Civil War Diary of Caroline Goldthwait, Salem Massachusetts, Referencing the Firing on Fort Sumter and other War Related Events
Wonderful diary and poetry book of Caroline Goldthwait, born in 1842 in Massachusetts. Her first entry is from March 1856 while she was attending grammar school in Salem. Her April 13, 1861 entry reads “Civil War is inevitable, today the first great act has been committed which will have the government no other course than that of defending herself. Ft. Sumter was stormed by the rebels and after being gratefully defended by a few men under Major Anderson was surrendered by fire to them.” Some other war related entries are as follows…
April 15- The President has ordered 75,000 men to Washington to defend the government.
April 19- The 6th Mass regiment was attacked going through Baltimore by the secession mob. A number killed. Fort Sumpter and our murdered men call for revenge and they shall have it. For as long as a man is left in the north we will fight for our belove country. We will fight until the property of our government is recovered and every rebel is subdued.
May 7, 1862- Yorktown in Va. was evacuated by the rebels Thursday. Suppose they have gone to Richmond. Our forces occupy the town. New Orleans is in our possession.
May 13- Expect any day to hear of the fall of Richmond. Don't see how they can hold out much longer. The rebels blew the Merrimac up at Craney Island.
The diary contains some wonderful poetry and is written in clear, easily readable penmanship. The leather-bound book measures 8 ¼” by 7 ¼”. A valuable civilian perspective on the war and the times from a young Massachusetts woman.
Comes housed in a 12 x 16 inch display case with red velvet backing and descriptive card.
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Inventory Number: IDE 161