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

Saturday 27  Weather quite cool
but very fine.  Bragg very near
Louisville.  Great consternation at
his approach.  I suppose  his taking
the city is a foregone conclusion.
I would rather he captured Cincin-
nati–our army in the  lower
Valley seems concentrated at
Martinsburg–Charles & Sue came
over and spent the eveng.  He
goes next week–Monday I believe
& rejoins his company–He is not
well enough- and in low spirits
-not a word from Lanty or William
I hope now Lanty will not avail
here if himself of his detail but rough
it out–Eugene’s leg improves
slowly & he frets greatly.  The Con
tribution for the orphan asylum
amounts to near 1400$.  I do not
like the position of affairs and
think we are in great danger
in spite of the splendid campaign
of the year on the Chickahominy
& in Maryland.

MSS 4763

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

Saturday 27th Still cool & pleasant–We have finished the Book—dont
think it very interesting but I am glad I read it–Liz gone off again
to spend the day with Mrs. Person. Sarah & her mother out returning visits
I have been all day altering Eliza’s basque sleeves–finished them & my
sock too–Mrs. Walters has returned & heard while out that Dr. Dickson
& Adam Wright had died with the yellow fever & it had not abated
at all–Eliza & I were all ready to go up for Liz at Mrs Person’s when we
heard she was coming home so we were disappointed.

MSS 6960

Saturday, September 27, 1862

Emma & I went to town in the carriage
I wanted to get my dress & things from
Mr. Stewarts–
Saw two bodies of cavalry

Called to see Mrs. White & while we were
there a man presented himself &
said he must press my carriage to
send wounded to Winchester.  I begged
him not to do it as I was six
miles from home & had no other way to
go & could not stay.  “I am sorry Mam
but I am compelled to do”–I said I live
on the Winchester road & will take two men
with me.  “Well mam he said that will do”
So we sent the carriage to the Court
House & they only sent us one man, but we
started home for fear of greater delay.
–poor fellow he is from S. C.–seems
heartily tired of the War.–
was quite sick when we reached home.
Pa put him to bed & gave him a nice
julep which seemed to revive him
considerably–said it was just what
he wanted —
His name is Boyd

MSS 15406

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

Friday
Sept 26
Am on guard No. 16 over the Quartermasters
It was a very cool night but the day is
a beautiful one.  O may God in great mercy
grant me a firmer trust in Him through Christ
O Lord grant me a speedy and safe return home
the war being over.  Sat down most of the time on
guard.  Learned part of the third hymn on my beat.

MSS 11293

                             Head Quarters  3d Brigade
Capt Fry  A A A Genl
    To Brig Genl J. L. Kemper comdng Division
                       Capt
I have the honor to submit respectfully the fol-
lowing report of the action of this Brigade in
the Battle of Manassas Augt 30th 1862
  After changing position several times during
the day at about 3 1/2 or 4 oclock P.M. I formed
the Brigade into line of Battle near the
house of Wm Lewis Esqr. at right angles with
the turnpike and was ordered into the
action (already begun) on the right of
Genl Hoods Division–The Brigade charged
in line of battle in beautiful style through
two pieces of wood separated by a corn-
field without meeting the enemy  On
emerging from the second piece of wood
we came upon the Enemy on  both sides
of the Chinn House–the position of the
Brigade in the general line of Battle
threw me on the South side of the Chinn
House–the left of the Brigade just touch-
ing it–The force of the Enemy was not
strong on the South side of this house &
it was soon scattered and driven before
us with great rapidity

[page 2]
The ardor of the troops at this time was very
great and I found some difficulty in
holding them well in hand
Having routed the enemy in front and ob
serving that he was strongly posted in large
numbers on the north side the Chinn House
to my left 
^and a little in my rear I found a change
of front was necessary–I ordered a march
by the left flank and by file left so as to
front this second body of the enemy from
whom we were receiving a very heavy
fire of musketry & shell–as soon as this
movement was entered upon by the whole
Brigade I placed myself at the head
of the Column (the left of the 56th Regt) so as
to conduct into proper position –The fire
of the  Enemy guns at this time was
most destructive–Notwithstanding this
fire which we could not return the
Brigade was executing the change
of front with great coolness and gallantry
When Col Allen of the 28th Regt without
my knowledge ordered his Regt to halt as
stated in his report. This caused a separation
of the Brigade and created some confusion
in the ranks of all the Regiments
The Brigade was somewhat scattered in

[page 3]
consequence but soon after pushed forward
with great intrepidity, assisted in taking
the batteries in our front and in driving
the Enemy from his position–The
Brigade continued to fight till night
fall.  No Enemy being then in our
immediate front and having suffered
heavily I retired to collect those of
the command who had been scattered.
The officers and men for the most part
exhibited unusual spirit and daring and
but for the confusion created in chan=
ging front would have made the most
splendid fight
  I am greatly indebted to my staff officers
for their efficient air and gallantry
Capt Jones 18th Va Regt A.a.a. Genl and Lieut Jas.
McIntire acting Aid  de camp, Charles F Linthi
cum chaplain of the 8 Va Regt and  [space] Jar-
main volunteer aid all acted with great
coolness and bravery–Mr Linthicums horse
was killed under him while rallying some
troops–For special instances of good
conduct in the Brigade reference is
made to accompanying Reg.l reports
The loss of the Brigade (which carried
into the fight   [space] guns) was

[page 4]
Twenty two (22) Killed Two Hundred and
two (202) wounded and one missing
Col Stuart of the 56th Col Allen of 28th
Lieut Col Carrington of the 18th and Lieut
Col Gantt of the 19th Regts were all slight=
ly wounded–Col Strange of 19th had
his horse wounded under him
  Capt Eshlemans Battery Washington
Artillery attached to this Brigade was by
                        during this fight
order detached ^ and fought almost
altogether out of my sight.  I can
therefore only refer to his report here
with for the part he took on that mem-
orable battle field–All who witnessed his
conduct on that day bear testimony
to his judgment coolness and bravery
  Reference is made to accompanying
reports for a list of casualties of Each
Regt–which have also been heretofore
specially reported
  All of which is Resptfully submitted
                 Eppa Hunton
                     Col Comd.ng.  Brigade

MSS 4021

Headqrs 2 Cavalry Brigade
at Leetown,Jefferson Co, Va.
Sept 26 1862

My dear mother
You will perceive
from the heading of this
that I have gotten about
into my old neighborhood
  Our regiment, after having
been separated from the brigade
on detached service for 3 weeks
time, finished the duty assig-
ned us (that of collecting
arms at Manassas & forwar=
=ding them to Winchester &
Rapidan) on Sunday last
  the morning of Monday
found us at Paris, on the moun

[page 2]
=tain, 17 miles from Winchr
We were expecting to leave
that day, but our departure
was a good deal expedited by
rather unlooked for attack
which a body of the enemy’s
cavalry made upon us
at 7 or 8 o’clock A.M.
  We were in number no more
than 150; & they had 10000
cavalry & 2 pieces of artil=
=lery.  Our commanding
officer, Lieut Col. Jno S. Greene
was not aware of their strength
& marched out boldly to meet
their attack   The head of
column met in the road, and
there was sharp firing for a

[page 3]
minute or two, but immedi=
=ately they outflanked us, &
nothing waved our whole com=
=mand from capture & de=
=struction but a very pre=
=cipitate retreat. Our men
ran 1/2 a mile at full speed,
the enemy pressing after, shoot=
=ing & sabring; but happily
they then slackened pur=
=suit, & our regt halted &
formed & fell back in order
thro’ the grass & over the river
  I do not wish to be involved
in another stampede.  It is
not pleasant to make one of
a crowd of rushing horsemen
under the circumstances

[page 4]
above described.  On that occa=
=sion, however, thanks to a
kind providence, my good horse
Bill brought me out of the
throng in safety.  I went
over the river in charge of a
wounded captain, and
then trusting to my minis=
=terial character for im=
=munity, returned to Paris
to look after our wounded
  But when I got there the
enemy had left, in some
haste.  We lost 10 or 12
killed & wounded & 6 or 8
prisoners–the enemy
fully as many killed &
wounded–

[page 5]
I am tolerably well–& doing
some good, I think–I have
preached frequently
   I must close
dear love to Staige, E-
L.  Bro. [G.] & all–
In haste Yr affte son         
                Richard T. Davis
I am sorry I have no stamps
My supply is exhausted
  I hope to see Cousin Nancy &
my old Martg friends shortly
Day before yester I called
on Mr Ambler at Charleston
& the day before on Mr Suter[?]
at Berryville.  the hospita=

[page 6]
=ities of old friends are
oases in the desert of a
soldiers camp life
We have gotten no mails

[envelope]
from R. T. Davis
Chapl. 6 Va Cav.

Mrs M. J. Davis
      University of
                Va.

Richard Terrell Davis, 1830-1892, son of Professor John A.G. Davis and University of Virginia alumnus, after the war rector of St. James P.E. Church, Leesburg, Va.

MSS 7690-ah
  

[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E., 42nd Virginia (Dixie Greys)

Friday 26 – Remain in camp at
Martinsburg – Saturday 27.  A large
moving of troops – fall back to
Bunker Hill.  Sunday 28th  Re-
main in camp. – Monday 29
Go to Winchester  [-] to
flank the guard to get away –
Tuesday 30 – Remain in camp
at Bunker Hill –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

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

(Sept 26th)  Heavy
frost last night, very cold this morning.
Feel quite feverish this morning & head
pains a good deal.  Our cavalry have just
been heard from in Leesburg & Waterford, it
is supposed they are trying to capture quite an
obnoxious Yankee cavalry captain, who has annoy-
-ed the inhabitants of this part the country
very much by horse stealing etc:  he was out

of their way though too quick.  Mr Gregg went
to Lovettsville near the Potomac about 7 or 8 miles
from here, & was to see me this evening, says at a
store there can be gotten almost anything in
the dry goods line.  Finished “Liberty & Slavery”.
& commenced Macaulays Hist. of England.
The ladies spent the evening with me.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh, Cutshaw’s Battery]

Friday 26th 1862
   Got to Winchester about
10 Oclock A.M.  Spent the
night. (27th) Oscar spent
the day with me on his way
to his regiment.  He was
detailed in Hospital at Winchester

Roanoke–Friday Night
Sept 26th

I have written repeatedly to you, and so has
your Uncle William, Cousin Margaret, and little
Ellie, but as we have never been able to hear in
return, whether you, my own darling Mary, have
ever received our letters I will again send you
a few lines, and shall continue to avail myself
of every possible chance to write-need I tell
you my beloved child you are ever in my
thoughts and heart.  Heaven knows I would
willingly indulge any possible amount of pri
vation and danger, to get to you and yours
–Mary, We all love you with unspeakable
tenderness, and long to have you all with
us–I never can know any comfort til you
do come to us–and I must we may ere
long be permitted to see each other

[page 2]
I have been confined to my room, by a slight
attack of fever, and am still feeble.  Ellie has again
had Dyptherea and is still sick in bed  She begs I
will give you and dear little Nina a great deal
of love. She wrote to Nina some weeks again.
  You are the subject of our constant prayers
and sincerest affection, my darling niece
  Your Uncle William mentions having sent on
several letters to you from Margaret and him
self–also one from little Ellie–I hope they reached
you–your Uncle Wood is at R-d–all the family are
pretty well and write in love.  E says she must add
a line to dear little Nina. God bless and
keep you prays yr devoted Aunt Mat.

My dearest Nina
                             I wrote you some time ago, but have an
-other opportunity & must write a line–Dear Nina, no words
could tell how much I do long to see you, how I wish it
were possible you could be here with us.  Nina it would
give me so much pleasure if you would write me
a letter, how I long to hear again from you all.
Give my devoted love & a kiss to dear cousin Mary
Charly & dear little Willie.  For your self dear Nina
accept a large portion of love from
       Your ever loving cousin. Ellie

Another family separated by the war. Virginia relatives of Philadelphian Mary Virginia Ellet, later Cabell, are concerned for the well being of her and her younger siblings who were orphaned when their father, Union Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., was mortally wounded on the Queen of the West in the naval assault on Memphis and their mother died a few days after her husband.

MSS 276