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

I waited last night for some time the ar
rival of the train to receive Staige–but it did not
come. At breakfast heard the bell ring and knew
it was Staige. He came last night to the great
gratification of the family. He says slaughter
was natural after 3 this morning–Had a laborous
day at Bank and did a great deal of business
-Staige dined with us. Ben came in and
talked “hospital” so incessantly that we had little
opportunity of enjoying Staige’s society–Ben’s
professional enthusiasm makes him a bore sometimes
–Bad news from Tennessee–the enemy have
taken Fort Henry on the Cumberland. There is dan
-ger of their penetrating into the state having
a flotilla on the river–news also of the
Burnside expedition attacking Roanoke Island
which I suppose must fall before the
great superiority of force. this would be
a dangerous post if occupied–threateneing Norfolk
in the rear and the lower Roanoke region
of North Carolina a post to Lucius Minor
to reawake[?] him to the trust feature on his brot
thers will, which is very galling to him. He
manages so badly that I think it wise in
John to prevent his spending the money. it
is better the children shd have some resource
After tea went up to Charles Slaughters, and
sat an hour or two with Staige. He has not
much hope of his living. He is compelled to
go back tomorrow morg.

MSS 4763
a

Camp Franklin Near St Johns Seminary Alaxandria Va Feby 8 1862
Dear Father–As Harrison Brown is here & as he said that he was going Home tomorrow & would take any thing Home that 8i wanted him to take I concluded to send Home all of the old letters that I had on hand home by him Which is thirty five he brought those stockings & that
work Bag Both of which I wanted very much, I set out to send for A work bag as much as a week ago. I am well as I ever was & as you have asked me a great many times about my appetite I will begin by saying that it is good I can eat A lofe of bread Big as those that Mary Wallace makes at one meal which I never could at Home & then
have butter on it General Slocums Horse has got well from his wound which he got by having A bayonet stuck in him I have just been reading of the capture of Fort Henry by our Gunboats & that have possession of the railroad to Warren,Martinsburgh Sunday I will try to answer Williams letter & Frank Crawfords both of them I received yesterday & the true Flag which I would like to have William send me the weekly papers after he read them tell him that is so about the regiment falling into line & come to an order arms in halfe a minute I can say that there is not anothe[r] regiment that can beat it & I do not say it just because I belong to the regiment that it is just as I write it tomorrow we have baked beans I have just received your letter of Feby 3d From your son Joseph Leavitt

MSS 66

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

I was put on guard last night
for a couple of hours over an
outbuilding. Lay right down on some husks
laid on the ground but could not sleep
as it was wet and cold and raining.
This morning early we were roused by
firing of the pickets and were called
to arms. We immediately formed and
marched to battle. I ate some bread and
meat while marching along. the twenty
fifth went ahead, throwing out skirmishers
right and left of the road and when
the firing commenced, we formed in
line of battle, pushing our way through
teh brambles and vines in the swamp
and water up to our knees. We fired and
advanced boldly as if we were target shoot-
ing, and kept it up till about noon. when we
were ordered to march in retreat as our
ammunition was exhausted and the twenty
first Mass. was ordered up in our place
we then moved round to the right and
lay down on the ground, where we lay
for some time, the bullets meantime whistling
over our heads, as I lay there on the wet
ground I sent up a silent prayer to god
to watch over us and protect us, and I
also during the time I was in the battle, con-
tinually sent up my thoughts to Him to be
with me, and blessed be His name I came
out of the battle safe and sound. The New
York Zouaves charged on the masked battery
and finished up the work which we
commenced. We then were formed and
marched down through the fort, where
we saw the dead lying and then marched
along several miles. when we were met
by Gen. Foster, who told us we had taken
about twenty five hundred of the rebels
and that we were masters of the island
as the fort were all surrendered. We also
learned that a son of Gov Wise was wounded
and taken prisoner, and our company was
detailed to go round to the point of the
island and we went round till about eight
o’clock, when we marched into the barracks
lately occupied by the rebels. We were com-
pletely drenched and tired out, but I changed
my socks for dry ones, and lay down with
my overcoat over me on the floor. I slept
till about one o’clock, and then got up and
partly dried my clothes, and found a Knap-
sack containing a miniature and some other
things, which I took possession of. the
picture was of a rebel soldier, in a
handsome pearl case.

MSS 11293

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

Stayed all night
in the Old Wharf
boat. left early this
morning on the Victor No. 2
passed the Cannelton Oil
Works. arrived soon
after noon at the falls
left baggage with
Campbel. Walked up
to Camp very fatiguing
very muddy
got to Camp after dark
found the boys well
glad to see them find
letters from Eliz, Ella D.
Mag Campbell Aron T. John Cook
Hantz[?] Hays
cloudy rained & snowed a
little

MSS 10317

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

Saturday – February 8th 1862
It rained all last night & the
weather is wet & rainy again today –
Spent the day in doors – reading &
playing chess – Amused myself
by cutting wood for an hour today –
Mr. Hagard [or Hazard] got off today for
Richmond – I rec’d a letter from
Kate today, enclosing me one to
send Mrs Roy from Maggie[Margaret Anne Logan], they
both thank me for sending my letter
from her for them to read – Spent
the evening with Fay in his office –
I feel sad today – at the prospects
of staying here until April – My
ideas are to go home & see my friends –
& endeavor to make some arrangements
to go into the service by the first of April.
Kate [Katherine Mc Neil Logan]mentions that somebody is at [-]

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards; annotation by Robert K. Krick]

MSS 6154

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox,of the Albemarle Border Guard]

Feb 8 Our company & others [?]
were taken from “Nag’s
Head” this morning to
the island to reenforce
our forces as an attack
by land was expected
We got to & landed on
the Island by 12 noon, but
too late to do any good
for our forces had been
whipped & were in full
retreat having been
hotly engaged all the
morning against fear-
ful odds–To our great
dismay we found our-
selves all prisoners
There being no means
of escape from the
island & we complete
ly over powered
So for the first time
in our lives we had
to stack arms & surren-
der as prisoners of war

MSS 2223

Rose Dale, Va
Feb. the 8th: 62
Dear Sister Kate,
If you think it so lonely since the “V.R”[?]’s left I will try
& have you forget them a few moments by reading a letter from Home for
fear if you think of them so much you will become troublesome on aunts
hands; And I now dont wonder at you for being lonely, since I have heard
that, that certain Moses is out of reach of his “Plug of tobacco“, & so far away from
“his Cousin fancy“. Now Kate dot go to grieving about him, for I will have him plug, by the time you get home. not worth while though to get it before as you have forbid him coming until you return “for fear he would fall in love with me“.

You did not think Miss I would hear all of that but it was too good
for the boys to keep; they were still in town, last night but expected to
start this morning Frank came out Tuesday night & he John Henton & Rubing
K came out Wednesday evening, & stayed until yesterday morning. John
& Joe[?] said yesterday evening that they were coming out tonight if they did not have to leave; by the way Jno is a pleasant boy I would never known him.

Kate we got a letter from John Thursday. he is very well. is five miles from Winchester. busy making thier cabins. expect to stay there two or three
months. but I expect “Will” has given you all that information as we have not had the pleasure of reading a letter from hi; you were mindful enough to let
him know where to direct his; Capt Newton is at home expects to go back
next week. Jim, & George started yesterday. they were here Sunday night- I
believe Jim looked sadder that he did when he first went away, spoke of
having to go alone, without his comrad…”Sallie & Sue will sympathize with you“.

Kate George L. is still improving but John is worse. he was so much deran
ged the first of this week that it took four men to keep him in bed.

[page 2]
his Father is still with him & sais he has but little hopes of his
recovery. I am sorry, but John is a good pios boy , & God knows all
things best. I have something sad to tell you. Andy McClure’s little
boy Frank, fell in the fier last Friday & was burned so bad that
it died Saturday evening. Sue S. wrote to me that she would never
forget its screams so severe was its suffering. its little head was burnt
very bad & one arm nearly burnt off. Sue said May McClure is almost
distracted about it. there was no one in the room except little
Phebe & you know her helplesness. the nurse had just left the
room, & he got up to walk across the hearth & fell. Dr. Tate
also buried his little boy, last week. it died with the diptheria.

Miss Jinnie’s school closed yesterday. none of us was over. it was
late before Doc John & Rubing left & I did not feel like going. Hetty
has only went once week since you went asay she had such a bad
cold & pain in her head that Ma told her to bring her books home
& you know that peased her very well:

Cousin George Armentrout is at home. he came home Thursday,
George Kiser has gone to his company again. Tom brought Sue
up Thursday. George started from home: I have not seen Meag or
Rachel, nor Sam, since I got your letter but will deliver your mess-
ages when I see them. Mr Shields was at Strawsburg last week did
you see him pass by the Springs. he went with the waggon I would
have written to you that he was coming in my other letter but
Lizzie & Ma told me I had dreamed it & I thought-perhaps I
was mistaken but the next day I saw Mary Catherine at the school
house & she said he had started on Friday. he took Soldiers cloths
down. Cib got home last Tuesday I have not seen him
yet Father sais he looks tolerable well:

Kate, I have a notion to make me a muslin quilt. I want you

[page 3]
to ask Ginnie Tincorn & Jany, Eliza Koontz, Mag & Kate C cous A all my acquaintances for a piece of their dresses to put in to it to remember them. if you get any you must send them by Pa he still talks of coming but I dont know when. Ma
sais the weather is too uncertain to leave home with Flossie now.

Flossie was delighted to think that letter was directed to her she had just been wishing to (Ellen) that she would get a letter from the post office directed to her & Ellen told on her after she got yours: she wants you to tell her how you
stewed your fruit. said I should tell you John wrote he was going to make
her a ring out of Laurel root, & that she had broke Lillie’s other arm off,
& Strawberry was married to Mr. Wood: sais She wold like to see Cous Amanda;
Mary & Etta. you must bring Amanda home with you:

Misses Freeman & Mr Hultz was married last Thursday a week. I heard last
Sunday that she was taking the fever. I dont know whether it is so or not
she was down at Mr Shovers he married Dave’s sister: Kate I reckon you
saw, that piece in the register that spoke of hanging those traitors from
western Virginia. among them George Awbry: I dont pitty him much for he
had taken up arms against our boys; out there & was orderly sargent in a Tincorn company; so Jim Hawke told me.

Well Kate I have some work to do today & must soon close Uncle Peter’s
are all well. Bell & John were in town to see the boys last week. Kate tell
Mag & Kate C. I wold like to see them give my love to then[sic] Fannie & Eliza
Jany; vine, S. & all my acquaintances Mother sad tell Aunt she would like
to come down but the weather is so bad & the roads so muddy that she cant
this winter: but I will try to get Sam to come, if the Malitia dont get
him Jake talks of joining a Cavalry company, if he goes in the Spring.

Now I must stop dont forget to answer soon all join me in
love to you & all kinfolks Lizzie sais she will write soon take good care
of your health & tobacco:

Be good goodbye
Your Aff Sister Annie Trout

[written in left hand margin of page two]
P. S. Oh Kate I forgot to tell you that Rubing is so smitten with you too. he was
looking in evry corner to see your name or something that resembled you: now if you dont do some
thing for yourself this trip as Lizzie Pilson) sais you need not try any more- Kate you have
got to let me know when you hear from Moses & Rubing–Kate you will think I have
got right funny since you left after you read this. will it’s no use to be always sad
Write soon Annie

Miss Kate C. Armentrout,
Lacy Spring, Va
Care of Miss Jannie-Henton

MSS 11332

Packet Boat Feb 7 1862

Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

I kept myself unusually busy all day
yesterday and succeeded in getting through with
my business as far as it was possible, one of
the persons whom I wished to see, Mr Coalter
Cabell, being out of the place. He is in the
Confederate service at Yorktown. There were
a great number of officers and soldiers on the
streets. The latest news by telegraph on yes-
terday evening was that the federals had
taken possession of Fort Henry and had burnt
the bridge across the Tennessee between our
forces at Columbus & Bowling Green. This in
-formation, I suppose, must be correct though
too late of course to find any confirmation of
it in the papers of today. There have been
several skirmishes, one at Knoxville Tennessee
where we routed the enemy.

There are seven candidates for Congress to
fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of

[page 2]
John Tyler. It is thought by most persons with
whom I have conversed that McFarland,
who is now discharging the duties of that
post, will probably be elected on Tuesday
next when the election comes off.

The difficulty between the Department and
“Stone Wall” Jackson has been adjusted
which first occasioned Jackson’s resigna-
tion. The Department would not accept his
resignation & have given him entire satis-
faction in regard to the matter. I have no
doubt that the Department of war erred
in interfering with his duties, since in his
position, he was most capable of judging
of the necessities of the case, in the army
in that quarter.

Please remember me to Mr Skipwith and
tell him that I enquired for his letters &
that I was informed his letters (four in num-
ber, the young man said) had just been given
to a servant who came for them. I suppose
he weill receive them today.

I hope Mrs. Skipwith’s health will improve.

[page ]
I regret that I cannot stop in passing.
I hope you will come to Nelson to see us
all as soon as you can.

Very affectionately yours,

Willm D. Cabell

It is confidently assured
that the blockade must be
raised in a very short time
Tobacco has advanced Two
dollars [?] [?] W.D.C.

William D. Cabell (1834-1904) was executor for the estate of Jefferson’s friend and University of Virginia co-founder Joseph C. Cabell. During the war he served as a commissary for the Confederacy and organized the Nelson County Home Guard.
MSS 640

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

Day mile but not bright atmosphere char
-ged with vapor and highly favorable to the [?]
of [?] [?] Long letter from Lanty to
his sister. They are now encamped 5 miles from
Winchester and are building huts. He speaks
of his tent or mess mates with great enthusiasm
two of them, William & Barton, are sons of old
and early friends–He lauds also a servant who
ia a great comfort to them–Wrote to G. B. Lamar
of Savannah, about some bonds & stock James
Morrow has in the South, the interest and divi-
dends of which he gives to Loreena[?] and Mary. I
see little possibility of getting anything. Charles
Slaughter is very ill. They telegraphed to Staige
to come over–I suppose he did not get the dis-
patch in time to enable him to take the cars–No
man would be missed or mourned more than
Charles. He had just been left with Sam Garland
secondary legatee of his uncle’s estate, of which his
share would probably have been 225,000$ The
dissentions which grew out of it & the threat of
the widow to set aside the provision made for her
and other harrassing cares of business, it is thought
were the proximate causes of the attack. He is
a noble hearted fellow and I shall most severely
regret his death. Recd letter from Lucius, written in
an excited strain, complaining of his brother having
left what he did leave to him in trust. Poor fellow!
from the little aptitude he has shown in the manage
ment of his affairs & from his present embarrassment
it was very wise, I think, on John not to give it
to him unrestricted I filed an application to
day for a life insurance 1500$ I have been looking
for Dr. Owen for several says to get him to [?] [?]
I cannot afford a large sum–Letter from D. Jno
Minor, who says John talked to him about a year
ago of his disposition of his property and said he had ex
plained the matter to Lewis, why he gave him no
thing. am pretty confident Lewis will not re-
ceive any thing. It is time I had a letter from
him in answer to mine sending a copy of the will

MSS 4763

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

Up to the fort on the island. while
we lay at anchor in the same place that
we did last night. They commenced
with the gun-boats about noon, and kept
at it about all the afternoon. We kept
on our equipments all ready to land and
about four oclock, we went on the Pilot Boy
and landed at a point on the island
safely. We saw the rebels through the tees
going at double quick, but the gunboats
throwing a few shells over our heads we were
not molested. We immediately formed (our
company), and marched over the marsh to
a house on the higher ground, where the differ-
ent regiments all formed and stacked arms
Lieut Richter of Co. G. climbed up and hoisted
the old flag on the top of the house. It
was greeted with cheers. We are ordered
to stay by our arms to night and expect
a battle to morrow.

MSS 11293