The country is shrouded in gloom because of the fall of New
Orleans! It was abandoned by General Lovell — necessarily, it is thought. Such
an immense force was sent against the forts which protected it, that they could
not be defended. The steamer Mississippi, which was nearly finished, had
to be burnt. We hoped so much from its protection to the Mississippi River. Oh,
it is so hard to see the enemy making such inroads into the heart of our
country! It makes the chicken-hearted men and women despondent, but to the true
and brave it gives a fresh stimulus for exertion. I met two young Kentuckians
to-night who have come out from their homes, leaving family and fortunes
behind, to help the South. After many difficulties, running the blockade across
the Potomac, they reached Richmond yesterday, just as the news of the fall of
New Orleans had overwhelmed the city. They are dreadfully disappointed by the
tone of the persons they have met. They came burning with enthusiasm; and
anything like depression is a shock to their excited feelings. One said to me
that he thought he should return at once, as he had “left every thing which
made home desirable to help Virginia, and found her ready to give up.” All the
blood in my system boiled in an instant. “Where, sir,” said I, “have you seen
Virginians ready to give up their cause?” “Why,” he replied, “I have been
lounging about the Exchange all day, and have heard the sentiments of the
people.” “Lounging about the Exchange? And do you suppose that Virginians
worthy of the name are now seen lounging about the Exchange? There you see the
idlers and shirkers of the whole Southern army. No true man under forty-five is
to be found there. Virginia, sir, is in the camp. Go there, and find the true
men of the South. There they have been for one year, bearing the hardships, and
offering their lives, and losing life and limb for the South; it is mournful to
say how many! There you will find the chivalry of the South; and if Virginia
does not receive you with the shout of enthusiasm which you anticipated, it is
because the fire burns steadily and deeply; the surface blaze has long ago
passed away. I honour you, and the many noble young Kentuckians who have left
their homes for the sake of our country, but it will not do for Kentucky to
curl the lip of scorn at Virginia. Virginia blushes, and silently mourns over
her recreant daughter, and rejoices over every son of hers who has the
disinterestedness to leave her and come to us in this hour of our bitter trial.”
I do not believe that this young man really means, or
wishes, to return; he only feels disheartened by the gloom caused by our great
national loss.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 108-9
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