1862 July 31 near Warrenton, Va.

[from the diary of Ephraim Wood, Co. C, 13th Massachusetts]

      Thursday    July 31st/62

Clowdy
          Monthly inspection
came off this morning at Seven
O clock, after which I went with
a party of others down to the
Creek to bath.  The creek is a branch
of the Rappadan river, which helps
to form the Rappahannock.
The Water is over our heads, and
it is the best place we have
had for swimming, since leaving
the Potomac
We had no more then got into
the Water, when some one told
us we were wanted back as
soon as possible.  We got back
just in time to fall into
the Ranks.  The Regt was formed
into line and we remained at

Parade rest while the Colonel
read to us the Presidents order.
To day being the day of the burial of
Ex President Martin Van Buren.  All
the troops of the United States
are ordered to Parade at ten oclock
today and from this day for
six months  The Officers have to wear
crape on their left arm, and on their
Swoard, and the Colors of the Several
Regiments, are to have their Co to be
draped in mourning for the period
of  Six Months.  We marched around
the Camp at reversed arms, the
Band playing a Solemn dirge, after
which the Chaplain offered up a prayer
A Salute was fired in morning and
a Gun is to be fired at intervals
intervals of half an hour, till Sun
Set, when our National Salute will
be fired.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

1862 July 31 Camp Green Meadows.

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

  Camp Green Meadows, July 31st, /62
     The prevalence of that disease, which
always more or less affects the general health
of @ camp, Diarrhoea, had become so marked,
as to attract more than usual attention as
to the cause productive of such undesirable
results.  The location of our camp is gen=
-erally conceded to be a healthy one, and
the water we use is most excellent.  Our
supply of palatable food seems to be ample,
of course, consisting only of the regular army
diet, but yet, this properly cooked, affords
wholesome and nutritious edibles, such as an
epicure might not fancy, but he who seeks
after the substantials of life might.
     It is well known though, that, at this
season of the year, vegetable productions come in
vogue, and if they can be had they are much
sought after, as, from continual confinement
to one diet for months; a change to something
fresh and sweet, would be most welcome.
The trouble is, that, after so long an isolation,
the attempt to govern or restrain one’s self when

when we have gone as far as prudence would
recommend, is difficult or futile.  I think
that is this latter fact may be found the
cause of the prevailing Diarrhoea; an over=
=indulgence in eating food to which we are
not accustomed.  There are no alarming
cases, but a great many are of such a
nature as to deter them from performing the
usual duties incumbent on @ soldier; and to
prove @ source of annoyance both to themselves
and the Surgeons.
     Vegetables and fruit are rarities in this
community; the former, from the fact that
a large proportion of the people have
left the country, and what are left raise
little more than enough for themselves: the
latter, because but little attention was ever paid
to the culture of fruit trees, in this country, so
that there is now but little fruit, and that very
inferior.  Spontaneous productions, such as
blackberries and whortleberries, abound in profusion,
and of the largest kind and most luscious
quality.  These are a common product of Western Virginia.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

                                                                       

1862 July 31 Camp at Green Meadows

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

Thursday, July 31 ’62
Raining all forenoon
finished letters to
Father also wrote one
to Jennie Langan
Have been lying
around most of the
day listless
Parade & Drill Played
on the  [?]
The boys playing
cards most of the
day
Rained furing the
forenoon. Cleared
off this evening
Have been feeling
a little blue to day

MSS 10317

1862 July 31 Fredericksburg, Va.

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

31st  Miss Margaret
Barrett is untiring and by day
& night ministers to our poor
child’s suffering.  Lately Lucy &
Miss Margaret have alternated
in their nights attendance.  Nannie
seems to prefer them.  This evening she
left bequests and again bade
adieu.  Mrs Chew came to spend
the last night.  She is sinking fast.

MSS 2563-b

1862 July 31 Chapel Hill, N.C.

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

Thursday 31st—It has been raining all day & would have been lonely within doors
had there not been public speaking at the Hotel–Mr Guthrie our Host ad
dressed the crowd on the piazza & around the house with umbrellas over
their heads in a very good speech–offering himself for Sheriff–After
he sat down -His opponent rose- & said very little–then Governor Graham
gave them a fine talk–& after him Major Patterson–Mr Stewart
& Mr Straghan–The ladies could hear all that was said from the
parlours-& also see the speakers–Eliza has been sick on the bed all
day with tooth ach & a swolen face–She suffers very much with
pain–I have a very troublesome nervous headach–Liz & Sarah
ahve spent the day in my room.

MSS 6960

1862 July 31 “Clifton,” Fauquier County, Va.

1862 July 31

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Hearing there were shoes & cotton at Mr Porters
we walked down but he denied have[sic]
said that he had any to sell & we bought
some yarn & returned.
stopped at the mill & weighed–Patty weighed
115 lbs. Emma-144– I-129–little F.
45–Emma was shocked at her weight.
she is very fat–

[partially transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor in 1972]

MSS 15406

1862 July 31 Lynchburg, Va.

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

Thursday 31 Heavy rain story about day
light–rained slightly nearly all
day–Dispatch dated yesterday from
Gwatkins–Eugene still sick with
fever and disordered bowls–afterwards
another telegram of today, saying
he was much as he was yesterday ex
cept that the bowel complaint
had been checked & sent Pleas out
to Flat Creek on Eugenes horse to carry
a telegram from Richd Davis.  If
he is not wanted by Eugene I should
send him back until E is ready
to take the field–Letter from Mr.
Gwatkin repeating his telegram I
think Mary or myself will have
to go down–very hard doing work
Called in the evening to see  Tom [Miller?]
who is doing well

MSS 4763

1861 July 31 Clarke County, Va.

[fromt he diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

This has been a sad day to me.  I have been looking over old letters preparatory to burning, since the raid of the Germans who scattered relics to the winds desecrated what had been hidden from the eyes even of the family.  I thought it best although it wrung m heart to do so and seemed like a complete severation from those dear ones in heaven whose written words are all that is left of their deep, warm affection. Oh it is a sad thing to be left the last one in the homestead that once was vocal with tones of love and merriment, some in the silent tomb. The others may be at this moment on the battlefield, the iron hail of the foe raining around.  God have mercy upon them, in life or death take them for thine own.  And another, not a brother but who was like one and made life’s springtime and noon tide brighter,  I heard today is gone from earth.  Julian Carter. As I write his name his image, replete with lighthearted merriment, comes before me and I cannot think him dead.  A private in Letcher’s guards, the only one killed in the fight of Malvern Hills on July 4th. The awful message comes with dreadful distinctness, but if God was with him as his spirit winged its way from the dreadful carnage, he is at rest while we mourn on for a few more ears.  Our term of probation is only a little longer.  God give me grace to improve it.  We drove to Berryville this evening to hear news but heard none. One of the Winchester pickets was shot last night.  They avenged his death by burning the house of the offender.  Winchester is still inaccessible.

MSS 9759

1861 July 31 Camp near Madison C.H.

July 31st
Camp near Madison C.H.
Dear Sister
       I will attempt
to write you a few
lines in addition to
what is enclosed to
let you know that
I am well and in
good spirits except now
and then, when we
were short of rations
which is very often

[page 2]
As we are now across
the mountains we have
some prospect of rest
soon. It is reported that
the yankees are occupying
their old ground on
Stafford heights if so
I suppose we will
move towards Fredericks-
burg before long.
We were all glad to
get east of the Blue

[page 3]
ridge this time for
we think times will
be easier than in
the Valley.  The sound
of the railcar whistle
is a  great relief to
men whose appetites
are sharpened by hunger
it betokens more to
eat and of a better
quality.  I received a
letter to day by A Smiley
in which you said
for me to write if
I needed pants but
I expect to draw a

[page 4]
pair soon and then
save the risk of having
them sent to me while
we are not settled
I was not surprized to
hear of Miss Jennies
marriage as Lieut Carson
had told me of it before
I received your letter
But I will now close for
the present by asking
you to write soon and
let me hear all the
particulars. nothing more
but remain as ever
your brother
                   T.M. Smiley
P.S. When you write let
me know whether ma got
the letters I sent Her. T.M.S.

Thomas M. Smiley, Co. D, 5th Virginia


MSS 1807

1862 July 31 Camp near Mechanicsksville

Camp near Mechanicksville
July 31. P.M. 1862

Dear Charley:
    I have broken my trunk key
& in consequence have to write with pencil,
a plan I once affected, but now condemn–
I have the pleasure of sending herewith your
application duly signed, & I hope you may
speedily effect your purpose.  You must now
get an approval from the Officers of the com-
mand you propose to join. The case is decided
by Gen. Lee, so the adj. at Ten Jackson’s head
quarters told me this morning.  I am sorry
to lose you from this corps, as I can be with the
21st frequently, but I highly approve you join-
ing the cavalry; & then, besides, you will be with
Jenny, & probably nearer home. We are now
pleasantly encamped near brethren Good-
man, Quarles, et idomne genus, &
invitations abound, some of which I ac-

[page 2]
cept.  I have daily worship, but dont
do much visiting among the men–Sundry
things & specially my diffidence pre-
   doing it to much purpose
vent ^ We are not having drills since we
came here, abut courts of inquiry, inspec-
tions, reports, & a general righting up of
of things–Everything is rather dull–While I
was at your Reg this A.M. I witnessed
one fisticuff, & an Irishman bucked for
getting drunk.  Just now two Louisianans
were marched by here to Gen. Ewell, bear-
ing two sides of a shoat they had killed-
They were sentenced to wear the meat round
their necks till it smelt.  No one under-
stands our late move, but most regard
it merely strategie–I suppose it has
reference to Pope’s taking command of the
“on to Richmond army.” Nous venions.  If
you want me to furnish you a horse, let
me know, & I will see  what I can do.
If you all write at once, send to Gordonsville
Love to all. Your loving Bro George

[in top margin page 1]
Hill’s division has come, & I learn others are coming]

George Taylor, Confederate chaplain, brother of future Wake Forest University president Charles Elisha Taylor


MSS 3091