We were so distressed by the false position in which we
would be placed by a Federal sentinel, that we did not know what course to
pursue. As all our friends shook their heads and said it was dangerous, we knew
full well what our enemies would say. If we win Baton Rouge, as I pray we will,
they will say we asked protection from Yankees against our own men, are
consequently traitors, and our property will be confiscated by our own
Government. To decline General Williams's kind offer exposes the house to being
plundered. In our dilemma, we made up our minds to stay, so we could say the
sentinel was unnecessary.
Presently a file of six soldiers marched to the gate, an
officer came to the steps and introduced himself as Colonel McMillan, of 21st
Indiana Volunteers. He asked if this was Mrs. Morgan's; the General had ordered
a guard placed around the house; he would suggest placing them in different parts
of the yard. “Madam, the pickets await your orders.” Miriam in a desperate
fright undertook to speak for mother, and asked if he thought there was any
necessity. No, but it was an additional security, he said. “Then, if no actual
necessity, we will relieve you of the disagreeable duty, as we expect to remain
in town,” she said. He was very kind, and discussed the whole affair with us,
saying when we made up our minds to leave, — we told him after we could not decide,
— to write him word, and he would place a guard around to prevent his men and
the negroes from breaking in. It was a singular situation: our brothers off
fighting them, while these Federal officers leaned over our fence, and an
officer standing on our steps offered to protect us. These people are certainly
very kind to us. General Williams especially must be a dear old gentleman; he
is so good.
How many good, and how many mean people these troubles have
shown us! I am beginning to see my true friends, now; there is a large number
of them, too. Everybody from whom we least expected attention has agreeably
surprised us. . . .
General Williams will believe we are insane from our
changing so often.
His guard positively refused.
SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's
Diary, p. 66-7
No comments:
Post a Comment