1862 May 27 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept. and former editor of the Staunton Spectator]

Tuesday morning, May 27, 1862.

Yesterday morning we had news that Jackson has 

routed the enemy and chased them beyond Winchester — 

 taken 2000 prisoners, all their stores +c. Not much 

fighting — our total loss about 100 — the enemy still flying 

and our army pursuing. As it was Court-day many 

people were in town — every face was bright. At 10 o'clock 

I rode down to Mr. Fultzs' to attend the funeral of his 

daughter, Mrs. Lathrop. The day was delightful and the 

country beautiful. On my return, found there was a 

report in town that Gen. Heth had sustained a de-

feat at Lewisburg, and that a large force of the 

enemy was at Franklin, Pendleton Co. In the even-

ing the Western train came in and brought intelli-

gence from Lewisburg, which relieved the depression 

caused by the first report from that quarter. Heth 

routed, but not so badly as reported. C. C. Strayer 

of Harrisonburg came up after supper, and I was 

suffering from headache. Qualified yesterday as 

Executor of Mrs. Sowers' estate.   

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project

MSS 38-258