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

Feb 13
Played for Guard mounting
No Dress parade this
Have done nothing important
to d evening
Went with Crichfield, Jeff
& Wright to visit Point of
Rocks. the scenery was
indeed wild and grand
after leaving the point went
down to the stream, which
at that place falls into the
New River. followed it up
to the mill
wrote letter to Sarah Caldwell
Very beautiful day
Sunshine and warm like
spring commencing to rain a
little this evening

MSS 10317

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer, postmaster and editor in Lynchburg, Va., with 5 sons in the Confederate Army.]

We closed the Bank from 10 to 12 out
of respect to Charles Slaughter. The body was
taken to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Kinckles’ sermon
was a very fine one. When he came to the delinea-
tion of character, he was very discriminating and
felicitous, and did not say a word which was
not well deserved But I am more & more
decided in my opinion that such eulogies do
not become the pulpit The attendance was large
and the conviction is general that we have lost one
of our best citizens– I had a high admiration for
his character. He was much devoted to Staige who
reciprocated his friendship thoroughly as[?] nothing of any
marked interest during the day.

MSS 4763

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

Much indisposed all day–disordered bowels
and headache–Had a great deal to do however
that application for insurance on my life in the
Richmond Company of which Trible is agent. Went at
1/2 past five to depot and had the pleasure of receiving
my wife & Lanty–The former has been very poorly
at the University. The fatigue she underwent in F[redericks]b[u]rg
was too much for her frame & the associations there
and at the University too great a trial of her nerves
Lanty looks very much tanned & weatherbeaten but
healthy, and a fine specimen of manly beauty.

MSS 4763

British Legation
Washington. D.C.
February 12. 1862.

Sir,
I received yesterday your letter of
the 9th instant.
I have spoken to the Secretary of
State on the subject of it, and I am
authorized by him to state to you that
it is not intended by the parole
required of you to place any restriction
upon your leaving the Country, or to
impose any obligation inconsistent 

                                                with
Matthew F Maury Esq.

[page 2]
with your allegiance to the Crown of
Great Britain or your duties as a
British Subject.
                I am
                   Sir,
                        your most obedient
                            humble Servant,
                        
                                 Lyons


Richard Bickerton Pemell Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons , 1817-1887, British Envoy in Washington

Matthew Fontaine Maury,  1806-1873

MSS 61

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian Quartermaster, Staunton, Va.]

Wednesday night, Feb. 12, 1862
The batch of news by to-day’s train was not
more cheering than that received yesterday. After
the arrival of the cars, there was, or seemed to be, a
general feeling of discouragement as to the issue
of the contest, but no disposition was mani-
fested to submit to Northern domination. There
was a report that an immediate attack at
Centreville was expected, and another that 75,000 of the
enemy were marching upon Winchester. The
latter is not credited. It is now said that we lost
1700 men at Roanoke Island, and that 400 escaped
Capt. Wise is said to have been murdered by the Fed-
eralists after he was taken prisoner. This is doubtful.
The Richmond Dispatch of to-day does not give a
flattering account of things, generally. Every man
subject to military duty is anticipating the draught
and many persons, especially those having fami-
lies dependent upon them, are full of anxiety.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 38-258

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of Thomas M. Logan and a Sergeant, Co. B, 1st Special Battalioon, Louisiana Infantry]

Wednesday – February – 12th 1862
A beautiful clear day – we had co drill,
battalion drill, & parade today. Cut up
two wagon loads of wood today we
hauled two loads in from the woods.
Dined with Norvell’s mess today – Read
& played chess today – Rec’d a
letter from Sister Anna [Tilghman Logan] tonight on
the subject of our late correspondence –
a very satisfactory letter. Also a letter
from Mr Hazard abt my Furlough
which he cannot get. I am much dis-
-appointed at not getting it, but will not
give up the attempt – I shall now send
to Yorktown with the certificate – if not
not, will make up my mind to wait
until the first of April – Faries went to
Wms’burg today – Heard today of our reverses
at Roanoke Island – This a gloomy time
era in our history – Had a chicken fight in
Camp today

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

Centreville Feb. 12th
1862
My Dear Father –
I have as
yet received no reply to
my letter informing you
of my scheme for raising
a company of Cavalry
Guerillas, but I suppose
you are giving the subject
consideration and will soon
give me advice on the
subject. At present I
have thirty two, or three
members and the prospect
of more at in sufficient
numbers to justify the be-
life that my Efforts will
be finally crowned with
success. The service for
which the Company is
intended will be I feel assu-

[page 2]
attended with many advan-
tages, and offer fine op-
portunities for distinc-
tion. In consideration
of this fact, and that I
have already “crossed
the Rubicon” in engaging
in the enterprise I feel
disposed to use every
effort to succeed before
abandoning the attempt.
Whatever suggestions
you may make as to the
course that I shall pursue
will be gladly received
and faithfully abided
by. Stuart Cabell has joined
me, and as he is known
throughout the regiment as
one of its most fear-
less soldiers I think

[page 3]
will be able to secure a
desirable position should
the scheme meet with
success.
Reenlistments in the
regiment are going on
quite rapidly, some 150
having already been duly
mustered into service, and
a large number of the
remainder have signi-
fied their intention to
do so. It has been to me
a source of gratification
to witness the alacrity
with which the volunteers
are coming forward to
respond to the call of
the Country, and the
hopes of our people.
Our recent reverses on
the coast seems to have

[page 4]
awakened all from the
lethargy into which they
were allowing themselves
to fall, and arousing them
to renew their efforts for
the salvation of our cause.
The recent military bill
of the Legislature appears
to give very general satis-
faction throughout the
army, and all ^ ‘seem to’ view it
as probably the best that
could be passed under
the circumstances.
I shall write you again
tomorrow by which time
I hope to have received
a letter from you.
Most Affectionately
Your son
Jno. W. Daniel

[Occurring next in the file is an envelope addressed to:]
Judge Wm. Daniel Jr.
Exchange Hotel
Richmond
Va.
John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, future U.S. Senator and noted orator.
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 158

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

Feb 12 This forenoon our company and
Co. E escorted the rebel officers down
to the boat to be sent north. they say there
are 130 commissioned officers, prisoners.
Seventeen men came into camp to day
claiming protection from our General, saying
they were about to be drafted for the rebel
army and that there were twenty five more
coming. It has been a nice warm and
pleasant day, but I am not as well
contented here as almost any where else
I have been, I have a bad cold and my feet
are sore, and I feel used up generally
we marched down to the beach and got
out knapsacks.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio]

Feb 12
Played for guard mounting
Practiced some
Read &c
mostly clear
Hood & Whitry[?] left
for Beckly this morning

MSS 10317

Head Qrs Dist of Cairo
On Board “New Uncle Sam”
Feby 12 1862

Capt W. W. Leland
Commissary Expedition
Will let the bearer have two
small hams and twenty thirty pounds of hard
bread and the bill will be paid on
presentation at these headquarters
By order of Gen U.S. Grant Comg
Wm S. Hillyer
A.D.C.

MSS 10645