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this time last year — if possible, more generously.
The
Lord reward them!
March 10, 1865.
Still we go on as heretofore, hoping and praying that
Richmond may be safe.
Before
Mr. Hunter (
Hon. R. M. T.) left
Richmond, I watched his countenance whenever I heard the subject mentioned before him, and though he said nothing, I thought he looked sad. I know that he understands the situation of affairs perfectly, and I may have fancied the sad look, but I think not; and whenever it arises before my mind's eye, it makes me unhappy.
I imagine, too, from a conversation which I had with
Mr. Secretary Mallory, that he fears much for
Richmond.
Though it was an unexpressed opinion, yet I fear that I understood it rightly.
I know that we ought to feel that whatever
General Lee and the
President deem right for the cause must be right, and that we should be satisfied that all will be well; but it would almost break my heart to see this dear old city, with its hallowed associations, given over to the
Federals.
Fearful orders have been given in the offices to keep the papers packed, except such as we are working on. The packed boxes remain in the front room, as if uncertainty still existed about moving them.
As we walk in every morning, all eyes are turned to the boxes to see if any have been removed, and we breathe more freely when we find them still there.
To-day I have spent in the hospital, and was very much interested in our old Irishman.
He has been there for more than two years; first as a patient sent from Drury's Bluff, with ague and fever.
Though apparently long past the military age, he had enlisted as a soldier in a Georgia regiment, but it was soon discovered that he was physically unable to stand camp-life; he was therefore