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

Sunday 8
Landed on St Helena island
pitched tents detailed & relieved
–very warm

MSS 38-129

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

Sunday 8″
Pleasant & fair above – thaw & slushy –
Lucy Ann up again – Ro. nearly well
Jesse do-

MSS 3315

Sunday 8th  We all went to church today – Mr
M[ountjoy] sat in our pew & tried to go through the
service, but was rather embarrassed by not
being able to find the places – He behaved
beautifully in church – Robert Sims is at
home & he dined with us today – He was more
agreeable than I ever saw him – He always speaks
of religion with great reverence, & I hope is not
far from the Kingdom of God – I tried to find an
opportunity to speak to him of the all important
matter – & succeeded in saying a few words – In
the Evening we had sacred music – & then Mr M
conversed very agreeably – All his apparent amia=
=ability & goodness may be hypocritical – but I
dont, can’t, & won’t believe it  – His face contradicts
that, & all about him gives it the lie.  He says
he has had a very pleasant day, & I think he is
glad he stayed – but he goes tomorrow – I have
tried this day to keep a holy Sabbath; but I
could not be very devotional – May God have
mercy!

MSS 4288

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

Sunday 8th It is bright & clear again – I have just received a letter
from James telling me the Government has seized my house
as well as Alford’s next door to use for hospitals – it is what I feared
would be done some time or other – tho’ I had no idea it would be
demanded so soon – we have to put up with a great deal these
War times.  I am now feeling badly at not being able to get an Es –
cort to Georgia – James though at one time he could go-
But in his letter to day he says urgent business will not let him
at least for 3 or 4 weeks to come – I dont know what I shall do-
We all went to church to day – tho’ it was so very wet underfoot.
Christian was kept at home with Neuralgia –

MSS 6960

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

Saturday
Feb 7
It was quite a cold night so I did not
sleep very comfortably, but it has been a nice
pleasant day.  I changed clothing some this forenoon and
talked with Luther Clark.  Had soup for dinner.  This
afternoon cleaned my gun and played gammon with
Hall and Adams, and wrote a letter home.   I have felt
very uneasy to-day and did not know hardly what to
do with myself.  May I be enabled to cast all my care
on Jesus and strive to do his will.  It is just a year
ago today since we landed on Roanoke Island and how
may strange scenes have we been through since that
time.  Geo.Proctor climed[sic] a flagstaff to-night to get a flag
down after several others had tried and failed.

MSS 11293

                                Camp near
                            Guinea Station
                           Feby 7th 1863
Dear Bell
                            I recd a letter

[next two lines cut out of letter]

not know when if ever – my
furlough will get through
probably I will hear some
thing about it in a few days
I am not coming at once to
Lynchburg – I wish to get
clothing in Richmond first
I sent money to West – who
turned it over to Triplett for
Latouche to get me the cloth
for I imagine I will have it
all to myself, so dont
expect me very soon & dont
get nervous when anyone knocks

[page 2]
at the door, even if I do not
get to see you, we will man=
age to survive, I hope, to get
back to old Alexa this
Summer

[next lines cut out of letter]

like it – or I would not
be here, a far more uncom=
fortable place than my little
office where I could smoke
my pipe in peace, & never be
told at midnight – as I was
a few days ago= to pack up
all my earthly possessions
& be ready to move at daylight
— I wish you would send
me Mags address should
I get to Richmond I wish to
see her. – No news from
home, I suppose, – I shall

[page 3]
be please to see Dr H – should
he call, I should call on him
& thank him for his attention
to you did I know his were=
abouts – you seem to be anti=
matrimonial, certainly no hus=
band or wife is better than
a bad one, I have almost
made up my mind to remain
an old bachelor, I’ll be thirty
=four in about a month, I ought
to have married ten years ago.
dont you think so?  some poor
girl I fear has missed a good
husband, I know you’ll agree
with me in that, Love to all
-Write soon & send Mag’s
address
                 Affectionately
                       Your Brother
                             William

William B. Gregory, surgeon with the 2nd Georgia Volunteers

MSS 4777

[from the “War Journal” of George Hazen Dana, of the 32nd Massachusetts, as he compiled it at a later date from his war time letters and diaries]

[letter of the 6th continues:]

     
                                    February 7th 1863.
As beautiful a day as ever was seen, though very
muddy underfoot.        I expect we shall
be on the move again soon, as rumors are rife
to that effect, and Hooker is by no means a
slowcoach – on the contrary, ‘go ahead’, even to
rashness is his style. .   .   .   Health never better.

MSS 5130

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

Saturday 7
inspection – clear & pleasant

MSS 38-129

[from the signal message book of Lt. Thomas S. Shepherd of the 3rd New York Infantry]

Feb. 7
      To adjt. Reynolds
          Your leave is granted.
                    (Signed) Capt. Reynolds

—————————————————-

Feb. 7
       To Col. Wardrop
            My negro is detained at
            the half way House; is bound
            and ill treated.
                    (Signed) J. C. Jones

——————————————————

Feb. 7
       To Sergt. Eggleston
            Cav. Detachment
            Send horse to R.R.
            station at two P.M.
                    (Signed) Capt. Reynolds

MSS 10781
     

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

Sat 7. Beautiful morng.  No orders yet. Zouaves have
               my birth day – had some
gone.  After dinner struck tents, loaded train & about sunset
marched to R. R. Station – lay there till about 10. P.M. – Sent horses by land
Cold –Chilly night, ice makg – a Soldiers wife asked me to hold baby.
Set off for Aquia’s Creek about 11 – tried to sleep in baggage train too
cold.  Maj. walked. Got out & was left. Arrived about 1. oclk – cold
night  Col & I on boat awhile – not allowed to lie down –
morg. ate cold rations with Mr. Holms of Paterson.
Col. A[yres]. got rgt. on board of Str. In. A. Warner. fine steamer.
horses & baggage & men all right, lovely day, but cold  – ran
down Potomac about 11 A.M. fine places all along,
about 4. held service – preached on What must I do to be
Saved – we felt great liberty in speaking. Col. sd. twas best
discourse I had given since in service – men seemed attentive.
Got thro. just as we entered Chesapeake Bay.  Calm night

dined on board all officers – Capt. very polite
to me – attended service – In night  he sent for my
telescope – Anchor  made nice bed for Col. A & me –
About midnight – anchored in Hampton Roads, had prayers
before retiring.  Christie [?] pointed out several curious
& remarkable places.  In P.M. called R[iley]. aside & renewed our
friendly relations – since Friday night interrupted.  We both felt
better – I preached better for it.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935