Mary Chesnut's Diary

A unique first-hand narrative of the Civil War, the diary offers an intimate glimpse into the life of Mary Boykin Chestnut, wife of a Confederate general. Spanning from 1861 to 1865, her entries detail battles, political struggles, and domestic life, revealing the era's complex conflicts surrounding race, class, and democracy. Witnessing the war's onset, Chestnut's observations provide significant historical insights and emotional depth, making this diary an essential resource for understanding America's tumultuous past.