May 11th, 1861.—The wanderers got home last night, the direct route was so closely guarded that they had to come across country to Vicksburg, on the Mississippi and, taking a flat-boat there, come south until they reached a landing at one of the large Louisiana plantations, where they got off. Cousin Johnnie explined the situation and tried to hire a conveyance of some kind to travel to the next town, but the planter was the soul of hospitality and entertained them until the next morning and then sent them on in his carriage to a place where a livery stable was kept. Here they purchased a horse and buggy and thus they reached home. Cousin Bettie has been at school in the North for four years, with just a short visit at Christmas.
Susan Bradford is 15 years old when this entry was made.