1862 October 14 Chapel Hill, N.C.

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

Tuesday 14th  It has continued to rain all day. So we are housed
again--We have all been lucky in the letter line.  Mrs Walters recei
-ved a very satisfactory one from her son.  Neither he or Fred were
in the battle near Corinth--They are still in Washington County
& I expect will be kept there to guard the River from Gunboats-
They had quite a severe skirmish with one a week or two ago--
He expected to  visit his, & Fred's plantation before he returned
to Camp--He wrote from Jackson where he had gone on business
for his Colonel--Eliza had a letter also from Mr M--He is still
in Hampton--My three letters were from Mary-Joe & Alfred
Joe seem sanguine about completing his house very early this
fall or winter, & says we must all come out--Black white big
& little--Mary still up--& Alfred tells of his visit to the sound
Fan's illness & Mr Jewetts death &ct &ct--I have just seen an
announcement int he journal of Joe Lippitts death--also Mr
Dix's--I feel truely sorry for their wives--Liz & Eliza I think
will leave for Enfield next Monday 20th I hate to part with
them both--But can[t] feel selfish enough to persuade them
to remain--When they will enjoy themselves so much
more there.  Joe says he has received a letter from Mr. Ma
-son--& he is for his sisters marrying before the War is
over if they both desire to do so--I have seen very little of
Sarah to day she seems not as bright and sociable as usual
William is very sweet--I have just given $7 for a pair of shoes
for Kate

MSS 6960