Raining.
Long trains of
"supply" and "ammunition" wagons have been rolling past our
dwelling all the morning, indicating a movement of troops southward. I suppose
the purpose is to occupy the conquered territory. Alas! we know too well what
military occupation is. No intelligent person supposes, after Lee's surrender,
that there will be found an army anywhere this side of the Mississippi of
sufficient numbers to make a stand. No doubt, however, many of the dispersed
Confederates will join the trans-Mississippi army under Gen. E. Kirby Smith, if
indeed, he too does not yield to the prevalent surrendering epidemic.
Confederate money is
valueless, and we have no Federal money. To such extremity are some of the best
and wealthiest families reduced, that the ladies are daily engaged making pies
and cakes for the Yankee soldiers of all colors, that they may obtain enough
"greenbacks" to purchase such articles as are daily required in their
housekeeping.
It is said we will
be supplied with rations from the Federal commissariat.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 476
