The Diary of Edmund Ruffin: The years of hope, April 1861-June 1863Louisiana State University Press, 1972 - Statesmen Edmund Ruffin was one of the most significant figures in the Old South. A gentleman planter, writer, and political commentator, he made his greatest contribution as an agricultural reformer, but it was as a militant defender of slavery and champion of the southern cause that he gained his greatest fame. .In his voluminous diary, Ruffin has left an invaluable primary account of the crucial years from 1856 to 1865. This volume, the first of a projected two-volume edition, covers the period from Ruffin's retirement from his Virginia plantation to the aftermath of the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April of 1861. Through the eyes of this outspoken secessionist, the reader views the chain of events which drove the nation steadily and inexorably toward disunion and civil war. An intelligent and astute commentator, Ruffin was personally acquainted with most of the prominent southern political leaders of the day, and his restless nature impelled him to be present at the most important events of the period. |
Contents
APRILJUNE 1861 | 5 |
JULYSEPTEMBER 1861 | 54 |
OCTOBERDECEMBER 1861 | 140 |
Copyright | |
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advance arms arrived artillery attack batteries battle Beechwood blockade brigade camp cannon Capt captured cause cavalry Charleston command Confederate Congress continued D. H. Hill defeat defence diarist Edmund Edmund Ruffin enemy enemy's England expected farm fighting firing Fort Hatteras Fort Sumter Fortress Monroe Fredericksburg gunboats Hampton Roads Harper's Ferry heard heavy intrenchments invaders Jackson James river Julian killed labor land late later Lincoln loss Manassas March Marlbourne McClellan miles military Mississippi morning movement naval nearly negro Norfolk North North Carolina northern papers occupied officers operations opposed party passed Petersburg plunder Port position Potomac present President prisoners regiment reinforcements remaining reports retreat returned Richmond road Roanoke Island Ruffin Ruthven Sayre secession seems sent slaves soldiers soon South southern steamer success Sunday supposed Thomas Ruffin tion troops vessels Vicksburg victory Virginia Washington wounded Yankee army Yankee forces yesterday