April 6th, 1864.—There was a concert last night at the Capitol for the benefit of the Martha Reid Hospital, in Richmond. Local talent, assisted by Quincy and Monticello, furnished the music. Sister Mart was one of the star performers and there were a score of others. Pretty music they made and a pretty picture, too, [...]
April 2nd, 1864.—We did a mean thing yesterday. It being “all fools day”, we issued invitations to a favored few to supper. Then we went to work to play a joke on them. We induced Betsey, who keeps house for the Donelsons, to help us. We made pies, beautiful looking pies, but they were filled [...]
March 31st, 1864.–The box has gone and my socks were ready; that is, the requisite number went but I had to borrow one sock from Aunt Robinson, with the promise that I would knit another right away. I am going to Aunt Margaret’s to stay a few days. Her girls are going to school at [...]
March 26th, 1864.—I am so ashamed of myself. In all the excitement we have experienced and, yes, all this ill-timed gaiety, I forgot I had not finished the allotment of socks, which was to have been ready for the box, which is to be forwarded to the Army of the West. I have only three [...]
March 21st, 1864.—The party at Goodwood was a grand success. The general and his staff were magnificently attired in new uniforms, just from Paris, via. Zeigler’s Blockade Runner. As many of Colonel Scott’s Battalion as could be spared at one time came in from Camp Randolph. There are quite a number of strangers in town [...]
March 15th, 1864.—This is the first entry for more than two weeks but we have been so busy and now I am going to write something that sounds heartless. Goodwood is to open its doors to society. The first time Aunt Sue and Uncle Arvah have entertained since dear little Mary Eliza’s death. This party [...]
February 23rd, 1864.—There were ten men instead of nine, but we were ready for them. Eight of them are wounded in the head, the face, or in the shoulder. One was shot in the palm of the hand, while the tenth was shot in the foot. One of his comrades, who is not hurt much, [...]
February 22nd, 1864.—A message from the Tallahassee hospital to father tells him to prepare to receive nine wounded men from Olustee, they will be in tonight. Susan Bradford is nearly 17 years old when this entry was made.
February 21st, 1864.—Yesterday a terrible battle was fought at Ocean Pond, or Olustee, both names are used in the news sent to us of the fierce struggle between the Yankees and our troops. Many are dead on both sides and our loss would have been heavier if the Yankees had been better shots. Our soldiers [...]
February 20th 1864.—Two more Georgia regiments passed through today en route for Lake City. I am afraid that means a fight. God help us.. Susan Bradford is nearly 17 years old when this entry was made.
February ___[1], 1864.—Blind Tom is wonderful! He plays the Battle of Manassas and, before he begins to play, his master tells you how Tom came to compose this piece. His master, Colonel Bethune, is so proud of him and Tom loves him and is so affectionate; just like some sweet-tempered animal that you have petted. [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—Blind Tom is to play at the Capitol tonight. We are going to hear him for he is too wonderful to miss. I am staying at Aunt Margaret’s. Cousin Jim will take Mart and Sue and me to town. It is not very far and I had an invitation to go from a [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—Mrs. Gamble’s party was delightful, the band gave us fine music, the camp provided plenty of partners and there are young ladies galore in Tallahassee. Last night one of General Cobb’s staff officers told me the Capers Battalion had been sent to guard Tallahassee, in case of invasion. He said General Dickenson and [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—By special invitation, we rode over the hills to the Camp today, to see the battalion drill. It was a dress parade and every man looked his best. I made a new (old) acquaintance after the drill was over. Frank Baker, the only son of Judge Bolling Baker, of Virginia. He is just [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—We have had a grand time but now it is over. We have had rides and walks and drives; we have had parties, picnics and serenades; we have had a merry two weeks and now our play-mates are gone. They looked so handsome and they held their heads so proudly and marched away [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—Last night we had an impromptu musicale and Aunt Sue provided a delicious supper at the close of the evening. The Colonel’s boys have something more to tell of him, whenever we meet. Last night Edward Clayton told me of the lectures which were given almost daily by the officers. Of course they [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—I have found out a good deal about Colonel Capers and all I hear makes me admire him the more. I will try to write this like history, my little Diary, and you must take care of it for future generations. When Georgia seceded, Henry D. Capers was in command of the Marietta [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—We have been at Goodwood three days now and there is so much to write about. The first night Aunt Sue invited all the social world of Tallahassee to meet Colonel Capers. He came, attended by fifty or more of his men, the artillery uniform is beautiful and it is particularly becoming to [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—We did not hear anything more of the Colonel and his boys yesterday but this morning we have a note from Aunt Sue with a postscript from uncle Arvah, telling us of the arrival at Tallahassee of a battalion of artillery, which had encamped on the Magnolia Hill to the east, of town. [...]
February 9th, 1864.—For more than a year we have not attended large parties nor have we given entertainments. Of course we have had our friends with us in social intercourse and enjoyed it, too, but we were wearing black and, while we do this, it is not suitable that we should be seen in gay [...]
February ___,[1] 1864.—I did not write yesterday, nor for three days before that and now I cannot quite remember the date. We have had a delightful visit, or rather two delightful visits, first at Goodwood and then at Woodstock; just the two pleasantest places that you could imagine. I am sure no girl ever had [...]
December 4th, 1863.–We had that musicale last night and it was fine. We had an unexpected guest; in the afternoon cousin Mary wrote a note asking if she might bring Miss Maria Eppes. She had come to visit at Greenwood. Of course we were glad to have her and when she came we were delighted; [...]
November 2nd, 1863.—Now, while Cousin Julia is with us, I am trying to make things as pleasant as possible for her. All the boys are away in the army, so we have what Aunt Dinah calls “hen parties.” We have been the rounds of the family to dinings; we have had picnics, to which we [...]
Note: though dated several weeks earlier, this entry follows that for October 27th in the book and, with its content consistent with a later entry, it is posted here in the same sequence.. October 6th, 1863.—Yesterday morning we got up with the sun and had a bath and some clean clothes, then came breakfast of [...]
October 27th, 1863.—We went to the salt works today and, though I am tired and dirty and have no good place to write, I am going to try to tell you about it. A year ago salt began to get scarce but the people only had to economize in its use, but soon there was [...]