February 27.—Our hospitals have taken another exodus, and gone back to Georgia. We have all become real cosmopolites.
The surgeons of the Foard and the chaplain spent the evening with us. They spoke highly of Gainesville, and said there was plenty of all kinds of food there, but they suffered for want of wood, as they had no teams to haul it. The winter so far has been a very severe one. We have all suffered from the cold, and clothing of all kinds is scarce. We have given nearly every thing in the way of bed-clothing to the soldiers, and at night the only way we keep warm is by heaping on us the piano and table covers, and in many instances all kinds of clothing. Many have cut up their carpets for blankets for the soldiers.
Mrs. W. has been confined to her bed ever since we came back, and is unable to go to the hospital. I have tried to get a lady to take her place, but in vain. I am half inclined not to go myself, and would not were our cause less gloomy.
Dr. de Yampert sent a gentleman to escort Mrs. W. and myself on the journey; but I have let him return without me, as I thought I might prevail on some lady to accompany me. And we are more independent traveling by ourselves than we have ever been, as the men are nearly all in the service. There is a lady in the hospital already, so I will have some company.
It has been hard work to move the hospitals this time, as the weather has been so very cold. Many of the hospitals have been encamped on our wharves for weeks, and ladies with them. It is useless to think of going to hotels now; a person must be rolling in wealth to even stay a few days at one.
I intend leaving to-morrow, and it is with a sad heart, as God alone knows what may be the fate of Mobile ere many days have elapsed; for it is no feint this time. The enemy means something now; of that all are confident.
As I walk along, every brick and paving-stone is sacred; I never thought Mobile was half so pretty as it is now. My brother is still here, but I have not the least idea that we will be able to hold Mobile; so he, along with the rest of the army, will be sent out.
It is rumored that General Johnston has gone after Sherman. That despoiler is laying the whole country in his track a perfect waste. He has marched through Georgia with his invincible army, and they encountered perils of all kinds in defenseless old age, women, and children. But that kind of warfare seems to suit these chivalrous knights, and one they are certain to triumph in.
The very name of Sherman brings up woe and desolation before us. The beautiful city of Columbia, South Carolina, has been laid in ruins by him and his hirelings. Bands of marauders, black and white, are sent through the country to do their worst on the helpless inhabitants.
We are told that he warned some ladies who were coming South, from one of the towns in Georgia, not to go to South Carolina, as there he did not intend being so lenient as he had been in Georgia. He has made his threat good, and poor South Carolina has indeed been scourged.
This was done because they say she was a sinner above all the rest. She committed the unpardonable offense of being the first to leave the “best government the world ever saw.” But there is a day of reckoning for the evil-doer. “Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph, and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves! They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.”
