A proclamation is out announcing that any one talking about
the war, or present state of affairs, will be “summarily” dealt with. Now,
seems to me “summarily” is not exactly the word they mean, but still it has an
imposing effect. What a sad state their affairs must be in, if they can't bear
comment. An officer arrived day before yesterday, bringing the surprising
intelligence that McClellan had captured Richmond and fifty thousand prisoners;
that is the time they talked. But when we received yesterday
confirmation of his being finally defeated by our troops, and the capture of
his railroad train twelve miles in length, they forbid further mention of the
subject. I wonder if they expect to be obeyed? What a stretch of tyranny! O
free America! You who uphold free people, free speech, free everything, what a
foul blot of despotism rests on a once spotless name! A nation of brave men,
who wage war on women and lock them up in prisons for using their woman weapon,
the tongue; a nation of free people who advocate despotism; a nation of
Brothers who bind the weaker ones hand and foot, and scourge them with military
tyrants and other Free, Brotherly institutions; what a picture! Who would not
be an American? One consolation is, that this proclamation, and the
extraordinary care they take to suppress all news except what they themselves
manufacture, proves me our cause is prospering more than they like us to know.
I do believe day is about to break!
If our troops are determined to burn our houses over our
heads to spite the Yankees, I wish they would hurry and have it over at once.
Ten regiments of infantry are stationed at Camp Moore, and Scott's cavalry was
expected at Greenwell yesterday, both preparing for an attack on Baton Rouge.
If we must be beggars, let it come at once; I can't endure this suspense.
SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's
Diary, p. 111-3
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