Mary Simmons,
daughter of a South Carolina plantation owner

 

May 7, 1860

Dear Diary,
I've heard from my parents about a yankee named Abe Lincoln.  He's been nominated for president.  If he wins, we the state of South Carolina, will secede from the country.  The North wants to take away our plantation.  They want to ruin our way of life. I agree with my parents.  We have the right to break away for our independence.
                                                                    Mary Simmons
                                                                            Age 12

 

December 20, 1860

Dear Diary,
Today our state seceded.  I totally agree to our decision.  The northern fools have no right to take away our slaves, plantations, or way of life.  They know that slavery is really legal everywhere.  WIthout our cotton for their factories, they'll be helpless and realize how valuable the South really was for them.
                                                                    Yours truly,
                                                                    Mary Simmons

 

February 1, 1861

Dear Diary,
We and several other states have seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. Everyone is talking about a civil war.  Wish us luck.
                                                                    From,
                                                                    Mary Simmons

 

April 14, 1861

Dear Diary,
We've just received word that the south has won the Fort Sumter.  I'm totally excited about this victory.  The south is definately going to win this war!
                                                            Mary Simmons

 

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