* *

NOVEMBER 8, 1864.

To-day will probably decide the fate of the Confederacy. If Lincoln is
re-elected I think our fate is a hard one, but we are in the hands of
a merciful God, and if He sees that we are in the wrong, I trust that
He will show it unto us. I have never felt that slavery was altogether
right, for it is abused by men, and I have often heard Mr. Burge say
that if he could see that it was sinful for him to own slaves, if he
felt that it was wrong, he would take them where he could free them.
He would not sin for his right hand. The purest and holiest men have
owned them, and I can see nothing in the scriptures which forbids it.
I have never bought or sold slaves and I have tried to make life easy
and pleasant to those that have been bequeathed me by the dead. I have
never ceased to work. Many a Northern housekeeper has a much easier
time than a Southern matron with her hundred negroes.

* * * * *

NOVEMBER 12, 1864.

Warped and put in dresses for the loom. Oh, this blockade gives us
work to do for all hands!

* * * * *

NOVEMBER 15, 1864.

Went up to Covington to-day to pay the Confederate tax. Did not find
the commissioners. Mid [a slave] drove me with Beck and the buggy. Got
home about three o'clock. How very different is Covington from what it
used to be! And how little did they who tore down the old flag and
raised the new realize the results that have ensued!

* * * * *

NOVEMBER 16, 1864.

As I could not obtain in Covington what I went for in the way of dye
stuffs, etc., I concluded this morning, in accordance with Mrs. Ward's
wish, to go to the Circle. We took Old Dutch and had a pleasant ride
as it was a delightful day, but how dreary looks the town! Where
formerly all was bustle and business, now naked chimneys and bare
walls, for the depot and surroundings were all burned by last summer's
raiders. Engaged to sell some bacon and potatoes. Obtained my dye
stuffs. Paid seven dollars [Confederate money] a pound for coffee, six
dollars an ounce for indigo, twenty dollars for a quire of paper, five
dollars for ten cents' worth of flax thread, six dollars for pins, and
forty dollars for a bunch of f