Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

9th. Inquiry meeting. About 50 men out. After breakfast, I went to the city. Took some notices to Mr. Parsons. Attended Sunday School and church at 1st Pres. Dr. Nelson. Good services but not much earnestness. Got back to camp for dinner. A silly sentimental poet on the cars. Chapel in evening. Rain.

Colonel Lyon’s Letters.

 

Cairo, Ill., Sun. a. m., July 9, 1865.—We did not get here until after midnight, having been detained several hours by a collision ahead of us, fifty miles from here. I found the Major and Lieutenant Fowle in Chicago. Saw nothing of the Adjutant. We leave on the ‘Clara Dalson’ at 11 o’clock this morning for New Orleans. The weather is somewhat warm here. We get Government transportation from here, which is worth $10 to each of us, and our meals and staterooms cost us $20 more.

Sunday, 9th—It rained all day and all of us not on guard remained in our “ranches.” Our camp is on rolling ground and so the water runs off quickly. In this camp we have no bunks built up from the ground, for there was no tearing down of houses to get timbers, but we have straw on which to lay our ponchos. For a roof we have a pole resting on two forks, with four rubber ponchos stretched over the pole and the ends fastened to the ground.

July 9th, 1865.—Our troubles are over, hurrah for Genera Foster! Sister Mart and Uncle Arvah made General Foster an early visit. She went in much trepidation, for she had not been quite civil when she met him at Goodwood. He had offered her his hand in greeting and she had drawn back, putting her hands behind her and saying, “Please excuse me.”

She told him what had happened; she described Peggy; she told of our indignation, of Father’s serious illness and of the constant difficulty of life on the plantation.

General Foster listened attentively as she talked; then he said, “I will give you a guard for your premises, Miss Bradford; a sergeant and one man, will, I think, be sufficient. I shall also give you an order to Lieutenant Zachendorf and this order Sergeant Cornell will deliver in person.

“Your guard will be instructed to attend to all plantation affairs and all I ask of you is that they be fed and housed and that they be given the freedom of the premises.”

Sister Mart was delighted. She is very impulsive and extended her hand to General Foster.

“General,” she said, “the last time we met I refused to shake hands with you, now I ask the privilege.”

It is a piece of merciful consideration for us and we cannot thank him enough. I have not seen him for I stay rather close at home.

When Sister Mart got back from town, we had not yet left the breakfast table. She entered the room, followed by two soldiers in blue uniforms. I thought they had come to arrest Mother and my heart stood still. What a relief it was when the situation was explained. Sergeant Cornell took the order to Centreville and we have heard nothing more of the arrest for “impertinence to Peggy.” We will sleep better tonight.