Famous Adventures and Prison Escapes of the Civil War | Page 7

girl, who was so black and sat so stiff and straight
she looked like an ebony image. This was a large plantation; the Y.'s
knew H. very well, and were very kind and cordial in their welcome
and congratulations. Mrs. Y. apologized for continuing her work; the
war had pushed them this year in getting the negroes clothed, and she
had to sew by dim candles, as they could obtain no more oil. She asked
if there were any new fashions in New Orleans.
Next morning we drove over to our home in this village. It is the
county-seat, and was, till now, a good place for the practice of H.'s
profession. It lies on the edge of a lovely lake. The adjacent planters
count their slaves by the hundreds. Some of them live with a good deal
of magnificence, using service of plate, having smoking-rooms for the
gentlemen built off the house, and entertaining with great hospitality.
The Baptists, Episcopalians, and Methodists hold services on alternate
Sundays in the court-house. All the planters and many others near the
lake shore keep a boat at their landing, and a raft for crossing vehicles
and horses. It seemed very piquant at first, this taking our boat to go
visiting, and on moonlight nights it was charming. The woods around
are lovelier than those in Louisiana, though one misses the moaning of
the pines. There is fine fishing and hunting, but these cotton estates are
not so pleasant to visit as sugar plantations.
But nothing else has been so delightful as, one morning, my first sight
of snow and a wonderful new, white world.
Feb. 27.--The people here have hardly felt the war yet. There are but
two classes. The planters and the professional men form one; the very
poor villagers the other. There is no middle class. Ducks and partridges,
squirrels and fish, are to be had. H. has bought me a nice pony, and
cantering along the shore of the lake in the sunset is a panacea for
mental worry.

VI

HOW IT WAS IN ARKANSAS
March 11, 1862.--The serpent has entered our Eden. The rancor and
excitement of New Orleans have invaded this place. If an incautious
word betrays 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! if they only knew. It is very painful to see lovable and
intelligent women rave till the blood mounts to face and brain. The
immediate cause of this access of war fever has been the battle of Pea
Ridge. They scout the idea that Price and Van Dorn have been
completely worsted. Those who brought the news were speedily told
what they ought to say. "No, it is only a serious check; they must have
more men sent forward at once. This country must 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 another
company."
"Mrs. L.," she said, turning to me, "are you not going to send your
husband? Now use a young bride's influence and persuade him; he
would be elected one of the officers." "Mrs. A.," I replied, longing to
spring up and throttle her, "the Bible says, 'When a man hath married a
new wife, he shall not go to war for one year, but remain at home and
cheer up his wife.'"
"Well, H.," I questioned, as we walked home after crossing the lake,
"can you stand the pressure, or shall you be forced into volunteering?"
"Indeed," he replied, "I will not be bullied into enlisting by women, or
by men. I will sooner take my chance of conscription and feel honest
about it. You know my attachments, my interests are here; these are my
people. I could never fight against them; but my judgment disapproves
their course, 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 wood-sawyer, gardener, and factotum, but having
joined the new 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 is here to assist, or we shall be short of food, and
they sent for him yesterday.
"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 a
bullet when sure an' I'm willin' for it to go where it plazes."
March 18, 1862.--There has been unusual gaiety in this little village the
past few days. The ladies from