1862 January 16

[from the diary of Charles Hay on furlough from the 23rd Ohio]



                     Home, January 16th, 1862.
Nothing of particular note has transpired for the
past few days, at least, nothing that I have thought
worthy of record. ~~  This morning I was apprised
of two deaths in our company, Wm T. Chambers, and
Francis M. Scott.  Their bodies were brought home for
interment by I.N.R. Crawford.  I attended the burial
of young Chambers to-day at Morehead’s meeting-house.
Scott is to be buried tomorrow at Hopewell.  These
two were young men of good moral character, and
had made a profession of religion, and I have no
reason to disbelieve their devoutness or sincerity.
But three months ago they entered the service, arriving
in Camp on the 21st of October.  Out of six who then
entlisted, but 3 are living.  Jacob O. Sponogle who
died Dec’r. 21st, 1861 making three who have died.
This mortality I am unable to account for, unless
it might be the season of the year when they entered
the service, and the sudden change of climate, diet,
manner of living, &c.  They all died of typhoid
fever.  Scott died Jan. 7th., and Chambers Jan 11th..
All at Fayetteville, Va., in the Hospital.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925