Linwood Journal Entries for the years 1862 thru 1863

Linwood, LA - 12 August 1862

Another resting-place! Out of reach of shells for the first time since last April! For how long, I wonder? For wherever we go, we bring shells and Yankees.

Linwood, LA - 13 August 1862

I am in despair. Miss Jones, who has just made her escape from town, brings a most dreadful account.

Linwood, LA - 17 August 1862

Thursday, we heard from a lady just from town that our house was standing the day before, which somewhat consoled us for the loss of our silver and clothing; but yesterday came the tidings of new afflictions.

Linwood, LA - 18 August 1862

Yesterday, two Colonels, Shields and Breaux, both of whom distinguished themselves in the battle of Baton Rouge, dined here.

Linwood, LA - 20 August 1862

Last evening, after hard labor at pulling molasses candy, needing some relaxation after our severe exertions, we determined to have some fun...

Linwood, LA - 21 August 1862

Miriam and mother are going to Baton Rouge in a few hours, to see if anything can be saved from the general wreck.

Linwood, LA - 23 August 1862

He confirms the story about all the convicts being set free, and the town being pillaged by the negroes and the rest of the Yankees.

Linwood, LA - 24 August 1862

Soon after dinner yesterday two soldiers stopped here, and requested permission to remain all night.

Linwood, LA - 25 August 1862

She says when she entered the house, she burst into tears at the desolation. It was one scene of ruin. Libraries emptied, china smashed, sideboards split open with axes...

Linwood, LA - 28 August 1862

I saw the first Yankee camp that Will Pinckney and Colonel Bird had set fire to the day of the battle. Such a shocking sight of charred wood, burnt clothes, tents, and all imaginable articles strewn around...

Linwood, LA - 2 September 1862

Does it not seem that this war will sweep off all who are nearest and dearest, as well as most worthy of life, leaving only those you least care for, unharmed?

Linwood, LA - 3 September 1862

This Kentuckian pronunciation grates "hairshly" on my Southern ears.

Linwood, LA - 17 September 1862

Many soldiers were aboard on their way to Port Hudson, to rejoin their companies. One gallant one offered me a drink of water from his canteen, which I accepted out of mere curiosity...

Linwood, LA - 21 September 1862

...to add to our distress the odor of broiled chicken and hot biscuit was wafted up stairs, after a while, in the most provoking way.

Linwood, LA - 24 September 1862

Now, in present phraseology, "Confederate" means anything that is rough, unfinished, unfashionable, or poor.

Linwood, LA - 26 September 1862

...to-day we hear that McClellan's army has been cut to pieces; but whether it is the same old fight or a new one, I cannot as yet learn ; for reliable information is not easily obtained in America at this period.

Linwood, LA - 27 September 1862

I often wonder how lies first came into the world, and whether those who originate them do not believe them as firmly as any one else would believe truth.

Linwood, LA - 28 September 1862

We were roused up at four o'clock last night by the arrival of Lydia and Eugene Carter... of course, there was very little sleep for any of us, so anxious were we to hear the news they brought.

Linwood, LA - 1 October 1862

A dispatch just received from Gibbes, from Mobile, on his way home. I am so happy!

Linwood, LA - 2 October 1862

Why was I denied the education that would enable me to be the equal of such a man as Colonel Breaux and the others? He says the woman's mind is the same as the man's, originally; it is only education that creates the difference.

Linwood, LA - 4 October 1862

While Anna and Miriam went out riding last evening, just as I put down my pen, I went out for a solitary walk down the road that Gibbes would have to pass ; but saw nothing of the carriage.

Linwood, LA - 6 October 1862

Last night, I actually drew from Gibbes the outlines of Jackson's campaign.

Linwood, LA - 9 October 1862

I never was known to laugh aloud, no matter how intense might have been my mirth...

Linwood, LA - 11 October 1862

Oh, how willingly I would return to the old wreck of our home! All its desolation could not be half so unendurable as Clinton.

Linwood, LA - 16 October 1862

Night before last Lydia got playing the piano for me in the darkened parlor, and the old tunes from her dear little fingers sent me off in a sea of dreams.

Linwood, LA - 18 October 1862

Last night mother arrived from Clinton with Gibbes

Linwood, LA - 22 October 1862

We left Clinton this morning, and have just now arrived by the cars.

Linwood, LA - 24 October 1862

A letter from Jimmy, the first we have received since New Orleans fell. It was dated the 10th inst., and he spoke of being on the eve of running the blockade...

Linwood, LA - 26 October 1862

Everything points to a speedy attack on Port Hudson. Rumors reach us from New Orleans of extensive preparations by land and water, and of the determination to burn Clinton...

Linwood, LA - 2 November 1862

Yesterday was a day of novel sensations to me. First came a letter from mother announcing her determination to return home, and telling us to be ready next week.

Linwood, LA - 4 November 1862

O what a glorious time we had yesterday ! First, there were those two gentlemen to be entertained all day, which was rather a stretch, I confess, so I stole away for a while.

Linwood, LA - 6 November 1862

We three girls fancied a walk last evening, and immediately after dinner prepared to walk to Mrs. Breaux's, only a mile, and get her to come to the sugar-house.

Linwood, LA - 9 November 1862

And to think old Abe wants to deprive us of all that fun! No more cotton, sugar-cane, or ric! No more old black aunties or uncles! No more rides in mule teams, no more songs in the cane-field...

Linwood, LA - 10 November 1862

In spite of its being Sunday, no sooner was dinner concluded yesterday than we adjourned, as usual, to the sugar-house to see how much damage we could do.

Linwood, LA - 12 November 1862

Once more a cripple and consigned to my bed, for how long, Heaven only knows.

Linwood, LA - 15 November 1862

I think I grow no better rapidly. Fortunately on Wednesday night they succeeded in turning me over; for my poor elbows, having lost all their skin, were completely used up.

Linwood, LA - 16 November 1862

What if the fight should come off before I can walk? It takes three people to raise me whenever it is necessary for me to move; I am worse than helpless.

Linwood, LA - 18 November 1862

A note just came from mother, telling me that the most awful Yankees were coming to burn Linwood and take Port Hudson...

Linwood, LA - 21 November 1862

Lying on my face, as it were, with my poor elbows for a support, I try to pass away these lonely hours.

Linwood, LA - 4 December 1862

A rapid step was heard in the hall; the bride groom had come!

Linwood, LA - 7 December 1862

With a forced laugh he said, "Where is my bride? Pshaw! I know she has gone to Clinton!

Linwood, LA - 12 December 1862

My cripple friend that I mentioned so far back continues to send me the most affecting messages.

Linwood, LA - 14 December 1862

Yesterday evening, some time before sunset, Mr. Enders was announced, to our great surprise, as we knew he had been in Clinton all the week...

Linwood, LA - 26 December 1862

We had an exquisite Christmas gift the night before, a magnificent serenade, a compliment from Colonel Breaux.

Linwood, LA - 1 January 1863

1863! Why I have hardly become accustomed to writing 62 yet! Where has this year gone?

Linwood, LA - 3 January 1863

Some one suggested calling the Spirits, which game I had imagined "played out" long ago; and we derived a great deal of amusement from it. Six of us around a small table invoked them with the usual ceremony.

Linwood, LA - 4 January 1863

One just from Baton Rouge tells us that my presentiment about our house is verified; Yankees do inhabit it, a Yankee colonel and his wife.

Linwood, LA - 15 January 1863

Two months last Sunday since I have been lying here a cripple, and I am not yet able to take a step.

Linwood, LA - 19 January 1863

Wheeled into the parlor, there I beheld not my friend alone, but several other individuals whose presence rather startled me.

Linwood, LA - 22 January 1863

...I can't help wondering if he would be sticky if I touch him. Indeed, I think his hands stick, at least; for when he told me good-bye, it was with the greatest difficulty that I extracted mine from his grasp...

Linwood, LA - 23 January 1863

A very few people have been insolent enough to say to me, "Your brother is as good a Yankee as any." My blood boils as I answer, "Let him be President Lincoln if he will, and I would love him the same.

Linwood, LA - 5 February 1863

A letter from Lavinia has come to me all the way from California. How happy it made me, though written so long ago!

Linwood, LA - 9 February 1863

A letter from my dear little Jimmy! How glad I am, words could not express. This is the first since he arrived in England...

Linwood, LA - 18 February 1863

Gibbes has gone back to his regiment.

Linwood, LA - 22 February 1863

Mother has come to me! O how glad I was to see her this morning!

Linwood, LA - 23 February 1863

Here goes! News has been received that the Yankees are already packed, ready to march against us at any hour.

Linwood, LA - 24 February 1863

All our friends would be so disappointed at not having an opportunity of saying good-bye.

Linwood, LA - 25 February 1863

Here we are still, in spite of our expectations.

Linwood, LA - 10 March 1863

I had so many nice things to say which now, alas, are knocked forever from my head. when news came that the Yankees were advancing on us, and were already within fifteen miles.

Linwood, LA - 14 March 1863

They are coming! The Yankees are coming at last! For four or five hours the sound of their cannon has assailed our ears. There! that one shook my bed!

Linwood, LA - 15 March 1863

To my unspeakable surprise, I waked up this morning and found myself alive.

Linwood, LA - 17 March 1863

Yankees have gone back to Baton Rouge, hearing we had sixty thousand men coming down after them. I believe I am positively disappointed! I did want to see them soundly thrashed!

Linwood, LA - 25 March 1863

Those vile Yankees have been threatening Ponchatoula, and his battery, with a regiment of infantry, was on its way there to drive them back.

Linwood, LA - 31 March 1863

"To be, or not to be; that's the question." Whether tis nobler in the Confederacy to suffer the pangs of unappeasable hunger and never-ending trouble, or to take passage to a Yankee port, and there remaining, end them.

Linwood, LA - 7 April 1863

I believe that it is for true that we are to leave for New Orleans, via Clinton and Ponchatoula, this evening.