Actual Diary of Mrs. Thomas Walker Doswell
(Mrs. Francis Anne Sutton)
April 2-26, 1865, Richmond, VA
April 2nd, 1865
When I returned from church and went up to my room I found my husband waiting for me, to inform me that the news from General Lee was bad and that Richmond it was thought would be evacuated in about 24 hours. After conversing together about what was best to do, I determined to go (if agreeable) to Mr. Walker’s where I had been kindly invited and Mr. Doswell said he would return to his office and try and find out more of the particulars of the evacuation. He did so and in a few hours returned telling me that we must pack up and move directly as he would have to leave town that night. The excitement by this time had become great, everybody was moving things to the Danville cars that wish to leave while several of the boarders in the American Hotel were moving to private houses. By four ½ of o’clock I had my things packed up that I wished to Mr. Walker’s. About ½ 10 o’clock Phil brought the carriage to take us up to Mr. Walker’s. Whilst on my way up, sitting by my dear husband and feeling that probably that would be the last time we would ever sit together on earth, my heart felt almost broken, and I could not refrain from weeping. After remaining a few minutes at Mr. Walker’s, he took leave of us - - feeling, I doubt not, equally as sad as myself. It was now about 12 o’clock at night, but I felt too sad to sleep so I determined not to undress, but to gratify Cousin Kate, I laid by her on the bed and after being there a few minutes, I heard a horse stop in front of the door. I immediately inquired from the window who it was, much to our surprise and delight found it was Seddon, who had called by to see if he could render us any assistance. He also said he had orders to remain in the City until the Enemy came in. He stayed about an hour with us and when he left I asked him to ride by Mr. Doswell’s office and see if he had left. He soon returned and reported that he had been gone several hours. O how sad and lonely did I feel, yet I preferred his going, and for his sake as well as for my country, I determined to be of good cheer. About daybreak we heard a loud explosion which shook the house so much that we were all frightened. I heard afterwards it was a magazine. A few minutes after that a bell was rung and in a few minutes the City was filled with smoke from the fire at Mayo’s bridge and the warehouses. Sue Taliaferro and I determined now we would sit by the window and watch for the Enemy. We had scarcely been seated five minutes before we heard an explosion that seemed to shake the whole earth. This jarring broke many of the window glass and did much damage elsewhere. I must acknowledge this completely unnerved me and I felt still more frightened when I saw the tremendous fires in the direction of Main Street. In the midst of my excitement Major Carrington called to say goodbye. Never did I feel more delight at seeing him or experience more grief at parting with him and I can never cease to forget the kind and affectionate manner in which he talked to me. I now had to prepare myself to see the Enemy. In about half an hour or perhaps an hour, some negroes were seen hastening to welcome them in the capitol square. About 8 o’clock Sue and I saw the first Yankee on horseback, dashing by. In a short time afterwards some thirty or forty came by on horseback. By this time the fires had become alarming. Shells were bursting every minute and it was feared the whole City could be burned. Plundering had also commenced and negroes by twentys were passing by their baskets filled with cloth, tobacco and other stolen articles. While a squad of Yankee cavalry were passing by Mr. Sutton’s they spied a negro man with a wheelbarrow filled with smoking tobacco, and such squabbling over it I never saw, several of their horses were on the pavement and for a minute there was some excitement, but the commanding officer soon ordered them to fall in a line, which order they promptly obeyed. At 1 o’clock the fire seemed still on the increase, although negroes had been made to work the water pump and try and put out the fire. We packed up a few things in baskets preparing to move if necessary in a few moments. By this time the cry was, the house is on fire, and looking out the window found the porch burning but by a little water being thrown on it was soon extinguished. But we would hear so many reports during the evening about the City being on fire that it kept me miserable. About 2 o’clock Mr. Walker and Brother came both nearly exhausted from fatigue. Having been cut off from home they had to walk a long ways. Several of the ladies got protection papers by this time from the officer commanding who was Col. Riply. Sister Jane, Mrs. Parker and Sue Taliaferro went to the City Hall and got one. A guard was stationed on Fifth Street and told Brother if the soldiers disturbed us, to call for him, that after 8 o’clock no one would be allowed to be on the street but the guard. After supper the door bell rang and when the door was opened who should come in but a drunken man wanting clothes, etc. Immediately the guard was called but before he came the soldier had made his escape. The American Hotel was burnt in the middle of the day and I lost all my furniture. The servants behave upon the whole quite well but they were heard to make many insulting remarks. I did not undress Sunday or Monday nights. The first negro soldier I saw had one of our poor soldiers prisoner walking by his side and he on horseback.
This morning April 4th I saw a regiment of infantry, 206 New York, they were well dressed but it was a small regiment. They have very fine horses and they are constantly riding about, I think more to see the City than anything else. Just as we finished dinner today someone came in and said Lincoln was coming down Grace Street. We had heard the guns fired in honor of his arrival and we went to the window to see him, as we would go to look at a wild beast. He and his son and four officers were in an ambulance drawn by four splendid horses, then came a carriage with four more officers and then about thirty men on horseback. I forgot to mention that in front of the ambulance rode two officers splendidly mounted. The streets were crowded, mostly though with negroes and they huzzaring and hollowing; one said, “Jeff Davis did not wait to see his master but he had come at last.” He was gallanted to the President’s house where he now remains.
Yesterday April 3rd there were many drunk also many negroes but before night most of them were put in confinement, they are much stricter than we are with the men, and have much more discipline.
This morning they arrested all the negro men, and made them clean out the Capitol square and the streets. Ellen and Conway were out on the street today and got some figs. I eat but few but they were very nice. I hear they have opened store where Prozini lived. O how galling it is to us to see the Yankee Negroes on horseback and to hear the remarks they make.
April 4, in the evening Brother came up to my room and read me the evening Whig edited by William I. Smith.
April 5, A bright morning and tho I undressed last night and went to bed the first time for two nights, I felt worse this morning than I had done since the Yankees came. The excitement begins to wear off & I begin to realize what privations I will have to endure & that my home has been destroyed, & worst of all I shall be compelled to be separated from the one I most love for an indefinite time & be denied even the privilege of hearing from him. The Yankees are arresting all the negroes -- what they are going to do with them no one knows. I am miserable about Phil. While I am writing this (a) wagon train is passing going to Camp (?) Lee. This the first I have seen. There are eighteen nice ambulances drawn by splendid horses and guarded by negroes, the negro officers riding splendid horses, behind these are five large wagons drawn each one by six mules & behind these come twenty or thirty negro soldiers mounted on splendid horses. When the pickets ride by they go as fast as their horses can run & how often do I wish our men were in pursuit.
April 6, this morning before I was dressed I saw a brigade of negroes pass by on their way to City Point, they had white officers and men nicely equipped for marching. Eliza Mary & several of the servants called to see me this morning, and kindly offered to do anything they could for me, the first question they asked was when I heard from Master Tom. The only thing of interest to record to say is seeing two Yankee women, one officer & two children in a nice hack, escorted by three men on horseback, go by the door in great haste. Suppose they were riding around to see the beauties of the City. Jessie was over for a few moments. I am now about to write a letter to Mr. Doswell, the first opportunity I have had since he left.
April 7, nothing of interest has occurred today. I have for the first time for several years had as many figs as I could eat at one time.
Nothing of interest has occurred up to this time, April 12. I did not go to church on Sunday, fearing there might be some disturbance. Saw four Yankee women riding on horseback Sunday morning, also some in carriages & ambulances, they rode around the square & disappeared. Today is the 12th. Betty Jones & Sue Brown are in my room & Ella is very much fretted because they want to play with her.
Saturday, April 14. Mr. Snodgrass, Charly & Capt. Murphy arrived early in the morning. General Lee came home. Mrs. Parker, Sue & I started to see him but he went in his house just before we got down. There was quite a crowd standing around his house.
Sunday 15. Sue Brown, Sue Taliaferro & myself went to hear Dr. Burrows, his text was “Mary has chosen that good part that cannot be taken from her.” He preached a very good sermon & his prayer was beautiful. He prayed for our country & our soldiers & that we might have wisdom to discover good in his chastisement.
Today I bought Sally a hat, gave 9.50 in greenbacks, the most I have spent since the Yankees came. Last night (Sunday) we heard the death of old Abe & today April 16 the papers are all in mourning for him.
Tuesday April 18th (?). I am sitting alone in my room, Bernard & Ella asleep & Sally spending the night with Mary Snodgrass. I feel sadder tonight than I have done since Mr. Doswell left. Andrew, his servant, reported to me today that he left Mr. Doswell on Wednesday on his way south. I feel now there is no possible chance of hearing from him for months perhaps years & I with three little ones to look after is enough to make me sad but all things work together for good for those who love the Lord & I trust I am one of those & that my trials now may prove a blessing in time to come.
April 20th., India, Mrs. Parker, Sue & I went to Jackson’s hospital to carry the wounded soldiers some bread and tea. Met with no acquaintances & felt tired when I go back which was about two o’clock & when I returned went over to Sister Jane’s & she gave me a snack & whilst there brother came in with a passport to go to Baltimore. He left on Friday 21. On that day I went to Jessie’s, Betty & Molly with me & Bernard. They all returned home to dinner but I remained until the evening & came by myself.
Saturday, April 22. Have just finished a letter to Sister to send by Betty who leaves in the morning for Orange.
April 23. Betty Jones & the two Miss Phillips left Sister Jane’s about 11 o’clock in a wagon. Sister Jane went with me to church. Heard Dr. Burrows preach from the text “No man is sure of life.” He spoke of the death of Lincoln and condemned the murderer in the strongest terms. Nothing of interest transpired in the evening.
Monday, April 24. Mr. Brown called & brought me a bottle of milk & plate of butter as a present from Mrs. Carrington. He also informed me Lieutenant Jones had arrived and that Mr. Doswell was not on his way home as I had expected. This was indeed sad news to me. I had had a pleasant dream of him last night & was in hopes soon it would come to pass, it was that I had the pleasure of seeing him once more at home. Charlotte and her children left Sister Jane’s this morning. I am feeling very nervous this morning & cannot write any more.
April 26, went to Dr. Gibson’s funeral in the morning & from there to Jessie’s to see Mr. Snodgrass who was quite sick, remained there until evening. April 26 (?) went with Molly to see Mrs. Palfry & when I returned found much to my delight Phil Sutton had come & said Mr. Doswell would be here either today or tomorrow, so I am looking forward to tomorrow with much pleasure as he has not come today.
(Release paper, not part of the diary)
Head Quars 5th A Corps
Office of Pro Marshal
April 24, 1865
I hereby certify that Captn. T. W. Doswell, C.S.A., has given his parole of honor that he will not hereafter serve in the Armies of the Confederate States or in any military capacity against the U. S. of America or render any aid to the enemies of the last until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities.
/s? H. W. Ryder
Major and Pro Marshal
(Explanation of above mentioned people, not part of the diary)
Mr. Doswell Maj. Thos. Walker Doswell, Provost – Marshal of Richmond,
formerly on staff of Gen.
Mr. Walker Isaac Walker, husband of Sarah Katherine Doswell Walker (sister
of Thos. W. Doswell)
Phil Philip T. Sutton, brother of F.A.S.D., son of James T. Sutton &
Mary Armistead Oliver
Cousin Kate Sarah Katherine Doswell Walker (Mrs. Isaac) ? ?
Seddon Nephew, Seddon A. Jones, son of Eliz. T. A. Sutton & Philip B.
Jones
Sue Taliaferro Susan Jane Taliaferro, Dav. of Sarah Katherine Doswell & Dr.
Lewis T. Taliaferro (1st husband) ?
Major Carrington J. L. Carrington (later Colonel)
Mr. Sutton Sutton or Walker ?
Brother Philip T. Sutton or probably William M. Sutton (elder bro.)
Sister Jane Jane Elizabeth Doswell (Mrs. Wm. M. Sutton) sister of Thos. W.
Doswell
Ellen Servant?
Conway Hugh Conway Walker, son of Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Walker
Eliza Mary Former servant
Jessie Justina Rebecca Sutton (Mrs. Charles E. Snodgrass) sister of
F.A.S. Doswell
Betty Jones Daughter of Eliz. T.A. Sutton & Philip B. Jones, niece of F.A.S. D.
?? or Eliz. T. S. Jones
Sue Brown Susan Brown Sutton, Daughter of Wm. S. Sutton & Jane E.
Doswell, niece of F.A.S.D.
Ella Daughter of F.A.S.D.
Mr. Snodgrass Chas, E. Snodgrass, Husband of Jessie Sutton Snodgrass
Charly Chas. Wm. Sutton, son of Wm. M. Sutton & Jane Eliza Doswell ? or
Chas. Snodgrass Jr.
Capt. Murphy ?
Mrs. Parker ?
Sally Oldest Dav. of F.A.S.D.
Bernard Son of F.A.S.D.
Mary Snodgrass Daughter of Jessie & Chas. Snodgrass, niece of F.A.S.D.
India India Freeman, wife of Philip T. Sutton
Molly Daughter of Philip & Eliz. T.A.S. Jones or Mary Armistead Sutton,
Daughter of Wm. M. Sutton & Jane Eliz. Doswell