1862 June 16 Fredericksburg, Va.

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon]

June 16  Little Mary & I ride to Chancellorsville.  Luc & Mr Hart play
chess.  Mother having house & garden
work done.  We are distressed at
Kitty's announcement to Luc that
she intends leaving us.  A
separation after so many years
of close intimacy & friendship is
very painful.  It is not to be
wondered at that the creatures take
the boon of freedom when the opportunity
comes:  but how few will know how
to use it!  At night Luc read
to us from the newspapers.  The
English press predicts a financial
smash at the North and still
holds to the impossibility of conquering
the South.  So far Jackson is
the hero of the War.  Ashby's
death was sorely lamented.
God well will raise us up
deliverers.

MSS 2563-b