Thursday night

I must write you a few lines tonight
my darling if it is only to let you know
that I had a letter from you this mor-
ning, and to thank you for it, it is the
one you wrote on Christmas day, and
hs been more than a week coming,
a letter from you is quite an important
event to me, and is finally so now
when I had not heard from you for
10 days, just think of that, and then
it was a sweet letter my darling,
full of that love which is dearer
to me than all else on this earth,
and teeming with cherished mem-
ories, don’t you know that on the
night of the 26th, we were both think
ing of the same thing, and that
at the same moment that you
were writing to me I was also
writing to you about the same thing

[page 2]
at the same time I knew what
you were thinking about as well
as I do now, that night eleven
years ago I loved you, as my bride,
tenderly, with the fervour of a long
cherished affection, and, as I thought,
with all the love I had to give,-this
night, my darling, you are a
thousand times dearer to me, if
possible, than you were then,
good night my own darling, Heaven’s
blessing be upon you.

letter of Edwin R. Page of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry will continue on January 4

MSS 8937

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of the 25th Massachusetts]

Went ashore after breakfast
and got a Baltimore Sun. and
then got my picture taken, then went up
into the State house, and up into the cupola
came down and went to see Ed Brown
Came aboard about noon. This afternoon
read int he “Constitution of Man.” This evening
I went down into the forecastle a little
while. The reporter who is aboard came
off to night pretty well “sewed up,” so
he could not talk straight.

MSS 11293

.
My Dear Father,

The batteries of our regt. detailed for
picket duty on Sunday last and with which I was
attached as Adjutant, returned to camp yesterday having
met with no adventure during its absence. Col. [Samuel] Garland [Jr.]
had me detailed as his adjutant, that regular
officer Mr. Means being required at Camp. The Col.
seems quite partial to me, and generally selects
me for such duties. New Years Day passed off
very quietly, and but for the infallible Almanac
we would have never recognized it. There was
certainly very little family likeness discernible.

I still cherish the scheme now long since
proposed of raising from the present volunteers a
company of Artillery to serve for the war, and if
I can get authority to do so, I am convinced there
will be no difficulty in procuring the quota of
men necessary. Some 35 of the Regiment have
already proffered me their services. The applica-
tion for this authority has already been made &
Col. Garland approved it this morning, and
forwarded it to the Genl. by whom it will
be sent on to the War Department. It will probably
reach the secretary about the last of this week
and if you could get some influential friend

[page 2]
to see him about that time it would be
of great advantage. I shall have a prominent
rival in this undertaking or rather one who aiming
at the same end will of course to a certain extent
oppose me. This is Mitchell the 1st Lieut. of my Company,
a young fellow of good appearance & address, and good
drill officer, but with little judgment or discretion. He
has already by going through the Regt. and promising to
procure guns &c got a number sufficient to form
a Company. I have deferred my attempt to enrol[l]
the men until I am assured the battery will be
furnished, not doubting but that if the latter is given
the former will not be wanting. The prospect of securing
a furlough by reenlistment will of itself influence
the men to join. I hope you may be able to assist
me while in Richmond in procuring the armaments
desired. There is no chance of a furlough just now.
There are rumors afloat of an advance of the enemy,
but no outward indications. I am sorry that you will
be unable to visit me, but hope to see you before
many days. Give me as soon as you can advice as to the
best course to be pursued in my military schemes. I enclose you
a letter received yesterday from Holloway. No plan there
mentioned is to interfere with the one above.

I have begun the New-Year I hope with the firm
resolve to act as a true man in the stirring & trying
events with which it is pregnant! Providence has repeatedly

[Written in the top margin on page 1:]
spared my life in the midst of danger & death and should I still be
spared, I hope ere long to lay aside
the sword and be again with you all in peace. Be it as it may, while life
remains I shall try to act in a manner not unworthy of you, and leave
the rest to the ruler of our destinies. Most affectionately Your Son
John W. Daniel
Mr. Meems was James Lawrence Meems, 1836-1862, will be killed at Seven Pines [Robert K. Krick]

[Lt. Robert Miller Mitchell, Jr. – R.K.K.]
[transcriptions and notes by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, disabled in the Battle of the Wilderness, later a University of Virginia law graduate, U. S. Senator and famous orator, known as the “Lame Lion of Lynchburg.”

MSS 158

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

Played and practiced
as usual
Have not found out
anything definite about
our Furloughs yet
Frank Grimes and Comrades
two boys of Co G one a
new recruit staying
with us to night
cloudy cool

MSS 10317

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

  Fayetteville, Va.  Jan. 2nd. 1862.        
My furlough is ready for the signature of the
Brigade Commander, (Col. Scammon,) which will be
obtained in the morning, and I shall leave forthwith.
Feel very unwell, no better yet.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

My dear Children,

What can be
The matter that you have not written [-]re-
ply to my letter sent immediately upon
my arrival here more than ten days ago?
I take it for granted that you are both
well or there would have been some comun-
ication from some one, and I presume
that you all are or have been so taken up
with Xmas that you haven’t found time
to think of me much. Remember I am
disposed to be a little jealous of y’r affec-
tion and can’t afford to give it up on
any terms. It may be that my letter
has not reached you. I wrote it in Lou-
doun and would have sent it next day
but it escaped my memory while in
Leesburg, and on reaching this place
handed it to a man to put in the

[page 2]
ofice and he may have neglected it
But you ought to have written any how
I have been anxious to hear whether Mr
Brown has written to cous: John about
the school or not. I gave a description
to this friend of the neighborhood and
requested them to write at once, stating
qualifications &c. I have seen no notice
of any one else, and presume if he is
willing to teach under the circumstances,
it will be the best that Cousins J. & L.
can do. So far as I am concerned I
am well satisfied with Cousins Lizie &
Mollie’s teaching from the evidence I
see in the improvement of you both
If they can stand the confinement I think
all of you are doing finely I am truly
glad that you have such a friend &
manager in Cousings John & Lizie, and
hope they will not become tired of you
this year. And I trust that both of you
will try to render y’rselves agreeable

[page 3]
& obedient ot every command, as you
know nothing will be required but for
y’r good. This is decidedly the most
crowded place of which I’ve ever lived
and there is no school here of any
note except a Baptist seminary, which
is not suitable for you two. Another
year perhaps you & Cissa & Sallie & ^ ‘& Mollie’ may
be able to go to school together, all
boarding with me. I shall not occu-
py the parsonage here as it is right
much out of repair and surrounded
by hospitals of sick soldiers with all
sorts of diseases, and consequently am
boarding at a very nice place, having
a good room, & the stable of the par-
sonage for Billie. Miss M. seems to
be desirous that we should keep house
so that you both might be with us but
this I find to be altogether impractical.
She expects to take leave [?] here in
April and if there be no difficulty

[page 4]
it is possible we may room together
If my business will allow it, I want to
Slip over & see you before that time, but
Cannot now tell. I have more preaching
& more pastoral visiting to do than ever
before. This place has nearly the work
of a full station, and if it could, ought
to have a stationed preacher. Have you
both commenced the Latin, and did you
receive the music I sent you? Try
to apply y’rselves & thus make the
most of y’r times, and don’t neglect the
fundamental studies such as Arithmetic.
Would like for you to commence Alge-
bra, and if no teacher is obtained, why
Ciss can teach you. I reckon she can
find the time. Tho’ this I leave to Cous:
Lizie. I have never seen as much of
death before, except on the battle field,
since I’ve been here, some times as many
as seven or eight a day among the sol-
diers, besides the citizens. The scarlet

[This next section is written perpendicularly over the beginning of the letter on page one.]
fever is here among
the grown people. I
buried a lady who died
with [it] soon after getting
here, and now the
under taker is down
with it. His sister is
very low also, and I had
to visit her the other
day as she sent for
me. I have had it, but
they say here, one can
have it twice. I am
sorry that Mollie Watts
took the fever and was
disappointed about her
visit to you all. I told
y’r G. Pa he better not send for you, as there
were new cases every wk
I hope the fever will all
be gone before I come out
and then you can go there
Tell Cousin L that all of
you must go up to pa’s
in the Spring –

[This next section is written perpendicularly over pages two & three.]
There are three very pretty, well behaved girls boarding or rather
belonging to the family here, and they make me think of you
all any time I look at them. The other day little Jose came trip-
ping up the steps and rapping at the door said very sweetly, Here’s
a letter for you Mr. Watts,” and then modestly retired. I love her
very much – Well this is New Year’s day, my children, the first
day in the year and we ought to resolve to consecrate the year
to God – Begin it rightly and see if you can’t improve it more
than the year now gone forever – Think of all the misdeeds you
have done in the past years and then think of the Goodness
of God in sparing y’r lives, and giving you such kind friends
to care for you and see y’r best interests. Think of the many
who commenced last year with hopes as high as y’rs are now,
who long since were laid in the cold & select grave. My dear
children; may God impress these things on y’r minds, and make
you just such Christians as may be acceptable in his sight.
I hope you & Lizie & Jimmie & Mollie & Sallie & all the
cousins may dedicate y’r hearts to God, and all be made
happy trying to do y’r duties faithfully – Then you may be-
come useful & live to purpose. Thus alone can you fulfill
the destiny for which God has created you. “Remember now thy
creator in the days of thy youth, before the end days come”
and then none of the days will be evil, there will be good
in every one of them. Bettie my child wrestle with y’r temper
and seek for grace to bring it under command, and it will be
a great benefit to you. Pray often my child, and be regular in
reading y’r bible. Winkie, dearest do the same, and try to be
employed in something useful every day. God grant that my
tow little girls may grow up to be useful, pious women, living
to exert a good influence upon every one around. Give my love and a Happy New Year to Cousins J. & L. T. & M., Uncle
Wm & Aunt Sallie & to all the children of both families.

[The following is written upside down at the bottom of page four.]
Yr affectionate father –
R. W. Watts

Robert William Watts, 1825-1910, Methodist minister in Loudoun County, Va., served as chaplain in the Confederate Army.

MSS 809

My Dear Sir (General John Hartwell Cocke)

I cannot hear of your
being in deep affliction without offer-
ing you my sincere though unavailing
sympathy. and yet now that I have be-
gun to write, I scarcely know what to say,
in the presence of a heart-rending
grief such as I have no doubt yours
is, even a Christian friend would tread
softly. I trust that as your day is, your
strength has been, & that your faith
is of that strong & enduring kind wh
can stand up even under this trial, un
speakably great as it must be.

I have been spending my Christ
mas with my Sister Mrs Price, and saw

[page 2]
here in the papers the death of your
son announced. the children thought of you
with interest & sympathy & with me, would be
very glad to hear from you. With
the calamities in which our country is
now plagued, it must be particular-
ly hard to bear up under an indi-
vidual grief–& yet it is what
thousands are now enduring–To an
aged Christian under all these trials
it seems almost unkind to wish for
a renewal of health & strength un
der it all, but I cannot help hoping
it for you.

Did you hear of the death
of Dr Charles Minor? He left a
very large & dependent family &

[page 3]
was all in all, to his children but
he died most triumphantly, Mr
John Minor wrote me. I think
you told me you did not know him
His life was a very beautiful one
& his death a fit end of such a
life.

Lucian went to Richmond
with his Uncle to-day & we ex-
pect to go down on Saturday–

Farewell my dear Sir, ever
most truly and affectionately yours
[Mrs.] L. C. Minor

MSS 640

[from the diary of Sgt. Z Lee Gilmer, Albemarle Rifles, Co. B, 19th Virginia]

I spent my christmas
here in camp upon the
bleak & inhospitable
hills Of old Fairfax Co
Not a woman was to be
seen, & no chainge[sic] from
our usual customs &
dutys, Except I believe we
had to heat more wood
than usual, a good deal
of whiskey was in camp
but few Intoxicated.
Camp Q (the guard house)
was but little than
frequented. I had one egg
nog made out of Brandy
& substituted warm water
for milk. It was a failure
we had fine weather during
Christmas & had plenty
of nice doings from
home such as Turkey
sossges, butter, hunney,
Spare ribs, fruit cakes
pies &c, but as our cook
left us had to cook.
Now chirstmas is over &
new year is just dawn
ing. May God bless us soon
with a lasting peace &
find us at the close of
this year differently
employed from the close
of the past & at present
present may the sword have
been returned to its scab-
ord & peace be fast heeling
up the wounds of war
At presant, men are
reenlisting very well
our Reg is slow. They
have to enlist for 2
years or the war. I am
thinking a little of join
ing Lt Carington’s
artilery company he is
raising, for there is some
probablility of geting the
Lt. in it. I am anxious
to reenlist, but prefer
an office, which I shall
first try to get

MSS 4459

My Dear Mother

I received your
thrice welcome a few days ago, and
would have answered it in this
but I have been so busy since I
left Norfolk in un[pac?]king and as
this was the first opportunity I
had to send a letter to Norfolk
that I had necessarily defer
answering it until today, the first
day of the New Year. I had a very
pleasant time indeed while I was
at Norfolk, and I had to leave
just at the very time that I most
wished to remain I was invited to
a dozen parties during Christmas
and had to leave for the Sound
just the day before Christmas. Was
not that too bad? Indeed I was

[page 2]
duty first and pleasure afterwards
is my motto. After arriving here
we had a very disagreeable time
indeed. Several boats have been
destroyed in the last severe gale
they gave my boat the pleasant
occupation of rasing them and
saving their engines, which we
have I am happy to say, succeed
-ed admirably in doing, although
we labored under a very serious
disadvantage, namely in having
a crazy Captain, for I verily
believe that Captain Cook is as
crazy as the worst maniac in
the Lunatic Asylum, and I
have a very strong notion of
leaving him and appl[y]ing for
another station, although I should
be sorry to do so as I have such
excellent crew and officers
and Old Cook is such a perfect

[page 3]
gentleman when he is in a right
state of mind. You seemed to think
that I was a Lieutenant but as
yet you are mistaken, although
I hope by February to be one. As
you know the rank of Lieutenant
in the Naval Service far exceeds
that in the Army, since af[t]er a
Lieut. in the former you cannot
adva]n]ce but two grades higher
I wished you to direct it to me
as a safer method of obtaining
whatever might be sent. I am
happy to say that I am perfect-
ly well and in good spirits and
sincerely hope you all may
be enjoying the same blessings-
about the butter, never mind it.
When did you here from Mr. Page?
Give my best love to him when
you write again. I am very

[page 4]
sorry indeed that Aunt B[?]
matrimonial expectations should
not be realized, but disappointment
is common to the human race.
Give my best love to all my
enquiring relations and to Cousin
Tom and his wife. Kiss little
Will, Monie and Mary Mann for
me, also tell the negroes howday-
and now my dear mother hoping
to hear from you as soon as possible
I remain
Your Affectionate Soon
R. A. Ca,,

Robert Alexander Camm to Olivia Alexander Camm Page
MSS 8937

[from the letterbook of University of Virginia law professor John B. Minor]

To Mrs. E. O. Carter
Upperville, Fauquier Co Va

Dr Madam
I send you herewith, a check for $40, for hire
of Joe for 1861.
The recent death of my brother, & the de-
pressed price of one of our chief staples, tobacco,
having made it necessary, in the opinion of his
executors of whom I am one, to forbear to hire
any hands for the use of the farm belonging
to him & me, on which he has hitherto been em-
ployed, I was obliged to find him another
home in the neighbourhood. I have done so
at the best price I could obtain, &c as to be suffi-
ciently convenient to his wife,–only $85, with
which I hope you will be content. In other
neighbourhoods, more remote, I could have got
ten a better price, but supposed that by remo-
ving him so far, I should thwart yr wishes.
Shd you not discard me as yr agt for
another year, after this experience, I shd be glad
to have yr instructions how far the consideration
of contiguity to his wife, must weigh agst a better
hire.
The name of his present employer is Ths.
W. Wood, whose bond I retain subject to yr order.
Ivery heartily sympathize with the alarms
&c &c.

J.B.M.

MSS 3114