[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]
Nov. 11th, ’62.
Cold & cloudy this
morning.
Some of the guards
& sick men left
at the camp near
Gallatin, come in
& report that a
band of Morgan’s
cavalry attacked
our wagons to-day;
also that our in-
fantry & theirs were
fighting at the
intersection of
the Gallatin road
& the Nashville pike.
Remained in camp
to-day.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 10547-bm
[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Tues 11. Just as I sat down to my coffee bread & milk
word came that the sick man at Co. B. Support
wished me at once – I ordered horse & started at
full gallop Ambulance just arrived preceded
me – found him very bad face covered with
dark spots & in great pain We got him into
ambulance. Sent him & Dr. to Camp while I
rode along whole line left of main road & visited
every Support – lovely day – About 10- 15th. Conn
began to relieve us – we reached camp after dis-
charging pieces – about 3 I learned poor Albertson –
had died about 1 ½ P.M – delirious most of time
probably cholera morbus & measles. Very much
shocked. Visited sick – found Mrs. Ayres had
come – made arrangements for embalming
body of Albertson & sending him home –
prayer in tents of Co. wrote his parents –
Private Smith Albertson Co. B., 25th New Jersey
Enoch J. Ayres was Lt. Col. of the 25th New Jersey
The 25th New Jersey had three medical officers. James Riley was Surgeon and Robert M. Bateman and Seffrine Daily were Asst. Surgeons.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, former musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 1862
Went to work
this morning early
Husked corn over
in the meadow
husked until noon
after dinner went
back but had to
return & go to [Meads?]
to help thresh worked
there all afternoon
Have worked hard &
feel tired.
Cloudy, wintry &
threatening rain
was invited to a
party at Westmans
but did not go as I
was tired
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]
Did not rise early–they were all at
breakfast when I went in & sad down stairs
& talked to bro. Charles before I had read
-read after he left but did not enjoy
my reading–Never do unless I read early
=Must manage to awake earlier
in the morning–we are much afraid that
we will not be able to pay dear P[eachy]
that last tribute of respect.
I do not mourn for her either, how can
I when I know that she has gone where
there is no more sin, no more sorrow, to
dwell forever with her God. She has only
gone before,-soon, soon, we will all follow
& Oh, for the sake of our friends,-may
our last hours be a testimony & witness. that our
lives are now with Christ in God-
that we have reached that good country-
from which no traveller returneth…
tom asked me a few nights since=why we
didnt all stay in heaven when we were there=
I said My son we were never there. Oh, Yes, we were
when God Made us: Oh that I may have
the help of the Spirit & teach him
holy things & so fill his mind that evil
will find no room in his heart=For
this I [want?] to cast all my cares on the
Lord. Help thou my weakness, O, God.
MSS 15406
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Tuesday, 11th The weather has moderated–& this has been a
very charming day–I hated to remain in the house–but
I have been quietly busy all morning & this afternoon went
to Church–& assisted Sarah cutting out–Mrs Walters
leaves this week for Fayetteville to see Mrs Anderson & Har-
din & if possible to go to Wilmington & see about her
furniture & other business–I received 3 letters to day, one
from Tom–Saying after 3 days hard riding he was now
at Culpepper & wanted Noah sent on–He wrote in a
leaf torn from a book–being out of paper–Said nothing
of his health or fare–Parr told us they are seeing scarce
hard times–I wish I could help them. One from Eliza
telling me of her & Liz’s starting in a snow storm to come
up here–& after waiting a long time at the Depot for
the cars found after they arrived that the Conductor
had neither fore or Stove–& as their feet was set & Eliza
had a bad cough–they cage up the trip & returned to
Governor Branch’s–Now Liza is afraid Liz will give
up coming until after Christmas–As Mr Smith
told her there was no immediate danger- the Yankees
had been whipt back to Hamlinton. How Liza will get to
here I know not–She is very anxious to come–Liz writes
me word Noah is all ready & will leave with Mr Parker
Junior I rejoice to hear it–the 3d letter was from Mrs James
Bradly – giving a full account of a scare they had at Wright Ville
Sound–the blockade firing all day on a vessel that got beached -a
great may men went down to see the sight–& while there
the balls & shells whizzed over them–& one stuck in to Mr
Quinces yard on Masonboro sound, & bounced over into a
neighbouring field & exploded–After a while two or three
boat loads of Yankees came over to the Banks to set fire to
the barque-& as soon as they left their boats our men
rand down & took their Oars–So we took 24 pris-
oners–& got several nice boats–But not before they suc-
ceeded in burning the Vessel.
MSS 6960
MSS 4763
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Tuesday 11. Another fine day–certainly
no climate can surpass ours at this
season. Got my official bond signed
by all to day. I hope it may be
long before I have to renew it
It is all a humbug any how–I
give security for $50.000 & frequently
have in my profession Half-mil-
lion– of late for mine. After all it
is upon character & principle
[a page has been torn out at this point. Diary will resume part way through the entry for Thursday the 13th]
MSS 4763
Monday
Nov 10
Have spent most of the day in writing
balancing and transferring accounts to a new book
Charles Upton shot himself accidentally with his pistol
in the leg during the night. Received a letter from home
to day. a real good one. It has been a lovely day and
thanks be to God who bestows so many blessings upon us
MSS 11293
[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]
November Tuesday 11
Remained quietly in
Camp all day.
Brigade still over the
River at work on the
R. Road
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
2 Miles of Culpeper
Nov. 10th, 1862
My Dear Father
I had written to you several days
ago, but my situation has been such that I
could not well do so. I came to this place a
few days ago. Immediately before that I
made a scout with our two guns as
far as warrenton springs. we left about 3 P.M.
& marched until 10 ½ P.M. the water falling nearly
all the time. We however camped that night
in an abandoned female school & soon dried
& slept finely. The next day we returned – the distance
was about 18 miles. Upon returning we found
our brigade & the other section of our company.
We belong to Longstreet’s Corps all of which is now
here I think. The rest, which is embraced in to
Jackson’s corps, is I suppose still in the Valley
of the Shenandoah. I do not know what
stand is intended to be made here. Our po-
sition the other side of the Court House
was taken by a battery from Norfolk – they
have been engaged with the enemy nearly
all day across the Rappahannock – with
what effect I don’t know. Stuart with
his cavalry has been fighting the ene-
my for nearly a week & falling back
before them. this looks as if the object
[page 2]
was to decoy them as far as possible
into the interior. I was over to the cavalry
camp last evening to see the Lunenburg
cavalry – A large portion of the company was
there – not being out on active duty from
the want of horses – the latter seemed in a
very bad condition – suffering from scratches &
black tongue ( they called it) & with a scarcity
of food for them. Dr. Knight had just
received a notice that a resignation which
he had forwarded was accepted. Lan is
therefore captn. of the company. Stith
Bolling is the only officer with the
company. Indeed the only one they have
except Lan. Wm Atkinson was without
a horse & wishes to start home after one soon
and to brin carry Lan’s with him wh:
had such a sore foot that I advised him
not to attempt it until his foot was
better.
We have had proposed to turn our
company into horse-artillery & joint the s
cavalry brigade – our Captn. declined that
offer.
I got from Richmond about a
week ago, the box wh: mother sent me –
before I left Richmond – the sweet potatoes was
all that was in a sound state save the
whisky Brandy – they were very fine – The
[page 3]
brandy was also very good – I thought
as good as I ever tasted; & better judges
than I am pronounced it very fine.
Morning of Nov 11th
My Dear Father we are about to
send into town this moment & I must
close to send by this opportunity – for
the last four days we have had to
keep our horses harnessed & hitched
ready to move at any moment. Here
is: h Every thing is quiet this morning
however. My best love to all –
In haste most affle.
W. H. Perry Jr.
William H. Perry, Richmond Howitzers
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 7786-d
November the 10/62
Camp Near Culpepper
Court House Va.
Dear Parents
I take the
present Oppertunity of
dropping you injoyin
a few lines to let
you know that I am well
At present hoppingwe when theas few lines
comes to hand they may
find you injoying the
same Blessing I have
no news of importance
to write to you I
Received your letter the
other day I was glad
to here from you all
you wrote to me to know
whether I needed an
any clothing or not.
[page 2]
I have as much as
I can carry I need
a Couple pair of socks
I want you to save
me some Chestnuts
and send to me the
first chance I will
I want several other
things But I will write
again and let you
now what I wain want
I will send you
some money the first
chance you need not
send me any thing
s untill I write again
we air expecting a
great Battle at any
moment part of our
forces was In gaged
to day I have not
heard the Result
yet
[page 3]
we was called
to am arms But I
suppose we must
whiped the enemy
or we would been
in to it be fore this
time you need not
be surprised to here
of a great Battle at
any moment I think
we air prepaired to give
the S Rascals a good
thrashing our troops
air in verry good
Spirits we air seeing
verry heard times get
But verry little to eat
when we get a dozen
of apples to eat we
halfe pay one dollar
per dozen you know
that is dear eating
[page 4]
Bacon is $1.00 per lbI hove I hove had
my health splended
now I must Bring
theas few lines to a
close you must write
often you hove a Better
chance to write to me
then I do to you you must
must excusce this letter
By fire lite write
soon direct your letter
to Culpepper Court
House Va Give my
love to all the
children so nothing
more But Remain
affectionate Son
James B. Painter
James B. Painter, Co. K, 28th Virginia
MSS 10661
