Culpeper C.H. Va Aug 13th 1862
My dear Addie.–
                             I embrace the first opportunity
I have to write you to assure you of my perfect
safety.  You have heard of the great battle of
the 9th and must be anxious to learn of my fate.
I escaped without a scratch, and am grateful to
God for  his mercy.  I knew when I wrote you
last that when an engagement should occur that
we should be sent to the front, but I could not
tell you, for I knew you would suffer so much
on my account.  Now that the battle is over,
the rebels in full retreat, and only 109 men
left in the noble old 7th I can tell you.  Gen.
Pope said he wanted Tyler’s Brigade (now Geary’s)
in the front “to set an example to the eastern troops”
and nobly has the example been set.
Our Regt went into the fight 290 strong, &
came out with 104.  Co. H. went in with 32
and came out with 18.  Malcom Eckenshoud, Calvert
Miller, Wm. McClurg and Byron Swisher were killed

[page 2]
Charley Brooks, Lieut Braden, Lieut Eaton, George Minn
Corp. Trinner, Fox, Glendenning, Inskeep, Kincaid, Lentz,
Murray, Overmire, Jno. Pollock, Shaffer (14) were wounded.
        Perhaps I owe my safety to Col. Creighton and Lieut.
King[?]  after I had fired about 12 rounds they came to
me and ordered me to take off the Col’s horse (our present)
which was sounded.  I did not want to go, but the
Col. said he could not trust the horse with a wounded
man, and that I must go, so I came off the field unhurt.
       I cannot bear to give you the details in this letter but
will in my next.  George Moore was slightly hurt
in the head, but not dangerously
        I received two letters from you on the 11th which
I will answer tonight or tomorrow.  Until now I
could not get a piece of paper, or any other stationery, or
I would have written sooner.   I also received a letter
from Laurie.  I have written her, and she has received
it.  But we have orders to move so I must
close for a while.  Our Brigade is here in town,
and will not  have to take the front again, and I
think we will not have to fight for a long time again
at least I hope not.

[page3]

     Remember me to Dora.  Has she answered
my letter?
       May God bless you and preserve you
    is the prayer of your devoted
                                            Charley
I send you a little note I received from Moore
this morning, which will tell you how bad [w]as his hurt.
They have moved the wounded of our Co to Washington
so I have not seen them.
     I send you a few particulars from the
Baltimore Clipper

Charles Tenney, 7th Ohio Infantry

MSS 11616
     

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1862
Guard Mounting
after which I helped to
dress Alfs snake skin
Went this afternnon to
see the cannon that
arrived last practiced
at target shooting
Some good fireing
Parade and Drill
The mail came in this
evening but nothing
for me
Thad came out and
played this evening
mostly clear pleasant
Hear this evening that
John Olin has rec’d
a commission

MSS 10317

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

Wednesday 13th  I received a long letter from Mary to day–All were
well in Georgia.  No news except the requisition of the Governor
for every 5th able bodied negro to be sent to Savannah to work on
the Entrenchments.  I also received a letter from Mr Metts–requesting
me to hire a portion of my house to a Mr Van Ordsville for a short
time.  I answered his letter–wrote to Mr Jewett–& sent off a long one to
Ellen–After dinner we all went to Church–& at night we occupied
the parlour chatting until 10 Oclock–Dr Mallett is better. thought
to be out of danger–No letters yet from Mr Watters or Ford.

MSS 6960

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

Wednesday, August 13th

A pleasant day.  Prayer meeting at Cousin Jane’s.  Cousin Hugh Nelson’s death con-
firmed today.  What will be our state when it is over?  How many loved ones in the
tomb–God only knows.  Saw two deserters passed through Millwood this evening.  They
told of a fight near Madison Courthouse last Sunday.  Took tea at Linden.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Last night I concluded I would send the little
maid home as she is not useful & has no idea
how to wait on the children.  I sent her home
early this morning–Poor little Jacque is decidedly
unwell still threatened with dysentery.  He
has grown generally worse & nothing seems
to relief him.—has no fever but is weak, &
much thinner than he was–As he lies on
my lap, & I look down upon him–he looks
so pale that I could fancy he was dead–
but I am not being myself to think of
such a blow, though I pray that I may be
designed to whatever may happen, & feel
  I need to be as
that ^ all of my earthly possessions were
slipping from me & I shudder when the thought
strikes me that I may be left standing alone
in this cold world before these troubles end.
I sigh for our nice quiet home together, & will we
ever be together again?  I fear I am afraid,
Oh of so much, so much–

[portions transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor in 18672]

MSS 15406

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

Wednesday 13.  Considerable improve
ment on the weather scene the rain
being closely engaged.  News that Jack
son has fallen back–dont like this
aspect of things there.  Burnsides is
advancing from Frdg with a large force
–I think the fate of Richd very doubt
ful.  I never could see why the attack
was made when it [appeared?] Lincoln had
called out 300,00 militia in addition
to the volunteers and in case the volun
teers re not forthcoming by 15 Inst a
draft is ordered to fill the ranks  Buy
Busy packing and dispatching a Box
with eatables to Mary Gwatkins
Went to the cars at 6 and recd Lanny
Minor=She brought a long letter
from Lewis.

MSS 4763

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

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

Tuesday
Aug 12
Got a letter from home and
answered it.  No drills today
on account of the heat.  Answered my
letter to night.  Mike Thompson came
back from the hospital.

MSS 11293

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

13th  We are now totally cut
off from our People South.  the
arrest of 16 or 18 of our prominent
citizens brings dismay & apprehen-
-sion into every household.  No
one feels safe.  Revd Mr Broaddus
C C Wellford, J Bradley T F Knox, Mr
Gill & Mr McGuire were the first
batch arrested and sent to prison as
hostages for Union men confined by
the Confed Government.  Subsequently
Messrs J F Scott  J Coakley  Dr J Cooke  Mr
Benj Temple Clay Rowe Montgomery
Slaughter (Mayor) J H Roberts and two or
three others were arrested– all taken
from their beds and marched to Head
quarters & thence sent next day to
the Old Capitol prison, Washington.

MSS 2563-b

White Oak Swamp Bridge
Aug 12th 1862

Gen
Private Thos Turner 3 Va Cav. New Kent
Troop is here and I have concluded to detain
him till I can hear from you.  I have written
to Col Goode about him.  Gen Hampton is here
without guides for that part of the Country in
front of my Picket line.  He wishes now to
procure a guide or two for a few days.  Turner
knows the country well.  I would be very much
obliged if you would permit him to remain
4 or 5 days.  If there is any objection to this please
let me know a letter sent to my camp at
the Ct House will come down speedily
                                   Very Rspy
                                 [name illegible]
                                    Lt. Col. &c

Brig. Gen F. Lee
HdQr Lee’s  Cav Brig

[found in the papers of John Thruston Thornton, Lieut Col, 3rd Virginia Cavalry]

MSS 4201