1862
Mercer County  camp calby June 25
Dear Pa
            I once more seat my self to
inform you that I am well  Cum[sic] do
hopeing thes few lines will find you enjoying
like blessings.  Uncle Isacc got hear yestarday
                                        broke                broke
eavening. he is got something ^ about his buggy ^ as
he came along he was very near three days comeing
I got the ham of meat light bread you sent me
I was very much pleased with it for we never
draw any lean meat that is fit to eat I
havent any thing of importance to write to
you I heard of Johns Cousin John cowans
death. I was very much supprised to hear of it
                Fields
when Joseph ^ came back he said he was considera
ble better.  poor fellows, I feel ver verry sorrow
for them that is left behind.  I know that
family has suffered greatly from the effects
of this war.  This world has turned from a
of peas and hapiness to a world of trouble
and suffurage.  If I should ever live till
pease is mad, I cannot return home without

[page 2]
trouble and sorrow on my mind from
loss the loss of so many good friends that I
will have to leave behind. it is sorrowful to
think of but we will have to do the best
we can we are hitched in and we must pull
out let the consequenses be what they may
we are in and the main ideas is to fite out
as quick as posible. It may be posible that
this was is the work you need not think,
this that I am tirred or disatisfyed for
I am no cumings seems very well satis
fyed I allowed to try to get a furlow
about the first of July to help you with
hearvest.  I dont expecxt I will  get to come
it is said that we will leave hear toma
rrow to cumberland gap or big Mckeson
gap, I havent got any letter from you since
uncle vinse was hear  I am alooking for a letter
this eavening, give my respects to all enquireing
friends, no more at present but remain
               your affectionate son C. H. Gilmer
Cumings Gilmer, write soon  — Cuming Gilmer

Charles H. Gilmer and Cummings Gilmer  of the 29th Virginia

MSS 5194

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

Satufeay 28  The board ordered me to invest
$200,000 more in bonds–very vague
accounts of the battle yesterday–all
favorable however.  Some of the casualties
reach us Dick Phelps killed–Col Wi-
thers of the 18 wounded–Nothing to
assure me of the safety of my boys
-but I take no news to be favorable
and should hope for the best.  Eugene
I know has been engaged
Later in the day telegrams
came announcing that the enemy
were driven back several miles, that
the battle was still going on-6000
prisoners already taken–including three
Generals–90 or 100 guns & that our
forces were surrounding McClellan
and that a hope was entertained that
he would have to capitulate–If he
is cut off from the gun boats.  I think
this probable enough.  Lee in com-
mand and exciting admiration
by the manner in which his plans
are carried out–I always predicted
he would be the man–I  did not
regret that the wound of Johnson
was not healed.–I wanted Lee to have
a fair chance.–News also that France
& England had determined to interfere
The N.Y. Herald admits it to be no longer
doubtful–Butlers “order” is denounced
in parliament in the most violent
manner. The vaporing of the Herald
on the occasion is truly characteristic
Coming home in the evening found
Mathew Maury & his daugher Ma
ry and Richard Davis–Mathews [wife?]
had reached Fredg and was to return
Monday–She wished to be back
with her Mary and home  [?]her spee-
-dy return & the necessity of her
going to Richd tomoerow–Richd is on
his way to Flat Creek, summoned 
by his wife to help nurse the ser
vants.  The old fever has broken out
there–nineteen cases–Most high
-ly delighted with the intervention[?]

MSS 4763

Insert Brand letter currently in digital services

[from the diary of Jonathan B. Hager of the 14th U.S. Regulars as copied and annotated by him at a later date]

June 28                                         We were exceedingly
            tired & worn out with the fatigues of the previous
            day & night and it was not without a full
            appreciation of its comforts that three of us
            lay down together in the cool of the morning,
            on the bare ground, with our heads upon the
            sawn log.  There was so much noise made
            by the soldiers around us that we could not
            sleep, and after resting an hour or so, we a-
            rose to the performance of our duties.
           After so severe a battle, our losses had to be
           ascertained,  the killed, wounded & missing had to
           be reported.  Arms had to be examined,  ammu-
           nition replenished, rations to be issued and all
           the preparations necessary to be able & ready to
           meet the enemy again wherever & whenever he
           may appear. With an occasional nap during the
           day, when it could be snatched, passed the time
           until Evening.  About 5 P.M. an order was re-
           ceived to take up our line of march and we
           set out for we knew not where.  Our belief
           was that we were going toward James River.
           Up to this time we were not informed, of
           course as to the nature of the movement.  We
           could not help observing, however, that we were
           getting out of the way of the enemy. Leaving
           the field of battle at night & blowing up bridges
           behind us looked like a retreat and of
           course was not by any means encouraging
           to us.  Spiritless we resumed our march.  Our
           tramp was lagging & wearisome.  We were on
           the road all night.  Many times we stopped
           to rest.  No sooner did the column halt, than
           men & officers dropped down into the road,
           & were instantly asleep.  Thus passed the night
           until perhaps midnight when an oc-
           currence took place which showed up to what
           intensity the nerves of all were wrought.  Some
           disturbance at the head of the column, what it
           was we never knew created the idea that we were
           attacked by the rebel cavalry.  The shock went
           through the entire division like the firing of a
           train of powder.  Every man was instantly upon
           his feet.  Half took cover in the wood which
           bordered the narrow road on one side & the other
           half hugged the fence on the other side.  Almost
           as quickly however we knew such a thing to be
           impossible & we returned to our places in the line.
           It was a most astonishing thing.  The entire
           column acted as  one man,  and the shock at
           the head was almost instantaneously felt at the
           foot of the column, and the absurdity of the idea
           struck each man as it were at the same instant.
           When it is considered that we had been on short
           rations for two or three days, without sleep for two
           nights, had just been engaged in a terrible battle,
           were retreating, the dead & still hour of midnight
           & almost every man asleep, any disturbance would
           naturally be ascribed to the enemy—-

           MSS 9044

  [from the diary of Samuel Johnson of the 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]

  June 28th

Were turned out at three. A. M and marched
to the banks of the river, to protect the right
flank of the army.  the army is compelled to
fall back from before Richmond. not being
strong enough to hold our position against
the reinforcements the rebs have received
from the South.  (For all this we can thank
that poor, weak minded thing, that is styled
President Lincoln,)  All day long a steady

[in pencil,
in the margin is written, “ You don’t mean that.”]

column of sick, and wounded troops, trains,
and other material of war, was passing
by us.  At four P. M. our div was sent to
the front with orders to hold our position
at all hazzards until midnight.  we are
to be left as the rear guard to cover the
retreat.  Remained in position until mid-
-night, when we limbered up, and fell back
after the remainder of the army.  As far as I
can under stand the proceedings, the authorities
at Washington have done the best they could
to sacrifise this army, and if we ever
reach the James River it will be wholly
to the credit of Gen Mc Clellan and to
him will this country’s thanks be due.
   Warm and pleasant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[from the diary of Daniel D. Logan, younger brother of General Thomas M. Logan, formerly a Sgt, Co. B, 1st Special Battalion (Rightor’s), now with the Hampton Legion]
           
                        Saturday – June 28th 1862
Bro Geo woke me up a midnight last night
coming in from the battle field – he reports the
Enemy driven back towards their left wing with
heavy loss – a distance of six miles, our men
capturing all their field works with many guns
wagons & Small arms, & forcing them to burn all
the Commissary stores belonging to the left
wing of their army – capturing many heavy
siege guns & light pc’s of Artilery – Jackson &
A.P. Hill’s divisions worked round the left Right
flank of the Enemy, forcing them to
change front & line of battle; from latest
ac’cts – our men under three generals had
taken possession of their landing at White
House on the Pamunkey river & also of the
York River Railroad by which they had been
getting their supplies – 3400 prisoners arrived
in town today – with the Yankee generals
Reynolds & Taylor, one Colonel and three
Majors

I have been confined to the office most of
today – Rode into town today to hunt up Mullie
& attend to some business – Did not succeed in
the former object – but learned from Brother
who came up this Evening that he had gone
to Mrs Dunlops last night to find him &
they Kept him – that Mullie wanted to
go to Mr Harveys – of his Co  Smith was
Killed & some five others wounded – there
is nothing very authentic from the field
beyond the Chickahominy – Gen Magruders
Hugers & Holmes hold our front on
this other side of the river, only having slight
Artilery skirmis[h]es with that portion of
the Yankee Army on this side the Chick
-ahominy – they will probably push forward
tomorrow after the foe – I rode down to
Mrs Price’s this Evening where Magruder &
Staff were,  Mrs Prices house is

[The following is cross-written over the above page.]
completely riddled with cannon balls – We
could hear the guns this day, from Richmond
towards the fields of combat – Returned after
dark & retired after reading for a few hours.
     
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

                                  Saturday 28
Continued our advance down the
north of Chh Swamp.  Fight
continued on the South Side
by Johnston’s forces.  enemy still
retreating

[diary of Sgt. Z Lee Gilmer of the 19th Virginia Co. B (Albemarle rifles), written somewhat later, continues ]

(Saturday 28) about
12 when Maj Ellis Lt White, Sgt
Wm H Shepherd & myself were
taken to Richmond.  I went
direct to my Uncles & took
my fond friend Shepperd with
me. about an hour after I was
shot I lost my voice & did not
recover it until five or six day’s
I am much indebted to John Dicken
son for my life, for he held me
up the entire night & the next
day until I left I shall never
forget him. If he had not have
done this I would have suffica
ted in a few moments, for I could
not lay down at all. There I was
held up on the battlefield all
night listening to the fight
for it was going on all night
with the exception I guess of two
hours. when I was taken to
Richmond the next day in the
ambulance, I had to pass over
the battlefield of the day before
for six or 8 miles. They were
burying our dead, puting them
by dozens in one large grave
No useless coffin enclosed his breast
Nor in sheet, nor in shroud we wound him
                                                rest
But he lay like a warrior taking his ^
With his martial cloak around him
after a painful ride we reached
the city & we drove round to my
Uncles for me to stop & my friend
Shepherd, I took leave of Maj-
Ellis, White & Dickinson who shed
teers when he parted.  I could not
speak & they thought me mortally
wounded.  My Uncle & his family met
me at the Door. they had not heard
of my misfortune then
My clothes were saturated with blood
& it had even run down into my
shoes could not use myself much
& in all look as if I would live but
a little while.  My Uncle & Aunt helpt
me up to a room & soon had me as
comfortable as I could have been
made on earth.  they could not have
been kinder

Gilmer quotes from “The burial of Sir John Moore after Corunna” by Charles Wolfe.

MSS 4459

                                 Camp near Richmond
                                      Saturday, June 28th 1862  101/2 am.

I have written to you twice, my darling since we parted
and have received no letter from you except the one sent by
Mrs Knight.  I fear you are sick and have thus been pre-
vented from writing to me.–I take my pencil
and paper this morning to send you a short note
and to advise you of my whereabouts and what
I am doing.–Our Regiment is in the same
position it occupied when you were in
Richmond, and is by order from Gen Lee, en-
gaged in watching the fight flank of our
position so that the enemy may not turn
it without our having our notice.  We have
thus seen none of the fighting which has
been going commenced Thursday afternoon
at 3 o’clock, was continued yesterday and
has been, I suppose, resumed this morning.
All I have learned is that Genls Hill &
Longstreet crossed the Chickahominy Thurs-
day afternoon at Mechanicsville and drove
the enemy yesterday five or six miles before
them. Genl. Jackson on our extreme left

[page 2]
engaged the enemy yesterday near Old
Church in Hanover.  After a very hard fight
the enemy gave way about night.  Our men
slept on the battle field and renewed the
battle this morning at 2 o’clock: when my
informant left it was day break, and the
the[sic] Enemy were falling back and we
were pressing on them.   I pray earnestly
that God will give us a complete and
decisive victory over our foes. The
indications of success thus far are favorable
I will try and give you the earliest
intelligence of any part I may be
called on to act in this great strife.
    Kiss the children for me.  I would
give much to see you and our darling
boys this morning.  Love to Mrs Riddle
Remember me kindly to the servants.
Upon you, my dear wife, I pour out
all the wealth of my heart, & pray our
Heavenly Father to sustain & uphold you.

                            Yr affectionate husband
                                   John T. Thornton.

John Thruston Thornton, University of Virginia alumnus, and Captain, Co. K, 3rd Virginia Cavalry

MSS 4021

Washington
June 28, 1862

My darling Sister
Miss Brooke
gave me your beautiful
letter yesterday, telling
me of our terrible loss.  I
tried to make myself be=
lieve that it was true, but
I cannot, it seems too
dreadful to believe, it is
for poor Mother that I
feel the most. it is a ter=
rible blow for her, it is a
consolation however, to know
that he died doing his du=
ty. Miss Kate Barnard

[page 2]
came to see me yesterday
mornon  morning, She
brought Willie and left
him to stay with me
untill night. the lit=
le fellow was standing
in the passage when I came
out to see him and as I
stooped to kiss him, he
whisperd, “oh Nina our
Father,” then I could not
stand it any longer. I
cried as hard as I could.
please excuse this writing
the ink is very bad.
yesterday I had a very
bad stomach ache, but I
am much better now,
give my very best love to
dear Mother, A Uncle
N Alfred, and Grandma
from you affec–little–Nina

Nina Ellet to her sister Mary Ellet on the death of their father Charles Ellet, Jr, mortally wounded in the river battle for Memphis. Mary had accompanied their mother to care for Ellet whom they had presumed was not seriously injured.  Uncle Alfred is Charles’s younger brother, Brigadier General Alfred Washington Ellet, 1820-1895.


MSS 276