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

Thursday 3   clear.  There were buried
to day Kirk Seabury, of the Home
Guard & young Mitchell of the Rifle
greys. both killed Monday Evg–also
Col Seymour of the 7 La Regt. killed
Friday last–We hear of many distres
sing casualties–young Fields with
whom I travelled 18 mos ago was killed
–being the 2d son the Judge has lost
within six weeks–The news today
is that the enemy have abandoned
the James River  [?] and are retreat
ing on the Charles city Road, hoping
to reach Wsburg & York. I do
not see how half of them can es
cape   I have it from the Secy of
War, through his nephew Lt. ran-
dolph, that we have taken 90[?] cannon
15000 stand of arms, immense stores
notwithstanding they destroyed such
quan[ti]ties–six generals one [since?] [dead?]
and 6 or 8000 prisoners.  Gen Lee has
not made the first mistake–His admi
rable plan has been admirably carried out.
From Yankee papers it is gratifying
to learn that the reinforcements
which we so much dreaded, had
actually been recd by McClellan
before the battle, as evinced by
the capture of McCall who had
a division of [10,000] There never
was a more brilliant campaign of
which [?] [?] [?]
Launcelot left us this morning.
He was well he thought, and a
sense of duty would not allow
him to remain longer away from
the company.

MSS 4763

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

Wednesday
July 2
Went up to surgeon this morning
Have felt pretty sick today, it rained some

MSS 11293

[writing faded and illegible in places]

                                             James River Road 17 miles Rich
                                             mond Wednesday July 2 ’62

My dear Father  [David Meade Bernard]

                 I have a small scrap of paper & drop you a line to relieve
all uneasiness about myself.  A kind providence has spared me through
the perils of another engagement.  Yesterday afternoon we [encountered?]
the enemy at this place where one of the most terrific battles of the war
took place.   Our loss was tremendous. The field was strewn with
our dead & wounded.  The fight commenced about 2 in the afternoon
with artillery.  About four our brigade was ordered to charge the
enemys [battery?] which we did with tremendous [cheering?]  The battery
fell back and as we [drove?] upon the summit of the hill from which
it had been firing.  Both parties opened with musketry which
continued until after dark.  Hardly had the enemy’s artillery
left its first position that its artillery it opened again
on us & played incessantly upon unreplied to by
our own We slept on the battle field surrounded by

[page 2]
the dead & wounded.  Our regiment behaved most
gallantly. Every brigade & regiment wavered but
the 12th–I wish I had time to write more. I have
heard nothing from Dick–Brother still at camp
Our regiment suffered seventy-two of our [?]
Co J killed outright, several missing.  Love to
all I trust we may not meet the enemy again
                               Yr Aff Son
                                G S Bernard

George Smith Bernard, 1837-1912, 12th Virginia Infantry, after the war a Petersburg,Va., lawyer and member of the House of Delegates

MSS 7745

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

Wednesday, July 2, 1862
            Heavy rain all
night and this forenoon
Lay around doing
nothing.  read some
read the Sentimental
Traveler or travels in
 France & Germany also
a book on  Fort Life[?]
Took letter down to
John Benton this evening
read some of  his letters
one from Mary  [?]
did not rain this
afternoon.

MSS 10317

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Wednesday July 2 1862
We found it raining this morning & gave up going to 
P[rospect] H[ill].  I feel so oppressed & out of spirits I 
can’t compose myself. Fannie is reading the Dutch 
Republic aloud to me & I must confess my 
mind wanders very often though it is beautifully 
written and deeply interesting.  I was making a 
dress and she read aloud all the morning–
This evening I laid down in Sis Bs room & took 
a short nap after noon and read Washington’s life till dark–
At the supper table I ventured to remark 
that if I could , I would send home to 
know what was going on; & when they hooted 
me down in the most overpowering manner, 
I said that I knew if  “Mr Ambler was here, 
he would send anyhow.” That raised quite a 
din of voices & sis B said it was the most 
foolish talk she had ever heard.  She knew Jack 
wouldn’t do any such thing,  But since 
supper, she came to my room and said she was 
sorry she had spoken so.  To tell the truth, I 
am afraid that I became excited & spoke 
in an angry tone but certainly when I 
commenced speaking I had no idea of 
raising such an opposition.  I try to learn 
not to speak when I see others are violent=
but my tongue will betray me & I 
go on & do & say just what I would rather 
not-  We will go tomorrow if it is a pleasant 
day-


Jack/ Mr Ambler:  her husband Richard Jaquelin Ambler, currently in the army


[1972 transcript by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]


MSS 15406

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

2d  I read in Lucy Howards Journal
by Mrs Sigourny–a pleasant book.
For morning devotions I am nearly at
the close of Bishop Wilsons Sacra
Privata–a choice work.  I am
kept moderately busy with practice.
Mother mightily put to it to get
domestic & lot work done–Every
thing out of joint and Servants
all demoralized.  Little Kitty a
great pest.

MSS 2563-b

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

[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s battery]

July                          Wednesday 2                          
   Rained hard, in camp
3 miles west of the last
Battle field

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

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

Wednesday 2  We found it raining when we awake & it has con
tinued to do so all day–Turning very chilly & “fall” like towards
night–I have not been able to call on cousin Sally–But sent her a
message—Eliza received a letter from Mr Mason this morning
saying he would be here soon–He said nothing of Toms being
in the engagement–only mentioned him slightly–So that I am
still kept in suspense as to his whereabouts-& what doing–Mrs
Campbell has just sent to know if I knew one of Mr Martins
sons was killed in the battle–that she heard he was thro’ a letter
received from her mother today–I hope sincerely it may not be true.
I heard from Mr Jewett to day. all were well–He sent Richd dividend
from the R R–$50–& mentioned that Jimmie Wright’s body
had arrived in Wilmington & he was to be buried at the cemetery–
Poor fellow how soon he has followed his father & cousin Joe—-
So young. So promising–All, all in vain–But he died in
a righteous cause–fighting for his liberty, his home–& his
just rights–& to keep the invaders of our soil from his
fireside & dear ones–

MSS 6960