Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: January 2, 1864

The coldest day of the season; river frozen over; can hardly keep warm at all. Poor people, soldiers' wives, &c., coming every day for flour and wood; Mr. P. supplies very many of them.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 176

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: January 27, 1864

Had the Ruffners, Cousin R. Taylor's family, Dr. Madison, Mr. Norton, and two or three others to tea this evening; the first company invited to tea, I believe, since the war began. Had an agreeable evening. Weather beautiful and mild as May.  . . . Had a pleasant ride on horseback with Mr. P. this evening.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 176

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: December 20, 1863

An order from Imboden for the cadets to march to Buchanan. They started this morning. Mr. P. went at noon. A very cold day.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 174-5

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: December 21, 1863

Averill has escaped! To-day Mr. P. returned; also Eben: all are terribly chagrined at the escape of Averill. We hear thro' a dispatch from Staunton that the enemy is advancing from Harrisonburg. A letter to-night from Sister Julia; thankful that my father is better.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 175

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: December 6, 1863

Again the Cadets and Home Guard are summoned out; they started yesterday; and Mr. P. went early this morning. It is a cold raw day, and they will find marching and bivouacing in the open air very disagreeable. The reports are that the enemy is advancing upon the Valley from four different points. When will these alarms cease? I am in despair about the war.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 172-3

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: November 12, 1863

After dark last night Mr. P. returned, and I find that I was greatly mistaken in supposing that the hurrying out of the Rockbridge forces had accomplished nothing. But for their acting as Imboden's reserve, he would not have dared to open fire upon the enemy as they approached Covington. Strange to say, although they numbered several thousand (for Imboden himself counted 90 wagons in the train), they retreated at the first fire towards Huntersville. It was discovered afterwards that they had heard of large reinforcements being received by Imboden, which it is supposed they thought were from Lee. Every body expected a fight, and I think there was general disappointment that there was only a skirmish. For the present, the forces have returned, and gone to their homes; with the expectation, however, that at any time they may be recalled.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 171

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: November 11, 1863

I feel angry when I have been tortured to no purpose, as now. This evening the Cadets and Home Guard are back again without anything happening to them. I have heard no particulars; last night rumor after rumor reached us, and at last we became convinced that they were really on the return. Imboden had a slight skirmish with the enemy, but whether any of the Rockbridge forces took part in it, I don't know. Mr. P. has not returned; stayed to hunt deer on the mountain, as he failed to find Yankees!

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 171

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Tuesday, November 10, 1863

Hear that there was fighting yesterday all day at Callihans, six miles west of Covington; that the Home Guard and cadets were being pushed on as fast as they could move, in order to assist, and expected to arrive at 4 o'clock, P. M. So my husband and Bro. W. may have been in a battle — may be wounded — may be prisoners — may be killed — all is uncertainty. These torturing rumors are very hard to bear.

Exceedingly cold today. A Flag of Truce note from Julia to W. — Father is sick, to add to my anxieties. Had a letter in reply to mine to Judge Ould about William Cocke. Mine was sent on to Washington City, and is returned endorsed, “No record of W. F. Cocke.” So that settles the question; he perished in the assault upon Gettysburg. I have to communicate this to his mother. What awful times we live in!

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 170-1

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Monday, November 9, 1863

We hear today that Echols has had a fight at Lewisburg with 8000 of the enemy, and been badly whipped — lost all his artillery, and many of his men. Hear too that the Home Guard and cadets are ordered on from Clifton Forge to Covington, so that the provision that was started last night would not reach them. All is anxiety. So hurriedly did many go off, that they carried no blankets, and some went with cotton clothes only. Mr. P. went with a pair of worn-out summer boots, and without an article of clothing but what he had on; not even an extra pair of stockings. It is bitterly cold tonight; snowed a little today; the coldest day of the season as yet. I am tasting some of the cruel anxieties which war occasions.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 170

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Sunday, November 8, 1863

But little like the day of sacred rest. Last night, after dark, and just after I had heard that 14,000 of the enemy were advancing, and there had been two days' fighting near Huntersville, or rather, twelve miles this side, and when my mind was filled with discouragement, G., who had gone out, was heard to exclaim, “Here is Papa!” Yes! to my joy — but he had hardly drawn off his gloves, had certainly not been one minute in the house, before he was sent for to receive a dispatch brought by a courier, summoning the cadets to Covington. He started out at once, but came back and stayed until morning, when he hastened on to join the corps, and march towards Covington. We went to church, but the services were interrupted by the announcement that the ladies must go home and make instantly 250 haversacks. All was commotion and anxiety. The congregation had been anxious before; it was composed wholly of females, and a few old men and boys; but all anxiety was heightened. Met Mr. Middleton as I came home, who was just returning to hurry on provisions. All the force of the county is ordered to Clifton Forge for the present. The whole available force is so small, that if there are 14,000 of the enemy near Lewisburg, pushing on eastward, this handful can't keep them back. The reason Imboden sent Mr. P. the dispatch yesterday to send the corps back, was because he said he was moving so rapidly that only mounted men would avail him any thing. But now infantry and, everything is desired.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 169-70

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: November 6, 1863

A lovely day, and in contrast to the feelings of the whole population. Last night I became uneasy at Mr. P.'s not coming home from the Institute till near ten o'clock, so I went out to meet him, taking Johnny along. After waiting a half hour on the street, he came at last, but with the alarming tidings that a courier had come in from the West, asking that the cadets and the Home Guard should be forthwith sent to the assistance of Col. Jackson¹ and Imboden; that 7000 of the enemy were between Jackson and the Warm Springs. So we were up before day this morning; I with a heavy heart. The cadets have gone, and the Home Guard from the various parts of the country. Mr. P. gone too; I feel very desolate. Bro. Eben² stopped to dinner; on his way his horse fell with him and hurt him considerably, but he will try to go on. The whole town is in commotion; no men left in it; even those over sixty-five have gone. I can't help hoping they may not have to stay any time or fight a battle.

_______________

¹ This was Colonel William L. Jackson, a cousin of Stonewall Jackson, and a former lieutenant-governor of Virginia. His men nicknamed him " Mudwall" Jackson, a play upon the sobriquet of his more famous kinsman. — E. P. A.

2 The Rev. Eben D. Junkin, then pastor of New Providence church, about sixteen miles from Lexington.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 168-9

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: July 11, 1863

We rode out to Bro. Will's today, Sister, the children and I; had a pleasant day; returned at nightfall, to be met by the alarming news that of Sister's two boys, Edmund [the Captain] is slightly wounded, and William missing, perhaps killed!  . . . The household is wrapped in gloom. Mr. P. thinks from what he heard of the fearful loss in Pickett's Division, that William is most probably killed.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 168

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: July 7, 1863

Mr. P. started this morning for Harrisonburg, on business. We hear this evening startling tidings — that a great battle has been fought at Gettysburg; 4000 Southerners captured; 12,000 Federals killed — three generals among them, and three wounded. I do not feel disposed to give half credit to the news; we always hear such exaggerated accounts at first. Sister's sons [Mrs. Elizabeth R. Cocke's] are with Longstreet, and her anxiety is intense, as that division, it is said, lost so heavily.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 168

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 1, 1863

As I mean to keep a note of the way prices advance, I will mention that the perfectly plain crape bonnet which Mrs. Jackson got in Richmond cost $75 and a bombazine dress, as plain as could be made, cost about $180. Mr. P. paid for some days' work of a white man, a short while ago, at $8 per diem.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 166

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: April 30, 1863

This evening Mr. P. left us for Columbia, S. C, whither he goes as a delegate to the General Assembly. [Presbyterian highest church court.]  . . . This night one year ago he was summoned from his bed at midnight, by a despatch from General Jackson, and he had to march the next morning with the cadets. Thank God he is called away on no such summons tonight, but goes on the peaceful errands of the church. May the great Head of the church watch over his precious life!

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 162

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: April 3, 1863

Mr. P. has put us upon soldiers' rations in regard to meat; once a day, a quarter of a pound apiece for the whites, and a half pound for the blacks. The soldiers have only a quarter of a pound of bacon, and a pound of bread.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 161

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: March 11, 1863

Had a note yesterday from Gen. Jackson, promising to do all he could to get a letter I sent him for Sister Julia, across the lines. His note had hardly anything else in it than earnest breathings after heavenly peace and rest. He surely is a most devoted Christian. All his letters to Mr. P., and he writes right often, are full of religious experiences and utterances, and pleadings for prayer for himself and his country. He is quite absorbed now in trying to provide chaplains for his army.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 160-1

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: December 24, 1862

Christmas Eve: How different the scene our house presents tonight, and this time last year! Then every one of Mr. P.'s children was here, except Frank; himself only absent; the utmost hilarity reigned. We had a beautiful Christmas tree, filled with innumerable presents for everybody, servants and all. The Library was a scene of innocent gayety. Dear Willy P. distributed the contents of the tree, as his Father had done the year before. Everybody was pleased and happy. The war had not then claimed any victim from our circle, and the chief shadow that for that night rested upon us was Mr. P.'s absence in the army. Now the sadness of the household forbids any recognition of Christmas; we are scattered to our own separate rooms to mourn over the contrast, and the Library is in darkness. Willy, whose genial face rises so brightly before me, lies in a distant grave — cut off by a violent death. Randolph's coffin has been carried out of the house so recently that no sunshine has yet come back. Frank is here with his one arm, making me feel perpetually grieved for him. Yet why complain? This is nothing to what many others have suffered. My husband and children are spared to me, so that I have peculiar cause for gratitude. I have been permitted to hear of my father's and sisters' and brothers' welfare, too. Surely it does illy become me to utter lamentations. Rather let me bless God that his rod has been laid on me so lightly.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 157-8

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: December 19, 1862

This evening, just before sunset, we saw the mortal remains of the dear boy committed to the grave. It is a sore blow to his precious father, to his sisters, and to us all. God grant it may be a sanctified affliction! We have surely need of chastisement, or it would not have been repeated so painfully, within so brief a period. Three months and a half only, since dear Willy laid down his life on the battle field; and now another, as full of life — as perfect a model of health — as seemingly fitted for long life as any one I ever saw, after a lingering illness of seven weeks, is cut off. How mysterious the providence appears! Few parents have as noble boys to lose; and yet their father bows to the stroke with entireness of Christian resignation. May God sustain his bruised heart!

Had a note from Gen. Jackson yesterday, most kindly written amidst the hurry of a day or two succeeding the Fredericksburg battle, informing me that Bro. John was met on the field by one of his aids, as he was removing the dead — he being a Federal surgeon — and that a cousin named Junkin, whom I have never seen, was among the slain. Bro. John sent word through the aid that my friends were all well. I desire to be thankful for this last item of information.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 156-7

Major-General Thomas J. Jackson to Colonel John T. L. Preston, December 22, 1862

Caroline Co., Va., Dec. 22d, 1862.

Dear Colonel, — I hope that ere this your son Randolph is out of danger. I regretted to hear of his sickness.

Before this, you have, I presume, seen the details of the recent battle near Fredericksburg.

I greatly desire to see peace, blessed peace, and I am persuaded that if God's people throughout our Confederacy will earnestly and perseveringly unite in imploring His interposition for peace, that we may expect it. Let our Government acknowledge the God of the Bible as its God, and we may expect soon to be a happy and independent people. It appears to me that extremes are to be avoided, and it also appears to me that the old United States occupied an extreme position in the means it took to prevent the union of Church and State. We call ourselves a Christian people, and it seems to me our Government may be of the same character, without committing itself with an established Church. It does appear to me that as our President, our Congress, and our people have thanked God for victories, and prayed to him for additional ones, and He has answered such prayers, and gives us a government, that it is gross ingratitude not to acknowledge Him in the gifts.

Let the framework of our government show that we are not ungrateful to Him. If you think with me, I hope you will use the talent God has given you of impressively presenting facts to others, in securing a government which will gain God's blessing. Our Congressional Committee is in favor of repealing the law which requires Sabbath mails. Can you not write to several members of Congress for the purpose of securing their support of the committee's report? I have only seen one member of the House, Mr. Boteler, who warmly favors the repeal.

I am much obliged to you for your kind offer respecting Albert, &c. Please hire him to any one with whom he desires to live: and please ascertain whether Hetty has been hired, and if not, may I trouble you to do it f or me?  . . . I also wish you would sell my lot the first opportunity. I do not desire to keep it any longer. You need not consult me about the price, but take what you can get. Remember me very kindly to Maggie and all the family. I sent her a note from her brother John a few days since. He was on the recent battle field.

Very truly your friend,

T. J. Jackson.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 152-4