Box Number

12

Folder

1

Item Description

Searchable collections of manuscripts, war records, historic images, vital statistics, audio and video recordings from the State Library and Archives of Florida.

Box Description

FLAT VOLUMES

Folder Description

Ellen Call Long diary, fragments, 1864-1865, 60 pp., reflecting on progress of the war, race relations, and family matters: ''The idea set forth is that the Caucasian race (which we have always been taught is the most perfect of men) is exhausted . . . and in order to restore it to its pristine excellence or superiority, there needs to be a cross with the African - can any thing be more revolting . . . May 1st 1864 . . . The Yankees have left only a brigade of negroes in Jacksonville . . . Genl Grant (Yankee) is preparing to march on to Richmond again . . . May 8th. More carnage, more widows, more orphans - The long expected and dreaded battle has commenced in Virginia . . . we are said to have lost four Generals - Longstreet is thought mortally wounded and shot accidentally as General Stonewall Jackson was by our men. . . 31st. Is it possible - my little Nonie went off to Lake City this morning . . . to make a visit of two weeks - she has never left me before. She was all excitement . . . She is such a perfect little lady. . . Her brother is retained with General Anderson . . . Today is the second anniversary of the battle of 'Seven Pines,' near Richmond, on which field my cousin George Call fell. . . August 23 . . . The new Brigadier General (John K. Jackson) visited our town last week - spent an evening with me - seems disposed to take things quietly - although the Yanks are carrying everything before them in East Florida. Captain Dickinson . . . met them with a hundred men near Gainesville . . . and is said to have taken 150 prisoners . . . August 28th, 1864. I had letter from son Richard yesterday, he says Capt. Dickinsons little affair with the enemy was quite a brilliant one . . . Several females stood in the doors and fired at the enemy . . . Our enemies will find it difficult to subdue a people with such women among them. . . September 11th. Well Atlanta has fallen . . . we have 40 or 50 thousand Yankee prisoners at a little town in Ga (Andersonville) - it will be unfortunate if the Federal Army makes its way there and liberates them. A great deal has been said both North and South with regard to these prisoners who are represented as suffering every thing so many crowded into a stockade of a few acres must necessarily suffer - seventy five or one hundred are said to die daily . . . September 14th, 1864. Today is the second anniversary of my dear Fathers death. How I used to dislike the idea of his growing old . . . Son Richard is home on sick leave. . . September 16th. I was pained to learn today through letter that my sister had lost her little infant, 'Ellen Kirkman' - poor Mary, it is her first heartfelt grief. . . The Enemy very much to the surprise entered Marianna (West Florida) on the morning of the 26th inst. A fight took place in the street and several persons were killed . . . Nov 15th. There is no doubt but Abe Lincoln is again elected . . . my heart sunk within me with the news. I see now nothing before me but subjugation utter utter ruin. . . Nov. __ Sherman who has been in Atlanta for some months has astonished the south by being reinforced . . . April 2nd 1865. The Governor of our State (Milton) committed suicide last night. By nature an animated and kind man . . . The present condition of the country . . . seems enough to drive all mad who had aught to do in producing this state of affairs. . . I do get out of patience with that class who in answer to all argument cry out, 'we must succeed for Providence is on our side' - the slightest evidence of which I have never seen. . . I am inclined to think Providence has nothing to do with this diabolical war. . . The Confederate Congress . . . passed a bill authorizing the enlistment or rather the conscripting of negro troops. I am so satisfied that the institution of slavery is gone, that I set no value upon them as property. . . but I do not believe negros can bear the hardships of a southern soldiers life . . . April 6th. The long expected event