Williamsport Md
                 Oct 27th, 1862

Dear Sisters
                             I am just
in receipt yours bearing
of Oct 15th, (or it was writ
ten by Emeline.  I am well
and enjoy soldiering about
as any boddy here.  It
has been raining since
yesterday morning and
is quite disagreeable
on that account.  It
is very cold this morning
and we are barricaded
in a barn.  When I last
wrote yo or Father rather,
we were at Hancock. Since
then we have changed
our camp four times hence
you see we are kept moving

[page 2]
It is not much trouble
for us to move as we
have nothing to move but
ourselves and horses.  We
are now receiving our
new equipment and
this whole army is being
paid off and getting new
clothes  We consider this
as an indication of the
Great Southward move
that is to be made this fall.
I ope that something will
be done soon, for we are
tired of working all the
time and accomplishing
nothing either.  I should
like to know why there
is so much delay I am sure
that if this army of McClel-
land’s were led by the right
kind of Generals, we would

[page 3]
soon over ride the whole
south and thus hasten
a termination of this War.
We only ask good leaders
and we will give the North
good news to read n a
very short time.
   You want to know
whether I received any
stamps or papers  I did
receive two stamps in
one letter and two papers
-one Evening Journal & one Carroll
paper.  How often do you
hear from me?  I am not
dangerously sick and don’t
expect to be. I am all right
now and ready for a fight.
You need not think about
sending me socks or anything
else  I do not know how
much we owe Mrs Shimer
but she knows.

[page 4]
Neither have I counted
up how much Father
owes Crawford.  I think
he owed Crawford twenty-
five dollars after we
paid him the Stone
notes and the money
I paid him.  All the
interest was counted
up and I think father
gave his note for
all he owed him 20 or 25
dollars.  I want Father to
get all the notes u to that
time and let me know
all about it.  What are
those other things you
need trouble yourselves
about at  home other than
debts.  I know nothing about
Crow or Stalsmith  Em
be sure to get a School
if you can. When you
write give me all the home
particulars I dont care
any thing about who gets
married or who dont
Give my regards to all in
quiring friends
                    Yours
                     W. H. Redman
               Direct as before
S.E.R. & P.J.R.

William Henry Redman, Co. C. 12th Illinois Cavalry to sisters Sarah Emeline and Phoebe Jane Redman    

MSS 7415

Mon 27.  Still stormy – stove smokes – took it out & am
writing in mess hall – visited sick – appeared better –
Cleared up – Windy & cold – Selected a new camp ground
near Spring – & then at eveg. recd. orders to organize
a new Brigade 25 & 27 N.J.     Rhode Island –
New Hampshire & 15th Conn – Col Wright of latter com-
manding – & to march tomorrow to Camp Chase
near Arlington heights – we believe – Held pry. meetgs.
Have now held a meetg in ea. (men’s) tent in Regt,
except in Co. A where majority are Cath; & in one
tent there.  Notifying all others if wished to attend.
Tattoo is beating    when shall I hear it again in our
Camp North of the Potomac!

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

[fromthe diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]

     Oct. 27th, ’62.
Very cold last night.
Having no blankets,
I sleep very little at
night, & marching rap-
idly all day, under

such circumstances,
is not very pleasant.
Clear & cold this morn-
ing. Over 300 men
in our reg’t. unfit
for duty.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm.

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

Monday, Oct. 27, 1862
This morning
strolled about town
looked at some clothes
about 9 oclock Arthur
went to the paymaster
General McCook
He had no funds Arthur
had to go to [Avery?] to
get some changes made
in our papers  When he
undertook to detain
us but upon application
to the Gov  [?] we were
decided all right
Left our papers with
the state-attorney to be
collected. We left
Columbus at about 4
oclock, reached New London
about 8 got a hack & came to
Sav about 1 & walked home
Clear cool

MSS 10317

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

Monday 27th  the rain is over the sun is out & it is very cold to day–No mail this
morning–I shall be quite busy this week—My tooth ache not allowing me to [?]
the last–Heard to night Mrs Averum[?] Burr has a Son.  Married the 12th day of May

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

The children woke me very early
I felt cross at being disturbed & got
up & made the fire & spoke rather crossly to
Margaret when she came in for never dressing
in time to make my fires=I am obliged
to do it every morning as it is too cold
for the children to get up without it–she is
perfectly amiable however & seems to think
it is as much my place as hers so I presume
she will not improve=so much for white
servants
 Was interrupted whilst reading–Have
not enjoyed the day=Have not thought
about God & of holy things as much as
I would like to do=was cold in
prayer-not inclined to devotion
Oh God, forgive me my sins of this
day & enable me to be better tomorrow-
especially give me the holy spirit in the
morning to prepare me for the trials of
he day=Oh, God: be merciful unto
me. keep me in the right way, & bless me
in all my undertakings–guide me, & govern
me always, in teaching my children & let
me show them, by my example, how
to be a living Christian.  Oh God increase
my faith–strengthen me for Jesus’ sake.

MSS 15406

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

Wednesday 27  Delightful day–Jack did
not return until lately and I had his
“running” to do which wearied m
–very laborious time in Bank–nothing
new or interesting — Went in the evening
to Charles–Macon is becoming indis
posed and I fear will be sick–read
& heard read the conclusion of [?]
[?] of great carelessness of style
-even to violation of grammar

MSS 4763

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

Sunday
Oct 26
Rainy to-day so we did not have an inspection
Read the Bible this forenoon.  Wrote a long letter
home this afternoon and evening.  Have had a pretty quiet
Sunday.  Pollard commenced reading the Bible Sundays.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of John Ward of the 102nd Pennsylvania]

Oct 26th Sunday
The is verey Reney to
Day   it comince 3 A.M.
Whe was still at mill
Stone Point Money Mareyland
Sent home the Rect
For Nancy

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12913