6th March 1865        I have no heart to write a journal now. The war goes on but so much distress and suffering. Charleston evacuated, Columbia sacked & burned, Cheraw[?], Winnsborough, Camden, Society Hill & other places visited by the Army of Sherman & sacked and burned. Our Army now under Johnston following Sherman and all [...]

1 January 1864        Mr Grimball was prevented from going to Town by the weather & I am glad he remained for we have always been together on New Year’s day. We are expecting a visit from Lewis on his way to the Western Army.—I thank God for all his mercies and pray to increase in [...]

Oct 21        William is now in Charleston at Battery Ramsy. He thinks we had better move the furniture in Charleston to the upper part of the City.–

4th October        I received this morning from Charlotte the painful account of Papa’s death, he suffered at last very much, and passed away on the morning of the 30th September 1863, between 5, & 6 in the morning, he was very much swollen had parozisms of difficulty of breathing which were terrible, had been twelve [...]

Sep 29        Our success in the West is very gratifying, & much needed to keep up the drooping spirits. Every paper contains accounts of the donations to the Hospitals, & it is wonderful & affecting to see whar little things are sent, combs, tooth brushes, a banjo, a bunch of herbs, a roll of rag, [...]

September 20        There has been a very brave & successful repulse of an attack on Fort Sumter. The Artillery have been moved from the Fort & an Infantry Company, the Charleston Batallion put there & Major Stephen Elliott placed in command it is said they took the flag that used to be on the Fort, [...]

9 Sep        Mr Grimball took his nieces to Camden and placed them comfortably in their lodgings he arrived here on Saturday and looked sad and worne by all the anxiety he has gone through. He feels the death of his sister very much she was a most gentle and Christian woman.—        There was a Confirmation [...]

August 4th        Vicksburg has fallen, Port Hudson followed of course, the Mississippi is in possession of our foe, Charleston is beseiged with a large force, Naval and land. Lees advance was not a success, he has returned after a direful battle at Gettysburg Pennsylvania, in which we lost 15 thousand & retreated. There have been [...]

28th June        Received a letter from Papa in which he says Mr G. Lowndes & Mr Heyward have sold their Combahee places very well & advises Mr Grimball to sell his plantations he goes down on Friday the 3d to arrange matters if possible.—        The prices of articles of food are very high. Bacon $1.25 [...]

21st [June]        Arthur came up on the 10 & remained 10 days he had his clothes washed & mended & several little things done for him, we found him improved. Mr Grimball gave him 100 dollars to assist in paying his mess bill &c. It was a pleasant visit, we were glad to see him.

June.        Berkley came up 10 days since for his furlough he looks well and is quiet and as he always has been. He leaves us on Tuesday 9th to return to his Artillery. I am not satisfied that he is in a healthy position but they give the men quinine. We have been very glad [...]

May 1        I have not written for some time. The war goes on with the same success on our side & the same pertinacity on the part of the Yankees. The last victory at Fredricksburg has been dearly bought by the loss of our hero Jackson, accidentally shot by his own men who would have [...]

March 22        The successful running the blocade has given a great deal of wealth to some people and there is considerable activity in the selling negroes & City property. Mr Grimball has sold his negroes 48 to Mr G. Trenholm for eight hundred & twenty round some were old & some inferior & some very [...]

10th March        This is my wedding day and the first time we have not passed it together. Mr Grimball is now in Charleston to try and arrange his business he thinks he will be obliged to sell his negroes. The interest of his debt for the Plantations goes on & we are living on what [...]

Feby 20        Went over to see Mrs Irwin her husband used to keep the Mansion house in Greenville we met there. Mrs Lockwood the Miliner of the Village & Mrs Irwin sees every one in her bed chamber. Mrs Lockwood is a good looking woman and talked very sensibly of her business which just now [...]

February 13        Mr Toomer Porter had a sale of his furniture & moved his family to Charleston. Mr Irwin the proprietor now lives in the other wing and keeps his school, to which Harry goes.—        Miss Toomer & Miss Charlotte, her niece, are boarding at Mrs Thomsons. Her health is better, we visited her the [...]

1 January        This is New Years Day. I feel most thankful for all the unmerited mercies, we have had troubles, & losses, but how much worse they might have been. Through all this dreadful war we have as yet been spared, how long that may be, O! Lord thou knowest.        We have had a most [...]

31 Decr        This is the last day of this year—the success of our Army at Fredricksburg and the account of the difficulties at the North give us evidence of an end to this dreadful strife: but the change comes so slowly, ones wishes are not realized. Patience will have its perfect work.        Elizabeth had a [...]

14 Dec.        Mr Grimball paid us a visit having a furlough from his company, he had a bad cold, and during his stay it was very cold he returned to Charleston and Military life. I think rather pleased with the fact that he, too, is doing what he can to help.—        Things get on here [...]

28 [November]        The weather cold thankful we are where we can get wood the price here is $2.50 for a cord. There is great difficulty in getting change, fortunately this morning I got a $20 bill changed, by purchasing $4 worth of Meal.—        Two poor women recently came here to beg. I was not able [...]

27 November        Mr Grimball returned from Camden with the box of silver which we now have up here and has gone to Charleston where he intends offering his services for Military duty in the Reserves, Captain Lesegne. He is under 65 & the Governor and Council have called out all men under 65 and of [...]

November 5th        Papa went off this morning with his man and his maid and I hope he will get down comfortably and be able to stay on his plantation. He went off feeling very sad and with heavy forebodings, but the times cause that.—The poor old gentleman we shall miss him very much, all his [...]

24th October        Papa has determined to go to his Plantation early in November, and I am quite reconciled to his going because he always moves at this season, and because it is now difficult to get what he likes to eat, if he cannot remain on his place he will return to us. We will [...]

10th October        We went to Church on Communion Sunday and saw Miss Clemy Legg in deep black what a pity the poor thing was not married to Mr Palmer.—        Papa talks of going down to his Plantation to settle his affairs. If he has to move his negroes he will send them to Georgia to [...]