[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper editor and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

The joyful day that saw the stampede of  Yankees followed by the conquering Confederates!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  There was a terrific battle yesterday at Front Royal between [ * ] Yankee Regiment and the [ * ] Virginians.  The first squad of fugitives that passed were pursued by only two of our men.  They were passing all day.  In the evening hearing some more were coming, we all ran out and saw two of the wretched cowards marching before old Uncle Frank Whiting and party.  The latter had taken them prisoners between the Vineyard and Clay Hill. We have heard loud and frequent firing this evening.  God preserve my precious brothers.  Life would be very dark without them.  Oh, that I could pray for them as I ought, for them and myself.

*  not known whether the diarist left the two blank spaces or the transcriber was unable to read what she wrote.

MSS 9759

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

Saturday
May 24

Had a very good night. Slept in the
tent alone,as the rest of the guard
slept in a wooden building back of the
house.  Have been fixing up for inspection
by Gen. Foster, but as it rained he did not
come.  Read considerable and went in swimming
this afternoon

MSS 11293

White House Landing May 24th 1862

Dear parents  When I wrote to you last I was not on duty
on account of having a lame back and when the Regt. moved
from here the doctor would not let me go with them and as
there had been a hospital established here they put me into it
There was a large number sick left here and they were very
needy of nurses they appointed me to nurse the sick in no. 24
ward and they will not let me go to the Regt. at present I
cannot tell how long I shall stay here.  All of my ward
are men from my own Regt. except 4 one 7th Me. two N.Y.  [?] men
one N.Y. man five of the men belong to my own company
one of my men is slightly wounded the rest are not very sick
their disease being dysentery and rheumatism there is 28 in
my ward the ward master tells me if I will stay here I
shall get 8 dollars more per. month I shall not have charge
of any very sick men for they go to a different ward.  I think
I shall like to [remainder of sentence erased]  I am not able to carry my
knapsack and equipment and go into active service with the
Regt.  I could not stand it two days this hot weather and I
think it is best for me to stay here.  There is six of our Regt.
here as nurses besides me.  I feel quite smart now but if I
should undertake to march I could not stand it atall
The Regt is now close to Richmond within 10 miles in a short
time Richmond will be taken then rebellion will be nearly
run out.  Our cooks here have got a great curiosity it is a very large
kittle they have cooked three bbls. of beef in it at one time and
to cap all it is the same kittle used in cooking Gen. Washingtons

[page 2]
wedding feast it was found here out of use and they
fixed it up and  now cook for the sick in it I have not
heard from you since the 4th of May but I suppose the
letters are at the Regt. and I shall get them soon I want
you to write what you think about my staying here
if I go back to the Regt. I have no doubt I shall have
to get my discharge and I am not very anxious for
that yet although I should like very well to come home.
Our cars run from here for the first time yesterday they can
go now as far as the army  is towards Richmond, and that is
about 15 miles by rail road from here.  direct your letters
to White Hous [sic] Hospital Va. in care of Dr. Baxter until
you hear from me again I want you to write as soon as
you get this I have no particular news to write so I will
close now do not fail to write what you think about
my staying here as nurse.  From you son
Hiram W. Cash
I have just Recieved
a letter from you bearing date of May 19th informing me of
of the death of S. J. Symonds it was very sad news indeed
to me for I thought a great deal of him I think you had
better direct your letters to the same as usual for then I shall
be sure to get them some time  Your in Haste
H. M. Cash

Hiram Cash, 5th Maine

MSS 12916

Camp Curtin oppo Fredricksburg Va
May 24th /62

Dear Sam
Yours of the 15th was duly rec’d
I thought you were dead or something else-
probably the latter on account of not having heard
from you for so long–at length your epistle
arrives & I find you are still in the land
of the living–although somewhat behind the
age-which the address on the envelope proves
it reading Orderly Sergeant G. E. W. whereas
that individual should be addressed as
Lieutenent G.E.W. having been promoted to
that dignified position on the 1st of May, in
consequence of the resignation of Capt. Fair-
lamb–he having resigned on account of ill
health–being afflicted with an affectation
of the left lung–poor man may he rest in
peace in the quiet city of brotherly love–
Since I last wrote you we have been knocked
about like a ball in a game of shinney–we
left Camp Kelly near Washington–& occupied for
a short time two camps outside of Alexandria
named respectively–Starvation & Reliance
after which we one bright morning steamed
down the Potomac –& passing Mount Vernon, Th


[page 2]
Washington & other interesting localities–we
landed at Acquia Creek, that renowned place
for Rebel batteries–it lies about 50 miles
South of Washington & the bluffs in the neigh-
-borhood are well calculated as places for Forts
& Batteries–as soon as we landed we met
familiar faces & a camp near the landing proved
to be that of the 90th (National Guards) P. V. all
hands were glad to meet–after lounging in
the neighborhood for some time we struck into
the woods & finally camped all night in the
open air some distance from the river, we re-
-mained about 48 hours, then took up our line
of march for the Rappahannock–& here we are–
ready & willing for anything–we will probably
move to-morrow–at least there is every prospect–
then we will make a straight cut for Rich-
-mond– & everybody knows when the 88th gets
there-it must fall–
Capt. Fairlamb- after being a pauper on the Govern
-ment for about eight months resigned on
the 1st of May–Louis was made Capt. 2nd
Lieut Fairlamb (-a fair representative of the old man)
1st Lieut–& your humble servant 2nd Lieut.
We are encamped about a half a mile from the
Rappahannock–& have a fair view of Fredricks-
burgh–which is on the other side–I was over
in town on Thursday–& went nearly through

[page 3]
it–it ain’t of much account, negroes are the
principal population–any white person that
one chanced to meet, cast looks of hatred on
those d_____d Yankees- (as we are called down yare)
who dared invade the sacred soil–that vast
cemetery–(as some Southern Orator has it) where shall
be buried all those  hirelings who dare strike
against their fancied freedom–however
looks won’t hurt us any, as long as they
continue to run wherever our troops make their
appearance–
We are in Genl. Rickett’s Brigade, Genl. Ord’s
Division, the former was Capt. of a Battery at the
Bull Run fight & was taken a prisoner to Rich-
-mond & promoted on his return–Genl. Ord-you
know gained his celebrity at Drainesville–
Our brigade consist of the 26th & 94th N.Y.
& 88th & 90th Pa. Regiments–our Division of two
Brigades of Infantry, one Regiment of Cavalry
& three batterries–
Genl. McCall’s Division is encamped a short
distance from us, & with the arrival of Genl. Shields
Division creates quiet[sic] an excitement–as in both
are many Philadelphians—
There seem to be a great many changes
at 133—long may you all prosper–Thanks
for the extracts in regard to Capt. Hodgdon’s death
I saw them some time ago–

[page 4]
That trip to Schuykill Co. was a big thing
on the Gray Reserves–they showed their gallantry
in that Fort Melon attack–
I quiet[sic] forgot to say that old Abe was down here
yesterday–reviewing our Division — he looks
well–Secretary Stanton & Genl. McDowell
were also present.
We have just received orders to report all
those not able to march–as they will be left
behind–this looks like moving–
Much obliged for your offer to send papers–
but its no use, mails are very irregular &
documents sometimes never come to hand–
I must now close–give my respects to
Inquiring Friends–
Yrs truly
Geo. E. Wagner

George E. Wagner, 1841-1904, an officer of the 88th Pennsylvania later became Colonel of the 8th United States Colored Troops


MSS 11174

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper editor and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s battery]

May                           Saturday 24   1862                                

     Continued our march
5 Oclock P.M. towards
Front royal.  Camped
4 miles from Luray.
Battle at Front Royal

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

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

Saturday 24th  I am quite unwell to day–The exercise was too
much for me yesterday–I retired to bed early but did not sleep well
It is rainy-cloudy, & dull–Jessie has been over to tell me Katy
has another chill–I am afraid she is going to be ill–no letter for any
of us.  4 young gentlemen called on the young ladies tonight.

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]

                                       Flat Top Mountain, May 24th.
     It has been decided that we remain
here for a while.  Having lost our tents,
we must wait until we can be re=furnished
from Wheeling.  Expedients must be resorted
to, to protect us from the weather.  Rail
and bark ‘shanties,’ covered with oil – cloths,
and built and arranged without any regard
to regularity or precision, serve us at present
in lieu of tents.  Disaster is a great leveler,
as officers and men in the present case, share
alike, and are made subject to the same
inconveniences and hardships.
     Flat Top Mountain, upon which we are
now encamped, has, as its name indicates
a level summit, upon which are numerous
farms and residences.  It is a branch of
the Alleghanies, and not distant from the
line dividing Eastern and Western Virginia.
     Have been on a visit to Raleigh for the
past four days, and find it dull and
uninteresting. The place is now occupied by
seven companies of the 11th O.V.I. Reg’t.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925