Panic Square,

Notice this square has bold red  colouring.....this is another square I'm putting into Judy's quilt.
       Letter is dated Feb 14, 1864, written by Emma Florence Le Conte Furman.Her father was a chemist and manufactured large amounts of gunpowder, alcohol and medicines, all supplied to the Confederat army.  In March, 1869, Emma married Farish Furman, and lived on the Furman plantation . She died at the age ot 85, after living a long and full life, with her children, grandchildren at her side.
  (Letter from The Civil War Quilt Diary, by Rosemary Youngs)

PANIC, 1864
"What a panic the whole town is in! I have not been out of the house myself, but father says the intense excitement prevails on the streets. The Yankees are reported a few miles off on the other side of th river. How strong no one seems to know. It is decided if this be true that we will remain quietly here, father alone leaving. It is thought Columbia canhardly be taken by a raid as we have the whole of Butler's calvary here. If they do we have to take the consequences. It is true some thrink Sherman will burn the town, but we can hardly believe that. Besides, these buildings, though they are State property, yet the fact that they are used as a hospital, it is thought to protect them.
     "I have been hastily maing large pockets to wear under my hoopskirt, for they will hardly search our persons. Still, everything of any value is to be packed up to go with father. I do not feel half so frightened as I thought I would. Perhaps because I cannot realize they are coming. I hope still this is a false report.
     "Maggie Adams and her husband have promised to stay here during father's absence. She is a Yankee, and may be some protection, and help. Our sufferings will probably be of short duration, as they will hardly send more than a raid. They would not have time to occupy the town. But I cannot believe they are coming."

Mud Hole 1864

Pineapple  pattern square......from "The Civil War Diary Quilt" by Rosemary Youngs. This letter comes from Isabella Buchanan Edmondson born Nov 17,1840-July 1873) She had a difficult life during and after the war....engaged three times, the third time to marry a Yankee officer, it was said  she was unlucky. She became  a Confederate spy, and avoided being arrested, which was rare.

"July 3 1864"
"This day will be long remembere. Bro Geo and Breodie went to Tupeo early. Hal, Tate and myself, with Bettie and the Children, started to church at Tupilo in the Ambulance with Alfred to drive us. We got along very well until within a mile of Tupelo, had just passed through the Webfoot Cavalry Camp, saw them on parade and enjoyed the different scenes in Camp, reached the Creek, were undecided for some time whether to go over the bridge or ford, the latter seemed best, so off we drove, and just entering the mud hole when the Ambulance upset, with a terrible crash. In a few minutes fifty soldiers ran to our rescue, and a Mr. Harris ( did not learn his title), who was exceedingly kind. I was first out, Alfred jumped out with Rovert as the Ambulance fell, Bettie kept Mary close to her. Tate went on top of Hal, they were all very muddy, with no limbs broken. We went on to Hd. Quarters saw a great many friends, too late for churchy, returned to dinner. Eddie and John Cummins spent day with us. Captain Sheperd, Captain Barber and Major Crump called this evening. We all went to Negro prayer meeting after tea,."

Old Abe Lincoln, letter, Aril 21, 1864

Civil War Quilt Squares are aptly name, I am finding out. One of the first I found was a plain square, with a bue centre, edged with grey strips and dark blue outer strips, and named the "Old Abe Lincoln". Not very pretty, very practical. It was made as a memorial to the assassinated president. In the centre a photograph of Lincoln usually resides on the blue fabric.
I recently purchased quite a few civil war books with letters and quilt squares. The letters are graphic, sad, tumultuous and shocking. All from women who lived during the Civil War and penned their thoughts, displeasures and ideas.
This letter was written by Emma Florence LeConte Furman......opposite the Old Abe Lincoln square........a rather scathing and surprising letter. It may shock you .......read on:

"April 21st, 1864
Hurrah! Old Abe Lincoln has been assassinated! It may be abstractly wrong to be so jubilant, but I can't help it. After all the heaviness and gloom of yesterday this blow to our enemies comes liek a gleam of light. We have suffered till we feel savage. There seems no reason to exult, for this will make no change in our position...will only infuriate them against us. Never mind, our hated enemy has not the just reward of his life. The whole story may be a Yankee lie.
The dispatch purpors to be from Stanton to Sherman. It says Lincoln was murdered in his private box at the theatre on the night of the 14th....(Good Friday, at the theatre). The assassin brandished a dagger and shouting 'Sic semper tyrannis.Virgina is avenged.' He shot the president through the head. HE fell senseless and expired next day a little after ten. The assassin made his escape in the crowd.
No doubt it was regularly planned and he was surrounded by Southern sympathizers. 'Sic semper tyrannis.' Could there have been a fitter death for such a man? At the same hour nearly Seward's house was entered...he was badly wounded as also his son. Why could not the assassin have done his work more thoroughly?
That vile Seward...he it is to whom we owe this war....it is a shame he should escape."