'Two Diaries From Middle St. John's, Berkeley, South Carolina, February - May, 1865' Summary

The book 'Two Diaries From Middle St. John's, Berkeley, South Carolina, February - May, 1865' offers a poignant look into the lives of two young women, Susan R. Jervey and Charlotte St. Julien Ravenel, during the final tumultuous months of the Civil War. The diaries reveal the intimate realities of living on plantations in South Carolina, a region deeply affected by the war's upheaval. Their entries detail the challenges of adjusting to the changing political landscape, the ever-present anxieties surrounding the Confederate defeat, and the profound impact of the war on their everyday lives. The book also includes reminiscences by Mary Rhodes Waring Henagan, a woman who lived through the war and shared her experiences. The book concludes with two reports from Federal officials, providing a broader context to the diary entries and offering insights into the war's impact on South Carolina society and its people. The book's collection of diverse voices, including the personal accounts of the young women and the official reports, provides a multifaceted and intimate understanding of the war's impact on South Carolina.