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

Tuesday–very chilly & unpleasant today–Tom seems
better–I have persuaded him to take the wild cherry–
I have been busy making a shirt for him to put on.
Mrs.[Duresantres?] just sent me word her child Fanny is sick
and as Dr. Armand De Rossett has rented Mrs. Nuns house
she will have to look for bard elsewhere & is worried
about it not having her husband here–Every day I am
thankful we did not put off until the eleventh hour
coming up–As we have been pleasantly accommodated.
Mrs. Person and Tyler still here.

Dr. Winstar’s Balsam of Wild Cherry, a popular patent medicine of the time

MSS 6960

[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.

Tuesday – March 25th 1862
Rose Early this morning – started
the Captains unloading their schooners –
Went over the river this morning with
Lindsay – Lieut Grahman [?] was not there
Got a bouquet from Misses Nelly & Mary
& a box of butter from Mrs Roy – Wrote a
letter today to – Handed the schooner
over to the quartermaster today – Found
Mr Vaughn in town from Williamsburg
& left for that place with him at abt
dark – Three yankee drummers Came in
were taken by our pickets today & brought
into town – they say that Wool has a
hundred thousand men – Reached Williamsburg
at ten o’c – Mr Vaugham, Mr Woods and
I took a late supper at Greenhour’s – I found
a bed with Dr Purvis after some trouble –
or other [-]! Retired at 12 o’c

[Major John Ellis Wool]

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private of the 23rd Ohio]
Tuesday, Mar. 25, 1862

Guard mounting
also Parade this evening
Practiced as usual
went to Col Burgesses
this morning for
Bake oven also this
afternoon to return
steelyards. Had roast
beef for dinner.
Traded with Citizen for
chickens & meal with
Bacon. Had letters this
evening from Libbie
and Eliza Wrote letter
to Libbie Olin
mostly cloudy. has cleared
off this evening

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts Infantry]

Tuesday
March 25
On guard again at the Adj. Gens.
office, from two till six. Not much
going on. The band serenaded Gen Burnside
at supper. Read newspapers to-day

MSS 11293

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, of Lynchburg, Va., former diplomat, newspaper editor and bank officer, with 5 sons in the Confederate Army]

Tuesday 25 clear & cold–variously engaged
I have been for ten days past a sort of
Housebroker, getting refugees place of abode.
It has been troublesome–but my sympathies
are much enlisted on their behalf. I have
rendered some service & recd many expressions
of gratitude–Mrs. Rob. Saunders and her little
son arrived for dinner–Cold very bad, wrote
yesterday to Charles & today to Eugene.

MSS 4763

Tuesday night, March 25, 1862.

Soon after I got to the office this morning, Ally came
in and told me that he had met a Captain at the
breakfast table, who gave him an account of the “rising
in Maryland.” Part of Baltimore and other towns
had been burnt by the Federalists, while the people had
destroyed Railroad bridges &c &c to retard the prog-
ress of Federal troops. A woman from Frederick City
had brought the news to Jackson’s army, from which
the Captain had just come. I did not believe these
reports, but still could not help being somewhat ela-
ted by them. Shortly afterwards I encountered Judge
Thompson, who informed me that news had just come
by Express, that Jackson had received a serious repulse
near Winchester, nothing but the approach of night
saving his army from total rout. I insisted that it
could not be so, but soon found that such intelli-
gence had really come by letter, and was probably
true. Our loss in killed and wounded was said to be 200.
During the day, other reports were put out — one that
Jackson claimed to have come off best in the fight —
another that both parties withdrew — but it is useless to
relate all the rumors which are constantly circula-
ting. A tremendous battle will take place before long
near Memphis — For the first time for many months,
I worked a little in the yard to-day — cleaning the grass
from the grapevines &c. Not well to-day — have been
frequently ailing of late.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

[Letter written on a form for the morning report of the captain. the sheet was not filled out but bears the signatures of 1st Sgt. John P. Bragdon and Capt. H. T. Bucknam]

Camp Franklin Va. March 25th
Dear parents
I thought I would write a few lines to day as
we are daily expecting to leave this place so I can mail a
letter to you at any time if we are called upon suddenly to
leave. I have seen an account in a paper that the soldiers of
the advancing army of the Potomac could not send any letters
to any place while on the march so you may not be disappointed
if you do not get a letter from me every week I intend to write
home once a week or two weeks sirtainly when the mail goes I think
if the mail stops it will be on account of the difficulty of
carrying the mail to and from an advancing army as they would
be shifting about and the P.M. would not know where to find
them all the letters you write will be forwarded to us directly
I want you to get an extra paper with the state laws passed by
the legislature this winter read it and send it to me as soon as you
can make it conveniant I think there is a law passed by which
you can draw something from the State if you have a mind
to do so James Strout will have an extra in his Advertiser Can you
get that and send it to me. Every thing remains quiet as usual with
us here no news of importance except what you get as soon as we do
I suppose you will think strange because I write on this kind of
paper but I have got a plenty besides this the seargent Maj: was going
to throw this book away and so I took some of the leaves his name
is S. G. Baily, he belonged to our company. Some of the boys in
Raymond knows him he is a very smart schollar he has been
through the Tufts College he is liked by all the Regt. We had a
grand review this afternoon of about 40,000 troops composed of
three brigades and commanded by Gen. McDowell the man
that led us to bulls run last July we all marched in
review by division each division composed of two companyies
I tell you it was a long line and a grand display of troops well
armed and equipped and well supplied with artilery and cavelry
and I think they will be almost if not quite invincible in
battle. We have had fine weather here for some time
past the mud has almost entirely disappeared and every
thing looks like returning summer the spring is about two
months earlier than it is in Me. so it is almost June with
us here in regard to the weather it is the same here now
as it would be in Me. a this time of the year June 1st/62

Hiram M. Cash of the 5th Maine will continue this letter on the 27th.

MSS 12916

do

Camp Shields Mar. 25th 1862

My darling Addie:-
Your must, long ere you receive
this, have heard of the fierce and bloody battle
we have just fought, and perhaps even now, you
are torturing your heart with the thought that
“perhaps Charlie is among the slain.” Calm your
fears, my love, for I am alive and well–excepting
a very slight contusion upon my right arm.
I am ignorant as to what caused it, save that
was done in the engagement–and that it deprived
me of the use of it for the time being. It is with con=
siderable difficulty that I can write, but I will
try and give you some slight idea of what was done.
The battle lasted nearly two days, commencing
last Saturday. Our regt. was not engaged until Sun=
day afternoon. Until then the fight was confined
to artillery practice, with occasional skirmishing.
The enemy endeavored to out-flank us on our right, and
our brigade was ordered round to meet them, and
engage with the force supporting the rebel artillery, and
charge upon, and capture the battery, if possible.

[page 2]
We formed in column of Divisions, and advanced. We had
gone but about a third of a mile, when the fire opened
upon us from behind trees, rocks, and every kind of
concealment, before which many fell. Our company & Co. B.
was in front: & received the first fire. We received the
order to “charge–double-quick,” and with a shout of
confidence, (I know not what else to term it,) we started.
The rebels still kept firing with telling accuracy, and
retreated as fast as they fired–but their number was
legion. The finally rallied behind a stone wall,
using it as a breast work, and we recieved the com=
mand to halt, and deploy into line of battle, as yet,
scarcely a shot was fired from our ranks, having
reserved it according to orders. Having formed, we
recieved the order to “fire,” and then the carnage
was fearful. From half-past-five, until dark the
battle raged with increasing ferocity, but night
compelled the combatants to cease. Just before dusk
our regiment made a brilliant bayonet charge and
captured a splendid brass cannon–some say two.
Our boys fought bravely, almost desperately, and
the won the day. But such slaughter! I went
over a portion of the ground, and as far as I could see

[page 3]
the ground was strewed with the dead & dying. Of
our company but one was killed–Fred Groth–he
fell almost at the first fire, shot through the throat & neck–
We had seven wounded–they sere Capt Arper–
Stephen Bishop, Owen Gregory, James Hunt, Arthur Cavanah,
Wm. McClung and Dan. O’Connor. None mortally, I believe.

Dear Addie- you will pardon me if I do not now
give you the details, will you not?–They are so horrible.
My heart sickens to think of it. But I was calm &
self=possessed on the field–as I passed along. I would
recognize and acquaintance now and then, cold in
death. With horrible calmness–surprising now,–I
would examine their death wounds, and turn to
see but another,–I would see a surgeon extracting
an arm a bullet, another amputating an arm, packing
a wound or tying an artery–further on a group
of a dozen or two dead & dying lay in every conceivable
form, but what surprises me most, I did not hear a
single cry or groan until I arrived at the hospital.
How I escaped is a matter of wonder to me.
After my arm was hurt, I was ordered by the Colonel
to the rear, but I did not go. I wanted to see our boys
fight. as I lay exposed, the bullets, & shell of the
enemy struck around & over me & exploded in every

[page 4]
direction, covering one with dirt and leaves, and
killing some on every side. Col. Creighton seemed to
bear a charmed life–wherever the fight was hottest
there he was to be seen cheering the men on to victory
Heals favorite pony Col “John Augustus” was shot under
him, but nothing daunted, he went on foot=The horse
is alive yet I believe. Col. Tyler, I must say
acted bravely–in fact, he has retrieved his character as
a Colonel–but he is Tyler yet. He knew he must
fight or be ruined, and acted desperately.
The regt. has covered itself with honor, and Co. H. merits its
share. I regret greatly that I could not go through with
them, but I could not, I could not raise my gun from
the ground, and even my pen feels like a log, and I
handle it clumsily. Will Braden is at Cumberland,
unwell, where he has been for some time. Geo. Moore was on
the field. I have four letters now from you to answer
& should have done so before now but for the past ten days
we have been on constant duty, marching, skirmishing
&c. But I will answer them as soon as is possible.
I love you more as I know you better, and your
letters inspire me with confidence & hope. Write very
often, and you know how your letters will be received.
I have also two charming little notes from Laurie
unanswered. Will my “dark eyed sister” be content
with reading this for a day or two? If so, I will answer them
as soon as I am able.
I will do as you requested in your last; and
say no more at present, trusting that at some future time
not a hundred years distant, I may be allowed (?)
Pardon me for this uninteresting sheet, for
I can scarcely hold my pen.
Write often, & tell Laurie to do so too
Give my love to all, and appropriate as much as
you please to Miss A[ddie]. L. Case.
I am Yours ever Charlie
Respects to Dora & others.
A prisoner captured, said they knew it was the
Seventh Ohio coming up, for they heard it was afraid
of nothing. Our brigade was engaged with
Lovings Irish brigade.

Charles N. Tenney, Private,Co. H., 7th Ohio Infantry

MSS 11616

Joel F. Asper of Co. H, later a Lieutenant Colonel

Camp Kelly D.C. March 25/62

Dear Sam[uel Ritter]

Yours of 10th arrived duly–I am
now in the same fix, that I have been in for two
weeks past–namely want of items to make a
decent reply–so you must take it as it is–
You say, that you notice that a part of our
Regt–has gone to completing some forts & wonder if
they can exercise the manual of arms with shovel
as well as musket–well it is no doubt a big
think, but we can’t see it–neither Forts or shovels
have yet come across our fort path–we don’t have
the pleasure of 25 c pr. day either–for being laborers–
about all we do is drilling–& sending a few men
daily two or three miles off–to guard forts–
Beyond the usual number of camp rumors-
such as “Going to guard Richmond”–Going to
be mustered out next week,” “Going back to
camp at Wissahickon,” etc things are dull–we
have daily two battallion drills–& should have if
orders were obeyed two company drills also–but owing
to the negligence of our officers–we have the latter
few & far between–the weather for two or
three days past has been beautiful–quite a
contrast to last week, when we had rain nearly
every day–the health of the Regiment is
excellent with the exception that everybody is

[page 2]
is inflicted with that spring epidemic–laziness–
which partly accounts for my negligence in
not answering your letter sooner–this after-
noon however I made the desperate resolve of
writing some letters–my calculations are how-
-ever somewhat cut short by the want of items
owing to the general dullness of things here–
We are camped about two miles south east
of Washington near the Baltimore pike–up
among the hills that abound in this neighbor-
hood–we have plenty of water–a good
drill ground–which could be well used for
the discipline of the Regt. were it not for the
general incompetency of the officers–both field
& line–were it not for the incumbrance the
88th might be one of the best Regiments in the field
as it is composed of excellent material, plenty of
good fighting stuff, well we’ll have to trust
to time to id us of this evil–our compy. is partic-
ularly afflicted in this way–having a head
who has yet to drill us for the first time–
There goes the call for Battallion drill & I
must close hastily–My Regards to
Inquirers

Yrs &c
George W. Wagner

George Emil Wagner, 1842-1904, of Philadelphia County Pa., began the war as an orderly sergeant with the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and rose to be Lieut. Colonel of the 9th United States Colored Troops. He was later the keynote speaker at the dedication of the 88th Pennsylvania’s Gettysburg monument in 1889.

MSS 11174

Camp Near Rappahck River
Monday March 24” 1862
My own darling Jennie
I am going to write you a letter
but have not much hope of your an-
swering it at an early day. we are
still at the old place with not
much prospect of an early depar-
ture. Genl Elzey is as mad as
he can be about it and will
do everything in his power to get
his brigade moved to Orange. our
regiment returned yesterday. they
have had a bad time of it. Col
Gibbons & many of the men are
sick. they report that none of
the enimy [sic] are at Centreville all
having gone back to Fairfax
Ct House. Our men are still
at work pulling up the rail
road. I am glad to be able to

[page 2]
report myself in first rate
health I found on my return
that Dr Taylor had fixed up
my tent fly in first rate
style & he & I have been occu
pying it in considerable com
fort. I hope John Kenney
got my horse. I look for
him to day certain. How
is little Jennie doing. I have
not heard a line or word
from you since my return
I conclude that you are all
doing well or else I would
certainly hear from you. You
must not be uneasy about me
I am doing very well and dont
expose myself at all. I am like
Genl Elzey a good deal freted [sic]
at being detained here while the
the [sic] whole army is within eight
miles of my wife & children
but I submit & wait with as

[page 3]
much patience as I can muster
up for better luck & better times.
When you write try & let me
know how Dr Moffett is doing.
George is with his company as
a guard at Brandy Station
I saw him as I came down
well & in fine spirits.
Just been to see Genl Elzey and
heard from him that our Genl Sibley
had taken 3500 federals with all
their guns &c in New Mexico. this
is a fair offset to Ronoake [sic] Island
& Fort Henry. I also learned
that McClelland [sic] is no longer the
commander of the Federal army
if true this in indeed good news
the first is official. We are going
to send a man to Culpeper to day
for some things for our men and
he may have to go to Gordonsville
I will therefore send this by him
Oh My if I could only see our

[page 4]
regiment on the march to
Orange. But as Bettie Keenon
used to say – there is a better
day coming. Our Bivouac has
a lively appearance to day – the
men are busy washing & cleaning
up some are playing barber &
shaving & cutting hair, some dry-
ing blankets, cutting wood and
in fact doing every thing
a man would be supposed to
do in camp. I understand that
some of the officers of our army
have been guilty of taking with-
out authority the property of
citizens in Orange. this is all
wrong & will not be permitted by
Genl Johnston and if the people
will report the name of any
man or officer to Genl Johnston
it will be stoped [sic]. Genl Elzey says
if the name of anyone is sent to him
he will attend to it in person. I
do wish he was in command in
Orange he would keep them straight
I tell you affectionately ETH Warren

“Camp Near Rappahck River”, heading – ‘The camp was near Rappahannock Station, present-day Remington, Fauquier County.’

“Genl Elzey”, line 6; page 2, line 19; page 3, line 9; page 4, line 21 – ‘Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanding brigade in which the 10th Virginia Infantry was assigned.’

“Col Gibbons”, lines 11 & 12 – ‘Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

“Fairfax Ct House”, lines 15 & 16 – ‘Fairfax Court House.’

“Dr. Taylor”, page 2, line 3 – “Thomas L. Taylor, Assistant-Surgeon, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

“John Kenney”, page 2, line 7 – ‘John Kenney, Jr., Ordnance-Sergeant, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

“little Jennie”, page 2, line 10 – ‘Warren’s daughter Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson, born 26 February 1862.’

“Dr Moffett”, page 3, line 4 – ‘Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

“George”, page 3, line 5 – ‘Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Corporal, Company C, 13th Virginia Infantry.’

“Genl Sibley”, page 3, lines 10-12 – ‘Henry H. Sibley, Confederate general. This reported capture by Warren had no basis in fact. In reality, Sibley’s New Mexico campaign was one of the worst disasters in Confederate military history.’

“Ronoake Island”, page 3, line 13 – ‘Roanoke Island, North Carolina, was captured on 8 February 1862 by Union forces.’

“Fort Henry”, page 3, line 14 – ‘Fort Henry, Tennessee, was captured by Union forces on 6 February 1862.’

“McClelland”, page 3, line 15 – ‘George B. McClellan, Union general. The information reported by Warren was most likely due to the confusion of the Union army command structure. McClellan was commander of all Union armies from November 1861 until 11 March 1862. After 11 March, he was only commander of the Army of the Potomac.’

“Bettie Keenon”, page 4, line 2 – ‘Most likely Mary E. Kennon, wife of Philip P. Kennon, one-time 2nd Lieutenant, Company K1, 10th Virginia Infantry. At the time of the letter, Kennon was serving as 2nd Lieutenant, Company B, 7th Virginia Cavalry.’

“Genl Johnston”, page 4, lines 18 & 20 – ‘Joseph E. Johnston, Confederate general, commanding the Army of the Potomac.’

“ETH Warren”, page 4, signature – ‘Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.’

[transcription by John P Mann IV]

MSS 7786-g