[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh, a private in Cutshaw’s Battery]
Tuesday 10
Went down in Browns
Gap. rest of the
Army went back
towards P. Republic
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards
MSS 4448
[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]
I ride over to Gen McCall’s (Mr
Phillips) for Charles to seed redress for
Mrs Taylor whose House was broken open by
marauders & robbed. Terrible times!
The negroes all demoralised. When
they stay at Home as a general thing they
do no work, or very little. They all
seem to think their deliverers have come.
It will be sad to part with our
faithful ones–but so it may be.
At night we read Irving’s Washington
and take encouragement from the
patience & perseverance of our Fathers.
Little Mary had a nice fire in the
Library against my return from a ride
in the rain. It was so cozy.
Old gentleman very much excited
Says “dont be nervous–See
how calm I am” his look & manner
utterly denying his words. He
brought the girls a young bird he
had caught. They would not
pain him by refusal–but quickly
sent William the back way to restore
it to its mother. Luc quoted some
beautiful lines from the Prisoner of Chillon
about a bird and its Captivity.
In my ride I met a troop of Horse
and Major Lacy a prisoner. He had
imprudently come to the neighbourhood
to see his family. Our acquaintance
Dr Gailland–a very clever man–lost
an arm at the Battle of the 31st and 1st
Surgeons not always safe!
MSS 2563-b
[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]
Tuesday – June 10th 1862
Spent this day in the office – Went
to town in the Evening & took supper
with Mr Harvey, after which I dressed
& called at Mr. Dunlops to see Brother
& Mr Dunlops family – who are quite
an agriable & intelligent family – Mrs D
is particularly so – Mr D lives in one
of the finest residences in the city a
lovely place – he has been very kind, &
particularly attentive to Brother – he has
made him stay there, sending round to Mr
Harveys for his baggage – I could not get
away & had to spend the night with Bro –
We talked until one o’clock – Met Harry
Brigham today – he’s in the 3d La Battalion – Rec’d
a letter from Mrs Roy & one from Each of the young
Ladies – highly interesting all of them
Brother would by George William Logan, Jr.
Harry Brigham: Henry L. Brigham
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards, family notes by Sally Rice Forsyth Donnelly]
MSS 6154
By Telegraph from Washington June 9th 1862
Mercer Co. Camp near the cross rodes June th 9th 1862
Dear Pa
I take the present oportunity of writing
you a few lines to let you know that Cummngs &
myself are well hopeing these few lines will find you
all in good health I havent had a letter home in a good
while I want you to write and write the last news you
got from Rieves their was a dispatch come to martial
that Jackson had another fite whiped them and took
800 prisners at strawsburg. Jackson has been giveing them
what want I think if he keeps on he will make them willing
to let him alone. I think a great deal about Rieves
he is a long ways from home he has went throug a great
many heard ships any person that never has tryed soldiering
cannot form much idea of what a soldier has to stand
while a person keeps his health he will do very well, we havent
very much to eat we have meat Bread & sometimes peas or rice
they say that we will not get any more shugar. I think
if we keep on in sucksess we can make out until we
drive the enemy from our soil and make them willing to let us
alone their is some talk that the yankees are comeing throu
gh the Pound gap if that is so we will come back to
Russell I hear a good many of the boys wishing that the yankees
in through the pound gap, they all are willing and ready
to start to russell at any time we had orders the night before
las to be ready to march by daylight in the direction of Jeffer
sonville they was all well pleased we cooked our rashion for
the next day the order was counter manded we did not get
to go Thompsons Battalion went in our stead our officers
[page 2]
was very mad at martial for changeing the order their isent
very much sickness in our company now the weather has
been toleable cool hear for too or three days their was a
little hail fell hear this morningl every thang thing hear is
later than it is in Russ I was on the top of a high mountain
yestarday I could see lonways aroun it was a very beautiful pleas-
ant plase I would like to be on some plase where I could see
our flat woods I would like to see our wheat and corn I recon
James & Axley think have a heard time of it. Charles M Brown
ing is well his mouth is very sore. I would like help save
our grain but their is not much chanse to get off tell them
all howdy for me write soon excuse bad writin and
spelling no more at present. but remain your Afection
ate son Charles H Gilmer
Cummings Gilmer Esqr
Mary A Gilmer
Charles H. Gilmer 29th Virginia
MSS 5194
The Commonwealth of Virginia
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Wheeling, Va. June 9—-186 2
John Janny Esq
Loudon Co, Va.
Sir
My ardent de
sire is to restore peace and order in
Loudon and the adjoining County
I learn that the Secessionists are
protected in their rights in you
county in the absence of the rebel
army–That as soon as the rebel soldiers
return to the county which is occasionally
all the Union men who are non combatants
have to leave–I desire you to say to your
friends (Non combattants) that I desire peace
there I intend to protect the union men in
that county–and if there are any more
[page 2]
Union men or their property disturbed
in Louden, that I shall have a large
part of the Men-representing the
secessionists in your county arrested
and sent out of the state until
the war is over.
I know that the Se
cessionists in the county can control
this matter–All I desire is that
security may alike be guarantied
to all the people
I am yours &c
F. H. Peirpoint
Francis H. Peirpoint, 1814-1899, governor of the Union-controlled parts of Virginia.
John Janney, 1798-1872, noted Whig politician and unionist, served as president of the Virginia Secessionist Convention, voting twice against leaving the Union.
MSS 8409
Opposite Memphis
June 9, 1862
My dear Ma
It has been very difficult for me to
write a private letter since I came on this River.
But I tried to write this morning that you
might have a daily letter from me while I am
confined to the cabin. I got Charley to write
hurriedly however, and now commence in
the evening, at an hour when my time is
not so completely engrossed by the cares of the
fleet. First, as to my wound. So far, it
shows no unfavorable symptoms, but leaves me,
generally, very comfortable. today there is more
sensibility in my foot and a material increase in
the power to move my leg, which has been very
numb and paralyzed. Dr. Roberts says that the period
has passed when the danger of inflamation[sic] of the knee
joint is probable, unless it should be produced by
premature movement. My general health continues
to be surprisingly good. The weather is very
pleasant and my position on the Switzerland is
[page 2]
very comfortable. It is depressing, however, to be bed-
ridden just at this moment when there is so much
work to be done. But Alfred must try his hand
at it to-morrow. He and Eddie and Charles
are all well.
I telegraphed to Elvira the day I was wounded
to join me because I knew she would come,
and it was impossible to forsee the result of a
wound so near the knee. The ball has not been
extracted, and I suppose will never be found.
It is impossible to determine its course. I shall
send Charles up to Cairo to-morrow to receive
his Mother and bring her down to Memphis.
Alfred has written to Sarah to join us here–as
much to nurse Ellie as to comfort me. I
greatly fear the effect of this journey on Elvira.
It is entirely too much for her to undertake.
But I know she would undertake it, and
thought it was better that she should have the
satisfaction of knowing that I advised her to
come. but it is a great undertaking for
her. I do not know who her escort will be, and
fear the consequences of the excitement and fatigue.
I am glad to see that you still bear up so well.
[page 3]
amid all this increased anxiety. We received a letter
from you this morning dated the 4th, and I got
one at the same time from Mary and Nina of the 2d.
I have not written to Mary since the battle,
because Charles started the idea in my mind that
she might accompany her mother. The truth is,
that the cares of this fleet have absorbed so much of my
attention that it has been impossible for me to attend
in the least to my family or private affairs.
If Mary does not accompany her Mother you must
send my letters to you immediately to her. I will
try to close my letter in the morning before the mail
leaves–though it is very difficult to write at that hour-
This is the only leisure hour of the day.
letter of Charles Ellet, commander of the Queen of the West, wounded in the naval battle for Memphis will continue on the 10th. Alfred Ellet was a Lieutenant Colonel in his brother’s ram fleet.
Elvira and Sarah were their respective wives. Charley, Mary and Nina were Charles’s children.
MSS 276
June 9th/62
Camp Flat Top Mt–
Dear Father
Your letter of
May 30th was recd last
night.
I went this morning
and consult with
Col Hayes what course
to take in regard to
that affair in Pa-
(Col Hayes is said to be
on of the best Lawyers
of Ohio)
He says you do not
need a power of Attorney
to do the business for
me unless you are
receipting for monies
and I suppose in that
case you w there will
be no money to receipt.
[page 2]
for at least for some
time to come
He says you can use
my name in presenting
the claim and follow
up the sureties not
assignees thus secureing
the claim in full
I was inclined to think
there was no sureties
He says there must
be unless the will
specially does not require
them
Perhaps you had better
go in and see t it
or ascertain the amount
of money he held and
present the claim
How would it do to
have Math Templeton
see to it?
ascertaining if you can
[page 3]
attend to it in this
way if you can
I wish you would
see to it immediately
Should it become
realy necessary for
you to have a
power of atorney from
me I believe I can
draw one up andsent it can be
acknowledged here
before the Provost Marshall
he being a rank[?] of
both Civil & Military
Officer. Let me know
immediately what you can
do
I received the Letter &
cake of sugar from Mcconnel
two days since tell Mary Ann
it was very nice and a
great luxury to us. you
[page 4]
need have had no
fears about sending the
watch with McConnel he
is perfectly trustworthy and
never drinks any
That was one of Halls
duties I guess because
Co G would not trust
him and sent their
money with McConnel
Have you received the
money I sent you yet
I sent it with Alx Long
he will leave it at the
bank he has a letter from
me. We are still living
in our bark huts Cant
tell how long we will
remain here
Write to me very
soon
Unsigned letter of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio, mentioning legal advice received from future president Rutherford B. Hayes, the Colonel of the Regiment
MSS 10317
Richmond June 9th 1862
My Dear Fath Phill & Sister
you must pardon my long delay
in writing but really since I received
your letter I have been going about so
much & had so much to do that
I could not write home half of my
time & very short letters even then
and now I am on duty and just
take this little time in Uncle
Sylvanus’ office to write to you
all I am now Sergt. Major of
Major Boggs’ Battalion & am
pretty well satisfied but it was
a great disappointment to me not
to get my Lieutenancy. Jennie
says she would like to hear from
you Sister whether you got you
dresses &c &c Phill Alex wants
to know whether you got the check
for the payment of the horse he
got from you Uncle Sylvanus
speaks of going up to our house
before very long and I am very
[page 2]
glad of it for I expect Pa is right
lonesome up there now. Uncle
John was here the other day he
is looking very well and is a private
in a guerrilla company now you
know he was a Colonel but when his
wife was so sick he went home.
I want to see you all dreadfully
more than any others in the world
I must now say good bye Give
my best love to all and believe
me as ever your affectionate
brother
[to Phillip Barraud Cabell and Julia Calvert Bolling Cabell]
Richd M. Bolling
MSS 38-111
[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]
9th Little Mary takes iron & Quinine
being rather delicate. the pony rides
do her a deal of good. Mother & I
take tea at Sister Ann’s. She is
rather poorly. Betty very cheerful &
very pleasant. Sister Mary quite smart.
Nannie Corbin is projecting a trip to
Richmond–thinks she can accomplish
it–very patriotic household.
Bro John walke[d] & we have a
chat on front Porch. Our servants
keep true so far. Mother sells
strawberries to the Yankees for
37 1/2 & 25 cts per quart. has made
$10 or more out of the patch.
Little Kitty a great salesman–but
an attack of measles has stopped her
for the present. am reading for
morning devotion Bishop [Thomas] Wilsons
Sacra Privata–a delightful Book
MSS 2563-b
