Strange True Stories of Louisiana
Page 51
VI.
How It Was In Arkansas
_March 11, 1862_.--The serpent has entered our Eden. The rancor andexcitement of New Orleans have invaded this place. If an incautious wordbetrays any want of sympathy with popular plans, one is "traitorous,""ungrateful," "crazy." If one remains silent, and controlled, then one is"phlegmatic," "cool-blooded," "unpatriotic." Cool-blooded! Heavens! ifthey only knew. It is very painful to see lovable and intelligent womenrave till the blood mounts to face and brain. The immediate cause of thisaccess of war fever has been the battle of Pea Ridge. They scout the ideathat Price and Van Dorn have been completely worsted. Those who broughtthe news were speedily told what they ought to say. "No, it is only aserious check; they must have more men sent forward at once. This countrymust do its duty." So the women say another company _must_ be raised.
We were guests at a dinner-party yesterday. Mrs. A. was very talkative."Now, ladies, you must all join in with a vim and help equip anothercompany."
"Mrs. L.," she said, turning to me, "are you not going to send yourhusband? Now use a young bride's influence and persuade him; he would beelected one of the officers." "Mrs. A.," I replied, longing to spring upand throttle her, "the Bible says, 'When a man hath married a new wife, heshall not go to war for one year, but remain at home and cheer up hiswife.'" ...
"Well, H.," I questioned, as we walked home after crossing the lake, "canyou stand the pressure, or shall you be forced into volunteering?""Indeed," he replied, "I will not be bullied into enlisting by women, orby men. I will sooner take my chance of conscription and feel honest aboutit. You know my attachments, my interests are here; these are my people.I could never fight against them; but my judgment disapproves theircourse, and the result will inevitably be against us."
This morning the only Irishman left in the village presented himself to H.He has been our woodsawyer, gardener, and factotum, but having joined thenew company, his time recently has been taken up with drilling. H. and Mr.R. feel that an extensive vegetable garden must be prepared while he ishere to assist or we shall be short of food, and they sent for himyesterday.
"So, Mike, you are really going to be a soldier?"
"Yes, sor; but faith, Mr. L., I don't see the use of me going to shtop abullet when sure an' I'm willin' for it to go where it plazes."
_March 18, 1862._--There has been unusual gayety in this little villagethe past few days. The ladies from the surrounding plantations went towork to get up a festival to equip the new company. As Annie and myselfare both brides recently from the city, requisition was made upon us forengravings, costumes, music, garlands, and so forth. Annie's heart was inthe work; not so with me. Nevertheless, my pretty things were captured,and shone with just as good a grace last evening as if willingly lent. Theball was a merry one. One of the songs sung was "Nellie Gray," in whichthe most distressing feature of slavery is bewailed so pitifully. To singthis at a festival for raising money to clothe soldiers fighting toperpetuate that very thing was strange.
_March 20, 1862._--A man professing to act by General Hindman's orders isgoing through the country impressing horses and mules. The overseer of acertain estate came to inquire of H. if he had not a legal right toprotect the property from seizure. Mr. L. said yes, unless the agent couldshow some better credentials than his bare word. This answer soon spreadabout, and the overseer returned to report that it excited greatindignation, especially among the company of new volunteers. H. waspronounced a traitor, and they declared that no one so untrue to theConfederacy should live there. When H. related the circumstance at dinner,his partner, Mr. R., became very angry, being ignorant of H.'s realopinions. He jumped up in a rage and marched away to the villagethoroughfare. There he met a batch of the volunteers, and said, "We knowwhat you have said of us, and I have come to tell you that you are liars,and you know where to find us."
Of course I expected a difficulty; but the evening passed, and we retiredundisturbed. Not long afterward a series of indescribable sounds broke thestillness of the night, and the tramp of feet was heard outside the house.Mr. R. called out, "It's a serenade, H. Get up and bring out all the wineyou have." Annie and I peeped through the parlor window, and lo! it wasthe company of volunteers and a diabolical band composed of bones andbroken-winded brass instruments. They piped and clattered and whined forsome time, and then swarmed in, while we ladies retreated and listened tothe clink of glasses.
_March 22, 1862_.--H., Mr. R., and Mike have been very busy the last fewdays getting the acre of kitchen-garden plowed and planted. The stay-lawhas stopped all legal business, and they have welcomed this work. Butto-day a thunderbolt fell in our household. Mr. R. came in and announcedthat he has agreed to join the company of volunteers. Annie's Confederateprinciples would not permit her to make much resistance, and she has beensewing and mending as fast as possible to get his clothes ready, stoppingnow and then to wipe her eyes. Poor Annie! She and Max have been marriedonly a few months longer than we have; but a noble sense of duty animatesand sustains her.