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

Sunday
May 18
Was on guard at headquarters. Had
a very good time.  Read some.  attended
services at four oclock by Mr James, about
Christ rolling away the stone from the door by
which we would enter to salvation. Helped them
sing.  Heard them sing in the evening.

MSS 11293

Camp of the Rockbridge Artillery 1st Brigade Army of the Valley
at Stribling Springs–Augusta County Va 12 miles
from Staunton 22 from Harrisonburg On road between Shenan-
doah Mountain and Harrisonburg–Sunday evening may 18, 1862

Mrs William M. Blackford Lynchburg

My Dear Mother

My last letter was finished and dis-
patched this day one week ago from a bivouac in Pendleton Co.
14 miles this side of Franklin, the county seat.  It was a long one.
I have received the books, soap-bag, haversack and letters sent
by Mr. Aisquith of the 2d Va., and the letter & paper by Mr. Howell, and
thank you all for them most heartily.  I mentioned before
the receipt of the bag of salt, clothes, Etc. you sent by Rutledge.
They were sent up from the University to Staunton to meet me.
There was considerable delay in receiving the things sent by Mr.
Aisquith, owing to his being for a time separated from his baggage
during our late marches.  Mr. Howell was unable to rejoin his
regiment until yesterday or to day owing to unavoidable detention
in Staunton.  I was well pleased to have Lockhart’s instead

[page 2]
of Bourrienne’s memoirs of Napoleon.  I decidedly prefer them.
The soap bag was exactly what I wanted: I suppose I
am indebted to Mary’s handiwork for this.  The haversack
is a capital one, and will only need a few alterations to make
it as good as I could wish, and these such as a  little pains
will effect. The material is excellent I think, and the whole
thing will be the more prized for being made of your bureau
cover.  The several letters received by these two oppor-
tunties as well as that of the 9th–which was directed
to care of Major A. W. Harman, Staunton, and reached me
promptly–have placed in fuller possession of home items
than I have been for a long time.  I am exceedingly
grateful for them, and will try and answer them.
I had an opportunity last Saturday to send a Telegram to
Richmond to be sent to Lynchburg, to say I was well etc.  I
did not know how long it would be before I could write.
I have but small opportunity indeed to day to write owing
to time spent in necessary rest, attending preaching, and that
spoiled for such purposes by a storm this evening.  I regret
this much as I could write 20 pages about our late marches and
hardships, if I had the time.  The former have been continued, the latter great.

Letter of Lancelot Minor Blackford will continue on May 22

MSS 4763

                                       Camp within 5 miles of Richmond
                                                 Sunday May 18, 1862
   My Dear Wife
                             I had already written a
letter to send of Mr. Ellison, but having received
your kind favor this morning, I will revise and
re-write.  Since I last wrote you our Camp has
changed to within the distance above named from
Richmond.  We may remain here to-day but we
do not know where we will go a day
before hand.  Our march from last Camp
began on Thursday, and quite a march we
have had.  It began raining the afternoon of
our march and continued without intermission
during the night.  We are just beginning to re
-alize the war in its true and worst phase.
No tents, short rations and many other
inconveniences which you cannot conceive of.
I feel that much that is important will
occur within a few days, the result of which
no ^ ‘one’ knows.  Great battles have been imminent
for so long a time that it seems strange

to still express the idea, yet matters are app-
-roaching a crisis which must result favorably
or unfavorably to our cause.  If we can
save the city of Richmond our Confederacy is
near its recognition of foreign powers.  If
not then we have a rough road to travel.
Very much excitement exists in the city
owing to the appearance of the enemy’s gun-
boat in the river.  It comes to us that the
city will be defended at all hazards, and
some even think that should the city fall
it will be burned.  As to this I cannot
state, but I do think that the citizens are
determined to make many sacrifices.  The
health of the Company is quite good at this time.
By the way Jim Finch came to our Camp the
other day, and is now a member of
our company.  He endeavored to explain him-
self concerning the amt. due me, but I did
not urge him to explain, and only ask
him to settle the amt.  From your letter you
are no doubt having a lively time in
Winnsboro in way of ladies.  It no doubt
makes our little villlage look city-

like.  From a letter received from Mr. Elliott
I am afraid that much inconvenience
may arise with you on account of the
scarcity of provisions.  I hope for better
than this.  We are shorter of provisions than
ever before.  It may be as well for Cousin
Anna & Nett to sew at their homes, as,
much trouble might arise from their
having to “trapse” up there each day.  Tell
Fee I hope ankles still continue “hearty”.
It pains me indeed to learn of the #
fate of May Jackson.  I say fate for such
a term is applicable.  In attempting to say
anything of such of serious  and deplorable
disaster to a family, words fail me to
convey my true feelings.  Mr. Jackson ought
to have shot him any how.  I cannot
agree with Cousin James that marriage
under the circumstances was the most
propitious course, yet such may be.  Had
I known what I now know, I might have
understood the expression, that she made
use of when I bade her adieu.  It was
expressed in a very touching manner.  She said

her troubles were heavy, and then gave vent
to her feelings in tears.  I think that Aunt
Lou will sink to the grave, a broken hearted
mother.  The worlds cares and pleasures are
strangely mixed, but from such instances
can we not learn much that is good.
Oh that those dear little ones that God
has given us may be taken from us,
and may troubles come upon us in heaps
rather than such a fate should befall us
and them.  I may be able to get the boxes
from Richmond to-morrow.  Johnnie is still
well and looks very well.  He sends much love
to all.  As my narrative has run out I
must close.  Give much love to all   write
soon.
     Your ever affectionate and loving husband
                                             J.M.Phinney
     Direct
           Co. “G” 4 Regt. S.C. V
                         Richmond Va
            Give me all the news

MSS 12661

[from the diary of Francis C. Conway, private in Cutshaw’s Battery]

May                            Sunday 18    1862                          
Camped this night in Col Bowoods field
8 Miles from C,Ville.  Came only 4 miles as it is Sunday

MSS 4448

[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]

                        Sunday – May 18th 1862
Wrote a letter this morning to Mrs Roy
hoping to send it by some underground route –
Went to church where I met Mrs Gibson &
Miss Bartlett – heard a good sermon – Walked
home with the ladies & dined there – After
dinner called to see Mr Leber whom
Dr. Darby advised not to see any company
Went to Church at night, but found that
Mr Duncan did not preach, his substitute
was so uninteresting that I had to leave
before the sermon was over – Went home
& found Mr Harvey – who reports the
river defenses much stronger than we
had thought – Our army have now drawn
much nearer the City – Genl Magruders
head quarters are now near the Fairfield
track at the Carter [?] House

 [Surgeon John Thompson Darby]

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

                                           
May 18th  Sunday.  Conducted inspection
and read “articles of War” to the Co.
In afternoon went to preaching in Col
Marshall’s camp.  Very pleasant day.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

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

Sunday 18  My cold has increased and
I feel very unwell–fine day–very
large congregation–and good sermon
-did not go to church int he afternoon
-Long walk with Spencer[?]

MSS 4763 

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

Sunday, May 18, 1862

Left our Bivouac this
morning at two OClock
left Princeton about
Daybreak.  Left much
uncertainty until then
Know now that we are retreating
Marched back 8 miles
to Camp Creek. arrived
there soon after noon
and were sent to a
house, good place
Think it probable
that we will go
on back further
It seems that a large
force has been thrown
out of Richmond and
are taking this direction
Partly clear. Warm
Bathed this afternoon
Very little the air
of a Sabbath.  Cooked&
prepared for marching Tom-
orrow

P.S. Cloudy this forenoon
clear this afternoon

 MSS  10317

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

                                 Camp on Blue Stone River, 9 Miles
                                   N. of Princeton, May 18th, 1862.
     Yesterday morning early, peremptory orders
were given to get ready to leave at once.
We were in very poor condition for marching,
considering our almost starving condition
for the past 7 days.  Nevertheless, orders must
be obeyed, & besides, our safety appeared to
depend upon a retrograde movement.  From
reports in camp, we learned that Humphrey
Marshall with 3000 men had taken Princeton
on the 16th, three companies of the 34th
having fought & kept him back for several
hours, not without severe loss.  A provision
train, well laden, & our only hope of
replenishing our haversacks & stomachs for
several days, narrowly escaped capture.  Gen.
Cox with the 2nd Brigade preceded us last night,
and today cleared the enemy out of town after
severe fighting.  We arrived at Princeton
about dark last evening.  Here full rations
were issued for supper, and we fully
appeased our appetites, the first time in 8 days.

                                                                           
Our hard crackers and salty bacon were duly
appreciated, after we had so long been estranged,
and were devoured with a keen relish.
     In consequence of a lack of transportation,
our tents were all left behind & destroyed,
so that we were obliged to sleep in the
open air.  All lay down, fully convinced
that our next employment would embrace
some of the “stern realities of warfare,” vis: fighting,
as the enemy was in force but a little
outside of town. – After a few hours’ repose,
the troops were again on the alert.  From
the movements, we all appeared to think it
certain that fighting was the order of the day.
The wagon train was moving out upon the
road, apparently seeking a position of safety in
a case of emergency, nor did we think otherwise
or dream of further retreat until Princeton had
been left far behind.  It is seldom you see so
many indignant men as were to be bound today,
the state of their feelings being caused by what is
considered by most, a most inglorious and,
unnecessary retreat.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925