1862 May 16 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept., Staunton, Va.]

Friday night, May 16, 1862.

Day of Prayer appointed by President Davis, bef-

ore going down street this morning, I was disappointed at 

finding no confirmation of the tel news said to have been 

telegraphed from Richmond last evening, and brought up 

to us by Jimmy Tate. During the day, however, I 

learned that one or more dispatches had come, stating 

that, after several hours' firing the gunboats and 

withdrawn down the river, one or two of them being 

disabled. The Richmond papers ^{of to-day} confirm this intelli-

gence in the main. The Legislature had taken upon 

itself the responsibility of defending the city to the last, 

till it destroyed. The President responded to a committee 

of the two houses that the State would in no event be aban-

doned. The Governor of the State and Mayor or Richmond 

declare they will not surrender the place. At a public 

meeting last night Gov. Letcher was guilty of the inde-

cency of uttering some profanity — he would tell the en-

emy "to shell and be ——." The crowd applauded — Can 

they expect the blessing of the Almighty? And this occurred on 

the eve of a day set apart for special prayer to God for 

his assistance. Mr. Baker and Mr. Campbell conducted the 

services at Church this morning. No sermon, but reading 

the Scriptures, singing and prayer. Part of Jackson's army 

at Stribling's Springs. A number of the cavalry in town--

The Institute boys passed through, going back to Lexington.    

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258