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PLEASE NOTE: This listing is a work-in-progress; it will be added to, corrected and otherwise expanded in future months. For more information, please contact rarebks@library.rochester.edu.
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| Fanny Seward Diary Information | ||||
| Click on the image to open the full-size page. | ||||
| Writer | Fanny Seward | |||
| Place of writing | Washington, D.C. | |||
| Collection | Diary, 1863-1865 | |||
| Date | 4/14/1865 | |||
| Number of pages | 17 | |||
| Place of writing | Washington, D.C. | |||
| Notes | Transcription by Patricia Carley Johnson, as part of her University of Rochester Ph.D. thesis, "Sensitivity and Civil War: the selected diaries and papers, 1858-1866, of Frances Adeline (Fanny) Seward." | |||
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| Transcription | ||||
| Good Friday. April 14th 1865. Father had a better night than any of late, and seemed the better after his re- freshing sleep— He took solid food for the first time since his accident—breakfasted on soft egg, milk-toast, shad and coffee. Today a distinguished party perform the ceremony of raising the flag on Fort Sumter, taken from us 4 years ago. So far I had written in pencil, in my pocket diary on the day of the date— I think I remember beginning the page, & wondering if I should have anything unusual to enter there later in the day. The rest of the page is filled with out-lines of what occurred later— from which, & from a longer account written three weeks later at my earliest leisure—(to relieve my mind of its weight of recollection) I write the following account. I can only give my remembrances, which are very vivid in my own mind—but I cannot describe all that took place, because in many instances I cannot remember to have seen some who were in the room Anna, for instance—& Robinson part of the time. First we had a quiet afternoon. Father so much better that he told Donaldson18 he need not stay— I sat [Page 183] alone with him some time and read “Enoch Arden” to him. He spoke very highly of it. In the evening a torch-light procession of employees from the Navy Yard or Arsenal, visited the White House. I think it was earlier than that, that I was some time with Mother, in our room—part of the time she was lying down. I was telling her how any recital of suffering affected & haunted me—and she told me it had always been so with her. I think we talked much together Anna & I watched the procession, & listened to the music—they played “Rally Round the Flag,” & were singing too I believe, as they approached the White House. I came to my room to show Anna a book of soldier’s songs, in which was the “Year of Jubilee,” of which I had been telling her. Mother & she & I talked a little there. Then came the quiet arrangements for the night, in father’s room— Fred & Anna & Mother had been up a great deal— That evening it was arranged that Gus should rest till 11—then sit up till in the night when Donaldson would come— Meantime I was to have the watch while Gus rested, & Robinson was to be there till George, the german nurse, relieved him. I sat ^by^ the of the bed nearest the door, reading “Legends of Charlemagne,” Robinson was near. I saw that Father seemed inclined to sleep—so turned down the gas, laid my book on a stand at the foot of the bed, & took a seat on the other side. About 10 o’c—Dr Norris paid his visit—& left us all quiet. Father fell into a light sleep. Fred came in at the door, & glancing at the bed, saw his father slept, and said he would [Page 184] come in again. After he had gone, Father opened his eyes with a little smile of recognition as he saw me at the foot of the bed. He was lying close on the edge, farthest from the door— I do not remember hearing voices outside, but something led me to think that Fred was there with some one else. It occurred to me that he might have some important reason for wishin | ||||
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