862 May 14 Staunton, Va.

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

Wednesday night, May 14, 1862.

The first intelligence of to-day was that Gen. Jackson was 

marching back from Franklin, by order of Gen. Lee. The 

enemy was strongly re-inforced at that point. This evening 

we heard that the Federal gun-boats were only twelve miles 

from Richmond, at the obstructions placed in the river, and 

assailing our batteries on the banks. Much murmuring 

on account of the inefficient means of defence provided 

by the government. For months the Richmond papers have 

been calling attention to the defencelessness of Richmond, 

and yet it is even now believed that there is nothing to 

prevent gun boats coming up to the city. Richmond, 

with all its stores, foundries, work shops +c will prob-

ably fall into the enemy's hands in a few days. In-

dignation mingles with the despondency which pre-

vails in anticipation of such a catastrophe. Kate 

writes that Addy Stuart has returned from the ex-

pedition, with a company from Montgomery Co, to 

Giles C. H. They did not arrive in time for the af-

fair Gen. Heth had with the enemy.     

MSS 38-258