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Left home in the hack for Goodman this morning. Clear, hot, dry and dusty. Stopped at Sam. Allen's & got dinner. Richardson the driver. Met the driver of the hack that was coming this way, on the hill this side of Attalaville, who had a newspaper containing war news from Mo., which turned out to be fabulous.
Reached Goodman about 4 P.
M.— vidi J. P. D.--'s.
Left on the
cars about 9 o'clock at night. At West Station fell in with Jim
McAdory, Bob Webb, Phil Rayford & Ben Clark, who were on their way to
Union City, to the army.
On awaking this morning, we found we were below Water Valley: but after a while we reached Holly Springs, where we got breakfast, and proceeded on to Grand Junction. Major Bradford was on the cars, and favored some young soldiers with his views on some matters connected with the war.
We reached Jackson about 3 or 4 o'clock P. M., in midst of a rain. Lay over until next day. Very unpleasant on account of slop, mud and water. Our crowd occupied one room.
Got off to Humbold soon after breakfast. From H. went on to Clarksville, passing through Trezevant, McKenzie, Paris & crossing Tennessee river on a ferry boat, the railroad bridge not being finished.
Eat dinner at the river before crossing. M. Baroche, a Frenchman, was along. Near Paris a man named Tubbyville left us, who told us many things about Emmerson Etheridge, whose district Paris was in. I lost my hat this morning while looking out of the cars.
Crossed the Cumberland (after passing through a long tunnel) on a railroad bridge. Passed Camp Quarlls—on through Shakertown, Russellville, to Bowling Green, where I got a hat from a bystander, and also supper at the dining hall. The country hereabout is charming, the wh[e]at in its glory, & farmers busy cutting it with the patent reapers.
About dark we reached Cave City, and M. Baroche &
myself left
the cars to go to Mammoth Cave. We put up at Quigley's—a very nice
house. B. wished to know where the houses were. I told him I supposed
there [were] none but what he saw. “Ah! this then is one city by
courte-see,” said he.
This morning Baroche & myself took the hack and rode over to the
Cave, 9 1/2 miles distant. We passed over a rough, rocky region, bordering
on the mountainous, which furnished some fine scenery—distant wheat
fields ripe & yellow—farms—houses—towns—passed
a school-house—
an old church—the mouth of the Osceola cave.
On going into the cave (four of us & a guide) we found the air
quite cool, and a strong current setting out from our cave. We had
each a walking-stick, and a lamp. The current was sufficiently strong
Inferno:
“ Lasciate ogni esperanza,
voi ch'entrante.”
After we had proceeded some distance, I asked B. what he thought of the cave. “Vell, he look vair much like one big railroad tunnel,” said he. We saw the tracks of carts or wagons inside, used in the manufacture of saltpetre, long ago; and old timbers; and some cabins for consumptive persons; and the Gothic Chapel and the Star Chamber, with its stars and moon and comet. Here we sat down, while our guide took our lamps and disappeared by some subterranean passage. In his absence the darkness and silence were awful.
“ Silentia ipsa terrent.”
We rambled about through multitudinous passages, and labyrinths—
drinking at a spring—peering into the “bottomless pit”—viewing the
spot where [a] woman from Louisville married a man, after having
promised her first husband, on his death-bed, that she would never
marry again upon earth. “Keeping the word of promise to the ear, but
breaking it to the hope.”
We emerged, after having been in some three hours. We rested at
the mouth of the cave, for a while, in the beautiful grove of wild
forest trees growing at the entrance. An old dilapidated building
stands there, once used for entertaining travellers. I got some pieces
of alabaster to bring off in memoriam. The air outside of the current
After resting awhile, we returned to our hotel—refreshed, and eat dinner. At dinner M. Baroche inquired a good deal about the climate, soil, productions and labor of the country: and was much surprised to learn that women sometimes labored in the fields. He called for a bottle of claret which we drank while chatting.
In the afternoon we returned to Cave City, and at night took the cars for Louisville, at which place we arrived about midnight.
Stopped at the Louisville Hotel.
Rose early this morning, and walked out to get shaved & c.
Immediately after breakfast I left in the omnibus for New Albany. It rained a little and was rather cool. Observed a great many U. S. flags a-flying. Crossed the Ohio, and at New Albany took the cars for Chicago, via Lafayette. But few persons a-travelling. A man named Pennington, and another named Schaffer, from Montreal, were aboard. They had some business connection I believe, with the Grand Trunk Railway.
A man from Louisville, partner in law of Baird,
expressed some
very extravagant & even atrocious Union sentiments, which excited the
contemptuous mirth of the Canadian gentleman. Another person told him
he was as wild as Don Quixote.
Our lawyer had a good deal to tell of Gen. Scott and He was going a-fishing.
The country, during the fore part of the day, appeared poor and
uninviting. Small farms, small houses, small corn, small potatoes.
We passed through Salem, a pretty town; through Mitchell, where the
Ohio & Miss. Railway crosses, & where we eat dinner; through Bedford,
Bloomington, Gosport, and Greencastle, where the Terre Haute &
Richmond railway crosses. This is a fine country. We passed on
through Crawfordsville, to Lafayette. Before reaching Lafayette we
fell in with, and took aboard, a crowd of young man and maidens,
preachers and professors, from a College Commencement at Crawfordsville.
Just before reaching Lafayette, we passed through a most charming prairie country; and I received a good deal of information, geographical, agricultural, personal and political from the preachers on the train.
We arrived at L. about sunset, and remained till midnight waiting for the train from Toledo. Shaffer and myself walked around the town, and saw what was to be seen. While sitting up for the Toledo train, we listened to the talk of the crowd in the bar-room on the present war & its causes. To settle it, one man was in favor of taking all the fugitive slaves and all the free negroes, to the Southern line, and turning them all over to the South.
On the arrival of the Toledo train I want aboard, took a sleeping-car, and slept soundly. The night was cool.
This morning I awoke to find myself at Michigan City. The morning
We were delayed in waiting the arrival of some other train, which made our travelling this morning somewhat tedious. I observed the Calumet river creeping slugishly through the prairie, the grass growing rank to the water's edge. We passed the newly made grave of Stephen A. Douglass, on our left hand, a few miles this side of Chicago. “What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue.”
We saw many vessels of various descriptions, tugs, propellers, schooners & c. on the deep blue lake, as we approached the city.
An elderly gentleman this morning was much discomposed at having lost a pair of new, fine boots last night in the sleeping-car, and finding in their place only a pair of old coarse ones that didn't fit him. As we went into the City I saw him sitting in his socks, with a grim, angry look. I went to the Metropolitan Hotel. The day was cloudy, windy and cool. I rambled over the City, and saw the sights. Had a good dinner at my hotel. Had my ambrotype taken, which I afterwards gave to Jennie.
After supper left on the cars for Milwaukee, La Crosse & St. Paul. As we took the cars observed an immense crowd of Norwegian emigrants, bound from Chicago Westward; men, women, children. We got off just before dark, and steamed along the western shore of the Lake, reaching Milwaukee about midnight.
On getting out of the cars into the cold, midnight air, I was
This morning opened cool. We found ourselves, on rising, near Portage City. We arrived at La Crosse about 10 o'clock, A. M., and immediately went on board the Steamer Northern Belle, lying in the Mississippi River, and bound for St. Paul. She was not to leave, however, until night.
On our route to La Crosse this morning, we passed Kilbourn City, Lyndon, Greenfield, Sparta, Bangor, & c. We went through a long tunnel. The country was not very inviting—lands poor, and a good deal of swamp. I got acquainted with a man named Ingersoll, who lives in St. Paul, (a merchant,) and who used to do business with Potwin at Burlington.
Soon after arriving at La Crosse I went across the long bridge into the City, and took a survey of its proportions. Dutch and other foreigners the principal population. Saw the sign “E. Flint, Attorney at Law,” and went up and found my old acquaintance, who graduated in 1836. He looked old—is a bachelor, lived with his Mother, or his Mother with him—had once taught school near Livingston, in Madison County, Miss., didn't make himself known to Tupper—said Cameron (Hugh) was resident in La Crosse.
I went back over the Long Bridge to the Northern Belle, to dinner—
returned to the City—felt very drowsy—went
into a Lager Beer Saloon,
sat down, leaning back against the wall, and dozed an hour or so—
Walked to Cameron's office, but he being professionally busy, I did not stay very long, nor have much chat with him. Went back to Flint's—sundry customers within—stayed and chatted till tea, and walked out about a mile back from the river, to Flint's residence, & took tea with him—his Mother presiding, (Mrs. Ford)—pleasant place—high bluffs beyond—population of place (Flint said) about 3,000.
Returned—went aboard the boat, and was about dark steaming up the Mississippi.
Last night, soon after going aboard the Northern Belle,
I retired
to my state room and fell asleep. This morning on rising, we found
ourselves near Maiden Rock, a precipice an the left bank, some two or
three hundred feet high, about which a legend is told of an Indian
maiden precipitating herself from the summit, & thus committing suicide
on account of disappointed love. The scenery hereabout is charming,
as it is along the whole course of the Mississippi travelled by us.
You see the bluffs assuming almost every variety of form, approaching
the river at one time, receding at another, green and covered for the
most part with trees or grass, though occasionally rocky and bare—
ever-changing and ever new, while the limpid water flows grandly onward
to the South, till lost in “the far-resounding sea.”
The shapes and forms of the hills or bluffs were exceedingly
singular, varied and fantastic. One was called “Barn Bluff” from its
shape. This morning we passed through Lake Pepin, a widening of the
Mississippi, varying from two to eight miles in breadth. I became
acquainted with a travelling lady this morning, who subscribed her name
“Miss Bell Potter, Marquette, Wisconsin.” She seemed carried away by
the charming scenery—pointed out such objects as particularly arrested
her attention. I remember a high, mountainous, woody bank which appears
on the right bank of the river. The mountain, if it may be so styled,
came down to the very water, from which it rose regularly some four or
five hundred feet, and was covered to the top with trees and shrubbery,
rising tree above tree. Our boat ran close to the shore, and gave us
an excellent opportunity to see this mountain bluff to advantage.
Lake Pepin, I suppose, is some 20 miles long. At Redwing my
romantic travelling friend left the boat. This place is not far from
the head of Lake Pepin. Among the characters on board was a man named
Holcomb, who lived at Stillwater, on the St. Croix River, which separates
Minnesota, in part, from Wisconsin. He was a rough-looking man, and
had been Lieut. Governor of Wisconsin. Also an old lady & little son,
who were going out to Minnesota from Vermont—name Howes—
settled a place—showed us
dagueoretypes of family, especially of a son who was in the army, a
fine looking young fellow. The old lady was very communicative, and
amusing from her simplicity.
We reached St. Paul about 5 o'clock P. M., and I went to the Winslow
Went back to St. Anthony, and found out the whereabouts of my friend Miss D. W. Godding with whom I chatted awhile and returned to Minneapolis. Weather cool.
Soon after breakfast I started in a buggy to go to Fort Snelling, some five or six miles below Minneapolis. Our ride was through a charming country, which stretched far away to the westward over prairie & forest. The driver enlightened me as to soil, climate, topography, geography, & c. & c. We first went to the Minnehaha Falls, a charming cataract, and worth forty St. Anthonies. The stream is small, the water clear, the fall about fifty feet, and the water like feathery silver, garnished with rainbows, as it dashes over the precipice.
There is a hotel here. After staying some hour or more, we proceeded
onward to Fort Snelling, near the mouth of the St. Peters River.
Our ride was over a lovely prairie. The place where Sherman trained
his choice flying artillery was pointed out on a smooth, beautiful,
rolling prairie. As we approached the Fort, we saw a lot of raw recruits
a-drilling, without arms or equipments. We drove into the Fort, looked
I lay down and fell asleep just before the dinner hour, and slept till late dinner. In the afternoon I walked over the Suspension Bridge to St. Anthony, and called on Miss Godding, whom I saw first in 1837, secondly in 1856, thirdly yesterday evening. She has charge of a Young Ladies' School, and has, as music teacher, Miss Lizzie Brooks, daughter of Wm. Brooks, whom I used to know in 1837, when we were members of the same debating Society. He married Emily Abbott.
I stayed and took tea. Saw a man named Blakeman and several others, members of the Episcopal Church, which edifice is alongside the School-House. Walked across the suspension bridge, and back, with D. Saw the comet for the first time tonight while standing on the bridge. Air cool. D. repeated some lines written by her, which struck me as quite fair.
Returned to Nicolett House, and slept soundly till morning, the night being quite cool.
Arose this morning and walked down (as I did yesterday morning) to St. Anthony Falls, on right bank. The falls have been made to propel machinery—saw logs—mills—dams & c. The romance is gone & the falls a humbug. The latitude of Fort Snelling is 44°53'—The Falls some 5' or 6' more. Went up on the observatory of the Nicollet house, & saw the country around—fine prospect—river, prairie, city & c. Immediately after breakfast I went aboard the stage coach for St. Paul, first going to the post office to inquire for letters for “Miss Sarah Daniels, & Mrs. Whittaker.”
Crossed to St. Anthony—Nicollet Island. Reached St. Paul about 10 o'clock. I went aboard the Northern Belle, and left St. Paul about noon. Scenery very fine—trip pleasant—company pleasant enough.
We passed through Lake Pepin just before sunset, and had a fine view of Maiden Rock, and other picturesque scenes. Weather cool & chilly. Doors of cabin closed—view of the comet after dark. Among the passengers was an old gentleman named Henry Wombaugh, of Addison, Steuben Co., N. Y. (an old Dutchman) and a certain doctor, from Wisconsin, near Racine, who had been up in Minnesota, hunting a location.
This morning we found ourselves at La Crosse, and at an early hour took the cars for Milwaukee. We had a very pleasant run across the State, passing Fox Lake, Beaver Dam, and other interesting localities.
At the dinner station saw the notorious Sherman M. Booth, (Horicon
We reached Milwaukee in the afternoon, and went immediately aboard a steamboat, which carried us across Lake Michigan, to Grand Haven. We left Milwaukee about 5 o'clock P. M. and reached Grand Haven about 10 or 11 at night, going immediately aboard the cars, of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad. The wind on the Lake was cool, the sky clear and our trip very pleasant. We saw the sun sink into the waters, saw the stars peep out, and beheld the comet spreading its dazzling tail in the Northern sky. On board was the Collector of the Port of Detroit, whose name I forget—a red-haired man, very talkative. Our Captain was a large, fine looking man, a little too fond of brandy—quite sociable.
Among the passengers was a very good looking young lady—Miss Christine Eustis, of North Haverhill, N. H., on her way thither from Minneapolis. We walked out on the deck, and looked at the comet, lights from vessels, & c. The air was quite cool, the wind fresh.
I slept in a sleeping-car last night, and early this morning, found
myself near Fentonville, and then at Holly, where I left the cars. The
place was cheerless and uninviting. We got a poor breakfast and left,
three of us besides the driver of our carriage, and struck out for
Flint, in Gennessee County. We were carried to that place by an old,
jolly chap named Roosevelt, who had a good team, and
Soon after dinner I took the stage for East Saginaw, which place I reached about 5 or 6 o'clock P. M. Passed a burnt tavern—country not as good as that about Flint, pine timber. A rough, vulgar, pioneer old fellow got into the stage, and annoyed us for several miles with drunken slang and coarse tales.
We crossed Cass river, and passed a locality prepared for tomorrow's celebration. At East Saginaw I found an excellent hotel, a nice sleeping room and bed, at Bancroft House. I learned there would be no chance to go down the river before to-morrow, so made up my mind to stay resignedly. Sat around the door of the hotel awhile, observing the hale, ruddy, stout men and the fair women, who were on the street, and then betook myself to my room, before dark, and was soon asleep. Awoke with a nightmare dream, and felt restless and uneasy afterwards.
Soon after breakfast this morning I had my trunk carried down
to the wharf to take the boat for Portsmouth some twelve or fourteen
miles below. The boat, on account of its being the 4th of July, did not
East Town.”
I remember two or three little yawls propelled by steam-engines, that
came and went before my departure, but no boat of any magnitude.
On board our boat was a pleasure-party, who fell to dancing: some others who were gambling: a chap who was “roping in” some green-horns, inducing them to “bet against his own tricks,” and sundry others.
We passed Zilwaukee, and soon reached Portsmouth between 11 & 12 o'clock. Landed at Bradford's, and walked up to Capt. Bradford's about 1/2 a mile. Nobody at home but M. A. and children. The residue soon appeared—Matilda, Sparks et al. M. A. was threatened with a chill, it being her “chill-day,” and was “fighting against it.”
Walked out to the Salt Works with W., and took a stroll through the surrounding woodlands, where the soil is rich, the surface level, and the timber heavy.
At night doors and windows all closed to keep out the
This morning, after breakfast, we crossed over the Saginaw to the
Returning we had dinner, and in the afternoon I went with T. E. and Capt. S. to Bay City, in a buggy, and saw a considerable number of it's denizens.
Before our return from Stone's T. E. and I had gone to a German's house for eggs, passing through Stone's garden, but failed in getting the eggs, but not in having a pleasant walk and talk. We had a strawberry short-cake as the reward of our strawberry-picking.
After supper I strolled down town, and then back, passing by the
house, up towards the Salt-Works. M. A. joined me—told me my name
ought to have been Walker—chatted, and returned. T. E. joined us
just before we reached the house. Mrs. Bradford at the house—
singing and playing on the piano.
After breakfast this morning we went a-winter greening. Sparks,
Afternoon was spent mostly at the house. M. A. showed a little volume of poems, from one of which, by Jeffrey, I extract the following verse:
At night walked with Sparks & A. W. to Bay City, went aboard the Forest Queen, and after delaying an hour or two at the landing, steamed down the river, into the bay towards the broad and open lake (Huron.)
Retired to my berth and slept till some two o'clock, when I rose,
went up on the deck, and sat down enjoying the fresh, pure air “so cool,
so sweet.” I found the pilot and officers perplexed by two lights, one
of which had probably been hung out by some fisherman and the other by
persons at a regular landing. The speed was checked, the eyes strained,
observations taken as well as could be done, and finally a selection
made between the lights, and the course decided on. “I don't wish
those fellows (the fishermen who held out the false lights,) any harm,
(said an old salt,) but I wish their d---d necks were broke.” This
was just at daylight, when we approached the landing. I have forgotten
The morning was cloudy—the lake still—the signs prophetic of rain. We sped along over the bright blue water and could see many vessels as we steamed down the Lake. The woods were on fire along the Michigan shore, and a few days ago the smoke darkened the atmosphere. Even now we could smell the smoke, and burning woods, as it came wafted over the Lake.
We landed at a place called Forestville, on the American shore. The shores are low, unromantic, and uninviting: the timber fine, spruce, fir or hemlock, the shores sandy, and the land apparently sterile. The country appears to be mostly a forest.
At a landing this morning a rough, burly fellow told me he had been to Saginaw an a frolic; that he had a brother and friends in the army who “blackguarded” him about not going in the army; a thing he seemed noways inclined to do.
At Forestville some fellows came rushing down to our boat on a
hand-car. Nearly all day we steamed down the Lake—vessels constantly
in sight—water slightly agitated and foamy—occasional openings in
the forest visible along the shore—once in a long time a town, as
Lexington—water greenish blue at times, and occasionally dark, except
as whitened by foam. In the afternoon we fell in with a disabled “tug,”
and took her in tow. A heavy rain, charged with thunder, was just
About 5 or 6 o'clock P. M. I was landed at Port Huron in latitude 43°, Long. 82° 10', on St. Clair river, just below Fort Gratiot and opposite Port Sarnia, in Canada. I went immediately to Larned's hotel.
I walked out back from the river, and up Black river, which at this point unites with the St. Clair. The site of the town is pleasant, inclining to level. Pine woods around, similar to those seen in the Indian old fields in Mississippi.
At night, at Larned's, a man named V. A. Ripley edified us with
his views of the war, its causes, and consequences, concluding with
an anecdote to the effect that “the ball must go on.”
Saw Lincoln's message to the extra session of Congress.
This morning I rode with Ripley up Black river and across it, to see the saw-mills, piles of lumber, fine buildings & c. He showed me a marvel of a schoolhouse, a large brick building which looked like a college edifice.
About 9 o'clock I took the omnibus, rode to the depot, crossed,
on the arrival of the cars from Detroit, to Sarnia, bought a ticket to
Portland, ($16.) and left for Toronto. Among the notabilities in the
crowd was a man with a formidable white hat, red face, 6 1/4 feet height,
fine proportions, who lived near Guelph. He came down the Lake with
us yesterday, and was a conspicuous object in the crowd. Our run to-day
was through a rather poor country, with exceptions—hemlock timber—
This morning found ourselves at Kingston, where we got breakfast— saw a fellow named “J. Riodan,” who professed to have travelled all over the South, and was very talkative on Southern matters.
At Prescott he left us. We had a hard rain today for a while.
Reached Montreal in the afternoon, passing through the flat French country, & crossing the Ottawa river & River & River Beaudette, & passing Couteau Landing, St. Anne's & Pointe Claire.
I formed a travelling acquaintance with a young Canadian who lived in Quebec, and with whom I went from the depot up into the City—St. Lawrence Hotel—Lord Mahon's History of the War of Spanish Succession— Churches—private dwellings & c.—left for Richmond about 5 o'clock, passed over the great Victoria Bridge, long and dark—mountains— Richlieu river—St. Hyacinthe—miserable country a part of the way— traces of a storm—Durham.
From gloom and swamps we all at once emerged into sunlight and
Went on about 9 o'clock—landed at S.—got a vehicle to convey me to J's.
After breakfast walked up to town—saw Walton & talked with him
for a few minutes—also Geo. Robertson, who informed me that he was
in Paris last year—Walked back—the little school-girls in the
street—got off about 10 or 11 o'clock—went by Lennoxville at Sh.—
saw Willard whose sons are in Ill.—also saw Becket, whom I met in
the street in S.—Dr. Nichols's old place—called at Brooks's at
Lennoxville to present Lizzie's respects—passed up by Dr. Wilson's
old place—thence up the river Coaticook, up a long hill from the top
of which we had a fine view—(Jack & I) in our vehicle—saw a barn
raising—At Waterville Jack and I took a drink of beer, passed on
through the Grand Brulé—met C's wife and her sister—passed on and
reached Noverca's about 4 o'clock. Lucy Pratt
Rain—kept the house most of the day—P. M. strawberries—walk
Heavy rain towards night—Nancy's Mother there—her daughter
& son
Yesterday while at Ch. saw Lucy Wadley (muger—
today cool—rode to Waterville with Perkins, through Grand Brulé—
stopped at C's—cars delayed in getting in owing to washing away of
culverts—rode with P. up to Carlos Thomas's—
Soon after breakfast we got off this morning—ponds, mountains,
rivers, and islands—wild scenery—crossed Nulhegan river, then the
Connecticut—then we came to Gorham, N. H. in the neighborhood of
Mount Washington—bear chained to a post—Kentucky woman and her
husband captivated by the wild mountain scenery—snow still on the
mountains. Along the Andrascoggin river—Bryant's Pond—South Paris,
where we got the best dinner I had eaten for many a day,—reached
Portland about 2 o'clock P. M.—Went aboard the Ferry Boat for Peak's
On landing at the Island I saw a crowd of persons amusing themselves by swinging, lounging & c. I went to find C. He was out a-sailing. I went down to the shore of the far-resounding sea, and stood there for some time, gazing at the waves and foam, and occasionally picking up pebbles and shells. Soon C. came in and we rambled over the island, down to the sea-shore, and finally back to the Ferry boat, where we sat till the boat left, when we returned to the island, and I came over to Portland.
At Burnham's I inquired for my trunk, which the porter, (nicknamed
“Thumby,”) was to have left there, and could hear nothing of it.
Took a carriage, rode to Boston & Maine Railroad depot—thence to
encampment of 6th Maine Regiment, thence to U. S. Hotel, where I put
up for the night.
Bought the little girls some nets for their hair—bought a pair of boots, and three pair of shoes. Many fair dames promenading.
This morning, after breakfast, went down to Custom House wharf, and procuring passage in a sailboat, crossed over to Peak's Island— young lady aboard and three other men and a boy. Had a very agreeable sail—saw the Mary Goodell, a vessel overhauled by the privateer Jeff. Davis. Saw C--s—found my trunk and went back to Portland accompanied by C--s, who eat dinner with me at U. S. Hotel.
After dinner he walked with [me] around the City, and about 4
o'clock P. M. we went down to the wharf, where he went aboard a sailboat
At night I did not sleep very well, and got up, lighted the gas-light, opened a window, and the door of my room, and after inhaling copious draughts of fresh air, felt relieved, returned to bed, and slept comfortably till morning.
After breakfast this morning went down to Brooks's, (Wm.) but not finding him at his store, went to his house, where I saw his wife and daughters, one, the fac simile of Lizzie, whom I saw in St. Anthony.
After staying a few minutes returned to U. S. Hotel, riding a part of the way with an anti-war old gentleman, of whom I inquired the way.
Getting into a carriage I was whirled to the depot of the Boston & Maine Railroad where I found Wm. Brooks, and with him I had a few minutes' conversation.
About 8 o'clock A. M. we left. Judge Weston of Maine Supreme Court was on the train, an old man, very talkative. He spoke of Thinlow, Wilkes, Loughborough, & c. & c. Reached Boston about 1 o'clock. I went to Revere House. Bot. of Little, Brown & Co. Mahon's Hist. Eng'd. Was in the publishing house of Ticknor & Fields, & saw Lackhart's Life of Scott in process of publication. Saw Winslow and Juliet, his daughter, a very pretty girl.
Left Boston about dark for New York. Took a sleeping car, and found myself in N. Y. about sunrise.
Went to the Astor House—got breakfast, and went over to Brooklyn. Went to Salmon's, and stayed awhile. His residence was 301 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn. Stayed an hour or two, and promised to return to tea. Went back to N. Y.
After dinner went across to Brooklyn again to No. 55 St. Felix
Street, where I found Rev. A. H. Dashiell, and with whom I stayed and
chatted some two hours or more. He gave me a history of his troubles
in Shelbyville—of his offensive preaching—of the burning of his
house—of his going to Rogersville, Tenn., and of his troubles there—
of his settling in the North—spoke of Robert, a bright boy, but one
who had fallen into bad ways, and been ruined—of George now in
Confederate army, and of one of his other sons domiciled in Jackson, Tenn.
Spoke of present Farewell!” and went to Salmon's.
Here I took tea, and stayed till after dark, a rain coming up
about dusk. S. spoke of the present gloomy times—the ruin of all
business—the flinty hardness of times. His Mother-in-law, Mrs. Foan,
was there and her daughter, his son Daniel's widow, a very modest,
pretty appearing woman. His daughters too, (one of them grown,) very
nice girls. But a large city I abhor, as a place of residence for a
Parted from them—took the horse-cars after standing under an awning for a few minutes, sheltered from the rain.
Went to the Fulton Ferry—took an omnibus and went to the Astor-House. Walked up Broadway, a short distance, and back to hotel.
Arose early this morning, and walked to Metropolitan Hotel, where I purchased a through ticket, via Erie Railroad, to Louisville, Ky.
Immediately after breakfast took a carriage for the Ferry, and was carried over to Jersey City. There we took the cars, and were soon flying over the N. Y. and Erie Railway, towards Lake Erie. We passed Paterson and Part Jervis—Hudson and Delaware Canal—Great Bend and Lackawanna Railway,—dinner at Narrowsburg—observed near Great Bend the Neversink, a sluggish looking stream—M. E. S. once resided hereabout —a beautiful day—sunny—lovely—glorious. Binghampton—Elmira— Corning—about midnight at Dunkirk, where we took the cars for Cleveland.
Saw a man named Jas. B. Hoxsie, South Kingston, R. I. who has been a railroad engineer in East Tennessee—also saw another railroad man, who gave me much local and geographical information. Scenery all the way very bold and striking.
This morning we found ourselves running along Lake Erie, close to
Here we took the cars for Gallion, passing Crestline, the place where Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne road crosses. Did not particularly admire the country, it being too low and flat.
At Gallion we took the road to Indianapolis (Bellefontaine road), passing through Marion, Bellefontaine, Sidney, Union & c. The country seems to be much better than the one we passed through early this morning. Ran through the counties of Cuynoga, Lorain, Huron, Richmond, Crawford, Marion, Hardin, Logan, Shelby, & Dark, in Ohio. In Indiana we passed through Randolph, Delaware, Madison, Hancock & Marion, in which last is the pretty capital, Indianapolis, We reached here awhile before night and taking the cars for Jeffersonville were soon off.
Eat supper at Franklin—Shaffer, the Canadian, aboard—reached
Jeffersonville about midnight—passed through the Counties of Johnson,
Bartholomew, Jennings, and Jefferson; and through the towns of Franklin,
Edinburg, Columbus and Seymour. Among my fellow travellers was a man
named S. Y. Yeury, of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins Co., Texas.
We were detained awhile at Jeffersonville by officers inspecting the baggage, and searching trunks. One man was called on to open his trunk, and on his exhibiting therein a “revolver” was permitted to take it along, giving assurances that it was the only one he had.
Our ride was a rough one, trying the strength of the omnibus. We went to the Louisville Hotel.
Wrote several letters and mailed them this morning as it is about
the last chance, before plunging into the “Southern Confederacy.” Sent
T. E. S. copy of Wordsworth's Poems—wrote
Some showers—At Hadensville, Ky., near State Line, were detained for some time, during which it rained, for cars from Nashville. They arrived away behind time, and we were whirled to Clarksville via Camp Boone, thence to Tennessee River, Paris and Humbold. At Russellville, or some other station not far from there, we saw a crowd rejoicing over the news of a victory gained by Confederates over Federals.
We ran very fast last night, and gained enough to make up arrears. Reached Humbold between daylight and sunrise—at Clarksville last night there was an exultant crowd because of the Bull Run affair of the 18th.
At the Tennessee river we crossed in a Ferry Boat, on which there was a good deal of “imbibing.” A planter from Washington Co, Miss., with his son, was aboard, to whom I gave several Northern newspapers that I had brought along.
Yesterday saw a man at South Union named T. D. Carson. We waited
for the cars from Columbus, Ky., this morning at Humbold, and on their
Saw Thorn Murrell—also N. O. Beake—R. G. Payne wished to know if ever I had lived in Sh--e.
At night we got off from Jackson, and ran up to Holly Springs and stopped for the night. I took an omnibus, rode up to the hotel, and betook myself to bed.
This morning I stayed around the hotel most of the time until the omnibus came for us at about 1/2 past 11 to convey us to the depot.
I took a stroll over the town and admired its shrubbery, trees, & c. A young man from N. Orleans, more recently from Memphis, formerly connected with Texas line of Steam-ships, was also staying at the hotel, detained like myself. A man named Lloyd was there, from Memphis, I think, who spoke of his having been made to leave N. Y. for some imprudent utterances.
We got dinner at the depot, and were soon off. Sam Rogers and
sundry other boys from Attala along—the corpse of Tobias Cook's son
was on the train—cars a good deal crowded. Ethel Barksdale and Col.
Cushman on the train—C. late
On the way down it rained a little, especially while we were at or near Grenada. Reached West Station a short time before sunset.
Left my trunk at Williamson McAdory's, and struck out an foot towards Kosciusko, in company with Sam Rogers and Fresnian Maddox.
Crossed the Ferry, kept by Hooker Armstrong—followed a shorter
route pointed out by him, through an old field, over a rocky hill, by
a grave-yard. Stopped at Jack Evans's—got some supper—scores of
candle-flies—after supper I started on towards home, leaving R. &
M. at Evans's—met E. in the road, and talked awhile with him—pushed
on to Sam Hyman's, whom Shurkey”—missed the road and got away down by
Russell's, Sam Little's, Wingoe's, old Billy Boyette's, Atwood's and
the Lord knows where. I never did have such a time in doubling,
winding, crossing and turning. My trip seemed like the perplexities
of some horrid dream, whose intricacies had neither clue nor escape.
The moon was shining till towards morning, when clouds betokening rain
were thickening in the Heavens.
I reached home at a very late—rather a very early—hour, say an hour before day on
This morning I found myself at home—the wife & babies all well
and comfortable. The rain was falling in torrents. I sent Sam Hyman's
pony back by “Britt McAdory.” So ends my month's tour to the North,
Now for a recapitulation of the distances travelled, and other matters. From Kosciusko to Goodman 23 miles: Goodman to Holly Springs 136: from H. S. to Humbold, Tenn. 90: from Humbold to Tennessee River (say) 70 miles: from Tennessee River to Bowling Green, Ky., (say) 105: from Bowling Green to Louisville 115: From Cave City to Mammoth Cave and back 19 miles. Total from Kosciusko to Louisville, Ky. including trip to Cave 458. From Louisville, Ky. to Michigan City 292: From M. City to Chicago 56: from Chicago to Milwaukee 85: from Milwaukee to La Crosse 200; from La Crosse to St. Paul 160; from St. Paul to Minneapolis 9—Total from Louisville, Ky. to Minneapolis 812. From M. to Fort Snelling 6 miles and back 6; from M. to Milwaukee 370; from Milwaukee to Grand Haven 85; from G. H. to Holly 139; from Holly to Bay City 56; from B. City to Port Huron (say) 150; total to P. Huron from Minneapolis 812. From Port Huron to Toronto 170; to Montreal from T'o 333; From M. to Sherbrooke 97; to H. 17; to Waterville 6; to Island Pond 37; to Portland, Me. 149: to Peake's Island and back, two trips, 12: to Boston from P. 111: to N. Y. from B. 236—total from Port Huron to New York 1169.
From N. Y. to Dunkirk 462; from D. to Cleveland 143; from C. to Gallion 80; from Gallion to Indianapolis (say) 175; from Indianapolis to Louisville 109; from Louisville to—Home 1387. Grand total, 4638.
On my return I found that the County jail had been burnt in my
absence by two prisoners—Ivy & Cole, and that a crowd had assembled
I have concluded to try to keep a journal for this year,
Years ago I used to note down the daily marvels; but becoming tired
of the dull task, I quit it in partial disgust.
On Monday last, (Dec. 30th, 1861,) died in this County, William Huffman, aged, as is supposed, about 69 years, and John Love, about 38 or 40. Mr. Huffman's funeral took place yesterday, J. L. Scarborough officiating as minister on the occasion.
This morning I took a stroll out S. W. in the woodland, over a walk, which I have lately cut and cleaned out, for the benefit of exercise and solitary thinking and study. Yesterday with a hatchet I cut off the boughs which interfered with free locomotion. I read in this morning's walk Burns's address to his old mare Maggie—and going after dinner, around by the Male Academy, to the same retreat, I read Burns's Life, prefixed to his Works.
At night while at Lucas's, Dr. Lewis gave us an amusing account
of a trip made by him and Dan Comfort last Thursday night, from here
to Duck Hill, in Carroll County. They left here about dark, on horseback,
a “cloud foul with rain,” was rapidly rising, and they had gone
but a short distance, when it commenced pouring, with wind, thunder and
When daylight came, they found themselves half a mile from the house they were seeking. They had travelled for hours in a circle. “Old Gould” and myself met them at Tinner Thompson's as we were coming from the tan-yard.
This evening John W. Goss, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio,
called on me and stated that last Spring he wrote a letter to a brother
in Ohio, stating that he couldn't do much here, and owing to the
troubled state of the times he would like to get back again to Ohio:
that if the North was for abolishing slavery he was opposed to it, but
if they were preserving the Union, he was with them: that several persons
This letter was opened and copied by the postmaster (Sprawls) at Durant, shown to the Vigilance Committee, and Goss consequently arraigned, through the interference of A. M. West, (whom Goss went to Jackson to see,) the matter was disposed of favorably to the accused, but at the same time West advised him “as a friend” to change his place of residence. He accordingly went to Bankston, Choctaw County; but Jim Haynes, from Holmes, having come through Choctaw, making speeches in praise of State Treasury notes, spoke in private to the discredit of Goss, and he again deemed it prudent to migrate.
After supper Alice and myself walked over my favorite walk, the new moon shining dimly. At night read Macaulay's Hampden.
The autumn and winter (thus far) have been unmatched by anything of the sort now recollected. September dry, October rather wet, November clear, sunny, pleasant, December warm, clear, sunny, no rain, no cold worth naming.
At night was at Lucas's—Dr. Lewis there, Henry Gray turned up today.
Today it rained—Dickerson came in from B. T. Clark's, stayed
till after dinner. John Riley elected member of the Board of Police
over Jno. W. Wood, 44 to 35. Ellis, quoting Tamborine's expression,
says, “Great ssitementssitement
It rained hard late at night.
Old man Fusley was here, who spoke of conversations last night,
and to-day, with Henry Gray on the state of the nation. He represents
Gray as saying that the demagogues have ruined the country, that things
are not going on right, and that Jeff Davis is the first king, & c. Bill
Gray suddenly fell dead a few days ago.
P. said that
Rode with P. to Standard's and reached home after sunset. Heard much hurrahing just before reaching town—whisky making itself heard.
Read Macaulay's Hallam.
A special Term of the Circuit Court of Attala County, under Judge Cothran was held today. Little business was transacted today.
Ivy, for burning the jail, was sent to penitentiary for ten years. Old. Cole's cases were to have been dismissed on his paying costs. He concluded to plead guilty and “swear out.” News of Zollicoffer's defeat came about the 25th. He was killed last Sunday, the 19th, at Fishing Creek, near Somerset, Ky. He is said to have mistaken a regiment of the enemy for his own.
Lieut. Col. David S. Comfort died at Jackson, Tenn. on Saturday last, the 1st Inst., and was buried today.
For a week nearly it has rained, and continued cloudy nearly all the time. I walked to Yockanookany bridge and back today.
Wall staid here last night. Said he was born in Chenango Co., N. Y. His parents died in Page Co. Iowa. He had studied under Alex. Campbell, at Bethany, Va.
Ike Dean came and staid till near night, from before dinner.
We had a fine rain in afternoon, the first good one we have had
at this place since about the 1st of June. Al & H--y went to Ellis's,
and stayed till morning of 1st Sept.
Vascal failed to come up at night for first time since they began to give milk.
This should have been our Circuit Court Term, but cedat toga
armis. Dickerson here awhile P. M. Rain again today. H. killed 2
rabbits and a squirrel.
Walked out beyond Burnley place A. M. along with Lucas & Simpson who were on horseback—misty—am reading Alison's account of Peninsular War.
Walked tonight and last night with “Hun” S--y & “Pooce” to “big oak”—was at Lucas's awhile talking over the news—egg-nogg prepared by “Qu.”
Old man Kimbrough (John) died today about 3 o'clock, of fever.
He had just lost 6 likely negroes of the same disease. Whist and
checkers at “Starr's.”
A good soaking rain this morning—read the stormings of Cindad Rodrigo and Badagos, and other incidents of Peninsular War.
Walk after supper with Lindsay, who insists that Richmond, Ky. is in Clay Co. Was at Lucas's where was Dr. Logan, comments on the news from war.
Old man Beacham here yesterday, giving by way of credit on his own, a note on Sam & Frank Jennings—“going to make 500 bushels of sweet potatoes”—“Hun” sick with cholera morbus last night—a little French Brandy operated like a charm.
Rode out in afternoon with Lucas in buggy as far as Hurricane Creek on Natchez Trace—myriads of large ox-flies. L. decapitated a whole swarm of them—the oak tree which struck out its maimed limb in night against L. as he was going home from Lodge—Stopped as we returned, at Simpson's—Nathan sick.
Rode out to Harlow's sale, with Lucas in buggy—sale of land, stock, furniture & c.
Am reading the chapter in Allison devoted to the War of 1812 with Great Britain, and comparing it with Brackenridge, Hale, Peter Parley, Goodrich & Frost.
Jno. Wilson & Shaler at war-demonstrations of fire-arms, Jno. with pistol, S. with double-barreled shot-gun.
Bruce and Jno. Kimbro' at Lucas's at night.
At night was at Lucas's where was Lewis, who had like me, come
Went with Lucy & Mary this morning after grapes, out East, along the old field beyond Baccus's. Found one vine with sundry clusters—
War of 1812—Allison, Brackenridge et al.
Harlow had a sale of books at the Court House—windy and rainy— at night a regular equinoctial storm—reminding me of the 19th August, 1848.
It rained nearly all day, with a heavy wind from N. E., E., & S. E.—Harlow eat dinner with us—had a good fire to dry himself by, as he was very wet.
Last night it rained all night, and the wind blew furiously. The wind this morning S. W. P. M. clear & pleasant.
Jeff Davis's Thanksgiving Day for recent Confederate victories.
Read Alison's account of O'Connell's Irish Rebellion & Chartist disturbances of 1848.
At night was at Dr. Lewis's an hour or two. Cool at night.
Cool in the morning. Alison's account of Bristol riots, Reform Bill, & c.
P. M. Wm. Buzbee from militia came home sick, and established himself here—he is down with measles.
Cool, autumnal day—went with Alice (P. M.) a grape-hunting, out East, and down to Yocky swamps, thence home by Adams's place.
Read Alison's acc't of Bony's Prussian Campaign—coolish— got Lewis to come up and see Buzbee—Dovers' Powders.
Simon got me to draw writings between him and Sternberger—depositions in the Denson case at Court-House about the Tom Cottrell negroes sold by Flanagan. At night was at Lewis's awhile.
Rainy today—old Mrs. Reuben Sanders died Sunday night.
Lucas brot. up a paper from Jackson announcing a great battle at Sharpsburg, Md.—rainy—Jno. Sutherland and “Orderly” Semmes, from Madison, at Simon's store—down on Tupper—said he would sell out to “Feds,” if they should come along next winter.
Dr. Ed Roby died yesterday. I was at Lucas's awhile at night—
read over Dunn's stump speech in Jim Wallace's “News.” Practised law
Rainy this morning—news of battle at Sharpsburg, Md.
Am reading Rutzen & Dresden campaigns.
Nihil.
Mrs. Lewis told me of Rosencrantz's attack on a portion of Price's
army at Iuka—rainy—at Steve Wilson's—he showed me a letter from
“Fonze,” in which Abner & Jesse Mays, & Wm. Barnes are stated to have
been killed at Iuka, & “Art” Bill Dodd & Baccus wounded.
P. M. walked out west with Al after grapes, huckleberries & c.—
pine knots—old field covered with pines—beyond Jackson's.
Bond's Battles of Dresden, Leipsic, & c. Dickerson here at dinner— egg-nogg. At Lucas's awhile at night—walk at night with Al over by Wartrous's old place—rabbit & c.
Very pleasant. Wm. Buzbee left this P. M. Parson Fred Harman died today.
Weather at summer heat—boys electioneering.
Alison's Hist'y Eu. vol. 4, conclusion.
Cloudy A. M. Walked after breakfast out to Price's—fine lot
of grapes—P. walked back through woods North of Mosby's & widow
Wallace's—read concluding c[h]ap. in 4th Alison—also Webster's
speech delivered at Richmond Oct. 5, 1840.
Was at Lucas's awhile at night.
A clear, and hot day—regular summer weather. At night went with
Lucas, Perry Porter & Beacham out to the Burnley old place about 11
o'clock P. M. On our return Tom Sallis overtook us, riding a mule that
falling, ducked him in the Creek. Tom told us the vote at Multona.
Before this we had been twice at Wilson's—“Stanback” brot. out his
jug of Peach and treated us.
Walked, after breakfast, down to the Wallace Branch, with Dave Lindsay—met, near Mosby's, old Bally Allen, bringing returns from Bluff Spring. The following is the vote of Attala:
Circuit Judge—Hudson 668, Dyer 284: Dist. Atty. Hemphill 619,
Wood 136: James Campbell 133: Harlow 36: Probate Judge Scarborough 642,
Rode with Jeff Jinkins in buggy out the other side of Mrs. Lile's and walked back—stopped at Price's—very warm.
Old man Beacham eat dinner with us yesterday—Hawkins's Texas beef— very warm—laid in a supply of summer clothing at Riley's— 2 coats, 2 pairs of pants.
This afternoon it rained, with a cold wind from N. W. A sudden change. At night was at Lucas's and after at Lewis's. Cool—cold—
A drizzling rain or mist in the morning, with cool N. W. wind. Hunting pine knots with Sally, “Mame” & Pooce back of Lucas's field.
Walked (P. M.) with Steve Wilson out by Baccus's, into old field,
thence through the woods, “around and about.” News came today that
Walked at night with Dave Lindsey down by Mosby's.
Walked with Lindsey around by Mrs. Thompson's—pleasant, sunny
weather—red haws—further from battle at Corinth. Met Col. Donald
down by Jim Anderson's. At night walked with D. H. L.—“they be beans.”
Sunny, Cool and excellent weather. At Price's a few minutes in the morning—got some salt (8 lbs.)—grapes at the spring—at Lucas's at night.
Started early for Kimbrough's with Lucas in his buggy, coolish— No appraisement because appraisers failed to arrive—an excellent dinner of mutton and sweet potatoes.
Went to steam-mill—ruins of old Phoenix—Jo. Th. still running the corn-mill—shoe-shop. Jim Matthews reading to crowd an old paper (Chronicle) of Aug. 1851. Wasson's tan-yard and thence home.
At Lucas's at night.
Clear and pleasant—though coolish. Wm. P. Andrews, Capt. of
Co. I, 37th Miss. Reg't was killed at Corinth in the late battle there—
Bill Evans wounded—Jack Dehart killed—Dr. Hughes thinks Amzi Meek
nagur.
A lovely day—militia gathering—town full of people—Mid.
Pool and Henry Fancher called in, and imbibed a small quantity of
“tafia.” Bill Buzbee here at dinner.
Very pleasant—Bragg's great victory over Buell, the main talk— At night walked out to Price's—pine knot fire—his account of Botters's shooting Lunsford—West and his crowd of regulators in 1847, the Court House surrounded—Lundsford's flight, the pursuit, & c. & c.
Lovely starlight night.
Walked with Frank Irving this morning—via Sam Young's, through the wo[o]ds to Bluff Spring road—along rail-road to old pine field.
Grecian history today. Qu. went to Frank Irving's with all except H--y. Walked after supper down to twin oak, falling in with Herring, & coming back with Bill Meek.
Clear and lovely day—commenced again with children, by lessons in the morning, before school.
Probate Court—Rosamonds here—great railroad accident, near Duck Hill—35 or 40 killed—Old man Herring at Lucas's at night.
Started early this morning for Kimbro's, going by way of Wasson's and Crow's—at the latter place a jury was summoned to try a case of alleged lunacy—(Betsy) - thence by Zeke Veazey's to Kimbrough's with Jesse & his mule in buggy—first rate dinner of turkey and other good things—appraisement of property—reached home 1/2 past 7—
Clear and pleasant.
Clear—dry—bracing. Jeff Jinkins & M'N Dickerson at Lucas's at night. Went with Henry after pine out east.
Yesterday Liz White was married—cool but dry and pleasant. Rode with Lucas over to Rimmer's—Judge Ross there—bacon sides—
Clear & pleasant—Child of Dolph Clark's died—Wm. F. Woods accidentally shot his brother Dr. Wo[o]ds, on Monday last. Harlow's children here—Bob Mosby at work on their teeth.
This morning the wind having risen last night, was blowing
furiously from the N. or a little E. of N. and seemed very damp. Soon
it rained a little, but directly the rain ceased, but the wind blew
all day very cold, and all night too. Seaborn Mims came in—talked
Bally Allen were carousing at the back room of Galloway's
office, on peach brandy. Harlow eat dinner here—Weatherly, Jeff
Jinkins, John Cone and Ras. Boyd here P. M. Ras. borrowed Coleridge's
Lay Sermons—Lucas told me of some elegant remark made to him by Dan
Comfort because he wouldn't tell Dan who had corn to sell.
At night was at Dr. Lewis's—his family mostly gone to Louisville— wind keen and piercing cold from the North.
A cold day—wind strong from the North. Jeff Jinkins came down
and stayed awhile from Joab's—he eat dinner here—Went with A.
down to Yockanookany—going by Baccus's—by the grape-vine—the
muscadine vines—by the woods that skirt the old field on the north
side—by the mound—to the beech trees with the letters carved on
the bark—thence to the dogwood bower—thence via the pen, the scaly-barked
hickory, the mashed hickory, and sweet-gum to mouth of Hurricane—
thence across Hurricane, through cane and briers to Jackson's gate—
by the A's beech tree & home. Met three of Munson's negroes, with
Bruce Harlow.
Clear and cold—yesterday morning there was ice. Frost this morning.
Went a-hunting with Frank Irving—killed a squirrel apiece. Warm and pleasant.
Warm—pleasant—sunny—Harlows left for Arkansas, on Wednesday the 29th. Henry Dean & Alex Chestnut went with him—
At night went with Al. around by Simon's, Ben Tipton's, Baccus's, Hall's down towards the branch—Kindled up a large fire by a stump— thence around home by the Lucas field & Davis place. Clear moonlight night. Pain in my shoulders.
A warm, clear, pleasant day—Jared P. Walker died this morning— old Mrs. Cottrell died yesterday—At night walked over to Price's— bright moonlight.
Ike Dean here—Dickerson also, awhile—tumblers—took a walk with the children (S. M. L.) out east in the woods—red haws.
Qu. 36 years old today—change in weather—cool and windy.
Henry started to school this morning to “Frank.”
Last night went over to the Court House where were several members
of the Board of Police, Jim Hubbert among the number—the war, exemptions,
militia & c. discussed. Joab said he would like to know what the Legislature
meant by legalizing the Assessment of Texas. Some one suggested
that the word was taxes and not Texas. “So it is,” said Joab, surprised
Today Stephen E. said that Dick Payne was here yesterday, and that some one (F. Zollicoffer) congratulated him for killing Lownsbury, and said we ought to have commenced killing them years ago—that he gloried in his spunk, & c.
In the fore part of the day, warm and smoky, with indications of rain. Col. Hanna sent for me and Jim Anderson to go up there—started about 1/2 past 2 P. M. with old man Presley—A change to cold suddenly appeared—wind from North—Hanna's negro boy Steve overtook us—
We left Presley at fork of the woods 6 miles from town, crossed Yocky at Shumaker's old mill—before this we rode back a mile through the old field searching for a lost substitute for saddle blanket— reached Hanna's about dark—passed old Alf Robinson in swamp. At H's found Alston and Dr. Hughes. H. quite sick—“migratory rheumatism.”
Very windy & cold at night—slept with Alston.
Clear, cold and windy today—walked after breakfast over to
Alston's through the woods. Jim Anderson Bob”, the sorrel pony obtained
from Campbell—stirrup-leather pestered me no little—met Jeff Reynolds,
Ship, Busby (Bill) and a considerable crowd bound homewards—reached
home after dark.
After supper Steve Wilson came down and wished me to write out a
Being sore and affected with cold, I kept my room most of today. At night I was up at Wilson's—old man lying in bed very restless. Dr. Lewis was there. Today quite cold. Robinson sent for me.
Started this morning with my gun (to kill any chance game,) and went an foot to Robinson's (over 10 miles distant,) going by Munson's, David Knox's, Steve Rimmer's, Henry Jamison's and widow Keith's— found R. in bed, badly bruised, eyes almost out—told me his version of the Wilson difficulty. Stayed there about 2 hours and walked home.
Jim Chestnut was there a-guarding Robinson—saw Woodson O'Briant
a-ploughing in wheat, who gave me directions—lost my way once or
twice—reached home about dark, very tired.
So very sore from my yesterday's tramp, that I can scarcely walk, sat by the fire most of the day—Morning keenly cold—day clear and sunny. George J. Wilson died today about 10 o'clock.
Clear and cold—funeral of Wilson. Dr. Covington in town. At
night was at Dr. Lewis's—Ike Dean came after medicine for Barton,
the Norwegian. Dr. Suttle called this afternoon, and also old man Biggs—
Cool, but clear and pleasant—rode the sorrel pony to Hanna's— trees and woods in their glory. Hiram Suber at H's at night— engaged in writing or copying a will.
This morning Alston and Spiva were at Hanna's as subscribing witnesses to his will—cloudy and misty—went from H's to Multona Springs—a pleasant ride—Hamilton and Jesse Davis there in waiting— bought some few things out of the store, e. g. soap, cravat, hair-oil, perfumery & c.—rode on by the mill in the drizzling rain to Wasson's where I stayed till morning. Queen was at Mrs. Hines's, having been thrown from a mule and severely injured an Sunday last.
Arose about 1/2 past 4, this morning—foggy—fine pine-knot fire this morning and last night—read Marion's prediction that the people from the instigation of demagogues and a love of a change, would be led astray, and bloody civil wars ending in despotism, follow.
After breakfast, rode to Burkettsville, meeting Wm. Cole who had
just come with Lucas from the Station, and falling in with Wilkinson
who rode with me to Rocky Point. Bought the children some school
books and rode with Bigbee to his house, where I got dinner. Major
Jams Walker was there, very feeble and puny, with all the symptoms
Wrote a deed conveying two negroes, and two mules, and a wagon to Mrs. Malinda. M. Bigbee—he wanted it written—suggested the form of a deed of gift. I wrote it out—he signed it in my presence, I acting as witness—he acknowledged it to be his act and deed, and I saw him deliver it to Mrs. Bigby—and with it he said he delivered the property, which he said was already in her possession and subject to her control.
I left about 2 o'clock, coming home by way of Musselwhites— magnificent autumnal scenery along the route among the hills and woods.
Fell in with Sam Young near town who told me of the Perryville fight. At night was at Lucas's where were several persons.
Pleasant weather. Qu. suffering from a fall met with Tuesday morning last. Clements here at night, camping near Lucas's.
Warmish—went to the mill in the morning—a quarter of good
beef from Donner—at Lucas's at night. Carlisle (parson) and Albert
Mitchell there and others (
Loyd preached Harvey Williams's funeral sermon at Baptist Church— girls went, I didn't—soldiers brought forward on front seat.
Considerable crowd here—Probate Court—was kept busy nearly
Jno. M. Robinson examined before Justices Aldecot and Jno. Richardson—Lewis Galloway, Isaac Scarborough & Bill Thompson principally witnesses for the State—Sim (young preacher,) for defence. Campbell spoke about an hour before supper and two hours after for R. I spoke about an hour for prosecution. Bound over in sum of $10,000.
Rained at night.
Newspapers at night at Lucas's—day clear, pleasant and cooler.
Coolish today—clear—windy—was at Lucas's a few minutes at night, and at Lewis's for some time, when Beacham came in—talk of the war—of its probable duration—of the course of events the coming winter—of tan-yards and exemptions.
Clear, coolish and windy—was at Lucas's at night—Lewis & Wasson's sons there—beautiful starlight night.
This morning rose before day—built a fire—took a walk with
Henry, up by Steve Wilson's, by Pierce Dickens' old place—along the
ridge—down by Baccus's—by Ben Tipton's, home. At 8 o'clock mounted
sorrel, blaze faced pony and started for Durant—went by way of Atwood's—
met Jim Sims and Thad Day with cart & 2 young girls—met Peter—fell
in with Wm. Allen who told me that Mason Haltum, one of his neighbors,
who had been off with the militia, he thought would die today.
Reached Sultan's, on bank of Big Rock, 16 miles from Kosciusko, at 1/4 past 11. Fellow named Graham there—Sultan refused to part with any specie, although he had repeatedly promised it to Lucas—he must keep it to buy salt & c. Eat dinner there, which consisted of very mean corn broad, the meanest sort of rye (wry?) coffee, good milk, good butter, good eggs, and sweet potatoes badly cooked by boiling. The eggs, butter and milk made amends for everything else.
After dinner we walked to Durant, two miles, through Big Black Swamp—Sprawls—Mitchell—Denton—soldier guard.
On our return Graham and Sultan left me to hunt “permeter”
(palmetto)—fell in with Raney's wife, a Mrs. Williams, a lad and
lass, who were out a-hunting “scaly-barks.” In going to Durant we met
Jabez Weeks, coming from there, who told us that he wouldn't care if
all the soldiers threw down their arms, quit and came home, they were
treated so mean. He was much excited. Negro girl and white girl
ferried me back across the river—got my pony out of the stable,
Pindars, in company with John Mosby. Heard Pup before I saw him,
a-running a rabbit. Rocco along—reached home just at the close of
daylight, half past 6—very tired.
Clear, beautiful, starlight night—On my way saw a man, woman & children gathering hickory nuts away down in a gully.
A clear, beautiful sunrise, and most lovely day. Walked (P. M.) with S--y, Hun & Pooce to Yockanookany at mouth of Hurricane—dry leaves all over the ground—green Hollies—Harry a-fishing.
Clear, but for smoke, woods on fire in many places about—very dry—at night was at Lewis's after supper.
Stayed at home (A. M.) and read and noted law memoranda—Smoky—
At night was at Lucas's. L. & Jno. Wasson having just returned from
Jackson—abundance of talk—news of war & c.
Cool—dry—smoky—delightful time to sit by fire, read and take
At Lucas's at night, Albert Mitchell there—newspapers & c.
Very shrewd and nipping air last night—cool and windy today—
cold, in fact. Rose before first f[l]ush of dawn—built fires—looked
out abroad on the face of sky—after breakfast read Prentiss's Memoirs,
and his contested election speech therein.
Started this morning with Steve Wilson, in his buggy, for Mrs. Kimbrough's—cool, keen, sharp air—buggy tire loose and rattling— poured water on it—fell in with Asbury, Tom Wasson & Jno. Jr., the two former of whom went by Wasson's to dodge the cavalry whom we met near old man Kelly's, & who camped last night near Fullilove's, on Black Creek. Jno. Jr. went along with us—a crowd there—corn sold for 1.57 to 1.65—cows $42.—old man Boyette with his pindars and cider—Pool there just from his militia camp—as we came home found the woods all afire.
Fires all around—very dry and disagreeably smoky—Was at night for a few minutes at Lucas's.
Smoke very thick, and troublesome to the eyes—children “Pooce”
Last night we had a most grateful shower, which put out the fires,
dissipated the smoke, and cooled and freshened earth and air—coolish
today—excitement about Yankees having reached Grenada—Was at Lucas's
awhile at night, and then at Lewis's—Bailey Guess told me today
that Maj. James Walker died yesterday at Bigby's aet. 75.
Walked with Ellis out to his house, thence back by Mrs. Davis's place home.
It rained nearly all day—the first rain we have had for many a day, of any magnitude. The fires in the woods which lately caused such destruction of fences, & c. & curtained the heavens with smoke, are now thoroughly quenched.
After dinner today went with Lucas a-hunting, riding “old John,” out beyond Webb's, and scouring the woods between there and Roby's place—was at the “Huffman Spring,” near which I met Roby & Hite on horseback. Bill Buzby stayed here.
Today it rained again—I have just re-read Memoirs of Prentiss— At Lucas's at night—Shrock, Jo Thompson, Mathis et al there.
Cold, wet and very unpleasant weather. Excitement about Army
Very cold, rode in buggy drawn by “old John” to Kimbrough's—
attempted division of property—Conly, Riley et al. there. Clear
and sunny. Went to Ben T. Clark's via Jim Mathis's—eat a first rate
supper at Clark's—then went to Wasson's where we stayed all night—
pine knots—checkers—Shakspeare—Plutarch & c. & c. Very cold.
About 10 o'clock this morning we left for town, I driving the
buggy, John riding Ernest's pony—Clear, sunny, and pleasant, but an
“eager and a ripping air.” Reached town about 1 o'clock P. M. I eat
dinner at Lucas's. P. M. walked with Ellis out in the direction of
his house. At night was at Lucas's where I found Ike Scarborough.
Clear and cold in the morning. After dinner Lucas, (who had been delayed in order to be vaccinated,) and myself rode in his buggy drawn by lazy “old John,” to John Ashley's below Attalaville. We left town at 3 o'clock (about) and rode to Bluff Spring, meeting Henderson & John, just back from Va. Admired the two roadside sycamores—got to Ashley's about 1/2 past 6, after blundering about for some time in the dark.
After breakfast rode to widow Ashley's, falling in with Bob Clark
and circuit-rider Smith, on the way—then we went to parson Fred
Lucas and Bill Kimbrough here—went a-squirrel hunting in the evening—clear & pleasant—at mouth of Hurricane.
Rec'd a box of Law-Books, bo't for me by Lucas, of Morey, in Jackson, 13 vols. of Miss. Reports, making a full set, with what I had before.
Cloudy, with signs of rain—today Jim Ellington was telling us that he saw a man named Lee kill another named Cook, in Hinds Co., Miss. on the last Saturday of January, 1830. The quarrel was about entering land—boll, 40 to the pound—Cook, a relation of the Lindsays, “Tol & Vines”—Lee was hung, having previously been arrested by a man named Brister, “on suspicion.”
Windy, cloudy, and warm—went to the woods with A--e—cut letter “N” on holly—went to mouth of Hurricane, on Yockanookany. A got a quantity of sweet gum.
Still warm, cloudy and windy with indications of rain. Walked with children to mouth of Hurricane, on Yock'y—sweet gum—hogs in swamp, dry leaves,—holly-trees green and fresh with a few red berries.
Very windy this morning—Jesse Bates sent me a lot of meal, which the wind freely frolicked with—
Probate Court—hard rain in afternoon, with strong N. W. wind— row at night at Bill Young's between Sam Jennings & old Jeff Reynolds— was at Lucas's awhile at night, where were Jim Mathis & Dr. Lewis.
Clear and pleasant, after the rain—received a lot of meal from Ben T. Clark—99 eggs from Perry, for Christmas. At Lucas's awhile at night where Harriss, Riley, Conly & Clark were making out their report of division of property belonging to Kimbrough's estate— all went up to Ike Scarborough's—thence back to Lucas's where we sat and talked till near 11 o'clock.
Clear, pleasant, sunny, windy and coolish—Bigbee (Wm. M.) bro't Wingo, Cagle & Guess to town, as witnesses of Maj. James Walker's will; but Mingo would not testify that the old man was of sound and disposing memory. So the will failed to be established, and letters of administration were granted to B.
Clear, sunny and pleasant—read Rich'd H. Dana's poetical criticism, or rather, his criticism of the poets, in the morning; and after dinner went “a-squirreling” as Ras. Boyd (whom I met calling up hogs in the woods,) termed it,—killed two.
At night was at Lucas's with Dr. Lewis awhile—afterwards came home and told tales to the children.
Rose this morning just before the first streak of day—air “eager and nipping,” saw the “waning moon” just rising at day-dawn, or a few minutes before—got Henry up, and he and I started on a walk to Mrs. T. L. Thompson's and back home by Pierce Dickens' old place, along the ridge, down by Baccus's, and home.
After breakfast took a delightful walk down by Mrs. Meek's—thence
to Shoat old place, and back home by Price's old field—weather delicious,
clear, mild, sunny and life-inspiring. Had a glass of egg-nogg this
morning—had a turkey with condiments, (as Tom Corwin's landlady said)
for dinner—After dinner took my gun and went hunting with Al,
killing one squirrel—she captured a cargo of sweet-gum, on the banks
of Yockanookany—At night John Hunt stayed here—
This is my birthday and wife and children have been helping me to celebrate it, thus attaching me
Today has been as faultless as any we ever see at this season in this clime.
Another most lovely day—some business in the Probate Court relating to the confirmation of division of personalty, and application for partition of lands.
At night was at Lucas's, where was Dr. Lewis—Jim Presley eat dinner here with us.
A gloriously pleasant day—walk in the morning out west, around by Mrs. Jackson's—returning met Frank Olive with Lucas. D. came home with me, and recounted his quarrel with Atwood yesterday, or day before.
A. and I took a long walk out west—across railroad, thro' old pine thicket into field west of Jackson's, as far as the Ross field— got home a little after sunset.
I have lately read Prentiss's and also Webster's addresses on
this anniversary, also the other elegant extracts from Everett, Dewey,
Pierpont, Greenwood et al. on the same subject. Went a-squirreling.
Weather warm and pleasant—Yesterday Henry & Prew. Brown came here to consult me on a will case (Wm. Brown's will)—At night Henry, Alice and myself walked over to Price's and back. Hathorn eat dinner here.
Negroes a-hauling wood—dull—some dancing at night—Walked with children around by Academy & Campbell's home.
Negroes a-hauling and cutting wood—threatening rain—At Lucas's at night where were Col. Wasson and Bev. Hines—family all gone from there. At night it rained.
Rainy in morning cleared off P. M.—then shower and wind—then clear again. Dickerson eat dinner here. Clear, beautiful starlit night.
Clear and pleasant—walked with “Hun” & “Pooce” out to the other side of Hall's—met Dan Comfort who recounted his horse trouble with Bustamaule—Dave Comfort's funeral sermon preached by Mr. Alexander— the girls (except Jenny) and I walked out to the Shoat old place, thro' the woods, and along on the ridge home by Price's. P. at work a-shoe-making.
At night was at Lucas's, where were John Toler, Jo Thompson, Ben Clark and Sweatt—also Dr. Lewis of course—talk of the Mabry money which Casey was charged with stealing. It rained as I was coming home.
Hun's birthday—she is seven years old—turkey for dinner—
old man Fletcher here—coolish—finished cutting up our wood-pile.
At night was at old man Allen's, where was old Andy Addkison who gave us many a tale of the “yearly” times—told of a man named Hunter, a school-teacher, who was hung in Yazoo County—hogs eating his head— some man gathered up the head, put it in a nail-cask, and buried it. Bob Perkins and his shooting the horse, while the rider was pacing him along the street—of Kosciusko, at an “yearly” day—the Regulators— Tom Potter et al.—the springs, reed-brakes and cane—of old Choate and the suspicions told by Sugg—of the hurricane which swept along the Conn's Ferry road about 1833.
Did not feel well—head-ache—old man Fletcher poking about on his crutch—a sharp, frosty morning—
Staid about the house most of the day—children hauling wood, which is now all cut up, on a wagon—just at night a hard rain set in.
It rained hard last night, and all day today. Jim Mathis here. At night I was at Lucas's when Nathan Murff came in—warrant for old man Bentley. Alice went yesterday to Mrs. McKinney's and stayed till
Clear and pleasant—read till 12 o'clock and then walked with Henry out by Mrs. Jackson's, and beyond, through the old fields.
Today old man Biggs and Sam Jennings had a quarrel about Biggs's sons going to the war, and the war generally. So Fletcher arrested the old man, and they started to take him to Brookhaven or Jackson. They stopped at Teague's, where Biggs gave them the slip at night, and reached here at about 2 o'clock A. M. having walked from Teague's—
Old man Bentley was tried for stealing his step-daughters' (Lucy
Bronson Arnold's) negroes, Oldecop presiding. Bentley discharged—
Bentley and wife left before breakfast, going to Greenwold's— conjux and children nearly all sick yesterday and today—was at Lucas's at night where he expressed his admiration of King Lear—especially of the Fool therein. At our house today he looked at the Stratford Gallery. Mother and children nearly all sick.
A clear, cool, bright, sunny day—in the morning read King Lear
suffered from lameness of the back—children sick from Cholera morbus.
Read Duychink's Cyclopedia of American literature—lameness of back. Old parson Kelly died this morning. Reynard A. Woolley died on Friday last, Jan'y 2nd, having become crushed by a log on a cart, against a post. Wash Hudspeth died recently at Werrona—it rained awhile today—cool.
Cloudy—warm—rained heavily at night—drew declaration in the case Bentley & Wife vs Murff & Wife, for slander.
At night was at Lucas's, where the news was read and discussed— am suffering these days from pain in the back and hip.
After the heavy rain of last night, it has cleared off very
Gregory Jim killed in battle at Murfreesboro.
I learned from Lucas the other night that “old Enos” had lost $500. which he had in his pocket, wrapped up in a mink-skin, consisting of Confederate money.
Last night I was at Lucas's awhile—about the buttons the preacher saw on the guests at a wedding in Arkansas, “regular, irregular & defective—about many people treating time as money, and paying their debts in that currency—
A beautiful, starlight night was last night. Today the weather is clear, beautiful, sunny. Alexander preached from
Lucas was telling a tale last night to the effect that Joab
accused old Tom Ford of selling sugar at 4 bits a pound. Ford denied
it, and appealed to Jim Taylor, by whom he proved it was only 2 bits.
Joab replied that it was one half dirt, and that made the sugar cost
4 bits. My back quite lame today.
Clear, beautiful, sunny day. As Wood said of yesterday, “Like
Italy.” At night was at Lucas's awhile—today accounts from Battle
at Murfreesboro' representing sundry persons from this County killed,
came to hand.
Cloudy—hauled wood from fence to house—Jeff Riley here at
Stayed at home at night.
Windy (S. E.)—warm—threatening rain—it did rain last night, a little—this afternoon it rained the whole time, and also at night— a perfect deluge.
A cold, wet and unpleasant day—about noon it snowed briskly for awhile—At night went down to Lucas's but no one was at home—all was dark and I returned.
This morning the ground was covered with snow—a cold day— stayed in the house and read Don Quixote. At night was at Lucas's— he and Lewis there—rest at John Wasson's wedding, who married Martha (“Puss”) Smith yesterday—talk about snakes a-freezing—animals hibernating & c. Clear & cold at night.
This morning just about sunrise the thermometer, which I hung out last night on “the Big Oak” indicated 20° above zero. Clear, sharp, cold—went to Lucas's in the morning and got 78 star candles for $7.15—55 cts. a pound—13 lbs—
Meyer killed an ox, and Henry attended and got some beef, which
Read Don Quixote in the morning, after children had read their three chapters in the Testament—P. M. walked with Henry through the woods down to Mrs. Treat's old place 2 miles west of town.
After my return walked with Lucas around by Roby's field via the Tipton houses—saw where somebody had been stealing wood off the Ross land.
Last night it rained—today it was rainy and unpleasant—cold— Probate Court—but few persons present.
Cold—Probate Court in session—Henry Brown gave me a long account relative to his brother's will (Wm's.)
Letter from Sam Young today contains information of who were killed out of his company in the Murfreesboro' battle, namely—Wash Holloway, Bob McAdams, Andrew Lawrence, Jim Gregory, Sam Burt, Garland Bullock, Dick Mallet, Capt. Jno. Miller, Will Ashley, Burdine—15 were wounded among whom several were expected to die.
Old Fletcher hunting lost money $4.70.
Yesterday we rec'd from old man Herring 4 hogs weighing 560 & costing 20 c a pound—$112. which we paid for (partly) in salt at 60° a pound.
Lucas and I went to Bigbee's—travelled with Flanagan & Campbell to the Atwood Fork—Cone, Jim Williams, Flowers & Jno. Adams there—cool at night.
Sale at Major Walker's—rode over to the former residence of the Major in company with Jim Williams, and “the balance” of our crowd, a considerable crowd there—fire outside the house, and a few women sitting and standing around—left for home soon after 12 o'clock M.— on the way L. pointed out a sugar maple tree in Pookter Swamp—L. tried his net on a flock of partridges, but caught only one.
Rain today & last night—filed petition in Probate Court relative to contesting Wm. H. Brown's Will. Saw Sternberger who is just back from Shelbyville, Tenn. he stayed at Schorn's while there. Said Aunt Sophia Davidson sent respects, & c.
A warm, damp, drizzly day—very muddy—“Nig Junior” missing—
P. M. walked with Lucas out to the Choate old place, near Coxe's, going
through the woods—talk of trees—of the China trees growing near
the site of the old house. Came back by Price's—along the Ridge—
beautiful green landscape view from Price's house to northward.
Last night I was at Campbell's and saw Hall, (“trader”) from
At night children read “Three Warnings” and “Goody Blake & Harry Gill.”
Cool today—a few flakes of snow fell—copied a number of
D'Israeli's gems into a Book, from old Journal—Steve came in and
sat several hours discoursing
Bentley and Presley here together. Jim Mathis and Shrock, Carlile
and Jack Evans at C. A. Ellis's corner just at dark—quarterly meeting
at Lewis's at night. Fanny Kimbrough, Asbury
Lewis sick for a day or two past with his old side pain.
Epidemic among negroes which Lewis thinks is rheumatism. Rain, rain, rain today—no meeting. Lucas and myself rode on horseback down to Raiford's, crossing at the Fletcher bridge near Fuller's old place— very muddy and wet. “Cousin Phil” there—Stayed till about 8 o'clock, eating supper there. R. spoke of his return from Memphis where he has lately been—of soldiers, war, whisky & cotton—on leaving R's it was foggy—a few minutes after, rainy—then a white light before us— then clear moonlight and cold.
Cold—clear—then cloudy—then rain—At Lucas's at night.
Cold. At Lucas's at night. Coleman here, who said some runaway negroes in Choctaw had come in and reported the woods so full of runaway white men that there was no room for them.
Lucas read to L. and me the captured correspondence of Benjamin et al to Mason and Slidell.
Cold—Snow—sleet—rain—hail. Dickerson here and eat dinner— talk about Dick Woolley who has recently been among the Feds. in Tennessee—
Betsy's calf died last night—Henry skinned it today.
Last night was a dismal one. Snow on the ground—an ice-cold rain a-falling in torrents, and (till bedtime) the wind blowing a gale from the N. E. This morning is cheerless enough—dark, cold, snowy, and a mournful wind. Got up at 1/4 past 4 A. M. and built a fire and read McCosh on the “Method of the Divine Gov't” which I borrowed from Parson Alexander.
Last night was cold—thermometer 20° at sunrise this morning— Was at Lucas's—tale about the falling into Mobile Bay 23 years ago tonight—A column of smoke seen today N. E. of here by myself, Atwood, Durham, Buffkin, et al.
Roads bad, weather cold—Columbus Thompson & Chesley Bell have
lately died—mortality among negroes—
Was at Lucas's at night where was Jesse Kimbrough.
Walked out to Price's this morning and staid till near noon— met Price's wife et al. on the way. “Love” there. Price showed me how to tell good sole-leather—
Came home and eat a good turkey dinner. “Pretty Dooley” here—
Mild weather again—walk (P. M.) with “Pooce” “Hun” and Sally out west
among the pines in the old field. “Gould” here recounting his troubles
with Mrs. Roberts. Lucas to borrow Valland's speech.
Bought of Jacob Meyer 34 yds calico at 10/—a yard = $42.50: also 6 lbs. of black flax thread at $12. a pound = 72$—Total $114.50.
Conly at Lucas's at night, telling of Mercer County, Penn.
“Old Fletch” here at dinner—death on souse—weather mild and pleasant with indications of more rain. Old Buzby here—Yockanookany Bridge broke down yesterday.
A warm and pleasant day, though cloudy. Yesterday evening at
Simon's Wm. Riley gave us sundry exhibitions of his pictorial skill,
in drawing horses, hogs, monkeys, dogs, etc.—Today I sold to Ellis
Last night old man Presley stayed with us, and talked abundantly.
Today the militia were again drafted, all in a heap—Weather warm, and debilitating.
Mrs. Col. Hanna died yesterday—John Teague is dead—Tishemingo Bill Rimmer died of typhoid fever in hospital at Grenada, on Sunday the 8th Inst.
Rainy in the morning. Old man Presley, Tom & Olive here—petition for Charles's discharge—Went (P. M.) with A. over to Price's with book. Muddy & wet. At night at Lucas's a few minutes—L. gone to Georgia. Frank Campbell & Walker Wood started to the war (in a horn.)
A. wrote to Aunt “Marty,” by Stan—Sent for Mobile Weekly
Register by Stan. Old man Presley & Dickerson eat dinner here. D. on
his way to Vaiden with petition for C. W. P.
Walked (P. M.) with Jno. C. out to the Ross place—rabbit in the
old well—plum thickets—the pond—grape vine—oak trees—white?
or post oak?—site of old brick kilns—ponds or pools—robins a-feeding
—the joree—returned by Mrs. Jackson's, Greer's and widow
Probate Court—rainy—old man Presley and Norman Weatherby eat dinner here today. Wrote out Acct. for D. Ayers. Dickerson just from Vaiden stayed here at night, it rained all night long.
Rain, rain, rain—an awful time—D. left to go home via Presley's Bridge. Col. Andrew Hanna died today. One of his daughters (Stella,) died Saturday or Sunday—his wife one week ago, and several of his negroes recently.—It rained all day today, and when I went to bed it was still raining, having rained incessantly since Monday morning.
Ellis was telling of his having read a tale or an account lately of a man being exhumed from a coal-mine where he had been buried many years; of his coming out fresh and undecayed, & youthful in appearance; and of persons gathering to see the body, among whom was a woman old; decrepit & wrinkled, who recognized the body as that of her lover, who had perished when she was a young girl.
Galloway said old man Dean alone (now 97 years
Had a hard cramp at night in my left leg.
A cloudy, disagreeable day. In the afternoon Lucas and I walked
A beautiful, sunshiny day—went late in afternoon to Price's, where was Buell a-carding cotton. She inquired about Horace Maynard—
Was at Lucas's at night—checkers—
Thirty-four years ago today my Mother died. She was born March 27th 1787—Died Feby 20th (Friday) 1829.
This has been a very pleasant day—clear, and sunny and windy.
Bentley and wife here today—rumors of Abram Meyer & Lewis Glazier
being hung for trading with the “
At night was at Lucas's, where Tom Wasson et al played draughts.
It was told there that Dr. Hughes's wife (Col. A. Hanna's daughter) was
dead; also Frank Peeler's wife and Thos. Black—all perhaps of cerebro-spinal
Last night at dark and even at bedtime, it was clear and pleasant,
but before morning it rained hard, and heavy thunder rolled “loud, deep
and long.” today it was dark & rainy—old man Presley was here, and
A cool but pleasant day—read Boswell's Johnson—after dinner walked with children over to the pine thicket west of town. Pooce's shoe kept her troubled.
Board of P. in session—clear but cool—went with Bob Mosby out to Price's to take his affidavit—At Lucas's at night.
Went in company with Jno. C. out to William McAdory's, where I wrote his will—after which I returned via Richberg's shop in company with Frank Howard as far as Mrs. Stuckey's—found Williamson very sick. Bigby and wife there—also Sam Murff & old man Howard. Rocky Point is the picture of dilapidation—everything in ruins—reached home about 1/2 past 7 at night.
Our pleasant weather is gone again—yesterday was delightful, but today is cloudy and an unpleasant, rain-forboding wind blows from S. E.
Just at night it commenced raining, and such a rain!
The hardest rain of the winter, I think, fall last night, mixed
with a good deal of thunder and lightning. Today Dr. Lewis and myself
rode to Williamson McAdory's. “Richard” along—I rode Lucas's sorrel,
when we had got as far as Winters's lane, a storm burst upon us, when
we stopped, and waited till it was over, some three quarters of an hour,
it was the hardest rain I have been in for many a long year. I sat on
my nag, which turned tail to the storm—Lewis got down, & Dick stuck
to his saddle. After it was over we started on, and arriving at the
Creek just this side of Burkettsville, we found it swimming—going up
we found an impassable stream, and then bearing still further to the
right, we reached Bill Holland's, who by a “blind way,” directed us
to Savage's—thence we passed through his lane, (Dick moving out the
fence which had been moved into the road,) and got into Rockport &
Louisville road, thence to McAdory's at about 4 P. M. having left at
20 m. past 10 A. M. & travelled 17 or 18 miles to go 12. Found Jim
McAdory's children there, also Henry Brown's wife, & Lou McAdory. I
sat up with Lewis till 1 o'clock A. M. when L. & I lay down and slept
till daylight of
Bigby, and Dr. Land (whom L. pronounced to have a funny physiognomy)
came in—Codicil of W. McAdory written and executed—Lewis & I left
coming by way of Burkettsville—fording our yesterday's impassable
Ike Dean here, & begged two loads of powder. Richardson
here, getting up his petition for a new draft, to Gen. Winter.
High water everywhere with prospect of more rain—working streets between McAdory's & Gould Campbell's, where the late rains have washed horrid gulleys.
No mails these days.
At night the mind veered about into the N. W. or N. and the air suddenly became cooler and more windy. Read Boswell at night awhile.
A clear and pleasant but cool day. Weather in great contrast to
that just passed. Children read 3 chapters in Acts. I read awhile in
Boswell's Johnson—Frank Irving came in—read Bryant's “March”—
word “durance” in late editions—read Horace Smith's “First of March.”
Read some samples of Rejected Addresses—walked then to Yockanookany
with him—repeated “The Land of Dreams” which Frank highly commended—
crossed on the fallen bridge. Met a crowd of boys on the bridge—then
went to the old mill. F. pointed out an old box thrown into the water
by the boys. Maple trees red with buds, and blooms—plum-trees
flowering & fragrant near Mrs. Bryan's. Bill Young and Dave Ackroid
there at the bridge—on returning Frank Olive came over, and sat awhile,
Present situation
and futur prospects.” Had the last turkey for dinner today—
Children went to Bap. Church to hear Freeman.
In afternoon Lucas came along, and proposed to go to the Creek. We rode most of the way, the little boys going along with us, some riding behind us. We met Judge Huntington just at the bridge, Keith & Herod packing his luggage. On the bridge we saw Mrs. Wood & Mrs. Boyd. We went to Day's old field—to the bridge which was once used, to the fine white sand, in the banks of which we saw the swallow-holes, over the old bridge, while standing upon which Lucas gave expression to sundry opinions on bridge building—to the sweet-gum saplings gnawed off by beavers—to the spring in the bank—to the orchard where L. pulled up a number of apple-sprouts, to the black haw-trees—to the old red mill, wher[e] the Dutchman got his dog hung.
We brought home some weeping willow twigs, some of which L. gave away to some female at the grave-yard. We measured the circumference of the weeping-willow, and found it to be about 7 feet & 10 inches.
John Adams & Henry Fancher here this morning & told of the death of Tom Black & a son of Zeke Bridges, of meningitis. Stokely White just from Tenn. says yt. Ed Cooper's wife died while he was there, of consumption. Ed adheres to U. S, but acts as mediator & friend of partisans on both sides. Henry Cooper & Tom Roane are with the Feds.
Clear and cool today— P. M. walked out to Price's. P. walked back with me as far as Newell's—at night was at Post Office—6 Appeals at once.
Yesterday morning Green Woolley came in and bored me an hour or so, being on his way to the war, since the breaking up of Fort Weems— Today Judge Huntington & “Curt” Bryett sat awhile, and (P. M.) Burrill Pearce came in and detailed his domestic infelicities—
At Court House awhile—pleasant walk among the pines westward. Cool—at Lucas's at night—draughts. Clear & cool.
Stokely White informed me the other day that old Capt. Clark (Bob) died in Bedford Co. Tenn. a few weeks ago while he was there. He had one night arranged it to go in the morning to Shelbyville, with his daughter (Jno. Hutton's wife) and was urging an early start. He then went to bed, and was found dead in his bed.
At night Mrs. Lucas informed me that Josiah had informed her yt. Uriah Whatley's house was blown away on Thursday last, a child holding an infant in her arms was killed, another grown child of his so badly injured as not to be expected to recover, and himself much hurt.
At night, at L's, where L. regaled us with the account of his horse having been stolen the night before from Mrs. Kimbro's stable—of trailing him through fields and floods.
Tom Wasson got me to go down at night & beat Jones, a-playing
draughts—played 25 games, beating him 21. Lucas off on hunt of his
horse—thunder heavy and rain at night. Walked out to Ellis's this
evening, and he told me of his lameness, and gave his views
Beat Jones at Simon's, a number of games at draughts this morning— found in the mud a gold dollar, which I handed to Jno. Riley, he claiming to have lost one. Warm & wet—
Benj. F. Brown died yesterday—Lucas returned today from a fruitless search for his horse—Children vaccinated by Dr. Anderson.
Read Webster's 7th of March speech.
Walked out to Price's in the morning—returning, I plucked a maple bough, and bro't it home, a beautiful thing.
At night “thunder, lightning, wind and rain.”
Cool—hunted out and traced up quotations from Ovid—after supper
was at Lucas's. Brown here today. Sam Young told me a detective” was
undergoing a trial.
Rainy all day, nearly—Mrs. John B. Hemphill died today (her birthday)
of consumption,
Henry went to Atwood's with a turn of corn—came home without meal, & has to go back after it tomorrow—Studying drafts after Hoyle—
Clear and sunshiny.
Clear & sunny. Henry went on Steve's horse after his meal to Atwood's.
Firing of cannon heard all day—fighting supposed to be at Greenwood—At Lucas's at night—Clear and pleasant—
At night was at Gould Campbell's, where Jno. Davis, (brother to
“old Mart,”) of Winston told news of Federal repulse at Greenwood yesterday
—said his Mother was 100 years old 26th of Feb'y last, and
was still active and could see and hear well,—said old William Davis
(“Beehunter”) was found dead near Robertson road last summer. Spoke
of Dr. Dodson as being a very mean man—a liar, mischief maker,
swindler and dog, generally—told about his giving “Bill Gamblin” some
dirt pills, for which Bill whipped him at a muster last summer. D.
hollowed “Enough:” but nobody interfered till D. called out, “Men!
what are you thinking of?”
Last night and today read Macaulay's essay of Addison—Frank
Irving came in, and he and I walked out west through various old fields,
home by “Dog Thompson's”—and got sprinkled with rain—read (because
Alice said preacher Perry spoke of it,) Percival's “Suicide”—
Walked with girls to the mound, thence to Dick's wheat field, the
Adams place, and home. At night walked with “Steve” down to McCary
place, and on way home saw a man with torch and carriage drawn by
mules, with woman, he going before to light the way, trying to find
Dr. Lewis's.
A beautiful day—Probate Court—Mrs. B. F. Brown took out letters on her husband's estate.
John Hanna and Alston & Spiva were here today to probate Andrew Hanna's Will—At night I was at Campbell's where I saw Dyer, who had previously called on me at “our house”—talk about W. H. Brown's will which is being contested.
Today the will case was tried—Dyer & myself for contestants, Hooker
After case was decided, I went over and sat awhile with Dyer at hotel. D. said the 5000$ draft of West to Wood was for paying expenses attending prosecution of Ogle.
Children under influence of vaccination. Bill Buzbee came home from Militia camp at Vaiden & there seems to be a general scatterlophistication of “milish”—Old man Allen, Frank Jennings & myself at Riley's, upstairs, looking at the last remnants of the clothing—
At night was at Lucas's where was “Meredy Sweatt”—L. read a little in Cooper.
Henry sick last night and today from dabbling in the water—very warm—read Boswell—walked out to Price's after supper—new moon dimly seen—very warm—lightning in N. W.
At night went down the road in direction of Groves's, where “Col.
Clements” and a lad he called “Wm.” struck up a fire to camp by. C.
gave me an account of his trip to Covington, La., with Simpson. Henry
came down to tell me Price wanted to see me, his house having been
entered today, and a pistol stolen. P. and myself went down to Mosby's,
Read sketches and anecdotes of Curran, Grattan, Barrington,
Flood, et al. Sheil's Sketches & c. P. M. Walked out to Price's—
thence to Bill Young's Mill—Maxwell's—Distillery—Godbolt's
headquarters on railroad excavations—thence home. Boswell at night.
Rain—mud—floods—in town awhile. Ellis a-reading Bible, then Peter Parley. I read Boswell. Parson Hill and Duffy here.
Heavy rains—Curran, Flood, Grattan, O'Connell, Sheil—Was at Lucas's at night. L. said that on Sunday last, he was at Pilgrim's Rest Church, where Joel Wilson announced that Friday the 27th Inst. would be fast day, and desired to know if members of Church thought it best to meet on that day for religious services. He quoted a passage of scripture, calling on Joel Harvey to know if that was not so. Harvey replied as follows: “I have no objection to meeting and praying. That's all right enough. But I don't intend to fast and pray just because Jeff Davis tells me to do so. When they were instigating this war, they didn't call on the Churches to pray them into it; and now they needn't call on them to pray 'em out of it. I don't owe allegiance to Jeff Davis nor Abe Lincoln.”
Judge Huntingdon & Jno. Gilliland called. G. wants to read law
again—H. told of a great “
“He again advised me to keep a journal fully and minutely, but not to mention such trifles as that meat was too much or too little done, or that the weather was fair or rainy.”
Was at Lucas's at night. Bill Steen was here today in town, and amused us much by his buffoonery—Henry missing with gun at night.
Day appointed for general fast—rose before day—walked out back of Bap. Church before breakfast. After breakfast walked out back of, around and beyond Price's to the old Shoat field—along the ridges to the C[r]own's Ferry road—called at Rice's—got my boats—
Irving told me he had once been at Drane's where old man & “Virge” with two others were playing cards together—that the old man cursed Virge & accused him of cheating, while “Virge” cursed back & told old man to catch him at it.
Williamson McAdory died yesterday, having been sick two months—
I was in town this afternoon when an angry cloud came rushing up
from N. W. followed by heavy rain—Was at Lucas's at night—read
from Richmond Enquirer Gen. Rosecranz's letter to Indiana Legislature
about the war—Came home from L's when it was thundering & raining.
Last night I was awakened by the violence of the wind from E. & N. E. slamming, window blinds, & shaking whole house, tried in vain to fasten blinds—chilly wind. Frank Irving came in, and while speaking of the storm last night we referred to Addison's famous simile about Marlborough, the angel, “pale Brittania,” & c. comparing with it the criticism in Johnson's Life of Addison, with original, & with Macauley, Whately and Curran. Walked down to bridge & across, Olive being along— trees lying across the road.
Last night was at Lucas's—He had just returned from “Bethel,” where Williamson McAdory was this day buried. Today bitter cold— tonight at P. O. first—2 “Appeals,” — & then to Lucas's where papers were read, & discussed.
Old man Biggs bro't me a side of leather—$5—anybody else $10.
Last night Jenny almost had the croup—Hun, Pooce & Jenny all sick—hard frost this morning.
Cool—windy—last night while at Lucas's we heard distinctly the roar of cannon off S. W., as it seemed. Kern & Dr. Lewis present.
“Come out of that shawl,” said girls to Mrs. Price—
Children not well.
Clear—cool—windy—Jim Lewis informed me yt. one of our cows was down and couldn't get up—went down to see about it—not ours.
Rolla brought up a load of meal from Bates's mill—hunted cows after supper, walking around by Lucas's & Tipton field.
Clear, cool & windy again. Pooce & Jeannie sick. Pooce “trowin up” and wanting water nearly all night. Was at Lucas's awhile a-reading Appeal and commenting thereon.
Simon just from Memphis reports that he saw Harlow, Wood & Frank Campbell there. Wood drunk a good deal of the time. Old Alf. Robertson told me he had been up at Bolivar, Tenn. lately, and told me how he managed to get along—went via Houston, Pontotoc, New Albany, Ripley, & c. returning headed the Tallahatchie.
Clear & cool—in the evening walked down to the mound, & home via Dick's wheat-field. A. M. read in Boswell's life of Johnson.
Pooce still sick—gastritis—
Clear and cold—Walked out to burying ground in the morning—
finished Boswell, Mrs. Piozzi's Anecdotes of Johnson—at night read
Macaulay's Biographical sketch of Johnson.
Mrs. Beacham and Artilla here at dinner—the latter staid and went to preaching. I was at Huntington's room awhile at night— deaf, very deaf.
Cool—clear—
Clear, cold and windy, every day of late. Last night Sally was
taken with vomiting, headache, pain in breast & side. Alice & Henry,
only, recited. Price's at night.
Henry went to visit his fish-lines at the Creek this morning
before breakfast—returning, he recited alone, Sally & Alice both
being sick, the latter with the ear-ache. After school Henry went to
Creek, taking the gun, along with Frank Irving & “John D.”—he returned
away after dark, quite sick, having a chill on him. Mrs. Price & Mrs.
Martin here. Henry delirious—they left after ten o'clock. Sally,
Alice & Henry all sick. I was at Lucas's and saw Lewis—asked him to
call in morning.
Clear & cool, still—Lewis called, prescribed for the sick— ipecace in small quantities—all sick but Mary, Pooce, Jenny & myself. Sally & Henry sick enough.
Lucas called and paid me $125. N. O. Bills for $250. Confed. he owed me—Lewis called again at 5 P. M.—prescribed mush poultice for Sally—nitre for Henry. Old Hunt left for Carthage.
Coolish—Children apparently not improving—ipecac, nitre (for Henry) mush poultices, flax-seed tea, oil occasionally, prescribed by Lewis. They complain of pain in breast & side—rattling sometimes in throat. Sally says she can't “draw a big breathe.”
Old man Presley here awhile, during which “old Gould” brought me $100. in silver from Huntington. Frank Irving here till 1/2 past 10 at night. Steve came in to borrow $20. N. O. money.
Henry much improved—Sally still quite sick, and dosed with
calomel today, as Henry was yesterday. Cloudy most of the day and quite
warm—Took a long walk with Dave Lindsay down the “Trace,” over to
the Choate old field where Munson's “old Lewis” dug for the buried money—
thence along the ridge, around by Price's home—heard the clatter of
Bill Young's Steam-mill—plucked a honey-suckle bough, and gave it to
E. at Hotel. L. came home with me, looked at my books—took two drinks
of tafia—received back from Judge H. my Buttman's Grammar & Donnegan's
Last night's rain has caused vegetation to shoot out with great
rapidity & luxuriance—in my walk this morning by the hotel (Railroad)
Jim Taylor told me of Eli McWhorter's absquatulation—Walked with
Frank Irving, and [he] and I walked out East as far as the Beech Ridge
in edge of Yockanooky swamp. After dinner I tried to read a little,
but could not do much at it. Walked solus around Lucas's Ross field by
the Tipton old place, and found L. there—Walked with him to Yockanookany
bridge, & back, reaching home just at night—found Lewis here.
Sally is no better, after taking calomel yesterday and oil last night, she seems much weakened. The same fever, hurried breathing, moaning, unquenchable thirst, still continue. Today she has been taking ipecac, and at night spirits of nitre. She gave me her ring today to keep for her.
Last night mater gave Sally water frequently through the night,
poor patient sufferer!—her mouth is sore. She coughed last night more,
and with less expectoration than for some days past—
I have not been
During my sickness Grierson made his raid through the State, producing a big scare—tales of hiding bacon—boxing up goods— hiding—fleeing—Walked about a little.
During my confinement read Macaulay's Hist'y of Eng. Read his Mackintosh, Hallam, Hampden & part of his Milton in the last day or two.
Walk to Lucas's field and thence to road beyond Dick Sharkey's, old place—Coming home Groves overtook me and spoke of a spell of sickness affecting his sight—about age affecting his memory—of his otherwise vigorous health. Was at Lucas's awhile about supper time.
Sale of Tax Lands—it is said that Dick Sharkey and Mike Hubbert are dead. Judge Bob Perkins died, I learn, in La. last fall. Frank Olive flourishing his dirk knife about today, drunk as a fool.
Coolish today—read newspapers today—reports of warlike movements, such as the evacuation of Port Hudson, taking of Grand Gulf, & c.
Cool—at Lucas's at night—Jim Mathis there having first called in here—“Appeal” read over, and commented on.
For several days past quite cool, verging on frost—reports
from Grand Gulf—Am reading Macaulay's Hist'y of Eng'd, am charmed with
it—Am not well—head roaring—bowels somewhat wrong—conjux not
well—tansy in tafia.
Read in Macaulay account of siege of Londonderry, & battle of Newton Butler—soldiers pressing horses at Presbyterian Church.
At Lucas's tonight a report of Van Dorn's being killed was mentioned.
Van Dorn reported killed by a Dr. Peters, who cut V's throat while in bed with P's wife—Getting up companies for home defence. Groves active—am still reading Macaulay.
Today rumor after rumor comes in that “Jackson has gone up.” Yanks occupied it yesterday. Stern & I walked out by Campbell's—fell in with Durham—we walked on till we met the hack from Canton—Old Gould, his steed and his prisoner.
Rumors & reports—all excitement. Walked out beyond Mrs. Meeks & back after supper.
Walked out to the bridge & back beyond Mrs. Meeks' with “Frank”— Old Nat Woodward here on his way to the army—At Lucas's at night, where was “old man Raiford” from Marshall.
News of battle at Baker's Creek in Hinds Co. on Sat'y & Sunday.
Anniversary of the Dark Day of 1780. Days now emphatically dark.
Old man Raiford (“Robt.” near Bahalia, Marshall Cty.) left for
his home—eat dinner (he, I & Phil.) at Lucas's—new potatoes, roast
turkey & beets. Qu. at Price's 21st
Finished Macaulay's Eng'd—5.vols. having read it consecutively.
Read in Macaulay's Miscellanies—War of Sp. Succession & article Marborough in Blackwood.
On Friday last (22nd) Henry went to Riley's (Jeff.) for load of corn for us—(20 bushels 40$)—Walked to Price's this morning & back— read some articles in Living Age relating to Macaulay—“Highlands”—
Got up last night at 1 o'clock to drive hogs away from stable. Mrs. Wallace (Joe's widow) here with Mag. Winn.
Was at Dr. Lewis's awhile at night with Lucas. Lewis abed sick.
Lucas today rec'd news of his brother Jeff's death from a wound in battle at Chancellorsville or Fredericksburg.
Played draughts with Zollicoffer at Simon's. At night was at
Durham's awhile where Mrs. Nunally & Col. talked
Wife & children went to Ellis's P. M. Ellis suffering from his leg, broken many years ago—dry weather—a few drops of rain just at night.
Old man Bentley eat dinner with us today. Galloway's remark about Jim George's reading Scott's novels in camp. G. Bo't of W. J. Y. “Bulwer's Last Days of Pompeii”—2 vols $4.
Checkers with Jim Smith—cool north wind.
All praying for rain—at Campbell's saw and talked with Hanna
after supper. H. (whom I am in the habit of consulting as to the Canton
news
A sprinkle of rain about noon—very dry. Presley showed me a bucket cetter—Tod from (near) Memphis here—he and Pete Myers swapping money.
Was at Dutch Store where was Lazanis just back from Mobile— reports gold 6.50—N. O. bank paper 3.50—beef 1.50 a pound.
Hot—am reading 1st vol. of Mahon's Hist'y of England. At Lucas's at night, after having seen Hanna from Canton & got his batch of items.
Texas Cavalry here—Van Ness, Bell Co; Thomas Meigs, Co. E. Tennessee, relation of Wadleys, Bryce Wesley Hadriot, Jasper Co. (son of old Luke.) Teagarden from Sagamore Co. Ill. Collard (Lieut.) Corryel Co. and two others eat here. Lieut. Barnett killed at Davis's by being shot.
Inquest over Lieut. Barnett, & his burial—Cloudy A. M.—
Mahon, vol. 2nd treats of Walpole, Townesend, Bolingbroke, &
Putteney, et al.—Old Enos at night from “Ittegwomby,” eat dinner with
us, gave an account of Federal raids up in North Miss.
Cool—very—A. M. Walk via Acad'y & back via hotel. Mahon—
At Lucas's A. M.—went to field where he was ploughing his corn— strawberries at the house—he going to Durant for molasses—
Very warm & very dry—the drouth is ruining our little gardens—
At night at Lucas's, he being just in from Durant—bo't molasses at D. for 2.50 a gallon. Turner back from Memphis.
Walked with Steve and Turner across Yockanookany bridge & back 2 1/2 or 3 miles. Mrs. Lucas took Qu. & Jennie over to old man Tipton's.
P. M. Walked with Lucas out to old man Tipton's field after plums.
Am reading Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella—Old Enos here precisely at 12 o'clock M.
Presley here P. M.—garden burning up with drouth—Went with girls to Tipton's field for plums. Reading Ferd. & Isabella.
Last night an incessant blaze of lightning—late in night a shower,
this morning a rain set in for some hours—gentle & refreshing—nothing
Ferd. & Isa. Jennings's “Ike” bro't me a sack of flour
from Weatherly's Mill—Rode with Hanna at night.
“Ferd. & Isa.” again—rain last night & this morning—at L's at night. Dr. there.
Memphis Appeal turned up at Atlanta, Geo. Walk as far as Mrs.
McCary's place with
Turner spoke yesterday at C. H.—at night talked with “Stan” near
“
More speechifying at C. H. by Turner, Wall & Ras. Boyd. At Lucas's at night—doctors operated on Ellis's leg yesterday. At night Lucas retailed Wyse's conversation, with whom he staid last night.
Walked at breakfast time down the Trace to bridge beyond Mrs. Meeks'—
Probate Court—June 16—Irving's Life of W'n—June 17—
Anniversary of Bunker Hill—18—of Waterloo—19, 3 Appeals, 1 Mobile
Adv. & 1 Rich. Enquirer—Bill Smith eat dinner with [us] bringing us
a lot of eggs—20—was at L's at night—talked till after 10. Jim
T. told me of T's antics while accompanying Mo. Wood to Grenada last
Wed'y.
Walked 1 1/2 miles & back below Mrs. Meeks'—cool & pleasant—
At Lewis's P. M.
Borrowed Frank Irving's big, brown horse to ride to Poplar Creek—
rode in company with Lucas to Fullilove's—met Ben T. Clark—passed
Roby & map of my route to
Poplar Creek—Keith and I left, going on by Ferguson's—one mile &
a half beyond Herring's, I turned to left—rode on over the ridges, but
got out of my way, & rode down by Rodgers's, Frainham's, Ellick Taylor's
& Gregory's—crossed Poplar Creek, passing by Holloway's old place &
Ward's to Garrard's. At Taylor's saw Jo. Irving—got a glorious drink
of water fresh from Taylor & Trainham's Spring. At Garrards' were Wash
Holmes, Anderson Austin, Bill White, Wylie, Dr. Geo. H. Dashner
Cool—honey, ham biscuit & rye coffee for
breakfast—
Started back—crossed Poplar—passed Gregory's,—who indulged
in lugubrious gab—pleasant ride along the ridge. Missed the road
in one place, and went out of the way a quarter of a mile to a gin—
my horse, to whose guidance I trusted, misled me. Cattle, with big
flies on their noses, lying near the junction of my road with “the
Trace,” chewing lazily the cud—laughed at old taurus, sulky & sullen—
Saw old Ab Herring a-ploughing corn—chatted with him awhile
Met cavalry—rode over to steam-mill, Veazey & Jim Mathis there. Went with Jim home to dinner, going by tan-yard—boy grinding bark— fine spring—dinner—numerous chickens—back to tani-yard & store. Glasscock (Arch.) came in—death of Fayette, his son, announced to him, he said “They've got 'em all now.” The war has carried off three of his sons. He said his “old woman” was not in very good health, “she studied too much about things.” Jim and myself went down to where Lucas was ploughing out his corn, with his niggers and little boys. L. came on to town with me—fired at a hawk near Hight's—had a jug along, which he dropped repeatedly. Came by Duke's—saw (before this) Kugle ploughing out his corn—came near Nash's—travelled Nash's new road.
Ike Dean here at dinner—everything burning up with drouth— just before night we had a glorious rain which saturated the parched earth—nothing could be more welcome.
At Campbell's hotel awhile. Buck Tam” used to say.
Walked to bridge other side of Mrs. Meek's and waited for hack, got in as it came along & rode to town—Bill McClannahan along— rumors about Vicksburg.
After supper walked down Canton road to meet the hack but it didn't come up—met three soldiers—Mitchell from Louisville—
Turned off at Ike's to go to L. I w'd sing “Peace to my troubled soul.”
Scare among Dutch et al about the Yankees being at Burt's—many people in town. Presley eat dinner here—Wes. Quarles—hard rain.
Walked in morning out to Price's with Pooce & Hun—Sam Tittle there—came home through the woods—seed ticks—
At night was at Lucas's—Jo Th. there. Lucas came up before night and sat in the gallery during a rain.
A general run from the Yankees—wo[o]ds filled with wagons, mules and negroes—patrolled at night with “Stan,” Riley, Bill Th. Hammond Parson, Alexander et al.
Last night walked out beyond Gould C's & found woods full of
negroes camped—Nichols's, from Madison—Dolph & Galloway
Mrs. Nancy Davis died yesterday near night aged about 67—buried today. Road lined with fugitives from the Yankees. Wall's tale about expelled pupil.
Prisoners taken at V'burg report that Bob Campbell, Newt Towers, Sam Wallace, Rutherford, Jinkins, and Art Jennings are dead—killed or died in siege of Vicksburg—many paroled prisoners in town—curses agst. Pemberton.
Brunt's (John's) account of Vicksburg siege—old Presley & Charley eat dinner here—their quarrel with D. L. Smythe—
Henry and I walked with Herring (Ike) at night.
Old man Love is dead, so Sam tells me. At Lucas's awhile with
“Stan” at night—fell in with “Buster” on our return, packing fodder—
stood at his gate and talked with him a long time—
Soldiers from V--g plodding their weary way homeward—two staid with us—Youngblood and Warren from Oktibbeha—Atwood here in the evening—was at Lucas's at night. Oswalt frm Choc.
Dr. Bryan, & -- Fair, with 7 others, eat breakfast with us. Four
Texas cavalry here, “on secret service”—they took, it is said, 5 or
6 pairs of boots & shoes from Peter Myres, in the morning, giving him
in return, a horse. Martin spoken of as a “shay-hocker” by Jew Dutchman.
After dinner walked with a crowd of returning paroled Vicksburg prisoners from Monroe County, as far as the Burnley old field, listening to their narrations respecting siege of V.—sat under a tree & rested.
Returned in a light sprinkle of rain. Stopped at Lucas's, where
Lucas told us the “shay-hockers” had been at Lazarus's—Came up into
town about 4 o'clock. Parson Jones, from Canton, preached at Meth.
Church. While sitting under shade of Harlow's old China trees, heard
sound of Texas cavalry horn—saw Peter Myres going down street—he
went into Simon's store, (having the key and unlocking the door himself,)
called to Ike Simons, & the latter not hearing, Myres called on “Stan”
to tell Ike to come there—“Stan” followed Ike towards the Methodist
Church, whence he was not able to draw “Ike.” “Stan” reported to Myres
that “Ike” was gone to Church, & Myres then went into the house and shut
the door. In a few minutes he came out, with a gun in his hand, &
walked quickly up the street. Just as he stepped out into the street,
the Texans, then coming up the street towards the hotel, hollowed to
him to “halt.” He took no notice of this call, but, without looking
around, walked rapidly forward to his gate, opened it, & went around
into his shop at the back door. The Texans galloped up behind him,
alighted at steps of hotel, & surrounded the shop, one running through
Walk with Lucas out to Groves's and back. At night was at Myres's shop where his corpse was lying—Dave Akroid & old Charles there—
Went on with Henry to Campbell's where we stopped & chatted with
Jim T. Alma G., Ellen & “Lessy.”
Fifteen years ago today we came to this place, & have resided here ever since.
Peter Myres was buried today—Wall officiating, in the religious exercises—
Meeting to expel whisky from the town—preacher from Clinton
(Parrish) staid at Lucas's & gave a graphic picture of Federal robberies
on Tallahatchie, where he had a farm—how they took his meat, meal,
cattle & even clothing—The Hunt boys staid in the gallery and slept—
told of the killing of Dr. Booth in Canton by a Texas soldier, & c.
A crowd of 29 soldiers, with guns, passed through town, deserters
Sundry papers at the Post office. Lee back across Potomac— great riot in N. Y.—at L's at night. Davis calls for all from 18 to 45 as conscripts—old Pres. here with carryall.
Young Phipps, from Yazoo City, staid here at night—pursuing stolen mules—his account of the Yankees' visit to Yazoo.
Walked with Col. S. Durham to Rosser's field where Gaston & Bridges were threshing wheat—6 mules—very hot—we walked up to John Fausett's grave—Dispute with Galeppi about Swiss independence.
At Lewis's at night.
Yesterday Bill Smith and wife eat dinner with us.
Irving's Astoria. Rain with wind, just at dinner.
List of killed & wounded “Minute Men” reported—Killed: Newt
Cudge Davis (J. W.) since died.
“Roe” Fuller just from Va.—wounded—Read at P. O. 2 articles
about strengthening executive arm and giving dictatorial powers to
Pres't—In Rich. Enquirer.
Sinister reports about Morgan's raid into Indiana and Ohio, where his men have been mostly captured—
Read Irving's Abbottsford & Newstead Abbey.
3 Newspapers bro't by McAdory from Mobile—a treat in absence of mails. Wasson at Lucas's at dinner—drafts—Morgan's disaster confirmed.
On Saturday last died near this town Elisha Dean, Senior—born
(
Alice went to Presley's on Wednesday. At Lucas's about M. Raiford there—drafts.
Very hot—mail once more from Louisville, P. M.—rain with
constant thunder in afternoon. At Lucas's at night - late P. M. at
Dickerson here at dinner—very hot—at old man Allen's a while. Walk after supper with children—Old man Campbell preached at Presbyterian Church.
Lucas & Raiford gone to Sunflower—they started this morning. 50$ bill on Southern Bank of Ala. at Mobile for which I gave Lucas $150. Confed. Claitor here at dinner. Mosby mad about being advised to practice dentistry north of the Ohio.
Henry Brown here eating peaches. Walk with Henry at night beyond
Groves' s—“Cavalry a-coming”—lying down in bushes till they
(
Very hot—death of Wm. L. Yancey & Jno. J. Crittenden, announced— also capture of Morgan in Ohio, near New Lisbon—rain in sunshine—
Walk with Henry after supper down beyond Mrs. Meek's, where we met Clint Beacham a-riding, & walked back with him—he told us Jack Yeager & old Stokes were dead.
Wash Ford, the preacher, is dead. Walk with “Frank” at night—
down to bridge beyond Mrs. Meek's—read Irving's Capt. Bonneville.
Mr. Jim Harrel died recently at Fort Delaware—his brothers “Lige” & Jno. had died previously—Wasson eat dinner with us today—it rained a little—read newspapers.
Everybody preparing for the concert—Concert & dance at night— none of us but Henry went—Henry staid out all night—Walk with Sally & “Hun” & “Pooce” to the Big Oak after supper. Southey's Life of Nelson.
J. T. M--s says he is 40 years old today - Land and Farrish
spoke today at C. H.—Alice returned with Nancy & Harriet Coleson—
old “Pres.” eat dinner with us—supper too—walk beyond Mrs. Meek's
& back after supper, solus.
Metts's cavalry company in town—Jno. Quarles among them—old Pres. & Dr. Lewis here awhile P. M.—walk after supper with them & Pooce to the twin oaks below Mrs. Meek's—Southey's Nelson.
Last night & today, disordered state of stomach & bowels—weather these days extremely hot—Kugle's son dead in the war—Watkins (Jim) called today & paid me a note obtained from Dr. Julius Caesar Lightfoot— finished Southey's Life of Nelson—read it last in 1837.
Intensely hot—no papers by mail today—communication with Jackson & Canton closed. Gaston eat dinner with us—
Qu. sunned my apparel today—walking with Henry down toward Mrs. Meek's—met Tom Hight from below, reporting “Yanks” in Benton.
Clear, sunny & burning hot—walked with “Frank” in the morning
out to Oldham's & back home via Tom Hight's—
Jeannie's birthday—two years old—hot—“Ike” bro't us a lot of fine horse-apples—he stayed to dinner—a sprinkle of rain P. M.
Walk with
Walk with “Frank” around by widow Pearce's & Mrs. Liles'—
stopped at Price's—Richardson from Winston Co. here inquiring about
militia law—Lucas arrived last night from Sunflower & Bolivar Cos.
Went down at night with Fremonce to hear him “ norate.”
Walk with “Frank” out by Thompson's on hill—very hot—Coleman
At Lucas's after dinner—Wasson & draughts—Len Winters & “Bev.” there. Shrock & Wall there a short time—went with Lucas to Creek— bathed. Saw old Asa Day who says he is 73 years old next month -
At Lucas's at night.
Reported yt. the Yankees came to Durant P. M. captured train of cars & c—read McCosh on “Method of Divine Gov't”—rain about M.
After supper I went with Henry out East—noticed a cloud a-rising, with wind signs about it—hard rain at night.
Company started to follow up the Yankee raiders who were at West Station—Loves here in a crowd at the P. Court—at Lucas's at night, he sick—Hemphill, just from Carthage, reports yt. Reub. Davis said in a speech the other day that Confed. Cong. in secret session appropriated $50,000,000 to build a fleet in England, which fleet is daily looked for.
Hemphill reports Rush Buckner as long since dead—
Wasson eat dinner with us—rain at sunset—“Frank” here at night awhile. Sam Williams back from war.
Texas Cavalry coming in town from towards Grenada. Stiles, from Red River Co., & Dunn from Titus Co. eat dinner here. S. said Simp. Morgan had married two sisters in Ark's.
Rained in the morning—Yesterday a sick soldier, named Stripling,
from Cherokee Co., Geo., eat dinner with us. Whitfield's command passed
through this morning from Carroll & Choctaw, some 600 Shumbourger was at Lucas's at night. L. sick.
Read Tombooch-tee's Letters in Chronicle, in 1854-55.
Fast Day—Read Channing's
Rose early this morning, after hearing children recite, walked
Price's—R. S. Holt, of Yazoo came in—wished to engage shoes—
spoke of Yankee doings in and about Yazoo City. I think he is Jos.
Holt's brother—thin, spare, straight, of medium height, blue eyes,
Cavalry (4th Miss. Reg't) here. Davis, of Itawamba Co. E. here at supper. I walked after supper through old field, around by Lucas's— fell in with Thompson & his dogs going home from the swamp. Davis said 22 Tories “up there” had joined the Yankees—6 had been hung—rest would be.
Sarah went to negro wedding at widow D. S. Comfort's.
Walked in the morning, over to Cavalry camp with Comstock—
beyond Male Academy—Moved to spring near steam-mill—very hot—
Fellow named Scott wished me to go to Leake on professional
business—s'd yt. on Tuesday last, A. Bilbo shot and killed Jno. H.
Gordon, on Cobb's Creek. Scott's brother was wounded and afterwards
arrested & lodged in jail at Bilboe's instance—charge “roguery”—
Next day Bilbo, with sheriff et al. attempted to arrest some of the
crowd, when one of them fled, & was shot, but not fatally—quarrel all
about a partnership in a tanyard & division of part'p property.
Was at Lucas's at night—intensely hot at night.
Hot, burning hot—members of the Board of P. came in but found
next Monday their day as fixed by law for meeting—old man Walker (deaf
man) died at Isaac W's two weeks ago in his 89th year,
After supper was at Lucas's—hot in the early part of the night but it turned quite cool before morning.
Cool like autumn—put on my woollen clothes—Brett narrated
his adventures with Texans, who stayed with his last week, one night,
and fed their horses off his corn field—Rass. Boyd came in, sat a
while, talked of Patrick Henry—Johnson, Goldsmith, et al—had just
read Congreve's “Mourning Bride,” which he liked much—
Cavalry gathering up conscripts—asked me if I was 45.
I was at Lucas's at night where was Lewis—fire pleasant—very
cool—meanness of E. M. H. as shown to Jim
Cool like autumn last night and this morning, fire pleasant & comfortable—read Johnson's Life of Swift, & Jeffrey's Article in Ed. Review on Swift—At Lucas's at night, after having gone with the little girls to the Big Oak & back—fire at L's pleasant & comfortable.
Last night cool, for season, beyond what I ever knew in this latitude—genuine autumnal weather. Walked to grave-yard—thence towards Oldham's—thence home along edge of old field by Hight's (Tom)— clear but cool A. M.
Cool last night—fire pleasant—this morning it set in to rain, steady and cold it fell—read newspapers a good part of the day—
Walked with Henry towards Mrs. Thompson's—then down to L's where we sat awhile, Lucas himself being from home.
Cool last night & today—sun shone out—read of Hannibal— Marathon Xerxes—“Hon” got through her 1st Reader the second time—
Was at Lucas's at night—Jo. Thompson & Lewis there—pleasant, but very cool night.
“Pooce's” birthday—five years old—cool morning—was up in town awhile, where Galloway spoke of Thos. Addis Emmet's 4 years imprisonment (in Fort George, Nairn Co. Scot'd)
Was afterwards at Lucas's where were Jim Hammond, Rimmer & Jo Thompson. Crowder's opinion of “Steve,” as told by Lucas—Walk with “Hun” & “Pooce” to grape vine near Groves's where we got two or three ripe clusters—Walk with Bob Mosby after supper—chat with soldiers at Campbell's—cool night.
Clear & pleasant though cool like October weather—Tom Wasson bro't me “Armageddon” to read—old Bentley here at dinner—Haynes (Mr. B.) here—Paid my Lawyers' (Confed.) Tax today of $50.00.
Was at Lewis's at night, where could hear passon Hatsel at Bap. Church. Cool night.
Last night cows failed to come up for the first time, I believe,
this summer. Were not here this morning. Cool, autumn-like. Sanders
Tupper spoke, (
Read newspapers—stayed at home nearly all day—Mo. Democrat of Aug. 15. At Lucas's at night—Nat Woodward there.
Tupper here—old Joshua Brooks & he—Handy's decision of Geo. Thompson's substitute case. “Pooce” with fever last night—read announcement of Knox Walker's death. Saw him first and last in Nov. 1841, going up the Ohio.
Moore's Life of Byron & newspapers—at Capt. Massey's at C. H.— at Lucas's at night.
Reaves Bullock died last night—many persons in town—Warm—
“Poocey” sick. Showed Capt. Massey record of birth.
Galloway informs me he is going to Canton. Last night Qu. waked
Rose” was turned out today for first time—
At Lucas's at night. Cavalry after Ike Dean,
Tom & Bilbo at Durham's. Walked out to Price's through the woods.
Hunting. Saw old Gould on a horse driving his twin oxen in the woods.
Old Balley Allen & Bill at P's—new fashioned pease—grapes—old
Murdock Bain here yesterday, said he was 68 this fall, & had never used
“Specs”—could read without—Mrs. McCary here at dinner. Moore's
Life of Byron. At Lucas's at night. Lewis
Wells, Hudson's boy, bro't me a letter from “Refuge” Leake Co.
about holding Court. Old man Presley & “Pretty Dooley” here at dinner—
At L's at night with “AC”—“Poor Poocey” sick in bed—patient, meek
and uncomplaining. Sprinkle of rain P. M.
Warm enough—“Poocey” still sick, but improving—3 cavalry men
Capt. Burks Joiner & another eat breakfast with us. Ike Simon, “Buster,”
O'Brien started for Va.
Peach Brandy at Bill Young's $1. a drink—At Lucas's at night.
Went after dark with Yazoo wagoner over to Mrs. Treat's spring— he had sick mule.
Very hot these days—Dr. Lewis called in to see “Poocey”—
I was at Lucas's at night.
Just 50 years since Perry's Victory—hot & dry. Henry & his old horse—a perfect flood of old newspapers—Walk with Oliver O. at night—afterwards at Lucas's where was Lewis, as usual. Lucas went over to Raiford's today—R. “a-cussin.”
Very dry & hot—49 years today since McDonough's victory on Lake
Champlain—read the various accounts of this victory in our histories,
& Alison—Yesterday bot. 36 yds. domestic for $90. today bot. sack of
salt for (113 lbs) $101.70—90 cts. a pound.
At Lucas's at night. Shrock ibi.
Sally & “Pooce” both sick—blue mass for P—a burning hot day.
Sam Houston died at Houston, Texas on 25th of Aug.
England (“Charley”) here—hot about being ordered to report— Was at L's at night. Walk with Celeste—Lindsay.
2 soldiers wanted breakfast—cavalry from Scott Co. 4th Reg't.
Walk to Price's—with Frank. O.—Dr. Anderson
P. M. Lucas here awhile—afterwards walked with him out the Long Road by Tipton's corn-field—grapes. At Lucas's at night—
Pooce sick.
Hot—Dickinson, Tom Burchfield & Passons eat dinner here—
Spiva told me Eli Norris is dead—
Last night we had a refreshing little rain—Al & I walked down to race-track & back—cloud then rising from S. E. Today very hot.
Frank Smith here yesterday—looks very gray and old—is a Candidate for Confed. Congress. Was at Lewis's at night—thunder.
“Steve” showed me letters from Sam Young and Jo Campbell—Sam
is hinting at and inquiring about some settlement of the present troubles
through compromise—Jo talks of his invalidism—of his sick bed—of
his not wishing to come in collision Senatorially with Sanders & c.
Lent my double barrelled shot-gun to soldier to scout with—
At Lucas's at night—L. gone.
Walk with Lindsay & Wilson around by Mrs. Lile's—L. came over & sat a few moments—peach brandy—Wanted to borrow $25. Nolens— Rain—England (Ch.) & his affidavit to get out of the war.
Cavalry gone over the creek.
After supper last night walked with Lindsay down beyond Mrs.
Meek's—was afterwards at Lucas's—L. giving an account of being at
E. H. S's—Walked this morning over to Price's. Dr. Ander'n came in—
Quite cool this morning—wind from north. Came home along railroad
track. Gaston, Mrs. Bridges & “Babe” here—Wasson also. Went with
E. H. S. to Lucas's—thro' cornfield.
At night walked down beyond Mrs. Meek's—Burks here giving
account of raid on Turkey Creek. Was at Lucas's at night—Lewis
Frost this morning—rose before day—walked about town—clear and cool. Walk with Lewis to Campbell's—anecdote—Sanders called to us—electioneering—
Walk after supper near to Cox's—fell in with Gosses going home—
Clear moonlight night—quite cool.
Frost again this morning—walk with Henry down below the mound— Walk in the forenoon over to Pres. Davis's old deserted house— “dilapidation”—walls papered with “Kalloch's Trial” & Montrose (Penn.) paper, & c. Walked P. M. with children (Jeannie et al.) out on Story's old road, & got grapes & muscadines. I climbed a tree to get grapes—
Qu. went to Ellis's—2 soldiers here at supper—clear moonlight night.
Frost again this morning—three mornings in succession—“Col.” Campbell just from Bragg's Army—“Col.” in a letter published Saturday in Steve's paper, speaks of the fiendish malignity exhibited against him—Clear & sunny day. Mrs. McKay & Joyce here—At Lewis's at night.
Rose early, before sunrise, & walked over town. Moore's Byron. Frank Olive came in to see me & talk over the news—Pleasant—
At night was at Lucas's. Jim Mathis under arrest—Perry Porter & Sam Jennings's threatening to burn his house, & c.
Very pleasant—Moore's Byron—Jim Mathis in “hock” before
enroller—conscript Charlie Shiller do. Simpson made affidavit &
got Scarborough to present a petition—Jim Mathis went home—Was
at Lucas's at night. “Pooce” sick again—Qu. sick
Singleton & Hill here—electioneering—Bragg has whipped Rosecrans, it is said—6,000 prisoners & 50 pieces of cannon.
Walked P. M. with Lindsay through the Pres. Davis old field— beyond Mrs. Jackson's—clear moonlight night. A lot of huge sweet potatoes from Mrs. Lucas—Walked out to Price's and back at night.
Went into Court Room and found Tom Presley guarded—captured last
Walked to Price's
Mathis came—must report T. H. Pres. “shall put you in the service, sir.”
Walk P. M. with Lindsay around by Oldham's home by Ellis's. “Qu.” sick for a week or so—relieved by laudanum last night. “Pooce” sick yesterday & day before—better today. Brilliant moonlight night— could read a newspaper by moonlight with naked eye.
A sunny, pleasant day—Walked to Price's in the morning and back—full moon at night—read newspaper last night by moonshine—
Walked after supper with “Pooce” by Galloway's—G. fell in with us & walked down as far as the road leading to Munson's, & back by Dolph's—talk about effect of opium-eating. Went with Lucas to Scarborough's—L. came here and sat while I wrote.
A party of cavalry stationed here were fired on last night not
far from Albert Mitchell's on Scoopachitta, and a man from Leake County,
I have lately been re[a]ding again Moore's Life of Byron, which I first read at Barlow's in 1837-8. Henry Adams, whose copy I then read, said it was “good after dinner reading.”
Today the cavalry were fired on by “bush-whackers” again, and Polk
Jones killed and several severely wounded—one supposed to be mortally.
Thom. Presley and six others, it is said, made their escape from the conscript guard at Court House last night. Jim Mathis here on his way to Enterprise.
Cavalry being reinforced have gone out again after “bush-whackers”— sprinkle of rain—At Lucas's awhile at night—worked yesterday & today at calculation of credits—read papers about battle of Chickamauga.
It rained nearly all day—walked with Lindsay out to Jim's old Tan-Yard. At night at Lucas's—dark and rainy—133 lbs. flour from Meggs for 37$.
Cool this morning—roads muddy. Leake cavalry in from hunting bush-whackers—no success—Negro belonging to Louis F. Carr here with several hundred lasts, which were left with D. B. C.
Cavalry again after bush-whackers—reports from Bragg's army— San Young & Harry Harlow wounded—Scales (J. P.) acting Col. killed & c.
Qu. weaned Jennie—At Lucas's at night.
Clear—cool—pleasant—at night at L's—Jeannie sucking again—
Lewis Bryan, Rosamonds (Tom & Addison,) Bill Steen & Jack Ratliff in custody at C. H. for alleged complicity with bush-whackers. L. today away above, where inquiry is going on relative to Sam Peeler's negro setting fire to widow Gregory's smoke-house.
Clear, cool & pleasant—Capt. A. B. Watts of Rankin, electioneering for Brig. Gen.—
Mrs. Smith,
Jim Mathis returned from Enterprise with his exemption papers O. K.
Quamdin? Today Jno. M. Dickinson was arrested & volunteered to go in
Love's Company of cavalry, Ratliff et al did same. Nil admirari.
Rose at daylight—walked across Lou,” a bulletin for “Jo.” M. T.
Stayed about town, except in the evening went with the children out East—grapes, Muscadines, & huckleberries.
Election of State officers—frost—a little—this morning. Walked out to Love Jones's along with Lindsay—Price walked back with me—no excitement over election. S. J. McMillan, son of Wm. was mortally wounded in late fight at Chicamauga, belonged to Sam Young's Co.—
With “Jno.” up in town at night
At the election yesterday in this Co.
Sanders for Senator rec'd 195 votes Shrock . . . . .173 Terry . . . . .68 Weeks . . . . .Rep. in Legisl, . . . . .245 S. H. Clark . . . . .184 Sam Young . . . . .165 J. K. Coffey . . . . .143 Wm. A. Land . . . . .63 Singleton for Congress . . . . .306
Frank Smith 57, A. P. Hill 50, Tupper 23, B. W. Sanders 4, Chas. Clark,
for Gov. 229, West 224, Reub Davis 20,—
Lindsay & I walked this evening around by Crowder's & Mrs. Treat's old place into the Rockport road near where the beautiful black gum used to stand—thence home. Met old Herrod & old Uriah Davis—met also Ben Sanders who said Jim Taylor, just from Carthage, reported that L. S. Terry had beaten Lige Sanders 200 votes in Leake, thus electing him (T.)
Went over to C. H. at night and talked with Lewis Bryant et al.
They say there is no doubt but that Nathan Sweatt was hung last night—
Last night about 10 or 11 o'clock it rained, & it was just before the rain Sweatt was taken off—rain then in big drops—I was awake, & heard it pattering.
A cool night last night—cool this morning & during day—clear
& sunshiny—D. H. L. told me J--r said to his wife last night yt.
Sweatt was tied with rope around his neck, drawn up several times, & that
he asked if they intended to kill him, and yt. the crowd having him in
charge said they did not intend to kill him, but that they intended to
let him kill himself.
Walked with D. H. L. down to Jim Wallace's—L. angry about chat of Jim Taylor's little boy—crowd of conscripts & deserters left for Macon. Went out a-shooting with Henry to Yock'y Swamp—Moore's Landing— crossed below & went to bridge—Keith at work on bridge—boy with patent auger—Sam Young reported to be dead.
Rose at daylight and walked, before sunrise, to twin-oak & back—
Last night was at L's a few minutes—walk after down to Bill Young's & back with “Al.” Clear, sunny. “Rolly” hauled a load of wood.
Clear, pleasant—walked with Lindsay out to Mrs. Lile's and back—peach brandy on return. Lewis & myself on the wood question & “Jack's” hauling—cutting wood on Ross land. Walk with Lindsay at night to Buster's, who has just returned from Atlanta—to Mrs. Boyd's—thence to corner of fence below Mrs. Meek's thence home about 9 P. M.
Clear, sunny, pleasant—Walk with D. H. L. out to Huffman house
on ridge just beyond Ellis's—he had Sidney Smith's “Wit & Wisdom”—
I the “Common Prayer”—We read morning service and ten commandments,
with comments thereon, or the deductions to be drawn therefrom—“keep
my hands from picking and stealing.”
After dinner wanted a horse left here by Jo Nobles belonging, I
believe, to his father-in-Law, Eli Croswell, (Jo has been sent to Macon
as a conscript,) and rode out East by Irving's, through old field by
Webb's and Munson's, through the swamp across “Yocky” by Knox's &
Jamison's to Dickinson's—D. absent—sitting on my horse I talked
with his wife a few minutes. Went on up to Wheless's—sat a few minutes
at door of his house—old woman cutting his hair—two very pretty
young women there—one, his daughter just married to a steamboat pilot
named Gill who was present. W. rode with me over the ridges to Presley's,
Rose before sunrise—before day the pine-knots were blazing finely in my room, ignited by the negro fire-builder.
Walked out—negroes had a pine-knot fire to milk the cows by— old man showed me his boar, & other hogs, and tobacco, which last was hanging up. Then breakfast of corn-bread, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, rye-coffee, excellent butter, and butter-milk.
Immediately after breakfast started for home, going by old man Robertson's, the meeting-house, Watson Shumaker's, and Matt Davis's, home, via Knox's. Stopped at Shumaker's—old lady and all hands hard at work making cloth—colored rolls—fell in with Jim Harris at Creek—
P. M. Col. Colbert and I played checkers, he beating me one game, I him six, and we making some four drawn games. Rain gust at night.
Last night, after supper, Lindsay and I took a walk down beyond
Mrs. Meek's and were caught in a rain. We stood for some time under
an oak tree—quite dark. Tom Davis died yesterday morning, & was
buried this morning. He was about 30 years old—disease of a pulmonary
character—Nancy Edwards told me Sunday night that a daughter of Willis
Colbert and Draughts—beat him today 10 out of 16 games—
At night at L's—monster “taters.” Coolish in night—roaring
in the ears.
Yesterday Colbert, in speaking of Nathan Sweatt, said that a man who in these times uttered disloyal sentiments ought to be shot down summarily, and if he should hear one utter such, and he had a double-barrelled gun in his hand he would shoot the offender down in a moment,
Tom Beach, his father Abner, (
Last night it rained—cold rain—wet today—mud—followed “Reub.” to secure a load of wood. P. M. walked over to Price's— “Em.” McWhorter there—weaving.
Last night was at L's awhile—clear, starlight night. Went
a-hunting with Henry around Lucas's field—found grapes—H. climbed
Bo't of Miss Stewart (Fancher along) 8 1/4 yds. cloth at 8$ = 74$ in all.
Went (A. M.) with Lindsay over to Tipton's—walked through burying ground & read inscriptions. P. M. walked with L. over to Mrs. Lyle's & back, stopping at Price's—Negroes with grapes on our return.
It rained hard last night—walked with L. over to Tipton's— thence down to Jim Taylor's. Saw Jim & old man at fence—Walked thence down towards Mrs. Wallace's field—thence home through woods—read “Memorials of Daniel Webster,” & c. Walk P. M. with Al, by Mrs. White's, Greer's, Hammond's into Rockport road—thence home via Thompson's—
“Hun” sick in bed.
Prob. Court—old Peter found dead this morning—E. H. S. invited
me to a wedding at his house tomorrow—At L's a little while at
night. Schrock there. Love (Bob) telling how to bushwack Yankees.
Last night engaged horse from Mrs. L. & this morning left for
E. H. Sanders's. Buster went with me. I rode sorrel—went on by
Skipper Ridge Meeting House—turned to right—brought up at Crawley's—
Left there about 1/4 to 4 P. M. along with Wesley Beacham and Parson Alexander—parson rode a mule—spoke of his having been advised by some old College professor to read Milton's prose-writings—about Baldwin's Flush Times & old Kasm, & the vermifuge. (He knew B.) About Beecher, Alexander (father and sons,) about J. H. Thomas & Bill Polk— about secession and the war. Met A. G. Noah who told us Dr. Anderson had just got home from Geo. & bro't news that Lee had whipped Meade into Washington City—that Dick Taylor had captured Banks & his Staff & 15 Regts. in La: & that Rosencranz had attacked Longstreet, near Chattanooga—
Got home about 1/2 past 7 very tired.
Corpus case. Very sore & tired from yesterday's ride—Zollicoffer and his tobacco—read Theodore Parker's sermon on Daniel Webster—Walk down to Mrs. Meek's and back. Awhile at Campbell's. Jno. Hand & Hanna there.
Anniversary of M. E. G. at B--on. S. B. card & name. Roane Terry and his account of killing & 1 other in Leake.
A cold rain fell all day, nearly.
Cold—working hard to get a little wood—got a load from
“Reub.” Henry also cut & bro't up some thro “Jno. D. & Aldecop's wagon.
Walk down towards Yockanookany by Jackson's gate—cows—P. M. walk with children out west to old field—red haws—huckleberries.
A large crowd in town. Prewett & Jim Cole here—cool— old man Todd buying out Dr. Lewis.
Went with Henry to catch Dan's “U. S.” horse back of Mrs. Wallace's
field—rode up to Sims's (Page)—found him gathering corn—Jim there
too—field runs close to bank of the Creek—going up met the Bowies
and James Canna—returning fell in with Steve Rimmer near Munson's, &
rode to town with him. Jno. Robinson returned with Cothran's fiat for
writ of Habeas Curpus to C. K. Massay—flew round & got the writ
issued by Jim Wallace after supper—hired Jim Lewis to go after Noah,
Bill Perkins having refused—was at Lewis's awhile.
Noah came in and served the writ—got ready to leave—went with Lieut. Harris as far as Sam Mitchell's where we stayed all night.
Rose at 5 o'clock—walked down to mill—negroes feeding hogs—
brightening a man's
ideas—Robinson discharged on the ground that he was over 45 when
president's call was made.
Came back with Dud Harvey & Ferguson as far as ferry—rocks piled upon rocks—Corn bread cold & hard for dinner, with ripe persimmons for dessert—rained a little—Rods D. B. C's “U. S.” horse—got home 1/4 past 6—Walked our horses from Vaiden, 4 miles an hour.
Rainy, and very unpleasant—On Monday last a chap was in town who said that on the 20th Inst. he was running in Pinnishook swamp, 2 or 3 miles from “Fort Growl” in Winston Co., a deserter named Jasper Fielder, with three dogs—that F. shot one of the dogs killing him, that the pursuers came up and asked him if he killed that dog, to which he replied he did: Jno. Henry Davis, (son of Martin D.,) then shot him. dead on the spot with a double barreled shot-gun.
Roane Terry on Thursday last, stated in John Atkins's store that
on the day before (the 21st Inst.) he and three others went out from
Carthage to capture 3 bushwhackers, who they heard were at a particular
Clear and pleasant after the late hard rain—cool—Prewitt here—Mrs. Lucy Dooley & Green Reynolds about getting Jim Meems released. At Lucas's at night.
Walked solus over Yock'y to Day's old field—fell in with Elias
McKay & Love Jones, they besieged a persimmon tree, while I took up
with a black haw. Mrs. Price here at dinner.
P. M. walked with “Hun”, “Pooce” & “Fil,” to Yockanookany at mouth of Hurricane—tired.
Warm & pleasant. Mingo here consulting—horse-race—large
crowd of soldiers, ehol—Saw from Mrs. Breedlove of N. O. a letter
dated Sept. 26—speaks of Frank's death from lockjaw—of Jim's losing
his office & being expelled the city by the Yankees, & being wounded in
battle of Gettysburg—of Julia's “going to the Yankees & freedom”—
Was at L's awhile at night. Sam Conly
“Qu,” 37 years old today, having been born in 1826. Very warm
today—preachers gathering for conference. “Buster” and the soldiers
in a quarrel—they broke open his door last night, and caused him to
leave—Walked after supper down below Mrs. Meek's—stopped at
Campbell's on return—“Uncle Jim” was at Lucas's & Lewis's at night
awhile.
Very warm & pleasant—am copying into Common Place or Note Book legal memoranda and notes—Bob Webb telling about a preacher's saying yt. soldiers kissed Jeff Davis at Chicamauga, during his late visit there.
Rained nearly all day—Charley Miller here under guard—wants
writ of Habeas Curpus—his father here afterwards—prepared petition
for writ. Wingo here—drew up petition for him to the President of
C. S.—Austin Mabry here—he is ordered to Enterprise.
Steady rain at night—very dark—am reading Kent on international law. Henry got Martin's negro to cut him a coat—got linsey yesterday from Mrs. Pierce.
During last night it cleared off “very pleasant”—today has been
beautiful—was at the conference room awhile, Bishop
Was at Lucas's awhile—Mrs. Kimbrough there.
Clear, pleasant, sunny—old man Muirhead here to get petition drawn up for his son's being detailed—read Kent on international law before day, by firelight.
Cool and clear—Conference in full blast—read the Foster case
in 6th H. awhile—went to Presbyterian Church—full—then to Baptist—
four or five preachers there—no congregation there——crowd Durham
said had “not begin to
Sam Allen went to Bob Hudson's for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Bill. A shrewd and nipping air. Conf. broke up at night.
Clear, cold, dry. Old man Loftin in prison—62 years old— offence, feeding a deserter (Fielder)—Allen returned from Hudson's.
At Lucas's at night. Sally Smith there.
Last night was a bitter cold night for the season—today clear, pleasant though coolish. Miller, Allen et al are still in durance.
Walk
Started at about 3 o'clock with the Allens to go to Hudson's on
writ of Habeas Corpus taken out for Bill's relief—reached Mrs.
Teat's about dusk—stayed all night. Lieut Wilson and Geo. Hanna
there—two cavalry fellows there—rats “a-rippin' & a-rairin”
a posteriori
Started before sunrise—went by Redding's (Martin Davis's mill—
Struck Robinson road at Renfrow's—crossed Lobutcha at bridge by
fording—reached Hudson's (“Refuge”) at about 10 o'clock—he is on a
branch of Martin's Creek, (a stream of clear, cool, delicious water,)
4 miles from Hooper's Bridge. After waiting an hour or two the Judge,
at about 12 M. gave Bill a hearing, and discharged him. Massay not
coming up, after dinner the Allens left. I stayed and walked with Bob
up towards Hooper's Bridge—at night sat and talked in the piazza a
long time—took a walk & bathed.
Walked before breakfast a mile or so and back—bathed twice.
After breakfast rode with Hudson 4 miles to road leading from Hooper's
to Kosciusko. Went by Cheshire's Mill. Martin Davis overtook me in
Lobutcha Swamp—met old man Cooper and Donelson from Yazoo in swamp,
this side of Center met Bill Cottrell who gave me some account of the
late attack on Colliersville in
A beautiful day—clear, cool, dry—old man Loftin (John) still here. Charley Miller in trouble about witnesses—Was with Lewis at night at Simon's. “Ike” just back from Mobile says gold is 16 for 1—turkeys $15 apiece—board $12 a day at private houses.
Probate Court—a clear, cool day, body of Nathan Sweatt was found in Yockanookany about a mile below bridge, floating on water, with a large rock tied to his breast. Went down with cavalry—helped to pull the body ashore. Mosby acting as coroner, held inquest. Went (P. M.) to Sam Mitchell's on way to Vaiden—rode Lucas's fiery “Boomerang”—Started at about 2 o'clock & got to M's about dark—a most glorious day. Mrs. Woolley here.
“Sam” s'd last night yt. once upon a time, many years ago, Judge
Huntington, representing some party who was opposed to Henry Tyler,
commenced a speech by saying: “May it please your Honor, by the law of
England”—Tyler here spoke up and said—“May it please your Honor, I
was born in Ameriky: I was raised in Ameriky: and I want to be tried
by the law of Ameriky, & not by the law of England.” This raised a
big laugh and bothered Huntington.
Rose early this morning, saw the first streak of daylight coming
up the
Charley Miller's case came up & after a full hearing, decided against Charley, on the ground of his (1.) admissions, (2.) his appearance, (3.) his shuffling heretofore, (4.) his suspicious record & his father's inconclusive testimony. Cothran decided that he did not belong to Dave Love's company.
After dinner came home with Massey & Roberts—old man John Loftin was sent before Hudson yesterday, on writ of Habeas Corpus.
Clear, beautiful & pleasant day—all quiet—no rumors. Was awhile at Campbell's at night. “Lessy” and excitement about the religous meetings—came over from the with Wilson, “refugee”—
At Lucas's awhile—Sally Smith—“that little thing guard you!”— at Lewis's—talk about Baccus, Wes. Quarles et al—who lately arrived in Memphis—Walk with Dr. up to Mrs. Atkins, I leaving before we reached the house.
Old man Herring & Jno. Anderson here in the morning—no pork to sell. Gov. Chas. Clark's inaugural read by me to the crowd in which was “old Andy.” Wish you would take the old cavalry & go to Sunflower— Old Campbell at night told me that Frank had just written him that Baccus & Wes. Quarles & some 14 others, including Simpson's boys, were in Memphis.
Rainy—dull—at night was awhile at old Gould's—nobody there— at Lucas's awhile.
Today it cleared off beautiful. Sam Munson & Ellis today both spoke of their probably being not long for this world, the one with diseased liver, the other with diseased bone of the leg.
At night was at Lucas's a few minutes—parched pinders. A clear, beautiful night.
Clear and cool—windy—Walked out to Price's—back with Dr. Anderson. Texas Cavalry passed up the road this morning.
Went (P. M.) with Henry down west to Mrs. Treat's place through the woods—drank of the clear, cool water of the branch—the Indian flints—the stone elliptical & smooth picked up by H.
Cavalry practising with dogs a-running a negro.
Foggy, misty, cloudy, finally rainy. Dan'l McMillan showed a
Memphian letter—Baccus has written yt. 23 of “ye tigers” are in
Memphis. Met Hawkins in my walk after supper, who told me yt. Mrs.
McCary was attacked with “a specie of cholera morbus”—he was going
after Lewis.
I was at Lucas's awhile—Sally Smith
Rainy & unpleasant—but it finally quit—became clear towards P. M.
Eclipse of moon this morning at from about 1 to 5 A. M.—clear
& bright. Presley Yanks”—At Lucas's
at night. Sally & Madam there.
A very cool night was last night. Burns, Love Jones, Joab, Elias
McKay & “old Gould” trading in land—drew writings for them. At Lucas's
at night. Sally & Madam
Charley Miller at Campbell's ready to go as a conscript to Macon.
Jim T. says he is 49 years old today—Walked out to Goss's to
get my shoes mended. Jim Shelly overtook me—returning met Burt—
corn in the road—bought 14 turkeys, 7 guineas, 18 chickens = $60.00.
News of Bragg's reverse
At Lucas's—“
Wet—rainy last night—cold today. White (Stokely) here—Geo. Lightfoot, Charley Miller off for war—Burns—cold.
Piercing cold—wind keen from N. Walked, or ran, with Henry,
out to Treat place & back 6 miles in all—Henry complaining of sore
throat—turkey for dinner—Burns—Walk to mound—mouth of
Hurricane—back by Adams place—found several bundles of fodder in the
road, which I brought along. Met Tinner Thompson & negro, who had also found
some.
Some very fine red haws—got home after sunset. Buster here at
Lucas's at night. Jap. Bridges & Jo. Th.
Last night was the coldest of the season—thermometer 20° this morning. Rose about 1/2 past 4—Clear and cold enough. Jo Thompson & Jap Bridges here—annual account of Hardy B's estate—
At Lewis's at night with Canton Citizen.
Last night clear & cold. Presley here at dinner—says his millpond was frozen over yesterday—old Henry Tyler here—“I was born in Ameriky,” & c.
Lewis came over and we read the news of Bragg's late fight out of
a bunch of newspapers. Price brought me
Rode Lucas's Charley to Presley's where I eat dinner—grits, pork
fried chicken, & c. Clear and cold last night—clear & sunny today—ice
Went after dinner at Presley's up by his mill, to Tom Burchfield's, going by Jeff Reynolds's—Tom not at home—Jno. Shaw & Skeen a-black-smithing there—returned. P. went with me to the swamp. I went up by Page Sims's—Page not at home. Met Elisha Dean—bought some cloth of him—At Campbell's at night—clear, cold and beautiful night—owls disturbing chickens.
Clear, cool, beautiful weather—took cold last night while up
to see about the owls—have a catarrhal affection—two cups of most
delicious
“Qu.” went to Lucas's, pepper tea, hot foot bath & oil.
Sick today—headache—stayed in house most of the day—Alf
Robertson
Margan here—Tilman Campbell here—wanted water—no news from
Bragg except that he has been relieved of his command—at Lucas's at
night—Tom Wasson & Dr.
Clear—cool E. wind—walked with C. C. P. (he riding) out to
Went with children Pooce and Hun to swamp after red haws,— Ramage's wife & son here at supper. At Lewis's at night. Newspapers & & comments & speculations
Jim Sims here before I was up—I “fixed up” his papers—he left for home—thence is going to Enterprise—old man Presley here— was taken sick—threatened with paralysis—so Scarborough says— “engagement of spine”—he started home late P. M.—Dishman here also—
Off for Enterprise—Bill Allen & “old Balley” here—Bill up for intending to sell out and go to the Yankees—At Lucas's at night awhile.
Rainy—papers from Eastward—corn house fell down, Crowder's old building. At night at Lucas's where I met Lewis & discussed contents of today's mail.
Wet—cold—bo't a hog from Peeler (Sam) for 101$—weight 102
lb. At night went to P. O. Hanna (Tom) came in from Canton late, but
bro't no news or papers. A drizzling rain at night. Read Appeal and
Weekly Mob. Advertiser.
Gov. Clark's Fast Day—cloudy—damp—unpleasant, though not
Qu.” cut up the hog and salted it. A set of common knives
& forks for 25$ of Simon.
Turknett and a crowd of Choctaw & Oktibbeha women camped opposite
to Jim Taylor's shop—“I wish I was back at old Berry Bruce's”—
At Lewis's at night, Al going with me to Lucas's—lantern along— quite dark.
Mrs. Sam Peeler here. Mrs. Watson here—pork—too warm—Presley
here at dinner—
Warm on the pork. Jno. Lucas returned from imprisonment with Yankees on Miss. river—Dishman right from Enterprise staid here— he went with Lucas's with me and back—Conly there.
Rose before day—rode Lucas's “Charley” up to Presley's—L.
gave me detached portions of his observation and experience with Yankees—
was overtaken between Munson's and Standard's by a heavy rain—Met old
Manuel riding a mule in swamp—Stayed an hour or two at Presley's and
dried myself. Judge Wells right from Columbus came along—
I went on to Charley Presley's—eat dinner there—rode thence
by Jeff Reynolds's with Charley to Jim Sims's. Claitor at Reynolds's—
passed old Jno. McCool and his bride—Sims not at home, returned. I
went to Claitor's & stayed all night—overtook Wingate & Samp. Proctor—
it turned off quite cool—Supper—many children. Josiah Rook's widow
Cold—piercing wind—Claitor lent me his thick gloves—went before breakfast with him to the crib & stable and lot where were the hogs, & to the spring—rode from old man P's to town with Charley— cold riding—met Bayliss Oldham in Swamp—got chilled through and through by time we reached town—
Henderson called in—do old Mrs. Barnes & her son who walked to town from old man White's.
At Lucas's at night—Conly and Lewis
Clear and pleasant though cool—Walked to Beacham's—Mrs. B.
went to tanyard with me from house—Comstock's talk about Bill Johnson
& Kate as usual—exchange of money with B. silver for gold—$63. 5
per
Hoy & I came back together—he invited me to take a grog—went
Rainy—singular appearance of clouds in morning—read newspapers—
heavy rains morning & evening—Durham bro't me the “Citizen” at night.
Walked with Al. & Henry in the gallery. Heavy thunder P. M.
A cold day—cloudy A. M. Cleared off—Lem. & J. W. Ward here
to see about exemptions—went down to Lucas's in the morning to carry
him the “Citizen”—no mail today—At night was at Lucas's—Jo.
Thompson there—Lewis came after a while—talk about the situation—
Jo. thinks things are in a bad fix—read over “French Lessons”—
reviewing French.
Clear and severely cold—walked out to Price's and back, going through the woods, by the Watson's place—he a-cutting out shoes—she a-weaving stripes. Mrs. McCary sitting by the stove—wanted to know how to get to Wayne Co. Miss.
Air pure and
My birthday!
Last night was a severely cold one—clear, moonlit, frosty. Old man Beacham brought me yesterday evening 6 bush's sweet potatoes 12$— 1 do Irish $20.
This morning I walked out to Cal. B's & gave him 108$ Confed. for
Charles Presley brought me a note from Jim Sims stating yt. he had been at Enterprise and back, made the trip without difficulty, and got “discharged” from military service.
Wrote out affidavits for C. W. P.
Was at Lucas's
A stinging cold night for this latitude—clear and moonshiny.
A keen, sharp air—Crowder dropped in this morning—walk with Lucas around the Ross land by Tipton's old houses. Dave Cook & Glasscock at L's at night.
Probate Court—many “fixing up” their exemption papers—Jim Mathis at Lucas's at night. “Budd Kimber” there too, on his crutches.
Walk with Jim up to Mrs. Boyd's and back.
Bates and Mrs. Boone in town—bo't of Sam William 10$ gold for $150 Confed.—20$ Miss. 10 per cent Treasury Note for $23.
At Campbell's after supper—Dr. Thomas from Yazoo Co. there, who
News yesterday respecting unsuccessful assault of 13th Miss. & other regiments on Fort Sanders at Knoxville.
Albert Mitchell, just back from Dalton, was here today.
Went this morning over to Steve Wilson's, and drank egg-nogg—
Snead, Hilliman, Turner
Read Lincoln's message at Wasson's—boys out serenading.
Last night was brilliant—full moon—this morning cloudy & windy—rode to town—Simpson's Jo got shot by a soldier—negroes a-hauling wood—At night Pooce, Hun, Sally & Henry went to Alma Taylor's party at the Wash Tipton house—misting, drizzling.
Negroes hauling wood & cutting—Egg-nogg at “Steve's” again—
Sam Williams let me have 8$ gold for 140$ Confed. Rain at night.
This morning about day, there was a heavy wind, with some rain—
Came back with Jim Sims to his house where he handed me 25$ in gold. Thence Charles, Tom and I went on to Charley's, Proctor overtaking us—thence Tom & I went on to old man's where I fed “Sorrel”— started for home—met Morris Russel broke down with Carryall in Yock. swamp—his wife & turkeys & c. in vehicle.
Reached home after dark, turning off cool.
Clear and cold—Tom P. gave me a very interesting account yesterday of his escape from C. House last fall, and of his subsequent rambles. At Campbell's at night—read Chicago Times.
One of the loveliest days of the year—sunny and delicious. Greer (Ira's son) killed in Longstreet's attack on Knoxville. Whitman et al wounded—Jim Comfort missing.
Raining again—negroes a-hauling wood—Jas. M. Sims stayed here—his father the first Probate Clerk of Attala Co.—died near Turnage's about 1846.
Went down to Lucas's at night with Sims—Wasson, Lucas & Lewis there—newspapers—rainy—Jim's account of his trip lately to Enterprise and back.
Rain, wind, very disagreeable—
Dishman here at dinner—Jno. A. Smith, of Rankin, here after
Habeas Corpus—
In the afternoon it turned very cold—wind from N. W.—Newell
& Dishman here awhile—
At night was at Lucas's, madam absent—Lewis there. Ward Beecher's lecture at Liverpool, & c.
Last night the coldest of the season—thermometer 6° this
morning. Walked out to Price's—Roberts there—told of seeing
At Lucas's at night. 13° at sunset—at old place awhile.
Thermometer 9 ° this morning. Thom. Presley eat dinner here—
At Lucas's P. M. & at night. A batch of late papers—Bill Newell here yesterday.
Thermometer about 32° this morning. After breakfast Bill Newell sent me a mare, nearly blind, to go to Jasper County, and requested me to meet him at Mrs. Herring's on the Trace—The ride was a cold one, ground hard frozen—ice all along low grounds—fell in with Newell at Mrs. H's—went on towards Carthage, crossing Yock'y at Fletcher's bridge—about Burt's losing his corn from field and who was caught purloining—the pacing hog at Bill Dodd's—met Newell's ox-wagon at Jug Factory. Reached Frank Burnett's awhile before night—it rained on us occasionally, a slight, sprinkling rain.
Last night it rained—we were off early, very muddy and slippery
Crossed Pearl river at McFadden's (Daniel's old) Ferry—met Dr. Thomas the other side of Pearl—took Hillsborough road—crossed Tuskalameta at Lindsay's bridge, where we stopped “to eat our snack”—“You man with the blue blanket,” said Lindsay, former Circuit Clerk—
Met Holloway some seven miles from Hillsborough—bad road—mud— hard hills—passed through Hillsborough without alighting. Dick Smith directed us to the widow Lay's 9 miles from H. on Gordonsville road, then about 3 o'clock P. M. On we went, crossing sundry creeks, passing through long-leaf pine woods and reached the widow Lay's on Untuckaloo just before dark.
Last night was cold—it sleeted a little. We had a comfortable place to stay—blazing long-leaf fat pine—Gordon, brother of Mrs. Lay, there from Newton Co. This was Scott, many cases of typhoid fever in the family—child then sick—grown son of the widow there. The woman in Newton Co. who was going to try every man in it but that, & c.—
After breakfast we started—paid 4$ each for our fare—Went on and fell in with a chap named Barrett who was going to Paulding—
Crossed Little Warrior, branch of Tuskalameta—Barrett dismounted
from his mule, examined bridge, and we led our beasts across. B. took
us by what he styled a nearer route, by a fine white house. We stopped
Barrett left us on the hill South of Garlandsville.
Very cold—stayed about the house—willow wood green—
Very cold—short of wood—pine scarce—in the house nearly all
the time—read the “Pilgrim's Progress” all through in order. Very
hard to keep warm, either day or night.
“Jimmy” and I built up fires out in the woods—Slept cold last night—N. was away—not so cold today.
Rainy this morning—After breakfast Jimmy and I started to
return home—a cold rain. Went to Garlandsville by a different route
from that by which we came—abundance of water, some ice, and
super-abundance of mud—From Garlandsville we went to Decatur via Newton
Station—Went out of our way to cross a creek called Jarlow, the
This morning we started for Union, six miles distant—paid 2$
apiece for fare—road muddy and bad most of the way. Cloudy and very
damp—no sun either yesterday or today, in sight. At Union, a one-house
town, we took the Hillsborough road for 2 1/4 miles, then struck out
towards Carthage and Hooper's Bridge. A large, old deserted house on
the road. Met the Carthage mail-rider in an old field. An old man
(Robison) told us we were out of our way, & undertook to set us right—
but after riding out to a church, we concluded to get back into the
road we had left—reached Zack Williams's in Neshoba, about noon,
having crossed Sipsy Creek—here we took the Carthage road—(14 miles
to Hooper's)—“High Hill” & “Standing Pine” post offices on the way,
old man Cunningham at latter—reached Pearl river (McFadden's Ferry)
about sunset, several wagons there—about
A capital supper last night & breakfast this morning—started for “Kozzy”—B. told us that Silas H. Clark was dead—died Jan'y 7th. Told us of Maj. Terry's claim of 250$ for taking up a run-a-way negro.
I borrowed to read Cooper's “Pathfinder”—Roads muddy & very
bad—Ellen, the blind horse, so stiff she could hardly get along—
rode through Lo. Fletcher's farm, Tom opening the gate for us. Sun
came out for the first time since Sunday just at 12 o'clock as we
reached
Last night Lucas and Lewis called in to hear the news after my return from below—Stayed about the house nearly the whole day—
At night was at Lucas's—“Booker”
Reading up the papers to post myself—bringing up arrears.
Lucas, Lewis & Carr rode along on their way to Raiford's—
At night at Lucas's.
Roads bad—deep mud—unpleasant, very—Load of wood from Carr's negroes—At Lucas's at night.
Rain—at night a hard rain—Wm. McMullin here about his son—
Jenny lost my knife—Sarah found it.
Probate Court—cool—waters rising. Biggs—Henry Jamison & Stokely White here.
Anniversary of the Battle of Mill Spring or Fishing Creek, two years ago. Knox at Lucas's—Lewis & myself there awhile.
Dr. Todd here—20$ gold for $47 Tenn. money. Metts's company going to Canton. Morfett here at night—Got my Canton paper at Durham's—
At Lucas's awhile.
Walked with Lindsay down to the Bridge and across & back. Henry Jamison came back with us—Sally sick—Pleasant, sunny day.
Memoranda of Trip to Jasper
At Mr. Lay's and at other places, we learned that the house of a widow
named Abbott in Newton County had been burnt by the cavalry because
some dogs had been poisoned by her—also that a Dr. Morris had been
killed (“shot all to pieces”) in same county by bushwhackers, for
piloting cavalry—that in Wayne Co. a woman by drawing a gun on a
In Hannah More's “Practical Piety” I remember she cites a celebrated Professor, who “taught Chemistry that he might learn it.” Also Dr. Johnson's question—“Where is the world into which we were born?” Also some author's remark that “Hell is truth seen too late.”
A clear, sunny, springlike morning—last night was at Lucas's—
Lewis there—Dr. Todd married yesterday Fanny Kimbrough—read Goodrich's
sketch of Junius, of his Letters, style and of the authorship—
Clear, sunny and pleasant—newspapers but no news—At Lucas's at night.
Clear, sunny & delightful—borrowed Lucas's “Boomerang” horse, and rode across creek on Keith's bridge just rebuilt—thence up the road toward Louisville by Joshua Brooks's—on to Gilmore's where I saw old Joshua & Gilmore—thence up by Dickenson's to Jim Sims's and the other side, where near Kyle's creek I met John Quarles & a few others awaiting Geo. Hanna's return from hunting his quilt—returned with them to where the road forks to go to Presley's—rode to P's—Old man sick in bed—James there—came on by Presley's bridge home. Met Jack Crow & Joel Wilson in swamp—
Came through and reached home after sunset.
Clear, sunny and beautiful day—a good many people in town— Jo Thompson and Jack Crow & Thom. Wasson at Lucas's at night. Clear, brilliant moonlight night—Lodge
Clear & sunny still—Mrs. Irving here to see about a letter with $300. in it mailed to her from Greensboro for Frank. Sundry papers—
Was at Mrs. Irving's a few minutes at night—then at Lucas's awhile—L. on floor dozing.
Another clear and lovely day—Mr. L. M. Ball, of Winston, here
to see about a writ of Habeas Corpus to test the substitute question—
rather it's repeal & putting the principals in—
Yesterday and today amusing myself with Ovidian extracts and
quotations—no paper from Canton tonight. At Lucas's
Another clear, sunny day—“Adam” a-hauling manure for garden—
brickbats heretofore to fill gulleys, & put around lot fences—At
Mrs. Irving's a few minutes after supper—then at Lucas's awhile—
“Budd” & “Bev” there—Lucas absent. Lewis called
Walked after breakfast down beyond Mrs. Meek's, to bridge & back— cloudy and warm. Jim Taylor a-cutting up a pine tree by the road-side.
“Old Tommy Dillon” died the fore part of this month, so I hear.
Frank Olive's negro woman Maria died last night. “Infair at
Ford's”—At Lucas's a few minutes at night, no one there.
Some little rain today—Sarah went out to Olive's to see the sick blacks there—At Lucas's at night—Lewis there, he just from Dave Crow's sale—very dark—borrowed his lantern.
Warm with S. E. wind. Frank Olive here with his face caked with
dirt, & his hands,—pah!—Sarah down there still. Al. et Qu. a-cooking—
scrap-books and paste. Walk with Henry out East and back through the
old field—At Lucas's at night—rain at night. Qu. with dumb chills
these days.
Warm, pleasant and spring-like, after rain of last night. Frank Olive here again—“real estate,”—some men ought to be assessed as—
Smith, of cavalry, here wanting to get off from service. Thirteen years ago today rode with Zollicoffer up towards Multona to attend Justice's Court—Phil Low & Jo Parker & c.
Ferguson's brigade passed through—Col. Earl, of Calhoun Co. Ala.,
At night was at Lucas's—had Tri-Weekly Citizen along.
Last night the camp fires burnt bright out west—beehives were robbed—Ike Scarborough lost his saddle—various petty thefts complained of.
Walked out to Barham's this morning, along with Lucas, who rode Boomerang—looked at a mule and arranged terms of trade for the horse (Boomer)—Alex Overstreet told me that Zack Sanders died today from injuries rec'd yesterday from the bursting of a millstone in McGee's mill on the other side of the river Big Black, at Whitehead's Bluff.
Old Esop had the “big oak” cut down.
Windy like March—Baccus, in letters from Memphis, reports Matt Durham alive in Washington.
At Lucas's at night—L. just from above (Geo.) about how fast horses can walk, & c. Walked to Olive's and back this P. M. Sarah there since Sat'y. Seeny sick. Cater there on horseback.
Went out to old man Dickeson's on Shakey (Buzzard) with Sam
Hyman and Fayette Merrill—had been at Lucas's before in the morning,
and got Boomer. Went by Towers's and by Love's & Kime's—Took Barney
Came home via Tanner's—met Eveanbrack going to Attalaville— rather a pleasant day than otherwise—clear, windy, & c.
Sam Hyman told me yesterday that a ruffian named Bob Kirkwood in 1839 kept a grocery at Rockport, & for stealing negroes was three or four years afterwards castrated & tied to a willow, after being thrown into Miss. River at Grand Gulf.
Mrs. Davis told me she was educated at Nazareth, 2 miles from Bardstown, Ky.
Hyman saw Hand kill himself at Rockport about 1844—
Nell & her calf.
Wynne & widow Wallis (Jo Wallis's widow) here—cool N. W. wind—
mounted Bones and rode S. E.—crossed Yockanookany & paid Keith $5
for 1 year's crossing. Passed on by Jno. Robinson's—signs of a tornado
beyond his house. Luce at Gregory's place—Ayers, (old man) killing
hogs—crossed Lobutcha—went up by Jim Kelly's—his wife said she
“hadn't sense enough to direct me” through to Robertson road along the
route old man Presley and I used to travel. Numerous roads—one led
me to Gibbs's—got back and another took me to old man Elkins's—
thence I followed Philadelphia road up to Dr. Dodson's. D. a-stilling.
Rose before sunrise this morning and walked out to the wood-pile where negroes and white boys were cutting wood to make a fire—Walked out a short distance on Kosciusko road—Went back to the house and thence to stable where negroes & white boys were feeding horses and driving hogs out of the lot. Walked down to the still-house—beer— big wheel—ice on the water—up to the house at breakfast—eggs— sample of whisky made—had my horse caught, he started homeward— Dodson mounted a mule, & caught him. D. sent his son to show the way to the ford on Bayou Bilookta—went on by old man Myers's—provisions stolen—to Robinson Road—to Williams's (Joel)—to the old houses a moment—thence to Hudson's. Stayed till after dinner—Jones there.
Started homewards at 1/2 past 2 P. M.—left Robinson Road at 3 P.M. went by Myers's, Henderson's, Perry Magees, Davis's, Barnett's, Brock's, Parson Wells's old place, to Lobutcha at sunset. Called at old man Ayres's.
Clear, frosty and cold last night. Old man Ayres and I stayed in
a house “to ourselves” last night—horse tied near the house—Started
Bets and her calf.
Clear and cool. Presley here at dinner—$15 in gold from Jim Sims. At Lucas's at night—at Campbell's first—Canton mail discontinued.
Ellis had his right leg amputated yesterday. Andeeson, Scarborough, Geo. Galloway and Lewis operators—
Clear & cool—hung meat, “niggery Zhim” aiding—old Presley, Charley and John Bailey here at dinner. Henry started to school to Farish on Tuesday last, the 9th. Berry Sims and his sisters here to prove up his age. Went out to Ellis's after supper with Glazier, and sat up with him till 2 o'clock A. M. when I lay down and slept—Oldham there.
Clear & cool—walked into town after lunch at Ellis's—rumors of Federal advance through Scott County, and of burning of houses as the army proceeds.
Clear, sunny & pleasant—Alex Mabry here at dinner—rumors
At Lucas's at night—smoky—
Clear, sunny, smoky, pleasant and springlike—2 Yankee deserters
in town—Farrish a-speaking at the Court-House—Bill Clarke here
for Ratliffe (“Zach.”) petition for writ of Habeas Corpus.
Cloudy with prospect of rain—Bill Little & Miller here with
drove of cattle—Started about noon for Carthage—fell in at Wm.
Fletcher's with fellow named Niver from Wyoming Co., Penn. now resident
in Leake, & a paroled Vicksburg prisoner—had been at Kos'o to take up
a Federal prisoner—drove back the mule the Fed. rode. Triplett's
little boy & negro fell in with us—Sam Parrish and the two women,
one of whom, a young girl, wanted a pin to fasten handkerchief over her
bonnet—Reached Frank Burnett's about sunset. J. B. H. there.
Commenced raining early this morning, and it rained very hard. John Jones of Leake came in—about 9 or 10 we were off for Carthage the rain having measureably ceased—roads slippery—crowd in Carthage— some from near Meridian—no court—three years since there has been any at C.—saw McDonald of 1861 there—Luckett Oliver A. there & his plow—
Went back to Burnett's and stayed at night.
Clear and cold, with strong wind from North—rode home from Barnett's—arrived about 1/2 past 12 M.—“Ancient Mariner” at night by firelight.
A cool day, clear and sunny with wind from the North—rumored that Confed. forces have fallen back from Meridian to Demopolis—also, that on Monday there was a fight at Chunkey river in which Federal wagons and 700 prisoners were captured—
Cloudy at night—Lucas's—“Confed. Spirit & Knapsack of Fun.”
Started at 6 o'clock A. M. for Hudson's—very cold—it commenced snowing just as I started, and it continued to snow on me till I reached Kern's, twelve miles—here I stopped to warm. Kern was sick of chills—
After warming, I started on, and fell in company with Dr. Ely, going to Neshoba—he stopped at Center a few minutes to warm, while I sat on “Boomer” and held Ely's mule and talked with Kelly—passed on— some of Dan's mean whisky at Lobutcha—crossed Lobutcha & Bayou Bilookta, and passed on by Scribner's old mill—struck Robinson Road near Stone's— Left Ely—went on by Stone's, Allen Jones's and Mrs. Hammux's to Hudson's reaching there about 12 M. (a few minutes before.) John A. Smith there— discharged on Habeas Corpus—L. M. Ball there, his case continued—
At night Hudson told me of the following law points having arisen:
(1.) A. makes a will, bequeathing property to B. C. & D.—B.
before testator. On A's death, children of B. take their father's
share of the estate, no mention being made of Children in the will.
(2.) A. dies leaving will—property to be kept together till youngest child becomes of age, or marries—one of the children marries and dies without issue. What interest has her husband in the estate? None.
Last night was clear and severely cold—I forgot Molly's most excellent egg-nogg yesterday evening—
Hudson spoke of the wretched state of things that will be, if Lincoln's negro equality scheme prevails—of negroes being naturally inclined to be familiar and impudent—of their thieving propensities, and of there not being enough penitentiaries made to hold the convicted negro thieves if they are to be punished as whites are—of his determination to leave this region when that scheme is carried out, & going anywhere, (except to the North,) rather than stay here—of Andrew Johnson's 8th of January speech—“an out & out Abolitionist.”
This morning was clear and sunny—ground generally dry, but muddy places frozen—Walked up to Robinson Road & back nearly four miles in all—after breakfast started for Koskiusko—dinner at Kern's— old man Hollingsworth there. Young lady at Fox's—“if you anticipate to go to Dr. Winnick's, you ought to take this road”—met McKimmey & Donaldson's son—parson Cooper—Capt. Burks overtook me at bridge, and rode on to town with me.
Clear & decidedly cold—Burks's company of
Went down to Lucas's awhile—Jim T. M. there.
Presley, old Johny Allen & Crowder here awhile in the morning— clear & sunny—rumored that Forest & Grierson are manoeuvering and skirmishing at or about West Point—Burks's cavalry stampeded last night by Morgan.
Clear and warm—rumors from Forest and Grierson.
Still clear and springlike—At night Tom Presley came in after I had gone to bed, and told me that the Yankees had captured him & Jim Rimmer just at dark, and had made Jim show them the Philadelphia road, and had then turned them loose.
We went and notified Lucas and Lewis, & I then went to Bill Young's and Riley's, after which I secreted some papers & c. Then returned from my hiding trip and walked about town. Boys on their horses ready to start—Comstock knocking about. I then went to bed and slept till day. Bright moonlight. Town all astir with wagons and horses a-clattering.
Again clear and springlike—all awaiting the Yankees—Many of
the population had disappeared—the “Yanks” not coming as soon as we
expected, I rode with Fremonce Brontin nearly down to the Creek to see
why they didn't “come along.” Just before we came in sight of the Keith
old house, we met Mrs. Boyd's Abe coming as fast as his mule could carry
him, and a mule rode by Tipton's John coming also, with halter under
his feet. John says he was fired on, jumped down from his mule, and
took to the woods. Fremonce & I then turned back also, but my horse
pestered me so much to hold him in (it was Boomer) that I got down and
led him awhile—I then got up again and rode on to town, while Fremonce
turned back, to see if they were coming. I sent Henry with horse and
saddle to the woods—directly Fremonce came a-tearing, his hat off, and
the stirrup-leathers broken, and himself in such a fright that he could
not recollect Mrs. Thompson's name (“on the hill there by,—by—by”)—
“Mrs. Thompson's,” suggested I. “Yes.” He said they had shot at him
and cut a bush by his horse's neck. In a few minutes they came in sight—
a few scattered themselves over the town, going to the stables, looking
for horses, and one went to the Court House, burst open the office doors
& c. But the main column traversed the street and made no stay. They
took Dr. Lewis's 3 mules and 1 horse—took the money out of Dan Comfort's
safe, Dan's negro boy (Dan) two mules and a horse and whatever goods they
could pillage out of his drug store—he opened his safe to them and they
took $34 or 5000 in money—$2 or 300 in gold—took old man Tipton's
Was at Campbell's tavern awhile—old man White (Stokely) there & others. Negroes talking of following them—watching stables—Henry kept Boomer out till night. I sent him to Presley's but he turned back in morning at Jim Davis's. I went twice to the mound for him.
This day again clear & sunny—in the morning a panic was caused by a report that the Yankees were at Marshall Gregory's, burning everything as they came—wagons thundered—horses galloped—women packed up what they could, & moved it to the woods. Henry Jamison & Ed Cates came in and quieted people's minds by the assurance that the report was false. Scouts from Ross's cavalry came in and all fear of Yankees died out. Sent Henry to Presley's—at night at Lucas's.
Ross's brigade & Cosby's passed through on their way below, the former on way to Goodman, the latter to Canton. Long lines of cavalry— reported that Sherman has fallen back towards Vicksburgh, and that Forest has whipped back Grierson, and that Col. Jeff Forest has been killed, and McCullough wounded. Constant horse-stealing & c. going on. Lewis is a-foot.
Another clear and sunny day—roads getting dusty—atmosphere
smoky.
Clear, sunny and warm—rose early—went via Knox's to Bob Hudson's in Leake, 24 miles distant—rode “Boomer.” Met Rimmer (Jim) & two Texas cavalry near Bill Rimmer's—Met old man Dandy, who turned back, passed McAdams's—shucks, corn and other remains of Yankee camp, road littered with letters and papers—picked up one from Mary G. Moore.
Met Bill Thomas & Jno. Henry Davis & another chap going to McAdams's, to make him divide his horses obtained from Yankees—crowd at Center— Chesnutts, Kelly, Pierce et al. Woods on fire near Hudson's—Allen Jones's premises enveloped in flames—he a-fighting the fire at his fence. A reed-brake near his on fire, and the flames roaring like a hurricane. L. M. Ball & Dr. Dodson at Hudson's.
Last night landscape lighted up with fires—picturesque scenery— Hudson told me that Dr. Harrington informed him that Wm. G. Oxford and one of his sons had been killed by a negro regiment lately at Neely's plantation near Liverpool in Yazoo County and another son carried off.
Robert came with me to Donelson's riding a mule which fell with
him while crossing a boggy ditch near Allen Jones's—Met Winnick, who
told us of Dr. Dodson & Jno. Henry Davis having a prisoner when they
passed McLawrin's last week. Came by Garner Dotson's—parson Sime
there—fell in with Jack Shumaker who went with me to Big road, on by
Ike Dean's to where road turns off to Peeler's (Sam's)—he went on to
his brother's—I to Peeler's, stopped. Meal—corn—horses—pressing—
Sam Young just back from Mobile—new currency bill—new military
bill—suspension of writ of
Habeas Corpus for 90 days after next
meeting of Congress—cold, misty day—At Lucas's at night.
Awoke this morning, and heard the rain falling—a very cold rain, and most chilly, unpleasant morning. Rode out to old Billy Adams's— called at Cagle's to warm—then sat on my horse awhile at Brett's— then to Adam's where I stayed an hour—old man crippled and childish—
Stopped at Brett's on my return—thieves pressed a mule ($2000) from Brett last week—third beast “pressed” from him and no pay—tried to press his fine bay—he had given him to his daughter for working in crop last year—the girls and their Mother stood in the stable door and by a demonstration of physical force kept the thieves at bay, and saved the horse—Clear P. M.
Clear, and cold in the morning. Lucas & Martin Hays here after dinner—At night was at Mrs. Irving's awhile.
Clear and cool in morning—walked out to Price's and back—Goss
At night was at Lucas's—Mrs. Lewis there—men gone to Lodge.
At Lucas's P. M.—Dave Wasson there. Jno. Ford & Lizzie Boyd married last night—infair today. Mrs. J. A. P. Campbell sent for me to make a settlement of matters between “Mr. C.” and D. L. Young, of Carroll. Young informed me that Geo. McLean had been dead nearly two years. Windy at night—turned cold.
Went down to Lucas's A. M.—he preparing to circle his land.
Reported (1.) That Johnston has achieved a great victory over Grant near Chattanooga; (2.) that Longstreet has captured Knoxville and all of Burnsides's army; (3.) that Ross's Texans are falling back from Yazoo City, & c. At night walked with Henry out to Price's and back. Camp-fire near branch.
Walked after breakfast down to Day's bridge, crossing which I met Keith & old man Nash. “The Yankees” had burnt it in eleven places. They also burnt the house at the further end of the bridge and the old mill-house with some 40 bales of cotton in the latter.
Walk after supper to twin oak. At Lucas's.
Ploughed the garden. “Niggery Zhim”—T. D. Akin here with
Hapeas Corpus. Walk with Dave Lindsay down to Ike
Herring's and back, afterwards with Steve to the Big Oak and back
to Lucas's. Stopped at Ls's—Sam Conly there. Detectives to be
sent out.
Walk with Lindsay out beyond Price's & back—clear & Springlike.
Richardson's Dic'y.
Today it rained, and cavalry & wagons ploughed up the roads to their full depth of mud—yelling of cavalry.
Many a wagon passed through town—mud in abundance. Jno.
Stephenson after a stolen horse. Sam Conly after two—one also
& two saddles stolen from Wells's last night.
Walked out to Ellis's and sat awhile. Clear and sunny. He read the Bible, & is nearly through—at Epistle of James—Long line of cavalry passing through the Huffman lane visible from the house.
Sally lost the Stable key. In afternoon walked to Yockanookany
Antoinette Jennings & Rimmer's relations & Tom Ford's wife, on the hill this side waiting—old man Jennings & a soldier at the bridge—All busy repairing the injuries done to it by the Yankees.
Left home this morning before 6 o'clock to go to Hudson's, crossed the Day bridge—on by Jim Rimmer's. Rimmer came out to tell me about meeting a couple of chaps whom he suspected to have been engaged in the devilment practised at Steve's—they promised to meet him this morning (they didn't come though)
Tom Reed & Dr. Terrill from Winston passed Jno. M. Robinson &
Miss Adams (Musselwhite) sitting on their horses in the road just this
side of Ayers'—crossed Lobutcha, and rode to Jim Kelly's, met Scribner
boys in the road this side, their oxen attached to a wagon, headed
up against a plum tree in blossom, near old Abner Kelly's old domicile.
Jim Kelly directed me to Perry McGee's—passed near Widow Scribner's.
At Perry McGee's old man Sanders directed me to Myers's—found the
road to Hudson's from Robinson road abatis—his gate
gone and fence in its place—reached Hudson's about 12 M. L. M.
Ball and Geo. Ruff there—Zach Ratliff came in after awhile—tried
his Habeas Corpus case—Zach discharged, Ball's case continues to 4th
Monday in March.
P. M. returned as far as Stanmore Bates's, fell in with McGee,
rode a little way with him—he from Lincoln Co. Tenn. About 9 miles
Clear & cool—left Stanmore's for home. At Jim Rimmer's I learned that on Friday P. M. (the 11th Inst.) John Key killed Charles W. England at the still-house, by shooting him near the left nipple with a Derringer pistol. England never spoke. Key escaped—
Texas soldier stopped old Bob Clark, & was going to kill him as “a d--d old Attala County Union Man” but was too drunk readily to get his pistol out, enabling Clark to persuade the fellow out of intent.
Fell in with Sam Tittle at Rimmer's, right from Kemper Co.—rode
along with him to the bridge. At night at Lucas's. Alexander & his
“nodding like an old Muscovy drake.”
Election day to fill vacancy occasioned by Clark's death. Sam Young running without opposition. Sam rec'd 95 votes here, 12 at R. Point, 9 at Rochester. Last turkey today.
An extremely cool day. Sam McAdory, Riley & Bob Webb started eastward, a-funding. Handed Sam 3100$ of Huntington's money to be funded, also a 50$ Mobile (Sou. Bank of Ala.) to be exchanged for specie in Mobile. Land (Bill) lost his mare today & Henry found her.
At Lucas's at night, Lewis there. Article in Charleston Mercury
on similarity between Russia & U. S.
A very cold day for March—Walked after breakfast down to Day's
bridge and across, with Frank Irving, and back—
J. A. P. Campbell here in the evening, in town from --- brings intelligence of Jim's death at Johnson's Island on the 4th of Feb'y— disease inflammation of the stomach & liver.
Walked out to Price's this morning. Geo. Crowder there, having a pocketbook made. Judge Huntington took dinner with us—Cool & windy.
Dr. Benj. Holmes of Yazoo Co. (Benton) now living near Bluff Spring, Attala Co. called on me today and stayed till after dinner—he is, or was, partner of Henry Yandell's—wished to ascertain if his profession exempted him. Jo & Chas. Campbell here—also Chas. Clark & Tom Presley. Wasson in town this morning & at Lucas's last night.
An unpleasantly cool day—wind N. E.—it turned cool last night, and I took a cold which affected my head. Old Jim Ellington & McClintock here—many wanting to fund their Confed.—At night at Lucas's—got flour from Atwood's thro' Evan Boyett.
Last night when all was still, large hail stones rattled on the
A most unpleasant day—stayed in the house most of the day on account of my cold. Several persons called who wanted to fund the Confed. Treasury notes. Sleet at night. Riley just back from Columbus, gave an account of the difficulties in the way of funding—only registered bonds—one bond for all of ones notes.
Four inches of snow on the ground this morning—stayed in the
house—my head still not free from effects of cold—Several deaths
have lately occurred in this County, last week: Mrs. Jesse Bates,
old Henry Emmerson & John Jamison, Wat Mabry is reported dead, (a prisoner) and Jno. Hall Kinbrough, (at Fort Delaware), Nov. 9th/'63.
Qu. made an egg nogg just before dinner—Sun shone fair overhead— snow mostly melted.
Everybody a-funding—thoughts of running for Pres't of Board of Select Men to keep out of the war, will think of it.
At night at Lucas's—“Jim” there. Dr. Lewis getting ready to leave. “Qu” there this afternoon.
Legislature to meet today—raw and rainy in afternoon. Tom Birchfield here a-winking. Wagoner et al drank up Bob Mosby's whisky.
Read letter from Walker Wood to Jno. Atkins. Alice at Beacham's
Cold. Ellis back at store again. Peter gone to clerk for Buster.
Party at Beacham's at night. Henry went, stayed till about 3
o'clock. Ellis about Easter.
Clear & pleasant. Dr. Lewis and family left Kosciusko this morning—rumors of recognition afloat. Jim Haynes here.
At night at Lucas's—Jo Thompson there.
Old man Campbell started with Jno. Ford & Wagner for M. & O. R. Road. At Lucas's P. M. & at night, Jo Thompson there. Lewis came back today after a mule force.
Warm—rainy in the morning. Paid my State & Co. tax say 163$.
Bill Steen and his “devil shoestrings.” “Steen if you don't
shoulder your gun and fight like a Turk they'll hang you,”
Cold and cloudy—reading the Federalist. Last night after
supper walked with Lindsay (D. H.) and gave him two drinks of tafia,
he was wet, having walked from the other side of Lobutcha & got wet.
Today we walked over the other side of the Perkins old place— maple blossoms. At night at Lucas's—Gov's message down on distilleries.
Long walk around Price's with D. H. L. Washington here on his
horse awhile—been up at Columbus a-funding—counterfeit 20. Jake
Vick here right from Demopolis. Clear & cool.
Weems, from Holmes Co. here—also Dr. Moore. Bosworth from Canton.
B. said yt if peace came this year it w'd be through our subjugation,
yt Lincoln w'd be re-elected & w'd continue the war to subjugation,
or so long as he w's Pres't. Capt. Burnett came up and imbibed a
small quantity. Bosworth y yo had preceded him in that behalf.
Rain a-brewing—near night it poured.
Last night went out & found a stray chicken near the stable which
I bro't home & had put under the old hen under the kitchen—“as a
hen gathereth her chickens under her wings”—A cold, gloomy unpleasant
day. Steve came in with three newspapers. Lindsay came in for “Recollec's
Clear & pleasant—walk with D. H. L. around by Oldham's—
Read Jno. W. Woods' “Union & Disunion” pamphlet issued by him in Memphis—self-glorification therein. Read in Walker's Am. Law, introductory chapter. Atwood and old man Allen about feeding families of fellows lying in the woods—Eddy told me. Doss was reported to have been hung by citizens last week near Hooper's—At L's at night. J. L. S's wife & children there. Sallie's eye hurt by Henry.
Windy—dust a-flying. Dick Henry's tobacco struck me in the eye (a crumb)—Dick borrowed 5th Macaulay & 1st vol. of Mahon. “Qu.” went with “Mely” to Glazier's—walked down town just after supper. Steve & Lucas on Dan's steps. McAdory & Riley came in from Mobile & Macon bringing papers. Walked with Lucas out to site of the Big Oak. Clouds dark, wind high. At night heavy rain.
Cool & unpleasant. B. P. in session. J. C. L.
A lovely day, the first for some time. Judge H-nt-n here—
case of Myse vs Dandridge in 6th Geo. which Judge seemed to think
changed the rule about sale of chattels. Tom Burchfield here a-winking.
Capt. Ford came here to inquire about the meaning of a military order handed to him. Baccus's family left. At L's at night.
This morning about 1 or 2 o'clock, some person or persons, (supposed to be two together) went to Zollicoffer's, called him up, and as he stepped out into the gallery, shot him in the abdomen with thirteen buckshot. Wm. McMillan & W. G. Haynes told me the particulars as derived from Z.
Last night kept “Boomerang” tied in the yard all night to prevent his being stolen—it rained pretty hard. Old “Uncle Enos” came here today on two crutches—he has lost horses, saddles, bridles, & all his gear between Yanks and Confeds, so he says—lost his money too— he and Judge H. eat dinner here. Sam Young just back from Legislature (Macon)—A roaring rain P. M. Mr. Fletcher staid here at night.
Anniversary of J. P's premium for spelling, & c. Read sundry
Northern newspapers at Ellis's. Fast day by Jeff's proc'n—Clear
and pleasant P. M. & part of A. M. “Fletch” eat dinner here, he then
returned to
Cold—windy—walk with Lindsay out to Oldham's, and around home through the old field. Judge Hunt'n & old man Bain here.
Jennie fell on andiron and burnt her face.
Three years ago today Lucas and Wasson, old man Kimbrough and myself were on the road from Jackson to New Orleans, having started the day before & gone to Goodman in buggy, thence by cars to Jackson, where we staid till noon next day. The great storm or tornado swept over this County on the 10th.
Today clear and delightful—walk with “Steve” out towards Oldham's and around back—found Bob and Bill McAfee & Marsh. Thompson here on returning. Old man Bain & Judge H. here again. Dick Henry came in and sat awhile.
Corpse of Cromwell, brother-in-law to Geo. Washington carried through today—killed by “one of our own men” on Big Black, near Edwards's Depot, on the 4th—lost his wife (a sister of Washington) & child by burning of Eliza Battle an Tombigbee River some years ago.
At Lucas's at night.
Walked out to Price's this morning. Carr rode along with me.
Price walked back with me to see “old Gould” who was going to Carthage
with Huntington, thence to Jackson—Dead body of man, supposed to
lost by the Texas cavalry. Mrs. Perkins here—she lectures
on the war. Walk with “Steve” at night—he gives an account of the
killing of Elias Peters's mother by a negro—of the negro being
killed by a man who was lodged in jail with him on a sham larceny
charge in order to get a chance at the negro. Of a great battle
between the Dixons and Bob Peters & Godfrey at Wheeling, Holmes Co.
in 1837, in which 2 Dixons were killed, one wounded, & Bob Peters
killed, of their revengeful disposition.
It sprinkled a little in the morning—cool—town dull—Call in Canton Citizen for those between 17 & 18, & 45 & 50. At Price's at night, where I got my shoes half-soled. Stayed till 1/4 past 11— got home 1/4 to 12 P. M. Clear, moonlight night.
Bailey Guess accidentally shot and killed himself yesterday at his house. Jno. Wilson (son of Jeff.) recently did the same, at— or near Demopolis, Ala. Columbus Cooper, (son of old John J. C.) was accidentally shot & killed by a soldier in Smith Co., Miss., on Thursday last, the 7th Inst. Clear, sunny and most lovely day, though rather cool—a very backward Spring—very little corn up.
J. P. Campbell left for Dalton, Geo—drank a glass of tafia
together—he said as we parted, “I'm opposed to the next war; I
stand on that platform.”
Buzbee & “Bill” here at dinner today, they reported yt old Guy
Ray died yesterday morning, went to bed well, night before, died
before day—supposed to be 65 years old. Jno. F. Bosworth here.
Drank 3 drinks with me—borrowed Chas. Lamb's Complete Works.
“Aaron” worked repairing butter-bean arbor. A cool and unpleasant
day.
A clear, cool and pleasant morning—cloudy, windy and cold later in the day. Jim Sims (on Louisville road) eat dinner with us & stayed several hours—distressed about the war, late call gets him.
John Pain died a few weeks ago at Connor's—Walk with Riley
Allen to bridge beyond Mrs. Meek's & back, after supper. Thunder
cloud north—rain at night.
Clear & cool A. M.—weather unspringlike—last night it hailed,
rained, sleeted and snowed, it is said. Man named Rice, from Louisville,
Ky. preached at Presby'n Church last night, during the thunder storm.
Walk after supper down as far as Mrs. Meek's. Farish along,
“riding bareback”—Jno. Atkins fell in with me coming back—At
L's
Frost this morning—clear. Old Johny A--n here, smelling strongly
P. M. rode around by the Tipton houses, out by site of “Big Oak,” via “Dog Thompson's,” Maddox's, at Hurd's, down by Mrs. Treat's place, by Crowder's, home—
Walked after supper down to Mrs. Meek's & back with Henry. Heavy
hail, rain &
Last night there was a hard hail storm which knocked off the young pears & peaches. Aaron & Charles moved our stable from Price's lot to mine. Dr. Barksdale here on Probate Court business.
At Lucas's at night—Mrs. Thompson there, Jo's wife. Lucas to be sub-commissioner for supplying indigent families of soldiers.
Cool—N. W. wind. Aaron & Charles finished the stable-moving. Mrs. Hallum here at dinner. Spring uncommonly late. Read Bancroft's account of the Battle of Lexington, 89 years ago today.
Clear, but frosty this morning. Walked out East, by old field,
by Tipton old houses, back by Story road. Mounted “Boomer” and rode
up to Presley's, leaving at 10 & getting there at 1/4 past 12 M. Walked
Rode by “Gam” Williams & Westbrook's to Burrill Fullilove's shop.
Mrs. Thad Beall there—shearing sheep—got Boomer shod—dinner at
F's. Rode over to Biggs's—he &
Old Rollin Sugg & young Paty here—Wasson here at dinner. At Lucas's after dinner. Walk with Steve at night.
Three hundred years since Shakspeare was born—(1564-1616)—
on dit, that he died on his birthday
Ike Herring was telling today about the capture recently of Fort Pillow—681 of the garrison killed, about 200 prisoners. Forrest's loss 50 killed 100 wounded (about)—Rainy P. M. John Burns died about March 28th at Marietta, Georgia.
A hard rain yesterday P. M. & night. Old Johny here in morning.
At Lucas's A. M. Jo Thompson & Dave Carr—“Babe” & Lou. Th.
P. M., L., Jo., & Dave here awhile. Walk with Lucas out to Mrs. Treat's place, & back by the Ross place on Rockport Road. Com'n Prayer.
“Colded” slightly—irritation of throat. Drew up petition for Ben T. Clark. Jim Sims here. Weather pleasant but coolish in the morning.
Read Shakspeare's “Merry Wives of Windsor” through. Irritation
of throat and lungs from cold. In our walk on Sunday Lucas remarked
that Meeks had stayed here three years waiting for a return of better
times, and had worn his eyes out a-looking for them. (His eyes are
much inflamed, & his sight not good.) At Lucas's at night—Jim
Ferguson & Jim Mathis there. This was our first warm day this Spring.
Sore throat & lungs—a severe cold. Presley, Tom Rosamond, Maj. Binford et al here. B. trying to recover a stolen mare in possession of Lewis Nash. Walk with Lindsay P. M. out by Oldham's—really warm day—Shakspeare.
Last night g--d C--ll showed me a letter from M--t W--d
Sneed at al here to see about the horses left by the Yanks with
McAdams et al. The Two Gentlemen of Verona & Measure for Measure.
Zack Ratliff here, s'd yt Thad Beall's “Old Josh” was found
hanging to a black jack limb yesterday morning. Hot—At L's a few
minutes at night.
Warm summer weather—S'all—Steele Armstrong here.
Hot—cloud & rain at night.
Cool—rode to Kelly's (M. D.)—thence to Noah's—thence to
Love's. Love told of a wounded Yankee requesting some one to shoot
him to put him out of his pain; & of a
Mrs. Guy Ray came here last night about 1 A. M.—complaint about taking horse. Election of Town Officers. J. Niles elected Justice 31 votes (all)—Glazier, Const. 23. Select Men, Durham, Richardson, Comfort & Perkins.
A frost this morning—Gave bond as J. P. today. Groves about
This morning Lucas on Glazier's mule, & I on “Boomy” went to Attalaville—met old man hauling corn. At Bluff Spring we stopped and chatted with Jo Coffey a few minutes. Sam Allen and Jabez Meek there. Sam Lowell's dwelling house, smoke house & kitchen were destroyed by fire this morning—children took a torch to go into the loft to see some kittens, & set cotton on fire. Bill Foy tried at Attalaville for stealing Jno. Dew's mare bound over in $1000 bond. Dyer defended, I prosecuted, returning, rode with Wade & Steve Sallis.
Lucas went on to Newport. “Dell Foy” at the trial.
Board of Select Men met at my house—new members sworn in.
Rode out beyond Crowder's, far into the woods & swamp, & returned about supper time.
Started soon after sunrise for Judge Hudson's, in Leake Co., 24
miles distant. Went via Center—stopped and chatted a few minutes
Arrived at Hudson's about 1/4 past 11 A. M. found Tom Rosamond &
Steve Armstrong there—the first discharged from Love's Company of
cavalry because he is a Justice of the Peace, the second because he
is a constable, proceeding under writ of Habeas Corpus.
Hudson making palmetto hats. After dinner R. & A. left, I remained an hour and a half longer, then started, reached Stokely White's—11 miles—just after sunset—directly Rosamond & A. came up with White, Harv. White's son. Ann there, mistress of the house.
R. & A. left soon after breakfast for home. Jno. I. Roberts came
up & stayed awhile. I rode through the woods via Dunc. Massey's to
Jim Chesnutt's—Jake there—stayed till after dinner. Came on to
Watkins's—stopped. Old man Brooks & Doc Burt there—reached home
awhile before sunset. At L's
Many persons in town—excitement about exemptions & details. Meeting of Board of Select Men at my “room.”
Today we had a hard rain—hail in some places—cool at night.
Extremely cool—The late news from Va. is to the effect that Grant has been worsted by Lee—Banks defeated in La. near Shreveport— Plymouth, N. C. taken by Hoke.
Frost this morning, so several persons say—cold—fires comfortable & indispensable. Buster, Fremonce & Chenault's here—preparing detail papers. Rode out to tanyard. Wrote out a short speech for Jim Burt, on “Agriculture.”
Frost this morning—a fire extremely pleasant. Yankees about
Center, on dit. Bacon & his Philosophy according to Macaulay. Steele
captured at Camden, Ark.
Many persons in town. Wrote out papers for Beacham, Hughes, et
al. Started to go up road with Lucas—rode out to near Groves's old
place where Jno. T. Nash overtook us. I turned off to tanyard, and
thence (after going to Beacham's Spring) rode over to Steam Mill, &
thence home. “Eddy” here.
Macaulay's Lord Burghley—Jeff's message. Cool enough for fire A. M.—Ride by Crowder's, Treat place, “Harrycane”, Ross place, home.
P. M. “Qu.”
Fire in morning—cool. A large crowd here “fixing up” applications for exemption and detail. Neely from Warren Co. rode P. M. with Rosser out to his plantation on the hilltop, by the gin-house & Fausett's grave—negroes hoeing corn. R. told me of S. C. habits—where boys were educated, & c. Told of his travels in the swamp—his place on Miss. River.
Rode out just before night around Tipton old houses—back by the Story road—At night at Lucas's. L. “in the doldrums”—Read Gov. Clark's proc'n defining more particularly exemptions.
Browns (H. B. & R. D.) here at dinner.
Hume's account of reign of Chas. 1st—large crowd here—too large for me to quit writing—lost my dinner. Bob Mims, “Lebe”, Dr. Smith et al here—A sprinkle of rain P. M.—Pleasant ride just before sunset over Story road, around by Tipton house, Oldham's summer house, home—air sweet, cool and pleasant.
Great rumors afloat—e. g. Grant routed in Va., Thomas in Geo., war soon to end.
Hard at work writing out applications for exemptions & details.
Superintending work on streets—hauling brickbats. Presley
Lazarus Simon just back from Mobile brings dispatches that Banks got back to N. Orleans with 5,000 men—lost 45 boats, 14 of them gunboats. Baton Rouge evacuated by Feds. Natchez a-fire. Grant's loss in Va. 45,000. If true, “the beginning of the end
Warm—rode out in morning to Beacham's, going part of the way with old man Hearn and Carr. Dishman after detail.
Haley Cotten of Thomastown was found dead sitting in his chair day before yesterday, 18th Inst. Clear moonlight night, concert at Male Academy,
Hot—Landrum here—says Haley Cotten died with one foot on gallery railing—72 yrs. old. Shade Bruce & Sorelle eat dinner here.
Hume's account of Charles 1st's reign.
Hume & Civil War—rode out A. M. fell in with Wash Tipton—rode down by the Treat place. Macaulay on Hallam—Hume. Rode out just before supper around by Tipton houses—hot.
A slight sprinkle of rain P. M.—Hume—Rode P. M. down to Frank Olive's and back. Frank just caked and crusted with dirt—he is reading Buchan. Prewitt & Jim Cole here today.
Finished Hume's account of the Commonwealth. Rode via Mrs. Jackson's and Crowder's around by Mrs. Treat's old place into road through the Hurricane, home. Hammond in the road where Caesar was ploughing, wanted me to teach. At Lucas's at night—Jim Bruce there.
Alex M. Swayze, of Adams Co., called on me to write him a power of atty. Jo. Kimbrough here, Jim Mathis here. Read a letter from Baccus—one from Dr. Lewis. Speaking at night by Farrish's School. Laura, “Sip” & Alice went. Henry spoke Sidney Smith's “Taxes”—did as well as any of them—rain came up and hurried us home. “A mighty nice” little shower, and greatly needed.
P. M. rode with Jim Mathis and Jim Sorelle up to Hurricane Creek.
Steve Wilson told me that John Wilson, of this County, was shot
by order of a drumhead court martial, on Friday morning last, near
Schufordville, Coahoma County, by Sanders's Company, for stealing
and rascality generally. He called himself Johnson—represented
himself as a single man, courted (
Hall's company from Leake came here—Claitor here at dinner. Bot. 20$ worth of postage stamps—Quite cool—had a fire in the morning. Old Johny Allen called in.
Read Everett's 4th of July Oration for 1861. Old man Presley and Parkington here. Reaves (Andy) Holloway, and Nath Morff here— Scott's Tales of a Grandfather. Rode with old man Weatherly 2 1/2 miles.
An unusually cool morning, for the time of the year—had a fire in my study. Scott's Tales of a Grandfather. Walk around by Mrs. Thompson's and grave-yard just before noon. Qu. sick with cold. Albert Mitchell & Lucas here P. M.—rode out beyond old Jno. Taylor's and back.
Sam Y--g & 2 drinks of tafia at my office. Rumored yt. Johnston
Bob Kelly & Bill Ross reported killed in Va. Crowded with for details. Charley Presley elected Constable over Bill Kelly yesterday—vote C. 29—K. 26—D. 26—Chenault 18.
Old Mrs. Harrison here—“Jee-thro”—
Alice went up to Presley's. Finished Scott's “Tales of a Grandfather”
—1st series, embracing Hist'y of Scotland. Second time I
have read it—first time was Oct'r 1833.
Walked down below Mrs. Meek's and back after supper—then at Lucas's. Cows came up after we went to bed.
Started to Leake Co. to attend the trial of two negroes belonging
to Mrs. Scott, charged with having burnt Bob Hall's gin-house, with
some forty or fifty bales of cotton on night of May 20th. Negroes
named Tony and Levatt. Rode in company with Miss Narcissa Dodd from
the bridge to her father's. She had a little sister behind her, she
had one eye covered by a handkerchief on account of a stye. Stopped
at Holloway's and eat dinner there—stayed till about 3 o'clock—
rode down in the direction Shumaker's Mill. Met Newell's old Harry
driving ox wagon—crossed Cobb's Creek—passed Bell's blacksmith
shop—crossed Robinson Road—arrived at Mrs. Scott's. Bob Ware
there—daughter's Mrs. Gordon (whose husband was killed by Abe Bilbs.)
Rode to Carthage along with Dixon Williams, met Plunkett. Britton's Mill on Pollard's Creek. Boozer and his salt-patch.
Reached town about 9 A. M. Negroes tried before Justices Williams and Triplett—Renfro, Wm. Hall, Mrs. Bob Hall principal witnesses. Eads & Hine prosecuted—I defended—bound them over in $6000 recognizance—it rained—rode back in the rain—travelled back to Mrs. Scott's in company with Plunkett, Britton & the Scotts— it rained on us hard—stayed at Mrs. Scott's—(Jordan's sells tafia at 2$ a tin cup thimblefull)
Cloudy and damp—rode with Dixon Williams over to Bob Hall's to view the scene of the gin-burning—the bridges—the fields—potato patch—horse-lot—burnt gin & c.—returned to Kosciusko. Met old Jno. Jones with a sack of meal. Dotan's—Collins's—where I stopped and took refuge in a stable from the cataract of rain. At Holloway's pottery—eat dinner at H's, came home P. M.
Read Shakspeare's “As You Like It,” and “Midsummer's Night Dream”—
writs of replevin to recover possession of property seized by Hall's
cavalry company. Stokely White here at dinner. Lucas and Jo Jinkins
here at night.
Shakspeare's “Much Ado About Nothing”—Mrs. I. here in quest
of something to read—“Stratford Gallery”—ride down to the
Jackson houses and back. At Lucas's at night. Carlile preached
Sweatt's funeral.
Riding out this morning on Attalaville road I saw all the signs
of rain—and soon returned. Freeman Barnett, Jno. Robinson, Bill
Little, “old Sammy” old man Dickson here. A slow rain P. M.—read
Westminster Review on “Mary Stuart.” Rode 2 miles down “the Trace”
and back. Jimmy Young after cows. J. M. Hooper, of Hooper's Ferry,
died Monday, May 30th.
Last night “Qu.” was telling me of a pain in the left breast which has afflicted her for several years occasionally, but latterly, since she suffered from cold, almost constantly—it seems to be in, or near, the heart. Mrs. Fawsett here—staid to dinner—gives a doleful picture of her extreme destitution—not a particle of meat for months—a little corn meal all—she ploughs. Rain P. M. Rode out to Burnley place—staid under an oak during rain.
Rain—at Ellis's A. M. Mrs. W. J. Young on novels—dislikes
Dickens—Lucas here awhile—read in Living Age article from Christian
West'r Rev'w, and produces a condemnatory sentence on the wicked
siren.
Rode this morning out to Godbold's Camp on the railroad, along with Lucas. G. gone to the salt-works, Crooker & “Mag” there—fine, elevated location—talked of the war. C. thought it would about wind up this year. A raspberry pie for dinner—
Among casualties recently occurring are—Jno. Miller McAffee, killed, Wm. Ross, do. Denson of 2nd Miss. Cavalry killed.
Rode around over Story road by Tipton houses—rained a little.
A. J. Boyd (J. P.) from Leake here to get out of Army by writ of Habeas Corpus. Showery—bad on the wheat.
Rained a good deal—replevin suit of Jno. Smith before Mosby & Seal Sallis—Smith arrested—cavalry stationed around the door of C. H. to prevent egress. The Greer women here. Sam Allen, Proctor here P. M. At Lucas's at night.
Rain, rain, rain. Countess of Desmond, who died in 1604
Cool at night.
Cool A. M. and damp—had a fire in my room. Qu. has the blues,
A very cool day—for June—fire pleasant—cloudy. P. M. rode by Ross place, “hurricane,” Treat house, Crowder's, home. Pleasant sleeping with ample cover.
Cool, quite so—fire necessary. Qu. out of the blues. Old Presley here awhile. Children reciting in Colburn & Gould Brown— Rode with P. out near to Munson's. Concert at night. Alice, Henry & Sally went. Lucas here awhile at night, then about Court House.
Concert lasted till past 1 o'clock.
Rode in the morning, my favorite round, by the Ross place, Mrs. Treat's deserted place and Crowder's. “Nancy & Sis” here at dinner— wind and rain P. M. Wheat is injured by late rains, it is said.
Read Bancroft's and Botta's accounts of the Battle of Bunker Hill,
At night read Webster's Bunker Hill Oration. Lucas and I walked over towards Female College at night where Wall's examination was going on.
Gen. Leonidas Polk killed by a shell on the 14th Inst. Bill McCain & John Mathis (Jim's son) recently died in Memphis—read Alison's account of Battles of Ligne, Quatre Bras, & Waterloo.
P. M. rode around by Ross place, (Maddox there overseeing for
Heard) through the “Harrycane” by Mrs. Treat's place, & Crowder's,
home. At Mrs. Treat's old kitchen I saw a heifer hung by the horns,
her head being inextricably fastened under the sill. I told Crowder
about it.
This morning I rode with Lucas out to Ben Rooks' (Harlow's old
place) thence to the widow Rooks', thence to Sinclair's Spring—
thence home. L. told me C. K. Massey was killed, “Citizen” announces
death of Colin Pearce. Jap Bridges & Dave Brown in trouble at Canton—
praying to be released. P. M. rode out there again—arriving just
at sunset—stayed till 9 o'clock.
Mrs. Kimbrough here attending Probate Court—A hard rain and high wind came up from North—ran hard from C. H. to get home.
At night was at L's a few minutes. Jo Th. & Tom Wasson there. Rain poured into H--y's room. Mike Dickinson eat dinner here.
Rode out to Price's A. M.—he gone from home. A shocking rain— floods of it. Got some corn from Rosser—rain began at M. Read Roderick Random.
Cloudy—east wind—earth saturated—rain P. M. Steve Armstrong
here at dinner. Capt. Stephen W. Jamison died a few days ago of a
wound.
Last night I finished Roderick Random, which I read in Meigs Co.
Ohio in 1838. No rain today.
No rain here today—Plums back of the Ross field N. W. of
town. Geo. Thompson I met coming from there. After eating a sufficiency
I went through the woods by the Treat house, & Crowder's, home.
At the plum trees again—thence via Crowder's, home—stopped
and talked with “Steve”—Horse pressers about—rode out to Wells's
along with W, Cagle & Savage. Rosser called in this morning to look
at my il dit.
Rode over to Price's this morning. Mrs. Crowder and daughters
there. Albert Mitchell & Lucas here P. M.—rode with M. 3 miles
P. M. At night a sudden shower. Turner Price died 17th Inst.
Old man Robertson (hatter) yesterday—man named Land hung in Carthage on 17th for murder of Ward in 1860. A very warm day this.
Rode (P. M.) to the Creek and back. Bill Oxford here at dinner—told many things about the Yankees, cavalry, smuggling, & c. Lives 4 miles from Mechanicsburg. “Mely” 44 yrs. old today. Al, Em & Mely went off together—Al staid there at night.
Old man Deen & wife here from Leake Co. Jno. Donaldson's wife & Proctor here.
Mrs. Bailey came here for a writ of H. Corpus for “Frank”—Very
hot—no rain here today. Wrote to Campbell at Atlanta.
A hot day and no rain here, but plenty not far off. Alison's revolution in Greece, A. D. 1821-27—rode out to Rosser's plantation— he and Hammond there. Dog flew at me at Carr's. John Bailey went to Bob Hudson's and back today.
Rode to Creek and back. “Boom” got scared on bridge at old McAdam's sheepskin—rode with him to town. Campbell's little boy along. Allison on Greece & Turkey in 1827-8-9. Irish potatoes for dinner—rain P. M.
Henry went to Bill Young's Mill, carrying 2 bushels of corn on
“Boomer”—returned in a short time with his meal. Alison's War with
Russia & Turkey in 1828.
Rode to Mrs. S. G. Peeler's—thence to Dickerson's—met Evan Boyette in the road, long talk with him. 6 W. P's girls at D's—Jim Kelley there—dinner there—old Bally Allen & Buzbee came along.
Started up to Claitor's, McAdory & Jno. Riley came along—right from Mobile. Claitor & wife not at home—at Cumming's. Stopped, returning, at Wingate's—read news rec'd from McAdory—rain came up, but by hard riding, reached Lewis P's before it reached me. Waited there till it was over—reached home just at dark.
Old Tom Burchfield came over, sat awhile in the shade, talked and winked. Capt. Pepper and Standbury here at night—very hot these days.
Bill Kelley, Thos. Johnston, & Crawford here, Lewis P.
Rumors of “a raid” at Jackson. Alison on Irish Ribbon Men—rode out in morning & evening—at Lucas's at night.
Rode out by Bill Young's Mill—home with Mosby from Price's. M. had his long lost horde (hired to Capt. Donnelly and not returned according to pledge)—Very hard rain.
Rumored Johnston has fallen back to the Chattahooche—yt. raid from Vicksburg is retiring—yt. Gholson is wounded.
Rode “Boom” to Judge Hudson's in Leake—started soon after 5
o'clock A. M.—went by Rimmer's and Ayres's & Jim Kelley's to Perry
McGee's, Henderson's and Myers's, Robinson Road to Judge's, 26 miles.
Never saw the flies so bad as between Kelley's & Robinson Road. Frank
Bailey was to have a hearing on writ of H. Corpus, but Alex Hall failed
to bring him up—hot and rain P. M. Hudson told me of the threats
made against him by deserters, of Mack & Holden being killed, and
Peterson & Blount shot & wounded in Yazoo County by our cavalry—of
Armfield staying with him recently—of bushwhackers watching his
field to shoot him—of their turning stock into his field, & c.
Came home from Bob's via Centre—six hours a-coming—water at Luse's well—forded Lobutcha—water at Kern's, and at a house this side McAdams's. Albert Mitchell here P. M.
Crowd here after exemptions—rain. Parson D. K. Young eat dinner with us. At night at L's—Conly there. News yt. raid is coming out from Memphis.
A rain P. M.—L. P.
Saw yesterday letter from Baccus saying Lewis's people were
dissatisfied with things generally—that Dixon Simpson had died (June
10th)—Geo. Hopkins about the 7th. Jim Searight's son died at Memphis.
Parsons Burt & McKay here from Leake on account of captured conscripts
& deserters. Eli Croswell & Mrs. McKenzie about a mare which
they couldn't get. Jno. Richardson going to Hudson's for Hab. Corp's.
D. B. C. in trouble about exemption.
Alison—Parson McKay here about Long, Burt's son-in-law. Very hot, day and night.
At L's at night—invitation to dinner tomorrow—hot, hot.
Crowd here trying to secure exemptions & details, Blumenberg, Burnett, Hughes, et al. Dr. Todd here, sat in the grove awhile.
Rode out to Price's A. M.—“Em” Dick White
died in Marion Co., Ala., June 18th. Cephas Clements is dead, so
Calvin says—“Bets” crippled—succotash for dinner.
Rode down the Trace, around by East's old place, & Price's, & home—reported yt. Forrest has whipped Washburne—large crowd here seeking details. Rode out with Burnett & Townsend in the evening towards Standard's. At Lucas's at night. Jo Th. & Bev. there.
Mrs. Lewis McKay died last week quite suddenly. L. P. & T. H. P.
Sixteen years ago today I first set foot in Kosciusko. Rode out
just before night—met Miss Rachel O—turned back with her & rode
to town—she said Judge Ross told the Sunday School children that
they hadn't been far from home, nor seen much of the world, and didn't
know much, and ought to imitate Mr. Rosser's people who had lived in
Alison—Rode to Price's—thence to Perkins's—thence home.
Rode out to Thos. Rosamond's—Went by Rochester Mill—Cone,
et al Thad's”—met Mrs. B. in the road—eat dinner at
Addison R's—Tom there. Ad. in the army—negro belonging to
Shehigh, of Holmes Co.
A cool morning—rode with Jno. T. Richardson & Steve Gayarre
to Hudson's via Centre. Luce overtook us and rode in company several
miles—reached Bob's about—1/2 past 11. Kit Allen, Ellick Hall et al
there—Case of Frank Bailey decided adversely to him—Richardson's
postponed. After dinner awhile, we started back—came by Jim Kelley's—
stayed at Starmore Bates's, widow Harrison there. Rich & Steve stayed
at Ayres's.
Rode up by McClanahan's to Burchfield's, thence to Claitor's—
Henry rode “Boom” up to Fullilove's and got him shod. Talk of Forrest's late fight, in which Isham Harrison was killed—Forrest's loss very heavy—fight was at Harrisonburg & Tupelo. A. J. Smith commanded enemy.
Henry rode “Boom” to Atwood's and got, through Jas. E. Hughes,
100 lbs. flour. “Pooce” cramming on “ bixsit.” Walk 1 mile & back
after supper, below Mrs. Meeks's—
It is said yt. Chap Tims is killed in Geo. Thos. Wade & Mid. Pool's son, Frank Pullen, Brunt, Best and others in Forrest's late fight. Pink Cochran (Capt.) mortally wounded. Wasson yesterday showed me a letter from Dave & one from Wm. A. Smith.
Capt. Turner here today—says Forrest lost killed & wounded, 2800 men—had 600 killed—says he was badly whipped.
Qu. et children went to Mrs. Price's. I walked out there & back, they stayed all day. Cullen Harris here at dinner. Henry went to Sam Peeler's for meal—At Lucas's at night.
Alison on French Revolution of Feb'y 1848—rode out by Wells's on
Rode out to Price's in morning, Mrs. Crowder & Em there—A. M. a hard rain—divers rains. Met “Em”, “Bet”, & “Alba” the other side of the Wallace Branch—coming home the two last named met a bull near corner of square, and took fright. Alb't Mitchell at Lucas's at night—reports of killed & wounded.
Sick today. An old letter from Lewis to Lucas—dissatisfied
at Henderson. Croswell & Mrs. McKenzie here—she got her mare from
the “prevoster.”
Capt. Kimbrough told me Parson Duke, Bill Green, (East of Yocky.) Pat Harmon and Andy Johnson are killed—Harry Harlow & Levi Murff's sons wounded—others also. Sick. Widows McKay & Boone & Jeff Jinkins here.
Wiley Mathews here. Henry says “they've caught Peyt. Ellis,” & that “Peter shot him.”
Puny these days. It is said that Jno. Meek, Jo Ball and Jas. Nash are killed at Atlanta, also Bill McClannahan killed in Forrest's command. Geo. Wallace, Jim Boyd & Bill Love wounded.
Rode out a little while in the morning—chat with Lucas. Hammond came up, sat on our horses, rode with Carr. Jo Thompson at L's.
Working on streets—rumor of fight in Mobile Bay. At L's at night. Th. went home in night.
A crowd here about going into companies of reserves—Veazey— Prewitt on his horse. L--s P--y last night. Al and Mary Perkins here in rain—stayed till morning.
Worked streets—superintended. Hard wind just at night and rain.
“Marty's” birth-day—hard rain. Alison—“Have a piece of cake?”
Lucas & Lazarus here with paper brought through by Mrs. Kestin. About 9 A. M. started for Carthage—staid at Holloway's several hours. Bill lying abed sick of his wound—piece of shell came out while I was there. Reached Mrs. Scott's near night—staid there.
Rode to town—Mrs. G. & Dick Williams along. Gov's proclamation
calling out those between 16 & 55—Court opened—was appointed Dist.
Yesterday Bob H--n made a war speech—steps were taken to form a company. Grand Jury at work, P. M. West foreman. John Richardson's case tried and decided adversely to him. Andrew Boyd's case yesterday decided in his favor, vs J. P. Richardson, a select man of K--o. A hard rain on hill north of town—To Mrs. Scott's along with Plunkett.
Drawing up bills of indictment—rain just ahead of us as we went home, P. & I.
Old Mr. David Hughes's case about a slave (Jo) alleged to have been given to his son Virgil, tried and determined against him—He & old man Huey had some short words after Court. Back with Plunkett— all abed. Great war meeting in C, “Bob” spoke. Kit Allen Captain—
Barnes rode with P. & me.
True Bills—Court adjourned to Monday—left C. at 1/4 to 3 P. M. reached K. at 9. Rain from ten miles this side of Carthage to Lo. Fletcher's—roads slippery. Jo. Ryal's son & Alewine. Concert going on.
Dark—cloudy—rainy—Sundry applicants for details—at Lucas's
At Simon's awhile—his aunt just from Memphis. Eli McWhorter dead—died near Memphis in June.
Rode to Burnett's, 4 miles this side Carthage, Hutchins there,
Moriarty, Irishman, there. Walk through cornfield and potato patch,
sugar-corn. Got water at Mrs. Falkner's—stopped in woods and let
Boom feed on grass awhile. “
Dogs bit Hun today.
Rode to Carthage—Morrow, Geo. Thompson et al. going to Grenada.
Indictments a-finding—rode back along with Mann & Burnett— Hemphill at Burnett's—cool night.
Rode to Carthage, along with Burnett, Mann & Hemphill—a delicious peach from Eads—eat dinner at Eads's—kid, peach pie and good things generally. D. Todd, Logan Harper, John D. Alex Gordon there. Bilbo's case with Scott's boys et al. about leather—decided in favor of Bilbo & Mosby. Rode out with Mann, Burnett, Hemphill & Thos. Pettigrew— staid at Mann's—Pettigrew there.
Closed out Court this morning—officers of the County all
Mrs. Forrester there about a watch case—Soldiers in town. Thos. N. Davis here, One of Albert Mitchell's sons recently killed in Geo, 2 now killed and 1 a prisoner.
“Dan” just back from the “Old Melish” at Grenada—very hot day & night. Lucas's infant child died today. Newell's was buried today.
Hot enough. Mrs. Knox, (David's wife) died today—or yesterday.
Alison's Europe—Austerlitz.
Newt Harrison's son said to be killed.
Very hot. Capt. Turner & Bill Dodd reported killed or captured near Oxford, Miss.—Are J. P's exempt? Matthew Bell warning in the delinquents.
Very hot—Old Frank here, talking about going to the war. Newell & Steve got off this morning. Mrs. Autrey died last night.
T. S. P. started for the war—returned.
Hot—L. P--y here at dinner. Anternet and “Em” also—At
T. S. Pr-ct-r here at dinner—he started with petition for
writ of Habeas Corpus to Hudson. Walked after supper to Mrs. Meek's—
met G. C--ll and rode back with him. At L's
Dry and hot. Jim Mathis & Jno. & Newton Wasson here for detail papers. At Lucas's at night where syrup was boiling.
Rode out to Jno. B. Rives's—Land there, Miss R.—Gilliam from Carroll there—dinner there. At Wm. C. Sutton's—thence home—a burning hot day.
Hot—secured Judge “Bob” a boarding-place at Gould's—first
called on Bill Th'n about it.
Circuit Court today—the first since Jan'y 1862—News is that “Atlanta has gone up”—Intensely hot every day lately—Argument of Hab. Corp. cases about Justices of the Peace by Sam & I.
Hot, very—boiling sugar—corn juice at Lucas's at night.
Court dragging along.
Gen. Jno. Morgan killed at Greenville, Tenn. Atlanta certainly evacuated. Grand Jury adjourned to Monday. L. P. stayed here.
Yesterday I got a divorce for Ashley Jones, today one for Martin P. Roberts—Judge went home—refused to discharge Gober Jamison's substitute.
Alison—Gordon here from Holmes detailing outrages committed by Charly Miller, Sam Teague et al. Holloway brought John Ware in, with Maddox's horse.
Rode out to Perkins's in the morning—met Mary coming from Robinson's—brought Henry's hat home with me ($10.) Grapes near Male Academy. Very hot.
Rode around by Crowder's and Mrs. Treat's—hot—Alison—
Rode at sunset down to near Cox's old place. Cate going to Perkins's.
Resumption of Court. Alison—Little or no business outside grand jury.
L. P. stayed here—gardens burnt up—vegetables gone—cows going to the swamp for their feed. Hot.
Militia getting home from Grenada yesterday & today. At night was at L's. Albert M. there. Talk of militia 30 day campaign.
Cool morning—decrees for Harlow & Harrington to Tax Lands.
Alison—
Cool weather—Last night was at Campbell's, at Hudson's room.
Dr.
This morning was very cool, and I had to put on a thick coat—
boys had a fire in clerk's office—Court closed today. “Bob”
congratulated Grand Jury on their faithful discharge of duty, and
complimented Confederacy on its having upheld the civic power, while
carrying on a mighty revolution. At L's at night.
Rode up to Treadaway's along with J. C. L.—Jno. Wasson a part of the way, Carr a part. Eat dinner at Jeff Wilson's—returned by Nathan Sweatt's. Jane & Amanda and widow there—via widow Lucas's to Wasson's. Dave Brown's widow preparing to move. Carr moving to her place.
Dry, dusty, earth burnt up—no rain since Aug. 20th. Perry
Rode up to Jo. Thompson's, Ferguson & wife there—capital dinner— excellent syrup made of sorghum.
Jeff. Wilson there, Bev.
Came home by Mrs. Bradley's, Kemp's, Harrison's, Simpson's.
Cool morning, kindled a fire in my room. “Qu.” complaining
latterly of pain in the region of the heart.
Bill Chapman died a few days ago, some one says of yellow fever.
At Lucas's at night. Probate Court—Bruce, Sorelle, Aunt Nancy, Mr. Owens.
Charley Campbell (J. A. P's son) had his hand or arm amputated today, it having been injured by a molasses mill, (sorghum.)—
Alison on U. S. and War of 1812—Rode to swamp after cows.
Still dry and dusty—no rain since Aug. 20th—vegetables all
dead—no beans,
Alfred W. Kelly here, just from “Bob's” with writ of Hab. Corp.
for his son—abandoned his writ.
Rode out to Crowder's in the morning—he making molasses—dry—
Letter for “Mely,” from P-r-a. P. M. a slight sprinkling of rain, the first we have had since August 20th. Everything in the gardens burnt up.
Jim Mathis and Jno. T. Nash overtook me near Paris as I was returning from a walk beyond Mrs. Meek's—at Lucas's—they had walked from near Canton to Burt's.
Rain this morning—Presbytery in session. L. P. and two boys here at dinner. Cleared off P. M. Geo. C. & his Co. left. Noah going to hunt deserters tonight.
Started this morning for Greensboro—quite cool—Rode “Boom”— Hight (Jno. M.) walked with [me] to near Buffkin's—fell in with Sam Young at old Willis Hughes's. “Miss Matt”—at French Camp Sam & I got a drink of sulphur water at a Spring—he went on to Black's Well, I to G--o, put up at old man Wilkinson's from Greenville Dist. S. C.
Pass & Dr. Wall there.
Circuit Court of Choctaw, Cothran presiding—Sweatman, Albert Brantly & Pass, Dist Atty. the only lawyers present. A lovely day— Walked down to Cullebeta Creek, and back, about sunset.
Tried Mrs. Frances Bruce, wife of Jim Bruce near Springfield, for
This morning the jury agreed to convict Mrs. B. and [make her] pay her fine. She made her statement and was fined $20.00. Tried the corn case between Bryant Eyland and Lindsey Campbell—late at night jury found for Eiland, pltff.—$150.—mathematical calculation.
Judge granted a new trial in Eiland and Campbell's case— (Campbell is a blind man)—Left G. about 10 A. M.—Court adjourned this morning. I left for Tol. Lindsey's, traveling the old road by Banks Dean's old place. Miss Graham—“them women wants to know if you're a doctor—” Got lost several times—got to Bramlett's— thence to Lindsey's. Dr. Satterfield, Bob. Love there.
Came from Tol's to Huntsville along with Love, who is running against Wade Harvey for Circuit Clerk—thence by Best's, Tom Jones's, Tom Holland's, Leonard's, home. Very tired—got lost after leaving Tom Jones's—innumerable roads and cross-roads—Met Townsend electioneering—met Crossley & Bob. Sweatt—Rain at night.
Warm, moist—rained last night. J. A. Hale and N. C. Wasson here. “Tom” Hale—at Lucas's at night—roasted pinders.
Everett's 4th of July Speech at Cambridge 1826—also his G. B. K. speech of 1824—also Story's speech of 1826—something of lapsed legacies, and wills.
Qu., Sally, “Hun” “Pooce” and Jenny went to Crowder's. I went also but returned immediately.
Election for Co. & Beat Officers—acted as returning Officer— Contest in town between Riley and Flanagan—tie between Richardson and Thweatt (Uriah)—decided in favor of Rich'n by lot—rain P. M.
Returns from Co. coming in—Noah 472, Jno. Durham 199. Scarborough 491, C. H. B. Campbell 179. Prob. Clk. T. D. Sallis 402, P. M. Burt 177. Scurlock, Coroner, Sam Munson 323—Bill Perkins 119, F. H. Presley 100, J. C. Ashley, 109. Bob Welt for Treas. 342, Jim Anderson 95, W. S. Donald 41, S. Carter 74, J. J. Elliott 125, Len. Nash 365, Tom Terry 244, Ranger.
Jim Hutchins shot Byrd at Burk's Box on Monday—rainy yesterday & cool—Today old man Biggs brot. Jim Comfort to the bull-ring for striking him with a gun, & robbing him of a mule. McFarland had Biggs arrested.
Biggs & Comfort case compromised as to the robbery charge—Jim restores the mule—Biggs withdraws the prosecution for robbery. McFarland (“prevoster”) releases Biggs. Mosby bound Jim over to answer for assault & battery.
Wm. Fletcher died Tuesday—Miss Lou Palmer Monday—Jackson Owsley died last month.
L. P. brot us a turn of sweet potatoes—he eat dinner here.
Cincinnati Gazette of Sept. 26—Chases Speech—At L's at night— J. Wasson et “Sally” there.
A clear, cool autumnal day with a keen wind from the North.
Yesterday bought a small piece of nitrate of silver for Harriet's hand, which is suffering from tetter. Gave $10. for half a stick.
Rode out just at night—met Dishman at Campbell's—rode back from bridge along with Campbell Gould, he being in carryall. Webster & Hayne's speeches.
Rose at dawn of day—frost this morning but not sufficient to
My watch stopped last night—rose before daylight—frost again, but not a killing one. Memorials of D. W.—Cool, but clear & sunny.
Wilson here about the Land & Sutton business.
One of the loveliest days in the year—clear, delicious—rode to Sam Little's—thence to widow Joel Anderson's, by Gullege's, Morgan Guess's, in sight of Jack Hambrick's, by Kunce's, old man Dickeson's, Geo. Anderson's & Havens's place. Old lady paralyzed—could scarcely speak so as to be understood; hasn't walked a step for many years.
Saw where Tom Galloway, last spring, killed his Uncle, Gay Duty— stains of blood still on the floor of the gallery—dinner of beef, corn bread, eggs, milk and preserves. Went from there to Jno. C. Rives's via Alex Davis's, Jack Evans's & Hollingsworth's—came home by Mitchell's, R. Point & Conner's.
Clear, sunny, delightful. Read Webster's Correspondence—for a
few days past I have been reading Websteriana—Toler, Lucas and Ryan
(Johny) here about a mile taken by Jim Comfort—At Lucas's at night—
Galloway (Geo.) there. Pinders a-baking. G--y said he had “an inspiration today”—to wit that the war would go on till slavery was destroyed—Children went to Perkins's.
Started this morning about sunrise for Springfield, Choctaw Co.— clear and pleasant. At Mrs. Kimbrough's—Buster Hazelitt there—
At the tanyard (Mathis's)—Jo. Thompson there—thence to Dishman's where I fed “Boom” and got dinner. Hal Brent and Stephen Neal there— Brent and Dishman rode with me to the Camps. I went on to Mosse's— thence to Bob. Love's. L. just back from Mobile, reports Altoona captured with 4,000 prisoners—reports railroad destroyed & c. & c.
Rode on to Springfield—thence to Mrs. Childers's—saw the pine thicket away to my right which struck as forcibly in Nov. 1858 when going to Starkville—passed Mrs. Rix's on Louisville road—went to Jim Bruce's—stayed at night—chestnuts—Miss Parlee Watson—
Slept very soundly.
Pleasant though cloudy. Mrs. B. paid me $100. (“Confed.”) for defending her at last Greensborough Court. “Tarcoon Crickets”—
Stopped at Mrs. Rix's a moment. Miss Sally Sellars
Sutton, Cain & William H. Green here from Holmes Co. Miss Rives
with Sutton—Sutton has just returned from his captivity among the
Sprinkled rain—S. here about the Bill Land negroes.
A pleasant day—cool and smoky—rode with J. C. L--s down to Noah's, where was Tucker Sanders—stayed till past 2 o'clock P. M.—eat dinner there. Lucas bot. some chestnuts of a negro boy—going down we gathered some few chinkipins sitting on our horses. L. is reading Webster's speech in reply to Hayne—he thinks it unsurpassable.
At supper Bets got choked on a piece of bread—old Johny Allen there.
John Waddell and his land trade with Lloyd—bill to correct mistake.
Penn., O., & Indiana all gone for Lincoln men—
Brett here about mare claimed by Spell—at Ellis's, who is glad when he hears that one of these old fogy fuss-makers “has gone up.”
Newspapers P. M.
Walked out to Crowder's, and back. Brett overtook me—he eat dinner here. Brownlow on John Morgan—the farmer—the black-tongue in cattle, and a judgment. Anniversary of Cornwallis's surrender in 1781.
Clear, cool and pleasant—started for Carroll. Went by Rochester,
Passed through Vaiden, up to Shongal's road, thence on through Middleton to Mrs. McLean's—reached there about dark. Mrs. Sheperd, Miss Betty, her brother and Freeland there, besides overseer (Spivey.)
Rode to Grenada on “Boom” and back—quite cool with sharp North wind—passed Young's tanyard—overtook two young fellows, who directed me in Grenada road—in sight of Duck Hill—overtook two cavalry men, Hamilton of Amite and McGehee of Franklin Co. Miss.—14th Miss. cavalry. Hamilton's comparison of Confed'y to a toad saving himself from being swallowed by a snake by blowing himself up. H. gave me some excellent grapes. At Grenada saw Ben Saunders—Jo. Gray and his commissionership for C. S. A.—wearing out old clothes—Left G. 10 minutes past 2 P. M. & rode Boom to Mrs. McLean's by about 7 P. M.— 48 miles in all, going & returning.
Started for home at 8 o'clock A. M.—a killing frost this morning, the first this autumn. At Mrs. Kennedy's—young ladies only at home. Learned names of heirs—at Vaiden bought of Dr. Tait, at Young's drug store, De Tocqueville on Democracy in America, $5. Confed.—
Came as far as Ferguson's near ferry with Jack Arnold—came home by Wm. Moore's.
Lay in bed awhile after dinner, on account of sick stomach—felt quite well when I got up—Lucas came in—was at L's last night.
At night took Canton mail down to Durham's & back. Hammond, Gresham and Love here about the Ballard Land.
Clear in morning, cloudy in the afternoon, rainy at night. Read Boyce's Letter to Pres. Davis regarding peace overtures to U. S.
Rainy and warm in the morning. Brewer, from High Hill, Leake Co.,
here—his talk
Clear, pleasant. New Hat for Henry at Mrs. Russell's—$5. in silver.
Rode out to Knox's—fell in with Burns on the way—Knox being
absent for a time, I amused myself gathering hickory nuts. Got a gallon
of whisky made at State distillery by Strong ($13.)—came home with
Virg. Wallace—rode to Newell's—staid till after supper—piano—
music—Left at 1/4 past 7 with Jimmy Young, who stopped at Addison's
old house. “Old Fletch” here since yesterday evening. Jimmy told me
about Love Jones's wife smothering her baby yesterday.
Fletch left. $5. for small load of wood of Tom Jackson—
Methodist quarterly Meeting—rain at night.
Rain this morning & last night. Townsend & Mitchell here after the news. At Glazier's, where I read the newspapers, resolutions of the Governors.
A gloomy time—clouds—rain in store. Alex Davis, Tanner & Strong's liquor in Circ. Clerk's office.
Miss Alice Ray & Miss Rives here in the rain. Rode to Jo Thompson's stopping at Brett's & old Billy Adams's, & Wasson's Tanyard—hard rain— chap named Finley here. Jim Mathis came over and stayed till morning.
Bill Clark & Sims (Zack) came over prepared petitions for writs
of Habeas
Kimes arrested for adultery, and in the Court-House a prisoner—
Jim Brown (Lieut.) arrested as a deserter. Cold today. Cut out shoes
at George's at night.
Started this morning for Spiva's—met Proctor near Standard's who went back with me. Stopped at Nowell's and got my horse (Boom) fed, and eat dinner. Prepared petitions for writs of Habeas Corpus for release from military service of Riley Nowell & Jim Kelly. David Nowell himself is sick or has a diseased leg—Went on to Alf Kelly's left the shoes cut out last night by George to be made up by K.—
Went on, Proctor still with me, to Spiva's and stayed. Proctor went back and Judge Hudson came in.
Clear, pleasant, sunny—hard frost. Bill Clark & Zach Sims and
Zeke Bridges came in. Kelly, Proctor, Donnelson, Bailey Dean, Nowell's
son and Jim Kelley, Mrs. Nowell & Mrs. Kelly there. Nowell's son,
& Kelly's discharged by Hudson—came homeward after dinner with Hudson,
Proctor & Donnelson to Alston's. John Hanna stalled with a load of
Irish potatoes. Donnelson gave me the history of a hog case. Hudson
& I came on to Jim Davis's, & stopped—stayed till morning. The women
old and young Mrs. D. favored us with their presence. “Boom” started
to leave me for home, but couldn't get out of the lot.
Hudson & I came on to town—he left for Durant & Lexington.
P. M. Henry & I went after hickory nuts, took “Boom” along—was at Hammond's just after dinner, on Antoinette's business. At L's at night.
Rode over towards Crowder's in the morning—fell in with Jim Davis et al. Mrs. Price and Dan a-trading. Last night Fremonce came in—talked and talked—then we went to Lucas's—he had gone to bed—and talked and talked. Came up towards home and talked and talked. Capt. John B. Moore of the “Yellow Jackets” died about the 26th of ult. in this County.
Started for Lexington, went via Durant—eat dinner at Bill Wynn's— Cobb's N. A. Reader—(went by Olive's)—Women & children crossed Big Black after scaly-barks—saw cars come into Durant. Forest captures Federal fleet on Tenn. river. Went on by Castalian Spring— The. Doty overtook me. Stopped at Mrs. Stroud's—Knight overtook me just before. Jno. Cain and Stroud there—warm and very windy.
High wind—rose before day—went down to look at the hogs— started after breakfast for town. Rain and much wind—lost umbrella & hat. At town saw Gen. Miles—looked old—beard and hair almost white—in court, divorce case of Watson tried—then Z. Sims's & Bill Clark's Habeas Corpus case—latter decided adversely—rode up to Mrs. Hall's—she a Norvell from Horse Mountain—another woman there— Walton her brother's name. Came on to Durant, scaly-barks in swamp.
Went to Sanders's and staid.
Clear and sunny—came home via Olive's—reached home about 1/2 past 12.
Rode to Hammond's—then to Ross place—then to Hammond's with H.—then home—then to Biggs's where I got dinner and some sole leather.
Seal Sallis died
A clear, beautiful and most lovely day. Started early this
morning for Hillsborough & Garlandsville—reached Frank Burnett's
a few minutes after 12—dinner—Moriarty there. Saw the first
reports regarding Presidential election in U. S. showing that Lincoln
is re-elected—proceeded on to Carthage. Judge Huntington and Howard
told me Lincoln was reelected, according to reports. Passed on to
McFadden's Ferry. Bob Luckett was just crossing as I arrived—going
to Walnut Grove to assess Confed. Tax. Said he had belonged to --th
Miss. Reg't.—had seen a Fed. & Confed. soldier lying dead at a
battery, each bayonetted by the other, and clenching each other, with
features distorted by rage. Had seen Gen. Magruder so drunk that he
had to be held on his horse by two aids. M. ordered 17th Miss. Regt.
to charge the 13th, swearing the 13th were Yankees. McLaws tried to
undecieve him, but M. ripped out an oath that they were Yankees, and
We went as far as Lindsey's, 11 miles from Carthage, & stopped. L. and Parson Boydston came up. B. very hoarse—told an anecdote of a Va. Regt. parching coffee by the sack—and of a N. C. fellow replying to nickname of Tar-heels, “If you'd had a little more tar on your heels, you'd have stuck better at Marye's heights.”
Lovely, moonlight night.
Rode on to Hillsborough, passing Mormon's and Townsend's—met
A. B. (Dick) Smith in the road—at H. saw Clarion of 13th which had
returns showing Lincoln's election. Paid Dan Comfort's taxes on Land
(State, County & Confed.) and left for Garlandsville. Many chimneys
in H. showing destruction caused by Sherman's army last winter. Gum
Springs—Mrs. Lay's—her son's house burnt—in lonesome woods about
two or three miles from Mrs. Lay's, met a chap a-walking—said he
belonged to Col. Scott's cavalry—had been to Mobile to see his father,
who was in the artillery service—at Meridian had been robbed at a
Dutch Tavern—therefore was walking—was grandson of O. H. P. Davis
I passed too—went on
by widow Ware's to McFarland's and stopped.
Young wife, curly hair—rained in the night.
A rainy morning—started for Overstreet's—passed on through Garlandsville by the widow Walton's and Chatfield's to Overstreet's— reached there about 1 P. M. Stayed here at night.
Rainy in the morning until P. M. Was at Aaron Bolton's—Parson
Gillespie there—was at Oliver's (Asa) awhile. After dinner started
homeward—overtook Chatfield the teacher and preacher—went by John
Chapman's whose house was burnt last night, he being absent in the
army. Passed Newton Station—stayed at Blalack's—he a deformed
monster—his wife a keen, blackeyed, redfaced termagent, pretty looking
woman. B. told about his meeting five Yankees, who professed to be
Confeds. going to fight d--d Yankees. “You'd play h-ll a-fighting
Yankees”—they went back on his telling them Ross's command was not
far off. Told about his going to Carrollton and swimming Big Black.
Started out—- went by the chimneys of Decatur—by Isham Hollingsworths.
H. showed me where “they fought all along his lane”—showed
me a tree scarred by a ball in the fight. Capt. Raybun was killed
Weather damp but warm.
Started for Hooper's—took the right hand a mile or so from P's— at Hooper's saw Jordan Allen, Hooper (Charley) Luckett (Bob) et al.
After going about two miles towards home, concluded to go back
and go by way of Carthage—reached Carthage about one o'clock, having
slue”—Had “Boom” put
up at Jordan's—went to Huntington's, then to Howard's, P. O., saw
Eads—also Huie, who wishes to stop the war—rode out to M. H.
Mann's and stopped—Eliza—camp, drizzling and cheerless—sore
throat.
Rainy and unpleasant. Burnett came in after breakfast—started for home and reached there about 1 P. M.—throat sore, suffering from cold.
Throat and lungs sore—An unpleasant day—At night at Lucas's.
Joyce and old Jim Ellington came in—old Jim took a drink of
Strong's liquor—Mrs. Ray's negro after attachment papers for Mrs.
Hays's negro, & Haynes's of Noxuber Co. A bitter cold, disagreeable
day.
Extremely cold—clear—Mrs. Bridges and Mrs. Owens here about the Bridge estate—old Shade and Jim S. also. Jim Mathis & Jo Thompson here and at Lucas's at night—a piercing cold wind which went through & thro'.
Still cold—rode out to Munson's to see about some corn—no
Warm again—Raiford in town, who told me his Uncle Bob was dead— that G. W. H. had moved to Mo.—that he had joined Fort's Co. He was under arrest but discharged.
Henry & Reub. went out to Britt's after a load of corn—pleasant—
rumors of a Yankee raid below—fellow here with fine hat which I
tried to buy. Shelled corn tonight—to go to Mill tomorrow.
Rose early—at Bill Young's before breakfast—no newspapers and no news—pleasant.
Jim T--r says he is 50 years old to-day—rode up to Presley's— Jim Davis there—thence to Claitor's with Charley—dinner at C's.
Charley's
No shoes for me at K's—came back to L. P's with C. Reached home about 6.
Among those who have lately died in this Co. are Dr. Carr A. King, about the 6th Inst; Henry Frazure a few weeks ago; Seal Sallis about the 12th Inst. Tom Land, of Harvey's Scouts, reported killed.
Rode out of town, beyond Mrs. Meek's P. M. & met Hanna coming
from Canton, with mail on a mule—old fellow leading horse along.
H. reports Big Black railroad bridge burnt, Billy Mitchell killed,
& W. C. Love wounded. At L's at night. Bob M. & I went to Knox's &
drew our “allowance of sperits.”
Last night great panic about Yankees a-coming—wagons rolling all night—everybody “moving their stuff.” Lay down and slept soundly till daylight—reported this morning that Big Black Bridge (Clark's) burnt yesterday P. M.—excitement on the streets—rumors.
Last night was at Campbell's awhile—read in Mobile Evening News the various war items. Sherman a-marching through Georgia, & doomed to come to grief. Pillow's catching a private soldier killing a hog, and shooting him for refusing to quit—the various mishaps of Hood trying to cross the Tennessee—
Sam Sanders returned yesterday from Goodman—buildings this side
the railroad all burnt, do tank, Mill, & c.—piano removed by Yanks
& saved from a house fired by them.
It is said that Jim Davis yesterday shot & Nelse—I rode out this morning on Rockport road & met Noah coming
in—fell in with Hammond—rode out P. M. with Charley, Tom & S. P.
& “Gum.” A warm, pleasant day.
Last night Frank O. came in and eulogized castor oil—talked of niggers and the war—Today warm and pleasant. Yankees said to have passed through Milledgeville, Ga.—Story here P. M. Paid $1471 for Huntington-Irving's Life of W--n.
Warm—Mrs. Thad Beall here at dinner—rode around by Crowder's and the
Treat place after breakfast. John Mills, Jim Cyphers and Owens here for
writ of replevin vs. Geo. Campbell to recover horse. Cyphers got his
horse—rain P. M. Rode down to Yocky Swamp (Jackson's gate) just
before night, and back.
Last night it rained hard at times & clear & cool today. Irving's Life of W--n. Sent by Bain Atkinson $100. Confed. to Goodman to buy me a hat. Henry went a-hunting—four squirrels—rode out with M. H. Gregory and others across “Yocky” and back. Clark has called out the militia again from the Southern half of the State including Attala.
A most lovely day—rode “Boom” to Ratliff's via Brett's & Edmund
Adams's—Newt Wasson there—turkey for dinner. Went via widow
Laban Holt's and Bill Clark's to Haran's Church where there was a
singing. Mrs. Amos Allen on the road,—Dolf Pender—Rode with
Ellick Wassons to the old man's. Perry Porter there—Newt & John
Rode home—Lewis Walker on the way. Met Simpson yesterday near Cagle's & to-day in town—whisky—bot. a pair of calf-skin boots and two pair of women's calf shoes of Ellick for $8. in silver—
Wasson boys robbed by soldiers a few days ago. Wasson & Conly at Lucas's at night.
Warm again—walked with Wasson out towards Groves's old place— read newspapers P. M. which were filled with accounts of Sherman's progress through Geo., with Clark's proclamation and account of raids—
Rode “Boom” just at night.
Mathis & Thompson here—it turned suddenly cold—wind from
North—a norther. Jim, Jo and Raiford, Mitchell & Cone at Lucas's
at night.
A bitter cold wind from
Came home—Bill Pullen came to Reuben Sanders's old place—
Atwood and “carn.”
Sleet—snow a little—cold. Irving's Life of Washington—
Awhile at P. O. at night.
Daniel Briggs died of chronic diarrhoea at Memphis, Nov. 11, 1864.
9 hogs from Dave Carr for $910.00 weighing 910 lbs. Cold.
Richmond Whig at night. Cold & unpleasant.
A bitter cold day. Qu.
Cold—rendering out lard.
Ayres, Moore, Blumenberg et al here. Militia men met to see about
going to the war in response to Clark's calls. Lewis Nash says 3 went—
Yesterday I rode via Price's old place to “The Trace,”
where I fell in with one of Harvey's Scouts—he said Tom Sauls was
killed in Geo.—that himself had been shot through—he wanted some
of Knox's whiskey—my ride chilled me.
A lovely day—warm and pleasant—Case of Mrs. Ratliff & Jack
Prewitt, about the sorrel horse of Pink's—Wrote to Clerk of the
Supreme Court of N. C. for opinion in the case of Kesler v. Brawley
as to right of the senior reserves to be discharged on arriving at
the age of 50 years—Old Mrs. Young died today and about 85 (Mrs.
Durham's Mother)—At night read the Yankee news via Senatobia—
Lincoln's Message—battle at Harpeth Creek—S. P. Chase appointed
to U. S. Supreme Court vice Taney. Nothing from the Shubuta raid,
nor from Sherman's march through Georgia.
Warm and moist—no rain. Jno. M. Clark here reporting that Dr. Hemingway said yt. we lost but 500 in battle at Harpeth, & c. That Sherman's soldiers in march through Geo. had but one cracker to each, a day.
Pleasant, damp a little, and warm. My Confed. Tax as follows— New issue $113.82—bonds $569—total $682.82—With Citizen at Lucas's at night—rumor about battle at Franklin, Tenn.
H. A. H. L-w-s-n would be 50 years old today were he living, having been born Dec. 17, 1814—drizzling rain—warm—rode out as far as old man Taylor's to see Tom Galloway. Met Ernest Kelly and returned. Saw Tom G. at Thompson's—rode back with him a short distance. Talk about the Anderson estate.
Warm—damp—Irving's Life of W--n. Rode out P. M. as far as Olive's. Frank reading old newspapers & some book on Masonry— said no man who had a head shaped like Frank Smith's could have much mind. Dock Hughes came up—Dock and I rode to Dick Henry's—thence I came home alone—arrived just before dark.
Today I am fifty years old, having been born Dec. 19th, 1814.—
Probate Court day—many people in town—old Jim Ellington bored me a great part of the day. Mrs. Hearn (Asa's widow) presenting her account in probate court—R. W. Townsend giving bond as constable for Beat No. 2. Weather warm and moist in the morning—rain before noon—rainy P. M. and rain from N. E. all night—cold, ceaseless, pitiless, pelting rain—
Today “Qu.” made me a glorious egg-nogg.
Last night read Cin. Gazette of Nov. 23d left here by Wasson.
Cold, wet, cloudy—rained nearly all day—streams all up—
2 Memphis Appeals today, now printed at Montgomery, Ala. Noah here making out his Accounts of Admin'n.
Cold & windy—Henry rode “Boom” to Wasson's—at Mrs. Irving's
a few minutes—at Lucas's at night. Lewis & Clark's Travels.
Severely cold—no mails yesterday—read Prentiss's N. E. Soc'y (Pilgrim) oration of Dec. 22, 1845—also Webster's do. of Dec. 22/1820.
Jim Ellington and Jno. Cone here at dinner. Went P. M. out to widow Mayfield's and married her, and James Morris, of Lexington, Mo.
Stopped at Pullen's—Capt. Tom Murff & Morris there—little boy sick in bed—hemiplegia—rich pine and a roaring fire—reach the widow's just before dark—came home. Met Jim Mathis at the gate, he came in and sat till 10 o'clock.
Bitter cold, but clear. 2 papers (“Citizens”) from Canton tonight. Cin. Gaz. correspondents account of Battle of Franklin.
Clear and pleasant A. M.—cloudy P. M. & at night—egg-nogg at L's at night. Rode P. M. across Yocky—Sam Dodd overtook me— creek very high—
Egg-nogg at Glazier's in morning—rainy—misty—muddy—
Riley, Simon & Sam Young back from Mobile—papers—rumored
that one of Forest's own men killed him—that Hood has fallen back
to Franklin from about Nashville—that Sherman has taken Savannah
& that Gen. Sterling Price recently died of apoplexy in Ark. Bayliss
O. & Dan Comfort at Simon's, arguing about reconstruction—says
Bayliss—“What would you do if you should go back?” Dan—“Do as
we did before—a plaguy sight better than we're doing now.” At
Lucas's at night—Glazier & Bill P.
A misty morning—warm, moderately so—boys a-drinking, and some a-quarreling. Children went to Jackson's to a party—got home about 3 A. M. of
I sent a 50$ bill Sou. Bank of Ala. to Mobile a few days ago, and Simon handed me 25$ in gold yesterday with which sum the Bank redeemed the bill.
Cool—clear—dry—Dr. Satterfield last night at Davis's—
Ellington (Jim) Spiva, Alston, old Campbell, Spiva Blumenberg et al
here—
Married Wes. Beacham & Josephine Gayarre at Davis's hotel—At
Hun 9 years old today—walked with Alice and Sally out to Beacham's—infair—dinner—At Lucas's at night. “Qu.” & children eat supper there—negroes singing in a circle out of doors—rain at night—muddy and dark coming home, lantern, palpitation of the heart at night. Fremonce helped Jenny home.
A bitter cold wind from North—A glorious egg-nogg at Dan's
upstairs. Mitchell there—Jim Mathis—Bev. Macadory—Bob Webb—
At Lucas's at night—Nathe Murff
This manuscript has been copied with faithful effort to reproduce it, preserving as far as possible the original spelling, punctuation etc. Where there is grave doubt as to a word or name, this is indicated by a question mark.