[from the diary of Sergeant Robert Larimer, Co. C., 62nd Regiment Ohio Volunteers]

Tuesday 27
Relieved of guard — Stormy, Seas
rolling high shifted about nearer
Ft Macon wrote a letter to
Margaret Jarmin — stormy

MSS 38-129

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Tuesday, January 27th – Damp and cloudy in the morning.  We started to ride to
Linden in the buggy in the evening and it rained so hard we returned.  We met
Cousin John who came with us.  On dit a flag of truce has been sent into Win-
chester by our forces, demanding the surrender of the town.  If refused it will
be attacked.  I trust it may be so. Cousin Nat returned this evening, having
taken his parole and given bail of $10,000 for future good behaviour.

MSS 9759

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

Tuesday 27th  Awake to find it raining again – Received one
letter from James – No news in it – all quiet in Wilmington
I have jest finished a long letter to Eliza – The Tableau for the
benefit of the Soldiers comes off to night – I have not decided
to go – as  it has been raining all morning – Bit I shall
send my money —

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenzer Boyden, rector of Walker’s Church (later Christ Episcopal), Cismont, Va.]

Monday    Our dear Soldier boy’s birthday
This is the 20th year – just past.  May God spare
him to see many happy returns of it, & make
him a useful man.  Yesterday & today the
children said they heard cannon, rapid &
heavy, & the trains are passing so often today
that we fear a battle is going on.  God help
the soldiers! & grant us peace – There is good
prospect for peace now, we think – for the
Unionists are quarreling among themselves.

MSS 4288

[from the diary of Captain Zacahriah Heed, 91st Ohio]

26.
Fayetteville Va, Monday morning, weather moderating, ground getting very mudy   2 oclock P.M.  getting quite warm.  8 oclock P.M.  Some colder than during the Day.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13406

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

Monday
Jan 26
It has been a nice pleasant day.  This
forenoon I wrote some and played
backgammon with Wilder.  this afternoon I washed
all over.  I have been talking with Scollay but
did not say much directly on religion, but
I feel that I must do more for Gods glory, in
so far as I have opportunity.  I have yielded to
temptation sadly to day.  May God forgive me for
Christs Sake

MSS 11293

                Ho of Del. Jany’ 26th 1863

My dear Sir    [Edmund Ruffin]
                           It will give me great
pleasure to further your wishes, as far
as in my power, in regard to your grandson.
I spoke to Mr [Batiston?] as the Sergeant
who informs me there is no chance
of a place on Genl Jacksons staff-
And he knows of no place that a
young man can get, unless it be that
of a cadet of which the  [?] is
in the Presidents – I will inquire
into the facts and if I can do any thing
will exert myself to accomplish
your wishes-
You have probably seen the results
of the Senatorial elections.  I felt
it my duty to oppose the election
of Mr Rives with  [earnestness?] and
have thereby brought down upon me
the ire of the “great statesman” as
you will see in his letter in the
Whig of yesterday – I shall not notice
him, having preformed my duty

[page 2]
to the country.  He may vent his spleen
ad libitum  I should be pleased to
hear from you.  Mr Bardman is here
and was at Marlboro two days ago
“all well” – Yrs very truly
                      Willoughby  Newton

MSS 3026

                                Chattanooga  January 26th 1863
Dear Major
                                 I send by William the package of
papers from Major Wicks — Met Col. Richmond this
morning & advised him of the Box left by you for Genl.
Polk.  Nothing from the Colonel.
Dr Blackburn says he read in the Nashville papers at
Genl. Braggs Hdqrs. that the Democrats of Indiana
had seriously attempted the forcible seizure of the
Arsenal as reported, but were forestalled by the activity
of Gov Morton.  The Republicans have absented themselves
from the Legislature to prevent a quorum – the elec
-tion of U.S. Senators bring the order of the day.  It was
moved to send for the absentees & was objected to on the
ground that the Democrats could as well do without
a representative in the Senate as the Republican Govr Morton
could without the legislature. The Republicans demanded
the platform upon which the Democrats proposed to put
forward their candidate for senator and were answered
the Majority would give no assurance to the minority
in advance — One member, however announced that the
time had come to denounce Lincoln as a Usurper &
Tyrant, and he would vote for no man who would
as senator vote Lincoln another dollar or another
man – he was for peace first and union afterwards
No news from the Army — I regret your indisposition
                            Very respectfully yours
                                  Thos W Bartlett

possibly Captain Thomas W. Bartlett of the 13th Arkansas; found in the papers of J. T. Champneys, an officer of the staff of General Leonidas Polk

MSS 992

                      U. S. Steamer “Currituck”
                                   Rappahannock River
                                          January 26 – 1863

Sir
                I beg to Enclose a Copy of Charges,
preferred by Acting Ensign Thomas Nelson
and Acting Masters mate A. Felix, against
Francis Atkins Ordinary Seaman of this
Vessel.  I Can not try him by a Summary
Court Martial for I have not a sufficient
number of Acting Commissioned Officers on
board to Comply with the laws of the Navy in
forming a Court.   I will thank you to direct
me how to act, as I think he needs some
punishment more than the laws of the Navy
allow me to inflict
                                              Very respectfully
                                                     your obt. Servant
                                                         T. J. Linnekin
                                                    acting Master Comdg
E. R. McCrea Esqr
      Lt Commander & adjutant
         Potomac Flotilla
            U.S.S. “Jacob Bell”

                                 U. S. Steamer “Currituck”
                                      Indian Creek Va
                                          January 26 – 1863

Sir
                I have to inform you I left Dividing
Creek yesterday at daybreak for this place. On
my way down I discovered two Canoes Standing in
I fired a gun at them which brought them to
they were both laden with valuable miscellaneous freight
which – I am informed by one of the 5 men captured –
Cost Five thousand Dollars at Baltimore.  On
anchoring in this Creek I despatched the Gig
and Second Cutter in charge of Ensign Nelson
the Executive Officer to Explore Barnes Creek. they
succeeded in discovering Five Canoes all loaded
with miscellaneous freight. the Crews all Escaped to
the Woods
                  About 10 o’Clock last night two negroes
came off from Shore and informing me that a
“Sloop” and two Canoes were laying in Tabbs Creek
about 2 miles from where I lay, I at once Sent a
party in Search of them – the Negroes acting as Pilots, –
they Succeeded in Capturing them, and all the
Crew with one Exception, the Canoes were full of
Freight the Cat Boat had disposed of hers, but
I found on the person of the Captain Thirteen Hundred
and fourteen Dollars, which I send you in charge of
Masters Mate Ambrose Felix, Prize master, also a
Mail & Some newspapers found on board the Sloop
                                              I am, very respectfully
                                                     your obt. Servant
                                                         T. J. Linnekin
                                                    acting Master Comdg
Commodore
      A. A. Harwood
Comdg Potomac Flotilla

MSS 15134