Tuesday, May 8, 2012

1862 May 9 Staunton, Va.

Friday night, May 9, 1862.
Jimmy Tate came back this morning, after starting to 
school to tell us that a fight occurred yesterday, near 
McDowell, Highland county. The enemy were very strong-
ly posted, but were driven off by Gen. Johnson, the fight
commenced at 5 PM and terminated at 9 — the firing 
during the day, which was heard here, was the enemy's staitly
throwing shells +c through the woods. The number of the en-
(reinforcements having been sent from Romney) 
 emy is reported as 8000;ours, in the fight, much 
smaller. Our loss 40 killed and 200 wounded, among 
the latter Gen. Johnson, who has arrived in town. At
last accounts the enemy were retreating precipitously, + 
Jackson was in hot pursuit. A train of cars has gone 
up to Buffalo Gap for the wounded. The Richmond 
train, due at 4 o'clock, or thereabouts, not come yet —  
past 10. Peyton and other Quartermaster's go out of 
office, "by order of the Secretary of War." I amused my-
self to- day in converting my dog kennel into a
bee house. Ladies busy to-day preparing for the 
wounded. A large quantity of provisions +c sent 
out to meet them. 

[transcription by the  Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

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