[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

Sat up pretty late last night
and then took my blanket and
lay down on the table back of the stove.
Did not sleep very well. The Col. and
Lieut Col. of my regiment were here
I have been thinking whether or no I should
go back to the regiment. Have about
made up mind that I shall. They
unloaded this boat to day in order to get
her over the bar but finally concluded
they could not. I have felt very homesick
and uneasy to day. Have been about sick
got cold and my head felt bad, but
I feel pretty well this evening. Saw
James Green to day. He is aboard the George
Peabody, so he tells me.

MSS 11293

[letter written on patriotic stationery with an engraved red vignette of “Columbia” above the words:
Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise,
The queen of the world and the child of the skies;
Thy genius commands thee; with rapture behold,
While ages on ages thy splendors unfold.

Old friend [Henry A. Bitner]–It is
very seldom that I have to apolo=
gize for any failure in puntu=
ality[sic] in answering correspondents,
but have not been as puntual[sic] as
usual in answering your last,
(forwarded to me at Camp Chase
at Columbus) from the fact that
we have never known until now,
how long we would remain in
Camp or where we would be
ordered to.

You will percieve by this time
that I am again in the service

[page 2]
of Uncle Sam. I have been
soldiering since the fifth of Nov.
I resigned my situation in
Darke Co. and quit the business
of teaching the young iden[?]
how to shoot, in order to
learn how to shoot (secessionists)
myself. O Lord! what men
will do for glory, beans, bacon
and $17 per month! I am
writing this on the soldier’s
writing desk, i.e. a board 18
inches square placed upon my
knees.

We are provided with very
good quarters here–regular
barracks–and plenty of beans, ba=
con, hominy and other luxuries,
but alas! how fleeting is all
earthly happiness! We are or=
dered to leave next week, for

[page 3]
Virginia, and ere this reaches you
we will be in “Dixie’s Land.”

The only thing about the busi=
ness I don’t like is that it de=
prives us of the pleasure of that
time honored institution–“sparking
Sunday night.” I haven’t been
within 6 piece of a piece of cali=
co for two months. Ugh! think
of that old fellow, and the next
time you go to see your–what’s
her name?-just give her a smack
on those rosy lips of hers for me.
Well, sir, the tattoo is beating and I
must attend roll call.

As taps will beat in 20 minutes
and all lights must be extinguis[h]ed
I must now close. My respects
to the friends and compliments to
the ladies–especially your Angelina
Seraphina. Hope you will

[page 4]
answer soon. My address
for a few weeks will be

“Dave R. P. Shoemaker
Co. E, 11th Reg. O.V.U.S.A.
Point Pleasant, Virginia
Care of Capt Douglas”

MSS 11395

Mr [Alexander H. H.] Stuart

I sent you on yesterday today
a copy of Confederate acts, by
Dr. Walker, of Augusta (Bro. of “Maj.”)
who promised to deliver the book
to yourself, if possible, if not,
to leave it at the office of the
Va. Hotel. The price is $1.25cts.
I had already called on your
hat factor, more than once,
and on this morning he made
a solemn promise to send
it to you, certainly next week.
Said it had been impossible
to have it manufactured sooner.
Ex-Prest. Tyler died last night
rather suddenly; he was taken
sick last Sunday, but was
not considered to be dangerously

[page 2]
so, the congress and Legislature
have adjd. to day, in consequence.
We have no news of importance
The Legislature is exercised over
the militia bills–in great per-
plexity. We have an unusually
intelligent, & well-dressed body, but
a poor working one. Oratorizing
is rather its forte.

The Senatorial election is still
obfuscated. The motto of our
friends is “non nobis tantas com-
ponere lite &c” The impression
is prevailing that none of the
three–Hunter, Barbour, & Preston–
are very acceptable to anybody
but themselves, & their special
friends: but they are conceded to
have the “ins.” We confound the
confusion much more by the
policy of making numerous
nominations. If we scatter the
vote, the weakness of the three

[page 3]
aforesaid will become more apa-
rant. Special difficulties are al-
leged to lie in the way of electing
any-(except Preston always)–one who
has been obnoxious to the democracy
as an influential Whig politician,
like Ro. E Scott, yourself, Rives, Bald-
win, &c &c–hence we suggest, Judges
Thompson, Daniel, Robertson, Wil-
loughby, Newton & such, to show that
we may go outside of the political men
in both parties! So the trouble is
still troublesome–and the cauldron
is about to oil over. It is hinted
that the Hunter men are disposed
to let him go and take up Seddon
and that possibly the Barbour men
may agree to that compromise! on Sed-
don also: but I do not believe it
practicable. It is very hard now
to prophesy the result. The death
of Mr. Tyler, on whom many would
have been willing to compromise

[page 4]
makes the question still more
difficult to settle.

The Prest. & Secy. of War gave
our joint com: on West Va defense
a very satisfactory assurance of
their determination not to aban-
don that interesting portion of
our moral (?) [sic] vineyard. Troops
are to be sent to its strategic points
rapidly, under General Command
of Genl. Heth: and General Floyd
is to be ordered back there soon.

The Exchange is much crowd-
ed, mostly with military and dis-
tingué generally. Everybody else
expects to come to the inaugu-
ration. Your widow is quite
the belle here at present. I de-
livered your message–also Mrs Stu-
arts! Yours didn’t make much
impression. In haste–Yrs &c
Bolivar Christian

MSS 228-a

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, Staunton, Virginia, civilian in the Quartermaster Dept.]

The destination of the Burnside expedi-
tion, which sailed from Hampton Roads sev-
eral days ago, is not yet known. I am inclin
-ed to think, however, that it is the mouth of
the Mississippi, or some point from which it
can cooperate with the Federal army which
preparing to move from Cairo and thereabouts. –
It is probably a part of the scheme to open the
navigation of the Mississippi to the North West,
a matter of almost vital interest to that sec-
tion. The Federalists have undoubtedly made for-
midable preparations for this enterprise. How
far we are ready to meet them, I do not know.
Cameron, Lincoln’s Secretary of War, and [-], it is
reported, other members of the Washington Cabinet
have resigned. I am kept very busy in the
Q.M. Office, and enjoy the occupation highly.
Lyle is there and Blackley, as Clerks, the former
having a good many spare minutes, which he
generally employs in relating the incidents of
his life in camp, on the march and at the
battle of Mannassas. The Capt (Quartermaster)
knows little about his business and leaves matters
pretty much to Blackley and me. B is a com-
petent clerk, but very slow. Little Mary, Al-
ick’s child, is very sick with quinzy. Kate
is staying there to-night. It is extremely painful
to see the little thing suffering. Some days ago
we heard that the Federalists had abandoned Rom-
ney, upon the approach of our troops, who now oc-
cupy the town. Gen. Jackson’s recent expedition
to the Potomac from Winchester, used up his army, from all
accounts. The soldiers are said to have suffered
terribly, having been out without tents, or blankets,
in the snow, and even without food for two days,
if I remember right. Ive Ryan, who was at
home on furlough, came up to see us a few
nights ago. He has gone back to his company.
There was a rumor to-day that the Yankees had
burnt Lewisburg – not believed. [word lined out] From the vigor
and extent of their preparations it seems that the
North really hopes to conquer the South. The
teachings of history are all lost upon the
infatuated people of the former section. Phil-
ip II of Spain endeavored for long years to
subjugate the little republic of the Netherlands,
Spain being then at the zenith of her power. The
Netherlands became a flourishing state, while
Spain soon afterwards began to decline, and fi-
nally sank into a decrepitude, from which
she has only of late years been emerging.

MSS 38-258

My Dear Mother [Olivia Alexander Page]

I wrote to you about a week ago
but as yet have received no answer, although I am not
at all astonished at it, as this is the most dreary, desolate
and out of the way place in the world, and such a
thing as receiving or sending a letter is merely by chance
alltogether as there is no post office, and no silver or
postage stamps to mail letters even if we had one here.
You may imagine what kind of life we lead here
when we are lying out in the sound, with hardly
any communication with the shore, as dreary as the
water is, constantly expecting an overwhelming attack
from the “Yanks” below us, employed night, day, and
Sundays also in sinking schooners, and having the
sound piled. Beautiful, charming life–Indeed it is–
Well just so–somebody has to do, and I recken we
will do as well as anybody else. I expect to spend
February at the “Fort Warren Hotel”, so you need
not be surprised to hear from me there, or from
“Davy Jones Locker”, but I hope better times are coming.
I am perfectly well, and I am going to be married
just as soon as the War is over, to the nicest little
Damoiselle you ever saw, “beautiful creature”–“Seven
twenee feet longee”. The Yankes at Hatteras are said
to have 30 Gin Boats, and 30,000 men awaiting for
reinforcements to attack this place or Newbern, which
one we dont know, but Newbern being so well defended
I think they will attack us here, we have 8 Gun Boats
and 4 land Batteries, with about 2,500 men to meet
so you see I expect all hands will winter in “Fort

[page 2]
Warren Hotel,” but one thing certain, we will give them
the warmest reception they have ever had, and if they
willwait two weeks longer, we will have cannon to
right of them, cannon to the left of them, cannon all a-
round them, and as “on dit” we will drive all of them
in to the jaws of h-l, “Excusez moi” for the expression–
When did you hear from Mr. Page? when you write tell
me all about him, and all the others, of my many rela-
tions on the banks of the Potomac. What are you and the
‘children doing with yourselves? I hope Cousin Tom is
still staying with you yet. Give my best love to them
and Aunt Mary’s family &c and Kiss dear little Monie
Will, and Mary Mann for me. Ma I wish you would
have yours and the childrens daguerreotypes taken
together , and send them to me together with one of Mr
Page in his uniform, please do it now Ma, and don’t
forget, for I may have to stay at “Mr Warrens fine Winter
resort for Southern Army and Naval Officers” this winter
for the benefit of my health, which about this time is
in quite a precarious predicament. But don’t [be] at
all uneasy my Dear Mother, as I will be sure to turn
up all right after a while. I shall always from here
or wherever I am, as often as I can get an opportunity
of so doing, and if you do not hear from me, as often
as I would like to write, do not be all at uneasy. Write
dear Mother as often as you can, you have no idea
how a letter from home cheers up this old desolate sound.
We went down yesterday to shell out some Yankes who had
landed on the main, but they “wasn’t thar” when the “Stars
and Bars” arrived. Give my love to all and Kiss the children
for me, and now dear Mother–Goodby–Write and direct to Roanoke
Island. Midn R. A. Camm, Care of Capt. Cook C. S. S. Ellis–

R. A. Camm

Mr Page, his stepfather Edwin R. Page. Monie[Edmonia], Will and Mary Mann are his half siblings

MSS 8937

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

Slept where I did night before
last. Had a good sleep. I have
been staying round as usual this forenoon.
Wrote a letter home and sent it off.
They tell me I cannot sleep where I
did last night again but never mind,
the Lord will provide, blessed be His
name for all His mercies. I have a
sore eye which feels very bad. It rains
hard this afternoon.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private on furlough form the 23rd Ohio]

Was at home this
forenoon. Went with
father to Savannah
Was in to the Academy
Went this evening to
Party at Miss Harls
took Eliza
Campbell & Harl came
home last night
received letters from
Jas Crolly W Langen
one from Father sent
back from camp
cloudy snowed
some last night

MSS 10317

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

left Norfolk for
North Carolina

MSS 2223

Friday – January 17 1862
Weather moderate – Spent the whole
day hunting – Killed nothing –
did not return to camp until
retreat. Walker & I walked some
fifteen miles –
Rec’d all a letter from Sister
Anna tonight & answered it &
her for[?] tonight also.
mailed my letter to Father today
by Herbert Copland. Made out
report of the Co. tonight for Col
Rightor to take to La. he leaves
tomorrow. Probably left today
on a 15 day furlough.
Retired tonight at ten o’clock

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards with annotations by Robert K. Krick]

[Logan’s sister, Anna Tilghman Logan 1832-1913]
[Logan’s father George William Logan, 1804-1876]
[Herbert Copeland, Co. B, 1st La Bn.]
[Col. Nicholas H. Rightor, Co. E, 1st LaBn.]

MSS 6154

Camp Walker
16 “ Jany 1862.
My dear Wife
No letter to day but still I
hope you and the children are doing
well. by this time they ought both
to be rapidly recovering and of course
they will both be cross and give
you a great dele [sic] of trouble. try
and write to me at least every
other day if only to tell me their
condition & your own.
We are working hard every day
to get our cabins ready for occu-
pation We expect them to be ready
by Monday but I shall be a little
slow to occupy my hut on account
of the great dampness. Billy cooks
in my tent and I write my letters
in it but still sleep in Dr Ms. the
weather is just as bad as it can
well be with rain sleet & snow
& the thaws we have had, it is just
as wet muddy and disagreeable
as it can be. Yet we all take it
very easy & make very little fuss
about it. Last Monday I met at
Genl Trimbles H[ead]D Qu[arte]rs Mack Clarke
& his brother Colin who married
Tom Nelsons old sweet heart in
Hanover a day or two before
Latine was married. Mack is
was with me at the University [UVA] &
was always a fine fellow. He is

[page 2]
now a Lieutenant in the Navy and
Colin is a capt in the Army. they
both dined with me that day &
being well provided had a fine
dinner.
Friday morning – Nothing new
this morning. Cold night, frosty
morning but a promise of some
shine to day. I hope to head
from you certainly this morn-
ing will go to the Junction
myself.
Affectionately
ETHW

[transcription by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g