Soon after, met John Wormley,
9th Alabama, a West Tennessee rais' d boy, parents both dead--had
the look of one for a long time on short allowance--said
very little--chew'd tobacco at a fearful rate, spitting in
proportion--large clear dark-brown eyes, very fine--didn't know what
to make of me--told me at last he wanted much to get some clean
underclothes, and a pair of decent pants. Didn't care about coat or
hat fixings. Wanted a chance to wash himself well, and put on the
underclothes. I had the very great pleasure of helping him to
accomplish all those wholesome designs.
_March 1st_.--Plenty more butternut or clay-color'd escapees every
day. About 160 came in to-day, a large portion South Carolinians. They
generally take the oath of allegiance, and are sent north, west, or
extreme south-west if they wish. Several of them told me that the
desertions in their army, of men going home, leave or no leave, are
far more numerous than their desertions to our side. I saw a very
forlorn looking squad of about a hundred, late this afternoon, on
their way to the Baltimore depot.
THE CAPITOL BY GAS-LIGHT
To-night I have been wandering awhile in the capitol, which is all lit
up. The illuminated rotunda looks fine. I like to stand aside and look
a long, long while, up at the dome; it comforts me somehow. The House
and Senate were both in session till very late. I look'd in upon
them, but only a few moments; they were hard at work on tax and
appropriation bills.
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