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

Wednesday
July 23

On guard to-day.  My feet were
rather sore. My post was No 8

MSS 11293

Private Charles E. Taylor of the Co “F”, was wounded in
the Battle of Kernstown, and has since that time, been
under my care in this city.
                       At his request, I respectfully recommend
his transfer to a mounted regiment, so as to be relieved
from the marching incident to the infantry service
Richmond July 23, 1862
                                        V. W. Harrison
                                              Surgeon in chge—
                                                  Royster Hospital
                                                       Richmond Va.

Hon G. W. Randolph, Secy of War,
                                                      Sir,
                                                             I hereby file
an application for a transfer from Co “F” 21st
Virginia Infantry, to C “F”, 10th Va Cavalry–said
application being based upon the above recommendation
and my unfitness for the Infantry service–
                                        Charles E. Taylor
Richmond July 23  1862

[letter of Sidney S. Stringer of the 1st Virginia Cavalry begun July 21 continues]

1862 July 23

Dr Father
I will write to you a few more
lines.  They paid us off to day & I send By
Capt. C. K. Irvings boy Sidney $1.75 which
I hope will reach you safe–
I would not send it until John Ned
comes gut for fear we may move &
take the first opportunity to send it
&Sidney is a very trusty boy, as much
so as the most of white me–& he
says he will carry it safe to you
we are now at Hanover C.H.; came
here yesterday.  I like my horse very
much indeed, a detail from our
Regt went out on a scout a
few days since within 15 miles
of Fredricksburg and captured 7
Yankees, one Lt. 2 Sergt–4 privates
all from Indiana–there is no force
of importance at Fredricksburg–
so reported by the scout, Joe Marshall
[final line on page has been chewed away]

[page 2]
they tell a very amusing tale
Give my love to Mother & Bet
My Respects to L[?] & Braddock
                   Your son &c
                        Sidney S. Stringer

Stringer,  a private in the First Virginia Cavalry was mortally wounded August 16, 1864, at Front Royal

MSS 7093-q

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

           Wednesday    July 23 1862
            Pleasant.
                           Worked hard
all day at the Depot.
In the evening went up
to Warrenton House and listened
to the music of the New York
ninth band

[transcribed by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio] 

After Guard
mounting fell in
and marched 3 miles
down to Bluestone
& near its mouth &
bathed marched back
and arrived soon after
noon the road was
very steep & Fatiguing
Recd Letters last night
from Abb  Chidester
parad[sic] & Drill as
usual
Had long talk this
evening with Phill
about his adventures
with the Fairs
Cloudy & Sunshiny
very warm
indicating rain
Sprinkled a little

MSS 10317

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

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

The day has been cloudy & unpleasantly close all the morning.  In
the afternoon it cleared off.  Mr  & Mrs Ned Davis called to see Liz–& just
as we took our seat at the tea table-Sarah & her mother arrived with dear
Little William who comes up to all my expectations–He has a lovely counte
-nance without being handsome–Has an aristocratic look–Very fine-
-ly formed–& is as straight as an arrow–He is quick in his movements
& very smart for his age–Well may his parents be proud of him–
He has no resemblance to Fred–But is exceedingly like his mother & un
-cle Pax–When I look at  him it makes me sad, to think how far his fa
-ther is away–& what a trial it must have been for Fred to leave him
& his mother–
MSS 6960

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

Wednesday 23   Had a full nights rest
not an “arrival” during yesterday
Walked over to Charles after break
fast.  [Wm?] writes that he and
his men quartered one night in
the barn at Mt Airy– that he
went to the house and saw on the
trees the initials of his name, his
sister, Lanty Keans and others–
with dates running from ’35 to
to ’53–What a  world of recollection
must have been awakening.  He
had been much with General Jackson
riding over the country and was
much pleased with him as a man
His troops was still attached to him
as an escort–which is a more pleasant
service than with the regiment He
says nothing about his health
Nothing of interest during the
day.  At 4 went to attend the funeral
of Capt Hobbes–but the heavy
rain induced them to postpone
it until tomorrow at qr past 8
–Shocking accident on the S.S.R.R.
yesterday by which four soldiers
were killed and some 30 or 40
more or less wounded–Some very
severely.  Morgan still spreading
terror in Kentucky.  He had taken
Cynthiana–Halleck has resigned.

MSS 4763

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Wednesday, July 23, 1862

Though it looked like rain, Fannie, Mary & I
walked up to Clifton, & we were caught in a
tremendous rain. at  first we thought
of waiting there, till it was over, but afterwards
came home in the pouring rain–of
course we were thoroughly drenched.
Got home just in time to dress for dinner
Father scolded a little for our
foolishness in venturing out.  I was
in such high spirits after my exciting
walk that they all vowed I must be
drunk: so you see high spirits are more
rare with me than formerly.  the day
was when to look thoughtful, or sad, was
a matter to question, now I am so rarely
seen really laughing that when I forgot myself  &
laughed too much
I am accused of being drunk.  I turned
the joke on Fannie, vowed I had not
touched a drop, but that she had had the bottle–
& forgot to mention after wards that she was
washing spots from a [knife?]

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

MSS 15406