OCTOBER 1st.—They are still striking at martial law in the Senate, as administered by Gen. Winder. A communication from the Secretary of War admits that Gen. W. was authorized to suppress substitute agencies—”but this did not justify impressment and confiscation.” It appears that Gen Winder ordered the agents to be impressed into the service, and [...]
NEAR BUNKER HILL, VA., October 1st, 1862. Dear Mother: I have just received a letter from you, dated Sept. 2nd. It is the first word I have heard from home since I left Richmond (I forgot I did receive one letter down at Anderson’s station, 30 miles from Richmond). It appears that you have not [...]
Tuesday, September 30th. It required very little persuasion to induce those gentlemen to stay to supper, the other evening, and it was quite late before they took their leave. Dr. Addison I was very much pleased with, and so were all the rest. Mr. M––, none of us fell desperately in love with. He is [...]
SEPTEMBER 30th.—Lincoln’s proclamation was the subject of discussion in the Senate yesterday. Some of the gravest of our senators favor the raising of the black flag, asking and giving no quarter hereafter. The yellow fever is raging at Wilmington, North Carolina. The President, in response to a resolution of inquiry concerning Hyde, the agent who [...]
SEPTEMBER 29th.—We have Lincoln’s proclamation, freeing all the slaves from and after the 1st January next. And another, declaring martial law throughout the United States! Let the Yankees ruminate on that! Now for a fresh gathering of our clans for another harvest of blood. On Saturday the following resolutions were reported by Mr. Semmes, from [...]
HEAD QUARTER’S ANDERSON’S BRIGADE, MAR. BUNKER’S HILL, VA., Sept. 29, 1862. My Dear Mother: It has been some time since I last wrote you. I hope you have not been uneasy about me, for I have never been in better health in my life. During the past two months we have been on the march [...]
September 28th. We were roused up at four o’clock last night by the arrival of Lydia and Eugene Carter,[i] the first from Virginia and the second from Tennessee; and, of course, there was very little sleep for any of us, so anxious were we to hear the news they brought. First I learned that Gibbes [...]
September 27th. I often wonder how lies first came into the world, and whether those who originate them do not believe them as firmly as any one else would believe truth. Lying seems to be the common creed of children and servants. Anna told me of having heard Lennice telling the other servants that she [...]
SEPTEMBER 27th.—The papers this morning contain accounts of the landing of Yankees at White House, York River; and of reinforcements at Williamsburg and Suffolk. They might attempt to take Richmond, while Lee’s army is away; for they know we have no large body of troops here. A battery passed through the city this morning early, [...]
Sarah Morgan. X. September 26th, Friday. My mark finds me at Linwood, though I had not the slightest idea that it would. Wonder where twenty pages beyond will find me? At home, I hope and pray, though I am as happy here as I could possibly be in any place on earth. Stirring news from [...]
SEPTEMBER 25th.—Blankets, that used to sell for $6, are now $25 per pair; and sheets are selling for $15 per pair, which might have been had a year ago for $4. Common 4-4 bleached cotton shirting is selling at $1 a yard. Gen. Lee’s locality and operations, since the battle of Sharpsburg or Shepherdstown, are [...]
September 24th. Yesterday the General saluted us with “Young ladies, if you will ride in a Confederate carriage, you may go to dress parade this evening.” Now, in present phraseology, “Confederate” means anything that is rough, unfinished, unfashionable, or poor. You hear of Confederate dresses, which means last year’s. Confederate bridle means a rope halter. [...]
SEPTEMBER 24th.—The papers this morning are still in doubt whether Lee has returned to the Virginia side of the Potomac, or remains in Maryland. My theory is that he is perdue for the present, hoping all the enemy’s forces will enter Virginia, from Washington—when he will pounce upon that city and cut off their retreat. [...]
SEPTEMBER 23d.—Jackson, the ubiquitous and invincible, fell upon Burnside’s division and annihilated it. This intelligence has been received by the President. We have, also, news from Kentucky. It comes this time in the New York Herald, and is true, as far as it goes. A portion of Buell’s army, escaping from Nashville, marched to Mumfordsville, [...]
SEPTEMBER 22nd.—There are rumors that only Jackson’s corps recrossed the Potomac to look after a column of the enemy sent to recapture Harper’s Ferry and take Winchester, our grand depot.
September 21st. After supper last night, by way of variety, Anna, Miriam, and I came up to our room, and after undressing, commenced popping corn and making candy in the fireplace. We had scarcely commenced when three officers were announced, who found their way to the house to get some supper, they having very little [...]
SEPTEMBER 21st.—We have one day of gloom. It is said that our army has retreated back into Virginia.
September 20th, Saturday. General Carter has just received a letter from Lydia, which contains what to me is the most melancholy intelligence – the news of the death of Eugene Fowler,[i] who was killed on the 22d of August, in some battle or skirmish in Virginia. Poor Eugene! . . . Does it not seem [...]
SEPTEMBER 20th.—While Jackson was doing his work, McClellan, who has been restored to command, marched at the head of 100,000 men to the rescue of Harper’s Ferry, but D. P. Hill, with his single division, kept him at bay for many hours, until Longstreet came to his assistance; and night fell upon the scene. But [...]
SEPTEMBER 19th.—And God has blessed us even more abundantly than we supposed. The rumor that our invincible Stonewall Jackson had been sent by Lee to Harper’s Ferry, and had taken it, is TRUE. Nearly 12,000 men surrendered there on the 15th inst., after the loss of two or three hundred on their side, and only [...]
SEPTEMBER 18th.—To-day, in response to the President’s proclamation, we give thanks to Almighty God for the victories HE has blessed us with.
Linwood, September 17th, Wednesday. Still floating about! This morning after breakfast, General Carter made his appearance, and in answer to his question as to whether we were ready to leave with him, Miriam replied, “Yes, indeed!” heartily, glad to get away from Clinton, where I have detained her ever since the day Theodore returned home, [...]
SEPTEMBER 17th.—Everything seems to indicate the “breaking up” of the armies of our enemies, as if our prayers had been answered, and the hosts of Lincoln were really to be “brought to confusion.”
Tuesday, September 16th. Yesterday Miriam determined to go to Linwood, and consequently I had a severe task of trunk-packing, one of my greatest delights, however. I hate to see any one pack loosely or in a slovenly manner. Perhaps that is the reason I never let any one do it if I am able to [...]
SEPTEMBER 16th.—Intelligence from Missouri states that the Union militia have rallied on the side of the South.