[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]

  Camp Jones, Flat Top Mtn., June 30th.
     The month closes today, and with it half the
year of our Lord, 1862.  Six months of time
fraught with great events in our distracted
country, hopeful ones, at first, seemingly; but
now, not so well.  This period of time was
predicted to witness the close of this accursed
rebellion, but that period of peace appears as
far distant as it did six months ago.
The slow and cautious advance of McClellan
toward Richmond is looked upon with
almost breathless interest by the whole
country as though the downfall of Richmond,
that nest of treason, betokened the redemption
of our country.  If McClellan is successful,
the effect will unquestionably be great.
But there are many almost insurmountable
obstacles in the way, and it is a matter of
regret that the young chieftain has many
opponents to his system, amongst those who
should be his warm advocates, but who suppose
their military knowledge obtained in a year, to be greater than
that of one who has made it a study how to fight.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

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

Monday 30  A letter from Eugene which I ought
to have had last evening, dated 2 P.M.
Saturday on the first of the battle assured us
of his safety and of Williams the latter
rode up to Eugene when they were under
a heavy fire for which purpose as not sta-
ted, or in what capacity he was along
He says his regt and another stormed
the battery and turned the guns on the ene-
my–that nothing could exceed the valor
of our troops & that the 5th will be heard
of, if justice be done.  He was separated
fromthe regiment and supposed to be captured
–but he captured 13 of the enemy & after
sleeping with them in the Swamps, brought
them in next day.  He says a brigade of
2300 yankees voluntarily surren-
dered Saturday morg–Had a more 
laborous duty in counting –this long
quarter day.  I have on hand nearly
$800,00–three times as much as
I ever had before–another despatch
announcing all the Blackfords safe
–very much indisposed. Fanny Minor
-Charles’ wife-came in the evening
from Edgewood, Charles she says is about
to receive an appointment of com-
missary & qrtermaster on Gen Pendleton’s
staff with rank of captain.


MSS 4763

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

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

Monday 30th  It is very cool & pleasant to day after the rain last night & the
ladies have availed themselves of the pleasant morning to return
visits–Eliza has gone too.  Mr. Fetter did not get off last night, he is to
leve in the Eleven OClock Hack.  He called just now to bid us goodbye–
I received letters this morning –one from Liz & one from Cousin Lord–Eliza
Eliza got one two from A.J. Miller & The news from Richmond still cheering.  Our troops
are carrying all before them–But I cannot hear what has happened of Tom or Mr
Mason–Kind Providence seems to be smiling on us again–& if God be for
us we need not fear what man can do with us–

Eliza:  her daughter
Liz: her daughter in law, widow of her deceased son William, and daughter of N.C. governor John Branch
Tom: her son with Burt’s Rifles, Co. K, 18th Mississippi
Mr. Mason: Eliza’s fiancee James M. Mason


MSS 6960

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

30th –Sisters Ann & Mary, Eliza little
Lucy & Matsy spent the day with us and
we enjoyed their pleasant Company.
Sister Ann talks of tryng to get to
Albemarle to see Mat & Dick who
went there last week from Richmond.
But she is poorly and there are diffi
culties–Matsy says he wishes
Brother could have been in the late battle
that we hear has been going on before
Richmond: he wants him to cover
himself with glory.  We thank God
for the success that has crowned our
arms–if reports be true.

MSS 2563-b

[from the daily journal of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Monday, July 30, 1862
I arose very early thinking I would get through all
my duties so that I might enjoy my letter. But
I was doomed to be disappointed about that letter.
I had set my heart too much on it & “it is ever
thus.” Mr. Downs came back from Mr. Leonard’s & said that
our letters had been sent to Mr. Beverly’s.  There was
one from bro Tom to mother.  : Oh I never felt more
biterly disappointed in my life.  I had waited with
all the patience I could command for a week &
I had no more.  I could imagine you were dead.
There is such an awful silence about you. But
one great comfort I have I know you are wel attended
to & I must learn to bear without a murmur this
trying separation.  I hope it may blessed unto
me & teach me many lessons.
Sis B and I rod to Cousin Tom’s. G. Marshall…I was
very much pleased with the girls–am determined
I will go to see them oftener when I get back
to Clifton: They were very affectionate & kind–
We came back by Clifton to get some rose slips.
–got off our horses & walked along the lane to eat 
raspberries–  How often have we walked there 
together.  That first winter we spent at Clifton, 
I remember our waling up that way so often &
I would make Massie go too- for fear she might
 be induced to do wrong in my absence– How 
I watched over her.  I couldn’t feel more uneasy 
or try to act more conscientiously for my own child.  God 
grant me a better result for my labors.


[1972 transcript by Anne Madison Wright Baylor]


MSS 15406

[fromthe diary of private Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]

                                  Monday 30
     Crossed the battle field of yes-
-terday

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 4448

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

Monday, June 30, 1862
      Was up Early this
morning and Cleaned
my  horn Were mustered
and inspected at 8 oclock
were not obtained long
after that had Guard
mounting.  Practiced
before & after noon
Parade but no drill
Play at Twilight
The boys have been
playing cards almost
constantly for some
time past have some
discussion about it but
Arthur told them they
must quit the abuse of it
Drizzley this morning
hazy but partly clear all
day, got package of
papers from home this eve

MSS 10317

[from the daily journal of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Sunday 20th   Though it was cloudy and Father though it might
rain, Sis B and I rode to Markham to attend services.
It did not rain and we had a delightful ride-
Mr. Duncan made a short address & in conclusion
referred to Turner’s death in a touching manner–
Many present wept. Betsy was convulsed with
grief.  I though I had never seen her look more
lovely.  I would fall in love with her if I were a
man.  I can’t keep my eyes off of her.  Mr. Duncan
rode home with us.  We stopped in at Dr. Striblings
& Mr. D. had prayers for which the doctor expressed
much gratitude.  It made me feel how near death is
to all of us, to see that poor old man lying weak &
feeble in his bed, would that we could be as ready to
die as he is when our time comes.  Oh, to think that
one of us must leave the other sooner or later. I
cannot wish you grief but I feel that were you to
die I could not live.  Oh, how little would life be
worth to me without you– Could I ever smile again
– My heart would break…I would  break.
Mr. Duncan, cousin John  Mt. Blanc  brother James all
dined here.  I was only in the parlor a few
minutes after dinner.  Spent the evening
nursing Jacque, trying to to[sic] read.  Now
that all my “jewels” are asleep, I must
endeavour to make up for lost time–  No letter
yet.  Still there is hope tomorrow may bring me a
letter.  Goodnight, my love, goodnight…your devoted
Annie.

[transcript from 1972 by granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

On the North of Chickahominy
  Sunday 29” June 1862
My dear Wife
    We have had a great victory
so far.  Nothing was done yester
day & we are still lying still
but other divisions have ad-
vanced & others are building
bridges.  our loss has been heavy
but that of the enimy [sic] terrific
& fearful.  The fight was
terable [sic] & was general  The
13” Va Reg suffered severly
George Magruder, Sheridan Reu-
ben & Conway Newman are
all wounded but none dange-
rous & will all be sent
home to day.  I have not heard
from Ned  He fought on
the other side of the river.
Our Brigade belonged to the
Reserve Corps & was not
ordered forward until 5

[page 2]
oclock & then did not
get under any thing like
a heavy fire but unfortu
nately for us it was heavy
enough to deprive us of our
gallant brigade commander
Col Fulkerson who was
mortally wounded & has since
died.  The command of the
brigade then evolved on
me.  Yesterday Hamptons
Legion was assigned to the
brigade & Genl Hampton
assigned to the command of
both, but he still keeps me
in command of our brigade.
Genl Elzie & Capt Chestney
were both wounded  Lieut
McDonald killed.  we are
expecting still further & very
hard fighting [two words illegible] skir
mishing is kept up  I will
write to you as often [word illegible]
[words illegible] dont know [words illegible]
I will send this

[the following was written along the left margin of page 2]

But by first chance  Most affectionately
E.T. H Warren

“On the North of Chickahominy”, heading – The regiment was in position near White Oak Bridge.


“My dear Wife”, salutation – Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren.


“George Magruder”, line 11 – Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Private, Company C, 13th VA Infantry, was wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Sheridan”, line 11 – No official records have survived which indicate Charles Sheridan Newman served in the 13th VA Infantry.  However, a number of men served in various organizations and no official records are extant today.  Available official records indicate Charles Sheridan Newman was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant/Adjutant in the 60th Tennessee Mounted Infantry in October 1862.
    It is unlikely Warren would have made such a mistake as mentioning Sheridan as wounded considering the detail he added about their being sent home.  However, as he obviously received the information second-, or third-, hand possibly there was some confusion concerning which Newman was wounded.  It is remotely possible the man was John Herbert Newman, Private, Company A, 13th VA Infantry.  He was mortally wounded 27 June 1862 at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill and died on 28 June.


“Reuben”, lines 11 & 12 – Reuben Manning Newman, Private, Company C, 13th VA Infantry, was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Conway Newman”, line 12 – Conway Newman, Lieutenant, Company F, 13th VA Infantry, was wounded at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Our Brigade”, line 18; page 2, line 16 – During the Seven Days’ the brigade consisted of the 10th, 23rd, and 37th VA Infantry regiments, along with Wooding’s Danville (VA) Artillery Battery.


“Col Fulkerson”, page 2, line 7 – Samuel V. Fulkerson, Colonel, 37th VA Infantry, commanded the brigade noted above at Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Hamptons Legion”, page 2, lines 11 & 12 – Hampton’s Legion (SC) Infantry Battalion.


“Genl Hampton”, page 2, line 13 – Wade Hampton III, of South Carolina, Confederate general.


“Genl Elzie”, page 2, line 17 – Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanded the Fourth Brigade, Ewell’s Division, Jackson’s Command, at Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.  Elzey was in the thick of the fight and received a severe debilitating wound in the face.


“Capt Chestney”, page 2, line 17 – Theo. O. Chestney, Captain, Assistant Adjutant-General, General Elzey’s Staff, was wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, 27 June 1862.


“Lieut McDonald”, page 2, line 19 – Craig W. McDonald, Lieutenant, Acting Inspector, General Elzey’s Staff, was killed at the Battle of Gaines’s Mill, 27 June 1862.


“E.T.H Warren”, page 2, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.


[transcript by John P. Mann IV]

MSS 7786-g