[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Saturday, Apr. 12, 1862
Guard Mounting
and Parade and drill
Went this evening
after parade out
to Mr Harper went
alone was after
night found them
in bed. soon retired
Mostly Cloudy Warm
roads good
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Saturday
April 12
On guard again over the prisoners
from six till ten. They had a regular
fight in the guard house between a 25th man
and two 51st New Yorkers. Capt Messenger
took the New Yorkers off to jail. They have got
a fellow by the name of Cronan out with
the word “coward” on his back. Our fellow in
the guard house has a ball and chain
attached to his leg. I took a bottle of liquor
away from a prisoner last night.
MSS 11293
[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]
Saturday – April 12th 1862
Rose this morning late having taken quinine
in the night. Kept quiet indoors for
fear of bringing on a chill – which
however I Escaped – Wrote a long letter to
Sister Sallie this day Enclosed with a note to
Mr Muncaster – We had no firing along
the line today, a mutual cessation between
the pickets – heard today that Genl
Beauregard had met the Enemy under Genl
Buell out of Corinth & whipped them-
Killing Genl Buell & taking five Generals &
7,000 men – this news comes from Genl
Magruder & is considered correct. Also heard
that the Merrimac had captured four
transports laden with provisions for the
Yankee army. Our men sallied out of
Yorktown yesterday & drove in all the Enemy
sharpshooters who had dug rifle pits –
At Winn’s mill al last evening the 7th
So Ca reg’t – charged the Enemy beyond
our lines – driving them back & capturing
one piece of Artilery – Heard the
Enemys brass band tonight distinctly
sounding tattoo – Retired at 8 ½ o’c –
MSS 6154
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Saturday 12 clear & cool. went with
Mary R. to the Island to take the
cars for Richd at 8. She carried the
baby only with her–Put her under
the care of Dr. Warren, of Edenton, very
small offering at the board. The
Telegraph brings bad news–Fort
Pulaski surrendered yesterday. the balls
from the enemys 12 & 13 in. guns went
clear through the walls. All the bar
bette guns were dismounted and many
of the casemates. Only four men wounded.
Nothing can prevent the capture of Savan-
nah. This is a heavy blow to us and
will fill the enemy with delight
It is a small result, however, to be accom
plished in six mos. by an expedition
so large as that of Shermans. We
hear also that a party of the enemys
cavalry took possession of Huntsville
Ala. capturing 15 engines. If this is
so the rail road connexion between
this & the South & west is broken
which will be a fatal thing to us.
We may expect daily an attack of the
enemy upon Magruders lines. They
outnumber him greatly, but I believe
he will drive them back. Eugene I
think is there. I have not had any
intelligence from him since his note 28
ult. We hear the 11th Regt. has gone
to Richd. New Orleans is expecting an
attack every day and our forces there
are very sanguine of driving them back.
Big guns & rifled have rendered useless
all the forts on the coast. Frigates
like the French Glorie of the English
Black Warrior would demolish all
the works in N.Y. harbour in half a day
I believe the Merrimac could have
take Fortress Monroe. I have been
musing over, for the first time for
may years Colmans “broad grins” Their
grossness & obscenity are shocking. There
is some art and he has marvelous
powers of verification. The necessity[?] of
rhyme seems to impose no restraint upon
the flow of his thoughts. The work has
fallen into oblivion which is a fate
it deserves from its vulgarity.
George Colman “the younger,” 1762-1836, an English dramatist also know for his humorous, coarse and popular poetry .
MSS 4763
[from the journal of the Chairman of the Faculty, Socrates Maupin]
April 12 Gave Mr. H. V. Weeden, who alleges his
mother’s acquiescence, leave to withdraw
from the University, with the view of
entering as a Hospital student at
the Medical College of Virgin-
ia.
April 19 A report believed to be well founded, that
the enemy were approaching Staunton,
and that Charlottesville was threatened,
Mr. Preston Roan asked & obtained leave
to withdraw from the University, with the
view of returning to his home in N. Carolina–
22 Gave Mr Jno Tyler Redwood leave to
withdraw from the University in order
to join Carrington’s Artillery Co:
Gave Mr Ch L. Garnett leave to with-
draw from the University, with the view
of entering as a nurse & Hospital student
at the Delavan Hospital.
Gave Mr. Th C. Badham of Edenton
N.C. leave of absence for two weeks–
He thinks it probable he will not
return to the University this session–
The Proctor was authorized to settle his contingt acct
23 Gave a leave and order similar to
the foregoing, in the case of Mr Jno E. Bland–
23 Gave Messrs J. Herbert Wait & Walton Watkins
of Little Rock, Ark, leave to withdraw from
the University, to return home in anticipa-
tion of the interruption of communication
by the enemy, which is now threatened–
” Gave Messrs Jno J. Norwood & Jno W.
Aler, leave to withdraw from the University.
24 Mr J. G. Moon applied for leave to
withdraw from the University with the view
of entering the Delavan Hospital as a nurse
and Hospital Student–The leave could
not be granted because he was indebted
to the University for a portion of his tui-
tion fees–but leave of absence was
granted for the purpose indicated
until he could pay arrearages and
obtain a regular discharge–
April 25 Gave Mr Fred: Harris leave of
absence for ten days–He did not
subsequently during the session return
to the University–
29 Gave Mr. J. L. Abrahams leave
to withdraw from the University, with
the view of entering the Delavan Hos-
pital as a nurse & Hospital Student
RG-19/1/2.041
Vol. XIII
[from the diary of Daniel Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, and a Sgt., Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), Louisiana Infantry]
Friday – April 11th 1862
Rose at ten this morning – but felt so sick
had to take to bed again – the Dr says I am
threatened with Pneumonia – which together with
the Morphine taken last night made me feel horribly
but for Capt Cohen’s & Lieut Lyon’s Kindness, I do not
Know what I would do – fortunately for me the
Enemy are very quiet today – very little firing on
the line – Abt four p.m. heard a brisk Cannonade
towards Yorktown – Wrote a letter today to father –
Our company & Capt Rawles were relieved
this morning by two Companies of Col
Williams 3rd SoCa regt – just arrived
from the Army of the Potomac – Our
boys have spent seven 7 six nights nights and 6 days
in the trenches – three nights and days it
rained all the time & was cold – we were
hf [half] the time without rations, & had old
pieces of tent flys to protect us from the
rain; spreading them over stumps
& forked sticks a few feet high – these are
the most disagreeable days we have had
since we left home – two days & nights
exposure to the wet & rain, without
sufficient clothing & no overcoat, is the
Cause of my present sickness, some ten others
are likewise laid up by it. Our Companies
are now in the woods abt 200 yards
from our trenches, crowded in tents borrowed
from other regiments – & in Comparative Comfort –
We can distinctly hear the drums of the
Enemy in the woods beyond our lines, –
Our cannon opened on a squad of
Infantry seen this morning in the
Edge of the woods beyond the field –
Cash’s, William’s, & Jone’s reg’ts SoCa Vols
have arrived from Manassas – Met Mr
Marshall today from the Newberry Co
now in our trenches – Eggleston tells me today
of an incident in the skirmishing of York town
One of the Enemies & one of our men came
from their places of protection & ran to meet each
other in the open field – both making for
a hill – when within 300 yards of each
other our pickett haulted & taking aim
killed his antagonist – & runing up dismantled
him of everything he could bring back. Under
fire of the whole line of the Enemies pickets –
all of whom, as well as our own men,
saw the whole affair – Our man got back
uninjured amid the cheers of his friends –
Both were armed with Maynard Rifles –
No letters from N.O. for an age – Heard today
that the Morton fleet were inside the bar at the
Balise. Nothing new from Beauregard –
Had to take to bed again at seven o’c
feeling badly – The term of the Enlistment
of the Cadets expires today –
[Col. James Henderson Williams]
[La Balize-transl.=Seamark (now Pilottown)at the mouth of the Mississippi River, Plaquemines Parish.]
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 6154
Is not this beautiful save one line
[the above line is written above the following engraving and poetry at the top of the page of stationery]
(THE SOLDIERS DREAM)
Our bugles sang truce for the night cloud had lower’d,
And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky;
and thousands had sunk on the ground overpower’d,
The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die.
When reposing that night on my pallet of straw,
By the wolf-scarin faggot that guarded the slain;
At the dead of the night a sweet vision I saw,
And thrice e’er the morning I dreamt it again.
Methought from the battle-field’s dreadful array
Far, far I had roam’d on a desolate track;
‘Twas autumn–and sunshine across on the way
To the home of my fathers that welcomed me back.
I flew to the pleasant fields, travers’d so oft
In life’s morning march, when my bosom was young;
I hear my own mountain goats bleating aloft,
And knew the sweet strain that the corn-reapers sung.
Then pledged we the wine-cup and fondly I swore
From my home and my weeping friend, never to part.
My little one’s kiss’d me a thousand times o’er,
And my wife sobb’d aloud in her fullness of heart.
Stay, stay with us–rest, thou art weary and worn;
And fain was their war-broken soldier to stay–
But sorrow return’d with the dawning of morn,
and the voice in my dreaming ear melted away.
Campbell
[underlining by Tenney]
[To the left of the poem is a vignette of the soldier dreaming of home.]
Camp Tyler, Va. Apr. 11th 1862
My dearest Addie:
Although I wrote but a day
or two since, yet I must write again.
I have just received yours, written the 23d
and yet I cannot really say that I am going
to answer it, as it does not need answering.
forgive me, my love, I did not mean to
say your letter is not worth answering, far from
it, But you know I have answered one since.
I feel lonely to=night and have for a
day or two. From what cause, did you ask?
I confess I am ignorant, unless it is because I
do not get letter from you sooner.
But I will endeavor to be more cheerful.
[page 2]
you have of course heard all the news
from Tennessee, so I need not say much
of it. We just heard the official account
and the camp is filled with the joyful boys.
Every victory shortens the war several months
Yet how each victory is won! 15000 killed and
wounded! yet men will cheer and exclaim
“glorious victory!” Yes, it is “glorious” to leave all
and die upon the field, victims to a traitor’s toils–
“glorious,” to brave all the hardships of a campaign,
and return home minus a limb! “Glorious,” to
do all this, and who drops the silent tear?
Who heaves the sigh and murmurs “God preserve my
love!”? Does my Addie say I need look but once
to see “who”? I believe you have never disbe=
lieved it. But I cannot forget that scene of the
23d, and I tremble to think of worse ones; such
as the second battle must have been.
“Cheerful,” am I not? I trust you have entirely
recovered from that odious cold, I am well, perfectly so
[page 3]
Surely, I cannot be the only one, “smitten
with love at first sight,” I refer to the “Sargesisters.”
I am thankful that Mollie remembered me–
do you remember what I wrote of her?
I believe you would like to hear some of the
rumors current here in camp. Well here goes.
Flying rumors X Authenticated ones *
“The Merrimac is sunk by the Monitor” * “Corinth ours” X
“McClellan defeated at Gordonsville,” X “Gordonsville ours,
and Mac victorious.” X “Jeff Davis has surrendered” X
“Richmond ours,” X “So is New Orleans ” X “Burnside
advancing on Raleigh” X “State troops ordered home” X
“Shields division ordered to Mississippi.” X and scores of
others. Deafening hurrahs are everywhere to be heard.
-the air is filled with the music of National airs
from half a dozen different bands.–All is rejoie=
Sidney A. Johnston — the best rebel general is dead
Beauregard severely wounded, and another general
with his staff captured. Secession must be
virtually dead.–a l’extremite.
[page 4]
If at Gordonsville McClellan is defeated, it will be a
heavy blow to the Army of the Potomac, which he
has been “organizing and perfecting in the art of
war,” will it not? It would be singular if
after eight month preparation he should be defeated
while the western troops, who have successfully closed
one campaign, and are gallantly prosecuting a
second, have been victorious in nearly every
engagement–driving the rebels from Kentucky
Tennessee, and Missouri, and most likely from
Arkansas ere this time. Look at Western Virginia
Did not our western troops rescue it from the
hands of rebels. Yet, “we must be drilled.”
Addie must be patient while at home, for
you know we must “tried as by fire”, and
patience with a will and mind like that which
you possess, will enable you to come out as “pure gold
from the furnace,” But I am preaching, am I not?
You must not cherish one thought of discontent, but
remember “God is good.” Remember me to Dora & all your friends
give my love to Laurie, Papa, Auntie & all. Please say to Mollie, “If
she will return to M. after I come home, she can have a chance to be
troubled more by your correspondent,” write often and direct as
usual to the valley May God preserve the my darling. C.N. Tenney
[in left hand margin of page 1]
I finds I have written as though I must write again
I love to write often to my own Addie, although I do not
consider them all answers to yours. I know it gives you
pleasure to receive letters often, and I am recompensed
a thousand times.
Charlie
Charles M. Tenney, 7th Ohio Infantry
MSS 11616
and return home
[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]
During the afternoon cleared up
and became quite pleasant. At two
P.M. we harnessed and packed up,
and after a hard pull we succeeded
in fording the creek. The south side of
the run was so soft and muddy that
some of the carriages had to be
taken to pieces before they could be
moved. they having become stuck fast
in the mud. After a most difficult
and toilsome pull, we succeeded in
getting upon good firm ground again,
and were marching along quite comfort-
-ably when we were met by an orderly
from Gen Franklin, with orders for us
to return to Alexandria. We counter-
marched and at six P.M. we arrivedand at Manassas Junction, where we
encamped for the night.
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 8493
[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, former owner and editor of the Staunton Spectator and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Department]
Friday night, April 11, 1862.
The first news I heard this morning was that the
“Virginia” had come out again from Norfolk, and
was playing havoc amongst the Yankee rebels. Next
Legh came in, with a glowing face, and told me that
a dispatch had come saying that we had beat the ene-
my again near Corinth. The dispatch was from
A. R. Boteler, M. C. to Gen. Jackson, as follows:
“Gen. Beauregard has obtained another glorious vic-
tory near Corinth. The Yankee army completely
routed, and Gen. Buell killed.” Every body was in a
good humor. But in the evening a dispatch came which
indicates that the vic our success was not decisive
It states that a two days’ truce, to bury the dead, was
agreed to and of course neither party had undisputed
possession of the field. To-night we received the mails
for the last four days. The papers newspaper ac-
counts of the first battle near Corinth are not as
favorable to us as first represented.
MSS 38-258
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat and editor, bank officer, with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Friday 11 Clear and cool. rumors of a
third fight at or near corinth. I
believe, however, there is no ground
for them. We are only receiving fresh
particulars of the second days (Monday’s)
fight–Bombardment of Pulaski con-
tinues–It must fall. No isolated
fort can stand a concentrated fire of
heavy guns–Mary J. & Mary R. went
to charles. The former recd a telegram
from William, dated this morning at
Louisa C.H. saying he was ordered to
Richd and would reach there Satur
-day Eve & that leaving the children be-
hind she must meet him: It would
seem from this that the regiment was
on its way to the Peninsula–News
that the Merrimac had captured three
brigs & a schooner, without firing a
shot in Hampton Roads, They were
laden with supplies for the army &
were brought into Norfolk. The Mo
-nitor was under the guns of Fortress
Monroe and did not come out. We
may daily expect a fight. I have great
confidence in the ability of the Merri
-mac to whip the Monitor. The tracking
of the latter’s revolving tower is too
complicated. It can too easily be thrown
out of order, and jammed–her guns
are useless. Went to Sue’s in the
afternoon. She is going to take some
boarders.
MSS 4763
