1862 October 3 New Bern, N.C.

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

Friday 3d We were all invited to spend the day--But I had no spirits
to go when there is so much distress amongst friends & relatives--Eliza &
Sarah were prevented by indisposition from accepting Mrs Phillips's polite
invitation--One has a bad cold and sore throat--the other very sick all
morning, from  The Wingfield family Mrs Walters & Liz have all gone
& no doubt will have a very pleasant day--I heard thro' a letter Eliza re
=ceived from Mr M___n this morning that Tom was not injured in
the last battles--But I am afraid to believe it--For if safe he would certain
-ly have written me if only one line--I received a letter from Mrs Hardin
She has taken Willie Ruffin from St Mary's & has her with her at  home
Poor Virgil wrote me a few lines from Wilmington telling me
of Mr Jewetts death--& remarked that we would never know the
town now it was entirely deserted--The papers say the fever
is still going on--Last account 18 buried of a day & 43 more
cases--But since they have received assistance from Charleston
it yields to good nursing--General Beauregard has sent one of
his staff--Dr. Chappin to render assistance, & several sisters of
Mercy have come on--but the inhabitants must suffer for
provisions--Weather still pleasant--Nothing stiring from our
Army--they are exhausted & broken down--Poor fellows have my
heart feels for them all--Lincoln's last Proclamation must
rouse the south afresh.

MSS 6960