There were a party of us that went that morning to see the
sights in the neighbourhood of Washington. On horseback we
were; Dr. Sandford and Mrs. Sandford, Colonel Forsyth, whom I
had seen at West Point, another gentleman, and myself. I
suppose my senses were keened by anxiety; I never shall forget
the wonderful beauty of the afternoon and of what we came to
see. In some intense moods of mind, it seems as if every
sunbeam had daguerreotyping power, and memory the preparedness
to receive and retain. And I could tell even now, where there
was a sunny bank, and where a group of sun-touched trees; the
ring of our horses' hoofs is in my ear with a thought; and I
could almost paint from memory the first view of the camp we
went to see. We had crossed over into Virginia; and this
regiment, - it was Ellsworth's they told me, - was encamped
upon a hill, where tents and trees and uniforms made a bright,
very picturesque, picture. Ellsworth's corps; and he was gone
already. I could not help thinking of that; and while the rest
of the party were busy and merry over the camp doings, I sat
in my saddle looking over some lower grounds below the hill,
where several other regiments were going through certain
exercises. It looked like war! it went through my heart. And
Ellsworth's soldiers had lost their commander already. Very
likely there was somebody to miss and mourn him; somebody at
home; his mother - a young wife, perhaps "Is Daisy tired already?" Dr. Sandford's voice was at my side.
I roused myself and said we had had a pretty brisk ride, and I
had not been on horseback in a long time; which was true and I
felt it.
"Has it been too much for you?" he said, with a change of
tone.
I disclaimed that.
"These war-shows make you thoughtful?"
"They give me something to think about."
"They need not."
"How can they help it?"
"Daisy, I am confident there is not the slightest danger to
Washington. Do you think I would have brought you into
danger?"
"Oh, I am not thinking of danger to myself!" I exclaimed. "I
am not afraid in that way."
"For the country, are you afraid?"
"Dr. Sandford, do you think there is real danger to the
country?" I asked.
"The South will do what they can."
"Do you expect the North will be able to stand against them?"
"You do not," - he said smiling.
"I know nothing about it," I said; "or at least, I know very
little of what the North can do. Of course, I know some
Northern soldiers will fight as well as any; but, do you
think, Dr. Sandford, they can stand - the greater part of them
- do you think they can meet the bravery and skill of the
South and get the better?"