[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer, editor, and postmaster of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]

very bad walking, and consequently a small con-
gregation–Excellent sermon on the state of religion
and the danger to the morals of the country, growing out
of war. It is a pity so few heard it–In the afternoon
a carriage drove up to the dooryard, and I observed
child after child handed out before I recognized that
party was Wm & his wife and all their little flock
and two maids. It was an unexpected pleasure. He had
tried to obtain a furlough, but in vain, when he was order
ed to repair to Abingdon to recruit for his company. He
went to Richd., packed up his family and will go on to
morrow. He shows the traces of hardship and privation
incident to active service in the country. He has not been
well of late and altogether with his hard and many
tasks, he resembles very little the William Black
ford of 5 years ago, when I thought him the
handsomest man in Virginia. We spent the even
ing very pleasantly & heard from him, for the first
time, a narrative of his personal experiences on the
field of Manassas, where was fortunate to have an
opportunity of distinguishing himself. He was by
the side of Stuart in his famous charge, and was
the death of one poor fellow of the Fire Zouaves &
afterwards was very successful in taking prisoners
His description of Sudly church on Monday in the
rain, was harrowing. the scenes he has gone through
have impressed a gravity in his countenance not
usual with him. The children are all very sweet
but do not look as well as when they went to Richd.
Reports of hard fighting at Fort Donelson.

MSS 4763

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

Raleigh, Sunday, Feb’y 16th, 1862.
This is so much like other days, because
our duties are not materially different from
other days; that soldiers are often unable to
tell the day of the week, and quite frequently
a Sunday has passed without our being aware
of the fact. Many of last summer’s marches
were performed on Sunday, and though I
believe proper respect should be paid to the
Sabbath, yet it is almost impossible to do
so in the army. For instance, we are as
much exposed on Sundays as well as other
days, consequently the same strict watch must
be kept, and guards must be detailed for that
purpose. The same caution must be exercised,
the same preparations made, and in nearly
every respect the same routine of duties must
be performed on all days nearly alike, so that a
distinction is hard to make. Today some of our
men are employed in hauling wood for the company,
and very likely this labor could not be avoided
at this time, or postponed until the next day,
for reasons unnecessary to mention.

and while I am speaking of Sunday, I will say
something of Chaplains. I do not wish to be
considered personal, but, so far as my observation
and information has extended, I have formed
the opinion that Chaplains, like sutlers, are
perfect nuisances, particularly in a Volunteer army,
actively engaged in the field, and that the sooner
the institution is totally abolished, so much better
will it be for the people and the Government.
The pay & emoluments of a Chaplain is that of a Captain
of cavalry, amounting to over $140 per month,
a snug little sum, and more than our Government
is able to lavish on any one, at the time of
financial embarrassments like the present. This
amount is sufficient to awaken the avarice of
many, consequently, there will be considerable
strife to obtain so easy and lucrative a position,
and most likely some incompetent, and, possibly,
not over=pious Candidate is the lucky one, but
little attention being paid to qualifications or
fitness; a smooth address and a white neck=cloth being
powerful influences, where the appointing power “fills the
letter,” caring little for “the spirit of the law”.
I have mentioned sutlers, and have con=
=sidered them in no enviable light, and I
think reasons sufficient can be adduced to
substantiate the assertion that they are, as a
general thing, contemptible nuisances and cheats,
who, taking advantage of the necessities and
wants of soldiers, dispose of articles to them
for three times their real value, and seldom,
if ever, do these blood=thirsty leeches offer or
keep for sale a simply common article,
but a condemned and inferior one.
They could easily be dispensed with, for
they are of very little benefit, and, on
the whole, are of more injury than good.
The thing who keeps on hand for sale articles
of a very inferior quality and for which an
exhorbitant price is demanded, and if the
buyer demurs, the seller, fearing no competition,
is insolent and unaccommodating, is nothing
more than a common swindler & robber,
who will not compare favorably with
Floyd and Cameron, of War Department
notoriety.

MSS 13925

Mr. McPherson’s Feb. 16th 1862
My Dear Mother
Your & father’s letter came last
Thursday. I suppose you are all well tho’
you say nothing about it. You mention
father’s fatigue but say nothing
about his health. Was he well when
he reached home? I have been fearful
that the excessive fatigue wh: he must
have undergone would make him sick.
I am gradually improving & hope to
be able to join my company in less
than a week. Tell father that two more
of my company have come over since
he left with mumps; & that Mr. Mc Millin
^ ‘has’ forfeited the high esteem in wh: Mrs.
McPherson held him, by getting in
a ‘bender’ two successive nights. He had
better be in camp. I am afraid that
father represented our company in a
a [as found] bad light to you, if he judged it by
the only specimen he saw. Mrs M. charged
me five dollars a week instead of three, but
as I have drawn some money I can pay
it very well. A very large number of the

[page two]
soldiers are reelisting. From 10 to 15 of our
company will get furloughs for 30 days on
Monday; (among them Bb Knight) having
reenlisted for two years or the war. The law
is that not more than one twentieth of each
company may have furloughs at a time if they re-
enlist. This seems to be quite an induce-
ment. More than half of our company
would. These had a meeting & cast lots to
see who should apply for a “F” as it is
called by the soldiers; the understanding
being that those only who got the allowed
number of long straws should apply or
reenlist. By this means, you see; they so
managed that none reenlisted but the
no. who got would get furloughs. If 10 were
allowed to go at a time by the law there
wd; be ten long straws. Dr. Palmer says
that my time expires with that of the
company wh: is the 21st of April & says he
has authority for saying so. I am sorry
if this is so: I had hopes it wd: be as
I wrote you in my last letter. I
would like very much to serve during
the summer & leave in the beginning
of winter. You all have doubtless
seen the law: as to militia Va’s quota of

[page 3]
soldiers. I don’t know whether to reen-
list now or not. As the time draws
near many are doing so who did
not intend, to. I am desirous of perform-
ing what ever duty falls upon me in
Life. If it is necessary to ensure the safe-
ty of our cause that the old soldiers
should reenlist. I do not think I would
be exempt, & I am disposed to think
now there will be such a necessity.
The North is undoubtedly putting forth
all her resources, ( wh: are very great
in every point of view) for one grand
effort. To meet this every power wh:
we can bring to bear will be greatly
needed – indeed if we beat it back every
where at the first onset, we will not only
be fortunate, but I will be forced to im-
pute our success to divine interference.
If in this we succeed, the war must be short;
for the north will be exhausted – on the
other hand, we would be driven into the
interior of the state & the war a desolating
one to Va. & protracted perhaps to several years
before we succeed. That we shall succeed
I don’t see how any sane person can doubt.
Still I know that three years (altogether) in

[page 4]
camp can not have a favourable
influence on any young man’s man –
ners. I do not say morals because
I do not fear its effect in that way,
and I some times think I might be
able to do more good elsewhere & I
believe I have a sincere desire to do
good as much as I can.
I have got the 2nd. vol. of Macaulay. I wish
you-all had the first at home. I find
it very good & interesting history. Tell
father he spells theatric [?] ‘theates’. By
the bye how have I been spelling
breakfast. You asked some time
ago how to make coffee out of boiled
wheat? I don’t see why wheat would
not parch as easily after it was
boiled as before. What is the diffi-
culty? Father spoke of getting some
of my book[s] from the courthouse.
If he wants them he might send &
have all bro’t home in a cart. They
could be easily fixed so as not to rub.
Where do you keep your flowers? If
they had been here last night I think they
wd. have been gone. All the snow wh: father
left here is gone. But yesterday it snowed again to
the depth of five[?] inches. This morning the sun is
[written in the top margin on page one]
shining. My dear mother farewell. Give
my best love to dear father & George.
Affly. yrs.
W. H. Perry Jr.
[written on side margin on page one]
Feb. 17th. Nothing in the way of news this morning. It is a very ugly day.
It is hailing and sleeting.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of Thomas M. Logan and a Sergeant, Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s) Louisiana Infantry]

Sunday – February 16th 1862
Ground white with Snow this morning –
It was too wet today for any drill –
Spent the day as usual – wasted
most of it – played chess with Harry
& Norcum – the former has won the present
tournament – Wrote a letter to Mr
Harvey tonight introducing John D
Capt Smith to him, also wrote
to Father acknowledging receipt of
his letter to Mrs Roy – also sent to him
for some books on Artilery & some post-
-age stamps – The snow melted today
& has left the ground wet &miserable –
Sent another furlough to Yorktown today
by Captain Collins – my last effort
for one – Norwell Logan had a chill
yesterday –

MSS 6154

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian working in the quartermaster dept.]

Sunday night, Feb. 16, 1862.

Every face is bright and cheerful to- night. Pas
sengers from Richmond repeat that Gen. Sid-
ney Johnson telegraphed last night that
our troops at and near Fort Donelson had a-
chieved the most decisive victory of the war.
At Charlottesville, the cars met rumors, said
to have been received by telegraph, giving ex-
travagant accounts of the victory. — that the
enemy were 50,000, and we 20,000 in number,
that we took 10,000 prisoners and captured
100 cannon! These stories are not credited, but
there seems to be no reason to doubt the report
as to Gen. Johnson’s dispatch. Gen’s Floyd
and Buckner are said to have been in the fight
which lasted for three days. They were at Rus-
sellville when last heard of before. The cars
arrived this afternoon at a quarter past 4 o’-
clock, while I was walking in the yard in
the snow. Va was at the colored Sunday School
and I hoped she would bring some news when
she returned. She entered the dining room, where
Kate + I were, about 5 o’clock, looking gloomy,
I thought, from which I infered that the news
was bad. But she had heard nothing! I then went
out to see if any were passing could tell me any-
thing. A young man, whom I hastened to inter-
cept at our stable, had been at the American
Hotel, after the arrival of the cars, but had heard
no news! Surely, I thought, the man is stupid
not to have inquired. Albert Garber and Col. Lilly
passed along the McAdamized street — too far
off for me to speak to them. They looked gloomy
too! At last Tom Bledsoe appeared in view,
coming towards his house — the Academy. I ran
to ask what he had heard, and from him re-
ceived the intelligence brought by the Railroad pas-
sengers. At church, to- night, before preaching,
we had it in full. To God the praise of our
success.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow]

MSS 38-258

Camp Walker
Feby 15” 1862
My own darling Jennie
I received your letter yesterday say-
ing that up to Wednesday you had received
no letter from me. This ought not to be so
I wrote you a letter which you ought to
have received on tuesday and I have writen [sic]
to you every other day since. Not long
letters but enough to let you know how
I was doing. It has been snowing hard
all day but fortunately I have been
all day in doors & have therefore felt
no inconvenience from it and add
to this the fact that I have been free from
head ache and you will readily con-
clude that I am far from being in an
unhappy frame of mind.
This morning an order was issued saying
that until further orders no more furloughs
should be granted on reinlistment [sic]. why this
step should be taken just now I dont know
unless Genl Johnston has determined that all
future reinlistments [sic] of Virginia soldiers shall
be under the Virginia law. if this is the idea
then our regiment will not only be preserved
but will be increased to 1000 men. then the
question occurs shall I take the chance of Rel re-
election in this regiment under Col G. or shall
I attempt to raise a new regiment with a fair

[page 2]
prospect of a failure for I doubt very much
if I can raise a regiment if the Confederate
law is ignored & the Va law adopted as the basis
of organization. while I heartily believe that
if our true policy as a people will be to adopt
out & out the Va law – bad as it is. Yet if such
course be adopted I must confess that it ren-
ders my chance for a command doubtful at
best. I dont think I could raise a regiment
in that event and it is quite possible there
may be such a change in the company offi
cers as to leave me out in this regiment. In
the event of being left out I will not be sub
ject to draft until the second draft is called
for – which may not be for twelve months. but
then I would not be satisfied to remain out of
the service. What shall I do? Try for a reg-
iment of my own? or declare myself a candi
date for reelection to Lt Col. or shall I just
be quiet let things go as they please and
if I am left out – Then tender my services
as a volunteer aid [sic] to one of our Generals – in whose
capacity I would serve without pay but would
receive rations for self & horse & have not only
a pleasant place & a chance to go home when
I pleased but a wide field for distinction
if I want it. Let me have your opinions my
darling for I know you can help me out of this
dificulty [sic]. I expect to send Frank home in
four or five days – we have not had a particle

[page 3]
of hay since my return and the truth
is my horses cant stand it any longer.
I am rejoyced [sic] my own darling that you take
so much interest in your plans for the summer
and hope you will be able to carry them out
but dont be too sanguine, we are living in a
most troublous unsettled & uncertain time. we do
not know what a day or hour may bring forth
The enimy [sic] are evidently making a general and
a most desperate effort to destroy us. They seem
to be advancing on us at every point except here
Romney is again in his possession and this
time he has advance a part of his forces to
Moorfield [sic] and driven our malitia [sic] from that place
Harrisonburg is not over fifty miles from Moorfield [sic]
and we know not what moment their cavalry
may dash down there I am however now
of opinion that such an attempt will not be
made until our forces are driven from Win-
chester which I hope will not be soon. Yet my
precious Jennie will hardly be very happy even
in her own little cabin if our brave soldiers
are being overcome & our land being overrun
by hordes of our wicked & unscrupulous foe
We have a report a mere rumor that our
brave boys in the west have won a brilliant
victory at Bowling Green & Ft Donaldson [sic]. The
papers say that during one days fighting we
were successful at every point. I am in
great fear less we shall be unsuccessful the
next day.

[page 4]
I am glad to say that Dr Moffett is
very much better & will I think be all
right in a week. Tell Jim he must not
be so cross or Papa will not love him, but
will love dear little sister all. but he must
be such a good boy that every body will love
him. Tell Lizzie papa wants to know if
her ear rings shake like Mamas do. She must
have a pair that shakes. Papa would like to
see his darling little pets every morning and
have a real nice clean kiss as soon as their faces
are washed & heads combed.
Did I tell you that I found Tom Pennybacker
here on my return – well & hearty He & Link
returned together. I will add a line in
the morning.

[The following was written along the right margin
on the lower half of the page.]

Sunday Morning
The 3d Tenn Reg left this
morning for Knoxville Tenn I
was up early washed from head
to foot put on clean clothes &
now send you all a clean kiss

“Genl Johnston”, line 20 – ‘Joseph E. Johnston, commander Army of the Potomac.’

“Col G.”, line 25 – ‘Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.’

“Frank”, page 2, line 29 – ‘One of Warren’s horses.’

“Moorfield”, page 3, lines 14 & 15 – ‘Moorefield, now WV.’

“Bowling Green & Ft Donaldson”, page 3, line 27 – ‘Bowling Green, Kentucky was abandoned by Confederate General John C. Breckinridge during the night of 13 February. Union General Don Carlos Buell occupied the city on 14 February.
On 14 February, the Confederate defenders of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, had, in fact, fought off an attempt by Union Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote to reduce the fort by use of his gunboat fleet, including four ironclads.’

“Dr Moffett”, page 4, line 1 – ‘Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.’

“Jim”, page 4, line 3 – ‘James M., Warren’s five year old son.’

“Lizzie”, page 4, line 7 – “Lizzie, Warren’s seven year old daughter.’

“Tom Pennybacker”, page 4, line 13 – ‘Thomas J. Pennybacker, Adjutant, 10th Va Infantry.’

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

MSS 7786-g

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, Civilian quartermaster in the Commissary Dept., Staunton, Va.]

Saturday night, Feb. 15, 1862.
The last report we have from Fort Donel-
Son is that the enemy was repulsed on the
13th – fighting probably renewed yesterday. The
Richmond train did not arrive till after dark.
Lyle remained in town to hear the news, and came
up with me. After supper we went down street.
I went to Mrs. McClung’s room to wait for the
opening of the mail. Learned there that Frank Wilson had come up from Harrisonburg and reported that apprehension was felt that the enemy might make a sudden inroad with cavalry from Moorfield, Hardy Co. There was no powder in the town, but two of our cavalry companies were expected to-night. The enemy are said to be 30,000 strong at Romney. They have pushed forward a force to Moorfield. Very few of our men killed at Roanoke Island, and I suspect, not a great many of the enemy — the last report says about 200. A few nights ago, as Kate and I were sitting in the dining room, we heard what seemed to be the shouting of a crowd in the lower part of the town. We rushed to the front porch, both of us supposing that some good news had come by telegraph. To our great disappointment, the noise was not repeated. Kitty heard the same sound, and went to window to listen, telling Kate as she entered the chamber, that maybe some good news had come. Alas! there has been nothing yet to cause a shout.

[transcripiton by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards and the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

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

Raleigh, Feb. 15th, 1862.
Snow continued to fall gradually until after
noon today, so that there is now fully six
inches of snow laying on the ground.
Everything presents a decidedly wintry aspect,
the snow covered earth, the dark, heavy clouds,
the naked forests, and the cold, cutting air,
are sufficient evidences. People at home
are enjoying themselves, no doubt, or at
least they do whenever there is snow; but
this winter the soldiers look with gloomy
aspect at any indications of cold or unfavorable
weather, although but a year ago they hailed
with delight any appearance of the white shroud
with which the Earth is now enrobed.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

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

Saturday – February 15th 1862
Rain, hail & sleet all day –
Spend the day in doors – reading
& playing chess – Rec’d no letters
today – Frank Hall & Ames & [Frank Hall, Co. B., 1st. La Bn.]
Poindexter returned today – Detailed [F. W. Ames & J. G. Poindexter]
three men today to go to Kings
Mill on the Canal boat for
provisions – Wrote a letter to
Kate tonight – Went to bed
at Eleven o’clock – Harry on
Guard tonight – It snowed
tonight at eleven o’c

Frank Hall, Co. B, 1st Louisiana Batallion
F. W. Ames and J. G. Poindexter

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

MSS 6154

[letter of Erasmus C. Davis, Co. I 21st Massachusetts continues]

Thursday Morn
I hope to have a chance to send
this to day but do not know.
We are sending of[f] prisoners for boston &
new york & when they leave can send
letters I am now writing on my
knee by the light of the fire
the rest have not yet got up there
are 17 of then now in this room on
the flou floor we have not yet
got our plates & things from the boat
yet but have plenty of nice fine
Shingles for plates take a pig skin
him & hang him up to the Corner Eat
him til he is gone Wee have flour & water
to make Cakes for the Occasion & Some
Sweet potatoes occasionally. take some
things Every day yesterday the Boys found
a horse tied in the woods & a lot of
pork Molasses &c belonging to the rebels
We just set Mr horse to drawing it
into camp. the weather here is fine
it must be very warm in Summer
this Island is a great place for figs
and grapes there is but little pains taken
to building things the Houses & other
things are 50 years behind [—]
[-] how is Lucy getting along
now is her school [The rest of this paragraph is too faded to read.] sabbath and we had the privilege of going to

[transcripition by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 828