[from the memoirs of Captain Jonathan B. Hager, 14th U. S. Regulars, as copied from his diary]
Mar 15 How dreadful it was to turn out this morning
at 5 o’clock from so comfortable a nest! The
intense darkness was rendered a thousand
times more disagreeable by a rain which
commenced to fall–A thick fog made more
obscure that which Egyptian darkness had
already covered with its impenetrability.
There was no turning over for another nap The
order was to be obeyed, and as the assembly
sounded I gathered my blankets & ordered
my men to fall in at the same time–The
14th was to lead the column, but the dilatoriness
of one Company lost us our position and we
had to remain out in the road until the
whole brigade filed past. We got under head-
way finally & retraced our steps toward
Washington, branched off & took the road to
Alaxandria. It rained the entire day. Our
march was anything but cheerful, but our
hearts were light. We had gone soldiering and
were ready to take things as they came.
We reached our camping ground mear Alex-
andria about 4 oclock P.M. & prepared to
bivouac in as cold a rain and as much of it
as a soldier could wish for in his most ex-
travagant moments–I tried to put my rubber
blankets together but most ingloriously failed &
was about to resign myself to the mercies of
Jupiter Pleuvius, when lo! Capt Brown appeared
in sight bearing upon his herculean shoulders
What! a wall tent by Jove! & where did he
get it? that was the question. It didn’t matter
much if he did get it at a Volunteer Camp
so we laid that question on the table. We
pitched the tent–the floor was mud–more than
ankle deep–A detail of men soon cut and
laid pine logs on the mud, then covered with
pine brush made a splendid foundation for
our blankets–It wasn’nt long before eight or
nine wet & tired fellows had shifted their
wet clothes & came under the blankets, though
not near right, comfortable & happy again–
Who can say that comfort is not a comparative term.
This was the beginning of Camp California.

Jupiter Pluvius = Jupiter, bringer of rain or rain giver.

MSS 9044

Camp Franklin March 15th/62

Dear parents,

It may seem
strange to you at first to receive
a letter from me directed from this
place so I will give you a short
history of our weeks adventure. I
wrote to you last Sunday then
I did not know when we should
advance but the next morning we
got orders about daylight to pack
up and get ready to march we
went about our task buisily and
as cheerfull as posible we soon got
all off our things packed and ready
to start ten we were ordered to
take three days provision and 60
rounds of catrides this begun to look
like fighting the 16th V. N.Y. Regt.
belonging to our Brigade was called
into line about sun rise and started
on about 8 o’clock we started followed

[page 2]
by the 96th R.I. and 27th N.Y. which
compse our brigade soon after we
were called into line it begun
to rain but we could not
turn out for rain so we marched
on I have since learned there was
175,000 troops started on the advance
that day with the determination not
to retreet as long as there was a rebel at
Manassas we marched till noon and stoped
resting occasionally to rest on the way
and then took dinner after resting
we again took up our line of march
and when we stoped for the night we
were inside the rebel entrenchments
at Fairfax C.H. not a rebel to be
seen we pitched our little tents
and found them quite convieniant
the rain had stoped falling and
the moon made its appearance and
was quite pleasant. The next day we
some of us went up to the court house
to see if we could find some of our
things we left there last July

[page 3]
but they were about all carried off
we found a part of one knapsack that
belonged to our company with his
name on it and some others in other
companyes the place is nearly deserted
of the inhabitants but a few remain
The news reached us Tuesday night
that our troops had occupied senterville
without fireing a gun they marched
on and occupied Manss Manassas the
rebels packed up and left in a hurry
they did not stop to fire a gun they
blowed up their works and left we
stoped at fairfax till Friday night about
6 oclock when we got orders to march
back to our old campground a distence
of about 15 miles we packed up and
started we arrived at the old camp about
1 0’clock that night we do not expect t
stop here long but we are ready to
go wherever we are ordered I think the
back bone of rebelion is broken and
they must soon yield to the laws of the
constitution.

[page 4]
I want you to tell Rhoda Symonds
when you see her that I saw Milton
Staples last Friday morning his camp
was about half a mile from ours he
spoke of her and some others that he was
acquainted with he is well and likes
first rate I have not any news to write
but you will see in the papers ere this
will reach you Samuel Duran has been
writing he may write some things I
have left out We are all well except
Joseph Spiller he is in the hospital we
shall not be likely to get our pay for
some time If you want me to write
to you again you must send me some
post stamps I have paper and envelopes
enough. I saw quite a number of rebels
at fairfax that deserted and give
themselves up to our troops and a few
prisoners passed by us there. It has now
been 10 days since I recieved a letter from home
I want to hear from you on as often as once in
two weeks and I will write to you as often
as I can make it conveniant & try and take
care of yourselves as well as you can and
tell Walter to be a good boy and stay
with you and I will bring him home a
pistol and gun one of these days
write soon write all the news you
can think of My sheet is fill and I must
close From your son
Hiram M. Cash

Hiram M. Cash, 5th Maine Infantry.

MSS 12916

Chattanooga march 13, 1862

My Dear beloved wife

Yours of the 7th duly came to hand a
few minutes ago & it wa so sweet so affectionate and so lovely that
I could not avoid answering it immediately, notwithstanding I just
sent off one dated the 11th. My dear Wife, you are so sweet so good & so
lovely that you cannot avoid writing sweet affectionate letters to one
that appreciates you above all things on earth. I know my dearest
that you are the sweetest and most affectionate wife that is on earth.
I am happy My dear Wife that your prayers are ascending to heaven
praying to the God of battle for the preservation of my life
during the battle that I may be exposed. My dear I believe in
my heart as you have said that God was with me at Fort
Donelson. I believe positively that there were several deliberate
aims at me during the time that I was walking about at
Fortifications, several times after getting out the intrenchment
I could hear the Balls whistling around me. Notwithstanding the
15th when I was exposed to the gauling fire for six or seven hours.
It is my prayer that I may return home to you as safe and sound.
Brother Ben is in a private House in Chattanooga. I was over to see
him yesterday & found him very sick as I think he has
Tifoid fever.–he was very lowspirited and I think it will go very hard
with him. I am glad to hear that the Dr. is on the mend. I hope
he will be well soon. Ask the Dr. whether he has forgotten that
Pretty little black eyed child that he saw in Knoxville
he was very much grieved for not seeing it in time
and I think he will try and take pattern by it the next
time as he was very mutch smitten with it.
My dear I am glad to hear that you have not been sick a
day since I left that you are enjoying such good health. It is
more than I can say by a great deal though I am as well as
usual now. I am sorry to hear that you have suffered so
mutch from grief. My dear Mollie it is painful for us
to be separated so long but you must not grieve after me
my Dear. I hope and trust in God that I may see you again.
The prayers of the righteous availeth mutch.
My dear we have very enclement weather here at this
time it commenced raining last night and has continued
to rain very hard today. I have been in my tent all
day without any fire & you may be surprised that it is
very disagreeable in a wet tent without fire. A Poor
soldier has a great deal to endure and get little or no credit
for what he does. General Hays will not grant Furloughs
to any many now not even the sick he says he do not like
the Idea of a Furlough. My dear I am afraid that there will
not be any chance for me to get home until my time is
out. Dear Millie I never wanted to see anyone so bad
as I do you in my life. It seems to me if I just could
see you I would be perfectly happy & to kiss thy sweet and
lovely lips. My dear I have an Idea of trying to get a
Commission in the Confederate Army as I will not be exposed like I am now
that is if I think I will be draughted. What do you think about it, let me
know in your next letter. Give my love to all my friends and receive a love portion for
yourself.
P.S. I would rather stay at home near you if I possibly
could My dear I hope and trust that I can stay with you next year
don’t you honey
Your affectionate Husband
John P. Jones

John Peter Jones, 1838-1910, Co. D, 56th Virginia

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 11095

Greaner Hospital, Richmond
Va
March the, 15, 1862
Dear Cousin [Charity Unity Blair]
I havent the least
doubt but what you think
that I have for goten you
if so, I can assure you that
it is not so, I have neglected
answering your letter for
some time, tho I think
I can offer good excuses for
so doing,
I was so unwell when
I got the letters that
I was not able to write,
I was sick about three
weeks in camp before I was
sent to the Hospital I was
mending when I left camp
and I have improved vary
fast since I have bin
here, I bin here too week

[page 2]
tomorrow. I would have
writen to you soon after
I got here tho I expected
to go home soon and thought
it unnessary to write as
I was going soon my self,
after I got here thay told
me that I would have
to get a furlow from
my Col before I wd go,
the Regiment has moved
since I left them and I
dont know whare thay
are nor thay dont know
whare I am, so it is
doubtful about my geting
home soon, you must [write]to me
as soon as you get this and
let me know whether you
know whare the Regiment
is or not, our fair is very
rough here for sick folks

[page 3]
I see some of my acquantance
nearly every day coming
down on the Cars
all of the recruits and those
that have bin home on
furlows and on thar [way]back
to the Regiment, have to
wait here until thay
hear whare the Regiment is
I have no news worth
writeing so I will close write
to me soon and give me
all the news, Direct
your letters to Greaner
Hospital in care of Surg
R. G. Banks
Nothing more but remain
your affectionate Cousin
until Death James Booker
to Miss C[harity]. U[nity]. Blair

James Booker and his brother John of Pittsylvania County were both in Co. D of the 38th Virginia (Whitmell Guards)

MSS 11237

Engraving of an elephant carrying a banner reading I CARRY ALONG with a blanket on his back reading THE DESPOT’S SONG

With a beard that was filthy and red,
His mouth with tobacco bespread,
Abe Lincoln sat in the gay white house,
a wishing that he was dead–
Swear! Swear! Swear!
Till his tongue was blistered o’er,
Then in a voice not very strong;
He slowly whined the Despot’s song;

Lie! Lie! Lie!
I’ve lied like the very deuce!
Lie! Lie! Lie!
As long as lies were of use;
But now lies no longer pay,
I know not where to turn,
For when I the truth would say,
My tongue with lies will burn!

Drink–Drink–Drink!
Till my head feels very queer!
Drink–Drink–Drink
Till I get rid of all fear!
Brandy, and Whiskey, and Gin,
Sherry, and Champagne, and Pop,
I tipple I guzzle, I suck’em all in,
Till down dead drunk I drop.

Think–Think–Think!
Till my head is very sore!
Think–Think–Think!
Till I could’nt think anymore;
And its oh! to be splitting of rails,
Back in my Illinois hut,
For now that every thing fails,
I would of my office be “shut!”

Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!
To you as a suppliant I kneel!
Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!
If you could my horrors feel;
You’d submit at discretion,
And kindly give in,
To all my oppression,
My weakness and sin!

BALTIMORE, March, 15, 1862

“Ole Secesh.”

Ole Secesh was a pseudonym for Dr. Francis Orray Ticknor, 1822-1874, a Georgia physician, poet and horticulturist, most noted for the sentimental Civil War poem “Little Giffen.”

McGregor Broadside
Broadside 1862
.O547

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

Friday – March 14th 1862
Nothing to do today – Got all the
grappling Irons, rope & cotton cloth
down to the wharf today – The boy driving
the cart with the former upset in going
down the Hill – Cart with boy and all
turning a somersault! Nobody hurt –
Cap Faries arrived today from
Camp – The Gen’l has not yet come up
from below – The Miss Battalion went
down to Bethel[?] today – Lieut Lindsay
returned from [—] today –
has not yet been introduced to Faries –
who was not to be found.
Wrote to Mrs Roys today – also a
note to Norwell & one to Mr Bunting
abt my letters – Charley Howell
returned today having resigned his
Commission. – he went to Camp Rightor today-
I borrowed some clothes from him – & changed
my underclothes first time in ten days.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, owner and editor of the Staunton, Va., Spectator]

Friday night, March 14, 1862.

Nothing further from the battle in Arkansas. The
North claim a victory, and we fear it is so. At at[sic]
last accounts the enemy were advancing upon New
bern, N. C. It was thought that a battle was going on
at Fernandina, Florida. A great battle is expected
soon at New Madrid, and Island No. 10, on the Mis-
sissippi, to which our army retired from Colum-
bus. A number of fugitives from Winchester have ar-
rived in town. Our army, when last heard from, was
sixteen miles from Winchester. The militia were in
town to-day, and expect to start down the Valley to-
morrow.

[Transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachuestts Independent Light Battery]

March 14th

Were turned out at six. A. M. It is
reported that we are to return to
Alexandria and ship for Fort
Monroe. and move on Richmond
from that point. At five P. M we
received orders to move back to A.
and at six were on the road. at
midnight we halted and encamped
at Annandale. The day was quiet
quite mild and Pleasant. but during
the night very rainy and cool.

[transcription by Maary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[from the diary of Z. Lee Gilmer, Sgt., Company B, 19th Virginia (Albemarle Rifles)

Home

Malitia was called
out to day all over
the state with the
esception of some 5 or 6
countys
My furlough expires
fo morrow I leave for
camp to day to return
when my Country is
at peace with the world

[this is the last entry in the diary of Sgt. Gilmer]

MSS 4459

My Dear Creek

I have just time enough to let you know our
whereabouts, this is our seventh day on the march and
we don’t know where we are going to yet, but suppose we
are going to Gordonsville, which is yet over thirty miles
distant, we have already marched seventy miles and
you may guess the condition we are all in, our feet are all
so sore we can scarcely get along and have stopped to rest the
balance of the day, we are about eight miles from Culpepper
C.H. and I have a chance to get this mailed there, Dugan is
well but very foot sore. I believe I am about the soundest man
in the Regiment although my feet are a little sore, but this rest
will make me all right again. Jimmie is still with me and
stands it finely, he goes along with the Baggage train.
This I expect will be the only chance I will have of writing
till we get to our destinantion, when you may expect to hear from
me again. I mailed a letter for you at Warrenton as we passed
through, it was written at Centreville the night before we started
but Jimmie could not get back by way of manassa[sic] as he intended
so I mailed it the first chance, Kiss Our Little Maggie for me
and except one for yourself from Your
William

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

MSS 10366