Day 1: Where Did They Go? May 5, 1861

Arthur, Nelson, Philip and Owen all left early this morning. Momma wont tell me where they went and I miss them so much already and its only been a couple of hours. I know something is going on in the North and South of the United States, because I would hear our neighbors tell Momma and Poppa something about a war possibly happening. I think that they may be in training to become soldiers, which worries me deeply because that means they have a chance to be killed. AnnaMae, my best friend, told me that her oldest brother was sent somewhere this morning also! AnnaMae told me that her brother Paul is going to write her a letter everyday until he comes home. I hope one of my brothers will do that, but knowing them Nelson is the only one who can write. The other boys are better off in other subjects, but that isnt important right now.

I have to get to school in a couple, so Momma is tellin' me I have to go eat and head off to school with AnnaMae. Life right now is so lonely! I miss Philip, him and I would always walk up to school together and I would always ride on his shoulders. I am very close to my brothers and I miss them so very much and they need to come home soon, I don't want them in this war. Its too dangerous and I would be so dearly sad if any of them got killed.

Poppa came in a couple minutes ago and said that they are letting some of our slaves free, according to President Lincoln they needed to be trained to be in minute militia, which Lincoln called immediately. Poppa also said that if anything, we are full southern people and we are taking the southerners side, we need our slaves and we approve slavery to run this plantation. There are rumors going around supposedly that the United States is becoming split! I dont know what that means but it doesnt sound good. Momma keeps tellin me I have to put the journal down, I will write back as soon as I hear anything about this "War" starting.

~ Beth