Saturday 24th [October 1863]
Mr. Henry came home last night about 8 o’clock. I was so glad to see him but when I heard of his narrow escape & having to go back this morning, my heart almost stopped to beat. He & others had a skirmish with the tories or yanks at Warm Springs Thursday evening. Mr. Henry thinks Maj. John Woodfin is killed. A ball brushed Mr. Henry’s arm, it is an ugly place & very sore. His horse was shot in the fore leg. They had to run up a mountain. Mr. Henry was near Woodfin when he was shot. He fell off his horse soon after they started up the MT. & tis supposed he was dead. Mr. Henry’s horse run under a bush & pulled him off. He then run about 100 yds. & Maj. Woodfin’s horse & another horse came along so he got Davis’ horse. Davis was shot in the hip. He got back to Marshall by the time Mr. Henry & them did. There was only twelve in the squad. They were sent around by Woodfin to see the strength of the enemy. The others, about 100 men, were a quarter of a mile behind. These others were Capt. Harris’ Cavalry. Two men were killed in Capt. Harris’ company. Mr. Henry & these others slept in the Mountains that night. He left his horse as he was too lame to travel. It was the Cagle horse, a good one. Mr. Henry says he could run very fast. They got to Marshall yesterday about 12, had not eat anything since Thursday morning. He lost his overcoat, hat & cape & left his bridle & saddle on poor John Cagle when he left him. He woke me this morning about 1 o’clock. We did not get up till near three. I felt miserable indeed. I slept but little last night thinking of his going this morning. It kept me awake a long time. It may be the last night I shall ever sleep in his dear arms. Oh! I have felt so sad all day, so miserable. I told him goodbye in the front piazza. He eat breakfast a little after 4, he and another man that was going with him. It was raining when he started. Oh! that the Lord would hear my poor petition & spare my dear husbands life. I ask & beseech it of Thee Oh Lord. Stay Thy wrath on us as a nation I pray & grant us peace.
Stevens sent after his negroes we have hired, they went. The people of Asheville expect a raid every day from the tories or yanks one. Stevens is going to move his family, white & black too. I have felt so sad all day. I have done nothing of importance. I finished the dress for Gus. Cook got Pinck’s & Zona’s shoes done today. Fannie is spinning, I want to make Mr. Henry an overcoat as soon as I can get the filling spun. He wants it lapped. Betsey will help spin it. She has quit weaving till she gets the filling ready. There is about ten yds. to weave yet. She will be here Monday after rolls. The wagon got home with the rolls Thursday night. They are very nice, most of them mixed. I did not get the fine wool carded. They brought it back. They would have had to wait two days for it so they said so they brought it home. Take care of my husband whilst he is out I ask of thee O Lord. May our forces come out victorious I pray. They expected a fight with them today. They sent the cannon down yesterday from Asheville.
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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