Fort Albany July 1 1862

My Dear Wife
I have just now received
another one of those good letters of yours, of
date, June 29th  I posted a letter to you yesterday
morn, the 29th, and two papers, containing three
Magnolias, this morn, I have just been reading
the glorious news from Richmond, I suppose
you will hear of it today too, You need not
be afraid of our going down south to fight
or in fact anywhere else, so long as Col
Wm B Greene, is at the head of the Mass
14th, I do’nt say that he is afraid to fight,
or that he is a coward, but you may rest
assured that the Mass 14th will never see
or do any fighting with the rebels, this
is not my opinion alone, but the opinion
of every one in the Regmt.  Oficers and all.
Nothing pleases Col Greene so much as
to have a good looking regmt one that
he could take to Boston or anywhere, so
that they would show off pretty well.   The

[page 2]
Col is a regular “Old Betsy” but a real good man


                                   Wed afternoon, 4 o’clk
It is raining in torrents, and has been doing
so all day, and to help the matter along
it is very cold,  I think it is the coldest
storm we have had this summer, it does
not affect us much however, we keep
snug in our tents, and pass away the
time in various ways, Some of us are
writeing letters to our dear ones at home,
some are reading, some ar[e] playing Dominoes,
and the rest are singing or sleeping.  I have been
asleep the most of the day.  I have probably
slept five  hours since morning.  I had to
wake up to eat my dinner, because we
had baked beans, we are going to have some
more for supper, you know baked beans dont
go bad on a cold stormy day.  There is some
talk about camp to-day, that we shall get
paid off tomorrow, but I do’nt beleive it, I
hope not, because Friday is the glorious fourth
and I think that the “Boys” will be better
off without ther money, than they will with it.

[page 3]
We have’nt any of us got any money, or, not any
to speak of, and I beleive that the “fourth” will
pass by, much more pleasantly to some of
us than it would, if there was plenty of money
in the camp, because there are many here who
would be under the influance of Rum if they
had the means to procure it with, but who
will now, (if we dont get paid off) be obliged
to pass the day in a quiet, and peaceful man
ner. Probably we shall get paid off on the 15th
We are not going to Washington on the fourth.
that is “played out”  We did not go to Fairfax
Seminary to the great reveiw, that I wrote
you about, that was also “played out” in short.
they were all camp stories,  We can hear any
thing that we want to, here, As I sit here
writeing one of my mess sits by me reading the
account of the fighting, down to Richmond.
I cannot help comparing our situation to
that of those brave fellows who are probably
now fighting for us, here are we in in warm
and comfortable quarters, wanting for nothing-
(so to speak) while they, perhaps, are suffering.


[page 4]
for the want of a great many things, that we
make no account of. Sometimes some of my
mess begin to find fault, about the war.  I begin
to talk to them about those that have gone to 
fight at the south, and it most always has
the effect to silence their complainings,
We are to have Sixteen bushels of Green Peas
for dinner on the fourth of July, rather a small
mess, but we will try and get along with them.
There is so much noise and skylarking here in the
tent, that I can hardly tell whether I am on
my head or heels.  The Boys are determined to
have a good time if it does storm so bad.
I wish you could see some of the capers that
has, and are being carried on, I guess you would
laugh some, at any rate, I dont think you
would say that the “Boys” had’nt had
a good time today.
It is now time for summer, I must not miss
the Beans.  Write often as you can to your
humble servant, and he will do the same
to you, Give my love to Father & Mother
a kiss to our darling little ones, and lots
of them for yourself.  Imagine me with
you in spirit if not in body–and
beleive me ever yours truly in love,
                            Robert


I sent a letter to Father yesterday
(Dont forget Postage Stamps)


[upside down in top margin of page one]
I think Ernie is improving fast in writing
letters.  Tell him I thank him for his last.
Thank you for the lock of Sissy’s hair, I keep it with Ernie’s letters


MSS 1242

                  Camp Carlile Va
J  uly 2nd 1862 Wednes Eve.

Dear Cousin
                          It is with
some difficulty that I write
you.  I am well and
doing finely, vut can hard
ly find a desent place to
write on–i am writing
on a box about two feet high
and am sitting on the ground
We left Camp Butler on
Friday last and arrived
here on Monday evening
We had a good time making
our journey came through
Indianna and Ohio We
passed through a part of
Indianna and a part of Ohio
on Sunday  The People turned

[page 2]
out in great numbers
at every station.  At
Dayton about 6 thousand
thronged about the Cars
while we stoped. The young
ladies gave many of the boys
beauquets and brought us
Cakes and Pies O! and
dont I love some of them,
though? This camp is a
very nice one and is sit-
uated on an island between
the Ohio and Virginnia shores
of the Ohio river.  Well Eli
Hank is in our enemies country
and is just as willing to fight
Secesh as ever.  You are right
I wouldent be any thing but
a soldier.  I want you to
tell me what young man said
that I would come home if I
could I would have like to had
been there on the 28th. I suppose

[page 3]
that you had a good time
I want you to write and tell
me all about it Give me the
particulars.  The crops looked
rather backward in Indianna
and the corn in Ohio.  The wheat
was being harvested all through
Ohio and appeared very well–
Harvesting is nearly done here
The country looks rough I tell
you. Nothing but rocks and
hills. Surround us Eli I cant
begin to tell you anything about
how the country You can look
on the map and learn where I am
I am just above Balar on the
Ohio Shore and on an ialand
belonging to Virginna called
Wheeling  Wheeling is a very nice
town.  Eli I wish that I
could see you about one
hour so that I could tell
you all about our business

[page 4]
Well Eli you must
write to me soon and
tell me all the news Tell
me all about the girls
in general.  Give my
regards to the School mam
and all other young lades
regars to all you folks
and all of you write to
Hank Your True Cousn
and Friend
                 W H Redman
Direct to W. H. Redman
12th Ills. Cavelry
Company C
Camp Carlisle
Wheeling
Virginia
Eli Mead   Esqr

MSS 7415

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

Wednesday 2.  it began to rain early this mor
ning–I am sorry for it as it will
enhance the sufferings of our troops
Telegrams informed us of a bloody
battle last evening–the bloodiest
of the whole series.  Enemy in retreat
-It rained hard all day, which
must interfere with  military op
erations–The telegraph would not
work and we passed the day in
suspense–very unwell.

MSS 4763

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

Wednesday July 2^nd 1862

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

Tuesday 1st of July  Cloudy & rather warm.  Everybody anxious for news from the seat
of War–The Examiner gives us great encouragement–So far all seems to
favourable for the Confederates–& I pray it may continue so–How soon this
cruell War would end–If all the loafers about–cowards–& half Union
men were made to enter the Ranks instead of lounging about at
corners finding fault with our President & generals–I for one would
gladly chain them into service, & the great negro men too–I cant bear to
look at them idleing about-knowing that for them & theirs this cruel
War was projected–Cousin Sally London & Anna Wright have arrived & are at
Judge Persons’—paid Mr Guthnell board to day $5 pr week–For E & self $40–
The last payment was made on the 3d of July[sic]

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s battery]

July                          Tuesday 1    1862                      
     Battle of Malvin Hill.
Va. Battery engaged.  got four
horses killed & 3 men wounded

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

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

July 1   This morning about 1-0 o clock heavy cannon-
            ading commenced. The shells from the enemy
            came thick into our camp.  We were under arms
            & in line of battle all day.  During the morning
            a wagon had been sent to us with rations. While
            unloading several shells hit near the wagon
            & the teamster became exceedingly nervous, &
            he had good reason to feel so, for during his
            trip to us a shell had taken off the fore
            part of his wagon bed & he begged of us most
            piteously to hurry & let him off  At this time
            rations were rations & we were not going to
            suffer him to take any away, but we un-
            loaded that wagon complete, & distributed to each
            man and officer his hard bread & pork under fire
            Towards evening we received orders to march to the
            front where the battle was raging.  We got there
            in time to participate before it ended–Indeed
            we closed the battle.  It was dark before we
            were fairly in.  It was not too dark however for
            the rifle balls to find us & we lost quite a
            number of men here–We could only see where to
            fire by the flash of the enemys guns.  Our first
            volley brought down a Colonel of Louisiana tigers
            whose regiment was advancing to seize one of our
            batteries, the second volley broke the regiment and
            soon the battle was over.  We slept upon the field
            that night.  It was an agonizing night–The groans
            of the dying & the distressing cries of the wounded
            for water, which we could not furnish.  An hospital
            hastily improvised, not far from us, filled with
            men undergoing amputation whose shrieks were
            heartrending.  Lanterns dodging here & there upon
            the field seeking out the wounded, all made it a
            night memorable for its terrors–This was the battle
            of “Malvern Hill” –the result was a great victory
            for our arms & was the closing battle of the ‘seven
            days fights” before Richmond–Notwithstanding the terrors
            of the night we lay down to sleep exhausted with
            the sufferings of the past week. During the
            night a most singular incident occurred——
            I was laying under a rubber blanket with Capt.
            Smedburg[?] of ours when we were awaked from
            our light sleep by the discharge of a musket
            very near us.  We raised our heads about two
            feet from us in the dark could distinguish the
            outlines of the figure of a mule.  Seeing no other
            disturbance we again laid down–This was perhaps
            about 1 or 2 o clock in the night–In the morning it
            appeared that this mule had threaded his way
            over & through more than a score of men without
            awaking any of them, until he came to this
            Sergeant of Capt. Smedburg’s Company.  He tread
            upon the hammer of this musket & it was dis-
            charged, taking off some of the fingers of this man.
            No one knew when the mule escaped.  Non knew
            how he escaped.  some declared there was a mule,
            I & Capt. Smedburg certainly saw him.  Others
            again declared most positively there was none,
            for they were not only awake but standing near
            when the gun went off.  It was a mystery which
            was not solved & which afforded us talk for some
            time.


MSS 9044

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

Tuesday 1  Charles good servants Ralph
& Julia left him without notice to
day.  Their temptation was beyond their
strength.  Esther remains faithful.
William gives me notice that
his services as a hireling cease.
Luc goes up every day I sit with
Nannie Gower.  We have reports of
a great victory near Richmond.
In evening Luc & I take a frolic
of a gallop through the woods to
Mrs Lowerys[?]  She repeats from a
favourite piece of verse–The
introduction to the tale of Paraguay.

MSS 2563-b

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Tuesday 1 1862

I bolted the door last night in order to be obliged to get up early to
open it.  Did so and with some assistance from F[annie], washed & dressed
all the children for prayers.  Having those new summer goods
at Pileans, I thought I should try a[sic] get there to buy clothing
for the servants so proposed it at the breakfast table but
every obstacle was thrown in my way.  a little discouraged
I set to work when I got back to my room to think out a
new way in which I could be more independent.  thought I would take
my carriage, Jacque, and ask Mother for the horses & Susan for Margaret.  
Mother consented but said I must ask Mr. Downs. Susan refused me 
Margaret & I asked Sis B for Carrie.  She looked astonished at such audacity 
and answered hesitatingly– I don’t know, yes I recon so, But who will I have 
to wait on me,  Oh, said I, don’t inconvenience yourself.   I should not have 
asked but I thought Edmonia or Martha could wait on you. Oh yes, says 
Mother, or Cynthia.–Let her have her, said Mary. Well then said sis B, seeing
I looked rather blank take her, take her, I can do without her. I 
could scarcely keep back my tears  –My heart felt like bursting-
This is the return for all our kindness to sis B, & what is there 
that either  of us wold have hesitated to do for her,
  Once before I went to Leeds without a nurse –as she remarked when 
she heard I was going, You can’t take Carrie. So I wouldn’t ask her 
after that.  But as I wanted to go to Prospect H[ill] to stay all night
 I thought I would try, But I will never ask a favor of her again.  
Mr. Downs has not come home yet, & I am afraid I will be 
obliged to give up my trip.  Don’t it seem hard that as 
much as I stay home– when I do propose taking a 
visit- everyone should seem so much opposed to it–
 I feel so out of spirits, so out of heart– I am so anxious 
to hear from you– is the whole cause I believe.

[transcript done in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406