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Transcripts
of Annie McCarroll Starling's Diary Transcription
provided by James T. Killebrew Saturday 28th 1861 We had a pleasant time last night.
Fanny and George and Uncle Ed were hare, and then later Leiut
Hughes and a Lieut Leslie who by the by may be a very clever gentleman
but not a very polished one, they stayed until twelve and I must say I
liked Lieut Hughes very much, he talks so much like a gentleman, he
says, "We must have Ky. with the S.C. and will not be satisfied
unless we can transplant some of the fair daughters of Ky. to our
Sunny South," but I must stop, tho I could scribble half a page. December 30th
Monday Morning 1861
I
did think I would write some yesterday but was prevented. Saturday,
Nelia and I spent at Sisters and at night we all went over to Brother
Joes and had eMgnogg, cake and so on.
We had quite a pleasant time I thought. Yesterday we all went to
church. Uncle Ed came home with us and took dinner.
In the evening after he had gone we girls went up to see how
George was, (who has been quite unwell), found him better.
Yesterday evening Forrest's Scouting Company returned.
They had a right sharp skirmish with two hundred and fifty of our
men. They had six hundred. Of
course they were victorious. Capt. Ned. Merriweather was killed and one
of his men, and some wounded. I do not know how many. They brought back
eleven prisoners among them was Henry Bal!ard and a young Mr. McColough.
I must say I am getting to believe our men have no energy.
But I will stop this morning. It is now a bright clear and
tolerable cold. Mama has gone to Brother Joe's to spend the day. So we
girls are housekeeper. Thursday
31st 1861
Still
the sun is smiling on this trouble stricken world, but sometimes I feel
like the sun has gone down in my heart, and left a dark cold shadow over
all. But I will this
subject. Last night we were
all up at Fanny's to a little "party."
Uncle Ed was there, but had to leave early on account of being
sent for. I suppose Lieut
Cowan was there and wished him to go to Sam Bernards with him to a
party. A large body of
Cavalry has just gone by to bury Capt. Merriweather.
We heard tho I think it would be a very bad policy for so many to
go away at once for fear they might be attacked while they were gone,
but I will stop and dress (the main body remaining) as we girls are
going to Aunt Susans to stay all day.
“Au voire”
my friend. January 2nd 1862 A
welcome to the new born year!
What a pity to think that the first day of its existence may be
sullied prehaps with deeds of blood, and the time God has given us for
our improvement and to worship him, should be dedicated to satisfy the
base emotion of a few political men.
I can only hope that with the opening of this year a new leaf may
be turned over and better things in store for us.
We have one of the "Rebel Capt's, his wife and two children
boarding with us. They came
the last day of the old year. His
name is 0vrerton, of the "Forrest Rangers." Tuesday
February 18th 1862
Well! What shall I say first?
After so long an absence I think I will have to tell of the great
Union victory. The Federals
had been storming Fort Donaldson every since Wednesday (the 12th) and
the next day there was a most terrible fight.
They fought on until Sunday when the Fort was surrended and a
great many prisoners taken. The
rest are retreating. It is
not known where. Our
victory was complete. A few
days before the F's took Fort Henry on the Tenn. River (Fort Donalson
was on the Cumberland). We
heard today that the white flag was flying at Clarksville and also
Nashville. It begins to
look a little like the "Yankees" could fight.
We heard that Capt. May and Lieut Col. Gould were killed and also
Willie Moore, but do not know whether to believe it or not.
The news also reached us that Capt. Overton had been elected Col.
of the "Forrest Rangers," how sorry I would be to hear that he
had been killed. He seemed to be such a perfect gentleman, and had such a nice
sweet little wife. We ell became very much attached to them.
We have not heard from them since they left.
I have been home all alone today.
Mama is up at Mrs. McDaniels spending the day, and Gamy and Fanny
are at Doctor Webbers. Pap
is lying on the bed asleep, and I am scribbling to amuse myself.
Ah me! its dull time since the troops left.
George and Bob were in last night and stayed all night. Fan staid with us. We have been looking for Lucy ever since
the troops left, but she has not yet come, but prehaps she will be here
this evening. Brother Joe
has gone to Donalson and a great many others.
Uncle Ed went this morning.
I do not know when they will come back.
This is a bright sunny beautiful evening, the weather cold. [She makes no mention of the death
of her father, Dr. John McCarroll, on April 15, 1862.] October 4th 1862 The bright final days of summer
have left us and the dearest, saddest, inconvenient part of the year has
come once more. I have
passed a pleasant summer. George Kelly came the 1st day of July and left
for home the 20th of last month. 0h!
pleasant rides on horse back through the woods. I will look back with
pleasure to them in after years. I wish so much that he could be here
this fall to go nutting with us, but that won't be and then what makes
it worse is that he can't write to me.
These dreadful rebels keep every thing in such a state of
disorder that we hardly ever get the mall now.
Gamie has been gone out to Uncle Dick's since Tuesday but I
suppose she will be in this morning and Nelia too, to stay some with us
and Fanny has been gone to her Sisters two weeks, and all together I've
been having rather a lonely time. I
must tell journal what belles Gamie and I are getting to be.
Since Monday night Judge Littell and Walter Evans were to see us.
Tuesday by way of variety Judge Littell and Billy Ritter.
Wednesday night I had an engagement with Mr. Holmes but he was
sick and did not come and last night Billy Ritter was over again.
Its highly astonishing, is it not?
I candidly confess, it is to me, as far as I am concerned at
least. For if I were a man,
I would marry Gamie, if she would have me, for she is a jewel any one
might covet. Wednesday October 8th
1862 I broke off right suddenly last
Saturday. Aunt Orra and
Gamle just came in and put a stop to my writing and as I am by myself
this evening I thought I would write a letter.
Monday evening Sister and I went up to Mrs Berryman's and took
supper. Came home in the
moonlight and had quite a nice ride.
Yesterday morning I went up to see Fanny, in the evening we went
up to see Jenny Byrd. I
went by Mrs. Price's and took Mr. Holmes one of the prettiest bouguets I
ever saw. He then came on
down to Lucy where Gamie met us. After
supper Mr. Holmes, Billy Ritter, Walter Evans, Judge Littell, George and
Bob were there and also Albertine Roos.
We had quite a pleasant time, music, talking and fun generally.
I havn't yet heard from George and oh, how long the time has
seemed since I last looked into the depths of his blue eyes.
I wonder if he ever thinks of his friend "Annie" way
down in old Hopkinsville. Bless
him a thousand time. I
would give anything almost to see him this bright evening, but I must
stop the sun is about to take a last smiling glance at the world and
give place to the moon which every night pours a flood of "golden
wine" on all things that each dew drop looks as tho' it were
gleaming from a net work of some rare, rich setting, and this earth is
indeed beautiful. 0h! that
I had language to express my admiration of so much beauty, but this all
sounds so tame and common place.
I'll try and write more soon. Wednesday
15th 1862 A
week has gone by since I wrote in my Journal.
We all took such a pleasant walk Sunday evening.
Billy Ritter, George Means, and Mr. Holmes, Gamie, Lucy, Fanny
and I. Judge Littell went
to church with Fanny, Billy with Gamie and Mr. Holmes with me.
As there was no preaching at our church, we went to hear Mr.
Campbell. I sent Walter
Evans the most beautiful bouquet Monday and got such a nice note of
thanks. I do like him so
much. Yesterday evening
Fanny and I went out to Mr. Longs Saw
Kate and Miss Ann Ducker, then to Mrs. Martins and then up to Mrs. Gants
to see Bottle Wallace. She was not at home. I think it seems fated we
are not to make her acquaintance. Gamie and Fanny stayed with Lucy last
night and this morning I am to go over there and go see cousin Beck. So
I will have to stop and get ready.
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