May 1864, prisoners and mortality

"John Boykin died in a Yankee prison. He had on a heavy flannel shirt. They were lying on an open platform car, on their way to their cold prison on the lakes. A Federal soldier wanted this shirt. Prisoners have no right, so John had to strip it off and hand it to him. So that was his death. In two days he was dead of pneumonia. Maybe frozen to death.
One man said, 'They are taking us there to freeze.' But then their men will find our hot sun in August and July as deadly as their cold Decembers &c&c are to us. Their snow and ice finish our prisoners at a rapid rate, they say. Napoleon's soldiers found out all that in the Russian campaign."

May 1864

"General Lee was to have a grand review the very day we left Richmond, and quantities of people were to go up by rail to see it. Turner McFarland writes, 'They did go, but they came back faster than they went. They found the army drawn up in battle array.'*
How many of the brave and gay spirits that we saw so lately have taken flight—the only flight they know—and their bodies left dead upon the battlefield."

*At Gordonsville, Virginia, on April 29, 1864, General Lee reviewed the First Corps of the Confederate army, commanded by Longstreet. Three days later, Union troops under General Grant crossed the Rapidan River and, on May 5, the battle of the Wilderness began.

24 March 1864, comic relief

"Miss Page Waller married Captain Leigh Page the other day. Now she is Mrs Page Page. Someone said she had turned over a new leaf—still, she was the same Page."

19 March 1864, Richmond, "the toy boy"

"C. C. also told us of a new toy—Fitz Lee's new-found joy—a little negro boy. This toy, when wound up, danced Ethiopian minstrel fashion. Fitz Lee sings corn-shucking tunes and the toy boy dances. C. C. has already made the little black boy two suits of clothes. He is the delight of Richmond salons and is so much handled his dress soon grows shabby."

12 March 1864, Richmond, the truth be told

"Went to see Mrs E of the Treasury. She related with an air of great amusement what she called the first truth ever told in Clarendon. A man said he would not go into the army for fear of being killed.
Then the lamentations of his mother-in-law: 'To have him stay at home—an overseer of negroes—and to give as a reason that he is afraid!'
We admired this lady's delightful candor."

26 February 1864

"Finegan in Florida and Stephen Lee in Mississippi each claim a victory. On account of the latter success, no fears are now felt for Mobile. Our papers are now jubilant. The mud keeps all armies quiet. Beneficent mud! No killed or killing on hand. No rumbling of wagons laden with dead or dying.
We enjoy this reprieve. We snatch a fearful joy. It is a brief interlude of comparative peace."

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.'"