Friday, June 8, 2012

1862 May 9 Staunton, Va.

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


Monday night, June 9, 1862.
The first news had this morning was by Mr. Tate, who 
had arrived from the North River ford opposite Mt. 
Crawford, at 3 o'clock A.M., and came up to our 
house before I had left home. He repeated the report 
Jimmy brought up last night, and seemed to think 
matters were going on finely for us — that Fremont 
was routed yesterday, and Jackson was this morning 
assailing Shields, the cannonading being distinctly 
heard from town. Upon going down street, I was dis-
appointed to find that there was little or no feeling of 
elation, but on the contrary some apprehension that 
Jackson might be overwhelmed by superior numbers, there 
being rumors that Fremont was receiving large reinforce-
ments. Tate brought word that Imboden's party had been 
ordered to Port Republic during the night, and Alick + 
Legh had gone along. The cannonading was heard till 
half past 9 o'clock, when it ceased. About 10 a cour-
ier arrived with intelligence that Jackson had ordered a
retreat across the Blue Ridge.  This news flew through town,
and caused great depression.  About 11 another courier ar-
rived with the report that Fremont was hastily retreating 
towards Harrisonburg, blockading the road behind him, + 
that Shields was in a fair way to be caught. Of course 
there was universal rejoicing. In the afternoon, how-
ever, it was ascertained that Fremont had not retreated, but 
was on the field again with (according to one report) 
60,000 men. It was stated at the same time that Jack-
son had defeated Shields this morning quite severly. — 
 Late in the evening different persons (citizens) and one or 

two wounded soldiers arrived from the army, and after 
dark Alick + Legh came. They had witnessed the bat-
tle this morning, and were all aglow with excitement. 
Shields was driven back with the reported loss of 500 
of his men + 8 cannon captured, while Fremont's 
army was drawn up on the West Side of the Shenandoah, 
unable to give any assistance. Jackson's army crossed 
the river this morning to assail Shields, destroying the bridge 
behind them. It is impossible for me to mention the 
incidents A + L related, or to describe the scenes in town. 
Alick was employed in attending to the wounded. Both 
the Regiments from this county suffered severely, in the 
number wounded — not a single acquaintance is men-
tioned as among the killed. I infer that comparatively 
few were killed on either day. Capt. Robt. Lilly is re-
ported mortally wounded. We hear that two Regiments are 
coming to reinforce Jackson. Kate + Kitty, with Mary 
Stuart, arrived Saturday afternoon. They left Chris-
tiansburg, in ignorance of the state of affairs in this 
region.      

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow Project]

MSS 38-258         

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