April, Thursday 7, 1864 I feel dull and stupid this morning—We have had a happy day, although the Yankees are still down the road. Tate and Nannie went to the Pickets this morning, were turned back, the lines closed. Capt. Barber & Mr. Kirk cannot get their things. I had not the heart to see [...]
April, Wednesday 6, 1864 Laura awakened me this morning with the news that Beulah was at my door—oh! it seems there is always something to trouble me. Father allowed her to be chained, and so far has not killed her. We were very much surprised this morning by the arrival of five of Forrest’s men—Eddie [...]
April, Tuesday 5, 1864 I was awakened at daylight by a servant with a note from Miss Hudson who has succeeded in getting all she wants out of Memphis, and promised to take the things I had for Mrs. Hudson to her. I regreted not having all the things through the lines, but sent what [...]
April, Monday 4, 1864 The days now passing are of so much paine and unhappiness to me, it is with the greatest difficulty I can have patience at night to make a record of my sad life. The weather today as gloomy as my feelings—cold and drizzling. Anna Nelson spent the morning, I went in [...]
April, Sunday 3, 1864 This has been a sad and lonely day for me—I miss my poor Beulah so much. Tippie Dora has not come tonight, so Laura and I are all alone. Tate, Joanna, Nannie, Robert, and Uncle Elum all went to Church. Father went up to Mr. Hildebrand’s, Helen was at home, spent [...]
April, Saturday 2, 1864 Ever memorable and (to me ) sad day. I was awakened this morning by the pitious howl of poor Fosco—as I feared when Beulah left the room, they all killed seven sheep last night. Uncle Elum knocked Fosco in the head, Beulah ran to my room, thereby saving her life—Father sent [...]
April, Friday 1, 1864 A gloomy day, raining, cold, and dreary. I have managed to exist, have not done much sewing. I came to my room after dinner, and spent the evening reading the Caxton’s—although quite an old book, I have never read it. I began with high expectations, and recommendations, as Bulwer’s best—must confess [...]
March, Thursday 31, 1864 Laura awakened me standing by the bed with my breakfast. I was too sleepy to eat, and only drank my Coffee. I have felt very badly all day, did not do any sewing, lying down most of the day. Mr. Pugh, Jim and Mr. Harbut with Jim’s body guard the Prince [...]
April, Saturday 30, 1864 Laura brought my breakfast to my room—very late—everybody slept late this morning – Raining, raining, raining—oh! such a gloomy day as it has been. Joanna & Nannie have not come yet. Nonconnah is swimming, but Father is miserable for fear that is not what keeps them. Maj. Crump left about 10 [...]
March, Wednesday 30, 1864 It seems I can never go to Memphis without some disagreeable arrangements and sayings. I was greatly disappointed in my trip. Tate and I went together. I stoped at Mrs. Facklen’s on Union St.—she went on up to Cousin Frazor’s in the buggy—Mrs. Facklen and Mrs. Kirk in great distress, old [...]
March, Tuesday 29. 1864 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken—Proverbs— I am sitting in my little room alone, with the exception of my little family, who are more inclined to the silent embrace of Morpheus than any pleasures the quiet of my own society could [...]
March, Monday 28, 1864 Tate and Anna Nelson went to Memphis this morning—got back safe Mr. Tommerry gave Tate up all of her things the U. S. G. confiscated, she brought them all safe through the lines, they belong to Mr. Wallace, who will be delighted to hear they are recovered. Mr. Harbut & Jim [...]
March, Sunday 27, 1864 Rather lazy, as it was Sunday—Laura fixed me a very nice breakfast which I enjoyed in my room. Helen & Nannie went home with Anna Nelson, all rode horseback, the girls did not stay very long. I spent the morning reading my Bible, finished the Acts today—took a long walk after [...]
March, Saturday 26, 1864 Today everything in commotion, as it is a general cleaning up day. Laura did not give me possession of my room until 12 o’clock—have not set a stitch in sewing today. Mr. Pugh and I spent the morning playing Drafts—I beat him badly. After dinner he very kindly offered to fix [...]
March, Friday 25, 1864 As usual late, and breakfast in my room, found Nannie, Jim & Mr. Pugh having a nice time in the Parlor—have not done any work scarcely, only hem’d Eddie two handkerchiefs—Mr. Pugh and I had a game of drafts—I beat him the best three in five. Helen & Joanna went over [...]
March, Thursday 24, 1864 I slept very late this morning—had breakfast in my room—I would rather have slept than have the choicest dishes from old Schwab’s. Ready at last, arrived in the Parlor, found Jim & Mr. Pugh with the girls having a nice time—spent the morning fixing my old Bombazine dress. Enjoyed my dinner [...]
March, Wednesday 23, 1864 Tate & I went to Memphis this morning bright and early—stoped at Mrs. Apperson’s first—from there to Cousin Frazor. Tate met me at Mrs. Worsham’s room, we then went up street, walked until three o’clock, attended to all affaires entrusted to our care, ready to leave at half past three—all of [...]
March, Monday 21, 1864 Wake’d up almost sufocating with the Smoke—wind from the East. Laura had to throw all the fire out of the stove. Began my work early, nothing to disturb me all day—finished two widths on my dress in braiding. Sat in the Parlor, no companion. Father came in once or twice, sat [...]
March, Sunday 20, 1864 Another Sabath passed, and I read only eight Chapters in my Bible—first of the Acts—I did not get up until rather late. Laura brought me a nice, warm breakfast to my room. I don’t know what I should do if it were not for her. A disagreeable day, cloudy, gloomy and [...]
March, Saturday 19, 1864 Today has been just as gloomy as yesterday was bright—cold, windy & cloudy. Helen & Nannie had a general cleaning up in the house. Laura was unusually particular about my room, kept me waiting until dinner time to get to my sewing. I made up for lost time, finished one width [...]
March, Friday 18, 1864 One of the loveliest days I ever spent, bright and beautiful. I have been very buisy braiding my dress. finished 1 1/2 yd. it is very fascinating work, and with my natural abhorance of sewing I think this particular kind would give me much pleasure, if it were not for my [...]
March, Thursday 17, 1864 My cold is no better—miserably hoarse, got up rather late. Laura brought my breakfast to my room, fixed my work to go in the Parlor—found Mr. Wilson & Mr. Harbut arrived—All buisy sewing, laughing & talking,—when the Yankees were reported coming, Mr. W. & H in the greatest haste retreated through [...]
March, Wednesday 16, 1864 Went up Street directly after Breakfast to finish a little job I forgot on yesterday. At one o’clock Mrs. Facklen, Mrs. Kirk and I began to fix my articles for smugling , we made a balmoral of the Grey cloth for uniform, pin’d the Hats to the inside of my hoops—tied [...]
March, Monday 14, 1864 I have had a miserable cold, and not fit for society—yet we have been delighted by the visit of a Rebel Major, Maj. Allen, who spent the day with us. I tried to braid on my dress, only a little while, my spine pained me teribly . Maj. A. went down [...]
March, Sunday 13, 1864 Hopes, what are they? Beads of morning Strung on Slender blades of Grass, Sweet is hope’s wild warbled air But oh!— it’s echo is despair! Today is the first anniversary of the happiest day in my life—just one short year ago, twas then on Friday morning, he came for me to [...]