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

on guard to day stood
picket on the guyan
road lots of people going
in and out very bad
day commenced rangin[sic]
in the evening and
sleeteing very cold yet
we have a fire to
keepe us warm we
kept fire all night
but was very cold
rained part of the
night and sleeted
and we come near
freesing we slept
in a stable and was
very comfortable.

MSS 13405

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell]

We have exciting news from almost every
quarter to-day. At 2 o’clock, an express arrived
from Alleghany mountain, beyond Monterey, with
intelligence that the Federalists in large force
were at Greenbrier River, and also at, or near,
Huntersville. An attack from them was anti-
cipated, and reinforcements were requested. –
We hear that large reinforcements have been
moving up to-day from Richmond towards
Centreville, beyond Mannassas, in anticipa-
tion of an attack from the enemy in that
quarter. Gen. T. J. Jackson has moved with his
division from Winchester towards Romney,
and we hear of skirmishing in that region. –
One or two Regiments passed yesterday evening,
by Railroad, for the Greenbrier region, from
which our troops were lately withdrawn. –
The weather has been more favorable within the
last month for military operation, than it
had been for the previous eight or ten months,
and Federalists have taken advantage of it. –
They have occupied a large portion of the

[page 2]

Kanawha country, vacated by our troops, and
are committing great depredations. The people
are calling loudly for help. Some persons in
Lewisburg have prepared to send off their move-
able property. There is danger of their being over-
run and permanently subjugated.
It is now ascertained that Mason & Sliddell
have been surrendered on the demand of England!
This after all the Yankee bluster as to what they
would do to John Bull! Tate & Frazier came
down to-night, on their way to Richmond. The
latter came up to supper, and Tate coming in be-
fore we had left the table. [several words lined out]
We had a bowl of oysters.

Joseph A. Waddell, 1825-1914, Private, Ferguson’s Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (Guyandotte Battalion)

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 38-258

Genl Jno H Cocke Dear Sir It
has been some time since I recd
your Kind favour, And long ere
this should have answered it, &
can says no excuse “negligence
alone is answerable”– I am happy
to inform you, that I am in
better health than I have been
for years “Am Stout” have been
improving ever since I left
your house–We are now in
Winter quarters–have a snug
parsel of Cabbins & nearly all
of our companies are in them
we are near Davis’ ford on Ocoquon
River–We are living very well
have plenty of fresh beef “good”

[page 2]
some pickled pork, some rice
[a]bout half rations of coffee & sugar
& flower without allowance. we
are in good health as a Company
or a Regiment, We had a re-
-view & inspection yesterday &
our Brigade made an excelent
appearance, Regts-full. We shall
probably have no fighting on this
line this winter. The Enemy are
having sham fights nearly every
week, & probably they mean
to come out. Gen prognostication
has been [?] That the Enemy
would not again advance, being
whiped, as they stood, I hoped
to get off on furlow for today
but, Beauregard & Johnston
Knocked it “in the head” [?]
Your friend J D Webb is an

[page 3]
& now at home. Borden
hopes to get a furlow. I am
now consenting to my lot never
to return home till peace is
concluded.

The Weather has
been & is unprecedentedly
beautiful showing in
a [?] Way the interpos
iton of a Divine Providence
Not a drop of snow & but
little rain–roads good &
dry. Shall be glad to hear from
you at your leiser

My regards to Mr Hughes
& Dr Holeman Yr Friend
& Bro. Wm B. Ellison

MSS 640

[to be continued]

[from the diary of Charles Hay, Co. H., 23rd Ohio]

                     Steamer “Silver Lake” No. 2. Kanawha River.
                                     January 3d, 1862.
     Started home this morning.  Came from Fayetteville
to Loop Creek in a wagon, distance, 17 miles; over a bad
road, and, during the afternoon, a drizzling rain set in.
Got on the “Silver Lake” about 4 P.M.  she came on
down the river a few miles, and has “tied up” for
the night.  She is a small Government steamer, plying
on the Headwaters of the Kanawha.~~ Health no
better.  Lost my cap in the Kanawha River.

MSS 13925

My Dear Friend

It was with inex-
pressible grief that Mrs McGuffey
and myself learned the fact of
your sad bereavement, in the
recent death of your distinguished
son, General Philip St George Cocke
HOw mysterious is the
sovereign Providence of our Heavenly
Father-! But the comfort is in
that word our Father who art
in Heaven–clouds and dark-
ness may be round about Him
– but still, we cannot doubt
that justice and judgment–
yea! mercy-even tender mercy
are the habitation of his throne—
He is infinite in wisdom and in goodness

[page 2]
The mystery which we ascribe to his providence
is altogether the result of our ignorance
We cannot see the end from the
beginning–He cannot but do all
things well–To our feeble faith
it does seem strange, that many,
to whose life is a burden to them-
selves and an injury to others, should
be permitted to linger on in their
unimproved, even misapplied, pro-
bation–while others, possessed of
talents, character, position and fortune
adequate to the most extensive use-
fulness & with such dispositions as to
secure the highest earthly bliss, for
themselves and their families, and
indeed for all with whom they come
in contact are suddenly cut down in the
midst of their days by disease or accident.

[page 3]
We call that accident which we
can neither forsee nor explain–but
let us remember that not a sparrow
falleth to the ground without the div-
-ine care. His special providence is
over all, and regulates the dance of
even the “motes that people the sun-
beam,“–How much more the affairs
of men–of men destined to immor-
-tality- in a world to come–

My Dear General, I trust it is
not presumption but grateful con-
-fidence in the good mercy of our
God, that suggest, that both you
and I can humbly say–that all
things are ours–that even tribulation
will work out for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, thro the Son
of God shed abroad in our hearts–

[page 4]
can you not, even in this unparalleled
affliction, gratefully say, that by the
grace of God, nothing can harm
you as to your peace with God?
Is it not true of both you and
me, that the greatest success, over
us, of our worst enemies, would but
hasten our maturity for the world
of bliss–as did the triumph (it was
their [?]) of the powers of Darkness
did but make the Captain of our salva-
-tion perfect through suffering–
Let us trust in God, and in Him
who died that we might live–
My Dear Friend–Let us not
sorrow as those who have no hope-
We shall soon join those who
have gone before–We shall cer-
-tainly recognize our friends in Heaven!!–

[page 5]
Let us commit, not only ourselves
to Christ in well doing–but also
the souls of our departed friends
let us trust to his infinite mercy–
I have ever (as I have no doubt you
also have done) rested my hope of
the future well-being of the departed
upon the tenor of their of their lives
far more than on any circumst
-ances (seemingly favorable, or unfa-
vorable) connected with their demise–
Who could consent that the tragic
death of the celebrated Hugh Miller
should reverse his view of the
gracious state of that imminently pious
man-? But enough, my dear
General–Recent sorrow should not
be plied with many words–Sorrow
is well nigh mute–and so should be its comporter

[page 6]
May we not hope to see you at
the University at some time, during the
winter? now that (as I suppose) tis
settled that you do not go South
this season. Pray do, if you can,
allow us to expect you, (if it were but
for a few days-) to make one of our
little circle–, tis now very small–
My first impulse was, upon
hearing of your bereavement, to run
down to Bremo–and spend a day
or two with you–But I was not
certain that I should find you there
and so I desisted.
May God bless you and all
yours my dear friend.

Mrs McGuffey (who is in her usual
health) begs with me to mingle her Christian
sympathies with your grief

MSS 640

My dear Little Nannie:
Finding myself all alone
and feeling so well by a big log fire this
beautiful morning after having bathed and
clad myself in “clean duds” from head to
foot I have determined to write and say that
I have nothing at all to say –
Capt Latham is expected here this
evening and then Clark says that the Surgeons
will allow him to go home again –
Unfounded rumors are in circulation here
to the effect that the Yankees will attack Evans-
-port to day and that an advance will be
made on this place on to-morrow or next
day – If that were true I suppose that our
troops would be more concentrated than they
now are, the line of encampment being very
quiet and fully eight miles long –
Woodie Latham’s & Maurice Langhorne’s
wife I understand are pleasantly situated in a
room each at McLane’s ford of Bull Run about

[page 2]
two miles from here on one of the roads lead-
-ing to Manassas –
Little Brown is very much annoyed
by this morning’s newspaper announcement that
the Yankees have occupied Ship Island in the
gulf & affected a landing on shore at Beloxi the
place of his father’s residence in Mississippi – He
says he means to fight at home next year –
I expected at first not much aid at the
hands of England & now I am more inclined to
the opinion that she will not interfere in our be-
-half – I think we will have a “hard road to
traval” next year & that our Army will have
to be largely increased – A great many of those
now in the field will re-enlist for the war
but nearly all will elect the Artillery service –
Genl Johnston thinks we now have enough
artillery in the field though new companies are
being drilled & provided with guns at Richmond –
Give my best love to all at home – Tell
me all about “The Cap’n” in your next and be-
-lieve as ever very fondly & devotedly
Your own
Choctaw

William Anderson, Captain Co. J, 4th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers [Palmetto Sharpshooters]

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10366

[Left hand margin of bottom third of page one torn away]

My Dear Friend & Brother in Christ[General John H. Cocke]

I have Just received
your kind letter Inclosing me a check for your Subscript
-tion & the Supscription [sic] of your son Gen P St George Cocke
to our Church in Batesville my Greatful thanks
to you for hel[p]ing to do this valuable work of
the cause of Ch[r]ist I am progressing very well
with the Church I have had to do most of the
work Since the War began every one have
abandon the work except my self I have
to hire Brick layers & Carpenters take my
own Negroes & Team I have it covered
the Floor laid the windows & door made &
Hung & I think If I live I shall be able to
finish it in the Spring the Spring If God permi=
=ts when we finish it we design to have Dedi-
-cation Sermon Preached when I hop you
will be with us—I had not heard of
the Death of your Son Gen P St G Cocke until
I received your letter truly I most cincerely
simpathise with you & your Loved ones in
this Great Distress & bereavement. I Pray
that our kind & Heavenly Father may give you & his
[ ] ace to endue this great distress
[ ] ction you must console your
[ ] this Blessed promise all things
[ ] for Good to them that Love the
[ ] rovidence of God is often misterious.
[ ]the less we must submit the Lords
[ ]Lord taketh away & Blessed be the

[page 2]
Lord forever & now may the Lord Bless
& keep you and your Loved & If in his kind
providence we shall meet no more on Ear-
-th I hope I trust I Pray that we may meet in
Heaven with great esteem your F[r]iend in
the Bonds of Christian Love
S O Moon

Please write soon I am always glad to read
a letter from

MSS 640

[letter written before January 11]

My Dear Mother
I do not believe I have
written to you since I received the
box you so judiciously supplied. Eve-
rey one pronounced the cake &c; the cat-
supe the best they ever saw. The
jacket could not have suited me
better. In the way of news, either
war or peace, I have nothing what-
ever to write. We are all in status
quo. You have seen an account of the
Drainsville fight. We hoped to fight
the same party, &c; put our guns in
battery to receive them. But fortune
seems determined to keep the How-
itzers out of a regular battle. You saw
the enemys version of our little expe-
dition upt to Point of Rocks. I wrote
you of it previously. they admit that
one of our guns worked well & threw
shell into their camp & say the other

[p.2]
gun fell short. So far it is true. They
add that they returned our fire, killing
our captain & four privates. We really
suffered no loss. to day the enemy
have their balloon up again recon-
noitering. I reckon they will open
their eyes when they see the fortify-
cations wh: have sprung up since
their last assinsion. the militia
have been called out & working on
them since the day before Christ-
mas. I went last Sunday to
church. Heard from Mr. Williams
one of the best sermons I ever heard.
the church was vedry tastily dressed
for Chris. A subscription for [what] the [people of]
Charleston suffered was taken. Al-
most universally responded to by those
present, but I could not tell how
liberally as they were all in “Shin
Plasters.” I am still working on my
house. Six of us are making it &c; get on
very well considering that one of the six

[p.3 – Note added in top margin]
Dear Father
Please send me when next you write
five dollars, most affedtionately your son Wm. H. Perry
I have not yet drawn any thing for soldiering.

is very lazy (I think a lazy man
is the meanest thing in the world
except a private in the Confedirate army)
& an other sick since the first day.
We are ahead of any one else. Its di-
mensions are 15 feet by 14 1/2. Roof inclining
only one way &c; to be covered with planks wh:
we got in town at a very heavy price.
We are trying to get a requi-
sition for it, so as to make the govt.
pay for it. the door &c; window sash
are got from a house about 50 yds.
from the Potomac &c; deserted since
the war began. Wagons of persons
moving farther in &c; from the line
of hostilities are constantly passing
our camp & up the pike. to day
was very warm; so we took the oppor-
tunity to start the chimney. Every
one is talking, the beautiful weather
only one days rain in five or six weeks

[p. 4]
I hope you all spent a pleasant
Christmas.
Yesterdat I noticed an whshallow
mud holes in about 1 3/4 inches in
thickness. I received a letter from
Lee yesterday. She is the only person
I corrrespond with except you & father.
How do your flowersstand the winter?
I think of them very often. Have seen
no pretty one sbut once since I was here.
They were in a bouquet; wh: had several
kinds that I did not know, nor did any
one in camp whom I inquired ^’from’ about
them. I sincerely hope they will lic\ve
during the winter. The hardships of
war have not, so far, destroyed
my fondness either for music or for
flowers. Lee says in her letter
that father was looking much
better. I need not say how sincerely
glad I was to hear it. Tho it is draw-
ing toward the forgidden hour
of night & my paper is out and I have
been working hard all day I do not feel
disposed to stop writing, but must obey
military discipline. Dear Mother may heaven
ever bless you. Yr son W.H. Perry, Jr.

William H. Perry, Jr., 1836-1915, Richmond Howitzers, later a lawyer.

transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards

MSS 7786-d

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

we had no company
drill to day for our
officers are busy and
part of them are gon
home on furlough the
camp is in good
health as common
the boys have their
onwn fun with one
another playing trix
on one another
it is getting colder
the weather is changing
now and from
appearance we will
have some bad
weather for a while
we have had good
weather for a long
while

MSS 13405

My darling wifey

1862 has commenced its course and I cant help
being impressed anew with the fact that tempus does fugit, and this
is owing to two very different causes, if we take into consideration
the past year–namely, the pleasant time I have enjoyed &
the dull time I have endured-this may appear singular
but it is philosophically true. But when I consider the two
or three weeks between now and the time when I hope to
see you, I am impressed with the conviction that time is a
slow-coach–you can account for this, even though you may
not consider yourself a female philosopher

[page 2]
Christmas week passed by without any occurrence worth
noting–I dejeunered on Christmas day with Major
Brown and Lady–the affair was quite a success &
the guests did great justice to the bountiful & sumptuous
repast served up on the occasion–I entered into a
conspiracy with Mrs Brown to try and get a furlough
home Genl Magruder through the influence of Major
Brown and Col Randolph–but Miss Mary has been
unable to get her husband interested in the matter
and so the affair falls to the ground–Genl M. has
sworn that no one shall leave while the federal
fleet remains at Annapolis–but some I know have

[page 3]
gone on one pretext or another–Mr Alex rives sought
a furlough for his son–the Genl refused but detailed
Charles to Yorktown and I expect will send him
to Charlottesville shortly to find out the price of
apple brandy–The war department is the only chance
for a furlough now

I found out the other day that we have a man in the company
who was once your father’s overseer–Park Woods–a
tall, heavy, loud and fast talking man–
Our commissary has been very fine for the last
few weeks, owing to several boxes which have
arrived for our mess. I have had toast,
coffee, sausage, ham &c for breakfast ever since
my box arrived–and what is more I had to cook
them, since we have lost our cook–I dont mean to say
that I cooked for any but myself.

Where is Mr Woodson? I judge from your last letter
that he is with you all–Remember me to him kindly.
I was disappointed in not receiving a letter from you
by the last mail and consequently, with more
certainty look for one to day–I shall, therefore,
keep this letter open until I see; Maybe I shall
have to add something particular. God bless you.

[page 4]
I received your two letters this evening–
the letter of Capt. Taylor will do no good
for the reasons above stated.
I send this by the Capt. who starts to
night for Charlottesville
I do want to see you very much–

Your devoted husband

[Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt., 1st Virginia Artillery]

MSS 9380