Tag Archives: home front

7 May 1862: “Whereas, At the time prescribed by law for listing taxable property in this State, many of its citizens were in the military service of their State and of the Confederate States…”

Item description: This ordinance, passed by North Carolina’s Secession Convention, instructs sheriffs to “collect only the single tax” (rather than a “double tax”) from soldiers who had failed to list their taxes in a timely manner due to military service. … 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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14 April 1862: “This is the anniversary of the fall of Ft Sumter and we have had the sad news confirmed of the loss of Ft Pulaski to us — I was not prepared for this, believing it impregnable.”

Item description: In this letter, Mary Henderson writes to her son John Steele Henderson, who was a student in Chapel Hill, N.C. at the University of North Carolina. Mary Henderson discusses local news, the Battle of Shiloh, and other war … 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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9 February 1862: “…they are steady and prudent not partaking of the vices so common in camp – George told me he had been often begged to play cards – he told them he did not know how and never intended to know…”

Item description: Letter, 9 February 1862, from Frances Goggin Parker to her son Robert W. Parker, a soldier in the 2nd Virginia Cavalry. [Transcription available below images.] Item citation: From volume 2 in the Robert W. Parker Papers, Southern Historical … Continue reading

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19 January 1862: “Except that I know what a comfort it is to Mama to have me at home…”

Item description: Letter, 19 January 1862, from Mary Pendleton to her father, William Nelson Pendleton. In the letter, Mary writes to ask her father’s advice on a difficult decision. It is believed that she has been asked to go to … Continue reading

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16 November 1861: “The recommendation of the President of the Confederate States…appears to have been very generally complied with by our people and churches.”

Item description: On the 16 November 1861, the Wilmington Daily Journal reported on the day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer” that occurred the day before. According to the paper, the town’s residents and business’s “entered sincerely into the spirit of … Continue reading

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14 November 1861: “The President of the Confederate States having appointed Friday, the 15th inst., as a day of ‘fasting, humiliation and prayer’…”

Item description: In the Wilmington Daily Journal of 14 November 1861, this notice from John Dawson, mayor of Wilmington, was posted. The notice states that God is the only hope “to achieve success in the great struggle for liberty and … Continue reading

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13 November 1861: “We understand that the Independent Light Infantry and the LaFayette Light Infantry, of Fayetteville, are expected to arrive…”

Item description: In this piece from 13 November 1861, the editors of the Wilmington Daily Journal announce the arrival of two units of North Carolina soldiers, who are on their way home from Virginia. Item citation: The Daily Journal. 13 … Continue reading

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