1862 September 20 Staunton, Va.

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

Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20, 1862.

The sale of 90 condemned government horses and mules yes-

terday kept me busy all day. The aggregate

proceeds are $4.838.50.

    For the last two days we have had many ru-

mors of heavy fighting in Maryland. Letters 

and stage passengers report in substance as fol-

lows: that on Sunday the enemy in force attacked 

D. H. Hill's division, which after fighting all day was 

retiring in good order, when Longstreet came up at 

sundown and drove the Federalists back several 

miles. On Monday Jackson captured Harper's Ferry, 

with 11,000 prisoners, 14,000 guns, 80 cannon, stores 

of immense value, +c. On Tuesday there was another 

fight (rumor says we took from 5000 to 8000 pris-

oners — but this is doubtful). On Wednesday a ter-

rific battle came off. The enemy broke our centre 

at one time, but Jackson coming up in some 

way, the tide was turned and the enemy defeated. 

It is stated that our army was pursuing them, and that 

they made no reply to the assaults upon their rear. 

Reports represent that the loss on both sides amounts 

to from 50,000 to 60,000! It is asserted by some, but 

not generally credited, that the Federal General 

Burnside was captured.

Staunton is now a principal Depot for the 

army. Soldiers are constantly arriving and going 

down the Valley. Last night we had a house 

full of company. Mary, Jimmy, Nanny + Matty 

Tate + Betty Lyle, besides Mrs. M^cClung, Miss Agnes, 

Mary Stuart, Kate + Kitty, at supper. After sup-

per two young men from Christiansburg called to 

see Mary Stuart. They were going to the army, one 

of them lately a prisoner in Fort Delaware. Estill 

Waddell was also with us at supper, on his way

to the army. Jimmy + Nanny Tate went to the Rock-

bridge Alum this morning. Matty being unwell, she 

and Mary remained. 

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258