Timeline for GWTW & Historical Events

1794 to 1796-John Wilkes born.  He was stated as being almost 70 when he rode out on Nellie with the troops. (p. 214).

1801-Gerald O'Hara is born in County Meath, Ireland.  His age is given as 60 when Scarlett meets him at the drive on his way back from Twelve Oakes (p.20).

1802- Sarah Jane Hamilton, aka Aunt Pitty Pat born.   She was christened "60 years before", when Scarlett comes to Atlanta in 1862.  (p.105)

1821-Frank Kennedy born. "Frank Kennedy might own more land than anyone in the County and he might have a very kind heart, but these things counted for nothing against the fact that he was forty, slight and nervous and had a thin ginger-colored beard and an old-maidish, fussy way about him". (p. 66)  This was at the Wilkes BBQ in 1861.

1822-Gerald O'Hara leaves Ireland with a bounty on his head. (p. 28)  He joins his older brothers Andrew and James in their mercantile business in Savannah.  He was in America for 39 years by 1861 (P. 19).

Late 1827 or 1828 Rhett King Butler born in Charleston, South Carolina area.  He states he is 45 at the end of the book when he tells Scarlett he is leaving her.  (p.717)

Late 1828 or 1829 Ellen Robillard O'Hara born to Pierre and Solange Robillard in Savannah, Georgia. She is 32 at the beginning of the book (p. 26).  She has two older sisters Eulalie and Pauline.  Eulalie ends up in Charleston and is friends with Rhett Butler's mother.

Late 1820s to early 1830's-Gerald wins his valet, Pork, in a poker game.  This seems to take place close to the time he wins Tara.

1833 or 1834-Gerald wins Tara in a poker match.  The land grants were issued the year before he came to America in 1821, and the pervious owner spent 12 years living on the plantation, before returning to Savannah (p. 30-32).  Gerald lived in the county nearly a decade, before leaving for Savannah to seek a bride. (p. 35)

Between 1834 to 1838 George Ashley Wilkes born.  Scarlett falls in love with him at 14, when he returns from a 3 year grand tour of Europe.  Presuming he graduated from High School between 16 to 18, and then college and the Grand Tour, he could be anywhere from 21 to 25 when he returns home.  If he did not attend college, and there is no mention made of that in the cannon, the he is probably at the under end of the range. (p. 16-17)

1841-Charles Hamilton born.  During the BBQ, when Charles announces to Scarlett he wants to marry her,  it states that Scarlett does not see a shy boy of 20 (p. 67).  India Wilkes falls into the same time frame for her birth year.  She is said to be 20 the day of the BBQ (p.67) and 25 when she moved in with Ashely and Melanie in 1866 (p.506)

Late 1841 to 1842-The Tarleton Twins were born.

1844-Rhett becomes a cadet at West Point.  Based on him starting at age 16.   How We Do Run On has a great section on West Point and daily life of a cadet in the 1800s.  He studied math, French, engineering, science, drawing, etc.  Based on his conversations and remarks in GWTW, and the fact he was put in the Artillery when he joined the Confederate Army, Rhett probably made it about half way through or longer.  West Point is a four year school.

Late 1843 or 1844-Melanie Wilkes born.  The description of Melanie states she was 17 at the BBQ (p.70).

1844-Philippe Robillard leaves for New Orleans and is killed.  Ellen upon threat of entering a convent is allowed to marry Gerald O'Hara.  She leaves for North Georgia with 20 houses slaves, and her Mammy. (p.37)

1845-Katie Scarlett O'Hara is born.  "Atlanta had always interested her more than any other town because when she was a child Gerald had told her she and Atlanta were exactly the same age" (p.95). The name of Atlanta for the town was decided in 1845.

1846 to 1848-Mexican-American War.  Colonel William R. Hamilton, Charles and Melanie's father, along with Uncle Henry and Grandpa Merriwether fought in it.

Late 1846 or 1847 Susan Elinor O'Hara is born.

1848-Caroline Irene O'Hara.  Ellen tells Careen she must wait till next year, when she is 14 to attend the ball (p. 46). 

1847 or 1849-Rhett Butler cast out by his father after buggy incident and duel. (p. 153)

1849-Prissy is born.  She is said to be 12 at the beginning of the book.

1849-California Gold Rush.  Rhett was out in the gold fields at some point during the rush.  Sustained the wound to his abdomen that left a scar.

April 12th, 181-Fort Sumter fired on.  The Union surrenders it to the Confederacy on April 13th.

April 14th, 1861-
1. The Tarleton twins tell Scarlett of Ashley's engagement to Melanie Hamilton.
2.  Scarlett waits to confirm this with Gerald who is returning from Twelve Oakes were he went to purchase Dilcey, head woman and midwife of Twelve Oakes and Porks Broadwife.
3.  He tells her she and Ashley would be mismatched and warned against making a fool of herself by chasing him.
4.  Dilcey and her daughter Prissy arrive at Tara.  Dilcey gives Prissy to Scarlett as a maid, since Scarlett helped persuade Gerald to buy Dilcey.
5.  Emmie Slattery and Jonas Wilkerson's baby is baptized by Ellen O'Hara and dies.
6. Scarlett formulates her plan to let Ashley know she loves him, and plan her elopement.

April 15th, 1861-
1. Wilkes BBQ and Ball.
2. Jonas Wilkerson, Tara's Overseer, is discharged by Ellen.
3. Scarlett firsts notices Rhett looking her over.  She asks Cathleen Calvert who he is.  Cathleen tells her he is Rhett Butler and isn't received.  He was expelled from West Point, and took a girl buggy riding without a chaperone, refused to marry her, and killed her brother in a duel and was cast out by his family.
4.Scarlett confesses her love to Ashley in the library.
5. Scarlett meets Rhett when he eavesdrops on her confession to Ashley.
6.  Scarlett accepts Charles proposal.
7.  Ashley and Melanie's engagement is announced.
8. Lincoln calls for troops

April 30th, 1861-Scarlett marries Charles (p. 89).  She refuses to let him get into bed with her on their wedding night.  He spends it in a chair.

May 1, 1861-Ashley marries Melanie.  Scarlett lets Charles into her bed.  Wade conceived?

May 6th, 1861-Charles leaves for Wade Hampton's Troop in South Carolina. (p.91)

May 20th, 1861 Ashley and the local troop leave.  Ashely is part of Cobb's Legion.

Late June or early July 1861-Charles dies in the South Carolina camp of Hampton's Legion from pneumonia following a case of measles. (p.91-92).

January 22nd to possibly early February (first baby's tend to run late) 1862-Wade Hampton Hamilton born.

Later Winter/Early Spring 1862-Scarlett and Wade visit relatives in Savannah, South Carolina, and Charleston.  Scarlett returns home early after aping Gerald's brogue to Aunt Eulalie's guests.

May 1862-Scarlett, Wade, and Prissy arrive in Atlanta.  From Uncle Henry Scarlett learns she owns 1/2 of the Atlanta house, and Melly the other 1/2.  Charles left her warehouses and other property.

June/July 1862-
1. Scarlett, Melanie, and Aunt Pitty assist at the the Bazaar.
2.  Scarlet has a moment of "self-knowldege" when she realizes she doesn't not believe in "the Cause", and thinks the war is stupid.  She feels lonely and isolated from all the other people there, but knows to keep her opinion to herself.
3.  Rhett Butler is there and comes over to talk to her.
4. She gives her wedding ring to be melted for "the Cause" and Melanie does the same.
5.  Rhett Butler bids to dance the first reel with her.  Scarlett dances with Rhett scandalizing everyone.
6.  Rhett tells her she can live without a reputation with enough courage.
7.  Ellen writes to Scarlett she is disappointed in her conduct, especially given Rhett's reputation, and that Gerald will come to Atlanta to bring her home, and talk with Rhett.
8. Rhett redeems Melanie's ring, but not Scarlett's, earning him an invitation to dinner.
9. Gerald comes to Atlanta to bring her home, but Rhett gets him drunk and wins all of his money.
10.  Rhett escorts Gerald back to Aunt Pittypats, and Scarlett has to let them in wearing only her wrapper.
11. The next morning she negotiates with Gerald to remain in Atlanta.
12.  Scarlett reads Ashley's letters to Melanie.
13.  Rhett courts Scarlett, and affects her, "For all his exasperating qualities, she grew to look forward to his calls.  There was something exciting about him that she could not analyze, something different from any man she had ever known.  There was something breath-taking in the grace of his big body which made his very entrance into a room like an abrupt physical impact, something in the impertinence and bland mockery of his dark eyes that challenged her spirit to subdue him.  'It's almost like I was in love with him!' she thought, bewildered.  'But I'm not and I just can't understand it.'" (p.151)

Fall of 1862 to early 1863-Rhett goes from dashing blockade runner to persona non-grata.  He gives Maybelle Merriwether the material for her wedding gown, but after saying the war was based on lies at Mrs. Elsing silver musical is no longer received in Atlanta, except by the Hamilton/Wilkes household. Melly defends him and refuses to turn him away from their home.

Early summer 1863-Rhett brings Scarlett the green Rue de La Paix bonnet.  The following day Belle Watling gives Melly the money for the hospital wrapped in Rhett's handkerchief with the RKB monogram, and Scarlett learns of their relationship.

July 1-3, 1863 Battle of Gettysburg and July 4, 1863 fall of Vicksburg.   Word of Vicksburg's fall reached Atlanta on the 5th.  Gettysburg casualty lists came after.
Dead:
Raiford Calvert
Joseph Fontaine
Darcy Mead
Dallas McClure
LaFayette Munroe
Thomas, Brenton, and Stuart Tarleton

Christmas 1863-
1. Ashley Wilkes, Cade Calvert, Alex and Tony Fontaine, and 2 of the Munroe boys come home.
2. John, India, and Honey are in Atlanta to see Ashley.
3. Beau is conceived.
4. Scarlett kisses Ashley.
5. Ashley has her promise to care for Melly. (Chapter 15)

March 1864-Melly tells Scarlett she is pregnant.  The following day Moses, Ashley's servant, telegrams he can't find him, followed by an army telegram informing them Ashley went missing on a scouting mission. (p.192)

March/April 1864-Melly faints at the telegraph office and is brought home by Rhett and Uncle Peter.  Rhett asks if she is pregnant, and says he will learn what he can, if she will take care of herself.  A month later he tells them Ashely was captured and is a prisoner at Rock Island, and could have left if he agreed to fight in the West.

May 1864-Aunt Pitty has the dinner party with the last rooster.  The Meades, Mrs. Elsing, Fanny Elsing and Capt. Carey Ashburn are there.  Rhett shows up unexpectedly and is invited to stay.  Rhett and Scarlett duet-on "My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen Foster.  (p. 201).

June 27 or 28th, 1864-Scarlett flees the hospital and catches a ride with Rhett.  She sees Big Sam and other field hands from Tara, and argues with Rhett about Ashley.  It's during this ride he tells her, "And perhaps, I'm staying here to rescue you when the siege does come.  I've never rescued a maiden in distress.  That would be a new experience, too". (p. 210)  These dates are based on the Battle of Kenneshaw Mountain, and Scarlett being called to work at the hospital with the incoming wounded.

July 1864-The State Militia and Home Guard march out of Atlanta to back up General Johnston.  Scarlett and Maybelle watch Uncle Henry, Grandpa Merriwether, and Phil Meade leave.  Scarlett talks with John Wilkes, who is riding Mrs. Tarleton's personal mare, Nellie.  He gives her news from Tara and kisses her.  India and Honey refuge to Macon and stay with their Burr cousins.  There is no exact date I could locate as to when the Home Guard and State Militia marched out of Atlanta. (p.212-215)

July 20th, 1864-Battle of Peachtree Creek.  Wounded arrive at Aunt Pitty's house.  Melanie helps out and when she faints is placed on the kitchen table.  Wade witnesses it from the front porch.  Scarlett sees Carey Ashburn at the bottom of a cart with a bullet wound to the head.  He dies later.  Home Guard and Militia come through Atlanta the next day.  Scarlett looks for, but can not find John Wilkes.
Scarlett begins to realize Jonesboro and Tara might be affected by the war. (p. 217-219)

July 20th, 1864-The Shelling/Siege of Atlanta begins.  According to Civil War history that was the day Union troops began shelling the city, and the bloodiest/worst day was on August 9th for civilian casualties.  Marital law and passes for citizens were enacted during the siege.  The siege lasted approximately 40 days.

July 22nd, 1864-The Battle of Atlanta.  Scarlett and other ladies watch from the "flat roofs of stores". When the shelling starts Maybelle, her baby, Fanny Elsing, and Aunt Pitty refuge to Macon.  Mrs. Meade, Elsing, and Merriwether remain.  Scarlett, Prissy, and Wade remain with Melanie in Atlanta due to her promise to Ashley and Dr. Meade's orders that Melanie not risk being moved.  Aunt Pitty donates her horse and carriage to the Army before fleeing, but regrets it.

Late July1864-Scarlett considers sending Wade and Prissy to Tara, but skirmishes near Jonesboro end that plan.  (p.224)  Uncle Henry comes on leave to visit them, and asks Scarlett to tell Melly that John Wilkes is dead.  He gives Scarlett John's watch, cuff links, and miniature of Mrs. Wilkes, and said he had to shoot Nellie after a shell landed on them.  (p.227)

End of July/Early August 1864-News of another skirmish near Jonesboro.  Eventually, Gerald writes telling her they heard the battle, and Careen has typhoid. (P.228)  Rhett visits Scarlett that evening "taking her hand, he turned it over and pressed his lips into the palm.  Something vital, electric, leaped from him to her at the touch of his warm mouth, something that caressed her whole body thrillingly. His lips traveled to her wrists and she knew he must feel the leap of her pulse as her heart quickened. and she tried to draw back her hand.  She had not bargained on this--this treacherous warm tide of feeling that made her want to run her hands through his hair, to feel his lips upon her mouth.  She wasn't in love with him, she told herself confusedly.  She was in love with Ashley.  But how to explain this feeling that made her hands shake and the pit of her stomach grow cold?"  He asks her to be his mistress (p.232)

End of August 1864-More fighting around Jonesboro.  A Courier brings Scarlett a letter from Gerald saying both her sisters and her mother have Typhoid. (p. 234)

August 31st, 1864 The Battle of Jonesboro begins.

September 1st, 1864-Battle of Jonesboro leads to the fall of Atlanta.
1. Melanie goes into labor and gives birth to Beaurgard Wilkes in the late afternoon or early evening.
2. Commissary Warehouses are opened to the public to take what food they can gather.
3. Mrs. Elsing flees.
4.  Phil Meade dies from battle wounds.
5. Ellen O'Hara dies of typhoid
6. General Hood retreats from Atlanta and orders remaining munitions destroyed.
7.  Rhett steals a horse and wagon to evacuate them.
8. Melly insists on taking Charles pistol, sword, and dauerrgeotype.
9. Rhett abandons them near Rough and Ready after kissing Scarlett and confessing his love.  Wade crying for Scarlett ruins his chance of going beyond kisses.

September 2nd, 1864.
1. Atlanta officially surrenders to Union forces.
2. Scarlett hits Prissy and slaps Wade.
3. Scarlett acquires a cow on her way to Tara.
4. They arrive at Tara that evening.  She learns of her mother's death and the Yankee encampment.
5.  Learns from Pork that he and Dilcey have a son, and Dilcey can nurse Beau.

September 2nd to 6th, 1864-Battles at Lovejoy, Georgia.  Rhett has joined up and is in them.

September 3rd, 1864.  The horse died and the cow has a calf. Scarlett learns Gerald has lost his mind. She walks to Twelve Oaks for food and on her way back makes a vow to herself, "As God is my witness, as God as my witness, the Yankees aren't going to lick me.  I'm going to live through this, and when it's over, I'm never going to be hungry again.  No, nor any of my folks.  If I have to steal or kill-as God is my witness, I'm never going to be hungry again". (p. 289-93).

September 17th, 1864-Scarlett shoots the Yankee deserter with Charles' pistol.  Melly comes downstairs with her brother's sword, lies to the family and helps cover up the murder.  She suggest they search his pockets and knapsack. They have a horse and money.  Scarlett buries the deserter under the arbor. (p.301-304)

Late September, 1864.  Scarlett rides to the Mimosa, the Fontaine's plantation.  Learns which neighbors and houses are still there.  The Fontaine's give her 1/2 their supplies, and Grandma Fontaine demands to know what happened to Scarlett.  She tells Scarlett, "Child, it's a very bad thing for a woman to face the worst than can happen to her, because after she's faced the worst she can't ever really fear anything again. . .that lack of fear has gotten me into a lot of trouble and cost me a lot of happiness. . . Scarlett, always save something to fear--even as you save something to love" (p.310-311)

Fall 1864-Scarlett's personality changes.  Driven by fear she starts to bully her family, and servants. Wade seeks comfort from Aunt Melly, which annoys Scarlett, but she doesn't know how to change the situation.

November 15th, 1864 Sherman begins his march to the sea.

Between November 15 to 17th 1864.
1. Sally Fontaine warns Tara of approaching Yankees.
2.  Scarlett sends her family out with food and livestock.
3.  Scarlett stays in house with Wade and Beau.  Puts Yankee wallet in Beaus diaper.
4. Yankees burn the cotton in the quarters.
5.  Argues with soldier over Charles sword when Wade says it his.  Gets sword back for him.
6. Angry soldier sets fire to kitchen over sword.
7. Scarlett beats it out, but her skirt and back catch fire.
8.  Melly returns to help and puts out Scarlett's burning back.
9. Scarlett has burns to her hands, face, and shoulders.

Late November 1864-Scarlett orders the calf killed.  Wade has a bad cold.  Her fog nightmares begin. She starts sleeping with Melanie, so she will be awoken from her nightmares. (p. 325)

November 30th, 1864-Battle of Franklin, Tennessee.  Rhett was in the battle with General Hood as part of the artillery.

December 24th, 1864
1. Frank Kennedy and his commissary troop arrive.
2.  Scarlett threatens to scratch anyone's eyes out who tells the troop about the shoat they killed.
3.  They learn Atlanta burned, and Yankees dumped the civilians at Rough and Ready for General Hood, before burning and leaving town.
4.  Their Atlanta house still stands, but Scarlett's warehouses burned.
5.  Atlanta is already rebuilding.  Frank saw Mrs. Meade, Mrs. Merriwether, and Maybelle.
6.  Frank saw Aunt Pitty in Macon the previous week.
7. Told of convicts released to fight for the army.
8.  Frank tells Scarlett he is penniless, but still asks for Suellen's hand. (p.326-334)

Winter 1865-Pork sent with the horse and money to find food.  Brings back most of the money, and Scarlett suspects he stole most of the provisions.

April 14th, 1865-Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford Theater.  He dies the following day, and reconstruction plans are changed as a result.

May 10th, 1865-Alex and Tony return and inform the family of General Johnston's surrender.  Date is based on the boys arriving back in the county 2 weeks after the surrender, which took place on April 26th, 1865.  Rhett was at the surrender on Bennett Place Farm in Durham, North Carolina.

Late Spring 1865-Scarlett, Melly, Careen, and Suellen visit the neighbors.  Scarlett realizes if she wanted to marry again, there were not many men left.  Suellen starts crying thinking Frank is dead. The next day Cathleen Calvert comes to Tara to tell them she is marrying Hilton, their old overseer, so Cade can die in peace. (p.340-342)

Summer 1865-Tara hosts soldiers returning home.  Soldiers sleep in the parlor and ruin the rug.  Scarlett is frustrated and angered by the all the food they eat, till Melanie says a northern woman might be sharing food with Ashley.

June 1865-Uncle Peter rides to Tara with a letter for Melanie from Ashley, that was sent to Aunt Pitty via Wille Burr, a relative in Macon, who was in the same prison camp as Ashley.  Melanie faints, and Scarlett reads the beginning of the letter.

Late Summer-Will Benteen is brought unconscious to Tara.  Careen nurses him to health.  He stays on at Tara in repayment for their care, and is sweet on Careen.  He provides the practical help they need and gradually becomes part of the family. (p.350-54)

September 1865-Ashley returns to Tara.  Will restrains Scarlett from running to Ashley and interrupting his and Melly's reunion.  Will reminds her, "After all, he's her husband, ain't he?" Will asked calmly and, looking down at him in a confusion of joy and impotent fury, Scarlett saw in the quiet depth of his eyes understanding and pity".  (p. 355)

January 1866-
1. Will tells Scarlett that Jonas Wilkerson has raised the taxes on Tara to $300.00.
2. Scarlett seeks Ashley out in the orchard and makes out with him, after asking for his advice and asking him to run away with her.
3. Jonas Wilkerson and Emmie Slattery, now married, show up at Tara offering to buy it.  Scarlett throws dirt at them.
4. Scarlett rips down the parlor curtains to make a dress for her trip to Atlanta, and Mammy says she will be going with her.
5. Scarlett learns from Aunt Pitty the Hamiltons have no funds to help her, and Rhett is in jail.
6. Scarlett sneaks out to the jail, and meets with Rhett.  Her damaged hands give away her lies.
7. She offers to be his mistress, and he causes her to faint when she starts screaming.  He gives her advice before she leaves about how to handle men.
8.  On her way back to Aunt Pitty's, Scarlett runs into Frank Kennedy, and realizes he is doing well.
9.  She lies and tells Frank that Suellen married someone else.
10.  Mammy assists her with ensnaring Frank, and procures rogue and cologne for Scarlett.
11.  Frank escorts Scarlett and Aunt Pitty to the wedding of Fanny Elsing to Tommy Wellburn.

Mid to Late January 1866-
1. Frank courts Scarlett.
2. Jonas Wilkerson visits Tara again.  Will and Ashley throw him off.
3. Frank and Scarlett elope approximately 2 weeks after the Elsing wedding.(p.421)

Early to Mid February 1866-
1. 2 weeks into the marriage Frank gets grippe.
2.  A week into the illness Scarlett uses this as her excuse to visit the store and go over the books.
3. Rhett is released from jail, goes to Aunt Pitty's and learns of her marriage to Frank.
4. Rhett visits her at the store to congratulate her and make sure she got her tax money.
5.  She asks him for money to buy the mill.  He insists on talking about Ashley.
6. Rhett helps her buy the mills, mules, wagons, a horse and buggy, but sets the condition that she can not use any of the funds to support Ashley, or he will call in the loan.
7.  Scarlett starts running the mill and selling lumber, to Frank's horror and shame.
8. Ella conceived during this time frame?

April 1866-
1. Tony Fontaine shows up one night.
2. He killed Jonas Wilkerson, and Ashley assisted him.
3.  Ashley sent him to Aunt Pitty's.
4.  Frank gives Tony a horse, money, and his greatcoat.
5. Tony flees to Texas.
6. Scarlett realizes Frank isn't so meek after all.
7. Tells Frank she is having a baby.
8.  Yankees search the house seeking information on Tony.
9.  Scarlett buys her 2nd mill, and reluctantly hires Hugh Elsing to manage it.
10.  Uncle Peter refuses to drive Scarlett anymore after being insulted by some Yankee wives.
11.  Uncle Peter's disapproval causes her to briefly rethink her choices.

Late April or early May to June 1866-Rhett escorts Scarlett during her drives through the woods.  She vaguely wonders if this meetings are deliberate, but enjoys the conversations. During one talk Scarlett mentions, "I wonder what our grandchildren will be like?"  "Are you suggesting by that 'our' that you and I will have mutual grandchildren?  Fie, Mrs. Kennedy!"  She fights with him, then throws up in front of him, and he tells her he knows of her pregnancy.  Scarlett is surprised to learn Rhett likes children.  Rhett reveals his feelings behind mockery, "Because of my deep love for you, Mrs. Kennedy.  Yes, I have silently hungered for you and thirsted for you and worshipped you from afar".  He advises her to change bits or horses.  Scarlett begins drinking brandy on the sly. (p. 471-474).

June 1866-
1. Gerald dies falling from the Fontaine's horse, after Suellen gets him drunk and tries to get him to sign an oath of Loyalty to the United States for money for war damages.
2.  Will picks up Scarlett and tells her he will marry Suellen, Careen will join the convent and not to fuss at her, and the Wilkes will head north.
3. He tells Scarlett that Suellen's vanity was more affected then her heart by the loss of Frank.
4.  Scarlett is accompanied to the house by Mrs. Tarleton and Grandma Fontaine during the funeral at Will's insistence to avoid a scene.
5.  Grandma gives Scarlett some advice, "When trouble comes, we bow to the inevitable without any mouthing, and we work and we smile and we bide our time.  And we play along with lesser folks and we take what we can from them.  And when we're strong enough, we kick the folks whose necks we've climbed over.  That, my child, is the secret to survival.  And after a pause, she added: "I pass it on to you."  (Chapter 41)
6. Scarlett gives Pork Gerald's watch.
7. Ashley tells Scarlett he is taking his family north to work in a friends bank.
8.  Scarlett offers him 1/2 of one of her mills, he refuses.
9.  Scarlett starts crying and Melly intercedes on her behalf.  Ashley states, "Scarlett, I will come to Atlanta. . . .I cannot fight you both". . . some of the triumph in her heart was dulled by a nagging fear.  The look in his eyes had been the same as when he said he would be lost forever if he came to Atlanta". (p. 505)
10.  Ashley, Melly, and Beau move to a house on Ivy Street behind Aunt Pitty's house.  They bring Dilcey with them.  India joins them as she dislikes Honey's husband.
11.  Melly joins almost all the old guard committees in town, and their home becomes a gathering place.

November 1866-
1.  Ella Lorena Kennedy born.
2.  Klan lynches an arrested black man accused of rape.
3.  Men won't leave their women alone for fear of assault.  Scarlett's mills are idle as a result.
4.  After venting to Melly, Archie is sent over to drive Scarlett around.
5.  Other ladies are jealous of the freedom having him as a driver gives Scarlett, and ask to borrow him.
6.  Frank spends more time away now that Archie is around.
7.  When Scarlett says she will lease convicts, Archie says he will quit.  He was one of the convicts released to fight in the war, and was in for killing his unfaithful wife.
8.  Scarlett leases convicts, Archie quits, and the town sits in judgement on her.
9.  She demotes Hugh Elsing, and hires Johnny Gallagher to run his mill.

December 1866-
1. Rhett returns to Atlanta and meets Ella.
2.  Scarlett asks if he has a sweetheart in New Orleans, and is jealous at the thought
3. Rhett reveals he has a male ward there.  "He's a perfect little hellion.  I wish he had never been born. Boys are troublesome creatures" (p.531)
4. Scarlett learns his father died in October or November.
5. Rhett learns the money Scarlett sends to her Aunt Eulalie was being used to help his mother and sister.  He offers to pay her back.  With his father dead he can now provide for  his mother and sister.
6.  Rhett calls Scarlett out on violating their agreement that she not use any of her mill money to support Ashley Wilkes.
7.  He refers to her as "my pet" for the first time. (p.535)
8.  Rhett eludes to Franks involvement in the Klan by telling Scarlett, "tell him if he wants to see his plans for his child work out,  he'd better stay home at night more often then he's doing" (p.538)

March 1867-
1.  Big Sam approaches Scarlett in the woods near shantytown.  He admits he is in trouble and asks to go back to Tara.
2. Scarlett confronts Johnny Gallagher over his treatment of the convicts.
3. While waiting to meet Big Sam she is assaulted by two men.
4.  Big Sam shows up and stops them before they rape her.
5.  Frank sends Big Sam to Tara, and leaves for a "political meeting".
6.  Scarlett and the children spend the evening at Melly's with Aunt Pitty and  India.
7. Archie is there to watch over the women.
8. Rhett shows up and tells them the Yankees know about the raid, and it's an ambush.
9.  Yankees show up later and guard the house.
10.  Rhett returns later with a wounded Ashley and Hugh Elsing.
11.  He lies to the Yankees and says they were all at Belle's House.
12.  Rhett sends Archie to move the bodies and burn the robes.
13.  Rhett tells Melly he has a key to Belle's and she is an old friend.  Scarlett is upset by this news.
15.  Scarlett learns how many of the men she knows were involved in the clan: Dr. Meade, Uncle Henry, Rene Picard, Grandpa Merriwether.
16.  Rhett tells Scarlett Frank is dead.  Tommy Wellburn was also killed.
17.  Belle Watling meets with Melanie the next evening.  Belle says she let the men in, because she appreciated Melly taking her money for the hospital.  She disparages Scarlett to Melly, but speaks kindly of Frank.
18.  Belle tells Melly she has a little boy too, but he doesn't live in Atlanta.
19.  Rhett comes to Aunt Pitty's and proposes to Scarlett the day of Frank's funeral, even though she tells him she could never love him.
20.  Rhett leaves for England.

Spring 1868- Rhett and Scarlett announce their engagement.  They announce it a week before Rufus Bullock is elected Governor of Georgia. (p.583)  He was Governor from 1868-1871.  Rufus was elected in April of 1868.

1868-
1.  Rhett and Scarlett marry.
2.  They honeymoon in New Orleans for 2 weeks.  Wade and Ella stay with Melly and Ashley while they are gone.
3.  Rhett spoils her with clothes, eating out, and going to parties.  Scarlett buys lavish gifts for the family, but won't for Mammy.  Rhett buys Mammy a red taffeta petticoat, saying, "It would break her heart if you didn't--and hearts like hers are too valuable to be broken"(p.590)
4.  Scarlett sighs thinking about Ashley one night while in bed with Rhett.  He knows what she is thinking and says, "May God damn your cheating little soul to hell for all eternity!" (p.593) and he leaves for the rest of the night.
5.  The following night, their last in New Orleans, Scarlett's fog nightmare returns, and Rhett comforts her.  "His shirt, opened to the waist, showed a brown chest covered with thick black hair.  Scarlett, still shaking with fright, thought how strong and unyielding that chest was, and she whispered, 'Hold me, Rhett'". (p.593)
6.  Returning to Atlanta, they live in the National Hotel while their mansion is built.
7.  Scarlett starts socializing with carpetbaggers and scallawags.
8.  The house is finished.  Rhett and Scarlett start quarreling when they move in.
9.  Rhett suggests "Caveat Emptorium" as the new name for the store.
10.  After one argument ending with Rhett saying, "Any more than my money has done you any good. It certainly hasn't made a horse out of you yet, my pretty mule". (p.603).  Scarlett sulks for 4 days, and Rhett takes Wade with him to New Orleans till Scarlett's tantrum passes.
11.  Scarlett severs her last tie with the "Old Guard" when she invites Governor Bullock to her housewarming party.
12.  Scarlett is hurt by the ostracism of her friends and the "Old Guard".
13.  Scarlett learns she is pregnant and says she wants an abortion.  Rhett tells her he witnessed a girl die from one, and won't allow it.  "You'll have your baby, Scarlett, if I have to handcuff you to my wrist for the next nine months".  (p.612).

1869-
1. Eugenia-Victoria, nicknamed Bonnie Blue by her Aunt Melly is born.
2. Rhett consoles Wade, who fears his mother is dying and that people like little girls, more than little boys.  He seems to be thinking of his ward during the conversation. "'You understand little boys, don't you, Uncle Rhett?'  Rhett's dark face fell into its old harsh lines and his lip twisted.  'Yes', he said bitterly, 'I understand little boys'.  For a moment, fear came back to Wade, fear and a sudden sense of jealousy.  Uncle Rhett was not thinking of him, but of some one else.  'You haven't got any other little boys, have you?'" (p.616)
3.  Rhett is enchanted with his daughter, and becomes a doting dad which surprises Scarlett and the rest of Atlanta.
4.  After visiting Ashley at the mill, where he blames all the changes and hardness in her on Rhett, Scarlett ask for separate rooms.
5.  Rhett reminds her there are many other beds with women.
6.When she says she'll lock her door Rhett tells her no lock could keep him out if he wanted her.
7. Scarlett immediately regrets her decision, but refuses to tell him so.

1870-
1.  A year after Bonnie is born, Rhett learns Wade is only invited to parties with the carpetbagger children.
2.  During his chat with Wade, he reveals his service in the Confederate army.  "Yes," said Rhett, suddenly violent.  "I was in the war.  I was in the army for eight months.  I fought all the way from Lovejoy to Franklin, Tennessee.  And I was with Johnston when he surrendered". . . "Because the other little boys' fathers were such fools they had to put them in the infantry.  I was a West Pointer and so I was in the artillery.  In the regular artillery, Wade, not the Home Guard.  It takes a pile of sense to be in the military". (P. 624)
3.  He blames Scarlett for ruining her reputation, and sets about changing his.
4.  Rhett takes a desk at the bank, and helps Mrs. Merriwether get a loan for her bakery.
5.   He starts taking the children to the Episcopal church, reveals his service in the Confederate army, makes generous donations to Cause charities, and keeps the children out of the house when Scarlett's carpet bagger friends are over.
6.  Uncle Peter's niece Lou is hired to help Mammy with the children, along with Prissy brought back from Tara.

1871Winter/Spring-
1.  Bonnie develops a fear of the dark, and is moved into Rhett's room, where a light is kept burning for her all night.
2.  Rhett stays out late one night with a blockade buddy, and returns to find Bonnie distraught, because the light went out and he wasn't there.  He threatens to take a buggy whip to Lou, and fires her.  After that the household checks on the night light regularly when Rhett is out.
3.  Bonnie declares Rhett's whiskey breath stinky.  He switches to wine with dinner, becomes healthier and happier.
4.  Melanie plans a surprise party for Ashley's birthday.  "You see, dear, Ashley hadn't had birthday party since--since, you remember the barbecue at Twelve Oaks?  The day we heard Mr. Lincoln's call for volunteers?  Well, he hasn't had a birthday party since then." (p. 635)
5. She asks Scarlett to detain him at the lumber yard.
6.  Ashley talks about old times with Scarlett, making her cry.  He hugs her and she feels nothing, but friendship towards him.
7.  They are caught embracing by Archie, Mrs. Elsing, and India.
8.  Archie tells Rhett what happened.
9.  Rhett forces Scarlett to go to the party.
10.  On her way to the party, Scarlett's only concern is for Melanie. "By God, she could face them and she would.  What were they but a bunch of howling, clawing cats who were jealous of her?  She'd show them.  She didn't care what they thought.  Only Melanie--only Melanie". (p. 646)
11.  Melanie defends Scarlett and ask her to help receive her guest.
12.  Back home Scarlett sneaks downstairs for a drink and runs into a very drunk Rhett.
13.  During a tirade about their marriage, Mr. Wilkes, and her behavior, he admits he loved her.  "Whereas, we, dear wife of my bosom, could have been perfectly happy if you had ever given us half a chance, for we are so much alike.  We are both scoundrels, Scarlett, and nothing is beyond us when we want something.  We could have been happy, for I loved you and I know, Scarlett, down to your bones, in a way that Ashley could never know you.  And he would despise you if he did know. . ." (p. 651).
14. Scarlett flees and Rhett catches her, announcing there will only be two in their bed tonight.  Marital rape turned consensual?
15.  Rhett disappears and returns on the 3rd day, apologizes for his behavior and suggests a divorce.
16.  Rhett takes Bonnie to Charleston and other places for 3 months.
17.  Melanie escorts Scarlett around town, and to the mills.
18.  Scarlett learns she is pregnant.  Thinks about writing to Rhett in care of his mother to inform him, till she receives a letter from her Aunt's scolding her for owning her businesses after Rhett and Bonnie visit them.

Summer/Fall/Winter 1871
1.  Rhett and Bonnie return home.  Approximately June or July
2. He and Scarlett quarrel on the stairs, and she tells him she's pregnant.
3.  He asks who the father is and  tells her "Cheer up, " he said, turning from her and starting up the stairs, "maybe you'll have a miscarriage" (p.666)
4.  Scarlett tries to slap him, but he sidesteps her and she falls down the stairs.
5.  Scarlett nearly dies and miscarries the baby.  She does not call for Rhett, thinking he doesn't want her.  She asks for Melly who comes.
6.  Melly consoles a grief stricken Rhett and is mortified when he confesses about the fight that led to the miscarriage.
7. A month later Scarlett, Wade, Ella, and Prissy go to Tara.
8.  Rhett sets up a plan with Melly to provide her and Ashely with the money to buy Scarlett's mills.
9.  When Scarlett and the children return from Tara.  She is full of news about the county.  Betsy Tarleton married a one-armed man from Lovejoy.  Randa and Camilla Tarleton are school teachers, and Mrs. Tarleton has a mare and colt.  Alex had to marry Sally his former sister-in-law, and not her sister Dimity Munroe, his true love, to keep gossip down.  The Calvert place was purchased by former slaves and the whereabouts of Cathleen and her husband Hilton were unknown. (P. 675)
10. After Scarlett's return things are impersonal between then, "But he had showed a disposition to be courteous, for the first time in their married life, and a desire to let life go on as though there had never been anything unpleasant between them--as though, thought Scarlett, cheerfully, as though there had never been anything at all between them.  Well, if that was what he wanted, she could act her part too".  (p.675-76).
11.  Rhett tells Scarlett that Ashley inquired about buying the mills and provokes her into selling them.
12.  The night she sells the mills, Scarlett is upset that Ashly will use free darkies.  Rhett remarks, sarcastically that money has made her very, very happy.
13.  One night, Scarlett stays up late to confront Rhett.  Due to his late night activities and the Old Guard members he is having over, she fears he has joined the Klan.  He tells her he and Ashley broke up the Klan.  They start quarreling, till Bonnie awakens and calls for "Daddy".
14.  October Governor Bullock resigns and leaves the state.
15.  Scarlett is miserable at Christmas time.  "As she looked about her, that Christmas of 1871, the happiest Christmas the state had known in over ten years, she was disquieted.  She could not help seeing that Rhett, once the most execrated man in Atlanta, was now one of the most popular. . .Whereas, she, Scarlett . . ." (p. 683).

Winter to Spring/Summer-1873
1.  Bonnie will not accept any discipline, nor will Rhett reprimand her.  "He was her god, the center of her small world, and that was too precious for him to risk losing by reprimands" (p.685)
2.  Scarlett is jealous of Bonnie and Rhett's relationship.  "But sometimes a dart of jealousy went through Scarlett, because Bonnie, at the age of four, understood him and managed him better than she had ever managed him." (P.685)
3.  Mammy grumbles about Bonnie riding aside.  Rhett listens to her concerns.
4.  Rhett buys her a Shetland pony, technically also Wade and Ella's pony, but mostly Bonnies'.  She names him Mr. Butler
5. Rhett teaches her to ride side-saddle.
6.  Bonnie insists on a blue velvet habit, and hat with a red feather.
7.  Uncle Peter's nephew, Wash, was paid 25 cents a day to teach Mr. Butler to jump.  Wash is scared of horses.
8.  A week after her first successful jump, Bonnie insists on a higher bar.  At first Rhett tells her to wait till she's 6, and has a taller horse, but he finally relents.
9.  Bonnie goes to take her higher jump, "Mother, watch me take this one!", She cried laying on the crop". (p. 687).  Scarlett recalls her father saying the same phrase to her mother, and with a sense of foreboding calls for Bonnie to stop.
10.  Mr. Butler doesn't make the jump, and Bonnie's neck is broken in the fall.
11.  Rhett shots Mr. Butler, and Mammy feared he'd shot himself.
12.  Scarlett accuses Rhett of killing Bonnie.
13.  Rhett locks himself in his room with Bonnie's body, and only comes out to go to Belle's and drink, locking the door when he leaves.  He calls for candles at night to keep the room light for Bonnie.
14.  Mammy confesses to Rhett that Bonnie's fear of the dark came from her.  She tried to scare Bonnie to keep her in bed, fearing for the childs safety if she roamed the house at night.
15.  The 3rd day after Bonnie's death, Mammy seeks Melly's help to reason with Rhett.  His mother, Will and Suellen are there for the funeral.  Scarlett says the funeral is the following day.  Rhett says if she puts his daughter in the dark, he will kill her.
16.  Melly goes to the Butler mansion, and Rhett lets her into his room.  He will allow the funeral to happen and go to sleep,  if Melly will stay up all night and watch over Bonnie.

Summer/Fall-1873
1.  Scarlett is filled with fear and foreboding, "Yet this eerie sense of disaster to come persisted, as though something black and hooded stood just at her shoulder, as though the ground beneath her feet might turn to quicksand as she trod on it" (p.693)
2. Now that her initial shock and grief over Bonnie has passed, Scarlett finally realizes how affected Rhett is.  "She remembered how Rhett had always been able to laugh her out of her fears.  She remembered the comfort of his broad brown chest and his strong arms.  And so she turned to him with eyes that really saw him for the first time in weeks.  And the change she saw shocked her.  This man was not going to laugh,  nor was he going to comfort her" (p.693)
3.  Rhett is now drunk, disheveled, and away from the house most of time.  He still receives the town's sympathy as Scarlett is considered cold hearted.
4.  Scarlett runs into Belle, "Once she had seen Belle in a store, a coarse overblown woman now, with most of her good looks gone.  But, for all her paint and flashy clothes, she was buxom and almost motherly looking.  Instead of dropping her eyes or glaring defiantly, as did other light women when confronted by ladies, Belle gave her stare for stare, searching her face with an intent, almost pitying look that brought a flush to Scarlett's cheeks" (p. 694)
5.Scarlett realizes she is lonely and Melly is her only friend, "She was lonely and she could never remember being so lonely before.  Perhaps she had never had the time to be very lonely until now.  She was lonely and afraid and there was on one to whom she could turn,  no one except Melanie.  For now even Mammy, her mainstay, had gone back to Tara.  Gone permanently." (p.694)
6.  Mammy returns to Tara, since Miss Ellen told her "Yo' wuk done finish" (p.695).  Rhett gives her the train fare home, and when Scarlett becomes indignant states, "Hush, you fool!  Let her go!  Why should anyone want to stay in this house- - now?" (p.695)
7.  Scarlett fears Rhett is losing his mind, and consults with Dr. Meade, who tells her Rhett's drinking will kill him, and to give him more children.
8.  Scarlett no longer enjoys the company of her carpetbagger/scallawag friends, who can't understand what she's been through, and longs to be with the Old Guard again.  "It would be a comfort to sit with Maybelle, remembering that Maybelle had buried a baby, dead in the mad flight before Sherman. There would be solace in Fanny's presence, knowing that she and Fanny both had both lost husbands in the black days of marital law. . .But, somehow, these people had slipped away.  She realized that it was her own fault.  She had never cared until now--now that Bonnie was dead and she was lonely and afraid and she saw across her shining dinner table a swarthy sodden stranger disintegrating under her eyes" (p. 696)
9.  Scarlett, the children and Prissy are in Marietta, when Rhett telegrams that Melanie is ill.  Scarlett leaves the children at the hotel and catches the first train back to Atlanta.  How Do We Run On has a great history of Marietta.
10.  Rhett meets her at the depot and takes her to the Wilkes, but refuses to come in with her.
11.  Melly asks to see Scarlett.  Dr. Meade warns her against any death bed confessions, and threatens her if she confesses about Ashley.
12.  Melly asks Scarlett to look out for Beau and Ashley.  Scarlett is riddled with guilt that all the times she wished Melly dead has actually led to Melly's death.  Melly extracts a promise from Scarlett, "Captain Butler--be kind to him.  He--loves you so" (P.701)
13.  India and Aunty Pitty go in after Scarlett.
14.  Scarlett realizes she loves Melanie and relies on her strength and friendship, "Behind that door, Melanie was going and, with her, the strength upon which she had relied unknowingly for so many years.  Why, oh why, had she not realized before this how much she loved and needed Melanie?  But who would have thought of small plain Melanie as a tower of strength?. . . Suddenly it was as if Ellen were behind that closed door, leaving the world for a second time.  Suddenly she was at Tara again with the world about her ears, desolate with the knowledge that she could not face life without the terrible strength of the weak, the gentle, the tender hearted".  (P.701-702).
15.  Scarlett seeks out Ashley and realizes he really loves Melanie and berates him for his behavior towards her, "Why--" she said slowly, "Why Ashley, you love her, don't you?". . . Oh, you should have realized and not kept me dangling with all your talk about honor and sacrifice!  If you'd told me years ago, I'd have--It would have killed me but somehow I could have stood it somehow. . .You should have seen so clearly that you loved her all the time and only wanted me like--like Rhett wants that Watling woman" (P.703).
16.  Aunt Pitty and India ask Scarlett what to do.
17.  Scarlett runs home through the mist and the fog. "And then she knew and fear squeezed her heart.  She knew now.  In a hundred nightmares, she had fled through fog like this, through a haunted country without landmarks, thick with cold cloaking mist, peopled with clutching ghosts and shadows. Was she dreaming again or was this her dream come true?" (p. 707).  She makes the connection to her nightmares.
18. As she approaches the house, she realizes she loves Rhett, "Oh," she thought, "Ashley's not the only stupidly blind person.  I should have seen".  For years she had had her back against the stone wall of Rhett's love and had taken it as much for granted as she had taken Melanie's love, flattering herself that she drew her strength from herself alone.  And even as she had realized earlier in the evening that Melanie had been beside her in her bitter campaigns against life, now she knew that silent in the background, Rhett had stood, loving her, understanding her, ready to help her.  Rhett at the bazaar, reading her impatience in her eyes and leading her out in the reel, Rhett helping her out of the bondage of mourning, Rhett who comforted her when she woke in the nights crying in fright from her dreams- - why no man did such things without loving a woman to distraction".  (p. 708)
19.  Scarlett enters the house expecting Rhett to understand once she explains things to him.
20.  Rhett is in the dinning room and sober.  He asks if Melly is dead.  "Well, God rest her" he said heavily.  "She was the only completely kind person I ever knew". . .His moody eyes went over her shoulder as though he saw Melanie silently passing through the room to the door.  In that look of farewell on his face there was no sorrow, no pain, only in speculative wonder at himself, only a poignant stirring of emotions dead since boyhood, as he said again, "A very, very great lady" (p.710).
21.  Rhett tells her she can have a divorce and Ashley.
22.  Scarlett tries to tell Rhett of her newly realized love, but can't find the words.  When she does try to tell them, he tells her she is tired, then that he already knows, "And it's no use to talk about it" (p.712).
23.  Rhett tells her that he used to love her, "It was so obvious we were meant of each other.  So obvious that I was the only man of you acquaintance who could love you after knowing you as you really are--hard and greedy and unscrupulous, like me.  I loved you and I took a chance.  I thought Ashley would fade out of your mind. . .And I couldn't hold you in my arms at night and know that--well it doesn't matter now.  I wonder now why it hurt.  That's what drove me to Belle.  There is a certain swinish comfort in being with a woman who loves you utterly and respects you for being a fine gentleman--even if she is an illiterate whore.  It soothed my vanity.  You've never been very soothing, my dear". . .But then, there was Bonnie and I saw that everything wasn't over after all.  I liked to think that Bonnie was you, a little girl again, before the war and poverty had done things to you. . .When she went, she took everything" (p.714-715).
24.  Scarlett realizes Rhett sounds like Ashley that afternoon in the orchard in the winter of 1866, and she feels sorry for him.
25.  Rhett refuses her offer of more children.
26.  Rhett tells her only feels pity and kindness towards her, and that she ruined everything.  "Don't look so determined, Scarlett!"  You frighten me.  I see you contemplating the transfer of your tempestuous affections from Ashley to me and I fear for my liberty and peace of mind.  No Scarlett, I will not be pursued as the luckless Ashley was pursued.  Besides, I am going away". (p.716).
27.  Rhett ask her age and reveals his own, and talks about searching for respectability, calm dignity, and the old way of life.  Scarlett recalls what Ashley told her in the orchard, "Fragments of words came back to her and she quoted, parrotlike: "A glamor to it--a perfection, a symmetry like Grecian Art".  Rhett said sharply: "Why did you say that?  That's what I meant".  "It was something that--that Ashley said once, about the old days.  He shrugged and the light went out of his eyes. "Always Ashley", he said and was silent for a moment". (p.717).
28.  Rhett tells her he can't lie to her or himself, or live with disillusionment, "What is broken is broken--and I'd rather remember it as it was at it's best then mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived. . ."My dear, I don't give a damn" (p.717-18)
29.  Rhett goes upstairs  Scarlett realizes, "With the sound of his feet dying away in the upper hall was the dying the last thing in the world that mattered.  She knew now that there was no appeal of emotion or reason which could turn that cool brain from it's verdict.  She knew now that he meant every word he said, lightly though some of them had been spoken.  She knew because she sensed in him something strong, unyielding, implacable--all the qualities she looked for in Ashley and never found.  She had never understood either of the men she had loved and so she had lost them both.  Now she had a fumbling knowledge that,  if had she ever understood Ashley, she would never have loved him; had she ever understood Rhett, she never would have lost him.  She wondered forlornly if she had ever really understood anyone in the world" (p.718).
30.  She resolves to return to Tara and Mammy, and to get Rhett back, "I'll think of it tomorrow, at Tara.  I can stand it then.  Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back.  After all, tomorrow is another day". (p. 719)

September 1873-A financial panic hits the United States.  This is not mentioned in the book, and the last chapter seems to be set in the fall.  It's an interesting omission.

Also, during Rhett's final talk with Scarlett, he keeps calling her "My dear" or "My pet", and I wonder if there was something there, some nostalgia, but then when Scarlett repeats Ashely's words, it seems to be the final nail in the coffin.  I feel Scarlett said the words, because she was trying to understand him, and that was all she could think of to make a connection with him.  A connection that went horribly amiss.