Camp Lyon Va. Aug. 28th/62

Dear parents
                                 I have sated long and anxiously for
a letter from you but have recieved none since I returned
from Richmond, and for a long time before.  I recieved the
last letter from you at White House landing sometime in
June and I have heard but very little news from home since
I hear ,by way of Sam D. that you got a letter from me while
I was a prisoner and the Capt. told me you wrote to him to find
out where I was this is all I have heard from you since June
you can judge from your own feelings how I have felt by
not hearing from you I hope if you have not written that
you will write as soon as you get this without fail tell me
all the particulars how you get along. My health is not very
good I am not fit for duty. I am afraid I have got a disease on
the kidneys the doctors will not tell me what ails me but
they say I am not able to do duty, my victuals distress me
very bad I have told the Capt I wanted my discharge but
but [sic] he does not do any thing about it. For the past three weeks
McClellan’s army had had a long hard march from Harrissons
landing to Newport News where they took the transports and
came up to reinforce Pope our division has stoped here for
the present and we may stop here for some time we are
now camped near the old fort Lyon that we helped build
and according to appearances I think we shall be stationed
here.  War matters look dark and gloomy at present the rebels
are getting very bold but I think our army will soon teach
them a lesson they have never yet learned we are all
anxiously waiting the result of this campain which if
successfull will do a great deal twords closing the war
If I had known this war would have continued so long
I should not have left home for I have come to the
conclusion that it was my duty to stay at home but the
error cannot now be corrected,  The new Regts are arriving
I have seen some of the members of the 16th Me. but I have
not heard where the 17th is yet I should be glad to see
some of them if I could find them I may be lucky

[page 2]
enough to find them yet  I cannot write much
this time and there is no news of importance to write
do not fail to write me all the particulars how you
are getting along and if you need any more money
tell me so and I will send it to you I am getting tired
and must close Tell Walter I think of him quite
often and he must try and take care of the things
and make the steers grow up as fast as he can

                       From your son
                                      Hiram M. Cash

Hiram Cash,  Co. K, 5th Maine

MSS 12916

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

     Thursday   Aug 28th/62

At day light we were called
up, not having had but one hour
and a half to sleep.
We marched to Hay Market.
Before we got to Hay Market, the
colum moved so slow and I was
so tired and sleepy that I layed
down under a shady tree and
went to sleep.  I must have
slept a number of hours for
when I awoke the rear guard was
just going by.  They said the
Rebels were not a great ways
behind.  I marched on as
rapidly as possible.  After going
two miles which brought me
to New Market, I found that our
Brigade had left their Knapsacks
and had gone to the Gap distance
four miles (Thorougherfair) to keep
in check some Rebels that were
there.  The other Brigades were
throwing off their Knapsacks
and marching to the Gap.

I had got within two miles
of the Gap when I heard the report
of Musketry.  When I got to the Gap
I did not know where my Reg.
was.  Some one told me it was in
the Gap and I came very near
running right into the hands
of the Rebels.  I went into the
woods, on the right and found
two Regts of the Brigade having
it hot and heavy  I went in with
them but did not get a chance
to fire but one shot.  I was so
afraid of shooting some of our own
men.  The balls came thick and
fast, through some blunder.  Some
of a Virginia Regt (Federal) and some of
our Brigade got to firing upon each
other, it being in the woods, it
was very easy to make such a
mistake.  I thought I would get
out of such a scrape and try and
find my own Regt, which I found
on the left, laying behind a hill.
Our Gen was very foolish to lead his
men in such a place without knowing
the place, and what force he had
to contend with, a thousand men
in that Gap could keep back nearly
twenty thousand. (Gen. Hardsuff is sick
and Col Stiles had command of Brigade)
Gen. Ricketts is in command of the
Division, which is composed of
four Brigades.  While on the right with those
in the woods I saw some terrible wounds,
one poor fellow had both under eye lids
of his eyes torn down nearly two inches.
How a ball could make such a wound
I do not see.  After laying behind the
hill a short time we were ordered back
to a woods about two hundred yards to the
rear.  In going across the field Sergeant
Lemoyne of this Company was
wounded in the hip.  We had been in
the woods but a short time when we
were marched back to Hay Market, got

their Knapsack, and marched three
miles, and Bivouack near Ganesville.
In the affair at the Gap Private
Clark of Co. E was killed, Corporal
Jackson Co. E was wounded and since
died.  Private Robins of Co D. wounded
and has since died and from five to
eight wounded.


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Thursday, August 28, 1862

Willie read aloud after we got our [?]
but we were all occupied thinking
of the great fight & no one seemed
very attentive.  he reads too slowly.
Pa thinks that unless Jackson whips
he is in a tight place–
I think he will surely whip-
though I reel afraid too–no one
knows what the end may be.

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

MSS 15406

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

Thursday 28 various rumors from the
army–none of which can be re-
lied on. It has doubtless crossed
the Rappahannock and is forcing
the enemy back–one account is
that Jackson has taken many
prisoners at Salem–Having thus
gotten the Mannassas road, and
prevented the retreat of the enemy
towards the valley–letter from
Mary giving the most favourable
accounts of Eugene we have yet
had.  I think he can leave there
on Mondays Boat–Lewis & the
girls went to Charles & returned
at a late hour–I went to see Mrs
Garber[?]

MSS  4763

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

Today the second battle of Manassas was fought.  Today we heard that our troops had
 retaken Manassas on Tuesday.  They took a good many prisoners.  The president has
issued a message calculated to give great satisfaction after all the fault that has
been found.  The Saratoga girls came yesterday to spend some time I hope.
The Yankees left Winchester today–Sept. 3rd.

MSS 9759

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

Thursday 28  [?] awake us very early this morning with
the news of Mr Mason’s arrival–It was very unexpected
& therefore doubly pleasing to Eliza–He is much thinner
& looks older–But just as pleasant as ever–He says he
has been sent to Winchester where the Yankees have posses
sion by Stone Wall Jackson to find and secure important
business–He & 4 others dressed in Federal Clothes & went
in the very town & gained all the information they needed-
They were several times in great danger–& endured much fatigue
& many hardships, & had they been caught they would have been hung as spies–

MSS 6960

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, future chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Wed 27 . Talked good deal. pitched a tent for children.
watched Mr. Heade of Boston paint – a sunset marine
view – then with him horseback – invited Miss Holman
she was engaged – was introduced yesterday to Ex
Pres. Pierce & saw him again today – also saw
Bis. Eartburn at beach – watched the ladies
bathe & afterwards bathed myself.  much warmer
     There are theatricals in parlor tonight for Sanitery
Com – I must see if meantime I can sermonize
a little while they are at it – reported that Gen
Sigel shot Gen. Mc Dowell thro. the head  in battle field
at Warrenton lately – I doubt it.  Great uncertainty
& doubt about Army Affairs.

Martin John Heade, 1819-1904, American romantic artist known for his tranquil marsh scenes and seascapes

Manton Eastburn, 1801-1872, eminent Episcopal minister and bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

Wednesday

Alexandria August 27th ’62

Dear Mother
It has been
some time since I have
written to you but one
letter has to do for the
whole family when I am
on the move & even now
we have no tents to shelter
us from the sun all day
or the dews at night still
we are cheerful & happy
we expect to be sent up
the R.R. to Mannassa
in a day or two & when
there you will not have
any chance of hearing
from me because they do
not allow any mail to
go either way.  the tide of
War seems to be going

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against us but still we
are ready & willing to fight
I am glad that we are to be
reinforced by those that
have been staying at home
while we have been at
work here for fifteen months
It is a wonder that Mrs
Spaulding could let her
son enlist as a private
at this late day if he had
come when I did his
time would have been
out in eight moths but
now he has three years
or during the war.  How
does Mrs Lake & Hull feel
about having their sons
going to the wars they
go at a time when it
is no honor to go but
they go for fear of being
drafter & I am glad of it

[page 3]
they are so selfish their
sons are so much better
than any one’s elses they
come at a time when
they will have plenty of
work to do for I have no
doubt but by the time this
reaches you we shall be
face to face with the
enemy but I hope that I
am prepared for the worst
but thus far I think that
God has blessed me f[ar]
beyond all of my expect=
tations all of which I feel
thankful for.  I am glad
that I came a soldiering
when I did.  does Augustus
or Edwin have any idea of
enlisting if so tell them
that they must make up
their minds to hard work
& that if they can get a

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commission that they had
better do so.  I do not know
where Parker is but have no
fears of his safety & that he
will soon be back to the Reg
It seems like getting back
home to get here.  I enjoy
the best of health & have
been able to keep up on
all of the last six days
marching.  I hear that
martin Beers is offering
one or two Hundred Doll
for a substitute rather than
come himself poor fellow
he has started twice & backed
out each time. I think he is
a coward.  If Father has
not sent my box tell him
to do so.  We expect to leave
here tomorrow but I will try
& get a letter through to you
as often as I can.  Write often
for we may get them.  From your
Affectionate son
                   Chs. E. Bradley

[in side margin of page 1]
If either of the boys think of enlisting
& have to come as a private tell them
to go into the navy

[upside down in top margin of page 1]
Late orders has just been
given to be ready to march
at a moments moments notice.

Charles Ellery Bradley, 1842-1915, Co. I  32nd New York

MSS 9728

[from a diary fragment of Lancelot Minor Blackford, of the Rockbridge Artillery]

Manassas Junction–Thursday night. Aug. 27, 1862
This morning witnessed the consummation of one of
the most brilliant strokes of Lee’s strategy and of
Jackson’s execution that the war has yet exhibited
viz. the occupation of this important point by
the Army Corps under Gen Jackson’s command and the
getting in behind the whole force of Genl. Pope.
Monday we started at an early hour from our bi
vouack near Jeffersonton in Culpeper, though we
did not get fairly underweigh until 9 or 10 o’clock
I was fortunate enough to get a good breakfast in
the village at the house of my hospitable friend Mr
Davisson before starting; as well as to meet there for
a short time with my excellent and valued friend W.
P. DuBose, of So. Ca, Adjt to the Holcombe Legion–Evns Brig. Lonstreets Corps

We moved on by Amissville and finally crossed the Rap-
pahannock at ______Ford a a mill where the river was
quite narrow.  this point is some 6 or 8 miles above Jef-
fersonton.  After crossing we moved on rapidly pas-
sing by the village of Orlean in Fauquier about dusk.
We travelled virtually all Monday night, very rapidly
until toward midnight and then holding up to get
some provender and feed our horses, expecting to move
on as soon as this was done.  Instead of this however
we halted in the road some 3 or 4 hours just there,
every moment expecting to be ordered on, and con-
sequently the men either sleeping not at all or
very unsatisfactorily, the night being very cold and
no blankets unrolled.  By dawn, or before we pursued
our onward journey, moving quite rapidly all the forenoon.

Diary fragment begun on the 19th ends at this point.

MSS 5088