The Diaries of Fanny Hume

During the Civil War years, Fannie Hume lived at "Selma," on the Orange Turnpike just east of the settlement of Orange Court House, today's Town of Orange. An educated and entertaining writer, Miss Hume kept diaries during those years, and the Historical Society has published her diaries for 1861 and 1862. During that time, the Rapidan River, just five miles from Orange, became the effective northern border of the Confederacy. Her entries thus describe not only the impact of the war on civilian daily life and her reactions to news from distant places but also the sudden appearance of the war at her very doorstep.

The 1861 Diary was edited by James W. Cortada and the 1862 Diary by J. Randolph Grymes, Jr. The latter publication also features an appendix, a full index, and over 300 footnotes. Both the 1861 and 1862 diaries are in print and available for sale through the Society. A sampling of partial entries follows.

July 1861-August 1862

July 23, 1861

" . . . A long car loaded with dead and wounded was at the depot, the latter being carried to the Hospital. Everyone was so anxious and excited . . . . A number of Yankee prisoners were on board, one a fine-looking man, Lieutenant Knight, an old friend of Mrs. Campbell. She gave him her husband's address. Another train came up whilst we were there and our noble President, Jefferson Davis, was on board . . . . "

October 4, 1861

"Another pilgrimage to the Village. Nellie, Less, Hattie and I went up and spent the day. We first went to Aunt Luly's. I did most of her marketing then went over to Aunt Sarah's and had dinner . . . . Hattie made an attempt to get a calico dress but could not succeed. What will we all do, all the stores are nearly all empty. Nothing is to be had except at enormous prices."

July 1, 1862

"Frank got home this morning, slightly wounded just above the left hip-it has been reported since Sunday that he was certainly killed, but they kindly kept it from me. . . . Nelly & I went up in the buggy at once, found him sitting up & bright as a dollar . . . . The fighting he said was terrific; 13th Regt. took in 250 men and brought out 70. Tom Slaughter was killed-the only one of the Co. we knew-but several of the Pemunky men were killed & many wounded-3 Newmans among the number . . . . "

August 2, 1862

" . . . . Soon after breakfast, pickets rushed by . . . exclaiming 'the Yankees were coming!' And sure enough, they soon came rushing by in immense force, firing in every direction on our pickets. A sharp fight too place in the Village . . . . They took 25 or 30 of our men prisoners-brought many of the wounded in our yard . . . . To do them justice, they treated our wounded most kindly. Had Col. Jones who commanded a portion of the 7th. Va. Cav., been supported, he could've bagged the whole concern. . . . Two surgeons ate on the porch, both handsome fine-looking men. . . . They also stole our carriage & carried off two of their dying men. . . . My blood fairly boiled when I saw the carriage drive off . . . . "