The Cornelia Henry journals have been described by Pack Memorial Public Library in Asheville, North Carolina as “one of the best local sources for daily information in Western North Carolina during and immediately following the Civil War.” The journals, donated in 1980 by William Vance Henry, grandson of William L. and Cornelia C. Henry, provide an intimate view into the lives of a Confederate family prior to, during and following the Civil War. Although often quoted, the writings of Cornelia Henry have remained relatively unknown to the general public.

     In view of their historical value, and to bring the words of Cornelia into the present day, the decision was made to compile all the journals, letters and additional family documents and photos into a single, easy to read volume, including an extensive index.

     Cornelia Henry’s original journals total three volumes and span a time period from January 1, 1860 through October 18, 1868, the first being dated January 1, 1860 through January 19, 1862. A second book begins January 20, 1862 and ends September 25, 1864. The third, and last known volume begins September 26, 1864 and concludes October 18, 1868. The final volume also includes a few entries penned by Cornelia’s husband William L. Henry, dated January 13, 1861 through February 9, 1861, which we have placed at the appropriate point in time.

     Cornelia’s innermost thoughts and feelings are documented, from her hopes for southern independence, through the defeat and surrender of the Confederacy. “Oh! ’tis so sad to think we are subjugated,” she would lament.

     Cornelia describes events at home after the war, the actions of sympathetic and “Tory” neighbors, and the attitudes of the now free slaves. Particularly poignant are letters to and from husband William while he was  away with the Confederate forces, and when fleeing from Federal troops bent on killing him after Asheville’s occupation.

     Throughout the journals Cornelia gives us an understanding of her routine daily activities; tending to her children, making clothes for her family and the slaves, cleaning the boarding house, and boarding visitors. Mrs. Henry was an avid reader of the newspaper, magazines, books and especially the Bible, which she had read at least three times. She describes the state of Asheville during and after the Civil War. Her entries and letters written during those years reveal her deepest hopes and fears.

     Cornelia seldom referred to her servants as “slaves,” instead using the term “negroes.” Several of her slaves had served the Henry family for years, but ultimately all were regarded as property. Property to be disciplined, hired out or sold. Cornelia hated to see slaves mistreated, and many were loved as family members. Often the whites and slaves attended the same local church together. However, Mrs. Henry became dismayed and expressed anger after the war regarding the loss of her slaves, and as they began to insist on pay for work or refused work, Cornelia had to learn and perform duties she had never done before, such as the laundry, cooking and hauling firewood.

     Cornelia suffered from severe headaches, some lasting for days. Often depressed, feeling trapped at home, she longed to visit her family in South Carolina, and at times expressed this was a “cold, unfeeling world.” Despite the headaches and other “burthens” she carried, she lived to be eighty-one years of age.