1862 January 20 [Staunton, Va.]

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian clerk in the Quartermaster's Dept., Staunton, Va.]

Little Mary still very sick – Addy taken also
in the same way. Received a letter from Da-
vy Strasburg to-night. He is near Romney, with
his company. Gives a fearful account of their
suffering, while on the expedition to the Po-
tomac, opposite Hancock, Md. Many were two
days and nights without food. No shelter ex-
cept their blankets. One night they were exposed
there in a snow storm. He and Ed. Waddell
spread a blanket on some rails, next a fence,
and slept under it. The Burnside expedition
is reported to be at Cape Hatteras, N. C. No other
news to-day. The weather is warm and wet. Sev-
eral showers to-day, accompanied by thunder
and lightning. This on the 20th January! Em-
ma Frazier has the mumps. Busy as usual to-
day in the office.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 38-258