War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

Drowned Out and Starved Out

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May 26.—During the past week we have lived somewhat like Venetians, with a boat at front steps and a raft at the back. Sunday H. and I took skiff to church. The clergyman, who is also tutor at a planter’s across the lake, preached to the few who had arrived in skiffs. We shall not [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

The Fight for Food and Clothing

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April 30.—The last two weeks have glided quietly away without incident except the arrival of new neighbors—Dr. Y., his wife, two children, and servants. That a professional man prospering in Vicksburg should come now to settle in this retired place looks queer. Max said: “H., that man has come here to hide from the conscript [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

The Fight for Food and Clothing

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April 1, 1862.—The last ten days have brought changes in the house. Max R. left with the company to be mustered in, leaving with us his weeping Annie. Hardly were her spirits somewhat composed when her brother arrived from Natchez to take her home. This morning he, Annie, and Reeney, the black handmaiden, posted off. [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

How it was in Arkansas.

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March 22, 1862.—H., Mr. R., and Mike have been very busy the last few days getting the acre of kitchen-garden plowed and planted. The stay-law has stopped all legal business, and they have welcomed this work. But to-day a thunderbolt fell in our household. Mr. R. came in and announced that he has agreed to [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

How it was in Arkansas.

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March 20, 1862.—A man professing to act by General Hindman’s orders is going through the country impressing horses and mules. The overseer of a certain estate came to inquire of H. if he had not a legal right to protect the property from seizure. Mr. L. said yes, unless the agent could show some better [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

How it was in Arkansas.

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March 18, 1862.—There has been unusual gayety in this little village the past few days. The ladies from the surrounding plantations went to work to get up a festival to equip the new company. As Annie and myself are both brides recently from the city, requisition was made upon us for engravings, costumes, music, garlands, [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

How it was in Arkansas.

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March 11, 1862.—The serpent has entered our Eden. The rancor and excitement of New Orleans have invaded this place. If an incautious word betrays any want of sympathy with popular plans, one is “traitorous,” “ungrateful,” “crazy.” If one remains silent, and controlled, then one is “phlegmatic,” “cool-blooded,” “unpatriotic.” Cool-blooded! Heavens! if they only knew. It [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

Unionist Dora Richards finds herself married and leaving New Orleans with her new husband on a steamboat headed up the Mississippi.

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Friday, Jan. 24, 1862. (On steamboat W., Mississippi River.)—With a changed name I open you once more, my journal. It was a sad time to wed, when one knew not how long the expected conscription would spare the bridegroom. The women-folk knew how to sympathize with a girl expected to prepare for her wedding in [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

A Union woman in the largest city in the Confederacy, New Orleans, says good riddance to 1861, the most miserable year of her life.

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Jan. 2, 1862.—I am glad enough to bid ‘61 goodbye. Most miserable year of my life! What ages of thought and experience have I not lived in it. Last Sunday I walked home from church with a young lady teacher in the public schools. The teachers have been paid recently in “shin-plasters.” I don’t understand [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

Dora Richards Miller records in New Orleans that Union ships ‘are still serenely anchored below the city.’

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Oct. 22, 1861.—When I came to breakfast this morning Rob was capering over another victory—Ball’s Bluff. He would read me, “We pitched the Yankees over the bluff,” and ask me in the next breath to go to the theater this evening. I turned on the poor fellow: “Don’t tell me about your victories. You vowed [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

Coats for Jeff Thompson’s men.—”The most bewildering combination of brilliant, intense reds, greens, yellows, and blues in big flowers” from flannel-lined oilcloth table-covers.

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Sept. 25, 1861. (Home again from “The Pines.”)—When I opened the door of Mrs. F.’s room on my return, the rattle of two sewing-machines and a blaze of color met me. “Ah! G., you are just in time to help us; these are coats for Jeff Thompson’s men. All the cloth in the city is [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

“The news-boys are still shouting with their extras, ‘Battle of Bull’s Run! List of the killed! Battle of Manassas! List of the wounded!’ ”—War Diary of a Union Woman in the South by Dora Richards Miller

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July 22.—What a day! I feel like one who has been out in a high wind, and cannot get my breath. The news-boys are still shouting with their extras, “Battle of Bull’s Run! List of the killed! Battle of Manassas! List of the wounded!” Tender-hearted Mrs. F. was sobbing so she could not serve the [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

Tribulation.—”‘Indeed,’ I burst out, forgetting my resolution not to argue…”—War Diary of a Union Woman in the South.

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July 15, 1861.—The quiet of midsummer reigns, but ripples of excitement break around us as the papers tell of skirmishes and attacks here and there in Virginia. “Rich Mountain” and “Carrick’s Ford” were the last. “You see,” said Mrs. D. at breakfast to-day, “my prophecy is coming true that Virginia will be the seat of [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

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May 27, 1861.—This has been a scenic Sabbath. Various companies about to depart for Virginia occupied the prominent churches to have their flags consecrated. The streets were resonant with the clangor of drums and trumpets. E. and myself went to Christ Church because the Washington Artillery were to be there. Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

“I had not the moral courage to say, ‘I don’t approve of your war and won’t help you, particularly in the murderous part of it.'”–War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

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May 10, 1861.—I am tired and ashamed of myself. Last week I attended a meeting of the lint society to hand in the small contribution of linen I had been able to gather. We scraped lint till it was dark. A paper was shown, entitled the “Volunteer’s Friend,” started by the girls of the high [...]

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South