Augusta County: Diary of Michael Reid Hanger (1861)

        We left Lexingtom at 1 oclock PM in stages [sic]-hacks-Waggons We got to Fairfield at sunset I took supper at Mr. McCormicks ⁴went on to midway & there the whole Company got Supper at 9 PM Mr. Varner ⁵[,] Marston ⁶[,] Middleton ⁷ & myself eat at Mr Dr Hameltons ⁸ then we preseeded to Greensvill got there at 2 oclock AM.

        we got to Staunton this morning put up at the Va House got breakfast and Asbury McCluerer ⁹ & my self went to see some ladies came back at 10 oclock AM. Wm. Hartigan ¹⁰ Samuel Charlton ¹¹ & my self went and taken dinner at Lieut Staffords ¹² went back to the Hotel and in A few moments we started out was Escorted out of town with the band of musick & we all got aboard of stages hacks and prseeded to Mt Sidney got there at dark. Sargent Campbell ¹³ John Middleton Marston Reilly ¹⁴ & John Edmondson ¹⁵ & my self stayed at Mr. ______es the rest stayed in different places.

        We left Mt Sidney this morning for Harrisonburg had quite a nice time of it all day got to Mount Crawford at 12 AM the Rockbridge Cavalry¹⁶ was there I saw my Brother John ¹⁷ & many others that I knew -- we went on got to Harrisonburg at 4pm marched into the Court House & then we devided our for different places for to stay all night Mr. Varner Bailey ¹⁸ Burtons ¹⁹ & my self went to Mr Effingers ²⁰ A wealthey merchant and was treated verry kindley after supper Mr. Reilly & myself went to call upon some ladies we got Acquainted with two Misses Vanpelts ²¹ and Misses Smith ²² Mr. Fonshill ²³ came in and we had A good time generally.

        Beautifull morning this Mr. Fonshill Reilly & myself went to take leave of our lady Acquaintences they were so verry Agreeable that I hated verry much to part with them though we bid them Adieu and took the coach for Mt Jackson ²⁴

        had a pleasant time all day Reached Mt Jackson at sun set Mr. Tanquary ²⁵ had made arrangements for our staying all night. We stayed in the ________ [Mr. Farrah's and Mr. Walters] Hotels and had verry good entertainment

        At 8 o'clock this morning we took the Cars, and came on to Strasburg for [from] here we walked to Winchester, a distance of 18 miles. We here stoped at the Taylor House, and staid all night and in morning took the Harpers Ferry and Winchester R.R.. Passed by edge of Charlstown [sic], and came on to the Ferry. We quartered in the Armory, amongst machinery. We remained here for a week or so, and then went on the Maryland Heights, and staid 1 day and a night, and got a pretty good ducking. We then came back to the Armory, staid there about 1 week, and then moved to Bolivar. staid there week or so, and then went to Va Heights, we here knocked up some old shandies and went to cutting down trees and cleaning up generally. burning brush &c. We cleared off about 30 acres of land and built one Block house. We were in one of the greatest Hail storms I ever saw. The stones were as large as partridge eggs the ground was covered, an inch deep. it cut our shanties down and left us in the storm. We staid here 10 days and then came back to Bolivar. The next place we went to was Martinsburg on the B. & O. R.R. We had a glorious time here, though it was a great Union place. the ladies sent us everything we could wish, and presented us with thousands of Bouquets. We spent a very happy time here certain. We were here about 1 week and started back to Ferry, and burned a bridge (Opequon) on the B. & O. R>R> about 2 1/2 miles from Martinsburg. We came back to Bolivar, but didn't tarry long. We were in Martinsburg during election. We were quartered in Grantham Hall). We again started and went to Shepherds-town, from there to the Neck or (Shepherd's Bend,) about 5 miles from the town. We saw some of the enemy, with red caps and blue uniform. I shot at one of them, and all say I certainly killed him. We were quartered in an old barn all night. The next day we moved back about 1 mile to Mr. Chapman's house. I was then ordered to go on Picquet. to Dam No. 4. We soon got orders to move. We all came back to Shepherd's town joined the Regt. [5th Va. Infantry] and that night. came to Charlestown. about 11 o'clock that night, and camped in the Fairgrounds. Early the next morning we started to Wonchester, and got there about 9 o'clock at night and camped in the Fairgrounds. the 2nd day we were ordered to march to Martinsburg, but hearing of the enemy crossing the [Potomac] River, and overtaking Col. Johnston²⁶ with 6 or 8 Regts at Bunker's Hill. we halted and there formed 1 line of battle. As we heard nothing of the enemy, we returned together with the other Regts to Winchester. We here staid all night, and the next eveneing started again for Martinsburg. We traveled that evening 14 miles, and as the Companies were very much fatigued & c, we camped for the night at Bucklestown, alias, Darksville [Darkesville] 6 miles from Martinsburg. We camped all night out side the town a piece. In the morning came on through Martinsburg 4 miles below, on the road and here camped (Camp Stevens)²⁷