1862 musings… “Woman is dependent. A man may be self sufficing.” #cw150

[July 1862]

Woman is dependent. A man may be self sufficing. He may independent of the other sex, devote himself to fate, or the pursuits of the pure intellect, & be conscious of no necessity for womankind. A man may find a wife in ambition or in Science. It is true in both cases – the ultimate person on whom all depend is God – but it is also true that while women learn the necessity of dependence on Him by the necessary resting of their nature on men- men learn it chiefly from the loneliness which comes upon them when their boasted self dependence is broken up by the terrible stroke of that love which will teach that we are not our own – things, words, looks, which seem triffles to men touch her to the core – Trials, bereavements, & sadness, which are deadened in men by their life of action & intellect descend into, & dwell in her heart

“Sorrow’s memory to her is sorrow still”

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

The purest & noblest blood of the Old North State was freely poured #civilwar150

Jul 3 1862

The terrible battle is at last over. Complete Victory is Ours by the help of the God of Battles.

The fighting of the Confederates is without record. Batteryafter battery was stormed and successfully taken  by the bayonet. North Carolinians especially distinguished themselves but suffered fearfully. Branch lost every Field officer in his brigade, save three. It was a desperate contest. The purest & noblest blood of the Old North State was freely poured forth – But thank God they all fell with the chant of Victory in their ears, desiring no nobler death.

Gen. Lee commanded –

O God I believe – I trust in Thee.  Thou art purifying us through such suffering –

Forget not the field where perished

The truest – the last of the brave.

All gone-& the bright hopes we cherished

Gone with them & quenched in their grave

 

O: could we from Death but recover

Those

In the face of high heaven to fight over

The combat for Freedom once more

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

Every hour brings the death blows to some loving heart. Father, husband or son killed. #cw150

[July 1862]

Still fighting – one week to day since the battle commenced . Lord God of battles give us the Victory. Every hour brings the death blows to some loving heart. Father, husband or son killed.  All our first men North Carolina, thou has cause to groan in agony of spirit – for thou hast lost many a noble son. Thy country’s alter is reeking with the sacrifice of brave souls.  O Lord bind up the broken hearts!

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

 

Read Full Post »

Young men the noblest of the land…brought home dead – a mangled & disfigured corpse #cw150

June 28^th [1862]

O terrible war! The great battle has at last commenced, as yet we have had signal victories – but at what a cost.. how many brave, noble spirits have passed into Eternity  How many hearts have been made desolate forever. A part of this very life has gone. All hopes have been crushed in one instant & now what is life. What have they to live for.

Young men the noblest of the land. The pride of their fathers – their mothers joy. The passionate dreams  of a young girls’ life – have been brought home dead – a mangled & disfigured corpse. The noble – the magnificent forehead wherein mighty genius sat enthroned is cleft asunder & that is by a Yankee bullet – Great God give us strength to bear it – Let us lean upon Thy all powerful arm. This is our day of trial. O Woman! What hast she not borne. What has thou not yet to bear? Bleeding heart,  theres rest for thee in Heaven. But for this thought I would fain lay down & die – Hearts may brake, may bleed for years, yet they never die – would that they could –

Women go mourning & wailing all the day long – some sit with folded hands calmly waiting to hear their doom

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

Deliver us from our enemies, & give us a speedy, honourable & lasting peace #civilwar150

Sunday May 11^th 1862

Norfolk & Portsmouth have been evacuated by our troops. The Yankees took possession of it at the time of the evacuation. This is one of those masterly strategical moves, which prove the genius of the commanding officer. Our Noble “Merrimac” was burnt to prevent her falling into the hands of the Enemy. Capt Tatnall commanded her. An old hull once more. How many of our hopes were centered in these Poor Virginians! The armies on the Peninsula stand face to face. The great battle must take place. O that within a few hours. God of battles, give us the victory. Look then upon the two great armies and judge Thou between them. We know O God that but for Thy mercy, we could not abide. Deliver us from our enemies, & give us a speedy, honourable & lasting peace. May 13^th 1862

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

All true Southern people will bear these reverses bravely #cw150

April 6^th 1862

Thanks be to Almighty God for the victory given us at “Shiloh.” We lost one of our bravest & noblest Gens, Sidney A. Johnson who fell gallantly making a charge. But thank God he died with the shout of victory in his ears. Long will his suffering country mourn his loss.

Noble, gallant Beauregarde was there. & in his heart “Victory or Death.” Victory alone rests upon his banner.

April 30^th 1862

New Orleans has fallen – we confess it is a severe blow. But nothing more than we might expect. For we have no means of successfully resisting the enemy’s gunboats. I should never despair for one moment if they were to take every town & city upon the coast.

All true Southern people will bear these reverses bravely. Let the summer come & let the rivers fall, so that their everlasting gunboats will be of no use to them. Let the vandals have their course on dry land – & we will whip them, as we have hitherto done.

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

I am but a feeble woman, would God I were a man but I will give gladly my own life for my beloved South #cw150

February

Roanoke Island fell in the hands of the Yanks.

March 14th 1862

Newberne has been taken by the Yankees, our men were overpowered by greatly superior numbers… The citizens fired the town. Gen. Gatlin has proved himself a coward by feigning sickness.

April 11th 1862

Friday night

What I have suffered this night will be ever fresh in my memory. The great love I bear my country will I fear lead me to extremes. But I am so anxious and confident for our success in this unjust war – that it drives me mad when I see & hear desponding persons- who are brave enough when the enemy is kept at a distance but let their homes be menaces let them have to give up one single comfort & they are speedily transformed into a set a miserable croakers, traitors they will prove in the end – and this speculation which is going on. It is fearful to think of it, but we see quite enough without dwelling upon it. Poor grasping, misguided wretch. What good will the few dollars you have wrung from your own people do you when you come to die. Each cent will be a red hot coal burning your perjured soul. But even in this world what good will it do you. The finger of scorn is already laid upon you  you carry the badge of eternal shame wherever you go —-

I am but a feeble woman, would God I were a man but I will give my life’s best treasures, yea I will sacrifice, gladly my own life for my beloved South – we do not deserve to be free & rest assured God will not suffer us to be free, for he only helps those who help themselves – unless we are willing to make great personal sacrifices.

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

1862 – catching up with Elizabeth Collier “Sleep not, rest not, men of North Carolina, til each armed foe expires” #cw150

We first heard from Elizabeth Collier in August 1861 when she was outraged by the fall of Hatteras to Union forces.  In September 1862 she wrote the following entry.  A sporadic diarist, we will catch up with Elizabeth today.

The Yankees are still at Hatteras. How long must this degradation last. Men of N.Cr. Arise! Arise! Let the cry be “Victory or Death,” But oh God! the everlasting shame of being killed by such brutes, such devils, such arch fiends. Poor woman! How can she bear it? Noble she will bear it, bear the sacrifice of each loved one’til we are free from this galling yoke. Every tear in their hearts will be frozen and not one will then, like Spartan Mothers consider it a disgrace to weep for their glorious slain.

Sleep not, rest not, men of North Carolina, til each armed foe expires. ‘Til each vandal is made to bit the dust. God is with us! What need we more! If there is one coward among you shoot him down. We must have no cowards among us. Strike for your all — all, all, is at stake at the mercy of such devils, mercy they have none. She is a stranger to their cowardly hearts.

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

Hatteras has been taken by the Yankees, women and children are fleeing #cw150

August 30^th

Hatteras has been taken by the Yankees, women and children are fleeing, Grandma, Aunt H—- & the whole family came up to day as refugees.  Quick oh God!  Save us from the enemy.  Surely thou hast not forsaken us.

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »

the Yankees have possession of “Fort Hatteras” on the cape #civilwar150

August 28^th, 1861

            This evening we heard the startling intelligence.  That the Yankees have possession of “Fort Hatteras” on the cape.  The 17^th Reg. state troops, Col-Campbell went down last evening to have a fight with the “vandals.” God speed them on to Victory.  Let them retake the “Fort” O my God!  It makes every vein ready to burst with just indignation.  When I think of such vile feet treading the soil of the Proud old North State.  Arise, ye men of N. Cr. Off with the cowardly hordes.

Source: Elizabeth Collier Diary, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Read Full Post »