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

Have been reading from
Young man’s counsellor by
Wise. This evening was
called on by [?] [?]
A.A. Gen. Also Lieut Durkie[sic]
Adjt treated after we played
he & Jo Crotty recounted old
reminiscences[?] of Old Country
life in the Army
Related anecdotes of the
Marquis of Waterford
Partly clear quite pleasant.

The Young Man’s Counsellor, or, Sketches and Illustrations of the Duties and Dangers of Young Men by the Reverend Daniel Wise

MSS 10317

Centreville Feb 22nd

My Dear Creek

What is the matter
with you. I have not hear heard from you
in two weeks, I hope nothing is wrong,
although I cannot get it out of my
head that you are down sick, if
you are, why not get Jink or Jimmie
to write me, and let me know, I
I know there has been great confusion
in the mail department lately
owing to the roads having been
taken up so much, transporting
troops, from one point to another.
lately, I hear all of our men complaining
about not getting letters, and I
do hope that is the reason I have
not heard from you, I heard this
evening that Jimmie was in

[page 2]
Richmond on his way here, one
of our men who returned from
Hospital said he saw him there
but he was going to stay in Richmond
a few days, till Col. Orr had him
exchanged, and then he could
come and rejoin his company
without running any risk, I
am waiting very anxiously for
his arrival as I know I will hear
from you as soon as he gets here,
I have not got anything that
would interest you, in the shape
of news to write to you, the weather
still continues very unsettled
the snow has all disappeared for
the present; but from indications
I think we will have some more
in a few days, but we are very
comfortably fixed now in our
houses, and when we are not on
Picket we get along very well, we
are very well off in the shape of eat-

[page 3]
bles. also at present, the Government has
bought us a great many hogs for the
use of the army, they are now Slaughter-
ing them and serving out the
Back bones ribs and Heads to the
troops, so you know I am in on that
score, we also get plenty of eggs, chickens,
and butter from the Waggons, who bring
them in for sale, and some of the finest
cabbage you ever say [sic] in your life we
buy them for seven pence a Head,
they are as large as a water bucket. I
have got some of the seeds of them
which I will send you the first opportunity
the Savoy is a fine variaty [sic] but not so
large as the Drumhead, I have some
of both kinds give Ma and Josh
Holland some of them, you had
better sow yours with josh, and you
can get the plants from him when
ready to set out, I have some other
seed which you will know by the
marks on them, if you have any room

[page 4]
for them in the garden for them
give them a trial.
How is Dear little Maggie getting along
tell her I am making lots of pretties
for her and will send them home
by the first chance, Kiss the little
sweet darling for me, and tell her not
to forget Father;
William is well, and very anxious
to see Jim, give my kindest regards
to all of our folks, and tell Bob H
to burn the due bill on John Levy
for ninety dollars, which I left with
him, as he has paid me the money
since he came here.
Write soon Dear Creek to your

Devoted

Husband

William

William Anderson, Captain, Co. J, 4th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers [Palmetto Sharpshooters]

[transcription by Emily Cone-Miller]

MSS 10366

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

Wakened early by the noise of heavy rain.
It continued to fall almost unceasingly during the
day and night. Nothing can be more gloomy than
the auspices under which the first President of the
Confederate States is inaugurated–whether we refer
to the weather or the state of public affairs, as the
telegraph brings us news that the disasters of in
Tennessee of the last week have culminated in the
evacuation by our troops of Nashville–a more
serious calamity could not now[?] have befallen as
my heart sinks within me at the prospect before us
I am sanguine generally–and do not now despair of our
ultimate success–but I forsee years of blood, strife
and great suffering–. The first days of the regular
Congress are characterised by a tremendous onslaught on
the administration by Foote (now of Tennessee, formerly U.S. Senator
from Miss) and Bryan of S.C. The Whigs too have come out in
a tremendous article against the conduct of the war &
imbecility of the cabinet–I am not sorry to see the oppo
sition. The President must change his cabinet. I hope
he will turn out all–This is the 130th anniversary
of Washingtons birth. It was to be celebrated with
universal pomp in the US. –wrote at Button’s re-
quest–he having gone to Richd–an editorial for Mondays
Virginian—ventilating some thoughts I have entertained
for some time about the exclusion of high military
merit from appointment in the army, unless the
possessor has been at West Point–Wrote to D Hern-
don about the printings. I am estimat[ing?] they have
not yet been sent–wrote also to Mary Caroline [Leeper]–sending
her some money & settling our accounts–on the whole
have a laborious day

Charles William Button, 1822-1894, owner and publisher of the Lynchburg Daily Virginian, a Whig newspaper.

MSS 4763

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

Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, 1862.

The cars did not arrive last night till near
8 o’clock, and Va + I walked down to the Post
Office to get the paper, the children having
gone to a Sunday School exhibition at the
Baptist Church. The tenor of the news was
discouraging. Great uncertainty as to the
truth of reports received the day before. No
communication with Nashville. Why or
wherefore, no body could tell. There is a
mystery about the disaster at Fort Donel-
son, and the state of our affairs in
that region, which is inexplicable. —
Yesterday we were all cheerful — to-day
things look gloomy. It is rumored that
four or five French vessels of war are
in Hampton Roads, and that Pres-
ident Davis had received a communi-
cation from the Emperor, not to be open-
ed till to-day — inauguration day. Not
very probable. Kate went to Richmond
yesterday. Kitty + I accompanied her to the
cars. A young woman was pointed out
to me in the ladies’ car, who, it is
said, came to Western Virginia from Ohio
or Michigan, with the Federal troops —
some said in command of a company. She de-
serted to our side. Was a hard- looking, Indi-
an-like person. A good many persons have
hired substitutes for the war, in anticipation
of the draught. Great anxiety felt by many
who, from one cause or another, do not
wish to enter the army. The last foreign
news is discouraging. Salt very scarce and
high-priced — None in town for sale. Persons
going round to borrow a little for table use.
I have none — about a spoon full on the
table at dinner. Legh is out and his stock
are suffering. A supply for sale is expected
soon. Cars just came in — have not heard
the news. —— The report is, no news.
Sheffey has arrived, and says the Richmond
is as much in the dark as we. What does
it mean that can get no tidings! Possibly
the Union men in East Tennessee have pos-
session of the Railroads + Telegraphs + Possibly
the Government is suppressing the intelligence. —
These are specimens of the surmises indulged
in. But, if the Unionists have risen as sup-
posed, there are still avenues of communi-
cation to Augusta, Ga., and other points
South; and, moreover, we should hear of it
from Bristol, Tennessee. And the Gover-
nment is not suppressing intelligence —
1st because they could not, and 2nd one of
the Richmond papers states that the War
Department knows no more than the
public. Rumors that Gen. Price has
gained an important advantage over
the enemy in Arkansas. The Federa-
lists had a report on the 17th that S-
avannah had been taken by their troops.
No so, of course. The general impression
is that they can come up James River
and take Richmond, whenever they choose.

[transcription by Valley of Shadow]

MSS 38-258

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

Feb 22 Rainy to day so we did not
go. Read some in an old Harpers
Magazine and helped fix up the bunk.
Heard to day that Floyd, Pillow and Johnson
and fifteen thousand prisoners were taken
in Tennessee. Have felt better to day. They
say now that were[sic] are going to have
another battle Monday on the main land
Wrote a letter to Jennie this evening.

MSS 11293

[a broadside containing the lyrics to a patriotic song by John A. Fowler. The words appear beneath a garishly colored vignette of an attack on an unidentified Confederate fort]

THE REBEL FLAGS
EXHIBITED AT THE CAPITOL FEBRUARY 22, 1862
By John A. Fowler.
AIR–“The Sword of Bunker Hill.”

But when the traitors raised their Flag,
And marshaled for the fight,
Six hundred thousand freemen rose,
To battle for the right.
Then to our God the prayer went up–
Protect our noble band;
God blessed our cause, our Flag now waves
Within the traitors’ land.

Then down, down with the Rebel Flags,
Tread them beneath your feet;
And gaily to the breeze unfurl,
That Flag we love to greet.
Wave on ye glorious STARS AND STRIPES!
And still our song shall be–
Long live, long live the good old Flag,
Three cheers, three cheers for THEE!

Sadly we gazed upon the Flags,
Torn from our brothers’ hands;
And shed a tear for those once loved,
Now joined to traitor bands.
They’ve put our Flag beneath their feet,
They’ve trailed it in the dust;
And to the breeze their Flag unfurled,
And placed in it their trust.

Mark what a treacherous deed it was,
From the good old Flag to turn;
With us they dwelt beneath its folds,
But now its Stars they spurn.
They’ve left the Flag of WASHINGTON,
The Flag our Fathers gave;
A richer boon was never given,
Or prouder Flag to wave.

E647 .S63 no. 6

Head Quarters 2nd Va Cavalry
February 22d, 1862

Special Order
No 63

Lieut T. J. Randolph having recieved an
appointment on the Staff of Brig. Genl. G. W. Randolph
is hereby relieved from duty with the 2d Va Cavalry.

R C W Radford
Col Comdg 2nd Va Cav

Capt T.J. Randolph
asst Qu Master

Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 1829-1872, was a great grandson of Thomas Jefferson and a nephew of Genl. George Wythe Randolph, Confederate Secretary of War.

MSS 8937

Meridian Hill, Feby 22nd, 1862

Dear Little Sister,

I received your letter
this evening, Though I have been
hard to work all day. I feel so much
refreshed by your letter that I
think I can answer it before I
go back. First, I must give you
a picture of the inside of our home
I guess it will be as interesting as
any thing–taking the front right
out–look in.

[drawing of a tent inserted here]

There! Crowd the things a little
more together and it’s a pretty good
picture–not as good as I expected
to make though. I recieved
a letter from George also
this evening, which I will try to

[page 2]
answer if I’m not too sleepy.
You need not feel too uneasy about
saying too much about home
that’s just what’s the matter— as
the boys say. Yesterday we moved
our camp a fiew[sic] rods from the
first place we encamped in
a much pleasanter place. while
we were moving, a little nigger
boy cam up to our tent. We asked his
name. What do you think he
said it was? Bubby. then isnt
that a pretty name Here is his
portrate[sic].

[drawing of Bubby inserted here]

I don’t know anything
very interesting
to you as I’m
a little tired.
You must write
me more about Mother.

I am well as
usual. dont grow
poor an ounce
wish I could see
you all. Write
me annother[sic]
letter as soon as you receive
this.

Your Loving Brother
Aaron

Lt. Aaron Sager, b. 1833, Co. G, 76th New York, After the war a pharmacist and partner in Sager & Jennings, a Cortland, N.Y., drug store. His brother George was a Sergeant in the 149th New York

MSS 15190

[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]

Saturday Febr’y 22d 1862
Rain again last night & all day –
Did not get up till 9 o’c today –
After breakfast went to the p’office &
to the Dispensatory – got Ames a
bottle of brandy – returned to Miss
Galt & took a nap before dinner –
After dinner Harris[,] Ross & I
walked in to camp through rain
& mud – a pretty bad walk –
got soaking wet –
Returned at ten o’clock –

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

[on top of this page in the diary is a printed vignette of George Washington]

24 Guns fired to day
in honor of the immortal
patriot whose bust graces
the head of this page
did not go to Guard mounting
played the national [?]
went to the mill and
procured the balance of
our bread also a pound of
butter
It has been raining most
of the day rained last
night

MSS 10317