Navy Department
April 26th  1862
My dear Annie [Cabeen]
It is but a day or two
since I visited your father with a
severe infliction–The next day I re=
ceived your kind letter which, though
an answer to one from me, I will lose
no time in replying to and thanking
you for.  I am very sorry I can-
not be with you all during the happy
wedding season now approaching–but
if you will give me timely notice when
your turn has come I shall not fail
to be on hand–It appears as if all
the young men had not gone to the
wars.  At all events this has been a
great season for marriage in the District

[page 2]
and whatever else may be said of
McClellans masterly inactivity, it has,
it cannot be denied, been very favorable
to the cause of the Union.
We are beginning to hear something
at last from David Porter’s Mortar fleet, though
there is evidently an enormous exaggeration
as they did not have over 8 or 10,000 shells in the
whole fleet–& it is seldom that mortars can be
fired over 450 to 500 times before bursting–the rumor
here this morning (how it came, quieu sabe?)
is that one of the Mortar boats had passed up
above the forts: that fellow’s fortune is made.
We have heard of no great Union victory
within the last five minutes.  Several were
reported yesterday, mostly in Arkansas,–but
were subsequently contradicted.–aerostatic Artillery
is becoming all the vogue since Fitz John P,’s great
balloon flight.  He now proposes to take up

[page 3]
a Sea-coast howitzer which will be
suspended, muzzle downwards, under the
basket in which the operator will stand–
It is obvious tat at each fire the recoil
will send the balloon up several thou=
sand feet–while descending another charge
is put in , and fired as soon as the balloon
again approaches the earth, and so on
until the last shell is fired, when the balloon
will be so much lightened that it will easily
float off with the howitzer–By means of a
system of paddles, gearing, exhaust pipes &
thumbscrews, a complete command over the
movement of the balloon will be maintained
so that it can be guided with perfect certainty.
A shell that thus dropped will come down
it is thought, at near as possible, like a
thousand of brick–
Evy has not been well for over amonth[sic]

[page 4]
She was in bed when I returned from New York
Last month & has been there ever since–she
is getting stronger slowly–and will towards the
end of May go to some quiet, cheap & pleasant
place in the country a hundred or two miles
north of Mason & Dixie[sic] & take the children–We
have the pleasant anticipation of a pestilence this
summer.  There are somewhere between three or
four regiments of cavalry horses lying unburied
around our romantic suburbs, offering every en=
couragement to some young & enterprising soap
and bone factory man to establish himself here in
business–Government will  charge nothing for
the raw material–on the contrary it will keep
him supplied at the rate of $125 per horse.
Evy is writing to you–at least she told me
she would yesterday. Porter is counting the hours
that intervene between this & the 20th June.  The children
are all well–With kindest love to Mrs. Cabeen Mrs
Rowland and Cousin Louisa–and bien do chous do ma
part and pettits cabeens.  I remain tou devoue

illegible signature

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

Friday, April 25, 1862
Played for Guard mounting
did not get up until
near that time
Alex came in this
morning quite unexpec-
tedly  brought letters
from Father & Aunty
Hays brought two
shirts for me one
dollar in stamps
5 dol in silver
also [?] company
Rained all night
Streams quite high
In getting water
I lost our tin bucket
down by the old
run mill this morning

MSS 1037

New Genl Hospital
York Town April 25 ’62

My dear Georgia and Tuck:
I have been intending
to do myself the pleasure of
writing you a letter for some
time, but the constantly pressing
duties of my Hospital together
with very numerous other calls
upon my time & patience have
prevented me–  We are still
in status quo–the Grand Union
Army has marched with gran-
deur up to our very breast-
works–  I have been able to
count numbers of their host
with the naked eye–their ships
constantly salute us with their
messengers of death; very often
just as I am about to go to
bed I hear a loud report &
then the whizzing sound & then
the explosion of the shell– Yet
a Kind Providence is with us

[page 2]
and the anxious inquiry meets the
prompt response “Nobody is hurt.”
How long this will last we know
not as we are in the hands
of a General who keeps his own
counsel irrespective of all out-
side clamor–  We have obtain
ed a very decided advantage
over the enemy in every attempt
they have made against our
ranks–they have been repulsed
promptly & with slaughter–  They
have the advantage of us in
the perfection of their Guns &
in having an abundance of
ammunition  —  We have to hold
on to our powder as we have
none to waste in random shoot
ing–  I had three Yankee pris-
oners wounded in the Hospital
for three days & obtained a
good deal of information out
of them– They believe that Beau
regard was killed at the Battle
of Shiloh & say that it was read
out to them on Dress Parade–They
say also that they are obliged

[page 3]
to fight now or not be shot down
but that they do not think it is
of any use; because we have whipp
-ed them always on land– They
say there were told that they would
be in Richmond in a week
from the time they landed at
Old Point–  Surely there never
has been such deception practised
upon any  people as upon them.
We sent down a few days since
several spies from Old Domin
ion Cavalry who went down on
the Gloucester side of York River
in a small Boat in the night
crossed & beat into the Poquosin
Marshes, thence to Ship Point all
through the enemies Lines up
to Half-Way House & Cockle Town
Genl. McClellan’s headqters–
They report that  his force is not
exaggerated & that from the
immense preparations of every
sort they will make an attack
upon us very soon–That it will
be desperate no one can doubt
for a moment–  Defeat will be

[page 4]
ruinous to McClellan & the death
knell to the Yankee nation–
I say from the bottom of my
heart “let them come” and if
the dread of the Virginia
will only keep off their Navy
we will whip them or every
man so far as I can judge
will die in his tracks–  I never
imagined such cool determi
nation as is manifested by
our Troops–  They all seem to
be actuated by the same calm
desire to meet the enemy as
soon as possible& to strike
him such a blow as to make
York Town again the arena
upon which the right of self-
Government was established &
would have been entailed to
us for ages to come had it
not been for Puritanical Cupid
ity & fanaticism–  I have met
with so many friends & acquain
tances lately that I cannot be-
gin to tell you who they are–
It seems to me that everybody is
here–  I meet people at every turn

[page 5]
whom I have not seen for years–
Your father came over yester
day took my Horse went out
to Head quarters, slept on the
straw & returned today & went
home– I expect him over
again tomorrow or next day as
I think the atmosphere of Gun
powder has very decided charms
for  him, particularly since he
 has gotten rid of all encum
brances in the shape of the
Women kind.  He says it grieves
him very much to part with
little Mann, but I think he
likes him only by way of vari
ety but prefers Gunpowder
atmosphere for a constancy–
You have doubtless heard of
De’s being at Dr. Braxton’s–they
were very anxious & I much
preferred her remaining in this
Military Department as I can
steal off at odd times to see
her, & the Doctor has been always

[page 6]
very clannish & pressing in his
invitations to me & circum-
stances have rendered me very
happy to accept– St. George&Ranny are both well–Henry
is well but overworked — he is all
that a man can embrace
in the term “A Noble Man”–
Ranny has had two very nar
row escapes lately, one from a
Rifle cannon shot which entered
a tent in which he was sleeping
very close to his head & the other
through a piece of rash folly in
undertaking to be a Balloonist–
He went up in the Balloon–the
cord broke & he was carried
off at the mercy of the Wind
fortunately–thanks to a merciful
Providence–he descended in a field
of plowed ground & was not
hurt in the fall– I fear he has
but little discretion but will have
to acquire it by hard knocks–
St. Geo. has gone to his company
has recovered– I kept him with

[page 7]
me four days on account of the
bad weather & he became so enam–
ored of sick men & Hospital duties that
he says he is determined to study
medicine– He is in a very exposed
position & will have to fight man-
fully if the attack is made–  I go
out to see him whenever I can & do
all I can to promote his comfort-
My duties have been very arduous
for some time but I do not care for
work if my health holds out–  My
friends tell me I look well; but I
feel jaded & long for quiet & repose.
I am going from morning until 12 o’clock
at night & now that wounded are
being constantly brought in my poor
Back almost breaks under the
amount of stooping I have to do–
But I work with a good Will–
I have never sought any sinecure
position nor do I desire it but if
there was any one to take charge
of my Hospital and my Post practice
here I would very gladly avail
myself of the complimentary tender
that has been lately made me

[page 8]
a Surgeon 0n the staff of Gen. Ma-
gruder–  It may be egotism in me
to tell you but the Medical Director
says that I cannot be replaced
in my present position– For a
week we were all very anxious
about the fight but now we are
as quiet & as calm as possible
awaiting anything that may turn.
All were well at Home today–  Bet
ty & Martha are still at home–
Peyton is sick with continued fever
constant loss of rest was too much
for him–  I have sent him home–he
is getting better & I am in hopes will
soon be well– Dr. Clarkson stays
with me tho he is attached to the 13th
Ala. Regnt–  I like him very much–  He
admires Tuck very much & talks a
great deal about  you–You must
both give my love to your Husbands
when you write to them–  Georgia must
kiss her Boys for me–  Love to all
at Mr. Gay’s and Mr. Mason’s & write to
me–  May God bless you & yours
& again bring us together under
the dispensation of that Peace that
He alone can vouchsafe–
Truly your brother,
J. R. Page

Mrs. Georgia T. Grinnan
c/o Rev. R.R. Mason
Columbia, Fluvanna Co., Va.

Conrads Store
April 25 1862
Dear Sir
As I do not know what
the object of Gens at this in directing ordering
me in command of the advance.  I do
not know what force will be required.
I am unwilling to attempt to keep back
the Enemy with less than my forces
command–except I received imperative
orders which I hope will be explicit
Respectfully
Turner Ashby
Acting

Major S.  Butler
A.A.G.

on verso is the following docketing

Conrad’s Store
April 25 1862

Ashby, Col. Turner
comdg. cavalry

contents copied
in full

Recde Hd. Va.D.
April 25th 1862.

in another hand is written:

Given to J Wm B
by General Lee
at Fredericksburg
Camp January
1863

MSS 5209-b

Camp near Yorktown  April 25th

Dear Nell

I wrote to mother from Mont
gomery and suppose that she has received
my letter ere this.  We reached Richmond the
Monday after I wrote from Montgomery
and were detained there for nearly a week of
endeavoring to procure arms before coming
down here.  We were unsuccessful however
and had to come on without them but have
since been supplied.  I would have written
from Richmond, but we expected to leave
every day and were in such an unsettled
state that I could not set myself down
to writing.  We reached this place, last Sunday
evening a little after dark.  I found the
regiment without tents and living in bark
and blanket shanties.  It would seem to be
a very comfortless style of life but we man
age to keep ourselves pretty comfortable
The regiment is doing picket duty and

[page 2]
two companies go out every day to act in
that capacity. Their posts are about a
half a mile from camp.  We recruits have
not yet been sent out though the rest of the
company has gone several times since we have
been here.  The other day a party of skirmishers
was sent out from our side.  They made an
attack on the enemy’s pickets driving them
in and killing some seven or eight.  We had
only two men hurt, both from our company
One was shot in the hand the other in the
leg.  Both will recover.  Sam on that day
captured a yankee coffee cup and would
have brought in the knapsack to which it
was attached but the enemy came out in
force and our men had to retreat so fast
that he was compelled to drop it.  A day or
two after that while he was standing on
his post two Yankee officers while taking
a stroll to came right up to where he was
before they knew it when he brought them
]to a halt, and carried them into the guard

[page 3]
house.  they proved to be the Colonel and Major
of a New York regiment.  They said that
thy had only just arrived and while their
regiment was pitching their tents had gone
off for a little walk and not knowing
where our pickets were had walked a little
too far.  Yesterday morning the enemy made
and[sic] attack on our pickets but were soon
sent back by a few grape shot thrown
from the fortifications.  There is constant
talk about the big battle coming off in a
day or two, but it seems that the proof it
has been the same say for the last two or
three weeks and some think that we wont
fight here at all. I have been very well
ever since I left  home with the exception
of a chill or two in Richmond. I have suc-
ceeded ho in checking them and am now
well and enjoying camp life.  I would have
written in ink but haveing nothing but
a knapsack to write on , pen and ink
would be inconvenient.  Give much love

[page 4]
to Mother, and Nette and to the servants
and remember me to all my friends
Your affectionate brother
Horatio N Smith

Horatio Smith, Co. D, 21st Mississippi


MSS 3772

Richmond,  April 25th 1862
Genl John H. Cocke
Bremo Bluff
Dr. Sir;
Enclosed we hand your bill of
articles presented by the Packet of
this afternoon–
The sash cord & hemp twine are very high but
it was the best we could do.  We charge what
we paid for them–
Large bodies of troops are passing
through the city day & night–they appear
to be going toward the Junction of the
Central & Fredericksburg road–The enemy
have not entered Fredericksburg in force—
We feel cheerful & hopeful in regard to our
cause–It is the cause of justice & truth, & we
believe God is on our side–Let us commit
ourselves and our affairs into His hands, using
with energy all the means at our disposal–
With kind regards, we remain
Yours very truly
John N. Gordon & Son

MSS 640

1862  April 25  Camp Winfield Scott Near Yorktown April 25th 1862
My Dear Father–Yours of the 18th came to hand last evening, you say
you would like to know where you are since you wrote last you have undoubt
edly received one from me giving you the information you request, in my last
I said you need not be surprised if we did not make A move in three weeks
it may be longer there is A tremendous lot of work to be done yet, we are out
day & night building batteries & making new roads our Regiment has Just
Finished A battery to mount five one hundred pound rifle Parrot guns this
battery is opposite Yorktown on the same side of the river about one mile
on halfe from the Town the Battery is close to the River in A garden belonging
to A private in the Rebel Army it is A beautiful place A fine large House
large Peach Orchard & fruit of every kind in abundance the House is now
used by the Soldiers, you will now want to know how this battery can be opp
osite Yorktown & yet on the same side of the River at the Point this is verry
easily explained because the River at this point is Crooked [diagram inserted] this is
the only way I can explain the situation, we have to wait for the paper to find
out what is going on around us wee did not know anything about Lees Mills
Fight (only about A mile one halfe from our Camp) untill we got the paper
we of course heard the firing & rumors about the fight, but we hear so much
firing & so many rumors that we can never tell what to believe untill we get the
papers, the newspaper reporters have the priviledge of going wherever they wish
while we are confined to the limits of our camp, our Col came verry near being
killed at the battle of Lees Mills he with some five or six engineers were sketching
the works of the Rebels when A shell from one of their guns burst int he middle
of the roup blowing off the arm of Lieut Wagner but injuring no otherlo other
Persons, I notice what you say in regard to Genl Prentice being surprised at
Pittsburgh landing it was A piece of carelessness for which there is no excuse
The commander of A Brigade in the advance has no business to neglect to
take every precaution to guard against surprise, I also think the one in command
of the attact on the batteries at Lees Mills can offer no excuse for blunder there
he (whoever he was that ordered the attact) had no business to send A hand
ful of men, when there is so many Troops arround here, our provisions begin
to come in faster, any one to read the paper now  there is A prospect of
having something to eat now, it has been impossible to get provisions along faster
any one to read the paper s would think there was A Large Town ever five
or six miles, now all along the road from Fortress Munroe to Yorktown I
dont beleive there is twenty Houses, I had heard of Big & little Bethel and
supposed them to be Towns of least 500 inhabitants but when we arrived
there I found one House & three barns & New Markett Bridge will if there
ever was A bigger Joke than this same bridge, i never heard of it it is Just about
six feet long no more or less I thought when we were down to Accomac it was A
mighty rough place but this Rougher, the rebels are verry strongly entrenched and
will resist to the last there will be an Artilery battle when the ball opens there will be some
music, Joseph is at Ship point I received A letter from him last night.  I shall get A chance to
see him when they land. I receved the Adversiser of the 18th the Paper & letters come regular
your letters ae always interesting & I am always glad when the Mail brings one from
you, I like the Camplife much bette than being in Barracks we have A f8irst
rate tent with A nice carpet of pine boughs we call them Soldiers feathers they make A
very soft bed, we have fine army pies served out to us every day together with salt-
pork, & beef fresh meat twice A week some days we have nothing but army pies but
have plenty coffee  Coffee is A great institution deprive us this & we are good for noth
ing as long as we have our coffee regular we are all right & deprive us this then we
are miserable, I can eat pork & salt house now as well as any of them in fact I had
rather I had rather have it than boiled fresh meat you want me to be prudent &
not spend any money, well I dont see how I can be otherwise for we have not
received any money in four moths &when we will receve any I dont know or care,
for myself, I can manage to get along without it,but I know that Lizzie must have money
& am anxious on her account we may be paid off soon & we may not, as soon as I do get it I shall send
it Home, my health is very good I have not been sick but one week since I have joined the
Army that sickness was caused by the change from Barracks to the Camp the change was
to much for most of us but now we are all right can eat all we get & more my have
rsack is empty but will get more to day, I would like to have some of those buisketts
that Mary Wallace knows how to make I will not mind A plate of fried onions
you need not think because I have been in the Army so long that I have forgotten
to eat turkey, roast beef & such like far from it I can make way with A roasted chic
ken without any trouble I am in hopes that before long I shall have an opportunity
to try, direct your letters to 5th Co F. Regiement New York Volunteers Sykes Brigade
Army of the Potomac Washington D.C. 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

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

Friday  after sewing all day I have a bad head ache still Liz
and I walked up to Mrs Smith’s–Mrs Fetter’s — & Mrs Walkers–
Mrs Campbell was from home–but Mrs Walker was very
agreeable–We had hoped to have returned Mrs Battles call but
the rain hurried us home–at night Mr Lee & his friend Mr
Hargrove called to see Eliza–Also Mr Powell & Miller–Tom
received a letter from Mr Mason–He was at York town. On
General Griffith’s Staff.

Richard Griffith, 1814-1862, mortally wounded a few weeks later at Savage’s Station

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Friday
April 25
Had to take Savarias place over
the prisoners at ten as he was
off and got put in the guard  house.
Passed the rest of the day as usual.  Wrote
to Mary this evening.

MSS 11293

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

Friday 25  Rain, Rain!  How distressing
it is to me to think of the discomfort and suf
fering such weather imposes on our soldiers
I am constantly thinking of four of our sons
at  least–as to Lewis, he is living luxurious
ly–so much so that he is really as harmed
I think when he reflects upon the contrast
presented by  his lot and that of his brothers
–all of whom have endured great hard
-ship & privation & seen the severest duty, Eu
-gene in particular has seen hard service
nearly ever since he entered the army
We have at last information about
the movements of Ewell and the position
of Jackson which may be relied upon.
The latter has not, as I confidently main-
tained in the face in the face [sic] of what ap
-peared direct testimony–crossed the Ridge[?]  
[?] is 2 miles west of the Shenandoah
River, and 18 from Harrisonburg–Ewell
is to  cooperate with him, but not to
form a junction at one with him.   He
has moved via Madison C H towards
Luray & will come into the Turnpike
which passes through that village at
the foot of the mountain five mountains
miles from New Market. If he can come
into the  [?] in rear of Banks column
& Jackson advances again something  decisive
may be expected.  With their united divisions
I believe they can clear the valley.  We
learn that the reorganization of the reti
-ments under the new law was effected last
Monday.   One half the company & field
officers were not re-elected.  Dr. Laughen[?]
Lt. Col. of 47[?] was beaten by a tricky poli
tician–Martin of Henry Co who was not
even in the army–Some changes doubt-
less for the better–but the effect in the
midst of the campaign will be bad. I am
prepared to hear that William is deposed
–though admitted to be an admirable officer
“brave intelligent & efficient” as pronounced
by Gen Stuart in his official dispatch lately
He will be the victim of a combination[?]  &
of prejudice against him for not being a
native of the south west.  His colonel
stands no chance of reelection & very pro
-bably be a candidate for the captaincy
He is Wms bitter enemy
I feel in bitter spirits–I have less
apprehension of Richd being taken than
ever.  McClellan will be foiled on the Pen
-insula & I think McDowell cannot reach
the city through Caroline & Hanover.  if Mc
Clellan fails he is a doomed man
he has a fire int he rear worse than
Scott had in ’46

MSS 4763