February 1862.        Lewis has recovered after an illness of 3 weeks. We nursed him faithfully and people were very kind in asking about him, he has now passed his examination before the board here & is waiting for orders, in the meantime has gone in the country to pay a visit to his friend Sinclair, [...]

27 [December]        Xmas has passed we had a quiet time and enjoyed a Turkey a ham and a plum pudding with the Girls Harry & John. The Wilkinses declined dining with us and I felt rather provoked at it. Lewis came from the country quite sick and has since been under treatment Dr Giddings attending. [...]

19 Dec.        There has been a terrible fire in Town and a destruction of 4 Churches, the Circular, the Catholic Cathedral, and St Peter’s & a Methodist Church & the Quaker Meeting. Many fine houses destroyed and great distress. The fire broke out in a sash & blind factory and the difficulty of getting water [...]

Dec. 5        The war goes on and the panic which took possession of the Town and caused people to rush off in great haste to the interior, Columbia, Edgefield, &c, has rather subsided. Old Mr Matthews finding that the Yankees landed 7 miles from him burned down his Mill, his negro houses, his crop, his [...]

October 19        Mrs Butler was written to by her Lawyer and came from the North by the way of Washington where she got a permit from Gen. Scott, was forwarded to Fortress Monroe and from thence to Norfolk where she arrived with a Flag of Truce. She left Cornelia at School at the North. She [...]

Oct 2        Lewis had a flare up with the Cap of his new position, North Edisto, and like a foolish boy gave up his Commission. This distressed Mr Grimball very much and he persuaded himself that if Lewis had time to reconsider this step he would repent. So he got the Department to allow it [...]

19 Sep        My dear Lotty has had an attack of fever now for 3 or 4 days Dr Geddings says Typhoid which is always lingering. She is the most patient child never says a word and takes her medicine and is still.—

15 [September]        Heard from Lewis he is satisfied finds a friend in one of the Lieutenants, Tatum, an old schoolmate from Abeville has one hundred and 50 men under his charge and a very good Hospital Steward who saves him much trouble. The letters to Walker are not answered, one from Elizabeth to Mrs W. [...]

1 September        Lewis arrived from Virginia and went up that night to see about his Commission. He returned yesterday, having been obliged to wait several days to see the Governor. He had companions, for there were many there waiting for the same purpose. He returned having received his Commission he is to apply to the [...]

24 [August]        Received a letter yesterday from Lewis he hopes to soon get home & accepts thankfully the Commission of Assistant Surgeon in the State Forces, and in reply to Arthur’s wish to go out to Virginia if in no other way as a private, says he had better not, for it is the life [...]

19 August        Things go on very successfully. The Southern forces have beaten the Union Army in the West. William was made one of the prize commissioners and went to North Carolina to see after a prize. He placed seals on it and took possession and returned home,—rather a fatiguing journey to Beaufort on the Coast. [...]

10 August        We heard from Lewis, a full account of his fatigue & the Victory. Henry Middleton, a private in Hampton’s Legion was Mortally wounded during the fight, since dead, a great lose to his family. He managed all the Large Planting interest brought home and interrod at the Magnolia.        The Town since the Battle [...]

28 [July]         The accounts from the battle continue to come in, and the Southerners seem to have behaved with the greatest courage and their Officers most successfully.— There were services in the Church to day to return thanks for the Victory. — We understand The Palmetoe Guard, Lewis’s Company, repulsed a regiment and acted in [...]

July 26th        Papa left us for Buncombe on the 24, he went off in a furious annoyance at not being called for before half past eight so he quarreled with the hack man, I am glad he has gone, for his rigid ways became disagreeable. We did as well as we could for him, & [...]

July 11        Mr Grimball and Papa went into the Country to day , it has been very warm. Lewis writes from Fairfax C. H. on the eve of battle for an over coat for a grey flannel Jacket for woolen socks and crackers & cheese, and says it is quite cold where he is at [...]

June 29        Lewis writes very pleasantly about his campaign in Virginia, I rather think he likes the excitement. His Company have moved forward and form the advance guard of the Southern Army, and this he likes, he would prefer remaining in Virginia to keeping his Commission of Lieutenant.        The St. Paul’s Rifles have been ordered [...]

10 [June]        We got on as usual, the weather is very warm. The war progresses slowly and not always satisfactorily.—Elizabeth had Miss Aiken, the Manigaults to tea, Mrs Vanderhorst & Mrs Wayne.—Mrs V. has given several parties the last very handsome. Miss Adele is the attraction, Mr Arnold the beau, William thinks it promises very [...]

9th [June]        Papa went to Somerville to visit Russel Middleton, he returned quite charmed with the place and the good living.—Gov. and Martin dined here last week. Adela is going to have another baby, this will be the 5th it is really terrible.—        Papa is very naive, he told me he was better here than [...]

8th June.        Lewis not being able to get a commission determined to go to Virginia as a private and Mr Henry Lesegne gave him a letter to Col. George Deas, & I gave him one, too, as he is my Cousin. Martin gave him a letter to Capn Cuthbert, he went off looking rather grave. [...]

25 [May]        John went off this morning in the Cecile to join the Lady Davis at Beaufort, he packed up his things in my room, and seemed very much pleased with his position. He got a new trunk, and placed his clothes in good order. When I advised some particular course of conduct he informed [...]

Charleston, May 1861.        We came down on the 10 the Girls & Lewis the day before. All got down comfortably & found them well in Town.—Since that time the servants have been sick one after another, & I have been quite ailing, the house had to be rearranged to accomodate the family. Papa has the [...]

8 May        The boat has gone off to Town, and carried our numerous things and some of the servants and Elizabeth, Ella, & Lotty go off on Thursday and we the next day, Lewis takes them down and returns the next day to remain up here until Monday. He is now to be ordered on [...]

25 [April]        Mr Grimball returned and brought up John, who is now a Midshipman again, with the prospect of being made Master, like the rest of his date, as he resigned when his State did, 2 weeks before his examination, had excellent letters from the Officers who were on board the Macedonian with him 1 [...]

24 April        Charles writes to Papa that he has been ill with Dysentry, he was better, and had been so kindly treated by Mr Nightengale and Comodere Tatnel. He says after this his letters are to be directed to Captain Morris.—He is in charge of the Warship. He had a very fine colt at Papa’s [...]