February ___[1], 1864.—Last night we had an impromptu musicale and Aunt Sue provided a delicious supper at the close of the evening. The Colonel’s boys have something more to tell of him, whenever we meet. Last night Edward Clayton told me of the lectures which were given almost daily by the officers. Of course they have no books in camp but these lectures are an education in themselves. The boys are encouraged to ask questions and to debate on different points. Mr. Kellar, who is a mountain boy, says the Colonel taught him to read and write and now he is determined to get an education, when the war is over. He has a splendid baritone voice and we keep him singing most of the time. Mr. Seavy told me that sometimes when the boys tried to “run wild” the officers, especially Col. Capers, gave them talks, which were better than any sermon he ever listened to. Mrs. Capers must be very proud of this grand soldier of hers.
Good-bye little Diary, I have an engagement to go to ride this afternoon and must get ready.
[1] This diary was written in pencil and in many instances the dates are almost, or quite, illegible. The month and year are plain but the figures are not so plain; particularly is this the case during the years of warfare, possibly the pencils were poor, or the paper might have been. At any rate we ask our readers to be lenient if some little mistakes occur.
Susan Bradford is nearly 17 years old when this entry was made.