1862 September 27 Staunton, Va.

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

Saturday night, Sept. 27, 1862.

Late this evening, nearly 500 Yankee prisoners were 

brought up from Winchester. They marched four in 

files of four, were better clothed than our poor fellows — 

sky blue pants, dark blue jackets + caps. Many of them 

were very ill-looking. It is said they were captured first 

at Harper's Ferry, and soon afterwards somewhere else, 

having violated their parole. It was pitiful to see 

so many human beings conducted along like sheep. --

Troops have been moving down the Valley (from 

here) about every day this week. Two parties went 

out to-day — a company this morning, and several 

hundred, not organized, this afternoon. Four or five 

 hundred came up on the cars to-night. Most 

of the wounded soldiers from Winchester have been shipped 

off to Richmond. Others continue to drop in all 

day, however. Night before last the town was alive 

with them. Many slept in the Court house porch, 

in front of the American Hotel +c. They were fed, 

as far as possible, by the citizens. No late news

from the army. Another horse sale to-day — 114 

sold — from 25^c to $192.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258