[from the signal message book of Lt. Thomas Seabury, 3rd New York Infantry]
Feb. 3d
to Col. Wardrop
A number of your men are in town drunk, You
will allow none to come to town on any pretence
whatever.
(Signed) Genl. Viele
MSS 10781
[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]
Tuesday, February 3rd – A bright day but intensely cold. Cousin John and Maria here
in the morning. In the evening Cousin William Whiting sent over a letter from Fez.
He started for Galveston on the 27th to take position as surgeon on board the Harriet
Jane. I am afraid she will be blown up before he gets there. It is the same boat
on which Mr. Wainwright met his death. Mr. Burton wrote a battle was reported at
Fredericksburg on the 27th but we can hear nothing of it.
MSS 9759
[from the diary of George W.Dabney, clerk of Campbell County]
Tuesday 3d
another snow about 2 in – thawd &
bitter cold wind p.m. – night intensely
cold – wrote Pa about beef to Clement-
patients improving – getting stakes
for fence – gaskets &c – Wm [?]
to post letter & didn’t return at night
uneasy ’bout here
MSS 3315
[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenzer Boyden, rector of Walker’s Church (later Christ Episcopal), Cismont, Va.]
Tuesday 3rd Maria no better – We cannot get
her to eat a mouthful – There appears, however
no disease – nothing but weakness & langor[sic].
MSS 4288
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Tuesday 3d When we awaked this morning to our great astonishment we found
that it had been snowing all night – & the ground in some places also covered
to the depth of 4 feet – Anica is snow bound she cant return to her mis
-tress – I received a letter from Lize to day – She is worried at not hearing
from me – When I have written her twice – & Captn Mason once – &
forwarded him two letters – She is still pleased with her boarding house
says Mr & Mrs Koskingy are as kind to Mr Mason & herself as tho’ they
were their children – That the Captn has hired a Piano for her &
she has had several visitors – Dined out one day at Mrs Hargraves
& rode in to town to shop with Mrs Koskingy – But found nothing
to buy – She sent me two very sweetly written letters to read which
she had received from Captn Mason’s mother & sister welcoming her
very affectionately to their family – I will copy the old lady’s
Jany 16th 1863 Richmond
Yesterday’s mail brought me a letter from my beloved Son, dated on the 11th inst
which informed me that on the following day he was to be a happy mar
-ried man, & would give me another daughter wh. I could love & cherish
as one of my own. Trusting that his anticipations have been realized
& that he & his Wife have safely arrived at Columbus – I hasten
to send you My Dear Eliza my cordial, & affectionate salutations, &
to welcome you to our family circle with the assurance that you
will find yourself adopted mother & your new brothers & sisters fully
prepared to contribute to your happiness by every kindness & every re
-gard for your wishes which their appreciation of you & their affection
for my Son can possibly dictate. I sincerely regret that we have been
compelled to postpone the gratification which a visit from you would
have afforded us had circumstances permitted your husband to bring
you to Richmond. But I earnestly hope that ere long I may have
the opportunity of cementing by personal intercourse the tie
which has made me your affectionate mother
E M Mason
MSS 6960
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. f., 25th Massachusetts]
Monday
Feb 2
Rained this forenoon but cleared off
about eleven and is now clear and
cold. Read some this forenoon and ate some of
Halls walnuts and played gammon. this af-
ternoon washed my clothes. This evening com-
menced a letter home. Morton got his discharge
papers to-day. Southie went home this morning
Talked with Luther Clark on religion some to-day.
MSS 11293
[written on a U.S. Military Telegraph form]
camp near franklin
Delia feb the 2 1863
Dear frend I take my pen
in hand to write you a few lines
to let you no that you I am well
hoping these few lines may finde you
all well I recived your letter of the
18 and was glad to here that you
was all well I was glad to here
that you got a letter from E L J
[paper torn in two obliterating most of next line]
was sorry to that here that
he was porley I got one letter
from him since I ben here I rote
him on the 24 Jan I donte like
to stay here at tall we had a
battle and we larst our colnel
poge peet [burnard?] had his foot
shot but the docter sed his
foot wold have to be cut off
but I hope it will not haveto
be done I wasnt in the battle
I was in camp wyth the bagge
I want to come home verry but
I dont no when I can I want to see
[page 2]
fedruary the 3 1862
I will tell you about the wether
it is raining here this morning
fast and cold I thought of the
woman folks thies morning what
hard times that see sutch wether
as this I herd this morning that
peet Daven[?] foot was cut foo[sic]
the 2 I herd no news to rite
theis time I will close by say
ing Excusing my bad writing
and spelling your frend un
till death
H A H to
D B Jessup
[in margins around page one]
To yancy and persilluh [?] but yancey you must plant a
heap of potatos I think [?] and
we will be at home by that time this is my own hand rite
and it is the first letter I
Ever rote
Colonel Thomas Poague, 50th Virginia, was killed in action at Kelly’s Ford, January 30, 1863
Henry A. Hefflefinger, Co. K, 50th Virginia to Delilah P. Jessup
MSS 13257
Richmond Feby 2nd 1863
Dear Sir [Edmund Ruffin]
Your letter dated Jany 22nd post marked 24th was
received on the 29th with your check for $300 attached, with the
request that I would invest it for you in Confederate States
8 pr cent loan. This you will perceive by the date of the scrip
(which I now enclose) was effected on the 30th and bears interest
from that date inclusive. The morning papers are filled with
the most encouraging news. The opening of the port of Charleston
is the most brilliant achievement of the war, and in its
far reaching consequences cannot be easily calculated. It is a
matter of congratulation that this signal success has been
reserved for South Carolina, as the supreme hatred with which
she is regarded by the Yankees will give point and poignancy
to the humiliation and shame which he has inflicted upon
them. Can it be that England & France will be so pusillan
imous as not to inforce[sic] the advantages which ensure to them
under the just interpretation of the law of nations by the
raising of the blockade? We shall soon see.
Yours, very truly
Chs [Z.?] Williams
MSS 3026
U.S. Steamer “Currituck”
Indian Creek Va
February 2d 1863
Sir,
Will you please inform me if I am
to destroy the SawMill & Lumber at Dividing
Creek. You informed me you required some
of the Lumber, and I do not wish to
destroy it until I hear further from you.
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servant
T. J. Linnekin
acting Master Comdg
E.R. McCrea Esqr
Lieut Comdr & Adjutant
“Potomac Flotilla”
MSS 15134
[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C., 62nd Regiment Ohio volunteers]
Monday 2
At anchor – numbers of steamers
increased to 25 on guard—
Very pleasant night cool
MSS 38-129
