DOC A Maryland Bride in the Deep South: The Civil War Diary of Priscilla Bond by From Brand: Louisiana State Univ Pr in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Heartfelt; but sad.By L. KirbyPriscilla (Mittie) Bond writes a very detailed account of her life from 1858-1865. Lots of everyday events; hardships; and extreme religious faith during The War Between the States.The sadness comes as you track; with the editor's help; the progress of her consumption (tuberculosis) as she becomes increasingly debilitated; and eventually resigns herself to God's will and to her doom. Her love for her husband in the Confederate army and her longing to at least see her family once more before she dies border; at times; on desperation.I really felt for her. Even though her husband's family was there; she still felt like a "stranger in a strange land."I don't recommend this book to someone just wanting diary "fluff"; but to a serious student of the War.Does she survive to see her husband family? I'm not telling.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Admirable WomanBy S. C. NeckesA Maryland Bride Priscilla Bond begins her diary in a light fashion; offering subtle; at times too ordinary details of her daily life inside her parent's Maiden Lane home outside of Baltimore where she often receives guests for tea. This is to be expected as Bond grew up in a very prominent family household with numerous friends and relatives and lived in the nineteenth century South where women's identities were defined by their families both immediate and extended. Nevertheless; these activities are far too mundane to be found enjoyable. Too frequently; bond mentions these houseguests who stop in for tea and are gone just as quickly. "Nothing has occurred worthy of note; no one was here but cousin Howard P--he took tea with us and then left for Mr. Dallam's in Bel Air..." (Harrison; 69) One wishes for such entries to be over quickly as they are a strain on both the reader's patience and bladder. Furthermore; such entries are frustrating as women in Bond's time often used their diaries to find means of escape from their subservient societal roles. With such freedom at one's literal fingertips; one wonders just why someone would spend so many entries recounting the painstaking activities of daily life. Nevertheless; these entries do not begin until the temporary; but drawn-out departure of Bond's potential suitor; Howard and one soon realizes that Bond's entries are merely a way of coming to terms with her newfound life and establishing her identity in his absence. Once Bond is able to put aside her sadness and bask in her freedom; her entries become more involved and thought-provoking; allowing her wit; endearing personality; and charming prose to shine through. One of her more light-hearted entries finds her gazing up at the clouds; imagining them taking on the likeness of fairies. "...methinks I can see little fairies as they were skipping and chasing each other in frolicksome glee till they are lost in the distance..." (Harrison; 69) Her observations take a more elaborate turn after she notices the change in the clouds after a rainstorm. "They first looked like an army arrayed for battle. Some were on horseback; some walking and the flags flying as if it were flying in the breeze." (Harrison; 75) Bond is at her literary best; however; when she is exploring more profound subject matter such as mortality which she does after the death of her aunt. "Oh! May we be prepared when ever the messenger comes; and have our lamps trimmed brightly burning." (Harrison; 74) She boldly ponders the day when she too must meet death's door; doing so in a light-hearted; yet wistful fashion and then proceeds to discuss something as simple as the weather. This; at first; seems like an odd turn; but it is Bond's intention to state that death; like the weather is commonplace and not to be fretted over. One simply disregards it and moves on with the day. It is this approach to life along with Bond's faith that carry her through the diary's duration. After her marriage to Howard; a man whom she cares for deeply; but is never quite sure if she truly loves; her health begins to deteriorate. This only makes the feats that follow all the more admirable; however; as her husband joins the Civil War effort and she finds herself alone and ailing. It is a pleasure to witness Bond's growing strength which not only masks her illness but establishes her as a force to be reckoned with. This is no longer the woman who wrote of tea time and fairy-like clouds. When soldiers invade her Abbeville home; looking for enemies who may be hidden within; she boldly ushers them around; insisting that they look wherever they wish. Once more; she finally stands up to her unpleasant mother-in-law with whom she has long been in rival. Howard's long awaited return is greeted with joy; but the event is bittersweet as one knows that she will not be around to enjoy it much longer. Although Bond may have not been able to find love; she was; in fact; able to find herself.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Sea of Dull TruthBy Elya H. FranciscusA Maryland Bride in the Deep South by Kimberly Harrison is a historic account of a young woman's diary during Civil War America. While true in its accuracy and well-researched the book was exceedingly dull and long-winded. The day-to-day entries of the diary's author; Pricilla Bond; consist of nothing more than weather reports and a monotonous list of "who visited whom". After meeting Ms. Harrison I learned that she had not intended the book for the general public but wrote it for a smaller; more scholarly group. Nevertheless; A diary should be a glance into one's soul; an opening into one's deepest thoughts and beliefs; yet Mrs. Bond's writings made her seem the most mundane creature to every put ink to paper. There are faint glimmers of hope that she may be more than what her entries make her seem; a few secret meetings with her fiancé; a wrestle with faith and religion; but those were few and far between. It is true that Mrs. Bond was very ill and was therefore often unable to write but this only serves to add to my ponderings as to why she would then use what little strength she did posses to write about the rain or who attended church that day.I accept the face that I am not a historian; I do not understand the life and customs of women in the 19Th century. However; if Mrs. Bond's life is a good representaion of most women in that time then I cannot thank God enough that I live in the era that I do. On that note; I am grateful to Pricilla for aiding me in putting my life in perspective. I have freedom and opportunity to marry whom I want; to go where I want; to not have to `dress for dinner'; to receive medical care for the condition that so abruptly ended Mrs. Bonds life and her writings. Overall; I would only recommend this book to those who are truly interested in that time and place; and are resilient enough to search through the sea of dull truth; to find a few pearls of wisdom from Pricilla Bond.Elya Franciscus#2248241ENG 11 A.M.