[from the diary/memoirs of Captain Jonathan B. Hager, Co. F, 14th Indiana]

The noble
steamer Elm City carried the 3d, 14th & 17th regiments
of Infantry with Gen. Sykes & Staff. It was a
glorious morning as we steamed down the Potomac
Hundreds of transports filled with men, horses
and all the material that go to make up a
great army moved forward by steam & sail to
the grand rendezvous.
Fondly supposing that the officers at least would
be furnished with something to eat on board, we
had failed to lay in the necessary supplies–Here
was a go! Nothing had been provided for us.
We had provided nothing for ourselves. Toward
Evening, when the supplies laid in the evening
before in the streets of Alexandria were exhausted
and had performed their functions, I examined
my mess chest which I had purchased the
day before at second hand from our Major.
What was my delight when I found a loaf of
dry bread, a raw onion & a little whiskey.
We supped sumptuously, that is Lt. Walker &
myself—I went to bed not over fed to dream
of Delmonicos–A light supper induced a
good nights rest. What a system of Compensa-
tions is life! Whatever we do we get paid for it.
If we do good we are rewarded, of bad we are
punished–I must confess the good I did
unto myself this night by a light supper
did not merit any reward, for ti was com-
pulsory, but nature kind mother that she is
treated me as though I was the most self-
denying of mortals.

MSS 9044

March 27th,
Although we are in the army we have some play hours
we have a game of ball every day or two sometimes there
is 15 or 20 different games playing at one time they played
a game here yesterday called base ball in which the
Lieut Col. Adutant[]sic] Q.M. Seargent[sic] hospital steward,
captains lieuts coperals seargents and pravates[sic] were
engaged, we play this kind of game quite often but
yesterday was the first day all the officers that wanted
to play took a part the officers of the day was judge
and kept count of the game the officer of the guard, also
played with us I tell you we had a grand good
time Francis Symonds can tell you how this kind of
game is played. I am looking for a letter to night so I will
now write any more untill I know if I get a letter or not

Letter of Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine will continue on March 28.

MSS 12916

Camp Rappahannock
March 27” 1862
My own darling Jennie
Dr Campbell is here & expects to join
his regiment to day or tomorrow which
is in Orange, thus giving me an oppor-
tunity to send you a letter, which I will
do although I have nothing to say beyond
what I said in my letter yesterday. We
are still on the Rpnock River and I fear
likely to remain here until driven away
by the enimy [sic] and very likely our position
here is saving us some hard marching
and probably hard knocks, for I understand
that all of our part of the army except our
division has gone nobody knows where.
I hear that the Dispatch contains very
bad news from Genl Jackson. I fear that
Jackson has suffered himself to be drawn
into a trap, and suffered accordingly. I hope
it may result in either the reinforcement
of Jackson or the sending him to a safe
position. I think a great deal about you &
little Jennie Watson & dreamed last night you
& I were on the road to H. B. & that you
very much to my horror left the baby behind
you know how curious our dreams will
run & so my dream run last night. I hope
Jennie will soon be a better baby. She is
now a month & a day old and you ought
to have an abundance of milk which is
all she needs to make her a good baby &
then she will be a very pretty one too.

[page 2]
You must try & nurse her as often as pos-
sible and must take as much exercise
as you safely can. I think you might
now drink a little tody [sic] each day to
give you an appetite. I have put Frank
in your charge & you must have him
brought out each day for you to look
at & see that he is properly groomed, and
remember to have him salted twice a
week. I will look for Hornet down
on Saturday or Sunday with saddle
saddle bags & clothes for I am getting
real dirty. Tell Ned I am much obliged
to him for the care he has taken of Frank
& Hornet and that if I was in a situation
to get another horse he might have the
latter but as it is I am obliged to
have him. W We have a regimental
review this evening by Genl Ewel [sic] we
all have to turn out. I am going to
turn out in fact & will have to close
my letter to get ready for the turn out
George said Jim was so fat he did
not know him & that you were
looking very well indeed. I hope
you will continue to look well & im-
prove until I see you again for then
I want you to look your very pret
prettiest. Kiss the children give love
to all & believe me my own precious
darling ever your devoted loving husband
ETH Warren

“Camp Rappahannock”, heading – ‘Camp was near Rappahannock Station, present-day Remington, Fauquier County.’

“Dr Campbell”, line 1 – “Josiah L. Campbell, Surgeon, 7th Virginia Infantry. From April to October 1861, he had served as Captain, Company F, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

“Rpnock River”, line 7 – ‘Rappahannock River.’

“Dispatch”, line 14 – ‘Most likely Warren referred to the Richmond Daily Dispatch.’

“Genl Jackson”, line 15 – ‘Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, Confederate general, commanded the army in the Shenandoah Valley.’

“I fear that Jackson has suffered himself to be drawn into a trap. . .”, lines 15 & 16 – ‘Warren, even though he did not mention the Battle of Kernstown, 23 March, must certainly be referring to this fight. In fact, Jackson had been drawn into a fight which he lost. However, it turned out to be a strategic victory as it keep a number of Federals tied down in the Valley.’

“the sending him [Jackson] to a safe position.”, lines 19 & 20 – ‘Warren seems not to have a very high opinion of Jackson’s abilities.’

“little Jennie Watson”, line 21 –

“Jennie”, line 26 – ‘Both referred to Warren’s daughter Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson, born 26 February 1862.’

“H. B.”, line 22 – ‘Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Shenandoah Valley.’

“Frank”, page 2, line 5 & 14 – ‘One of Warren’s war horses.’

“Hornet”, page 2, line 10 & 15 – ‘One of Warren’s war horses.’

“Gen Ewel”, page 2, line 19 – ‘Richard S. Ewell, Confederate general, commanded the division in which Elzey’s Brigade, containing the 10th Virginia Infantry, served.’

“George”, page 2, line 23 – ‘Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Corporal, Company C, 13th Virginia Infantry.’

“Jim”, page 2, line 23 – ‘Jennie’s brother James W. Magruder, Sergeant, Company K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry.’

“ETH Warren”, page 2, signature – ‘Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

[transcription by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g

Rapidan March 26, 1862

Dear Ma
I have just finished & despatched a long letter to
Sister, (which has not yet tho’ I suppose left Richmond when I sent
it to be forwarded) but upon receiving last night from the girls your
last letter I determined to write you another immediately. What in
the world is the use tho? I have written & written & written, the only fate
of my letters is to be sunk in the Potomac, or to fall into the hands of some
of Lincoln’s vile crew. Oh! that I had his vile head under my heel, I would
give one stamp for each of my letters, the loss or destruction of which has been
caused by his mercenary wretches. My hatred to everything which has any
connection with a Yankee is becoming so intense that I am actually surprised
at it myself. And as for such men as Major Barnard, Capt Goldsborough
&c to whom I one though men & gentlemen, I now feel that either term is
entirely misapplied to them, and I loathe them accordingly–I wonder
sometimes what Widie would think did she see her great & especial pet
Dr. Murray, in the ranks of the “vile rebels”–How sorry I am that Widie
has any connection with them I feel I can never even have the same
feeling towards her as formerly. Another difficulty in the way of receiving letters is the sending them by these secret agents, many of whom I see very frequently,& some of whom are clever men, but the majority of them give more
information than they ever bring back & a letter entrusted to them might
as well be sent into Washington under a flag of truce & directed to old
Abe. I have not a particle of doubt that many of Sister Hettie’s & our
letters are now in Washington left there by such men; otherwise why should
a portion of our mail to you be received & others of our letters sent by the same
hand never again be heard of. It is a very great damper upon ones
epistolary abilities to feel all the time that every thing he writes–every

[page 2]
message of love or friendship, may probably suffer the pollution of
a Yankee’s gaze–The very thought is enough to make one’s blood boil.
How absurd is the idea that people animated by such feelings can ever
mingle together again in brotherly love and friendship. I would rather
starve all my days than ask a crust of bread of a yankee. If they
would conduct the war upon christian, or even human principles it
would not be so bad, but they certainly are fit followers of an
Illinois hog. You seem, dear Ma, to be very desponding in your letter,
indeed I knew you would be. Our reverses were calculated to make
you all, who could have no communication with our side, despond very
much, much more in fact than we do here. We all feel it to be
the very best thing that could have happened to us, awaking us from
the lethargy into which we were thrown by the battle of Manassas, and
teaching us that we have still something to do. Hitherto they have not
approached our homes, so nearly, & had not consequently waked up the
people, but now everyone sees that it is a struggle for life, liberty &
homes, and the conviction, as it is forced upon them, brings them
into the field with the determination to conquer or die. We have been
too, placing too much reliance upon England & France. Our course has
not been manly enough. Had we six moths ago withdrawn every
agent from Europe & settled down with the determination to conquer by
ourselves, our people would not have been deluded by the hope of
having the quarrel settled for them, but would have probably settled
it themselves by this time. We can only however learn by experience & I
hope our Govt. has now seen the folly of cringing & begging at foreign
courts, the very act itself being enough to deter them from recog-
nizing a people, who wanted some one to help them at the beginning
of a fight. We can never be whipped, we have only to retire into our
country, burn up our Cotton & tobacco & supplies & behold the whole world

[page 3]
nearly thrown into such a state as will take them years to recover from.
We can then ask England & France why they refused to take our staples
when we offered them upon the most advantageous terms. If they
chose to stand by & let Lincoln starve their operatives, let them do so.
You say you fear this will be a long war; it is impossible to say positively
what it will be, but I was very glad to hear that Pa thought as he did.
Should the war continue over the Summer, that is, should we not cross into
Maryland before July, I think school had better be broken up, and all
of you come over here. I am afraid for the girls to go home & I dont see why
you all cant come here. Your school, from the picture you drew of it,
certainly need not detain you; Pa’s duty as he says–calls him here; and
Syd’s education can be continued as well here as there. You, can
come over anytime by flag of truce. It is very hard to think of Sister’s
being cut off from us all, and that is the only objection to the plan, but in
the contingency that I mentioned that this will probably be a protracted
war, and then I see no other course to pursue. Oh! how I should
rejoice if we could only join you before that time; wouldn’t it be
glorious? But you know the fortunes of war are doubtful, and no
one knows where we will be then.—

[this letter of John B. Cary will continue on Saturday the 29th]

MSS 1415

Richmond March 26th / 62 (Wednesday)

My precious Husband

I received your dear letter containing the
good news that your substitute had been accepted this morning
and have felt so thankful all day. How shall I ever be good
enough or sweet enough to deserve so many blessings
and I have a piece of god news to tell you too–Our
dear Tommy has gotten a place with Uncle Sylvanus
& will go into business immediately & get $50 a month
in the beginning & $100 as soon as he learns how to
operate–he has not heard from deary Richard
for since I came down & feel quite anxious to
know his whereabouts but trust he is well or
he would have been sent home. I am sorry to hear
you are all alone but trust soon to be with you
again–I went to Dr. Wayts this morning & had
something done to one of my teeth & will go again
tomorrow & expect to go through perfect torments
I will try to make up my mind to have
my teeth drawn but fear I have not enough
courage to go through with it–I have been
quite

[page 2]
quite sick ever since I came last week until today
Yesterday I was sick in bed all day & papa
was realy right mad with me for coming
away and at last determined not to let me come
alone & get ready & come down with me–he
had a terrible time of it on the boat which was
crowded more than I ever saw it & I realy feared
I would be ill when I got here but I took Qui
nine & came on I feel astonishingly well today
considering I have not slept since night before
the last–I think I will be able to take a little
nap tonight now my mind is releived about
you–I hope my darling you will burn this
dreadful scrawl as soon as you read it for
I am ashamed to send it–but I have a
dreadful pen & very little ink & Betty MacMur
do & Nannie Robinson have both been to see
me since I commenced & aunt Page is talking
all the time so I realy hardly know what I am
saying–I am sorry to hear Betseys little baby
is no better you had better weigh 4 grains of
Calomel & make 12 powders & give it until it
affects it moderately–Give the powders once
every

[page 3]
every two or three hours & have its stomach
rubbed well night & morning with spirits of
Turpentine–I think the little thing’s liver
is in a very torpid condition & it may take
a good deal of Calomel to effect it & you might
increase the dose by not making so may pow[der]s
but I would not give more than 1/2 or 1 grain at
a dose but repeat it until it acted on it
It is time for me to send this down to the boat
now so must say good bye–take good care
your precious self my own Husband & hoping
soon to see you I am now & ever
your devoted wife

J.C. B. Cabell

[on envelope]
Philip B. Cabell Esqr
Willow Bank P.O.
Nelson Co
Va,

[in corner]
Will Captn
Dillard be kind
enough to put this in
the mail J.C.B.C.

MSS 38-111

Staunton, March 26th 1862
Dear Loved Ones at Home,
Though
much exhausted by Loss of sleep
and the fatigue of the last week
I will try sufficiently to collect
my thoughts to tell you my adven-
tures during the past week and
how I come to be in Staunton.
I think my last letter home was
written about 2 weeks ago, when we
were near Woodstock. there we re-
mained several days–untill ordered
to Mount Jackson. there we we remain=
ed one night, and the next mor=
ning came on nearly as far as
Newmarket. This was on the night
Thursday March 20th. Friday night
we were ordered to cook twenty
four hours rations and to be ready
to move by daylight. This we did
and on Saturday the 21st we mar=
ched to Strasburg–30 miles. the
next morning we marched near=
ly to Winchester by 12 oclock–17
miles. When we reached a point
just this side of W. we were hal=

[page 2]
ted, and those who had anything in
their haversacks were allowed to eat.
Soon our Regiment was called to “At=
tention” and filed off to the left,
following and protecting Pendleton’s
Battery. We Kept on through woods
and over fields for some two miles
when we discerned the enemy in
line of battle on a hill to the
right, with several pieces of
Artillery–We had to pass a field
in full range of thier[sic] Cannon, &
they opened upon us with shot
and shell–The latter burst all
around us, and the order to
“Double Quick” was gladly re=
ceived and cheerfully executed–
One of our Company was
wounded in the head by a frag=
ment of shell.
We soon reached cover, &
the battery was placed in po=
sition on a hill commanding
the Yankee battery. Then the
ball opened, and for three

[page 3]
quarters of an hour the fire=
ing was incessant. All this time
we were behind rocks and trees
sheltering ourselves. In spite
of this, however, several of the
Regt were wounded at this time.
Presently an aid rode up to
Gen. Jackson, who was stan-
ding near us on horseback,
and told him something in a
very excited manner. Gen. J. im=
mediately ordered us up to the
head of the ravine in which
we had been dodging the can=
non balls. We came up to the
brow of a hill and were for=
med in line of battle, and on
going forward a few steps, we
discovered long dark lines of
the enemy advancing upon
the battery. As soon as their
flag showed who they were,
We poured a volley into them
which was immediately retur=

[page 4]
ned. Our Reg’t was the first
Infantry that engaged the enemy
but we were soon reinfor=
ced, by the rest of our brigade
and the Stone wall Brigade.
When all of these opened on
the Yankees, they fell back,
but fresh regiments coming
up they again advanced.
Then for an hour we would
hear the roar of musketry
and the incessant thunder of
cannon.
Bullets were whistling all
around us, and every few
minutes I could see some
of my comrades fall.
Suddenly while kneeling
down and loading, I felt
a sort of stinging sensation
in my knee and on looking
down I found that my pants
had been torn by a ball
which had struck the Knee=

[page 5]
pan and glanced–inflicting
a slight wound; This I did
not feel at the time, as I
kept on loading and firing
untill my ammunition was
exhausted. This was not un=
till my the order to fall back
was given. the men fell back
intolerably good order, though
under the a brisk fire. At
the time we retreated, we
were surrounded on three
sides by Yankee infantry,
and their cavalry had
gone around to take us
in the rear, but were
driven back by a charge
of some of Ashby’s men.
As we were retiring from
the field, I was struck by
a spent ball on the mus=
cle of the left arm, which
was for a time very pain=

[page 6]
ful, and disabled me it for
a time day or two It is
all right now, except a
slight numbness felt
occasionally.
All of our baggage got off.
Also all the Artillery
except one Rifled Six pounder
and three caisons. We had
to leave nearly all our
wounded & dead upon the
field. After walking some
distance, my knee began
to pain me, so I got upon
a caison wh happened to
be passing. On this I rode
to where our Comp wagons
were. That night I slept little
The next morning (Monday) I
came on to Strasburg, where
I had my knee fixed. About

(page 7)
1 oclock I got in a wagon
and came on to Mt Jackson
arriving at 3 A.M. Tuesday. I
rested till daylight, then
got a permit from the
Med. Director to come on
here. I then dropped a line
to you stating that I was
not hurt. This I did to re=
lieve yr apprehensions. I had
not time to explain, and I
hated to say I was wounded
at all. Knowing that yr fear
wd exagerate. At 9 ock I
started on the stage and
arived in S. about 10 nP.M.
All along the route I was
questioned about the fight,
and since arriving in S,
quite a number have called
on me for particulars.

[page 8]
Last night I staid with Eugene Peyton at the
Va. House & came iup to Bro’s this mornng.
Of course they were surprised to see me.
As to my wound–A miniéball
stuck and glanced from my knee pan
and either bruised or slightly fractured
it. It is only painful when i move, so
I mean to keep still in the house, and
may be with my Co. again soon. I am going
to try to get a furlough from Dr Wadell
to go to Rd. I said 9 “7”s were wounded. Their
names were : Rennie, Picot, Nunnaly,
Gray, E.B. Taylor, Randolph, Gibson,
Danforth and self. I consider my=
self vry fortunate, as the sur=
geon told methat an an eighth of
an inch difference wd
have made me lose my leg–
Our force in Infantry, Cavalry &
artillery was not 5000. We lost
in killed, wounded & missing 350.
The Yankeys had 30000–18000
in action & 12000 in reserve. Their
lost is is[sic] estimated–1500.
I w’d have written more, but
have been interrupted by visitors.

Ch. E. Taylor

[written crossways in the left hand margin of page 5 in another hand]

I have but five minutes at command. Was expecting to start down the Valley this a.m.–As
I was dining, in he walked. Do not be uneasey about him. He will doubtless be allright
very soon. He sits by the fire as usual. We should urge you to come up, but he hopes to

[written in top margin of page 5]
go down-I thought you might hear reports &
be afraid, so I telegraphed–George.

[written sideways in left hand margin of page 5]
Large numbers of wounded came this evening–How thankful are we all
for the safety of our dear Charley–

Charles Elisha Taylor, 1841-1915, later a Baptist minister, college professor and president of Wake Forest University.

MSS 3091

[from the diary/memoir of Jonathan B. Hager, Captain of Co. F, 14th Indiana]

We struck our tents at 11 o’clock this morning
and at 1 oclock took up our line of March
towards Alexandria which we reached in
about an hour & halted in the Streets until the
regiments in advance could embark on the
transports prepared to carry them to Fortress
Monroe. The 14th did not succeed in getting on
board until about 9 in the evening. The time
was profitably employed in laying in a stock
of beer and otherwise fortifying the inner man
for a voyage by sea–We embarked in a condition
of fulness and it was well we did as the sequel
will show. All were finally on board–troops &
baggage. We did not however cast off our
lines until9 o’clock next morning.

MSS 9044
baggage.

Mt Jackson March 26th 1862

Dear parents

I once more seet myself to
try to write you a few lines in answer to your
kind letter of the 17th of this month I got it
yesterday and was glad to hear from you all
and to hear that you was well I am well &
hope these few lines will find you all well
we have been in a battle at winchester and
got whipped and lost a good many men our
Companys los killed and missen is nine men
and severel wounded–among the wounded is
Capt Cowan & George. Capt is badly wounded
George Slitely dave is well James A Gilmer is
well we was in a hot battle I cum out
in untuched. The yankees are afollowing us
I expect we will go to Staunton the yankees
had about five men to our one they wouldent
let us go to bury our dead you said that
hayes & Cumming was cumming out hear if
they dont com before this letter comes let
them stay out their and fight where they
will be close home its no disgrace for them
to fight in the malitia if they com out
hear they cont know who their officers
will bee. pa I havent much news to write.

[page 2]
only their is but little sickness in the army
at this time only the wounded men. William
Howard was wounded the nearest I com getting
shot was through my coat but it did not
tuch my hide. all the news I have is about
the fight and I cant tell you much about
it unless I was their where I could
talk with you the muskate fight lasted
one hour and 3/4 of an hour. we let the field
Spotted with yankees and dead ones at that
pa I will bring my badly written and badly
spelt letter to a close all you want to
know is whether I and our frie[n]ds are well
or not and as far as I know they are all well
with the exception of the wounded
I think bob will get well give my
respe[c]ts to all enquiring friends so nothing
more at present write soon
Wm R Gilmer
C. Gilmer
M. Gilmer

William R. Gilmer, Private, Co. I, 37th Virginia

MSS 5194

Grafton church, Wednesday
March 26th 1862

My darling wife
we were stopped here yesterday
evening on our way from Harwood’s Mill to
Yorktown–we expected to go back to Harwood’s
Mill last night, but the order has’nt yet come
I haven’nt received a letter from you for most
a week; I suppose there are several in Wmsburg
for me but no one has been there for some
time–I feel still very anxious about Mother.
The same day Green Peyton refused to recom-
-mend my furlough he recommended one
for two men, the wife of one had a sore
breast and the wife of the other had been
very ill, but was mending–so you see
how things are managed–
I am very well though we have had quite
a disagreeable time for a week past
I think a great deal of you and
love you dearly–Give my love to Ma
Pa and the rest of them–Direct to
Yorktown–Your devoted husband

[unsigned letter of Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt., 1st Va Artillery]

MSS 9380

Wednesday March 26

I have just returned from a walk through
Holly wood Cematry and back out at
the camp called camp winder where
Cranks company are quarterd I saw Fout[?]
Boston and he was well gessa Race
is laid Up From ahurting his back
loading a stove I we have so bin Ordered
to go out to camp Lee now Fair ground
and we cant tel but they say we will
have to go in tents but I hope we will
get Shanties Troop are constantly goin [hole in paper]
here Some going to weldon Some going
Golds Burrow North Carloina and going
down the game River. I write in hope
of sending it by Dr Daniel or Wm Payne
I saw them this morning we have not
doing thing since we have bin here only
cooking sat we eat and that is badly done
I tried at too Book stores today to get some
Books for Lewellen & Edga But I could
not find the right sort, but I will

[page 2]
try again this evening if I can
get the some I will send them
By the same as the letter ther was a
man killed at the armery thes morning
while loading a Shel it exploded and
mangled him dredfully you can
write to me at this city A J Gillespie
Richmond Va Frank[?] [?] Wilker
son Archer Pace [?] Carver Rives Cameron
have joined Capt Poors company
and one or to others have joined
the Company, [remainder of line too faint to read]
my ground the reason [remainder of line too faint to read]
to Fredericksburg is we cant get
transpotation and I recon we
will s[t]ay here long enough to get
tet[sic] a letter from you and
one can tell how long we will stay
at camp [?] nothing more
at this time c[h]eer Up and do
the best you can in my absence
A.JG 1/2 past 3 oclock Mar 26 62

Andrew J. Gillespie, Ancell’s Company, Va. Light Artillery

MSS 9564