[from the diary of George W. Dabney, clerk of Campbell County]

5″ Jany Monday

Rainy & cold.  at Oliver’s
suffering from spree & falls.

MSS 3315

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Monday, January 5th – A bright warm day.  Read French as usual in the morning with Maria.  John came in for a short time.  Went this evening to Linden to hear the tidings of Cousin Tom Nelson. Saturday night between midnight and dawn, the emissaries of darkness came down and carried off Cousin William, Warren Smith etc.  the former had been out of the army for eighteen months, Warren discharged for inability to serve.  Cousins Mary and Evelyn went up today to see him but the pickets did not even allow them to get in sight of Winchester.  They had a rail pen built across the road this side of the toll gate, higher up a stone fence across it, pickets stationed all across the fields.  Even little children were not allowed to enter. They stayed there some hours trying to get a pass but failed.  One of the pickets promised to try and have them a pass tomorrow.  They will try it again.  Oh what degradation to be obliged to submit to such treatment, and to be given it by our own people.  They had pickets stationed down as far as the Briars corner when they returned, who stopped them fifteen minutes untill they left for Winchester, saying the ladies would tell.  They knew we had forces in the little town below.  Poor deluded creatures! One of them said he didn’t know they didn’t make a dash on Richmond and take it.  Cousin E. “One of your captains told me a year ago that they would take Richmond in ten days without striking a blow.”  Yankee McClellan could have taken it very easily if he had wanted to.  The report of a great victory in Tennessee by Bragg over Rosencranz.  I got a sad letter from brother Archie yesterday and feel very unhappy about him, poor fellow.  He says the food is as bad as it is scanty and he had a wretched cough.  Oh this wicked, wicked war, when will it cease?

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper publisher and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of Ebenzer Boyden, rector of Walker’s Church, Cismont, Va.]

Monday 5th – Ma & Father, Lilal & Fanny set off
this morning for their respective destinations – I
dont know how I shall get on without my
parents – I wanted much to go with them, but
could not – Raleigh came back today, but
only called here, & went the boys over to Mr
Nelson’s.  I can hardly say how I felt about his
returning here – Certainly the anxiety I suffer about
him, makes me not very anxious to have him
But if God’s hand is in bringing him here, I
trust I shall try to do my duty towards him
as I ought to do – God help me & him, I pray

MSS 4288

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

Sunday
Jan 4
Had an inspection at eight oclock this morn-
ing, & afterwards sung awhile and then went
to church and heard Mr James preach a real good
sermon. In the afternoon sung and read some.  this
evening read two of Spurgeons sermons aloud.
Adams and Hunter were in our tent while I was reading
Received a letter from home this afternoon dated the
29th of Dec. Have felt Gods love in a marked measure today.

MSS 11293

                             Head Quarters 15th Regt. C. V.
                                 Camp opposite Fredericksburg
                                     No. 3.      Sunday Jany 4th 1863
My Dear Father,
                                                 I received the paper that
you sent me, this morning; also a letter from Geo
he is very good in writing me so often although
he doesn’t give quite as much news or ink as the
rest of you.  I suppose he commences with a good
resolution and then soon thinks of something
else that he had rather do, but I love very much
to get his letters.     Have you received a letter
from me with a 10 $ order in it.  I sent one in a
letter to George payable to your order and as he did
not say anything about it in his last I fear it
hasent reached you   there seems to be some
fault in the mail some where as a great many
of the boys complain that their letters do not
all come or go safely..  I shall number all of my
letters that I write home after this and want
to have you all do the same then we can tell

which of them are received and which are lost and        

[page two]
please state in each letter the No that you last
recieve.          We expect to be payed off very soon
as the papers all are made out and we have been
mustered in again and there is 4 months pay due
us which we ought to have.  I shall send home
most all of mine when I get it and then I can
send for it as I need it for there is no use
for any out here     there isent [sic] a store or sutler –
within 10 miles of us except one or two small stands
where they have a little tobacco to sell and the
boys got a pretty good supply of that when at the
city of Fredksburg.        Mr. Ives brought my boots
all safe and they are worth every thing down here
I have been offered 10$ for them 2 or 3 times but I don’t
want to let them go although they are somewhat
larger than they need to be – leather and shoemakers
are scarse [sic] as hen’s teeth down here and when a boot

or shoe gets worn through it has to be thrown
away as there is not such thing as mending them
                             I suppose you are having vacation now for
a short time   “Oh how I wish you could just come
down here on a small tour and give me a short
call    wouldent wan’t [sic] to have you stay long for
your sake in such a heathenish place   It would
do you good to take a look around among the
Camps here and see how we live   you would be
a little surprised I guess..     D. Henry Miller is
quite sick   has had a very bad diarrhea for some

[page 3]
time and is very much reduced – is waiting now           
the return of an application of leave of absence that
is going all the rounds of red tape so that he
can go to Washington for 20 days and recruit up
a little   there are quite a number of sick in our
Regiment     one or two cases of Typhus fever I hear
and we have no accommodation for the sick here
     Eugene who has been quite sick with lung fever
is much better   will get out a little in a week
or so.        Chas said that you had called
on Col Wright since his arrival – how does he
feel now?     I haven’t heard from him since he
went away   is he getting better so as to be able
to return on the 11th?   or will he have to stay
longer.     I am anxious to have him return as I
miss him very much.        We are having very
pleasant weather here   have had no snow or rain
yet except a short storm on the 1st   the days are
as warm as in June but it is quite cold and
frosty nights.     the boys have built mud chimneys
and fire places to their small tents and except for
the smoke would keep quite comfortable but they
have to bring their wood almost a mile as we have
cut all the timber all around as it is astonishing
how soon the troops cut down and burn up acres of
timber and how much it takes to supply the army
     We expect moving orders soon but can’t tell much
about it – hope they won’t make up winter here as it

[page 4]
is a miserable place – no water fit to drink any          
where around and no wood within a mile..
     I don’t think we shall have to do much
fighting this winter and hope we shan’t have
to do picket duty here..     I am getting along
nicely   have got good quarters and have pretty
good food   guess I am fatting up a little
will weigh myself the first chance I have..
                   How is your health this winter?   does
your throat trouble you as much as usual?
how do you like the new stoves?  I suppose every
thing is comfortable and cosy at home while
I am lying around out doors on the ground –
there is some differences I assure you..   Have you
had much snow yet or is it an open winter
                             There is nothing very strange or exciting
down here – revelle and tattoo come around just
about the same every time.     Tell George I will
write him soon but not to stop on my account
at all.          I will stop now please write me
                 Your obedient
                                     Son  J. H. Howard
I am out of stamps again.

                             Head Quarters 15th Regt. C. V.
                                Camp opposite Fredericksburg
                                                         (No 5.)  Jany 6th 1863
My Dear Father
                                       I received your good letter No 1
this morning with the photograph of Helen – think
it is a very good one –  Sloper seems to be improving

James H. Howard, 15th Connecticut Infantry

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

12668

   Fort Gaines   Jany 4th   1863                    
My Dear Wife –
                        I received by Hands of R A
Wellborn last night the things you sent me
(shirt & Drawers) – I attended worship to day at
the Baptist Church and heard a pretty good
discourse from the Revd Mr Burnett – From
the size of the Congregation however I am
forced to the Conclusion that the people of
this little Village are very much like
they are every where else these war
times – Not inclined to attend divine
service – The inclemency of the weather
may serve as an apology in this case
for the Ladies also Men in delicate
health – Our Company is situated near
the River Bank in a larger two story building
one Hundred and fifty feet long with
some dozen Rooms in it which easily
accomodates our Company and about
Eighty Negros – This building was when first
erected intended for a college but was
never occupied for that purpose – The size
of Fort Gains is about the same as that
of Clayton – The Methodist Presbyterian
and Baptist all have Churches here but
very seldom have any pastor to fill
the pulpitt since the War Commenced.
I am enjoying very good health
My appetite always sharp – Mess No 1
which is our Mess live fully as well
as the surrounding Country affords.  Occasiona-
ally Turkey for Dinner   Fried Ham for
breakfast – Beef steak for supper

[page 2]
some time – Biscuit – wafals – Egg bread –
Rice Pudding & Numerous other side dishes
too tedious to mention – suffice it to
say that we live about as well as we
did at Home – I am trying to buy a cow
for our Mess so that we can have
a glass of milk for Dinner – We
can keep her perfectly fat on our two
[The next line occurs at a page break and is not discernable.]
Man has given us free access to his
Turnip patch right at our quarters
the finest I have ever seen – about
one acre – We also have a splendid
Cook – one who is an adapt in the
business – I have been hunting two or three
times but did not get any Ducks owing
to the fact that they have been shot at
so much – I am getting right anxious
to hear from Home and guess I will
to night from what Wellborn told me
about your sending a letter by Mail.
                                  We are all getting
very impatient about the Murphussboro [Murfreesboro]
fight not having received any of the
details except that we had whipped
them in the first days fight and
that Col Clayton was slightly wounded
and his brother J. C. Clayton mortally –
                                  I cannot see for my
life why it is that we do not hear
more about it – unless it is owing to
the fact that the enemy came in
with large reinforcements and whipped
us finally – This I fear is the cause

[page 3]
Since New Years day I have set in to
read my Bible through this year but
if I Continue to read every day for
two or three Months as I have read
the past four days it will not
take half the year to get through
it.  Buford and Myself are the
only two officers here or that have
been here since I arrived or since
Kendall [-] – but the duties that
we perform here are altogether lighter
than if we were in the Confederate
Service   Consequently our business
is by no means laborious –
                                  Hoping that not many
days or weeks at farthest will
elaps[e] before I Can have the
happiness of seeing my good Wife and
lovely little Children –
                         Your affectionate Husband
                                       W. H. Locke

P.S.                    January 5th 1863
                   I have just received your favor of the
2nd Inst. – Glad to hear that all are well and
delighted to know that “Henrietta” sold –
                                  Don’t send me any more
clothing as I have as much here as I will
need.                                     Yours &c
                                                   W. H. L.

William H. Locke, Eufaula Minutemen

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13485

[written on patriotic station depicting the Confederate flag with the verse
Gather around your country’s flag
  Men of the South, the hour has come–
None may falter, none may lag–
  March to the sound of the fife and drum.

and a printed heading  Confederate States of America]

No. 8

Fredericksburg Va Jan 4, 1863
Mrs. E.B.J. Riley
Dear Wife: I have looked
in vain for the last 6 or 8 days
for a letter from you; & to
make the best of my disappoin-
tment, I seat myself, this
lonesome Sunday, in order
to communicate, through
this medium, a few words
to you; though I am so
harrassed in mind, that I
do not know but I shall
fail to sum up a sufficient
quantity of ideas, even of the
poorest class, to droll out any
sence Whatever. one long,
tiresome month, has rolled
round since I was fourced
to part from you; which brings
farward a New Year; the
proceedings of which God only

[page 2]
know; but I hope, that before
the lapse of the present year,
He (whose power it is) will
bring about peace & indepen-
dence, causing us to return
home in tranquility, to live
in plenitude, that we may
to enjoy the luxuries of sweet
home, as we have done in
time past, a retrospect of which
is very grievious to our present
deprived condition!
 Receive this as my first
token (in 1863) Greeting you
a happy time throughout
this year, at the close of which,
may you be able to say that
you have done your the most
imperative duty of a lady
during the past 12 mos.
As yet, I have not Rec’d
but one letter from you,
have written twice ( & this

[page 3]
is the third time) since I
Rec’d that one.  In No. 7 (which
I mailed Dec. 26 ’62) I inclosed
to your care, & for your own use,
$50 in confederate bonds, which
I hope will reach you in
safety.  In this you find $7 in
one dollar bills. Whatever
you need, buy it, i.e. if it is
to be had for money.  the
Quarter Master of the 16′ has
returned to Camp, & I suppose
we will draw money to-
morrow.  If so, I will be
able to send you about $150.
I am in good health, so is
my mess, the members of which
I informed you in a former
letter.  We came off of picket
last night about 11 O’clock, having
been on 4 days.  had a cold
time of it, though fair Weather.
My health, as I before said, is
fine: but I can claim no
rights to fine spirits, except
by spells.  the blues frequently
take possession of me, when

[page 4]
a letter from you would be
a sufficient remedy to purge
& arouse the “blue devils,” which
have no right to my mental
faculties! I Recd a letter
from Ned & Ans’d it Dec. 30 ’62
have written to Father twice,
but Rec’d nothing from him
& (as you may see from the
head of this No.) 8 to you;
making upon an avrage,
one to about every 4 days. I
have Rec’d only one from
you.  I have nothing more
at present worthy of your
notice, & probably some
items hat I have already
given place to are not
worthy you[r] attention; however
I hope will consider this one,
among many unworthy letters
from you dearest friend, & give
it a speedy reply.  May your
steps be guided by the power
of Divine Providence through
life! Your Husband, F. L. Riley
       Mrs. Balsorah J. Riley

MSS 7786-f

Camp near Butlers Mill Caroline Cty Va

Sunday January the 4th 1863
Dear Susan
  I have the pleasure of saying to you I am still in good health also
all of the boys from our neighbourhood and the company generally
I promised I would let you know in my next whether I could put in
a substitute for a short time, but we have bin so bussily engaged
in fixing up that that[sic] I have not said any thing about it to our
major yet, and that is the only diffaculty, that of geting his consent
(he is a strange old creature) application has bin made to him
some time ago and he refused, the capt is willing and the Genl
has sanctioned the like last summer, but I intend to try the
Major myself as soon as I think it practable.
   We have put up shelters out of pine brush for the Horses
to stand under in cold and windy weather and of nights
and all of the men have bin building chimneys to their
tents some have put up small cabbins and all seem to be very
well fixed as for myself we have a firstrate tent and we have
put in a chimney to it with an excellent fireplace made of
stone which makes the ten vary comfortable mutch more
so than any one would imagine their is six of us in the mess
just enough to have good room we have put up a kind of
bunk or burth with two  places to sleep on one alone the other
and three sleep together and we rest firstrate our bed is composed
of small pine poles and straw put on them then spread our Bla=
=nkets and we are ready for a good nights rest
we cook by turns too cook one day and so on til
it goes round I and Gentry cooks together
Tom & Harry: David and Gack[sic]

[sideways in bottom right corner of page 1]
Names of mess
King D J
”   ”   E H
”   ”   T W
”  ”    G W
Gentry A J
Gillespie A J

[page 2]
I have recd too letters from you since we have bin at this camp
one dated Decr the 23 the other the 25 the last one seemes to have bin
concluded on Sunday in the Christmas you say in your last that your
mother never come to see you unless sent for that sound vary strange
to me What have I done that she wont come to my house, even in
my absence I did hope she would stay with yo the most
of her time if I have done anyt thing to insult her let me know
what it is and I will ask her pardon.
you want my advice about matters I dont know what to say
unless I was their to see what was going on so I take it for granted
you all will doo the best you can and try and get on agreeable with
every boddy as for my dictateing what Nathan ought to doo I have
nothing to say unless he should ask my opinion on any particular
subject then I would feel free to advise.
you say you will try and doo without Tom H. I think that will be
a good plan his bourd would bee worth fair more than you can
posably get him to doo you had better hire someone to cut wood
by the cord or day than keep him as that is all he will agree to
doo my last I gave you my opinion in regard to the land you ought
to cultivate provided you can get it done.
  you say you have only one sow and th too shoats left I would
like to know whitch one it is and whitch one Mr C  dogs killed
and if he has ever said anything about paying you for it:
surely if he knows his dogs killed the sow he will pay you
for her you have no Idea how it frets me to think what a fine
stock of hogs I lef at home and now to think they are near
nearly all gonn  it is a shame a scandle to Humanity
but I try to console myself in hopes of out living all of our
diffacultys and again enjoy the bliss of home and peace

[page 3]
   Some men talk lie they thaught their would bee Furloes granted
this winter but no one can tel as it will depend on the move=
=ments of the enamy if they go into winter quarters then their
will bee some chance of our gating Furloes but if I fail to
get a chance to come home I think I can get a place for
you to stay at in this neighbourhood if you can arrange
your matter so as to come down and see me you and Duck
King can come together it would bee mutch better come=
=ing here than it would bee to go to Richmond and you
said you would go their to see me But I mutch rather
come home so I could see all of the children as it would
bee imposable to bring them all with you
Tel Brother Gid to get on the cars some of these days and come
down here git up and start that is all
   I am afraid you started my bitter before you got my letter
informing you of our move I wrote you word to direct
your letters to chesterfield Station but I understand
the name of the postffis Ruther Glen Caroline Co, Va
so direct your next to the last named place
I am in hearing of the central cars even can hear the
Roar of the wheels if I gust had the privalige how soon
I could come home and it looks foolish to me to
keep us here all the winter and not give no Furloes
but if the safety of our country demands that we
shall stay, I shall quietly submit without a murmer
all we are doing after fixing up is three men a dat to gard
the horses and men to go with the wagons after feed and
dont have doo either  how did Luellen like his studs

[page 4]
at night by fire light about 8 oclock
  the Boys have all quited up and I thaught I would finish
my letter did you ever see stutch good weather for the
time of year the vary time to bee plowing I recon Nathan
is gust roleing the land over I tel you evry man that is
not in the servis augh to bee doing their best to try to make
something to eat doo you reccollect my warnings to you last spring
that bread would bee bread an other year and if I had bin at home
last fall I would of sowed some wheat or split a ham cross ways if this
war lasts another year where will you all get Flour.  I shuder at the thaught
It was thaught by some that I was not mutch account but I recon
sad experience teaches you that I am missed
write as soon as you get this and tell me all the news give me a
history of all the children doo they run off of days doo they mind
you dos they talk polite to strangers how I would like to see sis
and manny todling about over the Floor and hear them talk some
they would not know me if ware to come home I recon bless their little
Soles how I would Kiss them tell me if Lu & [Ted?] can spell their
names how many Rabbits have they caught this fall can Lu make
a trap and  metus[sic] does he want to see papa I would lik to
har him say Luella have you made him any britches yet has
he got an shoes I must close by hopeing when this comes to hand
it may find you all in good health – give my respects to the
neighbours and a Kiss to all the children and believe me stil
your devoted Husband Andrew J. Gillespie
I wrote a letter to Elizabeth Roberts I wonder if she got it
it was wrote before the fight at Fredericksburg
Thomas King is as fat as a pig harvys health is very good and Davy has
fatened up vaary mutch and is looking well I wonder that none of

[right hand margin of page 4]
his nieghbours dont write to him he say the are not able

[top margin of page 4]
to pay postage if they will let him know he will send them some stamps

Andrew J. Gillespie  Ancell’s Co., Virginia Light Artillery
MSS 9564

Camp Winder, Jan 4th 1863
Dear Sister
                     I received your letter
yesterday dated the thirty first & now
hasten to answer it.  I am well
with the exception of a cold which
is nothing new.  There is no news
of importance except that there was
a slight stir in camp yesterday
in consequence of a rumored
advance of the enemy but it
appears to have subsided now
General Stuart has made another
dash around the enemy &
returned without the loss of
a man.  He captured five  hundred

[page 2]
prisoners, two hundred wagons, and
destroyed five days rations for the
Yankees.  Christmas & New Years day
passed off quietly with us. We
had a great variety on the table
for our christmas dinners the
breakfast consisted of beef steak
& bread, dinner was bread &
Roast Beef, & supper out of what
was left for at breakfast. To give
you an idea of what we have
to pay for little extras I will
mention the price of a few
articles – Apples are selling at from
$1.50 to two dollars a dozen, Ginger
Bread 3 cakes for a dollar.  Butter
two dollars a pound, sausage 1.50
per pound, dried apple pies that
are baked in camp bring 75 cts
and a dollar & every thing else
is in proportion.  There was
but few of the men that
could afford to get drunk this

[page 3]
Christmas as Whiskey is selling at
fifteen dollars a quart.  During the
last year we lost out of our
brigade 1220 men in killed & wounded
no mention being made of those
that died from disease.  the loss
in our regiment was 400 almost
one third of the whole amount
We marched over 1500 miles
encountering the snows & ice of Winter
in the mountains of Morgan and
hampshire. The miasma of summer
in the swamps of Henrico & Hanover
Our brigade numbers but 1200 muskets
at the beginning of the present
year.  If I can obtain a copy of
the order I will send it to you
which contains a history of the
past years campaign in few
words.  We are now fixed upp prety
well having a little tent fixed
uppp & a chimney in it in
which we do our cooking.

[page 4]
But I will now draw my
letter to a close by asking
you to excuse all mistakes &
write soon to your brother
                                         Tom

Thomas M. Smiley, Co. D., 5th Virginia Infantry

MSS 1807-a