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

Monday, July 28, 1862

Guard mounting
after which practiced
on the Oppera of Lucia De
Lammermoor.  Drilled
a little at manual of
arms heavy inf
Parade but no Drill
as the Colonel was
absent
Considerable talk of
our being discharged
Regiment much opposed
to the idea
very large mail came
in just now not yet
distributed think I shall
certainly receive some
clear warm

MSS 10317

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

          Monday   July 28/62
          Pleasant & very warm
In forenoon worked at the
Court House unloading teams
In afternoon unloaded Cars
Capt Smith has got so
many darkies now that
our work the last two
has been very light
     Privates Healy Seabray & Kendall
went to the Regt this morning
Sent two old Ledgers by them
to John Mitchell.

 MSS 12521

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Monday, July 28th
A bright beautiful morning.  Soon after breakfast Cortney Jones, Lucy Tidball and Maria Meade walked in.  They had been out blackberrying.  In the course of conversation Maria mentioned her maid Lucy told her that Cousin Bev was at  home and the Yankees said there were too many Rebels about here and they meant to arrest them.  Cousin Bev having asked Cousin Courtney yesterday evening if they heard of any Yankees to let him know, he wanted to go down immediately and tell him.  I insisted on sending George, writing a very unalarming note.  He went and returned quietly, having gone also to Uncle B to tell the warning to him.  We were seated on the grass when we heard horses feet coming rapidly from Prospect Hill. Soon little Bev hove in sight.  In frantic haste he rushed into the yard and demanded what the news was.  We told him the Alpha and Omega and off he tore, spreading terror wherever he appeared.  Uncle B soon came in to know the foundation of the alarm.  Scarcely was he satisfied when Cousin John came.  Poor Cousin Bev had to take to the woods and after all, no Yankees appeared.  So much for false alarms.  Now war news today.  Took tea at Prospect Hill.

MSS 9759

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

Monday Weather very warm–Little Wiliam has been quite sick all
day–Miss Sallie Mallett called on Sara and Mrs. Watters. Also C Campbell
Mrs Watters & I went to Church 6 o;clock to attend evening service
after tea we all took a walk on the Campus–& Eliza gave us
music until 9 o’clock. No papers or letters this morning as the
Nail did not come in last night–I finished the frock Liz
gave Eliza & it looks very pretty on her–Sarah has given
her a beautiful present–Two gold bands for her wrists.  The
prettiest I have seen–Liz bought a couple of water melons. The first of
                                                                                      the season


MSS 6960

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

Monday 28–Various duties –Dr. Minor
performed the capital operation of
resection of the shoulder on young
Miller.  It was very skilfully done
and quite successful.  The [?]
of it was admitted by all.  It was
delayed unnecessarily a week.  The
chances are altogether in favor of his
recovery. In the evening brought
old Mr. Miller home to supper and
found him a most interesting man.
Drs. Minor & Ford came in and the
evening passed off very pleasantly.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Monday, July 28, 1862

We did not waken as early as we had
intended But were almost dressed & the
children were ready–when father came to
the door & said he had bad news for me that
he sent for Jack, who was to drive us to the
river, found that the door was locked & all
of them gone. of course we were surprised-
father said “See there, now that is what you
lose by going away”.  Mr Downs consented
to drive us to the river & we got along
very well though I cannot praise his
driving. He held the reins only & the horses
took their own course–We stopped at
Dr. Striblings, to say good bye; when we got
to Markham found that Jeannie was
gong to – under an escort.  We were glad to
have her–Reached the river safely–& got
all of our baggage across–Cousin Willie
saw us all comfortably seated at W. Mc C[?]
& he drove off to let Pa know we were
there= I had a very comfortable room,
but most miserable supper.  I couldnt
eat at all–if it hadn’t been for the
nice snack mother had prepared for
us- I would have gone to bed hungry.

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

MSS 15406

July the 27th 1862

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of the 25th Massachusetts]

Sunday
July 27
Got up this morning and made
me some coffee.  It had cleared
off in the night. the rain came through
the roof, so I had to take my blanket from
under me and put it over me, We
started about seven and went to Pollocks
ville where we staid three or four hours
and then started for  home.  I travelled
barefoot from Pollocksville nearly home.
We reached camp thoroughly tired out
about ten at night.

MSS 11293

                       In Camp Sunday
          Newbern July 27th 1862
Dear Parents
                     As I feel very much
like writing this morning and as
this is a day when we have very
little to do I have concluded
to give you an idea of how we
are getting along.  We expect a mail
today or tomorrow but I will will write
now & then too.  In the first
place I must tell you in
what good opinion I am held
by the Col. he has sent my
name to Gov. Andrews recommen-
ding me for a Captaincy.  He
sent a list of about  10 or 12
Non. Coms. to the Gov. recommen-
ding them for various offices
my name comes 4 or 5 on the
list & he told the Capt. that
if I had been older my name

[page 2]
would have come nearer the head.
There is scarcely any doubt tbut
that I get a 1st Lieutantcy and
possibly a Captaincy, so that I
am studying at a great rate
(and the Capt. examines me
every day) if you can imagine
such a thing.  I am getting along
quite fast.  The Capt says that
I am now better posted than
1/2 the Capts. The list of names
have gone home so that in a \month or six weeks I may be
at home.  Local news here is
pretty stiring[sic], for the last
few nights some unknown per
son or persons have fired on
the sentries who walk the
streets in the city, nobody has
been hit until night before
last the guard was shot in
the hip.  Yesterday Gen.
Foster issued an order at which

[page 3]
Mass. 23rd marched to the
particular street (where the
firing has been done) headed
by the Gen.; searched the houses
found about 10 men loafing
in & about a certain house, found
guns & shot in the house &c
immediately the fences, fruit &
shade trees, vegetables & everything
living were cut down or torn
up and last but not lest
every house & building in the
street was torn down & the
Gen says that he will hang
the next man caught in such
an act & it is thought that
he will hang one or more
of those whom he has caught
as they committed the acts
previous.  I heard Gen. Stevenson
say that Gen. F said he
would shoot the man
whereat Mrs.. Gen. F said

[page 4]
“you shan’t shoot one while I
am here–You shoot our own
soldiers for misconduct & you
should therefore hang rebels.”
Gen Stevenson said that that
was an actual fact.
Jim has gone off on picket
with Co. K; we had the heaviest
thunderstorm last night that
I ever saw, you have no idea of
it. An expedition left here 2 or 3
days ago for what place nobody
seems to know, they have had a
skirmish I believe as some of our
wounded were brought into town
last night (2 wounded & 2 killed) we
have had no particulars.
But I must close.
Give my love to all & a kiss to
the children & believe me your
affect son

         Theo. C. Otis
                      hoping to see you
                      soon

[letter found, for whatever reason among the papers of the Cabell Family of Albemarle County, Va.]

Sergeant Theodore C. Otis, Company G, 24th Massachusetts Infantry

MSS 38-348