Camp Walker
Friday Night 24” Jany 62
My darling
I go on picket tomorrow mor
ning at post No 2 which is on the
RR this side of Fairfax Station. I was
ordered to report to Genl Stuart at Cen-
treville for orders this afternoon and
have just returned. I left C at dark
and had the darkest wetest [sic] muddiest
ride I ever did have. I could not
go out of a slow walk & performed
this trip under rain & sleet and
thus had a fair opportunity to feel
exceedingly grateful to you for the
very warm helmet & overcoat with
which you had provided me. Jennie
I had to dismount & flounder about
in the mud which was a foot deep
looking for the road I never had
such a time. but now I am
back & enjoying a splendid fire
which Maj Walker in his kind-
ness had waiting for me. And
Billy has pulled off my boots and
cleaned the mud off & rubed [sic] my spurs
bright & neat nice. I fear I shall have
a very bad time on picket but
Genl Stuart tells me I will have a
good house and hope therefore to be
able to take care of myself. The Genl
made a great fuss over me – invited
to supper (which I declined) pressed
me to come & see him – of such a

[page 2]
rate that I am almost tempted to
believe that he means what he says
It is all right about ole Abram
buying supplies for me. I forgot to
tell you but I think he has eggs
enough we use them mainly in corn
bread. we cook them sometimes, not
often. I have recd my cap, but you
will have to pay the bill, I have
no money. I hope by this time
Jimmy is all right. if not you
had better consult a Doctor I would
prefer Newman. I have been bothered
all my life with that complaint
simply because I was too much neg-
lected when a little boy like Jim
I doubt not it is one of the effects of
meazles [sic]. I was at the Junction this
morning and got 5 lbs sugar at 40 cts
Take care of yourself my darling
if a good big drink helps you why
I would take it, certain. You know
I generally take it if I think it will
do me any good. You need rest more
than any thing else and I do hope
you will soon by reason of Jims
perfect recovery be able to take it.
Tell my little darlings they must
[not] be a trouble to mama but must take
good care of her & pet her until papa
can come & then he will pet them
all a good dele [sic]. I will write to
you once while on picket.
Most affectionately ETHW

“Genl Stuart”, line 4 & 26 –

“The Genl”, line 28 – ‘All three refer to General James Ewell Brown Stuart’

“C”, line 6 – ‘Centreville’

“helmet”, line 13 – ‘This does not refer to a decorative or protective item which we know today, but to a balaclava.’

“Maj Walker”, line 20 – “Major Samuel T. Walker, 10th VA Infantry’

“Jimmy”, page 2, line 11 –

“Jim”, page 2, line 16 –

“Jims”, page 2, line 26 – ‘All three refer to his son James Magruder, born 3 May 1856. He lived to become a well-respected physician in Harrisonburg.’

“Newman”, page 2, line 13 – ‘Anderson Moffett Newman, Harrisonburg physician.’

“Junction”, page 2, line 18 – ‘Manassas Junction’

“cts”, page 2, line 19 – ‘cents Warren would have paid a total of $2 for the five pounds of sugar.’

[Transcription and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g

[From the diary of Daniel D. Logan, brother of General Thomas M. Logan, and Sgt. i nCo. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s) Louisiana Infantry]

Raining all day until 4 o’c when
we had battalion Drill – Spend the day
in the Den reading – Rec’d three letters
today, from Mrs Roy, Norvell, & John
Didlake – the former acknowledging receipt
of letters sent (6) & the letter complaining
terribly of my not writing – Wrote him
a long letter tonight – & mailed Mrs Roys
for Kate & Mag. to read – as my latest
news from Norvell – No papers or mail from
Richmond today –

[John Lascelles Nowell Logan, 1838-1924, step-uncle of diarist]
[probably Katherine McNeil Logan, 1839-1927 and Margaret Anne Logan, 1840-1919,sisters of JLN Logan.]

[Transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards with annotations by Robert K. Krick]
MSS 6154

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

Was at home all day
did nothing
walked out with the
Gun saw nothing
Will Stores called
this evening had
supper gave him the
buggy an horse to go
to Lonachres[?] to the
party. Went with hm
to Sa[vann]a Called on orly[?] [word obscured by ink blob]
walked home
cloudy not much
change of weather

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts, currently detailed to the Commissary Dept. on the steamer Admiral]

Windy and rainy, blowing a
gale. another vessel drifted
against us and broke our windlass that
holds the anchor. The officers got up
a charade this evening, and got it about
half through, when the mate came up
saying he wanted the men sent into
quarters as the ship is in danger of going
ashore so the charade was stopped. We
are in a perilous condition, but I feel
calm and trust in my Fathers arm
which I feel is around me as well on
sea as land. We are also all out of water
except what little is made from the steam
boiler. O how I long for a glass of pure
and cool water from the old well at home
and as I think of the dear friends who
are anxiously thinking of me far way in
unknown dangers, I feel my heart go out
in sorrow and sympathy for them. O Father
comfort their hearts and fill them with
peace and pour out
thy spirit upon them
for Christs sake.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian clerk in the QuarterMaster Dept., Staunton, Va.]

Va is staying at Alick’s tonight. Both of the
little children, Addy and Mary, are very sick,
to all appearance they are suffering from that
terrible [word lined out] scourge dyptheria. Alick has al-
most entirely given them up, and seems crushed
to the earth. Mary looks very ill to-night. In ad-
dition to this affliction, they have had “old uncle
Bob”, a free blackman, there, dying by inches
from gangrene. Alick took him in as an act
of charity, but his room being in the basement,
a most offensive odor was diffused through
the house, which became intolerable. He was there-
fore removed to the army hospital to-night. I feel
so greatly depressed that I can hardly allude to
other matters. It would seem that the Federal-
ists were about to move from all points, with
overwhelming numbers, with the expectation of
crushing out “the rebellion” in a short time.
Nothing definite in reference to the Burnside
expedition. It’s object is, probably, to get possession
of the Weldon & Wilmington Railroad, N. C.

MSS 38-258

[from the diary of Charles Hay, on furlough from the 23rd Ohio]
                                                                             
                     Home, January 22nd., 1862.
     Attended an oyster-supper at “Griffin’s Hotel” in
Holmesville last night, which was given for the benefit
of the “Soldier’s Aid Society,” a branch of which exists
here.  I could not fail to observe that there is
not that interested manifested towards us by some of
the young men at home who have been either
unable or unwilling to serve in the ranks,
that I have been led to suppose would animate
every one to the performance of acts of kindness and
encouragement to the soldiers who are absent from
home and friends battling for their country’s defense.
I repeat what I have often said, that a man can
serve his country at home as well as away from home,
if he has the will & disposition.  A man can be a
patriot at home as well as elsewhere, but I would
rather see him give some evidence of his patriotism,
other than mere words.  These are very good, provided
they are accompanied by something more substantial,
and given with a desire to do good. “But when thou
doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth.” ~  We have too many patriots
whose patriotism consists of nothing more than “words of

learned length and thundering sound, “and who
think they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
There are many honorable exceptions, however, and we
are happy to record it, and through the instrumentality
of such, much good has been effected.  The ladies, God
bless them, although generally denominated the “weaker
vessel,” can, if they put their heads together, perform tasks
of benevolence, and exert an influence most potent and
salutary, sufficient to stimulate the “sterner sex” to
the performance of acts which otherwise would never be
undertaken.  To the loyal ladies of the United States
the soldier, aye, the whole country owe a lasting debt of
gratitude, and History will not fail to record their humane
and self=sacrifing labors in behalf of the sick & wounded
soldiers of our Army.  We doubt not, that the foun-
dation and perpetuation of the “Ladies Soldiers Aid
Society,” will occupy one of the brightest pages in the
annals of our country.
     News of the brilliant victory at Somerset, Ky.,
is now fully confirmed, and it certainly is
gratifying to the soldiers and to the whole country
to hear of these brilliant strokes at the heart
of Secession.  All honor to the victors of Somerset.

[Battle of Mill Springs or Logan’s Cross Roads, Kentucky on January 19, 1862.  “A moderately small but strategically important battle, it presaged things to come in the West, showed the weakness of the Confederate line, and boosted the Federal cause among the people of Kentucky and eastern Tennessee.” Long, E. B.  Civil War Day by Day. N.Y., Doubleday, 1971. page 162.]


[Transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

[letter of Margaret L. Fulkerson continues]

We had a very sad evening yesterday hearing that Mr Caldwell had sent a dispatch to your brother Frank saying that Abram’s situation needed his immediate attention & presence. We got Mr Gibson to send a dispatch to know how he was, the answer came from Mrs Caldwell saying that “he was almost well.” He also wrote a few lines himself altho’ very weak, he had a roaring in his head which trouble him, and it had injured his hearing; but thought it was the effect of the medicine which he had taken. His letter was written the 18 saturday.

I think that Lizzy must have made some mistake about the dispatch she had sent over to Tazewell in the night for Frank, but he had not come.

Abram’s letter & the dispatch has relieved our fears so much

[page 4]
The horses & cows are looking very well. We have paid Mr Hagy for doctoring
the young horse. He appears to be well now.

If you can leave consistently do try to come home, if it is only for one week, we want so much to see you. Why can’t you leave as well as so many others. Remember me very kindly to J[eremmy?] Vance & I should like so much to see him. May Kind Providence still continue to guard you from all evil is the constant prayer of your fondly attached Mother
Margaret L. Fulkerson

MSS 1166-e

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

was at home all day
did nothing
feel sore from yesterday
ride
still taking medecine
cloudy icy rather
strange weather

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts, currently detailed to the Commissary Dept. on the steamer “Admiral”

Slept the same as last night
very well. Very windy and
high tide to day. They are getting the
different vessels over the bar slowly.
We still lie here in the same place.
Feel very well to day. Played checkers some
and read some.

MSS 11293

Camp Walker 62
Wednesday Night Jany 22
My darling Jennie
It is night. I am alone in
my cabin which with its dirt floor
has a dark gloomy look. I have slept
in it thr two nights and notwith
standing all its discomforts find
it at this particular junction more
com comfortable than a tent. our
men are not more than half fixed
in their cabins not more than
two or three have floors not over
half have any roof except tent
cloth & wood. Yet they are cheer-
ful & live in hope that our slow
moving Quarter Masters will soon
furnish us with plank. we have
a promise of some tomorrow &
if it comes we will in short
order have a floor. I got your
letter of Mondays date on yester-
day but received none to day. You
seem to be uneasy about Jim
I think it useless. he is doing very
well so long as he is free from
fever or pain I would not give
him medicine unless there was
a pressing necessity for it. I am
more uneasy about you. You
must try & keep very quiet and
not exercise more than necessary
You must try [to] dream pretty dreams
when you dream about me

[page 2]
and when you dream ugly ones
you must remember Rory O Morrs
saying that “dreams go by contrary
you know” and if you hapen [sic] to
dream a pretty dream why then
you must console yourself with
the reflection that it is so pleasant
to think over pretty dreams. Since
my return I have mixed very little
with the regiment partly because
it has been so wet & muddy and
partly because I have myself been
very busy trying to make myself
comfortable I therefore dont know
much about them, but I learn
from Dr M who is with them
a great dele [sic] of course that there
is very little disposition to re-
volunteer. Every imaginable reason
is given, but the truth is that
they are determined to let the Mo
lten [?] go to a draft & then if they
miss it will either rest on their
oars or hire as substitutes all
or very near all are willing to
serve & will I doubt not do so ef-
fectivelly [sic] but first they intend
that the men at home shall take
a chance.
Thursday morning – I kept my letter
open merely to say all well this
morning & no news
Most affectionately
Yr Husband

[written in the left margin]
We have had no cof sugar for our coffee for a
week & I fear it will be some time before I do get
any If you have good opportunity send me some

“Rory O Morrs”, page 2, line 2 – ‘Rory O’More.’ While the Warren’s may have read of him in another source, it is likely they read about him in Peterson’s Magazine in an article, “What a Pretty Little Hand!,’ by Mary E. Clarke, in the January 1859 issue (Vol. XXXV, No. 1, page 23-24) in which he and his statement about dreams was included.

“Dr M”, page 2, line 16 – ‘Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Inf.’

[transcription and annotations by John P. Mann IV]

MSS 7786-g