Richmond Jany 5 1863
Dear Sir  [Edmund Ruffin]
Your favor of 31 ulto was received on the 3rd instant.
I called immediately at the Treasy Department and collected
what interest appeared to be had on “Registered bonds” of
the Confederate States, namely: on the 1 Jany 1863 –  $318.80
the July dividends for July last having been collected by
Mr Julian C Ruffin. This amount, I deposited to your
checks.  The temporary deposits which you have made
on 6 percent script, can only be collected by presentation
of the evidence of indebtedness for such loans.
  This will account for the amount of your interest
falling so much below your expectations.  If you will
send them to me accompanied with an order for the
interest I will take pleasure in attending promptly
collecting and applying it as you may direct.
  I hope in a few days to find sufficient leisure to open
the packages & get out for you the transactions of the
Agl Society &c and send them to you.  I shall propose
to the Ex Committee soon after the meeting of the Legislature
just at hand to commute all the investments of the
Society into 8 prct Confederate bonds, which if done will add
very handsomely to the amount of interest bearing funds.
                                 Yrs very truly Ch B Williams

Edmund Ruffin, 1794-1865, agricultural reformer and ardent secessionist.

MSS 3026

             Head Quarters Engineers
                       Falmouth Virginia
                                  Jan 5th / 63
Friend Dennett
                                   Again I take
a few moments to answer your kind
letter which came to hand this morning
and was pleased to hear you are
so comfortable and getting along so
well.  I am still in the enjoyment
of good health, and hope this letter
will find you entirely cured of
your complaint.  Of the disease
that you are afflicted I know nothing
as I never was troubled with it, but
from your writing I know it must
be berry disagreeable.  Now for the
news. The holidays are past, Chris-
tmas and New Years Day were spent
alike by us.  The same old stile
of goverment raitions were searved

[page 2]
out, and the most of us having good
health and appetites we did ample
justice to them.  As for the amuse
ments of the days, they were various
each one enjoyed themselves as best
they could.  New Years Day or I
mean the day before was musterday
all through the army of the Potomac
We were mustered for six months
pay.  I hope Uncle Sam will be
more punctual in future in settling
with us, for we, or I for one find
it very inconvenient to be without
pay so long.  I could get along well
enough if I could only get tobacco
for you know when you was with
us that if a soldier gets out of that
article time hangs more heavily on
his hands.  Well I hope we will
be supplied soon.  As for the war
news thier is nothing worth relating.
Every things remains quiet since the
late battle.  As the rebels are so

[page 3]
confident that we will not make an
other attempt to cross over the river
& molest them, they have actually
come out in strong numbers from
behind thier brestworks, and pitched
thier tents on a large space of
ground directly in front of our
troops.  It is somewhat puzzeling
to us to know where they get such
good tents. Hundreds of wall and
Sibly tents altogether new are
exposed to our view while we have
to put up with the small shelter
tent.  But I must not grumble,
although it is hard work for me to re
main silent.  As the army here does
not see any prospect of moveing they
have commenced to make themselves
as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances.  Many log huts have
taken the place of the shelter tents
and I tell you there is quite a large
city built up in a few days  I would

[page 4]
lie to give you a description of the
different stile of buildings and the
different fireplaces and chimnies but
as I have to attend to some duty before
long I would not have time and the
mail soon closes so I have to hurry
“The health of the army is ex
cellent.  All of the sick and those
that were not able to beare fatigue
have been sent to Washington and
different places.  The spirits of
the troops here are excellent (so rumor
is) I for my part am contented enough
and I might as well be for thier
is no other alternative.  I must
close the boys all wish to be
remembered to you. Sargents Hackett
Kendell & Turner, Corporals Marr
Clarke & & & wish as well as all to be
remembered to . The compliments
of the season from
         Your Old Friend
                Thaddeus H. Pendleton
Direct as before write as soon as possible

[The right edge of this letter is torn away.]                            
January 5th 1863
                               2 ½ Miles of Chesterfie[ld]
                                            Caroline
My Dear Mother
                       We are camped a short [dis-]
tance from Chesterfield Depot on the [Fred]
ericksburg R. R. We came yesterday [-]
ago. The artillery alone is in this neigh[borhood.]
A division, Walker’s, of infantry however  [-]
yesterday marching to Hanover Junction,
10 miles from here. They thought they [were]
probably going to North Carolina. We are [putting]
up huts for winter quarters? Thou[gh]
General Lee, to an artillery officer , to [–]
plied for a short furlough, replied [–]
not sent here to go into winter qu [arters]
but to be convenient to forage for th[e  hor-
ses. We are of course very thank[ful]
for the victories wh: we have gained [in]
the west & east. That of the west [-]
to be confirmed now. We have got [-]
to believe that the great Napoleon wa[s -]
when he said “heaven was on th[e side]
of the heaviest artillery”. The people in [Rich-]
mond seem to hope that peace is ^ ‘not’ far [off.]
I hope they may be correct, but do [-]
[page 2]
[-] it. I vaccinated myself & one other
[–] the virus father sent me. His did not
[–] had previously been vaccinated. Mine
[[-] tched off by accident. As soon as I [-]
[–] house I shall try it again; a good
[–] are anxious to try it. You can send the
[–] McHenry & Duprey. Write to me when
[–] have sent it there & I will either have it
[–] for or write to them how to send it.
[My addr] ess is Chesterfield Depot. Caroline C. H. Care
[–] E. [-] Mc Carthy. That is all. Frank Williams
[–]freight agent at the Fredbg. Depot in
[–]mond & he will probably aid M & Duprey in
[–] it to me if no one is passing [–]
[–] Do not put any thing in it that will
[–] by keeping. If you have pr. Home
[spun] pants, send them one or two outer shirts,
[–] – one will do. I suppose you have only
[–] one or two pr other drawers. I don’t want an
[–] flannel shirt. 2 or 3 pr. yarn socks. And
[some]thing to eat. I do not wish a jacket now –
[–] you have the cloth unmade up I wish
[–] would keep it & I may get the cloth from
[–] some time hereafter. My Dear Mother I
[–] at time to write more. Give my best
[–] to Dear Father, George & all. In haste –
     Most affly. yr son. W. H. Perry Jr.

William H. Perry of the Richmnd Howitzers

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d

U. of Va. Jan 5th (Monday) 1863–

Dear General    (John Hartwell Cocke)
      Your kind letter of the 2d inst was delivered
by your grandson on (Sat. evening) the 3d – and, accompanying
it, the servant brought in your generous tokens of kindness
to my wife and my self – for which we sincerely thank you –
      We desire that you would present to your daughter Mrs
Brent our grateful acknowledgements for her favor – butter
is well nigh “contraband” in the proper sense of that word
in this community – 1,50 per pound – The value that sent by
your daughter at a much higher figure – Friendship
cannot be bought with gold or pearls —
     I return the “containers” of your favors, sent both by Mr Mi
-nors cart and your own carriage by your servant Nelson today-
except the pot in which the Black Hamburg root and cuttings
came – Mrs McGuffey has been carefully [potting?] these (and
with skill I hope) until the rigor of winter shall have passed
If  his is not right please inform her, and she will instantly
“change her base of operations” – If you do not find occasion
to visit the University before the Hamburgs should be trans-
planted, I must trouble you to write me specific directions
as to how the ground in the angle formed by the walks of the
parterre and my study should be prepared for their reception
You stated this verbally when last with us – but my ex-
perience in such matters is but slight, and, in a case which
we deem of such importance (my wife would not take a fortune for
the Homburg) I fear to make any serious mistake –

[page 2]
Nothing could delight Mrs M. and self more than to
spend a while with you and your family at Bremo –
our visits there are full of most pleasant [recollections?] – But
in proportion as my class is small and the policy of keeping
up the University during the war problematical, (as though[t] by some)
I feel prompted to give the more sedulous care that nothing may be
blamed by our Visitors, and therefore abstain from every engage-
ment, or absence that could possibly abate the efficacy of my
instructions to my class tho’ it consists but one more than
the Graces — four —  Be assured, that unless your house is
full of refugee friends – (for such have exclusive claims) our very
first visit will be to Lower Bremo –
  Mrs. McG. is a member of the L[adies[ A[id] S[ociety] of it and heard Mrs Cabell speak
of your check having been recd – Mrs C. will doubtless if she has not already
acknowledge the recpt of the money – My wife will see her today probably
-but all is safe-
 We regret the ill health of our friend Mr Bordon – please remember us
to him when you may have occasion to write – He has our sympathy –
  Surely our enemies must see that the hand of God is against them
How signally they have again been defeated near Murphysborough since
the, to them, disastrous battle of Fredricksburgh! – It seems to me that the
language of the 9th verse of the 20th chapter of Revelation is almost totally
applicable to their armies – “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city – and fire came
down from God out of Heaven and devoured them – !
  My Dear friend, I partake with you largely in the sentiment
of reluctance to live as an encumbrance – or in the way of others – and in
the desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better – no won-
-der that, in these times, men of your age, or even of mine should, at
times become tired of life, a life so imperfect – But in your case, much
good is still in your power to do – more than in mine – for my occupation
I mean professionally [hole in paper] is comparatively gone – Still our Christ has
Master has work for us to do, or he would not continue us in life and in
such unwanted health at our age – mine as well as yours amounting to
the almost entire absence of evry every physical discomfort – Pray read the
the[sic] 1st chapter of 1st Peter, and soon I shall ask the privilege soon of writing
to you on this subject at some length – All well – yours as ever WHMcGuffey

Professor of Moral Philsophy William Holmes McGuffey was a frequent correspondent of the aged General John Hartwell Cocke, the last surviving member of the original Board of Visitors. 
Black Hamburgs were a variety of grape.

MSS 640

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

      Jan 5th/63

Another year has passed, and to all
appearances the war is no nearer its end,
than it was last Jan.  During the year,
the battery has been engaged in six pitched
battles, and two skirmishes.  Have had one killed
outright, one mortally wounded, who was taken
prisoner, and died in Richmond, three have
been wounded, one taken prisoner, six have
died of sickness, one killed by accident. Nineteen
nineteen have been discharged, one deserted, and
ten are sick in the Hospital, a total loss of
42 men;  have had 23 recruits, and at present
we need over forty men to fill the battery up.
The past two weeks have been very quiet.
Were paid off on the 24th.  The weather has been
pleasant and cool.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

Hd Qurs Taliaferros Brigade
    Monday Morning Jany 5” 1863.
My own darling Jennie
      I am commencing a letter to you under very un-
favorable conditions, that is, I have not heard a word
of inteligence [sic] from Tennesse [sic] or from any other quarter since
I closed my last letter to you and hence I am without
foundation on which to build a letter and am afraid
to write less I may say something said in my last or
one before the last.  You may tell Mrs Hardesty the next time
you see her that I succeeded in getting a clerkship for
Bob Ewing at Genl Taliaferros and it will be perma-
nent if Bob pleases them, otherwise if not.  I think
he can do all they want him to do.  I would have taken
him in my office but you know it is very uncertain
how long I may exercise the command of a brigadier
and I did care to give him only a temporary place.
That is one thing which makes my situation unpleasant
and hence can make no permanent arrangement to do
the work, but I leave nothing undone on that account.
I am gradually increasing the number of the Brigade
improving their clothing discipline &c  I am so con-
stituted that I must work or have the blues most terably [sic]
I always get low down when I get to thinking.  I am
to day almost by myself no one with me but my clerk and
two couriers.  George has gone to see James & Edward.  Kisling

[page 2]
and Samuels have finished their morning work and
taken a ride and Dr Campbell has gone to Richmond
on a three days leave of absence.  So I am by myself
with nothing to do but write to you.  We are enjoying
a most extraordinary fine weather.  I feel all the
time like winter had come and gone and like spring
had almost passed away, the roads are fine & invite any
sort of winter military operations and I have little or
no doubt but that the River & the bluffs on this side
are the only thing that prevent operations in this quarter.
I have not seen to days paper but understand that it con-
tains another dispatch from Genl Bragg saying he has
had another hard fight, but is silent as to any decided
result.  I suppose as in the battles at Richmond the enimy [sic]
in their retreat have made a stand & succeeded for a day
in holding us off.  He says that his cavalry under Genl
Wheeler have again gained the enimies [sic] rear and
captured large trains &c  I cant tell how it will all end
but have some how a very strong faith that we are
to be so succesful [sic] there that will end the war.  I am
informed (reliably) that some of our politicians are now
afraid of foreign intervention, that is they say we can
now for ourselves make a much better peace than
any other power can make for us, and that it is now
impossible to prevent intervention between this and
early spring.  I must confess that the idea of intervention
does not alarm me in the least.  I am willing to see
it & have no idea it will hurt us.  Let it come as soon
as they please and if anything sooner, I want peace I am

[page 3]
sick of war and all of its troubles.  I want to see
& live with my wife & children  they need my care
and attention  I am under bonds to do all I can
for their happiness and can only be happy while
I am imediately [sic] doing it.  I dont think it my duty
to fight for those who will not fight for themselves
nor for the gratification of the ambition of men.  We
(I mean the States engaged in the war) began it for peace
we are fighting for peace now – and so soon as that
is attained I am willing to lay by the sword &
musket & return to home & its quiet pursuits.  From
Genl Lees Hd Qurs down we all think there is daylight
a head but dont repeat what I say of Genl Lee.
 I suppose Stephen is ploughing  I wish I was there to see
it.  I would take baby out & let her learn how ploughing
is done.  I suppose Jim will take a great interest in every
thing connected with a horse.  How does the new cow
do, does she improve any, your last account gave a
doubtful account of her and how does our little prize
cow do.  I suppose you have by this time one or possibly
two new litters of pigs, and have killed your eight little
hogs and now have plenty of port sausage, pigs feet &c
wish I was there dont you my darling.  I suppose you
have moved the bees, this is a very hard winter on them
I am afraid they will eat up everything & starve before
spring opens.  Stephen ought to do his ploughing with
tap & fly & not work either Frank or the colts.  Has
Fly improved any and have you had the colt brought
home from Jones.  By the way Jacksons Brig Genl Jones

[page 4]
is now on picket here & he has established his
Hd Quarters in the woods about 200 yards from
me.  We have no communication though he
called on me (impudence dont you think so)  I did
not return it & from my Hd Quarters in a big house
look down on the little individual.  I have How
do your sheep & the calves come on, did you gelt get
the calf from Mother? or have you only the two
have you heard of another a chance to buy another
cow  you must have at least one more fresh one
in the spring say April or May.  Jennie Watsons
supply must not be cut short.  The papers which I
have just read make a great crow over Braggs vic-
tory & think alls well.  I am getting impatient again
I want to hear more, something more decisive, something
more than what only excites hope, but I will not write
about it.  I wonder if Mr Christie can get my cape done
in time to send it to me by Mr Effinger when he comes back.
What do you think of Rices sell out in Texas & of his com-
ing to Va to join the army.  I will tell you what I
think of it.  Rice is famously tired of Texas & wants
to return to old Virginia and has been wanting
to do so for some time and has taken advantage
of circumstances to get back.  Rice will never
return to Texas and will not join the army either
you see if he does.  And I am glad he is coming back
to Va, I think one county can hold us both, dont
you?  I want to see Rice very much indeed.
To days mail has not come yet though the tattoo has
beat & soldiers are making down their beds, at least
I suppose so, for it is time.  I wonder if I will get a
letter from you to night – ought to I know, for
I want one very much, but I have been writing so
often to you here lately that I doubt if you will think
it worth while to write to me.  You write most when I write least

[page 5]
Tuesday Evening.  My darling wife – I have just seen to days
papers Jany 6” and lo! Genl Bragg after gaining a brilliant
victory “retires” 30 miles in good order.  Now I want to know
what in the name of common sense made Bragg such a consumat [sic]
fool as to fight the enimy [sic] in a place where he could not stay
after he had whiped [sic] them.  It is too much thus to throw
away the lives and spirit of our men and thus throw away
the victory.  One thing is absolutely certain either Bragg
is whiped [sic] or else he is the biggest fool in the Confederacy
It is the same old story from the west, two days victory
and then a run.  I am out of all patience, and give
it up.  We will have another campaign next summer, and
may be another fight here this winter.  Nothing but foreign
intervention will prevent it and in that I have no confidence
notwithstanding the fears of Richmond politicians that it will
come.  I know you will think it sinful in me to be thus
out of humor with Genl Bragg.  But it seems to me that
God has given us the victory and then by our own act
we give it up, either from a want of confidence in him
or for some other perfectly unaccountable reason.  I dont
understand it, and can only pray that notwithstanding
our want of faith and folly and all our other sins he will
yet in a way not understood by us spedily [sic] put an end to
this war.  In the mean time it becomes us to prepare for the
worst and try in the present emergency to do our whole
duty.  I am not disposed to be low spirited I am disappointed
greatly disappointed, but not discouraged, nor disheartened.  I will

[page 6]
now go to work in great ernest [sic] to get my regiment ready
for the field next spring, and in order to do so I must have
15 days leave of absence in February next.  I cant yet say
what time I will even ask for the leave, certainly not when I can
get home.  Shall I get me a new confederate uniform this spring
I think I ought, but it will cost me a full months pay, but
any other kind of suit will cost half a months pay.  Tell me what
I must do.  I have delayed my letter in the hope that I
would get a letter from you by this evenings mail, but
having failed to do so, I must finish because this letter must
be mailed before I get another mail.  My regiment is again
going up  I have now 383 present, but of this number I have
only 313 for duty.  I have 16 sick 37 on extra duty and 17 under
arrest (in the guard house).  I have 151 officers & men absent sick,
18 officers & men absent with leave and 29 men absent without
leave and 28 absent on extra duty, and 169 deserters who
I have reported and intend to publish as such.  Of the
151 absent sick I have no doubt the half of them are fit
for duty and ought to be here, and a good many of the extra
duty men I suspect have no business out of ranks.  I will
soon have them all straight if I keep on, which I intend
to do as long as I have the chance.  Of course I issue to the
other regiments the same orders I issue to my own but in
mine I personally attend to the execution of the order, and
the result shows the difference.  I have more men present
for duty than any other regiment in the brigade and
is really next to the smallest regiment.  I am perfectly
unyielding in my punishments and intend to keep it up, but
my darling excuse me, this is all nonsense to you I know

[page 7]
and I am foolish to be taking up your time in writing about
it.  George returned to day, he did not see Edward but spent
the night with James in his camp, found the young qentle-
men well & the boys full of bigg [sic] talk and whiskey both
the result of the recent raid by Stuart.  So Hillary wishes
to give up his company and try the Medical department.
Tell him he can do so very easy, all he has to do is to
get leave from Genl Jones to appear before the Medical Ex-
amining board either here or in Richmond and with
that permission he will without further ceremony go
before the board and if he stands the examination he
will be commissioned otherwise not.  If he was here now
I could get him a place in my regiment, but he will not
be in time for that now.  I suppose Hillary is just like
all the rest of us, most horably [sic] tired of this war.  I know we
are all tired of it here.  The nights are terably [sic] long and yet
if I was at home with you they would be short.  we could have
a good long chat & then I could read to you & then read some
to myself just to worry you a little and then we could
talk a little more & so on the evening would pass
before we would know it.  If I could have my wife and
children all with me and had $20000 in Bank Stock for their
benifit [sic] I would not mind the war half as much as I do, but
being seperated [sic] for months from them and never knowing with
any certainty when I can visit them is indeed an unpleasant
affair, but if my happiness was all that is at stake [sic] it would
not be so much, but then there is the dearest sweetest wife any
body ever had who thinks every thing goes wrong when I am
away & everything right when I am with her, and I know

[page 8]
my little children would be much happier if I was there to
romp with them now & then.  Well it is no use to grieve over
things I cant help.  We are in it, and have to remain
in it in order to get out of it.  And so I will just do my
best where I am, thankful that I am yet alive and that
I have now a pleasant command and good comfortable quarters
under the command of pleasant officers and no di-
agreeable associates.  My surroundings are just as pleasant
as they can be to an officer exercising a command above
his rank, with a prospect of returning to my regiment
as soon as active operations begin in the spring.  The winter
by the way has not commenced here, and I am told does not
usually begin until January & lasts through February, from
the fact that it is so much later than usual I anticipate a
very late and wet spring so that active operations will
hardly begin before after the 15” or 20” of March.
 I am sorry my dear Jennie that my letters have to be so dull
and monotonous to you.  I want to write to you.  I love to write to
you, but have nothing to write about.  I can only say my own darling
that I make them as interesting as I can & for that which is wanting
I can only say that if unbounded love for you & my dear children could
make them so every word & line should be as pearls of joy and
happiness to you.  It seems a long time since I saw you and I
have so much to do & think about & have passed through so much
since I left you that I have almost forgot how you all look
cant I intend to bring your pictures with me the next time I leave
home.  The remainder of this I must leave open until just before
I start the mail tomorrow, to add the latest news.  for the present
good night.

[The following was written in two columns at the end of the letter.]
[column 1]
Wednesday Morning.  If
you conclude that I must
get a new uniform you
had better cut the buttons
off of my old coat and
send them to me by Mr
Effinger.  I have concluded
to sell Hornet & keep Frank
I will want him the last
of February – so that
Stephen must begin to
faten [sic] him now.  Tell
him to take ½ bushel

[column 2]
of flour 2 bushells [sic] of corn
meal and 2 bushells [sic] of
wheat bran or ship stuff &
mix all well together &
feed it to him as chop
& curry him well three times
a day, and keep him
well supplied with hay
& keep him all the time
in the stable, & not let
Billy ride him out of a
walk

“Hd Qurs”, heading; page 3, line 12 – Head Quarters.

While this letter bears no signature, it was written by Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.
[transcript and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Mon 5.  Lovely day, write letter of thanks to Gen. Burnside
visited Med. director of Rt. G. Div – to see about sending
Posts body home, visited hospl. – wrote several letters –
We are now brigaded as 3rd. Brig – Col Dutton of
21 Conn Comdg – also 13 NH & 4th R.I. –
Dr. Reiley was appointed Brigade Surgeon but
order revoked as Surgeon of 13 N H ranks him

Read – “Among the Pines” – It is that. we shall
move Soon – rumors of great battle in West –
& of attack of Vicksburg – also – Pres. proclamation
declares all rebel states free – on 1st.  [-] good.
May the Lord cause it to Secure Liberty & Union
to us all – & peace & joy & to his name shall be
the prayer –

“Among the pines: or south in secession-time” was a  non-fiction travel account by Edmund Kirke, a pseudonym for James R. Gilmore.  It was one of the books known to have been read by Abraham Lincoln. Gilmore later published his personal reminiscences of the president.

[transcript by Mary Roy  Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

“

                               U. S. Steamer Currituck
                                   Off Wyacomoco river
                                             January 5 1863
Sir
    I send you this day in charge of Master
Mate Ambrose Felix the prize sloop “Potter”, also
all the papers found on board as peer Index
Enclosed.
   Will you please send Mr Felix back
as soon as possible

                                Respectfully
                                  Your Obt Servent
                                      T. J. Linnekin
                                  Acting Master Comdg
                                  U.S.S. Currituck

To 
  Commodore
     A. A. Harwood
       Comdg Potomac Flotilla

MSS 15134

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

On the broad Atlantic weather
fine and sea tolerable calm
at dark cast anchor near fort
macon laid over during the night
weather gloomy

MSS 38-129