November 20, 1862. On taking command of Falmouth, we made a list of the inhabitants, showing their age, occupation, sex, etc. There is so much illicit communication with the enemy, that a strict surveillance is necessary, even over the women, whom we have more than once found performing the office of spies. Sentinels are posted at every street corner, and the patrol goes the rounds every hour both night and day.
The Fifty-seventh is for the time being the provost guard, and both officers and men are delighted at their good fortune. As most of the best houses were deserted when we arrived, the officers found no difficulty in securing good quarters. The difference between a good house, even if it is empty, and an ordinary shelter tent, late in November, is immense, and the officers fully appreciate it.
Yesterday morning I sallied out to call upon the prominent people, and accompanied by the officer of the guard, made a circuit of the town. The chief residents here are the G___s, and K___s, and an old lady relation of the G___s, and two very good looking young ladies. The young women came to the door and joined in the conversation, much to the disgust of the old lady, who did her best to keep them in the background. They were anxious about some cows and a stable they had, and chattered away for some time. Later on I mentioned them to Colonel Zook in General Hancock’s presence, who at once proposed that they should call and see the young women themselves; accordingly in the afternoon the general rode over, wearing his yellow sash, and together with the colonel, followed by an orderly, called at their house. They returned sooner than expected, and so I asked the colonel if my description of the young women was not satisfactory. He said they did not see them, the old lady refusing to call them into the parlor. Not finding the ancient party particularly interesting, they soon came away, both disappointed, which amused me a good deal.
G___ , who owns the mill and storehouse, which are filled with flour, tobacco, etc., by some unique arrangement seems to hold on to his property, notwithstanding the place has frequently changed hands. He is an outspoken rebel, in the prime of manhood, the only Virginia I have met of his class not in the rebel army, but his wife claims to be a New Yorker, and so when the Stars and Stripes float over the town, Mrs. G___ comes to the front; when it is supplanted by the rebel flag, G___ steps out, and thus they manage to retain their goods, amidst the storm of war which ravages all around them.
In a large brick house by the river side, live a family of K___s, F. F. Vs! Here, too, are two young ladies who acted friendly, and were anxious to establish relations with the commanding officer and staff.
As for the rest of the inhabitants, they are what are called poor whites, and are very poor indeed, both mentally and physically, mostly women and children with a few decrepit old men.
Headquarters are in a vacant house on the southeastern corner of the principal street, opposite the lonely looking little brick church. We use the front room for an office, while the rear room does duty as a dining room, and sleeping quarters for the staff. The colonel, as becomes the dignity of the commandant, sleeps alone up stairs. The house is empty, save for the office desks and folding chairs, but when the various colored blankets are spread on the floor, around the room at night, ready for use, it looks quite luxurious.
