Camp near Charlestown Va
May 29th 1862
Dear Kate
I received your kind
letter some time ago I suppose
you think I have forgotten
you entirely as I have been
so long in answering your
letter.  Indeed we have hardly had
time to wash our clothes for the
past two months you seemed to
think when you wrote to me last that
the valley was almost gone but
thanks to almighty God we have
been able to drive them out thare
is some in Harpers ferry yet we
attacted them on the 23rd & have
been fighting less or more every
day since we have entirely routed
Banks army I think that we have
taken about 3 thousand Prisoners

[page 2]
all there Bagage & government
stores our Brigade was ordered to
Charlestown yesterday we left Win
chester early in the morning & marched
eighteen miles by the middle of the
day the enimy ware drawn up in
line of battle & opened fire on our
skirmishers we ran up four or five
pieces of artilery & fired on them
they fired five times & commenced
retreating throwing of thare blank
etts canteens & hafersacks we
run them for four or five
miles the boys say we run them
into thare den in the ferry we
captured fifteen prisoners thay
fired some large guns this mor-
ning we could see the smoke thay
seemed to be on the Virginia hights
& the hills of Boliver I expect
we will we will march on them
this evening as two more brigades
came down this morning

[page 3]
I never seen people so rejoiced
as we come in one end of Charles
town & the enimy going out of
the other the people Cherred us
& told us that thare doors ware
open & ready to recieve us
the ladies asked us why we did
hollow we told them it was again
st orders, thay said we were will
doo the hollowing & your all
will doo the fighting that citiz
ans kept asking whare was Jackson
we told them we left him in
Winchester we cheered Gen Win
der yesterday for the first
time the men do not like him
much because he is so strict
the merchants have a full
stock of good & sell them
cheep I think coffee is a 1/2[?] per
lb. sugar the same thare is
plenty of all kinds of goods
I must bring my letter to a

[page 4]
close as we have orders to moove
my health is not very good
at present but on account of
a verry bad cold I hope this
may find you enjoying the
blessings of health nothing
more but remaining your true &
untireing friend
W F B
P.S. you will please write
soon

William Francis Brand, 1840-1932,  of the Augusta Grays, Co. e of the 5th Virginia Regiment, to his future wife Amanda Catherine Armentrout.


MSS 11332

                                       Harpers Ferry Apr, 5th 61
                        My Dear Sister,
                                  I will occupy
what letter time I have in writing to you, but I have
very ^ ‘little’ time this evening, as It is nearly time for
dress parade, which takes place at six oclock.
I’ve thought about all of you dear ones at home, very
much to day.  I heard a very good sermon to day,
in this church. (Lutheran) I attended a Sunday
School in the Methodist Church this evening.
Sunday has been very little respected here to day,
but I had nothing to do except to drill, as I’ve
been off duty for the last two or three days.
Marcelus Beadles was put on guard this morning.
& will not get off until tomorrow morning, he
seemed to dislike going on guard very much, as
he wanted to remain to preaching.
I went to see Uncle Phil As[h]by this evening, he
expects to see go to Culpepper as soon as cousine Will
Ashby gets back, cousine Will will be back in a
day or two.  I went up to see Wm. Russel  to day
I think he wants to get home right bad, he got a
letter from home to day, I got a letter from Miss.
I believe I gave Pa all of the news this morning
& it is now most time for parade so I must
stop, but hope I will have time to add a little
more.  Best love to all from yr devoted & most
                                       Aff. Bro. P. E. Jones

[page 2]
                                            Sunday night
              My Dear Sister,
                                       I now have time to add a little
more to my letter, I hope by writing a little at a
time I will be able to finish a long letter to you.
There is now great excitement in the camp, on
account of a rumo^’u’r  they’ve just heard about having
to go to Gordonsville.  They heard in some way or other
that Letcher has ordered us to Gordonsville, some of the
men believe the report to be true, but I don’t intend
to believe any such thing, without good authority.
I do not see why they would want us at Gordonsville,
unless to send us from there, to some other point.
I’ve Just be come perfectly reconciled, to a soldier’s
life, & expect to have to lead ^‘it’ a long time yet, I
never thought I could get used this sort of life,
but I believe now that if I lead this life, much
longer, I will become really fond of it, in fact
I’m becoming fond of it already.  A camp is
certainly the most corrupt & demoralizing place
in world, I reckon.  I’ve seen things since I left
home, that surprised me very much______________
You asked me if I had used the ginger you gave
me.  well I took one dose on the way here, out of the
bottle, without any sugar & it was the hottest dose
that I ever took in my life,  I spilled the balance
in my pocket.  I’ve been threatened with colic only once
since I left, but was relieved directly, by taking a
little small dram.  I will not keep anything back
from you all at home, that & two other times when I
was complaining, I’ve taken drams, I would not have
taken it then, but I could not get anything else.
I know you will all say at home, that I took three

[page 3]
too many drams, but I think I am very excusable.
I hope you will think so too.  The temptations are
very great here to a young man, situated as myself,
but I will try to be on my guard against them.
I do n’t think Joe has any idea of going home,
but I believe he could get off very eas^‘il’y if he tries.
It is getting late, so I must bring my letter to a
close.  I hope you do not show my letters to any one
but home folks, as they are written so badly & know
I make a great many mistakes, as I have to write
in such a hurry, & do n’t have time to look over it
after it is written, so you must excuse all imper=
fections.  I will be very glad to meet with Mr. Thomp^’son’
& Chiles, don’t reckon Mr. Bickers will be very
anxious to get back again.  My best love to all
of the Ladies & inquiring friends, all at Aunt Cynthia,
& at home, with a portion for yr self.  I am very well
                             Write as often as you can.
                                                             Yr most Aff
P. S.                             Monday                 Bro. Edloe
         It is a dreadful bad day, is pouring down raining.
I intend sending this letter through mail and if you
get it safely, you must write every day, or make
some of the others write.  I reckon you will get this.
some of our men have been getting letters regularly through
the mail, but I’ve put several in the office to some
of you at home, which I do n’t think you ve’ ever
gotten.  Direct yr letters Via Winchester.
I have not eaten all ^‘of’ my cakes yet, I enjoy them
very much, I’m very much pleased with my
striped shirts.  We are all well here.  write often to
                                                Yr devoted Br. Edloe.
Miss Helen M. Jones                              Louisa Blues  

[additional postscript to the letter of “Robert” of the 14th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery begun on May 26]

Wednesday Morn 28th

Dont forget to use what money you may receive
from me.  Please use it for yourself and children
and you will very much oblige me,

All quiet on the Potomac, No excitement here,
(although you have plenty of it at  home)
Washington still looking as fair, and as
safe as ever,  Must close now for the
mail starts in fifteen minutes
Yours in love
Robert

MSS 1242

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

Wednesday
May 28
Did not feel very well this
forenoon.  Read some, at three
o’clock took McIntires place on picket
(as he was sick) down by the gate a very
pleasant place and comfortable places

MSS 11293

Camp Near Richmond
May 28th 1862

My Dear Creek

We are now within two
miles of Richmond, on the Mechanics-
ville Turnpike Road, we came here yesterday
and joined Longstreets Division again at
this place we have been on picket duty
since I last wrote you, down on James
River where we had a very pleasant time
of it. we had as many fish as we could
eat, so you may know I enjoyed it very
much. the enemys Gunboats came up
within two miles of us once during the
time and threw a few shells into the
works but none of them came within
a mile of our position, we all wished
them to come up to us, but they did not
chose to do so, they will find the army
of the Potomac, not to be frightened at

[page 2]
the bursting of a few shells among
them, and I dont think they would
give way much for all the Gunboats in
Lincolns fleet, we have fallen back
now, as far as we are going to, right here
the battle will be fought, if McClellan
does not manage to give us the slip before
our Generals find it out, he has got him-
-self into a pretty considerable fix by
following us up so far and leaving his
right flank so much exposed, the glorious
victory gained by Genl Jacksons troops
in the neighbourhood of Winchester the other
day will no doubt open his eyes to his condition
as it now leaves Jackson at liberty to ad-
vance on McLellan’s right wing
in the neighbourhood of Fredrisburg[sic] and
cut off McDowells column also, which
there is no doubt of his doing should he att
=empt it, and he is just the man to
attempt all that man dare do, and he has
troops enough with him to accomplish either

[page 3]
of these ends, and there is little doubt but
he will do it, provided McLellen does not get
back to Washington again before him.
There has been some heavy skirmishing going
on along the line for several days our troops
have stood their own in every encounter and
yesterday we took over 5- prisoners, our Regt.
is not in the front lines this time they seem
to think that Longstreets division has had enough
of hard work and we are to be kept in reserve
this time so you see we will be sent to support
any part of the lines where they may need
strengthening during the Battle every thing
is quiet here today I have not heard a single
gun fired today nobody knows how long
it will be till the great fight comes off but all
are looking for it constantly, and we feel perfectly
satisfied that we will gain a great victory, and
bring this war to a speedy close, and return
to our homes and those we love.
I have just received two letters from you and
one from Jinx, I am sorry to hear of Ma being

[page 4]
sick, I hope she is well by this. I dont know
what you would all do should any thing happen
to her.  you say you have not heard from me
in a week. I write sometimes every day just
now, as I know you are all anxious at home.
I will continue to do so till this crisis is
over.  I will writ[e] the boys in a day or two:
tell Wade[?] I hooked some fine fish in James River
the other [day] Wouldent he like to come out and
take a fish in it
You must not pay any attention to such
letters as that Willie McFall wrote home, they are
only calculated to anoy you, and are just
idle tales gotten up by some of the men
to frighten those who have not got any
more pluck than their own share, there was
no such idea ever entered our heads as the
enemy getting between us and Richmond
Give my Kindest Regards to all. Kiss
our little darling for me, and tell her
to be a good Baby.
Good Night Dear Creek.  May Heaven bless
and protect you, and write us again
soon.l  Your affect. Husband
William

William Anderson,  Palmetto Sharpshooters, elected Major of the 4th South Carolina April 16, 1862


MSS 10366

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

Tuesday, May 27th
I was awakened this morning by heavy footsteps.  Immediately thought it was Fez and was not mistaken.  Now I am indeed happy, free from thralldom and both of my brothers with me.

MSS 9759

[From the diary of William Cox Holmes, University of Virginia alumnus in the 1st Mississippi Battalion. Diary was written in soft pencil and has been smeared to the point of illegibility at many places.  Many of the words are best guesses based on context and a few discernible letters.]

Thursday Evening 5 1/2 O Clock May 28th
It is a most beautiful evening
& every thing seems so lovely
The birds are singing as usual &c
All day there has been heavy skir-
-mishing on both sides.  We the reserves
of the Army were ordered out about
eleven oclock. We came out to
in one mile of the breast works
where our battery immediately
commenced about 12 the men
heard cannonading on our
right & was answered on the
extreme left continued for three
quarters of an hour. I was not
much, or in fact, not at all con
cerned at this the first battle
I ever had been in hearing
of–the firing continued
from about 12 P.M. & was
kept up [?] [?]
for some time [?] [?]
then heard in a perfect roar for now
[?] [?] was more exciting to
us as came in our sphere
of action, but I quietly read
my paper.  The firing again
commenced about 5 PM which
was followed by musketry, this
induced me to come out to my
present position for meditation
on the sad sight which moved
writing these thoughts.  Now
at intervals of a half min
-ute can be heard but a short
distance off  one mile at the
most the heavy firing of the
cannon & the bursting of the
shells  now the muskets hot [?]
the cannon continues to fire
“another poor fellow  got a [?]
is heard a voice–voice heard was
that me!!–silence for a
moment-a few pops of the

muskets.  Few loud reports & now
the muskets–What thoughts might
crowd on my mind were it
not so inured to such scenes
by long experience in the
camp.  With what little concern
do I hear the reports, knowing
that destruction to life follows
each.  My only concern is to
know what is to be done
Whether we will [?] Corinth
How fast do we hear them now.
Oh what a beautiful evening &
what sounds in the distance [?]
I feel no unordinary feelings at
all & I do suppose it is the
best after all–as nothing
[?] [?] the soul to take
delight in this inhuman
carnage [?] [?] [?] [?]
with no feelings of [?] but
on the contrary with horror

but I dont care one [?] I know
it is  necessity to which we
as Southern people are driven
but it is for the best for when
we get our liberty it will be
more dearly bought [?] so we
will appreciate it more. Nothing
[?] what [?]  [?]  nature dic
-tated & we should bear it with
patience & if I come out safe
in the contest I will prize it
the more & be the more happy
my only concern now is about the
end of the affair. I would like to
be home preparing for further
usefulness, but life is a grand
experiment & I had as soon have a
little of this as not.  It is the
sense of the strongest duty  I have
ever to perform & endure with all
the cheerfulness that I ever did
in my life.  My country is

my all & I know that I was con-
tending for its rights & for the
glorious possibilities of which
[?] what was about
to be overturned by its own mad-
ness & degeneracy, hence a
renewal  of the same principals
by bloody strife is necessary & should
I be killed in the contest, & on the
morrow in all possibility for from
the prospects there will be a
most obstinate contest I am perfectly
willing to die for as I have
tried to live to be prepared to
die any moment, Knowing
that the time must come & if
in defense of my country
 it will all be well, so the thought
of it does not at all frighten me
—–The firing has [?] commen
ced again &  rages  above the [?]

“Evacuation of Corinth Mississippi May 29th 1862” 
written across the top of the page at a later date

the roar of the musketry is heard
Both is now heard–silence–& so
it is in a battle.  The  [?] [?] came
in with some [?] his [?] &
some which we had taken from a
[?] from which the enemy is
[?] but the report is not good
on our side. In one place we
are driven to our breast works
all [?] & none to believe[?]
The sun is getting low & the fight
fast progresses, the cannons thun-
der & the muskets roar, every thing
is perfectly quiet. the soldiers in
the best of spirits lying about on
the ground & waiting for their
turn poor fellows it is the best
for them that they dont feel what
is going on. I would not be

without the feeling of resignabil
ity–for any thing  in [?] is
the only consolation

Holmes stops writing abruptly here and does not resume until the 25th of July

William Cox Holmes, 1840-1924, 2nd Lieut., Co. B, 1st Mississippi Battalion of Sharpshooters
MSS 38-472

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

Wednesday 28  I slept but little last
night–rose at 4 and went with
Mary & her little ones to the Depot
where her father Mother, brothers
& sisters were to join her–a formi-
dable party, with enough baggage
to serve a regiment.  They all got
off safely.  When I got home I was
thoroughly exhausted and had to lie
down and take a short nap.   I can-
not take exercise before breakfast
with impunity–Felt much exhaus-
ted all day–very interesting let
ter last evening from Eugene.  He had
recovered his baggage & recd the sword
and things sent him by Wm.  We
hear of skirmishing near Richd
Why the great battle does not
come off cannot divine.  Called on
old Mrs Slaughter relict of Lane[?] Slaugh
ter of Westernview–It is perhaps
25 yrs since I saw her–of course time
has done its work.  She was glad to see
me.  I ever recd great hospitality at
her house

MSS 4763 

[from the diary of Jonathan Hager of the 14th U.S. Regulars, as copied and annotated at a later date]
At dawn to day we received orders to
march but we knew not exactly whither.
We took an early start and after going a
couple of miles halted in the woods in line
of battle  where we laid until 9 o’clock.  Our
direction was north bearing towards Hanover
Court House, and as we learned later in the
day, we were to support Porter who was
destroying the Virginia Central Rail Road &
the bridge of that road across the Pamunkey.
We went about nine miles & bivouacked near
the scene of the battle which Gen Porter had
had with the rebels that day.  He had
defeated them. As a portion of the results
of that defeat, we met upon the road as
we were going up, a large number of
prisoners he had taken conveyed down.
Our help was not needed though we fully
expected to have a battle next morning
& I had brought myself, by a struggle of two days
to the proper nerve.  I must confess that after
my herculean efforts to bring about such
a condition I was a little disappointed
at not having it.  I could have gone into
it coolly and calmly relying upon the
Divine Help to take me through.  My courage
was not my own.  It was the Courage Heaven
had given me & which I had asked for
repeatedly–It was a blessed gift & under
the circumstances a gift of inestimable value.
Being also an answer to my petition made
me strong as a lion and as brave.  I have
never failed to look for help from on high
during the Campaign from this time hence,
and never failed to obtain that help
when I sought it with faith & fervor.

MSS 9044 

[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’
                   Tuesday – May 28th 1862
     Breakfasted at six with Mr H – sent Mullie
his tea & toast in his bed – Went over to the
office & spent the morn’g there paying officers
After dinner went to head qr’s & learned
that the Genl moves in the morn’g to Mr
Garnetts on the Meadowbridge road 2 m
further to our left – Rode out there to get
quarters for our pay department – Met
old Mr Dill & his lovely daughter – the
old man was very Kind in assisting me
to get quarters – tho’ he could not accomo’d
us himself – he is deaf & the young lady
acted as interpreter for me – on his farm
is an Elegant spring – which he Envited
me to visit often when we come in the
neighborhood – Miss Dill is a lovely woman &
more attractive than the spring – Returned &
came in to town by dusk – Mullie is
worse this Evening – Capt H. ditto – Dick also
sick – Went down town tonight that

[The following lines are cross-written over the above page.]
McDowell had overtaken & whipped
Anderson & had possession of Ashland
Nous verrons [We shall see]   A general battle
is looked for tomorrow – tho’ I cannot
see the grounds for this belief
         Retire at 11 o’c –

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154