RICHMOND, June 16, 1861.
I rejoice in an
opportunity to write you through the kindness of a gentleman who has some means
of communication with Baltimore. The convention met again on the 12th, and I
accompanied the President up. Shall return home on Tuesday. In the meantime the
children left behind are in good hands. Mrs. R. Tyler and family of four
children are at Sherwood. Gardie is with me here enjoying the military
excitement, and Julia is at Mrs. Pegram's. All are well. You have heard of the
battle in the vicinity of Hampton and Bethel (that is around the location of
Bethel church). The fight on the Southern side was more wonderful than the
taking of Sumter—only 1,100 troops (eleven hundred) were there, eight hundred
of whom were engaged against a force of Northern troops amounting to four or
five thousand; but one killed and four slightly wounded on the Southern side;
loss larger on the other. How can it be otherwise than that? The hand of
Providence should assist this holy Southern cause. The Northern papers give
garbled accounts, but this is the true statement. Hampton and the vicinity have
suffered all sorts of depredations from Lincoln's army—inoffensive people, and
their private residences have been disturbed in every possible way; but the
Villa I hear has been treated with more respect as yet.
More and more we
have the realization of war; from day to day the people, the entire people, are
making up their minds to it, until every family of high and low degree are
seeing their male members don the soldier's dress and shoulder their musket to
go forth for the protection of their invaded firesides. It makes the heart beat
and the eyes fill to witness such noble resolution and bravery on the part of
all, but in particular on the part of those who, bred in ease and luxury, still
cheerfully accept every and any hardship that comes with a soldier's life,
whether as officers or in the ranks, for the latter are thick with accomplished
gentlemen, than permit the unresisted invasion of their dearest rights. The men
have become heroes-all, from youths of seventeen to those far advanced in
years; but one common feeling swells their bosoms, deep indignation against
those who should have been their best friends, and not their worst enemies. An
unlawful war has been waged against them, and if the possession of every
warrior trait will enable them to "conquer a peace," there will soon
be one for us. Every way I turn I see an acquaintance and friend, either in the
flannel shirt of a private, or the braided jacket of the zouave, or the plumed
cap of the calvary officer. It is women and children only that are not in arms
all ready for a moment's notice. A large body of noble, brave Marylanders have
found it impossible to waît, and have resigned with a feeling of relief their
homes to fight side by side with their Southern brethren. By all sorts of
stratagems they are slipping over fully armed, and joining their companions
without delay.
Subjugate or bring
to terms such a people! little do you dream at the North of what stuff they are
made. Why, even Gardie and Alex.1 mourn that they cannot at once be
of them; they are fired up with enthusiasm for what they consider such a sacred
cause as the defense of their soil from the wicked and cruel invader. It is a
thrilling, melting sight to see the entrances into the city of troops by the
trains from all parts of the Southern country, coming. as they appear to feel,
to the rescue of old Virginia. The fatigue of travel makes no impression upon
them, and they joyfully march off to their encampments, apparently
congratulating themselves they are so near the scene of action. "Still
they come." At church to-day Gen. Davis was introduced to me. He mentioned
that Mrs. D. and himself would be to see me to-mor row. He is a splendid man,
fine manners, and the bearing of one good and great. Gen. Lee called upon us
after church; rather grayer than when I last met him some years ago, but still
the elegant officer, looking animated and full of vigor. He spoke very calmly
and indifferently of the desecration of his home at Arlington, and the flight
of his invalid wife. She has moved out of the way of the enemy twice, and now
she says they will have to take her— she will move no more. The General
laughed, as he repeated what she said, but added, as her health was much
affected by rheumatism, it was quite a trial to her to be deprived of her home.
And now adieu, dear
Mamma. Continue perfectly at ease about me. All I ask is, take care of
yourself, and don't get sick..
1 David Gardiner and John Alexander, oldest
sons of President Tyler by his second marriage, entered the Confederate army as
privates at the ages respectively of sixteen and fifteen. The former is now a
member of the State Executive Committee of the Democratic party, and practices
law in Charles City. The latter died in New Mexico, in 1883, while pursuing his
profession as engineer. He and his brother were students in Germany, after 1865,
and Alexander served as Uhlan in the German army during the Franco-Prussian
war, winning the badge of honor from the Emperor.
SOURCE: Lyon
Gardiner Tyler, The Letters and Times of the Tylers, Volume 2, p.
651-2
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