Author: Emilie E. Palmer
Date: 1 September 1861
Location: Emilie E. Palmer 1859 Diary, Record Group 19/2, Oberlin College Archives
Document Type: Autograph Document
Introduction:
In this passage, written on 1 September 1861, Palmer reflects on her grandmother’s death, as well as the deaths of Civil War soldiers, many of whom had attended Oberlin College. She must come to terms with death in two forms: when her grandmother is buried and when the names of fallen Civil War soldiers, her fellow classmates, are read aloud at commencement exercises. Even at such a joyous occasion as Commencement, people are not able to escape the reality of war.
Document Text:
Sept. 1st
This world is all a fleeting show, I realize it more every day. How strange my conduct in view of what I know and believe. Who would believe me a Christian who saw my daily conduct. When I would do good evil is present with me. Today we have followed the remains of Grandmother to their last resting place.
— — — — — [sic] A dreadful anxiety fills every heart. News came last Wednesday morning that the seventh regiment1 had been surrounded by a large force of rebels (3,000 reports says). They fought their way through with terrible slaughter on both sides. One of the regiment writes immediately after the battle, “Company C exists no more, save in name.”2 Later we heard that only fifteen were killed, forty-five wounded, and five hundred missing; but as yet nothing is reliable.
At the close of the exercises3 Wednesday forenoon someone handed Prof. Morgan4 a note; saying that nine of the graduating class were absent in the army, and might be even then dying; and requesting that the names be read and the congregation rise and engage in silent prayer in their behalf. It was done. It was a solemn sight to witness those three thousand standing with bowed heads, in deathlike stillness, praying for “our brave volunteers”, many very many were the tearful eyes.
Transcribed by Hannah Cohen
1The Seventh Regiment, Company C was the Ohio volunteer infantry in the Civil War. They were called to duty at Camp Denison, Ohio on June 20, 1861 and were called out of service in Cleveland, Ohio on July 6, 1864. (Williams Brothers, History of Lorain County Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Web Address, accessed 17 March 2015). [Original Source: Williams Brothers History of Lorain County Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches (Philadelphia, 1879)]).
2This was likely written because Lorain County News erroneously reported that the Captain of the 7th Regiment, Giles Shurtleff, was killed. (Lorain County News, Vol. 2, No. 26, Whole No. 78, 28 August 1861).
3Palmer is referencing Oberlin College commencement, which occurred on Wednesday 28 August 1861. (The Oberlin Evangelist, 11 September 1861, p. 8, Web Address, accessed 11 March 2015).
4Reverend John Morgan (1802-1884) was a professor of the New Testament and Exegesis at Oberlin College and was the President of the college in 1850 and again in 1859. He was also the Associate Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Oberlin, Ohio. (Reverend John Morgan, Oberlin College Archives, Web Address, accessed 17 March 2015).
