xt77d7957d9b https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt77d7957d9b/data/mets.xml Cable, George Washington, 1844-1925. 1893 books b92e464f1918932009 English The Century Co. : New York Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Mosby, John Singleton, 1833-1916 Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875 Libby Prison Chattanooga Railroad Expedition, 1862 Morgan s Ohio Raid, 1863 United States --History --Civil War, 1861-1865 --Personal narratives Famous adventures and prison escapes of the civil war. text Famous adventures and prison escapes of the civil war. 1893 2009 true xt77d7957d9b section xt77d7957d9b

FAMOUS ADVENTURES AND PEISON ESCAPES OP THE CIVIL WAR

FAMOUS ADVENTURES AND PRISON ESCAPES OF THE CIVIL WAR

NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1898

152682

CONTENTS

War Diary of a Union Woman in the South

The Locomotive Chase in Georgia...........

Mosby's "Partizan Bangers".................

A Romance of Morgan's Rough-riders.......

Colonel Rose's Tunnel at Libby Prison.....

A Hard Road to Travel out of Dixie.......

Escape of General Breckinridge.............

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

Questioning a Prisoner...........................Frontispiece

The Locomotive Chase................................... 85

General John H. Morgan................................ 117

Map op the Morgan Raid................................ 118

The Farmer prom Calfkiller Creek..................... 123

General Duke Tests the Pies ........................... 125

Hospitalities op the Farm................................ 131

Looking por the Footprints op the Van................ 137

Corridor and Cells in the Ohio State Penitentiary

Captain Hines's Cell.............:................. 161

Exterior op the Prison Exit from Tunnel............ 163

Within the Wooden Gate............................... 167

Over the Prison Wall.................................. 171

"Hurry Up, Major!"..................................... 175

Captain Hines Objects................................... 178

Colonel Thomas E. Rose................................. 185

A Corner op Libby Prison................................ 187

Libby Prison in 1865...................................... 189

Major A. G. Hamilton............................... 191

Libby Prison in 1884...................................... 197

Liberty !............................................... 223

Fighting the Rats....................................... 230

Section op Interior op Libby Prison and Tunne^........ 233
x illustrations

PAGE

Ground-plan op Libby Prison and Surroundings........ 235

Lieutenants E. E. Sill and A. T. Lamson................ 255

We Arrive at Headen's................................. 263

The Escape op Headen................................... 271

Greenville Jail.......................................... 277

Pink Bishop at the Still................................ 283

Arrival Home op the Baptist Minister.................. 285

Surprised at Mrs. Kitchen's............................. 291

The Meeting with the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. .. 295

Sand as a Defense against Mosquitos.................... 307

Searching for Turtles' Eggs............................ 31 0

Through a Shallow Lagoon............................. 313

Exchanging the Boat por the Sloop.................... 315

Over a Coral-reef....................................... 325

A Rough Night in the Gulf Stream..................... 331
FAMOUS ADVENTURES AND PRISON ESCAPES OF THE CTVIL WAR

FAMOUS ADVENTURES AND PRISON ESCAPES OF THE CIVIL WAR

WAR DIARY Of'A UNION WOMAN IN THE SOUTH edited by g. w. cable

The following diary was originally written in lead-pencil and in a book the leaves of which were too soft to take ink legibly. I have it direct from the hands of its writer, a lady whom I have had the honor to know for nearly thirty years. For good reasons the author's name is omitted, and the initials of people and the names of places are sometimes fictitiously given. Many of the persons mentioned were my own acquaintances and friends. When, some twenty years afterward, she first resolved to publish it, she brought me a clear, complete copy in ink. It had cost much trouble, she said; for much of the pencil writing had been made under such disadvantages and was so faint that at times she could decipher it only under direct sunlight. She had succeeded, however, in making a copy, verbatim except for occasional improvement in the grammatical form of a sentence, or now and then the omission, for brevity's sake, of something unessen-
2 adventubes and escapes in the civil wae

tial. The narrative has since been severely abridged tive to bring it within magazine limits. on In reading this diary one is much charmed with its cou constant understatement of romantic and perilous in-J cidents and conditions. But the original penciled pages show that, even in copying, the strong bent of I the writer to be brief has often led to the exclusion of facts that enhance the interest of exciting situations, and sometimes the omission robs her own heroism of due emphasis. I have restored one example of this in a foot-note following the perilous voyage down the I Mississippi. G. W. Cable.

secession

New Orleans, Bee. 1, 1860. I understand it now. Keeping journals is for those who cannot, or dare not, speak out. So I shall set up a journal, being only a rather lonely young girl in a very small and hated minority. On my return here in November, after a foreign voyage and absence of many months, I found myself behind in knowledge of the political conflict, but heard the dread sounds of disunion and war muttered in threatening tones. Surely no native-born woman loves her country better than I love America. The blood of one of its Eevolutionary patriots flows in my veins, and it is the Union for which he pledged his "life, fortune, and sacred honor" that I love, not any divided or special section of it. So I have been reading atten-
war diary of a union woman in the south 3

dged tively and seeking light from foreigners and natives on all questions at issue. Living from birth in slave h its countries, both foreign and American, and passing is in- through one slave insurrection in early childhood, the cilel saddest and also the pleasantest features of slavery nt of have been familiar. If the South goes to war for on nt slavery, slavery is doomed in this country. To say so cions, is like opposing one drop to a roaring torrent, m < if Sunday, Dec. , 1860. In this season for peace I had lis in hoped for a lull in the excitement, yet this day has been

i thr full of bitterness. " Come, C," said Mrs.-at break-

le. fast, " leave your church for to-day and come with us

to hear Dr.- on the situation. He will convince

you." " It is good to be convinced," I said; " I will go." The church was crowded to suffocation with the elite of New Orleans. The preacher's text was, " Shall we have fellowship with the stool of iniquity which frameth mischief as a law f " . . . The sermon was over no a. at last, and then followed a prayer. . . . Forever blessed e n< t, be-the fathers of the Episcopal Church for giving us nly 11 a fixed liturgy! When we met at dinner Mrs. F. ex-dmi- claimed, "Now, G., you heard him prove from the )reii ii Bible that slavery is right and that therefore secession ays, If is. Were you not convinced ? " I said, " I was so busy heanl thinking how completely it proved too that Brigham ed in Young is -right about polygamy that it quite weakened Ioy .> the force of the argument for me." This raised a laugh, )0C1 ,f and covered my retreat.

vein-, Jan. 26, 1861. The solemn boom of cannon to-day '"liiV, announced that the convention have passed the ordi-ividil nance of secession. We must take a reef in our attcn- patriotism and narrow it down to State limits. Mine
adventures and escapes in the civil war

still sticks out all around the borders of the State. It will be bad if New Orleans should secede from Louisiana and set up for herself. Then indeed I would l e I " cabined, cribbed, confined." The faces in the house! are jubilant to-day. Why is it so easy for them audi not for me to " ring out the old, ring in the new" ? I am out of place.

Jan. 28, Monday. Sunday has now got to be a dayl of special excitement. The gentlemen save all the] sensational papers to regale us with at the late Sunday! breakfast. Eob opened the battle yesterday morninJ by saying to me in his most aggressive manner, " G., [| believe these are your sentiments "; and then he read! aloud an article from the "Journal des Debats" ex-l pressing in rather contemptuous terms the fact thai France will follow the policy of non-intervention! When I answered, " Well, what do you expect I TliiJ is not their quarrel," he raved at me, ending by a-f declaration that he would willingly pay my passage foreign parts if I would like to go. "Eob," said lii> father, "keep cool; don't let that threat excite you Cotton is king. Just wait till they feel the pinch a little; their tone will change." I went to Trinity Church. Some Union people who are not Epis< palians go there now because the pastor has not si much chance to rail at the Lord when things are not going to suit. But yesterday was a marked Sunday The usual prayer for the President and Congress was changed to the "governor and people of this conl monwealth and their representatives in conventim assembled."

The city was very lively and noisy this evening v it
war diary of a union woman in the south

rockets and lights in honor of secession. Mrs. F., in common with the neighbors, illuminated. We walked >ut to see the houses of others gleaming amid the dark shrubbery like a fairy scene. The perfect stillness added to the effect, while the moon rose slowly with calm splendor. We hastened home to dress for a soiree, but on the stairs Edith said, "G., first come and help me dress Phcebe and Chloe [the negro servants]. There is a ball to-night in aristocratic colored society. This is Chloe's first introduction to New Orleans circles, and Henry Judson, Phcebe's husband, gave five dollars for a ticket for her." Chloe is a recent purchase from Georgia. We superintended their very stylish toilets, and Edith said, "G., run into your room, please, and write a pass for Henry. Put Mr. D.'s name to it." "Why, Henry is free," I said. "That makes no difference; all colored people must have a pass if out late. They choose a master for protection, and always carry his pass. Heniy chose Mr. D., but he's lost the pass he had."

the volunteers fort sumter

Feb. 24,1861. The toil of the week is ended. Nearly a month has passed since I wrote here. Events have crowded upon one another. On the 4th the cannon boomed in honor of Jefferson Davis's election, and day before yesterday Washington's birthday was made the occasion of another grand display and illumination, in honor of the birth of a new nation and the breaking
adventures and escapes in the civil war

of that Union which he labored to cement. We drove to the race-course to see the review of troops. A flag was presented to the Washington Artillery by ladies. Senator Judah Benjamin made an impassioned speech The banner was orange satin on one side, crimson silk on the other, the pelican and brood embroidered in pale green and gold. Silver crossed cannon surmounted it, orange-colored fringe surrounded it, and crimson tassels drooped from it. It was a brilliant, unrea scene; with military bands clashing triumphant music, elegant vehicles, high-stepping horses, and lovely women richly appareled.

Wedding-cards have been pouring in till the contagion has reached us; Edith will be married next Thursday. The wedding-dress is being fashioned, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen have arrived. Edith lias requested me to be special mistress of ceremonies en Thursday evening, and I have told this terrible little rebel, who talks nothing but blood and thunder, yet faints at the sight of a worm, that if I fill that offi t no one shall mention war or politics during the whole evening, on pain of expulsion.

March 10, 1861. The excitement in this house has risen to fever-heat during the past week. The fo ir gentlemen have each a different plan for saving the country, and now that the bridal bouquets have fad< 1, the three ladies have again turned to public affairs; Lincoln's inauguration and the story of the disguise in which he traveled to Washington is a never-enditL-source of gossip. The family board being the comneai forum, each gentleman as he appears first unloads iiis pockets of papers from all the Southern States, ami
war, diary of a union woman in the south 9

then his overflowing heart to his eager female listeners, who in turn relate, inquire, sympathize, or cheer. If I dare express a doubt that the path to victory will be a flowery one, eyes flash, cheeks burn, and tongues clatter, till all are checked up suddenly by a warning rap for "Order, order!" from the amiable lady presiding. Thus we swallow politics with every meal. We take a mouthful and read a telegram, one eye on table, the other on the paper. One must be made of cool stuff to keep calm and collected, but I say but little. This war fever has banished small talk. Through all the black sei'vants move about quietly, never seeming to notice that this is all about them.

"How can you speak so plainly before them?" I say. "Why, what matter! They know that we shall keep the whip-handle."

April 13,1861. More than a month has passed since the last date here. This afternoon I was seated on the floor covered with loveliest flowers, arranging a floral offering for the fair, when the gentlemen arrived and with papers bearing news of the fall of Fort Sumtei", which, at her request, I read to Mrs. F.

April 20. The last few days have glided away in a halo of beauty. But nobody has time or will to enjoy it. War, war! is the one idea. The children play only with toy cannons and soldiers; the oldest inhabitant goes by every day with his rifle to practice; the public squares are full of companies drilling, and are now the fashionable resorts. We have been told that it is best for women to learn how to shoot too, so as to protect themselves when the men have all gone to battle. Every evening after dinner we adjourn to the back lot
6 adventures and escapes in the civil war

and fire at a target with pistols. Yesterday I dined at I M

Uncle Kalph's. Some members of the bar were present, haye ] and were jubilant about their brand-new Confederacy.

It would soon be the grandest government ever know 11. a flao.

Uncle Ralph said solemnly, "No, gentlemen; the day thg

we seceded the star of our glory set." The words sunk gubgc.

into my mind like a knell, and made me wonder at tin- j, ,g

mind that could recognize that and yet adhere to tin* home

doctrine of secession. seem

In the evening I attended a farewell gathering at saym

a friend's whose brothers are to leave this week n>r Edith

Richmond. There was music. No minor chord was ^

permitted. had b

broke

in Ma

week

tribulation ill tht

gathe

April 25. Yesterday I went with Cousin E. to ha a- ^

her picture taken. The picture-galleries are doim girls

thriving business. Many companies are ordered off \<- girls

take possession of Port Pickens (Florida), and all se m press*

to be leaving sweethearts behind them. The cro forte

was in high spirits; they don't dream that any destii an(j j

will be spoiled. When I got home Edith was read!.v: coura

from the daily paper of the dismissal of Miss Gr. fr< it ^elp -

her place as teacher for expressing abolition semi- ]\ a

ments, and that she would be ordered to leave the ci;y comp

Soon a lady came with a paper setting forth that h> prom

has established a "company" we are nothing if < ' The s

military for making lint and getting stores of lii "> and 1

to supply the hospitals. becar
war diary op a union woman in the south 9

My name went down. If it had n't, my spirit would have been wounded as with sharp spears before night. Next came a little girl with a subscription paper to get a flag for a certain company. The little girls, especially the pretty ones, are kept busy trotting around with subscription lists. Latest of all came little Guy, Mr. F.'s youngest clerk, the pet of the firm as well as of his home, a mere boy of sixteen. Such senseless sacrifices seem a sin. He chattered brightly, but lingered about, saying good-by. He got through it bravely until Edith's husband incautiously said, " You did n't kiss your little sweetheart," as he always called Ellie, who had been allowed to sit up. He turned and suddenly broke into agonizing sobs and then ran down the steps.

May 10. I am tired and ashamed of myself. Last week I attended a meeting of the lint society to hand in the small contribution of linen I had been able to gather. "We scraped lint till it was dark. A paper was shown, entitled the " Volunteer's Friend," started by the girls of the high school, and I was asked to help the girls with it. I positively declined. To-day I was pressed into service to make red flannel. cartridge-bags for ten-inch columbiads. I basted while Mrs. S. sewed, and I felt ashamed to think that I had not the moral courage to say, " I don't approve of your war and won't help you, particularly in the murderous part of it."

May 27. This has been a scenic Sabbath. Various companies about to depart for Virginia occupied the prominent churches to have their flags consecrated. The streets were resonant with the clangor of drums and trumpets. E. and myself went to Christ Church because the Washington Artillery were to be there.
10 adventures and escapes in the civil war

June 13. To-day has been appointed a Fast Day. I spent the morning writing a letter on which I put my first Confederate postage-stamp. It is of a brown color and has a large 5 in the center. To-morrow must be devoted to all my foreign correspondents before the expected blockade cuts us off.

June 29. I attended a fine luncheon yesterday at one of the public schools. A lady remarked to a school official that the cost of provisions in the Confederacy was getting very high, butter, especially, being scarce and costly. "Never fear, my dear madam," he replied. "Texas alone can furnish butter enough to supply the whole Confederacy; we '11 soon be getting it from there." It's just as well to have this subline confidence.

July 15. The quiet of midsummer reigns, but ripp1 -of excitement break around us as the papers tell of skirmishes and attacks here and there in Virginia, "Rich Mountain" and "Carrick's Ford" were the la-t. " You see," said Mrs. D. at breakfast to-day, " n y prophecy is coming true that Virginia will be the s< it of war." "Indeed," I burst out, forgetting my resolution not to argue, " you may think yourselves lucky if this war turns out to have any seat in particular."

So far, no one especially connected with me has gone to fight. How glad I am for his mother's sake that Rob's lameness will keep him at home. Mr. F., Mr. S and Uncle Ralph are beyond the age for active servi e, and Edith says Mr. D. can't go now. She is very enthusiastic about other people's husbands being enrolled, and regrets that her Alex is not strong enou.i-di to defend his country and his rights.
war diary of a union woman in the south 11

July 22. What a day ! I feel like one who has been out in a high wind, and cannot get my breath. The newsboys are still shouting with their extras, " Battle of Bull's Eun! List of the killed! Battle of Manassas! List of the wounded!" Tender-hearted Mrs. F. was sobbing so she could not serve the tea; but nobody cared for tea. " O G-.!" she said, " three thousand of our own, dear Southern boys are lying out there." "My dear Fannie," spoke Mr. F., "they are heroes now. They died in a glorious cause, and it is not in vain. This will end it. The sacrifice had to be made, but those killed have gained immortal names." Then Rob rushed in with a new extra, reading of the spoils captured, and grief was forgotten. Words cannot paint the excitement. Eob capered about and cheered; Edith danced around ringing the dinner-bell and shouting, "Victory!" Mrs. F. waved a small Confederate flag,- while she wiped her eyes, and Mr. D. hastened to the piano and in his most brilliant style struck up " Dixie," followed by " My Maryland" and the " Bonnie Blue Flag."

" Do not look so gloomy, GL," whispered Mr. S. "You should be happy to-night; for, as Mr. F. says, now we shall have peace."

" And is that the way you think of the men of your own blood and race?" I replied. But an utter scorn came over me and choked me, and I walked out of the room. What proof is there in this dark hour that they are not right ? Only the emphatic answer of my own soul. To-morrow I will pack my trunk and accept the invitation to visit at Uncle Ralph's country house.

Sept. 25. When I opened the door of Mrs. F.'s room
12 ADVENTUEES AND ESCAPES IN THE CIVIL WAll

on my return, the rattle of two sewing-machines and a blaze of color met me.

" Ah, G., you are just in time to help us; these are coats for Jeff Thompson's men. All the cloth in the city is exhausted; these flannel-lined oil-cloth table-covers are all we could obtain to make overcoats foi Thompson's poor boys. They will be very warm am serviceable."

" Serviceable yes! The Federal army will fly whet they see those coats! I only wish I could be with 1 Ik regiment when these are shared around." Yet I help" make them.

Seriously, I wonder if any soldiers will ever weai these remarkable coats the most bewildering com bination of brilliant, intense reds, greens, yellows, am blues in big flowers meandering over as vivid grounds and as no table-cover was large enough to make a coat the sleeves of each were of a different color and pat tern. However, the coats were duly finished. Thci we set to work on gray pantaloons, and I have jus: carried a bundle to an ardent young lady who wislie to assist. A slight gloom is settling down, and hi inmates here are not quite so cheerfully confident a in July.

A BELEAGUERED CITY

Oct. 22. When I came to breakfast this morn in Rob was capering over another victory Ball's Bluti He would read me, " We pitched the Yankees over t
war diary of a union woman in the south 13

luff," and ask me in the next breath to go to the theater this evening. I turned on the poor fellow.

Don't tell me about your victories. You vowed by all your idols that the blockade would be raised by October 1, and I notice the ships are still serenely anchored below the city."

"G., you are just as pertinacious yourself in championing your opinions. What sustains you when nobody agrees with you?"

Oct. 28. When I dropped in at Uncle Ralph's last evening to welcome them back, the whole family were busy at a great center-table copying sequestration acts for the Confederate Government. The property of all Northerners and Unionists is to be sequestrated, and Uncle Ralph can hardly get the work done fast enough. My aunt apologized for the rooms looking chilly; she feared to put the carpets down, as the city might be taken and burned by the Federals. "We are living as much packed up as possible. A signal has been agreed upon, and the instant the army approaches we shall be off to the country again."

Great preparations are being made for defense. 'At several other places where I called the women were almost hysterical. They seemed to look forward to being-blown up with shot and shell, finished with cold steel, or whisked off to some Northern prison. When I got home Edith and Mr. D. had just returned also.

"Alex," said Edith, "I was up at your orange-lots to-day, and the sour oranges are dropping to the ground, while they cannot get lemons for our sick soldiers."

" That's my kind, considerate wife," replied Mr. D.
14 adventures and escapes in the civil war

"Why did n't I think of that before? Jim shall fill some barrels to-morrow and take them to the hospital-as a present from you."

jVbv. 10. Surely this year will ever be memorahk to me for its perfection of natural beauty. Never was sunshine such pure gold, or moonlight such transpan in silver. The beautiful custom prevalent here of deck ing the graves with flowers on All Saints' day was well fulfilled, so profuse and rich were the blossoms. Oil

All-hallow eve Mrs. S. and myself visited a large cei.....

tery. The chrysanthemums lay like great masses oi snow and flame and gold in every garden we passed and were piled on every costly tomb and lowly grave, The battle of Manassas robed many of our women ii mourning, and some of those who had no graves t> deck were weeping silently as they walked through lit scented avenues.

A few days ago Mrs. E. arrived here. She is a wich >w, of Natchez, a friend of Mrs. F.'s, and is traveling homo with the dead body of her eldest son, killed at Man a* sas. She stopped two days waiting for a boat, ami begged me to share her room and read her to sl< 'p, saying she could n't be alone since he was killed; slit feared her mind would give way. So I read all 1 lit comforting chapters to be found till she dropped into forgetfulness, but the recollection of those weep ins mothers in the cemetery banished sleep for me.

Nov. 26. The lingering summer is passing into thosJ misty autumn days I love so well, when there is golc and fire above and around us. But the glory of Hi* natural and the gloom of the moral world agree no; well together. This morning Mrs. E. came to my rooii
WAR DIARY OF A UNION WOMAN IN THE SOUTH 15

in t> lie

in dire distress. "You see," she said, "cold weather is al> coming on fast, and our poor fellows are lying out at night with nothing to cover them. There is a wail for 1 blankets, but there is not a blanket in town. I have \ a- gathered up all the spare bed-clothing, and now want ii every available rug or table-cover in the house. Can't ];. I have yours, GL? We must make these small sacrifices i ] of comfort and elegance, you know, to secure indepen-11|. dence and freedom."

in-. "Very well," I said, denuding the table. " This may do for a drummer boy."

Dec. 26, 1861. The foul weather cleared off bright and cool in time for Christmas. There is a midwinter lull in the movement of troops. In the evening we went to the grand bazaar in the St. Louis Hotel, got up to clothe the soldiers. This bazaar has furnished the gayest, most fashionable war-work yet, and has kept social circles in a flutter of pleasant, heroic excite-, ment all through December. Everything beautiful or rare garnered in the homes of the rich was given for exhibition, and in some cases for raffle and sale. There were many fine paintings, statues, bronzes, engravings, 1,, gems, laces in fact, heirlooms and bric-a-brac of all sorts. There were many lovely creole girls present, in exquisite toilets, passing to and fro through the decorated rooms, listening to the band clash out the Anvil Chorus.

Jan. 2, 1862. I am glad enough to bid '61 good-by. Most miserable year of my life! What ages of thought and experience have I not lived in it!

The city authorities have been searching houses for firearms. It is a good way to get more guns, and the

In lit

3s olC ill'

in: on
16

ADVENTURES AND ESCAPES IN THE CIVIL WAR

homes of those men suspected of being Unionists W< searched first. Of course they went to Dr. B.'s. ] met them with his own delightful courtesy. "Wisli search for arms? Certainly, gentlemen." He a ducted them all through the house with smiling rem ness, and after what seemed a very thorough sear bowed them politely out. His gun was all the tii safely reposing between the canvas folds of a cot-li which leaned folded up together against the wall the very room where they had ransacked the close Queerly, the rebel families have been the ones nn anxious to conceal all weapons. They have dug grav quietly at night in the back yards, and carefully "w a ping the weapons, buried them out of sight. Eve: man seems to think he will have some private figli ii to do to protect his family.

MARRIED

Friday, Jan. 24, 1862. (On Steamboat W., Mh sippi River.) With a changed name I open you more, my journal. It was a sad time to wed, v,l one knew not how long the expected conscript would spare the bridegroom. The women-folk ki how to sympathize with a girl expected to prepaiv her wedding in three days, in a blockaded city, i about to go far from any base of supplies. They rallied round me with tokens of love and eonsiderati and sewed, shopped, mended, and packed, as if sew

edge

WAR DIARY OF A UNION WOMAN IN THE SOUTH 17

soldier clothes. And they decked the whole house and the church with flowers. Music breathed, wine sparkled, friends came and went. It seemed a dream, and comes up now again out of the afternoon sunshine where I sit on deck. The steamboat slowly plows its way through lumps of floating ice, a novel sight to me, and I look forward wondering whether the new people I shall meet will be as fierce about the war as those in New Orleans. That past is to be all forgotten and forgiven; I understood thus the kindly acts that sought to brighten the threshold of a new life.

Feb. 15. {Village of X.) "We reached Arkansas Landing at nightfall. Mr. Y., the planter who owns the landing, took us right up to his residence. He ushered me into a large room where a couple of candles gave a dim light, and close to them, and sewing as if on a race with Time, sat Mrs. Y. and a little negro girl, who was so black and sat so stiff and straight she looked like an ebony image. This was a large plantation; the Y.'s knew H. very well, and were very kind and cordial in their welcome and congratulations. Mrs. Y. apologized for continuing her work; the war had pushed them this year in getting the negroes clothed, and she had to sew by dim candles, as they could obtain no more oil. She asked if there were any new fashions in New Orleans.

Next morning we drove over to our home in this village. It is the county-seat, and was, till now, a good place for the practice of H.'s profession. It lies on the edge of a lovely lake. The adjacent planters count their slaves by the hundreds. Some of them live with a good deal of magnificence, using service of plate,

I
18 ADVENTURES AND ESCAPES IN THE CIVIL WAR

having smoking-rooms for the gentlemen built off tlit house, and entertaining with great hospitality. ThJ Baptists, Episcopalians, and Methodists hold servi e: on alternate Sundays in the court-house. All tliJ planters and many others near the lake shore keen; boat at their landing, and a raft for crossing vehicle; and horses. It seemed very piquant at first, this tat ing our boat to go visiting, and on moonlight night' it was charming. The woods around are lovelier thai those in Louisiana, though one misses the moanim o: the pines. There is fine fishing and hunting, but thesl cotton estates are not so pleasant to visit as sugal plantations.

But nothing else has been so delightful as, one mornl ing, my first sight of snow and a wonderful new, whit' world.

Feb. 27. The people here have hardly felt the wm yet. There are but two classes. The planters and th-professional men form one; the very poor villagers th other. There is no middle class. Ducks and pari tridges, squirrels and fish, are to be had. H. has bouglil me a nice pony, and cantering along the shore of tli lake in the sunset is a panacea for mental worry.

cro; sha

HOW IT WAS IN ARKANSAS reP

or \

March 11,1862. The serpent has entered our Edit tior The rancor and excitement of New Orleans have ii mer vaded this place. If an incautious word betrays an; cou
WAR DIARY OF A UNION WOMAN l5< THE SOUTH

want of sympathy with popular plans, one is Yes> ous," " ungrateful," " crazy." If one remains silent^8 controlled, then one is "phlegmatic," "cool-blooded," " unpatriotic." Cool-blooded! Heavens! if they only knew. It is very painful to see lovable and intelligent women rave till the blood mounts to face and brain. The immediate cause of this access of war fever has been the battle of Pea Ridge. They scout the idea that Price and Van Dorn have been completely worsted. Those who brought the news were speedily told what they ought to say. " No, it is only a serious check; they must have more men sent forward at once. This country must do its du