12/24/2024
Copied from another site.
The Balfour house in Vicksburg Mississippi was the scene of a grand Christmas Ball on the night of December 24, 1862. The guests included many Confederate Army officers and their ladies. Among them was Brig. Gen.Martin Luther Smith, and Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee],
As the Christmas Eve revelry progressed, the telegraph office just across the Mississippi River in Louisiana received an urgent message from Major L.L. Daniel at Lake Providence, about 36 miles north. "The yankees are coming" Telegraph operator Colonel Philip H. Fall took the call.
The weather was cold and stormy, the river was dangerously turbulent and the only available transport across to Vicksburgwas a small skiff. It would mean risking his life, but Colonel Fall felt compelled to deliver the crucial information to General Smith, who he knew would be at the Balfours' Christmas Ball at that moment.
Shortly after midnight, Colonel Fall, exhausted and covered in mud, burst through the door of Balfour House and waded into the crowd of dancers, who gave him a wide berth. When he saw General Smith he went directly to him and told him what he'd heard from Lake Providence. Upon hearing the news, Smith announced loudly "This ball is at an end! The enemy is coming down river. All non-combatants must leave the city!" The men had only seconds to bid loved-ones good-bye as they rushed away and reported to station. Later, on December 26, came the [Battle of Chickasaw Bayou].
Some times we must put aside frivolous activities to attend to urgent business.
Take off your fancy frock coat, strap on the sword of truth and forward the colors
Make DixieGreat Again
