[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Sunday, April 20, 1862

Did not leave as
we expected. Played
for Guard mounting
this morning
Have to play now
at Reville and [?]
wrote letter to Aunty
Hays. Recd letter from
Jennie Langan
Raining most of the
day

MSS 10317

Apr 20th /62  Va
Camp Hayes Near Raleigh
Dear Father  We
left Camp yesterday mor-
-ning took our tents and
came out to this place
about one mile from
Town on Gen. Beckleys
Farm.  The 30th regiment
took our place in Town
We had orders to
march this morning
at 7 Oclock it however
rained most of the
night and prevented
us it has rained nearly
all day  The Road is
about three inches deep
in our Tents it is not
now raining and we
will probably go in
the morning I do not

[page 2]
know where but
think very likely
to Princeton a distance
of about 45 miles
We found yesterday
that we had too much
baggage there was
several boxes packed
in the Regiment to be
sent home Lieut Sheppard
is to see to it to Cincinati
and there place it on
the Rail road.  We sent
a Box from the Band
directed it to
Mr A. D. Hilburn of
New London I sent my
carpet bag with my
gr coat pair of Drawers
& [?] Shirt also a
woolen comforter
belonging to Geo Tool
which he wishes you

[page 3]
to keep until we
come home.
I am now writing
in a small tent
6 X 8 ft My desk is
one of the Cymbals
My candle sticking in
the sand and the
Darky our cook is beside
me playing on the
violin
We have three of
these small Tents
and one larger
called a Bell Tent
I am enjoying the
best of health all the
‘difficulty is I am
too Fat to march
I write to you soon
again
 Yours Truly
J D Templeton

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

MSS 10317

 [letter written in smeared and faded pencil with creases nearly obliterating center lines on each page]

Camp Randolph  April 20th

Dear Aunt
I will endeavor to
write you a few lines once more
to let you know how I am
getting along.  I am well at present
and hope that this may find
you in the enjoyment of good
health.  We are still in our winter
quarters with no immediate prospect
of a move, except on picket
which will be next week.
Our time at present is pretty
well taken up with drill
and police duty.  We have two
drills each day and dress parade
in the evening.

[page 2]
There is preaching nearly every day
or night as it suits. The preaching
is pretty well attended and pretty
good attention is bad during the
service.  the weather for the past
week has been very fine but
it has gotten colder the last
day or two and to day looks
as if we so would have snow
I do not think there will
be much fruit this year [?]
in this part of the country
as it has been so cold that
[?] [?] it would all be
killed  Our sharpShooters are
now out practising firing at a
target which reminds us very
much of the commencement
of a battle but it is to

[page 3]
be hoped that we are not to
have many more battles to
fight as from late northern
news they are more unsettled
more than they have been for
some time past. General Grant
seems to be making great
preparations for an active campaign
But some persons think it
is only done for a show;
and that the real plan is to attack
[?] the [?] it is
rumored beauregard[?] I suppose it  [?]
[?] that a good many troops
are being sent here to strengthen
Lee’s army. if it is true I think
it was the policy of our leaders  [?]
[line illgible]

[page 4]
But as we are to have a
brigade drill this evening and the
hour is about come I will close
by asking you to excuse all
mistakes bad writing &c
Give my love to  all
aunt Ann, Uncle Jem’s family
and any one eles who may think
worthwhile to ask for me &
also receive a due share
yourself from your affectionate
nephew

Thomas M. Smiley


Thomas M. Smiley,  Co. D., 5th Virgnia Infantry

MSS 1807

York Cownty Va
Aprill the 20th 62

Dear Miss
this Eavning affords
mee the pleasure of Droping
you A few lines there is
nothing of interest to write
wee are Experancing A
harder time than wee ever
had since wee have bin here
Wee are Exspecting A fight
here Evry day it is nothing
uncommon for bums to bee
bursting over our heads wee
have gott so youst to them
wee Dont fear them

[page 2]
Wee still live
in hopes that wee will
beee conkers yet and return
to our homes though the
prospect is Dark at this
time I think thee fight
will cum off in the cours
of A week of too our
company is At A considerble
loss for the want of A captain
I rother think I will git
A transs fur to the 5th Reg
all of the boys that Did not
reinlist has bin presst
in to the servis som of
them seam to taket
verry hard and som
verry Easy

[page 3]
I have not seen
T T Since the bill
takend place I think
hee will Greave A Great
deal Apon your account
I wood like verry mutch
to bee in floyd most
esspecshly in the company of
you though I wish to Exact
one promis of you I want
you to remain single untill
you hear that I am cilld
or return home all I want
in this life is peace to
pervail and A pretty little
wife to look at

[page 4]
I think by my coming
home the last time made me
made me[sic] A great deal more un
poplar than I ware be fore  have
not receeved but one letter since
I returnd I am all most at
tempted to qwit and not
rite Another line whiltse I
am in survis & recon you ar tird
of reading my uninterresting
letter Exscuse all miss Stakes
and bad writeing write soon
Direct your letter to the 24 vol
yorf town
fare well E B Griffith
To Miss Julia A Underwood

MSS 10911

Ship Point Near the York River April 20th 1862

Dear Father–We started from Camp Franklin last Thursday &
arrived here this morning after being on the water ever since Thursday last
night we laid out & off Fortress Munroe, the name of the boat that we are in is
the John rogers we have not landed yet only the Cooks & they are to cook five days
rations & then we are to go up the York ‘river with the Guns Boats for
protection from the Rebel batteries I will now close, I only want
to let you know where we are answerright away From you Son
Joseph Leavitt, direct the same untill I write again

Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George Leavittof the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: “because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid.” Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.

MSS 66

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

Saturday 18th (sic)  Jessies things have arrived–& with them
Elizas dresses from Mrs. Lach–&  a letter from Mr. Jewett an-
nouncing the birth of another son–Sidney Johns on–Luce[?]
is doing well–Brad is at home on a visit before he enlists for the war.

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Saturday
April 19

Got a letter this morning, also a paper
both from home,  Have felt very well to-day
Went in and washed this afternoon.  Played
chess with Charles Upton, read newspaper &c
Feel that God has blessed me greatly.  May
He keep me from sin, and deliver me from
evil and keep my parents and friends for
Jesus’ sake.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Saturday, Apr. 19, 1862
No parade had Guard
mounting Raining all
Forenoon tried to get
my dinner at the Genrls
did not succeed. went
with Charlie down
to Pine Creek nearly
two miles from Camp
and got our dinner
and returned to Camp
[ink blob]d annother [?]
Wrote letter to Father
this evening also
one to Eliza
 MSS  10317

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

Saturday 19
Went at 1/2 past 6 with young Rutledge to the Orange Depot to see him off.
He returns to his company, the Rockbridge Ar
tillery, though far from being well. Heard
at the Depot of the occupation by the
enemy of Fredericksburg, and
that Gen.Jackson was falling back.
I returned much depressed without ap-
petite for breakfast–Later in the day
met a young man who told me h3e
left Jackson’s camp at Mt Airy Thurs
3. p. m. and that they had there no idea
of retreating. this seems later than any
other news. When the Orange train how
ever came in the morning reports seemed
to be confirmed. I dont know what to
say–the train brought 240 sick from
Staunton–We are to have a great many
here–they want the hospitals in Richd
to accommodate the wounded and in
tend the sick here.–there are about
a dozen Doctors here–Frank Smith
& his wife came last night looking
out a house to rent or buy–Went
at 1/2 past 10 to the funeral of Miss
Walden, daughter of Wm Walden[?]
an old acquaintance of mine from
Woodville, Rappahannock, & who came
as a refugee here a fortnight since
There was a good attendance and much
sympathy expressed. she makes the
fourth child they have lost and the
third since November–Letter from
Charles. Mary R. has an extract
from a late report of Gen Stuart
in which Wm. is spoken of in com
plimentary terms as “brave, efficient
and intelligent”–Went over to Sue’s
about dusk & took supper. She
will have 7 boarders which I think
is going too far. No news from the
Peninsula. A general fight expected
every day & hour.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]