1862 July 4 Chapel Hill, N.C.

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

Friday 4th  I have just heard of the death of Willie Wooster & Duncan
Moore--Two more of our finest young men have fallen in battle
Oh their poor mothers, how sincerely do I feel for them--Gladly would
I go to Mrs Wooster--& mingle my tears with hers if I could do nothing
more Show her that I sincerely grieved with her--& felt her affliction
But that painful pleasure being denied me--I can but pray that
God will support & comfort her now in this her great affliction & give
her grace to bear up under it--Eliza received a letter from Mr
Mason this morning--saying he was too weak to start for Chapel
Hill yet--But he would go into the country for a few days & then come up
here--He said Tom was safe so far--He had to remain with his wagon & was
not in the fight--I thank God for this great goodness in saving my child--
Cousin Sally London has been sitting with me this morning -- She is
more cast down than I ever saw her before--She is grieving for the
dead & sympathizing with the living--She tells me Colonel Mears is amongst
the killed & William DeRossett missing--What will become of Kate
Mears I know not---She went almost crazy when her son got drowned--
& now to lose her husband will nearly kill her--How severely Gods
hand has been laid upon the DeRossett n the last few years--A family
who enjoyed uninterrupted happiness for 20 years & more--& who have
raised a family of 10 or 12 children--In the last twelve months they have
lost 5 out of their circle--domestic circle--Mrs Willie DeRossett--Kates
largest son--Captain DeRossets little daughter--Dr DeRossetts son
a lad of 18--Edward--& now Colonel Mears. The sun has come out
brightly again--& it is cool & chilly--A young man from Richmond
says the fighting is still going on=Oh that we may rout the enemy
effectually--It is reported that Burnsides has reinforced McClennan
& we have had reinforcements too--May God bless our arms
& give our people strength of mind and body to do all that is right
successfully--The Selden family have just left Chapel Hill.  I
regret not getting acquainted with them--As all that know them
speak highly of them--& they are amongst the first people in Virginia

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