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

Monday 10 Disastrous news from all quarters this
morning. The enemy captured Roanoke Islane
taking the garrison. poor men–some 2800 men.
This is a sad affair. It gives them a post
in the inland waters of North Carolina & will
enable them to take in succession all the
towns on Albemarle Sound and probably to
organize an expedition against Norfolk
in question with one from Fortress Monroe
The news is equally bad from the west. Heard
[?] [?] Fort Henry, a [?] work on
the Tennessee near the Kentucky line, an ex
pedition in Gun boats steamed up the Tennessee
[?] through the whole state and took pos
session of Tuscumbai & Florence in alabma
at the head of navigation, threatening their
Rail road communication between Chattanooga
and New Orleans & Mobile Memphis. I have
no idea they can maintain themselves there
There success is owing simply to the audacity
of the enterprise–These successes will have
a great moral effect upon the Yankees
and will do us harm in England I never
was so much dejected as to the State of our
affairs–

MSS 4763

My Dear Father
Yours of the 6th inst has just been received now in regard to your letter in which you expressed fear that all was not right I will only say that I have left my Home & all I
hold dear, am deprived of my am deprived of [sic] all liberty must be ordered about by men that I have no respect for must do this or that whenever they say it wether I wish to or not A private must put up with A great many insults which if he was his own Master would not do. I could fill A number of pages with complaints I can bear hard fare & can put up with many privations (which of course we have to)but I cannot bear to have those I have left behind at Home think I care nothing for them & would that which would make them ashamed since I have belonged to this Regiment I have tried to so conduct myselfe that I can look back with pride & say my name has never been on the black book it is not pleasant for one that is way from his Home to receive letters that
that[sic] express the least doubt of his good behaviour, here we will let it drop there is no news that I can write, there is no prospect of our leaving Baltimore we are in Genl Coopers Brigade which is nothing more than A Home guard it is composed of the 2d, 3d & 5 Maryland ed & 5th New York troops must be stationed in Baltimore for the place is not safe untill this Rebelion is crushed & when that is to be is more than guess one thing I am confident of I shall serve out the full time for which I enlisted I know there are A great many that think the war will be ended shortly, but on what they lay their predictions I cant see I may be mistaken if I am so much the better as yet we have made little progress in the crushing& if every movement is as slow (although sure) it will take A long time before the last Battle in this war is fought there are to many in the employ of the Government that are traitors & to many that are making fortunes to close the war in A hurry. there are A plenty who are true to the Union as long as they can line thier pocketts & no longer a man that will take advantage of his Countrys misfortunes to fill his pocketts is no man there are plenty that do this & have respectful positions, the Messrs Jacksons call often & I am always glad to see them I saw B D Peck in the Fort A few days ago he looks as large as ever, I do not receive the Advertiser regular I have not receivd but two in A fortnight I will try & write often
From your son George

Letters from George Leavitt and his brother Joseph Leavitt were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: “because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid.” Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.

MSS 66

Camp Walker
Feby 10” 1862
My dear Wife
I got here Saturday
night all right & safe
Met Mr Ed Marshall at Gord
ville & we came down
together he was very
pleasant & agreeable &
thus I had a pleasant
trip. I saw Mary Burns
at Gville & asked her where
she was going to which
she replied to see my
husband. This surprised
me no little as I did
not know she was mar-
ried & could not find
out who she married with
out asking her. Of course
I was too smart to appear
to be ignorant of her husbands

[page 2]
name & must now ask
you to let me know who
she married. Major Walker
& Dr Morrson are both
sick & Moffett still com-
plaining. I met George going
home. what must I do
with his drawers &c
Two companies of our reg-
iment have volunteered to
enter the Confederate Service
Woodstock co & Page co.
this breaks up our regiment
I have no further
time to write
Affectionately your husband
E.T.H.Warren

“Gordville”, line 3 –

“Gville”, line 9 – ‘Both referred to Gordonsville.’

“Major Walker”, page 2, line 3 – ‘Samuel T. Walker, Major, 10th VA Infantry.’

“Dr Morrson”, page 2, line 4 – “John A. Morson, Assistant-Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.’

“Moffett”, page 2, line 5 – ‘Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.’

“George”, page 2, line 6 – ‘Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Corporal, Company C, 13th VA Infantry.’

“Woodstock co”, page 2, line 12 – ‘Muhlenberg Rifles, Company F, 10th VA Infantry.’

“Page co”, page 2, line 12 – ‘Page Volunteers, Company K2, 10th VA Infantry.’

“this breaks up our regiment”, page 2, line 13 – ‘The two companies to which Warren referred, Muhlenberg Rifles and Page Volunteers, continued to serve with the regiment until the end at Appomattox Court House. At the time of his letter, early February 1862, there was much confusion about reenlisting due to conflicting legislation from the Confederate Congress and the Virginia Legislature. This confusion led to much discussion amongst the men, and obviously officers, about the question of reenlisting and what would be the ramifications. In the end, however, there was little effect upon most of the men except they were now in the service for the War. The vast majority of those serving with the 10th VA Infantry remained, though a number did gain transfers to other organizations. Most of the transfers were official; however, some of the men left their companies (AWOL) and joined various other units.’

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

MSS 7786-g

Richmond Arsenal
Feby 10th 1862

[to Miss Hetty Cary who has been designing and sewing pennons for the Confederacy.]

The Pennons ought to
be satisfactory to one
of more fastidious taste
than myself. I have
no suggestions to make
The most fanciful and
romantic patriot cannot
live on patriotism and
pay her own board.
I am not good at
figures–in fact have
always cut a bad figure
in the world Suppose
you add to price of cloth

[page 2]
and thread and needles
and gas, and wax, the
“wear and tear” of thimbles,
then estimate the number and value of the smiles
your retinue will lose
because of your business
engagements; then add
the cost of–board
and lodging (alas
that bread and meat and
sleep, should be alike
necessary to patriot
and traitor!)–then
divide one thousand pennons
by the sum of all these

[page 3]
villainies, and the quotient
will be the reasonable
price for each pennon

I have the honor to
be your most obedient
humble servant “now
and evermore”

Briscoe G Baldwin
1st Lt Arty

MSS 1174

Camp Wood, Ky. Feb. 10th/62

Dear Sister Sarah; I take my pen to let you know
What is going on here. I can inform you that
I am well at present. We had a pretty hard freeze
last night, but it is very pleasent here to day.
we have had a good deal of rain here. on the 2nd inst.
we wer on picket across the river, it rained all
night. I did not get much wet I wore the Indian-
rubber blanket that Uncle Ben sent me. I am
gretly indepted indeted & thankful to him for sending
it to me, the pickets we relieved was shot at by
the rebels a short time before we relieved them.

The 49th has the luck to stand picket in bad weather
We have the praise of being the healthiest and best
regiment in this division. Gen. McCook says the
49th O would make a fire if the enemy was
within 40 rds of them and that we are the best
pickets he has got (but we will burn rails if we can
get them) I recieved Andy’s letter & and yours.
Granvil Williamson & and I got a letter from
David Ritchey he is in the cyt city barracks in
Cincinnatti he was at home with his Co.
not long ago, they went to Sidney to recruit
they only had 9 come and they went there to show
off. Ritcheys got Sissis & Celias letter while David
was at home. Madison W is inat Colubmus O

[page 2]
Granvil is not so head up I think as he was
when he was at our house. he is not so harty
eather. Nelson Holt has been very sick the doctor
thinks he is getting better he is the hospital in Munf
orsvill. I should like to go and see him but persons
are not allowed to go in the hospital. Hiram Chass
is still at Louisville Ky. I have not heard from
him for some time. Louis Millars cosin has
been sick nearly a month he is at Louisville.
Charls B Ritchey belongs to the 30th Ind v rigt[sic]
it is here he was taken sick with the typoid
feaver and was sent to Louisville, his father
came after him and took him home. he is a
Sergeant in a Co. there is no one sick of your
acquaintance here W I have not got acquainted
wtih W. H. Myers brother yet I saw him when
I was sick at camp Neven at the doctors. I
heard he was a the hos Louisvill hospital
at least I have not seen him here.
Joseph Basom will probly go to the brigade comis-
sary to clerk for them (or write) that will be a
peg or two higher than corporel. he writes some of
the bigest you ever saw he writ one in the Highwathey[?]
stile. he has been getting up a song of the 49th it is
not finished yet it is a good one. Well Sarah you
wanted me to write to Grandmother when I wrote
to you so I will write to on the next page your brother
J. K. Duncan

John K. Duncan, private, 49th OhioMSS 8474-ab

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

Slept with Milan Waite last
night in a little narrow bunk
that we could not turn round in. Cold and
damp weather. Went with five others and
the two Lieuts. as guard to four prisoners
up to the “secesh” hospital, and to where
O. Jennings Wise was buried. One of the four
was a nephew of Gov. Wise an adjutant in
the rebel army. We went away up nearly to
the battle ground to the hospital and then
to the grave. I saw the grave and saw
Wise’s nephew take that paper containing
the name of Oliver Jennings Wise, from the
man who buried him. Came back almost
tired out my feet being blistered. This
evening the company went down to the
beach, but I did not go. They are fetching
in squads of prisoners all the time.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

Lay round this morning and talked
with the rebel prisoners &c. When the
capt. came and told us to put on our
equipments, and take our guns and fall
in and we were marched as escort for the
funeral of a rebel Lieut. who was killed.
They are fetching in rebel prisoners all
the time in squads and they took a thou-
sand this morning, who were coming to rein-
force the island. This afternoon I went
down with seven others to the big fort to
get provisions. I went all round the inside
of the fort. where there are twelve heavy guns
32 pounders, also shot and balls lying round
Wrote a letter home this evening, as they say
there will be a chance to send to morrow
morning. It has not seemed a bit like
Sunday to-day, but thanks be to God who
giveth us the victory. In Him alone
were we enabled to conquer. It is stated
that our regiment lost seven killed
and fifty-two wounded, and considering
the time we were under fire, it is
remarkable that so few were injured
It is one of the most important blows that
have been struck.

MSS 11293

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

Have been visiting some
to day Wrote to Father
John Olin & Eliza
Fulkerson Coffin A Arthur
& Foot started home this
morning
Went out this evening
to Dress Parade
Campbell came in to day
brought my Carpet Bag
Had a few Oysters this
evening
Partly cludy cleared off
this afternoon

MSS 10317

My Dear Creek
I have just received your welcome letter of the
2nd inst and as Gambrell Smith is going to start home
tonight, I will embrace the opportunity of writing you by
him, and I know no one will than see it before you do.
Oh Creek at any other time than this the news you send me
would have made me feel the happiest man on
earth but as it is, (although it makes me proud to think
that another link is about to be added to the chain of
happiness,) I almost regret that it has happened at
a time when their [sic] is little prospect of my being with you,
to give you the proper attention your condition demands
had I been assured of your condition three days ago, I
should not have volunteered, but the intelligence has
reached me to [sic] late to help myself now, as the deed is
already done, and my name entered on the muster
rolls of the company, I know this will be sad news
to you, but let us trust in providence and all may
yet be well, I dont think that the war can last a
great deal longer when I hope to return to you with
honour to myself and family, and the approbation
of my fellow citizens; I tried to evade volunteering
just yet, but when the call was made, there was a
great many of the Regt said they would not go without
I did, and you know I could not stand in the way
of any man doing his duty to his contry [sic]; what
office I may get in the Regt I cannot yet say,
but I am pretty certain of getting one of some sort
and perhaps a higher one than what I have now
but time will tell all, there is a good many of the Regt

[page 2]
volunteered already and they keep adding to the numbers
every day. I think we will get a good strong Regiment
out of it yet, and than [sic] recruit it to its full strength.
None of the Palmetto Riffle men have revolunteered
as yet except Mike Magee and Bob Nevitt I dont
know what they mean so many single men among
them to [sic], but I think they will come out yet in
large numbers, most of them say they want to come
home before they revolunteer, that their parents have
wrote them to do this, but they are very foolish in
doing it, for by doing so now they go in for two years
and get a Furlough of one month at home, but
if they disband come home and than [sic] reenlist
they have to go in for three years, or the war so
you see they gain one years service by the operation, and
also save the reputation of our Regiment, but I know
this does not entertain you much, and as I have a
letter nearly half wrote for Jink with all of the news
in it I will not say any more about it to you.
I am surprised to hear that the Richmond dispatch
has never come to you, I must write the editor and
see if he is not missending it, as it ought to have
come nearly as soon as the letter which I sent you from
Richmond. I subscribed for the Daily paper six months
You will likely see a good many of the boys from camp
who will give you all the news, I have just heard that
Orrs Regt are ordered to Kentucky, the ladies will
not be able to go their [sic] to see their Husbands, and all
of them will find out what Soldering in field is they
will miss their five rooms in the Moultrie House.
Kiss our darling little Maggie for me and except [sic] one
of her sweet ones for me yourself, good night Heaven
Bless you both
William

Orr’s Regiment: Orrs Regiment refers to the 1st Regiment South Carolina Rifles, which was organized by John Lawrence Orr, a South Carolinian member of the House of Representatives, and, after secession, of the Confederate Congress. Orr resigned from command of the regiment in 1862, but the regiment continued to be known by his name throughout the war. The regiment was also nick-named, “The Pound Cake Regiment,” because it saw little action in the beginning of the war. The move to Kentucky, which Anderson anticipates in his letter, did not take place. Instead, the regiment went to Virignia and participated in the Seven Days’ Battles, along with Anderson’s Regiment.

Some regiments stationed at Fort Moultrie were quartered at the Moultrie House, a public lodging on Sullivan’s Island.

[transcription and annotations by Emily cone-Miller

MSS 10366

[on bottom half of a torn sheet of paper]

to the 17th day of march at which period
he will rejoin his Company or Regiment
at Camp Stone Wall Jackson or wherever
it then may be, or be considered a De-
serter.
         Subsistence has been furnished to said
William t. Mead to the             day of
and pay to the 31st day of Oct. 62 both
inclusive
         Given under my hand at Camp
this 9th day of Feby 1862
JEB Stuart
Brig Genl
Comdg Cavalry

C R Irving  Capt
Co. G. 1st Va Cavalry

[on verso of above]
It gives me pleasure to
bear testimony to the gallant
-ry, intelligence & efficiency
of the within named W.L.
Mead–as one capable and
worthy of promotion
                 JEB Stuart
                 Brig Genl
                 Comdg Cavalry

MSS 4966-b