July 7th/62
Camp Jones Flat Top Mt
Friend Eli
I wrote to Tom
a few days since and in
his letter said I would
write to you soon I
will now fulfill that
promise.  We are still
encamped on Flat Top
and I am afraid are
doomed to remain here
some time. We thought for
some days that we were
going to move our
camp on account of water
becoming scarce here
but I guess they will
sink Wells I hear they are
to commence to day
Col Hayes thinks it probable
that when we do leave here

[page 2]
we will go into
Eastern Virginia I only hope
it will be so
Our present Camp is a
very pleasant one being at
so high an elevation
it is quite cool especially
at night.  We are camped
on a very fine farm owned
by a Mr Braines he lives
here inside the lines
I believe he is a Union
man
What would you think
if an army should come
along and camp in the big
meadow below the road
burn all the rails use
the sheep barn as guard
house or stable also use
the old barn & stable
then place their pickets
all around (Pickets are

[page 3]
around Camps and all
the roads & paths and are
called picket posts from
three to ten men form a
post then outside of these
are other posts called
out posts and are guarded
by Cavalrymen.  these
pickets remain on duty
24 hours)  one post would
be on top of the  hill toward
Ashland annother where the
new road turns off annother
one in the woods toward
the other farm and annother
toward Charlie McWilliams
then beyond there at
the Blacksmith Shop up
at McGraths over at the
School House and other
places would be placed
cavalry outposts. No citizen
would then be allowed

[page 4]
to pass in nor any
one go out without a
pass people at home have
no idea of the inconvenience
ience that Citizens in this
country are obliged to submit
to every road that an
army passes over is literally
devastated then after the
army passes great Trains of
wagons are constantly passing
conveying provisions & they
gather up whatever is
left camping wherever it
suits them & burning rails
& destroying property without
stint or mercy if they
find any corn or oats in
the citizens barns they go
and take it asking no questions
and it is useless to remonstrate
these are a few of the evils
of war.  Now Eli I want

[page 5]
you to write to me when
you get this. Sit down
& take you time to it and
you can write me a long letter
tell me what you are doing
tell me how crops are doing
how is the wheat oats
corn fruit &c &c
are you or have you built
any fence & where?  how are

[page 6]
are the Evergreens in the yard
doing?  I want you to keep the
yard clean & I think it would
be a good idea to dig out the
stumps in the barn yard at
your leisure, you might fire &
burn them out  Have you any
pets now? Did MaryAnn get
her red birds?  How does Milo get
along? How many cats do they keep
this summer? How many horses have you
now &c &c  tell me everything you can

[right margin of page 6]
think up   J.D. Templeton

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio


MSS 10317

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

Monday, July 7, 1862
Guard mounting this
morning & Parade &
Drill this evening
Practiced both before
& after noon
Felt like writing
some to day wrote
letters to Eli Hazel
& Mrs Campbell
Have news this evening
from McClellan he
claims to have gained
the position he desired
The Battle has been
indeed terrible one
great slaughter on
both sides
Clear & very warm

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]

  Jumping Branch, Va., July 7th.
     Having thought a visit to Pack’s Ferry,
where four companies of the 23rd are stationed,
might be of advantage, I started this morning
in an ambulance, and reached this place
this evening, traveling today about twenty miles
over roads that might be better, and the
sun beating down unmercifully.  I am staying
with a Mr. Upton, an old Union citizen who
has resided here a number of years.  This
Jumping Branch is the same place that
witnessed such a grand ‘skedaddle’ of ‘secesh’
last February, at the approach of a
greatly inferior force of our men.  This
subject is mentioned on Page 31 of this book,
and I will not enter into a repetition.
     The residents here who occupy the houses
spared by our troops when the town was
burned, aver that not less than 600 of
those four to five Southerners fled from
here when a trifle over 200 of those
same despised Yankees made their appearance.
So much for boasting.

MSS 13925

              Alexandria Va July 7th 1862

    Mr. Case
                 Dear Sir
               It is with diffidence that I
write you at this time feeling as I do
that I should have done so much
sooner but I should have done had
I not been expecting a leave of absence
which was promised me.  Circumstances
have transpired which prevent such a
procedure and render it necessary for me
at this late hour to make this communi=
cation by letter instead by means of  a personal inter-
view.
          When a year ago last June I visited
you home at the urgent reques6t of my
friend and Lieut., your son, I became
deeply interested in, and conceived a strong
and ardent affection for your daughter Addie.
Upon the close of my pleasant visit I
requested the favor of correspondent with

[page 2]
her which she granted, and for which I
have blessed her a thousand times.
     Of the superiority of her intellect
amiability of manner and goodness of
heart I was well convinced during my
stay with you and my admiration, respect,
and love has increased with the passing
of time, and interchange of thought and
sentiment.  I made known to her the
feelings of my heart–my love for her
pure soul, and learned to my delight
that my affection was strongly and deeply
reciprocated.   As yet, I had not
learned whether or not you would give
your approbation of her action in regard to
the matter, and accordingly wrote her in
quiring if you were informed of the “state
of affairs,” and she answered that she had
informed you, and that you had bade her “be
happy.”  Of course, I had not for a
moment thought that she would take
steps in so important an action, without
receiving your approval, and I was well

[page 3]
aware that Halbert was acquainted with
the “status” and that his superior and
proper judgment would admit of nothing
wrong or injudicious, hence my silence
to you.
       I love your daughter with an affection
as lasting as life itself and am assured feel that this
sentiment is reciprocated by her.  Have
I your consent to make her mine at the
close of this unhappy war, or at some time
she may designate?
       In making this request of you I feel all
due deference and respect to your parental
power and judgment, also feeling, that
diffidence attendant upon a person like
myself, nearly a stranger, while making a
like request.   It is perhaps, not nec-
essary,–yet really due,– for me to give you
a history of past life, as it is known to both
Addie and Hal.  I might , if necessary,
refer you to persons living East in regard to
my character in past years, but permit me
to say, (and I feel a pride in [stating?]) that I

[page 4]
am guilty of no crime nor dishonor.  the
company officers of this Co will bear witness
of my conduct since I entered the service
that I am guilty of nothing dishonorable
Of my pecuniary affairs I can say little
beyond that I have strong hands, and a
willing heart and “what others have done I can
do.”  Beyond my earnings while in the
army I expect nothing save what I can earn
and from past endeavors I feel assured that
the power lies with me.
     May I hope for your approval?  give me
your daughter Mr Case, and I will strive
to make her future life one of happiness.
     Hoping soon to receive your
approbation I beg leave to subscribe
myself

          your humble & obt servant
                  Charles N. Tenney

Please direct
                   (Co H, 7th Ohio Regt
                       3d Brigade, Shields Division
                         Washington D. C.)
 Please give my kind regards to Mrs. Case
and family.

Halbert:  Lieut Halbert B. Case, Co. H. 7th Ohio

MSS 11616

                                         Fort Albany  July 7th/62
                                                   8 o’clk PM

Dear Wife,
This afternoon I received yours
of July 3d.  We have had a tremendous hot day, but
this evening, we are enjoying a very heavy shower
of rain, intermixed with hail stones, as large
over as five cent peices.  We are having some very
heavy thunder and most splendid lightning.
I think by the tone of your letter, that you
are giving yourself much unnecessary and
useless anxiety on my account.  It seems that
your fears proceed from the thoughts that we
are to be removed from here.  I can assure
you that we shall not leave here so long
as Col Wm B. Greene holds the position
that he now does, I get my information
from persons high in military office
No longer ago than last night, Major Wa
shburn (of this Regmt) was heard to say
(by one of my mess) that no other Regm
could fill our place, and that there was
not the slightest chance of our being
called away from here, I dont know
his reasons are for saying so, but such is
the way it has always been talked by those
who ought to know what everybody says must be true

[letter of “Robert,” an unidentified soldier in the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery will continue on July 9]

MSS 1242

District of West Tennessee July 9th 1862
Office of the Provost marshal General
Special Order No 13  Memphis Tennessee July 8th 1862
Al papers heretofore issued to citizens either by the
Commanding General, the Provost Marshal General the
Provost marshal of Memphis or any other officer whi
=ch may have been issued without the party being requ
ired to take the oath of allegiance or give the precri
-=bed parol[e] of honor, are hereby revoked.
No pass will be granted in any case hereafter, except
upon taking the of the oath or parole
The oath will be substituted for the oath only in
Special cases (at the discretion of the officers authoris
ec to grant papers) where the party lives beyon[d] the pro
tection of our army.
                             By Command of
                                      Major Genl Grant
                                                W.S. Hillyer
                            Col & Provost Marshal Genl

MSS 10645

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

Sunday
July 6

Very warm to-day.  Had an inspec
tion this forenoon, and dress
parade to-night, and then had services
at the chaplains tent.  Read the Bible and
a book called “Lessons from the great Biograph[ies]
Had quite a talk with Thompson concerning
religion.  There was a mail come in tonight
Have felt quite trustful in God to-day.

MSS 11293

                Camp Carlile Va.
                   J uly 6th 1862

Dear Sisters
               With the great
est of pleasure, I reply to
your letters which came
to hand a few days before
I left Camp Butler.  I am
well and enjoying myself
very well.  to-day is Sunday
and I have been out hunting
two deserters all-day.  It is now
three oclock and very warm.
We are camped on an island
of the Ohio river and hence
it is very cold in evenings
but the sun comes out about
ten oclock in mornings
and shines very  hot all
day.  We shall leave here on

[page 2]
to-morrow after-noon
Our destination is un-
known to us–probably
some-where in McClellan’s
department.  I fancy that
we shall “smell” powder soon.
All right, Hank is ready
for anything, but guard–
ing prisoners Did you
hear my report regarding
the 12th being captured by
the Rebels?  I understand that
it has been published n
the Chicago that  were
captured by the Rebels
20 miles from here.
The Report is false and you
must not believe any
of the reports until you
know them to be true.
This is a very pleasant camp
and we have plenty of water
and it is good water.

[page 3]
Harvest is nearly over here
and the crops are good
yet the country is so rough
and hilly that I do not see
any such fields of grain
as in Ills.  I have not re
ceived my pay yet, but
probably will soon and will
send it to you to Lanark
as before. I will let you know
when I send it  I haven’t
yet seen any of the ruins of
the rebellion but have hopes
to soon.  Dear Sisters you
must not fret and worry
your minds about me for
remember that if I should
fall upon the battle–field
and not be permitted
to see you again in this
world that it is in a
good cause and with a
willing heart.  I will be

[page 4]
true to the oath that I
have taken and my back
shall never be turned to
the enemy, without officers
from my commanding
officers I do not go into the
enemie’s country with hatred
and envy in my heart but am
urged on by a realization
of my duty to country and
love for my home and friends
May the God Lord bless the
nation with a speedy res-
toration of peace and harmony.
I want you both to look to
your own self interest and
never forget that a good char-
acter, is worthy of all commen
dation girls I must bid you
Good Bye.  You have my best
wishes as a brother.  I will
write again when we have again
settled down in Camp.
Write often and soon.  Post
your letters via Springfield Ills
Dont forget to designate the Regiment
distinctly
                Your loving brother Hank
Do write soon

Wiliam Henry Redman, Captain, Co. C, 12th Illinois Cavalry

MSS 7415

Marion Hill  2 miles below Richmond
July 6th 1862

Dear Aunt Mary
It has been such a very long time
since I either wrote to you, or you to me, that I have for-
gotten which wrote last, but that makes little difference
now & I must not put off writing to you any longer,
for you don’t know how anxious I am to hear from you.
I have received several letters from home lately
& heard from those that you were well & boarding at
Cousin Charles Craddock’s. I hope you are very
pleasantly situated & have no doubt you are.  I
suppose you are aware that I have left the 2d Co
Howitzers and joined a Maryland company, the
“Chesapeake Artillery”?  I have only been in the company
for about two weeks, and am very well satisfied so
far.  the officers are Captain Brown, Lieutenants Plater
Chew & Grayson: they are three very nice good men.
The rank & file of the company of course will not
compare to the Howitzers, though there are a good many
very nice young men in it.  I regretted very much having
to leave the Howitzers, for I had many real true friends
in the company; I knew however that I was treated with
a good deal of injustice by the officers and that the
only way to get rid of it was to leave the company, so
I made up my mind to do it.  I didn’t know how many
friends I did have in the company until I went round
to tell them goodbye: there were not half a dozen men
in the company that didn’t express & show real
regret at my leaving & all wished me the best

[page 2]
luck in the world.  In this company, Martin Harvey
whom you have heard me speak of before, is Orderly
Sergeant. He & I & four others fellows have formed a
mess together and get along very well & have a
a very pleasant time.  I am chief of a 12d Howitzer gun,
ranking and rank as Sergeant. The office itself is not
worth ten cents, but it is a great deal better Aunt Mary
to have a good horse to ride on these long marches
than to be in a Company where you are detailed
nearly all the time to ride & drive two horses & to
have nothing to do but hold them when in Battle.
If I am not satisfied with this company after trying it awhile
I can easily obtain a transfer too to any company I wish.
I went into Richmond yesterday and found Pa’s letter
there informing me that he had left that morning and
you may imagine how disappointed I was at not seeing
him.  I suppose though he was compelled to get back
or he would have come out to see me certainly.  I am
very glad to hear that he has obtained a situation
at last & one so convenient too, right there at
the CHouse, where he can be with the family and
where there are so many friends to aid him about
the Hospital.  I hope he may meet with success
in attending the wounded & sick that are sent to
him & give entire satisfaction.  Pa said you were all
very anxious to know where I was in the fight &c.  I am very sorry
to tell you that our company took no active part whatsoever in the
fight & consequently I am not able to give any account.
We were down within three or four miles of the battlefield
of Tuesday the 2d & heard all the fighting without being ordered
in.  That was the hardest fought battle of them al &
in it we lost a great many men.  The artillery that was

[page 3]
engaged on our side suffered terribly: The 1st Company Howitzers
lost 2 men killed & wounded; none of our friends
however were hurt. The 3d Company were also engaged
engaged for a little while, but lost no men. The 2d Company
was not in the fight.  I feel really mortified to think that
McClellan should be driven entirely away from R
without my having been in any of the battles.  The young
Napoleon is now truly “fallen“; there never was an army so
completely whipped & more thoroughly d[e]moralized & cut
to pieces than McClellan’s.  I don’t believe he will ever be
able to reorganize the same army.  The war must end
now very shortly; the North will be glad enough to make
peace & if she is not, foreign powers will intervene and
settle the question anyway.  I take it for granted, & I
do hope too, that the policy of our generals now, will be
to carry the War into the enemy’s country.  I want to see
Washington, Philadelphia & New York surrendered to
Confederate authorities & those vile cowardly fanatics that
inhabit the northern states made to feel what war is.
They will never realize what War is , until it is carried
into their own country & the people made to suffer
directly from the ravages of a hostile army.
I understand that the Yankees tore everything to pieces in
the neighbourhood of Turkey Hill and the place par=
ticularly.  I am very sorry for the people who remained
there in the neighbourhood, for I know they have seen
sights.  I noticed in the paper the death of Captain
Charles Bruce of Halifax & was very sorry for it.
I have heard nothing from the CHouse company
since the fight; it is impossible to find out anything
about the fight or those engaged in it.  Booker Garnett
had a brother killed in the fight.  I received Nannie’s

[page 4]
last letter & will answer it very soon.  Give my best love
to her and tell her I am very much obliged for such a good
long letter and will answer it in a few days.  I was in
town yesterday and took dinner at Mr Harveys.  That
place is my Head quarters now while I am in town.
All of the family have been up the country for a good
while except Mr Harvey & I have been in the habit
of just walking into the house & making myself
at home whenever I felt like it.  Mrs Harvey came
down a few days ago & the girls will soon be down
too; when they get home, if we remain encamped here, I
hall go in still oftener.  I suppose Mama carried
my clothes up the country with her?  If we remain
here which we probably will do for sometime, I should like
right much to have my Sunday pants sent down
to R–by some one coming down.  I have the opportunity
of getting into R right often to Church & as my
soldier pants are very dirty and ugly, I would like
to have a pair to slip on when I go in.  I can keep
them at Mr Harvey’s with Martin’s clothes.  There is
one thing I want, Aunt Mary, & which I intended mentioning
to Pa, but forgot it.  The knapsack I have is a very large
unwieldy thing & one is always very apt to lose it when
on a hasty march & over bad roads.  I have a horse
to ride now & I want to get me a pair of ordinary saddle
bags, in which I can carry all my clothes & have them
with me all the time.  Whenever I move then all I will
have to do, will be just to throw my saddle- bags over
my horse & go ahead.  It is impossible to get a pair in
Richmond; every pair has been sold & I thought there might
possibly be some in the country.  Even a second hand pair
would do, provided they were whole & not very large

[page 5]
I want them either of the medium size, or a little
smaller & am willing to pay a good price for them.
I have written to you now about everything I
know of almost & must close.  Give my best love
to Papa, Mama & Nannie & to Watt Bee & Dinkie
& kiss little Tommy for me.  I wish I could see
the dear little fellow.  Give my love too to Uncle
George & Aunt Pat & to little Leigh & Frank & to
all of my friends.  I shall look for a good
long letter from you now Aunt Mary & very
soon.  direct to “Care Capt Brown, Chesapeake
Artillery, Richmond”.  I must now bid you
goodbye.   Yr aff nephew
                  Jas. P. Williams

Jame Peter Williams, 1844-1893, of the 1st Regt. Va. Artillery and the Maryland Volunteers, Chesapeake Artillery; Later a freight agent and last superintendent of the Lynchburg Division of the James River and Kanawha Canal Company.

MSS 490

[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]

                        Sunday July 6th 1862      quite warm –
Rose this morning at 8 o’c – breakfasted &
spent the morning with Mr & Mrs Harvey – at ten
o’c went down town & saw some friends at the
Spottswood – & to the Bloomfield’s office where
I spent some hours making out Estimates for money
him for the South Western Army of Genl Ma
-gruder – amounting to 3,000,000 $ for four mo’s [months]
Bloomfield is very anxious for me to go on
with them – I am tired of waiting on the Col of
the 10th La Reg’t, & do not like to be in town
as a day longer than necessary – Dined with
my good friends, & went to Savages farm on the
York railroad this Evening with Mr H & committee
the destruction of property by the Enemy is all
most incredible at this point – muskets,
ammunition, Commis’ stores, rolling stock &c
1500 yankee wounded are left here with some
15 of the surgeons – Lindsay was running the Engine
Returned at dusk with 6 sick Confederate Soldiers
     very warm from 12 M today

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

 MSS 6154