1862 March 17 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, former editor of the Staunton Spectator]

Monday night, March 17, 1862.



The militia got off to-day. Legh and Wm Waddell
going. It was a poor time out — a great many offi-
cers and baggage wagons. When "Company A, 160th
Regiment" were ordered into line. Wm marched out
solitary and alone, but was afterwards joined by
several other members. [?] and Legh went off in
good spirits. There have been between 400 + 500 vol-
unteers in this county, recently — so said. No tidings
to-day in the least cheering. Nothing definite from
Newbern, and nothing whatever from Arkansas —
The Valley stage brought word this evening that the
Federalists were coming on this way, at which
John C. Bowyer professed great pleasure, as
he said they would be caught by a division of our
army from Manassas, now lying in wait on
the Shenandoah river. There have been so many reports
about our leaving a force in that region, that I begin
to think it possible. Commissary supplies forwarded
a few days ago to Camp Alleghany, have been brought
back, by order of Gen. Johnson. Is he going to
break up there? I see that the quota of troops
to be furnished by South Carolina is something over
12,000, and part of them have to be raised by con-
scription! Yet South Carolina was willing, ap-
parently, to at the outset, to fight the whole bat-
tle by herself. Judge Thompson came in this
morning and gave me a long talk. Very much
cast down — Says we are a ruined people.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258.