Journal of Mrs. Eugenia Levy Phillips, 1861-1862: Jewish-American History Foundation

The House Divided

A sojourn of ten years in the city of Washington had made me part and parcel of the Southern society, all my sympathies, interests, and affections being with them. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, of course I could entertain no very great admiration for our Northern brethren, and partook in a measure of the prejudices which the interference of the Abolition Party in Southern rights fomented into a bitter hate. Thus the strife which was soon to assume gigantic proportions grew with a strength and bitterness, recognizing fearful civil war as the result, and men and women entered into this strife with a partisan furor, entirely ignorant and blind as to their responsibilities.

American women knew nothing of war, believed less in the cruelties and fearful vindictiveness of the Federal governm[en]t. Thus the Southern women gave free expression to the feelings which habit had made but second nature, and spoke of their hatred and determination to sustain their rights by encouraging in their husbands, sons, and fathers every resistance to tyranny exhibited by the Republicans.

The first sign of trouble in Washington was the total breaking up of Southern society by the senators: members resigning their seats in Congress and leaving with their families for the South. Some few could not leave in such haste, and among them was my unfortunate family. In constant correspondence with my parents, sisters, and brothers living [in] Savannah, Ga., my letters were filled with the sayings and doings of the two parties about to break up and convulsed by all the bitterness of the coming strife, [and I was] totally unprepared for such an event as having our letters broken open and their contents made history of by the Federal gover[n]ment.

"The Jailors of American Liberty"

Seated in my parlor, enjoying the company of a quiet but nervous friend, Miss Margaret L., on the morning of the twenty-third [twenty-fourth] August [1861], 1 was suddenly attracted by a noise in the hall. On turning my head in that direction, I observed two men enter the room, and was immediately accosted with the enquiry: "Are you, madam, Mrs. Phillips?" Replying in the affirmative, I was again asked if the gentleman of the house was in. Comprehending at once the position, and hoping to give P. L. [my husband] time to collect his thoughts and determine his course, I answered evasively, I did not know. I was then informed that my family was arrested in the name of the government. My sister Martha [Levy] and my friend has [had] retired to the adjoining room, not knowing the object of this stranger's business. I called aloud and informed them of our arrest, and turning to my interrogator, who proved to be the chief of that delectable body called "Detective Police," I said: "I am not in the least surprised, sir."

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