Meeting Miriam by mere accident on the road last evening and
hearing of our surprising journey to Georgia, Mr. Halsey came to spend a last
evening with us, and say good-bye. What a deluge of regrets, hopes, fears, etc.
Perfectly overwhelming. Why had I not told him of it the night before? All our
friends would be so disappointed at not having an opportunity of saying
good-bye. If the Yankees would only postpone their attack so he might accompany
us! But no matter; he would come on in two months, and meet us there. And would
we not write to him? Thank you! Miriam may, but I shall hardly do so! We had
such a pleasant evening together, talking over our trip. Then we had a dozen
songs on the guitar, gay, sad, and sentimental; then he gave me a sprig of
jessamine as a keepsake, and I ripped open my celebrated “running-bag” to get a
real for true silver five cents — a perfect curiosity in these days —
which I gave him in exchange, and which he promised to wear on his watch-chain.
He and Miriam amused themselves examining the contents of my sack and laughing
at my treasures, the wretches! Then came — good-bye. I think he was sorry to
see us go. Well! he ought to miss us! Ah! these farewells! To-day I bid adieu
to Linwood. “It may be for years, and it may be forever!” This good-bye
will cost me a sigh.
SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's
Diary, p. 329-30
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