[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Friday
Aug 15
Did not sleep much last night
on account of my bones. The guard
down town was fired at, about eleven
Lay on my bunk all day after coming
off guard. Felt lame and sore, and my
head ached. did not eat anything hardly.
MSS 11293
Friday–Aug 15, 1862
Camp of the Rockbridge Artillery
1st Brigade-1st Division-Jackson’s Army
5 miles from Gordonsville–Orange Co. Va.
Wm. M. Blackford Esq. Lynchburg
My Dear Father
My last letter
home was written from Camp Garnett in Louisa
on Monday, 4th. since then I have had no oppor-
tunity to write at length except yesterday when
I was too tired. I hope you received the short
note I wrote last Monday from a bivouack
in Culpeper announcing my safety after the
battle. I take up the narrative now regularly.
On Friday, 5th, I went over to Gen. Jackson’s
He.Qrs. to dine with bro. Charles but was com-
pelled to hurry through the meal by an order
issued before I had been there more than an hour
or two for the first Division to move that after-
noon to this camp, the one we had occupied
just one week before. It is, as I have mentioned
on Col. Magruder’s plantation, and is a very plea-
sant situation–better than Camp Garnett.
[page 2]
We remained here quietly about 48 hours only.
Thursday afternoon an order came to cook two
days rations and in a short time afterwards
to move. We did goth, and bivouacked that
night 1 1/2 miles this side of Orange C.H. the
march was not a long one and mostly made
after the sun had lost its chief strength,
yet still we suffered greatly from the heat.
Next morning we made a very early start
and did not finally halt until about
4 P.M. but then only between 5 and 6 miles of
the point left in the morning, i.e. one mile
beyond the Rapidan River. during the day, as
you see from the time we were upon the
road, we made several long halts, one at
Orange C.H., and another at the Rapidan ford.
The latter appeared to be for the purpose
of allowing Ewell’s baggage train to pass us
he being in the advance, and if I recollect
right, occupying the advance of the right in
the battle, as Jackson’s own division did of the left.
[page 3]
We had again orders Friday night to cook 2
days rations, which job kept us until late at
night, the provisions being very late in arriving.
During the night we were much annoyed by the
sound within a mile of us of occasional shots
of musketry. It sounded like picquets being
sometimes fast and quick, and at others slow.
Finally about 2 A.M. when shots became so much
more frequent as to cause us to rise and to
have the horses hitched up, and the Infantry
to get under arms. Ere long however we heard
one tremendous volley and then all was quiet,
and so continued thereafter, and our apprehen-
sion of a night attack ceased. It seemed that
the enemy had sent down a body of cavalry
to reconnoitre our position: they fired at our
picquets and were duly fired at in turn &
were finally tempted within the range of
the guns of a regiment of infantry we had
in readiness. All of a sudden the latter blazed
away and sent them off at double quick, tho’
strange to say doing very little damage.
[page 4]
This incident interrupted our night’s rest a
good deal but we went to sleep again and
did not move on our way again until after
sunrise, Saturday morning. That day we made
6 or 7 miles. the country in Orange the way
we travelled is uninteresting, and between
the C.H. and Rapidan–3 miles–particularly so.
Soon after crossing the river however it is
very different, and so on down to Cedar Run
The residences are generally very handsome
and the country very rolling & picturesque,
particularly in the neighbourhood of Rob-
inson River, a small stream a few miles
below the Rapidan. There are many signs
of Yankee Cavalry camps along the road
and of Yankee stealing and rascality generally.
Their main body has not yet been so high.
The people told us of the most infamous
conduct of these scoundrels, who seem to have
given themselves up wholly to plunder and
harm doing everywhere thy had a chance.
[page 5]
about 3 P.M. after a slow and constantly halting
march we came in sight of a long high green
hill running at right angles to the road upon
which we discerned various horsemen of ours
reconnoitring, as if shy of going further. The
first sight of this independent of the rumors
that now began to reach us convinced me
that the enemy were near. Not very long
afterward we heard a few cannon shot &
became still better assured that a battle
was imminent. As yet we were a mile
or more behind this hill, which was itself
that distance from what was afterwards
the battlefield. Finally we moved on to
a spot about 1.2 mile in the rear of the field
except our two Parrott guns already sent for to the front
and there the artillery for our brigade ^ halted
for a time while the Infantry of our own and
other commands advanced to get in proper
position for action. Between this point
where we were and the battlefield was one
dense body of woods–of course a great protection.
[page 6]
Our Battery consists now of but four guns–tho’
six is our proper number–two Parrot and two
brass guns; the latter are a 12 Pdr and a 6Pdr.
Our consort–Carpenter’s battery has one Parrott
and 3 six pounders. The Parrott guns–rifled 10 Pdrs
are always in demand in the opening of an
action, for long range, and the guns of smal
ler calibre and smooth bore generally come in
use afterwards. It was not so in the last
battle; I believe no 6 Pdrs were used at all,
though our big “Napoleon” – a splendid smooth
bore brass 12 Pdr was eventually called
into action. In this way our brass 7 Pdr was
the only one not employed and the detach-
ment thereto belonging–to which I have
been attached ever since I joined the co.–
of course not exposed to danger. It is true
a good many of the enemy’s shell did
strike in our rear and otherwise near us
but not close enough to occasion serious
uneasiness. We are too much used to them for that.
[page 7]
I was not therefore in the engagement and
can only undertake to tell you of what I
saw and heard relating to it without being
able to give you what would most interest you
viz. the description of an eye witness.
At the point mentioned our 6 Pdr with its
cannoniers and one lieutenant remained, in company
with various others, until the battle was over
and the enemy driven from the field. We were
stationed just at the side of the main road
leading to the scene of conflict, and in full
hearing of the sound of artillery & musketry
and were not unemployed as to ear or eye.
As the battle went on we commenced soon
to sicken of that sad sight incident to all
battles,viz. the carrying of the wounded to
the rear. Hundreds passed us, some walking
unaided, some supported by others, some on
stretchers and some simply in blankets: all
bleeding and weary and pressing on as best
they could to the field hospital, if possible.
[page 8]
Our favourite commander of the 1st Brigade,
Brig. Gen C. s. Winder, as you have heard, was
mortally wounded. He was in command
on this occasion of 3 brigades the 1st, 2nd, & 3d
–of Jackson’s own Division, which composed the
advance of our left. He fell early in the
action. At the time he was struck he was
dismounted and, as he frequently was in
actin, standing near one of the guns of
this battery. (His being dismounted was un-
usual.) He was talking to one of the can-
noniers, Edwd. Moore of Lexington, and looking
through his spy-glass at the enemy’s posi-
tion, when one of the enemys shell came
along, took off his arm and frightfully
wounded his side. He was soon carried
to the rear on a stretcher by the place
where I was, to an old church about 1/2
mile back (Rev. Philip Slaughter’s I understand)
where in about half an hour he died
It was a sad sight to see him lying there so
shockingly wounded: I could see him but a
[page 9]
moment as he passed, but a sad change had
already come over the handsome features &
form I had so often seen buoyant with life
and health at the head of this brigade. His
remains were brought on immediately to Orange
C.H. near which village they were finally
interred; Rev. Mr. Davis officiated at the funeral.
In Gen Winder this Brigade has met with
a great loss. I think it exceedingly doubtful
whether we shall ever get such another
officer to command us. He stands very high
in this army both with men [&] officers &
was known to possess Gen Jackson’s con-
fidence in a high degree. I believe he
has no superior of his rank in the service
and very few equals. As a gentleman
all who knew him admired & like him, as
a soldier his name is the synonym for all
that is brave and noble. I have written a little
paragraph about Gen. W., herewith enclosed, which Mr Button
may think it worth while to publish editorially. please
hand it to him & send me the paper in which it appears
[page 10
After dark all the guns of our battery were
gotten together and we advanced to a portion
of the field about 3/4 mile from the first
position of our batteries, where we bivouack-
ed for the night. It was a bright moon-
light night and taking advantage of this
a good deal of cannonading was done, first
and last, on both sides. It was not with
out some effect either, though exactly
what I could never learn. Sunday morning
after some marching and counter marching
the 1st, 2d, and 3d Brigades, which had been
all hotly engaged Saturday evening, were or-
dered three miles to the rear to await orders.
This we did not very reluctantly and to-
ward noon found ourselves in a tolerable camp
near the baggage trains with an oppor-
tunity to rest a little. Saturday evening only
2 of A.P. Hill’s brigades were engaged, I understood
and thus the far greater part of his Division
was left fresh. It occupied the advance Sunday
[page 11]
the 1st, 2d, & 3rd Brigades remained at this place
until Tuesday morning. We were all this
while in doubt as to what was going to be
done: first expecting for hours to hear the
roar of battle on the front, but by Monday
noon abandoning that idea because in a addi-
tion to having all our baggage trains sent
to the rear we heard that our troops had
begun to fall back from their advance po-
sitions. All things thus weighed we came
to the conclusion we would again at leas
re-cross the Rapidan. On Monday the enemy
sent over a flag of truce to bury their dead
and a conference was had between Majo4
Gen. J.e.B. Stuart and some Yankee officers. It
is said the[sic] admitted their killed to be 600
I dont know how this may be,but our
total loss in killed and wounded in estimated
at Hd.Qrs. at 700: that of the Yankees, I hear
about 2000. I imagine it is difficult to
arrive at a just estimate so soon after a battle.
[page 12]
Sunday night I had the pleasure of a visit
from my old and much valued friend Wm. T.
Haskell, of So. Ca. who came over from his camp
which was not distant, and sat some time
with me. He is a Captain in the 18th So. Ca. Regt.
in Gregg’s Brigade. We had not met for
two years before, not since leaving the U[niversit]y.
The meeting was a most pleasant one.
Tuesday the army generally fell back across
the Rapidan, and mostly to their former
camps; so it is at least with our Division.
On our way we tarried some hours about
Orange C.H., thus affording me an opportu-
nity of going to the house of Rev. R. T. Davis
where I was hospitably entertained at dinner.
Thus we found ourselves, at the end of a 5 days cam-
paign once more where we started from:
What the next move will be we have
no idea, of course, but Longstreet’s Division
is here now and Gen. Lee came up to day,
so we may look out for something stirring ere long.
[page 13]
I enclose some lines copied from a newspaper
which I admired so much that I send them
to mother. I send the MS copy rather than
the printed thinking that mother may be
not unpleasantly reminded of me by the hand
writing and may keep it near her. (I dont
mean by this to arrogate the little of “her noble boy”
however) I wish Mary would make a copy of
it and let it be printed in the Virginian.
Br. Charles sent me a late letter of yours yes-
terday. I am very thankful to hear that
Eugene is mending and hope he may soon
get home. Give my love to him whenever
he does come and my renewed congratula-
tions on his promotion which give me great
pleasure. I hope Gen. Rodes is doing well.
Please say to the Misses Willis that I, at least,
will be sure to remember their kind invitation
and find out their house if we are anywhere
near it now or in future. I would like to know
more of its locality, if they could tell me.
[page 14]
I am happy to know Lucy Landon was so
soon expected and hope she is ere this in
Lynchburg. If so give my love to her I
have heard nothing from Berkeley lately
and don’t know what has become of him
though of course we know he is still de-
tained from duty by sickness. My love too
to Fanny Cazenove and to Sister Sue.
I wish you could hunt me up some
really good material for a shirt. I want but
one, and that for summer wear, through not
too thin. I would like some dark check
stuff, or stout gingham, something taste-
ful and durable and not too light either
in quality or colour. I want the shirt made
like an ordinary white one, with broad pletes
in the bosom, and a neat collar, sewed on to the
shirt. The sleeves should be full, as should
the whole garment. (My arms are extra long)
Let one of my vest be taken from my
trunk to cut it by, but make the sleeves a little
longer than those.
[page 15]
I wish some experienced hand may be put to
this job. I fear Mary Isabella is not such.
I want this shirt as a “Sunday” one and as it
is but one I hope you and mother will
try and see I have something nice. Please
send it to me as soon as possible.
I wish you would let me know what a regular
good stout pair of heavy grey pants can be
had for, something substantial and nice
You can find out from Burroughs, who has
my measure and whom I would probably employ
I am wanting my great coat. I left it
unavoidably at Mr. Gwatkin’s in Richmond.
Will you charge yourself with endeavouring
to send it to me as soon as you can.
Yet again let me trouble you. I sent 25 ¢
the other day for P.O. stamps. I send now as
much more for which please send me the
worth in stamps. With the other 50 ¢ worth
I fear I gave you a great deal of trouble
yet I have none to whom I can apply for
these favours.
[page 16]
We have been perfectly quiet here for the last
48 hours, though there are signs of a move on
hand now. the signs may fail however. Mean-
while come what may I trust I can go forth
without alarm, relying for strength, protection
(and salvation, in case of death) on One who
has never yet failed to shew himself for me a Mighty
Deliverer, as he is ever our blessed Redeemer
The protection and favour shewn me by
God in the past certainly warrants me in
indulging for the future and [word inked through] com-
fortably though at the same time I trust,
and humbly hope that He will again be with me.
Among the wounded at Cedar run was
Major F. W. Holliday of Winchester- (Major to
the 33rd Va.) He has lost his right arm, poor fellow
and is now at Charlottesville. He was always
a great favourite with me and one of the
best officers in the brigade. It is a sad loss to us.
Lt. Col. R.H. Cumningham of the 21st Va., 2d Brig.
1st Div., was killed; also a fine & gallant officer.
I knew him very well and mourn his loss.
I had a letter yesterday from du Bose who sends
you and mother and Mary his respects & kind
regards. His corps–the Holcombe Legion–Evans’ Brig.
Longstreet’s Divn (He is the Adjt.) has been ordered
to Va. recently. He wrote from Richmond, but
probably by this time is in this army.
My love to Mary Isabella–my dear sister–
of course to another for whom this letter is half,
and kind regards to the servants especially
Peggy–my love too to all at the doctor’s
Your affectionate son
L.M. Blackford
[cross hatched in left hand margin of page 16]
Our sufferings from heat during the late expedition were very great
Five such days of oppressive heat in succession I never knew,
I think. We had to live on crackers and fat bacon, the while,
not very congenial diet. the whole trip was terribly exhausting.
MSS 5508
Port Gibson
Friday August 15 – 62
My dear Cousin [Richard Bayly Buck]
Yours of the 3d bringing me
such sad news was received yesterday morning
I have just gotten up (as soon as I was
able) to try and write you a few lines &
to give some directions. Dear Charley how my
heart aches for him & the result of dear
Willie’s wound fills me with anxiety & unea
siness the shock was terrible as it was un=
expected. And the suspense seems almost
insupportable. I try to commend him to God
& pray that he may be prepared for what-
ever is prepared for him. If I was well enough
I should have started immediately to see him
I look anxiously for another letter from you
this evening & pray it may bring good news.
I want you to write to me & leave the letter
in the office at Richmond to be kept until
called for. Giving me the Street & number of
[page 2]
the house of the gentleman with Charly is staying
also directions for finding your camp. but you
must not tell Charly this as something may
prevent my going on & he would be so disapp
ointed At the same time please write me
& direct here telling me all the particulars
of the situation does he need anything? Has
he any money with him? has he drawn his pay
or bounty? who is Mr Mayo? and Mr Oliver
I never heard of them before.
I must thank you my dear cousin for writing
so promptly. I do feel that you will do all
you can for Charly, but fear you will not
be allowed to go to see him often, and
Robert & Smith also I am sure will do all
in their power. I have looked much to R’s
experience & advice for my dear brother,
I recd a letter from home to day. which I
send with this.
Mr B has returned from Texas & is tolirably
well May God bless & spare you for his
service is the pray of
Your attached cousin
C B B
[in left margin of page 1]
If you have not written to Papa I think you had best
not write until Charly
is a great–deal
better
the following not is enclosed
My own dear Charly [Buck]
Richard’s letter with the
distressing news of your sufferings reached me last
night. I cannot tell you dear Charly how it
makes my heart ache to thing of your suffer=
ing there alone. if I was only well enough to
start Right off to be with & nurse you. I hope
to hear to night & if I am well enough will go
on. I pray that God may be with you and
support you under your sufferings that he may
sanctify them to you & enable you to put your
trust in the Saviour. He has said “Call upon
me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.
and thou shalt glorify me” “God is our
refuge, and strength a very present help in
trouble.” May he fulfill these promises to you
my dear Charly. I long to be with & nurse you.
I hope you are in the hands of kind nurses,
but I know that every body must be worn out
in Richmond.
I send you a letter from home which I hope
[page 2]
will cheer you not because there is good
news but that it is no worse. that our dear
father has not been torn from his home, & their
lives are still spared. We must commit them
to an Almighty Arm. These are indeed the
“times which try mens souls”
Mr B is with me now he has been very
sick but is nearly well.
The children & Mr B join me in much
love. May the Lord be with you & restore
you to health & strength and make you
one of his chosen children
Devotedly your sister
CBB
Mr Charles N Buck
Richmond
Camp Mc[?]
August 15th 1862
Dear Kate
I received your much
welcomed letter last week &
was glad to hear from you
My health is very good at
present & hope these fiew
lines may find you enjoying
the same blessing We have had
annother very hard battle on
the ninth of t his month I
suppose you have heard the
perticulars before this Brother
John was slightly wounded
in the early part of the enga
gement Charles was hurt in
the hand with his ramrod
while loading his gun they
were both sent to the hospi
tal at Sharlottesville our
[page 2]
loss was estimated at six hun
dred killed & wounded. The
enimies at three thousand
Our Brigade received a grate
deal of praise for its bravery
on the battle field It sertainly
did act nobly your Brother
was not very well and was ex
cused by the Sergeon & stayed
back with the waggons he did
not have the good luck of being
in the fight he has got right
well again & I hope his health
may continue to be good
for we all miss him when
he is sick or absent We cap
tured four or five hundred pris
oners & two pieces of canon
I was glad to hear Mr Burkholder
health was improving & hope he
may soon recouver his former
strength. you refered me to a piece
[page 3]
of poetry & well remember but
it has been a long time since
I wrote it & if you received
any lately it was not from
me nor have I the least idea
who gave it to you & am sorry
I did not get to see you or
Lizzie the Sunday I left it
was late when I got to Green
ville & I went down to Mr Burks
& then to Mr Newtons and
by that time [?] was
out orders just come for us
to cook two days rations
I suppose we will hafto
march to morrow General
Lee was a Gordonsville to
day. Yesterday was thanksgiving
day in our army for the mercif
ul kindness God showed towards
us in the battle of Ceder Creek
I hope the God of battles may
[page 4]
still crown us with sucksess
in future engagements I would
like very much to be up in Augusta
now & go a whirtle berrying &
know if I could have a great deal
of pleasure I suppose Sam Fitc
h has been down a half dozen
times by this time Me and Sam
are not as intimate as we were
once he treated me very kindly
when I was at home he has a
smooth tongue & seems to be a real
ladies man. Dear Kate I have
nothing to write that will interest
you I cannot write a good letter
so you must not exspect one
from me my friend O. V. sends
a note in my letter. My respects
to all the family. Write soon to
your warmest friend & well wisher
W.F.B.
William Francis Brand, of Co E, 5th Virginia Infantry (Augusta Grays) to his future wife Amanda Catherine (Kate) Armentrout
MSS 11332
Belmont Hospital
Nelson Co. Virg
Aug 15 62
Dear Sir
Wishing to hear of the
particulars of the late engagement
of our army and especially of our
Company, near Cedar Creek Iuse this means of learning employ
this oportunity of writing, so that
through your cooperation we
may learn all the particulars.
We heard our Company (E) was
cut to pieces in sd engagement
and not knowing the certainty
of it, we are anxious to
hear. Please let us know im-
mediately who are killed, who
wounded and who missing.
mourtially. We are now
near Lovingston and about
30 miles from Lynchburg
in this Hospital. We have
[page 2]
very poor accomodations
here and hear abut little news.
We are somewhat better but im-
prove very slowly. We will re-
join our company as soon
as we think we are able to
go. We have no inducements
to stay at as miserable a place
as this longer than we cannot
possibly help. Wm Lawrence
wishes also to hear of the 4th
Reg of the 1st brigade, he
having a brother in the same
Wm Lawrence
Johnson Faris
J. P. Houts
Address Wm Lawrence
Belmont Hospital
Nelson County Va
Care of Dr. Neill
Variety Mills
Lawrence, Faris and Houts were in the 42nd Virginia Infantry
MSS 14953
Orange Co. Ho. Va.
Hd Qrs Cav. Brigade
Dear Sister.
I received our last letter just ten days
ago and have not had time until now to answer it
as we were then away from camp and have only spent
one night in camp since.–On this day week we left Orange
Co. Ho. and took up our line of march across the
river twords Culpeper whilst our regiment was march
ing along we were fired into by some yankey cavalry we
received the order to “charge them” which we did with
a vim for about six miles killing fifteen and taking
eighteen or twenty prisoners. I shot one of the scoundrels
that I know of and probably one or two more I had
a very narrow escape–as I was riding along at a full
run holding my pistol up before me I received a pistol
shot on y pistol if it had not struck the pistol
it would not have been very good for putting my
“chunk out” as it would have hit me full in the
the[sic] face, we lost but one horse he was rundown and
died in a few hours, it was very hard on all our
hourses, our enemy proved to be a portion of the first
Maryland Cavalry who were out on a scouting
expedition we saw them within two miles of Mad-
ison Co. Ho. where there were six regiments of them. We
then turned back up and took up our former course of
march that night we slept on the enemys camp
[page 2]
ground eight miles this side of Culpeper Co. Ho. the
next morning we were drawn up in ‘line’ of battle
and remained so all day (which was the day of the
fight at Slaughters Mountain) waiting to be called
upon which we were luckily we were not about 12
oclock the cannonading commenced an[d] lasted all
that day and until eleven oclock at night at
times it was terrific, the next morning a little before
day we started across the battlefield to go on picket
and it was sickening to hear the groans of the wound
ded and dying and see the dark forms and pale faces
of the dead, as they fairly glittered in the moonshine
We often having to [?] up our horses to keep from
riding over them, about sunrise we were taken from
our posts and went on a scout with Genl J.E.B.
Stewart who came up expressly for the fight.
We did nothing however but capture 7 straggling
yankeys at a house getting their dinner we then
came back and took our old posts where we
remained for three days with nothing but roasting
ears for ourselves and a little hay for our hor-
ses to eat, on the morning of the third day the
enemies cavalry appeared in sight in large num
bers, but “Stonewall” had given them the slip
and was with all his army, excepting our bri-
gade of cavalry back again on this side of the
river all we had to do was to fall back on
[page 3]
regiment and then cross the river in a hurry or
in camp parlance “skedaddle”, I did not leave
my post more than five minutes before it was
occupied by the advance of the enemys army
I was very near being caught.–We will have
some stirring times in a few days as we have
just received orders to draw and cook six days
rations by tomorrow morning Jackson Lee and
Longstreet are all here with a very large force
I should think at least 100000 men. –the
yankeys are in large force in the direction
of Liberty Mills about eighteen miles from here
Now is the time for all to come up to the
mark, it is our contrys hour of need we will either
loose all that we have gained or gain as
much more in the impending campaign, let
every man face the music and stand up to
his duty determined to do or die, may God in
his wisdom protect and prosper our arms.
Dr Plaster formerly our first Lieutennant
and who was taken by the yankeys on the
Manassas retreat, has just returned having
been exchanged, he tells me that father was
in jail in the old capitol when he went there
but was released in a few days he was then
quite well but very much worried, a mem
ber of our company who is on detached ser-
[page 4]
vice with Genl Stewart and who was up here with
him a few days ago tells me that R[?] R[?]
Stewarts great scout took dinner at Ossian
Hall about ten days ago and that they were all well
I should like to see him and have a talk
with him, but it is a great comfort to me to
know that much, the same man tells me that
he can send and bring letters for me at most any
time I am going to write one and if he succeeds
in doing so I will let you know. Give my kind
est love to every member of both the families,
tell Cousin Sarah that I have been intending
to write for a long time but have not yet had
an opportunity to do so but will try soon, thank
cousin John for his kind wishes and tell him
that I should like to be at Fighting Creek again
we often go for 36 and 48 hours with nothing
to ourselves and horses to eat, give my love to
Miss Ellen and Miss Joe and Mrs Blair, and re-
member me to all who inquire for me.–You ask
who will be my Captain now I suppose that our
2d Lieut Bruce Gibson will be, but we are trying
to make other arrangements. Lt. Col Dulany is a
great deal better and is able to get about on
crutches-If cousin Willy is still at Dykeland ask
him if he ever received the check which I sent
him. I can hardly tell you how to direct your letter
[top margin of page 1]
but try in this way Co “H” 6th Va Cav
Robertson’s Brigade Orange Co Ho
Army of the Valley
Is Genl Johnston still at Amelia
Springs. Write soon and believe me yrs
F. A. D.
[upside down in top margin of page 4]
We are seeing very hard service present
Billiards is very well
Francis Asbury Dickins, Jr. (Frank), 1841-1890.
His father Francis Asbury Dickins, 1804-1901, a Fairfax County, Va.. planter, lawyer in Washington, D. C. and agent for the U.S. War and Treasury Depts., was arrested more than once in the Civil War for his Confederate sympathies.
MSS 5533-d
[from the diary of Wesley Hammond, Co. E. 42nd Virginia]
15th Leave Lynchburg at 6 O’Clock
this morning on Orange & Alexandria
R. Road Arrive at Gordonsville about
2 O’Clock – thence to camp 4 miles
from town. found but few of
my Corps there. most all killed &
wounded.
[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 5526
[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery as recorded at a somewhat later date]
Next morning (Aug 15th)
Rode as escort to Tanner about 6 miles
beyond Gords-v where I left him to pursue his
way on horseback to R_ with my letters.
On my return to Gords-v found Henry there
who had permission to go to R_ on the cars.
Sent my clothes by him to be washed. Return-
-ed to Camp in time for dinner. This evening
rec-d orders to have 4 days rations cooked
& put in the men’s haversacks & be ready tomorrow
at daylight in morning.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 6150
[from the diary of Ephraim Wood of the 13th Massachusetts]
Friday Aug 15th/62
Marched this fornoon, We
crossed the Battle field and marched
to Robinsons Creek near the Rappadan
distance Six miles.
Saturday I went down to Corn
field and got some Corn
which I boiled, and to gether
with some liver that I bought I
made out quite a dinner
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12021
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Friday, Aug. 15, 1862
Had orders last night
to prepare to march the
morning were up soon after
3 oclock left Camp about 4 oclock
Rumer says we are going to
eastern Va. When we
arrived on the main
road we halted until the
detachment fromt he ferry came
up Col Hays then made a few
remarks Congratulating us
again on all being together &
to the effect that we would soon
see more active service
Stopped at Shady Spring short
time had some coffee. learn here that
the 2d Brigade had preceeded us
We have at length passed through
Raleigh and are now stopping on the
hill north of town. Rained some this morning
mostly clear this afternoon cool pleasant
walked 20 miles about
MSS 10317
