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

May 15-16  This morning we got orders to march.  We
struck our tents, got our baggage all in readiness
and the wagons all loaded & we were lounging
around awaiting the assembly to sound when
the order was countermanded.  By this time
it had commenced to rain.  We fell to
heartily, unloaded baggage, pitched our tents
& made ourselves comfortable again in about
twenty minutes.  We staid in this camp all of
the 16th raining incessantly.

MSS 9044 

My darling wife

I saw Dr Maupin yesterday
and was very much surprised to hear
that you were in Richmond.  My curiosity
is very much excited to know what you
are doing at Richmond at this time.
I have written to you several times
within the last week and this yesterday morning
sent you a letter directed to Charlottesville by
Capt Horace Jones.  I cant imagine what
brought you to Richmond, unless it be that
you have not heard from me and are
consequently uneasy and anxious.  John
Davies left here (Long Bridges) for Richmond
and may be home several days ago being
somewhat sick have you seen & heard
anything of him?  Louthan[?] was with him
I shall send this by Dr Maupin who
goes up today, having come down or
a visit to his son.  I am extremely
anxious to hear from you. It seems like
a year since I received one of your
dear letters.  I have no doubt there are
several for me on the road somewhere
Capt. Jones who will come down probably
tomorrow from Richmond promised to bring the mail
Somebody comes down from Richmond
almost every day

[page 2]
My own precious darling wife I believe
I love you more and more every day
if such a thing be possible. You and
are all the time in my though and very
frequently in my dreams–I do love
you with all my heart and soul
and if I could only clasp you to my
bosom and kiss those dear sweet
precious lips I would give a month’s
pay–and then I am so happy when
I think how much my precious wife
loves me–I am as sure that she
loves me as I am of my existence
or as I am that I love her–and yet
I feel sad sometimes at the anxiety
and solicitude you undergo on my
account and on account of my
absence.  Let us trust in a kind Prov
-idence to take care of us both and
bring us together again as I want to
tell you how sweet and adorable and
lovely and charming and agreeable and
a hundred other things you are
to me, but paper is scarce–I must
however tell you what you well know
that you have the undivided affection
of a very very loving husband
a thousand kisses for you and may God
bless the dearest thing on earth to me.

unsigned letter of Howe Peyton Cochran of the 1st Virginia Artillery


MSS 9380

 Cumberland Virginia May 14th 1862
  Dear Father– I will now set down to write you A few lines to let you
know where I am I arrived at this Point last night after marching fourteen
miles. I am glad that we arrived at this place because George is here & his regiment
so you will know that we will have the pleasure of seeing each other I suppose you
have heard of the skirmish that we had at West point on the seventh in the
Woods we was in all day & kept our positi9on in which we was complimented
bery highly by the General, I received your letter of the 9th this morning I
am well & hope this will find you the same & will close these few lines beca
use you must know that after A march that I must be tired  but at every
place that we stop to I will keep you informed you tell Lizzie that I saw
Geroge this Morning From you son Joseph Leavitt

Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York 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

[the following letter, written on both sides of a single sheet of paper has been chewed by mice who destroyed the left hand side of the sheet and much of the bottom]

Richmond  May 14  1862
}r Sister
I take this oppertunity
}drop you a few lines to let
} know that I am well &
}these few lines may find
}well also.  our company
}d here last thursday &
}mpt on fultons Hill,  I dont
}ow how long we will stay
}re our company reorganised
}sterday  Electing new officers.
}left yorktown without having
}fight; we had a long
}tiguing march from yorktown
}richmond–the yankees followed
}up pretty close our armey
}on the chickahominy swamp
     }think they intend{
     }ed which I{
     }I would{
     }irginia.  I{
     }Jackson is{
     }ck which{

[page 2]
I must close for the pr{
write as soon as you{
this & let me hear a{
the news give my love
to all the girls &c
from your Broth{
J. W. Par{

direct your letter to
J. W. Parrish
care Norton artillery

Richmond
Va.

MSS 10305

May 14th 1862

My darling wife

I write by Capt Horace Jones who
goes up to Richmond to buy some extra provisions
for the officers and men of the 19th.  I heard
that the good people of Ch:ville were very much
exercised about the soldiers having nothing to eat
after the battle of Wmsburg–it was so in a great
measure but we have now a good supply
of beef, mess pork & hard crackers and a very
limited supply of other things at exorbitant prices.
I saw Wm Cocke last evening and a harder looking
case for a sick man I never saw, without shoes
knees out and hat in very dilapidated condition
but he was very fortunate in getting a letter
from his mother who is at the University dated
the 12th and I have’nt heard from my darling
wife for 10 days.  I am very anxious to hear from
you indeed for various reasons and have no
doubt that there are several letters for me in
Richmond But the mail for the army had not
been distributed yesterday.  little regard the
authorities have for a poor soldier!
I have no idea what effect the evacuation of Nor-
-folk and the blowing up of the Merrimac will
have upon our movements–it may be that we
will have to fall back.  the authorities are
much more frightened than we are down hers.
Has John Lewis gone home?  I saw him a few

[page 2]
evening ago on his way to a farm house to
get some rest and quiet–he said he might
go home–I have’nt seen him since and judge
that he has gone home.  I am still very
anxious to get out of this company as soon as
possible–I am afraid to stay in it on account
of the inexperience of the officers and the poor
conditions of the company–we have hardly
men enough to man three pieces.

I am extremely anxious to see you again & would
give anything in the world to do so–what
about the detail to drill Jimmy’s company?
Has Mr Bledsoe flashed in the pan?
Do let me hear from you in some way or
other.  Give my love to Pa, Ma and Mittie
May and all the rest–I do wish I could
get one of Ma’s long interesting letters.
No news down here atall
With the greatest desire to see my darling
wife and a heart brimful of love for her
I am as ever her devoted & loving
Husband

unsigned letter of Howe Peyton Cochran, 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380

Camp near Jeffersonville may the 14th 1862

Dear Pa

I will try to write you a few lines
this eavening to let you kow[sic] that I am well hopeing
you all are well Cumming has had a tolerabale  bad
cold but is better.  we left saltsville last sunday
and by hard marching got hear monday eavening
we have to carry all clothes and blanket we are very
near as well loaded as martials pack mules.  we have
marching orders to leave hear to marrow morning
the new is that both sides ar building brest
works. we think we will have a fite before
long.  we have been organiseing our army yesterday
& today our reg was organised  More was elected
Colonel. Major Giles was elected lieutenant colonel
we have got shed of colonel Lee all the old companies
was organised and new ones to our old officers
reelected but Andrew Ferquson Samuel Level
opposed him and beat him that I thought was out
of the question, but that organisation was all nocked
in the head and Andrew got his plase at last. our
first organisation stood which of course was write
Pa I have  heard of too or three fight in which
our men was sucksessful  I heard that Jackson
had a fit and whiped the yankees bad I want you
to write to me as soon as you can let me know whether
rives was hurt or not direct your letter jefferson
ville Co G care of colonel More.  Charles H Browing
is not very well that trip with the wagons
injured him right smart I think is better
he marche all the time and carried his napsack

[page 2]
write soon lem [let me?] know how things are
going on.  this is the last sheat of paper
I have if I dont get me some paper I can
not write if I dont write you need not be uneasy
no more at present

your Affectionate son
Charles H. Gilmer

Cumings Gilmer

Charles H.Gilmer, 29th Virgnia Infantry

MSS 5194

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

Wednesday 14th  Tom left us last night 12 OClock–& it grieved me sadly
to see him leave–I have committed him to a Kind Providence
who watches over all–& pray & trust he may be spared to return.
He appeared to dislike leaving his little friend Mary very much
& no doubt she disliked parting with him–We heard yesterday
of Mrs Badhams heavy loss–their gallant son fell at the
battle of Williamsburg fighting for his home & country–Woe
woe, to the Yankee hirelings who have come South to send
such agony & grief to families who have never injured them.
May God take our Cause in his hands & stop this carnage
now raging against the Confederacy In him we put our trust
to him we look for help & assistance–

MSS 6960

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

                                  May 14th

To day the first time for nearly a month
we have had a rainy day: the rain has
been falling in torrents all day.  Prisoners
are constantly being brought in.  During the
afternoon we received orders to be in
readiness to move at day light.

[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]

                        Wednesday – May 14th 1862
Spent the morning at Capt. Harrisons
room & at Mess[rs] Spotts & Harvey, wrote
a long letter to Fry to send by first
opportunity – We learn today that the
Yankee Gunboats are at the obstructions
below the City – The people of Richmond
are very much alarmed & many families
are leaving today – The latest news from
our army all was quiet – McClelland
reported drawing off – probably he
is awaiting the opening of the river by
the Monitor & escorts – Spent this
evening at the American & took tea there
with Capt H & Collins – went out with
the latter to get Zacharies picture –
Capt H is not willing for me to go to
the army tomorrow, but wants me to
write for him – No letters – Rain nearly
all day today

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154