We are in Yankeedom
this time, for certain, and a beautiful and magnificent country it is too.
Since we started we have traveled about fifteen miles a day, resting at night
and drawing rations plentifully and regularly. We are about fifteen miles over
the Pennsylvania and Maryland line and within seven miles of Chambersburg. We
are resting to-day (Sunday) and will get to Harrisburg in three more days if we
go there.
We hear nothing of
Hooker's army at all, but General Lee knows what he is about. This is certainly
a grand move of his, and if any man can carry it out successfully he can, for
he is cautious as well as bold.
We are taking
everything we need—horses, cattle, sheep, flour, groceries and goods of all
kinds, and making as clean a sweep as possible. The people seem frightened
almost out of their senses. They are nearly all agricultural people and
have everything in abundance that administers to comfort. I have never yet seen
any country in such a high state of cultivation. Such wheat I never dreamed of,
and so much of it! I noticed yesterday that scarcely a horse or cow was to be
seen. The free negroes are all gone, as well as thousands of the white people.
My servant, Wilson, says he “don't like Pennsylvania at all," because he
"sees no black folks.”
I have never seen
our army so healthy and in such gay spirits. How can they be whipped? Troops
have so much better health when on the march. I must say that I have enjoyed
this tramp. The idea of invading the Yankees has buoyed me up all the time.
Last year when invading Maryland we were almost starved, and of course anyone
would become disheartened. My health was never better than it is now, and I
feel gay and jovial every way.
My brother Billie is
out to-day guarding a man's premises. He was also out last night, and he told
me this morning that they fed him splendidly. The reason houses are guarded is
to prevent our troops plundering and robbing, which would demoralize them,
thereby rendering them unfit for soldiers. Soldiers must have a strict and
severe rein held over them; if not, they are worthless.
I have George's
picture with me, and I look at it frequently.