1862 May 29 Staunton, Va.

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

Thursday night, May 29, 1862.

Hearing the whistle after 10 o'clock, I hurried down street 

to hear the news. The train had come from Beaver 

Dam Depot, Hanover co. The passengers report no 

news, except that the enemy have not possession of the 

Fredericksburg Railroad. All quiet at Richmond. Our 

leaders seem determined that the enemy shall fight, 

if at all, on this side of the Chickahominy, Each 

appears to be endeavoring to draw the other into a battle 

with the river and swamp at his back. From the lower 

Valley we hear nothing new. Large amount of stores 

captured at Martinsburg. The enemy succeeded in destroy-

ing supplies at Winchester and Charlestown. Some 4000 

prisoners taken — carried to Charlottesville without coming 

through Staunton. Jackson had possession of Harper's 

Ferry. Soon 35 or 40 wagons started to Winchester to-day 

Reported that the Federalists had gone back from Frank-

lin. Alick has resigned his post as Surgeon of the Hospital 

here. Great mortality among the sick and wounded 

soldiers — as many as 15 a day have died. Tents in the 

 grove above abov the R.R. Depot are used for the 

accommodation of a part of the wounded. About 1300 

in the Hospital.    

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258