18 December 1863, Richmond

"[J. C.] came straight home and found the party in full blast.
He did not know a word about it. How could he? It grew up after he left home. I trembled in my shoes.
He behaved beautifully, however.
If he had refused to dine at the president's because he wished to attend a party at my house, he could not have done better. He seemed to enjoy the whole thing amazingly. Played casino with Mrs Lawson Clay, looked after Hood, &c&c.
Today he spoke. I was very penitent, subdued, submissive, humble. And I promised not to do so anymore.
'No more parties,' he said. 'The country is in danger. There is too much levity here.'
So he laid down the law."

9 December 1863, Richmond

James Chesnut, Jr
(1815-1885)

"J. C. laid down the law last night. I felt it to be the last drop in my full cup.
'No more feasting in this house. This is no time for junketing and merrymaking. There is a positive want of proper feeling in the life you lead.'
'And you said you brought me here to enjoy one winter before you took me home and turned my face to a dead wall.'
He is master of the house—to hear is to obey."

5 December 1863, Richmond

"Spent seventy-five dollars today for a little tea and sugar. Have five hundred dollars left. J. C.'s pay has never paid for the rent of our lodgings since the war began."

Stonewall Jackson, in hindsight

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
(21 January 1824-10 May 1863)

"And now that they begin to see a few years more of Stonewall Jackson would have freed us from the yoke of the hateful Yankees, they deify him. They are so proud to have been one of the famous Stonewall brigade.
Like to be a brick from that wall.
But to be sure, it was bitter hard work to keep up with Stonewall Jackson, as all know full well who ever served with him. He gave his orders rapidly and distinctly and rode away. Never allowing answer or remonstrance.
'Look here. See that place. Take it.' When you failed, you were apt to be put under arrest. When you reported the place taken, he only said 'Good.'"

28 November 1863, Richmond

"Then I gave a party.
Mrs Davis very witty. Preston girls very handsome. Isabella's fun fast and furious. No party could have gone off more successfully, but J. C. decides we are to have no more festivities. This is not the time or place for such gaieties."

The death of Frank Hampton

"Altogether it had been a pleasant day. And as I sat alone, laughing lightly now and then at the memory of some funny story, suddenly a violent ring—and a regular sheaf of telegrams were handed me.
I could not have drawn away in more consternation if they had been a nest of rattlesnakes.
First—[Lt. Col.] Frank Hampton* killed at Brandy Station. Wade telegraphed Mr C to see Robert Barnwell and make necessary arrangements to receive the body. Mr C still at Wilmington. I sent for Preston Johnston, and my neighbor Colonel Patton offered to see that everything proper should be done.

Frank Hampton
(1829-1863)

That afternoon I walked out alone. Willie Munford had shown me where the body—all that was left of Frank Hampton—was to be laid in the Capitol.
Mrs Petticola joined me for a while and then Mrs Singleton. Preston Hampton and Peter Trezevant with myself and Mrs Singleton formed the sad procession which followed the coffin. There was a company of soldiers drawn up in front of the State House porch.
Mrs Singleton said we had better go in and look at him before the coffin was finally closed.
How I wish I had not looked! I remember him so well in all the pride of his magnificent manhood. He died of a saber cut across the face and head and was utterly disfigured. Mrs Singleton seemed convulsed with grief. In all my life I had never seen such bitter weeping. She had her own troubles, but I did not know. We sat for a long time on the front steps of the State House. Everybody had gone. We were utterly alone."

*Frank Hampton was served in the Confederate Army under his older brother General Wade Hampton, Hampton's Legion, 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry. He was killed during the battle of Brandy Station in Virginia, June 9, 1863.

A picnic, interrupted.

"...up rode [John Darby] in red-hot haste, threw his bridle to one of the men who was holding the horses and came toward us, rapidly clanking his cavalry spurs with a despairing sound. 'Stop! It's all up. We are ordered back to the Rappahannock. The brigade is marching through Richmond now.'
... At the turnpike we stood in the sidewalk and saw ten thousand men march by. We had seen nothing like this before. Hitherto, it was only regiments marching, spic and span in their fresh smart clothes, just from home on their way to the army.
Such rags and tags—nothing alike—most garments and arms taken from the enemy—such shoes! 'Oh our brave boys!' moaned Buck. Such tin pans and pots tied to their waists—bread or bacon stuck on the ends of their bayonets. Anything that could be spiked was bayoneted and held aloft.
They did not seem to know their shabby condition. They laughed and shouted and cheered as they marched by. Not a disrespectful or light word. But they went for the men huddled behind us—who at last seemed trying to be as small as possible and to escape observation in our rear.
'Ladies, send those puny conscripts on to their regiments.'"

August 1862 - September 1863

"I destroyed all my notes and journal—from the time I arrived in Flat Rock [North Carolina]—during a raid upon Richmond in 1863.* Afterward—I tried to fill up the gap from memory."

*While the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, was fought to the north, detachments of U.S. Maj. Gen. George Stoneman's cavalry rode within several miles of Richmond on May 3-4, 1863, in an effort to cut communication lines.