[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasanton]

1862 October 12  Hd.Qs. Cavalry Division
           Camp near Mouth of Monocacy
                  October 12  1.30 P.M.
To General R. B. Marcy
        Chief of Staff
                    This morning after
my dispatch of 8.30 my advance
guard met Stuarts disguised
in our uniforms & before they
were recognized a fire was opened-
& very soon after their guns
began to play upon us–
In consequence of the weakness
of the battery horses they having marched
seventy eight miles in the last
twenty-four hours–they
could not move the pieces &
I had only two pieces that
I could bring to bear on the
enemy–this continued for
upwards of an hour when
I succeeded in getting up
my six guns & soon silenced

[page 2]
their battery–They retreated
hastily & crossed the ford
three miles below with their
guns on this side & some guns
that were placed in position
for them on the other–I sent
a regiment of cavalry & some
infantry down the tow-path
to intercept the crossing, & used
every exertion to get my guns
to follow them but the horses
could not pull up the hills & I was
obliged to use men this took
time enough for the rebels to escape–
   there was no artillery at
this point & with the exception
of a few infantry companies
I had no assistance–I held
Stuart in check for two hours gut
for the reason I have assigned it
was necessary to have timely assistance
to capture his party–My men
have behaved admirably–
       Very respectfully
           A. Pleasonton
               Brig. Gen  &c

MSS 495

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

Sunday 12.  This is the anniversary of
our marriage. the 37th!  We have
lived longer together –far longer than
the usual average of marriages. I
believed I have enjoyed as much hap
piness during the many years which
have flown round since 12 Oct ’25, as
falls to the lot of most men. No one

was ever more fortunate in every respect
than I was in the match I made.
The ill health of my wife is the sole
drawback.  Pride is not the feeling
which ought to be indulged, but we
have great reason to be thankful for
the comfort we have had in our children
I think both of us strive to keep off
the induration of sensibility which
is too often the concomitant of age. I
believe we both have preserved in a
remarkable degree the  freshness of youth
ful feeling.  God grant that we
may be yet further spared to each
other and that our union may be
one of  holier  & happier as its increases
in duration.
    Large congregation considering
the gad weather–rain nearly all
day.  Walked over in the evening
to Charles–Sue unwell.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Sunday, October 12, 1862

Enjoyed my Sabbath more than usual-
i e–had the pleasure of going to church
Ma said she must go & risk the
consequences so B[ertie] & I went with her. bro
C[harles] preached an excellent sermon–I
feel that it was good to be in the
house of “my God”=But fear I
did not profit by the Holy Lessons
as I should have done, my thoughts wandered
often–Mr James stopped the carriage
in the street & gave me a letter from you-
I was overjoyed=but it was only a short
letter as you said you had written a long
one just before, which, I have not, gotten
yet–Am so thankful that you are
well, & pleased with your work.
=Truly I have a great deal to be
grateful to God for-& often feel
ashamed that I so seldom
remember to praise him for all of his
goodness to me—-:
Jacque has been fretful, & has the
thrush & is teething=made me
walk up & down with him nearly
all the evening–which I was not
much inclined to do as I wanted to
read.  Had a fire in my room for
the first time–It is cold & raining.

[as transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

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

Sunday morning 12th–a dark cloudy drizzlling morning–the
ground very damp from last nights rain–So I concluded to
remain at home & read my bible–& have done so–Mrs Walters
r& Sarah have gone–they never remain away in any kind of
weather–The latter has received letters from home to day–all
melancholy unpleasant news contained in them–First they
tell of an increase of victims to the Yellow feer- & amongst
them, Lucy Jewetts two children & two servants are down
with it.  Also Jas [or Joe?] Lippitt — all on the Sound–Then Mrs Cowan
mentions a gang of negroes haveing stolen Richd Brady’s bark
called the Hiawatha & gone of with it freighted with darkies to
the Yankees blockading fleet–& amongst them Lucy Jewett’s boy
Richds man–one of Mr Giles–One of Mr Savages & one of Mrs
Walter’s–2 other goats have attempted to reach the fleet also.
No letter yet from Fred–I hope we will hear to morrow
No paper from Wilmington to day–last accounts Wilmington
was said to be one vast Hospital–3 or 4 hundred down sick
-& from 40 to 64 new cases a day–But there were fewer deaths.
Poor Mr.James Miller he is no more–& will be greatly mis-
-sed in the Community.

MSS 6960

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Peasonton]

           Hd. Qs. Cavalry Division
    Mouth of Monocacy Oct 12. 8.30 a.m.
To General R. B. Marcy
        Chief of Staff–
Have crossed the Monocacy at its
mouth–Hear nothing of the rebels–
Have sent out scouts in the
direction of Barnsville, Poolesville
& at the lower fords–
My command is pretty well
used up having marched over
seventy miles in the last twenty-
four hours–If Stewart takes
the back track shall not be able
to follow him–but will do all
I can–The 6th Cavalry has
not reported to me–
                   Very respectfully
                      A. Pleasonton
                       Brig. General
                            Comdg &c

MSS 495

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

Saturday
Oct 11
Felt pretty well this morning and
tried to write a letter to Mary, but it made
my head dizzy so I stopped and wrote a short
one home this afternoon  Finally left the tent and went
into the cook house.  Mike Thompson took his place and
Luther Howe took Mikes place.  Mike is a real good
fellow and tries to do all he can for me as I am sick

MSS 11293

        OctoSeptember 11th 1862

Dear master

     I have been expecting a letter
from you for nearly three months,
but have received non.  I do not
know whether you are sick or away
from home if you have been sick
I hope that you may be well
by the time this reaches you,
and that we may soon hear from you.
the health of the people is a great
deal better than it has been.
we have one man sick at present
but he is not dangerously sick.
there are three of the children sick
at New Hope. the old people
are all well. they lost a young
child down there two weeks ago.
Mr Powell mentioned in this last letter
to you the death of Jesse Dabney- and
Quallys daughter Lucy.  We received
a letter from Mr Dowell a few days
ago. he expects to be here the 21st inst
him and his family were well

[page 2]
we have heard from Smith Powell
very lately he was well and wants
to come and see us very bad but he
cannot get off from the Army.
Mr Joe Barden has been very sick since
he got home but he is well again.
I do not know when he will return
to virginia his wife has been very
sick also-but she is much better
I saw Capt Cocke yesterday him and
his family were well
mrs Averys family is well.
We have a very good Turnip patch
comeing on in the garden.
I do not think that our Potatoes
will be as fine as they were last
year.  my mother is with me at this
time and desires to be remembered
to you. I fear she will never get over
the death of Sister Mary.  She will
leave here the 12th inst for Columbus.
I am doing all in my power to
provide winter clothes for the people.
Sister Martha has a very fine child
three weeks old.  nothing more from you Sevt
                              Lucy Skipwith

MSS 640

                                  Charlottesville
                                Oct 11th 1862
My dear Henry
                                  I arrived safely home
Saturday–my general health is improved
but my arm & leg is ever worse–I have
been advised by Dr. Doaghe, Waddell &c
to try the use of the Battry[?] & Strichine[?]
but yr Pa feels timid about it, and
so I have made no experiments–I
have lost all hopes of ever being able
to use my and & leg, but yet am
willing to try any & all remedies for the
prospect ahead, if my Life is spared, is
a gloomy one–I feel so disturbed
at the idea of being a burden all
my days–whilst yr dear Father lives
Life to me is tolerable even situated
as I am -Yet when the idea crosses
my mind, that I may possibly
outlive him–dark & gloomy are my
forebodings–his Love & affection in=
creases with my infirmities–his patience
& kind attentions knows no bounds–on his
account do I feel most sensibly my mis-
fortune–and at this time most especially

[page 2]
when his mind is so harassed and torn
asunder by the direful situation of
our country–clouds & darkness are
thickening on every side–we can see
no cheering light ahead–our state
is covered with blood the dead & wounded
lie all around turn which ever way
you may nothing meets your eye, but
naked, maimed & bleeding soldiers in
rags & want–yes suffering for the very
necessaries of Life–I have seen with
my own eyes sights that ought to melt
hearts of stone–thousands coming up
from Winchester & lying on the McAdimised
road-worn out soul  & body–some weeping
bitterly, others just ready to die for a cup
of milk or slice of bread–500 ambu
lances came in one day whilst I was
at Mr Crawfords with those so badly wounded
they could not walk–hundreds had
their wounds dressed in the streets by the
negroes, & women–even the Crawford
girls & Mittie took a part in trying to
cleanse some of their wounds from the dust
flies  & dirt which had accumulated on
their 3 days journey up–lately  we have
had several letters from [?] & G M
Winchester is being evacuated by our
armies as provisions have run out, &
the suffering for food & forage is immense
one half are moving towards Gordonsville

[page 3]
& the other towards Augusta County–all
they get to eat has to be carried by wagons
so you may guess how scarce things
are–and the prices are beyond belief
butter in Staunton last week was selling
for 80 cts Bacon 50- lard 50- Honey 75
sugar $100–Coffee $2–& no corn meal
what think you of that? Our Bacon is
out & we now have to give the negroes beef
at 1 [$ per lb?] our expenses are enormous-
our family is large – John M is here
and anxious for a consummation of his
affections–which I wrote to you about
& asked yr advice, as to whether it
would be best for the matter to come
to a speedy close or wait until a
more propitious time–you have not
giving me yr [?]–I dread giving up
Va–so much it will be a great trial
to me–she has been a wonderful
comfort to me since my sickness-
in deed you all have shown me a
degree of Love & affection I had never
flattered myself with having therefore
I feel overwhelmed with love & gratitude
not only to you all, but to God who
has put such virtues into yr hearts-
he will reward you all for it in his
own good time–do write me and
if you could get the Linen & gloves &
what is the price of those articles

[page 4]
Many deaths from S Fever have occurred
here–Mr Halback Gentry of the Firm of
Wertenbaker & Co died this morning–
Yellow Jaundice is very prevalent–Nannie
& Howe stay very [?] at the Hospital
about 15 lads at the University–I
reckon the book stores are doing a fine
business & I am not sorry for any loss
the great secessionists may meet with–
Carroll has a good school–Mrs Carroll
is still with her relations in Bath and is
feasting so richly dont intend coming
home for a long time–We have just learned
that Dr Bledsoe had died suddenly yester
day in Richd  Cam Gatewood had a sever
sabre cut on his head–Jas M. Leitch Polk
Points[?] & Charly Wood have been released
as Prisoners & arrived yesterday–Henry Massie
had gone to Danville to see about Mrs Stanly
Mr Stanly died very suddenly with Paralysis
yesterday week–Letty Cocke is in exactly the
same state of health she was two years ago
if not worse–Sue & Frederick has come in to
live for good, and Ellen & Ann will soon
follow–Goddard is in Columbia in very
wretched health–several of sister Carrie’s
nephews were killed at Sharpsburgh
[3 illegible names]–do write
soon & believe me as ever yr devoted
                           Mother

Letter to Henry Cochran
MSS 9380

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

 (Oct. 11th).  Feel rather
better than did yesterday.  Rained slightly
during night & is cloudy, with high wind this morning.
Mrs. Peyton rec-d note from her husband from
Richmond this morning & expects to see him in
a few days.  My fate is rather different, having not
heard a word from home, or the army since
being here, and not the slightest prospect of
seeing anyone from there.  Jas. has gone to
Leesburg this morning for Mrs. P-.  Miss L- com-
-plimented me by reading my journal and fur-
-thermore honored me by speaking well of it.  Mr. Miller
sent me over some very nice grapes this afternoon.
A body of our Cavalry passed down the road to-
-wards Leesburg.  Some of these brought Mr Pusey
in here under arrest.  Mr Braden has not returned.
Has been cloudy all day.  Headaches more this eve-
-ning.  Miss L, Mrs P & Jeanette passed the evening
with me, the former sewing on my flannel & the
two latter knitting.  A most industrious set of
ladies.  Query! Why do they knit & Sew.-They knit for

the good of souls (soles) & sew (sow) that they may
reap the fruit of their labors. (Pardon me this time
I’ll try & do better next.)  Mrs Pusey brought over yester-
-day Baltimore paper.  Very little news of interest.  All
lies nearly.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

                        Richmond October 11th 1862

Dear Mary
                       I dined with Neph yesterday
and gave him a rid on his mare in the evening.
I wish I had as good a boarding house as
he has–I shall leave the one I am in  so soon
as I can find one near the Court & Stable–
One of the Powells is going to school, as a day schol
-ar at Mr. Christians–he is sent by Mr Lucken
and I suppose is a son of Col Humphrey—
      Neph & Hunt said they would  be in to day,
and wished to visit the Steamer Richmond,
but the bad weather will keep them housed
      I send you the key, if you can find it on
the bunch & your Uncle says you may find
the one for the shell box on the same bunch.
    Tell [Saint?] I have the mug, but it rains so hard
I can not go up to carry it–I got a passport
yesterday, for myself & Neph–Knowing you
would give me a warmer reception if I
carried him with me–but he was not very
anxious to go, & the weather I thought would
not be suitable, so I said but little to him
about it–Mr. Christian wishes you to look for
______ Syntax.  I can not remember the first name–
it is an old book, & he thinks you will find it

[page 2]
at Dewberry–it is to turn bad Latin into good
Mr. Christian is pleased with Neph & Mrs Chris-
tian told me to tell you to pay her a visit.
  A child died with scarlet fever in the house
opposite to Mrs Semple’s–Neph has just
step[p]ed in & sends a Mem.  I shall keep
him with me to day, as I think the weather
too bad for him to visit the ship, Y I
believe he likes to be at court—
    Neph sends love & kisses, & says he will
write you a long letter next week–
      I shall not send the Tea, Locks &c &c
up to day—
                           Yours Cal

Calendar St. George Noland, 1816-1879, formerly U.S. Navy, more recently commanding the battery on Mulberry Island Point defending the James.

MSS 6463