Friday, August 17, 2012

1862 August 18 Staunton, Va.

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



Monday, August 18, 1862
Nothing of special interest since Friday. We hear that troops 
are pouring in to both sides on the Rapidann line. Our 
army moved towards the enemy on Saturday last. There 
is a great stir among persons liable to military service under 
the conscript act, many who have been exempted heretofore 
being ordered to the army. A few days ago an order came 
from the Quartermaster General to turn out all conscripts 
from the office here; this subjecting them to the operation 
of the act. Blackley is among them, and has gone to
Richmond to procure a substitute. He is utterly un-
fit for military service, but does not like to run the 
risk of an inspection. Goods lately imported in this 
region from Baltimore have been seized by the 
military authorities and either confiscated or re-
turned to the armies upon payment of duty. I am 
again at Harman + Bell's office. 

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow Project]

MSS 38-258



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