The massive 43-volume collection of the Rev. Samuel Andrew Agnew’s writings recorded life in this area during the Civil War era.
Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center is now home to the Civil War-era diaries of The Rev. Samuel Andrew Agnew.
The diary consist of 43 volumes written over a fifty year period. The diary depicts the daily account of Agnew and his family, local happenings, books and periodicals he read, births and deaths of the community, world events, the impact of the Civil War and hardships of post-war recovery.
The photocopy was made in 1966 from the original manuscripts given to the Southern Historical Collection by the Agnew Family.
Agnew was born in 1833. He moved with his parents to Brice’s Crossroads in 18
52. He was a central figure in the Bethany/Brice’s Crossroads community from 1852 until his death in 1902. He held the longest pastorate in the Bethany Presbyterian Church which began in 1868 and ended with his death.
Although the diary set itself will not be on display at the center, excerpts from Agnew’s daily accounts which include local life, civil war and world events are on display. The collection will be used for research by the Baldwyn Historical Committee and the Final Stands staff.
“Information gleaned from Reverend Agnew’s diary has been very helpful to us in interpreting the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads where he was an eye witness and lived there locally,” Final Stands Interpretive Center and Battlefields Director Edwina Carpenter said. “We appreciate the donation as it will be helpful in the continued research by our staff.”
The quilt was also donated by the Ford family to be displayed at the center. The quilt is in fairly good condition considering its age.
“We will have the quilt professionally cleaned and preserved before we display it in the center,” said Final Stands Director’s Assistant Mallie Fitzgerald. “The donated items are a huge asset to the historical collection the center has amassed.”
The center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults. Children under 7 years old get in free. Group rates are available. For more information, contact Edwina Carpenter at 662-365-3969 or by e-mail at bcr.edwina@gmail.com. The website address is www.final stands.com.
