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

     Friday   Sept 5th/62

     The Sutler came this morning
I was on guard at his tent for
a short time, there was such
a large crowd to bye something.
About ten Oclock I left Camp and
went over to the 35 Mass Regt.
I did not find any one that I
knew, the other part of the Needham
quota went in the 38 which I think
is in Maryland

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

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

Friday, Sept. 5, 1862

Guard mounting
Wrote letter to Father
have done nothing
else scarcely the
remainder of the day
some of the boys went
over to the 22 Regt
Parade as usual
Have orders to pack
up in preparation
of a march I do not
know what movement
is anticipated
Rec’d letter from
Shonk[?]

MSS 10317 

Sept 5th / 62

Camp Upton Farm Va
Dear  Father Yours of Aug 30th
was recd last night
We have not been in any
engagement yet but are
prepared to fight if boys are
ordered out.  Last night
they ordered a battery upon
Falls Church a small place
about 1/2 mile distant from
this camp.  We were called
out but did nothing.  the
Enemy discontinuing very soon
I have sad news to tell you
Wm G. Templeton of the 100 Reg’t
Pa was reported killed in the
last engagement near here.
I cant learn where the
Reg’t is I have looked for it
for several days past I

[page 2]
saw a parolled prisoner
from the Reg’t who says
he was Will after he
was dead, he says he was
shot he thinks Friday eve
badly wounded had an arm
amputated and died Saturday
Morning. he may have been
mistaken however .
As to bands before we
left Western Va. we heard
that an act had been passed
discharging all Reg’tl bands
this was talked over but
nothing certain was known
When we arrived at
Washington we learned that
such an act had been passed
July 7th requiring the discharge
of all Regtl bands within 30
days. when we arrived at
Alexandria the Reg’t was
paid off but the Paymaster

[page 3]
refused to pay us as
Reg’tl band saying that
we must to to Washington
to get our discharge & pay
This Col Hays refused to allow
us to do saying that he
wished to keep us if possible
this was the feeling of
all the officers and they
knowing that we could
no longer draw the pay
formerly allowed Regtl
bands immediately set
on foot a subscription
each of them signing from
10 to 15 dollars per month
we have been trying however
to procure our discharge
Whether we will succeed
I am quite unable to say
at this time.

The 28th & 12th Ohio Reg’tl band
are here & in the same position

[page 4]
with us large numbers
of bands have been discharged
we know
Should we be discharged
it will certainly be a
honourable one and we will
be at liberty to again enter
the service at our own option
as to place or capacity
I have heard that discharged
bands are exempt from
draft–I know not how correct
this is
Being favorably situated for
quick letter communication
I shall write often & hope you
will do the same.

Yours Truly
J. D. Templeton.

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio

MSS 10317

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

Friday, September 5

Today our army entered Maryland. Our war is now changed from the defensive to offensive.  My heart quakes in fear of the future.  Nat Burwell died today.  Poor fellow, he had looked forward to this day with bright hopes and anticipations.  The President’s message is admirable.  He speaks first of the bravery and unfaltering courage our troops have shown, their gallantry finding few parallels in ancient or modern history, of the perfidy of the enemy, the malignity they have displayed, of their brutal acts.  He mourns the diabolical warfare which our enemies are forcing upon us, and threatens them an exemplary justice to be meted out from the hands in power, but scorns the idea of our noble defenders staining their patriot hands or hearts with retaliation on defenceless women and unarmed men. He lays down means for the disposal of inefficient officers without disgrace of courtmartial.  The forgery of our treasury notes.  Nat Burwell died today at Aldie from wounds received at the battle of Manassas.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Emma said she must come home & I thought
I had better come too as Pa had no one to send for
us & Mr. L[ackland]’s servants might go off & he would
have no one to send either-so we all started
early this morning & Patty with Sammie rode
up to spend the day.  found B[ertie] & Fannie
just gone into the kitchen to cook dinner
& Ma the picture of woe. In answer to Pa’s saying
he would whip them if he caught them, she
replied that she would feel like hugging &
kissing them all around if she could see
them–I feel so sorry for her.  I had several
good cries to day–I can scarcely restrain my
feelings. It is dreadful to see Pa & Ma so
troubled in their old age & the girls cooking.
  I thought I might find you here.  Patty
was disappointed that neither you nor Nat
came–We expect him also, as Dr Blackburn
says that  his horse has given out–
There is a report that our cavalry have crossed
into Md-
The girls cooked a duck, & a very nice
dinner–We found that James was here
& a boy that Pa hired I suppose they had
only gone to see the others off when
Pa was at the quarter-
Pa hopes to catch them yet.

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

MSS 15406

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

Friday 5th  The weather still continues fine.  I have been overhaul
-ing my trunk of silver & little parlour ornaments to look
for some articles Eliza needed to take with her–Sarah & Liz
as usual spent the morning in my room.  Lize has been busy
packing–No news of or from Tom—-Mrs Branch writes word Noah
is very sick again–So Tom I am afraid will have to give him up.
It makes me feel sad to think he will be without a servant.
Judge Person left for Wilmington this morning & took Eliza’s note given
her to draw by Mr Parker.  He is to get the money–

MSS 6960

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

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

Thursday
Sept 4
Very cool night.  after drill read  “Advice to
a young Christian”  It is very pleasant this
afternoon, and I feel that Gods blessing rests upon me.
Went into Company B’s tent to hear Wheelock fiddle
a little while this forenoon.

MSS 11293

                          Camp Stonewall
                     September 4th / 62

My dear friend
                               I received your
letter yesterday, & as we are laying
still this morning I will try and
write a few lines in answer I know
not when this will reach you as
it is reported that a large Cav
alry force has gone up the Val
ley in our rear. The enemy have
a large Cavalry force in the Valley
& our cavalry being afraid of them
buts[sic] us to a good deal of trouble
We had to march last night un
till twelve O clock through mud
& rain on  to meet an antisapated
raid on Wihchester.  We are camped
this morning near Winchester & every
thing seems perfectly quiet
but will hardly remain so untill night

[page 2]
I suppose you are aware before
this of the fate of your Cousin M.R.
again our camp is called to mourn
the loss of one of our bravest youths
He like a young flower was cut
down in early manhood. We greatly
mis him. all his comrads sympathise
with his grief stricken parents &
relatives.  I have been under the
fire of the enemy twist since I
wrote: at Sheperdstown & Smithfield.
But by the mercies of a great & good
God I have been spared yet awhile
There has been no regular engagement
since I came down, only heavy skirmi
shing there may be a fight most
any day as both armies are get
ting near each other. But I will
try & live in hopes there will be no
more hard fighting in the Valley
I am glad to hear that your Cousin L is getting
well, but sorry to hear that your health is
still declining hope ear this reaches you

[page 3]
you may be en;joying the best of health.
There has been a great many deaths
in old Augusta since I left I belie
ve disease cuts of as many as the
sword. I received a letter from sister
some time ago.  she said the Yanks
ware in thirty miles of Uncles & was
fearfull thay ware going to make a raid
through thare neighborhood.  she wanted
to know wether she ought to go a
refugeaing or gird on the armor
& go forth to meet the foe.  I give
her the advise I would to all women
stay at home, I got a letter yesterday
from my friend John [?] he says if I
ware at home now I would not but help
having the blues as evry thing is
so dull.  I think differently I am sure
there is one whose company I could
always enjoy let times be as they
please.  Dear Kate you must have im
agined me to have been musing or
my mind wandering on some imaginary

[page 4]
reflections. I was writing with two
of three by my side & entended  [?] head
ing after finishing- but never thought
of it until I had sealed it . but
never thought you wold be so strict
as to follow my example.  This is a beau
tifull day but our camp is not pleasant
we have no shelter to keep the rays of
the burning sun from our heads. I
did not know that it was sunday until
I was informed this morning.  we have
been moving nearly  every day last
week & the days slipt by unnumbered
by me.  I hope before the cold blasts of
winter sets in we may all be where
we can enjoy the blest of all days
at home.  My health is very good.  I have
no reasonable right at present to com
plain of anything.  My kindest regar
ds to all enquiring friends excuse this
spoild paper it got wet in my knap
sack & there is none to be got hear-
Your brother is enjoyng fine health also the
company I have not hurd from eather of [?]
since I came down. Remember me as one
that loves you dearly & wishes you nothing but
your happiness write soon to your   W.

William Francis Brand, 1840-1932, Co. E, 5th Virginia (Augusta Grays) to his future wife Amanda Catherine Armentrout.

MSS 11332

Dranesville Fairfax County
   September 4th 1862
I have had no opportunity my own dearest wife
to send you a line for many days.  Now I am
writing without any positive knowledge of any
kind by which I can convey it to the post
office.  I hope you have received the short and
hurried note I wrote you from Brandy Sta-
tion in Culpepper County. I remained at that
place until Sunday morning the 31st of last
month. That morning I started Y marched to
Warrenton in Fauquier County, crossing the
Hazel Rifer at Starkes Mill and the Rappa-
hannock at the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs
Warrenton is a very beautiful country
village.  The ladies were especially rejoiced
to see us & delighted to be set free from
Yankee tyranny & yankee insolence.  The delight
of the women at the expulsion of the enemy has
struck me whenever we have been.  We left
Warrenton at 2 o’clock Monday morning and
marched by the battlefield of Saturday the
30th of August, camped on the old Braddock Road
five miles from Centreville.  Our army gave the
enemy a terrible blow on Saturday. His dead lay
upon some portions of the field in heaps.  My
company sergeant told me that at one place
in the length of a brigade he counted five
hundred and two dead Yankees.  Yesterday I
saw some of the Yankee surgeons who came on the
battle ground Monday under a flag of truce, and one
of them told me that great numbers of their
wounded still lay on the field that they had
been unable up to that time to remove.  I am
pleased to be able to say that our loss was
comparatively small.  Tuesday morning I
marched over to the Settle River Turnpike Y
in pursuit of the Enemy to Fairfax Court House
Last afternoon about 5 o’clock we left the
Court House & came in this direction about

[page 2]
twelve miles. this morning we came to the pint
from which this letter is dated & have gone into
camp to give the horses & men rest for a day.
It is said this morning in camp that a portion of our
army is already across the Potomac. Whether
this be true or not I dont know.  That River
runs in three miles from this point.  I take
it for granted we shall attempt to cross
the Potomac and invade the North.  I pray
to God to bless our Arms and to make
us by His power to force from our
enemy an early and an honorable
peace.  If we can make the Yankees
feel the horror and miseries of this
war on their own soil and at their
own firesides I trust it will turn their
thoughts on peace.  In any event it will
be a great relief to our own bleeding
country to have the war transferred
from our own land to the land of
the enemy.
Since I arrived here this morning your
letter of the 15th of last month was handed
to me.  I had recd Y acknowledge in a former
note yours of the 19th.  I am troubled about
the health of the children and would give
much to hear from you and them: this long
separation without the means of regular
communication with each other is to me
painful in the extreme.  I try to cast my
sorrows on Him who alone can give us strength
to bear them and I pray to Him in mercy to
spare us all and to re-unite his in His
own good time.  Farewell, darling wife.
Kiss the children & Mary & Alice for me Love
to Mrs Riddle.  Remember me to the servants.  I
kiss you warmly & tenderly.  Yr affect husband
                              John T. Thornton

John Thruston Thornton, Colonel of the 3rd Virgina Cavalry

MSS 4021