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William J. Black's Diary Shoemaker's Artillery Battery Lynchburg October 1st 1864-- While sitting in my room after a refreshing dinner I cannot help thinking of how the boys are getting along this rainy day & I have resolved to leave the city as soon as possible. Oct. 6th-- Started from Lbg. this morn. Got acquainted with Lieut. Rock of Va. Cav.& Lieut. Goll 1 La.Infty. Had a very nice time with them. We took dinner at the Farish house. Arrived at Dirt Bridge about 7 1/2. This bridge is 2 1/2 miles from Staunton. The cars cannot run any farther on account of 7/8 of a mile of track being torn up. Got a pass to remain in Staunton until 5 P.M. Oct 12th -- Our order to leave at day break was countermanded about that time this morning. We expect now to leave at 11 o'clock which we did and encamped at Columbia Furnace. VIII 20th verse. Jesus saith unto them ,the foxes ect. ect. Oct. 17--The raiding party returned this morning having captured about 35 prisoners. We are still "in position" at Fisher's Hill. 43rd XIII there shall be. Oct.18--Remained in camp all day until 5 o'clock when the battery took up a line of march for the Yanks. Here I must drop my diary in regard to the battery and make one of my own trip. Not having seen Cousin Hat since she was married I resolved to try and get a permit to go and see her. Accordingly on applying to Capt. Shoemaker , he granted it and about 71/2 I started from camp, taking the road that led out to the pike at the 4 mile house. I arrived at Woodstock about 1 o'clock. Cousin Hat looked at me a long time before she recognized me but appeared glad to see me after the recognition. Col. Albert seemed to be a man of great business capacity. One thing I noticed so particular. Whenever he comes home after staying half the day at the office ther is always the same meeting as if he had been absent 3 months, but all the wife said, well Col. you have got back. He had been out at the farm all day. Lord, forgive our sins. Oct 20th -- We came in wagons from Stratsburg and stoped at the 4 mile tavern for about 1/2 an hour when we took our line of march for Mt. Jackson. We reached there about 7 next morning and remained until 4 1/2 and then went to New Market where we encamped. Oct 21--Shaffer and self started on a hunt for the battery. Went back to Mt.Jackson and took to Went back to Mt.Jackson and took to Forestville. On reaching the burnt mill we learned that the battery had been ordered to New Market & we retraced our steps. Went back to where the the wagons were camped & found that they had left. Took up camp.
Nov.12th- Marched in direction of New Town. Halted at dark within 1/2 mile of the enemy & marched back this side of Cedar Run.
Dec. 10th- Snow 8 inches & prospects of being deeper. Left Sagers at 8 o'clock & came to Staunton by way of Spring Hill. This little situated in Augusta is 9 miles from Staunton. The reason I mention it is because I was struck with the kindness of the people. Today has been a remarkably cold one. The wind blowing hard and & everything stiff frozen. My poor horse slips at every step, not having been roughed.
Dec. 21st- Marched to within 3 miles of Hbg. Gen. Rosser attacked the enemy at daybreak & sent them back. Camp near Harrisonburg.
Jan 14th-- Went to Staunton this morn at 4 o'clock and took cars for Way. Returned on freight train. Jan 15th-- Papers came today. Jan 16th --Started home. Jan 17th -- Arrived in Lynchburg. Diary of Joseph Waddell Second Year Of The War 1862- 1863 Went back to Mt.Jackson and took to Forestville. On reaching the burnt mill we learned that the battery had been ordered to New Market & we retraced our steps. Went back to where the the wagons were camped & found that they had left. Took up camp.
Nov.12th- Marched in direction of New Town. Halted at dark within 1/2 mile of the enemy & marched back this side of Cedar Run.
Dec. 10th- Snow 8 inches & prospects of being deeper. Left Sagers at 8 o'clock & came to Staunton by way of Spring Hill. This little situated in Augusta is 9 miles from Staunton. The reason I mention it is because I was struck with the kindness of the people. Today has been a remarkably cold one. The wind blowing hard and & everthing stiff frozen. My poor horse slips at every step, not having been roughed.
Dec. 21st- Marched to within 3 miles of Hbg. Gen. Rosser attacked the enemy at daybreak & sent them back. Camp near Harrisonburg.
Nov. 12th- Marched in direction of New Town. Halted at dark within 1/2 mile of the enemy & marched back this side of Cedar Run.
Diary of Joseph Waddell Second Year Of The War 1862- 1863
On Thursday night April 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,ammuntion,cannon,and other arms,besides the ordinaryquarter master and commissary stores.
April 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.
April 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 7th-- 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 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 calvary, about 800 passed through in the afternoon, and camped on the Buffalo Gap road .
Monday morning,May 9th -- tidings came of McDowell, in Highland County. A number of the wounded in battle were brough in on the 10th ,and also the corpses of eight or ten of the slain. "These poor fellows were from Geargia, and thier comrades are sending the remains home.
Friday night,May 16th--Part of Jackson's army is at Striblings's Springs. Some of the calvary is in town.
May 29 --There were about thirteen hundred sick and wounded soldiers in the military hospital here.
June 7th -- We heard the sad news that Ashby was dead.
June 11th--A rumor this morning hat the Yan-kees were coming this way, crossing North river at Mt. Crawford, and another, that Fremount was retreating. From 9,000 to 11,000 reinforcements are on the way to Jackson.
Tuesday night, June 17.--Many troops arrived and others to-day. Whiting's brigadeand 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 houseapplying for something to eat. They threaten us to famine, and to-night I was obliged to refuse a request for supper, lodging, and breakfast for five who applied in a batch. The commisary is well enough supplied, but the men like something better than campfare. The more respectable soldiers fare worse than others, as they do not forage to the same extent.
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 fromHarrisonburg. All but three wounded, and all but three dutch.
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