[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Monday, December 9, 1862

Margaret went out to spend the day. out & I
had to amuse the children. I had very
little time for reading or sewing only
snatched a moment for each just
when I could find it=

Sinned twice to day by anger, &
impatience; Have not been in a proper
frame of mind all day=It is always
thus when our hearts condemn us: what
must Gods condemnation be, for he is
greater than our hearts & knoweth all
things…………..

Agnes Williams was to have been married
to morrow night & Pa heard to day that
Mr Smith, groom, had gone about two weeks since
to Harper Ferry to get some colts the Yankees
had stolen from him & had not been
heard from since.  Presume he is detained
a prisoner

[partially transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406

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

Monday 8. Weather moderated about a
degree –Recd Saturday night by Mr
Payne a package from Strother
containing $200,000-I sent him
down for it, our currency running
very low-Various calls upon my
time and attention.  did a good deal
of business. Dr. & Mrs. Williams di
-ned with me to day.  No news-I
forgot to mention that while I was
gone Crimon, of 5Ala. sent for me
He had been removed from the Hospital
to the house of Mr Pettus, when I visi
ted him before I went to the University.
I called to see him  [?] morg.
and saw at a glance that he was dy-
ing.  He did not recognize me. He
died at 2. P.M.–I wrote to day to his
aunt in Alabama- He had no fa-
ther or mother- I felt much in
terest in him & nursed him when
sick in May last–Worked at
repairs on electric machine-and
found it very [?]  Edmund
seemed fond of the shocks, taking
several

MSS 4763 

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

Sunday
Dec 7
a very cold night last night
Instead of inspection this morning we
had the army regulations read to us, taking some
double quick to warm us up.  Wrote a long
letter home.  Read some and talked with George
Kinsman.  it has been a very cold day and is
going to be a very cold night

MSS 11293

Near Gunea Depot
     Sunday 7” Dec 1862
My own darling Jennie
       I have sent you two letters since camping
at this place but I am told that our mail
all lies at the depot.  So having an opportunity
to send a letter by hand I shall amuse myself
this morning before breakfast by just droping [sic]
you a line, and lines they will be for I have
no news to communicate.  Genl Taliaferro arrived
last night looking first rate and will this
morning assume command of this Division
and Big Billy Jones will retire from the place
he has disgraced and I am not sorry to think
I am to be commanded again by a gentleman.
 George will go this morning in search of Mr
Tyler and Julia  He says they dont live very
far from here.  If he can find them which of
course he will, I will try and pay them
a visit myself – I want to try Julias skill
in housekeeping and am inclined to think
I am just now in a condition to appreciate
good housekeeping.  My apetite [sic] is simply
enormous  I can eat anything in the world
and cant think of an eatable of any sort
which I dont think nice.  I think I am perfect-
ly restored.  my jaw is still running but the
lump is disappearing & there is less dis-
charge each day  I think it will soon
be entirely well.  I stand the camp first
rate much better than any one would have
supposed, but I tell you these cold nights
give me [?].  last night was a stinger

[page 2]
  I had to turn many ways & often to keep warm
and yet we had fire all night, but just so it
dont get sick, and so far I am doing finely.
hereafter George & I will bunk together and I intend
to keep him with me during the winter whether I
command the Brigade or the Regiment.  and by the way
you need not be surprised any day to hear that I
have been superseded in the command of the brigade
I know of no reason for it except that I have
in the army as I have at home, enimies [sic] who are
too cowardly to work against me except in
the dark and they are at it here.  The result will
be, if I am displaced in this command by any
manner which reflects on me, I will quit the
service at all hazards.  I am willing to serve my
Country at every sacrifice except that of my
good name & self respect – and have so served
it, but when it comes to a sacrifice of that
sort, I quit.  I dont ask promotion & dont desire
it now.  I simply wish to remain in command
as Colnl and if I survive the next fight &
do not deserve a promotion, I will simply
resign my Colncy & quit.  This is all I ask &
this is my right & I intend to insist on it.
  Bless my darling wife & children, what would
I not give to have them with me & be with
them this bright cold Sunday morning.  I do
want a kiss very much indeed from the
entire party.  Write to me darling.  I have
not heard from you since I left Woodstock
and do want a letter so bad.
Most affectionately yours
   ETHWarren

“Near Gunea Depot”, heading – This is a misspelling of Guinea Depot.  The station, also shown on some maps as Guiney’s, was located some 12 miles south-east of Fredericksburg on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad.
    This is the location where Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson died after being wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863.

“My own darling Jennie”, salutation – Warren’s wife, Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson Magruder Warren.

“Genl Taliaferro”, line 7 – William B. Taliaferro, Confederate general, commanded the division in which the 10th VA Infantry served.  He had been seriously wounded at the Battle of Brawner Farm, 28 August 1862.

“Big Billy Jones”, line 10 – John R. Jones, Confederate general, temporarily in command of Taliaferro’s Division.  Jones had assumed command of the division prior to the Battle of Sharpsburg due to losses in command personnel.  Jones’ actions at the battle brought doubt as to his ability to command and many officers deemed him cowardly.  The charges of cowardice were again raised due to his actions at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

“George”, line 13; page 2, line 4 – Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Private, Company C, 13th VA Infantry.  Temporarily assigned to the 10th VA Infantry as Colonel Warren’s orderly.

“the Brigade”, page 2, lines 6 & 8 – The 3rd Brigade, Taliaferro’s Division, consisted of the 47th & 48th Alabama Infantry regiments, and the 10th, 23rd, & 37th VA Infantry regiments.  Warren continued his temporary command in the absence of Colonel John James Alexander G. Taliaferro.  He had been seriously wounded at the Battle of Brawner Farm, 28 August 1862, and was still absent from brigade command.

“the Regiment”, page 2, line 6 – 10th VA Infantry.

“Colnl”, page 2, line 21 – colonel.

“Colncy”, page 2, line 23 – colonelcy.

“children”, page 2, line 25 – Warren had three children at the time – seven year old Lizzie, six year old James M., and nine month old Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson.

“ETHWarren”, page 2, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.

[transcript by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g

                                              Camp near Guinea Depot
                                                       Dec 7 1862
My Darling Wife
                                    We have a quiet Sunday today
every thing in camp stopped except the axes which run
all night and all day, Sunday included.  With the soldiers
it is keep the axes going or freeze–They are the substitute
for tents, blankets, shoes, and everything once regarded
as necessary for comfort. The misfortune is even axes
are scarce: the army is short of everything and I fear
soon is to be destitute of everything. Yet the men are
cheerful and seem contented.  It seems strange, but thanks
to God, for changing their nature, they bear in patience
now what they once would  have regarded as beyond
endurance.  Whilst I write I expect you are
sitting in our pew at the church, my place by your
side filled by little Matthew, bless the dear boy,
listening to a sermon from parson White on cove
tousness, avarice & such kindred inventions of Satan.
I wish him sucess[sic] but I fear he will hardly
be able to convince Joe fuller that leather can
be too high, or that it is not the will of God
for poor soldiers to be barefooted.  God seems
to have consigned one half of our people to
death at the hands of the enemy, and the other
half to affluence and wealth realised by prey
ing upon the necessities of those who are thus
sacrificed.  The extortioners at home are our
worst enemies.  If our soldiers had their sympathies
-their assistance in providing the necessary means
of sustaining the army, they might bear the hardships
and do the work before them, feeling that it was
a common undertaking for the benefit of all & sus
taining all But it seems like a revolution to make them
rich who stay at home and those poor who do their
duty in the army

[page 2]
I begin to like my new position.  It occupies my
whole mind and time.  I begin to feel that my highest
ambition is to make my brigade the best in the army,–
to merit and enjoy the affection [of] my men.  I trust both
may be realised.  when I came to it I knew that my
appointment was unwelcome to some of the officers
but I have received nothing but kindness and respect
from all.  They all knew me and knew that
what I said would have to be done.  I have much
better success thus far than I anticipated.  We made
a long march from Winchester–the longest the
brigade has ever made without stopping. Usually
on such marches many fall behind-leave the
road to get provisions at the farm houses &c But
on this march I came very near stopping such
practices.   Out of the five last days of the march
on three of them, every man was present when
we reached camp in the evening,–on the
other two days but one was missing each day.
I am sure that no other brigade in the army can
show such a record.  During this winter I shall
spend my time in trying to make them comfortable
and happy, in teaching them all the duties of sol
diers, and in  instilling into them the habit of obey
ing orders.  I hope to gather in all absentees and
when the winter is over to turn out at least
2500 men for duty.  so, you see, Love, I have
laid out my work for the winter, and you
so far as I have said are to have no part of’
my care.  I think I shall be able to devote a week
to you at  home, I wish that week was here now
but I cant ask for it now.  I must wait until
the snow is deeper & the air colder. then I think we
will all be allowed a short absence–Goodbye
dear wife Think of me often
                                ever yours
                                        E. F. Paxton

Brigadier General Elisha Franklin “Bull” Paxton, in command of the “Stonewall” Brigade

MSS 658

[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E., 42nd Virginia “Dixie Greys”]

Sunday  7th. – Attend Centenary
again.  Dr. Lee preach his intro-
ductory sermon.  Mr. Peterson
preach at night –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

Fort Tillinghast, Va., Dec 7th
(Sunday PM)
My Dear Wife,
                        I must say that I
was very much disappointed in
not receiveing a letter from you
last night, I have been, however,
repaid for the disappointment today,
Mr Edwards arrived here about an hour
ago, I could not make out who he
was, nor where I had seen him for
a long time, but as soon as he made
himself known tome, I recollected
him at once.  He brought me the letter
and mittens,  he also made me a present
of a box of cigars containing one hundred,
as nice as I ever saw, he must have
paid as much as two dollars and a
half for them, he appears to be a very
fine man, I had quite a conversation
with him, and I like him very
much, there were two other gentlemen
with him (Curtis and Tufts) whom

[page 2]
I did not know, they were very pleasant
ad sociable,  The Mittens I hardly
know how to express (in words,) my satis-
faction and pleasure, I could express
them in deeds more readily,  to the
one who knit those mittens, I would
say, Please accept my most gratefull
thanks, I was very much in need of
them, and will endeaver to repay the
kindness at some future day, We are now
having some very cold weather, Last
Friday we had a severe Snow Storm,
I cleared away at night, cold, and very
windy, and has continued so ever sin-
ce,  Last night (Sat) was the coldest
night we have e er had here, I turned
in with all my clothes on, and covered
myself up with blankets and quilt,  I
managed to keep warm through the
night, I got up once or twice through
the night, however, and made a good
fire,  We have about two inches of snow
on the ground now, it is very cold

[page 3]
today, and thaws but very little, We are
going to have another cold night, but
we can keep comfortable,  This you
know is the “Sunny South.”  I don’t
see it in that light, however, I wont
say another word about the mittens
I never saw a pair knit in that way
before, neither did any of my mess.  I
like them much better than the finger
mittens.  We had a good laugh over them
because one could get his fingers out so
handy, You can guess what we meant,
If you cant, I’ll bet Esther can, you
may ask her and see, I have plenty of
the articles you inquire about Towels,
Stockings, and handkerchiefs,  About the
Boots, I don’t think I can do as well by
buying my Boots in Washington, as you
can there, Perhaps your Father can
get a pair of Hip Boots down to Br-
acketts, if you hav’nt got them yet, I
would as soon have a pair of Hip as
Calf, if they are first rate uppers,

[page 4]
I think there is a prospect now of
our being paid off this week, we sh’ant
get but four months pay however if we
are, if we don’t get paid untill Jan
we shall get six months pay.   Lieut
Felch (of our company) was over to Wash-
ington yesterday, and he told me this
morning, that the Paymaster told him
he (the Paymaster) should pay us off this week
We have been disappointed so many times
about our pay, that we shant believe it u-
till we see the money, We had another box
come last night from Rockport, for Tom
Hull, of my mess, we had another big time
over it.  I have nothing more to write
to-day, that I think of now, and will
close by saying, God bless and preserve
you and our darlings from all ills, and
grant that we may soon be united, never
more to be parted, untill it shall please
Him to call us to His home–Yours in love
                                    Robert

Sgt. Robert P. Mansfield, Co. M., 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery

MSS 1242

Post Hospital  Dec 7th/62
Dear Sister
I received a letter from
home since I wrote last the weather
is awful cold here it snowed Friday
and it lays on the ground froze
stiff and likely to stay so I wish
I was too home sitting over the fire
warming my shins just at this
present time You speak of this
camp you cant form any idea
of it without seeing it the
suffering in the camp is awful
Hon Henry Wilson was here this
morning he was real mad
at the sight it was so
scandolous he said he would
have every Mass man examined
before next Saturday night and
all unfit for duty will be sent
home or there will be a row
he told me so himself   I am
going to send him a written
statement of my case &

[page 2]
see what he will do for me
I guess most of the 22nd boys
will come home You say you
wonder if I have changed at all
in looks, I do not think I have
much only perhaps a little
older you would not think
to look at me that anything
ailed me but there is the last
time we had inspection the
doctor told me I was not fit
for duty  I forgot to state
in my last that a fortnight
ago today saw Eli A smith
he was within 1/2 a mile of
here but has gone out to the
front  Much obliged to you
for sending me your post office
directions I had forgotten it
Tell Ann that I shant write
to her  till she sends me

a long letter am awful mad
with her guess when I get
home I shall cut her acquaintance
Ill bet I will

[page 3]
The  citizens are round her
like bugs in a bed today I tell
you Wilson was hopping mad to hear
the way we are used here and
that Mass men cannot get examined
  Will write again soon
With much love from
                   Wm Wallace

[envelope]
Miss Mary K. Smith
      Newton  Lower Falls
             Mass
Care of Ms. E. Smith

William Wallace Smith, Co. B., 22nd Massachusetts

MSS 15360

                            East New York
                               Dec. 7th 1862
Dear Parents
                    Last Sabbath when I wrote
you I did not feel very well and have
been growing worse ever since until last
night when I had a sore break in my
throat & to day another small one.
I feel well now only rather weak-
I guess the climate is favorable
for I never got over one so quick
before.
I hired a small room &
have every thing I need, room &
bedding will cost me $5 or $4 dollars
so if you are a mind to you can
send me three or four dollars in

[bottom left corner torn away]
[y]our next.  Be careful, and not make
[a] mistake and send $5.
[Not?] knowing ho long we shall stop
[?[ tis place  Some say that the three

[page 2]
Maine Regts. are going to Fort
Schuyler to stay the winter.
One thing is very certain we shall
not go with Banks Expedition at present
we may follow on.
  In regard to Hirams lameness, I dont
know what to say, he is lame and I do
not think he drills his company at all-
 I think that in the course of a
month or two he will resign-
No soldier can get pay within three
months who is discharged on
account of disabillity [sic] contracted before
time of enlistment.
  I guess I will not write any more
at present as it is growing duskish

[lower right corner torn away]
and I must be careful of my eyes yo[u]
know.  Have not seen any of the [boys?]
this week.
                             Your affectionate Son–
                                           CPM

Charles Plummer Morrill, 24th Maine

MSS 11031

[letter of Captain Henry S. Spaulding of the 38th New Jersey continues]

                              Dec 7th morning,
What I do for my country I do from
the motives I explained in a former letter
But I confess I cannot have much hope
of my country.  We have an immense
army on paper, but when all that have been
killed & wounded, & have died from disease,
are deducted
^the army will be materially lessened.
Still however it is large, & if properly managed
might yet conquer some kind of peace.
But Oh! the Union. Where is it?
It is just reported here that Fremont has
relieved Burnside.  If so, you know my feelings
& opinions, & that is enough until we know it is so.
 In coming from Camp Cumberland we were
marched 12 or 15 miles out of our way & came
64 or 65 miles to gain 40.  You may be assured

[Captain Spaulding ends abruptly here and will resume on the 10th]

MSS 38-156