To-day all is quiet, save now and then a cheer caused by some rumor created for the occasion by some mischievous soldier. In the evening a chilling rain commences to fall. The night is dark, the winds keep sighing like some crushed spirit. We sit by a slow glimmering campfire and think of the happy years when the country was at peace; we think of the clouds "of war that hang over a land that has been looked to as a land of promise by the chained and crushed ones of earth. We look around us and behold rows of muskets, which seem to tell us that ere long they will be pointed at the breasts of men, and why, oh! why? can it thus be that men of one common blood[,] brothers of one common family, will engage in deadly strife and seek each other's life? But so it has ever been through all the intricate course of empires down to the present time; first a conflict of ideas, then a conflict of arms. War seems to be a nation's highest tribunal, and a fierce ordeal it is through which to arrive at justice, but nations must pass through this ordeal. The conflict between right and wrong, between liberty and slavery, have produced champions and advocates who have been unwilling to yield, hence a rush to arms to settle the controversy.
Friday, December 31, 2021
Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, May 6, 1863
Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, May 7, 1863
Nothing but a dull monotony reigns in camp to-day. The hours glide wearily along. We all hope for a change ere long, for this remaining in camp so long at one place is becoming tiresome. This evening we receive a mail which brings cheer and sunshine to many a soldier—letters that tell us of hearts beating true to the cause of freedom and Union—letters that tell us of hearts that go out for the soldiers—of hearts that are sad when battles are lost, and the flag is made to droop over the noble slain. These letters tell us that the great north will not let these sacrifices be made in vain—that they will not permit the names of the Union's defenders to be forgotten.
Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, May 8, 1863
The news from the armies is becoming more cheering. The political sky seems to be clearing up. The word comes again, “Onward to Richmond." We expect to hear of great battles ere long-battles that will make the loyal hearts throughout the Union leap with joy—battles that will shake the confederacy to its very center. And yet how sad it is to know that hearts that throb lightly now will before many days be cold in death—will have ceased their beating, because of the wicked ambition of men. Modern democracy will smile when the tide of war sweeps them down, but good men will drop tears to their memory, knowing that they died struggling for the advance of free thought and christian civilization; and over their graves will be written, “Defenders of the Union, and benefactors of a redeemed and disenthralled race."