April 18.—This afternoon I went to the citizens’ graveyard, in company with Mrs. and Captain Hicks. I lost a very important article— my vail—a serious loss, as I have no idea where I am to get another. I was delighted with the graveyard. Every thing about it was in the greatest order, and it was a perfect flower garden. A few soldiers were buried in it. I saw the graves of five or six colonels side by side; I think they were all Tennesseeans. The soldiers’ graveyard is a little ways from the citizens’; I visited it a few days ago. The ladies of the place have displayed a great deal of taste on it; each grave was neatly trimmed with shells, stones, and flowers. I counted nearly five hundred graves; they were principally those of men who had been wounded at the battles near Atlanta.
Georgia has a greater variety and more beautiful roses than I have ever seen; and here they seem to be more luxurious and fragrant than anywhere else. But there is a great lack of shade-trees; I tried the other day to get some cedar to dress our wards, but failed. How often I think of the grand old woods of Tennessee and North Georgia.
On reaching home we found great excitement in expectation of the enemy. We packed up as usual. I was asked to go to two or three places, but Mrs. F. and myself have concluded that we had better remain where we are. Captain Hicks has taken his wife to a relative, five miles in the country, and walked the distance.
Dr. Bemiss is here, having rode all the way from Columbus on horseback. He is a good deal worried about his books, as they were on the Macon train, which it is said the enemy have burned. He is very low-spirited, and says he feels like the man who was chased by a snake, who, after running till he was exhausted, laid down to let the snake do its worst, and found he had been running from a piece of rope hung to the tail of his coat.
Columbus is now in the hands of the enemy. After capturing Montgomery, they marched on to Columbus. Dr. B. says the militia fought manfully in its defense; they had at least ten to one to contend with.
He describes the scenes along the road as distressing, but at the same time ludicrous. There was a perfect panic at the cry that “the Yankees are coming!” At one place the women and children were running through the streets like people deranged, and men, with mules and wagons, driving in every direction. At that time the enemy was not within miles of the place.
Dr. Stout has gone to North Carolina, and Dr. B. intends following in the morning. He advises us to keep quiet, as, from all he can learn, the enemy are not hurting private property. We are to make believe that our house is a private one, although our rooms are filled with government property. All the valuables are committed to our care, and we are to be very busy quilting if the enemy should honor us with a visit.
Nearly all the men have taken to the woods. Dr. de Yampert is at his post, although we have begged him to leave; he says it is his duty to remain. Dr. Burks says he has run all he intends to, and, like the man with the snake, has made up his mind to let them come on and do their worst. Our two barrels of whisky have been taken to the woods.
Well, we are all ready for the enemy. Mrs. F. knows more about them than I do, and is not quite as calm. I see no way of escape, and am making the best of it. I am thinking it is at such times that we need all our coolness and caution. I will do what I can, and leave the rest to God. He has protected me thus far, why should I doubt him now?
