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

Friday 29  Lewis & the girls did
not return until late–and the
reports they brought excited me so
that I could not sleep.  It was awake
at 2 when the porter called for
the baggage, and was aroused by
Lewis & Ben getting off at 5–so then
I was felt very exanimate all
day.–There were the same [?]
of rumors of successes, or our army–but
nothing to be implicitly relied on
I do not therefore record them ere
-Had a corner cupboard set in
at the head of the stair leading to
the dining room–which will be
a pleasant surprise to Mary, as
she has wanted it ever since we
have been in the house.  It is inten-
ded mainly for the bread, silver
& such things as are liable to be
affected by dampness–Dr. William
Minor & Ford–Betty B–Fanny
Cazenove, Chalres & his wife spent
the evening with us–a very pleasant
party–Charles related many inci
dents of interest which happened
during the campaign in Culpeper

Saturday 30  Board today took
from Mr Jetter some of his labor
and assigned it to the Discount clerk
–which is right, as he has but little
to do–Not a word by telegram of
news.  When the cars came in we
had first reports of a battle in
which we had whipped the enemy
at Bristow Station–and the capture
by Stuart of a Rail Road train
with 2000 men on it–Stores to an
immense amt destroyed. It is said
we are in rear of Pope–I wish it
all may prove true–but I have
little confidence now in any rumors.
We, that is Fanny & Mary I. dined
at my brothers with Dr. Williams
No letter from Mary, which is very
provoking–wrote to Mary Guthrie
& to Mary Robertson

MSS 4763

no more entries until Sunday the 14th.

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

Fri 29.  fine pleasant day   Suffield grows in size &
beauty.  Went over Chal. Loomis’ house now building
quite handsome – Wrote letters.  Made several visits
took tea & spent Eveg out – Mr Norton’s – nice girls
the daughters – visited Ch.[church] Yard.  a mistake in the
Mother’s name on the stone   I ordered Anna for Anne
                        Disastrous news fr. War – Rebels are
pressing upon Washington, it is said taken Fairfax
& attacked Manassas – I think our Army however
will take care of them – Mr Norton told story of Capt
Hanchett in attack on Quebec under Arnold – Capt H & five
Soldiers got strayed off in some part of town.  firing fr. a
house – he went in – calling to his men “Keep back!” –
The room was full of British officers – he demanded their surrender
they supposing he had a large force Surrendered – he ordered
them to fall back so as to let his men enter – “only five
of you come in”, sd. he “only five” – the officers were received
but the fortune of the night soon changed – & the Capt. was
soon afterwards himself a prisoner – but the Officers admiring
his tact & courage presented him with a handsome british
uniform wh – the Capt., on the Anniversary of the event,
ever afterward put on & wore for the day.
Sat 30.  Made calls – dined at the Gays – took 2 PM train
for Windsor spent afternoon at Mrs. Parson’s, tea & eveg [evening]
at Dea. Woodford’s   Dea is away. but nice wife
& family, his sister & niece the Southmayd, & all


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

[from the diary of Anne MadisonWillis Ambler]

Friday August 29,  1862

From the Northern papers we
are all inclined to think
some fighting has been done &
we are victorious, though they can
not be honest enough to come
out & say so.  We are most
anxious to hear the truth, talk
of nothing else.

[as transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

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

Thurs. 28. Packed up to go to Suffield via Boston –
Have had pleasant time here – bade all goodbye – started in
11 ½ train fr No. Hampton.  Mr [Charles?] Sumner next seat to me –
Hooker met me at Newburyport urged me to stay – passed
thro. Ipswich & Salem – large fine town – D. Chelsea diner –
in Boston, got ck cashed at G. W. & Co – called on Mrs Wich’s
was out.  Bot, Read Gasparin in Cars, called on Mr. Spafford
at Windsor Locks at 9 – & Mr. Prout beguiled the way
with histories of Suffield – Suffield has filled up
both quotas for 600,000 men & had some perhaps
ten men over – stopd. at Mr Wilkes’ the Old Hotel
about 10 P. M. – shower[?] in cars. starlight night –
Landlord was in bed.  Charles Loomis is at his.
                                                                               
away taking care of his sick bride.  Sorry not to
see her

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

Thursday
Aug 28
Phineas on guard to day.
Am more and more decided
against playing much. Read and cleaned
up my gun.

MSS 11293

[following letter has several holes obscuring the text]

                                                     Petersburg, Va.
                                                                Aug 28th 1862
Gen Jno H. Cocke
           My Dear Bro.

                       Often, very often have I longed to hear
from you since last we parted.  I hear that the Lord has
still spared you–we are truly in the midst of trouble-
Little did I think, when we talked and prayed together
with so many of your friends in different parts of the
North, that they would ever turn so much against us.
I doubt not there are some, who are opposed to this
unholy war, but they are few–[hole] passed through
[hole] ome time since the wa[hole] ed
In my own section Wil [hole] were filled
with the army as early as it [ole]  Our little town
did all it could for our dear [hole]iers–My wife
was as busy as a bee–she worked hard, for the
sick, and to cloth[e] the soldier–We felt happy in all
this–But what was my surprise to find men seeking to do all they
could to make money out of our struggling government,
even those who were most rampant for war-
My heart was sick at the sight.  But God will
I doubt not overrule all things for good in the
end–Our dear church was most seriously affected
by the war–Most of our Brethren entered the service,
I was appointed Chaplain in June 27th 1861,
with the consent & advice of my Brethren.

[page 2]
I was appointed Post Chaplain at Williamsburg
by Gen McGruder, to the Camps & Hospitals–I had
to break up housekeeping at last, and spent my
whole time among the afflicted and in the
field–The winter past I saw many of my dear
men die happy in Christ & I have witnessed joy
and sorrow on the dying bed of many a man–
I had hoped that the War would have terminated
ere this–How disappointed–we were compelled
to leave our happy home–I came to Petersburg
and here I am Post Chaplain again by
Order of the Secy of War
But my dear [hole] I have lost my all–My Sister
Mrs Young [hole] & paintings, our furniture &
our enem[hole] and sold in New Yo[hole]
We have the [hole] twelve years labor[hole]
It is hard [hole] But we must submit
God I hope will not leave us nor forsake us
in our time of need–I am willing to suffer with
the South, as is also my dear wife, tho’ I am from
Scotland, and might have gone there–Yes I am
willing to suffer–I feel that we are right, and
that God will give us the victory at last–
Most deeply do I sympathise with you in
your affliction, through which you have
passed–Yet I rejoice, that you can hope in
God–This, Ah yes, this is our only comfort and
support–I have felt anxious to see you
to sympathise with you in all you troubles–

[page 3]
A few years more, and all will be over–
Let us rejoice, my dear Bro. in the prospects of
the Gospel–
I am happy to tell you, that over 100 precious
souls have been converted by God since I came
here–that is I have found that number–
God is in our army with his spirit–Many a
Mother’s heart has rejoiced over the intelligence
sent about their Sons death in the Lord–
I shall be very glad to hear from
you at any time.  Please write-
Mrs Young sends christian regards, and
believe me as ever

                              Your aff Bro in Christ
                                         [hole]            Young
             
docketed
Young, Rev. Wm M recd
Sept 2 1862
Ansd Do 8 Do

MSS 640

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond of the 42nd Virginia, Co. E.]

    Thursday 28 –  Nothing new in
camp to-day – have severe head ache
twas said Jackson had taken
a good many commissary stores

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery as written at a somewhat later date]

  At 2 ½ o’c (Aug. 28th) We were in
motion towards Centreville & by daylight
Manassas was evacuated.  Passed through
Centreville at 10 o’c, making an acute
angle came down the Warrenton
turnpike, crossed Bull Run in after-
-noon & when near Grovetown were attacked
by the enemy, but getting into line of bat-
-tle drove them back some distance till
dark prevented our going for them.  Slept
on battlefield that night.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

                      Camp near Paw Paw Va
                              Aug 28th 1862

Dear Brothers
                      I am in receipt of your
welcome letters & hasten an answer.
I am well & hope that these few lines may
find you the same.  I am glad to hear that
you were getting along so well with
your work but you do not say any thing about
making hay.  Have you made all your
hay; if not you ought to see to it
immediately.  It is to your interest to cut all
the grass on the farm; and to be very sav-
ing of all the crops. These are war–times
and I assure you, that harder-times are
comeing and it becomes us all to
be saving and look-out for No. 1.
You must do up your fall plowing
so that you will be ready when spring
comes again to sow your grain
Fix up you stables stout & warm
Cover the granery another thickness
so that the wheat will not get wet
Save your Seed Wheat & Seed-corn
and do not forget to save enough
of both Be saving of the apples and
do not let anything be wasted on the farm.

[page 2]
Now I do not wish you to work because it
interests me only for it does not
but I want you to work for your
own interests.  Remember, boys, that
you are doing for yourselves and
that every dime you spend you are
spending your own money. Every dollar
counts one now–a–days.  I am saving
of my money here merely because I
think you need it at home.  I do not
spend any money except to pay Postage.
I would like to see you all very much but
can not.  I shall stay in the Army until
peace is declared–let the time be long
or short,unless something should
happen more than I know of now—-
You must not wish me back home but write
to me often and when you write always tell
me all the particulars, Give me the names of
those gone to War Since I came away and where
they are now. All about the school marms &c

I must bid you good Bye Boys Markle

how would you like to come where Hank
is and be a soldier?  Nelson you could not stand
the hardships but Markle can. Markle tell me whether
you want to come or not and if Mother will let
you come you can get 13 dollars per month. Good
Bye Brothers  Affectionately W H Redman
Write Soon
                                 Direct to Martinsburg Va.
                                    12th Ills. Cav.Co. C

Dear Mother
           I was very much plea-
sed to receive your letter and to
learn of good health at home.
My health has been good for
some time.  We are pretty actively
engaged, scouting through the moun-
tains just now, and consequently
I do not have much time to write.
We are encamped here without any
Camp Equipage.  I have no ink or
Pen with me hence my penciling.
We catch Dome Guerillas nearly every
day.  I helped to take twelve on the
 night of the 23rd inst.  Yesterday we
caught three; and to-day we are resting,
will probably go out Scouting again
 this evening.  These mountains are very rough
and very thinly inhabited.  Farmers are generally
wealthy and have plenty of fruit of all
kinds.  We live partly off of the cittizens.
When out Scouting, we call for
grub and the Women get it with
out hesitation and Some-times we
get the best of victuals. Our rations
that Uncle Sam furnishes us are
Substantial and good enough
for a Soldier, yet we have no
conveniences to cook them and

[page 2]
consequently they do not do us as much
good as in the old camp at Martinsburg.
We are now camped about ten rods from
the Potomac River, which is a very nice
stream.  We are in bathing nearly all the
time that we are in camp, unless it
be in the night time.  The Cars run within
30 feet from where my horse stands.
Trains are passing hourly loaded
with Soldiers from Ohio and Penn.
The train was attacked by a band of
Guerillas near Winchester on Sunday
last.  I have been at Winchester once.
5 prisoners were taken and the whole
 train burned up.  I cannot tell you anything
about our future movements.  It is im
possible to tell anything about what we shall have
to do.  A great many orders are issued and
countermanded.  At least all goes well
with us thus far. Mother what do you think
of letting Markle come along with me?
He can get 13 dollars per month and learn
more than in school.  I will see to his wel
fare and will have him dated back to the first
of the month so that he can get all the
bounties & advantage of an enlistment
then.  Probably Wooley will come here.
These are hard times and Money is money
and it becomes us all to be economising.
Not to go in debt & get across best as
we can.  I think that I can send you
some money soon.  I have 4 months pay
due me.  Mother, be careful about going [in] debt
at the Stores.  You better pay as you go.  
Please write soon.  With much Respect W.H.R.
Excuse mistakes.  I will write the girls soon.

[in right hand margin of page 2]
Please give me particulars about debts–all of them.

[upside down in top margin of page 2]
Tell the girls to write.  Jane and Em write often.

William H. Redman, Co. C., 12th Illinois Cavalry

MSS 7415

[from the diary of Private Ephraim A. Wood, Co. C., 13th Massachusetts]

     Thursday   Aug 28th/62

At day light we were called
up, not having had but one hour
and a half to sleep.
We marched to Hay Market.
Before we got to Hay Market, the
colum moved so slow and I was
so tired and sleepy that I layed
down under a shady tree and
went to sleep.  I must have
slept a number of hours for
when I awoke the rear guard was
just going by.  They said the
Rebels were not a great ways
behind.  I marched on as
rapidly as possible.  After going
two miles which brought me
to New Market, I found that our
Brigade had left their Knapsacks
and had gone to the Gap distance
four miles (Thorougherfair) to keep
in check some Rebels that were
there.  The other Brigades were
throwing off their Knapsacks
and marching to the Gap.

I had got within two miles
of the Gap when I heard the report
of Musketry.  When I got to the Gap
I did not know where my Reg.
was.  Some one told me it was in
the Gap and I came very near
running right into the hands
of the Rebels.  I went into the
woods, on the right and found
two Regts of the Brigade having
it hot and heavy  I went in with
them but did not get a chance
to fire but one shot.  I was so
afraid of shooting some of our own
men.  The balls came thick and
fast, through some blunder.  Some
of a Virginia Regt (Federal) and some of
our Brigade got to firing upon each
other, it being in the woods, it
was very easy to make such a
mistake.  I thought I would get
out of such a scrape and try and
find my own Regt, which I found
on the left, laying behind a hill.
Our Gen was very foolish to lead his
men in such a place without knowing
the place, and what force he had
to contend with, a thousand men
in that Gap could keep back nearly
twenty thousand. (Gen. Hardsuff is sick
and Col Stiles had command of Brigade)
Gen. Ricketts is in command of the
Division, which is composed of
four Brigades.  While on the right with those
in the woods I saw some terrible wounds,
one poor fellow had both under eye lids
of his eyes torn down nearly two inches.
How a ball could make such a wound
I do not see.  After laying behind the
hill a short time we were ordered back
to a woods about two hundred yards to the
rear.  In going across the field Sergeant
Lemoyne of this Company was
wounded in the hip.  We had been in
the woods but a short time when we
were marched back to Hay Market, got

their Knapsack, and marched three
miles, and Bivouack near Ganesville.
In the affair at the Gap Private
Clark of Co. E was killed, Corporal
Jackson Co. E was wounded and since
died.  Private Robins of Co D. wounded
and has since died and from five to
eight wounded.


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021