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Minerva Foster Strowger

Born: March 13, 1830 - Webster, New York
Father: Charles Foster
Mother: Julia Ann Wooden
Married: Charles Howard Strowger, November 10, 1859

CIVIL WAR NOTES
AUGUST, 1863 - FEBRUARY 1864

Excerpts from the Diary of Minerva Foster Strowger

August 7, 1863 - We came home early. We met a great many going to the city. There is drafting today. The happiness of many are at stake today. I fixed to go to the city tomorrow. I had the tooth ache. I went to Jim’s and he extracted it for me. It pained me severely…………..

February 5, 1864 - I have spun nearly all day. Charlie does not feel well. He lay down on the bed and slept some time. When he awoke he said he should go and enlist and get the bounty money to pay up his debts with. He said he seen no other way to get along. I felt as if I should die. I could not endure the thought of his going. I would do anything rather that have my Charlie go. Oh, if we weren’t in debt. I have cried all the evening but it all does no good. I see no way to evade what is one terrible thing. If I could only sell my land.

February 6, 1864 - I have done nothing today. I feel so bad I can only bake two pies. I have cried nearly all day. It seems my head will burst and Charlie dear has talked to me telling me it is the best think he can do. But, Oh, I cannot feel so. George and Ann came in and Charlie and I played a game of Whist with them. John came in and asked us all to go over to Jims’. They were going to have a little dance. George and Ann went. Charlie and I did not. We cut some ham and broiled it on the coals. We had quite a feast. Then we played cards while Mother looked on. We spent a pleasant evening together. The Lord only knows how many more we may spend together. Everyone is precious and dear to me that I spend with my Charlie.

February 7, 1864 - Charlie is in the house with me all day. It has been a happy day because spent with him. He has read nearly all day. I have read and wrote most of the day. I boiled some ham and had some warm biscuits and honey for dinner. George and Ann spent the evening with us. George is thinking of going to Canada to avoid the draft. That is the difference in persons.

February 9. 1864 - I made some pies and ironed. Charlie has been reading all day. He looks bad. He looks like all but enlisting. But may God be with him if he goes and keep him from all harm……………………….

February 22, 1864 - Jim, Fan, Charlie and John all went to the city. I ironed and finished reading the “Discarded Daughter”. Then it was nearly night. I got supper ready and was just turning on my tea when they came. I was most afraid Charlie would not come home but go to Penfield so I was happily disappointed. He had made up his mind he would enlist in the engineer corps as the time draws near for him to go how it makes my heart ache to think how soon I shall be alone although I am expecting it is it is none the less hard to bare. We sat and talked awhile. Then Charlie went to the pier meeting. He wanted to see Townsend. I had not gone to bed when he came back. He said Townsend thought he had better not enlist, and he would let him have a hundred dollars if he wanted it. Charlie said he would leave it to me if he should go or stay. I told him he knew what I would like to have him do. Charlie posted up his diary then we went to bed.

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