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

Monday 19th –Very cold indeed–Ice all over the streets.  It was
so cold last night I had to leave my bed & sit by the fire for
an hour to warm — College is open again – but there has
but few students arrived as yet — Mollie Cornick left for
St Mary’s to day – She has been receiving so much attention
from the students that she will study very little I expect.
I have been very busy packing up a large chest full of things
to send to the book store for safe keeping – & what with fa
-tigue & cold, I do not feel well

MSS 6960

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

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

Monday, January 19th — Bright and cold.  Cousins Mary and Evelyn went with me to
see Mary Helm at Mr. Calmes.  We returned and dined at Longwood.  There is a re-
port today of Jackson’s death.  I trust God will not so afflict our cause.

MSS 9759

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

Sunday
Jan 18
Went out to inspection and as it was very
cold the Lieutenant double quicked us
for a while.  I went to church this forafternoon and
heard Mr James preach from Matthew [10?]:34 and
I liked him much but I did not feel very well
so I did not enjoy it so well.  In the afternoon
I read two of Spurgeons sermons aloud to George
and Hunter on the two great commandments.
This evening George and I sat in the dark after
supper and talked over old times till roll call.
I then went into the orderlys tent, and am sorry to say
did not act with proper respect for the
day.  Lord forgive me for Christs sake.

MSS 11293

                                       Sunday Morning
                             Head Quarters 15th Regt. C. V.
                             Camp Opposite Fredericksburg
                                       (No 11)             Jany 18th 1863
Dear Sister Helen
                                       I received your very
long and interesting letter yesterday,
and enjoyed it very much.  It was
just the kind of a letter that I
like to get as I am anxious to
know all that is going on in old
Meriden – received a letter from
Chas.. and one from George the day
before   think Chas’s Photograph is
quite good but the vest and shirt
rather run together   when was he in
New York to have that taken.  I supposed
it was taken at Sloper’s.    I wrote Chas.
that we were going to march and
we are under marching orders yet
and expect to go every minute – there
has been a good deal going on around

us here getting ready- moving troops
etc last night I heard artillery
moving all night and there is going
to be a large fit [fight] here before long
     It was pretty cold here yesterday
and last night and it would be
rather tough to have to march and
sleep out such weather without
tents and fires..  I have no idea where
we will go or what is to be done
but it will very soon appear and
I suppose as soon as the battle
commences the mail will be stopped
so that you may not hear from
me for some time but I shall
write just as soon as we settle
any where or know what is to be
done —  I hear at this moment quite
heavy musketry and a few voices of
artillery off to the right but it
may not be any thing serious prehaps [sic]
only pickets or a battery practicing –

but I expect to hear it in earnest
before long.        I am glad that
Col. Wright is improving   he has
had his leave of absence extended
20 days longer and I hope he will
be able to return at the end of that
time. – a good many of the Regt.
have got their discharge papers
lately “50 [next appears a cent symbol] Bailey” with the rest.  Chas
knows him.        I hear from Elb quite
often   am very glad that he has
got a sort of home now and that
he has got a good Piano so that he
can keep in practice until I get
back for I long to hear some of
his music   do you practice at all
now?   You must not get all out of
tune   how does Chas get along with
his music?   “How are you “happy Farmer”
     I am glad that Father’s health
is so well this winter and that he
don’t undertake to make those school fires

that did not do him any good last
winter breathing that dust from the
ashes   how does Biddy prosper   she is
a tip top girl isen’t she?    Say I wish
you would get me one of Colts’ pictures
I would like to gaze on his gay old face,
once more (Moore).    I gess Chas.
will get his appointment as Pay master
as Rogers told me that he got the
promise of the next one he appointed
for him..  It will be a good berth    good
pay.. but I don’t like to have him
leave home as he would not probably
live at home again..  prehaps [sic] George
could get his place in the Bank if
he goes..  “Well there is nothing more
to write this time but there will be
enough next time I guess   hope I
shall come out as safely as I did
before..  give my love to all at home
and write soon  Good by all   Your brother
                                                             Jim

James Howard,  15th Connecticut 

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668

[from the diary of Captain Zachariah Heed, 91st Regiment, Ohio Volunteers]

18.
Fayetteville Va.  Sunday morning, weather quite cold,  everything quiet in camp.  3 oclock P.M.  Sky Cloudy.  7 oclock P.M. wind raising again.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13406

Camp, 7th New York Battery
Norfolk  Jan 18th 1863

Dear Wife
Your ever welcome Letter of the
13th was duly received and
perused and until now I have
had no time to answer it
For the last week every Evening
Orders have been received
at Head Quarters to be in readiness
at a moments warning to
man our guns as an attack
was expected I have made
enquiries and I find that Gen
Pryer at the head of 12000
Cavelry are raiding through the
Country destroying everything. U.S.
And he know very well if he
only could hold posission of this

[page 2]
for one  hour He could obtain
men, Horses, Ammunittion Stores of
all kind Besides Destroy 1000s
of Dollars worth of Property
To Night our Horses are Harnessed
ready and if the[y] do come they
will not find us napping
But for my part I do not
apprehend no danger My Health
is excelent The weather fine and
Beautifull New Years Day passed
by Seeing me enjoying Life as it
is There has been Several Large
Fires int he City – the work of some
incendery Some of the Boys
have sent money home but no
tideings of have they received
of it — I am glad that mine
you have recieved  This I
believe is all the News I kno

[page 3]
of Remember me to Father Mother
Sisters and all my friends
My Love to You ever May God
Keep and Protect you untill
I return  Take good care of
my Boy
      Your Loveing Husband
                  Edward Shepard
write soon

[letter not in the hand of Edward Sheppard; one of many written by other soldiers in his company for him]

Edward Sheppard, 7th New York Light Artillery

MSS 12731

              Fort Tillinghast, Va., Jan 18th
                                                        /63
Dear Priscilla
                            I will now attempt to
write you an answer to your letter of
Jan 11th, You say that some have tried
to make you think that the 14th can
be held for five years if the war lasts so
long, You may tell those persons that
they know nothing about this regiment
(or any other that I have heard of) that
can be held for five years,  Our papers read
for three years, unless sooner discharged
If we have to stay the whole three years,
we have been in the service more
than half of the time, because the
regiment will all be discharged to-
gether, of course, I have no idea, however
that we shall have to stay in the army
three years, In answer to your question,
Do you have the same men now, Yes, I

[page 2]
have the same mess that I have always
had, with the addition of one other
man, Dan’l Smith, of Cambridge, Mass
I am very glad that he was put in my
mess, for, he is a man of good education,
and has traveled all over the States,
He was engaged in the Military Exp-
edition, a few years ago, building a
road somewhere near the Rocky Mountains.
I shall not have to go out of my tent
now for assistance in making out
my Cal bill, Lieut Earp is well,
Earp Jr Jr, dont amount to much any
way, he does very well to wait upon his
father, and for the soldiers to make
fun of, Capt. C. had his son here, but he
went home with his Mother,  We have
plenty of books and papers, I received a
a[sic] paper from you, with your last letter,

[page 3]
     I have a slight attack of
the Chills, so I cant write any
more at present
  I also send the Cal bill, I
have a duplicate,  Love and
good wishes to you and all,
                    Yours Truly
                           Robert
                                6 oclk PM
I am much better, the chills
have left me with a slight head-
ache I shant have another attack,
because I have been taking quinine
all day  Enclosed I send you
two little books, to carry your
Postal Currency in, one for you
and one for Mother,  I will send
Ernie and Ada Augusta, something

[page 4]
when I go to Washington.  The
Skins I will get J B to frank
for me. Wrote often.  Kiss our
darlings for me, and ever believe
in the love of
                               Robert

Sgt. Robert P. Mansfield, Co. M  1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery

“Cal Bill    probably pertains to the settlement of the estate of a brother who died in California
“Skins”   unclear but may refer to skins being sent home for tanning, as Sgt. Mansfield was a shoemaker in civilian life.

MSS 1242

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

Sunday 18
Church dress parade on
guard N.M. Kishler detailed
as color guard — Cool

MSS 38-129

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

Sun 18.  cold, Visited hos – & preached to reg in PM on
Be careful for nothg re Phil 4: 6 – felt sick &
no appetite at night

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935