Dear brother & sister
I received your kind
letters at this place.  I am will with
the exception of a cold.  we left winchester
on new years day and have been laying
out a part of the time wihout[sic] tents
or blankets.  Their has been three deaths
in our company since I wrote to you
last Eliga Harrass James Peck & Bolivar
Cowan.  bolivar dide at Bath in Morgan
County.  we have been down on the
potomack river aburning bridges & taring
up railrode on the Baltiomore & ohio
railrode.  we was in a skirmish at
Capon bridge we lost four men
killed & Severl wounded the minny
Bolls whstled around our heads for
a while.  we ran the yankees out
of Bath without any fighting only fireing
a cannon or two from their we went
on to the railrode and their we had
a little fight the minny balls whistled
around my head but as it happened
none of them struck me we made
the attack after night and we
found that we could not

[page 2]
accomplish any thing after night
and we left and next morning we
went back to try them again but
they was gon all but a few and we
burnt the bridge depot and telligraft
office. their was a few men on the other
side of the river that fired while
we was fireing the bridge but they
done no harm.  Their was more canon
acting on the potomack the night of 4th
than I ever heard.  I have saw more men
since new yars day than I ever saw before
Martha I got all of you christmas gifts
and you all got my new yars gift I have
paid you all by sending my likeness
to you.  it has to pay you all.
Martha I am in hurry I will have to
bring my badly written letter to a close
as I have written this in a hurry  I hope
you will excuse all bad spelling and
mistakes.for I know that I have left
out some words and put in some that
I ought not to put in
Bolivar Cowan was not sick more than
48 hours he dide without a struggle
write soon and let me know whether
you got my likeness or not
W. R. Gilmer
Martha & Hayes

William Rives Gilmer,  Co. I, 37th Virginia

MSS 5194

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 11395

     U. S. Steamer Currituck
                                       off Indian Creek Va
                                          20th January 1863

Sir

                         I beg to report I left the “Wighconoco”
this morning at day=break for the “Rapppahannock”
with the nails for the “Anacostia”‘ On passing
this place I saw a Canoe Standing in and
immediately gave chase, On my getting inside
we descried her about 1/2 mile further up the
Creek.  I immediately Sent two goats in Charge
of the Executive Officer, who found her on the
beach, the goods removed, and the Crew Escaped.
they Succeeded, however, with the assistance of a
Negro, in finding the Goods, and another Canoe
which I am informed run the blockade a few
hours previously.  On referring to the accompanying
“Index” you will perceive there was Sufficient
Goods Captured to freight the two Canoes.  Considering
the Canoes worthless, I have retained one, and
given the other to the “Anacostia:, they may
be useful in navigating the numerous Creeks
on this Coast.
  
                                       I have, the honor
                                         to be , Sir,
                                          Your obt. Servant
                                               T. J. Linnekin
                                   Acting Master Comdg

To Commodore
     A. a. Harwood
          Comdg Potomac Flotilla
              Navy Yard
                   Washington
                                    D.C.

MSS 15134

                                 U. S. Steamer Currituck
                                       off Indian Creek Va
                                          20th January 1863

Sir

                         I beg to enclose a list of the
officers & crew of this Vessel at the capture
of the Sloop, “Potter” on the 3rd Instant and the
Schooner “Hampton” and a “Canoe”, on the 13″
Instant, as per reports previously forwarded
  
                                       I have, the honor
                                         to be , Sir,
                                          Your obt. Servant
                                               T. J. Linnekin
                                   Acting Master Comdg

Honble Gideon Welles
          Secretary of the Navy
                   Washington
                                    D.C.

[from the letterbook of Captain Thomas J. Linnekin]

List of Goods captured by the U.S.S. “Currituck”
at Indian Creek Va.  January 20 1863

1 Brl          Contg  9 overcoats and 24 Pairs Gaiters
1   ”       ”     40 3/4 Yds Grey Cloth. 201 Yds. Prints, 10 underS [?]
2  Boxes  Soda
1     ”        Contg. 2 oz, Quinine and 2 lbs Magnesia
1     ”            ”       Padlocks & nails
1     ”           ”        223 Yds Prints, 42 Yds Red Flannel
                   39 1/4 Yds Bleached Coton, and 12 pairs Ladies Gaiters
1  Box       Contg 21 Pairs Hose,  209 Yds Yds Prints, 20 Yds Linen
                  27 1/4 White Flannel, and 27 1/2 Grey Cloth.
1 Box        Contg  7 1/2 Dozen  Gaiters
1  ”                ”       67  Skins  Leather
1   ”               ”       12 Hats, 3 Pkgs  Sundries, & 3 Pairs Gaiters
                         1 Box Shoes, 1 Box Soap 189 1/4 Yds Prints, 2 Doz
                         hose.  18 Pairs Shoes
1 Box         Conrg 50 Yds Prints,  3 Pairs Gaiters, 4 Prs Rubbers
Loose  –  2 Coils  Cordage,  3 Barrels Whiskey.

[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C., 62nd Ohio Volunteers]

Tuesday 20

Marched to Review ground
dismissed on a account of
bad weather – raining

MSS  38-129

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

Tues 20.  Still sick   better at noon  took Soup – ate ice wh
John brot. from brook.  Mrs Powers visited us –
rain – feel better – orders to move at early tomorrow

MSS 12935

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

20″  Tuesday
reading Lord Byron
Cloudy cold am.  Th. 32.
got Ice off pond.  house
1/3 full — rain p.m.

MSS 3315

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

Tuesday, January 20th  — Cold dismal day  Dined at Glenvin today with Cousins
Mary, Evelyn, Lucy, John, Walker and Mary Randolph.  Dr. H  saw some of our cavalry
across the river today so I can’t help hoping Stuart is somewhere near..\

MSS 9759

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

Tuesday 20th – Rainy & very cold – I have concluded to leave the Hotel
& board with Mrs Mallett – as Liz cant return – & Mrs Walters and
Sarah are going off – She sent to let me know she would take me
so I am packing up – Nothing unpleasant has occurred- I leave
Mr & Mrs Guthrie with kind feelings – They have treated me
remarkably well – & they say they are very sorry to part with
me – a large chest – Trunk & basket I have sent to the book
store for safe keeping –  & Mrs Phillips has the clock – It has
been pouring down rain all day —

MSS 6960