Incident at Wheatland

Not long ago two ladies called at Wheatland, the safe retreat of the man who assisted treason to arm itself in the very sanctuaries of freedom, and while there they were thrown into conversation with the venerable ex-President.  Of course, the war was soon introduced.  In the course of conversation, the battle at Fort Donelson was alluded to, when he said: “Ladies, you must not suppose that this victory will end the war; there will be much severe fighting yet, and should our Northern soldiers attempt to go South as the warm season approaches, they will be swept off like rotten sheep!  Besides, ladies, you know that the Southern people have long anticipated this struggle and have been prepared for it; they can never be conquered.” – Miss ____ replied: “Yes, Mr. B., WE know, and so does the country, that for the last four years, at least, the Southern people have been permitted to do as they please with the powers that controlled the Government, and have been allowed to have their own way – in everything; but, notwithstanding all this, it is our opinion, that they will be conquered, and made to return to the support of the old Constitution.” – Forney’s Letters.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 2