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 [...]
October 4th, 1863.—I saw something awful this morning; I wish I had not seen it. We were taking a box of hospital supplies to the depot, to ship to Richmond and, when we turned the corner by Fisher’s Green, a group of soldiers were standing there. It was early, the sun had been up but [...]
September 29th, 1863.—This is Mother’s birthday and the house is full of friends who have come to show their love for her. She is just the daintiest little lady in all the land and she is so gracious to everybody; it makes no difference who it is, and I believe that is one reason so [...]
September 25th, 1863.—The telegraph wires are up and working again and the news we get is both encouraging and distressing. A great victory has been won at Chickamauga, but at such a fearful loss of life. It is said to be as bloody a battle as Gettysburg and it lasted three days, beginning on the [...]
September 1st, 1863.—The children have not been well at Bath, so Brother Amos is bringing his family home next week. The War Department will not accept his services, so he is going direct to his plantation on Lake Jackson and try to make lots of syrup, sugar and meat for the armies in the field; [...]
August 20th, 1863.—Captain Beall has improved amazingly, he can now speak in a natural voice and is allowed to converse when he feels like it. At first his voice was so weak and it hurt him to speak, so he made signs for his wants. He is very pleasant, the doctors, who come now and [...]
August 18th, 1863.—Tonight we had with us at supper two of the heroes of Gettysburg; John Nash and Nicholas Eppes. They were recommended for promotion by their colonel, for gallantry on the battle field of Gettysburg. On that field, where deeds of daring, which will live forever, were done, what did these boys do that [...]
July 3rd, 1863.—Another telegram brings more news from Gettysburg—such awful news—death and destruction and perhaps defeat. God help our poor country. Holding my breath I listen and tears come, though I try to be calm. So many of our brave men, who went forward can never come back. Oh, this horrible, horrible WAR! Susan Bradford [...]
July 2nd, 1863.—Yesterday fighting began on Pennsylvania soil. The army of Northern Virginia, the bravest army in the history of wars, may, even now be struggling with the foe. Oh, how horrible it is to know that those you love are in such danger! There must be aching hearts at the North as well as [...]
June 28th, 1863. The army of Northern Virginia is pushing on to the invasion of the North. In this land of ours a curious species of fault-finders has developed. While the men, the true men, are at the front, struggling with might and main to save the South from destruction, there are others, poor weak-kneed [...]
June 17th, 1863.—Vague and contradictory rumors fill the air; we seem to be upon the brink of a change some way. The army of Northern Virginia is on the move and we can only pray and work, for it grows more difficult with every passing day to provide the barest necessities for our brave boys [...]
June 12th, 1863.—Our patient, the newest one, likes his quarters very much. Father and Mother wait on him themselves, they are so afraid something may go wrong. The piano is kept closed and Mattie’s poodle has been banished pro tem. Susan Bradford is 17 years old when this entry was made.
June 10th, 1863.—Dr. English came today and with him Captain John Yates Beall, the soldier he had written about. Captain Beall is young and very good-looking. He has the front room up stairs, where he can be cool and we have our orders to make no noise. He must not talk and he has to [...]
June 3rd, 1863. —I have been sick, dear Diary. I have not been able even to think at times and I am a fright. The fever made my hair drop out and I am wearing a black silk cap, which makes me look like the picture of the Jesuits. So much has happened since I [...]
March 20th, 1863.—Mattie and I have the whooping cough very bad. She cannot retain her food, though I do not suffer in that way, it is extremely painful. When the spells of coughing take me the blood oozes from my eyes, nose and ears. Three doctors have been called in and they say they never [...]
March 19. Heavy northeast storm blowing this morning. Steamer starts down the river and enters the sound about 10 o’clock, wind increases, the sound grows rough, the boat rolls, the boys grow sick, the water breaks on deck and many of them get wet; altogether the passage is rather unpleasant. We arrive at the north [...]
March 12th, 1863.–More bad news to write in my diary. Sweet little Susie died before day this morning. She was so pretty. Except cousin Rich, she was the best looking one of the family. She loved him devotedly and ever since he was killed she seemed to be thinking of him all the time. When [...]
March 6th, 1863.—It is hard to even think, because I want to see Grandpa so bad. We were going to him in the summer and now I will never see him again. Father says I will see him in that beautiful Heaven, which he loved to talk of but it seems so far away. Grandma [...]
January 8th, 1863.—Cousin Sam Donelson came last night. I have not seen him since the summer of 1859 and I would never have known him. Instead of a slender, pale boy, he is a splendid looking man. He is on Uncle Daniel’s staff, with the rank of Lieutenant. Aunt Margaret left her home at the [...]
January 3rd, 1863.—My dear, dear Grandpa is dead. I loved him so well and now I will never see him again. Mother was all ready to start to North Carolina today but a telegram came telling the sad news. Mary Eliza died in the night and she will be buried here tomorrow. There is trouble [...]
December 27th, 1862.—Mother has a letter in the mail, which has just come telling of dear Grandpa’s illness. He went out on the ice to direct the man who was using the ice plow and took a violent cold. We feel very anxious. Mary Eliza is no better. The papers say the armies have gone [...]
December 25th, 1862.—We reached home on the 24th but it is not like Christmas. No frolicking for anybody as Cousin Martha died yesterday morning and will be buried here tomorrow. Everybody loved her and grieves that she has gone. Aunt Sue is in trouble, for little Mary Eliza is sick unto death and Father and [...]
December 20th, 1862.—Last night we sat up all night, getting Harry ready to get off this morning, early, for Virginia. His sister and nieces were packing clothes, putting up provisions for him to take back to camp with him and I was finishing the last pair of socks I had on hand, that makes six [...]
December 15th, 1862.—We have news of a great battle in Virginia, Fredericksburg, a terrible battle in which our side won the victory and the enemy suffered severe losses. How I wish the war would end; it throws a cloud over everything. All the gentlemen visiting here have been wounded but all are getting well; they [...]