1862 June 17 Staunton, Va.

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

Tuesday night, June 17, 1862

Many troops arrived yesterday, and others to- day. 

I have no idea how many are now in this vicin-

ity. Whiting's Brigade and others are encamped at 

Poage's, on the Harrisonburg road, there are large en-

campments on the hills to the left of the Middle-

brook road, near the Railroad, and a small one 

on the hill in front of Frazier's house (Oaken-

wold) There is a Texas Brigade here to which 

the Staunton Artillery is now attached. This com-

pany is located in the flat near the site of the 

old Freight Depot. The Soldiers are constantly going from

house to house, applying for something to eat — 

 they threaten us with famine, and to- night I was 

obliged to refuse a request for supper, lodging and 

breakfast for five! The commissary is well enough 

supplied, but the men like something better than 

camp fare, when they can get it. The more respec

table soldiers, being less forward than others, fare worse, 

I presume. Arthur Spitzer, who is in the Staunton 

Artillery, has been up to see us several times. He ap-

plied to me to lend him $18, and I gave him an or-

der to Blackley for the amount. The enemy are said 

to be about Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah Co. It was report-

ed to-day that they had driven our pickets back to 

Harrisonburg. For two days past I have been quite 

unwell — was too sick last night to write a line — 

this morning we received a Richmond mail — the first since Wed-

nesday or Thursday. The enemy have Memphis. Stuart 

performed a daring exploit near Richmond last week. 

The whole country is ringing with the name of Jackson, 

or "Stonewall," as he is called. I cannot tell how our 

cause comes on. No indications of a close of the war. 

 Our people, however, seem determined to hold on.

[transcription by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258