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

Saturday  no letters–But unexpected company, about Eleven Oclock a
Hack drove up from Hillsboro’ with Mrs Kennedy–Mrs Wm Lord
& Miss Lizzie DeRossett–There being no fire in the parlour (a very
common thing) I invited them into my room where it was more com
fortable–They remained with us until Henry London could procure
them another Hack to take them to Pittsboro’ where they have now gone
Mrs Lord had a chill on her when she arrived–& I think left with
a fever–Mrs Walters & Sarah were lucky enough to receive their
trunks sent by Express from Mississippi–Little William is hoarse again tonight.

MSS 6960

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

Friday
Nov 7
Had a very cold rough night last night
I did not sleep much but sat round the fire
After coming of guard I finished the book called “Temper”
which I commenced yesterday and which I like
much.  This afternoon I moved into George Lowes tent
as I am to be clerk of the company.  We had a good
talk this evening.  O how continually is God battering
upon me.  George and I read the Bible to-
gether, and then we united in prayer and com-
mitted ourselves to Gods care

MSS 11293

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred  Pleasonton]

      Hd. Qrs. Cav: Division
Amissville, Nov 8. 6.30 a.m
To General O. B. Wilcox
    Com’dg 9th army corps
General–
                     Your dispatch of
10.15 P.M. is rec’d–It
would be well for you to push
a brigade of infantry to
this point to hold for the
pursuit, with orders to assist
me if I should need it–
      I shall move at 8.a.m.
towards Thornton’s Gap to cut
off all the rebels I can-
   My position tonight
will at New-by’s crossroads.
    Until the bridge is rebuilt
of at Waterloo–the troops
coming this way must cross
at Gaskin Mills–Please
communicate this to General
Burnside & oblige, Yours
                          A. Pleasonton

MSS 945
              

White Plaines Virginia Nov 7th 1862
Dear Father we are once more in the State of Virginia & are Camped on the Plains that Washington once made his winter quarters we arrived here last
night after A weeks march from Maryland passing Snickers & Asbys Gaps
which were taken by our troops we are camped close to the Railroad that branches
of from Manassas Junction so that you can see that we are in A place where
our Grub can be sent to us very easy you sat that there is A great deal said about
our clothing & as far as I can tell you I have A plenty to eat & drink & am not
lacking for one stich of clothing nor is the Regiment & that these that are
complaining are the ones that are always in the rear seeing what they can get
I am satisfied that the Government does everything that can be done for the
Soldiers & I think that if the Editors of papers would not write so much about
the destitution of the Union Soldiers they would make it pay.  A little better
they have had to much to say the Army moveing & how the men are all anxious
for A fight now I have not seen the man that is anxious to Fight but they are
willing when General McClellan says the word, let the President take the
Command away from MC & there is not Potomac Army because the Army has
confidence n him & believe that he is fighting for the good of his country not for
pay  Comeing through Maryland I saw Charley Green & he was looking finely
& he let me read A letter that Lizzie wrote to him about George &it was one of
the best letters that I ever read at the close of the letter she says Charley dont
forget to Read your bible & she speaks about George’s death & takes on about it
in such a way saying that George was always good to her I will now close
this by saying that I received yours of the thirty first last night Just after we
had pitched our Tents for the night, It is snowing here I received two letters from
you the day we arrived at Berlin & cannot give the dates of them as I let Charley
Green have them but they had the letter that had the one about George & the
one that Mr Jackson wrote to you give my love to Mother & all hands at Home
From Your Afectionate Son Joseph Leavitt

Letters of Joseph Levitt of the 5th Maine and George Leavitt of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father after the war as a remembrance of his sons both of whom died, George at 2nd Bull Run and Joseph at Spotsylvania

MSS 66

[The following letter contains this letterhead:]
                                                            Office of PALMER, BUCHANAN & CO.,
                                                                       Successors to Palmer, Ackerman & Co.
     George W. Palmer,                      Manufacturers of Salt, Ground Plaster, &c., &c.
     Benj. K. Buchanan,
     George B. Parker,                         Saltville, Va,    24 May     1863
     W. Alex. Stuart.[According to Robert E. Lee Krick, Alex Stuart was a brother of General J.E.B. Stuart.]

My dear Little Nannie:
                                           I was glad to hear through the second
from Our Mother that you are improving so rapidly & so likely  {Nannie gives birth to a girl, Lizzie.]
to be well again soon – I was very much worried by not being
able to be with you on account of the late starting of two
of our salt Furnaces which are doing finely and I could not
leave them just then because I had no experienced help to
whose management I could safely commit them – I afterwards
employed an experienced hand who stayed with us but
one night & returned home on account of sickness but for
this last reason I should have been with you before now –
I hope to arrange for another man this week & if I do I will
go down to Lynchburg in two or three days thereafter unless
I hear you are no better in which event I will leave
any hour –
          The three arbiters for the valuation of Stuarts Buch-
-anan & Co’s property could not agree in their views & left
early this week for Richmond to arrange for possession of
the same under the seizure alternative provision of the
law it is thought by some – The Agent appointed by
the state is said to be Autocratic in his purposes &
speaks of the seizure of other property also – Of Course
however he must conform to the law which when
properly interpreted may not confer the power –
[page 2]
Chris Scott has been here three or four days & seems
to be much pleased with my work & the operations
of our lately started works – When we get fully under
way we can make a world of salt for which
we are not at present prepared with storage room –
I have since his arrival just layed off & commenced
the hauling of lumber for two large salt house 100
feet long by 20. feet in width – I wish we were
done building –
          I stayed one night last week with
Prof. Davis at the College – He lives & entertains in
a large tolerably nice brick building – His wife seems
to be a kind hearted person but he looks untidy – We
and Lizzie can board there or we can board at
Mr Findlay’s in Abingdon if you prefer it –
          Mr. Findlay was here this week & I tried to
hire or buy one of his servant girls for you but he
said he could not hire them until he quit Hotel
Keeping & that he would almost as leave think
of selling one of his children –
          Kiss little Lizzie for me – Kiss Willie for me –
Tell them not to trouble Little Nannie. Give my very
best love to all at home and please don’t think
any less of me for not being with you under your
late & present trials –
                             Very devotedly Your Own
                                                             Choctaw

               Saltville Virginia
                           Sunday, 31st May 1863
My dear “Little Nannie”:
                                              Yours of the 22nd & 28th inst: are before
me – I am truly thankful that you are so much im-
-proved in health as to have been able to write them – I        
ought to have been  and desired most earnestly to be with
you in your troubles but the Fates had deceed otherwise –
Between my duties here & my duties at Lynchburg I have been
ever  fitfully impatient – I could not leave our new
furnaces in the hands of inexperienced persons – I will
soon however have done building & then I will have a
good horse [or “house”] and respite from my present & heretofore fa-
-tiquing duties – I have notified Mr Scott & others that
I cannot undertake accounts or other indoor work –
I mean to simply general around inefficiently – like
Joe Hooker on the other side of the Rappahannock –
     Mr Scott left here yesterday for Lynchburg to
come back next week with the new board of ap-
-praisers of whom Capt. McCorkle is one & Bob Owens
another – I hope that they may be able to agree about
the value of Stuart Buchanan & Co’s property to be
used by the State because our business will perhaps
be benefitted by it – Their presence here next week may
detain me here until Saturday or Sunday but I will go
to Lynchburg earlier if I can & then we can determine
whether & when we will go to the College or Abingdon to live –
[page 2]
I always knew that Dr. L. was lazy, indifferent and
inattentive & am glad that you called in Dr. Murrell
for whose attention & kindness I am thankful – I only
fear that he will not receive compensation – As
to the kindness of the family to you, to Willie, to little
Lizzie & to me I know not how to express myself further
than to say I am thankful & I’m  grateful & I’m
grateful & I’m thankful – And then we cannot &
we do not underestimate the not unmeaning little
attentions of Aunt Catherine, Aunt Kiseah, Cousin
Rebecca & Cousin Mary Rosanna – We are fortunate
& ought to be happy in the superinduced reflections –
          I am glad that Willie is at last trying to
talk & hope & expect to hear from him when I
am with him in a few days – Tell him to
continue to grow without emulating James Metcalfe
in that respect – I am glad too to hear of
the little Lizzie’s improvement & regret to know that
she suffers so much from colic – Kiss them
both for me & dont let Willie forget me –
          We have not yet suffered from heat here
on the contrary the weather has been quite pleasant
for some time – Next month, & the next however
we will expect some warm days –
          When you and Lizzie are at the College
or Abingdon I must arrange for your getting over
here to see my work – to fish in the North Fork
[page 3]
and ramble through the neighboring mountain crags.
The three Misses Fulton & the two Misses Pierce with
a lot of stars & Bars were prevented from their
proposed fishing excursion by the rain of yesterday –
Stuart & I were invited to join them but we
declined on account of business engagements – I
will wait for Lizzie & you –
          Give my best love to all at home &
remember me very kindly to Mrs. C –
          I am always glad to receive letters from
you but cannot ask that you write oftener when
you are so unwell & when I have not the
time in which to write as often as I would –
                            Very affectionately
                                       Your Own
                                             Choctaw

               Saltville Virginia
                           Sunday 18th Dec. 1863
My dear “Little Nannie”.
                                                I have before me three letters from
you – two of which came in my absence at Lynch –
-burg & Petersburg and the other in the last two
days – I was lead to the performance of my late trip
to those places by the importance of their objects[,] the
accomplishment of which I did not feel willing to
entrust to others because any little obstacle presenting itself
to most men affords them an excuse for failure to do
what they may be looked to for –
           I was sorry to hear of your suffering from
tooth-ache and suppose you did right in having “the
offending members” removed but I would respectfully suggest
that when you can save your teeth by plugging or
otherwise you ought to resort to it without having any
regard to the cost – Teeth are more valuable than money
and I hope you will not regard the latter when
the former can be preserved –
          I am sorry to hear that Clarks’ health
is not improving and delighted to hear of the constant

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Friday, November 7
Today our winter weather commenced with slight snow but one that lasted all day.  Very cold.

Saturday, November 8
Snowy again today and very cold. Col. Brien, Dan Conrad, willie R. and Cousin Bev dined here.

MSS 9759

                                               Provost Marshals Office
                                               Harpers Ferry  Nov. 7th, 1862
My darling Addie:
                                 Quite a long time has elapsed since
I last wrote you, and I fear you will think I am
trespassing too far on your goodness and forbearance. But
when I explain this unwonted silence, I think you will
forgive me–at least in part.  Two precious letters
have been received from you, each of which deserves an
“answer” complete in itself, but at this time it is im-
possible for me to write a very long or interesting letter.
           You percieve by the “heading” that I am in the
Provost Marshall’s office at this place, where I have been
since Sunday–in the pleasant situation of Pro. Mar. Clerk.
           The Regt -in fact the Brigade was aroused
from our pleasant camp in Loudon Valley on Thursday
morning to “move with Camp and Garrison equipage, at
6 A.M.” and at that time we were in line and were
marching toward Harper’s Ferry, through which we passed
to Bolivar heights, where we halted for further orders.
            The result was–we had to go out on Picket duty
leaving a few men to pitch our camp on bolivar Heights.

[page 2]
We were not relieved until late Friday night and then
was obliged to walk 4 1/2 miles to attain a point only 3/4 mile
away.  This was to gratify a “stylish Colonel.”  Saturday and
Sunday I was quite unwell, but Sunday P.M. I was detailed
for this duty, and in view of the coming cold weather and
cheerless camps, I thought I would come.  The work-though
steady-is not very heavy and with our present Provost Marshal
-Capt. Church Howe, of Gen Sedgwick’s Staff–I could wish
for nothing save a good long Leave of Absence to visit my
own-my darling Addie.
              But it is useless for me to wish for that even
for :Furloughs” are a fruit not growing very plentifully in these
parts, and most difficult to obtain, still, if the thing is possible,
I shall come home this Winter.  By the way, old Boreas has
made his appearance with us, and left–us, not left, for he hasn’t
gone-but is making his footsteps plainly visible.  It has snowed
continually all day, and the surrounding hills are quite
enshrouded in a snowy mantle–(There–think of being
enshrouded in a mantle; aint I poetic?)
             Of course, you have heard of the “Advance”. and
of course are anxious to lean if the Seventh is “with the
army.”  For a wonder, we-our entire Corps– are in the
rear, actually remaining to garrison this famous “City of Burnt
Shops,” and the surrounding Heights!!!

[page 3]
From all I can learn, we will doubtlessly remain here this
coming Winter, and nothing could be more acceptable to us
as a regiment.                   Now I will briefly reply to a
portion of your letters-but do not think, my darling Addie that
I wish to neglect them, nothing is further from my thoughts–I will
write a good long letter soon, and devote “lots” of time and care to it
The office is crowded now, and it is quite late in the evening.
    Your letter of the 24th Oct. surprised me not a little, It was
in relation to Laura and her late painful and unfortunate
affair with Hi Grant.  I had known Grant previously to my
enlistment while in Mecca, and had never dreamed that he could be guilty of
such deep=dyed villainy as striving to win the affection of a pure, noble=
minded lady, while engaged to another-He is not worthy the name
of “Man” – does not deserve the friendship, even, of a dog.  It is
difficult to imagine a person so low, so vile, as to trifle with the
holiest thoughts and passions, and so heartlessly destroy the highborn
impulses of the soul-aye break the heart itself.  God will
mete out justice to such men,-He has written “vengeance is mine,
I will repay.”                       To Laurie in her new estate-as Mrs.
Thompson-I wish pure and unbroken happiness–a future un=
dimmed by clouds of adversity, and a long and happy life.
  Could I wish more?  May the good giver of all good pre-
serve her and thee–my own loved Adelaide.

[page 4]
   I am almost sorry that  Hal did not succeed in filling
up the 84th to the required standard, but perhaps it is all for
the best–I know you will say so , as it precludes his return it
the field.  Ha d he been successful, I should have endeavored
to be transferred into his Regt. as it is, I will, quietly of course,
remain in the “Bloody Seventh.”
    But I must close this very uninteresting letter, as
Lieut How has come in, and I must report the “prisoners”
     Remember me to all–particularly to Pap, Hallie and
Laurie but most particularly remember me to your own darling
self and write as soon as convenient.
                 From Your own devoted and true
                                Charley Tenney
     Address– Chas. N. Tenney
                        Care of Capt Howe–Prov. Marshal
                             Harper’s Ferry
                                                    Va.
Omit the Co. & Regt.

Charles N. Tenney, 7th Ohio

MSS 11616

[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. e, 42nd Virginia “Dixie Greys”]

Friday 7 –  Nock [sic] around town
a little and buy something to eat
Try to get a transfer to Montgomery White
Sul. Springs  but failed.
Think Chompton Hospital rather a hard
place.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]

Hd.Qrs. Cav. Brigade
2 miles in front of Orleans
Nov. 7 6.20 a.m.
To Colonel A. V.Colburn
     Ass’t Adj’t Genl
Colonel–
 I arrived here at 8
P M with my command
from Chester Gap via Barbees
   I left two squadrons at
Barbees to watch the road to
the Gap as it is the only wagon
road the rebels can come this
way until you strike the Gap
& Warrenton road which runs
into this some four miles
back where I have a
picket–The country around
Chester Gap is very much
broken & wagons can only
travel it with great diffi=
culty-when you get into
the Gap & Flint Hill road

[page 2]
you cannot get out of it until
you reach Little Washington
Stuart was at Flint Hill this
side & his intention was to
detain me until the infantry
should come up from the
Gap behind & overpower me-
  Finding this to be situation
of affairs I made for this
place which is central &
commands the roads, to
Warrenton–12 miles, – to
Sperryville–15 miles–to
Amissville five miles–to
Newby’s cross roads, ten miles–
to Woodville on the Thornton
Gap & Culpepper road 15 miles-
     I shall push n from
this place at 8, this morning–
to Amissville & to the roads
running from Thornton’s Gap
& if unsuccessful to Cul=
pepper–The rebels burnt
a bridge at Waterloo 4 miles

[page 3]
from here yesterday afternoon
  I hear the stream is fordable
at that point–
              My artillery officers
complain of the ammunition
last sent to them–& report
the shells to be in such a
state they will not explode–
being filled with damaged
powder–these shells were a
part of Pope’s & McDowell’s
ammunition & should be over=
hauled–My command
requires the best ammunition
to drive the enemy in the
shortest time–& I regret
to report it has been getting
worse & worse for some
time past–while the
rebels are improving with
their experience, & their am=
munition in front is better
than ours at this time-
      This is inexcusable-

[page 4]
& calls for the General’s action
insisting upon to insist upon
my being furnished with
proper ammunition–
   I want good shenkle
percussion shell & nothing
else except the allowance
of canister, required for each
gun-They send me
Hotchkiss & other contrivances
that [perplex?] delay &
annoy my command–
       this is a vital
subject–please attend
to it & let your orders
be stringent–& I will
clear the rebels out of the
way sooner than I can
do now & every moment
is important–I shall
do all I can today to give
you important information

             Very respectfully
               A. Pleasonton
                  Brig. Genl.

MSS 495