Tag Archives: diaries

6 May 1862: “The conscript law too which takes so many producers from the country will reduce the crops one half and a scarcity of Bread stares us in the face.”

Item description: Entry, dated 6 May 1862, from the diary of David Schenck (1835-1902). Schenck reflects on recent news including the fall of New Orleans and the Confederate conscription law. More about David Schenck: David Schenck (1835-1902), son of a … Continue reading

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4 May 1862: “…he knew still less how to surrender a city filled with women and children and unarmed citizens; the city was at their mercy…”

Item description: Entry, dated 4 May 1862, from the diary of Sarah Wadley. More about Sarah Lois Wadley: Sarah Lois Wadley was born in 1844 in New Hampshire, the daughter of railroad superintendent William Morrill Wadley (1813-1882) and Rebecca Barnard … Continue reading

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28 April 1862: “…it was going the rounds, that we were toasting the Federals, and had them for regular beaux.”

Item description: Entry, dated 28 April 1862, from the diary of Cora Alice Ready. More about Cora Alice Ready: Cora Alice Ready (1842-1890) was born and grew up in Tennessee.  Although her family lived in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cora Alice, who … Continue reading

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20 April 1862: “This is Easter Sunday, at the commencement of Lent the Yankee papers said that in forty days the stars and stripes should float over New Orleans, their boast has not been verified.”

Item description: In this diary entry, Sarah Lois Wadley (1844-1920) describes the Battle of Shiloh and the Confederate loss of Ft. Pulaski. More about Sarah Lois Wadley: Sarah Lois Wadley was born in 1844 in New Hampshire, the daughter of … Continue reading

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13 April 1862: “my heart sickens when I think that under this beautiful blue sky with God’s heavensent air breathing warm and fructifying around while the birds sing and the green leaves wave as if to praise their Creator, thousands of men are mingling in mortal combat and groans and shrieks sounding amid the roar of artillery…”

Item description: In this diary entry, Sarah Lois Wadley (1844-1920) describes receiving news of the Battle of Shiloh, and reflects on the contrast between the beautiful spring day she observes, and the horrors of battle and death. More about Sarah … Continue reading

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29 March 1862: “we are now on the sea of a decisive contest, and all hearts are anxious about the result…”

Item description: Diary entry written by Jane Evans Elliot. More about Jane Evans Elliot: Jane Evans Elliot (1820-1882) was a diarist in Fayetteville, N.C. Her husband was Alexander Elliot, a lumberman who served in the North Carolina House of Commons, … Continue reading

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2 March 1862: “Pleasant had a prayer meeting in our quarters.”

Item description: Short entry, 2 March 1862, from the diary of Henry K. White, soldier in the 23rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Item citation: From folder 1 of the Henry K. White Diaries #5013-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North … Continue reading

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6 January 1862: “Smuggling was spoken [of] and Mr. Memminger said the Gov’t winked at it because of our necessities…”

Item description: Entry, 6 January 1862, from the diary of Thomas Bragg (Attorney General of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1863), written in Richmond, Va. [Transcription available below images.] Item citation: From the Thomas Bragg Papers, 3304-z, Southern Historical Collection, … Continue reading

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7 December 1861: “Lincoln’s message was published here today – It is in every respect a most ordinary document – poor in style, matter, and every thing”

Item description:  Entry, 7 December 1861, from the diary of Thomas Bragg (Attorney General of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1863), written while Bragg was in Richmond, Va. Item citation: From the Thomas Bragg Papers, 3304-z, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson … Continue reading

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12 October 1861: “The regiments charged up the hill in gallant style and took possession of a stove pipe!!!”

Item description: Journal entry, 12 October 1861, of H. C. Williams (fl. 1845-1861) describing both Union and Confederate reconnaissance operations around Munson’s Hill, Fairfax County, Virginia. The entry records an incident involving Professor Thaddeus S. C. Lowe (1832-1913), Chief Aeronaut … Continue reading

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