The journal of Julia Le Grand, New Orleans, 1862-1863

Front matter

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Preface

The period, the place, the circumstances of this diary are replete with the romance of the great war that made for the Confederate States of America the glorious name in history which is the rich inheritance of our people today. The story of New Orleans, the proud, the beautiful city, in her thraldom under Butler and Banks, is here interwoven with a family chronicle. But it is not merely a graphic recital of thrilling events. The writer, a lady of rare intellectual powers, of fine attainments, and great beauty of character, suffuses her pages with the charm of her own personality. Now humorous, now pathetic, as she tells of the trials and mortifications to which she and her friends were subjected, she preserves always a certain elevation of thought, a dignity of soul, displaying in the stress and strain of her environment, noble traits of patience, forbearance and charity.

Ardently patriotic, she claimed two States for her allegiance, Maryland and Louisiana, and this volume should appeal especially, therefore, to the Confederates of these two Commonwealths. Though a resident of Louisiana from her girlhood, she was born in '^Maryland, my Maryland," and was of Maryland ancestry.

6 PREFACE

Texas also may lay claim to Julia LeGrand, for here she spent the latter part of her life ; here she married and died.

But to all Confederates, wherever found, who love and remember the Cause to which their generous youth was pledged; and to all their descendants, the '^Sons'^ and ^'Daughters'' of the Confederate South, this Journal may be commended.

Contents

Journal 35

December 1, 1861 — December 31, 1862.

I.'-Sending clothes to Claude — Dinner at Mrs. Norton s —

I. Decembek 1, 1861 — December 31, 1862

THE JOURNAL

December 1st, 1861,

New Orleans, Just completed another bundle of clothes for poor Claude, which we hope will reach him before Christmas, the other bundle having failed to reach him. Mrs. Brown (Mrs. Shepherd) went with me to Lyon's to choose his coats and gloves. We have roasted some coffee and made some cake, which we have stuffed in his pillow. I wonder how long the poor boy's head will lie peacefully on the latter. We have cut up our flannel doublegowns to make him shirts, as everything is so dreadfully high these blockade times. I have longed for money that I might send him many things to gladden both, his heart and those of his comrades, in their darksome little log huts at Manchac. We have done what we could, but have been cut off from further supplies, and have the troublesome spirit of proud people who will exist on a crust rather than ask help. I believe our friends would love us better if we were le^s proud. Went in Mrs. Brown's carriage to the confectioner's to-day for Claude's cake — got out of sick bed to do so — called for Mrs. Brown, who went with us to the Southern Express office. There is a kind old man in there whom I love to hear speak of "Our Soldiers." He refuses all freight except what is sent to our poor boys ; he promises Claude shall have his things before Christmas. My heart turns so lovingly to our poor brother — shall I ever see him again? Will he die in battle, or will this wretched cough that keeps me awake at night and makes me feel so worn and weak in the morning, kill me before he can return a victorious soldier?

Christmas Day. Had a kind note from Mrs. Brown begging us to come to dinner. Low-spirited ; did not go.

New Year's [1862]. Took dinner with Mrs. Norton. Miss Betty Callender and Doctor Richardson the only strangers present. Mrs. Chilton keeping us all alive. Dr. R. has some machine on hand with which he intends to blow up Federal rebels. It is highly approved by all who have seen it. In the evening, Edmund (or Edward) Harrison, whom they all call "Duck," came in. He has lately returned from Europe; he was studying at Bonn, but our Southern troubles have brought him home. He is a quiet, modest young man; though his father is so rich, he is retiring

JOUKNAL OF JULIA LE GRAND 37

in dress and deportment and seems to have no desire beyond a quiet room and a book. He does not represent the idea of ' ' young America ^ ' in the least. He is in love, I think, with his pretty cousin, S. C, who is altogether unsuited to him, being fond of admiration and the world generally.

Lizzie Ogden, speaking of her brother Billy, now in the Confederate States Army as lieutenant, says, that as an officer, he has been let into the secret of Beauregard's plans, which he, Billy, thinks excellent — said brother not being twenty. The mingled pride and simplicity of this speech made me laugh — in my sleeve — though I would not hurt Lizzie 's feelings for the world.

Everybody sending blankets to our soldiers. "We have sent all of ours except two thin ones. Mrs. Chilton and I go to the Ladies' Sewing Society and bring home bundles of work to do for the soldiers.

Free market kept up by contribution. Planters all over the county send in to support it. The poor, it seems, are quite fastidious ; some scenes in the free market are quite ludicrous. Some of the women, if told they cannot gratify some particular taste, refuse all that is offered; for instance, one became angry a few days ago because presented with black tea instead of green, and another finding no coffee turned up her nose at all the other comfortable items which the market contains. Some women, they say, curse their benefactors heartily when disappointed. Coffee they had at first, but blockade times have changed this once familiar berry into something resembling gold beads. Cleopatra, with her pearls, was scarcely more "wastefully given" than a coffee drinker in these days. Strange to say, I have not relished it for years until now. I have not parted with my tea yet, though I dole it out somewhat less lavishly than in old times when tea caddies were as ^ Aplenty as blackberries," rather more so in New Orleans.

Mrs. Chilton, going up to Hinds County, begs us to go with her, but there is something in our own little home which we cannot give up. We are so lonely-hearted, so wasted by early afflictions; anxious, nervous years and desolating losses, that we have nothing of feeling or interest to interchange with any, even those we approve.

Gave Mrs. Chilton a little supper the very night before she left. Mrs. Montgomery without the Judge (no gentlemen invited), Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Parham, Sarah C, Mary Lou Harrison and Mrs. Dameron were the guests. Mr. Dameron came, not knowing gentlemen were interdicted. Charley Chilton came in after awhile, and Mr. Parham sent word that it was very unkind to admit but one of the * ^ Confederate Guards." Amused Mrs. Montgomery and several others with a trick with a key and a book which told the fortune accurately of everyone present. If I had found the philosopher's stone, it could not have given more general satisfaction, I believe. Wanted to keep Mrs. Chilton for a good-bye late talk, but Mrs. Norton hurried her off.

New Orleans, May 9th [1862]. It has been long since we heard from our dear brother, for the letters I sent to his last encampment must have failed to reach him, and of late have had no means of communicating with him. I would have told him of events which have come to pass in this city at the time of their passing, but I have been too excited to take orderly note of anything. Before he sees this, if ever he does, he will have heard of the surrender of the city. A pitiful affair it has been. In the first place, Lovell, a most worthless creature, was sent here by Davis to superintend the defense of this city. He did little or nothing and the little he did was all wrong. Duncan, the really gallant defender of Fort Jackson, could get nothing that he needed, though he continually applied to Lovell. Only a few guns at the fort worked at all, but these were gallantly used for the defense of the city. The fort is uninjured and could have held out till our great ram, the Mississippi, was finished, but a traitor sent word to the commander of the Federal fleet to hasten, which he did, and our big gun, our only hope, was burned before our eyes to prevent her from falling into Federal hands. First and last then, this city, the most important one in the Confederacy, has fallen, and Yankee troops are drilling and parading in our streets. Poor New Orleans! What has become of all your promised greatness ! In looking through an old trunk, I came across a letter of my father to my Uncle Thomas, in which, as far back as 1836, he prophesied a noble future for you.

What would he say now to see you dismantled and lying low under the heel of the invader! I am going to write this letter of my father's here in my journal. [See Letter, p. 17.] Behold, what has now come to the city ! Never can I forget the day that the alarm bell rang. I never felt so hopeless and forsaken. The wretched generals, left here with our troops, ran away and left them. Lovell knew not what to do ; some say he was intoxicated, some say frightened. Of course the greatest confusion prevailed, and every hour, indeed almost every moment, brought its dreadful rumor. After it was known that the gunboats had actually passed, the whole city, both camp and street, was a scene of wild confusion. The women only did not seem afraid. They were all in favor of resistance, no matter how hopeless that resistance might be. The second day matters wore a more favorable aspect, and the Mayor and the City Council assumed a dignified position toward the enemy. Flag Officer Farragut demanded the unconditional surrender of the town. He was told that as brute force, and brute force only, gave him the power that he might come and take it. He then demanded that we, with our own hands, pull down the flag of Louisiana. This I am happy to say, was refused. Four days we waited, expecting to be shelled, but he concluded to waive the point ; so he marched in his marines with two cannons and our flag was taken down and the old stars and stripes lifted in a dead silence. We made a great mistake here ; we should have shot the man that brought down the flag, and as long as there was a house-top in the city left, it should have been hoisted. The French and English lay in the Gulf and a French frigate came up the river to protect French subjects.

Farragut allowed the women and children but forty-eight hours to leave the city, but the foreign consuls demanded a much longer time to move the people of their respective nations. If we had been staunch and dared them to shell, the Confederacy would have been saved. The brutal threat would never have been carried out, for England and France would never have allowed it. The delay would have enabled us to finish our boat, and besides a resistance would have showed the enemy and foreign nations, too, what stuff we were made of and how very much we were in earnest. I never wished anything so much in my life as for resistance here. I felt no fear — only excitement. The ladies of the town signed a paper, praying that it should never be given up. We went down to put our names on the list, and met the marines marching up to the City Hall with their cannon in front of them. The blood boiled in my veins — I felt no fear — only anger. I forgot myself and called out several times: ^^ Gentlemen, don^t let the State Flag come down,'' and, *'0h, how can you men stand itf Mrs. Norton was afraid of me, I believe, for she hurried me off. I have forgotten to mention — at first, the Germans at the fort mutinied and turned their guns on their officers. In the first place, several gunboats had passed the fort at night because a traitor had failed to give the signal. He was tried and shot, and Duncan telegraphed to the city that no more should pass — then came a report that the Yankee vessels were out of powder and coal and they could not get back to their transports which they had expected to follow them.

We were quite jubilant at the idea of keeping them in a sort of imprisonment, and this we could have done but for the German mutineers. The wives of these men were allowed to visit the fort, and they represented the uselessness of the struggle, because the city had already surrendered. They were told, too, that Duncan intended to blow up the fort over their heads rather than surrender. So they spiked their cannon and threatened the lives of their officers and then the Yankee fleet poured up. These people have complimented us highly. To quell a small ^ ^ rebellion, ' ' they have made preparations enough to conquer a world. This is a most cowardly struggle — these people can do nothing without gunboats. Beauregard in Tennessee can get no battle from them where they are protected by these huge block steamers. These passive instruments do their fighting for them. It is at best a dastardly way to fight. We should have had gunboats if the Government had been efficient, wise or earnest. We have lost our city, the key to this great valley, and my opinion is that we will never, never get it more, except by treaty. Many think otherwise. The most tantalizing rumors reach us daily (though the papers are not allowed to print our news, we hear it). We have heard that Stonewall Jackson has surprised and taken Washington City ; that Beauregard has had a splendid victory in Tennessee; and our other generals have annihilated the enemy in Virginia. Sometimes we are elated, but most generally depressed. My dear, dear brother ! We are filled with anxiety for him ! Even if he is spared through this fight, when and where can we see him again! I feel wretched to think of his hardships and loneliness, hearing nothing from home. I hope he is not uneasy about ns — for we are to leave the city with kind friends — and sister Matilda is in a safe place. Mail communication is cut off. I hope he is not anxious because he does not hear.

This is a cruel war. These people are treated with the greatest haughtiness by the upper classes and rudeness by the lower. They know how they are hated and hang their heads. Shopkeepers refuse to sell to them, and the traitor who hurried them up the river has to have a guard. Public buildings have been seized by the troops, but so far the civil government has not been interfered with. I think their plan is to conciliate if possible. The cotton and sugar have been burned; that is one comfort, and the work of destruction still goes'' on on the plantations. I shall never forget the long, dreadful night when we Sat with our friends and watched the flames from all sorts of valuables as the gunboats were coming up the river.

My dear brother ! If I could only, only hear from him ! If I could only see him for but a little while 1 And if I could be near enough to get to him if he were wounded — I would be content. Thoughts of the long ago fill my heart as I write, and I feel that he may not even be alive while I do so. I long so for his safety and do not care for distinction. Oh, if we were only all safe and together in some quiet land where there would be no war, no government even to make war I I long to be rid of the evil and suffering which spring from the passions of men ! Clap-trap sentiments and political humbugs! I almost hate the word **Flag*' even!

Mrs. Norton and all our friends are so kind to us and we are safe in their hands. Billy Ogden is with Claude, and his brother Abner, who served at Fort Jackson, is on parole. He is much grieved at the surrender of the Fort. No one can leave the city without a pass. How I am ever to get this I don't know. Mrs. Brown told me to write to-night and she would try to get a letter through for me to Claude. I am told that a stand will be made at Vicksburg. They are working hard at batteries there. They will at least delay the gunboats until we can do something that we wish. About their having the whole river, that is of course only a question of time. Fort Pillow will fall, if it has not already done so. Our only hope now is from our soldiers in the field, and this brings me to my dear brother again and all he will have to endure. Sometimes I feel that nothing is worth such sacrifice. These States may divide and fight one another, too, sometime. This war has shaken my faith. Nothing is secure if the passions and follies of men can intermeddle. Often, though, I feel that these insolent invaders with their bragging, should be conquered — come what will. Better to die than to be under their rulei The Yankees have established strict quarantine. The people of the town are frightening them terribly with tales about the yellow fever. We are compelled to laugh at the frequent amusing accounts we hear of the way in which they are treated by boys, Irish women, and the lower classes generally. Mr. Soule refused General Butler's hand (they were old friends), remarking that their intercourse must now be purely official. Our Mayor has behaved with great dignity. Butler says he will be revenged for the treatment he and his troops have received here — so he will, I expect, if matters go against us in other places., There is some fear that the city will need provisions very much. The country people won 't send in anything ; they are so angry about the surrender. The Texas drovers who were almost here as soon as they heard of it, sold their cattle for little or nothing just where they were and went home again. I wish we were all safe back there again. I don 't think Texas will ever be conquered. God bless my dear brother; God protect him and let us meet once more. I do not feel anxious about sister Tilly, only him. I hope he will send us a line whenever he can. I hope he will inquire about returning soldiers and not let one come in without trying to send us a line to say he is well. Letters directed to Mrs. Chilton or Charley in Hinds County reach us. But I must be careful how I write ; it may reach other eyes. Oh, to say good-night to my poor brother. Ginnie is not well. Our love to our brother from Jule.

October 22nd [1862]. Sent this note, or got Mrs. Richardson, who has great influence with the Federals, to do it for me :

Genekal Shepley :

Sir : Some months ago I enclosed to Mrs. S. N. Chilton, a sister of Mrs. Shepherd Brown, eighty dollars. The envelope containing the money was given by Mrs. Brown to a Mr. Burkett, who was afterwards arrested for matters wholly unconnected with it. I applied to General Weitzel, who promised to procure the money and leave it with my friend, Doctor Cartwright. Since that time I have heard nothing of it.

Eighty dollars is a sum which is a mere nothing to a Government authority, but 'tis really something to a gentlewoman, away from her connections, who has been surprised by a blockade. I hope General Shepley will suffer me to remind him that no matter of justice is too small to be regarded by one who wishes to represent a kindly Government.

Respectfully,

J. E. LeGrand.

Afterward called to see General Shepley; got promises and nothing more, as might have been expected. Federals, in the city at least, don 't disgorge. General Shepley is a deceitful-looking, querulous man, but has the ambition to be thought a gentleman, and therefore does not show off with Butler's brutal and theatrical manner.

Packing up to go to Mississippi City with Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Dameron.

Later: Disappointed, no passports, those given by General, or Governor Shepley as they call him, proving worthless, Butler having refused to place his glorious autograph to one for less than a clear thousand or two — suh-rosa,

A letter to Mrs. Chilton :

New Orleans, Nov, 17th, 1862,

Deae Mes. Chilton :

I have sent you two or three letters and though I have once had a line from you, you did not acknowledge the receipt of anything from me. I would have written oftener, but I always feel that it is almost unkind to burden anyone with a line now-a-days, and besides I am so unfortunate both in small and great things that I feel as if I risked the letters of other people by enclosing mine with them. I would give much to see you all and more to meet you without anxiety and dread upon your mind. I feel heavy-hearted always and would be glad to creep into a cave even, to forget and be at rest. I have looked anxiously to hear more of Claude, poor worn-out wreck. How I long to see him! I pity him all the time. How can he perform the commonest services for himself now. I

CAPTAIX CHARLES MOALE CROXALL Of the Revolutionary Army

First an ensign in Washington's Flying Camps, present at the battle

of Long Island ; one of "Maryland's Four Hundred" ; later

one of the "Prison Ship Martyrs"

Grandfather of Julia LeGrand long to go to sister in Texas, and if Claude is sure of returning to Hinds, will press through to meet him. I have some money owing me here which I cannot get until next month. I should like to take it with me for I have a great horror of being left somewhere in a strange place without this arm of protection. If that long journey were only over. I long so to see my sister. I feel great

anxiety for her just now. I wonder why G

was not burned instead of being abandoned. You used to doubt my feelings, but it was because you did not understand them. I have met no one whose ideas of defense were more stringent than my own. I would give up all, sacrifice all to honor. Wliat is a city compared to a city's good name. I was in a rage and frenzy last spring; I was so much before the hitherto most violent people that I hardly knew where I was. The love of housetops prevailed to a degree that I had never formed the most distant idea. The housetops were preserved intact and we are all reaping the benefit of what they shelter. Yet I feel just as I used to do, that this honor and truth do not belong to any land exclusively. I have had ample proof of this. Men of Northern birth here have gone to prison as bravely and nobly as any, while our own people have been in many instances recreant. It is a safe philosophy which teaches us a love for the good and hatred of the bad of all lands, and a resistance to the death of all invaders. I ache to think of all the horrors that have fallen and that are yet to fall. There is no hope left in me. I do not talk much, but the suppressed life of pain which I lead is enough to kill a stronger person. We lead a lonely, anxious life and are sick most always. Come what will, you must think of us always as friends of the old time. I think of the oldj old time before all of the illusions faded until my heart feels like breaking. Be kind to my poor dilapidated soldier, should he return to you. Give love to each and all of the children. Tell Charley that I am gratified to see that he remembers us. Tell him I have heard alarming reports of him — is he about to surrender his freedom? I would be in at the death if I knew when the solemn sacrifice is to be made. There was a great frolic on board the English ship, the Rinaldo, a few nights ago. The contraband flag waved freely over seas of red wine and promontories of sugar-work. Mr. F , of the little

Sanctuary, made I thought a dreadful concession last spring and I never went to hear him afterward. He was married, unhappily, I think, about two months ago. Latterly he has acted quite a bold part and is now in a prison at the North. He called from the ship as he went off: ^^When I come back the Confederate flag will wave over New Orleans. Hurrah for Jeff Davis ! ' *

J. E. Le Grand.

Copied into the Journal :

BUTLEB AND HiS BROTHER.

Two brothers came to New Orleans,

Both were the name of "Butler," The one was Major-General,

The other only Sutler.

The first made proclamations,

That were fearful to behold:

While the sutler dealt out rations.

And took his pay in gold From women that were starving,

When the Yankee Doodles came; This was his way of carving out

The road that leads to fame.

The sutler had some excuse,

The truth I'll not smother; While making money like the deuce.

He gave one half to Brother.

Chobus: Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah,

The ass and mule will bray.

The Rebels think that ev'ry dog

Is bound to have his day.

[** Stonewall Jackson's Way/* written by Dr. John Williamson Palmer, was here copied by Julia Le Grand into her diary. Although she does not say so, Doctor Palmer was her relative. His mother was Catherine Croxall, daughter of James Croxall, of Baltimore. A. B. C]

A letter to Mrs. Shepherd Brown :

New Orleans, Nov, 17th, 1862, Dear Mrs. B :

I have nothing to say, and might not say it if I did have it, for you know there is a heaviness prevailing in this latitude, which is not favorable to expansion of idea. I only send a line to remind you that I live and wish you to remember me. A dull and heavy anxiety has settled upon us. We hear nothing upon which we can rely, and know nothing to which we can cling with comfort. Those who come in say there is much joy beyond the lines, but no one can give the why and wherefore. In the meantime we are leading the lives which women have lead since Troy fell ; wearing away time with memories, regrets and fears; alternating fits of suppression, with flights, imaginary, to the red fields where great principles are contended for, lost and won ; while men, more privileged, are abroad and astir, making name and fortune and helping to make a nation. There was a frolic on board the English ship a few nights since for the benefit, the Delta says, of Secession women. I did not go, though Miss Betty Callender offered her services in the way of invitation. I am told that the contraband *' bonny-blue flag'' waved freely over seas of red wine and promontories of sugar-work. The ship represents secessiondom just now; it has not a stronghold in the city. Many a lady opened her vial of wrath, I suppose, for all were told that freedom of speech should be the order of the night. There was acting and dancing, and fish, flesh and fowl suffered in the name of our cause. Toasts were drunk to our great spirits to whom it seems the destiny of a nation is entrusted. How my heart warms to the weary, battle-stained heroes. I never fancied carpet knights even before the stern trial came.

I can't tell you what a life of suppression we lead. I feel it more because I know and feel all that is going on outside. I am like a pent-up volcano. I wish I had a field for my energies. I hate common life, a life of visiting, dressing and tattling, which seems to devolve on women, and now that there is better work to do, real tragedy, real romance and history weaving every day, I sniffer, suffer, leading the life I do. "" The Episcopal clergy are true. Three have been sent to prison, the rest are under marching orders. When the ship was leaving, Mr. Fulton's last cry was, ^^When I return the Confederate flag will wave over New Orleans. Hurrah for Jeff Davis ! ' ' You will feel an interest I hope in my poor, dilapidated brother if you see him. He looks rough because he neglects his appearance, but there is no truer gentleman than he, no truer, braver or less selfish. I long so to see him and render the service he must need with only one arm. Things go on just as they did. Daily life presents the same food for sorrowful reflection. Tiger, Jake and Emma hold their own within doors, and nothing has happened to prevent us from parading the streets without. A shrill horn breaks often upon my sad speculations. I rush out perhaps and sometimes find a train of striped and bestarred cavalry and sometimes only an orange cart. **What an age we live in,'' says philosophy, and goes in again to repine and wonder. The Advocate was suppressed an hour or two ago, but the pliant Jacob made haste to smooth his phrases. A quarrel is reported between the French admiral and the General. There has been a great commotion about the money sent from the New Orleans bank. Lemore has gone to prison and some others. Where are our people?