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

Thursday night, Feb. 20, 1862.

Faces much brighter to-day. First there was
a telegram from Sheffey stating that our gen-
erals were safe, and that seven Federal regiments
were nearly annihilated. Then came one to Mr. Phil-
lips from Lynchburg, saying that our total loss
was 1000 — that Floyd, Pillow and Johnson were (not A. S. it
presumed) were at Nashville. It was feared, however,
that as the number was reported in figures, it might
be 10,000 instead of 1000. Upon the arrival of the cars,
we received the Richmond reports, stating our loss as
1500 — Thus the Northern account of yesterday was a 0
too many. A rumor came with the cars, also, that Gen.
A. S. Johnson had re-taken Fort Donelson. This is not
credited. The latter General was reported by the papers to
be at Nashville, entertaining no thought of giving
up the city. Kate goes to Richmond to-morrow. —

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow]

MSS 38-258

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

Wednesday – Febr’y 19th 1862
Another damp wet day – no
drills or parade – Spent the
day reading & playing chess, &
doing nothing – this latter certainly
the hardest kind of employment
We heard this Evening that our
forces were defeated at
Fort Donnelson & that 15,000
of them had surrendered to the
Yankees – Genl’s Pillow, Buckner &
Hardee taken – There’s a sad
look in the faces of every one
since the receipt of today’s papers –
I rec’d a letter from Maggie Kate
Logan tonight – of DeSoto parish –
Emmett went to town today – Nine
wagons arrived this Evening, & orders
for us to be ready to march at a
moments notice – Jim cooked 150 biscuits
for us tonight.

Maggie and Kate are sisters of John Lascelles Nowell Logan

MSS 6154

Centreville Feb. 19th
1862.
My Dear Father,
I had
expected to have gotten
ere this time a furlough
for the purpose of visiting
Richmond and making
arrangements for the
formation of the Company
which I am engaged
in raising for the
next Campaign.
I desired very much
to see the Secretary Of
War and procure from
him information on
Several points without
which I shall meet
with Considerable
Embarrassment.
[page 2]
In the first place I
should like to be informed
at what place the men
are expected to rendez-
vous with their horses
preparatory to going in
to Service. 2d. Whether
men whose term of ser-
vice expires later than
others will be permitted
to leave their old Com-
panies at the same time,
or not. 3d. Whether I may
recruit for the Company
from the present Mili-
tia force. 4th. How many
is necessary to an organ-
ization. 5th. Whether men
giving me their names
now are legally bound,
provided that I finally
succeed in procuring
[page 3]
a sufficient number
for embodying the Com-
pany.
These are all important
considerations, and are
questions which I should
be prepared to answer.
I know no method
by which I can succeed
in obtaining the atten-
tion of the Secretary of
War than by request-
ing you to get Capt.
Baldwin or some other
friend to bring the
matter before him.
Correspondence from
a subordinate officer
like myself is generally
treated with utter
indifference by such
high functionaries as
[page 4]
as the Secretary.
I am so far progress-
sing satisfactorily in
enlisting names for my
Company and so far
have about 45 relia-
ble ones on the roll, with
the prospect of additional
recruits from the Wise
Troop, and the Lynchburg
Beauregard’s near Norfolk.
I received a letter yester-
day from the latter
Company saying that
some 10 or 12 of his
Comrades desired to join
me. I can, I am satis-
fied succeed if no dif-
ficulty but that of
getting members is
encountered.
[page 5]
My health continues most
excellent – indeed better
than it has been for
years, and I am never
troubled with headaches
which were once so
frequent and annoying.
The Cause I doubt not
is my simple diet.
We eat but two meals
a day, one at 9 o’clock
in the morning, the
other at 4 in the Eve-
ning, and coffee, &
bread ^’ & butter ‘ are generally the
sole dishes composing
them. I find that
my appetite, and health
are both improved by
pursuing this system,
and having found it
to operate so well ex-
[page 6]
pect to continue it.
All were well at
home at last accounts.
Hoping to hear from
you soon I 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 6154

[from the diary of Charles Hays of the 23rd Ohio]

Fayetteville, Va., February 19th.
Here I am again, where I have already been until
heartily tired of the place and surroundings. From
some cause, the Diarrhoea has prevailed extensively amongst
the troops encamped here this winter, afflicting nearly
all, not even sparing your humble servant, whom it
severely dealt with, so that, if the climate, water, &c, or any=
thing else connected with the place was instrumental in
producing it, no very pleasant recollections can be cited, or if
any, they are counterbalanced by correspondingly miserable ones.
As the Doctor had requested ^ ‘me’ to come back, and clerk in
the Hospital, I so concluded to do, having been so employed
some time previous to going home. ~~ I started from
Raleigh yesterday morning about 8 o’clock. A slight mist was
falling at the time, and, before proceeding far, strong indications
of a rain were visible, but, happily, my suppositions were not
realized. The day becoming quite pleasant, and the sun being
unobscured, naturally enough, a ‘thaw’ took place, consequence
was, plenty of mud, and the discomfiture of the pedestrian
sojourner traveler. Got within 6 ½ miles of this place
last evening without any mishap, and staid
with one of the “natives,” who kept a little better
house than the generality of Virginians.
From parties that I met on the road
yesterday, I learned of the fight at Fort
Donelson, and of the ultimate triumph of
the Federal Army, which was so overwhelming
as to sound somewhat fabulous, but the
report is from such sources as to warrant a
belief of its truth.
In completing my journey this morning, I had
a disagreeable task, as it rained gradually,
almost the entire morning; but I got along
a while ago, wet and muddy, insomuch that
it has taken almost the remainder of the
day to get warm, clean and dry.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

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

Wednesday Feb 19 am about sick, Went up and staid
with Ed Brown the biggest part of the fore-
noon. This afternoon lay round and passed
the time as well as possible. Went over to
the 21st to see them drill. Hope we
shall soon go home as I have seen enough
of war.

MSS 11293

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

February 19
Did not play for guard
mounting
Went this forenoon to
the mill to get some
cakes. also went this
evening with W Critchfield
Practiced to day some
Hear that we will
probably be called to
move soon
Rainy most of the day
Filibuster of Co G came
here today from the
Hospital at work for us

William A. Critchfield, musician

MSS 10317

[Cocke’s letter is probably misdated by a day or two as he encloses a letter he received “yesterday” also dated the 19th. It is docketed as being received on the 22nd.]

Dear Grandpa [General John Hartwell Cocke]
I have been intending to
write to you ever since you left us, but to-
gether with letters from the other members of our
households, and dear little Charley’s letters
you have doubtless been kept so well posted
that little else remained for me to say.
I have received the willows, which you re-
-quested me to have planted, and have had
the bank of the creek nicely cleaned up,
ready for them, and am now, waiting to
receive your directions as to how you would
wish them planted–which you wrote Charley
you would send me
Our farming operations have been very
much set back, by these unusual spells
of wet weather, and am afraid it will be
sometime yet, before we shall be able
to do any out-door work, even should
the bad weather cease at once-
We have all continued well since

[page 2]
you left us, and I hope and trust that
our dear Mother is becoming more reconciled
to the heavy affliction which God in his
Providence has seen fit to visit upon us.
I feel however uneasy about her sometimes
as she sometimes allows, gloomy, and melancholy
thoughts to usurp, the place of humility and
humble submission to the Will of “Him, who
doeth all things well”, forgetting that it is God
who has dealt this heavy blow, and that
“He chastens not in wrath, but in mercy”.
I hope however, as Time, may heal the freshness
of the wound,and alleviate in a measure her
affliction that she may be able to see through the
medium of a brighter Hope, of Eternity, the
necessity & goodness, of being afflicted; that she
may pass through the deep waters of affliction
more refined and purified for the Master’s service
Our good friend Mr. Peyton Harrison is with
us now on a visit, and regrets not meeting
with you here. He goes down tomorrow to
Richmond to be at the Inauguration of
our first President. With love from all our household
and with the hope of seeing you soon
I remain your affect grandson
John B. Cocke
I enclose a letter to you from Uncle Charles
which came by mail on yesterday

Richmond Feby 19/62
My dear Father [General John Hartwell Cocke]
I send this by Robert as he
goes up home on the boat this
afternoon–I have sent in my resig
nation-in view of what seemed to
be my duty, tho since the late re-
verses–I am sure there is an obligation
upon all to make greater & greater sa-
crifices–I must see & converse with you
however on this head–I go this afternoon to
Hanover where Lucy will wait two or three
days for me to look into things there, I will
then come on home with her–probably by
way of Belmead–I have no time to write
more–love to Sally & Mr Brent & believe
me my dear Father your devoted son

Cary C. Cocke

MSS 640

Camp Franklin Near St Johns Seminary Alaxandria Va Feb 19th 1862
Dear Mother—I received Fathers Letter of the 13th & there was
another one that I lost so that I cannot tell the date of it but I suppose
he can tell, I am well & as I say in all of my letters that I never enjoied better
health which is so we are gone to be paid off about the sixth of next
month & they have brought in another allotment roll which I shall sign
but there is A great many in the company that say they shall not sign it
again on account of its taking so long to get to thier Families and Friends
but when we sign it this time it will be sent every pay day this last one
duing for all the Pay days Comodore Foote has been giving it to the Rebels
for the last week or two when the news of the Capture of Fort Dolison came
into the Camp there was the greatest Joy among the Men & the Bands of the
different Regiments Played different National tunes there is news that Sumner
is taken without having A bit of powder burnt there is gone to be another Captain
comeing out from Portland to take command of this Company his name is
Patch the say he has been in the Regular Service, & I suppose you know George
Fernald that use to keep with Mr Green & George he has been appointed
second Lieutenant of one of the Companies in the Regiment I saw Thomas
beels of Portland he is in the seventh Maine I did not know that he was out
here he said that he saw George when he came through, The small Pox has
been in one Company of this Regiment so that we could not get any passes, but
it is all over with now I thought I would not say anything before about it
but it is all over with now this being my last stamp I gess you will not get any
letter again not till after Pay day because we go on Picket the last of the week
& I cannot get in Town, without you send me two whilst I am out here as
that will be enough till Pay day, I have money Enough to buy them but I
cannot get in Town not till after Pay day & I shall try hard to get A pass to go
to Baltimore this Pay day if you send me two that is all I want you to send &
ask William whether he got that letter & Frank Crawford I sent Frank
Crawford A map showing where we were encamped you can get it from
him the place is marked old Factory I received A letter from George Mailed
the 6th Nov 1861 & the letter was dated the same From you Son Joseph Leavitt
P.S. Tell William that I directed his letter to edward in this way John William
& I sent Johny two valantines & I will enclose two cards

Letters from Joseph Leavitt and his brother George 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

[from the diary of Sgt. Z. Lee Gilmer, currently on furlough from Co. B., 19th Virginia, Albemarle Rifles]

Feb 19th Left home for
Richmond with my
brother on the 22nd I
attended the Inaugeration
of Jeff Davis. it was a
very bad day. I was very
much disappointed in
the city. Nothng came
up to my expectations
The city not being fortified
at all every thing is an
awful convention[?]

MSS 4459

Camp Franklin Va Feb. 19th /62

Dear parents.

I received a letter from
you last Monday night I was glad to
hear from you but was sorry to hear
that your mind was so troubled about
my health. I have written a letter stating
the truth concerning my health since
I left Portland. I have been off duty
in all about 3 weeks I have had the
colic once quite bad for awhile I got
a bad cold that lasted three or four
days and I have had two spell with
my bowels the same as I had at
home in haying time you will
remember when that was and what
my complaints were. I have been
out every day I have what we called
the yellows or jaunders last summer
I believe this is all the complaints I
have had since I enlisted I think I

[page 2]
I[sic] have been wonderfully favored in regard
to being sick. I am now in good health
and have been for some time although we
have had bad weather for colds for along
time we have had but a very few fair
days for more than two months. It rains to
day and the mud is deeper than the snow
has been this winter–we have had four or
five snow storms but it does not stay on
but a day or two. Mr Edmunds that tents
with me has got cold and cannot speak a loud,
word and there is some others in the same
condition in this Regt. other ways it is quite
healthy here. We have so much good
news that it would take me three days
to write the particulars I want you to get
a paper If you do not take one and read the
news. The best of all is the capture of fort
donelson with 15,000 prisoners and two
Maj. Genls Jonston and Buckner and reported
capture of Floid. Our pickets captured between
200 and 300 rebels near fairfax C. H. court house with out fireing
a gun they were marched to Washinton last night

[page 3]
some of the edittors[sic] think the capture of fort
donelson practally ends the war but I expect
we shall have some hard fighting yet before
the rebels will give up. Genl. Burnside is doing
good business down on the coast of Ga S. C.
and N.C. you will find the whole particulars
in the papers. There has been a large number
of our brave boys killed in the late battles
and left a great many to mourn their loss
but what is their loss compared with the loss
of this government the constitution and the
union of all the states it is comparatively
nothing. This government must be preserved, let
the cost of our lives and property be what it will
I was glad to hear by way of your letter
you had got them things I sent home I
want some one to clean the rust off and then
keep it oiled for I think a great deal of that
musket. You spoke of sending a box to us I
have not received it yet I think there is
some mistake about it. I have lately
learned our things will not come free the
things for the hospital alone came free

[page 4]
John McLellan has got a box that was sent
since ours started from home. I do not
know why ours does not arrive you probably
will know the reason. Our army is called
the anaconda of which McLellan is the head,
this is representing a large snake this snake
is coiling arround in every direction and
drawing the rebels within its folds when
any prisoners are taken they say the great
anaconda has coiled around another nest
of rebels and broght them within it folds
this name is quite popular here. Our
whole Regt. came out the other night and
heard the news read by the Chaplin and such
cheering I never heard, come from the
throats of men the whole Potomac army is
alive with enthusiasm for the result of the late
victories. I have nothing more to write of
importance this time so I will close

Write soon and write all
the news
From your son
Hiram M. Cash

Hiram M. Cash, Private Co. K, 5th Maine

MSS 12916