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 [...]
April, Saturday 2, 1864 Ever memorable and (to me ) sad day. I was awakened this morning by the pitious howl of poor Fosco—as I feared when Beulah left the room, they all killed seven sheep last night. Uncle Elum knocked Fosco in the head, Beulah ran to my room, thereby saving her life—Father sent [...]
April, Friday 1, 1864 A gloomy day, raining, cold, and dreary. I have managed to exist, have not done much sewing. I came to my room after dinner, and spent the evening reading the Caxton’s—although quite an old book, I have never read it. I began with high expectations, and recommendations, as Bulwer’s best—must confess [...]
March, Thursday 31, 1864 Laura awakened me standing by the bed with my breakfast. I was too sleepy to eat, and only drank my Coffee. I have felt very badly all day, did not do any sewing, lying down most of the day. Mr. Pugh, Jim and Mr. Harbut with Jim’s body guard the Prince [...]
April, Saturday 30, 1864 Laura brought my breakfast to my room—very late—everybody slept late this morning – Raining, raining, raining—oh! such a gloomy day as it has been. Joanna & Nannie have not come yet. Nonconnah is swimming, but Father is miserable for fear that is not what keeps them. Maj. Crump left about 10 [...]
March, Wednesday 30, 1864 It seems I can never go to Memphis without some disagreeable arrangements and sayings. I was greatly disappointed in my trip. Tate and I went together. I stoped at Mrs. Facklen’s on Union St.—she went on up to Cousin Frazor’s in the buggy—Mrs. Facklen and Mrs. Kirk in great distress, old [...]
March, Tuesday 29. 1864 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken—Proverbs— I am sitting in my little room alone, with the exception of my little family, who are more inclined to the silent embrace of Morpheus than any pleasures the quiet of my own society could [...]
March, Monday 28, 1864 Tate and Anna Nelson went to Memphis this morning—got back safe Mr. Tommerry gave Tate up all of her things the U. S. G. confiscated, she brought them all safe through the lines, they belong to Mr. Wallace, who will be delighted to hear they are recovered. Mr. Harbut & Jim [...]
March, Sunday 27, 1864 Rather lazy, as it was Sunday—Laura fixed me a very nice breakfast which I enjoyed in my room. Helen & Nannie went home with Anna Nelson, all rode horseback, the girls did not stay very long. I spent the morning reading my Bible, finished the Acts today—took a long walk after [...]
March, Saturday 26, 1864 Today everything in commotion, as it is a general cleaning up day. Laura did not give me possession of my room until 12 o’clock—have not set a stitch in sewing today. Mr. Pugh and I spent the morning playing Drafts—I beat him badly. After dinner he very kindly offered to fix [...]
March, Friday 25, 1864 As usual late, and breakfast in my room, found Nannie, Jim & Mr. Pugh having a nice time in the Parlor—have not done any work scarcely, only hem’d Eddie two handkerchiefs—Mr. Pugh and I had a game of drafts—I beat him the best three in five. Helen & Joanna went over [...]
March, Thursday 24, 1864 I slept very late this morning—had breakfast in my room—I would rather have slept than have the choicest dishes from old Schwab’s. Ready at last, arrived in the Parlor, found Jim & Mr. Pugh with the girls having a nice time—spent the morning fixing my old Bombazine dress. Enjoyed my dinner [...]
March, Wednesday 23, 1864 Tate & I went to Memphis this morning bright and early—stoped at Mrs. Apperson’s first—from there to Cousin Frazor. Tate met me at Mrs. Worsham’s room, we then went up street, walked until three o’clock, attended to all affaires entrusted to our care, ready to leave at half past three—all of [...]