I — I am disgusted with myself. No unusual thing, but I am peculiarly
disgusted this time. Last evening, I went to Mrs. Brunot's, without an idea
of going beyond, with my flag flying again. They were all going to the State
House, so I went with them; to my great distress, some fifteen or twenty
Federal officers were standing on the first terrace, stared at like wild beasts
by the curious crowd. I had not expected to meet them, and felt a painful
conviction that I was unnecessarily attracting attention, by an unladylike
display of defiance, from the crowd gathered there. But what was I to do? I felt
humiliated, conspicuous, everything that is painful and disagreeable; but —
strike my colors in the face of the enemy? Never! Nettie and Sophie had them,
too, but that was no consolation for the shame I suffered by such a display so
totally distasteful to me. How I wished myself away, and chafed at my folly,
and hated myself for being there, and every one for seeing me. I hope it will
be a lesson to me always to remember a lady can gain nothing by such display.
I was not ashamed of the flag of my country, — I proved that
by never attempting to remove it in spite of my mortification, — but I was
ashamed of my position; for these are evidently gentlemen, not the Billy
Wilson's crew we were threatened with. Fine, noble-looking men they were,
showing refinement and gentlemanly bearing in every motion. One cannot help but
admire such foes! They set us an example worthy of our imitation, and one we
would be benefited by following. They come as visitors without either
pretensions to superiority, or the insolence of conquerors; they walk quietly
their way, offering no annoyance to the citizens, though they themselves are
stared at most unmercifully, and pursued by crowds of ragged little boys, while
even men gape at them with open mouths. They prove themselves gentlemen, while
many of our citizens have proved themselves boors, and I admire them for their
conduct. With a conviction that I had allowed myself to be influenced by
bigoted, narrow minded people, in believing them to be unworthy of respect or
regard, I came home wonderfully changed in all my newly acquired sentiments,
resolved never more to wound their feelings, who were so careful of ours, by
such unnecessary display. And I hung my flag on the parlor mantel, there to
wave, if it will, in the shades of private life; but to make a show, make me
conspicuous and ill at ease, as I was yesterday, — never again!
There was a dozen officers in church this morning, and the
psalms for the 11th day seemed so singularly appropriate to the feelings of the
people, that I felt uncomfortable for them. They answered with us, though.
SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's
Diary, p. 28-30
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