No news from the army, except a letter in the morning's
paper speaking of General Lee's being pleased with his reception in Maryland,
and that our troops are foraging in Pennsylvania. I hope so; I like the idea of
our army subsisting on the enemy; they certainly have subsisted on us enough to
be willing that we should return the compliment. Took leave of our nephew,
Benjamin Harrison McGuire, this morning; he has been here on sick-leave, and
has gone in pursuit of his regiment, which is now across the Potomac. Poor
child! it was hard to see him go off alone, with his child-like countenance and
slender figure; but he is already a veteran in the service, and has a most
unflinching, undaunted spirit.
Took a ride this evening with Mrs. D. through the beautiful
environs of this city. After getting beyond the hospitals, there was nothing to
remind us of war; all was peaceful loveliness; we talked of days long passed,
and almost forgot that our land was the scene of bitter strife. Sometimes I
almost fancy that we are taking one of our usual summer trips, with power to
return when it terminates; and then I am aroused, as from a sweet dream, to
find myself a homeless wanderer, surrounded by horrors of which my wildest
fancy had never conceived a possibility, in this Christian land and enlightened
day.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 152
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