Excerpts from a diary, 1834-1865, and memoir of early life, written by Jesse Cox (1793-1879), a Primitive Baptist minister and resident of Williamson County, Tennessee. He describes the hardships of life as an itinerant preacher, some religious...
Excerpts from the diary of William Luther Bigelow Lawrence. He details joining the Nashville Guards, the scarcity of provisions, and the surrender of Nashville. He proclaims the trampling of private rights by Federal soldiers, the fleeing of his...
This nine-page letter written from Arthur H. Harris in Monroe, Louisiana, to his brother George Carroll Harris in Nashville is a conscious political treatise. The author is advocating and justifiying the secession of Louisiana at the upcoming...
Civil Wars; War; Slaves; Agriculture; Political issues; Cities & towns
Excerpts from the Robert H. Cartmell Diaries. They contain full commentaries on the nature of his farm operation, the weather, and the fluctuations of the cotton market. They contain thoughtful comments on politics and candidates for office and...
Excerpts from a small handwritten diary written by Nannie Haskins, a young girl of Clarksville, Tennessee. Provides an insight into the day to day activities of an observant young girl. Haskins was strongly in support of the Confederacy and loathed...
Letter from Arthur H. Harris to his brother George Carroll Harris in Nashville. He writes of the pervading excitement that has surrounded the 1860 presidential election in his area. Though he is glad the contest is over, he acknowledges the death...
Letter from Robert Rutledge to his father, G. R. Rutledge, explaining the strategic value of East Tennessee and the likelihood of a Union invasion. He implores his father to leave Cleveland, Tennessee, and flee south to Georgia before such a raid...
Five-page letter written from John S. Brien in Nashville, Tennessee, to R. M. C[ornin], Esq. in Cincinnati, Ohio. The author expresses his views on secession, the Union, and Southern Rights as well as his hope for compromise. Says Brien, " I...
Four-page letter from Mary Guthrie Latta to her husband Samuel details news of their children and other family members. References are made to a scarcity of food and civilian transportation and rumors of battle. Mary proclaims her hope that her...
Letter from Robert Rutledge to G. R. Rutledge describing the state of his current encampment near his Uncle Sam and Aunt Elzira's property. He explains that due to pillaging by the army the local population now despises the Confederate army almost...
Four-page letter from Mary Guthrie Latta to her husband, Samuel, conveys her anxiety at not hearing from him and her disappointment both in his defeat for promotion to Lt. Colonel and in his inability to come home for Christmas. She also relates...
Correspondence; Children; Families; Mothers; Spouses; Civil Wars; War
Correspondence from Mary Guthrie Latta to her husband, Samuel R. Latta. This four-page letter provides information about the homelife of Mary Guthrie Latta since her husband's departure. She states that the family "is getting along as well and...
J. S. Burrow writes his brother from Chester County detailing his financial problems, his inability to collect money until cotton comes to market, his desire to move from Jacks Creek for better money-making opportunities, and his fear that he will...
Two-page letter to his son George Carroll Harris of Nashville, Elisha W. Harris writes from his plantation Waco Place in Louisiana of attending a local political meeting. He details the zest the crowd displays for politics and the presidential...
Correspondence; Mothers; Children; Families; Civil Wars; War
Correspondence from John G. Latta to his mother, Lucinda (Gilchrist). Letter is from her son in Boston and is dated August 17, 1861. He states that his family will leave Boston for Tennessee on September 3. He is very anxious to get home. He...
Social values; Domestic life; Soldiers; Military life; Military personnel; Military organizations; Armies; War; Cities & towns
Letter from Sarah Hamilton to her husband, John B. Hamilton. She is critical of the conscription, and remarks that "I have not got any man to stay with me."
Letter from G. G. Rutledge to his father G. R. Rutledge concerning a sermon by Dr. Pitts; joining a company in Greene County as a Lieutenant; the quality of volunteers for the army; purchasing new clothing; and buying flour.
Letter from Robert A. Rutledge to his wife, Mary Minerva Rutledge, concerning his lodgings; his purchase of a trunk, a cot, and a quilt; his problems being appointed assistant surgeon; and the desire of the "Lincolnites" and "Bushwhackers" of...
Letter from Robert Rutledge describing a Union cavalry raid on his camp in which several men were wounded or captured and also a fight beween Harry Henry and an artilleryman in the camp. He asks about the condition of Mr. Runion, who has small pox;...
