April 17, 1862
A letter from Patrick—God bless him! He is not well, has not yet seen Gen French, so does not know whether or not he will assign him to Co’s about Wilmington, is despondant about the Conscript Law.
Count Mercier, the French Minister to the Dis U S, has arrived in Richmond. Expectation is on tip toe as to his errand. Some think it means Recognition, others Mediation & others again “Tobacco.” At any rate he can tell his government that he finds a determined people who will die rather than live conquered! The Yankees claim a Victory at Shiloh, & Lincoln has ordered a general Thanksgiving! We know what that means well enough. The regular Steamer sails for Europe before it can be contradicted. Buel is reported mortally wounded, Halleck ordered to Corinth. All eyes and hopes bent on the Peninsula. They cannot long be without a battle, indeed the ‘Examiner’ thinks today is the eventful one. McClellan in command.
Copied circulars for Patrick & wrote the gentleman himself & sent copies of his letters. So now for bed. I get “no better” fast. I verily believe I have “Broken Bone Fever.” Ah! for Patrick & home.
Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html
