[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Thursday, Apr. 17, 1862

Guard mounting & Parade
Marched t his evening
out to Gen Beckleys
practiced as usual
Wrote letter to
C.H. Gates
very fine day warm
mostly clear.

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Captain Jonathan B. Hager of the 14th U. S. Regulars, as copied at a later date from the original]

Apr. 17 Firing heavy & the point of the explosion of
shells could be plainly seen by the little clouds
of smoke they produced–These shells which
came from the principal works of Yorktown,
generally went over our camp & fell beyond—
the casualties from this source being extremely
rare. Ignorance of the exact locality of the
Federal Camp was the cause of our freedom
from the visits of these monsters. One or two did
come unpleasantly near, but no uneasiness was
felt & after a while it seemed a little odd when
for a day or even half a day there was no firing
In truth we were lulled to sleep many nights
by the “Counterfeit of the immortal Joves dread clamor”

MSS 9044

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Spring weather–At six
this morning a young gentleman
called with a letter of introduction
from Dr. Claggett. He was named Harri
-son & with his brother had been since
June last in Fredk Co Md. at school, where
they came from Kenyon College where
they had been for two years. They got
over to Leesburg and then on foot
until they got to Barbour X roads
where they were taken by our pickets
and carried to Ewells Hd Qrs. they
were sent on horseback to Culpeper
CH where they took the cars. They
are now on their way to their fathers
in northern Louisiana. They are manly
and intelligent young men and intend to
enter the army. They are grandsons
of Dr. Grafton Duval, whom I used to
know in Frederick some 40 yrs ago–strange
what one encounters. They had 100 and odd
dollars in gold, which I exchanged [?]
rather for 57 1/2 percent. They spent the
evening with us. I in common with
all who knew him; was shocked by
a telegram announcing the death of Col
Rob McKenney, of this place, commanding
15 N.C. regt. He was killed in a skirmish
below York Town yesterday. He was a
fine young man & the only support
of a helpless family–Our loss was 20
killed & 75 wounded–Letter from
Eugene 10th Inst. He is at or was then at
the junction of the Warwick & James R
He describes his sufferings and privations
as very great, but writes with great
enthusiasm and is anxious for the great
battle–and anticipates victory. It has
been 18ds since we heard from him.
Mary R. returned in the cars. She was
three days in company with William
-She saw him with some 3000 cavalry
leave Richd yesterday for the Peninsula
and describes it as the grandest sight
she ever witnessed. Six thousand infantry
who passed through and an immense
train of artillery–Letter from Lanty
dated 14: got board for Mrs. Stuart
at Meriwethers & for Dr. Green at
Mrs Christians. Young Rutledge came
to stay with us–Charles left home
this morng. I went to the cars to see him.
He did not arrive until the train was
in motion & the boys had to run hard
to throw his baggage on board.

MSS 4763

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

Thursday
April 17
Same as usual days when not on
guard. Wrote home.

MSS 11293

Camp Winfield Scott Near Yorktown April 17th 1862
My Dear Brother–A[s] I have not written to you since I ledt Baltimore
I take this opporutnity to write you & let you know where we are & what is
going on in this part of the Country you must not expect me to give you much
information in regard to the movements that are going on this quarter for
this reason I dont know much about them, we have plenty of rumors in Camp
but as they are not verry reliable we pay no attention to them, you need not
be surprised if the attact on Yorktown should not take place for two or three
weeks yet, the place will be taken by siege & it will be some time before every
thing will be in complete readiness, it is Genl McLellans plan to take Yorktown
with as small loss of blood as possible there is A tremendous force concentrated
here Genl Mclellans head quarters is only A few steps from our Camp the Tele
graph lines are complete as far as his tent & he can communicate with every dep
artment of the Grand Army, you have no Idea what an amount of labour is required
to furnish supplies for such A large Army now the roads are getting better supplies
are beginning coming in faster the first two weeks we were here it was impossible to get the
provisions along some days we had to go without anything to eat the roads were so bad
that waggons with six & eight mules could make but six miles A day if the weather
should continue pleasant A few days longer we shall have Plenty of provisions, we
have done nothing but to mend & make roads since we arrived, Yesterday it was
my turn to go out & work, we are cutting A new road through the woods from
ship point to head quarters, for empty waggons to go to Ship point the main road
is full of waggons all the time laden with provisions for the Army it is one continual
stream from ship point to head quarters all day long & all night Ship Point is on
York River about four miles from Yorktown the supplies are brought to Ship Point
by vessels, the 15th New York are at work throwing up earthworks for the large
siege guns the rebels keep up A continual fire but dont  prevent the work going on
when everything is ready you will hear from us, that Yorktown will have to sur-
render there is not the least doubt, we have rumors in regard to the number of
the Rebels at Yorktown, some go as high as one hundred thousand but I dont
think they have over forty, we have nearly four hundred pieces of Artilery with
us but they cannot all be used, this is A verry bad country to manoever A large
Army it is all woods & swamps, there is A rumor in Camp to day that our troops
took three rebel batteries to yesterday wether it is true or not I cant say we are
ready with knapsacks packed & three days rations cooked all the time so to
be ready to move in A moments notice direct 5th New York volunteers Sykes
Brigade Army of the Potomac Via Washington D.C. from you Brother
                                  George M. Leavitt

Letters from George Leavitt and his brother Joseph Leavitt 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

Front Royal  Apl 16 1862
My Dear Richard
Let me embrace the opportunity
to drop you a hasty line  Others will
no doubt write more fully than I now
can, and you will in that way be able
to get all the local news.
Walter has been home for several
days with Mumps–
cousin Mark Richardson
& Cous Thos. Buck with him, a part of
the time–He –W, is very fat and
hearty, and determined to enjoy him
self and to take a cheerful view of
all the difficulties which visit us.
Gussie is still at Col. Lamar’s [?] –we have
never heard from her since the occupa-
tion of Winchester.  You may well imagine
our anxiety to see her, and to know how
they have fared there–I fear very badly–
Perhaps you are coming to know what
is going on upon the farm.  Owing
to the incessant wet weather there has
been less done than we have ever had
up to the same period.  My health too–

[page 2]
is very bad; and my business is suffer
ing greatly on that account–How
I wish I had you and Walter
at home steady industrious young men
willing to assist me!  You can never
know My Dear Son, what I have suffer-
ed and am daily suffering in consequence
of this horrid war–
Tell Amos I go over to his house
occasionally; but not so often as I could
desire–owing to my bad health, & the
demands on me else where–I have had
his vines trimmed & have H Mills making
the stakes–The Oats have been sown
and Newton promises to sow the Clover Seed
Mrs Groves has no garden, alathl’ I frequently
try to impress her with the importance of
making one–
Let me know whether I shall
send your money to you, or still keep it
for you–Be sure to spend it – (if sent-)
for useful purposes only–this is very impor-
tant both for you good, and for mine.
Please ask Amos what I shall do
with the balance of his money–It may
become valueless here, if the Yankies get
between us and Richmond.

[page 3]
I have an account with Col Barbour
the Qr Master of your Army, for use of
my wagon & team–Your Uncle William wrote
to Capn [?] Th Brown about it, but has not
received his reply–Please be sure
to see him, and if the amount has
been paid,have the money sent to me–
or retain it on account of amount
in my hands–Don’t forget to attend
to this at once–Did you get the articles
sent you by Mr Hopper?  Take good care
of every article of Clothing sent you, for it
is now almost impossible to get any thing–
The prices charged here now are beyond
all precedent–shoes $8–and every thing else
to match–
If I can get Mr Scroggins to take any
thing, your Ma will send you some eatables–
Your Ma She sends your Coat, and a pair of
old Pants, which she has had mended
for you–She wishes to know whether you
will have a pair made of some Blue
Jeans I have bought–She sends a sample
that you may judge–
Jaqueline is nearly well again–He is
learning at home and is certainly one
of the best and most dutiful children

[page 4]
I ever knew–The other children are
very well and hearty–We all talk
of you hourly–Remember us to
all the Company, and to your Mess es-
pecially–Why don’t you write fre-
quently–you ought keep a letter
constantly on hand to be sent by
first opportunity–So my Dear
Son improve every opportunity occasion for storing
your mind with useful knowledge
and try to qualify yourself for
something better than war–

Every day take some useful book
and study a chapter.  This is very improving
with the importance of these things–Very soon
you and Walter may have devolved upon
you the necessity of taking care of your
Ma & the little children–and I wish
you to be prepared for the responsibility of
such a position–they love you dearly
and I trust you will not be wanting
in your duty to them–
Mr Smedly[?] often asks after you, and
seems to take very great interest in Every
thing relating to you–do send him a mess-
age occasionally  God bless you Dear Dear Son

M B Buck

letter to Richard Bayly Buck of Co. B, 17th Virginia

MSS 3064

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

Wednesday 15[sic] I felt badly all day–& at night was taken with
cholera morbus–Which lasting all night weakened me so much
 Liz and Liza sent for Dr. Mallett  I kept sick two days–

MSS 6960

Eagle Point  April 16th 1862

My dear Children–
This evening the war of artillery at York &
on the lines beyond, has been incessant–at this
time when it is 1/2 past 7 & dark, heavy guns are
still heard at intervals–The rigor of war is
brought home to us–day before yesterday the
enemy vessel, shelled the guinea woods all day–
yesterday I wen with St George to Gloster P–occasion
-al shell were thrown in to the point & a small
rifle or Parrot gun from the vessels threw a shell
accurately in line of where a party of us were
standing on the hill by the sentry–they fired untill
we Rd & [?] was there a short time before the shells on
both occasions fell short sixty or eighty yards–
St was  on his way to West Point to settle some matters
& return if a day or so to join his company–We
reached the York shore just as a vessel was shoving
off from her wharf & he just got in her in time–
I dined with Jack page & sat an hour in the eveg
with Col Colquit– Randolph Harrison of Elk Hill crossed
the river with me his regt the 46 Va is stationed on
the Gloster side– I got a note from Ran, part of which
I enclose to you–He is in fine spirits & full of the
balloon project–St was not very well yesterday–
Peyton Page is over here to recruit having had a fever
All neighbours are well & full of anxiety about
the great events now pending.  Landon Davis with
a party of men made a miraculous escape from

[page 2]
the fragments of a 24lb cannon which burst while
they were about it, Day before yesterday–
If God be for us who can be against us–
How many poor noble fellows may lie down this night
wounded & weary god only knows.  I will go down to the
point early tomorrow–Maxwell Clark came down
with his Father Monday & returns tomorrow.  he will
take charge of  his letter which like enough will
reach you at the same time with the one I wrote
to go by St but which he left & gave to Jack to mail
yesterday–I have heard noting particular from
you since I left Carys brook–one letter only have
I recd –Joe got up Tuesday I suppose–I wrote
by St that he must leave you the Tuesday
following, but I leave that to your discretion
–if you can spare him, let him come if the
events of the war justify it.  In case the enemy
are successful which Heaven guard us from
Let him stay with you until I am heard
from–Ran will be greatly exposed as probably
will st George too, Let them & all our brave
soldiers have your earnest prayers–
Delia is preparing to be off on Saturday by
land to West Point where i will accompany
her on her way to Dr. Barxtons–
I saw Mrs Rebecca Tabb &Mrs Genl Taliaferro this
eveg at Warner Hall where they had called to
see Mrs Clarke–I believe that all are

[page 3]
well on North River–I have not been there
for a long while—–
The weather is now like spring dry & pleasant
& the Farmer will sow his seed though with
little hope–Our preparation is wretched for a
crop & if we have a dry summer corn will be
scarce enough–I enclosed a letter to Mrs Morris
in my last to you directed to care of Mr Mason–
I hardly know how to direct to you—
Tell Morris he must plant all the flat land he
can in corn–If things look encouraging
I will try to cross[?] up to Carysbrook before very long–
This letter I will direct to Palmyra to make
sure–ran wants Charles to wait upon
him as soon as the result of the fight is
known & will act accordingly in regard to sending
him down or not–when you write to Ran
direct to care of Dr Page surgeon at York of the
new hospital—
Tell Joe to find out everything on the place
& if he does not come to write at length about
corn wheat tobacco — the mules taken by govt  the old
mare[?] &c  Delia sends her love to you
both & kisses for the dear boys–what a fix I
am in. Yet how blessed–
That God may preserve you both with all
dear to you is the constant prayer of your
affec Father
J. R. Bryan

[to] Mrs Grinnan & Mrs Carmichael

[page 4]
7 a.m.Thursday
The shelling from the vessels with heavy guns was
kept up late last night–some very loud reports waked
me up after I had been asleep some time [lined through] than
been after midnight–
As max takes this letter I can give you no accounts
of what was done at the point