May, Sunday 29, 1864 Today has been an eventful one in the dull pages of my life—Bettie awakened me, standing by the bed, with a hot cup of Coffee—which I enjoyed very much, after refreshing myself with a cold bath. Mr. Wilson came by, with late despatches, letters and papers—the latter containing news which paralyzed [...]
May, Saturday 28, 1864 Sister Mary and I arrived at Mrs. Armstrong’s quite late—they went on in town, I drove over to Mrs. Clayton’s and spent the day. Hal is not ready to start yet, so it is doubtful whether or not we leave Monday morning. Maggie Cockrell was there, we spent a very pleasant [...]
May, Friday 27, 1864 Sister Mary and I started early over to Mrs. Armstrong’s—found both Mr. and Mrs. A. at home—and as usual my best friends in trouble. Mrs. A. is going to Memphis tomorrow, and will get all the things I need and bring them out to her house. Sister Mary has made arrangements [...]
May, Thursday 26, 1864 Miss Em was almost dressed when I awoke this morning. I was very much distressed to see her leave, in rememberance of the wickedness which filled my heart a day or two ago—I have entirely forgiven, and all unpleasant feelings have passed away. Poor Miss Em, she was the picture of [...]
May, Tuesday 24, 1864 Little Frank waked me up this morning bright and early, I managed to get up and send Nellie, (who was with him) to the kitchen for his breakfast, he is prettier every time I look at him. Laura did not get to washing my clothes until 11 o’clock, but finished all [...]
May, Monday 23, 1864 I was up bright and early this morning, went over to Mr. Hudghins to get his Wife, who is going to Memphis tomorrow, to bring me out a few articles, which I am compelled to have before leaving. The day I have spent trying to get my clothes arranged to have [...]
May, Sunday 22, 1864 Everything has been in commotion, and anything but a quiet day. Mrs. Perkins is still disagreeable in her Politics—She and Nannie and Emie started down to Col. Perkins, broke down, came back, did not go until this evening—Hal and Mr. Clayton came today, we made our final arrangements for our trip, [...]
May, Saturday 21, 1864 Nannie still sick in bed, got up this evening when Mr. Wilson came, I think that is the only thing which could have aroused her—Nothing unusual happened today, the news from Virginia still glorious. Oh, God! we praise, we humbly bow to thy glorious favor, of our struggle for Liberty—crown our [...]
May, Friday 20, 1864 Mrs. Perkins went to Memphis this morning in an awful state of mind. Col. Perkins came up to see her before she started, but I do not think she was much relieved by his visit. Nannie would not go, she did not come back tonight, although she said she would be [...]
May, Thursday 19, 1864 It seems that trouble and misery will never cease. Miss Em almost killed herself with chloroform last night, did not get up until late this evening, and is still very feeble and miserable from the effects. Nannie has been in bed all day, seems to be quite sick tonight—poor old Father, [...]
May, Wednesday 18, 1864 When, oh! when will this wickedness and strife end—my heart how sadly, and how sorely, it has been tried. God have mercy and keep it pure, through all temptations—bless poor Miss Em, be with her in this affliction, guide dear Nannie in the right path—I pray that it may be all [...]
May, Tuesday 17, 1864 Oh! most miserable day—Mrs. Perkins almost made me mad at her deep distress—Poor, poor Nannie, my heart aches for her, would to God I might be the medium through which all could be made happy—Miss Em is so widely different in her political feeling, there will never be any happiness, I [...]
May, Monday 16, 1864 Laura awakened me at daylight to see Cousin Frazor, John and Capt. Wormely leave for Dixie—they left early for fear they would meet a squad of Yanks later in the day. Miss Em and Nannie went to Memphis this morning, got back safe, no late news except Yankee lies, which say [...]
May, Sunday 15, 1864 This has been an unpleasant, unhappy Sabbath—oh! we differ so in politics from Miss Em—I am afraid her visit will be miserable. Helen and Nannie went to Church—Col. Perkins came home with them, spent the evening. Capt. Wormely came over to spend the night, preparatory to leaving at daylight in company [...]
May, Saturday 14, 1864 Miss Em and I slept until almost 12 o’clock—I finished Emie’s dress after getting up, Miss Em cut out her new Calico and run on the skirt. No Yankees today, neither have we seen a Confederate—Joanna and Anna Nelson went in this morning with the wagon to get supplies, as this [...]
May, Friday 13, 1864 Miss Em, Joanna, Anna Nelson, Tate’s children and Kate all went to Memphis this morning, all returned except Mary, who they left with Tate. We have had a quiet day, comparatively speaking. No Yankees—Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pope came this evening—been up several days, no late news. Poor Mr. Harbut was [...]
May, Thursday 12, 1864 Miss Em and I took breakfast in our room—it was bitter cold this morning, and I have taken my stove down. Mr. Nelson very impatient, Mr. Brett arrived about 11 o’clock, had succeeded in getting a pass for Mr. N. from Gen’l Washburn, good for one week—they left about 12. We [...]
May, Wednesday 11, 1864 Tate and Joanna went to Memphis this morning—what a mistake—on yesterday they went in, did not return until this evening. Joanna and Miss Em, and little Emie all came, oh! I was so delighted to see Mrs. Perkins—Nannie came out very early, started to go to Germantown, for John a horse, [...]
May, Tuesday 10, 1864 Cloudy and rainy, I got up to breakfast as Mr. Harbut came, he is cut off from his command, and has no news. We heard Forrest had got safely out of Tenn. Tate and Joanna went to Memphis this morn, did not get back and we have not heard a word, [...]
May, Monday 9, 1864 I slept very late, Laura came in to clean my room, did everything but make the bed, I told her if she would let me alone I would make the bed. I have been sewing on my white mull, did not get much done, have it all arranged, and hope to [...]
May, Sunday 8, 1864 I had a nice time sleeping late this morning, and Laura had a nice, Breakfast to tempt my apetite when awakened—the Detective and his lady friend had left before I got in the Parlor. John and Cousin Frazor kept in the dark all morning, though every was quiet, we have not [...]
May, Saturday 7, 1864 I went over to Mrs. Clayton’s early this morning to make arrangements with Hal about going South, did not find her at home, waited until after 3 o’c but did not get to see her. Spent a very pleasant day—heard no news—came by Mrs. Duke’s to see Beulah, poor Dog, she [...]
May, Friday 6, 1864 I got up very early this morning, finished Harriet’s dress a little after dinner, just one day making it, I have picked my finger almost to the bone, and will have to rest for a few days and let it recruit. I slept all the evening, have spent the day alone, [...]
The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context. May, Thursday 5, 1864 I have spent a most unhappy day,—half sick, and the “black spirits” haunted me teribly—oh! I don’t know what is the matter with [...]
May, Wednesday 4, 1864 I have sewed buisy all day, finished my white braided swiss—I think it is beautiful. Laura finished her new Calico, we both had to sew very late tonight to finish them. Bettie got sleepy and went home some time since—We all had a considerable fright tonight—by Anna Nelson sending to warn [...]