[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]
Tuesday August 12th
A very severe thunderstorm today. I have occupied myself in various ways, making
soap, my first attempt, etc. No war news.
MSS 9759
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of the 25th Massachusetts]
Monday
Aug 11
Dress parade this morning
Company drill and battalion
as usual. Nothing unusual. Two recruits
in the tent.
MSS 11293
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Sunday
Aug 10
very hot again. Lay in the
tent and read. Mr James
made some remarks up at his
tent this evening.
MSS 11293
Castle-Hill 11 Aug. 1862
My dear Sir,
I received your letter
of the 5th inst. only yesterday.–Your ac-
count of Mr. Allen, added to the ru-
-mours of his former intemperance, has
induced me to give up the idea of em-
-ploying him. You may, therefore, say
to him that I have engaged a man
nearer home.——
On Saturday last & Sunday
morning, there was an engage-
-ment between our forces under
Jackson & the enemy’s near Mitch-
-ells Station in Culpeper Co.-
We drove them back; but Pope
is said to be in great force at
Culpeper C.H. whither Jackson is
marching on.–I hope the govern-
-ment will give Jackson ample
forces, not only to drive Pope out of
the State, but to cross the Potomac
& march upon Baltimore & Wash-
-ington.—With our best love to
Sadie, yourself, & all the family,
I remain most affectionately
W.C. Rives
William Cabell Rives, 1793-1865
MSS 38-348
[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]
Monday 11
Passed Louisa C. H. about
4 Oclock P.M. & camped
for the night4 miles
N.West of the place
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery as entered by him at a later date]
Next morning (Aug 11th) The wagon train was
ordered to move to the rear at 2 o’c so having
packed up everything, Maj. Ginter, Lt. Tanner, & self, preceded the
wagons so far as to get to Dr. Hill’s to breakfast before
the head of the train came in sight (The Dr. is
a brother of Genl. A. P. Hills.) After breakfast continued
on & got to Orange C. H. in time for a late dinner at
a widow ladies, where after dinner I amused my com-
-panions by singing some songs, which a Piano in the
parlor insisted on accompanying me in, ending with
the very appropriate one, which commenced with
“There was a man went up & down to seek a dinner
through the town.” The risibilities of the audience
were so affected by this, that our friend the widow
must have thought our melancholy tale to get a
dinner, was all sham. However she seemed quite
to disarm any suspicion of this kind on our part,
by very cordially inviting us to stop there again
when in town. After bidding the widow good bye we
returned to look for our wagons.; found them a mile
from the C. H. in park for the night.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 6150
Bivouack of the Rockbridge
Artillery — Culpeper
About 6 or 8 miles above CH
Monday afternoon
Aug. 11, 1862
Dear Father
Brother Charles
& myself are both safe
and well. Our Battery–except
the gun I belong to, was engaged
but only two men were hurt
& they very slightly. Our
Division is now in reserve
The battle of Saturday was
an unequivocal victory
for us-
Will write again as soon
as I have opportunity. This
I have now as regards time but we
are separated from our baggage
In haste
Yours faithfully
L. M. Blackford
You see from the above I was not in the action.
MSS 5088
[from the diary of Ephraim A. Wood, Co. C., 13th Massachusetts]
Monday Aug 11th /62
This morning the Rebels proposed
Armistice, till two oclock so that each
could bury their dead. I went down
onto the Battle field. The sight was horrible.
I saw nearly two hundred dead bodies, the
Sun made terrible work with the dead.
The Stench was very bad. The Rebels were
the burying their dead, and our men ours
The rebels and Federal Soldiers were quite
sociable, drank from each others Canteens
and talked of the War. They are as sick
of the work as we are. I saw two Soldiers
one Federal and one Rebel, recognize
each other, as old acquaintances, both
belonged in the Same town somewhere in
Western Virginia. The shook hands and
had a long talk together. Gen Hartsuff
of this Brigade, and Gen Stuart of the Rebel
Cavalry (formerly of the same Class at West
Point) spent two hours together under
a shady tree talking of old times.
I was into the Rebel lines some ways
and nearly into their Camp. A Rebel Major
rode up to me and told me that I was
farther then we were allowed to go.
I told him, that I guess I would turn
about then. Some wounded were found
on the field this morning, having
layed there since Saturday. The Battle
field was nearest to the Rebels lines,
but neither side could go onto the
Battle field without danger of the
other. We expected a fight after two
Oclock, but every thing remain quiet.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12021
[conclusion to the August 9 letter of Hiram Cash, Co. K, 5th Maine, to his parents]
Aug. 11 The
army is getting ready to move from here
where they are going I cannot tell I am not
able to do duty yet and some doctors say I
never shall be I am quite lame and cannot
walk abut a short distence without resting I
must close hoping to hear from you
soon From your son
Hiram M. Cash
MSS 12916
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Monday, Aug. 11, 1862
Guard mounting
was not very well
today. Were ordered to
prepare for general inspection
it did not occur however
rumors were that we
would probably make
a movement to day
or soon
Wrote Letters to-day
to Father & Jennie Langan
sent her some Laurel leaves
partly clear indications
of rain this eveing.Hear this night byCampbell & Alex thatJohn Olin has gotten a
commission
MSS 10317
