Wednesday 24th [July 1861]
In the Presidents official report to the War Department he says that not over fifteen thousand of our troops were engaged in the battle at Manassas and about thirty thousand of the enemy. They have from eight to ten thousand killed and taken prisoners. Our loss is about fifteen hundred.
We took thirty seven pieces of cannon and arms enough to arm the state of Maryland.
Edward Fontaine was killed in the battle on Sunday. Three of the Blackford boys were engaged. All are safe.
Mr. Hill called to take letters over the border. He has gone to Maryland on secret service.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 23, 1861
Tuesday 23d [July 1861]
We only pursued the enemy as far as Centerville on Sunday.
Gen' Beauregard commanded the right wing, Gen' Johnson the left and Jeff Davis the center.
President Davis sent the following telegram to his wife.
"We have won a glorious but dear bought victory. The night closed with the enemy in full flight pursued by our troops".
In two of our Virginia regiments every officer above the rank of Lieut' was killed. We fought in the open field and not behind intrenchments.
Oh what suffering there must be among those poor wounded soldiers. Wish I was fit to go and help nurse them. I am trying to raise a little money to buy a few comforts for them.
Am disappointed that our troops only pursued the enemy to Centerville. I had hoped they were now in Alexandria.
Will went over last night to tell Mrs. Temple that Gen' Holmes's command was not engaged that her mind might be relieved about her sons.
Nannie Belle cut her thumb slightly with the scissors yesterday. The sight of the blood made her very sick and she came near fainting. She is exactly like her father.
Received a letter from Dick. He is at Burrels bay on James river.
We only pursued the enemy as far as Centerville on Sunday.
Gen' Beauregard commanded the right wing, Gen' Johnson the left and Jeff Davis the center.
President Davis sent the following telegram to his wife.
"We have won a glorious but dear bought victory. The night closed with the enemy in full flight pursued by our troops".
In two of our Virginia regiments every officer above the rank of Lieut' was killed. We fought in the open field and not behind intrenchments.
Oh what suffering there must be among those poor wounded soldiers. Wish I was fit to go and help nurse them. I am trying to raise a little money to buy a few comforts for them.
Am disappointed that our troops only pursued the enemy to Centerville. I had hoped they were now in Alexandria.
Will went over last night to tell Mrs. Temple that Gen' Holmes's command was not engaged that her mind might be relieved about her sons.
Nannie Belle cut her thumb slightly with the scissors yesterday. The sight of the blood made her very sick and she came near fainting. She is exactly like her father.
Received a letter from Dick. He is at Burrels bay on James river.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 22, 1861
Monday 22nd [July 1861]
All the cars were sent for last night to come at once to Richmond. We suppose they are to be put on the Central road to carry more troops to Manassas.
Papa, cousin Dabney and cousin Charles hurried off last night. in all probability there will not be another train for some days.
There was an officer here last night who was in the fight at Bull run. He says that the South Carolinians after firing threw down their muskets and charged with their bowie knives seizing the Yankees by the collar and cutting them down.
Papa saw a gentleman yesterday just from Washington. He said that many members of Congress and others went in carriages to see the fight last Thursday.
A company of five hundred cavalry are to pass through here to day on their way to Manassas. The Hampton Brigade of S. C.
12 pm
More news! More good news! Will has just come to tell me. The battle yesterday was more extensive than we thought. It extended along our whole line. The enemy are routed and we are in hot pursuit. Thank God, thank God. I hope it is all true. What would not I give to hear that they are now on Arlington Hights.
There was great loss on both sides, so the telegram runs. Is a victory worth the loss of so many of our good and brave men?
Shermans battery, their brag battery was taken at the point of the bayonet by our Lynchburg volunteers.
All the cars were sent for last night to come at once to Richmond. We suppose they are to be put on the Central road to carry more troops to Manassas.
Papa, cousin Dabney and cousin Charles hurried off last night. in all probability there will not be another train for some days.
There was an officer here last night who was in the fight at Bull run. He says that the South Carolinians after firing threw down their muskets and charged with their bowie knives seizing the Yankees by the collar and cutting them down.
Papa saw a gentleman yesterday just from Washington. He said that many members of Congress and others went in carriages to see the fight last Thursday.
A company of five hundred cavalry are to pass through here to day on their way to Manassas. The Hampton Brigade of S. C.
12 pm
More news! More good news! Will has just come to tell me. The battle yesterday was more extensive than we thought. It extended along our whole line. The enemy are routed and we are in hot pursuit. Thank God, thank God. I hope it is all true. What would not I give to hear that they are now on Arlington Hights.
There was great loss on both sides, so the telegram runs. Is a victory worth the loss of so many of our good and brave men?
Shermans battery, their brag battery was taken at the point of the bayonet by our Lynchburg volunteers.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 21, 1861
Sunday 21st [July 1861]
Our victory has is even more decided than we at first thought it to be. We have only sixty one killed and badly wounded. The enemy lost over one thousand. They sent a flag of truce to ask permission to bury their dead.
Twelve thousand of Gen' Johnson's command from Winchester under Gen' Jackson have effected a junction with Beauregard and are on their way to Alexandria. God speed them.
Papa came up last night. He and Will and Nannie Belle have gone down to Farley Vale in a carriage to see Mama. No one here but cousin John and myself.
Distant firing has been heard all day.
Our victory has is even more decided than we at first thought it to be. We have only sixty one killed and badly wounded. The enemy lost over one thousand. They sent a flag of truce to ask permission to bury their dead.
Twelve thousand of Gen' Johnson's command from Winchester under Gen' Jackson have effected a junction with Beauregard and are on their way to Alexandria. God speed them.
Papa came up last night. He and Will and Nannie Belle have gone down to Farley Vale in a carriage to see Mama. No one here but cousin John and myself.
Distant firing has been heard all day.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 20, 1861
Saturday July 20th [1861]
Hurrah! We have beat the Yankees. On the 18th our out posts retreated as the enemy advanced until they came to Bull run, about four miles from Manassas, where they made a stand.
The Federal troops numbered about ten thousand under Gen' McDowell and the Confederates were but seven thousand.
The enemy were repulsed three times with consideral loss, about five or six hunder. Our loss was not more than sixty.
Gen' Beauregard commanded in person.
Cousin Nanny and the children arrived here last night. Cousin Dabney will be up to night with Papa.
They left Santa Fe the 26th of May and did not stop one day on the way. They were forty days in crossing the plains in uncovered wagon and camped out every night. They look like Indians they are so burned. Cousin Nanny tells us they had no wood on the plains, but used "buffaloa chips".
The Confederate Congress met to day.
Hurrah! We have beat the Yankees. On the 18th our out posts retreated as the enemy advanced until they came to Bull run, about four miles from Manassas, where they made a stand.
The Federal troops numbered about ten thousand under Gen' McDowell and the Confederates were but seven thousand.
The enemy were repulsed three times with consideral loss, about five or six hunder. Our loss was not more than sixty.
Gen' Beauregard commanded in person.
Cousin Nanny and the children arrived here last night. Cousin Dabney will be up to night with Papa.
They left Santa Fe the 26th of May and did not stop one day on the way. They were forty days in crossing the plains in uncovered wagon and camped out every night. They look like Indians they are so burned. Cousin Nanny tells us they had no wood on the plains, but used "buffaloa chips".
The Confederate Congress met to day.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 19, 1861
Friday 19th [July 1861]
The Arkansas and Tennessee regiments went up to Manassas yesterday morning, leaving no troops at the Creek except a few Fredericksburg companies.
There is no train from Richmond this morning. All the cars have been put upon the Central road to carry troops to Manassas.
General Lee has gone to Western Virginia.
Papa writes urging us to go up to cousin Frank Minors. But Mama is sick at Farley Vale, and cannot come here even.
Capt Hollins has charge of the defenses on James river. Dick is with him.
Papa says as things are now we must have something decisive very soon. God help us and give victory to the right.
Mr. Corbin is first mate at Smiths Battery on Potomac creek.
The Arkansas and Tennessee regiments went up to Manassas yesterday morning, leaving no troops at the Creek except a few Fredericksburg companies.
There is no train from Richmond this morning. All the cars have been put upon the Central road to carry troops to Manassas.
General Lee has gone to Western Virginia.
Papa writes urging us to go up to cousin Frank Minors. But Mama is sick at Farley Vale, and cannot come here even.
Capt Hollins has charge of the defenses on James river. Dick is with him.
Papa says as things are now we must have something decisive very soon. God help us and give victory to the right.
Mr. Corbin is first mate at Smiths Battery on Potomac creek.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 18, 1861
Thursday 18th [July 1861]
Col. Pegram with two hundred and fifty men made a stand for several hours at Rich mountain against five thousand of the enemy.
Col. Pegram with two hundred and fifty men made a stand for several hours at Rich mountain against five thousand of the enemy.
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