[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Thursday
Oct 2
Was very tired upon coming off guard
bur Phineas gave me a big sweet potato
which I ate and felt better. Pared a few potatoes for
dinner. Went out on battalion drill this afternoon
Fairbanks got his sentence to night.
MSS 11293
Camp near Winchester
Oct 2d 1862
Dear Bell
I have written you several times
since leaving Richmond, but have had no word
in reply. We have been here several days & the
probability is will remain some time longer, but
in the army everything is uncertain. We may
move in ah hour–My health has been perfect
I wrote a letter in Maryland, to be sent to
father, in which I gave full particulars
of his daughters,–How is clothing selling
for clothes
in Lynchburg? I am getting right hard up ^
& it costs a mint of money to buy anything
here by the way–how are you all off for
money I could send you some but since
I lost a hundred dollars near Richmond I
feel somewhat particular as to the mode
of transmitting it. I saw Ned Ashby in Win-
chester two days ago, he seemed well–
–How is Lizzie May & the children? I
often think of you all, this camp life
is a barbarous vagabond sort of an exist
tance, & I long for a return to the walks
of civil life, so do you, I know. give my
love to all. I will send you money when
I have a chance. if you do not need it
turn it over to Lizzie if she does–Write soon
Your affectionate
brother
W.B. Gregory
William B. Gregory, assistant surgeon in the 12 Alabama Volunteers and surgeon in the 2nd Georgia Volunteers to his sister Isabel.
MSS 4777
U/Va Oct 2d, 62
Dear General [John Hartwell Cocke]
Your grandson arrived safe yesterday and went
to work today–Few students have yet entered–but the prospect
is hopeful–especially if the impending battle should for us
prove a victory–God grant this–for the rights‘ sake.
My wife desires her acknowledgements for the grapes
and fruit–she will send Mrs Hoge her shares (with
your remembrances) this morning-Dr Hoge is at Synod
We sympathize with you deeply, in the death of your
Christian servant–There are few better men of any color
than was “Uncle Ned”-is faith was practical in producing
“works” of an honest and upright life–
Mrs McGuffey’s health continues to improve tho’ she
is just now suffering from a cold–she has made to “calls” on
the Lowes–at Dr Howards and to see Sue Maupin who is sick
[page 2]
Her next will probably be to see Mrs Cabell now returned
from Danville We have no news- –
My wife bids me say that she is trying to raise a
very beautiful heifer calf (of the cow you presented her) flecld
“flecked” in about equal parts mahogeny and white
The spots shew its Ayshire blood of which it is intitled
to one fourth–
The weather is exceedingly dry–and every
thing parched–in consequence–our pastures are dried
up and our tomatoes wilted and we shall have no field
peas or beans worth speaking of–but the corn tho short
looks pretty well–
We regret to hear of the indisposition of Dr Brent–but
hope and pray that he may soon be well–Our kindest regards
to him and Mrs Brent–and to Dr Cock and family–Mrs McG
desires her special respects to yourself. every yours–WHMcGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey, 1800-1873, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Virginia. Although a native of Pennsylvania and long time resident of Ohio, McGuffey sided with Virginia where he had lived since 1845.
MSS 640
[letter written on black bordered mourning stationary]
Hdqrs 3rd Va Cavalry
Jefferson Co. Va
Octo 2nd 1862
Pardon me dear madam for
this seeming intermeddling in your
sad trial, but I cannot refrain from
expressing my sincere & heartfelt sym-
pathy towards you, in this sore affliction
which our Heavenly Father has in his all
wise providence seen fit to call you to
sustain. Words cannot tell you how keenly
I feel for you and yours, but an aching
void in my own breast deeply responds
in sympathy, only three short months ago
I was called upon to bear a similar
affliction in the loss of my darling
wife, and i was not present to take
a last sad farewell. Only those who
have so suffered can know the intensity
of the anguish but he who doeth all
things well cannot will not permit the
[page 2]
storm to crush altogether the broken and
bruised reed, let us then both look to
Him for comfort and support in our affliction.
I hardly know how to turn to the melan
choly subject, but I feel it to be my sad
duty to give you an account of our Colonels
last days. On Monday the 15th, he with our Regiment
were exposed to a fearful fire, during which
his horse was shot while under him, again
the next evening we were stationed to support
a battery, and on Wednesday the 17th the Regiment
had scarcely more than formed, and were marching
off when a shell from one of the Enemy’s guns
struck a wood pile, throwing the wood in
every direction, wounding our Colonel & another
member of the Regt. while I was attending to
the wounded man I first heard of the Colonel’s mis-
fortune, and hurried to his relief. He had been
borne from the field, and was then removed to
a small house where we were tolerably safe
from the enemy’s shells: His wound wee of such
a serious nature, that amputation at the
shoulder joint was deemed necessary at once,
and so I had to perform it, the Brigade Surgeon
who was present, giving me much valuable
[page 3]
assistance. the Colonel bore the operation
well, and we had good hopes of his ultimate
recovery until about 8 o’clock that Evening
when his mind began to wander & he became
very restless, in which condition he continued
until 12m when he fell asleep, and in that
way entered into rest at 25 minutes past
one of the morning of the 18th. During the
whole time his bedside was surrounded by
members of his command, and every attention
given him, but alas human energy extends
itself in vain against the will of an all wise
Providence Most sincerely does my
heart bleed for you as I write these
painful lines, but I feel it to be my duty
as the surgeon of the Regt.
again let me offer you my sincerest
sympathy, and may our Father give you strength
to bear his righteous will.
I am Madam
Your obt servt.
Alex. T Bell
Asst Surgeon
3d Va Cavalry
Alexander T. Bell, 1836-1913
Letter to Mrs. John T. Thornton, on the death of her husband, Lt. Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Cavalry
MSS 4021
[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh, Cutshaw’s battery]
Thursday 2 [October] 1862
Left camp passed through
Winchester. traveled 12 miles
up the Turnpike to Bunkers-
-Hill then turned to the left
went 2 miles
& took up camp.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery]
(Oct 2nd) Expecting to send
James to Waterford & Leesburg this morning
thought would write a letter home in case
some opportunity might occur from the
latter place. Commenced a letter to Jennie
and had written but a page when Jas.
came in and said there would be no
use writing, as Mr Braden had just
told him the Yankees were in Water-
-ford last night. So stopped writing
About 10 o’c some soldiers were seen
coming up the road from Leesburg & in
a few minutes Mrs Peyton & Miss Lizzie
came in, in quite a glee, saying that
the whole road was filled with our
troops, & wanted me to see them. Mrs P- opening
the blinds for the purpose; after looking at
them a little while it seemed to me the
uniform was too dark for our troops, and
asked the ladies if there were sure they
were our men, they seemed still to think
so, but went out to be certain. In a
few minutes they returned with very
long faces, and whispered they were Yankees.
In a short time they were all about
the house, and lot, while I was peeping
at them from my window. They were fat
well conditioned fellows but terribly hard
faces. Mr Braden at the time was up
at Wheatland, and we felt some concern
lest the fellows might take his horse
away from him. In about an hour
they had all passed. There being only one
Brigade of about 2000 men with Cavalry
& Artillery. The ladies seemed very much relieved
when they had all left. About 12 o’c Mr
Braden returned and said while Genl
Wright, Capt Grubb, & Lt Myers & he were
talking one of the Cavalry road-guard rode
hastily up, and announced five Yankees
on a neighboring hill, one of the officers
rode forward to see about it & Mr Braden
took a roundabout way home, encoun-
-tering five on the way, who asked him some
very silly questions & then allowed him to
ride on. Reaching a hill from which
he saw the road filled with them, he
stopped at a neighbors until they all
had passed, while there, one Yankee rode
up & inquired if there were any Southern
soldiers in the vicinity. He was answered
“yes indeed the whole country is full of them”
on hearing which he dashed off at a
breakneck speed. This afternoon the country
is quiet again and the sun which had been hid
by threatening clouds all the morning, now shone
out as though rejoicing at being relieved of the
sight of the cruel horde of Yankees. This evening
Mr Braden spent with me, which are passed in
conversation, on Richmond in bygone
days.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 6150
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Thursday, Oct. 2, 1862
Practiced some
this forenoon I did
not play much as
my horn was broken
last night,
Wrote letters this
afternoon to Creps
Parade this evening
did not play myself
Board of surgeons met
to day to discharge
ineficient soldiers
went over to
100 Pa this evening an
now [writing?] my [diary?]
on a rock by the path
side. Heavy cannonading
in the direction of Harpers
Ferry to day. Mostly clear.
MSS 10317
[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B, 97th Ohio]
Oct. 2d , ‘62
Ordered to be ready
to march at day-
light; – started
after 10 A.M.
Feel rather sore
after yesterday’s
march, which was
quite fatigueing,
owing, greatly, to
the heat & dust.
Business quite
brisk on the pike
to-day & yesterday;
a considerable
crowd “around
about!” the rebel
cavalry pickets
were yesterday
where we encamped
last night. The pike
is filled for miles,
with wagons at-
tached to the army.
Mules! Mules!! Mules!!
report of skirmish-
ing 7 miles in ad-
vance, this morning;
Col. of 17 Md. report-
ed killed. Marched
6 or 7 miles; skirmish-
ing in advance of our
division. Rained almost
all afternoon. Night
very wet & disagreeable.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 10547-m
[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Thurs. 2nd. – rode horse to Central Park in rain, & bot him
for $150 – packed up & at 2, left N. Y. for Camp
Caldwallader at Beverly – with Mr. H Joe & Willie
Stopd. a fight bet. two soldiers on boat in virtue of
my shoulder straps. Gen. Geo Robeson recd. us very
cordially also Col. [Andrew] Derrom – Jno [Henry Baggs] & horse arrived
stopd. at the Summers boardg house with Gen & Staff
attended barrack prayer meetg.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Thursday 2d
I am feeling very sad today–sad indeed–No news from tom- & very
bad news from Wilmington–Mr Jewett & cousin James actually
dead–The former I understand had moved to the Sound to get away from
the yellow fever with his family & there died with it–When I heard
yesterday twas said his son Henry was ill too–& that several others
had died–& there were 45 new cases–No letters or papers for either
Eliza or myself this morning–& that with the cloudy day adds to my
gloomy feelings–What poor Luce is to do with 9 helpless children
I know not but God has promised to take care of the widow
& orphans. Mrs Phillips who came around last night to sit with us told
Liz we are all to be invited to her house tomorrow to spend the day–I know it
will be pleasant but I cannot go while my friends are all suffering both
in body & mind–I must give up pleasure–& sympathize with them.
MSS 6960
