The Complete Prose Works Of Walt Whitman

Meantime, in Washington, among the great persons and their entourage, a mixture of awful consternation, uncertainty, rage, shame, helplessness, and stupefying disappointment. The worst is not only imminent, but already here. In a few hours--perhaps before the next meal--the secesh generals, with their victorious hordes, will be upon us. The dream of humanity, the vaunted Union we thought so strong, so impregnable--lo! it seems already smash'd like a china plate. One bitter, bitter hour--perhaps proud America will never again know such an hour. She must pack and fly--no time to spare.