[from the diary of James Dismore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Saturday, May 3, 1862
Guard Mounting no Parade
Visited this afternoon
the Graveyard of the
Rebels find many grav
-es Called at the house
of a Gentleman whose
daughter ran off
upon our approach to
this place
Tom is come in and
pitched this evening
Herb and I have
changed to the Poll
Tent are here alone
to night
Clear very fine

MSS 10317

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

Saturday
May 3

Slept down at quarters last
night and went up to the hospital
at six this morning.  Came down and read
and played backgammon.  Tonight Frank
and I agreed not to play a game for a
month.  Had quite a pleasant chant with
him this evening.  It is very warm.


MSS 11293

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

Saturday 3  fine genial day, quite seas
-onable in its warmth– vegetation will
feel its influence–Discounted but little
because little was offered–Recd telegram
from Mr. Robertson saying William
& his f  Miss R. & family had started.  In
gaged wooms for the latter at the Nor
-ville House–and at 3 1/2 went to the Depot
to receive them–Many officers who had
lost their elections were on the cars. Let
ter from Eugene 30 ult.  He is still only
a captain owning to his modesty or
bad management–Rodes sent for
him–& wished  him to run for the
colonelcy assuring him there would
be scarcely a show of opposition–but
as he had not aspired to that office
he had in some way compromised
himself by pledges to a brother captain
to support him but he announced
himself as a candidate for the L Col
onely  but would not electioneer
or make any pledges or promises as
Capt  Hall did and beat him by a
few votes only–and could not have done
so but for a companyy of 6 Alaba
ma which was that any attached
to the Regt and of which E knew
nothing but which Hall had caused[?]
He is now the oldest captain in
the Regt and will fill the first
vacancy. The Col. & L.Col. are very
ignorant of their duties and will
have to depend on e.  I am mortified
at his failure–He has a very hard
time & says he is literally in rags
He made a very narrow escape lately
–a minnie ball grazing his knee
-the news seems to be certain that
the Enemy are falling back in the
valley, that Ewell has crossed
the mountains & that Jackson is pres
-sing on and will force a fight
The evacuation of the Valley is
stroke [?] of policy [?] nothing  [?] to  compehend [?]
–unless they want the men to march
with against Richmond.

MSS 4763

Swift Run Gap
Friday May 2nd 1862

Dear Lanty
I left you as you know on Saturday
expecting to go to Charlottesville & perhaps to Halifax
to wait until some vacancy occurs in the
R.A. [Rockbridge Artillery]  I rode to Stanardsville in a quarter masters
wagon–& on Sunday arranged to have my baggage
carried to Gordonsville & started off myself on foot–
After walking four miles beyond Stanardsville
I met Gen. Trimble & staff. I asked one of
the aids if Ewell’s Division was coming along
that road–he told me that it would come
by another road which ran into that one
about two miles in my rear–I inferred
from the movement that there would prob-
ably be a fight in the Valley before I
would return from Charlottesville and
determined to fall in with the Maryland
Regiment & shoulder a musket for the
time being–So I retraced my steps for
two miles–secured my baggage–and
quietly awaited the Division.  When
the Maryland Regiment came along
before I could distinguish any familiar
face I found myself surrounded by
old friends, who ran out of ranks,

[page 2]
the attention of some being attracted by
the greetings of others–You may imagine
they were surprised to meet me there.
Ran[dolph McKim] soon arranged a plan with Captain
Maury for my accommodation.
So I am with Company H. now
& hope to see you in a few days–
Meantime please keep any letters
or papers that may come for me–
Yours truly
E. H. Ingle
If convenient you may send
this to “Lieutenant Edmunds
Co. E. 23rd Regiment.”

MSS 4763

[on printed stationery]
26th Regiment New York Volunteers
Colonel W. M. Christian, Commanding
CAMP  Lynne Alexandria, VA May 2 1862


Dear Brother it is a long
time since I have had the pleasure of
seeing you I would not now you if
I saw you now from any man but
I would like to see you once more
I told you in my first letter that I
had enlisted and I suppose that Delia
has told you since.  I am sorry that
your letter got lost but there was a
bout half the mail lost that night
if you can sen another potograph of
yours I would like it.   I like soldiering
first rate.  I suppose that you have
Done good soldiering for present.
if mother and Delia and Sarah
goes to you that you will take
care of them i mean that you
will see that they are well cared for.
I will send two thirds of my pay.

[page 2]
to them. times look better to
me then they use to. our Camp is
on a side hill jest below the fort
on the south side of the Potomac river
we are going to start for aque Creeck
toward Yorktown the bully 26th
must have a Bash the Boys say
Befor they are Discharged
expect to get paid in a few Days
now. I tent with Gilbert
Welch a fine man from Yorkville
and sherman Casidy from Clinton
Dont forget to send me your
likeness Merritt.  You now that
when this Cussed War is over that
I will probably get a place to Work
near you. if I do not get my
top not shot off. the regiment
has served half of its time now
it has not quite [?] a year to serve
yet.

[page 3]
You must excuse my bad writeing
and Grammer for I have not
had as much schooling as I
had ought to you know

so good by Merritt
Write soon and send me
your potograph
Your Brother
James B

by the by Delia tell me that
you have Been married

Your affectonate Brother

[page 4]
Jimmy sent me This To post To
you as he did not know your
Direction

Delia

James Batcheler
26th New York Volunteers


MSS 11027

[page 2]

Camp at Princeton Va May 2/62
Dear Father & Mother  I will write
you of our journey here
Wednesday morning Apr 30th We left Camp No 3
(I wrote you from that place) Marched about
ten miles to the Summit of Flat Top
Mountain and camped soon after coming
commenced to rain and continued all night
The roads to day were quite good and
the ascent easy: for several miles we
passed over large marshes deslotate of
trees which if drained would I think
make fine farming lands this could be
easily done as the fall is quite great
After making camp Thad Coffin & I
went across the mountains two or three
miles on a foraging expedition-Succeeded
in realizing some fine Hams at a house
which had been lately deserted
We saw some indications of bushwhackers
on the way.  Country very rough & broken
Thursday morning. Left camp early
marched about four miles when we
came up with Comp C which had went in
advance of us from Camp No 3
when we came up they had just got
through with a small battle with
the Rebels.  One Company of about 60 in all
were camped in an old house situated
in a deep ravine[?] [hole in paper] and on Thursday
morning about daylight they had
found themselves surrounded by about
300 rebels they came down the mountain
on all sides of them and there only
alternative was to fight.  Our men
reserved their fire until they were
quite close. They atempted to deceive our
men by calling themselves Bickmonds men

[page 2]
(Bickmond is a loyal citizen one of
the best men of the country and one
who has been much annoyed & much of
his property destroyed by the Bushwhackers
he is now scouting with probably with
some men with him)
Our men sheltered themselves in the house
and opened upon them and fought them
over two hours finaly succeeding in
driving them back When we came up
they were just disappearing over the
mountain  some were mounted & some
on foot and took to the mountains
Our Company did nobly 1 man was
killed and 14 wounded some no doubt
mortally.  The rebel loss not known some
very badly wounded were left on the
field some prisoners were taken.  One man
came in and gave himself up
We immediately followed the F.F. V.
Our Forces consisted of our regiment (except Co
C which were sent back much against their will)
nearly 500 mounted riflemen–(which had
come up with us the night before
I believe they belong to the 3d Va and are
under Comd of Lieut Col Paxton) and 2
mountain howitzers
The Cavalry went in advance and were
skirmishing most of the day. They would
ride up until the Rebels would fire on them
from the mountains sides then dismount
and pe[r]sue them  Our Flanking companies were
also deployed on the mountains several
of the rebels were thus wounded & killed
It rained on us all day and the roads were
very mudy.  When we came to Whet Blue Stone
River (you will see the rout on the map)
we found the Bridge gone and only two small

[page 3]
skiffs in which to cross. as we were in
considerable parts we immediately stripped
of our clothes and waded through it and
a rather cold bath the current was
very swift and several of the boys
came very near going under.
We reached Princeton about 4 Oclock
found the town in flames.  the enemy
had passed through burning the place in
their retreat only a few houses were
left.  the town was about as large
as Savannah the situation is very
fine and some of the buildings were
quite fine. When we came in sight
our Howitzers threw a few shells into
the place but they were all gone
We passed a short distance through
‘the town then returned and camped
We had marched 22 miles over a
very mountainous roads. I guess there
are few regiments that make such
marches.  Our cavalry went out by a
different road fromt hat which
the enemy took and about dark came
in on their flank they charged on them
driving them in all directions causing them
to leave their knapsacks blankets &c
They were in quite a force probably about
500 left this place and were a short distance
from here they were met by reinforcements
I believe the 45th Va Regt the rebels here were under
Comd and the town burned by command of
Col Jenifer.  Two of the Captains in command of
the Rebels that attacked Co C in the
morning were badly wounded. The rebels
had several men killed we saw some
left in the woods and perhaps 40 wounded
I saw several of their wounded, some of them

[page 4]
mortally.  some were shot in
two or three places  on I saw was the
ball had passed through his head bearing
away his nose yet he was alive and
able to talk.  the testimony of all these
men say that they were forced
into this business being called out
as Militia  Capt Foley of a passel
of bushwhackers & desperadoes who have
been troubling us for some time past
was badly wounded
We have found some Richmond
papers of as late a date as Apr 18 if I
can get one I will send it to you
I feel very well and I guess after
I eat a portion of the Roast Pig
which Thad is about to place
on the table I could march about
ten miles further this afternoon
We are now occupying a small
house which was not burned.
I was the first boy to enter the Town
and entered the first house
We have a good stove in our house
which reminds me of the old stove at
at home being or the same pattern
The Town presents a truly desolated appearance
Several [hole in paper] brick residences have been
lost and the court House a fine brick
building destroyed some stores & the
goods in them were burned
Many of the citizens left in great haste
at one house they had packed their piano and
carried it out on to the porch but were obliged
to flee.  I could pick up a very good Library
about here now.  Dinner is ready and I must
close for the present. We will probably remain here a few days
Yours J. D. Templeton

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23d Ohio


FFV:  although the letters usually stand for “First Families of Virginia” Union soldiers frequently changed it to the  derogatory “Fleet Footed Virginians.”


MSS 10317

\

Camp Anderson Guineas Station
Va May 2nd 1862
Brigadier General Anderson:
Army of the Rappahannock
I, Thomas M. Martin, a Private belong=
ing to the Letcher Artillery Captain Green
lee Davidson in Command, humbly re
quest a Court Martial or investigation
into an assault with a deadly
weapon inflicted upon me by
the said Captain Davidson on
the evening of the 1st day of May
1862-
The following witnesses you
will please have summoned
before you,
Sergeant Worsham
Corporal Shaefer
” Staunton
” Camps
Privates P. Courtney, J J Ryan
John Morrissey, J. Murphy
A. Faust, J. Ford, B. F. Delancy

[page 2]
J. Donohue, J A Johnson
M. Kevans, J. Colman, M
Keegan
Respectfully
Thomas M Martin

[docketed on page 3:]
Respectfully forwarded
and recommended
By Order
Col D. H. Hamilton
John C W L[?]
A.A.A.G

Hdqrs Army of the Rappa
-hannock
May 11 1862
Refered to Capt
Davidson, with a request
that he will report
the facts of the case

By command
Brigadier Anderson
R. B. Heath
A.A.G.

MSS 1707

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

Friday–A very unpleasant day–Still we all returned to the
Chapel to hear the speaking–Mr Armstead Mr Yonge Mr
Cameron–& Mr Fitzgerald were the Orators–all done well
& bouquets were showered upon them in profusion–Before
the services were thro the rain came down in torrents—We
had to come hoe thro’ it all–& I got my Mantle ruin
-ed–Mr Fitzgerald & Powell were here at night to
see Eliza & Mr Reasher took her to Senior speaking
Friday it has cleared off & the sun is out this morning–
Tom had a letter from Ellen — Dr Walker arrived last night to see Eliza
Bradley[?]

MSS 6960

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

Camp Near Yorktown Va
May 1st 1862

My Dear Creek

As I have a few hours to stay
in camp I will embrace the oppertunity [sic]
of letting you know that I am still alive
and well, as I have no doubt your are all
fancying us in a big fight every day, but
we have escaped thus far without getting into
one, we can see plenty of the yankees, from
our entrenchments, some of our men were
within a hundred yards of them one night
bud did not fire on them as they were strictly
forbidden to do so, we only wanted to try
and ascertain their numbers at that
point, which we succeeded in doing pretty
well. none of our Regt have been hurt
since we have been in the trenches, although
the enemy shell us every day more or less

[page 2]
but none of them have taken effect on us
having all passed over our heads, in fact if
we can only keep our men attentive to their
duty there is no danger as were well covered by
the trenches and we can see the flash of their
cannon some time before the shells reaches
us and all we have to do is to fall down till
they pass over us, we will have to stay
forty eight hours longer in the trenches
and than we will get a rest for awhile,
but our men are all better satisfied in the
trenches than in camp as we always know
better what is going on, whereas in camp we
are always uneasy, whenever we have guns
firing, as there is no telling whether the yanks
intend giving us battle here or not.
I do not think that it is the intention of
our Generals to attack them at this place
but if they attack us, they will find
plenty to do before they get clear of us
again, this army has whipped them

[page 3]
every time we have met them and we
are all very confident we can do it again,
our dependence being in the same kind
Providence who hath hitherto given us the
victory.
I recieved a letter from you today which was wrote
on the 8th of April enclosing one for Billy and Jim
it has been a long time on the way, but is
nevertheless welcome as it is very cheering at
any time to hear from home. write to me often
as there is great uncertainty of half of you
letters ever reaching me, I will try and write you
ev[e]ry day or two, till times get a little quieter
as I know you are all anxious to hear from us.
William is quite well, and getting along finely
tell Jink or Jim to write us often and keep
me posted, Give my Kindest Regards to
all the Family.  Kiss our little darling for
me and except for yourself the constant
pray[e]rs and affection of you devoted
 William

William Anderson of the Palmetto Sharpshooters was elected Major of the 4th South Carolina Infantry on April 16


MSS 10366