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

Thursday 222d  Liz & I took a walk around the Camous–But it
was too damp to walk far–I have just heard from Julius Wright
that Fred has gone into his country’s service.  My heart is
weighed down with sorrow–& my spirits are low indeed–His dear
wife & sweet boy what will become of them?  How can Sarah &
her mother bear up against this heavy blow–Oh it is distres-
sing to us all–& I have wept, until my tears refuse to flow
But their Country calls–The Enemy is at our very doors–& each man
must do his duty–Knowing the necessity –I bow in submission
tho’ I may never see their faces more–God’s ways are inscruta-
ble & his designs must be accomplished–May he preserve
my children from danger & shield them from the hands
of their Enemies–We are disappointed in receiving no letters
to day–I cannot tell where Tom is & Mr Mason does not write
I fear something is the matter with him

MSS 6960

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

May 22 Reveille was sounded t his morning at 10 o’clock
the general at 2 and the assembly at 3 o clock
Our march this morning was but three miles &
we encamped at an early hour at the
“Eleven Mile House” or as it was called “Camp
Cold Harbor”.  It rained very hard to day
after we have gotten ourselves well tented
making the hours pass tediously away.

MSS 9044 

[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]

                        Thursday – May 22d  1862
Violent headache this morning
Went down town at ten o’clock
(not from choice) to see Capt H –
& on my way back fainted
in the streets, fortunately Capt
Rawle was passing & took me into
a drug-store where I soon became
resussicated [resussitated], after which he & one
of Co “B” La Gds brought me home
on their arms – from then until
nine o’c at night I suffered more
with headache than Ever in my
life, fever too, but no chill –
the quinine had Kept it off
but had nearly set my brain
Crazy – I was delirious part the time
Lewis bathed my head all the while
& slept at foot of my bed tonight
Capt H moved to Head quarters today

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

U. of Va  May 21st 62
Gen J. H. Cocke

My Dear Friend

I am much indebted to you for a copy
of Rev. Mr. Tyree’s sermon occasioned
by the death of your lamented son, the
late Gen Philip St. George Cocke–
Te discourse is sensible, evangelical
and appropriate–Th sketch of the ch-
-aracter of the deceased, tho’ meagre in
the extreme, as it must be in a sermon
has fidelity to the original–Shall there
appear, ere long, a more extended biog-
raphical portrait of Gen Cocke?
Let us all take comfort in the thou-
-ght that the time of separation is but
short–and that in the mean time all
things work together for good–all things
are ours and we in Christs and Christ
in Gods–The glory of God is the good of his creatures

[page 2]
We seem to be thought safe here Refu-
gees are pouring in upon us from Rich-
mond and elsewhere–Dr Cabell and family
have removed to Danville–where Mrs Bledsoe
and her daughters had preceded them–Dr C.
was ordered to organize a hospital in Danville
Our friend Borden staid a week with us
after you left and his servant boyd[?] (who
I hope reached you safe) a week longer–We
have hear nothing from either of them
since they left–Rev Dr Wm J. Hoge has gone
to housekeeping on the premises of Prof Gildersleeve
(in Spooner’s grove) and is thus our neighbor–
Lectures still go on in the University–but
to very reduced classes–Mine is somewhat
augmented by the amateur attendance of Bros
Norton and Hoge–and Prof. Gildersleeve
Mrs McGuffey (who has not been well for some
days) joins me in kindest regards to you and
yours–you sincere friend WH McGuffey]]

[page 3]
Tell uncle Ned and
aunt Felicia that
Lavinia is well and
doing well–she is
(and uncle Ned will
like to hear that) fond
of going to church. tho’
she dont like to read
very much—–

William Holmes McGuffey, Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Virginia since 1845,
General John Hartwell Cocke, the last surviving member of the original Board of Visitors to the University

MSS 640

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

Wednesday, May 21st

McClellan says he is at a standstill.  The Confederates are too strong for him.
Since his repulse on the James his road to Richmoond does not seem so straight
and easy.  The Chickahomny is not very fordable; therefore, the only way leads
through forests tangled and marshy, swamps many miles in extent.  The London
Times thinks it is very easy to conquer when its Secretary of War has only to
take his pen in hand and conquer by sea and land. We had a very pleasant prayer
meeting at Cousin James’s  It is reported that we again have possession of
Frredericksburg.

MSS 9759

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

Wednesday
May 21
Am on picket to day down in the
woods west of the damp, where I am
now writing (at 6 oclock) on my overcoat under
at[sic] tree. Putnam Simonds and Phillipps are with me
A young woman and boy just passed us, having
been up to camp with pudding to sel. We bought
one this noon of a couple of boys.  The boy
to-night asked me for some tobacco, and seemed
quite surprised when I told him I never
used it.  The girl appeared quite smart but
is unable probably to read or write.  Thank
God that my lot was cast in blessed old
Massachusetts.  May He soon enable us to
return there in safety.  Have enjoyed the
woods first rate to day.  The musquitoes
have been rather troublesome but I enjoy the
grand old woods.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh, a private in Cutshaw’s battery]

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

Wednes, May 21, 62

Have done nothing
this day, have been
unwell feel better
now Remained in
camp
Three companies with
carpenters & sailors[?]
went this day it is
supposed to build a
bridge across the New
River at Fikes[?] Ferry
Only play now in the
evening for the amuse-
ment of the Regt
Cloudy & clear   [?]
of rain. Fire in the
woods around us
Our cook Tom heard the
Colonel say this
morning that we
would have to go again to Giles

 MSS  10317

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

May 21  Our stay here was limited and on Monday
of the 21st at 10 a.m. we moved.  It was an
intense sickening hot day.  I was detailed
with my company to march in the rear of the\
column and bring up stragglers.  Although
the march was but five miles, the heat was
so overpowering that the men suffered very
much.  There were however very few stragglers
from the regular troops, but the 5th N.Y. Zouaves
lined the road.  Poor fellows! neither the
threats nor entreaties of their officers could
move them.  There was but one straggler
from the regular troops & he promptly obeyed
my order to move on. After many delays
we reached our Camping ground, an ex-
quisitely beautiful spot.  I could have
spent a month there and not tired of its
beauties.  This Camp was called “Camp
Chapman” in honor I suppose of Lt. Col.
Chapman commanding 2 Brigade of regulars
We did not however stay here very long.

MSS 9044