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

Monday, Aug. 25, 1862
Waked up in Washington
visited this morning
the Capitol a magnificent
building. Afterward went
with Jo to an attorney to
see about a discharge think
it probable that we will
get one. with several
officers are now at the house
of one G. W. Hunter–the Marylan
der awaiting some breakfast
and are now enjoying some good
[music?] A gentleman Dr Donnelson
came out from his house and invited
me in to eat read or write the letters I did
& wrote letter to Father met him again this
evening he offered me some money  [?] [?]
visited the Smithsonian Institute
would that I had a week to
spend there.  Were formed in
Batallion this evening and marched
through several streets playing
played a little this evening
beautiful day  warm

MSS 10317 

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Ma hired a white woman for fear the
servants may leave–but she is not to
come for two weeks yet. I am interested
in that as she has a daughter who is to [work?]
for me, if she proves a useful girl I
hear so much talk about white servants
that I am getting quite anxious to try
them=this is the beginning of a change in
my feelings. I would like to put one years
experience by this for nothing but a fair trial
will convince me I will ever like white
labor better than colored.  Poor Massie I
often think of her.
Pa heard to day that the Yanks were taking
up citizens to be held as hostages for the
prisoners taken on Saturday–I am afraid
that it will only do harm to us for such
useless raids to be made while the country
is in the enemies possession–We should  be
able to send a large force to drive them out,
or refrain altogether from engaging them
against the people–There will be a
large force of cavalry quartered on
the people to prevent another attack
of the kind, & that will be ten
times worse for us– as cavalry go
all over the country stealing horses & whatever
they want. Worse than infantry.

MSS 15406

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

Monday 25th  all day Liz & I have been busily at work in
my room – She finishing off her shaker, while I mended
torn garments–Liz is very sweet & whenever my unruly
tongue says any thing that I afterwards think has
hurt her-I mourn over it-& promise my self not to of-
-fend so again–A few words passed a night or two ago
about sitting in each other’s room–Though she behaved
pleasantly–while I said many things I ought not – but
she must know I love her=For she has never varied in
her kindness to me- & when I look at her (as Richd called
it in one of his letters) sad sweet face-I feel like taking her
in my arms & if possible shielding her from every care.
Not only for my beloved sons sake-But for her own
4 O Clock  Liz- Mrs Watters–Sarah–& Eliza have all
gone out to pay a few visits–They will return for
Church at 7 O’Clock–No papers or letters were recei-
-ved to day–as no mail arrived last night-It never
comes on Sunday night unless there are passengers
at Durham that want to be brought up–It has turn
-ed cooler–Still cloudy–& threatning more rain–I have
just written to Virgil–in answer to his letter written
me–William becomes more interesting every day–He knows
us all now-
MSS 6960

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

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

Monday 25   very cloudy engaged at Bank
as usual  Mond evg–young Wm Kean
son of Dr Julian Kean came last
evening & staid all night.  He was
wounded at Malvern Hill & will
lose his eye I fear–Sue, Lucy Minor,
Fanny Minor & Betty B. came to din
-ner & at night took Mary & Lanny
to call on Dr Jno Minors wife–
and on returning, found two of
Lewis’s friends in the [?] Capt
Frank Huger & Major Jno Saunders
both of the artillery, & both intending
going to the springs–Not quite
as well pleased  with them as
Lewis seems to be.

MSS  4763

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

Sunday
Aug 24
On guard to day. Have had a
very good quiet Sabbath. Have
read a good deal and enjoyed the day
very well.

MSS11293

[from the diary of Lancelot Minor Blackford of the Rockbridge Artillery]

Sunday-Aug.23[sic]/62–We rest tonight 1 1/2 miles from our
bivouack of last night, viz just at the village of Jefferson
We had scarcely done eating what we could get by together
for breakfast-for rations were low the early part of
the day–when the placing of some of our own batteries
above the ford drew the enemy’s fire with unpleasant and
indeed dangerous proximity to the artillery train of our Div.
Encamped all together and nearest to the river, though fully
shielded from the Enemy’s sight by thick intervening woods
We were immediately ordered to move back which, in
common with wagons, and other troops, we did pretty
speedily as the Enemy’s fire became more annoying.  I was
sorry to learn that notwithstanding our speedy change of
quarters, one man, a quartermaster it was said, got  his
head knocked off by one of the Enemy’s shot or shell
Skirmishing has been kept up with artillery across the
river more or less heavily all day.  This afternoon the
firing was very rapid and loud.  Though in a place
of security we could see the shells bursting in the air
at a distance at any time.  No good of any kind was effec-
ted of any kind by all the firing, so far as I could learn
It was as unprofitable as these miserable long-range
artillery-duels generally are, particularly when a river
flows between the combatants.  Orders were received to
prepare 2 days rations. It being my turn to be one of
the cooks I spent the whole afternoon laboriously
at this duty–the most disliked of almost of all those
that fall to our lot in camp.  Our cook Israel went to
Albemarle sick early this month and has not yet
returned, nor with our present moves is likely to do so soon.

MSS 5088

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond of Co. E, 42nd Virginia (Dixie Greys)

Sunday 24th  Cannonading commenced again
this morning – very heavy across the Rhapahanock [sic]
so serious injury done.  Wagons cross the south
fork of river move about 6 miles and camp
at Jeffersonville.  Saw 300 Yankees prisoners

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

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

                                  Sunday 24
Went to Barboursville
this evening, got there
about 7 ½ Oclock P.M.
found T.A. Marshall
there  

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448                                  

[from the diary of

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery]

(Aug 24th)  Sunday.
Had our batteries all placed in posi-
-tion early this morning expecting the
enemy might force the bridge.  At 10 o’c
an artillery dual commenced from
each side of the river which lasted
all day long.  Our Brigade was under arms
and being just behind our batteries were
under fire the whole day, shells bursting
all around us.  Wrote a letter to Jennie this
morning & will keep it till an opportu-
-nity is afforded to Rich.  In the firing
to day our Battery had 2 men wounded &
7 or 8 horses.  They fired away all their

ammunition & were not relieved ‘till
after dark.  Just before dark our
Brigade was moved back on the road.,
to Jefferson & bivouaced in the woods.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150