1862 April 26 Staunton, Va.

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

Saturday night, April 26, 1862

Our community has been much more depressed to- 

 day than on yesterday, although there was no intelli-

gence specially calculated to have that effect. Perhaps 

the absence of encouraging news was sufficient to excite 

apprehensions. Since the apparently reliable statement 

of Ewell's movement to re-inforce Jackson, we have expected

to hear that the Federal troops were retiring down the Valley;

but this morning the first news was that th a body of 

their cavalry was at Mt. Crawford, unable to cross the 

river, and anxiously enquiring for the whereabouts 

of Jackson and Ashby. Josiah Roler conversed with 

them across the river, and they pronounced the people 

of the neighborhood particularly dull because they 

could not give them the desired information. Next 

we heard that one or two of our cavalry had been killed

near Deerfield. There it was rumored that Gen. John-

son's private baggage had gone to Afton Depot, and 

army stores were going in the same direction. In a 

word everything was in suspense. To-night the cars bring 

a report that the Federalists have taken New Orleans. 

I received a nother letter from Tate to-day. He wished 

me to telegraph to him at Lynchburg, the condition of 

affairs here. He was in Richmond, and still rather hope-

ful. Mrs. Hill, Bell + the children with us still, wait-

ing to go to Alick's where they find it necessary to locate 

permanently. Johnson's army may move at any moment. 

 Oh, miserable times! The country ruined in any event. 

 May God in mercy interpose for our help. One of 

the Sittington's reports that the Federalists in Highland 

are suffering for supplies. Many negroes have joined

them, and some having stolen food to relieve their hunger 

were shot recently at Monterey — six of them, he said      

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258