Last night we were thrown into the most violent state of
commotion by the unexpected entrance of Captain Bradford. He has been brought
here a prisoner, from Asphodel, where he has been ever since the surrender of
Port Hudson, and taking advantage of his tri-weekly parole, his first visit was
naturally here, as he has no other friends.
Poor creature, how he must have suffered! The first glance
at his altered face where suffering and passion have both left their traces
unmistakably since we last met, and the mere sight of his poor lame leg, filled
my heart with compassion.
* * * * * * * * * *
How he hates Mr. Halsey! I could not forego the pleasure of
provoking him into a discussion about him, knowing how they hated each other.
He would not say anything against him; understand, that as a gentleman and a
companion, Mr. Halsey was his warmest and best friend; there was no one he
admired more; but he must say that as a soldier, he was the worst he had ever
seen — not that he was not as brave and gallant a man as ever lived, but he
neglected his duties most shamefully while visiting Linwood so constantly,
eluding the sentinels daily as he asked for neither pass nor permission, and
consulting only his inclinations instead of his superior officers or his
business. And that last night at Linwood, when he absented himself without
leave, why could he not have signified to him, his Captain, that he wished to
say good-bye, instead of quietly doing as he pleased? When the Colonel sent for
a report of the number of men, quantity of forage and ammunition, etc., and it
was discovered that John Halsey was absent without leave, with the books locked
up and the keys in his pocket — even after this lapse of time, the fire flashed
through the ice as the Captain spoke. Sergeant Halsey, I am sorry for you when
you reported yourself next day! All the fun that could have been crowded into
an evening at Linwood could not have repaid you for the morning's scene. And
after all, what was it beyond very empty pleasure, with a great deal of
laughter? He could have dispensed with it just as well. Looking back, I congratulate
myself on being the only one who did not ask him to stay.
SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's
Diary, p. 424-6
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