Mary Chesnut (1823 1886) was the wife of confederate Colonel James Chesnut. They owned a plantation near Camden, South Carolina, during the mid-to-late nineteenth century. They also owned many slaves, both field hands and household servants. They moved in privileged social circles, dining with politicians, judges, and ranking military leaders. Mary was a well-read, educated, and articulate southern woman. The words, emotions, and events that follow were diligently entered into her diary, creatin...