May 13th, 1861.
. . . We are always delighted to hear from you — and indeed
your letters and Louis's are the only comfort we have in this Yankee land
surrounded by people who have no sympathy with us, and who only open their lips
to revile the South and utter blood-thirsty threats. This morning an amiable
lady wished she had Jeff Davis in front of a big cannon. This feminine wish was
uttered in the cars when L. and F. were going in to Boston. We have now
sufficient proof of how much stronger hate is than love of country. Where was
the patriotism of Massachusetts when the country was at war with the English in
1812? I lived then at the South, and was ashamed of my countrymen who refused
to assist in the war. Massachusetts, which was the leading state of New
England, refused to let her militia leave the state and when the U. S. troops
were withdrawn, to fight in other places, applied to the Federal Government to
know whether the expenses of their own militia, who were summoned to defend
their own State, would be reimbursed by the Government. When our capitol at
Washington was burned with the President's House and Treasury buildings, and
other public buildings, why did they not go to meet the British? On the
contrary, they rejoiced at the English victories, and put every obstacle they
could in the way of the government. Now they are subscribing millions, and
urging every man to go and fight their own countrymen. It is not patriotism; it
is hatred to the South and woe is me, that I must live here among such people.
God grant you success. It is a righteous war and all the bloodshed will be upon
the souls of those who brought it on.
. . . I think, however, that you at the South are wrong to
undervalue the courage and resources of the Northern States. They are no doubt
less accustomed to the use of firearms — there are very few who know how to
ride, and they are less fiery in their impulses. They are less disposed to
fight, but they are not cowardly where their interests are concerned; and will fight
for their money. Where their property is at stake they will not hesitate to
risk their lives, and at present there is no lack of money. The women are all
roused, and are urging their relatives on; while some of the young ladies are
exceedingly anxious to imitate Florence Nightingale, and distinguish themselves
in the Army. The boys are parading about with red shirts and guns; and their
wise mothers are admiring their military ardor.
I would not advise you of the South to trust too much in the
idea that the Northerners will not fight; for I believe they will, and their
numbers are overwhelming. You know an army of ants can kill a wounded horse. It
is a mistake, too, for you to suppose that it is only the lower orders, who are
enlisted. I have heard of a good many of the most respectable young men, who
have enlisted for three years. I suppose there are a good many counter jumpers
and Irish among them; but still there are many very decent persons who have
gone to the wars. I hear that with Gov. Sprague no less persons than W. G. and
M. J. have gone. Are you not alarmed? Think of M. Pray keep out of his way! I
wonder what his Quaker progenitors would say, could they look out of their
graves? He has not an ancestor, on either side, for as far back as they can be
traced, who was not a broad brimmed Quaker. Little F. has had some skirmishes
with the girls on Politics; but there has been no bloodshed; and the last I
heard of it is, they said “anyhow” she was “a smart little thing and talks very
well.” L. does not walk out alone: she always goes into Boston with F. or me.
By the way — I hear it said they have got enough cotton at the North to supply
their factories for a year? Can it be true? If so, I think there has been a
great mistake somewhere. The only thing that will bring these people to their
senses is to stop the importation. I was surprised to see the other day that a
cargo of rice from Savannah was stopped, and the vessel was allowed to sail
with a load of cotton!
SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in
’61, p. 51-4
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