[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Thursday, October 2, 1862

Again I am more than a
week behind hand with my journal
& can not remember exactly what
happened. This much I know that
soldiers were coming all the time
begging, & buying.  Pa was compeled to
let them have whatever they wanted, as
they were so insistant, offered the
highest prices, gave 40 cts a lb. for honey
50 for butter, 35 & 40 for bacon 25 cts for
soap, 10 cts head of cabbage 1.25 bu for apples
2.50 bu for potatoes, of which Pa sold 150 bus.
=It is very troublesome to be feeding
soldiers all day, but they come so
starved & hungry that you can not
resist.

[transcript in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Ambler]

MSS 15406

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

Thursday 2–nothing of any interest
no reports–all quiet on the
lines.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

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

Wednesday
Oct 1
On guard number seven Gunboat was officer
of the guard.  I sinfully allowed my evil
passions to get the better of me, for which may God
forgive me.

MSS 11293

Washington October 1st 1862
My dear Charlie
               Your letter of the
12st arrived this morning, with two or
three from the West–I am very grateful
to you for writing with such promptitude
and regularity, and appreciate the effort
it must be to you amid so many pressing
duties–What I should do if you acted
otherwise I hardly know.  You are my only
link of interest with the world, and I
long for you letters as I would long for
you, if there were any possibility of seeing
you.  Such portions as are meet for the
public I quote–the rest I reserve carefully
for myself.  I write very frequently but fear
my letters cannot reach you–you so rarely
speak of receiving them.  I do not number
them because I have lost the count–This
is the 10th or 12th I think.  You tell me
not to be anxious, and might as wisely

[page 2]
tell the wind not to blow.  My thoughts
are with you whenever they can escape
from the old, sad subject, and always
with painful anxiety.  Yet I have had
from the first, as you will remember,
a sort of confidence in your personal
safety.  I know you to be in constant
danger but feel as though you would be
protected.  Never hesitate to write to me
frankly from fear of alarming or exciting
me.  I promise you solemnly to do nothing
rash, or of which you could reasonably
disapprove–but let me have the comfort
always of knowing what it is that I have
to fear.  Your recent exploits have fired
Willie’s little heart–truly your life has
become one of great adventure and responsibility-
there can be few persons in this distracted
country for whom the past six months
have wrought greater changes than for you–
I rejoice in every success of yours, while
I shudder at the frightful picture you
render of the country where your lot is now
cast–Dear Charlie, if you live and I

[page 3]
live, I shall surely have cause to be proud
of you–try to keep, even amid these bloody
heard-hardening scenes, so that I can love
you.  I hardly know whether to feel more
anxious about you in body or mind.  they
take very few papers in this household and
I have seen no account of your fight at
Bolivar.  Mr. Walter Fenton told me of a
complimentary notice int he Baltimore
American and promised to send me the
paper, but has not yet done so. He seems
to regard your position as a most anomalas
one; evident cannot reconcile his mind to
the idea of a medical cadet, holding military
and naval command. The poor fellow,
is in wretched health–hardly about to
sustain himself.  I have a good many visitors,
more than I care to attend to and all
enquire kindly after you.  I am now only
waiting for an escort n order to start for
Bunker Hill.  I am becoming very anxious
to get under Aunt Sarah’s tender care and
protection.  The house is not yet rented and
may possibly be left on our hands all winter,

[page 4]
in which case James, or some one, would
have to be retained on the place for its
protection.  Just now, he is needed for the
purpose of hauling hay, but after a little
while his presence would be an unnecessary
expense, and I have requested Mr. Redin to
rent the house, if better cannot be done,
for a merely nominal sum to whoever some
one who would take good care of it.
Many persons have looked at the place,
all admire it and talk of “the Spring”,
but seem to dread the winter.  Do not
let these things trouble you, dear Charlie–
You have care enough of your own, without
home anxieties.  These difficulties I have
a brave heart to bear.  I have suffered
keen self-reproach at having left home but
all that is over now–I could not have endured
this winter there, and it would have been wrong
to attempt it–I shall feel nearer to you in the West.
The children are well and send best love to you–I
fear my letters must weary you with their gloomy
details but I have nothing else just now. Continue
to write to me often and fully–you do more real
good in that way, than either as surgeon or soldier.
I must write by this mail, if possible in answer
to two anxious, tender letters from Uncle Alfred–
Always your loving sister–Mary Ellet

[in left hand, top, and right  margin of page 1]
I do not know where Minnie Carrington lives–somewhere on or near
Red River–The gentleman whose estate you ravaged is a connection
of her’s but not kin
to us–will it
be needless to allude
to his circumstance.
These lad adventures
of yours alarm me
most–some harm
might so easily
come to you while
wandering about
these plantation
and houses–
    When we meet
again how
much we will
have to talk
over–I long
to see you–
Good Night-
Take care of
yourself in
every way for our sake—
To-morrow is dear little Nina’s 13th birthday.

Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell, 1839-1930, and her siblings were orphaned when their father, the noted engineer Charles Ellet, Jr., was mortally wounded on the Queen of the West in the naval battle for Memphis, and their mother died a few days later.  Her brother Charles “Charlie” Rivers Ellet was a medical student who rose to colonel in the Union Army and in turn commanded Queen of the West in the Vicksburg campaign.

MSS 276

written on stationary headed:

              Confederate States of America,
                    NAVY DEPARTMENT
               Richmond, October 1st 1862

Dear Mary
                    The boy arrived this morning
& found Young Christian & myself waiting
for him–So he had nothing to do but
put himself & trunks in the carriage and
drive out–The squirrels & brooms I took
charge of–I suppose he will be in this eve
-ning—I saw Charlie Cook a few
moments ago-on his way back to Endfield
he came up to see about his wheat–
     Polly only sold for $510–I shall get about
$485 and out of that will have to pay the
man for bringing her down—-Tell Mrs
Blunt I will be obliged to have my clothes
made here—I spoke to her about making
them.
              Kiss the children Your Cal

Mrs. M.E. Noland
  Hewlets P. Office
     Hanover Co.
        Va.

Callender St. George Noland, 1816-1879, to his wife Mary Edmonia Berkekey Noland.  Noland, formerly of the U.S. Navy was in charge of the battery on Mulberry Island Point defending the James River

MSS 6463

                  Richmond, Oct. 1, 1862
My own dear Ella,
                                            After
I left you last Monday, I remained
at Bachelor’s Hall more than two
hours, awaiting the stage.  The weather
was oppressively warm, and the place
dull; but I read some newspapers,
and then opened the sheet you
gave me.  I thank you, my darling,
for the ring, symbol of our plighted
faith and love, and also for the
beautiful lines of valediction so
sweetly appropriate from Mrs. Brown-
ing. It is much that you can say,
“my beloved”  and pray, God love
thee!”  It will comfort me beyond
expression to know that your heart is
always lifted up in prayer for God’s
benediction on me.    I spent the

[page 2]
night at Rev. F. Stanly’s.  Our friend
Ware had been there the preceding week
and was exceedingly curious to know what
could have taken me to Capt. Estes’.  At
length, he cried out, “O! Miss Ella Wins-
ton.”  So br. Stanly looked me in the eye
and asked, “How is Miss Ella?” I told
him that all the Ellas with whom I was
acquainted, were well so far as I had
information.  On reaching here, I came
to Rev. A.G. Brown’s.  The [?] had
somehow discovered that my Danville
trip was to see a fair refugee.  I
was delighted to find Ned Massie
here to-day.  He had a spell of remittent
fever, but he is entirely recovered now.
He wishes me to go with him to Lu-
nenburg, and baptize Jennie Granberry
Massie.  You can imagine how much
pleasure it would give me to do so,
but I must deny myself the gratification
The name is full of the most sweetly
sad associations.  Ned brought me a

[page 3]
buffalo robe from the West. So I will be ad-
mirably fixed for the winter, with my
robe, and Yankee-bought blankets and
shawl, and Yankee-captured oil-cloth
and overcoat.  I have got transportation
to Staunton, but have to go from that
place to Winchester, a distance of ninety
two miles, is the problem.  Rev. Lemuel
Reed, one of our best men and preachers,
came here yesterday to see a sick son
in the hospital.  He will have him sent
home.  But he learns that another son
was severely wounded in one of the late
battles, and wishes to go after him. so
he and I will probably go Friday to Albe-
marle, and try to get from a Methodist
brother a horse, and spring-wagon.  If we
can effect this arrangement, I will go
to Winchester far more pleasantly than
I can hope by any other means. The
post-office of the army is Winchester. Please
direct thus: Rev. J. C. Granberry, Chaplain
11th Va. Reg., Winchester, Va.”  So you will

[page 4]
be saved the trouble of sending letters to the
care of Rev. A. G. Brown, and I will ex-
pect you to write “all the time,” to borrow
your own phrase.  You can not write too
often, my precious girl. Your letters will
be my desire and delight–The charm
of my camp-life.  I am sorry that I
must disappoint you about the likeness.  I
tried to have a photograph taken for you, but
the daguerreotypists lack the requisite materials.
So for the present you must be contented with
the image of me you have in your heart.
I write hurriedly, in the presence of others.  Of
course, you will have written me before you
will receive this, and Mr. Brown will send your
letter to me.  Perhaps it will be in Winchester
as soon as I.  Remember me affectionately to you
mother, and very kindly to Capt. Estes and family.
You are always in my mind and heart, my dar-
ling and my prize.  Rest assured of my devoted
affection, and do not cease to love me and to
ask God’s blessing on me.  Yours with a full heart,
                                J. C. Granberry.

The widowed John Cowper Granberry, 1829-1907, had been an itinerant preacher, and chaplain at the University of Virginia in 1861. He eventually became a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church South and a trustee of Vanderbilt University.

MSS 4942

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

Sept 31st  (Oct 1st)
My head & side pain me very much
this morning.  Had my side rubbed last
night with liniment & a bottle of hot
water to it all night.  Can not imagine
the cause of it.  Sent Jas. over again
to Waterford, to have the pants altered
and leave measure for a coat & vest,
of grey cloth.  Sat up during the middle of
the day; but felt so badly in afternoon
went to bed.  Some of Mrs Bradens relatives
paid a visit here, and Miss Annie Braden
a cousin, stayed all the evening, during
which she & Mrs Peyton discoursed some
very sweet music, both in the way of songs
and pieces, all which reminded me
so much of home & the loved ones there.
One piece especially which I never hear
without thinking of Ma, viz-“Von Weberslast

waltz.”  The music this evening has
made me almost forget any pains &
sick feelings.  Miss Lizzie spent the fore-
-part of the evening with me & Mrs Peyton
the latter

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

    [letter very faded and partially obliterated by fold lines]                      

  Charleston co Md
                October the 1          1862
Dear
           friend I take my pen in hand
to write you A few letters
as I heard

[at this point the handwriting changes as a friend
takes over for Henry]

Henry has been writing and
I will assist him he has started it over

Charleston [?] Va October the 1st 1862

[line at fold smeared and illegible]

I am well at present hoping these
few lines will find you and all of
my acquaintances enjoying the same
blessing.  I have no news to write that
will interest you we have hard
times here provision scarce with us
soldiers but this a plentiful country
but some how we dont get it, and
[line illegible]
saw, we just have to get it out
of mud holes, and old wells, and
it is the sorryest water I ever drank
Ephraim Pucket is likely to get a
discharge and I am writing to send
him [rest of line illegible]

[page 2]
place but I dont think we
will have a fight here soon
I think they are just fortifying
so a smaller force can hold
this place, and so we will be
safe untill can get the captured
property and salt away from
here and then I think we will
go back. Some men near the
rail road though I cant tell
what we will do, I want to
hear from home, I want you to write
as soon as this comes to hand
and let me know when you
heard from sanders last and
how he was getting along. also
give me the news of old Patrick co
in general, and let me know how
all the girles is geting a long so
noting more at present I still
remain your friend affectionately
From Henry A. Heffelfinger
To Delilah. P. Jessup

Henry A. Hefflefinger, Co. K, 50th Virginia

MSS 13257

          Alexandria  Oct 1-1862
                           Dear Phebe
                   Having a leisure
hour my first though is to
write you a line although I
have nothing of importance
to comunicate: We have some
rumors that we are to move
soon but nothing reliable
is as yet known The whole
army is n motion but for what
purpose we cannot tell.  That
some great movement is on foot
there is probably no doubt but
it is kept from us.  One thing is
certain the rebels are in a tight
place and I do not see how they
are going to get out of it  There
are also other rumors to the effect
the rebels are caveing in and
want to come back into the union
how much dependance is to be
paced on them  we cannot

[page 2]
tell, ever since the great batles
the air has been filled with rumors
and we cannot find out whether
they are true or false. This morn
ing a heave cannonade was heard
for two or three hours we could
hear the tremendous explossions
of the siege guns gut what it
means we do not as yet know.  The
ambulances have gone in the di
rection of the fireing.  It is sup
posed to be the artillery of Gen Sigel
driveing through Man
nassas gap.  We conclude that things
are going pretty well from the
fact that Col Maggi is in good
spirrits and says it is going right
He is very anxious to get into
active service.  I give you his own
words; Sigel good General; me want
to go wid Sigel; We are afraid
that we shall lose him as we
hear that he is to be promoted

[page 3]
to a Brigadier General He is
deserving of it but I should be
sorry to have him go.  He is every
inch a man and a soldier and
if you could only see the difference
between our regiments and many
of those arround us you would
understand why we like him
Give me a soldier to command
me and let those who like
Political Generals have them
Our Prayer meeting are very
fully attended and there is a
very good interest manifested
among those who are not Pro
fessors we hope with the blessing
of God to do something to the
glory of his son We have started
a choir and hope thus to add
interest to our meetings as there
are a large number of singers
in the regiment Our greatest
difficulty is to find a place

[page 4]
large enough  Col Maggi has
done every thing in his power to
help us and we have the largest
tent there is in the camp but it
will not hold half who would like
to attend; We shall do the best that
we can under the circumstances
and trust in God for a better place
I shall always respect Col Maggi
for his cordial support and sym
pathy although as he stated to us
his belief was different from ours
at the colse[sic] of interview which we
had with him on the subject of
holding meetings he said he
had always observed that those
who feared God made the best
soldiers, and pulling out a private
drawer he took out an elegantly
bound Bible adding “We read
this last thing every night; we
no forget God” I must state now
we are all well and in good spirits
give my love to all the folks and
dont worry  yourself about me
or any thing else Live near to
God and he will be near to
you: remembering that if we
are only faithful we shall
recieve the crown.  From you
                      Affectionate
                           Husband
                               Josiah

Josiah Perry,  Co. K, 33rd Massachusetts

  MSS 2215