Wednesday, May 24th, 1865

To day I am still at Booth's. The soldiers who destroyed and carried away all the property they could find left on the cars for Beaumont in order to sack that place. Be it remembered that Genl. E.K. Smith surrendered to Genl. Canby the Trans-Mississippi department which finally winds up the war ingloriously to the South. Weather clear and very hot.

 

Sunday, May 21st, 1865

To day I am still at John Booth's and loafing around the river. The Commissary & Quarter Master's department were broken up and the officers ceased to discharge the duties of their offices. Weather clear and hot.

Saturday, May 13th, 1865

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived at Galveston. I found our troops mutinous and determined to give up the ship. I saw my old friend Jim Wrigley who has no idea of surrendering if it can be avoided. Weather clear & pleasant.

Sunday, June 5th, 1864

To day I rode my horse hawk up to Mrs. Brooks' & remained there for dinner. I learned from her of the death of Silas E. Keen who was wounded at the battle of Mansfield. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] they did not remain long as they left Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] sick and had to return to wait upon her. Burt rode hawk home because the pony she rode up became refractory & would not be governed by her. Weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 81°.

Friday, December 25th, 1863

To day being Christmas, all order of business was suspended, and we all went in for a regular jollification. I had with me to partake of our Christmas dinner, Father [Joshua James Hall], Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], Capt. Peacock, Mrs. Bird, Mr. Leaverton, and sundry others besides the home folks. the egg nogg flowed freely and all went off as merry as a marriage bell. To close the scene at night the negroes had a ball in the yard by moon light. they touched the light "fantastic" too and were as happy as happy could be. If Lincoln should succeed in his mad project and for which he is now prosecuting his unholy war for their emancipation, he will only plunge them into abject missery from their now happy condition. Weather changeable & cool.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Monday, December 21st, 1863

To day the boys are at work on the stables. I drove my horse (Rob) and buggy to Crockett and back. while there I left with L.E. Downes 15 pairs of russett brogans for him to sell for me. I purchased one gallon of whiskey for which I paid 80$ 1 oz. of the oil of Sassafras at 5¢ per oz. 1 lb. of candy at 3$. I record these prices for the benefit of those that come after me, in order that they may see some of the benefits that war brings upon the Country and people. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 9½ bushels of corn. Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] went home leaving the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and babe [Josephine] all doing well. Weather changeable and cold, with indications of rain.

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

Friday, August 8th, 1862

To day I had a sort of settlement with Capt. James Wrigley and took his general power of atty., to wind up the old business between us, during his absence to the seat of war. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston & return again. Sam Sharp with the boys are weighing cotton. Charley Lund is engaged in the office. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 95°. Capt. James Wrigley left on hand car for Houston to join his Company which is now ordered to Little Rock in Arkansas.

Tuesday, July 29th, 1862

This morning the Steamer Ruthven arrived in Galveston after running all last night. After seeing Mrs. Trowell safely home, I put up at the Washington Hotel. I spent the day very pleasantly in Galveston with Hitchcock, Wakelee and others. I took dinner with Hitchcock & found his family all well. In the way of business Galveston is perfectly dead. The blockading vessels are still off the bar being five in number. weather clear & hot. Ther: 98°.

Sunday, July 6th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with 44 bales of Cotton on board and reported seven sail of vessels off the Island preparing to bombard the City. I remained in my room writing. weather changeable with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 92°.

Tuesday, May 6th, 1862

To day I procured three recruits for Capt. Wrigley's co. Capt. Pickett's company arrived at Liberty in route for the seat of war, but pitched their camp here and doubtless will remain here for several days. [Trinity] River still rising. The boys are at work on my fence. weather clear & warm.

Wednesday, January 1st, 1862

To day I am busy in the Warehouse. I assisted however in placing five of the cannon, balls and carriages on the steamer Ruthven to be taken to Galveston. weather changeable & cool.

Tuesday, July 9th, 1861

To day I am at my post in the office, with very little doing however in the way of business. Capt. Wrigley with his Company are still in Camp. weather changeable & warm.

Saturday, July 6th, 1861

To day we left Sumpter and drove 24 miles over a bad road and arrived at Livingston, where we stoped at Bishop's Hotel. Here we found a new artillery company just organizing under Capt. Turner. expenses $3.50. weather changeable & warm.

Friday, May 3rd, 1861

To day James Wrigley went out to the San Jacinto river on the cars and returned again in the evening. The Polk County Guards left on the Steamer Ruthven for Galveston, in route for the seat of war in Virginia. but little business doing. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain and rather cold.

Wednesday, May 1st, 1861

To day the Liberty Guards turned out to receive the Polk County Guards under Capt. D. D. Moore, who are now on their way to the seat of war in Virginia. The Liberty Guards escorted them down to the ware house where they quartered. but little business doing. I attended the store sales during the parade of the Guards. weather cloudy & warm.