Friday 16th {May 1862]
Mail came but no news, only they are fighting still at Corinth. Our forces have evacuated Norfolk & Portsmouth & the yanks have landed there on 12th. We burnt the navy yard, blew up the dry dock, & destroyed things generally. Also burnt the Merimac, all the efficient vessel we had. Such is war. I mended Mr. Henry’s socks & iron the children’s clothes this evening. It rained some this evening. Fannie washed a few more pieces. McKinnished banistered the back piazza today. Wilie has staid at Tena’s house some today. Uncle Sam began to clip the sheep today. All are well. Atheline improving.
Source: Diary of Cornelia Henry in Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journal and Letters of the Henry Family. Clinard, Karen L. and Russell, Richard, eds. (Asheville,NC: Reminiscing Books, 2008).
