Source: Joseph Waddell, Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 (C. Russell Caldwell, 1901), pp. 469-479.
[On Thursday night, April 17, 1862, the report came that Jackson was attacked that morning by thirty-five thousand men and one hundred cannon, and was in full retreat toward Staunton. At that time there were in Staunton clothing for ten thousand or twelve thousand soldiers, ammunition, cannon and other arms, besides the ordinary quartermaster and commissary stores. On the 19th, it being understood that General Jackson had ordered the evacuation of Staunton, the convalescent patients at the hospital and a portion of the military stores were sent by railroad to Charlottesville. The money, etc., of the Staunton banks, the records of the courts, etc., were also sent to Charlottesville. At the same time, General Johnson's command, in his absence, fell back from the Shenandoah mountain to the village of Westview, in Augusta. It turned out, however, that Jackson had given no orders for these movements, and a degree of confidence was speedily restored. But by the 24th, some of the enemy had appeared on North mountain, at Buffalo Gap, and also at Jennings' Gap. On the 28th the enemy occupied Harrisonburg, "and helped themselves to whatever they wanted." There were conflicting reports as to the movements of Jackson and Ewell, but it was evident that they had withdrawn from about Harrisonburg toward tale Blue Ridge. On Saturday, May 3, the news came that Jackson was crossing the Blue Ridge at Brown's Gap, leaving Ewell at Swift Run Gap, and the way open for the enemy from Harrisonburg to Staunton. Sunday, May 4, was a day full of rumors and excitement. Among other reports, it was stated that 10,000 of the enemy were advancing upon Johnson, at Westview, seven miles west of Staunton. In the afternoon, however, several trains of railway cars arrived from the east, crowded with soldiers. Pickets were immediately posted on all the roads leading from town toward Harrisonburg, and no one was allowed to go in that direction. General Jackson and his staff arrived, on horseback, before night, and it was soon found that the army had entered the Valley again, through Rockfish Gap. Train after train arrived on Monday, and a part of the command came on foot. Jackson's old brigade, (known as "Stonewall") encamped two miles east of town. In the evening the town was full of country people, who were permitted to come in, but not to go out. On Tuesday, the 6th, we had news that the Federal army at Harrisonburg, had started down the Valley, in a hurry, the day before; we also learned that Johnson's command had moved westward, but where to we did not know.]
Wednesday night, May 7.--Jackson's army started to-day, all the First brigade (except the Fifth regiment), and the artillery, passing through town, and marching towards Buffalo Gap. We are entirely at a loss to know the destination of the command, but presume it will soon turn and move down the Valley. The force which has passed through since Sunday, numbers at least 10,000; and this is exclusive of Johnson's brigade, which is from 4,000 to 5,000 strong.
A portion of Ashby's cavalry, about 800, passed through town in the afternoon, and camped on the Buffalo Gap road.
Thursday night, May 8.--General Johnson, surprised the
Federal scouts,--some two hundred cavalry,--on yesterday at
Ryan's, in the Pastures, killing from six to ten (variously
reported), and capturing two. They left their tents behind them.
* * Cannonading was heard to-day from early morning till 4
o'clock P. M., in the direction of the Shenandoah mountain. * *
On Friday morning, May 9th, tidings came of the battle of McDowell, in Highland county. A number of the wounded in the battle were brought in on the 10th, and also the corpses of eight or ten of the slain. "These poor fellows were from Georgia, and their comrades are sending the remains home."
Sunday night, May 11th, Jackson's recent movements, which were so incomprehensible to us, are now all explained. On last Sunday we heard that 8,000 or 10,000 of the enemy were threatening Johnson at Westview, only seven miles from Staunton. This proved untrue, and we became incredulous as to reports of any Federal troops advancing from the northwest. It turns out, however, that the enemy in considerable force were advancing from the direction of Romney, through Pendleton county, and no doubt with the expectation of assailing Johnson by surprise and overwhelming him. Jackson being advised of their movement, countermarched as he did to reinforce Johnson, and coming upon the enemy suddenly at McDowell, scattered them to the four winds. * *"Yankee shinplasters," sutler's tickets, are very abundant in Staunton.
Friday night, May 16.--Part of Jackson's army is at Stribling's Springs. Some of the cavalry is in town.
The command moved down the Valley on Tuesday morning, the 20th.
Tuesday morning, May 27.--Yesterday morning we had news that Jackson had routed the enemy under Banks, and chased them beyond Winchester, taking 2,000 prisoners, and capturing all their military stores.
Wednesday, May 28.--A number of Staunton people have gone to Winchester to buy goods, having heard that the town was well supplied with many articles very scarce here. An order has come for all the wagons in the county and adjoining counties to go down to remove the captured stores.
Some four thousand prisoners, captured in the lower Valley, were taken to Charlottesville, without passing through Staunton. On the 29th there were about thirteen hundred sick and wounded soldiers in the military hospital here.
Monday night, June 2.--Intelligence of the renewal of the battle near Richmond on yesterday. Seventy-five thousand men on each side engaged. * * The whole Federal army on the Richmond side of the Chickahominy. Five hundred of our men drowned; some say, however, that the drowned men were Federal soldiers. * * Two hundred and seventy-five wagons expected to-morrow with the stores captured at Martinsburg.
Wednesday, June 4.--It seems to be true that Jackson has retired far up toward Harrisonburg, before a large force of the enemy. * * A large number of wagons, sent down the Valley to bring up the capture stores, returned to-day, many of them empty. The enemy pressed too closely for us to bring off all the supplies. Upward of 3,000 Federal prisoners were at Mt. Crawford to-day waiting till a bridge could be built across North river.
Thursday, June 5.--A day of rumors. We heard that the
Federal prisoners at North river (Mt. Crawford) had refused to
come across. Then it was said they were not at the river, but at
Harrisonburg. The first report was next repeated.
Friday, June 6.--Jackson's army is at Port Republic. The enemy under Fremont, are said to be near Harrisonburg, variously estimated from 17,000 to 40,000. Shields is on the east side of the Shenandoah with from 10,000 to 18,000 men.
On the 7th, we heard "the sad news that Ashby had been killed near Harrisonburg."
On Sunday evening, the 8th, we had the first tidings of the
battle of Port Republic. A body of demoralized Confederate
cavalry dashed into town, proclaiming that our army was defeated.
They were put under arrest by
Monday night, June 9.--A report this morning that Fremont was routed yesterday and Jackson was assailing Shieids to-day. * * The cannonading was heard in town till past 9 o'clock and then ceased. About 10 o'clock a courier arrived with intelligence that Jackson had ordered a retreat across the Blue Ridge. This news flew through town and caused great depression of spirits. About II o'clock another courier arrived with the report that Fremont was hastily retreating towards Harrisonburg, blockading the road behind him, and that Shields was in a fair way of being captured. Of course there was universal rejoicing. In the afternoon, however, it was ascertained that Fremont had not retreated, but was still on the field with, (according to one report), 60,00 men. It was stated at the same time that Jackson had defeated Shields this morning. Late in the evening several citizens and one or two wounded soldiers arrived from the army. Shields was driven back with a reported loss of 500 men and eight cannon, while Fremont's army was drawn up on the west side of the Shenandoah, unable to give any assistance. Jackson crossed the river this morning to attack Shields and destroyed the bridge so that Fremont could not follow. It is impossible for me to record the incidents related, or to describe the scenes in town.
Wednesday night, June 11.--A rumor this morning that the Yan- kees were coming this way, crossing North river at Mt. Crawford, and another, that Fremont was retreating. From 9,000 to 11,000 reinforcements are on the way to Jackson.
Thursday night, June 12.--A report this morning that Fremont was marching up North river with a view this way. At the same time it was said he had 40,000 men, while Jackson's effective force amounted to only 15,000. During the day there were vague rumors that the Federal army had passed through Harrisonburg, going down the Valley. Late in the afternoon these last rumors were confirmed by persons from Harrisonburg. The Yankees went off last night in haste, burning their baggage and committing many depredations upon the property of our people. They even destroyed the gardens as far as they could. It is reported that their whole number was 15,000--that is, Fremont's column.
A letter from a Michigan girl to her brother, a soldier in the Federal army, picked up down the Valley, begs the latter to beware of poisoned springs.
Friday night, June 13.--Many Federal soldiers are said to be wandering in the woods, and some have been brought in every day since the battle, (of Port Republic). Twenty of them surrendered to one of our men.
Saturday night, June 14.--Six or seven railroad trains full of soldiers arrived this evening from Richmond,--General Whiting's command. * * For several days past it has been reported that Andrew Johnson, the Union Governor of Tennessee, was assassinated at Nashville. Also that Butler, the Federal general in command at New Orleans, was killed.
Sunday, June 15.--More troops arrived to-day by railroad. Four regiments left town this morning, moving down the Valley turnpike, viz,: the Eleventh Mississippi, Sixth North Carolina, Fourth Alabama,and Fourth Texas. These regiments constitute Whiting's brigade. Many of them are good-looking young men although roughly clad, as usual. They all seem glad to get up to this region.
Tuesday night, June 17.--Many troops arrived yesterday and others to-day. Whiting's brigade and others are encamped on the Valley turnpike three miles from town. There are large encampments on the hills to the left of the Middlebrook road, near the railroad, and a small one on a hill north of town. A Texas brigade is here to which the Staunton artillery is attached. ** Soldiers are constantly going from house to house applying for something to eat. They threaten us with famine, and to-night I was obliged to refuse a request for supper, lodging, and breakfast for five who applied in a batch. The commissary is well enough supplied, but the men like something better than camp fare. The more respectable soldiers fare worse than others, as they do not forage to the same extent.
Wednesday night, June 18 To the surprise of everybody, the troops near town began to move off this morning in the direction of Waynesborough. The Texas brigade (Hood's), started at 5 o'clock, A. M. Whiting's brigade retraced their steps through town between 8 and 9 o'clock, and marched down the Waynesborough road. Several artillery companies moved in the same direction. Lawton's brigade, several detached regiments two or three artillery and two or three cavalry companies were still about town late in the afternoon; but at 6 o'clock two railroad trains, full of soldiers, were getting ready to start. * * We hear that Jackson's whole command was to-day moving to Waynesborough, to cross the Blue Ridge.General Jackson was in town nearly all day, but no one found out the purpose of the movements mentioned. There was a large number of wagons in connection with the various brigades. Many of our regiments are very much reduced in numbers. One company of the Forty-fourth Virginia had, a few days ago, five officers and six privates. * * A member of the Thirty-first regiment, from northwest Virginia, came into our office this evening, and meeting there an acquaintance from the same region, told with great glee that in the Monday's fight near Port Republic, he had shot the major of the First Virginia regiment in the Federal service. He manifested a savage joyousness in relating the fall by his hand of his fellow-townsman. * * Brown sugar now sells by the barrel at 45 cents a pound; bacon 30 cents.
Thursday night, June 19.--Everybody wondering to-day the cause of Jackson's movement across the Blue Ridge. Some suggest that he is going to Richmond, intending to fall upon McClellan's rear.* *Several persons arrived to-day from Buckingham, Upshur County, having come through without interruption. That route has been closed for more than a year.
Saturday night, June 21.--Still no intelligence from any quarter.* * Twenty-five or thirty Yankee prisoners were in the court-house yard this evening, having been brought up from Harrisonburg. All but three wounded, and all but three Dutch.
Monday night June 23.--We have scarcely had a rumor to-day. Neither railroad trains nor mails from Richmond for several days. Several thousand cavalry in the Valley. No other troops.
Tuesday, June 24.--No railroad train yet, and all the news we have had from the east for about a week has been brought by persons traveling on horseback.
On the 26th and 27th we heard heavy cannonading, indicating a conflict near Richmond.
Friday, June 27.--The battle was renewed this morning, and at the last account, (by telegraph), was raging all along the line. At least one hundred thousand men are arrayed on each side. What multitudes are now passing into eternity, and how many more are at this moment writhing in pain on the bloody ground!
Monday afternoon, June 30--The battle near Richmond was
continued on yesterday. Cannonading distinctly heard in this
place. We have no details of the fight since Friday, but
telegraphic dispatches received to-day state that the Federal
army was retreating towards the James River. The reports are
encouraging for our side. Eight members of the Staunton Guard
wounded, besides the
Wednesday morning, July 2,--Very heavy and rapid cannonading, was kept up yesterday evening till long after dark. We heard it dis- tinctly at our house. [The distance by air line is about a hundred miles.] A telegraphic dispatch between 9 and 10 o'clock last night stated that the enemy was defeated again on Monday, and that there was every prospect of capturing, or routing, the whole army. But the newspaper accounts never come up to the telegraphic reports. The battle has been raging for a week. The railroad train came rolling through from Richmond yesterday.
Friday morning, July 4.-- * * I am certain of this only, that the enemy has been repulsed, losing several thousand men in killed, wounded and prisoners, and some cannon, etc.; and that our loss is also heavy.
Monday morning, July 7.--A great variety of reports from Richmond since Friday, but no reliable intelligence. At one time we hear that the greater part of the Federal army is surrounded and will certainly be captured, [there was a rumor yesterday that 50,000 had been taken], and immediately afterwards it is asserted that it has effected its escape. The latter I believe to be true. McClellan has, no doubt, at last reached a position on James river, where his transports and gunboats are, his columns a good deal shattered, but not seriously reduced in numbers. We have about five thousand prisoners, (besides the wounded left on the field),including one Major-General and four or five Brigadiers. No estimate has yet been made of the slain.
Tuesday, July 8--Yesterday a poor woman who lives in town heard that her husband, a soldier in the Fifty-second regiment, had been killed. Her wailings, which were kept up for an hour or two, were most distressing.
Monday, July 14.--For several days we have had no intelligence in regard to the war, from any quarter. Yesterday afternoon, how- ever, a report came by railroad that the Yankees were in considerable force at Culpeper Courthouse.
Thursday, July 17.--The town as quiet all this week as if no war were raging in the land. No railroad train since Monday, and no news from any quarter. Brown sugar selling in Staunton at 75 cents a pound. No coffee here for sale, but selling elsewhere at $2 a pound.
Friday, July 25--A report this morning of skirmish at Luray yesterday, in which we captured twenty-five men, ten wagons, etc. * * To all appearance Richmond is more closely invested now than before the late battles.
Monday, July 28--The prisoners, etc., captured at Luray arrived last evening. Jackson has been collecting his forces in the neighborhood of Gordonsville. He is said to have about 15,000, but receiving reinforcements. His ranks very much reduced by sickness, "absence without leave," etc.
Friday Morning, August 1.--This morning, while sitting in my office, I heard a sound of lamentation. Upon going out I found the noise proceeded from an upper room in the courthouse. A negro woman informed me that it was a soldier crying because he had to go to the war! He was brought in under the conscript act. Poor fellow! Although I pitied him, there was something very ludicrous in his wailings. Several men and women stood in the street, some laughing and others denouncing the recruit.*
*The ancient Romans would not have considered the lamentations of the young recruit at all ridiculous. Julius Caesar relates that even the veterans of his Tenth Legion bewailed aloud and shed tears when ordered to march against the Germans.
Saturday, August 9.--According to report, Jackson's army is pressing towards Culpeper Courthouse, the enemy falling back. Federal officers are said to be rigidly enforcing Pope's order in the lower Valley, requiring all persons over fourteen years of age to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, or move outside the Federal lines, with their clothes only.
News of the battle of Cedar Mountain was received on August 10th,
but, as usual, reliable details were not obtained till several
days afterwards. Several railroad trains with wounded soldiers
arrived on the 12th and 13th, among them fifty Federal soldiers.
A young man named
Monday, August 11.--Passing the court-house yard a while ago I observed a number of persons standing before several "blue jackets" stretched Upon the grass. These latter turned out to be deserters from the Yankee army in the lower Valley. A dozen of them arrived here last evening.
Wednesday August 13.--Twenty-one deserters from the Federal army came in to-day.
Monday, August 18.--We hear that troops are pouring in to both sides on the line of the Rapidan. * * There is a great stir among persons liable to military service under the conscript act.
Wednesday, August 20.--A number of Marylanders, who have come off in consequence of the draft ordered by the Federal Government, have arrived here. Quite a cavalcade of them came into town a while ago. The railroad trains again used for army transportation; we have had no regular mails for a week.
Friday, August 29.--We hear of vigorous movements in northwest
Virginia by our rangers, etc.
Monday, September 1.--Many rumors for several days past, but no reliable intelligence. A report last night that a battle occurred on Friday at Manassas.
This was the bloody battle of "Second Manassas." Among the slain
were
*
By September 8, the Confederate army was in Maryland, and recruits were again passing through Staunton. Jackson captured Harper's Ferry with many prisoners, etc., and the battle of Boonsboro was fought.
Wednesday, September 24.--All the wounded men who can walk have been creeping up from Winchester, trying to get to their homes. Staunton is full of them. Many look very forlorn, hands and arms hurt, faces bound up, badly clad, barefooted and dirty.
September 25.--Last night the town was overflowing with wounded soldiers from the army and recruits going down.
Saturday night, September 27.--Late this evening nearly five hundred Yankee prisoners were brought up from Winchester. They marched four abreast. It was pitiful to see so many human beings led or driven along like sheep. Troops have been moving down the Valley from this point nearly every day this week. Most of the wounded who have arrived here have been forwarded to Richmond. Others continue to come, however. Night before last the town was alive with them. They were fed as far as possible, by citizens.
Thursday, October 2.--An ambulance train laden with wounded soldiers has come in from Winchester. From the number of Northern vehicles in the train one might suppose that the Federal army was passing along. * * The number of ambulances arrived and on the road this side of Mt. Sidney is said to be two hundred and twenty-five.
Wednesday, October 8.--The scene at the railroad depot this morning was in striking contrast to those of former times. Many wounded soldiers were going home on furlough or discharge,--some on two crutches, others on one, and several supported by two men each. A poor fellow came limping along, using a rough staff in place of one of his legs, which was wounded. One leg of his pants was cut off at the knee, and the other was slit open so as to expose the bare limb. What clothing he had on was dirty, as usual with most soldiers returning from the army.
Monday, October 13.--There was a distribution of public salt today. Considerable crowd and pressure. One pound allowed to each individual. Several wagons went through town to-day on their way to Kanawha county for salt. News was received on the l3th, of Stuart's cavalry excursion into Pennsylvania, capture of Chambersburg, etc.
Saturday, October 18.--A dreadful railroad accident at Ivy, Albemarle county, a few days ago, to a train bringing soldiers up this way. Seven or eight men killed and sixty or seventy wounded. But what of this at a time when men are killed by hundreds and thousands every day! Soldiers still pressing through the town to the army. Provisions of all kinds scarce and prices high. Flour, $14 per barrel;butter, 75 cents per pound; clothing very difficult to get.
Wednesday, October 22.--We have more to fear from the scarcity of subsistence and clothing than from the Federal armies. * * Felt hats sell for $10 to $l5. The price for making a pair of common shoes is from $5.50 to $6. The cannon of twenty-three dismantled artillery companies have been sent to Staunton. Up to a few days ago, 13,000 recruits for General Lee's army had passed through town since the battles in Maryland.
Friday, October 31.--Rumors for several days past that our army is falling back from Winchester or going into eastern Virginia. It is said that Jackson is to remain in the Valley this side of Winchester. Troops still going down.
Friday, November 7.--A long trail of ambulances with sick soldiers just arrived from Winchester. * * General expectation that the war will close in a short time, either from European intervention, or a change of feeling in the Northern people.
Wednesday, November 12.--Yankees said to be at Shenandoah mountain, twenty-six miles from Staunton. * * The South Carolina cavalry regiment, which has been in the vicinity of town for some time past, went out just now to see after the enemy. They passed through town and made an imposing display.
Monday, November 17.--Our cavalry have returned from Highland (across the Shenandoah mountain), and report that no Yankees are in that region this side of the Alleghany mountain. * * More than a hundred Yankee prisoners were brought up the Valley yesterday. A hundred or more on the 13th.
Thursday, November 20.--Yankees in Highland,--Millroy and Kelley,--committing great depredations in Crab Bottom. Several Yankee prisoners on parole are walking about our streets, one strapping fellow in Zouave uniform,--red pants, etc.
Tuesday, November 25.--The scene has greatly changed. The enemy under Burnside are opposite Fredericksburg, demanding the surrender of the place. General Lee is there commanding our forces. Jackson and D. H. Hill have moved from the Valley in the same direction.
Intelligence of the battle of Fredericksburg was received on December 12th, 13th, and continuously to the 23rd.
Tuesday night, December 23.--As an incident of the times, I mention that a milliner of Staunton went to Baltimore recently to purchase goods, taking a female companion with her. The goods had to "run the blockade," in other words, to be smuggled across the lines, and the two women returned, each concealing a large number of bonnet frames under her hood and wearing any quantity of dresses and cloaks.
Thursday night, December 25.--Upon joining a crowd near the courthouse, I learned that the sentinels had 1ast night halted citizens on the streets, and ordered them not to pass unless they were going to their homes. We all agreed that it was a high-handed usurpation, which should not be submitted to. So we addressed a communication to Colonel D., the commander of the post, inquiring if the guard had acted in pursuance of orders, and if so, whether the proceeding, was to be continued to-night. He stated in his reply that the guard were inexperienced and had misunderstood their instructions. The paper sent him, however, showed that the Provost Marshal was present at one of the street corners, and required the sentinel to use gun when necessary to arrest passers-by.
Friday night, December 26.--At a sale near town to-day, corn went off at $3.60 a bushel, oats $2.05, bran $1.05, and other things in proportion.
Sunday night, January 4,1863.--Returning from the cemetery this morning I walked over the hill and through the grounds where deceased soldiers are buried. The number of graves has greatly increased since I was there last. It was almost appalling to see the rows of graves recently dug waiting with gaping mouths for the still living victims. The sight brought before me vividly the sufferings of the soldiers dying in military hospitals, far from home and kindred, and all the horrors of a time of war.
Friday night, January 30.--A general impression that the war will soon be over.
February 7.--A number of deserters from the Federal army opposite Fredericksburg have arrived here within a few days past.
February 23.--The money value of a day's rations for one hundred soldiers, formerly about $9, is now at market prices more than $123. Coffee $3.50 to $4, and sugar $1 a pound; butter $1.75.
By March 11th, flour had gone up in Staunton to $25 a barrel, bacon $1 a pound, indicating " either a time of famine or an utterly ruinous depreciation of the currency."
Early in 1863, the people of Staunton relied upon Confederate candles "for light in their dwellings at night. Candlewick was dipped in melted wax and resin, and wrapped around a stick, one end being passed through a wire loop fastened to the stick. The end of the wick burned freely when lighted, but the illumination was very feeble, and unless the candle were watched, and the wick drawn through the loop and trimmed every few minutes, the whole affair was soon aflame.
March 27.--At an auction sale yesterday, common dinner plates brought $3.75 a piece. Many persons have had their glass and chinaware broken up since the war began, and there is a great demand for such articles.
Saturday, April 11.--The Thirty-first and part of the Twenty-fifth Virginia regiments arrived to-day and go to join Imboden at the Shenandoah mountain. The remainder of the Twenty-fifth is expected tonight. It is probable that a movement is on foot to procure cattle in the northwestern part of the State.