Carrie Berry Diary
August 1, 1864-January 4, 1865

General Johnston fell back across the river on July 19th, 1864, and up to this time we have had but few quiet days. We can hear the canons and muskets very plane, but the shells we dread. One has busted under the dining room which frightened us very much. One passed through the smoke-house and a piece hit the top of the house and fell through but we were at Auntie Markham's, so none of us were hurt. We stay very close in the cellar when they are shelling.

Aug. 1. Monday. It was raining this morning and we thought we would not have any shelling today so I nurst Sister while Mama would do a little work, but before night we had to run to the cellar.

Aug. 2. Tuesday. We have not been shelled much today, but the muskets have been going all day. I have done but little today but nurse Sister. She has not been well today.

Aug. 3. Wednesday. this was my birthday. I was ten years old, But I did not have a cake times were too hard so I celebrated with ironing. I hope by my next birthday we will have peace in our land so that I can have a nice dinner.

Aug. 4. Thurs. The shells have ben flying all day and we have stayed in the cellar. Mama put me on some stockings this morning and I will try to finish them before school commences.

Aug. 5. Friday. I knit all the morning. In the evening we had to run to Auntie's and get in the cellar. We did not feel safe in our cellar, they fell so thick and fast.

Aug. 6. Sat. We have ben in the cellar all day. Cousin Henry Beatty came this evening and brought some Yankee coffee for me to grind for him. some he had captured yesterday in a skirmish.

Aug. 7. Sun. We have had a quiet day it all most seems like Sunday of old. Papa and I went to Trinity Church. Mr. Haygood preached. It is the first time I have been to Church in a month.

Aug. 8. Mon. I got up early this morning and cleaned up the house for Mama. I nursed Sister while Mama got dinner. We had Cousin Eddie Stow to take dinner with us to day. I did not knit much to day. I went up to Auntie's in the afternoon. We have not had many shells to day.

Aug. 9. Tues. We have had to stay in the cellar all day the shells have ben falling so thick around the house. Two have fallen in the garden, but none of us were hurt. Cousin Henry Beatty came in a and wanted us to move, he thought that we were in danger, but we will try it a little longer.

Aug. 10. Wed. We have had but few shells to day. It has ben raining nearly all day and we had to stay in the house very close.

Aug. 11. Thurs. Mama has ben very buisy to day and I have ben trying to help her all I could. We had to go in the cellar often out of the shells. How I wish the federals would quit shelling us so that we could get our and get some fresh air.

Aug. 12. Fri. Mary came home yesterday and we have not had so much wirk to do so I have ben knitting on my stocking. We had a present to day of a bag of nice pears fro our friend Mrs. Green. We enjoyed them very much. We do not get any nice fruit since the army has been here.

Aug. 13. Sat. We have had a very quiet day to day. We have all ben very buisy trying to work some while we could get out in safety. We fear that we will have shells to night. We can hear muskets so plane.

Aug. 14. Sun. Sure enough we had shells in abundance last night. We averaged one every moment during the night. We expected every one would come through and hurt some of us but to our joy nothing on the lot was hurt. They have ben throwing them at us all day to day but they have not ben dangerous. Papa has ben at work all day making the cellar safe. Now we feel like we could stay at home in safety. I dislike to stay in the cellar so close but our soldiers have to stay in ditches.

Aug. 15. Mon. We had no shells this morning when we got up and we thought that we would not have any to day (but, my, when will they stop) but soon after breakfast Zuie and I were standing on the platform between the house and the dining room. It made a very large hole in the garden and threw the dirt all over the yard. I never was so frightened in my life. Zuie was as pale as a corpse and I expect I was too. It did not take us long to fly to the cellar. We stayed out till night though we had them all day but they did not come so near us again.

Aug. 16. Tues. We had shells all night. There was a large piece came through Mama's room directly after we went to bed and fell on the little bed and I expect if we had been sleeping there some of us would have ben hurt. Cousin Henry and Cousin Eddy came to see us to day. They told us that they did not think the Federals would be here much longer to torment us and I hope that it may be so for we are getting very tired of living so.

Aug. 17. Wed. Nothing of interest has hapined to day. We have stayed very closed in the cellar. Mama ran up to Aunties to see how a shell had ruined her house yesterday.

Aug. 18. Thurs. When I woke this morning I thought the hole town would be torn up. The cannons were so near and so loud but we soon found out that it was our guns so we have ben very well content all day. We have had less shells to day tan we have had in a week.

Aug. 19. Fri. Auntie went down to Grandpa's this morning and I missed her so much. That is the only place I had to run to. I have ben knitting on my stocking some today and sewing some to day.

Aug 20. Sat. We have had shells all day. They have not ben hitting very close to us but they have been giving them to Uncle Markham. He like to had his house burnt up by one passing through the house and set some cotton on fire which they had layed on the flore. I expect if they had ben at home some of them would have ben hurt.

Aug. 21. Sun. This was a dark rainy morning and we thought we would have a quiet Sunday but we were disappointed. Papa says that we will have to move down town some where. Our cellar is not safe.

Aug 22. Mon. I got up this morning and helped Mama pact up to move. We were glad to get out of our small cellar. We have a nice large cellar here where we can run as much as we please and enjoy it. Mama says that we make so much noise that she can't here the shells. (Cellar of house on Alabama street between Pryor and Central Avenue).

Aug. 23. Tues. We feel very comfortable since we have moved but Mama is fretted to death all the time for fear of fire. There is a fire in town nearly every day. I get so tired of being housed up all the time. The shells get worse and worse every day. O that something would stop them.

Aug 24. Wed. We have ben frightened twice to day by fire. I have ben wanting to go home all day to get some grapes but it has ben too dangerous.

Aug. 25. Thurs. Mama woke me up irly this morning and told me there were no shells falling and told me I must run over and see what had become of Aunt Healy. We had not herd from her in so long. I stayed til after dinner. We had such a nice dinner and so many nice grapes but best of all we had no shells all day.

Aug. 26. Fri. Cousin Henry came in this morning and told us we need not fear the shells any more. The Yankees left there brest works and he hoped they were on the way back to Tennessee. We have had such a delightful day. We all wanted to move to day but we will wait til to morrow and see if the Yankees have gone.

Aug. 27. Sat. We moved home this morning and we have ben buisy trying to get things regulated. I feel so glad to get home and have no shells around us.

Aug. 28. Sun. Everything seemed so quiet this morning. I wish the people would come back so we could have Church and Sunday School. Mr. came in this morning and brought some shells which Cousin Henry sent us. He got them from the Yankees. Cousin Eddy came in this morning to tell us goodby. We feel sorry he was going to move so far. We all ways love to see him and Cousin Henry.

Aug. 29. Mon. Zuie and I went over to Aunt Hattie Smiths this morning to see if we could find our school teacher We stayed all day with her. We had a very pleasant time playing with Ellen.

Aug. 30. Tues. Miss Fannie Homes came around this morning to see about her school. I was so glad to see my old teacher once more. I hope she will commence her school. I am tired of staying at home.

Aug. 31. Wed. I have ben knitting all the morning and Zuie and I are going over to spend the night with Aunt Healy. I know we will enjoy ourselves.

Sept. 1. Thurs. We did not get home untill twelve o'clock. We had a very pleasant time and every thing seemed quiet. Directly after dinner Cousin Emma came down and told us that Atlanta would be evacuated this evening and we might look for the federals in the morning. It was not long till the hole town found it out and such excitement there was. We have ben looking for them all the evening but they have not come yet. Mr. came in to tell us that dear Cousin Henry was wounded and he thought he would not get well. We are so sory to here it. We loved him so much. I finished my stockings to day.

Sept. 2. Fri. We all woke up this morning without sleeping much last night. The Confederates had four engenes and a long train of box cars filled with amunition and set it on fire last night which caused a grate explosion which kept us all awake. It reminded us of the shells - of all the days of excitement we have had it to day. Every one has been trying to get all they could before the Federals come in the morning. They have ben running with saques of meal, salt and tobacco. They did act rediculous breaking open stores and robbing them. About twelve o'clock there were a few federals came in. They were all frightened. We were afraid they were going to treat us badly. It was not long till the Infantry came in. They were orderely and behaved very well. I think I shall like the Yankees very well.

Sept. 3. Sat. 1864. The soldiers have ben coming in all day. I went up to Aunties this morning and she said that she had a yankee officer to spend the night with her. We have not seen much of them. Only two of them have ben here to beg some thing to eat. We have had a rainy day and we all feel gloomy.

Sun. Sept 4. Another long and lonesome Sunday. How I wish we could have Church and Sunday School. We have ben looking at the soldiers all day. They have come in by the thousand. They were playing bands and they seemed to be rejoiced. It has not seemed like Sunday.

Mon. Sept. 5. I helped Papa tack a matress and it blistered my hands but it was for my bed and I think I shall sleep so nice that it will pay me. We have seen nothing to day.

Tues. Sept. 6. This has been a dark gloomy day and we feel gloomy too. I have ben wanting to see Grandma all day. I commenced knitting me a pair of gloves but I don't know when I will get them done.

Wed. Sept. 7. The times get a little worse every day. Mary went of this evening and I don't expect that she will come back any more but we can do very well without her. I will have to go to work to help Mama.

Thurs. Sept. 8. We all went to wirk in glad spirits this morning. Me and Tilo went to ironing. Mama was buisy regulating things when Papa came and told us that Gen. Sherman had ordered us to move. It broke all into our rangements.

Fri. Sept. 9. We all comenced this morning to prepare for moving. We don't know how long we will get to stay here. We are all in so much trouble.

Sat. Sept. 10. Every one I see seems sad. The citizens all think that it is the most cruel thing to drive us from our home but I think it would be so funny to move. Mama seems so troubled and she can't do any thing. Papa says he don't know where on earth to go.

Sun. Sept. 11. We all have been trying to rest to day and feel contented. Mama went over to see Aunt Healy this evening and she felt as sad as we.

Mon. Sept. 12. We commenced packing up to move. We did not do much. Papa herd up town there was a chance for us to stay if he could get into business.

Tues. Sept. 13. Papa got into business to day and the rest of us went to wirk in good earnest thinking that we will get to stay. I hope that we will get to stay. Mama dislikes to move so much.

Wed. Sept. 14. I helpt to wash till dinner time and then I got dinner by myself. It made me very warm and tired but I supose I will have to learn to wirk. I have ben resting all the evening and I think I will sleep right sound to night if the musquitoes dont bite me too much.

Thurs. Sept 15. We had a general cleaning up this morning. Everything seems so clean and I hope that it would stay so.

Fri. Sept. 16. I ironed till dinner and got through and I had a hollowday the rest of the evening. We have had a nice time playing and I think I will sleep sound to night.

Sat. Sept. 17. Mama went up to Aunties this morning and I had to keep house for her. I hemmed Sisters dress this evening.

Sun. Sept 18. This has ben a dark rainy day. We had stewed chickens for dinner.

Mon. Sept. 19. I went over to Aunt Healy this morning. She is packing up to move and I feel sorry that she is going away. We will miss her so much.

Tues. Sept. 20. It has ben raining nearly all day. I went up to Aunties this evening to see Willie. He is mighty cute and took three or four steps while I was there. Cousin Emma is packing up to leave.

Wed. Sept. 21. It is still raining. I have ben making Mama an apron. We are feeling so sad. We have received a letter from Aunt Maggie Shaw that dear Cousin Maggie was dead. She died the 8th of the month. I am so sorry. I loved her so much.

Thurs. Sept. 22. Mama and Buddy and I went over to see Aunt Healy for the last time. We felt so sorry to see her feel so grieved too. As we were coming home we were caught in the hardest rain and we got soaking wet and we fear that it will make us every one sick.

Fri. Sept. 23. Mama got up this morning and went to washing in the rain and we could not get them out. It was so cloudy she would not let me help her. My throat was so sore that I could not help her.

Sat. Sept 24. This has ben a bright day and we all have ben ironing and cleaning up. We have had so much rain that a sun shiny day seems quite pleasant.

Sun. Sept. 25. Another long and lonely Sunday with out Church. So cloudy we all lay about and read until we are all tired.

Mon. Sept. 26. I have not done much to day. I have be up to Aunties several times to day to see Cousin Emma and Willie for the last time. They are going off to night for the north. Wee all feel so sorry to see her leave for we will feel so lonesome.

Tues. Sept. 27. This has been wash day. I went up to Aunties this evening and she gave me some quilt peaces and some doll clothes.

Wed. Sept. 28. His has been another rainy day. I have ben sewing some to day. I went up to Aunties and we brushed her hair for her.

Thurs. Sept. 29. We and ironed to day and we got done by two o'clock and I went up to Aunties after I was done here and she gave me some rasenes.

Fri. Sept. 30. I have ben sewing some to day on my apron. There are so many soldiers pacing backward and forward.

Sat. Oct. 1. It is very warm for the first day of October but we will look out for a frost before long. I have been making my doll a frock for Sunday.

Sun. Oct. 2. This has ben a very pretty day. I went around to Mrs. Lesters. Ella and I took a walk to see how the soldiers had torn down the fine houses. It is a shame to see the fine houses torn down.

Mon. Oct 3. We herd that General Hood had go away around towards Chattanooga tearing up the railroad. The federals seemed very much trouble about it. I commenced Sister a little worsted dress. I love to sew for her because she loves me.

Tues. Oct. 4. I finished Sister's little dress to day and I have be up to Aunties once or twice. I feel so lonesome I cant stay at home. I wish it was so that I could go to school.

Wed. Oct. 5. We and Tilo have ben washing. Mama cut her hand so that she could not wash. After I got done I went up to Aunties and she was selling out to go north. She is afraid that Gen. Hood will get back and commence shelling as the federals did. I dont blame her for I never would stay and be shelled again if I could get away, though we will be very sorry when she leaves.

Thurs. Oct. 6. I have ben up to Aunties' nearly all day getting quilt scraps and doll scraps. I am right sorry Auntie is going away. I don't know what I will do for some place to run to. It has ben raining nearly all day.

Fri. Oct. 7. I have ben sick all day. I have not ben doing much of anything. It has cleared off but it is windy and we expect that it will turn cold and we may look out for frost.

Sat. Oct. 8. I was sick this morning and did'nt get up until after breakfast but got better towards dinner and went up to Auntie's after dinner and she gave me so many nice scraps. It has ben right cold all day.

Sun. Oct. 9. It has ben cold allmost like winter time. We herd that the federals had whipped Gen. Hood and driven him back.

Mon. Oct. 10. Mama hired a black woman to work for her to day. I hemmed a towel and Ella came to see me. It is not so cold to day but we had a white frost last night.

Tues. Oct. 11. We have ben ironing to day. We have got our clothes washed, ironed and put away. We will not have anything to do all the rest of the week.

Wed. Oct 12. I mad me and apron today and my doll a dress, I did not get up to see Auntie to day. We are having nice and fine weather now.

Thurs. Oct. 13. We had quite a here last night. Some body trying to steel our hogs. They did not get them though. They will be right smart if they do. I have hemmed a foot towel and that is all I have done to day.

Friday. Oct. 14. I went around to see Ella this evening. When I cam back Papa had killed a pig and while I was at Mrs. Lesters a little crazy girl came in and she cut up all sorts of shines.

Sat. Oct. 15. This has ben a dark gloomy day. I have not done much wirk to say but make my doll a dress.

Sun. Oct. 16. We had some nice brains for breakfast and some stewed dumplings for dinner. I have ben at home all day.

Mon. Oct 17. I got up this morning and washed the dishes and cleaned up the house and nursed Sister while mama was washing. Sister was sick.

Tues. Oct. 18. I went up to auntie's this morning and Ella came to see me this evening and we had a good time. she is the only associate that I have now.

Wed. Oct 19. We and ironed today. We wirked in a hurry and got through by three o'clock and I went up to Auntie's and got her to cut out me an and I made it and I thought it was so pretty.

Thurs. Oct. 20. I went around to Mrs. Lesters this evening after I got through with my lessons. I have not done much wirk this week. Mama has been so buisy making Papa a coat to cut me any wirk out.

Fri. Oct. 21. Mama finished Papa's coat to day and it is very nice and I hope she will not be so buisy so that I can get some wirk. I went up to Auntie's and she said that she thought she would get off soon.

Sat. Oct 22. This has ben a cold and rainy day. I have not be doing anything but sitting by the fire.

Sun. Oct 23. This has ben a beautiful day since the sun has come out. Mama and Papa took a walk this evening and they say that they never saw a place torn up like Atlanta is. Half of the houses are torn down.

Mon. Oct. 24. I went to see Ellen Flemming this evening, one of my old school mates. I had a nice time. She is a very nice little girl.

Tues. Oct. 25. Zuie and I went around to spend the evening and we had a very nice time playing with our dolls. That is all I have to interest me. Ella has had my doll a week or two and Ella made her so many nice clothes that she was dressed up so fine.

Wednesday. Oct. 26. I have ben ironing nearly all day to day. I ran up to Aunties a little while this evening and she told me that she was going away and I want to go too. I have ben begging Papa all of the evening.

Thurs. Oct. 27. I have ben running back and forth to Aunties all day carrying things what she gave me. She gave me so many things Mama says that I have got the house packing full of boxes but I have got all I will get for Auntie is the last one that is left.

Fri. Oct. 28. Auntie left us this morning at eight o'clock. We all feel so sad to think that we are left alone. I don't know what I will do for some place to run to when I get lonesome.

Sat. Oct. 29. We all have felt very lonely to day. I went down to see Ella this evening and came by to see Aunt Marthy. She looks very lonely since Auntie has gone.

Sun. Oct. 30. I have ben over to Julia Lowry this evening. They are all ready to move and it looks like every body is going to leave here from the way the soldiers are moving about. Our sargent left us this morning. We all were sorry to part with him. He has ben a very good friend to us.

Mon. Oct. 31. All of the soldiers have left from behind the garden and all ,but every thing seems so quiet. Ella came up this evening and spent the evening with me.

Tues. Nov. 1. I have ben sewing on Sisters apron while Mama made me a pare of shoes and I have ben up to Aunt Marthy once or twice.

Wed. Nov. 2. It has ben a cold and rainy day. I have ben sewing to day and studying some too. Papa has made my shoes and they are very nice.

Thurs. Nov. 3. I ironed some this morning and sewed some this evening. Me and Zuie went up to see Aunt Marthy.

Fri. Nov. 4. Nothing of interest has happened to day. It is the repote that the federals are going to have to leave Atlanta and we are afraid that we will have to leave too.

Sat. Nov. 5. I have hemmed Sister an apron and skirt. Mama has ben buisy drying up some tallow and I had to stay in the house.

Sun Nov. 6. Cold and cloudy day. Mama sent me around to Mrs. Lesters this morning to see if she was going away and she said she was going to stick tite to her house.

Mon Nov. 7. Every boddie seems to be in confusion. The black wimmen are running around trying to get up north for fear that the Rebels will come in and take them.

Tues. Nov. 8. This is Zuie's birthday and she has be very smart. We lost our last hog this morning early. Soldiers took him out of the pen. Me and Buddie went around to hunt for him and every where that we inquired they would say that they saw two soldiers driving off to kill him. We will have to live on bread.

Wed. Nov. 9. Aunt Marthy got fritened last night and began to pack to leave and we have ben bringing thing home that she gave us.

Thurs. Nov. 10. Me and silvie ironed to day and we were done by twelve o'clock and I hemmed Sister and apron in the afternoon. Aunt Marthy did not get off to day and we hope that she will stay.

Fri. Nov. 11. This is the last day that cars are going out to Chattanooga. We are erbliged to stay here now. Aunt Marthy went down to the carshed and I expect that she got off as she has not ben back.

Sat. Nov. 12. We were fritened almost to death last night. Some mean soldiers set several houses on fire in different parts of the town. I could not go to sleep for fear that they would set our house on fire. We all dred the next few days to come for they said that they would set the last house on fire if they had to leave this place.

Sun. Nov. 13. The federal soldiers have ben coming to day and burning houses and I have ben looking at them come in nearly all day.

Mon. Nov. 14. They came burning Atlanta to day. We all dread it because they say that they will burn the last house before they stop. We will dread it.

Tues. Nov. 15. This has ben a dreadful day. Things have ben burning all around us. We dread to night because we do not know what moment that they will set our house on fire. We have had a gard a little while after dinner and we feel a little more protected.

Wed. Nov. 16. Oh what a night we had. They came burning the store house and about night it looked like the whole town was on fire. We all set up all night. If we had not set up our house would have ben burnt up for the fire was very near and the soldiers were going around setting houses on fire where they were not watched. They behaved very badly. They all left the town about one o'clock this evening and we were glad when they left for no body know what we have suffered since they came in.

Thurs. Nov. 17 Everything was so quiet we were afraid that the yankees will come back and finish burning the houses but they did not. They have left. Some Confederates came in here to day and the town is full of country people seeing what they can find. We have ben picking up some things.

Fri. Nov. 18. We children have ben plundering about to day seeing what we could find. Mama has been trying to straiten up for the house was torn up so bad.

Sat. Nov. 19. Mama and me have ben ironing all day. We have begun to feel at home but it does not look like Atlanta. The Citizens all met at the City Hall and . There are eighty men in town.

Sun. Nov 20. This has ben a cold and rainy day but the country people have ben in town plundering.

Mon. Nov. 21. This has ben such a bad day raining and snowing and we have stayed close by the fire.

Tues. Nov. 22. It is just a week to day since the federals were burning. Papa and Mama say that they feel very poor. We have not got anything but our little house. It is still very cold.

Wed. Nov. 23. It has ben more pleasant to day. I went over with Ella to the city hall to get some hickery nuts but we did not get many. As we came home I went down with Ella to bery her guinea pig.

Thurs. Nov. 24. Papa went down to Grandpa's this morning and Mama has ben washing and I have ben nursing Sister for she was not very well. We all feel very lonesome.

Fri. Nov. 25. We have ben very lonesome to day, Papa being gone. The Country people are picking up everything. Miss Hatttie Lester stayed all night with us.

Sat. Nov. 26. I ironed this morning and in the afternoon I picked up nails and when I came home Papa and Grandpa were here. The Yankees payed Grandpa a visit and took every thing he had and they browt bad news that Uncle Osker was dead.

Sun. Nov. 27. This has ben a beautiful day and everything seems so quiet. There have ben a grate many cittizens coming back.

Mon. Nov. 28. We have all ben picking up nails to day and we are all about tired down.

Tues. Nov. 29. We have ben picking up nails again to day and it has made me sore.

Wed. Nov. 30. We have ben resting to day. The cittizens are still coming in and it wont be very long untill they get the railroad fixed up from here to Macon and then I hope I can see Grandma.

Thurs. Dec. 1. This has ben such a pleasant day. I have ben ironing to day. It did not take me long.

Fri. Dec. 2. Ella came up here this evening and me and her went off and made calls.

Sat. Dec. 3. I have ben buisy mending my pettacoats. Mama has be making Buddie a pair of pants.

Sun. Dec. 4. It is as cold a Sunday as usual. Ella came up this evening and we took a walk and we got some sweet gum.

Mon. Dec. 5. I was up by times this morning getting ready for school and about half past eight went to Miss Mat Lester. I like her very much and I think she is a very nice teacher.

Tues. Dec. 6. Cousin Pink Butler came here to day to see us. She was just from Macon. She had such a sweet little babe. She is trying to get back here and Aunt Katie.

Wed. Dec. 7. This has ben a election day for Mayor and council men but the election was broken up. I had a little sister this morning at eight o'clock and Mama gave her to me. I think its very pretty. I had to cook breakfast and dinner and supper.

Thurs. Dec. 8. I have ben cooking and cleaning house and waiting on Mama and little sister Maggy. I have learnt to make nice egg bread and how to cook very nice.

Fri. Dec. 9. I made up some buiskets last night and Mama says that they were nice. Every moment I can get I am making things to do on the tree. Ella and I are going to have one together. This has ben a cold sleaty day.

Sat. Dec. 10. It has ben so cold that I couldnt make any thing for the tree. I ran down to Mrs. Lester to see what Ella was making for the tree.

Sun. Dec. 11. It has ben so cold to day that I have not done much cooking to day. came this evening and I the kitchen to her. I am glad that she came for I am getting tired of cooking.

Mon Dec. 12. I have ben making things for the tree. Mama has been helping me make things for the tree.

Tues. Dec. 13. I have made Papa some buesket and pies to take with him to Macon. He is going to try to get in business.

Wed. Dec. 14. Papa started to Macon this morning. Mama and me have ben buisy making Fannie and Zuie a rag doll. We feel very lonesome with Papa so far away and the weather is so bad we cant get out.

Thurs. Dec. 15. We finished the dolls today and they look very nice. I went down to Mrs. Lesters and got Ella to come and we washed doll clothes.

Fri. Dec. 16. I went down to Mrs. Lesters and ironed them and put them all away very nicely.

Sat. Dec. 17. Ella stayed all night with me. She is making her mother a present. We were looking for Papa home and he hasn't come.

Sun. Dec. 18. We are all very lonesome. Mama has ben lying down and I have ben trying to read. After dinner Ellen and me went to see Mrs. Spencer.

Mon. Dec. 19. It has ben pleasant to day. Ella came to stay all night with me and just as we were going to supper Papa came in and such joy as we all had. We were so glad to hear from Aunt Dundie.

Tues. Dec. 20. I have ben buisy making presents all day. I went down to Mrs. Lesters to make Mamas. Miss Matt helped me. I think it is so pretty. I fear we will not get through with our presents Christmas is getting so near.

Wed. Dec. 21. Papa has to go back to Macon next week and we fear he will be put in servis. He has ben buisy all day making me a pair of shoes. I do hope he will get off. the people are treating the citizens so mean that stayed here with the yankees.

Thurs. Dec. 22. We went to get our Christmas tree this evening. It was very cold but we did not feel it we were so excited about it.

Fri. Dec. 23. I went down to Mrs. Lesters and Ella and me planted the tree and finished making the last presents. I came home and strained some pumpkins to make some pies for Christmas.

Sat. Dec. 24. I have been buisy to day making cakes to trim the tree and Ella and I have it all ready trimed and we are all going to night to see it. I think it looks very pretty. We will be sorry when it is all over.

Sun. Dec. 25, 1864. We all went down last night to see the tree and how pretty it looked. The room was full of ladies and children and Cap. gave us music on the pianno and tried to do all he could to make us enjoy our selves and we did have a merry time. All came home perfectly satisfied. This has ben a cold dark day but we all went down to see how the tree looked in the day time but it was not as pretty as at night.

Mon. Dec. 26. Papa left us this morning. He has gone to Macon to be tried for staying here with the yankees. We are afraid they will put him in the army. We all feel very sad.

Tues. Dec. 28. Some little girls came up here last night and we had a concert and enjoyed our selves very much. At one o'clock we let the tree fall and then came home and had a party. Now our Christmas ended with a hail storm.

Wed. Dec. 29. I have had no Christmas to day. I have ben studying the multiplication to day. I have ben running about so much that it has made me sick.

Thurs. Dec. 29. I have ben studding the six line of the multiplication table and I think I will no it very well. We made some candy and wound up the Christmas. I went to take Miss Mary Come some and they thought it was very nice.

Fri. Dec. 30. I have ben studding the seventh line and I find it harder than the six. After I got the seven line I went down to Mrs. Lesters and me and Ella had a little dinner and we had turkee and rice and potato for dinner and we had a merry time of cooking.

Sat. Dec. 31. I learned the eight line and I learned it very well. It has ben a cold and we had to stay in the house very close.

Sunday. Jan. 1. 1865. This is New Year day. I woke up this morning and cant Mama New Years gift but did not get anything the times is too hard. I stayed at home untill evening and then I went down to Mrs. Lesters and I found there and we played around there and then we came around home and we sat down and wrote a little letter and then Ella and Anna went home.

Mon. Jan. 2. We all started to school this morning to Miss Mattie. Ella, me and Buddie are studying arithmetic, spelling, reading and geography. We are all trying to see which will learn the most.

Tues. Jan. 3. I had a hard geography lesson and Ella came home with me and we studied the geography untill we knowed it perfect. We have to study very hard and we dont get time to do much of anything but we have ben playing long enough to spend our time on our books.

Wed. Jan. 4. Miss Mattie reviewed us in the multiplication table and she said that we knowed the multiplication table very well. I had all of my lessons purfect.