The President is sick to-day — having a chill, I believe.
Adjutant-General Cooper was in, comparing notes with the Secretary as to the
number of regiments in the field. The Secretary has a most astonishing memory,
and could easily number the forces without referring to his notes. The amount
is not large, it is true; but, from the eagerness to volunteer, I believe if we
had the arms there might soon be organized an army of three or four hundred
thousand men. And yet it would seem that no one dreams of armies of such
magnitude. Wait till we sleep a little longer! A great many separate companies
are accepted; all indeed that offer for three years or the war, provided they
have arms—even double-barreled shot-guns and hunting rifles. What a deal of annoyance
and labor it will be to organize these into battalions, regiments, brigades,
and divisions! And then comes the appointment of staff and field officers. This
will be labor for the President. But he works incessantly, sick or well.
We have an agent in Europe purchasing arms. This was well
thought on. And Capt. Huse is thought to be a good selection. It will be
impossible for Lincoln to keep all our ports hermetically sealed. Hitherto
improvident, it is to be hoped the South will now go to work upon her own
resources. We have plunged into the sea of revolution, and must, unaided, sink
or swim. The Yankees say they are going to subdue us in six months. What fools!
I tasted green corn to-day, and, although very fond of it, I
touched it lightly, because it seemed so much out of season. The country around
is beautiful, and the birds are singing as merrily as if we were about to enter
upon a perennial Sabbath-day, instead of a desolating war. But the gunpowder
will be used to destroy the destroyer, man, and why should not the birds sing!
The china-trees are beautiful, and abundant about the dwellings.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 44
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