The day was passed delightfully; the Bishop, his son, and
daughter-in-law, all so kind, hospitable and agreeable. It amused me to see
with what avidity the old gentleman watches the progress of events,
particularly when I remember how much opposed he was to secession only a few
months ago. He clung to the Union with a whole-souled love for all that he had
been educated to revere, as long as he could do it; but when every proposal for
peace made by us was spurned, and when the President's proclamation came out,
calling for 75,000 troops, and claiming Virginia's quota to assist in fighting
her Southern brethren, he could stand it no longer, and I only hope that the
revolution may be as thorough throughout the land as it is in his great mind.
“Mountain View” is beautiful by nature, and the Bishop has
been collecting exotic trees and shrubs for many years, and now his collection
is perfectly magnificent. This country is so far very peaceful, but we are
constantly subjected to the most startling rumours, and the frequent, though
distant, booming of cannon is very trying to our nervous and excitable
temperaments. Many, so many, of our dear ones are constantly exposed to danger;
and though we would not have it otherwise — we could not bear that one of them
should hesitate to give his life's-blood to his country — yet it is
heart-breaking to think of what may happen.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 32-3
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