[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

                                21st
Mol & I take a ride and I
get a tumble from my horse
which frightend her much.  she
is a Capital horsewoman or
she would have been unhorsed too
Mother actually works garden
with  her hoe herself early in the
morning.  The tomato plants want
work so much and she cannot
get William to do it.

MSS 2563-b

         Steam Ram Switzerland
                    June 21st 1862
My darling Nina,
                                   It goes
to my heart to grieve you
with the sorrowful news
which, this time I am obliged
to send you.  You are
very young to bear such
great distress, but a cruel
blow has fallen on us all,
and you must bear your
share of the burthen, my
darling–Our dear, dear
Father has been very ill,
ever since we came to him,
but we hoped almost against
hope for his recovery, until
yesterday, when the surgeon

[page 2]
told us, that we must
lose him.  Happily, my
darling, during these last
hours of his life, he suffered
no pain. Every comfort in
the world was provided
for him.  Mother and I sat
up with him all night; her
tender words soothing him
to the very last, when he
died with a sweet smile
on his lips, and able to
understand the love that
was with him.  Death seems
a very awful thing to you,
my darling, and sad it
is to those who are left
behind, but your dear
Father parted from this
life so tenderly and calmly,
that he seemed rather to
be going to rest, than passing
from one world to another.

[page 3]
His last breath was as free
from pain as that of an infant,
and his last look was a faint
smile of tender recognition
to mother. Grieve for us,
darling, but not for Father.
He has gone to a happier
world, where no pain or
sorrow can ever come to
torture him again.  He is
free and happy forever:
and even the form, which
we still have with us, wears
a look of inexpressible sweet-
ness and serenity.  He asked
several times, most lovingly,
after his dear little Nina
and Willie.
Mother is completely
broken down.  She acted
with the calmness of a martyr
from the moment she was
told that Father was sinking,

[page 4]
she was able to comfort him
to the last moment, by gentle
words and looks of love.  The
consciousness of this somewhat
softens the blow to her, but
her affliction is as profound
as her love was for Father.
She is now lying down and
hopes to be strong enough to
leave this place (Cairo) with
me to-morrow.  We intend to
carry our precious burthen
to Philadelphia, where we will
lay him peacefully to rest at
Laurel Hill.  We shall be
at home now before long,
but I cannot tell you the
exact date.  If Miss Brooke
will invite Willie to see you
on Saturday, I should be
much pleased–it would b
a comfort to you two little
ones to be together even for

[page 5]
a little while–But do no
go out to the country; it
would break Mother’s heart
if you were to get sick now.
You must keep well for her
sake–remember we are all
the consolation that she possesses
in the world, now. Brother
was not with dear Father.
He was obliged to stay down
the river with Uncle Alfred
and the Rams.  It will be
several days before he
receives the mournful tidings.
It is right that you
should
know, my darling, that
Father’s wound must have
been fatal from the very
first, though the extent of
the injury was not fully
appreciated by the surgeons
then.  We shall have a sad
household when we gt home,

[page 6]
but it will be pleasant for
those of us remaining, to be
quietly together once more.
Do not be unhappy, my darling:
we will hope all to join
dear Father, in his happy
home some of these days–
Besides it is our duty to
cheer and sustain our poor
Mother, whose loss is even
heavier than ours–Miss
Brooke will be kind to
you  I know for Mother’s sake.
   When you see Miss Blanche
Hunter giver her my love.
She will know of our cruel
loss as soon as you–Tell
her I could not write to
her. I received your two
nicely written notes, this
morning, a few hours too late.
I am glad you are such a
good girl, and are learning

[left side margin of page 6]
to write so well–Adieu my darling–with dearest
love to Willie when you see him–your devoted Sister

[top margin of page 1]
Write at once and direct to.
           208 South Eighth Street
                     Philadelphia

unsigned letter of Mary Ellet on the death of her father Charles Ellet, Jr., 1810-1862, commander of the Queen of the West, mortally wounded in the battle for Memphis

MSS 276

                       Richmond  June 21st 1862
My dear Aunt  I have just come into town
from Camp & learn that there is a chance to send a
letter over the lines.  I avail myself of it to write a line to
let you know that I am very well.  I am again in the
field, having been appointed some three weeks ago Qr.
Master of the 15th Va. Regt, of Tom Peyton is Lt. Col.  I took
charge of my new post about ten days ago, & have been
up to my eyes in business ever since.  I rank as Capt.
I wold much prefer being in  more active service, but
the exposure might bring back another attack on my
ears.  My hearing, I am happy to say, is at last nearly
as good as ever.  My regt. is encamped in the swamps
of the Chickahominy about half a mile from the Yankee
army.  Hardly a day passes that we do not have a skir=
=mish with the Yankee outposts.  they were so terribly whipped
in the battles of the 31st & 1st that they keep at a respectful distance
Genl. Stewart (old Jeb) performed a most brilliant feat last
week:  he actually went with 2000 men completely in
their rear, destroyed a $1,000,000 worth of property, captured
several hundred mules& prisoners & brought them all
safely into Richmond.  when or where the great battle is to
be fought is very uncertain–It must come soon–God in
his mercy grant us the victory.  We are all in the best possi=
=ble spirits–we are determined each man in his place to

[page 2]
do his duty.  My position will keep me out of immediate
action: but if I am able to do my whole duty I shall feel
that I have done good service to my country.  Look out
for another move on the part of old Stonewall–he is
wide  awake & ready to strike another blow at an early
day.  Dont be surprised to hear of most important and
decided movements in the West.  I am not at liberty
to speak definitely. I see the boys & girls occasionally:
they are all very well. I have just been enjoying your
long letters to them, having met Het on the street.  I am
going up to get those which she has for me.  All at the
Hill are very well.  I paid them a short visit three
weeks ago.  I am against indulging the hope of seeing
you all before cold weather comes, strange as that
may appear when McClellan is so near Richmond.
But I sincerely believe that he & his army will ere
many weeks be utterly routed.  Then nothing can
keep us from moving forward to dear ol [sic] Mary-
land.  My confidence in our leaders, my perfect
trust in God’s mercy & loving kindness make hope=
=ful. Oh! dear Aunt how I do long to see you–how
often  you are in my thoughts–Give a great deal of
love to dear Sally & all the others–Remember me
to all my friends–Let them know that I am in
perfect health & in first rate spirits–ready for another
fight with the Yankees, though probably I shall be seen
some day in full retreat with my wagon train.  I
must say Goodbye–Yours affectionately
                                                                 Willie

Wilson Cary Nicholas Carr, 1827-1880, later a Maryland lawyer


MSS 1415

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

                        June 21st

Early this morning the rebs were discovered
drawn up in line of battle, but for some
reason they retired.  During the afternoon they
attempted to drive in the pickets of
Gen Sickle’s brigade, but the Excelsior
boys could not see it in such a light, so
the John Henry’s gave it up as a decidedly a
bad job.  Early in the evening they made
another attack on our piquet line, and
were again repulsed.  A heavy musketry fire
was kept up all night long.
     Warm and pleasant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[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]

                        Saturday – June 21st 1862
     After Breakfast today rode out to the 11th Va
Regt to get my saddle & was informed that it
was at Col Funsten’s in town – Spent today in            
the office, Capt H still quite sick – after dinner
rode in town to get some medicines for the
Capt – got my saddle by sending John to the
fairgrounds to Camp Lee – it is a fine Mule
saddle – Called on & found Mr Coffin much
better – Mrs C has arrived  Bro G sits up
tonight with him.  found two letters at Mr Harveys
for me from – Fry & Joe – the former & Emmett S  
Ross have joined Fenners Artilery Co at Jackson        
Wrote a note to Mullie & sent it by Col Gary –          
Called at Mr Dunlops to see Bro but found
him on the street – Beauregard arrived in Rich-
-mond tonight – something is in the wind – Jackson
[The next three lines appear to be a code and the words are not discernible.

the siege of Richmond – Returned to Mrs T’s at dark –

Colonel David Funston
G.W. Fry, enlisted in Fenner’s Battery on May 16, 1862

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards; annotations by Robert K. Krick]


MSS 6154

                                         
[The following  one page letter  is very  faded with some words illegible].

                         21 June 1862
Dear Father
               We had by [?] Sunday
a terrible battle. I am
well. Our company had
one killed, 8 or 10 wounded.
Our escape was a mir-
acle. But for [–]
Forbish McGruber [?] we
had yesterday annihilated
a large portion of the
yankee army. I have
an unexpected oppor-
tuniy to write which
does not allow time to
write more – the carrier
I mean will not wait.
We occupied last night
in Battle field, and the enemy of
course disappeared during
the night. My fondest love
to all. Ever dearest
father yr. affectionate son
W. H. Perry            W. H. Perry Jr.
I merely write to tell you
our uneasiness. I do
wish you would not
be so about me [–]
before yesterday the Long-
street whipped the Yankees
badly; I mean a portion of
them. My very best love to
self and all. We, our army, are
within a few miles of James
river. The rain today is bad
on those who are moving. We,
I mean my company, is lying still
so far to day.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

William H. Perry, Jr., 1836-1915, of the Richmond Howitzers; after the war a Virginia lawyer


MSS 7786-d

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of Charles Hay, Co. H, 23rd Ohio]

   Camp Jones
                                       Flat Top Mountain, Va., June 21st, 1862.
     Three weeks ago, I mentioned in my
diary that I felt indisposed, &c.  The
culmination of that indisposition was in a
serious illness, an attack of Erysipelas, which
prostrated me, and brought me “nigh unto
death.”  I am slowly recovering, and am only
able to walk about a little , at present.
     Through the instrumentality of kind nurses,
and good medical aid, I am again on the
safe road to health, and enjoyment.
      During the interval that has elapsed since
the 1st of the month, there has little of any
consequence transpired.
     The 23rd Reg’t has again been supplied with
tents, better than the former ones.  Our camp
is now about a mile from the old camp,
from which we moved on the 15th.
     Four “companies of the 23rd (B, D, H, G,) are
stationed at Pack’s Ferry on New River, about
20 miles from here, as a guard.
     No movement of consequence has taken place
amongst any of Gen. Cox’s forces.

                                                                             
     Since we have been in Camp Jones, the
weather has been deliciously cool for
this season of the year, insomuch that,
at times, to an invalid like myself,
an overcoat does not feel or seem
superfluous or uncomfortable. The word cool
is too mild an adjective to apply to the
nights, for they are really cold.  A cool,
pleasant, and almost constant breeze from
the South fans our camp day after day.
     It would seem singular that anything
so conciliatory and agreeable to us should
emanate from the direction named, where
it is supposed that nothing but that which
is of a fiery nature generates or is cultivated.
Whether, indeed, the Southern Confederacy
properly belongs to the North Temperate
Zone is a question in my mind which
would be better be submitted to the decision
of Greely, Phillips, &c.  With due deference to
the opinions of those men, I express my
own in advance, although not intending
to form a public sentiment or prejudice;

(rather egotistical this latter, but I trust
that under the circumstances it is pardonable,
as I contend that one must be indulged
in a little playful pleasantry sometimes, for
“A little nonsense now and then,
Is relished by the best of men;”)
that, according to my notion of “the
eternal fitness of things,” the proper location
of the Southern Confederacy would be
in the Torrid Zone, somewhere near the
equator, and to be a dependent colony on
the coast of Africa, or, if the warmth is
too mild there, another place can be
found for it much hotter, whose proprietor,
unless I err greatly, has a heavy mortgage
on the rotten concern, which will be
foreclosed before long.  The imagination of
the least astute can conjecture what I
who I mean, without my saying so
in so many plain words.
     But I was speaking of our camp.
Without becoming enthusiastic, I can say
it is a splendid location, the only

                                                                             
drawback to a full enjoyment of camp
life, or a realization of its pleasures, being,
a scarcity of good water.  A draught of
that pure element whose name is
synonymous with the term health, is far
better than sparkling Champagne or
Catawba, or delusive Cogniac.
     From the ‘ridge’ upon which we are
camped, we can look away to the South
and view the most sp[l]endid scenery, of
hills and dales, of mountains and forests,
enough to enliven the heart of the most
sorrow-stricken and misanthropic, and
awaken in all a feeling of awe and
veneration of Him who “said, and it was
done.”  The disbeliever to view all these
wonderful works of Nature, and then not
acknowledge the Author, is indeed self-willed.
To the farthest extreme, a range of mountains
can be seen, almost cloud-capped, over which
is ever hovering a sky-blue haze, seemingly like an
eagle in his eyrie; a most picturesque & enchanting
                                                                     scene.

     The ‘lover of Nature’ could here feast him=
=self on its beauties, and find a prolific source
for reflection, and this would also be an almost
unexceptional place for one to rusticate during
the “heated term”, as we have evidence; from the
fact that “Army Correspondents” almost everywhere
complain of the intolerably warm weather,
and particularly those writing from the “Army
of the Potomac.”  Surely, many men will suffer
before Richmond is reached, from warm weather
and the still warmer unwelcomes of the enemy.
Much human misery has already been caused
by the series of battles beginning with the siege
of Yorktown, and much more will ensue from
the battle that inevitably will occur yet before
Richmond.
     If we but descend the mountain
from our present elevated position, a great
difference is felt in the temperature, enough
to sensibly affect one unused to the heat it this
summer.  The health of the troops is
generally good, no cases of an alarming or
dangerous nature in Hospital.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925
                                                                              

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]
Saturday, June 21, 1862

Practiced both
before and after
noon
Guard mounting &
parade after which
drill then in the
evening several
pieces
Caldwell came into
camp to day he has
been to his home
near  P[?]   town in
Monroe County his
case is certainly a hard
one  Cleaned out our
Tent some this morning
Changed my shirt
clear beautiful day

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Jonathan B. Hager of the 14th Regulars as recopied and annotated by him at a later date]

June 20  Heavy firing today. A shell from a rebel
             fell into a camp not far from us and
             killed a soldier of one of the Connecticut regiments
             We had a brigade drill today.  I acted as
             Lt. Col. and got several scoldings from Col. Buchanan
             our brigade commander, for not getting exactly
             twenty two paces– My Company went on fatigue
             duty tonight, but not being well I was excused.

MSS 9044