1862 July 8 Chapel Hill, N.C.

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Monday[sic] 8th  Again I am disappointed in hearing from, or of Tom--What
has become of him I know not--But trusting God -& hoping for the best
I have written him a long letter by Captain Dentson Matilda Cowans
beau who is going to Richmond in search of his brother & kindly
offered to take letters.  No Richmond papers again to day--& the
Wilmington Journal contains nothing new--I have just read Willie
Wooster's Obituary--Very Fitting & very true.  There is also in the paper
a historical sketch of Colonel Mear's life--The three bodies have ar
-rived in Wilmington & were to be interred the day the Journal was
sent off--6th of July I think--I received a long letter from Mary this morn
-ing all well & Ellen & Mrs Dunwady were making up a box of eatables
to send Joe & Captain Dunwady--I wish I could send Tome some too.
I hope the sick are having the pleasant weather we are enjoying here
in Richmond.  Eliza is very sad to day having received another letter
from Mr Mason-saying he was at Goochland, 5 miles from
Richmond at a comfortable place trying to regain his health
& strength.  But that it would not be in his power to come home
as he promised her--Having received orders to return to duty
as soon as well enough--But she might rest assured he would
come to see her as soon as possible.  I received a long letter from Mary this
morning--All were well--Miss Christine & the Fisher children left there
the [blank space] of June--Mary Constance did not go with them.  Ellen &
Mrs Dunwady were making up a batch of eatables to send Joe & the Captain
Mary intended to add her mite     Potatoe puddings &ect &ect
The Richmond Inquirer which I borrowed a few moments ago
to read- States that McClennan has been reinforced by
Shields' division & he now numbers for 80 to 100 odd troops
& is ready to give battle--He is safely encamped now under
the Guns of his Gunboats--He is sending up balloons & ma
-king preparation for another fight--Learning--The news thru'
a prisoner and I hope it may be untrue.

Colonel Gaston Meares, 1822-1862, killed at Malvern Hill