Margaret Ann Meta Morris Grimball. Diary, 1860-1866

Journal of Meta Morris Grimball,
South Carolina,
December 1860-February 1866:
Electronic Edition.

Grimball, Margaret Ann Meta Morris, 1810-1881

Funding from the Library of Congress/Ameritech National Digital Library Competition
supported the electronic publication of this title.

Text typed in from a prepared transcript by Jordan Davis
Text encoded by Jordan Davis and Natalia Smith
First edition, 1998.
ca. 300K
Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
1998.
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Call number 975 (Manuscripts Dept., Southern Historical Collection, UNC-CH)

        The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization project, Documenting the American South, or, The Southern Experience in 19th-century America.
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Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

LC Subject Headings:

Grimball, Margaret Ann Meta Morris -- 1810-1881 -- Diaries
Women -- South Carolina -- Diaries
Women -- South Carolina -- Social life and customs
South Carolina -- Social life and customs
Plantation life -- South Carolina -- History -- 19th century
Slavery -- South Carolina
Colleton County (S.C.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Charleston (S.C.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
South Carolina -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Confederate States of America. -- Army -- Military life
Confederate States of America. -- Navy -- Sea life
Refugees -- South Carolina
Refugees -- Confederate States of America
United States --History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Civilian relief -- South Carolina
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate

- finished TEI/SGML encoding

JOURNAL OF
META MORRIS GRIMBALL
South Carolina
December 1860 - February 1866

Copied from original in the
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, N.C.

JOURNAL OF META MORRIS GRIMBALL
(MRS. JOHN BERKELEY GRIMBALL)
DECEMBER 1860 - FEBRUARY 1866

Page 1

The Grove Plantation
St. Paul's Parish
South Carolina

December 10 1860. -

We came up very nicely on the 3d Mr Grimball Ella Lotty Harry & Racky, the sky terrier, a most intelligent and affectionate little dog. When Lewis was in Liverpool, Bob Miller gave him this puppy, & he brought it home, we are all attached to her, and she enjoys the change as much as any of us. - I am to keep her until Lewis marries, then his wife, if fond of Dogs, is to take her.

John is as happy as a child and so much like a child that I agree with Lewis in thinking the only change in him is that he has grown, he enjoys a joke & makes fun but - he is terribly obstinate, which is an ascertained fact - consequently when John says he wont do anything I dont like to interfere. Lewis has come to the conclusion that his prospects up here are not worth anything, his practise is pretty much a family affair, and not at all progressive, on the contrary, the life of several old people would close it, except at home, his Grandfather and Mrs Wayne, so he intends going to Charleston and attending Medical Lectures, and practising there. So there is every prospect of our having the 6 boys at home next summer. I think I shall take a travel off somewhere, & relieve myself of the Housekeeping. I have been trying to persuade Berkly to got married, he has been

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set up with 5 thousand dollars, he had saved 1 thousand himself, and is so saving I suppose he will soon have 10 thousand: and I am afraid be a miser too; which is hateful. I wish some of them could get married and settled off. - Elizabeth has of course to wait until a good offer comes, but the boys can ask. -

Mr W. Heyward has promised us a visit, and now that the house has got fixed, I shall be very glad for him to come. Lewis tells me Mrs Bulo laughed a great deal about her visit up here, and the manner in which Mrs Manigault & Mrs Grimball were taken in by her. She is not a nice person, I am afraid much of the scandal retailed about her, is true. She had very little to do with me, but was much thrown with Charlotte, riding with her on horseback, &c. Papa paid the 4 thousand to the Factors that Charles owed them.

We came up in the cars with Major Wharley and his new young wife, an English lady, & her baby, she is much taller than her old husband; and looks like his daughter; she was poor, or I am sure she could never have married that blear-eyed old creature.

[December] 15 [1860]

Page 3

hope thankful. Went yesterday to see Charlotte, Mrs Wayne, & Papa found the last at home, Charlotte had gone up to Mrs Barings on a visit. They think of purchasing a place in Buncomb and of Mrs B's place. Mrs Wayne begged to be excused she was putting her garret to rights.

Charles is coming up to day on his way to Philadelphia to bring Mrs Britten & Elizabeth home. I have made up my mind now for E to remain until January and do not care for her to come before. -

We pass our evenings very pleasantly with music and reading & sewing & talking, the boys Lewis & John are agreeable. L belongs to a company in this parish and seems most anxious for a war, a restless young man: I do hope there will be no war, but a peaceful arrangement of our difficulties. -

Mr Aiken paid us a long morning visit waiting for some friends by the cars. Mr & Mrs James baby & nurse, she was a Miss Lowndes and he a rich New York beau, a funny time they take for their visit; but her Mother & father live on Santee in winter where he had a plantation they are all rich and high born. Mrs Robert Lowndes was a Miss Livingston the daughter of Mrs Maturin Livingston who was a Miss Lewis, the only child of Gen. Lewis who left a fortune of a Million which Mrs M. L. on her death divided equally among her 9 children giving thereby great satisfaction, to all of them. I recollect Mrs Robert Lowndes when she first came to Charleston as a bride, and a most beautiful bride,

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she was dressed in the highest fashion & taste & exceedingly refined and elegant looking.

Received a letter from Elizabeth today, she & her Aunt will leave Norwood [?] the 1 week in January it is very cold there now every thing covered with snow. -

An envelope came containing cards from Emma Watts & Lieut. Carr U.S.A. just married. When her father died nearly 2 years since the family had each 10 thousand dollars which is a very neat fortune and Emma although not beautiful is very sensible and amiable. It seems to me all the world are getting married except my children. I wish a suitable offer would come in Elizabeths way & that it would please her to accept it & that Berkley could find some nice girl with a little money to get married to. John will be obliged to resign & then he must try something else. - All this troubles me.

29 December

Canibusses[?]

not

Grimballs

Page 5

Mrs Wayne has been talking in her flighty style about giving her Palmetto nephews a New Years party. I said what I could to prevent her going to this unnecessary expense for she has not threshed her crop or sold it and has not been able give her negroes clothes, this winter, but now the matter is at rest, for the boys have been obliged to go to Town. Fort Moultry has been abandoned, and the U.S. troops commanded by Major Anderson have been clandestinely removed to Fort Sumpter , so the troops have been ordered off, and are marching round & round, to show their spirit and excitement. -

Daisy Barnwell dined with Lotty on Thursday & I think is a very fast little girl: she seemed wild with delight at John & Arthur flirting with her: & looked very pretty, Lotty is to dine with her to day if she can get there.

Mr Grimball is suffering from an attack of his difficult breathing, last night I had to get up & make the fire, he took his remedy but it does not relieve very soon.

A Plantation life is a very active one. This morning I got up late having been disturbed in the night, hurried down to have something arranged for breakfast, Ham, & eggs, wrote a letter to Charles in answer to one he wrote about Johns resigning, disapproving of it. Had prayers, got off the boys to town. Had work cut out, gave orders about dinner, had the horse feed fixed in hot water, had the box filled with cork: - went to see about the carpenters working at the negro houses, where there are men mending chimneys, white washing, & these carpenters Mr Grimball

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told me he wished me to see about every day, & now I have to cut out flannel jackets, and alter some work. -

Amy's leg continues very bad, I don't know when she will get better, a most provoking thing, for it is owing to her own stupidity.

31 December

the last day of the year, a gloomy, wet day, which were it not for the busy occupations of each hour would be very trying to the spirits. - Went to Church yesterday, and heard an excellent sermon from Mr Dickson, a retrospect of the past year, a very instructive train of thought. I have so many mercies to be thankful for, and here, while numbers are homeless, am enjoying a most comfortable establishment and what a poor creature I am, little deserving of any mercy. -

I was thinking over the children this morning and I find a loving and hopeful feeling for all of them. As people get old they become more indifferent and are spared much annoyance by not feeling or seeing things which when they were young almost crazed them.

1 January 1861

The year began with clouds & rain. I went out with Josey to Drive as Lucius was sent to the Depot expecting Mr Hayward & visited Mrs Wayne, Papa & Mrs Manigault, Papa out, Mrs Wayne preparing for a grand party, which must have disapointed her, as it rained all the evening, Sent in our excuses, the boys had already done so. Charlotte was very busy putting up curtains and looking dirty & ragged, it was evident she felt no superstition about the first of the year being a

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pattern for all the rest. She is getting so set looking that it spoils her appearance. I feel very dull about the boys, they may all be called out to fight. John has offered his services to the Governor for active duty, & all the others are in Military companies and of course will have to be exposed. I sent them down a New Year wish, & if we never meet again in this world, my last greeting to them was a sincere prayer for their salvation. Lewis went off today to Town.

[January] 7th

Elizabeth arrived from the North with her Aunt, who went on to Butlers Island, where she is to stay for some time, a month at least. E. looks very well in health and in spirits, and gives a pleasant account of her visit. John has been appointed Lieutenant in the State Service, and is now at Fort Moultry, where he is rather uncomfortable. -

William was at the Arsenal with his Company, Lewis is in some trouble about his commission and has gone to Town to day to see the Governor about it, he, the Gov. does not seem to be a very military chief and consequently is in rather a tight place. Berkley has joined the Sumpter Guards, which is an elderly and sedate bodey of men with an elderly and sedate Captain, John Russel of King Street, a book seller. - Charles sent me word by Elizabeth that Harry thought it proper for the security of the Northern property to have it made over to himself but felt a delicacy in proposing it. I spoke to Papa, & he wrote to Harry this morning, - & sent the letter by Lewis. E. has gone to town to see her friends & brothers.

[January] 12th

Lewis returned from Town with an uncomfortable

Page 8

account of the Forts, Sumpter is still in charge of Major Anderson and a vessel the Star of the West with men & supplies on board for the Fort, was fired into and prevented from communicating. Major Anderson declared the Port blocaded , and that he would fire on any boats coming in or going out. And after a spirited letter from the Governor, requested that Lieut. Talbot be permitted to go to Washington with letters which was granted. The Fort has to be taken. William with his Company will be at Morris's Island, and Arthur with him. John in Fort Moultry. If I were to allow myself to think of these things I should be wild; but there is no use. Went yesterday to see Charlotte, Papa and Mrs Wayne, found C. & Mrs W at home. C's governess not come which rather surprises her. Mrs W. tells me Mrs Lewis's governess has left her, Mrs L. has a favorite maid, Emma, a very light Mulatoe & her son, who tell her every thing which goes on in her house, and made a great many extraordinary communications about the Governess, which she refused to submit to and left. I do not think my cousin Annie will ever have a Governess. Mrs Stevens has, C. says, quite a nice one, and she takes to flirting with Mr Stevens greatly to the disgust of Mrs S. who flirted away most violently with a Dr Foster, a homeopathic man, and says openly she does not care for her husband, yet will not willingly submit to his attentions to the Governess. I think upon the whole they are rather trying additions to ones family, I am very thankful there is no need of one with us. Mr Grimball went off to Town the day

Page 9

Lewis came up, he must have gone at any rate, for he said he wanted to see the boys. Every one feels restless & excited in these transition times, I only hope we may have a peaceful settlement of this sepparation . I expect up Mr G. & E. to day , & Mrs Wayne is to dine with us and to hear the news, & Papa is coming too. -

Mr Grimball & Elizabeth arrived from Town and had seen John. Mrs. Wayne dined, Papa arrived here before we had finished our soup and seemed altogether in a bad humor, in answer to most news he said he did not believe a word of it: and aluded in rather a bantering tone to the fact of the raw Carolina recruits running at, or even before the fire of the English, Elizabeth fresh from Town and seeing her brothers, heartily earnest in the service of the State, said anyone who says the Carolina troops would run, should be shot. Papa was very angry, and the next day wrote me a letter, the thing will of course drop. -

We all feel very anxious about the taking of Fort Sumpter , it is in negociation but that failing, must be got for the State even at great loss of life, and in view of this I wake in the night and pray most heartily to my Father in Heaven, and my merciful Savior to save us or we perish.

Went to see Papa on his return from Town, he had an attack last night, and seemed very tired.

Had a nice visit from Mrs Barnwell and Ann, she is very clever. We were talking of men, I said the result of my

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experience was to say, if asked for advice, if you want to do so you had better do it, and if you don't want to do so you had better not do it, for I never found my advice was attended to, Ann said if she ever had an offer when the man was on his knees, she would make him promise all sorts of things; - I said they never went on their knees, & asked Margaret if Mr Barnwell offered himself on his knees. Ann said I can never imagine Papa the least sentimental & think he must have proposed as a passing remark between a conversation about the crops. In view of Mr Barnwells very stiff & settled manner, this is quite funny.

In looking over my account of things I find I neglected to notice a very handsome entertainment which Mr Lewis gave to introduce his daughter, the boys were all invited, and Berkley & William went. They arrived at Ashapoo in time for Lunch & afterwards went out with horses, riding or driving, & rowing on the river. Had a very handsome dinner, sat down 30; and in the evening music from Town, and a band with some outside additions, & danced until five o'clock they then went to their rooms, and after resting 3 hours had breakfast, hot cakes, omlet , sausages, spare ribs, which B. said were not spare at all. Just our boys, and Frank Frost & Jim Fraser even slept in the same room, Mr Lewis doing the honors, the rest sat up. Most of the party were to return to the City by the 1 o'clock train, our boys came by the early train, & Mr Lewis must have been making arrangements for a long time, and succeeded. -

Elizabeth staid while in Town with her Aunt, they are

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in a great state of excitement about the Forts, & Martin & Berkly in military exposure. M. has gone to Castle Pinckney, and as he is delicate I predict that he will either be made ill, or a great deal better by the exposure. -

Papa has determined this winter of all times to remove Elizabeth Morris remains from the vault at Morrisania and put it in the Lowndes vault in Charleston & also Ralph and put him into a grave up here at the Bluff[?] Church for when the property is sold the vault must be emptied of the remains, (Papa had to give up this removal), for which he has provided a sum of 5 hundred dollars to get another vault at a Church near by. - Mr Whaly says Mrs Wayne is coming to perfect poverty, but she will entertain to the end, she has Friday for her receptions days, I like to go, it amuses me everything is so odd, shoes under the chairs and bags of dirty calico full of feathers on chairs for cushions. - She reminds me of Grandmama who always at Morrisania had her shoes, hat and shawl in the drawing room. -

The first of this week Mr Grimball sent 10 men, under the charge of Lewis, to work at the Fort which they are putting up at the mouth of the Edisto river to protect the coast. Col. Jenkins sent 6 hands, his son Dr. Paul, 3, Col. Ashe 10, & they all went together. Lewis had some stores, & Georgy Jenkins, who went with his Fathers hands, told Lewis not to trouble himself, for he intended taking a whole sheep. Papa went while on one of his visits to the City, to see the Gov. and told him during the War of 1812, with England the Coast had been surveyed & it was

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judged unnecessary to build Forts as owing to the bars at the mouth of the rivers that they were inaccessable . The Gov. thanked Papa for his advice but - they are putting up two Forts, & Papa says he will not give a cent, or send a hand; so says the Miser, Ephraim Bainard, but others send, Mr Barnwell and others. Mr Grimball preferred sending here to Morris's Island.

[January] 30th

Lewis returned and had a very nice time was handsomely entertained and enjoyed the change, the negroes seemed to like it too. Mr John Townsand was very much interested in the Fort -

Things seem to progress, the Southern States are going out one after another and the border states undetermined. -

We dined with Papa last week, a very handsome affair, and the party consisted of Mrs Wayne, ourselves & Miss Butler, Charlotte's new Governess, he gave us a nice dinner. Charlotte & her little girls & Governess took lunch with us on Saturday, we had music, & cake, & wines, and I enjoyed Charlotte's society. She says Miss Butles[?] seems to be a very pleasant tempered person with rather more of the Irish accent than she expected. She hopes she will answer her purposes for 2 years, and seems very much concerned to have these children well educated. -

Things seem to progress in a slow but certain way. John is now in command of a Steamboat to watch the harbor, he alternates with Pilot and I hope will get paid for his services. -

Page 13

Charles has resigned, and intends offering his services to the State of Georgia. I am sorry he will lose his pay, but the State will pay. Lewis made a visit to the Fort at Edisto to see if Bing Smith intended resigning his place of Captain, for then Lewis would try for it. -

He went down in the boat and had lunch here, at 11 o'clock, and the next day returned & dined here. 4 went with him, W. Simons, Megget, Weston, Walters, - but Bing Smith chooses to keep his post. -

We returned Mrs Barnwells visit the other day & found her at home; she expressed herself very much concerned by the ill health of her husband. Last summer Dr Ogiier[?] said he ought to go away & take care or himself he said he could not leave his business, & now he looks very badly has most painful symptoms, palpitation of the heart, & all that, and is afraid of a disease of that organ. I met with an annoying accident a few days since, in walking up the road. I took off my glove, a large dog skin one, and having lately worn on my little finger my wedding ring, because it had become too small, it slipped off and I have not been able to find it. I am going to purchase another & in the mean time wear the ring belonging to my eye-glasses, which had become loosened. -

10 Feb.

Lewis went to the City & bought for me an old fashioned wed. ring for $3, a very satisfactory arrangement. -

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Lewis saw all the boys in Town, John alternates with Peter in harbor duty, and has a boy Bacot with him which gives him 4 hours sleep, he always has some man from the City Companies with him. Berkly, who is in the Sumpter Guards, said when he went out there were only 4 men in the detatchment fit for duty, Berkly, Wilkins, himself & 2 others. The rest were horribly sea sick, or very drunk. Oh! my country men!

Lewis is now proposing to himself to apply for a commission in the Army of the State. Poor Notty's boy, I wish some thing might suit him. -

He had a very nice photograph of himself taken, and gave it to me. He is quite a good looking follow. - Charles has resigned, and is in the service of the State of Georgia, Lewis met him going to Town on Public business when he came up. - Mrs Butler still at Butler's Island. Went to see Juliet Elliott yesterday, she is up for the Spring, she says, unless there is a war. - She looks wonderfully, and is as usual, a gossiping, frivolous woman - but I do not think her gifts are many, and perhaps she does as well as she can. She told me Mrs Lucia Lowndes was in a miserable fix with her two eldest daughters, Lucia & Emily, they had not spoken to her for several years, and lived while they remained at Litchfield entirely apart, and when she came back which she did last fall, refused to accompany her. Lucia says she intends to be a Governess, & Emily says she intends to be a Childs nurse. What a terrible

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situation, these unprotected girls will be in there. I told Juliet in a case like this there must be faults on both sides. She seemed to take the part of the Mother. -

Charlotte prefers our meetings to take place in the afternoons as the morning is altogether taken up with her childrens lessons. Went last Saturday although it was an afternoon cloudy and the day had been rainy. We talked a little, and had tea, and came home refreshed. Mr John Elliott has been engaged to take charge of the Church up here and as Mrs LaRoche is not able to come this winter, Elizabeth has taken upon herself to play on the organ and lead the singing. - Ella is to go with her, & Miss Butler, Charlotte's Governess. Mrs. Wayne had a Lunch yesterday, to which we went. She expected Mrs. Barnwell, & her daughter, but they did not come, Mr. B[?] had unexpectedly returned. She expected Charlotte but she did not come on account of the girls & their lessons. -

Mrs. Brown and her step daughter came, she is the wife of the Methodist Missionary, quite a good looking & educated woman. E. stopped at the Church to practise on the organ, & came to the lunch. Mrs. Wayne had adorned her person in her peculiar style, a bunch of black lace in front of her head, a pink rose on each side like two horns, and pink strings hanging down. Her own perfect satisfaction with herself was pleasant to see; we had sausages, lamb chops, rice, & sweet meats, and she is very hospitable. -

Mr. Lewis has taken rooms at the Miles house, and Mrs.

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John Vanderhorst is introducing his daughter, Julia, they have receptions. - He seems very fond of his children, & to be trying to make Julia have a nice time. -

Charlotte, her girls & Governess came to tea, an unsettled looking afternoon. The music on Sunday was not as good as it will be for Elizabeth did not understand about the stops. -

[Feb.] 21

We had Annie Heyward and Ann Barnwell to dine on Wednesday, & Papa & Mrs W. expected, but her horse lame, she could not come

Annie H. is quite a nice girl, she has taken charge of her little sisters since her Mother's death, and looks like an amiable, motherly girl. She took the Sulphur Baths this Summer, and her hair fell out, she now wears a wig until it grows and looks very well in it. -

Ann B. is clever, but rather sharp, she is a very good looking girl, and has quite a taste for dress. -

March 5

Mr Grimball went to Town to see about the boys. We understood they were to be ordered down to Morris's Island & he wished to give them, William & Arthur, a little money towards fixing themselves comfortably. He found they were not at that time ordered: so he left an order for $50 with W. to be used if they seem to require it.

Papa went down on Monday and we went over to pay a visit to the Aikens, found Mrs A. at home, better I think, and Miss A. talked away pleasantly, as usual.

On Tuesday visited Mr Elliott and his wife and invited

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them to dine with us the next day. Mrs Wayne[,] Mrs Vanderhorst were also of the party and the dinner was quite a pleasant one. I am very glad the thing is over, for it was to be done. Mr Elliott is an intelligent and pleasant mannered young man. -

Things remain as they were.

March 15

There seems to be every prospect of a peaceful arrangement of the difficulties between the North & the South. The Forts will be given up, and we will go on as usual. I have been reading some old letters for the last week, and they interest me so very much, they are from my Grandmother Manigault to my Mother, and there are also letters from some of her Sisters to her, they commence in 1807, about which time my Mother was married, and end in 1822 in which year, the 22 of September, she died, being crushed in the fall of the house they lived in, on Sulivan's Island, during the storm of that year. It is the history of a whole family, contained in these letters, and the lesson, the shortness of life. These letters give an insight into the domestic life of very accomplished people, and the charm which elegant tastes surround life with, are very perceptible. My Grandmother's style is very fine, so simple, & so clever, & she describes the events daily passing around her, in a fascinating manner. My Grandfather lived in South Carolina and determined to move to Philadelphia where he died soon after the purchase of an estate in the country, of Apaplexy , brought on by anxiety of mind, & worry. In 1815 Emma died of consumption, in 1817 Caroline

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died, in 1818 Charlotte died, the tome of these letters, the gradual change from full happiness to the sad desolation of being nearly alone, just Ella & I with her, is very painful, the effort to be cheerful, the yearning for Mama's society. She died 2 years after. It was not usual then for people to express themselves on religious subjects as they do now, and therefore it is not proper to judge of my Grandmother's feelings on this subject by what she does not say. -

In the first place, her husband, who was a most devoted one, died when they had been married 22 years. My Mother died when she had been married 16 years. This March we have been married 31 years, is this not a cause for thankfulness. Here is a man cultivated, very much in love with his old wife of 51 years and, although not in robust health, getting on, more amiable than he was, more easy in his means and my children, such as ought to satisfy any woman, - but I wish they, the elder ones, could be settled, married well, it is for the happiness of a woman & for that of a man. I could wish that Elizabeth was well married and Berkley & Lewis; William might wait a little longer but if anyone very desirable should offer I would not object. I cannot alter this, and I think it better so, than married in an unsuitable way. -

Elizabeth went to pay a visit to Mrs Vanderhorst, we expect them back to day . -

The pledge Lewis gave his Father the last Spring in

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March he faithfully kept, and when it expired, he said he would not take another until he found it necessary. - He seems so unsettled, so restless, I am truly sorry for him, and I pray for him. -

[March] 20

Mr Grimball wondered at my enjoyment of the old letters, and says he does not like to hear them read, although he did not know any of the people. I say, for that very reason I enjoy "them", they are no longer here but I rejoice that such charming, elegant people belonged to me, & their memory & their lives, delight me. My Grandmother I loved, and she more than returned the affection. Aunt Caroline we also knew. Aunt Charlotte, Aunt Harriet, Uncle Wilcocks, Miss Mease, Mr Vaughn, Mr Short, my Great Grandmother, Aunt Deas, Aunt George, Aunt Balfour, the Smiths. Incidents in the letters bring them all to me again. -

Elizabeth returned from Chicasee with Arnoldus who remained with us until Monday, and then went on to the City. He dined at Papas on Saturday. In the afternoon we had an early tea, Mrs Barnwell, Ann, & Emma Manigault were here, and it was pleasant. Elizabeth had a nice time at Chickasee. - They all dined with Charlotte on Monday. - We have had snow. -

John is now Lieutenant on board the "Lady Davis", the first war vessel of the State.

29 March

We found that the list of Navy Officers published did not include John, and went to the City to have it

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rectified, or to find out why John was left out. - John says they have not come down to him yet, and he is acting Lieutenant, and receiving 15 hundred dollars, is in active service. -

I had a very pleasant visit, the boys were affectionate and attentive, and I had a good shopping, the children are pleased with what I got. - Mrs Wilkins was suffering from her eyes and Eliza was not feeling well. -

Papa does his business very loosely and is now engaged in a law suit with Simons about a canal. All the people who can testify in his favor are dead, with but one or two exceptions, and he has no papers to show. William has the case, and Nelson Mitchel has been since engaged in it. - Mrs Wayne has a Northern woman to visit her just now, rather a second rate sort of a person. - Mrs Mitchel.

Things are just the same in regard to the Fort, Anderson is now to be starved out. - All this time he has been allowed to furnish himself from the Market with fresh Provisions, - which is carrying out Scripture "feeding our enemy, and doing good to those who do evil to us."

Charlotte has Mrs Bulow & Mrs Gummage on a visit to her. C. did not altogether like them as visitors but she asked them last Spring & felt herself obliged to confirm it this April. They are much talked about and therefore not desirable friends, Mrs B. a pretty, clever, coarse woman, with a little dog & a riding horse, Mrs G. a middle aged[,] uneducated[,] coarse, woman, with

Page 21

a little grandaughter , very delicate and worm afflicted, in her looks. -

We have stopped the early teas.

Mrs Wayne & Mr Mitchel came to see us by invitation & take tea, they evidently expected a party and were dressed, we had no one and with the aid of Music, passed the time.

12th April

Things seem at last to have reached the War point. The 17th Regiment has been ordered down to Morris's Island, and The Northern Government have sent to inform the Southern that they intend to reinforce the Forts, and collect the revenue. A fleet is expected off the Harbour, and every thing is in a state of preparation. - 4 of the boys are on duty, Berkley in the Sumpter Guards, and Arthur & William in the Cadet Riflemen. Lewis wants to volunteer in the Sumpters, I think he ought not. John is now on constant duty, and seems actively engaged; he wrote to us yesterday that he had been in Town for Anchors, and found the house deserted, only Adam, covered with White Wash. He said he was alive but he could not say kicking, for he could hardly move one leg before the other, he was so tired. - Mr Grimball went down to see about the boys, and found them all gone, he will return on Saturday, and then we shall hear. All yesterday I was in a most terrible state of anxiety and misery, about my boys - but I know my case is not different from others. Mrs Elliott, the Mother of William's Captain, has her

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only child down there, Mrs Lowndes her only son, & many others, but mine are very fine boys, and very dear to me, still they must do their duty to their State; and I put my trust in my God, & their God, my Savior & their Savior, - and I Pray for them & for myself. - The Government at Washington seem full of duplicity, and in looking back to the conduct of the seceding States, there seems to have been a truthful and noble faith, actuating them.

Fortunately, before things came to the War, the interest was paid on the money at the North, and I have mine now in Charleston, six hundred and ninety seven dollars. I am very glad of this for it will help us through the Summer. -

Mrs Bulow & Mrs Gammage have left Charlotte, they were sent for. -

Went to Papa's this morning he had been to Mr Barnwell to hear the news. Mr B. wrote to his wife that yesterday at 1 o'clock Gen. Boregeard demanded the surrender of the Fort from Anderson, he replyed he could not with honor, and this morning at 5 o'clock the war began, we have not heard the guns. The news is that the "Harriet Lane" U S S is out side with troops and supplys .

14th [April]

Lewis went down yesterday afternoon and returned today by an express train, he brings us news that Fort Sumpter is given up, after a gallant defence, when Major Anderson evacuated it, he requested to be allowed to salute his Flag, and Gen.

Page 23

Boregard said, that he had defended his command so bravely that he should be permitted to do so. He wrote to his wife a letter which was sent to Gen. B. to forward, he had to open it, - and it was said to contain these words, among others, "My Government have shamefully abandoned me" and I shall now fight and die like a man".

There were none killed on either side, the Fort has been destroyed inside, - Officer's quarters burnt. -

The men looked thin & smoked up with the shells which were most of them sent by Stephen's Battery; Fort Moultry was uninjured, 5 men wounded in the evacuated Fort. -

How thankful we are, not however as much so as we ought to be;

Yesterday after Church I stopped to see Papa, this I always do on Sunday and these visits are very pleasant to me. He loves us all in his way & gives me some oysters which he buys from Mr La Roche's man who brings them for sale to the Church, - and I hear family news. During this excitement and anxiety I do not think Charlotte has been very kind in her manners, she I have no doubt felt, but on such occasions people ought to express themselves to be understood, I find her an excellent, well principled woman, with a disagreeable temper, & no manners: but in this world we must be thankful for the good we find in those who belong to us, and not judge them too harshly. -

Page 24

Charlotte has on many occasions been kind to us all, and I thank her. Mr Grimball remained in Town until tomorrow. - Mrs Butler writes to Papa that the Overseer came to her & said he had a letter from Mr Pierce Butler saying he must send a boat to take his to W. Simon's & send Eleck. She ordered him not to send the boat and that Eleck was waiting on her. She said she was there, in charge of the property, & would continue so, has written to Judge Law to confirm her action she says her case is a very hard one, and she deplores it. Richard seems to be very ill, spits blood, & coughs, and she writes very wofully of him, & says she certainly will not leave him in Georgia, he has an Overseer, and leaves things to him. Charles also has an Overseer, and being engaged in fixing guns in Fort Pulasky, and expecting to be in a steamer in coast guard all summer will be able to visit his Plantation, & see about his affairs, I don't think Richard & Charles get on very nicely, - & I am sure it must be Richard's fault, for Charles is a very kind, good tempered man, and Richard has always been very self willed & passionate. -

Harry during the transaction of our business together wrote me a very nice letter, he expresses a kind interest in my boys and I love him for it; and he hopes still for a Reconstruction. That may be hoped for but can never, never, be.

There have been too many bitter feelings between the two sections and it seems to me it would have been just as reasonable for us to be rearranged as British provinces soon after the Revolution broke out, as for us to go back to a Government with our taunting, Fanatic, Northern brothers. -

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15 [April]

This morning we received a very pleasant visit from Charlotte, she feels but does not know how to express herself. Mr Aiken also came over and paid a very pleasant visit. He told us of the early history of General Boregard, he was a graduate of West Point & the second honour man, he had become very much attached to Virginia Scott, the daughter of Gen. Scott, & was refused by both parents but accepted by the young lady, she wrote to him but his letters were repressed and hers ceased after a time. This preyed on her health, she went into the Catholic Convent at George Town, and there died, before her death she sent for Gen. Boregard and saw him, he explained to her that he had always written, the letters were kept from her. She died, but 6 Months after he married another. "Men have died and worms have eaten them but not for love". - (And now has a second wife).

In this days paper there is an account of the evacuating of the Fort Sumpter. Anderson has gone to the Fleet, this is the first time the U.S. Flag has been lowered, and now to the Palmetoe Flag. -

There seems to be a determination on the part of the Northern Government to war with us. When Major Anderson fired the salute to his Flag, 5 of his men were wounded, & 1 of them died immediately, the other not expected to live. This is very strange. I think my State has behaved most entirely according to the dictates of humanity, & true courage, in the treatment of the people in this Fort, they were fed, and beaten, & honourably dismissed. -

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We have done well, & I this morning read a commendation in the papers "the World", an Abolition journal, of the conduct of South Carolina, "throughout this contest & since secession" . The unselfish bravery with which she had conducted herself". - May God bless and keep us, is my prayer, and may peace be restored to these States, may we each, North, & South - Governed by those who best understand our rights & our wants, I mean ourselves, be good neighbors & help each other on in the road to prosperity. -

On Sunday the scene in St. Philips was very affecting. Our Bishop Davis, now very feeble and blind was led up to the pulpit and returned thanks to Almighty God for his protection & his mercies. He, too had a relative among the troops. - Mrs Wayne went down to the City on Saturday and the cars being very much crowded & late in getting down. Lewis had to charge himself with the getting these two Mrs W. &her Mitchel in a carriage. It was 12 o'clock at night before they all got at home. Lewis found no one but his father at home & he seems quite well, the war agrees with him.

22 April.

Virginia has seceded and all the border States seem to be coming in: the movements of the U.S. Government have been very suicidal every act tells in a way to benefit us. There has been a riot in Philadelphia in which the Black Republican spirit was fully exhibited, all the accounts tend to shewing a determination at the North to sustain the Government and so there is at the South; - I believe this will give peace.

Arthur was sent up from Morris's Island to the City

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to get over an attack of Dysentary . Mr Grimball went down to see after him. -

Every where there are commotions great and small, in Charleston. Taking Fort Sumpter, up here. Mr Elliott said he would hear the children their chatecism and Harry although he has been learning his for 6 years did not know it so said Mrs Barnwell of her two, Richard & Ella, she said she felt as if she would be humiliated, I told Mr Elliott of Harry's deficiancy. So last Sunday the children went up, after a most charming sermon addressed to the parents, and said their chatecism very well, H. had learnt his all the week, & Mr Elliott gave them some books which they either are to read & keep, or return. - Mr Elliott is to preach 2 more Sundays, is to recieve 3 hundred dollars, for the 3 Month, - and will come back next winter. - Mr Dixson the Presbyterian Minister has resigned, from ill health, - and gone away. -

Yesterday Mrs Wayne came late & spent the evening. She took tea, & went away at 1/2 eleven, she gave the history of her Mitchel. She was married at the age of 16 to a young man named Hardenbrook, he had a large fortune, settled it seems on his children. They were divorced, and she took her maiden name, the children are given to the father's Mother & she is allowed to see them. 2 little boys, 1, 4, the other 7. Mr Hardenbrook this lady says is a very abandoned man. I do not think her manners

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impress favorably. - Mrs Wayne gave a very amusing account of her ox, & little blue cart getting Mrs Rosalie Mitchel's heavy baggage to the cars, the ox several times took to the woods & swamp. This animal is large and harnessed with blinds, an old horse fixing. Mr Lewis has hired Russell Middleton's house on South bay for the summer, this Mrs L. does not like the place, is rather too public. She is shy, & not always attentive to her appearance. I am glad of her being there for I like her. - The Governess they had early in the winter was a very mischief making woman, she wrote notes to Mr Lewis, noticing Annie's treatment of Julia, her step daughter, trying to excite him against her. - Spoke in a most disorganizing way to the servants. -

The last visit we paid to Mr Barnwell, Ann spoke in great disgust of Miss Juliet Elliott's malicious style of remark, she said several things calculated to excite them against Charlotte & Heyward. Ann, & her Mother said this did not have that effect, but disgusted them with Juliet. - Poor old woman, a bitter, spiteful temper is a fearful companion. -

25 [April]

Mr Grimball returned and brought up John, who is now a Midshipman again, with the prospect of being made Master, like the rest of his date, as he resigned when his State did, 2 weeks before his examination, had excellent letters from the Officers who were on board the Macedonian with him 1 of course from the Captain, and an unusual honor, one signed by the other Officers, - he seems to have through all the stirring events of

Page 29

this winter, conducted himself well, & Gov. Pickens who gave him a Lieuts. commission. always behaved well to him. -

He sent his letters to the Secretary of the Navy, at Montgomery, and the reply from Malory was that owing to all the circumstances of the case, it should be presented to the President for consideration, and Gov. Pickens endorsed a letter from John to the same effect. - So the matter stands.

Papa has been arranging a plan for Mrs Butler to reside for the summer at Grass Knowl , a healthy place & belonging to Georgia: Charles having a home there suited to his Plantation. She wrote that she was very much disgusted with her situation, and the annoyance of contending with Mr Butler, who had arrived in Darien to take posession as soon as she left. We hear that she has gone North so suddenly that she had not time to write; if she can live there without any annoyance from owning Southern Property, or rather being supported by it, I think she has done best for herself. For 34 years, ever since her marriage, she had enjoyed a degree of affluence and fashion, there, which must have made her identify herself with the people & with the place. She is now a very stout old woman; & these comforts which she has there must be very dear to her. She has been much separated from her own family, and is accustomed to her luxury, & her loneliness. - I hope she may enjoy the former, all her days, & have the other remedied by the society of her daughter & grandchildren.

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24 April

Charles writes to Papa that he has been ill with Dysentry, he was better, and had been so kindly treated by Mr Nightengale and Comodere Tatnel. He says after this his letters are to be directed to Captain Morris. - He is in charge of the Warship. He had a very fine colt at Papa's which in this letter he requested Papa to send to him as he wished to present it to Mr Nightengale. - The colt died just a few days since, and I am sorry for Charles' loss, but I do not think Mr N. would like to accept such a present: as his daughter has refused Charles. -

Mrs Butles had joined a party going North, the journey was to be very long, round by Tenasee . The Cumberland river, Ohio river to Pitsburg in Pennsylvania. -

Mr John Elliott's Father preached for us & gave the Communion on Sunday, the son is a better preacher. - The old gentleman looks stuffy and fading away, as we all are. - The mails are stopped from the North, and consequently we are quite at a loss for news; the last accounts were very warlike, from Maryland there had been a meeting between the people of Baltamore & the troops coming from New York & Pennsylvania, ordered to Washington by Mr Lincoln. Lewis is trying now to get his Company, the St Paul's Rifles to volunteer to go to Virginia in the 1 Regiment, Col. Johnston Petigrew commander. They don't seem so willing, these men, as the Officers & Lewis have been going round the Parish to try and get the complement of men. On Saturday they had 12, including Officers, and they require 45.

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I don't think they have much chance.

Lewis seems to have been very unsuccessful in his plans up here, he tried raising hogs and finding it would not pay has sold out to some man in the Pineland who I am sure will never pay him, his whole stock for $80. -

8 May

The boat has gone off to Town, and carried our numerous things and some of the servants and Elizabeth, Ella, & Lotty go off on Thursday and we the next day, Lewis takes them down and returns the next day to remain up here until Monday. He is now to be ordered on Coast duty. Bing Smith hopes to be Col. of the Regiment, and Lewis to be Captain, these young men have been all the winter in a state of great expectation and generally disappointed. - I wish they may get something to do, and feel more quiet. The war is arranging its self in and about Washington.

Virginia has Gen. Lee in charge of her forces. There is not a great desire to fly to her aid, in fact we are all to be subjugated and must first secure our honors. Every thing progresses slowly, but after the success of Sumpter, I hope successfully. The points now to be attacked are all in Virginia except Fort Pickens, in Florida. -

This is the 3 winter we have passed in this very comfortable establishment and I am I hope sensible of the very great advantage of this for we formerly lived in a rickity old

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house; still there was a great deal of happiness there, shewing that being all together & loving each other, secures happiness, independent of wealth. -

We are to dine at Papa's to day , a last meeting for this season. Papa's case seems to progress in the most uncomfortable manner. He had a conversation with Simons at the Agricultural dinner, which he wished Lewis to witness about, and as L. is friendly with Simonds it was not very pleasant. In this talk Papa spoke in a very irritated way to Simons and in consequence of it he had forbidden any negro to pass through the canal, if they do so, he will punish them. - I think if he had been kept at the North his case would have progressed much better, he does not understand about business, and in not conciliating in his manners. -

Charleston, May 1861.

We came down on the 10 the Girls & Lewis the day before. All got down comfortably & found them well in Town. - Since that time the servants have been sick one after another, & I have been quite ailing, the house had to be rearranged to accomodate the family. Papa has the front room on the street, a very comfortable one which he seems to enjoy greatly, his servant, Charles, is with him and he looks better than he did in the country but he is an odd person in his manners. He quite ignores William in the Law case and seems rather vexed with him one can't exactly tell for what. I expect the secret of the whole thing is that my

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Papa is not very sensible, which he can't help, we are born with an unequal share of mental gifts. -

The boys are all up stairs in 2 rooms 5 of them, a sort of Barack, but they seem comfortable. Lewis is off on an electioneering effort at Whippy Swamp, to get Bing Smith made Col. that he may be Captain, & so go to war. - Heard from Mrs Butler, she had arrived at her comfortable home and seemed very thankful, gave the girls some pretty worked handkerchiefs, & me a lovely wooden butter tub, the top of which got broken in the Packing. - Elizabeth wrote to her, I think she will get along very comfortably there, her affairs seem very much involved. She wishes Papa to let her Mortgage the Money he has given her, 19 thousand dollars, & 10 thousand dollars, to Papa Lewis & James what she owes them. There was a very good crop harvested, & sold, and one never can understand this business. - We have seen Luise North, Marianna Petigru, Mrs C. Manigault, Harriet, Margaret Barnwell, & Ann, Dr Porcher, the Wilkinses, all of them, and are getting into the usual rutine of the summer.

We have not been able to get a pew in St. Michael's Church this summer as yet and may as well give it up. The old lady we generally hire from goes down to the Island and Gen. Boregard objects to people going there as the Island is under Martial law. -

25 [May]

John went off this morning in the Cecile to join the Lady Davis at Beaufort, he packed up his things in my room,

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and seemed very much pleased with his position. He got a new trunk, and placed his clothes in good order. When I advised some particular course of conduct he informed me he was 21, and felt quite able to take care of himself. Papa and himself act like red rags on one another.

Lewis has not succeeded in getting his commission, Bing Smith is still Captain, and Lewis Lieutenant, he is in Town and seems desirous of improving himself in his profession. - Arthur is the only one we feel very anxious about just now, the whole family life must greatly surprise Papa. So much ease of intercourse between Parents and children. -

8th June.

Lewis not being able to get a commission determined to go to Virginia as a private and Mr Henry Lesegne gave him a letter to Col. George Deas, & I gave him one, too, as he is my Cousin. Martin gave him a letter to Capn Cuthbert, he went off looking rather grave. It is a serious thing to leave home under such circumstances. He had a fine minie rifle got from Elliott, Captain of William's Company. If any thing happens to the gun it has to be paid for. His pistol a purchase of his own, a blanket, a skin to sleep on which could also answer to keep his knapsack dry. He has joined the Palmeto Guards and hopes to see some service. There seems to be a war spirit abroad with the young men, so many are going to Virginia. -

9th [June]

Papa went to Somerville to visit Russel Middleton, he returned quite charmed with the place and the good living. -

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Gov. and Martin dined here last week. Adela is going to have another baby, this will be the 5th it is really terrible. -

Papa is very naive, he told me he was better here than he had been because of his diet at my table. The Market, is high and I pay nearly $2 each day for dinner, when by ourselves it costs me 50¢.

10 [June]

We got on as usual, the weather is very warm. The war progresses slowly and not always satisfactorily. - Elizabeth had Miss Aiken, the Manigaults to tea, Mrs Vanderhorst & Mrs Wayne. - Mrs V. has given several parties the last very handsome. Miss Adele is the attraction, Mr Arnold the beau, William thinks it promises very fair. A. Vanderhorst has gone to the War, hoping to be made aid to B. Gen. Bee. - There have been sailing parties and Evening parties. -

The news from Virginia is rather warlike, we are all the time kept anxious about the state of affairs but time seems just to strengthen the cause of the South, and make it more probable that we shall succeed. -

I had a visit from Mrs Trenholm yesterday evening and found her very pleasant. She spoke kindly about my sons, said they were so well considered in the community and that Arthur was an honest high toned young man. Mr T. said so & he knew for he had business transactions with him. All this was very pleasant to me. -

June 29

Lewis writes very pleasantly about his campaign in Virginia, I rather think he likes the excitement. His

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Company have moved forward and form the advance guard of the Southern Army, and this he likes, he would prefer remaining in Virginia to keeping his Commission of Lieutenant.

The St. Paul's Rifles have been ordered to the Coast and are at Clarks Bay where they are not likely to see any service. - John is in Beaufort. -

July 11

Mr Grimball and Papa went into the Country to day , it has been very warm. Lewis writes from Fairfax C. H. on the eve of battle for an over coat for a grey flannel Jacket for woolen socks and crackers & cheese, and says it is quite cold where he is at night and when on guard duty he suffers very much. His usual covering is 2 blankets. -

Papa is going to Buncomb with C. & W. engaged a room and sets off on the 20th. He has given me a barrel of small rice and $50 to buy something for myself. He gave each of the girls, E. & L. $30, & Elizabeth $40, he gave me $50 in change for house keeping & Mr Grimball one hundred bushels of seed rice. All this is to help the living. He gave Lewis money when he went off, and a little bible. - Which was very kind. -

The Wilkinses have had 2 little teas which, as they have a piano went off nicely. - We have had two, the last included Mr & Mrs Lewis, H. Manigault, and a Miss North who sings very well & is very fat & has red hair. She wishes to go to Europe, and be cultivated for a public singer, but cannot get her parents to consent to it, they live on ill terms with each other.

Ann Barnwell took Elizabeth to drive with her yesterday

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afternoon, and poured out her discontent with life, herself, and all the world to Elizabeth. E. said she had been struck with a remark in a Novel of Thackery's she had lately read, "to a good natured man the world is pleasant and kind, but to one who is misanthropic the world is very crooked and unhappy" so, if she would feel more interest in people they would please her, and she would be happier. -

We have had a constant succession of afternoon visitors, and Papa has been rather struck with it. -

In this dreary world where feeling, except for self, seems no where, it is affecting to hear of such love as this. - Papa went the other day to see Mr Alfred Huger and said he was waiting to go to Buncomb with his daughter Charlotte. He looked at him and his face all alive with feeling said "Morris, is she any thing like the one she was called after.["] He assured him his daughter was altogether lovely and of good report. To which Mr Huger replyed ["] I have never for one hour had her out of my mind, the pressure of her hand, when she parted with me I still feel, and I would to day , old and crippled as I am, walk a mile to serve any one I thought it would please her that I should.["]

The history of this heart affair is this; when Mr Huger was a young man, he addressed my Mother's sister, Charlotte Manigault, and she loved him, but my Grandmother could not reconcile herself to another of her daughters being, as she said, sacrificed at the South, so she induced Charlotte to refuse him

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and I think she never got over it, her younger Sister Harriet married, and she attended the death beds of 2 Sisters, and died herself, a victim to consumption. So, in fact, my Grandmother sacrificed her to the North, & I have always felt as if I had been unjustly deprived of a very charming Aunt, for I knew her, & loved her. -And Mr Huger, who really loved her & loves her still, married a woman older than himself, a poor little, dreary soul who had nursed a Sister of this gentleman in a lingering illness, in which the two were brought much in contact, and sympathy, and so a match of propinquity took place. No children, but now in his old age he has in his house the children of a nephew who has lost his wife and with these young people about him, and thinking of his lost Charlotte, life is nearly for him ended. -

I have been quite ill with a pain in my head & stomach. In the years that have passed of my married life I have when ill dragged round after my duties with weak wretched feelings. Many times I have knelt down and said family prayers with a faint heart & swimming head from weakness. Now my children are grown I intend to try the other system, go to bed when I feel badly, and be waited upon, and if I live long enough shall end by pursuing the plan I like best. For the 12 confinements I had: - Motives of economy induced me to only 4 times have a regular nurse, and only twice for a whole Month, the others I had what I could get at home, & the regular nurse here was with me 2 weeks.

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I believe now this was a mistake, it was thought that I really did not wish a nurse, and not that I made a sacrifice to what I considered necessary economy. - I recollect now the feeling of nervous misery, when ill, with a baby; a head paining, & the noise of children running up & down stairs, doors slamming, &c., & that restraint which the presence of a stranger in the nurse would have occasioned in my sick room, not there; & the dreary details of expenditure discussed at my bed side. Well, I have had, & now have, many blessings, but were I to begin life again, at such times I would have a nurse & I would nurse myself. -

July 26th

Papa left us for Buncombe on the 24, he went off in a furious annoyance at not being called for before half past eight so he quarreled with the hack man, I am glad he has gone, for his rigid ways became disagreeable. We did as well as we could for him, & I believe he was satisfied with his visit. - The Grand Northern Army left Washington, horse foot and flying artillery, Regulars, & Volunteers, and sang jubilant airs along the road. A strategic movement on the part of the Southerners brought them on to Bull Run, where the forces were ready to meet them, and where there was a dreadful battle. Loss on both sides and the Northern Army completely routed, all their Batteries taken and some thousands mowed down. Gen. Bee fell Mortally wounded, sustaining a desperate assault. Col. Johnston fell soon after he reached the battle, Bauregard was there, Gen. Johnston

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took the colors of a wavering Company, and led them to the attack. Jeff Davis was on the field, and in short it was a glorious victory.

Today there is a grand Military Funeral for Bee & Johnston & Gen. Bartow who also was killed in the fight goes through to Savannah. -

May the Almighty Protect us and make us thankful. -

This battle was fought on Sunday. - Charles paid a nice little visit here and looked so well and in such good spirits I was delighted to see him, - We have not heard from Lewis since the battle.

The ladies are all as busy as possible forming themselves into relief societies for the wounded soldiers, and also to prepare clothing for them in the winter, which will soon now approach. We have some work to do, 10 long shirts for sick men. Papa gave the money for the cloth and Charlotte gave $10 & Mr Grimball $5.

28 [July]

The accounts from the battle continue to come in, and the Southerners seem to have behaved with the greatest courage and their Officers most successfully. -

There were services in the Church to day to return thanks for the Victory. - We understand The Palmetoe Guard, Lewis's Company, repulsed a regiment and acted in the most approved style of valor. -

Charles gave me an unhappy account of Richard, he seems to lead a dreary lonely life, and manage very badly. -

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10 August

We heard from Lewis, a full account of his fatigue & the Victory. Henry Middleton, a private in Hampton's Legion was Mortally wounded during the fight, since dead, a great lose to his family. He managed all the Large Planting interest brought home and interrod at the Magnolia.

The Town since the Battle has been divided into societies for the Relief of the Wounded & Clothing for the troops. Elizabeth belongs to both. Miss Hayne requested me to be one of the managers to the Aid Society which I declined, but we made some long hospital shirts and when they were sent to Miss Hayne, 10 of them, she said they were very nice and afterwards meeting Elizabeth on the Batery said they were the best sent to them & should be ticketed for "Officers". It is amusing for when we made them we all said as we sewed this is for a Col. &c. &c. E. goes to Miss Drayton's twice a week to cut & to sew I think she will learn to sew &c which she does not know much about. Mr Grimball applied to Gov. Pic for a Commission for Lewis and got an answer to day , he could not offer him anything but an Assistant Sergeant's Place. I don't know if Lewis will accept it. -

19 August

Things go on very successfully. The Southern forces have beaten the Union Army in the West. William was made one of the prize commissioners and went to North Carolina to see after a prize. He placed seals on it and took possession and returned home, - rather a fatiguing journey to Beaufort on the Coast. Since his return the Governor of N. C. has taken possession,

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too, so the matter has to be decided in Court. W. might get 1 or 2 hundred dollars for his work: - perhaps he will only have his expenses paid. There is much fever all over the Country now, and also in the City, Typhoid. The accounts from the Army are that 20 thousand troops are ill & wounded &c., and that the South Carolina troops are the worst provided & the North Carolina the best. The Counties are assessed in that State & the men provided in that way. There was a sad accident on Sulivan's Island, Mr Tom Porcher trying to save his niece while bathing was drowned, also the young lady, Miss Ellen White, 14 years old. -

Papa writes that he has been suffering from his gout. -

24 [August]

Received a letter yesterday from Lewis he hopes to soon get home & accepts thankfully the Commission of Assistant Surgeon in the State Forces, and in reply to Arthur's wish to go out to Virginia if in no other way as a private, says he had better not, for it is the life of a Hound, and now unless they enlist for the War, recieve no pay and have to support themselves. We hired a carriage the other afternoon and paid some visits. We paid $3 and fortunately got through 8 in the upper part of the Town, Miss Nowels, Miss Mazike, Mrs Hayne, Mrs Taber, Mrs Alice Heyward, Mrs Trenholm, Miss Turnbull, Miss Mitchel. - We shall after a while have to get it again.

Lotty is learning to draw this summer and seems to like it better than Music. - Ella & herself have a nice set of friends. -

There has been quite a flare up in Mrs Wilkinses' family,

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the poor things do so want a ruling principle, every one does as he or she pleases, and they all are self indulgent, and indolent, in short badly brought up. Gov. has got himself into a miserable trouble, quareled with his father in law, his wife, an adopted child and has a large and increasing family. She, Adela, is one of the self indulgent ones, and must go to Greenville every summer, leave him to annoy his Mother & sisters.

His little daughter died at Grahamville, little Eliza, from neglect. Adela was ill at the time. He rules at his Mother's, is rude to his Sisters and induces Martin to be so, too, they all had a war talk and are now better friends. In my family, the Morises, they often quareled , but they always made up. The Wilkins's are very rigid people and can't forget they have through the ill management of Berkley Wilkins & Gov brought into non intercourse with the Taber concern & the T. Lowndes. I think people ought never to quarrel with any one.

1 September

Lewis arrived from Virginia and went up that night to see about his Commission. He returned yesterday, having been obliged to wait several days to see the Governor. He had companions, for there were many there waiting for the same purpose. He returned having received his Commission he is to apply to the Surgeon General or some such person and then he will go some where. I think upon the whole it is the best, as he will be in the line of his profession. -

He looks well and upon the whole I think it has not

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injured him. He says it was the life of a hound and all the evil selfish feelings brought out. In this Palmetoe Guard one day Capn Cuthbert would be very pleasant & easy with the men and soon after, like a raging lion. Many shirked duty[,] lied, stole, and others had to work all the time because they stayed in Camp and were quiet, many of the flourishing tales we heard of prowes on the battle field were made up for home. What poor creatures we all are!

Heard from Papa he says Charles writes to him. Judge Law wrote to Mrs Butler she must come South. P. Butler is in Fort Lafayete New York Harbour, a prisoner. Mr Wharton her Phila lawyer is also in prison. Julian McAllister is promoted to be Captain in the U.S. forces. Mrs McAllister is with her Mother with her 2 younger children. - Ann Barnwell has an admirer in Lionel Nowel he is a clerk, gets 15 hundred a year & is said to be a very gentlemanly man.

The Troops are said to be still suffering from fevers, &c., in Virginia. The Hospitals I expect are under the charge of inexperienced Surgeons. After the Battle we heard that the legs and arms were sawed off and thrown out of doors & windows and many lives lost from ignorance. Lewis has brought home a Dressing Gown taken from a Yankee's trunk a pistol a bowy knife a picture of a little Yankee girl.

After a great many delays Lewis got his appointment

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and the next day at 7 o'clock went off to Cole's Island where some troops are stationed. We fixed him up and now it is proposed that Lewis should to applied for a Confederate appointment from Walker. - Mr Grimball is to write a letter to that effect I suppose nothing will come of it but one can but try. - Striving is the appointed way. - We made 4 calico shirts for Lewis and fixed him up as well as we could. We have constant rains now. Lewis said with regard to the Camp life that men did there what they would be ashamed to do at home.

15 [September]

Heard from Lewis he is satisfied finds a friend in one of the Lieutenants, Tatum, an old schoolmate from Abeville has one hundred and 50 men under his charge and a very good Hospital Steward who saves him much trouble. The letters to Walker are not answered, one from Elizabeth to Mrs W. who was an old friend at school.

The Marion Artilary have been ordered down to Sulivan's Island. Martin who is now Lieutenant & Berkley W. are with this Company, B. as Commissary they seemed to like it very much. Martin had to purchase a sword and gave in this time of scarcity for an Army sword $40. - the usual price it $15 $20 with belt & chains. The war progresses very slowly and as yet it looks very dark and endless. A must trust in the Good God who has protected us so far. -

19 Sep

My dear Lotty has had an attack of fever now for 3 or 4 days Dr Geddings says Typhoid which is always lingering. She is the most patient child never says a word and takes

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her medicine and is still. -

Oct 2

Lewis had a flare up with the Cap of his new position, North Edisto, and like a foolish boy gave up his Commission. This distressed Mr Grimball very much and he persuaded himself that if Lewis had time to reconsider this step he would repent. So he got the Department to allow it to remain until Lewis could be communicated with. We have not heard from Lewis, since. But suppose he has determined to remain the pay is 13 hundred & $20 a year. The post is very out of the way and Lewis did write but his letter was lost by the young man with his own papers the boat having swamped. -

Lotty is better she had the fever 14 days is now up & better. -

October 19

Mrs Butler was written to by her Lawyer and came from the North by the way of Washington where she got a permit from Gen. Scott, was forwarded to Fortress Monroe and from thence to Norfolk where she arrived with a Flag of Truce. She left Cornelia at School at the North. She looks very well is thinner than she was and still very handsome, expects to go to Georgia the last of the Month to be there perhaps to the end of the war.

Things seem to go on so slowly, and are so ruinously low and high that I suppose at the end of it we shall be in a deplorable state. I think it was all right to sepparate from the North but to us as a family it was just ruin. -

The Northern property was then sold, and we were about

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to realize something from it the prices last Fall were very high, & now this is all over and the attainment of positions are so difficult the boys have nothing to do now apart from the war.

John is a Lieutenant, which he greatly enjoys, but William & Arthur are much in need of Commissions they belong to Militia Companies they do not pay except on service. The regular companies always pay & always have something to do, such a young man as William seems to deserve all distinction, but it is not easily got. - How dreary life is & how sinful we are. -

There have been some interesting speeches in Court, about the sequestration of property of alien enemies, Mr Pettegrew Nelson Mitchel on our side and others against their view. -

Mrs Butler is at the Mills House & has dined here twice & spends all her evenings with us. Her daughter is at her place at the North. - near Philadelphia. She comes on to secure her property. After spending 3 weeks here she went on to Savannah and had her business arranged to her satisfaction.

The Yankee fleet attacked Hilton Head and Bay Point silenced the Batteries there and are now in Broad River. The poor Beaufort people fled in every direction, leaving the Town to be sacked by the negroes. The Batteries were abandoned it is now thought too soon and as is always the case where there is a failure it is considered mismanaged. Gen. Drayton, Trapier &

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Ripley & Lee has come on from Virginia to take charge. Troops have come from North Carolina to assist, and they are waiting to protect the Rail Road. The Women were seized with a perfect panic and many fled into the interior, such terror stricken creatures disgrace their Revolutionary Ancestry. William, Berkley & Arthur are with their Company encamped at the Race Ground every day or two they come in and I see them. John paid us a visit and it was charming to see him he has been away all the Summer. Berkley is not very enthusiastic about Military affairs, and finds the camp life perfectly horrible. It is very amusing to hear him recount his annoyances, damp hay to lie on, & such a hard bed, was in a nice mess, but did not know how to arrange paying his share, got some tea & sugar to put in and went off rather pleased. Charles has been passing the Summer at Savannah in the same house with Miss Emma & Miss Clem Wallister and not long since he offered himself to Miss Clem was accepted & engaged 3 days when Miss C. found out she loved another Charley & not Charley Morris so C. came here with Mrs Butler, & having business in Savannah returned there and having a conversation with Miss Emma again reconciled himself to Miss Clem & arrived here in a state of great beatitude was now engaged & to be married on Wednesday 20 Nov. On the 15 a telegram arrives telling him to come to Savannah & then another to come on alone so we are all in a maze fearing Miss Clem has again pranced off and Charles went off yesterday & was in Savannah at 8 this morning.

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He is so crazy to get married it is quite ridiculous. Ella says when Clem first pranced off Charles having just recovered from an attack of fever was terribly nervous & Miss Emma & herself had to administer nervines to him and sustain his sinking spirits & on one occasion when Miss Emma left the room he said he thought it was a pity he had not addressed Miss Emma. Last summer Richard who is here told Ella Charles felt himself very near dying and told R. if that happened he must give all his effects to Mrs Nightingale which highly insenced Mrs B. who has always been very kind to C. She says at any rate she would keep the things she had in charge the Nightingales should not have them. - Richard looks very well & is very agreeable, he is stouter & improved in appearance. Papa & Mr Grimball came to Town on a visit, both looking well & reporting all quiet and going on as usual. We are to stay here for the present. Mr Grimball will be on the Plantation keeping the negroes together & I taking care of the girls, the boys in the tented field: -

The Yankees have not made much progress, a Flag of truce came from the fleet to one of the Batteries and one of the Officers said they had no wish to disturb quiet & loyal Citizens, the reply given by Captain 0 Barnwell was there were no such about there. Mr Edward Barnwell has his nephew Cap W. Barnwell, the son of the Rev. Mr Barnwell at his house desperately wounded by accident by a pistol said to be a very clever young man. His Mother & Sisters are with him a very sad case. Arthur made $51 in the Medical Director's office which

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enabled him to purchase with others a tent. John is in Wapoo with his Davis. - John is now here with his Davis quite busy & happy. Charles has married Miss McAllister and brought her here, Clementina, as she chooses to be called. A woman of the world, of good family & in peace times would have 40 thousand dollars. Has red hair a good figure & add is a sensible educated woman, quite accustomed to society and will manage Charles & take care of his money & make him very happy. Mr Grimball writes that Pinebury is a Military Station and seems to be having an interesting time there entertaining the Officers. - There is a detatchment of Cavalry on the lawn, 2, 6 pounders at the Bain landing, a bridge of Flats accross the river.

I think we are in dark & trying times, and I am afraid. The people of the Sea board so loud in their expressions of determination while the war is in Virginia feel very faint now that it has come upon us. The Yankees have landed on Tybee & put up the Flag, so these two States, Georgia & South Carolina have now the Flag of the enemy floating on their coasts. In Florida they have Brag to Fight it out on the Coast, Pensicola fortunately for them Gen Drayton & Trapier are not men to be depended on, they have not heads to command. Gen. Lee, who was thought slow, & said to be a grand General he is superior over all.

The Camp seems to be a nice place William, who has lost his watch a gift from me (I think through carelessness) says they live very well in his mess. He looks very well indeed.

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Dec. 5

The war goes on and the panic which took possession of the Town and caused people to rush off in great haste to the interior, Columbia, Edgefield, &c, has rather subsided. Old Mr Matthews finding that the Yankees landed 7 miles from him burned down his Mill, his negro houses, his crop, his sons' negro houses and crop. It is said he was in rather an excited state . The poor Edisto Planters have met with great loss & annoyance. We are on the Frontier and Mr Grimball intends making some arrangements about the provisions and negroes but still hopes to plant the crop. -

19 Dec.

There has been a terrible fire in Town and a destruction of 4 Churches, the Circular, the Catholic Cathedral, and St Peter's & a Methodist Church & the Quaker Meeting. Many fine houses destroyed and great distress. The fire broke out in a sash & blind factory and the difficulty of getting water and the previous drought and a very high wind which drove the flames caused the general destruction. This fire began at Cooper River and burnt across the City to Ashley River, the Institute Hall, St Andrews Hall, the Savings bank, & Art Museum, all destroyed, many of our friends have been sufferers, among them the Reids. Mr R. is a very kind man, and has often been amiably interested in our affairs, and now in his old age he has been deprived of his home, he is the President of the Bank of South Carolina. -

The fire burnt from 9 o'clock one night to the afternoon of the next day.

The boys have been ordered off on duty as far as John's

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Island. Mr Grimball paid us a visit to condole with his friends, & see the destruction. Mrs Butler & Charles & Clementina have gone off to pay a visit to Georgia on business, Mrs B. intends now going to Papas for a visit, and to save money, which with her is getting rather scant. - The expenses of the property are immense and this year the prices were small. The night of the fire Mrs Butler[,] Charlotte[,] Clementina[,] Charles & ourselves sat up and the piaza was crowded with baggage from the Miles house. My 5 sons were in Town from the Camp at the Race Grounds on guard duty & I felt very glad they were here. Lewis was up from the fort and John from his vessel. Lewis is up to day his situation is a strange one he has an appointment from Pickens and is now notified that he will not be paid or recognised he has to go to Richmond to be examined he is not well and it is very annoying these are the ups & downs in this world. I feel as if I should never get over the fright of the fire and the expected bombardment of the Town, my things are all packed up, in trunks and bags and our silver is sent to the Bank at Camden for safety. - Mr Reid had that arranged for us. - The drought continues, and the alarms of fire are frequent. -

27 [December]

Xmas has passed we had a quiet time and enjoyed a Turkey a ham and a plum pudding with the Girls Harry & John. The Wilkinses declined dining with us and I felt rather provoked at it. Lewis came from the country quite sick and has since been under treatment Dr Giddings attending. He says this has been

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a long time coming on & Lewis thinks it began in Virginia, where he was very much exposed.

February 1862.

Lewis has recovered after an illness of 3 weeks. We nursed him faithfully and people were very kind in asking about him, he has now passed his examination before the board here & is waiting for orders, in the meantime has gone in the country to pay a visit to his friend Sinclair, on the 10th he will receive his orders. John has had two bilious attacks, now better. Charles and Clementina gone to Savannah where he is now on duty & her brothers are there too. Mr Grimball has paid several visits to the City & brought Adam down to assist in nursing Lewis. - We were fortunate that Lewis went before this board, for Dr Giddings was one of the Surgeons and when it was through and Lewis had left the room with the intimation that he was to return the next day to be informed how he stood they called him back and told him he had passed, this I think he owed to the kindness of Dr Giddings, who knew how ill he had been. We have reason to be very thankful for all this and I hope now he will earnestly devote himself to his profession. -

John is here in charge of the Lady D, & the Gun boat: he would rather be in Savannah where there is a prospect of some service. -

27th Feb.

All the boys except W. are now out again, B & A joined the Marion Artillery and Lewis the 1[?] Regiment Infantry as Assist Surgeon quite distinguished with his uniform &c. William

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still unfixed. Lotty and Ella & Harry have had the Measles are now better. Things are very dark just now & for ourselves ruin seems pretty certain. The whole Country seems to be abandoned to the enemy and the troops are to be concentrated in Charleston & Savannah. The Episcopal Churches are open for prayer and we have had in succession two fast days last Friday and this. Thy will be done is the prayer and when we really feel so there is some comfort. John is in Savannah in command of 5 guns living in a Flat and highly delighted with his situation.

The Militia of the City was disbanded and is still in an unorganized state. William has applied for a regular Commission, and is still uncertain of getting it. Berkley & Arthur joined the Marion Artillery as the most agreeable Company being composed of gentlemen. -

I dare not think of the consequences or this war, our ruin and the loss of my brave boys but we are sadly in earnest, and I pray we may succeed. -

6th March

We are now in the midst of a great calamity 84 of Mr Grimball's negroes went off all together to Edisto we think of course they are the best. Mr Grimball is quite unstrung by it. Fortunately Berkley can come to him and William is still out of Military position and they both can be with him. We shall perhaps remove from the City and Berkley has gone to look for a place in Anderson, or Pickens, to remove to with the remnant of

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the negroes. I hope Mr Grimball will be sustained through this heavy trial. John & Lewis are in good positions, Lewis gets 13 hundred dollars & John $15 hundred a year which supports them.

I was very much touched this morning by a visit from my Uncle, Mr Charles Manigault who offered me the use of a house of his with 8 rooms as long as I needed it free of rent. This was entirely unexpected.

8th [March]

Mr Grimball & W came down yesterday with the people remaining, they are lodged in the Jail or work house.

My poor husband finds himself terribly tired by his situation & I really think without God's mercy he would sink entirely under it.

Mr James Rose the President of the Rail Road Bank told Papa I might draw on his bank for the sum which is due to me and Papa must write to Harry to deposit the Money in the Bank of England. This was another unexpected kindness.

25 March

John wrote to his father & to me offering the use of his Confederate Bonds and 9 hundred dollars of his pay which is very kind. - I hope Mr Grimball may not be obliged to use it. Berkley made a visit to Pickings & Anderson and found it impossible to procure a suitable place. Mr Kirckland, the Methodist Missionary who resided in our neighborhood offered to rent us his house furnished to put the negroes out to service, to come for the family and proved his sincere goodness in every way. Berkley has such offers of kindness from Mr Paul Felder of

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land rent free that he went to Orangeburg but did not succeed.

Mr Robertson the factor offered to let Mr Grimball send his negroes to his plantation, he giving the 4th they made and paying his brother for looking after them. The place is 22 miles from Town and the land poor & the accomodations a barn and Overseer's house. The plan although not a promising one was being acted on. Mr Aiken offered his vessel to carry the negroes to this place when Professor Porcher sent a letter round with an offer from Mr Duboise Porcher to take the negroes and have them work for their food and clothes. They were all brought from the work house 1, Dick, with Typhoid fever. We have been very much tired with the nursing, Elizabeth & I sit up every night until 12 to give medicine & nourishment. Dick is better but Nat has caught the fever from him and is now quite ill and we have the prospect of a time nursing him. Troubles never come alone & we are now in the midst of many. Mr G. had trouble in selling his corn & M. W. Pringlee the Quarter Master wrote up to the man in Adams Run to take the corn by force at 1.10¢ when all over the Country they were offering 1.50. This letter was shown to Mr Grimball -

1 April

Mr G. has been wonderfully relieved by the placing the negroes with Mr Porcher and is now in the country selling his rice. The Dr has left Nat and I hope they will soon be well enough to go to the country. I feel dull and anxious.

There was a stampede 66[?] negroes from Combahee the

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other day 3 hundred from one of the Blakes Walter.

May 12

We are now in a great state of excitement, all the low country getting into the upper country. Flying from our Ruthless foes, we expect an attack and people are leaving their houses and families[,] servants and furniture, crowding up to the Rail Road. The upper districts are crowded with this unusual population and food is not abundant or cheap. The people in many instances take advantage of this state of things and put a great price on their houses refusing to rent but choosing to sell. Papa came from the country in wretched health and after remaining with us 3 weeks went with Mrs Butler to Spartanburg and there intend spending the summer. We have since heard of all his Bonyhab negroes going off and some of the Mount Hope. I expect they will all go. He is very weak and can hardly stand this state of things. -

Mr Grimball went to Darlington to look for a place to put his negroes and to stay himself but saw nothing very satisfactory. A farm of 150 acres 15 miles from the Rail Road and a house in the sand hill near Darlington Court House. - He then went to Aiken and could not get fixed there it seemed too near the enemy. - We are now trying in Spartanburg, the last thing proposed was to take with Mrs Barnwell the Cherokee Springs for 1 thousand dollars for a year, Mrs B. paying 500. & we paying 500. Mrs Wilkins dividing our part with us. Mr Grimball went up to arrange it if possible. I do not feel at all certain about it

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for he might now refuse to rent it to us for that sum. -

The Town is nearly deserted by the Inhabitants, there are some soldiers in it and the poor creatures will soon suffer from the effects of the climate, people look forward to a terrible summer. I feel perfectly dispondent at times but there is no use in that we must bear it as well as we can. Since the Fall of New Orleans and the Giving up of Nolfork I expect to hear of all sorts of dreadful things and it will be only necessary for the Gun boats to come here to have them take possession of the Town. - La!

16th [May] Spartanburg St John's College left wing.

Mr Grimball moved us up here last week we hired a car for $75 and brought some furniture and all our clothes and some bedding and have established ourselves here, we hope only for the summer but it may be longer.

The Journey was performed comfortably and we had to remain 2 days at the Hotel as our things were not taken out. Papa & Mrs B. were there and our rooms were ready. We thankfully left it on Monday for I hate a Hotel life and we are now as comfortably fixed as circumstances will allow. The building is not entirely finished we have the use of 2 large rooms, up stayrs , and a turret room large enough for Harry to sleep in, there are down stayrs 3 rooms and one a very large one which we make by using screens left here, a pantry, dining room, and drawing room. The supply of articles of food excentric , and as yet no appearance of

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any quantity.

Mr Wilkins came up with her daughters soon after us, she declined sharing with us the college as she said the accomodation for the servants would not answer. They have two large kitchens, and one very large room which has the two ends cut off for Josey & Adam & their wives, and Patsy & Peggy & the 5 children sleep in the middle of the Hotel as Peggy calls it. Mrs Wilkinses servants came here at first and it was very crowded, and rather noisy. Maria, a little girl they had in the house died here, she was very ill when she left Charleston and might have died in the cars. Mrs W. hired some rooms for her servants, and they have moved away. She is at the Walker House with her daughters they find it not nice, every one complains. - Most people stay a few days and then locate themselves, she is trying to do so. -

Mr Grimball had a very sudden and violent attack the other night and I sent for Dr Boyed, he sent me a powder to administer morphyne , and said he had a very sick child, and no one to leave it with. I prefered he should see Mr Grimball, and sent in a servant to take charge of the child, he after a time came up here and prescribed. The attack he said was gravel, he cupped Mr Grimball and with the Morphyne he was relieved. He went to Charleston to day , intending to see Dr Geddings. -

The boys write pleasantly from the Marions, William has been disappointed in getting a Commission, John is on board the Arkansas the Confederate Ram on the Mississippi. -

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Up here there are no outside shutters and we have to hang curtains to all the windows, and in my room there are the white curtains I had soon after I was married, nailed up to the windows. - I hope Mr Grimball will soon come back. Papa and Mrs Butler propose coming up here and joining us in house keeping. I hope it will act pleasantly and lessen our expense.

Just before we left Town Mr Rose notified me he had received $1360 for me, it is kept in his bank until called for that is a little sum in reserve I hope we may be able to get on. -

June 25

Mr Grimball still in Town but expected to day, he sent me a letter from Mary Wilcocks about Mrs McAllister, Mrs Butler's daughter. Her health is in such a critical state that it was thought proper to inform her Mother. She was dreadfully distressed, and at once said she would be glad to go on to the North to see her daughter. - Mr Grimball will go with her to Richmond to get her through. - if possible. This breaks up our pleasant housekeeping, but I am very glad we are here and able to have Papa with us, for he is very feeble, and much changed by his troubles and his age. -

Mr Wilkins is fortunate in getting a small house containing 4 rooms for $15 per Month where she will live with her daughters more comfortably, and she thinks more reasonably, than boarding. -

Gabriella and Charlotte were confirmed in Charleston just before we left there and last Sunday it being Communion Sunday I had the great comfort of having my 3 daughters with me

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partaking of that Sacrament. - I pray that they may earnestly walk in a Christian life.

The Battle near Richmond is a glorious victory for us we have met with great losses in the lives of valuable young men but this with the signal repulse on James Island are very telling in shortening the war. - Letters from Mr Grimball from Richmond, Mrs Butler still there hoping to get through. The Rail Road had been torn up and if she succeeds in getting through she will have to ride two days in a carriage to Fredricksburg. -

We are getting on here well enough I think now we need not have left Charleston at all, but the Change will be of great service to all of us and already has done Gabriella a great deal of good. William has made another unsuccessful effort to obtain a Commission that way to distinction is evidently closed to him, and we may just as well reconcile ourselves to it. I feel very anxious about John, he wrote to his Father asking for money and was sent a letter containing $50. which he never received and as he was put to inconvenience by it we are quite annoyed. -

He was at Atlanta Georgia getting Ordinance stores for the Gun Boat. -

23 July

We have heard from John, he has been through a severe fight in the Arkansas and was unhurt.

There is a Mrs Stevens up here who is the wife of the 1 Lieutenant on board the Arkansas & we have seen her. She

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sent me word she had just lost her Mother and was not visiting, but would be glad to see me. I went there with Mrs Irwin and found a very graceful educated woman. She has no children and is very anxious to join her husband. Yesterday she wrote me a note enclosing a telegram from her husband saying John was well. This was the second note she has written to me about letters &c received from her husband. -

We pay $40 per Month for this East Wing of the St John's College. Papa stays with us & has the use of the 3 rooms down stayrs a stable for his horse and the waiting of his man & his maid. This last was brought up here to please her husband Adam and he pays $40 per Month at the Walker House he payed 38 but Charles was boarded had a room & much command of scraps here he shares with our servants and they have daily 10 quarts of Meal & Clabber for breakfast & soup for dinner made of half a Cow head we get them from Market for 10¢ a piece. Our Cow which cost us $24 is quite a comfort she has a calf and grazes in the enclosure 75 acres with Mrs Irwin's Cows & is fed with mash and husks morning and evening. The Calf is kept up and ensures her return. -

Elizabeth teaches Lotty & Harry, and through her kindness they are not left in perfect ignorance. I am afraid it tries her temper greatly. There is a State Institution near this Village for the Blind & Deaf & Dumb. We visited it and were pleased with the exercises. Mr Grimball is now here dull &

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miserable at the prospects of the family for the future when the money we have now is spent what will become of us. I hope we will be provided for, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Elizabeth hears from Clementina she says "Our pay has been reduced and still I put up every Month a treasure for Charles, he says he walks up and down his room and thinks of the sums he has squandered on trinkets["] &c, &c. -

We are 3 quarters of a mile from the Village and can easily walk there, we go to Church on Sunday. Papa drives me there but he is now disgusted with the Services being irregular, and that the people the Vestry, have refused Mr Hunter the priviledge of preaching, saying he is a Yankee, (which is true,) and that he is trying to get the place from Mr McCollock who is the Clergyman, he is to preach one Sunday here, & 1 at Union. Mr Hunter had a Church on Santee & a Planting interest which he sold out, - and while he was allowed to preach here alternated with Mr McCollock. -

Mrs Hunter is a very pretty & agreeable woman we have seen her often. -

The Repulse of the enemy on James Island in which the Sumpter Guards played so conspicuous a part and in which Captain King, Mrs Sue Petigrue husband was killed & Lieutenant Edwards and several others, - was a very great matter. The Yankees seem now to have given up the idea of attacking Charleston. The Victories before Richmond and the success of the Arkansas at Vicksburg all make one hope the war will not now be long & the cotton

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famine in England seems slowly & surely progressing. We have some brave Partisan Officers Col Morgan is now in Kentucky ravaging the Yankee stores & taking little Towns. -

30th [July]

This morning a letter was received from Baltamore to Mrs. Butler announcing her daughter's death on the 30th of June at New Port very suddenly. Mrs. Butler was then in Richmond. I am glad she vvent on for she will be better satisfied. We suppose she was at her own house at Norwood near Philadelphia with her Grand children- Elizabeth was a beautiful spoiled child and always seemed a very strong and healthy person, her death so young is a terrible affliction to her Mother. -

Mrs. Stevens the wife of John's 1 Lieutenant has been very kind in getting her husband to join John's name with his in the Telegrams he sends and she always lets me see them. I feel very much her kindness and we went yesterday to thank her and found her at home looking very sad she has no children. - and would like to join her husband.

5 August

Mrs. Stevens wrote me a note yesterday morning to say that she had permission from her husband to join him at Vicksburg and she would be glad to take letters or a parcel for John so we all wrote letters made them in a packet and gave them to her for she came in the afternoon to see us. This morning she went off on her long journey to reach her husband. I hope she will get there safe, and find them well. I showed her the Ambrotypes of my 5 eldest sons & introduced her to John. -

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We were all very much delighted a few days since by getting a letter from William announcing his change to Fort Sumpter he had received a Commission from Richmond as 2nd Lieutenant in the Calhoun's Artillery, we had given up all expectation of W's getting any thing and I am very glad for us all and particularly for his sake. - There had been so many applications for him and all had so entirely failed. The last was in the Sharp Shooters his name was put down by Gen Evens but the Major's Bing Smith was one made interest to have his name taken off and a friend of their own put in the place. This was a very disagreeable thing and we all felt worried by it, but now if his health is good in our climate there is always a terrible risk in a change and fever seems to lurk in every place. I feel very anxious about him & John. We sent down his trunk and as in this out of the way place there is no express. Adam was sent to Columbia to put the trunk, and a parcel containing the sheets and the key of the trunk in the express, it cost $5. 50 the whole thing. -

19 August

We have received a long letter from John giving an account of the 3 engagements in which he was in the Arkansas they were most brilliant and the vessel did wonderfully for the Machinery evidently was not of sufficient force to make the vessel effective. The Majestic way in which she moved was as fast as she could go. The end of this was naturally the destruction of the vessel. We are now most anxious to hear from John he

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sent us a drawing of the vessel and which he wishes photographed and we saw by the Papers that the last engagement of the poor Arkansas ended in her being blown up by her own crew they all escaped to the shore. -

Mr & Mrs Vanderhorst are up here for change of air they remained a few days in the Village spent an evening with us, were at the Palmetoe house, and then to the Cherokee Springs. Arnoldus Vanderhorst has had a duel with Alfred Rhett, neither of them hurt, the bench of honor managing the affair.

23 August

On Tuesday 19 August after Tea, John came to us, having a furlough, to get his clothes. He traveled a long way, and it was a great comfort to see him, but he only remained with us 2 days, he has gone through many perils, and is unhurt, but he returns to the Battery, where he is stationed at Vicksburg, and is very much exposed to the climate. - I felt dreadfully at parting with him, but these are times of such miserable anxiety and there are such family losses, that we have a sort of stunned and bewildered feeling, as if we were all struggling on some dusty tiresome road, and had at long intervals a pleasant meeting, and then our friends passed on, more quickly, and we lost sight of them. The war seems to be as far from its end as ever, and what is to become of us, should it continue?

Mr & Mrs Vanderhorst stopped here on their way to the Rail Road. Arnoldus was with them he is an unmannerly young man and just now looks miserably having been sick in Virginia. -

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About 3 weeks since, Heyward Manigault paid us a visit of a week occupying Mrs Butler's room next to Papa's. He was very quiet and seemed pleased. Charlotte has written to Elizabeth from Greenville where they are passing the summer that he was very much pleased with his visit and found us very comfortably fixed. He is thinking of establishing himself in Greenville moving his negroes and selling out at Wiltown. -

Mr Lewis has come up to look for a place to move his negroes & to fix his family. -

Heyward was very kind in getting me some chimneys for the lamp we burn, in Greenville & sending them by the Stage, - they fit very nicely & got here quite safe. -

Mr Grimball has bought for William and for Arthur pants up here of domestic cloth very good & sent them down. John took for Mrs Stevens a large bundle for her son, such a one as I should not like to impose upon any one for it took up so much room in his trunk and he was not able to put in his blanket and hope he did not thereby lose it. -

Miss Becky Carson came to see Ella Lotty & asked the 3 girls to tea. They went and found it very pleasant. Miss Legg called to see them, Mrs Davidson visited us & Mrs McBeth and we have seen something of Abbe Smith, these last are Refugees like ourselves. William & Wharing Mikell came up here to see their Mother & Wh's wife they paid us a visit and told us about the boys, Lewis's Col, Dunavent, is court Marshaled for drunkeness and is in Town to be tried, L thinks of Joining Ferguson's Company of Artillery to go to Tennessee. William they had seen, he

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lives at the Fort very comfortably, by their account, Lee keeps a Table d'hote at the Fort, and they all eat with him, - paying $15 per Month.

Ripley became so Morose when he got to Virginia, that his aids generally resigned. - We have not heard from John but Orders have reached here for him to join the Baltic in Mobile. I am always anxious about him. - August has passed and here is September with no great change in our affairs. - We have no reason to be very much discontented just now we have many comforts, and are well, but the anxiety about absent exposed members of the family continues all the time. William does not write in a way to make one feel happy, he seems disappointed, and that is not pleasant. - Arthur got his pantaloons which were sent to him. Berkley writes in a quiet resigned spirit, which is rather soothing, and Lewis in an affectionate way about his brothers, which we all like Arthur in good spirits, about what surrounds him. -

September 2

Elizabeth devotes all her mornings to teaching Lotty & Harry and in so doing tires herself very much and in the case of Harry is conferring a benefit most thankfully received. I know no one so cultivated and elegant in her manners as Elizabeth, or accomplished, she has a disciplined, and highly improved mind, and is the help to her parents & her brothers & sisters, and the adorning attraction to the family circle.

Gabriella is trying earnestly to cultivate herself, and I am afraid labours too hard to attain her object. She is

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graceful and elegant looking & posesses a natural cleverness of expression, very admirable, but her morbid feelings are the cause of much unhappiness to herself. Lotty will be very handsome when she is fully developed and through E's care she will be a cultured & elegant young woman. - Harry is naturally clever but is not steady enough to do very hopefully. -

Ann Smith & Mrs Eddings came to see us yesterday afternoon & Juliett Eddings, Miss Atkinson from the other Wing came in to tell us good bye she is going to pass some time with her Sister, Mrs Dozier the wife of Lieutenant D who has a house in Charleston. -

September 5

There are great successes to our arms in Virginia and I fear great losses. Mrs Irwin our landlady came in after tea to tell us of it a very kind hospitable woman quite a register of family events in the society which surrounds her, but although she narrates well and accurately and takes one through the lives of those she talks of from the cradle to the tomb the perfect ignorance about these people, except from what she says makes one take no sort of interest in them, it is just simply life & death. - Dr Whiteford Smith who is the President of the Colledge up here paid us a visit yesterday morning, and made me feel pleasantly all day. A clever, good, genial man, his only son is now with the Army, and he told us they had felt anxious to get warm clothes for him, and his wife a great contriver, had taken the checked flannel out of a large cloak of his and made some shirts for him, he bought a thick great coat, and intended

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going to Virginia to see his son and give him these warm clothes. The young man is just 18, and said he wished to take his share in thi

Journal of Meta Morris Grimball, South Carolina, December 1860-February 1866: Electronic Edition.

Grimball, Margaret Ann Meta Morris, 1810-1881

Call number 975 (Manuscripts Dept., Southern Historical Collection, UNC-CH)

JOURNAL OF META MORRIS GRIMBALL South Carolina December 1860 - February 1866

Copied from original in the SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C.

JOURNAL OF META MORRIS GRIMBALL (MRS. JOHN BERKELEY GRIMBALL) DECEMBER 1860 - FEBRUARY 1866

December 10 1860. -

[December] 15 [1860]

29 December

31 December

1 January 1861

[January] 7th

[January] 12th

[January] 30th

10 Feb.

[Feb.] 21

March 5

March 15

[March] 20

29 March

12th April

14th [April]

15 [April]

22 April.

25 [April]

24 April

8 May

Charleston, May 1861.

25 [May]

8th June.

9th [June]

10 [June]

June 29

July 11

July 26th

28 [July]

10 August

19 August

24 [August]

1 September

15 [September]

19 Sep

Oct 2

October 19

Dec. 5

19 Dec.

27 [December]

February 1862.

27th Feb.

6th March

8th [March]

25 March

1 April

May 12

16th [May] Spartanburg St John's College left wing.

June 25

23 July

30th [July]

5 August

19 August

23 August

September 2

September 5

Journal of Meta Morris Grimball,
South Carolina,
December 1860-February 1866:
Electronic Edition.

JOURNAL OF
META MORRIS GRIMBALL
South Carolina
December 1860 - February 1866

Copied from original in the
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, N.C.

JOURNAL OF META MORRIS GRIMBALL
(MRS. JOHN BERKELEY GRIMBALL)
DECEMBER 1860 - FEBRUARY 1866