Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: November 6, 1863

A lovely day, and in contrast to the feelings of the whole population. Last night I became uneasy at Mr. P.'s not coming home from the Institute till near ten o'clock, so I went out to meet him, taking Johnny along. After waiting a half hour on the street, he came at last, but with the alarming tidings that a courier had come in from the West, asking that the cadets and the Home Guard should be forthwith sent to the assistance of Col. Jackson¹ and Imboden; that 7000 of the enemy were between Jackson and the Warm Springs. So we were up before day this morning; I with a heavy heart. The cadets have gone, and the Home Guard from the various parts of the country. Mr. P. gone too; I feel very desolate. Bro. Eben² stopped to dinner; on his way his horse fell with him and hurt him considerably, but he will try to go on. The whole town is in commotion; no men left in it; even those over sixty-five have gone. I can't help hoping they may not have to stay any time or fight a battle.

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¹ This was Colonel William L. Jackson, a cousin of Stonewall Jackson, and a former lieutenant-governor of Virginia. His men nicknamed him " Mudwall" Jackson, a play upon the sobriquet of his more famous kinsman. — E. P. A.

2 The Rev. Eben D. Junkin, then pastor of New Providence church, about sixteen miles from Lexington.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 168-9

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: July 11, 1863

We rode out to Bro. Will's today, Sister, the children and I; had a pleasant day; returned at nightfall, to be met by the alarming news that of Sister's two boys, Edmund [the Captain] is slightly wounded, and William missing, perhaps killed!  . . . The household is wrapped in gloom. Mr. P. thinks from what he heard of the fearful loss in Pickett's Division, that William is most probably killed.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 168

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: July 7, 1863

Mr. P. started this morning for Harrisonburg, on business. We hear this evening startling tidings — that a great battle has been fought at Gettysburg; 4000 Southerners captured; 12,000 Federals killed — three generals among them, and three wounded. I do not feel disposed to give half credit to the news; we always hear such exaggerated accounts at first. Sister's sons [Mrs. Elizabeth R. Cocke's] are with Longstreet, and her anxiety is intense, as that division, it is said, lost so heavily.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 168

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 30, 1863

Bought E. a ninepence calico dress today, for which I gave $30! Unbleached, very coarse cottons are now $2.25 per yard.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 167

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 25, 1863

The joy of a note from Julia by Flag of Truce. Thank God! my beloved father and sister are well, and my other friends too. I wrote instanter in answer.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 167

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 24, 1863

Hear that Lee's army is invading my native State. Well! Virginia has endured it for more than two years! So I must not think it hard that another State whose troops have been helping to ravage her all this time, should take its turn.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 167

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 20, 1863

Yesterday brought news of the capture of Winchester by Ewell. Two ladies, refugees from the neighborhood of Winchester, who have been here for some months, called on me this morning. They say they are heart-sick of exile, and long to fly home. W. F. J. here for dinner; is just back from the army; says the religious interest is wonderfully great; had strangers to follow him often about camp, to ask about their souls' salvation. . . .

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 167

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 16, 1863

Continued anxiety about the fate of Vicksburg. Everybody is watching eagerly for the result.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 167

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: June 1, 1863

As I mean to keep a note of the way prices advance, I will mention that the perfectly plain crape bonnet which Mrs. Jackson got in Richmond cost $75 and a bombazine dress, as plain as could be made, cost about $180. Mr. P. paid for some days' work of a white man, a short while ago, at $8 per diem.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 166

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 19, 1863

My birthday. I would record my thankfulness to God for His special favors to me through the past year. I would commit into His wise and gracious hands all the future. I would set before myself three special things for the coining year; an aiming after spiritual-mindedness; the cultivation of a spirit of prayer; and the daily keeping in view God's glory.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 166

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Friday, May 15, 1863

General Jackson was buried today, amid the flowing tears of a vast concourse of people. By a strange coincidence, two cavalry companies happened to be passing through Lexington from the West, just at the hour of the ceremonies: they stopped, procured mourning for their colors, and joined the procession.  . . . The exercises were very appropriate; a touching voluntary was sung with subdued, sobbing voices; a prayer from Dr. Ramsay of most melting tenderness; very true and discriminating remarks from Dr. White, and a beautiful prayer from W. F. J. — The coffin was draped in the first Confederate flag ever made, and presented by Pres. Davis to Mrs. Jackson; it was wrapped around the coffin, and on it were laid multitudes of wreaths and flowers which had been piled upon it all along the sad journey to Richmond and thence to Lexington. The grave too was heaped with flowers. And now it is all over, and the hero is left “alone in his glory.” Not many better men have lived and died. His body-servant said to me, “I never knew a piouser gentleman.” Sincerer mourning was never manifested for any one, I do think.  . . . The dear little child is so like her father; she is a sweet thing, and will be a blessing, I trust, to the heart-wrung mother.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 165-6

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Tuesday, May 12, 1863

Last night I sat at this desk writing a letter to General Jackson, urging him to come up and stay with us, as soon as his wound would permit him to move. I went down stairs this morning early, with the letter in my hand, and was met by the overwhelming news that Jackson was dead! A telegram had been sent to Colonel Smith by a courier from Staunton. Doubt was soon thrown upon this by the arrival of some one from Richmond, who said he had left when the telegram did, and there was no such rumor in Richmond. So, between alternate hope and fear, the day passed. It was saddened by the bringing home of General Paxton's remains, and by his funeral. At five this evening the startling confirmation comes — Jackson is indeed dead! My heart overflows with sorrow. The grief in this community is intense; everybody is in tears. What a release from his weary two years' warfare! To be released into the blessedness and peace of heaven!  . . . How fearful the loss to the Confederacy! The people made an idol of him, and God has rebuked them. No more ready soul has ascended to the throne than was his. Never have I known a holier man. Never have I seen a human being as thoroughly governed by duty. He lived only to please God; his daily life was a daily offering up of himself. All his letters to Mr. F. and to me since the war began, have breathed the spirit of a saint. In his last letter to me he spoke of our precious Ellie, and of the blessedness of being with her in heaven. And now he has rejoined her, and together they unite in ascribing praises to Him who has redeemed them by his blood. Oh, the havoc death is making! The beautiful sky and the rich, perfumed spring air seemed darkened by oppressive sorrow. Who thinks or speaks of victory? The word is scarcely ever heard. Alas! Alas! When is the end to be?

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 164-5

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Sabbath, May 10, 1863

This afternoon Dr. White attempted to hold service; but just as he was beginning, the mail arrived, and so great was the excitement, and so intense the desire for news, that he was obliged to dismiss the congregation. We only hear of one more death among Lexington boys, young Imboden. Several wounded; this is much better than we had dared to hope.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 164

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: Friday, May 8, 1863

Today we hear that General Jackson's arm is amputated, and that he is wounded in the right hand. How singular that it should have been done through mistake by a volley from his own men! It happened at midnight, Saturday. Major Crutchfield is severely wounded by the same volley, and one of the staff instantly killed. How must our near neighbors the Pendletons feel tonight, knowing that it may be Sandy, as he is one of Jackson's staff! No relief still to the tormenting suspense which is hanging over almost every household. Not a letter yet from the army.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 164

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 7, 1863

Another day of awful suspense, for which there is yet no relief. Not a solitary letter or person has come from the army to Lexington; only a telegram from Governor Letcher, announcing that Captain Greenlee Davidson is killed; his body and Paxton's are expected tomorrow. What fearful times we live in!

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 163-4

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 2, 1863

Hear to-day of a prospective battle in Culpeper; everybody is anxious. . . .

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 162

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: May 4, 1863

. . . Cannon was distinctly heard by many persons yesterday; great anxiety prevails to hear the tidings; no mails today; we hear the Federal army has torn up some miles of railroad.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 162-3

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: April 18, 1863

. . . We have heard of fighting at Fredericksburg; refugees still crowd into Lexington. $75. is now the price asked for board per month, at the hotel.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 162

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: April 21, 1863

Made a few purchases today; two common gingham aprons for G. for which I gave $12! Two thin, very common cotton stockings, $4 per pair! Ten cent handkerchiefs at $2.50 apiece. This little note book is a record of prices more than any thing else; yet when I look back a year or six months, to pages where I have made notices of prices, how very reasonable they seem now!

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 162

Diary of Margaret Junkin Preston: April 30, 1863

This evening Mr. P. left us for Columbia, S. C, whither he goes as a delegate to the General Assembly. [Presbyterian highest church court.]  . . . This night one year ago he was summoned from his bed at midnight, by a despatch from General Jackson, and he had to march the next morning with the cadets. Thank God he is called away on no such summons tonight, but goes on the peaceful errands of the church. May the great Head of the church watch over his precious life!

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 162