as it was terrific. I could realize that to men
saturated with pride of section, who knew little of facts and feelings
beyond their boundaries, the idea of peaceful separation, or of a short
war, could be possible. But that the citizens of the world now
congregated at Montgomery, who had sucked in her wisdom as mother's
milk, should talk thus, puzzled those who paused to query if they
really meant what they said.

Up to this time Montgomery had been scarcely more than a great inland
village; dividing her local importance between being the capital of
Alabama, the terminus of her principal railroad, and the practical head
of navigation for her greatest river. The society had been composed of
some planters, cotton men, a few capitalists, some noted professionals
and a large class connected with railroad and steamboat interests.
There had always been considerable culture, more hospitality and still
more ambition, social and civic; but there was still much lacking of
what the world expects of a city. Now, however, a future loomed up
before the town, which had never before crossed the dreams of its
oldest inhabitant. Her choice as the "cradle of the Confederacy," the
sudden access of population therefrom, the probable erection of
furnaces, factories and storehouses, with consequent disbursement of
millions--all these gave the humdrum town a new value and importance,
even to its humblest citizen. Already small merchants saw their ledgers
grow in size, to the tune of added cash to fall jingling into enlarged
tills. In fact, the choice of the Capital had turned a society,
provincially content to run in accustomed grooves, quite topsy-turvy;
and, perhaps for want of some other escape-valve under the new
pressure, the townspeople grumbled consumedly.

Tiring of experimental camping-out in a hotel, a few gentlemen hired a
house and established a "mess." They were all notables--General Cooper,
General Meyers, Dr. DeLeon, Colonel Deas and others, the three first
being adjutant-general, quartermaster-general and surgeon-general of
the new army. A chief of department, or two and this writer, completed
the occupants of "the Ranche," as it was early christened by "the
colonel;" and its piazza soon became the favorite lounging-place in the
evening of the better and brighter elements of the floating population.
There was sure to be found the newest arrival, if he were worth
knowing; the latest papers and news "from across;" and, as the bl