Mulberry Pt  April 16th 1862

My dear Mary
I have written you two letters
in the last week–My last from you was dated
Richmond April 2d.  I am very busy, & we
are expecting the great fight every hour–every one
is tired of waiting for it–We can hear firing
every day, but no large force has been engaged yet.
I hear some fast firing now about 6 miles from
here  I dreamed I saw you last night, & you were
quite crusty & treated me as you have often done
when I wished to be very loving—General Magruder
was here day before yesterday & took supper with me.
Should the great fight take place on the Peninsula
it will be a hard fight  Other men are anxious
to fight & I believe the Yankies will be forced back
on Old Pt.  Nothing would give me more pleasure
than for you & the children to have a glass, that you
could see the many things going on here–Such a
glass as you read about in “Arabian Nights”—
I often think I am like a busy house keeper–it is
rap, rap, at my door evry  last minute, when I
am in my room—Genl Magruder asked me
if it was not a great comfort to have the Tele
–graph in the house–I told him no–that I got but
little sleep before, but less now.  I have not heard
from Jack since he returned to the Penla—-

[page 2]
You must thank W. Christian for his letter, I hope he
will write frequently–Love to all at Dewberry–
Kiss the children, and tell them they are often
in my thoughts—I shall want some socks, drawers
&c but you can not send them at this time, & I
can not say when you will be able to do so–all
depends on the great  battle–Should it come off
on the Penla, & we are, as I think we shall be vic
torious, & soon as evry thing is going right, I
will retire to private life–I am conscious
of having done my duty so far: how I will come
out, should this place be attacked, I can
not say–I know the Genl expects a good
deal from me, & I fear I may disappoint
him—-  Excuse this–Love to all, and many
Kisses for our children—Remember me to
Mr Sacra–& to my friends & neighbors–
I shall expect to be much indulged when I get
home & put Miss Maggies nose out of joint—

Your affec  Cal

P. S. I have just recd a letter from Co[?]
informing me that Collier Clarke was dead. Poor
Bet.  What a sad  house Dewberry has been for
8 months–What a braking up of the families

Callender St. George Noland, 1816-1879,  Commandant of the battery at Mulberry Island Point defending the James River.

MSS 6463

[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.]

     Camp Rawle     Wednesday – April 16th 1862
This is the eventful day in the history
of the 1st La or Dreux Battalion – A
year yesterday since we left home –
     Our term of Enlistment Expired, our
Contract with the CoS ended – But our
Country needs Every man – The dastard foe
are in our front   the booming of their guns
is heard at Every hour of the day within
two miles of our Camp – & we are nightly
serenaded by the music ^ ‘from the bands’ of the grand
Army of the Potomac – “Yankee Doodle
& other tunes come clearly on the still
air of night & early morn – Today
our comrades of this Army had a
bloody fight at Dam No 2   only 1 ½
miles from us – The Enemy charged &
drove our men from the dam – charging
across a morass – They made two
attempts to hold their position, but
were driven back by the 5th No Ca regt
& charged by the 8th & 7th Ga regts of Cobbs
legion – Our loss is said to be thirty –(30) Killed
& (75) seventy five wounded – Col Marigny [deMarigny] thinks
that we must have Killed & wounded 300 of
the Enemy – we also took 15 prisoners –
The fight lasted two hours, between 3 ½ & 5 ½ o’c
from our camp we could distinctly hear the rattle
of musketry & the roar of Artilery – The Enemy
left their dead upon the Dam & on the morass
which they had to cross in making the charge –
They also left a stand of Colors in the mire,
which our boys intend to get tonight – they made
the  attempt today, but the Enemy sharp-shooters
made it too hot an undertaking – they Killed &
wounded several men who made the effort –
The mal-contents were very noisy today until
12 o’c when Capt. Dickinson came to camp &
mustered out Co. “A”. the “Cadets” “Grivots”, & our
Company.  Genl Magruder sent word to us through
Captain Dickinson that he wanted us to stay until
the 1st May – that he would pledge us his honor
that he would stand between us & any law which
would bind us here.  That he left us, freely
mustering us out – to act as gentlemen & patriots –
he knew we would not leave him, with the sound
& sight of the Enemy in our front – Col Rightor read
us a highly flattering order from Genl Magruder & made
a very feeling appeal to the men to stand to their
posts until the 1st of May.  Professor Dimitry also
made an eloquent appeal to us, as the First La Batt
as Louisianans , &c – these speeches to me seem an
insult, that any of us should for a moment need
any appeal, with the Enemy guns & music
saluting us daily – & the life blood of our Comrades
flowing daily around us, who can leave.- Yet
it is my Ind [individual -?] duty to record (under date of 15th Apl) the names
of 26 Crescent rifles, who marched to the rear at the
very [-] of the fight which they heard at Dam No 2 – As
many Grivots & 19 Cadets did the same – the rest of us have
volunteered to stay till 1st May – only honor bound to do duty as
soldiers – We are under arms this afternoon in hopes

[The following five lines are written perpendicularly across the above page.]
of being ordered to the scene of action but didn’t
march.  Col McKinney of the 5th No.Ca. regt killed
was [?] Jno Didlake found.  Capt. Smith went to
Williamsburg to get the discharged (disagreed!)  went
to get them their papers of transportation.

  [undecipherable word]
were driven back by the 5th NoCa
regt & charged on by the 7th & 8th Ga
regt of Cobbs Legion, our loss 30
Killed & 75 wounded – We Killed
& crippled 250 of the Enemy & took
some prisoners – abt 15 – The fight
lasted abt 2 hours from ½ past 3 to
5 ½ o’c – We could hear the roar of
their 8 guns & the Constant rattle of
Musketry distinctly – The mal-contents
were very noisy until twelve o’c today
(They have not been doing duty or
even answering roll-calls since reveille
yesterday – when Capt [Andrew G.] Dickinson Came  
to Camp & formally mustered Co A the
Cadets, Grivots, & Crescents out of
the service – Genl Magruder sent us a    
very flattering address

[Col. Robert E. McKinney, 15th N. C. KIA at Lee’s Mill, Va. 16 April 1862.]


[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards; comments by Robert K. Krick]

MSS  6154

                                         April 16 th    Warwick County
     My Dear Father,
                We left  Richmond Saturday
& reached here last Sunday eve-
ning, coming on a boat  down
James river. The country ap-
pears almost a wilderness.
Few houses are inhabited
indeed there were very few hous-
es about here.  We are about
seven miles from Yorktown.
The line along here runs along
a very small stream. But this
has been dammed up & is
thus made about three
hundred yards wide. Across
this the Yankee pickets are
stationed & firing is constantly
going on between the two
hostile pickets. The army
on one side are lying about

[page 2]
two hundred yards in the
rear of the pickets. Our posi-
tion is the strongest I have
seen – redoubts are thrown
up every 150 or 200 yards for
both infantry & artillery.
The long range artillery of the enemy
will not give him the same
advantage over our short  range
pieces which they had in
the mountains.  Artillery duel-
ling has been constant along
the line since we came but
our battery has not been in
it. I met Bob Beverly the
other day at a sick camp
we passed on the road; he
said he was going home.
Mr. Watkins told me that
Alick Cralle had gone or
was going home also; but
he said Alick was heartily

[page 3]
tired of the war & would prob-
ably not return but get a
substitute. I believe he is
now sick; in consequence
of our march. I have not re-
ceived a letter very lately –
Direct to Yorktown & I must
take the chances for getting
it from there. The mail
is not now very regular. I
suppose it will improve
as soon as the stir is over.
News papers can not now be
had, but I suppose we get
all the important news.
Things sold higher in Richmond
than I expected – for a very in-
different pr. of gray pants I
had to give 10 dollars & for
an indifferent pr. of shoes
9 dollars. Every thing in Richmond
was quite quiet & orderly. I saw no

[page 4]
one from the country except
Wm  Brag & the two Stokes. From
there of course nothing interest-
ing was to be learned.
It has been quite warm since
I came down here & is still
so; it is not as pleasant a
country as I have been in
since in the army. Mr. Thainter
you know was trying to get
up a cavalry regiment; he
did not succeed, & came near
not getting up his own com-
pany in consequence. Not more
than 30 of the R. E.[?] cavalry have
reenlisted Mr. Watkins told me.
A great many of the troops
I have seen since down here
have not reenlisted. Give my
best love to all. And know dear
father I always love you as much
as is possible. Yr affectionate son
                       W.H. Perry jr.
[page 1 – between the lines]
17th My Dear Father – I wrote this yesterday but had no
opportunity to send. Capn Pals intended leaving to day
but in consequence of a little battle last evening and an ex-
pected one to day did not go. The enemy came over with about
two regiments & tried to turn some breast works on the
warrick river. They killed a Colonel of a North Carolina regt.
and about ten men. They were driven back leaving about
a dozen dead on our side but is said a good many more in the
pond thru wh: they waded. Our battery was ordered down & came
three miles at full gallop but entered into no engagement
last evening. They ^ ‘the enemy’ through [threw] up a breast work for 10 guns
during the night. They have been firing all day with
sharp shooters. The cannon did not fire many
rounds. We fired at some regiments who
doubled quicked it out of the field this morning.
Of course it is impossible to tell if we injured
them. Our battery is behind breast works & no one
injured. But two Georgians were killed in the trenches
with us this morning. I write in the trenches.
I cannot write more now, & we slept last
night in the field with nothing but big coats. The
sun to day is quite oppressive. I will try & add
another postscript before sending this.
18th. 5 P.M. Dr. [William Price] Palmer says he is going to    
Yorktown to morrow. I will send this to him
this evening to mail there, by our cook who

[page 2 – between the lines]
who comes twice a day ( 3 miles); before day & after
night to bring our meales [meals]. The approaches
to our position behind the breast works
are too dangerous for him to come during
the day, made so by sharp shooters
of the enemy, who are said to be paid
fifty dollars a month. The enemy at-
tempted twice each night to cut the Dam
just opposite us but failed. We drove
him back by infantry. Those who were
at the battles of July 16 & 21st. & Oct. 21st say
they do not think the firing was ever
at any one time heavier than the fight
of the evening before the last was. Our
men are claiming a heavy loss on the
Yankee side. Some say seven hundred.
A man who was in it & at Bethel says
he knows their loss was much greater
here than at Bethel. There [their] wounded are
still unburied. There [their] sharp shooters will
not let us go down to the dam to get
them & bury them. Two of our men
started down to reclaim one of their
wounded, who was on our side, but
[page 3 – between the lines]
was fired on & had to return. We are behind
pretty substantial breast works. But
since leaving Magruder’s line better.
I do not think it as strong as I have
above stated. General Johnston is at
present down here.
     Your letter has not yet come. Dearest
father I am well. I love you all a great
deal & think of you [-]
Our men in a breast work 50 yards
in advance of us say we with our
two guns dismounted, one of the
enemy’s guns yesterday morning
one of our guns fired at their works. The
other at infantry. Again goodbye my
dear father. W. H. P. Jr.

                                     
William Hartwell Perry, Jr., 1836-1915, of the Richmond Howitzers, later a Virginia lawyer


[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d

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

Yesterday and to day have been very
busily employed in embarking the
troops. This afternoon our entire
battery having embarked we hauled
out into the stream and anchored.
Pleasant and mild.

MSS 8493

Camp Winfield Scott near Yorktown April 16th 1862
My Dear Father–Yours of the 9th was received yesterday afternoon, I also received letters from Lizzie & Joseph & the Transcript of march 29 from William I was glad to receive these letters I can tell you, you cant tell how anxious I have been to hear from Home if I dont receive A letter from some one of you every Mail I feel as blue as Indigo in your letter you say I hear the news before you do, you are mistaken, we dont know what is going on arround us, I have been waiting patiently to see A paper to find out what we have been doing we of course hear that Genl Mclellan is going to do such & such things but we hear so many rumors that it is impossible to tell what is true & what is not true, you need not be surprised if we do not make A move on Yorktown for weeks if you were here you would not wonder at the slow progress that is being made I should like to see some of the newspaper editors that complain of the slow movements of Genl Mclellan undertake to move An Army like this through such A miserable Country over roads that waggons with six & eight mules can make but six miles A day, yes I should like to see how they would get provisions for an Army of two hundred thousand men I used to complain about the slow movements, but since we
have been here my eyes have been opened, we are now verry near the enemy but have not heard from them for two or three days, they used to send us their card in the shape of shell but the Berden sharshooters have put A stop to that fun, we take prisoners every day it is rumored that Jeff Davis & Jo Johnson are in command in Yorktown & they have A verry large force we have been busy ever since ever since-sic] we arrived here mending Roads the weather c ontinues pleasant for A few days longer the roads
will be in A first rate condition if we should not make A move for some time you may rest easy as Genl Mclellen will not budge an inch untill he is satisfied he can capture Yorktown with A small loss of life as we are in the reserve we may not have anything to do with the battle if we should be in the engagement you will hear A good account of us, I never saw men so confident of the result everyone thinks that the move on Yorktown will end the war, well I hop it will but I am still an unbeliever I know there has been nothing but Victory on our side & that the rebel Army have been horribly cut up still they will fight to the last, of course i dont know more than any one else, still I think I shall serve my two years if the[y] should end this summer so much the better I shall be glad enough to return Home once more if the war should continue I shall be contented to serve my Country my full term, from your Son
George W. 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

Camp Franklin Near Alaxandria Va April 16th 1862
Dear Brother–I receivd your letter of the 7th yesterday & I can
tell you I was glad to get it I received three others at the same time from fathers, Ellen & Lizzie & I can tell you I am disappointed when the Postmaster arrives in to the Camp & I find there is none for me it will be A year the sixth of next month that I have been in service & out of that long time I have never been sorry that i enlisted when I have been marching I have had some hard times & when I enlisted i expected to see some & have never seen the time I ever wanted for any clothes nor any thing to eat but once & you know that time was on the 21st July 1861 since I wrote to Father last the Brigade has been to Manasses & are now in our old camp Ground & are to go aboard of the transports that are at Alaxandria tomorrow Morning & I suppose when you hear from the Fifth Maine again it will be that they have been in battle at Yorktown where this Brigade is bound the batteries have gone aboard allready when I was at Manasses I went to the famous Bull run battle Field & it is an awful sight to see the bone[s[ of human being laying all over the Ground where they have been laying ever since the battle without being buried. I do not know what ou mean by the Government not being inclined to take advantages of the recent Victories I think they have done A great deal there Comodore Foote who has taken island No 10 & General Grant at Pitsburgh I think that they follow them up fast & there is Foote gone at them again at Fort Pillow & this mornings Clipper has the news of the taking of Fort Pusha [Pulaski] I think they follow them up pretty Fast now dont you I will close by saying direct your letters the same as you have all along & if I am down the river I will get them the same but Maby I cannot write to you but if letters will go that I write I will write to you, answer this as soon as you get it From Your Brother Joseph Leavitt—–P.S. tell Henry that I get his papers & I shall never forget it you dont send me the weekly papers after you read them I have asked Father to tell you to & I suppose he has if he has seen you.

Letters from Joseph Leavitt and his brother George 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

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Wednesday, Apr. 16, 1862
Played for Guard
Mounting also Parade
and Drill practiced
Bathed and changed
clohtes. Had heel plates
put on my Boots
some 25 men came
in yesterday from
Monroe County
driven from their homes
Recd letter from John
Cook and answered it
Partly Clear

MSS 10317

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Wednesday 16 No rain–but sky over
cast and weather warm–Telegram
announces that the enemy acknowledge
a loss at Shiloh of 23,000 and yet
claim a great victory. Went to
church and found Mrs. Stuart, who
with her children went home with
May & spent the day at our house-
-much pleasure with her. She was
born in a Barracks and has been
all her life nearly in the army
-She is the daughter of Gen Phillip
St Geo. Cooke, who adheres to
the old government, whilst her
husband & brother are in our
army–wrote to Lanty.

MSS 4763

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

April 15 Continuous & heavy firing to day. Orders were
received to be in readiness to march at a mo-
ments notice. The order to march did not come.
The siege was very protracted. the horrible con-
dition of the roads made the transportation of
the heavy siege guns almost impracticable–

MSS 9044

Dear parents,
I have the pleasure of
writing from the same old camp
again which we have left twice never
expecting to see the place again but the
fortunes of war brings us here safe I
received a letter from you last night
bearing date of April 6th it was a very
good one as well as all you letters I was
very glad to hear from you but somehow
I want to hear what you are doing and
how you are getting along and how every
thing looks around there I was glad to
hear Cyrus was gaining I hope to hear
from him soon.  I heard from my
musket last nigh[t] by way of Lewis Robinson
I hope you will keep it looking bright and
clean.  Some of the boys were sending
money home with the C Capt. to Me. folks
and directed to Wm Bryant so I put in
$5.00 dollars with them I want you to

[page 2]
tell Mr Bryant to take out what
we are oweing him if you have not
paid him and hand the rest to you
I have sent 16 dollars to Portland by
the alotment roll as I did the last paym
ent you can get it the same as before
I want you to write about it as
soon as you hear from it so I may
know it is safe  We expect to be
paid again in about three weeks
the paymaster said he should pay
us then if it was a possible thing to
do so.  We expect every day to moove
from here and joyn McClellan at
Norfolk where a great battle is pend-
ing and will be fought unless the
Rebels evacuate the place this is
where the war for our independence
was closed by the surrender of the
British army under Cornwalace and
this war may end here the same I
hope it will myself

[page 3]
I have no particular news to
write for you get the war news as
soon as we do but it is quite healthy
here and there is but a very few
sick I had the dysentary a bit at
catlett station for a few days but
I am quite well now so is all the
Raymnd and Casco goys except
Joseph Spiller I have not heard from
him for some time he is now at
Phelidelphhia

Letter of Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine will continue on April 20


MSS 12916