Tag Archives: women

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…”

Posted on 4 May ’12 by

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.”

Posted on 28 Apr ’12 by

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.”

Posted on 20 Apr ’12 by

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…”

Posted on 13 Apr ’12 by

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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28 February 1862: “I am often glad I am not married, but methinks there is some thing very fine in having a brave husband to fight in the glorious battles, and come home and tell about them by the fireside.”

Posted on 28 Feb ’12 by

Item description: Letter to Ellen Richardson in Ololona, Miss., from her cousin Laura Norwood in Lenoir, N.C. [Transcription available below images.] Item citation: In the Chiliab Smith Howe Papers #3092, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina … Continue reading →

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13 February 1862: “Mr Johnson had a number of fine rose cuttings from his garden and left them on route…”

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Item description: In this note, displaced Southerner L.A. Johnson writes to her friend Octavia Wyche. Mrs. Johnson appears to have fled from her home to a safer location, at which her husband had been trying to meet her, but had … Continue reading →

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2 February 1862: “Dear Sis, I know that you all sympathize with me, and grieve with me, and that you know I would not bring her back if I could.”

Posted on 2 Feb ’12 by

Item description: Letter, 2 February 1862, from Laura Williams (1841- 1927), to her sister, Ellen Richardson (1839-1921) in Okolona, Mississippi. In this letter, Laura describes some of her traveling experiences reflects on a recently attended funeral, which reminds her of … Continue reading →

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24 January 1862: “An Attack Anticipated on Newbern and Roanoke Island, North Carolina.”

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Item Description: “The Burnside Expedition.” The New York Herald, 24 January 1862, page 1, column 3.   Item Transcription: THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION. Arrival of Expeditionary Fleet in Pamlico Sound. An Attack Anticipated on Newbern and Roanoke Island, North Carolina. Removal … 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…”

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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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21 August 1861: “I therefore call upon you to come forward with your gifts, and lay them bountifully upon the altar of your country.”

Posted on 21 Aug ’11 by

Item description: This newpaper ad appeals to the ladies of Orange County, North Carolina, to provide socks and blankets for the soldiers. Among the gentlemen designated to receive articles for the solders is John W. Carr, proprietor of a store on the … Continue reading →

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