Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Appendix II – Diaries, Letters and Such

This book is the result of a weekly column which I began writing during the 150 anniversaries of this four-year war. As President of our local chapter and West TN Regional Vice-President for (APTA) Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, I knew I would learn a lot about our history that I did not know. Boy, was I right. Every week I learn something new. Our Hardeman County chapter of APTA has two sites, the Little Courthouse Museum (oldest log courthouse and jail in Tennessee) which now serves as our county museum plus the 1828 home “The Pillars,” of settler, planter, merchant, postmaster John H. Bills (1800 - 1871). Mr. Bills also maintained private journals through the years 1843 to 1871. After I read just “the war years,” I knew I wanted to do this project and put some of his thoughts and other diarists into the writings. Many of Mr. Bills diary entries are included extensively in the text of this book. However, I want to share with you a few other examples of diaries, letters and even news clippings that I think you will find interesting. What better way to learn our history than through the eyes of those that live it! Here are but three examples of history in the making… • Memoir of Evelina McNeal Bills Polk • A Baby Found on the Battle Field of the Hatchie • Civil War Letter Home from the Battle Front – Bolivar TN, Battle of the Hatchie from Lieutenant J.H. Thayer, Wisconsin E 12 th Regiment, Marlboro, VT