1861 CONFEDERATE CIVIL WAR DIARY. 16 Year Old Girl Courted by a Confederate Soldiers &c.

A fascinating little peak into the intersection between normal life and military life among the Confederates of Virginia during the earliest days of the outbreak of the Civil War. It seems soldiers must have been regularly quartering in Rockbridge, perhaps as soldiers moved to and from Richmond. At least two different soldiers attempt to court our album owner, at least one at 16 years old [1863] and at least one at 17 [1864].  

The present album, that of Sarah [Sally] Cornelia Firebaugh Bear [1847-1930] contains extensive original inscriptions from various friends, family, etc., is unusually "full." By that I mean, the content is unusually original and significant to the era. Inscriptions largely from Rockbridge County and Middlebrook, Arbor Hill, Virginia, etc.

*The first entry, dated May 10, 1860, notes that our album owner is "just now upon the vert of her teens, when womanhood is but beginning to bud, and at that age when it seems most proper to form the character and lay the foundation of all female virtues," etc. We presume her to be 13, and thus 

*The next is a non-authorial holograph of Rev. William R. Alger's There is a power to make each hour. 

*An original poem dated July 30th, [1860] from "Your Friend, C.B.A." 

To Sallie

Mayest thou live in joy forever
Naught from the true pleasures sever
From thy heart arise no sigh
And no tear bedew thy eye, etc.

*A May 29th, 1862 lengthy inscription in pencil [original], sermonic in tone, precious Saviour of the mourning, and enables us to see that he is the chiefest among ten thousand, the one altogther lovely. In that pure world above may it be yours to live a pure life, to give to your Redeemer a pure heart, and afterwords, be tenderly guided along the path of life, & by the pure waters of the river of life, realize that blessed are the pure in heart, etc. Apparently with some losses. 

*An original December 15th, 1863 poem, signed S. C. R. Oh! Is not it a joy to stand \ in friendship true, unbroken, etc. 

*An original lengthy "Wish for Pet," inscribed July 17th, 1863.

*An extensive inscription, My only Dear Single Sister, Pet, signed by James B[olton]. Firebaugh [1845-1930]. James worked as a farm laborer on his Father's farm in Rockbridge County, Virginia; when he was 17 years old, at the end of December 1862, James enlisted in the Confederate Army to fight in the Civil War.... he served in the Virginia 1st Cavalry Regiment, then Company H, Virginia 14th Cavalry Regiment.

My only Dear Single Sister Pet

I will soon leave you never to see your face again, but if it shall ever be permitted to meet again & hope our meeting will be full of joy and gladness. Now, take a brother's advice. 1st. Never marry any person you don't love. 2nd. Don't marry a drunkard, live a single life first [i.e. instead] for you will always be in trouble if you do. 3rd. Don't flirt with any person, for if you do it will undoubtedly come home to you. 4th. If you cna't marry some honest and energetic fellow, stay single, for you will be happier living an old main than you would to marry a disgraceful man. 5th. Don't tell stories and always live up to your confession. 6th. Always be kind to mother, for when. you love her, you love one of the best friends you ever had or ever will have, husband not excepted. etc.

An inscription dated April 23d, 1864 from W. H. H. of the Confederate States of America. An excellent poem, and apparently original. 

I love thee well thou little plant
That we have no gayer flower
That deck our garden plates, I grant
And grace our forest-bower.

There's many a one, with air of pride.
Displays her gorgeous dyes
And spreads her flaunting petals wide
And brightly to the skies

Yet from whose robes of royal hue
Waving in wind and sun
The wooing sun beams never drew
Nor dallying zephyrs won

Your fragrant breath, O who can love
A gaudy, scentless flower
Who would transplant it from the grove
To his own, dear, home bower?

*The same day as the previous, also, W. H. H.  

On Acquaintance of Miss Pet
I love thee, darling little plant,
Thou cheerest many an hour - 
Others are bright, and gay I grant,
But thou'rt my dear Pet Flower.

*Later in the album, another poem by our W. H. H. Confederate States of America [same date].

To thee when morn is shining,
My early homage tends
To thee, when day's declining
In camp my evening song descends
When grief within me swelling
Leaves no longer free
I fly my humble dwelling 
To thee - to thee!

Come bend above the waters
And hear my serenade
Thou sweetest of earth's daughters
My own bright Southern maid
I woo thee not with splendor
But bring, my only fee,
True heart, and homage tender,
To thee - to thee. 

Apparently our W. H. H. was not the only suitor. The year before, April 22, 1863, there is another inscription of love to her, in a different hand, signed A Georgia Soldier. 

And many other inscriptions worthy of further investigation. 

A fair copy only, bound in cloth, nearly disbound, pages are stained, handled, and toned throughout.