June 18th, 1865.-1 went to town today, arranged the business for which I went and also saw something that made my blood boil. As Sister Mart and I sat in the carriage in front of Uncle Arvah’s store, Church Croom came to speak to us. From his uniform every button had been cut and replaced by large orange thorns. Being a private soldier, there was nothing else our conquerors found objectionable. I was perilously near tears when cousin Henry came, wearing the splendid new uniform of the day before. Over the Major’s star on his collar, the thinnest of crape had been sewed; the chevrons on the sleeves were covered with the same material; the buttons, too, were wearing mourning.
Lieutenant Eppes came next. The gold lace had been ripped from collar and sleeves; the buttons were covered with black bombazine, but where the braid had been removed, the unfaded gray showed his rank as plainly as ever.
We saw many others during the day who had obeyed this order from headquarters, an order which has reflected no credit on the powers that be but has only served to make them ridiculous. This striking a man when he is down is despicable in my mind. Sister Mart is at home for a few days, she dined at Goodwood to meet General Scammon. He is the brother of our Miss Scammon whom we loved so dearly when she was our governess. He told Sister Mart that his sister would never allow a word to be said in her presence derogatory to the South.
“She is a Copper-head, regardless of the color of her hair,” he said. “It is universally admitted that red hair denotes temper, and you should see her blaze whenever the Southern people were scored, as of course, they often were.”
Aunt Sue had invited all the family to meet him but Father was not well enough to leave home and Mother positively refused to go. I am still hiding behind my youth, for the entire household looks upon me as a child, in spite of my nineteen years; in accordance with that belief I am excused from some things and, I am afraid, terribly spoiled in others. The advantages of being the youngest of nine sisters far out-weighs the disadvantages of the situation.
