Thursday morning, April 17, 1862.
Just a year ago to-day, the two compa-
nies left this place for Harper's Ferry. There
the war began, so far as our community
was concerned. What events have taken place
since then! How many battles — in Virginia,
Bethel, Hainesville, Manassas, Drainsville,
Laurel Hill, Cheat River, Camifax Ferry, Green-
brier River, Alleghany Mountain, and innume-
rable skirmishes; out of the State, Springfield, Lex-
ington, Boston Mountain, Fishing Creek, Fort Henry,
Donnelson, Shiloh, Pittsburg, &c 7c. — how many
lives lost in battle and from sickness! At this
time there are nearly a million of men in the
field, on both sides; the enemy are coming nearer
and nearer to us at Staunton; large portions of the
State are devastated. I learn this morning that
three wagon loads of intrenching tools were sent
to Jackson last night — he probably intends to put
the Harrisonburg prisoners to work — Most of them
are citizens of Virginia who have been arrested as
suspected persons. After a protracted season of cloud
and rain, we have a warm, clear day.
After 10 o'clock, the door bell rang, which startled us. It
was Alick who came up to tell that Jackson was attacked
this morning by 35,000 men with 100 cannon, and was
in full retreat towards Staunton. We were prepared for the
intelligence, as since 3 o'clock, when the Express rider came
in, all the rumors tended to show that retreat or de-
feat for Jackson was inevitable. Kate & Kitty start to
Christianburg to-morrow, Addy Stuart going with them.
Ten thousand Federalists reported at Monterey.
[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258
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