1861 September 8

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Border Guards]

Sunday, September 8, 10 o'clock A.M. This bright Sabbath morning finds us still at Camp Dogwood, guarding the place--we all feel that we are agreeably disappointed for it is so very strange and unusual to rest on the Sabbath that we invariably make arrangements to move as the week closes, but we are allowed to rest quietly today for the first time since we left the "White Sulphur Springs"--Many of us now engage in the sweet recollections of home and absent ones--but not so with all for numbers are now (be it said in shame) are engaged at cards for their wages which they drew yesterday--we were paid off in Confederate notes, redeemable in two years. 9 P. M. This afternoon Col. Heningson had our rifled cannon taken to a position, prepared for it, and fired four times to try its powers--distance more than 1 1/2 miles--splendid shots and very effective--we expect active operations very soon, a crisis is close at hand--9 1/2 taps--We retired for the night after havi g spent a very pleasant Sabbath.

Charles Frederick Henningsen, 1815-1871, a Belgian who had fought with the Carlists in Spain and Kossuth in Hungary before coming to the United States in 1851. Colonel of the 59th Virginia and author of 6 books.

MSS 38-221