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

Friday 10.  It is now clear that
the attack on the enemies lines at Corinth
was a disastrous one –our troops were
repulsed with great loss. it seems to
have been a fool hardy [experience?]
to storm entrenchments manned by
the best troops in the Federal ser-
vice. Dabney Maury, command-
-ing a Division had a hard time
His troops were cut to pieces.  Van
Dorn, I suspect, is impetuous &
not fit to command an army
however gallantly he may
lead a charge. He was promoted
too rapidly–a very hard days
work–At In the evening a
young man came to ask lodgings
for the night for his mother
who had come from S. Carolina to
see her son who had been wounded
on the Rappahannock and who
has  since had typhoid fever. of
course we could not refuse.  Her
name is Goodchild.  The Orange
train brought Mrs Carter- a widowed
daughter of our old friend Revd
Charles B. Taliaferro.  He married a
Miss Armistead, whose mother was a
Carter–His brother married a Carter
and she having no children adopted
Charles’ orphans.  This young lady
married a Carter and was in a few
months left a widow. She is very
young, very pretty & agreeable.  She
is on her way to Careyswood where
she is to act as teacher o the children
We are all much pleased with her
Lanty met her at the cars.

MSS 4763

[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
Oct 9
Felt some better this morning.  Took
a powder for physic but as it did not
operate I took a dose of oil tonight.  Phineas went
on picket.  I fixed a tick this afternoon, as Phineas
wanted one to make a bed of, I afterwards went out
into the woods and there kneeling down prayed.
I had quite an argument with Pollard this after-
noon.  He denied the truth of the Bible, though he
confessed that he had never read it much, and
asserted that it contradicted itself, which I defied
him to prove or bring and example of, but he was
unable to do.  May God enlighten his mind and open
his heart, a reports comes tonight of another fight
in which we our forces were victorious.  God grant
that it may be true.

MSS 11293

   Lexington Lafayette coun Kentucky
                         October the 9th ’62
Dear Parents
                       It is with pleasure
I seat myself this morning to write
you a few lines to inform you that
me & Cummings are well hopeing
when this comes to hand it will
find you all in the same state
of health Cummngs has got a
very sore foot he cannot wear his
shoe on it their come something like
a raison on the instep of his foot
he gets to ride on the account of it
we travail hear day and night we
marched last night untill about twelve
oclock, we have been for the last fore
or five days marching day and knight
we start by day light in the morning
and put up an hour by the
sun and get supper then strike
out again.  The boys calls our brigade

[page 2]
the foot cavalry These Kentuckians
makes me mad enough to shoot them
Their is always some of the stuck up
in a bugy rideing backwards and
forward by us. While we are in pack
ing hear with great loads travailing
through the hot sun from plase to
protect them and their property. While
was a mt Sterling passed through
from cumberland gap to the ohio but
while they was going through old John
Morgan & Major Shawhorn killed and
took a good many of them general Martials
brigad even back as far as Owings
Ville.  Why he did not go on I cannot tell
after Morgan and Showhorn had left
the yankees and started back Shawh-
orn was shot dead by a bushwhacker–
Their was seven or eigh men along before
with Showhorn they tryed to catch
the bushwacker but he escaped

[page 3]
Our men and the yankees had
a figh when in about a leven
miles from us whe heard the cannons
fireing. It is reported that our men
killed and took very near all of them
I been looking every day or too to get
into it but have never fired a gun
yet.  but we have done our share of
travailing on these acatmised rodes.
One of hour boys got  a letter this
morning he said his father wrote
that very near all of the hogs had
died in russell with the colery.  The
most and the bigest hogs I ever seen
tey have them down hear & mules
any amount of them. This is a
tolerable large town everything in it
that a person wants. shugar coffee
soda shoes boots & every thing else
but us privates cannot get out
of our encampment to get anything

[page 4]
I have never heard from you
only by old Jacob fulkerson
since you left I would like
to get a letter mr fulkerson said
he though you had got a letter from
rieves and he was well.  we heard
that our men have washington
[?] the possession I would be glad
to know whether it is so or not
our forces hear in kentucky
are not fare apart. some at frankfort
some hear.  Charles M Browning sat
down this morning to wright home
he wrote about one hour and looked
over his letter and [word lined through] tore it
up and swore he never would
try to write another letter he
told me to write that he was well
William A Gilmer is well he is
guard to day or he would of wrote
Sarah Cumming has a little
ring he is a going to send you
no more at present but remain
your son C. H. Gilmer

Charles Hayes Gilmer, 29th Virginia, Co. G

MSS 5194

            
                               [“Oct. 9, 1962” written in top margin.]
                         Culpepper C. H.
                         Sept. 9th 1862
My Dear Father
                       We came here last Monday
having laid over one day – Sunday –at
Rapid Ann Station, i. e. where that river
is crossed by the Alexandria & Gordonsville
R. R. We averaged 18 miles a day. The
men did not suffer any on the march
except a few from sore feet. We had
fine weather – one or two days being rather
warm for comfort. Seven miles from
this place we came on the battle
field of Cedar River or more properly
slaughter’s mountain – The battle being
on the foot of this mountain –
Jackson’s position was a splendid one.
The mountain is a considerable one
Its base is open – the sides higher up & its
top covered with woods – in the latter
Jackson had his forces safely massed
& masked partially – & it is of great im-
portance to find a place of safety in
which to put the army when the battle
is beginning & to keep the reserves
near at hand & fresh when wanted.
Not having any such place within

[page 2]
several miles damaged us a good-
deal at Malvern Hills. The finely used
artillery of the enemy generally fills the
country with shell in open country
for that distance. Thus Jackson had
a fine position sweeping the open land
in front with his artillery & able to see
every movement of the enemy. Even
had either of his wings been turned
it would not have mat[t]ered much.
     I think it is intended to keep
us here, if the officer command-
ing the front has the power. There
were previously two pieces here man-
ned by infantry companies – They were
sent off this morning _ I suppose
we are considered as taking their
place. The officer has indeed made
some remark indicating or rather
stated positively that he had been
wanting some good artillery for
some time & now he had it he would
keep it. There are here two regiments
of cavalry & three or four companies
of artillery infantry. We have alarms
of course frequently as is always the
case on advanced posts – this is hardly
I suppose such a post. The alarm

[page 3]
we have just had seems to have been
caused by a small body of cavalry 1500
strong & one piece of artillery which is now
believed to [be] 12 miles from here on the
Rap[p]ahannock. Our force is almost
13 hundred all told. Tell mother I did
not get my box – but that one of our
company who is in Richmond & had
not yet come up told me he would
try & get it when he came up – I
expect him every day. If we stay
here any time I will have a few oppor-
tunity of making some lady acquaint-
tances – but I don’t know whether
I will take advantage of it or not.
My mind is so slow that it gen-
erally fails to please ladies. I
don’t expect there are any very pretty
ones in town, but some who from
their position ought to be very intelligent.
     The people here are quite down
upon the [words lined out] Yankees, who
behaved very badly destroying all
the gardens &c around town & swear-
ing at the women, they made them-
selves particularly obnoxious to that
sex. The country here is a most
splendid one – the soil & rivers resem-

[page 4]
ble Albemarle country very much.
But the land does not seem to be as
rich – however in its present delopi-
dated condition I ought not to judge
it. It certainly does not appear as
well as it did when I passed through
it last spring. We now have our
camp within 150 yards from the
place we spent a week in last
spring. We get the papers here every
day very regularly in the evening of
the day on which they are published.
I am almost sorry I chose the
whig for you – it seems to me to
have become a good deal
duller than ever. You know
however that I never fan-
cied it much. Our position does
not afford any advantages of
knowing the movements of troops
or different plans in view &c.
We have to rely on the papers more
than ever. My dear father my
great regret on leaving Richmond
was that it would place me
farther from the dear ones
at home. I have not yet received
a letter since leaving Richmond – di-
rect to this place. With my best love
to mother & George. With much love
                               W. H. Perry, Jr.

Munsons Hill Virginia Oct 9.1862
Dear Cousan i take my pen in hand
this morning to inform you that i am well
and hope these few lines will find you
all the same we are now in Camp
on the same Ground where 3 weeks
ago the traitors was in camp and where
6 months ago they had a heavy
Battle it is a Bad looking field
it is Covered with Dear Horses and
Dead Bodies of the Damd Traitors and
most Every thing you can think of
we started from Fort Staunton
Washington Oct 6th about 5 O clock
in the morning we marched all day
untill 7 that night when we had
Orders to halt for the night we
laid Down on the ground and Slept
untill 4 in the morning when

[page 2]
when we heard the Drum Beat
and the Major sing out Tension
Batalion we sprang to our feet
and flung our nap sacks and
in 10 minuts was on the march
we marched untill 3 Oclock that
afternoon when we come to our
Camp Ground our tents did not
come that nigh so we slept
on the ground again we all stood
the march well there was But few
that fell Charles Sawyer
told me to put in a word for
him and tell you that he was well
wand should like to here from you
i got your letter the night
Before we came from Washington
and was glad Enough i tell you to
hear from you tell uncle George
i want him to give me a line and
Ant to as soon as you get this

[page 3]
i Cant stop to write any
more now now[sic] for they have
called on me for a Batalion
Drill and so i must go Right off
we are in sight of the Damd Traitors
But if Dont Daunt the Old 17th
not By a Damd Sight we shall
soon go in Battle and we will
Cook them i tell you pleas
write me a letter Every week
wether you get one from me
or not as i have not much time
to write a will now close
Dear Cousin By Bidding you
good By please write soon

From your Cousan and friend
Walter Rounds
Direct you letter as you
Did Before and it will follow
me and I shall get it.

[letter of Joseph Tatnall Lea to Annie Anderson Cabeen, begun on the 7th of October, concludes]

P.S. I have retained this a day so as
to send you a photograph, and hope
that by so doing I have not broken
the charm and led to another crossing
of letters.  I dont know what you will
think of it.  It is ha[sic]s the same fault
as the one taken at home which they
discarded being too dark, the result
of wearing my cap.  We are under
marching orders with two days cooked

[page 8]
rations on hand and orders to have
every thing in order to take the field
at a few hours notice.  Whether we
will get this notice very soon or not
the powers that be, alone can say
Our destination is believed to be in
the direction of Centreville, but of
course we know nothing about it.
The delay is caused by want of trans-
portation.  When we get away, I
am afraid letters will not go or
come quite as regularly, tho’ just
as certainly I hope my correspondents
will not write any the less frequently
because my replies may not come
so promptly.  You may depend that
I will send them, whether they reach
you or not.  My regards to your
Mother & Father.  I suppose they know
when you get letters from
                                 Truly Yrs
                                     J. T. Lea
My address will still
be the same until further notice.  Letters
may be marked “Please forward”

Joseph Tatnall Lea, Co. F., 114 Pennsylvania

MSS 11412

     Oct. 9th, ’62.
All quiet along
the line this morn-
ing. Our artillery
opened out, but
found no rebels, I guess.
Moved forward
2 or 300 yds.; remain-
ed about an hour.
Moved about an
half a mile to the
right, over some fields
to another piece of
woods. We are now
resting in place.
Just rec’d. letter from

Father. About a
mile from Perryville,
Started about 2
P.M., came into
the road about
a mile from Per-
ryville, passed
through the town.
A great many holes
in the sides, ends &
roofs of houses made
by the balls from
our cannon. Must
have been rather
a hot place last
evening. Great suf-
fering for want

of water, on the
march. Pushed on
about ¾ of mile from
Perryville to seve-
ral very fine springs,
the best I’ve seen in
Ky., – held by the
rebels last night,
& for which we con-
tested. Encamped
for the night.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS  10547-bm

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

Thurs 9.   Very hot   visited School with Mrs Derrom – very busy.
Reviewed by Gens Palmer & Robeson – letters fr Home –
Dr. Boardman & ladies here – Attended prayer
meetg. in Eveg   Col D. spoke & prayed – I also –
Every Co. represented.   moonlight night
Ordered to march tomorrow at 10 A.M.
May the Lord go with us –     Several gentlemen fr.
Patterson visited us.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

        Williamsport, Md
         Oct. 9th 1862

Dear Sisters:
          Your welcome
letters came safely to
my hand yesterday and
I tell you I read them over
in double-quick time.
I was so glad to hear from
home once more that I
read them over three or
four times before stopping.
I am well today and feel
like as though I could
go into another battle.
We are not doing much
just now and the weather
is very warm.  We drilled
a little while this morning
and I never saw our horses
feel much better.

[page 2]
Since we received our pay
a good many of the boys
have been having a spree
and it keeps us sober
boys busy to keep them
straight and then we cant
do it. I put two in the
“lock–up” at Williamsport to-
day.  Some of them have
spent nearly all their money
already, and we were only
paid on the 6h I believe.
Well dear girls I was truly
glad to hear that you
were getting along so well
at home.  I was glad
that Father had so much
wheat and that it brings
such a price as it does
I think now that he can
get nearly out of debt
I can send him money
to pay his taxes this winter

[page 3]
It is my only troubles
that he may get out
of debt.  I think we
have been slaves to
others long enough.
You seem to be enjoying
yourselves at  home
This pleases me for
I do not want you to
make yourselves any troub
le on my account.  I dont
think you are sorry now
that I enlisted last
winter.  I was not scared
into the army by a draft.
Neither was I bought
with a bounty, but
I entered the Service
voluntarily. Yes I did and thank
God for it too No man
can ever say to me that I enlist-
ed for anything else than
to fight for my country

[page 4]
All these questions will
be brought up for dis-
cussion at some future
day Yes, and they will
have some bearing upon
some man’s success
at that time.  Ah, Hank
is not of the “last call.”
I emphatically denounce
all able bodied young
men who are not in
the Army now unless
they have been prevented
by their parents.  And
a Father who would
not let his Son go
in to the Army now
ought not to be allow-
ed to live int he North.
And those men who
find so much fault
there at home about
how this war is being
carried on and who
talk so much Secesh
ought to hang as high as Haman.

[page 5]
Now these are my
sentiments and ought
to be every loyal man’s
sentiments.  I don’t care
who he is or where he
lives–I say a traitor
ought to die, and
more especially, a Northern
traitor. I do ask of
you at home never
for my sake, do
you bestow any favors
to those who hint
Secesh principles
and for the respect
of your friends in the
Army don’t ever re-
cognize one in company.
Don’t ever tell a traitor
that I am a friend
to him.  Ah, I would rather
court the friendship of a dog.

[page 6]
Well I was really
glad to hear that you
enjoyed the Fair so
well, Em; and wish
that Jane & I could
have been there.  What
did all of those old School
mates say about Hank.
I am glad you have
found my books but
I want you to see Oneal’s
and learn what the troub-
le was about the rent.
I do not owe them a red
and I want you to get my H. Algebra from Hat.
O’Neal, Pay Hat all she
claims and then be sure
to tell her that I said
that I do not owe her
a red cent.  If now
you can pay the prin-
cipals some, do so.  I would

[page 7]
like to have them paid.
Have you heard from
them?  Yes, I received
those papers; but not
the stamps.  I have
not heard from Crum
for many months
but one since I left
home.  You cannot
send me anything that
would be of any use to
me here.  I have my
testament.  I had it
in my pocket. Yes,
Jane, I intend to give traitors when
ever a chance is offer
ed “Blixum“: Well, Jane,
you can put up with not
going to the fair when
I do not get to go
any place not even
to church at all.

[page 8]
This is a very lone-
some place when a
person once thinks
of how he might enjoy
himself at home. But
I can endure all these
privations til the war
is over.  You must
write to me soon and
tell me all the news again
Em you better try to get
a School.  try to get a home
school house and not too
many skullers.  Give my
love to all inquiring friends
remembering that I acknowl-
edge no traitors as friends
Well girls live true Chris-
tians and die for Heaven
and I will by the
grace
of God meet you there.
It is very hard to live
a Christian life here
but I will “do right“
I am your Affectionate
            Brother
               W H Redman
Write soon
P.J. and S.E. Redman

William Henry Redman, Co. C., 12th Illinois Cavalry

MSS 7415