[from the diary of Ephraim A. Wood of Company C, 13th Massachusetts Infantry]

                     In the Wilderness, Near
                          Harrison Landing on
                           the James River Va.
                           Tuesd July 8th 1862

Mrs Edward Shephard
                            Yesterday we
were made glad by recieving a
number of letters from home
and friends.  Edward received three
one from you, his sister, & John
Clark which togather proved quite
a large quantity of reading
matter. Well since I wrote
last we have made several
hasty movements towards the
James River experiencieing consid-
erable of Pribvations and suffering

[page 2]
however here we are today
in the woods about a mile
from the river awaiting fur-
-thur orders. the infantry troops
are busily engaged throwing up
breastworks.  You wish to know
how we fare here- we have
enough some days, (such as it is)
and some days go without.
Suffice it to say that if we
return I think we will be
satisfied with what the table
affords.   I think that Saul
Hanks will not be noticed
much with his various reports.
Edward did not see him on
the day of the battle, and as
for me being absent ten days
it is false.  I should think
he would know better than to
worry our friends with such

[page 3]
incredulous stories, but you
must “judge from whence it
came”.  In my former letter
was enclosed ten dollars $10
and Edward wished some fish
hooks.  Please write if you re
-ceive it.  Ed has a bile
on his ankle, and dont feel
like writing.  I will write
to Clark as soon as conven
-ient.  the weather is extreem
warm here now, and the heat
increases every day–Take
good care of the boy we may
return the day may not
be far distant when this
war will be brought to a close
May God grant it.
    Remember us to friends and
         I remain With Respt
                             W H Knapp

MSS 12631

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

July 8th  The army was reviewed to day by President Lincoln
            It was a grand display.  It was moonlight before the
            President reached us.  No doubt however the review
            was satisfactory.

On July 8th, Lincoln paid an unexpected visit to view the Union Army.  The army impressed him.  McClellan did not.

MSS 9044

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

Monday[sic] 8th  Again I am disappointed in hearing from, or of Tom–What
has become of him I know not–But trusting God -& hoping for the best
I have written him a long letter by Captain Dentson Matilda Cowans
beau who is going to Richmond in search of his brother & kindly
offered to take letters.  No Richmond papers again to day–& the
Wilmington Journal contains nothing new–I have just read Willie
Wooster’s Obituary–Very Fitting & very true.  There is also in the paper
a historical sketch of Colonel Mear’s life–The three bodies have ar
-rived in Wilmington & were to be interred the day the Journal was
sent off–6th of July I think–I received a long letter from Mary this morn
-ing all well & Ellen & Mrs Dunwady were making up a box of eatables
to send Joe & Captain Dunwady–I wish I could send Tome some too.
I hope the sick are having the pleasant weather we are enjoying here
in Richmond.  Eliza is very sad to day having received another letter
from Mr Mason-saying he was at Goochland, 5 miles from
Richmond at a comfortable place trying to regain his health
& strength.  But that it would not be in his power to come home
as he promised her–Having received orders to return to duty
as soon as well enough–But she might rest assured he would
come to see her as soon as possible.  I received a long letter from Mary this
morning–All were well–Miss Christine & the Fisher children left there
the [blank space] of June–Mary Constance did not go with them.  Ellen &
Mrs Dunwady were making up a batch of eatables to send Joe & the Captain
Mary intended to add her mite     Potatoe puddings &ect &ect
The Richmond Inquirer which I borrowed a few moments ago
to read- States that McClennan has been reinforced by
Shields’ division & he now numbers for 80 to 100 odd troops
& is ready to give battle–He is safely encamped now under
the Guns of his Gunboats–He is sending up balloons & ma
-king preparation for another fight–Learning–The news thru’
a prisoner and I hope it may be untrue.

Colonel Gaston Meares, 1822-1862, killed at Malvern Hill

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

8th  The girls keep shop for me.  All
the morning it is very cool down there.
Luc makes my [?] orders–little Mollys
talent does not lie that way so much
Nannie Corbin & Molly return from
Richmond.  They report their father
as being in the highest hopes for the
country.  We gained a glorious victory
before Richmond–but what effect it is
to have on terminating the war no one
can tell. The mind of the North
seems fully bent on conquest.

MSS 2563-b

 [from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler as transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor in 1972]

Tuesday July 8 1862
Another useless miserable day- I can’t feel satisfied
not to hear from you–All my patience has
forsaken me-I have none left-
I spent the day sewing, nursing & reading. Have
just begun the life of Washington–  You remember
that you gave it to me the summer before we
were married & I read it then, but thinking a
great deal of Washington lately, & wondering who
would turn out his equal in this war. I
feel like reading it over again to refresh my
memory–certainly thus far in our war, no one as
great or good as he was have presented themselves. 
-I also have read an account of the battles
of the 27th & 28th from a Dispatch of the 30th-It was
truly heroic for our men to storm their
batteries in such a brave manner–Poor fellows
my heart aches for the loved ones of those who
fell–But they died fighting in a good cause –
Peace be with them–Just before nine o’clock a
buggy drove up containing Dr. Williams & Mr. A.- they
were on their way to our army & were taken up by
the enemy at Waterloo, thoroughly searched & many
articles they had for our soldiers taken from them–
They also had about 150 letters but Mr. A. hid them
in a barn after they passed  the first pickets
fearing they might be in their midst & so it
           for soon after they were taken prisoners–
proved ^ They were threatened with being hung if
any letters were discovered.  But so they were not found
out, they were let off after traveling around
with them all day & were told to
go home  they could not pass through their lines. 
They started homeward, glad to escape on such terms

MSS  15406

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

Tuesday 8.  The hottest day of the season
thus far–Pretty closely engaged
at Bank. got on tolerably well
–no news from the army, except
that its confidently stated Jacksons
army is to return to the Valley
McClellan is safe on the James
River–reinforced & supplied with
provisions–I dont suppose it is
profitable to attack him–and I
confess I am not without appre
hension of his moving up the
other side of the River- [?] could
turn & land at city Point and
advance on the batteries at Drew
-rys lbu bluff–These taken, Rich
mond could be shelled

MSS 4763

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

Monday
July 7
Company drill this forenoon.  Read
the remainder of the day.  Drew sugar today
Got news of hard fighting at Richmond
and loss of many men by McClellan,
but nothing very definite.  Had a talk
with George Lowe and also with Frank
Barrett this evening on religion.  Sent
a letter home today

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler as transcribed by her granddaughter in 1972]

Monday July 7 1862

Arose very early in order to dress & read
my letter-  Mary Cary & Fannie walked before
breakfast- They met Mr. Leonard, who told
them he could not go into Warrenton as there
were 6000 Yankees there–  So, I am disappointed
again-  No letter yet=  It made me sick.  I took
a nap directly after breakfast- but did not feel
any better.  It seems to me that all this blood
in my veins has stood still all day-  I have
borne up, & I can bear it no longer-  I ache, my
heart is bursting to hear from you.-  Can you
be alive? I feel that you may be dead.
I tried to read, & I tried to sew, but did not
accomplish much of either.  I feel thoroughly
unsettled–Oh, if I could only trust in
God & feel assured that all is for the best.
My heart is so  unsteady, my faith is so weak-
=Oh God, strengthen me against the great
conflict by daily learning to bear with patience,
humbleness,  & meekness, all the petty trials
which beset me.  What can I do?  What
will become of me in this world if you are
taken from me–Oh teach me Patience
Let me learn to take care of to day & let to-
morrow take care of itself.
Father heard that the valley was evacuated &
their armies sent to Richmond. I should say
they were just leaving.

MSS 15406