14th. Sent forage to the Regt. Maj. Seward came with four companies from Belle Plains. Gave several some dinner. Maj. Seward remained with us, unable to ride further. Regt. near Todd’s Tavern. No news from the army. Report that it is swinging round to the left. Some fighting in Burnside’s Corps.

May 15

       Mr Grimball sent Adam to Columbia to bring the box to us. We have now opened it and find 2 pieces of beautiful long cloth, 18 yds white cambric, 2 doz spools of white cotton, 1 do black, 6 papers pins, a large supply of needles put up in a glass bottle, 1 piece linnen , 4 dresses, black poplin cloth for a suit for Mr Grimball 28 yds. white flannel, a hat for Mr G. shoes, high & thick soled & slippers 2 pair shoes for Harry, 1 pair for each of the girls, & 1 for me & 3 pair of slippers for the girls. The shoes are rather tight but very much needed, and we feel how kind and sensible this good child has been in his selections. I have sent 9 yds of long cloth, 3 yds. linnen , 3 yds. flannel, 2 papers pins, 2 spools cotton, 1 paper needles to the Wilkinses. John said he wished them sent sent something if we could spare it out of the box.

       I gave each of the women servants a yd of long cloth to make an apron & 1 yd to Adam; to Mrs Irwin our land lady I gave a half paper small pins do large, 2 yds long cloth, 1 yd flannel for her baby.

       This long cloth costs now $8 per yd if not more, flannel must be from $10 to 15, linnen $25 per yard. Shoes such as we have $75 a pair, spool cotton $2 for one. I am very thankful as John did send us these things they got to us safe, so many people lose their boxes. The Church has been Consecrated, & the Council has met here. John Elliott staid with us, a very pleasant visit, he is a pious & successful M. preacher in Anderson, where he has a Church.—

Washington May 14/64

We hear nothing but confirmatory news today of what we had yesterday. At last accounts the rebel Army was fleeing before the Union troops. It is said that their retreat has become a rout. We hear today from Sherman in Georgia. He has taken Dalton and some 5000 prisoners and a large number of Cannon and small arms. Success attends our Armies everywhere as far as heard from since the Campaigns opened in V.A. [and] Georgia. Gen^l Banks has made a complete failure of his Expedition up the Red River and lost largely in men and Stores. But that is of little account compared with the importance of operations near to us here. We think that Lee^s army is crushed, or nearly so. Those who are somewhat more sanguine than myself believe that the War is nearly over. About Eight thousand Prisoners arrived here today and about four hundred Officers (rebel) have been sent to Fort Delaware for confinement. Those Prisoners that have been sent here I suppose will be sent further North. Over twelve thousand of our wounded soldiers have arrived and been placed in Hospital[s]. Most of them are but slightly wounded, and will be sent back to the Army in two or three weeks, probably two thirds of them or at least one half should never have left, for many are but slightly injured and some, not at all. Fredericksburg is one great Hospital. It is said that the inhabitants (rebel) are very kind to our wounded opening their houses voluntarily and nursing them. This report may not prove true. I hope it is true.  I was on the Ave this afternoon. I thought I had never seen it so much Crowded with people and vehicles. The weather is delightfully Cool. No mud and no dust (as it rained yesterday) and everybody seemed to be out. The ladies were showing their spring dresses & hats and being gazed at by the loungers and criticized or admired as the “fixings” struck the fancy of the crowd. Great crowds were at the Bulletin boards gazing most intently at the big Capitals and astonishing announcements of Glorious Victories &c. Patriotic men were smiling and shaking hands and feeling well everywhere. I meet some men everyday whose countenances indicate the state of rebel prospects, with as much accuracy as the Barometer does the weather. Today some of them in their attempts to Smile at the good news only bitterly grined. No one dares openly to express disunion, or disloyal sentiment. The guard house or the old Capitol would be their portion at once if more summary punishment was not meted out on the spot. But in our midst and all around us are those whose hearts are with the South in this great contest. When treason could be talked aloud here they talked it. Policy, and self preservation now only keeps them silent. Many of them are shrewd mony making men, and strange as it may appear the Gov^t is frequently found to be their best customer. They are all doomed to be overwhelmed as regards their political influence here by the universal “Yankee.” Washington will soon be governed and purified by “Yankees” and the day is near at hand.

MAY 14th.—Warm, with alternate sunshine and showers.

With the dawn recommenced the heavy boom of cannon down the river. It was rumored this morning that our right wing at Drewry’s Bluff had been flanked, but no official information has been received of the progress of the fight. I saw a long line of ambulances going in that direction.

To-day it is understood that the battle of Petersburg will be fought by Beauregard, if he be not withheld from attacking the enemy by orders from Richmond.

We have been beaten, or rather badly foiled here, by orders from high authority; and it is said Gen. Ransom finds himself merely an instrument in the hands of those who do not know how to use him skillfully.

The enemy is said to have made a bridge across the James River, either to come on the north side, or to enable the raiders to reach them. They are also planting torpedoes, for our iron rams. They are not yet ready.

Gen. Lee is prosecuting the defensive policy effectively. Couriers to the press, considered quite reliable, give some details of a most terrific battle in Spottsylvania County day before yesterday, 12th inst. Our men (with extra muskets) fought behind their breastworks. The host of assailants came on, stimulated by whisky rations, ten deep, and fearful was the slaughter. Their loss is estimated at 20,000; ours, 2000. The enemy were still in front. Grant says he will not recross the Rappahannock as long as he has a man left. Lee seems determined to kill his last man.

A great deal of time is said to have been consumed in cabinet council, making selections for appointments. It is a harvest for hunters after brigadier and major-generalships. The President is very busy in this business, and Secretary Seddon is sick—neuralgia.

Last night Custis came home on a furlough of twelve hours. He got a clean shirt, and washed himself—not having had his shoes or clothes off for more than a week. He has not taken cold, though sleeping in the water, and not having dry clothes on him for several days. And his appetite is excellent.   He departed again for camp, four miles off, at 5 ½ A.M., bringing and taking out his gun, his heavy cartridge-box, and well-filled haversack (on his return).

Half-past four o’clock P.M. A tremendous cannonade is now distinctly heard down the river, the intonations resembling thunder. No doubt the monitors are engaged with the battery at Drewry’s Bluff. It may be a combined attack.

Gen. Pemberton has resigned his commission; but the President has conferred on him a lieutenant-colonelcy of artillery. Thus the feelings of all the armies and most of the people are outraged; for, whether justly or not, both Pemberton and Bragg, to whom the President clings with tenacity, are especially obnoxious both to the people and the army. May Heaven shield us! Yet the President may be right.

Every one looks as if he had passed through a hard spell of sickness, black and muddy as hogs.

IN LINE OF BATTLE NEAR SPOTSYLVANIA
COURT HOUSE, VA., May 14, 1864.

My Dear Folks:
Through the kind providence of the Almighty God I have come out so far safe and sound and am spared once more to gladden your hearts by writing you. I scarcely know what to write you about or where to commence. Pen cannot describe or words relate the many adventures which we have passed through during the past ten days. We have been fighting to-day, makes eleven days and we have repulsed and whipped the Yankees every time they have attacked us. God only knows how much longer the battle will last, but if we are as successful in the future as we thus far have been, Grant may continue the battle for a month so far as I care. In that time I don’t think he will have a single man left. His loss up to the present time is estimated at seventy thousand. Our loss is comparatively small, as we fought them most of the time in our breastworks. Last Sunday is the first time our brigade had any regular engagement with the enemy, though we had charged them several times and run them from their positions without firing a gun.

Last Sunday about 8 o’clock it was ascertained that the Yankees had made a flank movement and were making for Richmond by Spotsylvania Court House. We were almost worn out with fatigue from marching or loss of sleep when we started from this place to front them. I don’t think I ever saw a hotter day in all my life. The men were fainting by the dozens, and very frequently one would drop dead in his tracks from overheat. The distance was about eighteen miles. We had gotten in about six miles of the place, when Gen. Ramseur rode down the line with a dispatch from Gen. Longstreet stating that he had repulsed the enemy with heavy loss, and that if the troops could hold out to get there in time to meet the second attack, in case the enemy made one, everything would be right.

He appealed to his brigade to know if they would go. The answer was a shout that we would. Some of the men were so tired and worn out they could hardly halloo. I was among that number, when in about three miles of this place I was forced to drop from overheat, and the brigade left me. I never hated anything so bad in all my life before, so much as to be left behind as then. The brigade had left about an hour when I heard the enemy’s cannon open. It was like an electric shock to me, I bounced up and determined to go or die. I threw away everything I had but my gun and accoutrements, including three days’ rations that I had not tasted since drawing them (without thinking where I was to get any more), and caught up with the brigade in about fifteen minutes before we charged the enemy and fought them until after dark. Our loss this night was small. The night was spent in building our breastworks.

Last Thursday though is the day that will be remembered by both armies as long as one man is left to tell the tale. At daylight they attacked the line a little to our right, drove our men out of both lines of breastworks and the result was hanging in the scales when our brigade was taken from one position and moved around in front of them. The stars and stripes were floating proudly all along our works when the order was given to “forward without firing.” We commenced moving up pretty briskly, when our men commenced falling so fast, that the order was given to “double quick.” No sooner said than done. We rushed forward with a yell and took the first line of works like a flash. We remained there long enough to fire a round or two and clear the way in front of us, when the order came to charge the other. We took that also with a large number of prisoners, then the fight commenced in earnest. It was a continuous charge and a war of musketry from that time, nine o’clock, until three o’clock in the morning, when we evacuated that line for another which had been established and fortified during the night. There is not a man in this brigade who will ever forget the sad requiem, which those minie balls sung over the dead and dying for twenty-two long hours; they put one in mind of some musical instrument; some sounded like wounded men crying; some like humming of bees; some like cats in the depth of the night, while others cut through the air with only a “Zip” like noise. I know it to be the hottest and the hardest fought battle that has even been on this continent. You would hardly recognize any of us at present. Every one looks as if he had passed through a hard spell of sickness, black and muddy as hogs. There was no one too nice that day to drop himself behind the breastworks. Brigadiers and Colonels lay as low in the trench and water as the men. It rained all that day and night, and the water was from three to six inches deep all along. If it had been winter the last man would have been frozen. I am too worn out to write anything of any interest. I am about half dead yet, as is every one else from the effects of the cannonading. My love to all, and believe me, your sincere son,

WALTER.

Letters from two brothers who served in the 4th North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War are available in a number of sources online.  Unfortunately, the brothers are misidentified in some places as Walter Lee and George Lee when their names were actually Walter Battle and George Battle. See The Battle Brothers for more information on the misidentification.

May, Saturday 14, 1864

Miss Em and I slept until almost 12 o’clock—I finished Emie’s dress after getting up, Miss Em cut out her new Calico and run on the skirt. No Yankees today, neither have we seen a Confederate—Joanna and Anna Nelson went in this morning with the wagon to get supplies, as this is the last day the lines will be open. All of them got back safe with a permit for all they wanted. Tate came out with all of Helen’s Bridal trosseau—still no decisive news from Virginia—papers all suppressed, which appears rather ominous—Oh! heaven hear the humble, and heart rending prayers of our poor suffering South,—drive the wicked Northman from our soile , protect and guide my Bros safely through, may they do their duty nobly—bless my poor old Father—I am miserable, what is to become of me—

May 14, 1864, Daylight.

We have just been in line and the intention was to charge the Rebel position, but two batteries were discovered in front of us. The skirmishers advanced a little and brought down a heavy fire. A battery is now getting into position in our front, right in front of our company, and when it opens I expect we will have another rain of shell from the Rebels.

Nine thirty-five a.m.—Our battery has opened, but the Rebels cannot reply. Four of their guns are in plain sight of us, but our brigade skirmishers have crawled up so close that not a Rebel dare load one of them. Joke on them! One of my men was struck on the foot while talking to me a few minutes ago. Made a blue spot, but did not break the skin.

Eleven forty-five a.m.—I think our regiment has not had more than six or eight wounded this morning. Very heavy musketry firing is going on on our left. It is the 14th Corps.

Two p.m.—Since 1 p.m. terrific artillery and musketry firing has been going on on our left. The enemy was massing against the 14th A. C. when Thomas attacked them. I think he drove them some distance.

Two thirty p.m.—My company is ordered to be deployed and sent down the hill to support skirmishers. We are in position, very lively firing is going on.

Five p.m.—A splendid artillery duel is going on right over my head. The Rebel battery is just across an open field, not 600 yards, and one of ours is a short 100 yards in my rear. Osterhaus a half mile on our right is playing on the same battery. Thomas is still fighting heavily. He seems to be turning their right or forcing it back. Every time the Rebels fire our skirmishers just more than let them have the bullets. I tell you this is the most exciting show I ever saw. Their battery is right in the edge of the woods, but so masked that we can’t see it, or wouldn’t let them load. I write under cover of a stump which a dead man of the 26th Indiana shares with me.

Eight p.m.—Just relieved; I lost no men. The fighting on the left was Hooker and Howard, and was very heavy.

Friday, 13th–I went out as corporal of the picket this evening at 5 o’clock. There was in all a detail of one hundred and twelve sent out from the two regiments, besides the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The guards are stationed from one to two miles from camp, where the cattle are corralled.

Friday, 13th.—Last night, just before dark, had orders to leave camp; built up big fires at dark and moved out; marched all night in direction of Resacca. Everything indicates a retreat. Some skirmishing back about Dalton. 11 A. M., Federals two miles below Dalton. Formed in line of battle at 12 M., but soon moved on; 4 P. M., formed in line of battle two miles from Resacca. Threw up breast works.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

May 13th. Rain continues. No prospect of a let up. I helped our wagoner, Wm. Wetmore to water the mules. Had to go about a half mile from our camp. My first ride on a mule. Rode one and led others. We are wondering if it will ever stop raining. Wet through. Must attend to our duty and sleep on the wet ground. Mud, mud, Virginia mud. Sticks like glue. Rain, rain.

May 13.—General Stuart died of his wounds last night, twenty-four hours after he was shot. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and expressed to the Rev. Dr. Peterkin his resignation to the will of God. After much conversation with his friends and Dr. P., and joining them in a hymn which he requested should be sung, he calmly resigned his redeemed spirit to the God who gave it. Thus passed away our great cavalry general, just one year after the immortal Jackson. This seems darkly mysterious to us, but God’s will be done. The funeral took place this evening, from St. James’s Church. My duty to the living prevented my attending it, for which I am very sorry; but I was in the hospital from three o’clock until eight, soothing the sufferers in the only way I could, by fanning them, bathing their wounds, and giving them a word of comfort. Mr. –– and others of our household were at the funeral. They represent the scene as being very imposing.

13th. Comparatively quiet today. Christ’s brigade, Pa. and Mich. 9th Corps badly cut up in a charge. Com. killed beef and took to the command. Saw a paper of the 11th. Forage train arrived.

Washington May 13^th 1864

The news from the Army today is more cheering than ever. Lee^s RRoad communications have all been cut and it is considered an almost sure thing that his Army will be destroyed or at least scattered. One Division of his Army was defeated yesterday by Gen^l Hancock, four thousand rebel prisoners and forty guns (cannon) and a large number of small arms were captured, with and including on[e] Major Gen^l and four Brigadiers. We have nothing from Richmond today. At last accounts Gen^l Butler was attacking Fort Darling, seven miles below Richmond. There has been a good deal of excitement in the City today in consequence of the news. Every one (excepting the realy rebellious) feels well and elated. We have grasped the shadow so often. We now feel that we have the substance.

MAY 13th.—Cloudy and showery all day.

Last night my youngest son Thomas came in, furloughed (unsolicited) by his officers, who perceived his exhaustion.

The enemy disappeared in the night. We suffered most in the several engagements with him near the city. I suppose some sympathizer had furnished him with a copy of our photograph map of the fortifications and country in the vicinity.

But the joy of many, and chagrin of some at his escape so easily, was soon followed by the startling intelligence that a raid from Gen. Butler’s army had cut the Danville Road! All communication with the country from which provisions are derived is now completely at an end! And if supplies are withheld that long, this community, as well as the army, must be without food in ten days! Col. Northrop told me to-day that unless the railroads were retaken and repaired, he could not feed the troops ten days longer. And he blamed Gen. Lee for the loss of over 200,000 pounds of bacon at Beaver Dam. He says Gen. Lee ordered it there, instead of keeping it at Charlottesville or Gordonsville. Could Lee make such a blunder?

Most of the members of Congress, when not in session, hang about the door and hall of the War Department, eager for news, Mr. Hunter being the most prominent, if not the most anxious among them. But the wires are cut in all directions, and we must rely on couriers.

The wildest rumors float through the air. Every successive hour gives birth to some new tidings, and one must be near the Secretary’s table indeed to escape being misled by false reports.

For two days no dispatch has been received from Gen. Lee, although one hears of a dispatch just received from him at every corner of the streets. A courier arrived to-day from the vicinity of our army. He saw a gentleman who saw Gen. Lee’s son Robert yesterday, and was informed by him that our army was five miles nearer Fredericksburg, having driven the enemy farther down the river.

Our iron-clads—Virginia, Richmond, and Fredericksburg—I understood from Lieut. Minor, this morning, will not go out until in readiness to cope successfully with the enemy’s fleet of gun-boats and monitors. How long that will be he did not say. It may be to-day. And while I write (4 ½ P.M.) I can distinctly hear the roar of artillery down the river. It may be an engagement by land or by water, or by both; and it may be only the customary shelling of the woods by the enemy’s gun-boats. But it is very rapid sometimes.

A courier reports the raid on the Danville Road as not formidable. They are said, however, to have blown up the coal-pits. They cannot blow coal higher than our own extortionate people have done.

I directed my wife to lay out all the money about the house in provisions. She got a bushel of meal and five pounds of bacon for about $100. If we must endure another turn of the screw of famine, it is well to provide for it as well as possible. We cannot starve now, in a month; and by that time, Gens. Lee and Beauregard may come to our relief. Few others are looked to hopefully. The functionaries here might have had a six-months’ supply, by wise and energetic measures.

The President has had the Secretary of War closeted with him nearly all day. It is too late now for the evacuation of Richmond, and a desperate defense will be made. If the city falls, the consequences will be ruinous to the present government. And how could any of its members escape? Only in disguise. This is the time to try the nerves of the President and his counselors!

Gen. Bragg is very distasteful to many officers of the army; and the croakers and politicians would almost be willing to see the government go to pieces, to get rid of the President and his cabinet. Some of the members of Congress are anxious to get away, and the Examiner twits them for their cowardice. They will stay, probably.

May, Friday 13, 1864

Miss Em, Joanna, Anna Nelson, Tate’s children and Kate all went to Memphis  this morning, all returned except Mary, who they left with Tate. We have had a quiet day, comparatively speaking. No Yankees—Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pope came this evening—been up several days, no late news. Poor Mr. Harbut was captured on yesterday, at Mr. Rutland’s on the plank road, both of his fine horses captured—no news from him since he went into Memphis—Mr. Keene, who came out with Cousin Sallie, said Banks had certainly surrendered with 35,000 men—God grant it may be true—nothing deffinite from Virginia, though the slaughter has been terible on both sides. Oh! my Father in heaven, crown our Army with Victory—God give us peace, I am so weary of so much bloodshed—bless my dear Father and Brothers—

Still in Snake Creek Gap, May 13, 1864.

Moved forward a half mile and our regiment built a strong line of log works. We have had a perfect rush of generals along the line to-day: Hooker, Sickles, McPherson, Thomas, Palmer, Sherman and a dozen of smaller fry. The boys crowded around Sherman and he could not help hearing such expressions as “Where’s Pap?” “Let’s see old Pap,” etc., nor could he help laughing, either. The men think more of Sherman than of any general who ever commanded them, but they did not cheer him. I never heard a general cheered in my life, as he rode the lines. Sherman said in hearing of 50 men of our regiment, “Take it easy to-day, for you will have work enough to-morrow. It will be quick done though.” Now see what that means.

Reveille at 3 a.m. and an order has just come to leave all our knapsacks and move at 7 a.m. Great hospital preparations are going on in our rear. I think we are going to take the railroad and Resaca. Large reinforcements came last night. Could hear the Rebels running trains all night. Ten-thirty a.m.—Have moved forward about four miles. Saw General Kilpatrick laying in an ambulance by the roadside. He was wounded in the leg this morning in a skirmish. Met a number of men—wounded—moving to the rear, and a dozen or so dead horses, all shot this morning. Quite lively skirmishing is going on now about 200 yards in front of us.

One forty-five p.m.—Moved about 200 yards to the front and brought on brisk firing. [continue reading…]

Thursday, 12th–It is very foggy this morning and our camp is low and unhealthy. We had inspection this morning and then company drill for an hour. John White and I then took a walk, and going outside of the pickets, we climbed some very high bluffs and found some of the nicest springs that I have ever seen. The country is very rough and heavily timbered with chestnut and scrub oak. There are a few little clearings with log huts. Our teams went back to Clifton this morning for rations.

Thursday, 12th.—Johnston’s division and some cavalry going up railroad towards Cleveland. Drove Yanks back past Varnell’s, and then returned to Dalton.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

May 12th. A severe rain storm set in last night. Detailed for picket. Wet through. Between the rain and the mud we are in misery. Duty must be attended to. We are in the field, the enemy’s country. What sleep we can get in the mud and rain doesn’t amount to very much, as we must lie on the ground. We are enduring hardships for our country. Very little growling or complaining from the boys. Some of the boys will call out, good natured, “Boys, it is three years or during,” meaning during the war. Most generally creates a laugh, in spite of our condition. Some changes in our company. Color-sergeant Geo. W. Brady made first sergeant, Corporal Sylvanus Downer made color sergeant.

Thursday, May 12.—The cannon is now roaring in our ears. It cannot be more than three miles off. The Lord reigneth; in that is our trust. There was a severe cavalry fight yesterday morning, in which our brilliant cavalry leader, General J. E. B. Stuart, was severely wounded. He was brought to the city last night. One of his aids, our relative, Lieutenant T. S. Garnett, has told us with what difficulty they got him here; in an ambulance, going out of the way, hither and thither, to avoid the enemy; of course, every jolt inflicting intense agony. He is now at the house of his brother-in-law, Dr. Brewer, surrounded by the most efficient surgeons and devoted friends. The prayers of the community are with him.

My time, when out of the office, is much absorbed by the hospital. Many wounded are brought in from both sides of the river. This morning, as I entered St. James’s Church, I saw the smoke from the cannon distinctly. I stood for a moment on the steps and listened to the continued roaring, and felt that the contest was fearfully near to us. The prayers, hymns, psalms, and address were most comforting. God be praised for his goodness, that we are still surrounded by Christian people, and have the faith and trust of Christians. The town is as calm as if it were not the great object of desire to hundreds of thousands of implacable enemies, who desire nothing so much as its destruction.

General Lee’s telegram last night gave us an account of another repulse given General Grant, with great slaughter. “We suffered little in comparison;” such was his telegram, signed “R. E. Lee.” His signature is always cheering to oar people. For some time we had not seen it, in consequence of cut telegraphic wires. Both armies are now fortifying. The Yankees have such indomitable perseverance, that they will never give up.

12th. Orders early to move. Sent 10 teams yesterday after forage. Sent two today for rations: Went with Pike and Ed. Livingston to the front, raining quite hard. Last night Gen. Hancock moved from right to left and this morning captured a division of Rebs under Johnson–Bushrod, I hear. Several charges made to little purpose. Ed and I visited our breastworks and one battery of 15 guns, Napoleon 12 and Rifled guns. Artillery firing very heavy all along the lines. Train pulled out about 2 o’clock and moved to within 3 miles of Fredericksburg. Cut off several miles of bad roads. Camped a little after dark. Rainy night. Firing still continues.

Washington May 12^th 1864

The news from the Army continues favorable. Gen^l Grant most pertinaciously sticks to Lee driving him from one position to another and making steady progress onward towards Richmond. We have no news from the forces near Richmond today, but it is thought that all the R Roads leading there have been out and communication betwen R. and Lee^s Army destroyed. Grants Army has been much depleted. He has lost heavily in wounded and in runaways “Skedadlers” as they are called. It is thought that nearly one half of those arriving here as “wounded” before today had no sufficient reason for leaving the Army. Many of them cannot show a scratch. Today patrols are going round and picking them up and they will be sent back. Many wounded have arrived today in Steam Boats from Aquia Creek. But surgeons are immediately sent on Board as soon as the Boat arrives who examine every man before he is allowed to go on shore. The runaways are mostly the raw recruits who have but recently joined the Army, the “high bounty men” as they are called. I met D^r Mark Hopkins of W^ms College this evening at “Willards,” he has a son wounded who he intends taking home with him. He (the Son) is Cap^t of Cavalry, 1^st Mass. The Hotels are much crowded, these battles have called many people here to see about their friends in the army. Rc^d letter from my wife today and answered it. It has rained the most of the day and is thundering and raining now, 10 P.M.

MAY 12th.—Thunder, lightning, and rain all day.

The report of Gen. Lee’s victory was premature, and Butler has not gone, nor the raiders vanished. On the contrary, the latter were engaged in battle with Stuart’s division late in the afternoon, and recommenced it this morning at 3 o’clock, the enemy remaining on the ground, and still remain, some five miles from where I write. Major-Gen. J. E. B. Stuart was wounded last evening, through the kidney, and now lies in the city, in a dying condition! Our best generals thus fall around us.

The battle raged furiously; every gun distinctly heard at our house until 1 P.M.—the enemy being intrenched between our middle and outer line of works. Meantime our ambulances are arriving every hour with the wounded, coming in by the Brooke Turnpike.

The battalion my sons are in lost none of its men, though shelled by the enemy early in the morning; nor do we know that our battery did any execution. Capt. Warner delivered the provisions their mother cooked for them yesterday. He saw only Custis, who gladly received the bread, and meat, and eggs; but he and Tom were both drenched with rain, as they had no shelter yesterday. But a comrade, and one of Custis’s Latin pupils, whom I saw, returned on sick leave, says Thomas stands the fatigue and exposure better than Custis, who was complaining.

About 11 A. M. to-day there was very heavy reports of cannon heard in the direction of Drewry’s Bluff, supposed to be our battery shelling the country below, for some purpose.

I understand one or more of our iron-clads will certainly go out this evening, or to-night; we shall know it when it occurs, for the firing will soon follow.

Worked in my garden; set out corn and (yellow) tomatoes; the former given me by my neighbor, to whom I had given lettuce and beet plants.

My wife spent a miserable day, some one having reported that the Departmental Battalion was cut to pieces in the battle. When I came in, she asked me if Custis and Thomas were alive, and was exceedingly glad to know not a man in the company had been even wounded.

I shall never forget the conformation of the clouds this morning as the storm arose. There were different strata running in various directions. They came in heaviest volume from the southeast in parallel lines, like lines of battle swooping over the city. There were at the same time shorter and fuller lines from the southwest, and others from the north. The meeting of these was followed by tremendous clashes of lightning and thunder; and between the pauses of the artillery of the elements above, the thunder of artillery on earth could be distinctly heard. Oh that the strife were ended! But Richmond is to be defended at all hazards.

It is said, however, that preparations have been made for the flight of the President, cabinet, etc. up the Danville Road, in the event of the fall of the city. Yet no one fears that the present forces environing it could take it. If Lee withstands Grant another week, all will be safe. My greatest fear is the want of provisions. My wife bought a half bushel of meal; so we have a week’s supply on hand, as we were not quite out. I hope Beauregard will soon restore communication with the South.

May, Thursday 12, 1864

Miss Em and I took breakfast in our room—it was bitter cold this morning, and I have taken my stove down. Mr. Nelson very impatient, Mr. Brett arrived about 11 o’clock, had succeeded in getting a pass for Mr. N. from Gen’l Washburn, good for one week—they left about 12. We all sat in the Parlour in the morning—after dinner Miss Em and I came out to my room and spent the evening—Nannie and Emie came also. Oh! I wish they would quit speaking of the war, or Politics. Cousin Frazor was tight at dinner, and as he and Mrs. Perkins differed, he was very rough and disagreeable—we did not sit up so late. Bettie and Anna Nelson reached home safe, but very late. No important news—no news from Mr. Harbut yet—