[From the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]
Thursday, Mar. 6, 1862
Did not play for Guard
mounting. Practiced some
Went down to the
mill this evening with
Phil
Benton and I had a
talk this evening
Stormy snowing some
Made a trade with
a citizen sold some
traps and rice
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Thursday
March 6
Got up this morning and ate
a little hard bread and butter
packed up and fell in and marched
down to the landing and went aboard
the “Wheelbarrow” (Steamer Union) and were
put on the New York. Our company
have the ladies cabin. Dont know where
we are going or when. Had raw pork
and hard bread for dinner. Read con-
siderable in the papers. Had the head-
ache some this afternoon.
MSS 11293
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer and editor, of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Thursday 6 The train due last evening from Charlottes-
ville did not arrive until 3 a m to day. on
reaching the bank found a letter from Sue
saying that Willy had the scarlet fever and
that there was no hope of his recovery. She
wants me to come over. This I would gladly
have done, had the train come on time. I deter-
mined however unless I heard of his death to
go in the morning by Richd. By 10 oclock how
ever a telegram from J.B. Minor announced
that the dear little fellow had died last
night. We were all much grieved. I dread
its effect upon Charles, and fear he may disre-
gard all other duties & hasten home
when he hears of the news. The telegram told me to
expect the body today–but there being no train
it will be impossible to bring it now. after
I had gone to bed, another dispatch say-
ing it would be buried at the University. Recd.
late in the evening letter from William saying
he would be here to day. We made prepar
ation for him but he did not come.
MSS 4763
Camp Walker
Mar 6” 1862
My dear Wife
I recd two letters from you to
day. I fear you are exciting yourself
too much and I beg of you not to think
you are obliged to write to me every
day because I write to you. Just write
when you fel feel perfectly able and
free to do so.
This army will certainly move within
the next three days. You understand
perfectly the necessity which compells [sic]
the movement and it is therefore useless
to say anything to you on the subject. I
dont exactly know how far we will fall
back but have no idea it will be near
Gordonsville. I think to Culpepper [sic], but
I venture no opinion and beg you will
not mention the movement as coming from
me, but it is certain that we fall back.
I cant yet say with any certainty on
what day I will be with you, but I have
Major Genl Ewells word that I may leave
on the first day that I can possibly be
spared from the regiment. So you must
be perfectly easy & rest satisfied that I
will soon see you. Saturday – Sunday Monday
or Tuesday you may look for me on each
day until I advise you to the contrary.
[page 2]
Dr Moffett has been improving for
the past few days and we will send
him to Gordonsville tomorrow. he
will stop at Mr Ewings tell your father
& the boys to call & see him. I will
see him safely on the train in the
morning & send this letter by him.
Our regiment has nearly all re-
volunteered for two years I made them
a speach [sic] this morning on the subject.
I got a letter from sister Lizzie to
day saying George & Hilary were there
George was to leave last night so he
will give you all the news. I hope
he got the trunk & babys things. It amus-
ses me to hear you talking of babys money
but I beg her pardon Miss Jennie Watson
I ought to say. You all need not tell me
she is not pretty with her pretty suit of hair
& looking like her father she cant be
otherwise than pretty. I dont think it
will hurt you at all to have your bed
made up & if it is not done before you
get this I would certainly have it done
at once.
Affectionately & devotedly
Yours
ETHW
“Major Genl Ewells”, line 21 – ‘Richard S. Ewell, division commander, Confederate Army of the Potomac. The 10th VA Infantry served in his division.’
“Dr Moffett”, page 2, line 1 – ‘Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.’
“George”, page 2, lines 12 & 13 – George S. Magruder, Corporal, Company C, 13th VA Infantry; Jennie’s brother.’
“Hilary”, page 2, line 12 – ‘Hillary Magruder, Jennie’s younger brother by five years.’
“Miss Jennie Watson”, page 2, line 17 – ‘Virginia Watson, Warren’s daughter born 26 February 1862. After she married, she also had a daughter which she named Virginia.’
“ETHW”, signature – ‘Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.’
[transcription and annotations by John P. Mann IV]
MSS 77867-g
My dear Grandfather [Genl. Philip St. George Cocke]
Your last kind
letter was received just as I was on
the Eve of leaving home for Richmond
I have received the willow plantings
and have have[sic] the bank of the creek
thoroughly cleaned up for them–I have
not had them planted yet but will
do so as soon as some of the press
of work is off hand. Half our
main force has been drafted to work
upon the fortifications & breast-
works, either at Yorktown or some-
whee else–This will leave us force
only sufficient to pitch a crop-
In reference to the subscription for the
ministers I have already got the
amount and will divide it between
them immediately–The printing
of the sermon I postponed, as I
found that paper was very
[page 2]
scarce and it would require two
prices in ordinary times to have it
printed now. I intend to have it
done however as soon as I can.
Johnny goes up to Bremo this morning
for a day or so, The boys went over to
school on yesterday and found
that Mr. Harrison had been suddenly
called to Richmond by the extreme
illness of one of his daughters,
who very imprudently exposed herself
to the weather at the inauguration
on the 22d of Feby–and learning that
Mr. Harrison would probably not be back
until Sunday or Monday next they
came back home, and as John as
expressed a desire to ride up home,
I had furnished him with a horse
Hoping to hear from you soon, and
with the affectionate love of our
household
I remain yr. affect. grandson
John B. Cocke
MSS 640
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Wednesday
March 5
This forenoon Lieut Richardson
drilled us. We had a fine drill
about noon orders came for us to get
ready to go on to the boat so we packed
up and got ready and staid round till
about five, when we were ordered to fall
in, and formed line and stood awhile, and
then marched back to quarters. Sold my
old pants for a sweet potato pie this noon.
Sung some this evening.
MSS 11293
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, bank officer and editor, of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Wednesday 5 This is the first day for the last week
I have felt anything like health. Eyes still
weak–Wm called upon by Col. Tyler, late
of U.S. Marine Corps, brother of the late Judge
Tyler of Warrenton, who wishes to rent keans
youse. His family is now at the Judges farm
in Fauquier, but he is afraid of their being
driven off. I hear of many families who
are coming here, Lynchburg being deemed a safe place.
Launcelot returned last evening from Richd.
where he spent ten days very pleasantly. He
staid two days at Edgewood. Charles Minor
has gone to join Charles. troop, as a volunteer
without pay. Ro. Saunders, Thos L. Preston &
Carey Fairfax spent the evening at our house.
The former gave many particulars of the mis-
erable inefficiency of the Legislature I was told
this evening that Gen Johnson had taken all
the cars & engines on the Orange Road and that
there would be, after tomorrow, no communication
with Charlottesville by R.R. for some time. This
will be a great inconvenience.
MSS 4763
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician with the 23rd Ohio]
Wednesday, Mar. 5, 1862
Played for Guard Mounting
Went down to the mill
with flour. Have been
there three times to day
Have been taking some
interest in the affairs
of Charlie of Co C
Took a new recruit
up to Col Hays and had
him sworn in to the
service. Benton Grimes
& Stewart came in to-
day brought letters from
Father also papers
Have written letter to
Father
Stormy snowing some
MSS 10317
[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]
Ash Wednesday – March 5th 1862 –
Rose this morning at 5 ½ o’clock – walked down to
the guard house & returned to Miss Galts, woke up
Fry, & Poindexter & Layton & Preston – we all walked in
to camp arriving by 7 ½ o’c – No drills or parade
today – owing to our anticipating a march – & the
fatigue of last nights tramp – & frolic – The affair
of last is said to be very pleasing to the people
of the old town. Spent today idly – Rec’d tonight
five letters, a long & very interesting one from Sallie
which did my heart good – one also from Estelle
from Jackson & Julie. Also a wholesome letter
from old John begging & urging me to Come on
& join him at Manassas, where he thinks there
will be a fight very soon in which he wants me
to join. I feel anxious to go but fear it will be
impossible for me to get off – He promises me that
Maj Pen [?] will do all in his favor to give me a position[?] –
The letters are quite a fear feast to me. Return tonight
ap 11 ½ o’clock. No letter from Mr Kennon yet.
MSS 6154
[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian of Staunton, Va.]
Wednesday night, March 5, 1862.
No Railroad train yet, and no communication by
Telegraph. The public are at their wit’s end to know
the cause of the detention of the cars. It is said that
a number of trains are kept “fired up” at Manassas,
ready to start at a moments warning, and it is presumed
that some important movement is on foot. The
train which should have arrived here yesterday has
no doubt been employed for the same purpose. For
a week or two past we have had rumors that our
army stores were to be removed from Manassas, Cen-
treville &c., to Gordonsville, where, we learn, exten-
sive store houses have been erected. Many wagons,
moreover, have been impressed in Albemarle and
other Eastern counties, to go to Manassas. This morn-
ing forty 4-horse government wagons started from
here for the same place, in pursuance of orders re-
ceived on Monday. What does it all mean? There
was a rumor this morning that Winchester would
be evacuated in a day or two by our troops, but stage
passengers, who arrived afterwards, contradicted it.
Tom Preston and Lucy are here to-night.
MSS 38-285
