Gen. T. J. Jackson has destroyed a principal dam on the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. That will give the enemy abundance of trouble. This
Gen. Jackson is always doing something to vex the enemy; and I think he is
destined to annoy them more.
It is with much apprehension that I see something like a general
relaxation of preparation to hurl back the invader. It seems as if the
government were waiting for England to do it; and after all, the capture of Slidell
and Mason may be the very worst thing that could have happened. Mr. Benjamin, I
learn, feels very confident that a rupture between the United States and Great
Britain is inevitable. War with England is not to be thought of by Mr. Seward
at this juncture, and he will not have it. And we should not rely upon the
happening of any such contingency. Some of our officials go so far as to hint
that in the event of a war between the United States and Great Britain, and our
recognition by the former, it might be good policy for us to stand neutral. The
war would certainly be waged on our account, and it would not be consistent
with Southern honor and chivalry to retire from the field and leave the friend
who interfered in our behalf to fight it out alone. The principal members of our
government should possess the highest stamp of character, for never did there
exist a purer people.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 101
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