Tag Archives: home front

14 April 1862: “This is the anniversary of the fall of Ft Sumter and we have had the sad news confirmed of the loss of Ft Pulaski to us — I was not prepared for this, believing it impregnable.”

Item description: In this letter, Mary Henderson writes to her son John Steele Henderson, who was a student in Chapel Hill, N.C. at the University of North Carolina. Mary Henderson discusses local news, the Battle of Shiloh, and other war … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 14 April 1862: “This is the anniversary of the fall of Ft Sumter and we have had the sad news confirmed of the loss of Ft Pulaski to us — I was not prepared for this, believing it impregnable.”

13 April 1862: “my heart sickens when I think that under this beautiful blue sky with God’s heavensent air breathing warm and fructifying around while the birds sing and the green leaves wave as if to praise their Creator, thousands of men are mingling in mortal combat and groans and shrieks sounding amid the roar of artillery…”

Item description: In this diary entry, Sarah Lois Wadley (1844-1920) describes receiving news of the Battle of Shiloh, and reflects on the contrast between the beautiful spring day she observes, and the horrors of battle and death. More about Sarah … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 13 April 1862: “my heart sickens when I think that under this beautiful blue sky with God’s heavensent air breathing warm and fructifying around while the birds sing and the green leaves wave as if to praise their Creator, thousands of men are mingling in mortal combat and groans and shrieks sounding amid the roar of artillery…”

9 February 1862: “…they are steady and prudent not partaking of the vices so common in camp – George told me he had been often begged to play cards – he told them he did not know how and never intended to know…”

Item description: Letter, 9 February 1862, from Frances Goggin Parker to her son Robert W. Parker, a soldier in the 2nd Virginia Cavalry. [Transcription available below images.] Item citation: From volume 2 in the Robert W. Parker Papers, Southern Historical … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on 9 February 1862: “…they are steady and prudent not partaking of the vices so common in camp – George told me he had been often begged to play cards – he told them he did not know how and never intended to know…”

19 January 1862: “Except that I know what a comfort it is to Mama to have me at home…”

Item description: Letter, 19 January 1862, from Mary Pendleton to her father, William Nelson Pendleton. In the letter, Mary writes to ask her father’s advice on a difficult decision. It is believed that she has been asked to go to … Continue reading

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16 November 1861: “The recommendation of the President of the Confederate States…appears to have been very generally complied with by our people and churches.”

Item description: On the 16 November 1861, the Wilmington Daily Journal reported on the day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer” that occurred the day before. According to the paper, the town’s residents and business’s “entered sincerely into the spirit of … Continue reading

Posted in North Carolina Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 16 November 1861: “The recommendation of the President of the Confederate States…appears to have been very generally complied with by our people and churches.”

14 November 1861: “The President of the Confederate States having appointed Friday, the 15th inst., as a day of ‘fasting, humiliation and prayer’…”

Item description: In the Wilmington Daily Journal of 14 November 1861, this notice from John Dawson, mayor of Wilmington, was posted. The notice states that God is the only hope “to achieve success in the great struggle for liberty and … Continue reading

Posted in North Carolina Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 14 November 1861: “The President of the Confederate States having appointed Friday, the 15th inst., as a day of ‘fasting, humiliation and prayer’…”

13 November 1861: “We understand that the Independent Light Infantry and the LaFayette Light Infantry, of Fayetteville, are expected to arrive…”

Item description: In this piece from 13 November 1861, the editors of the Wilmington Daily Journal announce the arrival of two units of North Carolina soldiers, who are on their way home from Virginia. Item citation: The Daily Journal. 13 … Continue reading

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12 November 1861: “Will Lincoln back out or will he not? Upon this depends the future character of this struggle.”

Item description: In this piece from 12 November 1861, the editors of the Wilmington Daily Journal examine which way the current war will unfold. They ask if it will be “confined to the operations of large bodies acting strategically for … Continue reading

Posted in North Carolina Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 12 November 1861: “Will Lincoln back out or will he not? Upon this depends the future character of this struggle.”

15 September 1861: “I fear the result of the action of the K.Y. Leg. [Legislature] has damaged us very much, and that Tennessee now as a border state, will suffer severly, although the Confederate Army may & I believe will succeed in the end…”

Item Description: Letter,  A. Gardner to William S. Pettigrew, 15 September 1861. [Transcription available below images]   Item citation: From folder 246 in the Pettigrew Family Papers (#592), Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged | Comments Off on 15 September 1861: “I fear the result of the action of the K.Y. Leg. [Legislature] has damaged us very much, and that Tennessee now as a border state, will suffer severly, although the Confederate Army may & I believe will succeed in the end…”

19 August 1861: “If we are to winter near the Potomac, I think I will certainly need flannel drawers, but not until the winter-season fairly sets in.”

Item description: In this letter of 19 August 1861 to his family, Charles Woodward Hutson comments on the large number of cases of typhoid fever and other ailments plaguing his fellow soldiers, noting, “too many suffer from a disease still … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 19 August 1861: “If we are to winter near the Potomac, I think I will certainly need flannel drawers, but not until the winter-season fairly sets in.”