[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Tuesday, August 5, 1862

It is utterly impossible to accomplish
either sewing or reading while I am nurse.  I
get up early in the morning, dress all of the
children before breakfast & have every
intention to do something but when night
comes I feel that the day has been
throwd away.  I can not bear this.  I must
get a nurse if possible.  I have a
great deal of washing to do now that
I am not housekeeping & I must
do it — for I know that when I begin
again I will have to work, more
than I have ever done before.  Can
you imagine how we are to get along
without servants,– as to counting on the
lower class, in this part of the country
taking the place of our servants–It is
very plain to see they will not do it–The
democratic principle of equality has been
too often preached to them to teach
them better in a little while–if Va
will really be a free state–I think it will
be years before we can have any
comfort in white servants–It gives me
the blues to think of it–the idea
of coming into daily contact with
“poor white folks” as our darkies said–
I for one prefer the black.

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


MSS 15406

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

Wednesday 5th  The warmest day we have had in two weeks–The ladies
all kept closely within doors–News in the papers to day more favour
-able for us–It is said Seward has resigned–William is improving
fast in health–& is now sociable & cheerful–I am suffering very
much with pain in my eye–I have taken cold in it–Dr. Mallett
much better–Eliza received two long letters from Mr Mason He
was with General Winder’s staff.  Pushing on to Stone Wall
Jackson–He said he had reasons for thinking Tom’s Regiment
was near him — If so he would try & see him.

August the 5th was a Tuesday in 1862.  It is impossible to determine if Mrs. Hill wrote the entry on  Tuesday the 5th [getting the day incorrect] or Wednesday the 6th [getting the date incorrect]

MSS 6960

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

Tuesday 5. One of the hottest days of the
Season.  I suffered much.  The story
of Sewards resignation and of the
refusal of the Governors to
send more troops found a miserable
canard. The motion for recog
nition in parliament after debate
and a speech by Lord Palmerston
was withdrawn & the whole was
just left to the Government. It
is not likely soon to be accomplish
-ed–I feel little interest in it
We must achieve our own in-
dependence. Very busily engaged
all day.  Read some to day & no
telegram until qr past 10 at night
when I recd one from Mary stating
that Eugne had still fever but
was not very sick.

MSS 4763

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

Monday
Aug 4
Got two letters from home and
one from Daniel to-day, Had company
and battalion drill.  Lieut Drennan came
to the company.  A lot of new recruits arrived.

MSS 11293

Camp near Martinsburg
Aug 5th / 62
Dear Sister Jennie

I am just in
reciept of your most welcome
leter which bears date of July
20th. I am glad to hear that
you were all well & enjoying
yourselves.  I am enjoying
the same blessings. Yester-
day we moved our tents about
two miles and are now en-
camped one mile east of
twon instead of one mile
wet.  Our Camp is a fery
nice one.  We have good water
and plenty to eat.  I enjoy
soldeiring better hear than
in Camp  Butler A cool
breeze is generally stiring &
everything seems to go well.

Jane I wish you could see me.
I am so fleshy and so tanned
up–look nearly as black
as some niger-wenches, I now
see cooking about a rod from
me.  O, they are lovely, I tell you.
But then they can’t come-it
with Hank you know.
Our company is divided into
five Squads, and for of the
Squads have hired four wenches
to cook for them; but Hank
don’t  hire Niger-wenches to cook f
or His Squad. No,  nary-time
will he do that but will cook
himself first, and by the way,
I can cook some.  All goes
well with me, Jane.  I hope
so with you all.  Love to all and
don’t forget to write soon & often.
              As Ever your Brot.
                                       Hank
Miss Jennie Redman
send me the Carrol Papers &c.

Dearest  Brot. Samm[a?]  I gladly write
you  a letter and would like to see
you; but then I cannot. I am glad to
hear that you are well & going to school.
That is right.  you must go to school &
be a good boy.  you must studdy your
lessons well and try to row up to
be a good noble man.  I am glad
to hear that you learn so fast, and
study so good.  You must try to see
how well you can learn to read and
see how good a boy you can be at
school.  I am coming home some day
to see you and shall ask you to read
and spell for me.  I am down south
to fight the Rebels and you must be a good
boy while I am gone.  From your brother
                                             Henry
Dear Sister Louisa  Your brother Hank
is all-right and would like to
see you I am coming home
sometime to see you, and all
the rest of my brothers and
sisters I wonder if you and
Samma wont be married before
I come home.  Now Louisa I
want you to write to me: So I can
see how well you can write and
how well you can spell.  I want
you and Samma to tell me who
comes to see the girls and who
the boys buggy-ride around
-Tell me all about the school & how
far you have got in your reader
If any of the school-marms come
to our  house, kiss them for me
or let Samma do it.  Nelson or Markle
are too bashful to kiss them or I would
tell them to do it.  Tell the Schoolmarms
that Hank is all–right and is
doing his duty to his Country
You must ge a good girl
and you & Samma must write me
a great long letter soon–
           I am your loving Brother
                                         Hank
P.S. Nelson & Markle you must
give the harvesting fits and do
it up in a hurry Do your work good
and be saving of your grain.  Remember you
must work while the sign is good.
                          All is well W. H. Redman

William Henry Redman, Co. C, 12th Illinois Cavalry


MSS 7415

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

         Monday  Aug 4th/62
Pleasant.
               At seven O clock, had
a Company drill under one of the
Sergeants, the Capt and Lieut
being on duty.  After drill went
to brook and had a swim.
At three Oclock part of the Company
went on picket.  I remained at
the Camp.  At night we heard that
we were to march in the morn
-ing.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

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

Monday, Aug. 4, 1862

Guard mounting
and practice
Wrote letters to
Libbie Weeks and
Will Weeks
Parade & drill
Thad quite sick
yet.  Explained to
Sweet & me kindly
the course of my conduct
yesterday
Regiment drilling
at target practice
Mostly clear  Warm

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian employee of the Quarter Master Department]

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

Monday 4th of August–Very cloudy & unpleasant–I have taken very bad
cold which makes me feel feverish & badly–No letters or papers today
as the Mail does not come on Sunday nights. Mr Armstead & Yonge
called to see Lize last night & Mr Armstead is to walk with her this afternoon.

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Anne Madison Wilils Ambler]

Monday, August 4, 1862

Pa has tried to hire a woman for me as
there is no one here to wash.  this morning I
had to give my washing to Mrs Price
who did not seem very willing to take it.
but says she may do it for  50 cts. which is
entirely too little & if it is nicely done I shall
pay more for it–but she is an imprudent
woman & I want but little to do with her
–I was more than a week behind hand
with my journal but have made it
up now & must write every day–But
I must confess that it is rather
prosey, as I have nothing to write nobody
comes, & nobody goes & could put down
in a few words what I do in one day
& that would answer for all–
I enjoy the delightful fruit here so
much–Wish you could enjoy it too–Have
been feasting on plums, pears, apples, &
peaches, ever since I came – there is every
appearance that the grapes will be most
abundant–Oh: I do hope that you will be
home then–If I could only hear that
you are well  & strong once more–
Sometimes I fear you are not & will
not get well in Richmond.  But you are in
Gods hands & I shall ever intercede for you–I
trust this cross may sanctify us both.  God teach
us to bear it with meekness.

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

MSS 15406