Two diaries From Middle St. John's, Berkeley, South Carolina, February-May, 1865: Journals kept by Miss Susan R. Jervey and Miss Charlotte St. J. Ravenel, at Northampton and Pooshee plantations, and reminiscences of Mrs. (Waring) Henagan; with two contemporary reports from federal officials.Jervey, Susan R. (Susan Ravenel)
History
Two diaries From Middle St. John's, Berkeley, South Carolina, February-May, 1865: Journals kept by Miss Susan R. Jervey and Miss Charlotte St. J. Ravenel, at Northampton and Pooshee plantations, and reminiscences of Mrs. (Waring) Henagan; with two contemporary reports from federal officials.
Jervey, Susan R. (Susan Ravenel)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate
At Blue Hole everything was thrown out of the windows. Mr. Charles
Snowden who had just returned from Aiken with his family has started
again for Camden. The Yankees camped one night at Eutaw devastating the
place, leaving Mrs. Sinkler nothing for her next meal. On her so telling
the Commissary, he had some rice mixed with sand and given her. The
Yankees returned to town by the State Road, the scouts peppering them
from the bushes the whole way. The next Wednesday (the 12th) a band of
two hundred and fifty passed, going up to their gun-boat. The 16th was a
beautiful bright Easter day. Mr. Stevens preached here to the negroes.
Aunt Nenna fixed the old brick barn (the upper story) and the children
dressed it with green and apple blossoms. Kate and Anne Porcher joined
the folks here making the white congregation. I was too tired, could not
get out; have been sick since the last Yankee visit. Pettus and his
whole band of scouts passed through the yard after church, and Uncle
Peter[59] and his company supped here returning through the next
morning. Cousin Edwin[60] died last Friday of typhoid fever, he never
got over the burning of his home. (Harbin.)
Last Sunday, (23rd April) a most exciting day. Willie and Mr. Tharin
came in just before the folks came from church, it being communion
Sunday. (I not being well, stayed at home with the children.) Just
before dinner Uncle Peter was brought in badly wounded, his hand very
much shattered and a flesh wound in his arm. His life was miraculously
saved for both loads were aimed, one for his head and the other for his
heart. He was talking to a man, in a friendly manner, on Cooper river,
when, on riding off, he saw the man raise his gun, and aim for his head.
He threw up his hand and received the whole load in it. The second shot
glanced off something he had in his pocket, tearing up his clothes,
passed through the fleshy part of his arm. The Doctor has had to
amputate his thumb. Laura was so terrified at the blood when Uncle Peter
was brought in, she spent the day under my bed. Near dark a poor
worn-out foot-sore soldier from Lee’s army begged for somewhere to rest,
and something to eat. The news we heard has proved too true; for sixty
hours surrounded by Grant’s army with nothing for man or horse to eat,
Lee has surrendered! This soldier was carried to Hilton Head, and is on
his road home to Sumter.
On Sunday 25th April we heard the Yankees were coming. Uncle Peter was
moved to Chelsea as being more off the road, but found it was only a
band of thirty men with a white flag who went up to the river to
communicate with Potter; could not get over so returned this morning by
the Congaree road.
We heard last Saturday that Lincoln had been shot in the theatre, and
Seward stabbed in his bed;--this news from a Herald Dr. Waring had.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account