1862 August 6 Staunton, Va.

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

Wednesday morning, August 6, 1862.

No train from Richmond yesterday, the Yankees, it 

was feared, being at Frederickshall, Louisa. The usual train 

did not start from Richmond. The report of Seward's resig-

nation is contradicted. Beginning to suffer for rain. 

Getting along very slowly in settling up Quartermaster's accounts. 

General talk about corruptions in the management of af-

fairs here. Many things look very strange. I am afraid 

of being considered an accomplice, although I am not privy 

except accidentally in one or two cases, to transactions which 

I disapprove of. Persons outside of the concern know about 

as much as I do. Some of the Quartermaster's are growing 

rich very fast, and I see how they can put more 

money in their pockets than their salaries amount to. 

The Secretary of War has been informed of the sus-

picions entertained in the community, but the 

Department appears to have no time or disposition to 

investigate affairs.


[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258