“Confederate Raisins” are dried Peaches clipped to bits with scissors, & quite nice puddings do they make.#cw150

May 1, 1863

Dined yesterday at Father’s. Found all well & pleased to see me again after so long an absence. Heard from Sue & Rachel all the particulars of Kate Miller’s wedding. Her Aunt Sophia entertained & gave them their wedding feast, nice bride’s cake she sent me, but the Raison cake was really a clever substitute for the genuine article, being made of dried cherries and whortleberries. The eye was well deceived, but to the taste it was rather sour tho’ not more so than cake made from old raisins often is. “Confederate Raisins” are dried Peaches clipped to bits with scissors, & quite nice puddings do they make. Puddings! what a reminiscence! It seems ages since I dabbled in eggs & sugar, currants, maccaroni, & sage. “What shall I have for dessert?” seems a question of medieval times, so long it is since the question perplexed me. Kate’s wedding outfit, that is her underclothing, is a fit one for war & for a soldiers wife, who perforce must practice economy & management. Her Chemises are made of her Aunt Sophia’s fine linen sheets & her drawers, which I had made for her, were cut from some of her Grandmother’s fine cotton ones — think of that!

No public news except that more gunboats & transports have passed Vicksburg. The country, I am glad to see, begins to clamor at it, so I hope it will be stopped. The enemy slowly & from a great distance shell our works there, tho with little damage.

Sometime since in a skirmish at [ -- ] between some of Van Dorn’s Cavalry & the enemy they captured part of a Battery commanded by Capt Freeman, taking him & some of his officers and men prisoner. We heard that they had wantonly shot him, but the particulars which now reach us outrage every feeling of decency, civilization and humanity. It seems that Van Dorn ordered a charge, determined at all hazzards to retake the guns (in which by the way he was successful), when the Yankees seeing the Cavalry forming for the purpose ordered Capt Freeman to take command of his Guns & to point them at his comrades & mow them down as they came up, which of course he refused, when, horrible to relate, they instantly & in cold blood shot him. ⁶⁴ In retaliation, we took no prisoners that day, but we retook the guns & the slaughter was terrific.

There are rumours of war between the U S & England, but we do not beleive them & in fact have lost all interest in England. We feel almost as indifferent to her as we do to Austria or Turkey. If the U S were to let us alone, England & herself might re-enact the “Killkenny Cats” for ought we care.

Father has written a fine letter on the food and farming question to Gov Vance,. The Gov has published it  [April 28, 1863, North Carolina Standard].  We go out this afternoon for a couple of days at Hascosea; I on gardening, Mr E on farming, bent.

No news from Suffolk. We lost a Battery there last week by Gen French’s mismanagement. He exposed & failed to support it. He is a Jersey man, low bred & vulgar. His heart cannot be in his business. I wonder why President Davis ever made him a Major Gen’?

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

Read Full Post »

the riot in Richmond was more serious than we supposed, 20,000 persons being assembled in the streets #cw150

April 12, 1863

Sunday — Came brother to see us. He tells us that the riot in Richmond was more serious than we supposed, 20,000 persons being assembled in the streets. The President & the Gov of Va were both out & the mob was dispersed only by threats of firing upon them. But I do not see that they attacked the right places for food. Shoe stores & dry goods establishments will not satisfy the cravings of hunger & I am not disposed to beleive that it was a bread riot. The ring leaders were hucksters in the market, one of whom had bought two Veal the day before for $100 & sold them for $250, two hundred and fifty dollars. She could not have been hungry. The news from Washington brought by a courier to Tarrboro is that Gen Hill had, in addition to driving back re-inforcements by water, defeated a land force sent for the same purpose. He placed his men in ambush & as they came on suddenly fired upon and put them to utter confusion and rout. Large quantities of grain & provisions have been brought out from the adjoining counties, which is a great releif to us.

Father leaves in the morning for Raleigh to attend Kate Miller’s wedding.  Will be back in a week. Mr E very unwell. It makes me sad to see him suffer so.

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

Read Full Post »

I am lonely and dreary as it is in Camp without my beloved wife! #cw150

Camp Gregg, April 5^th 1863

My dearest and ever true Wife

I have received no letter since I wrote you in the 2^nd inst. Your letter started on last thrusday night to have reached before this & has given me much disappointment but I am afraid that the delay is to be attributed to the irregularity of the mail which must also be delivered to you for your failure to get mine. According to your last you had not rec’d but one from me and this is the fourth I have written you since that one. By this time you should have rec’d them all & I hope they will come safely to hand.

We are still at Camp Gregg prepared to march at any moment. Last night gave us another heavy snow fall and it is covering the earth this morning at a depth of five or six inches & it is still snowing. The air is very cold and this will delay our movement for several days to come. What I would not give to spend this time as I am lonely and dreary as it is in Camp without my beloved wife! To deny your request to visit me is to deprive myself of the greatest pleasure which could be afforded me but duty & affection alike forbids it. I am forced to stifle the impulses of the hearth & listen to the stern dictates of the Army. If at any time I can get a furlough to visit Richmond I will notify you so that we can meet there. In the meantime we must make the best of our lot.

I have suffered a good deal since I came back in the torpidity of lines. I think there was a slight attack of Jaundice, but I am much better now and in a day or so I will be perfectly restored with my health. There has been a considerable improvement in my spirits & though my darling Kate occupies the greater portions of my thoughts, I have learned to submit to our separation with a calm resignation and abiding hope that it can not last for too long.

Night before last I had a sweet dream it was the only time where I could almost feel my sweet Kate, if only in my dreams. We were together, your hand in mine & your head resting on my shoulder. I was too happy to think of where we were but it was enough to know that my dearest wife was by my side with her head pillowed on my bosom.

I look anxiously for your next letter on this evening and trust it may come. My best to your mother & kindest regards to all. Three shirts are plenty for me now & I could do with two more of them, so let me knw when they are ready. Farewell, a fond farewell to my own dear wife. God bless you.

Your devoted Husband

AM Scales

Source: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 1 and original in A.M. Scales Collection, North Carolina State Archives.

Read Full Post »

I cannot but feel that this war is near its close. How I do long for peace and quiet enjoyment with you. #cw150

Camp Gregg, Va., March 28^th, 1863

My Dearest Wife

I have but little to write about, except to tell you for the thousandth time of my love and desire to see you. I did not get any letter today as I hoped, but knowing how little you can feel like writing, I cannot complain. I write you every other day because I hope it may be of some pleasure to you, to hear. Yesterday I think was more truly observed than any fast day I ever saw. I heard two very capital sermons from Mr. Williams.

The news we got yesterday was truly encouraging. I cannot but feel that this war is near its close. More fighting we must have of course, but not as severe or as much. How I do long for peace and quiet enjoyment with you.

Today our Court Martial met and commenced work. It is going to be a tedious job indeed. Some of them wanted to sit tomorrow but I got Gen’l Hill on my side and we carried it against such a wish. But altho’ tiresome it is a relief to the dull monotony of camp. Anything to be employed. I cannot bear to be idle; less now than ever. I heard today indirectly from Stephen Lee he expects to be promoted to Maj. General. I think if claims were considered I should be promoted too, but I have given up that idea. If the war can come to an early end I shall be content to get through with it. You will think me just as much a hero as if I were a full General and love me just as much and what more need I care for, and then I know I stand high with those who know me.

I shall send tomorrow a letter of W.B. Reed’s of Phila. to father cut out of the Sentinel. I think he will enjoy it. Maj. Morgan is going to leave the General. He is going to his brother John to get a Regt. I think the General will be very glad to get rid of him. He sees what weak men he has around him and regrets it too. I expect he will keep Maj. Palmer. Col. Scales is the most homesick man I ever saw. I got after him about marrying such a young girl, but he says she is 18 and not 17 years old, and that as she possessed those qualities he wanted, he did not think youth ought to have a counter-balancing effect.

I have been looking very impatiently for Pamela’s letter, hoping she would give me some of the local news, but have about given her up.

I know you will be glad to hear that my Brigade is increasing very rapidly. They are sending me conscripts now. I have nearly 2,500 present, and they are coming in every day. I shall have more men than I ever did. The more the better, if I can get them drilled any. We have had nothing but rain lately, except yesterday, which was a most beautiful day. It rained nearly all night and today, and you may rest assured that the country is nothing but a quagmire. No movement for some time.

Now my dear, let me write about you a little. I wrote asking you to send me word of all your symptoms, but I suppose you did not comply because you felt that there was no longer any doubt. I was reading in the Bible the other night where it stated that children were such blessings and given as an evidence of favor in God’s sight. Ought we to complain so at what is evidently His direct will, for did we not try to oppose it? And with what effect? Let us look upon the bright side of it and be cheerful. I do wish you could go through with it without being so sick. You will not, poor thing, be able to enjoy this spring and summer any. My love to all. Tell Turner never mind if none of them write to papa for him, that he can spell them some of these days. My dearest little wife, accept of my entire devotion and believe that you are ever in my heart. May God bless you.

Your devoted and fond 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).

Read Full Post »

if there ever was a husband who adored his wife and thought her so near perfections as flesh can attain, it is yours.#cw150

Camp Gregg, Va., March 15^th 1863

My own dear Wife

Your letter of the 11^th has just reached me. While it gives great pain to hear that you are still suffering, still it is a great pleasure to hear from you. Yes darling, write me regularly if only a line. I will not ask you, no do I expect you, while suffering so much in body and mind, to write long letters. Let me but hear from you and I will be satisfied on that score. My precious wife, you have no idea how terribly anxious I am to see you and nothing but the strongest conviction that I could not be spared now, and a fear that my application would be refused prevents me from trying to get to you.

Darling, so far as any fears you might have had about my sentiment for the lady that was Mary Sumner are entirely groundless. Indeed, I tell the whole truth when I say that I never had a regret about the matter in my life, except in having allowed my vanity to have carried me so far. I never loved her nor did my judgment ever sanction any connections with the family; and I can say truthfully that I always regarded it as a most lucky escape.

For Miss Adams I had more admirations and a higher opinion, but no more desire that she should be my very wife. Fanny indeed you may rest assured of the truth of what I have so often told you, that I never saw but two women who I would in a cool moment and in which my judgement would have allowed me to be married. One I never loved and the other I married, and do love with all my heart and soul. O my wife, my wife if there ever was a husband who adored his wife and thought her so near perfections as flesh can attain, it is yours. I know my treatment of you when together belies this profession, but if you knew how immeasurably beyond every one else you are in the influence you wield over me, how hard I tried to obtain to excellence in this world to please you and how much better I am, bad as I am, than when you took me for “better or for worse” you would believe. Honey, try to believe me, and have that much happiness.

May God bless you for the goodness you have shown me. I did want to see Mrs. Long but not to test myself, not to see if I had, as you may thin, conquered any feeling for I had no old love to conquer, but more in curiosity to see how a girl of sixteen looked at twenty-four and because she was one of several who had made my time pass pleasantly. I made love to Mary Sumner to spite her mother who slighted me. Let this matter pass away from you for the future so far as any trouble it might give you. Honey I addressed you because I wanted you for my wife. My judgement sustained me, a decision reached in 1854 and maintained up to this moment, and I fear not that it will ever be shaken.

We have rumors of an early engagement here, but I cannot believe it, for in the first place the roads are still much too heavy for an army to move, and in the second place I cannot but believe that Hooker will stave it off as along as possible. We are as ready for it as we can be, but to speak for myself, I hope it may never be.

I went over to hear Mr. Williams preach today and heard a very good sermon. He asked me to particularly express to you his regrets that he did not see more of you. Soon after he called, Col. McRedy was hurt and he nursed him night and day. He really seemed sorry that he had not seen more of you. I have today made up my mind to try and observe Lent for the rest of the forty days. I hope I may succeed. I am today reading “Lenten Feast” by Bishop Kipp.  I fear I shall fall through, but I cannot try too soon. I restrain my appetites too little at all times and surely risk my professions. I ought to restrain them for a few days.

Tell Pamela she is a dear little sister for being so kind to you and that I am already under too much obligation to ever forget them. Tell Turner he must answer my letter or I shall set him down as a lay boy who does not love his papa. My love to everybody and kisses for the children. O darling, may you be active by the time you get this.

I have been consulting Dr. Powell and he says two or three days before your monthly period arrives to commence using the foot and hip bath, and take the pills. Continuing this from say about three nights before the time, until two or three nights after, making about a week in all.  As the prescription was used before, after the period had passed, it not have nature to assist it. It is upon the baths that you must rely principally as the pills are more to get your bowels in condition (use them however). If they fail that, you can use the pills as occasion may require as a laxative. Do not allow yourself to get costive.

He says if his remedy fails this time your trouble will be so developed by the next time that there will be no doubt, but seemed to indicate that if any doubt should remain you might try it again. He seems rather to desire that you should not push it too much at any one time as trouble might arise. I will not give up yet that it is the worst.

As weak as you are getting, you had better not fast, but eat whenever you can. Do you not think so honey?

WDP

Read Full Post »

Bless my little wife! She has been to me a wife indeed, and a good angel. #civilwar150

Camp Gregg, Va.

March 4^th 1863

My dearest

We have been badly out of order up this way lately, the bridge over the South Anna between this and Ashland having washed away – but it is now all right. I think the mail arrangements got so disarranged that I am to be cut out of my letters for a longer period than is pleasant.

My dear did that wetting do you any damage? Altho’ you wrote as if you were well, still I cannot but feel some easiness about you, supposing you to be in a condition that might give you some trouble provided you took cold. Your letter of the 24^th ultimo contained the latest news I have of you. I am glad you met with no more serious accident on your route for it is said that if one escapes being run off the track in the NC road he may consider himself to be lucky.

Indeed, Darling, I feel lonely and wish I could be with you. If you were here I could give you such a nice treat in the way of apples. Sutler Edwards still continues to send me nice ones. I got a dozen today from him and 1.2 doz. The other day, but as I am doing penance today I have not tried the last batch. I let me tongue fly [a] little loosely last night so I refused myself my eggs this morning and my apples today. I have really been ashamed of myself and sorry for the way I talked. I hope I shall do so no more. I have also stopped taking that occasional toddy. I made the resolution about the toddy the day I went to Richmond and altho’ very much pressed since, I have kept to it. When I make up my mind not to use spirits I find no difficulty in sticking to it. These are small matters now but may lead to good results in the future. I always want to be not only a Christian – which I cannot- but a husband whose habits his wife may approve of.

Honey, don’t you think I try to please you in trying to do what you think right. Do you not always find me reasonable so far as taking your advice. Bless my little wife! She has been to me a wife indeed, and a good angel. Fanny, if I should show myself insensible to so much love and goodness, I ought to be hung. Surely no man has such a wife. So much devotion, so much good sense, and last but not the least, in quantity, so much good looks. Honey, you always pretend to think that I am joking when I talk about your good looks. Indeed, Darling, to me you are very pretty and sweet, and I know you have quite a reputation for beauty. Honey, I feel in a loving mood and if you were here I would hold you in my lap and kiss and kiss you to your hearts content.

Honey, I got my cloth in Richmond but really I will not pay such outrageous prices for making as they ask. Just to think of giving $110 for the making of a coat. I will wear sacks first. I think I will have the pants and sack cut out and sent to you to have made by some of your seamstresses. I prefer a sack anyhow for they are so much more comfortable.

Willie has taken my bay mare. I let him have her for what I gave, $200. I shall sell Fan also, for she has gotten so that she eats off the tails of every horse she can get to … I sent my Capt. Sammy to the extreme western part of the state for a horse. I also wrote to brother Robert. Two good horses are all I want and by selling two and buying one I shall probably make one or two hundred dollars to send home. You have no idea how I am eschewing to get out of debt. I intend to be as close as a miser. I spent only about $50 while gone to Richmond, including the $20 for my cloth… Honey, I have clothes and cloth enough without that which you bought in Hillsborough. Suppose you sell that. Now do not get worried and say it is because you bought it. I shall not be able to use all I have for a long time and we had better have money than surplus cloth. There is no hurry about it however. In Richmond it would bring at least $12 per yard. I shall want my drawers after a while, and you might put in in a box with them and send to Sgt Montgomery by any good chance to keep for me some few of my socks and those old rags of undershirts. He is on Wall St. above Main about half a block in a house marked on the door “Billiard Room.”  If you have no good chance they can be sent after a while by express. I will get him to sell the cloth unless you can get a good price for it. I will write again about this matter. The cloth I got in Richmond is very nice.

If Maj. Biscoe and Capt. Simon fill the orders I gave them you will be fixed out nicely for the summer. I am determined you shall have some more skirts, come what may. I wrote Mag Cox yesterday and having a good chance I asked her to write me back. I took it for granted she would like to hear from her relations on this side.

Honey, do write me about the children alike. Tell me how much Dorsey can talk, etc., etc. Darling, did you think about yesterday being the anniversary of our marriage? Four years, how short they seem… We are more violently in love by far than the sweethearts. The Lord grant many returns and as happy as the past have been and we cannot complain. Now I will close. I wrote to your father a few days since. Does Turner talk any about me? Did you notice that Stephen Lee has been placed in command of the Batteries at Vicksburg and how he was complimented upon the improvement he was working. Kiss the children and Sis, and my love to Mary and father. Good night

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).

Read Full Post »

tell her I think there is no danger of any of the girls becoming old maids Since She was so fortunate to get Married #cw150

Camp near Buckners Neck Virginia Feb 13th 1863

Dear Martha

I write you a few lines informing you that I received your very kind letter yesterday evening and was very glad indeed to hear from you and to hear that you were well but was very sorry to hear that your Father was yet sick and did not appear to get any better. my health is no better I have been sick all the time since I have been in Camp and I have not been well enough to do any duty since I have been here. Captain Armstrong has gone to North Carolina and will not be back again before the first of March he told me when he left that when he came back to Camp that he would send me before the Board of Doctors to be examined and to see if they would not give me a discharge. I long to see the time come for my health is so bad and it is so cold here that I am perfectly miserable and I am doing my Country no good and Myself a great harm dear Martha I have no news of any importance to write you at this time We expect to have a fight here as soon as the weather gets dry enough for the Yankees to have their Artillery across the River We are well prepared to meet them and our men will be certain of another Victory whenever the Battle is fought. You wanted to know in your letter if they punished me in any way after I came here They did not punish me in any way and all the men are very kind to me I was very glad to hear of Elizabeth Catharine Howards marriage tell her I wish her much Joy. tell her I think there is no danger of any of the girls becoming old maids Since She was so fortunate to get Married

I want you to try to send me a pair of gloves by Captain Armstrong when he comes back you Can leave the gloves with Richard Savage at Burgaw Depot and he can send them by the Captain. Dear Martha I will send you some money as soon as I can draw some unless I get a discharge if I get one I can in hope that I will have the pleasure of bringing it to you I expect we will draw money some time in March. When Captain Armstrong comes back I will try to make arrangements for you to draw Something from the County Dear Martha I would like to be with you to day so that you might cook me Something that I could eat we have very little to cook here and that little is very badly cooked. I Will come to a close by saying to you that I wrote you a letter some time ago and I hope you have got it before now. I want you to tell your Father that I am very sorry to hear of his being so Sick and I would give anything in this World if I could only see him it would give me great satisfaction if it did not do him any good give my love to Your to Youre sister and tell her I think of her very often and want to see her very bad and give my love to all the family as well as my own Relatives and friends reserving a goodly portion for yourself I want you to write to me as Soon as you can after you get this letter So farewell for this time I Remain your affectionate Husband

John Futch

to Martha Futch

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

Read Full Post »

Account of the Marriage of A Princess as “a pleasing diversion from the war” #cw150

Marriage of A Princess

The marriage of a Princess is so remarkable an event, and so little is known in this county of Royal Etiquette, that we transfer to our columns, from an English paper that has fallen into our possession, an account of the late marriage of the Princess Alice, second daughter of the Queen of England, to Prince Louise of Hesse.  The royal Jenkins describes the ceremony, dress, etiquette, &c., on the occasion and offers a pleasing diversion from the war and “rumors of war” that have so incessantly filled our columns. The London paper says:

The wedding of the princess Royal, public as it comparatively was, was considered out of doors far to private for the interest which the public took in ever event connected with the royal family; but the sad bereavement which has so recently taken place made it imperative in this case that the utmost seclusion should be preserved. So much are people inclined to disbelieve in the actual privacy of royal movements, that the completeness with which it was preserved will hardly receive credence from the public. But so it was; and neither in Southampton, nor Portsmouth, no Cowes, no within a hundred yards of Osborne House, was there the slightest indication that the second daughter of the Queen of England was about to be married, or that any event of the slightest importance was about to disturb the daily current of event. It certainly was a strange and solemn sight for a few of the public who flitted about the Osborne road, to see no indications of life about the park, beyond a few servants, in the deepest mourning, passing almost stealthily up and down the avenue.  So little did the public seem to know about the events, that when the five o’clock express train to town was shunted at Basingstoke to allow the special royal train with the visitors at Osborne to pass, it was almost impossible to make the passengers by the former believe the true reason. They had a strong impression that some accident had happened on the line, and were only reassured when they saw the royal saloon carriage shooting past on the main line, with the visitors at the wedding seated in it, all in mourning.

For the ceremony an altar had been erected in the dining room, covered in purple velvet and gold, and surrounded by a handsome gilt railing. Beyond this, I understand that not a single special arrangement was made for the ceremonial. Her royal highness the bride was supported by her uncle, his royal highness the reigning duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, and was accompanied by her royal highness’s sisters, their royal highnesses the Princess Helena, the Princess Louise, and the Princess Beatrice, and by her grand ducal highness the Princess Anna of Hesse, sister of his grand ducal highness the bridgegroom, as bridesmaids.  The parents of the bridegroom were placed opposite to the queen. When the bride had taken her place the service commenced.  The bride was given away by her uncle, his royal highness the reigning Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha.

At the conclusion of the service, the bride and bridegroom were conducted by Lord Chamberlain to an adjoining apartment. Her majesty, the Queen, remained until all present at the ceremony had withdrawn, and then retired. The other royal and illustrious personages and guests proceeded to the drawing room. The marriage register was taken by the Hon. And Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor to her majesty and the bride and bridegroom for their signatures, and subsequently to the drawing room, for the signatures of the remaining witnesses.

The dress worn on the occasion was a morning dress; the gentlemen black evening coats, white waistcoats, gray trousers, and black neckcloths; and the ladies in gray or violet morning dresses, and gray or white gloves.

The bride, I was told – and the ladies will be grateful for the information – wore a dress of white silk, of a new description, called “crystaline,” with a single flounce of Honiton lace, and a border of orange flowers at the bottom of the skirt.  I was also informed that nearly the whole of the company wore second mourning, and that there was a singular absence of flowers, jewelry, or decorations of any description. The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of York, assisted by the Dean of Windsor, and the Rev. William Protheroe, rector of Whippingham, the office of bride-maids being sustained by the younger Princesses, and the Duke of Saxe Coburg giving the bride away. Her majesty was present at the ceremony, and among the company were the Grand ducal family of Hesse, the Duchess of Cambridge, Pricness Mary and Duke of Cambridge, His serene Highness the Prince of Saxe Coburg Goth, the Duchess of Wellington, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, Viscount Palmerston, Sir George Grey, Sir GC Lewis, Earl Rusell, the Hon CP Villiers, etc.

After the ceremony the wedding presents were inspected.  Prominent among these were those offered by the Duchess of Athol, the Maharaha Dhuleep Singh, and the Countess of Fife. The Duchess of Athol’s present was a presse Papier, the base formed from a piece of green variegated marble from Blair Athol, mounted with mouldings of oak leaves and acorns, having on side, in relief, the arms of Prince Louis of Hesse and her Royal Highness’s arms, with coronet over; on the other side the following inscription: “To her Royal Highness, the Princess Alice of England, on her marriage, by the Duchess of Athol”.  The whole was surmounted with a finely modeled royal stag ascending a rocky peak, designed by Frederick Taylor; esq., RA, the whole in silver gilt.  His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh’s present was a magnificent jeweled fan in gold; on one side the Rose of England carved from a large ruby, with emerald enamel, having her Royal Highness’s monogram of A.M.M. the initials of Alice Maud Mary, on diamond rubies and emerald blended.  The reverse side is somewhat similar in design, but having orange blossoms and buds composed of large pearls, with leaves of cut emerald, and the monogram as before, but in gothic letters.  The loop of the fan is formed by  the letters D.S. in sanscrit, his highness’ oriental monogram, from which is suspended a gold chain with two large emeralds for tassels, and a number of pearls placed at intervals between the links. The Countess of Fife’s gift upon the occasion was a rich silver gild jewel casket, with a guardian angel at each corner, surmounted by a large cairngorm, set in gold, engrave around, “Cairngorm from Mar Forest,” the key formed of her royal highness’s coronet, the whole richly engraved with rose, shamrock and thistle, with monogram, and bearing a suitable inscription. The stone is a remarkable specimen, and is found of great beauty and size on the Mar estate.

For the wedding breakfast a pavilion fifty-three feet by thirty three, lined and elegantly decorated and with a boarded floor covered with crimson cloth, had been erected on the lawn, and connected with the palace by a decorated corridor.  The pavilion was so much liked that for several days the distinguished visitors had dined there – twenty of Saturday, thirty on Sunday, and upwards of Forty on Monday.  About seventy guests were at the breakfast this morning. A trophy of silk flags, with the royal standard in the centre, had been put up, and the Prince of Wales’ shields.

A jejenner was served at two-o’clock, after which the greatest part of her Majesty’s royal and other visitors returned to London.

Source: Fayetteville Observer, December 4, 1862 as found in www.digitalnc.org.

Read Full Post »

The war with all it horrors & its bloody front will sometimes come over me like the fall of a never ending night #cw150

Camp Near Winchester

Nov. 15^th 1862

 

My Dear Cousin Kate

I am seated today on the leaves in the open air before a hug log fire which seems to take pleasure in throwing its smoke towards me wherever I may chose to be.  The weather is clear cold & windy.  At one time my eyes are filled with smoke and I can almost suffocate at another gust of wind comes whistling and frolicking by & behold a cloud of white ashes gather and fall upon me in the ink and all over the paper.  I am too far from the fire to make much benefit from it.  My feet are freezing in my boots.  My hands are benumbed with cold so that I can scarcely guide my pen & yet notwithstanding all this I persevere & write and somehow take absolute pleasure in doing so.

My heart beats warmly, my mind for the moment is far from here.  I bid adieu to the war and all its horrors and defiance to the weather with all its severity that I am writing to my own Dear Kate.  She has agreed to give up home & mother & kindred and pledged herself to be mine by faith and all sacredness of a compact requested in Heaven.  Then pardon me & still permit me the expression, “My Dear Kate” for I love to write it and feel that it is my province to cherish through life & should you have sorrows, “mine is the hand to dry your tears and to comfort still.”

How I shall discharge this sacred trust the future will alone develop, but it is a work of love and heaven will aid me in its performance.  Since my return to the army my attention has been much engaged yet no day has passed that I have not often thought of you and the relation we bear to each other.  I am filled with melancholy feelings as I contemplate the difficulties and dangers which may get mixed up to prevent our union is not forever.  The war with all it horrors & its bloody front will sometimes come over me like the fall of a never ending night & for the season shuts out all the bright moments of happiness and makes the world cold and dreary.

Then again, I look with faith to the end & suffice in the prospect of a day of not far a day where it will be a day of peace when we will be brought together in the bonds that shall never know parting until life itself may leave.  God grant that it may and that then will be no longer a necessity for such strictness in regard to furloughs.  Of all this you shall be advised of in due time.  In the meanwhile I would not have you look to any other day or think a promise broken.

I reached camp two weeks ago.  My regiment had first left it was thought to meet the enemy.  I galloped after it & came up upon them about two miles from camp.  They received me with a shout long & loud & I was convinced that danger must be met along with my noble boys who had so often given me such unmistakeable evidence of their attachment.  Gen. Pender left on a sick furlough and I was placed in command of the Brigade consisting on five Regiments.  A few days ago when I was sent out with the entire command, we had a brisk little skirmish with the enemy.  It was ended by a flag of truce on their side asking permission to take off their wounded.  The Yankees confess to a loss of 40 killed and wounded.  Nobody was hurt on our side.  At present we are in five miles of Winchester and all is quiet.  The troops are in fine spirits though the poor fellows are without tents, badly clothed and badly shod such self sacrificing devotion deserves and will be rewarded.  With the help of God we will drive the invaders from our soil.  Present my kindest regards to your mother & all dear Effie & the baby for me again.  Say to Effie I would very much like to hear from her.  I shall find time in a few days to fulfill my promise to her.  You must write in the reflection of this and write me a long letter.  My address will be at Richmond; Col. AM Scales, Pender’s Brigade, A.P. Hill’s Division and then direct on the care of W.L. Hill at Richmond who will forward to me wherever I may be.  Farewell, may heaven be your guide & happiness here after be your patron.

Devotedly yours,

M. Scales

Sources: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 1. (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003). Original in A.M. Scales Collection, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

Read Full Post »

Alas, for General Branch! Alas, for his poor wife! It seems but yesterday when they were married #cw150

September 25, 1862

I have waited for time to clear the mists that lie around our recent actions on the Potomac, but even now I cannot tell if what I record is correct.  As I mentioned Gen D H Hill repulsed the enemy at one of the passes of the Blue Ridge beyond Frederick on Sunday.  Hill and Longstreet after repulsing the enemy fell back to the main body of our army which Gen Lee had marshaled in battle array in front of Sharpsburg.  On Tuesday evening M Clellan in force attacked him.  The battle raged all through Wednesday 17^th with terrific slaughter, we driving back the enemy & retaining possession of the field which we held until Friday, removing our wounded.  When a corps d armee was thrown across the Potomac to Shepherdstown under the command of Jackson to intercept a body of the enemy, who had crossed below & were endeavoring to flank us & regain Harper’s Ferry under the command of Gen Pleasanton, this body he entirely routed & put to flight.  Then turning suddenly, he attacked a corps coming to their assistance in the act of crossing the Potomac & in the river repulsed them with terrific carnage.  Our guns mowed them down by columns & the River was filled with dead, wounded, and drowning men!  It’s heart rending to read it.  All this we claim to be authentic.  Our loss said to be heavy in the battle of Sharpsburg, slight in the subsequent engagements.  Then come a rumour of another Victory at Sharpsburg but not reliable.  The only loss mentioned in our Dispatches is that of Gen Starke of Mississippi & Gen Branch of this state.

Now per contra the Yankees publish the most flaming accounts of a victory over Hill & Longstreet at the passes of the Blue Ridge on Sunday; another the same day at Crampton’s pass a little lower down—that their whole army moved in pursuit of the flying Rebels who rallied & made a desperate stand in front of Sharpsburg but were completely routed & disorganized on Wednesday & Thursday & driven towards the Potomac in fearful disorder—whole batteries captured, Longstreet wounded & captured, Hill killed—all wound up with the announcement that “the Rebellion is virtually subdued”!  McClellan’s dispatches to his Government claim at one time a brilliant Victory, at another that “he thinks he can claim” one; says “it is reported” that Gen Lee admits they (the rebels) were terribly whipped, Pleasanton in full pursuit, the Rebels driven across the Potomac & more to the same purpose.  At the news Stocks in New York have gone up, the people jubilant & defiant, rejoicings every where!

Our means of communication are so deficient & so slow that we cannot trust them entirely & consequently these Yankee lies give us some uneasiness, but the general belief is that M Clellan was attempting the relief of Harper’s Ferry, that Lee wished to avoid a general engagement until that place was taken & Jackson had rejoined him & therefore posted Hill & Longstreet on the Blue Ridge to dispute the passage & delay M Clellan.  This being accomplished they fell back to the main body at Sharpsburg, Jackson re-crossing the Potomac & together received the shock of battles they repulsed the enemy, removed our wounded, & held the field until Sat when a large portion of our army crossed back into Va to protect Harper’s Ferry & save themselves from being out flanked & have done so by the repulse or annihilation of Pleasanton.  Thus matters stand.  Every mail is looked for with the most eager impatience & I trust that re-inforcements are being hurried to Lee.  There are said to be thirty thousand stragglers between Gordonsville & the Potomac, an army in itself.  Alas, for General Branch! Alas, for his poor wife!  It seems but yesterday when they were married, when I met them during their Honeymoon, so devoted & so full of each other!  How little could any one have predicted that he would die such a death?   Mr E too met them on their way to Richmond last Nov when he went to solicit the post of Brigadier Gen, which he got through his political influence.  Poor woman, bitterly does she now regret it, for what is distinction under such grief as hers?

But the news from Kentucky, I must not omit that.  Bragg has captured 5000 Federals at Mumfordsville & destroyed the splendid bridge over the Green River at that place & thus cut Louisville off from assistance from its Yankee friends.  Kirby Smith is making forced marches from Frankfort and the country in front of Cincinnati to join him, and then it is thought he will offer battle to Buel.  Memphis has long since been evacuated & all things point to an abandonment of Nashville likewise.

** General Lawrence O’Bryan Branch was killed by a sharpshooter at the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg: http://www.ncmarkers.com/Results.aspx?k=Search&ct=btn

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

 

 

Read Full Post »