macon, July 11th, 1864.
. . . You see by the heading of my letter that already we
have been forced to leave Atlanta — not that it has fallen, but Mrs. Johnston
received a letter from the General in which he advised her to send us off at
once — to remain until the fate of the city was decided either one way or the
other. Col. Brewster and Brother (who came from camp near Atlanta for a
conference) agreed with her in thinking it best for us to go — as the
machinery, government stores, and wounded from the hospitals were being
removed, and there was no telling how soon it might be exceedingly difficult if
not impossible to get away. Mrs. Johnston will remain till the last moment
practicable, and then, in case of a rush to the cars, she has her carriage in
which she can come. The plan is now, if Atlanta falls, for her to come
immediately to Macon, and try to get a house. Col. Ewell (of Gen. Johnston's
staff) is obliged to have an office in the rear of the Army, and this will be
as convenient a place as he can procure. If she fails in getting the house or
rooms here, she will try to be accommodated at some little village on the way
between here and Atlanta; and I rather think she would prefer this arrangement
as it would bring her nearer the army. If au contraire Atlanta should not
fall, we will return to her as soon as that fact is decided; and the same
will be done as soon as she gets settled in her new quarters, (wherever they
may be) if obliged to move. In the meantime we are with Mrs. Clay.
SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in
’61, p. 178-9
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