English, John G. (fl. 1827-1869) [Post-war plantation diary and journal of Mississippi cotton planter]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05497 Author/Creator: English, John G. (fl. 1827-1869) Place Written: Aberdeen, Mississippi Type: Autograph manuscript Date: 1865-1869 Pagination: 1 v. : 264 p. ; 40.7 x 17 cm. Order a Copy
English mentions Confederate generals visiting, Civil War battles, slavery, and Reconstruction, among other topics. Provides a list of all slave families on this Mississippi Cotton plantation. Contains a detailed account of crops planted, weather, and other topics related to plantation life. (Refer to related items GLC05496, an antebellum journal, and GLC05460, English's presidential pardon). There is a space in the front of this manuscript as the result of pages which were cut out. Rebound, but accompanied by original cover.
1865
[10 Jan:] Jackson’s men mostly all gone some 7 or 8 left
[12 Jan:] Troublesome times, cold & many Soldiers passing want much
[19 Jan:] Negroes to fill impress most troubling
[20 Jan:] Fixing Negroes 3 to go to Government
[21 Jan:] Genl Chalmers came with Johnnie…to town to have Negroes appraised impressed
[23 Jan:] very early to see Genl Hood to get Mrs Genl Gregg with him to Richmond to get the remains of her husband [Brigadier General John Gregg of Texas had been killed during the siege of Petersburg.]
[25 Jan:] she [Mrs Gregg]…was…crying raving made wished all Yanks in hell…temptation to take her pistol from her to keep her form killing Yanks [The next several entries discuss Mrs. Gregg’s aborted attempts to retrieve her husband’s remains. Ironically, Mary Gregg’s father was a Unionist.]
[29 Jan:] We are all a home and are so thankful for it…
soldiers still passing nearly all the infantry of Hood going to Georgia as said some I think go to S Carolina
[19 Mar:] War – the [feeling?] is much improvd & aspect much improvd. Deserters by Genl Lees proclamation flocking in…Paul in prison & being released. Battle of Bentonsville N.C. our Genl Johnston & Sherman. This is looked at as the most important [illegible] Sherman that we have had or rather for our cause 5000 killed – Bragg took 1500 prisoners and killed….
[27 Mar:] General John Gregg’s remains had arrived from Richmond…buried with Masonic honors…he was laid in State & the highest honors paid him in Genl R.E. Lee dispatch he called him the brave Genl Gregg We all knew him to be one of the purest best of men plain but highly cultivated mind and the best of Educations….
[28 Mar:] Forrest is said crossed to Columbus…War news – Johnston whipd Sherman 19 & now 20th [Battle of Bentonville] which we were very anxious to hear about…
[11 Apr:] War news very depressing enemy in large force in Ala & cant hear enough…
[14 Apr:] Genl Chalmers…having turned over his comd to Armstrong to call an investigation of affairs in Ala. Forrest having failed…
[16 Apr:] War news terable brot by Capt L that Lee had capitulated – Gen C. & I do not believe it…
[19 Apr:] War news…news written by C. Drake Lincoln killed at Ford’s theatre & Seward & Nephew & 2 nurses killed at his house in Washington on 14th Memphis papers stated to be in mourning & flag half mast….
[27 Apr:] War news terable surrender of Genl Lee is conf[irme]d
[30 Apr:] Dull and low spirited news of surrender having the effect…News all surprised our people [slaves?]
[01 May:] Jimie was made Sargent in Capt Andrews Co Genl Reddys escort was on the front skirmish line fought near Plant[illegible] Ala Selma he lost his splendid Nell trained bay horse by being dismounted in the trenches he mad his escape by hard run[n]ing...
[04 May:] Genl Chalmers Lt. M. left going below to hear terms of surrender this department by Genl Taylor to Canby
[05 May:] Holder by to hear the terms he has many sensations fears & saw Capt...who is terably excited & runs high about our bad situation corn riot predicted...
[22 May:] Mrs. Sims Negroes & Jim Paines & Wards & Mr Claptons started to make trouble drunk whiskey...
[28 May:] So many hunting for something to eat...
[30 May:] Fed officers...with order Gen Hatch to deliver all cotton C.S.A.
[06 Jun:] Every thing like business unsettled great scarcity of provision
[18 Jun:] More passing and coming & going of Negroes
...take more freedom here by visiting
[21 Jun:] Feeling down down not knowing what policy is to be adopted by Govt. Negroes not doing much
[25 Jun:] Yank Garrison leaving...my Negores [illegible] with them...The Negro is confused between freedom & having to work which the Yanks tell them both
[07 Jul:] ...Govt agent under Colo Johnston of this department will give me a Receipt which I will take unde rprotest not to rmeove the cotton and would not go to a Yank officer...
[10 Jul:] to Columbus to take Amnesty Oath
[13 Jul:] Negroes[:] I proposed to give the 10th of field crop as Dr Hatch has - they to stay & work as they used to do
[16 Jul:] So much freedom rush Negroes passing & repassing
[24 Jul:] Negro contract made & signed
[25 Jul:] All hands discented from contract & must go to town tomorrow
[26 Jul:] Negroes go to talk with Majr Moore or Coffin come back satisfied
[07 Aug:] To town for the Election for Convention to get civil law started...oath administered
[08 Aug:] Simington by pretending to b[u]y cotton I doubt him may be looking out to inform for confiscation
[14 Aug:] Convention meets today on civil law
[16 Aug:] Protest on cotton wa[i]ver signed
[18 Aug:] Yanks last night had a dance here without my knowledge. Nelson had fight with Fanie [evidently former slaves] she...reported him...she threw ax at him when he returned & incouraged her children to throw at him...
[20 Aug:] How deranged things are no law no government with Negroes
[27 Aug:] Negro preaching at our church the first time
[10 Sep} ...I am troubled with this class [former house slaves?] too much dependent & helpless
[02 Oct:] Election for Fed Congress Legislatures...
[19 Oct:] Letters many Negroes from Memphis those ran off writing back not so very pleasant... [Discusses an eclipse:] When the Eclipse was at the darkest...wonderful & sublime
[16 Nov:] ...so many acting dishonest to secure & hide property cheating orphans & widdows swering falsely in the Probate Court about Conf[e]d[erate] Bonds & Money - Soldiers of Negroes here to search for arms...
[22 Nov:'] Negroes become more idle some women not working to earn bread
[19 Dec:] At home all day - talking with Big George [former slave] about work & hands he is anxious to know what I will give they are arranging to go to Yanks at Mrs Donaldson place to work & will try any thing in preference to those they know
[20 Dec:] what is there now but trouble, confusion & anxiety
[25 Dec:] Christmas no drinking with our family not an eggnog...
[26 Dec:] Hiring of hands seems at a standstill they want every thing York is the first working hand to apply to stay
1866:
[18 Jan:] Big George moved to his house in woods to enjoy his freedom
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