[from the diary of Mary S. Boydon of “Hopedale,” Abemarle County, Va.]
Monday 18 – Letter from Ma saying she will
come next Thursday-
Precept-“It is a good thing to sing give thanks
unto the Lord.”–Ps 92:1
Prayer-“So teach us to number our days that
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” Ps.90:12
Promise-“He shall defend thee under his wings
& thou shalt be safe under his feathers.” Ps. 91:4.
MSS 4208
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Tuesday 18th Drizzling & cloudy–Sarah has received two letters
one from Fred one from her mother–Both well–I received
one from Mr R Bradley–& had the pleasure of seeing Miss Lizzie
DeRosset here again–They came in a private carriage from
Pittsboro’-& took the Hack here for Hillsboro’ where they re
-side they had doctor John Swan’s son Alexander as an
escort-& he is a polite handsome young man-Sarah
has gone to afternoon service I forgot until too late-
I have written Tom & Mary both to day–& have been dis-
appointed in not seeing Eliza–Mrs Phillips told me she
thought she & Carney would be here to dinner but they have
not come–
MSS 6960
[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]
Tuesday, November 18, 1862
Determined to be more industrious & was
as good as my word. Rose early & after dressing
was able to get my sewing much earlier than
usual, but Patsy had to fix up to go home
& that kept me running about so that
I accomplished very little at my work.
went to bed with a dissatisfied feeling
I have not thought, or rather, or prayed,
properly-
Was angry at a very little thing, when
will I learn to restrain my evil temper.
Didn’t write as I had intended, &
couldn’t read
What an unprofitable day-
[as transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]
MSS 15460
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Tuesday 18 The morning was overcast & threatnight ning. Meem & I were invited to
go on an excursion to the Salt works
with the President of Rail Road. He
had determined to go and I could not
therefore-but he declined and I
would have gone could I have learned
it on time this morning–it is fortunate
I did not as Marys indisposition
is assuming a grave cast and she
suffers from a very severe boil on
her thigh. I was much surprised at
8 oclock to receive a message from
Charles requesting I would not go
down street until he came over. It
was a mystery to me what cd
have brought him back so soon. It
appears that by some mistake as I
am sure it will turn out, he was
announced in orders as “dropped.” He
was of course very much excited and
incensed against Munford who he alled-
ges is the cause. It is a gross injustice
and shall be avenged-but I do not
believer there is intention to do him wrong
in the department. He went to Rich
mond on the eveng train. I dined with
him at his house–Mr Hanson & Mr
Johnson, one a minister of our church from
Martinsburg & the other a Baptist min-
ister spent the eveng here. Mr H was
very kind to Lanty in [Fr.?] I recorded
the arrival of Mr Davis & his wife as
happening of last night–This was an
error–they came to night. I never
saw a man more informed in every
aspect than Mr Hanson.
MSS 4763
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Monday
Nov 17
Had drill in the bayonet exercise this
forenoon. I wrote some in the clothing
book. Have been laying round most of the after-
noon. Read some. Hear that Burnside had
taken McClellan’s place in command of the army
and may God bless his efforts. It has been quite
warm and pleasant to-day. We hear also that
the twenty-seventh was fired into last night and
the rebels seem to be getting very bold.
MSS 11293
[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]
November Monday 17
Recrossed the mountain
to day and camped one
mile north west of our
last camp
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
Hopewell Nov 17th 1862
Dear master
I have writen to you every
month-and hope that my letters
have been received. We have
not received a letter from you
since June but we have heard
from you through Mr Powell.
I was sorry to hear of the bad
state of your health. I hope that
by this time your health has improved
we would be glad for you to come out
and spend the winter with us if
there is any way for you to get here.
We are all well at present but
Cain. he has a riseing in one of his
ears, but he is much better than he has
been. the people at New Hope
has been quite sickly this summer
and fall, but they are all nearly
well. We have two very nice
young men Boardeing here with us.
they are from Columbus Miss.
Mr. Powell wrote to you about
them. they walk from here to College
[page 2]
I am geting along very well with the
peoples winter clothes. the children
are all in good health and they are
growing very fast. Etter has a
very fine child nearly two years old.
I think that she will raise it as
it is very healthy–We have Turnips
Sallid and winter Cabbage comeing
on in the garden. I have just
heard from Mr. Bordens. They
are well but Mrs [Joe?] Borden
She is very sick. Mrs Averys
family. I will now bring this
letter to a close hopeing soon
to hear from you I am as ever
your Servant
Lucy Skipwith
MSS 640
Head Qrs 1st Div: 1st Corps. A.W. Ten
Mouth of Tippah Nov 17th 1862
My dear brother
Capt. G.R.G. Jones, a
son of Hon Geo: W. Jones of Iowan, Uncle
Powhatan’s old friend, leaves for
Richmond tomorrow–and I take
the opportunity not only of letting
you know that I am well but of
introducing him to you–He was
taken at Fort Henry with General
Tilghman, and is in the Ordnance
Department of the Division now.
We are very comfortably fixed
here now with no prospect of the
Yankees getting at us or of one
advancing upon them–There
is a rumor and it has foundation
that Gen Kirby Smith is on his
way to us with 25.000 men. When
he arrives we shall be able
to do something–not before.
Introduce Captain Jones to
the girls- you and they will
find him an agreeable,
[page 2]
likely educated gentleman.
I have ordered an overcoat
and a uniform from [Beard?] and
Poindexter–should they be finished
send them to me by Capt Jones.
I shall send on a month’s pay
to settle for them in a few days
by Mr Woolfolk of Paducah, who
will carry on official papers
from my office. Love to one
and all.
Very Truly yr brother
Powhatan Ellis, Jr.
Charles Ellis Esq
President Richmd & Petersburg RlRd
MSS 2516
[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E, 42nd Virgnia “Dixie Greys”
Monday 17th – Two men die in Ward
to day – die perfectly easy and satis-
fied. Spend day in reading and
go to Church at night.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 5526
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cavalry Division
Nov 17. 11.30 a.m.
To Lieut Colonel Dickinson
Asst: Adjt Gen’l
Centre Grand Division
Colonel- A contraband just in
who left Strasburg last Thursday,
states that D.H. Hill corps was
two miles beyond that place on the
railroad to Mount Jackson–Hill
was tearing up the road & destroying
the bridges out The rebels thought
we intended following them in that
valley–D.H. Hill was en route
to Staunton—Jacksons corps was
between Strasburg & Wincheser–
Ewell & A.P. Hill were with
Jackson–Provisions were scarce,
& the rebels were obliged to move to
get them–
My pickets on the Orleans
road have been attacked this morning
by Stuarts cavalry–I have sent
out reinforcements–they have also
[page 2]
attacked me on the Waterloo road-
nothing serious however–No
enemy in sight at Sulphur Springs-
I have sent half a regiment to
Fayetteville to guard the fords-
Averill’s brigade will cover the
road behind the 5th corps in the direction
of Warrenton junction–The
2nd brigade will take the Fayette=
ville road–I shall move with
this latter brigade–My Hd. Qrs.
tonight will be near the junction
with the Warrenton junction road–
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brigadier General
Comdg Division
MSS 495
