[from the diary of George W. Dabney, a clerk of Campbell County, Va.]
16 ” Tuesday
Rain before day–cleared off
cool & windy -picked Cotton
–finished housing corn.–
159 bbls in new house. 10 ” in
old-fed to hogs of new 15″-&
8″ for seed–aggr 192 bls good
& 20″ of short corn.
MSS 3315
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Tuesday a letter from Mrs Campbell informs me James will h ave
all my things sold on Thursday at Auction & she will start
with my trunk & Hester-Lucy Jewett after much trouble had
gotten a car to bring away her things so we may expect to see them
soon-
MSS 6960
[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]
Tuesday, December 16, 1862
Arose later than usual. Made my own
fire-Did not feel very well have had a
headache for several days. sat in the sitting
room sewing till about 11 oclock when Jacque
goes to sleep & I have sometimes an hour &
sometimes none to read: I usually read
my bible & afterwards some religious book…
then go to my sewing & am very busy till dinner
time which is about 4 o’clock. Sometimes
walk but oftener go to my room & stay with
the children till Margaret brings the wood
& water: & then light my lamp & hear her
lessons. She knows nothing about writing or
arithmetic & very little about reading so I give
her a lesson in each & hear her recite them
at this hour every evening. She is anxious to
learn but not willing to bestow much time
or thought on her lessons. I hope though she
will learn in time to appreciate her
opportunity-She is sixteen now.
I usually get all of my little ones to sleep
by seven & after that read or write till
bed time-run down stairs sometimes
when I feel lonesome.
In this way day after day is spent-I only
record it here to refer to one of these days
& note the changes time brings
[transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Willis Ambler in 1972]
MSS 15406
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Tuesday 16–Much harassed with
business—not able to solicit subscrip-
tions until after 4 oclock–In a hour
obtained 350$- News that the Yankees
had recrossed the River at Fredg.
Pir people puzzled to know the
motive. Their army was dreadfully
cut up Saturday–loss in killed & wounded
between 4 & 6000– besides more prisoners
A staff officer of Burnside taken
says the fight was not resumed Sun
day in consequence of dissentions[sic] among
the officers-Burnsides fate is
sealed-who next? Our loss is said
to be only 1500–Cobb (T.R) was our
greatest loss [among our men?] he
was highly gifted, patriotic, pious
and learned & eloquent. the town
is not so much injured as was at
first thought–Lanty recd letter
from Wm Gardner announcing the
death of David [Bristow?] of the battery
at Fredg.–long his intimate friend and
messmate–and one of the finest young
men of the army–He was much affec
td and He is an enthusiast in friendship
and has a set of friends which does
honor to his choice.
MSS 4763
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th New Jersey]
Mnday
Dec 15
Had an excellent sleep last night right
on the ground. For breakfast I had roasted
potatoes, boiled fresh pork and boiled fish. George and
I went down to the river and washed up and we
started about nine this morning towards Goldsboro
We encamped about sundown in a large corn field.
We have been marching through a very pleasant con\un-
try to day. We halted for sometime near a farmhouse
where George Proctor got a chicken and picked it.
The boys have also stopped at some of the houses to
get apple jack on the road. My beet are very sore
all blistered on the bottoms, but I trust
in Gods mercy to bring me safely through
all things.
MSS 11293
U of Va Dec 15th 62
Dear General [John Hartwell Cocke]
The contents of the Waggon
reached us safely on Saturday
We heartily thank you for our large
share of the freight–I sent the “pot” to
Mrs Strange by Lewis-and carried the
bundle for Dr Howard to him–He desires
his thanks to you for the favor–
We are glad that you still
expect to visit us shortly–
I have thought that Mr Skipwith
might like to attend the sale of the real
estate of the late Dr Gesner Harrison–who
purchased the farm of Gen Brown of
Nelson–It will be sold on the 30th
inst on the premises–
very truly yours
W H McGuffey–
[page 2]
P.S. My Dear Friend
What will be the issue
of the terrible battle now waging (if not not[sic]
already decided) near Fredericksburg-?-
May God shield the hearts of our
generals and soldiers in the day of conflict!
May God give victory to the right and
sure we are int he right-we pray for
Christ’s sake-amen-WHMcG
MSS 640
Wagon-yard near Fredricksburg,
Monday night, Dec. 15, 1862
I sent you a letter by the mail to-day,
Ella darling; but as a friend goes to Rich-
mond to-morrow, and this is probably a more
certain method of securing you the message
of safety and love which I know you will
highly prize, I will add another sheet
this early. Indeed, I am not afraid of trying
you at anytime by frequent communications,
especially not during these anxious days.
I had many little or nothings to write you
about my trip here; but they would seem too tri-
fling now that our minds are filled in the
thoughts of the momentous chances of an im-
pending battle. I h ope to hear from you to-
morrows mail. I can not tell you how happy
I will be to learn that you are well and cheer-
ful. I pray God fervently every day–rather
every hour–that you may be kept in health
and happiness. The last letter you directed to
Winchester was handed me Saturday morning
[page 2]
when our regiment was drawn up in line of
battle, and read while the Yankee troops
were in full view and their artillery thun-
dering in my ears. I was specially pleased
with your earnest request that I would not
indulge your wishes, if wrong or unreasonable.
Can’t you feel like asking something unreason-
able, so that, I may have the pleasure of refusing
you? Indeed, my precious wife, I have all
confidence in your heart and head that you
will desire nothing you ought not, and
also that you will be very ready to weigh
any objection I may offer against your pleas.
This confidence was strong before our marriage,
but it is greatly confirmed since–perhaps
I might say it is now perfect. I read
daily a few pages of you journal with great
interest and delight. It reveals to me your
history, character and love to me, in all of
which I am deeply interested. I love too to
gaze upon the faithful ambrotype I have of you,
I often wonder what you are doing, and still
more how you are feeling in body and mind.
[page 3]
I am anxious to know about your cold, and
whether the vaccination took effect. My oar
is sore, though not enough to inconvenience me.
We have all been surprised by the quiet
to day. A few big guns and very slight de-
sultory musketry have broken the calm. I spent
the larger part of the day with my regiment.
One sad accident occurred. A soldier, named
Tate, of company I, shot himself, and his arm
was amputated below the elbow. I conversed
and prayed with him this evening. Andrew Hous
ton is now in the tent with me, but slightly
hurt. I wrote you that I had an excellent
view of part of the battle on Saturday, that of
our right wing. Many Yankee guns were belch
ing out flame and smoke: I could see their shells
burst, and some of our caissons exploded by
them. Across the open plain the lines of the foe
would advance in perfect order, until they came
within range of A.P. Hill’s men in the edge of
the woods: then they would stagger, and hurry
back, stragglers doting the whole field until ar-
rested. Reinforcements would come up, but break
[page 4]
before reaching those they came to retire, some of our
shells bursting among or near them. At length , another
advance would be attempted on our position.
They came more obliquely, instead of their former
direct march. They are lost to our sight, con-
cealed by a point of woods, and for a time, as
we hear the terrible volleys of musketry, we fear
that our troops are forced back. But yonder
go the Yankees back in confusion. So they were re-
pulsed with heavy loss at every point. As our
part of the line was not engaged, we could from
the hills get a clear and satisfactory sight of
the affair. It was very thrilling. Our army is as
large as ever before, and probably in better condi-
tion, physical and moral. God in mercy grant
us a glorious victory!
My darling, my heart is full and overflows
with love to you and delight in you. I commend
you this night to the care of our Father in heaven.
I wish soon to arrange with you that a portion, at
least, of our daily scriptural reading may be of the
same chapters. I wish us connected together by every
sweet and hallowed association. You have my whole
heart, my lovely wife. Yours only, wholly and always
J. C. Granberry
[top margin of page 1]
I would be so glad to hear the word “Husband” from
my darlings lips, in her very sweet and loving tones, as I have
heard it
MSS 4942
Lynchburg Va Dec 15th 1862
Mrs. Balsorah Riley
Dear Wife
Here I am, where I started
from Oct 9, homeward on
furlough; Would to God
that could be the case
with me again tomorrow
morning but instead of start-
ing home in the morning, I
am bound to start to my
command, which I will
find near Fredericksburg
& which was yesterday &
day before in (according
to dispatches by telegraph) in
a very hard fight there, I
have not heard the particulars
of the fight, as telegrams celdom
give much in detail,
I only know that our
fources are driving the enemy
from all points. the fight
is probably still going on-
[page 2]
I have but few minutes
to write as it is nearly
dark. I am now sitting
in the Court house on
Court Street, where I & John
Young sat the evening before
we started home, where
I can only give a sigh to
things gone by, x x I am
in Good health, hope this
will reach you soon, &
find you enjoying all
essential blessing to ensure
your happiness in & during
your devoted husband’s
absence. We are detained
here to day to get transport-
ation, as the transportation
we got in Jackson only
reached this place, we have
to get again here before we
can go farther. I have passed
through several places where
[page 3]
there were Small pox
there are about 30 cases of
Small pox in this City
I fear I will take it.
The Drs. here have been
very successful with it,
they have lost but few
cases so far. I wrote to you
in Montgomery (Dec 8) &
in Bristol (Dec 13) in the
former letter I inclosed
$2.50 worth of stamps, let
me know whether you
got them or not, “I want
some milk“! Write soon
& Direct to Fredericksburg,
Va. be sure to write me all
you know, & allow for
the seam-will you? there
is none of our wounded or
sick in this place from
Co. B. If there is, we can
[page 4]
not find them. John Barber
has gone to the Reg. & Print
Ford is dead.
It is getting
so dark I cannot
see. I wish you a
happy night’s rest, &
tomorrow, a day of enjoy-
ment Good night
Yours Truly until
Death
F. L. Riley
To
Mrs E B P Riley
possibly Franklin L. Riley, Co.B., 16th Mississippi
MSS 7786-f
Camp In the Trenches
Dec. the 15/62
Dear Parents
It is with
Pleasure that I take
the present oppertunity
of of[sic] dropping you a few
lines to let you know
that I am well at
present hoping when
theas few lines Comes
to hand they may
Find you InJoying the
Same Blessing
I have no news o
importance to write
to you we have had
a nother hard Battle
at Fredricksburg we was
Successful and repulsed
the yankeys at everry
Point we aer still
at the town and had still
[page 2]
We Still Hold our
position and the Battle
field they air threatning
us with a nother attackedwea we air well Fortifyed
and have about 150 pieces
of artilery planted on
the hights on this side
of the river we air shelling
each other continually
Some of the shells air
verry affective we air laying
in sight of each othor
I expect we will have
a lively time to morrow
we will Be out on
Skirmish to Morrow
we was expecting a big battle
to the day But the day
has past a way with out
any fight Our soldiers
air Confident of a
nother Glorious
[page 3]
Victory we air have
been laying in a line of
Battle for four days,
we lay in our
entrenchments through the
day and Throw up Breast
works nearly all night
I am Getting verry tired
of the war I would
like to Come home
and See you all
I am in hopes this
Battle will decide
the war I have
not heard from you
for some time
I think if there ever
was a army struggled
for independence it
is the Confederate army
Some of us Bare footed
half necked and yet
we stand up to
[page 4]
to all the hard-
ships of war
But I hope god will
Crown our arms
with Victory
Now I must Bring
theas Few lines to a
Close you must
Excuse this Badly
Composed letter
So Nothing more But
Remain Your Son
Untill Death
James B Painter
Write Soon direct
Your Letter to Fredricksburg
Virginia
Good By
James Barney Painter, Co. K, 28th Virginia
MSS 10661
[from the diary of Mary S. Boydon of “Hopedale,” Albemarle County, Va.]
Monday 15th. Father & John Lewis both very unwell
to day–father’s is a return of his old attack, &
John Lewis complains of headache which he
has had since Friday–Mr & Mrs Charles
Meriwether called but I did not see them.
MSS 4208
