1863 January 23 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper publisher and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

Friday night, Jan. 23, 1863.

Mr. Stuart arrived Tuesday evening, and remained till this morning, when he, Sister and Kate started to Christiansburg. He contemplates breaking up at C. before long, and the family will probably come to Staunton temporarily. Poor Sister! her grief is at times heart-rending, although she is generally sustained far better than I could have anticipated.

Yankee gunboats have recently been captured on the Cumberland river. The Hatteras, one of their iron-clads, was sunk near Galveston, Texas, a few days ago, with nearly all on board — supposed to have been done by the Confederate steamer Alabama, Capt. Semms. Cavalry have been extensively used of late in capturing Yankee gunboats! There seems to be a growing feeling in the West of opposition to a continuance of the war. Nothing encouraging from Europe — on the contrary, it has leaked out that French Consuls in Texas have been intriguing to separate that State from the Confederacy, and it is feared that the Emperor has been privy to the scheme.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]

MSS 38-258