Diary of Private William S. White, August 7, 1862

We camped within a few miles of Malvern Hill last night, and to-day our forces reoccupied the hill without any opposition, capturing some seventy-five or a hundred prisoners. This move, on the part of McClellan, is only a feint to hide some other move of greater importance, and it is the general impression that he is about to evacuate his position at Harrison's Landing, taking his forces nearer Washington to calm the fears of Lincoln and his Cabinet.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of Private William S. White, August 8, 1862

Returned to our camp to-day; enemy certainly evacuating their position on James River.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of Private William S. White, August 10, 1862

Five brigades of Longstreet's division leave today for Jackson's command, in the Valley.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of Private William S. White, August 15, 1862

Yesterday afternoon, at 6 o'clock, we received orders to leave Richmond for Petersburg, but owing to some delay, did not leave until after 10 at night. Reached Petersburg this morning a little after sunrise; our encampment is about one mile from the city.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of Private William S. White, August 17, 1862

Left Petersburg last evening with a force of some 1,000 or 1,200 men, on a scouting expedition into Prince George county, where the Federals have been committing some depredations. We were on the road all night, and are now some eight miles from Prince George Courthouse, and but a short distance from the James River. The object of this expedition is to learn whether or not McClellan has moved all of his forces from the neighborhood of Harrison's Landing, and to fire upon his transports, should they be in the river.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of Private William S. White, August 20, 1862

Returned to Petersburg on the 18th, after a fruitless expedition. As we ran afoul of the Yankee gun-boats, we had to retire without being able to make many observations of much value.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 126

Diary of Private William S. White, August 22, 1862

We returned to Richmond yesterday morning, but as I did not care to march twenty-five miles I "ran the blockade" and came over on the cars, for which act of insubordination I will have the pleasure of "standing guard" six hours every other night for about a month. Petersburg always gets me into some scrape with my company officers. Since we left Richmond the last time one of my comrades, George K. Carlton, has been stricken down by the hand of death. He was a noble, generous soul, and possessed the happiest disposition I ever came in contact with; was greatly beloved by his fellow-soldiers. With the exception of Captain R. C. Stanard he is the only member of my company we have lost since the commencement of the war, nearly sixteen months ago. Certainly we have great reason to be thankful that our loss has been so small.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, pp. 126-7

Diary of Private William S. White, August 26, 1862

Broke camp near Richmond and started for "Lee's Army of Northern Virginia." Camped for the night at Brook Church, about four miles from the city.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127

Diary of Private William S. White, August 27, 1862

Marched about twenty miles to-day and camped for the night near the Louisa line.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127

Diary of Private William S. White, August 28, 1862

Very cloudy; marched nearly to Louisa Courthouse; our men are much jaded.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127

Diary of Private William S. White, August 29, 1862

To-day we are in sight of the blue hills of Western Virginia. Many years have rolled by since I roamed over those hills and with boyish ardor pursued the flying game. But, alas! Yankee soldiers have taken the place of that mountain game, and I hunt them now, though I don't like to catch too many at once.

We camped to-night in Orange county, about two miles from Gordonsville.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127

Diary of Private William S. White, August 30, 1862

We reached Rapidan Station this evening and expect to remain here several days. This is a beautiful country, and is studded with many splendid mansions. The Rapidan River soon furnished me with a splendid mess of fresh fish for my supper.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127

Diary of Private William S. White, August 31, 1862

Rained hard all night, but I managed to get under a wagon and it interfered but little with my rest.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 127

Daniel S. Dickinson to Lydia Knapp Dickinson, February 12, 1858

WILLARD'S HOTEL, WASHINGTON,}

February 12, 1858. }

MY DEAR LYDIA—I was delighted last evening to receive your letter, with one from Lydia enclosed, and this morning a beautiful one from dear Mary at Cortland. I reached here Tuesday evening quite well, and was greeted with many a cordial welcome. Finding that it was levee evening, I went to the White House, and on Wednesday evening to Mrs. Floyd's reception. Yesterday all the Cabinet ladies "received," and I submitted to the infliction of going all round.

I dined with Mr. Corcoran, with rather a brilliant party, at six; returned at half past nine, and went to Marshall Hoover's party, and stole away at half past eleven and returned to the hotel.

All our acquaintances inquire for you, Lydia, and Mary, with much interest. I dine with the President to-day at six; Miss Lane, whom I saw at the levee and sat next at Mr. Corcoran's, sends you her kind regards, also to Mary. I have not yet reached my cause, and may not until the middle of the week. I am quite glad Mary did not come now. Washington has improved much in its externals, as you saw last spring; and its parties are far more showy and pretentious than formerly, but the gaiety is so much allied to dissipation that it is absolutely alarming. It is deplored exceedingly by the reflecting and sensible; but there is no arresting it, and no escape. What society has gained in show it has lost in heart, and is fast copying the worst forms of European extravagance. The ladies look worn and jaded; I have conversed with some who view it as I do. I would not have our darling Mary in this maelstrom of dissipation without her mother or some discreet lady friend, for any consideration I could name. I have seen nothing so well calculated to disturb and derange the rational moral sense of the young in my whole life.

I shall not be able to write you often, for I am terribly run down, and you must take the will for the deed. Give much love to all, particularly Charlotte and the little boys.

Very affectionately,

D. S. DICKINSON.

SOURCE: John R. Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, pp. 508-9

Daniel S. Dickinson to Mary S. Dickinson, February 12, 1858

WASHINGTON, February 12, 1858.

MY BELOVED DAUGHTER—I received your beautiful note from Cortland this morning, and was pleased with your affectionate remembrance. Washington is full to overflowing; gay, to dissipation; swollen, to extravagant dimensions; sleepy, to stupidity; and rouged, to redness. Your friends and acquaintances inquire for you cordially. I would not have you here in this intoxicating whirl of party-going for anything I could name. It has proceeded to a pass which is destructive of physical and moral health. I am glad you are at home to comfort and console your dear mother with the affectionate attentions of the only darling child left us there.

The mail is about to close. In haste.

Your affectionate father,

D. S. DICKINSON.

SOURCE: John R. Dickinson, Editor, Speeches, Correspondence, Etc., of the Late Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, Vol. 2, pp. 509-10

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 25, 1863

A fine day, but a hard one for all. We were ordered out early, and marched across the city, over the long bridge, to the large plain, where we were reviewed by Gen. Foster. It was a splendid sight. About all that is left to Gen. Foster of the 18th Corps was on the field,—about 12,000 or 13,000 men, including cavalry and artillery, and was the largest body of men we ever saw together; but it was tiresome to us who did the marching, and we were glad to be in the old quarters again.

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. 40

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 28, 1863

For the last two days we have had no drill out of doors, and very little guard. It has rained steadily. The "Dudley Buck" arrived yesterday with a large mail, and a lot of boxes have also made their appearance. We were mustered for two months' pay this forenoon, and in the afternoon, between the showers, began one of a series of base-ball games between men of the 23d and ours; but the rain postponed it to the dim future. We find our barracks just the thing this weather, much better than tents, and thank our stars and the United States Government for them.

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. 40

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 3, 1863

Rain, and nothing but rain; only the cleanest companies relieved, and we caught it again, and some of us are checked as extra guard. And now for the first time our regiment is broken. Two companies, and "B," going yesterday on picket at Batchelder's Creek, a few miles out of New Berne, towards Kinston. We have been idle now quite a while, and think it most time to be moved. Some say we are going as provost guard down town, but all we can do is to wait and take what comes. Frank Learned has been appointed corporal in place of Ramsey, who joined the band.

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, pp. 40-1

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 5, 1863

It has cleared up and is quite cold. We sent off a large mail this morning. Last night we came very near having our barracks destroyed. The funnel of one of the stoves dropped against the roof, igniting the boards, and as we had all turned in, it burned through the roof before it was discovered by a sentry. After burning a hole five feet square we mastered it, and turned in again.

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. 41

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 6, 1863

To be noted. Our company was declared the cleanest company! Consequently no guard for us to-morrow.

Notwithstanding our camp is quite sickly, we have had no cases till now. Whitney was taken down suddenly while on guard on the night of the 4th. He was quite sick for a few days, but is now better, and we hope will be all right soon.

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. 41