Dear Diary…

What can be more interesting than reading the rants and raves in someone’s private journal?

What can be more interesting than reading the rants and raves in someone’s private journal? Here is part of the first entry from one of the History Center’s diaries:

“April 13th, 1861

Rained violently until 9 O’clock, when it cleared off, and remained so with the exception of a few clouds. This day has been one of unusual interest. The papers bring the news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and about diner[sic] time, a dispatch was received from South Carolina, saying that the Fort had been taken by the South Carolinians. The news was received here with great joy, the firing of one hundred cannon bearing testimony to it. A torchlight procession is talked of, but I do not know whether there will be one or not. It is raining now, I hope it will not…”

Diary
By an unknown young woman
Richmond, Virginia
1861-1862
Gift of the Estate of William Pavon

The following is an entry from a diary an unknown young woman who was living in Richmond. Entries date from April 13, 1861 to May 15, 1862. We don’t know who she is, but her prose provides firsthand observations of what was going on in Richmond during the early years of the Civil War.

For those of you who hate to read cursive, you’re in luck – through the efforts of a volunteer, the diary has been fully transcribed and viewable in typed form.

Make a research appointment in the Archives to view this diary and other Civil War materials!

Meg Hughes
Director of Archives & Photographic Services
Valentine Richmond History Center