July 8th, 1865.—Things go from bad to worse. Father has been sick for several days; not very sick at first, but he grew worse and yesterday and today we have felt uneasy about him and our doctor brother has been with him until this morning. Mother’s room never looked cleaner or cooler, or daintier than it did today. Father’s room opens into hers and everything, in both rooms,, except the mahogany furniture was white. These apartments were always clothed in the crispest, snowiest of draperies during the summer months; even the cushioned chairs wore white dresses in summer.
Father was sleeping, Mother sat reading her Bible by the west window. Into this pure and peaceful atmosphere walked Peggy, unkempt, unwashed, dirty and disgusting beyond description.
Mother looked up from her Bible and asked, “What can I do for you Peggy?” I was arranging a bowl of roses out in the hall and hearing voices, came into the room.
“I is jis’ kum fur a visit Miss Patsey,” and, with that she came forward and seated herself in one of the large, white-cushioned rockers.
“Get up Peggy,” said Mother, but Peggy tossed her knotty head.
“I ain’t agwine ter git up. De ladies what kums here sets in dese cheers an’ I is jis’ as good as dey is.”
What a picture she made, leaning back, her dirty head making dirty prints on the chair cover, her scaley feet stuck straight out before her and the most impudent expression on her black face that you ever saw.
My diary, I was so angry I could scarcely see. I fear I am not of much use in an emergency but Sister Mart is and she rose quickly to the occasion. Calling Bill and Fannie to help her, she forced Peggy to leave the house.
We thought the incident was disposed of, but no, Peggy went straightway to Centreville and reported to the military authorities that “Miss Patsey done gie me a insult.”
Finding that she really had been forcibly ejected from the house, they sent an orderly with a note saying Mother must apologize at once to Peggy or she would be arrested at twelve o’clock on the following day and tried before the court presided over by Lieutenant Zachendorf. These may not be the words he used but I am giving the gist of the note.
Father was too ill to tell him of it, and Mother does not think anything will be done but we are terribly anxious. Sister Mart has made a plan, which I hope will prove to be the right thing. She has bound me over to secrecy and she and Jordan and Fannie have had a confidential talk. Early in the morning Jordan is to have the carriage at the door and Fannie will be in readiness to accompany Sister Mart to Tallahassee to interview General Foster. She will get Uncle Arvah to go with her to call on the general. She will hurry back and I must keep mother in good heart until she gets home.
