March, Saturday 12, 1864 Tate and Bettie went to Memphis this morning, did not succeed in getting anything through the lines, the Picket was very insulting to her. She brought me a letter, but not for myself, only my care, to Mr. Lawson in Henderson’s scouts. I forwarded it to Capt. H. also a package [...]
March, Friday 11, 1864 Mrs. Clayton, Hal and Dink all went home this morning—Mr. Wallace & friend left. Decatur Doyle and Joe Clayton both left for Dixie—they both got all they came for. It has seemed quite lonely all day. I have been compelled to lie down most of the day with my spine, it [...]
March, Thursday 10, 1864 Mr. McCorkle and Tate went to Memphis this morning. I hope he may have a safe and pleasant trip. Cousin Frazor left for Dixie this morning. We were delighted to see Mr. Wilson and Harbert this evening, they staid with us until after Tea, bro’t a letter from Eddie and Bro. [...]
March, Wednesday 9, 1864 Tate and I went over to Mrs. Clayton early this morning – had to pass through the Yankee Camp, no trouble, spent the day and came back this evening. Hal and Dink came with us—Tate’s horse threw her, not hurt, I was never so full of laugh—reached home about dark. After [...]
March, Tuesday 8, 1864 Cousin Mat, Frazor and Joanna went in town this morning. Joanna was to have returned this evening, did not come. We heard what the Yanks were after—old Frank the detective carried them to Felix Davis’s and took him and his wife both to Memphis, they are now in the Irving Block, [...]
March, Monday 7, 1864 The quiet of our life was disturbed today by the arrival of 150 Yankees—only two came to the house. We gave them their dinner. Mr. Wilson and Decatur were down in the Orchard. Helen sent for them to come and capture the Yanks, we saw the rest coming, & Tate and [...]
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, 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, 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, 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, Wednesday 2, 1864 Bright and beautiful—Ice glittering magnificently—moderating a great deal, by 12 o’clock all snow gone, real pleasant tonight. Father went to Mr. Holmes’, our victory confirmed by news from below. Mr. Wilson dined with us, gave the same news Father heard at Mr. H’s. Nonconnah out of it’s banks, still raining. Tate [...]
March, Tuesday 1, 1864 First day of Spring—Laura awakened me for my breakfast. I looked out of the window and to my surprise, one of the hardest Snow Storms I ever saw was prevailing—lasted until 11 o’clock, when the sun shone out brightly. A more magnificent scene I never witnessed, the forests glistened like thousands [...]
February, Monday 29, 1864 The last day of Winter—Gloomy, oh, mercy how dreary, sleeting all day, the shrubery is all bowed to the earth with the weight of Ice—all nature is crowned with it, yet it is so gloomy out. There is some happiness in our household, the two children Mamie and Robert are all [...]
February, Sunday 28, 1864 Cloudy and raining all day, much colder than yesterday. Anna Nelson and myself went to Mrs. Morgan’s—I went to take those letters to Cousin Cambell Edmondson, he left for Dixie, and will see that they are safely forwarded. Met a great many persons there, all in fine spirits, topic of conversation [...]
February, Saturday 27, 1864 Annie Nelson and myself went to Memphis this morning—very warm, dusty and disagreeable. Accomplished all I went for—did not go near any of the Officials, was fortunate to meet a kind friend, Lucie Harris, who gave me her pass—’tis a risk, yet we can accomplish nothing without great risk at times, [...]
February, Thursday 25, 1864 Sallie Hildebrand sent down for me this morning to go with her to Mrs. Morgan’s, poor Ladies, she has at last gone to rest, she died yesterday evening at 4 o’c. I went with her and stayed until sundown, returned home to try to get Joanna to go and sit up, [...]
February, Monday 22, 1864 I mounted Mr. Brent’s condemned steed, which proved to be a very nice riding horse, but rather wild—I had a lovely ride, found Mrs. Morgan’s after some difficulty. Mrs. Plunket was with Missie, her Mother has been very sick, but they think she is now recovering. I do not think so, [...]
February, Monday 15, 1864 I did not get up very early, was eating breakfast in my room, when I was startled by the reports of six or seven guns—dressed hurriedly, on arriving at the gate found all the family, both white and black, in the greatest state of excitement—one of the 2nd. Mo—Mr. Brent—relating to [...]
February, Sunday 14, 1864 Tate and Helen cam back from Dixie today —
February, Friday 5, 1864 Jane doing very well, the ball although passing so near the kidneys, & spine, missed both. Dr. Shaw has examined it by daylight, and thinks she will be up again in five or six weeks— Peter and I went over to Mrs. Duke’s—I went to Memphis in Mr. Armstrong’s wagon—got the [...]
February, Thursday 4, 1864 We had a terrible accident to Night. Jack had Mr. Wilson’s Pistol fooling with it, and shot Jane right through the body—poor fellow, he was frightened to death—it was an accident. Mr. Wilson went for the Dr. he came in a great hurry, as it was night he could not tell [...]
January, Monday 11, 1864 Like a weary actor in a play, Like a phantom in a dream, Like a lost boat left to stray Rudderless adown the stream— This is what my life has grown,— Since thy false heart left me lone,— And I wonder sometimes when the laugh is loud, And I wonder at [...]
June, Wednesday 8, 1864 I think today will be long remembered, a hard rain before breakfast, Mr. Rodgers arrived just after, and had almost pursuaded us to remain over until tomorrow, when Mr. Wilson came up and said it was impossible for him to remain, of course we could never venture without him, so we [...]
January, Tuesday 5, 1864 Still cold, cloudy and gloomy, has not moderated at all, it is real dangerous traveling, the ground covered with Ice. Eddie has on his new suit, ready to leave for camp. Mr. Alexander and old Mr. Jayson are going with him, and we are better satisfied—I would not have him stay [...]
January, Monday 4, 1864 I always try to see the bright side of every picture. I have never given up hope but Bettie would come right side up—and I think she is a star darkie—she and Uncle Elum arrived safely at home. Bettie was loaded with contraband—Eddie a suit of clothes, pr Boots, Gauntlets, socks—blacking, [...]