Monday, March 9th, 1863

To day I sent Hicks in company with Captain Rose as far as the residence of my old friend Dan Dailey's in hunt of my horse Gladiator. I am still engaged in fitting up the rooms about the house. The boys commenced working at the lower field in chopping & burning logs. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground one bushel of corn. weather cloudy & cold with strong prospects of rain.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Sunday, March 8th, 1863

To day the boys went to the bluff [Hall's Bluff on the banks of the Trinity River] after my gun stand & centre table and returned with them all safe. Hicks went out in search of my horse Gladiator, but returned at night without finding him. I am busy arranging my desk and papers. Capt. Rose came in the evening and remained all night with me. weather cloudy & cold.

Saturday, March 7th, 1863

To day the boys are busy planting the little field in front of the house in corn. Hicks is still out hunting my horse but returned at night without success. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. I am busy fitting up the rooms for bed chambers and in putting matting down on the floors. while at work I lost one of my gold sleeve buttons. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up in the evening to see us but did not remain long. weather clear & rather cool.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Friday, March 6th, 1863

To day Hicks is hunting my horse Gladiator. he returned home at night without finding him. The other boys are still at work hauling my things from the bluff [Hall's Bluff on the Trinity River] each wagon having made one load. I am engaged in fixing up the things at home and in putting down matting on the floors. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 51 bushels of corn. weather cloudy with occasional light showers of rain and very windy.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

Thursday, March 5th, 1863

To day I am engaged at the bluff [Hall's Bluff] in watching my things, and which I found in a damaged condition. The Steamer Alamo passed down the [Trinity] River from Magnolia. she lay at the bluff about 2 hours & then proceeded on her way to Liberty. The boys are busy hauling my things home. they made 2 loads with the mule team & one with the ox team. in the last load by the mule team I returned home from the bluff. My horse Gladiator run off & Hicks has been out all day hunting him but without success. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] is engaged in pecking the mill rocks and putting them in good running order. weather cloudy & cold with very high wind blowing and occasional showers of rain & very disagreeable.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the step-brother as well as the brother-in-law of JMH.

Wednesday, March 4th, 1863

To day Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp], Hicks & I are at work in relining & fixing up the mill fore bay & in putting up a new bridge tree head. The other boys are at work plowing up the little field in front of the house to plant corn. Sam ground 6½ bushels of corn. In the evening I took Bill, the little wagon & mules & drove down to Halls bluff after some of my articles, which I found on the bank of the river where they had been landed by the Alamo. I was compelled to camp out at night & sleep what little I got on the bank of the river, which was exceedingly disagreeable. weather changeable & very cold.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

Tuesday, March 3rd, 1863

To day the boys finished the cow pen. I commenced to stake the peas which are growing finely. Negro woman Louisa was taken quite sick. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 30 bushels of corn. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] went down to see her Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. The Steamer Lone Star left Hall's bluff for Liberty. at night the Steamer Alamo arrived at Hall's bluff from Liberty with most of my house hold furniture on board. weather clear & rather cool.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother. She is also the step-mother as well as the mother-in-law of JMH.