26 March 1862: “Florida is hard pressed by the enemy both Fernandina and Jacksonville have been taken by the Lincolnites.”

Item Description: Rev. Overton Bernard discusses his son’s, Jesse Bernard, raising of volunteer troops in Florida. He sheds light on political maneuvering involved in securing military ranks.  Bernard’s entry also illuminates the impact of the war on Florida cities.

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Item Citation: From folder 2 of the Overton and Jesse Bernard Diaries #62-z,  Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About Overton Bernard: Overton Bernard kept his diary while serving as a Methodist minister in Edenton, N.C., 1824, and as a bank employee in Portsmouth, Va., 1858-1863.

Item transcription:

Wednesday 26th March. rec’d. a Letter to day from my son Jesse in Florida he has raised several Volunteer Companies expects to be elected Major poor fellow I fear he may be kept out of the appointment by electioneering tricks; he was elected General in the Militia of Florida, but by certain party and executive influence was not Commissioned. Florida is hard pressed by the enemy both Fernandina and Jacksonville have been taken by the Lincolnites—and Tallahassee may share the same fate. Jesse has taken his family to his wifes Father some ten miles from Tallahassee — my nephew Chanty O. Bernard has had to flee with his family both from Fernandina and Jacksonville—verily the War is producing a sad amount of suffering. Lord in mercy support the right.

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