I had a view of the disastrous battle at Manassas, Virginia. It was a most exciting, distressing scene. The Southern army had everything in their favor and were prepared for a dreadful contest. The Northern army was moving on with triumph, not doubting but that they would be victorious. Many were reckless and marched forward boastingly, as though victory were already theirs. As they neared the battlefield, many were almost fainting through weariness and want of refreshment. They did not expect so fierce an encounter. They rushed into battle and fought bravely, desperately. The dead and dying were on every side. Both the North and the South suffered severely. The Southern men felt the battle, and in a little while would have been driven back still further. The Northern men were rushing on, although their destruction was very great. Just then an angel descended and waved his hand backward. Instantly there was confusion in the ranks. It appeared to the Northern men that their troops were retreating, when it was not so in reality, and a precipitate retreat commenced. This seemed wonderful to me. {1T 266.3}

Jeg har et syn på det ulykkelige slag i Manassas, Virginia. Det var det mest rædselsvækkende og forpinte drama. Sydstaternes hær havde alt til deres fordel og var beredt til en frygtelig strid. Nordstaternes hær spredte sig med triumf og tvivlede ikke at de ville sejre. Mange var dumdristige og rykkede pralende frem, som om sejren allerede var deres. Idet de nærmede sig slagmarken, var mange blevet svage på grund af slid og manglende forfriskning. De ventede ikke så kraftigt et sammenstød. De (267) kastede sig i kamp og sloges modigt og desperat. Der var dødsfald på begge sider. Både nordstaterne og sydstaterne led hårdt. Sydstaternes folk mærkede slaget og efter kort tid ville have blevet drevet yderligere tilbage. Nordstaternes folk stormede frem, selvom deres ødelæggelse var meget stor. Først da kom en engel ned og vinkede sin hånd tilbage. Straks var der forvirring i rækkerne. Det fik nordstaternes folk til at se at deres tropper var på tilbagetog, selv om det i virkeligheden ikke var sådan og et hovedkulds tilbagetog begyndte. Det synes at blive vidunderligt for mig.