1862
        Alexandria Sept 16th
            Dear Phebe
                        We find our
selves again back to the old
place having been ordered
here in hot haste last night
the rebels in the city taking
advantage of our absence to
make a demonstration in favor
of Jeff Davis.  When we marched
from here we left the 68th ill
inois and they were pretty roughly
handled.  the rebels are enjoyed at
their successes and
believing that Jackson was
to triumph throwed of[f] the
mask which so illy covered
the reason which was in therm
grew insolent and insulting.
Our sudden appearance in full
force supprised the scoundrels
who supposed we were far
away towards Mannassas

[page 2]
Our instructions were brief
“Put all into the slave pens
who have not got a pass was
the order”  Do not parley with
them put the bayonet to them
if they refuse to obey: Only one
ventured on the dangerous
ground.  He refused to go
into the slave pen when
ordered to do so, and he paid
the penalty on the spot a
bullet through his head
tells the whole story: and showed
the rest beyond a doubt
how they were to be served
we had no further trouble
and last night was as
quiet as usual.  We shall
probably stay here a few
weeks; although we cannot
tell certainly.  You can
send the box directed as
before the shirt I refered

[page 3]
was my other under shirt
you may send it if you are
a mind to I do not care
much about it; and while
I think of it I wish you
would write whether you
ever received my clothes and
boots & which I sent
home.  I have got my shirts
they are just what I wanted
I wish you would send
me a hundred postage stamps
we cannot get them here
and if my patent leather boots
have reached you you may
send them to me if I can
not carry them I can
sell them.  Please send
the cheese.  I have written
to Sanford; and enclosed
a note to you I wrote
to him that the fight
could not be long

[page 4]
delayed it has proved as
predicted, before this you
will read the accounts of
the battles for the last 48
hours we have been listening
to the distant roar of cannon
as it comes reverberating from
the hights of hagerstown, all
day yesterday it raged at eve
there was a lull: We did not
know the result, and waited
patiently.  We were patrolling
the citty of alexandria in stern
silence, about 2.o clock this
morning the stillness was broken
the untied noise of perhaps
75 heavy cannon borke[sic]
out from across the Potomac
and these with the signal light
the blowing of the steam
whistles of the transports
and the rush of couriers told
the story: Victory Victory–
the wore was caught and
amid shouts and yells
we came back to our tents
this morning at 9 o clock
The rebels are still to day

[page 5]
and as they set in their
homes to day and think
of their fathers brothers
sons who joined Jackson
and whose bodies thousands
on thousands now strew
the ground for miles
their reflections must be
indeed be bitter: Ladies
to: Mothers, Wives & sisters
are included in this com
pany and to day they walk
the streets in silence with
pale & anxious faces: and
it is the hardest of all our
duties to drive them from
the street but it has to be
done, such are the are the[sic]
orders: strange indeed that
they should be so blinded
to their own interest, but
crushing defeat will cure

[page 6]
them of the delusion under
which they labor.  God
only knows the end, but
it seems to me that we
are approaching the end
of this rebelion. They cannot
stand the overwheming [sic] now
being rolled upon them
and it seems to me that
they must give it up: time
will tell however–Then let
us most patiently firmly
relying on god believing
in faith that all will
be for the best Give
my love to all the folks
yours ev  Josiah

PS I have Just got
Harriets letter much
obliged JWP

Josiah W. Perry,  Co. K, 33rd Massachusetts

MSS 2215

                           Linden Hill Sept 13th 1862

My dear Sir  [Edmund Randolph?]

                         I had the pleasure of a visit
from Mr. Sayre, a few days ago, and he gave
me some account of the ravages of the Yankees in
the neighborhood of Brentwood and of the wanton
destruction of your son’s property.  I sympathize
with him in his losses, but much more with
you in the destruction of your manuscripts and
correspondence, which had been with you, for
[years?] a labor of love, and if published would
have been of infinite value to the future
historian of the state, and have offered
information in regard to the agricultural re-
forms of the last twenty years, and the private
history of the glorious revolution through which
we are now passing, accessible in no other
quarter.  I hope however your characteristic ener-
gy and perseverance will enable you yet to
make good the loss.
 Mr. Sayre mentioned that the owners of Marl-
boro had offered to sell it for $75.000. I intend to
express the opinion that it would be a very
injudicious proceeding, (although the [?] to

[page 2]
to[sic]  think otherwise) and to give some reasons for my
opinion–I hope you will pardon me for giving
counsel in a matter about which my advice was not as-
ked and in regard to which the parties interest
are so well qualified to form a judicious opinion
Marlboro however is so intimately connected with
the improvement of the agriculture of the states
that any farmer has a right to feel an interest
in its future condition–The price asked it seems
to me extremely low in the present condition  of
the currency–You know that my whole heart is in
the revolution and I would ask nothing to discredit
the currency. So far from it I will with
pleasure sell to the government whatever I
have that may be wanted for the public service,
in exchange for it, yet I do not think that
patriotism would require me to sell to private
speculators my property payable in the present
currency, which is now  [?] fifty pr cent below
the specie standard, and if the war continues must
still further depreciate.  I know that the
notes are fundable in treasury bonds at 8 pr ct in[tere]st
and I have no doubt of the ultimate solvency of
these bonds, not necessarily at the day at which
they profess to be payable, for most probably they
will have to be rescinded, but they will be
ultimately paid  In the meant time the interest
will be payable in treasury notes, which may
however [?] as valueless as the French
assignates on the old continental money We

[page 3]
should be blind to the teachings of history if we
did not perceive this.  There has been no instance
in which an [?] paper currency has been
issued in low quantities without great
depreciation–The notes of the Bank of England al
though not redeemable in cash, did  for a time
maintain the par of species, but only because
of the small amount of the issue and of other
causes not practical to this inquiry- There can
be no limit to the issue of treasury notes but
the necessities of the war which are [?]
and it is difficult to anticipate the degree of their
depreciation , whereas such land as Marlboro
can never depreciate.  It will always command
a monopoly price, because such land is in very
scarce quantity anywhere–Mr Sayre supposes the
loss of slave labour will diminish greatly the
value of lands in Virginia, In this I think he
is mistaken, so far at least as lands of the first
quality are concerned–I am not aware that
land, in Virgina depreciated at the close of the
revolutionary war, although Mr Jefferson informs
us that Cornwallis in six months during 1781
robbed Virginia of twenty thousand slaves, a
loss relatively quite as large as we shall
sustain during the present war.  As a hay
farm for the supply of the Richmond market
even if little or no grain were made on it, Marl
-boro would be of great value, and for that
purpose little labor would be required.

[page 4]
I have been settled at this place quietly for
the last two months, enjoying in abundance
the “kindly fruits of the earth,” and the agreeable
society of my own and my son’s family.  We see few
visitors, the news papers keep us advised of the war
which rages around us, in which we feel the
deepest interest on account of our sons, and friends
and country–I have no male companions and
for the want of such society, “hold converse with
the mighty dead-” There is a fine collection of
books here, and I employ my self very diligently
in reading them–I have looked a little into
the ancient and a great deal in to the modern
classics, and read two works by living
authors in which I have been greatly interested
Guigot, History of civilization and Randalls
Life of Jefferson–the first is regarded a work
of great profoundity, which I had frequently
looked into but never read thoroughly before
I suffers I doubt not in the translation
but the authors views do not seem altogether
satisfactory to me, and indeed since the degrading
and revolting conduct of our civilized and christian
brothers of the North, I begin to fear if civilization
and [true?] christianity have made progress any
where it has not been on this continent
The life of Jefferson is a work of very great
merit.  I confess it has given me a truer view
of Jeffersons character and a much higher estimation
of the man than I ever had before  truly your friend
                                                Willoughby Newton.

Willoughby Newton, 1802-1874,  Virginia lawyer and Congressman

MSS 3026

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 15th Massachusetts]

Saturday
Sept 13

This forenoon we struck the tents to air
the ground, and cleaned up under the bunks
It is very pleasant this forenoon but a shower
came up this afternoon, not however till we got
the tents up, so we did not get wet.  There was
to have been a review this afternoon, but
on account of the rain it was postponed.
This evening I have been reading in “Self-Help”
I was asked to play cards, but told the boys
that I had renounced card-playing now
and forever while in the army.  O Lord help
me to live better and nearer to Thee.  Charles
Upton got his shoulder straps as Second Lieut.
enant of this company.

MSS 11293

Headqr 6 Cav. at Hopewell Gap
near Gordonsville, Sat 13 Sept ’62

My dear Sister
Capt Rowe[sic] of
the Orange Rangers is starting to
Orange this morn, and I avail
myself of the oppty to write to you
We are still in the neighborhood
of the battle-field, kept here as
a protection to the party employed
in collecting arms; of which it
is said the Confederacy has much
need.  I hear that no less than 20,000
small arms have been gathered up
upon the battle field; but of these
perhaps 5000 were our own.
it has been a matter of great dif-
ficulty to get the arms carried
off–and it would not have been

[page 2]
accomplished, if they had not
found some ars on the Manassas
road wh. the Yanks had left un=
=burned.  they hitched up mules
to these, and with the help of a few
teams & wagons wh. they ma
=naged to get hold of, they
have succeeded in removing
the arms to Salem, on thier
way to Winchester.
  We are in a nice camp-
we have fine water-wh.
is a great desideratum
& we get some corn–&
a plenty of hay–
  there is a little church
close by & I preached in
that last evening &

[page 3]
the preceding–the men
attend well & seem to like the services–
  When we get into the
field tho’, I can preach
but seldom–I have
made the acquaintance
of a good many, [among?]
them Mr Powell Grady
our A. [?]
Capt Row[sic] is starting,
& I must close. Give
my best love to mother
& all–god be with
you–Yr aff bro
               Richard

[page 4]
P.S. 
I keep very well indeed–
Just now we are foraging
quite successfully–getting
milk, butter, cooking apples,
& a sprinkling of tomatos.  We
have no sugar however &
have to sweeten coffee (cap
-tured at Mannassas)
with molasses—

Richard T. Davis

Richard T. Davis, Chaplain, 6th Virginia Cavalry  “Orange Raiders”

MSS 9852-i

[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher’s Artillery]

 (Sept 13th)
Took some more blue mass to day, feel a little
better.  Finished the “Lost Principle” to day &
commenced, “Quentin Durward”, one of the Wa-
-verly.  The children came back this morning.
Florrie has a cold.  Heard firing again this
morning, but it ceased at 10 o’c.  Heard
this evening that Harpers Ferry had surrender-
-ed with 12 or 15 thousand prisoners.  Also that our ar-
-my had taken Frederick & destroyed the R. R. bridge
over the Monoccacy river  B & O. R. R.   Mr Gregg was
up to see me this evening  has been sick.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 6150

[from the diary of Frank Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]

                                  Saturday 13
Oscar came over to
Camp to see me

                                  Sunday 14
Went to Gordonsville
to preaching   heard
Mr. Ewing preach the
Funeral of John Hall
who was killed at
Manassas

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

Saturday 13th – Wagons ordered to leave
Paris.  Came to White Post – take dinner at
Mr. Massey’s – Ladies of White Post seem very much
rejoiced to see our men return after the
despotic reign of Yankees.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 5526

                 Richmond, Sept. 13, 1862

My Dear Miss Ella,
                                           You see
that I address you in a less familiar
and appropriating style than I employed
just before our correspondence was
rudely interrupted by the Yankees.  Per-
haps I have grown more modest and less
presuming, or it may be a little shyness
is felt by me because so long a time has
elapsed since a word passed between us.
Attribute it to any cause except decrease
of interest and affection, and remove
every scruple at the use of that freer
phrase in future–will you not, my
very dear friend?  I can not find lan-
guage to express my congratulations on
your escape from the Yankee lines within
which you have been imprisoned so many months
and my own joy in the opportunity of hearing
from you and the hope of seeing you with

[page 2]
these eyes–or rather with one of the, for
I am now “one-eyed John,” as the old
preacher said when he chose his text from
the two-eyed chapter.  You did not need
that misfortune in order to get on the
blind side of me–did you?  But does
it not seem cruel that I should even
now have no chance to meet you?
I came here Wednesday, and heard the
next day through bro. Bennett that you
had gone to Danville.  I immediately
sent a brief letter to you at that office,
and also wrote bro. Judkins to learn
from Miss Ettie McK. your post-office.
His reply has just been received, and
I hasten to send you this assurance of
continued esteem and love with the
request for an immediate and free re-
sponse.  I have not been with my regi-
ment since my captivity except one
night near Richmond, and I now feel
anxious and under obligation to join them
as soon as possible, though there are grave

[page 3]
difficulties of reaching their
present quarters in Maryland, Pennsylva-
nia ore somewhere else–But for you,
I would start early next week–per-
haps would have started yesterday or
to-day.  But I must at least hear from
you, and receive your assurances that
those months during which all commu-
nication between us has been stopped
have not diminished, but increased
those more than friendly sentiments sug-
gested with great delicacy in the last
letter I  got from you.  that letter did
not reach me for weeks after it was
written, and then I was on the Peninsu
la near Yorktown. It would have been
promptly answered, if I had known any
opportunity to send you a reply.  If I
had believed you would stop in Danville
I would have gone there this week.  In ad-
dition to my fear that when I got here,
I would still not have accomplished my
object, I was detained by intelligence from

[page 4]
Dr. Massie that he would meet me here
Thursday or Friday.  He has come from
Arkansas on a visit, but did not arrive
in the city either of those days.  I expect him
this afternoon, and am hurrying to close
this sheet in time to see him at the
depot.  I have so much to say to
you, and there is so much about which
I would enquire. But a heart full
of trust and love–is not that enough
and will it not be an acceptable
offering?  And will not my dear
Ella, after all these trials if separa-
tion and anxiety, write me that she
will not withhold longer what I have
been asking so long–her heart and
hand?  If so, may not the kind Provi-
dence that has watched over us through
these vicissitudes, reserve for us years
of happiness in each other’s love?
  Please write at once, and direct to
the care of Rev. A. G. Brown.
                 Yours with true affection,
                 J. C. Granberry

John Cowper Granberry, 1829-1907, had been a Methodist chaplain at the University of Virginia in 1861.  He served as chaplain to several regiments in Pickett’s division and was sounded and captured during the Seven Days Battle.  In 1882 he was elected Bishop.  Ella became his second wife.

MSS 4942

  Headqrs 6 Cav at Hopewell Gap
near Gainesville, Sat 13 Sept. 62

My dear Sister
                             Capt Rowe, of
the Orange Rangers is starting to
Orange this morn, and I avail
myself of the opp.ty to write to you.
We are still in the neighborhood
of the battle-field, kept here as
a protection to the party employed
in collecting arms; of which it
is said the Confederacy has much
need.  I hear that no less than 20.000
small arms have been gathered up
upon the battle field; but of these
perhaps 5000 were our own.
It has been a matter of great dif-
-ficulty to get the arms carried
off–and it would not have been

[page 2]
accomplished, if they had not
found some cars in the Manassas
road wh. the Yank.s had left un=
=burned.  They hitched up mules
to these, and with the help of a few
teams & wagons wh. they man=
=ged to get hold of, they
have succeeded in removing
the arms to Salem, on their
way to Winchester.
 We are in a nice camp-
we have fine water-wh.
is a great desideratum
& we get some corn-&
a plenty of hay—
  There is a little church
closeby, & I preached in
that last evening &

[page 3]
the preceding–The men
attend well & seem to
like the services–
  When we get into the
field tho’, I can preach
but seldom–I have
made the acquaintance
of a good many, among
them Mr Buell Grady
an A.M. of  [?]
Capt Rowe is starting
& I must close.  Give
my best love to mother
& all–God be with
you–
   Yr aff bro
       Richard

[page 4]
PS I keep very well indeed–
Just now we are foraging
quite successfully–getting
milk, butter, cooking apples,
a sprinkling of tomatoes.  We
have no sugar however &
have to sweeten coffee (cap
-tured at Manassas)
with molasses

Richard Terrell Davis, 1830-1892, Chaplain of the 6th Virginia Cavalry

MSS 9852

                                     Petersburg, Va.
                                                Sept. 13th 1862

Gen Jno H. Cocke
                     My Dear Bro
                                             Your very kind letter of the 6th inst reached
me, and I cannot deny myself the desire to reply.  I was truly glad to hear
from you, & thankful that it is as well with you as it is.  The kind providence of
God has been over you , and you are still a monument of his mercy.
I doubt not, that we shall be deeply impressed hereafter, that we have
not been more deeply impressed with the goodness of God, even when
afflicted. You have seen and experienced much of his goodness and
mercy.  amid all your afflictions, you can say with the Ps, when
he exclaimed, why art thou cast down, O my soul?  Hope thou in
God for I shall yet praise Him–Here is the antidote for all our
trials, sorrows and afflictions in this life.  This is the grand point
of difference between the experience of the saint and the sinner.
The blessed Gospel does not save us from the sorrows & disappointments
of this life–the christian often feels more keenly and more deeply
the adverse providences of God in his history. But he can
realize the precious promise, “As thy days are, so shall they strength
be.”—–I agree with you, in the intimation of your letter, that
great events are at hand, that the present movement will develop
other revolutions, the end of which, we may not be able to see at present.
Yet God will take care of his own elect children and the great

[page 2]
purposes he has for his church.  The present revolution is wonderful
in all respects.  to see this one might Empire, this great and
all powerful nation divided and embroiled in civil war,
is marveleous[sic] indeed.  that it will end with the mere establishment
of our Confederacy, I have not for a moment believed.  I cannot
doubt, like you, & never have doubted the ultimate results, so
far as it regarded the success of the South, but I have seen,
I think, moral results rising out of this great struggle, that
will most deeply affect the condition of the religious world.
One of these grad results will be, in my humble judgment,
in bringing into a closer and more harmonious relation and
union, the different branches of Christs spiritual body.
I cannot think, as we advance towards the end of all things,
that we will diverge farther from one another.  In the
providence of God, we have, as a people, been thrown fully
together in our sympathies, plans, purposes and aims.
And I am truly thankful to observe, that there is pervading
our Rulers a spirit of piety, and a desire to recognise
the Infinite One in human events–Like Nehemiah, they
seem do make their prayer unto their God, for our God will
fight for us (Nehemiah 4 chap).  If then, we are one in
temporal things, beyond what we ever been before, and
our God is moving upon our hearts in this great
work, I cannot but believe, that, as he desires his people to be one
in a more important sense, We will put it into our
hearts to draw nearer to each other with greater fellowship

[page 3]
christian love–O if this shall be the result of this great struggle,
we may feel assured,that God is in the work.============
I am happy to say, that the work of conversion is still progressing in
our Hospitals. I think, that almost every day, we can hear of some
one being converted to a saving knowledge of the truth.  The influence
of Yr acts is greatly felt – “The Evangelical Society of Petersburg” is doing
a great and good work.  This Society is represented by the different
churches and denomanations[sic] –nothing denomanational
is allowed to be circulated, nothing but christian truth, such
as we all believe–It is very much like the Am Tract Society.
It is not known much in the South–It seems to work its
way into all classes with good effect.  Its tracts are cheap,
and largely does it give away to the Army.  Its funds are
limited–Yet it is gathering friends, who contribute funds
that it may more effectually publish and circulate Tracts
in the army.=====
I hear of still further devastation in my community,
Williamsburg–The people are suffering very much–
I hope they will soon be relieved–It is altogether likely
that I shall never return to settle there again.
Circumstances are such as to forbid it–
I have been thinking much about a change.
I know not however where I may be settled after
the War, or even before–I am fully satisfied that
it will be my duty to settle int he Pastorate, whenever
God in his providence may open a field of labor.

[page 4]
How are the churches in your section?  Are they
supplied?  Your section has occured to my mind.
Perhaps you could give me some advice on
the subject, which I would most gladly receive–
      Should you desire to make a small
contribution to this Society to aid it in the work
of distributing tracts, you could send it to your
friend Mr McCandish, or myself, and a
receipt for the same would be sent to you–
Mrs Young desires to be kindly remembered to
you, and would be glad to see you once more,
as well as myself–I shall be most happy to
hear from you at any time–
                           Your Friend & Bro
                                        Wm. M. Young

MSS 640