11 P.M.

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I dreaded the approach of night so much and now when ever I hear a footstep or clashing of a sword, my heart beats as if it would jump out, and I get so excited. There has been another soldier here tonight, but Aunt Nellie got him off. We applied to Gen. Stoneman for a guard but he could not furnish us with one. His headquarters are at Mr. Davis. I expect Jenny Davis is very glad she is not here. We have just discovered a fire in the direction of the depot, and we suppose it is the building I have referred to, and the Arsenal as we hear frequent explosions, and occasionally a shell bursts. Mr. Wiley was captured this morning as he was leaving town, and has been in the Garrison all day, but this evening he was released. All of us, except Mother, intend sitting up tonight. We have been upstairs watching the fire. What an awful and grand spectacle it is! It reminds me of the seige of Knoxville, where every night several buildings were burned. I hope the yankees will not burn the town. Oh! How many Commissary stores will be destroyed. I expect there is enough clothing here to clothe Lee’s army.

Thursday, April 13th. 5 o’clock P.M.

I slept only about an hour last night and feel very badly this morning, on account of losing so much sleep. I never shall forget last night. We expected them to set the town on fire, and we constantly watched the flames to see if they were spreading. It was a very calm night or I think the fire would have progressed rapidly. The yankees are still destroying government property and some state stores that were here. They have been behaving very rudely to the negroes today, cutting at them with their swords, beating them and tormenting them generally. I am not sorry one bit for they loved the yankees so, and wanted them to come so much, that it is right good for them. The negroes have behaved very well, that is the greater portion of them, but I suppose they heard it was a raid, and I think if they had occupied the country the greater part of the negroes would have run away from their masters. We have not been troubled with the detestable yanks today, though some have inquired of the servants if we had any gold or silver or gold watches. We have been expecting them to come in and rob us. I hope they will leave soon, for I am heartily tired of them.

Friday, April 14th, 1865

What good news I have to write in my journal this morning: The yankees have left, are going in the direction of Charlotte and Statesville, and our soldiers are in pursuit of them. A great many of our soldiers belonging to Fergusons Brigade have come in town. We were so glad to see them, but we have heard some very bad news. Gen. Lee and all his army, excepting 10,000 that are stragling over the country, were surrounded by the enemy and capitulated last Sunday, upon condition that the officers and men could go home until exchanged.

Johnston’s army is passing on south, its destination being the Savannah river. Some say that Sherman is transporting his army by water to Charleston, and from there he will march upon Johnston, while others report that he is following our army in this direction. Poor Gen. Lee and his noble men, how much I feel for them. They have done all they could, fighting an army of 120,000 men while their number did not exceed 35,000.

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