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

Saturday, July 5, 1862

   Guard mounting the
morning after which
we practiced practiced
again this afternoon
Recd a letter this
afternoon dated May 8
from Libbie Weeks
immediately wrote
to her have not
written before since
we left Raleigh
Col Hayes & adjutant
went this day to
Jumping Branch to
look out a new camp
but heard that we
will remain here
Clear beautiful day
very fine sunset
got carbine for
John Benton

MSS 10317

Uncle Lewis’ lodgings–On Main bet. 6th & 7th
            2 doors above 7th
              Richmond
        Saturday night–July 5 1862

Mrs Wm M Blackford Lynchburg
My Dear Mother


On Friday we had a R.R. accident 1 1/2 miles below
Amelia C. H. resulting in the death of 4 or 5 persons and wounding of
several others.  This detained us a day indeed we did not reach Richmond
until 9 o’ck last night. We i.e. about 20 ladies & gentlemen of our crew–were
most hospitably entertained during our delay by Dr. Cheatham whose house
was very near the scene of the accident.  Personally I had no cause to regret
and had a good time during the stoppage.  Last night I was very kindly entertained
by Mr & Mrs Alex Rutherfoord, where I left Mrs Leftwich this morning after
breakfast.  Today I got a pass but was unable to get proper information
of the whereabouts f Jackson’s Div in time enough to start out for it to
day. My brigade I lean is 25 to 30 miles below town; exactly where, nobody knows
I expect to start out on foot for it tomorrow in company with a friend &
messmate of mine here who is just returned from sick-leave.  It will be a tedious journey.


[page 2]
I have been with Uncle Lewis a good deal to day and stay with him to
night.  I have enjoyed his company much & he has been very kind & attentive
I have also met crowds of friends and acquaintances–Our battery
was engaged on Tuesday and lost 2 or 3 men killed and several wounded.
No one in whom I felt any interest whatever save as members of the co. & fellow
soldiers was injured, thank God, nor any one you know or know of.  several
of my friends were bruised, but none worth mentioning scarcely by shell fragments I think
All of my brothers are safe, so far as I can make out.  Holmes Boyd has seen
Eugene since Tuesday’s fight.  Holmes was in town to day.  I was at Mr G watkins
this morning–Col Withers is there doing well, but desperately wounded, I shd think.
There are also one sick soldier (of 5 weeks standing) and two wounded brothers named
Marshall from La.  Besides Col Watkins has some of his friends with him.
The most general impression here seems to be that McClellan will save most
of his army under cover of his gunboats.  I was at Gen. Lee’s this evening
Mrs. Lee told me she had a note from her husband to day dated Westover.
She says he has not been home since the fighting began last week.
The president too is said to be very fond of the field and goes out frequently
I will write again as soon as possible.  Uncle Lewis sends you & all ours his love.
Please tell Robin of my excessive regret that being hurried
off without bidding him farewell as I intended. The same to Mary Jane
                                                                     Your affec Son
                                                                      L. M. Blackford.


Lancelot Minor Blackford of the Rockbridge Artillery


MSS 5088

[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]

         Saturday – July 5th 1862
Rose at five & breakfasted with Mr. Harvey
this morning – going to his store & read the papers
there – Spent a few hours with Mullie – went
to Paynes office & spent the morning in
making out a final statement for Capt Harris
-on.  Rode down to de Reigners stables, & put
Phannie up there – Dined with Emmons
& Robinson – spent the Evening afternoon with Mullie
& Evening with Mr & Mrs Harvey, she
having just returned from Lynchburg –
learned further particulars of poor Johns          
fate at Cross Keys – Brother returned
from the Army this Evening, did not
take command of the 10th Reg’t – Saw
Andrew Knox today of 7th La Reg’t –              
No letters today – Could not get a horse
today to go to the battle field & see
abt my Com’ in the 10th La – Genl Magruder
& staff in town on way South –
         A – 12.M

[Mullie:  his brother Thomas M. Logan.
poor John:  John Didlake]


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]


MSS 6154

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

July 5   This was a delightful day in Camp.  We spent
            much of the time in getting straight our Morning
            Report Books & making the lists of casualties per-
            fect in readiness to make up the muster rolls
            when the blanks arrive.  Twas sweet to be un-
            disturbed.
            Last Evening the 2d Battalion of the 14th arrived
            We were glad to see the officers & we had admiring
            listeners as we recounted to then the campaign
            “before Richmond,” from the troubles of which we
            had just emerged.  They were well supplied with
            everything.  Each officer had a wall tent.  Plenty of
           blankets, bedding, basins, pitchers, towels, soap–
           candle sticks  Camp bedsteads–They were well e-
           quipped–We looked upon them with envy.  It was not
           long however before the poor fellows had to send  home
           all their surplus baggage & to divide their tents with
           us & with a fresh supply of all articles we were
           in the course of time on an equal footing with them.
              About this time we were getting anxious to hear
           from home, and quite as anxious to get a letter to
           them–These Seven days were anxious days all over the
           North. The army had been cut off from its com-
           munications & our friends could hear nothing from us.
           In a few days however communication was restored by
           way of James River & the mails arrived & departed reg-
           ularly.

MSS 9044

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

Saturday 5   Went to the cars at an early
hour to put Mary Jane on board who
is unnecessarily called home by her Du
enna.  Going to the Bank found
Jno Miller had gone to Richd to attend
to his brother Tom who was wounded
and that Mr [?]was sick–Jack
& I had a hard time–we got through
by engaging Mr Morrison to copy the
checks.–Went to Charles at Ingles
& staid until 10.  Prospects brighten
of capturing all McClellans force

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Saturday, July 5, 1862
This morning I felt the effects of my long ride
was weary & sleepy.  took a nap quite early & felt
much better after it–  We had quite a levee
this morning.  Sister Fannie & cousin James– Dr. Withers–
cousin John of Markham.   The gentleman
did not give such favorable accounts of  their
reports of the battle.  Dr. W said he was by
no means sure that Richmond was not in
the enemies possession.  Oh, it makes me tremble–
I finished a letter commenced last night–
& Mary,Fannie & I walked over to M. L’s to take
them to him to carry to Warrenton.  We met
Nannie and she was rather down, too, about the
battle-said there was an account that Halleck-
had reinforced Mc,Clellan with 80,000 men–
& that Beauregard arrived two hours later with
all of his army – We cannot believe it.  It 
must be only rumor, but can it be true?  It is awful 
to think what a bloody fight it must be–  
Mr. DeButts left Richmond Tuesday morning &
said that McClellan had asked for time to bury 
his dead but Lee said he must go on fighting 
or surrender = & that the dead would be cared for 
if he did.  Johnson is still reported incapable 
of service-.  We are most fearful as to the 
ultimate result of all this fighting. Oh
God have mercy upon us–Have mercy upon us.


[transcript from 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]


MSS 15406

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

Saturday 5th  Still too cold for the season–But bright & very clear–I received
a letter from Sarah this morning postmarked Wilmington & supposing she
had sent t on to be mailed there by some friend I laid it down until I
was ready to open it–What a surprize then met my eye to hear she
was there herself with her mother & child–on her way to this place.
They thought it adviseable to leave Mississippi–& not liking to keep
William in Wilmington thro the summer–Much to my gratifica
tion & joy they have selected Chapel Hill to come to–& have written to
get rooms here at the Hotel–Cousin Sally Landon has just driven
up in the Hack to say goodbye–She has gone to Mrs Wooster in her
affliction, & from there will go to the Hillsboro’ to be with the DeRossett
family under their overwhelming trouble–I was glad to hear from
Judge Person of Captain Wm DeRosetts safety as it was report
ed he was killed–I wish sincerely I could hear from Tom’s self
I have answered Sarah’s letter & told her she can get rooms–But they are
so common looking–& so poorly furnished I am afraid she
wont be satisfied–No papers from Richmond this morning–The Wilmingtoon
Journal contains nothing new—

MSS 6960

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

Friday}  Went up to the surgeon, but he
July 4}  did not give me anything only
marked me for quarters.  We had roast beef
and plum pudding and lemonade for dinner
The bells of Newbern were rung and salutes
fired.  In the evening they had a big bonfire
and the band played.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Friday July 4, 1862
We left P[rospect] H[ill] quite early, came by Orleans to finish
our purchases and called at Edgeworth and are
again home.  She Cousin Rebecca was so polite to us
that I regret that we did not spend the day with her.
-she insisted on us dong so- had some delightful
wax cherries cousin James had brought her.  We
found him there. But he soon left the room
noticed Jacque very affectionately- I am so
glad that Tom behaved well during his visit.  He
didn’t cry or disobey me while we were gone –so
I am encouraged in the good work of training
him to obey me=I was sorry to see that Beck
is an overindulgent mother.
Found Uncle Cary & Cousin John of Mr. B[lanc] here
to dinner– Uncle C paid me 7 $ for 5 lbs of tea.
–My head ached slightly after my ride & I took
a nap–Uncle Cary is not as hopeful as
we are about the news.  He fears they may
seek protection under the fire of their gun
boats–  We heard that Jackson had cut them
off & they could not get to them–  All we
can do is to hope for the best & patiently
wait to hear.  “God give us the
victory over our enemies”-

transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor in 1972

MSS 15406

                                          Camp near Richmond
                                               July 4th 1862—
            I returned here last night my darling wife
and found two letters from you for which I thank
you most truly & sincerely.  Our Regiment has
been in New Kent some twenty five miles
below Richmond, & returned from there yes-
terday. The papers will give you an account
of the triumphs vouchsafed to our arms by God in
the late battles around Richmond.  He has
mercifully protected me.  You can form no
idea of the amount of property destroyed & left
by the Yankees in their retreat.  I passed through
some of their abandoned camps yesterday.  They
left their tents standing & the ground is
strewn with blankets, clothes &c.  I picked
up two most excellent blankets, strapped them
behind my saddle & brought them to Simon.
                    So soon as I can find time I will
write you a long reply to your letters.  I was
much rejoiced to hear of the repentance of Willie
for his conduct in playing truant from school
Give my love to him.  Kiss him for me, & tell him
never to act or speak an untruth, and always, under

[page 2]
all circumstances, to discharge his duty no
matter what the cost or difficulty may be.  Tell
him further not to listen to other boys when they
would persuade him to do wrong.——
                Our loss in killed & wounded in
the late battles has been very large: our
whole land will be in mourning.  I pray God
to console the bereaved hearts & to train the
charities of all our people upon those
whose earthly protectors have been taken
from them.
              It was consummate generalship that
drove McClellan from his fortifications.  He had
constructed them most elaborately & with
great labor, but Genl Lee turned his right
flank & forced him away from them all.
               I will write you as often as
I can.  For the present I must tell you
good-bye.  I unite my prayers with yours
that we may both be preserved, and
sustained by our Heavenly Father.
Kiss the children for me.  Love to Mrs Riddle.  Remember
me kindly to the servants– I embrace you & kiss you
over and over again, my darling wife–Yr affec. husband–
                                   John T. Thornton

John Thruston Thornton, University of Virginia alumnus, lawyer, member of the Virginia Convention of 1861 and Captain, Co. K,  3rd Virginia Cavalry

MSS 4021