[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]
Thursday, Oct. 2, 1862
An ambulance train laden with wounded soldiers has come
in from Winchester. From this number of Yankee vehicles
(captured from the enemy) among them one might suppose
that the Federal army was passing along. One four-wheeled
ambulance is marked “39th Regiment — Col. d’Assey — N. Y. S.
V.” (New York State Volunteers); Another vehicle, two- storied,
has the letters “U. S.” pained on it; and a third, “N. Y. S. V.”
Legh got back yesterday. Well-informed persons from Winches-
ter state that our army has filled up rapidly, being now
twice the size it was upon the return from Maryland. The
number a few days ago is however only put down at 80,000.
Lincoln’s proclamation in regard to slaves, seems calculated
and intended to excite servile insurrections in the South —
to such a pitch of ferocity have our enemies arrived.
Synod met last night — comparatively few here. Our
guests are Rev. Mr. Dudley, Henry C. M. Alexander, Mr.
Phlegar, of Christiansburg, and Mr. Dinwiddie, of Greenwood,
Albemarle. Besides these we have Ann Eliza Wilson,
Mary Tate Graham (her husband till this morning); Mrs. McClung,
Miss Agnes, and Mary Stuart. Dr. White and Foote + Wm.
M. Tate were at dinner. Sister thinks of coming down
on a visit during the month. Mr. Stuart and Addy
have gone to join the army.
I annex a Yankee account of the great
battle in Maryland. The number of am-
bulances which have arrived here and to-
gether with those this side of Mt. Sidney
is said to be 225. Our order for am-
munition to be sent to Winchester in
48 hours, was received this morning.
Just now a man called at the door
and stated that the telegraph operator
reports a fierce battle as in progress
near Winchester.
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258
