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

Wednesday 31st  Severely cold – No mail to day – I have been sewing
busily all the morning – The DeRossetts have been moving all day – & several
loads of Mr William Wrights things have passed a long – They will soon
be home – No news from Wilmington so all must be quiet there – –

MSS 6960

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

Wed 31. raw, cold. windy, hail – vist. hos.  In evg sung
hymns & Songs – repeated poetry.  told stories &c in mess tent
At midnight Col. came in woke us up & bade us
happy New Year–Chapl. Proudfit – 2nd N.J.Inf. Called & dined–looked well.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1862

Started letters
                                 & Mary Dinsmore
to Hunt & Eliza, Eliza Olin & Jennie ^
Did the chores
Cut some wood &c this
forenoon
Went this afternoon
to Savannah, went
to [Hunters?]
Saw Hett & her sister did
not go in. Went to
Prayer Meeting after which
met Eliza Vermilion
& quite unexpectedly
walked home with her
Went up into the
Chapel [?] engagement
& met there Holt &
Miss Boynton, heard
some music walked home
with Hett.  Called short time
Had with them a whisky
some eggs were up until
after midnight.  Fine evening
mostly clear this afternoon

[Last entry in Templeton’s diary .  Although he wrote on the 27th that he had purchased a diary for 1863, the 1862 volume is the only one in the possession of the University of Virginia.  Mustered out after the disbanding of the regimental bands, Templeton does not appear to have re-enlisted in another regiment.]

MSS 10547-bm

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

Wednesday, December 31st — The last of the old year, 1862.  Where shall I be this day a year?  God alone knows, on earth or in heaven or in hell.  O God help me.  Satan hath stifled me at heart but wilt Thou not pray for the most erring of Thy creatures that I may resist him and flee unto Thee, who wilt not break the bruised reed.  Dr. Harrison, our children and myself are the inhabitants of this house where once my father, mother and their merry children dwelt.  Of the latter, only I am left.  The builder and head, the gentle mother and four of her darlings are in the silent tomb.  Archie is a private in the army now, doubtless sleeping in his tent on some bleak hill, Fez gone to seek his orders as a surgeon to a foreign land, and our fair valley is possessed by northern demons.  They are reported as 5000 strong in Winchester.  Today Co. Rosser with thirty of Stuart’s cavalry passed through Millwood saying three brigades were not far distant, so we hope for deliverance.  God grant that on this anniversary our land may be shining in the light of peace.

MSS 9759

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

Tuesday
Dec 30
Rainy to-day by spells and not very
comfortable.  I straightened out the clothing
account, and did some other writing
One of Company A shot himself through the arm in a
fit of delirium caused by drunkeness, the ball pass-
ing through his arm.  Have not felt very well today.

MSS 11293

Camp Dumfries, Va.
Dec. 30th 1862
Dear Mother
I have
a chance to to[sic] send
a letter to Washington
this evening, So I thought
I would write one to you
I suppose you are en-
joying holidays at home
while I am busyly en-
gaged performing the duties
of a soldier.  My health
is very good and I have
been in my saddle nearly
all the time since Chrismas [sic]
morning Well Mother the above
was written yesterday morning
I was called to duty so I could
not finish writing this letter

[page 2]
So to-day is the 31st and to-
morrow is New Years-day.
We have just mustered
for pay and have four-
months coming to us. My
duties are principally that
of a Picket, — “Guarding
against the enemy.”  On
Christmas I was Seargeant
of a Patrole Guard and
I was very busy all that day
patroleing the roads of
the surrounding country
I arrested a man that
day by the name of Redman
and he is a second cou
-sin of mine I had to quiet
on a fist –fight that even-
ing among my men  I did
it with great difficulty
but with entire success

[page 3]
the 26th I rested and on
the morning of the 27th I
went out in the country
with a squad of men to
guard a forageing wag
gon. and we just “Saved
our bacon” for 30 of our
pickets & men captured but
20 minutes after we left
them about 6 miles from
here.  But we came in all
right and found the enemy
shelling our camp.  All our
infantry and cavalry here were
in line of battle and a
brisk cannonading had
commenced and was
                             2 oclock
kept up until in the ^ P.M.
when all our cavalry
dismounted and went to
fighting on foot.  The
enemy charged and recharged

[page 4]
upon us but we repulsed
them every time and we
lost not a single man.
One of our captains was
wounded – not badly though.
A continual “yell” was kept
up during the whole engage-
ment. The Rebels would hallow
to us “Run then –  you damn-
-ed Yankee Sons of biches
and the like : while our
boys would return like
compliments to them.
That night we all lay on
our arms with the bridle
reins in our hands but
the Rebels concluding they
had enough of our carbine
shooting skeedaddled during
the night. On the 28th
Co. C was detailed for
to go on picket at the
same place where the 30
of Co. G. was captured – 6
miles from here.  We went
and after getting there
I was ordered to take a squad
of men and patrole the road
towards Fairfax Station 6 miles

[page 5]
Continued I did so of I went
five miles on the road and there
coming upon the ground where
the enemy camped and which was
just left by them I captured
one of the enemies stragglers and
returned to the head Quarters of
our picket.  The prisoner was
captured was a cavalry man
and I got his horse, saddle,
and arms  On the morning of
the 29th we were relieved from
picket and we came in the camp
That night we retired to
rest in our tents but about
mid-night the Telegraph ceased
to operate – the wire was cut
both between here and Washington
and Burnsides Head Quarters —
Hence we were ordered about one
oclcock to Get up pack and saddle
up, and to rest on our arms.  So as

[page 6]
to be ready should an attack
be made.  Yesterday I commenc
ed this letter an[d] a detail came
for a Lieut. one Seargeant
and 29 men to make a
recognoicance to-ward Fred-
ericksburg.  We went and did not
return til last night.  We were
not disturbed last night and
all is right this morning.  We
hear cannonading in almost
all directions. Perhaps we shall
be attacked before long, and
have a little more “fun”  I shall
be on picket to-morrow.   Now
you may judge how I am
spending my holidays. The weath
er is not very cold and we have a
plenty of blankets. Mother write often
and tell me all the news and all
about your business  With much love
I am every Your Son W H Redman

[cross hatched on page 5]
I shall write as often as I can.
Love to all W. H. Redman

[upside down in top margin of page 5]
PS I had almost forgotten to tell you
that the General gave me the sword I cap
tured it is a nice one I shall bring it home with me
                                                                 WHR

William Henry Redman, Co. C., 12th Illinois Cavalry

MSS 7415

                        Camp Jackson   Fort Gaines   Dec 30/62         

My Dear Wife –
                        I arrived here last Evening about
Sun down all right – Before leaving yesterday
I saw Esteridge and Huid his Girl
provided his wife is willing to give her up
He said he would send you worked at
Dinner time whether or not you could have
her – I am to give $40 – I also saw
Callaway about selling Henrietta –
                                       Your affectionate Husband
                                                      W. H. Locke

William Herrod Locke, Confederate soldier in John Hardy’s “Eufala Minute Men” and Captain George A. Robert’s Co. C., Fourth Battalion, Alabama Cavalry; before and after the war a dry goods merchant in Eufaula, Alabama. 

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13485

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

Tues 30.  Visited Hos – buried four men this morng at one
time.  McMullen, Snyder – Hildreth & Morris.  Called on
Gen. Sumner.  Sitting in arm chair with dress g gown
Smoking a pipe – Sd. “No ans. yet – & as we were under
orders to move at moments notice day or night
he would recommend me to give up attempt.
Very busy writing letters for friends of soldiers &c.
Rain this P.M. good bathe & change – Got flour,
Found good deal seriousness & desire after religious
life – No orders yet – Tis sd. 600 prisoners passed by
today taken by Sigel, doubtful –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

Tuesday 30th I sit all the morning with Mrs Walters.  She is better – It has
commenced raining – I am glad my negroes got off yesterday – I had a
sweet letter from Liz this morning – She sent Eliza a pretty collar – But dont
think she will arrive here in time to see Eliza married – That would be
too bad

MSS 6960