Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
The Story of Mary Chesnut
http://media.knowitall.org/series/mary-boykin-chesnut
Mary kept a diary during the Civil War. Events dramatized are actual
happenings and most of the words come straight from her diary. Mary
actually spent time at Kensington Plantation where story was taped.
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Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
About the Series
Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women series supports social studies standards for grades
3-8 and the interesting programs are good to use during Women’s History Month! Each
dramatization tells the story of women who have shaped SC history and politics.
Produced by ETV at historical homes and sites, the stories were adapted with
permission and input from author Idella Bodie, taken from her book South Carolina
Women. S.C. educators may access the 12 programs and supporting teacher’s guides.
South Carolina Social Studies Standards
The Civil War
Southern States Secede - The Battlefield - The War at Home
Grade 3
Standard 3-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of life in the antebellum period,
the causes and effects of the Civil War, and the impact of Reconstruction in South Carolina.
3-4.4 – Summarize the course of the Civil War in South Carolina, including the Secession
Convention, the firing on Fort Sumter, the Union blockade of Charleston, the significance of the
Hunley submarine; the exploits of Robert Smalls; and General William T. Sherman’s march
through the state.
3-4.5 – Explain how the destruction caused by the Civil War affected the economy and daily lives
of South Carolinians, including the scarcity of food, clothing, and living essentials and the
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continuing racial tensions.
Grade 4
Standard 4-6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the causes, the course, and
the effects of the American Civil War.
4-6.4 – Summarize the significant battle, strategies, and turning points of the Civil War, including
the battles of Fort Sumter and Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation, the role of African
Americans in the war, the surrender at Appomattox, and the assassination of President Lincoln.
4-6.5 – Explain the social, economic, and political effect of the Civil War on the United States.
Grade 8
Standard 8-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the multiple events that led
to the Civil War.
8-4.5 – Compare the military strategies of the North and the South during the Civil War and the
fulfillment of these strategies in South Carolina and in the South as a whole, including the attack
on Fort Sumter, the Union blockade of Charleston and other ports, the early capture of Port
Royal, and the development of the Hunley submarine; the exploits of Robert Smalls; and
General William T. Sherman’s march through the state.
8-4.6 – Compare the differing impact of the Civil War on South Carolinians in each of the various
social classes, including those groups defined by race, gender, and age.
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Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
Biography
The Civil War was a cruel war tearing families apart by their belief in the Union or
Secession. Brother fought against brother, father against son, and state against state.
Born into an influential home, Mary Boykin Chesnut experienced first hand the events of
the Civil War as she moved in the social circle of the time. Because of her husband, she
had access to the news of the war. From 1861-1865, Mary recorded her experiences
journaling every day. Her compiled writings became A Diary from Dixie.
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860.
The first shots were fired on Fort Sumter on April 8, 1861 by Mary’s husband, Colonel
Chesnut. Fort Sumter surrendered.
On June 27, 1861, the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, visited Mary
Chesnut. Supporting the cause of the Confederacy, women were called into service to
care for the wounded, provide shelter when possible, and assist by knitting socks and
garments for the Confederate soldiers. Although war was at hand, social functions
continued as a distraction from the horrors of the time. Mary continued to write about
the news of the time from the events of the war to the social distractions of the era.
Death and destruction were everywhere. On June 9, 1862, Mary Boykin Chesnut was
notified by telegram of the death of her husband, General James Chesnut. Her life was
never the same. To alleviate her own troubles, she assisted and comforted wives,
sisters, and daughters who also felt the sting of death. By 1862, the Confederacy was
suffering from numerous defeats and losses.
Word of Union troops led by William Tecumseh Sherman storming through the South
burning and destroying everything in sight led Mayor T. J. Goodwyn, Columbia’s mayor,
to surrender the city. Nevertheless, Columbia was burned anyway. Mary’s household
was forced to flee. The decision to save or destroy her diary was a difficult one as she
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Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
realized the consequences of either choice. After burning several journal entries, Mary
decided to save her work. She later rewrote the destroyed entries.
Mary Boykin Chesnut’s diary is valued as the most accurate picture of what really
happened during the era of the Confederacy. Expected to win the fight based on
activity, energy and enthusiasm, the South underestimated the difficulties ahead. A vivid
picture of a time that no longer exists, Mary Chesnut’s words brought together people
and events that changed a nation. Her journal provided the most accurate picture of
what really happened; a tale of survival, hope and heartache.
In 1865, South Carolina lay in ruins. From the burnt ashes, South Carolina rose again to
become an essential part of the United States. Mary Boykin Chesnut died on November
22, 1866, a South Carolina heroine for writing and keeping her diary of our Southern
heritage.
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Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
Video Listing
1. Episode 101 (4:00)
An introduction to the story of Mary Chesnut, who lived during the Civil War. She
recorded the goings on of affluent Confederates and Union sympathizers.
2. Episode 102 (1:53)
Mary speaks of the beginning of the Civil War in Charleston. Her husband was the first to
make contact with Fort Sumter.
3. Episode 103 (1:38)
Mary’s interactions with John Darby show the volatility of both sides in the Civil War.
4. Episode 104 (1:15)
Jefferson Davis speaks with Mary of the difficulties the war will bring.
5. Episode 105 (2:34)
Mary speaks of the pain and misery in the war hospitals.
6. Episode 106 (1:14)
Mary reflects on the need for supplies and clothes in the Southern Army.
7. Episode 107 (2:58)
Mary remembers the balls and customs that still were in place at the beginning of the
war.
8. Episode 108 (5:11)
Mary relays the story of Willie Taylor who claims he saw an apparition of Albert Rhett,
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who foretold Willie would die in battle, as he later did. Mary tells other odd tales, and of
her mother-in-law who is unable to accustom herself to the new modest living in
wartime. Mary explains the devastation of loss during war.
9. Episode 109 (3:19)
Mary’s diary further explains the challenges of life during wartime.
10. Episode 110
Mary describes the terror of Sherman’s March through the South.
11. Episode 111 (7:13)
The conclusion of the Mary Boykin story. Her life story is shared along with several more
of her diary entries.
Vocabulary
Confederacy – a union of persons, parties, or states; the Southern states Militia – a
citizen army; not part of a regular army
Patriot – a person who loves, supports, and defends his country
Union – the act of uniting; the United States of America
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Facts
South Carolina was known as “the Cradle of Secession” because of starting the war by
firing on Fort Sumter and being the first state to secede from the Union on December
20, 1860.
One New York regiment had 30 school teachers serving.
An estimated 300 women disguised themselves as men and fought in battle.
Both North and South offered potential recruits money for enlisting. Some men signed
up then deserted to enlist again. One man repeated the process 32 times before being
caught.
Disease was the number one killer of soldiers in the Civil War.
In the Peninsular campaign, 5,000 wounded were cared for by 1 doctor and 5 hospital
stewards.
80% of the wounds were caused by a single shot muzzle rifle.
The muzzle rifle could be loaded at a rate of 3 times a minute and its range was 1,000
yards.
More Americans were wounded at the Battle of Shiloh than in all previous American
wars combined.
7,000 soldiers were wounded in 20 minutes in the battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia.
The largest group of soldiers was 21 years old or younger.
300 soldiers were age 13 or under.
25 soldiers were age 10 or under.
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Most served as drummer boys.
Another unexplained occurrence…Major McCook died July 21, 1863. His son, Robert,
was killed on July 21, 1862. His youngest son, Charles, was killed on July 21, 1861.
Bloodiest Battles of Civil War: Gettysburg (3 days) – 51,116 casualties Antietam (1 day) –
22,726 casualties Seven Day Battle – 36,463 casualties
During Pickett’s charge at the Battle of Gettysburg, artillery fire could be heard over 100
miles away.
An estimated 180,000 African-Americans served in the Union Army. By 1865, there were
more African-Americans in the Union Army than there were in the Confederate army.
There were 239 raids, skirmishes, and battles fought in South Carolina during the Civil
War.
During the battle of Antietam, Clara Barton was tending a wounded soldier so close to
the fighting that a bullet went through her sleeve and killed her patient.
“I’m going to march to Richmond…and when I go through South Carolina it will be one
of the most horrible things in the history of the world. The devil himself couldn’t restrain
my men in that state.” -- William Tecumseh Sherman
By the end of the Civil War, every state fighting, except South Carolina, had sent
regiments to fight for the North.
“…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this
nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, government of the people, by the
people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” President Abraham Lincoln
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Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
Classroom Activities
Research: Individual students or small groups. Students use a variety of research materials to
create a short presentation about a South Carolinian who played a significant role in the War
Between the States explaining why the person was important to the Confederacy. Reports
should be presented to the class or a group.
Character Education: After researching a South Carolinian who played a significant role in the
War Between the States, the students should list the qualities that enabled them to achieve
their goals and the obstacles they faced. A class listing of qualities should be combined in order
to compare frequency of similar qualities.
Bulletin Board: Create a class bulletin board of “Who’s Who in the Confederacy.”
Compare and Contrast Historical Perspective: Compare and contrast the physical appearance,
furnishings and “appliances” in a plantation home during the War Between the States with
today’s home. Which time period would you rather live in and why? Explain.
Biographies: Select from the listing below a famous woman who played an important role in the
War Between the States or Civil War. Design a biography of the woman as a report or display.
Clara Barton, Mary Todd Lincoln, Mary Boykin Chesnut, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Pauline
Cushman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Varnia (Jefferson) Davis, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Dorothea
Lynde Dix, Antonia Ford Willard, Rose O’Neal Greenhow
Analysis: What risks did Mary Boykin Chesnut face by continuing to document events during the
War Between the States? What consequences might be involved if her writings had been
discovered by the enemy?
Field Trip: Take a trip to the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum or
other local museum with Confederate relics.
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, 310 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
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Idella Bodie’s South Carolina Women Series
29201 (located in the same building as the SC State Museum).
Field Trip: Take a trip to the South Carolina State Capitol Building to view the location of the
cannonballs that were fired at the State House by Sherman’s men.
South Carolina State Capitol Building, 1101 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Suggested Literature
Ashby, Ruth and Deborah Gore Ohrn, editors. Her Story: Women Who Changed the
World. New York: 1995.
Bodie, Idella. The Secret Message. South Carolina: Sandlapper Publishing, 1998. In 1781
General Nathanael Greene, commander of the Continental Army in the South, needed
to get a message to General Thomas Sumter. As the British army lay between Greene's
and Sumter's camps, Emily Geiger rode through the dangerous enemy territory to
deliver the message. (NA)
Bodie, Idella. Spunky Revolutionary War Heroine, Sandlapper Publishing, 2000. Laodicea
“Dicey” Langston paid close attention to the words and actions of her Tory neighbors.
Risking her life, she traveled on foot at night (about ten miles) to deliver a message of
impending attack to her brother’s Patriot camp. (NA)
Bodie, Idella. The Old Wagoner, Sandlapper Publishing, 2002. Daniel Morgan led a
company of militia through numerous battles including Saratoga. But his finest moment
was leading the southern Patriot force to a brilliant victory over Banastre Tarleton at
Cowpens--using a risky battle plan. (NA)
Bodie, Idella. Revolutionary Swamp Fox, Sandlapper Publishing, 1998. Francis Marion
and his band of militiamen fought the British in sneak attacks, and then melted away
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into the swamps to hide and recover. Marion was the undoubted hero of militia warfare
during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. (NA)
Bodie, Idella. South Carolina Women, Sandlapper Publishing, 1991. This book is a
compilation of the biographies of 51 notable women of the Palmetto State who have
made significant contributions in all areas of South Carolina history.
Edgar, Walter. South Carolina A History, University of South Carolina Press, 1998. Dr.
Walter Edgar’s historical reference documents the heroes, heroines and battles of the
Revolutionary War to present times.
Perry, Carolyn and Mary Louise Weaks, editors. The History of Southern Women’s
Literature. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2002.
Alphin, Elaine Marie. The Ghost Cadet. New York: Scholastic, 1992. While visiting his
grandmother in Virginia, Benjy meets a Virginia Military Institute cadet who was killed
on the Civil War battlefield that he continues to haunt in search of a family heirloom.
Hansen, Joyce. I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, A Freed Girl.
Dear America Series. New York: Scholastic, 1997. This is the fictional diary of the freed
slave Patsy, who records her journey from the confusing times at the end of the Civil
War to the life she ultimately builds for herself as a teacher. (820L)
Hesse, Karen. A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin. Dear America
Series. New York: Scholastic, 1999. While working in her father’s lighthouse in Delaware,
fifteen-year-old Amelia records in her diary how the tensions between the North and
the South are beginning to divide her community.
Houston, Gloria. Mountain Valor. New York: Penguin Putnam, 1996. With much of her
family fighting in the Civil War, Valor defends her family’s name by joining the
Confederate forces disguised as a boy.
Johnson, Dolores. Now Let Me Fly: The Story of a Slave Family. New York: Simon &
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Schuster Children’s, 1996. A young girl describes her life from the time she is kidnapped,
chained, and sent to America to live as a slave in a strange world. (860L)
Paulsen, Gary. Nightjohn. Laurel-Leaf Books, 1993. Sarny is a slave who wants to read
and write, and Nightjohn is a slave who returned from freedom in the North to educate
his friends. (770L)
Porter, Connie Rose. Meet Addy: An American Girl. American Girls Collection Series.
Middleton, WI: Pleasant Company Publications, 1993. Addy gives the reader a glimpse
into the harsh life of slavery on a Southern plantation and the struggles she and her
mother face after they find freedom in Philadelphia.
Ransom, Candice F. The Promise Quilt. New York: Walker, 1999. Five-year-old Addie’s
father dies in the Civil War, but with the help of her mother, Addie will fulfill the
promise she made to her father to earn an education.
Reeder, Carolyn. Across the Lines. New York: William Morrow, 1998. The Civil War and
its issues are shown from the perspective of young Edward as he flees from the Yankees
with his house servant, who is escaping from slavery.
Rinaldi, Ann. Amelia’s War. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Twelve-year-old Amelia finds a
way to save her hometown after a Confederate general threatens to burn it down.
Stolz, Mary. A Ballad of the Civil War. Trophy Chapter Book Series. New York:
HarperCollins, 1998. Growing up on a Southern plantation, twin brothers differ on the
issue of slavery and eventually find themselves on opposites sides of the Civil War.
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Suggested Internet Sources
The Selected Internet Resources can be used both by the instructor and by students.
Supervision of student use of Web sites is recommended. Other site resources are
available. The sites were active at time of publication.
Amazing Women in War and Peace
http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvets.html
Organization of American Historians
http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/women/hanson.htm
South Carolina’s Information Highway, Important Events
http://www.sciway.net/hist/people/women.html
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Credits
Executive Producers: Linda DuRant and Bette Jamison
Director: Pat Henry
Videographers: Xavier Blake and Lynn Cornfoot
South Carolina Social Studies Standard Correlations were provided by Lisa Ray
Funding for Knowitall.org was provided by the S. C. General Assembly through the K-12
Technology Initiative.
Visit scetv.org/education for more educational resources.
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