Hd. Qrs.  Cav. Brigade
   Purcellville, Oct 28, 9.30 Pm
To  General R. B. Marcy
    Chief of Staff
       Numbers of the Secessionists
in this country are trying to
send off their horses to
the rebel cavalry–& to
prevent this I have been ob=
liged to take the horses,
for the Government service-
     Please inform me if
the General desires other
action in these cases–
      Tis the only efficient
check I have at this time-
        A. Pleasonton
          Brig. General

            Camp E. D. Keyes
                  Oct 28 1862
Dear Mother
                 Received your letter
and box of provisions
Shall carry the provisions with
me just as they are.
I dont want any of my
friends to come to Augusta
to see me leave.
I went down town last
night and saw the 21st start
There was considerable snuffling.
If I do not get those pictures
here, will when ever I get to
Washington
We shall probably stop in Boston
one day, as they travel by night
mostly.
I will take care of myself and
try and do my duty
                   Your affectionate son
                          C.P. Morrill

Charles Plummer Morrill, 24th Maine

MSS 11031

[writing faded to illegibility at many points]

                        1862
Beyond Fairfax Oct 28
         Dear Phebe
                    You have often
asked me to write more
about myself,  how I live and
&c and I propose in this
letter to give you a little of the
way which I live. My health
is good; very good, thanks be to
God; you can hardly feel
what a blessing it is to be in
the enjoyment of health in the
army; it is very difficult to get
[?] the things which are
needful for the sick to say
nothing of the thousands of
little comforts which can be
so easily procured at home
I have been very careful
what I have eat since I have
been here, eating very little
but bread and drinking as
little water as possible.  The

[page 2]
water is generally poor and has
a bad effect upon the bowels.  I
drink coffee, altogether, without
milk and very little sugar-
In the matter of ardent spirits
I have drank some twice since
I have been here; once when I
was out all night in a cold
storm; and once when I was
about exhausted by a hard
march: I have been offered
liquor repeatedly by Capt Rodgers
but have steadily refused as
I am satisfied that it does
more hurt then good: I have
changed my mind about
the use of liquor, and if I
am permitted to return I
will be a determined foe
of rum and shall at once
join in any enterprise having
for its object the crushing
out of intemperance. I have

[page 3]
seen enough of it to satisfy
me forever: About sleeping
When not on guard, I go to
bed as soon after supper as
I can, generally about 8 oclock
and do not sow myself until
roll call in the morning at
6 oclock, I avoid the cold
night as much as possible as
it brings of chills & fever: with
the worst form of dysentery: In
regard to washing I improve
every chance and usually
wash myself every day: as
that seems to be one of the
means of preserving health
I have made diligent inqui
ry of the old soldiers as to
the best means to preserve
my health and have followed
their directions as closely
as possible: About buying
things which are not

[page 4]
furnished by the government
there are many little things
such as pepper, ginger, lemons
cloves, allspice, tea, sugar,
butter & [all?] add very much
to our comfort and happiness
and cost but little. We have
been very busy since we came
came[sic] as we encamped in
the midst of a dense wood and
have been cutting it down
and burning it, until we
have got quite a large piece
cleared up: We can now see
a mile either way now and
can see the tents of the different
regiments of our divisions We
have all kinds of soldiers here
N. York, Penn, Ohio, N. Hampshire
Illinois, and many others which I
have not time to mention : You
write that you do not know
what to do about going to [?]
Providence this winter, I want
you to just as you want to
You write that you cannot
earn enough to pay your
board and also that you have
bought some things which you
will not need if you stay

[page 5]
in Sharon. That does not troub
le me at all; I have not been at all
afraid that your expenses
would be to large.  I wish
you to use the money when
ever you think that you
need it and if it should
take all that I left behind
I shall never complain
so that you are made
happy: Perhaps it would be
as well to stay in Sharon
this winter if you are
satisfied to do so; I have
no doubt myself that the
war will be ended before
next spring.  It is the common
opinion that the fighting will
all be done this fall and
it looks so to me: time
alone will tell; I am glad
to hear that the churches came
together to talk over the

[page 6]
matter of doing something
for the soldiers, this is as
it should be: I have lost all
the sectarianism I ever
had and shall never lis
ten any more to it: We came
together here without creeds
and some of  the best working
christians, in the regiments
are of that church which
is often spoken against
(Methodist) and all the
books which we have are
furnished by the Episcopals
: You write that you feel
as though we: would under
stand each other better
if we should be permitted
to meet again This is no
doubt true: If I ever return
to you it will be a better
man than when I left
I shall return knowing

[page 7]
what it is to be deprived of
almost everything which
life comfortable and strong
as It may seem I shall
return: knowing you much
much better than when I
left you: It will no doubt
work, for our good: that
we are sepparated if we
only improve it arright
You wrote that you are
troubled about the election
It does not trouble me at
all the whole thing is in
the hands of one who will
carry on his plan without
regard to what man
may plan, It is easy for
God to defeat all our plans
and he will until we
are willing to do our duty
Then do not fear, God
is with us if do our duty

[page 4]
then let us see to it that we
do our whole duty and then
we shall have abiding peace
through Jesus Christ our Lord
                    Josiah
PS
Your picture is
first rate could not
be bettered natural
as life.  Give my love
to all the folks and
tell them to write often
and write often yourself
                       JWP

Josiah Perry, Co. K, 33rd Massachusetts

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

Tues 28.  Fine, sweet day – Struck tents, packed up – & marched across
long bridge – & so n.w. up Potomac & encamped just under Arlington
heights – within quarter of a mile ? of Gen Lee’s famous house.
Almost exactly west of the capitol – & not over two & half miles distant
I judge – I lead way to bridge & then after crossing – while crossing
the men fired at a duck – perhaps a hundred shots – & didn’t hit it,
We saw Gen Casey drilling some ten regts. on a field to the left –
we halted by roadside – while whole division marched past –
reached camp ground at 3 – at 5 had tents up & supper over –
Men caught some twenty rabbits, chasing them in the woods
back of our camp – We are on ground of Gen Lee’s Estate, rebel
Comd. in chief I suppose.

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

     Oct. 28th, ’62.

Still in same camp.
Cold but clear.
This evening rec’d.
two letters from
Woodsfield and
one from Lewisville,
Ohio. Night cold.

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-m                

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

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1862

Was up until near
morning talking
this morning rather surprised the boys
assisted today in
taking off the machine
from the wagon also
assisted in getting up
some corn
Was visited by
John Olin
went down to Leonards
with Hals letters
saw on the road
[Ben?] Huffman
mostly cloudy rained
a little this evening.

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Anne Madison Ambler Willis]

Tuesday October 28, 1862
Slept later than usual & found that
Margaret had made my fire when I woke.
did not feel very well, or in a happy
frame of mind–so concluded to ride
to Repton with Beale to get my shoes but
the horse was such a miserable one that
I feel rather worse for my ride pd
4.50 for shoes;
Late in the evening we were all astonished
to see a body of infantry passing the
road by Mrs Lukes[?] Pa thought they were
going to camp in his woods but they
went on beyond–Stragglers poured into
the yard immediately but Ma has fed
so many that pa says he can not
afford it any longer so she is obliged
to turn them away=It is strange how
one becomes accustomed to human suffering–
two months ago he would not turn a soldier
off & since we have see so many & know
they often deceive us we can do it easily
—Felt impatient many times to day,
did not ask God aright for his
assistance this morning–Oh: god
be merciful unto me & give me ore
of the spirit of thy grace.
The camp fires looked beautifully from the
porch on top of the house.

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

MSS 15406

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

Tuesday 28th  We had a frost last night & it is extremely cold this morning – Katie
brought me 4 letters from the Mail.  One from Mr Parker enclosing a check for
$300 borrowed money-One from Fan Bradley-One from Liz, & one from Tom–
the latter is still near Winchester & merely wrote to say he was well & might
be there 2 weeks longer–to beg us to send Noah on- & to send me his signature
to draw his dividend -& to request a few more clothes sent to him.  From
Liz I am sure to hear that Noah dislikes returning–& has taken a
job of work to do that he cant leave before he finishes it–Even should
he consent to return. Liz says Eliza & Mr. Mason are enjoying them
selves together & Captain Mason spoke of leaving the day after she
wrote the 25th for Columbus Georgia–But she thought her mother
intended to persuade him to remain longer–Young Mr Guth
-rie has just left for GordonsVille where his Regiment is now
Camped–He is a fine young man–& not entirely recovered-so
it made us all feel bad to see him go off–Mr Perkins letter contained a
check of $300 on the Raleigh Bank–Money he has loaned me-
Tuesday-No mail & many reports about Black water being taken by the
Yankees to try & get Weldon–the weather still cold & the fever decrea
sing in Wilmington–

MSS 6960

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

Oct 28  Fine weather still–a very
quiet day not a rumor afloat
I somehow or other have a feeling
that the war is drawing to a close
it would be hard to say what this
opinion is based on. Recognition
cannot be much longer delayed
and negotiation will settle the
matter, as the yankees are compel-
led to resort it–called to see Mrs
Garland, with the notices I had
printed in memory of her son. Saw
Hugh Garland who has come in
on sick ticket & who looks very
badly.  He is now L. Col. of 1st Missouri
in Pierces Column.  At night
two young gentlemen of Norfolk
named Todd called to see me.  I
knew one in Norfolk, & both were
well acquainted with Lewis.  Eugene
came in the train from Charlottes
ville.  He is not much improved
Staige thinks it would be very
improvident to join the army now
but he thinks of going next week
all well at the University.  The girls
are still there–to go down Thursday
to Englewood.

MSS 4763

Camp near Winchester
Thursday morning, Oct. 28, 1862
How did you spend last Sabbath, Ella dear?  Was
your mind again filled with anxious apprehensions about
our soldiers in their exposure to the inclement weather,
and did you “friend” call forth more than an equal
share of solicitude?  The day was wet, cold and cheer-
less in camp; but I believer that I would have shivered
here through it all, if I had not remembered my
promise to take good care of myself for your sake.
So with our surgeons, I went off to my bro. Bart-
lett’s, and there I spent a comfortable day and
night, once more enjoying table, bed and the
shelter of a roof.  If such beneficent influence is
exercised our me by my betrothed, how complete will
be the control of my bride, and how much I will owe to
her watchful, tender love!  Yesterday was cold &
blustery; but at dusk the wind lulled, and
the new moon and the stars of the cloudless sky
and the hundred fires that burnt cheerfully in all
the woods around were a glorious spectacle.  Perhaps
the sublimity of the heavens and the picturesqueness
of the landscape were enhanced in my eyes by the

[page 2]
charming letter of the 20th I had just received from my beloved
(I do not hesitate to call you according to my  feelings,
and I will venture to suggest that another word
than “ahem!” following the significant pronoun “my“-
only it isn’t a pronoun–would sound more sweetly
from you lips, and read more sweetly from you pen,
my lovely and beloved Ella.)  Your letter is full of
precious hints, if not of other expressions of devoted
affection.  It is a heresy in you, however, to think
the love of our sex towards yours to be in the inverse
ratio of the declaration of love on you part.   Be-
sides, your love to me is so “calm and reasonable”
that I wonder you should feel any reserve or delicacy
in telling it frankly: if it were more “impetuous,” the
case might be different.
                                        I am sitting on a
rail, just having quit our sofa because too far
from the fire.  And verily, the pungent smoke threat
ens to drive me from my new position.  I had scarcely
taken out pen, ink and paper before the order came
to be ready for moving in a moment’s warning, but
I am resolved to put off preparation to the last mo-
ment that I may write to my darling—-she will be

[page 3]
so disappointed a week hence, if I do not write!
You will wish to know what is the stir, and whither
we are bound; but we quietly bundle up, asking no
questions and forming no conjectures.  I don’t think
there is any fighting on hand to-day.  McClellan
is reported to have left Harper’s Ferry several days
ago.  Until your letter came last evening, I
had been making my plans under the mistake
that Danville was the county seat of Pittsylvania,
How far the Court House is from Spring Grove, and
in what direction I know not.  I expect to be in
Danville Thursday evening, Nov. 13, and at the
Grove Friday by the stage, unless my journey should
be hindered in some unexpected way.  If we move
nearer the rail-roads, I may be there a day earlier.
I will expect, therefore, to go from Captain Estes’ to
the Court House in company with some friend of yours
after that important writ, the license.  I repeat my
request that you will send me a letter to the care of A.
G. Brown, Richmond, so as to reach there about Mon-
day the 10th.–The day I will leave camp.  I write
with certainty of my going, for though I have not had
time to hear from my furlough, I entertain no doubt that

[page 4]
it will be granted.  You again refer to your plan
of teaching; but you have learned before this time
that I “advise” against it, and if I dared be so bold,
would refuse “consent.”  You must employ yourself
next year in writing to me, my darling.  I am de-
lighted that you leave to my “superior judgment” the
decision of our nuptial day.  In submission to
the Providence of God, I appoint it as early as
possible, and may He grant of  his mercy that we
may ever have reason to remember it with grateful
joy.  You retire to your room to read again and
again my letters: I stray far off, and lie down
in the sun as it shines on some field to take
out all your letters, and go over and over them
dwelling with special delight on every word of
love.–Poor Mr. Ware! I do fervently commend him
to God, and pray that he may be speedily restored to
health.  I do not feel painfully anxious about you health,
my own Ella; but I do beseech our Father that the
scourge may be kept from the dear girl for whose love I
daily thank him, and from all the house in which she
abides.  If I have an opportunity to write this evening or early
to-morrow, I will inform you further concerning our marching or
-ders,  With all my heart, Yours,  J.C. Granberry.

John Cowper Granberry, 1829-1907, formerly a chaplain at the University of Virginia and later a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

MSS 4942