dressed in mens clothes and went to a sick man’s house and tried to scare him out of his house #cw150

April the 14 1863

dear husban after my love and best respects to you I will in form you that I am well hopin that those fue lines may rech and find you in joyen the same good blesings dear husban I receved your veary kind letter the last maill and was glad to hir from you and to hir that you war well and I trust that you may in joye good helth the rest of your time dear husban I have no neas veary impornce to rite to you only I want to see you veary bad I want to see you worst then I ever did in my life and I am very on easy a bout you as I hir that you war a bout to move but I hope that it aint so dear husban I shall start to wilmington a tusday to git me a pear of shose I am a blege to have them I hate to spend the money but it semes like that I must have  them and as soon as I git back I shall come to see you if you hant moved from that place an if you air in teenty miles of the rode I never in dured so much truble in my lif be fore it semes lik it will kill me if I dont see you one more time dear husban I want to no how you air faren and if you have warm close and slep warm and if you want eney morer socks if you do I will fech you some when I come dear husban you hird of your brother Wilam deth be fore I did he had bin dead a weke before I hird of it tha never let me no a word of it tha feched him to yours fathers and saut up with him one night tha beared him at [wilars] greave yard tha never agen him a tall to see him at your fathers I under stant that he had the tiberdfored  fever and the munps and his legs both war sore and eat to the bone so I sopose he dide turebl deth I should like fore you to come home to his funerl if you could pasen canedy will prech it it will be at your fathers house or at my fathers house or at the chall house shelten has turned out  to be the worst place you ever saw Margreat rose and hir too sisters and susen muney and franceny lee dresed thear selves in mens close and went to a sick mands house and trid to skir him out of his house and hollard and lafed and run all over the feald I will tell you all a bout it in my next letter for I must come to a close by san rite soon as you receve this nothin more at presant only I remain your Affectionly wife tell deth Martha Futch to John Futch

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

 

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I drop you a few lines to give you the Sad news that brother Calvin is dead. #cw150

Camp of the 1^st NCT

March 28^th 1863

Dear Father, Mother, and Sister:

I drop you a few lines to give you the Sad news that brother Calvin is dead. He died about day break on the morning of the 25^th inst. I suppose that the brain was affected which was the principal cause of his death. It is, indeed, an appauling thought to think of the death of one so dear, but sad as it is, we have some consolation to know that he remained usually pious while surrounded with all the vice and immorality of the camp, and instead of participating in this, devoted much time in reading the Scripture. Some of his companions expressed the thought that he was prepared to meet his God in peace. We have another consolation that he had won the confidence and esteem of his officers and fellow soldiers, and that every possible means was applied in burying him decently.  A good coffin, clean clothes, etc were provided. Sad as the thought is, it is no worse than thousands have endured since the commencement of this unholy war. I hope you will all try to refrain as much as possible from unnecessary grief, as it is a thing of no avail.

I have sent the Biblical Recorder to Sis. It will come to Lewis Fork PO. You will see in it an account of brother Calvin’s death. You will find it under the head of Obituary. Be shure to find it and preserve the paper. AJ.J. and Alfred were down to see me yesterday. They are as well as common. They will write you the full particulars of Calvin’s death and burial as they were there soon after he died. They sent for me also, but I did not go, as I was unwell myself. Let me hear from you as often as you conveniently can. Yours,

W.H. Proffit

PS My health is very good at present.

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).  Original in Proffit family papers, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill.

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We heard yesterday that Harrie was wounded in the Battle of Murfreesboro #civilwar150

Friday 9^th January 1863

Mail brought no news. We heard yesterday that Harrie was wounded in the Battle of Murfreesboro, only a slight wound so we hear. ** I finished one of Mr. Henry’s gloves & began the other. I want to get it done tomorrow. Betsey is weaving on the jeans. It is not good cloth at all. I want the sley changed as I think it is too fine for the thread. Hanes does the quilling mostly.  Mr. Henry does some of it. He is so kind to me.

 Battle of Miurfreesboro/Stone’s River

Saturday the 10^th [January 1863]

Rained nearly all day. Mr. Henry in the house nearly all day. Betsey went home this evening. Abbe Parker was burried yesterday.  She died Wednesday morning. Mr. Henry went to the burial. Mr. & old Tom Jones came after Mr. Henry last Tuesday night. He did not go. The wind blew very hard while they were here. The vaccine matter has done finely in the children’s arms. Jinnie made the sausage meat today & washed a little for the children. Tena finished the lard today. Atheline not well.

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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Today an old Servant Uncle Sam Giles was buried – I made his face-cloth #civilwar150

October 28 [1862]

Parted yesterday with my soldier Brother Capt Evans – he took the stage at Smithville for the Army, after a sojourn with us all, a few short weeks to [illeg] his [ illeg] strength. May a kind Providence go with him & prepare him for the trials he is to meet & if it is His will    oh! that he may be restored to us again! Today an old Servant Uncle Sam Giles was buried – I made his face-cloth – may we improve the daily providences that happen around us to our Souls good! My dear little ones are all well & happy & I can hear their merry prattle in the nursery Oh! that they might ever be as innocent as they are to-night!

Source: Jane Evans Elliot Diaries #5343, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/e/Elliot,Jane_Evans.html

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It is lonely here tonight, so Journal, as you are my only companion, I feel like having a long chat #cw150

September 11, 1862

Patrick left home this morning for Garysburg to see Capt Reinhart, the sole Capt left in Edmondston’s Battalion.  He has been ordered there & knows not what to do.  This delay of the War Department in a matter seemingly so simple seems very strange!  Why can’t Mr Randolph say, “No Col E, I cannot fill your Battalion” & order Capt Reinhart elsewhere, or “yes, Col E, take such & such Companies & take the filed at once.”  But no it requires as much management as an affair of State.

I was shocked & distressed greatly yesterday by hearing of the death of my young neighbor, Mrs Sheilds (Susan Whitemore).  I saw her on Sat & thought her quite sick, but I have had daily messages from her (she sending to me only the day before for some crackers & some Cordial & Wine), & each time they have said she was improving; & when the servant came with my empty baskets, so sure was I that she wanted something from me that I met her with the query—“how or now, what can I do for Miss Susan today?”  and to my horror heard she had died about an hour before.  Her infant was born on Wednesday & she, poor thing, taken with dysentery the night after.  She lived just a week & sunk suddenly, I suppose, for Dr Hall could not be summoned to her, as he had gone to visit a distant patient.

After Patrick left his morning I made a beautiful Chaplet of White & delicate Lilac, Dahlias, Evergreens, Feverfew, Citarena, etc., & sent it over to be laid on the coffin, being unable to go myself as Patrick went in the carriage.  Poor Mrs. Whitemore! when I saw her on Sat, in all the importance of a Grandmother, & noticed the change which the possession of a little property has wrought in her (for I have not seen her since her husband left father’s employment), the glories of her new front & stylish cape, the De Dage dress, the tone in which she spoke of “Mr Moore’s orchard,” “our niggers,” etc., & thought how much happiness the possession of a little money can give & what changes it brings in the manners & conduct of its possessors, I little thought so heavy a cloud was hanging over & ready to burst upon her!  Poor woman, she must be crushed to the earth.  I will go & see her, fifteen miles tho it is to her house, in a few days & at least assure her of my sympathy & kindly interest.

Worked steadily all day on my large flat fan fly brush.  It is a beautiful piece of work but very troublesome.  I will never undertake another so large.  However, it amuses me & it is employment.  Read Sismondi.  I have got to Calderon in the Spanish Literature.  I am sorry that Nannie wanted to begin the book before I had finished it, for I feel impelled as it were to read on steadily so as not to keep her waiting & I wished when I got to a review of those books to which I have access to run through them myself in connection with Sismondi, Cervantes, The Spanish Ballads, particularaly those of the Cid, & now Calderon, but I must trust my memory.  I have only Leigh Hunt’s Italian Poets & Boiardo, Pulci, Ariosto, Tasso, Dante even, etc., are run through by him almost as expeditiously as Sismondi dispatches them, so there is not much to be gained there.  “Beware of the man of one book,” it is said, & I believe it to be true, for I fancy I read too much.  My mind is I fear like a Kaleidiscope, one picture effaces the other before it is fixed, and I am too old now to remedy it.  Ah! that we could be wise on the experience of others!  My Grandmother often told me the time would come when I would not remember what I read, & I used to listen to her with a respectful wondering unbelief, but I find it is so.  Ah, she was a remarkable woman, my Grandmother, how few we see like her, and yet with all her cultivation, with all the true piety I believe she possessed, her vigorous mind even, I am glad I am not.  For to me to be loved is greater happiness than to be either revered or admired & we all stood too much in awe of her to dare to pour out the full feelings of our hearts before her & that I would not like.

It is lonely here tonight, so Journal, as you are my only companion, I feel like having a long chat with you.  Let me see, there are many topics which fill my heart & thoughts.  We will discuss them.  First the Conscript Act & Mr E’s plans—but no!  I want a relaxation & that I have thought over so often & looked at in so many lights that my mind turns from it as from a sorrowful remembrance.  It awakens an ache of anxiety at the bare mention.  Then Bessie’s matters, but Journal, that is not my own secret.  “Noblesse oblige,” that I confide it not even to you.  Then anxieties about Raleigh people, but I have no business to express them either.  Can’t I find one topic, pleasant, and at the same time open, which I can freely talk over with you, Journal?   No not one!  Literature is the only perfectly unfettered and at the same time cheerful subject left to me & to dwell long on that changes you, Journal, from your legitimate & proper sphere to a mere Composition or Essay.  So Journal, I will first express my fears for our Army in Maryland & then—

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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P. Roberts is dead from sickness.His remains will be buried inAsheville as soon as they come #cw150

Thursday 10^th [July 1862]

Mr. Henry came after one o’clock. P. Roberts is dead from sickness. His remains will be buried inAsheville as soon as they come & they are on their way. His wife started to see him but missed the corpse some way. I helped about dinner, gathered beans & after dinner sewed on Jim’s pants. My teeth have been troubling me again, aching. Harrie will spend several days with us. He is improving a little.

Friday 11^th [July 1862]

Mail brought but little news. Watson Cannon is wounded severely in the breast & some others. I do not know them. I finished Jim’s pants by dinner. I feel very badly today as I had toothache so bad last night I did not sleep well.  I took a nap after dinner. My teeth pained me a good deal late in the evening but after supper they got easy. Harrie & Pinck go fishing after dinner & after breakfast ever day. They are fishing for the jack, said to be just below the dam. Willie is not at all well.

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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attend[ed] the burial of Wallace Scales who was mortally wounded on the battlefield 1st of July, he lived ’til Thursday night #cw150

July 15th

On Sunday the 6th of this month I went to Doctor Scales to attend the burial of Wallace Scales who was mortally wounded on the battle field the Tuesday the 1st of July, he lived ’til Thursday night, he professed faith in Christ, and I hope died a Christian Soldier. I pray that this death may be the means of bringing all the brothers and Sisters to Christ. My dear George is at home in fine health, he expects to leave us Thursday to join the 55th regiment of N.C. troops. I will feel sad when he leaves, but shall commit him to God.

I shall look for my dear Willie to come home on Thursday, I desire to see him, I pray to God to bring him safely home. I attended the Quarterly meeting at Carmel Saturday and Sunday, no feeling or excitement. The meeting closed Sunday, but the Lord blessed my soul, I received a blessing since I came home. I felt comforted while partaking of the sacrament, the Lord is precious to my soul. My soul was happy this morning, I will praise God for his wonderful love and goodness to me.

Source: Mary Jeffreys Bethell Diary, 1853-1873.  #1737-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/imls/bethell/menu.html

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He came home two weeks ago tomorrow, buoyant in hope & now he lays beneath the clod #cw150

Thursday 3^rd

Finished Willie one skirt before dinner & picked some cherries after dinner, after reading the papers Mr. Henry brought from Asheville. I got a letter from Lena. They are all well. Old Mrs. Hancock is dead. Mr. Henry gathered a good many cherries this evening. The first paper of the South Carolinian came to day.

Friday July 4^th 1862

Mail brought nothing but war news. The papers are filled. The Confederates have the best of it so far. The yanks are retreating. I finished Willie’s other skirt today. The bees swarmed yesterday just before dinner. Parker hived them, a large swarm & the only one so far. Old Mr. Boyd stays here tonight. He says George Jones is dead. I am so very sorry for his poor destitute family. God help them I pray.

Saturday 5^th [July 1862]

Mr. Henry went to Ashevillethis morning. The battle still raging. The 1^st July loss great on both sides. Mr. Henry came home for dinner & old Mr. Boyd also. Mr. Henry & I went to the burial. A great many people. He was buried with Military honors. They fired about one dozens times twice. I was sundown before they buried him & dark before we got home as then we had moonlight. I do really sympathise with his poor wife. Oh! may she never need a friend. Jones was very kind to his wife & a fond father. He came home two weeks ago tomorrow, buoyant in hope & now he lays beneath the clod.

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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Another house plunged into grief & mourning by this needless cruel war! #civilwar150

June 29, 1862

Sunday—Went to Church, but there was no service, Mr Cheshire having been sent for to bury a young man, one of his Tarboro congregation, whose body was brought from the battle field yesterday—another house plunged into grief & mourning by this needless cruel war!

Sent up to Weldon for news & after waiting with feverish impatience all day for it received only rumours brought by passengers—so good, however, that we fear to trust them.  According to them, Jackson is certainly in their rear, between them & their Gun boats, has captured their main depot of supplies; our men steadily advancing, driving them with the bayonnette.  Gen Whiting has driven in their front & we have out flanked them—the carnage terrific.  Major Trim Skinner, 1st Regt, killed on Friday; Capt Wright of Wilmington certainly dead.  We have captured two Brigadiers & a brig of 5000 men who have laid down their arms.  Rumour even gives us McClellan & the forty Congressmen who chartered a vessel & engaged a band of music & came down to see us vanquished; but this is too much, it cannot all be true, so we must wait with what patience we can until the mail tomorrow.

Sue & Rachel left us yesterday for Raleigh.  We miss the young folks greatly.  Father much better.  Willie Clark, Mary’s second child, quite sick.

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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carnage is reported as terrible, exceeding anything ever before seen on this Continent #cw150

June 28, 1862

Went to Evans Spruill’s funeral, the first victim to the war whose funeral I have attended.  His poor Mother, the accounts of her grief are terrible; her friends fear for her reason.  She does nothing but walk up & down & repeat his last letter.  It seems, poor lady, that she thought him recovering and was expecting him home when she received the telegram announcing his death.

The excitement about the battle is tremendous; it was on every tongue & in every heart.  The news of today is still encouraging, yet we almost fear to hope.  They are falling back in good order, carrying their dead & wounded & burning their stores.  We have captured their siege Guns. Jackson is reported in their rear, but of that there is no certainty.  They have left their rifle pits filled with sharp shooters who pick off our officers & who immediately as we advance on them throw down their guns & surrender; but our men are directed, in order to put a stop to such cold blooded deliberate murder, to tell them that it is too late, they deserve no quarter, & dispatch them immediately.  Gen Lee has issued an order commanding our officers to take off their uniforms and fight without any badge by which they can be distinguished, a wise and proper precaution.  The 18th N C and a Georgia Regt have suffered severely.  The carnage is reported as terrible, exceeding anything ever before seen on this Continent.  God be with our unfortunate wounded!

 

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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