Monthly Archives: February 2014

29 February 1864: “there has been a big battle in Virginia in which the Yankees were as badly whipped as they ever have been.”

Item description: Diary entry, 29 February 1864, written by Samuel Andrew Agnew. Agnew grew up and attended college and seminary in Due West, S.C. In 1852, he moved to Mississippi, and thereafter lived in the northeastern part of the state, chiefly in … Continue reading

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28 February 1864: “I am heartily disgusted with public opinion.”

Item Description: William Dudley Gale wrote in this letter, 28 February 1864, to his wife, Kate Polk Gale, describing the destruction wrought by the Yankees on Meridian, Ala., and Enterprise, Ala., and defended the much maligned strategy of his father-in-law, … Continue reading

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27 February 1864: “…for the old light-boats now at Plymouth, to obstruct the Neuse and Roanoke rivers, in order to prevent the rebel ironclads said to be building up those rivers coming down to assist…”

Item description: “Letter from Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to the chairman of the Light-House Board, regarding channel buoys in Beaufort Harbor, and the use of old light-boats as obstructions.” To read more from the Official Records of the … Continue reading

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26 February 1864: “…often when I press the precious child to my heart I feel that it will break. I do not know why it is, I often fear it may be a presentiment of future evil, but when I see him so perfectly lovely and angelic in his nature, I fear that he is but a loan from God, which He will soon recall…”

Item Description:  Letter dated 26 February 1864, from Annie Maney Schon to her sister Bettie Maney Kimberly. In this letter, Annie discusses her health after childbirth and the worries and fears she has as a mother.  She also discusses parenting, … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Comments Off on 26 February 1864: “…often when I press the precious child to my heart I feel that it will break. I do not know why it is, I often fear it may be a presentiment of future evil, but when I see him so perfectly lovely and angelic in his nature, I fear that he is but a loan from God, which He will soon recall…”

25 February 1864: “… they are used for paving stones & are calculated generally to last ‘3 years or during the war'”

 Item description: Letter, dated 25 February 1864, from Edward W. Allen to his parents.  In this letter, Allen describes activities at Camp Randall, Wisconsin, including a description of hardtack, friends in the Hospital, and sending photographs to friends and family. … Continue reading

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24 February 1864: “These times we hesitate not to ask favors of our friends & generally our friends are willing to serve us.”

Item Description: In this letter, Mary C. Ruffin wrote from Graham, N.C., to her nephew, Major Daniel Heyward Hamilton Jr., seeking his help in procuring kerosene oil and ascertaining the price and quality of cotton cards. She was sensitive to … Continue reading

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23 February 1864: “The commission officers…are to be treated like faithful dogs worn out with age.”

Item Description: Letter, 23 February 1864, to Governor Zebulon B. Vance from Brigadier-General W. L. Quarles, C.S.A., protesting against turning over the commissioned officers of the North Carolina regiments to the War Department. [transcription available below image] Item Citation: From the Jane … Continue reading

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22 February 1864: “…being called thither on business with his Excellency the President.”

Item description: Letter, dated 22 February 1864, from Major Charles Scott Venable to Lieutenant General Richard Stoddert Ewell.  The letter informs Major Ewell that his commanding General (General Robert E. Lee) would be leaving his position to visit President Jefferson … Continue reading

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21 February 1864: “In general the condition of affairs in East Tennessee was so much improved as to produce a decided feeling of confidence.”

Item: “Report of Major General J. G. Foster of Operations in East Tennessee” in Supplemental Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, in two volumes. Supplemental to Senate report no. 142, 38th Congress, 2d session . … Continue reading

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20 February 1864: “…I bind myself, my heir, executors, and administrators firmly by these presents. Sealed with my seal, and dated this 20th day of Feb. 1864.”

Item Description: Draft of a legal document, dated 20 February 1864 concerning the will of Martha Burke Eppes, who died on December 6, 1863.  Item Citation: Folder 188 of the Hubard Family Papers #00360, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University … Continue reading

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