February 1, 1861

I overheard my papa and my older brothers talking 
this afternoon in the salon.  Papa says that he 
might have to go to fight in the war.  He doesn't 
want to, even if the whole rest of the state of 
South Carlolina does.  I don't want him to go 
either!  Why is there a war anyway! People 
shouldn't fight.  Why, my uncle Clay in 
Pennsylvania might have to fight Papa, his own 
brother!

And what if Hall and Camden have to go too?  
They'd be in the cavalry, at least.  Jessie, 
my darky maid, says that I shouldn't eavesdrop 
so much.  She says if I didn't eavesdrop, I 
wouldn't find out things I don't want to know.