When will this war cease? Echo answers “when?” #civilwar150

Monday 27^th [April 1863]

I crochet the babe a stocking today. Cloudy some rain. Mattie came home with Mr. Henry from Asheville this evening. She enjoyed herself finely, staid at Mrs. Hilliard’s all the time. They examining the conscripts in Buncombe at Asheville this week. They take nearly all they examine. When will this war cease? Echo answers “when?”

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).

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Some Body had Broke open Sisters crib and Stolen her corn; A Damd old Raskel you aught to take your gun and go their & Shoot him #cw150

Camp Near Port, Royal Va

April the 20 1863

Dear Wife I Recvd your kind Letter the 18th of this inst stating you was All well which found me well hoping theas few lines may come Safe to hand and find you All well and Doing well Marthy you Spoke of coming to Se me but I think it is best not to come for we will have to Leave hear we are Expecting to have to Leave hear Every Day Marthy I want to See you Vary bad but I think it is best for you Not to come hear for we Dont Now how Soon we may have to Leave hear Marthy you had better wait for their is A talk if our going Back to NC & if we Do you can come then & their is Canonading to Day Above Fredricks Burg Every time we go on picket we can talk to the yankes &C you wanted to Now if I wanted any close or Socks you wold Send me some I have got A plenty of them

I Was Sory to Hear that Some Body had Broke open Sisters crib and Stolen her corn the man Dun that had Aught to have to go in Servis & Stay their as Long as the war Last A Damd old Raskel you aught to take your gun and go their & Shoot him for he has All ways bin Doing them tricks & you Rote Something About Them girls Scaring A Sick man I think they had better bin Doing Something elce & I Wold Like to be  at home to be at Wm Funeral but I Dont Expects to have the chance of being their & tell Mother I Will rite to her the Next Time I Rite So I will come to A close by Saying I Remane your Loving Husband untel Death

John Futch to Marthy A Futch

Rote By John A Ennes From Harnett County

Source: Futch papers, North Carolina State Archives, as found on www.ncecho.org.

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The conscripts are called out to 40. Oh! if Mr. Henry should have to go, I don’t see how I could ever stay here. #cw150

Friday 24^th [April 1863]

Mail brought no news of importance. The conscripts are called out to 40.  Oh! if Mr. Henry should have to go, I don’t see how I could ever stay here. I hope he may not have to go. He is the best of husbands & then so kind to the children, so patient. Life would be a blank to me without he was near me. The conscripts have to be examined next week in Asheville. I pray he may not have to go. Mr. Henry & Matt went to Asheville this morning. Mr. Henry came back at night. Matt stays with Mrs. Dr. Hilliard till Monday. Nothing new in the village.

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).

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April 1863: “Next to a Yankee a “conservative” is the most loathsome sight.” #cw150

Camp Gregg, Va.,

April 21^st, 1863

My precious Wife

You letter of the 17^th came yesterday, a sweet letter it is. You have no idea how much pleasure it gave me. I could very easily imagine how my dear child felt and carried on, when fixing up my old rags and how happy she was to be doing something for me. If course they will suit me for if such love as you carried into the operation could not do what was pleasing, what could?

Oh you dear little woman how happy I am in the possession of you and how much I want to see you. I often think darling that when we get together again that I will not be cross and look mad and refuse to talk as I used to do. I know you won’t believe me, and I do not blame you, for I shall act just as mean as ever. It is in me and I cannot help it.

I am sorry you sent the butter for I fear you put yourself to inconvenience or possibly deprived yourself and you know we deserve no such kindness or self-denial. I have the stars on had for the coat and it will not be long before I shall need it as my old sack is getting rather seedy. I am a thousand times obliged to Pamela and shall appreciate her present as it deserves. Kiss the dear pretty little Sis for me.

The paper was not subscribed for till the 14^th, but if it has not reached you yet, let me know and I will write about it. I subscribed to 1^st Jan., ’64.

We are living horribly now and I am anxious for the month to pass away so I can install a new caterer. Maj. Englehard holds the office at present and justice requires me to say that I never saw one fill it worse and but one – Brewer- as badly.

I am very much worried of late about desertions. Our NC soldiers are deserting very rapidly. I have had about 30 in the last 20 days, and all due to those arch traitors Holden and Pearson and Co. O poor old NC., she will disgrace herself just when the worst is over, and after two years faithful service. I cannot bear to think about those rascally “conservatives” as they term themselves. Next to a Yankee a “conservative” is the most loathsome sight.

I think the papers contain very strong indications of a letting down on the part of Lincoln, but we have refreshed ourselves so often upon false hopes that I will only say that this war as anything, must have an end and that each day brings that desirable result nearer to us. I cannot make out why Lincoln does not carry out his Conscript Law. There must be something wrong for it is all gammon about his having men enough. They have not enough now, much less will they next month.

Gen. Lee is about again attending to business much to the gratification of all. There is no special indication of move, but we hold ourselves in readiness to move at any time.

I will see Dr. Powell and ask him if something cannot be done to help you retain your food on your stomach. I feel very anxious that you should get well, for it is hard enough upon you without having to content against sickness and then I always feel that I am to blame for it.

The next time I send any money home I will write David to buy you some NC money. It is only about 7 per cent and that would be a saving to you amongst those Yankee Dutch. I wish I had thought of it before for by the time I pay for the horse that Capt Sumney bought for me, it will be two or three months before I can send any to you. Can you get along for two months longer upon what you have? Do not stint yourself by any means for by the end of May I shall be a hundred dollars or so ahead.

I wrote a letter to Brother Robert but did not send it, for after thinking about the matter, it looked so absurd for me to be trying to buy a farm that I did not have the face to send it. I know you each laughed at me enough by this time about it. Bless you my dear wife it is all for your sake, for I know how much you would like to have a home where we could live quietly together. I fear I began to feel that there is no alternative for us but the army for life. If I can get a good position, it will be better than anything else I could do, probably. It will certainly be a gentlemanly position.

I went this morning to Fayetteville for a bolt of cloth and if you should not want it all, it will not be difficult to get rid of. Can you not get a straw hat made for Turner, and if not why not let him wear a bonnet. Anything these times. My love to all. God bless you my dear good wife, in all things

Your fond and loving Husband.

 

 

Source: William Hassler, ed., One of Lee’s Best Men: The Civil War Letters of General William Dorsey Pender (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1999).

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Six weeks has passed since I wrote in you, my dear old journal. My babe was born 8th March…A fine healthy boy #cw150

Sunday April 19^th 1863

Six weeks has passed since I wrote in you, my dear old journal. I have been confined in that time & got up again to health. My babe was born 8^th March at 23 minutes after 8 o’clock in the morning. A fine healthy boy. He gave us some trouble at first by having us up at night till he was two weeks old but since he has been no trouble at all at night. He is like the most of children, loves nursing. The children think a great deal of it. Pinck can nurse it a short time but he soon tires of it. Matt has been very kind to me. I shall ever remember her kindness to me & my little ones when I was not able to attend to them myself. Aunt Patsey staid with me till the babe was nearly a week old. She would have staid longer but Mrs. Cannon was very sick with typhoid fever at that time and is not well yet. I was confined upstairs & did not go down till the babe was two weeks old. We have had a great deal of company for the last six weeks.

Mr. Hosea Linsey has a contract for gun stocks. They are going to get them out here at the mill. He has one hand here & he stays himself through the week. Old Mr. Cagle is here now. He has dyspepsia. He is drinking the sulphur water, thinks it does him a great deal of good. Charlie & Lonzo have been very low with pneumonia fever. They are both up again but not stout. Matt & Zona had a slight attack. Zona was right sick several days. Thanks to a kind Providence he spared them a while longer. Fannie was confined a week after I was with a girl, a healthy child. It cries a great deal more than mine. My babe weighed eight lbs before it was dressed & 13 ¾ lbs when it was a month old. Our garden is getting on very well. Rather late as we have had so much rain. Harrie Deaver came here yesterday evening. He looks very badly. Poor fellow. He can’t last much longer. He only weights 102. He weighed 112 last Spring when he was here. He is nothing but a shadow. He is on his way to his Regiment. He is Col. of the 60^th Reg. now since Col McDowell’s resignation. Harrie is very feeble. He says he is not going to stay in the Regiment long. They expect a fight soon at Tullahoma. He is going to resign after the fight if he is not killed. I hope almost against hope that he may recover. I fear he has consumption. I pray God to spare his life yet awhile longer. He is in the bloom of manhood & if it is Thy holy will, spare him to old age to be a useful member of society.

Harrie made a present of a beautiful dress, the one he brought from Columbia. Also a paper of needles & a spool of thread. Needles and thread are selling at one dolloar each now. I shall prize that dress very highly as coming from him. The yanks attacked Charleston, at least tried to pass the forts on the 7^th & 8^th of the month but they left with some of their best boats badly crippled & have not renewed the attack. I believe I have written all of any importance for the last six weeks. There has been a great deal of sickness in the country. Old Mr. Quinn died some three weeks ago leaving his family very destitute. Have mercy on the poor in these trying times is my prayer. There has been a pressing officer through the country. We have a fine chance of bacon up in the loft now. Mr. Henry was not at home & I had it put there. He is going to sell to them at the market price. Very warm today. I must soon stop. I am writing upstairs in Harrie’s room. Looks a good deal like rain.

Oh! God I thank Thee that I passed through my confinement & Thou saw fit to spare my life. Spare me I beseech Thee to raise up those little ones Thou hast given me. Give me wisdom to rear them as seemeth good in Thy sight. Bless us as a nation. May we at length come out conquerors if it is Thy holy will. Grant us a speedy peace on honorable terms & Thine shall be the glory.

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).

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Get to be a strong healthy woman, for if I should get wounded I should want you to nurse me #cw150

Camp Gregg, April 11^th, 1863

My dear Wife

Your letter of the 5^th came day before yesterday. I get all your letters, but some come in four days and others in seven or eight. I got up this morning before 7 o’clock – early for me – to write this. I was very glad honey to hear that you were able to go to church. The next time I hear I hope you will be entirely well.

The news we got from Charleston was very good was it not? We are expecting to be on the move soon. A pontoon bridge was brought up the other day, so I understand, and I hear troops have gone up towards Gordonsville. We hear nothing of the Yanks expect that 37 Regts. are going home the first of May.

Col. Scales is trying to get on foot a general petition from the officers of our NC Regts. here that I be promoted, but I have no idea it will succeed. I do not believe Gen. Jackson will have me promoted because I have been recommended by Gen. Hill. He wants someone in the place who will feel under obligation to him.

Indeed I do wish I could see Dorsey and all of you. I have wanted to go home very badly, but felt that I should be refused. Gen. Hill refused to let Gen. McGowan go altho’ he said he would approve my leave, but that he thought it would not go through.

You said Dorsey is like me. I always imagined that I could see in Turner a very good likeness to myself. He, poor little fellow, is laying up many whippings for himself.  Those who laugh at him little think what it may cost him in after years. I have always thought that he would give us more trouble than Dorsey. I should like very much to have a daughter, and a blonde. There are too many dark skins in the family.

Let me know when the paper I sent commences to reach you. I wrote to subscribe for the balance of the year. I suppose you will soon be having strawberries and other nice things. The impression seems to prevail that we shall have a fine crop of fruit this summer. I hope that Dutchman did not preach you a Union sermon on Easter. Did the Salemites keep a fast day and what was the tone of their sermons. I have not one particle of faith in those rascals. I learned last night that young Wheeler is one of the three surgeons to examine conscripts in your district. Was there ever such a lanky fellow in the world, and it is said he is the best of the three. Tom Settle follows the Board around to get off the conscripts. He asks them to place their cases in his hands and then gets money for it. He is killing himself dead and getting to be looked upon as a very dirty fellow.

I had Brigade drill yesterday and it came off beautifully. I am getting a splendid Brigade. Good size, fine drill and discipline. My men say I am hard on them but that I treat all alike. It would worry me very much if I had a reputation for injustice. I try to be impartial. Now my dear, I must close.

Yesterday was the last of our mess. Today I have only Maj. Englehard and Capts. Hunt and Kirkland with me. I have gotten so that I cannot bear Dr. Holt about me. He is getting rather odious to all the mess. He should so much selfishness. He brought some butter from home with him and after helping to eat what Capt. hunt had brought and all we could buy (and he eats a pretty big share) refused to let us have any of his because the mess was to be broken up in two or three weeks from that time. After showing his manners by refusing, he sent it to the Captain and I am glad to say it was all eaten up several days ago.

Darling, I know you would use the Dr.’s prescription which I am sending. How is it Honey that you take medicine so much better in my absence? Is it because when I am present you like to have me cornering you to take, and in order to get me to do so you have to be careless about it? If you did not fret about my absenting myself and not staying with you all day when we are together, I should feel that something was going wrong. I like it, and I like the little touches of jealousy you show sometimes, but Darling you carried it a little too far to be very pleasant about Suffolk matters. Bless my dear little wife if she did not abuse me a little occasionally I should think she did not love me so much as she used to. Do not try to change in those respects. I don’t wish it.

Honey, do you do anything for the piles now? If not you ought to. Get to be a strong healthy woman, for if I should get wounded I should want you to nurse me, which I would not let you do unless you should be strong enough.

Your Loving Husband

 

Source: William Hassler, ed., One of Lee’s Best Men: The Civil War Letters of General William Dorsey Pender (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1999).

 

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It matters but little how many buttons, or how put on, the coat has. #cw150

Camp Gregg, April 8^th, 1863

My dear Wife

Your letter of the 4^th came today and the cheerful spirit in which you write is very gratifying. Dr. Powell is not here, but will be back in a few days, when I will ask him about the prescription. I do not care to ask Dr. Holt. Honey, I am very sorry that you keep so weak and sick at your stomach. One of my cousins starts home tomorrow and he will take the sugar to High Point, so you will be pretty sure to get it. I only wish I had something else to send you.

I suppose there ought to be eight button holes on each side of my sack. If there should not be buttons enough, don’t bring any for I have plenty here. Please get it done as soon possible and sent on so I shall get them. We may be off beyond reach of boxes most any day. Do not forget the address. I cannot get along without my drawers. It matters but little how many buttons, or how put on, the coat has.

We hear rumors of a fight at Charleston. It is a very important point and vastly important to hold it. They would crow over the fall of that place more than Richmond. Our preparations are on the largest scale and if we do not succeed in holding it, we may give up all idea of holding any place that can be got at by their Iron Clads.

A deserter came over last night, and he confirms the report about 37 of Hooker’s Regts. being determined to go out of service about the 1^st of May. We are all getting anxious to be at them, not because we want to fight, but to try and close the war before they can drill their conscripts. I think it very likely we will attack them in several places, here, at Suffolk, and in NC

Honey, I sent you the Sentinel because it is the best edited paper in Richmond and so much more cheerful in its tune…Six of my rascally conscripts have deserted but as I did not count on more than half of them being any use, I am not much put out. I have more than twice as many muskets as I had at Fredericksburg.

I like your enthusiasm for Gen’l Hill and I hope I shall not forget the many kindnesses he has done me. Gen’l Heth is in our division and a very nice gentleman he is too.

You will get some money through David which will enable you to pay for Maj. Englehard’s cloth. We get through our Court tomorrow much to my relief. My dear wife, I wish so much that you were well as when you came on to see me. I should feel much more at ease. Bless my dear wife, she is so prejudiced when judging her husband. Your praise, darling, is very gratifying to me, and makes me the more anxious to do, to make myself worthy of it. You asked me how we have been living. Very well indeed, Capt. Hunt being the best caterer we have yet had.

What has become of Willie’s horse he left at home. I think it foolishness in his keeping a horse there to eat corn these hard times. Ham told me the other day that Pamela was sick. Is it so? How long will 45 lbs. of sugar last you all. Let me know for I may be able some of these days to send you more.

Capt. Lemon is considerable behind time and Gen. Archer begins to fear that they have caught him, so that order of mine is likely to bring nothing, but we are all making grand plans as to what we shall get when we get into Md. again, if we ever get there. I am inclined to think that will be the move we will make, march for Md. into Penna. and I believe we can do it. Gen. Lee undoubtedly has some bold plan upon foot. Unfortunately, he has not yet recovered.

I understand Gen. Jackson has been making some inquiries about me and said he was sorry he did not know more of me personally – the old humbug- this was when Gen. Hill sent up his last recommendation. He [Jackson] asked an officer of his staff in whom he has great confidence, the other day who was the best Brigadier in the Corps and I think he told him that I was. All of this, however, gives me but little hope of promotion.

Now my dear wife, as I have said nothing worth reading and have nothing more half as entertaining, I will stop. My love to all. Kiss the children and Sis. Does Pamela really care anything for me. Since she will not write me I have really commenced to have some doubts. She is a dear girl and I love her dearly. God bless you my dearest and best of wives and may you soon be well. Let me know if you got the apples I wrote about.

Good night my sweet wife.

Your loving husband.

 

Source: William Hassler, ed., One of Lee’s Best Men: The Civil War Letters of General William Dorsey Pender (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1999).

 

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Gen. Lee has been quite sick but is better. I do not know what we should do if he were taken from us #cw150

Camp Gregg, Va., April 1^st, 1863

My dearest Wife

Your letter of March 28tgh came yesterday and altho’ it was night to write I put it off because I felt blue and did not want to write a low spirited letter. Your letter was a very charming one and by no means tended to make me low. Your letter gave me great pleasure. You do not know how low spirited I felt when you were only able to write me short notes. Tell Sis that I am very sorry to hear that she is in bad health and still more so that I cannot go to see her.

The horse David sent me is a very handsome one and quite a good saddle horse. I sent him some money today to send you, or to give you an order for it on someone in Salem. Capt. Kirkland returned yesterday very much improved but not fully restored. I was very glad to see him back.

Gen. Lee has been quite sick but is better. I do not know what we should do if he were taken from us. There is but little doubt but that Hooker will attempt to cross again as soon as he can, and we all think still less doubt but that he will get well whipped for his pains when he does. I have just twice as many muskets now as at Fredericksburg. It is a very remarkable fact that all the complaining and disaffection at home does not produce any bad effects upon our soldiers. I heard yesterday through an officer of Gen. Rodes staff who had returned the day before from amongst the Yankees on the other side, that thirty seven of their Regts. go out May 2^nd and that their Governors had sent on men for the especial purpose of trying to get them to remain, but that they declared their intention of going, and moreoever that according to the general interpretation of their Conscript Law, they could not retain them. If they do go, it will take about 20,000 men from the army which will make a big hole in an army none too large now for the work expected of it.

Col Connor who has just returned seems very confident of our ability at Charleston to maintain our position. In the army the impression prevails that in six months the war will be virtually over. You say you dreamt that you were riding in a hearse and that it was a bad sign. I thought dreams were interpreted by contraries; that hearses indicated a wedding or something of that sort. We are now eating nice shad. I wish you had some. I got a dozen shad, a doz. herring and two rolls this evening. Capt. Hunt still manages to feed us well.

Our court is still in session and will be for a week longer I suppose. I am getting quite tired of it. We had quite a snow night before last but it all left yesterday leaving the ground still more soggy if possible.

As soon honey as you can, you must walk regularly as you did last year, and darling try to cure your piles as well as your other trouble. Make it a rule to attend to those matters and it will give you something to do besides stitch and think all the time. Honey just reflect that either one of them might result in a disease that might subject you to a most painful and disagreeable operation. Write to me and say you will do it and then I shall feel certain that you will do it for you always keep your promises, especially when I am absent. I told you in my last about a box I had sent you and about some applies I had ordered to be sent you.

Honey do you ever see any husbands who are more devoted to their wives than I am. you often say I do not love you as I should, but do you see any who show more signs of affection than I do? You certainly see none who try harder to please their wives than I do. You know honey in your heart you feel that Joe Williams never was glad that you did not have him. Now he is married I do not care anything about him either way. Do you think Mrs. Williams satisfied with her daughter? She visited you to impress you with the belief that she was.

Tell Pamela I give her up and that I will not trouble her again with reading my nonsense. She shows she does not want me as a correspondent. My own dear girl, good night and may the Lord keep watch over you.

Your devoted and loving Husband

 

Source: William Hassler, ed., One of Lee’s Best Men: The Civil War Letters of General William Dorsey Pender (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1999).

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there will be peace, though we may be ruined … it may not be very pleasant and there may be nothing worth living for #cw150

Head Quarters

Zollicoffer April 1^st 1863

 Miss Mary A.L.

I wrote before I left home and thought that I would have received an answer before this time. But I suppose that it has been misplaced as many things are done these times. I haven very anxious to hear from you for some time. I would have visited you before I left Haywood if I had not been ordered off some sooner than I expect. I received a note from you desiring me to come down to your Quarterly meeting which request I was sorry not to fulfill from several considerations. We have been at this front near a week and we have a cold time of rain, snow, sleet and hail.  It is colder here than in N. Carolina or I have got so that I cannot endure the cold.

We had a fast day here the other day and preaching. A good many country people were out and among them many fine ladies. This is the greatest place for ladies that I have seen in East Tenn, and I believe they would all like to marry if they had a good opportunity, but whether they will get that or not I cannot tell. The citizens here say that Gen. Carter will attack us soon, but I do not think he will be over very son, although we will keep a close watch out. If they do come we Conscripts will do the best we can.

I would like to know very well how you are getting along with your school, and if you still like the occupation. Let me know how all the girls on H are doing and whether they have got tired of the war or not. If not, tell them to rest contented a little longer. Let me know how G.W. McCracken and his Octave is getting along. There is a great deal more fun at a party in Buncombe that laying in camp at Zollicoffer or any other place.

I do not hear of any fighting at this time, though several big fights are in expectation.  If they have to fight, hope they will fight soon, so that we may soon know our doom. It is very uncertain whether the war closes in two years or not. If our arms are successful this spring the war may close in six months. If not, we may prepare for two years longer and against that time many will never see their homes nor families. There is a time when there will be peace, though we may be ruined and I hope to live to see the worst of evil, though it may not be very pleasant and there may be nothing worth living for. Both sections of the country will become bankrupt and insolvent. I will quit this subject and leave it for your secret meditation.

Write soon and let me know all the good and bad news in your country. It is very cold today and I shall have to close by saying that I am still your absent but true friend.

AT Roberts

62^nd Regiment

Source: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 2. (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003).

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I must try to make a wedding Cake, tho the war has diminished my stores sadly. #civilwar150

April 1, 1863

News of the success of our Cavalry in the west under Forrest, Wheeler, & Morgan, capturing prisoners, 800 in no., arms & equipments, burning Commissary stores & destroying a R R Bridge on the Nashville road at Brentwood — thus annoying Rosencrans to whom they have (the Abolitionists) given the sobriquet of “Old Holdfast.” They claim to have received from New Orleans tidings of a complete victory at Port Hudson & that all their vessels with the exception of the Mississippi, which they declare they burned because she was aground, were safely past our batteries, but that is for Europe as a Steamer sailed last week. O! universal Yankee nation how you do lie! Your moral sense is perverted, you see no shame in it. We suffer from aprehensions that our army in Va will be forced to “fall back.” Sec Stanton has a rumour to the effect that we are removing our machinery and munitions of war to a less exposed place than Richmond. Numbers of troops have, we know, left Gen Lee — some to So Ca, some to the Blackwater — & the country is filled with reports of the intentions of Government & the need of food, which are very painful, tho I do not credit the whole of them. Prices are fearfully high even for depreciated currency, which fact, however, loth & slow I have been to admit, is indisputable — Lard 1.25, Bacon 6.00 & upward, Flour $30 per barrel, Tea $7 per lb, sugar $1.12 ½ to 1.25 per lb, boots $50 a pr, Long cloth $2. to 2 25 a yard, Cotton Cards $30 for two pair, I think, Salt considered cheap at $25 per bu, butter $2 per lb — & every thing else in proportion. The country has been clamouring for a Tax — a high Tax & they have got one now. At least the House has passed it & there is little doubt but that the Senate will follow suit. It is enormous! Sidney Smith’s taxed Englishman was a favoured individual to what a taxed Confederate will soon be. I fear me that the vice of lying and false swearing will be amazingly increased. The temptation to under estimate one’s property will be great. When it is published as a law I will enumerate some portions & mention the amount we pay.

Last week the Battery constructed above us was taken in tow by a steamer to be carried down to a landing below us to be ironed. From some mismanagement they allowed her to drag the boat then under headway of steam past the landing & attempting to turn she ran afoul of the boat crashing her wheel & damaging her greatly. Shameful conduct some where & conduct which will be felt in the Army, for this is one of two Steamers upon which we depend to carry our supplies to Weldon. One boat was lost from the drunkenness of the person in charge last summer — now this from incapacity! It is too bad and we have had a part of a cargo ready bagged for three weeks waiting for her to come & take it and yet all the time is the out cry — “send on your corn“! They put a negligent ignoramus in charge because forsooth he has interest enough to get the appointment which keeps him from the Conscript Camp & then the nation & army suffer! Ah! patriotism, these stupid worthless officials try you sadly! Our gun at Rainbow Gen Beauregard wished for at Charleston & instead of sending the order to some man of sense who knew the country & that the best, in short the only practical, way of getting it there was to send it back by steamer to Halifax & there put it on the R R, some num-skull of a commissioned officer ordered it to be hauled 25 miles across the country to Tarrboro to the R R there. The consequence was that after dismounting & with great labour moving it about 300 yds it stuck hopelessly in the mud & there it lies useless to every one waiting, like fighting Joe, for the “roads to harden.”

We have had terrible weather latterly which has I fear played havoc with our Peach crop. “George the 4th” is the only one that I have examined which gives promise of fruit. “Miss Timmons” is deceitful. “Old Mixon” a cheat & “President,” “Ravenel’s favorite,” “Grape Mignon,” “Newington,” & “Early York” — blackhearted! Hard names to give my friends. The Apples will I hope escape, as they are very backward. My two hens in the house yard, Mrs Marllow & Katrine Von Tassel, laid in 75 days 118 eggs between them. Pretty well, considering one was a pullet!

Sue is gone to Raleigh to attend the Communion & Kate Miller’s wedding which latter is to take place on the 15th. I must try to make a wedding Cake, tho the war has diminished my stores sadly. Mr E read me this morning an extract, “The best way to see Divine Light is to put out thine own candle.” What a world of wisdom, of faith, and of trust in God & humility does it contain! “Put out thine own candle,” vain man, that the Sun of Righteousness may enlighten you.

Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

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