6th March 1865        I have no heart to write a journal now. The war goes on but so much distress and suffering. Charleston evacuated, Columbia sacked & burned, Cheraw[?], Winnsborough, Camden, Society Hill & other places visited by the Army of Sherman & sacked and burned. Our Army now under Johnston following Sherman and all [...]

MARCH 6th.—My birthday—55. Bright and frosty; subsequently warm and pleasant. No news. But some indignation in the streets at the Adjutant-General’s (Cooper) order, removing the clerks and putting them in the army, just when they had, by their valor, saved the capital from flames and the throats of the President and his cabinet from the [...]

March, Sunday 6, 1864 A bright and beautiful day. Tate and Nannie went to Church. Col. Perkins came home with them to take Nannie home with him. Prior leaves for the Army in the morning, was anxious to see Nannie before he left. Tate saw Cousin Cambell, just arrived from Dixie, no news—waters up—Telegraph all [...]

March 6th. Sunday. Cloudy and cold. Attended church in town. Wrote letters. Late this afternoon marching orders received. Leave camp on the morrow for parts unknown to us. Soldiers must obey orders and not ask questions. At times some movements look very foolish to us. We often wish the war was over and we could [...]

5th. Rain and snow. After dinner Fannie and I went to Fine Arts Hall. Very pleasant time. Called at Mrs. Cobb’s. Went to Uncle Jones’ to tea. Company, Mr. Kingsley, Chas. Spencer and Mrs. Turner. Passable evening.

March. Dead! Dead! Both dead! O my brothers! What have we lived for except you? We, who would have so gladly laid down our lives for yours, are left desolate to mourn over all we loved and hoped for, weak and helpless; while you, so strong, noble, and brave, have gone before us without a [...]

Saturday, 5th–We are all glad to get back in camp again and to sleep in the bunks instead of lying on the ground in open bivouac. The boys spent the day in washing clothes and cleaning guns and accouterments.

MARCH 5th.—Clear and pleasant, after a slight shower in the morning. The raid is considered at an end, and it has ended disastrously for the invaders. Some extraordinary memoranda were captured from the raiders, showing a diabolical purpose, and creating a profound sensation here. The cabinet have been in consultation many hours in regard to [...]

March, Saturday 5, 1864 Nonconnah has fallen at last, and crowds of waggons are passing, loaded with provisions, in exchange for their cotton. Joanna and Cousin S. went to town this morning. Mr. Wilson came early and staid until after dinner with us. Tate, Helen, Nannie & Decatur all spent the day sewing in my [...]

March 5th. Cold rain storm. A disagreeable day in camp. We are ready for duty at any time, no matter how bad the weather may be. We are starting on the fourth year of this awful war. Many more brave men must fall before the end comes.

March 5th.–Tom Fergurson walked home with me. He told me of Colonel Dahlgren’s[1] death and the horrid memoranda found in his pocket. He came with secret orders to destroy this devoted city, hang the President and his Cabinet, and burn the town! Fitzhugh Lee was proud that the Ninth Virginia captured him. Found Mrs. Semmes [...]

4th. Read and visited during the morning. Floy, Thede and I went to Cleveland on the P. M. train. Went to the various halls at Fair (Sanitary Commission) and to Uncle’s to tea. Mrs. D. so hoarse as to be unable to speak. Floy and Thede went to Minstrels. I called at Mr. Cobb’s. Spent [...]

Friday, 4th–The army left bivouac at daylight this morning and the vanguard reached Vicksburg at 2 o’clock, while our rear did not get in till dark. We found our camps, clothing and all in good shape. The Sixteenth Army Corps went into camp out east of Vicksburg. We were relieved from the duty of headquarters’ [...]

March, Friday 4, 1864 I do wish Nonconnah would fall, and let a visitor from Memphis return home, for I am always in an ill humor when she is about. Tate and Helen went over to see Missie Morgan this evening. I have been in Tate’s room all day buisy sewing—almost finished my dress— Mr. [...]

MARCH 4th.—Bright and frosty in the morning; warm and cloudy in the afternoon. The enemy have disappeared. On the 17th inst., Gen. Lee wrote the Secretary of War that he had received a letter from Gen. Longstreet, asking that Pickett’s Division be in readiness to join him; also that a brigade of Gen. Buckner’s Division, [...]

March 4th. Received a number of letters from friends at home. Snow has disappeared. While the weather is fine, the mud is very sticky and plenty of it. A large quantity will stick to one’s feet, or rather to our army brogans, as we attempt to walk in it. This all comes in the life [...]

March 4th.–The enemy has been reenforced and is on us again. Met Wade Hampton, who told me my husband was to join him with some volunteer troops; so I hurried home. Such a cavalcade rode up to luncheon! Captain Smith Lee and Preston Hampton, the handsomest, the oldest and the youngest of the party. This [...]

3rd. Spent the morning at home. In evening called upon Fannie Henderson. To my joy a letter from F. came this P. M.

Thursday, 3d–We got into motion early this morning and marched twenty miles. We bivouacked for the night within twenty-six miles of Vicksburg and not far from our forces at Big Black river bridge. The rebels ceased following us today. The weather and roads were fine for marching.

MARCH 3d.—Bright and frosty. Confused accounts of the raid in the morning papers. During the day it was reported that Col. Johnson’s forces had been cut up this morning by superior numbers, and that Butler was advancing up the Peninsula with 15,000 men. The tocsin was sounded in the afternoon, and the militia called out; [...]

March, Thursday 3, 1864 The monotony of our life was somewhat changed today, by a visit from Lt. Bayard of the 4th U. S. R. to Nannie, he is her cousin, and came this distance with only six scouts to make a call, they behaved themselves very well, ate dinner with us—and they all admit [...]

March 3d.–Betty, the handsome, and Constance, the witty, came; the former too prudish to read Lost and Saved, by Mrs. Norton, after she had heard the plot. Conny was making a bonnet for me. Just as she was leaving the house, her friendly labors over, my husband entered, and quickly ordered his horse. “It is [...]

March 2nd. Came off picket duty. My laundry and repairs on my clothes I have done by a German woman in town. Called for my laundry. Had a bath, put on clean clothes, for which I am very thankful. Received a pass, visited town. No soldier can enter town without a permit, excuse and pass [...]

2nd. Maj. Nettleton returned from Sandusky and started for Washington at 2 P. M. Thede and I rode horseback to Amherst. Saw Mary, Grandma’s and Helen’s folks. Called at Mr. Kline’s. Spent the evening at home. Uneasy for some reason. Am looking for a letter but it doesn’t come.