1862 August 9 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of James Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept., Staunton, Va.]

Saturday evening, Aug. 9, 1862.

A report this evening from Lynchburg, that our for-

midable gunboat, or ram, Arkansas was blown up 

on the Mississippi, to prevent her falling into the 

hands of the enemy. Some of her machinery having 

got out of order. Another report that we have captured 

Buell's (Federal) whole army in Tennessee. This is re-

garded as too good to be true. Reports from Jackson's 

army is that it is pressing towards Culpeper C.H., the 

 enemy falling back. The Federal officers are said 

to be enforcing Pope's order rigidly in the lower Val-

ley — Females as well as males over fourteen years of 

age who refuse to take the oath of allegiance to the 

U. S. are required to come out side the Yankee 

lines, bringing their clothing only. Persons who have 

arrived here from Clarke county make this state-

ment.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow Project]

MSS 38-258