Diary, August 8, 1859 - May 15, 1865

The Civil War era diary of Sarah Lois Wadley (1844-1920), full text. An excellent read if you are into that sort of thing. In her last entry she writes: “Oh say we are conquered, if indeed it must be, but never, never let us deny our cause by sanctioning the hypocritical farce of reconstruction…. it is reported that Kirby Smith is negotiating with Banks on the basis of a general amnesty; it makes me feel wicked to write the word, it makes my whole being fierce to think that we now stand in the condition of criminals waiting for pardon, of "erring brothers" to be forgiven and received. But the time will come when it will be seen whether or not we have erred. I cannot bear to stay here, I will never call myself a citizen of the United States, let it be where it will, only away from here.”