Item Description: Diary entry, dated 5 September 1864, written by William King. King was a plantation owner from Cobb County, Georgia. He remained alone on his plantation to protect his property and slaves from depredations by federal forces.
Item Citation: From folder 1 in the William King Papers, #02985-z, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Item Transcription:
5 Sept. 1864.
While in town this morning I visited Col. Howell, & Mrs. Hansels they were all well. Mrs. H. had just rec’d a Letter from Gen’l H. dated 15 Aug. over which she was crying when we went in, he was at Macon & very anxious about them, as he had not heard a word from them since he left, feeling the same suffering I do about my Wife & children. I met Mrs. Morris & Mrs. Tucker in the street, Mrs. M. very anxious to get to her family, but cannot go yet. Mrs. Goodman better, Mr. G. still with the blues, it requires much nerve to keep up spirits in these days. I heard that Mr. and Mrs. Wayland had been robbed [torn] Saturday night of nearly all their provisions that had left. I heard a rumor that Bro. B. had died suddenly, but I corrected it as I had heard [torn] he & sister C. were in Sav’h on their way to Virginia. Mr. Tollison [torn] Mrs. Hansel informs me that one of her servant [torn] behaved so badly, being imprudent & would do nothing for [torn] that she had to get the Pro. Marshall to move her off, which [torn] are ignorant of the fact that they are separating [torn] women & children will have to suffer much [torn] made a short visit to Gen’l McArthur this morning [torn] to go to Church in town, the Gen’l promises[torn] Sundays. I learnt from Gen’l McA. that Hood’s [torn] others say his army has been scattered & that [torn] hear that 2000 of our prisoners are expected up, how anxious am I about our little boy, & have begged friends in town to keep a look for him, if he is a prisoner & sent to the North I must go with him. This sad War, the innocent have to suffer with the guilty. What a curse the professional politicians have proved to be to us. What misery their lust for party power has brought upon a happy people.
My guard has been trying to get some Birds for us to day with the Shot Gun, but no luck. I hear the travelling up the Road has been interrupted for some days past, & no mails rec’d. We have had heavy Rains again this afternoon. I met Mr. Shepard in town this morning, he has a pass for 10 days. How anxious do I feel this dull afternoon to be at Home with my family, or even to hear from them. I do not think I can patiently wait for Mr. Wilson until the 1st. Oct. the delay & anxiety are too trying to my feelings. May God soon give us rest–Dr. Miller & I made old Mr. Hutchins a visit.
