1862 February 22 Staunton, Va.

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

Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, 1862.

The cars did not arrive last night till near
8 o'clock, and Va + I walked down to the Post
Office to get the paper, the children having
gone to a Sunday School exhibition at the
Baptist Church. The tenor of the news was
discouraging. Great uncertainty as to the
truth of reports received the day before. No
communication with Nashville. Why or
wherefore, no body could tell. There is a
mystery about the disaster at Fort Donel-
son, and the state of our affairs in
that region, which is inexplicable. —
Yesterday we were all cheerful — to-day
things look gloomy. It is rumored that
four or five French vessels of war are
in Hampton Roads, and that Pres-
ident Davis had received a communi-
cation from the Emperor, not to be open-
ed till to-day — inauguration day. Not
very probable. Kate went to Richmond
yesterday. Kitty + I accompanied her to the
cars. A young woman was pointed out
to me in the ladies' car, who, it is
said, came to Western Virginia from Ohio
or Michigan, with the Federal troops —
some said in command of a company. She de-
serted to our side. Was a hard- looking, Indi-
an-like person. A good many persons have
hired substitutes for the war, in anticipation
of the draught. Great anxiety felt by many
who, from one cause or another, do not
wish to enter the army. The last foreign
news is discouraging. Salt very scarce and
high-priced — None in town for sale. Persons
going round to borrow a little for table use.
I have none — about a spoon full on the
table at dinner. Legh is out and his stock
are suffering. A supply for sale is expected
soon. Cars just came in — have not heard
the news. —— The report is, no news.
Sheffey has arrived, and says the Richmond
is as much in the dark as we. What does
it mean that can get no tidings! Possibly
the Union men in East Tennessee have pos-
session of the Railroads + Telegraphs + Possibly
the Government is suppressing the intelligence. —
These are specimens of the surmises indulged
in. But, if the Unionists have risen as sup-
posed, there are still avenues of communi-
cation to Augusta, Ga., and other points
South; and, moreover, we should hear of it
from Bristol, Tennessee. And the Gover-
nment is not suppressing intelligence —
1st because they could not, and 2nd one of
the Richmond papers states that the War
Department knows no more than the
public. Rumors that Gen. Price has
gained an important advantage over
the enemy in Arkansas. The Federa-
lists had a report on the 17th that S-
avannah had been taken by their troops.
No so, of course. The general impression
is that they can come up James River
and take Richmond, whenever they choose.

[transcription by Valley of Shadow]

MSS 38-258