes just go to Christie & give him the mus-
lin & tell him what you want & how you want
it made & let him attend to it. You did right
about the Mitchell note. In regard to your dresses
please consult your own taste–but I will say I
dont think much of the calico speculations–better
get something else Try and do without a trunk
until an opportunity affords to get such a one
as you want. In regard to money I dont expect
to get any until the first of next month I will
send you a pile when I get it.
[letter of E.T.H. Warren ends at this point without a signature]

Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry
Samuel T. Walker, Major of the 10th Virginia Infantry
Joshua Stover, Captain, Co. A, 10th Virginia Infantry
James Kenney, Captain, Co. B, 10th Virginia Infantry

[Annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g

[from the diary of Francis G. Hale of the 34th Ohio Zouaves]

I feele a good [d]ele better
to day but do not felle
very woulfish though
H[e]a[r]d Austin is sick in
the Hospittal he has
some kind of fever
I hope he will get out
of there soone though
there is no more sick
here Rich Hosier is
still at the Charleston
hospittal yet I will
try and get him a dis
charge if I can but
I do not believe I will
be able for a while
yet I was promoted
to orderly sarget to
day it is an office
I would not have
if I could helpe it for
less than 75 dollars a mont
for a fellow has to be
a going all the time
I had to take out a
squad this evening
for batalion drill I
only had two men
and when I got to
the grounds I had
to take my men out
by my self and drill
them I was clost to
the jail thet have one
fellow in there that
they will hang soone
I expect for being a
spy when they was
out last as they were
coming near the camp
of the enimy they had
to pass a steam saw mill
and when they came near
it they blowed it to
warn the enimy so
when they came to
the enimies camp
it was desurted so
they stoped there place
there guards they had
only just got there guard
placed when up came
two men the guards
fird on them and
kill them both as they
hear after wards they
was tied on their
horses and their horses
carried them of but
one fellow droped his
gun the other droped
his hat the hat had
a hole shot through
it a bove the right ear
the gun had the stock
shot of at the britch
when the two bullet struck
the gun it discharge
it they shot a nother
man he sliped up and
fire a double barrel
shot gun loded with
shot he wounded one
of our men in the
leg then he started
to run and run a long
a fence he was stoupin
as he run and one of our
men fired at and hit
him in the back the
ball hat up toward
his chest and came
out below the chest
the blood spurted out
to the hight of two feet
he was an awful
object to look up on
for the blood fell in
his face and kivered
him all over this was
told to me by one of
the boys that saw him
and shot at one of the
other men his name
that told me was
George Wright there was
lot of our boys out to
day and got a lot of
apples potaters and
cabbage and turnips

MSS 13405

My dear Anna

On coming in from Picket
yesterday I found Jones here & was informed by
him that he did not intend to start for
home until tomorrow, but he says he must
go this morning, & I am now writing while
he is getting ready to go, consequently I
am in a great hurry Jones has just informed
me that he will say until after dinner
It is now time for dress parade & I must
stop until it is over—–You say in your
letter that you did not receive my blankets
by George. I sent by him that Yankee litter &
inside of it was a double white blanket–
I also sent by some one of them a pr of good
old pants, full Llinsey for Ed, they will last
him a while—Ask George if he saw the blanket
Did you get those two other blankets a blue &
a gray one?–I sent some chestnuts, about a
gallon by Mr. Joseph Jones (not our wagoner)-I sent
by Mr Rice–a peck of chestnuts & a bushel of
sweet Potatoes–a uniform coat to make a coat for
Gus, a hankerchief 2 canteens piece of soap &c
I hope you have received all of the above named
articles. I received the box & contents all safe &
sound. The shirts are very nice–the vest
is too short it is of no use to me & I return
to you. Mother said it was one George had,
but it is entirely too short Ask George to get
me a longer one–Archie wants you to send
him 3 pr Cotton socks, & that book he sent for, he

[page 2]

sends some clothes in the box–I send the
blue check shirt for Gus for a “tuck in shirt”
Tell Jack the colonel says, he will form a board of
officers to attend to the recovering the value of the
horses that have been lost, & as the board
acts, I will attend to it–Tell Darrin I sent
Latimore to see Doyle about those papers, & he
told him that he would attend to them, & send
to him. I supposed that he had received them,
before, I will send them to him, the first opportunity
which will be tomorrow–the horses he sent are
pretty much used up, sore back & stiff–I will
have the Andrews horse appraised by the board of
appraisers & Send him the receipt–George Lucas
has him at present–Tell Mother I would
have written to her but for want of time–tell
her she is entitled to 40cts per day for the use of her
horse, & which sum I sent to her, included in Darrin’s
pay–she can get it from Darrin–I send you my
plumes which I have taken off my hat, you can
make any disposition of them you choose My
martingale you can put away for me–

[page 3]
Thank Meg for her nice cap & tell her I will
write to her as soon as I can my time is
so much taken up, that I have not time
to write a decent letter, I am hurried & inter
upted so that I can scarcely connect ideas–
I have packed the little sugar box up for her in
my box, she wants to send some to others–
You do right to fatten the big red cow–she will
make a ggod beef–& she is getting old & will not
stand the winter, I would advise you to
curtail you stock of cattle as much as you
can, food may be scarce & hard to get this winter
you must try & get salt the first chance you
have, I will write you send to R[?] & ask him if
he can supply you, so you can engage it in time–
I have heard of the fight at H. Ferry & hope Ashby
will Keep the Yankees out of that country–What
aid you allude to , in speaking about [Jennie?] M. E
as to the probably cause of her illness I heard
here that she attempted to cross to her home where
she was arrested brought back & searched–& sent home
with the threat that if she came to Maryland again
they would hang her–

[page 4]
since meeting the last time the main army
have fallen back to Centerville & have [?]
ed the Court house–We are camped about 2 or 3
miles from Centreville & picket below the
Court house–the yankees are as yet quiet
& have not made an attempt to take the Court
house –at Centerville we are throwing up breast
works & are determined to make a stand as we
have a fine position there–We are Kept on
the border watching the movement of the
yankees–Jones is about to drive off, & I
must stop to pack the box–so good bye
May God ever bless & protect you, my
darling–Love to all–Archie recd his coat–
take good care of the potatoes & not let them get
frozen–you can live on potatoes if you have nothing
else—Write me soon–take care of yours & the
childrens sore limbs. I hope they are well by
this time–Kiss them & tell them to be good
children–Good bye ever your devoted
W A Morgan

I send you 2 other shirts I did not care for
more than 2 at a time–your Callico one is
very nice—

The Special Collections Library would appreciate any information on the southern lady threatened with hanging by the Union troops

Colonel William A. Morgan, 1st Virginia Cavalry
MSS 1275

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond of Co. E, 42nd Virignia Infantry, the Dixie Greys]

Battle of Leesburg fought.
[The above line added later.]
March from Frazier’s to Mead-
ow Bluff 10 miles – Was quite
sick this evening – fell out of
line before arriving at camp –
Evening very cold and rainy.

MSS 5526

My Dear Hamie

Yours of 14th came to hand last
night having been on the way six days, I had begun
to think you did not get my last, or that you
were sick, or that some other unpleasant cause
must account for your long delay, It was quite a
relief to find the cause to be nothing more than
the delay of mine. We have had a hubbub on two
occasions since the fight in expectation of another
Horses were driven in from the pastures, the
sick and wagons all sent to the rear and men posted
in the works and on the lines of defence, and everybody
calculating with certainty upon another brush, The
enemy was believed to be largely reinforce[d] by Rose
crans or else he would not again attempt our works
You know an enemy must always encounter the pickets
before he can get to the main force or encampment
and it is these that always give the alarm of the
enemys approach, and consequently the opportunity
afforded for preparation. In the two alarms we had
our pickets were fired upon and kept up a bretty[sic] brisk
skirmish for upwards of an hour, but it proved
to be in both cases nothing but skirmishing parties
sent out by the enemy to make, as I suppose, observa
tions and ascertain if possible our real strength, In
the first skirmish we had none hurt, in the second
a private was shot through the flesh and hind part of
the ankle making by no means a serious wound, The
casualties on the enemy’s side are not known

[page 2]

Soon after this we sent out a similar party to
retaliate and succeeded in driving in the pickets and
killing two and probably more of them, with no injur
ry to any of our men. We now have twelve pieces of
artillery two 12 pounders and three rifle among them
and eight splendid embrasure works for them–we
can now take the Yankees in any direction he may
come, let them come if they wish, and they will
find a little more trouble in carrying off their dead
and wounded than before, We have 3000 men for duty
the Yankees may come with 20,000 and 5000 will
find their “hospitable graves” and the other 15000
will be glad to get back to their quarters on Cheat
Mountain. Our Col is in Richmond, did you see that
spread eagle in the Dispach of the 12th soaring with
him and the 44th. Col.___ says he will quit his
regiment and run for Congress on the strength
of it. By the way that piece did my company and
Co. B injustice. It was unintentional, I know the
author, but the manner and connection in which
he states that these companies were detached from
the regiment, would lead to the inference that they
were not in the fight, but also absent on detached
service. I have undertaken to correct this but do
not know whether the Dispach will publish it
or not, It was through its columns the injustice
was done, and it is nothing more than justice
that through them it whou8ld be set right.
You seem to have a good deal of solicitude about
my cold,–there is no occasion for it at all, for
while it is true I occasionally cough, I never enjoyed

[page 3]
better health in my life than I am do at this time
This morning it threatened to snow, a few flaks were
seen to fall, but now the prospects are for a clear
off. Workmen have been sent on top the Allegha
nies to build winter quarters for 2000 men, the
rest to fall back further towards Staunton. Who
the 2000 will be I can’t tell, but hope the 46th
will not be among them–it will be dreadful, just
think, on top the Alleghanies in the winter! It
might do for an Esquimaux but not a a thin
skin white man, a southron to boot. You
spoke of my getting a furlough! they are things
ranked among impossibilities here. Our Major a
refugee from the north, had to leave his wife
behind, he could get her south if he could only
go to Richmond and make the arrangements with a
northern lady who came south under a flag of
truce to see her daughter and is now about to
return. ‘Tis the only chance he knows of, has asked
a furlough of six days, stated his reasons for it
and was denied. What do you think of that? only
six days, and to rescue his wife from the enemy
while an opportunity offered, he a Major and
refused! What then would be my chance, to to
and see my sweet heart who has a comfortable
home and all friends around her. The sick even
can not get leave to go in the country here in the
neighborhood unless he examined by a medical
board who must certify that the life of the
patient will be endangered by remaining in
camp. When we go into winter quarters perhaps

[page 4]
it will be different, for then there will be no
danger of the enemy but now when he may
come at any time, they are very strict in keeping
all in place, and very properly, they are perfectly
right. I have noting much to do just now, have
set some prisoners (our own offenders) to work under
a sentinel and will now enjoy the day as I like
I cant agree with you that Bob is fortunate in
getting home this time, I rather lament the
cause that brought him home. Is his finger
a bad case. I hope not as from his furlough he
is expected to be ready for duty in three weeks.
Necessity does not require that they should be so
stict at Manassas, they can better spare them
and more esly have their places supplied, but
here it is different, we must depend upon the
forces we have, for we can get no others, we
have no rail road to bring them as we want
them. And you ave not forgotten the box? I
will be most happy to pay it my respects. The
address will be different from that of your letters.
I am twenty four miles from Monterey and have been
for two months, but all letters directed there to the
44th Regt came here, not so with anything else.
Let the direction be “Lt. J.M. Steptoe Camp B
Co. A, 44th Regt. Va. Vol. Camp Bartow Greebrier
River Va.” If you are not particular with the corks
they will come out. the Quartermaster in Lyncburg will send
it safe. My sheet is out, write soon, Ever yours
John

Steptoe is presumably referring to Norvell Cobb, Colonel of the 44th.
Lt. John M. Steptoe, 44th Virginia Infantry
MSS 6515

Dear Sisters Brothers & Family

I take pen in hand
this eaveining with a heavy heart to communicate
to you the sad news of our late bereavement
last saturday eavening at 4 oclock our much
loved brother William breathed his last yesterday
we consigned his body to its Mother eart[h] a little aft-
er three. (God moves in a misterious way his wonders
to perform) I think I wrote to you some three
ago that he had left home with the malitia
quite unwell. This Morning 4 weeks a go he left
home father took him to Thomas Johnsons as that
was where his company met from there to [?]
then through Lewisburg they were water bound on
Friday at Bungers Mills he walked all that distan
ce as they travailed very slow on Sabbath they
moved from the Mill to the meadow bluff he had to be
halled that day not being able to sit up–he sent
word to Thomas J to send him his horse he did so but
he was not able to ride when he got it. He then
send for him to bring his [jursy?] waggon for him
he started early Thursday morning and met him
near the Blue Sulphur comeing in a waggon he
got in to Thomases waggon and got to his house that
night though he would stay there a few days
get medison from Dr. Clay to work off what he had
taken in Camp then come home young Dr Gutt is
the Physician in His regiment he had him almost
salivated and had not one particle of salts or oil
to work it off with he called his disease numonia
but alas it proved to be tyfoid fever I went to
Thomases to see him the next day after he got there and
was not at home any more until yesterday evening

[page 2]
he lay from that Time until last Tuesday 11 or 12
days without much danger though growing weaker
but we thought his simptons better he had a little
caugh the Dr. told him to use horehawn surrip or
Expectorant for that. Tuesday he dind[sic] not appear quite
as well in the eavening caughed a little tight. Min
erva asked him if he would not take some Expectoratnt
he sayed he would a tea spoon full then turned
over and sayed his bowels were so tender I told
him we would but[sic] mustard on them as that
was the Dr orders he turned on his back and felt
ll over them and sayed they were not sore. he then
turned on his side and commenced straining to vomit
he appeard to exert every nerve in his entire boddy
as soon as he quit trying to vomit he called for his
chamber [pot] and passed a quantity of blood in two hours
or less time he passed between 5 and 6 pints of bure[sic] blood comlained
of being dreadful sick. his feet and hands got cold
as soon as he had the first movement we started T.J.
after the Dr. but he is as busy he is very hard to find
t[h]at was a litle after 4 in the afternoon the Dr did not
get here until about midnight he put more mustard
on we had some on his bowels his bowels rists and ancles and after a little some
around below the knee we got his feet warm and
stoped the hemorage but his hands were never warm
again he was swetting terably at the same time the
bed was berfectly wet. he had never been the least
flity before not did not complain much but had
no apetite and was very sleepy and stupid not a greateal
of fever except his hands and feet, now his feaver
appeared to o to his head and his sufferings were
terable though he was not consious but very little of
the time from that until saturday. roling and tumnbling]
throwing himself from side to side then wanting to get
out of bed. Oh it was distressing to be with him

[page 3]
Thursday Mr Bittinger came to see him he called him
by name but did not appear to notice much,
in the night he came to his mind and sayed he
was a dead man he could not live and sayed something about Mother & Ma asked him
Bittinger if he wished to see Mr Bittinger he sayed he did Thomas
awoke him he talked to him a good whill I cannot tell
near all that was sayed he sayed he was resigned to the
wil of God, but if it was not sinful in him to think
so he would rather have died than suffered what
he had. Agness had been to see him that day I asked
him if he would not like to see Sister Eliza he sayed
yes I I would like to see every person I ever knew I asked
him what he would say to her he said I would tell
her to meet me in heaven. I asked him if he would
not tell the girls in Pocahontas the same he sayed
he would be talked a little longer than was unconcious
we though he would not last untilmorning but
he rallied and appear to be suffering dreadfully until
late saturay eavening when his sperrit took its flight
Eliza came to see him on Friday. he knew her but could
not talk sarsely any we wached him allnight expectin
g every hour to e his las he could not swallow for near
24 hours, but would of ten try to get out of bead and
and[sic] say he must go, some times he would give military commands
in his delerium. he sayed to me he was not agoing to be here
long I asked him where he was going he sayed to heaven
we buried him in his clothes black cloth coat lite
Mursales vest dark gray pants black cravat white socks
and gloves and a pare of gentlemans slipper a nice bunch
of blowers[sic] in his hand, his coffin was lined with
white and padded in the bottom and covered with brad
cloth then but[sic] in a box and placed in the earth near
the new church. he spoke of Wallice twice in his deleri
um once told the Dr. that he was here I hpe what
is our loss is his eternal gain though it was very hard

[page 4]
to give him up he has not a friend on earth that will
miss him like me the rest of you have you families to ewvive
your affections but mine were set on him I fear too much
I think I can safely say no one ever had a more kind an aff
ectionate brother than he has been to me for the last 8 years
but he is gon gon forever. The rest of the family are
all well as far as I know. the Malitia were released
week before last a great many of them came home sick
wm Haynes is very low but some better he has the Tyfoid fever
John Ballinger died with it his brother arch has it and many
others. there is a great many sick Soldies in Greenbrier Co
and some in Monro in private famalies Eliza has one at
her hous with the Tyfoid she says there is from one to five
at near[l]y every house in her neighborhood there is one
Regiment camped on the creek at Mr e. Gwinns.

I do hope you will write soon we are geting very
anxious to hear, not haveing had a letter for so long I
believe this is my third without any reply if you are sick
write any how and let us know. please excuse this badly
writen letter you know I cannot feel in a writing humor
Mother went up to Thomases this morning to do some
washing Sister expects to be sick her self in about 6 weeks
Wm did not appear to think he was dangerous until near
his last. therefore did not mention his worldly good
attall his business will be hard to settel
Your devoted Sister & Aunt
M[ary] S. Hinchman

MSS 13371]

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Border Guards]

7 1/2 P.M. We got eary breakfast and struck tents–
have been loading up and sending off baggage, provisions,
etc. all day–Just started the last wagon and now we are
forming to march–

MSS 38-221