1862 August 26 "Clifton," Fauquier County, Va.

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Tuesday, August 26, 1862

I occupied this morning writing to Mother
as Willie promised to return this week
& said he would see my letter across
the river.
 
   Pa heard to day that Jackson
had flanked Pope,who is at or near
Warrenton, & gotten to Manassas, in his
rear, & that Lee was passing Salem
with a large force & with Jackson
would engage the enemy.  Johnston is
behind with a large army.  Can it
all be true?  If it is we will soon hear
great things, for the battle must come
off, there is no escape.  How awful
it is to know that hundreds of poor
unprepared creatures must rush into
eternity & give an account to God
of every day the have lived.  Oh:
God be merciful unto them.  Be
merciful unto all near & dear to
me.

[As transcribed by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]

MSS 15406