May, Friday 13, 1864 Miss Em, Joanna, Anna Nelson, Tate’s children and Kate all went to Memphis this morning, all returned except Mary, who they left with Tate. We have had a quiet day, comparatively speaking. No Yankees—Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pope came this evening—been up several days, no late news. Poor Mr. Harbut was [...]
May, Thursday 12, 1864 Miss Em and I took breakfast in our room—it was bitter cold this morning, and I have taken my stove down. Mr. Nelson very impatient, Mr. Brett arrived about 11 o’clock, had succeeded in getting a pass for Mr. N. from Gen’l Washburn, good for one week—they left about 12. We [...]
May, Wednesday 11, 1864 Tate and Joanna went to Memphis this morning—what a mistake—on yesterday they went in, did not return until this evening. Joanna and Miss Em, and little Emie all came, oh! I was so delighted to see Mrs. Perkins—Nannie came out very early, started to go to Germantown, for John a horse, [...]
May, Tuesday 10, 1864 Cloudy and rainy, I got up to breakfast as Mr. Harbut came, he is cut off from his command, and has no news. We heard Forrest had got safely out of Tenn. Tate and Joanna went to Memphis this morn, did not get back and we have not heard a word, [...]
May, Monday 9, 1864 I slept very late, Laura came in to clean my room, did everything but make the bed, I told her if she would let me alone I would make the bed. I have been sewing on my white mull, did not get much done, have it all arranged, and hope to [...]
May, Sunday 8, 1864 I had a nice time sleeping late this morning, and Laura had a nice, Breakfast to tempt my apetite when awakened—the Detective and his lady friend had left before I got in the Parlor. John and Cousin Frazor kept in the dark all morning, though every was quiet, we have not [...]
May, Saturday 7, 1864 I went over to Mrs. Clayton’s early this morning to make arrangements with Hal about going South, did not find her at home, waited until after 3 o’c but did not get to see her. Spent a very pleasant day—heard no news—came by Mrs. Duke’s to see Beulah, poor Dog, she [...]
May, Friday 6, 1864 I got up very early this morning, finished Harriet’s dress a little after dinner, just one day making it, I have picked my finger almost to the bone, and will have to rest for a few days and let it recruit. I slept all the evening, have spent the day alone, [...]
The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context. May, Thursday 5, 1864 I have spent a most unhappy day,—half sick, and the “black spirits” haunted me teribly—oh! I don’t know what is the matter with [...]
May, Wednesday 4, 1864 I have sewed buisy all day, finished my white braided swiss—I think it is beautiful. Laura finished her new Calico, we both had to sew very late tonight to finish them. Bettie got sleepy and went home some time since—We all had a considerable fright tonight—by Anna Nelson sending to warn [...]
May, Tuesday 3, 1864 The lines still closed, no news from Memphis, can’t tell when Nannie and Joanna will be home—I did not get up until nearly dinner, spent the remainder of the day sewing for Laura, trying to get her clothes in order, it seems I can never get her again for any length [...]
May, Monday 2, 1864 Very cold and disagreeable—had to keep large fires to keep warm. No Yankees have been out today—the lines are still closed, Nannie and Joanna have not got home yet. Cousin Frazor, John and Mr. Wormely got here from Dixie today—everything is cheering from below. Gen. Price has demolished Stith’s entire army, [...]
May, Sunday 1, 1864 I slept very late this morning. Tate and Helen ready to start to Church when I went in the Parlor—Uncle Elam went with them. Father, Mary, Robert and I were left at home. Mr. Hildebrand and Mr. Madden spent the morning with us—they had no late news—neither did we hear any [...]
April, Friday 29, 1864 Joanna and Nannie went to Memphis early this morning, and have not returned yet, Father is very uneasy about them for fear they are in trouble with the Yankees—none have been out today. Maj. Crump spent the day in the woods again—another storm this evening which bro’t him home rather early, [...]
April, Thursday 28, 1864 Maj. Crump left for the bushes early this morning, did not return until the rain began, he sat in my room until supper was ready, Helen, Tate and Nannie have all been out here all evening buisy sewing on Maj. C shirts. I finished mine before the storm came up. Mr. [...]
April, Wednesday 27, 1864 Tate and Nannie started to Memphis very early this morning, got back home without any trouble, and Tate was fortunate enough to get a permit, and kind enough to me, to bring what few things I had to me. No news, except they are just reallizing the terrible thrashing they received [...]
April, Tuesday 26, 1864 I arose very early this morning, Father was not willing I should go over the creek, went over to Mr. Farrer’s to tell Miss Annie Perdue so she would make other arrangements about sending for them. I was so distressed to think she must be so disapointed , and I did [...]
April, Monday 25, 1864 Father went first thing this morning to see if he could not hear something more about those thieving Yankees,—could not hear whether the Confederate squad gained anything or not—they went down to poor old Mr. Isbell’s and beat him nearly to death because he would not show them the way to [...]
April, Sunday 24, 1864 This has been a terible day of excitement, two wagons from Memphis came out and camped in front of our gate all day, the Yanks did not bother them this morning only to take some Whiskey—two Confederate Soldiers were sitting in the Parlor all the time they were here, they did [...]
April, Saturday 23, 1864 All ready for breakfast, and very much refreshed after a good nights sleep. Dr. Sommers leaves for Vicksburgh today, inspecting hospitals. I would not care if they had no hospitals, however he is very agreeable. I prepared for my trip directly after breakfast. Mrs. Sommers came in the room and seemed [...]
April, Friday 22, 1864 All ready for breakfast this morning, notwithstanding the late hour of retiring last night—they all spent a delightful evening—the Bride looked beautiful, the groom charming, and all passed as merry as a marriage bell—It was a great disapointment to me, but rather too much risk, a trip to Alton would not [...]
April, Thursday 21, 1864 I went round according to appointment, met Capt. Woodward at 11 o’clock. Col. Patterson went with me. Capt. W. had not seen the Provost Marshall, he went as soon as I left, came round to Mrs. Facklen’s after dinner, and brought bad news—though having approached Capt. Williams as aid for a [...]
April, Wednesday 20, 1864 Tate and I arrived in Memphis quite early, put the horse up, then walked up street together, met Nannie and Anna Perkins. Nannie gave me two letters, one from St. Louis to Mrs. Welch, an exile in La Grange, Ga. one from New York from a stranger, asking assistance to through [...]
April, Tuesday 19, 1864 No Yanks today, a heavy raide passed down on Pigeon Rooste Road, do not know their destination. No news from Forrest, and the Yanks do not seem to know where he is. We have not seen any one today, or heard a word of news. Joanna and Bettie went to Memphis [...]
April, Monday 18, 1864 Well, I expect our days of peace and quiet are over, another squad of Yanks passed—four stoped here, staid until after dinner, and went on back to Memphis—all of them, except one, seemed to be gentlemen, this one was a black abolitionist, oh! how I heartily despise him—I promised to make [...]