No official accounts from “Stonewall” and his glorious army,
but private accounts are most cheering. In the mean time, the hospitals in and
around Richmond are being cleaned, aired, etc., preparatory to the anticipated
battles. Oh, it is sickening to know that these preparations are necessary!
Every man who is able has gone to his regiment. Country people are sending in
all manner of things — shirts, drawers, socks, etc., hams, flour, fresh
vegetables, fruits, preserves — for the sick and wounded. It is wonderful how
these things can be spared. I suppose, if the truth were known, that they
cannot be spared, except that every man and woman is ready to give up every
article which is not absolutely necessary; and I dare say that gentlemen's
wardrobes, which were wont to be numbered by dozens, are now reduced to
couples.
It is said that General Johnston, by an admirable series of
manœuvres, is
managing to retreat from Williamsburg, all the time concealing the comparative
weakness of his troops, and is retarding the advance of the enemy, until troops
from other points can be concentrated here.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 117
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