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May 3-9
We start to church but hear on our way that a dispatch has come saying we may look out for the Yanks during the day. They have left Travilians and it is supposed they intend to try and burn the Rail Road Bridges. [This incident is called Stoneman's Raid.] We send Met back in haste; he is on horseback. We also turn back. When we get home find them busy packing away the horses, guns and silver. Spend an anxious day. The whole country seems to be alive. It is determined to defend the Bridges but at night all is quiet as no Yankees have come. They are aiming for some other point. Tuesday Lucy, Sally and John Robertson come in very unexpectedly. They were running from the Yanks; were at their uncle's in Louisa and the horse gave out so they stopped with us and spend the night. We also have a soldier to stay all night and he proved a very pleasant gentleman. Tuesday morning another alarm of Yanks. Dave goes off and stays for two days and a night. Don't believe we are to have a sight of them here. They seem to be partial to the "State of Flee" for whenever we have heard of their whereabouts in the last few days they have always been in the place. Last Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4, 1863, we fought the Yankees in Spotsylvania County [Chancellorsville Campaign] and gained a great victory but it was at the expense of our great Old Jackson's left arm. Thank God it was no worse. These are exciting times. The band of Yanks that have come in upon us from Trevilians have spread a panic on all the region round about. They have been to Ashland and destroyed quite an amount of stores besides damaging the rail road. We hear reports of their doings in all directions but many of these rumors are no doubt false though I believe they are capable of any kind of cruelty and meanness and will only be prevented from committing their lawless work by want of time. It is said that Mr. Divers, the old music teacher of Charlottesville, is an officer in this band of Feds ....Friday the 8th a large part of the Hampton Legion pass down the road; another fight brewing. Reading some of Scott's novels, Redgauntlet and St. Ronans's Well. They are old acquaintances. Finished Good's Book of Nature, it was both interesting and profitable. Have commenced Ferguson's Rome ....
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