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

February 6
Lay at anchor last night and started
this morning at eight oclock, this morning
We are in sight of Roanoke Island. We
stopped about noon, and the gunboats
have gone ahead to engage the enemy’s
fleet. Have been singing and also learned
to play chess with Charlie Upton. It rains
to-day. God be with us and grant us success.

MSS 11293

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

Still on board
the boat
arrived at Gallipolis
Soon after noon to
day. Scarcely on
the river much
moved by the
[?] [?] [ink bleed through from opposite page obscures words]
passed Buffalo at
dark
partly clear very
pleasant
rained last night

MSS 10317

Dear Genl [John Hartwell] Cocke

I hear that Mr Peyton Skipwith will be
on the boat this morning and that he will get off at
your house–so, while I am waiting for the boat I will
occupy myself in this pleasant way in giving you the
little news in our neighborhood and furnish this much
evidence at least that I do not pass you without
much regret but that business that I consider very
important compels me to make as speedy a trip to Richmond
as possible–and rendered much more important by
the fact that it is principally the business of others
which I am to attend to.

I shall place in Mr. Skipwith’s hands a letter to you
from Aunt Sally and one to Mr Lee Brent from Dr
Brent which I suppose contain information in regard
to Mother’s sickness more accurate than anything that
I could write you. I hope however, sir, that as soon
as the rising on Mother’s neck disappears, which at
present annoys her very much that she will improve
rapidly.

I shall be very glad to meet with Mr. Skipwith and re
gret that I was away from home on business while he
was at Edgewood–as I intended certainly to call to
see him upon his arrival. When he was in this neigh-
borhood during Cousin Polly’s life time I met him at
our church and had the pleasure of offering him my horse
and he also called at my house on the following day. I
shall be very happy to meet with him again. I regret

[page 2]
very much, sir, to hear of the sickness of Mrs. Skipwith
who is now with you and hope that her trip to Vir-
ginia may ultimately, if not in a very short time,
prove beneficial to her health.

My Father’s health, I am glad to inform you, is
almost entirely restored and he is again leading
the same active life that he has always led.
No young man could witness such indomitable
energy and industry and such cheerfulness and
anxiety for the good of others without being moved
to desire to catch some of the same spirit.
Even under difficulties which might depress many
persons he is the same and I thank God for such
a parent and such an example! I will add, Sir,
that he received your kind letter which was duly
handed over to my family and the family at Li[berty] Hall
and returned to him.

I stated in my last letter to you that we should put
on record, if the court would allow it, a protest
against the clause in Mrs. Mary W. Cabell’s will
referring to my family and others in insulting terms
I had thought, sir, that a dignified protest, put
alongside this clause, setting forth the naked truth
–the facts in the case as could be clearly proved
by the best friends Mrs. Cabell had in the world
would make the matter more clear to posterity &
therefore would be justice to us. I knew, Sir, that
that clause could not effect my character or that

[page 3]
of the other gentlemen mentioned with this genera-
tion for to my regret Mrs. Cabell has spread her
own character before the public at large and put
it in flaming letters on record in Nelson Court
and every body that ever heard the truth of the
case can testify to the facts. To this moment, ever
since Cousin Joe’s death, I sincerely regret, that
such feelings should have been manifested on her
part and hope that I have never had any feeling
but that of a Christian towards her. I intended
to say that I decided a short time after writing
to you not to attempt to put the protest on record
but to agitate the matter as little as possible un-
less I thought there were some persons ignorant
of the facts–consequently I have ceased to mention
the matter atall and shall not again allude to
it unless it is forced upon my attention in some
way. I pray God to make me an instrument of
good and not of evil!

You will perhaps be interested to know some of the provi-
sions of Miss Peggy Rives’ will which have been made
public, as she was a relation of ours and some of
her heirs likewise. The real Est. Oak ridge is given
to Mr Alexr. Rives and her personal Estate for the most
part to be divided equally between her brother Dr. Landon
Rives and her sister Mrs. Alex. Brown and Mrs. Pollards
children. I understand that there were about forty ser-
vants. If you have heard of the difficulties which sur-

[page 4]

Packet Boat 12 o’cl M[eridian]

rounded the family of Gen. Brown and his son Robert,
my brother-in-law, some time since you would join me
in congratulating them upon this prospect of being re-
lieved in great measure from their worldly troubles.
The people of Nelson feel the loss of Miss Peggy Rives
very keenly–she was truly a good woman and a
kind & affectionate neighbor–she was a member of
the Episcopal church and used her means freely
in providing for Trinity Church, near her, during
her life time. I hope it may not be long before
we may have a good resident at Oak ridge-one
who will be a worthy representative of the former
occupant. I hardly think, however that Mr Alexr
Rives will leave his place in Albemarle, tho’ some
of his children may become possessed of it.
You said in one of your letters that you would
try to come up to see us in Nelson some time in
February–I hope, Sir, you will not relinquish
this intention–we shall all be delighted to see
you & I hope you will come as soon as you can.
Remember me to all the members of your family
when you see them & Believe me very affectionately yours

Willm: D Cabell

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. After the war he took his relative John W. Daniel (1842-1910), severely wounded at the Wilderness, to Philadelphia for treatment. There he met and married for a second time, a distant cousin Mary Virginia Ellet (1839-1930), daughter of a noted civil engineer and Union naval officer, Charles Ellet (1810-1862). The two of them ran the Norwood Institute for Girls and Young Ladies in Washington, D. C. Later Mrs. Cabell helped organizer the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as the first Vice President General. Letters of John W. Daniel and Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell are also being blogged at this site.

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

Steamer “Sally List,” Ohio River, Feb’y 5th., 1862.                                                                                                                                            
  Awaking about 2 this morning, I found that
our boat had stopped at Mariotta, and, as her time
for leaving was 5 A.M. she would be obliged to remain
some time, consequently, your humble servant turned over
and prepared to take another snooze.  At 6 o’clock
we were at Parkersburg, Va., an inconsiderable place
at the mouth of the Little Kanawha, but it has
obtained some notoriety in consequence of being the
terminus of the North-Western Branch of the Balt.
and Ohio R.R. which intersects the main road at
Grafton, about 100 miles north-east of this, (Parkersb’g)
     About 7 A.M. we left Parkersburg, and but a
short time after we were passing the famous “Blen=
=nerhassett’s Island,” which has obtained such a
celebrity in consequence of the incidents connected with
it, and its former occupant and proprietor.
     Not withstanding the morning air is quite sharp & cold,
yet bracing and invigorating.  I consider this place
worthy of a view, and a sight of it remunerative
enough to forego the comforts of a cosy steamboat
cabin and warm stove for a few moments, and I
ascend to hurricane deck, to see what I can see.

It is a portion of land some two or three
miles in length I should estimate, a bit narrow
and laying near the middle of the river.  The
soil appears quite fertile, and well adapted to
the growth of Indian corn.  I noticed two or
three apple orchards, and some common=looking
dwelling=houses.  Nothing of interest is noticeable,
and the traveler might pass it fifty times, and
be hardly conscious of its existence, were it not
for the incidents connected with it, and the
associations clustering around it, and which have
given it an almost world-wide celebrity.
A trifle over half a century ago, a gifted foreigner
resided here in the enjoyment of health, wealth,
contentment of mind, and the pleasant society of friends.
He left his home in a foreign land, and came
to America; the fame of which had begun to
spread abroad, and here, on this beautiful isle, he
selected and prepared a place for his future home.
But the wily Here he lived, and here he labored,
content and happy. But the wily destroyer came, at
length, and what was before an Eden, compared to the
tumultuous and diversified world all around, is    
                                                                         
suddenly transformed into an abode of wretchedness and
despair.  Alas! what a change.  The once happy occupant
is, in a few short months, arraigned before the country
as a traitor and felon.  The family, sharing his guilt,
suffer with mental agony sad to contemplate.
      Whether, indeed, Blennerhasset was guilty of the
grave charge of treason, or whether seduced unwittingly
by the artful misrepresentations of the gifted Burr
to countenance such a conspiracy for which he was
indicted, is hard to determine, but, certain it is, that
History would fain erase the foul blot which this
has associated with the name of Blennerhasset; and
heap the ignominy and disgrace upon Aaron Burr, who,
though gifted and talented, and who occupied prominent
positions in our government, at last, steeped his hands
in the blood of a former friend, and one of America’s
best men, and attempted to overthrow the government
that had nurtured him, at the same time attempting
to drag others into the conspiracy, only eventually
rendering himself an “outcast and vagabond upon the
face of the earth,” his kindred a reproach, and causing
his name to find a place beside that of Benedict
Arnold, that most heinous of traitors.~~ But we

will drop this subject, and, as the day is really
pleasant and pretty, and our time unemployed, we
can look around us, and speculate upon things past
and present.  Most naturally, our thoughts turn to
ourselves and our immediate surroundings, which
are constantly changing, but, as a whole, is one & the same.
Within the present century, a most wonderful rev=
=olution has taken place in the affairs of the
world, but in nothing has there such a change
or improvement taken place as in modes of travel
and communication.  When Fulton first applied
the power of steam to its present use, he inaugurated
a new and wonderful era in the affairs of nations,
little thought of by him, I conjecture, and, though
less than a single lifetime has elapsed since the great
inventor first launched the first steamboat on the
Hudson at New York, now can be seen hundreds
and thousands of the same, dotting our rivers, lakes
and oceans, being the fruits of the clumsy little
foundling that in 1807 made its first trip, amidst
the skepticism and disbelief which existed, at that
time, as to the probability or feasibility of such an
undertaking.  The slow=going flatboat, has long ago,
                                                                         
been superseded by the elegant and graceful steamer,
navigation, travel, and intercourse have been greatly
facilitated, the productions of foreign countries have
been easily brought us, and in return, we have
exported the fruits of our own industry.  And
the simple application of that apparently vapory
element, steam, has accomplished all this.  Not only
has navigation been benefited, but, if we look at
our railroads, almost literally making a checker=
=board of the country, we see distant points made
nearer, apparently; and time almost annihilated.
     The country I see around me, was, at the
beginning of the present century, a wild, unsettled
forest, inhabited only by the wild Indian, who hunted
the still wilder animals of the forest.  The only
habitations were the wigwarms of the savage, who lived
here savage and undisturbed.  Now what a change.
The forest has been cleared away, and we see pretty
villages, neat farm=houses, well=tilled farms, domestic
animals, evidences of civilization, and, about all, we greet,
instead of the dusty red man, the enlightened white
man, who, by a proper application of his intelligence, has transformed
the wilderness, so as “to bloom and blossom as the rose.”

                                       Gallipolis, 7 P.M.
Arrived here a couple hours ago, and, finding
that no boat leaves for the Kanawha until
tomorrow morning, I engaged lodging at the “Valley
House for the night.  Took a stroll through the town
awhile ago, and like the looks very well, being
a neat, pretty looking locality, good houses &c, and
a place of some business.  This is the county seat
of Gallia County, Ohio, and is 207 miles from Cincinnati,
and 170 from Wheeling, by the river.

                                       “Valley House”, Gallipolis, 10. P.M.
Attended meeting at the Methodist Church tonight.
Whether all Methodists do as some did tonight, I
can’t say, but if so, I haven’t much respect for
their religion.  For my part, I think that if a man
“Does as he would be done by,” if he tries to do good
when he can, and does it in all sincerity, and with
the intention of doing good, “not to be seen of men’”
he is as sure of a reward from his Heavenly
Father, as though he had observed all the forms &
ceremonies imposed by the strictest sect, and made
devout professions with a long visage and sanctimonious
voice, to convince the world he is a Christian.
                                                                             
I judge a man’s sincerity, his religion and Christianity
by the acts he does, and the motives which impel him
to their performance.  The thousand and one different
plans submitted by as many different individuals, to
guide you to the world beyond, seem to me to be
designed to lead you away, and in your debate about
the different theories you get to wrangling, and lose
sight altogether of the object you have in view.
I don’t believe Christianity is a theory, but consists
in practice, and if one really desires to be a Christian,
let him cast aside all theories, and observe the
Golden Rule: “As you would that others would do unto
you, do you even so unto them.” ~~ To go through the
forms of religion as many do, and then become so
vain=glorious as the self=conceited Pharisee, who, when
he went up into the temple, and publicly prayed,
thanking God that “he was not as other are;” or
to bellow vociferously with an auctioneer=like voice,
at every meeting, indicated to me, a rather spurious
kind of religion, and it seems as though they
are conscious of receding farther from that God whom
they pretend to worship, and must clamor thus, to
obtain audience before Him.

MSS 13925

Lafitte Feb 5th 1862

My dear sir

I have been here now a week
& wish to tell my dear Georgia and
yourself of my well being–as usual
I have found many things needing
my attention–direction & control-
In the main things have gone
on well during the past year-
The crop was fair, of corn & cotton, a surplus
of pork made which few can say in
this region–some seven infants born & none
dead & all this time all operations in a
good state of forwardness–I shall
plant little over a half crop of
cotton–Next week I will leave
here god willing, go down to New Orleans,
& make provision for some more supplies
& return back home as quickly as
I can–My heart is in Virginia &
though I enjoy peace of mid, I
feel as if I were doing wrong in
staying here a day longer than I
could help—-My journey was
free from any unpleasant incidents
The burning of the bridges had delayed

[page 2]
the train & I was obliged to pass a
night & part of a day in Knoxville. That
I did not regret. a party of the
misguided Union bridge burners tied well
& looking very disconsolate went in the
train with me to take up their
abode at Tuscumbia ala in the
Mis state Pen.y. some had been hung
during the first excitement
Genl McCulloch was with me in
the train & as usual I heard & learned
much that was interesting–
I wrote to Fanny the other day, as
she is the older than Georgia & stands
more in her dignity. Kiss my grand-
sons for me–I trust they
keep well–My best love to
Fan when you write to her my
dear Georgia
I have no time to add more than
my best love to you both
J.R. Bryan

D A G Grinnan

Dr. Andrew G. Grinnan
Brampton near
Orange Ct House

By Carter, let him pass to his master Dr Grinnan
in Madison near Orange Ct H

JR Bryan

John Randolph Bryan, 1806-1887, godson of John Randolph of Roanoke.
Dr. Andrew Glassell Grinnan, 1827-1902, his son-in-law
Georgia Screven Bryan Grinnan, 1837-1912, his daugher
Frances Tucker Bryan, 1835- , his daughter
Nothing else is know of Carter, the slave trusted to carry a letter from Mississippie to Virginia

MSS 49

Camp near Centreville
Feb. 6th, 1862

Dear Pa:

Mr Blakemore has just informed me that he will
leave tomorrow morning for Front Royal and has kindly con-
sented to be the bearer of this note to you which will be
accompanied by a haversack filled with dirty clothes which
you will please ask Ma to have washed and returned as soon
as possible.

I received my box the other day. It came all safe
and was very acceptable.

It has been raining here almost constantly for three
weeks past and such roads I never saw. It is almost impossi-
ble to get along with an empty wagon much less with a load.
We have a terrible time getting wood on account of the awful
condition of the roads. Willie has just returned from the
woodw with a load of wood which we had to cut up and put in
our house late at night to prevent its being stolen.

Today I believe was Mr. (C. Wheatley’s) sale. I
suppose the stock sold very high the horses especially. Who
bought the Telegraph colt? Willie Richardson wanted him. I
wonder what Mr. Johnson would take for his young Telegraph.
Mr. Blakemore has promised to buy the sorrel for Ed. Lehew,
he wants to ride him in cavalry.

You have no idea of the number of horses that are
dying here daily. In the Spring all the horses now in
service will have to be rested and fresh ones put in their
places for they are worked down completely. Watch at the
sale for horses, the army is compelled to have them.

What is Capt. Simpson driving at. We hear down
here that he is putting his furlough to a good use, that he
is raising a cavalry company and has gone to Richmond to get
arms.

I heard that Col. Tyler was getting or rather was
trying to get up a Flying Artillery. Is there anything of
it. The recruiting officer will soon be around. A good many
companies have re-enlisted, organized and left for home on
furlough. The next time you write let me know what service
you prefer my going in. I want to try and get with Walter.
When did you hear from him.

Love to all. I must close. Write soon.

Your affec. son.
R. B. B.

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, Warren Rifles, Co. B of the 17th Virginia.
Letters transcribed at a later date by his son George; location of originals unknown

MSS 1091

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

February 5
Have been on board
the Boat all day
feel rather dull
have been reading
a book a little not
good
Some Soldier on
board who advocates
secesh principles
clear and very
pleasant
paid my fare
five dollars

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts, currently on duty aboard the steamer “Admiral”

February 5 The fleet started this morning
at eight o’clock, northward prob-
ably for Roanoke Island. We are on the
eve of a battle now in all probability
which will take place tomorrow. In God
alone is my trust to watch over me on
the battlefield as on the water, or at home
If I fall my trust is in Him, that He
will receive my soul through Jesus Christ
my Savior, and to His care do I commit
myself, and my parents and friends Spent
part of the day on deck and part in my
room. It is a beautiful day and all
nature seems to smile.

MSS 11293

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

Wednesday – February 5th 1862
No drills today – evening parade at
4 ½ o’c – Great excitement tonight in
our street – about the Arnie sketch
of “Ye Major & Capt Dunne [?] playing
poker” – the whole battalion called
at our Commissary door where it was
posted to see the same – Smith &
Co. at C again today up all
night – Sent my letter & papers to
Faries tonight by Clausen who
leaves for Richmond in the morning –
Spent today indoors after 12 o’c in
reading & playing chess – beat
Harry 2 games in a new tournament –
& Willie Norcum two out of 4 games
Capt Rawle ret’d from Williamsburg
& Yorktown, bringing the mail, I rec’d
a letter from Julie [Julia Rowena Logan]Jany 28th. Fryer’s [?] up
tonight with Clausen. Loaned Elliot 10$

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards; annotations by Robert K. Krick]

[William Norcum, Co. B, 1st La. Bn.]

MSS 6154

In Camp at Centreville Va
5 Feby 1862
My dear Little Nannie:
I am sorry, very sorry, to hear thru
yours of Monday of your indisposition & the sickness
of “Sissie” as well as for the mental troubles to Our
Mother growing out of the always changing condi-
-tion of a family of six children some of whom
are grown – I sincerely hope that you will not get
worse & that “Sissie” is better or well by this time –
As to Clark I think he is well pleased with his
new place and but for the peril attaching to his
daring disposition I would congratulate him most
heartily on his success in securing it – He will
distinguish himself in war & says that he is not
qualified for sedentary life –
Like you I think there is some mystery
attending your Uncle John’s estate & if the families interes-
-ted can get any real, tangible evidence in relation to
the existence of such an one as you mention of course
some interested person ought to go to Texas & procure a
reliable agent to look after the same –

[page 2]
I am very much obliged to you for the Box to
arrive in two or three days by Willie Blackford –
I am also thankful for the badly cut stamps that
did not come to hand – If they were “bought so”
you could’nt be responsible for the manner of
their separation – Little Brown & I are doing
very well at our new boarding house the mess
at which has by our going into it been increased
to six – The Dutchman & Englishman both cook
well & the two natives are tolerable fellows – We
have no cooking done now in the house occupied
& kept clean by us alone & we are delighted with
a condition that devolves upon us no labor except
cutting wood & bringing water – We pay two dollars
a month for cooking & I will have to pay
fifty cents pr. month for feeding the horse left
me by Clark –
Their has been no election to supply the
vacancy made by Clark’s promotion but Grey
has just been in & stated that he will have
an election in a day or two – I cant say
who’ll be elected though some here pretend

[page 3]
to know –
About 20 of the Company are drunk
to day & we had another big carousal though
but one pair fought this time – The Orderly Segt.
has been in the habit of selling Whiskey at from
1$ to &1.50/100 per pint but to day the contents of
a five gallon key was poured upon the ground
by order of Grey for which I give him credit
if he does drink freely himself from that barrel
up at his house – He seems to day to be Capt
for the first time –
The sun of to day dispersed nearly all
of the snow & now we hope to have better weather
than for some time past –
Give my best love to Our Ma to “Sissie”
& remember me very kindly to the Col – present
my compliments to “the Cap’n” and believe
me to be with all my heart with all
my soul & with all my mind
Your Own
Choctaw

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

William A. King, Captain of the Saltville Light Artillery

MSS 6682