1862 October 31 Staunton, Va.

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

Friday, Oct. 31, 1862

Rumors for several days past that our army is falling back from Winchester, or going into Eastern Virginia. It is said that Jackson is to remain in the Valley. Somewhere this side of Winchester. Troops still going down. Rumors of expeditions fitting out by the Yankees to attack Charleston, Mobile and Savannah. — These places will probably fall into the enemy's hands. — Frequent squabbling between the military officers here and citizens. Mr. Baker prepared a paper to lay before the Secretary of War, in reference to the occupation of our church, complaining of the officers +c. I signed the paper as a Trustee of the Church, not heartily, however, and subsequently induced Mr. Tinsley not to go to Richmond to present it. Mr. Baker, however, had another for Gen. Jackson, and after a long discussion of the matter with him, I signed that, principally to please him. I think the officers blamable, but the affair is rather too small a one to agitate while such issues are pending.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258