Monday, January 18th, 1864

To day the boys are at work on the stables. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Ratler to Crockett and was conscripted and put into the army of the Confederacy Sans Serimonia. I let Sam have 100$ before he left for Crockett. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and the children [Roberta and Toby] left for home. In the evening Mr. Thomas Sharp arrived from the wheat region with two loads of wheat which he left at the mill. He and Mr. Anderson remained with me for the night. I ground 51 bushels of corn. Weather changeable and cold, with a hard freeze at night.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is his mother, and is step-mother as well as mother-in-law to JMH.

Saturday, January 16th, 1864

To day I am still in Crockett and Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] is still in confinement and as I said in yesterday's notes on no charge but mere suspicion that he is liable to conscription. 

The reign of Military despotism is now complete, and a man not in the army dares not say that his life is his own or that he owns one dollar's worth of property. 

I left Crockett late in the evening after having failed to obtain Sam's release. upon my arrival at home I found as I had previously expected that Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] had miscarried. this catastrophy was hastened by the cruel and brutal arrest of her husband. 

If the agents of the Government think this is the proper way to make good soldiers for its armies by dragging husbands from wives who are almost at the point of death, I must humbly beg leave to differ with them. 

Dr. Murchison and Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] were in attendance upon Nellie. At night Sam came home to see his wife having been released upon his parole to return on Monday next. Dr. Murchison & Mother remained all night. Weather changeable & cold with a hard frost at night.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is Sam's mother.

Friday, January 15th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work on the stables. In the evening while Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I were running the mills a file of soldiers rode up and arrested us and forthwith shut up my mills and marched us off to Crockett like common felons. when we reached Crockett we were imprisoned in the Court house and a guard mounted over us. We were not allowed any fire or food, neither were we permitted to converse with any person. So we were kept without any charge against us but upon mere suspicion that we were liable to conscription. So much for our boasted rights as Southern gentlemen and for the causes which led us to sever our connection with the old government. Had I been thus treated by the Yankees I could have borne it all without complaint for I could not have expected any thing else, but coming from those who ought to be our guardians instead of our oppressors comes exceedingly hard, and not well calculated to make good and true soldiers to the Confederacy. I predict that it is but the beginning of the reign of Military despotism and will brake down our once happy land of freedom. I was again discharged late in the night but how long before I am again arrested God only knows. Sam however was kept in close confinement all night. Weather clear & cold.

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

Thursday, January 14th, 1864

To day the boys are at work covering in the stables. I rode my horse Rob to Crockett and while there was again arrested by the conscript officer. when they will get through conscripting me God only knows for one set of officers pulls down as fast as the others set up. I however after much difficulty attained another discharge, but how long it will last I cannot say. 

When I returned home I found Dr. Murchison and Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in attendance upon Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] whose symptoms are more aggravating. Weather changeable and rather cold.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Nellie is pregnant, and is married to Mahala's son, Sam.

Saturday, September 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work hauling logs to build the corn crib. Sam Sharp rode my horse Gladiator and I drove my horse Rob and buggy to Crockett and back. while there I obtained my discharge from conscription as a Miller and Sam was also discharged as an Assistant Miller. Father [Joshua James Hall] and Roberta [Berta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up and waited for our arrival from Crockett. After supper Father returned home. Burt however remained all night. Hicks ground 2 bushels of corn. weather changeable and rather cold for the time of the year.

Thursday, September 17th, 1863

To day the boys are at work hauling logs to build the corn crib. Mr. T.R. Dailey delivered 3722 lbs of lint cotton. James [James Wrigley Hall] missed his chill and fever. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went hunting but had no success. I ground 2 bushels of corn. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is very busy making up my clothing to take to the army with me in the event that I am conscripted and have to go. weather changeable & rather cool with light showers of rain.

Tuesday, September 15th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work chopping logs to build a corn crib. I drove my horse Rob and buggy to Crockett and back in order to be discharged from conscription but so far have failed. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Gladiator to Crockett for a like purpose as myself but he also failed. Hicks made a sand bolster for the wagon and also ground 4 bushels of corn. Ellen came up from Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and brought Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] home with her. James [James Wrigley Hall] had another chill and fever. Wolf is still improving and might be pronounced entirely well. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had turnip, raddish and mustard seeds sown. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.

Saturday, September 12th, 1863

To day the boys finished putting up the walls of the Cotton house. I rode my horse Ratler to Crockett and back in order to get my discharge from Conscription. I found however that L.W. Cooper had been removed and H.W. Beeson had been appointed the Enrolling officer in his place and he refusing to act until Monday next I had my ride for no purpose. I purchased from Mr. Monroe $82.⁰⁰ worth of tobacco and $1. worth of pink root and left for home in company with Father [Joshua James Hall]. when about half way home it clouded up and rained exceedingly hard. I became thoroughly soaked with water. weather was clear in the morning and very hot.

Wednesday, September 9th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work putting up the cotton house. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 3 bushels of corn. I rode my horse Ratler to Crockett & back in order to get released from Conscription, but did not succeed. In consequence of which I got on a slight bender. Clara & Carroll are still quite sick. While in Crockett I received from Mr. J.C. Miller the sum of $60. for two pairs of Wool cards. weather clear & very hot.

Wednesday, November 12th, 1862

 
To day I am still busy in making out the Muster roll of Conscripts, conscripted by me since I have held the office of enrolling officer for Liberty County, and also in arranging all the papers belonging to said office preparitory to my resignation. The Government steamer Col. Stell arrived here from Lynchburg in quest of negro men to assist in erecting fortifications at the mouth of the Trinity River and in sinking obstructions in said river to prevent the gun boats of our enemy from ascending the same. weather cold, cloudy & rainy with a strong north wind blowing.

Tuesday, November 11th, 1862

To day I am busily engaged in fixing up my papers in the Conscript office and in putting the office in good trim for my successor whomsoever he may be. weather cold with a strong north wind blowing and a very hard rain at night.

Monday, November 10th, 1862

To day I am again very busy in the conscript office enrolling soldiers for the army of the Confederate States, & so continued until the army Surgeon Mr. G. Fergason left. The boys finished digging & housing the potatoes. weather cloudy and warm with strong prospects of rain.

Sunday, November 9th, 1862

In the forenoon I am engaged in the conscript office & in the evening I remained home with Sam, writing up this journal and some letters to my little woman & dear ones at home [in Houston County]. weather clear and pleasant.

Saturday, November 8th, 1862

To day I am busily engaged in the conscript office reconscripting those heretofore discharged by reason of disability. Sam H. Sharp* with the little wagon & mules arrived from the mill [in Houston County] having left there on Wednesday last, taking just 4 days to come down. He left my little woman and babies well. The boys still at work housing the potatoes. weather clear and cool, with a hard frost at night. [*Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog . . . and "the little woman" is his sister . . . as well as the wife of the writer of this Journal . . . ]

 

Thursday, June 12th, 1862

To day I am busy in my office Conscripting & granting permits. Sam* Sharp & the boys are still at work in the Ware house. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] still busy packing trunks. weather clear & very hot. Ther: 92°.

*Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Margaret is Sam's sister, and is step-sister as well as wife to JMH.

Saturday, June 7th, 1862

To day I am busy in the conscript office. The steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a heavy freight and the boys are busy storing it away in the ware house. Sam* & Nellie* left in the buggy on a visit to West Liberty. Charley Lund went off to a fish fry, leaving me all alone in the office to transact all kinds of business. My pet babe Fawn is still improving. weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°. 

*This Sam & Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog . . . Nellie's mother (referred to as Mrs. Beale in this Journal) lived in West Liberty.

 

Tuesday, June 3rd, 1862

To day I am busy conscripting & attending to the Provost Marshal's office. Sam* with the boys are engaged in storing freight at the ware house. weather clear & very hot. Ther. 89°.

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

Saturday, May 31st, 1862

To day I am very busy in the conscript office, making soldiers. The steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a large cargo of freight & with a great many passengers. The boys are busy storing freight. weather changeable and showery with a hard rain at night. Thus I close the jottings for the month of May.

Friday, May 30th, 1862

To day I am very busy in the conscript office putting many into the army who would not otherwise have joined. The boys still hauling corn. The little woman has entirely recovered. weather clear & warm.

Thursday, May 29th, 1862

To day I loaned my horse Hawk to D. Richardson who left in company with Charley Lund for Smith's point on Galveston bay. I am very busy in the conscript office. The boys are still engaged in hauling corn from Swilley's landing. The little woman is able to be up and look after her household affairs. weather clear & warm.