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

Left Charleston this
morning pretty situation
saw the Salt Works
quite extensive
arrived at Camp
Piat[t] soon after
noon stopped off there
to await a government
boat. This is dull
business

cloudy growing cold

MSS 10317

Head Quarters, Dist. of Cairo
Fort Henry, Feby 7 1862

Special Field Orders
No 3

Capt. W. S. Hillyer, A.D.C.
will proceed to Paducah Ky. on the Steamer
Patan[?], with the prisoners of War taken at
Fort Henry Ten. and report them to Col.
David Stuart who will take charge of
and provide for the same.

By order
U.S. Grant
Brig. Gen Cm

MSS 10645

Winchester Va. February 7th 1862

Ma I received your kind
letter dated January 29th which
I read with much pleasure
I also got your poetry which
I read with pleasure I am
well and hope these few lines
will finde you all in good
health. We have got back
to winchester once more
but I dont expect we will
stay hear long Some think
we will go to Richmond and
from there to Ky but it
is unsertten whear we well
go It has been more than
a moth since we left hear
and we have been exposed
very much since we left
hear Ma you wanted to know

[page 2]
whether I got my quilt or
not I got the quilt and boliver
got his vest and handkerchiefs
you said m[ay]be you would send
me some shirts and socks but
I expect I have as many clothes
as I will need for a good while
you said uncle Vincent was
agoing to start after Edmiston
I dont know whether he could
finde his grave or not while
we was at monterey I went to
the grave yard and looked for
his grave but I could not finde
it but if he wants to go let
him go m[ay]be he can finde it
their is right Smart Sickniss
in the Regiment at this time
but I dont think their is
many dangerous cases in the
Regiment their was a great
many dide while we was gon

[page 3]
our coumpany has lost more
man than anny nother Company
in the Regiment but their is
not many sick in our Coumpy
at this time Ma our living
know is wheat bread made up
with cold water and salt our
meat is blew beef. that you
know is good. Congress wante
the old volunteers to reinlist
I think I will try it again
though I would like to stay
at home next summer to
get some good milk and butter
to eat and to see the farm and
the green grass cattle horses
and colts. James A Gilmer said
to tell his folks that he
was well. Ma I would like
to see you all and talk with
you but I expect it will be
along time befor I see you all

[page 4]
but I hope their is a day
acuming when we will be
permitted to see each other
I would like to see all of the
little ones but I belive I have
forgotten some of them their
is so many of them that I
can hardly think of their
names but I recken I could
call their names. Tell them
all howdy for me. Ma I have
nothing mew to write to you
so I will have to bring my
badly ritten letter to aclose
So nothing more at present
but remain your affection
ate Son William R. Gilmer

Mary Gilmer Wm R. Gilmer

William R. Gilmer, Private, Co. I, 37th Virginia Infantry

MSS 5194

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

Feb 7 Bombardment of Roa
noke Island commenced
this morning at about 10
2 o’clock A.M. & contin-
ued all day

MSS 2223

Centreville Virginia
7 February 1862
My dear Little Nannie:
Yours of Tuesday came to hand
to day – I am much obliged to you for it & the
Box of nice things that are yet to be rec? –
by Willie Blackford whose return to Camp I
have not yet heard of – Our Wagon went
to the Junction to day & I asked the driver
to carefully look for a box for me in the event
Willie might not be able to bring it up with
him if he should arrive to day – I am glad
that the Col. invested the 4000$ in 8 pr. ct.
Confed. Bonds – I am entirely willing to sink
or swim with the government of the South but
would not so have invested money not earned
by myself – I am therefore much obliged to him.
Tell him so –
Did you receive my letter containing
Clark’s Dft [Draft] for 20$ on your Father?
I am glad to hear of the improvement
in “Sissie’s” health & hope she is well again by this
time – Tell her how d’ye for me –

[page 2]
About 20 of this Company have re enlisted to
go home on furlough for thirty days & elect
or help to elect officers onthere on their return
or at the expiration of their present time of en-
-listment – Grey is chagrined by his failure
to be appointed Major & says he will not
commit himself to accept a new Captaincy –
I have been asked to raise a Company but
have not decided to so as yet – I would
not be connected in any way with about
25 of those in this Company – If I go in
again they must go out –
There is a strong disposition in this
Army to re-enlist & I think that more than
half will join again –
Judge Taliaferro has just stepped in
& I must stop to do the civil to him –
Give my best love to all at home
Tell the Cap’n to be a good boy –
I labor to deserve to be
Nannie Tings Own
Choctaw

William A. King, Captain of the Saltville Light Artillery

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6682

Centreville Feb. 6th
1862.
My Dear Father–
After giving
the subject due conside-
ration, I have at last
come to a conclusion in
regard to raising a
company for the war, and
I expect to engage at
once in vigorously pros-
ecuting the plan adop-
ted. After comparing
the advantages of, and
the objections to the various
branches of the service
I have become satisfied
that the Independent
Squadron now forming
under Maj. Mason for
two years or the war,
will afford the most favorable

[page 2]
field for success, and dis-
tinction. With this con-
viction on yesterday eve-
ning I called on Maj.
Mason, and procured
from him authority to
raise a company for
his command, which
will be enlisted under
the following conditions.
The Squadron will
consist of not less than
3 or more than 4 com-
panies, respectively of from
64 to 100 men each.
The men will not be
liable to picket duty, or
the usual details to
which ordinary Cavalry
is subjected, and will
not be attached to any

[page 3]
regiment, or other organiza-
tion. Their duty will
be to cut off foraging,
and detached parties of
the enemy, and to attack
any weak point where
victory, and stores may
be expected. Arms will
be provided by the Gov-
ernment. Maj. Mason
is represented as a skill-
ful officer, and I was
quite favorably impressed
by the short conversation
had with him.
Having determined
to raise such a company
last night I commenced
taking names, and to day
I close with some twenty
two, or three reliable

[page 4]
men as members, and
the prospect of numerous
recruits tomorrow. The
men will find their
own horses, and in com-
pensation will receive
$12.00 pr. month of ad-
ditional pay.
The chief difficulty
encountered is as I antic-
ipated that of getting
horses. Many good, and
desirable men have
presented themselves to
me to join on condition
that they could furnish
horses, and could this
obstacle be surmounted
I am satisfied that
I could speedily [form] a compa-
ny comprised of most

[page 5]
excellent, and reliable
men. I propose to obviate
this only difficulty by the
following plan.
Each man receives
on reenlisting $50 bounty,
and a Cavalry man through
the year $144 hire for
his horse. Let each recruit
then on joining the Company,
and being unable to fur-
nish his horse deposit
the $50 with me, and to
that sum I will advance
100 on the ^ ‘[catn?]’ pay which he
will receive pr. month, and
provide the horse.
As I can procure
at least 30 men willing
to mount themselves 3,000
or 4,000 at the utmost will

[page 6]
be sufficient to provide
the remaining number
necessary to the formation
of such a company ^ ‘with horses’ and
this sum I hope to borrow
at not over ten-percent
interest which I will
willingly pay from the
amount saved from this
years salary as 2d Lieut.
You or Grandpapa could
doubtless procure the money
from some bank at
the percentage named
above, and with the
certainty of having it
refunded at the end
of ten – months.
As soon as I find
out that the money
can be gotten I will

[page 7]
proceed to enroll names,
and then procure a
furlough (as under those
circumstances I could)
and go home to make
provision for the horses.
The company will go into
service the first of April.
Could you not procure
the necessary amount
on the conditions mentioned?
The Interest which
I pay will be amply
compensated for by the
Emolument, and the
salary of the office
obtained.
This letter will reach
you Saturday night,
and I shall hope
for an answer on Monday

[page 8]
evening next.
I desire to prosecute
with all fidelity, and
energy the plan now
that I have decided
upon it, and if you can
aid me in the pecuniary
way mentioned my
success will be established.
I continue well, and
with much love remain
Most affectionately
Your son
Jno. W. Daniel

John W. Daniel, 1842-1910, Co. C, 27th Virginia and Co. C, 11th Virginia, later a U. S. Senator and noted orator.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158

[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio returning from furlough]

      Steamer “Glenwood,” Kanawha River, Feb. 6th.
At 8 this morning precisely we left Gallipolis.  A
late breakfast very near detained me, for I was
obliged to run at “double quick” some 20 or 30 rods
for fear of being left, and this I done, regardless of
the mud, of which there was plenty, floundering
through and succeeding in smearing my clothes most
beautifully; but never mind, it’s Ohio soil, and
God knows when I will again see or tread it
again. ~~ Having to “stem the current,” we
make rather slow progress, insomuch that at
this time, 7 P.M. we are no farther than Charleston,
64 miles from Gallipolis. ~~ The difference between
Ohio and Western Virginia is so wide that it is not
hard to institute a contrast.  Instead of pretty farms,
well cultivated, we see a rough, broken, almost uncultivated
country, log hovels, instead of pretty, comfortable dwellings,
&c.&c. and so we might enumerate, the difference being
as wide throughout.
Our boat stops 10 miles further up, at Camp Piatt,
and as I have a good long walk before me tomorrow,
I shall “turn in” for the night, and prepare for it
accordingly.


[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

Camp Franklin Va Feb 6/62

Dear parents
I was very glad of
the reception of your last letter
for it gave me the desired inf
ormation and eased my mind
of quite a burden. I did not
intend to convey the idea
to you that I was very sick
for I have not been very sick
since I left home I have
had some slim spells and
have been excused from
duty a number of days but
there has not been a day that
I could not go out rain or
shine since I came out here.
You spoke in your letter about
the small pox getting into
our camp I think it will not
for we have all en vaxinated

[page 2]
for it in this brigade mine
did not take the Dr. thought it
would not as I had a good
scar on my arm. I shall get
some chorade of lime and keep
it about me all the time to
prevent any disease. I have
received reliable news that
you can send things out here
free of expense from Portland
the agents name is Georg R.
Davis if this is so I should
like to have you send me
one pare of blue woolen shirts
for they are better than these
we draw you will know the
kind I mea want like them I
had when I enlisted and if
you have any thing else to
send put it in and if any of
the neighbors fell free to send
me any thing give them the
priveledge any thing from

[page 2]
friends will be thankfully
recieved. I do not want you
to put yourself to any great
expence for it will not pay.
I have not any particular news
to write we have not had but
two fair days for three weeks
it has snowed three days and
rained or been cloudy the
rest of the time it rains here
to day and it is very muddy.
Every thing remains quiet
in this division of the army
all other war news you get as
soon as we do. Our box started
yesterday and it will reach
Webbs Mills next Tuesday
if nothing happens to it.
I think the bill for you to pay
will be about 1.00 I want
you to write as soon as you
find out about it. If Durans
folks want to send any thing

[page 4]
or any other one he will be glad
to get it. It them things
get home safe I do not want
you to give Walter any thing
unless he lives with you. There
is some books there that I got
at Dr. Masons last Summer
they are not worth much but
I thought I would send them
home. I have nothing more
to write this time so I will
close write as soon as you
get news from that box
Yours in haste
H. M. Cash

Hiram M. Cash, 5th Maine Infantry

MSS 12916

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, newspaper editor, banker and postmaster, Lynchburg, Va., with 5 sons in Confederate service]

To my dismay heard on wake-
ing the sound of rain. It fell in torrents
some hours and has carried off the snow
-leaving the ground thoroughly saturated &
the roads almost impassable–Our Discount
clerk, Camillus Christian –called by every
one “Jack”, was married last night Mary
daughter of Jno T. Davis. I was invited
but did not think it would be seemly to go
Jack was at his post today as if nothing
had happened–Wrote to Eugene–no mail
from Richd, nor from Manassas or [?]
I read in Motley–

MSS 4763

[From the minute book of the University of Virginia Chairman of the Faculty, Socrates Maupin]

Feby 6 Gave Mr Adam C. Miles leave to matric-
ulate in the law school upon credit for an
indefinite time for his fees–The Faculty having
by resolution authorized it.

8 Gave Messrs Jas F. Mister, P H Pendleton &
Jno E. Bland leave to matriculate with
an abatement of one third in their tuition
fees; the action of the Faculty under date of
Decr 13, justifying it–

21 Gave Mr Th M. Jones leave of absence for one
week to visit home–Thinks it probable he
will ask leave to withdraw from the
University with the view of entering the army
as a volunteer and thereby avoiding a draft
of the militia–

Feby 21st Gave Messrs Jas A Robins, Jno W. Aler, Wm M
Perkins, A. Meyer, M Wood Rbt Fife, H. V. Weeden,
Jno D. Pittman, Jos P. Webb, Hwnry C. Gowdey, Walton
Watkins & Chapman Maupin, leave of
absence for four days, to attend the inaugur-
ration of President Davis at Richmond on
the 22d inst

24 The bill before the Legislature providing for
a draft of the militia to fill up the quota
of Virginia in the Confederate Army, and
taking the Professors & students of incorporated
institutions from the class of exempts, having
become a law, a number of students ap-
plied for leave of absence to visit home
ad consult their parents or guardians
in regard to the expediency of volunteering
and thereby escaping what they deemed
the ignominy of being drafted into mil-
itary service–Accordingly leaves were
granted, as follows–
Mr. Jas H. Garlick for 4 days
Mr Abner Harris for 6 days
Mr Jno S. Hardaway for one week

[27] Mr. P. H. Pendleton for one week
Mr Ch A. Alexander for ten days

[28] & Mr Ch Y. Kimbrough for one week

Feby 24, 1862 Gave Messrs Ro. T. Marable & Geo W. Butts
states students, leave to withdraw from
the University in order to volunteer in military
service–alleging that they acted upon the
advice of their mothers respectively–

Gave Mr Ch L. Garnett leave of absence
for ten days, to visit home on account of
the death of a sister-

25 Gave Mr J. F. McF. Blain, states student, leave
to withdraw from the University, at
the request, as he states, of his father-
Gave Mr Jno W. Harrison leave to withdraw
from the University–Has received a letter from
his father advising him to join a volunteer company

26 Gave Mr Ro: E. Lee Jr leave to withdraw
from the University, with the view of entering mili-
tary service as a volunteer–Has not had an op-
portunity of consulting his father, but his
mother approves this course–

Gave Mr Wm. E. Taylor leave to withdraw
from the University–called home by telegram–
Expects to reenter military service–

27 Gave M Wm K McCoy state student, leave
to withdraw from the University–with the
view of entering Capt J. McD. Carrington’s Company
of Artillery–

On Monday the 24th of February a severe
storm of rain occurred, accompanied by a strong
wind from the South West, which carried off
nearly a third of the Tin from the west side
of the roof of the new Building and the
skylight over the School of Athens, and
at the same time other serious damage
to the roofs of dormitories Pavilions and
one of the buildings in Dawson Row-
Immediately after the storm I called at Mr.
Spooner’s residence to consult him as to the
best measures to pursue for the speedy repair
of damages–I did not find him at home, but
left a message for him to call at my office
at his earliest convenience. I called the next
morning and we went to Charlottesville to
enquire of the Tinners whether any thing
could be done for the immediate replacing of
the tine tin on the roof of the new buildings.
We found that the Tinners had neither tin
nor workman, necessary for undertaking
the job–Mr Vaughan promised to telegraph
to Scottsville for a workman–but if he did
so, he never returned to us any satisfactory
reply. I sent a message to the Rector asking
him to meet me at the University as soon
as practicable. He came the next day (26th)
and after we had conferred together and
consulted with Mr. Spooner, we agreed that
the best that could be done for the present,
was to cause a temporary covering of plank
to be placed on the part of the roof of the
New Building which had been stripped
of Tin. The superintendence of the work
was given to Mr. Spooner, also also [sic] the
repairs of other damages done by the storms
including the suitable protection of the sky
lights, the substitution of a slate roof
for the paper & gravel roof stripped off
from No 1 Dawson Row–the replacement
of the lead extensively torn from the crest
of the dormitory roofs &c &c–The work
has all been executed at the moderate
expense of less than six hundred dollars
(561$) including expense of superintendence–

RG-19/1/2.041 Vol. XIII