We have once more subsided; how foolish all this seems!
Miriam and I laughed while preparing, and laughed while unpacking; it is the
only way to take such things, and we agree on that, as on most other subjects. “They
say” the affair originated from half a dozen shots fired by some Federal
soldiers through idleness, whereupon the pickets rushed in screaming Van Dorn
was after them at the head of six thousand men. I have my reasons for doubting
the story; it must have been something more than that, to spread such a panic;
for they certainly had time to ascertain the truth of the attack before they
beat the long roll and sent out their troops, for if it had been Van Dorn, he
would have been on them before that. Whatever it was, I am glad of the
excitement, for it gave me new life for several hours; I was really sick
before. Oh, this life! When will it end? Evermore and forevermore shall we live
in this suspense? I wish we were in the Sandwich Islands.
SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's
Diary, p. 106-7
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