These two days were
mainly lost by delays, the floods having swept away many bridges, which had not
yet been repaired. As we approached Richmond, it was observed that the people
were more and more excited, and seemed to be pretty nearly unanimous for the
immediate secession of the State. Everywhere the Convention then in session was
denounced with bitterness, for its adherence to the Union; and Gov. Letcher was
almost universally execrated for the chocks he had thrown under the car of secession
and Southern independence. I heard very many who had voted for him, regret that
they had ever supported the clique of politicians who managed to secure his
nomination. And now I learned that a People's Spontaneous Convention would
assemble in Richmond on the 16th of the month, when, if the other body
persisted in its opposition to the popular will, the most startling
revolutionary measures would be adopted, involving, perhaps, arrests and executions.
Several of the members of this body with whom I conversed bore arms upon their
persons.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 15-6
No comments:
Post a Comment