Wednesday, July 4, 2012

1862 July 2 Fauquier County, Va.

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Wednesday July 2 1862
We found it raining this morning & gave up going to 
P[rospect] H[ill].  I feel so oppressed & out of spirits I 
can't compose myself. Fannie is reading the Dutch 
Republic aloud to me & I must confess my 
mind wanders very often though it is beautifully 
written and deeply interesting.  I was making a 
dress and she read aloud all the morning--
This evening I laid down in Sis Bs room & took 
a short nap after noon and read Washington's life till dark--
At the supper table I ventured to remark 
that if I could , I would send home to 
know what was going on; & when they hooted 
me down in the most overpowering manner, 
I said that I knew if  "Mr Ambler was here, 
he would send anyhow." That raised quite a 
din of voices & sis B said it was the most 
foolish talk she had ever heard.  She knew Jack 
wouldn't do any such thing,  But since 
supper, she came to my room and said she was 
sorry she had spoken so.  To tell the truth, I 
am afraid that I became excited & spoke 
in an angry tone but certainly when I 
commenced speaking I had no idea of 
raising such an opposition.  I try to learn 
not to speak when I see others are violent=
but my tongue will betray me & I 
go on & do & say just what I would rather 
not-  We will go tomorrow if it is a pleasant 
day-


Jack/ Mr Ambler:  her husband Richard Jaquelin Ambler, currently in the army


[1972 transcript by her granddaughter Anne Madison Wright Baylor]


MSS 15406

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