1862 May 18 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell,  civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

Sunday night, May 18, 1862.

This morning a young Morton preached and to- night 

a young Carrington — both, I believe, chaplains in the 

 army. Military garb, even in the pulpit, is not uncommon 

these days. Last night Col. Reid of Lexington was here at 

supper, and this afternoon Frazier came up and is spend-

ing the night. Both are returning from the Legislature. — 

 Col. R. brought up a report (having come up street after 

I left) that the "Yankees" were at Jackson's River, 

the Western terminus of the Central Railroad. Mr. Wayt 

told me at Sunday School, this morning, that their 

force amounted to four hundred cavalry. Next I 

heard that it was five hundred. Then Frazier brought a 

report that was eight hundred cavalry and a thou-

sand infantry. H. J. Crawford told me at church 

that it was two thousand. And, finally, Wm. Kayser as-

serted positively that it was three hundred. A portion of 

our cavalry was ordered to Jackson's River, but mistook the 

order and went to Lexington! It is rumored that Gen. 

Winder, one of Jackson's Brigadiers, mistook directions 

given to him at M^cDowell, and thus the enemy escaped 

capture in the recent affair. A series of mistakes. Mrs. 

Sowers died this afternoon. Reported that Mr. John M^cCue 

is dead. Several citizens of Highland, arrested for giving 

aid to the enemy, have been brought in. 

MSS 38-258