[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]
Nov. 5th,’62.
Up at 4 A.M.
Started at 6; march-
ed hard all day.
Saw the remains of
two bridges burned
by the rebels.
Passed through Scotts-
ville, & encamped a-
bout ½ of a mile from
it. Very cold, chill-
ing wind all night,
rained some during
the night.
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Wednesday 5 The glorious wea
ther we have had was interrupted
by a cloudy morning, and about mid
day it began to rain and continued
until night. Eugene had sent
up to Liberty for the Horse he
purchased of Dr. Leyburn. He arri-
ved about 4. Not very prepossessing
in his appearance, but serviceable
and a good roadster but not spir
ited or showy enough for a char
ger–various rumors of the ad-
vance of the enemy. Our army
has been divided with two corps
d’armée one of which, under
Longstreet is on this side of
the Ridge, moving at on Culpeper
-I have no doubt, to [retract?] in
that the enemy will advance from
Suffolk. Great events must take
place before the month closes
I confess I think the prospect
gloomy–but I trust in Gods
protection to a brave army
fighting pro aris et focis
I received and forwarded by todays
mail, a strong letter of recommenda-
tion of Charles for Judge Advocate
signed by the Bar & warmly en-
dorsed by the Judge (Marshall)
I wrote also to Judge Daniel in Rich
mond to request him to file a
letter of recommendation– Dr. Wm
Herndon, whom we knew as a
student of [Brodies?] in ’45 called
and spent the evening. He remained
at his home in Culpeper CH during
the occupation of the place by
the enemy and his anecdotes of
what he saw were very interesting
Some of the Yankee officers were
gentlemen and behaved well
The detestation of Pope was univer
sal in the army. Capt Reeves
an old college mate of Lanty,
took tea with us. He is on Gen.
Carter L. Stevenson’s staff. I was
much gratified to learn from
him, as I have from others–though
Stevenson stands remarkably higher
He has just been made major Gen
eral–Seth Barton, also a general
is with him & Dabney Maury
is also a general–So that three
of Fredericksburg’s sons are Gen=
=erals-It always was a good
place to be born in & to emigrate
from–not to dwell in except so
far as society is concerned. I do
not exaggerate when I say that
more money has been made in Lynch-
burg the last six months than in
Fredericksburg for 30 years.
MSS 4763
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]
Have spent a sorrowful day–Wept till
my head ached & my heart feels like bursting–
-spent most of the morning in my room
writing to my dear husband. Wrote a long
letter & prayed earnestly that it might be
the means of more fully awakening him to
a richer hope in Christ. I havent done
enough for him. I am not such a poltroon
that I can ever be pointing out to him a
better life–this is what I have thought- but I
mean to forget myself now & will continually
point out the way of salvation. to him & all
that I am-for though I am sinful, I do
know & believe, that Jesus is the way. He
died for us & his blood will cleanse us-
Though I sin, every day- I will freshen
myself morning, noon & night by turning
to Jesus & drinking of the fountain of
living water=Oh I would that this pen could
tell all that I feel-but I will only
say that Jesus will save me at the last & all
that I love. I have looked to my self too much=
can not cast all my cares on the Lord=
do not love souls & feel for them as
I should do=Oh: that we could ever
remember we must all stand together
at the judgement seat of Christ-
-must finish my letter to send by Mr Smith
[partially transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]
MSS 15406
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F. 25th Massachusetts]
Tuesday
Nov 4
Had a good drill this forenoon. Read newspa-
pers most of the day. Had beefsteak and sweet
potatoes for dinner. Got news tonight that the expedition
had capture three or four hundred prisoners and eight
pieces of artillery. Dont know whether it is true or not
but hope it may be so This evening I staid out in the
house back of the tent most of the evening. Have felt
pretty well today.
MSS 11293
New Camp
Nov 4” 1862
My own darling Jennie
We moved camp yester-
day but instead of going nearer
to the enimy [sic] we went farther
from them. We are now 6
miles east of Winchester on
the Berryville Road, but
other Divisions are nearer
to the Yankeys. I dont know
what it means, I cant yet
understand our own movements
but doubt not the Yanks are
in motion & we are moving
for the purpose of drawing them
into dificulty [sic]. Dont you be-
lieve one word about if Jackson
[page 2]
leaving the Valley, he will do
no such thing. Many thanks
to you my own precious wife
for the letter I recd yesterday
saying Lizzie the dear little thing
was better &c. I was made to feel
happier all day & am yet than
I had been at any previous time
since my arrival in camp.
I saw Jim yesterday, he had
just returned from Snickers
Gap from where we heard the
firing Saturday & Sunday. he
said the Yankeys appeared
in force & they fell back.
I dont know how long we
will remain here nor the
direction we will take when
we start. Lewis Reherd who
[page 3]
took the wagon back will
shortly return. you can get
him to bring my boots which
will certainly be done by the
time he starts back. I am sorry
I could send you so few things
in the wagon, and I concluded
not to send to Richmond for
fear the move would not suit
you in what he would get.
How are your hogs & pigs
doing? The former I suppose
are fat enough to kill. Did
you get your fireplace fixed
up again, use the iron back
in my office if it will do.
in other words do the best
you can. Tell my little
daughter Papa dont know
a name pretty enough for her
[page 4]
baby & Mama must find
one for her. I did not
send the old linnen [sic] for
towels because I found it
no account whatever & had
to throw it away.
I will send this letter to-
morrow by mail, if any-
thing occurs before then
I will mention it.
affectionately
ETHWarren
“My own darling Jennie”, salutation – Warren’s wife, Virginia ‘Jennie’ Waston Magruder Warren.
“Jackson”, line 15 – Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, Confederate general, commanded the Left Wing (2nd Corps), Army of Northern Virginia.
“the Valley”, page 2, line 1 – Shenandoah Valley.
“Lizzie”, page 2, line 5 – Warren’s oldest daughter, seven year old Lizzie.
“Jim”, page 2, line 10 – Jennie’s brother, James W. Magruder, 2nd Lieutenant, Company K, 2nd VA Cavalry.
“Lewis Reherd”, page 2, line 19 – Lewis H. Reherd, Private, Company B, 10th VA Infantry. He was born in 1829 in Pennsylvania. He was listed in both the 1850 and 1860 Rockingham County censuses as a blacksmith; the 1860 census showed his worth as $1,500. Reherd enlisted in April 1861 at the first call for volunteers and by August was detailed as a blacksmith. Surviving military records show that blacksmithing was his primary duty while in the service.
“my little daughter”, page 3, lines 18 & 19 – It is likely Warren referred to his oldest daughter Lizzie. However, it is possible he could have referred to his eight month old daughter Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson.
“ETHWarren”, page 4, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.
[transcript and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g
[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]
Tuesday 4
Started at 4.P.M. moved
20 miles towards F. Royal
and camped on the
farm of Mr. Mitchell
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond of Co. E., 42nd Virginia “Dixie Grays”
Tuesday 4th Sell Mr.
Smith’s horse this morning. Con-
sent to remain at West View till
to-morrow. Read several lectures
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 5526
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav: Brigade
Upperville Nov 4 6.45 A.M.
To General R. B. Marcy
Chief of Staff-
General–
Eight prisoners
have arrived from Piedmont
one is an officer 1st Lieut.
of 5th Virginia Cavalry
the men belong to the 1st
4 & 5th Virginia cavalry-
which shows one of Stuarts
brigades went that way
Unless otherwise ordered
I shall move to that point
this morning & push a
reconnaissance to Manassas
Gap, at the same time try
& connect with Sigel’s people
towards Thoroughfare Gap
As Couch covers
[page 2]
Ashby’s Gap this morning
by my going further down—
there’s more chance of
preventing their escape on
this side under the moun-
tain where I am told there’s
a road–but rough–
Please order some
Sharps carbine ammunition
for my command immediately
say 100,000 rounds--There’s
no on hand at Harpers Ferry
so I am told- & we have
skirmished so much my
men are nearly out–Where
shall I draw my next provisions?
I only want to know in time–
Doubleday’s brigade of infantry
under Lt. Col. Hoffman did
good service yesterday as
skirmishers- Lieut Egeel [Edgell?]
commanding batter New Hampshire
volunteers,with the brigade, also
did some good firing—
A. Pleasonton
Brig. General
MSS 495
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav: Brigade
Piedmont Nov 4 1.45 P.M.
To General McClellan
Commanding
General–
Have arrived at this
point & shall send a force forward
immediately towards Chester
Gap & have directed Averell
to push one from Markham
This is a fine position- &
if I had some signal people
could oversee much of the
country from a high point
quite near–Averell has
been firing some on the
cavalry retreating.
very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig. General
Comdg Brigade
MSS 495
