Brokenburn The Journal Of Kate Stone

in

127 384

KATE STONE

(Drawn from a photograph)

KENBURN

*Jhe journal of 'Kate Stone

186i-1868

Edited by
JOHN Q. ANDERSON

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Baton Rouge

COPYRIGHT 1955, BY THE
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 557363

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY THE J. H. FURST CO., BALTIMORE, 3VED.

FOR
AMANDA JTJLIA HOLMES

Preface

The manuscript of the Journal of Kate Stone, now in my
possession, exists in two large ledger books into which Kate
Stone Holmes copied it, without evident revision, in 1900.
The Journal contains regular entries dating from May, 1861,
to November, 1865, with summary sketches written in 1867
and 1868. The few omissions from the manuscript are indi-
cated by ellipses. The introduction to the Journal which Mrs.
Holmes wrote at the time she recopied the manuscript is
included as " In Retrospect."

The Journal is here presented as nearly as possible in the
form in which it was written, although certain emendations
were made in order to make the text more readable. Spelling
was made to conform to modern practice, with the exception
of such words as " cosy/ 3 " grey," " necessaries," and " eat-
ables " which were retained for their historical flavor. Punc-
tuation was supplied where necessary to present the author's
text clearly. Abbreviations, especially frequent in names for
which the author often used initials only, were spelled out.
Capitalization was modernized, except for important words
such as Cause, Government, Nature, and Heaven which the
author wished to emphasize. A very few additions of words
were made; incomplete sentences, so characteristic of diaries,
were completed by addition of subject, verb, or connective
when the sense would otherwise not be clear. When the
author herself is obviously the subject, no change was made.
In a few instances, grammatical structures were altered to
avoid misreading. The author's use of plural verbs with col-
lective nouns, such as " the company were," was retained, as
well as such colloquialisms as " we all," " ordered off," " foot
up," and " have holiday."

Dates of entries were verified and corrected occasionally
when the author, often without a calendar, was uncertain.

vii

viii PREFACE

Proper names, some of which were spelled several ways, were
verified by United States Census reports and other records;
when such verification was impossible, the most frequent
spelling was adopted.

Finally, explanatory notes concerning the military, per-
sons, books, and places were provided in order to present the
Journal in its proper setting, though these comments are
neither exhaustive nor definitive.

I wish to express my appreciation to Miss Amy J. Holmes
of Tallulah, Louisiana, daughter of Kate Stone Holmes, for
permitting me to prepare her mother's Journal for publica-
tion. Francis M. Ward and Mrs. Minnie Spann Murphy,
local historians of Tallulah, were helpful. My gratitude is
deep and abiding to my wife, Loraine Epps Anderson, whose
transcription of the manuscript and typing of the copy made
this book possible.

J. Q. A.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction xi

In Retrospect 3

1861 : " Our Cause is just " 13

1862: " These troublous times " 77

1863: " Strangers in a strange land " 167

1864: " Disaster and despair " 271

1865: " The darkest hour " 311

1867: " The burden of defeat w 368

1868: " The outlook is brighter " 875

Index 379

IX

Jntrodu&ion

The Journal of Kate Stone vividly records the Civil War
experiences of a well-educated, sensitive, patriotic Southern
girl who was twenty years old when the war began and who
was living with her widowed mother, five brothers, and a
young sister at Brokenburn, a large cotton plantation in
northeast Louisiana, about thirty miles northwest of Vicks-
burg, Mississippi. Located in what is now Madison Parish
in the floodplain of the Mississippi, Brokenburn lay in the
fertile, flat land created by centuries of overflow. Opened to
settlement in 1839, the rich land had attracted many planters
from Mississippi and the eastern cotton states. The Missis-
sippi and the many navigable bayous provided landings for
steamboats to bring in supplies and haul away the cotton.

Throughout the 1840's and 1850's plantations were opened
each year by clearing away the dense forest. Since more
cotton meant more slaves, great numbers were brought in
from the east and from the slave market in New Orleans,
where prime field hands brought $800 to $1,200, and of the
11,156 people in Madison Parish by 1859, 9,863 were slaves
nine Negroes to every white person. Huge fortunes were
made by some planters in a few years; mansions were built
and filled with imported furnishings; and many planters
made the European grand tour.

Like other planters in the area, Kate's mother, thirty-
seven-year-old Amanda Stone, reckoned her large fortune in
land, cotton, and slaves. She owned 1,260 acres of the pro-
ductive black soil and about 150 slaves. She provided a tutor
for her children and planned a European tour for 1862.

Against this typical antebellum background the first part
of Kate Stone's story takes place. Aware that she was living
in a momentous time, Kate began her Journal in May, 1861,
when many young men from northeast Louisiana, anxious to
get in the fight before it was over, were rushing to join

xi

xii BROKENBUHN

Mississippi companies in Vicksburg, as did Kate's Uncle Bo
and her brother William. With a vivid imagination filled
with the romances of Sir Walter Scott, " The Prince of
Novelists/' Kate shared the widespread belief of Southerners
that the war would be an outing for dashing young officers
in splendid uniforms, inspired to deeds of valor by patriotic
maidens. In the following months, she recorded the attitude
of the civilians at home in Madison and Carroll parishes,
who, anxious as they were for the safety of their soldiers,
nevertheless felt that the battles at insignificant towns in
Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri were far away. Even the
military reverses of the first year, which Kate avidly fol-
lowed in the newspapers, did not cool her ardor or convince
her that Southern arms could not triumph in " our just
Cause/' though she had to admit that the war might well
last longer than she had anticipated.

Kate's optimism turned to fierce hatred of the enemy when
the war moved close to northeast Louisiana in 1862. She
reported the fall of the river forts in Kentucky, Tennessee,
and Missouri, which left the northern approach to Vicksburg
open, and she loathed the sight of the Federal gunboats that
appeared in the Mississippi only a few miles from Broken-
burn in 1862. At the same time, the southern approach to
Vicksburg via the river was opened by the fall of the forts
at the mouth of the Mississippi and by the surrender of New
Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Natchez in quick succession,
much to Kate's despair. " Fair Louisiana/' she cried, " with
her fertile fields of cane and cotton, her many bayous and
dark old forests, lies powerless at the feet of the enemy/*

With the enemy at the door and with the enlisting of her
teen-age brothers, Coleman and Walter, Kate's anger struck
out on the one hand at the " fireside braves," as she called
those who had not volunteered, and on the other at the
detested Yankee gunboats which had cut off letters from her
soldier brothers and news of the outside world. She was
angry, too, at the waste of war when her mother, along with
other planters, set fire to their cotton at the request of Gen-
eral Beauregard. Kate saw $20,000 worth of cotton destroyed
at Brokenburn. Moreover, plagued by shortages of staples,

INTRODUCTION xiii

clothing, medicines, and reading matter (a serious shortage
for Kate) , she listened anxiously to the cannonading at
Vicksburg as the Federal gunboats attempted to run the
Confederate batteries.

Kate watched with futile rage as the two jaws of the great
pincers aimed at cutting the Confederacy in half threatened
to close on Vicksburg in the summer of 1862. Federal troops
landed in Madison Parish directly opposite Vicksburg, intent
on cutting a canal across the peninsula in front of the city
which would allow boats to pass out of range of the Con-
federate batteries; Federal armies in northern Mississippi
threatened the city from the rear. Vicksburg seemed doomed
to the fate of the other river ports. That fate, however, was
miraculously delayed: the canal was a failure; the Confed-
erate ram Arkansas briefly menaced the Federal fleet; the
Confederate batteries on the Vicksburg bluff could not be
silenced; and the land force north of the city failed to move
in for the kill. Thus the " Queen City of the Bluff " evaded
siege during the summer and fall of 1862.

The respite was brief, however. While Kate was entertain-
ing Confederate officers at Brokenburn on Christmas Eve,
General William T. Sherman with 30,000 men arrived at
Milliken's Bend, only a few miles away. The small Confeder-
ate garrison scattered inland. Then, in January, 1863, Gen-
eral II. S. Grant assumed command of the augmented Federal
force which was soon strung out for sixty miles along the
western bank of the Mississippi above Vicksburg. While
Grant and his Generals devised strategy to bypass Vicks-
burg, Federal foraging parties swarmed over the Brokenburn
neighborhood, confiscating horses and supplies, seizing slaves
to work on new canals, and encouraging other Negroes to
leave their masters.

The Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department was so
depleted of troops by constant transfers to the eastern front
that no force was available to oppose the Federal army
menacing Vicksburg. Furthermore, all able-bodied Southern
men had long since joined the army, and the civilian popu-
lation was entirely at the mercy of the enemy. On March 15,
1863, Kate voiced the terror of the people:

xiv BROKENBURN

For the last two days we have been in a quiver of anxiety
looking for the Yankees every minute, sitting on the front
gallery with our eyes strained in the direction they will
come, going to bed late and getting up early so they will
not find us asleep.

A few days later they came. On March 22, two Federal
soldiers rode into the yard, seized Kate's beautiful horse
(which had until that day been hidden in the swamp) , and
rode away. Two days later she wrote:

The life we are leading now is a miserable, frightened one
living in constant dread of great danger, not knowing what
form it may take, and utterly helpless to protect ourselves.
It is a painful present and a dark future with the wearing
anxiety and suspense about our loved ones.

But worse came. While visiting a neighbor, Kate, Little
Sister, and several other women were herded into one room
by an armed slave and held at the point of a gun while other
Negroes rifled the house. The horror of this incident con-
vinced Kate's mother that the family must flee, though
Federal authorities had forbidden the planters to leave.

The flight from Brokenburn was almost as hazardous as
the staying, a flight which ended in Texas and which became
an exile of two and one-half years. At midnight on a moon-
less March night, the party of seven Kate, Mamma, Little
Sister, the boys Jimmy and Johnny, Aunt Laura, her four-
year-old daughter Beverly, and two servants set off west-
ward on horseback into the swamp. The country was flooded
because the Yankees had cut the levees, and the horses
floundered through the dim trails, with Aunt Laura, who had
never ridden a horse before, loudly complaining until warned
that her noise would bring the Negroes or Yankees down
upon them. At daylight they reached a bayou, piled into a
frail skiff, and rowed into deep water just as pursuing Federal
soldiers appeared on the shore behind them. Crowded into a
leaking boat, they rowed through the treacherous bayous
with one of the boys and a servant sick with fever.

The bedraggled party finally reached Delhi, Louisiana, a
stop on the railroad running west to Monroe, with only the

INTRODUCTION xv

clothes they had on their backs, having lost all their baggage
in the swamp. At Delhi they found the chaos of a fleeing
countryside; "... everybody and everything/' Kate said,
" trying to get on the cars, all fleeing from the Yankees or
worse still, the Negroes." Despite the confusion, the Stones
finally got on the train and reached Monroe, eighty miles
inland from the Mississippi. There they spent seven weeks
before they continued their trek to Texas. To add to their
despair, news came of the death of Brother Walter in Missis-
sippi two months earlier.

Meanwhile, the Federal army on the Mississippi was busy
attempting to cut canals from the river into the network of
bayous running roughly parallel to the river, in order to by-
pass the batteries on the Vicksburg bluff. By April, however,
General Grant was convinced that the projected canals were
not feasible, and he ordered the army south across Madison
Parish to a point below Vicksburg. After crossing the Mis-
sissippi, the army swept over town after town, including
Jackson, the capital, and moved up behind Vicksburg to
begin the long-threatened siege. The Confederate garrison
stood off the Federal force for approximately fifty days,
existing in the last days of the siege on pea meal and mule
meat. Finally, Vicksburg surrendered on July 4, 1863, leav-
ing the entire Mississippi River in Federal hands. The terrible
price of that victory is still evident in the more than 16,000
graves in the Vicksburg National Cemetery.

Though the Federal army moved east of the Mississippi in
April, the Brokenburn neighborhood was not free of the
enemy. The force which Grant left behind to maintain hos-
pitals and convalescent camps continued unmolested until
June, 1863, when Confederate General John G. Walker's
Division, moving up from central Louisiana, surprised the
white and Negro troops at Milliken's Bend and inflicted
heavy losses. Grant promptly reinforced the garrison at Mil-
liken's Bend and the Confederates withdrew inland. Madi-
son Parish remained almost entirely in Federal hands until
the end of the war, despite sporadic guerrilla opposition.

xvi BROKENBURN

The second part of Kate Stone's story takes place in
Texas. After a trying journey of several weeks in a rickety
" Jersey " wagon, the Stones, less Aunt Laura and Beverly
who returned to Vicksburg from Monroe, arrived in July,
1863, in Lamar County, to which Mrs. Stone had sent her
overseer and 130 slaves a few weeks before. The primitive
log cabins, unshaven men, hoop-skirted but barefooted women
of Lamar County convinced Kate that they had indeed
reached " the dark corner of the Confederacy." With the
acrimony of a modern critic of the state, she noted, " There
must be something in the air of Texas fatal to beauty." The
sparsely settled area, bordering on Indian Territory, seemed
hardly safer than the plantation from which they had fled.
Worst of all, however, were the Union sympathizers and some
natives who called the numerous Louisiana refugees " rene-
gades/' Kate exclaimed that she would not die in Texas
because she could not think of being buried in such un-
friendly soil.

To add to the burden of these annoyances, news finally
reached her of the fall of Vicksburg and on the Fourth of
July at that. Even heavier to bear was the long-delayed
report of Brother Coley's death in Clinton, Mississippi, the
second brother to die for the Cause. After that, Kate, always
so eager for news, hated receiving letters since they almost
invariably brought tidings of the death of relatives or friends.

Late in 1863 the Stones moved to Tyler, which Kate found
more " civilized " than Lamar County. Again the detested
Yankees were nearby but securely held as prisoners in the
stockade at Camp Ford, a few miles from town. Kate, quite
naturally, could not keep from gloating, though she almost
as frequently sympathized with their wretchedness. The
refuge in Tyler seemed threatened, however, in the spring of
1864 when a large Federal force under General N. P. Banks
moved up the Red River, intent on capturing Shreveport,
headquarters of the Trans-Mississippi Department, and Mar-
shall, Texas, an important administrative and supply center.
Confederate troops under General Richard Taylor ended
such Federal hopes at the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant
Hill, Louisiana, in April, and eventually forced the enemy to

INTRODUCTION xvii

retreat to the Mississippi. Kate became almost hysterical
with praise of Southern strategy as she saw the blue-coated
prisoners swell the overcrowded stockade at Camp Ford.

The large number of Louisiana refugees in the Tyler area,
including the old neighbors, the Savages and the Carsons,
made daily life and Texas more endurable. Refugees,
army officers, government officials, and local citizens gathered
at Mrs. Stone's hospitable house and amused themselves
with amateur theatricals while the war dragged into the
disastrous spring of 1865. Kate compared the group to the
aristocrats of France during the last days of the Revolution;
" Monday/' she wrote, " it was distressing to see the gloom
on every face ... all seemed in the depth of despair, could
think and talk of nothing but defeat and disaster." The
crushing news of Lee's surrender had at last reached Texas,
but the hope of a last stand west of the Mississippi glowed
briefly. Kate refused to think of defeat, but at times she
despaired:

Conquered, Submission, Subjugation are words that burn
into my heart, and yet I feel that we are doomed to know
them in all their bitterness. . . . And Nature smiles down
on all this wretchedness.

The eventual confirmation of Lee's surrender, the final and
irrevocable acceptance of defeat, the chaotic aftermath of
robbing, pillaging, and murder in the death pangs of the
Confederacy all these find despairing utterance in Kate's
Journal in April and May of 1865.

There was but one bright spot in the darkness Lt. Henry
Bry Holmes, who had called on her every day for three
months but who had not yet sufficiently " reformed " to be-
come her husband, drove away to Louisiana with a " token,"
a geranium leaf, the mate of which Kate kept. The token
proved a magic charm, for they were married eventually.

Though the Cause was lost and though the handsome lieu-
tenant was gone, life had to go on, even under the detested
" Yankee masters." Admitting that the last year in Texas
had been the most pleasant in her life, Kate returned to
Louisiana with her family in the fall of 1865. Headed by the

xviii BROKENBURN

dauntless Amanda and Brother William (who was in Lee's
army at the surrender) , the cavalcade included all the freed
Negroes who wished to go, as most of them did. The fertile
fields of Brokenburn they found overflowed and rank with
weeds; there followed two years of struggle against overflow,
cotton worms, crop failure, a new and expensive Negro labor
system, and no money. Kate's experience with death and
disaster had prepared her for such emergencies, and the
Journal ends, a year before she married Henry Bry Holmes,
on a realistic but not unhopeful note.

Out of the Journal there emerges a picture of Kate Stone,
who described herself thus, " I am tall, not quite five feet
six, a shy, quiet manner, and talk but little." Stating once
that she considered herself ugly, Kate nevertheless had a
mind that made up for her fancied lack of physical beauty.
She was an avid and critical reader. Of the more than thirty
authors mentioned, her favorites were Shakespeare and Sir
Walter Scott. She was almost reconciled to Texas when she
was able to obtain a volume of Shakespeare at fourteen
dollars. She also read Jeremy Taylor, Charles Lamb, Victor
Hugo, Bulwer-Lytton, Thackeray, Tennyson, Poe, and Haw-
thorne. When other reading matter was not available, she
turned to magazines and such popular novelists as Wilkie
Collins, Mary Jane Holmes, Elizabeth Braddon, and Rhoda
Broughton.

She had a sense of humor that sometimes sparkled in her
characterization of people . She was both annoyed and amused
by the contrast between people of her own class and the
frontiersmen in Texas. In graphic detail, she pictured dress
and manners at backwoods protracted meetings. Almost
fanatically patriotic, she was impatient with those less zeal-
ous for the Cause, and the collapse of the Confederacy was
to her a personal blow. The personality of Kate Stone
matured in the crucible of war, but it did not lose its basic
idealistic, religious, and sensitive characteristics.

Kate Stone's impulse to write down important events for
posterity led her, as it does most diarists, to record a great
deal besides. Her accounts of life in the Brokenburn neighbor-

INTRODUCTION xix

hood and later in Texas add significant details to the social
history of prewar Southern society, and reveal a way of life
that is no more. Her remarks on clothing, feeding, and pro-
viding medical care for the slaves, and on plantation manage-
ment are important information for the student of planta-
tion economy. Her record of books read and discussed with
her friends is of interest to the literary historian. Her com-
ments on military operations, especially those in the Vicks-
burg area, contribute to the knowledge of that important
campaign.

But more important than all these is the human element in
this unusual personal record, for Kate's interest in people
enabled her to characterize deftly the people she knew inti-
mately, such as the matchmaking Mrs. Savage and the mer-
curial Mrs. Carson. Mrs. Carson will not compromise with
war and will go out driving in her carriage in Tyler as she
had always done at home. Mrs. Savage goes right on with
her matchmaking, merely changing pawns from eligible young
planters to eligible young officers, and from crinoline-clad
belles to young ladies in made-over dresses. A host of most
interesting individuals appear and reappear in the Journal
so that one comes to know them well.

The Journal of Kate Stone is, therefore, an epitome of the
romance, reality, and tragedy of America's most dramatic
conflict. It records the rosy optimism in the beginning; the
dogged determination as war brought shortages, defeat, and
death; the hazardous flight of women and children before
invading armies and their plight as refugees; the death
struggle of the Confederacy; the bitter acknowledgement of
defeat and the return to a devastated homeland; and finally
the struggle against poverty after the war.

Above all, the Journal reveals the resentment of an admir-
able young woman of the ancient dictum that woman's part
in war is to watch and wait, her discovery of love amid the
ruins of her country, and finally her acceptance of the defeat
without cynicism.

Of the many people mentioned in the Journal., those mem-
bers of the family and intimate friends who appear most
frequently include:

xx BROKENBURN

AMANDA SUSAN RAGAN STONE (" Mamma ") , daughter of
John Ragan (" Other Pa ") and widow of William Patrick
Stone, who died December 6, 1855, at Stonington Plantation,
Delta, Louisiana. Amanda, thirty-seven in 1861, was the
mother of ten children, three of whom had died before 1861.
She died in Tallulah, Louisiana, in 1892.

WILLIAM R. STONE (" My Brother ") , twenty-one in 1861,
enlisted in the Jeff Davis Guards, Vicksburg, May, 1861;
served with the Army of Virginia throughout the war and
was twice wounded; paroled with the rank of captain in 1865.
He died at Omega, Louisiana, about 1882, leaving a wife and
one son.

COLEMAN STONE (" Brother Coley ") , seventeen in 1861,
joined the 28th Mississippi in March, 1862; died from injuries
received in line of duty at Clinton, Mississippi, September,
1863.

WALTER STONE ("Brother Walter ") , sixteen in 1861,
joined the 28th Mississippi in September, 1862; died of fever
at Cotton Gin, Mississippi, in May, 1863.

JAMES A. STONE (" Jimmy ") , fourteen in 1861, joined Har-
rison's Brigade in Monroe, Louisiana, in August, 1864; died
of yellow fever in Tallulah in 1905, leaving three children.

JOHN B. STONE (" Johnny ") , thirteen in 1861; practiced
law in Tallulah and died there in 1930.

AMANDA REBECCA STONE (" Little Sister ") , eleven in
1861; never married and died in Tallulah in 1934.

BOHANAN RAGAN ("Uncle Bo"), Mrs. Stone's brother
who lived with the Stones; about twenty-two in 1861; en-
listed in the Volunteer Southrons [sic], Vicksburg, May, 1861;
served in Virginia throughout the war.

ASHBURN RAGAN, Mrs. Stone's youngest brother who also
lived with the Stones; at eighteen died of fever at Broken-
burn in 1861.

ALBERT B. NEWTON, native of Mississippi, tutor to the
Stone children.

LAURA RAGAN BUCKNER (" Aunt Laura ") , Mrs. Stone's
sister; wife of Dr. Beverly Buckner, owner of a drugstore in

INTRODUCTION xxi

Vicksburg and of Winn Forest Plantation near Brokenburn,
captain in the 28th Mississippi. Their daughter Beverly died
in 1864 at about four years of age. Aunt Laura died at
Bladen Springs, Alabama, in 1864.

SARAH RAGAN MILLER ("Aunt Sarah ") , Mrs. Stone's
sister, wife of Capt. Horace Miller, lawyer of Vicksburg.
Their children, Horace and Jesse, died during the war.

COUSINS TITIA AND JENNY AUSTIN, Mrs. Stone's nieces,
about Kate's age, lived in Memphis.

JOHN RAGAN (" Uncle Johnny ") , Mrs. Stone's oldest
brother, newspaper editor in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1861.

CARSON, James G., planter and physician, and his wife,
Catherine B., parents of Joseph, William, Jimmy, Edward,
and Katie.

SAVAGE, Mrs. Elizabeth, owner of Salem Plantation, whose
family included Anna B. Dobbs, Emily and Robert Norris,
Anna Nicholson, Charles Dobbs, young minister, and Albert
A. Kaiser (variously spelled as Kiser, Kayson, and Kaysor) ,
Hungarian refugee, tutor to the children.

HARBISON, Benjamin and Mary, parents of George, Henry,
Benjamin, Laura, Julia, Zacheniah, and Lou.

VALENTINE, Mark, Sr., widower, owner of Oasis Plantation,
and his son, Mark, Jr.

AMIS, Mrs. Henrietta, widow, mother of Emmett and
Annie, owner of Fortune's Fork Plantation, near Richmond,
Louisiana.

And finally, SARAH KATHERINE STONE (" Kate ") twenty
years old in 1861, was born at Mississippi Springs, Hinds
County, Mississippi, January 8, 1841. Before 1855 she
moved with her parents to Stonington Plantation near Delta,
Louisiana. She married Henry Bry Holmes (Lt. Holmes of
the Journal) at Walton Bend Plantation, home of her brother
William, near Yazoo City, Mississippi, December 8, 1869.
To them were born four children Emmet, who died in
1878; William, once district attorney in Tallulah, who died
in 1944; and twins, Kate Bry, who died in infancy, and

xxii BROKENBURN

Amanda Julia, who now lives in Tallulah. Kate Stone
Holmes was a leader in the civic, social, cultural, and religious
life of Tallulah for many years. She was the founder of the
Madison Infantry Chapter of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy, aided in the organization of the Madison Parish
Book Club, and was instrumental in having a Confederate
memorial erected on the courthouse square in Tallulah. She
died December 28, 1907, in Tallulah, one of the town's most
esteemed citizens.

JOHN Q. ANDERSON

Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College
January, 1955

BROKENBURN

Jhe journal of 1K.ate Stone
i86i-i868

Retrospect

In looking over the yellowing pages and faded writing of
my old diary written in the troubled years from 1861 to 1865,
how the old life comes back, the gay, busy life of the plan-
tation at Brokenburn with Mamma, a beautiful, brilliant
woman of thirty-seven at the head of it all. Having been left
a widow six years before with eight children and a heavily
involved estate, she had managed so well that she was now
the owner of a handsome property on which the crop of 1861
would pay off the last indebtedness. What a large houseful
we were! Brother Will, a young man of twenty, had left
school two years before, tired of college life and anxious to
take charge of the place then just bought. I, fifteen months
younger, had graduated at Dr. Elliott's Academy in Nash-
ville and was of course the much indulged young lady of the
house. The other children were being fitted for college at
home under the care of a tutor to whom they were much
devoted. Mr. Newton had been with us for two years, and
we imagined would be with us until the last of the five boys
was ready for school. Brother Coley and Ashburn Ragan,
Mamma's young brother who lived with us boys about the
same age expected to enter the University of Virginia in the
fall and were studying hard to be able to enter the junior
class. Living with us also, was Mamma's older brother,
Bo[hanan] Ragan, the happiest, most carefree young man in
three states gay, rollicking, fond of pleasure, generous to a
fault, without a care in the world. On the death of his mother
a few years before when the old homestead had been sold, he
had come to live with us, putting all his property in Mam-
ma's hands and not allowing any settlement at the close of
the year, only asking that his bills be paid. Fortunately, the
price of his Negroes brought in plenty for his spending and
the giving of many handsome gifts. Never a girl had a more
generous, loving uncle than he had been to me. Last of all

3

4 BROKENBURN

was Little Sister, a child of nine, the pet and plaything of the
house. And coming and going all the time were the friends
and relatives, for the people of those times were a sociable
folk and the ties of kindness were closely drawn.

There were usually girls visiting me and young men visit-
ing my brothers; and as we lived in a populous neighborhood,
for the swamp, there was always something going on formal
dining, informal " spend the days," evening parties, riding
frolics and in the grey of the morning great squads of
hunters starting out with their packs of hounds baying,
blowing of horns, and stamping and racing of horses.

Brokenburn was a newly opened place when Mamma
bought it. There were some cabins but no residence, but a
sawmill had soon been built in connection with the gin,
lumber sawed, and cabins and house went up in rapid order.
The house, a long, eight-room affair with long galleries and
two halls, was expected to be only a temporary shelter until
the place should be well cleared and in good working order;
then would be built in the large grove of native water oak,
sweet gum, and sycamore, a house that would be a pride
and pleasure to us all.

Looking out from the side gallery across the wide grassy
yard through the trees and wild vines that had been spared
when the place was cleared for building, one could see the
two long rows of cabins facing each other across a broad
sweep of thick Bermuda grass, set with an occasional great
tree, grey in the winter with long festoons of moss. Leading
from each door was a little, crooked white path, ending at
the road down the middle of the grass plot, beaten smooth
by the march of the many black feet that journeyed over it
in the early dawn, the weary, hot noonday, and the welcome
dusk. Loth to go out in the sunrise for the weary hours of
plowing, hoeing, clearing land, and long days of cotton
picking in the lovely fall weather, the Negroes really seemed
to like the cotton picking best of all. Nearly every picker
would be racing with some other rival or friend, and at the
great windup there were generally prizes for those who
headed the list money for the men and gay dresses for the
women. It was no uncommon thing for the " boss pickers "

IN RETROSPECT 5

to pick five or six hundred pounds each day for maybe a
week at a time. (Now, in these times of leisure and ease,
two hundred pounds is considered good work.)

Facing the cabins in a grove of trees was the overseer's
four-room log house, rough but substantial. Many an occu-
pant for it came and went. Some were too severe on the
Negroes; others allowed them to idle away the time, the crop
suffering in consequence; some were dishonest and lazy. Al-
together it was a difficult position to fill satisfactorily. The
men were a coarse, uncultivated class, knowing little more
than to read and write; brutified by their employment, they
were considered by the South but little better than the Ne-
groes they managed. Neither they nor their families were
ever invited to any of the entertainments given by the plan-
ters, except some large function, such as a wedding given at
the home of the employer. If they came, they did not expect
to be introduced to the guests but were expected to amuse
themselves watching the crowd. They visited only among
themselves, except an occasional call of the wife and children
on the family of the employer. The overseer ranked just
above the Negro trader, whose work was considered the very
lowest and most degrading a white man could undertake,
and the stigma clung for generations, notwithstanding the
money the traders usually accumulated.

Of course in case of sickness at the overseer's, the lady at
the great house saw that they were not neglected and that
they were well waited on. There was always a woman fur-
nished to wait on the overseer's family, and if he had many
children, a half-grown girl was furnished to nurse. There
were often the kindest relations existing between the two
families until the overseer would leave or be discharged; then
they would drop entirely out of each other's lives.

I cannot recall an instance when a lady on one place called
on the overseer's wife of another planter. Then, it seemed
a very natural custom, but looking back it seems an odd
state of affairs.

The cookhouse and the stables with the great, roughly-
built barns stood in easy reach of the overseer's house, so
that, standing on his front gallery, he could see what was

6 BROKENBURN

going on in the " quarter lot." But he was expected to be
most of the day on his horse in the field watching the hands.
He was responsible for all that went on: he must see that
the two old Mammys in the nursery, a great big room with a
fireplace at each end and two rows of cradles, took good care
of the little darkies fed them and kept them decently
clean; and he must see that the women at the cookhouse
kept it clean and that the food was well cooked and abundant.
Sometimes when the hands were in a remote part of the field,
the dinner would be sent them at 1 o'clock. As I remember,
the Negroes were expected to cook their own suppers and
breakfasts, but each plantation was a law unto itself and
customs varied. The rations were meat and meal, and there
was a large garden to furnish vegetables for the dinner. Most
of the Negroes had little gardens back of their houses, and
it was a very lazy "cullud pusson" who did not raise
chickens and have eggs.

The overseer had to see that the mules were well looked
after, curried, fed, and watered; that the milkwoman did her
duty by the cows; and that the stockman gave his best care
to the hogs, calling them up at night and penning them away
from the wolves or other varmints. For on this new place,
stretching back into a cypress swamp that extended miles
away, the wolves were still at home; and sitting on the back
gallery in the late evenings, we would often hear them howl-
ing in the canebreak. And there was still an occasional bear
to be killed by the hunters. Then there was the gin and
sawmill work to be directed; so you will see that the manager
earned his salary, varying from $800 to $1,200 as he was
efficient or otherwise.

There were about one hundred and fifty Negroes on the
place, " big and little," as we used to say, and the feeding
and clothing was no light job. They were furnished only
two or three suits a year, with a calico or linsey dress, head
handkerchiefs, and gingham aprons at Christmas for the
women, with presents of some kind for the men, and with
tobacco and a drink all around. A few pounds of flour, sugar,
and coffee were given to each grownup and always beeves,
hogs, and material for a big Christmas supper, and a holiday

IN RETROSPECT 7

of two or three days or a week was granted if the plantation
work was not pressing.

The clothes for the men and boys and for many of the
women who could not sew, were cut and made by seam-
stresses on the place under the supervision of the master's,
or occasionally of the overseer's, wife. I used to be sorry
for Mamma in the spring and fall when the time would come
to have everything cut out; a room would be cleared out and
the great bolts of white woolen jeans, Osnabergs, and linseys,
with bolt after bolt of red flannel for the little ones, would
be rolled in and the women with great shears would com-
mence their work. There were several sets of patterns with
individual ones for the very tall and the very fat, but there
was not much attention paid to the fit, I fancy.

Usually Mamma would lay a pattern on several layers of
the goods, chalk it around, and a woman would cut it out.
After a day or so of this work, Mamma would go to bed
quite broken down and Aunt Lucy, the colored housekeeper,
would finish the superintending.

The style of goods used then must have gone out with
slavery. I have not seen any of that white jeans for years
and years. It would last for years and years and after many
washings become as soft as flannel. The Negroes often dyed
the white suits tan or grey with willow bark or sweet gum.
And those heavy russet shoes that all clumped about in, the
old and the young, men and women whoever sees them
now? And a good riddance, for they were oh! so ugly and
must have been excessively uncomfortable about as pliable
as wood. After many, many greasings, the poor darkies
could at last bend their feet in them.

I was born and raised in the South (and to this day I have
never been north of Mason and Dixon's line) as were all of
my relations before me as far back as we can recall them,
six generations of lawyers, doctors, civil engineers, but gener-
ally planters. Yet with this unmixed Southern blood from
generation after generation of slaveholders, my first recollec-
tion is of pity for the Negroes and desire to help them. Even
under the best owners, it was a hard, hard life: to toil six days
out of seven, week after week, month after month, year after

8 BROKENBURN

year, as long as life lasted; to be absolutely under the control
of someone until the last breath was drawn; to win but the
bare necessaries of life, no hope of more, no matter how hard
the work, how long the toil; and to know that nothing could
change your lot. Obedience, revolt, submission, prayers all
were in vain. Waking sometimes in the night as I grew older
and thinking it all over, I would grow sick with the misery
of it all.

As far as Mamma could, the Negroes on our place were
protected from cruelty and were well cared for; they were
generally given Saturday evening and had plenty to eat and
comfortable clothes. Still there were abuses impossible to
prevent. And constantly there were tales circulated of cruel-
ties on neighboring plantations, tales that would make one's
blood run cold. And yet we were powerless to help. Always
I felt the moral guilt of it, felt how impossible it must be for
an owner of slaves to win his way into Heaven. Born
and raised as we were, what would be our measure of
responsibility?

Although the war swept from us everything and life since
'65 has been a long struggle for the necessaries of life, I have
never regretted the freeing of the Negroes. The great load
of accountability was lifted, and we could save our souls
alive. God would not require the souls of the Negroes at our
hands. Everyone would give account of himself to God. . . .
It required quite a corps of servants to keep us well waited
on at Brokenburn, for no one expected to wait on himself.
The most important was Aunt Lucy, the housekeeper, a nice-
looking, middle-aged grifle x woman, who waited on Mamma
and superintended the others and was expected to see that
all household affairs moved smoothly. Annie, the cook, was
thin and dark. Her office was certainly no sinecure, as there

t x Frederick Law Olmsted, who traveled extensively through the South
in the 1850 s, gave these classifications, as designated by the French
in JNew Orleans, according to the greater or less predominance of negro
blood: Sacatra, griffe and negress; Griffe, negro and mulatto; Marabon,
mulatto and griffe; Mulatto, white and negro " The Cotton King-
dom; A Travellers Observations on Cotton and Slavery in the American
blave States, ed. Arthur M. Schlesinger (New York, 1953) , 228.

IN RETROSPECT 9

were always from thirteen to maybe twenty white people and
all the house servants to cook three abundant warm meals
for every day with no scant cold tea at night but perhaps
the most generous meal of the day. I wonder now how the
cooks of those days got through with it all. Nearly every
week there was a large dining, and often entertainments in
the evening with elaborate suppers. It is true that the mis-
tress or daughter of the house and Aunt Lucy always helped
with the desserts and the fancy dishes. Thinking it over by
the light of later experience, I know our cook was a hard-
worked creature. Then, we never thought about it.

Also, there was the seamstress, only next in importance to
the cook, and always with piles of work ahead. In those days
there were no ready-made clothes for women or children and
not many for men, otherwise than pants, vests, and coats.
The handsome dresses were made by city dressmakers and
everything else made at home. Sewing machines were just
coming in and were easily put out of order, and so few Negro
seamstresses could use them. They were good only for the
mistress of the house and she was usually too busy to bother
with them. Aunt Lucy in her spare time was expected to
help the seamstress, and my maid, Frank, "Francesca
Carrorra " to give her full name, was also learning to sew.
But as Frank was said by all the Negroes to be the " most
wofless girl " on the place, she was not making much progress.
She certainly was lazy. A bright yellow mulatto, just the
color of a pumpkin, with straight black hair and intensive
black eyes, she was odd to look at and so unreliable at any
kind of work that she was a trial to everybody. She had
been mine since we were little children together (she was
two years younger) , and I could not bear to have her pun-
ished. So she dawdled along, doing as little as she could.

The washwoman, Emma, lived in a house in the corner of
the yard with Harriet, and her job, to keep the whole family
in clean clothes, necessitated an assistant most of the time.
And they were busy all the week. People did not have as
many clothes in those days and they must needs be washed
oftener.

10 BROKENBURN

Webster, a griffe Negro, was the dining room servant and
some times the coachman, though if he was very busy Uncle
Tom from the quarter would drive. To help Webster was a
half-grown little darkie, Charles, to rub the knives, do er-
rands, help clean the boots. There were seven pairs and
generally several more belonging to the visitors, and boots
were boots, reaching to the knee if for hunting or tramping
not many men wore shoes.

Uncle Hoccles (Hercules? I suppose) , a native African,
had been brought over after he was full grown and was now
quite an old man who looked wonderfully like a gorilla. The
boys were just reading Du Chaillu's Adventures in Africa, 2
and they used to point out to each other the many points
of similarity between Uncle Hoccles and the gorillas pictured
in the book. Uncle Hoccles was the gardener and a most
faithful old fellow low, heavy built, with long arms, and
as black as tar. He spoke a most curious lingo that only
those accustomed to him could understand. He had entire
charge of the garden and could not bear for the overseer to
come in to give him directions. He quite loved for Mamma
and the children to come in and admire the splendid vege-
tables and the beautiful order, but he never troubled to obey
Mamma's orders, unless they agreed with his ideas of what
was necessary. He gathered the vegetables and there was a
standing feud between him and the cook; she would slip in
and get something he wished to keep for next day.

The last of the household was a slim, brown child of ten,
Sarah, whose province was to stand or sit on a low footstool
just behind Mamma's chair, to run errands and carry mes-
sages all day long, and to pick up the threads and scraps of!
the carpet. She never spoke unless spoken to and stood like
a bronze statue.

Each of the boys owned a little darkie in the quarter who

2 Paul Belloni Du ChaaUu, born in Louisiana in 1835, spent his early
life in Africa. Between 1855 and 1859 he traveled extensively in the
Gaboon country. Returning to the United States in 1859, he published
in 1861 Explorations and Adventures in Equatorial Africa; with Accounts
of the Manners and Customs^ of the People and of the Chase of the
Gorilla, Leonard, Elephant, Hippopotamus, and Other Animals. He sub-
sequently published many books for juveniles.

IN RETROSPECT 11

would eventually become his body servant when the owner
should arrive at the dignity of manhood.

There were ponies for the younger children and horses for
the big boys. My Brother Will and I each owned a beautiful
horse, fast and spirited, and many were the wild, dashing
rides we enjoyed in company, little and big, all riding to-
gether. Mamma did not like riding on horseback, but she
had nice carriage horses and they did not grow fat from idle-
ness. They had to be renewed more frequently than any
stock on the place because they would so frequently founder.

And this was our household, overflowing with life and gay
with happiness and hope, when I commenced my journal in
1861. How I wish I could write well so that this old life
could live in the imagination of my children, but I never
had the gift of expression with my pen.

Brokenburn, with twelve hundred and sixty acres, about
eight hundred cleared and deadened, was a most fertile place,
new and productive. The Negroes seemed as much ours as
the land they lived on. The crop of 1861 would pay off all
indebtedness, leaving a surplus, and hereafter we would have
nothing to do but enjoy ourselves. Mamma, My Brother,
and I were to make the Northern tour in the summer, leaving
Sister with Aunt Laura and the boys at home under Mr.
Newton's care. Then the next year we would go sight-seeing
in Europe, taking Little Sister and leaving two of the boys at
college and the others still in Mr. Newton's charge. Mamma
had planned to spend so much of the income of the place
every year in making first and second payments on her
plantation and Negroes, the places as they were bought being
put in the names of her children in order of their seniority.
Thus by the time the youngest child was grown, each would
have his own plantation.

Life seemed so easy and bright before us when in the
winter of 1861 commenced the great events that swept away
this joyous future and set our feet in new and rugged paths.
And now, forty years from then, we are still walking the
same rough path, laden with heavy burdens.

It was then when excitement was at white heat, when

12 BROKENBURN

state after state was seceding and we heard only of war and
rumors of war, when company after company was being
formed and regiment after regiment was being hurried to
Virginia, that I took up the record of my journal that was
to record many woeful changes before the four years of
agony and strife were over.

KATE STONE HOLMES

Talhilah, Louisiana

November, 1900

i86i

"Our Cause is just"

May 15: My Brother started at daybreak this morning
for New Orleans. He goes as far as Vicksburg on horseback.
He is wild to be off to Virginia. He so fears that the fighting
will be over before he can get there that he has decided to
give up the plan of raising a company and going out as
Captain. He has about fifty men on his rolls and they and
Uncle Bo have empowered him to sign their names as mem-
bers of any company he may select. Mamma regrets so that
My Brother would not wait and complete his commission.
He could get his complement of men in two weeks, and
having been educated at a military school 1 gives him a great
advantage at this time. And we think there will be fighting
for many days yet.

We gave him quite a list of articles to be bought in the
City, for it may be some time before we shop in New Orleans
again.

May 23: Mamma was busy all the morning having the
carpets taken up and matting put down and summer curtains
hung. Of course the house was dusty and disagreeable. Mr.
Newton and the children were shut up in the schoolroom
and so escaped it, but Uncle Bo wandered aimlessly around,
seeking rest and finding none. I retired to the fastness of my
room with a new novel and a plate of candy and was oblivi-
ous to discomfort until Frank came to say dinner was ready
and " the house shorely do look sweet and cool."

In the afternoon Mamma lay down to rest as she was tired

1 In Frankfort, Ky.

13

14 BROKENBURN

out. Mr. Newton and Uncle Bo rode out to Omega [Land-
ing] 2 for the mail and to hear the news. The boys, Little
Sister, and I all went down the bayou for a walk with a
running accompaniment of leaping, barking hounds, ranging
the fields for a scent of deer or maybe a rabbit. The boys
are so disgusted if the dogs race off after a rabbit. They
think it ruins them for deer dogs. How pleasant to have the
smooth, dry ground underfoot again after so many months
of mud. It has been such a long, muddy winter and spring.
No one knows what mud is until he lives on a buckshot
place and travels buckshot roads.

Tonight a little fire was pleasant and we all gathered
around it to hear Mr. Newton read the papers. Nothing but
" War, War " from the first to the last column. Throughout
the length and breadth of the land the trumpet of war is
sounding, and from every hamlet and village, from city and
country, men are hurrying by thousands, eager to be led to
battle against Lincoln's hordes. Bravely, cheerily they go,
willing to meet death in defense of the South, the land we
love so well, the fairest land and the most gallant men the
sun shines on. May God prosper us. Never again can we
join hands with the North, the people who hate us so.
We take quite a number of papers: Harper's Weekly and
Monthly, the New York Tribune, Journal of Commerce,
LittelVs Living Age, the Whig and Picayune of New Orleans,
and the Vicksburg and local sheets. 3 What shall we do when
Mr. Lincoln stops our mails?

The Northern papers do make us so mad! Even Little
Sister, the child of the house, gets angry. Why will they tell
such horrible stories about us? Greeley 4 is the worst of the
lot; his wishes for the South are infamous and he has the
imagination of Poe. What shall we do when our mails are
stopped and we are no longer in touch with the world?

We hear that Mr. Peck has raised a company of Irishmen

2 A shipping point on the Mississippi in northeast Madison Parish.

8 The Vicksburg Whig and the Madison Journal, Delta, La.

4 Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune. A radical Republi-
can paper, the Tribune was one of the most widely circulated newspapers
of the day. Dictionary of American Biography, VII, 531,

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 15

from the levee camp and that the Richmond [La.] 5 company
has disbanded and re-enlisted for the war. They were twelve-
month men.

Wednesday Uncle Bo went out to the river to drill the men
and soon returned with the news that the levee at Airlie came
very near giving away last night. The river is very high and
a break there would put us entirely under. There are great
fears of a tremendous overflow. Men are watching and the
Negroes are working on the levees day and night. 6

The Monticello company, 4th La. Regt., has been ordered
up the river and the Lake Providence Cadets are off for New
Orleans.

Late this afternoon Mamma and I went down to see the
wife of the new overseer. She seems entirely too nice a
woman, for her fashion is evidently from the planter class. I
wonder why she married him. She does not look like a
contented woman.

Uncle Bo, Ashburn, and I walked back and forth on the
gallery in the cool moonlight, talking of soldier life and won-
dering what we who are left behind will do when both of our
men folks are off and away.

From Uncle Bo's room floats the soft sound of violin,
flute, and guitar. They are enjoying perhaps their last prac-
tice together. May God bless and keep them.

May 24i A lovely spring day, as fair as a poet's dream of
May. Mamma is busy doing some machine work on Jimmy's
shirts and I have been embroidering so enthusiastically that
tonight I am tired out. In the afternoon Mamma, Mrs.
Hardison, and I called on Mrs. Graves, 7 and Mrs. Hardison
and I adjourned to the orchard and feasted on the best
plums, our first this spring. Mrs. Graves promised Mamma a
bulb of lovely crimson gladiolus.

5 Richmond, the first parish seat of Madison Parish, was two miles
south of the present parish seat, Tallulah.

6 Before the 1870's levees on the Mississippi and its tributaries were
built and maintained by individuals and communities. Such levees were
often fifteen feet high and thirty feet wide at the base.

7 R. W. Graves and his wife, Ann, were the parents of Lamartine,
Emma, Eugenie, Ettie, and Ann.

16 BROKENBURN

The boys went over to the schoolhouse to hear Mr. E wing's
scholars " speak a piece." Mr. Ewing is tutor for the Curry B
and Hardison children. At the supper table they were rather
severe in their criticisms of the speeches; of course they think
they could have done better. And they were especially em-
phatic in their remarks on Mrs. Curry and her two youngest
hopefuls. Mrs. Curry insisted on bossing the whole thing. As
they were mostly her children and her tutor, I could not see
why the boys should object.

Dr. Devine came up from the quarters, where he had been
to see one of the sick Negroes, in high feather and his new
Sunday suit. He did not have as much news as usual but
perhaps more truth. It is a lovely moonlight night and
Brother Walter is out riding the levee, watching in Mr.
Newton's place. Ashburn and I walked a long time on the
gallery after supper, he playing the flute and I repeating to
myself poems recently learned the last, " The Jacobite Fid-
dler," from a recent number of the Living Age. 9

May 25: My Brother returned this evening. He did not
succeed in joining the Monticello Guards from Carroll Parish.
They had gone up the river, but he joined the Jeff Davis
Guards at Vicksburg and was elected 3rd lieutenant. It is an
Irish company officered by Americans. It was raised by Dr.
Buckner and Capt. Manlove, and if My Brother had seen
either of them on his way to New Orleans, they would have
given him the captaincy. Tom Manlove is a captain. Uncle
Bo cannot join it as a private, as the association would not
be pleasant; and he is so disappointed not to be with My
Brother. He hopes to get into the Volunteer Southerns,
which will leave Vicksburg in a few days.

The Jeff Davis Guards leave for Richmond [Va.] on Mon-
day, and so My Brother and Uncle Bo get off in the morning
as early as possible. My Brother told us much of the soldiers

8 William C. Curry (also spelled Currie) , and his wife, Hester, were
the parents of Huldah, Mary, Kate, Sybelia, and Leila. George S,
Richards and Sarah Richards lived with them, children, perhaps, of a
former marriage

9 Littell's Living Age, a monthly founded in Boston in 1844.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 17

he saw in New Orleans: the Zouaves, with their gay, Turkish
trousers and jackets and odd drill; the Tiger Rifles, recruited
from the very dregs of the City and commanded by a man
who has served a term in the penitenitary; and the Perrit
Guards, the gambler's company to be admitted one must
be able to cut, shuffle, and deal on the point of a bayonet.

My Brother is in extravagant spirits. He is so glad to get
off, and then he saw Kate and I think they have made it up
again. Uncle Bo is very sad for he so wanted for them both
to be in the same company. Now they can only hope to be
in the same regiment. I can see them go, for I feel I know
they will return. The parting will be dreadful for Mamma.
She so depends on My Brother, her oldest and best beloved.
The boys are disgruntled because they cannot go too.

May 26: Our two loved ones left us this morning, but we
cannot think it a last farewell. My heart tells me they will
come again. They go to bear all hardships, to brave all
dangers, and to face death in every form, while we whom
they go to protect are lapped safe in luxurious ease. But oh!
the weary days of watching and waiting that stretch before
us! We who stay behind may find it harder than they who
go. They will have new scenes and constant excitement to
buoy them up and the consciousness of duty done.

Mr. Catlin 10 came over to tell them good-bye. My Brother
explained everything to him and gave him a letter for the
men Brother had been drilling. I hope they will not blame
him.

Mamma fitted them out with everything she thought they
could need. And their three horses were well loaded down.
Wesley went to wait on them and was very proud of the
honor of being selected to " go to battle with Marse Will."
We hope he will do, though he has not been much about the
house. Uncle Bo would not take a man for himself. He says
a private has no business with a body servant, but if he
changes his mind, a boy can be sent to him at any time.

Both will belong to infantry companies, and they will be

10 John D. Catlin, a neighboring planter.

18 BROKENBURN

fitted out with uniforms in Vicksburg. Brother Coley went
with them as far as Vicksburg. They left so quickly that
none of their friends knew in time to come over to say good-
bye. Mr. Valentine will be sorry. He is such a friend of My
Brother's.

They said good-bye in the fairest, brightest of May morn-
ings. Will they come again in the summer's heat, the autumn's
grey, or the winter's cold?

Mr. Newton and the boys rode out to the river with them.
As they rode away, out of the yard and through the quarters,
all the house servants and fieldhands watched them go. And
many a heartfelt " Good-bye, Marse William and Marse
Bo God bless you " went with them.

I hope we put up everything they need. We lined their
heavy blankets with brown linen and put pockets at the top
for soap, combs, brushes, handkerchiefs, etc. The linen is
tied to the blankets with strong tapes so that it can be easily
taken off and washed. And we impressed it on Wesley that
he must keep everything clean and take the best care of both
our soldiers as long as they are together. He promised faith-
fully to do his best. Mamma has been very brave and stood
the separation better than I hoped.

May 27: Mamma has been busy all day sewing on
Jimmy's shirts and going through the vegetable and flower
garden, all in a flourishing state. So many flowers, though
our garden is but a new one yet. We must save all sorts of
seeds, as we will get no more from the North. Mamma is
having quantities of peas, potatoes, and all things eatable
planted, as our only chance for anything from this time until
the close of the war will be to raise it ourselves. Strict
economy is to be the order of the day.

It is probable that meat will be very high, and by advice
of Mr, Fellowes ai Mamma will try to raise enough to do the
place. She has put Jeffery to devoting his whole time to the
hogs and cattle. We have not a great quantity of either just
now, but they will soon grow.

11 Cornelius Fellowes, of Fellowes & Co., New Orleans, was the factor
for Mrs, Stone,

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 19

Times are already dreadfully hard. It was difficult for My
Brother to raise enough money to fit them out could only
do it by pledging cotton at the bank.

Webster, who went to bring the horses back, came this
morning. Wonka is the horse Uncle Bo gave me some time
ago. He is such a lovely blood bay, so spirited, with every
gait, and fleet as the wind when we start on a race. But I
shall give him to Uncle Bo when he gets home. He will
deserve a good horse after walking so long.

All Uncle Bo's jewelry, he left with me. He has quite an
assortment of pins and rings and watch chains. One makes
a lovely bracelet and I have often worn it.

Roanoke, a powerful hunter, will belong to Brother Walter
until My Brother gets back. I am glad Dr. Buckner did not
keep Roanoke.

Ashburn and Johnny, the youngest of the boys, brought
us some mulberries from their ride in the woods, but nobody
but children cares to eat mulberries. They report the black-
berries as nearly ripe, and we will have a lovely trip for them
deep in the green woods in an old clearing. They are the
finest, glossy, sweet berries ever seen and with the dew on
them delicious.

We had a warm discussion after tea, Mr. Newton con-
tending that the states had no right to secede immediately
on Lincoln's election and that they should have remained
quiet for four years and seen what would be the policy of the
government. We all bitterly oppose this view of the subject.
Why, in four years we would have no rights worth fighting
for! He thinks that if the states had been patient there would
have been no war for years and that it would have been
better to submit to Lincoln's rule no matter how unjust
than to have provoked a war. But oh, no! We cannot see it
that way. We should make a stand for our rights and a
nation fighting for its own homes and liberty cannot be over-
whelmed. Our Cause is just and must prevail.

M ay 28: We have been busy sewing today. This evening
Ashburn and Johnny went to Omega for the mail, and the
poor, careless, little Johnny brought back the wrong saddle-

20 BROKENBURN

bags. So no mail today, and it is of such absorbing interest
now. Johnny, seeing the disappointment of the family, burst
into tears and shut himself up in his room and refuses all
comfort in the way of supper and solicitations. He is a
sensitive child.

May 29: Brother Walter brought the mail this evening.
Rumors of battles, but nothing reliable. The papers are
filled with war news.

A letter from Mrs. Rossman to Mamma. She was all ready
to pay us a long visit in company with Claudy Gibson when
she heard that the roads here were impassable from rains,
and so they returned home. Of course the report was ex-
aggerated. We can get out even in the worst of times in a
road wagon or on horseback, if not in the carriage.

Also a letter from Kate Nailor. From her main message to
My Brother, they must be betrothed lovers again. I am glad
for his sake and hers. And Kate is my dearest friend, but it
is hard to give up the first place in the heart of my darling
Brother even to this other Kate. There are only fifteen
months between us and we have always been such chums.
We have enjoyed so much together. Truly, I shall never love
a stranger as I love him who has been my heart's dearest
since babyhood. But oh! there is no use borrowing trouble
over that, when so many things may happen before we
three meet again.

I studied a little French I am getting quite rusty in it
and read a most interesting paper on Iceland. What a dreary
land.

May 80: Brother Coley got back from Vicksburg today.
He said good-bye to My Brother on Monday and Uncle Bo
on Wednesday. The Jeff Davis Guards went off with bou-
quets on bayonets, with shouts and hurrahs, and the Volun-
teer Southerns amid sobs and cries. The very flower of the
Vicksburg young men go with that company and many a
heavy heart is left behind. I am glad Uncle Bo could get in
the Company. He knows most of them, as Warren County
[Miss.] is his old home. Frank Nailor goes with them, though

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST 39 21

he has only one arm, but the two Booths withdrew. The girls
made a great fuss over My Brother said he was most capti-
vating in his new uniform. Wish we could have seen him.
Flora, the seamstress, has a little boy.

May 31: Mamma, Mrs. Hardison, and I spent a pleasant
day at Dr. Carson's. Met a Mr. Abercrombie, cousin of Mrs.
Carson, and found him rather pleasant but a bit shy. We
rode down in the afternoon to see Mrs. Savage. She has been
quite ill and shows it in her looks. She is much depressed.
Having scarlet fever so long on the place, losing so many
Negroes, and seeing nobody but the doctor from the outside
world, are trying to anybody, but she should be thankful
that all her family were spared. Her garden is lovely, such a
variety of flowers all in bloom and in lovely order. Flowers
are her delight.

Had a chat with Robert Norris, Mr. McGee the tutor, Mr.
Kaiser, and Mr. Dobbs, who is now an ordained minister,
and Mr. Hornwasher (?) . All are staying with Mrs. Savage.
One would not think she could ever be lonely, but she is
very fond of entertaining, giving large dining and evening
sociables.

We reached home long after dark and found the boys just
starting out to look for us. We were quite frightened in the
dark woods below Mr. Hardison's.

June 1: The boys are all away for the day: Brother
Coley, Mr. Newton, and Ashburn visiting on the river,
Brother Walter at the [Milliken's] Bend, 12 and Jimmy and
Johnny out hunting. They brought back the first black-
berries of the season. Mail received this evening and all our
papers, and so we have plenty to read. We fear this will be
our last Northern mail, and so we take our last insult from
Greeley this evening.

12 Milliken's Bend, established about 1820, was situated on a small
rise at a large bend in the Mississippi about twenty miles above Vicks-
burg. A shipping point for plantations in the area, it was later engulfed
by the river.

22 BROKENBURN

June 3: Went to Goodrich's 13 to church yesterday, our
first sermon since December. Heard Mr. Holbury, the new
Methodist minister, preach for the first time. Quite satis-
factory.

Mamma and I went today through a penetrating drizzle
to the Bend to see Julia Reed and Mrs. Reading. 14 Stopped
for Mrs. Hardison, who sent out some delightful plums to
interest us until she should be ready. Had rather a stirring
time getting to the Bend, a rough road and had to get out in
the rain for the mules to pull up the levee and out again for
them to pull down it. Stuck in a mudhole of seepage water
just as we entered the city. But for the timely assistance of
Mr. Owens directing Webster and Charles, we might have
been there yet. Arrived at Mrs. Reading's muddy and tired
and our gallant deliverer, Mr. Owens, bade us adieu as he
was then on his way to camp at Richmond. He is said to be
engaged to Miss Celeste Newton of the Bend, a pretty girl
in her teens.

We spent rather a dry day, notwithstanding the rain, and
in the afternoon walked back through mud and slush to
regain the carriage on the other side of the mudhole. It rained
all the way home, and here we went climbing, slipping and
sliding, up and down the wet levee and over the sloshy roads.
Mamma is always afraid in a closed carriage and was afraid
to trust the mules, except on a dead level. Our last trip
until clear weather and good roads.

June 4- Wrote a little French and read Lena Rivers, a
trifling novel. 15 In the afternoon Ashburn and I rode out to
meet Brother Coley and Aunt Sarah and the children, who
were to have come up on the boat, but we were again dis-
appointed for about the third time in her coming. Brother
Coley says some of the other boys must go to meet her the
next time for he is tired of vain trips.

13 Goodrich's Landing was on the Mississippi a few miles above
Milliken's Bend.

14 R. G. Beading, merchant, and his wife, M. J., were parents of two
small children.

15 By Mary Jane Holmes (1828-1907) , published hi 1856.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 23

June 5: A lovely June day, and Mr. and Mrs. Curry with
the three youngest children spent the day, their first visit
in months. Annie, the baby, is a nice enough little tot, but
what a time her mother has over her, washing, dressing, un-
dressing, and fussing over her most of the day. One would
never think it was about the eleventh child. I wonder if she
worked so over all the others and why she has a nurse. Late
in the afternoon I went with Brother Coley and Ashburn to
the blackberry patch, a glorious ride, a fresh breeze, splendid
horse, and a sweeping pace, and the two frolicsome boys.
Mamma said the day had tired her out, but the berries
refreshed her mind by supper and the merry chatter of the
boys. After supper Mr. McRae, the overseer, came up for
a long consultation with her. One by one the boys dropped
off to bed, and when at last Mr. McRae took himself off and
Mr. Newton, Mamma, and I had a most pleasant, non-
sensical talking bee, while enjoying the nicest little meringues
and custards.

I lost my comb riding. It just suited my heavy hair, and
combs are combs these days. So Jimmy, the dear obliging
fellow, has promised to go early in the morning and look for it.

I have moved back in my own cosy room again. I like it
better than the large east room with its staring windows.
Little Sister, for the last few nights, has deserted Mamma
and is sleeping with me.

June 7: Mamma and I made a dress for Sister by 12
o'clock then read and idled away the afternoon. After supper
I had two games of chess with Mamma and I was winner.
Read a little French tonight. Sister does not to say enjoy
her French lessons, but then I know I am a horrid teacher.
How the mosquitoes are humming outside the bar. There
must be thousands but they can't get me.

June 8: The boys with Ben Clarkson 16 and George Rich-
ards were off by daybreak on a grand hunt. They were all
back by eleven and the net proceeds of the hunt were six

16 Ben Clarkson, son of H. B. Clarkson, overseer.

24 BROKENBURN

suits of wet clothes, six good appetites, and one chill bagged
by Mr. Clarkson.

Brother Coley went to the Bend and brought back the
mail. The Tribune and Living Age still rampant. No num-
bers of Harpers for some days. The boys went for berries
this evening and were caught in the rain. They came back
wet but cheerful with lots of fruit, the finest I ever saw, and
so sweet. Johnny expected two of the Carson boys for the
day, but they failed to come.

June 8: A long weary day. Mamma, Jimmy, and I pre-
pared for church but the weather was so cloudy we gave it
out. Wrote to Kate in the afternoon and took a muddy walk.
Went to the quarter to see old Aunt Annie who is sick. Took
her some little delicacies and read a psalm. I am afraid she
does not understand much of it. She is old and feeble. I
doubt whether she will get well.

June 10: Brother Coley and I rode out to Mrs. Savage's
yesterday afternoon, and I remained over and came home
with Brother Walter this evening. Found Anna Dobbs sick
in bed chills, and unable to take quinine. Scarlet fever is
still bad on the place and they have few visitors. They were
quite glad to see us. No topic but the war. Mr. Horn washer
was eloquent on the subject of Col. Ellsworth's death. 17 The
ride home was so exhilirating.

When quietly our days are passing, when the whole planet
is in such a state of feverish excitement and everywhere there
is the stir and mob of angry life Oh! to see and be in it all.
I hate weary days of inaction. Yet what can women do but
wait and suffer?

June IS: The day of national humiliation, fasting, and
prayer. We attended church at Goodrich's, a large congre-
gation and a heartfelt service. Mr. Holbury preached an

17 Colonel E. Elmer Ellsworth's llth New York Regt. (First Fire
Zouaves) occupied Alexandria, Va., May 24, 1861. After removing a
secession flag flying over the Marshall House, Ellsworth was fatally shot
by James T. Jackson, keeper of the hotel. Battles and Leaders of the
Civil War, ed. Robert U. Johnson and Clarence C. Buel (New York,
1884-87) , 1, 179. Hereafter this work will be cited as Battles and Leaders.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 25

excellent sermon and made an earnest prayer. The day was
generally observed. Oh! may the prayers of so many ascend-
ing, laden with the same petition, bring God's blessing on our
Nation.

" 0! Lord bow down thine ear, hear us for we are poor and
needy/ 5 We feel that the arm of the flesh is powerless to save
" and in Thee, Oh Lord, have we put our trust/'

June 14'" Busy this morning making cakes for our ex-
pected company to devour. Finished one sleeve of my linen
embroidery. We all walked down this evening to the quarters
to look at the new brick cook oven. It certainly will save
many steps for the woman who cooks for the hands. I think
Aunt Ellen has that job now.

Mr. Newton, Sister, and I walked on to Mr. Hardison's to
invite them to dine tomorrow but found some of the children
sick, and so Mrs. Hardison had to decline. A lovely evening
and we all sat out on the gallery until after eleven.

June 15: A houseful of company today. Mrs. Carson and
three boys, Mrs. Newman 18 and her two girls, Miss Bettie
Carter, Joe Carson, and Mr. McGee, and in the afternoon,
Robert Norris and Anna, were all with us today and we had a
lively time. It was Mrs. Newman's first visit in a long time,
but when she wishes to be specially agreeable, she should
leave " Brat " (Walter) at home. He is a terror.

Anna is here tonight to remain until Monday when Mrs.
Savage's family will come out to spend the day. Anna was
quite fatigued from her long ride on that ill-gaited pony but
she managed to sit up until after 11 o'clock.

June 16: None of us went to church today. The long ride
in the hot sun would be too fatiguing, though I notice none
of us mind it when we are going to a dining. This has not
seemed like Sunday, which is generally a long day when
spent at home. We were all in the parlor talking and laugh-
ing, discussing the pronunciation of words and looking them
up in the dictionary when yesterday's mail came in, bringing

18 George B,. Newman, planter, and his wife, Ann, were the parents of
George, Lizzie, and Walter.

26 BROKENBURN

two letters from My Brother and one from Uncle Bo, the first
since they left three weeks ago. We were so delighted to hear
from them that we forgot everything else and the letters
interested us the rest of the day. Both are in Richmond [Va.]
and are well and comfortable.

We all went to our rooms in the afternoon and took a long
rest, then a short walk, and supper. All sat up on the gallery
until after twelve discussing many and varied things; then
to our rooms where Anna and I kept it up until two. We did
read a long time in the Bible. I wrote to Uncle Bo and
Mamma, Mr. Newton, and several of the boys wrote a
partnership letter to My Brother.

June 17: Anna, Mr. Newton, Brother Coley, and I were
up bright and early to take a canter to the blackberry patch.
Anna's horse got out and that detained us, but we com-
promised on Longfellow, one of the carriage horses, and we
were off by sunup. Such a delightful rush through the cool,
clear morning and plenty of berries, though we did get wet to
our waists. Then a race home just in time with our berries
for breakfast.

Mamma nearly worried herself into a fever this morning
preparing for visitors, and it was so late before they came
that we had about given them out. But they came in a
body when they did make their appearance Mrs. Savage
and the two little girls, Emily Norris and Anna Nicholson.
Mrs. Savage, to punish them for an act of disobedience, had
told them that they should not come here again until next
Christmas, but she had relented after six months. The girls
were wild with delight to be out here again and were racing
all over the place. Mr. Hornwasher and Mr. Kaiser and
Robert were also of the party, and Mark Valentine came in a
little later.

I had a long talk with Mr. Hornwasher on the subject of
war and the battles he has been in. Both he and Mr. Kaiser
are Hungarian refugees, political exiles. Mr. Hornwasher is
a Count something in his own land. He is now a teacher of
music and languages, and his great friend, Mr. Kaiser, is
tutor at Mrs. Savage's. They are highly educated and re-

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 27

fined men and are entertaining talkers, notwithstanding their
odd pronunciation.

Robert had fever and Mrs. Savage was so unwell that both
had to lie down. Dinner passed off most pleasantly, at least
to me. I sat between Mr. Kaiser and Mr. Newton and they
made themselves very entertaining. Mr. Valentine and Anna
sat together and hardly spoke to each other a dozen times.
They never hit it off somehow. I must not let them sit next
to each other again.

War was the principal topic. Both Mr. Hornwasher and
Mr. Kaiser speak of enlisting. I should think that they had
had enough of war in their own country. Mr. Valentine
treats the whole subject of the war in his usual sarcastic,
cynical manner. To him, the whole affair is a grand humbug,
the enthusiasm and patriotism of the South something to be
mocked and sneered at. He cannot appreciate the earnest-
ness and grandness of this great national upheaval, the throes
of a Nation's birth. I could shake him.

Mrs. Savage was suffering and her party left rather early,
Anna, Robert, and Mr. Hornwasher following later in the
afternoon, and Mr. Valentine took the road at sundown. Mr.
Kaiser, Sister, the boys, and Mr. Newton went riding to the
berry patch as usual, and I went out to have the flowers Mrs.
Savage brought planted. The flowers are getting on beauti-
fully. We will soon have a garden to be proud of. It will
rival Mrs. Savage's and Mrs. Carson's.

The berry party got back in time for Mr. Kaiser and me,
with a little assistance from the boys, to eat all the berries.
They had not wearied themselves by much gathering. Then,
my fingers being badly stained, Mr. Kaiser tried to bleach
them over burning matches with but indifferent success.

After tea, Mr. Kaiser and Mr. Newton gave us some en-
chanting music on the flutes, and about eleven Mr. Kaiser
mounted his horse for home. He is most entertaining and
pleasant to have in the house. Mr. Valentine has shaken off
most of his shy, constrained manner and is getting to feel
a little at ease. He leads such an isolated life, just he and
his father, and this is about the only place he has ever visited

28 BROKENBURN

until within the last few months when he has made a few
calls on his neighbors. He is a schoolmate of My Brother and
is really one of the most intelligent, brightest minds we know.
Their place, Oasis, is just back of us, a larger plantation
entirely surrounded by cypress breaks. His father we have
not seen. He is an old gentleman who goes nowhere, who
idolizes his son and is anxious for him to make friends, and
who was so pleased when Mark commenced visiting us.

June 18: We expected Aunt Sarah certainly today. Ash-
burn went down to Vicksburg yesterday for her. We sent
the carriage to the landing today, but it came back with only
a letter saying she would be up on Saturday.

Aunt Laura is ill. She has just lost a young baby and I
know is much distressed and disappointed. She is so devoted
to her only child, Beverly, the loveliest little girl I ever saw.
Dr. Buckner thinks her perfect and really I believe she is,
bodily, mentally, and physically.

The little baby, we hear, was horribly deformed. God
in mercy took it, but Aunt Laura knows nothing of its
misfortune.

A letter from Kate and a note from Lou Morris saying she
and one of her sisters would be up on Thursday to spend
several days. Webster and Betsy are busy gathering berries
and Annie is making jam of them.

June 19: Early risers. Cakemaking, preserving, and peel-
ing apples are the order of the day. A little sewing and
French and the day rounded off with a ride with Johnny.

Great excitement! About nine in the evening we were sit-
ting on the front gallery and a runaway Negro passed just
in front of the house. The boys rushed out after him, but he
soon distanced them, and I was glad he escaped. I hate to
think how he will be punished, perhaps whipped unmercifully.
The runaways are numerous and bold. We live on a mine
that the Negroes are suspected of an intention to spring on
the fourth of next month. The information may be true or
false, but they are being well watched in every section where
there are any suspects. Our faith is with God.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 29

The river is falling fast and there is no longer fear of an
overflow.

June 20: Mrs. Hardison and Lorena, her oldest little girl,
spent today with us. We expected the Morris girls, but they
failed us. The worst of it was that Mr. Dobbs and Joe Car-
son came out this balmy evening just to meet them. I must
say they stood the disappointment charmingly, and the
evening, spent on the moonlit gallery with the black shadows
of the great trees resting on the grass, was most pleasant
until they made their farewell bow at eleven.

Mr. Newton has a grand disgust for Mrs. Hardison. He
has never liked her and today her remarks on Mr. Ewing
ironed in the impression. I thought them in bad taste
nothing more.

We have Annie back in the house. She saves us much
trouble.

June 21: I was busy all day on the sewing machine, em-
broidering, studying French, and " reading after Poe," as My
Brother says. As we are all alone tonight, I was afraid to
venture on any of his most fearsome pieces and so content
myself with those that are only naturally horrible, avoiding
the supernatural. Ashburn is still in Vicksburg and the boys
and Mr. Newton went out to Dr. Carson's to spend the night
and go swimming in the river tomorrow.

In such lovely moonlight one should be ashamed to feel
afraid, but I sleep with Mamma tonight.

June 22: This evening, after keeping us on the qui vive
for a month, Aunt Sarah and the children arrived to our
great pleasure. The boys came home dull and tired, the effect
of spending so many hours in the water. Hope none of them
will be ill from it.

We are all glad to have Ashburn back. Such an affection-
ate, lovable boy, he is with Mamma and me so much. He
never quarrels with the others and is perfectly obedient.
Mamma certainly has the gift for managing boys. They
never fight and rarely quarrel or get angry with each other.

A letter from My Brother to Mamma. Both My Brother

SO BROKENBURN

and Uncle Bo are quite well and in good spirits and are still
in Richmond with no immediate prospect of being ordered off.
Mr. Catlin called this morning. His visits are not unmixed
delight. Fortunately, he does not come often. I do not
suppose he enjoys them any more than we do, but all in the
way of duty. Letter from Kate and Julia. One from Cousin
Jenny Austin.

June 23\ Mamma, Aunt Sarah, and I attended church at
the Masonic Lodge at Goodrich's. Arrived entirely too early.
Mr. Dobbs preached a passable sermon, but why should I
criticize. Could I do as well? After the services we held quite
a reception, all coming up to welcome Aunt Sarah. Dinner
was just ready on our return and was very enjoyable after
our long ride in the summer sun. Found Johnny suffering
with severe earache, another ill effect of their long hours in
the water. Jessie is very sympathetic.

June 27: Monday Mamma, Aunt Sarah, and I went to
Salem to call on Mrs. Savage's family. Found her in bed but
feeling better for cheerful companionship. She soon dressed
and took us through the garden, now a wealth of bloom. Mr.
Kaiser and Mr. Hornwasher escorted me and each presented
me a lovely bouquet made by himself to judge which had
the best taste. The peaches were excellent. The second time
we have had any. Mrs. Hardison sent Sister a nice basket
of them, her earliest. Our trees will not bear until next year.

Zou and Lou Morris came up and spent two days. Hearing
that their mother was ill, they left in a drizzling rain. I am
afraid they had rather a dull visit sometimes it is hard to
entertain but they are such bright, pleasant girls that there
should be no trouble in amusing them.

Tuesday evening Aunt Sarah received a dispatch from Mr.
Miller calling her to Memphis, She packed at once and by
daylight Wednesday was ready to get off. Brother Coley
went to Vicksburg with her. The thirty-mile drive to Vicks-
burg is a wearisome one. So ends the visit we had looked
forward to with such pleasure. Mr. Miller, Captain he is,
now must be in camp near Memphis.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 31

The exertion of entertaining, the stir and confusion of the
children, and the hot weather have been too much for
Mamma, and she has gone to bed really ill. Aunt Sarah got
to Vicksburg in time, but by some mismanagement missed
the train. Hope they got off the next day. Jessie is a bright,
affectionate child but oh! so bad. Horace is a pretty little
blond boy, the pet of both his father and mother and very
much like the Marshalls, while Jessie is more like her mother's
family, the Ragans, and I think the best looking.

Fannie died of dropsy yesterday. We are all sorry for her
mother, Betty. She has lost two children and her husband
since December. The doctor thinks this child must have had
scarlet fever and no one knew. In that case, we may expect
it to spread through all the quarters.

No news of battle since the battle of Bethel. 19

June 28: A beautiful sunshiny day. Just enough rain has
fallen to perfect the corn and help the cotton. Surely this
year we have had " the early and the latter rains " and the
promise of abundant crops. The North cannot starve us, try
as they may, and God will aid us in our righteous cause.
Mamma is still in bed but hopes to be up tomorrow. We all
sat on the back gallery this evening as her room opens on
that and we could talk to her through the window over her
bed. Mr. Newton and Ashburn gave us selections from
popular songs, " Those Dark Eyes/ 5 " Hard Times Come
Again No More " and so on, and several serenades. Ashburn
has learned very rapidly. He used to practice, when he first
started in, sitting right at Mamma's side. Uncle Bo asked
her how in the world she could stand it, how could she read
or sew with that droning, mournful discord sounding right
at her ears, and suggested that she should send Ashburn into
another room. But she said no. It gave Ashburn great
pleasure and he would soon learn. She had grown so used
to it she was scarcely annoyed. She certainly is patient with

19 Bethel, Va., June 10, 1861. Dates of battles given in footnotes here-
after are taken from Statistical Record of the Armies of the United
States (supplement to Campaigns of the Civil War) , comp Frederick
Phisterer (New York, 1907) , passim.

32 BROKENBURN

all these rollicking boys but most of all with Ashburn, who
is devoted to " Sis Mandy." They are good, gentlemanly
boys and have lots of fun together.

Mr. Hubler (?) , a mechanic at work on the sawmill, was
telling us his troubles. His wife and six children are in St.
Louis, and he cannot get them away or even get letters from
them. He says if the war lasts much longer he will go to
Cairo and try to ride into St. Louis on a flatboat and get
through the blockade if possible. He made us sorry for him,
but there is no way of helping him.

Dr. Young and Dr. and Mrs. J. Theus Taylor, living on
Willow Bayou, are the only Unionists that we hear of in the
whole parish, and we think they should be sent North to a
more congenial people.

Have commenced on Motley's Dutch Republic, three large
volumes. 20 It is finely written and I think will prove quite
interesting. There seemed so much to do today with Mamma
sick that I felt overwhelmed so compromised and let the
servants do the best they could and I did what I pleased
a little reading, sewing, and talking with Mamma. Mrs.
McRae came up in the afternoon and amused us telling of
Mr. Anthony and his " last dear companion," his third. He
seems to have caught a Tartar this time.

June 29: Heard that Mrs. Hardison was sick and walked
up early this morning to see her. She was in bed, not at all
well. Mr. Hardison and I were having quite a political dis-
cussion when a basket of fine peaches was handed around
and we forgot our discussion for a more agreeable pastime.
Mamma is better today but only feels well enough to lie on
the lounge and bed. I commenced a set of chemise and will
do the machine work, and Courtney, the seamstress, will
finish them.

In the late afternoon I went riding with Ashburn. We
returned by Tensas bridge and stopped at Mr. Curry's for the
mail, but they had not received it. Later Mr. Clarkson
brought it in. Only a few papers. No letters from our soldiers.

20 The Rise of the Dutch Republic (1856) , 3 vols., by John Lothrop
Motley (1814-77).

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 33

Ashburn is captain of a company of boys and is very
enthusiastic. He went to the Bend today to select stuff for
the uniforms but could find nothing suitable. We suggested
white Lowell, red trimming, and cattails in their hats, to be
called the Cat Tail Guards, but it did not seem to meet with
approval. Sitting on the back gallery after tea, we heard the
music of the banjo, accompanied by several strong voices,
float up from the quarters.

The house servants have been giving a lot of trouble lately
lazy and disobedient. Will have to send one or two to the
field and replace them from the quarters if they do not settle
down. I suppose the excitement in the air has infected them.
The fieldhands go on without trouble.

June SO: A fair, bright Sunday, but none of us went to
church. Webster was sick and could not drive, and most of
the horses are lame or disabled in some way. So the boys
stayed at home. It is strange how little it takes to keep one
from going to church and how much to keep one from attend-
ing a party. Mamma had fever again today but she is sitting
up tonight.

There is a comet visible tonight. We were surprised to see
it, as we did not know it was expected. Have seen nothing
of it in the papers. It is not very bright but has the appear-
ance of a large star, Venus at her brightest, with a long train
of light seen dimly as through a mist. Jimmy first discovered
it. Two splendid meteors fell just above it, and the boys said
it was a big star chased by little ones trying to regain its
orbit. Read nearly all day the Bible, Motley, and a short
time in a new magazine.

Have a flock of the softest, yellowest, little ducks.

July 1: Mamma is sick again today from the medicine.
I hope she will be relieved by tomorrow. It upsets every-
thing for her to be sick. I cannot settle to any work or even
read with any comprehension. Commenced Anne of Geier-
stein 21 to be read in connection with Motley's sketch of

21 Anne of Geierstein, or the Maiden of the Mist (1829) is a sequel to
Sir Walter Scott's Quentin Durward (1823) .

34 BROKENBURN

Charles the Bold. A wet disagreeable day, Mamma sleeping
through most of it, but she waked up this evening and was
telling me tales of my babyhood and early childhood. It
seems My Brother and I were quite noted little people in our
circle of acquaintances. At eighteen months I learned my
letters with My Brother, who was fifteen months older, and
by the time I was two and a half could read very well. I
knew Mother Goose by heart, could repeat pages of poetry
and a number of little tales, and chatter of any and every-
thing by the hour. And yet I was a good little child and the
delight of my Father, who thought me a wonderful little
creature and would never let me be crossed. I was his only
daughter for so long. I remember his pleasure when Sister
was born after six sons had been ushered into the world. My
Brother had read through the Testament at five years old.
They must have started us to school when we were babes.
I do not remember the time when I could not read. My first
recollection of books was trying to teach my little Aunt
Serena, three years the older, her letters, sitting side by side
on the steps. How strange it seemed to me that she could
not read. I thought everybody read as everybody talked
naturally.

Mamma's talk was a great surprise to me as I had always
thought I was the ugly duckling of the whole family. Aunt
Sarah, Cousin Titia, Cousin Jenny, and Serena all of us
children together, though all older than I I always heard
praised for their beauty. I had always, since I could think,
had the idea that my Father and all the family petted and
encouraged me because they thought me so ugly and were
sorry all the time that I was suffering from this idea, for it
has been the shadow on my life. I was my Father's favorite;
he thought me perfect. I had the admiration of the rest of
the family for what they were pleased to think my quick,
bright mind. The knowledge of this will, I think, change my
life from this night. Finding that I have been much beloved
all my life, I will try to put away the morbid thoughts that
have so often harassed me the fear that, being ugly and
unattractive, no one could ever really care for me, and that
I was doomed to a life of loneliness and despair.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 35

Mamma by one long, sweet talk lias exorcised this gloomy
spirit; from this time forth I will try to make the best of the
girl that Father loved so.

Mamma says I was the quaintest-looking little figure when
three years old, being small with long yellow hair plaited
down my back my Father would never allow it to be
touched with the scissors. I had a short, stumpy, little body
and the very tiniest feet and hands, like bird claws, so small
and thin, and a grave dignified manner. But I was an inces-
sant chatterbox with the funniest lisp when perched in a
high chair in the chimney corner reciting poetry and telling
tales to amuse the laughing grown folks. The lisp I have
kept to this day, try as I will to get rid of it. But not another
feature is like the Kate of today. I am tall, not quite five
feet six, and thin, have an irregular face, a quantity of brown
hair, a shy, quiet manner, and talk but little.

What an egotistical page, but it has made me happy. No
more morose dreamings, but a new outlook on life.

July 2: Mamma is still sick; so we sent for the doctor to
see her, much against her will, but he relieved her almost at
once though she will not acknowledge it. He also went to
see Chainey, a sick child in the quarters.

Mrs. Hardison and Mrs. McRae came in this evening, and
while talking to them I made a blue rosette for Ashburn.
His company is flourishing but is still without uniforms. Mail
this evening Whig, Picayune, and a letter from Uncle Bo to
Mamma. They are still in Richmond. He writes in low
spirits and seems disgusted with a soldier's life. Wish we
could talk with him for an hour. He is always so cheerful
that it startles me to think of him as sad.

Still trouble with the house servants. Aunt Lucy, the head
of them all, ran away this morning but was back by dinner.
Mamma did not have her punished. All of them are demora-
lized from Charles up.

July 3: Mamma was feeling quite ill all day but is better
this evening. All the boys and Mr. Newton went to Omega
to witness the consecration of the flag belonging to Mr. Peck's

36 BROKENBURN

company. 22 There was quite a crowd. Many ladies were
there and all had a pleasant evening. Mary Gustine, 23 the
Morris girls, and others of our acquaintance were present. If
Mamma had been well, we would have gone.

The comet increases in brilliancy and beauty every night.

July 4: Mamma is still in bed but is better. The boys
have holiday in honor of the Fourth but more I think to keep
up old customs than for any feeling of respect for the day.
This is the first Fourth in our memory to pass without a
public merrymaking of some kind, but we do not hear of the
day's being celebrated in town or country. There are other
and sterner duties before us. It would ill become us as a
Nation to be celebrating a day of independence when we are
fighting for our very existence.

This July sun has set on a Nation in arms against itself,
host against host. Those who have clasped each other's
hands in kindest spirits less than one short year ago, as
friends, as countrymen, as children of one common Mother,
now stand opposing each other in deadliest hate, eager to
water Old Mother Earth with the blood of her children. Our
Cause is right and God will give us the victory. Will the next
July sun rise on a Nation peaceful, prosperous, and happy, or
on a land desolate and disgraced? He alone knows.

Congress meets today. 24 The lives of thousands hang on
its decision. Will it be for peace or war? We should know by
Saturday.

Brother Coley returned tonight. He had gone to Memphis
with Aunt Sarah. Mr. Miller is stationed only seven hours
from Memphis and can run in quite frequently. He is trying
to get the Colonelcy of a regiment and is stirring around in
his usual style. He says he spends $2,000 a month and lives
delightfully. Hope he will make an equal division with Aunt
Sarah. Brother Coley enjoyed the trip greatly.

22 Captain W. P. Peck, Madison Co , La. Militia.

23 Mrs. Sophia Gustine, a widow, was the mother of Mary (Kate's
age) , and four smaller children.

24 In his proclamation of April 15, 1861, calling out the militia, Lincoln
summoned Congress for a special session beginning July 4.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST 33 37

July 5: Mrs. Carson and Joe came out this morning to
call on Aunt Sarah. Mrs. Carson seemed scarcely able to sit
up. Both Eddie and Dr. Carson are in bed with fever. They
returned home in time to enjoy a wild turkey, the first one
killed by Jimmy Carson. Our boys must look to their laurels.
None of them has brought home a wild turkey.

Mrs. Carson is a very attractive woman, so amiable and
kind. She begged Mamma and me to go out and spend
several days with them for the change. They brought us a
lot of peaches and apples that look like winter apples from
the North not over fragrant. Mrs. Carson is still interested
in war news, but Mrs. Boyd is on her place now and Mrs.
Carson has a never failing subject of interest in her. I was
sitting outside with Joe but could hear Mrs. Carson giving
Mamma a full account of Mrs. Boyd's extravagances and the
eccentricities of the Bailey family generally.

Little Sister went over this afternoon to hear Mr. E wing's
scholars speak and she came back a sadder and a wiser child.
Mr. Ewing took that occasion to whip How Curry and it
seemed to shock and startle Sister greatly. She never before
realized how dreadful a whipping was, as she had never seen
one administered.

The Fourth and today passed without any trouble with the
Negroes. The general impression has been that the Negroes
looked for a great upheaval of some kind on that day. In
some way they have gotten a confused idea of Lincoln's
Congress meeting and of the war; they think it is all to help
them, and they expected for " something to turn up." I hope
the house servants will settle to their work now.

July 6: Have been reading the last chapter of Ecclesi-
astes, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The last two
verses always remind me of Dr. Elliott and my old school
days in Nashville. 25 Dr. Elliott read them so often from the
platform.

25 Soon after its founding in 1816, the Nashville Female Academy had
an enrollment of 200 young ladies. The Reverend Mr. Elliott was the
chief instructor as early as 1842. The institution did not survive the
Civil War. W. Henry McRaven, Nashville, "Athens of the South"
(Chapel Hill, 1949) , 61 and 75.

38 BROKENBURN

All the Negroes have holiday today instead of on the
Fourth, and what a perfect day, made when Nature was in a
laughing mood.

Ashburn went to the Bend, still seeing about the uniforms,
and brought back, by my request, a lovely new hoop for me.
It is such a comfort to have it. He also brought the ribbon
for the boys' rosettes, red and white with a blue button for
the center. We shall have to make them for all the company.

Jimmy and I rode over to see the Curry s. Mrs. Curry
made such a fuss over our visit that we were glad we went.
Mr. Curry is in bad health and is very despondent.

It is 11 o'clock, and from the quarters I hear the faint
scrape of the fiddles and the thump, thump, thump of the
dancers.

Had our first ripe melon today. Would have had one
yesterday, but Longfellow got hold of it first.

Courtney gave birth to twins today, little girls, the first
twins born on Brokenburn. Good luck to them.

July 7: Mrs. Dancy 2G and all the children spent today
with us, and I was sorry as I wanted to go to church. We
thought she would hate to visit on Sunday and would not
wish to keep people from church. But no, she likes it. She
says she always goes Sunday if she can it is lonesome at
home and that she sent us word so that we could not go to
church when she had ridden so far to see us. She is a happy-
go-lucky somebody. Mr. and Mrs. Curry came over to say
good-bye. He is going off for his health. Mrs. Hardison sent
Mamma a lovely basket of peaches. Fruit never comes out
of season to us. Let it come morning, noon, or night, we
receive it with acclamation. All arm ourselves with knives
and when we arise from that basket nothing is left but peel-
ings, not even the seed as they are sent at once to Uncle
Hoccles to plant. Made the rosettes for the company. Late
in the evening walked through the garden and found two
scarlet geraniums and the nasturtiums about dead. Must
speak to Uncle Hoccles about it. Went walking with Walter

26 Dr. and Mrs. David Dancy owned and operated Crescent Plantation
below Richmond on Roundaway Bayou.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST 9 ' 39

and Ashburn. Dr. Devine joined us at the quarter and stayed
to tea.

Dr. Devine told us something of Lincoln's message. No
hope for peace. Lincoln calls for 400,000 men and $4,000,000.
He may raise the troops, but we do not think the money will
be forthcoming. Such a sum will break the North in her
present insolvent state.

We hear of another engagement in which we came off vic-
torious, though they were three to one. No particulars.

Much sickness on the place chills and fevers. Mamma
has had the storeroom moved just back of My Brother's
room. It has been robbed of nearly all the groceries and we
think Jessy is the thief.

July 9: Mrs. Carson and Mrs. Boyd made a two-hour call
today. Mrs. Boyd looks much like Mrs. Manlove and I fancy
has her temper. She is the most eager, enthusiastic talker,
deeply interested in the war, and is president of the ladies'
sewing society in Natchez. And it is almost incredible the
number of garments they have made for the soldiers. They
have been sewing only three months. She was horrified when
we all acknowledged that we had not taken a stitch in the
Cause. With us it has been but the way that is wanting.
Mrs. Carson seemed to feel our remissness as very serious.
We might have done something before this.

Joe sent me a basket of pears and a lovely message. We
see from a late Whig that both My Brother and Uncle Bo's
companies have been sent to Winchester and a battle is ex-
pected there very soon. My Brother's wish will be realized.
He wrote he was so tired of inaction.

July 12: News of an engagement and glorious victory for
us somewhere in Missouri and rumors of a battle in Vir-
ginia. 27 No particulars. I wish we could hear when all these
battles are fought. Guard our loved ones, oh! Father.

Thursday Mamma and I spent with Mrs. Curry the long,

27 There were no important movements or battles in Missouri at this
time. The newspapers of both sections often printed grossly inaccurate
accounts of supposed victories.

40 BROKENBURN

long, weary day. She certainly is the most peculiar woman.
Her manner and conversation were full of fresh surprises.
Then the children and the servants and the whole uncom-
fortable menage were too much for seven or eight hours of a
scorching day. Got home to find Mr. Valentine just leaving.
He had spent the day with the boys. But he reconsidered
and stayed until eleven. Mr. Valentine's caustic, cynical re-
marks and his shrewd, amusing comments on men and things
are a relief after a day spent in listening to platitudes.

We went this afternoon to call on Mrs. Holbury and found
one of the children, Sally, very ill with congestion, and they
seem to have very little idea of nursing. The child is insen-
sible and they are alternately begging and scolding her to
take medicine.

Mrs. Holbury has a blessed disposition. She is living in a
house half-finished, in the greatest disorder, with two ser-
vants who are worse than useless one sick and the other
contrary. The wife of an ugly itinerant preacher, she has four
of the very homeliest children that ever worried a mother
into frenzy. One of them was very sick, the fattest baby of
three months, cross as a cat and the autocrat of the house
from grandpa to little brother of three. With all these accu-
mulated woes, she is as cheerful, gay, and seemingly as happy
as though everything was moving on oiled wheels. "Her
price is above rubies."

Mr. Valentine sent us some numbers of Blackwood's
Magazine. 28

July IS: Mamma is in bed again today. Another grand
hunt and the same ill luck. No deer brought home after
several shots. Brother Coley went to the Bend with George
Richards and got back just in time to ride out with me to
enquire about Sally Holbury. We found her much better. A
charming ten-mile ride. Ben Clarkson spent the night with
the boys. He is very handsome, much like Hugh Dunlap.
What a pity he is the son of an overseer. Alice Hardison
spent the night with Sister.

28 Established in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1817, this magazine had a
wide circulation in America.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 41

July H: Hurried to get up, hurried to eat breakfast, and
hurried to get off to church. Then, after riding seven miles
and opening twelve gates, we found there would be no ser-
vice, the minister, Mr. Snodgrass from Vicksburg, being sick
and unable to come. Rested awhile in the church and on
our return trip met several carriages going. Saw only Amelia
Scott and her mother that we knew. Mrs. Scott as usual
was very apologetic for not having called. 29 She has a pleas-
ant, gracious manner. Amelia is one of my schoolmates, but
we were never intimate. Every white person on the place
went to church except Brother Walter.

When the plantation bell rings at night, the howling of the
hounds here and at Mr. Curry's reminds us of My Brother
and Mr. Curry. How they did love their dogs. Mr. Curry
has not hunted since My Brother left. A long letter from My
Brother, still at Richmond and worrying to be sent to the
front.

July 17: Mamma and I went out Monday and took din-
ner with Mrs. Savage and went up in the afternoon to call
on Mrs. Carson. I remained there until this evening. Mamma
came out and spent the day. Had a delightful visit. It is a
most hospitable home, complete in all its appointments
lovely gardens and orchards, an old place well taken care of
with perfect service because of so many servants. We ad-
mire Dr. Carson greatly. He is such a humane master and
good Christian. He has the minister to preach regularly to
his Negroes, or if there is no minister, he or one of the boys
reads a sermon, hymns, and the Bible to them every Sunday
afternoon. And he has Sunday school for them. He raises
plenty of fruit and vegetables for everybody on the place,
and his quarter lot is the prettiest place, a great stretch of
thick green turf dotted with great forest trees and a double
row of two-room cabins shining with whitewash. It is the
cleanest-looking place I ever saw. He is a good man. Mamma
has the minister to preach to our Negroes when he can find
time, but that is not as often as we wish.

29 Mrs. Mary J. Scott, planter, was the mother of Amelia and Thomas.

42 BROKENBURN

We reached home at dusk and the boys were anxiously
watching for us. The warmth of their welcome was increased
when Webster handed out the basket of " Melicon's pears."
Alas, " Mrs. Galloway," our neighborhood " Mrs. Parting-
ton." 30

Annie and Aunt Lucy are both sick and Sue reigns in the
kitchen while Frank has to stir herself in the house.

July 18: Mamma and I made Brother Coley a pair of
pants by 1 o'clock. She basted and I did the machine work.
Read a horrible piece in Blackwood's on spontaneous com-
bustion. He convinced me, as well as himself, that it is " a
light that never was on sea or shore." After tea I wrote to My
Brother and tried to write to Cousin Jenny, but the inquisi-
tive cats and Brother Coley ? s teasing were too much for me.
I went on the gallery where they were all sitting in time to
hear Mamma and Mr. Newton's comments on Mr. Valentine,
Jr. and Sr., and on Mrs. Curry.

The conclusion they arrived at seemed to be that Mr.
Mark Valentine should leave his father to his fate, a lonely
and unloved old age, for fear of being influenced by his
father's views of life and religion. He is, we hear, an out-
spoken infidel and misanthrope and stands ill with his neigh-
bors. But we do not know him and so do not let us judge him
unseen. And do let his boy stay with him. As to Mrs. Curry,
their decision was that she is either heartless or " feckless."
The other day one of her children, Belia, was very sick. She
looked at her and told the servants that she would have
spasms when the fever went off, took her seat in the car-
riage, and drove off six miles to see Mrs. Holbury's sick child.
Sure enough, Addie did have spasms, as Mrs. Curry pre-
dicted. And as Mrs. Curry was returning she met poor little
Kate running in the sun in the middle of the hot, dusty road
bareheaded to tell her mother little sister was so sick.

Brother Coley was over there this evening and Mrs. Curry
told him Huldah was very, very sick and she had sent for

30 Mrs. Partington is the central figure of humorous sketches by B. P.
Shillaber (1814-90) , author of Life and Sayings of Mrs. Partington
(1854).

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 43

the doctor. " She did not want Huldah to die on her hands,
she knew." She is funny.

Had such a fine variety of fruit at Dr. Carson's. Mr. Mc-
Gregor from New Orleans is spending a few weeks at Dr.
Carson's. We met him there last summer. He gives a very
graphic description of affairs in the City. He is intelligent
and talks well when he forgets there is a lady around, and he
would be handsome if he were not so diffident. He was telling
us the plan for blowing up the ship Brooklyn blockading the
mouth of the river. 31 The plan is to make a small tug en-
tirely bomb and ball proof by covering her entirely with
railroad iron corrugated, to rim this little invincible right
up to the ship, and to blow her up with a columbiad. 32 It is
a private enterprise but if successful the projector will receive
a large sum from the government. I should not think they
would live to come back.

July 19: Wrote to Uncle Johnny. Have been reading
Arthur and His Round Table. He gives the impression of a
henpecked Don Quixote. May like it better as I get on with it.

Servants are busy making jellies and pickles. Mamma
rode over in the evening to see Huldah. Ashburn, Brother
Walter, and I ate cantaloupes and practiced rifle shooting.
Mr. Newton spends tonight and tomorrow on the river.

July 25: All just in from the gallery. The breeze as fresh,
pure, and cool as the " Air that breathed o'er Eden," and the
golden moon like a newborn world floats up beyond the trees,
while sweet and clear rise the notes of " Bonnie Annie Laurie."
A night of sweet and calm delight.

Mamma, Mr. Newton, and I have all been sick and
Wednesday none of us could go to breakfast. So the discon-
solate boys had it all their own way. Now we are all well
again. The Negroes are sick by the dozen and have been all
summer. Little Caroline, it is feared, will die. Now that they

31 The Brooklyn was part of the Federal Gulf Blockading Squadron
formed early in 1861 to close Confederate ports. Battles and Leaders,
I, 13.

82 A heavy, smooth-bore, cast-iron cannon invented by Colonel George
Bomford for use in the War of 181 2.

44 BROKENBURN

are pulling fodder, it will put many more on the sick list. It
is such hot work.

July 26: Received telegraphic accounts of our first pitched
battle fought at Manassas Junction 33 our side victorious,
of course. A reported loss of 3,000 for us and 7,000 for the
Yankees. The losses we hope are exaggerated. Reported that
Gen. [Winfield] Scott and Mr. Davis were in command. If
Gen. Scott is defeated, it will make our victory more com-
plete. My Brother and Uncle Bo may have been in the fight,
but we hardly think so as on the thirteenth they were still
in Richmond.

We, Mamma, Mr. Newton, and I, were just ready to ride
out to Omega when Mrs. Hardison and her mother, Mrs.
Alexander, drove up and soon after Mrs. Curry with her five
oldest girls and Alice, Emma, and Bettie.

Ashburn's company was on dress parade on the lawn. Al-
together the place seemed to be overflowing with people. As
Brother Coley said, we would have had to drive over women
and children to get out of the yard.

Yesterday as we were mounting to ride over the fields, Mr.
Dobbs, Mr. Carson, and Mr. McGregor rode up. That pleas-
ant ride was snipped short, but we spent a delightful evening
until they bowed themselves away at eleven.

Told Mr. McGregor's fortune by his request and during
the incantations I feared his face would blister from the heat
of his blushes. I wonder why he is so afraid of innocent,
harmless womenfolks? My faith in Joe's powers of persua-
sion is high. How did he ever induce Mr. McGregor to pay
a social call when it is so painful to him?

Monday, sent through the rain to Dr. Carson for fruit for
preserving, and Mamma has put up some beautiful figs and
peaches and quantities of apple jelly. Letters from Kate and
Julia. Kate had made herself sick drilling and Julia was
sewing on wedding garments. Julia was to have waited on
Miss Mary Barr on Tuesday. Have not heard from the
wedding.

83 The Battle of Bull Hun or Manassas, fought in Virginia, July 21,
1861.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST " 45

Saturday. The boys are scattered through the country.
Ashburn has gone to drill the militia. He is doing well to
have learned the manual so soon and to be able to drill the
men. Mamma made Brother Walter's uniform and he wore
it out to the drill. It is vastly becoming to him.

Sewed steadily most of the day to finish my organdy to
wear to church tomorrow, but the boys say there will be no
preaching. Our fourth Sunday without church.

Mamma and Mr. Newton rode to Omega yesterday morn-
ing and learned some of the details of the Manassas battle.
It was gallantly fought and won. Poor Col. Bartow fell,
banner in hand, rushing on so bravely. 34 Mr. Newton heard
his brother George was in the fight but came through
unharmed.

Tomorrow is a day of thanksgiving for victory. Mr.
Newton leaves us for his home early Monday. He is busy
tonight packing. How much we will all miss him.

July 80: We are all sorry for Dr. Lily. Sunday, he sent
Mamma word that he was going on to Richmond to see his
brother and would take any letter or message. Mamma had
only time to write a short letter to My Brother, and Brother
Coley started with it and met Dr. Lily at the gate, just
starting on his way to Richmond. He had received a dis-
patch that his brother, a boy of seventeen, was dangerously
wounded in the battle, and he was going on to be with him.
All the gentlemen seem to be leaving for Richmond. Mr.
Catlin sent us word that he would leave at once and we sent
letters by him.

Brother Coley and I have postponed our trip to Vicksburg
two days, expecting the Carson and Savage families on a
visit, but they failed us. Early tomorrow we get off anyway.
Both Ashburn and Jimmy are ailing today, and little Caro-
line died Sunday.

We were quite anxious about Johnny. He went out to
spend the day with Charley Dancy, and when he did not
return, Mamma sent out twice for him. Brother Walter at

34 Colonel F. S. Bartow, former mayor of Savannah, commanded a
Georgia regiment.

46 BROKENBURN

last met him jogging on home the next day with Charley,
who will spend several days with him. Poor Charley. The
visit is a doubtful pleasure to him. He looks a stranger in a
strange land.

Aug. 24: I returned Tuesday after a three-week visit to
Aunt Laura in Vicksburg. Came all alone in the carriage
from DeSoto 35 and it took all day. The mules, a fine, fat
pair, could not be made to go out of a walk. I found out later
they had had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours, since
leaving in fact. Webster, about nightfall and eight miles
from home, confessed that the corn had been stolen and that
he did not buy the mules any more. I would have stopped
anywhere and had them fed had I known it in time. The
long, long, weary day dragging along at a footpace, we were
about two hours after dark and it was pitch dark coming
through the woods. I was horribly afraid and I know Web-
ster was worse frightened than I was, but he did his best to
keep me from being scared. He would call to me every now
and then through the carriage window, "We will soon be
there, Miss Kate. We's most through the woods. Ain't
nothing gwine hurt you." I had been angry with him for
starving the mules and thus throwing us in the night, but I
forgave him when I saw how solicitous he was that I should
not be frightened.

Did not reach home until nearly ten, much to the surprise
of the family who had given us out. Ashburn was to have
been with me but I left him sick at Vicksburg. Such an
unhealthy season. Everybody in the house, but Brother
Coley, has been sick since I left, and I was in bed nearly a
week. It has been raining for three weeks and is cool enough
for fall. Mr. McRae fears it will make the cotton crop light.

Chainey died of paralysis a few days ago. The place must
indeed seem like a graveyard to the poor Negroes so many
deaths since we moved here. Clearing land and digging
ditches may make it worse now.

35 Located on the peninsula created by a hairpin turn in the Mississippi
in front of Vicksburg, DeSoto was the landing place of the Vicksburg
ferry and the eastern terminal of the Vicksburg, Shreveport, and Texas
Railroad.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 47

The ladies have organized a sewing society to meet at
Goodrich's and I am on the soliciting committee. 36 Mrs. Har-
dison says she has been begging for me. I am afraid I will
make a wretched solicitor. Shall ask for something else to do.

Had a quiet but pleasant visit in Vicksburg. Nothing but
war news talked of and sewing societies being organized to
sew and knit. Mamma is a famous knitter of socks and can
knit one a day. So far I am only capable of knitting com-
forters 37 of crewel, but I shall advance to socks and gloves. I
knitted nearly all the day coming from Vicksburg, for the
slow pace did not interfere.

Aug. 25: Joe Carson and Robert spent the evening, and
Dr. Devine dropped in rather late and rode home with them.
Rather a tiresome visit, and I was glad to bow them out.

Johnny, Mamma, and I rode up to see how they were at
Mrs. Hardison's. Mrs. Hardison and the baby both have
fever, and Josa and the rest of the family look as if there was
not an ounce of red blood between them the whitest, weak-
est looking set of people. Saw the Nailors while in Vicksburg.
Kate came in and spent the day with us at Aunt Sarah's, and
Brother Coley and I went back with her and spent two or
three days. It is very quiet and dull in that neighborhood
this summer. Frank Nailor is back. He found he could do
no soldiering as a private with one arm. He told us much
about camp life and Brother and Uncle Bo. Uncle Bo is
perfectly happy in camp now. He likes the free kind of life,
roughing it.

Kate spent the day before I left in Vicksburg with me and
a busy day it was. We took Jessie and Horace to have their
pictures taken which kept us until nearly dinner time. They
were not good and Aunt Sarah sent them back. Wound
wool and went over to Mrs. Butt's to get them to " put on "
a comforter for Kate to knit. It is to be for Brother, just
like the one I am making for Uncle Bo.

After dinner Kate, Ashburn, and I went in the carriage to
the levee to see the Swamp Rangers, Capt. Kup and Capt.

36 These organizations made uniforms for local military units.

37 A kind of woolen muffler.

48 BROKENBURN

Sweet's artillery company, embark on their way to the
front. 38 All the military companies in town escorted them
down to the river and there was a great crowd. But the boats
did not get off until the next morning. We saw the last
leave-takings as we crossed on the ferry. Waving a farewell,
we drove up to see the Southerns' Co. B drill, then back to
Aunt Laura's, and Kate started home. It was high time with
an eight-mile ride over those hills. Aunt Laura and I then
rushed into our best bib and tucker and paid three calls
before dark. The three Miss Butts came over and spent the
evening, and when we did get to bed we were tired out.

Kate and I went to the Episcopal church to see the last sad
honors paid to Mr. William Cowan. He was buried with
military and Masonic honors, one of the victims of the war.
Death claimed him in the prime of life before he could fire
one shot for his country.

Aunt Sarah complains so much of loneliness and is so afraid
to be alone that I would have remained longer with her, but
I was anxious about Mamma and the boys. There is so much
sickness.

Aug. 28: Do I hear it raining again tonight? After three
weeks of it and two bright days, it is too discouraging. From
the middle of January all through the winter, most of the
spring, and now most of the summer, have the heavens
rained down upon us, and we are sick and tired of the mud
and gloom. The boys go out and get wet, often several times
a day. Brother Coley says he has not been really dry for three
weeks, but we with our long dragging skirts are prisoners.

Plaiting palmetto for baskets has been the rage for several
days. Jimmy and I made one for him to carry for muscadines
and persimmons. It, being our first, is rather odd as to shape
and we call it the Brokenburn style. Nothing new to read
and so I knit and plait and study a little. Ashburn and I dis-
pute over the pronunciation of Spanish, which we have com-
menced studying.

I have slight chills and fevers and am being dosed on

38 Military units organized in Vicksburg.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 49

bitters and drugs of varied meanness. There is danger of
congestion or swamp fever at this season. 39

Wrote to Uncle Johnny, Cousin Jenny, and Mrs. Rossman.
Sometime since, there was a letter from Virginia. No startling
war news.

Mr. Abe Curry is home on furlough. He was in the battle
at Springfield, Mo., and he was twice knocked down but
un wounded. Wish he would come over and tell us his
adventures.

Aug. 30: Mamma and Johnny are both in bed. Two
lovely, dry days. Thank God for his sunshine.

Brother Walter has gone to Vicksburg to stay a few weeks
with poor lonely Aunt Sarah. She cannot be reconciled to
staying alone in the house with the children, though she can
almost touch the houses of her neighbors on each side.

Mamma and I, after knitting awhile, went to work on
the boys' uniform shirts. I did the machine stitching, but
Mamma soon broke down and went to bed with a chill.
Johnny was tossing with fever, Jimmy was reading on a
gallery littered with our different work, Ashburn was extolling
his new cartridge box, and Brother Coley was busy about
dinner which he is overseeing while Mr. McRae is sick, when
up rode Mr. Kaiser and Robert. Presto-change! Mamma
declared her chill off and got up, Ashburn put away his
wonderful box, Brother Coley forgot his grievances about a
late dinner and went to receive them, Sister ran off to direct
dinner, I switched into my room to dress, all the servants
stopped to stare, and Jimmy alone remained quiescent
reading on.

They stayed until sunset. I played chess with Mr. Kaiser.
He beat me well the first game; the second was a draw,
though I must think I had the advantage. After they left,
Mamma went back to bed and Jimmy, Sister, and I walked
up to Mr. Hardison's over such great hard clods. All the
sick there are improving except Henry, who is still quite ill.

The two Mr. Currys and Mr. Hardison made us a long

39 The chills and fever mentioned so many times hereafter was malaria,
variously known as intermittent, congestive, billious, or swamp fever.

50 BROKENBURN

visit yesterday. Mr. Abe Curry gives an interesting account
of his campaign in Missouri and the battle of Springfield 40
but says fully half of the people are opposed to us. He thinks
the army there will suffer for clothes and shoes when the
winter sets in.

Mr. Hardison was kind in collecting the school fund for
Mamma.

Aug. 31: A long interesting letter from My Brother of
the thirteenth. They are still at Manassas. A short one from
Kate detailing her trials with the comforter. It is a failure
and mon cher frere must go comfortless this winter for all
Kate can do. Ashburn and Brother Coley go out to drill in
the cavalry company at Goodrich's. Mamma and Mrs. Har-
dison exchange omelette souffles and peaches, both of them
too unwell to enjoy anything eatable, but we well ones made
way with the peaches.

Sept. 1: Brother Coley, Sister, and I went to church at
Willow Bayou over the worst roads that could be in the
summer, a succession of big dry clods, and per consequence
I am too tired to sit up another minute. Mamma and Johnny
are about well at last. I am sitting under the bar, sleepy and
tired, with the countless stings of mosquitoes smarting on my
body and their steady ferocious hum sounding in my ears.

Brother Coley and I attempted a game of chess, but all
kinds of bugs held high carnival around us. I was soon
vanquished and we retired from the gallery and sounded the
retreat to bed earlier than usual. Joe Carson came out yester-
day and spent the night. And all of them went hunting but
killed no deer, though Joe in the ardor of the chase went in
water up to his neck. Mrs. Alexander and the two little girls
spent today with us. Ashburn went to the Bend Monday
and brought us back an account of the concert to be given
there for the benefit of the Milliken's Bend Guards. Only
eight girls and Ashburn took dinner with Mrs. Reading that
day to keep her from feeling lonesome.

Mamma and I went out to the sewing society, formed that

40 Springfield (Wilson's Creek and Oak HiUs) , Mo., August 10, 1861,

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 51

day of Mrs. Carson and ourselves, and decided to get Mr.
Hardison to write for material to work on. Then we went
down to tell Mrs. Goodrich, who was too unwell to attend.
Met Miss Springer and Miss Tabitha Scarborough, from
Lake Providence. Miss Scarborough is Mrs. Goodrich's niece
and is quite pretty with lovely dark eyes.

Lunched with Mrs. Carson and returned to find Sister with
high fever and Aunt Lucy bathing her head. Were glad we
had not waited until evening to come home in the cool.

We hear of the capture of Fort Hatteras 41 and the procla-
mation of martial law in Missouri.

We finished Ashburn and Brother Coley's uniforms this
week. Mr. M. C. Williams gave Brother Coley a nice belt
and rosette. Finished The House of the Seven Gables and
did not like it much. Shall not care to read it again. Now
The Marble Faun, I can read again and again. 42 The rain
came down in torrents last night, stopping our projected
visit to the Bend.

Sister, Johnny, and Jimmy have been on the sick list today
and this evening Ashburn went to bed with cold and fever.
Mamma has just finished piecing up a large quilt commenced
by my Auntie oh! so many years ago.

This evening we rode down in a light shower to see how
Mrs. McRae and Bettie were getting on, Mamma in a riding
skirt of rags and tatters and I in a calico dress and the re-
mains of my old green habit. We dashed up to the gallery in
grand style, whipping up to escape the rain, when who should
step up to help us ofl but Dr. Lily, the last person I would
have expected. He had been sent for to see Bettie. As usual
he was just coming down to see us. I wonder how we hurt
his little feelings that he never comes now? Commenced
knitting a sock but it is too complicated for my head. Shall
confine myself to gloves and comforters. I am all right there.

All the boys and I went yesterday to the quarterly meeting
at the new Methodist church this side of Goodrich's. Mr.

41 Fort Hatteras, N. C., August 28-29, 1861.

42 Novels by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1851 and 1860
respectively.

52 BROKENBURN

White preached a sermon insufferably old and irritating the
fall of Rome, Napoleon, and autumn his themes.
Little Sister is still sick.

Sept. 10: Jimmy and I went to Milliken's Bend Saturday
and I returned today. Visited Julia Reed at Mrs. Reading's
and saw a number of the girls before the concert for the
benefit of the soldiers. It came off on Monday evening. It
went off splendidly, most of the girls we know being per-
formers. Mary Gustine looked beautiful. She is the hand-
somest girl in the parish and has an excellent voice, which she
has just recently discovered, and is now taking singing
lessons. Miss Carrie Lowry and Judge Byrnes took quite
prominent parts, but the fun of the evening was Mr. Tip
Sebastian's " Bob Ridley," and " Happy Land of Canaan."
Joe Boyer's " The Bonnie Blue Flag " and chorus made a
great hit a new war song. 43 Mamma and some of the boys
came in the evening of the concert. We made the acquaint-
ance of Mrs. Maher, Miss Carrie Lowry, Mr. Campbell, Mrs.
Coney Morancy, Mrs. Bence, Miss Orr, Mrs. Reading's
sister, and Mr. Al Lowry, oh! such a curious little fellow. 44
Ashburn's cold and the long ride put him to bed today with
fever.

Papers this evening. No reliable war news. See Mr. Chapin
of Vicksburg has been arrested up North and is imprisoned
in Fort Lafayette. Letter from My Brother says he has been
on detached duty for a month working and sometimes has
had only four hours sleep out of the twenty-four. He wished
to return to his company but was highly complimented from
headquarters and retained.

I just finished a blue and stone colored comforter for Mr.
Reading and shall knit a gay warm effect of some green and
scarlet wool just received from Vicksburg.

The ladies of the Bend have established a society for the

43 Written by Harry B. MacCarthy at Jackson, Miss., early in 1861.
Sung at the New Orleans Academy of Music in September, 1861, before
soldiers on the way to Virginia, it immediately became popular. Richard
B. Harwell, Confederate Music (Chapel Hill, 1950) , 56-59.

44 Alfred J. Lowry, planter, came to Carroll Parish before 1835. He
had a large family.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST 9 ' 53

relief of the soldiers. They are in earnest and are working
right along.

Samples of winter goods from Barrier in New Orleans came
today. We bought only calicoes but got some nice soft
materials for the boys and Sister.

Sept. 13: Thought we heard cannon firing in Vicksburg
this afternoon. We must have gained another victory. God
grant it may be a bloodless one for this household. Ashburn
is almost sick with either whooping cough or a fearful cold.
Mamma is unwell but busy making her dress. Made Jimmy's
plait into a small basket to give to Lou Hardison, he says.
Made John one and he often brings it in full of muscadines
or wild grapes. All of us like wild grape lemonade, especially
if feverish. There is generally a pile of the fruit heaped on a
side table, and the boys make and drink lemonade all during
the day.

Busy sewing on the machine. Made a dress and hemmed
three dozen towels the other day. Have my knitting for
steady work. Jimmy is hard at work knitting a white yarn
necktie. He made his own needles. Ashburn made a beauti-
ful, polished pair for me.

There are some great Negroes on the place. Mr. McRae
found a barrel of pork in the cotton field and another barrel
that had been opened and the meat taken. As pork foots up
$35 per barrel, the stealing is trying.

Went riding in the woods with Johnny, Jimmy, and Ash-
burn. Wonka was in high feather and went like the wind
so delightful. On our return we found Mr. Catlin sitting on
his horse at the end of the gallery, making a call on Mamma.
Mr. Abe Curry is getting up a subscription to pay his way
back to the army. Brother Coley and Ashburn gave $5. It
seems to me that if he cannot pay his own way, he should
stay with his command and not take trips. All the money is
needed to equip soldiers.

Sept. 16: Johnny and I, he bestride an ambling mule and
I on my good steed Wonka, went out to Omega this after-
noon to buy flannel. Could get only red for Brother's under-

54 BROKENBURN

clothes and did not get enough of that. Will have to finish
the set with yellow. Could not get one of the things for My
Brother in New Orleans. All winter furnishings for soldiers
sold out they wrote us.

Mamma has been unwell for the last three days, but she
has knitted a sock a day and not seemed busy. Her grand-
mother, Mrs. Ann Bohanan, taught her when she was a little
girl and the knowledge comes in most usefully now. She
has taught so many people of late. We have finished two
calico dresses for Mamma.

We fear Ashburn, Jimmy, and Johnny all have whooping
cough. Ashburn must have taken it in Vicksburg, though he
had it when a little fellow. There are seventeen little cribs
of Negroes to have it in the quarters and Mamma dreads
it getting among them. Thus the house is under strict
quarantine.

It is rumored that Spain has recognized us as a nation.
Hurrah! for Spain.

Sept. 18: Twelve at night and I am so tired I can hardly
sit up a minute longer.

We were hard at work until sundown on Brother's flannels.
As it will be so cold and he suffers so even here in the winter
he is so sensitive to the cold we are making the shirts
and drawers double, red on one side and yellow on the other.
They look funny to me but are real warm. I wonder if he
will like them.

Mamma, Johnny, Ashburn, and I went out late for a short
ride and stopped to see them weigh cotton the highest 165
pounds. Joe Carson and a teacher, a New Yorker, were on
the gallery when we returned. The teacher is looking for a
situation. They did not stay very lale after supper. Sister
and the three boys rouse the echoes with their coughing.

Amelia Scott and Charley spent yesterday with us. Charley
is a pleasant, nice looking young fellow. Other Pa [Grand-
father Ragan] came quite unexpectedly Monday on his first
visit for some months. He is looking well. We are luxuriating
on home grown fruit of the finest variety, persimmons grow-
ing just a few steps from the back fence in the pasture.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 55

Sept. 19: Nearly everybody in the house is complaining.
Other Pa and Mamma should be in bed. I am knitting a
pair of gloves for Brother and earnestly desired to finish one
today. Worked faithfully until 9 o'clock and then gave up
for the night. Mamma started on the mate to mine this
afternoon and will finish before I do. It is a laborious work
to me and she does it with such ease. The long fingers are
such a trial to get right. Fortunately, they are easy to rip.
Shall I ever have courage to attempt another pair?

All the boys are at work knitting with bones except Brother
Coley and he is ambitious to learn. Other Pa learned when
he was a little boy and has taught them, and he has knitted
a complete glove today with long fingers. The gloves are for
the soldiers and we are leaving the ends of the fingers open
so that they can handle their guns well. Brother Coley went
to the Bend but brought no news, warlike or gossipy.

Sept. 20: The family all were sewing and knitting all day.
We finished My Brother's gaudy underwear. I only hope he
may have the hardihood to wear them. We, all together,
have finished two pairs of gloves and all are busy on others.

Sept. 25: Have a dreadful cold and am hoarse and out of
sorts generally. Julia Reed and Anna Dobbs are with us.
We went out to the sewing society yesterday, took dinner
with Mrs. Carson, and brought Anna back with us. Col-
lected materials to fill a hospital box which Mr. Goodrich
will pack and send this week. Spent today pleasantly with
the Morris girls. 45 Still feel a little overshadowed by Julia
and Missie. What a gay, rapid talker Julia is. Got home
just in time for supper, a little after dark. Anna and Brother
Coley played hullgull. 46 Julia played, dozing on the sofa, with
a running accompaniment of quarreling with Brother Walter.
Mamma and I rested until early bedtime at ten.

45 The Morrises lived on Bending Willow Plantation on Willow Bayou
Mrs. Minerva Morris, widow and planter, was the mother of daughters
Virginia, Louisiana (Lou) , Mississippi (Missie) , and Missouri (Zou) ,
and sons, Stafford and Henry.

46 A game in which one player guesses at the number of beans or the
like held hi the closed hand of another player.

56 BROKENBURN

We were very busy Saturday and Monday packing the box
for Brother and Uncle Bo. Besides the clothes, we sent
quantities of preserves, cakes, and other eatables that will
keep. Mrs. Hardison, Mrs. McRae, and Mrs. Carson all sent
preserves and pickles to go in the box. I sat up until after
twelve Saturday night finishing off a comforter for Lt. Floyd.
We do not know him, only that he is a soldier, and while at
work on his comforter we got a letter saying, " Please send
something in my box for Lt. Floyd. He is from Kentucky and
can get nothing from his family, and no one has sent him a
thing/ 5 So I was glad I had started the comforter for him.
Mamma, sent him gloves and socks and a message that the
eatables were as much for him as our boys.

Dr. Lily called last night, and so we are again on his
visiting list.

Sept. 27: Mr. Newton could not return as he has joined
the army. Mamma put an advertisement in one of the Rich-
mond papers for a tutor, and already the answers are coming
in. Some only amusing. One innocent of either grammar or
spelling.

Julia and I spent yesterday and part of today at Mrs.
Savage's. Were to take dinner at Mrs. Carson's and return
this evening on horseback escorted by Brother Coley, Joe
Carson, Robert, and Mr. Kaiser, but while on our way to
Mrs. Carson's, we met Brother Coley and Lem Gustine. Lem
had come for Julia, as her mother was quite ill, and so we
drove on home. After a hasty dinner at three, Julia went on.
We were to have had such a nice time visiting, thrashing
pecan trees, receiving visitors, riding, and fishing. Had a nice
visit, barring my throat being so hoarse that I could only
speak in a whisper. It is our first cool day and we rode out in
lightest summer muslins. Fortunately, we had wraps with us.

Mamma is in bed with fever. Wesley's arm was almost
crushed off in the gin broken in three places. Dr. Lily set
it and thinks he can save it.

No mail this week, but a rumor that 12,000 Federalists
have taken possession of Mississippi City. That is bringing
the war near us. How we wish the authorities could carry

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 57

the war into Washington City. What an awful responsibility
rests on our statesmen and generals. May God give them
wisdom.

Sept. 29: Mamma, Johnny, and Brother Walter have
been in bed the last two days with hard chills and fevers. A
quiet day, except for the sick. Ashburn and I walked through
the garden and through wreaths of love vine. If it grows and
our wishes comes true, we will have strong faith in some old
superstitions.

A Sabbath spent in our own indulgence instead of God's
service a platitude, but how hard it is to be good for any
length of time.

Telegraphic news of a victory at Lexington, Mo., where
5,000 men, stores, and $250,000 were captured. 47 May it be
true.

All the sick in the house are up again. Much sickness on
the place. We went yesterday to the sewing society. All
members were present. Got a little work to do, a dozen
pillow cases. Made them this morning. Mamma, Ashburn,
and Mr. Cavalier each contributed a bolt of domestic, and
we cut it out and distributed it to be made.

Brother Coley and I went after pecans yesterday. Brought
back quite a lot, but they are rather too green yet awhile.
The boys are still whooping like wild Indians with the cough.

Mr. Catlin called this morning. Thinks Dr. Devine will
soon be married to Miss Spann of Mississippi. Rumors of
skirmishes but no pitched battles. Brother Coley is out at
the Bend. The girls are to give a concert at Richmond next
Monday. Hope we can go.

Many answers from teachers.

Oct. 3: Finished the ugliest calico dress I ever possessed
and without assistance too. Mamma, Sister, Brother Walter,
Ashburn, and I took the loveliest ride this evening.

Oct. 4* All enjoyed a most glorious dash through the rain
this evening. Had gone up to thrash a pecan tree near Mr.
Hardison's when the shower came up and we raced home.

47 Lexington, Mo,, September 12-20, 1861.

58 BROKENBURN

All breakfasted this morning at sunup so that Brother
Coley and Ashburn could get an early start to Willow Bayou
to drill. Commenced another Zouave jacket to wear at
home. 48 Mamma is busy cutting out the boys 3 and Sister's
clothes. Jimmy suffers so with the cough. He looks so dis-
consolate sitting holding his head by the hours.

Went over to see Mrs. Curry about Miss Blankenship of
Virginia who has been writing for the position of governess.
Mrs. Curry will perhaps take her as they have no teacher.
We are anxious about a teacher ourselves. The boys are
wishing to be in school again, especially Brother Coley and
Ashburn. They say they are losing so much time, as they
are sure this will be their last year in the schoolroom.

Oct. 7: Mamma is busy basting for the seamstress. I
finished the red and white comforter for Capt. Peck, and it
will go to him tomorrow in a box being sent his company
from the Bend. I did not want to give such a pretty com-
forter to him, but then he was an old friend of our Father
and a soldier.

Jimmy finished his comforter and we will take it in the
morning with a number of articles made by Mrs. Curry, Mrs.
McRae, and ourselves out to the sewing society. Little Kate
Curry has knitted a pair of socks for the soldiers. Quite an
achievement for such a small girl.

Dr. Lily waylaid us wandering through the garden and we
chatted out there until dark. Dr. Devine is to be married
next Thursday. Dr. Lily is going and will report on the
bride's dress and bring us a piece of dream cake. We would
like to attend a wedding occasionally but have no chance.

Expected Mrs. Savage's and Mrs. Carson's families out
today and had many dainties for their regalement, but 'twas
" love's labor lost."

The rain last night, the gloomy day, and the illness of Mrs.
Savage and Anna Nicholson prevented their coming. No
news. The rumor of an attack on Washington was false.

48 Harper's New Monthly Magazine, XXIV (February, 1862), 432,
carried a fashion plate showing a lady's Zouave jacket. The note said,
" Zouave jackets are now much in favor, and any fancy in relation to
their form or material may be safely indulged/'

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 59

My Brother's regiment is the only one now guarding
Manassas Junction. Mr. McRae is quite sick and Brother
Walter is overseeing. Brother Coley has the cough and can-
not go among the Negroes.

Oct. 8: Mamma, Sister, and I went out this morning to
the sewing society. Not many present and only the twenty-
five yards of cloth sent by Ashburn to be cut out and given
to be made. Spent the balance of a very pleasant day at Mrs.
Savage's. Thekla Norris is with them now. She has a cute
little baby. Annie and Emily are sweet children. Got home
after dark to a roomful of boys and a cheerful fire.

Hear that Gen. Fremont has been cashiered for his battles
lost in Missouri and that Gens. McClellan and Rosecrans are
severely wounded. 49 Mail today, but no papers. Only four
letters from teachers.

Oct. 10: Mamma sent some pickles and I sent my last
comforter, knitted of the odds and ends, out to Mrs. Carson
to be put in a box she is sending to Lt. Clark, a Northern
man in a New Orleans company. . . .

Anna and Thekla called this morning. They could not
spend the day as Thekla had to get back to the baby. Babies
must be an awful nuisance at times.

Most of the boys were out hunting until after dinner. Mr.
Ewing came back with Brother Coley from the militia drill
and took tea. Saw Mr. Hardison about my subscription
paper. He will send it around to collect for me. Mamma
and two or three of the boys are complaining.

Oct. 12: Mamma is sick again with slight fever, and
Jimmy is in bed with the cough and fever. Malvina has a
little girl. Hope she will have better luck than with her
others. She has lost two. Brother Walter, Sister, and I were

49 General J. C. Fremont was the Federal commander of the Western
Department, with headquarters in St. Louis. His forces had suffered
several reverses, and he had lost favor with Lincoln when he attempted
to emancipate slaves in his department. He was relieved early in Novem-
ber.^. G. Randall, Lincoln, the President (New York, 1945) , II, 16-23.
George B. McClellan and W. S. Rosecrans were Federal generals in
western Virginia; the reports of their being wounded were false.

60 BROKENBURN

just preparing to go to Mr. Hardison's and assist in a pecan
hunt when Dr. " Tiger " Lily was announced and knocked
my part of the frolic into pie. The others went, but surely
we had a pleasant afternoon. He brought the wedding cake,
Dr. Devine's, I made him a dream list, and he is to tell me
the favored girl when he comes again. 50

Johnny brought the mail. Letters from teachers and a
long letter to Mamma from Fellowes & Co. wishing a list of
everything she will need for the house and quarters next year,
as they wish to make early arrangement to supply their cus-
tomers. A long letter from My Brother. He is assistant
provost marshal at the head of twenty-five men ferreting out
spies and hunting up deserters. The idea of men deserting
from the Southern Army! He writes in high spirits.

Joe Carson spent the night and all went hunting. Mackey
Fontaine killed the deer, his second this week. We are tired
of venison. News of a victory for us at Santa Rosa Island
and the repulse of " Billy Wilson " and his " forty thieves " 51
reports of skirmishes and small battles wherever there are
armies, except the Army of the Potomac.

Oct. 15: No preaching at either church. Mamma is too
unwell to go anyway. Mr. Holbury's little girl was very ill
with spasms, and her father was so frightened that without
testing the heat he put her in a tub of scalding water. She
is dreadfully burned and it is doubtful whether she will re-
cover, though it did end the spasms. Monday, Mamma was
still in bed and I am ashamed to confess what a bad humor
I was in worrying over a pair of trousers that would not be
made right. I do not think Brother Walter will like the fit.
How trying and ugly to make boys clothes are.

This morning Mamma felt better and so we went out to

50 " A slice of bride cake . . . laid under the head of an unmarried
man or woman will make them dream of their future wife of husband."
Encyclopedia of Superstitions, ed. E. and M. A. Bedford (New York,
1949) , 48.

51 Confederate forces under General R H. Anderson attacked the camp
of Colonel William Wilson's 6th New York Zouave Regt. on Santa Rosa
Island, Fla, on the night of October 9. Part of the camp was burned
before Federal reinforcements from Fort Pickens arrived and the Con-
federates withdrew. Battles and Leaders, I, 3.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 61

the meeting of the sewing society and took the purple com-
forter I had just finished. Called on Mrs. Carson and took
dinner at Mrs. Savage's, meeting Mrs. Owen, her niece from
Delhi, Mr. Catlin, and Miss Narcisse Morgan. Miss Morgan
and her sister have recently returned from a long sojourn in
the North, educated there. I think their place is just below
Mrs. Savage's. She is homely but self-confident, dresses well,
and has Northern manners and accent. Met Dr. Devine
while returning dressed in all his " braws " and looking most
happy. Mrs. Carson gave Mamma plants of sweet olive,
magnolia fuscata and purple magnolia. We are so pleased to
get these favorite plants. She has been most kind and is very
lovable.

Annie Nicholson is ill again and so thin and white " she
looks one of the dim shades/' We are invited out Thursday
to meet the Tibbetts family.

Oct. 17: Too rainy yesterday for our visitors to venture
out and too bad today for us to go to Mrs. Savage's. Busy
all day sewing on the boys' trousers, a dress for Sister, and
altering an old silk. Between times I am knitting a pair of
gloves for My Brother. Lt. Williams is home on furlough and
Mamma will send a box to My Brother and Uncle Bo by him.

Mamma has put off her visit until next Monday and I fear
she will not get off at all. For four weeks she has kept us
all stirred up expecting her to get off every few days. Now
no one is much sick and Mr. McRae is at work again, looking
ghostly. She can be spared now. We will try to have her
make the " big go " Monday. Have taken up some plants
to keep in the house, geraniums, mignonette, violets.

Have slept on my paper and dreamed my best but to no
purpose, " nobody coming to marry me, nobody coming to
woo." 52

No war news and no teacher. It is late for the boys to be
out of school. Brother Walter is still helping Mr. McRae.

My Brother is a good son for he recently sent Mamma $50.
He must have deprived himself. She will keep it for
when he returns. Oh! to see him.

52 See note 50.

62 BROKENBURN

Oct. 19: What a joyous evening to us all. My Brother
came a complete surprise to us all. Sent home on sick fur-
lough. He has had typhoid fever for a month and as soon as
convalescent the surgeon sent him home. He looks taller and
has lost forty pounds. Home life and love will soon build him
up. He came at dusk. We have kept him talking until
eleven, and that was not wise, as of course he is tired. He
told us many funny anecdotes of his experiences as assistant
provost marshal. He likes the marshal exceedingly. How
horrible is the idea of the visitors to the Manassas battlefield
rifling the graves of Northern soldiers for mementoes. They
should be put in the front ranks of the next battle. It is
positively ghoulish. Johnny went out for the mail and
brought My Brother instead. Mr. Bledsoe kindly sent him
out in his buggy. Our heartfelt thanks go up to God for
having returned to us our best beloved brother,

Oct. 21: My Brother is improving and held quite a levee
today. Mr. and Mrs. Hardison came yesterday. Mr. Curry,
Mr. Selser in the morning. Mr. Valentine spent the day. Dr.
Carson came. Dr Lily took tea. Mr. Hardison as sensible,
Mrs. Hardison as independent, Mr. Selser as dry, Mr. Curry
as talkative, Dr. Carson as earnest and pleasant, and Mr.
Valentine as cynical and amusing as always all so interested
in everything pertaining to the war, every detail or amusing
incident of camp life.

Early this morning Brother rode over the place. He says it
is in excellent order and a better crop than he anticipated.
Mr. McRae crept up to see Brother this evening, the first
time he has been out for weeks. He thinks the boys have had
whooping cough too long to give it to My Brother, should
he be liable to it. Tom and Felix commenced on the servants'
rooms today, the house to be in the yard just opposite the
kitchen. Mamma wrote to engage Mr. Wilkinson from Vir-
ginia as teacher. None of us will ever like another teacher
as well as Mr. Newton.

Frank Nailor is at last married. The bride, Miss Mary
Gee, is a neighbor of theirs and quite an heiress. Suppose

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 63

Kate waited on them. She will write me the particulars.
Many have been his sweethearts and affaires de cceur.

Lou West (Mrs. Schultz) is dead. A bright intellect and a
kind, warm heart has ceased to be. I saw her when I was
last in Vicksburg and she was looking so strong and well. She
was always a picture of health and vigor. She was married
less than a year ago. The killing of Mr. Lake by Mr. Cham-
bers was a very sad and unnecessary affair a street fight or
duel, we have not known which.

Oct. 22: Mr. A. Richardson, Mr. Drew, and Ben Clark-
son were here this morning and we expected and prepared for
Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Carson's families. Several are sick so
that they could not come, and so we may eat our dinner with
Mr, Valentine's assistance. The boys have been thrashing
and cutting pecan trees and have brought in lots of nuts.
We hate for them to cut the trees. Shall stop it.

My Brother is a bright yellow, even the skin of his head,
like an orange or a pumpkin, and Dr. Lily has prescribed
sugar cane for him. He is to eat all of it he can. Dr. Carson
sent him a wagonload of it by the wagon that carried out the
cotton that Mamma and others subscribed to the sewing
society.

Oct. 24"" Brother and many others went hunting early
this morning, the first frost of the season whitening the grass,
but not enough even to kill the cotton. Jimmy killed the
deer, his first victim after so many trials. Johnny and I
followed the dogs for some distance. The chase is certainly
exciting sport. No wonder men like it so.

Ashburn, Sister, Johnny, and I were all out after pecans
when we heard the dogs coming, and Johnny and I joined
the chase for a mile or two a delightful dash.

Brother Coley, Sister, Johnny, and two of the house ser-
vants had chills today. Do hope frost will stop the sickness.
Joe Carson spent the evening and is staying the night. He is
charmed to have beaten me two games of chess.

Mamma had carpets put down yesterday and today with
Aunt Lucy doing most of the superintending. Mrs. Hardison,

64 BROKENBURN

Lou, Alice, and George spent yesterday. Mr. Valentine and
Dr. Lily failed to come. No war news.

Oct. 28: Today is but a catalogue of chills. Ashburn and
Brother Coley shivered through the morning and burned all
the evening. Timely doses of quinine kept them off Sister
and Johnny. Sister has been sick since Friday and Mamma
had Dr. Lily for her. Charles and Sarah are up today and
Lucy and Prank down.

My Brother went out this evening to see Dr. Carson. His
appetite is better and he is gaining strength.

They are digging potatoes today. Promises to be a noble
lot. Annie is helping Uncle Hoccles gather the goober peas
[peanuts]. It looks like a month's job for him. Jimmy and
I made some pecan and pull candy this evening and I wish
we had not. Brother Walter teased and worried us, and we
all got tired of it and appealed to Mamma when Brother
Walter flew into one of his unreasoning rages (fortunately
such attacks are rare) and behaved so badly that we have
all been uncomfortable ever since. He is the only one of my
brothers I ever thought really needed punishing and the only
one I ever feel like quarreling with. I believe he is the bright-
est of all the boys, converses so well, has Mamma's gift in
that, and looks more like her than any of her children.

Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Carson came out at 1 o'clock Satur-
day just as Frank was setting the table. We did not care to
give them " pot luck," and so dinner was put off until three
and was then quite a spread. Their visit was primarily to My
Brother and oh! the dozens of questions Mrs. Carson thought
up to ask him.

Anna Dobbs has gone out to Tensas Bayou with Thekla,
and Mrs. Savage will go out there tomorrow on a visit. She
will bring one of her nieces back to live with her and to go
to school.

Nov. 5: We have all been busy with sick people and
visitors. Tuesday we sent the carriage for Mrs. Reading,
Julia Reed, and the children and servants. All came just as
dinner had been cleared away and another had to be cooked

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 65

right away. Talking and knitting were the order of the
afternoon.

Julia, Johnny, and I mounted our steeds in the early,
frosty morning air and cantered off to the woods in search of
woodsy treasures pecans, persimmons, and grapes. We so
enjoyed the ride, the woods, and the bright fall weather that
we did not get home until nearly dinner time. After supper
euchre and knitting occupied us until bedtime. Oh! the socks
and gloves that we have made! Mrs. Reading's little girls,
Sally and Jenny, are having a gay, good time and seldom stop
eating.

Nov. 8: Thursday was a lovely, cool day. Mrs. Reading,
Julia, Jimmy, and I were just starting to get Mrs. Hardison
all to go on a long delightful ride through the woods
when Mrs. Curry with Mary, Huldah, and George drove up
and spent the day. So farewell to our riding frolic. In the
afternoon Julia, Ashburn, and I excused ourselves, as we had
a previous engagement, and rode out to Dr. Carson's with
our horses tangled with cocldeburs, but we were too late to
have them pulled. The cockleburs are such a nuisance in the
fall. We arrived just at dark, taking Mrs. Carson by surprise
a pleasant surprise she assured us and as hospitable as
they are, I hope it was true. We certainly had a pleasant
time, though the saddle had rubbed me so I felt half flayed.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bailey were there and stayed until
after tea. She is very pretty, a Natchez girl. Came home the
next evening escorted by Johnny and Joe Carson. Though
the day was " cold and dark and dreary/' we had a gay
gallop home.

Saturday Julia awoke with a chill and Mrs. Reading and
the children went home, leaving Julia to our tender mercies.
I made a little basket for Jenny that Mamma had promised
her sometime, and she prevailed on her mother to wait for
two hours while I worked and finished it.

Joe and the boys went hunting, Robert came back from
the drill with Ashburn, and Mary Gustine came in the car-
riage on its return from the Bend. Julia got up to supper and
we all had a gay evening with songs, music, and games.

66 BROKENBURN

Sunday we all went to church out at the new church and
heard a good sermon preached to a very good congregation.

Monday, although Julia swallowed quantities of quinine
and imbibed hot tea all day and covered up in bed under
piles of blankets, she had a chill just the same and was quite
sick. Mary, the boys, and I were up until half past twelve.
My Brother and all the boys went out to the election of state
and parish officers. Tuesday Julia was much better and
insisted on going home to see her mother, who has just re-
turned from a visit of several weeks in New Orleans. So she
and Mary Gustine got off in the carriage about eleven, and
Mr. Valentine came over at twelve to spend the day, thinking
both of the girls would be here. Mrs. Hardison stopped for
a few minutes at the gate and said they did nothing at the
sewing society.

Wednesday My Brother and the boys went to Goodrich's
to the Presidential election. Davis was unanimously elected,
not an opposing vote. 53 He was the only candidate. Will any
other candidate ever have such an easy run over the presi-
dential race track? For six long years President Davis may
rest secure as the head and front of our grand young nation.
My Brother spent the night with Mr. Valentine, and the boys
took supper at Dr. Carson's.

Thursday afternoon Theresa and Mollie Bass called. Could
not induce My Brother to come in and of course they wanted
to see him. He said he was too busy having the sugar cane
primed to plant next spring. Theresa is looking exceedingly
pretty and Mollie is improving wonderfully in looks.

Friday My Brother thought he would go to the Bend to
see Mary Gustine and Julia. But when he sent for his horse,
the boys were just starting on a hunt, and this temptation
was so strong that " he just went to the dogs " and galloped
off in the chase. We were sitting, in the evening, on the back
gallery enjoying the brilliant moonlight and quietly talking
when someone telegraphed from the kitchen, " Company at

53 In February, 1861, the Montgomery convention had chosen Jeffer-
son Davis as provisional President for one year. In November, elections
were held for permanent officers, and Davis was elected on a permanent
basis.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST 9 ' 67

the front door/ 5 and we heard subdued whispering at the
horse rack. Instantly rose smothered cries for Frank, Web-
ster, and lights not a light was in the house and earnest
appeals to someone to run to the front door, which on being
opened discovered Anna Dobbs, Joe Carson, Robert, and Mr.
Bowman. They said they had been knocking a long time and
had about concluded that we had all gone to bed or were
away. Soon all were collected candles, visitors, and family
and after awhile supper was served. Spent the evening
playing games, telling fortunes, and chatting until the young
men made their bows at eleven. Anna and I had a long bed-
room talk and we were late getting to sleep.

Nov. 9: This morning Anna, Johnny, Jimmy, Brother
Coley, and I rode out to Omega. Jimmy was going for but-
tons for My Brother's shirts and we were going only " a
piece " with him. But the roads, the weather it misted on
us all the way and the fine condition of our horses tempted
us on, and we went all the way, returning by Winn Forest in
search of grapes and pecans. Got enough to eat on our way
back. Rode up at a sweeping gallop. We had not spared our
horses all the way but it was too cool a day to hurt them.
Wonka is well again, in splendid keeping. He is a darling.
Found Mamma entertaining Mr. Catlin, established for the
day. Rather dull.

After dinner My Brother and Mr. Catlin went out to the
river, first to see about the work on the levees and then to
take tea at Mrs. Savage's. Later in the evening Anna and
Brother Coley went out. My Brother's last day at home
for many, many months, we fear.

Nov. 10: It was late when My Brother and Brother
Coley got back last night after a pleasant visit. Neither of
them admire Rose Norris, Mrs. Savage's niece, who has come
to live with her. They represent her as " fat, cross, affected,
high tempered, stubborn, and ugly," a harsh judgment and
long list of faults for one short evening spent together. I hope
our impressions will be more pleasant than Brother Coley's
and more favorable than My Brother's.

68 BROKENBURN

My Brother left us today to join his regiment at Evans-
port on Occoquan Creek in Virginia. His health is quite re-
stored but Oh! how we hate to give him up. His visit home
has been such a delight to us. When will he come to gladden
our hearts again? Mamma went with him as far as Vicks-
burg. He will not get off until Tuesday and so she will be
with him longer. She will then pay Aunt Sarah the long
promised visit. I hope she will enjoy her stay and that the
change of air will benefit her health. She has been unwell so
much of the year. They got off about twelve and we spent a
lonely afternoon. The light of home leaves with Mamma.

Ashburn had quite a hard chill and still has fever.

Nov. 11: Ashburn was quite ill all day and all last night.
He has had four chills since yesterday morning, one today at
twelve and o'clock. We were up with him last night and at
daybreak I sent down for Mr. McRae and Dr. Lily. Dr. Lily
has been here all day and will remain tonight. I am so un-
easy about Ashburn and glad Dr. Lily will be here all night.
If he is not much better in the morning, will send for Mamma.

The barrel of flour arrived very opportunely this evening.
Was beginning to be afraid we would have to do without
" flour fixings." We had already borrowed from Mrs. Curry
and Mrs. McRae.

Nov. 27: How can I write the record of the last two
weeks? It seems that the trouble and grief of years has been
pressed into that short space of time. Ashburn, our darling,
has gone, never to return. Oh! how we miss him every hour
in the day. The noble, gentle heart and the loving sensitive
nature are stilled forever, passed from the world as though
they had never been. What great thoughts, loving wishes,
and proud hopes lie buried in his grave. So young, so bou-
yant, so full of life and happiness, brilliant with the very joy
of living such a little while ago, and now dead dead to it
aU. . . .

Nov. 28: Ashburn died on Tuesday, November 12, at 11
o'clock at night of swamp fever. We sent for Mamma very
early Tuesday morning, but she could not get here until

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 69

Wednesday morning too late. She was so dreadfully dis-
tressed. As soon as he died. Brother Coley started at once to
Vicksburg to meet Mamma and to make arrangements for
the burial. He reached DeSoto just as she crossed the ferry,
and as soon as she saw him she knew the worst. Brother
Walter had gone for her and brought her back. She so re-
proached herself for leaving him when he was sick, but we
told her everybody on the place had been sick off and on all
summer and she could not know this would be a serious
illness. She loved him so. We always told her that she loved
and indulged him more than any of us, and she always said,
why, he was the best boy of them all and never gave any
occasion to be scolded.

Nov. 29: Mr. Reading is out tonight to say good-bye
as his furlough is out, and he is off for the tented field. He is
in high spirits and evidently prefers this wild reckless life to
the humdrum life of the family man.

Joe Carson came out while we were planting some flowers,
sent us by Mrs. Savage, in the new garden. He came on busi-
ness and stayed only a short time. Brother Coley and Walter
went out with him to see the ram Manassas 54 which has run
aground just below Mr. Newman's. She is on her way up to
help the gunboats at Columbus.

It was a hard fought battle and a glorious victory for us
at Belmont. 55

The boys are just back and I hear them in the dining room
eating supper. They saw only the outside of the Manassas.
It has been there two days and several boats are trying to
pull her off the bar.

We have not heard from My Brother since he left two
weeks ago. His regiment is now at Leesburg, Va.

We are looking for the teacher every day. He was to leave
Virginia on the fourteenth and should have been here some

54 The Manassas was part of the Confederate fleet which drove the
Federal gunboats from the mouth of the Mississippi October 11-12,
1861. H. Allen Gosnell, Guns on the Western Waters (Baton Rouge,
1949) , 35-43.

55 Belmont, Mo., November 7, 1861.

70 BROKENBURN

days ago. The boys are very impatient over the delay. They
realize the importance of this year's study.

Dr. Buckner writes that they will be up next Saturday.
They stayed from Wednesday until Friday when they came
up to Ashburn's funeral. He was buried Thursday in a clump
of woods just back of the house, the new family graveyard.
Our Father and two little sisters were removed there from the
old graveyard a year ago.

Here at home all seems strangely dull and sad. I know
Ashburn's death is a bitter blow to Other Pa, the child of his
old age, his Benjamin.

A warm lovely week, a wanderer from the April sisterhood.
No frost and the flowers are still in fullest bloom roses and
annuals, as gay as in May. "The Melancholy days have
come " for our household but not for Dame Nature. The
boys have been out hunting most of the day with poor
success one duck but the woods are full of game and the
lakes covered with ducks.

Brother Coley and Mr. Reading went to attend the drill at
Willow Bayou and to bid adieu to Mr. Reading's friends.
They went from there to Omega. No mail. But Brother
Coley brought back the paper containing the resolutions of
sympathy passed by the Willow Bayou company on Ash-
burn's death. How he loved all military matters.

Mamma was talking tonight of her early days. She was
married before she was sixteen, before she had left school,
but she had been out enough to reject ten lovers before she
met papa. All of them are living still. She was and is a
beautiful woman of most attractive manner and a brilliant
conversationalist with a great power of attracting love, the
first and greatest gift that can be bestowed on anyone. She
has the most cheerful, brightest spirit and is a brave resource-
ful woman. None of the children bear a strong resemblance
to either her or our Father. Brother Walter is most like her.

Nov. SO: Our first cold, bright day of fall at last. Mr.
Wilkinson, the teacher, at last arrived this morning, and Dr.
Buckner, Aunt Laura, and dear little Beverly arrived this
evening. Really the first visit they have ever paid us here.

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 71

Beverly is certainly as charming a little fairy as ever danced
over the greensward.

This is the last day of a month that brought us unmixed
joy and hopeless sorrow. My Brother was with us at its
commencement and now at the close he is in camp again, and
one of our dearest and best has bidden farewell to Earth and
floated out on the dark river.

Several battles during the month Leesburg and Belmont,
victories for us, and Port Royal where we suffered defeat. 56

A letter from Brother to Mamma, our first news. He had
just arrived at Leesburg and would start in an hour with his
company on picket duty and would perhaps be out several
weeks. Had not seen Uncle Bo as the Southerns were already
doing picket duty. The boys were off hunting until after
dark and brought back a large buck, Brother Coley's spoils
of the chase. Beverly, with tears streaming down her dear
little face at the sight, exclaimed, " Oh! poor deer, I so sorry
for him, poor deer. 0! Aunt Manda, please have a piece of
him for my bekfus."

Mr. Wilkinson is quite a young man, graduated in June at
Columbia College, D. C. Very tall and ungainly, topped by a
high stovepipe hat and riding on a little mule with short
stirrups, he was a figure of fun when he rode up. He betrays
a weakness for jewelry and fancy vests and has decidedly a
verdant look. He is exceedingly polite, rises and remains
standing when a lady enters or leaves a room, a Virginia
custom I hear. Spent most of the morning writing to Kate,
My Brother, Cousin Jenny, and Miss Blankenship.

Dec. 2: School opened today, Mr. Wilkinson's first at-
tempt. A biting north wind, but as yet no frost to kill the
flowers. All the annuals and roses in full bloom. Mrs. Carson
came out this morning to call on Aunt Laura and brought a
lot of greenhouse cuttings for us. Dr. Buckner rode out, mis-
sed the boat, and so returned. Beverly is a darling little
sunbeam.

56 Try mentioning Leesburg, the writer is referring to engagements in
late October near the town at Ball's Bluff and Edward's Ferry. Port
Royal, off the South Carolina coast, was seized by the Federal Navy.

72 BROKENBURN

Preaching at Willow Bayou Sunday, but none of us went.
Not a profitably spent Sabbath.

Dec. 7: Dr. Buckner rode down on horseback to Vicks-
burg last Wednesday. Tuesday Mrs. Curry and three of her
girls spent the day. She looks dreadful and lay down most
of the time. I really like Mrs. Curry. She is kindhearted, but
she certainly is funny. She is so different from other people
that one never knows what she is going to do or say. She
says Mr. Holbury and family are really in need of the neces-
saries of life. They must have suffered but for the kindness
of Mrs. Carson and Mrs. Curry. We have been culpably
careless, so taken up with our own grief that we have not
thought of the woes of others. We will try to do better.

Brother Coley and I rode out to Mr. Holbury's late
Wednesday afternoon to take him $20. He was kind in com-
ing out when we were in trouble. No one was at home, and
so we sealed the money in an envelope and gave it to the
old Negro who came to take our horses. I rode Longfellow,
one of the carriage horses, as Dr. Buckner had ridden Wonka
to Vicksburg, Wonka's first long trip since Uncle Bo rode
him down there in May when he left for the army.

Thursday Mrs. Hardison came, stopping our afternoon
ride. Sister is just up this morning from a three-day spell of
fever.

Dr. Devine came out Friday. While we were at dinner
Mrs. Savage and Anna came in, Anna to remain two or three
days. Dr. Lily dropped in during the afternoon and went out
duck hunting with the boys. They brought in three ducks
and he spent the evening. He is prone to flattery and " sweet
nothings." Mamma and Aunt Laura retired rather early but
we were up until twelve. Anna put Brother Coley's hair up
in curl papers, and this morning he roused her at sunup to
come out and take it down for him. After breakfast he
allowed Anna to cut it for him and a funny job she made
of it. He had to leave before she finished to go hunting with
the boys and Mr. Wilkinson. Anna is not a born barber.
Robert came for Anna, and as the weather was very threaten-

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST 93 73

ing, they took lunch and left early. Mamma was busy sewing
on underclothes.

The hunters returned at four, just in time to miss the rain,
with a fine deer killed by Brother Walter. Mamma had
Webster to mount a mule at once and carry a quarter to Mrs.
Carson and one to Mrs. Savage.

We spent the evening eating sugar cane sent out by the
Carson boys and teaching Mr. Wilkinson backgammon, or
rather, trying.

Beverly is certainly enjoying the country and the sugar
cane. Her maid Clara is so good to her.

Mr. Wilkinson has tried teaching this one week and is
utterly incapable of teaching any but the two youngest
children. Mamma has had an explanation with him, and he
will stay here until he gets other employment, or if he fails
in that Mamma has asked him to stay until spring. Mamma
wrote at once for another teacher and Mr. Wilkinson will do
the best he can for the boys until the other teacher arrives.
He is wonderfully ignorant to have graduated anywhere.
When Mamma spoke to him, he confessed that he could not
teach the boys. He said he thought he was coming to an out-
of-the-way, illiterate place and would have no trouble teach-
ing anybody he might be thrown with. But he said he realized
the first day that he had made a mistake, that Brother Coley
was already far in advance of him, that the other boys knew
as much as he did, and that he did not know what to do. He
thanked Mamma very heartily for her kindness as he had
no money to return. His home will be here until Mamma can
find a place for him to teach little children. There may be
an opening near here. For several days he was very sad, but
now that there has been an explanation, he has brightened up
and is quite cheerful. He has the most grotesque way of
nodding his head up and down, up and down, all the time he
is talking, or eating, or even reading. Does it unconsciously
and looks like a toy Mandarin.

Made some candy for Beverly and all enjoyed it more than
the wee lady.

Dec. 22: I have been sleeping with Mamma and so I have

74 BROKENBURN

not written for some time, as night is my time for scribbling.
Aunt Laura left us ten days ago after a two- week stay, and
she seemed to enjoy so much being with us all, especially
Mamma. Her visit was a pleasure to us. She took the boat
in the evening. Brother Coley went down with her and
returned next day on the same packet to find Joe and Robert
here just back from a big hunt. Most of the hunters in the
country were out and not a deer brought in. Huldah and
Mary also spent the night. After two weeks of the lovliest
warm spring weather with skies as blue and bright as bend
over Italian plains, we wake to hear a soft, warm rain patter-
ing down, and so no church for us today. And none of us
went last Sunday. Sunday spent at home is a long, weary
day. Joe Carson came back from Mrs. Savage's with Brother
Coley Friday night, and they were off before day on a hunt,
getting in at sundown with a fawn killed by Mr. Wilkinson,
who was so delighted and excited that he actually had fever
when he returned. But thinking of the matter, fatigue must
have had something to do with it, as he is utterly unused to
hunting and horseback riding, and they had been out all day.

Other Pa came Friday night. He looks better than we
expected but seems older. It may be because he has turned
out his whiskers, which are perfectly white.

The greatest news of all Uncle Johnny is married. On the
seventeenth of this month he gave his heart and hand to
Miss Kate Boone, a girl from Charleston, S. C., who has
been visiting her brother at Pine Bluff, Ark., for some months.
She is quite a young girl, not more than seventeen, while
Uncle Johnny is thirty-five. We wish them every happiness
and I wish he would bring her down to see us. I only hope
he will not try to educate her according to his theories but
will let her go on as Nature and her own antecedents and
education would have her. But for years he has had the idea
of marrying a very young girl and moulding and educating
her according to his pet theories. My mind misgives me that
such is still his plan. Other Pa left the day after the wedding,
which was very quiet. He is not pleased with the marriage,
though he does not say much against it. Uncle John is

1861: "OUR CAUSE IS JUST" 75

editing a paper in Pine Bluff. He is a most impracticable man
with so many theories, and he has made ducks and drakes of
all the money inherited from Other Ma [Grandmother Ragan]
and every other cent he could get. We hope marriage will be
his salvation, an anchor to keep him from drifting with every
tide, or feeling, or impulse. Johnny says he shall call his new
Aunt " Aunt Boone." He likes it better than " Kate." I have
pre-emption title on that name.

Hurrah! Mr. Wilkinson has secured a situation at Mr.
Matt Johnson's at a salary of $100 per month to teach Mrs.
M. Johnson's little brothers. I think they live at Wilton near
Goodrich. Certainly it seems " a fool for luck " is verified in
his case. He is so silly and so green, altogether hateful. Can
only interest him by talking about girls. He pretends to be
desperate about Anna Dobbs and has seen her only twice.
He asked Brother Coley did not the teachers down here
always marry rich girls? That was enough for the boys and
Robert and Joe. They have been telling many marvelous
tales of the great wealth of the girls, how especially suscepti-
ble they are to teachers from a distance and so admire their
manners and style, and running many " rigs " 57 on him. He
has not sense to see it. He will leave us a few days after
Christmas.

Uncle Hoccles came today to get a pass to go over and see
his children in Mississippi. 58 Last Christmas when Mamma
gave him the pass, we all said it would be for the last time.
He is so old, but he looks stronger and better now than then.

There will be no merrymaking for us this Christmastide.
Aunt Laura when here promised to send her piano to us to
keep as long as I wished, until we buy one. We were so
pleased at the offer and now she writes to say it will be

57 Playing jokes.

58 The pass was necessary to prevent his being taken as a runaway.
The Black Code, promulgated by Bienville in 1724 and later revised,
provided that a slave caught on horseback without written permission
should be arrested, given twenty-five lashes, and sent back to his master,
who would be charged twelve and one-half cents per mile for his return.
Frederick W. Williamson, Northeast Louisiana, A Narrative History of
the Ouachita River Valley and the Concordia Country (Monroe, La.,
1939) , 138-39.

76 BROKENBURN

shipped on Tuesday's boat. It is so kind of her and what a
resource it will be to me, though I have forgotten about all
my music.

Sister went home with Aunt Laura. She is very well and
enjoying the visit.

Mrs. Virginia Cavalier, the oldest sister of the Morris girls,
died a week ago of swamp fever. She was a widow with two
young children and a very attractive woman. Her brother-
in-law, Mr. Joe Cavalier, has been addressing her for the
last year, so report says.

1862

'Jkese troublous times''

Jan. 6: Christmas passed very quietly with us. Greetings
on all sides but no gifts and not many good things prepared
beforehand. Had the customary eggnog before breakfast, but
not a prize nog. It was made of borrowed whiskey with a
strong flavor of turpentine. A lovely day, so warm that we
sat on the gallery until bedtime.

Julia Reed came on the twenty-seventh and stayed until
today. This is the first Christmas in our recollection that was
not a time of fun and feasting.

We missed Ashburn's kiss and blithesome presence. Mam-
ma invited the two Mr. Valentines, father and son, to dinner,
thinking it would be pleasant for Other Pa to meet the older
man, and rather to our surprise they came and stayed until
sundown. We never heard of Mr. Valentine, Sr., paying a
social visit before. He is odd, just as we fancied he would be,
but an excellent talker. He and his son are strikingly alike in
looks, manners, and turn of mind, though they generally take
opposite sides on every proposition. Mark, Jr., says they
are forced to do so to have something to talk about the long
winter evenings. Mark, Jr., acquainted us with his fixed
determination to pay us a New Year's call. So Julia and I
hurried back from our ride that misty, misty morning and
looked for him all day. In the afternoon we begged Mamma
to let us pay our expected visit to Mrs. Savage, but she would
not allow it. So he ruined our plans for all day. It will be
long before we let an engagement with him keep us in again.

The morning after Christmas Mamma gave all the house
servants holiday we would have cold dinner and they all
went down to the quarters. She hired some of the field women,

78 BROKENBURN

who were busy in the backyard drying out lard, making up
sausages, cleaning feet and so on. The boys had gone hunt-
ing and Other Pa, Mamma, and I had seated ourselves for a
day of quiet reading when Mr. McRae came in and asked,
did we know that we were to have a large company to dinner?
It was even so and in ten minutes everything was changed.
Everybody was in a stir, the servants sent for, dressing,
making fires, preparing for dinner, and just as everything
was ready and we were sitting comfortably in the parlor, the
company arrived Mr. Catlin, Robert, Anna Dobbs, Emily
Norris, and Miss Bettie Carter. There were to have been
several more but something intervened. The engagement had
been made a week before but they forgot to notify us. The
day passed pleasantly enough, but just after the ladies left it
rained and stormed with a cold wind and they were in all of
it. But since it was a closed carriage, I reckon they kept dry.

Robert stayed all night and Joe came out to an early
breakfast, and they all went hunting, returning with a deer,
killed by Brother Coley, just in time for a 4 o'clock dinner
and to meet Julia. At eleven Robert and Joe went home.
Brother Coley went with them for a grand hunt on the river.
They killed three deer, Robert one, his first, and Brother
Coley another. Our boys had an engagement to spend Friday
evening at Mrs. Savage's, an invitation with several other
gentlemen, but they entirely forgot it, Robert remembering
only when he got home and Mrs. Savage commenced scolding
him. But he made his peace with the fine saddle of venison
he carried home. Boys are funny fellows, but they were so
busy here that night teasing Julia, making candy and eggnog,
and enjoying themselves generally that they forgot every-
thing else.

Mr. Catlin makes some startling speeches. He is coarse.
His remarks on the Morgan and Bell question were startling
to say the least. He has been devoting himself to Miss Bettie
Carter. Quite a flirtation going on. But Robert tells us it
ig stopped since Dr. Lily was so meddlesome as to tell Mr.
Catlin that Miss Bettie was looking for him to address her
and would say yes. He crayfished right away. Why did Dr.

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 79

Lily want to spoil sport? He is not kin to them. How self-
centered of Mr. Catlin to imagine a lady in love with him.

Saturday Julia, Jimmy, Johnny, Brother Walter, and I
went to ride. Met Mr. Kaiser on his way to call on us and
he joined the party. We rode as far as Dr. Meux's and got
home just as the twilight was deepening into night. Brother
Walter worried Julia all the way, got hold of her reins and
held the horse for a mile. Of course Julia felt like pinching
him well, if she could have reached him. We had a splendid
eggnog after supper that Mr. Kaiser praised as only for-
eigners can.

Sunday all but Johnny went to church. He said his coat
was not quite good enough. Quite a cavalcade, seven horse-
men and the carriage full, more than a third of the congre-
gation. Mr. Clinton preached a good sermon, but I did not
hear it as I became so ill while riding down that I got out at
Mrs. W. Scott's and lay down until they returned from
church. It was my first visit to Mrs. Scott's not very cere-
monious. By night I was all right.

The piano came during the week and Julia, Other Pa, and
I put it in the best order, and on New Year's evening the
house echoed for the first time to the sound of the piano.

Mr. Wilkinson has gone to his new duties. Mamma sent
him out with a boy to bring the horse back. When he told
Mamma good-bye, he said, " Farewell, Mrs. Stone, I thank
you for your horse and your * horsepitality.' " And that is
now a byword in the family.

Jan. 8: This is my twenty-first birthday, and I think this
will be my motto for the year so uncertain are all our sur-
roundings " Live for today. Tomorrow's night, tomorrow's
cares shall bring to light." May I always be able to put my
trust in God as I can tonight, satisfied that He will order
our future as is best. This has been a year of changes, of
stirring and eventful life, the shortest ever in our calendar.
God has been with our Nation during this year of trouble.
He has given us wise rulers, brave and successful generals,
valiant and patriotic men, and a united people, self -sacrificing
and with their trust in God.

80 BROKENBURN

Johnny and Jimmy started to school to Mr. Hazelitt, who
is teaching at Mr. Curry's schoolhouse. Brother Walter has
gone out to Bayou Macon x to buy and drive home a drove
of beeves. Brother Coley will start to school as soon as he is
well enough.

We are sewing and knitting. Mamma and I put on mourn-
ing. We gave most of our colored things to Mrs. Holbury,
who was glad to get them, and so we have a lot of sewing to
do. I have been dressing Sister's dolls to have them in nice
order when she gets back. We miss her greatly. Other Pa
went to Vicksburg Sunday. He is much troubled settling up
Ashburn's estate and is so sad and despondent. Cousin
Titia and Cousin Jenny have been telegraphed for, and when
they come to Vicksburg Mamma will go down to meet them.
A family meeting.

Robert and Ben Clarkson spent the day Thursday. Julia,
Brother Coley, and I were just starting to Mrs. Carson's
when she drove up to pay a call, her second this week. On
leaving she insisted on our going with her. We dismissed our
carriage and drove out with her to spend the day and the
night with Anna Dobbs. Mrs. Savage is out on Bayou
Macon. Mr. Kaiser and I made an eggnog for them while
they all played stupid games. We had a most pleasant con-
versation seated by the inglenook.

The next morning Mrs. Carson called by, and she and Julia
went down to call on Mrs. Newman and Miss Bettie Carter.
I stayed with Anna and Rose Norris, our first acquaintance
with her. On Mrs. Carson's return I went with her to take
dinner. Met there Mrs. Bernard and Mrs. Scott from Lake
Providence. The air was sweet with the perfume of white
hyacinths and sweet olive. Rode home in the late evening
attended by Joe and Jimmy Carson. They came out for a
hunt and remained until Sunday. Had a charming canter
home notwithstanding rough roads and a misty rain. Two

1 Bayou Macon (pronounced Mason) heads above the Arkansas-
Louisiana line a few miles inland from the Mississippi, runs roughly
parallel to that river, and empties into the Tensas River west of St.
Joseph, La.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 81

letters from My Brother and one from dear Kate thanking
me for the pretty black and gold Zouave jacket.

Jan. 16: Real winter weather at last with sleet and snow
whitening the ground a real winter landscape. We made
some ice cream last night, ate it this morning, and pro-
nounced it splendid. Today they are killing the last of the
hogs, and all of the house servants with a contingent from
the quarters are making lard, sausage, souse, etc., etc.

Mamma and I went to Vicksburg in the carriage Friday
and Sister and I returned Sunday, leaving Mamma there. I
went rather against Mamma's wishes and I never remember
so disagreeable a visit. Mr. Miller was at home and was
intensely trying. Everything else was at sixes and sevens.
Everything went wrong, and I am glad to be at home again.
Sister is also charmed to get back. Mr. Miller is at home on
furlough and I never saw him more hateful. Aunt Sarah
looks worried to death. Dr. Buckner and Aunt Laura are
both out of sorts and Other Pa is very much depressed. And
there is such noise and confusion among the children. The
situation was insupportable.

Cousin Jenny and Titia are to be down this week. Letters
from both soldiers. They are in winter quarters and My
Brother is on detached duty superintending the laying off
and erection of fortifications around Leesburg. He has been
ordered to report to Maj. Boyle at Manassas, but Col.
Humphreys does not wish to give him up. He prefers re-
maining at Leesburg. He said they had a grand eggnog
Christmas, their only festivities. Capt. Tom Manlove arrived
in Vicksburg the morning we left. He brought our letters.
He came to get recruits. So sorry not to see him. We waited
three hours on the ferry at DeSoto, the river too rough to
cross.

Mrs. Savage, Anna, and Rose spent yesterday with us. It
was a miserably cold day but we spent it agreeably. I was
still busy in the evening finishing off Sister's doll clothes. As
soon as the weather moderates, Sister will start to school with
the boys. Beverly gave her a pretty little pair of earrings.

82 BROKENBURN

Jan. 17: The snow is melting and running off the house
in a continual rain and underfoot is too slushy for anything.
It is too cold and wet for Sister to go to school, but the boys
went and came in this evening covered with mud but in high
good humor. Each one has an essay to write, their first at-
tempt, and it seems to hang over them as a regular kill-joy.
Brother Coley is studying at home for several hours a day.
I have been sewing and reading The Pilgrims of the Rhine, 2
a perfect prose poem. Warren sent up four partridges to-
night. They were such sensible, happy looking little birds
that I could not bear to have them killed and so turned them
loose in the garden. He traps quite a number.

Jan. 20: We looked for Mamma today. I had Frank busy
all day putting the house in real company trim, but Brother
Coley returned from Omega without her. I suppose the
estate business is not yet settled. The boys were out Satur-
day until nearly dark on their customary hunt. How Curry
came home and spent the night with them. And what an
appetite that little boy has. His affinity for souse is great.
I know he had wild dreams.

Sunday, though it was cloudy, windy, and so muddy, all
of us went to church, leaving only Brother Walter at home.
Mr. Holbury gave us an excellent sermon. We saw nearly
everyone we know in that section and also met the new
Presbyterian minister, Mr. McNeely, and Anna's bright, par-
ticular star, Dr. Meagher from Franklin Parish. It looks like
there might be serious intentions in that quarter, for Mrs.
Savage permits no flirting on her premises and is a famous
matchmaker. The Doctor is quite nice looking. Anna was to
go out to Thekla's today accompanied by " Brer Lil " and
Dr. Meagher.

Dr. Lily left last week, I suppose for the army, and did
not come out to say farewell. And such a friend as he claimed
to be to the Brokenburn household! I was sorry he left in a
bad humor with us.

Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich were at church, his first attendance

3 A nnvpl hv Toward George Bulwer-Lvtton ( 1803-73) .

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 83

for years. The death of their little girl Sarah not long since
was a dreadful blow to them. She was a bright, attractive
child about thirteen who died of diphtheria. They have one
little boy.

Mr. Wilkinson was on hand and was as ungainly and awk-
wardly polite as usual. Brother Coley is reading and study-
ing. I sent to Mrs. Hardison for something to read and she
could find only Mabel Vaughn B and The Belle of Washing-
ton, 4 The first I had read and the other was not worth read-
ing, and so I am stranded on reading. No papers, or letters,
or war news since we heard of the small battle between Col.
Mclntosh and Opothle Yohola, the Indian chief. 5

Jan. 22: Have been all alone today as Brother Coley
made a hasty and unlooked-for trip to Vicksburg.

Gen. [Leonidas] Polk has called on the planters from Mem-
phis to the lower part of Carroll Parish for hands to complete
the fortifications at Fort Pillow, forty miles above Memphis.
A great many Negroes have been sent from Arkansas, Ten-
nessee, and North Mississippi, and now it comes Louisiana's
time to shoulder her part of the common burden. A man was
here today with Gen. Folk's appeal. He had been riding
constantly since Monday from one plantation to another,
and nearly everyone had promised to send, some half of their
force of men, some more, some less. As they get off tomorrow
evening, Brother Coley had to go down to see Mamma
about it.

Took a cosy dinner all to myself shut up in Mamma's
room, which I am occupying while she is away and which
Frank keeps at summer heat. I find the piano a great re-
source as I am recalling some of my music.

It is rumored that Gen. Humphrey Marshall with a force

3 A novel by M. S. Cummins.

4 The Belle of Washington; A True Story of the Affections (1860) , by
Mrs. N. P. Lasselle.

5 This reference is to an encounter in Indian Territory between a
faction of pro-Confederate Creeks, led by Colonel D. N. Mclntosh, and
a pro-Union faction, headed by Opothle Yohola. Grant Foreman, A
History of Oklahoma (Norman, 1942) , 102-109.

84 BROKENBURN

of 2,500 men was surprised by a large Yankee force and cut
to pieces. 6

We miss Mamma dreadfully. The boys start to school
immediately after breakfast and get home just at sunset, and
directly after supper they commence on next day's lessons.
Brother Walter has just worried through his first essay. It is
short and of course must be filled with mistakes, but he will
not let us look at it. It is the first step that costs. Hereafter,
hope he will not find it such a job. The other two boys are
hammering away at their speeches. Sister has not attained
to the dignity of either writing or speaking yet awhile.

Jan. 24: Mamma and Other Pa got home late Thursday
evening. We were not looking for them and no supper had
been kept hot, as it was some time before then that hot
supper was served. Other Pa only came on business and went
back to Vicksburg carrying with him Ashburn's Negroes, who
are to be divided out among the heirs. Separating the old
family Negroes who have lived and worked together for so
many years is a great grief to them and a distress to us. I
wish Mamma had been able to buy them all in and keep
them here.

Jan. 27: We went to hear Mr. McNeely preach Sunday
rather dry and humdrum. Dr. Carson took him all around
the country to introduce him to his new field of work. Quite
pleasant socially, and could not be called ceremonious.

But I forget. I must give the real neighborhood news.
Rose and Dr. Lily are to be married very soon my pet
prejudice, Rose Norris and the " Tiger Lily." She will be
Mrs. " Rose Lily." She slipped quietly off with Mrs. Savage
to New Orleans and is selecting her trousseau, and he has
gone to visit his people in Baton Rouge and will join her in
the City. I never would have picked Rose Norris out of all
the world to spend my life with. For that matter, neither
would I have selected Dr. Lily for that post. But oh! how
tastes differ. I cannot believe he is in love with her. It has
been too recently that he was criticizing her severely her

6 Middle Creek and Prestonburg, Ky., January 10, 1862.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 85

looks, her walk, her manner. If it proves a happy marriage,
I shall be surprised. She is quite young, about seventeen I
think. There is already a gathering of the clan of Norris at
Mrs. Savage's, and a busy people will they be getting the
sewing done within a month.

Jan. 30: It certainly is a most difficult matter to get a
teacher. Mamma was expecting a Mr. Stockton and now
tonight comes a letter showing that he will not do at all. His
terms are entirely too high. He writes like a perfect Yankee.
As he has failed us, I have been busy all the evening writing
letters for Mamma to other applicants and an advertisement
for the Whig. I expect the most from our application to Mr.
Massie. We will see soon, I hope, the successful aspirant.

We were also writing letters for Tom Manlove to carry to
Uncle Bo and My Brother. Also, a short note to Julia. I
want to hear her remarks on the approaching marriage.

A late mail this evening. A letter from My Brother com-
plains that it is dreadfully dull. They are just wearing the
time away winterbound in their tents. The papers confirm
our defeat at Fishing Creek and the death of Gen. Zollicoffer. 7
Two lamentable events. Mr. McNeely knew Gen. Zollicoffer
intimately and grieves for his death. He admired him greatly
and considers his death a great loss to the Southern Cause.
The whole Northern Army is now on the move preparing to
attack us at all points. We expect to hear of great battles
within the next few days. God grant us victory in our just
war. The manner in which the North is moving her forces,
now that she thinks us surrounded and can give us the
annihilating blow, reminds me of a party of hunters crouched
around the covert of the deer, and when the lines are drawn
and there is no escape, they close in and kill.

7 Fishing Creek (Mills Springs and Logans Cross Roads) , Ky., Janu-
ary 19-20, 1862. Felix Kirk Zollicoffer died from wounds received in
this battle. By mistake he rode into Federal lines and met troops
commanded by Colonel Speed S. Fry, who recognized him. One of
Zollicoffer's staff fired, and the Federals answered with a volley which
killed Zollicoffer and two of his staff officers. Another account states
that he was shot by Colonel Fry in a hand-to-hand encounter. Bio-
graphical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949 (Washington,
1950) ; Dictionary of American Biography, XX, 660.

86 BROKENBURN

From Ashburn's estate Mamma drew two Negroes, Ma-
thilda and Abe. Patsy and John went to Cousins Jenny and
Titia. They all came up on the boat this afternoon. Mat
with Festus, the horse, goes to Uncle Johnny, Hill to Uncle
Bo, Peggy and Jane to Aunt Laura, and Sydney and her two
youngest children to Aunt Sarah. It is hard for Sydney and
her older children to be separated. We are so sorry but
cannot help it.

We spent a day this week with Mrs. Graves. Mrs. Hardi-
son went with us. It was our first long visit there and was
so tiresome. Theresa was away. Sister came from school
with a raging toothache and cried all night and in the morn-
ing Mr. Hardison came down and begged her to let him pull
it. She would not be persuaded and the fight must have
cured her, as she has not complained since.

Cousin Jenny writes that she and Cousin Titia will be up
in about a month. It has been so long since I have seen them.
Mamma says they are looking so well and pretty.

It looks like we may have difficulty in getting summer
clothes. The merchants are selling only for cash and that
cash is hard to get, unless we can do as they seem to be doing
in the towns make it. Judging from the looks of the paper
money and the many signatures on odd-looking paper and
pasteboard, one would be convinced that many people are
making their own money. 8 We have spent less this year than
ever before. Have bought only absolute necessaries no frills
and furbelows for us. Affairs are too grave to think of dress.

Feb. 1: "It is raining and it is hailing, and it is cold
stormy weather." The worst winter weather. Commenced
reading Redgauntlet 9 last evening and followed his fortunes
through the gloomy morning. I saw him safely through his
troubles and happily settled by 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Practiced on the piano ever since until bedtime. I have com-
menced a set of linen aprons for Beverly. Will embroider

8 Beginning in March, 1861, the Confederate Government issued great
quantities of paper notes which soon depreciated in value. By 1864
a gold dollar was worth thirty paper ones

9 A novel by Sir Walter Scott, published 1824.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 33 87

them all, some in white and two or three in blue and red. I
intend to make them pretty and dainty to suit the dear little
wearer. Mamma's trunk came today and so we will have
plenty of sewing for some time.

Have nothing new to read. Thus I have taken up my old
favorite, Scott, the Prince of Novelists. Who of the modem
writers can compare with him?

Another death among the Negroes today Jane Eyre,
Malona's baby. The little creature was lying in its mother's
lap laughing and playing when it suddenly threw itself back,
straightened out, and was dead. It is impossible to know
what was the matter as it seemed perfectly well a minute
before it died. This is the third child the mother has lost
since Mamma bought her, and she seems devotedly attached
to her babies. This is her last child.

The boys have been out in the rain most of the day rabbit
hunting. Brother Coley is much disturbed over an eruption
that has been worrying him for two weeks now. Brother
Walter seems to be taking it. They will go out to see the
doctor the first sunny day.

We all accuse Johnny of growing misanthropic since mix-
ing with his fellowmen. Going to school with so many seems
to induce most sour and cynical ideas. Little Sister wearies
of the tedium of home after three weeks of school and wants
to go with the boys, but Mamma thinks it too cold and wet
for her to venture out. So she must needs bide at home and
play dolls.

No war news or any other kind. Oh, this inactive life when
there is such stir and excitement in the busy world outside.
It is enough to run one wild. Oh! to be in the heat and tur-
moil of it all, to live, to live, not stagnate here.

How can a man rest quietly at home when battles are
being fought and fields lost and won every day? I would eat
my heart away were I a man at home these troublous times.

Feb. 4- Sister has been suffering for several days with
neuralgia and it is but little sleep either she or Mamma has
had. No news from the wedding. Only the family were to be
present. Brother Coley has started to school with the others

88 BROKENBURN

and is trying Dr. Devine's prescription. Brother Walter is
home with a chill. Going out in the cold and wet was too
much for him. Mamma had several of the women from the
quarter sewing. Nothing to be done in the fields too muddy.
They put in and finished quilting a comfort made of two of
my cashmere dresses. Mamma had Aunt Laura's silk one
put in today and Sue is quilting on it. I am so afraid Mamma
will commence work on it herself, and if she does I shall feel
in duty bound to put up my linen embroidery and help her.
And I simply detest making and quilting quilts. Precious
little of it have I ever done. This will be a lovely silk affair.
Aunt Laura always has so many pretty silks and wears them
such a little while that they are never soiled. After quilting,
one rises from the chair with such a backache, headache,
and bleeding pricked fingers.

No church. Such a wild Sunday. So I commenced reading
Taylor's Holy Living and Dying?* Like it better than any
religious book I have read. Mr. Curry is at home again.
Reports Mrs. Curry much better. A note from Julia exclaim-
ing over the union of the Lily and the Rose.

Feb. 5: Mamma is busy on the silk quilt destined for
Sister. Both Walter and Sister are better. The others are at
school. Worked myself half blind on Beverly's aprons to-
night. Have been intending to take up French again, but
studying is too humdrum work for these times. The boys say
there is a runaway about the country. That makes one feel
creepy when alone at night. So out with the light and to
sleep to dream.

Feb. 6: A long letter from Uncle Bo, who writes as he
talks, gay and rollicking. He is still on picket duty and in
high spirits.

Our papers have dropped off one by one. The only one to
come now is the Picayune. We will subscribe for others.
News of the partial loss of the Burnside expedition off Cape
Hatteras in a heavy storm. 11

10 By Jeremy Taylor (1613-67) , published in 1650-51.

11 General Ambrose E. Burnside left Fort Monroe, Va., January 11,

1863: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 89

Feb. 16: Last week the weather was fine and the roads im-
proved, and so we went out in the carriage to Mrs. Savage's,
stopping by for Mrs. Carson, who had been ill for two weeks
and could not go. We found all at Mrs. Savage's in the hurry
and bustle of wedding arrangements all working on white
linen. Mrs. Savage is charmed at the match and is just in
her element preparing for a wedding. She has bought two
new carpets and a pretty ashes of rose silk for Anna. She
had it made in New Orleans and also two pretty summer
dresses. Rose looks perfectly happy and content with the
prettiest possible engagement ring flashing and sparkling on
her finger a big solitaire, the image of Aunt Sarah's.

I had no idea Rose's face could wear such a joyous look,
but even joy and youth cannot make her pretty. Anna
Dobbs, Mr. and Mrs. Norris, and Rose's mother came in the
evening from Bayou Macon by way of Richmond, the swamp
being impassable. What a weary, bedraggled, tacky-looking
set they were.

Rose's want of beauty is explained as soon as you see her
mother, a regular witch of an old lady with the most apolo-
getic, deprecating air. She has put up with many a snob, you
can see, and has Bayou Macon written all over her. Now is
not it mean of me to write in that way of that harmless old
lady and I know absolutely nothing of her? She may be in
her daily life an uncannonized saint.

The wedding is to be a real grand, old-fashioned merry-
making. All the relatives on both sides for four generations
are to assemble at Mrs. Savage's before the affair, and all
friends for miles around are to be invited and a great feast
prepared. And oh, the quantities of sewing to be done. Mrs.
Savage says when there is a wedding she believes in straining
a point. I want to see Miss Patience Lily who is to be one of
the bridesmaids.

Mamma has at last secured a teacher, a German with a
name I cannot yet spell. He comes with the highest testi-

1862, with a large expeditionary force bound for the North Carolina
coast. Off Cape Hatteras a gale destroyed several of his ships. Eventu-
ally the force landed on February 4 and captured New Berne, N. C., on
March 14. Battles and Leaders, I, 660-69.

90 BROKENBURN

monials, is a graduate of a German university, and is very
learned. He is the funniest man. He speaks the greatest
jargon and with such odd expressions that we must laugh
sometimes. I shall be surprised if he suits Mamma for any
length of time too peculiar and quick tempered.

The war news is very bad, only defeats Roanoke Island,
fall of Fort Henry, and the ascent of the Tennessee River
and shelling of Florence, Ala. We still hold Fort Donelson,
though it has been under fire for two days. 12

A heavy snowstorm the deepest snow we ever had. The
children enjoy snowballing and we all enjoy the ice cream.
There is not much milk left for butter after the boys get out
of the dairy.

Feb. 20: Monday school started in My Brother's room
and I go on with French under Mr. Stenckrath. He is to
hear me after supper, I have been staying in Mamma's room
lately. Now, she, Sister, and Frank are all sound asleep and
I have just finished my French exercises. Mr. Stenkrath is
a splendid teacher and likes his profession. He seems just
the man for the boys. He seems to have a restless nature.
From his confused account of himself, he has had a roving
life, seldom staying more than a few months at a place, and
so we need not expect to keep him long.

No mails for two weeks, the boat laid up for repairs.

The news for the last few days gathered from extras and
dailies is bitterly disappointing: Forts Henry and Donelson
given up, Bowling Green 13 evacuated and shelled and burned
by the enemy, and the Northern hordes marching on Nash-
ville. Four days ago the people were leaving and the town
was being shelled by the gunboats. We do not care for those
Kentucky towns; they deserve their fate. But Nashville, so
true to the South, is a different matter. I know Dr. Elliott's
school will suffer. He is such an ardent Southerner. I gradu-
ated there. An excellent school it is. 14

12 Roanoke Island, N. C. 5 February 8; Fort Henry, Tenn., February
6; Fort Donelson (Dover) , Tenn , February 14-16, 1862.

13 Bowling Green, Ky., February 15, 1862.

14 Nashville Female Academy.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 91

It is a gloomy outlook just now but " behind the clouds
the sun still shines " and victory will be ours at last.

Nothing from Cousin Titia and Jenny and we looked for
them today. There is no communication with Vicksburg;
it might be under blockade for what we hear.

Mamma has finished the silk quilt, octagons of blue and
yellow satin from two of her old dresses. Sister claims it.
Aunt Laura's, of purple and blue silk, is done and is exceed-
ingly pretty. She has had several comforts made during the
bad weather, and it has been so bad. I have about finished
Beverly's second apron, blue and white scallops with a bunch
of heartsease embroidered in front and cute little pockets,
also embroidered.

Feb. 21: Mr. Stockton came this morning expecting to
get the situation as teacher. He wrote three weeks ago ac-
cepting Mamma's offer but the letter has not yet arrived. Of
course he is disappointed, but Mamma has told him to stay
with us awhile. It is probable he can get a situation around
here. He is a rather small, delicate-looking man with short,
close yellow curls, blue eyes, ugly mouth and nose, and the
cleanest-looking red and white face. He is an accomplished
man with pleasant cultivated manner. Mr. Stenckrath tri-
umphs over him as being first to get the situation and they
have taken a grand disgust for each other.

A note of despair from Julia. Mrs. Reading with whom
they board is moving to Vicksburg to live and Julia and her
mother do not know where to go. Mamma sent them a note
by Webster, who was going to take Mr. Stockton's horse
back to Omega, asking them to come and make us a long visit.

Nashville has not yet fallen. Our army, 80,000 strong, is
encamped around the city and the enemy is marching up,
250,000 of them, to battle. 15 The general impression is that
both Nashville and Memphis are doomed, and the Yankee
gunboats will then descend the Mississippi and get all the
cotton they can steal.

15 These figures, probably based on newspaper reports, are greatly
exaggerated. The Confederate force at Nashville numbered about 17,000,
the approaching Federal Army probably 40,000.

92 BROKENBURN

Brother Coley went to the last drill today at Willow
Bayou. The company is broken up. There have been calls
from the governors of all the river states for all the able-
bodied men to come forward. 16 Every man is speaking of
joining the army, and we fear within a week Brother Coley
will away.

In the present sad conditions of affairs traitors are spring-
ing up in every direction, as plentiful and busy as frogs in
a marsh. I would not trust any man now who stays at home
instead of going out to fight for his country.

I am tired. I have been so busy. Have read several hours
French and English sewed, practiced, written a letter,
entertained Mr. Stockton for a time, played nine games of
cards, eaten three meals and a luncheon, learned and recited
four French lessons, and written all this. Surely it is bedtime.

Feb. 22: We had a surprising piece of family news this
morning. Either Cousin Jenny or Cousin Titia was married a
week ago today. We do not know which. Mr. Stockton men-
tioned it incidentally in the course of conversation, and after
our surprised queries, he told us all he knew. He said that
one of the young ladies was married at Dr. Buckner's by Mr.
Lord to a Tennessee soldier, name unknown, and started off
next morning up the river. He did not know where. We are
wild for particulars. Cannot tell why they have not let us
know all about it.

Mr. Kaiser is off to the war and without bidding us good-
bye. Mamma is trying to get a situation for Mr. Stockton
and in the meanwhile is doctoring him up with all kinds of
strong, hot medicines to make him well enough to accept a
place should he get it. He has a horrid cold and the poor
fellow is perfectly obedient to Mamma. He takes all her
doses without a murmur. Mr. Neily wishes a teacher and
Brother Coley went to see him this morning. He offers only

16 On February 22, 1862, General G. T. Beauregard, acting for General
Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the Department of Kentucky
and Tennessee, addressed circulars to the governors of Alabama, Lousi-
ana, Mississippi, and Tennessee urging them each to send 5,000 to 10,000
men to Columbus, Ky., for defense of the Mississippi River above
Memphis. Battles and Leaders, I, 574.

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 93

$500. It is for his grandchildren. Mamma wrote also to Mrs.
Savage and Mr. Harris, but neither wish a teacher just now.
Anna writes Mrs. Savage has given out the idea of a large
wedding. Only the families are to be present. Mamma sent
Rose a lovely pincushion. Mrs. McRae is still very ill. Mam-
ma spent part of the night there. I played three-handed
euchre with Mr. Stockton and Mr. Stenckrath until, as the
boys say, I am " dead beat."

Feb. 24' News of a victory for us in Missouri in which
Gen. Sigel, a German Yankee, was killed. 17 All other tidings
are gloomy but they have aroused the country with a trumpet
call. There is the greatest excitement throughout the coun-
try. Almost everyone is going and going at once. Men are
flocking to Johnston's standard by the thousands. They are
not waiting to form companies, but are going to join those
already in the field. Every man gets ready as soon as he can
possibly do so, makes his way to the river, hails the first
upward bound boat, and is off to join in the fight at Nash-
ville. The whole country is awake and on the watch think
and talk only of war.

Robert came out this evening to consult with Brother
Coley. He wants to go in the same company. But Brother
Coley went to Vicksburg this morning to consult Dr. Buck-
ner as to the best company for him to join. Robert is very
low-spirited but determined on going. He says he knows he
will never return. I like him very much and will be sorry to
tell him good-bye. Mamma received a letter from Dr. Buck-
ner today. He expects to leave with his company in two or
three days and wrote for Brother Coley and Brother Walter.
His is a cavalry company.

It was Cousin Titia who was married. We do not know to
whom. They left for camp at Columbus, Miss.

Feb. 25: Our first mail for three weeks. Numbers of
letters a grieved one from Kate and an old one from My

17 This is possibly a reference to the Battle of Sugar Creek in southern
Missouri, a small, indecisive engagement. General Franz Sigel was not
killed as reported.

94 BROKEN BURN

Brother. Cousin Titia married Mr. Charles Frazer, a lawyer
of Memphis. They have been engaged for some time but it
was an unexpected marriage. He got a furlough, came to
Vicksburg, and insisted on being married, and so they were
and went on to camp together at Columbus, Miss. Cousin
Titia wrote to Mamma and tried to telegraph. 18

March 1 : February has been a month of defeats Roan-
oke Island, Forts Henry and Donelson, and now proud old
Nashville. All have fallen. A bitter month for us. A grand
battle is looked for today or tomorrow at Columbus [Ky.].

Another soldier is leaving our fireside. Brother Coley has
joined Dr. Buckner's cavalry company, and long before the
month is over he will be on the field fighting to repel the
invader. The first March winds find him safe in the haven of
home. April will find him marching and counter-marching,
weary and worn, and perhaps dead on the field of battle. He
is full of life and hope, so interested in his company, and
eager to be off. He says chains could not hold him at home.
He has been riding ever since his return Wednesday trying
to get the horses, subscriptions, and recruits for his company.
Robert Norris goes with a sad foreboding heart to perform a
dreaded duty. Brother Coley goes as a bridegroom to his
wedding with high hopes and gay anticipations. Robert's is
really the highest type of courage. He sees the danger but
presses on. Brother Coley does not even think of it just a
glorious fight for fame and honor.

Wonder of wonders. Mr. Valentine is at last alive to the
issue. He is much excited and interested and is getting up a
subscription of corn for the families of men who are volun-

18 Letitia Austin and Colonel Charles Wesley Frazer, prominent lawyer
and officer in the 5th Confed. ftegt., became the parents of a daughter,
Virginia, born on February 14, 1863, near Chattanooga, Tenn. Educated
in private schools in Memphis, Virginia married Thomas R. Boyle, a
Memphis attorney, and attained recognition as a writer of prose and
poetry. Among books published by Virginia Frazer Boyle was Broken-
burne, A Southern Auntie's War Tale (1897) , taking the name from the
Stone plantation. She also published stories in Harper's, Century, and
other magazines. She wrote the " Tennessee Centennial Ode " (1896)
and the " Jefferson Davis Centennial Ode " (1908) .Library of South-
ern Literature, II, 463-89.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 95

leering back on the Macon. He is trying to raise a company
and is getting an office in it. He will go as soon as possible.
He and Mr. Catlin were here yesterday. Mamma subscribed
100 barrels of corn. When the two Mr. Valentines become
enthusiastic warriors, times are growing warm. I did not see
them it was a business visit and I had a rising on my face.
Nothing but war talked of and companies are forming all
through the country.

Mr. Davies, L'adorable, who is on a visit to Dr. Carson,
and Mr. NcNeely spent the morning with us two young
ministers. Mr. Davies looks just as he did a year ago, except
for his ravishing black mustache, and is as delightful as ever.
He is wild to join the army but has his mother and four
grown sisters absolutely dependent on him, and it seems im-
possible for him to get off. He says it is much harder to stay
at home than to go.

Joe Carson is crazy to join the army. He cannot study,
cannot think of anything else, but his parents will not con-
sent. He is most wretched. The overseers and that class of
men are abusing him roundly among themselves a rich
man's son too good to fight the battles of the rich let the
rich men go who are most interested they will stay at home.
Such craven spirits. So few overseers have gone. 19

Joe and Robert spent Wednesday evening. Brother Coley,
just home, says Aunt Laura and Cousin Jenny are in the
depths of despair. Cousin Jenny is grieving over the separa-
tion from her sister. They have been together all their lives.
And Aunt Laura is grieving over Dr. Buckner's going away,
but she realizes it is his duty and will not beg him to stay.
Cousin Jenny has given up her visit to us. As soon as her
father, Uncle Austin, comes for her, she will join her sister
in camp. An imploring message from Aunt Laura begging me
to come down and stay with her.

Thursday we made two blue shirts for Brother Coley.
Nearly all we can do for him. Made a comfort bag for him,
one for Mr. Valentine, and will now make one for Robert.

19 This paragraph affords interesting evidence that even before the
passage of the First Conscription Act the middle and poorer classes
thought the planters were not bearing their share of the war burden.

96 BROKENBURN

March 2: Mr. Stenckrath is making himself wretched
these last few days. He feels that he should join the army
and he has not the requisite courage. He says, " It is a
dreadful thing, Mees Kate, to go and be shoot at." He is
always harping on the dangers and trials of a soldier's life
and his funny ways amuse us all. He says ill health will keep
him here, and he is the picture of manly strength but is im-
agining himself into becoming a confirmed invalid. He says,
" Mees Kate is driving me to the war. She talk so much
about men going and I so sensitive it move me silent for
half an hour." He says, " I brave man but I no want to be
shoot." To look at it dispassionately, there does seem to be
no reason why a foreigner, only here to teach and most proba-
bly opposed to all our institutions, should be expected to
fight for our independence. And I really do not think it Mr.
Stenckrath's duty to go, but he will take all we say about
other men who are shirking their duty as personal to him.
And when we are all on fire with the subject, we cannot
bridle our tongues all the time.

Well, Columbus [Ky.] is abandoned and with it Tennessee.
Our Columbus army, without a shot or shell on either side,
has retired to Island No. 10 20 and the Nashville army has
fallen back to Decatur, Ala. They say the Island is much
better adapted for defense than Columbus. Then how much
time and money has been wasted at Columbus. How we
would like to have a letter from Cousin Titia. I suppose she
leads the retreat.

Robert came home with Brother Coley tonight. They
must go to Vicksburg tomorrow. Robert is in much better
spirits and Brother Coley is jubliant.

March 8: Brother Coley and Robert got off just at sun-
rise. It was cold but they were well wrapped up. Robert
returned the next day but Brother Coley is still there expect-
ing to leave every day. Dr. Carson gave five bales of cotton
to Dr. Buckner's company and a horse, which Robert rode

20 In the Mississippi River between Columbus, Ky., and New Madrid,
Mo. The island commanded passage of the river.

1888: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 97

down, but he will not allow Joe to join and the boy is nearly
distracted with mortification and chagrin.

Mamma finished her silk quilt, I helped three days and
then begged off. Quilting is a fearsome job. Have finished
making the three " friends."

Mr. Valentine failed to get an office in the company and
we fear he will not go and that will make him fearfully un-
popular with all classes. If we could see him, I am sure we
could influence him. For his own sake he must join. Mr.
Catlin's last feint is that he will join a gunboat now in the
docks. Robert has joined Sweet's Artillery of Vicksburg and
will get off Thursday.

Mamma and I went out by special invitation merely to
call on the bride and Miss Lily and then to dine at Mrs.
Carson's, but Mrs. Savage would not hear of our leaving.
She made us spend the day and a long, dull day it was,
and so cold. We were the only invited guests for the day, but
there are still sixteen grown people and numbers of children
staying in the house. The dinner table was set on the back
gallery. The bride had on a lovely dress of light blue silk
with a silvery sheen, trimmed with dark blue velvet, black
lace, and steel buckles. She looked as usual, sour and dis-
agreeable, and was very silent, as was the groom. His powers
of interrogation have not failed him. Talking alone with him,
his first query was did I think his wife was handsome? With
my opinion of Mrs. Lily's looks it was " rather a staggerer/'
as I have a due regard for truth. I evaded the question and
he then wanted to know did I think her as good looking as
he is? I could truthfully answer yes as Dr. Lily is not to say
pretty. Still he was not satisfied but I cut the conversation
short, tired of such a personal catechism.

Miss Lily is distinctly commonplace, rather a " muggins "
and wears the oddest hairdress. Miss Bettie's coiffure is
mild compared to it. Rose attacked me for having said I
thought Dr. Lily should go to the army. No doubt I have
said so, for I certainly think it and am still of the same
opinion, but I had not been rude enough to tell him so. With
all of our relations going out to fight, I am not apt to think
other men should sit comfortably at home.

98 BROKENBURN

Dr. Meagher was on hand, the handsomest, nicest looking
of the lot. I told Anna I approved of her taste and if I had
the opportunity might set my cap for him, a rival of hers.
She declared there is nothing between them but there surely
will be if they see much more of each other. All Mrs. Savage's
visitors leave today. The bride and groom go to Baton
Rouge to visit his people.

We called on Mrs. Carson and met Mrs. Rutherford. Her
husband is the Presbyterian minister. He came up to per-
form the ceremony and Mrs. Rutherford came with him. She
is an agreeable Kentucky lady. She gave us pleasant news
of My Brother. She says he has been highly complimented
by his superior officers.

Mr. Stenckrath does not improve on acquaintance. He is
very high tempered and irritable and so sensitive on the
subject of the war. He says he cannot bear to hear us talk
of it, which is too absurd, as if we could help talking in our
own home circle of the most important and stirring facts
in the world to us. He wants us to ignore the existence of
any war and prattle on of the commonplaces of life as though
victory and defeat, suffering and death, had never been
heard of. He came back from Goodrich's this evening wrought
up to the highest pitch of rage and excitement. He had to
drill with the militia and came back anathematizing on the
militia, the officers, and everything connected with it. The
greatest egotist, applies everything said to himself a hypo-
chondriac. He complains all the time, often of an agonizing
pain in his toe. But enough of this tiresome man!

We hear of a victory for us at Boston Mountain, Ark. 21
No particulars. No news for days. The boats are all detained
at Columbus removing government stores. The papers are
making most stirring appeals to the people to give and to
enlist. The Whig is most eloquent. A busy week for all of
us. With morn comes toil but night brings rest.

March 9: Brother Coley came this evening. He will join

21 Pea Ridge, Ark., March 5-8, 1862. Pea Ridge was in reality a
Confederate reverse.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 99

his company Tuesday and they will leave for Jackson, Miss.,
Thursday and shortly after go to Jackson, Tenn.

Cousin Jenny joins her sister at Jackson, Tenn. Cousin
Titia was not at Columbus. Her husband left her at
Memphis.

Brother Coley likes his company quite well. He says there
are about twenty nice gentlemen belonging to it. We laugh
at him about his aristocratic officers one a liverystable
keeper, one an overseer, and the other " a bold butcher boy/'

All of us but Mamma went out to the Lodge to hear Mr.
Rutherford preach. He is a pleasant talker and there was a
large congregation. Better than all there were three soldiers
in their unijorms, the two Mr. Buckners, one a captain and
the other some officer, and a perfect love of a lieutenant in
blue uniform and brass buttons galore. Six feet of soldier
with brass buttons is irresistible, and all the girls capitulated
at once. Did not hear his name and my prophetic soul tells
me he is married. Oh! me. He is one of the escaped heroes
of Fort Donelson. He aroused my liveliest sympathy by being
compelled to balance himself on a backless bench during
the entire service. Is that the way to make our heroes love
church?

May 9: After two months of silence I will resume my
homely chronicles. Reading over the nonsense of the last
page, how sad it seems now, for the Lt. Davis mentioned
with such jesting is dead far away from his mother " an
only son and she a widow." He escaped at the siege of
Donelson only to come home with Capt. Buckner to fall a
prey to a long, lingering illness and die at last among
strangers.

Two days after my last date [March 9], Mamma, Brother
Coley, Brother Walter, and I went down by land to Vicks-
burg. Brother Coley joined his company as a private with
Capt. C. B. Buckner as captain. In a few days they left for
Jackson, Miss., where they still are, and Mamma and Brother
Walter returned home. I remained with Aunt Laura until
last week when Brother Walter came down in the carriage

100 BROKENBURN

for me, and, after moving adventures by field and flood, we
reached home safely.

How many stirring events are crowded into the last sixty
days: Our victory in Hampton Roads; 22 the two-day battle
and victory at Shiloh; the fall of several of our small towns
on the coast; the long bombardment, heroic defense, and
final surrender of Island No. 10; 23 the attack on and success-
ful defense of Fort Pillow; 24 and last and most important of
all the long and terrible bombardment of Fort Jackson with
the passing of the gunboats under heaviest fire and then the
investure and fall of the greatest City of the South, New
Orleans. 25 And not a blow struck in its defense. Such was
not its fate in the days of Jackson.

As a natural consequence of her surrender, the forts also
gave up, and fair Louisiana with her fertile fields of cane and
cotton, her many bayous and dark old forests, lies powerless
at the feet of the enemy. Though the Yankees have gained
the land, the people are determined they shall not have its
wealth, and from every plantation rises the smoke of burning
cotton. The order from Beauregard advising the destruction
of the cotton met with a ready response from the people,
most of them agreeing that it is the only thing to do. As far
as we can see are the ascending wreaths of smoke, and we
hear that all the cotton of the Mississippi Valley from Mem-
phis to New Orleans is going up in smoke. We have found
it is hard to bum bales of cotton. They will smoulder for
days. So the huge bales are cut open before they are lighted
and the old cottons burns slowly. It has to be stirred and

22 At Hampton Roads, Va, the Confederate ironclad Merrimac at-
tacked the Federal Blockading Squadron.

2 3 Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing) , Tenn., April 6-7; Island No. 10, Tenn ,
April 8, 1862. Again, in the case of Shiloh, Kate, influenced by in-
accurate press accounts, calls a reverse a victory.

24 On the Mississippi between Memphis and Island No. 10.

25 April 18-29, 1862. With a population of 168,875, New Orleans was
the largest city in the Confederacy and was the port of entry for
Arkansas, Louisiana, and north Texas, from which the Confederacy
received badly needed food. Union strategy from the first included
cutting the Confederacy in two by seizing the Mississippi. That now
seemed possible with the fall of the forts above Memphis.

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 33 101

turned over but the light cotton from the lint room goes
like a flash. We should know, for Mamma has $0,000 worth
burning on the gin ridge now; it was set on fire yesterday and
is still blazing.

Though agreeing on the necessity of destroying the cotton,
all regret it. And it has thrown a gloom over the country
that nothing but news of a great victory could lighten. We
are watching and praying for that. The planters look upon
the burning of the cotton as almost ruin to their fortunes,
but all realize its stern necessity and we have not heard of
one trying to evade it.

The Yankee gunboats are expected to appear before Vicks-
burg today, and every effort is being made to " welcome them
with bloody hands to hospitable graves." It seems hopeless
to make a stand at Vicksburg. We only hope they may burn
the city if they meet with any resistance. How much better
to burn our cities than let them fall into the enemy's hands.

To resume the earlier record: Two weeks after Dr. Buck-
ner's company left Vicksburg, Aunt Laura, Beverly, and I
went to Jackson to pay them a visit and spent a week at
the Bowman House, a comfortable hotel for these times. I
enjoyed the stay greatly. Saw so many soldiers and other
nice people. And it was such a time of excitement, just after
the battle of Shiloh, and we met so many men and officers
who were in the fight: Maj. McCardle, whom we heard acted
gallantly, Col. Ferguson, aide to Beauregard and lieutenant
colonel of Stark's regiment (the one Dr. Buckner's company
is in) , also mentioned with great praise. He is almost
my beau ideal in looks and manner, a West Pointer. I came
near losing my heart to him. Just hadn't time. He was
ordered off so soon.

The cars were crowded for days with wounded soldiers
going home and relatives going on to see their wounded
friends. Col. Ferguson was a lieutenant of Dragoons stationed
on the extreme western border when he heard, after two
months, of Lincoln's election and resigned at once. And after
a journey of two months he reached South Carolina, his
native state, just in time to act as one of Gen. Beauregard's

102 BROKENBURN

aides during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. He was
recently appointed lieutenant colonel of Stark's regiment.
Beauregard telegraphed him just before the battle and he
went up and acted as his aide during the two days. Dr.
Buckner likes him and Brother Coley likes him as far as he
knows him. But Col. Ferguson is a regular West Pointer in
discipline and Brother Coley is but a private to him. He is
fired with most eager ambition and thirst for distinction. He
has an air of frankness and the most engaging freshness and
naivete in conversation I ever saw in a man. He is tall,
handsome, about twenty-six, susceptible, a South Carolinian,
and a lieutenant colonel a most fascinating combination.
But I will wait until I see him again before really losing my
heart. I made a pretty tobacco bag for him and sent it
without my name. He will be puzzled. 26 Also made one for
Aunt Laura to give Maj. McCardle. Also made embroidered
green covers for Brother Coley and his friend Ben Ricks's
canteens. They said it would keep their water cooler. Ben
Ricks of Yazoo is a nice young fellow, a good friend for
Brother Coley. Saw him several times.

Brother and Uncle Bo, both at Yorktown, sent on to rein-
force Gen. Magruder. A great battle is expected there any
day now. My Brother's company has been exchanged with
Col. Taylor's battalion. He likes Col. Taylor very much and
is glad of the change.

The troops at Yorktown have undergone great hardships,
particularly the Leesburg Brigade, The flower of both armies
with the best generals are stationed within a few miles of
each other and the great battle of the war is soon to be
fought. And our hearts are heavy with anxiety for our two
soldiers who will be in it. Grant a victory/ Father, we pray.

26 Kate's description of Colonel Thomas Barker Ferguson is somewhat
in ^error He attended South Carolina Military Academy, not West
Point, and entered the Confederate service as an engineer, helping con-
struct the batteries at Fort Sumter in April, 1861. Promoted to major
before he was twenty-five, he was shot through the lungs while com-
manding the artillery of Walker's division at Jackson, Miss , in 1862,
but recovered. In 1867 he married Jane Byrd, daughter of Governor
Thomas Swann of Maryland. Dictionary of American Biography, VI,
332-33.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 103

The conscription has caused a great commotion and great
consternation among the shirking stay-at-homes. Around
here, many are deluding themselves with the belief that the
call will not be enforced in Louisiana now that New Orleans
has fallen and Vicksburg is threatened. We are to make a
stand there. A weak one, I fear.

We earnestly hope these coward souls will be made to go.
They are not joining volunteer companies as most of the
conscripts are. They will not even raise a guerrilla troop for
home defense. Not a single man has joined for the last two
months. I forgot George Hardison, who is under age, and
several men from the Bend.

M ay 10: The smoke of the burning cotton is still rising
as far as we can see. For the last five days the air has been
heavy with the smoke and odor of burned cloth. There is
still a day's work here before the last bale is ashes. Mamma
has reserved about eight bales for spinning and making cloth
for the hands.

I must tell an adventure returning ten days ago from
Vicksburg. Brother Walter came for me, with Webster driv-
ing, when I had about given up hope of seeing Brokenburn
again for many months as the Yankees were hourly expected
in Vicksburg. Numbers of people were leaving the city and
Aunt Laura was preparing to go on the next train to Jackson
to be with Dr. Buckner. I would have been forced to go
with her. I could not remain in Vicksburg or with the Nailors
in the country, perhaps for months, and so I was relieved
when Brother Walter walked in. The next morning we crossed
the ferry and were just driving up the road when we were
stopped by the news that the Vicksburg levee had broken.
Already the river road was impassable and in the course of
two hours the water would be over DeSoto. We were horri-
fied but told Webster to turn around and rush as fast as he
could to the depot at Mr. Burney's. Fortunately, we reached
there just in time to catch the train and the last one it
proved to be for many a day. There was a great crowd of
parish people and people going on to Monroe and Texas.
Such excitement! First it was said that the train would be

104 BROKENBURN

cut off by the water, and then that we would be fired on or
captured by a Yankee gunboat. They were momentarily ex-
pected and there were many false alarms of their being in
sight. We shipped everything on a flat car mules, carriage,
Webster and about two or three the train pulled out. We
reached Tallulah station rather late. Met several friends on
the train who begged us to get off and spend the night the
Dancys, Colemans, etc. But I thought in these troublous
times home was the best place. So we drove on as far as
Mrs. Gustine's above the Bend, and as it was then quite
dark we stayed with them all night, Brother Walter going on
home to relieve Mamma's anxiety. They were very cordial.
Had a pleasant visit.

It was the last trip the cars can make until the river falls.
We came through water so deep that it nearly came in the
coaches. They were crowded. In the car with us was a guer-
rilla captain going to Texas to raise a company. He had
just escaped from New Orleans with several men of his com-
mand. He said they burned several thousand bales of cotton
and other supplies. He was so excited and eager and talked
so well of everything he had seen or heard in New Orleans.
He is from New Orleans and his heart and soul are with the
Cause.

Mamma was charmed to get us home again when we ar-
rived next day. The day before Mr. Catlin had ridden by to
tell her that we were cut off by the break in the levee and
that the Yankees were in Vicksburg. She was wretched not
knowing what we would do.

While in Vicksburg I went out and spent a few days with
Pattie Booth. What a delightful home they have and the
loveliest flower garden, nearly equals Mrs. Savage's. While
there we attended a meeting to get up a fair and I met a
number of my old schoolmates of Nashville days. We had
just heard of the dastardly outrage offered Dr. Elliott, the
principal of our school then, and we held a little meeting and
passed resolutions of sympathy. But he can never get them.
Met at Mrs. Booth's Mr. PhUo Valentine, a brother of our
Oasis friend, the elder, also a brother of Mrs. Booth. He is
most agreeable and an assistant surgeon in the C. S. A.

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TUIES" 105

Kate Nailor spent several days with us at Aunt Laura's.
She is looking dreadful but is as lovely as ever. She is soon
to be married to Wilkins Roach and much I fear her heart
is not in it. He is very wealthy and her family are urging it
on, but her heart is in Virginia with My Brother. But they
have had a quarrel and now it can never be set right, because
in a fit of jealousy and pique she is throwing herself away
on a man she barely likes. Poor Kate! And poor absent
lover! They have been sweethearts for years.

May 11: The news of the day is a rumored skirmish and
evacuation of Yorktown, an advance of Morgan and Forrest
with their cavalry troops on Nashville and Paducah to de-
stroy government stores, and the falling back of the Yankee
gunboats to New Orleans instead of attacking Vicksburg.
That will give time to finish the fortifications at Vicksburg
which are going up rapidly. 27 We have seen Butler's Procla-
mation on taking possession of New Orleans and as he has
the cool impudence to say " of the State of Louisiana/' It is
a most tyrannical and insulting document and shows what
mercy we may expect if subjugated. It made my blood boil
to read it and I could cry when I think of New Orleans
completely in his power. Let us hope this will rouse the spirit
of the people who still linger at home and send them to the
battlefield. How can anyone in the South ever fall so low as
to take such an oath of allegiance? 28

May 12: We went yesterday to church and on our return
found Mr. Stockton and the two Messrs. Valentine comfort-

27 Strengthening of the fortifications at Vicksburg started immediately
after the fall of New Orleans. Back of the two-hundred foot bluff on
which the city stands is a series of hills and narrow ridges, natural forti-
fications that lent themselves to defense. Batteries of heavy guns were
placed below the city to command the river. Batteries on the bluff
commanded the river immediately hi front of the town. These emplace-
ments were strengthened, new guns were placed in position, and bomb-
proof magazines built into the ridges and hills. " The Defense of Vicks-
burg," Battles and Leaders, III, 482-83.

28 On May 1 General B. F. Butler issued a proclamation in taking pos-
session of New Orleans in the name of the national government. He
invited any so disposed to take an oath of allegiance. Benjamin F.
Butler, Butlers Book (Boston, 1892) , 379-82.

106 BROKENBURN

ably ensconced in the parlor waiting for us to come and
entertain them until sundown. After they left I felt like a
hard Monday's work had been done, but we still had three
letters to write to our soldiers to meet the only regular mail
since my return. Today my eyes are so tired. Joe Carson
and Mr. Baker spent Saturday evening with us.

We will commence on some clothes for My Brother tomor-
row. He certainly did laugh over the gay red and yellow
flannel suits we sent him in the fall. He did not wear them
at all but gave them to Uncle Bo who sported around in
them to the delight of the whole camp where they were a
great joke. We will do better this time. The gloves with the
open fingers were a flat failure. It seems soldiers are not
always in a hurry or always shooting guns. They always
have time to take off the gloves when necessary to use their
fingers. As the Negroes say, " live and larn."

Tried this morning to get to the Bend to see Julia but the
backwater prevented; I came home but Jimmy braved it all
and went on. Mamma and I have commenced enjoying our
summer siestas and just as we had lain down, cool and com-
fortably undressed, Mrs. Fontaine and her five sons came in
to spend the afternoon.

May 16: Heard nothing new. All are busy sewing on My
Brother's shirts and plaiting hats, hurrying as fast as possible
to get them off to Vicksburg before the Yankees take the
city. Jimmy and Sister are both plaiting for a hat for
Uncle Bo.

Mamma and I rode up to Mrs. Hardison's for a short visit
yesterday evening. I never saw such a quantity of beautiful
ripe strawberries. The levee running through the garden is
positively red with them.

The backwater is slowly creeping up. But the Negroes are
leveeing against it and we hope to keep it out. Today is a
fast day and we are all going to church. Most of us keep the
fast, though the boys find it hard. Mamma is calling me
to get ready Jfor church.

M ay 17: Norfolk has been abandoned and in consequence

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES' 3 107

the Merrimac had to be burned to prevent its falling into
the hands of the enemy.

The gunboats came up to Natchez and demanded the
surrender but on the refusal of the authorities anchored out
in front of the town. One went back to New Orleans, perhaps
for orders. We hear that Brother Coley's company has been
sent back to Vicksburg but no scrap of a letter from the dear
little boy.

Met at church yesterday an old classmate from Nashville,
Sue McNairy, a refugee. Mrs. Carson introduced us to Mrs.
Gen. Buckner, Mrs. Gen. Mclntosh, Mrs. Keene, and Mrs.
Tibbetts. Mrs. Buckner and Mrs. Mclntosh are staying with
some of them until they can rejoin their husbands. Mrs.
Carson was in her element introducing them to everybody
in church. We are invited to spend today at Mrs. Savage's
to meet Sue McNairy.

The Negroes on that place have measles but it is confined
as yet to the quarters.

May 19: Spent the night at Mrs. Savage's. Sue did not
come, much to my disappointment, as I wanted to have a
long talk with her about our classmates. A storm prevented
her. Natchez has surrendered and the gunboats are now
above Rodney. 29 We listen hourly for the cannonading to
begin at Vicksburg. Surely the gallant Mississippians will
not give up their chief city without a struggle.

Better the fire above the roll,
Better the shot, the blade, the bowl,
Than crucifixion of the SouL

Better one desperate battle and the city in flames than tame
submission.

Brother Walter went out to Omega to send a letter by
the mail rider to Brother Coley. No news from them.

I went up to Mrs. Hardison's to get some pinking done and
have been working all the rest of the day on my black barege
dress.

We heard the barking of cannon today and thought at first

29 Natchez surrendered May 12, 1862.

108 BROKENBURN

the fight was on at Vicksburg, but the firing was so slow we
think now they were only getting the range of the guns.

May 20: The flower garden is one mass of blooms now
and the fragrance on the front gallery is delicious. Uncle
Hoccles is very proud of his promising vegetables. But we
hear there is great danger of the levee giving away just in
front of us, and in that case farewell to gardens, orchards,
crops, and everything. The levee for two miles is in a
wretched state, but the planters have put all the available
men on it and are working hard. They may save the day.

May 22: All yesterday and today we have heard can-
nonading at Vicksburg, sometimes so faint that it is more a
vibration than a noise and again quite a loud, clear report.
Oh, if we could only know just what is going on there. 30 But
it may be days before we get any authentic accounts. We do
not know the importance of holding Vicksburg. We know
nothing of the plans. Some say the resistance there is only
a feint to give Beauregard more time at Corinth, Miss., but
we hope it is a desperate attempt to hold the city against
all odds. We are sick of hearing of these prudent, cautious
retreats without firing a gun. Our only hope is in desperate
fighting. We are so outnumbered. We think Dr. Buckner's
company is in Vicksburg, but being cavalry they may not
be engaged.

Evening. Brother Walter rode out on the dangerous levee
and he thinks it will hold. Heard that the attack on Vicks-
burg will be made this evening at 3 o'clock, the enemy land-
ing at Warrenton and coming in the rear of the city. Brother
Walter is almost wild to take part in the battle there. He has
been in tears about it for the last week. This evening he
has defied all control and taken the reins in his own hand.
He has gone out to the river if possible to get a seat in some
skiff going down. He says he must and will be in that fight,
but we are not very anxious about him. We are sure all
skiffs leaving Pecan Grove will have gotten away long before

30 As Kate notes later, this firing was being done by Confederate
artillerists testing guns.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 109

he reaches there, as it was two when he left. Mamma gave
him some money but he took no clothes. He will be com-
pelled to return soon. But Mamma feels that before many
days she will be called on to give up this her third son to
fight for his country.

It seems useless to have a teacher. The boys left at home
cannot settle to any work and who can blame them.

All the boats stopped running three weeks ago on the fall
of New Orleans and we have not had a mail since. There is
no communication with anywhere except by skiff as the
levees are broken between here and Vicksburg.

All the boys are out on the river and we expect them to
bring Anna Dobbs back with them to stay a few days. It
seems odd to be expecting company and no flour or any
" boughten " delicacy to regale them on, but we have been
on a strict " war footing " for some time cornbread and
home-raised meal, milk and butter, tea once a day, and coffee
never. A year ago we would have considered it impossible
to get on for a day without the things that we have been
doing without for months. Fortunately we have sugar and
molasses, and after all it is not such hard living. Common
cornbread admits of many variations in the hands of a good
cook eggbread (we have lots of eggs) , muffins, cakes, and so
on. Fat meat will be unmitigated fat meat, but one need not
eat it. And there are chickens, occasional partridges, and
other birds, and often venison, vegetables of all kinds minus
potatoes; and last but not least, knowing there is no help for
it makes one content. There is hardly a family in the parish
using flour constantly. All kept some for awhile for company
and for the sick, but it is about exhausted now. 31

Clothes have become a secondary consideration. Fashion
is an obsolete word and just to be decently clad is all we
expect. The change in dress, habits, and customs is nowhere

31 Shortage of flour became general through, the Confederacy early
in the war. Numerous substitutes were tried, rice flour, cornmeal,
hominy, pea-meal, sorghum flour, " pumpkin bread," acorns, persimmons,
clover, and lilies. Most people used cornmeal. Mary Elizabeth Massey,
Ersatz in the Confederacy (Columbia, S. C., 1952) , 68-69.

110 BROKENBURN

more striking than in the towns. 32 A year ago a gentleman
never thought of carrying a bundle, even a small one, through
the streets. Broadcloth was de rigueur. Ceremony and fash-
ion ruled in the land. Presto-change. Now the highest in
rank may be seen doing any kind of work that their hands
find to do. The men have become " hewers of wood and
drawers of water " and pack bundles of all sorts and sizes. It
may be a pile of blankets, a stack of buckets, or a dozen
bundles. One gentleman I saw walking down the street in
Jackson, and a splendid-looking fellow he was, had a piece of
fish in one hand, a cavalry saddle on his back, bridle, blankets,
newspapers, and a small parcel in the other hand; and over
his shoulder swung an immense pair of cavalry boots. And
nobody thought he looked odd. Their willingness to fetch
and carry is only limited by their strength. All the soldiers
one sees when traveling are loaded down with canteen, knap-
sack, haversack, and blankets. Broadcloth is worn only by
the drones and fireside braves. Dyed linsey is now the fash-
ionable material for coats and pants. Vests are done away
with, colored flannel, merino, or silk overshirts taking the
place. A gentleman thinks nothing of calling on half a dozen
young ladies dressed in home-dyed Negro cloth and blue
checked shirt. If there is a button or stripe to show that he
is one of his country's defenders, he is sure of warmest wel-
come. Another stops to talk to a bevy of ladies. He is laden
down with a package of socks and tin plates that he is carry-
ing out to camp, and he shifts the bundles from side to side
as he grows interested and his arms get tired. In proportion
as we have been a race of haughty, indolent, and waited-on
people, so now are we ready to do away with all forms and
work and wait on ourselves.

The Southerners are a noble race, let them be reviled as
they may, and I thank God that He has given my birthplace
in this fair land among these gallant people and in a time
when I can show my devotion to my Country.

32 Though shortage of clothing developed more slowly than shortage
of food, eventually civilians had difficulty in being " decently clad,"
Ibid., 79-98, *

1862: " THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES " 111

May 23: Have heard of my darling Katie's marriage.
Who would have thought after our long close intimacy that
I would hear of her wedding only by accident. I know she
has written me everything but no letters come now. So have
passed our dreams of sisterhood. I hope oh how I hope
she has been able to forget the old love and is content with
the new. May my dear girl be happy. God bless her and
hers. I shall miss her out of my life, my dearest girl friend.
How it will affect My Brother I can hardly say, but I have
thought of late he had given up his love dream and was
willing to take the dismissal he forced upon her.

Brother Walter could not get off, greatly to his chagrin.
He brought us the Whig of last Tuesday containing the cor-
resondence of the authorities of Natchez and Vicksburg with
the Yankees. The first city says you can take us if you will
but under protest; we can do nothing. The second city says
we will fight to the last. The gunboats have been at Vicks-
burg for a week and have secured their answer to the demand
to surrender some days ago, but there has been no bombard-
ment. What we heard was the artillery men trying their guns.

In the Whig is Butler's last infamous proclamation. It
seems that the openly expressed scorn and hatred of the New
Orleans women for Butler's vandal hordes has so exasperated
him that he issues this proclamation: That henceforth if
any female by word, look, or gesture, shall insult any of his
soldiers, the soldier shall have perfect liberty to do with her
as he pleases. Could any order be more infamous? It is but
carrying out the battle cry "Bounty and Beauty" with
which they started for New Orleans. May he not long pollute
the soil of Louisiana. 33

The levee is still very insecure with the river rising and the

33 General Butler's General Order No. 28, the famous " woman order/'
issued May 15, 1862, stated: " As officers and soldiers of the United
States have been subject to repeated insults from women, calling them-
selves ladies, of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-
interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered hereafter, when any
female shall, by mere gesture or movement, insult, or show contempt
for any officers or soldiers of the United States, she shall be regarded
and held liable to be treated as a woman about the town plying her
vocation." Butler's Book, 414-19.

112 BROKENBURN

rains bad on it. Many plantation hands are at work on it
all the time and the owners watching it anxiously. We are
almost overflowed from rain water as the ditches had to be
stopped to keep out backwater.

A note from Julia. They are washed out of house and
home and are staying with Mrs. Maher. She would visit us
could she get here. I wish she could. I cling to my other girl
friends now that Kate is gone.

Have done much reading lately in borrowed books. The
Huguenots 3 * by James quite interesting; Caste, 35 a hateful,
disgusting work on slavery of course and nothing true; the
shady side of life in a country parsonage, descriptive of the
life of a Northern minister does to read when there is nothing
else; and The Widow Bidott Papers, 30 very amusing for
awhile. Now I am on Rob Roy* 7 worth all the books ever
written in Yankeedom.

I have plaited one hat for My Brother, but as we have had
no opportunity to send his clothes, Jimmy has taken posses-
sion of it. Have started plaiting a very fine one for Brother
Coley.

May 25: Everything shines out bright and fair in the
spring sunshine after the gloom of the last few days. The
flowers wave and glisten most invitingly across the grass
beyond the shadows of the great oaks, but it is too wet to
venture over Nature's carpeting of soft, green grass. This
evening we may plan what we please. The levees having
stood so far we think will stand faithfully to the end. They
have certainly been found faithful among few.

Brother Walter went yesterday to get Mr. Mark Valentine
to accompany him to Vicksburg to join in the fight there.
He found him willing as he said and anxious to go, but
actually Mr. Valentine had not had the energy to make the

84 The Eugenots; or, The French Protestants (1838) , a novel by G. P.
E. James (1799-1860) .

35 A short novel by Emily Jolly published in London, 1857.

36 Originally published as a series of humorous sketches in magazines
in the 1840's, the book by Frances Miriam Whitcher (1812-52) was
published hi 1855.

37 By Sir Walter Scott, published in 1817.

1869: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 39 113

necessary arrangement to get off. He needed someone like
Brother Walter, who is only seventeen, to give him an im-
petus. Brother Walter is in better mood and confident of
getting up a party and starting tomorrow. Dr. Lily, Mr.
McNeely, Mr. Baker, and Capt. Buckner went down two
days ago, and Brother Walter was so dreadfully disappointed
at not getting off with them.

May 26: All went to church yesterday. Mr. Holbury has
started a Sunday school and Little Sister is eager to join it.
Found the two Mr. Valentines awaiting us. Sunday is their
visiting day. Old Mr. Valentine is very despondent, fore-
telling the most abject poverty and starvation for the whole
country. He came over to try and induce Mamma to have
all the cotton plowed up in order to plant corn and to beg
her not to let Brother Walter go to Vicksburg. He says,
" Mark shall not go." He has made himself very unpopular
by his bitter opposition to the cotton burning and by not
allowing his son to join the army. There is no doubt he
should go at once. Some actually think Mr. Valentine is in
favor of our enemies and advocate hanging him by mob law.
A most unjust report and utterly without foundation. I sup-
pose his being of Northern birth increases the prejudice. The
old gentleman we do not know very well, but we know the
young one well and all like him immensely.

In the afternoon there was a cry raised that there was a
bear in the cane. The boys with their dogs and guns turned
out in force, assisted by Mr. McRae, Ben Clarkson, as did
all the Negroes who could get mules, while the others armed
themselves with axes and sticks and cautiously approached
the outskirts. The excitement ran high and we at the house
had full benefit as it was in the canebrake just back of the
yard. We could hear the barking of the dogs, the reports of
the guns, and the cries and shouts of the whole party. It was
very exhilirating. They returned in the highest state of
excitement but without the bear. They went out next morn-
ing but with no better success.

Brother Walter has given up the idea of going to war
just now.

114 BROKENBURN

May 28: Yesterday evening and far into the night we
heard the roar of cannonading more distinct and rapid than
ever heard before. It must be at Vicksburg. Today all is
quiet. One understands after hearing the long rolling booms
how deafening it must be on a battlefield. Mrs. Abe Curry,
Sue, and Mrs. Hazelitt spent yesterday with us and it passed
very agreeably. The gentlemen who went to Vicksburg from
Pecan Grove are back. They saw none of our friends. Dr.
Buckner's company is on picket duty near Warrenton.

The river is falling all the way down and we are saved from
overflow this year.

Papers and letters this evening, a month old.

May SO: We have a paper of the twenty-seventh. It
brings the good news of a battle or surprise by Stonewall
Jackson at Winchester and Front Royal and the capture of
all the stores at the former place and many prisoners. All the
news is rather encouraging. We are holding our own at Fort
Pillow. At Corinth the enemy are reported in retreat to
their gunboats which, now that the Tennessee River is falling,
they are compelled to get out at once. All is well in Virginia.
And nearer home at Vicksburg there is nothing to discourage
us. The slight shelling did no harm, and the soldiers are full
of hope and anxious for the Yankees to land to give them
the " worst beating they ever had in their lives."

We hear the men behaved awfully at Warrenton, burned
the property of Mr. Walker and Mr. Turner and put them
in prison.

My Brother and Uncle Bo have been gone just a year and
what a year of changes. Nature smiles as bright and fair now
as under the May sun of a year ago, but where are all " the
loved ones who filled our home with glee? " Four of the dear
familiar faces are absent. One sleeps the sleep that knows
no waking. For him we have no more fear or trouble, for
we know he has passed from Death into Life that " all is
well with the child." But oh, the weary days of waiting and
watching for the other three.

Jimmy brought us two recent letters from My Brother.
He encloses some violets gathered from the old trenches

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 9 ' 115

around Yorktown, dug there by Washington's army. His
tent stands just where Cornwallis gave up his sword. What
supreme satisfaction if McClellan could be induced to do
the same thing at the same place. They say history repeats
itself. 38 My Brother takes a most elderly brother tone re-
garding Tom Manlove's love affairs. Four months ago Tom
was desperate about Miss Eva, and now Miss Flora reigns sole
empress of his heart for the next month. But My Brother
need not be critical, as he is not so constant himself. He so
regrets leaving Uncle Bo. They are now in different com-
mands. He is anxious to get his clothes and speaks confi-
dently of coming home.

Jimmy brought Julia as far as Mrs. Hardison's. She will
come on in the cool of evening.

June 6: Nothing startling during the week. Julia is with
us. The usual routine, visiting and receiving visits. Received
this evening a late Vicksburg Whig. A good deal of interest.
A number of shot and shell thrown but no material injury.
One shot went through the Methodist church.

Brother Walter went to Pecan Grove and Jimmy to the
Bend trying to get molasses, but none to be had. Rumors
are that the people at Baton Rouge, Natchez, and New
Orleans had risen en masse and killed Butler and all his
soldiers. We hoped I had almost said prayed that it might
be so, but I am not yet so hardened that I can pray even
for a Yankee's death. We learned soon after that it was only
a canard.

We caught a pretty lot of fish out of the bayou just out in
front of the house. Julia was the most successful fisherman.

All are busy plaiting for hats. Mamma does the sewing.
The palmetto is beautifully white and soft after bleaching.
Have plaited three and a basket recently one beautifully
fine one for Mamma to give Mr. Valentine and am busy
now on one for Sister. Shall make an exceedingly fine one
for Col. Ferguson if I have luck.

38 Kate's brother was in the Confederate Army opposing General
George B. McClellan's advance on Richmond on the line of the York
Biver.

116 BROKENBURN

Thursday we were all up betimes and Julia, Jimmy, Johnny,
and I set off before 7 o'clock to fish at the head of Grassy
Lake. The ride in the cool morning air through the dark
still woods, sweet with the breath of the wild grape blossoms,
and in such merry company, was a thing to enjoy. We
stopped to gather the first blackberries, cool and wet with
dew. How often I think of Ashburn when the pleasures he
so enjoyed a year ago are in the world again. How many a
merry ride we have taken together, enjoying all the sights
and sounds of spring. Dear heart, I know he is happy now
beyond our dreams of bliss, but oh, to see him once more
now that spring is in the land.

The ride home through Oasis was just perfect. On one side
were the tall colonnades of cypress and on the other the far
reaching rows of waving corn, emerald in the sun. The
horses were fleet and free as the wind that fanned us, and
a smooth, hard road rang like metal under the hoofs of the
horses. We had just time to dress and get comfortably
settled in the front hall with our plaiting all around us and
were telling Mamma our morning's adventures when Mr.
Valentine came in. His first remark was "How cool and
pleasant you all look." He stayed until ten at night and made
himself very agreeable. In the afternoon we left him to
Brother Walter while we took our usual evening rest. They
played chess and backgammon and later we had music, con-
versation, and cards. He much regretted not joining us on
our morning ride. He failed only because he knew nothing
of it and did not see us as we galloped through his place half
a mile from his home. Naturally he did not.

Letters from My Brother and Capt. Manlove dated May
20 at Richmond. He told us of their marching from York-
town and the fight they were in at Williamsburg. Both
escaped unwounded. He wrote us of our one-time friend, Mr.
Hewitt. He is passing himself off in Nashville as a wealthy
Louisiana planter and as a colonel of a Mississippi regiment
taken at Donelson and on parole. He is engaged to be mar-
ried to one of the nice girls of Nashville. He is such a
dreadful fraud, a perfect adventurer, and we think gets

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 39 117

married at nearly every town in which he spends a month.
He is very handsome, tall and blond, with delightful manners
and always manages to get in with the best people. My
Brother took the liberty of writing to the girl's father a full
account of Mr. Hewitt, and we hope the girl will be saved.
The Jeff Davis Guards were highly complimented for their
gallantry on the field of Williamsburg and Capt. Tom Man-
love is praised for his heroism in battle. His father, Capt.
Manlove, wrote Mamma about it, and we saw it afterwards
in Wednesday's Whig. Such a gratification to his father. The
battalions were in the two days at Chickahominy. 30 All the
officers escaped unhurt except the 3rd lieutenant who was
killed. I think that is Lt. Floyd, to whom we sent things
in My Brother's box.

June 8: Anna, Robert, and Emily have just spent the last
two days with us. Robert is home on sick leave. He has just
spent five weeks in the hospital and looks dreadful. He does
not want to talk, only to eat and sleep. So congenial Anna
is more quiet than ever before. All went fishing in the
afternoon.

No late news from Brother Coley. Why does he not write?
Now that he has been in two battles, he must be better
satisfied. We are glad to see his company so highly spoken
of. Must stop. They are calling us to go to church.

Evening. What a budget of news we heard there: " Poor
Stokes/' arrested at Knoxville as a spy and his appeal to
his friends in Madison Parish to bear witness to his love of
the South, the fight at Fort Pillow, the evacuation of Vicks-
burg, the occupation of Memphis, the defeat of our gunboats
and the loss of seven out of nine, and the falling back of
Beauregard from Corinth to Holly Springs. 40 What a long list
of disasters. But there is some good news to offset it. Mrs.
Dancy sent out Friday's papers giving an account of the

39 Kate is probably referring to the Battle of Fair Oaks or Seven
Pines, May Si-June 1, 1862.

40 Port Pillow, Tenn , June 4; Memphis, Tenn., June 6, 1862. The
gunboats referred to were lost in the naval battle for Memphis. The
report about Vicksburg being lost was, of course, unfounded. Beauregard
retired to Tupelo, not Holly Springs.

118 BROKENBURN

victory at Chickahominy after a two-day fight, capturing
camp, breastworks, and ten guns. Stonewall Jackson has
crossed the Potomac, whipped Banks' army, and ten thou-
sand Marylanders have flocked to his standard. Again, a
rumor that France and Spain have recognized the Con-
federacy. We are hoping the bad news is all false and the
good all true.

Julia and I wrote all the news off in telegraphic style and
sent it over to Mr. Valentine by the messenger who carried
over a palmetto hat 41 and some books sent by Mamma.

June 9: The men had another meeting at Goodrich's
today, and as usual they did a great deal of talking and
nothing else.

We went fishing and came back with nice strings of perch.
We found Mrs. Carson and Katie being entertained by Mam-
ma. They stayed until one. Their first visit for three months.
Mrs. Carson was evidently miffed about something. We did
not know what. Mr. Stenckrath perhaps made mischief.
But she seems all right now. So let it pass, no time for
neighborhood rows. Not a word from Kate since I left
Vicksburg.

June 11: Mamma, Julia, and I went out to Mrs. Savage's
today, and when at the Ballard gate Uncle Tom let go the
reins to shut it the mules set off at a gallop. They ran about
a mile and, crossing the bayou bridge safely, swerved to one
side, and dashed into the woods. But they were soon brought
up by going one on each side of a tree with no worse injury
to the carriage than the breaking of the pole. I had jumped
out just as we turned into the woods, compelled by Mamma's
hand, and landed just in the midst of a thorn bush, a little
scratched and torn. Mamma was in the carriage and was all
right, except for the fright. We hurried back to see how
Julia had fared, for she had obeyed Mamma and jumped
out soon after the mules started to run. We found her about

41 Because of shortage of materials, hats for both men and women were
made of many kinds of grasses and straw, palmetto being the most
popular. When palmetto was not available, hats were made of wheat,
oat, and rye straw.

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 119

half a mile away trudging to find us, thinking maybe we had
been killed, with Uncle Tom not far behind hurrying to get
to us. Julia was quite used up. She had fallen fiat in the
dust, broken her comb, lost her hair pins, torn her dress,
and was quite badly bruised and shaken. Uncle Tom patched
up the pole and we were so glad to escape so easily that we
got in the carriage and went on to pay our visit. But Julia
is sore and tired tonight. Mamma always gets so frightened
when the horses run away and always tries to get everybody
to jump out while she waits until all are out to jump and
save herself. My idea is that it is much safer to stay in and
I always try to hold Mamma in.

We found Mrs. Savage in all the hurry of packing up.
Dr. Lily and Robert have at last persuaded her to leave the
river and go out to Bayou Macon until the war is over, for
fear of the Yankees raiding the places when they come down
the river. Mrs. Savage and the other ladies are much op-
posed to leaving home, but they have been over-persuaded.

Her garden is lovely now. How Mrs. Savage will miss her
flowers when she is far away. Robert is improving rapidly
and shall soon rejoin his command.

We still hold Vicksburg and will hold on as long as it is
possible. Mr. Selser is just from there. He saw Brother
Coley, who keeps well. Much dissatisfaction in the company.
We hear that another grand battle has been fought near
Richmond, resulting in the defeat of McClellan. Oh! that it
may be true.

Both Uncle Bo and My Brother must have been in it.
Mamma just received a letter from them dated in April.

Yankee gunboats are looked for tomorrow or next day.

June 18: We got a paper with the latest news Stonewall
Jackson's successes in Maryland and his defeat of Shields
and Fremont. The news is most encouraging, but we listen
with trembling hearts for fear he may be surrounded and cut
off there in the enemy's country.

Julia was so hurt by her runaway adventure that she could
not get up until afternoon. Joe Carson came in the evening
and stayed long enough after breakfast for me to beat

120 BROKENBURN

two games of chess. Mrs. Alexander and Lou came to take
Julia to spend the day, and just as she was ready to go here
came pacing up Mr. McGee and Mr. NcNeely to spend the
" live-long day/' In a few minutes Brother Walter and Dun-
can Gustine came in from the Bend. Brother Walter has
been riding around nearly every day ostensibly hunting, but
we think he is trying to organize a secret guerrilla company
to harass the enemy should they land troops near here. He,
Duncan, and Ben Clarkson went down to see Charley Scott
this evening to go hunting they said.

June 17: Well, today we will spend quietly at home as
Julia is in bed, trying to ward off a chill. She had one coming
from church Sunday,

Yesterday we spent at Dr. Carson's. One of the hottest
days possible. Gen. Breckinridge was in the neighborhood
and was expected to dinner, but much to our regret did not
come. 42 We all wished to meet him. We have not yet seen
a major general and he is said to be exceedingly handsome.
Mrs. Carson is much depressed, worrying all the time about
Joe's going to the army. She will not let him get off. Joe,
Mr. Baker, and Mr. McNeely made themselves very agree-
able. We had a charming time in the grand old garden. Mrs.
Buckner and her three children came in the afternoon. How
she does admire her husband, who is now a Major.

Saturday Julia, Sister, Johnny, and I rode down on horse-
back to call on Mrs. Maher and coming back stopped with
Mrs. Graves until evening excessively warm. Theresa and
Lamartine Graves came back with us and stayed until next
evening. All went riding, but it was too warm and dusty
for pleasure. Brother Walter has gone to Vicksburg to spend
a week with Brother Coley. He went on an old flatboat as
the road is still impassable. We sent a hat to Brother Coley
and one for Col. Ferguson but they may be sights by the
time the owners get them, as Brother Walter is not the most

42 Jolin C Breckinridge, onetime Vice-President of the United States,
and a presidential candidate in 1860, entered the Confederate service as
a brigadier general and soon was promoted to major general. He was at
this time in command of troops in Mississippi. Biographical Directory
of U. S. Congress.

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 121

careful boy in the world. Yesterday and for several days the
Bend has been crowded with soldiers going from the army
at Corinth to Little Rock [Ark.]. Some of them the river
planters send on in wagons but numbers of them walk.
Johnny and Jimmy have started to school again.

June 20: Good news from My Brother. We see from the
last Whig that he is now Adjutant of the 2nd Miss. Bat-
talion. I am so glad. He ranks now as Captain. He is not
ambitious for himself, but I am very ambitious for him. All
my dreams of future glory for our name center in My Brother.
God bless him.

June 21: Julia left us today after a much enjoyed visit
of three weeks that have passed all too quickly. She is a
charming guest, so gay and full of life and never, no never
makes mischief. Mrs. Carson and Katie spent the morning
and Joe the afternoon and evening. We amused him with
chess and music. Sister enjoys having Katie with her, and
Mamma and Mrs. Carson have pleasant chats together while
Mrs. Carson's boys and ours are great friends.

One evening we all went fishing on Prairie Lake, through
sloughs and the densest canebrakes. We could scarcely
force the horses through the ugly banks to the lake, and
there were more crayfish and snakes than we ever saw. Not
many fish. But it was a new jaunt and we liked the excite-
ment of the ride.

While Julia was here, we all went to spend one day at
Mrs. Curry's and it passed very gaily with talking and
laughing, sewing and plaiting hats. In the afternoon we
ventured again to Prairie Lake eight boys and four girls
and a merry time we had racing through the cane over logs
and stump holes, dodging vines and fallen trees. So reck-
lessly they rode, I feared someone would be hurt. Mr. Haze-
litt did pitch head foremost into my hat as he stopped to
pick it up, but he was not hurt. And such a lot of splendid
fish we brought home.

Julia, Mrs. Abe Curry, Sue Richards, and I and Mr. Haze-

BROKENBURN

litt, Duncan Gustine, Mr. Clarkson's boys, the two Mackeys,
our two boys, and little How Curry were the party.
Rumors of a ninety-day armistice.

June 25: Well, we have at last seen what we have been
looking for for weeks the Yankee gunboats descending the
river. The Lancaster No. 3 led the way, followed by the ram
Monarch** We hope they will be the first to be sunk at
Vicksburg. We shall watch for their names. They are pollut-
ing the waters of the grand old Mississippi. Monday when
Mamma and I went out to Mr. Newman's to spend the day
and stopped at Mrs. Savage's to get Anna, Mr. McGee came
down and told us the gunboats were in sight at Goodrich's,
and about 4 o'clock, while at dinner, one of the servants said
they were coming around the bend. We all ran out on the
gallery for our first sight of the enemy, and soon we saw one
craft bearing rapidly down the river, dark, silent, and sinister.
Very few men were in sight and no colors were flying. There
were no demonstrations on either side, but oh, how we hated
her deep down in our hearts, not the less that we were power-
less to do any harm. Soon three others came gliding noise-
lessly by, and we could have seen every boat and all the men
sunk to the bottom of the river without a pang of regret.
One transport was crowded with men. It looked black with
them, and they had the impudence to wave at us. We would
have been glad to return the compliment with a shot from a
battery crashing right into the boat. One passed, then turned,
and rounded into the hole just in front of the house, blowing
the whistle.

We were certain she was going to land, and since the house
is just at the river, a scene of excitement ensued. The
gentlemen insisted we should leave the house and hide some-
where until the carriage could be hitched up for us to flee
to the back country. We rushed around the house, each
person picking up any valuable in the way of silver, jewelry,

43 After the fall of the river forts north of Memphis and then the
fall of Memphis itself, the Mississippi was open to the Federal fleet all
the way down to Vicksburg. These boats were waiting for Admiral
Farragut's fleet to come up from below Vicksburg.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 123

or fancy things he could find, and away we ran through the
hot, dusty quarter lot, making for the only refuge we could
see, the tall, thick cornfield just beyond the fence. Two
soldiers who were taking dinner with us were hurried ahead,
as we knew they would be captured if recognized. Just as
we were in full retreat, a motley crew soldiers, women,
children, and all the servants, in full view of the boat we
could see the spyglasses levelled at us. Some one called for
us to come back. It was a feint. The gunboat was not
landing. So we turned back to the house, a hot excited lot
of people, and the dinner cold on the table.

The boats ran up and down for awhile and then anchored
for the night at the foot of the Island. 44 A boat came ashore
with three men and they had quite a conversation with some
of our fireside braves assembled to see the sights. The
Yankees, one a Col. Elliott, 45 were in full uniform and armed
cap-a-pie. Some of the men, notably Mr. Newman and Mr.
Hannah, answered all their questions, told them all they
knew, and then tried to buy provisions from the boats, telling
the officers they were nearly starving. It was an awful story
for the country is filled with every eatable that could be
raised. Mr. Cox acted like a man of proper spirit and denied
what the other men had said about starvation.

The two Newman girls and Robert Norris came out home
with us to await developments. Robert has fever and the
mumps, and while Mamma hates dreadfully for the disease
to get on the place, she could not let Robert, a soldier, run
the risk of being captured out on the river. And so she in-
vited him to stay with us. There were five of the boats, one
at Goodrich's, two about Omega, and two others have gone
farther down the river.

June 26: Mrs. Savage and Emily came out this morning

44 The island mentioned here is Island No. 103, or what was then
known as My Wife's Island. It was located near to the Madison Parish
side of the river a few miles north of Vicksburg.

45 Probably Colonel Alfred W. Ellet, commander of the Monarch.
Altogether there were six Ellets, brothers, father and son, and nephews,
connected with the Federal rams. Gosnell, Guns on the Western Waters,
92-93.

124 BROKENBURN

to breakfast, and as she thought there was no further danger,
she took Robert home with her. The Yankee officers said
they came ashore to u assure the inhabitants that they medi-
tated no injury." They had seen some ladies very much
frightened and they regretted it, as the ladies were in no
danger and would not be molested in any way. Annie and
Lizzie Newman spent today with Mrs. Hardison and tonight
at Mrs. Curry's, returning here in the morning. We are so
anxious about Brother Walter. We cannot see how he can
get home.

June 27: Brother Walter is safe at home again. He got
back last night looking as brown and weather-beaten as any
soldier of them all and so tired and stiff that he can hardly
walk. He crossed the river in a skiff and walked all the way
from Vicksburg to Willow Bayou in one day, following the
railroad track. Mrs. Morris sent him on the next day on
horseback, and we were delighted when he rode up. Brother
Coley is well and in high spirits. Aunt Laura and Beverly
are in Jackson. Brother Walter would have remained over
for the fight at Vicksburg, but the battle on land is not
expected to come off for some weeks yet. So he very wisely
came home.

Lizzie and Annie Newman went home this morning. I
hope they enjoyed their visit. They seemed to find it pleas-
ant as they did not want to go home for another week.

Joe Carson came out Wednesday afternoon. And Thurs-
day, directly after an early breakfast, we started out to
Prairie Lake fishing. We stopped at Mrs. Curry's for the
Newman girls and we got not only them but Sue and Miss
Bledsoe as well. We stayed until eleven and had a lovely
time. It was so pleasant in the woods fragrant wild grape
blossoms, a delightful breeze, and a deep blue sky with
drifting clouds of snow. The finest fish were biting just fast
enough to make it interesting without being tiresome. It was
a gay company and the horses seemed to enjoy the ride as
much as the riders. Lizzie came home with us. The girls go
home in the morning.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES"

Col. Ferguson's hat was a flat failure too small. Srocher
Coley's was just right.

Dr. Buckner is indeed a friend in need. He sent Mamma,
by Brother Walter, several hundred dollars to buy supplies.
A most kind and generous action that we all appreciate.
Money is so hard to raise these days and this will last some
time.

June 29: Brother Walter brought a letter from My
Brother to Mamma. It was sent by Tom Manlove, who is
at home on sick leave. In the letter he is despondent and
homesick and very anxious about us all now that the enemy
is at our very doors. He says that it will kill him to remain
idle in Virginia when we are in such danger and that he must
come back to see about us and fight with the Mississippi
army. He seems so desperate. We fear he will do something
rash and get into trouble. He cannot realize that we are safe
enough for the present.

We hear today that the Yankees are impressing all the
Negro men on the river places and putting them to work on
a ditch which they are cutting across the point opposite
Vicksburg above DeSoto. They hope to turn the river
through there and to leave Vicksburg high and dry, ruining
that town and enabling the gunboats to pass down the river
without running the gauntlet of the batteries at Vicksburg. 46
They have lately come up as far as Omega, four miles from
us, taking the men from Mr. Noland's place down. We hear
several have been shot attempting to escape. We were satis-
fied there would soon be outrages committed on private
property. Mamma had all the men on the place called up,
and she told them if the Yankees came on the place each
Negro must take care of himself and run away and hide.
We think they will.

From a late paper we see that Butler is putting his foot

48 General Thomas Williams' brigade landed on the Louisiana side of
the river opposite Vicksburg on June 25, 1862, and collected about 1,200
Negroes from the neighboring plantations to dig a canal across the mile-
wide peninsula created by a hairpin turn in the Mississippi F. V.
Greene, The Mississippi (New York, 1909) , 21-23.

126 BROKENBURN

down more firmly every day. A late proclamation orders
every man in the city to take the oath of allegiance. There
will be the most severe penalties in case of refusal. Butler
had Mr. Mumford, a gentleman of New Orleans, shot for
tearing down the first flag hoisted in New Orleans over the
mint. The most infamous order and murder of which only
Butler is capable. Is the soul of Nero reincarnated in the
form of Butler? Why can he not fall of the scourge of New
Orleans, yellow fever?

Gen. Breckinridge started to Vicksburg yesterday in a
carriage, and he runs great risk of being captured, as they
have pickets across the point. 47 Several of our soldiers have
been taken trying to make their way across there. Brother
Walter slipped through just in time.

The drought was broken last night by a good rain and
the planters are feeling better. This insures a good corn
crop and it was beginning to suffer. It is so essential to make
good food crops this year. When we heard the cool drops
splashing on the roof, "We thanked God and took fresh
courage." Such a lovely morning. It is a pleasure to breathe
the soft, cool air and look out over the glad, green fields,
flashing and waving in the early sunlight.

Mamma had a chill and was in bed all day. How I dread
to see her start again having fevers.

Martha, one of Courtney's twins, will die, they think
tonight. The poor little creature has suffered a long time.

Mr. Catlin, Mrs. Bledsoe, and my pet aversion, Dr. Slicer,
are amusing themselves during all this time of threatened
ruin and disaster by getting up fish frys and picnics, aided
and abetted by all that set back there calling themselves
second-class and they have named themselves truly.

Sister sent Douglas's hat over to him. Joe Carson's is
nearly done, but only Mamma can finish it and she is sick.

June SO: The excitement is very great. The Yankees

47 General Breckinridge was hastening to Vicksburg where he was to
command troops. The Confederates expected a land attack after the
successful running of the batteries on June 7-28 by Farragut's fleet.
" The Defense of Vicksburg," Battles and Leaders, TTT, 483-84.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 9 ' 127

have taken the Negroes off all the places below Omega, the
Negroes generally going most willingly, being promised their
freedom by the vandals. The officers coolly go on the places,
take the plantation books, and call off the names of all the
men they want, carrying them off from their masters without
a word of apology. They laugh at the idea of payment and
say of course they will never send them back. A good many
planters are leaving the river and many are sending their
Negroes to the back country. We hope to have ours in a
place of greater safety by tomorrow.

Dr. Nutt and Mr. Mallett are said to be already on their
way to Texas with the best of their hands. Jimmy and Joe
went to the Bend and Richmond today. They saw Julia and
Mary Gustine, who sent me word that I was a great coward
to run away. Mary had talked to a squad of Yankee soldiers
for awhile and found them anything but agreeable.

All on this place, Negroes and whites, are much wrought
up. Of course the Negroes do not want to go, and our fear
is when the Yankees come and find them gone they will burn
the buildings in revenge. They are capable of any horror.
We look forward to their raid with great dread. Mrs. Savage
sent for her silver today. We have been keeping it since the
gunboats came. They will all leave in two days for Bayou
Macon. Would like to see them before they get off.

Mamma has been in bed all day. Sister is suffering with a
large rising on her leg and Brother Walter from a severe cold.
He is spitting blood, all yesterday and today, and tomorrow
is compelled to go on a long trip. We have been arranging
everything for an early start.

July 5: Another Fourth of July has gone by without any
festivities, not even a dinner for the Negroes, but they have
holiday. The Yankees told Mr. McRae, while they were
holding him prisoner, that they would celebrate the day by a
furious attack on Vicksburg. But we have heard few guns
since the third. That day we heard them very distinctly,
almost a continuous roar. It was said both mortar fleets were
firing on Vicksburg. We have not heard the result.

The Yankees are gathering in the Negroes on the river

128 BROKENBURN

as fast as possible. They have taken all the men able to work
from Lake Providence to Pecan Grove and from Omega to
Baton Rouge. They are hourly expected at Pecan Grove.
Robert is with us to be out of the way when they do come.
He is nearly well. The Negroes are eager to go, leaving wife
and children and all for freedom promised them, but we hear
they are being worked to death on the canal with no shelter
at night and not much to eat.

There has been no attempt at resistance. Some of the
plantations have been deserted by the owners, some of them
burned by the Yankee bands, and some of them not molested.
It depends on the temper of the officer in charge. If he feels
malicious, he burns the premises. If a good-natured enemy,
he takes what he wants and leaves the buildings standing.
Most of them are malicious. Mamma will have the Negro
men taken to the back country tomorrow, if she can get them
to go. Generally when told to run away from the soldiers,
they go right to them and I cannot say I blame them.

Mamma has been sick in bed since Sunday and is not yet
able to be up all day. We sent for Dr. Devine first, and he
gave her a dose of podophyllin that completely exhausted
her, since she always suffers dreadfully with nausea, and that
nearly killed her. So we sent for Dr. Dancy, and she is im-
proving, but slowly.

Brother Walter went out to Monroe, eighty miles, and got
back yesterday. He succeeded in buying enough molasses to
last the place the year and some little necessaries at enor-
mous prices. The trading boats are coming down the river
again with groceries at ridiculously low prices, but of course
no patriot could think of buying from them. Mamma was
able to sell her surplus corn and that helped her on wonder-
fully. She had such quantities of it. And we certainly will
have eatables this year, judging from the looks of the great
fields of corn, peas, and potatoes. Not much cotton planted.
Mamma so longed for ice while she was ill, but it was im-
possible to get it, while those wretches on the gunboats could
even have ice cream if they wished it.
People going and coming all the week. Mrs. Carson kindly

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 129

brought Mamma a substitute for lemonade and some crack-
ers. She was out twice.

It is hard for sick people to live on cornbread. We fortu-
nately have a little flour, sent Mamma by Mr, Hardison as a
specimen of some home-grown wheat. Joe has been out sev-
eral times. The last time I was just finishing his hat. I gave
it to him and it fitted beautifully. He was so pleased with
the gift that it repaid me for the yards of plaiting. Joe is the
only " stay-at-home " I would give anything to, but I know
so well it is not his fault. Mr. Hornwasher came out with
Mrs. Carson, his black eyes sparkling and dancing even more
than usual. He still speaks of joining the army.

We hear rumors of a great battle in Virginia and the utter
discomfiture of McClellan with Gen. Lee attacking him in
front and Stonewall Jackson with 2,800 men in the rear.
That was a " stonewall " McClellan found hard to climb.
My Brother and Uncle Bo must both have been in the fight,
but we have had no news from them for such a long time. It
is heart-sickening. 48

July 6: Johnny and Mr. Hardison, just from the Bend,
say the victory over McClellan is assured. We attacked and
after a three-day fight utterly routed them, capturing most
of the force. It is such good news that we can hardly believe
it is true.

We are so anxious about My Brother. Any disaster to Tim?
would nearly kill Mamma in her weakened state. She loves
him more than anything on earth, and he is to me the dearest
person in the world, next to Mamma. Uncle Bo must have
been in the battle, and we cannot hear how he has fared.
Suspense is hard to bear.

Mr. and Mrs. Hardison and all the children were down this
evening. Alice is going tomorrow to her brother's to live. We
are sorry for the poor, desolate little thing.

July 7: Sister and I went this morning to Judge Byrnes'

48 Kate had heard the first accounts of the Battle of Seven Days,
which began on June 26. In this engagement the Confederates under
E. E. Lee drove the Federal Army back from the approaches to
Richmond, Va.

130 BROKENBURN

below the Bend to see Julia. Heard many rumors but noth-
ing reliable and much about the Negroes and the Yankees.
Saw several gunboats go by. The two-story house is just at
the river, and they have an excellent view both up and down
the river. By the way, it is named River View.

As we passed Omega, a gunboat had landed and a number
of soldiers in the hateful blue uniform with shining guns and
bristling bayonets were lounging on the levee. 49 We did not
stop to look at them but drove by as rapidly as Webster
could make the mules go (We have only one carriage horse
now) .

They say we are to have two Texas regiments over to
protect us tomorrow. We certainly hope so, for we seem to be
given up to the evil one now.

The suspense about our loved ones is hard to bear, but
then not so bad as the certainty of evil would be.

July 8: This afternoon Jimmy and I rode over to see
Mrs. Curry. She had heard a rumor of George Richards'
death as coming from us and sent over this morning to find
out what we knew, which was nothing. It was merely a
rumor, but we thought it kinder to go over and explain. We
were so sorry she had heard anything unless it had been a
certainty one way or the other. We went on to ride. A lovely
evening but how the thought of Ashburn with his bright face
and cheery ways is intertwined with every summer pleasure.
I never go to put on my habit that I do not fancy I hear his
laughing voice at the door calling me to come on and his
merry whistle echoing through the house

His place in all the pomp that fills
The circuit of the summer hills
Is that his grave is green

July 11: Wednesday, Lou Whitmore, a distant cousin of
ours living near Lake Providence, came on a visit, the second

49 After Farragut ran the batteries, he was joined by another fleet,
which had come down from Memphis, and the combined fleets lay in the
Mississippi between Vicksburg and the mouth of the Yazoo River.
Gosnell, Gum on the Western Waters, 102-103.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 131

time we ever saw her, but Mamma had known her father
years ago. She paid us a short visit when we first moved up
here. She is rather pretty but is very shy and such a timid
creature. Her mother has been dead for some years, and she
lives alone with her father, who is now overseeing, a broken-
down scion of a better family. He seems coarse and rough
and she seems in terror of him. I think he has ruined himself
drinking. She is to stay some weeks.

Several visitors Wednesday, among them Joe and Willy
Carson. Mrs. Carson has at last given her consent for Joe
to go and he is in the wildest spirits. He leaves on Monday
to join Gen. Breckinridge at Vicksburg as volunteer aide.
We can send letters by him and also Beverly's set of aprons,
at last finished. They are pretty with such a lot of em-
broidery on them and made by my own hands. Mrs. Carson
is quite resigned to Joe's going. She has a happy temperament
and soon rallies from any trouble. We shall miss Joe greatly,
but I am so glad he is going. It is his duty. He is as old as
Brother Coley, about nineteen. He is to be a bold soldier
boy and he is perfectly happy. He says he wishes nothing
else in this world.

Thursday Anna and Robert spent one of the hottest days
on record with us. They came to say farewell as they were
to move out next day, bag and baggage, to Bayou Macon.
But today Mrs. Savage told Mamma she just would not go.
Come what may, she is going to stay at home. So she will
have the pleasure or displeasure of moving back, Negroes,
furniture, piano, everything. The one week they spent out
on the Bayou seemed to have disgusted them, and all of them
want to come back home and stay there.

The conscripts are being enrolled, so Mr. Hazelitt has
given up his school and is hunting up a company to join. 50
So the boys have nothing to do but hunt and fish, and they
keep us supplied with fish and game.

The last accounts are that McClellan lost 0,000 killed

50 The first conscription law was passed by the Confederate Congress
in April, 1862, taking into military service all able-bodied men between
the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. A. B. Moore, Conscription and
Conflict in the Confederacy (New York, 1924) , 12-26.

132 BROKENBURN

and wounded, 30,000 prisoners, and thirty miles of wagons.
Pursuit is still continuing and prisoners being brought in.
The Yankee army is completely demoralized. All this seems
too stupendous to be the truth. No news yet for us. We are
said to have lost 10,000 killed and wounded. 51

July IS: We bade Joe and Robert good-bye today at
church. I was sorry to see Joe go. He is such a nice boy. And
I think we both looked through tears when we shook hands,
maybe for the last time.

McClellan was not captured. He is receiving heavy rein-
forcements and entrenching where he is. The Yankees visited
Mr. Newman's on Friday and carried away everything they
fancied.

Charley Scott and Allen Bridges took dinner here today.
They came to see Brother Walter about joining a company.

July 15: Continuous and heavy cannonading all day in
the direction of Vicksburg ceased soon after dark.

We have the finest melons and in this excessively hot
weather they are a luxury. Lou Whitmore brought down for
me a beautiful guitar, given her by her father. She does not
play and insists on my keeping it, but neither do I. She is
the most generous girl. She wants to give away everything,
even her clothes, and when do we know we are going to get
any more?

Brother Walter and Jimmy have been riding for several
days helping to raise partisan bands for home protection.

July 18: Mamma has been unwell for several days and is
quite ill today. We sent for Dr. Dancy and after looking him
up all day found him half tipsy, following Mr. Williams
around. As an excuse, he sent word he had a pressing en-
gagement and recommended Dr. Slicer. And I just feel he
is an ignoramus and disagreeable to boot. Mrs. McRae is
very kind and comes frequently, though she is suffering tor-
ture with earache.

Still nothing from Virginia. We are anxious for Mr. Curry

51 Again Kate is referring to the Battle of Seven Days. The news-
paper account is somewhat exaggerated.

1862: " THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES " 133

to get back but dread it. He will have definite news. The
ram Arkansas has done good work at Vicksburg. It sank
several boats and disabled others. 52

A good many cases of sickness are on the place, and Sister
has been complaining for two weeks. She suffers with her
head. Mr. Hardison was telling us of Mrs. Abe Curry's trip
on horseback to Floyd. 53 She must be crazy.

July 21: Oh, this long, cruel suspense. No news yet.
Surely, if they were both alive, they would have communi-
cated with us by this time. Every day adds to my conviction
that My Brother is desperately hurt. I cannot think of him
as dead. We see in one of the last papers that his brigade
suffered terribly nearly all of the field officers disabled, and
My Brother's Colonel, John G. Taylor, whom he loved so
much, among the killed. We are relieved about Uncle Bo.
His regiment did not suffer greatly. We have seen the list of
killed and wounded and his name is not there. We are thank-
ful for his escape. But my heart leaps to my lips and I turn
sick with apprehension whenever I hear a quick step, see a
stranger approaching, or note a grave look on the face of
any of the boys coming in from a ride. And I must conceal
it all for Mamma's sake. She has been very ill since my last
writing but is better tonight. We have been sitting up with
her for two nights. She is in the east room and I am occupy-
ing hers for the time. We did not let her see the report of
My Brother's brigade. If there is trouble, she can bear it
better when she regains her strength. She noticed the torn

52 The Arkansas, begun in Memphis in the winter of 1861-62, was
brought to Yazoo City, Miss., for completion in the spring of 1862.
Commissioned in July, the Arkansas on July 15 engaged the Federal
Carondelet, Tyler, and Queen of the West in the Yazoo River, near the
Mississippi, successfully fought of? the Federal fleet, and reached Vicks-
burg, where it was exposed to enemy fire continuously until the Federal
fleet withdrew up the river about ten days later. Shortly thereafter, the
Arkansas was destroyed near Baton Rouge to prevent capture by the
Essex. Battles and Leaders, III, 572-79; GosneU, Guns on the Western
Waters, 101-35.

53 A round trip of approximately fifty miles. Floyd was at the time the
parish seat of Carroll Parish.

134 BROKENBURN

place in the newspaper and I had to tell a story to account
for it. I pray the Recording Angel may mercifully blot it out.

Brother Coley's company is now at Skipwith's Landing
with one other company to support a battery planted there.
Wish the authorities would send them to this side of the
river.

The man has just returned from Dr. Carson's with a
wagonload of fruit. Everybody in the house is asleep, but,
oh, as it is, I shall eat some of those lovely blue figs shining
up through the leaves covering the basket. How the boys
would enjoy them if I would wake them up, but morning is
a better time for them to devour them.

July 24: Good news! Good news! We thank God who
has preserved our loved ones unhurt through the fire of battle
after battle. The news came today in a letter from Mrs.
Narcisse Johnson at Lake Washington to Mamma telling her
that Brother Coley had passed there on his way to camp at
Greenville [Miss.]. He asked her to write to Mamma and
to say that he had heard of My Brother since the battles and
he escaped unhurt. Truly God has been merciful to us all.
It was kind of Mrs. Johnson to write. We know her very
slightly.

Mamma had grown so anxious that Brother Walter started
to Vicksburg at daybreak this morning to get news. He will
go all the way in a canoe, paddling himself. Truly navigation
on the Mississippi is returning to the customs of the abori-
gines. Mamma is still in bed and improves very slowly.
Company every day this week, but I am thankful to say
none to spend the day. A note from Julia saying she and her
mother will come out Saturday if we can send the carriage.

A partisan band camped at the schoolhouse last evening
and Lou and Sister, returning from Mrs. Curry's, saw them.
They said they would be back this evening. Johnny and I
walked out to see, but ne'er a soldier was in sight, only
several Negroes returning from their Yankee pleasure trip,
weary and footsore and eager to get home. Numbers of them
pass here going home, bending their necks to the yoke again,
preferring the old allegiance to the new. But numbers are

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 135

still running to the gunboats. TVe would not be surprised to
hear that all of ours have left in a body any day.

I wrote to Brother Coley by Mrs. Johnson's servant, and
he will get the letter in a few days. I feel so relieved and
lighthearted after those weeks of suspense, I could do any
foolish thing. If only Mamma were quite well again.

Aug. 5: I have had my bed moved to the window; and
looking out tonight on the pale moonlight, the far off, misty
stars, and the light, fleecy clouds scudding across the sky,
the shadows of the tall trees, ghostlike on the grass, I am
very happy for my darling Brother has been mentioned for
distinguished gallantry in the late battles. We are not sur-
prised for we know him, but it is grateful to have others
appreciate him. My Brother in his last letter of July 2 says
nothing of himself but that he was ill from fatigue but would
rejoin his regiment and go into the fight the next day. The
paper did not say and we will never know any particulars.

The Yankees have called off their gunboats and quit the
river in disgust. 54 Sometimes now we can get the papers.

Nearly everybody in the country sent us word of My
Brother's safety. So many papers and messages. All knew
how anxious Mamma and all of us had been. Brother Walter
did not learn much by his hard trip to Vicksburg, only a
confirmation that all was well with them, and he got back
safely from a perilous trip canoeing down the river. I wonder
that we could have sent him on such a quest so dangerous.

The house has been full of company for ten days. At first
only Mrs. Payne and Julia with transient visitors, but later
Mary Gustine, Missie Morris, callers most of the time, and
others to spend the night, the two Lowry boys among the
others. Mamma remained ill during the first few days and
Mrs. Payne took her place in bed the last few days of the
visit. But taken altogether we had a pleasant time. Missie is

54 According to Gosnell, the move was made because of sickness among
the Federal forces. "The gunboat fleet," he says, "had 40 per cent
sick on July 25; and the small army had only 25 per cent ft for duty."
By July 27 both the upper and lower fleets had gone and Vicksburg was
freed from the presence of a hostile fleet Gosnell, Guns on the Western
Waters, 131.

136 BROKENBURN

looking better than I ever saw her but is discontented and
unhappy. Alary is not as handsome as usual but is more
talkative, and Julia is the same gay, carefree soul as ever.
We girls called on Mrs. Savage one afternoon and found her
in bed, where she had been for some days. Anna also was
sick. We four had a lovely time at Mrs. Carson's Saturday
with chess, music, singing, gossip, and fruit. I can still beat
Missie at chess. It is an effort but I can do it. Joe had just
returned home. He did not like his position on the staff so
resigned and tomorrow goes to Greenville to join Dr. Buck-
ner's company. We are glad he and Brother Coley will be
together. He came out Saturday evening and stayed until
after twelve. Both the Mr. Lowrys were here and all the
girls, making quite a houseful. At half past eleven how
sleepy most of the crowd were, but the boys would not go
along home.

Mr. Curry, who is in very bad health, goes on to Tupelo
[Miss.] tomorrow to see his son Abe, and we have been busy
writing letters to send by him. Mrs. Carson and Mrs. Buck-
ner called and we received the letter telling of My Brother's
gallantry soon after they came. And of course it had to be
read to them. Everybody seems glad to hear a good account
of him.

The road to Vicksburg is open again. Mr. McRae has been
there and returned.

Aug. 19: The excitement of the last two days has been
the entirely unexpected reappearance of the Yankees on the
river. They came upon us like a thief in the night. The
entire Yankee fleet was at Milliken's Bend ready for a fight
before anyone on the river knew they had left Memphis. It
does not seem possible for thirty-nine boats to pass five
hundred miles down the river without being discovered, but
such was almost literally the case. The people of Lake
Providence did not know until the next day that a fleet had
passed by them. And at Vicksburg all were resting in perfect
security, thinking the enemy far away, until Capt. White
hurried into the city and told them the boats would soon be
there. He put spurs to his horse as soon as the first boats

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 137

reached the Bend and made all possible haste to reach Vicks-
burg. Fortunately, he roused them in time, and the little
city will hold out as long as possible.

The surprise at the Bend was complete. The Fair Play
was at the landing loaded with arms and passengers. All
were captured. 55 And the 31st La. Regt. was camped there
and had only time to seize their arms and run away. The
Yankees followed as far as Tallulah and there burned the
depot and cars and tore up the track, returning to the Bend
in time to steal anything they wanted. At dusk they went
on board their boat and rejoined the fleet at Vicksburg. We
heard such startling accounts that Mamma at once sent off
the Negro men with Jimmy to take care of them to Bayou
Macon, but tonight as all present fear is allayed, she sends for
them again.

It was a time to be scared last night, and I, for one, did feel
frightened with Mr. McRae, Brother Walter, and Jimmy all
away and Johnny the only man (he is twelve) about the
place. We have heard such horrible stories of the outrages
of the Yankees and Negroes that it is an anxious time for
only women and children. Mr, Al Lowry was here until nine.
He stopped in on his way back to his company. He was
satisfied I would not sleep a wink, but at sleepy time, as there
was no way to escape the inevitable, we all went to bed and
slept soundly until the safe morning hours. Mamma is not
at all well. . . .

We had slight hopes that My Brother would be sent home
as recruiting officer for his regiment to fill it out from the
conscript camps. He wished to get the appointment.

We poor dwellers on this side of the river are not to be
left entirely to the mercy of the enemy. The cry of distress
from the river has roused the back country, and they report
3,000 men crossing the Macon today. So we will have a little
army of our own something nearer than fifty miles. There

55 The Federal fleet, accompanied by a detachment of troops, captured
the Confederate transport Fair Play, heavily loaded with arms and am-
munition, at Milliken's Bend, August 18. The gunboats then sailed up
the Yazoo and Sunflower rivers destroying and capturing a great amount
of military supplies. Battles and Leaders, HE, 558.

138 BROKENBURN

are so many contradictory reports about the gunboats that
we know not what to believe. There may be ten or forty
before Vicksburg.

The Negroes enjoyed their hasty trip to Bayou Macon.
It will give them something to talk of for a long time.

The last Yankee raid has quite decided Mrs. Savage, and
they will go to the Macon Saturday, determined to remain
until the war is over. They are awfully afraid of the Yankees.
Four of her Negroes ran away today rather than be moved
back. It is a plentiful, pleasant home to give up to destruc-
tion. I was out there a week recently nursing Anna and
found it such a comfortable, abundant place. They had
better hold it as long as possible. Mrs. Savage has been many
years improving it.

Am reading Bulwer's novels. Nothing but the old stand-
bys to read. Visitors nearly every day. Mr. Slockton has
been out twice this week. He is a pleasant gentleman. He is
teaching at Mr. Neily's. He is well read and well informed.
He is sweet tempered, gay, and curly headed, light curls. He
has Philadelphia ideas and old Virginia notions that grew
with his growth and strengthened with his strength.

Mr. Valentine was over yesterday. He has joined his
brother-in-law's company, Capt. Harper's, and is very cheer-
ful and agreeable. He has the pleasant consciousness of duty
done and can hold up his head with other men. Mr. Catlin
has also joined that company. The fear of conscription has
forced them in. Still, better late than never. I know Mr.
Valentine would have gone long ago but for his father's
persuasions. But Mr. Catlin nothing but necessity could
start him.

Aug. 25: The strife and din of war is coming fearfully
near us now. Tonight just as we were sitting down to tea,
we heard the boom of cannon with the rattling report of
small arms. Seemed so near. It continued about fifteen
minutes and we think it must have been at Omega or the
Bend. It excited and startled us, but now we are only
anxious to know whether it was a skirmish.

There are now quite a number of troops on this side of

1868: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 139

the river and in a few days there will be many more with
Gen. Blanchard at their head. And the Yankees will not be
so free to land and seize whatever they choose. We hear
that Gen. Blanchard has ordered all the women and children
living in his district to leave the river as it is no longer safe
for them, and he will dispute the landing of the foe at every
point. 56 The planters generally are moving back to the hills
as fast as possible. There are two families refugeeing in our
neighborhood. Mrs. Payne and Julia are at Hardison's and
Mrs. Newton's family are at Mr. Curry's. Dr. Carson has
gone to look for a place for himself, and Mamma asked him
to notice for one suitable for her. Several from that section
have already gone.

We should not mind our individual reverses on this side
of the river when we hear how gloriously our arms are
triumphing everywhere else. Our entire line is said to be
advancing, and we read of a succession of small victories.

Brother Walter returned Saturday. He had been gone
more than a week. Brother Coley is well again and with his
regiment. He had been very ill, and like a foolish boy he
refused to go to any private home to be nursed or take medi-
cine until Mrs. Blanton, hearing of his sickness, sent him
word she was not a stranger but a friend of his mother's and
he must come to her home. He went and she soon nursed
him back to health. He was quite sick when his regiment
engaged the gunboats but insisted on going into action. Like
the high spirited, reckless boy " spoiling for a fight " he is,
he stood up in one of the rifle pits firing until he grew so
ill he had to be carried out. He recovered a little and re-
turned to his post, and when his company was ordered to
march he had just strength enough to drag himself to a tree,
where he was found nearly insensible by the men who had
been sent out to seek him. He is of a nervous temperament

56 General Albert G. Blanchard had been assigned to command the
Confederate camps of instruction, with headquarters in Monroe, La
U. S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion; A Compilation of the
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Washington,
D. C.: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901) , Ser. I, XV, 760. Here-
after this work will be cited as Official Records.

140 BROKENBURN

and suffers so when he is sick that it required heroism to
hold up his head and fight when suffering so much, as we
know he was. He is a thin, delicate boy but with an indomi-
table spirit. He has never been strong since he was poisoned
by his nurse when a little fellow. He was at Death's door
then for weeks.

Dr. Buckner and Joe have both been sick and nursed at
private houses. Brother Walter amused us telling of the
fame of the hat sent to Col. Ferguson. He cannot wear it
but will not give it to anyone who can. He carried it up there
with him and has made such a boast of it that the hat and its
history are widely known. Something I surely did not bar-
gain for. But alas! Alas! The gallant Colonel is said to be
desperately in love and engaged to Miss Kitty Lee, a Lake
Washington girl, and an old playmate of mine when we were
little people. He has been sick at her father's house for three
weeks, and of course the natural consequence is he has fallen
in love with the dark-eyed daughter.

Dr. Jim Smith sent me word please to make a hat for him.
Did I not remember I was an old sweetheart of his? I dis-
tinctly remember he is an old detestation of mine.

Brother Coley is about out of clothes, and Walter went to
Delhi today to try to get something for him. We can keep
Brother Walter no longer. He is wild to be off so Mamma
is having his clothes made. Charley Scott is waiting to go
with him. It is late and I am frightened and sleepy.

Aug. 26: The firing last night is explained. Mr. Sebastian
and several others fired at two gunboats passing Omega.
The boats returned the compliment by shelling all the coun-
try around, but no damage was done. Mrs. Nutt was much
frightened and went to Mrs. Neily's for the night.

Al and Frank Lowry spent several days with us last week.
Today we have had a houseful. Early this morning Mamma,
Sister, and I rode over to Mrs. Curry's. Her house is crowded
and she has two very sick soldiers there. On our return we
found Charley Scott and Allen Bridges here to discuss getting
off with Brother Walter. Soon after, Mr. Valentine walked
in, then Mr. Stockton and Duncan Gustine, and, after dinner,

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 141

old Mr. Valentine and Al Lowry. He is still here. We had an
idea of making calls this afternoon ourselves but the ** best
laid plans. . . ." The morning was pleasant, but entertain-
ing all a long August day and far into the night is wearying.
I know Mamma is tired. Mary and Huldah Curry are here
tonight. They are Sister's company and she does the enter-
taining. We sent long letters to My Brother today by the
mail rider.

Mr. Stockton is just up from Vicksburg and reports all
the citizens back at home. I wish we could go down for a
few days. They are expecting the transports with our prison-
ers aboard to be exchanged. Should so like to see their
arrival.

Aug. 29: The spirit of discontent is moving in iny heart
tonight. Gloomy thoughts will arise. Could I only be con-
tent to watch the Future as it unfolds instead of trying to
pierce its mystery and mold it to my will, how much happier
I would be. But as that is beyond my strength, I can only
struggle against the evil spirit and exorcise it as best I may.

Mamma and I spent Wednesday with Mrs. Savage and
Mrs. Carson. Both houses are in the greatest confusion,
everything being pulled to pieces and packed up. Mrs.
Savage and family left today. Mrs. Carson will go in a
few days. It will be long, I fear, before we, all of us, spend
another day together. Met Miss Bettie Carter and Mrs.
Buckner. She and I made a half-arrangement to go to Vicks-
burg together next week. Col. Buckner is there or near.
Julia came down and spent the night. Next morning we,
with Johnny, took a long ride through the woods, the wildest,
loneliest part of the swamp. Brought home lots of musca-
dines. Got in at ten and had just time to dress and get cool
when Dr. Slicer was announced, we thought for a short morn-
ing call, but we soon discovered to our horror that his in-
tention was to spend the live-long, long day. We survived
through it as best we could, and about four he ordered his
horse. We ordered the carriage and went to call on Mrs.
Graves. They are strong partisans of Col. Morrison's. Saw
Mrs. Bell, her sister, and think poorly of her. We stopped

BROKENBURN

a minute to see Mrs. Hardison and her little new son. Met
there Mrs. and Miss Nutt waiting for the gunboats to pass
down the river. Mrs. Nutt is not yet over the fright of the
shelling at Omega.

Dr. Slicer is decidedly one of my antipathies and I shall
not go to ride with him. Why has he taken to coming here?
I know he started the report that I would not speak to any
man who was not a soldier and various like reports that Mr.
Valentine and Mr. Stockton told me about.

Julia and Jimmy went to Mrs. Morris's by break of day.
Addie Curry is quite sick and Julia will offer to help nurse
her. All the family except Son and Addie have moved to
Homer [La.].

The last gunboat went up the river today but may return
at once.

Sept. 23\ Three weeks of silence spent mostly in Vicks-
burg, a dull profitless visit. Nothing going on there and I
was glad to get home as quiet as it now is and will be, I sup-
pose, until the close of the war. So many friends are gone,
but judging from our many recent victories the close may
be near. We will conquer a peace.

The victories of Manassas and Richmond, Ky., were both
won on the same day. Harper's Ferry, Frederick [Md.],
Kanawha Valley, and luka [Miss.], and various small suc-
cesses, all within thirty days, make us very hopeful. 57

Mrs. William H. Johnstone was staying with Aunt Laura,
and Dr. Buckner came after a few days with a furlough for
thirty days, his first for several months. All of them were so
quiet. Aunt Laura was happy just to sit and look at Dr.
Buckner, Mrs. Johnstone had little to say, and Dr. Buckner
rarely talks at any time and this was not one of the times. I
longed for home it was so deadly dull but I could not get
away. Most of our acquaintances are still out of town, and
though the streets were crowded with soldiers I knew none of

57 Bull Run (Second Manassas), Va., August 30; Richmond, Ky.,
August 30; Frederick, Md., September 12; Harper's Ferry, Va., Septem-
ber 12-15; and luka, Miss., September 19-20, 1862.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 143

them. The old familiar faces are away fighting in Virginia
and Tennessee and strangers are defending their city.

Our exchanged prisoners to the number of 1,500 arrived
while I was there, and the place was crowded with them. 5S
There were no adequate preparations to provide for them,
and many of them had to beg the citizens for something to
eat. So happy as they all looked, as merry and free as un-
caged birds, and all eager to begin the fight again. The
ladies of Memphis gave them a heartfelt and enthusiastic
welcome, kisses as plentiful as blackberries, but there was
nothing of that kind in Vicksburg. Met a Lt. Polk of Ten-
nessee, who gave an interesting and anecdotal account of his
imprisonment. Aunt Laura and Mrs. Johnstone spent the
summer at the Bowman House at Jackson and had many
amusing experiences. Cousin Jenny and Titia were at Canton
[Miss.]. Aunt Laura saw them and is expecting them on a
visit. Looked for them all the time I was there. I wanted to
see them so much.

Saw Mr. [Horace] Miller several times. He at last has a
regiment, the 20th Miss. He was taken prisoner at Donelson.

Sept. 24' The first of the fall rains. How I dread this
winter. I shudder in anticipation: The long rains, the impas-
sable roads, no books, no papers, few letters, our friends
nearly all away, and most of our loved ones in the army.
Awful prospect. But thinking of it will make it no better and
" to each day its burden."

Brother Walter goes on Monday to join Dr. Buckner's
company in Bolivar County [Miss.] and all are busy prepar-
ing him for the start. The house will be desolate indeed when
he is really gone, following in the perilous paths his brothers
are treading before him. If he would only wait until he is
eighteen or until there is another requisition for troops, but
" No, no, he cannot wait. The war might be over before he
gets there, and he would feel disgraced forever if he had not

58 Both sides were accumulating great numbers of prisoners; conse-
quently an arrangement had been made in July, 1862, to exchange
prisoners on an even basis. Surplus prisoners were released under parole,
provided they would not again take up arms.

144 BROKENBURN

fought in the good Cause." So runs his logic. There are so
many victories he fears even now peace may be proclaimed
before he is enrolled as a soldier fighting with his brothers.
Monday there were assembled here Charley Scott, Polk Bass,
Ben Clarkson, and Brother Walter, all four boys leaving for
the army in the next few days. Also Mrs. Carson, Mrs.
McRae, Will Clarkson, and Theresa and Mollie Bass were
here. Polk Bass is home on furlough. Charley Scott will go
with him to Savannah to join the Madison Infantry. Ben
Clarkson joins with Brother Walter.

Mamma is suffering much with her arm but is busy knit-
ting socks for Brother Walter and Coley. I am knitting
gloves as I can do it well and rapidly now. Nothing like
sticking to a thing to learn it. We are again in suspense
about My Brother. Had just had a letter written after
Manassas just before they crossed the Potomac into Mary-
land. Now there is news of a hard- won victory at Frederick
and his division hotly engaged, and that is all.

I heard while in Vicksburg of the death of a cousin, Ruby
Davis. She died on the plantation on the Yazoo, leaving a
baby a few days old. Only her mother was with her. Her
husband, who is in the army, arrived just as they were
lowering her body in the grave. They had been married only
a year or so. Her people are in New Orleans. Another cousin
too is dead. Elam Ragan is dead on the field of battle, falling
shot through the heart just as he mounted one of the enemy's
batteries shouting, " Hurrah! Come on, boys, it is ours."
Peaceful be the rest of the gallant boyish heart that knew no
fear. With him life's battle was soon over,

A letter from Mrs. Rossman tells of the death of her young
brother, Eugene Selser, another boyish soldier offering up
his life, a sacrifice to his country. Mrs. Rossman says she
hears regularly from My Brother. I hope Eugenia does not.

Sept. 80: A telegram from My Brother to Mamma says
he is slightly wounded in the leg, wounded in the battle of
Sharpsburg, Md., one of the most hotly contested battles of
the campaign. Tom Manlove was also slightly wounded in
the arm in the same fight. If we do not hear soon again,

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 93 145

Brother Walter will go to Vicksburg for further news. May-
be now My Brother can come home to recuperate for a little
while. He has been marching and fighting almost constantly
since the first of July. Letters from Uncle Bo. He is in excel-
lent health and spirits and his regiment has not been in any
of the late battles. Brother Walter will not go to his com-
pany until we hear further from My Brother.

Sister has been quite sick for several days. Mrs. Carson,
Anna, Miss Bettie, and the girls took dinner. Had a talka-
tive, pleasant time. Mrs. Savage is back home again. She
says now she will stay till driven off by Yankees or overflow.

Our usual round of visiting and visitors, now that Mrs.
Carson and Mrs. Savage are back. We went to Mrs. Curry's
to call on Mrs. Frank Blunt from Hinds County. She told
us Aunt Rebeckah Jones, Ruby's mother, died on the planta-
tion a few days after Ruby with only the servants and the
doctor with her. All her life she had been so lapped around
with love and care. Tragedy after tragedy.

Duncan Gustine came to say good-bye. He was to leave
yesterday to join the Madison Infantry at Savannah. Julia
has been here for several days. She looks wretched from sick-
ness. Mr. Valentine has also been over. He is now 3rd lieu-
tenant in Capt. Harper's company and is much pleased at
his election.

Brother Walter saw both Cousin Titia and Jenny with
Aunt Laura. Had I stayed a week longer I would have seen
them. They have treated us really badly neither coming nor
writing, and we so want to see them. Mamma said she
missed me greatly and was so glad to get me home.

Today we actually had cake, a most rare occurrence, due
to Mrs. Hardison's sending us a little homemade flour. But
for them, we might forget the taste of wheaten bread, and
Aunt Laura is using it lavishly at $50 a barrel.

Oct. 1: The most important fact is Lincoln's proclama-
tion freeing all slaves held by rebel masters after January
I. 59 I wonder what will be the result of this diabolical move.

59 The reference is to Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclama-
tion, issued on September 22, 1862, to take effect January 1, 1863.

146 BROKENBURN

Surely not as bad for us as they intend it to be. I think
there is little chance of a happy hereafter for President
Lincoln. A thousand years of repentance would be but brief
time to wipe out his sins against the South. How can he
ever sleep with the shades of the thousands he has consigned
to a bloody death darkening his soul?

Took two rides today, read some silly stories in Gleason's
Pictorial G0 borrowed from Mrs. Fontaine, and entertained
Mr. McGee during a lengthy call.

My Brother and Jimmy's birthday.

Oct. 2: We see from the Whig that Lt. Floyd was killed
at Sharpsburg. My Brother, I know, is sorry. I saw him last
spring in Vicksburg. My good wishes for his safe return were
fruitless. He was desperately wounded in the battles before
Richmond, but recovered only in time to march to meet his
death in Maryland. In Kentucky some hearts are aching for
him. He was a frank, pleasant comrade and friend.

There is great disappointment over Maryland. It was
thought there would be a great uprising of the people as soon
as the Stars and Bars should wave across the Potomac, but
nothing of the kind. There has been but little enthusiasm
and few recruits. Well, let the Old Bay State go, if her
people had rather be slaves in the Union than masters in the
Confederacy. They must abide by their choice.

The gunboats are expected down now any day to renew
the attack on Vicksburg, but if we get Cincinnati and Louis-
ville as we are threatening to do now, the gunboats will be
needed in other waters.

Eliza, Courtney's other twin, died suddenly yesterday, the
first death for some time. Brother Walter has been ill with
cold. It is fortunate that he had not started off.

Oct. 3: My fingers have been busy with unaccustomed
work today, the work of olden times, learning to weave.
Mamma is having a loom made to weave cloth for the Ne-
groes, and Jimmy and I are to make the " harness." Mr.
Curry came over early this morning on purpose to teach us.

60 A magazine published in Boston, beginning in 1859.

1862: " THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES"

He said he knew I could soon learn it. To keep my reputa-
tion for aptness, I commenced work at once under his tute-
lage, and as it takes two to work it Jimmy learned also. Now
we progress swimmingly, though it will take several days to
finish it. It is like going back to the days of the Revolution
to see the planters all setting up their looms and the ladies
discussing the making of homespun dresses, the best dyes,
and " cuts " of thread, though yet awhile I think a homespun
dress would be more difficult to get than a silk. Silk of the
poorest kind is now $500 [?] a yard C1 and walking shoes $15
a pair and difficult to get at that. Everything has gone up in
the same ratio. We expect to suffer for clothes this winter.
We hear of a gentleman oSering $50 for a pair of boots and
then waiting for weeks to get them made. Unless we capture
some Northern city well stocked, there will soon be no dry
goods in the Confederacy. The ladies are raising a cry for
calicoes and silks that echoes from the Potomac to the Gulf. 62
Mrs. Newton and family have left Sirs. Curry *s and are
now keeping the tavern in Tallulah, and there are crowds
of soldiers stopping there all the time.

Oct. 5: There will be no preaching until Mr. Holbury
regains his health, and so we have been busy writing letters
most of the day, some to Other Pa and Uncle Johnny, whom
we have not heard from for months. The letters will go by
Mr. Bass. Long ones to My Brother and Uncle Bo will be
carried to Vicksburg by Mr. McRae when he carries his wife
down tomorrow. She goes to Mississippi to remain with her
people, but Mr. McRae will remain here. We send in the
wagon a little sugar cane for Mrs. Johnson. She has never
seen any.

Uncle Tom is in trouble today. He has succeeded in cheat-
ing a lot of the Negroes out of $20 in a chicken trade, and
they are anything but pleased.

61 The figure Is not completely legible. New ladies* hats and bonnets
usually sold for $500. Massey, Ersatz in the Confederacy, 96.

62 " Woman's fondness for fashionable clothes was never absent from
the South during the war," says Miss Massey. "As one woman said,
her love for new fashions and pretty clothes was merely * scotched . . .
not killed.'" Ibid., 92.

148 BROKENBURN

Am reading The Pillar of Fire 63 and like it exceedingly.
Will keep it for Sunday reading.

Oct. 6: We were out to see Mrs. Carson and Mrs. Savage.
They are expecting the Yankees all the time. Mrs. Carson
feels that they are being imposed on by soldiers and travel-
ers. She says they are nearly eaten out of house and home,
and she gave us her bill of fare. It certainly is a great falling
off from the past abundance. There are always five or six
soldiers there. She still has flour for lightbread, but it is
saved for the sick soldiers. They are exceedingly kind and
helpful to all wearing the uniform. Mrs. Carson is going
into raptures over Col. Pargoud. 64 He has large plantations
near Monroe, is young and splendid looking, was educated in
France, has elegant manners, and is a Colonel in full cavalry
uniform, the finest to be had ivory stirrups, silver trap-
pings, and superb horses. What more could one have? May
it be given to me to meet this paragon before some other girl
snatches hi up. Capt. Harper's company is in his regiment.

We saw the paper of the fourth. It advocates raising
the Black Flag in retaliation for Lincoln's emancipation
proclamation.

Such a war is too horrible to think of. We hear that My
Brother is perfectly well and has never been wounded. Am
reading The Newcomes G5 and like it very much in spite of
Dr. Carson's prophesies to the contrary. He offers me a
leather medal (as one of the most expensive materials now
known to us) if I succeeded in reading it through. Dr. Car-
son does not like Thackeray. Strange too, as he is an inveter-
ate novel reader. I was so surprised when I learned that
Dr. Carson liked novels. He gives one the impression of far
too much mind and thoughtfulness to care for light reading.
When I meet a young man strongly resembling Dr. Carson,

63 The Pillar of Fire; or, Israel in Bondage (1865) was the first of a
trilogy of Biblical novels by Rev. Joseph Holt Ingraham. Library of
Southern Literature^ VI, 2595.

6 ^Probably J. Frank Pargoud, member of a prominent Ouachita Parish
family. Williamson, Northeast Louisiana, 142.

65 A novel by William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-63), published
serially 1853-55.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 9 ' 149

I shall surely lose my heart to him. He is one of nature's
noblemen.

Oct. 10: A letter from Uncle Bo dated a month back just
as his division was crossing into Maryland. He writes jubi-
lantly, so glad to be advancing into the enemy's country.
The letter is filled with praise of My Brother. How fond and
proud he is of " Will," and how unselfish. How dreadfully
disappointed the army and officials are that Maryland did
not rally to their support when once they were on her soil.

Now after all those bloody battles with no good result to
follow, our whole army has recrossed the Potomac. Our
defeat at Corinth is rumored. We are anxious for full par-
ticulars. Reinforcements from Vicksburg have been sent on.

Mrs. Carson came out with a package of letters just re-
ceived from Joe. All were well then, and she and Mamma
discussed Joe and Brother Coley's clothes to their satisfac-
tion. Mrs. Payne is with us. Julia is still with Carrie Lowry.

Oct. 24'- Mamma and I went down to Vicksburg ten days
ago with Brother Walter to see him that far on his way to
the war. We hoped also to see Brother Coley, having heard
his regiment had been ordered to Vicksburg, but we were
disappointed. The regiment marched through the county to
Panola County. We do not know their destination.

We found Aunt Laura's house full, Aunt Sarah and the
children there on a visit. Mamma and I were squeezed in,
and Brother Walter and Ben Clarkson went to the hotel. Dr.
Buckner was quite sick and the boys could not get off until
Saturday. Suppose they got off that day. Mamma went
home Wednesday and I left on Thursday for a visit to Annie
Amis. While we were at dinner Tuesday, a message came to
Aunt Laura from Mrs. Amis saying that the hotel was so
crowded she could not get a room and would Aunt Laura
take her in for a day or so. Aunt Laura looked " No," a great
big " No," for her house was packed something like sardines
in a box. But we begged her to take them in anyway. Mrs.
Johnstone and I agreed to find a place to sleep. With that
condition, she agreed and a message of welcome was sent

150 BROKENBURN

Mrs. Amis. After dinner, we went over to Mrs. Butt's house,
next door, and prevailed on the woman in charge the family
are refugeeing to let some of us occupy one of the rooms
that night. She at last consented and Mrs. Johnstone and I
spent the night there. Mrs. Amis never knew that two of
Aunt Laura's guests had borrowed a sleeping place.

Mr. Templeton called that evening and stayed until eleven.
I promised to knit a pair of gloves for him. I have about all
on hand I can " do jestice to." Annie Amis has been teasing
me about him ever since. Mrs. Amis begged me to pay them
a visit, and as Annie and I had seen nothing of each other
for so long, I decided to go home with them. Annie has been
off at school for several years.

Mamma went home Wednesday alone in the carriage.
That afternoon Aunt Sarah, Mrs. Johnstone, Annie, and I,
accompanied by Brother Walter on horseback, took a ride,
going out to Allen's gardens. We saw several batteries. Later
we walked around to the jail to see the Yankee prisoners,
who crowded around the gate watching the passersby . Thurs-
day morning we had an exciting race after a Louisiana regi-
ment of infantry. At last we caught up with them and had
the pleasure of seeing them reviewed by Gen. Smith.

Mrs. Amis., Annie, and I crossed the river that evening on
our way to Fortune's Fork, their home. 66 I bade Brother
Walter and Ben good-bye on the ferry. Brother Walter was
so distressed. My dear little brother, none of us thought he
would feel so deeply about leaving home. He felt the parting
more than either of the other boys. He could hardly speak to
Mamma in all the time we were in Vicksburg without his
voice quivering and his eyes filling with tears. It made us
cry only to look at him. Poor little fellow, it is his first part-
ing from home and going among strangers, and he feels so
lonely and cutadrift from us all. May our Heavenly Father
bless and keep him in the hours of danger and bring him
safe home to us at last.

We reached Fortune's Fork by 3 o'clock. Such a splendid

4 66 Fortune's Fork was on Roundaway Bayou a few miles below
Richmond, La.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 151

two-story house so complete in all its appointments and a
tribe of well-drilled servants, headed by Aunt Rebeca and
Lou and Uncle John. I spent a pleasant week, generally
just Annie and I. She is a madcap and incessant talker and
in for any kind of fun. We talked and read and drove out in
the buggy with " Old Ball/ 5 sometimes twice a day, as fast
as " Old Ball " could race. Annie was the driver and a most
reckless one. I was sure we would come to grief some way,
but thanks to the good roads and an over-looking Providence
we escaped. In the character of soldiers seeking a night's
lodging we were quite successful. It was a time of wild non-
sense and idleness. There was not a man anywhere around.
All in the army but Mr. Lucas, a widower, who lives on the
next place, but we only saw him once. I fancy he is not
much of a lady's man or soldier.

Mrs. Amis' place is the frontier now, with no one between
her and DeSoto. The entire country from Omega to Vicks-
burg is deserted and many of the back places also. There
is a constant stream of men passing, and Mrs. Amis is dread-
fully worried by men begging to stay all night and for meals.
It is a charming place to visit. Annie has changed less in
growing up than any girl I ever saw. She is the same girl
she was ten years ago, only grown up and not the least
affected, and as a child she was a bundle of it. She was at
school in Philadelphia for several years and last in New
Orleans for a few months. She plays beautifully on the piano,
with such ease I can listen by the hour. She plays on the
harp, speaks French well, knows some Latin and Spanish,
and is fond of reading, though there was little reading she
would allow either of us while together. And they have a
good library which was very tempting. She is a pronounced
blonde. We were both glad to be together again as we were
when little children, after our long separation at different
schools.

Oct. 25: Mrs. Payne went back to Mrs. Hardison's today
and Emily Norris is staying with us until Mrs. Savage gets
back from the Bayou. Found Mrs. Carson here when I got
back. Mrs. Amis sent me home with Lou in the carriage for

152 BROKENBURN

protection. We passed several squads of soldiers on picket
duty, but they let us through without a pass. We were
evidently not suspicious characters.

There is so much to be done now that I am at home. I
hardly know where to commence three pairs of gloves and
a necktie to be knit, three dresses to make, and all my clothes
to be mended. Things are certainly mended as long as
possible now. As Mr. Stenckrath used to say, " Be kind to
my old shirts, Emma " they just had to last.

Oct. 29: Saturday was a day of general upheaval hav-
ing the carpets put down and general renovating. A cold
raw day. When in the height of the discomfort, Mrs. Payne,
Julia, and Miss Carrie Lowry were announced. Theirs was a
cold welcome at first as there was not a good fire in the house,
but Webster soon had one blazing in the parlor and dining
room. They stayed until Monday and Julia and Mrs. Payne
returned with Carrie. Carrie is a very talkative, nice girl
with only one good feature in her face, splendid grey eyes.
She escapes being ugly. She has pretty teeth and glossy
black hair but a most unbecoming mouth and nose. Am sure
we would like her much on closer acquaintance. She is a
most industrious, capable girl.

Jimmy went to Mississippi today to get leather to make
shoes for the Negroes. Should he fail to get it, the Negroes
will certainly suffer in the cold. Mamma has discharged Mr.
McRae and a Mr. Blakely is overseeing. Mr. McRae proved
to be utterly destitute of principle. The Negroes are busy
housing the potatoes and goober peas [peanuts] and priming
the sugar cane. We shall have some cane should My Brother
come now.

I was up late last night writing letters to all our soldiers
and to Aunt Laura, thanking her for the loan of some of
her clothes when I went to Annie's as I had carried very
little to Vicksburg for a three-day stay. Aunt Laura always
has such quantities of everything necessary.

Mrs. Alexander has been here all day and tonight is kindly
helping me to make another harness. The one Jimmy and I

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 153

made is entirely too fine. We will finish this one tomorrow
and Mrs. Alexander will start the loom.

Anna Dobbs came out for Emily, and Mr. Curry, Mr.
Hardison, and Dr. Bowman paid us a call.

Oct. 31: Mamma has been busy for the last two days
superintending the weaving which is at last underway. And
what a slow process it is to be sure. Spent today at Mrs.
Savage's and brought the little girls out to stay with Sister
until Mr. Savage returns from another visit to the Bayou.
Mamma got a quantity of shrubbery, and she will help
Uncle Hoccles set it out half the day tomorrow. I started
Mr. Templeton's gloves today. Time alone can tell when
they will be finished. My comforter promises to be prettier
than Anna's shawl, but chacun a son gout.

Jimmy came back this evening and to Mamma's agreeable
surprise succeeded in getting the leather. Jimmy is develop-
ing into a " cute G7 little trader," now that he is the only man
about the house and must be Mamma's right hand.

Aunt Laura sent word by Jimmy that she will come up on
the tenth of November to stay all winter, if Mamma will
send for her. Dr. Buckner has just rejoined his company
and she is very sad. We will be delighted to have her, but I
fear the swamp in winter will weary her dreadfully. And
then she cannot hear so regularly from Dr. Buckner. But
she would be fearfully lonely with only Beverly and herself
in the house all winter. Here it is seldom lonely. And dear
little Beverly will be a treasure in the house, and she will
so enjoy the freedom of the country.

We have a number of books on hand. All borrowed but
too busy to read just now.

Nov. 7: How quickly this week has slipped away. Com-
pany and busy hands make the time fly. Anna came out in
the middle of the week, sent the little girls and remained
until Mrs. Savage came, spent the day and carried her home.
After they left, Johnny and I were sitting cosily by the parlor
fire. I had been practicing and he was knitting on a glove

67 A shortening of acute.

154 BROKENBURN

when in came Mary Richards and Mollie Hunt, an old
schoolmate. I was so surprised I hardly knew her at first,
but the sound of her voice recalled old school times.

Mollie and her father are on their way from Arkansas to
Vicksburg. They had supper at Mrs. Curry's and came out
to get me to spend the night with Mollie. Mamma approved
of the plan and I was glad of a chance for a good chat with
Mollie. I went back with them and had a pleasant visit in
spite of that hateful Mr. Smith. " Don't be bashful, Kate
do play I ain't a going to court ye " was one of his trying
speeches, with a grin and a leer that made me really wish
him dumb. What a true Yankee he is in everything, even the
set of his coat.

Mollie gave me a full and particular account of her various
love affairs, about like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left
out. She would not tell me the names of any of her lovers.
She must have had scores. She says she has four on hand
now, all waiting in trembling apprehension of yes or no.
She thinks she will say no to all. What a garment of
comfort self-satisfaction is. Oh, for a nice large cloak of self-
appreciation.

Annie Amis with Mary and Lou Dancy did not come on
Thursday as they promised. And I had all the candy and
marmalade agreed on awaiting them. The candy found will-
ing little mouths, and the marmalade is carefully put away
awaiting future reference. Emily, the boys, and I had fre-
quent rides. Wonka is a most charming horse, as easy as a
cradle and swift as the wind.

We all went with Mamma to the camp at Winn Forest,
but as they were not drilling we did not stop. Anna, the
boys, and I rode again to the camp and home in a gale of
cold wind that made us cry for the poor soldier boys in their
open tents. We nestle closer in our warm blankets as we
think in the night how cold they must be.

An old letter from My Brother begging Mamma to secure
a place in the back country and move to it. He says, if
possible, he will get a furlough home in the winter. I could
shake Tom Manlove for coming home this time instead of

18618: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES 93 155

letting My Brother have the chance. Brother Coley and
Brother Walter and their mess are getting along in real jolly
style. Brother Walter feels all right now that he is with
his brother.

Galveston has fallen, a disgrace to us for fortifying it so
badly. 68 The enemy are redoubling their exertions at every
point and are awaiting a rise in the river to make an over-
whelming attack on Vicksburg. In God alone is our trust.

Nov. 10: Mamma went to Vicksburg today and I am
left at home as commander-in-chief with Little Sister and
the two boys, Johnny and Jimmy, as aides. We are getting
on bravely today, pickle making, weaving, etc., etc. I think
I should like keeping house if I were forty years old and had
no one to interfere, but now it is horrid work, vanity and
vexation of spirits.

Jimmy is away tonight sitting up with Mr. McRae who
is not expected to live through the night. And his wife is not
here to comfort him.

Ah, the lovely autumn weather. One should be out in it
riding or walking most of the day. If Annie had only come,
we could have had a charming time riding and driving in the
soft, hazy, dreamy days.

Mamma and I went out to Mrs. Henderson's Saturday
morning to see Mrs. Gustine, who is staying there now. She
has been very ill and is still unable to be up. Mary and I
had a gay talk discussing Col. Pargoud. We have all our
traps set and baited should he venture out here again. We
made an agreement so that no feeling of jealousy should mar
our friendship. Should I trap the irresistible Colonel, she is
to be invited to spend a month at his " palace." Should she
be the successful trapper, I am to have a standing invitation
to " his marble halls/' Poor Colonel. His cheeks must burn
the way the girls are discussing his fancied perfections
fancied, for not a girl of us has ever seen him. He is our
standing joke. We also agreed on Mr. Valentine's cool assur-
ance in sending word to all the girls he knows to knit him

68 Galveston was captured by the Federal Navy October 10, 1862.

156 BROKENBURN

everything they can think of. He wants a complete outfit
from each one. He did have the grace to ask Mary to make
the things, and she has started on the article the easiest to
make, a needle book. But if he does not soon repeat his call,
Mary will donate that to some more deserving youth. None
of us will do anything for him just now. He needs a little
judicious snubbing. He holds a lady's favors too lightly. In
the early days I used to think he would make quite an ideal
lover, but no indeed, not now that I know him better. He
would run me crazy and ruin my temper in a week. He is
very argumentative and I feel like contradicting him always.
We do not think alike on any subject. Neither Anna nor
Julia like him at all, and Mary knows him only slightly.

Mr. McRae was nursing Ashburn on his death bed a year
ago tonight, and now he too is sinking into the cold arms of
Death. In the presence of Death, we feel at its fullest God's
terrible power.

Nov. 16: Since writing last, Jimmy has been violently ill
with pneumonia. He is somewhat better but not relieved
and is suffering intensely with a deep blister. 69 He has been
so good and patient. Mamma returned from Vicksburg
Wednesday night, and Jimmy was taken with a chill that
night and by twelve next day was so ill Mamma thought
he would die. She was all alone, except Sister, and could not
get a doctor until twelve that night when Drs. Devine and
Jackson both came. They have been attending him ever
since. Johnny and I had gone to Vicksburg for me to attend
a large party, given by Capt. and Mrs. Manlove, and there
is where I was, dancing and amusing myself, while my poor
little brother was suffering so. How thankful we were that
Mamma had gotten home before he was taken sick. Aunt
Laura and Beverly came up the next day with us and Other
Pa was here when we got back. We were so glad to see him.
He is such a help with Jimmy, for he knows so much about
sickness.

69 It was a common medical practice in treating pneumonia, to blister
the patient on the back with some hot application in order to relieve
the congestion in the lungs.

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 157

Aunt Laura will slay until spring, maybe until the war is
over. Mamma sent for Aunt Laura's house servants and
baggage today for the second time. The ferry is so crowded
it is almost impossible to get anything across, and we fear it
will be difficult to get Aunt Laura's things even this time of
sending. Other Pa is looking well but for his long, snow-
white beard. It makes him look so much older. Uncle Johnny
has a little daughter two months old named Sarah Louisa
for her two grandmothers. He seems quite proud of the
little scrap. Jimmy has held quite a levee while being ill.

Nov. 30: Jimmy has been so ill that we have had no time
to think of anything else. Both Dr. Jackson and Dr. Devine
had given him up and stopped all remedies, and Mamma had
thought him dying for a day and night. He was cold to his
knees and so blind that he could not see to the foot of the bed.
We were all standing around him expecting death at any
minute when Dr. Meux came in. Mamma had sent for him
some days before, but he had been away. He examined
Jimmy and said he thought he had one chance for recovery,
but Mamma said no it was too late. She would not have him
tortured any more. He was past the power of medicine. But
Other Pa reasoned with her, told her if there was the slightest
chance, it must be taken, and told Dr. Meux to take charge
of the case and do all possible to save him. The Doctor
recommended giving him brandy in eggnog every thirty
minutes and nourishment every fifteen minutes. He put
something on the raw angry blister to allay the burning,
itching sensation that had tortured him so. And at night he
tried as a last resort to relieve the lungs by burning him
under the shoulder blades with turpentine and a hot iron. A
flannel was wet with the turpentine, laid on him, and ironed.
It was exquisitely painful, and they would not let Mamma
be in the room. When she returned after it was over, Jimmy
was gasping for breath and could just mutter, " They have
nearly killed me, Mamma. Don't leave me any more/' As
soon as the pain subsided he seemed a little better. He had
not slept for eleven nights, and the Doctor said that that
was enough to kill him without the disease. The Doctor did

158 BROKENBURN

all he could to ease the pain of the blisters and gave him
large doses of Battley's [?] sedative, and towards morning we
had the pleasure of seeing him fall into a light sleep.

Since then, he has slowly improved, but is not yet quite
out of danger. He is nearly covered with the most painful
risings. Dr. Meux says it is from the circulation being so
nearly stopped for so long. Under his shoulder blades the
risings are dreadful, but Dr. Meux says he thinks they will
save him from danger of going into consumption. They re-
lieve the lungs. At the worst, Jimmy was fully conscious of
his condition, but he felt no fear, only regrets that he should
die without striking one blow for his Country.

No one ever faced Death more calmly and bravely and
how beautifully he talked of his trust in God and the love
of our Saviour. He felt no fear, and his faith in God's good-
ness and mercy was unswerving.

Since he has been a little better, he said, " Mamma, when
I thought I was dying, I was not afraid, for I thought of
God's promises and they comforted me." He was as simple
minded and affectionate as a little child, and so devoted to
Mamma that he could not bear for her to leave him for an
hour. And he is restless and uneasy now whenever she is out
of the room. Mamma has not undressed and gone regularly
to bed since Jimmy was taken sick. She lies down by him,
and if he cannot sleep he will not let her. He always touches
her as soon as he wakes, and of course it wakes her at once.
We feared her health would give way under the strain, but
she has been mercifully strengthened. God's goodness and
mercy seem so plain to us now. He has spared Jimmy to our
prayers when all hope seemed vain. May Jimmy be as well
prepared when Death comes to him at last as he was when
Death seemed standing at his bedside.

Dr. Meux was certainly the instrument in God's hand to
save Jimmy's life. We are so grateful to him. He stayed
with him several days and nights without leaving. Now we
feel that Dr. Meux is a friend of the family. He has spent
several nights with us, " Not as a physician, Madam," he
said, " but as a friend." Speaking of Jimmy, the day after

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 159

he first came he said, a I could not let that splendid young
fellow die without trying to save him."

Events have crowded each other in the last two weeks.
My Brother's promotion to major has given us great pleasure.
After reading the announcement in the paper, we could talk
of nothing else that night. How handsome he must look in
his new uniform with the stars glittering on his collar. I
know Mrs. Manlove is provoked. She was so sure Tom would
be made major that she told Mamma he was already lieu-
tenant colonel. She has been crowing over me every time we
met this summer: " Well, Kate, maybe your brother is
captain of the company. Now you know, my Tom has been
promoted to major or colonel." Such was her usual greeting.

Wrote a letter of ten pages to My Brother today, telling
him of Jimmy and all the plantation and country news. Hope
he will take time to read it.

Four gunboats are again in these waters, steaming up and
down between Omega and Young's Point. A squad came
off once at the Bend. They were fired on and the command-
ing officer was killed. They retreated to their boats and
have not landed since. There are several hundred men under
Col. Pargoud following them up and down the river. When
we first heard of the fleet at the Bend, we were much wrought
up. Webster, Will, and Aunt Laura's dining room servant,
William, with a wagonload of furniture, a barrel of flour,
and a six mule team were all on the road somewhere be-
tween here and Vicksburg. We were certain they would be
captured or the men would desert to the gunboats. But that
night they came driving up, feeling that they had made a
most hairbreadth escape. . . .

Dec. 3: Have been busy for two days writing letters and
notes. A letter of six pages to Uncle Bo giving general home
news. . . . One to Mrs. Johnstone reproaching her for not let-
ting Cousin Jenny send me one of her dresses to make into an
over-shirt for Mr. Valentine. Also, notes and letters to the
four quarters of the globe. All are to be sent by Jessy, who
runs the blockade to Vicksburg tomorrow to get the new
carriage springs and a $40 gallon of brandy, an awful price,

160 BROKENBURN

but Jimmy must have it. He is improving slowly, slowly.
He is not yet able to sit up and sleeps no better. He has
not slept now for forty-eight hours and is very restless.

Dr. Meux has been staying with us for several days " as
a friend, my dear lady." He is an odd, original man, very
amusing and quite intelligent. Low and pudgy, he wears a
sunburned wig and has a most infectious laugh. He does not
spare your blushes and will discuss anything. This burden
of entertaining him falls on me. He makes it easy by reading
aloud from the poets, and he reads well.

We had another character to take dinner with us this week.
Mr. Wylie, the talking man. When we met him at the Wells,
he was known by the girls as " Major Jones." 70 He talks
so incessantly that he can hardly spare time to eat.

Cousin Jenny gets married tomorrow in the church at
Canton to a Dr. Saunders of that place. She wrote to Aunt
Laura saying she wished to be married at her home, but
when the letter came Aunt Laura had broken up housekeep-
ing and was here with us. A day or two after the letter,
Cousin Jenny and Mrs. Johnstone came driving up in Capt.
Johnstone's ambulance. 71 It was when Jimmy was at his
worst, and they only stayed all night. Mamma begged
Cousin Jenny to come here to be married and Aunt Laura
wished her to do it. But she decided to stay in Canton. She
wanted me to be bridesmaid, but under the circumstances it
was impossible. I could not leave Jimmy, and there are too
many Yankees between here and Canton to make it safe
to leave home.

Neither her father nor sister will be present. They are
both away. It is decidedly Cousin Jenny's own wedding. She
has selected her trousseau and made all arrangements for
herself. It seems strange in her since she has always been
of such a timid, yielding nature. We have all taken up a

70 Major Jones is the back country planter who is the central character
of William Tappan Thompson's (1812-82) humorous Major Jones's
Courtship (1844) in which the militia major of " Pineville," Ga., de-
scribes at length his difficulties in courting and marrying a Georgia belle.

71 A four-wheel vehicle usually used for hauling the sick and wounded
but which became an all-purpose vehicle in the Confederacy.

1863: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 161

prejudice against Dr. Saunders and think she is doing a bad
thing for herself. Our judgement, made without seeing the
man, is based on his weak, sentimental-looking picture and
the lackadaisical letter he wrote Aunt Laura asking her con-
sent to the marriage. Poor dear girl. May she be happier
than we all think she will be.

Mr. Valentine was over a few days ago. We are friends
again, and I have knitted gloves for him and am embroider-
ing a tobacco bag at Mamma's earnest solicitation. He does
not chew or smoke, and so he can only use it as a trophy.
He aroused Mamma's sympathy by complaining of the way
the girls have all treated him. They have not given him a
thing. He begged me so hard to make something for him that
I relented and am now on a high hunt for something suitable
to make a fancy over-shirt. Cousin Jenny promised me a
dress, but Mrs. Johns tone so represented to her that Mr.
Valentine was very wealthy and could get what he needed
that Cousin Jenny kept the dress. And I have not a thing
that will do. We have cut up every silk and wool thing we
have for the different boys. I wrote a note of reproach to
Mrs. Johnstone and begged her to make the amende honor-
able by sacrificing one of her dresses for a poor shirtless
Confederate. She promises to do the best she can and give
me the first dress she wears out. That will not be until the
end of the war. No one's dresses are ever considered worn
out these days as long as they can hold together.

Mrs. Carson spent several days and nights with us last
week. She is staying at Monticello until Dr. Carson gets
everything moved back to the place he has bought on Joe's
Bayou. Mrs. Carson as usual is delighted with everything
and everybody that is new. Novelty bears for her a charm
that the oldest friendship cannot boast.

Mrs. Savage commenced falling back at the first alarm and
dispatched her baggage train in great haste. They are all
safely housed at Lambert Norris's.

Dec. 7: For the last three nights I have been staying in
Jimmy's room, and Mamma has at last had a good rest.
Today he is so much better that we have turned him over

162 BROKENBURN

to Johnny's fostering care for the night. Jimmy did not much
like the idea of being left in Johnny and Webster's hands.
This is the first night for over three weeks that we have not
set up with him.

Mamma and I have been working hard for several days on
the uniforms for Mr. Catlin and Mr. Newman. We finished
them today and a lovely " pocket friend " for Mr. Valentine,
Sent everything out to the camp with some candy, cake, and
preserves for our friends and some eatables for the company
None of them were in camp so we did not hear anything
when the men came back. But we will hear from all that
work.

Dec. 12: Tuesday Sister and I went to Mrs. Hardison's to
see Julia and Carrie Lowry. They were hard at work on sol-
dier's clothes. They have twenty-four jackets to make, a
trying job. I came home feeling ashamed of myself for hav-
ing done so little and begged Mamma to send to the camp
for some of the clothes to make. Mamma refused, saying
that we have enough to do already, and really we have.
Sister has been sick for several days with severe sorethroat
and Jimmy improves hardly at all. He is still in bed and
tonight has fever.

We thought maybe Mrs. Curry would do some sewing for
the soldiers, and so I went over to see her. Lou and Mary
would each undertake a suit and Miss Jefferies, who was
there, would also make one, and we thought the Miss Rich-
ardsons maybe would do some sewing. I came back well
pleased and sent Webster to camp for seven suits. He soon
came back with only two suits and a jacket. All the other
sewing had been given out so that was a job well off hand.

Mamma and I are busy making my grey silk. Mamma
bought it in Vicksburg the last time she was down, and it
cost a pretty penny.

Lt. Valentine has resigned his office and I am provoked. It
was such a foolish thing to do just because some of the men
requested his resignation. Why did he not have them put
in the guardhouse? He seems to be the only officer in the
company who tries to do his duty, and of course he is un-

1862: "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 163

popular. I hope it will not be accepted. I should like to have
a six-month talk with him. I know he is dreadfully chagrined
under all that indifferent manner.

Mamma has turned off Mr. Blakely. He would not do at
all, and she has engaged a Mr, Ellison who comes tomorrow.
Hope he will prove a good overseer. One is hard to get.
Mamma has rented a place on Joe's Bayou above overflow
from a Mr. Storey. Can send the Negroes there if the
Yankees come again.

Hiram Tibbetts took dinner with us yesterday. He is " a
slow coach." Mr. McGee drops in occasionally as dry as
ever.

Dec. 16: No news from My Brother for weeks. Do not
know his address even. Uncle Bo is still at Fredericksburg
and the boys at Grenada [Miss.], and are well. We get neither
papers nor letters these days. Not a word from Kate Nailor
since her marriage months ago. Why does marrying change
one so? Why is it impossible to care for your friends if you
have a new husband or wife? I should not think one lone
man could take the place of all the loved ones of a lifetime.
But I suppose a man's the reason.

Both the Messrs. Valentine came over yesterday in a pelt-
ing rain, both wet. Lt. Valentine is deeply mortified. He said
the morning after the petitions came in he was ordered out
with a squad to watch a gun, and he sincerely hoped a shell
would strike him. He tried to make the men do their duty
and so angered them. Both Dr. Buckner and My Brother
were requested to resign soon after they got their companies,
but since they did not think of doing such a thing the dis-
satisfaction soon passed away. Capt. Harper's company is
nearly entirely of poor Bayou Macon men who naturally
have an ill feeling against the "rich swampers," and Mr.
Valentine's reputed wealth has helped to antagonize them.

Mr. Valentine was so pleased with the things we sent him
and begged so humbly for a tobacco bag (why should he
want it when he does not smoke?) that I have promised to
make a pretty one. Because of the number I have made, our

104 BROKEN BURN

scraps of silk and velvet and embroidery silk are nearly
exhausted.

Aunt Laura is low-spirited tonight thinking of Dr. Buck-
ner so far away, though usually she is quite cheerful. Beverly
is the tyrealest' lit tie treasure, a sunbeam in the house. Jimmy
came out of his room today for the first lime.

Dec. ,?9: Well, the most exciting Christmas of our lives
has come and gone, and the excitement still continues as
the bombardment on the river is incessant. This evening for
several hours it seemed to be heavy guns at Omega.

We expected both the Mr. Valentines to dine with us
Christmas. We had invited Mary Gustine out to spend the
week and knew we would have much other company, and so
we made up a lot of cakes and good things. Two days before
Christmas we all rode over to the camp, Johnny and I on
horseback and the others in the carriage, to see Capt. Ben-
ton's artillery drill. Capt. Harper and Mr. Valentine came to
talk to us and to say, as orders were very strict, they would
be unable to leave camp Christmas Day but would like to
come to see us Christmas Eve. Of course, we would be glad
to have them, and after a pleasant little chat with the soldiers
gathered around gazing at us we started home. Johnny and I
gathered a lot of mistletoe and crimson casino berries, and
we decorated the parlor and hall prettily next day, getting
through just as Mary Gustine drove up. We sent some
clothes out to camp and decided to write Capt. Harper to
bring any of his friends. Soon after dark he, Capt. Martin
from Monroe, Capt. Benton, Lt. Nolley, and Lt. Valentine
came in. We gave them a first-class eggnog and intended
giving them another after supper, but they went out and
before we knew it took some of the brandy straight. Since
brandy is $60 a gallon and far from plentiful, we would not
let them have any more in eggnog or anything else. They
had had plenty. We had a fine supper and all enjoyed the
evening. Next morning, Christine, Mary, and I were amusing
ourselves at the piano when old Mr, Valentine came in and
after some delay gave us to understand it was My Brother
who was killed at Fredericksburg and not another Lt. Stone

1862; "THESE TROUBLOUS TIMES" 165

as we thought. Mamma was at once in despair and gave way
to the wildest grief. We sent a messenger at once for Mr.
Valentine's paper, another to the nearest telegraph office,
and Johnny got ready at once and started for Vicksburg to
get full particulars. Mamma could not listen to reason. She
was sure he was dead and she was heartbroken. As soon as
possible the man came with the paper, and reading it over
we saw at once Mr. Valentine was mistaken. It was not our
boy who had fallen but someone else's darling with a similar
name. The relief was very great but the mischief was done.

Our Christmas was ruined, and Johnny was on his way to
Vicksburg. Mr. Valentine was very contrite and so sorry
for his great mistake. We did not know until three days later
that Johnny had been taken and was a prisoner on the gun-
boats. Mr. Valentine brought us the news of the arrival of a
large Yankee fleet at Omega and the landing of the men.
When the officers reached camp Christmas night, the enemy
were landing in large force. 72 They at once went on picket
duty and the next morning were ordered to break camp and
fall back on Tensas or to Delhi. We have heard nothing of
them since. A force of 5,000 Yankees marched to Delhi or
Dallas, burned some government stores and the bridges, tore
up the railroad track, and upon returning embarked for
Vicksburg. 73 We expected the Yankees on the place for three
days, and the overseer carried most of the Negroes back to
the Joe's Bayou place. But as they did not come, the Negroes
were brought back in a pouring rain disgusted with their
Christmas outing.

The houses were burned on Buckhorn, except the dwelling.

72 The Federals had completed their plans for the big push. General
Sherman assembled over 30,000 troops, a large fleet of steamboats to
transport them, and the whole gunboat fleet. The expedition left Mem-
phis December 19, and reached Milliken's Bend on Christmas Day, 1862.
Brigadier General A. J. Smith's division was left at Milliken's Bend
while the remainder of the force moved up the Yazoo River to prepare
for the attack on Vicksburg from the north. Personal Memoirs of Gen.
W. T. Sherman (New York, 1890) , I, 313-14, 317.

78 On December 25 General Sherman dispatched General Stephen G.
Burbridge's brigade inland from Milliken's Bend to cut the Vicksburg,
Shreveport, and Texas Railroad. Bridges over the Tensas River and
Bayou Macon were burned, as was the depot at Delhi. Ibid., 317.

Ififl BROKEXBURN

All the mules and horses they could find were taken and some
Xe^roes, and they made prisoners of all the men, the private
citizen^, thai came in their way. But they did better than
on their previous raids as they did not pillage the houses.

They made a prisoner of Johnny as he was crossing the
bridge at Sirs. Scott's and kept him on the gunboat three
days. They questioned Johnny, trying to find out what he
knew of the troops, guns, government stores, etc., in the
country, but he refused to tell them anything. Then the
officers tried to frighten him. Col. Wright took him off pri-
vately and told him the men were anxious to hang him. If
he would tell Col. Wright all he knew about the soldiers, he
would be saved from the fury of the soldiers. Col. Wright
said that they had hanged men at several points coming
down the river for not talking, but as Johnny was a boy he
wanted to save him. His threats had no effect on Johnny.
He said that he knew the Colonel was telling a story and
that they were not going to hang him.

He became quite a favorite with the soldiers. They called
him " Bub v and amused themselves arguing with him. Some
of them encouraged him with " That's right, Bub. Stand up
for your principles.'* How much more of a man he proved
himself than Duncan Gustine, nearly grown, who was fright-
ened into piloting them through the country, and everybody
has been abusing him for cowardice ever since. The Yankees
released the prisoners taken after two or three days.

I am so afraid they will get my horse Wonka. I wish we
had sent him to the Bayou. Webster has him in charge,
hidden in the canebrake. Mary and Ella Gustine have gone
home and I am used up with sorethroat and inflamed eyes.

1863

"Strangers in a Strange land''

Jan. 1 : My dear Brother came home this morning and in
perfect health. How overjoyed we are to have him with us,
but oh the disappointment that he is still only a captain.
It seems he and the other gentlemen mentioned at the same
time were recommended by the officers of their regiment for
the field offices and a petition sent up for their promotion,
but by the rules of war promotion could not go that way.
The senior officers must go up first and so Tom Manlove is-
lieutenant colonel and the senior captain, major. Tom Man-
love headed a petition signed by all the officers of the regi-
ment asking that My Brother be made colonel, but My
Brother would not let it be sent up. I am awfully sorry. I
fear now he will never be promoted. He has no ambition
and a low opinion of his capabilities. It is foolish for me to
feel so bad about it when I should be perfectly happy that
he has escaped the myriad dangers -and is with us again. He
was mentioned for gallant conduct in Gen. Featherston's
report of the battles before Richmond. He was highly com-
plimented on the field of battle at Sharpsburg by Gen. D. H.
Hill and again in his official report.

Dear fellow, if anybody deserves promotion he does. He
may get the colonelcy of his old batallion, now the 48th Miss.
Regt. He was slightly wounded in the foot at the battle of
Fredericksburg, and that is why he was allowed to come
home. He is looking well and cheerful. A piece of shell made
a slight scar on his face but his whiskers conceal it. To me
his coming was no surprise. I have been looking for him for
two months, but the others were not so confident. He came
by way of Mrs. Amis*, and she sent him on by horseback.

167

168 BROKENBURN

Uncle Bo, he reports, is in the finest health and spirits, and
our other soldiers are still at Grenada and well.

He brings encouraging news of successes. We have re-
pulsed the enemy twice between the Yazoo and Vicksburg.
Gen. Van Dorn lias retaken Holly Springs and is threatening
Memphis. Our victory at Fredericksburg was complete but
barren of result, only it has depressed and surprised the
Xorth. Altogether we are getting the better of our foes.

Most of Lhe family are troubled with inflamed eyes and
mine are paining me so, from long writing I suppose. This
has truly been a Happy New Year to us all, white and black.

Jan. ,?J: Sunday. After three weeks of silence let me
think of what has happened. The Yankees, after an absence
of more than a week employed in taking Arkansas Post, 1
have returned in large force, have invested Vicksburg, and
are cutting another ditch across the point above DeSoto, or
it may be deepening the first ditch. 2 My Brother, Mr. Har-
dison, Dr. Waddell, and several other Louisiana gentlemen
were in Vicksburg when the boats came in sight, and they
had great trouble regaining their horses, just missing several
encounters with scouting bands.

My Brother started off this morning with the best and
strongest of the Negroes to look for a place west of the

1 Arkansas Post (Fort Hindman) , January 11, 1863.

2 The attempt to approach Vicksburg by land from the north failed
when General Sherman was defeated, December 27-January 3, 1863, at
Chickasaw Bayou. Federal forces were then concentrated on the Missis-
sippi above Vicksburg with the plan of bypassing Vicksburg and coming
in behind the city. General Grant ordered work resumed on the canal
across the peninsula at DeSoto. Grant himself arrived at Young's Point
on January 29 and assumed command of the entire force on January 30.
He established headquarters at Milliken's Bend to administer the army
which was strung along the bank of the river from Young's Point to Lake
Providence, a distance of sixty miles. The plan for bypassing Vicksburg
consisted of three phases; first, the canal at DeSoto; second, a channel
from Lake Providence into Bayou Macon, the Tensas, the Ouachita, the
Red, and finally into the Mississippi again below Natchez; third, a
channel at Duckport, near Milliken's Bend, into Willow Bayou for pas-
sage through Roundaway Bayou to the Mississippi at New Carthage.
Battles and Leaders, III, 462-70; Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant (New
York, 1917) I, 872-83; and Personal Memoirs of Gen. W. T. Sherman,
I, 333, 342-43.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 169

Ouachita. Only the old and sickly with the house servants
are left here. He is sure we will all be forced to leave this
place as the enemy intend going into camp at the Bend, and
in the event of their defeat at Vicksburg which is certain,
will lay this whole country waste, sending out bands of
Negroes and soldiers to burn and destroy. My Brother
thinks we had better leave at once, and we will commence
packing tomorrow. The Negroes did so hate to go and so
do we.

We have retaken Galveston under Gen. Magruder, 3 and
the Alabama and Florida are spreading death and destruc-
tion on the seas. 4 We have fought another Shiloh battle at
Murfreesboro, 5 and the enemy have evacuated Island No. 10.
Three day's fighting at Vicksburg and the enemy badly
whipped.

Heard from the boys by Joe's servant, who is home on a
visit. All well. Their regiment is now under Van Dorn.

Jan. 26: Preparing to run from the Yankees, I commit
my book to the bottom of a packing box with only a slight
chance of seeing it again.

March 2: Saturday [M onday] I think. We have not had
an almanac for more than a year, and so I can only guess
at the time until someone better posted comes along. The
Yankees have not visited us yet, and so after more than a
month's concealment I take my book out to write again.

The soldiers have been all around us but not on the place.
At first we were frightened, expecting them all the time and
preparing to start for the hills beyond the Macon, the Mecca
for most of the refugeeing planters. Mamma had all the
carpets taken up and the valuable clothes and everything
but the furniture sent away or ready to send when My

3 Galveston was recaptured on January 1, 1863, by a joint army-navy
force under the command of General John B. Magruder. A. T. Mahan,
The Gulf and Inland Waters (New York, 1883) , 108-109.

4 The Alabama and the Florida were fast vessels built for the Con-
federate Government for the purpose of destroying Northern ocean
commerce. Battles and Leaders, IV, 595, 600-14.

6 Stone's River (Murfreesboro) , Tenn., December 31-January 2, 1863.

170 BROKEXBURN

Broihei came back from Delhi, where he left the Negroes
waifimj until they could be shipped on the train. Such a
crowd wa> there Ihul it will be several days before they can
yvl off.

lie crave Mich a disheartening account of the roads they
are impassable for anything but a six-mule team that he
and Mamma concluded it was impossible to move at this
time and we would await further developments here. Mam-
ma has had the house put in order, and we are again com-
fortable. I am so glad for I dreaded going into the back
country, where we would never see or hear anything among
total strangers, and to leave our pleasant home most proba-
bly to be destroyed by the Yankees, and we may be able to
protect it if we are here.

Brother has been gone for more than a month. He has
taken the Xegro men to the salt works [near Winnfield, La.] 6
away beyond Monroe and put them to work. Jimmy re-
turned from there two weeks ago, and Mamma sent out the
overseer, Mr. Ellsworth. We have been looking for My
Brother for ten days.

Mamma thought of sending Jimmy back to Virginia with
My Brother to go to school at Lexington, but now that the
conscription is being so rigidly enforced she thinks both Mr.
Storey and Mr. Ellison may both be enrolled. She will have
no one but Jimmy to depend on, and so she will keep him
at home. I am begging her to send Johnny. One of the worst
features of the war is that it deprives all the boys of an
education.

^ My Brother must return to Virginia very soon, now that
his furlough is out. We do not see how he can possibly get
to Vicksburg. The Yankees and the water together make it
a hard road to travel, even for the runaway Negroes.

Jane, Aunt Laura's cook, and Aunt Lucy had a terrible
row Tuesday night. Jane cut a great gash in Lucy's face
with a blow from a chair and hurt her severely. Mamma had
Jane called up to interview her on the subject, and she came
with a big carving knife in her hand and fire in her eyes.

c About 110 miles to the southwest.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 171

She scared me. She is nearly six feet tall and powerful in
proportion, as black as night and with a fearful temper. She
is a splendid cook and that is why Dr. Buckner has kept her
so long. Aunt Laura always was afraid of her, and I always
thought Dr. Buckner stood in wholesome dread of her. He
would never scold her, but he would not sell her, though Aunt
Laura often begged him to get rid of her. Aunt Laura had a
long, lingering illness lasting several months, and she always
thought Jane kept her poisoned. Jane showed a very surly,
aggressive temper while Mamma was talking to her, and so
Mamma did not say much. Jane went to her room and that
night took her two children, a girl and a boy about half-
grown, and in company with one of Mr. Hardison's men
started for the camp at DeSoto. I think we are all glad she
has gone. We felt her a constant menace. She must have had
a bad trip. They were out in that blinding rain Wednesday
and Wednesday night with only two blankets as protection
and not much to eat. Mr. Graves saw them yesterday sitting
on the levee at Mr. Utz's in company with fifty others, wait-
ing to be ferried across at the break there in a dugout. All
the Negroes are running away now, and there are numbers
of them. They have to stop at the break and wait to be
ferried over by an old Negro in a dugout, and so there are
crowds waiting all the time. Col. Graves went down there
yesterday to try to reclaim three of his who had escaped.
Three had just been drowned, trying to get over, and he
thought from the description they were his.

Poor creatures, I am sorry for them. How horrible it all is.
We had a scene of terror the night Jane left: The quarreling
and screaming, the blood streaming down Lucy's face, Jane's
fiery looks and speeches, Johnny and Uncle Bob's pursuit of
her as she rushed away, the discovery that the children were
gone, and then just as we had all quieted down, the cry of
fire. The loom room had caught from some hot ashes, but we
at once thought Jane was wreaking vengeance on us all by
trying to burn us out. We would not have been surprised to
have her slip up and stick any of us in the back. Johnny was
our only protector as Jimmy was away. I went around

17 5 BROKEXBURN

bravely in ap;>?arance with a five-shooter in my hand. 7 Found
out afterwards it was only dangerous to look at as it was
not loaded.

Mamma spoke of sending next day for Jane, but Aunt
Laura implored her not to. She was only too thankful to
get rid of her. She had been a terror to her for years. I think
everybody on the place was thankful to get rid of her. The
Xegroes dreaded her as much as the white folks. They
thought her a hoodoo woman.

The place looks deserted now \vith its empty cabins and
neglected fields, and the scene is the same wherever we go.
Mr. Valentine, Mr. Hardison, and Mr. Graves are our only
neighbors, and occasionally Duncan Gustine or Dr. Meux
come out. But as Dr. Meux generally comes to spend a week,
and always in bad weather, we rather dread his visits.

It has been a month of warm weather and constant rain
and the roads are impassable. We have not been out of the
house for three w r eeks. Already the fruit trees are a faint
green and the grass is springing in the yard. Spring is early
this year. Over the woods in front of the house hangs a faint
green mist with the red of the maples shining through, and
this morning Sister brought in a bunch of pale wild violets,
sweet as a promise that winter is gone. The hardy garden
violets and the quaint little heartsease have been perfuming
the winter wind for weeks, and the garden is gay with jon-
quils and narcissus.

March 8: Last night it was reported that the Yankees
were at Dr. Devine's, and we looked for them here today.
My Brother and Mr. Hardison, who is conscript agent, went
out early this morning to stay in the woods until nightfall,
as they do not want to be captured and ornament a Yankee
prison. It is My Brother's last day at home too, and we can
see nothing of him because of those horrid Yankees. The
fear of his imprisonment alone reconciles us to his departure.
We are in hourly dread of his being taken. We will feel safe
only when he is across the river again. How dreadful we

7 A pistol with a revolving chamber containing five bullets.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 173

would feel should he be captured as poor Lt. Valentine was
a week ago. Pie had just ridden up from Richmond where
his company is stationed to see his father for a day and had
not been in the house ten minutes when four Yankee sol-
diers, who had been robbing Mr. Conley's place, rode into
the yard. Mr. Valentine did not think there was a soldier in
ten miles. They carried him off at once to the river, and in a
few clays Mr. Valentine heard that his son had been sent to
Alton, HI. Mark had only a change of clothes and not a cent
of money, but Mr. Valentine made arrangements with the
captain of a Yankee boat, who went out to see him, to furnish
Mark with money, if Mr. Valentine will deliver a few bales
of cotton on the river. Lt. Valentine has an aunt living near
Alton, and so he may fare very well. My Brother and Mr.
Valentine had left the house about ten minutes before Mark
came, and they so regret it, as they think they three could
certainly have captured four Yankees. We are glad their
theory was not put to the test.

Johnny who has been out scouting reports the Yankees at
Rescue, the adjoining place, yesterday hunting horses and
Negroes, and today they are scattered all through the lower
neighborhood on the same quest. This band is said to be
Kansas Jayhawkers, the very offscourings of the Northern
Army. They say they will take by force all Negroes, whether
they wish to go or not. A great number of Negroes have gone
to the Yankees from this section. Mr. Watson and his father-
in-law, Mr. Scott, living, I think, on Eagle Lake near Rich-
mond got up one morning and found every Negro gone,
about seventy-five, only three little girls left. The ladies
actually had to get up and get breakfast. They said it was
funny to see their first attempt at milking. Mr. Matt John-
son has lost every Negro off one place and a number from
the other places. Keene Richards has lost 160 from Transyl-
vania and fifty of them are reported dead. The Negroes at
work on the canal have what they call black measles, and it
is very fatal to them. 8

8 Hundreds of Negroes worked on the canals in the unhealthy con-
ditions described by General Grant: " The river was higher than its

171- linOKEXBURN

M'trcli 4: My Brother started this morning on his long
;md weary journey to Virginia. Johnny will be with him
unli] lu* cruxsos the river. He hopes to get across at New
Carilui!^, hut there are sloughs and bayous to swim, breaks
to CTO.VS and marauding bands of Yankees to avoid before
he reaches the river. He may have to go as far as Water-
proof. 1 We will feel greatly relieved when we know that he
and his servant are safely over. Wesley goes with him this
time, and we are sure he will be faithful. He is the engineer
lor the pin, but there is no telling when the gin will run again.
We sent letters by them, but hope for no answers until the
sieire of Yicksburg is raised. It is hard to give My Brother
up u^ain. We had seen so little of him.

When we heard from Brother Coley and Dr. Buckner
nearly a month ago, they had furloughs and had reached
Vicksburg on their way home when they heard that Gen. Van
Dora was to make a great cavalry raid into Kentucky. They
at once turned back and rejoined their commands. Brother
Coley wrote that he could not possibly miss such a chance for
a good fight. Well, they could not come here with the slight-
est safety, now that there are wandering parties of soldiers
all through the swamp. The Yankees are very daring, swim-
ming the bayous, plunging through the mud of the unbroken
swamp, often only two or three of them together. One
company of good men could put a stop to all of this, but all
our men are across the Macon with no desire to come this
way. We hear they are panic-stricken at the name of a
Yankee and run the other way. It is well that the honor of
Louisiana does not depend on the troops on this side of the
river, 10

natural banks from December, 1862, to the following April. . . . the
levees were neglected and broken in many places, and the whole country
was covered^with water. Troops could scarcely find dry ground on which
to pitch their tents. Malarial fevers broke out among the men. Measles
and smallpox also attacked them." Personal Memoirs of TJ. S. Grant,
I, 382. J

8 New Carthage, La., was on the Mississippi below Vicksburg, Water-
proof farther down, almost as far as Natchez.

10 Confederate strength in the Trans-Mississippi Department (Mis-
souri, Arkansas, and Louisiana north of Red River) had declined for

1863: " STRANGERS IX A STRANGE LAND " 175

We get no Southern papers but occasionally a Northern
paper from the people who are still on the river. They are
all said to have taken the oath and to have letters of pro-
tection from the general commanding. 11 Dr. Taylor, Mr.
Harris, Mr. Rucker, and Mrs. Nutt are some of the suspected
parties. Gen. Grant is said to have been very rude to Mrs.
Nutt when she applied for protection. What else could she
have expected from a Yankee general? There are some
troops still at Lake Providence. We cannot hear whether
they are still working on their grand canal or not. 1 " We
suppose they will harass this section until the river falls and
they again attack Vicksburg.

March o: Mr. Valentine came over last evening in very
low spirits indeed. He says his Negroes will not even pretend
to work and are very impudent, and he thinks they will all go
off in a body the next time the Yankees come on his place.

He brought the welcome news of the departure of that
body of Jayhawkers that was on Mrs. Evans' place. They
have completely ruined Mr. Catlin's, Mrs. Evans', and Mrs.
Stevens* places, taking all the Negroes and all kinds of stock.
The Negro women marched off in their mistresses' dresses.

Jimmy has been for some time with the Negroes at the
salt works. We are in a helpless situation, three ladies and
two little girls and not a white man or even a gun on the
place, not even a boy until Johnny gets back. And the
scouts may take him. We can find rest only in the thought
that we are in God's hands.

March 8: Mr. Thompson took dinner here yesterday and
gave us the news from far and wide. He is son-in-law of Mr.
Lowry. We have taken two gunboats below Vicksburg, one

almost a year as the Confederate Government sent more and more
troops to the eastern front. In the region west of the river there was
no force of sufficient strength to attack Grant's large army. Battles and
Leaders, III, 454-56; J. P. Blessington, The Campaigns of Walker's
Texas Division (New York, 1875) , 61-68.

11 Apparently an oath of allegiance to the Union.

12 Work was still going on at the Lake Providence canal, although
General Grant had little hope that the project would succeed. Personal
Memoirs of U. S. Grant, I, 374.

17G BROKEXBURN

by the bravery of one of our pilots. He had been ta,ken on
one of our captured boats and impressed into service to run
a irunboat up Red River. He succeeded in running the boal
under one of our river batteries, and in the confusion of the
attack he escaped to land, though four Yankees had been set
to guard him. 13

There are only twenty Negroes left on Mrs. Tibbetts' five
places, and Dr. Tibbetts has only one left, a superannuated
woman helpless to do anything. The ladies are cooking,
washing, etc., while Hiram Tibbetts is wood chopper.

The Yankees have five thousand Negroes camped at Lake
Providence, all they have taken from the places up the river.
They had an army of 30,000 men camped there, but they find
the canal through to the Macon not feasible. They have
moved up to Ashton to try a new canal there, if they can
close the break at that point.

March 9: Aunt Lucy's little girl Linda died this morning
from the effect of the measles. It is the first child she ever
lost and she is much distressed. Little Dora is also very ill
from the same cause.

Johnny returned yesterday evening with fever. He left My
Brother within nine miles of Carthage. My Brother was to
go the rest of the way in a canoe until he got on the other
side of the river, when he would walk up to Vicksburg. He
stopped to see Mary Gustine, and she joined them and went
on down to see Julia at Mrs. Cochran's. So he got to see
Julia at last. Julia in her note to me says she has seen Mrs.
Bow Barr several times. Lottie was one foolish girl to marry
that dissipated fellow. She had better have lived and died
an old maid.

We have heard a good many guns today and a boat whistle
at Omega. Must be landing troops there. There must be a

13 The Federal Queen of the West ran the Vicksburg batteries Febru-
ary 2, 1863, and was raiding in the Red River area until February 14
when it ran aground in front of a Confederate shore battery about fifty
miles up Red River. A New York Tribune correspondent on board
wrote, " Our pilot, whether designedly or otherwise, I know not, ran
the Queen aground, and at the same instant the batteries opened fire
upon us." Gosnell, Guns on the Western Waters, 186.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 111

large force at the Bend now, as they have been moving men
up for some days. Young's Point and DeSoto are said to be
under water, and they are forced to leave. 14 Mr. Joe Noland's
is to be headquarters we hear. We hear that Mr. Hans Harris
is having trouble with the Yankees, notwithstanding his pro-
tection papers, and that it is not necessary to take the oath
to be protected, and so I retract what I said about the
traitors on the river. Am glad it was false except Dr.
Taylor of Willow Bayou. We truly believe him to be false
to the South. His wife has gone North with her children.
She is from there and must have contaminated her husband.
Mr. Montague's last two sons, in company with two friends,
have gone over to the Yankees. Now Mr. Montague has all
five of his sons in the North. It is strange that he could raise
five sons in the South to love the North better than their own
native land. Let us hope he is satisfied with them, as no one
else is. All have a hearty contempt for them. What a dis-
grace to belong to that family.

The fruit trees are in full bloom now and our young
orchard makes quite a show. Johnny is thinking of planting
his melons when Uncle Hoccles get time. Quite a variety of
vegetables are up and growing nicely.

March 11: When My Brother was at home, he heard a
few days before he left that the Yankees had discovered quite
a lot of cotton bales hidden by the planters on a ridge in
the swamp near Mr. Valentine's and of course were coming
at once to get it. Cotton is so valuable now. So he rode
over that dark night all alone with a pocketful of matches,
and after fumbling around through the swamp for some time
found it. With a good deal of trouble, he set it afire, staying
by it until daybreak when he left for fear some of the Negroes
would see hirn and tell the Yankees, who would come and
burn us out. He did see two or three Negroes looking at him

14 General Sherman stated that high waters early in March forced
removal of McClernand's corps from Young's Point to Milliken's Bend.
General Grant reported that work on the canal was interrupted on
March 8 by a sudden rise hi the river. Personal Memoirs of Gen. W. T.
Sherman, I, 338; Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, I, 372.

178 BROKEXBURN

as he palloped through Mr. Valentine's place. That morning
a lonii" train of wagons came pulling through the mud. All
the Yankee teamsters were delighted at the idea of getting
Midi a pile of cotton hidden by the Rebs, when, lo and be-
hold, there wa* nothing but a burning, smouldering pile. The
lovely cotton \\as all gone. We hear they were furious and
threatened to burn every house within five miles and hang
the men who did it. But they did not know the men, and by
the time suspicion pointed at My Brother he was off and
away. The affair has blown over, but it made us tremble in
our shoes for several days for fear they would come and burn
us out.

March 12: So many are getting letters of protection from
the general at the Bend. We cannot hear his name. 15 Aunt
Laura, formerly so bitter against the Yankees, is now urging
Mamma to go in to Omega and get letters protecting us.

The enemy have now been three months before Vicksburg
doing nothing against the city, but scourging this part of
the country. The opinion now is that they will not attack the
place at all. The deserters say the soldiers will not fight at
Vicksburg. They say that the place is impregnable, that they
will not fight to meet certain defeat, and that there is great
dissatisfaction both among the officers and men. They will
not pay off the men for fear they will desert. For a time
there were frequent desertions. I must think there will be
an attempt to storm the city. I cannot think they will make
all this preparation and gather this great army without at
last making an attempt to capture it.

When the fortifications were commenced, no one dreamed
that Vicksburg would hold out this long. If the Yankees had
come right on after the fall of New Orleans, Vicksburg would
have fallen with hardly a struggle. It was strange that they
did not push on at once. Now it seems almost a second
Gibraltar.

We hear that Gen. [Braxton] Bragg has resigned on ac-

15 General Grant's headquarters were at Milliken's Bend. Other gen-
erals in command of troops in the area included G. W. Morgan A J
Smith, Frederick Steele, and M. L. Smith. *

1863: " STRANGERS L\ A STRAXGE LAND " 179

count of the dissatisfaction of most of his officers with his
retreat from Murfreesboro. Gen. Joseph Johnston is now in
command. It seems a pity for an old soldier like Bragg to
have no force under him.

March 15: For the last two days we have been in a quiver
of anxiety looking for the Yankees every minute, sitting on
the front gallery with our eyes strained in the direction they
will come, going to bed late and getting up early so they
will not find us asleep. Today as it is raining, they are apt
to remain in camp, and so we have a little relief. Friday they
were at Mr. Graves', Mr. McPherson's, and Mr. Hardison's.
Mr. Graves has a protection letter, and we did not hear how
they fared. At Mr. McPherson's they took two horses and all
the chickens, eggs, and butter in sight. They ordered dinner
cooked and sat in the dining room and ate it. Only two men
came to Mr. Hardison's, but they were ruffians, tough and
impudent. They searched through everything for money or
jewelry I suppose but found none and went off cursing and
threatening another visit. Sister and I happened to go up on
a little call soon after the men left and found everybody as
mad as could be and feeling so helpless. Caroline, her favorite
servant, and one of the Negro men went off the night before.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. Valentine was here, and we were
all conversing quietly enough when the frantic barking of the
dogs called us to the front gallery just in time to see a party
of Yankees and three Negroes passing on the gin ridge. They
turned and took a deliberate survey of the place and then
went on. They were loaded with chickens, eggs, and such
plunder and were guided by one of Mr. Valentine's Negroes,
who had run off some time ago, and had two more to carry
the stuff they had stolen.

So far our Negroes 16 have shown no disposition to leave
but may at any minute. They were hidden out for a day or
so, but of course that could not be kept up with a Yankee
camp as near as Winn Forest. The fields as far as we can

16 The house servants plus a few others. Kate previously stated that
thirty were left behind when her brother moved the field hands inland.

ISO BROKEXBURN

i*ee are sheets of green and gold, the weeds are growing un-
checked and the yellow-top makes a brave show.

\Ye have all been busy this week trying to make " auld
claes look arnaist as weil as new," a tiresome and hopeless job.

March 17: Mr. Curry, who is only home for the day, and
Mr. Hardison came over yesterday to give us the news. Gen.
Van Dorn has attacked the enemy at Franklin, Term., killed
1,000, and captured the other two or three thousand, with
heavy loss on our side. 17 Of course it makes us very anxious
for the boys and Dr. Buckner. My dear little brothers, God
bless them.

Gen. Bragg is said to be in command at Vicksburg. His
fame must now fall or stand with the city. Lincoln, it is
reported, has been appointed a kind of military dictator with
unlimited command of men and money. The Conscript Act
has been passed and will be strictly enforced. 18 That, with
the abolishment of all state lines (if that be true) , must make
the war unpopular with the masses of the people. But the
acts of Congress show that the rulers, at least, are not tired
of the strife, and peace, blessed peace, seems farther off than
ever.

Mr. Curry is just back from the other side of the Macon.
He says the men over there will not fight. I wish we could
swap them off for some of our Virginia or Tennessee men.

The Yankees, who went to Mr. Valentine's the last time
he was here, broke open his trunks and took all his clothes
and valuable papers. How forlorn he must be there all alone
on Oasis. Mr. Curry says that Jane and her two children
were drowned while crossing the break. A short space of
freedom for them.

The plums and sassafras are in full bloom and the whole
yard is fragrant. We all drank sassafras tea for awhile but
soon got tired of it, pretty and pink as it is. Okra coffee is
now the favorite drink. Mamma had several bushels of

"Franklin, Tenn., March 9, 1863

18 The Federal Congress passed a conscription act eaxly in March,
1863. J. G. Randall, The Civil War and Reconstruction (Boston, 1937) '
410. The report concerning Bragg was untrue.

1863: " STRANGERS 7.Y A STRAXGE LAND " 181

the seed saved. After experimenting with parched pota-
toes, parched pindars, burned meal, roasted acorns, all our
coffee drinkers decided on okra seed as the best substitute.
We have grown quite expert making shoes for ourselves. We
cut up an old pair of gaiters and slippers for a pattern.
We make the uppers of broadcloth, velvet, or any strong black
goods we can get, and the shoemaker for the Negroes puts on
the soles. They are not to say elegant looking but we are
delighted to be able to make them, and they are far better
than bare feet. 19

March 20: We have wakened three mornings to the boom-
ing of cannon and have gone to sleep to the same music,
but we have not heard what they are doing. Sometimes we
hear the beating of drums, supposedly at Omega. We are too
near " the pomp and circumstance of glorious war " to find it
pleasant. No Yankees in this section since Saturday. Per-
haps the troops have been concentrated at Vicksburg. The
Yankees who passed through the place discussed stopping
to raid the house, but the captain with them said, as there
were only ladies and children here, they would let us alone.
We did not know a Yankee could have so much chivalry.
Hope it will develop in the other raiding bands.

The two Mrs. Richardsons and Mrs. Spain [?] went out to
camp to get letters of protection. The general gave a letter
to Mrs. Spain, as she was a widow, but refused letters to the
others unless their husbands or brothers would come out and
take the oath. Mr. A. Richardson started the next day to
swear allegiance but was dissuaded by a friend. Miss W.
Richardson went to the boat with her mother and came back
boasting that she had caught a Yankee beau. Imagine any
girl falling so low. No other girl in the country would ack-
nowledge having even a Yankee acquaintance. Mrs. Graves*
papers did not prove a perfect safeguard as a squad took all
their good horses.

19 Massy, Ersatz in the Confederacy, 80-84, says that shortage of
shoes was the worst clothing problem of the Confederacy. Shoes were
made from old leather, preferably prewar because it was longer wearing.
Leather furniture, saddles, belts, gin-bands, and trunks were used in the
manufacture of shoes.

1W HROKEXBURN

?v lamina, Mr. Hardison, Mr. Valentine, and Mr. Jefiries
fvm to be the only people left in the country who have not
,'ijiplied lor protection. We hope we shall never be so pressed
a* io be forced to ask a favor of a Yankee.

March ,*>\ We have had an exciting time since the last
date. Two Yankees came out Friday guided by John Graves
and carried off my horse Wonka in spite of all we could do.

Wonka was racing around the yard, glad to be at liberty

after being tied out so long, when two most villainous-looking

Yankees rode up to the gallery where we three ladies and

the two children were standing. They had pistols in their

hands and proposed a " swap/' but we all refused of course

and begged them not to take the horse. Mamma even offered

to pay the price for him, but the greatest villain of the two

refused bluntly and worked himself into a towering rage

while the other, the smooth villain, galloped off to catch the

horse, I called to one of the Negroes to open the gate,

thinking it would give Wonka a chance to escape, but as they

seemed afraid I ran to do it myself. When the wretch called

to me impudently to stop, I did not notice him but threw

the gate open. He then dashed up with the pistol pointed at

my head (I thought I had never seen such bright caps) and

demanded in the most insolent tone how I dared to open a

gate when he ordered it shut. I looked at him and ran on to

open the other gate. Just then Mamma called to me that

they had caught the horse, and as I turned to go in the house

the man cursed and said, " I had just as soon kill you as a

hoppergrass." I was not frightened but I was furiously angry

and would have been glad to have seen him lying dead. And

I never saw Mamma so angry. Aunt Laura took it more

calmly, and the little girls were frightened. Johnny was sick

with fever. In five minutes the man had changed saddles

and was riding my prancing, beautiful pet gaily off, leaving

in his place a pack of animated bones, covered with sorrel

skin. Some one said it was an old horse taken from Mr.

Noland.

I cried the rest of the day and half of the night. We had
had the horse tied out in the cane for days, and not ten

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 183

minutes before the men came, Webster brought him up and
said that he would die if he was kept tied up where the
mosquitoes could get to him any longer. So I told Webster
to turn him in the yard and went out to see, and I never saw
him look finer. At that moment the Negroes called from the
kitchen that the Yankees were coming, and in a minute they
were dashing up to the gallery and in ten minutes more were
racing away on my horse.

I think I will never see lilac blooms again without recalling
this sad incident. We had all just come in from the garden
and had great sprays of the purple flowers in our hands and
stuck in the children's hats, and when the Yankees rode
away and the excitement subsided we were still holding the
tossing, fragrant plumes. This is the third time these same
two wretches have been plundering out here. They were of
the party that took Mr. Valentine and robbed Mr. Hardison
and Mr. McPherson. Friday is the day they come. That
must be their furlough time.

The Negroes all behaved very well while the men were
here. Most of them hid, and the others did not show the
slightest disposition to go with them, though the Yankees
asked them to go. They made William help catch the horse
by cursing and holding a pistol to his head, and then invited
him to go along with them to camp. He refused most posi-
tively, and they rode off without doing any further damage.
These two returned by way of Mrs. Hardison's, stopping to
have a long talk with her Negroes, and took one of her mules,
crossing just below the house. The effect of their talk with
Mr. Hardison's Negroes came out today when six of the men
with their children and clothes walked off in broad daylight
after a terrible row, using the most abusive language to Mrs.
Hardison. Mr. Hardison expected to get home today and
move them all to Monroe, but he has waited too long. The
other Negroes declare they are free and will leave as soon as
they get ready. Mrs. Hardison sent for Johnny and Mr.
McPherson early this morning. Johnny went at once but
they could do nothing. None of them have even a gun. A
Negro has stolen Mr. Hardison's. But guns are of no use to

184 BROKEXBURN

people in our dilemma. To use one would only be to invite
complete destruction from the soldiers.

The river is rising rapidly, and the levee at Lake Provi-
dence has been cut. It looks like we are going to be over-
flowed, a misfortune that we will welcome if it drives the
Yankee*, away. Xo effort is made to hold the levees; in fact,
they t>poke of cutting the one at Pecan Grove before the
Yankees came up, and it is a pity they did not. A few feet
more of water would be a protection as the Yankees would
not be able to come out in boats.

This country is in a deplorable state. The outrages of the
Yankees and Negroes are enough to frighten one to death.
The sword of Damocles in a hundred forms is suspended over
us, and there is no escape. The water hems us in. The Ne-
groes on Mrs. Stevens', Mr. Conley's, Mr. Catlin's, and Mr.
Evans' places ran off to camp and returned with squads of
soldiers and wagons and moved off every portable thing
furniture, provisions, etc., etc. A great many of the Negroes
camped at Lake Providence have been armed by the officers,
and they are a dreadful menace to the few remaining citizens.
The country seems possessed by demons, black and white. 20

37 arch 24- Storms and rain for two days. There has been
almost constant rain since Christmas. The oldest inhabitants
say they never saw such persistent rains. It might be the
rainy season of the tropics. Some think the cannonading at
Vicksburg brings on the rains. It is seldom we hear the
cannon that it is not succeeded by showers or a downpour,
and often it is difficult to distinguish between the burst of
thunder and the roar of the guns.

The firing has been kept up, now fast then slow, for several
days until today there is quiet. The sound comes over the
water with such distinctness as to rattle the windows, and
when the river is low we scarcely hear the guns.

Johnny brought us news Sunday. (Sunday does not seem

20 With so many troops in the area, the foraging for food and horses
went on constantly, no matter what the orders were. Federal soldiers
used runaway Negroes to guide them to plantations and sometimes gave
them guns.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 185

like Sunday nowadays. It's always the time of the greatest
excitement.) He said that Sirs. Graves was going Monday
to see the Yankee general and would try to get my horse
returned. That we know is a hopeless job, but we wrote
asking her to report the behavior of the two men, giving the
names they gave us and telling of their frequent raids out
this way. Mrs. Hardison also wrote asking her to represent
to the commanding general that there are only women and
children in these homes, and, if he will allow marauding
parties to continue to harass us, at least to send an officer
in charge. Mrs. Graves says that the pickets are very strict
now and that it is hard to get through the lines. The Graves
have lost twenty of their Negroes. The letters of protection
do them no good. Mrs. Hardison's servants have behaved
worse than anyone's. They have done everything but strike
her and have used very abusive language. The leader is a
boy or man, Charles, who ran to the Yankees among the
first and soon returned to stay at home. He said he had
enough of Yankees.

The life we are leading now is a miserable, frightened one
living in constant dread of great danger, not knowing what
form it may take, and utterly helpless to protect ourselves.
It is a painful present and a dark future with the wearing
anxiety and suspense about our loved ones. We long for
news from the outside world, and yet we shudder to think
what ev'l tidings it may bring us. Could we hear that all our
soldiers are well, the troubles here at home would seem but
light ones.

We beguile the time sewing and reading well-thumbed
books, starting at every sound, and in the evening play back-
gammon or chess. Aunt Laura has just learned backgammon
and enjoys playing a game. Little Sister has third-day chills
and looks thin and pale. It seems impossible to break them
without quinine, and we can get none. 21 Johnny is at last

21 The shortage of quinine, the only means of controlling malaria, was
indeed painful. Since the South imported its medical supplies, not only
for the army but for civilians as well, the supply was soon exhausted
after the blockade became effective.

18C BROKENBURN

ahno.st well. Beverly's hair has been cut short and she looks
like a pretty liitle boy and is delighted with her appearance.
So my and My Brother's old friend, Joe Wicks, is dead.
And he'clied, as a Southern boy should, leading his men in
action. He was adjutant of a Tennessee regiment and was
killed in a skirmish near Oxford months ago. What a host of
pleasant memories his name awakens of the happy Clinton
days when I was a little girl of twelve off at school for the
fir&t time, with My Brother as protector and comforter, and
Joe my first little lover. What a gay, guileless time we all
had together, boarding there with his sister, Mrs. Rhodes.
" Green be the grass above thee, friend of my early years/'

[Anchorage, La.] 2J April 10: Brother Walter died Febru-
ary 15, 1863, at Cotton Gin, Miss. Again has God smitten
us, and this last trouble is almost more than we can bear. I
can hardly believe that our bright, merry little Brother
Walter has been dead for seven weeks. And we cannot realize
that he is gone forevermore. Even peace will not restore him
to us all. It is hard, hard that he should have to go, so full
of life and happiness and with such promise of a noble man-
hood. We were always so proud of our six stalwart boys, and
again one is snatched away and we cannot think of them
without tears. Father, "Thou has promised Thou wilt
not always chide, neither wilt Thou keep Thine anger for-
ever. Have Mercy upon us, Father, and spare Thou those
who are left."

For seven long weeks my dear little brother has been
sleeping in his lonely grave, far from all who loved him, and
we knew it not until a few days ago. Even as I write, I feel
his tears on my cheek and see him as I saw him last when I
bade him good-bye in Vicksburg, reining his horse on the
summit of the hill and turning with flushed cheeks and tear-

22 Anchorage, one of Dr. Carson's plantations, was located on Joe's
Bayou in the western part of Madison Parish, about twenty miles inland
from the Mississippi. The flight of the Stone family from Brokenburn
on March 25 (as will subsequently be related) was indeed timely, for
on March 29 McCIernand's corps of four divisions started across the
parish to New Carthage. A skirmish with a small Confederate force
occurred at Richmond. Personal M&moirs of U. S. Grant, I, 388.

1863: " STRANGERS IX A STRAXGE LAXD " 187

ful eyes to wave me a last farewell. And by the side of this
picture is another that has haunted me ever since reading
that fatal letter: I see him lying cold and still, dressed in
black, in his plain black coffin. His slender hands are worn
and brown with the toil of the last four months and are
crossed on his quiet breast. His handsome clear-cut features
are glaring cold and white, and the white lids are drawn
down over the splendid grey eyes, so easy to fill with tears
or brighten with laughter. The smile we knew so well is
resting on his lips. Happy boy, free from the toil and turmoil
of life, safe in the morning of life in a glorious immortality.
It breaks our hearts to think of him sick and dying among
strangers, a Negro's face the only familiar one near him. I
can hear him asking so eagerly, " Has Brother Coley come? "
They say he longed so to see him, and he had been dead two
weeks before Brother Coley knew it. All we know of his
death is from a letter of Brother Coley's written on the six-
teenth of March, the day Van Dora's cavalry left Arkalona
for the raid into Tennessee. Brother Walter had fever but
he rode all day. The next morning he still suffered with
fever, and he and two other soldiers of his company were
left at the house of Mrs, Owens near Cotton Gin, a little
town in north Mississippi. Pompey, Joe Carson's boy, was
left to wait on him. The next morning the other two sol-
diers were well enough to follow on, and they carried a note
from Mrs. Owens telling Brother Coley that his brother was
very sick and that he had better return. He did not get the
note for two weeks. Brother Walter had developed a severe
case of pneumonia, and on the fifth evening, February 15 at
3 o'clock, he passed away with no friend but Pompey near
him. It wrings my heart to think of him suffering and alone.
I hope he did not realize that Death was so near and all he
loved so far away. Poor little fellow, he was not used to
strangers. He has been surrounded by loved and familiar
faces all his short life. He was eighteen in December and
died in February. He was but a boy and could not stand the
hardships of a soldier's life. Four months of it killed him.

BROKENBURN

We have no likeness of him. He has left only a memory and
a name.

He will come not back though all be won,

Whose young heart beat so high.

"Anchorage, La.] April 15: Tomorrow at daybreak we
leave here on our way to Monroe [La.].- 3 This has been but
a resting place on our journey to the unknown. At Mr.
Templetun's on Bayou Macon, we will take a flat for Delhi
where we will take the cars for Monroe. We hope to reach
there sometime during the night. Jimmy has secured two
rooms for us at a Mr. Deane's in the hills four miles from
Monroe, across the Ouachita. These are Mamma's plans if
she can carry them through, but everything is uncertain
from the getting of the flat to the rent of the rooms. No
plans are fixed in these troublesome times. First come, first
served is the motto. Engagements stand for nothing.

But we must certainly leave here, as we have trespassed
on these kind friends for two weeks. Now, they are pre-
paring to move on themselves, and we would surely be in the
way. They have been exceedingly kind. No relatives could
have been kinder, and Dr. Carson even wants to send us
down to Delhi in one of his skiffs, a trip of two days. He is
in all the hurry and bustle of moving not only his own family
but several hundred Negroes, his own and those belonging to
the large Bailey estate, for which he is executor. The more
I see of Dr. Carson the more I am impressed with the beauty
and nobility of his character. He has a tremendous under-
taking before him, so many women and children to be moved
and sheltered, and he feels deeply the responsibility. Mam-
ma will not take advantage of his kindness about the skiff.
We will get down the Macon from Col. Templeton's some-
way. Mrs. Carson has given Sister a complete suit of Katie's
clothes, as Sister, in our escape from home, got off with only
the clothes she had on. She and Katie are the same size, and
the clothes fit nicely. She has also given me a pair of nice
gaiters such as it would be impossible to buy in the Con-

23 The parish seat of Ouachita Parish, about eighty miles inland from
the Mississippi.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 189

federacy. As I have only a pair of old half-worn shoes and
can get no more, they are most acceptable. Mamma will
get mourning for Sisler in Monroe, if possible. We feel that
black should be our only wear.

Mrs. Carson and the children will follow us to Monroe in
a few days, and we have all planned to go out to Texas to-
gether, camping out. " Times change and men change with
them " trite but true. A year ago would we have thought
of receiving, or of a friend offering, clothes as a present? Now
we are as pleased to receive a half-worn garment from a
friend as the veriest beggar that goes from door to door.
How else shall we cover our nakedness? We have lost all and
as yet can buy nothing. A year ago would we have thought
of going even to the house of a friend to spend some time
without an invitation? And tomorrow we are all going
seven of us 24 with bag and baggage (very little of that,
though) to stay an indefinite time with a lady we have
seen only once, and without any invitation, trusting only
that, as she is a lady, she will be kind to us in our distress.
We are going to Col. Templet on's to wait there until we can
get transportation down the Macon. Mrs. Templeton called
on us last week here.

Before leaving here, we wrote to our two boys and Uncle
Bo. My heart was too full for a careless letter. I could only
think of Brother Walter. But we know how anxious they are
about us all, and writing is all we can do for them. So we
wrote as cheerfully as we could. We would not add to their
hardships. Brother Coley wrote that they were doing as hard
service as was possible for men. And my heart aches for the
delicate young fellow, trying his strength to the utmost. He
seems almost as far from us as Brother Walter, and I have
almost as little hope of seeing him again. Not a word from
My Brother since he left.

I have had no heart to write of our horrid flight from home
but will some day when anchored somewhere.

24 Mamma, Little Sister, Kate, Jimmy, Johnny, Aunt Laura, and
Beverley.

IflU BROKEN BURN

\\car Monroe, La.] April 21: a "' We have reached this
place of refuge three weeks after deserting our home. We
have come by" short but not easy stages. Wednesday we left
Dr. Carson's Anchorage place at sunrise, going in skiffs to
Mr. Templeton's only a few miles and hoping to catch Mr.
Gaddis' boat. The boat had gone on, and Mr. and Mrs.
Templeton begged us to stay with them until Friday, when
the boat would make another trip. We were only too glad
to do so. There was absolutely nothing else we could do.
The whole country is a sheet of water from the levees being
down in every direction. There is not a skiff to be borrowed
or bought at any price. The whole family, consisting of Col.
and Mrs. Templeton and their two half-grown daughters,
Mary and Emma, were as kind as possible to us. They did
all they could to help us on. We were sorry to tell the Car-
sons good-bye. They were so kind, but we hope to meet them
very* soon. Col. Templeton's is a pleasant home. It is a long,
low house with a large yard, shaded with forest trees, cool,
green and homelike. It is comfortable within but with no
pretensions. They set an excellent table and have a well-
filled larder. Most pleasant of all to storm-tossed wanderers
was a warm welcome. The only thing I did not like, my
bedfellow was a " Yankee school marm." She professed to
be a true Southerner in feeling, but when she knelt to pray
I could not help speculating whether her petitions were for
our success or the success of our enemies. 26 Emma Temple-
ton is a little beauty, a dimpled blonde. Mary is a tall, pale,
dark-eyed girl. Both of them are idolized by their parents.
Mr. Hornwasher is their music and drawing teacher. He did
not join the army. He had enough of war in his own country,
no doubt.
Friday we came down to Delhi in an immense dugout, a

f On April 20 the Federal Army moved across Madison Parish to a
point below Vicksburg, preparatory to crossing to the east bank of the
Mississippi. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, I> 390-92.

- Northern school teachers had been in the area from the earliest
settlements^ Miss Caroline B. Poole, Massachusetts school teacher, came
to Monroe in 1836 as governess for a planter's children, and her diary
gives a graphic account of conditions in the area. Williamson, Northeast
Louisiana, 183-84.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 191

trip of six hours. All seven of us, Mamma, Aunt Laura,
Sister, Beverly, I, and the two boys, with an assorted cargo
of corn, bacon, hams, Negroes, their baggage, dogs and cats,
two or three men, and our scant baggage. It was a dreadful
trip. We were very crowded, the hot sun beaming on us as
we were creeping down the bayou, hungry and tired. There
was a very strong reflection from the water, and one of our
poor Negroes was sick, groaning most of the way, and could
not be made comfortable. We were glad enough to get out
at the railroad bridge and walk the mile to reach Delhi.

The scene there beggars description: such crowds of Ne-
groes of all ages and sizes, wagons, mules, horses, dogs,
baggage, and furniture of every description, very little of
it packed. It was just thrown in promiscuous heaps pianos,
tables, chairs, rosewood sofas, wardrobes, parlor sets, with
pots, kettles, stoves, beds and bedding, bowls and pitchers,
and everything of the kind just thrown pell-mell here and
there, with soldiers, drunk and sober, combing over it all,
shouting and laughing. While thronging everywhere were
refugees men, women, and children everybody and every-
thing trying to get on the cars, all fleeing from the Yankees
or worse still, the Negroes.

All have lost heavily, some with princely estates and hun-
dreds of Negroes, escaping with ten or twenty of their hands
and only the clothes they have on. Others brought out
clothes and household effects but no Negroes, and still others
sacrificed everything to run their Negroes to a place of safety.

Everybody was animated and excited. All had their own
tales to tell of the Yankee insolence and oppression and their
hairbreadth escapes. All were eager to tell their own stories
of hardship and contrivance, and everybody sympathized
with everybody else. All were willing to lend a helping hand
and to give advice to anybody on any subject. Nearly every-
body took his trials cheerfully, making a joke of them, and
nearly all are bound for Texas. Nobody " crying over spilled
milk/* Not a tear all day, though one knows there were
heavy hearts bravely borne.

We got ofi from Delhi about sunset and reached Monroe

lfK> BROKEXBURN

after twelve. Nearly all remained on the cars until daylight,
ab it was impossible to get accommodations in town. It was
amusing to watch the people wake up in the morning, wash
their faces, smooth at their hair, and go to eating breakfast
a* leisurely and with as much sang-froid as though in their
breakfast 'rooms at home. Everyone traveling on the cars
now carries his own provisions, as you can get nothing if
you do not, and no room if you get off.

We and the Lowry family were the last to leave the cars.
Jimmy arranged his affairs, and about eleven when we were
all thoroughly worn out w r e set off in a four-horse stage. We
drove through Monroe, which seems to be a beautiful little
town, but I was suffering with fever too much to like any-
thing. The road up the Ouachita was lovely. It is a clear
bright stream with forest shaded banks. The hard dry road
was appreciated after the mud and water of the last months.
The profusion of catalpa trees, all in full bloom, lining the
streets of Monroe was indescribably fair in the early morn-
ing light. The deep green leaves seemed heaped with pyra-
mids of snow. We never thought the catalpa could be so
pretty.

We crossed the river at Trenton on a flat and came out two
miles in the hills to this place, Mr. Deane's, but we hope to
be here only a few days. The woods around here are beauti-
ful with quantities of wild flowers and fruits. I have been
sick in bed until today.

Yesterday Mamma and Jimmy went back to Delhi to get
a party of soldiers to go back home with Jimmy and bring
out the Negroes left there. All our and Aunt Laura's house
servants, the most valuable we own, were left. She returned
today, having succeeded in getting the soldiers, and the party
with Jimmy as guide will leave this morning. We shall be
very anxious until Jimmy returns as it is a most hazardous
undertaking. Mamma did not realize the great danger until
her return on the train. Some of the gentlemen were speak-
ing of its hardihood, and fear if those of the party are cap-
tured they may be hanged as spies. She is very much alarmed.
We hear that the Negroes are still on the place, but the

1863: "STRANGERS L\ A STRANGE LAND" 193

furniture and all movables have been carried out to cainp by
the Yankees. The Negroes quarreled over the division 01
our clothes. I have barely a change and the others have but
little more. Our beds are all in the quarters. Webster, our
most trusted servant, claims the plantation as his own and
is renowned as the greatest villain in the country.

If we succeed in getting the Negroes we may say farewell
to the buildings as no doubt they will be burned, but that
may happen at any time. Mrs. Barr's and Maj. Hay wood's
homes have gone up in smoke.

[Near Trenton, La.] 27 April 24- We have been here
nearly a week, and I am still in bed. I hope to miss the fever
tonight and get up in the morning. This is surely no time to
be sick. Mamma, Aunt Laura, Sister, Beverly, and I with
Beverly's nurse, little Annie, are all occupying one room and
not a large one at that. The other small room, furnished only
with a single bed and a bad smell, belongs to Jimmy and
Johnny. As neither of them are here we might have divided
forces, but it looks too uninviting to risk. The room we are
in has necessary furniture but looks so dirty and dusty.
There are no clean things for the beds and few towels and
bathing facilities. Should Jimmy get any of the house ser-
vants, we will certainly have it all overhauled, and such a
washing of bed clothes there will be. Not a book or paper
in the house. Being sick has kept me from dying with ennui.
The fare is coarse and so commonly served. I have bread
and milk three times a day but no butter. The others have
come down to the stern realities of life and really seem to
enjoy sassafras tea, coarse cornbread, and fat bacon. I am
nearly starved.

Poor Mrs. Deane seems a good, obliging kind of woman,
quiet and industrious and with a great contempt for Mr.
Deane, who is an habitual drunkard. There are several little
children, not the cleanest in the world. Altogether things
are so uncomfortable that we will try to change as soon as
possible.

27 An important shipping point on the Ouachita Biver, about two
miles from Monroe.

104 BROKEXBUItN

Mamma went this morning to try to get board for us at
Dr. Young's a fe\v miles farther on. We hear that a force
^M)fM) strong have taken the St. Mary salt works and are
marching in on Alexandria," 8 which is most lamentable news
for us anil the country if true. If Alexandria is taken, they
will certainly take the salt works on this side where all our
Negroes are. Then, what will become of us? We will be
absolutely destitute.

Little Sister is the only one who adapts herself readily to
circumstances. She is cheerful and happy and quite at home.
She and Mrs. Deane are great friends, and she keeps busy
most of the time, an amelioration of our lot.

The May haws are ripening and all say they are delicious
btewed with sugar. I have not been well enough to try them.

[Xear Trenton, La.] April 25: We see that Van Dorn has
had another fight and been repulsed. We can only hope
Brother Coley and Dr. Buckner are safe. We will not hear
for many days. Affairs look dark for our Confederacy just
now.

This country is filled with refugees. Nearly all our friends
are back here or on their way to Texas, where we hope to
be before long. Out here the prices asked for everything are
enormous. The people of Monroe seem determined to fleece
the refugees. It cost us $3,000 to get a four-horse hack to
bring us from Monroe here four miles. 29

Having no other way of amusing myself, I may as well
write the account of our flight from home [Brokenburn] and
our subsequent adventures.

On Thursday, March 26, hearing that Mr. Hardison had
returned from Monroe, Sister and I walked up in the after-
noon to hear what news he had brought. As we approached

a * Federal General N. P. Banks had moved toward Vicksburg from
New Orleans to assist in the siege. Finding Port Hudson still in Con-
federate hands, he attempted to bypass it by way of the Atchafalaya
and Red rivers. He encountered General Taylor's small force near
Franklin and forced him to retreat north. Banks then started for Alex-
andria, La,. Battles and Leaders, TTT, 586-93.

i T7 9TJh * rate * exchai >ge at this time was about four Confederate
dollars for one gold dollar.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 195

the house, it struck me that something was wrong. As we
were going through the garden George Richards came out
and told us a party of Yankees and armed Negroes had just
left, carrying with them every Xegro on the place, most of
Mrs. Hardison's and the children's clothes, and all the pro-
visions they could manage. They were led by Charles, Mr.
Hardison's most trusted servant, and they were all vowing
vengeance against Mr. Hardison. They said they would
shoot him on sight for moving two of his Negroes a few days
before. Mr. Hardison had fortunately seen them coming and,
knowing he would be arrested or perhaps killed as a con-
script officer, had escaped to the woods.

We walked in and found Mrs. Hardison and the children
all much excited and very angry, with flaming cheeks and
flashing eyes. The Negroes had been very impertinent. The
first armed Negroes they had ever seen. Just as we were
seated someone called out the Yankees were coming again*
It was too late to run. All we could do was to shut ourselves
up together in one room, hoping they would not come in.
George Richards was on the gallery. In a minute we heard
the gate open and shut, rough hoarse voices, a volley of
oaths, and then a cry, " Shoot him, curse him! Shoot him!
Get out of the way so I can get him/' Looking out of the
window, we saw three fiendish-looking, black Negroes stand-
ing around George Richards, two with their guns leveled and
almost touching his breast. He was deathly pale but did
not move. We thought he would be killed instantly, and I
shut my eyes that I might not see it. But after a few words
from George, which we could not hear, and another volley
of curses, they lowered their guns and rushed into the
house " to look for guns " they said, but only to rob and
terrorize us. The Negroes were completely armed and there
was no white man with them. We heard them ranging all
through the house, cursing and laughing, and breaking things
open.

Directly one came bursting into our room, a big black
wretch, with the most insolent swagger, talking all the time
in a most insulting manner. He went through all the drawers

1M> BItOKEXBURN

and wardrobe taking anything he fancied, all the time with
a cocked pistol in his hand. Cursing and making the most
awful threats against Mr. Hardison if they ever caught him,
he lounzod up to the bed where the baby was sleeping.
Raiding the bar, he started to take the child, saying as he
waved the pistol, " I ought to kill him. He may grow up to
be a jarilla/'' Kill him." Mrs. Hardison sprang to his side,
>natched the baby up, and shrieked, " Don't kill my baby.
Don't kill him/' The Xegro turned away with a laugh and
came over where I was sitting with Little Sister crouched
close to me holding my hand. He came right up to us stand-
ing on the hem of my dress while he looked me slowly over,
gesticulating and snapping his pistol. He stood there about
a minute, I suppose. It seemed to me an age. I felt like I
would die should he touch me. I did not look up or move,
and Little Sister was as still as if petrified. In an instant
more he turned away with a most diabolical laugh, gathered
up his plunder, and went out. I was never so frightened in
my life. Mrs. Hardison said we were both as white as marble,
and she was sure I would faint. What a wave of thankfulness
swept over us when he went out and slammed the door. In
the meanwhile, the other Negroes were rummaging the house,
ransacking it from top to bottom, destroying all the pro-
visions they could not carry away, and sprinkling a white
powder into the cisterns and over everything they left. We
never knew whether it was poison or not.

The Negroes called and stormed and cursed through the
house, calling each other "Captain'* and "Lieutenant"
until it nearly froze the blood in our veins, and every minute
we expected them to break into our room again. I was com-
pletely unnerved. I did not think I could feel so frightened.

Mrs. Alexander went into her room hoping to prevent their
robbing her bed, when one of them pointed his pistol at her
and said, " I told you once before, old woman, to keep out
of here and stop your jaw." Mr. McPherson and George
were all the time on the gallery with Negroes guarding them
with leveled guns.

30 Guerrilla.

1863: "STRANGERS IX A STRAXGE LAXD" 197

After carrying on this way about two hours they lit
matches, stuck them about the hall, and then leisurely took
themselves off, loaded down with booty. V\'e rushed around,
put out all the matches, gathered up the few little articles
left, and started at once for home. Since the Xegroes de-
clared as they moved off that they were coming back in a
little while and burn every house on the place, I took the
baby and Mrs. Hardison, Mrs. Alexander, and the children
with George and Mr. McPherson gathered up everything of
any value left, and we hurried home, reaching there spent
with excitement. Mrs. Hardison was almost crazy.

As we passed through our quarters, there were numbers
of strange Negro men standing around. They had gathered
from the neighboring places. They did not say anything,
but they looked at us and grinned and that terrified us
more and more. It held such a promise of evil. Jimmy went
out at once to where Mr. Hardison was in hiding to tell him
his family were with us. Jimmy just escaped being shot by
Mr. Hardison, who, in the dusk, took him for a Yankee. Mr.
and Mrs. Hardison and the small children went off as soon
as possible, not thinking it safe to remain so near home.
During the night a party came to the yard looking for them,
but on the house servants' assuring them that the Hardisons
were gone, they did not come to the house.

We made preparations that night to move at daybreak,
but something deterred us. Mamma thought she would go
out and get letters of protection but later abandoned the
idea. It was then too late for us to get off, and we spent a
night and day of terror. The next evening the Negroes from
all the inhabited places around commenced flocking to Mr.
Hardison's, and they completely sacked the place in broad
daylight, passing our gate loaded down with plunder until
twelve at night. That more than anything else frightened
Mamma and determined her to leave, though at the sacrifice
of everything we owned.

We made arrangements to get Dr. Carson's skiffs and sent
Webster around collecting saddles and bridles. On account
of the water we could go only on horseback to take the skiffs.

198 BROKENBURN

With much difficulty we got everything ready for the start
at midnight. Aunt Laura was the only one who did not
want to go. She begged Mamma to let her and Beverly stay,
saying that she would get old Mr. Valentine to stay with
her, but of course Mamma could not allow that. The boys
brought in everything we had buried out, except Aunt
Laura's silver. That had to be left packed in a barrel and
buried in the yard. The boys had done it one very dark
night, when they hoped all the Negroes were in their cabins
as it was raining. All the servants behaved well enough
except Webster, but you could see it was only because they
knew we would soon be gone. We were only on sufferance.

Two days longer and we think they would all have gone
to the Yankees, most probably robbing and insulting us
before they left. About eleven the boys went off with their
guns to have the horses saddled and brought up. After a
good deal of trouble, they came. The boys carried their guns
all the time. 31 Without them I think we would never have
gotten off. Webster tried every artifice to get hold of one
of them, but the boys never relaxed their watch. The night
was cloudy and dark with occasional claps of thunder, but
we had to go then or never. We knew the news would be
carried to camp, and the Yankees had forbidden citizens to
leave their places. Aunt Laura, protesting all the time she
could not ride, was at last after much coaxing and fixing
mounted on poor Little Jack Fisher, the family pony, old and
gentle, with Annie perched behind her. I took Beverly in
my lap. All the others mounted, and with the baggage cart
with Uncle Bob driving and Jimmy guarding it in the ex-
treme rear, the procession moved off.

It was too dark to see the road but Johnny led off, and
each one followed the shadow in front. At first Aunt Laura
was loud in exclamation and complaint, until someone sug-
gested that she would bring the Negroes down on us. That
acted as a quietus, and thereafter she groaned only in spirit.
Several times as the clouds lifted and it grew something
lighter, I saw her pony struggling in a mud hole and Aunt

81 Jimmy was about sixteen years old, Johnny about fifteen.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 199

Laura reeling in the saddle, but not a scream disturbed the
stillness of the night. As we opened gates and rode through
place after place in perfect silence, not a light was visible
anywhere. After passing Out Post, the road was so bad
and it was so dark that we were forced to wait for daylight.
We dismounted in the middle of the road, and to Aunt
Laura's surprise and amazement Mamma lay her head down
in Johnny's lap and went sound asleep. Riding in the dark
made her sick, and she was worn out with excitement and
loss of sleep.

As soon as it was light enough to see, the sleepers were
awakened, and we mounted and went on over the very worst
road it was possible for ladies to travel just a long bog from
one end to the other. The morning air was pleasantly cool,
and as the red light crept up the sky we heard all kinds of
wildwoods sounds squirrels chattering in the trees, birds
waking with a song, the calls of the wild ducks and turkeys,
and three or four deer bounding into the woods just before us.

When we reached within a mile of our place of debarka-
tion, the road became impassable, and we struck off into the
woods. The cart had to be left there and the baggage carried
on by mules. After much trouble, getting lost and riding
through water up to our saddle skirts I actually swam a
bayou with Beverly in my arms we succeeded in getting
all of our party and a little of our baggage to the landing
place below Mrs. Stevens'. We sent Webster back to the
cart for the baggage, and no sooner was he out of sight than
he mounted a horse and set off for home. He told Charles
that he knew he was not going to Bayou Macon with Miss
Manda and that Charles had better come on with him. Thus
by his treachery we lost almost everything we brought away
with us, for when we heard it, it was already too late to
send back for the things. We knew the Yankees would cer-
tainly be where we were by 8 o'clock, and it was nearly that
hour. We knew that we must get off at once if at all, for
when the Yankees came they would turn us back. They
never allow anyone to leave if they can help it. Finish this
another day.

200 BROKEN BURN

[Near Trenton, La.] April 26: We have divided forces.
Aunt Laura and Beverly with her nurse have gone to Dr.
Young's, about four miles from here. He had promised to
take us all and we had packed our few possessions and were
waiting for the carriage that Dr. Young was to send, when a
boy came with a note saying that Dr. Young found he had
room for only two. Aunt Laura, who was half frantic to get
away from here, went at once, Johnny going with her, all on
horseback. Aunt Laura has gotten over her terror of horse-
back riding since her midnight ride and was willing to mount
anything to get away.

Johnny came back yesterday from the salt works. Affairs
are progressing favorably there. We hear that Jimmy had to
abandon his scheme for making a dash into the lines and
bringing out the hands. The water was too low. He is busy
getting the mules over the Macon. We are relieved that he
gave it up. It was too risky, even if feasible. There are vague
rumors of approaching Yankees, and people are getting
frightened. But we have been through too much to feel af-
frighted at a mere rumor.

[Near Trenton, La.] April 27: Mamma and Johnny are
out hunting up bed clothes and anything else buyable since
we need everything, and Sister and I are left to ourselves
this rainy day. So I may as well finish the recital of our woes.

We left our clothes in care of Uncle Bob who has been as
faithful as any white man could be. He is Mamma's driver
on the plantation. And we piled ourselves and our scanty
luggage into two rocking, leaky dugouts and pushed off,
Jimmy paddling one and Coffee, one of Dr. Carson's hands,
the other. The sight of a body of horsemen in the distance
coming our way lent strength to their arms, and as fast as
they could ply the paddles we glided through the water. The
men came on down the road, and we saw they were Yankee
soldiers. But the water was so deep that they could not
ride fast and we kept ahead. At last after nearly a mile of
this race, the boats shot out into deep water, and we were
safe from pursuit. Then what a shout rang out for Jeff Davis
and the Confederacy. The men could see and hear us dis-

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 201

tinctly, and we half expected a volley to come whizzing over
the waters. But the boys would not be restrained, and their
" Farewell to the Feds! " " Hurrah for Jeff Davis! " and
" Ho for Texas! " floated over the waters till we were out of
sight. The Yankees followed us until their horses were nearly
swimming.

After rowing a few miles, we joined Mr. Hardison and his
family at the Jones place in the middle of Tensas swamp.
They were in a skiff and had been waiting for us for some
time. All his family and all his worldly possessions were in
that skiff and it was not loaded, so quickly had he been
reduced from affluence to poverty. We went on in company
and were in the boats for seven hours in the beating rain and
the sickening sun, sitting with our feet in the water. Not an
inch of land was to be seen during the journey through the
dense swamp and over the swift curling currents. The water
was sometimes twenty feet deep, rushing and gurgling around
the logs and trees. We all stood it very well except Aunt
Laura. She was terrified nearly to death and was alternately
laughing and crying. She insisted on giving the rower direc-
tions and, as he was a slow African, confused him so that he
forgot how to pull and ran us into brush piles innumerable.
At last he said, " Now, Mistress, you just tell me how to pull
and I'll do it." So Aunt Laura and Mamma steered the
boat viva voce, and he did the hard pulling. I thought they
surely would make him turn us over, since a dugout goes
over with such ease. At last we came to a clearing, and the
boats had to be pulled over the land. We walked a path
lined with brambles, and our dresses were nearly torn off.
Johnny suffered with fever nearly all day.

As we were passing a Mr. Anderson's, heavy clouds rolled
up, and it looked like a coming storm. Aunt Laura and Mrs.
Hardison declared they would not go on but would stop
right there, and so our boats were headed for the gallery.
They were all under water since it was a little bit of a house,
but we carried it by storm without a remonstrance from the
owners, who were as kind as could be. Mamma and I were
wet nearly to our waists, and the floor looked like it had been

202 BROKENBURN

scoured when we passed over it. But the dear little lady did
not seem to mind it a bit. I had a great bag of Aunt Laura's
gold around my waist. It was very heavy, and just as I
stepped on the gallery the belt gave way and it came down
with a crash. A foot nearer and it would have fallen in the
water and I suppose we never would have found it. That
evening Dr. Carson came to take us to his house but Aunt
Laura felt too worn out to go. Mamma stayed with her,
and Sister, the boys, and I went on with Dr. Carson. The
next day the others joined us there. The whole family re-
ceived us most kindly, and oh what a relief it was to get
to a place of rest and to feel safe once more.

That night there was a most terrific storm which did not
even waken me. I slept like the dead. I was completely
exhausted by fatigue, excitement, and loss of sleep. Twice
while the storm was raging, Mrs. Carson started to waken
me, saying it was not right to let me sleep in such danger,
but Dr. Carson would not let her. He told her that sleep
was the one thing I needed. So thoughtful of him. Aunt
Laura and Mamma said they were worse frightened by the
storm than they had been by anything else. They had not
had a brutal Negro man standing on their dress and fingering
a pistol a few inches from their heads. I can stand anything
but Negro and Yankee raiders. They terrify me out of my
wits.

Had the storm come up while we were in those dugouts,
few would have lived to tell the tale they rocked like egg
shells.

We spent nearly three weeks at Dr. Carson's most delight-
fully. Books, music, rest, and pleasant company charmed
the hours away until came news of our great bereavement.

The Negroes at Dr. Carson's were almost as much de-
moralized as those on the river. The night after we reached
there, a skiff load attempted to escape but were followed and
captured after being fired on several times by Jimmy. For-
tunately he did not hit any of them.

Now for a list of our losses. All the clothes left in the cart
were taken by Mr. Catlin's Negroes, Uncle Bob being unable

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND 39 203

to protect them. They comprised most of our underclothes
and dresses, all my fine and pretty things, laces, etc., except
one silk dress, all our likenesses, and all the little family
treasures that we valued greatly. Little Sister did not get
off with a change. Mrs. Carson kindly had a suit made for
her. Mamma and I have barely a change and the boys have
only what they have on. They lost theirs after getting them
out here.

Aunt Laura has lost everything except barely enough to
do with for a time. Beverly's things were mostly saved. Aunt
Laura's trunk, packed with a quantity of beautiful clothes,
laces, silks, velvets, and so on, was sent to Mr. Anthony's in
the vain hope that it would be safe. We hear, however, that
the Yankees, informed by Webster, went there, demanded
Mrs. Buckner's trunk, took it to Grant's headquarters, and
that is the last of it. Some say they just broke it open and
divided up the spoils. Both Mamma and Aunt Laura have
lost all their bedding, table linen, etc. Our house is stripped
of furniture, carpets, books, piano, and everything else, the
carriage, buggy, harness, and everything of that kind. Also
they have thirty Negroes still on the place we shall probably
never see again.

Mamma regrets coming away as she did, but what else
could she do? We could not stand more than anyone else,
and nearly everyone left before we did. Our mistake was in
not moving everything in the fall. Charles and Annie were
the only two Negroes who would come with us, and they are
only half-grown. So passes the glory of the family.

[Near Monroe, La.] May 2: We have been comfortably
domiciled here since Tuesday. It is indeed a delightful change
from Mr. Deane's, that musty room and uneatable fare. This
is a large roomy but unfurnished house, a kind, pleasant
family, and excellent fare an oasis in the desert. The
mother, Mrs. Wadley, two grown daughters, a grown son,
and two or three younger children make up the family at
home. Col. Wadley is on the other side of the river. They
are railroad people. Aunt Laura is boarding just across the
road from us, and there is a young lady, Carrie Young, and

204

a grown son in that house. Then, there are quite a number
of young people in walking distance. There is no dearth of
company, but I cannot enjoy it. I feel out of place with a
party of gay young people. Their mirth jars my heart. Life
seems too sad a thing to spend in talking nonsense. I feel
fifty years old.

The two Miss Dawsons from Madison Parish seem to be
the belles of the country. They refugeed out here some time
ago and are enjoying themselves exceedingly. Their house is
a favorite resort for the officers, and the girls are out riding
and walking with some of them every day' Fannie Dawson
is beautiful, accomplished, and fascinating, we hear.

Bad news from the Negroes at the salt works. Jeffrey is
dead and several others are very sick. >The three whose wives
are on the river ran away but were caught. Mamma and
Johnny with a new overseer and his wife started to the salt
works yesterday. She will start all the Negroes" who are able
to travel at once to Texas. We will perhaps go to Hom^r [La.].

The news from Mississippi is bad. The Yankees are mak- s
ing raids through the state, cutting off supplies from Vicks-
burg. News of a Confederate victory at Charleston. 32 The
panic here has subsided though the authorities are, still
moving government stores from Monroe. We hear that M!r&.
Amis' beautiful house has been burned. Emmett Amis is out
here on furlough, flying around among the girls, but cannot
get into the lines to see his mother and sister. They will be
coming out now, I suppose.

I have been hard at work ever since coming here slewing on
the goods Mamma bought from Mrs. Lowry. We need so
many things that it is hard to decide what to make first.
Mamma bought a lot of linen sheets from Mrs. Lowry,. and
I am making them into underclothes, thick and strong. They
should last until the war is over. 88

32 On April 7, 1863, a Federal naval attack on Charleston, S. C., was
repulsed.

83 Prior to the war underwear was usually made from linen, fine cotton,
or silk. When these were no longer available, sheets, pillow cases, and
old garments were used. Women were reduced finally to using coarse
homespun which was hot for summer wear. Massey, Ersatz , in the
Confederacy, 94.

1868: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 205

Mary (Justine and all her mother's family have gone to
Camden, Ark., and the Lowrys will go on there this week. 34
Sorry we missed seeing each other on the way. When shall
we meet again? A letter today from Mrs. Hardison. They
and the turrys expect to move into this neighborhood in a
few days. She writes gloomily of affairs on the river. The
Graves arid the Newmans are the only families left out there.
Mr. Mat Johnson, after being beaten by his Negroes, has
come out to Floyd with fifteen other men and is trying to
raise a company. Horace Greeley's son was out at Mr.
Curry's place on a stealing expedition last week. When read-
ing the Tribune two years ago and abusing Greeley for his
vile slanders of the South, we never thought any of his kith
or kin would ever be that near Brokenburn. Such are the
chances of war. We did not think any of Mr. Greeley's rela-
tions would be in the war. " He doth protest too much,"
though he does write of it as a Holy Crusade. Do you think
it wicked to wish- that one of our enemies may be killed as a
, punishment for his father's sins? 35

| [Near* Monroe, La.] May 3: We went to a real country
church this morning, saw a country congregation, and heard
& sermon to match. Loring Wadley made several trips with
tiie buggy to get us all there, but two of the party rode back
in Dr. Young's $3,000 carriage. We had a pleasure today in
a visit of several hours from Julia Street. She came down
from Bastrop jftst for the day. She is more nearly depressed
than I ever saw her.

Annie and Peggy got here from the salt works today and
we ape glad to have somebody to wait on us again. I expect
we will keep them busy.

Gen. Van Dorn has made another attack on Franklin,
Tenn. Joe Barr, in Col. Stark's regiment the one that Dr.
Buckner's company belongs to was killed in the fight. As
yet no news from our soldiers, and we are anxious all the time.

84 Many Louisianians took refuge in Camden, Ark., which was acces-
sible by steariiboat on the Ouachita River.

85 The report of a son of Horace Greeley's being in the Vicksburg area
is apparently in error, for of Greeley's seven children only two daughters
lived to maturity. Dictionary of American Biography, VEE, 58-9.

06 BROKENBVRN

[Near Monroe, La.] May 5: Two days of busy sewing
and reading Hyperion, which I like greatly. 36 Mrs. Carson
with Mrs. Napitandi [?] Richardson and Miss Carrie Lowry
with Miss Mary Compton came to see us today. Mrs. Car-
son's family are staying with the Richardsons on Bayou
DeSaird until Dr. Carson gets his wagon train of Negroes
started to Texas. The last affair at Franklin [Tenn.] seems to
have been a drawn battle. If Brother Coley had been hurt,
I think we would have heard it by this time. They had
several items of news.

The gunboats are unable to pass Grand Gulf and are lying
idle between Vicksburg and Grand Gulf, like baffled beasts
of prey. 07

There is a great scarcity of provisions all through Missis-
sippi. It is difficult to provision Vicksburg for a long siege.
Mr. Mat Johnson has already forty men in his company. Dr.
Dancy's house is still standing, and the Yankees have al-
lowed Mrs. W. Scott to come out of the lines on a ten-day
furlough.

We went yesterday to see Florence Pugh [?] (now Mrs.
Morrison) , an old schoolmate. The family are near here now
on their way to Texas. She is a dear, sweet girl but looks
dreadful. How marrying does change a body for the worse.
She was a pretty girl a year ago, fresh and dainty. Now she
is married and almost ugly.

I am busy^every day trying to make up the cloth Mamma
bought, but it is slow, tiresome work for one person with no
sewing machine. The only things Mamma could find to buy
belonged to the Lowrys, and they sold them at awful prices
$60 for a pair of common blankets, $50 for a pair of linen
sheets, and everything else in proportion. They have sold
much of their own clothing. Mamma bought some of Olivia's
things for Sister. Jimmy is fitted out with a suit belonging

36 The poem by John Keats (1795-1821) .

37 Grand Gulf was about thirty miles by land below Vicksburg Be-
cause 4 the Federal gunboats were unable to destroy the Confederate
batteries at this point, Grant moved his army farther down the river
and crossed at Bruinsburg, forcing the evacuation of Grand Gulf on
May 3. Battles and Leaders, TTT, 566-67.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 207

to a Mr. Mc-something, and I have two dresses and an
embroidered skirt of Carrie Lowry's. It seems funny to be
wearing other people's half-worn clothing, but it is all we
can get. Mamma bought some Turkey-red calico at $3 a
yard for a dress for Sister.

[Near Monroe, La.] May 10: Mamma returned from the
salt works on Friday, riding the whole distance on horse-
back. 38 It was dreadfully fatiguing for one who rides so
little. She has gone this evening to Delhi to make another
attempt to have the Negroes brought out, if she can get
soldiers to go with Jimmy. Quite a number of Negroes have
been brought out in that way recently, some from within
the lines.

The news from the salt works is bad. Frank, my maid,
and Dan both died of pneumonia and neglect, and three
others are very ill. Poor Frank, I am sorry for her to go. She
has been raised in the house with us. 39 With so much sick-
ness among the Negroes, Mr. Smith has been unable to start
to Texas. Mamma has bought a Jersey for us to travel in,
but it is a weak-looking vehicle for that long trip. 40

Several thousand of our soldiers are now at Monroe under
Maj. Gen. Walker. Two of the officers spent yesterday eve-
ning here and told us the whole command would get off this
morning and that there were some splendid bands with the
regiments. So this morning we rode out to the river oppo-
site Monroe to see them off, starting before sunrise. We saw
crowds of soldiers, talked to a number of them, and heard
inspiring music. 41 The ride all the way through the spring

38 About sixty miles.

39 Tlie custom of providing each white child born on a plantation with
a servant of approximately the same age, enabled the two children to
grow up together. Such servants seldom did heavy work. Kate says
that she was more than usually lenient with Frank; hence Frank was
simply not prepared for such hard work.

* This vehicle which transported the Stones so many miles during
the following years was a four-wheel hack without springs. The name
probably derived from the fact that many buggies and similar vehicles
were manufactured in New Jersey.

41 Moving from Pine Bluff, Ark., to the aid of General Taylor's forces
in central Louisiana, General Walker's division arrived at Trenton on

208 BROKENBURN

woods was delightful. I sat up until twelve the night before
fixing a sort of riding habit. A major and two privates have
vowed vengeance against the 6th Mo. Regt. and " Mr. Cor-
rigan " for my sake, should they ever meet in battle array. 42
The troops after embarking received counter orders and are
again in Monroe, expecting to march at any minute. There
is another panic in Monroe. The Yankees are looked for at
any time. They could not make anything out of this poor
family. We have been too thoroughly plucked by the river
Feds.

The abandoned river places are being cultivated by the
Yankees. Horace Greeley's son is on the Curry place. Mr.
Montague, a Southern Yankee, has all the Keene and Morgan
estates, and nearly all the others have someone on them.
They hire the Negroes at from $5 to $7 a month, neither
clothing nor feeding them. I went with Mamma as far as
Judge Richardson's to tell Mrs. Carson good-bye, as they
expect to get off tomorrow. She thinks she and the children
will stop in Shreveport. Mrs. Carson is in much better spirits
than when at Anchorage. Mamma went on to Delhi, and
Mr. Wadley and I came home alone. He is very kind but
inclined to be familiar.

Aunt Laura is not very well. We would dread to see her
get sick.

[Near Monroe, La.] May 82: In the last ten days I have
been too busy to write. Mamma was away at Delhi waiting
for Jimmy to return from his perilous trip to the river until
last Monday, when they returned in triumph with all the
Negroes except Webster, who had joined the Federal Army

May 5. On May 9 the division embarked at Trenton on transports for
Alexandria. A soldier of the division wrote: " When passing by the
town of Monroe, the inhabitants appeared to have turned out in mass
to witness us passing by. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs . . .
and the bands played some of their favorite pieces of music, to please
the ladies." Blessington, Walker's Texas Division, 81.

42 "Mr. Corrigan" may have been one of the Yankees who stole
Kate's horse, Wonka. The 6th Mo. Regt. participated in the Vicks-
burg campaign and was probably on the west side of the river at the
tune the incident occurred.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 209

some time ago, and four old Negroes who were left on the
place to protect it as far as possible.

Jimmy went in with a Capt. Smith and five other men, but
it was owing entirely to Jimmy's exertions that the Negroes
were secured at last. They had captured the Negroes and
were pushing on for the Bayou when they were pursued by
a body of forty Yankees. They came within hailing distance
of Capt. Smith and his men and fired volley after volley at
them, but fortunately none were struck. Capt. Smith ran
as fast as possible to escape and to tell Jimmy to let the
Negroes go and escape for his life, but when he came up with
Jimmy at the Tensas Bayou, he found Jimmy swimming the
stream and the Negroes and mules already across. Jimmy
had heard the firing and rushed the Negroes over in dugouts,
he swimming over with the mules. He swam over two or
three times.

The Yankees, having no boats, did not attempt to follow
any farther, and so Jimmy saved all of the Negroes at last.
They are now on their way to Texas in Jimmy's care, trying
to overtake Mr. Smith's train.

Jimmy and the men with him hid all day in the canebrake
just back of the fence and in the fodder loft at Brokenburn
and stole out at night to reconnoiter. They found what
cabins the Negroes were in, and while hiding under Lucy's
house they saw her sitting there with Maria before a most
comfortable fire drinking the most fragrant coffee. They were
abusing Mamma, calling her " that Woman " and talking
exultantly of capering around in her clothes and taking her
place as mistress and heaping scorn on her. Capt. Smith says
that he never heard a lady get such a tongue-lashing and that
Lucy abused the whole family in round terms. At daylight
they surrounded the cabins, calling the Negroes out and
telling them it was useless to resist. They were captured.
William made an effort to escape by jumping from a window,
but at sight of a bowie knife he gave up. They gathered up
all the mules and horses and set off at once, not waiting to
get anything to eat. As they passed Capt. Allen's on Bear
Lake, Capt. Smith and his men stopped to cook something

10 BROKENBURN

to eat, and it was there that he came so near being caught.
The penalty would have been hanging, and I suppose there
would have been no mercy shown as this is his fourth trip
into the swamp to bring out property left there. He is a
marked man by the Federals.

Mamma heard only after Jimmy left that the penalty for
removing anything from the property confiscated by the
government was hanging, and she was utterly wretched until
she welcomed Jimmy back, sunburnt and tired but tri-
umphant.

Capt. Smith says Brokenburn is lovely, a place of abund-
ance flowing with milk and honey. The tall oaks in their
summer finery of deep green are throwing shadows on the
soft deep grass creeping to their very trunks, the white house
is set in a very bower of green, and the flower garden is shin-
ing off at one side, a mass of bloom. He said he did want to
stay and take one good breakfast with the Negroes, since
he never saw so many good things to eat: a barrel of milk,
jars of delicious pinkish cream, roll after roll of creamy yellow
butter, a yard alive with poultry, and hams and fresh meat
just killed. The garden is stocked with vegetables, the straw-
berry bed red with fruit, and then a supply of coffee, tea,
flour, and such things bought from the Yankees. He says
they would have been foolish Negroes to run off from a place
like that. William and his family were occupying Mamma's
room, completely furnished as we left it, and all our other
possessions had been divided up among the Negroes.

[Near Monroe, La.] May 23: Aunt Laura was quite ill
while Mamma was away, and I felt the responsibility of
taking care of her. She is now much better. Mamma had
two fevers, and we were very afraid it would go into a long
low fever. She is quite prone to have that in the spring, but
fortunately she has escaped a return of it. Sarah, Mary
Wadley, and I went last afternoon to call on the Misses
Compton and Stacey. We went in Mamma's famous Jersey
wagon, and it is a ramshackled affair with the seats and
most of the bottom dropped down. We had a merry ride
and concluded that a frame, a tongue, two mules, and a

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND 39 211

driver were the only essentials in a vehicle. We found a
houseful four rooms and seventeen people with a prospect
of two other families as visitors. Mrs. Curry's three oldest
daughters are there. Sarah and I sauntered across the road
this morning to call on Mrs. N. Richardson and Mrs. Scar-
borough, but finding everybody but Mrs. Richardson sick
we did not tarry. Walking through the pine woods, we saw
wild flowers in such profusion. The air is so fragrant that it
is a pleasure to breathe it.

There is plenty of sewing waiting on me, but I am lazy this
morning. Annie, our woman, is such a comfort. She keeps
our room in such nice order and washes our few clothes
beautifully. She does a little washing nearly every day, as
she washes also for Aunt Laura since her girl Peggy is not
very accomplished in that line.

The news from Mississippi is bad. Gen. Grant with an
army of 120,000 men is in the rear of Vicksburg. He has pos-
session of Jackson, and much of the city has been burned.
There has been a battle near Raymond in which we were
said to have been routed because of Gen. [John C.j Pember-
ton's disregard of orders. We drove them out of Jackson
once, but we cannot hear whether they retook it after a
battle or whether our forces withdrew. We will not be dis-
couraged. With Beauregard and Johnston leading against
Grant, we must win. 43

In the death of Stonewall Jackson we have lost more than
many battles. We have lost the conqueror on a dozen fields,
the greatest general on our side. His star has set in the
meridian of its glory, and he is lost to his country at the time
when she needs him most. As long as there is a Southern
heart, it should thrill at the name of Stonewall Jackson, our
peerless general and Christian soldier. His death has struck
home to every heart. 44 It is rumored that Gen. Tilghman was

48 After crossing Ms force of over 40,000 men to the east side of the
Mississippi, Grant quickly captured Port Gibson, Raymond, and Jack-
son; on May 18 he began his siege of Vicksburg. Pemberton commanded
at Vicksburg; J. E. Johnston was departmental commander with loose
supervision over Pemberton.

44 General Jackson was killed accidentally by fire from his own troops

212 BROKENBURN

killed in the Jackson fight. We hope it is not true. He is a
gallant gentleman. 45

[Near Monroe, La.] May 24: Mamma and I went over
yesterday after tea to see Capt. and Mrs. Harper. They are
also on their way to Texas. Capt. Harper was one of the
party at home on Christmas Eve, and my last ride on Wonka
was to invite the gentlemen in camp over to Brokenburn.
We were glad to meet his little daughter Sophie Harper, Mr.
Valentine's grandchild. Both of the Mr. Valentines talked
so much about her. She is a bright, attractive child and bears
a striking resemblance to her Uncle Mark in features, ges-
ture, and expression. They say old Mr. Valentine is so over-
wrought by his losses and Mark's imprisonment that it is
feared he will lose his mind. He escaped from his place a
few days after we left entirely alone in a boat with only a
few clothes. The Negroes came and stripped the place of
everything while he was on it and were exceedingly insolent
to him, threatening all the time to kill him. He is quite an
elderly man and cannot stand hardships like younger people.

When Mamma and I rode into Monroe Sunday, we passed
soldiers camped in every direction, all part of Walker's com-
mand. And on Monday Gen. Haws' brigade marched by on
their way to Shreveport. 46 The children, headed by Sister,
were in a great state of excitement and spent most of the day
perched on the fence with buckets and gourds of water, offer-
ing it to the hot, tired soldiers, who every now and then
hurrahed for the little girl in red. Sister was a blaze of
scarlet in her Turkey-red calico.

Gen. Walker and family stopped at Dr. Young's and the
adjutant general's wife stayed at Mrs. Wadley's. I gave up

in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 4, 1863. Battles and Leaders,
HI, 203-14.

45 General Lloyd Tilghman was killed at Edward's Depot, Miss., May
15, 1863, as his brigade covered the retreat of Confederate forces oppos-
ing Grant's advance on Vicksburg after his capture of Jackson the day
before. Battles and Leaders, HE, 487.

46 A part of Walker's division, General J. M. Haws* brigade consisted
of the 8th, 18th, and 22nd Texas Volunteer Infantry and the 13th
Texas Dismounted Cavalry. -Blessington, Walker's Texas Division, 46.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 213

my room to her, Mrs. McClay. She was here five days, and
we all found her a delightful lady, sensible and unpretending.
The staff camped on the side of the hill between the two
places, and they were here morning, noon, and night. 47 One
evening Mrs. Wadley invited the young people and they all
had a dance. We of course did not attend. All of the staff
made themselves agreeable, and the girls went wild over them
and so flattered and complimented them that I think another
week of it would have ruined the young officers. They would
have felt superior to their general. We went over to see the
drill, and the compliments heaped on the officers were enough
to turn the heads of so many Solomons.

It was about their first experience with soldiers, and the
girls ran wild. Maj. French, chief of artillery, was a splendid
fellow and had a manner that, after a few minute's conver-
sation, cheated you into the belief that he was an old friend.
Maj. Stone claimed kin with us, but he was a real Arkan-
sawer, and I did not fancy him greatly. Maj. Mason, the ele-
gant and lady-killer of the crowd, a Virginian, self-conceited
to the last degree, was already ruined by flattery before the
girls had a chance at him. Also there were Capt. Gait, a
Texian, and Capt. Smith, a cousin of Maj. Mason from Vir-
ginia, small and dark, with a face like a knot. He keeps a
diary, and Miss Mary and Nora Compton got hold of it and
read his opinion of all these girls. He would blush scarlet
every time they alluded to it, but they would not tell us
what he had written. We judged it was not specially com-
plimentary.

Gen. Walker is a plain, pleasant gentleman, 48 and his wife

47 General Walker's staff included: Major R. P. McClay, Chief of
Staff; Major A. H. Mason, Commissary; Major William M. Stone,
Quartermaster; Major Thomas B. French, Artillery; Surgeons E. J. Beall
and E. L. Massies; Captain J. A. Gait, Assistant Adjutant General;
Captain Thomas Cox, Assistant Quartermaster; 1st Lieutenant Compton
French, Aide-de-camp; Captain W. A. Smith, Assistant Adjutant Gen-
eral; and Captain A. Faulkiner, Cavalry. Ibid., 67.

48 Major General John G. Walker, born in Missouri in 1826, was a
first lieutenant in the Mexican War and later served on the frontier in
the West. He was a captain on duty at Fort Union, N. M., at the out-
break of the war. Commissioned colonel in command of the 2nd Regt.
Virginia troops under Beauregard, lie was soon promoted to brigadier,

214 BROKENBURN

is an accomplished, stylish woman. We saw them frequently.
Gen. McCulloch. affects great plainness of apparel. 49 Mamma
and I did not specially fancy him. Col Randall is the finest,
most military-looking man of them all. 50 We were sorry to
see them march away going to Alexandria. 51

[Near Monroe, La.] May 26: Mamma is staying tonight
with Mrs. Young whose little girl Alice is sick unto death.
Johnny, who by the way could not overtake Mr. Smith, and
Mamma went into Monroe this morning trying to buy a
wagon and carriage but failed to get either. So we must
needs wait here until we can get conveyances, and we could
not ask for a more delightful stopping place or kinder hosts.
Such a haven of rest after the trouble and anxiety of the last
three months. We have put away troubles and distress for a
time as a wayworn traveler lays down his burden when he
stops to rest, enjoying the coolness and verdure, though he
knows the burden must be lifted and he must journey on
through toil and pain to the end.

How I dread being secluded on some remote farm in Texas,
far away from all we know and love and unable to get news
of any kind. It is a terrifying prospect.

I am busy sewing most of the time. We will soon be
through all our clothes just a white barege dress of Carrie's
to alter for myself and Mamma intends making a black

then major general. He commanded a division in General Lee's army
in the battles of Harper's Ferry and Sharpsburg. He was assigned to
command of the division of Texas troops in December, 1862. He left
that division in 1864 to become commander of the District of Louisiana
and later was in command of the Department of Texas, New Mexico,
and Arizona. Ibid., 72-74.

49 In October, 1862, Brigadier General Henry E. McCulloch organized
the Texas Volunteer Infantry at Camp Nelson, Ark., into the division
which General Walker assumed command of shortly thereafter. At
this time he was in command of the 3rd Brigade.

50 Colonel H. Randall commanded the 2nd Brigade. He was later
wounded at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry, Ark., April 30, 1864, and died
a few days later.

51 Walker's division left Monroe on May 16 for Campti, La., and
later in the month moved to the Madison Parish area to attack Federal
forces there. Blessington, Wdker's Texas Division, 83-94.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 215

velvet hat for me. Then, all our pressing needs will be
gratified.

Miss Tabithia Scarborough and Julia Wilson, the real one
this time, came over to see us yesterday. Gay, pleasant girls,
Miss Scarborough is very pretty, lovely black eyes, soft and
big. We are over at Dr. Young's frequently. Aunt Laura and
Beverly are quite comfortable there, and Carrie improves
on acquaintanceship. William Wadley and Mr. Young do
all they can to make time pass pleasantly. The country is
crowded with refugees, every house full to overflowing. Mrs.
Wadley has taken Mrs. Barr and Mrs. Coney Morancy, her
daughter, and little girl to board. They have been here a
week. Mrs. Morancy is the typical young widow and very
bright, but, I fear, sly.

Several days of hard fighting between Jackson and Vicks-
burg. It is rumored that Grant is in retreat to his gunboats.
May it be true. Not a word from any of our soldiers since
the fifth of April. The long silence is very trying to Mamma,
but she is a brave and capable woman, and such a business
woman.

[Near Monroe, La.] June 3: Lt. Valentine is back from
his Northern prison and brings us blessed news of My
Brother's safety. He was wounded in the left arm above the
elbow in the battle at Chancellorsville but by this time has
rejoined his regiment. Tom Manlove was also slightly
wounded and had a furlough home. My Brother could have
come on a forty-day leave but did not know where to find us.
He was being nursed at a private house in Richmond when
Lt. Valentine came through there after being exchanged. He
met him.

I was out with the others on a huckleberry party when
Mr. Valentine came, and it was nearly dusk when we got
back. Someone called to us that Lt. Valentine had been
there all evening, and my heart sank for I thought he had
gone. I did want to see him and hear from My Brother and
all of Lt. Valentine's adventures. But as we sprang out of
the carriage, there he was looking better than I ever saw him
and waiting to give me the warmest greetings and reproach

216 BROKENBURN

at the same time for not waiting to see him. He was so glad to
see us, especially Little Sister, who welcomed him most en-
thusiastically. They were always great chums and Sister's
kiss pleased him immensely. The poor fellow has no women-
kind to kiss and make a fuss over him. How delighted his
father will be. Should like to see the meeting. He went away
a wealthy man and gets back with nothing but his pay as a
soldier. He takes it most philosophically and seems to mind
it only on his father's account.

He could not tell us much that was interesting about the
North. They were kept too close to see or hear anything. He
represents prison life as most monotonous and wearisome,
but they were not ill-treated.

He says My Brother is having a nice time in Richmond
and regrets the hole in his coat more than the hole in his
arm. The last Nature will heal, the first will take money.
Lt. Valentine joined his regiment, which was under marching
orders at once, and they are now somewhere in the swamp.
We are massing quite a force there under Gen. Taylor. May
we strike a telling blow.

The news from Vicksburg is very contradictory, but there
seems to be constant fighting going on. We were repulsed in
every engagement until the troops fell back behind our en-
trenchment, since then we have driven back every assault
with heavy losses on their side. They have made desperate
charges on the batteries only to fall back with great slaughter.
Numbers of Negroes, placed by their friends in the forefront
of the battles, have been slain. Poor things, I am sorry for
them. Gen. Grant has surrounded Vicksburg with an im-
mense army. The struggle has commenced, but the great
battle is still to be fought. Our friends around Vicksburg
must have lost everything before this.

[Near Monroe, La.] June 5: Aunt Laura and Mrs. Young
have had the long expected falling out, and Aunt Laura has
gone to board about three miles from here. We think that in
a short time the fate of Vicksburg will be decided, and she
will know whether to go on to Vicksburg or to Texas with us.
Mamma is also waiting in the hope that our troops will drive

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 217

the Yankees from the swamp 52 and we can go back home
until fall or at least get what is left of the furniture.

Letters today from My Brother and Capt. Manlove. Col.
Manlove praises My Brother for great gallantry in the last
battle. That is something we hear after every fight that he
has passed through, and still he is not promoted, which we
think so strange for such a gallant young officer. I fear now
it will never come. Brother Coley and Dr. Buckner are still
in Tennessee and well. No word from Uncle Bo.

Mrs. Bo Barr entertained us with excellent music tonight.
She plays quite well and is looking much prettier than before
her marriage. She is very quiet. She certainly threw herself
away. He is so dissipated.

I am trying to braid a pretty braid of rye straw, as I can
get no palmetto here, and I have promised Lt. Valentine a
hat. Plaited one for Johnny in less than a day. It is rough
and ugly, but he likes it. It is so light. Hatmaking is as
much the rage here now as it was last summer in the swamp.

The Misses Scarborough and Wilson were here last eve-
ning. They and Julia Barr are the most likable girls we have
met. The Dawson girls also called again, but I do not care
to cultivate them. They are essentially men's girls, and so
they will not care to cultivate us, unless My Brother was
here.

We had a charming ride the other evening. Went out
huckleberrying but not a berry did we see. The ride part of
the way was over high hills shaded by towering longleaf pines
and carpeted with tall woods grass and wild flowers, and
sloping in green waves from the hills lay deep ferny hollows.

Mrs. Curry with the younger children came out from
Floyd yesterday and stopped to see us. They take up their
line of march for Texas on Monday. Lucy Seale paid us all
the long-promised call. Her mother thinks Lucy and I are
enough alike to be sisters, and I just hate to look like Lucy.

52 Walker's division left Campti, La., on May 28, and moved to the
mouth of the Tensas River, near New Carthage. On May 31 elements of
the division skirmished with Federal forces at Perkins' Plantation on
the way to Richmond to prepare for attack on Federals at Milliken's
Bend. Ibid., 87-92.

218 BROKENBURN

She is just the style I least admire, and we are not the
slightest kin.

Mr. Hardison is still very ill at Floyd. We pray he may be
spared. He has been a good friend to us all. Mrs. Hardison
sent me two lovely organdy dresses she had promised me.
They look like old times. They are so pretty. She says she
will never need anything of that kind again. She is very
despondent, poor lady.

M. Wadley etait ires devoue mais il est trop gros. . . .

[Near Monroe, La.] June 10: We have bidden Aunt Laura
and Beverly a long adieu I fear. They started yesterday for
Mississippi to join Dr. Buckner, if possible. They go to
Harrisonburg on a boat and then through the country to
the river, if possible. 53 They are under the care of Mr. John
Curry, and it is doubtful whether they can get on. But Aunt
Laura, or rather Mamma, thought it better for her to at-
tempt it than to go to Texas. Aunt Laura wished to go on
with us, but Mamma feared she could not stand the hard-
ships of the long trip camping out and the rough life with
little hope of seeing or hearing from Dr. Buckner until the
war is over. We hated so to see her go. We shall miss them
for a long time. We went in to Monroe and saw them off.
Sent numbers of letters by them.

The news of today is that our men were repulsed at Mili-
ken's Bend and are falling back to Delhi. A very different
account from the first. It is hard to believe that Southern
soldiers and Texans at that have been whipped by a mon-
grel crew of white and black Yankees. There must be some
mistake. 54

53 They probably traveled on a steamer from Monroe to Harrisonburg,
La. Kate does not say how Aunt Laura succeeded in crossing the Missis-
sippi or how she got to Chattanooga, where she was when next mentioned.

54 The Battle of Milliken's Bend began about daylight on June 7 and
lasted most of the morning. The white and Negro Federal troops were
driven from their fortifications back to the levee, but two Federal gun-
boats came to their assistance. The Confederates withdrew to Richmond
and sent their wounded to Monroe. When Walker withdrew to Delhi
a few days later, the Federals attacked his rear and burned Richmond
completely on June 15. Richmond was never rebuilt. Blessington,

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 219

Mamma and Johnny with several other swampers went
into Monroe at 2 o'clock this morning to take the cars to
Delhi, intending to go in to their places if feasible. For-
tunately they missed their train and will now await further
developments.

All of us were busy from 5 o'clock until dusk making mat-
tresses for the wounded soldiers expected at Monroe from
the fight at Milliken's Bend. It is said the Negro regiments
fought there like mad demons, but we cannot believe that.
We know from long experience they are cowards. 55

Monday Miss Sarah, Mr. Wadley, and I went to a fish fry
given by Mrs. Wilson at Crew Lake. It was tiresome and
I was sorry I went. Mrs. Proctor, a widow you read about,
was talking most of the day about Capt. Catlin with a most
conscious air. She evidently thinks him a great catch.

Aunt Laura spent Sunday with us, our last day together.
She went off in fear and trembling but is determined to get
through if possible. She is such a sensitive, nervous woman
that it will be a great ordeal for her, but it could not be
helped.

Julia Barr and I are quite friends. I like Miss Sarah very
much, but she is so absorbed with Mrs. Morancy that we see
little of her. We are staying so long I fear Mrs. Wadley
will get tired of us, and so we are all reconciled to making
an early start to Texas.

[Near Monroe, La.] June 15: Visiting and visitors, black-
berry parties, and long walks over the hills have occupied
the time since Wednesday. Julia Barr and I took tea with
Mrs. Dortch and were agreeably entertained. We have been
since to see Mrs. Waddell, who is a charming pretty lady.

Mamma and Johnny are busy making arrangements for us

Walker's Texas Division, 95-126; Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, I,
456; Benjamin Quarles, The Negro in the Civil War (Boston, 1953),
220-24.

55 General Grant stated: " This was the first important engagement
of the war in which colored troops were under fire. These men were
very raw, having all been enlisted since the beginning of the siege [of
Vicksburg], but they behaved well." Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant,
I, 456; see also Quarles, The Negro in the Civil War, 224.

220 BROKENBURN

to get off. Will start on Wednesday. All busy this afternoon
making a tent of some carpeting, the only thing to be bought
in Monroe and it was $4 a yard. From Jimmy's letter, re-
ceived today from Titus [Texas], think we will be on the
road two weeks. He does not write encouragingly. The
country is not more abundant than this and Billy, another
Negro man, is almost dead. But Mamma hopes to find it
better than Jimmy paints it. Our delightful sojourn at this
place is nearly over, and it will be many a weary day before
we are so comfortable again. They are the very kindest
people we ever met, and Mr. Wadley, who returned a few
days ago, is just as generous and kind as all the others. To
crown all her good deeds Mrs. Wadley this morning refused
to take a cent for our board all these seven weeks. Mamma
insisted on it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Wadley declared they
could not think of such a thing, saying Mamma would need
every cent she had before she got settled again. Our own
relations could not have been kinder, and we were total
strangers to them when they took us in out of the goodness
of their hearts. May God reward them, we never can. To-
morrow is our last day here and we will go around and say
good-bye to the neighbors. This lovely family and Julia Barr
I shall be sorry to leave.

[Between Monroe and Minden, La.] June 19: Half past
twelve this sultry June 19 we are sitting under the shade of
a spreading oak about halfway between Monroe and Minden
eating rosy June apples and waiting for one of our Jersey
mules to get over a slight attack of colic, when we will
journey. We had to undertake the trip in the Jersey after all.
Could not find another thing. Johnny drives with a most
reckless hand up and down these steep, rocky hills.

We are on the road for Texas at last, and I imagine no
party of emigrants ever started with sadder hearts or less
pleasure in anticipation. If we had gone on at once when
coining ^to Monroe, we would have liked the idea, but we
stayed just long enough at Mrs. Wadley's to spoil us for a
trip like this. We find it very lonely, only we four and the
servants. If we could have joined another party, it would be

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 221

so much more enjoyable. If only Julia Ban and that family
could have come on at the same time. A passing soldier tells
us that a Federal force is advancing on Monroe. We left on
Wednesday in the Jersey with it and the luggage wagons
packed to their fullest capacity. We all left home without a
tear, the dread of staying there was so great, but we and all
the family were in tears when we told them good-bye at Mrs.
Wadley's. Shall we ever meet such kind friends again?

The first long hill halted us. We tried for an hour to get
the mules on the wagon to pull up it, but they would not or
could not. Mamma had part of the baggage unloaded and
sent back to the Wadley's, and at last we got underway. It
was such a dark, rainy afternoon that we thought we would
not commence camping that evening but would stay at some
house on the road. So we went ahead of the wagon, and
before sunset commenced enquiring for lodging. At house
after house, dark and uninviting with a host of little tow-
heads and a f orelorn-looking woman, generally spinning, amid
the barking of a pack of dogs, would come the response,
" Naw, we don't take in travelers," in a tone of contempt,
as though the very name of traveler was a disgrace. We kept
this up, the poor tired mules dragging on from place to place,
until 10 o'clock at night. Being refused at the last house,
Ma/mm a. declared we could go no farther, and we would be
forced to stay in the Jersey until morning. But three swamp-
ers staying there Judge Farrar one of them heard our
distressed voices, came to our relief, and induced the owner
to allow us to stay. We were glad enough of the shelter, for
that was about all it was. Chunks of fat meat and cold,
white-looking cornbread with very good water were all the
refreshments. This night's experience satisfied us, and we
have determined to camp out for the rest of the way.

The next day we went on as far as Mrs. Bedford's, about
twenty-five miles from Monroe. They gave us a nice dinner,
and we had a pleasant little stay there. We went on in the
afternoon with a supply of pretty June apples from their
orchard, camped out that night for the first time, and found
it far better than asking for shelter and getting nothing,

222 BROKENBURN

nothing but snubs and coarse fare at exorbitant prices. It
looked like it would rain every minute. It seemed nothing
new to be lying out under the shadow of a tree with the
stars looking dimly down through the branches, with the
lightning flashing in the North, the sultry night breeze sway-
ing the wildwoods grass in my face, and a nondescript bug
attempting to creep into my ear. We have read so many
stories of camping it seems like an old song. Shall we have
any of the startling adventures that travelers usually have
to relate?

We met Harry Morris yesterday. He says Mary Gustine
is to be married in about two weeks to a Capt. Buckner, a
widower with one child. It is a short engagement as they
have not known each other more than six weeks. All of that
crowd are at Camden, Ark.

[Near Bellevue, La.] 66 June 22: We are resting for din-
ner in a thicket of blackjack and towering pines after a
wearisome ride over the worst roads. Now we find we
branched off in the wrong direction and are only four miles
farther on our way than when we left camp this morning.
We passed through Minden, 57 such a pretty little town with
the deepest white sand in the streets, about the size of Mon-
roe. I wish we could have located there. It looked very
inviting, but we must go on where the Negroes are. We
camped near a nice-looking house, and the people were kind
in sending us out milk and butter, the first time we have been
able to get anything of the kind. We also bought some
chickens, a relief after a steady diet of ham and bacon. We
get a lot of fruit, apples, plums, and huckleberries, the large
low-bush variety, also, the blackberries are ripening. We
stop several times a day or whenever we see a tempting
thicket and enjoy the fruit. We so often have to wait for
the wagon. We need never hurry. No flour yet, but we hear

56 A small settlement on Bodcau Bayou, about seventeen miles north-
east of Shreveport.

57 Founded in 1836, Minden was named for a town in northern Ger-
many by its founder, Charles V. Veeder. In 1860 it had a population of
1,146.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 223

it is plentiful farther on. Some tea bought in Monroe is
evidently made of blackberry leaves. Dampened and un-
twisted they are identical, absolutely without flavor.

[Lamar County, Tex.] 58 July 7: While camping out we
were generally too tired at our noonday rest to do anything
but throw ourselves down on the cushions and sleep until
dinner. And at night when we stopped, I had only spirit to
lean lazily back in one of our two rocking chairs and watch
Annie get supper or to look up at the stars and think of all
the dear friends that the waves of Fate are sweeping farther
and farther away from us every day. I had such a longing
for home and the dear life of the past that my very soul
would grow sick. I know Mamma felt it far more than I did,
but she would not complain.

I will copy a letter I wrote to Anna Dobbs which tells all
there is to tell of our late journeyings. We are anxious to
know where they and Dr. Carson's family have settled.

Here we are safely hidden in a dark corner of the far off
County of Lamar after a tiresome, monotonous trip of
little less than three weeks, and I am already as disgusted
as I expected to be. This part of the land abounds in white-
headed children and buttermilk, my two pet aversions. It
is a place where the people are just learning that there is a
war going on, where Union feeling is rife, 58 and where the
principal amusement of loyal citizens is hanging suspected
Jayhawkers. Hoops are just coming in with full fashion.
This is indeed the place where hoops ' most do flourish and
abide/ Have not seen a hoopless lady since entering the
state. Shoes are considered rather luxuries than neces-
saries and are carefully kept for state occasions. As for
bowls and pitchers, * Oh no, they never mention them.

58 Lamar County at the end of the #75 mile journey from Monroe
was named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, when the county was organized in
1840. Paris, the county seat in 1863, was a small town. A. W. Neville,
The History of Lamar County (Paris, Tex., 1937) , 1-24; The Hand-
book of Texas, ed. Walter Prescott Webb (Austin, 1952) , II, 15.

59 Lamar County delegates to the state Secession Convention cast
their votes against secession, as did those of fourteen other counties in
Texas. The county supported the Confederacy, however, and raised
several military units. Handbook of Texas , IE, 15.

224 BROKENBURN

Their name is never heard.' One tin pan or a frying pan
answers every purpose. Wash tubs seem obsolete and not
to be bought at any price. The only way of killing time
and one never feels more like killing him than on this deso-
late wind-swept prairie is to attend some of the protracted
meetings that are being carried on all around us. And oh,
the swarms of ugly, rough people, different only in degrees
of ugliness. There must be something in the air of Texas
fatal to beauty. We have not seen a good-looking or edu-
cated person since we entered the state. We are in the dark
corner. We could not stand it here for a permanent stay,
but Mamma has only stopped here for a breathing spell
and to see how the Negroes are getting on. She will start
out soon in search of a home until the war is over.

We camped out except when it rained, which it did most
of the last week, thereby ruining most of the clothes we had
so laboriously amassed after fleeing from the Yankees. We
would be so tired by night we welcomed the rudest shelter.
The longer we traveled the more wearisome it grew, and I
never turned over at night without expecting to feel the
sting of a tarantula or centipede. But we really saw very
few and reached here without an accident. I wrote to Sarah
Wadley never to come to Texas for pleasure, but if forced
to come to cover herself with a thin coat of tar to protect
herself from the myriads of insects along the road. And
here, we have settled at their headquarters ticks, redbugs,
fleas by the millions, and snakes gliding through the grass
by hundreds. But we rarely hear of anyone being snake-
bitten. Game, deer and turkeys, are abundant about here
but not eatable on account of the insects tormenting them
until they are too tough to eat.

We met Jimmy coming to meet us near Walnut Hill, Ark.
He brought the news of Billy's death, the seventh of our
Negroes to die since New Year's. We were surprised to
hear that Uncle Austin was cultivating two places near
Walnut Hill, and we waited there nearly a day to see him.
He has managed to save his Negroes. Mamma sent for him
and he came and was delighted to see us. He traveled with
us that evening and part of the next day. He is looking
well but much older. He has not heard from his daughters
for months.

We are staying right out on the bare prairie in a rough

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 225

two-room shanty with the overseer and his family. With
only the bare necessaries of life, we think it will be at least
two months before we can make any change, and so we
must needs make the best of it.

[Lamar County, Tex.] July 12\ We made our first visit
in Texas yesterday. We went to a protracted meeting being
carried on nine miles from here at an old schoolhouse called

it must be in mockery " Paradise/' After the meeting we

went by invitation to spend the evening and night with some
real nice people, settlers from Virginia, the McGleasons. They
are a pleasant family and exceedingly hospitable. We came
back this morning after a ride of nearly eighteen miles, hav-
ing missed our road three times. The prairie roads are so
much alike it is impossible for strangers to distinguish the
right from the wrong.

The congregation was much more presentable than the
Gray Rock crowd. We saw several nice-looking families, but
all were in the fashions of three years ago. If they would
only leave off their tremendous hoops, but hoops seem in
the very zenith of their popularity. Mamma and I were the
only women folks without the awkward, ungraceful cages.
No doubt the people thought us hopelessly out of date. We
have not worn them for a long time. Nothing looks funnier
than a woman walking around with an immense hoop bare-
footed. 60

Mamma and I went several days ago to Tarrant in Hop-
kins County [Tex.]. 61 The road ran part of the way over a
lovely rolling prairie, dotted with clumps of trees and covered
with the brilliant, yellow coreopsis in full bloom and gemmed
with countless little mounds of bright green, like emeralds set
in gold. Tarrant is the hottest looking, new little town right

60 The hoop skirt was introduced hy Empress Eugenie at the French
court in 1853. Originally of crinoline over many petticoats, the garment
soon employed wire frames. In the 1850's the newspapers printed many
stories of the embarrassing experiences of hoop skirt wearers on streets,
in trains and street cars, and in church pews. In spite of ridicule the
fashion persisted throughout the Civil War. Arthur C. Cole, The
Irrepressible Conflict, 1850-1865 (New York, 1934) , 167.

61 South, of Lamar County, Hopkins was organized in 1846 with Tar-
rant, now a ghost town, as the county seat. Handbook of Texas, I, 835.

226 BROKENBURN

out in the prairie not a tree. We tried to eat dinner at the
roughest house and with the dirtiest people we have met yet.
The table was set on a low, sunny gallery and half a dozen
dirty, unshaven men took their seats in their shirt sleeves at
the dirtiest tablecloth and coarsest ware. We saw the Negro
girl wash the dishes at the duck pond right out in the yard.
That was too much for me, but Mamma and Mr. Smith
managed to swallow down something.

Mr. Smith is hiring most of the hands out for the balance
of the year. There is a great demand for them, and he can
see that they are well taken care of. They have all gotten
perfectly well since coming out here. 62

The prairie we are living on is called a thicket prairie.
There are clumps of dwarf dogwood, spice trees, and plums,
tangled together with wild grape and other vines and alive
with snakes. The plums are just in season, a sour, red variety
just like the swamp wild plums, and are nice for jelly. The
prairie is a mass of flowers, one variety covering it at a time.
Before you realize it, that color has faded away and another
has taken its place, and this succession of flowers and colors
goes on until frost comes and spreads a brown sheet over all.
There are many familiar garden flowers: blue salvia, coreop-
sis, verbenas, larkspur, standing cypress, and now as far as
the eye can reach the prairie is a mass of waving purple
plumes, " French pinks," the natives call them.

Jimmy has just brought in a beautiful little fawn and
given it to me. I have always wanted one. They make such
gentle, beautiful pets. This one's ears are solidly covered
with ticks, and one of the Negroes is laboriously picking
them off.

We hear no news now but accounts of murders done and
suffered by the natives. Nothing seems more common or less
condemned than assassination. There have been four or five
men shot or hanged within a few miles of us within a week.
No one that we have seen seems surprised or shocked, but
take it as a matter of course that an obnoxious person should

62 Removal from the malarial condition of the swamps evidently ac-
counted for the difference.

1863: te STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 227

be put to death by some offended neighbor. A few evenings
ago a captain in the army had just reached home on a fur-
lough three hours before when he was shot at through his
window. He was killed and his wife dangerously wounded.
The authorities are trying to find the men who did it. It is
supposed to be one of his company who had vowed ven-
geance against him. The other miscreants go unwhipped of
justice.

[Lamar County, Tex.] July 16: The atmosphere has been
most peculiar for several days. The air is cool and damp.
The earth, the air, the sky, all are a dull dead grey. The sun
seems to emit neither heat nor light, gleaming with a dim
red glare like a blood-red moon. We thought at first it was
one phase of the Texas climate, but the natives are as much
puzzled by it as the strangers in the land. Some think it
portenteous, a sign of great victories or defeats. Others think
it the smoke from burning grain in Mississippi. No one really
knows anything about it.

We hear that we have won a glorious victory back of
Vicksburg, repulsing one wing of Grant's army and opening
communication with Vicksburg and replenishing her supplies.
Also we hear of surprising the enemy in south Louisiana and
capturing many men and stores. 63 We also hear that Gen.
Lee's army is laying waste Pennsylvania. If only the Penn-
sylvanians may feel some of the horrors of war and know the
bitterness of defeat. We live in hopes that our day of tri-
umph may come but we fear not in the near future.

We spent yesterday with Mrs. Vaughn, Mrs. Smith's
cousin and our nearest neighbor. She lives in a double log
cabin with merely the necessaries of life, but it is a more
comfortable home than most we have seen. Texas seems a
hard land for women and children. They fly around and
work like troopers while the men loll on the galleries and
seemingly have nothing to do. Mamma cannot start on her
search for a new home for a week yet, and it is disagreeable
living here en famille with the Smiths, though Mrs. Smith is

63 These rumors were false.

228 BROKENBURN

kind and we should appreciate it. But their ways are not
our ways.

As we sat on the gallery tonight, gazing across the darken-
ing prairie into the gleaming west, the very air was brilliant
with fireflies. The fancy came that they were the eyes of the
departed Indians, come to look again on their old hunting
grounds, flashing through the night, looking with scowling,
revengeful faces on the changes wrought by their old enemies,
the palefaces. I fancy I can see the ghostly shapes one
minute taking the form of an Indian brave with bended bow
and flying arrow, the next fading into thin air leaving only
the fiery eyes.

We all spoke of going to Paris, twenty-five miles, to attend
a large Baptist meeting returning the next day but concluded
it was too far.

[Lamar County, Tex.] July 26: Mamma, Jimmy, and
Mr. Smith are all away. Jimmy left on Friday with a wagon
for Navasota to buy salt and different kinds of merchandise.
A long, lonely trip of two months. 64 We hated for him to
have to go alone with only the Negroes. We can tell by the
issue of his trip whether Friday is such an unlucky day.

If Jimmy could have stayed here and attended the numer-
ous religious meetings going on around us, I think he would
surely have joined some church, and what a safeguard that
would be to him, He was much impressed by one of the last
sermons he heard and has been thinking earnestly and
deeply. Jimmy always had a strong religious tendency. The
poor little fellow is oft on a tiresome journey now.

We went to Lydonia (?) 65 today to see Miss Mary Moran
taken into the Presbyterian church. It was the first time I
have witnessed their ordinance of baptism, and it did not
seem a very solemn rite, Immersion, I think, is the true way.

I had my first call from a Texas beau yesterday evening.

64 A journey of more than 250 miles. On the Navasota River in
southwestern Grimes County, Navasota was on the Houston and Texas
Central Railroad and was therefore a supply point.

65 Ladonia was a small community, settled in 1840, in southeastern
Fannin County.

1868: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 229

A smooth-faced, rosy-cheeked, young dandy, dressed in the
height of Paris fashion and dotingly proud of his jet-black
imperial. Several of the elite of Blue's Prairie have called on
us. I wonder, shall we look as old-fashioned as they after a
year or two of prairie life? Even Blue's Prairie is looking
lovely now. It is covered with a flower, looking like feathery,
white plumes laced and tangled together with a yellow love
vine and purple maypop vines.

There are some most disquieting rumors believed by the
despondent and chicken-hearted, but we do not give them
credence. It is said both Vicksburg and Port Hudson have
been taken, with a number of prisoners. 66 We have heard it
affirmed and contradicted half a dozen times. We will wait
to see Gen. Johnston's official report of such disaster before
believing it. Unionism is rampant about here. There was a
company of Jayhawkers for the Federal side raised in this
county. Half of the militia have been drafted for six months,
and oh, the moaning and bewailing of the feminine popu-
lation. But I cannot be sorry for the militia. My sympathies
are all with the soldiers in the field.

[Lamar County, Tex.] July 29: Mamma returned this
evening from a fruitless trip. She could find no place that
would at all suit, and we may be here for months. How can
we stand it! How foolish to distress myself for such a cause.

Vicksburg is taken without a doubt. If our men had held
out only one day longer, they might have been relieved, as
Gen. Johnston fought the enemy the following day, in igno-
rance of the fall of the city, taking 5,000 prisoners and
winning a decided victory. But that is not an offset to the
20,000 of our men said to have been captured at Vicksburg.
How has the mighty fallen, and to give up on the Fourth
of July to make it even worse. We wish they could have
held on at least one day longer, but we know nothing of the
hardships our soldiers have endured there in the last eight

66 Vicksburg surrendered on July 4 after withstanding siege for approxi-
mately fifty days. General Pemberton was severely criticized for sur-
rendering on that particular day. Port Hudson capitulated on July 8,
leaving the entire Mississippi in Federal hands.

230 BROKENBURN

months. We are satisfied, however, that the Confederate
soldiers held on as long as possible. The fall of Vicksburg
makes us tremble for Texas. She can be invaded from so
many points that Mamma knows not where to look for a
place of greater safety.

Our only hope is in Lee the Invincible. If he has only
taken Washington or Philadelphia as we hear he has, we can
stand the loss of our Gibraltar, but to lose it and gain nothing
in return is insupportable. We will hope for the best. May
God defend the right.

Mamma saw Dr. and Mrs. Carson in Tyler. Both are in
very bad health. Mamma fears that Dr. Carson has dropsy
and that he will not recover, too sad a probability to think
of. He is such a good, useful man, weighted with such re-
sponsibilities. They are boarding and as far from being
settled as we are. They have been traveling nearly ever
since we saw them when they left Monroe.

Mamma and Mrs. Carson were delighted to meet. I can
imagine their animated conversation and comparison of ex-
periences. Willy Carson has joined Mr. Matt Johnson's
company. He is such a delicate boyish-looking fellow to act
and suffer as a man. I think he is about Brother Walter's
age. May the discipline strengthen instead of kill him as it
does so many of our high-strung boys.

We were saddened to hear of Capt. Harper's death, a gal-
lant soldier so full of life and hope when we saw him last in
Monroe. Though he had lost home and everything, he was
as gay and bouyant as though everything was going on his
way. He took a huge dose of morphine, given by mistake of
the doctor for quinine. He went off to sleep at once, and
they could never rouse him, though they worked over him
all night and used the most cruel remedies as a last resort.
So much worse than if he had fallen in battle. Now Mamma
is anxious to take Sophie Harper, since she has only a step-
mother. She thinks Mr. Valentine would be glad for her to
have charge of her. She thinks of writing about it in a few
days to Mr. Valentine and Mrs. Harper. Sophie would be a
nice companion for Sister, who stands this life like a native

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 231

and finds plenty to amuse her. She and Mrs. Smith are
great chums.

[Lamar County, Tex.] July 31: Mamma has been sick
since her return. The long Jersey trips are very trying on her,
but she is up this evening. Tomorrow we are going up to
Paris with Mr. Smith to see if Mamma can get him off from
militia duty. He is drafted to go off on Wednesday for six
month's service. We do not see how Mamma can get on
without him, and so she is anxious to get him detailed. Mrs.
Smith is also anxious to get him off, but their eagerness is as
nothing to Mr. Smith's. I never saw a man with such a
dread of the army.

The fruit that Mamma and Mr. Smith collected on their
journey and they were most thoughtful is just out. We
did so enjoy it. Our fare is not of the best. Mamma bought
me a pair of $25 shoes, but unfortunately I cannot wear
them. Not anything of a fit, and I must still cling to my
calfskin chaussures, homeknit stockings, and brogans, some-
thing different from the lace-like clock stockings and French
slippers of the olden times. I miss nice things for my feet
now more than anything. I feel so slovenly with these hor-
rors on exhibition. But a truce to complaints. I might be
dight out in a large hoop and bare feet.

[Lamar County, Tex.] Aug. 3: We have been to Paris
and returned and well did our errand speed. Mamma's elo-
quent representation to Gen. Smith (a militia general) of her
forlorn condition if Mr. Smith was taken away brought the
general, a rough old fellow, over to her view of the case at
once, and he readily promised to give him a discharge. Mam-
ma's eloquence carried the day, for he impressed it on us all,
but especially Mr. Smith, that it was entirely on Mamma's
account that he was granted leave. Mamma's lovely face and
winning manner stand her in good stead these days. Mrs.
Smith does not like to think Mr, Smith's freedom is entirely
due to Mamma, but he is a relieved and grateful man.

Paris is a clean, pretty place in the edge of Blossom

232 BROKENBURN

Prairie, clumps of trees and deep white sand in the streets. 67
We went to church and saw a really nice-looking congrega-
tion of refined-looking people. We all liked the place so well
that Mamma would rent a place there, but it is too near the
borderline, the first point for an invasion and right next to
the Indian Nation. We do not wish to lose our scalps in ad-
dition to everything else. We saw a large party of Indian
men dashing through the town. They are nearly all Southern
sympathizers, we hear. 68 We went shopping. There are
several well-filled stores, but the prices are beyond anything.
We saw a pretty light calico but Mamma could not afford it
at $6 a yard. A penknife was very tempting, but who would
give $25 for a little Yankee knife? Our nails will have to
grow like eagle's claws before we can afford an extravagance
of that kind. We did get a few articles, absolute essentials,
and Mamma indulged me in a piece of extravagance a deck
of playing cards at $5. They are a different kind from those
the girls use out here, but I fancy they will afford us more
amusement than the finest pair of cotton cards.

A gentleman gave us a late Louisiana paper containing
Mary Gustine's marriage on July 21. I know she was a
beautiful bride, and our best wishes go with her for her future
happiness. I wonder how Brother Coley will stand the loss
of his sweetheart, his first love affair. Like most boys, he
lost his heart to a girl several years the older fortunately a
disease that never kills a boy of that age.

The Baptist meeting has been going on in Paris for seven
weeks, and sixty have joined that church. It seems the
strongest church of this section. Sunday morning we heard
a splendid sermon, the best since hearing Dr. Marshall preach
two years ago. I wish Jimmy could have heard it. It was

67 Originally called Pinhook, Paris was founded in 1839 and became
the comity seat of Lamar County in 1844 Handbook of Texas, II, 334.

68 These were probably Choctaws. The Choctaw Nation was located
just across Red River from Paris. When the Federal Government
practically abandoned Indian Territory in April, 1861, by withdrawing
troops from Forts Washita, Arbuckle, Smith, and Cobb, many Indians,
especially the Choctaws and Chickasaws, some of whom were slave
owners, joined the Confederate Army. Foreman, A History of Okla-
homa, 100-130.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 233

the first real Baptist sermon I ever really listened to. Have
heard the preacher, Mr. Buckner, knows what he believes
and is not afraid to preach it from the pulpit. 69

We have made the acquaintance of another Texas gallant.
Dr. Bywaters, introduced as a friend by Mr. McGleason,
walked home with us from church. One thing in his favor he
does not say " mile " for " miles " and he does not ignore
the plural of " year/'

[" Elysian Fields/ 5 Lamar County, Tex.] Aug. 10: Nearly
the close of summer and we are still in our first Texas retreat.
We have dubbed it " Elysian Fields/ 5 Mr. Smith has been
away nearly a week looking for another location. No matter
where we may go, we are almost sure to meet some of our
old friends or acquaintances, for everybody about Monroe
is moving out this way, we hear, scattering over Texas. How
good the sight of a familiar face will be. I would feel like
kissing nearly anybody I had ever seen before.

If the Yankees are at Monroe as we hear today, our letters
sent yesterday will never reach their owners. Mamma wrote
asking Mr. Valentine to let her take Sophie. Mamma also
wrote to Mrs. Wadley, but we think they must have moved
on before this. How we long for news of all our friends.

Our list of victories last month were all a mistake. Gen.
Lee has recrossed into Virginia, and our march into Penn-
sylvania seems to have been barren of results. We do not
hold nor have we destroyed a single Northern city, as we so
much hoped. A dark hour for the Confederacy. The loss of
Vicksburg has stunned the whole country. It is a grievous
blow, and there is great discouragement at least on this side
of the Mississippi River. But the reaction will come. The
people will rally to strike a more deadly blow, to fight till the
last armed foe expires, to conquer or die.

Mamma, Sister, and Johnny are just in from their round
of investigation. Instead of renting Mrs. White's house they
rented a book. The house was already taken, but she had
quite a library of books that she would hire out for fifty cents

69 Rev R. C. Buckner was pastor of the Baptist church on South
Church btreet. Neville, History of Lamar County, 108.

234 BROKENBURN

a week. She would not think of lending them. The book
Mamma brought was a most worthless thing, but the en-
gravings in it are fine. Mrs. White is an educated woman,
lives in a nice house, and is well to do, but a regular skin-
flint. She is living from day to day on the verge of the grave,
suffering from some incurable complaint, and is still very
eager to make money, extorting the last cent. She has one of
our women hired to wait on her. She is a Yankee. That
explains all. Mamma also bought an old backgammon box
for the children and thinks she will buy a copy of Shake-
speare, a very good one, for $14. We will then have what
someone calls a good library, Shakespeare and the Bible.

We look out tonight on a windy, stormy sky. Dark clouds
go scudding by, and the wind whistles through our frail
tenement. The boards have shrunken until daylight shines
through. Lightning flashes continuously, thunder is rolling
overhead, and the whole prairie is ablaze with the fireflies,
weaving in and out like fairy shuttles.

["Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Aug. 16: We
went to church this morning at a tumbledown schoolhouse
called Liberty expecting to hear the funeral sermon of Mrs.
Alexander, who was a near neighbor. The poor woman has
been dead four months, and her husband married again six
weeks after her death. But he says he is u determined to pay
proper respect to dear Mary and so will have her funeral
preached,'* with the new wife sitting decorously near to hear
it. It was the oddest-looking crowd one could imagine, and
the very funniest dressing we ever saw. My pen is powerless
to describe it: one girl airy in pink tarleton and another
sweltering in red woolen; high horn combs with long ribbon
streamers waving from the top; immense hoops; and strand
after strand of beads, all colors, wound around their necks.
Many of the men were barefooted, and nearly all of their
slouched wool hats were decorated with ribbons or an arti-
ficial flower. There were few coats but many vests and a
display of homemade knit galluses. It was a most unusual-
looking crowd, all sitting on puncheons laid on supports,
some of them constantly slipping down.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 235

When Johnny goes out to see the people on business, he
always brings back some amusing anecdote. One man
wanted to know what creek Milliken's Bend was on. Johnny
was looking at a house with a view to renting it and asked
the man how many rooms it had. "Why four," he said.
"Two boarded up and the hall and gallery." The most
common query addressed to Mamma is, " Don't you smoke? "
and " How much do you charge for making that 'ar hat? "
We have made some pretty plaits of wheat and rye straw
and hats for several of the girls around. Johnny, passing the
place where Morine is hired, saw her sitting at the table with
the white folks. She will be ruined by such people.

A Mrs. Slaughter has spent the day with us. She is a
pleasant lady, but quite on the style of Mrs. Manlove, whom
she knows and heartily dislikes. Capt. Manlove is her cousin.
She once lived in Vicksburg, and she and Mamma have many
mutual acquaintances.

Miss Mary Moran, Mrs. Smith's niece, is home again, and
Mrs. Smith is at Mr. Vaughn's to weave the cloth spun by
the servants. Mrs. Smith claims half for the weaving, though
Mamma could hire it woven for four bits a day. It will make
Mamma's goods come to about $4 a yard, while Mrs. Smith
will get hers at the rate of fifty cents. Mamma shall not try
it again. It is disagreeable for the two families to be forced
to live together, and we will be thankful when we get a
house to ourselves.

A long letter from Sarah Wadley with a good deal of news,
but principally about the staff, Gen. Walker's command
having again camped near them. Our troops are still at
Monroe, and there is some attempt being made to fortify
the town. The Wadleys will not move until October, and the
Barrs are still there. Miss Sarah should be high on our list
of friends since she is the first to write. I have just written
to Mrs. Hardison and Annie Amis and enclosed both in
Mamma's business letter to Mr. Guisenberg.

["Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Aug. SO: We
are at home again after an absence of ten days on a visit to
poor Mrs. Carson at Tyler. She feels her husband's death

236 BROKENBURN

most deeply and has grieved herself sick. We found her very
ill and looking dreadful, but when we left we had the hap-
piness of seeing her much improved. Her depression affects
her health, and she is such a frail, helpless person.

Dr. Carson died suddenly, though he had been ill for some
months. He seemed not to have realized the gravity of his
situation and died without leaving any instructions or allud-
ing to his death in any way. A good and upright man has
gone to his reward. He was the best man and the best Chris-
tian I have ever known and had led a most helpful and
blameless life. Many will mourn his death, and we have lost
a friend tried and true. His life had been one long prepara-
tion to meet his Saviour, and so Death could not affright
him. Mrs. Carson is so desolate and friendless. She has set
her heart on our two families living together. She has al-
ready rented a two-room cottage with all necessary out-
buildings about a mile from Tyler, and she says by taking
the two kitchen rooms for the boys and for a dining room we
can get on all right. Considering that we have no furniture,
it looks like four rooms would house us.

The children on both sides are delighted with the idea.
Jimmy, Eddie, and Katie Carson, and Jimmy, Johnny, and
Little Sister will fill a small house, but it is the only arrange-
ment that up to this time has seemed at all feasible. And
surely we can all get on peaceably together. Jimmy and
Eddie are charming boys and willing to do anything to get
Johnny and Jimmy with them. Jimmy is a splendid-looking
boy. He is getting over his extreme shyness and is trying to
take Joe and Willy's place. Dr. Carson's place no one can
ever fill. He has left such immense business interests with
only the overseers to take charge of them and several hun-
dred Negroes to be housed, clothed, and made self-supporting.

We boarded in Tyler with a Mr. Morrill and had to pay
$44 for the privilege and $15 for feed for the mules. Mrs.
Carson's bill at the same place will be stunning.

I must record the first instance of liberality that has come
under our notice since entering the state. The first night
after leaving Tyler we stayed at a Mr. Fowler's, a very nice

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 237

place, and they did not charge us a cent. But we were picked
up the next night. We lost our way and traveled until 8
o'clock when we asked to stay at a pretty, large, white house,
white only on the outside. I despair of giving any idea of
the dirt. We tried to eat without seeing or tasting and to
sleep without touching the bed. They gave us coffee, a horrid
decoction of burnt wheat and milk without sugar, in saucers
and water in the halves of broken bottles. The table was set
in the dirtiest of kitchens with a dirt floor and half a dozen
half-naked little Negroes and numberless cats and dogs
scampering through the room and under the table. The
rafters were festooned with old hoop skirts and worn-out,
rough boots. It surpassed any place we have been in yet.
We certainly had found the dark corner of the Confederacy.

We lost our way again one evening and traveled until way
in the night, through a wild woods road dotted with stumps.
But it was cool and bright moonlight and really more pleas-
ant than a stuffy dirty room, but the mules and Hoccles did
not enjoy it.

Our next adventure was not so pleasant. The mules were
rushing down a long, rocky, red hill Hoccles is a wretched
driver and lets them do pretty much as they please when
crash! over went the Jersey, and we rolled out on the ground,
along with a confused medley of baskets, bundles, palmetto,
corn, bonnets, and boxes. Fortunately no serious damage
was done, and after a few repairs to the Jersey we journeyed
on. Hoccles is a right good tinker for wagons. But our
troubles were not yet over. The mules were trotting briskly
along through the white sand, Mamma was asleep sitting in
the foot of the Jersey, and I was knitting away, when there
was a sudden cluck and tearing sound. I looked up to see
the whole top of our devoted Jersey folding back like a fan.
While Hoccles was nodding in the sultry heat, we had run
into a tree and broken the top nearly entirely off. Mamma
gave a groan and exclaimed, " Now Hoccles, just run us over
a stump and break the wheels and maybe you will be satis-
fied. You have broken the bottom racing down the hill. But
that would not do you. You had to go and break the top.

238 BROKENBURN

Now run over a rock and break the wheels and you will be
fixed! " I could not help laughing. It was funny in spite of
our bad plight, and poor Hoccles looked so humble and
apologetic. We thought he would be forced to take the
entire top off, but he was equal to the emergency. With
hammer, nail, and strings, he patched it up so it lasted until
we reached home. But it is a most forlorn, lopsided affair.
If we just had our own good carriage, but we hear it is a
smallpox ambulance now.

Our last day we just missed driving over the largest rattle-
snake, stretched across the road basking in the sun. It was
larger than my arm and had twelve rattles. That frightened
us most of all. It might have glided into the carriage as we
drove over it.

When we reached home we found Mrs. Smith's family in
great distress. Her cousin, Mrs. Vaughn, was dead after a
short illness. Mrs. Vaughn had been to see us the evening
before we left, seemingly in perfect health. She leaves six
little children. Her husband and the two older children, Kitty
and Bobby, were away when death came. She was so cheerful
and full of life. " Verily in the midst of life we are in death/'

A long letter from Julia Street was awaiting me, giving an
account of Mary's marriage and their life in Camden. She
says she hates Arkansas and wants to come to Texas. I am
sure she will hate this state ten times more. If she is a wise
girl, she will stay where she is as long as possible. The more
we see of the people, the less we like them, and every refugee
we have seen feels the same way. They call us all renegades
in Tyler. It is strange the prejudice that exists all through
the state against refugees. We think it is envy, just pure
envy. The refugees are a nicer and more refined people than
most of those they meet, and they see and resent the dif-
ference. That is the way we flatter ourselves.

We saw Mr. Wylie on our way up and were nearly glad
enough to kiss him, though he was never more than an
acquaintance, but the sight of a familiar face was so pleasant.

[" Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 1: Johnny
started yesterday with one of the wagons to Monroe, a

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND "

month's trip, but he went off in high spirits. A letter from
Jimmy at Jefferson [Texas] 70 on the thirty-first of July, just
as he was leaving for Navasota. It is almost time for his
return, and Mamma is anxious for him to get back. She
wants the wagons to move the Negroes before they hear that
the Yankees are coming in from the North, as it is rumored,
and before they have a chance to make a break for the
Federal lines again.

There are quite a number of Yankee prisoners at Tyler,
captured while in command of black troops. 71 It does seem
like they ought to be hanged, and they are so impudent too.
The detestable creatures!

There is a rumor that Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and
Tennessee have applied for admission into the Union again.
Of course, we know it is a base fabrication, but many of the
natives believe it firmly. They will believe anything against
Louisiana. They seem to hate that state, and we would not
give one Louisiana parish for half of Texas.

Our pet rumor is again in the air that France, Spain, and
England have recognized the Confederacy. Oh, that it were
true.

Mamma and I are busy altering my dresses. The one Mrs.
Carson gave me will be a comfort, the only thick dress I have.

We hear that Mrs. White, from whom we rented books and
also bought one or two, has leprosy. It makes us shiver to
think of it, and our handling her things and Patsy nursing
her. We can only hope it is another big story, as it is too
late to take precautions.

70 In south central Marion County, Jefferson was founded in 1886.
Located on Big Cypress Creek which empties into Red River, Jefferson
became the principal river port in Texas. During the Civil War a meat
cannery and a shoe factory were located there. Handbook of Texas', I,
909.

71 These were probably prisoners captured by Walker's division in an
expedition from Delhi, La., to Goodrich's Landing late in June, 1863.
Walker's report stated: " This fort or mound, near Goodrich's Landing,
was garrisoned by negro troops for the purpose of raiding and destroying
everything that could assist any of our troops. They devoted their time,
headed by their officers (white men) , in burning private residences,
corn-cribs, cotton, etc." He captured 1,200 Negro troops and twelve
white officers. Blessington, Walker's Texas Division, 114.

240 BROKENBURN

["Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 3: Mam-
ma and I are busy remodeling a secondhand green silk. I
will be forced to take off mourning this winter since I can
get nothing black to wear. We are thankful for any kind
of cloth.

Miss Mary Moran knows so many old songs, ballads sung
by our grandmothers " Barbara Allen," " Willy over the
Lea," and suchlike. She sings for our amusement nearly
every night.

["Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 11: Jimmy
is back after an absence of seven weeks, and now as soon as
we can collect up our scattered goods and chattels we will
be off to fresh fields and pastures new. Jimmy's trip proved
a grand success. He met with little bad luck and made more
than Mamma expected, but alas, he brought nothing that
we sent for in the way of clothes. And clothes are a subject
of vital interest, as our raiment is waxing thin and prices
are so enormous that it is difficult to get barest necessaries.
He did bring me one pair of $30 peg shoes, regular clod-
hoppers, but I expect I shall be glad to have them yet.

Jimmy is looking very well, much improved by the trip.
He met and heard from several of our friends. He saw Mrs.
Tom Scott and Amelia near Shreveport, moving to Winns-
boro [Tex.]. Mrs. Scott has lost most of her Negroes. They
ran to the Yankees from Monroe when she started to move
them. She has only three men left. He met Mr. Curry and
got Ashburn's watch from him.

The Federals made only a short stay at Monroe, but were
busy at the work of destruction. Would like to know how
our friends have fared.

Our high hopes of recognition by the European powers are
again dashed to the ground. If they just would not start
such rumors, raising expectations only to be disappointed.

We paid a three-day visit to Mrs. Slaughter up in the
famous Union neighborhood, Honey Grove, 72 where they say
there is only one Confederate family. There, everyone you

72 A small community in east central Fannin County, settled in 1824,
and named for a grove of bee trees.

1868: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND"

talk to says of course we will be conquered. In Louisiana
one rarely heard such an idea expressed.

We attended a large Baptist meeting in the vicinity
several times. The interest and excitement were intense.
There were often fifty mourners crowded around the altar
and the church crowded to suffocation. Never saw so many
men in church before, and we have not seen so many men
at one time since the war commenced, unless they were sol-
diers in uniform. The scene at night was most striking: the
anxious, excited faces, crowding and surging around the
altar; the exalted, earnest mien of the minister; the groans
and shrieks and wild prayers of the mourners, mingling with
the shouts and hallelujahs of the newly professed; while high
over all rises the thunder of a triumphant hymn, borne on
many voices. In the background gleam the eager, curious
faces of the lookers-on, row on row. A scene to thrill and
interest anyone, but I must take my religion more quietly.
It was a country-looking congregation with a sprinkling of
nice people. Short dresses, large hoops, and top-knotted sun-
bonnets, the style.

Belle Slaughter is to be married very soon to a widower
with three children. Her present home does not seem a
happy one.

["Elysian Fields/' Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 14: Our
affairs are in a state of confusion worse confounded. All our
plans were nipped in the bud by Mr. Smith's being taken
to camp to serve in the militia in spite of Gen. Smith's detail.
Everything is at a standstill with us. Mrs. Smith insulted
the men who came for Mr. Smith, and so they waylaid him
and took him off to camp, not allowing him even to come
by home and get a change of clothes. Mrs. Smith was deadly
angry, and an ironical message from one of Mr. Smith's
captors has made her rabid. Her abuse of everything and
everybody in Texas is eloquent. We were to have started to
Tyler. Mr. Smith was going to Shreveport on important
business for Mamma, Mrs. Smith and Miss Mary were going
to live at Mr. Vaughn's and take charge of his children, but
all our plans have come to naught.

242 BROKENBURN

I hear the crickets and see the stars so the storm must
have passed us by, and we will not sleep under a dripping
roof.

["Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 1 9: A
most pleasant surprise this morning. Uncle Johnny, his wife,
and baby arrived at our Retreat. They are fleeing from the
Yankees in Arkansas 7S and are on their way to Austin, where
Uncle Johnny hopes to edit a newspaper. They came 150
miles out of their route to see us. His wife, Kate, is a sweet,
innocent-looking woman. She looks about sixteen, though
she is twenty-one. The baby, Sally, is the tiniest mite of a
creature. Texas air will have to do much for her before she
gets a strong hold on life. We will be here several weeks
longer, and this new family will be a great pleasure. We can
at least talk to the newcomers, and Mamma and I have
about exhausted all our well-worn topics.

Mamma thinks now affairs are entrain to get Mr. Smith
again detailed by paying $500 and swearing she is in need of
his services. Mamma went Thursday all the way to Charles-
ton, the militia camp, to get Mr. Smith released. She met
there her Paris friend, Gen. Smith, who was very polite and
who really seemed to wish to do her a kindness. He will do
all in his power to get Mr. Smith off. He is the second man
we have met in Texas who seemed to have good will for
refugees and sympathy for their troubles. If the officers had
any sense, they could see that Mamma is forced to have
someone to manage for her. Mamma and Miss Mary saw a
funny set at Charleston.

We have had a succession of callers recently. The un-
adulterated natives are all eager to hire Negroes. There is a
furor for them. All the old ladies in the county are falling
sick just to get their " Old Men " to hire a servant. Who can
blame them after their years of grinding toil for seeking a
little rest?

78 General Price evacuated Little Rock, August 5, 1863, and withdrew
to Camden. Military stores were moved from Camden later that month.
Little Rock fell September 10, 1863. David Y. Thomas, Arkansas in
Wwr and Reconstruction, 1861-1874 (Little Rock, 1926) , 218,

186S: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 243

Uncle Johnny has given us several new books, at least new
to us, as we have had nothing recent since the war com-
menced. A Strange Story No Name, and The Step-Sister.
Then, he has quite a number of magazines, and I promise
myself a treat of reading them, something I do not already
know by heart,

[" Elysian Fields/' Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. SO: Uncle
Johnny was at Richmond, Va., a month ago and heard from
nearly every member of the family. How thankful we are
to know that they are all alive, though perhaps in distress.
My Brother was neither killed nor hurt in the Pennsylvania
campaign. Uncle Bo is as usual in fine health and spirits
and is under Bragg. Dr. Buckner and Brother Coley are also
with Gen. Bragg, and Aunt Laura is at Chattanooga within
reach of Dr. Buckner. How* glad we are that she is com-
fortably settled and not suffering all the discomforts of life
in Texas. We have not a clear idea of where Mr. Miller is,
but he is trying to get an appointment as chief of cavalry
somewhere. Aunt Sarah is at Bladen Springs, Ala. Poor
little Horace is dead, a most bitter blow to his mother. He
was her favorite. She was keeping house at Cooper's Well
when the Yankees marched on Jackson. She just escaped on
the last train with only their wearing clothes. Everything
else was destroyed by the Yankees, house and furniture
burned, piano hacked to pieces, and the portraits torn to
shreds. Mr. Miller also lost all his Negroes but fourteen,
and they were saved by the fidelity of one of their number.
It looks like the whole family is to be ruined, root and
branch. Every member of it is broken up and all the women
and children fleeing from the Yankees, while all the men and
half-grown boys are in the army. We are thankful Mamma
has saved most of Uncle Bo's Negroes, and if we can keep
what we have now we can help the others. But I have a
strong presentment that we shall yet lose all that we have
and be compelled to labor with our hands for our daily bread.

74 A novel by Bulwer-Lytton, published in 1862.
76 A novel by the popular American novelist, William Wilkie Collins
(1824r-80) .

244 BROKENBURN

Mrs. Smith had moved up to Mr. Vaughn's just in time to
give room for Uncle Johnny. How glad we are to have a
house to ourselves once more. Mrs. Smith was very kind in
leaving everything we needed for housekeeping. It is sur-
prising how little one can get on with. We seem to have
almost nothing but servants, and yet we are comfortable,
comparatively so.

I have finished knitting those tiresome gloves and can
read with a clear conscience. Fingered and gauntlet gloves
are a trouble to knit.

[" Elysian Fields/' Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 22: The
news today is discouraging. Charleston [S. C.] has fallen, 76
Louisiana and Arkansas are to be entirely deserted by our
troops, and all the available forces of the Trans-Mississippi
Department are to be concentrated at Tyler, Texas. If
Charleston has fallen, it is because it was not in the power
of man to hold it. Everything possible had been done, and
it had made a most gallant defense. No disgrace can sully
the name of its Gen. Beauregard, as the name of Lovell and
Pemberton have been darkened.

Kate and I have been keeping house for the last two days,
ably assisted by Little Sister. Mamma and Uncle Johnny
are off to Honey Grove, Bonham, 77 and we know not where
else on the troublesome business of securing Mr. Smith's
release. As soon as this is effected, we only await Johnny's
return to take up our line of march for more hospitable
regions and fairer shores. When we are finally away from
this land of misery.

76 Although Charleston was being attacked by the Federal Navy, it
had not fallen.

77 Bonham, named for the Alamo hero James Butler Bonham, became
the county seat of Fannin County in 1843. At this time Bonham was
the headquarters of General Henry E. McCulloch, who was in command
of the northeast portion of Texas. Mrs. Stone met General McCulloch
at Monroe when he was with Walker's division. He had, in the mean-
time, been transferred on July 12 from Walker's division then at Alex-
andria, La., to General Magruder in Texas, and then assigned at Bon-
ham. Blessington, Walkers Texas Division, 127-28.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 245

The night shall be filled with music
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as quietly steal away.

How I long for a glimpse at Brokenburn these pleasant
autumn days radiant in flowers and crowned with fruit, the
grassy yard and tall oaks, the clump of sassafras changing
now to bright crimson, and the fragrant sweet gum showering
down its leaves of gold, the flower garden sparkling across
the grass, its many kinds of fall flowers gay in the mellow
September sun, and the wide fields stretching away, white
with cotton and vocal with the songs of the busy pickers.
Shall we ever see it so again?

[" Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 26: Noth-
ing to record. Mamma is still working for Mr. Smith's recall.
We are reading, sewing, and taking walks through the numer-
ous little prairie paths, with the thick growing vegetation like
a low wall on each side and frequent snakes gliding across.
Novels are a great boon in such desert places of life. " We
will live with a hope of better days dawning " and resign
ourselves to the inevitable. . . .

["Elysian Fields," Lamar County, Tex.] Oct. 2: Mamma
has gone to Paris on business. Kate and Uncle Johnny are
in their room, Sister and Sally [?] are taking an afternoon nap,
and there is nothing for me to do but write. Last Monday
Kate and I, on shopping cares intent, wended our way to
Paris, Uncle Johnny accompanying us as driver, groom, and
gentleman-in-waiting. We enlivened the way with " gibe and
jest and merry song " and reached there without accident.
We took our way at once to the stores and soon managed to
spend several hundred dollars for almost nothing, but the
articles were indispensable and I bought at any price. But
I must confess, on getting home, Mamma did not like a thing
I bought, and most will be returned if possible and the rest
kept under protest. I am a poor shopper and must have
execrable taste. The $95 dress I bought Mamma is ugly.
But it was the only piece of woolen goods in town, and

246 BROKEN BURN

Mamma has nothing warm for winter. Through with our
shopping we went to Mrs. Buckner's hotel for dinner to be
stared out of countenance by a score of native cavaliers.
Kate and I occupied the same room and Uncle Johnny had
to find lodging where he could.

We got a late start next morning with a tired horse and
in a drizzling rain, and we had not gone two miles before
our bad luck caught up with us. Uncle Johnny took the
wrong road, and we soon found it out and urged him to turn
around. He avowed his horror of anything like a backward
movement and kept on his chosen way, thinking it would
lead into the right road. We traveled on for several miles,
leaving home farther and farther away, until at last our
united persuasions induced him to turn and cut across the
country instead of heading straight for Arkansas, as we were
doing. After a wearisome ride thorough stubborn thickets
and hogwallow prairie, we at last reached the Paris road and
went on rejoicing, but our troubles were just beginning. A
slow pattering rain set in and the buckshot prairie soil grew
heavy and more heavy, and our gallant grey was visibly
tired. We got out of the Jersey in the pouring rain to cross
Sulphur Creek, the bridge like most Texas bridges being only
a trap for the unwary. With wet heads and muddy feet, we
climbed in again, congratulating ourselves that we would
soon be at home. Vain hope. Night came on apace, wrapped
in her sable mantle and unbrightened by a star, and we were
still four miles from our own hearthstone with a horse only
able to drag on in a slow walk. Again we took the wrong
road and wandered off on what looked in the uncertain light
like a boundless prairie with not a house or road in sight.
Again as in the morning we begged Uncle Johnny to turn
back to the right road, but true to his expressed principles
he refused. We journeyed on, leaving the horse to find his
way and straining our eyes to discern a light, but the only
lights were those shining up through the tangled grass, the
countless glowworms with ther gleaming crests. At last
plodding along in the Egyptian darkness, the horse gave out
entirely, and bon gre mal gre, we were forced to camp out.

We picketed out the poor horse and wrapped ourselves in

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 247

bolts of calico and woolen, for we had not a wrap of any
kind and it had grown very chilly. Crouching in the Jersey,
we resigned ourselves to sweet slumber, but nature's kind
restorer, balmy sleep, was safely sheltered in warm home-
steads and was not to be coaxed out on the bleak cold prairie.
Twisting and turning we wore the hours away until we dis-
covered that the horse was off picket, and such a chase as
Uncle Johnny had to catch him, while we had visions of
wandering lost on the prairie for days. As soon as the first
tints of day crimsoned the east, Uncle Johnny set off for
home to bring relief to two distressed damsels. The horse
was too spent to take us all home. How we laughed at the
figure Uncle Johnny presented when he started off with a
cushion for a saddle. Kate and I at once went to sleep.
Jimmy found us cuddled down in the bottom of the Jersey
fast asleep when several hours later he came to our relief
with a fresh horse. We reached home at last just before
dinner, two forlorn-looking wights and very hungry.

["Elysian Fields/* Lamar County, Tex.] Oct. 8: The
last few days have been full of interest. First, Johnny re-
turned only last night, and this opens the gates of release
from this region of sin and woe. We think we can get off on
Monday. Uncle Johnny has been awaiting only Johnny's
return to move on, and they will start on their long journey
on Saturday over 300 miles. Thus Johnny's arrival has
been the signal trumpet calling us all to horse and away.

A letter from Julia in which she says My Brother was
twice severely wounded in his right arm in the battle of
Gettysburg. 78 He has recovered and is with his command
but has lost the use of his right hand. We are truly thankful
it is no worse. If we could only hear all that has happened
to him since seeing him last, but we know so little. Poor
fellow, this is his fifth wound and the most severe of all. We
so hope he can get a furlough this fall. It worries me to hear
of Tom Manlove's frolicking about, getting married and
enjoying himself in every way, getting all the honor, while

78 July l-S, 1863.

248 BROKENBURN

My Brother, who is worth ten of him, gets only the hard
work of the camp and the wounds. As the Psalmist says,
"Promotion cometh neither from the East nor from the
West." But I wish it would come from the powers that be.
I can write and think myself into a fever about My Brother.

Julia is still at Camden. All wagons have been impressed
to remove government stores, and so they cannot get away.
She heard through Robert Norris, who wrote asking news of
his aunt, that Uncle Bo is well and is now a 1st lieutenant.
We are so glad of his promotion. Not a word of Brother
Coley, and we are very anxious about him. Joe Carson is
regimental colorbearer, a dangerous post. Julia sends much
pleasant nonsense and flattering speech from herself and
Carrie Lowry and directions for a new headdress direct from
Nashville. It is called " the Rebel," and we shall make one
as soon as feasible. 79

Johnny came through Tyler. Mrs. Carson is established
in her house, is quite ill, and is worrying herself worse in
looking for Mamma to come on. She is more than ever
determined on the plan. Mrs. Col. Buckner and two of her
children died recently in Tyler. A sweet, bright woman, one
of our neighbors out on the river. Her death is sad, so far
from home. I think I could not rest buried in this strange,
unfriendly land She leaves one little girl and her husband
who is somewhere in the service.

Johnny saw a gentleman who had seen Dr. Nailor in
Vicksburg. He said that Dr. Nailor seemed nearly crazy
and that he had lost everything and was then trying to get
a horse to ride on ten miles in the country to see his daughter
Kate, who was very ill. How my heart aches for them all.
If I could only see dear Kate, my first and best friend. I
pray that God may spare her life and that we may meet
again.

Johnny gives a dreadful account of affairs in and around
Delhi and Monroe. Most of the citizens remaining boast

79 The Southern Illustrated News carried a column of correspondence
between " Secessia " and " Refugitta " in which " Secessia " wrote from
Baltimore of fashions and hair styles beyond the blockade. Massey,
Ersatz in- the Confederacy, 96.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 249

of being Unionists and carry on a most profitable trade with
Vicksburg. The Yankee cavalry came out to Monroe by in-
vitation, and a number of citizens signed a petition asking
them to come out and drive away our soldiers still there.
This is too disgraceful to be true. Then, a great number of
Louisianians have deserted. My cheek crimsons as I write
this of our own beloved state, but I cannot believe that she
has brought her name to be a disgrace and reproach to her
loyal children.

Johnny went to see Mrs. Savage. She is quite disgusted
with life in Texas but speaks of moving on to Tyler to be
near Mamma and Mrs. Carson. We certainly hope she will.
The Wadleys have changed their plans and will attempt the
trip to Georgia, though they risk losing everything in crossing
the river.

Too tired to write of our last trip to Honey Grove and that
disgusting Dr. P., the blue man but n'importe.

[" Refugee Ranch," Tyler, Tex.] Oct. 29: We have been
at Tyler 80 scarcely long enough to feel settled, and the first
thing is a grand disturbance that threatens all our plans.

It seems there is a great prejudice existing here against
the unfortunate refugees, a feeling strong in Mr. Kaiser's
school that made Jimmy and Eddie Carson very unpopular.
There was no open outbreak, however, until Jimmy and
Johnny were entered as pupils. For several days the dis-
affected could find no open cause of offense, and our boys,
perfectly unsuspecting, rode, walked, hunted, and marched
together perfectly happy to renew their old friendships and
not dreaming they were making enemies. But all this was
the head and front of their offending. When they added to
this " wearing gold watch chains and black broadcloth " a
slender little strand of gold and a secondhand suit of clothes
the Tyler boys could stand no more, and they rose in their

80 Tyler, named for President John Tyler, became the county seat of
Smith County when it was organized in 1846. By 1860 Smith County
had a population of 12,392 whites and 4,882 slaves. Tyler became an
important supply point during 1863, having a commissary, an iron
foundry, and an ammunition plant. Handbook of Texas, II, 627 and 814.

250 BROKENBURN

wrath to put down those " refugee upstarts/' most unaffected
little fellows. They opened hostilities by sticking pins in
Jimmy and Johnny at church during the prayer. Whereat
Johnny was so enraged that he challenged the boy to come
out of the church at once and fight, but the boy excused
himself as he had a lady with him. They made an appoint-
ment to meet the next day and have a regular fisticuffs. The
boy failed to keep the promise, and Jimmy denounced the
act at school as ungentlemanly. The fuss blew over without
coming to blows, the boys agreeing not to speak to each
other, and they thought everything was settled. But the
father of the boy came to school very angry and told Mr.
Kaiser that unless Jimmy Stone was dismissed from school
all the other boys would be taken away. Several boys wore
pistols to school today, and they had formed a plan to mob
Jimmy last night, but as I was with him they put it off.

We knew nothing of all this until Mr. Kaiser came over
this evening to advise Mamma and Mrs. Carson to keep the
boys inside the yard and to make Jimmy Carson take off the
chain and put on rough clothes. Mr. Kaiser has acted a very
cowardly part. The boys have been taken from school, and
Mamma and Mrs. Carson are trying to get a private tutor
for them. Jimmy Stone was studying hard since he knows
his school days are short. Mr. Kaiser is a time-server.

I took a charming ride on Jimmy Carson's horse, accom-
panied by most of the boys.

[Tyler, Tex.] Oct. SO: The Tyler boys are trying to force
Jimmy Carson into a fight. Half a dozen of them are going
armed for him, and we are very anxious. Mamma and Mrs.
Carson have made our boys promise they will not be first to
start a row. They restrain themselves but they are boiling
with rage. Mamma will not let Jimmy go to church as she
hears the Tyler boys intend mobbing him, and Jimmy is in
a dreadful state of mind. He says they will all call him a
coward. We do not care what these rowdy roughs call our
boys, just so they do not all get into a free fight with pistols.
If it was only fisticuff, we would let them fight it out, Mrs.
Carson went to see Mr. Williams, the father of the ring-

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 251

leader, and we hope her pacific representations to him will
calm the excitement.

Jimmy Stone has behaved as well as a boy could, with
firmness but moderation. I do not think he has even been
angry until tonight, when Mamma forbid his going to church
unless she or I went with him. And he has not put on a
pistol until this morning, though he has known for several
days that half a dozen boys are wearing pistols to " do him
up/' as they say. The entire household is wrought up and
Jimmy is furious. He says he intends to shoot down the first
boy tomorrow who says a harsh word to him. Mrs. Carson
is a strong member of the peace party and has forbidden
either of her boys to go to Tyler on any pretext whatever.
This restraint chafes the boys extremely but is a most neces-
sary one, excited and angry as all the boys are. Johnny and
Eddie had been wearing pistols days before we knew there
was any trouble. How little we can know what is in the
heart of a boy. Here we were, so pleased with their innocent
sports, thinking them absorbed in their marbles and horses
and marching around, when every boy was expecting a
deadly encounter and burning with hatred for his enemies.
We were praising Johnny for his devotion to study when lie
insisted on going to school one day when Mamma thought
him too unwell. We found out afterwards they were expect-
ing a battle royal that day and Johnny had an appointment
to fight. I hope Mr. Kaiser, for his cowardly truckling in
dismissing Jimmy without cause, will lose his school.

I am glad it is a general refugee quarrel instead of being
confined to Jimmy. Edward Levy and George Grissman,
refugee boys, have both had to leave school.

The house is filled with Mrs. Carson's lawyer and over-
seers. She is having her affairs arranged for the first time
since Dr. Carson's death.

Mamma has been busy remodeling and making bonnets.
She has excellent ideas on the subject, and we tell her a first-
class milliner was spoiled when she turned to other pursuits.
Her bonnet is quite a triumph, a regular " skyscraper " of
straw and silk. She finished mine today, a pretty mixture of

252 BROKENBURN

black velvet and cherry. It is the same I sported at Monroe
in uniform with Julia Barr and Shirley Crith [?], but it is
much improved by the addition of the bright color. I have
been forced to take off black. None to be bought.

I am still on the weary treadmill of work, work, work that
commenced at Monroe. Our sewing seems endless. We have
been hard at it for nearly six months and the end is not yet.
Mamma bought two calicoes for me, one at $55 and the other
$66. One is made and I am sewing on the last one. We still
have two drill dresses to make over. Jimmy is without winter
underclothes, and we cannot buy a piece of woolen. We fear
in such thin clothes he will take pneumonia again.

[Tyler, Tex.] Nov. 1: We are just from church. Jimmy,
Johnny, and I did not go con amore. There are more pleas-
ant things than toiling a mile through heavy sand, up hill
and down dale too dark to see the road beneath you or the
sky above, sitting for an hour listening to an indifferent
sermon, and being gazed at by a battery of hostile eyes.
Jimmy was determined to go and I would go too, though he
did not want me. Last night he and Johnny went alone, and
during the services someone cut his bridle all to pieces and
stole his martingale and blanket. A crowd of boys followed
them after church, talking at them all the time. They know
now the boys are armed and so did not attack them. The
rowdies followed us tonight and I saw them for the first time.
They are real nice-looking lads. What a pity they are not
gentlemen. Jimmy Carson is deeply mortified that he is
compelled to desert a friend in need.

Miss Sally Grissman called to see us a short time ago. She
is quite pretty, a Creole, piquante and petite. They are from
Assumption Parish S1 and have been here nearly a year. Mrs.
Prentice from Joe's Bayou and Mrs. Hull from St. Louis
called yesterday. Mrs. Hull is a delightful little lady with
the prettiest face and sweetest manner. Her husband is a
colonel. He has just returned from Missouri. He went in to
raise a regiment, of course in disguise, and brought out four
hundred men, a most dangerous undertaking since it meant

81 South of Baton Kouge.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND' 9 253

the death of a spy if he had been captured. Mr. and Mrs.
Prentice have a house near town and Mrs. Hull boards with
them. Mrs. Prentice begged me to come and stay some with
her. Perhaps I shall.

Spent a day with Mrs. Levy lately. She is from New
Orleans and has a large family of little children. Her husband
and oldest son are in the Virginia Army. She is a good talker,
a woman of the world, and a Jewess, but I think does not
practice her religion. She was a Miss Moise from Charleston.

Jimmy yesterday had a letter from Mr. Clarkson asking
for news of Ben. Jimmy has not heard from him since March
and could write little of comfort. Our last direct news was
in the spring, and now it is November. We fear all three of
our loved ones were in Bragg's last great battle. We know
Longstreet's corps was engaged. It is reported that Lee and
Meade have had another fight, but nothing definite. We can
only pray for their lives to be spared.

The exhilarating news of the capture of Rosecrans and his
army proves to have been a canard. He has been heavily
reinforced and is again in the field. What credulous mortals
we be, believing all the good reports and distrusting all the
bad until the truth is forced upon us. Gen. Blount, the man
who vowed bloody vengeance against Texas because he was
whipped here several years ago for inciting an insurrection,
has been killed, and we in this section can rest in peace at
least for the time. Quantrill did Texas that one good
service. 82

Mamma and Mrs. Carson have subscribed for several
papers.

Willy Carson must have reached his destination before

82 Perhaps a reference to General James G. Blunt, who was active in
the Federal conquest of Arkansas and Missouri in 1862-63. If so, he was
not killed as here reported. An ardent abolitionist, Blunt was born in
Maine, practiced medicine in Ohio, and lived in Kansas during the
bloody decade before the war. Battles and Leaders, III, 447-48; Dic-
tionary of American Biography, XV, 94. According to James Farber,
Quantrill operated in north Texas in the latter part of 1863. General
McCulloch arrested him at Bonham, but Quantrill escaped. Allegedly he
operated in northeast Louisiana and southern Arkansas afterwards.
James Farber, Texas C.S.A. (New York, 1947) ,

254 BROKENBURN

this. He was at home on furlough when we came but left in
a few days. He looked dreadful such a slight, boyish fellow.

We were nearly a week coming down from the prairie
[Lamar Co.], and the children enjoyed the trip greatly. Kitty
and Bobby Vaughn were with us, and they were all in a
perpetual romp. But those white sandy roads and long
rocky hills are dreadful when one is shut up in a Jersey,
innocent of springs and driven by a little boy who manages
to hit nearly every rock and stump.

We spent one day at Mrs. Fowler's, and they were very
kind to us. But for the pony Johnny bought the day before
we left, Jimmy would have had nothing to ride, as he failed
in getting a horse. Mamma gave the pony to me, and we
named it Red Rebel. But it is too small for my riding and
we will sell it. Wish we could afford to keep it for Sister.
Her eyes are still inflamed. She has been unable to read
for a month. Sore eyes are one of the curses of Texas. 83

Mr. Kaiser is domineering and not altogether pleasant.
Mamma and Mrs. Carson had about determined for him to
seek another home, but the opportune present of half a
dozen ducks, fruits of a long hunt, has mollified them. I
tell them they are open to bribery. Sister and Katie are
inseparable and Mamma and Mrs. Carson are very congenial
and talk together by the hour. The boys are the greatest
cronies. It is rather inconvenient receiving company in one's
bedroom, but if we had a sitting room we would not have
even chairs to put in it. It does not look like we will be
crowded with company. Not a native man or lady has called.

[Tyler, Tex.] Nov. 7: There are some changes in our
household. Mr. Kaiser has left us after his school left him.
He has gone seven miles in the country to open another
school. May it prove more successful than this attempt. We
have forgiven him for his desertion of Jimmy. He cannot
help being a coward. He remarked pathetically to Mrs.
Carson, speaking of the big boys of the school, that he felt
he was on the mouth of a volcano. We have no teacher and

83 Probably "pinkeye," an acute, highly contagious variety of con-
junctivitis.

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 255

no prospect of one. Mamma is speaking seriously of going
on to live in Gilmore [Gilmer, Tex. ?] to put Jimmy in school,
but I hope she will not. 84 There are so many refugees here
that we may like Tyler after awhile, and the next school the
boys may be able to attend.

We spent a day with Mrs. Prentice and Mrs. Hull. Col.
Hull was at home a splendid-looking, tall, dark, young
officer, something like Tom Manlove, and quiet and reserved.
Like most soldiers, he dislikes to talk of his adventures or
the war.

Yesterday afternoon we went on a refugee hunt and called
on a Mrs. Blackmore, who has a very sick child. They are
from Homer [La.] and could tell us a good many items of our
friends there. Went on to see Mrs. Col. Hill from Little Rock
[Ark.]. She is a waspish, opinionated, little blonde person,
while her husband is as jolly and good-natured looking a 200
pounds as you would wish to see. Wanted to call on Miss
Bocage of Arkansas but could not find the house. Returned
Miss Grissman's call. The house looked rather happy-go-
lucky, and Mrs. Grissman was keeping up a row in the back
regions. Fancied we would not care to make them a long
visit.

Two of the citizens, Dr. Lawrence's daughter and sister,
called on us. I was out riding and so missed seeing them.
Sent Mrs. Hull word we are two ahead of her. My pride
made me ride Eddie's horse instead of Willy's, as it is so
much the handsomer. Though pride did not have a fall, it
got an awful jolting and bruising. So rough that I have been
stiff ever since. The Carson boys are very kind, loaning
their horses to me at any time.

Several letters this week. One from Uncle Johnny at
Austin. He secured his situation but says everything is very
high, wood $40 a cord. A letter from Sarah Wadley just as
they were leaving for Georgia. Hope they succeeded in
running the blockade and crossing the river in safety. I

84 Gilmer, made county seat of Upshur County in 1846, was the site of
Morgan H. Looney's school, which was established in 1861 and which
became one of the best-known early schools in Texas. Handbook of
Texas, I, 692,

256 BROKENBURN

do not wish for letters. Have such a fear of bad news. The
sight of a letter turns me sick with apprehension.

[Tyler, Tex.] Nov. 9: I cannot realize Brother Walter's
death. He seems no further away than the others, and I
involuntarily think of him as returning with Brother Coley
and My Brother. And they may be all together now in
the gardens of Paradise.

Just finished The Barrington Sketches a rollicking life
they led, a picture of old Irish life. 86 Now on Mahomet and
His Successors, by Irving so it must be good. 86 I walked up
to see Mrs. Levy. She is kind and pleasant, but Mrs. Carson
has a prejudice against her. Mrs. Carson will not send for
her to spend the day, and we have no carriage.

Sister and Katie are taking music lessons and walk to town
every morning to practice.

Mrs. Carson still clings to her river custom of riding every
day. Mamma dubs it a horrid bore, as Mrs. Carson always
wants her as company. I go occasionally and enjoy it.
Mamma is hard at work lately sewing with Adeline's assist-
ance. I have just finished stitching a set of the primest
linen collars that make me look an old maid before my time.
I like the soft grace of lace or tulle, but Mrs. Carson admires
the stiSest and whitest of their kind. The boys, particularly
the two youngest, are running wild. They never tire of romp-
ing and are just overflowing with life, the pure joy of living.
Sister and Katie would go the even tenor of their way in
peace, if only their cats were dead. Their solicitude in trying
to keep them away from the boys injures their rest. It is
like touching fire to tinder for a boy to even touch a cat.
There is an explosion at once.

[Tyler, Tex.] Nov. IS: This week Mrs. Carson, the little
girls, and I are alone. Mamma has gone to Shreveport,
taking Eddie Carson with her. Mr. Smith is again taken
into the militia, thanks to Maj. Little's dislike of refugees,
and Mamma has gone to the headquarters of Gen. Kirby

85 By Sir Johan Barrington (1760-1834) .

86 By Washington Irving (1783-1859) , published in 1850.

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 257

Smith to try to get a permanent discharge for Mr. Smith. 87
The turnout for the trip was essentially Texas: the high
Jersey with white body and black curtains and two shaggy
mules with shuck collars. It was anything but stylish. They
say pride must have a fall, and ours has had many a tumble
since we left home. How I hope Mamma will be able to buy
a carriage this trip. Jimmy has gone to the prairie to stay
during Mr. Smith's absence. He started off with a dreadful
toothache, on a rough little mule. Hope he will return free
of toothache and on a horse. We rode with him as far as the
Yankee camp. Mamma had some business with the com-
manding officer, and we went out with her. A number of the
prisoners escaped the other day, and the townspeople are
very apprehensive of their burning the town. They put out
guards every night, and they take turns in guarding the
prisoners. One of the prisoners was shot yesterday for dis-
obedience of orders. He died in a few hours. 88

Jimmy Carson and Johnny are off on a grand hunting
frolic. Johnny begged off from going with Mamma and
Eddie gladly took his place.

A letter from Anna Dobbs says Uncle Bo was wounded at
Chickamauga, 89 is off on sick leave, but will soon be all right.
Dear fellow, how I wish he could be with us. This is his first
wound though he has been in service since May, 1861. Robert
Norris fell on the same bloody field, horribly mangled by a
shell, on the evening of the third day's battle. He was one

87 Major General Edmund Kirby Smith succeeded General T. H.
Holmes as commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department in March,
1863, and moved his headquarters from Alexandria to Shreveport in the
fall of 1863. He had few more than 40,000 troops to defend the de-
partment, and there was much criticism of his deployment of them.
Battles and Leaders, III, 454-59.

88 Camp Ford, about three miles northeast of Tyler, was built in 1863
to hold Federal prisoners. It and Camp Groce, near Hempstead, Tex.,
were the most important prisons west of the Mississippi. Camp Ford
was fenced with sixteen-foot poles, and the grounds included ten acres
with log houses for the prisoners. Sixteen guards were on duty during
the day and thirty-two at night. Albert Woldert, A History of Tyler
and Smith County, Texas (San Antonio, 1948), 38-41. For pictures of
Federal prisoners at Camp Ford, see The Photographic History oj the
Civil War (New York, 1911) , VII, 49 and 51

89 Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20, 1863.

258 BROKENBURN

of our best friends and a good boy. Many pleasant memories
gather round his name. Sweet be his rest and a bright reward
in the great hereafter.

Anna was to be married on the fifth of November to Dr.
Meagher, a match we prophesied long ago. May her happi-
ness be complete. Surely smiles and tears follow each other
in quick succession. Death does not seem half so terrible as
it did long ago. We have grown used to it. Never a letter
but brings news of the death of someone we knew. Another
girlhood friend off the list, but none do I regret like Kate
Nailor, the first and best.

A letter from Mr. Williams to Mrs. Carson says that
neither Joe nor Brother Coley were in the battle of Chicka-
mauga and both were well on October 10, for which we are
truly thankful. We have written them many letters but had
none from them in answer.

I made my first essay in driving a buggy today, succeeded
a merveille. I drove Mrs. Carson to town twice today with
Brandon as outrider. He was to turn the buggy if I couldn't.
She has no horses here, and this is our only way of escaping
a species of solitary confinement. Called on Dr. Lawrence's
family and heard the piano for the first time in Texas in the
familiar piece, " La Priere d'une Vierge"

Alone as we are tonight, I feel a little afraid of the escaped
Yankees. So I will put out the light, pull the cover over my
head, and go to sleep.

[Tyler, Tex.] Nov. IS: I have been promoted to Mam-
ma's post as listener-in-chief to Mrs. Carson. She cannot
bear to be alone and must have someone to talk to. Mrs.
Carson does not enjoy talking to me as much as she does
Mamma, but I am better than nobody.

Col. Buckner took tea the other evening. He is a tall,
handsome, blond man with engaging manners and does not
seem heartbroken over the death of his wife and children.
People live so fast now. We have no time to mourn.

We certainly have plenty of servants to do our bidding,
most of Mamma's house servants and all Mrs. Carson's, and
that is about all we do have. So little to eat: biscuit for

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 259

we can get plenty of flour; syrup made of sugar, for we have a
hogshead of sugar; and rusty, rancid bacon, absolutely all
the meat we have been able to buy, no eggs, chickens, milk,
butter, or fresh meat, and not a vegetable. Nothing more to
be bought. It seems absurd to have two fine cooks and two
dining-room servants and such fare. The Negroes never had
so little to do in their lives. We will surely do better in the
spring if we can get seed, a cow, and some hens. No fruit
but black haws. They are fine, much better than the red haw
of the swamp.

The Union candidates at the North are elected and peace,
blessed peace as far away as ever.

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. 10: Again we are called on to mourn
one of our dearest and best. Brother Coley has crossed the
Dark Valley, free from all pain and trouble. He lies at rest
and we are desolate indeed. We had heard only the week
before that he was well on October 10, when the letter came
telling of his death at Clinton, Miss., on September 22. I can
do no better than copy Mrs. Bonham's letter to Mamma,
telling how nobly and fearlessly a Christian soldier can die.

Clinton, Miss. 90
Sept. 25th, 1863
My dear Friend:

It is with feelings of deep and heartfelt sorrow that I
resume my pen to give you the particulars of the death of
your noble son Coleman Stone. He breathed his last at a
quarter before ten Tuesday morning, Sept. 22nd. I wrote
you a week before his death giving you full particulars up
to that time. Then fever set in which with his previous
bad health and reduced state and wound combined soon
brought him down. The injury, as I stated in my letter,
was very serious from the first and never healed as it
would have done on a strong, healthy person. Ten days or
more before his death I had him moved from the hospital
to an office in the yard next me so I could give him con-
stant care. Mrs. Moore was on the other side so some
female was with him all the time. I never saw so groat a

00 Eight miles west of Jackson, Miss.

260 BROKENBURN

favorite. Everybody in town was interested in him. Some-
one was constantly calling to see if they could be of service.
As for me, I loved him as a son and grieved for him as one.
He was one of the most patient beings under suffering I
ever saw.

I watched him three weeks and four days. Most of the
time he was suffering the most excruciating pain, but he
bore it with the most remarkable firmness, and to you, his
mother, I bear the comforting assurance that he died a
Christian. The first Sabbath after he came to the hospital
I went in the evening to see him fearing he would be lonely
and found him reading his Testament. I sat down by him
and read aloud for some time. He kept his Bible lying
always under his pillow. I used often to take my work and
sit by him, and we had many conversations about you, his
brothers, and sisters, and his last wish was that he could
see you all once more, calling you all by name.

Two days before his death he told me he wished the
doctor to tell him his exact condition. He was perfectly
calm and composed. The doctor told him there was no
chance of his recovery, and said to him, ( Coley, you are a
sensible thinking boy and must know the necessity of
preparation for another world.' He replied that he did and
asked me to send for a minister to converse and pray with
him. I at once sent for Mr. Tom Markham, formerly of
Vicksburg, who happened to be in this vicinity, and around
the couch of that dying soldier boy I passed through some
of the most impressive scenes of my life. At sunrise on
Tuesday morning, we all knelt around his bed and heard
one of the most feeling and beautiful prayers I ever listened
to. When I rose and stood by him my hand on his head, he
looked in my face and said, * Mrs. Bonham, I don't think I
have ever been a very wicked boy, but since I have been
in the army I have been striving to be a Christian, and I
believe God has heard my prayers and has answered them.
I believe He has forgiven my many sins, pardoned me, and
will take me to my home in Heaven. Write to my dear
Mother and tell her what I have said to you. I have longed,
oh, so much, to see her and my Brothers and Sisters once
more, but as I cannot on this earth I trust they will meet
me in Heaven/ He was perfectly calm and had his senses
up to five minutes before his death. There was no struggle,

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 261

no contortion. I stood on one side of him, Mrs. Moore on
the other, Dr. Hunt, Mr. Markham, and several others
around. I stooped and with sobs and tears pressed a kiss
on his brow. He looked in my eyes and said audibly so
that all could hear, ' For my Mother.* Again I kissed him
and he said, ' For my Sisters.' All were in tears. The
strong, stout man who waited on him turned to the window
sobbing aloud. Of that good man, that kindhearted friend,
I must speak. Mr. Galloway was sent at Coley's request to
wait on him. He watched by him day and night with the
faithfulness and affection of a brother and the tenderness
of a woman. He was never for a moment cross or impatient
and always ready to gratify Coley 's slightest wish, and he
grieved for him as for a brother. I shall always love the
man for his devotion to Coley, who, on his death bed, told
me he wanted Mr. Galloway to have his horse and other
effects. He said his horse belonged to his brother, and Mr.
Galloway would give it up if it was ever called for. He also
has his pistol. There was nothing of service except to sol-
diers. I have his Testament and a few books. My Belle
never let a morning pass without taking him a bouquet of
flowers, which he always enjoyed.

Joe Carson came in the morning of his death. He grieved
sorely to think he must give up forever his dearest friend.
It made my heart ache to see his sorrow. Of the six who
started out to mess together, only three remain, Mr. Gallo-
way, Carson, and Clarkson. I sat with them around the
dead and impressed on them the uncertainty of life. We
dressed Coley in a nice suit of clothes furnished by a young
friend of his, Tom Moore. When Coley was first brought
in, Tom said to his mother, * Do all you can for Coley Stone
as he is my best friend/ Everything of the best kind was
prepared for his burial. I wish it was in my power to de-
scribe the funeral, but my pen is inadequate. It took place
just after nighl. The moon was full and shone most beauti-
fully. The burial service by Mr. Markham was long and
most appropriate. Nearly all of his company were present
and a large number of ladies. A stranger would have
thought from the feeling shown that we were each seeing
a loved brother or son to his last resting place. All were
in tears. That burial was one we will all remember. You
have my deepest sympathy in this, your great sorrow.

262 BROKENBURN

How many sad hearts and broken households has this
terrible war caused.

Most sincerely your friend,

Mary T. Bonham

. . . My heart bleeds for Mamma. Sorrow after sorrow rolls
over her, almost more than she can bear, but she is a most
brave woman and will not sink beneath the burden.

The moonlight falls clear and cold on the graves of three
of those who made the mirth and happiness of our home only
two short summers ago three of the glad young voices are
hushed, three of the bright young heads lie low. Now what
remains of the high hopes, the stirring plans, and the great
ambitions that burned in the hearts and filled the brain of
these gallant boys only a handful of dust. All have fallen
in the dew and flower of their youth. Ashburn was the first
to sink to his dreamless sleep. For two long years the grass
has been springing fresh and green over his grave at Broken-
burn. He died November 12, 1861, aged eighteen years and
three months. Brother Walter was the next to obey the
dread summons. He crossed the black waters of the River of
Death February 15, 1863, aged eighteen years and two
months, and now in the autumn of the same year Brother
Coley has passed from Time to Eternity, his short life
numbering twenty years and six months.

What charms can peace have for us when it does come
bereft of our nearest and dearest?

They grew in beauty side by side
They filled one home with glee,
Their graves are scattered far and wide
By mountain, grove, and sea.

We can never return to the bright and happy home of three
years ago. These three graves darken the threshold. Mam-
ma was in Shreveport when we received the letter and did
not get home for several days. She had heard all were well
and came home cheerful and happy to be greeted by such
news. It was an awful shock to her.
Brother Coley had such a brave and dauntless spirit in

1863: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 263

that fra.il, sensitive body, a love for all that was pure and
noble, and a scathing contempt for all that was low and
mean. Joe Carson has just left after a short furlough home,
and from him we learned all that we can know of Brother
Coley. He had not grown to strong manhood, as we fondly
imagined, but was still a beardless boy, tall and slender, the
same fragile form and unbending energy and spirit that we
knew at home. He had been offered a position as 2nd lieu-
tenant in Bragg's army through Uncle Bo's influence. He
had accepted it and expected to join his new company in a
few days, when he received the injury that caused his death.

He was out scouting near Clinton with several others when
something scared his horse, a powerful black of Dr. Buck-
ner's. Brother Coley was sitting sideways on the horse, his
leg thrown over the pommel. They had stopped to rest when
the horse reared and Brother Coley's spur caught in the bit
as he threw his leg over, and the horse fell backward crushing
Brother Coley's shoulder and arm against a root a most
painful injury. He was a splendid rider, and to meet death
that way. He had been in many skirmishes and engagements
but never was wounded. In the desperate charge that the
28th Miss, made in the Franklin, Tenn., battle, he had his
cartridge box shot off and fell from his horse but was unhurt.
Once acting as regimental orderly he rode through a fire of
shot and shell that none of the couriers would brave to
carry orders to his squardon.

Brother Walter was only once under fire but acted with
such coolness and courage that he was highly complimented
by his officers. A small party were sleeping at a picket post
on the bank of a little stream when they were surprised by
the enemy, who opened artillery fire across the creek. The
men rushed for their horses and galloped off, but Brother
Walter after mounting rode to the banks of the stream and
fired several shots at the gunners, saying afterwards, " Boys,
I was just obliged to take a few shots at them." Well may
we be proud of our brave boys, and we can never be grateful
enough to the kind friends at Clinton who nursed Brother
Coley so tenderly.

264 BROKENBURN

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. 12: Not to us alone has God sent
trouble and sorrow. Nearly every household mourns some
loved one lost. Mamma and Mrs. Carson have gone out to
see Mrs. Prentice. Her husband died last night leaving her
a childless widow alone in a strange land. He had been ill
for a week with pneumonia, and both Johnny and Jimmy
have been sitting up with him. A letter from Amelia Scott
yesterday tells of the death of her brother Charley on the
bloody field of Chickamauga. Allen Bridges, a bright little
boy not more than sixteen, Robert Norris, and Mr. Claud
Briscoe all fell in the same engagement. Of that band of
boys who used to assemble at our house to hunt, play, and
amuse themselves, only Joe Carson and Ben Clarkson re-
main. Mr. Newton, who went with them so much and always
on Saturday, fell months ago in some battle. Charley Scott
was such a frank, warm-hearted young fellow, a heart over-
flowing with love and kindness, hospitable to the last degree.
How his mother and sister will miss him. He was an idol
with them both.

Mamma met several old friends in Shreveport and suc-
ceeded in getting Mr. Smith's discharge. She went to see
Mary Gustine who is living very comfortably at Shreveport
and is delighted with her husband. Her mother and Ella
live with them. Eva Butts is married and living at Shreve-
port. Capt. Buckner, Mary's husband, is a Commissary with
quarters at Shreveport. Eugenia Rossman is also married
to young Charley Allen, younger than herself by several
years. We are duly thankful for that marriage. Mamma had
a horror of her as a daughter-in-law, and I verily hated to
think of her as a sister. My Brother stopped to see her on
his last journey to Virginia and wrote to Mamma he was
engaged to her, which news we received with a groan. But
we do not think his heart will be irretrievably broken.
Charley Allen is a wealthy boy, an only son, educated in
Europe until nearly grown. I know his mother hates it.

Mamma met at the hotel an old friend, Mrs. Gibson,
formely Mrs. Lane, a very wealthy woman of Vicksburg.
Aunt Laura waited on her at her first marriage. Her husband

1863: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND" 265

is in jail to be tried for murder, and she has lost five children
in the last two years. Mamma says she was never so sorry
for anyone. She was looking dreadful and so desolate and
unfriended. A letter from Sarah Wadley. They are back at
home. They could not cross the river without great risk
so returned to stand the worst the Yankees may do rather
than attempt another runaway.

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. 13: We missed Joe Carson after he
left on December 9. We had to exert ourselves to keep from
saddening his homecoming. He had great trouble in getting
a furlough, and it was only through Ben Clarkson's kindness
that he got it at last. Ben gave his furlough to Joe, the
greatest kindness one soldier can show another. Brother
Coley and Joe expected to come together, but it was not to
be. Joe stayed a little over two weeks after a ride of ten
days to get here. He is returning a shorter route. There is
a strong probability of his being stopped in Shreveport and
assigned to the army on this side as the authorities are
allowing no soldiers to leave the Trans-Mississippi Depart-
ment. Joe would be delighted as he is very anxious for a
transfer to Louisiana, and if he reaches his command will
try hard for a transfer. We hope, for his mother's sake as
well as his own, that he may get it. We sent numbers of
letters by him.

We heard of My Brother. He has been unable to go into
service since Gettysburg, His wound is still unhealed and
his arm stiff. He is staying in Lynchburg with Aunt Laura
and Mrs. Buckner, Dr. Buckner's mother. Mamma is using
every exertion to get a transfer or discharge for him. She
has written to the Secretary of War on the subject. Brother
Coley could have gotten a discharge at any time on account
of ill-health, but he would not hear of it, and even when he
knew that if he recovered his arm would be useless declared
his intention of remaining in the army. A gallant spirit.

Uncle Bo is captain on some general's staff. He makes a
dashing officer and must be a favorite with his mess. He has
such a gay, joyous nature and is always in a good humor.
Wish we knew the general's name.

266 BROKENBURN

It is sickening to hear Joe's account of the labor and
hardships his regiment, the 28th Miss., has undergone in the
last year. Sometimes they rode for twenty-two hours with-
out leaving their saddles. Often they had insufficient food,
no salt and at the best only beef and cornbread, no tents,
sleeping out in the rain and snow, and frequent skirmishes
and engagements. No wonder our poor boy sank under it.
Joe has never missed a fight. The regiment from being one
of the strongest in point of number is reduced to about 400
fit for duty.

Mamma, Mrs. Levy, and I attended Mr. Prentice's funeral
this morning. Finding she would be entirely alone, we stayed
until evening and Mamma remained all night. Such a deso-
late-looking graveyard. Such sombre trees and leaden skies
and such inhospitable soil and clay. When I lie down to rest,
may the heavy dews of Louisiana brighten the grass above
my head.

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. 19: Mamma, Mrs. Carson, and the
little girls are off looking for a house to rent for Mrs. Savage.
They are now on their way to Tyler and wish to have a house
rented by their arrival. They expect to reach here by Christ-
mas, and we will all be overjoyed to have them again as
neighbors. We have not seen them for just a year. If Julia
could come too, we would be pleased. She keeps us in kind
remembrance. She has just sent me ** the Rebel headress "
and some visiting cards. Texas will not seem so desolate with
old friends around us.

It has been intensely cold for some days, but the norther
has at last blown itself away. We went out this morning to
see Mrs. Prentice, fearing she has been lonely. We found
Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Clark with her. Mrs. Hull is just back
from Shreveport, going there to meet some St. Louis friends
lately banished from the state. They say there is no prospect
of peace. The North is more prosperous than ever before.
Traveling through the states, one would hardly know there
was a war going on. How different from our own suffering
country. Mrs. Hull is a charming little woman. I would
like to know her well. Mrs. Levy and Mrs. Wells beg us to

1868: " STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND " 267

come out and stay some with them, but we have not the
heart to visit now, only to see some refugee in trouble. Refu-
gees must be good to each other.

The little girls go every morning to Mrs. Lawrence's to
practice. They took dinner there and went to call in the
afternoon on the Bocage children, a nice family just in from
Arkansas.

How much boys add to the life of a house. Jimmy and
Eddie have been on a visit of a few days at Mr. Fluellen's.
They describe it as the nicest place they have seen in Texas.
They like the Fluellen boys so much.

We are sewing and reading some dull, dry books. Mamma
spent nearly a thousand dollars while in Shreveport buying
clothes, five or six dresses. Everything is so enormously high.
A plain delaine dress $00 and a velvet mantle or poplin
dress cannot be bought for less than $1,500. She did not
indulge in one of those.

No word from Joe yet.

[Tyler, Tex.] Christmas Eve: We have had quite a rush
of company. Mrs. Templeton and Dr. Wylie spent a day
and night with us. They had just been out to the river and
to Vicksburg and could tell us much of interest. They came
driving up in grand style, a beautiful carriage and horses.
The family was quite in commotion. We could not guess
what great dignitary was coming to visit us, when who should
step out but Dr. Wylie, the same great, coarse, fast-talking
man we were introduced to on the Macon, nowise improved
by his Texas trip. It is a treat to hear him read. He rushes
on like he was trying to catch a fast train, and one gets little
idea of what he is reeling off. Mrs. Carson was in agony lest
Eddie or I should disgrace ourselves by laughing outright.
I shall put a stop to being teased about that horrid man.
Not a boy shall open his lips on the subject. He assured us
he would come again, but we will excuse him if he forgets.

Two of Gen. Roane's 91 staff honored us with a call that
morning, Capt. Smith (singular name) and Lt. Somerville,

91 Brigadier General J. Selden Roane, former governor of Arkansas.
Thomas, Arkansas in War and Reconstruction, 139, 156, and 165.

268 BROKENBURN

both quite pleasant. Capt. Smith is handsome with bold
black eyes and a fast " about town " manner. Lt. Somer-
ville has a boyish face and a horror of being considered
young. He announces with a manly air that he is twenty-one
but he looks seventeen.

Mr. Levy and Mr. Michele spent the afternoon and took
tea. Mr. Michele, a Creole from New Orleans and with all
their mannerisms, is stationed here in some government post.
He will prove an agreeable addition to our society. He
escaped from New Orleans five days after his marriage,
leaving his wife there. Capt. King, our only other acquaint-
ance, holds out to the promise of a visit, a pleasure, in the
near future.

A letter from Amelia Scott. They are still uncertain of
Charley's fate. What a trying time of suspense. She begs me
to come and stay some with them but I cannot visit now.
My heart is too heavy. Johnny and Jimmy Carson have
gone to Mr. Fluellen's to spend Christmas. We are glad for
the little fellows to have a pleasant Christmas. It is very
dull here as we are making no preparations for the day,
which was formerly a season of such merriment and re-
joicing.

Tears, idle tears, Tears from the depth of some distant

time,

Rise in the heart and gather in the eyes,
In gazing o'er the dreary winter fields
And thinking of the days that are no more. 92

Mr. Cleghorn of rose and river fame spent Sunday with
us. The same detestable man as of yore. Mamma and Mrs.
Carson still hunting a house. I, dressed in my best, black
dress and yellow ribbons, have nothing better to do this
morning than scribble.

02 A paraphrase of lines from Alfred, Lord Tennyson's " The Princess ":
Tears, idle tears . . .

Tears Jrom the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,
In looking on the happy autumn -fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more.

1868: "STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND 33 269

[Tyler, Tex.] Christmas Night: The day has passed most
quietly, not a cake, not a visitor. We did have an eggnog
but only the servants enjoyed it. Made of mean whiskey,
it smacked of Texas. We missed our regular Christmas
visitor, Mr. Valentine. He has been with us for the last three
years. I wonder where he is now. Only one present on the
place, a fine turkey from Mrs. Lawrence. Last Christmas
morning when dear little Beverly raised up in bed, and look-
ing at her stockings saw only some homemade toys, bedstead
and chairs made of white pine by the plantation carpenter,
hid her head, sobbing that she " would not have the ugly
common fings." Aunt Laura told her how bad that was and
that poor Santa Claus had done his best but he could not
get through the Yankee lines. Presently the little, flushed
face was raised and an apologetic little voice faltered out,
" Table, I begs your pardon. Bedstead, I begs your pardon.
I will keep you and play with you. You is nice." What a
dear little heart she is.

Two letters for me and four for Mrs. Carson today. Hers
were from her brother in the North and Mrs. Newman. They
had just heard of Dr. Carson's death and wrote letters of
condolence begging her to come North. " Uncle Ed " would
perhaps come down for her. So we may have a chance to see
far-famed Uncle Ed at last. We have heard much of him,
but living in New York, he has seemed rather a mythical
personage until now. Mrs. Newman rather rejoices in being
in the Yankee lines and says she will remain at home. It is
not a specially pleasant letter. She sends love to us all.
Anna writes they have advanced as far as Shreveport. No
house to be had as yet. A letter from Joe at Monroe, The
river is rising so rapidly, we fear he will find great difficulty
in getting across.

A cold, moonshiny night, a warm room, and Mamma doz-
ing at ease in our only rocking chair before a bright fire. The
chair has accompanied us in all our journeyings since leaving
Monroe and, though not a thing of beauty, it is a joy forever
and seldom without an occupant. Sad to say, it is showing
signs of wear, but it has acted the part of comforter in our
weary pilgrimage.

270 BROKENBURN

The all prevailing topic at present is the dire disease that
afflicts the quartette of boys. It will be long before they
hear the last of the disease and their dire crime in concealing
it from their mothers. Fortunately for us all, poor little
Eddie was the first to suffer and gave it to all the other boys.
This is a rich field for Mrs. Carson to exhibit all her crochets,
and she allows no opportunity to pass. She is a rather diffi-
cult person to live with, so many fads and fancies and so
bent on carrying them through. The boys are not enjoying
their lives at present. The greatest comfort and amusement
they find is in trying to tease me about Dr. Wylie, an in-
exhaustible fund for Johnny and Eddie.

Mrs. Lawrence has been kind about lending us her books,
but we have about finished her library. Have read history
until I feel as dry as those old times. Have nearly memorized
Tennyson and read and reread our favorite plays in Shake-
speare. Fortunately he never grows old. We hope Mr.
McGee will be able to get Harper's to us. We wrote to him
for it. That would keep us stirred up for awhile at least. The
literature of the North is to us what the "flesh pots of
Egypt " were to the wandering Israelites we long for it.

Never a letter but brings news of death. Mr. Catlin is
gone. And when we saw him last spring, what a picture of
vigorous health he was. I wish we could hear from Lt. Valen-
tine. Our old neighborhood is scattered to the four winds.

1864

"Disaster and despair"

[Tyler, Tex.] Jan, 4: We were glad to see the Old Year
go. It had been a year of trial to us, and we rejoiced when
we caught the last glimpse of the sail bearing him on to the
dim Ocean of Eternity. The New Year came wailing in,
borne on the wings of a freezing norther. God grant it may
bring peace to our warworn land and those we love home
again.

Mrs. Savage and her cortege, with Dr. Meagher in the
train, arrived Tuesday and are busy settling in their new
quarters. The little girls have been staying in here with us
until today. We found five in the room with insufficient bed-
clothes rather too much for comfort in this freezing weather.
I very foolishly allowed myself to be persuaded to spend the
first night out in camp with them, and I have not recovered
from it yet. I feel like blushing every time I think of it as
we all practically slept together with only a curtain sepa-
rating the tent into two rooms and the mattresses touching
each other. I never felt so out of place. Anna is the same as
ever, but Emily Norris has outgrown the name of little girl.
She has developed very rapidly and promises to be a noted
flirt. She already has her " trot lines " out for all these boys.
Think Jimmy Stone and Eddie will fall easy victims, but I
doubt her ability to land such shy, wild specimens as Johnny
and Jimmy Carson.

We are so glad to have Johnny and Jimmy start to school
today. It worried us all the time seeing Jimmy losing his
last year at home learning nothing. We did not mind so
much about Johnny's idleness. He is well advanced and the

271

272 BROKENBURN

brightest child I ever saw. He takes the lead. Jimmy Carson
and Eddie will follow him anywhere and applaud all he says
or does.

Jimmy Carson has been away for a week on business con-
nected with Anderson's killing that Negro, a dreadful affair,
and Mrs. Carson has fretted over his absence as she alone
can fret. It is a terrible spell of weather to be traveling. The
snow is several inches deep and frozen hard with the keenest
wind howling around the house.

Capt. King, the exquisite, has paid us several visits and
beaten me a game of chess by my connivance. He came by to
tell us good-bye Tuesday on his way to Shreveport and Cam-
den. Sent letters by him and one of introduction to Julia
and Carrie Lowry.

[Tyler, Tex.] Jan. 7: All the unimportant days so far fall
on Friday, Christmas, New Year's, and my twenty-third
birthday, the day of ill omen, all on luckless Friday. Let us
see what reputation we can give it on the last of the year,
when we can scan the record.

In the last twelve months trouble and distress have been
our portion. " We have swallowed our tears like water " and
have sunk beneath the chastisement of Our Lord. "His
hands hath been heavy upon us/' yet " He hath not utterly
forsaken us," and we can thank Him for many blessings left.

A monotonous week to all closely housed by the extreme
cold. Mamma and Mrs. Carson both depressed. Jimmy
more than usually solemn. Eddie silent and subdued. The
little girls tired of their usual pursuits, even cats and dolls
have lost their charm. Even Johnny, the merriest and most
mirth-loving of boys, has quieted down and is busy with his
books and studies. He misses his great chum, Jimmy Carson,
who is still away much to his mother's annoyance.

No news from My Brother for so many months. When
will he come? We are weary watching for the sight of his
face and the sound of his voice. Gen. Morgan's daring escape
is one piece of good news. 1

1 0n November 27, 1863, General John Hunt Morgan, the famous
cavalry leader, escaped from prison in Columbus, Ohio. C. F. Holland,
Morgan and His Raiders (New York, 1942) , 268-87.

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR 93 273

[Tyler, Tex.] Jan. 13: Good news from My Dearest
Brother today. He is almost well and has rejoined his regi-
ment. We heard through a letter from Capt. Manlove De-
cember 8. Flora Manlove, Tom's wife, sent a nice little note
to me in the letter. How sweet of her to write. We have only
a slight acquaintance, but she knows My Brother well and
saw him, quite recently in Virginia. Capt. Manlove is so
kind. He writes Mamma by every opportunity. A letter
from My Brother, written in March. Other letters for Mrs.
Carson urging her to come North. Different Yankees at
Monroe and Vicksburg will send her on, but she will not hear
of it. It is a good thing. She is wise enough to see that such
schemes for abandoning all that they have are foolish in the
extreme.

Dr. Wylie is spending the evening and night. What a sor-
did soul that man has. Did he ever perform a generous
action in his life of forty years?

Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Baxter were here this morning,
and I am to dine with them tomorrow. I dread it, as I am
to go alone. The children are all going to school, and Sister
and Katie are charmed. The boys are not molested at this
school.

Mamma sent a letter to Mr. Smith yesterday, and if he
can get what she writes for we shall feel quite independent.
The first desideratum is a carriage.

[Tyler, Tex.] March 8: I am quite alone tonight, not even
a book for company. Mamma is in Shreveport trying to get
a transfer for My Brother. The boys are in their room study-
ing, and Sister, after suffering agony for the last twenty-four
hours, has at last fallen asleep. The Negroes have left the
yard. Even the dogs have forgotten to bark and are dozing
on the gallery. The only sounds to break the stillness are
the constant chirps of the crickets, the croaking of the rain
crows heard afar off, and the mournful whistle of some Texas
night-bird borne up from the thickety banks of the little
stream " that flows through the meadow " across the road
just at the foot of the hill. The wild March wind has sub-
sided to a gentle zephyr, rustling the dry leaves still clinging

74 BROKENBURN

to the stunted oaks till now when the new shoots are budding
out to push them off.

But to descend to dry facts. Our greatest event has been
the breaking up of the pleasant household of the last four
months. We were all getting on quite pleasantly and all
seemed satisfied and happier than ever before in Texas.
None of us thought of change, when suddenly one frosty
morning came the announcement from Mrs. Carson that she
knew of a house to be rented and she would move to it. She
thought the households would be better apart. Of course
there was nothing to be said, and Mamma at once assented,
only offering to take the other house and let Mrs. Carson
remain here. But she preferred the new domicile, and so,
presto-change, before we hardly realized it they were packed
up and away a mile across the hill.

There had not been the shadow of disagreement, and we
thought Mrs. Carson perfectly satisfied. We never have
known why she left in such a hurry. All the children but
Jimmy Stone were disgusted at the change. They were so
enjoying themselves together. Mrs. Carson has kept most
closely at home rarely calling on either Mamma or Mrs.
Savage and she will seldom allow the boys or Katie to come.
Such a change from her former habit of going out once or
twice every day and doing nothing but talk between times.
It seems very odd. She says she is entirely taken up with her
housekeeping and sewing, two things she was never known to
do in the past. Just one of her eccentric moods that there
is no use worrying about. Eddie, according to his usual want,
entered a most energetic protest to the move which resulted,
as his protests always do, in a long lecture prefaced by the
usual " My Darling, come in here." Mrs. Carson's children
must hate the word "darling." Johnny was wretched for
awhile, he missed the boys so and Eddie was inconsolable
for a week. But they have brightened up now, and once
or twice every day the boys come galloping up, emerging
from the woods with a shrill whistle, and nearly always with
a little bunch of wildwood flowers for me. So as they are at
school, I think Mamma is rather relieved. Mrs. Carson often

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR" 275

bored Mamma by insisting on talking to her hours at the
time. I could not have stood it as Mamma did.

We have refugee visitors but the natives, with the excep-
tion of Dr. Lawrence's family, still hold aloof. Capt. King
with his dark, sleepy eyes and grand air is a frequent visitor.
We have been trying to get a backgammon board and
chessmen to amuse him and ourselves but so far without
success. The other afternoon we were enjoying our ease,
Mamma lolling back in one chair her feet on another, Sister
romping over the bed, and I reclining on several pillows,
when we heard a knock at the door. Thinking it one of the
servants, we called out, " Come in." Who should stalk in
with his most dignified air, flashing in crimson and gold, but
Capt. King, calling to say good-bye, having been ordered off.
Fortunately for us, he is too near-sighted to notice much,
and so the disorder of the room escaped him.

Mrs. Savage's family we see constantly.

[Tyler, Tex.] March 20: I spent last week in the country,
just the wildest most remote section of civilzation, with the
Goddards, who were complete strangers until then. They are
from Arkansas and were recommended to us by Julia some
time ago. We had seen some nice-looking strangers at church
in the morning. In the afternoon in the midst of our ani-
mated chat with Capts. Smithy and Empy, callers came.
The young ladies were announced and introduced them-
selves. They were so cordial and said they had come the
twenty miles to meet us and to carry me home with them
and were so insistent that I could hardly refuse, particularly
as Mamma urged me to go. So I accompanied them next
morning just twenty miles from anywhere. Mr. Goddard has
a hat factory established there, and we spent the time as
pleasantly as one could in a rough new house perched on a
white sandbank in the midst of a limitless pine forest with
rather silent strangers. No amusements except riding horse-
back on rough horses over roads of deep white sand studded
with stumps. Only the necessaries, none of the luxuries of
life. On the seventh day I was only too glad to come home,
though I had to do what none of us had ever done before

276 BROKENBURN

drive home in a buggy driven by an old, old Negro man.
Mr. Goddard had promised to bring me home at any time.
He would not hear of Mamma's sending for me, and so I
was helpless to get away. I shall not forgive any of them
for sending me back in that style, and I never want to see
any of them again. I was scared all day long, coming so
slowly through those lonely woods, few houses on the way.
The old driver was as respectful as possible, but the idea of
the trip was perfectly repugnant. Mamma did not like it one
bit more than I.

Mamma returned Saturday. She succeeded in her mission
and My Brother will be transferred to this department if he
can get across the river, but that is very doubtful. 2 She saw
them all at Mary Gustine's and Missie Morris, who is on a
visit there. She regretted not taking me with her to enjoy
seeing all of them. Missie wrote me. She says it is her second
letter, and I was thinking I had offended her.

Mamma heard that Kate Nailor is dead, leaving a little
child. My darling girl, I can never love any other friend as
I have loved her. She was all that was good and pure and
most beautiful, and hers was a happy, lovely life but for
My Brother whose hand alone had given her myrrh to drink.
She was the petted darling of her entire household never
refused any wish that could be gratified.

[Tyler, Tex.] March 22: Letters from Annie and Joe.
Annie writes an affectionate, amusing letter and is a good
correspondent. Joe is at Vienna [La.] nursing Willy Carson,
who is not well enough to be moved. That wound in his
arm was more serious than they thought. Joe sent us two
late magazines, Frank Leslie's 3 and Harper's. They ignore
the war, but are great on the fashions which seem to be
about the same as three years ago. The hoops are enormous
but the bonnets not so towering, false hair ad libitum. The
stories are trashy.

Capt. King is still a visitor. We are quite comfortable at

2 The Mississippi had been in the hands of Federal forces since the
fall of Vicksburg in July, 1868.
8 Frank Leslie's Lady's Magazine, established in New York in 1857.

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 277

home now. We hope not to move again until we strike the
homeward trail. I dread Kate and Uncle Johnny's coming
to live with us, but it seems not to be helped. Uncle Johnny
could not get on in Austin.

[Tyler, Tex.] April 15: Jimmy, Sister, and I are keeping
house in lonely state. Mamma and Johnny are on a visit to
the prairie. We are looking for Mrs. Payne and Julia any
time. Their baggage and Negroes have already arrived.
They left Camden for fear of the Yankees who were not far
distant. We will be delighted to have them near us, but I
fear Julia will not be the same dear girl now that she has
relinquished her freedom and is engaged to be married. Capt.
Street from Arkansas is the fortunate man. He has certainly
drawn a prize. Julia will make a model wife. I fancy the
wedding will be soon. Julia will find it dull here after her
bellehood at Camden, where Gen. Price has had his head-
quarters and the social life has been very gay.

People do not mourn their dead as they used to. Everyone
seems to live only in the present just from day to day
otherwise I fancy many would go crazy.

Carrie Lowry was married last month to Col. Polk of
Arkansas. Her family are all pleased at the match. It was
a grand wedding, and Julia was first bridesmaid.

A letter from Aunt Sarah to Mamma enclosing one from
My Brother. He was on the Rapidan when he wrote, on
picket duty but was soon after detailed as brigade inspector
and ordered to headquarters at Orange County Court House.
He expected a nice time there, a tent, and little to do. He
has lost hope of a transfer. They will not even give him a
furlough. We still have strong hopes of his transfer through
Gen. Kirby Smith's application. As Mamma was away, I
opened the letter with a sinking heart, sure that it contained
bad news.

Joe is with the army at Campti [La.]. 4

The papers are filled with news of our great victory at

* About sixty miles southeast of Shxeveport.

278 BROKENBURN

Mansfield, La., where the Yankees were so confident of suc-
cess. 5 They had boasted that in two weeks the last armed
rebel would be driven from Louisiana, Shreveport would be
taken without a struggle, and then they would sweep over
Texas, a besom of destruction. Then they would leisurely
march back, after establishing freedom, law, and order in
this benighted country, to the river, going in time to join
Grant in his " On to Richmond." But they find themselves
mistaken. We did the gobbling act. We have taken over
5,000 soldiers and many stores. It is our first great success
on this side of the river, and the effect will be magical,
inspiring both citizens and soldiers. Our loss was heavy,
especially in officers, Gens. Green and Mouton both killed 6
and Gen. Polignac dangerously wounded. 7 Our gallant South-
ern soldiers who can praise them enough? as much as they
deserve?
We will never laugh at our soldiers on this side of the

5 In 1863, General Banks with a large force ascended Red River to
capture Shreveport, headquarters of the Trans-Mississippi Department,
and Marshall, Tex., important supply and administrative center. The
force reached Natchitoches, dangerously near Shreveport, on April 3.
General Taylor's Confederate forces surprised Banks near Mansfield, La.,
about forty miles south of Shreveport, and defeated him in the Battle
of Mansfield, April 8. The Battle of Pleasant Hill the next day was
hardly as successful for the Confederates, but the Federals were forced
to retreat and eventually to give up the campaign altogether. Battles
and Leaders, IV, 345-57; Blessington, Walker's Texas Division, 1 82-200.

6 General Alfred Mouton, a Louisianian, was in command of a brigade
of Texans and Louisianians at the Battle of Mansfield, where he was
killed April 8. General Tom Green, commander of a brigade of Texas
cavalry, was killed at Blair's Landing, La., April 12. Battles and
Leaders 9 IV, 357; Blessington, Walker's Texas Division, 184-85.

7 One of the most colorful officers in the Confederate Army was Prince
Camille de Polignac, a Frenchman who came to America early in the
war and offered his services to the Confederacy. He soon rose to the
rank of major general. He was in France on a political mission for
Governor Allen of Louisiana when the war ended and did not return.
In 1918 his daughter, the Marquise de Courtivron, visited the Mansfield
battlefield, and when she returned to France she organized the Paris
Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. On the anni-
versary of the battle in 1925, a monument, provided by the Paris
Chapter, was unveiled at Mansfield by Polignac's son in the presence
of the general's widow. Thomas, Arkansas in War and Reconstruction,
261.

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 279

Mississippi again. 8 Gen. Green was about the most popular
officer in this department. Three thousand prisoners will
arrive here tonight to be guarded with their companions in
misery at the conscript camp.

Capt. King has married recently a pretty little Creole
refugee from New Orleans. It was a short acquaintance. We
have exchanged calls and find her very pleasant, but I doubt
she will have a happy life. We find Capt. King is quite a
drinker. Dr. McGregor from Arkansas in one of the Depart-
ments here is our most frequent visitor. Dr. Johnson, of
laboratory fame/ has presented us with such a nice chess-
board and backgammon box made by himself, and I have
vanquished him in a game of chess much to my delight and
his chagrin. It was his first game lost to a lady he says. He
is something like Dr. Buckner in manner, and about his
age. Dr. McGregor is a jolly, good-natured bachelor not
overly refined. He is something like our New Orleans friend,
Mr. McGregor. The same clan, I suppose.

Willy Carson is at home. He has not grown any but looks
well. His arm will not be well for a month yet. He is awfully
shy and ill at ease. As I succeeded in melting Jimmy Car-
son's reserve, I do not despair of Willy. I am about the only
young lady in the world that Jimmy is not afraid of. We
are great chums. Mrs. Carson has resumed her old habit and
is out in her carriage every day. She has dropped Mrs. Levy
and is devoting her time to Mrs. Lawrence. She is of a
strange nature. Mrs. Levy is living at the laboratory. Dr.
Johnson is at the head of it, making medicines and whiskey
for the Government. Jimmy and I spent a delightful day
with Mrs. Levy. She is so cordial.

Mrs. Judge N. Richardson has paid her friends the long
expected visit. She divided her time among her friends here,
but Mrs. Carson told her that she could only ask her to call
as her house was too small to entertain. She has four rooms

8 Before the Battle of Mansfield, there had been a great deal of
criticism of Trans-Mississippi Department troops.

9 The Trans-Mississippi Medical Department was located about three
miles east of Tyler. A laboratory there made medicines for the Con-
federacy. Woldert, A History of Tyler, 41.

280 BROKENBURN

but will not ask anyone to take a meal or sleep. Mrs. Rich-
ardson and I have a plan for a trip to San Antonio, which
will be splendid if we can only carry it out. She has three
sisters-in-law living there. The Bichardsons are at Rusk. 10
They left in time to save everything and they had lots.

We see Mrs. Savage's family nearly every day. Jimmy and
Eddie seem to have recovered from their desperate love
affair with Emily.

We have had several trashy novels, the best, The Dead
Secret.^ The papers are most interesting and a great re-
source, particularly the Houston papers.

[Tyler, Tex.] May 5: What glorious news we have to-
night and have been having for a month! First, Banks with
his insolent boasts and vainglorious columns, waving ban-
ners and beating drums to the easy conquest of Texas, is
met at glorious Mansfield and Pleasant Hill [La.] by our
brave soldiers and meets only defeat and disgrace. He has
been flying ever since with our victorious troops, who in hot
pursuit press on, striking blow after blow on his disorganized
forces and capturing men, wagons, and stores left behind in
the hasty retreat. He is in Alexandria now, in the shadow
of his gunboats for a little breathing space. Many of his
invincible fleet have been destroyed. 12 Then in Arkansas we
have had a succession of victories, and now Gen. Steele is
trying to cut his way through the fiery circle of rebels who
surround him. And what quantities of stores of all kinds we
have captured! 13 Banks and Steele are our commissary and
quartermaster now. All ours can go to fighting. The battle

10 The county seat of Cherokee County, organized in 1846.
11 A novel by William Wilkie Collins, published in 1857.

12 The Federal fleet comprised thirteen iron-clads, seven light-draught
gunboats, and supply ships. Low water in Red River held up the ships
but most of them escaped. The Federals lost one iron-clad, two pump-
boats, and two gunboats, Battles and Leaders , IV, 362, 366.

13 After defeating the Federals at Mansfield, General Smith sent troops
into Arkansas to attack General Steele, who was on his way to Shreve-
port to assist Banks in the capture of that city. Steele was defeated and
forced to retire. Thomas, Arkansas in War and Reconstruction, &64H58.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 281

of Mansfield was fought on the day appointed for National
fasting and prayer. 14

What a cry of gratitude has gone up to God for our vic-
tories. This whole country is in a state of delighted surprise,
and as telegram after telegram comes announcing some new
success, we can hardly believe our good fortune. Every face
is bright with the good tidings. How splendidly our men
have fought and how many gallant spirits have fallen. Four
generals have fallen in the last month and hosts of lesser
officers, greater in proportion than the loss of privates. God
bless them all. They are an army of heroes. And from the
other side of the river, victory answers to victory. Gen.
Forrest is doing noble work in Tennessee and Kentucky.
We hear tonight he has recaptured Memphis. Ross is clear-
ing the Yazoo Valley, killing and capturing thousands. 15
Everywhere Victory is perching on our banners and Peace, an
honorable Peace, must be near.

We are still looking for My Brother. Hear he has a sixty-
day furlough. Uncle Bo's wound is not well enough for him
to leave the hospital. Julia and Mrs. Payne came and are
staying at Mrs. Savage's. They remained with us until Mam-
ma got home. Julia is with us. Generally, she is more quiet
than of old. She is anxious about her lover who is with the
army opposing Gen. Steele, but as he is a quartermaster
he should be quite safe. But Julia cannot see it in that light
and thinks him in as much danger as a colonel leading his
regiment. Julia would be shocked if she knew I considered
him in a bomb-proof position. They think of going to Jeffer-
son to live. Then we shall not see Julia married. She is very
busy altering and making dresses, Mamma being chief coun-
cillor and cutter. Every day or so Julia comes with some-
thing to be cut or remodeled, and we have grand consulta-
tions on the fashions, which is an exemplification of the blind

14 April 8, 1864, had been set aside as a day of fasting and prayer for
the Confederacy.

15 In March and April, 1864, General N. B Forrest advanced from
Mississippi through western Tennessee to Paducah, Ely. On his return
he captured Fort Pillow. Battles and Leaders, IV, 415. General L. S.
Koss, commanding a cavalry brigade, was conducting raids in Missis-
sippi.- Official Records, Ser. I, XXXH, Pt. 1,653.

282 BROKENBURN

leading the blind, as we are all in a state of dense ignorance.
I have taken up the trade of glovemaking from buckskins.
Have made a pair for Jimmy and have several others on
hand. I make them with large gauntlets and embroidered
backs for my favorites.

Since the passing of the seventeen-year act/ 6 Jimmy has
been most eager to join the army, and we were afraid at
one time he would have to go at once. Mamma bought him
a horse, which we named Prosperity in contradistinction to
his horse Calamity, and we are busy getting Jimmy ready
with heavy hearts. We hate so to see him go. We hear now
that the enrollment is postponed, a great relief to us all
except Jimmy, who insists on going anyway. But surely we
can keep him a while longer. Mrs. Carson has gone to Shreve-
port to try to get Jimmy Carson's release from Gen. Smith.
Jimmy Carson, though wild to join the army, has behaved
very well, perfectly obedient, and continues his studies like
a dear good boy as he is. He and Eddie are about living with
us now that their mother is away. They keep us supplied
with wild flowers. Jimmy has his father's love for them. I
fear Jimmy and I are in for a scolding from Mrs. Carson. We
started in her buggy to see the May Festival, and at the top
of the first hill the wheel smashed all to pieces. I feel Mrs.
Carson will visit it on us, but we were not to be balked of
our trip. Jimmy rushed off home for Joe's horse, Gold Dust,
and we were soon mounted and on our way. We were too
late for the coronation but had several pleasant hours talking
nonsense to our gentlemen acquaintances and were regaled
on some real loaf sugar cake. Jimmy Carson, Gold Dust, and
I are having some lovely rides these soft May days. The
wild flowers are in profusion on every hillside and lovely blue
wild violets in the hollows.

[Tyler, Tex.] May 7: Uncle Johnny and family are living
with us now. They are all in bad health, but Tyler will
build them up. We have not heard from Other Pa for an
age. He remained in Arkansas.

16 In February, 1864, the Conscription Act of 1862 was amended to
include men between the ages of seventeen and fifty.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 283

Jimmy and Eddie have just left. Both the Jimmies are in a
high state of indignation and contempt at an order signed by
Gen. Kirby Smith just received from Shreveport detailing
them as overseers. So Mrs. Carson was successful and sent
it on. The boys consider it a perfect outrage and say they
will not submit to such a thing.

Jimmy and I went out to see Mrs. Levy and found them
most sanguine as to the speedy close of the war. They think
we will be traveling homeward by fall, but I think not before
next spring. Jimmy gathered a bunch of lovely fragrant
sweet Williams and dashed into town for the mail, only to
find the post office closed. On our return home in a canter,
Prosperity's most pleasant gait, I found Mamma entertain-
ing Mrs. Payne, Julia, Emily, and Dr. Johnson.

We have company nearly all the time now. It makes it
seem something like the old home days, a crowded house.
Mrs. Gen. Roane and Capts. Smith and Empy were out
recently. She is very pleasant, though Julia has taken a
prejudice against her. Julia has liked only one person she has
met Capt. Empy. He is a great flatterer with a stock of
ready-made compliments that he weighs out to every young
lady as a grocer weighs out sugar. He is persuaded that he
is irresistible. Capt. Smith has long hair and is a rollicking,
jolly young fellow overflowing with fun.

Dr. McGregor says there is much sickness in town, and
he is too busy for much calling. Jimmy Carson and I rode
out beyond the Yankee camp yesterday. The blue-coated
prisoners are swarming within the stockade, several thousand
of them, and those captured in Arkansas are expected every
day. I rode Gold Dust. He is so well-gaited. Joe begs me
to keep him and to ride him to death if I wish, but to let no
one else ride him.

[Tyler, Tex.] May 18: There was a terrible tragedy en-
acted here today. Three men, noted Jayhawkers, were taken
out of jail and just out of town were hanged by mob law. It
is horrible and makes one shudder to think of it, though it
is said they richly deserved their fate. The leader of the
gang was the sheriff of the county, and the two who suffered

284 BROKENBURN

with him were his sons-in-law. They were not from this
county.

Three Yankees died today at the hospital, which is not
strange as they are so dreadfully crowded and have the
roughest fare. But we cannot help them. They should have
stayed in their own bountiful country instead of coming
down here to kill and destroy. Our good news continues.
Steele and Banks are still falling back. A great battle is
rumored in Virginia, Grant's first fight in his " On to Rich-
mond." He is opposed by the Invincible Lee, and so we are
satisfied we won the victory. But it makes us anxious for
My Brother.

Hutch Bowman was here for two or three days and has
gone on to his command. He and Joe are together. Hutch is
dreadfully tanned, looks a regular Texan, a slow, good boy
but a great romp. We see Mrs. Savage, Julia, and Mrs. Car-
son every day. Julia is crazy to get back to Camden. As we
prophesied, she does not like it here. But I would let the
Major come for me. I would not go to him even in times
of war.

For the last few days no stages have come in, and how we
do miss the mails, one of Tyler's chief attractions. 17 Jimmy
Stone has stopped going to school and studies English at
home. He is eager to get off to the army. Uncle Johnny,
Kate, and the baby are all improving and look less like
shadows and more like human beings.

[Tyler, Tex.] May 25: We have bidden Julia and Mrs.
Payne farewell this evening. " It may be for years and it may
be forever," as they return to Camden the entire cortege,
Negroes and all. Maj. Street sent an ambulance for them
and they secured a wagon here. Julia is perfectly delighted
to go back, but Mrs. Payne is not so pleased. I surely would
let that strong, healthy Major come for me. I would not
travel 200 miles over rough jolting roads to meet him. But
then I am not in love with him and she is. That makes a
vast difference, I suppose. I spent the night with her, and

17 The Trans-Mississippi Postal Department was located at Marshall,
about fifty miles from Tyler.

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR' 9 285

we sat up nearly all night having our last confidential chat
together.

Thursday Julia and I, dressed in our best fancy yellow
organdies, went calling with Mamma. Found nearly every-
one out. Julia and I deserted Mamma and perambulated
around town looking for flowers, stealing them through the
palings and decorating our heads with them. At Mrs. Wells',
we were regaled on huge slices of poundcake and fine music.
Jimmy Stone and I rode out to see Mrs. Prentice. She likes
Jimmy very much and says he reminds her so of her young
son Horace, who died at about his age. The ride was delight-
ful through the woods, sweet with the wild grape fragrance.

Jimmy Stone has gone to the prairie [Lamar County] and
Johnny is lost without him. Our usual succession of visitors
boys, officers, doctors, and ladies.

[Tyler, Tex.] May 29: The news this morning is enough
to make one hurrah. Grant is repulsed with a loss of 45,000
and Johnston is victorious at Dalton with 10,000 prisoners
captured. 18 Providence is smiling on our arms this year. Not
a defeat. Peace, glorious Peace, will gladden our hearts be-
fore the spring flowers bloom again.

It is the fairest of May days and Mamma has gone to
church. I stayed with Johnny, who is feeling unwell and is
in bed. Mamma will find it unpleasantly warm walking that
mile from church. Oh, for a carriage! My ambition reaches
out only for a carriage and a riding horse for Johnny, then
I shall be satisfied for a little while. I doubt that I was
ever intended for a poor girl. Deprivations go hard with me.
Mamma has more strength of mind than to worry about it.

A wagon just arrived from the prairie loaded with eatables
and some of the " wherewithal." Not a cent of money in the
house for a week and only hard fare. As the wagon has come,
Jimmy's trip was useless. All the Negroes are well and affairs
are flourishing in that land of desolation. The last few days
have been as dismal as a rainy Sunday. We miss Julia. No
letters, no visitors, and even the boys have half-way deserted

18 Dalton, Ga., in the campaign against Atlanta. The reports of these
successes were highly exaggerated.

286 BROKENBURN

us. They are much at the hospital with Lt. Story. The
refugee children have all stopped school except Sister-
Emily and Annie because Mrs. Savage is so lonely and Katie
Carson is sick. Mrs. Savage grows ruder every day. She is
so often rough and unkind in her speech that the boys all
stand in terror of her tongue and will hardly venture to go
there.

[Tyler, Tex.] May SO: Our first busy day this spring, sew-
ing on the cloth from the prairie. We are at last using home-
spun. Hemmed a dozen towels today, looking much like the
dish towels of old. Little Sister is to have an outfit from
the same piece, but she quite glories in the idea of wearing
homespun and coming out a regular Texan. The house ser-
vants are charmed to see the cloth. They have been fit
suspects for the ragman for weeks. Mamma is readying up
Charles, who has been a regular ragamuffin. We are sorry-
Adeline, the seamstress, selected this as a fit time to run
away. It keeps our hands full. Mamma sent Felix back to
Mr. Smith and has Thomas in his place. We think he will
be an improvement. Johnny is up today. Willy spent the
day with him, and they had great romps until the other boys
came up from school and carried him off. Pompey, Joe's boy,
is home on furlough. The command has been in several
skirmishes on Red River but are now at Trenton [La.].

[Tyler, Tex.] May 31: The rain upset numerous plans
for the day, but Capt. Buck came in a pelting shower. He
is pleasant and evidently counts himself a widower, but he
is not. Kate and Sister came running in out of the rain, wild
and eager, bursting in like a tornado. What inseparable
friends they are. Katie still patters around home barefooted,
much to Eddie's disgust. 19 Mrs. Carson came for Katie and

19 Barefoot little Katie grew up to become a lady. She married Clifton
Rodes Breckinridge, son of John Cabell Breckinridge, Vice-President of
the United States during Buchanan's administration, at Memphis,
November 21, 1876. Clifton Breckinridge entered the military service
of the Confederacy at fifteen, and after the war was a planter in
Arkansas. He was elected to the U. S. Congress in 1882 and 1884 and in
1894 was made Minister to Russia, which position he held until 1897.
Biographical Directory of the American Congress.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 287

went home with fever, as Johnny told us, after galloping
over there just in time for supper to see Willy, who is suffer-
ing with his arm.

A long letter just received from Mr. Valentine in answer
to mine of February. He writes so affectionately that I know
he has a strong attachment for all of us. They slandered him
who said he had no heart. He is a man of warm feeling. I
was aghast to hear that he at once dispatched my letter to
Lt. Valentine after reading it to the assembled household.
I do not fancy young Mark reading and criticizing my letter
to his comrades around the campfire. I shall write the old
gentleman that my letters are entirely for his home con-
sumption.

I hear Emily's French every morning. She has been study-
ing it for two years, but one would think she had but just
commenced.

Mrs. Carson spent several hours but would not stay to
dinner. The two families would certainly miss each other
were they separated.

Pompey and Dan should certainly have their pictures
taken. They are the most independent and consequential
personages in Tyler. They speak very learnedly of their fur-
loughs and have wordy debates on the subject of rank. Pom-
pey maintains that he and Marse Joe outrank Dan and
Marse Willy by reason of their longer service and doing more
duty in the field, a fact that Dan is loth to admit. Pompey is
quite contemptuous in speaking of Marse Willy and Dan as
holiday soldiers and speaks with great respect of the pleas-
ures of a campaign across the river where they have " so
much more fun fighting and shooting/'

Owe a number of calls but cannot pay them yet as " our
crop " and garden are in the grass.

[Tyler, Tex.] June 1: Have been busy tonight packing
my clothes for an early start in the morning. Mrs. Prentice,
Emily, and I are going to see Mrs. Richardson at Rusk. Mrs.
Prentice goes on business, we on pleasure. Jimmy Stone
would go with us, but Emily makes such a goose of herself
about him that he will not go.

288 BROKENBURN

Adeline got back today from her " rustication " so we turn
the sewing over to her. Johnny's occupation today is paying
up debts. Never were debtors more eager to pay or creditors
so loth to receive. All want to wait for the new issue. 20 Made
Lela Lawrence a pretty fan today, but Jimmy has not the
handle ready yet. Jimmy Carson and I have been having
some charming rides over the steep hills and through the
deep valleys, all fragrant with the breath of flowers.

[Tyler, Tex.] June 6: Nearly a week of rain and I am
ennuyee to death. No visitors, no books, no letters, no any-
thing. We returned on Sunday much to Emily and my dis-
satisfaction, though Mrs. Richardson was not at home and
Mrs. Prentice was quite contrary. We found Mrs. Prentice
just a bundle of crochets. She insisted on our walking up and
down nearly every hill on the road, and it is a succession of
long, rocky, red hills. When we reached Judge Richardson's
late that afternoon, Emily and I were completely broken
down, but a nice supper and comfortable bed set us up
again. Coming back, we asserted our reserved rights and
walked up half the hills. Emily and I spent Saturday alone
at Judge Richardson's and had a lovely time. The Judge
and Mrs. Prentice went off on business, and Emily and I took
possession of comfortable rocking chairs on a low shady gal-
lery with plently of books and a basket of green apples. Just
as we were tiring of these luxuries, a gentleman, a refugee as
we discovered, came to call on the Judge and made himself
very entertaining for the rest of the morning. We compared
notes on Texas, and I fear we rendered harsh judgment.

The Richardsons live in a secluded spot five miles from
Henderson 21 but have more comforts than anyone we know.
With few neighbors, it must be awfully lonely with only her
little girl and Judge Richardson. Letters from Sarah Wadley
from Homer [La.] where she is visiting the Barrs.

20 '

} The Confederate Congress adopted a measure on February 17,
1864, to reduce the currency by compelling noteholders to fund their
notes for bonds or exchange them for new notes. R. C. Todd, Con-
federate Finance (Athens, Ga., 1954) , 112-13.

21 County seat of Rusk County, established in 1843.

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR" 289

All the Carson boys have gone out to the plantation. Mrs.
Carson is much worried by her overseer who is managing her
affairs dreadfully.

We have had quite a little affair with Mrs. Carson on the
subject of buying blankets. She has a dozen pairs packed
up. She should blush whenever she hears a blanket men-
tioned. She is most peculiar and selfish. It grows on her.
She had rather Jimmy Stone would freeze to death in the
army than to sell one of those packed up blankets treasur-
ing them for what greater need than now?

[Tyler, Tex.] June 14: Comfortably seated by an open
window in our lone rocking chair, I am munching Con-
federate cakes 22 all alone with nothing to do. Jimmy has
galloped off to take a ride with " Mith Emily." Johnny is
lying on his stomach with his heels in the air, under the spell
of The Wizard of the North absorbed in Ivanhoe?* Johnny
has taken great delight in Shakespeare and reads and re-
reads his favorite plays. He is already a good Shakespearean
scholar. Sister is amusing herself with Sally, and the others
are off spending this day with Mrs. Prentice. If there is
one thing I most detest, it is spending a long summer day
away from home.

Mr. Bowman spent a few hours yesterday. He was taking
home his overseer who had been wounded in the mouth and
who is besides rather dodging the conscript officer.

Jimmy received a letter from Mr. Hardison telling of Mrs.
Hardison's death in February. We are truly grieved to hear
it. She was a high-minded good woman and one of our best
friends. She died in Red River County, 21 where they have
been living since fall. Her life was a scene of trial from the
time they fled from home. He writes most sadly. They have
no books, no papers, hear no news, and have made no new
friends and are alone on the bleak prairie, strangers in a

22 Since sugar was virtually non-existent in the Confederacy after
1862, these cakes were probably made from a mixture of cornmeal and

28 By Sir Walter Scott, published in 1819.
24 Northeast of Tyler about seventy miles.

290 BROKENBURN

strange land. We pity them all but most, her poor mother,
Mrs. Alexander.

Anna and Dr. Meagher returned a few days ago. He is
stationed here now in charge of the Yankee prisoners .^ The
prisoners are in a most pitiable condition, perfectly destitute.
Some have only a blanket to wear and others only one gar-
ment. There is much sickness and death among them and the
authorities are powerless to get clothes for them. No clothes
or blankets to be bought. 25

Here come the boys.

[Tyler, Tex.] June 19: A letter from My Brother but
dated three months ago.' He writes very sadly and thinks he
will not see us again until the war is over. He was safe on
the fourth of May, but it was on the fifth that those terrible
battles commenced. We see from the papers that his corps
was engaged every day. The fate of Richmond still trembles
in the balance. Lee's army has fallen back within the forti-
fications, and Grant is beginning to burrow as they did at
Vicksburg. The most thrilling report is that Beauregard
has captured Butler and 9,000 men. May it only be true.
Louisianians would certainly shout with joy. 26 Long letters
from Joe. They are still at Trenton [La.].

We have quite a trip in contemplation. Mamma is think-
ing of going to Monroe [La.] on business and taking me and
one of the boys on for a pleasure jaunt. Which one of the
boys depends on Mrs. Savage, who thinks of joining us with
Emily. In that event Mamma will leave Jimmy at home as

25 Shortage of food and clothing throughout the South generally made
the problem of providing for prisoners an acute one. Camp Ford at
Tyler once held as many as 6,000 prisoners in its ten-acre stockade.
Conditions at Camp Ford doubtless were never as bad as they were at
some Southern prisons, Woldert, A History of Tyler, 39-40. For
accounts of prison life at Camp Ford by inmates, see A. J. EL Duganne,
Camps and Prisons, Twenty Months in the Department of the Gulf
(New York, 1865); and Charles C. Nott, Sketches in Prison Camps
(New York, 1865) .

^ 26 The rumor was not true. " Beast " Butler, for so Louisianians con-
tinued to call him, succeeded in evading Beauregard's attempt to cut
him off from his base of supply in the Battle of Brewery's Bluff, Va.,
April 16, 1864. Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee's Lieutenants; A Study
in Command (New York, 1943) , III; 483-94.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 291

affairs are getting too interesting with Jimmy and Emily. He
is too susceptible, and Mrs. Savage is too much of a match-
maker for Jimmy to be hourly exposed to such fascination
for the next two weeks. Emily is a designing, forward girl,
exceedingly so for her age. Jimmy is making every prepara-
tion to go with us and join the army at Monroe and will be
horribly disappointed if Mamma refuses her consent.

Our usual refugee visitors. Yesterday evening returning
from a ride, Jimmy and I were called in by Mrs. Carson, who
begged us to stay to supper, at which we enjoyed delightful
venison, killed by Jimmy Carson, and some of Mrs. Carson's
new style marmalade excellent. Read the papers to Mrs.
Carson and rode home in the most glorious moonlight.

Mamma is very sad since receiving My Brother's letter.
She is very anxious about him. We have a nice set of real
chessmen, made by one of the prisoners. We loaned them
some days ago to the hospital in response to a polite note
asking for them. The boys often go there. They have taken
a great fancy to Mr. Griffin, a wounded boy. He must be a
nice young fellow. Mamma and Mrs. Carson and some of the
other ladies go quite frequently.

[Tyler, Tex.] June 26\ This has been a busy week, clouded
by the thought of Jimmy's departure. We are finishing off
his clothes and renovating ours, for we will go with him as
far as Monroe. Mrs. Savage and Emily will accompany us
as far as Mrs. Norris'. What dampens our pleasure is the
idea of going in that horrid old Jersey. We have had our
own trials patching up our clothes. We had no idea we were
so near being ragamuffins until we took an exhaustive survey
of our underclothes. Oh, for bolts and bolts and more bolts
of white domestic. If Mamma's trip proves successful, we
will be able to better our condition as regards habiliments.
Mamma is having quite a store of Texas goodies made up,
such as Confederate cakes, " grape bully " 2T and such, to
solace the inner man while on the road.

27 This may have been grape butter, made by boiling the pulp of
grapes down to a thick mass, then spreading it over a thin cloth to dry.
Removed from the cloth, the dried butter could be chewed like dried
beef or reduced to a mass again by boiling.

292 BROKENBURN

Hearing Mrs. Carson was sick, I rode over late in the
evening with Eddie and Johnny to see her. Found her in bed
looking very lonely. All the children away. At her earnest
solicitation, we stayed to tea and late bedtime. Quite a
pleasant evening. Katie and the boys are so pleased to have
company. It was very dark riding in the woods, and I made
firm resolves against riding horseback again at night, resolves
I shall break this evening by going with Jimmy to say good-
bye to Mrs. Prentice. She is very fond of him. The boys are
off on their last grand hunt together in the morning. Mr.
Michele, Miss Grissman, Dr. McGregor, Maj. Isaacson, Mrs.
Savage's family, Mrs. Anderson, a delightful new acquaint-
ance, and Maj. Randall are coming out this evening.

Friday there was a grand Masonic celebration that we, in
common with all the town and county, turned out to see.
Mr. Michele took possession of our party and Sally Grissman
and established us in the most pleasant and also most con-
spicuous seats and then devoted himself to our entertainment.
Lt. Alexander and Dr. McGregor took possession of a nearby
window, and we all had a merry morning but did not profit
by the speeches. A large crowd and barbecue dinner that Mr.
Michele insisted was not clean enough for us to eat. " Why,"
said he, " should we dine with plebians? " I hope no native
heard him. We went out, as Mamma said, " to see the animals
feed." Then we (the select few) returned home to dinner,
Mr. Michele remaining until night. He is a most amusingly
entertaining companion and does so bemoan the absence of
his wife. That night there was a party given at the hotel by
Col. Anderson. He is in command, I think, of the Ordnance
Department 2S here and is an old army officer. His wife is
charming. Emily and I went, to our surprise, and spent a
charming evening. It was a most mixed and odd-looking
crowd. Neither Emily nor I possessed a party dress, but we
did not bring discredit on the swamp and looked well enough.
I did not think two months ago I would ever dance or care
to talk nonsense again. But one grows callous to suffering

28 An ordnance depot in connection with an ammunition factory was
established in Tyler about 1862. Woldert, A History of Tyler, 42.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 293

and death. We can live only in the present, only from day to
day. We cannot bear to think of the past and so dread the
future. The refugees remind me of the description of the life
of the nobility of France lived during the days of the French
Revolution thrusting all the cares and tragedies of life aside
and drinking deep of life's joys while it lasted. This was
our debut in Tyler society, and without self-flattery I may
say we were quite a success.

I took a buggy ride yesterday with Dr. McGregor, who
has a fine span of horses, and we just flew up and down
(specially down) the hills. Enjoyed it highly, though I did
think we would capsize on every hill we rushed down. On
our return all the boys met us at the gate and could scarcely
contain themselves at such a splendid opportunity for teas-
ing, but the dread of future punishment at my hands kept
them fairly in bounds.

A letter from Julia. She is to be married about this time
and so regrets our absence and that I cannot be first
bridesmaid.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] 29 Aug. 23: Mamma and I came
out to Monroe [La.] and Jimmy joined the army. 30 Mamma
and I stopped here at Col. Templeton's, and then Mamma
went on to the river and stayed with Mrs. Newman. She
went in the old Jersey but came back in the pretty carriage
that we have been wanting ever since we left home. She
brought out a carriage load of dry goods that were most
welcome. After staying here a few days, she returned to
Monroe for a little stay with Mrs. Wadley and then on home
by way of Homer where so many of our friends are estab-
lished. We stopped there coming out, and they greeted us
most cordially. We could not make much of a visit as Jimmy
and Mamma were anxious to get on. Mrs. Templeton's
family all insisted on my remaining with them until fall, and

29 About twenty-five miles northeast of Monroe, La., in Morehouse
Parish.

80 Jimmy joined Colonel Isaac F. Harrison's brigade, an independent
calvary regiment organized in the area in 1863. Williamson, North-
east Louisiana, 157.

294 BROKENBURN

then I could go back to Texas with Col. Templeton, who
will go out to where the Negroes are beyond Tyler. Jimmy's
command was camped near here and I could see much of
him. Mamma and I knew it would be a delightful visit, and
as she unselfishly and I selfishly wanted to stay, I did so
and am having a most lovely time. All the family are so kind.

We are just back from a spend-the-day at Dr. Stewart's.
Saw Cols. McNeils and Capers pass on their way to Oak
Ridge to go into camp there again. Sitting in the hall, we
caught the sound of the refugee whistle and soon Jimmy
Stone and Willy Carson came walking up. Willy is just from
Tyler. He joined his company last night and reports all well
at home. Nothing new or strange going on with our friends
there. His arm seems stiffer than when we saw him last. He
passed through Shreveport the day after Mamma did.

What a horrible tragedy, the death of Mrs. Hull's two
brothers, hanged as spies in Missouri where they had gone
in disguise to recruit for Col. Hull's regiment. They were
with him but he escaped and had the hardihood to go and
see them hanged with the faint hope that he might effect
their escape. But of course that was hopeless. He made his
way out of the state with some men and met a number who
knew him but was not betrayed. The men hanged were two
gallant young officers of excellent family. I cannot recall
their names just now, but their father was the editor and
proprietor of one of the leading St. Louis papers and left a
large fortune. Poor Mrs. Hull is heartbroken.

It is very warm but we enjoy our ease with open doors
and windows, undressed and lounging around. No gentlemen
staying in the house to molest or make us afraid. Emmie
is busy on a dress that she has had on hand for two weeks.
Mary is practising a delightful concord of sweet sounds, and
I have been working on a flannel shirt for Jimmy. He and
Joe passed several days with us last week pleasant to us
all. Jimmy is looking quite well and is in high spirits. Joe
does not look well but is more cheerful than when he first
came.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Sept. 2: Mrs. and Col. Templeton

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 295

are entertaining a Mr. Massengale, just from Texas with
news of Capt. Jack Wylie. We may look for him any day
now. He will bring three beautiful horses, which we three
girls have already appropriated in imagination and expect to
race over the whole countryside.

I am too used up by my ride, or rather run, of yesterday
to do anything. We have been very busy for the last ten
days, riding, sewing, singing, receiving visitors, and playing,
but now that the Brigade has gone out to Tensas Parish, we
will be quiet for a time. Even Walker's division is passing
through en route to Arkansas, and so for the present we are
left defenseless. 31

The boys and Capt. Ewing were over frequently. Capt.
Ewing is a captive of Em's bow and spear and Jimmy Stone
is following suit. Unfortunately for my pleasure, the report
is abroad that I am engaged. There is no truth in it, and
it deprives me of much fun.

Lou and Mrs. Morris spent a night here this week, emerg-
ing from the swamp about 12 o'clock, pitch dark and rainy,
on horseback, their carriage embedded in the mud. Mr. Tem-
pleton had to send horses to their relief, and it was late
before the carriage could be brought out next day. They
were quite worn out from the fatigue and the fright of being
in the dark swamp alone with nobody but their driver. They
came out to see the Morris boys before the command left but
too late. Mamma stayed several days in Homer on her way
back. I know she enjoyed it. I hope to make them all a visit
on our return trip.

Mary, Em, and I have a lovely scheme on foot. We all
want to go out to Texas with Col. Templeton with a baggage
wagon, on three red horses with sidesaddles with Jimmy and
Joe as outriders. Mary wants to know where her fun comes

31 General Walker left the division on June 17 to become commander
of the District of Western Louisiana. He was succeeded by Major
General John H. Forney. The division was in Monroe September 6-14,
passed through Bastrop September 17, and arrived at Monticello, Ark. ?
September 20. An attack on Camden by General Stecle was expected.
Blessington, Walker's Texas Division, 70-77.

296 BROKENBURN

in if there are to be only two outriders. We could stop
nearly every night with some friend, as we did coming out.

I have finished all of Jimmy's clothes and two dresses for
myself, and I feel a real Louisianian once more in the very
heart of the swamp^ suffocating with the heat, fighting
mosquitoes, lazy and languid, little appetite, but luxuriating
on fruit for breakfast, dinner, and supper and enjoying curds
and cream. The swamp is my own dear land most natural,
most restful.

Mamma's trip to Yankeeland did much good to all of us.
The carriage, and such a delightful one, is a great triumph.
The dry goods are the greatest comfort, relieving our present
necessities, and the books and papers are great entertain-
ment. Some new songs were sent me by Mr. Reigart and
Mrs. Newman or Miss Bettie Carter "Just Before the
Battle Mother/ 5 " The Vacant Chair/ 3 and others. In the
swamp Mamma saw and heard so much it was a treat to
hear her. Joe expects soon to be made lieutenant. Willy is
sergeant major. Jimmy likes camp life so much. I am glad
he has given up the idea of joining Col. Hull's command.
Not a line from home. Jimmy and Joe spent the evening
before the Brigade left and slipped off and came to breakfast
next morning. They stayed until after dinner but expected
to catch up with their command that night. It is not a
dangerous expedition and they will soon be back.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Sept. 5: Intense excitement in
the neighborhood. Yankees reported advancing in large force
destroying, burning, and murdering as they come!! Capt.
Lea with his small band of guerrillas contesting every mile
of the way but being steadily forced back by superior
numbers! Praying Col. Parsons, who has the only troops
near, for reinforcements, but who refuses to send them as
he is under stringent orders and making forced marches! 32
Blank consternation among the citizens who hear that the
Federals have vowed vengeance against this section on ac-

82 Colonel M. M. Parsons commanded a brigade under General Price
whose headquarters was in Arkansas.

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR" 297

count of Capt. Lea and his guerrillas. 33 Everyone is pre-
paring to flee the wrath to come.

Such were the startling reports brought to Col. Templeton
by terrified Mr. Philips this morning, frightening us nearly
to death, for great is our horror of the vandal hordes since
their ruthless destruction of Floyd and Pin Hook and their
outrageous conduct at those doomed places. Mrs. Templeton
soon had everything arranged for our rapid flight through the
swamp across the Ouachita to the safe haven of Col. Wad-
ley's home, should the reports prove true, leaving Mrs.
Templeton and Mrs. Savage here to brave the storm, Col.
Templeton going with us. We were on the qui vive all day
looking for a mounted messenger galloping up through the
wooded lawn shouting, " Flee, Flee." But about sunset the
tension relaxed. We heard that the Yankees came out only as
far as Floyd on a reconnaisance and are retiring to the river,
and so we breathe freely once more.

The Yankee raids are no joke, though we laugh at each
other for being frightened. Last week 200 of the Corps
D'Afrique, 3 * officered by six big white men (wretches they
are) , came out and laid the two little villages of Floyd and
Pin Hook in ashes, not allowing the people to remove any
of their possessions from their houses and thus leaving them
utterly destitute. They were very rough and insulting in
their language to the ladies, tore the pockets from their
dresses and the rings from their fingers, cursing and swearing,
and frightening the helpless folks nearly into fits. This was
done in revenge for a guerrilla raid a few days before, in
which a good many government stores were destroyed and
eighty or ninety Negroes brought out. The Yankees know
they make it ten times worse for us by sending Negroes to
commit these atrocities. The Paternal Government at Wash-

88 Though guerrilla activity continually went on in northeast Louisiana
from early 1863 until the end of the war, records of the operations of
guerrilla bands are fragmentary or non-existent. Captain Joseph C. Lea
was the leader of one of these guerrilla organizations.

3 * A brigade of Negro soldiers under Colonel Isaac J. Shepard was
stationed at Milliken's Bend and Goodrich's Landing at the end of the
siege of Vicksburg in 1863. There is no record of how many of these
troops were still in the area in 1864. Battles and Leaders, HI, 549.

298 BROKENBURN

ington has done all in its power to incite a general insurrec-
tion throughout the South, in the hopes of thus getting rid of
the women and children in one grand holocaust. We would
be practically helpless should the Negroes rise, since there
are so few men left at home. It is only because the Negroes
do not want to kill us that we are still alive. The Negroes
have behaved well, far better than anyone anticipated. They
have not shown themselves revengeful, have been most
biddable, and in many cases have been the only mainstay of
of their owners.

Five or six citizens, unarmed, were murdered by the Yan-
kees in that Floyd raid. How thankful I am we left home
when we did. To lose everything is bad, but constant terror
and insult are worse.

The guerrillas report that the cotton crop on the river is
a complete failure, entirely eaten up by the worms. The
fields are swept of every vestige of green and there is hardly
a matured boll to a stalk. This news rejoices our very hearts.
Those are true " Confederate worms," working for the good
of the Cause. 35

Emmie and I are practising singing. Neither of us is gifted
with the voice of a siren, but enough to amuse the non-
critical. Am making a calico dress which promises to be a
love, if I can only get it long enough.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Sept. 10: The famed Brigade is
back again after its hurried trip to Tensas, during which it
managed to capture sixteen Yankees, kill three, and kill five
of its own men by a badly placed ambuscade. The object
of the march was to take possession of a gunboat that was
to be given up by treachery, but it proved a fiasco. Our
opinion is that the officers all got on a grand spree and so
failed at the critical time. Too disgraceful if true. Jimmy
and Joe were two who volunteered to board the boat when
volunteers were called for. I think there were eighty in all,
but it proved they were not to board the gunboat but to

35 The reference here is to the " abandoned " plantations being oper-
ated by Northerners.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 299

form an ambuscade. How near death they were when they
stood firing within fifteen paces of each other. It makes one
shudder to think of it. What unnecessary risk and such
culpable ignorance in the man who placed the ambuscade. 80

Jimmy came down the first night. We had been riding
and met him on the way. Maj. Purvis and Capt. Erwin
spent yesterday with us, and as Mrs. Templeton was away
at Bastrop, 37 they were on our hands all day, which proved
a very pleasant one. We sang and played the new songs and
pieces for them, and they taught us cassino. We expect
several of the " brass mounted " this evening. Soldiers,
soldiers everywhere. Two sick ones were here for several
days. The only remark one volunteered while here was when
I refused cabbage " Wai, you don't like cabbage, but you
are death on curd." His manner and tone amused us all.

Em is complaining and Mrs. Templeton has administered
her panacea for all ills, a quinine pill. Mrs. Templeton makes
her girls swallow a pill at any and all times, and they are so
hardened by long usage they do not mind it at all. Mrs.
Templeton is a most anxious, nagging mother, perfectly
devoted to her daughters, but at times they must find her
trying. I am thankful for our Mother. She is so free of fads
and fancies, so eminently sensible.

' Several days of luxurious idleness for us all. Nobody with
any sewing on hand. I am absorbed in Zanoni. 3S There are
some fine roses here, and they are in fullest bloom. We wear
them morning, noon, and night. " They are not born to blush
unseen " while we girls and some soldiers are around.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Sept. 21: Our soldiers of Gen.
Isaac Harrison's brigade bade us adieu a week ago starting
on their long expected march into Arkansas. 30 Since which
time we have been very quiet, only occasionally indulging
in wild gallops over the country, frightening Mrs. Templeton

86 These were troops of Harrison's brigade.

37 Bastrop is about twenty-five miles northeast, of Monroe.

38 Bulwer's fourteenth novel, published in 1842.

39 Harrison's brigade was ordered into Arkansas to join other Con-
federate tioops there in anticipation of a Federal attack on Camden.

300 BROKENBURN

so that the last time she gave us all a good scolding and we
promised to amble along more demurely in the future. But
there is such excitement in a dashing run over good roads,
well-shaded these fair fall days, that it is hard to restrain
both ourselves and the horses. Much reading, a little sewing,
and much idle lounging and jesting fill up the measure of
our days, while the nights are filled with music and much
sentimentalizing on the broad front gallery in the bright
moonlight. Some of the soldiers were down most of the time
and kept us amused.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Sept. 27: Capt. Wylie arrived the
other day. He looks much like Mr. W. Wylie. He makes
himself quite agreeable. I have just beaten both him and
Mary a game of chess, and now they are playing a game
together. A ride last evening. I mounted Capt. Gillispie's
pet horse, War Eagle, which is remaining here while his
master is away in Arkansas. He is delightful, like his master
free and easy. " The Jack of Spades," otherwise Mr. Mickie,
or Mickey (?) , attended us and remained all night. Card
playing and singing kept us up until after twelve. Mr.
Mickie is one of Em's devoteds. We all rode up to Oak Ridge
to church but there was no preacher. On our return we found
Capt. Chambliss here, just from Tyler but with nothing of
note to tell us.

We hear of the lamentable fall of Atlanta * and rumors
of its recapture, which we trust may be true. There is no
further fear of a Yankee raid as there are very few troops
left at Goodrich's Landing, and everyone seems to look for
peace in the spring.

Capt. Wylie brought letters from Mamma. She says she
cannot send for me, and so I must needs resign myself to a
lengthy stay here until CoL Temple ton is ready for his Texas
trip. The Templetons are all exceedingly kind and certainly
seem to like me to stay. Johnny writes an amusing letter to
the boys which, as it is enclosed in mine and they are far
away, I take the liberty of reading. I am glad the little fellow

40 On September 2, 1864.

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 301

has a horse at last. What an intelligent, precocious boy he is.
I wish Mamma could have sent him for me, but it is such
a long expensive trip.

An amusing letter from Missie Morris in which she utterly
repudiates the idea of our giving up as " Old Maids " for
two years yet, when she will be willing to lay down the
flower-wreathed scepter of girlhood and don the badge of
spins terhood.

Capt. Gillispie came in two days ago and has kept the
house in an uproar ever since. He is overflowing with fun
and frolic but is rather too familiar and something rude. He
does not improve on acquaintance. I fear he is fast, a perfect
opposite to tiny Mr. Kurrie[?], who came with him. We
thought him at first about twelve years old, so quiet and
solemn. He really is twenty. Capt. Gillispie taught us two
new songs, " Who Will Care for Mother Now? " and " Paul
Vane," an answer to " Lorena," but not so pretty. 41 Wrote
to Jimmy by Capt. Gillispie and sent Johnny's letter. We all
went Saturday to Mr. Mickie's and had a most enjoyable
time. They are most hospitable and live delightfully in the
old style. A long, low, roomy house, gardens, orchards, and
flowers, plently of servants, and an abundant larder. Must
stop and go to ride with Capt. Wylie.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Oct. 15: We have kept on the
even tenor of our ways with no hairbreadth escapes by land
or sea to ruffle the calm. There are still occasional reports of
advancing Yankee raids, but all blow over and no Yankees
yet, though this country is still defenseless. "Harrison's
gallant Ouachita braves " are still in Arkansas, scouting near
Pine BluJff . Em and I are kept in a state of pleasurable ex-
citement by constant rumors of their swift return, but " they
come not, oh no, they come not." From Joe's last letter it
will be long before we welcome them back.

41 "Lorena'* was the most popular love song in the Confederacy.
First published in Chicago in 1857, it became the favorite of both sol-
diers and civilians during the war. " Paul Vane; or, Lorena's Reply " was
by the same composers, Rev. H. D. L. Webster and J. P. Webster (no
relation) . " Who Will Care for Mother Now? " was a popular senti-
mental song by Charles C. Sawyer. Harwell, Confederate Music, 86-87.

302 BROKENBVRN

We have little company and pay few visits, but we enjoy
the days, and the weeks fly by like magic no startling
events to mark them off. Capt. Wylie and Dr. Wylie are
here. They amuse themselves during the day, but in the
evening we all assemble, play chess or cards, and carry on
long and animated discussions on all topics under the sun.
All the older members of the family are very fond of argu-
ment and discussion and are thoughtful talkers and well
educated, though one must know them some time before
finding that last out. We made a rule fining everyone for
each lapse in grammar, which worked famously for awhile,
until we found we would soon all be bankrupt in both purse
and temper, and by tacit consent it was dropped and gram-
mar is no more alluded to. Mrs. Templeton said she knew
she would never be fined. She knew every rule in the book,
but she was the first and most grievous offender and hated
worst to be reported. We all stay up until " the wee sma
hours ayant the twae " when the gentlemen retire. We
lounge in rocking chairs building fairy castles in the air,
mapping out lives of goodness and noble endeavor, until Mrs.
Templeton rouses from her half-doze on the bed and sends
us all to rest.

I am victor over Capt. Wylie in chess, and Dr. Wylie and
I are victors over the entire household in cards. Capt. Wylie
and I generally play several games of chess every day. I
like him better than at first. He is very lively and a great
tease. We have occasional disagreements, but he always
comes to terms.

Em and I came very near having our last ride a few days
ago. We went out alone for the first time, and on our return,
racing as fast as our horses could carry us, we wheeled in
suddenly to the gate. Em lost her balance and was thrown
backward off the horse. We were dreadfully frightened. I
was afraid she was seriously injured. It was such a hard fall,
but she was up in an instant and only slightly bruised. As
soon as she saw her slight injuries, she was only anxious to
keep the adventure from her mother as she knew it would be
the knell of all horseback riding for her. So she bound all

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR" 303

the witnesses to silence. But I watched her closely for several
days and, had she shown any symptoms of injury, would
surely have made full confession. But as poor Em says,
" Mamma does scold so provokingly." We have not ridden
since.

Mamma's last letter enclosed one from Uncle Bo, our first
for two years. He writes so affectionately. He says he is
longing so to see us, calls me his dearest niece, and says he
would give anything to be in service on this side of the river
so as to be near us. How I long to see him.

My Brother and Jimmy's birthday has passed one
twenty-five, the other eighteen. How old we are growing.
A long letter from Julia Street, as affectionate and gay as
Julia Reed's letters. Jimmy saw her as he passed through
Monticello.

Our pleasant days are drawing to a close as Mamma writes
she will send Johnny at once for me, and we are looking for
him every day. Capt. Brigham rode in from Monroe to tell
us that the long expected tableau would come off the next
evening and that he had come in to escort us out. Early the
next morning we three girls and Sally McGraw with Jimmy,
Capt. Wylie, and Capt. Brigham as outriders and the maid
Henrietta bringing up the rear, made our way to Monroe
under many difficulties. We had a most trying time after
reaching there, owing to Capt. Brigham's blundering. We
did not enjoy the tableau as we were too worried and were
thankful to be all safe at Mrs. Templeton's next evening.

[Near Oak Ridge, La.] Oct. 30: The last time I shall
write here. Johnny arrived with the carriage two days ago,
and we start home tomorrow. This will end a most pleasant
visit, or rather visitation, for I have been here more than
three months. All the family have been unfailingly kind and
have done all in their power to make me enjoy the time. I
certainly have had a most charming visit and grieve to leave
them. Then I shall have to break off two most promising
flirtations. My only comfort is in thinking of the lovely trip
Johnny and I are going to have a comfortable carriage well
stocked with lunches, a good driver, strong mules, no hurry,

304 BROKENBURN

and a lodging every night with friends, good roads, and fair
October weather.

Johnny saw Jimmy and the other soldiers in Monroe on
their way to Alexandria. Jimmy, Joe, and Capt. Ewing came
down to see us as the Brigade passed through Bastrop. They
stayed two days.

Johnny heard as he passed through Shreveport that Uncle
Austin was to be married this week to Miss Nannie Simple,
a girl of twenty-three younger than either of his daughters.

[On the road to Texas] Nov. ?: We got off from Col.
Templeton's Monday morning, all sorry to part after a de-
lightful summer and fall with not a disagreeable incident to
mar our intercourse. They have been the soul of kindness to
me, one and all. The direct road through the swamp is
impassable, and so Capt. Wylie piloted us a new route. Capt.
Wylie, Johnny, and I were on horseback, and about 2 o'clock
we reached the hill road without getting bogged down as
Johnny had in coming through the old road. We dismounted,
entered the carriage, and bade Capt. Wylie a warm farewell,
thanking him for his many courtesies. He says we will see
him at Christmas, but that depends on letters between now
and then. I judge it will be useless for him to come. Col.
Cochran had made himself very agreeable for some weeks.
He also came for adieux. I think he and Sally McGraw will
eventually make a match.

It was a rainy day and we did not reach Monroe until
about sunset. Capt. Brigham met us, and we waved him
adieu as we crossed the Ouachita on a flat. We passed the
night at Mrs. Scale's at Trenton, much to Johnny's disgust
as he does not like them. Some gentlemen called, and we had
cards. After they left, Lucy and I tried our fortunes in divers
ways as it was " All Hallow'e'en." We tried all magic arts
and had a merry frolic, but no future lord and master came
to turn our wet garments hanging before the fire. There were
no ghostly footprints in the meal sprinkled behind the door.
No bearded face looked over our shoulders as we ate the
apples before the glass. No knightly forms of soldiers brave
disturbed our dreams after eating the white of an egg half-

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 305

filled with salt. 42 We waked in the morning to hear the rain
pattering on the roof, but notwithstanding we drove on to
Mrs. Wadley's, Lucy going with us. We passed two days
there most pleasantly. We were so glad to see them all again.
Nothing had changed. They were just the same as when we
bade them good-bye when we started to Texas. Only Wil-
liam Wadley was away in Texas, suffering from an affection
of the heart, Sarah told me. His mother had just succeeded
in breaking up an engagement with a girl that she considered
beneath him socially, and he was not at all pleased.

The third morning we left in a cold drizzling rain with a
splendid lunch and a jar of pickles, and with kisses and good
wishes of the family. I had a raging toothache, because of
sitting all day in wet shoes after passing the swamp. Capt.
Wylie's solicitude on the subject of my thin, wet shoes was
not uncalled for at last.

Our trip to Vienna was disagreeable. We stopped at
twelve, built a fire, enjoyed our dinner, and then smoked
leaf cigarettes. They relieved my tooth for a time, but the
pain returned. For several days I suffered intensely, nearly
ruining all my teeth I fear by using creosote, caustic, and
any strong thing people recommended. Our supper at the
hotel at Vienna consisted of cold stewed pumpkins, cold
greens, and cold white cornbread. Nothing else but cold well
water. The breakfast was nearly as unpalatable, but it was
warm. 43 We had nothing to eat all day except the pickles,
which Johnny first ate and then drank the vinegar. We were
quite ready to do justice to the nice supper we found ready
spread when we drove up to Mrs. Barr's at 8 o'clock at
night. We stayed there two days. They seemed charmed to
have us. Then we had a two-day visit with the Morris girls,
who were as always cordial and pleasant, and the rest of our

42 For explanation of these and other Halloween superstitions, see
Encyclopedia of Superstitions, 48, 141, and 166.

43 Vienna, the oldest Louisiana town west of the Ouachita, was on
what was later called the " Old Wire Road " because of the telegraph
wires strung along it. A two-story house built by John Huey served as
an inn on the Monroe-Shreveport stage line and was probably the
place where Kate and Johnny ate. Louisiana, A Guide to the State
(New York, 1941) , 614.

306 BROKENBURN

stay in Homer was at Mrs. Amis's. Emmett was at home one
night on furlough. He is funny in spite of his wild, rough
ways. Annie and Mrs. Amis were most kind and begged
us to stay longer. It did Annie good to realize that she was
not my only friend in Homer. Saw Mrs. Harper and Mrs.
DeFrance and most of our old friends. Mrs. Harper is firmly
of the opinion that Lt. Valentine and I are engaged, if not,
that we should be. Time will correct her mistake. The first
night after leaving Homer we spent at Mr. Maples', a de-
lightful place, a short distance out from Minden. All night
long through the beating of the rain and the wailing wind,
we could hear the screams of a poor mother whose little
child was " lost and gone in the forest wild " a wee tot of
two years who had wandered away in the morning hunting
nuts. When we left next day, the neighbors were still seeking
for it.

We stayed a night and half a day with Mary Buckner.
She has a pretty little baby about two weeks old, but she
was not at all well. Mrs. Gustine seemed rather anxious
about her.

We stayed one night at Marshall with Mrs. Felix Taylor.
They are from our parish, but we had never met before. She
was so friendly and hospitable that she just made us come in,
and we enjoyed our stay there. She has such a family of
girls, none grown.

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. 4: We are just back from church, and
it was a delightful walk there. Mamma, thinking the church
would be too cold, deserted us at Mrs. Savage's and Mrs.
Newton joined us. An excellent sermon from the new Baptist
minister. There were many gentlemen but few ladies and
quite a number of new officers, but Dr. McGregor, my only
acquaintance. All the officers we knew here in June have
gone. Dr. McGregor and Joe Carson, who is home on fur-
lough, are our only visitors at present. Did not see Maj.
Buckner in church. Suppose he has gone back to Louisiana.
We have seen him frequently lately and he is a most agree-
able, entertaining visitor. I wish they would station him here
Anna Meagher and Emily Norris started yesterday for

1864: "DISASTER AND DESPAIR" 307

Franklin Parish [La.], 44 Anna on a visit to Thekla and Emily
to remain there and go to school. We have not seen much of
them since we returned three weeks ago. We all spent Friday
with them a dull day and a rare peace dinner, oyster soup,
bought pickles, guava jelly, etc., etc. Dr. McGregor and Mr.
Williams, the new toast of the town, also were guests.

The house does not seem as comf ortajble as formerly. Living
so delightfully for the last six months and being so waited
on and petted have spoiled me I am afraid. Unfortunately
Johnny and Uncle John are not on speaking terms. There
was a general quarrel while Mamma was away, and Uncle
John will not make it up. As Johnny is but a boy, it seems
very unreasonable. As we are so crowded in the house, it
makes it doubly disagreeable. Then Kate has added a new
baby to the general confusion. Fortunately it is a good little
mite, but we cannot say the same of Sally. She is a little
trial but is getting to be quite pretty. Johnny makes a pet
of her, since he is very fond of little children. If we only
could have the house to ourselves, but there is no hope of
that. Poor Uncle Johnny is so helpless.

Mrs. Morris, Zou, and Stafford were with us last week on
their way to Navarro County [Tex.]. 45 They speak of all
moving to Texas. Mrs. Bruce wrote to Mamma asking her
to secure a house for her. Since Mrs. Savage is to move to
another part of town, Mamma rented her house. If she and
the Lowrys come, they will be delightful additions to our
society. A letter from Julia Street speaks of going into
winter quarters with her husband. She seems perfectly
happy.

The first news Johnny heard as we neared home was that
his pony, the pride of his heart, had been stolen. The poor
little fellow was dreadfully worried. He will never get that
one again, but Mamma is trying to get another for him.

We have been busy sewing ever since my return reno-
vating our old dresses. I embroidered four pretty cravats
for " my four boys." My particular pet Jimmy Carson will

44 About thirty miles southeast of Monroe, La.

* 5 In north central Texas, between Dallas and Waco.

308 BROKENBURN

go back with Joe and join the army. How we shall miss all
the boys, only Johnny and Eddie left of all the band. Johnny
has been up on the prairie nearly ever since we got back. He
is trying to buy a horse for himself and one for Jimmy, We
look for him this evening. We shall be very busy for awhile
making up clothes for Jimmy. We will take them to him.
Mamma confided one of my indiscreet remarks about Joe
and Jimmy Stone being the worst dressed boys in the bri-
gade to Mrs. Carson, and Mrs. Carson has been in a perfect
rush ever since getting good clothes for Joe. Everything
nice she gets she at once brings it over for me to see, much
to my amusement. I am glad it had such a happy effect.
Joe certainly looks better. He is nearly handsome now in a
new suit of Confederate grey. Mrs. Templeton would rejoice
to see him.

I found Mamma trying to do without a paper, but I at
once subscribed for this necessity of life. We find the car-
riage such a comfort. Have paid up all our calls.

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. 8: Mamma has just received two let-
ters from My darling old Brother, one of September 25, the
other October 8. He was quite well but said he has passed
through some of the bloodiest battles the Army of Virginia
has ever fought. We are so proud of his gallantry. One
extract gladdened our hearts. He says,

Our Brigade has fully sustained its former reputation in the
battles of the summer, some of them the bloodiest the
Army of Virginia ever fought. In the battle of the Wilder-
ness with twenty-three men, I captured a Captain, two
Lieutenants, and eighty-one men of the New York 2nd
Cavalry with their horses and arms. We captured the
Major and twenty more men, but they escaped while we
were bringing them in. I believe I am the only line officer
of the Brigade who has been mentioned in official reports
during the campaign.

He knew we would not hear it unless he told us, for we
never gel a Richmond paper. He, for the first time, has had
the grace to tell us of some of his valiant deeds. He is a son

1864: " DISASTER AND DESPAIR " 309

and brother we may all well be proud of. He thinks we will
not see him this winter.

[Tyler, Tex.] Deo. 10: Dear little Beverly, that angel
upon earth, has left us. The pure spirit has winged its way
to its Heavenly home. Darling little Beverly. What a sad
despairing letter her father wrote bearing the bitter news of
her death. They are utterly heartbroken. She was the one
great treasure of their lives. The pure little spirit is freed
now, but all the sunshine of life to them lies buried in that
tiny grave. She died October 2 of sore throat at Selma, Ala.
She was the one perfect being I have ever known in face,
in figure, in mind, in heart not one improvement could be
suggested. We have several times heard people who were
not related to her say, after playing with her, " That child
will not live to grow up; she is too perfect." That seemed
to be the general feeling of all their friends in Vicksburg who
had known her always. She was too fair and frail a flower
to blossom in this time of death and destruction. Our loved
ones form a bright band now in " that Sunny Land where
darkness cometh never." There was never a sweeter, lovelier
little creature than our " Swamp Lily," as she loved us to call
her. May Our Father comfort and strengthen her poor
mother, for her life is bound up in the child's.

We were shocked and distressed to hear of Mary Gustine's
death. We were there on one Thursday and she died on
Sunday. Her mother seemed a little anxious, but no one else
thought her much ill. A noble, generous, and beautiful
woman, she was one of our most valued friends. This is the
first break in the circle of happy girls who erstwhile met at
Brokenburn. Her mother, who is in wretched health, will
continue to live with Capt. Buckner, and she and Ella will
take charge of the baby. That family is utterly broken up
one brother in prison and another desperately wounded
and not a month ago they were congratulating themselves on
how wonderfully they had escaped all sorrow in this season
of general disaster and despair. Truly, " We know not what
a day may bring forth."

310 BROKENBURN

[Tyler, Tex.] Dec. IS: Jimmy has sent his boy Henry
home for a horse, clothes, and money. Jimmy traded his two
horses for a mule that Henry has broken down coming home
and bought another mule to ride until Henry gets back with
fresh importations. We judge that Jimmy is not much of a
jockey. He wrote to Mamma and indignantly remonstrated
with me for giving his much desired gloves to Capt. Wylie,
a thing I never thought of doing. Should I not try to make
my own brother comfortable first of all? So I wrote a touch-
ing disclaimer of any such offense.

The boys were over and stayed until bedtime. Joe is out
on the farm. Katie Carson has the measles and I carried
Sister and Annie Nicholson over to see her. All stayed until
bedtime. She is getting on very well.

1865

"Jhe darkeft hour"

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] Jan. 29: Uncle Johnny
and Kate have just gone to their room after a lengthy dis-
cussion of the comparative merits of modern poets and
novelists. Johnny has kissed me goodnight, Sister is wander-
ing in dreamland, I am alone with a cheerful fire and a wake-
ful spirit, and so I may as well resume my neglected diary.
Mamma, with Sarah as her maid, started on Wednesday for
the prairie to be absent two weeks, and I am left to ad-
minister affairs during her absence. The office of housekeeper
is not entirely a sinecure now that there are so many to be
provided for our family, Uncle John's, and Mr. Gary's. We
tease Mamma and Mrs. Savage by telling them they are
keeping boarding houses, a fact they indignantly deny. But
it looks that way to an outsider. We hoped to get Mr.
Smith's house and live to ourselves, but he now declines to
rent. But for the hall, we are as much crowded here as at the
Ranch, which we had to give up to the owner as he wished to
move back. This is a pretty-looking place if the house was
painted but new and unfinished, a large yard with the
native trees left. Mr. and Mrs. Gary, from whom Mamma
rented it, are quite nice people. They have one little girl and
they give very little trouble. We rarely see them except at
meals, which is a relief, for we did so dread her living in our
room. Even Kate leaves us to ourselves sometimes, and so
we find it much easier to live together. Though both Uncle
Johnny and Kate utterly ignore Johnny's existence, it is
wonderful that they will behave so.

Jimmy and Joe Carson have rejoined their command. It is
Jimmy's first trial as a soldier. I am trying to finish a pair of

311

312 BROKENBURN

the prettiest riding gloves to send him by Jimmy Stone's boy,
who will get off Wednesday. I am sending Jimmy Stone a
famous pair. Dr. Weir would feel himself awfully slighted
and retire in disgust could he peep behind the scenes and see
what becomes of the precious gauntlets he forced on my
acceptance. He flattered himself I would knit a pair of
gloves to them and kindly bestow them on him. But oh no,
they go with the best I can make to Jimmy. I have knitted
so many gloves, and Mamma knits socks in all her spare
time. I wish I had kept account of the numbers of pairs. We
froth up old black or blue silk, mix it with wool, and have
it spun into a pretty silky thread that makes nice-looking
gloves or stockings.

Dr. Weir is our most frequent visitor and now comes up
two or three evenings in the week. Fortunately, he is easy
to entertain as he does all the talking, and, if we weary of
that, he is willing to play chess or cards by the hour. Capt.
George Birchett from Vicksburg, whose family we have
known always, was a constant visitor the few weeks he was
here. He came in every day he was in town at any and all
hours, quite en famille. He is cheerful and full of life, easy
to amuse and to tease. We saw so much of him and Dr. Weir
that we had not time to really miss our old habitues, Joe
and Jimmy Carson. Capt. Birchett declares Sally Cox is the
" vampire of his existence." Madame Rumor has given them
to each other time and time again, but he indignantly denies
the soft impeachment. The report was a fruitful source of
amusement to me and annoyance to him until Mamma and
he concocted some absurd story about Dr. Smith and me,
and then I surrendered and signed a truce no word of Sally
Cox, no word of Dr. Jim Smith. Capt. Birchett will be back
in a short time. He is exchange agent and enjoys himself to
the uttermost, going about from post to post and out to the
blockading fleet with flags of truce.

So slowly news comes in that we have heard nothing since
Sherman's occupation of Savannah more than a month ago
and Gen. Hood's retreat across the Tennessee River. The
on-dit is that Hood is relieved from command and Gen,

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 313

Johnston reinstated, a rumor that gives general satisfaction. 1
The very air is rife with rumors but nothing reliable. The
favorite is that the Confederacy will certainly be recognized
by all foreign powers immediately after the fourth of March,
and we may look for a speedy peace with much more to the
same. But we have been exalted and depressed by these
rumors too often to let them weigh with us now. Another
topic of general interest is the subject of gradual emancipa-
tion said to be under discussion in the lower house. Mean-
while

The days hold on their wanton pace
And men to court and camp repair
Their part to fill, of good or ill,
While women keep the town of Quair[?].

[" Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] Feb. 1: An occasional let-
ter from Jimmy. He had just returned from our old home
near the river. How strange it seems for the boys to be
going home and wandering at will over the whole country,
not a Yankee to be seen. The army worms were our best
allies. They made the enemy abandon the country when our
soldiers were powerless to drive them off. There are rumors
of an armistice, recognition by the powers, and emancipation
of the slaves.

Raining today. Could not start Jimmy's boy back. Jimmy
must think Henry is never coming. Have nearly finished
Jimmy Carson's gloves. His hands are none of the smallest
and knitting the gloves has been a task.

Have been reading the life of Stonewall Jackson. He was
worthy to be idolized by all classes as he is. Have just
finished The Hour and the Man by Miss Martineau, pur-
porting to be a historical novel with Toussaint I/Overture,
the leader of the insurrection in San Domingo, as the hero. 2
He is represented as superhumanly good and great beyond

1 After the loss of Atlanta, General John B. Hood attempted to
recoup the military situation by invading Tennessee. In December he
was badly defeated at Nashville and had to retire into Mississippi.
Battles and Leaders, IV, 485-39.

2 This novel by Harriet Martineau (1802-76) , published in 1840, was
called " an early TJncLe Tom's Cabin"

314 BROKENBURN

all heroes of ancient or modern times. He and Napoleon were
contemporaries and comparisons are constantly drawn be-
tween them, all in favor of this darkie saint. Napoleon is
completely overshadowed by Toussaint. It is a disgusting
book. The Negroes are all represented as angelic beings,
pure and good, while the whites are the fiends who entered
in and took possession of their Eden, Haiti.

Anna Meagher returned recently and sent for me to come
and see her. She saw Jimmy several times. He is quite well.
Her only news was about the Terrapin Neck cutoff which,
if true, will place all our plantations above possible overflow.
The Yankees are all gone and some of the old planters still
at home. Jimmy sent by Anna the box of papers left con-
cealed and all are in good order. We have written him to
bring out the silver if possible. It is buried there. The old
Negroes are still on the place, and Uncle Hoccles and Aunt
Liza want to come out to Texas. 3 Mrs. Newman was about
to give a Yankee party. Both girls are at home and reported
engaged to Yankee officers. One cannot believe that news.
Nous verrons. We hear that Annie Newman is a beauty and
a belle. Surely the age of miracles has not passed.

The pouring rains continue, and the house leaks dread-
fully. We rather wade than walk.

[" Bonnie Castle/ 5 Tyler, Tex.] Feb. 12: Mamma is still
away, and from the condition of the roads we know not when
to expect her. We miss her dreadfully, but we have had much
company. Mrs. Carson has been sick, and we walk over
there nearly every evening. Poor Mr. Alexander died re-
cently, and Mrs. Hull, who had been sitting up all night, sent
for me early one rainy morning to come and relieve her. I
remained until dark, a most dreary day, for though Mr.
Alexander was the merest acquaintance, we felt for his wife
and children. The duty of visiting the sick and afflicted is
one of life's greatest trials.

8 Uncle Hoccles came to Texas with the Stones in 1863 but returned
to Brokenburn with some of the family on their trips back there. He
came to Texas again sometime after this date. Among the older Negroes
who remained at Brokenburn throughout the war was Uncle Bob*

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 315

Met a delightful gentleman when I spent the day at Mrs.
Savage's. He is Dr. Boone, a Missourian, handsome, elegant,
the Medical Director for the Northern District, and is sta-
tioned at Bonham. He is trying to get Dr. McGregor to
exchange with him. I only wish they will. He would be a
social acquisition. He called with Dr. Weir yesterday morn-
ing and soon challenged me to a game of chess. I won the
first and he the second and so the championship is undecided.
He is to come as soon as he returns to play the decisive game.
Mrs. Savage is charmed with him. I saw her this evening at
Mrs. Carson's. As she is never happy unless matchmaking,
she was begging me to set my cap for him. For what she
knows, he may have a wife and a roomful of hopefuls and if
free is the very man to have a sweetheart at every post. Mrs.
Savage really misses having no girl on hand to scheme for.
Capt. Birchett is here again. He makes himself at home and
very agreeable. Dr. Weir still has the contract for enter-
taining me two or three nights in the week. I am going to
ride with him tomorrow, and the next night, I will ac-
company him to a concert. He asked me to attend a party
last week, but I am not going to dances. Lt. Dupre, we see
frequently. He is a Creole from New Orleans, very agree-
able, a young married man whose family are in New Orleans,
and he is very homesick to see his wife and babies. A letter
from Capt. Wylie begging me to let him come out Christmas,
but his family have all been too kind to me for me to en-
courage his coming just for amusement. A long, pleasant,
and amusing letter from Mary Templeton, but no special
news.

A letter from My darling Brother to Mamma, dated
November. His company is reduced to only eighteen men.
He is very anxious to be transferred to this side of the river.
His letter is on fancy Yankee paper captured at his last
battle, Boydton (?) Station R. R. Heard from Jimmy by
George Richards, who spent a night last week on his way
home on furlough. Jimmy is well and not suffering for
clothes. Uncle Bob has given him a pair of pants. Uncle
Bob has hired several men and will plant part of the place

316 BROKENBVRN

this year. The boys go in to the old places constantly, hunt-
ing guerrillas. Joe and Jimmy Carson had arrived in camp
but without Dan. Eddie went out looking for him and found
him near Marshall, headed him the right way, and so he
must be there now.

I sent Henry to Jimmy with a supply of winter clothes
that Mamma had prepared more than a week ago. We hear
today the enemy are advancing on Monroe. If so, we do not
know when Henry will find Harrison's brigade. Reports of a
great battle between Lee and Grant. Our forces victorious.

There is no sewing hurrying us now. Sister gets off early to
school after our usual breakfast, beef and biscuit, syrup, and
homemade coffee monotonous, but the best we can do. The
Garys and Uncle Johnny's family go to their rooms, and
Johnny and I shut ourselves up in Mamma's room, he to
devote himself to Horace Legendu [?] and such studies. He
is studying well. There is not much housekeeping as the
servants are efficient, and that is soon off my hands. We
have some morning callers as the townspeople are taking us
up. Kate and the children run in and out all the time, rather
disturbing Johnny's mind, but he goes off somewhere about
the house and finishes his lessons. A letter from old Mr.
Valentine. Lt. Valentine has entirely recovered.

["Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] Feb. IS: Great Peace
rumors are afloat, 4 and Gen. Lee has certainly given Grant's
army a good drubbing. If he could only have annihilated
them, we could sing te deums. God grant our dear boys may
be unhurt. Dame Rumor is furloughing every fifth man in
the Virginia Army who lives on this side of the Mississippi,
and there is so much good news that the multitudes are
jubilant. The more hopeful predict peace by July, but I

4 In the summer of 1864 a " peace movement " developed in the North
as a result of dissatisfaction with the stalemate of the war, and Lincoln's
chances for re-election seemed small. The victory at Atlanta, however,
turned the tide and he was elected. On February 3, 1865, Lincoln and
Seward representing the United States met with A. H. Stephens, E. M.
T. Hunter, and J. A. Campbell representing the Confederacy at Hamp-
ton Roads, Va., to confer on a possible peace. The conference was a
failure. Randall, The Civil War and Reconstruction, 675-78.

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 317

think it will not come before October is painting the woods
in autumn hues. What a lovely season it will be to journey
home with peace blessed peace quieting all the land and
nothing to molest or make us afraid. How joyfully will we
take up our line of march for dear old Louisiana. What a
merry cavalcade we shall be.

How the shriek of that steam whistle startled me, trans-
porting me for the minute to the bank of the far rolling
Mississippi.

Mrs. Bruce must think we are agents for renting houses.
A letter from her introducing Capt. Pritchard, and one from
him asking us as a great favor to rent a house for his family,
who are on the way and will be here in about two weeks.
Will wait until Mamma gets back, and then we will go on
another house-hunting expedition. It is rather a trying job
as the owners of the houses wish us to be responsible for the
rent, and in this case we do not even know the people. These
wily Texans want to bind one with all kinds of written docu-
ments, unintelligible but terrible in my eyes. I would not
sign one for anything. Mamma attends to all that.

Have just finished the New York News of January 4. It is
strongly in favor of peace and very encouraging to the South.
The " Personal " for North and South is a new feature in
newspaper work.

This long spell of bad weather still detains Mamma, and
we are very anxious for her to get home. Then, our larder is
growing startlingly poverty stricken. Our boarders must be
thinking of giving notice.

Yesterday Little Sister fell off the gallery striking her head
on a rock pile, making several deep gashes, and today it
pains too much for her to attend school, though she took her
music lesson. Little Sally has improved so much. She is a
pretty curly-headed little thing with golden hair and blue
eyes and is a great pet with us all. But she can never take
Beverly's place in our hearts the perfect little child only
lent to earth to show mortals how fair are the angels in
Heaven.

How kind old Mrs. Buckner has been to My Brother. She

318 BROKENBURN

corresponds regularly with him. He enclosed one of her let-
ters in his last of November. He goes to Lynchburg to see
them whenever he can.

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] Feb. 15: Our garrison is
reinforced and heavily provisioned.

Warren reached here tonight after a six-day trip from the
prairie with the long looked-for load of comestibles, and
never could they have come in better time. The last flour
had just been made up into biscuit in Capt. Birchett's honor,
and meat, sugar, candles, and everything else was waxing
low. By the way, the servants make such pretty candles now.
The candles look almost like wax. They boil a species of
cactus in the tallow, and the candles are partly transparent
and brittle and give an excellent clear light. Warren says the
roads are nearly impassable. Mamma, when he left the car-
riage, was bogged down a few miles beyond Quitman, 5 but
Warren is satisfied that she will reach here today or tomorrow.
Capt. Birchett, after keeping me at home all day and
depriving me of the pleasure of a ride with Dr. Weir, came up
to tea and soon after bade us adieu for Shreveport and does
not expect to be back for some weeks. We will miss him as
he has been very sociable. Jolly Col. Hill and his demure,
prim little wife called this morning and later Mrs. Benton
and Mrs. St. Clair. No news except Mrs. Alexander, who
lately lost her husband, will leave in a few days for San
Antonio. And Johnny and I are eager to rent that house by
the time Mamma arrives. Such a nice two-story affair with
a pretty flower yard and in a nice part of town.

Dr. Weir spent yesterday afternoon here playing chess,
and after tea I went with him and Capt. Birchett to a con-
cert. Such a crowd. Not another person could have been
crammed in and so many soldiers, but they were quiet and
behaved well. The gentlemen all had to stand and my
escorts were disgusted.

["Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] Feb. SI: Another rainy
day. But Mamma is at home all right, and we are very

5 A small community about thirty miles north of Tyler.

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR" 319

glad to have her. Ben Clarkson came in Saturday on his
way to see his people on his first furlough. He has been
away two years and a half. He is a handsome fellow and
scarcely looks older than when he left. How delighted his
father will be to see him. He has only a twenty-day fur-
lough, and it has taken him that long to get here. He will
stay at home a month and rejoin his company at Tupelo,
Miss. How vividly his presence recalls my two brothers.
Had they lived,, they might now be making us happy with
their glad presence.

Sunday we all attended the Baptist church which was
crowded to overflowing. We occupied a seat with some sol-
diers and their rations and came away with a goodly portion
of the week's rations whitening our skirts. Dr. Weir asked
to walk home with us. I told him we came in the carriage
when he innocently enquired had I not rather walk. De-
cidedly, I had not. Spent this afternoon playing chess with
him. I beat him so easily now there is no fun playing with
him. No news and the household amusement is in " running
rigs " on me. Dr. Weir is an inexhaus table theme for Johnny's
mischief-loving spirit. He is here so much that I find him
most tiresome. Though I do go horseback riding with him
frequently, it is impossible to be bored when one is well
mounted and scampering over the hills. Dr. Boone called
yesterday to bid us good-bye and to remind Mamma of her
promise to send for him when we go to the prairie this sum-
mer to spend a few weeks. He is such an elegant, polished
gentleman, and we like him very much. We have seen much
of him during this stay, and I am four games ahead on chess,
an unexpected defeat to him as he prides himself on being
a scientific player. He imagined when he came to play with
me that he had only to say, " vcni, vidi, vici" but my
" skrategy " out-generaled him. His brother married Betty
Smith, that arch little coquette. Capt. Birchett was giving
us an amusing account of his experience with that pretty
Dresden figure, a great little flirt.

Capt. Boren is a pleasant new acquaintance, a Texan and
charmed with Ihe Louisianiuns he has met so he says*

320 BROKENBURN

Saturday we Mamma, Kate, and I went calling on Mrs.
Savage, Mrs. Prentice, and poor Mrs. Alexander. She seems
quite crushed and to know nothing of business. Her husband
left a large estate, stores scattered over half the state. Mrs.
Savage's carriage is broken and she cannot get out. Mrs.
Carson has withdrawn from society and rarely leaves the
house, and as we are tired of doing all the visiting we rarely
see her. She will have to renew the old friendship, and that
she may never care to do.

We hear the Peace Commission returned without effecting
anything. Our only hope for peace this year now lies in
emancipation or intervention.

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] March 3: Our interest for
the last ten days has centered on the all-engrossing theme of
tableaux. All the society young folks of the town with
Mamma as head and front of the affair are busy getting up
an entertainment, tableaux, music, and charades, to raise
money for establishing a soldiers' home. The natives, very
unexpectedly, asked us to take part; and as Mamma knows
more of such things than all the rest of them put together,
she soon found herself sole manager of the affair and I am
her " sub/ 3 I have taken no part but they kindly allow me
to attend all rehearsals, and I have had a gay time but for
being bored to extremity by Dr. Weir, whom I nearly hate.
We have become acquainted with all the creme de la creme
of the city, and from one to a dozen are always dropping in
to discuss something or ask Mamma's advice. I know most
of the love affairs of Tyler now. I hope Janie Roberts and
Lt. Alexander will make a match. They are very much in
love with each other and it would be quite suitable. The
young people have rehearsed here several times when it was
too bad to go to the church.

A letter from Jimmy in which he says if I have any regard
for suffering humanity to drop a few lines to Capt. Wylie.
I really do not think the few lines I would send him would
make him happy less so than he is now, perhaps. Jimmy
says the Yankees did little damage in their raid on Monroe.
Fortunately, they did not visit Col. Templeton's where they

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 321

might liave captured Jimmy and Hutch Bowman. Jimmy
was nursing him there.

Anna Meagher was asked to play at the entertainment but
some feeling of pique prevented her, and they all speak most
contemptuously of the whole affair. But we are glad the ice
is at last broken, and we are friends with the people of the
town. It is far more agreeable, and there are many nice
people when one finds them out. Mollie E. Moore, a poetess,
is a charming girl and we are becoming quite friends. 6 They
live near. The other refugees can laugh at us if they like,
but we are having the most enjoyable life.

We have been once to see Mrs. Carson. She has moved
into town but is living very uncomfortably. She speaks of
going North to her brother. It would be a good thing for
her to do, just herself and Katie and Eddie seem a lonely trio.
She is very peculiar. She lives in the skimpiest way, yet she
has quantities of things packed away. She has twelve or
fifteen pairs of fine blankets, yet will not sell a pair no matter
what soldier wants them. Mamma tried to buy a pair for
Jimmy, finding it impossible to get them anywhere, and Mrs.
Carson sent over as a present a pair of crib blankets which
were worn till they were thin, but wrote she could not think
of selling a pair might need them. Mamma sent those back
as they were useless for a soldier. Then, Mrs. Carson has
seven complete chamber sets, bowls, pitchers, etc. As long
as we lived together, she never unpacked a set, but all of us

6 Mollie E. Moore, whose poetry had by this time been published in
newspapers in Tyler and Houston, became one of Texas' most widely
known writers after the Civil War. In 1874 she married Thomas E.
Davis, who in 1889 became editor of the New Orleans Picayune, and
as Mrs. Davis she became a social leader in New Orleans. Between
1888 'and 1908 Mrs. Davis published thirteen books of poetry, fiction,
and history and became nationally known. An excellent study of the
complicated problem of Mrs. Davis' biography is Clyde W. Wilkinson's
" The Broadening Stream; The Life and Literary Career of Mollie E.
Moore Davis/* unpublished Ph. D. thesis, University of Illinois (Urbana,
1947). See also Mr. Wilkinson's sketch on Mrs. Davis in The Hand-
book of Texas, I, 470-71. Selections from Mrs. Davis' prose and poetry
appear in Library of Southern Literature, III, 1273-1308; selections from
her poetry appear in Sam H. Dixon, The Poets and Poetry of Texas
(Austin, 1885) , 34-44. and in Hilton II, Grccr, Voices of the Southwest;
A Book of Texan Verse (New York, 1923) , 16-19.

BROKENBVRN

used a small wooden pail [?] and a big wash tub. She has
since taken one set out for her room. All her silver is packed
away, and she uses pewter and heaviest stoneware, cracked
and discolored, with two full sets of china stored in the yard.
She has six carpets and numerous rugs in the storeroom and
uses a ragged rug on a bare floor. She is certainly odd.

Mamma has rented Mrs. Alexander's place, the prettiest
home in Tyler, but will not get possession until the first of
May. Mamma has been troubled trying to decide what was
best to do and decided on this. Mr. Gary is quite trying, so
dictatorial and argumentative, and as Uncle John is some-
thing that way himself, it is not pleasant. The house we are
in belongs to Mr. Gary, and we board them for the rent of it.

["Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] March 9: The tableaux
passed off as a grand success and made quite a nice sum of
money. It is quiet now. Most of our soldier friends have
left, one new acquaintance remaining, Lt. Holmes, a Louisi-
anian. He took part in the entertainment and we saw him
frequently. Before he came, Lt. Dupre told us he was so
" fast " that he would not bring him to the house, but he
came with someone, and as far as we can tell is behaving
all right. He seems full of life and fun. 7 Very glad to say we
have seen the last of Dr. Weir, and Mr. Williams, the irre-
sistible, has bidden us a last adieu. A letter from Mrs. Bruce.
Carrie Polk has a little son two months old and they will
move out now right away. Julia is at Jefferson with her
mother and expects a little stranger in April.

A letter written December 28 from My Brother to Mam-
ma. He received mine of October 25 from Oak Ridge as a
Christmas gift on December 25. He does not write as cheer-
fully as we would like to have him. He sends one piece of

7 Henry Bry Holmes, born in 1837, was the son of Henry and Julia Bry
Holmes and the grandson of Judge Henry Bry, native of Switzerland,
who came to Fort Miro (Monroe) , La., in 1803. Judge Bry owned a
large plantation on the Ouachita River, part of which is now "in the city
limits of Monroe, and Layton Castle, one of the show places of Monroe,
embraces within its walls part of the original Bry home. Louisiana, A
Guide to the State, 294; Williamson, Northeast Louisiana, 121-35. Lt.
Holmes served with the Pelican Grays of Monroe, La.

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 323

news that gladdens our hearts. Eugenia Rossman is really
and truly married at last to Charley Allen, so avaunt my
forebodings of sisterhood. I do not think the breaking of
his bonds hurt him greatly. I hope not. Anyway, he has
had many a love.

It seems odd to think of Julia and Carrie as mothers. It is
such a few months since they were married. I have been
thinking of them as brides. Time flies.

My Brother says I must hunt up a new sweetheart for
him. I have selected Annie Amis. They have my consent
to a mutual love affair.

Mamma received today her application for My Brother's
transfer. It was disapproved, and so that ends our last hope
of seeing him 4< until this cruel war is over/' 8 We hear all
the troops on this side are to be ordered across the river to
reinforce the Army of Virginia. When we hear from Jimmy
again, their command may be marching over. It is a dark
hour for us now. Only bad news, but the darkest hour is
just before the dawning.

Miss Mollie Moore, " the Texas song bird," has been very
kind, lending us books, among others new novels by Miss
Braddon, sent her by Col. Duganne. 9 They promise to be
quite interesting. I am hoarse from reading aloud so long
tonight. Mamma was tired and lying down. It has been too
cold today to do anything but hover over the fire and read.
Spent yesterday with Mrs. Carson who looks dreadful.

[ u Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] March 17: All are away
this bright spring afternoon on pleasure bent, and I am
alone at home to nurse my troublesome throat. It has pained
me greatly for the last week. Had to call the doctor in
twice, but it is improving now.

Only flying rumors, but more encouraging. Mrs. Bruce is

8 '* When This Cruel War is Over," by popular composer Charles Car-
roll Sawyer with music by Henry Tucker, was one of the most popular
songs, North and South, of the Civil War period. Harwell, Confederate
Music, 87.

Evidently A. J. TL Duganne, who was a prisoner at Camp Ford and
who described his experiences in the South in his Camp and Prisons,
Twenty Months in tlie Department o/ the Gvlf.

824 BROKENBURN

looked for every day. We have had a number of visitors as
our house, like every house where Mamma lives, has become
a great resort. There is generally some one or a dozen here.
Have had to talk straight on in spite of my croaking voice,
and it tires one so. Yesterday two of Mamma's proteges
from the hospital spent the day. Later Capt. Smith came in
and a little later Capt. Boren to say good-bye. He is off to
his company. He was a pleasant visitor and we are sorry to
see him go. Later, Mamma and Kate went to pay some calls
and left Capt. Smith to my mercies. He made himself most
amusing, and I was surprised by unexpected gifts of mind
and manner. He is a capital storyteller and has a fund on
hand. He tore himself away at dark, and after tea we sat
down to finish Lady Audley's Secret which we find very
interesting, when Lt. Dupre and Capt. Birchett were an-
nounced. There we were bound to the altar of entertainment
for the next three hours. Mamma and I were both unwell
and tired out, and we did wish a kind providence had
directed their steps in another direction. To add to our
" malaisements " Capt. Birchett, usually so easy to talk to,
was so tipsy he could scarcely keep awake. I knew he be-
haved queerly, more quiet than I ever knew him, but I did
not guess what was the matter until Mamma's disgusted
exclamation as soon as the door closed behind them. This
visit certainly puts him in our black books, and we cannot
understand what Lt. Dupre meant by coming with a man in
that disgusting condition. Lt. Dupre is just from Shreveport.
Heard that Rosa Green has married a Yankee captain. Can
it be true?

I am busy knitting a pair of gloves for Capt. Birchett, but
now that he has been here in such a state I do not think
I shall give them to a wild man like that.

Just finished Memorials of Hood, such an interesting work.
What a life of patient endurance and hardships borne with
such cheerfulness. Writing his life seems a labor of love to
his children. Mamma and I went around in the carriage and

10 Published in 1862, the first of fifteen novels by popular novelist
Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837-1915) .

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 325

paid all our calls. I went to a dance, quite enjoyable. A
new acquaintance, Mrs. Capt. Polys, is quite an addition.
Johnny is calling me for a walk.

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] March 24: Mamma and
Mollie Moore have just gone on a visit to the hospital.
Johnny is lounging in the rocker plying me with questions
with his eye so bruised and blackened he can scarcely see,
the effects of his first fisticuffs. He had a regular fight yes-
terday with a Tyler boy and says he came off decidedly
second best. He is sore and stiff today. He declares he
fought the boy from a sense of duty because the boy had
been insulting to the girls at school and partly, I think, for
his teacher Mr. Hand's sake. He entered the field of combat
in the real spirit of Don Quixote, for he had no personal
injury to avenge. He feels better now that he has worked
off some of his superfluous steam. He has been at boiling
heat for a month, eager for a fight. We think he will settle
to his studies now with renewed interest. He has a satisfied
look, long a stranger to his face. We are glad he and Eddie
have smoked the calumet of peace. He was much disap-
pointed at being unable to attend Mr. Smith's school.

Mrs. Prentice, Amy Quays, and Dr. Weir spent a dull
evening with us, and we passed a dreary day at Mrs. Savage's
with only the family. It provokes me to hear Mrs. Savage,
Anna, and all of them harping on their devotion to Jimmy,
praising him to the skies and speaking quite as though he
were a member of their family. Mrs. Savage thinks she has
secured Jimmy safely for Emily, but we hope that it is one
match she will fail in making. What a matchmaking old lady
she is, and she quite prides herself on it now. That family is
not nearly as pleasant as formerly. Mrs. Carson, Col. and
Mrs. Bradforte came. We have not seen the Bradfortes until
today since our memorial trip out to the Indian settlement.
Col. Bradforte is still harping on " my pet dear." He is on
the wrong trail.

A letter from Sarah Wadley telling of the Yankee out-
rages about Bastrop [La.]. Jimmy has not written in a long
time* Dr. Weir, I am thankful to say, is devoting himself

326 BROKENBURN

to Amy Quays. Have had no one to play chess with since
Lt. Neil said good-bye, and lie went off four games ahead of
me. I hate to tell Capt. Boone that, as he has a high opinion
of my skill.

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] March 30:^ The little town
is looking lovely now in its spring decoration of peach and
apple blossoms and the circling fields of soft green wheat
and rye. It seems to be peeping through a bouquet of pink
and white blooms.

A rumor that Gen. Beauregard has been killed in a great
fight in Carolina. 11

A letter from Missie Morris. They are undecided about
coming to Texas.

Mrs. Bradforte was in great distress a few days ago for fear
the liquor men would mob Col. Bradforte as they were much
infuriated at some of his orders, but it has all blown over.

We have been renovating our last summer's clothes. We
have not a single new thing to make up. If Mr. Smith does
not soon send that cotton which must go on to San Antonio,
I do not know what we will all do for clothes. Mamma is
much interested in Miss Braddon's novels.

[" Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] April 1: A wild March
wind is howling around the house, scattering the glory of the
white and pink blossoms that have made the town so lovely
for the last week. The white and purple lilacs yesterday
were in full bloom, great plumes, redolent of perfume, but
today the rude norther has drifted the fragrant petals far
and wide. On the mantle is our first spring bouquet, wreathes
of flowering almond, tufts of brilliant phlox, a handful of the
coral honeysuckle loved by the boys, gold and purple pansies,
as large as those in Louisiana, and sweetest of all, the cluster
of purple and white lilac. Lilacs grow so much better in
this red soil than in the swamp.

Though the buds and flowers of fair spring are with us,
we are feeling the truth of the poet's song, " What is friend-
ship but a name? " Our refugee friends, Mrs. Carson and

11 A false rumor.

' 1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 327

Mrs. Savage, have grown cold toward us, and we do not
know what is wrong. It worries Mamma very much. Though
we may pretend not to feel the wound, it is no less painful.
As to Mrs. Carson, Mamma long ago realized that she had
no conception of real friendship. Her nature is too shallow
to be true to anyone. The last friend is always the best with
her. But Mamma had a right to look for real friendship at
Mrs. Savage's hands, but she has not secured it. Her friend-
ship is as worthless as Mrs. Carson's sham article. She
showed plainly in the affair of the house that Mamma's in-
terest was as nothing to her compared to Mrs. Alexander's,
a friend of a few months. Mamma is disturbed by it, for she
considered Mrs. Savage one of her very best friends.

Mrs. Alexander sent to ask Mamma to let her keep the
house, but that would deprive us entirely of a home as Mam-
ma had given up the one we are in and planted a garden at
the Alexander house. It was impossible and we will move in
May. We will be glad to move to the Brazos 12 this fall and
put the past and its false friends behind us.

A long letter from Mrs. Bruce. They are eager to get out,
but the roads are still too bad to venture. I hope we shall
find them more pleasant than our other friends now are.
Mrs. Bruce is much worried over the first payment on their
house, which falls due tomorrow.

Beauregard is all right. We hear that Gen. Sherman is
dead.

Capt. Smith of the staff, redolent of whiskey and perfume,
called to bid us adieu as he is off to the army again.

Johnny is in a dreadful humor and makes us all feel it
because Mamma will not allow him to have another fight
with Charley Ligruski. Boys of Johnny's age are generally
self-willed and disobedient, Mamma can do but little with
him, and now he is of no assistance to her. Everything seems
to be going wrong, most probably because I myself am out of
time, and so no more scribbling until I am myself again.

32 Evidently at this time Mrs. Stone proposed to rent a cotton plan-
tation in the Brazos River Valley, where planting was carried on in the
extensive manner of the eastern eoiton states*

328 BROKENBURN

Will copy a fugitive poem I like so much, "The Two
Villages."

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] April 6: Have nothing
new to read. Have been looking over an old volume of
Pier sons Magazine. What trashy stories they are, all with
the same happy ending. We are expecting half of the beau
monde at rehearsal this afternoon. We have another grand
entertainment in course of rehearsal. Mamma is the pre-
siding genius, and I am humble adviser as I will not take a
part, though they kindly beg me to do so. We enjoy the
rehearsals greatly. All the officers and the girls are deeply
interested, and they generally meet here at the house. No
one else will offer a room. There are to be four charades
Miss Neta Irvine, Mollie Moore, Lt. Holmes, Lt. Martin,
dramatic manager, Julia Boren, Mattie Butler, Lt. Holmes,
Lt. Alexander, Martin Price, Florence Smith, Mollie Sand-
ford, Lt. Dupre, wayworn, Sally Grissman, Janie Roberts.
Mollie Sandford is the best actress and Lt. Holmes and Lt.
Martin the best actors. The prettiest tableaux are "The
Game of Life," " The White Lady of Avenel," and " The
Feast of Roses." Lt. Holmes as the rejected lover is in-
imitable. 18

["Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] April 7: All the pleasure
seekers were here this morning and we had a merry time.
They will be here again tomorrow night. I stood up so long
yesterday afternoon from three to seven walking, talking,
and laughing at the performers that, when they left, I was
so spent I had to go to bed. Sally Grissman and Mr. Moore
are enough to ruin any charade. They have not much
mastery or ideas of acting. Dr. Weir has smoked the pipe
of peace and attends all the meetings. We cannot tell
whether or not he and Amy Quays will make a match. She
is so ugly and simple, but wealthy. We spent a pleasant
Tuesday with Mrs. Lawrence. Mrs. Wells is just back from

18 An interesting commentary on the status of Kate's affections at
this time. She lists Lt. Holmes twicewithout reason. His role as " the
rejected lover " was doubtless more than mere play-acting.

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR "

a long visit to her husband, and so we had more topics in
common than usual. They are kind, good people but a trifle
" heavy on hand/' Paid calls on Mrs. Savage, Mrs. Prentice,
Mrs. Bradforte, and Mrs. Tooke, a new arrival from Arkan-
sas, Gen. Buckner's sister. Mrs. Carson is much absorbed by
her, a plain little lady.

Mamma distressed me much yesterday by telling me I was
the most reserved person she ever knew, that she did not
feel that she knew me at all. It was like a blow on my heart
for her to speak so. I never knew I was reserved. I never
try to be. All that I can do is to endeavor to overcome this
fault and to let her see that she knows all there is of me
to know. The silly, light love affairs seemed too foolish to
talk about, but I will try to be frank with my darling Mother.
I wish I could be more like her, more like she would have
me, but I fear we cannot change our nature. Another im-
pressive thing is she says that I am generally considered a
very handsome, stylish-looking girl, but I know she is mis-
taken there. Motherly partiality has blinded her. I always
considered myself rather remarkably ugly.

All the girls attended a party a few days ago and their
escorts drank so much several were unable to accompany the
girls home. All the men present but two were said to be
drunk. I am thankful I did not go to such a disgraceful
affair. The girls arc much chagrined and offended.

Capt. Polys, who lives with his wife just at the foot of the
hill from us, sent us some lovely flowers, the finest clusters
of lilacs we ever saw.

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] April 16: All walked to
church and were well repaid by an excellent sermon from
Mr. Moore. Rested until Capt. Buck came for his regular
Sunday afternoon visit. The tableaux with all their pleasant
chat and laughter are a thing of the past. The gay rehearsals
and frequent meetings are over, and we cleared about $900.
The weather was wretched both evenings and of course kept
many away, but we feel repaid for the trouble. The tableaux
went off beautifully, not a hitch. Lt. Holmes, the Prince
Charming as Mollie Moore and 1 dubbed him, was invalu-

330 BROKENBURN

able. He would do anything or adopt any suggestion we
made. He was in attendance on Mollie and me all the time.

Dr. Weir came up to say good-bye as he is off for good.
He might have brought me a pretty bouquet to remember
him by. Dr. McGregor got back just in time to take part
in the entertainment. His part he made as ridiculous and
amusing as possible by his absurd blunders. Dr. Boone has
been here for two or three days and is off and away again.
He paid us several visits but not specially enjoyable ones.
He was much pleased with Mollie Moore, whom he met for
the first time. I tell Miss Mollie she always gets ahead of
me when she tries the " poetry dodge " on our mutual friends.
She is a charming girl. It is such a pleasure to have a
friend to chatter nonsense to who enjoys it as much as I and
does her full share. Capt. Empy, the Knight of the Sorrow-
ful Countenance, is again in town and looks more fascinating
than ever. He has not done himself the honor of calling yet.

The troupe wish to get up a tragedy for next Friday night.
But neither Mamma nor Mrs. Gary will engineer it, and so
it is impossible.

We are disappointed in Capt. Johnson. He behaves like a
child. We all go out tomorrow to call on Mrs. Carouth and
Mrs. Tooke and spend the day with Mrs. Savage. Spending
the day is my perfect aversion. Whoever started the trying
fashion of spending the day? It is too much of a good thing.

This is certainly not a reading community. We have met
only two or three persons who are acquainted with "The
White Lady of Avenel." I think the general opinion is that
she was a Louisiana refugee, a neighbor of ours. 14

Johnny is over his passion of a week and is begging me
to come out for a walk with him. Johnny is a shy admirer of
Lizzie Irvine, a girl about twenty-two. She is quite pretty,
one of four or five sisters living near.

["Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] April 23: Such terrible
news if true, but we cannot believe it. We know that vte
have met with fearful reverses this year. All our coast cities

14 The " White Lady " was a spirit mysteriously connected with the
Avenel family in Sir Walter Scott's The Monastery.

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 331

are conquered: gallant old Charleston has fallen, Wilmington
and Mobile have passed out of our hands, and Richmond,
" brave Richmond on the James," has been taken. But all
that is nothing compared to the awful report from the Yan-
kee papers that Gen. Lee, our strong arm of defense, has
capitulated with 40,000 men without firing a gun, that most
of our best generals were taken at the same time, and that
what remains of that noble army is only a disorganized mob
of despairing men. All this is too dreadful to believe. God
spare us from this crushing blow and save our dying
country! 15

All refuse to believe such disaster, and the home life flows
on as usual. Two dramatic performances by the natives, the
amiable Capt. Johnson saying he did not wish the refugees
even to attend. Mrs. Gary is vice-president, and I am
secretary of the society. The gentlemen come in the evening
and the ladies call in the day, but over every pleasure sweeps
the shadow of the evil news. It may be true. It may be true.
Mollie Moore, Lt, Holmes, and I rode out to the armory to
see the soldiers drill. Met Col. and Mrs. Hill, all sympathiz-
ing with Capt. Polys, who fell down while pulling the bell
rope and broke his leg in two places.

Just finished three embroidered cravats for Johnny. Fri-
day Mamma and I finished a beautiful fawn-colored barege
trimmed with black lace. It looks real stylish. My old white
dress has been dyed by Lucy. She has become quite an adept
at dyeing things.

The rain came down in torrents Thursday but in the
afternoon ceased and I rode up to school for Sister. Came
through boggy roads and rushing streams at sundown. Found
Lt. Holmes waiting to go with me to Mrs. Carson's to tea,
to stay there until 8:30, and then to drive over to Dr.
Moore's, Mollie's father's, to attend a private rehearsal. We
had a pleasant time there until twelve, then the drive home,
adieux to Lt. Holmes, and then the blessed oblivion of sleep.
Went up to return Eliza Roberts' call late in the afternoon.

15 General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9,
1865.

332 BROKENBURN

Lt. Holmes caught up with me and came home and spent
the evening. Busy sewing Tuesday until Lt. Holmes was
announced, then had to spend the balance of the day amus-
ing him. After he bowed himself away, I went over to see
Mollie Moore and chatter nonsense.

Mrs. Lily is more disagreeable than formerly, which is
saying much. She is so abrupt.

Had delicious white cake at Mrs. Lawrence's. All the
members of the troupe wanted Mamma for president of the
society, but she would not hear of it. Mrs. Swain, a perfect
incapable, was called to the chair. Capt. Buck has brought
me a book nicely commenced for my official records, and Lt.
Holmes is to see they are kept according to rule. 10 Must
send it around for members to sign.

Mamma has been much disturbed on the subject of details
for Mr. Smith, but Lt. Dupre arranged the detail as he passed
through Marshall. She hopes to have no further trouble on
that score.

Am reading Goethe's Faust and am disappointed as I do
not much enjoy it. Of course, it loses greatly in translation.

We will miss Lt. Dupre now that he is ordered away, but
there is always someone to take the absentee's place.

[" Bonnie Castle/' Tyler, Tex.] April #S: Just finished a
letter to Sarah Wadley, writing with homemade ink, the best
we have had for many a day. 17 We also have homemade
blacking, just as shiny as the old bought blacking. 18 Truly
we are learning many things. Seven letters to answer, one
from that trial, Dr. Weir, and an aggrieved one from Capt.
Wylie. I told him not to write. Dr. Weir is stationed now at
Henderson. Dr. Kunckers [?], a new acquaintance and a

16 The " official " records were those of the local drama club. Perhaps
Lt. Holmes and other intimate friends knew that Kate kept an ** un-
official " diary.

17 " Confederate ink " was made from many substitutes the bark of
magnolia, dogwood, red or white oak, the rind of pomegranate, elder-
berries, and green persimmons. Massey, Ersatz m the Confederacy,
146-47.

18 A favorite shoe blacking substitute was a mixture of soot or lamp-
black and molasses, eggwhites, and vinegar, with oils and sometimes
whiskey added. Ibid., 85.

1866: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 333

vigorous bore, walked back from the post office with Johnny
and me and spent the evening. I am thankful he is ordered
away in the morning. It is a strange and lamentable fact
that all the bald, middle-aged bachelor doctors take a fancy
to me, for I always had a distaste for doctors and specially
detest that style.

We hear that Lincoln is dead. 19 There can be no doubt,
I suppose, that he has been killed by J. W. Booth. " Sic
semper tyrannis" as his brave destroyer shouted as he sprang
on his horse. All honor to J. Wilkes Booth, who has rid the
world of a tyrant and made himself famous for generations.
Surratt has also won the love and applause of all Southerners
by his daring attack on Seward, whose life is trembling in
the balance.- How earnestly we hope our two avengers may
escape to the South where they will meet with a warm wel-
come. It is a terrible tragedy, but what is war but one long
tragedy? What torrents of blood Lincoln has caused to flow,
and how Seward has aided him in his bloody work. I cannot
be sorry for their fate. They deserve it. They have reaped
their just reward.

There is great gloom over the town. All think that Lee
and his army have surrendered. No one will take the Con-
federate money today, and as there is no gold in circulation
there is no medium of exchange. Rumors, rumors, but noth-
ing definite. Lee is certainly captured. Our strong arm of
victory, the chief hope of our Country, is a prisoner with an
army variously estimated at from 6,000 to 43,000 men cap-
tured on their retreat from Richmond. Dr. Kunckers told us
as a secret that Johnston with his entire army has sur-
rendered, but that news is suppressed through motives of
policy. Our papers say Johns ton's army has been reinforced
by the flower of Lee's army, that he has a band of tried
veterans and will make a determined stand. We know not
what to believe. All arc fearfully depressed. Lee's defeat is

10 April 15, 1865.

20 The attempt on the life of W. H. Seward made at the same time
John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln miscarried, Lewis Powell, alias Payne,
was the would-be assassin instead of John H. Surratt. Benjamin P.
Thomas, Abraham Lincoln (New York, 195$) ,

334 BROKENBURN

a crushing blow hard to recover from. Maybe after a few
days we can rally for another stand. Now, most seem to
think it useless to struggle longer, now that we are subju-
gated. I say, " Never, never, though we perish in the track
of their endeavor! " Words, idle words. What can poor weak
women do?

I cannot bear to hear them talk of defeat. It seems a re-
proach to our gallant dead. If nothing else can force us to
battle on for freedom, the thousands of grass-grown mounds
heaped on mountainside and in every valley of our country
should teach us to emulate the heroes who lie beneath and
make us clasp closer to our hearts the determination io be
free or die. " When the South is trampled from the earth
Her women can die and be free." I say with my whole soul:

Shame to the traitor-heart that springs
To the faint, soft arms of Peace,
Though the Roman eagle shook his wings
At the very gates of Greece.

Monday it was distressing to see the gloom on every face.
We had an impromptu dining that day, and all seemed in
the depths of despair, could think and talk of nothing but
defeat and disaster. Mrs. Savage's family, except Anna, Dr.
McGregor, Lt. Holmes, Mr. Boone, Kate's brother here on a
visit, and two or three other gentlemen were our guesls. The
war was discussed in all its bearings. Seldom has there been
a gloomier feast. Yesterday took dinner with Mrs. Prentice
and returned in time to receive Mollie Sandford, Lt. Holmes,
Lt. Martin, and Dr. Winn, a nice Texan and a friend of Dr.
Buckner's, whom he saw about six weeks ago. We were de-
lighted to meet him. He could tell us so much about our
friends in Mississippi. He called this morning to say good-
bye, now on his way back to his command, or at least next
week. We will send letters by him. If My Brother and Uncle
Bo are among the prisoners, it is probable they will soon
be paroled and at home. But we know not what has been
their fate. 21

21 Captain W. It. Stone, Acting Assistant Adjutant General of N. H,

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 3S5

When Johnny first heard the ill news, he was wild with
excitement and insisted on joining the army at once. We
were wretched about him, but today he has quieted down
and is willing to await further developments.

We expected to move to our new house on Monday, and
Mamma is worried about paying the rent. If the Negroes are
freed, we will have no income whatever, and what will we
do? As things have turned out, we wish we could stay here
until we know what is to be our fate.

["Bonnie Castle," Tyler, Tex.] April 30: We went out
last night to serenade Capt. Polys. The poor fellow will be
in bed, although the lovely spring days are so fair that they
make one love life in spite of trouble. The girls, Mollie
Moore and three of the Irvines, came over to give us a sere-
nade, and as it was too early to be in bed they came up to
the gallery for a chat and to hear Lt. Dupre tell the news.
We all joined and walked up through the fresh, perfumed
spring evening and bright moonlight to comfort Capt. Polys
with songs and sympathy. He and his wife are most appreci-
ative of any attention.

Lt. Dupre came back yesterday but without his wife who
is still in the Federal lines after preparing for months to get
out. She was on the boat with her baggage and children
when she was ordered back home because the names of the
little girls were not in the passport. It is a sore disappoint-
ment to the Lieutenant. lie has been separated from them
so long. But with the elastic Creole temperament, he is as
gay as ever. He says he was homesick at Shreveport and was
glad to see Tyler again. He brings more encouraging news.
Gen. Johnston is at Augusta, Ga., at the head of 125,000 of
the best troops in the world, the veterans of the Confederacy,
and will make a gallant fight. 22 The Arkansas, Louisiana,
and Missouri troops are passing resolutions declaring they

Harris' brigade, was paroled April D, 1865, along with other men of
General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and was permitted to retain
his side arms and his horse. " Paroles of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia," Southern Historical Society Papers, XV (January-December,
1887) > 326.
22 General Johnston had surrendered April 86, 1865.

336 BROKENBURN

will never give up this side of the river and are ready to
enlist for ninety-nine years. 23 And Lee surrendered only
6,000 fighting men. I hope My Brother was one of the band.
Capt. Birchett sends us word Col. Tom Manlove was killed
in the fight at Hatcher's Inn, but we think that is a mistake.
We have heard of them all since then.

Mrs. Wells and Lt. Holmes spent the day, but he has been
here every day for a week. Mollie Moore, the Irvine girls,
and I are much interested in the subject of cravats. They
wish to make half a dozen for their different " heart's de-
lights/' and they come over and get Mamma and me to do
the embroidery for them. I have just finished a very chaste
and elegant affair for Lt. Holmes, payment of a gambling
debt, and I am making one for Mollie Sandford to give to
her best soldier, a small red-headed warrior. Lt. Holmes
showed me this evening a letter from his mother in Mary-
land. It came out on a flag-of-truce boat, his first letter from
her in three years. He also showed me a letter from " the
little widow." I am sorry Lt. Holmes is such a dissipated
man. He is gay and pleasant and a gentleman. Why will
he drink? He says he intends giving it up forever.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] May 7: We have been estab-
lished in our pleasant new home for a week and find it
delightful. We have all in order now and can enjoy it. The
servants are efficient movers by now, and we had little
trouble. A showery Sunday, and so we could not keep our
engagement to go to church to hear the new minister. We
lounged and gossiped all the morning. We are still puzzled
over the distant behavior of Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Carson.
Mrs. Savage seems in a dreadful bad humor and scolds some

28 The most dramatic resistance to surrender in the Trans-Mississippi
Department was that of General Jo Shelby, commander of the Missouri
Cavalry division. From Pittsburg, Tex., the division started to Shreve-
port, the headquarters, where Shelby hoped to have General Smith
deposed and replaced with a general who would never surrender. Upon
learning of the mass surrender at Shreveport, Shelby stopped his troops
at Corsicanna, Tex., and put into effect a plan he had long had for such
an emergency escape to Mexico with an organisation made up of all
officers and men who refused to surrender. Daniel O'FIaherty, General
Jo Shelby, Undefeated Rebel (Chapel Hill, 1954)

1865: (f THE DARKEST HOUR " 337

of us whenever we meet. The last time she dined with us,
she gave Johnny such a-leeture I think it will be long before
he dares visit her house again, but she is thawing and slowly
forgiving us for our sins, whatever they may be. But Mrs.
Carson still wears the stately front of offended dignity. We
see only Katie now. Eddie is also offended with Johnny.
How lightly the close friendship of several years has been
broken up, and I know Mrs. Savage has done it. Mrs.
Carson is looking for a large box of clothes from the river.
Our silver will be in the box, and Mrs. Carson is not at all
pleased at the idea. But how more than foolish to write of
these trivial quarrels when affairs of such moment should
be engaging all our thoughts.

Johnny went to the prairie on Friday. He did not like the
idea of the trip, but Mamma thought it best for him to go.
He should be learning to help about the business, and then
it will get him away from this region of excitement. He will
not be kept wrought up by constant stirring reports, and
perhaps when he returns he will be willing to settle for awhile
to quiet study. Jessy came down from the place. Hoccles
is dead. Everything else is progressing satisfactorily.

There is Capt. Buck's rap, his regular Sunday afternoon
visit. Mamma and he are quite friends. He tells her all his
family troubles. Mrs, Hill is his daughter.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] May 9: Mamma is off with
Capt. Buck to visit Mrs. Tooke. Several letters, one from
Jimmy to Johnny describing his last visit to the river. One
from Jimmy Carson and one from Missie Morris. The girls
are having a lovely time in Homer with so many soldiers
camped near. Most of them are Missourians. The tallest,
handsomest men in the army come from Missouri. A regi-
ment from that state is a splendid-looking body of men. But
I do not believe those girls arc having any nicer time than
we are enjoying here in quiet little Tyler, Missie says there
were no engagements and no marriages from the winter's
campaign.

How comfortably our move was accomplished. Mamma
gave general orders to the Corps d'Afrique to move all our

338 BROKENBURN

" duds " to the new house. We have only the bare necessaries
except servants. They are plentiful. Then Mamma seated
herself to the perusal of Burns, Kate went to sewing, I went
off calling, returned to dinner, and then went out again.
Late in the afternoon Johnny and I went over to our new
home to receive Mr. Moore, who had an engagement to call
to say good-bye as his furlough is out. Found everything in
quite good order and not looking nearly as bare as we im-
agined it would. Said good-bye to Mr. Moore an hour, and
then read until time for a walk, when Johnny went off to
escort his bright particular star, Miss Lizzie Irvine. I went
up to meet Mamma and welcome her to her new home,
which we have named " The Rest " and which we intend
to enjoy to the fullest until stern Fate again casts us out on
the world. Lt. Holmes came to tea, though we had explained
to him we would not be ready for visitors before Tuesday.
He said he forgot our warning. He has a settled habit of
coming every day. I suppose he could not break himself of it.
Lt. Holmes and I went over to Mrs. Savage's to tea the
other day taking Sister with us. Found everybody there
utterly whipped, " routed horse, foot, and dragoons." Spent
rather an uncomfortable evening. Mrs. Savage and Mrs.
Carson amuse themselves spreading the news of my engage-
ment to Lt. Holmes. But I cannot really blame them. When
two people are as much together, such reports will arise, and
it does no good to tell them, as we do, that there is no en-
gagement. Have not an idea of marrying him or anyone else.
We are friends, nothing more. Such reports die out after a
time and meanwhile we see much pleasure and amusement
together. Mrs. Savage, from being the hottest Rebel, is now
" resigned, submissive, weak/' and Mrs. Lily is an open and
aggressive loyalist and most disagreeable. We were glad to
get back and find Mamma and Lt. Dupre having a pleasant
chat. Mrs. Tooke called in the morning accompanied by a
new young man called Hardin, a rollicking fellow from Ar-
kansas, an incessant talker. Mrs. Tooke invited us to go the
following afternoon and call on a young lady visiting her,
but on the evening in question first came Mollie Moore,

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 339

Lizzie Irvine, and Mrs. Carson, and as they left Col. and
Mrs. Bradforte and their train came to take tea, and then
Dr. and Mrs. Walker. They had heard all kinds of dis-
couraging reports, and they talked till we were all nearly
desperate. In the morning we were wretched. Affairs seemed
hopeless when Mrs, Savage and Mrs. Lily arrived harrowing
us to the last pitch of endurance by their " I told you so "
manner and their " I knew it all the time/' Their covert
abuse of our leaders and excuses for the Yankees were most
exasperating. Mrs. Lily is a trial to me. I hope we will not
see any of them again until things are settled and we know
what to believe.

They left a few minutes before sunset. I hurried off in
the carriage to keep the appointment with the girls. The sun
was down when we left town, and when we drove up to Mrs.
Tooke's door we saw them sitting at supper in the hall. They
have only two rooms. But we made the best of it. Went in
and chatted for a few minutes, refusing supper, I know to
Mrs. Tooke's relief. Then home through the soft moonlight,
we girls not at all afraid, though it was after eight when we
reached home. We found Lt. Dupre and Lt. Holmes spend-
ing the evening and made an apology for our late arrival.
We went to see Mrs. Gary, who looks very comfortable, and
stopped to see Capt. Polys, who is improving.

Lucy is sick but Adeline fills her place acceptably. We
have have an excellent garden, though our neighbors said
Warren was not doing a thing right in it.-' 1 We can send
salad to the hospital every day and soon other vegetables.

We find ourselves so comfortable that we are frightened.
We fear it cannot last a pretty six-room house, nicely im-
proved grounds and surroundings with the flowers in full
bloom. We are thankful to be at rest once more. I am
busy embroidering a black velvet tobacco bag with scarlet
fuchsias for Lt. Holmes.

["The ResU" Tyler, Tex.] May 15: Conquered, Sub-
mission, Subjugation are words that burn into my heart, and

114 Quite likely Warren was planting his vegetables on beds, as was the
custom in the wet oil of northeast Louisiana, instead of down in a row,

340 BROKENBURN

yet I feel that we are doomed to know them in all their
bitterness. The war is rushing rapidly to a disasterous close. 25
Another month and our Confederacy will be a Nation no
longer, but we will be slaves, yes slaves, of the Yankee
Government.

The degradation seems more than we can bear. How can
we bend our necks to the tyrants' yoke? Our glorious strug-
gle of the last four years, our hardships, our sacrifices, and
worst of all, the torrents of noble blood that have been shed
for our loved Country all, all in vain. The best and bravest
of the South sacrificed and for nothing. Yes, worse than
nothing. Only to rivet more firmly the chains that bind us.
The bitterness of death is in the thought. We could bear the
loss of my brave little brothers when we thought that they
had fallen at the post of duty defending their Country, but
now to know that those glad, bright spirits suffered and
toiled in vain, that the end is overwhelming defeat, the
thought is unendurable. And we may never be allowed to
raise a monument where their graves sadden the hillside.
There is a gloom over all like the shadow of Death. We have
given up hope for our beloved Country and all are humili-
ated, crushed to the earth. A past of grief and hardship, a
present of darkness and despair, and a future without hope.
Truly our punishment is greater than we can bear.

Since Johnston's surrender the people in this department
are hopeless. If we make a stand, it would only delay the
inevitable with the loss of many valuable lives. The leaders
say the country is too much disheartened to withstand the
power of a victorious Yankee army flushed with victory.
Still, many hope there will be a rally and one more desperate

25 The situation throughout the Trans-Mississippi Department was
chaotic: General John Pope, commander of the Federal Military Division
of Missouri, wrote General Kirby Smith at Shreveport requesting him
to surrender, but Smith delayed. On April SI an order was road to
soldiers on dress parade in Shreveport telling them of Lee's surrender
but asking them to retain hope. They were told that they were the
hope of the Confederacy and that their supplies were inexhaustible. At
a mass meeting the same day, speakers urged resistance to surrender as
did officers in command of troops. Similar meetings occurred elsewhere
hi the department Blessington, Walker's Texas Diuiyfon, 306-307;
Thomas, Arkansas in War and Reconstruction, 305-14.

1865: e( THE DARKEST HOUR " 341

struggle for freedom. If we cannot gain independence, we
might compel better terms.

By the twenty-fourth we will know our fate Submission
to the Union (how we hate the word!) , Confiscation, and
Negro equality or a bloody unequal struggle to last we
know not how long. God help us, for vain is the help of man.

We hope President Davis is really making his way to this
department, as we hear. 26 His presence would give new life
to the people. Poor Booth, to think that he fell at last. 27
Many a true heart at the South weeps for his death. Caesar
had his Brutus, Murat his Charlotte Corday, and Lincoln
his Booth. Lincoln's fate overtook him in the flush of his
triumph on the pinnacle of his fame, or rather infamy. We
are glad he is not alive to rejoice in our humiliation and
insult us by his jokes. The circumstance of his death forms
a most complete tragedy. Many think Andy Johnson worse
than Lincoln, but that is simply impossible. Added to our
grief at the public calamity is our great anxiety about My
Brother. He has had time to get here, if he was paroled, and
we have not had a word from him. In the four-day fight
before we gave up Petersburg, our army lost fifteen thousand
men, and we tremble to think he may be among them. We
hear that Tom Manlove is certainly dead, captured and died
of his wounds.

Mamma is sewing with a heavy heart on a jacket for Lt.
Holmes. Last week we made a heavy white suit for Lt.
Dupre. It was an undertaking. A letter from Mrs. Amis to
Mamma. She writes most despondently. Sunday Lt. Dupre,
Lt. Holmes, Capt. Buck, Col. and Mrs. Bradforte, and Capt.
Birchett all came up to discuss the gloomy outlook. We all
meet now just to condole with each other. A more doleful
crowd I never saw. Capt. Birchett says he is going to South
America rather than live under Yankee rule. His father was
president of an indignation meeting held in Vicksburg to
pass resolutions of sympathy and regret on the death of
Lincoln. Capt. Birchett is too disgusted for expression.

26 President Davis was captured May 10, 1865, near Irwinsville, Ga.

27 Booth fled from Washington after shooting President Lincoln but
was killed in Virginia, April 26, 1865.

342 BROKENBURN

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] May 17: Just a succession of
callers and calls. Everybody too restless and wretched to
stay at home. Must talk it over with somebody. Such a
constant succession of people is very tiring. Went about ten
miles over the roughest roads to a fish fry at a tiny creek
where I doubt there ever was a fish. A gay day, but quite
exhausted at late bedtime when the last gentlemen left.
Mamma was wise not to go.

We have finished Lt. Holmes' grey suit, and it was a job.
I hope no other soldier of our acquaintance is in need of
clothes. Such sewing palls on one. Mamma is most energetic
about it.

Mollie Moore and Lt. Holmes were with us until nine to-
night, and then Dr. McGregor, Maj. Squires, Lt. Dupre, and
Capt. Giday came and stayed until eleven. These two new
men belong to a Louisiana battery of artillery and camped
here only one night on their way to the Brazos for forage.
Both are Creoles and entertaining. Lt. Holmes, Sister, and
I had a pleasant visit to Mrs. Levy.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] May 20: Still on the rack of
uncertainty as regards our future. Flying rumors of the most
exciting character keep us in a fever of apprehension. We do
not know whether armed resistance is over or whether we
are to fight on to the bitter end. If the news of the way in
which the people of the Trans-Mississippi Department are
ground to the earth is true, it would be better for us to resist
as long as there is a man left to load a gun. Gloom and
despondency cloud every face. Mrs. Savage's are the only
people that rejoice and are glad that " this cruel war is over/*
Better years of battle than a peace like this is the cry of all
we see. Our latest news is that people in this department
have an armistice of thirty days to resign themselves to the
inevitable. I suppose it is a breathing space to collect
our scattered energies and brace ourselves for the stern trials
of the future. 28

2S On May 4 General Taylor surrendered at Mobile, and on May 8
Colonel J. T. Sprague, emissary of General Pope, arrived m Shreveport
to receive General Smith's answer to the proposed surrender. Smith

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 343

And Nature smiles down on all this wretchedness. The
loveliest of May mornings and the air is sweet with the per-
fume of the star jasmine. Our summer house in the yard is
covered with it, and it is now white with blooms. The finest
variety we ever saw. This soil suits it better than ours. That
arbour is a favorite retreat, and we spend many gay, dolor-
ous, and charming hours in its shade.

Sister is off to school, Sunday school, and we are all ready
for church. It behooves us to ask aid from Our Maker when
all else is failing us.

Capt. Birchett bade us a long, long adieu Wednesday
morning, perhaps his last. He promised Mamma to use every
effort at Shreveport to get news of My Brother and Uncle
Bo. Mollie Moore spent yesterday with us. All busy sewing
on two suits of soldier clothes. We were all unanimous on
the subject of sending Mrs. Wells a pair of pants to make,
and our description of the destitute state of the poor Confed
was so moving that she sent them back the same evening
beautifully made. We took a well-earned siesta and were
roused by Capt. Buck, Mr. Donnely, and several other
visitors. Walked over after sundown to tell Mrs. Bradforte
good-bye. She is a splendid woman, elegant and stylish, and
so entertaining. Her husband, Col. Bradforte, is an old West
Pointer. We will miss them greatly. She can entertain in a
tent better than most people in a drawing room. From
Virginia.

Friday I was busy embroidering cravats for Mollie Moore
and Neta Irvine. Drove over in the afternoon to consult
them, and on my return Mamma, Mrs. Bradforte, and Mrs.
Lawrence took the carriage and went over to call on the
latter, I was left to entertain Dr. McGregor and later Mrs.

refused, at first. He called a conference of the governors of Louisiana,
Texas, and Arkansas at Marshall, Tex,, to consider terms. The governors
decided in favor of surrender. At the same time in Marshall, Generals
Jo Shelby, S. B. Buckner, William B. Preston, and John G. Walker
met and elected General Buckner to succeed General Eorby Smith.
Soon thereafter General Buckner left for New Orleans, where he signed
surrender terms which were approved by General Kirby Smith on June
&, 1865. Thomas, Arkansas in War and Reconstruction, 808-15;
OTlaherty, General Jo SMby,

344 BROKENBURN

Ligruski. Later Lt. Holmes came and stayed until eleven
thirty. He gave me his full views on matrimony. They do
not entirely agree with mine.

All the days are filled with people coming and going. The
same set happens in nearly every day. A crowd of us was
in the jasmine arbour yesterday evening when Mamma came
back from calling regaling ourselves on Confederate cakes
and fine water. Lt. Holmes and I took the carriage and called
on Mrs. Prentice. She was not at home, but the drive up
hill and down dale was delightful. Lt. Dupre hailed us com-
ing back, and we took him up and all stayed till bedtime.
Nobody wants to be alone. All must see their fellow sufferers
and compare notes. Mrs. Carson sends us word every day
or so to expect her and her brother, Capt. Waller, and we
did for a time. Now we know hers are but idle words. Capt.
Birchett is back again and roused us at three the other after-
noon to amuse him. Played chess until Mollie Moore came
and then Lt. Holmes and we adjourned to the yard and had
a merry battle with roses. The great bushes are masses of
pink and white and the jasmine perfumes the air of the
house and yard. It will always be connected in my mind
with pleasant episodes of this grievous spring. \Ve went
through a pelting shower to spend an hour with Mrs. Levy.
Then made a few minute's call on Mrs. Savage and were
shocked and repelled by their rejoicing and delight at the
close of the war.

["The Rest/' Tyler, Tex.] May 21: We are expecting
Johnny back from the prairie and we look for My Brother,
Uncle Bo, and Jimmy every hour- No news from them yet.
Uncle John's little children are great pets with us. Kate
keeps them so nice, though it has been a job to keep white
dresses for them. Material is so difficult to get. Kate is
sweet about letting us do as we please with the little children.
Sally idolizes Johnny and will spend hours playing quietly
in his room while he studies. She tags around after him all
the time, and he is very fond of her. She is a pretty thing and
Elise will be too when a little older. Uncle John worked in
the Commissary office for a long time. As he has seemed to

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 345

have consumption for years, he could not join the army. He
is our only male relative not in the ranks. He will get a
school. He should be a good teacher.

Coming in yesterday evening from the gallery after Lt.
Holmes left, Mamma told me that she wished I would send
Lt. Holmes off, that she much preferred my marrying Joe to
Lt. Holmes, though neither was a suitable match, as Joe is
too young and Lt. Holmes too dissipated. I was surprised.
I did not know she was taking it seriously, and I could
honestly assure her I had not an idea of marrying either of
them. 29 I could have told her the same of Dr. McGregor,
Lt. Valentine, and the conceited Capt. Birchett, should he
ever make up his mind to propose. She seemed much re-
lieved. I thought she understood the point of view of most
of the girls. One must not distress a soldier by saying No
when he is on furlough. They have enough to bear. They
may be going back to sudden death. Then they will most
probably forget you for a sweetheart at the next camp, or
their love will grow cool by the time you meet again. So it
is just a piece of amusement on both sides. If Mrs. Carson
and Mrs. Savage only knew that I am as determined not to
marry Joe as they are determined to prevent it, how much
trouble and maneuvering it would save them. But I cannot
well explain it to them. Joe can when he gets home, and their
minds will be at rest.

Lt. Holmes has stopped drinking for some weeks now,
since I asked him to do so one day during rehearsals when
I saw ho was going too far. He was very nice about it. His
face flushed and he thanked me but did not get angry as I
feared.

["The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] May 27: Anarchy and con-
fusion reign over all. Jayhawking is the order of the day.
The soldiers are disbanding throughout the Department and
seizing Government property wherever they can find it. The

29 Mrs. Stone was perhaps testing Kate to discern her feelings for
Lt. Holmes. After all, Kate was twenty-four years old and getting
dangerously near to being an old maid especially when compared to the
dauntless Amanda, who had married at sixteen after rejecting ten
proposals!

346 BROKENBURN

Government offices here have been sacked. All work is over
and all who can are going home. At Shreveport the demorali-
zation is worse even than here. The officers are scattering to
the four winds, and Jayhawkers and private soldiers are
stopping and robbing them whenever found. Col. Bradforte
was the first here to desert his post. We hear that the mules
were taken from his ambulance and wagon. Maj. Rhett,
Gen. Hayes, and indeed everyone we hear of has suffered the
same fate while fleeing to the interior of the state or to
Mexico. Gen. Kirby Smith has also been robbed. We do
not know but suppose this Department has surrendered as
the soldiers have disbanded and are making their way home.
We are still in ignorance of what disposal is to be made of
us by our conquerors. The excitement in the town is so great
we can think and live only in the present. Everything is in
a turmoil. " To the victor belongs the spoils," but he will not
get his dues in this Department. We are all glad to see the
soldiers divide what Government property they can find,
if they will only stop there and not let the desperadoes rob
the citizens as they may do. Some of the people deserve
robbing, for they joined with the soldiers in sacking the
Departments.

Jimmy came home Thursday no longer a soldier but a
poor discouraged boy. All his regiment went home but
twenty and the colonel disbanded them. Jimmy and the
three Carson boys were of the twenty who stood to their
guns. Will Carson came back with him. Jimmy and Joe
Carson went out to the river to see the prospect there. We
are so glad to have Jimmy safe at home, but oh, what a
different homecoming from what we anticipated when he
enlisted. No feasting. No rejoicing. Only sadness and tears.
Johnny starts for Brokenburn tomorrow to get Uncle Bob
to plant some corn if possible so that there will be something
when we move back in the fall. Of course we cannot go now
and leave the crop on the prairie. It is our only hope for a
cent of money. Johnny will also go on to Vicksburg and try
to get news of My Brother and Uncle Bo. The long suspense
is very trying and Mamma longs so for My Brother io get

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 347

back to help her. She feels so at sea in these new conditions
of life. It seems strange that we can journey now where we
please, " The world before us where to choose/' if only we
had the money. Jimmy goes to the prairie in a few days to
see what money can be raised there. I took him yesterday to
see half of the girls in town. Determined to lose no time, he
and Johnny are escorting two of them to church this morn-
ing. Jimmy got back nearly out of clothes of course, and
Johnny, after his last trip, is nearly as badly off, having
swapped off about every respectable article he had. We had
to go to work at once. Fortunately Mamma has secured
some blue linen from the department stores and had plenty
of homespun. Shirts are the most difficult to get.

Mamma keeps us in terror threatening to move to the
farm until fall. It is about like being in jail with the privilege
of looking through the window, but she can decide nothing
until she sees or hears from My Brother.

Lt. Holmes' mess is broken up and he is staying with us
until he and Lt. Dupre can get off together. Traveling is so
unsafe just now for officers. But Lt. Dupre is so anxious to
get back to his wife, they will leave in a day or so. Their
part of the spoils in lieu of pay is an ambulance and pair of
mules with which they will journey lo Monroe together. The
officials have burned all their papers. Ben Clarkson stopped
for two days on his way home. He is the nicest sort of young
fellow. The usual company, Dr. Meagher has returned and
his wife is happy.

There is Capt. Birchett for about his last Sunday after-
noon visit.

["The Rest/ 3 Tyler, Tex.] May 81: How quiet and de-
serted the house is since they all left. Johnny and Jimmy
started Monday for Louisiana to be absent five or six weeks.
Yesterday Lt. Dupre and Lt. Holmes plain "Mr." after
this said good-bye to us. How much we miss them. I
wonder will it be the same when we meet Lt, Holmes again
after the five months of separation? He wishes to correspond
but it is better not. The only tokens exchanged were geran-
ium leaves* Which will be treasured longest? He has been

348 BROKEN BU MM

perfectly sober for two months and has made many good
resolutions which we trust he will keep, even though we
never meet again. We have seen him every day but three
for three months, and we miss him dreadfully now he has
gone forever. 80

We finished the last sewing the morning they left with
the two lieutenants, Dr. McGregor, and Capt. Williams in
the house and all talking at once. Lt. Holmes and I went
around to bid Sally Grissman and several of the girls good-
bye. I know they all could have dispensed with my calls on
the occasion, but I went just the same. We have no one
" on guard " now for the first time in a year. I would " set
my traps " for Capt. Waller, Mrs. Carson's nephew, but he
is too much like his aunt and looks like he had been raised
on blanc mange. A most amusing note from Mollie Moore in
answer to my letter of condolence on our mutual loss. Her
best soldier has also torn himself away.

Our friends in the Ordinance Department gave us so many
little things during the grand crash that we feel quite rich
and are delighted with our extra furnishings. All the ordi-
nance stores were distributed or rather left open to all, and
we have a quantity of ammunition. It remains to be seen
whether the Yankees will allow us to keep it. It is reported
that President Davis has not been captured and that the
Federal authorities are most monstrously kind to the soldiers.

Am tired out cutting straw to plait. It is wondrous strange
to see how little money people get on with these days.
Johnny and Jimmy started on their trip of 300 miles with
just $2 in specie, and we feel quite rich when Jimmy manages
to make $1.50 in gold in a day. Rather a change from $60
a day he was bringing in when the collapse came. One thing
they supplied us with is plenty of writing paper, our first
liberal allowance for two years. The boys of the town keep
up a constant firing with the first powder they have had for
three years, and it sounds like a brisk skirmish all around
the town.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] June U: My Brother is with
30 Kate's feelings for Lt. Holmes are obvious despite the editorial " we/'

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 349

us at last, safe and well, and words are powerless to tell how
thankful we are. He came last Thursday evening with Jimmy
and Johnny, whom he met at Homer and turned back, as he
had come by home and accomplished all that they could do.

He came by way of Cincinnati and was one month reach-
ing Vicksburg from Lynchburg. He brings the sad news of
Aunt Laura's death in February. She died of grief at Bever-
ly's loss. She never left her bed after the little darling's
death. She just lost her interest in life and faded away. The
doctors attending said she had no disease, only heartbreak
and no desire to live, and they could not rouse her nor give
her a hold on life. Hers was a sensitive, fine, high-strung soul
that could not brave disaster. Dr. Buckner is in Vicksburg
utterly desolate. How kind he was to My Brother, giving
him a horse, clothes, and all that he needed. Dr. Buckner is
well-fixed financially as his clerk, Mr, Peters, kept his drug-
store going on and made a lot of money. The first time Dr.
Buckner came home on furlough, some friends told him Mr.
Peters was robbing him right and loft. Dr. Buckner went
right on to his store, caught Mr. Peters by the collar, gave
him a good shaking and cursing, and told him, u If, when I
come back again, I find that you have cheated me, I shall
kill you/' Ever since, they say, Mr. Peters has been scrupu-
lously honest, straight as a siring, and has turned over a lot
of money to Dr. Buekner. Mr. Peters is a Vermonter, six
feet one, and Dr. Buekner is five feet live hut a fighter all
over.

Aunt Laura died while at Bladen Springs, Ala., with Aunt
Sarah, and Dr. Buckner was with her at the last. My
Brother's parole gave permission for him and his servant
with two horses and his sidearms to return home free of
charge, hut he arrived at Vicksburg without a thing. Wesley
was forced away at the point of the bayonet when he insisted
on following Mnrse William on the boat. Then My Brother
was attacked by a mob and broke his sword over his knee
and threw it in the Ohio River rather than give it up to the
haughty Federal soldiers. They would not furnish transport-
lation unless he would take the oath of allegiance, and so

350 BROKENBURN

he sold his horses to get money to get to Vicksburg, where
he fortunately met Dr. Buckner.

Mamma is up on the prairie and does not yet know of My
Brother's return. Johnny 'has gone for her, and we expect
her on Thursday. What an immense relief it will be to her.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] June 6: The house is very
quiet now that the boys are all away again. The two weeks
they were here, they kept us in a constant turmoil. Joe was
here only a week. He succeded in getting his mother off,
and in her train Mrs. Savage's and Mrs. Prentice's families,
just a week after he came. All have gone home. Willy and
Jimmy Carson remained to help bring out the Negroes later.
We saw them constantly and, as all four of the boys are wild
about girls, they kept me busy introducing them around,
looking over their notes, and making bouquets for them to
present to anybody, just so it was a girl. Mamma did not
get home from the prairie until Saturday night, and she was
almost ill from distress and fatigue. But My Brother's pres-
ence was her best restorative. He went some distance on the
road to meet her.

My Brother left last Wednesday for Louisiana. He was
going by way of Spring Bank and only gave himself time
scant time to reach Brokenburn by the Fourth of July,
when all abandoned places will be confiscated to the Govern-
ment if the owners or agents are not on them. We hated so
to see him go, but the business was imperative. He will
probably not return before September. We gave him quite a
list of articles to bring out, if he returns in the ambulance.
Now that civilization commences again, we need so many
things we have done without and hardly missed in the ex-
citement of living.

My Brother is looking well, much more cheerful and
happier than when he came. The last four years has changed
him little in looks. He told me all about his love for Kate.
They were engaged for several years and were devoted to
each other yet let a trifle part them, a caprice they both
bitterly repented but too late. But I suppose it was best for
him, as he does not mourn for her dead in her young beauty,

1865: e< THE DARKEST HOUR " 351

wife of another, as he would had she been his bride. But oh,
my dear little friend, Kate, the suffering was hers. She
suffered, suffered, and I know was glad to answer the call
for rest. He says he cannot understand the fascination
Eugenia exerted over him when in her presence, that he
never loved her, and that he rejoiced when he heard of her
marriage. But when with her, he could not resist her wiles.
He thinks Mrs. Rossman and Willy Gibson are engaged and
is satisfied Willy Gibson has the same feeling for Mrs. Ross-
man that he had for Eugenia when in her toils. It is one
chapter well closed.

Jimmy and Johnny started Thursday for Lamar County
on a grand beef -driving and sugar expedition. They will be
absent some time. Willy and Jimmy Carson are living now
out on the place and are only in occasionally.

The Yankee company are in town but keep so quiet we
forget their presence. We have not seen them though they
came a week ago. There was no demonstration of any kind,
and the Negroes for the present arc going on just as usuaL
No proclamation issued. Would not know there was an
enemy in the Department. We all went to church today
expecting to be outraged by a sight of the whole Yankee
detachment but not a blue coat was in sight. There arc
only twenty men here, but the regiment, is looked for this
afternoon. Then I .suppose we shall feel the heavy hand.
Capt. St. Clair has completed his disgrace by being the only
man in town who will entertain a Yankee and the first to
take office under the new rulers. The general feeling of con-
tempt for him is too deep for words.

We were overwhelmingly busy for some time making
clothes for the boys. Now we have little to do, and I am at
my old trade, plaiting straw for Mamma to make into hats.
Mr* Pierson, a new acquaintance, calls quite frequently. He
is from New Orleans and is winding up some business here.
And we were gelling to like Capt. Waller quite well when
he left with Mrs. Carson. Our friends among the towns-
people are very sociable. Nearly all our refugee friends have
gone.

352 BROKENBURN

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] July 2: We all joined forces
and quilted a silk comfort yesterday, and my fingers are sore
from it today. Quilting is my pet aversion, though Mamma
says I am a most rapid hand. I hurry up to get through a
disagreeable job.

Capt. Smith is making himself very pleasant and we see
him frequently. There are compensations in our lot as one
goes, another comes. We have known him from our first
residence, but he has not been a regular attache until re-
cently. The Irvine girls brought their brother, Lt. Irvine, a
handsome gentlemanly fellow but inclined to corpulency
much to his distaste, to call. Capt. Smith is shorn of half of
his hirsute glories, and, while he looks more civilized, it is not
an improvement.

Dr. McGregor is still here and comes up to weary us with
long, prosey visits. The last time, however, he was quite
agreeable but left a bad farewell by praising the Yankee
major. Capt. Boren honors us frequently three times this
week. He is one of our most agreeable guests. He leaves
tomorrow for Shreveport. Report says he is soon to be mar-
ried to Miss Mclntyre of Minden [La.]. Tommie Moore,
Mollie's brother, is home from the army and comes over
several times a week. He is a clever boy but not brilliant
like his sister, who is one of the brightest women I ever knew,
Lionel Levy, Mrs. Levy's son, who has just got back from
the seat of war, came up and introduced himself the other
day. He is a very intelligent boy. He talks very much like
his mother and nearly as well, a real city-bred boy. Mollie
Moore loaned us two new books which I read aloud and
found trash Three Times Dead 31 and After Dark*' 2

My Brother should be at Brokenburn today and Uncle Bo
I suppose in Vicksburg. We heard from the boys. They will
not get back for two weeks.

Andy Johnson, the detested, is reported killed by Sherman.
Since his amnesty proclamation, what a mockery on a name,
he deserves killing.

81 A novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, published in 1864.
82 A novel by William Wilkie Collins, published in 1856.

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 353

[" The Rest/' Tyler, Tex.] July 18: Mamma started this
morning on another visit to the farm on the prairie. She may
not return but may send for us to join her there. A letter
from Jimmy said Mr. Smith wished to leave her employ as
soon as he returns from Shreveport, and of course she must
go up to straighten out the accounts with him. It is a dis-
agreeable trip for business, and she dreaded it so. We hated
to have her go, but it is unavoidable. We shall miss her so.
I have plenty of work on hand to keep me busy.

About all the gentlemen we know have gone. Mr. Pierson,
the last, left yesterday for New Orleans. Well, Dr. McGregor
is still here. Mrs. Tooke, Mrs. Levy, Mrs. Newton, and Mrs.
Roane are refugees who still linger and we see them fre-
quently. We have been riding frequently on horseback and
in the carriage. Jimmy's horse, sent home on wounded fur-
lough, is well at last, and I must try him now that the
carriage and the loaned horses and owners are gone.

More katydids are vociferating their news than I ever
heard.

[" The Rest, Tyler, Tex.] July 18:

flow tranquilly ike days
Of Thalaba go by

Only the quiet routine of home duties. Nothing from the
outside world. Oh, for letters from sonic who have bidden
us adieu to know what is going on and how they arc faring
in their new life.

Mrs. St. Clair and Neta Irvine came in and I tried to be
unusually polite and noncommital to Mrs. St- Olair. She is
such a dangerous woman that, I am afraid of her. She will
start any report, and now she is most intimate with the
Yankees and more to be feurod than ever. Old (Jen. Smith
and Mr, Moore dined with us. Mr, Moore is the most bel-
ligerent minister I ever saw and the hottest Southerner. He
cannot reconcile himself to defeat. There are two Yankee
cotton-buyers in town. They are very conciliating in man-
ner, we hear, and dumb as to the war.

Mollie Moore and I took a lovely ride this afternoon en-

354 BROKENBURN

tirely alone but with pistols gleaming at our side. I fancy
the good people of Tyler, the conservative, will be horrified
if they saw them, but we will hope for the best and trust
they did not spy our weapons. We took them more for a
frolic than anything else, but the roads are said not to be
entirely safe with so many hard cases roving around. Mollie
and I were longing for a ride and good long gossip together,
and all our cavaliers have left us. Mollie told me all about
" Adonis " and confesses to a partial engagement, but she
evidently does not expect to keep it. We decided that the
girls would all have to change their war customs, stop flirting,
and only engage themselves when they really meant some-
thing. The days of lightly-won and lightly-held hearts should

be over.

Mr. Moore's accounts of the frolics of Willy and Jimmy
Carson on their bachelor ranch worry me considerably. I am
afraid they will get into serious trouble carrying on so with
those country girls and will carry their flirtations too far,
and they are but boys turned loose with no one out there
to restrain them. Hope they will soon come in and I will
talk to them. Might do some good. A man-flirt is detestable,
and I do not want those boys to degenerate into that.

We are living now on the fat of the land, plenty of milk,
cream, butter, and gumbo, vegetables of all kinds, melons,
and chickens. I am only sorry Mamma and the boys cannot
be with us to enjoy it. The outer world is still a sealed book
to us. Few mails.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] July SO: Just finished a note
to Willy Carson. I fear those boys are running riot, but a
little experience will teach them much. Lionel Levy is a
wonderfully good talker for a boy but too worldly wise for
a boy of his age. I went with him to see Sally Grissman.
They, like we, are waiting until the crops are gathered*

Have been busy with my English and straw braiding.
Uncle Johnny seems much harassed every evening from the
confinement of teaching. He and Kate go early to their room
and Sister and I are left alone. She is so much company for
me. I generally rock Sally to sleep and sing all the songs I

1866: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 355

can think of. The war songs sicken me; the sound is like
touching a new wound. I cannot bear to think of it all
forget when I can. " All is Quiet Along the Potomac To-
night/' 33 the quietness of death. It is best not to waken
bitter memories by familiar heartfelt songs.

[" The Rest/' Tyler, Tex.] Aug. 14: Mamma is out in the
backyard directing the making of a barrel of wine from the
native grapes which have ripened in the greatest profusion,
hanging in great purple clusters over the blackjack oaks.
They are brought into town by the wagonload. Both the
boys and Sister are at the writing school where they stay
all day, and I, being too lazy to sew and tired of Elia's
quaint essays/ 1 must scribble for amusement.

Mollie Moore sent us over a number of newspapers with
full accounts of i he imprisonment of our beloved President
Jefferson Davis. He pines in his captivity like a caged eagle. 3 "
Heard directly from My Brother through Hutch Bowman,
who stayed with us several days on his way to Kaufman
County. \Vo may expect him about the last of the month.
Mrs. Carson has been very ill. There is a great rush for the
river lands. All arc anxious to secure a place above overflow.

I was out in the country in company with, Mrs. Tooke on
a visit to a friend of hers, Mollie Colt on, and missed seeing
both Hutch Bownum and AI Lowry. They brought the news
of Annie Amis' marriage to Will Murdoek, an officer in Gen.
Marmadiikc's command. We had mutually agreed to wait
on each other, and now I hear of her wedding only by acci-
dent. I hope she has drawn a prisse in the great lottery.
Nannie Dawson's death was a sad affair. Zou Morris and
Lem Gustine are engaged. They have, known each other
always and their marriage would be most suitable.

Mrs. Tooke and I went twenty-five miles in the country
to hold a consultation with Mollie Colton on the subject of

8S Concerning the disputed authorship olf this extremely popular war
song, see Harwell. Confederate Music, 80-83.

"JEway* of Ella, by Charles Lamb (1775-1834).

S5 Jefferson Davis was imprisoned At Fort Monroe, Vn. soon after he
was arrested and was released on bail-bond of $100,000 on May 18,
1807.-- Battles and leaders, IV, 700.

356 BROKENBURN

her trousseau. I had never seen her but once and then for
five minutes in the dusk, but she wrote and asked Mrs.
Tooke to get me to select some dresses, cut them out, and
say how they should be made. This was a heavy contract
but of course, after being appointed head mantuamaker in
this way, we had to take a deep interest in the arrangements.
And Mamma and I bought and almost made an evening
dress for her on Saturday. She is a nice girl and we had a
pleasant visit out there.

Jimmy and Willy Carson spent a pleasant week with us
lately, and we gave them much good advice on the subject
of flirting, which I hope they will lay to heart. Jimmy is an
exceedingly handsome, attractive boy. Jimmy had made a
pair of gloves of soft white buckskin and got me to em-
broider the gauntlets for him in gay colored silks. They were
really pretty if not fashionable, a word the meaning of which
we have almost forgotten.

Our boys are to go out to the Ranch as soon as their school
closes next week. They are so improved in their writing. Dr.
McGregor is still lingering. I do not think he knows where
he wants to go and is somewhat dazed. I fancy he has no
home people to welcome him back. Uncle Johnny has gone
to Austin on business.

These grey August days we have little to do and little
company. Mollie Moore and her two brothers will be over
this evening to play cards. Anna Meagher never comes to see
us now. Another friendship broken without cause, but I hold
Mrs. Savage responsible for it all. She stirred up all the
strife, or rather ill-feeling. There has not been a cross word.

Our melon patch is exhausted but melons in town are
selling for ten cents a dozen. None should go unfed at that
rate. Mrs. Tooke kindly furnishes us with plenty of peaches.

Quite a number of Negroes are flocking into town, but
there is no disorder. Occasionally we hear of a Negro shot
down and lying unburied in the woods.

[" The Rest," Tyler, Tex.] Aug 86: None of us can mus-
ter the energy to go to hear Mr. Seaton's dry-as-dust dis-
course this burning August day, and so we will wear the day

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 357

away at home. We are looking for My Brother daily. Johnny
is out at the Bachelor Ranch and was of! a week ago to
Hockley, sixty miles away, hunting Mr. Drake and our
wagons, and so we are very quiet. But tomorrow Johnny
and the boys return, bringing all noise and nonsense in their
train. Mr. Pierson returned bringing quite a number of new
books to us and Mollie Moore, but to our disgust most of
them are by Yankee authors and are unreadable trash. The
only good ones are The Reign of Joseph the Second and a
volume of Tennyson's lale poems. He brought a long letter
to Mamma from Lt. Dupre, who says he is the happiest of
happy men to be again with his family. Mollie Moore, Mr.
Pierson, Johnny, and I rode out to Mrs. Tooke's one evening.
Mr. Pierson brought Mrs. Tooke a letter from her brother,
Gen. Buckner, who is staying quietly in New Orleans. A
lovely ride and a gay card parly after tea. Mr. Pierson is up
nearly every evening and is quite entertaining. All spent a
charming day with Mrs. Levy recently and Mr. Pierson,
Lionel, and Mollie came back to tea and cards. Lionel is the
most worldly wise youth but improves as his mannerisms wear
off. Tommie Moore has polished greatly since returning from
the army. His sister is working on him, and they are all
very adaptable. He is here every clay or two. Mollie Moore,
Sally Grissman, and T are busy making ourselves palmetto
caps and black bodices. The caps will soon be done and the
bodices next week, and we expect to astonish the natives
with our brave alt ire next Sunday. Mrs, Tooke is to give a
small'party on September 5, and we are all as much excited
over it as though it were the grand hall of a season. Mrs.
Tooke has spent several days with us lately and notes come
every two or three days. We all like her very much. We are
particular of the party and invite whom we please.

Uncle Johnny has returned, getting his clothes from Austin
but nothing else. He re-opens his school in September. How
we hope he will make a success of it.

["The Rest," Tyler, Tex,] Rapt. & Just rested after our
long, warm walk to church. Mollie and I appeared in all the
glories of new caps and bodices, and pretty they arc. We

358 BROKENBURN

think the caps would please the most exacting milliner and
Olympi would be charmed with my velvet waist. Mamma
and I have worked untiringly to finish them in time, and
our labors were only completed at nine last night. We never
worked harder in our lives, but the combination of white
silk, velvet, and embroidery meets with unqualified approval.
Mamma fashioned our caps after we made the braids, and
I embroidered both waists, mine in bunches of blue flowers
and Mollie's in pale pink roses. They are beauties.

September is here but My Brother still tarries. Mamma
is so impatient to be off that she will not wait many more
days on him. She wishes to start everything to the prairie
next Thursday, and so our pleasant Tyler life will be broken
up forever and a day. I fear we will look back to this last
year of our life in Texas with regret. The happiest year of
my life.

Jimmy came Thursday from Hockley but will return to-
morrow and bring the wagons home. Company all the week.
Mrs. Earl spent yesterday with us. We can certify as to the
strength of the baby's lungs as he exercised them in scream-
ing most of the time. Mrs. Roane and Capt. Smith called
in the morning. He had even more than his usual nonsense
to rattle off. I rather dread his presence at Mrs. Tooke's
party, which has been postponed to the seventh. I hope he
will be duly sober, if he devotes himself to my entertainment.
Mr. Levy has come and Mrs. Levy brought him at once to
see Mamma. Mamma cut a lot of patterns for Mrs. Levy,
who is rather helpless on that subject and has a lot of little
people to sew for. Lionel, Mollie Moore, and her brother are
over frequently.

Willy came in with Johnny and stayed a few days. All
the boys went one afternoon to see the Irvine girls and
teased them so that several of them were too angry to speak,
and so for the present Johnny's favorite resort is closed to
him. He says he has been " turned out of the Lodge.*'

["Rescue Hut/' Hopkins Co. [?], Tex.] Sept. 11: Here
we are " Lost and far on the prairie wide/' wearing away the
time as best we may for two days and nights in a real prairie

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 359

hut awaiting relief from our place, thirty miles away. The
carriage stands in the yard with a crushed wheel, and we are
mired up in all sorts of dirt and discomfort in the middle of
the wildest prairie with not a tree or a house in sight. We
broke down two miles from here journeying on our way to
Lamar County with nothing in sight but the broad sweep of
the prairie and one lonely tree. We made our way to that.
No gentleman with us, no money, no possible way of getting
on, and in a great hurry. We were in despair. Richard
mounted a mule and scoured the country to find a carriage,
wagon, or wheel to take us on, while we with parasols, books,
and cushions, betook ourselves to the grateful shade of the
tree to await his return. I was fast asleep in the tall grass,
and Mamma and Sister were dozing when Richard got back.
He could not iintl any conveyance, but a lady two miles
away would give us shelter. Ho there we were in for a two-
mile walk under the burning sun and over the shadowiest
prairie with a wind blowing hot as a .sirocco of the desert.
The prospect was appalling, and I foolishly burst into tears.
Mamma scolded. I remonstrated. But soon we cooled down
in temper., if not in person, and commenced our weary jaunt
to shelter.

It is the roughest two-room affair with six or eight people
living in it, ami with nothing to oat this last day but bread
and milk and butter. They killed their last chicken for us
yesterday, an old, old hen, but the people are as kind as they
can be, and as hospilnblo. They give us of their best and are
really sorry for us. There arc two women and a girl and not
a scrap of ribbon or law or any kind of adornment in the
house. I never saw a woman before without u ribbon. They
have not even a comb, They are the very poorest people I
ever saw.

We, that is Mamma, Sister, Johnny, awl I, broke up our
establishment and started on short notice from Tyler on last
Friday, and our entire trip has been a chapter of accidents
since. A wheel crushed four miles from town,, and after
spending most, of the day in the woods we returned very
reluctantly to Tyler, We had gone the rounds the evening

360 BROKENBURN

before making farewell calls and hated to return after so
many solemn leavetakings, but go back we must.

The room is filling with the family so must close my book.

The bugs are awful, and so we three slept last night on
the carriage cushions and a bolt of domestic out on the front
gallery, much against the wishes of our hosts who seemed to
think it inhospitable to allow it. But it is impossible to sleep
in the rooms with four or five untidy folks, being bled from
every pore by the voracious bugs. The natives do not even
toss in their sleep from them. They do not know the bugs
are there.

A glorious full moon, light enough to read by, and a pleas-
ant breeze. We quite enjoyed our outdoor bunk, especially
as we had not slept for two nights. Oh, the happy summer
days of our life in Tyler. By our hurried departure we
missed seeing again Col. Cochran, Capt. Wylie, Hutch Bow-
man, and several others who were to be there next week. And
all this discomfort would have been spared us if My Brother
had only come out when Joe did and made this trip to the
farm in Mamma's place. Poor Mamma, what a weight of
responsibility and trouble she has had on her hands, not only
her own family but Uncle Johnny's, and Uncle Johnny has
been so trying and Kate so silly.

They say tears are quite useless
To undo, amend, or restore;
When I think how useless, my darling,
My tears only jail the more.

Jimmy started to Hockley Saturday, the day we finally left
Tyler, Baking the carriage mules and our driver, Thomas,
with him. Mamma borrowed a mule from Dr. Meagher and
trusted Richard to drive. He knows little about it and one
accident follows another. First, the mule has given out and
we are only anxious to get him home before worse happens.
The tongue broke and then one wheel after another. Every-
thing has gone wrong. We had only one day to prepare and
bid our friends adieu. Mrs. Lawrence sent us a splendid
cake for our journey. They were kind all the time. It was

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 361

hard to tell so many friends good-bye, and we sha,ll never
see them again. Tommie Moore went on to Houston with
Jimmy. Out to seek his fortune he says. I hated to leave
Mollie Moore most of all. We are dear friends. Poor Mrs.
Tooke seems so desolate, not knowing what to do. We hope
Gen. Buckner will soon come and take charge of her. The
party at her house Wednesday passed pleasantly, a large
cavalcade from our house going. We packed next day. Dear
little Sally and Elise will miss us. They were great pets.

Mollie Moore gave me a pretty copy of The Lady oj the
Lake as a souvenir of our happy friendship. Shall I ever see
her cheerful face again?

Jimmy and Willy Carson spent the last week with the
boys. They will start for Louisiana in late October. Jimmy
Carson cut out a beautiful pair of gloves for me from Willy's
fawn skin, and I have been sewing on them while journeying
along in the carriage.

["Vexation," Lamar County, Tex.] Sept. 21: Mamma went
to Paris this morning on business (hateful word) . Sister is
roaming over the place at her own sweet will, and Mrs. Smith
is deep in the mysteries of a bodice which she is intent on
making exactly like mine. We reached this haven a week
ago. Shall we ever forget that forty-mile jolt in a four-mule
wagon, the mules at full trot? We made it in a clay over a
broken, sorry prairie with nothing to eat but dried peaches,
uncooked, soggy biscuits, and warm, sulty-tasling well water.
We were bruised black and blue ami were too tired to sleep
or eat the first ni#ht. We did not find out until nearly night
that the wagon floor was much easier than the chairs we
were perched in, and we all crouched down in the straw, loo
worn out to hold up our heads.

The people who had sheltered us utterly refused all pay
and were hurt at the idea and they with absolutely nothing.
Truly it is not the rich who are the most generous! Mamma
will send them lots of things when she sends for the carriage,

8 *Molli Moore Davis, after many Muwrotfiil yearn an author and
social leader died, in New Orleaiut, January l % 1901). There IH no record
that they ever saw each other again or corresponded.

362 BROKENBURN

We found nearly all the Negroes in a state of insubordina-
tion, insolent and refusing to work. Mamma had a good deal
of trouble with them for a few days. Now they have quieted
down and most of those who left have returned, and they are
doing as well as " freedmen " ever will, I suppose. We were
really afraid to stay on the place for the first two days. We
are looking for the boys up from Tyler and for Jimmy and
My Brother next week. Then, Ho, for Louisiana!

We have all the butter, milk, and curd that Mamma
promised us with wild plums, maypops, and apples in abund-
ance, and Mrs. Smith is a good housekeeper. But it is un-
deniably a dull spot.

Mr. Kennedy, a neighbor, has given us a beautiful little
lap dog. I think it will be Sister's as she loves pets so.
Mamma has promised me a fine horse, and then I shall be
ready for the start home. Johnny suggested " Grant Grim "
as a name for the little doggy; Sister suggested a Emile
Dupre " (Lt. Dupre was a great favorite with her) ; Mamma
suggested " Josefa " or " Holmes "; and I, <fc King Arthur."

I am embroidering a Zouave jacket in blue cashmere for
one of Mrs. Kennedy's little girls. Will embroider a wreath
of pale pink roses on it. It is the only embroidery silk I have,
and the combination is prettier than one would think. Have
embroidered scarlet fuchsias on Mrs. Smith's bodice.

Johnny has taken Mr. Smith's place as overseer. The
Negroes mind him better.

[" Vexation," Lamar County, Tex.] Oct. 10: Jimmy and
My Brother joined us about ten days ago, and we have never
passed ten more unhappy days. Our future is appalling
no money, no credit, heavily in debt, and an overflowed place.
No wonder Mamma is so discouraged. Since My Brother's
return, we have all had the blues and look forward with
dread to our return to Louisiana. But there is nothing else
to do. Nothing for us here. Mamma, Sister, and I, with
Johnny or Jimmy, will get off early next week, going straight
on, while My Brother will bring the Negroes back. The
countrabands are all crazy to return to Louisiana, as soon
as they realized that My Brother did not wish to take them,

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 363

and are on their best behavior. What a treacherous race they
are! I doubt whether one will remain with us a week after
we return.

The name " Vexation " we have given this place is most
appropriate. It has been a most trying job settling up the
business, and My Brother and Mr. Smith say everyone they
have had dealings with has not only tried but succeeded in
cheating them. We are in all the stir and disagreeable con-
fusion of moving, yet preparations to get off advance but
slowly, though all four of the menfolks are doing their best
to expedite our departure. We have to send such a distance
for everything we need.

It seems an ill-ad vised move to take the Negroes back
unless they could he bound by some contract to remain on
the place, and thai is impossible. It- is so expensive and
troublesome to move about eighty or ninety Negroes such a
distance. Two families are to remain. Warren's is one. Mr*
Smith will stay here and try to work this same place, we
suppose. Jimmy goes to Tyler this week and will join us
somewhere on the road. Wo will camp out just as we did
when we eame to Texas but will have a more comfortable
vehicle and a more careful driver, Mamma left nearly all of
our household furnishings with Uncle Johnny and Kate.
They are quite comfortable and he has a good school. I do
hope they will get on in life. We do miss the dear little
folks, Sally and Kline.

Mamma and Mrs* Smith are away today visiting the
dentist at Ladonia, the boys are off on business, and so
Sister and t have the house to ourselves. It is delightful to
be alone sometimes, a pleasure we have rarely enjoyed since
we left Brokenhurn. We have lived in erowded quarters all
the time. I shall he glad to get lo the solitude of my own
room at Brokenhurn* even if it will he hut sparsely furnished*
My Brother says all our furniture lias heen divided out
among the Negroes and Yankees. How exceedingly quiet
he is. Rarely talks at all. He was never very fluent and
being in the unity has intensified his silence and reserve, and
he seems to take little interest in hearing others. Wo hope

364 BROKENBURN

home life will brighten him up and make him more cheerful.
He feels the bitterness of defeat more than anyone we have
met. He cannot reconcile himself to give up everything but
honor.

Annie Amis is not yet married but will be soon. Emmett
Amis is to be married on the twenty-fifth of this month to
that fascinating little widow at Oak Ridge. He was devoting
himself to her when we were at Mrs. Templeton's. Neither
Rose nor Mol Green have married Yankees or anyone else.
What stories we do hear.

Our trip will probably take a month. The weather is
lovely, and we hope to get home over good roads and to
arrive before the fall rains set in. A sad journey to the old
scenes.

[Brokenburn] Nov. 16: At home again but so many,
many changes in two years. It does not seem the same place.
The bare echoing rooms, the neglect and defacement of all
though the place is in better repair than most and the
stately oaks and the green grass make it look pleasant and
cheerful, though gardens, orchards, and fences are mostly
swept away. But if the loved ones who passed through its
doors could be with us again, we might be happy yet. But
never, never, never more echoes back to our hearts like a
funeral knell at every thought of the happy past. We must
bear our losses as best we can. Nothing is left but to endure.

We have been at home five days now. We found Other
Pa awaiting us. It is the first time we have seen him in
three years. He stayed only a few days and is much de-
pressed. He still lives near Hamburg, Ark., on a small cotton
place. He went on to Vicksburg. My Brother got in yester-
day with his train, making the trip almost as rapidly as
we did.

Mamma and Johnny went yesterday to Vicksburg. Mam-
ma hopes to make arrangements for planting next year and
will buy indispensable housekeeping articles and replenish
our wardrobes, now sadly in need, if she can get the money.

We have by dint of much scrubbing and little furniture
made the east room habitable. Mamma, Sister, and I occupy
that. So vividly it brings back the memory of dear Aunt

1865: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 365

Laura and little Beverly that I start at the slightest noise
and almost fancy I can see them. Jimmy joined us at Shreve-
port and brought the intelligence of little Elise's death, poor,
frail little flower. No one could look at her tiny white face
and fancy her long for the world. She was a dear good baby.

How still and lifeless everything seems. How I fear that
the life at Tyler has spoiled us for plantation life. Every-
thing seems sadly out of time. But no thoughts like these.
We must be brave, raid to give way to the " blues " now is
cowardly. We should be Mark Tapleys. 37 We think we shall
be able to pick up enough of our furniture scattered through
the country to make two or throe rooms habitable and that
must suffice us until better.

I was just interrupted by a call from Anna Meagher at the
gate. They are just making their way home from Texas and
had to come by way of Richmond to avoid Tensas Swamp.
We spent two days and a night getting through there, and
then broke down and had to ride the last seven miles on horse
or rather muleback. We met Miss Bet tie Carter, Mr. Kaiser,
and two of the Carson boys just as we mounted the mules
to come through.

[BrokenburnJ Xtw. 17: My Brother ami Jimmy are off
hunting, fishing, and spying out, I he land. Little Sister is
absorbed in papers a month old, and I, having made my
afternoon toilet a habit of old that I may as well forget
now that evening visiting is u thing of I lie past have liter-
ally nothing to do and nothing to read except Shakespeare,
and one cannot read him all the time. We certainly conned
that book in Texas and OH our various carriage trips. Mam-
ma and Johnny should nearly know it by heart* There is no
resort but scribbling. How many idle hours this book hag
filled.

Uncle Boh is the best old darkie. He has done the best
he could to care for things and is as humble and respectful
as^ever. Every now and I lien he brings up presents of candy,
raisins, and nuts. Aunt Laura Vf silver service was buried in

57 Mark Tapfry, a ohttwrU'r in Sharks DidkeiM' Martin tftftim
as perennially chwrful, dwpitc th moat unfavorable circumstances.

366 BROKENBURN

the yard, and Uncle Bob in walking one day stepped into a
hole. He investigated and found the barrel head had decayed
and sunken in. He did not say anything as the^ Yankees were
on the place at the time. He quickly covered it up and that
night slipped out and took it to his house, carefully hiding
it, but it became noised about among the Negroes and a few
spoons were stolen. I suppose his wife, Mary Ann, told as
she is the real typical free darkie. The next day he packed
the silver all up and took it down to Mrs. Graves to keep.
He said he could no longer care for it, and now we have it all.
He is the only Negro we know that would not at once on
finding it have given or sold it to the darkies. He wants to
rent some of the land and plant for himself next year. Mam-
ma will let him have the land rent free. He sold his last
cotton for $1 a pound. I wish we had a thousand bales.

Mamma should be back today. I wonder what she will
bring us. We bought our first piece of Yankee finery in
Shreveport, a broad black belt with an immense buckle
for me.

In camping out this trip, we had every appliance for camp-
ing, and people who like camping would have found it
pleasant. We enjoyed most stopping with our friends on the
road. First were Mrs. Scott and Amelia, now Mrs. Dr. Bass.
They are living quite out of the world at Winnsboro [Tex.],
the very poorest land one ever saw. They will remain there
a year longer. Amelia is perfectly happy and Mrs. Scott,
equally miserable, cannot bear the country.

Shreveport was our next place of sojourn. Spent twenty-
four hours at Capt. Buckner's with Mrs. Gustine and Ella.
Mary's baby is a pretty, black-eyed little creature. Shreve-
port seemed nearly as busy a place as New Orleans in the old
times. Went on from there to Maj. Bryan's near Minden and
stayed twenty-four hours. They begged us to spend a month.
They live delightfully in a splendid house beautifully fur-
nished, and though they refugeed near Tyler where we met
them, the Yankees never went to the place. They saved
everything and still have the same house servants. (En
passant, I do not think our servants will stay about the house
much longer.) Our next stop with friends was at Mrs. Wad-

1866: " THE DARKEST HOUR " 367

ley's. We were there one night and found them in all the
bustle of preparing to move to Savannah, Ga., where they
will make their home. We were sorry to see them going so
far away where they will never be able to pay us the promised
visits. They are dear friends and wonderfully good to us.
Most of their servants were gone, and the girls were having
to do the work. Took dinner the next day at Mrs. Scale's.
They are kind but some way tiresome. From there to Judge
N. Richardson's, the prettiest place on Bayou DcSaird. How
more than comfortably they live in that stately comfortable
home with the beautiful yard with its trees and shrubbery,
splendid orchard, and well-worked garden, and with all the
old servants and the most lavish table. Mrs. Richardson is
a most excellent housekeeper. We quite felt like spending
the week with her as she urged us to do. The Yankees had
not disturbed their possessions in Ihcir two raids on Monroe.
Lt. 3 or Mr. Holmes now, came out twice lo sec us while we
were there. He is looking handsome and was beautifully
dressed. But alas, he has been spending a wild summer and
fall, and though he assured me marrying would reform him,
I believe not, A dreadful risk for any woman. I fear there is
little hope for him. Ho expects lo #o lo Maryland soon on
a visit to his mother. That may save him." 8

We had the pleasure of spending a night at Col. Temple-
ton's. They are safely at homo and most comfortable as
they saved all their household furnishings. They were very
cordial and charmed to see us. They promised to pay us a
visit when the roads arc passable again. Then we spent a
night in the very depths of the swamp, mud in every direc-
tion and our first very heavy frost like a snow and real cold
in the tent. Next day home. I so wanted to come by Homer
and see Annie Amis before her marriage and the other friends
still there, but Mamma thought best to push on.

88 Kate hcsraelf ** aved " him, of couwe-. They wore married lour
years later. He later operated a plantation in Ounchiia. Parish called
Rattlesnake Uidge, and wtw known as *' the Duke of Rattlesnake Ridge/*
Afterwards lit* wn.s .sheriff of Madison Pariah from 188 i until 188H and in
credited with being the leader in the transfer of public rccordx from
Delta to Tallulah on March , 1B8, thereby making Tallulah " by
right s 0f ix>Ht*c*uiion " the aeut of govTntnent for MadLson Portah, lies
died in Tallulah, surviving his wife by several years.

1867

"The burden of defeat"

[Brokenburn] Sept. 22: A long silence and a year of hard
endeavor to raise a crop, reconstruct the place with the
problem of hired labor, high water, and cotton worms. Mam-
ma had little trouble in getting advances in New Orleans to
plant. Cotton is so high that merchants are anxious to ad-
vance to put in a crop, and there is much Northern capital
seeking investment in that field. Mr. Given became Mam-
ma's merchant. Col. Cornelius Fellowes, her old friend, has
not resumed business, or only in a small way. The Negroes
demanded high wages, from $20 to $25 for men, in addition
to the old rations of sugar, rice, tobacco, molasses, and some-
times hams. Many of the old hands left, and My Brother
went to New Orleans and brought back a number of ex-
Negro soldiers, who strutted around in their uniforms and
were hard to control. I was deadly afraid of them. During
the spring while Mamma and I were in New Orleans (Mam-
ma on business and she took me for my pleasure) , and
Uncle Bo and My Brother and Jimmy were away for a few
hours, Johnny had a fight with a young Negro in the field,
shot and came near killing him, and was mobbed in return.
Johnny would have been killed but for the stand one of the
Negroes made for him and Uncle Bo's opportune arrival just
as the Negroes brought him to the house a howling, cursing
mob with the women shrieking, " Kill him! " and all brand-
ishing pistols and guns. It came near breaking up the plant-
ing, and it is a pity it did not as it turned out. Johnny had
to be sent away. He was at school near Clinton [Miss.] and
the Negroes quieted down and after some weeks the wounded
boy recovered, greatly to Johnny's relief. He never speaks

368

1867: " THE BURDEN OF DEFEAT " 369

now of killing people as he formerly had a habit of doing. He
came home when school closed and there was no further
trouble.

Then the water came up and we were nearly overflowed.
The cotton planted was very late, and when it was looking
as luxuriant and promising as possible and we saw ease of
mind before us, the worms came. In a few days the fields
were blackened like fire had swept over them. We made
about twenty bales and spent $25,000 doing it. What most
distresses me is that none of that money went for our per-
sonal comfort. All of it went to the Negroes. Mamma would
buy only bare necessaries for the table and plainest clothes
for the family. Not a luxury, no furniture, carpets, or any-
thing. We are worse off for those things than even in Texas
and such a sum spent! But Mamma said it was not honest
to spend the money on anything but making the crop. All
in this section have suffered in the same way, and for awhile
they seemed stunned by their misfortunes. But now the
reaction has come, and all are taking what pleasure offers.

Old neighbors and new ones have come in and all seemed
to be anxious to be together and talk over their trials and
tribulations. There has been much visiting and various
picnics and fish frys. I would not go at first. I felt like I
did not want to see anybody or ever dance again. I felt
fully forty years old, but Mamma made me go after a good
cry. Once there, I was compelled to exert myself, and soon
I was enjoying it all. The burden of some of the years slipped
from my shoulders, and I was young again. It was pleasant
to talk nonsense, lo be flattered i hough one knew it was
flattery, and to be complimented and fussed over. So since
then, Mamma, the boys, and all of us have been going to
everything and have found even poverty in company more
bearable than when suffered alone.

About this time we formed several pleasant acquaintances,
Mrs. Winn and I lie Bytuim girls all of them have changed
their names now, Mrs. Keenc Richards, Mrs, Dr. Buekncr,
and Mrs, Bowciiu Keenc. We met of I en hut never progressed
beyond acquaint unocship. Dr. Gaither has been a gay amus-

370 BROKENBURN

ing acquaintance, and I find entertainment in Dr. Ellis
" Cousin Orin," as he claims to be. He is distantly related
but the others do not much like him. The Nutt family we
found the most pleasant of all, and they added most to our
entertainment. Such bright, intelligent women. We visited
and received them frequently, and they were just as kind as
they could be. We were great friends for some months. But
they talked too freely and too emphatically, and My Brother
put his veto on our going there again. He would not allow it,
and so we had to lose those friends. We regretted it so and
could never explain what to them could only seem heartless
caprice. They had been unvaryingly kind and polite to us,
and how I hated to make such a return. It had one happy
effect. It put a stop to Mr. DeWeese's visits. A Yankee
living with the Nutts and the most unblushingly unprincipled
man in the world, he seemingly has no conception of right
and wrong.

All the gaiety has been in the Omega neighborhood. Good-
rich's is as solemn as ever. The festivities wound up that
winter with a grand ball given by the young men at Villa
Vista. A most charming time. I never enjoyed an evening,
or rather night, so much in my life. It was quite sunup when
we got to Mrs. Nutt's where we stayed until evening, when
Mamma went home and I went to Mrs. Whin's, then living
on part of Dutchly plantation. Stayed there several days
helping Missie in her wedding preparations. She married
Capt. Buckner of Shreveport, and a party of us went as
far as Vicksburg with them on the boat. 1 We missed the
return boat and had to stay all night. Went up to see Aunt
Sally for the first time in several years, but had to return
to the hotel to stay with the Morris girls. All spent next day
with Aunt Sarah. Dr. Gaither was a delightful escort. Uncle
Bo, who is staying in Vicksburg now, went around with us.
Saw Jimmy who had gone down a few weeks previously to
study medicine at the hospital.

I had been to Vicksburg once before in the fall before Aunt

1 Mississippi (Missie) Morris married R. T. Buckner. In 1887 she
published a novel, Toward the Gulj. Library of Southern Literature,
XV, 62.

1867: "THE BURDEN OF DEFEAT' 9 371

Sarah's return from Bladen Springs. Dr. Buckner and My
Brother, Mrs. Winn, Carrie and Emily Bynum Dr. Buckner
was " doing the devoted " to Emily and My Brother to
Carrie enjoyed all the delicacies of the season. Mrs. Winn
and I, having no lovers on hand, enjoyed a nice time going
around together. If My Brother had only had money, we
fancy Carrie would have been a member of our family by
now. She is pretty, gay, and attractive, but her mother an-
nounced to everybody her daughters would marry only rich
men, which now by 1867 they have all done. They were great
belles in the neighborhood for a time.

The last day of 1860 Johnny and I went to Vicksburg, he
on his way to school at Oxford [Miss.] and I to make Aunt
Sarah a visit. A heavy snow fell that night, but we reached
Vicksburg in time for New Year's calls, a custom introduced
there within the last two years. Had a lovely visit of a
month. Mr, Miller and I had buried the halchcl, and when
he came to sec me in the fall when T was in Vicksburg, he
was as nice and entertaining as he had formerly been detest-
able. Went out constantly to parties and theatre and had
much company. Dr. Gaither came down for a week in town,
and as he nearly lived at Aunt Sarah's we had a gay time.
Aunt Sarah liked him very much, all but his way of parting
his hair in I he middle with brown curls crisping all over his
head. He is very handsome, I all, blond, well-educated, grace-
ful and accomplished draws well, plays, sings, and writes
amusingly. lie went up the river to live that winter. His
letters are excellent.

I came home and we all remained quietly hidden in the
swamp until April when " t he waters rose, the waters swelled "
lo the height of about four feet in the yard. It was creeping
into the house when we moved out bag and baggage to Mr.
Goodrich 's, and after a time rented part of Wilton, where
Col. Chambliss' family were living. We stayed there until
August and came home to find Zl looking so green, cool, and
quiet. The grass was a fool high in the yard, and all was
looking as fresh and sweet as a fair May clay, 3V ly Brother
made desperate exertions all spring in company with Maj.

372 BROKENBURN

James, who rented the Winn Forest place, and other planters
to keep the Harris levee from breaking. Finding it impos-
sible, he rented land from Mrs. Henderson, and when the
levee broke, he went there to live. The three weeks spent
at Mr. Goodrich's were delightful to us. They did every-
thing for our comfort and pleasure and begged us to stay
until we could return home. Mrs. Carson came down nearly
every day, but it was long before Mamma would go there.
She begged us to stay with her until the water fell, as if we
would after her long coolness. Still, it was kind of her. As a
peace offering to me, she brought over one of the inevitable
young preachers to call Mr. McConnell, a real flirtatious
young preacher and quite entertaining. We saw much of him
all summer. Everybody was good to us. Nearly every family
in the neighborhood asked us to stay with them until the
falling of the waters.

We settled at Wilton, Col. Chambliss keeping the lower
story and giving us the second. As it is a large delightful
house with two kitchens we kept house pleasantly and had
much company. How kind that family were to us and how
funny, and what a beauty Janie, the daughter of the house,
is. How comical Miss Kate and Miss Tia, cousins visiting
them, and oh, what a pair Mr. and Mrs. Chambliss. Alto-
gether being intimate with the family was better than going
to a play, and very intimate they would be spending hours
in our rooms. Those were charming, funny months we spent
there, with everything at home going to rack and ruin: the
place under water, the mules with glanders My Brother had
sixteen shot one day and the Negroes dying of cholera and
instead of taking the doctor's remedies eating green figs and
salt, collapsing in a few hours.

We had many visitors: the Bynums, now living at Transyl-
vania with Mrs. Richards, the Keenes Mary Keene such a
nice girl and to think she married a Yankee Mrs. Carson,
Goodrichs, Emily, the Newmans, and all the gentlemen
around, principally Mr. McConnell, Mr. Valentine the
Valentines were more deeply overflowed even than we Mr.
Rhotan, and the fun we had with Capt. Porter in the house,
a guest of the Chambliss'.

1867: " THE BURDEN OF DEFEAT " 373

After going home and after getting all in working order
about the house we generally managed lo keep a cook as
that is new and disagreeable work to us all our principal
amusement was pecan hunting, as there were such quantities.
The two Mr. Valentines were often with us. Nothing to do
on their place, and they were lonely. Mrs. Goodrich made
us one visit, her first and last visit to us, for in a few days
she was taken ill with yellow fever and died within the week.
I was with her most of tho time. She had seemed very fond
of me and sent out begging me to come when she found she
was ill enough for a nurse. We sincerely regretted her death.
She was a good, conscientious woman and her life not a
happy one. Six or eight people died around (loodriclf s with
yellow fever that season. We fortunately escaped that
trouble, though Mamma's health has nol been good since
the first summer we came home. It makes us very anxious
to see her ill so frequently. Jimmy had eomo home just be-
fore the yellow fever broke out at Vicksburg and quarantine
was established* He regretted .so much not remaining, but
we were so thankful to have him at home out of danger. We
formed Mrs. Meux's acquaintance during I he summer. The
Doctor and she were in Nevada until after the close of the
war returning by way of Panama. An odd person she is and
a funny pair they are. Hut we are all devoted to Dr. Meux,
even with his funny ways.

My Brother used to come to Wilton every Sunday to see
us, and Mr. Rhotun frequently came with him. This was
sufficient to start the report that we were engaged. The poor
fellow was innocent of all intentions, only "thinking Mis
Kate a nice young lady/' which I think he really does believe.
Anyway, lxing a bashful six feel, four inches of mortality,
the report seared him away, and only recently has he com-
mcnoed visiting us again.

Mr. Rhotun and I became quite chummy when I went to
slay a week or ten days with Mrs, Henderson after Mr, Hen-
derson's death. We thought her so desolate and alone until
her sister, Mrs. Prentice, came to stay with her two lonely,
elderly widows, Mr* Hhotan is very easy to talk to. He

374 BROKENBURN

does not say much himself but looks so appreciative and
entertained, while Mr. Reigart is just impossible to talk to.
He looks utterly bored and indifferent, no matter what the
subject. I always dread to see him come. Fortunately his
visits to us are rare. Capt. Louis Guyon came to see My
Brother this summer, and I believe I like him better than
anyone who came to the house. He is an old schoolmate of
My Brother's at Frankfort, Ky. He has captivated me
" entirely entirely/ 3 He is so quick, sprightly, and ugly
and a sugar planter. It was always my ambition to marry a
sugar planter. If he comes this fall, we will see if he improves
on acquaintance.

1868

"%e outlook is

[Rose Hill] Sept. ?: In January My Brother rented this
place knowing that Brokenburn would be again overflowed,
and we moved out the latter part of the month. My Brother
lost money again last year planting, and this year he de-
termined to farm, planting a little of everything. Johnny and
Jimmy are both at, home, and having nothing lo do pulled
off their coats and rolled up their sleeves and went to work
to raise a crop of corn and potatoes for themselves. They
have succeeded well as they will clear several hundred dol-
lars. We all regret so much Jimmy's refusal to go buck to
the hospital. lie seems cut out for a doctor, and the physi-
cians at, the hospital say he has a decided touch for it. All
urge him to go back, but because 1 he* will have lo be depen-
dent on My Brother for awhile he will not study medicine
any longer. We fear he is throwing away the best chance
of his life. The boys are so hot and tired when they come in
from the fields.

Dr. Kllus sent us Cometh f f /> us a Flower by u new author
and it is very entertaining so far. 1

[Hose Hillf jSVp/. W W: Mother has been in Vicksburg for
a month on u visit to Aunt Sarah. It is her first outing for
eighteen months. We o hope it will benefit her an her health
has been bad for more than a year* Hhe is seldom out of bed
more than a week at u time. It took great persuasion and
the pointed urging of the whole family to induce her to go
on this visit that Aunt Sanih has been begging her lo wtike
for mouths.

in !87 tin* iirM, of eighteen |wj>ukr snivel* by
Itamfihton (1 840- 1940).

375

376 BROKENBVRN

Jimmy is now on the wharf boat, Johnny at Omega, and
Sister, My Brother, and I have it all our own way with but
little to do. My Brother is making an excellent crop and is
much more cheerful.

Just heard of Sallie Newman's marriage to Mr. Marshall
Collier. He has been devoting himself to her for eight long
years, and she gave up the fight at last. She is a classmate of
mine from Warren County and has been quite a belle, though
she is a very bright girl. Sister and I are hammering away
at translating one of Victor Hugo's stories. How we wish
Sister could be sent off to school for two years, but it has
been impossible. No money. It seems on our steps " un-
merciful disaster has followed fast and followed faster " for
years. Let us hope that now the current will change and
success will be our portion, as the outlook is brighter than
for three years.

This is a pleasant neighborhood, just across the road from
Maj. Morancy's, and everybody has been kind and polite
about calling and coming in at all times. Hermie Davenport
is a pleasant acquaintance of the summer, staying with Sirs.
Meagher with her mother. She is a most unworldly girl of
strong affections. She has been with us for a few days lately.
We all went down to Judge Brynes' to see her off on the
Rubicon on her way to Chicot, Ark., where she is to teach.
The boat not coming, we all adjourned to Judge Brynes 1 and
had another of those inevitable dances that have been given
so often this summer. Mary and Katie Byrnes, Louise Meag-
her, and the other girls never seem to tire of them, but they
wear me out such a sameness. I doubt not that I am getting
too old for such gaieties. The men and boys about here are
so silly and boyish in conversation.

Mr. Valentine came the day Mamma left and spent two
weeks. We carried him around to see everybody. Sister and
he are still great cronies. It has been an enjoyable life since
we came here in January. It is a pleasant enough cottage
house, after we got it thoroughly cleaned. There is a lovely
little flower yard and a splendid orchard, and the kindest
and most sociable neighbors with various little entertain-
ments and dances.

1868: " THE OUTLOOK IS BRIGHTER " 377

A perfect trip by a large party of us to Greenville [Miss.]
in June on the Allen, Capt. White's boat, Mamma chaperon-
ing the party. The Morris girls were on coming up from
New Orleans, Dr. Gaither joined us at Greenville, and they
came back and spent a lovely week with us. Dr. Gaither is
a charming friend and his letters are excellent. We have new
books and papers ad libitum, a luxury we missed for years.

My Brother has just sent Mamma money to buy our
winter clothes, and Sister and I are jubilant at the prospect
of new dresses and bonnets. We have lived on very little of
late years, little bought that was not absolutely necessary.
They have dressed me better than any of the others. I have
not wanted for anything indispensable for a young lady, but
the only money I have spent really as I wished was five
dollars of the ten Uncle Bob gave me when Mamma and I
went to New Orleans three winters ago.

Uncle Bo lived willi us the first year after we came back*
The next year he lounged away in Vicksburg. This year lie
is otit in Hinds Counly working with his hands and writes
most cheerfully, lie says he is doing well and is coining to
see us Christmas. So we take heart for him and hope he has
turned over a new page.

What splendid fellows my brothers are. They are all so
good to us and such handsome boys. Sister looks almost the
same, scarcely older than three years ago. We hope she can
go to school this fall and make her debut next fall. If not, I
shall beg Mamma to put long dresses and a, waterfall [chig-
non] on her and bring her out this winter. She has a gay
cheerful nature, and I hope will have a happy girlhood.

Mamma's bright hopeful spirit never change. She is us
always the ruling power with us all, the center and light of
our home. How much she will have to tell us on her return,
and maybe Aunt Sarah will come with her.

Well, this us the last page of the hook that luus gone with
me through all our journeying^ Looking hack to the begin-
ning so many years ago, I realise what an unthankful, wicked
girl I was not to be .supremely happy. With youth, health,
and everything surrounding me for comfort and happinas.

378 BROKENBURN

with unmistakable blessings, I was yet an unsatisfied, dis-
contented girl. It has taken trouble to teach me my faults,
and how earnestly I try now to enjoy instead of repine, to be
thankful instead of fault-finding. I will try always to see the
silver lining to the cloud. All my life I have been surrounded
with love and care, far more than I deserved, and I will try
in the future to be more worthy of the blessings that brighten
my pathway.

So this is the end shall I ever care to write again?

FINIS

'Index

Abercrombie, Mr, 21
Airlie Plantation, 15
Alabama, 92n , 100 and n , 9
Alexander, Lt , 292, 3-20, 328
Alexander, Mr., 3U-
Alexander, Mis. Maij, 21U
Alexander, Mrs, 4*, 50, 120, 152. 153,

196, 197, 290, 318, 3*20, 32*2, 327
Alexandria, La., 24n., 101 and n.,

208n., 214, 244n , 257n,, 280 and n.,

304

Allen, Capl , 209
Allen, Charley, 2<>4, 3-28
Allen, Mrs, Charley, see Eugenia KO.HS-

mau

Allen, Henry W., 7Hn.
Amis, Mrs Henrietta, xxi, 140. 150,

151, 107, 204, 30<J, 841
Amis, Annie, xxi, 140, 150, 151, 154,

155, 235, 27CJ, 300, 323, 355, S(U T

307

Amis KmmeU, x\i, 201., 300, 304
Anchorage. IKS, I0, 208

AzuIf'rhOtt, C<)\ , 292

Anderson, den. tt. H M WH.

Anderson, Mr., 201

Anderson, Mrs,, 2f)2

Anthony, Mr., 32, 208

ArkanxtiSi the, xtii; at VirksburK* 188

ami n,
Arkansas, 83, KXta,, 15 K 213, 238,

214, 2W, 207 and n., ^75. *77, 270,

20 nml <K2, 2Hn,,

2J)D, 800, :)l, n$H, 70

u 242 ttuti H-iO; wnqu^t f,
u,; Kederuln onptured in. 285;

Om fulcra I*' troops i, rttfuw* tt> hur-

renrl<*r, 3S5 Stf; ^overttor of. ttt r-

Arkanms /Vw/, HJ8 mut n,
Army <if Virtfitwt f *^8 OH

Assnmplion Parisli, La , 25 and u.

Atlanta, Ga., 285 n , 313n., 31Gn ; fall
of, icporled, 300 ,in<l n,

Austin, Cousin Jenny, xxi, 30, 31, 49,
40, 71, 80, 81, 8(1, 1)1, 92, 95, 99,
143, H5, 159, 101; marries Dr.
Saunders, I GO

Austin, Cousin Tttia (Letitia). xxi,
34, 80. 81, 80, 91, 92, 9(J, 99, 143,
145; marries Charles FnustT, 93-04
and n.

Austin, I'nelo, 95, 224; marries, 304

Austin, Texas, 21-2, 255, 35(J, 357

Aunt Luey (housekeeper), 7, 0, 42,
51, 03, 4, 171, 331: runs away, 35;
fitfhlh with June, 170 72; child of,
dies \\ith measles, 110; heraten mis-
tress, 200

Baily, <'harles, 05

Baker, Mr, t 100, 113, HO

Hull's Bluff. Ya, 71

Batiks, (Jen, N. I 1 ., xvi, 118, 278n.;

threatens Alexandria, La,, iDtn,;

defeat at Mansfield, U, t WO and a.;

re treating, 28 ^
Baptist, meeting <f, 228; revivul in

Paris, Texas, 2H2; eluireh in PnriH.

Texas, 233 mitt ,; cfrurription of

people al revival of, 2U
Bnrr family, 235, 2MB
Bnrr. J*, 2(U

Barr Julia, 205. 217, 10 21. 252
Bart, Mary, 44
Barr, Mr, Bow (B< 17<i, 103, $15,

2i7 m!
Bartow* Col, F. H. 45 nnd n.

,, 147

M, MtM t , we Amelia Sootl
lu*. <m, 144
144
Buns, Thrrfwt, 00, H(I, 120, 144

370

380

INDEX

Bastrop, La., 205, 299 and n, 304;
Walker's division at, 295n ; Yankee
depredations at, 325
Baton Rouge, La., xii, 84, 98, 115,

128, 133n, 252n.
Baxter, Mrs, 273
Bayou DeSaird (La), 206, 367
Bayou Macon, 80 and n., 89, 95, 119,
127, 131, 137, 138, 151, 153, 163,
165n, 168n., 169, 174, 176, 180,
188, 189, 199, 200, 209, 267
Bear Lake, La, 209
Beauregard, Gen P. G. T , 92n , lOOn-
102, 108, 117 and n., 211, 213n , 244,
290, 327, rumored killed, 326 and n.
Bedford, Mrs., 221
Bell, Mrs, 141
Bellevue, La., 222 and n
Belmont, Mo., 69 and n , 71
Bence, Mrs., 52
Benton, Capt , 164
Benton, Mrs, 318
Benton's Artillery, 164
Bernard, Mrs., 80
Bethel, Va, 31 and n.
Birchett, Capt George, 312, 315, 318,

319, 324, 336, 341, 343-45, 347
Blackmore, Mrs , 255
Blackwood's Magazine, 40n., 42
Bladen Springs, Ala, xxi, 243, 349,

371

Blakely, Mr. 152, 163
Blanchard, Gen. Albert G, 139 and

n; troops of, 139
Blankenship, Miss, 58, 71
Blanton, Mrs, 139
Bledsoe, Mr, 62, 126
Bledsoe, Miss, 124
Blount, Gen J. G., 253 and n.
Bocage, Miss, 255
Bohanan, Mrs Ann, 54
Bolivar County, Miss, 143
Bonham, Belle, 261
Bonhaxn, Mrs. Mary T., 259-62
Bonham, Tex., 244 and n., 315
Boone, Capt, 326
Boone, Dr , 315, 319, 330
Boone, Miss Kate, see Kate Boone

Ragan, Mrs. John Ragan
Boone, Mr., 334

Booth, Mrs., 104

Booth, John Wilkes, 333 and n, 341

and n.

Booth, Pattie, 104
Booths, the, 21
Boren, Capt, 319, 324, 352
Boren, Julia, 328
Boston Mountain (Pea Ridge) , Ark ,

98 and n

Bowling Green, Ky , 90
Bowman, Dr, 153
Bowman, J. H, 289
Bowman House, Jackson, Miss, 10,

143
Bowman, Hutchins (Hutch), 67, 284,

321, 355, 360
Boyd, Mrs, 37, 39
Boydton Station, Va, 315
Boyer, Joe, 52
Boyle, Ma], 84
Boyle, Thomas R, 94 n
Bradforte, Col , 325-26, 339, 341, 343,

346
Bradforte, Mrs , 325-26, 329, 339, 341,

343

Bragg, Gen Braxton, 178-79, 243,
253, 263; commands at Vicksburg,
180

Breckinndge, Clifton Rodes, 286n.
Breckinndge, John Cabell, 120 and n.,

126 and n., 131, 286n.
Bridges, Allen, 132, 1 iO, death of, 264
Bngham, Capt., 303-304
Bnscoe, Claud, death of, 264
Brokenburn Plantation, xi, xii, xiii,
xiv, xv, xviii, x\, xxi, 3, 38, 48, 8,
103, 186n, 205, 209-10, 212, 245,
262, 809, S14n., 346, 352, 365, 368;
area of, xi; description of, 4-11;
house servants at, 8; flight from,
194; My Brother returns to, 350;
conditions at, after the war, 363;
Stones return to, 864; overflowed,
375

Broughton, Rhoda, xviiz, 375 and n.
Bruce, Mrs., 307, S17, 323-2$, S27
Bry, Judge Henry, $22n.
Bryan, Maj., S66

Buck, Capl,, 286, 329, 3$3, $37, $41,
343

INDEX

381

Buckner, Beverly, xiv, xvi, xxi, 28,
TO-71, 73, 81, 86, 88, 01, 101, 124,
131, 153, lotf, 164, 186, 189n , 191,
193, 198-1200, 203, 215, 218, 269,
317, 349, 365; dies, 309

Buckner, Dr C B , xx, 16, 19, 28,
70-72, 81, 92ft, 99, 101-103, 108,
113-14, 125, 136, 140, 142-43, 149,
153, 163, 164, 171, 174, 180, 194,
205, 217-18, 243, 263, 265, 279,
334, 349, 350, 371

Buckner, Mrt, C B (Aunt Laura) ,
xiv, xvi, 11, 28, 46, 48, 70tf M 81, 86,
88, 91, 95, 99, 101-10:5, 105, 124,
142-43, 145, 149, 150, 152, 153,
156, 157, 159, 160, 161, 161, 170,
171, 172, 182, 185, 18Dn,, 192 93,
198ff, 208, 210 11, 215 16, 218 ami
n., 219, 243, 264 65, 269, 365; bi-
ography, xx -xxi; dies, 310

Buckuer, ('apt, 90, IKS, <M, tt<M,
309, 366

BuckntT, Col., 141, 258

Buckner, Gen. S. B.. 3*fl, 848n., 357,
361

Buckner, Maj., 800

Buckner, Mary, 306

Buekuer, Mr., 99

Buekner, Mrs, 107, 120, 13, 33,
216, 2iH, 265, S17, 3W

Buckner, Kev. K. 0., tf33 and n.

Bucktwr, R. T., 870 and n,

Buekner, Mrs. R. T., w Missie Morn*

Buhver-LytUm, Kdward George* xvhi,

e, Ct*tt Stephen (*., l<Uln,
Burney, Mr., 108

hhlo, (lew. Ambrose B., HH iwd n.,

Butler, <*m. B. F. I0n. U3; " woman
or<Itr f * of. 1 1 1 niui n.; proclnmntkm
of, 1^5 ^<J; rejmrlwl captured, AOO
and n.

Butler, Mat tie, 8H

ButtH, Mrs,, 47

Butts, M'mcH, 48

ButtH, Kvm 2(J4

Byrnen, Ju<lj", 5^, 140, 870

Bynu, Kutit% S70
Mary, $70

Bynum, family, 372; girls, 369; Carrie,

371; Emily, 371
ByvtatcrR, Dr, 233

Camden, Ark , 222, 238, 248, 272, 277,
281, 295n , 299n ; planters seek
refuge at, 205 and n.; government
&toic.s moved from, 242n

Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas, xvi, xvii,
257n., 283, 8*3u.; prison life at,
290n.

Campbell, J. A, 316

Campbell, Mr , 2

Campli, La, I 2l4u., 217n.. 277 and n.

Canals, xin, \v, 128, 174 ant I n.;
Federals at tempi to eut, at Vicks-
bur. H5 and n ; at DeSoto, 168;
impressed slaves work on, 173 and
n.; til Lake Providence, 175 ami n.;
at Ash Inn, 176

Canton, Misn,, 143, 160

Curoutlu Mrs., 830

Carson, family, xvii, *>!-, 4.>, 6S, 141,
100, Ki) (Wl 8r>

Carson, K<idie (Kthvnrd L.), xxt, 37,
236, M), SWI, 55 57, ^7, ^70 7,
i*74, 280, 284 88, 280, ^(i, SOB,
310, Sl. 3^i, 887

<aron T Dr. Jame.s (., xxi, 21, fctt, 37,
48 44. (Mi., 84, 0,1 JW. fit), 1 34,
ISO, 148, 1W, Mi, IKH, Km, 107>
ttOO ^(W t ^0(J, W8, 'iHO, ^>l, SM;
treatment of S!HV<H 41; dien, $M

Carson, Mrs, .futnen (1. (Catherine B,),
xxi, *1, $5, ^7, 87. J). 4t. 51, 55
3tt, fH 59, 01 i\ n 71 73, H(h Hi), 07
*W, 107. UK, !ffl)ff M |1. 13, Hl
144 1$, 148 40, 131, !<U, IKH 80,

WM 4o ( wo, m ^w>, ^.-j so, m

^-tH 40, ^()IT,, 5H f 04, *<WfF,, ^7* -
74, 70, W B4, 8 H7 r mi Wl-
0^ 80B, 314 15, $*f) *il, H43, 5
7 3ii, 331, !J3{T., 8H 43, HW, 351,

Jimmy (Jiiw*H> xxi, 87, 80,

88, ^H, ^>l 307, 31! 13, 310,
37, $40, &m .'il, 334, 356 f 361
w (JcMN*|>h). xxi, SMf, ^0 37,
SO, 44, 47, 0, 54, ^JC, 60, OS, 05,

382

INDEX

67, 69, 74-75, 78, 80, 95, 97, 106,
119-21, 124, 126-27, 129, 131-82,
136, 140, 149, 169, 187, 248, 258,
261, 26Sff, 269, 276-77, 282-84,
286-87, 290, 294-96, 298, 301, 304,
306, 308, 310-12, 316, 345-46, 350,
360

Carson, Katie (Catherine B ) , xxi,

118, 121, 188, 236, 254, 256, 273,

274, 286, 292, 310, 321, 337

Carson, Willy (William W ) , xxi, 131,

230, 253, 255, 276, 279, 286-87, 294,

296, 346, 350-51, 354, 356, 358, 361

Carter, Bettie, 25, 78, 80, 97, 141, 145,

296, 365

Catlin, John D, 17 and n, 30, 45,
53, 57, 61, 67, 78-79, 95, 97, 104,
126, 138, 162, 176, 184, 202, 219;
death of, 270
Cavalier, Joe, 57, 76
Cavalier, Mrs. Virginia, 76
Chambers, Mr, 63
Chambliss, Mrs., 372
Chambliss, Capt, 300
Chambliss, Col, 371, 372
Chambliss, Janie, 372
ChanceUorsviUe, Va., battle of, 212

and n , 215
Chapm, Mr , 52

Charleston, S. C., 74, 204 and n , 253;
fall reported, 244 and n.; surrender
reported, 331

Chattanooga, Tenn , 94n , 218n., 243
Chickahommy, Va., 117 and n., 118
Chickamauga, Ga., 257 and n., 258,

264

Clark, Lt., 59
Clark, Mrs., 266
Clarkson, Mr. H. B., 23n., 32, 122,

253

Clarkson, Ben, 23 and n., 24, 40, 63,
80, 118, 120, 144, 149-50, 253, 261,
264-65, 319, 347
Clarkson, Will, 144
Cleghom, Mr., 268
Clinton, Miss., xvi, xx, 79, 186, 263;

Brother Coley dies at, 259 fi.
Cochran, Col , 304, 360
Cochran, Mrs., 176
Colemans, the, 104

Collier, Marshall, 376
Collier, Mrs. Marshall, see Sally New-
man

Colton, Molhe, 355
Columbus, Ky , 69, 92n., 94, 96, 98-99,
Columbus, Miss., 93-94
Compton, Mary, 206, 210, 213
Compton, Nora, 210, 213
Confederacy, lOOn , 118, 146-47, 189,
200, 223n , 233, 278n , 279n , 281n ,
286n., 289, 301n , 31 6n , 340 and n.;
United Daughters of, Madison In-
fantry Chapter, xxii; United Daugh-
ters of, Paris, France Chapter, 278n ;
veterans of, 335

Confederate, memorial in Tallulah,
La., xxn; cakes, 291, 344; currency
reduced, 278n , " worms," 298
Congress, U S , 36 and n , 37, 180 and

n, 286n

Conley, Mr., 173, 184
Conscription, 103, 131 and n,, 138,
170, 180 and n.; Act, 95n ; militia
drafted, 229; Act of 1802 amended,
282 and n.
Coopers Wells, Miss., 160; Federal

raid on, 243
Corinth, Miss., 108, 114, 117 and n,

121, 149

Cotton, xi, xii, 19, 31, 46, 53, 63, 91,
96, 113, 128, 239n , 37n , 364, SC8;
burned at Brokenbmn, xii; ginning
and picking, 4; weighing, 54; burning
of, by planter, 100-101; burned in
New Orleans, 103-10 4; My Brother
burns, 177-78; failure of crop of,
S98, loss on crop of, 3G9
Cotton Gin, Miss,, xx, 186, 187
Cowan, William, 48
Cox, Mr., 123
Cox, Capt. Thomas* 213
Cox, Sally, 312
Crith, Shirley, 252

Curry, William C. (planter), 16n., 3,
S2, 38, 41, 49, 62, 80, 88, 138, 130,
139, 146, 153, 180, 205, 208, *K>
Curry, Mrs. William C, (Hester), 16n.,
23, 38-39, 42, 44, 58, 05, 7$, 88,
121, 124, 130, 1S4, 140, 145, H7,
154, 162, 211, 217

INDEX

383

Curry, Abe, 49-50, 53, 136

Curry, Mrs. Abe, 114, 121, 133

Curry, Addie, 142

Curry, Annie, 23

Curry, Bottle, 44

Curry, How, 37, 8-2, 122

Curry, Huldah, IGn , 42-43, 65, 74,

141

Curry, John, 218
Curry, Kite, Kin, 42, 58
Cuny, Leila, IGn

Curry, Mary, IGn., 65, 74, 141, 162
Curry, Sue, 114, 124
Curry, Sybelhi (Bella), IGn, 42

Dallas, La, 105

Dalton, Ga., 285 and n

Dancy, Dr. David, 38n , 200

Danoy, Mrs David, 38 ami n., 117

Dancy, Dr, Lafayette, 128, 132

Danoy, Chailey, 45, 40

Dancy, Lou, 154

Dancy, Mary, I5I-

Davenport, Hermie, 370

Davies, Mr., 05

Davis, Jefferson, Ik 200 201; elected
president, (Hi; reported fleeing to
Tran.s-Missixsippi Dept,, 341; capture
of, 3 Mn ; report ed not euptmed, 348;
impriMmmcnt of, 355 and n.

Davis, Huhy, 14 fc 45

Davis, Thomas K,, SM In.

DavM, Mrs, Thomas K.. w Mollie
K. Moore

Dawson, Furmie, 20 k 217

Dmv.son, Nunnit\ 204, 217, 2#H

DeFranee, Mrs., IttW

DeSoto, La., 4<i and n,, <W, 81, H)S*
125, 151; <Miwl at, 108 and n,; rump
at, 171, 177

Dearie, Mr., 188> 11)2 fig. 203

IX'iimv Mrs., IMS in

Delhi, Liu 140, 170, 1 88, 101 |)*>, 207,
208, 218 nnd n,, Wl Federal troopK
ttttiwk, HJ5 nn<l ii,: Gen, Walker 'K
campaign from, 23Uu.; eorulilunm At,

DeWeese, Mr, 370

Dobbs, Anna B (Mrs. Me&gher) , xxi,
25, 26-27, 55, 59, 64, 67, 72, 75,
78, 80, 81-82, 89, 98, 109, 117, 122,
131, 130, 138, 115, 153-54, 156, 257,
269, 290, 306, 307, 314, 321, 325,
33 1, 350, 365; Kate's letter to, 223-
25, engagement of, 258

Dobbs, Charles, xxi, 21, 29, 30, 4t

Donnely, Mr., 3 IS

Doileh, Mrs, 210

Drake, Mr., 357

Drew, Mr,, 63

Dic\\ery's Bluff, Va , 290n.

Duganne, Col A J. II , 323 and n.

Dunlap, Hugh, 40

Dupre, Lt Emile, 315, 322, 328, 332,
335, 338 39, 3 * 1-42, 314, 347, 357,
362

Karl, Mrs., 358

Kighth Texas Volunteer Infantry, 212

Eighteenth Texas Volunteer Infantry,

212

Kliet, Ool, Alfred \V., 123
Elliott, CoL, W Kllet
Klliott, Dr., 3, 37, S)0, 10*
Kllk l>r M 870, 375
KUiscHu Mr., HJ3, 170
Kllsworth, Col. K. KInier, 2i
IClNwoith, Mr., 170
ICnumciputiou Pntclamation, I tH; Lin-

coln's preliminary, 1 1-5
Kmpy, ('apt., 27*1, 283, 380
Erwin, Cnpt., 290
Kvuns, Mr,, 184
KvnnH, Mrs., 175
Kwin, Cupt,, W5, 301

Fair Oaks, or Seven I*inc', VR. 117
r /*///, Confederat
Uwd, 137

t, Aclinirol I). G.,

Delta, La., xx, xxi, I4n,, 307
Deviitf, Dr., i, SO, 47 /J7 5B, 60,
61, 72, 88, 128, JUW 57, I7i

Fnrrr

Fuulkiner, Cpt. A.,

. (*n,, 1(17

CorwrliuN, 18 mid , (JO,
SOB

384

INDEX

Ferguson, Col. Thomas Barker, 101-

102, 115, 120, 125, 140
Fishing Creek, Ky., 85
Florence, Ala., 90
Florida, the, 169
Floyd, La , 138 and n., 205, 217, 218;

Yankee raid on, 297-328
Fluellen, Mr, 267-68
Fluellen, boys, 267
Fontaine, Mrs, 106, 146
Fontaine, Mackey, 60
Forrest, Gen N. B., 281
Fort Donelson, Tenn , 90, 94, 99, 116,

143

Fort Hatteras, N C , 51
Fort Henry, Tenn., 90, 94
Tort Jackson, La, 100
Fort Lafayette, New York, 52
Fort Pillow, Tenn., 83, 100, 114, 117,

281n.

Fort Sumter, S.C., 102
Fortune's Fork Plantation, xxi, 150
Forty-eighth Miss., Regt , 167
Fowler, Mr, 236
Fowler, Mrs., 254

France, xvii, 118, 148, 293; recognition
of Confederacy by, 239; Gen. Polig-
nac goes to, 278

Frank (Francesca Carrora), Kate's
maid, 9, 13, 42, 64, 67, 82-83, 90;
dies, 207 and n.

Frank Leslie's Lady's Magazine, 276
Frankfort, Ky., 13n , 374
Franklin, La, engagement near, 194n
Franklm, Tenn, 180 and n, 205-206,

263
Frazer, Charles Wesley, marries Titia

Austin, 94 and n.
Frederick, Md, 142 and n, 144
Fredericksburg, Va., 163-64, 168
Fremont, Gen J. C, 59 and n., 119
French, Maj. Thomas B., 213
Front Royal, Va., 114

Gaddis, Mr, 190
Gaither, Dr., 369-71, 877
Galloway, Mr., 261
Gait, Capt. J. A., 213 and n.
Galveston, Tex., fall of, 155; recap-
tured, 169

Gary, Mr, 311, 316, 322

Gary, Mrs, 311, 316, 330-31, 839

Gee, Mary, 62

Georgia, 160n., 249, 255

Gettysburg, Pa., 247, 265

Gibson, Mrs (formerly Mrs. Lane),

264-65

Gibson, Claudy, 20
Gibson, Willy, 351
Giday, Capt., 342
Gillispie, Capt, 300-301
Given, Mr., 368
Gleason's Pictorial^ 146
Goddard, Mr., 275-76
Goodrich, Henry, 55, 82, 371
Goodrich, Mrs Henry (Mona), 82,

372; death of, 373

Goodrich's Landing, La., 22 and n ,
24, 30, 47, 50-51, 66, 75, 98, 118,
122-23, 239n., 300, 370, 373; Negro
troops at, 297n.
Grand Gulf, Miss, 20C and n.
Grant, Gen. U. S , xxi, xv, 173n , 174n.,
175n., 177n., 178 and n., 203, 206n ,
215-16, 227, 278, 316; assumes com-
mand and plans to bypass Vicks-
burg, 168n.; treatment of civilians
by, 175; projects canals, 175n.; in-
vades Mississippi, 211, 21 2n ; opinion
of Negro soldiers, 21 9n.; before Rich-
mond, Va., 284; in Georgia, 285 and
n.; besieges Richmond, Va., 290
Graves, R. W. 15n , 171-72, 179, 205
Graves, Mrs, R. \V. (Anne), 15 and

n,. 86, 120, 141, 181, 185, 366
Graves, Ann, 15n.
Graves, Emma, 15n.
Graves, Ettie, 15n.
Graves, Eugenia, 15n.
Graves, John, 182
Graves, Lamartine, 15n. 120
Greeley, Horace, 14, 21, 205, 208
Green, Gen. Tom, 278 and n., 279
Green, Mol, 364
Green, Rosa, 324, 364
Greenville, Miss., 134, 186, S77
Grenada, Miss., 108
Griffin, Mr, 291
Grissman, Mrs., 255
Grissman, George, 251

INDEX

385

Gnssman, Sally, 252, 255, 202, 328,
348, 354, 357

Guerrillas, xv, 103-104, 120, 196 and
n , 296, 297 and n , 298, 316

Guisenberg, Mr, 235

Gunboats, xii, xui, 90, 91, 100-101,
104-105, 117, 125, 128, 142, 146,
21Sn , 280, 298; blanassas near
Vicksburg, 69 and n ; before Natchez;,
107; at Vickslmrn, 111; at Good-
rich 'i Landing, 122 23, Atkansas en-
gages Federal fleet in Yazoo River,
133n ; Federal, withdraw up Missis-
sippi, 135 and n ; Federal reappear,
130 -37n.; fired on by civilians at
Omega, 140, between Ome^a and
Youngs Point, 159; Johnny prisoner
on, 165-06, Federal fleet ut Omega,
165 and n : Confederate Alabama
and Floiitla in Gulf of Mexico, Kif)
and n; Federal, captured, 175 70
and n ; Federal, before Grand Gulf,
206 and n.

Gusline, Mrs. Sophia, 3<Jn.. 104, 155,
6*, 306, 306

Gustine, Duncan, ISO, 122, HO, 145,
166, 172

Gust me KIIu, 166, 26 1, 800

Gustine, Lem, 56, 355

Gustine, Mary, 36 and n., 52, 65-60,
127, 135, 155-56, 164, 166, 176, 205,
222, 23X, 204, 27(5, $06; uuirr'uw
of, 234; death of, 300

Guyon, ('apt. Louis, 374

Hampton Roads, Va. 100, 3 Kin,

Hand, Mr, 325

Hannah, Mr., 148

Hardin, Mr., 838

Hardiion, Bt-rtjamm (planter), xxi,
ttl, 5S, 4ft 51, 37, Ml <!<, <H, H,
ISO, 188. 130, 1M. 108. 171 7S, SOI,
SiH, ^Hi), MH; honte ritid*<l by
Yankees, HKJ i>7

HanitHon. Mr. Benjaniiu (Mnry <X
E.)> xxi, 13 SI **, ^1, , JHJ, SS
35, 5 f 4t, 47 40, 50. 5tt, <J$,
<W C. 7-i, 8, 80, 100 W, H^

ii. NO, i^, m, i:i. 16s, IHS.

IH5, H5 V 197. SOI. S0^ SIH, fltf;
death of. ^9

Ilardison, Alice, 40, 44, 64, 129
Ilardison, George, xxi, (U-G5, 108, 107
llaidison, Lou, 53, 64, 150
Ilardison, Henry, xxi, 4J)
Hardison, Joba, 47
Harper, Capt , 138, 145, 148, 1M, 101,

212; death of, 230
Harper, Mrs Capt, SIS, aSO, 300
Harper, Sophie, SI 2, 230, 333
Harper's Monthly, 14, 58n
Harper's HVrA///,' 14, 24, S70, S?
Harper \s Ferry, Va., 14S and n , SI (n.
Hams, Gen N. II . 331 35n
Hams, Mr., !>3, 175
Harris, Mr. Hans, 177
Harrison, Col. Isaac K.. 83n , S0 and

n.
Harrison's Brigade, xx, S05, '*!00, S08,

SJ)9n, 301, iWi; opi?animl, Sl)3n,
Hatcher\s Inn, Ya , 33(1
Haws, Gen. J M., SIS
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, xviii, 51
HuyeH, (Jen., 8 Mi
Hay wood, Muj., 11)3
Haxelilt, Mr., HO. 1S1, 131
IlaachU, Mrs,, 114
Hendenson, Mr M ?8
Henderson, Mrs., 155, 373
He\silt, Mr., U 17
Hill, Gen. I). II.. 107
Hill. Col., 318, 331
Hill. Mr*, Col., S55, 331, S37
Hinds County, MUSK., xxi. Hfl* 377
Holbury, Mr., SS, SI, CO, 7S, KS, US,

147

Hcilimry, Mrs., 40, 4S, HO
Holtmry SiUly. 40
Holmes, Antmidii Jtilm, (htu^htcr of

Kute Stone Hulnn's, x%ii
Hohutw, <Jen, T, H,. S57n.
Holnus, Kmmet, xxi

s, Henry, W and t.

H, Henry Bry (Lt. Ifohtu*), xvii (

Xxi, HSS find it., 3SK and n., 3SP,

Julin Bry, H
, Kiite ttry, xxi
. Mary Jww% xvii, xxiii,
mid n,

386

INDEX

Homer, La., 142, 204, 255, 288, 337,
349, 367; Kate visits in, 293, 295,
306

Hood, Gen. John B , 312, 313n.

Hornwasher, Mr, 21, 24, 26-27, 30,
129, 190

Hubler, Mr, 32

Huey, John, 305n.

Hull, Col, 252, 255, 294, 296

Hull, Mrs., 252-53, 255, 266, 294, 314

Humphreys, Col B, G , 81

Hunt, Dr., 261

Hunt, Mollie, 154

Hunter, R. M , 316n

Indian Territory, xvi, 232; battles in,
83 and n; Federal forts, 232n

Inflation, price of pork, 53; cost of
flour, 145, high cost of clothing, 147,
brandy, cost a gallon, 159, 164;
charges and rate of exchange, 194
and n ; price of carpeting, 220; pi ice
of shoes, 231; high prices, 232; price
of book, 234, charge for room and
board, 236, price of shoes, 240; pi ice
of wood, 255; co&t of clothing, 267

Irvine, girls, 335-36, 352, 358

Irvine, Lizzie, 330, 838-39

Irvine, Lt, 352

Irvine, Neta, 328, 343, 353

Isaacson, Maj., 292

Island No. 10, 96 and n., 100 and n ,

Jackson, Miss , xv, 52n., 99, 101-103,
110, 124, 143, 212 and n., 215, 259
and n.; fall of, 211 and n ; Federal
raid on, 243

Jackson, Tenn , 99

Jackson, Andrew, 100

Jackson, Dr T. M., 156, 157

Jackson, Gen Stonewall, 114, 118-19,
129; death of, 211f ; life of, 313

James, Maj , 372

Jayhawkers, 173, 175, 223, 229, 283,
345, 846

Jeff Davis Guards, xx, 16, 20, 117

Jeffries, Miss, 162

Jeffries, Mr., 182

Johnson, Andrew, 341, 352

Johnson, Capt , 330, 331
Johnson, Dr., 279, 283
Johnson, Mr Matt, 75, 205, 206, 230
Johnson, Mrs. Matt, 75, 147, 173
Johnson, Mrs Narcisse, 134-35
Johnston, Gen Joseph, 92-93, 179,
211 and n, 229, 285 and n, 313;
rumors of sunender, 333; rumor of
last stand, 335; surrender of, 335n ,
340

Johnstone, Capt William H , 160
Johnstone, Mrs William H, 142-43,

149-50, 159-61

Journal, manuscript of, vii; entries in,
vu; Kate's introduction to, vn; edit-
ing of, vn; notes to, viii; characteri-
zation of Kate hi, xviii; importance
of, xix
Journal of Commerce, 14

Kaiser, Albeit A, xxi, 21, 26-27, 30,
49, 56, 79, 80, 92, 249-51, 254, 365
Kanawha Valley, 142 and n.
Kansas, 173, 253n.
Keene, family, 372
Keene, Mrs , 107; Mrs Bowdin, 369
Keene, Mary, 372
Kennedy, Mr, 362
Kennedy, Mrs., 362
Kentucky, xh, 98, 146, 174, 281
King, Capt , 268, 272, 275, 276, 279
Knoxville, Tenn., 117
Kunckers, Dr , 332-33
Kup, Capt,, 47-48
Kurrie, Mr., 301

Lake, Mr, 63

Lake Providence, La , 51, 80, 128, ISO,
136; Federal troops at, l(J8iu 175
and n ; Negroes in Federal camp at,
176; levee al, 184; Negroes camped
at, 184

Lake Providence Cadets, 15

Lake Washington, Miss., 134, 140

Lamb, Charles, xviii, $55 and n.

Lamar County, Tex., 225, 238 29, 231,
232n., 233, 235, 238, 2*0, Stiff.,
247, 254, 285, 851, 359; opinion of,
223 and n.; people in, 227; Stones
return to, 361-62

Lawrence, Dr,, 255, 258, 275

INDEX

387

Lawrence, Mrs , 267, 269-70, 273, $79,
328, 332, 343, 300

Laurence, Lela, 288

Lea, Capt Joseph C , 39G, 297 and n

Lee, Gen Robert E , xvii, xviii, 139 and
n, 51 In., 227, 230, 353, 310, SlOn ,
in Virginia, 533; before Richmond,
38 i; at Richmond, 390; Minender
of, 331 and n., 333; surrender terms,
833 n ; troops suuendered, 33(J

Lee, Miss Kitty, 140

Lccsburcr, Va, 09, 71, 81, 103

Lena Rivers* 33

Levees. Ion, 1C, 33, 47, (57, 103 10 K
100, 108-109, 111 -13, 13,; and n,,
17L 18 1, 190, 318n.

Levy, Mr., 068

Levy, Mrs., 353, 35<I, 3<0, 379, 283,
343, JUt, 3.13 53, 3f>7-T>8

Levy, I'M ward, 351

Levy, Lionel, 353, 854, 357 58

Lexington, Mo , 57 and n.

Lexington, Va., 170

Ligniski, Mrs., 341

Ligruvki, Charlie, #37

Lily, Dr., 43. < r l, 50, 58, 6(1, 03 <K
1^3, 78 79. 83, 8t, KS, 1)7, US. US)

Lily, Mrs t .v<'< H<M Xorrw

Lily, M^s lal <( 89, 97

Lincoln, Abraham, M, JO, Sn,. 37,
!U, rin. f I4. JUOn.. :U1 and n,:
t k ftV<t of eNvtion, ItU; pretiniinary
Knmm'ipatiou IVoclanmtion, I K"> nml
n.; KimuKMpatitm I'rnclaittutKtiu HH;
rqw>rt*<l us lir*tutor, 180; rumor of
death, S3 ttnd it.

IJttteir* Lit'htr/ Ayt\ 14, HI ami n., 31

Little, Mai.. 3M

Little Rwk, Ark,, Itil, ^5; fall <>f

Ixoncy, Morgan H,
L Mr,, IH

xi, xtu xv,
03n,, !(, !(W, III,
333, 337, 3H3, *
T>, e(? t 378 and

eulogy to, 100; honor of, 174; part
of Tians-Mississippi Department,
207n ; rumors of reatlmussion, 330;
Quantnll in, 25 3n., refugees from,
330, tioops in, iefu.se to sin render,
335*30, governor of, at surrender
conference, 343n.
Louisville, Ky., 140
Lovell, Gen/ Mansfield, 3*4
L'Oveitnre, Toussanit, 313 and n., 314
Lowry, family, 103, 305 300, 307
L<mry, Alfred J, ">3n , 17f>
Lo\\ry, Mrs A. J, 30 1
Lo\\ry, Al, 53. UV> 37, 140 1-1, 3o5
Lo\vry, C'arne ((!arohue) , ,)3, 149,
153, U3, 30(5-307, 31 t, 318, 373,
317, 333 33

Lo\\iy, Frank, 135 $(, 140
Ixwry, Olivia, 30(J
Luea,s, Mr,, 151

r^ Va., 3M, 318, 310

MH 1 ly, Mj. & Mrs, K, !> 313
MoTardk Maj , 101 103
MK'lellau, Gen. (icorw B,. , r >9 nnd n.,
H5 and n,, Ji, 13(K 1IU 33

, (n. Jf. A*
L Mr., !n<
t (ion. Ilfnry
Honham, Tev,, 3U; arrests (jtian-
trill, W5n,
Mc(5w, Mr., il. ^>. 130, H>>, 140,

103, 370

MHtloasun, Mr,, KVi, 3t?!t
M<-(irnw, Sally, JtOit WU

, f 3W fe S47, 3/JOn,,

l, SMMs

$07, sis, ao. sat, sw is, str>, IUH,
95*2 rs, s*it

McGregor, Mr,, 4S 4k 370
Mtthttcmh, Col, I), Xn HH uud .
MeInt(Nh, Mrs, (Son,. t07
Mrlnto?lt t Mr. (5i.. 107
Mdntyrc, Mins, r'i
MrNniry, Su<\ J07

Mr,, 8i, Ht fit, W*. US t ti<)
'ilh, Col,, Wt

. Mr,, 170, JHS, Hm <I7
MrKw. Mr, M. H,. W. 4(J, 4$), 5H,
rt, I <W, (IS. 78, UH, W7, ISO S7,
147* ltf, 1/J/I /!

390

INDEX

Nailor, Dr., 248
Nailor, Frank, 20, 47, 62
Nailor, Kate, 17, 20, 24, 28, 30, 44,
47-48, 50, 63, 71, 81, 93, 105, 111-
12, 118, 163, 248, 258, 350, 351;
dies, 276

Nashville, Tenn., 37 and n., 90S , 96,
104-105, 116, defeat of Gen Hood
at, 313n
Nashville Female Academy, 3, 37n.,

90 and n

Natchez, Miss, xiii, 39, 65, 111, 115,
168n, 174n.; surrender, 107 and n.
Natchitoches, La, 278n
Negroes, xv; freed, return to La , xviii,
363, freedmen demand high wages,
368, die of cholera, 372; see also
Slaves

Neil, Lt., 326

Neily, Mr John, 92, 138, 140
New Carthage, La , 174 and n , 176,
186n, 21 7n; proposed canal at,
168n.

New York, 54, 269, 276n
New York News, 317
New York Tribune, 14 and n, 176n.,

205

New York 22nd Cavalry, 308
New Orleans, La, xi, xh, 13F, 43,
52n., 53-54, 59, 66, 84, 89, 103-
105, 107, 109, 111, 115, 144, 151,
178, 253, 268, 279, 315, 321n , 343n ,
351, 353, 357, 361n , 366, 368, 377;
fall of, 100 and n.; Mumford inci-
dent, 126

Newman, family, 372
Newman, George R., 25n , 69, 122-

23, 132, 162
Newman, Mrs. George R. (Ann), 25

and n., 80, 269, 293, 296, 314
Newman, Annie, 124
Newman, George, 25n.
Newman, Lizzie, 25n., 124
Newman, Sally, 376
Newman, Walter, 25 and n.
Newton, Albert B, xx, 3, 11, 13-14,
16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25-27, 29, 31,
35, 42-45, 56, 62; dies, 264
Newton, Mrs., 139, 147, 806, 353
Newton, Celeste, 22

Newton, George, 45

Nicholson, Anna (Annie), xxi, 26, 58-

59, 61, 271, 286, 310
Noland, Mr Joe, 125, 177, 182
Nolley, Lt, 164
Norfolk, Va, 106
Norris, family, 85
Norns, Mr., 89
Norris, Mrs 89, 291
Norris, Emily, xxi, 26, 59, 78, 117,

123, 151, 153-54, 271, 280, 283,

286ff, 306-307, 325, 372
Norris, Lambert, 161
Norris, Robert, 21, 25-27, 47, 49, 65,

67, 72, 74-75, 78, 80, 93ff , 117, 119,

123-24, 128, 131-32, 248, 257, 264
Norris, Rose (Mrs. Lily), 67, 80-81,

84, 88-89, 93, 97, 382, 338-39
Noms, Thekla, 59, 64, 82, 307
Nutt, Dr., 127

Nutt, Mrs, 140, 142, 175, 370
Nutt, Miss, 142

Oak Ridge, La, 300, 3$2, 364; Kate
visits near, 293 and n.; Confederate
troops at, 294

Oath of Allegiance, 105, 126, 175 and
n., 181, 349

Occoquan Creek, Va., 68

Omega Landing, La., \\, 14 and n.,
19, 35, 44-4J, 53, 67, 70, 82, 91,
107, 123, 125, 127-28, 138, U<2, 151,
164, 176, 181; Federal gunboats at,
130; shelled, 140; Federal imlx>ats
at, 159; Federal fleet at, 103; Federal
headquarters at, 178

OIT, Miss, 52

Ouachita River, 169, 188, 19-2, lOSn.,
205n., 297, 304, S05n M 3n.; pro-
posed bypass, 168n.

Overseer, position and duties, 5~6;
wife of, 15

Owen, Mrs, 61, 187

Owens, Mr, 22

Oxford, Miss,, 186

P., Dr., 249

Paducah, Ky., 105, 281m
Pargoud, Col. J. Frank, 148 and n.,
155, 159

INDEX

391

Parsons, Col. M. M., 29G and n.

"Paul Vane," 301 and n

Payne, Mrs, 13J, 139, 1 H), 1,51- 52,

277, 281, 283-84
Pecan Grove, La., 108, 11 MS, 128,

184

Peck, Mr \V. P., 1 1, 3f>, 3(Jn , 58
Pemberton, Gen John C, 1 211 and n,

244; surrendor of Vieksburg, &J9u.
Pennsylvania, S L 27, 233, C 243
Pernt GuauL, 17
Peters, Mr. 340
Petersburg, Va., 3H
Philadelphia, Pa., 13H, 151; rumor of

capture, 30
Philips, Mr , ^)7
Picayune, 14, 3/>, HH, 3-2 hi.
Picrson, Mr, 3,71, 353. 357
Pier$on\<t Mayazint\ iW8
Pm Hook, La , Yankee raid on, '307
Pine Bluff, Ark., xvi, 74, 75, 07n.,

301
Pleasant Hill, La., iRHn,, eRO; battle

Of, AVI

Poe, Kdjrar Allan, \vni, 14, &)
Pohgnuc. (Jon Caimllt* do, fit battle

of Mansfield, La.* J*H am! n.
Polk, Carrie, w<*<* Carrie Lo^ry
Polk, Oil., *77
Polk, (Jen, Loonidas, 83
Polk, Lt.. 143

Polys, ('apt., 3#), 331, 31W, 330
Polys, Mrs. ('apt., 3^5
Pope, G<n. John, !Mi; rt'tjnrsts (Jin.

Kirhy Smith*!* sumn<l<T t K) and n.
Port Gibson, Miss., v ill
Port HutUon, Ln M I ft In.; sum*n<!**r of,

^0 anti n.

Port lloyuK 8.O.. 71
Portor, (*a|>t, 74

Potonmr Itivor, HH, 141 tUJ 17, 140
Po\\dl, I/^vls, BHn.
Prentic**, Mr., *r>J1, ^0; <H*i. ^4
Prrntiec*. Mw s *!4 fl8. <*M< 4<H, ^06,

ai, <H7 HO, Wtf, i, SA>, ^ 4

S3*, 311, 3*1(1, 373
Prniliei', Iforati', iH5
Pn^ton, Ctn. Willimn H. t 3
Price, (3*-n. Hl
, Martin, 3

Prisoners, Confederate, captured at
Milliken's Bend, 137 and n ; ex-
pected exchange at Vicksburg, 141;
exchanges arrive in Vicksbuig, 143
and n ; Yankees at Virksburg, 150,
civilians taken, 100; at Vicksburg,
aSO; at Camp Fold, 357, 383, L 379;
destitute condition, 4 20t); paiolos ox-
pec-ted, 331

Pritchard, Capt , iU7

Proctoi, Mrs, -210

Pufth, Florence (Mr^ Morrison), !^06

Purvis, Maj., -300

Quanlnll, AY. C,, in Texa^, ^53 and n.
Quays, Amy, 3W ^(?, 3-*H
^<'<- (/ //?< HXvf, 133n. f i7(Jn,

Hagnn. funnily, HI

Ra^an, Aslihuni. x\, 3, 15fT., *2Hfl,,
13f! M OniF., 70, 77, 80, 84s 8(J, 11 ,
IS, m ^'2; cliw. UK (JO; rharurtw
of, (>i); tnemor t \ of, 130

Katfnn, Bohannn (Tnole Bo), vii, vx,

. inff.. 10. oo, w, jm ;n, ;n. *m,

R 47, f>(, (H, 71 7'i. HI. 8,'. S,
8H. H^, 100, III ir. I10 t H, 18,

M-.I, M7, MO. iri. urn, i me. IHO,

4 217, "2W, ^K1, iiOit, 1. JJW 41. 5U.
av,, <JS, 570, 77; leuvvs fur \'ir
tfima, J7; promoted, *iJH; \vnunt{i % t! t
pmmotiMi to Capt.* iZ^O; cot*-

u Mlani, ! 1 1

i, Katt* Boour (Mr.,

75. **T.. ^77, ^Ht, f>7,
l. ,W>, ^tU, m 8*1, JW4,
KS; nmrri<% 71: nrriv^M in

, John, Sr, rOther PH), fl V>,
70, 74 77tf.. 84, 147. lft 57, W*.

, Mw. John, Sr. (Other Mn),

Rn^itn, John (Usi<*l* Jcibnuy), 4$, 40,
HO, 147. lf>7, ^4tr,, *e^>, *??, ^H4.
507, 81 K 8!, 8W, 8-H, .*W, SMKI. 8W8;
tiw, 74} nmv^j* tn T^xtw,

INDEX

returns to Tyler from Austin, 282;
goes to Austin, 856, returns, 357
Ragan, Sarah Louise (Sally), 157, 242,
284, 289, 307, 317, 344, 354, 361,
363

Raids, fear of, 119, Negroes taken
from plantations, 127-28, 175;
Yankees rob Mr Newman, 132;
Yankees expected, 148; railroad de-
stroyed to Delhi, 365, on Buckhorn,
1G5-66, Yankees at Dr. Devme's,
172, Yankee parties in swamp,
174; Yankees seek cotton, 178;
expected at Brokenburn, 179, raiding
party passes Brokenburn, 179;
Brokenburn visited, 181; Yankees
take Wonka, 182-83; by soldiers and
Negroes, 184; Hardison's home
sacked, 195-97; cutting off supplies,
204, by Yankees at Cooper's Well,
Miss., 243, reported, 296, at Floyd
and Pin Hook, La , 297, 298; danger
past, 300; reports of, 301; Yankees
at Monroe, 320

Railroad, xiv, xv; Vicksburg, Shreve-
port and Texas, 47; to Jackson,
Miss, 101, 103; Vicksburg, Shreve-
port and Texas, 103-104; Vicksburg,
Shreveport and Texas, bridges
burned, tracks destroyed, 165 and n.;
Stones ride from Delhi to Monroe,
192; Monroe to Delhi, 219; Houston
and Texas Central, 288n.
Randall, Col Horace, 214 and n.
Randall, Maj, 292
Rapidan River, 277
Raymond, Miss, 211
Reading, Mr. R, G, 22n., 52, 69-^0
Reading, Mrs R. G., 22 and n., 50,

52, 64-65, 91
Reading, Jenny, 65
Reading, Sally, C5

Red River, xvi, 194n., 2S9n.; bypass
route, 168n.; Queen of the West
captured in, 176 and n.; campaign
of, g78n; Federal fleet in, 280n.;
skirmishes on, 286

Reed, Julia, 22, 30, 44, 52, 55-56, 64r-
66, 77ff, 85, 88, 91, 106, 112, 115-
16, 118ff, ISO, 134ff., 189, 141-42,
145, 149, 152, 156, 176, 205, 238,

247-48, 266, 275, 277, 281ff, 293,
303, 307, 322-23

Refugees, 250, 255, 267, 291, 293, 294;
river planters move to hills, 139,
at Delhi, 191; on cars at Monroe,
192, bound for Texas, 194; at Tren-
ton, La, 204, 215; attitude toward,
at Tyler, 238
Reigart, Mr , 296, 374
Rhett, Ma]., 346
Rhodes, Mr., 186
Rhotan, Mr, 372, 373
Richards, George S , 16n , 23, 40, 65,

130, 195-97, 315
Richards, Keene, 173
Richards, Mrs Keene, 369, 372
Richards, Mary, 154
Richards, Saiah, 16n.
Richards, Sue, 121
Richardson, Judge N., 208, 288, 367
Richardson, Mis. Napitandi, 181, 206,

211, 279-80, 287-88, 367
Richardson, Air A., 63, 181
Richardson, Miss W., 181
Richmond, Ky , 142 and n.
Richmond, La,, \\\, 15 and n., 38n.,
57, 89, 127, ISOn., 173, 186n., 217n.,
218 and n, 365

Richmond, Va, 16, 2(5, 30, 35, 41, 44-
45, 56, 115n., 116, 110, 129n., 140,
167, 215-16, 278, 308; Uncle Johnny
at, 243; beseiged 290; surrender of,
331; retreat from, S3S
Ricks, Ben, 102
Roach, Wilkins, 105
Roach, Mrs. Wilkins, nee Kate Xailor
Roane, Gen. J, Soldtan, calls on Stones,

267 and n.

Roane, Mrs. J. Soldeiu 283, 53, 358
Roanoke Island, N. C, 90, 04
Robert, Eliza, SSI
Roberts, Janie, 320, 328
Rodney, La, 107
Rowecrans, Gen. W. S M 59 and n.,

258

Ross, Gen. L. S., raids in Miss., 28In.
Rossman, Mrs., 20, 49, 144, 851
Rossman, Eugenia, 144, 864, S28, 351
Roundaway Bayou, La,, S8n., 150n.;

proposed canal into, 168n.
Rucker, Mr., 175

Rutherford, Mr, 98, 99
Rutherford, Mrs, 98

Salt works, 170, 175, 194, 200, 205,
207; slaves at, 204

San Antonio, Tex, 280, 318, shipping
cotton to, 326

Sandford, Molhe, 32S, 334, 330

Santa Rosa Island, Fla , 60 and n.

Saunders, Dr., 100, 161

Saunders, Mrs , .we Jenny Austin

Savage, Mrs. Elizabeth, xix, xxi, 21,
24ff., 30, 41, 58-59, 01, 03, 07, 69,
73-74, 77-78, 80ft., 85, 80, 03, 07-
98, lOt, 107, 118-19, 122-123, 131,
136, 1S8, 141, 14-5, 148, 151, 153,
161, 249, 260, 274-75, 280-81, 28 J-,
286, 290ff, $97, 306-307, 311, 315,
320, 325, 327, 329, 330, 334, 330tt'.,
342, 244-45, 350, 350

Savannah, Ga., H4-45, 312, 367

Sawyer, Charles Carroll, S23n.

Scarborough, Mrs., 21 1

Scarborough, Tubithia, 51, 215

Schools, 37, 50, 54, OJ), 71, 7<>, 80 '>.
84-85, 80, 109, 121, 131, 170. 271,
273-74, 284, 2H6, 310, tH5, 844;
tutors, xi; n<*ed of teacher, 58;
arrival of Mr. "Wilkinson, 70; Wilkin-
son's first attempt teaching, 71;
"Wilkinson's failure, 73; tutor's salary,
75; effect on Johnny, H7; starts
under Stenokrath, 90; Stockton
arrives, 91; position sought, for Mr,
Stockton, 1)2-93; tit Clinton, MIM*.,
186; Paradise, 225; Liberty, $34;
disturbance, at Tyler, 249 f*K WM>
254; Kaiser opens tiew school, 25 I -
55; Kale teaches Emily French, 287*,
Uncle Johnny's, 357: near Clinton,
MWH., 368

Sohullx, Mrs,, w Lou West

Point, Mr., 173

Scott, Mr. t 80, 166, 366

Scott, Mw, Mary J., 41

Scott, Mr, Tom, W)

Scott, Mrs, \V., 70, 206

Boott, Amelia, 41 and n t 54. $40, $64,
6$, $66

Scott, Charley. 31, HO, 139, 140 141,
268; die** 36*1

Scott, Gen. \Vmeld, 44

Scott, Thomas, 41n.

Scale, Mrs, 217, 304, 367

Scale, Lucy, 217, 304-305

Seaton, Mr, 350

Sebahlion, Mr. Tip, 52, 140

Second Brigade, Texas Volunteer In-

fantry, 21 4n

Second Mississippi Battalion, 121
Second lle^t , Virginia troops, SlSn.
Selrna, Ala, 30i>
Selser, Mr,, (JS, 11J)
Selser, Eugene, dies, 141
Serena, Aunt, 34

Seven Days, battle of, 13 and n.
Seward, ^V. II, 3HJn., 3S and n.
Sliakespenie, William, xviii, S70, 489,

3(J5; copy of, at $14, 34
Sharpslmrtf, Md,, 144-40, 107, ftI4n.
Shelby, Gen. Joseph, 343n.; refuses to

.surrender, 33fln.; t^capcs to Mexico,

Shepard, Col. Isatic J,

Shenuau, (ieiu William T., xiii, xv,
108u 177n., 81$, 35^; lan<it at
Millikeirs Bend, 105n.; reported
death, fH7

Shields, Gen. Jumew, llf>

Shiloh, Terni,, 100 and n., 101. HJO
and n.

Shortages, xii; of garden wed, 18; t>f
Food and clothing milwtitute-H for,
100 10; of food. KS; of flour, 145;
of clothing* 147 and n.; mihKtitutrs
for bttvcrntfttt and tthinw. lH() f 18 1
and n.; of quinine, 185 and n.; of
clothes, 180; of proviHioiw in Missis-
ippi, $0; of fcHKl. ^58 Mh of tax!
and clothhiK, ^00 tuul n.*, of flour,
318; h<nemde cnndlcs* JJIH;
ttiten for ink and shoe
.W and *; of clothe^ 1U7

Shreveport, Ln., ^<IK, il

n ;

^ 83, 94. 304,
5, 330n,,

354 53, 36,1 00, 370;
of TranH-MtSHWHippi l)ept, nt,
tlm*ntened by Federals, #7H
wit-reader of tr<n>p* At,
momliwition nt, 340 and n,

394

INDEX

Sickness, 42, 46, 55; scarlet fever and
chills, 24; scarlet fever and dropsy,
31; chills and fever (swamp ievei),
33, 37, 39-40, 48-49 and n, 51,
o7, 59, 63fi, 126, 128, 132-33, 287;
\vhooping cough, 53, 54; spasms,
60; typhoid fever, 62; diphtheria,
83; neuralgia, 87-88; colds, 92, 127;
mumps, 123; pneumonia, 156 and n.,
207, 252, 264; pneumonia and treat-
ment of, 156-59, 160, 161, 162; in-
flamed eyes, 168, 254 and n.; among
Yankee prisoners, 173n , 174n ;
leprosy, 239; in Tyler, 283; tooth-
ache, 305; measles, 310; sore throat,
323; cholera, 372; yellow fever, 373
Sigel, Gen. Franz, 93
Simple, Nannie, 304
Skipwith's Landing, Miss,, 134
Slaughter, Mrs , 235, 240
Slaughter, Belle, 241
Slaves, xi, xii, xiv, xvi, xviii; xix;
living and working conditions of,
4-5; traders of, 5; children of, 6;
provisions and clothing for, 6, 7,
152; house servants, 8-11, 78, 179
and n, 337-38; sickness of, 21, 24,
42, 43-44, 107, 130, 173 and n;
birth of, 21, 38, 59; runaways, 28,
35, 88, 170-71, 179, 183, 204; death,
31, 45, 46, 87, 126, 128, 146, 176,
180, 204, 207, 224, 272, 337, 356;
demoralization of, 33, 35, 175, 202;
music and dancing of, 33, 38; antici-
pated uprising of, 37; holidays for,
38, 77, 127; religious instruction of,
41; concern for and care of, 46;
stealing of, 53; passes for, 75 and
n.; division of families of, 84, 86;
with Brother Walter, 187; left at
Brokenburn, S14n.; health of, 226
and n., 285; care of by Dr. Carson,
236; Texans eager to hire, 242;
light duties in Texas, 259, 294;
loyalty of, 398; to be freed, 335;
peaceful, 351; insubordinate as f reed-
men, 362; desire to return to Louisi-
ana, 362; number returned to Louisi-
ana, 363
Slaves, in war, body servants, 11,

207n., 312; work on fortifications,
83, work on levees, 106, 125 and n.;
instructed to run from Federals, 125,
taken by Fedeials, 125, 127-28; tent
to back country, 127; return fiom
Federals, 134; sent to Bayou Macon,
137; return from Bayou Macon,
138; escape to Federals, 138; pre-
liminary Emancipation Pioclamation
freeing, 145 and n ; moved inland,
169; moved to Delhi, La , 170; taken
to salt works, 170; taken by Fed-
erals, 175; refuse to go with Federals,
183; looting by, 184, 193, 195-96,
212; abuse of owners by, 18.5, 195,
205; moved away from Federal lines,
188; flee with Stones, 191; hold
whites hostage, 196; armed, 202; at
salt works, 204, 205; run out of
Federal lines, 207, 209-10; lined by
Federals, 208; buy provisions from
Federals, 210; killed in battle, $16;
as soldiers, 218; fighting ability as
soldiers, 219 and n ; saved from
capture, 243; pride in military serv-
ice, 287

Slicer, Dr., 126, 132, 141, 142

Smith County, Tex., 249n.

Smith, Betty, 319

Smith, Capt., 267-68, 275, 283, 324,
S27, 352, 358

Smith, Capt \V. A., 213 and n.

Smith, Capt 209-10

Smith, Dr Jim, 140, 312

Smith, Florence, 328

Smith, Gen., 150

Smith, Gen., 231, 241-42, 853

Smith, Gen. A. J M lands Federal
troops at Milliken's Bend, 165n,;
in command, 178n.

Smith, Gen. Edmund Kirby, 377,
280n., 342n., 343n,; commands
Trans-Mississippi Dept, with head-
quarters in Shreveport, 56, 257n ;
visited by Mrs. Stone, 256; order
signed by, 288; to be deposed, 336n.;
delays surrender, S40n.; urges resist-
ance, 340n.; surrenders, S43n.; con*
ference at Marshall, Texas* 34$n/,
reported robbed, 346

INDEX

.'395

Smith, Gen M. L , commands Federal
troops at Milliken's Bend, 178n

Smith. Mr., 154, 311, 325

Smith, Mr., 207, 214, 226, 228, 231,
233, 241-42, 245, 256-57, 264, 273,
286, 326, 332, 353, 362

Smith, Mrs, 227, 231, 235, 238, 241,
214, 361ff

Snodgrass, Mi., 41

Somerville, Lt, 267, 208

South Carolina, 71n , 101, 102

Southern Illustrated AVuvt, L 24Sn.

Southerns', Co B, 48

Spain, Mrs, 181

Spann, Muss, 57

Spraguc, Col J T., 344n.

Springer, Miss, 51

Spiing Bank, La, 350

Springfield, Mo , 19, 50 and n,

Squireb, Maj , 3^2

St. Char, Capt., $51

St. Clair, Mr,s., 318, 353

St. LOUH, Mo., 34, 59u , 54, 266, 204

St. Joseph, La , 80

SL Mary, La., salt \u>rks at, 104

Staevy, Misses, 210

Stark, OoL regimeut of, 101 102, 205

Steely Gen. Frederick, 480 ami n., !,
284; commands Federal Iroops at
MilHkwi's Bend, 178n.

StenekruUu Mr., 80, 90 08, 96, OH,
118, 153

Stephens, A. H.. 31(Jn,

SUverw, MM., 175, 184

Stewart, Dr., 494

Stockton, Mr., 85, 01 08, 105, 13K,
1403,

Stokt% Mr., 117

Stone. Awuda SUH&U Kaftan (Minmmt>.
xi, xiv, xvu xvn, xviii, S, 10, IK
13, 15. 17, 18. 40ff., 40, 4ttflL 47,
50, 54&, 61 ( 63 64, 671!., 77f!,, 04,
07, 99, 101, 103-104, 100, 100, H5
10, 118-10, 144. 145, 140, 181. 18H
85, 137, 18941, 14440, 14tt-flO,
15S T 15750, 1<J1 6^ 165, I00,,
170, 18, J8 and n. t

86, 290ft', 296, 209-301, 303. 306-
308, 310-12, S14ff, 335ft', 3Uff,
347, 350ff., 355ft', 372-73, 376-77;
biography of, xx; clothing slaves,
7; pi election of slaves, 8; religious
instruction of slaves, H; vsick, 60;
chaiactcr and girlhocxl of, 70, siek,
1">6, 128, 132, to Vicksburg. 155;
returns from Virkshurg. 156, <lis-
chaises over.seer, 163; visits Tyler,
230; pleads release of o\erseer from
military smuv. 231; visits Shreve-
poit, 25(>; applies for My Brother's
transfer, 273; teatl popular novels,
3*26; reads Shakespeare, 3(>j; visits
in Vicksbur^, 375

Stone, Amanda H (Little Sister),
xiv, !, il , IK ^it, 25, 127, 30, U7,
40, 49ff., 57 51), 63 64, 73, 80-8*2,
8t, 86 88, W), 106, 115, 120 $1,
126-27, Ml 13834, 140-41, 145,
158, 155, 1<, 170, 185. 188, IHDxi .
101, 193-04, Ifl6> $00, 208, 0<* 407,
2H, $16, 230, -288, *8(J, *2H 45, &5t,
56, 7S, ^75, 1177, ^86, SHfl, !Jlt)
U, 316 17, 881, $43 48, 854 55.
,W 3l 6, 804 65, 876, 377; bi-
ography of, xx

Stone. Colemau (brother Ooley), xii*
8. 18, SOflf., 526 f 8. 40. 4^2 f 44fl.,
51, 53, 55 ff. 68 64, 67, ()&, 78,
80, 84 88, 87. Dtf 08, 0."> t i>, J>K
00, 10-e, 107, U^, H7, UJ) SO, 144
. 131, 184 86, 140. 144, MO, hV>,
I7t, 180, 189. 104. 406, $17, &*H,
*W. 30, 458; death of, xvi. 4^>;
jfoinn army. 04: ill, 131); Mti*r re-
pcirting de<ith of, 450 64; ohnrneter
(F, 44 (J3; injuntti, 403

St<nto, Jntnrx A. (4imny), xiv, 1.^.
18. "41, 48 4K JJ, 8H. 45, 4H 40,
511!,, 58 5D, OS 6#. 07 f 7-80, 10(J,
U4, 114 10, 141, 147* ISO, l4, KH7,
114, 140 47, !/S*'6$, I/J5, KJO, 101
04, tOK 170 71, 175, 180ru 11 P8,
1J)7. 108 ftml H,. 4(K), 404, 4()0' 407.
4MMO, 440, 444, 440, 44H, 4S4.
48<t, 481), 447, 450, 451 flL 457 5H,
4<W, 407, 470 71, 474, 477 47tf 80,
4fl4 ##, 408 iH), $tM,

396

INDEX

304, 308, 310, 312, 314-16, 321,
323, 325, 334, 347-49, 351, 353,
358, 360ff , 365, 368, 376, biography
of, xx; has pneumonia, 156-59; goes
to Navasota, Tex , 228; returns from
Navasota, 240; joins army, 293 and
n.; birthday of, 303; letters from,
320, 337; returns home, 346; studies
medicine, 370, quits medical school,
375

Stone, John B (Johnny), xiv, 19,
20-21, 24, 28, 30, 45, 47, 49-51,
53-54, 57, 60, 62ff, 67, 75, 79-80,
87, 116, 120-21, 129, 134, 137, 141,
153, 155, 162, 164, 170-71, 173ff,
183-85, 189n , 191, 193, 198 and n ,
199-201, 204, 214, 217, 219-20, 233,
235-36, 244-45, 248ff, 254, 256-57,
264, 268, 270-72, 277, 285ff, 292,
300-301, 303-305, 307-308, 311,
316, 318-19, 325, 327, 330-31, 333,
335, 337-38, 346ff, 357-59, 362,
364, 375-76; biography of, xx; taken
prisoner, 165, experiences as prisoner,
166; trip to Monroe, 238; returns
from Monroe, 247; reads Shake-
speare, 365; trouble with Negro ex-
soldier, 368; sent away, 368; m
school at Clinton, Miss, 368; in
school at Oxford, Miss., 371

Stone, Sarah Katherine (Kate), age
of, xi; begins Journal, xi; attitudes
of, xii; on shortages, xiii; has Christ-
mas party, xiii; on beginning of
Vicksburg siege, xiii; reports Federal
foraging, xiii, on terror of civilians,
xiii; Federals sieze favorite horse of,
xiv; anxious for loved ones, xiv;
menaced by armed slaves, xiv; flees
from Brokenburn, xiv; m peril, xiv;
reaches Delhi, La., xiv; temporary
refuge of, at Monroe La., xv; arrives
in Texas, xvi; moves to Tyler, xvi;
on Yankee prisoners, xvi; praises
Southern strategy, xvn; meets Lt.
Holmes, xvii; returns to Louisiana,
xvii; marries Henry Bry Holmes,
xvm; authors read by, xviii; as
diarist, xviii; importance of Journal
of, xix; biography of, xxi-xxii; an-

cestry of, 7; on slavery, 7-8; begins
Journal, 11-12; on Horace Greeley,
14; bids of farewell to brother and
uncle, 17; on secession, 19; prays for
Cause, 25; studies French, 29; reads
Poe, 29; reads Scott, 33; on own
childhood, 34-35; describes self, 35;
patriotism of, 36; returns from Vicks-
burg, 46; studies Spanish, 48; leads
Hawthorne, 51; mourns Ashburn,
68; comments on Uncle Johnny, 75;
observes twenty-first birthday, 79;
reads Bulwer-Lytton, 82; sympa-
thizes with slaves, 84; patriotism of,
85; on Sir Walter Scott, 87; protests
inaction, 87; reads Jeremy Taylor,
88; describes burning of cotton, 100-
101; flees from Vicksburg, 103-104;
on shortages, 109-10; praises
Southerners, 110; sees first Federal
gunboat, 122-23; woiries about
soldier brother, 133-34; reports ru-
mors of Federal raids, 1S7; reads
Bulwer-Lytton, 138; visits in Vicks-
burg, 142; on Lincoln, 146; learns
to weave, 146; reads Thackeray,
148; prepares to flee from Yankees,
169; concerned for runaway slave**,
171; on Gen. Grant, 175; expects
Federal attack, 179; loses favorite
horse, 182-83; defies Yankee soldier,
182; describes civilian conditions,
184 and n.; describes fleeing ci\ ilians,
191; held prisoner by armed slaves,
195-97; flees from Brokenburn,
197fL; locates near Monroe, La.,
20S; reads Keats, 206; on deuth of
Stonewall Jackson, 211; meets Gen.
Walker's staff, 213-14; on journey
to Texas, 220-23; on Texans, 23-
27; rents books, 233-34; describes
Texas, 234r-39; moves to Tyler,
249; describes difficulties of refugees*
249-51; reads Washington Irvm&
256; mourns death of Brother Coley,
262-63; celebrates Christmas, 209;
observes twenty-third birthday, 272;
reports battles of Mansfield and
Pleasant Hill, La, 77ff.; visits
Yankee prison camp, 88; tutors

INDEX

397

French, 287; visits Rusk, Texas,
288; attends Masonic celebration,
92; returns to Louisiana 011 visit,
293; returns to Texas, 304-306; re-
ports peace rumors, 316; meets
Mollie E. Moore (Davis), 321;
meets Lt. Holmes, 332; reports
rumors of Lee's surrender, 330-31;
reads Goethe's Faiist, 332, on Lin-
coln's assassination, 333, confirms
Lee's surrender, 333-34; despairij of
defeat, 334; on rumors of her en-
gagement, 338; is bitter about defeat,
339-40; on conditions in Trans-
Mississippi Dept, 340-41; debcubes
reaction to defeat, 340-42; disagrees
with Lt. Holmes on matrimony,
344, 345-46; says good-bye to Lt.
Holmes, 347-48; reports My Broth-
er's return, 348-49; reports arrival
of Federal troops in Tyler, 351;
leaves Tyler, 359; returns to Lamar
County, 361; describes destitute con-
dition of Stones, 362-03; arrives at
Brokenburn, 364; describes return
trip from Texas, 366-07; sees Lt.
Holmes, 367; visits New Orleans,
368; on conditions after the war,
368-69; moves to Wilton Planta-
tion, 871; determines to be more
appreciative in the future, $78
Stone, Walter F. (Brother Waller),
xii, xv t 16, 19 !, 34, 38, 41, 43,
45, 49, 55, 57, ,>9, 60 01, 64, 69
70, 7$, 79 80, H<*. 84, 87-88, OS,

09, 108 104, 107-108, 111 13, 115

10, m H4ff., 134, 134-85, 187,
180 40, 145-40, 149, 155, 108. 180.
18<>, g$0, $50, *0*, 310, 340; death
of xv, 180-88; leaving for army,
14$ 44; joins army, 150; bravery
of, 408

Stone, William Patrick (Father), xx,
34, 8.1 58, 70

Stone, William R. (My Brother),
xii, xviii, 8, II, IHff., *CK *8 80,
84, 3fl, 4I 4* 44 -45, 47. 50, ff.,
00-61, 63, 04, 6> ffl). 71, 81, 85,
00, 10$, KW, URt, HI 14, Wff..
IIP, Hi, 1*5, 1& 1S8, 136, 187,

141, 145ff, 152, 154-55, 103, 108,
172, 176, 178, 186, 189, 215-17,
243, 248, 256, 264-65, 272, 276-
77, 281, 284, 290, 291, 308, 315,
317, 322-23, 334, 336, 341, 343-
44, 346-47, 350-51, 355, 357-58,
360, 362, 370-71, 373-74, 375, 370-
77; biography of, xx; prepares to
join army, 13; joins Jeff Davis
Guards, 16; leaves for Virginia, 17;
home on sick furlough, OS; returns
to regiment, 68; news of, 134;
wounded, 141; promoted, 15J); re-
poited killed, 164; returns on fur-
lough, 167; wounds of, 167; moves
slaves inland, 170; returns to Vii-
ginia, 174; burns cotton, 177; re-
ported wounded, 247; ew from,
273; birthday of, 303; paroled from
Army of Northern Virginia, 344zi.~
335n.; returns home, $48-40; diffi-
culties on trip home, 34i); leaven for
Louisiana, 350; returns to Texas,
362; on Texmts, 363; reports con-
ditions at Brokenbum, iUfS; arrives
at Hrokenburn, 304; lures Negro <*v
Holdicra, 368; faee crop failure nud
overflow, 372; rents Hose Hill Plan-
tation, 575; crop failure of, 373;
tries farming, 375

Stone, Mj. William M., ^1!$ and .

Storey, Mr., !6iJ> 170

Storey, U,, 286

Street, ('apt., 277, *!>

Si reel, Julia, tr Julin Hwl

Sugar ("reek, Mo. % M

Surrutl, John H., !Wi* au<i u.

Swain, Mrs,, S8*

Swamp Kan gem 47

Swwt, ("apt,, 48

Sweet's Artillery Co,, 1H, 07

TnHulah, IA., vii, x\, xxt, xxii. l^,
15, 104. 147, aOTn.; PMlcrul burn
(le{H>t At, 137

Tnylor, Dr, J. Tlew, IJ1 17.>, 177
Tnylor, Mrn, J, ThtiiM, Si
Taylor, Col Mm (t., 1(H. im>
Taylor, Gen, Kichfcnl. xvi,

INDEX

Mansfield, La , 27 Sn ; surrenders at
Mobile, Ala., 342n.

Taylor, Mrs Felix, 306

Templeton, Mr., 150. 153, 188, 189,
190

Templeton, Mrs, 189-90, 267, 393,
297, 299-300, 302-303, 308, 364

Templeton, Col , 293-95, 297, 300, 304,
320, 367

Templeton, Emma (Emmie, Em),
190, 294-95, 298ff.

Templeton, Mary, 190, 294-95, 315

Tennessee, xii, 83, 92 and n , 96, 143,
180, 186-87, 217, 239, 281 and n,
313n

Tensas River, 32, 80n , 165 and n ;
proposed canal into, 168n

Tensas Swamp, 201, 365

Texans, 213, 218, 286, 317, 319, 334

Texas, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, xix,
lOOn., 103, 104, 201, 204, 206,
214 and n , 216, 217, 218, 219, 220,
223, 224, 225, 227, 228, 230, 233,
239, 241, 242, 244 and n , 246, 249,
253, 254, 255, 257, 266, 267, 269,
274, 278, 286, 288, 291, 294, 295,
300, 305, 307, 314, 321 and n.,
323, 358, 363, 365; regiments from,
130; plans to go to, 189; citizens
fleeing to, 191; refugees to, 194;
proposed journey to, 207; slaves
sent to, 209; military units from,
212 and n; Titus, 220; Stones on
way to, 220; Stones in Lamar Co.,
223 and n.; Gracy Rock, 225; Tar-
rant, 225; Hopkins Co., 225, 358;
wild flowers of, 226; climate of, 227;
difficulty of life in, 227; Paris, 228,
229, 231, 223n , 242, 245, 361; Ly-
donia, 228 and n , 363; beaux in,
228-29; Grimes Co. 228n ; Nava-
sota, 228 and n., 238; Blue's Prairie,
229, 230; Blossom Prairie, 231-32;
Liberty, 234; opinion of, 238; refu-
gees in, 238; Jefferson, 239, 320;
Marion Co., 239n. ; Winnsboro, 240;
Honey Grove, 240, 244; Fannin Co.,
240, 244n; Austin, 242, 255, S,>6,
857; air of, 242; Charleston (mihta
camp), 242; life in, 243, Bonham,
244 and n. 253 n., 315; Tyler,

249ff.; Smith Co, 249n ; Quantrill
in, 253 and n ; Gilmer, 255; Upshur
Co., 255n; Camp Ford, 257n.;
Hempstead, 257n.; Camp Groce,
257n ; invasion of, threatened, 278
and n; Marshall, 278n , 316, 332,
S43n ; San Antonio, 280, 326; Rusk,
280, 287; Cherokee Co, 280; Hen-
derson, 288 and n , 332; Red River
Co., 289 and n.; Navarro Co , 307
and n ; Quitman, 318 and n ; Hous-
ton, 321n., 361; flowers in, S2G;
Brazos River Valley, 327; Pitts-
burg, 336n ; Corsicanna, 336n ;
governor of, at surrender conference,
343n ; flowers in, 343-44; Kaufman
Co., 355, Hockley, 357, 358, 360
Third Brigade, Texas Volunteer In-
fantry, 214n.
Thirteenth Texas Dismounted Cavalry,

212 and n

Thirty-first Louisiana Regt., 137
Thompson, Mr, 175
Tibbetts, Dr., 176
Tibbetts, Mrs, 107* 176
Tibbetts, Hiram, 163, 176
Tiger Rifles, 17

Tilghman, Gen. Lloyd, 211, fclSn.
Tooke, Mrs., 329, 330, 338, 339, 353,

355, 356, 357, S58, 361
Trans-Mississippi Department, xiii,
xvi, 841, 351; area and strength of,
174-75; to be moved, 44; head-
quarters in Shreveport, 257n ;
soldiers cannot leave, 265; head-
quarters in Shreveport threatened,
278n.; soldiers of, criticized, 270n ;
Medical Department of, in Tyler,
279n; postal division at Marshall,
Tex., 284n.; Ordnance Department,
29S> 348; surrender of troops in,
S86n.; situation in, ftt end of \var,
S40n.; final surrender of S-iStu
343n.; chaos in, after surrender, 345:
siezing of government property in,
346; robbing and pillaging in, 340
Trenton, La,, 103 and n., 194, 200.
2Q7n., 208n M 304; Stones locate near,
192; Confederate troops near, 80.
290
Tucker, Henry,

INDEX

399

Tupelo, Miss, 117n, 136, 319

Turner, Mr., 114

Twentieth Mississippi Regt., 143

Twenty-second Texas Volunteer In-
fantiy, 213 and n

Twenty-eighth Mississippi Cavaliy, xx,
xxi, 263, 266

Tyler, Texas, xvi, six, 133n , 230,
235-36, 238-39, 241, 244, 248, 250-
52, 254-55, 256, 258-59, 264ff., 260,
271-73, 275-76, 280, 282ff, 290-91,
293-94, 300, 306, 308-309, 310, 313-
14, 316, 318, 320ff., 825-26, 328-30,
332, 335-37, 339, 342, 344-45, 3*7-
48, 350, 352, 353IT, 362-63, 365-
66; Stones move to, 249 and n.;
Ordnance Depot at, 292; Stones
leave, 359; Kate regrets leaving, 360

Uncle Bob (slave), 198, $00, 202,
31 4n, 315, 346; pursues runaway,
171; character of, 365 66; saves
valuables, 366; give.s Kate money,
377

Uncle Howies (gardener), 10, 38, 64,
108, 153, 177, 314 and n ; ^secures
pass, 75 and n.; drives Jersey wagon,
2S7-38; dies, 337

Uncle Tom (slave). 10, 118, 119;
cheats Negroes* 147

rn<Jr 7'0;V Cabin, 313n.

UtK, Mr., 171

Valentine, Murk, Jr, (Lt,), xxi, 18,
20-28, 40, 4*. <tt 04, WJ, 77, 97,
105, I IMS. 115 16, 118, 140, JH
I4J, 135 -5o\ 159, 101, H4, 8t&
*I 17, 87, (W, 34ff 37$ 73, 370;
raiara Hubampthm of com, 94 05;
joins company* 188; ratigiiH office,
Kftfc. I (IS; taken prinoner, 173; returny
from prison. SKI

Valentine, Mark, tfr,, xxu H, 4$, 77,
95, 07, 104-105, 113, HI, 168 05,
174 -75, 177 7ft, 18* HS, 414, $lf>,
iSO, *&, 87, 510, S7; troulile with
N^xroesi, 17; rrult of raid, 180

Valentin*. Mr, Philo, 104

Van Doni, (Jim. Karl, HJ8 69, 174,
104; tfaek Ftankltn,

leaves for Tenn, 187; attacks Fiank-
lin, Tenn., 205

Vaughn, Mr, 241, 244

Vaughn, Mrs, 227, 235, diet,, 238

Vaughn, Bobby, 254

Vaughn, Kitty, 238, 254

Vicksburg, xi, xti, xv, xvi, xix, xx,
xxi, 13, 16, 18, 20, 28ff, 41, 45,
46 and n , 47, 49, 52-54, 63, 68-
60, 72, 80-81, 83-84, 91, 94, 1)6,
101, 103-104, lOOHf, 112 13, 117iT,
122n, 123n, 124, 126-27, ISOn,
131-32, 134, 136, 142, 144, 146 47,
149, 151-52, l.j4-5<), 159, 162, 165,
J69, 174 and n., 175, 176 and n.,
178, 180 SI, ISO, 190n., I94n., ,).,
206 and u, 215-16, 210n., 227, 235,
248 49, &), 264, 267, 273, 276, 2!)0,
297n., 309, 311 12, 341, 346, 349-
50, 352, 364, 370-71, 375, 377; .siege
of, xv, surrender of, \v; National
C/ometery at, xv; fortification of,
105 and n.; refuses to surrender,
111; firing al, 114; damage of, 115;
Federal eanals at, 125 and n. the
Arkansas at, 133 and n.; Fe<Ural
fleet withdnm* from, 135 and n.:
return of Podoral fle<*t lo, ISO 87,
l$8, 141; exchange t)f prihonerw at,
148; Federal prisoner** tn, 150; ferry
at, 157; preparation for attack on,
ICSti,; plans to bypa.sM. 108 and n,;
fortification of. I OK; Immbardment
of* 184; Grunt hosiers, 211 ami u.,
"2l2n,; Mirrender of. si-^O mul n., V 230;
low of, 233; y*!low fever epidemic
at, 373

Vienna, La., 7(J, 1K15 niul n*

Virginia, xii, xx, U 1JJ *W, 9 105,
114, 1^>, H() t I !JW, ll. 170,
180, 213 and n ^5, 2;l, ^-K 8,

Volunteer Southrons |r| x\, IT*.
71

Waddell, Dr, 108
\Vmldell, Mrn., $10
\VacUey, fantily, 35, ^10

r (Col,), ^m, WO, 40

400

INDEX

Wadley, Mrs., 203, 212-13, 215, 219-
20, 233, 305, 366

Wadley, Loring, 205

"Wadley, Mary, 210

Wadley, Sarah, 210, 219, 224, 235,
255, 265, 288, 305, 325, 332

Wadley, William, 208, 215, 218, 219,
305

Walker, Gen. John G , xv, 102n , 207
and n , 208n., 212 and n., 244n ,
343n.; staff of, 213 and n.; biography
of, 213n,-14n.; movement of divi-
sion of, 217n., battle of Milliken's
Bend, 218n.; in Monroe, 235; cap-
tures Negro soldiers, 239n ; division
moves to Ark., 295 and n.

Walker, Dr and Mrs , 339

Walker, Mr., 114

Waller, Capt., 344, 348, 351

Walnut Hill, Ark., 224

Warren County, Miss, 20, 376

Warrenton, Miss, 108, 114

Washington, D.C., 57, 58, 297-98,
341 and n.; rumors of capture, 230

Watson, Mr., 173

Webster (dining room servant), 10,
19, 22, 28, 33, 42, 67, 91, 103-104,
130, 152, 159, 162, 166, 183, 197-
98, 203; care of mistress, 46; claims
Brokenburn, 193; deserts Stones,
199; joins Federal Army, 208

Weir, Dr., 312, 315, 318-20, 322, 325,
328, 330, 332

Wells, Mrs., 266, 285, 328, 336, 343

Wesley (body servant), 17, 18, 56.
174; separated from My Brother,
349

West, Lou (Mrs. Schultz), death of,
63

Whig (Vicksburg), 14 and n., 35, 39,

85, 98, 111, 115, 117, 146
White, Mr., 52
White, Mrs., 238, 234, 239
White, Capt., 136, 377
Whitmore, Lou, ISO, 132
Wilderness, Va, 308
Wilkinson, Mr. (tutor), 62, 71ff., 79,

83
Williams, Mr., 132, 250, 258, 307, 322

Williams, Capt, 348

Williams, Gen Thomas, digs canal at

Vicksburg, 125n.
Williams, Lt, 61
Williams, M. C, 51
Williamsburg, Va, 116-17
Willow Bayou, La., 32, 50, 55n., 58,

70, 72, 92, 124, 168n , 177
Wilmington, N. C., surrender of, 331
Wilson, Col. William, 60 and n.
Wilson, Julia, 315, 217
Winchester, Va., 39, 114
Winu, Dr., 334
Wmn, Mrs, 369, 370, 371
Winnfield, La , 170
Wonka (Kate's horse), 19, 53, 67,

72, 154, 166, 208n ; taken by

Yankees, 182-83
Wright, Col., 166
Wylie, Capt. Jack, 295, 300fi\, 310,

315, 320, 332, 360
Wylie, Dr, 267, 270, 273, 302
Wylie, Mr. W., 160, 238, SOO

Yankees, xiv, xvi, xvii, 44, 84-85, 91,
93, 100, 103, 111-12, 115, 119, 122,
124ff., 132, 134ff., 145, 148, 150,
154, 160, 163, 165-66, 168-70, 172ff.,
190 and n., 191, 193, 197ff., 208-10,
217-18, 224, 23-2-34, 239-40, 24$-
43, 249, 257-58, 265, 2G9, 273, 277-
78, 283-84, 290, 206-98, 300-301,
313-15, 320, 354-25, 331, S39-41,
348, 351-53, 357, 363-04, SGG--G7.
370

Yazoo City, Miss , xxi, 102, 18$n.

Yohola, Opothele, 83

Yorktown, Va., 10$, 105, 115-16

Young, Dr M 34, 194, $00, 205, 21-2,
215

Young, Mrs., 214, 16

Young, Alice, 214

Young, Carrie, 203, SIS

Young's Point, La., 168n,; Federal
gunboats at, 159; Federal troops at,
177 and n.

Zollicoffer, Gen. Felix Kirk, 8r> ami n.
Zouaves (New Orleans), 17

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