1862 April 14 Staunton, Va.

Monday night, April 14, 1862.



The town was full of rumors this morning — one
that 4000 Yankees — commanded by Fremont, were at
McDowell; another that a Yankee army of 20,000
was crossing the mountain from Culpeper to get in
the rear of Gen. Jackson at New Market; a third that
we had captured the whole Federal army near Cor-
inth, Miss. The last was brought by the Richmond RR
train, which got in about 12 o'clock last night. There is
nothing further on the subject this evening. The cars arrived
sometime before dark. Circumstances go to show that Gen.
Jackson is coming back further this way. Whether the
enemy is pressing him or not, we do not know; but there is
a general expectation that a Yankee army will be at
Staunton before long. Waynesboro' is getting to be an im-
portant Depot depot for army stores. Yesterday I brought
Chas. Estill, of Lexington, from church to dinee with us.
To- night, Jim Skinner called, after supper. Betty
Lyle is spending the night here. A number of children
have died, as Lyt's little boy did, after a very brief
illness. Addy Stuart amuses us a good deal. He is
totally unlike his mother's kin in his disposition
and manners. He is not forward, nor pert, but per-
fectly self-complacent, and good-humored — just the
character to be popular. Soldiering is the rul-
ing idea with him. He really seems to be very
anxious to join the army, — we hope his visits
to the Hospital will cause him to change his mind. —
At present, however, his imagination is completely
on fired. A large number of soldiers on the train
this evening.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258