2 June 1861: “When I penned my last entry in March, we did not think we would have war, but we are mistaken.”

Item description:  Jesse Bernard recounts the state of the nation as it headed for war. He views war as increasingly inevitable.

Item citation: From folder 3 in the Overton and Jesse Bernard Diaries #62-z, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

June 1861

Sunday afternoon, 2nd. Since my last entry, my sisters Lou and Bet, with the family of the latter, have left us four weeks ago today, staying all night at Dr. Bradford’s and taking the stage on the next morning for Gainsville. They were met in Fernandina by Mr. Littlejohn, leaving there the following Tuesday night and reaching their destinations Richmond and Portsmouth, Saturday afternoon. We enjoyed their visit very much, and so did they, I have reason to believe. On my return from Levy Court, some six weeks ago, My horse ran away, running over me, breaking my collar bone in two places, and otherwise injuring me. For four weeks I was confined to the house, and the bandages were not removed until the expiration of that time. It being my right collar bone, I was unable to use my right arm at all. I feel truly thankful to my Heavenly Father, that it was no worse. I still suffer some inconvenience with my right arm, and cannot use it much yet, but hope that time will soon effect a complete cure through God’s mercy. When I penned my last entry in March, we did not think we would have war, but we are mistaken. Fort Sumter has been attacked and taken, as the Federal Govt. of U.S. had threatened to send an armed force thither, and refused to give it up. Neither has our Gov’t. been recognized by U.S. Lincoln has ordered out 100,000 men, and Virginia will be the battle ground. That state, together with N.C., Arkansas and Tennessee have all seceded, though the people in the latter state are to ratify the ordinance. We live in stirring times, but I hope that the God of battles will aid us. I have ceased editing the Dispatch, and it is now owned by W.Wash.Scott & Co. and edited by Messrs. Graham & McLain.

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