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

Sunday 11th = Katy came in by times this morning to announce the arrival
of Captain Mason – Eliza all excitement – He says he has come eleven
hundred miles in the last five days – We all went to Church but the
engaged pair they stayed at home to arrange matter, & have concluded
to be married to morrow fore noon-  Trunks are all packed & every
thing ready – He intended taking his bride to Richmond – But hear
ing of so much smallpox – & the great crowd on the Cars – He has
changed his mind for the present-

MSS 6960

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

Friday
Jan 9
Have been at work most of the day on the
report of ordnance which is a vexatious
thing.  Th regiment had a battalion drill, skirmishing
but I did not go out.  We got news of the capture of
Vicksburg, and also good news from Tennessee, for
which may we give God the glory.  The weather is
quite cool and rainy part of the day.  The captain
is very pleasant to me.  New troops are com-
ing in in large numbers.

MSS 11293

                 No. 9
Fredericksburg, Va Jan 9th 1863
Mrs Balsorah Riley
                      Dear Wife
Standing police guard
last night excussed me
from drill this morning
Therefore, being at leisure
otherwise, I write theas
lines for employment I
am still in the best of health,
So is my mess. It is useless
to bring in that old repetition
of formality used by the general
class of letter hitherto, this “I hope
these few lines will find you
enjoying the same blessing.” This
delightful form has grown so
old been repeated so often
that it would be best probably to

[page 2]
have it understood, without
the trouble of introducing it
in every letter as thought it
was a “brand new”  Idea, just
hatched & brought forward by
the writer but probably I had
                              for likely
best eject that subject, ^  prob
ably it would have been more
interesting to you, to have
diggressed it without so much
elaboration.  Isaac Alexander
who was Numbered among
the missing after the Sharps-
burg battle, has returned to
our camps. he was taken
prisoned & detailed to wait
on our wounded, which fell
into the hands of the enemy.
He says that John Buckley
& Jas. Bishop (who were wounded)

[page 3]
both died  Jno Buckley
lived 2 mos. & 6 days after he
rec’d his wound, having
deceased at Sharpsburg
Nov. 3′ 62, i.e. the date of
his death according to
Alexander’s recollection.
D. J. Waltman & I. F. Alexand
er say that the Maryland-
ers all  (nearly) are genuine
“Secesh” about Baltimore, &
in other parts they are about
equally divided.  they had
no money while prisoners
but every thing that they
needed was given them
by the “Secesh.”  have very cold
weather here.  If I can even
get any more ink, I
will quit writing with a
                                 pencil

[page 4 ]
Not Rec’d but one letter from
you yet.  I am getting very
impatient I inclosed to you
in No. 7 $50 & in No. 8 $7
The former No. was mailed Dec 26 ’62
& the latter Jan 4 ’63.  I will
not send any more money
by letter, until I hear from
that which I have already
sent.  If it makes the trip
to you safe, then I will
venture more, but if it  gets
lost on the road, “I’ll be broke
from Sucking eggs.”  I drew
a few days ago all that was
due me up to the first day of
Jan. ’63, except my ballance
on commutations, & I will
draw that in a few days.
This line bears my fervent love to you.
Good bye F. Riley  Mrs E. Riley

Possibly Franklin Riley, Co. B. 16th Mississippi

MSS 7786-f

Arlingtons Hights Jan 9, 1863
Dear friend Ellen
I now seat myself to write a few lines
thinking you would like to hear from an
old Soldier and Schoolmate. I have been
trying to get a chance to write to you for more than
a month, but having so many letters to write
and so little time to do it in, that I could not
possibly get a chance. I was on guard last night
and did not get any sleep. I feel so dull
that I just cannot write a very good letter.
If I do not you must excuse me. I am well
and contented, although there is a great
many that would give all their old boots and
shoes, to get home and not mutch to blame
especialy thoes that is unwell. there is about
a hundred sick ones. I do not think mutch
of our doctors. they do the men more bad
than good, a mans life is not considered worth mut
ch out here. we have now moved into warm

[page 2]
winter quarters and live quite comfortable
great many got cold by moving into
warm quarters and then going out in
the cold with their coats on, and have had a
bad Cold, but have now got over it they
drill us very hard lately and Christmas they
drilled us two times in the forenoon with
our knapsacks on, in the afternoon two
hours with them off. they found that they
was  hurting the men and have  hastily
put a stop to it. we was turned out News
years night, about 12 Oclock, by hearing
that the Rebels were within a short distance
of us, and afterwards found out that it was
done to see how quick we could turn out,
I shall always remember that night
I suppose you go to school. I would like
to be at home, to go this winter what
times we would have, I cannot help
thinking of the last winter I and
Bob went to School how we used to
carry on–

[page 3]
      never mind I will make up for
lost time next winter. I have not
sowed all my wild Oats yet, by
the way do you have eny Singing School
eny whare this winter how often I have
wished as I lay in my bunk at night
if I could be at home if not more
than one night to go to singing School
do you have any meeting up to the old Brick
School hous Sunday nights. I can
 almost fancy that I can see the people as
sembled together as they used to when
I was at home owing to the short space of
time I must draw my letter to a close
I send my best respects to you and all
the rest of the folks, so good by
        From your friend
              James E. Maston

MSS 14761

                              Greensboro, Ala.
                              Jany 9th / 63

My Dear Friend  [General John Hartwell Cocke]
Your favor
of the 22nd ulto, covering an
interesting communication
for the Bacon, was duly received,
and would have been answered
before this, but for the pressure
of business matters, growing
out of household and affairs,
duties, which are usually
heavier at the close of the old
year and the beginning of the
new.
Your communication, like your
letter, was most acceptable,
and will no doubt be perused
with interest by many of the
readers of the ‘Beacon.’
  I deeply regret to learn that your
health is suffering from

[page 2]
the severe weather you have
had, and sincerely hope that
it will soon be restored, and
that your friends in Alabama
will again enjoy the pleasure
of seeing you in their midst.
As you may suppose, we are
all feeling –some, however
who have lost loved ones, more
acutely than others – the effects
of the cruel and savage war
our enemy is waging against
us.  Many of the best and
most promising men of Greene
County have already fallen
in the bloody contest, and
others are no doubt destined
to fall before the contest is
brought to a close. – Though
I am still not without hope
of European interference – espe-
cially by France – in our behalf
between this and Spring, I confess
the present prospects are by no

[page 3]
means favorable for an early
termination of the war.  But
the Supreme Ruler will no
doubt bring it to a close in
his own good time. – That
it can only be brought to a
close by the recognition of the
Independence of the Confederate
States, I am entirely satisfied,
and astonished that the intelligent
men of the North and West
have not already come to the
same conclusion.  The number
of those, however, who have
arrived at that conclusion, is, I
am well convinced, rapidly
increasing, and I confidently
believe there will be a
strong Peace Party, throughout
Yankeedom by the Spring,
if there is not one there
already.
   I have this morning seen
your particular friend, Mr.

[page 4]
Benjamin Borden – he represents
the health of his family –
especially his wife – as not very
good.  Mrs. Borden is most deeply
afflicted on account of the death
of her son, Ruffin Gray, who
was killed either int he battle
of Fredericksburg, or in some
of the skirmishes which immediately
preceded that battle. -His
remains arrived here last
Tuesday night, and were interred
with funeral rites, at Mr.
Borden’s on yesterday.
Your friend Mr Powell was
here some four or five weeks
ago, in his usual fine health.
I see some of your servants as
often as two or three times a week
and usual inquire if matters
are getting on well – have heard no
particular complaint.
Mrs Harvey, whose health continues
poor, desires to be most kindly remem-
bered to you. –Hooping that we shall
again have the pleasure of welcoming
you to our family circle I remain
Most Truly Your Friend John G. Harvey

MSS 640

Home January 9, 1863
Dear Richard
                   It is now past nine, and all are
abed, but Mr Kenrick and I.  If Scott
does not take his flight before morning,
he shall take you a hastily written note
notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, and
the extraordinary [pre[pare?][upon?] me otherwise
  Your Ma sends you back, washed and
mended, the clothes brought up – I have
had you a very nice Camp Stove gotten up
with all necessary contrivances – And your
Ma, Gussie & the servants have been at
work nearly all day getting ready the
articles, which are to go in the box –
Biscuits, B[?] Coffee Tea Candles Soap Cake
Candy Homony Beans &c &c The last na-
med articles (Homony & Beans) are sent
by my special request on account of
a very vivid recollection of you particular
fondness for them – When I came to close the
box it was found necessary to enclude some
things, among them a brace of fowls

[page 2]
Jim and Horace started on horseback about
a half hour since; to take the box
as far as Harmony Mills – and I hope it
with contents may reach you safely
  It was to have been sent off in the
morning; but Mr Kendrick came in about
8 Oclock, saying the Federal troops were
at Cedarville; and were expected in town
tonight – Supposing Scott would leave
before morning – it was closed up very
hurriedly and dispatched in that manner
   Scott must give you all the  news –
There is a great deal I would like
to say to you, but I must close –
  Your Ma and the children left their love
for you before going to sleep –
I must “to bed”; for I expect trouble
in the morning – Write frequently and
fully – watch well your morals and
manners – and do not forget for a mo=
ment that you are responsible to a God
                   Very Hurriedly
                       Truly Your Affectionate Parent
                                 M. B. Buck

Letter to Richard Bayly Buck with the Warren Rifles, 17th Virginia Infantry from his father Marcus Blakemore Buck

MSS 3047

   Head Quarters 15th Regt. C. V.                                       Camp opposite Fredericksburg
                                                  (No 7)     Jan 9th 1863
Dear Sister Helen
                                                 I received your letter
No 2 this morning and also one from
Geo  No 3. enclosing his Photograph which
I think is first rate    it seems as if he had
changed a little since I left home or
perhaps it is because he has got on his
store clothes.   your pictures I like very
much and you have got a new dress
I should think   It would seem funny
for me to go home and dress up once
more.   I should hardly know how to
act with a besom [?] shirt on but it
make very little difference down here
what we wear or rather we wear the same
thing right along..  but I manage to
wash once in a while and get my
clothes washed about once in 2 weeks
but it is different from a change twice
a week at home..   It is still very fine
weather    have had but one rain this
year   There was a Grand Review this

[page 2]
week    Burnside received the whole of
the 9th Corps d’ Armies and I rather
think there were a few men together then
it was a big sight but I was surprised
that they did not cheer him more
than they did   he rode down the entire
line with his cap off and they only
cheered him very faintly on the right
flank    I think it is strange as this
is his old Corps ( the 9th)   I have seen
Burnside now 3 times   he rides an old
bay horse   very large and thin a tail
with very ^ ‘little’ hair on it and he looks like
“time”   but the way he can travel is
immence [sic]  his staff and long train of aids
and orderlies have hard work to keep
up with him..   We had a grand
time here the other evening – Phil
Chapin, Col’s orderly, John Pondeford the
sutler, Ed Kimball, Q.M. Sergt.  All of
them young fellows, the Chaplin and my
self   thought we would make some molas-
ses candy and we had first rate luck and
a first rate time too – we boiled it on our
little stove in a mess pan and then
went to pulling   Chas Brown Adjt dropped
his hunk and stuck it all full of hay
that is on the floor of our tent.   We have
some pretty good times here once in awhile.
The Col’ tent is fixed up the best of any
of the staff and it is real cosy    there are two

[page 3]
bedsteads in it    Phil sleeps on one and
the Chaplin on the other and I make up
a bed on the floor in the hay   we keep
a fire all night and make it quite
comfortable.   Chaplin D. Henry left for
a leave of absence for 20 days   he
is not going home as he is not well
enough to travel so far and would be
bothered so much with visitors that he
would have no rest – will send for his
wife to take care of him in Washington
so you see Phil & I are going to have
a good easy time while he is gone.  I shall
occupy his bed and we have nothing to
do   take our three meals a day and keep
comfortable   I act as postmaster while
he is gone,   we receive and send a mail
every day.        I get along first rate   take
to go down to Falmouth Station about
2 miles to water the horses and I go
as often as I please..   I am getting real
fat the boys say   am very well except that
diarrhea which hangs to me yet..   We
have first rate living   Fresh meat twice
a day certain – pancakes – apple dumpling
hasty pudding etc   They have a strange
way of killing beef here   they shoot them
with a musket then the butcher rushes
up cuts its throat and actually skins it

[page 4]
and cuts it up before it stops kicking                            
          But we have got wretched
hospital accommodations here   there are
about 12 crowded into a small wall
tent where they lie on the cold ground
without a fire as they have no stove yet
but have been trying to get them for a
good while and it is really tough but
I’m thankful that Eugene is so well
that he won’t have to suffer there any
more    I am so glad that he is about
again – for one while I really thought
we should have to bury him in cracker
boxes for don’t you think they have to
nail 2 or 3 of those hard tack boxes to-
gether for a coffin as we can’t get boards
out here.   It seems horrid but it is a
fact.       I begin to think that we
are going to spend the winter here
although the Division Surgeon was over
here the other day and said that it
was an unhealthy place here.  but I
don’t see any sighns [sic] of moving except
that the ballon [sic] which is stationed near
us here goes up oftener and last night
they sent up signal ballons of different
colored lights and again this morning
small ballons have been sent up from
Burnsides Head Quarters not far from here
        I have not received “any” letter from
Hattie M. – but expect one from Hattie J.B.

[The end of this letter is written in the top margin on page one.]
soon as I wrote her a short
time ago.   I received a
letter from Elb yesterday
shall write him this P.M.   
     You need not send me
any soap by mail as we have
pleanty here   I am not par-
ticular about having the
Sunday times every week, but
like to see it once in a while
wish you would send me
some Illustrated papers
or magazines from
time to time as
we have all the news
papers here.
     I don’t care about
each of you numbering
your letters separately
for I can’t keep track
of them all but if
you write No 1 let Geo if he writes next
number his 2 – “see”
received a paper
from Chas – hope he
won’t think I am
going to let him off
without writing
     don’t he have time
or what is the reason
he don’t like to write
me?  Write soon
      Your dear brother
                 Jim

                                       Head Quarters 15th C. V.
                                       Camp opposite Fredericksburg
                                             (No 8)                Jan 9th 1863
Dear Brother George,
                                                 I received your
very good letter this morning with
one from Helen   like the picture
very much   it is first rate but I cant
see where you get all your new clothes
have you wet them yet   if not you must
do the right thing by me..   Am glad
that you are having such nice times
skating and sliding   what have you done
with my skates – sell them if you can
have you had much use for my old –
long sled this winter   don’t let any
body pass you on the hill with her
there is a cushion for it all cut out up
in the closet in John & Louis’ room if
want one on it..   Do you go to school
this winter or remain in the Bank
How is Wm Harwood   do you ride with
him Saturdays as much as ever or have

[page 2]
you out grown it..   ask Wm why he don’t                            
answer my letter   I don’t care any
thing about his letter but I am
collecting my bills the 1st of Jany and
want to have him pay up but you need
not tell him the first part..
                   How does the little white nag
get along    do you ride as much as usual
     I take a horse back ride almost every day
we have to take the horses down to Falmouth
Station to water them and I ride one
just any time I wish    I go down to
the river very often and take a look
of the rebels..   Our pickets are on
this side and their’s are on the
other side and they talk and chat
across very often and sail papers
over each way on shingles.  The
City does not seem to be very thickly
inhabited just now as there was
no smoke but from very few chimneys,
and I could see through a good many
of the streets and there were very few
rebels in sight – once in a while a
group of negroes and a few soldiers
strolling along was all visible but they
are repairing the houses some and try-
ing to fix up a little again but they better
burn the city and build again   it is
pretty well riddled   the river is only
about as wide as Clark’s Pond with

[page 3]
high banks on each side and we                                      
can see very plainly what is going on
and the sharpshooters could very
easily pick off any one if they felt so
but there is no firing between the
pickets..   Our batters [sic] are planted
all along on the high bank this side
and the balloon keeps good watch
of what is going on – it is fastened
by a cord and they have a small
telegraph battery in it and just send
word down from time to time..
          The rebels have thrown up more
earth works as we can easily see the
fresh red dirt in many new places
and their camps are scattered all
along on the hills and slope –
beyond the battlefields..   Perhaps I
will take a rough sketch of them &
the city some times and send home
          Eugene is very much better
George and Aaron is all right..  How are
all the school Girls   Jennie Canklin and
the others    Give my regards to all that
inquire about me and be a good boy
keeping your nose clean..   George I like
to have you write me very much and you
are first rate about it but you must
be particular about your spelling   I
find a few words spelt wrong in each

[page 4]
letter such as nite for night    here for                          
hear etc   be a little careful and you
won’t do it    write me as often as you
please and tell me every little thing
that happens and I will answer
all of them if I get time..  Tell Charl
to send me his last picture and
I wish you would send me some
paper – envelopes & pens by mail   I
am all out    this is the last sheet’
of all that paper Helen sent in the
box..            I won’t stay to write
more now – eat all you can and
grow big
                     Your enlisted brother

                                    Jim
                          try that again

                                     Jim
                           that ain’t just it

                                     Jim
                            that’s better
George – how does my over coat go this winter?

James Howard, 15th Connecticut

[transcripts by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12668

                        Fort Gains..   Jay 9th 1863                     
My Dear Wife.
                        As Mr Rhodes leaves for
home this morning I will send you a line
that you may know that I am still alive
and able to eat every thing that comes in
my reach.  Capt Hardy sent a Dispatch
to Lieut Roberts this morning requesting
him to let Rhodes come home a few
days to assist about the bank as
Governor Shorter had  disp Telegraphed
him to repair to Montgomery immedi-
ately on business for the Company –
                        I am fearful that
Some body is annoying the Govor. about
keeping us for State Service – or Something
of that Kind – Callaway arrived here
last night and reports all quiet at
home – I have Just sent Jacks down town
to see if he can find any Beet and Cabbage
seed – if he does get any I will sent them
by Mr Rhodes – I wrote to you yesterday
that I would come home as soon as Kendall
Bray or Beckham Came down which will be
in a few days – I am getting powerful anxious
to see you and the Children

[page 2]
I have written a letter to Mack Oliver
to have the Deede [or “Deeds”] made out in your
name for the House & Lot as I want to
pay for it and stop interest.
                        Your affectionate Husband
                                   W. H. Locke
[With the above letter is an envelope 3 ¼ “ by 5 ½ “ addressed to:]
                        Mrs W. H. Locke
                                    Eufaula.
                                                   Ala
[On the back of the envelope, written in pencil is “Jan – 9- 1863”]

William H. Locke of the Eufaula Minutemen, later the 7th Alabama Cavalry

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13485

[from the signal message book of Lt. Thomas S. Seabury, 3rd New York Infantry]

Jan. 9th
To Genl. Viele
The large bridge
three miles beyond South-Mills
was burned yesterday
    (Signed) Col. Wardrop

MSS 10781

[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C., 62nd Regiment Ohio Volunteers]

Friday 9
Posting co. Books dress parad
weather gloomy

MSS 38-129