Chronological History of the American Civil War

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There were many changes in Bolivar. The Yankees had been there for months. Wallace’s Division had come all the damage they could and left us to be harassed by roving bands of soldiers coming in by regiments and destroying everything they could not carry away in the way of foods. I will mention here that General Ross (Yankee) stole and rode away on a fine stallion my husband owned. I doubt whether the U.S. Government ever heard of the “horse!” Our farm was relieved of all corn, fodder, and everything that Yankees could use. 500 cords of wood out in front of the house and all rails from fences, hauled into town for use of the Yankees in town. My father put a Union man named young in the home on the farm to keep it from being burned down. He was there three years and then grumbled that he had to give it up at all almost a year after peace was declared. My husband was not allowed to vote for 17 years after Peace and every now and then was threatened with having his land confiscated to the Federal Government as he was a West Pointer. He said the man who took his place would not live long, as he intended to kill him the first time he put his foot out of the yard. Happily, this was avoided as confiscation did not take place. I remained for a long time at my father’s home. After, we were annoyed by roving Yankee troops. Finally took an officer in the house so we could live. Hart, an unprincipled Yankee Captain from McNairy, was a great annoyance. For instance, on one occasion a firm, Jarrett and Wyatt, in Bolivar, owed a small sum to a private in his command. He was camped near the Hatchie River and sent up word early one morning that if that money was not paid to this man in two hours, he would burn homes in Bolivar till it was --- selecting Dr. Wood’s, Cousin Rufus, Jack Neely, Brother Robert, Uncle McNeal and my father’s. Said, “If Jesus Christ came and asked him not to do it, he still would.” Imagine our feelings. Dr. Wood got the money (where it was buried) and sent it down --- so we were saved. Keep Hart’s name in your memory. He said Bolivar was a set of aristocrats --- he had been there a year and never asked into one of their homes --- he would rather burn them than not. Another mean little civilian made a general from Chicago, Illinois, the only man who was ever rude to my beloved father. General C. had many ways of annoying our town’s people. On one occasion the town girls were walking out for a little exercise. They passed the Male Academy where some Confederate prisoners were incarcerated upstairs. These poor fellows bowed to them and they waved their handkerchiefs at them. This was enough for this little general. He ordered the girls arrested and brought to him. They were gathered up --- sent in my father’s carriage. The general then proceeded to lecture them (he said if they walked to headquarters the soldiers would insult them.) He walked up and down and threw himself into a perfect rage --- said among other things, “young ladies would you wave to a lot of vagabond thieves?” Mamie Wood said, “We thought they were Confederate soldiers.” He was speechless with rage. Poor Emma Grey thought she would take a ride on a poor little pony they had (were not allowed to go out of town). She put on a cap she had had for years --- a blue one with a little star in front---she was arrested for making a Bonnie Blue Flag of herself. Such were some of the petty annoyances the girls endured. No one was allowed to but a think without a permit from the authorities --- meal, flour, or anything --- our men at home I mean. General Ross said that he never intended to cut his hair until the Rebellion was put down. Kate Neely sent him a tucking comb saying he would need it. She was banished to the South for her temerity.