[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Thurdsday, September 18, 1862

Nothing by crowds of poor
hungry sick soldiers.  we feed them
from morning till night  cousin Willie
says they do not deserve it
as they would be supplied were they
to keep up with the army  They are
only stragglers

After tea, Cousin Josiah Ryland
came — asked if Cousin Robert was
here  said they started together & cousin
Robert left him to go to Winchester & when
he got there couldn’t find him any
where, so concluded he must have
come on here.

—talk, talk, talk–you & Pa
quarrel so much that we are all
tired of it.  I try to persuade you
to let Pa talk or be quiet &
listen, but you insist on being
 heard–Oh I wish you would
learn that it is not agreeable to
Ma, or any of us to excite Pa, & refrain
from doing it….
If you should see this when I am dead-remember
I told you it whilst living. I am but [?] you

[partially transcribed by her Granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]

September                Thursday 18                              
     Thanksgiving Day
I went to Go’ville &
expecting preaching
but there was none

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond, Co. E, 42nd Virginia “Dixie Greys”]

Thursday 18 – Thanksgiving day.  Go to town
Visit Kernstown battlefield.  Friday 19th – Visit
fortifications and fort at Winchester.
Sat. 20.  Report to hospital.
[ Entire line is lined through.]
or nothing – Sun. 21 – Spent principal-
ly in reading – Monday 22  Report
to Dr. Graham – Return to camp

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery]

(Sept 18th)  Do not feel very well this morn-

-ing.  Hear they have had a terrible battle near
Sharpsburg, no definite particulars.  Hear to
day that the Yankees were in Leesburg day before
yesterday, threw several shell into the town but
were repulsed by a few troops we had there,
principally sick men & a Co. of cavalry.  The  
ladies in town were very much frightened
at this dastardly act.  Finished Aspen Court
& commenced, “ Home Scenes”.  Passed very pleas-
-ant morning chatting with the ladies.  Miss
Lizzie rode over this evening to Mr Millers to
stay all night.  Mr Gregg came up to see me this
evening; also Tom Miller & young Braden.  Feel ra-
-ther better this evening.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Thursday, Sept. 18, 1862

After attending
to the wants of the
wounded some went
over to the Regt.
Helped carry over some
few wounded.
Many of our men yet
were lying on the field
some men shot in
attempting to give them
water. none but
skirmishers engaged to
day-was across  with
the Regt all day. Brigade
relieved this evening &
came back across the River
Came alone back to
the general Hosptl passed
many troops  Find several
of the Band here
Cloudy heavy showers after-
noon

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

18  Thanksgiving day.  We all go to
Church and worship.  Post Office
open again and Mr Thom quite
natural at his old place.

MSS 2563-b

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

Thursday, September 18

This was a Thanksgiving Day appointed by our President.  We had services but no sermon as Mr. Jones was sick.  This evening we heard terrific fighting had been going on for four days between McClellan and our whole army.

MSS 9759

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

Thursday 18th  this is thanksgiving day–Our Church will be open & I
go with a grateful heart to return thanks to my heavenly father
for the victories he has given us–& for sparing my sons’ lives thus
far–as well as for all his mercies daily nay momently vouchsafed to me a mis
-erable undeserving sinner–The little girls have a Fair to night–The money to
be sent to the soldiers–Every morning it clouds & threatens rain–About ten
OClock the Sun comes out, & the clouds pass away–

MSS 6960

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Thursday 18  Weather rather threat
-ening–This is the day set apart
by the President, in his eloquent pro
clamation, to be observed as a
day of Thanksgiving and praise
to almighty god for the recent
deliverance and the success which
has every where attended our arms
The day was most closely observed
here–Every place of business
was closed, & the churches were
attended.  Mr Kinckle gave us a
fine discourse equally patriotic &
Christian: In the afternoon Mr.
Scott preached–but a violent rain
coming on just at the sermon
his voice was drowned and scarcely
a word was heard–when he closed
Mr. K. requested the congregation
to concentrate near the church &
he then gave a very fine address.
Mrs. Stuart returned with us
from church in the morning and
spent the day here–we had a
rumor yesterday that Gen Garland
had fallen at Harpers Ferry.  I
did not believe it-thinking &
knowing indeed his brigade was
not with Jackson there–but
alas! the  Orange train brought
his remains.  He was killed at Boons
borough Maryland Sunday morning
on the side of the mountain over
whelmed by superior numbers

MSS 4763