May 23rd/62
My dearly beloved son–  [Howe Peyton Cochran]
All of this night, has
been spent in anxious thought
about you–and this morning I
feel as if I must attempt a
line or two in hopes of your
getting it in time to be
benefited by my weak suggestions
weak they are for my disease
unfits me for everything–I
hope & beg you will try and
get your Capts consent to
exhange you for a substitute
which you are aware has
been bought & was sent
but could not be permitted to
pass the lines for some reason

[page 2]
a sad an melancholy change has come over
me, God has laid his afflicting hand on
my poor body, but I hope & pray to be
resigned to  his will & to feel that it is
for my soul’s good–I was too much
filled with the world’s cares, too much
taken up with thoughts of you all
in the dangers that have surrounded you
for nearly a year past–& not grateful
enough for the wonderful mercies, that
have spared you all, so often through
dangers, both seen & unseen–the use
of my right side is spared me–I have
often thought of writing to you, but
knowing how often you heard through
N-[?] it from time to time–
for which I am sorry–try & write once
to m–I long to see you–yr Father
is well, & happy in having John & Jinny
home now–how long it will last
God only knows

[page 3]
My advice this morning to Nannie, will be to go
down to Richd & as we hear you are within 3
miles, maybe by a proper course, your Capt.
will permit you to come up to Richd to see her–
that is, if you cant be exchanged–but why
can’t you?  Oh, I feel so anxious to see you
once more, but if it is God’s will for us never
to meet in this life again–grant that we
may meet in a better world, where no tears
are shed, no parting is known & where all
shall be one bright Eternal day of [?]
[?] happiness–try my dear son to be
at peace with all & prepare to daily[?]
live so that you may not be afraid
to die–I know you believe in God, and in
Jesus Christ put all yr trust–he is willing, hi is
able to save all who come unto him–pray–
not only for yourself, but for all those who so
dearly love you–and remember how often I have
tried to pray, that God would save you forever
not only to glorify him, but to be a bright
shining example to yr fellow creatures in this world

[page 4]
Blair sent a Telegram last night saying he
had sent the substitute down but he was’not permitted to enter the lines–how can
it be accomplished? can’t you do as he
says get up to Richd yrself & then take him
down? – but if not-try & do yr duty & be
obedient to those who have the right to
direct & govern you–a rebellious & proud
spirit God will surely punish–only
fear God, & serve him–& he will give you
a happy issue out off all yr trials &
troubles -& now my dear Howe, I must close
commending you to a covenant keeping
God to him who alone can save both
Soul & Body- & if it is his will for us never
to meet in this life grant that we
may see each other in the Life to come–
as ever yr devoted Mother–

MSS 9380

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison]

Thursday May 22

An intensely warm day.  Was very much exhausted after riding to Pagebrook in the buggy.  War news is scarce today.  The yellow fever has broken out in New Orleans, which fact will spread a dread panic among the Northern clan.  The first Federal Court was held in Winchester today, but while in session news was brought that twelve of Ashby’s men had slept near Newton.  The reverend seniors were so alarmed they dispersed in great haste.  We walked to the Hall tonight, found Uncle George very cheerful considering his eyes are closed to the springtime glory which I never saw surpassed, perhaps from the contrast of the war and tumult filling the land.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, formerly a Sgt, Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), now with the Hampton Legion]

                        Friday May 23rd 1862
Slept late this morning – owing
to the suffering & restlessness of
last Evening & Early part of the
night – Feel much better today
& had some appetite _ Head
very shaky, & am quite weak –
Walked down to the American
& sat a while with Collins &
Phillips, saw Dr Murphy & Stigh
Rec’d a letter today from Mrs
Roy by underground route –
The Yankees not yet in her
immediate neighborhood but, she
& others are losing negros daily who
steal horses to go away upon – The
Yankee Col at Gloster pt [Point] refusing to
return Either but promising protection
to the people – Kept quietly at home
this afternoon –

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

Friday, May 23, 1862

Were forced to leave
the old house this
morning by the Commissary
of the 30th Went up into
the woods occupied the
vacated quarters of Co A
Herb & I built a booth &
covered it with bark
our only camp  kettle was
stolen last night
wrote letters to Father
Fixed the spring with
troughs to run the
water near our quarters
mostly clear warm &
pleasant
Another lazy day do
not know what we ar
will do But Commisars [?] G[?]
says Brigade will cross the
river soon

MSS 10317

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


Friday 23  Here is another hiatus.  There has
occurred nothing of any particular mo-
ment–but I regret having broken
the sequence of daily entries to accom-
plish which was my firm resolution when
I began this volume–We have had ma-
ny exciting rumors–For several days
felt much debilitated from the offices of
the cold which has clung to me for two
or three months–At my age I find the
recuperation powers of the constitution
impaired on the whole however I have
much reason to be thankful for the de
gree of health and vigour I possess.
Though never very robust, few have pas
sed through life with so few sever at-
tacks of disease.  I dare not speculate
upon public affairs–Nothing can ex
deed the imbecility of the President. His
obstinacy and self will are dreadful
He will not have about him any man
of talents or character–If our struggle
should be in vain & the cause lost, it
will not be owing to the people but to
the man they placed at the head of
affairs–Public indignation is rou
-sed to the highest pitch, by a general
order of Butler in N. Orleans, to the
effect that if any woman treats with
contempt or insults by word, gesture
or conduct any officer of soldier
of the Federal Army, she should be held
to be a woman of the town, pursuing
her avocation & treated accordingly. The
order has been read at the [head?] of
Beauregards army and its effect on
southern men may well be imagined
Can one wonder if no quarter be given.
Gen Hunter too has issued an order
emancipating all the negroes in South
Carolina, Georgia & Florida. Jackson
is marching down the valley and
banks retreating before him.
Last evening, to our great surprise
fanny Minor, Charles’ wife arrived.
She came in company with her uncle
Mr Cagleman[?] who is seeking a refuge
for his children.  She has come to make
purchases for the family.  Letter from
Lewis Minor who is in charge of his
Naval[?] Hospital in Richd.  He says  Wm
has been appointed Capt of Engineers
–Not a line have we had from him since
he left here and I dont know where
he is–Dr John Minor, wife and daugh
-ter, and Mr Cazenove dined with us today
I neglected to mention that Mr lee’s
brother came down in the boat Monday
evening and spent Tuesday with us Wed
nesday he took his brother int he packet
to Big Island near which he and his
family are boarding.  He has been here
since Saturday 26 April. We were very
much pleased with him–a thorough
gentleman–a man of talent & piety
and of great gentleness of manner.  He
expressed great gratitude &c–Heard this
evening that the enemy has moved
upon the Central road 10 miles from
Richd.  Rev P. Slaughter, who was going
up in the Central train, but for this
movement, came up on the South side
informs me he saw this morng, the Secy
of War  who expressed pleasure at
the hour[?]  & said it was just what
they wanted & that a fight would be
the result  Long and interesting letter
from Eugene.  He was within 2 miles
of Richmond–[?] east.  Of all our
letters he recd but two since he went
to Yorktown  He had received his bag-
gage and got the sword & clothes I sent
him by William.  I send him by
tomorrows train a servant, who is re-
commended by Charles.  He waited on
the Lieutenants in his company.  Eugene
continues to endure great hardship

MSS 4763 

[from the diary of Milton W. Humphreys, future professor of Greek at the University of Virginia as copied and annotated by him in 1893]

May 23  On the 23rd was
fought the disastrous battle of Lewisburg.  In that battle my uncle
William Hefner Captain of the Scouts and guides, fell mortally
wounded. [He was hauled, needlessly, by the Federals many miles in an ambulance,
with his thigh-bone crushed, before receiving surgical attention.]

MSS 1578

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

Friday 23d  Cloudy to day–no letters-nor papers–Liz & I paid 4 visits
went to Mr Johnstons Mrs Witakers-Mrs Dawsons-& Mr Thompson’s-
then to Mr Dawsons store, & from there to Judge Battle’s–at the
latter place I made a discovery-& a very agreeable one in finding
Mrs Battle & I were old school mates–Both went to the Moridca[i]
Seminary in Warrenton–Eliza & Mary Wilson returned visit
too–

MSS 6960

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

                      May 23rd

To day the Balloon made an ascent
near our camp to reconnoiter the rebel
position.  They report a great number of
unoccupied tents, between the Chickahom-
-iny and Richmond.  placed there probably
to deceive our picquets in regard to the
number of troops in the defenses of the
rebel capital.  A heavy cannonading can
be heard on our left.  Warm and
pleasant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of the Letcher Artillery]

May 23rd.  Up before 5 o’c to roll call,
very misty and disagreable [sic] until after
breakfast.  Saw Jennies letter off this
morning by courier.  Drilled N. C. O.’s at 10 ½
o’c.  Court martial in Dempseys case commen-
-ced its session this morning.  Commenced a
letter to Jennie this morning.  Was sent for
by Dempsey to act as his counsel at the Court
Martial, returned at 3 o’c. case not fin-
ished.  Finished letter to Jennie after dinner.
While at dinner read orders to have 4 days rations
cooked.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

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