The youths had havelocks to ward
off the sun; gaiters to keep out the dust; woollen belts to prevent
rheumatism; fanciful shirt bosoms, and pretty needle-cases and tobacco
pouches of silk and velvet, decked with beads and gay needle-work, by
the dearest fingers in the world!
So they went to the wars--those stout and ruddy youths. Every one
anxious to have his head taken off by a cannon ball, all for the honor
and glory of it. They marched along cheering, as the white
handkerchiefs waved; they proudly kept step to the tap of the drum, or
moved briskly beside the cannon, or cantered by on their glossy and
spirited horses.
The epoch was agitated, but joy coursed in every vein. And when the
first successes came, those small affairs were greeted with "thunders
of applause."
General Spoons marched to Bethel; took a look at the gray people; fired
a gun or two before retreating--and a thousand Southern journalists
shouted "lo, triumphe!--a grand victory!" The brave Del. Kemper fired a
shot at the Federal train approaching Vienna, and the journalists
cried, "we have driven back the whole Federal army!"
Then some real fighting came, and the applause was again tremendous.
When the news of the first Manassas flashed over the wires, the
Southern people stood upon their heads, and went wild.
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