[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]
Thursday, August 28, 1862
Willie read aloud after we got our [?]
but we were all occupied thinking
of the great fight & no one seemed
very attentive. he reads too slowly.
Pa thinks that unless Jackson whips
he is in a tight place--
I think he will surely whip-
though I reel afraid too--no one
knows what the end may be.
[as transcribed in 1972 by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]
MSS 15406
Monday, August 27, 2012
1862 August 28 Clarke County, Va.
[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]
Today the second battle of Manassas was fought. Today we heard that our troops had
retaken Manassas on Tuesday. They took a good many prisoners. The president has
issued a message calculated to give great satisfaction after all the fault that has
been found. The Saratoga girls came yesterday to spend some time I hope.
The Yankees left Winchester today--Sept. 3rd.
MSS 9759
Today the second battle of Manassas was fought. Today we heard that our troops had
retaken Manassas on Tuesday. They took a good many prisoners. The president has
issued a message calculated to give great satisfaction after all the fault that has
been found. The Saratoga girls came yesterday to spend some time I hope.
The Yankees left Winchester today--Sept. 3rd.
MSS 9759
1862 August 28 Lynchburg, Va.
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Thursday 28 various rumors from the
army--none of which can be re-
lied on. It has doubtless crossed
the Rappahannock and is forcing
the enemy back--one account is
that Jackson has taken many
prisoners at Salem--Having thus
gotten the Mannassas road, and
prevented the retreat of the enemy
towards the valley--letter from
Mary giving the most favourable
accounts of Eugene we have yet
had. I think he can leave there
on Mondays Boat--Lewis & the
girls went to Charles & returned
at a late hour--I went to see Mrs
Garber[?]
MSS 4763
1862 August 28 Chapel Hill, N.C.
[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Thursday 28 [?] awake us very early this morning with
the news of Mr Mason's arrival--It was very unexpected
& therefore doubly pleasing to Eliza--He is much thinner
& looks older--But just as pleasant as ever--He says he
has been sent to Winchester where the Yankees have posses
sion by Stone Wall Jackson to find and secure important
business--He & 4 others dressed in Federal Clothes & went
in the very town & gained all the information they needed-
They were several times in great danger--& endured much fatigue
& many hardships, & had they been caught they would have been hung as spies--
MSS 6960
Thursday 28 [?] awake us very early this morning with
the news of Mr Mason's arrival--It was very unexpected
& therefore doubly pleasing to Eliza--He is much thinner
& looks older--But just as pleasant as ever--He says he
has been sent to Winchester where the Yankees have posses
sion by Stone Wall Jackson to find and secure important
business--He & 4 others dressed in Federal Clothes & went
in the very town & gained all the information they needed-
They were several times in great danger--& endured much fatigue
& many hardships, & had they been caught they would have been hung as spies--
MSS 6960
1862 August 27 Rye Beach, N.H.
[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, future chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Wed 27 . Talked good deal. pitched a tent for children.
watched Mr. Heade of Boston paint – a sunset marine
view – then with him horseback – invited Miss Holman
she was engaged – was introduced yesterday to Ex
Pres. Pierce & saw him again today – also saw
Bis. Eartburn at beach – watched the ladies
bathe & afterwards bathed myself. much warmer
There are theatricals in parlor tonight for Sanitery
Com – I must see if meantime I can sermonize
a little while they are at it – reported that Gen
Sigel shot Gen. Mc Dowell thro. the head in battle field
at Warrenton lately – I doubt it. Great uncertainty
& doubt about Army Affairs.
Martin John Heade, 1819-1904, American romantic artist known for his tranquil marsh scenes and seascapes
Manton Eastburn, 1801-1872, eminent Episcopal minister and bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
Wed 27 . Talked good deal. pitched a tent for children.
watched Mr. Heade of Boston paint – a sunset marine
view – then with him horseback – invited Miss Holman
she was engaged – was introduced yesterday to Ex
Pres. Pierce & saw him again today – also saw
Bis. Eartburn at beach – watched the ladies
bathe & afterwards bathed myself. much warmer
There are theatricals in parlor tonight for Sanitery
Com – I must see if meantime I can sermonize
a little while they are at it – reported that Gen
Sigel shot Gen. Mc Dowell thro. the head in battle field
at Warrenton lately – I doubt it. Great uncertainty
& doubt about Army Affairs.
Martin John Heade, 1819-1904, American romantic artist known for his tranquil marsh scenes and seascapes
Manton Eastburn, 1801-1872, eminent Episcopal minister and bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
1862 August 27 near New Bern, N.C.
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding , Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]
Aug 27
Played chess and euchre some
to day. Have about concluded not
to play any more of any kind of a game
Saw a comet of small size tonight
Hear them fiddle in Co. B. awhile this
evening.
MSS 11293
1862 August 27 Alexandria, Va.
Alexandria August 27th '62
Dear Mother
It has been
some time since I have
written to you but one
letter has to do for the
whole family when I am
on the move & even now
we have no tents to shelter
us from the sun all day
or the dews at night still
we are cheerful & happy
we expect to be sent up
the R.R. to Mannassa
in a day or two & when
there you will not have
any chance of hearing
from me because they do
not allow any mail to
go either way. the tide of
War seems to be going
[page 2]
against us but still we
are ready & willing to fight
I am glad that we are to be
reinforced by those that
have been staying at home
while we have been at
work here for fifteen months
It is a wonder that Mrs
Spaulding could let her
son enlist as a private
at this late day if he had
come when I did his
time would have been
out in eight moths but
now he has three years
or during the war. How
does Mrs Lake & Hull feel
about having their sons
going to the wars they
go at a time when it
is no honor to go but
they go for fear of being
drafter & I am glad of it
[page 3]
they are so selfish their
sons are so much better
than any one's elses they
come at a time when
they will have plenty of
work to do for I have no
doubt but by the time this
reaches you we shall be
face to face with the
enemy but I hope that I
am prepared for the worst
but thus far I think that
God has blessed me f[ar]
beyond all of my expect=
tations all of which I feel
thankful for. I am glad
that I came a soldiering
when I did. does Augustus
or Edwin have any idea of
enlisting if so tell them
that they must make up
their minds to hard work
& that if they can get a
[page 4]
commission that they had
better do so. I do not know
where Parker is but have no
fears of his safety & that he
will soon be back to the Reg
It seems like getting back
home to get here. I enjoy
the best of health & have
been able to keep up on
all of the last six days
marching. I hear that
martin Beers is offering
one or two Hundred Doll
for a substitute rather than
come himself poor fellow
he has started twice & backed
out each time. I think he is
a coward. If Father has
not sent my box tell him
to do so. We expect to leave
here tomorrow but I will try
& get a letter through to you
as often as I can. Write often
for we may get them. From your
Affectionate son
Chs. E. Bradley
[in side margin of page 1]
If either of the boys think of enlisting
& have to come as a private tell them
to go into the navy
[upside down in top margin of page 1]
Late orders has just been
given to be ready to march
at a moments moments notice.
Charles Ellery Bradley, 1842-1915, Co. I 32nd New York
MSS 9728
Dear Mother
It has been
some time since I have
written to you but one
letter has to do for the
whole family when I am
on the move & even now
we have no tents to shelter
us from the sun all day
or the dews at night still
we are cheerful & happy
we expect to be sent up
the R.R. to Mannassa
in a day or two & when
there you will not have
any chance of hearing
from me because they do
not allow any mail to
go either way. the tide of
War seems to be going
[page 2]
against us but still we
are ready & willing to fight
I am glad that we are to be
reinforced by those that
have been staying at home
while we have been at
work here for fifteen months
It is a wonder that Mrs
Spaulding could let her
son enlist as a private
at this late day if he had
come when I did his
time would have been
out in eight moths but
now he has three years
or during the war. How
does Mrs Lake & Hull feel
about having their sons
going to the wars they
go at a time when it
is no honor to go but
they go for fear of being
drafter & I am glad of it
[page 3]
they are so selfish their
sons are so much better
than any one's elses they
come at a time when
they will have plenty of
work to do for I have no
doubt but by the time this
reaches you we shall be
face to face with the
enemy but I hope that I
am prepared for the worst
but thus far I think that
God has blessed me f[ar]
beyond all of my expect=
tations all of which I feel
thankful for. I am glad
that I came a soldiering
when I did. does Augustus
or Edwin have any idea of
enlisting if so tell them
that they must make up
their minds to hard work
& that if they can get a
[page 4]
commission that they had
better do so. I do not know
where Parker is but have no
fears of his safety & that he
will soon be back to the Reg
It seems like getting back
home to get here. I enjoy
the best of health & have
been able to keep up on
all of the last six days
marching. I hear that
martin Beers is offering
one or two Hundred Doll
for a substitute rather than
come himself poor fellow
he has started twice & backed
out each time. I think he is
a coward. If Father has
not sent my box tell him
to do so. We expect to leave
here tomorrow but I will try
& get a letter through to you
as often as I can. Write often
for we may get them. From your
Affectionate son
Chs. E. Bradley
[in side margin of page 1]
If either of the boys think of enlisting
& have to come as a private tell them
to go into the navy
[upside down in top margin of page 1]
Late orders has just been
given to be ready to march
at a moments moments notice.
Charles Ellery Bradley, 1842-1915, Co. I 32nd New York
MSS 9728
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