1862 February 10 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian clerk in the quartermaster dept., Staunton, Va.]

Monday night, Feb. 10, 1862.
Distressing intelligence to-day. The Federalists
(Burnside expedition) have taken Roanoke island,
N. C., capturing about 3000 of our men, after
two days fighting, on Friday and Saturday. We
have no detailed account. It could not have been
expected that 3000 men could hold an island, assailed
by a vastly superior military and naval force –
Following closely after furthur bad news from the
[-], the disaster has had a very depressing effect.
While I was in Richmond, on Friday, news came
that the enemy had taken Fort Henry, on the
Tennessee River, our small force there being com-
pelled to abandon the place, leaving their artil-
lery behind. There is a universal feeling of dis-
couragement and depression. Some men say that
we may as well give up, but, or course, we are
not yet prepared to do that. The military bill,
pending in the Legislature causes much anxiety
as they contemplate a draughting [sic], to raise a force
of 65,800 men. The bills were probably passed to-
day. I went to Richmond on Thursday, and re-
turned on Saturday, Had an unpleasant trip –
the city full of people, principally soldiers. Staid
at the American Hotel, and had a room with an
elderly merchant from Norfolk and a young man
from Georgia who belongs to the army of the Poto-
mac. The Hotel crowded. I could not induce the
clerks at the Quartermaster’s Department to look
into my papers. They would probably not reach
them for six months. Crowds of people [-]
[-] with the army at or near Centreville, going
and coming on the Railroad between Gordons-
ville and Richmond. On my return I found
Va suffering from my sore eyes.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 38-258