[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Tuesday 18th Mrs. Harvey left us today & we will miss
her even more than Mrs. Wm. Davis–She is a lovely woman
& I regret her going to housekeeping–Since dinner we
have all walked up to the Libraries & Halls & the lat
-ter are elegant–Equal to those in Washington at the Capitol
MSS 6960
Camp Near Rappock
Mar 18” 1862
My darling Jennie
I left Gordonsville last
night about one oclock took
supper with Mr Ewing arrived
at Culpepper this morning
got Breakfast & then walked
12 miles to our camp arriving
here about 12 noon, very tired
and sore. I have just had a
cup of coffee & now have my
pony saddled & will start in
a moment to report to Genl
Elzey. The regiment is at the
Warrenton Station with three
other regiments & the cavalry
it is expected back to day.
Our Division is kept here
as a rear guard & is protecting
the removal of the machinery in
[page 2]
in [sic] Kellys factory & some
other property I cant say
when we will leave here
Tell Ned that his brigade
is between Culpepper Ct Hs
& Orange, marching on. I
think therefore that he had
better let his horse my horse
remain at Frescatti until
I can send for him unless
he will undertake to send
him to me or unless his
Brigade stops at Rapidan
River then he had better
take him with him
Affectionately
ETH Warren
“Camp Near Rappock”, heading – ‘Rappahannock Station, present-day Remington, Fauquier County, Virginia.’
“Genl Elzey”, line 12 – ‘Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanding brigade of which the 10th Virginia Infantry was a part.’
“Culpepper Ct Hs”, page 2, line 5 – ‘Culpeper Court House.’
“Frescatti”, page 2, line 9 – ‘Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren’s ancestral home located a few miles north of Gordonsville.
“E T H Warren”, page 2, signature – “Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.’
[transcription and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g
Va. Military Institute
Mar. 18 1862
My dear John[Bowdoin Cocke]
I have just recd your letter, &
since its receipt I see the legislature
was about passing a bill for exempts
which will relieve either you or your
overseer or both. Certain it is, that
the best interests of the state would be
compromised, unless some such bill
is passed, & I take it for granted
it will be done.
If you have to go into the service, I
would advise you to try & raise
an independent company, or to
go into one alredy raised, by
adding some 50 reenlists…
Your education & experience ought
to be much of importance to any
[page 2]
company of either arm. The present
militia is so democratic in its
operations,that nothing can be
done except in this way.
I am glad to see that your mother
was well enough to go to your
grand father. Give my love
to her & to all your family.
I write in great haste: & am very truly
Yr friend
F.H. Smith
Let me know what you finally
determine to do.
JHS
MSS 640
Francis Henney Smith, 1812-1890, was the first superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, 1839-1899, and author of several books on algebra and geometry.
[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, former editor of the Staunton Spectator]
Monday night, March 17, 1862.
The militia got off to-day. Legh and Wm Waddell
going. It was a poor time out — a great many offi-
cers and baggage wagons. When “Company A, 160th
Regiment” were ordered into line. Wm marched out
solitary and alone, but was afterwards joined by
several other members. [?] and Legh went off in
good spirits. There have been between 400 + 500 vol-
unteers in this county, recently — so said. No tidings
to-day in the least cheering. Nothing definite from
Newbern, and nothing whatever from Arkansas —
The Valley stage brought word this evening that the
Federalists were coming on this way, at which
John C. Bowyer professed great pleasure, as
he said they would be caught by a division of our
army from Manassas, now lying in wait on
the Shenandoah river. There have been so many reports
about our leaving a force in that region, that I begin
to think it possible. Commissary supplies forwarded
a few days ago to Camp Alleghany, have been brought
back, by order of Gen. Johnson. Is he going to
break up there? I see that the quota of troops
to be furnished by South Carolina is something over
12,000, and part of them have to be raised by con-
scription! Yet South Carolina was willing, ap-
parently, to at the outset, to fight the whole bat-
tle by herself. Judge Thompson came in this
morning and gave me a long talk. Very much
cast down — Says we are a ruined people.
[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258.
[a continuation of P. Edloe Jones’ letter of March 16]
Monday morning. Mar 17th
Dear Pa;
I will try to finish
my letter this morning, but there is no telling when you will get it,
as the mail is very irregular now – the boys have written a
good many letters since they left Manassas, but none had reached home
when I left… We made out first rate last night – the wind
blew very hard this morning before day, but did not blow
our shelters over…. The boys have been faring very badly
since they left Manassa, were living on crackers & beef
[page 2]
at one time, but we are living very well now – draw
bacon, sugar, coffee, flour &c&c.. I had partridge for supper
last night – caught it in my “Shabang”…. Bro. John went to Cul-
pepper CH. Saturday morning & has not returned yet – I expect
him back today – he was very well… Fendol Chiles,
Tap Trice & Phil Porter got in camp the next evening after
I did… I was very glad that Pen did n’t come with me, as
the weather turned out to be so bad – I think it would have
certainly laid him up… We do n’t know who will be our Col. –
Lt. Col. Walker is rather unpopular with the officers now, & I
do n’t think they would elect him – some think Ma=
jor Terrel will be Col… Col. Walker’s unpopularity with
the officers, is on account of his being so strict with them –
he is very strict with the Privates too…. I do n’t see the
slightest prospect of our old Co’s. being reorganized – 45
have joined Bird & Hibbs – some Sturdivant & other Compa-
nies & some have n’t reinlisted atall, nor wo n’t if they can
help it.. Lt. Winston says he intends remaining with the
Co. until it the 17th of April & then if it is not reorganized,
he will go some where else.. I am at a loss what to do – think
I will join Pendleton’s old Battery or Sturdivant – will
consult Bro. Jno.. If Pendleton’s Bat. was with the Army of
the Potomach, I w’d n’t hesitate to join it…The officers
of Bird’s Co. are as follows: Bird Captain – Hibbs 1st Lt. –
Geo. Moore 2nd Lt. & Will. Hunter 3rd. – Joe Baker Orderly,
Sargeant – Eddens 2nd Joe Thomason 3rd. Wally Taliferro 4th
I think they have eighty five or so ninety men – – __________
The Regt. has been expecting to march every day since it
has been here – we expect to move just as soon as the 10th Va
gets back – it was sent several days ago, with six
or seven other Regts. towards Warrenton – it was reported
here that they’ve had a fight there, but we do n’t know
whether it is true or not…. They have been making
preparations for several days to blow up the Rappa=
hannock Bridge…. There are various opinions, as to
whether our Army will make a stand here or fall back
to the Rapidann – I think our division will be station=
ed some where between Culpepper CH. & Orange CH.. –
We have two drills a day now, but I do n’t have any
of it to do, as I have no musket yet….. Bro. Jno. broug^‘ht’
two of my blankets with him – the others were sent off with
the extra baggage, & I reckon was lost, as we heard all of
it was burned at Manassa – some of the boys lost all of
their bed clothing, & a good many other things besides – two blank=
ets is just as much as I want. Pen’s bed clothing was
brought along too.. Cap. Murray had bad luck the other
night – burnt his blanket – comfort – buffalo robe & his boots
so that he could not get them on – he got too close to the fire –
it’s a great wonder he did [not] burn himself up…
Gen. Ewell has th command of our Division now.. There are a
[page 3]
a great many Troops about here – some are moving to day…
It is reported here that Price has taken the whole of the
Yankee Army in Missouri – of course we do n’t believe it..
Tell sister my haversack didnt give out before I got to camp,
& Bro. Jno. , as well as all of my mess, enjoyed the contents
very much – the butter came came through safe – the meat
has n’t given out yet – we are saving it for the march –
Aunt Sally Ashby wanted to give me a fresh supply, but
I had as much as I could carry well….. Tell Henry Chiles
Eddens has his Bible, & he will keep it until he gets back…
A serious accident happened in our regt. yesterday evening –
a tree fell on Private Osburne, of the “Lanier Guard”. – broke his leg-
arm & jaw – his recovery is very doubtful…
I believe I’ve given you all the news I can think of just
now. We will write when ever we can – do n’t be uneasy about
us when you don’t hear from us often.. Tell Ma not to get low
spirited.. Best love to all at home – Aunty Cynthia’s & friends –
& accept a large share for yr self. Yr devoted son
P. Edloe Jones
[Private William F. Osborne. Hospitalized 3/17/62 with fractured arm and leg after a tree fell on him. d. 4/11/62, tetanus. 13th Va. Infantry.]
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards, comment by Robert K. Krick]
MSS 13407
[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, and a Sgt., Co. B., 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), Louisiana Infantry]
Monday – March 17th 1862
Rose at 5 this morning – Mr & Mrs
Harvey were up & gave me breakfast before
six o’c – Left at 7 in the cars for West Pt
Saw Jno Fowles [?] & brought him down to
Yorktown – Wrote a letter to Genl Holmes
Aquia Dist – which Genl Magruder signed
requesting or acc’t’g for Tooles [?] detention
here. Spent the bal of day making
arrangements abt the Expedition – Heard
today that the Enemy had advanced
to Bethel & that our man had shot over
over at them with a Rifle 6-pounder –
The town is astir this Evening –
Witnessed the practice of Artilery
this Evening by one of the batteries –
shooting remarkably good.
Introduced Farries [Faries] & Lindsay
this Evening.
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 6154
[From the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer, and editor, of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army.]
Monday 17 Bright mild day. Learned
from letter of the Teller that the cashier of the
F.B. Winchester, my old friend Sherman[?], had
gone with the effects of the Bank to Farmville
as had also Mr. Brent with the effects of
Bani of Valley. It strikes me as a curious
place of refuge. This would certainly have
been a better spot. I wrote to Sherman[?] as
-king him to visit me. It reminded me
of the possibility of our being forced to remove.
I am oposed to it. I think the best plan
would be to secrete the gold and other
valuables and stand our ground. Wrote to Sue
sending letter by way of Scottsville. Sent a
telegram to Jno. M. Herndon telling him
of Deanes’ house and asking an immediate
answer. none came, however. Another family
stands ready to take the house. Mary R. recd
a letter from William, postmarked Richd and
dated 13′ at Culpeper C.H. He had not yet
heard of his company. Charles was at Warrenton
the 9′ Inst. No mails are allowed–nothing
from Lanty yet. Despatches say the Federals
wee advancing on Knoxville. At night
went to call on Mrs Clayton & Mrs. Stephen
whom I have not seen since their return.
MSS 4763
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]
Monday, Mar. 17, 1862
Guard mounting &
evening Parade as usual
and practice
A man came and claimed
the negro boys that came
in yesterday, but
they made their escape.
Coffin & Campbell
undertake to cook
helped to [?] up the
house some
Wrote letters to Sudie Hays
stormy most of the
day Clear now
Co G went out this
evening on a scouting
expedition
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Private, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Monday
March 17
Went on guard to day away up in the
west part of the city. My relief is
from six till 10. Got letters from Home, from
Mary and from Hew Russell. Marys had her
picture in it. I staid round the guard house
nearly all the time. A very pleasant day.
MSS 11293
Williamsburg March 17th 1862
My darling wifey
I feel very much disappointed that you
will not be in Williamsburg this evening, but disappoint-
ments are getting common with me–when I arrived
at fort Magruder from Bethel last thursday, I wrote
a note to Mrs. Dr. Coleman requesting her to obtain
accommodations for you here and also requesting her
to telegraph for you to come down two days after
the Dr. came to fort Magruder and informed
me that his wife had been unable to procure
suitable accommodations and therefore had not
telegraphed to you. I would have come to Wmsburg
and made the necessary arrangements myself
but Green Peyton who is in command is a squirt
and wouldn’t allow any but the old guard to
visit Wmsburg– to-day is the first time I have
been able to come to town and I am now
writing in Mrs. Colemans parlour. I have been
to see Mrs Saunders who met me with the exp-
ression that she was sorry you were not with
me and when I told her of my plans said
she would be glad to have you with her-I
have’nt seen Mrs Dr Coleman yet, but hope I
may be able to make some arrangement to have
you with me–It seems that I would’nt mind
anything if I could have you with me.
[page 2]
I would have written to you last week but I was
certain Mrs. Dr. Coleman would telegraph and it would
therefore be unnecessary to write–I know that you have
been disappointed several days at not receiving
a letter from me but I did what I thought
best–Lieut Peyton has been in command of the com-
-pany for about a week and if there was any-
-thing wanting to make me perfectly disgusted
with the service, it was having such a man
to rule over us. I hope I am a little patriotic
but I will never serve my country under such
a commander if I can help it–It is such
men who do more harm to our cause than
the enemy–Lieut Brown the only officer in the
party unless it may be Lieut Watson who has
been elected captain of one of the Howitzer
companies, is to be made Colonel of ordinance
and has been sent on special duty to Miss–
Capt Southall & Lieut Peyton must feel badly
not only because their colleagues outrank
them but also because there is not a man
in the company willing to reenlist under them
I have’nt the most remote idea how long we will
be here or where we will go when we leave
I certainly expect a letter from you this evening
and hope it will contain some good news.
Did I tell you that when at Fort Grafton, Major
Magruder sent for me [he being on a visit to the
officers] and told me that he had tried to get
[page 3]
me a place in his department but that the Genl had
refused to detail anymore from the cavalry or
artillery? I know half a dozen men detailed from
the artillery—The Major was very kind and told
me he would be happy to serve me in any
way that he could–I wonder if Charles Carrington
could give me a clerkship in his department?
The weather is so beautiful that it makes me more
anxious than usual to be with you. I would give
all my confederate pay to be with you two weeks.
I came across some violets at Mrs Saunders’
this morning and asked for some to send
you–I know you prize violets for their sweetness
and believe that you will prize these because I
sent them–I hate to stop I have so much to tell
you, but it would appear foolish on paper and
I must therefore wait until I see you. There is
one thing that I cant help telling you and
that is that you have the undivided love of
Your devoted husband.
Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt., 1st Virginia Artillery
MSS 9380-a
