Sunday, October 7, 2012

1862 October 8 Staunton, Va.

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


Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1862.
Mrs. McClung, Agnes, Betty Lyle + Mary Tate Graham 
went over to Louisa this morning. We all came to the Depot 
to help them off. The scene there was striking — wonderful 
contrast to what we used to see, before the war. Many woun-
ded soldiers going home on furlough or discharged — 
some on two crutches, others on one, and several supported 
by two men, one on each side. A poor fellow came leaping 
along, using a rough staff in place of one of his legs which 
was hurt, making his way to the Quartermaster's office to 
obtain a transportation ticket. One leg of his pants was 
cut off at the knee, and the other was slit open so as to 
expose his bare limb. What clothing he had on was dirty, 
as usual with most soldiers returning from the army. — 
I made him sit down on the platform and taking his
paper got the voucher for transportation endorsed upon 
it. Troops still going down the Valley — a large num-
ber yesterday, and some to-day. Rumors of a battle 
near Corinth, Miss. No intelligence of interest from 
the Potomac army.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258

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