1862 August 8 near Culpeper, Va.

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

Friday   Aug 8th/62

Very warm.  At three Oclock in the
afternoon, we had orders to prepare
to march immediately.  We were soon
on our way, we marched through
the town, and went into Camp
about two miles from the Town,
distance of four miles from the
old Camp.  We heard that the Rebels
were only seven miles from us, and
this side of the Rappadan river.
We went to sleep at night, with
the prospects of Battle tomorrow.  Co. N. was
left in the Town to do Provost guard,
When we marched through the Town,
most of the Ladies were crying,
probably most of them knew
the Rebels were near, and had Fathers
Sons or Brothers with them and
seeing such a strong force of
Yankees going to meet them, must
have made them feel bad.  Nearby the
house we came to I saw a young Lady
with a handkerchief to her face
crying as though her heart would
brake.  A little ways furthur on there
was a woman sitting by the Window
and as we passed her, she cast her
eyes heaven ward, and her lips
moved as if in prayer.  She was
probably praying for the Lord to bring down curses upon
our heads.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021