February 13, 1865

Graniteville, South Carolina

 Dear Diary, 

Two days ago the battle of  Aiken broke out, on February 11, 1865. The Confederates won. I know my parents wanted them to win, but I was rooting for the Union. The Union is winning the war so far, and I am praying every day that it will finally end. I wish that the suffering would stop, do you think it ever will?

When the battle broke out, I could hear the shouts and screams from our plantation near Aiken. My parents were telling me not to worry, but I knew that the chaos was just starting. The gun shots pierced the air, I even felt like I was in the battle. After the ghastly noises finally ended, my parents found out the Confederates won. That was when I finally told them that I couldn’t stand it anymore. I supported the Union and wasn’t afraid to say so. We bickered on and on, it felt like it would never end, but then I decided to leave. I have been trekking to the North since then. Me and my parents have never had a good relationship, it has always been their opinions shoved down my throat. At last I spit it out. I’m excited for the new journey. Although it might not be as  pleasant as living in fluffy sheets and eating high class meals, my humanity is more important. I promise myself that I will not be some house dog that will sit around never having a voice. 

Although my humanity was on the verge of non-existence there are many more people that have to deal with harder lives. Take for example one of my old childhood friends, Sadie. We would always be together frolicking in the grass when we were still just children until my parents found us together. One evening,  Mother looked out the window in disgust, and she went to get Father. I already knew what was going to happen, for it had happened before. I heard the crack of a whip and grasped onto Sadie’s arm, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t understand, but aren’t we all human, regardless of our skin color? The next day I wasn’t allowed out of my room, that was when I started this diary, when their cries were no longer heard, when mine weren’t. 

Even though my parents think the war is useless, without it I wouldn’t have realized that there was another option. Before the war I always thought that my parents were wrong, but didn’t know how to fight their opinions. I felt drowned in their beliefs and didn’t know what to do. But now there is finally another way, the Union. Since the war started I have always dreamed of joining the Union, and the new life I could make. This war has shown the world that slavery should be abolished for good, and that together we could make that change. 

Until tomorrow, 

Mary Ann