All quiet to-day; the Yankees are in pretty heavy force in Loudoun county, and we may have sharp work soon.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 137
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Diary of Private William S. White, October 31, 1862
We are camped on a Dr. Blackburn's farm, and, strange to say, ten years ago I saw this Dr. Blackburn's son, a student at the Virginia Military Institute, killed by a law student named Christian, at Lexington, Virginia. It created great excitement in Lexington at the time, for Blackburn was killed under the very shadow of the Presbyterian church whilst the services were being held.
'Twas my good fortune last night to be on guard at the house of a good old Southern rebel, and he amply repaid us with a splendid supper and breakfast.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 137
Diary of Private William S. White, November 1, 1862
Was on guard again last night at the same house. After supper we called up our singing crowd and amused the ladies an hour or so with our camp songs. We have a rara avis in our regiment—he has traveled nearly all over the world, speaks five or six different languages, is highly educated, of high family, a gentleman of culture and refinement, sings everything that has been written, and would be a valuable addition to our crowd—but he is the dirtiest biped this side of the river Styx, and he scratches so frequently and so vehemently that people give him a wide berth.
In the morning, when we returned to camp, we found everything in preparation for the continuation of our march, and soon we were on the road for the Shenandoah, where we expect to remain a day or so.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, pp. 137-8
Diary of Private William S. White, Sunday, November 2, 1862
Reached Berry's Ferry to-day (last night) and camped in a fine grove. This ferry is on the Shenandoah River and is ten miles from Winchester. Attended church to-day at Millwood, a small village about two miles from the ferry. This is the F. F. V. country, and one is pretty soon made acquainted with the fact. The church (Episcopal) is a neat, pretty edifice, built somewhat in a Gothic style, and the congregation reminded me more of a city assemblage than any I ever saw in a small country village. The ladies, with their neat dresses and pretty bonnets, presented an appearance truly refreshing to the soldier so long absent from the civilized world.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 138
Diary of Private William S. White, November 4, 1862
D. H. Hill's division is on the east side of the Shenandoah. We cannot find out exactly what has become of it, as it has moved some distance from the ferry. Every few moments the sullen boom of a cannon comes over the Blue Ridge, and we are impatient to know its meaning. The Yankees are pretty thick at Ashby's Gap, just across from the ferry. We fired at them once or twice, but they did not return it. A little after sundown we left Berry's Ferry, and marching through Millwood camped three miles beyond that village, seven miles from Winchester.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 138
Diary of Private William S. White, November 5, 1862
We passed last night the most magnificent estate I ever saw. It is called the "Tuilleries," and is owned by a Mr. Mitchell. Small-pox is getting a little too thick in this country, and I hope soon to leave it.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 138
Diary of Private William S. White, November 7, 1862
First snow of the season. Snow commenced falling this morning and continued with but little intermission during the day. Many of our men are without shoes and there is no way to procure them.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 138
Diary of Private William S. White, November 8, 1862
It has cleared off beautifully, and the snow will soon disappear.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 138
Diary of Private William S. White, November 9, 1862
Remained "in order to move" all day, but night found us "without farther orders."
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 139
Diary of Private William S. White, November 10, 1862
Left White Post this morning for Winchester; passed through the latter place about midday and camped on the Martinsburg Turnpike, two and a half miles from Winchester.
Thus after nearly two months have passed away we find ourselves again heading towards Martinsburg, and possibly we may revisit that, to me, detestable place. Since my sojourn near Berry's Ferry and White Post I have formed the acquaintance of several estimable young ladies, among whom Miss Kate McC—k stands preëminent. Grand old people these Valley Virginians are, and their hearts are as large as their barns!
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 139
Diary of Private William S. White, November 16, 1862
Yesterday I came to the Union Hospital at Winchester to stay with a sick member of my company, Rufus G. Smith. He is very ill and cannot possibly recover. This disease is very prevalent in our army and is attributable to the constant exposure of our men.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 139
Diary of Private William S. White, November 20, 1862
Poor Rufus died this evening; 'twas heartrending to hear the piteous wails of his young wife and see the silent but deep anguish of his aged father. I was riding most of the night to procure some conveyance for his remains, but did not succeed, and we will have to bury him in Winchester.
SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 139
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