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

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

Wednesday 11–This is a bright, cool clear day — Rather too cool for the season.
I have received this morning a long affectionate letter from Liz–She did not
tarry in Raleigh & is now safely at her mothers–Mr Gorrell left this morning
& the young ladies seem lost without him. He is very lively
& full of fun–& has spent the most of his time here in the parlour.
No war news of any importance–Except of another Victory gained over
Shields & Fremont by StoneWall Jackson–He & Morgan seem to be
performing wonders–Mrs George Johnston’s husband was not killed in
the battle of Williamsburg–but taken prisoner by the Yankees–
Colonel Lane’s Regiment fought valiantly–But being surrounded
by double their numbers–& not receiving aid they had to retreat–
Eliza received by mail a letter from Mr M[ason]–He had returned to Camp

Liz: her daughter-in-law Elizabeth Branch Hill, daughter of U.S. Senator and North Carolina Governor John Branch,  1782-1863.
Mason:  Captain James M. Mason, her daughter Eliza’s fiancee

MSS 6960

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

No news of any importance today except that the army from Winchester is moving
down to Front Royal on dit to pillage and subsist on the country.  Had a delightful
prayer meeting this evening.

MSS 9759

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndoon]

11th  Little Mary & I took a tramp
into Stafford 10 miles.  We passed
the deserted Camps of a large Army–the
surrounding Country bearing marks of
ravage & destruction.  Luc spends
morning with Nannie Gordon who is very
delicate.  Mother at her needle &
governing household.  At night we
talk on front porch.  Bro John down as
usual; Charles & Lucy also for a short
time.  Luc has a game of chess
with Mr Hart every day.  We try to
keep our spirits up –but a dark future
of suffering and loss is impending.

MSS 2563-b

              Petersburg Va. June 11th 1862.
Dear Ma,
          We are in this great city.  It is
now 2 P.M.  The train starts at 4
that is to take us to Lynchburg Va,
From there we will take the shortest
route to reach Gen. Stonewalls Jackson
Army.  Yes we are going to reinforce
that victorious chieftain.  While
we rejoice that we are to have so
great a leader, yet we can but
dread the hardships we must
encounter.  It is confidently believed
here that by hard fighting we can
soon bring the war to a close.
We go trusting in the righteousness
of our cause, and Sanguine of
Success.  I will send you a
Richmond paper which must to a great

[page 2]
extent answer for my letters.
You need not be uneasy about us.
We will try to go well prepared
though we will be allowed only what
baggage we can carry. – I write
in Haste.  Direct to Richmond
& to the 60th Ga. Reg.
     I am as ever
                        John.

1st Lieutenant John Y. Bedingfield, 60th Georgia.


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13119

                              Lynchburg   June 11th 1862
My Dear Father –
                       Your letter from Rich-
mond has been received, and the sad
tidings of Aunt Elvira’s death which
it contained had already reached me
through the city papers. It is indeed
melancholy to reflect upon such a
beautiful life as hers terminating in
such deep & heart-breaking affliction.
     Almost crushed as she was by her hus-
band’s unhappy fate, and with so
little to cheer her, death must have
been a grateful relief to her sorrow.
     There remains to all who mourn her
loss the recollection that her life
was one of surpassing purity, and
that it closed when it ceased to
be happy.
     I am glad that you have
an opportunity of visiting Aunt
Martha, and being with her
to sympathize in your mutual
bereavement. I hope that your
presence will do much to
cheer, & console her.
     As operations before Richmond
seem to be at a stand –still, and
there is no prospect of an immediate
general engagement, I have Con-
cluded to wait until next Mon-
day before returning. At that
time I shall certainly leave
unless something intervenes to pre-
vent me.
     Sarah is quite well, as
indeed are all the family.
     I breakfasted at Rivermont
yesterday, & found all well.
     I called to see Cousin Margaret
yesterday, & found her well. She
reported Joe, & Stuart as rapidly
improving. Joe speaks of join-

[page 2]
ing his regiment in a short while,
and Stuart is walking about –
     I am very much pleased with
the horse of Maj. Cabell and think
it would be well for me to take
him. I am satisfied that I
could sell him in the army
Easily for $3,00 or $3,50.- [Daniel must mean $300 or $350 dollars.]
     Remember me affectionate-
ly to Aunt Martha, and the Chil-
dren, and believe me
               Your Affectionate Son
                        John W. Daniel.

[transcription and note by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]


1st Lieutenant John Warwick Daniel, Co. C 27th Va. and later Co. C 11th Va., attained the rank of major before being permanently disable in the Battle of the Wilderness. Studied law at the University of Virginia after the war, entered politics and served in the Virginia House of Delegates, the U. S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  Called the “Lame Lion of Lynchburg” he was a noted orator, especially known for his address on Robert E. Lee.


MSS 158

[from the diary of Samuel Johnson, private, 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Battery]
                        June 11th

The past six days have been very quiet, and
monotonous.  Have had an inspection by
Capt Platt, Chief of Arti. 1st Div 6th Corps.
Most every day there has been more
or less fireing between the pickets, but no
material injury has been inflicted on either
side.  With the exception of the 10th ( on that
day rained very hard) the weather has been
mild and quite pleasant.  To day we
received orders to relieve the 1st N. J. Battery
F, who were on picket at Mechanicsville
at the Meadow bridge.

[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]

               
                        Wednesday – June 11th 1862
Rose this morning at five o’clock & went
round to Harveys, taking breakfast with
him after which went to the office –
spending the day & night there –
Everything is very quiet today – a Ga picket
caught a Lieut Col Carny [?] of a Penn regt last
Evening – he reports their loss of 800 Killed &
abt four thousand wounded in the last battles –
twenty-two three hundred will cover our loss.  In a
most touching sight today Capt H & I were out & met a
returned soldier with two ladies   one a married woman
with a baby & the other a pretty young girl – they asked
for the 14th NoCa regt & I informed the young lady that
she could not go so far as the lines on ac mud &c – she
burst into tears at my discouraging statements – The poor
girl had come all the way from NoCa to see her brother & she
& her friend had started to walk six miles through the mu
mud to see him! Went out to the Legion & brought Mullie in with
me to spend tomorrow.  Went to Harveys, taking supper
at Mrs Taylors


[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6154

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

Tuesday, June 11, ’62

Another day gone
and little done
Had roast beef
again for dinner to
day.  Practiced this
forenoon
Wrote letter to
John Olin
Played several pieces
this evening
Slept some this after-
noon
The boys have two
dances one last and
one this night
Heard through Alex’s
letter that Phil Stoner
is married
Two companies D & G
went to Bluestone this
day.  Mostly Cloudy
Cool
                   

MSS  10317

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

Wednesday 11 Clear but cold enough for
fire–Last night some 40 officers
captured by Jackson arrived in
the town–they are on parole. I
question the policy of letting them
see every thing as they pass through
the country–Seventeen Hundred
prisoners arrived this evening and
are to remain here awhile.  News
from Jackson victory Tuesday  en
hances its importance.  Shields army
is quite demoralized–Gen Rodes
came up yesterday–called to see him
His wound is doing well and he
will be fit for duty in a fortnight.

MSS 4763