.OTg.MjgzNA

The trustees of the Anderson Seminary were
elected as follows: From East Ward-RICH’D G.
PEGRAM, H.P.BROWN and Dr. JOHN BRAGG; South
--CHAS. CAMBELL, JOS.D. WHITE and THOS
WHITE; West-J.R. BRANCH, W. L. WATKINS,
P.McENERY[?]; Centre-A.G. McILWAINE, JOHN
JARRAT, SAM’L B. PAUL .

     For the Free School, the following Trustees were
appointed: West-JOSEPHUS HURT, D.W. PAUL;
East--R.R. COLLIER, LEM’L PEEBLES; Centre--J.
C. SWAN, C. CORLING; South-G.V. SCOTT, ALEX.
DOLNAN[?].

     Messrs. T.D. WATSON, R.R. COLLIER and J.
KEVAN were elected for the Bradford Free School.

     Overseers for the Pool--lst class: From Centre
Ward--C.CORLING; West--QUIN. MORTON; South
--ASA BISHOP; East--LEM’L PEEBLES.




Charles Campbell
April 26th
   1857.


He that is slow to anger is better
than the mighty; and he that ruleth
his spirit than he that taketh a
city.
      Proverbs XVI. 32
Diary  No. 4

Saturday, Augt. 10th, 1861: another
intensely hot day.  A.W. called.
He is 2nd Lieut. in a company now
quartered at the Fair Grounds.
They are to leave here on Tuesday
next probably for Norfolk. Mr. V[?]
the lithographer tells me that
48 copies of the diagram of
the battle of Manassas have
been sold. They are sold
by Mr. A a Scotchman & his
son David who sell newspapers.
Mr. V. thinks that a plan of
the battlefield with the
position of the enemy
the crossing places of would
be a good thing. Something
of this kind has been published
in the N.O. Delta. The
rail road junction was
still uncompleted this
evening. The Engineer Mr.
G- from Richmond says
that it will probably the ready
for the train to-morrow.
A short branch is to be made
connecting the South-Side
Road with the bridge: the
guage of the SouthSide
is however, different from
that of the Richmond road.
an additional lateral rail
will enable the cars of one road to
run along side those of
the other and so shift the
freight without hauling.
This will throw out of employ
-ment certain carts, drays,
wagons etc. a small matter
in comparison with the
immense advantages of
the connection of the roads
which ought to have been joined
many years ago. A soldier
died at Jarrats today:
3 have died in the hospitals
here & one at Mr. B’s--a
6th was killed by falling from
an open rail-road car. This
seems a small number
considering the large number
that have passed through
Petersburg, probably not
less than 35,000. The Confed-
-erate Congress have passed
an act authorizing the Pres.
to accept 400,000 volunteers
that is 190,000 in addition
to the present number enlisted
210,000. Another act is for
the removal of non-[juring?] aliens
refusing allegiance to the new
government. Saw at  Norfolk
depot a parcel of gun-carriages
made at the workshops of the
R and Danville R Road-to go
I suppose to Richmond; saw
wagons loading at Jarratts
with kegs of gunpowder,
also for Richmond. Some
one told me that a former
resident of Hampton says
that Hampton was burnt [?]
by McGruder’s orders. The
papers denounce the enemy
for having done it. Same day
that New Ports News is not evac-
-uated but has been rein-
-forced and that there are
5,000 men there. Mr. _ is
of opinion that Beauregard will
take Washington by tomorrow
(Sunday) night. This seems
premature. A large army
with artillery wagons &C.
is to be [transpo] moved across  the Potomac in the face of  the enemy; & besides the entrench -ments at Alexandria & Arlington  Heights must be stormed before  Washington can be captured.  In a few days the steamers   will bring to New Yorke the  comments of the English  press on the Battle of  Manassas. The recognition  of the independence of the  Confederate States may soon  take place. At any rate  England must have the cotton  with which she clothes the  world (insert ? nolens volens?)by November. The Petersburg  cotton factories are making money  but there is a scarcity of operatives  many having gone into the army. Sunday;heard at Dr. Bryan’s[?] church The Rev. Mr. Colby[?] who removed from
Virginia to Kentucky andnow
being dissatisfied with the position
of that Laodicean state which blows
neither hot nor cold returns on a
visit to  Virginia. He prayed for the
President of the Confederate states
but in his sermon made no allusion
to the war. The congregations now
consist mostly of females.
Monday, August 12. Petersburg is extremely
dull. A dinner is to be given
on Wednesday at the new barracks
on Poplar Lawn to the mechanics
who assisted in the building
gratuitously. The late rains
have been most seasonably
falling gently and followed by
a hot sun the next day.
The promise  of the corn crop
is excellent. Corn will sell
at $2.00 for bbl & flour will
be proportionately low-a great
thing for the poor consumers[?]. Bran
will be very cheap making it easy
to winter a cow. The farmers having
surplus of corn will raise hogs,
cattle & poultry. Salt is high &
vinegar[?]. The sewing women have
plenty of work but at very low
wages-10 cents for a pair of
drawers a woman making 2 or 3
pair a day. Read today Gen.
McDowell’s official report of
the battle of Manassas. He
says it was fought near a small
stream & branch of Bull Run.
He says that he understands that our
army was commanded by “J.A.
Johnston”? giving him no title.
But “J.A. Johnston”? managed to
rout Gen. McDowell. He gives
the number of his killed and
wounded a false statement.
Since he left the bulk of
them on the field of the battle,
it was impossible for him to
know how may there were
as the dead  were buried
by our  people & the wounded
almost all attended to by
our surgeons. But McDowell’s
report is clear & interesting
although in some points
false, in some points one-sided,
in some disingenuous.
He appears to lay the blame
of his defeat very much
upon Patterson. The reason
why many of McDowell’s
men were without  food
during the day was either
that they had no stomach
for it or that during the
battle they threw away their
haversacks. L[?] P- tells me
that Gen. Wise rides in an
old buggy and appears on the field
with an umbrella in place
of a sword; but that he is fearless,
prompt in action & has the confidence
of his men-It is said that his
late retreat was in obedience to
orders & against his wish. He and
his forces are now at the White
Sulphur Springs. Prince Napoleon
has visited Bean [crossed out in original]Manassas,
where he was entertained by
Beauregard & reviewed the
army was drawn up in a
line extending some miles
in honor of the Prince who
however owing to the heat
of the day reviewed only one
regiment-the 1st Va. regt. Gen.
Longstreet was in command
on the occasion. The Prince is
& looks like a gourmand;
wears[?] no beard nor moustache,
wore a straw hat, linen sack
& pants of same kind: very
plain looking man. Delawan
is said to be in sympathy
with the South. Dinner[?] given
to John Cabell Breckinridge
& Vallandigham[?] to patriot
heroes at Eutaw[?] House Baltimore.
Breckenridge late in the
evening made a speech.
Some remedies [?] lewd fellow
of the base but led on
by some of his new police
repeatedly interrupted Mr. B
with insults &  threats. He
defied them. It is said
that he will take service
in the Confederate[?] army.
His uncle Robert Brecken-
-ridge the great leader in
the Presbyterian church
is said to be in Washington
aiding & abetting Lincoln. The
Capt. Maney’s company marched
by this evening in the rain
probably on their way to Norfolk.
The quarter-master advertises
in the Express for 80 artillery
horses. A negro who had
was starting to Manassas Richmond with some
soldiers &  on his way back
there dropped his knapsack
from the car & in endeavoring
to get it had a foot cut off
by the car-wheel. He was
taken to the Institute hospital
to have amputation performed
when it was discovered that
that he is a slave belonging to a Mrs.
Lee in Blandford. A soldier
in the Institute convalescent
but weak being visited by his
2 sons from their camp in Rich-
mond. They likewise being
in the army-fainted. The Bible
society is collecting Bibles for
the soldiers:The Wash. [?] [??]
is distributing tracts. 9[?] copies
or tracing paper was [?] from the
large map of Va., the Seat
of the war on the Army
of the Potomac.
Tuesday Aug. 13th. Petersburg
very dull. The supply of[?] Anthracite coal here
is exhausted: next winter it will
be necessary to do without it.
Dr. Johns[?], medical purveyor of
Confed. States, by a forceful
address proposes that every family
in the South contribute one
or more blankets for the
soldiers-could not plain
coarse blankets be woven
in the South; watermelons
are now abundant. Gen.
A.S. Johnston left Los Angeles
California for Texas July 2
in company of  100 men-including
several other resigned officers. Gen.
Johnston commanded the army sent
to Utah to keep the Mormons
quiet. Troops from the South
continue to arrive from
the South. By a recent act
the Confed. Congress, soldiers are
exempt from prepayment of postage.
Wed. August. 14th. Gen McClellan is
placing troops along the East bank
of the Potomac to intercept  all intercourse
between Va,& Md.[?] [?] to gain information
[?on] the movement of the Confederates.
He no doubt apprehends an attack upon
Washington. Col. Cooper commander
[?of] Indian forces of Confed. Govt.
[?promoting] Choctaws into the service.
Many of the tribe are wealthy
own slaves. The name of the
Yorktown has been changed to
Patrick Henry. She has been
down near Newports News. The
rail-road junction at Petersburg
is completed and likewise at Richmond.
The cars now run through. Some
heavy guns have lately gone
hence to the South. 50 or 60
mechanics worked on the Barbados
at Poplar Spring & completed it
in less than a week. It is
large & convenient: near
fine shade & excellent water.
Gen Lyon  & Gen McCllellan
both nat  was a native
of Connecticut.  Morehead
City a watering house near Fort
Macon N.C. is highly spoken
of by some citizens of Petersburg
who have visited. The route is
by rail-road all the way. It is
asserted in a Canadian paper that
Gen Beauregard’s father [an obscene(?)
man emigrated from Canada to
New Orleans, where he acquired
wealth & influence. His name
was Pierre Toutan. The son was
a cadet at West Pt. under the
name of Pierre Gustave Toutan.
He afterwards adopted the name
of Beauregard-his mother’s name.
Clayton Miller & Co. in N.Y. next
strongest mercantile house to that
of A.T. Stewart has failed for
an immense amount. The chief
members were pillars of Beecher’s
church. Out of a population of
700,000 Louisiana has furnished
22,500 volunteers. Virginia alone
has furnished a larger proportion.
Of the 22,500 Louisianians 11,500
are in Virginia. Rumor to-day of
fighting at Aquia Creek. Large quantities
of rice passing through from the South
for the army. The Company at the
Fair Grounds are to go to Norfolk
on the next Tuesday.
Thursday Augt. 15. The Wash
correspondent of the N.Y. Jour. of Commerce
writes that the administration
have determined to carry the
war into the heart of Eastern Virginia. If
they cannot carry on war there
with success they cannot any-
where. An entire failure
to in Virginia for the next
six months will go far
to terminate the war.
Report of a battle near
Leesburg. 300 Lincolnites
killed & wounded. 1400 [?]
prisoners. M. Faulkner[?], late
Minister to France has
been arrested & imprisoned
by the despotism at
Washington. Read official
reports of Battle of Manassas
by Genl. Tyler, Col. Hunter,
Genl. Burnside, Genl. Heinzelman,
Col. Silas[?], Capt. Griffin, on
the Federal side: also Col.
Kershaw’s report of Confed.
side. Col. K. mentions that
Mr. Ruffin fired the a gun of
Kemper’s Battery & fought in
the ranks with his musket
during the day. Friday Augt.16
The common council of Petersburg
have appropriated 27 Dollars to each
member of the Volunteer cadets Capt.
Laurens to furnish them with uniforms.
Visited the camp of this company
on the Heights of the head of
Sycamore St. A large oak affords
Shade. The inclination of the heights
carries off the rain: the prospect
here is picturesque. 2 squads
drilling. This company appear
to be fortunate in their Captain.
He is a quiet, sensible, soldier-like
man who has seen service in
Mexico. He says that it will be
some 3 weeks before he can
get away with his company
owing to the difficulty of getting
the uniforms made the clothing
-men being very busy: women make
uniforms in a bungling manner: it
requires a regular-built tailor
to make a neat well-fitting
uniform. The editors denounce[?]
the enemy in the most
approved styles of vituperative
invective for “burning”? Hampton
& then they found out that
it had been burnt by
McGruder. A son of Ex-
Gov. Smith (Extra Billy) just
returned from California has
been arrested at N.York.
A wounded Irishman of Corcoran’s{?}
Regt. in a letter says that there
were 8 regts. In McDowell’s
army at the battle of
Manassas whose time has expired.
Such men would not be apt to
fight so well. The hospitals for
the wounded & sick are at
Manassas Junction, Centreville,
Fairfax, Culpeper C.H., Richmond
Charlottesville. It is said by
one of the Richmond prisoners
that Col. Todd, brother of Mrs. Lincoln
has also[?] superitendence of the
prisoners there. The weather
There are frequent rains.
The crops are very promising;
The gardens are uncommonly
productive. Saturday, Augt. 17
Gave [?] Dr. S—letter recommending
him for place of Assistant Surgeon
in Confed. army. He has been
2 weeks at Culpepper C.H.
hospital where there are 1500
patients. Dr. Green who had
charge there very kind [?]. The
sufferings of the wounded were
horrible: their fortitude
amazing: it seems as if they
had no nerves. Amputations
performed by the army surgeons
assisted [?] by others. Difficulty
in getting medicine for so
many: much suffering fro owing
to this delay. Dr. S—understanding
the apothecary art furnished
himself with medicines &
then had no further trouble.
Chloroform is uniformly used in
Amputation. The patient
On recovery from it’s effects
calls for the ball and sees [?]
it cut out from the
wounded limb & takes it into
his hand. Their sangfroid
on these occasions is
wonderful. The Leesburg
affair news after being con-
-firmed on the next day has
since remained without further
confirmation. The govt. at Rich-
-mond has no official information
of it. The Enquirer still believes
it. Probably the report is
well founded but exaggerated.
There is no doubt but
that in Missouri Lyon is
killed, his army badly
beaten & retreating: it is
said that McCulloch
Hardee & Pillow in 3 columns
are moving on St. Louis.
Martial law in declared
there. Several companies
of Howell Cobb’s cavalry
just have passed through
Petersburg. They have a
sort of steps at the
R. R. depot for the
descent of the horses from
the cars. The horses are haltered
& the men ride them with
the halters which with some
horses is rather dangerous.
A company of them arrives
to-day commanded by Capt
Yancey to whom I was
introduced: handsome
man: wears specs: said
to be brother of Wm L Yancey
The company quarters at
the Fair Grounds. Howell
Cobb-Col of this regt. was
lately the U.S. Secy of Treasy
& is now Pres. Of Confed. Congress.
A brother of his is also a member
of the Congress. Howell Cobb
I was told in Richmond remarked
in company at the Spotswood
house that the Presbyterian
clergy had always been
found in opposition to tyranny
& oppression. Dr. P tells me
that the ordinance of Secession
of S. Carolina was composed by a
Presbyterian Judge McGrath & that
of Georgia by a Presbyterian.
                          The Dr __ also
informs me that Wm L Yancy
Confederate Commissioner to Europe
is a member of the Presbyterian
church. Sunday Augt
Saturday Augt 17th Sunday Augt 18. In the
forenoon heard at Tabb St
Church Dr. Atkinson Pres. Of
Hamden Sidney College- a
prisoner-of war  taken at Rich
Mountain & now on-parole-
preach. He prayed for the Confed-
-erate govt & army. His text was
Gen.
a very good discourse. In
the afternoon heard Dr. Pryor
preach at the Fair Grounds.
The[?] company of Georgia cavalry
Capt Yancey & some of the
Ragland guard present together
with a number of people
of the town. The text from
St. Paul’s Epistle to Timothy “ I have
fought a good fight!”?  8 heads[?]
the battle of life, the battle
in defence of one’s country
& the Christian warfare as [?]
a very appropriate & patriotick
discourse. In the evening
there arrived a regt from
N. Carolina & a company of
cavalry from Alabama, alto
in all about 1000. They
went to the Poplar lawn to
get their supper. Dr. P- gave
me yesterday copy of the
N.O. Delta containing the
Battlefield of Manassas
with the position of the two
armies. Manassas said by
R. Enquirer to be derived from
the name of a Jew Manassch that kept
the tavern near Man the Gap
which was called after his
tavern Manasseh’s, which
has been altered to Manassas,
properly in the possessive case
but spelt now without the
apostrophe.  A___suggests to
me that there have been
2 battles in Virginia at Bethel
& Mannasseh’s. Both names
are scriptural & Hebrew.
Monday Augt.19. The Leesburg
news stands unconfirmed. The
accounts from Missouri are
very favorable. Another
cavalry company arrived
to-day: saw them pass by
on the way to the Fair-Grounds.
Very warm today & showery.
Mr. W. semt me to Rec’d from
Mr. W—of Richmond sketch of
the Battle of Bethel which
V___[?] The lithographer is to make
an autographic sketch of.

He has rec’d orders for 150 of
the Manassas sketch. Dr. B___
showed me lately a drawing
of Johnston’s retreat from
Winchester. I have copied a
sketch of the Fortress Monroe
& the adjacent parts, also
of the opposite side of the
Roads. Also some 6 counties
in N.E. Va from the
large map of the state.
Tuesday Augt.20. Soldiers
continue to come & go.
There are several companies some cavalry
at the Fair Grounds: many
many soldiers in the streets
horse & foot.than The railroad
Junction does not work well;
the car ran off the track
to-day near the new bridge
but without any damage. Mr.
S—says that the track being
hurriedly made is too narrow
in some parts. Mr. S—thinks
that the curve near the bridge
is too was sharp & that it ought
to must be made obtuser
The Richmond Dispatch says
that there are 13000 troops
now en route between Wilson[?]
& Richmond: but this can
hardly be so. The Leesburg
News turns out to be a
monstrous canard: there
was one prisoner taken instead
of 1400. Saw to-day Capt. M—
from Norfolk. It is said
that the Confederate army
on the Potomac amounts
now to 130,000 men. Many
of the troops at Washington
are mutinous. It is reported
that in a cabinet council
Lincoln & Bates voted for hanging
the Confederate prisoners. The
steamer Bohemian has brought
news from England subsequent
to receipt of accounts of the
battle of Manassas. It is
probable that England & France
will shortly recognize the
independence of the Confederate
States: they will somehow or
other raise the blockade by
November. Bacon is scarce
& dear- 22 cents per lb.
Cotton is 18 ½ cents per lb
in N. York & about the same
in England. Read official
reports of Col. Keyes & Barman
Federal offers in battle of Manas-
-sas: both interesting and apparently
fair. The officers appear to have
thought that victory was on
their side until—they all
ran away. The regular Federal
officers do not like McDowell’s
being superseded by McClellan
Augt.28th. There is a hiatus of a
week at this point:  during the
interim nothing very extraordinary
has occurred: Soldiers have been
occasionally passing through:
several companies of cavalry
have been quartered at the
Fair Grounds. The men riding
about the streets served to
enliven them somewhat.
Large cannon have been
passing through mostly for
the South & cannon balls.
Dr. S—has been appointed Assist.
Surgeon.  The Confederate govt.
is about to establish a hospital
in Petersburg. It was found that
the junction track between
the railroads did not work
the curve near the bridge
being too sharp & they have
altered it somehow. The Mayor
now gives passes to Richmond
& back. I was in that city
last Saturday. Maine St
is more animated than I ever
saw it- inundated with
military, politicians, strangers
&c: business appears lively.
I took another look at the
prisoners in the Tobc. factories.
observed some  some of them
rolling wheelbarrows with
barrels on them with armed
guard before & behind: also
2 of them with large baskets
guarded in the same way.
The officers were in the lower
story or ground floor. They
appeared cheerful & talkative.
Saw in the street Mr. Daly
Correspondent of  London
Herald (Derby organ) very dark
hair & whiskers. Saw Dr. C-
surgeon at Centreville: he
gave an account of his
adventures of the day of the
battle. One of the Confed. teamsters
while the battle was raging
told the officer in command
at the place where his horses
were that “ he must have
some long feed for them”?.
While the enemy were firing
at the hospital the patients
were moved out. The noises
of small arms more terrific
that that of cannon because
more destructive.
Bacon now in Petersburg 25
cents per lb.: lard, candles,
soap, matches &c at exhorbitant
prices.  The season continues
very favorable, though some
days of late have been
rather cool. The comments
of English press on the battle
of Manassas interesting. The
London Times says it was
an Austerlitz. There is a
great deal of sickness in
the Confed. Camps. Gen. Lee
is said to be harmony[?] in
Rosencrantz.  There are
reports of numerous arrests
of Southerners & others at
the Nth.[?]. Among them is
Mr. G—of Petersburg who
is charged with buying Southrn
stocks: $100,000 said to have
been found on him at
The 5th Avenue Hotel. When
I was in Richmond last I
went into 3 story of Capitol
to get a passport from the
Governor’s aid. Saw Govr
Letcher in next room
in his shirt sleeves with
his inevitable pipe in his
mouth. Met in the cars
Rev Mr C—from Texas a
Methodist preacher col. of a
regt. chaplain, engaged in
making Armstrong gun at
Norfolk has 100 men at work
on it: expended $6000 in
getting the secret from
England- has invented a rifle
a rammer, a shell &c. Says
the Armstrong gun will
shoot 8 miles: Capt Ingra-
-ham was incredulous
about that. Rev. Mr G
has a farm in Texas. Two
companies arrived in Petersburg
this evening (Augt 28th) from
N.C. More said to be
coming to-night. Rev. Mr
M—preached at Fair Grounds
on Sunday.  Some of the soldiers
shed tears.  He distributed
tracts among them. Gen Grayson [?]
is out of Conf  service at present
his office being vacated by
some law passed in N. Carolina.
He was stationed at Newbern
N.C.  At the Nth [?] the
circulation of several anti war
papers has been suppressed
by the U.S. Govt. Jour-
of Commerce, News, Daybook,
Brooklyn Eagle, Freeman’s
Journal & Christian
Observer. Divers other
papers mostly democratic
have been smothered [?[ & the
offices sacked.  The Nth likes
free-soil better than free
press. The Democrats &
Republicans appear to be
quarrelling.  The Republicans
get the lion’s share of
the office: Linc [?] ill or lac-
-sysmal.[?]. Capt. Lauren’s com-
-pany, Cockade Cadets
56 in number are encamped
on the Heights near Porter Hill.
The Captain appears to be
a resolute soldierlike man.
Several of my scholars in
his company.
Augt 30th. Friday. A naval expedition
from Fortress Monroe 100 guns &
400 men have captured Fort
Hateras, Capt. Barron & 330 men.
This was announced in the
papers this morning: since
that it is said that 500
men were captured. The fort
is now said to be a d strong[?]
intended for 20 guns but they
were not all mounted: after
20 rounds they their ammunition
gave out & they surrendered.
It is said that they would
have been obliged to surrender
at any rate to so superior
a force.  The fort is said
to be on a promontory a
good many miles from the
mainland.  The coast is
dangerous for the war-ships
if they remain & if they
go away the fort may be
recaptured & destroyed. The
wonder is not that the
Federal Navy has gained this
advantage but that they
have been so long without
gaining any.  From Northwest
Virginia, the news is that a Gen
Tyler with 900 men has been
captured by Confederate forces.
Two companies of cavalry arrived
this even   afternoon from the
South & repaired to the Fair
Grounds.  There is to be a Confed-
-erate hospital established at
the Fair Grounds.  Dr. Strachen
principal surgeon - Dr. Stockdell
assistant.  White sugar is 25
cents per lb.  Mr. C—has been
to Yorktown sold a good number
of sketches of battle of Manassas
& of Bethel there. In the Peninsula they were
daily expecting an attack from
the enemy.  Copied to-day another
sketch of battle of Bethel by
Mr. G—who was present.
Augt 31. Saturday. This
morning about 7 o’clock
saw the Jeff Davis Flying
Artillery Capt Montgomery
from Selma Alabama.
160 men 116 horses: brought
only 1 gun; expect to get
them in Richmond.  They were
going down Sycamore & extended
2 abreast from Powells’ Tavern
Hotel (that was) to Corling’s
Corner.  The bugler was a
boy.  The talk to-day
is about the capture of
Fort Hatteras & garrison of
Capt. Barron & 500 men:
& of the probability of an
early battle near the Potomac
perhaps near Arlington
heights. Some say that
there has been a battle
there.  The supply of soda
failing & soap must be
made from lye.  There
will be more wood ashes than
normal in the towns as
there is no hard coal
to be had now.  Flour is
6.50 per bbl.  A good many
soldiers passing South appa-
-rently on furlough.  Mr
C— sold good many of
sketches of Battleground of
Manassas & Battle of Bethel
at Yorktown &c.  Mr. R—
at Portsmouth sold 112
of the Manassas sketch
& wants to get 1000 more.
Such things serve to diversify
the monotonous still  life
of camp.  There are about
2000 Northern prisoners in
Richmond.
Monday Sept. 2, 1861. Mornings[?]
arrested as accomplices.  They
are to be tried in Richmond.
Besides the cannon at the
depot I saw a boat on
the cars which came with
the guns from Portsmouth Navy
yard & is destined to Acquia
Creek on the Potomac.  Several
other boats have passed through
in the same direction heretofore.
The boat would hold 30 men.
Mr. P—told me that he has
seen a letter from Richmond
mentioning that Beauregard
had sent for 2 millions
of cartridges, also for hospital
tents & as many ambulances
as could  can be found.  West[?]
& Johnson have published a
plan of battle of Manassas.
The Enquirer says that
it makes Bull Run straight
instead of bear  bending round &
makes the bluffs on the West
Bank instead of the East.
Friday Sept 6th, 1861. Mr. C—
has been twice to Yorktown
sold 400 sketches of Battle of
Bethel.  A private soldier at
Camp Magruder Grove Wharf
named Goulding has bought
228 of them for sale in 2nd
Louisiana regt.  Mr. C—says
that there are 20,000 men
at Yorktown an overestimate
as I suppose.  He visited the
field of Bethel:  rode over
the ground there with
Maj. Randolph who pointed
out some errors in the sketch.
This morning I saw a company
of cavalry on their route to
Richmond by the turnpike,
one of the men was smoking
a pipe.  Six or eight negroes
brought up the rear, some
of them leading horses.  This
afternoon noticed some companies
arrive at Jarrat’s[?] armed
with double-barrelled shot-
guns.  They went to Poplar
Lawn to eat.  Saw to-day
newsr---  newspaper-man
selling Battlefield of Manas-
-sas printed at Enquirer Office
for 10 cts apiece.  Saw
also today copy of sketch
of the same battle just
published by West & Johnson
price one dollar.  Met to-day
Rev. Dr. L—who lately made a
Tour through Europe, The Holy Land
&c.  Returned from Philadelphia
where he had been living for
some years. He reports that Dr
P—the celebrated preacher
sympathises with the South.
Monday Sept. 9th I left Peters-
burg about 8 o’clock A.M.
on Norfolk & Petersburg R. Road.
Travelled rapidly-about 25
miles an hour. Intermediate
Stations Disputanta, Waverley,
Wakefield, Ivor, Zuni, Suffolk.
At the last place it seemed
as if the entire male population
came out to see the car arrive
& get the newspapers.  Reached
Norfolk about 11. At a resto-
rant had a tough piece of
beefsteak, cole slaugh & stale
bread-price 25 cents. For
desert bought a piece of
gingerbread at a bakery.
Got into a one-horse hack
with one other passenger-an
Alabama soldier from Pickens
county.  Our horse a grey pacer
a nag[?]  got out of breath &
preferred a walk.  At length
with difficulty we reached
Harrison’s Farm. the encampment
of the 12th Va. Regt of Volunteers
enlisted for one year: Col. Weisinger.
consisting mainly of Petersburg
companies. City Guard Capt.
May, Rifles, Capt. Dodson. A
Group Capt. Lyon, B Group
Capt. Bond. Lafayette Guard
Capt. [Davis/Jarvis?]: Besides them is
a Norfolk company Capt. Fergu-
-son lately arrived.  The Richmond
Grays Capt. Elliott are also
expected.  Met with many
acquaintances.  Called on
Col. Weisinger & in his tent
saw Lieut. Col. Taylor. Lieut
Col. Brockett & S. Stevens.
called on Lieut Wright &
Lieut W. Brown. Met there
Mr. B. W—in quarter-master
department. Called on Capt
Dodson & met there Lieut Hanks [?]
Met with privates Robt Osborne
Henry Watkins Thompson Bragg,
Willy Nelson, Hugh Nelson,
Bishop, Badger, R. Bowden,
Carey Batte, Russell, McQ[?]
Robt Batte, H. May Rich
Christian, A. Reiley, I Beckwith
I.Weddell, &c.  Harrison’s Farm
about 2 miles from National
Hotel Norfolk.  In camp saw
men of Norfolk company strolling
their street. Looked at one
or two kitchens: negro cooks
& coffee burnt black as usual:
They cook sub dio in midst
of smoke: ought to have
chimney & fire-places or
cooking ranges. Each company
gets water from it’s own well.
good water. Sleep in sort of
berths 4 in a tent-the 5th man
has a cot. Floor of loose boards.
Men tinkering up their fixtures.
One sewing button on anothers
gaiters.  one with a saw was
fixing a board with  in the
floor sawing a little of the end
off to make it fit. Black
woman & pretty white girl going
round attending to washing
clothes: They had a little
pass book in which the
number of pieces was set
down: boy with figs for
sale. Very good ones-draws
them about in a little wagon.
Dined with the privates for
dinner black-eye peas,
middling, fried chicken, corn
bread, sweet potatoes.
Irish potatoes:water.
badly cooked-pretty rough
fare: not an average dinner
in quality as I was told.
The Norfolk regt. Col Mahone
is encamped very near-
-2 or 3 hundred yards off.
They have a band. The
12th regt. in the evening
had an undress parade 4 or
5 drums & fife. Genl orders
Regimental orders read [?]. Some
Play churming [?], dominoes, drafts
& chess. The officers encourage
all innocent diversions. The
chapel seats between 2&3
hundred: no chaplain to this
regt. divers clergymen officiate.
The Norfolk regt. Col. Mahone
encamped a few hundred
yards distant.  Col Mahone
is superintendent of Norfolk
& Petersburg R. Road.
In evening returned to Norfolk:
walked part of the way: rode
the rest of it in a mule-drawn
vehicle. The mule was very
tired & most reluctant to
mover faster than a walk.
Stopped at the National Hotel.
Saw there some Petersburgians
engaged in the Quarter-master’s
department. It is extremely
difficult  now to get a permit
to visit the Navy-Yard-particu
-larly since the recent indiscreet
publication in the newspapers
of a minute description of
the Merrimac by a Rev. Mr.
Nicholson whose letter appeared
first in the Mobile Tribune.
The circulation of the Examiner
at Norfolk is 900, Dispatch
150, Enquirer 50.
Tuesday morning Sept. 10, 1861 at 7 o’clock
took passage in the Wm Selden
employed by Quarter-master’s
department for Craney Island.
Among the freight noticed crates
of straw & beef. In a short time
reached Craney Island: had
to land in a boat, the tide
being low. The appearance of
the verdant Island with it’s
snowy tents picturesque. 800
men here: 9 companies. 7 of
artillery 2 infantry. Ramparts
embrasures, 32 pounders 64 pounders
&42. One 128 pounder. Some
Dahlgreens. Men working on
ramparts with shovels, spaces & wheel-
barrows. Dined with Capt. B
Lieut H_ &c. Roast goose
spots, sweet potatoes &c.
Saw Capt. Gilliam & his 1st[?]
Lieut Mr S—Capt Lewellen
&C. Smith adjutant drilling
artillery company. Son of Col.
Smith who is in command here.
late Principal of Mil. Institute
at Lexington. 6 guns. Saw
men for [?] drilling at a gun
on rampart. Embrasures
wedge-shaped-magazines
for powder-large & small.
in the latter cartridges or charges
in bags: rammer, sponge, scoop
to extract ball, trailing lever,
elevator, pulleys to move
gun to right & left. Redan.[?]
flag-staff. Signals: there
is a signal telegraph day
& night communicating to
Norfolk in 2 minutes. Walked
on beach: picked up a shell
& some green sea-weed, which I
laid between the leaves
of my memorandum book.
Made of a sheet of paper folded
small. Headquarters: saw
men playing marbles. Looked
through a marine glass at
Fortress Monroe built for
protection of Va. Against
foreign enemies & now
used for her subjugation
which was predicted by Patrick
Henry in 1788: he said when
you give up the forts you
surrender your liberty.
Looked at Newports News
or Newport Neuse. Saw the
Savannah lying off & some
8 transports close in to
those. Boush’s Bluff in view.
The Marine glass like an
opera glass: cost 50 Dollars.
Lamberts Point in sight.
Only tree on Craney Island
an antiquated cedar which
was here in the last war with
Great Britain. Fishing boats
to be seen in Elizabeth river.
Craney Island so called from
it's beach having been a favorite
haunt of Cranes-the water
being shallow for some
distance out they found
it a convenient place for
wading in or invading. I saw
one there. Sitting on a bench
at Head Quarters of Col. Smith
I observed the steamer Wm
Selden on her 2nd trip
from Norfolk run aground: as
she did not get off till
a late hour I had to stay
on the Island that night
(Tuesday) which I was pleased
to do to see the encampment
by moonlight. Saw Major
Crutchfield son of the late
Speaker of the Va. Hs of Delegates
drilling the Norfolk company.
Then skirmisher's drill kneeling
& firing; rallying in Squares
of 4 to resist cavalry. The
major very quiet & deliberate.
Said to be an excellent
instructor-a military genius.
The Norfolk company F
contains the elite of the
young men of Norfolk. Saw
Capt. Hupp [?] drilling his company
of artillery from Salem Roanoke
County Va. The same company
which I noticed when passing
through Petersburg healthy florid
robust mountaineers a very
fine company: drilling in light
artillery: "limber up" "one!
"two!" "three" &c. The men
draw the cannon about
in the stead of horses: tough
work over the green sward.
In evening I saw the 9 companies
800 men in undress parade.
Adjutant Smith read regi-
-mental orders for the follow-
-ing day & dismissed them-
whereupon each captain
marched his company
back to their own quarters:
& dismissed them. 7 drummers
& a fifer. In the evening
I took supper with Capt.
Gilliam & was hospitably
entertained by him & his
son who is adjutant of the
company. Supper about 8
o'clock. Capt. G & son, Lieut.
S & some 3 or 4 others: ate
by light of the moon on
a table near the tent.
Bread in round[?] cakes
inch & half. thick 10 in. in diam. with
shortening in them. fish
spots: fried middling: pretty
good coffee of course
without milk: butter
at the bottom of large
tin bucket. Next to me
sat [?] K- M a former scholar
of mine- now 2nd  sargent
sergeant. After supper
Capt. G's company mustered
to call roll. The adjutant
called the roll from memory
memoriter [?]. After the company
was dismissed the Capt.
distributed caps to some of
them. The Capt. & his 1st[?] Lieut.
held a stout [?] controversy as to
the comparative merits of 2
uniform coats. As it was
rather too dark to discrimi-
-nate between them, proposed
to adjourn the question
over till the morning which
was agreed to. Hearing of an
old Negro drummer who
had come down from
Roanoke county with
the Salem company &
as intimating a wish to
see him Capt. G obligingly
went in quest of him. He
had gone to bed it being
then about 9 o'clock but
he got up dressed & came.
He is 72 years old, his
appearance & manner very prepossessing.
was in this quarter in the
year  war of 1812-14 &
when on the eve of his
departure somewhat whim
-sically buried a pipe
at Craney Island. On
his happening to recollect
this circumstance, which
in the long interval had
escaped from his memory
Some curiosity being excited
on the subject or some
incredulity being expressed
the old drummer remarked
that he could easily find
it again. Upon repairing to
the spot he in a little time
came to a large chip &
under it the identical
pipe which he had buried
there 47 years before. The
stem (of reed) was gone having
decayed but the pipe remain
-ed unharmed by the interment
of  save a little defacing of the
glazing.  The old drummer
rather unthinkingly gave it
to a negro boy who asked him
for it: but on finding afterwards
how much interest some
of the officers took in it
he sent word to the boy by
a woman that he would
give him $2.00 for the pipe
& the old man remarked to me
that he would give $5.00
to get it back. Some of the
officers of the garrison had
told him that he ought to
have sent it as a present to
Jeff Davis: but I rather think
that as the President has no
time for such curious relicks
just now, that the old drummer
had better if he recovers it
keep it to take back home
with him to Roanoke; or if
not, give it to me. The old
man has been free from
his birth: is a hatter by
trade. Says if there should
be a fight here he must
lay aside his drum &
take a hand in it. He has
no partiality for the Yankees
& believes they are not the
people to give the negro his
rights: thinks the Southern
people treat them far better
than the Yankees would.
In the evening observed
the camp-fires: walked
on the ramparts & looked
over the quiet waters
lit by a somewhat hazy
moon towards Fortress
Monroe & Newport Neuse.
To-night, Tuesday Sept.
10th is the night when
according to the writing
on a shingle picked up
on the James an attack
is to be made on Norfolk.
During the night
heard several times the voice
of the sentry on guard on
the rampart hard by.
Capt. G. gave me a grape shot
much rusted  away dug up
here & no doubt a relick of
the battle of Craney Island
in last war with Great
Britain. Wednesday morning
returned at an early hour
in a sail boat to Norfolk.
beautiful morning: fine,
water scenery[?], charming
sea breeze. Several Craney
Island volunteers in the boat
on a visit to Norfolk: fare
25 cents. Landing in Norfolk
I returned to National: walked
round to the Academy on
Catherine St. headquarters
of Capt. Elliotts Grays from
Richmond. Capt. E. one
of the editors of the Whig.
Bought some figs & Scuppernong
grapes & sent them per Express
to A-- in Petersburg. The
basket I sent them in
bought from an Irishman
in a cellar near the Market
who manufactures them-a
nice basket with a cover to
it: cost 90 cents the figs cost
50 and grapes 40. They were
damaged by a delay of 24
hours the Express having failed
to deliver them. About the
streets observed groups of
soldiers with their guns
a military police. Noticed 4
horses drawing a cannon.
One of the horses becoming
refractory an artillerist
beat him & kicked him
which only made him more
obstinate: the 2 horses in
front were then detached
& the other 2 carried off
the cannon. Walked to
the Norfolk & Portsmouth Ferry
landing place. Saw Gen. Huger
on horse-back ride out from
the ferry-boat followed by
a youth on another horse.
The general a fine dignified
looking officer. He rode on
to Harrison's Farm& reviewed
the regt. there & expressed
himself much pleased with
them as I heard. I crossed
over to Portsmouth: the boat
crosses in about 10 minutes.
Walked about Portsmouth.
Met Rev. Mr. Humes[?] Chaplain
to Col. Pryor's regt. at Burwell's
Bay. He says the proper
name of the place is Bay's
Neck -so called after a
former resident there.
No Permit is necessary in
visiting the Marine Hospital.
Went at night to Theatre
to hear concert of amateur
musicians of Alabama
regt. music vocal & instrumental
both. 2000 persons present.
The music was good & the
performance entertaining
but I should have been
better pleased with it if
it had not been done in
the style of Negro minstrels.
which In Norfolk they
use rainwater which is
abundant this season.
Norfolk which promises to
be an important city in
the new Confederacy ought[?]
to supplied with water
from Lake Drummond.
Sept 21st. I have of late neglected
this diary. In the meanwhile
nothing of extraordinary interest
has occurred: soldiers have
continued to pass through
Petersburg. 2 regiments have
passed through from Richmond
on their way to Norfolk: one
of South Carolina the other of
Allabama sent to take the
place of 2 regiments sent
from Norfolk to N. Carolina
in consequence of the Hatteras
affair. Las[?] Day before yesterday Mr.
S. read me an extract
of a letter from Charleston
dated 17th saying that
a ship sailing under British
colors from England via
Nassau New Providence
in the West Indies had
seen the blockade & reached
Savannah bringing 32
rifled cannon 6,500
rifle guns-leather, percus-
-sion caps &c. The papers
have been requested
to say nothing about it.
It is said to-day that the
Govt. had directed the Express
paper here which had "set
up" the intelligence not to
publish it & it is said that
5 more ships with similar
cargoes are expected. The
captain of the ship also
reports that Lt.[?] John Russell
had announced that he
was ready to hear the
propositions of the com-
-missioners of the Confederate
States. But it does not appear
clear how a sailing vessel
could have brought that
news for if known it
would have come by
the steamers. The shipment
of the contraband cannon
&c was probably winked at
by the British Government
& if so it squints[?] strongly
at raising the blockade
& recognition of the inde-
-pendence of the Confede-
-rate States.
While in Norfolk I visited
the Navy yard. It was
very difficult to get in
but I succeeded by the
courtesy of Mr. B- who
introduced me to Capt.
Robert Pegram. I went
about 9 A.M. over in a boat about 9 a.m. rowed by
negroes in uniform Some
five or six officers of the yard
in the boat-Capt. Sinclair,
Mr. Fairfax, Capt. Parrish
&c. I spoke not a word in
crossing. The offices conversed
on the dangers of the Hatteras
coast rt. this season: said
the Yankees had had great
luck: that their ships
could hardly outride an
equinoctial  storm near that
coast. Landing at the
Navy yard I proceeded
with Capt P- to the
head-quarters of Commodore
DeForest an aged[?] officer
who has sacrificed a
fortune of $100,000 at
Alexandria by serving the
Southern Confederacy. The
commodore was not in: I
met there Mr. Barron Hope
the poet & another gentleman
who had met me many
years ago at Prince
Edward Court House.
Capt. P- kindly took me
with him through the yard
& explained matters to me.
We passed the Blacksmith
establishment, went through
the foundry where they
were moulding things: saw
there the manner of making
spherical case shells balls. They
are like the Minnie
rifle balls; cost $10 apiece
they are cylindrical & conical
at one end: the base of
the cylinder is leaded
to yield to the        of the
rifled cannon. There is
a groove for tallow. to They
turn out some 30 of them a
day. They test them by f
dangling [?] them in water &
by an apparatus they cause the
water to bubble if there
is any leak crevice in the
ball. Those that are defective
may still be fired; but only as
common solid cannon-balls
They are styled "dead". Walked
through the Pattern room
where they make wooden
models to mould with.
In another room saw beautiful
instruments destroyed by the
vandal Yankees. In another
saw the process of rifling
cannon: they turn out
one per diem. In another
place saw them making
bands for cannon a new
invention.
Sept. 20th Saturday. Saw at
Pocahontas Depot 250 Yankee
prisoners under guard of
70 soldiers. The prisoners were
in open flat cars: the guards
distributed among them
at intervals. Water was handed
them in buckets. Two negroes
accompanieding the guards &
assisted in giving the prisoners
water. About 50  Some of Corcoran's
regt. were among them. The
cars passed right through
with them. There was a
crowd present to look at
them. Sept 20. Rev. Mr
Sledd[?] preached at Washington
St. Methodist church a
discourse addressed to
Capt. Laurens' company.
which is to go away on
Thursday next- to Sewell's
Pt. The Barton Rangers
a good company of cavalry
are quartered at Poplar
Lawn. A Factory is
fitting up for Hospital for
Nth. C. vol soldiers. One
of the prisoners fell on
the cars on Saturday&
broke his leg which had
been twice broken before:
he was sent to the hospital
at the Institute.
Sept. 25th. Gen.Kirby Smith
styled by Beauregard the
Blucher [?] of the day at Manassas
having recently married at
or Lynchburg arrived here
yesterday & his bride being
a friend or relation of Mrs
John Donnan-the General
& Lady stayed at Mr. D's
on Perry St. In the evening
Capt. Platt with his battalion
of Cockade Cadets & Independent
Guards waited on the General
at Mr. Donnans & made
an address which was
briefly replied to by the
General. The companies
& crowd cheered & the
drum accompanied. Last
evening I saw at the
Sth[?] Side depot a soldier.
lately struck by lightning
near Yorktown & disabled
on one side from his hip
down: he was in a wagon
at the time- a mule was
killed: the soldier cannot
walk was carried from
the cars by 2 men: but
he suffers no pain. His
father came to meet
him & take him home.
The cars from City Point
connecting the  Curtis[?]
Deck arrive about 8 p.m.
Soldiers arrive every evening
from James River some on
furlough, some sick, some
on business. Occasionally arrives
a coffin with a dead body.
I noticed a sick soldier brought
on a cot & some very weak
walking supported by others.
Sept. 26th. Last evening
250 more prisoners passed
through en route to N. Orleans.
The papers say that they are
to be escorted to the parish
jail there bya colored com-
-pany. Floyd takes command
in the Nth West-Wise being
transferred to another command.
Observed a great deal of
freight at Pocahontas depot-
sheds [?] of molasses, pig iron,
boxes, bales, iron machinery
vegetables &c &c. clouds of
dust. Mr. B- from Richmond
says that he heard from
a telegraph operator that
they are fighting at Arlington
Heights & that astounding
events will occur within
48hours: i.e. there will
be another great battle
near Washington. But
the Equinoctial storm
appears tobe brewing & it
is raining this evening
so that it ishardly probable
that there will be any
pitched battle within a
week. It is to be hoped
that some of the U.S. ships
at Hatteras will be foundered
or wrecked on that coast
shortly & that the forts
there may be recaptured.
An expedition has sailed
just now for the Southern
coast-not the most
auspicious season or
weather for it. Saw
some 15 or 20 females at
work in an upper room
on Sycamore Street with
4 sewing machines making
gaiters for the soldiers. The
ward committees are col-
-lecting blankets about town [?]
for the soldiers. Part of
them will be given from
fear of popular odium, part
for the show of  generos liberality,
part from patriotick benev-
-olence & real sympathy. Gen
E Kirby Smith with his bride
went away early this
morning en route to Florida
to see his mother aged 80.
He being her only son & not
yet wholly recovered from the effects
of the wound recd[?] at Manassas.
The quid nuncs, gossips
& croakers, "chimney corner
heroes" as Washington
styled them continue
to criticise the conduct of
the Government & the generals:
& to censure them for not
making an onward move-
-ment upon Maryland &
Washington. It is hard for
any one to refrain entirely
from this querulous carping
vein. A writer in the Enquirer
vindicates Commodore Barron's
conduct in soir [?] at Fort
Hatteras against the attacks
of those who accuse that
gallant officer of cowardice.
This writer states that the
number of the enemy
landed at Hatteras was
supo supposed to be 2500
instead of 300 & they were
protected from assault by
the guns of  the greater a large
part of the enemy's ships.
The Examiner opposes the
re-election of Vice. Pres.t
Stephens on the ground that
he was a supporter of Douglas
& stood out strenuously to the
last against secession. Salt
is very dear: ragged shinplasters
abound: specïe is banished.
Mrs Morton wife of Senator
Morton of Florida has arrived
in Petersburg: she came under
a flag of truce from Washington
where she has been for some
time under arrest: her baggage
was twice searched on her
way from Washington to Fortress
Monroe: yet she brought 2
revolvers. She is in feeble
health & on that account
was allowed to bring with
her a slave. It is said
that Mr_ B. merchant
of Petersburg lately returned
from the North where he
had been since the commence-
-ment of the war had all
his money taken from him
except enough to pay his
travelling expenses. The hats
for the soldiers it is said are
to be built by them. T.T_
a carpenter here out of
employment has been to
Portsmouth looking for work:
found none there: was offered
$2.00 per diem if he would
go to N. Orleans. He proposes
to undertake the tanning
business being offered $1. per
diem & his board. I suggested
this business to him some
time since. An early peace
is not desirable: a premature
peace prematurely patched up
would probably be soon
followed by a renewal
of hostilities. Nor is an early
raising of the blockade desira-
-ble. Mr. G_ thinks that the
independence of the Southern
Confederacy will not be
recognized by England & France
before Feby 1862 when the
Confederate Govt will be put
upon a permanent basis.
A French Corvette the
Lavoisier has arrived at
N. Orleans bringing a mail.
Prince Polignac [?] has been
appointed an officer under
Beauregard. The Richmond
correspondent of the Charleston
Mercury announces that
the Armstrong gun is about
to be made in the Virginia. This
perhaps is problematical.
Sept. 27th. Friday. To-day
we have had apparently
the beginning of the Equinoc-
-tial Storm: but the Sun
set nearly clear & to-night
the Stars are shining. The
wind was high this afternoon
& evening. It is to be hoped
that the U.S. armada which
lately sailed South  probably
will be or has been damaged.
5 U.S. Ships were announced
in the morning's paper as having
arrived at New Inlet N.C. & 2
others on same coast. Curious
time for the expedition! Mr.
R_ an Italian told me
two days ago that a few
days before Commodore DeForest
at the Navy Yard told
him that the Merrimac
would be at Baltimore
within a month! rather a singular
communication to be made
by the commodore. I have not
been out to-day owing to the
weather. At Princeton College
N.J. my alma mater- the
Union Students have ducked
under the pump a secession
student named Dubois
from Newark: 3 of the rioters
were dismissed by the
faculty & were escorted out of
the town in a barouche
with flags & music by 200
riotous Union Students & the
a crowd of citizens. They
cheered the Union professors
of & groaned at the houses
of Secessionists. McClean
the President, known among
the students as "Johnny"
threatens the punish all
the 200 & to enforce discipline
conte que conte [?]- even if
the College has to be shut
up. Dallas the late U.S.
minister to England- a
Douglas man has made
a flaming war speech:
so also Daniel Dickinson.
Mrs. Morton it is said
reports 170,000 soldiers in
Washington. The Washington
papers deny that there
is any battery at Matthias
Point. The Northern Goths &
Vandals are committing great
outrages in Nth West Virginia.
In Kentucky the Confederate
forces are siezing strong
places on the Missisippi.
We may expect to hear of
disasters at sea owing to the
Equinoctial storm. General
Walter Gwinn has published
a letter indicating his
conduct in the construction
of coast-defences in Nth
Carolina: his intemperate
habits are well known
at Norfolk: otherwise he
is an able& efficient engi-
-neer.  A Mrs. Whitaker is
the authoress of some fine
verses on the battle of
Manassas. The allusion
to Barton's[?] death is very
fine. Beauregard although
inferior in abilities to Johnston
is the popular favorite. Jackson
appears to be the real hero of
the battle: he & his brigade


bore the brunt of it 3 hours
without giving way: the
"Stone Wall" brigade.
Sept 28th. Saturday. The
paper this morning contained
news via N. York & Washington
of defeat of Col. Mulligan in
at Lexington Missouri: 3500
Federals by their own account
killed wounded & captured.
3000 horses taken with guns
supplies &c. 2000 prisoners said
to be released. The Confederates
commanded by Price. He is said
to be a Virginian from Prince
Edward. Fremont censured
at Washington for not having
reinforced Mulligan. In Kentucky
Genl. Buckner said to be at
the head of 20,000 knights
of Golden Circle-probably
a great exaggeration. There
is probably also a mistake
as to the 3000 horses captured
at Lexington: as the number
seems too great for the Federal
forces there. A party went
down yesterday from Pe-
-tersburg to present a flag
to Ragland[?] Guards at
Sewell's Point. There were
200 of them & they requested
of Gen. Huger the use of the
steam-boat Wm Selden. He
somewhat doubtingly let
them have her advising
that she should keep
close under the guns of
the battery at Sewell's Pt.
The Equinoctial gale
came on & the Wm Selden
could not land the passengers
& was blowing towards Fortress
Monroe: she cast anchor &
it dragging towards that
Fortress they could not
raise the anchor & had
to cut the chain cable
with a chisel & so lost
the anchor & narrowly escaped
from the jaws of the enemy.
Mr. Crutchfield editor of
the Express was one of the
party. Capt. Laurens' company
is to go to Norfolk next
Tuesday. There is a report
that Seward has promised
L[?] Lyons to raise the
blockade in November. An
arrangement has been made
for the British to communicate
with their consuls in the
Confederate ports by means
of a war-ship. The position
of these consuls is singular
as they are in a government
to which they are not
accredited & with which
they can hardly communicate.
According to the theory of
the Lincoln administration
no state has seceded: all
the 34 states are still in
the Union: the Confederate
States are in rebellion but
not waging war: The U.S.
are blockading the Confederate
States & invading them with
large armies & have been
defeated in several battles
but still there is no war!
The operations of the U.S.
army & navy are not to
keep the restore the Union
because it has not been
dissolved: all these battles
are only to preserve the
integrity of the Union! Mr.
Madison said long ago when
you under pretence of preserving
the Union wage war upon
a part of it you ipso facto
defeat your own object &
throw the states warred upon
out of the Union: because
war of necessity dissolves
the Union.
Sunday Sept 29. A quiet day:
no news. Children say that
& they saw a company of
cavalry. Monday Sept. 30th. The Equinoctial gale
lasted only one day here. The
sky is clear as chrstal & the
weather cool enough for fine
morning & evening. Bituminous
coal lump 25 cts per bushel:
rail[?] coal 22 c[cents]. Wood said to
be $5.00 a cord in Richmond.
Lard here 28 c [cents] for lb. Light
brown sugar: brown 16 2/3[?]: Molasses
75 c[cents] per gal. Vinegar 34 c [cents] Ham
27 per lb. Bacon side 27. Ada-
-mantine candles 27s 45 c [cents]
Great battle near Washington
expected. There has been
a skirmish at Munson's [?]
Hill. 5000 of U.S. troops
3000 Confederates: enemy
repulsed. Gen. Scott said
to be breaking down physically.
Wool reported to be in his dotage
memory failing. It is said
that the Merrimac will
try her strength in Hampton
Roads shortly. The arrival
of an iron-plated steamer
with cargo at Savannah
published in the papers.
The steamer belong to the
Confed. govt. 5 others expected.
Monday Tuesday Oct. 1st 1861. The
papers bring a report that the
Confederates have abandoned
Munson's Hill &c and fallen
back upon Fairfax. It is also
reported that the Federals are
occupying the abandoned
posts & advancing upon the
Confederates: but this last
is only rumor. Johnston &
Beauregard are not probably
merely repeating the ruse of retreatingf
which succeeded so well
at Manassas. That would seem
to be too transparent. Both
armies are composed mainly
of Volunteers & the leaders
are on both sides very
cautious. President Davis
& an aide de camp have
gone to Manassas. A
great battle is expected but
upon what ground does  not
appear. Capt. Laurens'
company the Confedrate
Guards numbering about
71 started this morning
by rail for Norfolk. The
Capt. a Methodist preacher
was disabled from preaching
by a throat affection The
U.S. lines opposite Washington
extend 16 miles- 12 miles
in a direct line. The Potomac
there is the arc of a circle
Washington city being on
the t  outside of it. The
fortifications are numerous
& strong as also on the Maryland
side of the City. The Enquirer
justly denounces the shinplaster
currency as an intolerable
nuisance. Mr. T.J. Campbell
has been appointed  Receiver
of for Petersburg under the
Sequestration act. The
office is worth it is said $5000
per annum The appointment
is made by Judge Halyburton.
Mr. S_ is dressing boards
at his planing machine for[?]
He describes Lincoln as a man
dra elevated from obscurity:
physically a giant-with
a pleasant face: stoop-shouldered
with an air of embarassment
& timidity. He sai The
Prince says that Seward
is small-with an expression
of cunning, intelligence &
some conceit: that he has
however some sterling qualities:
He the prince however does
not mention what they are.
He describes the U.S. Govt.
as a mobacracy governed
by men of low grade.
Thursday Oct. 3. No news. Saw Dr
P & Dr K _ examining surgeons
from Norfolk: going to Yorktown.
The enemy have burnt the
dry dock at Pensacola, also
the Privateer Judith [?] with 5 guns.
finished copying this
book Augt 29, 1866.