Voice from the Past: “St. Valentine’s Day, I believe”

An early Valentine’s greeting from all of us at The Civil War Monitor. To celebrate, all this week, “The Front Line” blog will be publishing a “Voices from the Past” series from 1862 and 1863 Valentine’s Day-themed letters and diary entries. We hope you enjoy!

— St. Valentine’s Day, I believe. Nary val. for the “poor soldier.” Such is life. The day was a beautiful one, and reminded one of spring. Towards evening, however, it began to grow cold and chilly. A large force under General [George W.] Morell made a reconnoissance beyond Vienna, and as far as Hunter’s Mill. No enemy was seen except a few pickets. It was made because intelligence was brought that a regiment of cavalry had been seen around there for a day or two.

– Diary of Stephen Minot, Friday, February 14, 1862 –

Source: Weld, February, “1862,” in War Diary and Letters of Stephen Minot Weld, 1861-1865 (Cambridge: Riverside Press, 1912).


Image Credit: Harper’s Weekly, February 20, 1864

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