[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, a war refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

We left Wilmington on the 5th of march 1862 for Chapel Hill
& after a very pleasant trip arrived safely at 3 oClock Thursday
afternoon in the Village–Our party consisted of Mrs Wm Hill
Miss Eliza Hill & Lieutenant Mason who kindly escorted us
up–We are still t the Hotel finding it difficult to obtain
board where we would like to stay. The weather is very cold–Too
much so for my feelings–Yesterday we had quite a snow
storm. But under the rays of a bright sun it has melted
away-Liz has gone to spend the day with Mrs Sam Phillips & we
hope my Monday to get to Mrs Nuns where we will have more comfortable
rooms–

[added to the entry several days later]

Mr. Mason left us Saturday night 8th 2 oclock.

Mrs. Hill was the mother of sons Frederick J., Thomas S. and Joe, all of whom served in the Confederate Army, and a daughter, Eliza, who was married during the war to Capt. James M. Mason. Fred served with the Starke Cavalry, Co. D of the 28th Regiment Mississippi Voluneers and Tom with the Burt Rifles, Co. K of the 18th Mississippi Volunteers. William, another son, died in 1860, leaving as his widow, Eliabeth (Liz), a daughter of John Branch, a Governor of North Carolina, Mrs. Hill was the widow of William Hill, who died before the Civil War.
MSS 6960

Camp Union March 5th/62

Dear Father & Mother
Your letter of Feb 24th
was received this afternoon
by the hand of Frank Grimes
Benton & Stewart accompanies him
I was very glad to see John
I have had a real regard for
him ever since I knew him
My health is very good
in fact I was never
better
We are now making
preparations to leave this
place it is probable now
from the state of the
weather that we will
not move until next
week. It has been quite
stormy for some days
and the roads are in a

[page 2]
very bad condition
It is really sad to see
the long trains of wagons
and mules as they come
draging in through the
mud–the animals in
many cases worn down
to mere skeletons
This night a large train
of wagons are quartered
just behind our house
the ground is drenched with
water and it is now
snowing and it is a hard
night to see the poor horses
tied up to their wagons
unsheltered.

To give you an idea of the
conditions of the roads
it requires four horses to
draw three barrel of port
from the river to this place
As soon as the weather is

[page 3]
fine the remainings
coms of our regiment will
go to Raleigh. And as soon
as the roads permit we
will probably go on from
that place. I should not
wonder if we would
get to see Richmond this
spring I hope so at lest
The 30th Regiment will remain
here. the companies of that
Reg in Raleigh now will
return. Our men are yet
at work on the Fort at
this place and if it were
only mounted with Guns
it would appear quite
formidable
How does Prof Nixon do
does he govern well
Where does Gates live
now. I am surprised to hear
of toms non arrival. I wish

[page 4]
you would send me
Levi Kerrs adress
Intending to write again
when we arrive at Raleigh
I will close
Yours Truly J. D. Templeton

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio

Front Royal March 4th 1862

Dear Dick
I will
write to you this
time & see if you
will treat me any
better than Bill R
he didnt take any
notice of my letter to
him. What have you
done with my traps
especially the chessman
I left them in the
Capt’s house–If you
have not sent them off
already–please bundle
them them[sic] up with a pair
of Benton’s socks that were

[page 2]
left l in our hut & send up if you can I
want some of you idle
fellows to see that my
gun is kept in shooting
order. What did you
do with my knapsack?
Dont let any one have
my cartridge box or take
the cartridges out. The people
of FR are very much
excited over the expected
coming of the yankees. if
reports are true we have
7000 men at Winchester
at the mercy of 10,000 yankees
at Charlestown & as many
more from other quarters.
I don’t feel as all
low spirited–I think the
licking we got in Tenn.

[page 3]
will be good for us
Tenn. has now one
hundred & ten regiments
in the field–besides the
“melish.” They (melish) ain’t worth
counting tho’–I’m sorry
you are determined to be
one of ’em–after swearing
so often that you’d volunteer
–hush your slander!
I have no fever
now but recover my
strength slowly–don’t
know yet when I’ll
come down–don’t care
much about comin’ till
the fightin is over.

The Dr. has extended
my furlough ad
libitum

[page 4]
Please let me hear
from you soon
Its awful dull up
here–I have not
called on any of my
lady friends yet.
S’pose you’ve heard
of Miss Kate’s marriage
I sympathize with
you & Ed–spec you
both feel small
Truly yours

Scott

letter to Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, Co. B of the 17th Virginia (Warren Rifles) from an unidentified comrade

MSS 3064

Camp Near Winchester
March 4th 1862

Dear Kate
I received your
much welcomed letter
a fiew days ago and now
seat my self to drop
you a fiew lines my
health is very good &
hope this may find you
enjoying the same blessing
The health of the Com. is
very good at presant
we have evacuated Camp
Zollicoffer & Campt in
a half mile of Winchester
I believe that we are going

[page 2]
to evacuate Winchester as
thay are moving all the
Government property
pack[sic] to Strausburg
& all the sick are hurryed
back It is reported that
the yankies have posession
of Martinsburg Charles
Town and Berry ville but
I do not believe it
and still hope that we
may be ordered back
to our Cabbins, before
long, The question was
asked our Com yesterday
whether we would inlist
for the war or not
Thirty five enlisted for
the war the remainder

[page 3]
say they will stand the
draft, I am no longer
a volintier but a regular
for the war be it long
or short & my prayer is
that the God of Nations
may help me as the apple
of his eye I will look to
him at all times for
he is able to save in
the darkest hours of per
il, It is an assurance most
dear to know that he will
not forsake those that
put thare trust in him
I was very sorry that your
Brother did not reinlist
as I would like to have
his Company as a gide

[page 4]
through this tempestuous
world of war I suppose
thare is a grate deal of
excitement in old
Augusta at this time
on account of the draft
that is to be made this
month I hope that it
may hit some of the
speculators I hope I
may have the pleasure
of getting home on
furlough before long
I would like very much
to see you Remember me
in your prayers that I
may hold out faithfull
to the end write soon I rem
ain your devoted friend

W.F.B.

Miss Amanda Armentrout
Lacy Springs
Rockingham
Co. Va.

MSS 11332

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian of Staunton, Va.]

Tuesday night, March 4, 1862.

Alick has been expected from Richmond to-
day — he went down on Saturday — but the
cars have not arrived yet — past 10 o’clock. The
telegraph wires are down beyond Waynesbo-
rough, so that we cannot learn the cause of
the detention. The recent heavy rains may have
injured the Railroad track. Of course there is
no news to-day from abroad.

[transcripiton by the Valley of the Shadow]

MSS 38-258

Lion Church FebMarch 4th 1862

My darling wifey

This place at which we are temporarily
located is about two miles below Fort Grafton.
we came here Sunday evening and are expecting
to move back every day–I dont know for what
we came here–I received your letter of the 28th
ult: and also one from your mother yesterday.
You wrote before you had received two from me
which I hope you have received before this. I
mentioned in one of them that we had not gone
to Newport News and didn’t expect that we
would–In the other I mentioned that I would be
glad to get the clerkship in the war department,
but as you said nothing about it in your last
I suppose it has been disposed of.
With regard to the contents of your mother’s letter, I
will say that I consider the will which you have
and I have no doubt that every member of my family
will also, to cover the whole ground and more
than your mother asked–but to satisfy her
I enclose you my last will and testament–
the writing of it has caused me some sad
feelings but I hope it will satisfy you.
God bless you write soon to your devoted
Husband

Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt. 1st Virgnina Artillery

MSS 9380-a

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Tuesday
March 4
Cleared off very cold last night
and is quite cool to day; Lieut
Lawrence took us out and drilled us this
forenoon. this afternoon read and sat
round. Got ready for dress parade but
did not have any. this evening read and talked.

MSS 11293

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

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 1862
Did not play for Guard
mounting
Wrote letter to Eliza
Went this afternoon to
the mill and got some
bread. Saw King of the
Battery making obscene[?]
advances to a Country
girl. Charlie of Co C finds
difficulty in getting
married
Cold this morning snow
on the ground Clearing off

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]

Williamsburg Tuesday – March 4th 1862
There was a severe storm last night on the “Peck” – lay
at anchor a whf [wharf] 18 miles above Jamestown Island –
we got underway at daylight & reached Kings
Mill at 8 o’clock – Find that the Battalion
made a march on the 2nd to Lees house & we
ordered back the same day – 20 miles – They were
ordered by Genl McLaws and returned by order of
Maj Genl Magruder – It rained all day & the boys
had a severe time of it – Had a cold walk to camp –
Found a letter here from Father enclosing me
some postage stamps, &c – Could not get the Artilery
Broke in Charleston. Went to town with the battalion
masquarders this Evening – The boys made a fine turn
out, quite a novelty to for the peoples of Williamsburg
who had never seen anything of the kind before – Had a
fun speech & any good song written by Angustam
for the occasion – (Wound up with a supper at the
College hotel, at which Col Ewell [?] & all the officers got
drunk. Went to Miss Galts & retired for the night –
a 10 ½ o’c

The following day would be Ash Wednesday in 1862. Logan, from Louisiana, appears to be describing a small Mardi Gras celebration in his regiment.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

Winchester, Va. March 4th, 1862.
Dear Lt. [John Warwick] Daniel –
Since I came to the valley last November I have
received two letters from you – and promptly answered both letters – I fear
you have not received my letters, as I have heard nothing from
you since the reception of your 2d letter. The desire to be in the
same service with you – to have you as a daily companion, prompts
me to write you again. You will not be surprised when I inform you
that I have entered the service for the war – & that two thirds of my com-
pany have gone in with me. My Company will be composed of Volun-
teers almost entirely, & the whole number will be made up of the best men
in the 27th Regt. Haynes will not be re-elected. The men are entirely in your
favor just as I am – You can if you will accept it be made first Lt.
of the Company upon its organization. Afterwards Captain of the Compa-
ny – for I shall oppose ever field officer in the Regt. from the Col.
down & can be elected I think beyond a doubt. This will make
you Captain of my old Company – & I shall be satisfied. I would
know then that they were under a man generous & brave – one in
whom I have every confidence. You know the material of the Com-
pany – how agreeable it is to command them, & how much you can rely
upon Them. – They are much attached to you – & you would have no
difficulty with them. I find myself at the end of ten months ser-
vice with them – So much attached to them, that I could not quit Them
under any other & have a high sense of duty – I must at least place them with
a man I love & who has always felt & interest & affection for them – You are
the man above all others whom I would select – & I hope you will find it –

[page 2]
consistent with your duties to come with us for the war accept the
proposition.
We have been upon the battlefield for four days, near Winchester.
The weather is exceedingly cold & disagreeable, but notwithstanding
the severity of the weather the men are cheerful & happy – & seem anxious
to meet the forces of the enemy – The Yankees have occupied Charleston & Martinsburg – & will doubtless advance upon this place in a very short
time. Their numbers are much superior to ours – & I am unable to
say whether Jackson will retreat or fight – I expect he will fight from
the preparations he is making if so, May God in his goodness give
us a decisive victory over our enemies –
Bob is still with us & as faithful as ever – & goes in for the
war –
If you can possibly visit us at my camp do so. I should be very
happy to see you – to talk over the past – to enjoy your society again, and
to lay plans for the future – whereby we may miss the glory of never driving
rains – & contribute all we are in the best possible manner to
the cause of human liberty – now making its last stand upon the evil
of our glorious mother state. Virginians should never surrender – we
must have no more Roanoke Islands or Fort Donnelson [Donelson]– Donnelson is a
bad name – I never liked it with the Andrew Jackson attached, which is
the only merit it ever possessed –
Write me immediately upon receipt of this letter. I send it to Lynchburg – for
fear it may not reach you – as I have forgotten the number of your Rgt.
My kindest regards to your father – all the men send much love – I am the
onely Comd. officer here – Your true friend
Lewis P. Holloway [27th Regiment]

Federal troops under Nathaniel Banks advanced up the Shenandoah Valley toward Winchester March 5, 1862

John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, afterwounded in 1864, wards studied law at the University of Virginia, eventually becoming a U.S. Senator. Severely he was known as the “Lame Lion of Lynchburg” and was a noted orator.

[transcription and annotation by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158