July 4th [1862]
How differently is this day passed from what it once was in our midst. Our young nation is being now baptized in blood! The greatBattlenear our Capital has been ragin & prolonged for a week past – and all over our broad land are “mourning & lamentations” heard. The enemy is held in check, but the final result is not known here as yet. May the God of Battles hear our prayer and grant us victory!
Source: Jane Evans Elliot Diaries #5343, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/e/Elliot,Jane_Evans.html
