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and so many things which seemed a part of ourselves.
What will become of them?
Who are now using or abusing them?
Sept. 16th, 1861.
Just returned from Annfield, where we have spent a charming day, with most delightful society.
The papers brought us news of success in the
West,
General Floyd having overcome
Rosecranz on
Gauley River.
This gave us great satisfaction, as we are peculiarly anxious about that part of
Virginia.
We passed the time in talking over the feats of our heroes, as well as in enjoying the
elegancies by which we were surrounded.
Sept. 18th, 1861.
I have been greatly interested in a letter, which has been sent me, written by my nephew,
Lt. W. B. N., to his wife, the day after the
battle of Manassas.
I copy it here because I want his little relations, for whom I am writing this diary, to have a graphic description of the fight, and to know what their family and friends suffered for the great cause.
My dear---- :--For the last four days we have never been longer than two hours in any one place, have slept upon the ground in good weather and bad, eaten nothing but crackers and fried bacon, and rested little at any time; for all of which privations and a thousand others we have been more than compensated (thanks to the just God who governs the councils of history and decrees the destiny of nations) in the glorious results of yesterday.
On the morning of the 17th, we had received reliable information that the enemy was advancing, over 50,000 strong, and were not surprised, at five o'clock in the morning, to hear the fire of our pickets, who were slowly retiring before the advancing
