Saturday, August 25, 2012

1862 August 26 Clarke County, Va.

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Tuesday, August 26th

Twenty-seven years old today.  Oh would that I were more fit for that hour to which I am a year nerarer than this hour last year.  Cousin Mary Page has been with me since last Thursday.  We went to the Briars where we dined.  Jane returned with us.  Near Stewarts' gate we met thirty Yankees.  They passed without notice. When we reached Mr. Clarke's we stopped and inquired the news.  Glorious.  Stuart's cavalry made a charge last Friday night on the Federal camp.  Took six hundred prisoners, four or five hundred horses destroyed and a good many waggons.  Took Burnside's boots and Banks' pantaloons and shirt buttons.  Burnside and Siegle are reported killed. the firin we heard on Sunday was at Jackson who, having crossed the Rapid Ann, pursued Pope across the Rappahannock.  The latter burnt the bridge after he passed.  Jackson rebuilt it, and while he was so occupied the enemy shelled his men.  I stopped at Mr. Shearer's to speak to  him about Dr. H's coat.  He was full of news brought by three Confeds, hiding them near. Longstreet had cut Burnside's forces all to pieces. Those he didn't kill he drove into the river.  Anderson had cut up Banks' forces very much.  A night or two ago a boy dressed in Yankee clothes went to the postoffice in Winchester and demanded General White's mail.  The postmaster said he did not recollect him as the same boy accustomed to take the valuable documents but gave them to him.  He immediately decamped to the Confed. camp.  Our men are very brave.  The Cause must make them so.  Last week a part of them went to Wade's depot near Winchester. Stopped the train of cars, took the passengers prisoners, released thirty of ours, captured valuable mail, burnt the cars and sent the engine into Winchester.  No news from my precious brothers.

MSS 9759

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