1862 August 8 Staunton, Va.

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

Friday, August 8, 1862.

No train from Richmond yesterday, the Yankees 

having, the day before, been at Frederickshall and de-

stroyed some of the buildings +c. They arrived ten minutes af-

ter the up train passed, in which Mr. Cook and part of 

his family arrived here. A gentleman who arrived from 

 Culpeper yesterday reports that Dick Patteson has suf-

fered severely from the invading army. All his negroes 

including Mrs. Warden's Old Harry, have gone off with 

the Yankees. A six acre lot of corn was still un-

touched, the remainder of his crops and all his fences 

being destroyed. It is reported that a citizen of Frederickshall 

who expressed his feelings freely, was severely whipped by the 

Yankees and carried off to Fredericksburg. But we hear 

many such reports which prove untrue. It is thought 

now that the notorious D^r. Rucker who was captured

by our troops at Summersville, did not escape as was 

reported, but was taken out privately and killed by 

some of our men. The Yankees, it is said, have dashed 

into Lewisburg and carried off several citizens as hos-

tages for Rucker's safely. It is thought that a battle 

will soon take place near Gordonsville. A large number 

 of wagons for our army in that quarter have been or-

dered, which is indicative of a forward movement.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258