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

Thursday, Oct. 30, 1862

Did nothing this
forenoon. Tonight
Miss
Geddes & brother came
out here on a visit
they started for  Petersburgh
this afternoon by
the Hack  Thomas Hayes
& Lady were also here
Went up to Sav in the
Hack for the horse
& bagg
Went down to Wrights
Came back after
supper  Called & saw
E. C.
Partly clear mostly
cloudy

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Did not enjoy reading.  My thoughts were
completely taken up with the
constant moving around me I am
truly thankful that it is not my lot
to [live?] [this?] every day–took my work
into the sitting room till time to
dress for dinner as company was expected
General Archer, Colonel Magruder & Capt Hopkins
dined here, several others called; enjoyed
myself very much—engaged in too
much light conversation-but am afraid
that I did not regret it as I ought to
do–O, I am so easily carried away
make many good resolutions when I am
in my room with the door shut, but
how little it takes to turn my head.
General Pender invited us to a grand review in
the evening
^but afterwards sent us word  that the division
had been ordered to move early in the morning. Some
gentleman brought the band around & serenaded us after
tea=The girls entertained the gentleman.  I came
to my room & thought & wept over my
[unholy?] [?]  My faith is so weak
= Oh, if I could [?] thoughts this  [?] heart
& come nearer to God in prayer I feel
that I would be heard but I am [?]
off- O Lord, I believe, help thou my
unbelief.

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

MSS 15406

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

Thursday 30  Consulted one or
two friends about the proposal of
McD. They advise my accepting
which I shall do.  Conferring
with Mr Macon he reminded me
that it would be necessary to ask
permission of the Board.  I had for
gotten the by law–I sold Charles’
Maria & her children to A. E. Huff
I took $1600 for her in consideration
of its being a good home.  It was
indispensable she should be parted
with & her conduct deprived her
of all  [consideration?]  Still I would
not have been the agent for selling
her at auction.  I consider I have
sacrificed several hundred dollars
by not doing so—-We have rumors
coning on a very authentic source
that England & France are at
last to offer to mediate–which if
[?] will be followed by recog-
nition.  The news is certainly believed
in the north.  I place more reliance
on it than on any previous rumors.
Ld Lyon is to arrive next week
with instructions on the subject.
Meem told me today that he had
sold within the past ninety days
$200.000 and with the last 30
days $75.000  He has made an im-
mense fortune within the last 18 [years?]
He has worked hard certainly.

MSS 4763

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

Thursday 30th  A beautiful clear pleasant day–Everything looks
so bright & lovely out of doors–that we can scarcely imagine trou-
-ble any where about.  But the lady in the room above me is n
great distress & I feel sincerely for her–She is quite young & only been
married 6 months-& her husband who has just been exchanged has
left to join his company.

MSS 6960

We the undersigned Freeholders in the County
of Fluvanna having been called upon
to appraise, in ready money, negro man
Abraham property of Jno. H.Cocke,
which negro is impressed to work
on the fortifications in the vicinity
of Richmond Va., belieiving him to
be entirely sound, ado estimate his
value at one thousand dollars,
Given under our hands this
the 29th Oct. 1862
                     F. S. Johnson
                     Wm G Haden
                      Wm J Thomas

General John Hartwell Cocke, the last surviving member of the 1st Board of Visitors of the University of Virignia

MSS 640

[The stationery is imprinted with an engraving of the U.S. Capitol and the words: “18th Regiment Maine Volunteers, Company ___”]              

         Company K
         October the 29      1862
              Camp Stetson  DC
              Dear Brother
i now take my pen in
hand to answer your kind
letter which i received last
night.  I was glad to hear
from you and to know
that you was wel
at home.
you spoke of things
that has been said when
we are were togather but
i don’t want you to think

[page 2]
any thing of what has
been said but let it al
pas.  I am sure that I
should never thought any
thing more of what has
been said.  I tel you george
you don’t very often find
a family of brothers
that has got along
to smoothe togather as we
have so don’t let that
trouble your mind at all
They say that we are
going to Alexandria this
winter.  O george I saw
Gered Pike yesterday and
I saw aman that brot
him from the City and
had a long talk with
him about the war and
he told me that gen
Lee is on the retreat
and Mc Clelden is on the

[page 3]
Advance And the cry is once
more on to Richmond
so he said and i  hope
it is so for I believe
if‘they will try they can take
the city and distroy the
Reble government al at
once   they say they are
not going to wait for
warm weather this time
but are going to push
right ahead and do it
up * I saw a Comp of
mounted Cavelry this
morning the first i have
seen with horses since i
come out here – I
saw two boys to day
that swam the potomac
and run away from the
121 new york regt
and I might took them

[page 4]
but i would not take
them for they wanted
to get away so bad
i thought i would let
them go
   but now i must close
for I have got to go
out on battalion dril
and it is time now
write soon as you
can
           Good bye from
              your brother
            Ambrose A Huntley

Ambrose A. Huntley, musician and corporal, Co. K, 1st Maine Heavy Artillery

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 828

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

Wednesday
Oct 29
Had to go down farther from camp, three of
us as picketts.  Had a very pleasant time
in thinking of home and building air castles about
the farm.  Had quite a time with Pollard about
smoking in which I lost my temper somewhat, for
which may God forgive me.  This afternoon and evening
have been taking care of Phineas who is sick.  Heard
that the Colonel was going home, having resigned, which
makes me feel bad.

MSS 11293

[from the “war journal” of George Hazen Dana, of the 32nd Massachusetts as compiled by him at a later date from his diaries and letters]

                                                           Camp near Sharpsburg.
                                                                 Oct. 29th. 1862.
We shall probably move from this place in a day or
two, as all our sick have been removed, and we are
prepared to march, with three days’ rations in
haversacks.        I have now had a little time to try
the position *  I now occupy, and must say I like it,
the Colonel having promised to let me join Co. A. in
all battles we may engage in, my objection to the
berth has been removed.        It gives me a good
* as Quarter Master.

large tent, and many privileges which I could not
have, were I with my company – – -There is
another consolation I have as Quarter Master –
I shall have no foot-sore marches, as I shall travel
on six legs instead of two.        The weather out here
has been very cold, most of the time, of late.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5130

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]

                              Wednesday 29
     Started at 8.A.M.   went
about six miles toward
Ashbys Gap where we
camped        

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448            

[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E., 42nd Virginia “Dixie Greys”

Wednesday 29th. – Still quite unwell today
did not get before the board to get a
transfer – Not very well pleased about
it –

MSS 5526