Monday, August 3rd, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall], Conny and Jemima are still sick. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I went up and attended the general election for State officers and remained there nearly the whole day. Be it remembered that I voted for T.J. Chambers for Governor, because I am opposed to all those who advocate Military necessity as paramount to the Constitution and laws of the land. Father [Joshua James Hall] came home with me from the election but did not remain long. I sold George Brashears a pair of wool cards for 30$ just think of such a price hereafter. In consequence of the low water I was unable to grind any corn. weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°.

Sunday, August 2nd, 1863

To day I remained at home reading. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went fishing and had good luck. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall], Conney and Jemima were all taken with the fever again. I am satisfied that it is the influence of the mill pond that produces so much sickness in my family. weather clear and hot. Ther: 93°.

Saturday, August 1st, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children went down to Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and spent the day. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went fishing and had very good success. I ground 10 bushels of corn. weather changeable and warm with indications of rain. Ther: 90°.

Friday, July 31st, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went down to see how they are getting on with this work. The mill pond still being so low that I could not grind, I loafed around the house. weather changeable and hot with indications of rain. Ther: 92°. Thus I close the passing events around me for the month of July.

Thursday, July 30th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. I assisted the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in pealing peaches to day for winter's use thus "making hay while the sun shines." Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] and Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] drove my horse and buggy down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and while there Sam paid over to Father [Joshua James Hall] the balance in money that he obtained from the sale of two bales of cotton to the Penitentiary after the 150 yds of cloth was deducted. Those two bales of cotton I loaned to Mother, and are to be by her paid back to me and delivered to me at the mills. they weighed 905 lbs gross. In consequence of the low stage of water in the pond I was unable to grind any corn. weather changeable and hot. Ther: 94°.

Wednesday, July 29th, 1863

To day the boys quit splitting boards and commenced pulling fodder which required their immediate attention. I ground 19 bushels of corn and 5½ bushels of Barley. I was enabled to grind this much because some person went to the upper mill and pulled up the gates, thereby giving me the benefit of their whole head of water. Roberta [Hall] came up but did not tarry long. weather clear & hot with indications of rain. Ther: 95°. at midnight the wagon arrived from Huntsville with the things obtained there by Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp]. It had very good success in the homeward trip.

Tuesday, July 28th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work getting boards. John commenced hauling rails. The sick have all recovered once more. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] got back from Huntsville having procured from the Penitentiary 151 yds of cotton cloth for our family and a like amount for Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. The wagon got down to Huntsville after much trouble and the loss of two yoke of oxen, which escaped and returned home. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] rode up to Mrs. P?'s and obtained some tallows. I ground 3 bushels of corn. weather changeable and hot with indications of rain. Ther: standing at 94°.