Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.
[Diary] July 28, Monday.
To-night two officers in uniform came up the porch steps and asked Nelly, who was there, whether they could have a night’s lodging, saying the larger man was surgeon of the Dale, which lies out blockading the creek. They had a boat-load of men here. Nelly came and asked me. I said that Captain Hooper was not at home, but till he came invited them in to dinner. I was afraid the men might do mischief in the quarters and cheat or steal from the people, so I requested that they should not come ashore. This request was not heeded. The surgeon talked incessantly at table. He inquired all about the pickets on the island, the number of white soldiers and armed black men, etc., and of Mr. Phillips he asked questions about the North, whether McClellan had not weakened the war spirit, etc. There was something very suspicious in his questions and we answered them cautiously. Then he went on to speak of the rebels, calling them gentlemen and eulogizing them. We replied that no rebel or traitor was a gentleman in our eyes, or ought to be called so by loyal persons. He was angry and rose from the table. I told him soon afterwards that they had better go to Eustis’ plantation, as Captain Hooper was away and we did not like to have guests under these circumstances. So they went on, ungraciously. That night we armed old Robert and Archie and we each had a loaded gun in our room.
