A Virginia Girl in the Civil War, 1861-1865: being a record of the actual experiences of the wife of a Confederate officer
John Locke · en
Sitting in my window that sorrowful day I saw three officers in gray
uniforms galloping rapidly along Main Street. I recognized familiar
figures in them all before they came as far as the Arlington. One
turned out of Main Street, riding home to his wife, as I knew, before
they reached the window; another did the same.
The third came galloping past.
I thrust my head out of the window.
“Walter!” I called.
He looked up.
“Hello, Nell!” he cried, waving his hat around his head and galloping
on.
He was on his way to his bride from whom he had parted at the altar.
But even at this supreme moment of their lives he and Betty were good
enough to remember me, and in a few hours after I hailed him from the
window Walter called.
“Where is Dan?” was my first question.
“I don’t know, Nell,” he answered. “But I know he’s alive and well and
will be along in a few days.”
That was all the comfort I got from any friends returning from the
field.
A little later there was a grand review of Federal troops in Richmond,
and I remember how well-clad and sleek they were and how new and
glittering were their arms. Good boots, good hats, a whole suit of
clothes to every man--a long, bright, prosperous-looking procession.
On the sidewalk a poor Confederate in rags and bootless, stood looking
wistfully on.
The next day I heard that General Rooney Lee had arrived, and I went
to see him. I was shown up to his mother’s room, and she told me that
he had not come, but was hourly expected. When I called the next day I
met him and Miss Mildred Lee in the door. They were going out, but the
general stepped back with me into the hall.
“I came to see if you could tell me anything about Dan, general.”
“Mrs. Grey,” he said, “you know Dan as well as I do. He isn’t whipped
yet. I told him it was all foolishness, and that the war was over,
but he wouldn’t surrender with me, and is going through to Johnston’s
army. But he will have to come back, and he will be here soon, I think.
Johnston’s army has surrendered.”
“You think then that nothing has happened to him, general?”
“Oh, no. I am sure of that.”
General Lee dropped his voice.
“Mrs. Grey, it may be several days before Dan gets in. In the meanwhile
let me supply your wants as best I can. You should not mind applying to
me or accepting assistance from me.”
“I appreciate your kindness more than I can tell you, general, but I
don’t really need anything.”
“If you should stand in need of money or assistance of any kind before
Dan gets in, let me know, won’t you?”
“Indeed I will, dear general.”
We all three walked down Franklin Street together until Miss Mildred,
who was going to see some friends on Grace Street, had to turn. After
the two had just turned the corner I heard the general say:
“Wait for a minute, Mildred.”
He slipped back, put his hand in his pocket, and took out a thin roll
of bills, a very thin roll.