April, Wednesday 27, 1864 Tate and Nannie started to Memphis very early this morning, got back home without any trouble, and Tate was fortunate enough to get a permit, and kind enough to me, to bring what few things I had to me. No news, except they are just reallizing the terrible thrashing they received [...]
April, Tuesday 26, 1864 I arose very early this morning, Father was not willing I should go over the creek, went over to Mr. Farrer’s to tell Miss Annie Perdue so she would make other arrangements about sending for them. I was so distressed to think she must be so disapointed , and I did [...]
April, Monday 25, 1864 Father went first thing this morning to see if he could not hear something more about those thieving Yankees,—could not hear whether the Confederate squad gained anything or not—they went down to poor old Mr. Isbell’s and beat him nearly to death because he would not show them the way to [...]
April, Sunday 24, 1864 This has been a terible day of excitement, two wagons from Memphis came out and camped in front of our gate all day, the Yanks did not bother them this morning only to take some Whiskey—two Confederate Soldiers were sitting in the Parlor all the time they were here, they did [...]
April, Saturday 23, 1864 All ready for breakfast, and very much refreshed after a good nights sleep. Dr. Sommers leaves for Vicksburgh today, inspecting hospitals. I would not care if they had no hospitals, however he is very agreeable. I prepared for my trip directly after breakfast. Mrs. Sommers came in the room and seemed [...]
April, Friday 22, 1864 All ready for breakfast this morning, notwithstanding the late hour of retiring last night—they all spent a delightful evening—the Bride looked beautiful, the groom charming, and all passed as merry as a marriage bell—It was a great disapointment to me, but rather too much risk, a trip to Alton would not [...]
April, Thursday 21, 1864 I went round according to appointment, met Capt. Woodward at 11 o’clock. Col. Patterson went with me. Capt. W. had not seen the Provost Marshall, he went as soon as I left, came round to Mrs. Facklen’s after dinner, and brought bad news—though having approached Capt. Williams as aid for a [...]
April, Wednesday 20, 1864 Tate and I arrived in Memphis quite early, put the horse up, then walked up street together, met Nannie and Anna Perkins. Nannie gave me two letters, one from St. Louis to Mrs. Welch, an exile in La Grange, Ga. one from New York from a stranger, asking assistance to through [...]
April, Tuesday 19, 1864 No Yanks today, a heavy raide passed down on Pigeon Rooste Road, do not know their destination. No news from Forrest, and the Yanks do not seem to know where he is. We have not seen any one today, or heard a word of news. Joanna and Bettie went to Memphis [...]
April, Monday 18, 1864 Well, I expect our days of peace and quiet are over, another squad of Yanks passed—four stoped here, staid until after dinner, and went on back to Memphis—all of them, except one, seemed to be gentlemen, this one was a black abolitionist, oh! how I heartily despise him—I promised to make [...]
April, Sunday 17, 1864 For what? am I liveing?—why is it that I am spared from day to day with no happiness myself, and I am sure my poor weary life adds not moiety of pleasure and happiness to any one in this household. Oh! give me strength, give me patience my blessed redeemer, to [...]
April, Saturday 16, 1864 Another day of excitement—about 30 Yanks passed early this morning, only six came in for their breakfast, they did not feed their horses—they behaved very well, and seemed to be gentlemen, in fact we so seldom see gentlemen among the Yankees that we can appreciate them when they are met with. [...]
April, Friday 15, 1864 Today I have spent sewing, all for nothing, tried the waiste on tonight and it will not fit at all. I am so disapointed . Mr. Mancoat came this evening from Memphis. Forrest still holds Fort Pillow, the Yanks are frightened to death in Memphis, how I wish we could get [...]
April, Thursday 14, 1864 A comparitively quiet day to yesterday, cold, cloudy and disagreeable. I have spent it with little use to myself, or any one else—done no sewing at all. Mr. Rogers spent the day with us, brought no late news. Col. Overton and Anna Perkins came after dinner, staid a very short while—Anna [...]
April, Wednesday 13, 1864 This has indeed been an exciting day, heavy fireing all last night & this morn. Forrest has captured Fort Pillow—still in his possession up to this evening dispatches captured on yesterday, the fireing we heard was between the Fort and Gun Boats, the Yanks in Memphis are frightened to death—a squad [...]
April, Tuesday 12, 1864 Mr. Jim Rogers arrived from Texas today, he and Mr. Farrer came over, Col. Perkins, Jimmie Greer and Col. Overton spent the day. Capt. Bissel was here, left two Pistols for me to take care of until he came back the last of the week. I went with Col. Overton over [...]
April, Monday 11, 1864 Helen, Father, the children and myself spent the day alone, the rest all in Memphis. Joanna came home, succeeded in getting Father’s permit for supplies, brought no late news. Miss Perdue & Noble banished, leave tomorrow. I expect I will be next. I was so happy to hear Miss Em is [...]
April, Sunday 10, 1864 Oh! what a relief to the weary, aching brain, when there seems naught for which to live; when this beautiful earth holds no joy; when the glorious sunsets, with their rose tinted clouds have no beauty; when our lifes barks seem drifting ceaselessly on, and we are powerless for good or [...]
April, Friday 8, 1864 A bright and beautiful day, yet a lonely one, our Rebel friends left us—and my poor Beulah was taken away again. Helen & Nannie went over to Mr. Harbut’s, and took her to Willie Duke. Capt. Barber, Capt. Farrell, Mr. Kirk, Eddie and Elb went over on the Plank Road nearly [...]
April, Saturday 9, 1864 What strange weather. cold, bitter cold & raining. Laura awakened me with the news that Lieut. Buchanon of 2 Mo. Cav. with two of his men were here. I hastened to dress, as I expected they would have some news—they came here last night about 6 o’clock to see if we [...]
April, Thursday 7, 1864 I feel dull and stupid this morning—We have had a happy day, although the Yankees are still down the road. Tate and Nannie went to the Pickets this morning, were turned back, the lines closed. Capt. Barber & Mr. Kirk cannot get their things. I had not the heart to see [...]
April, Wednesday 6, 1864 Laura awakened me this morning with the news that Beulah was at my door—oh! it seems there is always something to trouble me. Father allowed her to be chained, and so far has not killed her. We were very much surprised this morning by the arrival of five of Forrest’s men—Eddie [...]
April, Tuesday 5, 1864 I was awakened at daylight by a servant with a note from Miss Hudson who has succeeded in getting all she wants out of Memphis, and promised to take the things I had for Mrs. Hudson to her. I regreted not having all the things through the lines, but sent what [...]
April, Monday 4, 1864 The days now passing are of so much paine and unhappiness to me, it is with the greatest difficulty I can have patience at night to make a record of my sad life. The weather today as gloomy as my feelings—cold and drizzling. Anna Nelson spent the morning, I went in [...]
April, Sunday 3, 1864 This has been a sad and lonely day for me—I miss my poor Beulah so much. Tippie Dora has not come tonight, so Laura and I are all alone. Tate, Joanna, Nannie, Robert, and Uncle Elum all went to Church. Father went up to Mr. Hildebrand’s, Helen was at home, spent [...]