[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E, 42nd Virginia “Dixie Greys”]
Monday 10 – Get a
pass from Dr. to go to town,
see Col. Langhorne, buy some
thing to eat – buy a history of the
Reformation in Europe.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 5526
[letter of Hiram M. Cash begun on the 8th and continued on the 9th concludes]
Nov. 10th today Genl.
McClellan paid us a all a visit you ought to have
heard the cheers that rent the air as he passed
around among the camps they tell us he has
been superseeded by Genl. Burnside I hope it is
not so but I fear it is too true. Mac. has the
confidence of the whole army and he is the most
capable of commanding them and if he could
have his way the war would be ended in a
short time as it would have been long ago
if his plans had not been intefeared with
There is very heavy fireing to be heard and I
think a hard battle is being fought if it is so
we shall have to moove soon and I must
close try and write soon if you are able to
do so if not get some one to write
From your son Hiram M. Cash
Hiram M. Cash, Co. K, 5th Maine
MSS 12916
Hd. Qrs. Cavalry Division
Cowins X roads Nov. 10 2.20 P.M.
To Major Gen’l Parke
Chief of Staff
General–
The enemy attacked
us in force this morning about
eight o’clock, drove in my
pickets some six miles from here
at Hazel river, with infantry &
artillery & cavalry–I found
my command at this place
the best in the neighborhood
& after a severe skirmish
have repulsed them–General
Sturgis at Amissville most
generously offered me every
assistance & sent three of
his regiments to bring support
The enemy must have suffered
considerably–my loss was
is trifling–I have heard of
no one kil[l]ed–There’s a
[page 2]
report that Longstreet had
sent out a division last
night to attack me here–
while they evacuated Cul=
pepper–they came on very
boldly until checked by my
artillery
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig General
Comd’g Cav: Division
MSS 495
Hd. Qrs. Cavalry Division
Cowins Cross roads Nov. 10
9:50 am
To Major Gen’l Parke
Chief of Staff
General–
I find there are four
roads between this & Woodville-
that pass down to Culpepper from
Chester Gap–each of which
should be strongly guarded
to prevent the rebel trains passing
down–The rebels are now
using Thornton Gap for their
trains Chester Gap being guarded
by Jackson–Jackson has no
train with him, but is supplied
by the farmers in Page county–
His trains are hauling supplies
to Culpeper–Jackson’s planis to when we move to Culpepper
is to strike for Warrenton junction
& Rappahannock Station-
[page 2]
If we attack him in the
Gap he will retreat up the
Valley towards Staunton—
this is what he wants to
draws us off from Cul=
pepper–His army it is
said is composed of the
picked fighting run of
the whole–The Army
at Culpepper I am told
is a good deal demor=
alized & will not stand
much of a shock–
The negro that
came in from Jackson
yesterday tells me that
if we can get our Army
to Madison–we shall
cut Jackson off from
the road to Richmond
from its connection with
[page 3[]
Culpepper & would break
up the Culpepper Army–
I learn that Joe Johnston,
& Shanks Evans & Geo.
Pickett are at Culpepper–
Stuart is in front of
me at Hazel river on
the other side–There has
been some picket firing-
but I shall not disturb
him until the General
is ready to let “slip the
dogs of war”–
Jackson has no
cavalry except some
few for scouts–
Leave a strong force
to face Jackson covering
Warrenton & its junction with
a corps of observation at
[page 4]
Barbees–push your forces
down on Culpepper vigorously
inclining to the right to
take in Woodville &
Madison–Give us ten
days more good weather
& wind up the campaign
in a blaze of glory!!!
Stuart told a lady that
our rapid advance was
due to desperation, that we
were forced to it, & that
on reaching the Rappahan-
nock we would get the
soundest thrashing we have
ever had–Nous verrons!
Please let me know if you
received my dispatch of 2.30.
P.M. yesterday:
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig gen
MSS 495
Hd. Qrs. Cavalry Division
Cowins X roads Nov. 10 5:20 P.M
To Major Gen’l Parke
Chief of Staff
General–
After my dispatch
of 2.20 P.M. the enemy made
his appearance on the roads
to Newby’s X roads drove
in my picket at that place
& advanced with his artillery
on this position, I have
just repulsed him &
remain in my old position
of last night–The forage
here is used up & [I must?]
more tomorrow after it=
a few moments since
I was informed the enemy
had driven my pickets
one mile from Gaines X roads
[page 2]
I have sent a regiment to
support them & regain the
Xroads–It is evident
the move today was to
place themselves between
us & the roads leading
from the Gaps thro’ which
their produce trains are
passing–Two regiments
of infantry (rebel) were seen
today acting with Stuart—
they probably had more-
I shall feel these roads
tomorrow leading towards
Woodville, & wish to know
the General’s instructions
in reference to them–
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig Gen Comd’g-
Captured two prisoners one
infantry & one cavalry [?]
MSS 495
[from the diary of the Rev. Franics E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Mon 10. Mild lovely day. Rode out with Dr. R. to two of the reserves
& alone to others – Good many persons stopd. & brot. to hd. Qrs.
stragglers – Officers, Soldiers – contrabands, &c.
Mr. Cloud of Cloud’s Mills rode up spoke of his losses – by federal
troops tho. a loyal man. showed[?] protection of Genls. of Union
lost 17000 $ – by destruction of property & now sd. he yr.
troops are quartered in my woods & burning up that –
the last means of support I have – We promised
to sign a paper to indemnify him – Two carpenters
fr. our Reg. engaged in fitting up Mr. F’s. barn –
Just after sundown Col. ( Jenkins – & I rode to right
Support my horse stepd. into a pot hole when in full
gallop & fell heavily catching my leg – got clear – found
my leg bruised & painful for a time – but a merciful
escape – mounted rode on – found a Co. B. man
quite unwell – with chill & fever had been eating “a
[-] of apples grapes & persimmons” – Went into
his evergreen hut talked – & prayed with him. he thanked
me heartily – we promised to send for Ambulance
& take him into Camp in morng – rode along line
of pickets to main road after dark – & then to Fitzhugh
wrote Mr H – Hear McClellan is removed &
Burnside commands – I have always been a
McClellan man – His delay since Antietam I
don’t understand – May God direct all.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, former musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Monday, Nov. 10, 1862
Remained at Langers
until near noon
Jennie deciding to
go with me to Pa &
to be ready & meet
me at New London
Tuesday morning a
week
Had very pleasant visit
arrived at Cresses
about 5 oclock remained
for supper & until
after dark
Am now at home
again
Clear beautiful day
cool
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, co. B, 97th Ohio]
Nov. 10th, ’62.
At 8 A.M. ordered
to prepare to march,
immediately. Started
near 12 M., crossed
the River; traveled
about 8 miles when
the road upon which
we were intersected
the Leanon & Nashville
pike. We then turned
to the right toward
Nashville. We march-
ed on until dark
when we encamped.
VanClive’s division
to-day entered Leb-
anon [Ky.] & ransacked &
pillaged the town –
so they say – & then
returned to us
shortly after we
encamped. We
are now about
20 miles from Nash-
ville.
Clear & warm to-day.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 10547-bm
[from the diary of Mary S. Boydon of “Hopedale,” Abemarle County, Va.]
Hopedale, Nov. 12, 1862. A beautiful Autumnal day.
We girls were engaged helping father about the
apples & cider when who should come suddenly upon
us but Lilla–she had run away from Culpeper
on account of theYankees who are daily expected
to dash into the Ct Ho. she will dlubtless return
in a few days–Received a telegram from Staunton
announcing Grandma’s death. she passed away
most quietly & happily yesterday morning about
7 o’clock. Though her death had been expected
long it was sudden at last, but as had been
her life, so was her death, “the death of the riht-
=eous”- Ma & father will go over to Kalorama
tomorrow
Precept-My soul wait thou still upon God, for
in Him is thy hope–Ps 63:5
Prayer-Hear my voice O God, in my prayer;
preserve my life from fear of the enemy-Ps. 64:1
Promise-The righteous shall rejoice int he Lord-
& put his trust in Him Ps. 64:10
MSS 4208
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Monday 10 Fine & mild morg. Eugene
D. left us early for home. The house
is now clear of company for the
first time for several months.
How long will it be thus? not
a day to judge by the fact Mrs.
B’s encouraging all [?] renders
company now [?] irksome
Very busy all day and as usual
much engaged for others. I had
a letter yesterday from Mrs. Gen Huger
dated Raleigh requesting me to send
her trunk of clothes to Columbia
if indeed she had sent one to me,of
which she seems doubtful, [and un?]
[less?] the trunk containing the silver
remains where I placed it in the
Farmers Bk vault–She in point
of fact sent me two trunks besides
that with the plate. These I had
strapped and covered with mat
ting and taken to the Express–but
to my disappointment was told that
the roads had been seized for use
of Government & that nothing could
be forwarded. I had them carried back
to our basement–She mentioned that
poor Tighlman was rapidly de-
clining–that he was with them
on his route to Florida where
he had been ordered, but that there
was not much hope he would be able
to get there. We all like him
much & deeply regret one so young
amiable & accomplished should
be thus prematurely cast of Dr
Maupin called on me and after
wards took tea with us. By the
way he is the only professor who
never called on me when I was at
the University, and who never in
=vited me to his home–so I [?]
[?] etc.
