September 7th
News was brought yesterday that we had again gained a great Victory, at the old battle ground Manassas, and among those slain were Dr Smith’s only son, and several other young men graduates of this College, excellent moral characters. What a loss to their families, and how these parents are bowed with trouble. Miss Clem Legg, sister of the young ladies who called on Elizabeth, was engaged to Mr Palmer, a very fine young man, one of the killed, and her sister Mary was in the train of an engagement with Mr Capers, also slain, and said to be a most charming person.
Mrs Walker who keeps a Hotel here went to Richmond, after the first of the battles, in that neighborhood, to bring home her son’s body, said to be killed. She found him severely wounded and brought him home, he is now well except a stifened arm, she says she shall all her life consider this step, against the advice of her friends, an especial providence.—She visited one of the Hospitals, near Richmond, which contained 4 thousand patients, & said no one who did not witness the sufferings there could realize the horrors of the war.
A lady of Richmond daily accompanied by two servants brought, and administered herself, a quantity of fine, nutritious chicken soup. One young man had an old negro man who sat by him & fanned off the flies. She stopped and told him she hoped he would get well, he shook his head and said no, he could not he was too badly wounded, the servant remained with him until he died, and then after preparing his body for the grave, bundled up his things, put them on his head and went off home.
The Grave Yard where the Military burial takes place has two in each grave, numbered & marked so that they can be identified. She saw the Yankee Major Biddle there, he died of his wounds, and had the most vindictive feelings to the last, said it was a horrid war, and would never end.
There has been so much counterfeiting of Confederate Bank bills that all the 20, 50, & 100 bills have to be called in of the issue of 2 September ’61. Mr Grimball has to go down to Charleston to change those that he has, he goes on Tuesday, not feeling very well.—
We heard from Mrs Butler, her grandchildren have been sent to California to their father and she says she is perfectly crushed and miserable poor dear soul how dreary life will be to her: she perfectly idolized her daughter.—
Papa called me down stayrs this morning to tell me about his affairs, he has some money or Confederate bonds in the Bank of Charleston and up here in the hands of Mr Judd 709 70¢ & in his press the bill & the money to pay the corn for Mr Kirkland.—His will & papers are in the hands of Mr Robertson.—
We hear from Mrs Irwin and others of the distress of Miss Legg. She seems broken hearted. She has been engaged 3 years to Mr Palmer, he is from the low Country, was handsome, well born, rich and cultivated. The 3 young men, Whiteford Smith Capers & Palmer were in the Spartan Rifles and shot by one ball & found lying close together. It would have been a comfort to this poor girl if she had been married to her love, and then she could have mourned with his family and had a claim on their sympathy.
The success of our arms continues, we hope that this may lead on to peace.—