ly by
telling her that they had taken her sweetheart prisoner; that when he
got off the train at the Circle they took him and, some said, shot
him.

The Yankees found Mrs. Glass's china and glassware that she had buried
in a box, broke it all up, and then sent her word that she would set
no more fine tables. They also got Mrs. Perry's silver.

* * * * *

DECEMBER 23, 1864.

Just before night Mrs. Robert Rakestraw and Miss Mary drove up to
spend the night with me. They had started down into Jasper County,
hoping to get back their buggy, having heard that several buggies were
left at Mr. Whitfield's by the Yankees.

Nothing new! It is confidently believed that Savannah has been
evacuated. I hear nothing from my boys. Poor fellows, how I miss them!

* * * * *

DECEMBER 24, 1864.

This has usually been a very busy day with me, preparing for Christmas
not only for my own tables, but for gifts for my servants. Now how
changed! No confectionery, cakes, or pies can I have. We are all sad;
no loud, jovial laugh from our boys is heard. Christmas Eve, which
has ever been gaily celebrated here, which has witnessed the popping
of fire-crackers [the Southern custom of celebrating Christmas with
fireworks] and the hanging up of stockings, is an occasion now of
sadness and gloom. I have nothing even to put in Sadai's stocking,
which hangs so invitingly for Santa Claus. How disappointed she will
be in the morning, though I have explained to her why he cannot come.
Poor children! Why must the innocent suffer with the guilty?

* * * * *

DECEMBER 25, 1864.

Sadai jumped out of bed very early this morning to feel in her
stocking. She could not believe but that there would be something in
it. Finding nothing, she crept back into bed, pulled the cover over
her face, and I soon heard her sobbing. The little negroes all came
in: "Christmas gift, mist'ess! Christmas gift, mist'ess!"

I pulled the cover over my face and was soon mingling my tears with
Sadai's.

* * * * *

[The records in the journal for the year 1865 are full of details of
farm work and reflections on the war. For example]:

JANUARY 30, 1865.