Tuesday, April 17, 2012

1862 April 18 Staunton, Va.



[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell of Staunton, Va.]

Friday night, April 18, 1862.
Another day of excitement and suspense. I have not
 time to relate all the rumors. Kate & Kitty and Addy
Stuart got off this morning. Met Dr. L. Waddell of Waynesboro at the 
Depot, just in from Camp (on Parkersburg Road) Alleghan Shenandoah. Various 
rumors afloat, received during the night. Jackson's army 
stopped last night at the Big Spring, nine miles below Harris-
onburg. Ewell's brigade, it was said, was coming over from 
Orange to Jackson's assistance. This report came from 
Jackson's army, and also from Gordonsville yesterday. Several 
persons — bearers of dispatches & others — arrived during the 
night. About 12 o'clock, it was said that the Federal army 
was going back from New Market, and Jackson after 
them! The next report was, that Jackson was this side of 
Harrisonburg. Then we heard that his army was certainly 
at Harrisonburg, and the enemy advancing by three par-
allel roads in three columns of 10,000 each. In the mean time 
people were wondering why no orders had been sent for the 
removal of army stores at this place. There is cloth-
ing for 10 or 12000 men here, ammunition, cannon & 
other arms, Commissary & Quartermasters stores. It was 
generally supposed that Jackson would retire to Waynesboro'; 
and thence across the mountain, perhaps. The last 
report, before I came home for the night was, that the Fed-
eral army had started to cross the Blue Ridge from New 
Market, and that Jackson had taken the same rout direction 
from Harrisonburg! This afternoon wagons with sick 
and wounded men, stores &c came in. At dark a Rail-
road freight car, drawn by a large number of horses, 
passed along the McAdamized (Augusta) street. A train with 
Commissary supplies (5 days' Rations) was sent to Har-
risonburg this morning. If the Federalists should arrive 
here as soon as we anticipate, Johnson's army, at Camp 
Shenandoah, will be left in the lurch. After a good deal 
of hesitation, vibrating one way and another as different 
reports came in, Va. sent Emma Frazier home with Jin-
ny in the freight train. This afternoon Edward Waddell 
arrived from Jackson's army. Having left yesterday evening, 
he brought nothng very new. He came up with me to supper, 
and goes home, to Waynesboro, in the moring. Fighting at 
York Town on Wednesday, vehicles still passing along the 
street below us. I attended the funeral of Dr J. M. Baldwin 
this afternoon. The showers and warmer sunshine of the last 
two days cause the country to look beautiful — but how this 
fair earth is devastated by man! Every body considering what 
he or she shall do in regard to leaving home or staying, when 
the Federal army approaches. Of course, few comparatively 
can leave, but many seem to be perplexed. Judge Thompson has de-
cided to stay, and advises me to remain.   


[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258            

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