Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: September 3, 1862

Yesterday asked the price of a calico dress; “Fifteen dollars and sixty cents!” Tea is $20. per lb. A merchant told me he gave $50. for a pound of sewing silk! The other day our sister, Mrs. Cocke,[1] purchased 5 gallons of whiskey, for which, by way of favor, she only paid $50.! It is selling for $15. per gallon. Very coarse unbleached cotton (ten cent cotton) I was asked 75 cts. for yesterday. Eight dollars a pair for servants' coarse shoes. Mr. P. paid $11. for a pair for Willy. These prices will do to wonder over after a while.

10 o'clock P. M. Little did I think, when I wrote the above, that such sorrow would overtake this family so soon! News came this afternoon of the late fearful fight on Manassas Plains, and of Willy Preston[2] being mortally wounded — in the opinion of the surgeons! His Father was not at home, and did not hear the news for some time. Oh! the anguish of the father-heart! This evening he has gone to Staunton; will travel all night in order to take the cars tomorrow morning. I am afraid to go to bed, lest I be roused by some messenger of evil tidings, or (terrible to dread) the possible arrival of the dear boy — dead! Father in Heaven! Be merciful to us, and spare us this bitterness!
_______________

[1] Elizabeth Randolph Preston Cocke, sister of John Thomas Lewis Preston and the wife of William Armistead Cocke

[2] William C. Preston, son of John Thomas Lewis Preston and his first wife Sarah Lyle Caruthers.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 146-7

No comments: