[from the diary of Captain Zachariah Heed, 91st Ohio Volunteers]
6.
Fayetteville Va Friday morning, received an order to Report, at Charleston Va. before the examing Board, wether moderating Still.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 13406
[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co C., 62nd Regiment Ohio Volunteers]
Friday, February 6, 1863
Morning cold & windy eve-
ning pleasant
MSS 38-129
Camp near Falmouth Feb’ 6th 1863
Dear brother
Yours of the 28th inst
came to hand this morning
and it was recd with glad
ness this is the 3d letter
that I write and I saw
that you did not recd[sic]
any of the others the last
one I think you could
not have got that one
the time you wrote this
I wrote one the time I
got my boots and one
abou[t] two weeks after that
I got my boots safe and
the knife and am well
pleased with boath the
boots was a little tite at
first but they do
[page 2]
good now I would not
do without boots not
if they would cost $20
I tell you that we have
uggly weather here for some
time Snow and rain mos
tly every day on the 28th
inst we had a snow r in
ches deep but in a few
dayes it was all away
again yester day it did
snow and rain all day
and it is raining to
day yet we did move
our camp on the 2 inst
about two miles from
where we have camped the
wood was to scarse in our
old camp then we moved
in the woods again and
put up good winter quar
ters here if we only can
[page 3]
stay here now till spring
but we are under
marching orders now but
I do not know when we will
go now for the roads are to
muddy if the ground cept
froze we would hav went
to day but now we canot
go and I am glad that we
canot for we have fixed
up right now and I wou
ld like to stay here. I
tell you that we did not
get our box it got stole
at Acquia creek their they lay
over night and 16 got
stole thers and ours was
one of it. I must bring
my letter to a close for this
time for the mail will
soon go away Answer
soon
Respectfully yours P H Knepp
[page 4]
Dear Sisterinlaw
it is with pleasure
that I sid[sic] down to you write
a few lines to you for this
is the second time that
I write but you said that
that[sic] you did not get it
I did direct it to Lewistown
I saw that you and Elick are
going to west If I dont get
home before you go I surely will
come out to [meby?] as soon as
I am free I wish that I could
come home to take a good sleigh
ride but I hope that I may get
safe out of this School then
I can have som fun I have
only 3 month yet then I
go we have good times now
as long as it last but
I dont know how soon we
have to fase the rebs again
no more at present remain
your brother inlaw
P H Knepp
Answer soon
I am well at present
[patriotic envelope with a vignette in red and blue of an eagle carrying a banner “E PLURIBUS UNUM] in the left corner and the word VICTORY in large block letters across the top. The top half of the letters are filled in with stars on blue. The bottom half of the letters are red and white stripes ]
Mrs Edith McIntire
yard vill Mercer Co
N.J
Paul H Knepp
MSS 15246
[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Fri 6. Warm, rain – getting ready to march.
(In Eveg. talking..Had sharp consl. with
Dr. [James] R.[iley] about mess affairs.
Cleaned up at night, beautiful night –
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS12935
[from the diary of George W. Dabney, Clerk of Campbell County]
Friday 6
Cold & freezing
Lucy Ann complaining – Ro & Jess
impr. – Spencer to nurse
much time lost by hands all this
bad weather which might be empld
stripping, from Tob’ not being struck
down some time ago, when in order –
hands all say twas in order –
hominy ground at mill
MSS 3315
[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison, as transcribed at a later date]
Friday, February 6th – It rained all last night and late in the day and then became
cold and blue. cousin John came in for a short time. I don’t know what I should
do without his visits. They make a lonely day up here much shorter. I read Sidney
Smith and an extract on life pleased me so much that I copy it, “We talk of human
life a journey, but how variously is that journey performed! There are some who
come fort girt and shoed and mantled to walk on velvet lawns and smooth terraces
where every gale is arrested and every beam is tempered. There are others who walk
on the Alpine paths of life, against driving misery and through stormy sorrows, over
sharp afflictions, walk with bare feet and naked breast, mangled and chilled. Oh
last goal of human things, beyond which labour and mourning and cares are at rest,
beyond which riches and glories are weighed as nothing and this vain, turbid life
returns to naught! Oh that men would thus regard Thee! What wars throughout the
world, what passions of the soul, how many dangers besetting us, might so obtain
an easy termination without slaughter or blood! Mayst Thou be present before my
eyes, not as a mournful image but an admonisher, that I should regulate myself,
since this house is to me the vestibule of the tomb and the next to closing seat
of my old age.” It is said war is as natural to women as men but the present state
or our community refutes it. the ladies have not even materials for housekeeping
to occupy them while most of the men are gone. Benjie is a great amusement these
days. He has such curious ideas. He asked if God had any boys and why they didn’t
come down and play with him? Did God’s boys have any mammies? Did God have a
mammy? This morning I heard a scream from the baby. He had tied a string around
her neck and was drawing it tightly singing Tom, Tom de piper’s son, stole dis
pig an way he run.
MSS 9759
[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Boyden]
Friday 6th The storm has passed off, the weather
moderate, & the prospect for ice gone – for this
time. Mr Mountjoy with us another day – The
doctor called to see Maria who was taken with
another fit today – & alarmed us. He was introdu=
=ced to our guest, but stayed but a short time.
I began to give Mr M – music lessons as he calls
them – He really learns very readily, & insists
on learning one of Henrietta’s pieces – bass & all.
Letter from Hanson today – saying that Mr Coffman
is coming up, & wishing us to send his jacket &
a blanket by him on his return – Letter also
from Henrietta Gouldlman – I have not thought
upon my God as I ought this day! O God have mercy!
MSS 4288
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Friday 6th It has been raining all night – turned warm
er & the snow has disappeared entirely off the house
tops – Katy liked to have burnt up in the night – a spark
of fire must have fallen on her covering – For when
she awoke, she found a comfortable of Mrs Mallets all
on fire – The room full of smoke – & it was with great difficulty
she succeeded in outing the fire – The fuss she kept awakened me
& I was very much alarmed – had to open all the doors to let the
smoke escape, & it was some time before I fell asleep again
Not one of the family knew any thing of it -Until I told
them this morning – It is still raining & so sloppy
that there will be no getting out the house for several
days yet – I sent off this week a long letter to Mrs Mason and
another to Joe – Sarah came around & sat with me.
MSS 6960
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Thursday
Feb 5
Warmer this morning and commenced
raining about noon. The clothing came
and I delivered it. Got a letter from home.
Have been playing chess considerably
MSS 11293
Feby 5th 1863
Mrs. Lee
I have just sent
an order to the commanding
officer of said cavalry in
regard to disturbing private
property – if they disturb you
again let me know
immediately
Capt W. D. Alexander
Pro. Marshal
MSS 5185
