Sept. 26, 1862 

For the second time since the war began we have been obliged to post a
substitute for our horse.  This little business of substitution has cost 
us much.  This time the government refused to give us a protection paper
for him.  There is no safety for man or beast.

During raids and panics I have seen them take the horses on the
street from a bread cart, though it was publicly advertised that they 
would not do this.

Horses have been found in strange places.  On at least one
occasion we hid ours in the study.


Jan 5, 1863 

Food shortages are getting worse. We have had to have Fast Days.  For 
two days a week we eat nothing.  We are not sure how long it will be 
before we face starvation.


March 22, 1863  

I must write about what happened today.  I have been using our hot
plate to pass messages back and forth to the prisoners.  I would put 
the messages in the bottom compartment reserved for the boiling water
I awoke this morning with a strange feeling of danger about me.
On impulse I filled the hot plate with boiling water and went on my 
daily visit.

At the prison the guard wanted to inspect the hot plate. He didn’t
believe me when I told him it contained boiling water.  He grabbed it
from me. It was very hot and it scalded him. He dropped it and it broke
into a million pieces.  Small price to pay to teach the guard a lesson.  
Next time he will believe me.


April 2, 1863

Women scared of starving went downtown and demanded bread from
the shop owners.  Angry and frustrated they attacked merchants and a 
riot broke out. Jefferson Davis placed himself in the middle of the 
mob. He told them he would give them 5 minutes to disperse, then he 
would have the militia fire on them.  When the mob realized he meant 
it they dispersed.