Richmond, May 5th 1862

Dear Phil  [Phillip Barraud Cabell]

Your last letter is duly to hand
and I write to say that I will send up for the horse
as quickly as possible; and would do so today but
my uncle Mr Poindexter is absent at the farm and so
he has all my available funds in his hands I have to
write to him to send me dosn the amount; I will
send it (the cheque) up by the servant who will go up for the
horse either Friday or Monday next, I have no doubt
that she will suit me exactly and am much obliged
for her.  Our little baby is now out of all danger I am
truly thankful to say, for I thought at one time there
was no hope for her she suffered very much
and is still looking very badly.  In spite of the govern-
ment we have succeeded in completing our Company
which I had begun to believe was a failure as soon
as it was certain we must lose all re-enlisting men
Richard however will have to be Junior 2nd Lieut,
instead of Senior 2nd as we were obliged to give the
Senior 2nd to a man from Surrey who brought us 35
men; still am very happy to have succeeded in getting
a commission for him–I am sorely afraid we shall
not be ready for the field in time for the great fight

[page 2]
for the possession of Richmond which it is now
evident must take place at no very distant date;
we are very much concerned at all points and I
apprehend that this city will fall as New Orleans
has done.  my only trust is in the justice of our
cause and the righteous Providence of God who
can destroy armies as he will; my despair is
simply because neither our selves nor armies
have deserved by their own conduct and purity
the Divine Blessing–the enemy succeeded in reaching
West Point with several gunboats yesterday and
fired on the last train leaving for Richmond;; our
line of defense will be about the arc of a circle de-
scribed by the Chicahominy river, beginning at its
mouth and resting along its bank up to about 15 or so
miles from Richmond or nearer towards Hanover or
New Kent–I hope if nothing happens to have the pleasure
of seeing you and Miss Pink in a fortnight or so; as
soon as it is perfectly safe to take Miss Pink Jr out
for so long a trip–Heaven knows only what may be
[?] [?] then–with best love to Miss Pink I am as ever
Yours affectionately
Alexander Q. Holladay

Jennie encloses a letter to [her sister?] but [?] no sample
[?] as would suit; she has searched all over town.

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


MSS 38-111

[letter of Hiram Cash of the 5th Maine begun on May 4 continues]

May 5  This morning we started as
soon as it was light and in one
hours time we arrived at
Yorktown where the rebels lately
left it is a strongly fortified place

[page 3]
and many of their guns
are still in their places all in
plain sight of us some of the fortifi
cations are still standing that
were built when Gen. Washington
was in command of the army I
think we may now look for a speedy
close of the war our army is after
the flying rebels and are taking
large numbers of prisoners every day
McClellan has been doing his work
sloe but sure. I should like to go on
shore here but I do not expect we
shall get a chance to do so.  It is
quite cold and stormy here to
day we have some hot days but
very cold nights. We are expecting
to be paid soon we have been mus
tered, and are looking for the pay
rolls soon I want to hear if you
get that money that I sent last
Tell John A. Hodsdon I am all right
and hope in a short time to
see him

[page 4
The 13th of this month will
be just one year since
I enlisted, the time has seemed
short to me but I have no doubt
it has been long to you I think
now we shall soon be on our
return home wearing the crown
pf a victorious army.  I have no
particular news to write I want
you to write all the news there is
any thing will be news to me
The health of this Regt is good,
some few have had colds I have
had a bad cold but I am quite
smart now I am as well
otherways as I ever was in my
life as I have no more news
I will close
From your son
Hiram M. Cash

MSS 12916

Elkhorn Camp
May sunday evening
4th 1862
Dear Mama

 Our company got
here last night from Madison
court house.  The commissioned
officers were elected there a
day or two ago, Capt Bibbs
& Geiger were reelicted, Jim
Magruder 2n Lieut Farley 3d
John Woods ordily  Sergent
myself quartermaster sargent,
Gooch & duke surgeants
I recived a letter from you
& Papa this morning brought
by Tine[?]  We did not leave here
as expected,  the Yankees run
our pickets in yesterday, we
sent out a large scout di
-rectly & took one  they came

[page 2]
to the bridge across Shendoah
river 3/4 three quarters of a
mile from this camp we catch
great many large fish here
out of the river.  Gen Jack
-son is 7 or 8 miles from here
up the river on this side
This is 16 miles from Harrison
-burg & 12 miles from Stanards
ville.  I was at Dr Earleys
to dinner the other day have
to go in that neighborhood
to get forage. have to haul
it all across the mountain
I receved the four dollars
sent by Jine, we I think will
get all of our mail from
Gordonsville, though direct to
Stanardsville, we will send
to Gor in the morning post
to carry the mail. Love to
Papa sis & Jine & Ant Tice & family
                     yr affect son  W.H.B.

William Henry Burnley, 1840-1912,  2nd Regt., Va. Cavalry

MSS 7871

[letter of Edwin M. Page continues]

Monday morning
I have heard nothing of Joe
and my hourses yet,
I shall go on to Gordons=
ville to day and take
the chances of getting
from there to the com
pany, I don’t know yet
where they are, I have
heard nothing of them
since I left Lynchburg
it was said here yesterday
by the passengers on the
Staunton train that
Genl. Jackson has fallen
back to a point on the
Central Road not far from
this place,and that his

[page 4]
whole division was to be
carried immediately by
rail to Staunton.  the
rumor is that Genl. Edw
Johnson is hard pressed
by the enemy and that
Jackson is going to his
relief. Ewell remains near
Swift run gap on the left
flank of the enemy, I suppose
something interesting will occur
in that quarter in a day or two.
I am glad that Robb, Judy & Mrs Jaque
are with you–how, I hope they will
remain with you as long as
possible, I will write to you
again as soon as I can get a
chance, and let you know
about my future plans and
prospects, love to all and a
kiss to my little children for me
in haste I am ever your faithful husband
E.R. Page

[cross hatched on page 1]
write to me
at Gordonsville
I have written
to Capt Jayne
asking him
to go and see
my wife,
and spend
as much
time with
her as he
can,
There is a man by
the name of Thomas[?]
Burch in Lynch[?]
burg who is said
to be a first rate
overseer. Jno Gog
gin proceeding to
try and get him
for you  I auth
orized him to commence[?]
ploughing for you

[envelope]
Mrs. Edwin R. Page
Campbell Ct. House
Virginia

Ewin R. Page, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
MSS 8937

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

May 5   this morning my ears were greeted with the news
that the American Flag floated over Yorktown
The rebels have evacuated it.They have been at
it for several days & the last of the troops left
this morning.  In order to deceive they kept at
this firing until an early hour in the morning
I was not sorry.  the assault upon their works
would have been bloody in the extreme.  I knew
that my wife & friends at home would not be
sorry that we had escaped the terrible affair
and I was glad on their account.  The rebels
were pressured by our Genl. in Chief & severely
punished at West Point & Williamsburg.

MSS 9044

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

Monday  Still raining–Tom speaks of leaving this week–But I cant
bear to think of it–No Mail last night–All the news we have recei
ved lately of the “War” is very distressing–Providence seems to
be hiding his face from us–& victory to be on the side of our Enemies
Soon the Yankees if it be true that New Orleans has surrendered
will be in possession of the Mississippi River, & sweeping everything
 before them. There was a flying report yesterday that France is about
 recognizing us–But the same thing has been said so long–That we
can put no trust in it.  But must do as our President says–fight
out our independence.  Mr Powell sat the afternoon with
Eliza


MSS 6960

[from the diary of  Joseph A. Waddell, civilian of Staunton, Va.\

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