[letter of Robert, an unidentified soldier from Lynn, Massachusetts in the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery continues]

Wed June 11th
I felt so full last night after supper that
I could not write, so three or four of us took a
walk down most to Leesburg Turnpike,
a distance of four or five miles from her, We
got our supper settled nicely, but did’nt see any-
thing of interest, except one old rebel and his three daughters

[page 4]
Oh dear: We have just had another box come into
our mess from Lynn, belonging to Robert Parrott
of Gravesend. What shall we do, only think, three
boxes in one week, I think we all should have
liked it better if they had come about one
a week, but I guess we can master them, I think
you had better take u with Father’s invitation, and
go up there and stay a spell, also with Mr Winch-
esters, it will do you good to go around and enjoy
yourself, this summer, take my advice, and go.
I am glad that you got your money. After so
long a time, and that you are going to Boston
to buy Ernie and Sissy and yourself what
you want as far as the money goes, You need not
send me any of the money back. When I want
some I will let you know, and if I do want any
I can borrow fifty dollars if I should try I’ve
got plenty of friends here I can tell you, If you
have not sent those pens, you need not, as we have plenty
of them now.  The Sargeant, Earp is now calling over
the letters, there: he calls my name, and it proves
to be, two papers from you, the Reporter & American  Un
ion, I am very much obliged to you Dear Wife, for
                                                                         them

[page 4]
The Band has just come from Fort Richardson,
and they are now in front of the Major’s quarters.
I suppose we shall be regaled with some
fine music this evening.  We do’nt have
so much music now as we did when Col
Greene had his quarters here, he is now
at Fort Richardson, about half a mile from
here, and so the Band stays there, they go
wherever the Col. goes if its to ___, Mass.
The Band is playing splendidly now.
I wish you were here to hear it, but what’s the
use of wishing. You must wait untill we
come home, and then you’ll hear some
music that I warrant will please us both,
I guess we shall came home after the
taking of Richmond,
Please let Ernie write to me again when
you feel like it, and please write often
yourself, Kiss the darlings for me and
imagine one for yourself, Give my
respects to all friends, receive my
love and blessing, and believe me
ever yours truly, in love
                                       Robert

MSS 1242

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

June 11  Mem. form my notebook, “Pleasant day. News
from Memphis glorious. Wish we had Richmond,
then the Campaign would be over and we could
see our wives & families”  We didn’t get Richmond
howecer this summer & the Campaign didn’t end
so soon.

MSS 9044

Dear Major   —
     I sent your communication to
the General yesterday evening–he asks me
to tell you he thinks you had better
wait a little while before handing in
your application for leave & see what
action is taken upon Mr Cosbys [?] case–
it is not likely that General Lee will
make any changes–of course you are
well[?] assured[?] that Gen Johnston will
give you any assistance in his power
he feels very weak this morning.
Very truly
L M Johnston

June 11th 1862–

Lydia McLane Johnston, 1822-1887, wife of wounded Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston to Major Alfred M. Barbour, 1829-1866, Quartermaster and aide to Johnston.

MSS 1174

Hd Qrs. 3rd Brig. Reserve Corps
Army of the Miss.
Tupelo, June 11th 1862

Dear Cousin Hetty [Cary],
You will doubtless
be surprised to hear of me again, but
my friend Wright Schaumburg, of St.
Louis, the bearer of this, give[s] me an
opportunity of recalling myself to your
recollection, and at the same time
giving him Some most agreeable ac-
quaintances.  Will you be kind enough
to take charge of some notes he has
from me to some of my cousins in &
about Richmond, and if you have
forgotten who I am after this long time
dont let Capt. Schaumburg see it,
for that would mortify me excee-
dingly.

Sincerely Your friend
R. R. Hutchinson
P.S.
Our stationary is very limited in camp,
& so you must consider this a very
elegant epistle if you please.

Hettie Cary, her sister Jennie Cary and their cousin Constance Cary were famous Richmond belles known as the Cary Invincibles. They were noted for sewing the first Confederate battleflags  above which they presented to Confederate Generals Johnston, Beauregard and Van Dorn. See Jennie’s letter of October 31, 1861.
MSS 1174

               Union Hall June 10th 1862
Dear William
                 Mr. Puryear has just rcd.
a letter informing him his son was
wounded on Sunday morning in the
Battle of the Chickahominy–he is very
anxtious to have him brought up
when you come & has requested Mr
Tabscott to call on you & inform you
where his son may be found &
Mr. Tabscott will see him on the
Packet. I wrote to you on yesterday
it is now raining very hard
after a beautiful day on
yesterday with a good pro-
spect for a spell of fine weather
Hughes is engaged in his corn
at parsonage field, a good
deal of your low ground will
have to be planted over, which
he cannot do for several days.

I will see after your business.–
I Have suspended the prizing
Tobacco & Halling manure
untill [?] is in safe
condition–having but little
good weather to work out
Joseph continues to improve
the wounded continue to come
in Mr Woody arrived this mor-
ning minus a finger. & many
other casuallities among the
Nelson soldiers.  Hope to hear
from you by next mail
                       Yours Truly affect.
                            Mayo Cabell

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

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

Wednesday 11–This is a bright, cool clear day — Rather too cool for the season.
I have received this morning a long affectionate letter from Liz–She did not
tarry in Raleigh & is now safely at her mothers–Mr Gorrell left this morning
& the young ladies seem lost without him. He is very lively
& full of fun–& has spent the most of his time here in the parlour.
No war news of any importance–Except of another Victory gained over
Shields & Fremont by StoneWall Jackson–He & Morgan seem to be
performing wonders–Mrs George Johnston’s husband was not killed in
the battle of Williamsburg–but taken prisoner by the Yankees–
Colonel Lane’s Regiment fought valiantly–But being surrounded
by double their numbers–& not receiving aid they had to retreat–
Eliza received by mail a letter from Mr M[ason]–He had returned to Camp

Liz: her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Branch Hill, daughter of U.S. Senator and North Carolina Governor John Branch,  1782-1863.
Mason:  Captain James M. Mason, her daughter Eliza’s fiancee

MSS 6960

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

No news of any importance today except that the army from Winchester is moving
down to Front Royal on dit to pillage and subsist on the country.  Had a delightful
prayer meeting this evening.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndoon]

11th  Little Mary & I took a tramp
into Stafford 10 miles.  We passed
the deserted Camps of a large Army–the
surrounding Country bearing marks of
ravage & destruction.  Luc spends
morning with Nannie Gordon who is very
delicate.  Mother at her needle &
governing household.  At night we
talk on front porch.  Bro John down as
usual; Charles & Lucy also for a short
time.  Luc has a game of chess
with Mr Hart every day.  We try to
keep our spirits up –but a dark future
of suffering and loss is impending.

MSS 2563-b