RICHMOND. – For two weeks my diary has been a closed book.
After another week at W., we went to the Presbyterian Parsonage, to join the
refugee family who had gathered within its walls. They had made themselves
comfortable, and it had quite a home-like appearance. After remaining
there a day or two, Mr. ––– received a letter, announcing his appointment to a
clerkship in the Post-Office Department. The pleasure and gratitude with which
it is received is only commensurate with the necessity which made him apply for
it. It seems a strange state of things which induces a man, who has ministered
and served the altar for thirty-six years, to accept joyfully a situation
purely secular, for the sole purpose of making his living; but no chaplaincy
could be obtained except on the field, which would neither suit his health, his
age, nor his circumstances. His salary will pay his board and mine in Richmond,
and the girls will stay in the country until they or I can obtain writing from
Government — note-signing from Mr. Memminger, or something else. We are
spending a few days with our niece, Mrs. H. A. C., until we can find board. Mr.
has entered upon the duties of his office, which he finds confining, but not
very arduous. To-morrow I shall go in pursuit of quarters.
The city is overrun with members of Congress, Government
officers, office-seekers, and strangers generally. Main Street is as crowded as
Broadway, New York; it is said that every boarding-house is full.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 87-8
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