Tag Archives: women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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26 July 1861: “The ladies are all as busy as possible forming themselves into relief societies for the wounded soldiers…”

Item description: Entry, dated 26 July 1861, from the diary of Margaret Ann Meta Morris Grimball discussing the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) and the formation of Confederate relief societies on the home front. Item citation: From the … Continue reading

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14 July 1861: “The Communion was administered to the white members and then to the negroes; I thought the Communion of the negroes was very affecting…”

Item description: Sarah Lois Wadley was the daughter of William Morrill Wadley (1812?-1882) and Rebecca Barnard Everingham Wadley (fl. 1840-1884) and lived with her family in homes near Amite in Tangipahoa Parish, Monroe and Oakland in Ouachita Parish, La., and … Continue reading

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29 June 1861: “Delay is worth ten times as much to us as to them…for delay alone can conquer them by bankrupting them nationally & individually at a rapid rate…”

Item description: Letter, 29 June 1861, from Edward Porter Alexander to his wife Bettie. In the letter Alexander describes his new role leading five artillery batteries, and discusses the effect that delays in between battles have on each side (claiming … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 29 June 1861: “Delay is worth ten times as much to us as to them…for delay alone can conquer them by bankrupting them nationally & individually at a rapid rate…”