[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]

Wednesday, May 28, ’62

Read some in a
Waverly this morning
loitered about
wrote letters to
J. Craft & Abb Chiderton[?]
practiced a little this
afternoon
rained a little this
forenoon mostly
clear this afternoon
Camp full of rumors
as usual report
that Richmond is
evacuated
indeed that is
a characteristic of
camp life to hear
all sorts of exager-
ated stories
Time passing rapidly
MSS 10317

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

May 28th

The cannonading heard yesterday, was as
supposed.  Porter’s corps, who met, and after
a severe fight of eight hours, badly whipped
the rebs at Hanover Junction capturing 15.
pieces of Artillery.  A train of cars, and its
engine, a train of wagons loaded with supplies,
500 prisoners. and seized and effectualy
destroyed the rail road.  The balloons were
up to day.  Gen Banks has been defeated
and driven across the Potomac by the
rebel Gen Stonewall Jackson,  Pleasant
and very warm.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.c.]
Wednesday very pleasant today–No letters. Tom must be with
his regiment.  I am making another dress for Eliza–

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, former editor of the Staunton Spectator and a civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

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

Tuesday
May 27
A very wet night. Our blankets
blew off twice so that we got a
little wet, but we fixed them on again
Spread our blankets on some brush laid on
some rails, and got along very comfortable
except musquitoes Got a real good letter
from home today

MSS 11293

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

Tuesday Morn May 27th 1862
I have just read Gov Andrews’ proclamation to the
Militia of Mass.  I dont think that Washington
is in much danger.  I believe it is all right this
morning if I can see straight. We dont have any fears
for its safety.  if we did we should not be lying here
in inactivity  I can assure you.  I thought I’d write
these few lines and let you that there is more fears at home than
here.  We dont see any Rebels yet  7 1/2 o’clk a.m. Robert

[ an additional note written the night of the 27th]

Fort Albany, May 27th/62
8 o’clk  P.M.

Dear Wife
Enclosed I send you a
picture of a good looking young man who
is now boarding at a place called Fort Albany
I dont think it does him justice, in the way
of good looks, he had two taken, and this one
being the best, he thought he would send it
to you, If you are pleased with it, why
I shall be glad that I sent it, If you
do’nt like the looks of it, you can lay
it away with that one of yours, that
I carried to California, I think they
would be well mated, Don’t you!  Please
show it to Ernie, and tell me if he
knows who it is, and what he says about
it, I do’nt suppose Sissy will know
it, I suppose she has forgotten my looks
by this time hasn’nt she!  I dont want
you to forget how I look if the children
do, and I dont believe you will.  Good night
and pleasant dreams to you Dear Wife.
I have not shaved since I left home  Robert

MSS 1242

My Dear Richard
I have deferred writing to you ever since young
Pettie has been in the neighbourhood hoping to be able to see him
and to hear something from you more than I have been able to do.
Indeed I have not been able to get your letter.  It  had been sent
to Bentonsville, I suppose before our soldiers marched into Front
Royal.  I fear you have written for some clothing or something that
requires an answer, I am thinking every minute of my life, when not
asleep about you and dream three and four nights in succession
about you.  I am so uneasy for fear you are badly in want of clothing
I know your fare must be very bad; but my greatest trouble is I do
not know  how our army is to subsist much longer.  I am so much
afraid they can be neither fed not clothed. When the yankees
would laugh and tell how shabbily they were fed and clothed I
thought it was only Yankee stories! but indeed they did not represent it
as bad as it really is. While the Yankies would be marching
about town and galloping through the fields in every direction
I would often wish all of our boys could only be on the mountain
and look down upon them.  I could imagine how they would be amused
We saw but little of them at our house.  They were as much afraid
of the mountains around us as they could possibly be.  Walter called
to see us a short time Saturday evening.  We have not been able to

[page 2]
hear from him.  We feel very uneasy knowing he reached Winchester
in time for the fight.  I do hope N Pettie will not leave before he
can learn the particulars of things in the direction of Winchester and
Martinsburg.  What would I not give to know that the war would
soon close without the loss of another life on either side  I think
there are broken hearted mothers enough on both sides.  My heart aches
for the poor northern soldiers when any  one would come in and speak
of their sufferings.  I would have relieved them all if I could–One
poor fellow called  your brother and beg[g]ed him to shoot him: told  him
he would give him all his money if he would put him out of  his
misery.  I would be glad if the war would end without either of
my boys killing or being killed.  How did you feel when you saw
your companions shot down by your side particularly when you had
to retreat and leave the dead on the fields and the wounded prison-
ers.  If I had been a soldier I could not have fought any longer.
Por Willie I feel for him almost as if he was my own son and will be
almost as glad to see him return! which I hope will not be long.  I am
told the family bear their trouble much better than could be expected
I suppose they are pleased with the prospect of having him home with
them again even under the afflicting circumstances.  I wonder what
poor W will think when he gets home and finds Old Henry Jim
Adam and one other left with the northern army a few days since
Old H was brought back with the prisoners and was yesterday
with all the others carried to Winchester.  I suppose he went into the

[page 3]
army as minister.  He announced the fact a few days before!  that he
had been called to preach.  You may depend I was glad to learn he
had been called so far from home.  We can and will most cheerfully
dispense with his services, hoping he may prove a benefit to the north
He may perhaps prove a rival of Henry Ward Beachers.  My heart
aches when I think of the quantity of fruit we will have and you and
so many other dear friends and relations will be deprived of the enjoy-
ment of it.  I have never seen such a prospect as we have.  As I sit
at the window I can look out at your cherry tree and almost imagine
I can see the cherries ripe and you up in the tree enjoying them.
Your Pas little dwarf trees (some of them) are full.  If they are not
injured by drouth nor insect. I know no other enemy, they will have
to contend with. I know so little news to communicate. I have an idea of
going down this evening to see if I cannot get something of interest to com
municate to you.  Carrie was up this morning. he is very much grieved at the
loss of Old John.  He says he was carried off by some of our Soldiers.
Your Pa has given you an account of the good behaviour of the servants
I had ceased to feel any partiality for Moses owing to some circumstances
but his quiet orderly conduct during these exciting times makes me feel
more kindly towards him.  Only time my dear boy for a few more
words this morning before I will be compelled to send my letter off
I saw Mr Petty for a few minutes yesterday evening.  I was very much
gratified indeed.  Cousin Sampson P[?] and Doctor Rixy are
here on their way to Winchester.  Cousin P gives a most alarming

[page 4]
account of conduct of the Federal army in his neighbourhood.
He suffered very severely indeed  They carried a wagon to the cabin
door and took his servants of by the wagon load: placed a guard over
the family whilst the officers went through the  house and took all
of their silver and every thing portable.  Tried to take some things Sue
had but she would not yield to them. They then went to the stable
and took her horse and kept it for several weeks but she at length
went into camp and succeeded in getting it back. They treated Mr
Armstead in the same way whilst they were int he neighbourhood.
I met with Will Cloud yesterday on his way to his company
he has just left Ed who is quite sick in Rockingham.  Poor Char
lie Buck is still quite sick up the Valley somewhere.  Your
Uncle Newtons spirits are as bad as they can be.  I believe the
relations and friends are all well and in as good spirits as could
be expected. The soldiers all appear to be in the highest spirits
imaginable: they do not entertain the slightest idea of the probability of
our defeat. I wish I could feel so.  We are exceedingly anxious about
you this morning.  We learned yesterday evening that you were fighting
at Richmond Do my dear boy write and let us hear from you imme-
diately.  If you cannot write yourself get Mr Simpson or some other friend
to write for you My respects to him as well as every other member of
your company, not forgetting Mr Groves–I wish they all knew the
anxiety and interest I feel for every one of them. Every one sends
much love to you both home and abroad  Dickie is a great pet with
every one. may a kind and merciful God spare him to return speedi
ly to us in health and good spirits.  Pray to him continually my dear boy
to shield you in the time of battle, that you may be a comfort to us
in our declining years.  I pray for you almost every minute of my life
Mr Smedly sends much love to you and other friends.
Farewell your devoted Mother Jane L. Buck.

Letter to Richard Bayly Buck, of the Warren Rifles Co. B of the 17th Virginia

MSS 3064

Front Royal May. 27. 1862
My Precious Son–Dearer to me
far than my life–
After months of suspense and anx-
iety; we have learned from your let-
ter to W, and through the kind note
of Captain Simpson, that you are still
alive and well–(We did not
get a letter from you, but learn
there was one sent which we still
hope to receive–)

My Dear Son! How has it fared
with you and the other dear friends
with you in the awful act of the
great drama which has been performed
since that letter was received?
is the question I am constantly ask-
ing myself–I fear it will be a long
time before it will be answered–Let
me beg that you relieve our anxiety
and suspense as early as possible.
Since you heard from us last the
health of the family has been
very good; except my own which
has been worse perhaps than you
have known it—I suffer terribly
with Dyspepsia, my head & side being
the points of greatest pain–
We were greatly grieved at
the news of the casualties in your com-
pany at Williamsburg–Cousin Willies fam
ily bore it surprisingly–I have been
to see Peyton Scroggins’ Mother frequently

[page 2]
since the news was received–She is
still ignorant of her sons’ fate-
Gussie if still alive is at Col
Lances’–we have not heard a word
from her for months.  The only news
we have had from them since the
first occupation of Winchester was
that they had lost all their Negroes
and horses–We have as yet only
lost one servant- “Little George” and
I am well satisfied he would not
have left if he had not been persua
ded away by persons out side of
the army–My fear is Shields’ army
gave them any encouragement to go
indeed.
It was rumored for several
days that Amos Graves  had fallen at
Williams burg–We were greatly concerned
for him and I went over to prepare
his wife for a confirmation of
the report–Tell him his family is
well and doing fully as well as
a majority around them–better I think.
Your Ma promises to write to you
and give you the news of the neighbor
hood, and Mr Petty will of course
tell you of the stirring scenes which
have passed in this vicinity lately.
I greatly fear for you health du
ring the warm spring and summer
months in a climate new to you-
Observe these rules for its preservation.
Be moral, temperate, and as far as possible
cheerful & hopeful.

[page 3]
Keep clean, if your supply of
clothing will allow. Abstain from green
fruits; and don’t indulge too much
even in those that are ripe–Vegetables
are healthy for you as a corrective of
salt food; but there is great
danger of Diarrhea from too free
indulgence in some kinds–
I am in great trouble about your
clothing–but can give you no assistance
in that way–Indeed if the pre-
sent state of things lasts here, I do
not know how we are to have our
own clothing manufactured–In
that particular I must leave you
to your own resources–Save your means
for that purpose and watch your
opportunity to get what you need
Do you often think of us?
and of how dearly we all love
you? Scarcely an hour passes that
we do not speak of you-and you
and Walter are constantly in my thoughts
What would I not give if this
horrid and destructive war was over
and you could come home and
help me to provide for & take care of
the family!   Let me again say to you
as I have often done before–If an
enemy is in your power, sick wounded
or a prisoner–Treat him kindly–It
is cruel to do otherwise, and you
will suffer terrible remorse if you
do when the excitement of the war is over.
The children and servants send you

[page 4]
innumerable messages of love.  Marie
comes in last of all to tell you me
to say to you that you must come
home in time to eat cherries.
Jaque is a noble boy and is of
great service to me–The little chil-
dren are more interesting than ever, and
have grown a good deal–Ellis is
a fine industrious boy–and does my er-
rands–Mary & Eltie are little beauties
and as full of life as kittens–
When you write home; be sure to
tell us fully of your situation in
regard to clothing food &c.
Kind remembrances to every member
of your company–with thanks to Capt
S for his letter–Let us hear from
you early, if possible.  Mr Smedley
seems to love you and Walter almost
as well as if you were his own sons
If they knew I was writing they would send
messages–
God take care of you and
bless you  Truly Your Affectionate
Parent
M. B. Buck

Letter to Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, of the “Warren Rifles,”  Co. B of the 17th Virginia.


MSS 3064

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]

Tuesday, May 27, 1862

Went this morning
with Capt Canby
& Lieut Hood to the top
of the mountain had a
very fine view had
Major Comley’s Glass
rather too freely  could
see the course of the
New River by the [?]
Practiced both before
and afternoon
Hear that Corinth has
been taken with 200000
prisoners Camp full of
rumors concerning the
affair.  Wrote Letter to
Sarah Caldwell.
Took a Camp Kettle last
night from Comp G–rather
difficult enterprise
Clear beautiful day
Thoughts of this time a year ago haunt me.

MSS 10317