[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former editor and owner of the Staunton Spectator]
Tuesday, April 22, 1862.
About 5 o’clock, on Saturday morning last, by the
ing of our door bell. Anticipating news of the ad-
vance of the Federal army. Before I could get to
the door, the messenger came through the side
gate and rapped at my chamber window,
telling me that Capt. Peyton wished me to come
down immediately. I asked, “What’s the matter?”
and the reply was, “A great deal is the mat-
ter.” At the Academy, I met Wm. M. Tate
going to my home, who said Glendy had sent
for him to see after their cattle business,
orders having come during the night to remove
everything from Staunton. When I got down
street, I found that many persons had been
up all night, that many of the sick at the
army Hospital had been taken off by Railroad,
and that a part of the army stores had been sent
to Charlottesville. There was a general bustle,
but very little indication of alarm. I did
not enquire particularly as to the orders re-
ceived during the night, but it was under-
stood that they came from Gen. Jackson, and
that the enemy would be on us very soon. —
Jackson, it was said, had withdrawn from
the Turnpike at Harrisonburg, toward the
Blue Ridge, and would try to detain the en-
emy so as to give time for the evacuation of
Staunton. Va urged me to go, as I might
be arrested, and Peyton was solicitous that
I should be with him; so, very reluctantly, I
concluded to start. In the mean time, many
persons, principally refugees from other pla-
ces, had left in stages and all sorts of vehicles.
Mrs. McClung and Miss Agnes moved up to
our home. At 12 o’clock Peyton and I started
in a buggy to Charlottesville. The road was
in wretched condition and full of army wag-
ons. The day was inclement — the county beau-
tiful. We reached Brooksville long before night,
and while looking out for Tate who was com-
ing on horseback, I was oppressed with sad-
ness at the condition of affairs. Tate arriv-
ed and we spent the night together. The home
full — soldiers, ladies &c. The next day still
raining — stopped at Timberlake’s — found nearly
a hundred horses missing — lost in the road. —
Wondered why the Railroad trains — six or seven-
which came up to Staunton Saturday afternoon,
did not return. Could only hear of one or two
having gone down. Arrived at Charlottesville
about 12 Sunday. A dispatch there for Peyton
telling him to send back wagons to Staunton — curi-
ous — Another dispatch to Woods to send back
office furniture and papers. Then, after dinner,
met persons just arrived from Staunton, by R. R.,
who stated that things had quieted here &
there was no immediate expectation of the
enemy’s approach — that Jackson had been rein-
forced, &c. &c. Then I enquired of Peyton where
the orders for removal came from, and
was surprised to find that they did not come
immediately from Gen. Jackson. Everybody in
Charlottesville was at a loss what to do. P & I
concluded to come back the next morning. —
Rain, rain all night and all Monday till
evening. The road between C and S. was full
of wagons, Quartermasters &c, all anxiously
seeking information, instructions where to go &
what to do — Some teams abandoned on the
roadside. Everything and every body dripping
wet, and the road almost impossible for
loaded wagons. Turned in at Mountain Top
to spend the night — could not get accommo-
dation. Came down to the little town near
the river — full there. The river full — afraid
to ford. P paid a negro $2.50 to drive the
buggy across – – I walked over on the Railroad
bridge. Bruer’s tavern at Waynesboro’ too full
to receive us. Dr L. Waddell took us to his
house. About dark heard the RR whistle, and
leaving in a hurry came home. Things still
unsettled here. Johnson’s army left Camp
Shenandoah in a hurry, upon information
received from Staunton, in Gen. J’s absence,
and came to Valley Mills, destroying stores which
could not be brought away. Johnson was with
Jackson, and, it is said, was engaged at the removal
of his command, which cannot get back, on ac-
count of the bad roads. Nothy definite as to the
position of Jackson — rumored that he has been
re- inforced from East of the Blue Ridge — Supposed
that the Federal army intends to go East. Staunton
not thought to be entirely safe yet. Va was not
surprised to see me last night.
to Camp the Shenandoah Mountain, and will remain for
the present at Valley Mills. The Federal pickets, it is re-
ported, are this side of the Shenandoah Mr.
The money &c of our town Banks are in Lynchburg.
The records of all of our Courts were in Charlottesville
on Sunday, and also the books & papers of the Post Office.
[transcriptions by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258
Later— I learn that Johnson has no desire to return to the Shenandoah Mountain, and will remain for the present at Valley Mills. The Federal pickets, it is reported, are this side of the Shenandoah Mt.
The money +c of our town Banks are in Lynchburg. The records of all of our Courts were in Charlottesville on Sunday, and also the books + papers of the Post Office.