February 15, 1861; Richmond Enquirer
Military balls are unquestionably the most attractive of all festivals. No opera, nor drama, nor civic ball, nor anything else that we know in the line of public entertainment, can produce such flutter among hoops or in the dear little hearts that lie hidden behind boquets and cotton, as those assemblages where women and brave men do congregate. There is something in the rattle of the sabre that sets said little hearts agoing pit-pat, and there is something in the glitter of the golden epaulette that makes the eye of girlhood glisten with increased lustre. On no arm does woman dear lean with more pride and confidence that on that of the soldier boy, and, there is no passport so sure to a woman’s heart as the gay uniform of him who belongs to bold brigade.
The Young Guard will have a ball on the 22d, at the Central Hotel, on 9th street and if dashing uniforms and dashing fellows inside them have the effect we have spoken of – and who doubts it? – many a heart will be carried into captivity, and there will be many secessions in behalf of the Southern union.