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

Wednesday 20  Feel better–though still
indisposed–Nothing of interest in
the way of news–As I was leaving
the bank [?] near sundown Lewis step
-ped up.  He has come home on a
short leave not being well.  He
says Eugene last night rested well
-that the pain in his leg had dis-
appeared–and was on the whole
decidedly better.  The Doctor was
at a loss to know what was the
matter with his leg–som th Some
think it inflammatory Rheumatism
[others?] Neuralgia.

MSS  4763

     Hd [Qtr?]  Aug 19th  6 A.M.

General
       One of my couriers has
just come in saying that he
could not find Gen McLaws
& bringing back a dispatch
which I sent last night
So I write to forward direct
the information it conveyed
The whole force of the enemy
crossed at Forge Bridge Barrets
Ferry & Toms Ferry.  He was
in large force with wagons
&c Prisoners say they hold
the White House & that their
destination is Fredksbg.  I think
Hanover C.H. is threatened.
Their old position on James
is totally evacuated.  I will
see you this morning
           Yrs. very Respy
                      Wade Hampton
Gen Smith
———————————-
Hd Qtr  Aug 19th 1862

Genl.

  I sent dispatches to you
yesterday from every point
giving full information &
last night the accompanying
letter was written, or rather the
P.S. The courier has just
returned saying that he
could not find you, but
as your messenger returns
I send my notes by him.
A few prisoners were brought
in last night
              Yrs very Respy
             Wade Hampton
                Maj. Genl.

Maj. Genl McLaws

MSS 38-348

[from diary entries made by Lancelot Minor Blackford]

Thursday–Aug. 19, 1862  Though there had been every indication
that we should march to day from the camp 8 miles below
Orange C.H. to the surprise of all we did not.  It is under
stood the delay is due to some difficulty in the commissary
in Longstreet’s Corps, and it is much regretted. The weather
is as fine as can be, and not a little disposing to inactiv
ity by its very beauty.  I spent the morning lazily enough.
Orders were read to us from Gen. Jackson’s Hd. Qrs. announ
cing the result of Courts Martial in the case of six
deserters in his Corps, condemned to be “shot to death
with musketry.”  The cases were all aggravated ones and
doubtless properly approved by Gen. Jackson, grieved as he
was I am sure at the necessity laid upon him of thus
signing the death-warrant of his fellow creatures.   One
of the men condemned escaped from the guard last night

[page 2]
and has not since been heard of the others were execu-
ted this evening at 5 o’clock: 3 men from this Division
and 2 from Ewell’s.  I believe, one of our three from this
Brigade, the 5th Va Inf. The Brigades to which the men
respectively belonged were under orders from Jackson all
marshalled to witness the execution.  this company as
part of the brigade was marched out like the others.
I was on guard and so happily not obliged to go, though
I might have escaped the disagreeable necessity easily e-
nough as many other of our fellows did, without this.
Gen Lee’s and Gen. Jackson’s Hd. Qrs., each near the other are
in sight of our camp here, though 1/2 mile distant perhaps.
I went this evening over to see bro. Charles at Gen. Jackson’s
and had the pleasure of meeting there with bro. Wm.
We three supped together very comfortably.  Major Gen Stuart

[page 3]
with the bulk of the cavalry, his staff etc., reached this army
district some days ago and this brings bro. Wm. from Richd.
We have orders to night be ready to march in the morning
at moon-rise, which in this case is between 1 & 2 o’clock P.M.
It is supposed now we shall certainly be off.

Lancelot Minor Blackford of the Rockbridge Artillery

MSS 5088

         Camp near Paw Paw,
                                 Va.
            August 18th, 1862
Dear Mother–In haste
I drop you a few lines
in order to banish all appre-
hensions that may have in
your mind in regard to me.
I am very well today. Was
some sick yesterday but
think my illness was caused
by eating so much trash the day be
fore.  The health of our boys is not
so good as it has been for
sometime past.  At least, the Doc
tors have more to do than usual.
Probably the most of the sickness is
caused by eating so many different
kinds of fruit which are now
ripening through the country.

[page 2]
As regards the enemy he does not
harm us yet.  He skulks
 in the mountains and does noth
ing in this region except in
the way of guerilla warfare.
By reference to the map you will
easily determine our situation
on the Baltimore and Ohio R.R.
We came here on Wednesday last
came on the cars. Will prob-
ably remain here for a
week or two and then return to
Martinsburg.  The R.R. was
threatened by a band
of Guerillas which is en-
camped 15 miles South of
here in the mountains and
     of our Regiment,
a part ^ (300 number) was ordered
here to guard it. Soldiering
goes well as long as we have

[page 3]
             to live in
good tents ^  and plenty to eat, but
when we are ordered out on
such an expedition as this and
have nothing to eat except hard
crackers, coffee and salt meat, and
have to sleep out in the cool
night air on the ground
it is not very pleasant, as
you will judge.  In daytime
it is very warm & in the night
it is very cold.  I cannot con
cieve what makes it so.  Ah!
Mother, a soldier’s life
 is a hard–life yet we
are all willing to endure
these hardships & privations
if this rebellion only can
be brought to a speedy te-
rmination.  McClellan has aban-
doned his position on the

[page 4]
James River and has fal-
len back to Williamsburg.
We do not think that this in
dicates a speedy close of
the war.  Well, I hope you
are done harvesting & have
finished the threshing.  You
must not think that you are
having hard times for you
do not know anything about
hard times in Ills.  Farmers here
know what hard times is But
remember that Hank says to be
careful about going in debt.
I tell you, this war is not over and
that harder times are coming.
Farewell for this time & write
soon,     Affectionately, W. H. Redman
                           Love to all.
Direct as before

[upside down in top margin of pages 1 & 2]

Tell the boys to be careful about the grain & to put up lots of
hay, fix up stables and do all their work up in order-
Keep a plenty of grain for your own use.   W.H.R.    

William H. Redman, Co. C, 12th Illinois Cavalry       
MSS 7415

My dear Mary

I paid Mr. Tompkins–Your
Uncle had paid him for the Soap–& paid Thos
R. Price.  I have not seen Sam Price–I was
told by Mitchell, that nothing was the matter
with your watch, but to day I carried it back
& he said he would attend to it–
Your Uncle is poorly, but thinks he can not
leave home & I think he is very uncomfor
-tably situated–You had better write him
Many troops are leaving on foot–&
hope they will not pass by our farm
I hope your finger is better
Kiss the Children & with love
to all  I am your Cal

Callender St. George Noland, had served as Commandant of the battery at Mulberry Island Point defending the James River

MSS 6463

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

  (Aug 19th)  Were on the march a
little after day light.  Crossed Rapidan & passed
through Stevensburg.  Halted at 4 o’c a few miles
from Brandy Station (this side).  Stewarts
Cavalry to day captured a great many strag-
-glers from the retreating enemy.  After arriv-
-ing at our Camping ground, I went out with
Johnie Colquitt in search of a dinner for
the Genl & ourselves.  To accomplish this we
branched out from the main road and on pro-
-ceeding a short distance down a crossroad,
were hallooed to by a little boy and told there
were two Yankees down that road, looking
ahead we saw two Yankees on foot armed.
I had nothing with me but my pocket pistol
& Johnie had no arms at all.  So I rode up to
them pistol in hand, demanding a surrender
which they did without any resistance.  Turned
                                             
them over to two Cavalrymen who came up a
little while after & went in search of dinner,
which we found not far off at the house
of an old friend of Maj. Ginters where we also
found some late Yankee newspapers.  Taking so
late a dinner, we did not need supper so
retired early.  Awakened in middle of night
by orders to start at dawn.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

                         August 19th /62
Dear Mother
                    I found our camp
last evening had moved about
the half of a mile north east
of the Camp Lee. There is with
us no more speedy prospect
of getting our guns – One or two
smooth bore 6 pounders we can
get, but will have to wait
until the others are made.
     One of them was cast yes-
terday. I fell in last evening
with the funeral process-
sion of Gen. Winder last  
evening   he is son of the                              
Rd. General – this is the      
only opportunity I may
have to send to Rd. to day
so Dear mother farewell.
My best love to Father, George
& all. Our camp is a very
pleasant one. We will not

[page 2]
be here less than ten days
I reckon.
           Affec. yr. son
                      W. H. Perry Jr.

William H. Perry, of the Richmond Howitzers

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d

                                                 Camp Ferry  Augt. 19th
Dear Father
                                                 Phil Rand sent to Hartford for
me for a pair of shoes – he had some made and
they were just the size and thing that I wanted
so he wrote him to make another pair but
I have not received them nor heard from them
And if you are going to Hartford this week
I wish you would get them – His shop is in
the rear and over Brown & Grove’s Book store
corner of Main & Asylum Sts. –  I shall want
them before I go – Please get those other things
that I spoke to you about – you have a list of
them I think – We march Saturday
sure [-] and go to Washington – I wrote to Elbe
to come up and meet the Girls here Wednesday
so he will probably be here to morrow –
                   Can’t stop to say more – shall expect
you and the rest of the folks tomorrow
                                        Your obet. Son    Jim
     Before you commence you must consider that
we don’t have writing desks nor any of
those conveniences and that we are all
excited and tired besides but I hope you
will be able to study it out.

James H. Howard, of the 15th Connecticut

transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards

MSS 12668

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

 Tuesday  Aug 19th 1862

Last night at eleven Oclock we were
call up and marched two miles
towards Culpepper where we haulted till
nine Oclock next morning.  We then started
and marched through Culpepper
and towards Rappahannock station
on the road to Warrenton Junction.
We did not know what to make of this,
backward movement,  When about three
miles this side of Culpepper.  Our
Brigadier Gen Hartsuff told us
that we were in the centre of a
long column, and we had to march
as they marched, that before the
march was ended, it would be the
hardest march we have yet born, So
far we had done it well and he
hoped that we would continue on
till the end,  The Brigade gave him
three cheers,  The roads were very dusty,
about nine Oclock in the evening

we crossed the Rappahannock and
bivouacked,  The distance we had
marched was twenty miles.  We did
not think it was too hard a march as
we have done before  The recruits
got along very well,  The Company
teams it seems went to Warrenton
Junction and therefore I got not yet
my Knappy.  I had to beg half of
one of my Companions blankets.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

[from the diary of Charles Hay, Co. H, 23rd Ohio]