Special orders from sent to Edgar M. Lazarus from the Confederate Army. The orders state the detachment of Lazarus under the command of "Captain Mordecai" has been extended until further notice.
Letter from the enrolling office of Charleston, SC, stating Edgar M. Lazarus voluntarily reported to the enrollment office and chose to report to the Palmetto Guard Siege Train. The Letter also states that Lazarus is to report to the Camp of Instruction in Columbia, SC and then on to the company he had selected.
Entries recall finishing SC College, attending parties in Charleston, visiting many Jewish families, mentioning Penina Moise, travelling to Philadelphia, seeing Fanny Kemble & comparing Philadelphia & Charleston women. In Savannah, he studies law, comments on readings and writers, muses on atheism, observances of Jewish holidays and Sabbath, possibility of becoming Hazzan, his poor eyesight and health, his poetry and other topics. After a brief trip to Grahamsville, Purrysburg, Coosawatchie & Pocotaligo, he mentions nullification, Aaron Burr, goes to Effingham County for health, and returns to Charleston. Published in Memoirs of American Jews. Later entries re Civil War era movements of troops.
Diary of David Henry Mordecai's trip down east coast to Florida Keys, description of town, wreckers, drunkenness of Key West; description of Havana, and Mantanzas, Cuba. Also has notes on school subjects, reflections on various topics, notation of "Jews - the persecuted race," slavery in SC, pressed botanic specimens, details of weather first quarter of 1850, maps and drawings.