[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]
Oct. 28th, ’62.
Still in same camp.
Cold but clear.
This evening rec’d.
two letters from
Woodsfield and
one from Lewisville,
Ohio. Night cold.
[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 10547-m
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, former musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1862
Was up until near
morning talking
this morning rather surprised the boys
assisted today in
taking off the machine
from the wagon also
assisted in getting up
some corn
Was visited by
John Olin
went down to Leonards
with Hals letters
saw on the road
[Ben?] Huffman
mostly cloudy rained
a little this evening.
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Anne Madison Ambler Willis]
Tuesday October 28, 1862
Slept later than usual & found that
Margaret had made my fire when I woke.
did not feel very well, or in a happy
frame of mind–so concluded to ride
to Repton with Beale to get my shoes but
the horse was such a miserable one that
I feel rather worse for my ride pd
4.50 for shoes;
Late in the evening we were all astonished
to see a body of infantry passing the
road by Mrs Lukes[?] Pa thought they were
going to camp in his woods but they
went on beyond–Stragglers poured into
the yard immediately but Ma has fed
so many that pa says he can not
afford it any longer so she is obliged
to turn them away=It is strange how
one becomes accustomed to human suffering–
two months ago he would not turn a soldier
off & since we have see so many & know
they often deceive us we can do it easily
—Felt impatient many times to day,
did not ask God aright for his
assistance this morning–Oh: god
be merciful unto me & give me ore
of the spirit of thy grace.
The camp fires looked beautifully from the
porch on top of the house.
[partially transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]
MSS 15406
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Tuesday 28th We had a frost last night & it is extremely cold this morning – Katie
brought me 4 letters from the Mail. One from Mr Parker enclosing a check for
$300 borrowed money-One from Fan Bradley-One from Liz, & one from Tom–
the latter is still near Winchester & merely wrote to say he was well & might
be there 2 weeks longer–to beg us to send Noah on- & to send me his signature
to draw his dividend -& to request a few more clothes sent to him. From
Liz I am sure to hear that Noah dislikes returning–& has taken a
job of work to do that he cant leave before he finishes it–Even should
he consent to return. Liz says Eliza & Mr. Mason are enjoying them
selves together & Captain Mason spoke of leaving the day after she
wrote the 25th for Columbus Georgia–But she thought her mother
intended to persuade him to remain longer–Young Mr Guth
-rie has just left for GordonsVille where his Regiment is now
Camped–He is a fine young man–& not entirely recovered-so
it made us all feel bad to see him go off–Mr Perkins letter contained a
check of $300 on the Raleigh Bank–Money he has loaned me-
Tuesday-No mail & many reports about Black water being taken by the
Yankees to try & get Weldon–the weather still cold & the fever decrea
sing in Wilmington–
MSS 6960
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Oct 28 Fine weather still–a very
quiet day not a rumor afloat
I somehow or other have a feeling
that the war is drawing to a close
it would be hard to say what this
opinion is based on. Recognition
cannot be much longer delayed
and negotiation will settle the
matter, as the yankees are compel-
led to resort it–called to see Mrs
Garland, with the notices I had
printed in memory of her son. Saw
Hugh Garland who has come in
on sick ticket & who looks very
badly. He is now L. Col. of 1st Missouri
in Pierces Column. At night
two young gentlemen of Norfolk
named Todd called to see me. I
knew one in Norfolk, & both were
well acquainted with Lewis. Eugene
came in the train from Charlottes
ville. He is not much improved
Staige thinks it would be very
improvident to join the army now
but he thinks of going next week
all well at the University. The girls
are still there–to go down Thursday
to Englewood.
MSS 4763
Camp near Winchester
Thursday morning, Oct. 28, 1862
How did you spend last Sabbath, Ella dear? Was
your mind again filled with anxious apprehensions about
our soldiers in their exposure to the inclement weather,
and did you “friend” call forth more than an equal
share of solicitude? The day was wet, cold and cheer-
less in camp; but I believer that I would have shivered
here through it all, if I had not remembered my
promise to take good care of myself for your sake.
So with our surgeons, I went off to my bro. Bart-
lett’s, and there I spent a comfortable day and
night, once more enjoying table, bed and the
shelter of a roof. If such beneficent influence is
exercised our me by my betrothed, how complete will
be the control of my bride, and how much I will owe to
her watchful, tender love! Yesterday was cold &
blustery; but at dusk the wind lulled, and
the new moon and the stars of the cloudless sky
and the hundred fires that burnt cheerfully in all
the woods around were a glorious spectacle. Perhaps
the sublimity of the heavens and the picturesqueness
of the landscape were enhanced in my eyes by the
[page 2]
charming letter of the 20th I had just received from my beloved
(I do not hesitate to call you according to my feelings,
and I will venture to suggest that another word
than “ahem!” following the significant pronoun “my“-only it isn’t a pronoun–would sound more sweetly
from you lips, and read more sweetly from you pen,
my lovely and beloved Ella.) Your letter is full of
precious hints, if not of other expressions of devoted
affection. It is a heresy in you, however, to think
the love of our sex towards yours to be in the inverse
ratio of the declaration of love on you part. Be-
sides, your love to me is so “calm and reasonable”
that I wonder you should feel any reserve or delicacy
in telling it frankly: if it were more “impetuous,” the
case might be different.
I am sitting on a
rail, just having quit our sofa because too far
from the fire. And verily, the pungent smoke threat
ens to drive me from my new position. I had scarcely
taken out pen, ink and paper before the order came
to be ready for moving in a moment’s warning, but
I am resolved to put off preparation to the last mo-
ment that I may write to my darling—-she will be
[page 3]
so disappointed a week hence, if I do not write!
You will wish to know what is the stir, and whither
we are bound; but we quietly bundle up, asking no
questions and forming no conjectures. I don’t think
there is any fighting on hand to-day. McClellan
is reported to have left Harper’s Ferry several days
ago. Until your letter came last evening, I
had been making my plans under the mistake
that Danville was the county seat of Pittsylvania,
How far the Court House is from Spring Grove, and
in what direction I know not. I expect to be in
Danville Thursday evening, Nov. 13, and at the
Grove Friday by the stage, unless my journey should
be hindered in some unexpected way. If we move
nearer the rail-roads, I may be there a day earlier.
I will expect, therefore, to go from Captain Estes’ to
the Court House in company with some friend of yours
after that important writ, the license. I repeat my
request that you will send me a letter to the care of A.
G. Brown, Richmond, so as to reach there about Mon-
day the 10th.–The day I will leave camp. I write
with certainty of my going, for though I have not had
time to hear from my furlough, I entertain no doubt that
[page 4]
it will be granted. You again refer to your plan
of teaching; but you have learned before this time
that I “advise” against it, and if I dared be so bold,
would refuse “consent.” You must employ yourself
next year in writing to me, my darling. I am de-
lighted that you leave to my “superior judgment” the
decision of our nuptial day. In submission to
the Providence of God, I appoint it as early as
possible, and may He grant of his mercy that we
may ever have reason to remember it with grateful
joy. You retire to your room to read again and
again my letters: I stray far off, and lie down
in the sun as it shines on some field to take
out all your letters, and go over and over them
dwelling with special delight on every word of
love.–Poor Mr. Ware! I do fervently commend him
to God, and pray that he may be speedily restored to
health. I do not feel painfully anxious about you health,
my own Ella; but I do beseech our Father that the
scourge may be kept from the dear girl for whose love I
daily thank him, and from all the house in which she
abides. If I have an opportunity to write this evening or early
to-morrow, I will inform you further concerning our marching or
-ders, With all my heart, Yours, J.C. Granberry.
John Cowper Granberry, 1829-1907, formerly a chaplain at the University of Virginia and later a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
MSS 4942
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F. 25th Massachusetts]
Monday
Oct 27
Cleared off very cold during the night. We
were put through double quick and bayonet
exercise. Wrote a letter to Hen Russell after drill. This
afternoon read and talked with John Simonds.
There was a small mail came in today
but I got nothing. Read this evening in the Boston
Journal and Cultivator. Three new regiments came
in today.
MSS 11293
[fromthe diary of John Ward of the 102 Pennsylvania]
Oct 27th
left Camp at
Mill Stone Point
at 9 A.M. and
march to Willimport
a distons of 20 miles
and Reued [reached] Camp
at 4 P.M. then saw
the Rebles Pickets
on the other side
of the river at
Williamport on the 26th
and Whe in Camp
2 miles from
Williamport to Night
With the hauld
Divishon
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12913
Bunker hill Va
Oct 27, 1862. Monday
My dear Jennie
I have not heard from you
since I left home and am very
uneasy about Lizzie but I am
confident of receiving a letter to
day. We are having very bad cold
weather but my health continues
very good indeed. I have as yet
no regular quarters. I sleep in
Capt Yanceys tent & have my of-
fice in Capt Byrds, both are
good Sibley tents & have stoves
which enables us to keep quite
comfortable. I am in command
of the Brigade composed of 5 reg-
iments with about 2000 men
So far I get along without any
dificulty [sic] & dont anticipate any
[page 2]
I dont expect to start my wagon
back for four or five days yet
I am expecting to be able to get
a sack of salt of 4 bushells [sic] for
$30 if so, when it comes to hand
I advise you to try & sell a bushell [sic]
at the same you pay Mr Shacklett.
The tallow I have to buy or it
comes from the beef & have it
rendrd in camp. as to clothing
I find it impossible to get a
thing nor will I be able to draw
socks or any clothing of any
sort. I have 15 very pretty brass
buttons to put on Jims clothes
& 2 pieces of gumelastic to make
him a pair of garters which I
will send up with the other
things.
We have no news in camp
of any prospect of a fight. I
[page 3]
dont think McCleland is disposed
to advance & I am certain we
will not. The pickets between the
two armies are very familliar [sic]
indeed. Col Harmon of our caval-
ry had last week a conversation
with a Yankey Major, (both being
on picket) in which the Major
complained very bitterly of McCle
lands recent order forbidding his
army to discuss political questions
The Major admited [sic] that his govern
ment was the most tyranical [sic] on
earth and declared that he was
not only tired but d__d tired
of the war & that such was the
opinion of every man in their
army and said that if left to
them they would make peace
at once. He asked Col Harmon
what we all thought of the North-
ern election, to which Harmon
[page 4]
replied that we did not think
it made very much difference
which party succeeded since they
seemed only to differ in the
manner of carrying on the war
both being in favor of carrying
it on to conquer a peace. The
Major swore it was not so, that
the democrats were for peace
and if they get the power
would make peace right away.
This I say occured [sic] on picket
between the two commanding of-
ficers. it was interesting to me
& I send it to you as I received
it thinking it may interest you.
I am fully persuaded that
we cannot remain here very
much longer on account of the
great scarcity of forage for
horses. our next stoping [sic] place
will probably be near Winchester
[page 5]
we will eat out every thing in
that vicinity & then fall back
again eating out as we go &
thus leave the Yankeys no induce-
ment to follow us up. I am sat-
isfied that between here & Strasburg
there is a sufficient quantity of for-
age to last us until next spring, be-
fore which time I devoutly pray
that peace may be restored.
Capt Coffman is now at home &
will return the last of this week
or first of next. I wish you would
get him to bring me my boots &
if you can get it send me 6 or 8
lbs of butter, provided he can carry
it with him.
I would advise you to kill
your four hogs just as soon
as you can after the 1st of Nov-
ember, they are eating a great deal
of corn & you will need it for the
pigs
[page 6]
And I think the corn should be
shucked out & the fodder put away
as soon as possible. I saw Peter
Grady who owes me & he promised
me to haul wood & rails to pay
it off with, but you cant rely
on him. if he brings it, well and
good, but if not, why it dont
matter as you will continue to
get wood of Liggett as fast as
you can get in.
I am getting along very well with
old man Rutherford he attends to
every thing very well indeed. Dr
Moffatt has been assigned to the 10th
& Dr Campbell is chief surgeon of the
Artilery [sic] & has his quarters with us
Dr Taylor has been assigned to his
old cavalry regiment. as yet we
have no one in his place. I hope we
will get a good one in his place
[page 7]
I forgot to get a couple of pillow
cases, if you have any to spare send
them by Capt Coffman.
Tell my dear little daughter that
I will be looking for a letter from
her every day until she answers my
letter to her. She must make haste
and get right well & then Mama
must take very good care of her
& keep her well until Papa comes
to see her.
I have concluded to send this by
some men who are going up to day
I think you will get it sooner
than if sent by the mail.
Write to me my darling as often
as you possibly can
I am most affectionately
E.T.HWarren
“My dear Jennie”, salutation – Warren’s wife Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren.
“Lizzie”, line 3 –
“dear little daughter”, page 7, line 4 – Both referred to Warren’s oldest daughter, seven year old Lizzie.
“Capt Yancey”, line 9 – William B. Yancey, Captain, Company E, 10th VA Infantry.
“Capt Byrd”, line 10 – Abraham S. Byrd, Captain, Regimental Quartermaster, 10th VA Infantry. This position with a regiment was officially designated Assistant Quartermaster.
“Sibley tent”, line 11 – This style tent was patented by Henry H. Sibley in the late 1850’s while he was a US Army officer; he later became a Confederate general. This tent was conical shaped (very similar to a Plains Indian dwelling) and was some twelve feet tall and eighteen feet in diameter.
“the Brigade”, line 14 – Taliaferro’s Brigade consisted of the 47th and 48th Alabama Infantry regiments, and the 10th, 23rd, and 37th VA Infantry regiments.
“Mr Shacklett”, page 2, line 7 – This almost certainly referred to Samuel Shacklett, a very successful Harrisonburg merchant.
“rendrd”, page 2, line 10 – rendered.
“Jim”, page 2, line 15 – Warren’s six year old son James M.
“McCleland”, page 3, line 1, lines 9 & 10 – George B. McClellan, Union general, commanded the Army of the Potomac.
“Col Harmon”, page 3, line 5, 20 –
“Harmon”, page 3, line 22 – All referred to Asher W. Harman, Colonel, 12th VA Cavalry.
“Capt Coffman”, page 5, line 11; page 7, line 3 – Isaac G. Coffman, Captain, Company B, 10th VA Infantry.
“Peter Grady”, page 6, lines 3 & 4 – This was most certainly the Peter Grady listed in the 1860 Rockingham County Census as a 52 year old farmer with a total worth of $1,250.
“old man Rutherford”, page 6, line 13 – Archibald S. Rutherford, Colonel’s Orderly, 10th VA Infantry. He enlisted 10 April 1862 in Company C2, 10th VA Infantry, as a substitute. He was one of only two men who served in the regiment who were born outside the 1800’s; he was born c.1797. On 24 April, Colonel Gibbons, then commander of the 10th VA, detailed Rutherford as a forager; he never returned to duty with his company.
“Dr Moffatt”, page 6, line 15 – Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry. He served with the regiment from May 1861 until being sent home sick in April 1862.
“Dr Campbell”, page 6, line 16 – Joseph L. Campbell, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry. This assignment to the artillery proved to be of short duration as various surviving military records show he was back with the 10th VA Infantry in November and December.
“Dr Taylor”, page 6, line 18 – Thomas L. Taylor, Assistant Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry. He served with the regiment since 20 January 1862. The 9th VA Cavalry was his old regiment.
“I have concluded to send this . . . if sent by mail.”, page 7, lines 12-15 – It was more common for Confederate soldiers to send their letters in the hands of other soldiers who they knew where heading towards their homes than to place the letters into the official mail. As Warren noted, personal delivery was faster, and as it turned out, was more reliable. Comrades were more likely to ensure delivery than postal workers.
“E.T.HWarren”, page 7, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.
[transcript and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g
Bunker hill Oct 27” 1862
My dear Jennie
I have just received your first
letter writen [sic] on the 23d & mailed the
24” and although I have just sent
off a letter by a man going to the
county I will commence another
to be finished as I have time &
opportunity, which will enable
me to finish it in a day or
two. The fact that Lizzie is no
worse I take as very favorable in
her case, and I am almost sat
isfied by your decliration [sic] that
she is not much better, for being
just a little better is a great
thing. I hope the next letter from
you will say she is very decided
ly better. I am sorry Edward did
not succeed in getting anything
[page 2]
for you and the children as I am very
confident I will be unable to do any-
thing for you here so far I have failed
entirely in wearing apparel, probably
towards XMass I may get socks &c
Our men are very badly clothed
Indeed, are raged dirty & full of lice
I speak of the entire army. and
the supply of clothing very meager
not more than ½ doz pair of socks
being sent to a regiment for dis-
tribution at one time, but what
we do receive is very good.
Our camp is in what was a skirt of
woods in front of old Capt Boyds near
Bunker hill. we have good water but
short rations & only one or two tents
to a man company the cold weather
is very hard on the men, but up
to the time of my return, before the
rain their health was very good
[page 3]
Wonesday 2 ½ Oclock P.M., Camp
Fulkerson. Yesterday morning at
6 in the morning we recd orders
to be prepared to march at 8 ½ o-
clock, at which time we started &
marched 20 miles to this camp, a
very beautiful woods near Berry-
ville 15 miles from Winchester. We
are now at work as if we in-
tended to remain here for some
time but may march at any
moment. I am however satisfied
that if a fight takes place within
a month it will not be of Genl
Lees seeking but must be caused
by offensive movements of the enimy [sic].
our present position is almost due
east from Winchester. This move
will deprive me, I fear, of the
sack of salt I expected to get. I
must now try & get the tallow
ready & start the wagon back
[page 4]
I am still commanding the
brigade but am looking for
the return of Col Taliaferro every
day. I take it very quietly
have all the work done by staff
officers & satisfy myself with
mainly seeing it done. I dont
know exactly where Neds regiment
is. I think it is in Loudon Co
if so he can visit me as he
returns but if with the rest
of the Longstreets command he
will not get to see me without
going out of his way. The mail
came in to day without a letter
from you. How are you
getting along & how is my
darling little daughter are
questions I find myself constantly
asking myself. I will send this
tomorrow & certainly will
expect one from you.
“My dear Jennie”, salutation – Warren’s wife Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren.
“Lizzie, line 9 – Warren’s oldest daughter seven year old Lizzie.
“Edward”, line 17 – Jennie’s brother Edward J. Magruder, Major, 8th GA Infantry.
“Wonesday”, page 3, line 1 – Unusual variation of spelling Wednesday. No indications exist to explain why Warren would have used this spelling. The date was in fact Wednesday, 29 October.
“Camp Fulkerson”, page 3, lines 1 & 2 – This camp was named in honor of Samuel V. Fulkerson, Colonel, 37th VA Infantry. He was mortally wounded in action 27 June 1862 commanding the brigade at Gaines’ Mill. At that time the brigade consisted of the 10th, 23rd, and 37th VA Infantry regiments, along with Wooding’s Danville (VA) Artillery Battery.
“the brigade”, page 4, line 2 – Taliaferro’s Brigade consisted of the 47th and 48th Alabama Infantry regiments, and the 10th, 23rd, and 37th VA Infantry regiments.
“Col Taliaferro”, page 4, line 3 – Alexander G. Taliaferro, Colonel, 23rd VA Infantry.
“Longstreet”, page 4, line 12 – James Longstreet, Confederate general, commanded the 1st Corps (Right Wing), Army of Northern Virginia.
“darling little daughter”, page 4, line 18 – Warren could have referred to either his oldest daughter, seven year old Lizzie, or his youngest daughter, eight month old Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Warren. However, it is likely he referred to Lizzie as she was sick at the time.
[transcript and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g
