[letter of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio begun on August 10th concludes]

Aug. 11  We are prepareing for
general inspection this
evening and it is rumored
that we may leave this camp
to night: Scouts say that the
force that made the attack
at the ferry Wednesday are
again advanceing in that
direction.  Deserters who have
come in to our lines report the
enemy as they attacked Wednesday

[page 5]
over 1600 strong and
it is not improbable that
they will try it again
night before last a
detachment of 150 Inf men
and 20 Cavalry under Comd
of Capt Jim Drake ( a brave
or it may be reckless officer)
made a dash up the river
about 25 miles & destroyed
the Mercer salt works
the found it in full blast
makeing at least 20 [or 80?] bu
per day and as salt is a
quite scarce article through
the country it was quite
an important affair. the
boys fired it and saw it
well under way then
left, as they were returning
they were fired upon –  by
a passel[?] of bushwhackers. 3
of the horses were badly

[page 6]
wounded.  the Infantry
did not go all the way
and the Cavalry were alone
when fired on and
not knowing the strength
of the enemy they thought it
best to Skedaddle
Have those boys Tom &
Eli written to me yet &
How are the crops?
was the grass good
Write soon
I do not know why it is
hut I dont get scarcely any
letters nowadays
Yours Truly
J.D.  Templeton

MSS 10317

[written on patriotic stationery with a vignette of the American flag and the verse “And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the Free, and the home of the Brave”]

Niles Aug 11th 1862

Dear Friends at home
It is sometime since
we wrote you and
have received no answer
from you I take this
opportunity to write
you a few lines
we have waited so
long for an answer
that we made up our
minds that it was of
no use to wait any
longer  What do they
say about the Government
policy out there now

[page 2]
since the new call
they about there begin to
think that the more some
thing now does Grove
say any thing about going
to the War who has
enlisted there that I
know. Dear Friends it
is with pleasure that
I can say with all my
heart that I think it
my duty to go and help
defend the flag that we
all love its not for myself that
I go but those that are
to come after me I think
it the duty of every one
that is able to go to do
so and crush this carse  cursed
rebellion at once and
to drive al the system
of Slavery into oblivion
which I think is the only

[page 3]
thing which has caused
this unholy war I shall
either go in the 17th or
19th regiment which
Infantry to camp at
Dowagiac or Detroit
I will write soon and let
you know but you must
direct the answer to this
to Niles I have not time
to write  more this time
tell all to write me
for it may be the
last time that they
may have a chance
but if, I am k [shot?]
you will have this
for a consolation that
I died in the defence
of the old Flag that
you all might have
peace in after years Love
to all all send Love Yours
afft Geo D. [Martin?]

[in left hand margin of Page 3]

excuse the writing my hand is very tremulous

possibly the George D. Martin, in the reorganized 3rd Michigan Infantry

MSS 10694

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

Monday, August 11th
A very warm day, threatening but no rain.  rode down to Linden this evening, met
Mr. Jones and Courtney.  distressing tidings came today of the death of Cousin Hugh
Nelson and Mr. Fauntleroy.  Reported arrival of Burnside’s fleet at Sequoia Creek.
From the account of its weakened condition at the time of McClellan’s howling for
reinforcements, I hope we have not much to fear.  Our only trust is in God.

MSS 9759

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

Monday 11.  Hot as oven–further details
of the battle which does not seem
to have been a general one–our
loss 300 or 400 killed & wounded
about as many of the enemy
taken prisoners, including two Gen-
erals —   Prince & Williams
Met Rev & Mrs  Latané of Staunton
who told me he had come with Miss
Booker–daughter of the late R. S. Brooks
and grand daughter of my old and va
lued friend Judge Brook to look for
her brother who had been sent to a
hospital here–that after much trou
-ble she had found him in Langhornes
factory that he would take it as a
favor if I would receive Miss Brooks
that she might be near her brother.
This, of course, I readily assented to but
said nothing further of my intention
after dinner I went to the hospital
and found young Brooks and had
him removed to my house–I then
went to the Washington & conveyed
Miss B up.  She said she would go
to the hospital.  After getting [?]
I asked her if she was ready to see her
Brother.  She started and was surpri
-zed that I led her up stairs–of course
she was delighted–I had not been
for some days going on the 2d floor
of the hospital and had heard no-
thing of Brooks being there–wrote
to Mary–no letter from her by the
mail from Richd.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Anne Maidson William Ambler]

Feeling tired nursing, & waiting, on three children all
the time, & besides my sewing is standing idle-
I thought I would make an effort to get
a nurse,  Fannie & I walked to Mr. Porters &
succeeded in getting a child about ten, but
I fear she is too small to assist me much
though she may be taught to wait on the
children & I only give her her winter clothes–
We  found Mrs. Bennett & [?] Scammond at  Porters
poor Mrs. B–she looks wretchedly–. also met there
Mrs. Sanborne who spoke to me for Patty, & said
Fannie was Miss Martha Willis, we undeceived them–
& they told us the physicians had been let out
of Town & they thought persons could go in, & out
now without difficulty.–
After dinned  F[annie] read a letter from Mr. Everette
which Pa pronounced true indeed it makes me sad
to hear Pa talk as he does.  I feel that we must be
wrong too & fear we are all plunging into
ruin together–Oh: that we may all lift up
our voices to God & implore him to save us.
–Pa brought news that the Northern
papers report that Hill attacked Banks
with overwhelming force & we hope, that means
Banks is entirely defeated—-

[portions transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Willis Wright Baylor]

MSS  15406

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

Monday 11th  All the family spent the morning in my room it being the cool
est spot in the house–In the afternoon we went to Church–At night
Eliza entertained Mr Whitaker & Armstead–Miss Mollie Jones came down
with them to see Mrs. Johnston–Nothing new to day–

MSS 6960

[from a transcript found in the Nelson family papers]

Dear Ma:

As this is the first opportunity I have had since reach-
ing camp, I will write you a few lines.
We engaged the enemy yesterday about ten miles below
Orange Court House.
Our loss was small.
Commenced about 5 P.M. and continued all night and
until 10 A.M.
We captured about four or five hundred prisoners in-
cluding three generals, at least this is what report says.
The enemies loss is quite heavy, judging from the dead
on the field–I should say eight or nine hundred.
I could not help thinking how quiet every thing was as
I gazed at the moon (It was a beautiful night) when “Old Stonewall’s”
artillery could be heard booming in the distance.
From the obstency of the enemy to retire, they must have
a pretty good force.
We lost Brig-Gen-Winder of Richmod.
I think in a few days we will have a great battle.
It is said, one of the capturred generals told “Old
Stonewall” Gen. [Pope?] would have him their prisoner too, by to-mor-
row evening.
“Old Stonwall” thanked the general for his kindness and
remarked he “understood” the General’s plans.
Camp life goes hard with me and I often think of the
luxuries you all at home enjoy, but it is a pleasure to know we are
here to protect the weak and innocent.
I don’t know when you will hear from me again, as there
is no communication with the office from here, except by private
conveyance.
Love to Miss Cornelia, and all the children.   I suppose
Hugh has gone back.  Tom is looking very well, and has improved
since he came down here.
Write and direct your letters to Gordonsville.
Goodbye
Your affectionate son,
John A. Nelson

MSS 7297

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

                        Aug 10^th