Monday, August 17th, 1863

To day the boys are at work pulling fodder in the bottom field. The District Court for this (Houston) County commenced its session. Nellie's [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] thumb is getting better. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] & Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] missed their fever and are now improving. Bill was attacked with fever and had to stop working. I ground two bushels of corn. weather changeable and warm. Ther: 90° with showers of rain.

Sunday, August 16th, 1863

To day in the forenoon Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I went fishing with very poor success. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] is still complaining with her thumb. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] & Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] were again attacked with fever. In the evening I remained at home writing up this journal. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 90°.

Saturday, August 15th, 1863

To day the boys are at work hauling and stacking fodder. they hauled and stacked four stacks. Father [Joshua James Hall] with the road hands worked the road leading from Hall's bluff to the mills. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] is very much troubled with a rising on her thumb. I ground 7 bushels of corn and loaned Mr. Bird one bushel of meal. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 91°.

Friday, August 14th, 1863

To day the boys are still pulling fodder in the bottom field. John hauled two loads home. In the evening the boys stacked it up. The whole amount of fodder saved from the lower field is 4333 lbs. I ground 2 bushels of wheat. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] had a fever all day, and a severe attack of Cholera Morbus on last night. In consequence of a continued dispute and argument between Father and myself in relation to the distance from the mill to his house I concluded to measure it. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] assisted me. we commenced at the mill door. at 260 varas we reached the corner of the garden at the end of the lane. at 1070 varas we reached Cooks branch which is a spring branch and flows all the year. at 1690 varas we reached the Chinquepin flat & branch. at 1900 varas we set up the first mile post. at 2600 varas we reached the top of what is called "the big hill". at 3800 varas we set up the two mile post. at 3820 varas we reached the corner of the fence to the lower field. at 3850 varas we reached what is called the "Brown" house. at 4125 varas we reached Hall's Spring branch a beautiful stream flowing the entire year. at 4430 varas we reached the tan yard branch. at 4751 varas we reached the Hall's bluff fork. at 4775 varas we reached the head of the lane leading to Fathers home. at 5125 varas we reached the gate. thus making the distance 2¾ miles, which has (heretofore) always been called and passed for 2 miles and thus settling the vexed and disputed point as to the distance as aforesaid by actual measurement. weather clear & hot. Ther: 92°.

Thursday, August 13th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the bottom field. John has at last found his oxen and commenced hauling. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and back. Mrs. Pennington sent home the cloth she had been weaving for the little woman without having finished it. It appears she took some exceptions to the little woman and cut the cloth out of the loom, probably ruining at least one garment. I ground 5½ bushels of corn. weather clear and hot. Ther: 90°.

Wednesday, August 12th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the bottom field. John again went out in hunt of the oxen. Father [Joshua James Hall] & Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up but did not remain long. After dinner Billy & Robert Stewart left for Crockett. I ground 12½ bushels of corn. weather changeable & hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 90°.

Tuesday, August 11th, 1863

To day the boys finished pulling fodder in the lower field and commenced pulling in the bottom field. I sent John out to hunt up his oxen. Billy and Robert Stewart came out and stopped with me for the night. I ground 5 bushels of corn, and then picked some peas in the garden. weather changeable and hot. in the evening it clouded up and then the rain poured down in perfect torrents. Ther: 94°.