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

Monday, February 9, 1863

Saw the first palm & palmetto
gathered oysters – very warm

MSS 38-116

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

Mon 9.  Lovely May like morng.  Capt invited Col. A. & me to breakfast
& transport [?] on shore in his boat.  Air calm & sweet.  Visited
fortress Monroe – & reported to Gen. Dix – moat 75 paces wide filled
with water, immense work – beautiful parade, large enc. for
a village   3d N. Y. guard mountg. – splendid drill & fine band.
Sketched Gen Dix’s head Qrs while sitting with Col. Maj. & Dr. Reily under
a live oak tree – beautiful clumps of those trees all about
look like apple tree – or olives – dark olive green leaves.
pretty little acorns   gathered some, birds singing –
     We are ordered to Newport News immediately – Saw the
rip raps – Am writing in Cabin by an open window near
fortress – transports loaded with troops about us – whole 9th A. C.
go to Newport News – Sailed at noon – about 10 miles to Nep. N.
Saw the wrecks of the Congress & Cumberland sunk by the
Merrimack – Got boat of Capt. Stone & pulled off with Chester
Dr. R. & Captn. Stevens, to Cumberland   climbed into her main
top to cut off some of her mast [?] &c for relics.
Regt. went ashore & encamped near shore – which is sandy here
right bet. wrecks of Congress & Cumberland War ships in the
roads – one a monitor, beautiful trees of pine – cypress & live
oak skirt the beach – & fig trees grow close by our quarters
took two old houses one for all our officers & one for horses –
Men in fine spirits – & like it very much

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935 

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

   Feb. 9th,’63.
To-day passed off quiet-
ly & Oh! how wearily, a
sick man only knows.
I am rapidly convales-
cent, to-day.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm

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

Feb 9 Mond”

Pleasant overhead – very sloppy & mud
patients improving – put window
in Jesse’s cabin – Grubbing – shoe
making & hauling wood – Wd &c
to Paynes to crush corncobs – &
brot home some – planters around
here finished stripping the Tobo
what an oversight with us!!!

MSS 3315

    
                        Montgomery     March 8th     1864                 [RD]
My Dear Wife.
                        Your favor of the 2nd Inst Came to hand
Yesterday enclosing Mrs Raneys note relating to fence
and nails – When Mr Raney & Myself had a
settlement I told him to go and get the
Nails or I would deduct them from the balance
he is owing me when he paid it – If he
did not get them it was his own fault
and not mine.  What few nails I have on
hand I wish to Keep – as they are too large
for him any how.  I will pay him for them
when he settles the note which I hold against
him for Eight Hundred Dollars due last
October – As to the fence I know it will not
take More than three Hundred Rails to finish
the fence – Mr R told me that he had employ-
ed Mrs McKenna’s Alfarce who has a wife at
Mr Callaways to split them at two dollars
a Hundred – If Mrs R is very anxious to
have the fence made (for it is of no
interest to me as I have nothing planted
there) tell her to have the Rails split on
Mr Cattervills Land as he gave R & myself
permission to do so and I will pay for
half of them and John & his Boy Can
put them up in two or three Hours – Don’t
have more than three Hundred split.  I wrote
you yesterday that we have orders to leave for
Demopolis [Alabama] this Morning – last evening however
the order was Countermanded for a few days – I
think however we will go any how in a day
or two – I am powerful glad to hear that my
sick family is improving – May God in his
abundant Mercy still Continue to bless you and
My Sweet little Children.  Your affectionate Husband
                                                                W.H. Locke

[The following letter is written perpendicularly on four sheets of blue paper measuring     2 ½” X 4 ½” each and torn from a diary.]
                        Monday 18th /64                                   [RD]
     Dear Wife – Since I wrote you yesterday
there are strong inclinations of active
movements in Camp – and I am
exceeding anxious to see the results
I think now, that I shall remain
a few days longer – Will write you
to morrow the prospects _ It is assumed
as official that Genl Johnston is
relieved; & Gen Hood takes command
of this Army – I suppose the authorities

[reverse side of sheet one]
think that there ought to have been
a decisive battle fought before now.
We shall soon see. – The troops were
moving by thousands all yesterday
afternoon past our Camp towards
the right where the enemy have
crossed the Chattahoochee in heavy
force – Hoping this may find
you & the dear children all well
I am dearest    Your affec
                            W.H.L.
[sheet 2]
P.S. – The dispatch and
box of good things have
arrived for which I
sincerely thank you
but no letter as
yet              W H L

[sheet 3]
                        Attached Tuesday morning –
My Dear Wife – I came in just this minute
to see about our express packages – Since our
retrograde the lines have been quiet, except
the movements of cavalry to the right –
I shall likely remain here until next
week as I am anxious to see what
the next move will be – tho the rains
of the last two days have rendered
our tents somewhat unpleasant –
Gen Holtzclaw is at our quarters    
slightly wounded in the leg – He

[reverse side of sheet 3]
is off duty for a short time –
I see Edward frequently, Reub. &
almost every body whom I ever
knew – Johnny Mc Cleroy is on the
extreme right with the cavalry and
has not been in to see us – Charles
Hart is here at the Hospital with
severe wound on his head.  I am
trying to send him home and
will do so as soon as his condition
will admit of it –

[sheet 4]
1 – I did not get a letter from
you yesterday – hope to be
more sucessfull this morg [morning] –
There is very great confusion
in the Post Office here – They keep
the soldier post office in two
cars that move with the army –
–    Write me here soon – I shall

[reverse side of sheet 4]
leave for home before many
days unless the armies come
nearer to each other – and
seem to be preparing for battle
in that [-] I shall remain
longer – my love to all of
our dear children, Laurie, Annie, Sallie, Willie, and the sweet little baby.
Also to your Mother, Sulli B. &c –
                            Yours very affectly  W.H. L.

                        Montgomery     March 21st    1864                [RD]
My Dear Wife.
                        Your favor of the 17 Inst came to
hand yesterday – I am truly sorry to hear of the
Small Pox being in Eufaula   I hope however it will not
spread.  I have written to Jackson about Squire[?]
I reckon it is too late to Cultivate the old Field
I have not heard from My papers as yet
Capt R   Lt Bray   Mr Calloway & Myself Were
invited out to Maj Copelands yesterday to Dinner
We accepted his kind offer and I assure
you it was one of the best meals that I have
set down to in a many a day except those prepared
at Home under your own immediate supervision
It Came in good time as it was too rainy to
attend Church – It has been rainy here for
two days and still Continuing – This Kind
of Weather  I would like remarkably well
to be at Home – Kiss all the Children for
Me.                           Your affectionate Husband
                                                  W.H. Locke

                        Greensboro  N  C  May 25th 1864
My Dear Wife
                        I wrote you yesterday from
Charloot [Charlotte, N.C.] Which place we left at 2 Oclock
and arrived here at 11 O Clock last night
and will remain untill this Evening at 3 O Clock
After arriving here last night I went to the
Hotel and paid five Dollars for a  Bead [bed]
where I rested finely till this Morning finding
Myself very much refreshed after I wrote
You Yesterday from Charloot   Capt R
Mr C & Myself took a stroll over the
City and while walking down Broad Street
We Came to where quite a number of the
Citizens both Ladies & Gentleman had assemb-
led   upon inquiry we were informed
that the funeral Service of a Mrs Tate
was about to take place who had died
on Sunday night.  Whereupon we conclude ^’d’
to go in and hear what the Minister had

[page 2]
to say   He was a Presbyterian and
a very smart fellow and gave us
a long lecture on the importance of
preparing for death While the Lamp
Still Holds out to burn – which I trust
was not heard in vain by at least
One of his audience.  We have had
a perfect scramble for seats ever Since
We left Macon Ga (but some how
I have the Most of the time been
fortunate Enough to obtain a Seat in
the Ladys Car – Owing I think
altogether to My good looks –
Don’t you think so
We Still Continue to Meet Yankee
Prisoners in great numbers who are being
sent to Andersonville Ga   Yesterday Evening
We Met 990 on One train.  They
Complained of being Very hungry and beged
Us for some bread.  I had five or

[page 3]
Six Buiscuit in my Haversack which
Was given them ..They said their time
service expired last Sunday but Just
before that day arrived they were Captured
by Genl Lee.  I see that Genl Johnston
has fallen back to the fortifications
around Atlanta Where he will
make a stand Which will surely
bring on the big battle Which We have
been expecting for two or three weeks.
You must Continue to remember
Me in Your Prayers as we are
taught that in Prayers of the righteous
availeth much.
                        Your affectionate Husband
                                              W.H. Locke
With the above letter is a white envelope 3 ½ “  X 5” addressed to:]
                        Mrs Wm. H. Locke
           favor                          Eufaula
           C Rhodes Esqur                  Ala..             
[Written in pencil on the envelope is the date, “May 25/64”              .
The printed return address is: ” W. D. Etheridge, Jr., Grocer and Commission Merchant, Eufaula, Ala.”]

     4 Miles north of Richmond   Va                                       [RD]
                                       May 28th 1864
My Dear Wife.
                        We arrived here Thursday
Evening after lying over thirty Six Hours
on the route.  I will send back by
Col Pugh One Thousand Dollars which
I have instructed him to give to you.
I have got a Horse to use untill
Mine arrives.  We are now Eighteen
Miles in the rear of Genl Lees
Army and have Just received
orders to leave this morning at 8 ½
O Clock for the front – Thousands
of Cavalry are passing our Camps
all the time.  Before this reaches
you we will have whipped Grant
I hope as the big fight is expected
to Come off every day.  Many
refugees are fleeing from the approach
of Grant’s forces.  Not time to write
any more.  Pray for me
                         Your affectionate Husband
                                                         W. H. Locke
[With the above letter is an blue envelope measuring 3” X 5 ¼” addressed as follows:]
                        Mrs W. H. Locke
                                     Eufaula
                                                   Alabama
[Written in pencil on the envelope is the date, “May 28/64”]

                   10 Miles North of Richmond Va                          [RD]
                        Sunday   May 29th 1864
My Dear Wife –
                        I wrote you a few lines
Yesterday Morning Just before leaving
Camps and sent back to the office by
Mr Callaway who was detailed to go back
with some baggage to the City – After marching
About ten Miles we Came to where busy
hard fighting was going on between
the enemys Cavalry and a portion of
Their Infantry and Our Cavalry alone.
We arrived at the Scene of action
about 12 Oclock and were immediately
drawn up in line of Battle – Ordered to
dismount and load and was going in as
Infantry in as much as our Horses were not
trained – about the time however that we
all got loaded and were ready to go in
Our forces Commenced falling back to get a
better position but the Yanks refused to Come up
any further   in fact they fell back themselves

[page 2]
Our Battallion under Command of
Capt Love of Pike County were then
thrown out as pickets while the main
forces fell back –  After we
received orders to leave in quick
We also got orders to be in a hurry
as the enemy were about to flank
us on the right or in fact were
about to cut us off entirely –
The Yankeys were Coming through a
skirt of Woods Making for a lane
that we were Compelled to go through
in order to Keep from being Captured
and I assure you we lost no time
for about the time we got to the Skirt
Woods they Commenced firing – every
body was going on full speed and
about that time My Horse fell down
Heels over Head in a big Mud hole
and rolled over   Threw Me off –
and muddied Me and every thing I
had – Those behind me Came verry
[page 3]
Near running over Me – but fortunately
I Come out all right   unhurt but
Just about as Muddy a White Man as
You ever Saw.  If We had have
been fifteen Minutes latter [later] We would
have been Captured.  We Captured
between Two & Three Hundred Prisoners but think
We lost more than that number in
Prisoners.  I do not know what our
loss was or killed & wounded but pretty
heavy I think – The balls flew thick
and fast ^ ‘at’ and least I thought so –
Genl Hampton is in Command of
all the Cavalry in this section.
The Whole world here is alive
with soldiers – Genl Breckenridge
Came down in this section last Evening
with his Army – We Saw him yesterday
evening – in fact we met him and
his Army going down to where We
had the fight – as We Came out

[page 4]
He is a splendid looking man and
got a fine body of men – Our Bat –
tallion did not fire a gun yesterday
but if we had got there a half
hour sooner we would have been
in it up to our hat bands.  I give
Col Pugh a Thousand Dollars to Carry home
and requested him to give it ^ ‘to’ you.
Corn Meal is worth One Hundred &
Twenty ^ ‘Dollars’ pr Bushel in Richmond – One Can
buy anything in the world he wants there
but at the highest prices I ever Saw or heard
of.  I sent My Trunk and one of My
Blankets back to Richmond yesterday for Judge
Harris to take Care of for me – He proffered
to do Any thing in his power for us – the balance
of my things I carry in my saddle Bags.
                        Kiss My Children for Me
God bless you all is My prayer
                    Your affectionate Husband
                                                 W.H. Locke

[With the above letter is an white envelope measuring 3” X 5 ½ “ addressed as follows:]
          May 29th 1864
     Mrs. W. H. Locke
              Eufaula,  
                       Ala

               On the York Ville Road 12 Miles from Richmond Va             [RD]
                           Near Bottoms Bridge – June 4th 1864
My Dear Wife –
                        This being the first opportunity that has
presented itself since last Sunday of writing to you
I have concluded to avail myself of it (after
borrowing this sheet of Paper) – I wrote you last Sunday
that we had been in a fight on Saturday before
or was in line of battle & under fire but did not
fire ourselves and came verry near being Captured
&C.  On Monday Morning we marched over to Mechanicsville
where some five or six Thousand of our Cavalry had
assembled for the purpose of marching down to “Cold”
“Harbor” church some 7 or 8 miles ^ ‘distant’ to attack the enemy
who were there in force of some 8 or 10000 – We arrived
at the contemplated place of attack about 11 Oclock and
immediately opened the fight – after holding the enemy
in check for two or three Hours they received heavy
reinforcements of Infantry & Artillery and drove us
back in some Confusion – Our loss in Killed & Wounded
was pretty large considering the numbers engaged – Our
Battallion however did not loose [lose] a single man – one
of Capt Roberts Men had a ball shot through his
Hat – Capt McKenzie had one man slightly Wounded.
Our Battallion [fragment of paper torn out] fought well and was in a very

[page 2]
hot place for some time – the Confusion was so great
on our side that about nine Oclock that night while
retreating back to our Camps some of the Georgia
and South Carolina troops run into each other &
Killed two Men & Crippled several others – Capt Roberts
was pretty badly Cripp hurt – and is now in Richmond
at the Hospital – On Tuesday we attacked the enemy again
and drove them back Capturing some few Prisoners –
Lt Bray had the end of his Thumb shot off which was
the only casualty in our Company – The balls fell like Hail
around me – but thanks to a merciful God I was not

hurt – We are going day and night Consequently get
little or no time to rest – Some times we go two days
without any thing to eat for Man or Horse except the
grass which is very fine; for the latter – Last night I stood
the whole night in an old Field and it raining all the
time and nothing to eat.  My health is verry good and
I stand it like a brick – I am learning how to do without
eating or sleeping – Our Whole Army is busy watching Mr
Grant and his Moovements – Heavy fighting along the lines
all the time – I have not been out of hearing or hardly
out of sight of a battle since My arrival here – A portion
of Our Army had a terable [terrible] battle yesterday and to day
on the North bank of the ChickaHominy about a half mile
from where we were – We were ho[fragment torn out] on the South

[page 3]
side and could not get across – Our boys drove
them back in Gallant style Capturing Many prisoners
and Killing & Wounding thousands of them – Lee & Grant
both have powerful Armies and if they were both
to Come togeather at the same time – I mean the whole of them
It would shock the earth like an earth quake –
Our Army has been fighting here now about thirty days
and I assume Genl Grant is making mighty slow
progress in taking Richmond – The whole Country north
of Richmond has been overrun by both armies so long that
it is a perfect barren wast[e] – My Eyes fill with tears
When I am riding through the ^ ‘once’ nice Flowers Yards with the
Fence all torn down and distroyed – if not by our
own People certainly by the Yankee army – and strange to
say a great Many of them still live here yet – loth to
give up their once happy and delightful Homes – This
is a beautiful and was once certainly a charming Country
to live in – but that day is past & gone and nothing but
War = War = War is to be seen or heard – Not even a
Hog or Cow can scarcely be found – all – all – all distroyed
Even the birds and fowls of whose sweet and merry voices
were once heard in joyful sounds = they too have all
departed and sought a part of the Country where they
can warble forth their innocent songs in peace and
quietude.  I [fragment torn out] come to the conclusion – My affection[fragment torn out]

[page 4]
Wife that I had rather sacrifice my life in defending
(provided I know I would do it) My Country against further
inroads of the Yankees than to live and have them distroying
Your Flower Yards & burning your Houses over you & My dear little
children – Oh it is sad to see how they treat our
people when they go along – I received Your first letter
Yesterday which was a great treat not withstanding it
was written the day after I left Home – My lunch lasted
Me to Richmond – but a portion of my Turkey spoiled.
This letter is written on my knee – hence you must
look over bad writing &c I cannot find out any
thing about Our Brother Benie Sylvester from
the fact that the Army is all the time in in
motion – I do hope he is yet alive – Let me
Know if you hear any thing about him –
Give My love to your Mother Father & sisters –
Remember me in much love & affection to My
dear little Children –           Your affectionate Husband
                                                             W H Locke
P S
     Tell Lt Bray Wife about his being
wounded & say he will write to her as soon
as his Thumb gets well – It is his right one –
                                                    WHL
[With the above letter is an white envelope measuring 5 ½ “.  The return address is W. D. Etheridge, Jr. Grocer and Commission Merchant. Eufaula, Ala.  It is addressed to:]
                        Mrs W. H. Locke
                                  Eufaula –
                                         Ala.
[Written in pencil at the top of the envelope is the date, “June 4 1/64”.]

                   Chickahominy Swamp North of Richmond Va  June 5th 1864 [RD]
My Dear Wife –
                        Your letter of the 21. Ult Came to hand this
Morning which was quite a treat.  Lieut Bray received one
from his wife dated the 29 Stating that Joyce & Dick
Woods were both wounded which I am sorry to hear –
We have Whipped the Yankees badly since I wrote
you last – Our brigade was not in it – I certainly
think the Yankee Governmint will get tired of trying
to subgegate the South after a while – The battle
was fought about a half a mile in front of us and
I assure you it was perfectfully grand and sublime
we were stationed on a high hill where we could
see the bursting of the shells and hear the Yells of our
boys as they would charge the Yanks – Our loss is
put down at 500 and that of the enemys 6 000 –
It Commenced raining here yesterday eving [evening] Just as
we struck Camps – We fixed our tents streached our oil
Cloths and were very comfortably fixed when Just at
dark there Came an order for us to saddle up
and leave for Bottums Bridge – after Marching about
two miles in that direction we received orders to
about face and return to our camps which
We did and rested well all night – This is
Sunday and still rainy – I under stand  A T Glenn
will be here this morning – Hope he will bring
me a letter – Capt Roberts is still at Hospital
in Richmond – Lieut Sims is going there this
Morning has been sick several days – My health is
still good –               Your affectionate Husband
My letters are all written on my Knee.        W.H.L.
With the above letter is an envelope 3 ¼” X 5 ½ “addressed to:]
                        Mrs W. H. Locke
Politeness                         Eufaula
Mr Cony                                  Ala                                       
[Written in pencil is the date, “June 5 – 1/64

                                                     
                     June 7th 1864                                        [RD]
                        Meadow Bridge  Chickahominy Swamp
My Dear Wife –
                                  Immediately after I closed my
letter on Sunday Eving [evening] – We were ordered to this place.
This Morning I had Jenuine [genuine] Coffee & Sugar for
Brakfast – This is the first however that we
have drawn – all quiet this mong [morning] – I am
very well – I Telegraphed Jack Yesterday
to sell My Horse as I have got one
here – Our Bugle has sounded for inspection
and I must close – Farewell till next time
                        Your affectionate Husband  
                                                  W.H.L.
[On the reverse of the above page is the date “June 7 – 1/64” written in pencil.]

.
                        Meadow Bridge                                     [RD]
                        Chickahominy Swamp   June 8th 1864
My Dear Wife –
                   I wrote yesterday but was compelled to close
my letter in short order as our Bugle blew for inspection.
We have been resting here since Monday Evening and feel much
improved for up to that time we have been rushing
round day and night and was considerable worn down
On Monday last we were transferred to Genl
Youngs Brigade which is Composed of Georgians
mostly and in his Brigade there is a Battallion
which has two Preachers in it – Last night we
invited one of them to preach for us which he
did – He is a Young Man – a private in ranks
has been in the service two years – is a man of
good Enlish [English] Education and preaches well in
fact – there are not many that exceedes him age
&c taken in to consideration – I have come to the
conclusion my Dear Wife that there is fully as
much if not more religion in this this army
than there is at Home – this I am truly glad

[page 2]
to see and hope that the good work may
Continue untill we behold the beautiful
and lovely sight – of a whole nation bowing
in humble submission – Not to the demon
at Washington City – but to Almighty God.
Yesterday I washed up and put on clean
clothes and feel much improved this morning.
I am getting so that I can sleep as sound
on the Ground in the Open air as I could
at Home in a Feather bead [bed] – all Quiet
this morning – Not a Gun to be heard.
I wrote you yesterday that we were
drawing for our rations – half pound Bacon
per day – Sugar – Coffee   Peas  Crackers  Miel [corn meal]
&c – I hope I will have the good fortune
to meet up with “Benie” before long
                        Kiss the Children for me
                                      Your affectionate Husband
                                                       W H Locke

[The following letter is written on a “Morning Report” form of Captain G. R. Roberts Cavalry Company that measures 4 ¼” X 16”.]
                        30 Miles North of Richmond                   [RD]
     Maponi River. Va. June 18/64
My Dear Wife –
                        I Commenced to write you
a letter a few days since and while
on the first page we were ordered
to mount and moove on – Our Col
at the same time said if any of
the Regiment have letters to send home
that he was going to send a Cousin
to Richmond and that he would
send our letters also – so I closed
mine in short order and give
it to the “Cousin” – I did not
get quite through telling you
about the fight &c – After the
fight closed on Sunday night –
we were ordered to lay behind
the Breast works and be prepared

[This Feb. 15th, 1863, letter, written in pencil, is very faded.]
                                    Feb. 15th 1863 [Written on page 4, “Willie Letter ’63. Feby. 15.]
                                             Camp Near Fredericksburg
My Dear Father
                     I have not yet received
a letter from home & feel quite
anxious to hear from you. I wrote
you in my last letter to direct to
Hamilton’s Crossing. That is a station
about two miles from Fredericksburg,
wh: is as far as the cars can run.
     Everything is as dull as [—]
[–] campfire. An extra of the Whig
is in camp to day giving a rumour
of a contemplated secession of the
North Western states &c, which is worth
nothing I suppose. It also has a
rumour of an offer by Napoleon
of mediation; wh: may be equally worth-
less. No movement of troops has taken
place, save one brigade, Jenkins’ who
is on its way to Richmond & I suppose
to South Carolina. It is a South
Carolina brigade.
     We are getting provisions for horses
[page 2]
much more regularly than when
I last wrote . The men draw
sometimes beef & sometimes fat bacon.
When they draw bacon the[y] draw
a quarter of a pound – the balance
of the ration is made up in sugar
Wh: we eat on our bread generally
We drink corn coffee wh: sugar
does not improve – we parch the
corn & then boil without grinding
which ^ ‘makes’ as good as when ground.
The molasses you all sent me
was pronounced very fine.
     Monday 16th. I have received last
night after commencing to write
your letter of the 7th mailed the 11th
I am indeed sorry to hear of
little George’s continued indisposition –
If I had applied I think I could have
gotten a furlough for ten days – but
the time was so short I preferred not
trying, thinking the opportunity might
occur for a longer one. Had I known
of George’s continued indisposition I would
[page 3]
have applied not withstanding the short
time allowed. It is too late now though.
There are too many names before
me. It seems no doubt now that
Napoleon has offered himself as a
mediator. To days papers will tell
us both I suppose. I fear such an
offer just now would not do us
any good should Lincoln accept it.
And I suppose there is so much
discontent among the western states
that he can’t refuse.
     I am very much obliged for you
the extract from Boileau. You
ask my opinion of Negroes as slaves.
I inclose [enclose] an editorial from the Ex-
aminer on the subject which you
may not have seen. The effect of
a few cannon would be pretty
much as he represents, I think.
I suppose the Yankees have only
been waiting for weather in which
they could move on us – If the ground
continues as wet as it is they can’t
[page 4]
for some time. The yankee situ-
ation reminds me very much of
Napoleon’s at the battle of Wagram    [Fought 6 July 1809, see Dictionary of Battles
minus the genius of a leader.                 by Thomas B. Harbottle, N. Y.: E. P. Dutton,
They are hollowing for the                    1905. page 264.]
letters. I must close.
          Dearest father farewell –
My love to all.
        Most affly. Yr. Son
                      W. H. Perry, Jr.

                      
                        Camp near Frederickbg. 
                         Feb. 25th 1863  [Written  in margin on page 1: “Willie Letter 1863
 My Dear Father                                                                                 Feb. 25th”]
                       I have received two of your
old letters since I wrote 4 days ago.
they came, one mailed on the third,
the other on the 11th. Just now your
letter of the 23rd & mailed yesterday
came. I was quite pleased at re-
ceiving a letter from home of so
late ^ ‘a’ date. I often, dear father,
wish to be at home with you all
I do so much more when I
hear of the indisposition of you
or any of you. Do you still hope
or rather expect an early termination
of the war. It is said the yankee
congress has passed the conscript law.
I hope it may increase the dis-
satisfaction in the North West. I fear
however that the power of the
state executives, backed by the gener-
al executive, will be powerful
[page 2]
enough to check any attempt
at revolution. I suppose the spring
campaign will be a late one – The
yankee army is not I think in a
condition to make an early one.
The papers have already announced
to you that they are again
changing their plan. I suppose
they have gone to the south-
side. Two of our Divisions have
left, Hood’s & Picket’s [Pickett’s]. They left about
a week ago. The latter, I understand,
was encamped a few days ago
at Chester, between Richmond & Petersbg.
Several others have had orders to send
their baggage to Richmond prepara-
tory to sending moving themselves.
Among the rest ours. Our company
got the orders & the  most of our lum-
ber is consequently in Rd. I kept
however my knapsack & some of
my clothes. I do not however
believe we will move in some
[page 3]
time. So of course you will contin-
ue to direct to this place. I am
sorry that while all the southern armies
are expecting an engagement, this
one alone does not expect an early
fight – because as I consider this
the best army so I hope more
form it. I think it would require
an army of immensely superior for-
ces to whip it. I never think of
the battle of Fredericksburg with-
out thinking of Scot’s [Scott’s] description of
the Slothful Knight in Ivanhoe & the
ease with which he beat off all
adversaries.
     Our horses are fed with much more
liberality than when I wrote. I
hope you are correct in your
opinion of the ability ^ ‘of the country’ to furnish
the army plentifully. A great
impediment is the dishonesty of the
quartermasters, commissaries & other
sub-officers. Who will not fight but
[page 4]
cheat. What do you think of paying
a good deal of attention to vegeta-
bles this year?  If the war continues
& I suppose there can be no doubt
that it will, the soldiers would
be glad to get them at any price.
If it should so happen that you could
not conveniently dispose get them to the
army, I suppose you would still be able
to dispose of them to advantage &

[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Boyden, rector of Walker’s Church, (later Christ Episcopal), Albemarle County, Va.]

Monday 9th  Mr Mountjoy left us this morning,
reluctantly, I hope; (on our side at least, I know)
I gave him a pair of gloves, & a little tract
called “Salvation to the uttermost”, & was sorry
afterwards, I had not given him another called
“A call to Prayer”, by Kyle – I must try to get
some more tracts – Ma gave him a prayer book
May God bless the gifts to his Eternal good –
He promises to come again soon.  May God pro=
tect & bless him with the choicest blessings!  He
is to[sic] noble & brave: too bright & loving to perish
ignominiously – May he long live to serve God
& be a useful man in his day & generation–
I wrote a long letter to Lilla today telling her
about Mr M’s visit – Sarah out today-

MSS 4288

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

Monday   spent the fore noon writing & knitting a Watchguard
In the afternoon sent off a long letter to Mary & then walked up
to Eliza Ann Wrights – Her house looks neat & comfortable
& I almost wished it was mine.  She told me several little
pieces of news & I spent a pleasant hour or two with her –

MSS 4802

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

Sunday
Feb 8
Went out on inspection, to church this fore-
noon to hear Mr James who preached from the
words “Cast thy burden on the Lord.”  This afternoon
heard Mr Stone preach on Esau selling his birthright
and I enjoyed the sermon very much indeed.  This
evening we had a prayer meeting in Proctors tent, a
very good one, and may God bless its influence on
the company.  Dr Whitney took charge of it, and George
and Holman prayed and I made a few remarks, and
prayed and God seemed to be near us.  I enjoyed it
much. Dick Collins came into our tent and we talked
with him sometime.

MSS 11293

                                                                        Camp Fredericksburg, Va.
                                                                               February 8th, 1863
Dear Pa,
Dick Lowery will leave for home sometime tomorrow.  Though I have
nothing of any interest or importance to write, still it is proper that
I should write just to let you know that I am well. We have all managed
to make ourselves pretty comfortable by building chimneys to our tents
or tent flies (as the case may be) and I believe I have suffered less from
cold than we did last winter.  We have had great sport of late – snow-
balling; whole regiments and brigades engaging in the mock-war fare with
all the sportive glee of childhood.  I have seen snow on an average
twelve inches deep, and in some places fully three feet deep.

Tell the children I think there is a heap of beauty in the snow when
it covers everything up as it does sometimes here in Virginia, but it is
all melted now and the mud at present is as deep as the snow was sometime
ago.  I think it hardly possible that we will fight here before March.
The roads are in such terrible condition  General Hooker will surely come
at us as soon as practicable.  The northern papers say that he will come
with the next big freeze when the ground will be as firm as pavement.  I
hope you people have all made up your minds to a long war.  No more fur-
loughs will be granted so I will not see you until next winter.  After the
war is over I will make a desperate effort to get a commission in the regu-
lar Army.  It would bring me a nice living and no work to do, and that
is what I wish decidedly – eighty dollars a month, nothing to do, and a
gray coat, a sword and some authority. In war times this amounts to
nothing, in peace it will be splendid – But the chickens should not be
counted before the eggs are hatched.  The next battle may blow me into
thin air.  And now with the best wishes for yourself and family I remain
most Respectfully and affectionate your son,
                                                                  Paul Turner Vaughan
The children think perhaps that I was killed int he last battle. They
are mistaken and all letters directed to P. T. Vaughan, “Co.” 4th Ala.
Regiment, General Law’s brigade, Fredericksburg, Va. will reach me.

[typed transcript of original]

Captain P. Turner Vaughan, 4th Alabaman

MSS 5586