17

First Impressions 1862

the publicity of a not pleasant kind
I shall bring upon them, but really
doing here what no one also could
do as well. So I have set myself a hard
task. I shall want Ellen's help . We
shall be strong together - I shall be
weak apart.

I think most of the best ladies will
soon go home. We shall then be
more directly under Mr. French's
care. We two would presevere
together , but whether I could stand
some of the N.Y. women , if I were
placed with them I doubt exceedingly.

I think a rather too cautious spirit
prevails - anti -slavery is to be
kept in the back-ground for fear of
exciting the animosity of the army &
we are only here by military sufferance.
But we have the odium of out & out
abolitionists, why not take the credit?
Why not be so confident & freely