Tag Archives: Charleston

25 December 1861: “Today Being Christmas the Col has excused us from drill and we are trying to pass this hollyday as best we can.”

Item description: Letter, 25 December 1861, from Emmett Cole, a Union soldier in Company F, 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment, encamped at Port Royal Island, S.C., to his sister Celestia. Cole commented on Christmas in the context of war, the Charleston fire, … Continue reading

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24 December 1861: “I do heartily mourn the grief & desolation of this appalling destruction.”

Item description: Letter from Jane Caroline North Pettigrew to her mother, 24 December 1861.       Item citation: from folder 249 in Pettigrew Family Papers #592, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Item … Continue reading

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6 September 1861: “We have thought continually of you, since the startling intelligence arrived of the enemy having established themselves so near you!”

Item description: Letter, 6 September 1861, from “Anna,” of Charleston, S.C., to Jane Caroline “Carey” North Pettigrew, in Tyrrell County, N.C. The writer’s identity is not known, although Anna appears to be one of Carey Pettigrew’s cousins. The letter describes … 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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8 June 1861: “His pistol a purchase of his own, a blanket, a skin to sleep on which could also answer to keep his knapsack dry.”

Item description: Grimball comments on the enlistment of her cousin, Lewis, and his subsequent departure for the battlefront in Virginia. Item citation: From the Margaret Ann Meta Morris Grimball Diary #975-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North … Continue reading

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17 April 1861: Two stereo views of Fort Sumter

Item description: Two stereo views depicting the interior of Fort Sumter following the 14 April 1861 surrender of the fort. These pictures are attributed to the Charleston photographic establishment of “Osborn & Durbec’s Southern Stereoscopic and Photographic Depot,” operated by … Continue reading

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14 April 1861: “Lewis went down yesterday afternoon and returned today by an express train, he brings us news that Fort Sumpter is given up, after a gallant defence”

Item description: Entry, 14 April 1861, from Margaret Ann Meta Morris Grimball’s diary which discusses the surrender of Fort Sumter and comments extensively on family news. Item citation: From the the Margaret Ann Meta Morris Grimball Diary #975-z, Southern Historical … Continue reading

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13 April 1861: “Should Fort Sumter haul down the U.S. flag the Batteries will cease firing…”

Item description: Order issued by Brigadier General James Simon during the bombardment of Fort Sumter outlining procedures to be followed when and if the Fort lowered its flag. Item citation: From the Wilmot G. DeSaussure Order-Book #3330-z, Southern Historical Collection, … Continue reading

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12 April 1861: “Be careful also not to fire too fast…”

Item description: Order issued during the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Charleston, S.C., on 12 April 1861 regarding the frequency of mortar shells to be fired onto the Fort. Item citation: From the Wilmot G. DeSaussure Order-Book #3330-z, Southern Historical Collection, … Continue reading

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