Item Description: In this entry dated 11 March 1864, Samuel Agnew, a Presbyterian minister, teacher, farmer, and prominent local citizen in Tippah and Lee counties, Mississippi, reported on some local disputes and third hand news of the war. Confederate Generals Lee, Johnston, and Beauregard all had gained victories; Union Generals Sherman and Banks suffered losses. He keenly noted that “This may all be so and again it may not be so.”
Item Citation: Volume 7b, Samuel Agnew Diary #923 in the Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Item Transcription:
March 11 This has been a pleasant day. At Aunt M. J’s request rode up to Esq. Nutt’s to present the facts of the case to him. She fears that her conduct will be misrepresented. Nutt says that Mrs. Squires is not willing to do what is right. He says now that he did not retain $19.00 of the cotton money in his hands. This opens up a difficulty between Mrs. Squires and Nutt. With that we have no concern.
Came on home, find Mrs. Mary Bryson, Jane Young and Cousin Laura here. I went on over to Uncle Jo’s and reported to Aunt Mary Jane, came back by dinner. Anderson Reeves came about noon and took 2 Bales of Cotton to take to Memphis “one half for half.” Hickey brought up his young grey mule “Beck” and Wile put it in the waggon and worked it. It is wild as a dear, and cut up generally. Conversed with the ladies during the evening and thus spend the evening pleasantly. Rode over to Aunt Rilla’s and spent the night. Aunt Sarah there. She hears a good quantity of good news. 1500 hands are working on the R.R. Lee has gained a great victory in Va. capturing 11 thousand Yankees. Johnston has had a fight at Dalton, and the first day repulsed the enemy. Nothing has been heard since the first day. Sherman’s entire waggon train was captured before they crossed Pearl River. Beauregard has whipped the Yankees at Mud Creek (where is Mud Creek?) In Florida we have taken some place and captured 4000 prisoners. Banks has been badly whipped in Texas. This may all be so and again it may not be so. Hoskins falls short in his cotton settlement with Brice more than $20.00 Verily honesty seems to have fled the land.
