Tuesday Eve    Oct 7th [1862]
                                                           Camp Chase
Dear Brother Geo
                             I haven’t any
thing to do to night so I will
just write a few words home,
        Whenever I have a few minutes
to myself I always feel just
like writing home, even if I
don’t have any thing to say – you
haven’t answered my other letter
yet – now I shall remember it

and after this you will have
to answer my letters before I
shall write again – I suppose
you go to school every day except
Saturday & Sunday – & Saturday you ride
with Harwood I suppose as usual
How many scholars has Father
got this term any one that
I know and used to go to
school with?  I want to have
you write and tell me all
the news – How does Colt
get along   does he keep the
store open now – I had a
letter from Campbell last
week and he says that he

is going West in a week or two – tell him that I will
write him soon – but this is
my last sheet of paper a[nd]
I haven’t got the where withal
to get any more with – I wish
you would please tell Father
that I wish he would send
me a few dollars for I am all
out        I have had my knapsack
fixed over and got me a pair
of leggens and haversack and
besides there are many things
that we have to get and I
have paid for my washing for
all but the small articles
that I can wash myself as
well as not – Tell Helen that
I shall write her soon – two
pair of mittens will be enough
and I will let her know what
other things I want –
        I send an apple blossom
that I picked this afternoon
from a tree just in front of
my tent but there was only
a few on it  shan’t have a 2nd
crop I guess –
                    I also send a Plan
of Fort Runyan that we guard
you may not understand it but
it is plain enough to me
     I shall expect some letters
    this week   shall have one from

[The rest of this letter is written in the top margin on page one.]
Elbe I guess tomorrow
     We are all well an
happy – patiently waiting
for war news & movements
     Aaron has got another
box on the way.
     Must stop now
with love to all I
remain Your brother
                 Jim

James Howard, 15th Connecticut

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]

Tuesday, Oct 7, 1862

Were in anxious
expectancy all night
but how often are
our fondest hopes
dashed there is truth in the
adage “There’s many a
slip twist the cup & the
lips” This morning Burnside
and all the Divisions
around us left went
in the direction of Harpers
Ferry.  The mustering officers
disclaimed all authority
to muster us out
we went to Gen Crook
he gave us no satisfaction
Capt McIlrath sent request
to be appointed mustering out
officer did not  pass Scammon

Scammon will help us at
our next camp
We are to leave this Camp
in the morning destination
unknown Parade Clear

MSS 10317

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

                     
Tues 7.  Fine – warm – slept warm last night tho. a cold night,
held Com. meetg. also entered on duties as Post Master.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

     Oct. 7, ’62.
Clear & will be
very hot. Feet
very painful.
Started between
11 & 12 o’clock M., –
marched all day,
& all night.
No water to be ob-
tained.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Jacques birthday–One year old to-
day–What a change in one year–
poor little fellow, I hope the end of
his days may be more peaceful than
the beginning, though he knows it not–
his little face is as merry & sweet as if
there was no war.  Every body loves him.
Pa is devoted to him. Cares for & feeds
him as if he was his own child.  keeps
the nicest fruit for him & looks at him
whilst he is eating it as if it did him good
all over to see such perfect enjoyments–
Poor Pa, How I wish that he was a Christian.
Can it be possible that such a good honest
upright kind charitable man as he will
die -& not know God or believe in Christ
Oh let us all pray that his eyes may be
opened & that he may see.
F[annie] & I rode into Town with Pa, went to see
poor cousin Betty Botts. My heart bleeds
for her–She seems to be calm, but cousin
Fannie says that at times she is
overwhelmed–four fatherless boys-I
hope they may each be a blessing to her.
Dined at Tom Ramsons–got home late.

MSS 15406

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

Tuesday 7th  Liz & I paid visits all the forenoon Went to see Mrs Ned
Davis-Mrs Elliot–& Mrs Tyler–The latter pressed us very much
to stay & dine but we prefered returning home–It has been very
warm to day–No letters or papers–Mr Hilliard has left
us again–The fever still raging in Wilmington–He has gone
to his Regiment at Smithville–Mrs Johnston & the Captain has returned-
Liz spent the evening with her friend Mrs Sam Phillip, & Mattie & Susie
also took tea out–Mr & Mrs Preston have returned.

MSS 6960

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Tuesday 7.  There was no news from any
quarter to day.  no telegram of
any kind.  In conversation with

Meem found he thought an increase
of salary was necessary & just and
he said he would bring it before the
Board Saturday–Letter from Dr. Davis
he disapproves of  Willeys going in
the party tomorrow but sends money
nevertheless.  Willey on hearing his
letter read determined not to go

MSS 4763

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

Suncay
Oct 5
Went up to the surgeons this morning and
he gave me a couple of powders to take.
Lay on my bunk most of the time Read
the Soldiers child through.  Packed part of my things
ready to go on picket this morning.

MSS 11293

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

Monday
October 6
Got up early this morning and ate my
breakfast.  Went up to the surgeons, took
a dose of oil picked up my things and started
for picket.  The Lieutenant had me get on the
team and ride.  We went out about four miles
and took Co. A’s place.  Have been fixing up the
tent most of the day.  Have felt much better
than yesterday.  Thank God who has granted
me so many favors.

MSS 11293

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

(Oct 6th)  I did not feel as well this morning as did

yesterday, took my pill last night; did not sleep well tho;
mosquitoes annoyed me.  Took my pill this morning.
Rather cold ce matin.  Miss Lizzie & James rode

over to Wheatland with the letters.  Found on get-
-ting there the Yankees were 2 miles off at  Hillsborough.
Miss Lizzie brought me from there the life of Wirt to read.
Was told last evening a good story (true) of an old gentleman
of 80 odd years, going to a neighbors wife who had a fine set
of daughters, asking her very earnestly to recommend
him a wife, etc.  Miss Annie Braden sent me over this morn-
-ing a basket of ripe tomatoes, of which am very fond, and
knowing this the ladies supply me at each meal, fixing
then up in all kinds of styles, surpassing not only the mod-
-erns, but the ancients, in all their arts of cooking.  Am fur-
-nished with valuable, practical lessons in the culinary
science every day, by my kind nurses.  Mr & Mrs Miller
were up to see me this evening, they brought me over some
beautiful grapes & very fine peaches.  Mrs Miller is very
fine looking old lady, putting one in mind of the English
Dames.  Sent James to Waterford, returned with
my pants he left to be altered.  Mr Braden has been
off all day looking for Mr Pussey’s horse the troops have ta-
-ken off.  He tells me he was informed by two, that Price
& Rosencranz had fought.  Price capturing 4 or 5,000.

also that Peace commissioners are in Washington.
Got paper this evening of the 4th inst (Baltimore) & my head
has ached terribly.  Spent a pleasant evening in conversation
with Miss Lizzie.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150