April 21— Took stage this morning at New Market and arrived in Staunton at sunset. When I got on the stage this morning I noticed a man on it wearing a Yankee uniform. He asked me whether I was going to Lee’s army; I told him that was my destination. He remarked then that there would be some hard fighting this spring and summer, as their side was making great preparations for an aggressive, vigorous, and an active campaign, by filling up their regiments with new recruits, and, if anything, were increasing the size of their armies. He was in good humor, and I saw that he was no prisoner. I asked him what he was doing here in Dixie, and where he was going. He said that he was very tired of war and that he knew that there would be a great deal of hard marching and hot fighting this year, and the easiest way out of it all would be to desert and come South, which he did; and was now on his way to the south side of the Virginia Central Railroad, where, he said, Yankee deserters are allowed to roam at will.
I put up for the night at the American Hotel, but just for lodging, as meals cost five dollars and my pocketbook is now struggling in the last stage of consumption, and I am almost certain that the consumption will be sure to win, especially if I would do any eating at this house, as one meal would clean me up on the currency question until next pay-day. This is a beautiful, bright, balmy, spring night. Luna, queen of the stars, is sailing in a cerulean sea full of diamond-like isles, and not a single speck of cloud or mist stains the azure dome. The roofs and the spires and the verdant hills that are piled up around Staunton all glow and shimmer in a silvery sea of moonlight. After nightfall I strolled through the principal streets, most of which as they approach the suburbs bend skyward as they mount the encircling hills.
I saw the lunatic asylum, institute for the blind, and the deaf and dumb asylum — all good substantial brick structures.
