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

Sunday
May 4


Was on guard at the second
division.  Davis of Co I was Lieut.
Had a very good time.  Was on the second
relief.


MSS 11293

[from the diary of James Dismore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Sunday, May 4, 1862

Guard mounting &
Parade  Have not
moved our cooking
utensils yet
Capts Hunter & Lovejoy
came in to day. Also
Co of 30th Regt Hear
that Corinth is evacua
-ted.  Recd letters from
aunt Cook & Sadie A Hays
Cloudy pleasant thrreatening
rain

MSS 10317

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

Sunday 4  clear in the morning
but it clouded over in the evening
of the day & became cool–more rain
ahead doubtless–Large congregation
and communion.  Rumor, apparently
well authenticated, that our army is
falling back from York Town to the
line of the Chickahominy–This of
course was expected and is a good
move.  The tactics of McClellan we
imagine never[?]  in all history do
we read of an entrenched camp be
-ing besieged by an enemy, and the
approaches made to it, as if it was
a fortified town–by falling back
he renders useless all the labor McC
has performed, and got rid of the an
noyance of his gunboats on our flanks.
I suppose the evacuation of Norfolk
will follow as a matter of course–this
is bad indeed, as our loss of material
will be enormous[?]  What will become
with the Merrimac–I fear she draws
too much water to get up the James as
high as our new line.  Kate Robertson
came to dinner and staid all night–Jackson
at Harrisonburg pressing on the enemy
–corps of cadets gone to join him

MSS 4763

Norfolk  May 3d

Dear Brother (General John Hartwell Cocke)
I come to write a
a hurried note, for the mail,
which leaves in a short time, to
tell you we may be compelled
to leave our home  in a few
\days, and will seek protection
with you.  Your kind sympathy
has been a great solace to us in
our troubles.  We feel thankful
that such a friend has been
preserved to us, and only
hope to be able in some degree
to minister comfort to you.
We are surrounded by danger
and alarming rumors. The
Secretary of War and Secretary
of the Navy came to Norfolk
yesterday and held a Council
of War with our Generals

[page 2]
of course nothing certain
is known to the public
but rumors will be circulated
which create alarm.  It is
thought by some a desperate
defense will be made here,
and then it is said Norfolk
is to be given up and the
Navy yard abandoned.
What to believe I know not,
in either event my husband
is anxious that the girls
and myself should leave.
He is absent now attending
Southampton Court where
he may be detained until
Monday.  his frequent absence
from home now makes
him the more anxious to
have us sent away from
Norfolk.  For some time
we felt a security in
having the “Virginia” to

[page 3]
defend the harbor, but now
it is thought she may be
sent to assist in the protection
of Gen. Macgruders army.
If Norfolk is surrendered or
captured I fear our dear old
State will be overrun by
the Northern Vandals.
A special Providence has
so far protected us in this part
of out state, for at one time
nothing would have been
easier than for the enemy
to have taken Norfolk.
The surrender of New Orleans
has filled the whole country
with distrust all seem to
have lost confidence in
the Government.  These are
dark days, but I cannot
think we shall be given
over to our enemies.
We may be punished and

[page 4]
severely too; but we will
be delivered I firmly believe.
I heard through Mr Payne
who was Dr Brent on the
packet that you were all
well and that Sallys health
had improved which I
was glad to hear.
My nerves have been a good
deal affected by continued
excitement which must
account for my tremulous
writing.  With Love to
all at both houses.
Your truly attached
Sister
L Baker

MSS 640

WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington,  May 3    1862

Sir:

Your are hereby informed that the President of the United
States has appointed you   Additonal Aide-de-Camp on the
Staff of Major Genl. H. W. Halleck, with the rank of Colonel

in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the Third
day of  May, one thousand eight hundred and Sixty two
Should the Senate, at their next session, advise and consent thereto,
you will be commissioned accordingly. 

Immediately on receipt hereof, please to communicate to this
Department, through the adjutant General’s Office,your acceptance
or non=acceptance of said appointment; and,  with your letter of 
acceptance, return to the Adjutant General of the Army the OATH
herewith enclosed, properly filled up, SUBSCRIBED and ATTESTED, reporting at
the same time your AGE, RESIDENCE when appointed, and the STATE in which
you were BORN.

Should you accept,you will at once report, by letter, in person for
orders to Major Gen.U.S. Grant, U.S. Vols–
This appointment to continue in force during the pleasure
of the President of the U. Sates.

Edwin M Stanton

Secretary of War

Colonel W. S. Hillyer
Addl, Aide-de-Camp

MSS 10645

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

Saturday 3d  I have had a pain in my eyes & head ache–Eliza has
just received her bonnet from Charlotte–It is quite pretty–
but very dear–I have been busy sewing all day & will go up
to see Mrs Dawson after dinner–Liz walked up to Mrs Phillips
to see her sick chile & Eliza went to walk with Mr Parker
After tea Mr Nicolson & Powell called  also the two Mr
Renshers–they had a merry time in the parlour–after
the elder ladies left–Lize & Tom both received letters from
Mr Mason–Mr Eddy Mears is here also–But will leave
very soon.  This has been a charming May day

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, former editor and owner of the Staunton Spectator]

Saturday night, May 3, 1862
A rumor about noon to-day that Jackson was crossing
the Blue Ridge at Brown’s Gap, going East, leaving Ewell
at Swift Run Gap.  I thought the report too ridiculous
to be credited; but passengers by the cars bring word that he
was expected at Mechum’s River–to which point the
road from Brown’s Gap heads–and the Express rider
reports that the army began to cross the mountain last
night.  These persons are under the impression that
Jackson will enter the Valley again by way of Rock-
fish Gap, and that the movement is a piece of stra-
tige.  It seems to me absurd; but I can scarcely believe
the reports. The enemy have the Federal flag flying at
New Orleans!  A rumor that the enemy are concentra-
ting at McDowell and Monterey.  The cadets arrived
from Lexington this morning; and are quartered in
the large brick building adjoining the Central Bank.–
A half dozen Ambulances were sent down to Jackson to-
day, which is strange if there is any authentic inform-
ation that he is moving across the Blue Ridge.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS  38-258

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

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, and a Sgt., Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), Louisiana Infantry]

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