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

 Saturday 9  Another exceedingly hot day
-thermometer at 86 in the passage &
89 on the porch at 10 p.m. A bath
just before retiring made me sleep
all night.  Jackson has advanced & crossed
the Rapidan–four officers & some
20 men arrived as prisoners taken
in a skirmish–From all I can learn He
will whip them and drive them out
of the Piedmont region.  Called to see
Col. M. Langdon who is getting better

-called also on James Barbour, who
is no better, & whose life in danger
I think–from an occult disease of
the bowels–ulceration most probably
went to Dranes for tea & then to
Sue’s who has been very sick–an
attack like that of last summer

MSS 4763

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

Friday, Aug. 8, 1862

After Guard Mounting
the Battalion proceeded
to shift the position
of the Camp So as to give
more room for Drill at[?]
Camp. After dinner we
moved our tents back
a short distance back
and  erected a booth in
front.  At supper Jo had
a difficulty with
Campbell about Campbells
laziness Jo struck him but
nothing further was done
Parade an[d] drill
I hope the time is not
far distant that by
some hook or crook I can
get away from here by
discharge or otherwise
mostly clear very warm

MSS 10317

Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

I write few lines to thank
you & Doct [Charles Cary] Cocke for your letters recd
a few days since–I thank God
you are again in the enjoyment
for your usual health.  The last
overseer on Genl. P.St. Geo. Cocke’s Est
in Loundes Co: leaves Monday
next & I am perfectly overrun
with business–The Government pulls
down & I try to build up.
I shall leave for the plantations
in the morning to get things in a
proper train before leaving for
Greene & hope to be able to get
off the Hopewell & the salt works
nest Tuesday–all on the plantation
enjoying their usual health to day
I learn–When I go to Hopewell
& the Salt Works, will write you
fully–I fear we have been doing
a poor business, but are able to do
better from this week making Salt
All hands pulling fodder, a plenty
rain now.  Our Respects to Doct.

[page 2]
Cocke & family.  Cotton good
at present  Corn better than I
ever thought it would be on the
Est.  This must answer for you,
& the Doct. both–at Prest
Our love to you.  all well
               In haste yr friend &c
                   R.D. Powell
Genl John H Cocke

MSS 640

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

Friday   Aug 8th/62

Very warm.  At three Oclock in the
afternoon, we had orders to prepare
to march immediately.  We were soon
on our way, we marched through
the town, and went into Camp
about two miles from the Town,
distance of four miles from the
old Camp.  We heard that the Rebels
were only seven miles from us, and
this side of the Rappadan river.
We went to sleep at night, with
the prospects of Battle tomorrow.  Co. N. was
left in the Town to do Provost guard,
When we marched through the Town,
most of the Ladies were crying,
probably most of them knew
the Rebels were near, and had Fathers
Sons or Brothers with them and
seeing such a strong force of
Yankees going to meet them, must
have made them feel bad.  Nearby the
house we came to I saw a young Lady
with a handkerchief to her face
crying as though her heart would
brake.  A little ways furthur on there
was a woman sitting by the Window
and as we passed her, she cast her
eyes heaven ward, and her lips
moved as if in prayer.  She was
probably praying for the Lord to bring down curses upon
our heads.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

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

                                  Friday 8        1862
   Va. Battery started out
for Gordonsville, passed
through Richmond & Camped
to night four miles from
R. on road from there to
Louisa, C. H.

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

Camp Fifth Maine Near Harrisons Landing Va. August 8/62
Dear Father—I now take this Present opportunity as it is the cool
Part of the day to Answer your letter that Ive received when on Picket it was
dated the first there was one thing pleasant in Camp this morning when we arrived in
from the Pickett it was the meeting of one of the members of the company who we thought
had died from wounds that he received in the back of the neck but instead of being
dead he is alive & in good health he was taken Prisoner & came down from Richmond
day before  yesterday when wee was on Picket & tonight there is A sadder sight that was
the buring two more Members of the Regiment this makes six we have lost by sickness
since we came to James River being more than we have lost at any one time since we have
been in Virginia these two men belong to Co I the Bethel Company & Co F of Portland last
night they cleared out all of the sick that was in the Hospital & have sent them to
Fortress Monroe & other places I was down to the landing yesterday to get the box & it
had not come Genl Slocum has been promoted from a Brigadier General to A Major
& will have command of this corps as Genl Franklins health is poor. I have heard
said that he had been appointed Military Governor of this stat & if it is so I think
it is the right man in the right place Col Jackson has not arrived yet but the
officers expect him to day tell William that I received his last letter & will answer Just
as soon as I can get A chance I have read A great deal about the Soldiers getting rested since they
have been to this River as far as I am concerned I am rested A great deal but I could get more if it
were not for working on breastworks & forts but if Genl McClellan thinks he can make them stronger
by entrenchments i[sic] am wiling because I have every confidence in him & shall whether
he meats with defeat or Victory & I believe that if they will give him the men
that he wants he will enter the so called capital of the Rebels. I was
surprised to read in your letter that there was A box on the way & I
do not want Mother to spend the money that is given to her for me
                           From your Son
                                        Joseph Leavitt

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

Spent the day at Saratoga. This evening the Yankees made a raid into Millwood and its precincts, plundered Linden and the Hall, carried away cattle from the latter place in the morning.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Another burning day.  Still wanting rain.
I feel like writing a long letter to you
have an idea that before I finish it
some way will turn up for me to send
it.  Mrs Baylor has been with her husband
who is wounded, & (is now near Staunton)–
She brings the news that Jackson will be here
before ten days have passed–I hope it may
be true. I feel that God will hear our
cries for relief;  from  the presence of
our enemies–.
Jacque has been sick for a week, but is a
great deal better to day.  I was very uneasy for
fear he would have the dysentery, but hope
it has all been entirely checked. Pa is so fond of
feeding children on fruit that he insisted a
good ripe pear would’nt hurt Jack & so
I tried it but I will be careful not to
do the like again–
Tom has improved very much.  It is
not half as difficult to make him mind
me as it was a few months ago. I have given
him some good lessons in whipping, & think
the secret his [?];  Pa took him behind
him on his horse to the depot & said he
behaved very well–John asked what he
was.  said “secesh rebel.”

[partially transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Willis Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

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

Friday 8.  Weather extremely hot. Telegram
that Gen Stevenson had captured
the Yankee Column at Cumberland Gap
This is Carter Stevenson of Fredg.  I
shall rejoice if the news be true
not only on public grounds but on
his account.  He is an excellent officer
and wants only the opportunity to
distinguish himself –Would that
his mother could have lived to enjoy
his success–closely engaged–Letter
from Mary dat4ed yesterday–She thinks
Eugene better–but her specifications
of his condition dont sustain her [?]
ion I hope they may reach home early
next week.

MSS 4763