July 1st, 1862.—Mother would like to omit the 4th of July festivities, but Father says the black folks must not be defrauded of their rights, so the preparations for the barbecue go on as usual. I cannot see that the war has made them a bit different unless it has made them more particular to do their work well. I believe we can trust our servants for if they had any unkind feelings they would certainly show it now. I am afraid my new pupils will not learn as rapidly as Frances. I am trying to teach them to read and write at the same time as she was taught. John tried a while on his slate and then he said, “I could do better if I had a pinter.” I thought he meant if I pointed out the letters to him but when that was tried he explained what he wanted. “I ain’t a wantin’ nobody to pint places fur me, I wants a pin-pinter lak doctor is got.” He had seen Father take his gold pen from his pocket to write with and it looked good to John’s eyes. Nathan draws frogs over his slate and David will not look at either book or slate, but my copy-book says “Patience and perseverance accomplish all things.”
Three days of each week are devoted to sewing for the soldiers. Often we sew steadily for days at a time, that is when we are getting up a special box to be sent by some soldier, who has been on a visit home and is returning to camp. Cousin Henry Bradford will take the box we are making ready now, he is a Major and certainly looks handsome in his beautiful uniform, just a single star on his collar and chevrons on his sleeves.
When we were at Old Point Comfort in 1857, I thought the blue uniforms with the gold epaulets were splendid; I wonder now how I ever liked them. Brother Junius is in camp near Tallahassee, at a place called Six-mile Pond. The 5th Regiment came up from Palatka last night. They have been drilling since last August and lately they have been guarding the St. Johns river; now they are to go to Virginia very soon. Captain Bernard has brought his family to the neighborhood to stay with Uncle Tom while he is away; Cousin Tom’s family have been there for some time. Uncle Tom is the only man left on the place; his hair is as white as snow, his three sons and Captain Bernard are all in the army; that is the way all over the length and breadth of the land. We who live on plantations have the advantage of our city friends, for we have so many negroes around us to help in all ways and to raise provisions, both for the home and for the army. We are entirely cut off from the rest of the world and if these things could not be raised we would be obliged to starve. So much for the blockade.
