862 May 22 Chapel Hill, N.C.

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Thursday 222d  Liz & I took a walk around the Camous--But it
was too damp to walk far--I have just heard from Julius Wright
that Fred has gone into his country's service.  My heart is
weighed down with sorrow--& my spirits are low indeed--His dear
wife & sweet boy what will become of them?  How can Sarah &
her mother bear up against this heavy blow--Oh it is distres-
sing to us all--& I have wept, until my tears refuse to flow
But their Country calls--The Enemy is at our very doors--& each man
must do his duty--Knowing the necessity --I bow in submission
tho' I may never see their faces more--God's ways are inscruta-
ble & his designs must be accomplished--May he preserve
my children from danger & shield them from the hands
of their Enemies--We are disappointed in receiving no letters
to day--I cannot tell where Tom is & Mr Mason does not write
I fear something is the matter with him

MSS 6960