[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Peasonton]

           Hd. Qs. Cavalry Division
    Mouth of Monocacy Oct 12. 8.30 a.m.
To General R. B. Marcy
        Chief of Staff–
Have crossed the Monocacy at its
mouth–Hear nothing of the rebels–
Have sent out scouts in the
direction of Barnsville, Poolesville
& at the lower fords–
My command is pretty well
used up having marched over
seventy miles in the last twenty-
four hours–If Stewart takes
the back track shall not be able
to follow him–but will do all
I can–The 6th Cavalry has
not reported to me–
                   Very respectfully
                      A. Pleasonton
                       Brig. General
                            Comdg &c

MSS 495

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

Saturday
Oct 11
Felt pretty well this morning and
tried to write a letter to Mary, but it made
my head dizzy so I stopped and wrote a short
one home this afternoon  Finally left the tent and went
into the cook house.  Mike Thompson took his place and
Luther Howe took Mikes place.  Mike is a real good
fellow and tries to do all he can for me as I am sick

MSS 11293

        OctoSeptember 11th 1862

Dear master

     I have been expecting a letter
from you for nearly three months,
but have received non.  I do not
know whether you are sick or away
from home if you have been sick
I hope that you may be well
by the time this reaches you,
and that we may soon hear from you.
the health of the people is a great
deal better than it has been.
we have one man sick at present
but he is not dangerously sick.
there are three of the children sick
at New Hope. the old people
are all well. they lost a young
child down there two weeks ago.
Mr Powell mentioned in this last letter
to you the death of Jesse Dabney- and
Quallys daughter Lucy.  We received
a letter from Mr Dowell a few days
ago. he expects to be here the 21st inst
him and his family were well

[page 2]
we have heard from Smith Powell
very lately he was well and wants
to come and see us very bad but he
cannot get off from the Army.
Mr Joe Barden has been very sick since
he got home but he is well again.
I do not know when he will return
to virginia his wife has been very
sick also-but she is much better
I saw Capt Cocke yesterday him and
his family were well
mrs Averys family is well.
We have a very good Turnip patch
comeing on in the garden.
I do not think that our Potatoes
will be as fine as they were last
year.  my mother is with me at this
time and desires to be remembered
to you. I fear she will never get over
the death of Sister Mary.  She will
leave here the 12th inst for Columbus.
I am doing all in my power to
provide winter clothes for the people.
Sister Martha has a very fine child
three weeks old.  nothing more from you Sevt
                              Lucy Skipwith

MSS 640

                                  Charlottesville
                                Oct 11th 1862
My dear Henry
                                  I arrived safely home
Saturday–my general health is improved
but my arm & leg is ever worse–I have
been advised by Dr. Doaghe, Waddell &c
to try the use of the Battry[?] & Strichine[?]
but yr Pa feels timid about it, and
so I have made no experiments–I
have lost all hopes of ever being able
to use my and & leg, but yet am
willing to try any & all remedies for the
prospect ahead, if my Life is spared, is
a gloomy one–I feel so disturbed
at the idea of being a burden all
my days–whilst yr dear Father lives
Life to me is tolerable even situated
as I am -Yet when the idea crosses
my mind, that I may possibly
outlive him–dark & gloomy are my
forebodings–his Love & affection in=
creases with my infirmities–his patience
& kind attentions knows no bounds–on his
account do I feel most sensibly my mis-
fortune–and at this time most especially

[page 2]
when his mind is so harassed and torn
asunder by the direful situation of
our country–clouds & darkness are
thickening on every side–we can see
no cheering light ahead–our state
is covered with blood the dead & wounded
lie all around turn which ever way
you may nothing meets your eye, but
naked, maimed & bleeding soldiers in
rags & want–yes suffering for the very
necessaries of Life–I have seen with
my own eyes sights that ought to melt
hearts of stone–thousands coming up
from Winchester & lying on the McAdimised
road-worn out soul  & body–some weeping
bitterly, others just ready to die for a cup
of milk or slice of bread–500 ambu
lances came in one day whilst I was
at Mr Crawfords with those so badly wounded
they could not walk–hundreds had
their wounds dressed in the streets by the
negroes, & women–even the Crawford
girls & Mittie took a part in trying to
cleanse some of their wounds from the dust
flies  & dirt which had accumulated on
their 3 days journey up–lately  we have
had several letters from [?] & G M
Winchester is being evacuated by our
armies as provisions have run out, &
the suffering for food & forage is immense
one half are moving towards Gordonsville

[page 3]
& the other towards Augusta County–all
they get to eat has to be carried by wagons
so you may guess how scarce things
are–and the prices are beyond belief
butter in Staunton last week was selling
for 80 cts Bacon 50- lard 50- Honey 75
sugar $100–Coffee $2–& no corn meal
what think you of that? Our Bacon is
out & we now have to give the negroes beef
at 1 [$ per lb?] our expenses are enormous-
our family is large – John M is here
and anxious for a consummation of his
affections–which I wrote to you about
& asked yr advice, as to whether it
would be best for the matter to come
to a speedy close or wait until a
more propitious time–you have not
giving me yr [?]–I dread giving up
Va–so much it will be a great trial
to me–she has been a wonderful
comfort to me since my sickness-
in deed you all have shown me a
degree of Love & affection I had never
flattered myself with having therefore
I feel overwhelmed with love & gratitude
not only to you all, but to God who
has put such virtues into yr hearts-
he will reward you all for it in his
own good time–do write me and
if you could get the Linen & gloves &
what is the price of those articles

[page 4]
Many deaths from S Fever have occurred
here–Mr Halback Gentry of the Firm of
Wertenbaker & Co died this morning–
Yellow Jaundice is very prevalent–Nannie
& Howe stay very [?] at the Hospital
about 15 lads at the University–I
reckon the book stores are doing a fine
business & I am not sorry for any loss
the great secessionists may meet with–
Carroll has a good school–Mrs Carroll
is still with her relations in Bath and is
feasting so richly dont intend coming
home for a long time–We have just learned
that Dr Bledsoe had died suddenly yester
day in Richd  Cam Gatewood had a sever
sabre cut on his head–Jas M. Leitch Polk
Points[?] & Charly Wood have been released
as Prisoners & arrived yesterday–Henry Massie
had gone to Danville to see about Mrs Stanly
Mr Stanly died very suddenly with Paralysis
yesterday week–Letty Cocke is in exactly the
same state of health she was two years ago
if not worse–Sue & Frederick has come in to
live for good, and Ellen & Ann will soon
follow–Goddard is in Columbia in very
wretched health–several of sister Carrie’s
nephews were killed at Sharpsburgh
[3 illegible names]–do write
soon & believe me as ever yr devoted
                           Mother

Letter to Henry Cochran
MSS 9380

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler, of Letcher’s Artillery]

 (Oct. 11th).  Feel rather
better than did yesterday.  Rained slightly
during night & is cloudy, with high wind this morning.
Mrs. Peyton rec-d note from her husband from
Richmond this morning & expects to see him in
a few days.  My fate is rather different, having not
heard a word from home, or the army since
being here, and not the slightest prospect of
seeing anyone from there.  Jas. has gone to
Leesburg this morning for Mrs. P-.  Miss L- com-
-plimented me by reading my journal and fur-
-thermore honored me by speaking well of it.  Mr. Miller
sent me over some very nice grapes this afternoon.
A body of our Cavalry passed down the road to-
-wards Leesburg.  Some of these brought Mr Pusey
in here under arrest.  Mr Braden has not returned.
Has been cloudy all day.  Headaches more this eve-
-ning.  Miss L, Mrs P & Jeanette passed the evening
with me, the former sewing on my flannel & the
two latter knitting.  A most industrious set of
ladies.  Query! Why do they knit & Sew.-They knit for

the good of souls (soles) & sew (sow) that they may
reap the fruit of their labors. (Pardon me this time
I’ll try & do better next.)  Mrs Pusey brought over yester-
-day Baltimore paper.  Very little news of interest.  All
lies nearly.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

                        Richmond October 11th 1862

Dear Mary
                       I dined with Neph yesterday
and gave him a rid on his mare in the evening.
I wish I had as good a boarding house as
he has–I shall leave the one I am in  so soon
as I can find one near the Court & Stable–
One of the Powells is going to school, as a day schol
-ar at Mr. Christians–he is sent by Mr Lucken
and I suppose is a son of Col Humphrey—
      Neph & Hunt said they would  be in to day,
and wished to visit the Steamer Richmond,
but the bad weather will keep them housed
      I send you the key, if you can find it on
the bunch & your Uncle says you may find
the one for the shell box on the same bunch.
    Tell [Saint?] I have the mug, but it rains so hard
I can not go up to carry it–I got a passport
yesterday, for myself & Neph–Knowing you
would give me a warmer reception if I
carried him with me–but he was not very
anxious to go, & the weather I thought would
not be suitable, so I said but little to him
about it–Mr. Christian wishes you to look for
______ Syntax.  I can not remember the first name–
it is an old book, & he thinks you will find it

[page 2]
at Dewberry–it is to turn bad Latin into good
Mr. Christian is pleased with Neph & Mrs Chris-
tian told me to tell you to pay her a visit.
  A child died with scarlet fever in the house
opposite to Mrs Semple’s–Neph has just
step[p]ed in & sends a Mem.  I shall keep
him with me to day, as I think the weather
too bad for him to visit the ship, Y I
believe he likes to be at court—
    Neph sends love & kisses, & says he will
write you a long letter next week–
      I shall not send the Tea, Locks &c &c
up to day—
                           Yours Cal

Calendar St. George Noland, 1816-1879, formerly U.S. Navy, more recently commanding the battery on Mulberry Island Point defending the James.

MSS 6463
   

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasanton]

Hd. qrs. Cavalry Division
Mechanicstown, Oct 11. 10.30 P.M.
To General R. B. Marcy-
Chief of Staff
Have sent to Middleburg &
Taneytown to see if rebels have
passed these points–My battery
is in position should they
attempt to come thro’ here to
night I shall be ready–There
is no point unguarded by
scouts & if they do their duty
I shall be apprised in time
of their movements–
   Have heard nothing
yet from either Emmettsburg
or Gettysburg & all the roads
as far east as Westminster
are watched–
Very respectfully
A. Pleasanton
Brig General

MSS 495

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]

Hd. Qrs. Cavalry Division
October 11 4 a.m. 1862
To General R. B. Marcy
Chief of Staff–
General–
     Your dispatch of 10 P.M.
of last evening is rec’d–I cannot find
out where Mc Coys Ferry is, but presume
it is near Hancock–I shall there=
fore move towards Hagarstown &
make inquiries as I proceed–
My command is very
small from the fact of many  horses
being unshod & shoes could not be
had–The 8th Pennsylvania has
not yet been able to obtain horses
to replace the old ones of the Pen=
insula now used up–shall
however do the best I can with
under the circumstances–
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig: General
Com’dg Cav: Division

MSS 495

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Sat 11. for Washg.   slow, arrived about 3 P.M.
men slept in Barracks – Col. Adjt. & I reported to Gen
Casey – rec. us cordially    a member of Pres. Ch –
asked me to explain a verse in Jno. for his edification
very affable – Col & I spent night at Brown’s
Hotel.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]

     Oct. 11th, ’62.
Cloudy, windy &
cold. Overcoats
prove valuable this
morning. Battery mov-
ed up about 200 yds.,

& our Reg’t. placed in
position on the left,
& in a line with, to
suport it.
Our battery is said to be
one of the best in
the service. Did
good execution in
recent battle.
Feel quite unwell
this morning.
Country around &
before us most beau-
tiful; gently undu-
lating & well wooded.
Better water than in the
country over which

we have been passing
in the last 4 or 5 days.
Constant firing of
pickets; a fight prob-
ably imminent.
Remained in the same
position until about
twilight, when we
moved back to the
woods, – the place we
left in the morning.
All quiet during
the early part of
the night.

 [transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm