March 16th, 1862.—The entire family wrote to Brother Amos this morning, he will surely find out he has a young daughter. As scarce as paper is Eddie had to have a whole sheet to write his letter on. He looked so in earnest that I asked what he was writing? He said, “I is sayin’, [...]
March 15th, 1862.—Sister Mag has a daughter, born this morning. Poor little girl. She will, in all probability, never see her father’s face. I do not believe the war is going to end in even ninety days. Sister Mag is very ill tonight and I have Eddie upstairs with me, that he may not disturb [...]
March 13th, 1862.—Brother Amos left this morning and our hearts ache for both of them. The women of the South have much to bear. Father takes me with him every other day to search for certain medicinal plants and roots, from which supplies for hospital use can be made. Medicines of all kinds are scarce [...]
March 8th, 1862.—I do not like Dr. Cleveland. I wonder how much longer he is going to stay? This morning while we were sitting at the breakfast table he was contending with Mother about the “sweet-briar.” It seems he has spent much time in England, perhaps he is an Englishman, but he insists that there [...]
December 25th, 1861.—Christmas night! No festive gathering tonight. We did not have a Christmas tree. Mattie and Eddie hung up their stockings but they had so many things they might better have hung up a two bushel sack. I found a number of gifts on the lightstand beside my bed, when I awoke this morning. [...]
December 20th, 1861.—I spent today at Uncle Tom’s. His daughters are just the smartest, busiest people I ever saw. Cousin Mary Bernard and her three children and cousin Frances with her five are there, while Captain Bernard and Cousin Tom are at the front and Christmas is at hand. There are but few toys to [...]
December 1st, 1861.—Father was reading what I had written about the Battle of Manassas and he said, “My baby has forgotten to write of school plans. They should be recorded by all means. In years to come you will read of it with great interest and it should have come before the account of the [...]
November 1st, 1861.—School had opened on the first of last month, but, after the trouble which came to us, mother let Miss Sadie go to visit her sister for a while. She came back on the 15th and the other girls have been going to school while I was away. This morning I began again, [...]
October 12th, 1861.—Cousin Rich was buried today. Crowds of people came and Governor Milton delivered an eulogy on his spotless record. His is the first blood shed on Florida soil in this cruel war. All his brothers were present except Cousin Johnnie, who is in Virginia. His two sisters are so distressed. When the services [...]
October 10th, 1861.—War has come home to the Bradford neighborhood! . . . Last night, October 9th, Captain Richard H. Bradford was shot in the breast and instantly killed, while leading his men in an attack on Santa Rosa Island. He was everybody’s darling. We were so proud of him, too. Father went to bear [...]
September 15th, 1861.—All the troops are not sent to Virginia, the Dixie Yeomen have been incorporated into the Fifth Florida Regiment and they have gone to Palatka to be drilled. So far the troops, which have been sent had been drilling for some time and were considered fit for service but these fresh companies have [...]
June 11th, 1861.—Perhaps it would be as well, my dear Diary, to write here a short sketch of the Bradford neighborhood at this time. The war is an established fact and a shadow lies across the hearts of the Southern people. It may be that the North feels it equally with ourselves, but I cannot [...]
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 [...]
May 9th, 1861.—We hear many rumors and the papers are filled with alarming paragraphs, just enough to keep us “on the anxious bench,” yet not enough to give much real information. We have been hearing hints of a blockade but last night the news reached us that the United States Government established on the 6th [...]
April 17th, 1861.—Yesterday we had a picnic on Lake McBride, the occasion being the presentation of a flag to the Dixie Yeomen. The ladies of the Bradford neighborhood embroidered the banner and though cousins Martha and Rebecca Bradford designed and selected the silks, we, every one, did our part in the work. Even if the [...]
March 17th, 1861.—Brother Amos has been a member of the Governor’s Guards for a long time; that is, ever since the company was organized last October and he did not tell us until tonight that the Guards volunteered two weeks ago. Sister Mag was wild with grief at first but Mother tried to comfort her [...]
March 3rd, 1861.—Father has volunteered. Mother was bitterly opposed but though Father yielded to her in many things he would not in this. I wish I was a boy; even if I am young, I could go with him if only I were not a girl. It will beak my heart if he goes. Susan [...]
December 28th, 1860.—We had a fine Christmas. I cannot see that our black folks ever think of John Brown’s raid and if they do it evidently does not interest them much. We are trying to forget it and perhaps the clouds may pass away. There is trouble at Live Oak. Miss Lottie Church, from somewhere [...]
December 8th, 1860.—Miss Sadie Talbot, our new governess, arrived today. She and her sister are Southern girls from Easton, Maryland. They are tall blondes and very pretty, I think. They have the little touch in their speech which most Marylanders whom I have known have had, and it sounds real sweet from them though it [...]
July 4th, 1860.—We went to Tallahassee to attend a celebration of our country’s birthday. Brother Amos belongs to the Governor’s Guards, most of the younger men and boys about grown belong to it too. They have handsome blue uniforms and a brass band to play for them to march. It is a cavalry company and [...]
May 16, 1860.—Now that the frolicking is over and there is plenty of time to read the papers, I find much to trouble and alarm. This is a Presidential year and already there are indications of a hot fight. Brother Junius is an Old Line Whig and Father and Buddy are Democrats. They almost quarrel [...]
May 3rd, 1860.—The May Party was a complete success; everyone who came said it was. Our Queen was beautiful and the flower girls were, too. All the party looked their best and there was a large crowd from Tallahassee and from Thomasville. Grandpa was pleased and said so many pretty things about the whole affair. [...]
April 22nd, 1860.—Grandpa has consented to stay until after the May Party and we feel so complimented that he should honor us with his presence. Now I am going to practice my part in good earnest for I do not want to fail when he is coming to look on. Susan Bradford is 14 years [...]
April 12th, 1860.—We are going to have a May Party at Greenwood. Florence Holland will be our Queen. She is the prettiest of all our girls. I am Maid of Honor and we have ever so many different ones in it. It will be pleasant no doubt, but I have been so happy all the [...]
March 26th, 1860.—The baby is not to have Father’s full name after all; he is to be named for both of his grandfathers and that makes him James Edward Whitehead. Maybe I won’t love him so well, but I think I will, for he is Sister Mag’s own dear little son and I shall love [...]