So much has happened since I last wrote in my diary, that I
can scarcely collect my thoughts to give a plain detail of facts as they
occurred. Ten days ago, Mr. ––– and myself went in to spend two days with our
children who are living in Richmond. It soon became apparent that we could not
return, as the Government had taken the cars for the purpose of transporting
soldiers to Fredericksburg. Hooker was making immense demonstrations, and was
crossing 159,000 men. They fought on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, at different
points, principally at Chancellorsville, and the enemy was repulsed at all
points. Hooker and his host retired to the Rappahannock, and recrossed, I
think, on Wednesday. It is said that General Lee would have followed him, but
for the dreadful storm of Monday night and Tuesday. General Lee in his official
report speaks of it as a “signal victory.” Our army was smaller than usual, as
Longstreet was still near Suffolk, and could not get up in time. It is pretty
certain that Hooker — fighting Joe!! — had two to Lee's one, and was defeated.
But General Jackson was wounded severely. The great Stonewall is lost to us for
a time; his left arm has been amputated, and there is a severe wound in his
right hand. Oh, I pray that God may raise him up to be a continued blessing to
the country. His wife has gone to him. The best surgical skill of the army, the
sympathy and anxiety of the whole South, and the prayers of the country, are
his. General Paxton, of the Stonewall Brigade was killed, and many, ah, how
many, valuable lives were lost! it is impossible for us yet to know, as the
telegraphic wires are cut, and mail communication very uncertain. From my own
family boys we have not heard, and we are willing to believe that “no news is
good news.” Two more of the dear ones over whose youth we so anxiously watched
have fallen — Hill Carter, of Shirley, and Benjamin White, of Charlestown,
Jefferson County. Thank God, they were both Christians! My heart aches for
their parents. The last was an only son, and justly the pride and joy of his
household. His parents are in the enemy's lines. O Lord, uphold that tender
mother when the withering stroke is known to her! Major Channing Price and
Colonel Thomas Garnett are gone! God help our country! We can't afford to lose
such men.
While our army was busily engaged last Sunday, the Yankees
took occasion to send out a raiding party of their superfluous numbers. A party
of several hundred came here about three o'clock in the afternoon. They knew
that the cars containing the wounded from the battle-field would be here. The
cars arrived, and were immediately surrounded and the soldiers paroled. The
ladies all the while were in the cars administering comfort to the wounded.
They remained about three hours, took off every horse they could find, and
every servant that they could induce to go, which was very few, and then rode
off without burning the houses or offering other injury to the villagers. They
belonged to Stoneman's command. They went over this county, Goochland, Louisa,
and a part of Fluvanna, without molestation. They became alarmed, however, and
cut their career short. They went to Columbia for the purpose of destroying the
canal, but in their haste did it very little injury. The injury to the
railroads was slight, and easily repaired. To individuals they did some
mischief; at W. they fed four hundred horses at my brother's barn, took his
buggy horse, and rode off. His neighbours, and others in their route, fared
very much in the same way. In Richmond the excitement was terrible. The
alarm-bell pealed out its startling notes; citizens were armed, and sent out to
man the batteries; extemporaneous cavalry companies were formed and sent out;
women were seen crying and wringing their hands on the streets; wild rumours
were afloat; but it all ended in the raiders not attempting to get to the
Richmond batteries, and the city in a few hours became perfectly quiet.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 209-11
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