Dec. 13, 1861

Dec. 13, 1861: Mary Boykin, Chestnut, referring to the Charleston fire, which still burns, writes in her diary: "On the night of the 11^th we had here a furious windstorm. We rather enjoyed it–in the interest of the fleet outside of the bar. As the blast howled, we said, ‘How now, blockaders?’ Evil thoughts are like chickens come home to roost. When the telegram came today I was too much shocked to speak. Suffering, death, and destitution on every side. In all this confusion they might attack us."