1862 April 22 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former editor and owner of the Staunton Spectator]

Tuesday, April 22, 1862.

About 5 o'clock, on Saturday morning last, by the 

ringing of our  I was aroused from sleep by the ring-

ing of our door bell. Anticipating news of the ad-

vance of the Federal army. Before I could get to 

the door, the messenger came through the side

gate and rapped at my chamber window, 

telling me that Capt. Peyton wished me to come 

down immediately. I asked, "What's the matter?" 

and the reply was, "A great deal is the mat-

ter." At the Academy, I met Wm. M. Tate 

going to my home, who said Glendy had sent 

for him to see after their cattle business, 

orders having come during the night to remove 

everything from Staunton. When I got down

street, I found that many persons had been 

up all night, that many of the sick at the 

army Hospital had been taken off by Railroad, 

and that a part of the army stores had been sent 

to Charlottesville. There was a general bustle, 

but very little indication of alarm. I did 

not enquire particularly as to the orders re-

ceived during the night, but it was under-

stood that they came from Gen. Jackson, and 

that the enemy would be on us very soon. — 

Jackson, it was said, had withdrawn from 

the Turnpike at Harrisonburg, toward the 

Blue Ridge, and would try to detain the en-

emy so as to give time for the evacuation of 

Staunton. Va urged me to go, as I might 

be arrested, and Peyton was solicitous that

I should be with him; so, very reluctantly, I 

concluded to start. In the mean time, many 

persons, principally refugees from other pla-

ces, had left in stages and all sorts of vehicles. 

Mrs. M^cClung and Miss Agnes moved up to 

our home. At 12 o'clock Peyton and I started 

in a buggy to Charlottesville. The road was 

in wretched condition and full of army wag-

ons. The day was inclement — the county beau-

tiful. We reached Brooksville long before night, 

and while looking out for Tate who was com-

ing on horseback, I was oppressed with sad-

ness at the condition of affairs. Tate arriv-

ed and we spent the night together. The home 

full — soldiers, ladies &c. The next day still 

raining — stopped at Timberlake's — found nearly 

a hundred horses missing — lost in the road. — 

Wondered why the Railroad trains — six or seven-

which came up to Staunton Saturday afternoon, 

did not return. Could only hear of one or two 

having gone down. Arrived at Charlottesville 

about 12 Sunday. A dispatch there for Peyton 

telling him to send back wagons to Staunton — curi-

ous — Another dispatch to Woods to send back 

office furniture and papers. Then, after dinner, 

met persons just arrived from Staunton, by R. R., 

who stated that things had quieted here &

there was no immediate expectation of the 

enemy's approach — that Jackson had been rein-

forced, &c. &c. Then I enquired of Peyton where 

the orders for removal came from, and 

was surprised to find that they did not come

immediately from Gen. Jackson. Everybody in 

Charlottesville was at a loss what to do. P & I 

concluded to come back the next morning. — 

Rain, rain all night and all Monday till 

evening. The road between C and S. was full 

of wagons, Quartermasters &c, all anxiously 

seeking information, instructions where to go & 

what to do — Some teams abandoned on the 

roadside. Everything and every body dripping 

wet, and the road almost impossible for 

loaded wagons. Turned in at Mountain Top 

to spend the night — could not get accommo-

dation. Came down to the little town near 

the river — full there. The river full — afraid 

to ford. P paid a negro $2.50 to drive the 

buggy across - - I walked over on the Railroad

bridge. Bruer's tavern at Waynesboro' too full 

to receive us. D^r L. Waddell took us to his 

house. About dark heard the RR whistle, and 

leaving in a hurry came home. Things still 

unsettled here. Johnson's army left Camp 

Shenandoah in a hurry, upon information

received from Staunton, in Gen. J's absence,

and came to Valley Mills, destroying stores which 

could not be brought away. Johnson was with 

Jackson, and, it is said, was engaged at the removal 

of his command, which cannot get back, on ac-

count of the bad roads. Nothy definite as to the 

position of Jackson — rumored that he has been 

re- inforced from East of the Blue Ridge — Supposed 

that the Federal army intends to go East. Staunton 

not thought to be entirely safe yet. Va was not 

surprised to see me last night.

Later I learn that Johnson has no desire to return

to Camp the Shenandoah Mountain, and will remain for

the present at Valley Mills.  The Federal pickets, it is re-

ported, are this side of the Shenandoah Mr.

The money &c of our town Banks are in Lynchburg.

The records of all of our Courts were in Charlottesville

on Sunday, and also the books & papers of the Post Office.

[transcriptions by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

Later— I learn that Johnson has no desire to return to the Shenandoah Mountain, and will remain for the present at Valley Mills. The Federal pickets, it is reported, are this side of the Shenandoah Mt.

The money +c of our town Banks are in Lynchburg. The records of all of our Courts were in Charlottesville on Sunday, and also the books + papers of the Post Office.