Stevens Lucy Pier - Another year finds me in Texas: the Civil War diary of Lucy Pier Stevens

ANOTHER YEAR FINDS ME IN TEXAS

THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF LUCY PIER STEVENS

VICKI ADAMS TONGATE

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PRESS

AUSTIN

Published in Cooperation with the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies, Southern Methodist University

Copyright 2016 by the University of Texas Press

All rights reserved

First edition, 2016

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Tongate, Vicki Adams, author.

Another year finds me in Texas : the Civil War diary of Lucy Pier Stevens / by Vicki Adams Tongate. First edition.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4773-0846-2 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-4773-0863-9 (library e-book)
ISBN 978-1-4773-0864-6 (non-library e-book)

1. Stevens, Lucy PierDiaries. 2. United StatesHistoryCivil War, 18611865WomenPersonal narratives. 3. TexasHistoryCivil War, 18611865Personal narratives. 4. WomenOhioDiaries. I. Title.

E628.T66 2016

976.4'05092dc23

[B]

2015024077

: Lucy Pier Stevens. DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, Lucy Pier Stevens Collection.

doi: 10.7560/308462

FOR GARY

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I have often said that God simply dropped this project in my lap and told me to have fun with it, and thats exactly what Ive done. However, it would never have happened without the assistance of many people who graciously went out of their way to help and encourage me. It is only fitting that I remember them now. I applaud all of my professors and colleagues who have willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with me. I am so honored to be able to say that, in many ways, I am here because of you.

Without doubt, I must first thank Professor Edward F. Countryman, who initially served as my undergraduate/graduate advisor for my work with the diary. His questions and comments challenged me as I began my research, and he was ever available to offer suggestions and guidance. Through the years, his encouragement and absolute faith in me have enabled me to stay the course, and his advice has been essential in the final stages of this project. Not only has he been a constant in my work with Lucy, he has become a valued friend. Who could know that a chance meeting in the basement of Dallas Hall would lead to this? Thank you hardly seems adequate.

I also count it a high privilege to have been a student of the incredible David Weber, founding director of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University. As my professor and one of my thesis advisors, he challenged me to continue working on the diary and opened doors of opportunity for me. I am only sorry that I could not finish this project before his death.

Russell Martin, director of DeGolyer Library, has been my advocate, and I can never thank him enough for his unwavering supporteven when it appeared that the project had ground to a halt. His willingness to intercede for me and keep Lucys name in the forefront has yielded immeasurable results. Thank you, Russell, for remaining so patient and gracious when the project moved so slowly.

Andrea Boardman, former executive director of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies, holds the honor of first introducing me to Lucy, and without her continuing faith and backing, I doubt that I would have ever finished this work. She has offered perceptive insight and constant encouragement as she has led me into new ways of viewing and sharing Lucys story. Her confidence in me has frequently exceeded my own. Thank you so much for being my cheerleader, AndreaI still marvel at your faith in me.

My colleagues in todays Clements CenterAndrew Graybill, Sherry Smith, and Ruth Ann Elmorehave been ever supportive and have gone out of their way to assist me as well. Thank you all for the help you have given me.

My editor and advocate at the University of Texas Press, Casey Kittrellhow can I ever thank you for believing in the importance of Lucys story and taking a chance on me? Your willingness to shepherd me through this new terrain keeps me steady. Thank you so much; your confidence honors me. Angelica Lopez, Victoria Davis, Jan McInroy, and others at UT Press have been invaluable in their assistance during the production phase of the bookthanks to all of you. And Molly OHalloranthe map is wonderful!

From the earliest days of this project, David Farmer, former director of DeGolyer Special Collections Library, generously gave me free rein to work on the diary. His assistants, Kay Bost and Betty Friedrich, graciously provided a space where I could work and play with Lucy. I will always remember their kindnesses. Most recently, Pamalla Anderson and Terre Heydari of DeGolyer have assisted with digitizing the images in Lucys photo albuma heartfelt thank-you goes to them as well.

Many others have challenged me and cheered me on since I began this work as a thesis project in 1999: Professors Nina Schwartz and Willard Spiegelman, who served on my thesis committee and who have my enduring thanks for expecting more of me than I ever thought possible; Dr. Andrea Hamilton, who first introduced me to the scholarly study of diaries with the reading of Laurel Thatcher Ulrichs A Midwifes Tale; Stephen Shepherd, who approved my original thesis project; Michael Holahan; Margaret Lawhon; Beth Newman; Alexis McCrossenthe list extends. I take great joy in thanking you all for your unflagging support.

There are others outside the SMU community who must be remembered as well. In Bellville, Bill Hardt gave so generously of his time, serving as tour guide and historian for my husband and me as we began our search for information. Dr. Kevin Chrisman, vice president of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M, spent time with me talking about blockade runners. Robert and Cristy Pier opened their home to me as well, sharing documents and family stories. Gil Pier frequently sent pieces of information that have opened new doors of possibility. Joy Neely of the Bellville Historical Society provided information I might never have found otherwise. There are countless other individuals across the country who graciously responded to requests for informationmy appreciation is immense.

I especially want to thank my children, Jeff, Melissa, and Brian, as well as my in-law children, Todd and Diana, for they have loved me, encouraged me, and yes, patiently endured my Lucy stories. During the Lucy years, we have been blessed to add four grandchildren, Noah, Emma, Gabby, and Jeffrey, to our family, and they know Lucy too.

Most of all, I want to thank my husband, Gary, for his unwavering love and encouragement through the years of this journey. Although this project has started and stopped numerous times, he has never, NEVER lost faith. He has been my companion detective, my sounding board, my advisor, my champion, and my most ardent fan. Without his strength and unending support, this project simply would not be. God has truly blessed me, and I am very grateful.

EDITORIAL PRACTICES

Lucy Pier Stevens left behind an articulate account of her life in Civil War Texas, and I have attempted to preserve the flavor of the original text so that her words might be read in the same manner in which they were written. The diarys original spelling and grammar have been retained unless they are so eccentric that they distract the modern reader. Phonetic spellings that are consistent throughout the diary, such as peice (piece), fedral (federal), and sevral (several), have been maintained. Other words that Lucy might have misspelled have been silently corrected. If a word has been misspelled in the text, such as the word scarred in Lucys entry of January 1, 1863, the correct version (here scared) has been placed in the text in brackets. If a word or phrase is missing and is needed for clarification, the necessary words have been added in brackets. Accidental repetitions of words and letters have been eliminated and/or silently corrected. Lucys use of the eszett, a distinctive German letter for double s, has been amended to the standard ss found in English.