[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat, editor and banker in Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]
 Tuesday 13  Mr. Howell, who has been at
tending to Mr Lee since his arrival
here, returned to his company this mor
-ning.  He is of Quaker descent and
a very genteel young man–He has
been a most faithful nurse We part
from him with regret–A very dull
day in Bank–little to do.  Rumour
of Jackson having cut off Millroys
retreat–and likely to take the whole
army of the enemy–the Burning
of the Merrimac confirmed–It
seems to me thus, as Talleyrand
says, is worse than a crime– it is a
fault–But here may be circum-
stances we do not now know which
rendered it advisable.  Most  [?]
[?] times–Every hour big with
the fate of [?] In the afternoon
went with Mary to visit Mrs Barbour
Dr Waller & Dr Mercers family and
Jane Kean–I went also to Mrs. Stuarts
who read me a letter from the General
giving an account of the Battle of
Williamsburg–Came home by the [?]
and accompanied to the  house Dr. John
-son wife & son, & Billy, who spent
the evening with us–Mrs J. a very
interesting & intelligent woman.

MSS 4763

Columbus 12th May 1862

Dear Sir [General John Hartwell Cocke]

On my return home yesterday
from Hopewell, I found your letters
of 22nd & 28th April at my house.
I will attend to the puting your
mares to a horse when I go down
again, which will be the first week
in June–I wrote you fully from
Hopewell on friday last.  All well &c
I notice what you write about Maria
& would not take Maria from her mother
without her consent, if you had not said
any thing about it.  When I was down
last I named to Lucy what I had
written to you, but had not heard any
thing from you on the subject.
Her reply was, that she did not think
you would object. I left her to think
about it, & when I heard from you we would
talk more about it.  She wrote to her
mother (old Mary) saying to her, she
did not think you would object, &
that Maria was anxious to come to
Columbus, & that she hoped she would
be a comfort to her Grand Mother

[page 2]
If I take Maria, Lucy must be
entirely willing–I know Betsey too
well to want her–altho I appreciate
your kindness.  She is filthy, lazy, & has
but little sense, besides, I object to her
very white child–she can’t blame you,
me, or my wife, if she is sold, as we
all gave her good advices.  She can
not be sold now.–I am truly glad to
learn Doct. Cocke will come out soon.
It is important that he come & come soon.
The Government has impressed 9 of the est.
servants into the Hospitals service here.
I would not take the responsibility to
hire them to the Government.
We are tolerable well thank God & Mrs
Powell unite in love to you.
Our Respects to the Doct. & family.
I hope Mr J. B. Cocke will come also–
If Lucy leaves this county, we will not
be in the way of Maria’s going with her.
                          Farewell, yr friend
                                   R.D. Powell

Genl John H Cocke.

MSS 640

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

Mary and Lizzie left for the Vineyard today.  Cousin Mary and I rode up to
Longwood where we dined, then to the Briars in the evening to see the girls
who had just come home. On dit Norfolk is taken.  I cannot believe it.  Some-
one heard two officers conversing together on the street about the report.
One sneered at it and said it was not so; also, that the Merrimac had come up
with the Turtle and sunk two vessels and taken eight hundred prisoners.

MSS 9759

Richmond May 12th  1862

Dear Mary

I can not find out, what will
be done with me.  So many are here out
of posts–The Virginia was blown up to
keep her, this day from falling into the
hands of the Yanks–Norfolk may yd
destroyed–All quiet in our Army–All
our friends are well–W. Barr is very
low down –So am I–I think we shall
whip them if they will fight us but I fear
thy will tire us out—Richmond is
full, & it is a difficult matter to get in
or out of the City–try and keep everyone
at home–I wish I could be with you
for I fear the people will starve here–
Kiss the Children & with love to
All I am your Cal

Callender St. George Noland, 1813-1879, had been in charge of the defenses at Mulberry Point

MSS 6463 

May 12th 1862
My Dear Phil  [Philip Barraud Cabell]

I send up this evening
for the horse, enclosed you find a cheque
for the amount–Please when the ser
vant starts back on Wednesday give him
a fresh pass to Richmond and say upon
it for what purpose and for whom he
is carrying the horse; I understand the
patrol is properly enough very strict
now; I think he had best come down the
first day as far as Genl. Cockes’ then
to Dr Harris’ at Goochland C.H., then
here–If I am mistaken in dividing
the distance off equally I should be
glad if you can suggest to him any
better division–I trust you are all well
these awful times–The circle of fire
is apparently approaching nearer
and nearer to us and we shall no
doubt hear he roar of the great battle
distinctly it will not be over twenty miles
from here and may take place any
day now–I am confident that Genl.
Johnston has them however  and that

[page 2]
our victory will be complete–I am
afraid we shall not be able with our
own company to take any part in
the actual defense of Rd. as it will
be impossible for us to take the field
in less than three weeks–Richard
came in most unexpectedly this morn-
ing and gave us accounts of the
late fighting–he is very well and in
fine spirits; he says it was awfully
hot work last Monday–he joins us
in best love to you and Miss Pink
The little baby is right well again
and is getting very sprightly indeed,
playful as can be–Jennie
will add a note to her sister to whom
give my love, and believe me
ever yours affectionately
A.Q. Holladay

Alexander Q. Holladay, Sr. 1st Lieutenant, 12 Battalion. Virginia Light Artillery

MSS 38-111

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

                                                                           
                             Camp at Mouth of East River, May 15th.
     The long roll was beaten today, and we all
“fell in” with alacrity.  After standing an
hour in a drizzling rain, without any sign
of the presence of an enemy, we were dismissed.
The cause of the alarm I have not learned,
probably it was occasioned by the pickets
coming in contact & skirmishing.  Being
delightfully near our Southern neighbors, scarce
a day passes but that is enlivened with skir=
=mishes on the outposts, and our ears are
not unfrequently greeted with the sharp
crack of musketry.
     We are, at this time, very scarce of provis=
=ions.  For the past 5 days, but a few barrels
of bread have been issued to the Regiment.
Our principal food is fresh beef, in an in=
=sufficient quantity.
     The 12th Reg’t now belongs to our Brigade,
in place of the 34th (Zouave) Reg’t, assigned
to the 2nd Brigade.  The 23rd, 30th & 12th Reg’ts,
McMullin’s Battery & Gilmores Cavalry, constitute the
1st Prov’l Brigade, under command of Col. Scammon.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

[from the diary of James Dismore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Monday,  May 12, 1862

Remained at Camp
mouth of East River
Bathed changed &
washed my shirt
Tents came this evening
& box came along
some of McMullens
Battery Crossed the
River to the house
opposite to forage
We are very scarce
of provisions
Very warm & Hazy
MSS 10317

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

Monday
May 12  Did nothing but lay in the tent and
read and mend my stockings, as
the weather is so hot we do not drill.

MSS 11293

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

May 12
There were to day many rumors of an ex-
pected battle & that we were to take part in it–
The contingency however seemed a remote one
and we could not very readily realise it.
We prepared ourselves for anything that might
occur and if it should be our lot to fight
we would do our duty.  We did not then
think how near was the hour when we
would have our first experience of the
feeling of going into battle.
To night Capt McKibbin of our regiment brought
into camp some ice.  It was the first we had
seen for a long time & was a positive and
decided luxury.  We sat on that bucket
of ice water until we had our fill & more too.
Some could not resist the temptation to
qualify the water with a little of the ardent
fearing no doubt that it might astonish
their stomachs too much

MSS 9044

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

Monday 12
Went to the Island Depot to see
Mary R., Kate & the children off in the
cars; [?] [?] at Judge Robertsons with
additional particulars of Jackson’s fight
which seems to have been quite a decisive
victory–heard of the evacuation of Nor-
folk and destruction of the Navyyard
–also that the Merrimac was blown
up on James River.  This is almost in-
credible and yet so fatuous has been
the course of our policy that it may
be true. Letter from Eugene dated yes-
terday–20 miles below Richmond, in New
Kent Co.  His company was the very
last to leave the redoubt–From Saturday
night to Tuesday they suffered immensely
He was greatly mortified that he had no
chance of taking an active part of in
the battle of Monday.  He says the loss on
both sides is far greater than is sup-
posed–he owns at least 2000 and the
enemys double that–he says when the
great fight takes place we shall w;hip
them certainly  He lost one of his men
in the trenches and one taken prisoner
on the retreat–If defeated Monday
he says we should have lost the bag-
gage of the whole army and our
field artillery –owing to the roads.
Eugene has endured as much hard-
ship as any officer in the army.

MSS 4763