Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, October 8, 1861

Resumed the march early, found the river waist high, and current swift; but the men all got over safely, and we reached camp at one o'clock.

The Third has been assigned to a new brigade, to be commanded by Brigadier-General Dumont, of Indiana.

The paymaster has come at last.

Willis, my new servant, is a colored gentleman of much experience and varied accomplishments. He has been a barber on a Mississippi river steamboat, and a daguerreian artist. He knows much of the South, and manipulates a fiddle with wonderful skill. He is enlivening the hours now with his violin.

Oblivious to rain, mud, and the monotony of the camp, my thoughts are carried by the music to other and pleasanter scenes; to the cottage home, to wife and children, to a time still further away when we had no children, when we were making the preliminary arrangements for starting in the world together, when her cheeks were ruddier than now, when wealth and fame and happiness seemed lying just before me, ready to be gathered in, and farther away still, to a gentle, blue-eyed mother—now long gone—teaching her child to lisp his first simple prayer.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, pp. 77-8

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, October 12, 1861

The parson is in my tent doing his best to extract something solemn out of Willis' violin. Now he stumbles on a strain of "Sweet Home," then a scratch of "Lang Syne;" but the latter soon breaks its neck over "Old Hundred," and all three tunes finally mix up and merge into "I would not live alway, I ask not to stay," which, for the purpose of steadying his hand, the parson sings aloud. I look at him and affect surprise that a reverend gentleman should take any pleasure in so vain and wicked an instrument, and express a hope that the business of tanning skins has not utterly demoralized him.

Willis pretends to a taste in music far superior to that of the common "nigger." He plays a very fine thing, and when I ask what it is, replies: "Norma, an opera piece." Since the parson's exit he has been executing "Norma" with great spirit, and, so far as I am able to judge, with wonderful skill. I doubt not his thoughts are a thousand miles hence, among brownskinned wenches, dressed in crimson robes, and decorated with ponderous ear-drops. In fact, "Norma” is good, and goes far to carry one out of the wilderness.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 81

Diary of George Templeton Strong, May 11, 1860

. . . Stopped at Law School on my way down, with Mr. Ruggles, and conferred a little with the graduating class. The young men have expressed the wish to have a sermon preached to them before their Commencement (the 23d instant) on the duties of their profession; very becoming and graceful, especially as it is quite spontaneous. Hawks was applied to, but after nibbling a little at the invitation, declined it. He is lazy, and it may be, too, that he himself was aware that the subject demanded heavier metal than his smooth, wordy rhetoric. So the class instructed us to apply to Vinton, and we called at Trinity Church after service. Vinton sees plainly enough that it is an opening not to be despised, and accepts readily. . . . Afterwards with Lewis Rutherfurd and William Betts, about degrees to be conferred at this Law Commencement. We propose to LL.D. Judges Ingraham, Woodruff, and Daly, who have consented to act as a committee to examine the essays and examination papers and award the prizes. Vivat the Law School! I hope to make a great deal out of it.

The Baltimore Convention of conservative fogies and fossils nominates Bell for President and Edward Everett for Vice-President. Not of much practical importance probably, but I for one am tired of talk about niggers and feel much inclined to vote for anybody who promises to ignore that subject.

SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, pp. 25-6

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Saturday, March 22, 1862

We have been listening all day to the booming of Cannon and beating of Drums. Troops are constantly embarking at the Arsenal and marching through and about the City. But the tents on the hills back of the City do not seem to diminish in number, but most of the Reg^ts are under marching orders to be ready in a few minutes when called upon to go. I[t] rained nearly all last night and rains tonight and the mud is almost as bad as ever in the streets, and the boys are again levying toll upon passengers at the crossings. — Doct David called this morning with another Surgeon. I think the D^r is a little homesick (very little). Comodore Foot is still throwing shells among the rebels at Island No 10. Yesterday the land forces were to arrive and act in concert with him. Went down to the Av^e after dinner. Visited the “Ariated Bread” Bakery foot of 10^th st. Went into some Machine Shops. Penn Av^e was crowded to excess, Carriages, Hacks, Gov^t Wagons, stubborn mules refusing to go, drivers swearing, Soldiers marching, Drums beating, Bands playing, Dragoons and “orderlies” rushing through at great speed. Officers and Privates, Citizens & Congressmen, Negros & Newsboys, all hurrying to and fro on the broad Side walk without any order or regularity as regards turning “to the right.” All put together made a lively time of it, and I was not sorry to get away from the uproar and confusion of the Av^e to a more quiet part of the City. The two elder boys have been up to the camp of the 98^th today. They have gone to bed tired. Julia is reading her Spanish lesson. Wife has prepared a cup of tea & some ariated Bread & buter, and placed it invitingly near me on the table. We rarely get a regular “Tea” at night, dining past 4 renders it hardly necessary. It is usualy done in a sort of fugitive way about 8 or 9 o'clock, sometimes later. We cannot contrive to get to bed before about 11 o'clock, that is, myself and wife. Julia goes before 10 usualy, and the boys about 8.

SOURCE: Horatio Nelson Taft, The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Saturday, March 29, 1862

We have had quite a snow storm today and the streets are again wet and muddy. No particular news from any of the armies. The Bombardment of Island No 10 continues. I presume it is merely to keep a large force of the rebels Gun Boats &c away from other points New Orleans perhaps while our troops attack them. Bought a Draft this morning for 730, less 1/4 pr ct at discount and sent to Doct Davids wife, Lyons, as requested. The 98^th is now encamped near Alexandria. “Bud” rode down there today and saw them. The 27^th are at their old camp near the Seminary. Twenty thousand men passed over the River yesterday and last night, but soldiers and officers seem to be about as thick on the Av^e as ever. Congress is draging along the Tax Bill, and discussing the everlasting Negro. When will that question end?

SOURCE: Horatio Nelson Taft, The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday, April 2, 1863

Went out beyond Maj. Winn's, brought his family and negroes out, skirmished with the Yankees for some time, nothing serious.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Saturday, February 18, 1865

Had a good run during the night A. M. Passed Natchez but did not get to see any of the city except "Natchez under the hill." boat stopping but a few minutes. At 11.30 at the mouth of Red River where are stationed 8 gunboats & Monitors to guard the river. here had a sight of the formidable Rebel Ram Tenesee. She is a formidable looking vessel. at 1.45. landed at Murgauge. Saw Warren Alney, & took on board 1 battalion of 2 NY. Cav. Place defended by 7 negro Regts & battery. Rebs close. Start down at 6.30

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, February 19, 1865

Pass Port Hudson in the night also Battan Rouge. all day passing through the richest contry I ever saw. fine plantations splendid houses & villages of negro houses in regular order with streets; land at Carrolton at 3. P. M. go off & look around but few troops here. Saw flowers in bloom, & oranges on trees. town all the way from here to New Orleans which place we land at at 4 P. M. Gnl Reports. we then cross & disimbark at Algiers at 4.30. any amount of Black troops, & our Brigade which is again disorganized. Hear that Genl Steele is removed. Genl Veach assigned the comd of a Div, raining when we land and 10. P. M. before our things get to camp. no wood & no fire. More than 200 sailing vessels lieing in river here and about 50 to 100 steamboats some 20 gunboats, no end to small craft. Some troops leave on a steam sailing vessel for 3d time wrecked and loss 15 men

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of Private John C. West, Thursday, May 25, 1863

While we are encamped life is so monotonous that I do not usually regard it as necessary to keep a diary, but occasionally we have a little variety and spice which is exciting and pleasant. Yesterday we received notice early in the morning to prepare to march five miles to attend a review of our division which was to take place about a mile beyond General Hood's headquarters. We left our camp about 8 o'clock a. m. and reached the muster ground about 10 o'clock. We found the artillery posted on the extreme right about three-quarters of a mile from our regiment.

The brigades, Anderson's, Laws', Robertson's and Benning's, were drawn up in line of battle, being over a mile long; our regiment a little to the left of the center. As we were properly formed General Hood and staff galloped down the entire length of the line in front and back again in the rear, after which he took his position about 300 yards in front of the center. The whole division was then formed into companies, preceded by the artillery of about twenty pieces; passed in review before the General, occupying about an hour and a march of over two miles and a half for each company before reaching its original position. The spectacle was quite imposing and grand, and I wish Mary and the children could see such a sight. After passing in review we rested awhile and were then again placed in line of battle, and the artillery divided into two batteries, came out on opposite hills in front of us, where they practiced half an hour or more with blank cartridges. This was the most exciting scene of the day except the one which immediately followed, viz: We were ordered to fix bayonets and the whole line to charge with a yell, and sure enough I heard and joined in the regular Texas war whoop. This was the closing scene of the day, after which we marched back to camp. There was an immense crowd of citizens out on the occasion as spectators, reminding me very much of an old time South Carolina review.

On our return to camp Companies E and F were ordered on picket guard about a mile and a half from camp. We packed up everything and were soon off and are now encamped on the bank of the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford. Last night was quite cool but I slept comfortably after the tramp of yesterday.

To-day Companies E and F are variously employed. There is one squad fishing, another has made a drag of brush and are attempting to catch fish by the wholesale. Two or three other squads are intensely interested in games of poker; some are engaged on the edge of the water washing divers soiled garments as well as their equally soiled skins. I belonged to this latter class for a while, and have spent the remainder of the morning watching the varying success or failure of the fishermen and poker-players, and in reading a few chapters and Psalms in the Old Testament and the history of the crucifixion in the New. I forgot to say that on yesterday I met on the parade ground Captain Wade and Major Cunningham, of San Antonio, and also John Darby and Captain Barker. Darby is the chief surgeon of Hood's Division. I went up to a house to-day about half a mile from our picket camp and found a negro woman with some corn bread and butter milk. A friend who was with me gave her a dollar for her dinner, which we enjoyed very much. The woman was a kind-hearted creature and looked at me very sympathetically, remarking that I did not look like I was used to hard work, and that I was a very nice looking man to be a soldier, etc., etc.

Here are the chapters I have read to-day: Deut., 23:14; II Chron., 32:8; Jeremiah, 49:2; Revelation, 21:14.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, pp. 54-6

Diary of Musician David Lane, August 7, 1863

It was with a bounding heart, brimful of gratitude to God, that I stepped on board the Dakota and bade farewell to Haines Bluff on the second day of August. We have three hundred sick and wounded on this boat and are short of help. Quite a number who started as nurses are sick. Four men died the first night. We ran the boat ashore, dug a grave large enough for all, and laid them in it, side by side. Our Chaplain read the burial service, and we hastened on board to repeat the ceremony, the next morning, for some one else. It seems hard—even cruel—but it is the most solemn burial service I ever witnessed. Nine have died since we started, and one threw himself overboard in the frenzy of delirium and was drowned. We kill a beef every evening. Two nights in succession the best part of a hindquarter has been stolen. The boat hands were questioned, and a huge Irishman acknowledged the theft. He was court martialed and sentenced to be "banked." The boat was stopped opposite a wilderness. No human habitation was in sight. He was forced to pack his bundle, take to the woods and run his chance with hunger and the Rebels.

As we were running leisurely along, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of yesterday, my curiosity was aroused by our boat running suddenly against the shore and sticking there. All hands were called, and, with the aid of soldiers, she was soon shoved off, and on we went again. A Sergeant asked the Mate why we landed there. His reply was, "Something wrong in the wheel house." One of our boys asked a darkey the same question. "Well, boss, I 'specs dey see a rabbit ober dere, an' t'ink dey kotch 'im." Soon after, as two comrades and myself were sitting in the bow enjoying the cool breeze, my attention was attracted by the glassy stillness of the water in front of us. Pointing to the right, I said, "Yonder is the safe place to sail." The words had scarcely left my mouth when we felt a sudden shock, the bow of the boat was lifted about two feet, a full head of steam was turned on, which carried us over the obstruction. We had "struck a snag." Soon after, we anchored for the night, as the pilot was "too sick" to run the boat.

The sick from our regiment are doing well. I never saw wounded men do so nicely. Of five who came as nurses, four are on the sick list. As for myself, I have not been so well in years.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 74-5

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 8, 1863

Then Lieut. Newell told us to "go," and we went, as well as we could, for quarters. Arriving at the granary, and having left our chickens at a negro shanty to be cooked, we turned in, all booted and muddy, and slept through everything till nearly noon. When we started up for breakfast it was a comical sight. Nearly all had turned in their wet clothes, and of course were about as wet when they got up, and very stiff. We found our chickens and ate them. While eating, the 27th guard called us, saying the regiment was under orders and we were to leave immediately. The way those chickens disappeared made those darkies laugh. We went back happy, as we knew when once on board the steamer we could sleep for a while and get rested; for after being on an all-night march of twenty-five miles at least, we were tired out, and felt we would be safer from another trip, for a day or two, than if on shore. We were all on board by half-past four o'clock, and soon after dropped down stream, leaving Plymouth and the 27th in all their glory. The boys who had bunks coming up are forbidden that pleasure now, so a dozen of us congregated together on the deck, outside the cabin, with shelter tents tacked up as roofs ; and we think we are having a better time than those inside, and no "sour grapes" in the mess either.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 38

Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop: Tuesday, July 12, 1864

DREADFUL DAYS DRAG ON—NIGGER IN THE EXCHANGE FENCE.

A man shot through the body and killed while dipping water from the stream several feet inside the dead line. Two sentries fired.

SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, pp. 90-1

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, April 17, 1863

Today two brigades of our division were reviewed by Adjutant General Thomas of the United States Army. Afterwards we were closed in "mass by divisions" and the general made a speech to us on the "contraband" question. They expect to raise negro regiments and expect to raise 20,000 in the West, who are to be officered by white men. He said he had the power to issue commissions to those who were desirous of becoming officers, but the rush had been so great that the applications had to be limited to sixty from each regiment; more than that number have applied, or will apply, from our regiment. General Sanborn, our brigade commander, told General Thomas as they rode by that our regiment was the best drilled of the new troops he had seen.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 12

Diary of George Templeton Strong, Friday, March 2, 1860

Stopped at Barnum’s on my way downtown to see the much advertised nondescript, the "What-is-it.”¹ Some say it’s an advanced chimpanzee, others that it’s a cross between nigger and baboon. But it seems to me clearly an idiotic negro dwarf, raised, perhaps, in Alabama or Virginia. The showman’s story of its capture (with three other specimens that died) by a party in pursuit of the gorilla on the western coast of Africa is probably bosh. The creature’s look and action when playing with his keeper are those of a nigger boy. But his anatomical details are fearfully simian, and he’s a great fact for Darwin.

_______________

¹ This “What-is-it.”—shortly to be viewed by the Prince of Wales—became the most famous circus freak in America. Often called "the missing link," he was really a Negro of distorted frame and cone-shaped head named William H. Johnson, who survived until 1926.

SOURCE: Allan Nevins and Milton Halset Thomas, Editors, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. 3, p. 12

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne: December 16, 1862

The U. S. surgeon from the Marine Hospital has been on board looking us over. Found only four diseases, measles, scurvy, typhoid fever and jaundice. He did not put down the graybacks that keep us scratching all the time. For a long time after they appeared they left me alone, but one morning as I lay on my back in bed writing in my diary one came crawling up over my knee and looked me straight in the face; from that on they have seemed to like me as well as anyone.

Towards night the Arago swung up to the bank near the big brick building and we went ashore and piled into it. It was built for storing cotton, and is fireproof. The lower floor is of brick and the upper one of iron and so cannot well burn. The bricks seem hard and cold and are water-soaked. Still we spread our blankets and got some sleep and woke up hungry. The cooks have established themselves between us and the river so as to be near water. We have room to stir about at any rate and some went in bathing, but the water is cold. The only good quality the body lice possess is a habit of letting go of us when we move and grabbing hold of our clothes. Taking advantage of this we took the camp kettles as soon as breakfast was cooked and boiled our clothes. Those that had no change and that was the most of us-ran about to keep warm until our garments were cooked and then after a wring out put them on and let them dry as fast as the wind and sun would do it. By night we were dry and slept without a scratch, and strange to say none of us took cold. But not all would try this heroic remedy and consequently we expect to have to repeat the operation.

A negro came across the river with his boat loaded with oranges. We bought the whole of them as fast as he could count them out, fifty cents for 100, and the doctor says eat all you want. The sick are in the wooden buildings outside, except in one, which the officers have taken. We acted like colts just turned loose and already are forgetting the close quarters we were in so long. Along the river is a narrow strip of hard ground and beyond that is a swamp which so far as I can see has no end. Sluggish streams flow with the tide back and forth from the river to the gulf, and between these the ground is covered with what is here called wild rice. Birds of all sorts are plenty; ducks and geese all feed upon the seeds that abound everywhere.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, pp. 72-3

Last Will and Testament of Peter Jefferson, October 13, 1757

In the Name of God Amen I Peter Jefferson of the County of Abemarle being of perfect and sound memory (for which I bless God) Do make and Publish this my Last Will and Testament revoking & annulling all former or other Wills by me heretofore made in manner & form following that is to say Imprima I Give and devise to my Dear & Well beloved Wife Jane Jefferson for and During her Natural Life or Widdowhood the use and profits of the House & plantation wherein I now live comprehending four hundred acres of Land being the same I purchased from the Late William Randolph of Tuckahoe Esq^r the Water mill only Excepted Item I Give and bequeath unto my Dear Wife the sixth part of my Slaves During her Natural Life which slaves I hereby impower her by a Deed Executed in her Lifetime or by her Last Will and Testament to dispose of amongst & to such & so many of my Children as she shall think fit but if she shall fail or omitt to make such Disposition then my Will is that such as shall be undisposed of by her be Equally Divided between my two sons Thomas & Randolph in the same manner as I have Directed my other slaves to be Divided Item my Will is that my Wife shall have & Enjoy all my Hous hold stuff (my Cherry Tree Desk and Bookcase only Excepted) dureing her Natural Life or Widowhood with full power and liberty to Disposing of¹ the same amongst my Children according to her discretion & if any part thereof shall remain undisposed of at the time of her Death or Marriage then my Will is that the same be Disposed of by my Exec^rs as to them shall seem most to the Interest & Benefit of my Children Item I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Jane one of my two Negro Girls Chloe or Patt, which she shall Chuse and her futur Increase to her and her Heirs forever and the sum of two hundred pounds to be paid unto her in one year after she shall Attain the age of twenty one years or shall marry which ever shall first Happen Item I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Mary my Negro Girl nan salls Daughter & her future Increase to her and her Heirs forever & the sum of two hundred pounds to be paid unto her in the like manner as is appointed for the Payment of her sister Janes Fortune Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth my Negro Girl Cate & her futer Increas to her and her Heirs forever & the sum of two hundred Pounds to be paid in Like manner as is appointed for the Payment of her sister Janes Fortune Item I Give & bequeath unto my Daughter Martha my mulattoe Girl named Rachel & her future Increase to her & her Heirs forever & the sum of Two hundred Pounds to be paid unto her in the like manner as is appointed for the Payment of her sister Janes Fortune Item I Give & bequeath unto my Daughter Lucy my Negro Wench Cutchina & her Child Phebe together with their Future Increase to her and her Heirs forever and the sum of two hundred Pounds to be paid unto her in the like manner as is appointed for the Payment of her sister Janes Fortune Item I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anne Scoot my Negro Girl Eve and her future increase to her and her Heirs forever and the sum of two hundred Pounds to be paid in as is appointed for the payment of her other sisters Fortunes that is to say in one year after she shall attain the age of twenty one years or shall Marry whichsoever shall first happen: and if it shall happen that any of the slaves bequeathed to my Daughters as afores^d die before they come to the Possession of my said Daughters respectively then it is my Will that such & so many Female slaves of near the same age be set apart out of my Estate & Given to such Daughter or Daughters whose slaves shall be so Dead in the list thereof and if any of my said daughters die before they attain the age of twenty one years or marry then it is my Will that the Portion or Legacys bequeathed to such Daughter Immerge into my Estate & that no Distribution thereof be made: and it is my Will & Desire that what ready money I may have & Debts owing to me at the time of my Death together with the clear Profits of my Estate (after the maintainance of my Family & Education of my Children is provided for) shall be appropriated to the Paying off my Daughters Portions at the respective times they become due & if these should prove insufficient for that purpose I then & in that case Empower & authorise my Exec^rs to sell & Convey my Lands in the Countys of Cumberland & Bedford in such manner & in such proportions as shall make Good the Deficiency the Lands in Cumberland being to be first sold Item I Give & Bequeath to my son Thomas my mulattoe Fellow sawney my Books mathematical Instruments & my Cherry Tree Desk and Book case Item I Give unto my son Randolph [. . .] My Negro Boy Peter Mytillas Son to him and his Heirs forever Item I give and bequeath all my Slaves not herein otherwise disposed of to be equally divided between my two Sons Thomas and Randolph, at such Time as my son Thomas shall attain the Age of twenty one years each of my said Sons to have and to hold the Slaves allotted to them on such Division to them and their Heirs forever, but Subject nevertheless to this Condition, that the Estate bequeathed to my son Thomas, as to the clear Profits thereof, be and remain equally liable with my other Estates to provide for the Maintenance and Support of my Family, the Education of my younger Children, and the Payment of my Daughters Portions. Item I give and devise unto my Son Thomas either my Lands on the Rivanna River and it’s Branches, or my Lands on the Fluvanna in Albemarle County which I purchased from John & Noble Ladds, together with all my other Lands adjacent thereto which I have taken up by Virtue of an Order of Council which of the two he shall choose he being to make his Election within one year after he shall attain to the age of Twenty one years if he be at that time in this colony but if he be out of the same then he shall make his Election in six months after his Return therto Item I Give and devise to my son Randolph & his Heirs forever either my Land on the Rivanna and its branches or my Land on the Fluvannah in Albemarle County which I purchased of John & Noble Ladds together my other Lands thereto adjacent which I have taken up & surveyed by Virtue of an order of Council after my son thomas has made his Election & Choice which of the two he will take Item I Give & Devise unto which soever of my said sons shall be possest of my Lands on the Fluvanna River to them and their Heirs forever the Land I hold on Hard ware River in partnership with Authur Hopkins and others called the Limestone Land and wheareas I have Bought of one Joseph Smith two hundred acres of Land Joyning to my Lands on the Rivanna River being part of a Tract of Land Granted to Edwin Hickman by Pattent & others for which I have no Deed my Desire is that my Exec^rs procure from the said Joseph Smith a Conveyance to them in Trust for the use of such one of my sons Thomas or Randolph as shall Take my other Lands on the Rivanna River & its branches which is left to the Election of my said son Thomas in the Devise of the said Lands Item whereas I have a right to and Interest in Certain Lands, on the branches of missisippi River in Partnership with Doctor Thomas Walker & others & to two hundred acres on Rocky Run in albemarle County in parthership with John Harvie & others whereon it is immagined to be a Vein of Copper Oar my Desire is that my Exec^rs sell & Convey or Otherwise dispose of the same in such manner as shall to them seem to be the most for the benefit of my Famely & any money that may arise from the sale or Profits thereof to be equally Divided amongst my Children Item whereof I have surveyed and laid of for James Spears one hundred acres of Land on Carrols Creek adjoining the Land he lives upon which is not yet Conveyed to him I therefore Impower my Exec^rs to Convey it to him in Fee simple whenever he shall require the same

Item it is my Will and desire that all my Family live & be maintained & my Children Educated out of the Profits of my Estate until such time as they shall severly Attain to the age of Twenty one years or marry and at what time soever my Wife shall require a Division of my Estate & to have her part ascertained & laid out for her (which on her Request my Exec^rs are hereby Authorised to do without any Judgment or Decree of the Court for that Purpose) I Order & appoint that my Exec^rs shall pay and deliver unto her for her only use and behoof one full & Equal third part of all my real Cattle Hoggs & sheep that shall be at any or all my plantations together with two Good serviceable Work Horses and further it is my Will & I Do hereby Appoint & direct that if any Diffirence or dispute shall hereafter arise amongst my Children about the distribution of my Estate that the same shall be finally determined by my Exec^rs or such of them as shall remain & be alive at the time & if they should all be dead that then such Difference or Dispute shall be finally Determined by the three first Justices in the Commission of the peace for that County where the matter or thing shall Lye, and if any of my Children shall refuse to abide by such Determination then it is my Will that such Child or Children shall foever forfit all manner of Claim and right either in Law or Equity to the thing in Dispute

Item I Give & bequeath to my Executors herein after mentioned all my stocks of Horses Cattle Hoggs & sheep (excepting the part already bequeathed to my Wife) to be disposed of by their discretion for the support & Maintainance of my Famely & for the benifit of my two sons equally & for no other use or purpose whatsoever

Item I do Give & bequeath unto my son Thomas all the residue of my Estate whether real or Personal of what kind soever and finally I do appoint Constitu[t]e & Ordain The Honorable Peter Randolph Esq^r Thomas Turpin the Elder John Nicholas Doctor Thomas Walker & John Harvie Exec^rs of this my last will & Testament & Guardian to all my children In Testimony whereof I have signed sealed & Published this as my Last Will and Testament on the thirteenth Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven

Note the Words (& Guardians to all my Children) were Interlined before signed In Presence of

John Bell	Peter Jefferson (Ls)
Edwin Hickman
Samuel Cobbs

At a Court Held for Albemarle County the thirteenth Day of October 1757 This Last Will and Testament of Peter Jefferson Gent. decd was presented to Court by one of the Exors therein named proved by the Oaths of John Bell Edwin Hickman & Samuel Cobbs the Witnesses thereto & Ordered to be record and At another, Court Held for the said County the tenth Day of November 1757 On the Motion of John Harvie Thomas Walker & John Nicholas three of the Exors therein named who made Oath According to Law Certificate was Granted them for Obtaining a Probat thereof in due Form giveing securety

SOURCE: https://tjrs.monticello.org/letter/1797 accessed August 28, 2025 which sites its source as MS (Albemarle Co. Will Book, 2:32-4).

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, February 7, 1865

Day cool. A. M. making Inspection reports. P. M. rec my commission as 2d Lt of co G. aggregate too low to muster. The Negro Brigade from Ft Smith is doing most of the Picket duty

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 573

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, February 15, 1865

Start at 2 A. M. Rowena passed us in the night. touched at St Charles at 8. A. M. negro Regt. there & fortifications Landed at mouth of White river at 1. P. M. & camped 12 mile from river at 2 P. M. carried all our water from the river 126th Ill & detachment of 1st Ind Cav garrison this Post under comd of Genl ———. Liu Wm Wallace arrives from Pine Bluffs with F. I. & K cos of 1st Iowa Cav enroute for Memphis. Some 6 or 8 boats here Weather Pleasant.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of Private John C. West, Tuesday, May 5, 1863

Yesterday evening there were heavy clouds and a good deal of lightning in the North; after supper laid down on the deck and slept very comfortable until awakened by a heavy rain; gathered up my blanket and crowded into the state room, which proved to be almost suffocating. I was very sleepy, so went down in the engine room and slept until morning, crosswise on two barrels of rum; waked up quite refreshed to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the banks of the Ouachita, among the most picturesque of which was a high bluff on which was a single grave; a romantic lady, the wife of a pilot, was buried there by her request, where her gentle spirit might keep vigil over the destinies of her husband. We stopped during the morning to take an old rail fence for fuel; a soldier shot a hog, which gave us fresh pork for dinner; found some very nice mulberries on shore and wished my children, little Stark and Mary, had some of them. Had a very pleasant trip on to Hamburg; went ashore there and got transportation to Trinity; after supper proceeded down to the river and met the steamer, Tucker; stopped and had a talk and got the Natchez Courier.

Forgot to say above that I met Dr. Rock on this steamer; learned from him that Lieutenant Brandon was at Pine Bluff on the 8th of April, and was going to Virginia. Dr. Rock is on his way to Richmond. We reached Trinity about 12 o'clock at night, on Tuesday, the 5th, and have not stopped long enough during the day to write up this diary, and at night had no light; left the Trinity in a skiff with five others; proceeded up the Ouachita for about six miles; then into Brushy Bayou; after following this for about two miles the thorns and bushes were so troublesome that we had to get to land and walk about four miles, while the negroes worked the skiff through. In this walk I got far enough ahead of the skiff to take a nap; laid down on the ground and slept gloriously for an hour; would have enjoyed it more with a blanket to lie on. At the end of this walk we had a very good breakfast by paying five dollars a dozen for some eggs and furnishing our own coffee, and then paying two dollars a piece for breakfast. After breakfast pulled the skiff overland into Cane Bayou, and proceeded up this for six miles to Turtle Lake, a beautiful sheet of water three miles long; from this we entered Cocoda Bayou, which we followed for eight miles into Concordia Lake, up which we rowed for seven or eight miles, which landed us about three miles from Natchez. All this skiff trip is through just such a country as an alligator would thrive in; affording fine facilities for fishing and duck shooting; no one but a Newfoundland dog would enjoy it. We procured a cart to take our baggage to the Mississippi river; crossed in a skiff to Natchez; remained there all night and left Thursday morning for Brookhaven; stopped at Dr. Holden's and got the second good dinner I have had since I left home; reached McDaniel's at dark and found it quite a nice place, and met here that rare creature of the West an old maid; she seems to be quite a nice person and I think has been doomed to this state of single felicity by circumstances for which she is not responsible. We got a good breakfast at 4 o'clock in the morning, which enabled us to reach Brockhaven (where I am now writing) by 10 o'clock. On the road to this place I passed a bridge which Grierson's Cavalry had destroyed, and here I see the remains of the depot which they burned. These are the first practical examples of Yankee vandalism I have seen during the war. I expect to leave here to-day at 2 o'clock.

Reached Jackson at 6 o'clock and found the train for Meridian about to start and had no time to get transportation, and so have to remain here against my will until to-morrow evening. All these days which I have been delayed I had hoped to spend in Columbia, South Carolina.

SOURCE: John Camden West, A Texan in Search of a Fight: Being the Diary and Letters of a Private Soldier in Hood’s Texas Brigade, p. 33-6

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, December 19, 1862

Jesse Walker and I went out foraging and succeeded in capturing a shoat. The nigs were left very destitute and there will be a great deal of suffering if the government does not feed them. There is a report that Jackson, Tenn., is threatened by Bragg; that there is fighting there and our communications are cut off, at any rate troops are on the move, being taken back by rail as fast as possible. There is a great battle being fought this morning by Burnside's men. They have already fought one whole day. Burnie has crossed the river and holds Fredericksburg.

SOURCE: Seth James Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells, Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, p. 19