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

     Wednesday   July 30th 1862
Pleasant
               Last night I went
out of Town to Mr Vowells.
They were reather surprised to see
me as they thought I was
with the Regt.  They invited
me to stop over night.
I slept on a feather bed, the first
one I think that I have slept on
since leaving Boston.  I could
not sleep two hours together.  I was
so restless.  If I had layed on
the floor I should have slept
sound.  This morning at Breakfast
Mr Vowell told me that his sons had
left the Southern army, there time
being up   He said they were some
where near our lines, but did not dare
to come home for fear they would
be arrested.  Miss Vowell told me if I

should be so unfortunate as to
get sick or wounded to come to
her house if  I could and she would take
good care of me.  After Breakfast
I bid them good bye and went
back to my quarters in Town.
I found the Boys had just
got up and were eating their
breakfast.  At nine O clock we
strapped our Knapsacks to our backs
and started for the Regt.  It was

very warm; and we did not hurry.
We would march about a mile,
and then hault for an hour.
We reached the Regt distance
of seven or eight miles, about
four O clock in the afternoon.
We found the Regt camped
on the side of a hill, near,
five or six buildings, which
is called Waterloo.  There was
some mills here, but were burnt
The Camp is in a healthy locality and
the water is very good

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Wednesday July 30, ’62
Guard Mounting
then practiced
Did little the remainder
of the day wrote some
Parade & Drill
At length by this
evening mail recd
letter from Jennie Langan
a sweet letter I love
to receive such letters
home letters
raining a little this
evening  Thunder storm
threatening  More rain

MSS 10317

                   July 30th / 62
           Camp Green Meadow
Dear Father
                    Here we are
as usual in Camp with
with[sic] no present prospect
of our leaving soon
Citizens however fear that
we will leave and many
of them are fleeing to
the north it is very
hard for these poor fellows
who have to leave their
land their homes that they
have labored so long
for under so many
disadvantages too
People at home cant realize
such an event in its proper
light immagine yourself
obliged to leave your pleasant
home that you have labored

[page 2]
so long to procure
also all the necessary
conveniences & comforts
you have gathered around
you all you  [?] &c
leaveing you nothing but
the Clothes upon your back
and you will have
the case of the Union
people of this Country
I will give you a Case
A man named Caldwell
has considerable property in
Monroe County near a small
place called Peters Town a
short distance from the Narrows[?]
of New River just before
the rebellion broke out
he went west leaveing
his family behind he
bought a small piece of
land in Indianna improved
it a little and came back

[page 3]
this spring.  when he arrived
at Raleigh he found us
there & has remained with
us ever since he awaited
our advance anxiously as
it would have been sheer
folly for  him to go to
his home before us
When we advanced to Giles
he crossed the River & got
to his home only for a
few hours however as it
soon became known and
some rebel Cavalry started
after him but he escaped
but did not get back
again until we came
back to Flat Top he then
went by night but
was unable to get to his
house as it was watched
he however remained there
about 12 hours and managed

[page 4]
to signal his wife
he dare not approach his
house or allow his Children
to know he was there
He is a man of undoubted
courage and has done
good service as a scout
Last Friday, Colonel Hayes
with 6 companies Inf one of
Cavalry & one howitzer went
up and brought his family
over.  I accompanied the
expedition. We left
this Camp after noon of
Friday marched down to
the River or near to it (6 miles)
and remained there until
after dark.  then crossed the
River quietly & marched
rapidly up the River 5
miles from the ferry we left
two companies to guard a road
which came down to the River

[page 5]
from a considerable Camp
of the rebels  we then
marched about 7 miles
farther to the mouth of
Indian Cr, arrived there
at 3 Oclock A.M. and halted
the cavalry went on
10miles further to Caldwells
house they were not molested
but when they arrived there
they could see the picket
fires of the Enemy only
a short distance off
hurriedly arousing the
family (who knew nothing
of their comeing) they gave
them time enough only
to put on their clothes and
takeing them on behind them
they hurried away not
even allowing them time

[page 6]
to pack a change of
clothing leaveing behind
them all their stock household
furniture a wagon & crriage
&c &c which before the sett
of another sun would
all be in ashes at the
hands of the Enemy or  his
nearest neighbors & relatives
with whom he had been
brought up. they arrived
at our Bivouac soon after
daybreak We immediately
arose from our short rest
on the cold ground and
without breakfast marched
back to the ferry where
we arrived about 10 Oclock
A.M. after getting some dinner
we came on up to this camp
We had been away from
cam a little ofver 24 hours
and had accoplished about 36

[page 7]
miles hard marching
Caldwell & family left
this morning for his little
place in Ind–he has an
interest family of 5
children the eldest about
12 years old.  Mrs Caldwell
is a pleasant woman &
says she is glad to get away
although they have sacrificed
all their property in the
atempt–several familys
left this morning with
them on their way north.

[letter of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio will continue on July 31]

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

Wednesday 30th  It is becoming warmer & warmer every day.  So that visit-
ing is entirely given up until after tea–Mrs. Watters & I went up to Miss
Sally Malletts last night & paid her a long visit–Today we have
all been sewing in my room & eating fruit–So far I have seen
no fruit up here to compare with that we get in Wilmington–
& the country women ask enormously high for what they do bring.
William is still quite unwell everything he eats or drinks he
throws immediately up–Mrs Saunders & daughter called to see
us all this morning & Mrs Guthree has gone into the country–I
received a letter from Tom to day–I was much disappointed at finding
it dated the 4th of July–more than 3 weeks ago-

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

30th  Brother John bears up
wonderfully.  Her sufferings are
so great (from nervousness & difficult
spasmodic breathing) that he longs
to see her released.  Their
parting adieus are very affecting.
Nannie & her father were peculiar
friends. Ellen Mercer is much
sustained.  Poor old Aunt Hetty
is bound to the earth—faithful
old friend!

MSS 2563-b

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Wednesday, July 30, 1862

I got up as soon as I wakened as I am
all alone now & have my little folks
to dress before breakfast–
I feel sad this morning–this is so
different from my usual visit home=It
is no visit. I am here for an indefinite time-
& you are far, far, away.  Pa received a
letter from Nat on Tuesday mentioning that
he had seen you in Richmond & you looked
pale; – – –

We talked & talked all day I could
neither read nor write–&  writing this
the next Tuesday–must go on & hastily
fill up the pages till that day-

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

MSS 15406

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

Wednesday 30.  Much startled by a telegram
from Dr. Lewis W. Minor, telling me that
I must not send Eugenes horse that
he was doing well.  The inference was
unavoidable that he was either sick
or had been hurt in some way.  The
last letter we had, dated Friday, he said
he was very unwell & feared he was go
-ing to be laid up.  I had as a great
favor gotten Robert Saunders to let
Eugen have his man Pleas as a
servant & had made all arrangements
for him to take the horse down with
morning train.  The mail brought
letter fro Dr. L. W. M. saying Eugene had
fever & had been sick since Monday.
He hoped to break the fever that day
(Tuesday).  I cannot help feeling uneasy
knowing how much Eugene has tasked
his constitution  since he has been in ser
vice.  It is a great pity he shd be sick
just at this time when his service
in the regiment was so important
and was so appreciated.  At night
Dr. Minor brought to see us Revd Dr.
Quintard, formerly of Nashville, but
now chaplain of the 1st Tenn Regt.
He had of late been on Gen Loveings
staff–but is going to join his Regt.
I have rarely seen a more preposses-
sing manner, or more agreeable
gentleman. He was exceedingly popular
in the army and exercised a good
influence.

Charles Todd Quintard, 1824-1898, both a surgeon and an Episcopal bishop. After the war he reestablished the University of the South at Sewanee and served as its Vice Chancellor.

MSS 4763

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

A bright warm day.  A little shower in the evening.  I went to ride with Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Aunt Agnes to the Vineyard. what beautiful view there are on that side.  They are worth the rocky road to see them.  Pen Kennedy and her child were there.  We called in Millwood to ask the news.  Winchester is still beleagured.  We could hear nothing from there.  They vow the intention of  starving out the inhabitants.  Jackson is supposed to be near Madison Court House watching Pope’s operations.  Ewell and Longstreet are with him.

MSS 9759

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

Tuesday
July 29

Wrote a letter home giving an
account of our trip.  Did not do
much but read and lounge.

MSS 11293