June 8th, 1861

I was in town this morning, having had to go to the Buck Store to 
get a few things that we need for the morrows baking, I also 
wanted to look at some material to make myself a new dress.  The 
whole town was in a tremendous frenzy.  People were everywhere, 
it looked almost like a riot.  There were great crowds of men 
about, young, old, they were dashing wildly about, some women 
were cheering, some were crying.  Even the horses were caught 
up in this great excitement, rearing, snorting, prancing to and 
fro.  There were shouts of "War", "Call to Arms".  

I ran into the store and saw my brother-in-law, Isaac Newton, and 
asked what all the commotion was about.  He told me the 
dis-heartening news. That Tennessee had just seceeded from the Union 
and that we were at War with the United States.  That our Governor 
had called for the enlistment of Volunteers to form an Army.  My God, 
they had finally done it.  Enoch was so sure that they would remain 
neutral to this War, but now I guess we are thrown in it full fury.  

So much has happened since the start of the year.  South Carolina 
being the first to leave the Union in December of 60.  Other states 
following slowly, the election of a President for the Confederate 
States, Mr. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi in February, and now 
Tennessee leaving the Union.  Oh God, what had they done?  What had 
they all done?

Needless to say, I ran out of the store, forgetting all that I had 
gone there for and proceeded home with great haste in order to tell 
the family of this news.  My oldest boy George only being 14 at the 
time, wanted to run out and join.  I forbade this.  Even his father 
told him no.  Even though we own slaves, we both did not agree with 
the politics of this War and although it seemed that we were going 
against Tennessee, it was not our belief to fight for such.  Enoch 
had always planned on giving our people their freedom, never more 
to own slaves after the last one was freed.  

It is my understanding that the Army wants men of 21 years or older, 
so that at least makes my George safe for the time being.   Enoch 
wanted me to go back into town and restock the supplies for the farm. 
He said that there may be hard times ahead with us now fully in the 
thick of things.  The talk is that it will be a short War, that both 
sides are meerly showing a sign a force so to speak, kind of like two 
Cocks in the barnyard squaring off against each other for territorial 
rights.  They will make a lot of fuss, but that nothing will happen. 
My mind it too jumbled with all of this.  My thoughts do not want to 
believe that this could be happening, but it has.  Heaven help all of 
us before this is over with.  

Catherine Quarles Buck