1862 August 11 near Cedar Mountain

[from the diary of Ephraim A. Wood, Co. C., 13th Massachusetts]



Monday     Aug 11th /62

   This morning the Rebels proposed
Armistice, till two oclock so that each
could bury their dead.  I went down
onto the Battle field.  The sight was horrible.
I saw nearly two hundred dead bodies, the
Sun made terrible work with the dead.
The Stench was very bad.  The Rebels were
the burying their dead, and our men ours
The rebels and Federal Soldiers were quite
sociable, drank from each others Canteens
and talked of the War.  They are as sick
of the work as we are.  I saw two Soldiers
one Federal and one Rebel, recognize
each other, as old acquaintances, both
belonged in the Same town somewhere in
Western Virginia.  The shook hands and
had a long talk together.  Gen Hartsuff
of this Brigade, and Gen Stuart of the Rebel
Cavalry (formerly of the same Class at West
Point) spent two hours together under
a shady tree talking of old times.
I was into the Rebel lines some ways
and nearly into their Camp.  A Rebel Major
rode up to me and told me that I was
farther then we were allowed to go.
I told him, that I guess I would turn
about then.  Some wounded were found
on the field this morning, having
layed there since Saturday.  The Battle
field was nearest to the Rebels lines,
but neither side could go onto the
Battle field without danger of the
other.  We expected a fight after two
Oclock, but every thing remain quiet.


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021