Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, April 20, 1864

Nothing new this morning; reported all quiet all along the Tennessee. “Now Lieutenant A——, we will have some music this morning,” says Captain Ring as he moves from the room. Will she refuse a Yankee officer, wonder the remaining occupants of the parlor. Hark! we hear footsteps; she is coming. She is now seated at the piano; she plays sweetly, but oh! the language, the sentiment; rebellion deep, defiant, loud, echoes from her soul. Her heart dwells fondly upon the “Bonnie South," but the gallant Union soldiers blame her not. Though her heart is with a cause which aims at the foundation of human freedom, she has had encouragement, has been made to believe that the land of her birth is engaged in a righteous cause. The democracy of the North have given that encouragement. We will look among the old files of papers that lie here. What do we find! A number of Cincinnati Enquirers of old and new dates containing the speeches of Ohio's exiled traitor. These speeches have been eagerly read by the southern people, and upon their factious' and treasonable sentiments they predict their hopes of Southern independence. Oh! modern democracy, what have you done, and what are you doing? You have strengthened the South in their wicked aims to subvert liberty and thereby shut the gates of mercy upon mankind.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 233-4