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THE
WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS
LIBRARY
Purchased from the
Trust Fund of
Lathrop Colgate Harper
LITT. D.

Maria Mene
April, 1886


MekiNNON wm. el.


“OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR."
THE LIVES THEY LIVED; THE DEATHS
THEY DIED.
FROM
The WEEKLY News AND Courier,
CHARLESTON, S. C.
Our women died a hundred deaths, died day by day and almost hour by hour. The Southern Cross
was on their breast always, and on their lips. True soldiers of the Southern Cross were they; though no
ribbon or star is the badge of their nobility. It is little, very little, for their dear sake, to try to give the
public, nineteen years after the capitulation of General Lee at Appomattox, soine faint idea of what they
saw and what they did, what they hoped and what they feared, in those exciting times which are gone
forever.-THE NEWS AND COURIER, March 10, 1884.
CHARLESTON, S. C.
THE NEWS AND COURIER BOOK PRESSES.
1885.


THIS volume contains the whole of the sketches which, under the general title of
“Our WOMEN IN THE WAR," have been published in THE WEEKLY NEWS AND
COURIER. From every point of view, excepting that of the women who remained and
suffered at home during the four years of strife, the Confederate War and its incidents
had been fully described. The details, here and there, might need working out, but the
general features of the bloody struggle were thoroughly well known. Only the part played
by the Southern women, the wives, sisters and daughters of the Southern soldiers, had
been overlooked or ignored. It seemed to us that no Confederates were more worthy of
COPY-RIGHT-1885.
THE NEWS AND COURIER COMPANY.
None can read the simple tales of heroism, suffering and patriotism without loving and
honoring the tender mothers, the thoughtful sisters, and all the gracious gentlewomen
who unfalteringly bade their kinsmen do their duty, and who, for their part, bore unflinch-
ingly mental suffering and physical pain such as no other nation of such women has ever
known since the world began,


THIS volume contains the whole of the sketches which, under the general title of
"Our WOMEN IN THE WAR," have been published in THE WEEKLY NEWS AND
COURIER. From every point of view, excepting that of the women who remained and
suffered at home during the four years of strife, the Confederate War and its incidents
had been fully described. The details, here and there, might need working out, but the
general features of the bloody struggle were thoroughly well known. Only the part played
by the Southern women, the wives, sisters and daughters of the Southern soldiers, had
been overlooked or ignored. It seemed to us that no Confederates were more worthy of
our loving remembrance than those who bound their warrior's sash when he went forth
to fight; who suffered worse than death, a thousand times, when battle raged loud and
long; who were stung and wounded by privations that the hardy soldier never knew, and
who, besides, were exposed to the injuries and taunts of the infamous raiders who,
during and after the war, visited Southern homes and stripped them of what was holiest
and dearest, because it was dear and holy. It was only necessary that a trinket, or pic-
ture, or keep-sake should be known to be prized, and it was instantly singled out by
thieves in uniform to be carried away or destroyed. So Southern women were invited by
THE NEWS AND COURIER to tell their whole story, in their own way, and this is accom-
plished in the sketches which are now given to the public. They are printed precisely as
they appeared in THE WEEKLY NEWS AND COURIER, and have not been corrected by
their authors. But, even in their present shape, they serve to portray the Confederate
War as it was never portrayed before-as it was seen and felt by the women at home.
None can read the simple tales of heroism, suffering and patriotism without loving and
honoring the tender mothers, the thoughtful sisters, and all the gracious gentlewomen
who unfalteringly bade their kinsmen do their duty, and who, for their part, bore unflinch-
ingly mental suffering and physical pain such as no other nation of such women has ever
known since the world began.


CONTENTS
PAGES.
No. 1.—THE FIRST WAYSIDE HOSPITAL-
The Soldier's Rest at Columbia-How the System has Spread-
Heartrending Scenes—Record of the Work-Pathetic and Humor-
3-7
Miss I. D. M., of Columbia, S. C...
No. 2.- DEAR AUNT KATE-
Waiting and Watching—Ghastly Scenes in Savannah-A Sad Meet-
ing-Gallant Federal Soldiers-Going Home to Die. By Mrs. C.
E. Means, of Spartanburg, S. C. ...
....... 7-10
No. 3.-OLD CONFEDERATE DAYS—
The Halcyon Days of the Confederacy–A Picture of Plantation
Life-Spinning and Weaving Under Difficulties—Reminiscences of
Blockade-Running—The Shadow over the South. By Miss Claudine
Rhett, of Charleston, S. C...............
...................... 10-17
No. 4.-YANKEES IN MADISON PARISH-
A Christmas Eve in Mississippi-The Midnight Raid-A Noble,
Fearless Girl—A Scene of Desolation. By Mrs. Emma Stroud,
of Havana, Ala.......
17-22
No. 5.-HOW THE ARSENAL WAS TAKEN-
A Town of the Olden Days-A Morning of Great Suspense in
Fayetteville, N. C.--Sly Old Warriors-Woman's Faith and Hope.
By Mrs. Eliza B. Stinson, of Mecklenburg County, N. C. ......... 22-30
No. 6.-JUST ONE FAMILY-
Dancing on the Eve of Battle-Love Among the Roses—A Mission
of Love-A Visit to the Bee Sale-Dark Days in Charleston-A
Plucky Girl with a Pistol- The Last Sad Blow. By Caroline
Joachimson, of New York City........... ................. 30-40
• No. 7.- BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE WAR-
Boys Fighting Mimic Battles—The Domestic Court Martial--A
Philosopher in an Apron—The Sad Spring of '65 in Richmond. By
Miss Sallie Hunt, of Lynchburg, Va.......
40-46
No. 8.—CLOSING SCENES IN FLORIDA-
The Flag of the Confederacy Lowered Extracting Order out of
Chaos-A Rough Voyage to Hilton Head. By Miss Emily R.
Jones, of Washington, D. C. .
No. 9.-CHARLESTON DURING THE SIEGE-
Scenes at Church-A Walk in “Shell District "-A Day Never to be
Forgotten- The Family Death Roll. By Miss Pauline Dufort, of
Charleston, S. C...
........ 49-53
...
46-49

CONTENTS.
No. 10.—THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF TERROR-
PAGES.
The Suspicious Stranger-The Raiders Appear on a South Carolina
Plantation-Bound to Have the Treasure-A Wild Night Revel--A
Brave Woman's Deed-Hanging a Wounded Confederate-A Provi-
dential Interference. By Helen Clifford, of Walhalla, S. C. ...... 54-60
No. 11.—THE COSTUMES OF WAR TIMES-
The Serious Side of War-Grotesque Bonnets and Gowns- Mysteries
of the Cuisine-The Fashionable Pastime-Unbidden Guests at a
Feast. By Mrs. J. V. Franklin, of Augusta, Ga. ......
No. 12.-CONTRABAND CONSCIENCE-
In the Talons of the Eagle-A Social and Political Gulf-Incidents,
Grave and Gay, Around Norfolk-The Prettiest Rebel Girl. By
Mrs. M. V. Rivers, of Portsmouth, Va.....
65-70
No. 13.--UNTO THE BITTER END-
Loyal to Her Heart's Core-Sending Her Lover to the Battle-field-
The "Bombproof" Skulker- The War Tasks of Women-A Visit from
Insolent Raiders in Florida. By Florida Saxon, of Clarendon, S. C... 70-73
No. 14.-BETWEEN TWO ARMIES-
An Exciting Adventure Near Holly Springs, Miss.- Passing the
Pickets-Threatened with Death-Surrounded by Highwaymen.
By Mrs. C. M., of Memphis, Tenn. ......
......... 73-77
No. 15.-SHERMAN IN GEORGIA-
Preparing for the Destroyers-Swooping Down Like Vultures-Ap-
plying the Torch-Hanging a Helpless Old Man-A Gallant Young
New Yorker-The Fate in Store for South Carolina-Desolation and
Ruin-Bread Cast on the Waters Returning. By Mrs. Nora M.
Canning, of Macon, Ga.. .... ...................
........ 77–85
No. 16.-STIRRING DAYS IN CHESTER, S. C.-
Flying from the Federals-Waiting for the Attack—A Terrible
Secret--A Curious Coincidence. By Mrs. F. G. De Fontaine, of
New York City. ........
85-89
No. 17.-CLUSERET IN THE SOUTH-
A Gallant Irish Officer-At Gen. Milroy's Headquarters Near Win-
chester, Va.—A Little Tartar—Face to Face with the General-Try-
ing to Make Peace. By Mrs. Flora McD. Williams, of Louisville, Ky. 89-94
No. 18.--EIGHT MILES UNDER FIRE-
In a Perilous Position-A Hurried Flight—The Four Tabby Cap-
By a Georgia Woman.. ....
94-98
No. 19.- THE FALL OF RICHMOND-
A Memorable Sunday-Looking for the Yankees-A Sad Farewell--
Blue Coats on the Streets—The City in Flames-Seeking Federal
Protection —Gen. Lee's Surrender-The Entry of the Victorious
Army--Only Memories Left. By Virginia E. Dade, of Washing-
ton, D. C...
99-108

CONTENTS.
vii
PAGES.
No. 20.-SHERIDAN AT CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA,-
· Aching Hearts in the University- The Invaders Appear-The Con-
federate Prisoner-Denouncing "Jessie's Scouts ”-A Son Chastising
His Mother State-"On to Richmond.” By M. S, S., of Vir-
ginia. ......... ........... .............. ...
. 108-113
No. 21.—THE SACK OF COLUMBIA, S. C.-
The Beleaguered City—The City in Flames-" Væ Victis "-Loyal
and Noble Negroes-A Shameful Outrage. By Mrs. A. Crittenden,
of Greenville County, S. C. ...
.............113-117
THE CITY OF CHIMNEYS-
Deserted by the Guard—A Friend in Need – Flying from the
Flames--In a New Home-A Peep into the Pantry- The Difficulty
of Getting Dresses-Generous Through All-A Tale of Columbia,
S. C. By A. P. S. ......
....117-121
No. 22.—THE CONFEDERATE CHIEFS—
Quaker Spies—A Gay Winter in Richmond-A Real Old Virginia
Wedding-Gen. Stuart and Major Von Borcke-Mrs. Davis' Recep-
tions-Gen. Lee and Judah P. Benjamin-A Bridal Tour Through
the Snow-Once more in Richmond. By Mrs. James Evans, of
Florence, S. C. ..........
...............121-129
No. 23.-FAITHFUL OLD NANCY-
An Excited Georgia Village-The Frightened Negroes-Terrible
News Received—A Picture of a Nondescript-The Evacuation of
Savannah-A Butting Match-Charles and the Dutchman-The
Yankee's Cruel Threat. By Mrs. Cornelia E. Screven, of La Grange
Ga. .... ............
............. 129-139
No. 24.-STARVATION IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA-
A Widow's Woes—“ Job," the Pet Pig—Anything to Save Job-A
Lonely Night in the Woods-Morning at Last. By Shenandoah, of
Warren County, Va............
.........139-144
No. 25.--FAYETTEVILLE AND WYTHEVILLE-
The Clouds Commence to Gather—No Parallel in History—The
Honor of those Days. By Mrs. James Kyle, of Argyle, Clinch County,
Ga. .......
...144-1
No. 26.-HOSPITAL SCENES-
A Story for Bank Cashiers-A Tempest in the Teapot- The Story
of Gen. Lee's Socks—The Bread Riot. By Miss Emily V. Mason,
of Lexington, Va........
...........148-153
No. 27.-SHERMAN IN ORANGEBURG, S. C.-
Hennicker's Bridge-Startling News-A Night of Horror-“Face
the Music " Alone-Gen. Sherman -- Fought His Last Battle-A
Faithful Dog By H. J. B., of Atlanta, Ga. ..... ............153-160
No. 28.—THE BRIDE OF '61–
The Battle of Manassas—The Old Plantation--Working for the Sol-
diers-Borrowing a Baby-A Confederate Wedding in Mississippi-
Three Funerals. By Sarah D. Eggleston, of Mississippi..........160-168
............
.

viii
CONTENTS.
PAGES
No. 29.—A BAND OF HEROES-
The First Martyr to the Cause in Virginia- The Gallant Pelham-
The Boom of Cannon-Our Young Defenders. By a Virginia
W oman........................
.........169-174
No. 30.-ON NEUTRAL GROUND-
A Rebel Relic-A Standing Joke in Camp-Guarded by Two Brass
Howitzers—A Brilliant Cavalcade - Blood-stained Shirt Sleeves,
By Mrs. Susan Archer Weiss, of Richmond, Va..................174-181
No. 31.—THE LAST PLACE CAPTURED—
Familiar Spots in the Old North State-Honorable Capitulation-
Plundering a General's Home-An Opportune Arrival. By M.R.
T., of Asheville, N. C.........
..................181-184
No. 32.—Wilson's RAID IN GEORGIA-
Preparing for Flight-A Glowing Tribute to the Colored People—A
Sad Farewell-Terrible News. By Mrs. C. B. Howard, of Atlanta,
Ga. .................................
...185-190
No. 33.-A CHILD WIFE OF 1863—
The Yankee Girl Carried Safely Home-Her Soldier Boy Lost-
How Her Boy Husband Fought-A Kind Soldier in Gray—A
Laughable Incident-Old Black Tom. By L. F. J., Choctaw Na-
tion, Indian Territory, .......
.... 190-197
No. 34.-IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY-
Eating Like Hungry Wolves-One of the Servants Hanged Up-A
Good Man from Ohio-The Face of a Fiend--A Perilous Journey-
The Burning of a Convent-"Brave, Gallant Custer"-Sad News
for a Mother-Sad Days in Barnwell County, S. C. By Mrs. A. P.
Aldrich, “ The Oaks,” Barnwell, S. C. ........
..........192-211
No. 35.--A REFUGEE'S EXPERIENCE IN NORTH CAROLINA-
Making Merry over Poverty-A Visit from Black Raiders--A Wild
Revel-Nearing the End-A Leaf from a Note-book-A Reunited
Family. By Mrs. M. R. Porcher, Charleston, S. C. .............212-218
No. 36.--THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE-
Leaving for the Battle-field-Rockingham Volunteers-A Terrific
Fight-In the Hospitals-Working for the Soldiers-Man's Best
Friend- The Confederate Soldier's Bride-Gilding the Dark Cloud
of War. By Annie E. Johns, of Leaksville, N. C.... ..
No. 37.-A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR-
Dreadful Anticipations--Men Drilling for Battle-A Vestibule to a
Bonnet-Transfixed with Horror-The Patient Little War Baby-
Transformed into Stone- The Wolf of Want - Heart Breaking
Scenes in Virginia. By Mrs. Kate Burwell Bowyer, of Bedford
County, Va....
............230-248
No. 38.-HOSPITAL MEMORIES-
Our Suffering Countrymen-Dying Companions — The Pallor of
Death-Comfort to the Soul. By Orra Langhorne, of Lynchburg,
Va, ..............
......... 248-251
..219-230

CONTENTS.
PAGES.
...
.
..
.
..
.
No. 39.-TROUBLOUS TIMES-
Major Anderson's Surrender-Vengeance upon the City by the Sea-
Waiting in Dread-Protection for the Little Ones—The Fiery
OrdealPlucky Southern Women. By E. L. L., of Charleston,
S. C. .........
........251-257
No. 40.—THE INAUGURATION OF MR. DAVIS-
Work in the Wards of the Sick-The first President of the Soldiers'
Home at Charleston, S. C.—The Sad Word “Unknown"-A Labor
of Grateful Love, By Mrs. E. P. Marrisette, of Montgomery, Ala. ..257-262
No. 41.—THE CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S WIFE-
How the Flag was Saved-Disorder and Confusion-Retreat after
Defeat-Gallant General Gist. By Palmetto, of Greenville, S. C. .. 262–265
No. 42.-IN AND OUT OF THE CONFEDERACY,
"Billy Wilson's Boys”—A “Secesh” Spy in a Virginia Town-
Thieves and Free-Thinkers-Off to Dixie's Land- The First Man in
Gray—And This Was War! By Miss E. V. Mason, of Fairfax
County, Va.........
......... 266-273
No. 43.-WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA-
Feeling Desolate-The Love of the South-True and Staunch to the
Cause—"Corn Women ”-Negroes as Protectors—The New Order
of Things. By Mrs. Mary Rhodes, of Alabama. ................273-281
No. 44.-IN THE CRADLE OF WAR-
Trials of Knitting Socks—Chimes for the Confederacy-A War of
the Aristocracy-Wheeler to the Rescue-Phantom Horsemen,
By a Charleston Woman.
....281-285
No. 45.-A NIGHT WITH JAYHAWKERS-
Desolate Waste Places in Louisiana—One Touch of Mercy—Desper-
ate Wretches. By Mrs. R. M. Rodgers, of Mars Bluff, S. C.......285-288.
No. 46.-THE YANKEE SCHOOL MA'AM-
Temples of Learning-A Dead Stop - Teaching “Aunty” Her
Rights—A Lesson put to Practice. By Mrs. Izard, of Meridian,
Miss. ......
.........288-290
No. 47.-Porter's RAID IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The Very Abode of Peace-No Sleep in the Town-Sheltering and
Feeding the Rebels—The Battle of Dingle's Mill. By M. R. R., of
Florence, S. C.......
..........290-295
No. 48.-AFTER THE EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON-
A Venerable Bird-Babies that could not be Comforted—Weeks of
Bitterest Privation-Silent Reminders of the "Lost Cause." By
E. T. H., of Osborn, S. C. ........
................295-299
No. 49.—THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS-
Virginia out of the Union-Drilling Recruits at Richmond—The
Amazon's Adventure-All is Fair in Love and War—Manassas
Seen from the Rear-A Hospital Camp on Christmas Eve. By a
Virginian, of Baltimore, Md. .......
..........299-305

CONTENTS.
No. 50.-WAR SCENES IN RICHMOND-
PAGES.
Wounded unto Death-Refugees from Happy Homes-Tears of
Anguish Wrung from Aching Hearts-Comic Experiences-A River
of Blood. By Mrs. Dr. Shaver, of Atlanta, Ga.................305-308
No. 51.-A BRAVE COLORED WOMAN-
Three Helpless Women at Barnwell C. H., S.C.-Dear Little Fido-
Ann Triumphant. By Mrs. E. A. Steele, of Black Mingo, S. C. ... 309-311
No. 52.-SHERMAN'S “CONQUERING HEROES”—
Launched upon the Sea of War-A Feast for a Hardened Rebel-
The Defence of Columbus, Ga.--Greedy for Pillage--The Little
Yankee-The Work of Destruction. By Alice Brooks, of Birming-
ham, Ala. ... ...
.........312–315
No. 53.-A DOUBLE WEDDING IN VIRGINIA-
A Bureau of Ladies-Wedding Bells—"Until Death Ye Do Part”-
Two Gallant Young Bridegrooms—The Last Confederate Loco-
motive. By Miss M. Mumford, of Pittsylvania County, Va.......315-318
No. 54.-THE FOOTPRINTS OF POITER-
A Mother's Prayer-Women Sacrificing Their Jewels—The Bloody
March-The “Devil's Dining-room”-In the Hour of Danger. By
Mrs. E. A. Steele, of Black Mingo, S. C. ........ ...............319-321
No. 55.-RAVAGES OF THE FEDERALS IN MISSISSIPPI--
Loved Ones in the Army-A Great Loss-After the Fights—A Kind
Young Soldier-A Ride in the Hearse. By Mrs. Mattie H. Jarna-
gin, of Terrence Landing, Miss.. ......
..........321-326
No. 56.-FIGHTING FAIR WOMEN-
A Gallant Band of Citadel Cadets—Columbia in Flames-Hampton's
Force-A Night of Terror-Glad Tidings of Escape-Swimming for
Life-Famishing Women and Children. By Old Dominion, of Co-
lumbia, S. C. ............
...............326-331
No. 57.--Two FAIR SENTINELS-
Beautiful Lexington, Va.-A Sweet Young Wife-Federal Spies-A
Pitiful Scene-Alone Beside the Dead By Mrs. M. G. McC., of
Nelson County, Va.....
....331-335
No. 58.—THE VIRGINIA VILLAGE SCHOOL HOUSE
Giants and Ogres of Fairy Tales-Relief too Great for Words-
Quietly Sleeping Alone-Hoping for Help. By Louisa Lewis, of
Norfolk, Va. ........
....335-338
No. 59.-THE LADIES' KITCHEN-
Noble, Devoted Ladies in the Valley of Virginia-The Memories of
a Faithful Few-Domestic Peace at Home-Corn Shucks for Ladies'
Hats-A Visit to a Hospital-Two Sweet Little Girls. By M. S.
S., of Virginia.
........... 338-343
No. 60.-THE ARREST OF A SPY-
A Piteous Sight-More Dead Than Alive-Frau Judas. By Mrs.
C., of Camden, S. C. ...
....344-347

CONTENTS.
PAGES.
....376-382
No. 61.-CHAOS IN THE SOUTH-
Crossing the Blackwater-The Provost Marshal-Habit Stronger
Than Freedom-A Mass of Terrified Negroes—A Solitary Drive
Through Carolina Woods. By Mrs. Jane Pringle, of Georgetown,
S. C..
.........348–354
No. 62.-FUN IN THE FORT-
Under the Guns of Fort Sumter-Quite a Little Show--"Honi Soit
Qui Mal y Pense”-The Middle of the Night-In Great Distress-
A Horrid Nightmare. By Esther Alden, of Plantersville, S. C. ....354-363
No. 63.-REFUGEEING IN BARNWELL-
Bidding Good Bye-Anxiety Conquered by Fatigue-Scenes of Pil-
lage-Famishing Children-Lawless Marauders. By Mrs. S. B.,
of Charleston, S. C. ...........
.......363-368
No. 64.-DRINKING THE WORMWOOD-
A Treacherous Clan - Jackson Dying - The Old Torn Flag-
Laughter and Merry Voices—A Story of the Old Dominion. By
Mrs E. C. Foster, of Fincastle, Va. ......
...........369-376
No. 65.-FORAGING AROUND NASHVILLE-
A Silent Surrender-Silent Sentries of the Household - Dreaded
Like the Plagues of Egypt-Bitter and Sweet-The Blood-stained
Field-The Pathway of Destruction. By A. M. B., of Jacksonville,
Fla........
No. 66.-IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA--
The Pet of the Household-No Candle-wick for Love or Money-
Making the Rounds of the Hospital—Some Laughable Experiences.
By Mrs. Gilmer Breckinridge, of Fincastle, Va....
No. 67.-HEROISM AT HOME-
Hospital Rats—Brutality Towards Women-The Fall of Atlanta-
Dying Game—The Georgia Mule. By Mrs. Allie Travis, Conyers,
Ga. .........
· .....389-394
No. 68.-THE OLD RED HOUSE ON FORT HILL-
The Hero of the Valley—The Fall of Winchester-Two Thousand
Ragged Boys—The Logan Outrage-A Brave Little Mother-A
Letter from Stonewall Jackson. By Mrs. Mary Tucker Magill,
of New York City. ................
...........394-400
No. 69.-TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN
A Very Pretty Head Dress—Valuables Concealed Under a Sitting
Hen's Nest-Hidden in the Baby's Cradle-Forage or Firearms—
In Great Terror-An Absent Sister's Treasures. By Mrs. W. A...400-411
No. 70.-LIFE IN THE LOW-COUNTRY-
Watch and Wait-A Long and Fearful Ride-Hospitality to Friends
and Strangers Alike-The Charleston Light Dragoons-The Wolf
at the DoorThe Iron Heel of Power-Picture of an Amazon.
By E. L. C..
.........411-420
.382-389
......
....

xii
CONTENTS.
PAGES.
No. 71.—THE BURNING OF HAMPTON, VA.-
Daily Drill and Mimic War-The Dogs of War Let Loose-The
Charleston Convention-Principle Worshipped, Instead of Policy-
Whole Iliads of Woe. By Lee Hampton, of Richmond, Va........420-426
No. 72.—THE WAY WE Lived THEN-
The Maids of Israel- Married in a Borrowed Coat-Trouble About
a Christmas Dinner-Makeshifts of Housekeeping. By Rose W.
Fry, of Bowling Green, Ky........
.....426-429
No. 73.—THE RAIDERS AROUND AIKEN, S. C.-
Kilpatrick's Cavalry-The Faithful Sentinel-Poor Little Children-
The Feminine Knight Errant - The Good Irishman - True as
Steel. By Matron, of Charleston, S. C. ........ .......429-435
No. 74.—DAYS THAT ARE DEAD-
Keepsakes for Gallant Troubadours-No Fear of Yankee Bullets-
Wrestling with Want in Georgia-Haggard Women Begging for
Bread. By Miss A. C. Cooper, of Atlanta, Ga. ......... ........435-443
No. 75.—THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG-
A Brave Woman-Teaching School Under Difficulties—A Blind
Soldier for a Husband-Cooking Under Fire-Shelling a Sick
Soldier-Starvation in Camp-A Woman Under Fire-The Sur-
render of the City-In Jail at St. Louis. By Mrs. Lou Clarke, of
Vicksburg, Miss. .........
...443-451
No. 76.–VILLAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH-
A Young Wife's Piteous Grief- Making Clothes for the Soldiers
The Ingenuity of Southern Women-Alone With the Slaves in South
Carolina-In the Hands of the Bummers-A Refinement of Tor-
ture. By a Girl of the Time. ... ...
........451-459
No. 77.-KILLED IN COLD BLOOD-
The Dark Cloud-Plucking Their Last Flowers-A Traitor in Mari-
anna, Fla.-Hiding Household Treasures-Battling with the Foe-
Southern Women with Hearts of Gold-A Night of Wretchedness.
By Mrs. Mary Beeman, of Charlotte, N. C. .......................460-468
No. 78.-SHADOWS OF THE STRIFE-
The Spirit of '61—The “Nashville" Saved by Middies—“Jehovah
Jireh”-A Young Hero's Death-Bedlam Let Loose-People in South
Carolina Robbed of Their Homes-After Twenty Years. By“ Til-
monah," of Beaufort, S. C. ........
..........468-476
No. 79.—THE POETS OF THE CONFEDERACY--
Passion Finding Vent in Verse—The Very First Poem of the War-
The Southern Cross—The Trumpeter of the Southern Cause-
“Dixie”—Margaret Preston's Epic—“Stonewall Jackson's Grave.”
By M. S. S., of the University of Virginia. ....... ..........477-482

OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 1.-The First Wayside Hospital. assembly; there was, it must be con-
fessed, a tendency manifested by all the
members to speak at once when there
(By Miss I. D. M., of Columbia, s. C.)
the president herself instead of main-
taining the dignity of the chair and pre-
During the summer of 1861, just after
serving order would join in the general
clamor, while occasionally a nervous
the battle of Manassas, when the hearts
giggle would shock the conclave and
of Southern women of all ages were prove that in all times and circumstances
fired with that zeal for the Confederaie
girls will be girls. Many a sober
matron with whitening hair will re-
cause which has never flagged, a party
call the time when the secretary and
of young girls in Columbia, S. C., de-
treasurer was called upon to read her
termined to see what they could do to
first report. how she turned her back
help the soldiers. They therefore made
upon the audience, and in that position
alone could be prevailed upon to read
a call through the papers of the city to
aloud. Pity the benighted girls of '61,
all the young ladies of the community, advanced young women of the present
asking them to meet at a certain time
day! They had scarcely ever even
and place in order to consult together,
heard of an emancipated woman, and a
female lecturer or public reader was be-
lay plans and devise schemes for work.
yond their powers of imagination.
The meeting was a grand success. A
THE FIRST PRACTICAL STEP TAKEN.
large number of girls responded to the
call, a society was formed, officers were
During the winter of 1861–2 the num-
elected, committees were appointed, and
ber of soldiers coming home sick and
all the ceremonies of organization gone
wounded began to be considerable. Often
through with the skill of veterans.
incoming and outgoing trains, the poor
“Oh death in life, the days that are no more.??
fellows would be obliged to remain in
Columbia for hours and sometimes a
What memories are recalled of laugh day and night, and as they had little
ter and fun, of sighs and tears, of sobs money they would frequently suffer for
and agony as one of the officers of the want of lodging and lack of attention.
society then formed-"The Young Some ladies of the city resolved to meet
Ladies' Hospital Association”-looks the trains as they arrived from Vir-
through her books to-night, and runs ginia, and minister as best they could
over the names of the young girls who
with full hearts and earnest faces en there was no organized plan, conse-
rolled their names that summer after quently on some occasions one mar.
noon. Poor children ! their hands were would be entirely overlooked, while an-
unused to labor, but willing minds other would come near sharing the fate
made up for their lack of skill, of the complaisant hero who meekly
and it was wonderful how soon submitted to having his face washed by
they learned to cut out and make up seventeen enthusiastic volunteer nurses.
homespun shirts, knit socks, roll ban A clergyman of Columbia, who was in
dages, &c., and before long many a box the habit of meeting the trains to afford
of substantial comforts was sent to the any assistance in his power to the ar-
boys in the army from the girls at riving soldiers, called the attention of
home.
some of the members of the Young
The meetings of the association were Ladies' Hospital Association to this
well attended and kept up regularly. state of affairs, and suggested to them
the propriety of applying some of their
mentary usage in the conduct of the Il funds to arranging a room at the Char-

OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
lotte depot for the refreshment of the il freshed at wayside homes; and here, be
weary and wounded men. The idea | it said with justice and pride, that the
seemed to them a good one, and the sug- ll credit of originating this system is due
gestion was immediately acted upon. to the women of South Carolina. In a
An empty room was secured from the small room in the capital of this state,
authorities of the railroad, and it was the first Wayside Home was founded;
put in order.
and during the war some seventy-five
Though the furniture of this little thousand soldiers were relieved by hav-
room was scarcely more luxurious than
ing their wounds dressed, their ailments
that of the “Prophet's Chamber," the attended, and very frequently by being
place was ambitiously styled
clothed. through the patriotic services
OTHE SOLDIER'S REST,”
and good offices of a few untiring ladies
in Columbia. From this little nucleus
and for a few days its scanty accommo spread that grand system of Wayside
dations proved to be a comfort to
Hospitals which was established during
our own and the late European wars;
many weary passers-by. It was soon
and it is beautiful to see and know that
found, however, that the need for a rest-
though implements of war are made
ing place for the passing soldiers was more and more effective for the destruc-
greater than at first supposed, and as it
tion of life, the progress and surgery in
was necessary for them to be transported
advance, on higher grounds, gives com-
across the town in order to reach the
fort and restores health to the servant in
other trains, it was concluded to transfer
arms who has suffered for his country.”
The Soldier's Rest to the depot,
Of course the girls were very indig-
whence they could be put upon the cars
nant, at first, at their work being taken
as soon as they had their wounds dressed
out of their hands. “What are the
and a night's lodging and been made
esthetics of a hospital, we would like
comfortable for their journey. But the
to know,” they cried; but they soon dis-
affair had now assumed dimensions far
covered how much they might do to
beyond anything that its origina-
softea and cheer the soldier's journey,
tors had ever dreamed of, and the
and they became quite pacified when
older heads. to whom the girls of the
they found that they were to be allowed
Young Ladies' Hospital Association
to accompany the older ladies in their
daily visits to the Wayside.
were accustomed to defer, thought it
best to take matters into their own
The plan of operations was very sim-
hands. There was grim work to be
ple. The same clergyman who had first
done, ghastly sights to be seen, borrors
observed the need of a resting place
to be endured, and the wiser and more
would meet the train as it came in from
experienced ones tenderly wished to
Virginia, and direct the soldiers to the
spare the young hearts, already becom-
Wayside Home, transportation being
ing too familiar with sorrow, everything
furnished at first by private means
which it was in their power to do. The
and afterwards, as the demand became
Soldier's Rest was then changed into
greater, by the central committee for the
the Wayside Home or Hospital, as it
soldiers' relief.
was afterwards called, and the charge of
HEARTRENDING SCENES.
it assumed by a committee of ladies, as-
sisted by some gentlemen, whom age or
Sometimes the scenes on Blanding
duty kept out of the army, leaving to street, through which the wagons passed
the girls, Gen. P. said, "the esthetics
to convey the passengers to the Wayside,
of the Hospital.”
would be heartrending. After a battle
HOW THE SYSTEM HAS SPREAD. one would see a forest of crutches pro-
Such was the small beginning of the truding from one wagon and a party of
Columbia Wayside Hospital, the first of
bandaged men in another; then the am-
the kind in the world. An extract from
bulances would pass, bearing those too
ill to endure the drive in the wagon,
an address of Dr. John T. Darby, sur and more mournful still, the carts carry-
geon C. S. A., before the South Carolina ing the rough boxes which contained
Medical Association, held in Charleston the bodies of the slain. The writer can
in April, 1873, will show part of the out never forget once meeting the clergy-
come of the work of these Columbia girls. man who had been receiving the in-
Speaking of the ameliorations of modern coming guests of the Wayside, and say-
warfare, Dr. Darby says: “On the route ing to him: "I have just seen a harow-
from the army to the general hospital ing spectacle-two boxes in a cart, one
wounds are dressed and the soldiers re- ll upon the other;” nor the look in his

THE FIRST WAYSIDE HOSPITAL.
face as he replied: "I have just left the il voluntary contributions from all parts
father of the two young men whose of the State, but the ladies were allowed
bodies are in those boxes. The body of to purchase stores from the commissa-
his third boy could not be found at all. ries at Government rates, Soldiers de-
He is taking these home to their tained by sickness and want of connec-
mother."
tion in the trains had religious services
At the Wayside the soldiers would be from ministers of the different religious
met by a committee of ladies with proper denominations. The number of soldiers
assistants and after they had been refresh entertained in this Home during its ex-
ed by a bath, and often had a change of istence of nearly three years was about
clothing, and their wounds dressed, they seventy-five thousand. After the 17th
s
would be furnished with a comfortable of February, 1865, when the Home could
supper, a night's lodging and breakfast no longer be used large numbers of sol-
the next morning. Here the work of diers received food and accommodations
the girls came in. They were allowed when they were passing through Colum-
to lay the table, prepare the coffee and bia, from the Wayside Home committee.
serve the soldiers at their meals. Some- || Funds belonging to the Wayside Home
times they would be permitted to go | were sent to the upper districts as long as
with one of the older ladies and carry a they were available during the spring of
meal to the cot of an ill man. The out- || 1865, benefiting in that way many sol-
going trains from Columbia then left at | diers returning to their homes."
a very early hour in the morning, but
never through the whole existence of
PATHETIC AND HUMOROUS INCIDENTS.
the Wayside Hospital did these women Like all other hospitals the Wayside
and girls fail to be at their post; through
had its varied incidents, pathetic and
winter's cold and rain, or summer's heat
humorous. One morning as the men
and dust, there were they found, ready to
welcome the wayworn soldier and cheer were boarding the up-country trains,
him on his way. There was scarcely yells, shrieks and howls were heard.
one of these women who was not ac-
Everybody rushed to see what caused
tively engaged during the other hours
of the day in some other hospital of the
the disturbance. “Oh!" said one of the
town or in some work for the aid of the
soldiers, “it's jist Jim Bumgarner, and
army. In order to give the actual facts
he's jest been a cuttin' up that way ever
of the work of the Wayside Hospital, we
since we left Virginia," and there, on a
present an account furnished by one "stretcher," was a man being put into
of the officers of the executive commit-
the car. "Ah !” observed the doctor,
tee.
"no wonder heyells at being put through
A RECORD OF THE WORK.
the car door, cut to pieces as he is.” But
in a moment there was a bright, though
The Wayside Hospital at Columbia,
pale, thin face at the car window, and a
S. C., was established March 10th, 1862, merry voice crying out: “Hurrah for
and continued until February 15th,
the Columbia ladies! Hurrah for Jeff
Davis! Good-bye, ladies !'' and off went
1865. The executive committee con-
Jim Bumgarner to his home in North
sisted of five ladies. Visiting commit Carolina.
tees were appointed each day. These One morning there was a man so ill
were assisted by gentlemen, and when that it was thought it would be a risk
necessary by physicians. This Home for him to attempt to travel, and the sur-
was begun in a single room, but addi geon told the ladies they had better per-
tions were speedily made and before the suade him to stay a day or two longer.
close of the second year the Home con So in went the ladies to his cot to advise
tained nine rooms besides piazzas and him to remain, but it was of no use. The
bathing room, water as well as gas being poor fellow had been shot in the mouth,
carried through the building. wver one so his replies were of the most laconic.
hundred soldiers were often accommo Dear, motherly Mrs. B. would persuas-
dated with cots and three hundred with ively say: “Oh, you are much too weak
their meals per day, chiefly supper and to travel; stay, and let us nurse you a
breakfast, as they were usually fur day or two." "I'm a gwine!” responded
loughed sick and wounded soldiers pass the man. Then gentle Mrs. F. would
ing to their homes. The second year it try. “Do stay at least 'till to-morrow;
was thought expedient to ask the Gov you will be so much better able to travel
ernment for a surgeon and hospital then-" "I'm a gwine!" Finally bright
steward, which request was granted-a Mrs. M. undertook the case; but to all
matron being engaged by the ladies. came the same unvarying "I'm a gwine!??
The Home was entirely supported by ll and as no one had authority to keep him,

OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
go he did, and, let us hope, reached in
THE PROTÉGÉ OF THE HOME.
safety his longed-for haven.
But an account of the Wayside Home
A SOLDIER'S FAITH.
would be even more incomplete than
Another incident is copied from a the writer of this fears this one will be
communication to one of the papers of without some notice of its protégé,
the day: “After I had ministered to Jimmy Matthewes. One Sunday among
several of the wounded I drew near the
the number of sick and wounded who
came in from Virginia was a miserable,
cot of one whose case was considered
emaciated, childish-looking boy, who
one of the worst there, but who ap appeared to be about 11 years old, but
peared since his wounds had been who said he was really 13. He had been
dressed and refreshments administered
badly wounded and was so exhausted
that it was found he was unable to travel,
to him much relieved. After conversing
and the surgeon decided it was best for
with him some time he asked my name. him to remain at the Wayside for a day
I told him, and said that I was the wife or two. The ladies soon became deeply
of the gentleman who had been just
interested in the pitiful-looking little
object, and their hearts were more than
giving him his breakfast, for he had to
ever moved when they learned his sad
be fed like an infant. I told him, more story. He and an older brother were the
oyer, that the gentleman was a preacher only two left of a family of Irish emi-
-a Methodist preacher. 'I am a mem grants who had come to America and
ber of the Methodist Church,' said he, settled in Georgia when Jimmy was a
"and would he be kind enough to pray baby. The two brothers were living on
for me? for it is long since I have heard a farm with a family in Georgia, and
a prayer. After the prayer was ended when the war began the older brother
the subject of religion continued to be enlisted, and Jimmy, as he said, "went
our theme. He said he was quite re along too." The older brother was killed
signed to God's will concerning him, in battle, and Jimmy was left alone in
and that he was not afraid to die; and the world, with a Yankee bullet in his
while dwelling on the goodness of God feeble body. He did not have an idea
his countenance assumed the serene and where to go, as he heard the family
beautiful expression indicative of peace in Georgia who had employed his brother
within and joy in the Holy Ghost. Well had been forced to leave their home. It
was it for him that he had strength from did not take the ladies of the Wayside
on High and that the everlasting arms long to decide to adopt Jimmy, the girls
of God's love were about him, for in a undertaking to clothe him. The little
few hours from the time of our conver fellow was removed to a private hos-
sation it was found that amputation of pital in the town, where he was nursed
his arm would be necessary, from which with tenderest care by his guardians.
he suffered excruciatingly until death The ball was extracted, and after weeks
came to his relief. But all the time of of suffering he began to mend, and it
his mortal agony his faith remained firm was good to see the look of rest and sat-
and unshaken, and he pillowed his isfaction which settled on his small,
sinking head on the bosom of Jesus and weary, pinched face. Then, best of all,
'breathed his life out sweetly there, Jimmy was taught the way to the
while to all around witnessing a good Saviour, and he received holy
confession of Christ's power to save to the baptism, two of the Wayside
uitermost all who put their trust in ladies standing as his spon-
Him. The name of this young man sors. After a while it was
was H. F. Hays, of the 45th Georgia I thought best by Jimmy's guardians that
Regiment.”
he should be put under the discipline of
One morning the ladies noticed a pine a boarding school, and he was kindly re-
box, covered with flowers, being care ceived on most generous terms by Mr.
fully put upon the train by some gentle 0. T. Porcher at his excellent school in
men. In answer to the inquiry, whose Abbeville. This poor little waif, how-
remains were in the box? Dr. G. replied: ever, manifested no liking for study,
"In that box lies the body of a young and the duties of school proved very irk-
man whose family antedates the Bour some to him after the freedom of the
bons in France. He was the last Count camp life. It was judged, too, that a
de Choiseul and he has died for the farm life would be better for his health,
South.” Let his memory be held in per- and he was then taken by Hon. John
petual remembrance by all who love Townsend to his home on Edisto Island,
the South and revere her past !
where he was given light employment

DEAR AUNT KATE.
for so long and thought of the thin gar-
ments, tattered blankets and scanty ra-
tions of the few men I had seen leave Co-
lumbia a few hours before, and reflected
on the unequal struggle that for nearly
four years had been going on, the proud
tears rained down from my eyes as
I prayed God to make me worthy to be
the country woman of such heroes.”
Such as these have lived and died.??
No. 2.-Dear Aunt Kate.
and the most kind and judicious treat-
ment. His constitution had, however,
never recovered from the shock of the
severe wound, and he died at Edisto be-
fore he was grown, surrounded by gen-
tle friends and gracious influences.
THE MORALE OF THE SOLDIERS.
There can be no better way of judging
of the morale of an army than by the
conduct of its men when off duty and
away from the surveillance of their
officers. Our men stood this test nobly.
A lady who was almost daily at the Way-
side during the whole time of its ex-
istence says: “I must have been brought
into contact with thousands of men and
certainly conversed with hundreds.
Among all these I remember seeing one
drunken man, and he was so slightly in-
toxicated that the only manifestation of
his condition was an insane desire to
present one of the young ladies present
with a handsome black plume he was
sporting in his hat, which desire was
communicated to the matron of the
hospital in energetic terms, and most
promptly by her suppressed. I never
heard one oath or one coarse expression.
I never heard a sentiment of disloyalty
(By Mrs. C. E. Means, of Spartanburg, s. C.)
thrown upon the right of our cause or a
regret that the war had been begun. I
never saw one man, however wasted by
disease or disabled by wounds, whose
chief desire did not seem to be to recover
as speedily as possible so that he might
be back at his place in the field again;
and while I encountered many illiterate,
rough and uncouth men I never met one
In this sketch I must, to enable the
reader to appreciate the character of my
heroine, touch momentarily on her life
before the war, make you acquainted
with Aunt Kate and her husband. He
was a man of uncommon personal
beauty, of the pure Saxon type, tall,
broad-shouldered, erect. The red blood
colored his cheeks with girlish roses.
The yellow hair, worn in those days
several inches long, had a gleam of gold
amid its curls. The blue eyes were
violet in their shining depths, and the
white teeth, even and strong, filled a
well-shaped mouth. With all this beauty
there was nothing feminine about his
appearance.
Aunt Kate herself was tall and slender,
a handsome brunette. In the parlance
of the country neighborhood, "they
She was a fine housekeeper; he a good
manager, and no earthly Eden was ever
Southern man, however humble his
station, instinctively accords to woman-
hood."
A SAD CONTRAST.
Another of these Wayside visitors says:
“I stood on the morning of the 17th of
February, 1865, where I could see Sher-
man's army enter Columbia. I can best
give you an idea of the vast numbers of
the mighty host by telling you that I
counted twelye bands of music pass by
playing at full blast, and yet they were
at such a distance from each other that
the music of the one had died away be-
fore that of another reached my ears.
They were a strong, healthy, well-fed
looking set of men. There was not a
broken shoe or a ragged elbow among
them. When I looked upon these and
contrasted with them the pallid, hungry,
ill-clad men I had been associated with
home when the war came.
The man, of the type I have sought to
describe, was of the material of which
the best soldiers are made. Amongst
the very first volunteers he went forth
to follow, for better or worse, the for-
tunes of the Confederacy.
Aunt Kate suffered quietly but very
acutely from the separation, but at once
she identified herself with the work to
be done for the country. Men were to
fight; women were to work, as well as
weep and pray. She gave her personal
attention to the details of plantation
work. She was up by daylight, attended
to the feeding of horses and cattle, rode
over the fields to see that the work was

S
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
done there as it should be, looked after || North,” she would say, “I surely could
tion supplies, sick negroes; in move Lincoln for humanity's sake to
shori, displayed such energy that the accede.''
whole neighborhood talked of her extra The horrors of Andersonville were a
ordinary management.
stinging grief to the whole South, yet
the cruel policy of war caused the United
LETTERS TO THE ABSENT ONE.
States to reject all terms of exchange for
At night, after her little children (there the prisoners of either side.
were three) were in bed, she wrote to
At last, in December, 1864, Aunt Kate
received a letter. The superscription
her husband, filling pages closely writ-
was a scrawl, so broken and tremulous
ten, consulting him in regard to every
was the handwriting, but she knew it
little matter, yet never relating her
as her husband's. With a glad cry she
troubles, repeating instead the smart
opened and read it. There were only a
sayings of the children, and making
few words: “I am exchanged; have been
jokes about their quaint old neighbors.
for months at Fort Donaldson. From
As he expressed it, when speaking of
the cold, cruelty and starvation encoun-
her letters: "Kate don't let me get
tered there, I am nearly dead. Come to
home-sick. She keeps me posted about
Savannah to meet me. I may, God will-
everything at home; even sends me a
ing, live to see you once more."
piece of every dress she makes for her-
Aunt Kate did not seem to realize what
self or the children, and then writes me
these words conveyed. To her they
which they've worn during the day."
only said he lived, and she would soon
There were no sheep on the plantation
be with him again.
when the war began, but soon she had
At once she took her children to her
gathered a fine flock, and watched their
father's that they might stay there,
fleece as if it was gold. She raised in-
whilst she went on to Savannah. She
digo, and when the autumn came she
went immediately to the nearest depot,
had a splendid suit of warm jeans-
but was told that the Government had
spun, dyed, woven, cut and made by her
taken possession of the road for the
own hands, to send to her soldier hus-
transportation of troops and provisions,
band. She almost seemed to grudge
and no passage was given to any one.
that any hand but her's should do any-
She hired a conveyance and drove
thing for him.
through to Columbia. After encounter-
Every few weeks a box of dainty pro-
ing many difficulties she succeeded in
visions were sent to him in camp-
I obtaining an interview with the general
boiled hams, roasted turkey, baked
in command, and from him got an order
chickens, pies, cakes, preserves and
to be allowed passage on the railroad to
pickles. Even after the troops were
Charleston. Again by personal appli-
sent to Virginia, against all odds she
cation, and earnest supplication, she got
contrived to send frequent boxes of
a pass to Savannah.
edibles, until she had the reputation of
being the best housekeeper of any man's GHASTLY SCENES IN SAVANNAH.
wife in the regiment.
On her arrival in Savannah she en-
His last visit home was just before
the movement of our troops into Penn countered the greatest confusion. Sher-
sylvania. When he left for a few weeks man had entered the city only a few
Aunt Kate seemed entirely crushed.
days before her. Aunt Kate now had
She had just taken hold again of her
usual daily routine. when the news of
her qualities of heroism fully tested.
the battle of Gettysburg came, and in She was alone in a city just conquered
the list of missing of Company K, First by an invading enemy; confusion was
Regiment of Rifles, was the name of on all hands; the Confederate bills with
her husband. Most of his friends gave
which she had provided herself were
up hope and believed him dead; she no more money than the brown leaves
would not think so.
shivering in the winter's blasts. Un-
WAITING AND WATCHING.
falteringly, however, the heroic woman
looked for her husband. After various
It was woderful how many ways she inquiries she learned where the sick
undertook to learn some word of her Confederates were to be found. The
husband's fate, but every effort was
building used as a hospital was full of
wards, but she could find no one in
fruitless. With agonizing interest she
uthority to give her a word of informa-
read the papers, watching each proposal tion or advi e. She determined to walk
made by the Confederacy for an ex- through the lines
she
change of prisoners. "If only I were Il might find her husband.

DEAR AUNT KATE.
It was a sickening sight. The poor || gone away, and Aunt Kate had, without
exchanged men were as ghastly as rags, | help, to care for her poor, sick soldier.
filth, sores, and starvation can make The long flights of stairs of the tall
poor humanity. Ah! it was pitiful! To city house were wearisome to climb;
think of the great country of the United the water-carrying, fuel-bringing and
States; how it had enough, and to spare, cooking were hard tasks, in addition to
and yet had starved and tormented those the constant care of an invalid, to one
poor men, thrown by the fortunes of unaccustomed to menial tasks. Still the
war into their hands. Sherman said : devoted woman did not know she was
"War is cruelty, and you cannot refine tired in the hour of supreme trial.
it ! But the world never yet has justi-
fied England for the treatment of the
GALLANT FEDERAL SOLDIERS.
prisoner of Helena. Aunt Kate The sick man, under the inspiration of
gazed at each cot in passing.
her presence, believed himself able to
One poor man she noticed whose
form was attenuated until he seemed a
get home. His constant prayer was to
living skeleton. One eye was eaten out see his children again, and his wife de-
with scurvy; the other was closed as if termined that he should. She went to
he was asleep, but his face was contorted
the Federal commander and asked for
with pain. She passed on a few paces,
growing for the first time sick at heart
transportation for her ill husband, who
with apprehension that her husband was an exchanged prisoner. No man
might be like one of these. Overcome
could be brute enough to be unmoved by
her story. Not only did the Federal
by the thought a sudden faintness at-
tacked her and she leaned for a moment
general give her an order to pass the
for support against a pillar near by.
lines and transportation on the boat to
Port Royal, but also sent an ambulance
A SAD MEETING.
to carry them to the wharf and detailed
Standing there, her limbs trembling,
a soldier to help them on board.
Although Aunt Kate lost, through the
depressed and discouraged, she heard
cruel policy of the Northern govern-
her name spoken in faint tones :
ment, her husband, yet she always re-
"Kate ! Kate!"
members that, in her sore hour of need,
from the highest officer to the common
She thought surely her senses mocked
Yankee soldier, she received from our
her. The voice was husky and not fa enemies help and sympathy. In that
miliar. Again she heard the words: sad journey home never once did they
"Oh, Kate, don't you hear me ?!!
fail to lift the helpless man tenderly and
proffer assistance to the sad woman who
It was the man whom she had thought
attended him.
was asleep. She looked back at the cot At Hardeeville she came to our lines.
and saw the poor wasted hand held out One of the men who was sent to meet
entreatingly to her. She knew then that them happened to be her brother. Her
she had found her husband.
heart gave a glad throb in anticipation
The excitement and effort of calling of his help in getting on home. But
caused him to faint, and perhaps for both the need for every man in our ranks was
it was a mercy that she had a few mo then inexorable, and the application for
ments in which to realize his condition, him to be allowed to go as far as Charles-
for Aunt Kate saw at once that her hus ton, even, was refused. Everything was
band was a wreck, physically and men in a sad state of confusion, transporta-
tally. His hopeless imprisonment, star tion for our sick and wounded was very
vation, cold and disease had sapped the inadequate.
foundations of his constitution. She had Between Charleston and Columbia
found her husband only, she felt, to see Aunt Kate felt that her husband was
him die. But not here! Not in the sinking under the fatigue and discom-
common hospital!
forts encountered. It seemed to her
She at once sought out a pastor of one more than she could bear, to have him
of the city churches, and with her quiet so near the goal of his earthly desire and
dignity told her situation. The clergy yet fail. But succor came.
man had a large house, and assisted her One of the most beautiful features of
in removing her husband into a pleasant our sad war was the Wayside Homes,
room, procured her fuel, medicine and - provided by our women at various
necessary food. More he could not do, gints. In them our soldiers, far from
for there was illness in his owi, family, their homes, had gapingwounds dressed,
and the servants bitten by the wild idea throbbing temples bathed, and, without
of freedom, having nothing to do, had || money or price, found love, rest, sympa-
2

10
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
thy. In our own State there was the
lovely mission of old Mrs. Roe. Un-
wearyingly she visited the trains on the
South Carolina Railroad for many
months, feeding the sick and wounded
first; then, if it was to spare, giving to the
hungry. She found out our weary trav-
ellers and took them off the cars to a
nice room, where they were soon pro-
vided with all necessary comforts.
GOING HOME TO DIE.
After resting here for two days, the
flame of life burned again more steadily
and the devoted wife felt that she might
yet take her busband home, and gratify
his one remaining wish-to again see his
children. She reached Columbia with-
out fresh difficulty; there a friend met
her, and the next day she reached her
father's house. Her husband had his
heart's desire; two days later he was be-
yond the gates.
For weeks Aunt Kate was ill, but she
lived, went to her home, reared her chil-
dren, and has done her daily duty as our
women throughout the great Southland
have nobly done. As a people we are
happy in this, that we are proud of our
struggle, and not ashamed of our defeat.
The world still points, as an illustration
of the highest courage, to the Army of
the Southern Confederacy and to the
Women of the Southern States in the
great civil war as examples of matchless
devotion.
In writing my sketch I have drawn
the skeleton of the trials of Aunt Kate,
and not undertaken the details of her
experience. Pages might have been
written, but it is not well
"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
To throw a perfume on the violet,
Or add another hue to the rainbow."
I have recently read the lives or biogra-
phies of several Englishmen, among
others the Life of the Rev. Charles
Kingsley, and the autobiography of Mr.
Anthony Trollope. What struck me
most forcibly in these books was the
calm and quiet atmosphere of outward
circumstances; the sunshine of peace and
tranquillity, lying broad and full on all
the extraneous events that these gentle-
men felt an interest in, forming
such a contrast to the turmoil and dis-
turbance of our lives, where everything
was uprooted and overturned. I con-
fess that I find these works rather tame
and flat. Mr. Kingsley's character was
fine, but the events of his career com-
monplace. And I cannot quite sympa-
thize with Mr. Trollope, whose highest
aims in life seem to have been to attend
a fox hunt or to eat a good dinner in fine
company. Both of these aspirations are
no doubt natural and certainly harm-
less, but they are not elevated. His
writings are clever and amusing, but if
I had to characterize the man I should
call him the Apostle of Mediocrity. I
am inclined, nevertheless, to envy these
English men and to say with a sigh,
"Happy people! who have never had
occasion to learn the meaning of th
words disaster, calamity, defeat.??
Yet I myself am not a heroine Dur-
ing the war I endured no remarkable
privations, and met with no extraordi-
nary adventures. I can relate of my
own knowledge nothing very romantic
or thrilling. I only lived among those
who fought and made history, and
was an ardent, enthusiastic Confederate.
Perhaps some of my reminiscences may
interest a few of the younger generation,
who may like to know how we occupied
and amused ourselves in those days, and
if war was indeed such a dreadful trial
as they have been taught to believe.
MARTIAL SCENES IN CHARLESTON.
I was in Charleston all through the au-
tumn and winter of 1860–61, when so
much agitation preceded secession. The
very air seemed to be charged with elec-
tricity by the approaching storm of con-
test. You could not walk more than a
few steps down any thoroughfare with-
out meeting young men wearing con-
spicuously on their breasts blue cock-
ades or strips of plaited palmetto fas-
tened to their button-holes, which at-
tested that they were "minute men," all
ready for duty. Flags fluttered in every
direction, and the adjacent islands were
No. 3.-Old Confederate Days.
(By Miss Claudine Rhett, of Charleston.)
Ah! those old days! how the memory
of them clings to us, and a halo of ro-
mance and passionate regret surrounds
them with a setting of glory. We
triumphed and wept, and lived a great
deal during those four years of war.
The deepest sentiments of our souls were
stirred by the joy of victory, the ardor
of endeavor, and the heart wearying
struggle for patience under defeat.

OLD CONFEDERATE DAYS.
11
converted into camping-grounds. Com- || regiment, about ten days later. These
panies drilled and paraded daily on were the first Charleston companies
every open square in the city, and bands which went to Virginia. The 1st Regi-
of music nightly serenaded distinguished ment South Carolina Volunteers, under
men, and made the old houses echo back Maxcy Gregg, had already been there
the strains of "Dixie" and the "Marseil some months, but that regiment had
laise.”
gone from Columbia, our men having
In December South Carolina seceded been occupied around the harbor.
from the Union, and I shall never forget The departure of this first contin-
the evening that the Ordinance of Seces-
gent of troops for the grand old
sion was signed, by the Delegates of each “Army of Northern Virginia” was
District of the State, at the large Insti a serious and important era in our
tute Hall, on Meeting street, which was lives and the history of our cause. My
afterwards burnt in the great fire. The sisters and myself drove up to the rail-
scene was one of extraordinary impres road depot to see the Brooks Guard
siveness, and the enthusiasm and excite- off. If I close my eyes the scene comes
ment spirit-stirring. There was scareely back to me as distinctly as if they had
standing room in the big hall for the only left us yesterday. It was 9 o'clock
eager crowd of witnesses, and the galle in the evening and the station-yard was
ries were packed with ladies. As the brightly lighted up by gas lamps and
Districts were called out in turn by Mr. pine torches. After waiting awhile the
Jamison, the chairman of the conven command came marching up, escorted
tion, and the delegates one by one went by several other companies, and a band
up on the platform and signed the Or cheerily playing Dixie.” A few
dinance, the cheering was vehement, and short speeches were made and re-
the ladies waved their handkerchiefs in sponded to, and then the ranks
token of approval.
were broken and the pretty uniforms in-
Never was an act performed with termingled in the bustle and confusion
more unanimity, and never did one of getting the baggage stored away and
meet with more general and hearty ap the men on board the train. They were
probation. It has become the fashion all very gay, but we were saddened by
now to say that none of us wished to the thought that many now leaving
secede, and that the State was made to || home would never return. At last the
withdraw from the Union by one or two whistle blew, and my brother ran out to
politicians, without the knowledge or say good-bye to us; one or two words
consent of the people. This statement is were spoken, then he resumed his place
most assuredly an incorrect one, for not amid that gallant band of heroes, and
a member of the large convention re the slow moving wheels bore them away,
fused his signature to the Ordinance, whilst we followed with tear dimmed
and no voice was raised that night, save eyes the trail of the fast fading smoke
in acclamation. No one living in of the engine. Thus began the strain
Charleston, then, can say that he was on heart and nerves, which daily grew
ignorant of what took place and of the stronger and deeper, until the bitter end
public acquiesence in the deed, unless was reached.
he was blind and deaf and dumb.
HALCYON DAYS.
Major Anderson surrendered Fort
Sumter to our troops on the 12th of April,
The first battle of Manassas was fought
and although I had many relatives and in July, and a shout of joy and triumph
dear friends on duty at Fort Moultrie,
went up from the hearts of the people of
the Iron Battery and other posts during
that historic engagement, I can't relate
the South. It is a delightful sensation
anything that occurred on the occasion, to feel that you are joyful, in company
having been absent at the time. We all with six millions of happy hearts, to
know that it was the first fight of the know that perfect unison exists between
war; that our suceess was a great tri you and all those whom you may meet,
umph, and was hailed with delight all at least on one point. These were the
over the country.
halcyon days of the Confederacy.
A little later on, that summer, the 1st
DEPARTURE OF TROOPS FOR THE FIELD.
Regiment South Carolina Volunteers
In the following month Kershaw's was reorganized and once more re-
turned to Virginia, and my youngest
Regiment, the 2d South Carolina Volun-
brother went with it. He had only re-
teers, took the field; the Palmetto Guard,
cently returned from Europe, where he
which was color company of the regi was educated, having acquired during
ment, leaving here for Virginia early in his five years' residence in Dresden,
May, and the Brooks Guard, of the same || Leipzig and Paris much of the cul-

12
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
tivation and charm of manner || upon your going home instantly and
which is derived from early advant- concocting it at once.
ages abroad. Before joining his com I learned to knit stockings and gloves.
mand, on its way to Virginia, he paid us Some of the young ladies made hats of
a flying visit at Aiken, where we were palmetto and of corn shucks in this
then staying, to bid us good-bye. It was way: The palmetto was shredded into
a last farewell, for he fell the succeeding very narrow strips, plaited, sewed to-
year in one of those terrible battles gether in rows, and pressed into shape
around Richmond. I lost four cousins on a block with a hot iron. These hats
in this regiment also; and if Providence were strong and nice enough, but very
had kindly created me a man, instead of heavy, whilst those made of corn shucks
a woman, it was the organization which were really pretty, but very fragile. I
I would have joined. I love the memory remember one, which had been care-
of Shubric Hayne, and the boys who fully made and tastefully trimmed,
carried its flag to the death, and would | which was worn for the first time by its
rather have been one of those young owner with great satisfaction; but, alas!
patriots than have occupied Hayes's or “Pride” has proverbially "gone before a
Garfield's seat in the White House.
fall.” She had not been out half an
Individuality became wonderfully hour when a shower of rain came up
merged in those days in general events, I suddenly, and her new hat fell to pieces
and no one who has not experienced the in a few minutes.
breathless longing for public news and
watched the movement of an army can
A PICTURE OF PLANTATION LIFE.
realize how we forget ourselves in think Having spent the entire winter of 1862
ing of the soldiers. "Man does not live
(up to April 1863) in the country, I can
by bread alone” we discovered, for we
hungered and thirsted for information
give some account of plantation life at
in regard to the tide of war more than
that period. The negroes were perfectly
for any material sustenance. I do not
subordinate, and worked as steadily as
believe there was a woman in the Con-
though no gunboats were at the mouth
federate States, after the hard fighting
of the river Forty hands from one
had begun, who, having to make a
of the neighboring estates went off to
choice, would not any day have pre-
the enemy one night, but as a general
ferred a newspaper to her dinner.
rule they made no effort to leave, and
my father's remained with us until two
HOW THE HOURS PASSED AWAY.
years after the war ended and were
always perfectly cheerful and respectful.
As time went on we became very ex-
The Yankees tried in every way to in-
pert in devising substitutes for the com-
flame the negroes, and to stir up race
forts we had hitherto been accustomed animosity against us; and judging from
to have, but which now could not be their newspapers they seemed to think
procured, and we yainly tried to replace that a repetition of the insurrection of San
them by other things. If the human Domingo was to be expected, and that
substitutes that were sent to the army we lived in a state of constant ap-
were as inferior in quality as the ladies' prehension. But such was not the
home-made ones were to the articles case, by any means. We had confidence
they were supposed to represent, I can in the good will which we knew pre-
only hope that there were not many in vailed between the whites and the
the service. Some of my friends, for blacks, and only a few persons in the
instance, substituted parched corn for Confederacy ever dreaded or anticipated
coffee, and others tried parched ground any such catastrophe. During the
nuts. Many drank sassafras tea, sweet course of that winter another lady,
ened with sorghum syrup. I decided myself and several little children were
to imbibe nothing but pure water; cold often for weeks at a time the only white
for breakfast and dinner in winter, and persons on the plantation, or within
tepid in summer, having no ice.
three or four miles of our home; yet we
We made vinegar of persimmons, I felt so little uneasiness that I never
which was very weak and mawkish locked my bed-room door at night, and
stuff, shoe blacking composed of Pride | the back door of the house was always
of India berries boiled with water, soot left unlatched, so that the servants
and a little mutton suet, ink of sumac might come in early in the morning to
berries. Every old lady had some pet make up the fires without disturbing
receipt of her own invention for some | any one. There were hundreds of
particular need which she would confide negroes on our estate, and on those ad-
in the most earnest manner, as if she joining, but none of us ever thought of
thought your eternal welfare depended || being afraid of them.

OLD CONFEDERATE DAYS.
13
SPINNING AND WEAVING UNDER DIFFI- || wasting. Women wrote letters to their
CULTIES.
absent ones, knitted and read by the
light of the cheerful bright flames, and
We now had to consider how we were
the weary soldier in the army found
to provide clothing for our laborers, as their camp fires a solace after the
it begun to be difficult to obtain "Eng fatigues and discomforts of a long march.
lish plains," a heavy cloth which they
Candles were made at home of a poor
quality. Sometimes they were com-
had always worn in cold weather; so we
posed of tallow and beeswax and some-
determined to have cloth made on the
times of mutton-suet and wax, and I
plantation. Have you any idea, my
have even seen green ones made of myr-
friend, of the magnitude of this under-
tle-wax berries, but they were all hor-
taking? I will describe the process. A
rid.
special house was dedicated to the pur-
THE SOCIAL LIFE OF WAR DAYS.
pose, and a spinning-wheel procured.
Old Mark and Cinda were detailed to The ladies of the Confederate States
card the wool, which had been shorn did not spend their whole time in devis-
from our sheep. Sappho and Phoebe,
ing ways and means, however. Gen. G.
spun, and our cook Rosetta, who was a
thrifty soul, was appointed dyer of the
T. Beauregard was again in command
yarn. A large iron pot was set up in
here during the year 1863, and as he was
the yard, and such a mixing and stirring a great favorite in Charleston, he re-
with a long handled paddle, of all sorts ceived many attentions and was hand-
of barks and copperas and other ingre somely entertained in spite of the "hard
dients, went on that one might have times." Balls and parties of all kinds
thought it was a witch's caldron. But were given, and social intercourse was
the worst part of the operation was yet made particularly pleasant by large num-
to come a hand-loom had to be bers of strangers who were stationed
obtained, and where was it to come in the city or vicinity. A number of
from? We were not to be daunted, how very agreeable Creole gentlemen were
ever, and after making diligent in on Gen. Beauregard's staff and in Legar-
quiries in all directions we at last heard deur's Battery, on James Island, so
of one, which belonged to an Indian that French at that time became as much
woman. So we forthwith despatched the language of society as English, for
Lymus, our head carpenter, to inspect it, most of the ladies of our community
and in a few weeks' time he constructed spoke that language, more or less, well.
a similar one for us; then Keziah, the Expeditions to Fort Sumter were
Indian, was sent for to teach Rhyna how very popular, and any review of the
to work it, and oh! triumph, our jeans garrison (First Regiment South Carolina
was woven, and the negroes had strong Regular Artillery) by either Gen. Beau-
warm cloth. But it was slow work. A regard or Gen. Ripley was sure to be
tolerably expert weaver could not make attended by many of their lady friends.
more than three yards a day, and there
A steamboat would carry down the gen-
were ninety-five persons to be provided eral officer, his staff and a crowd of spec-
for. I have often sat with the workers tators from the city. When the review
and tried to card and to spin, but it is a was over the fine regimental band would
difficult art to acquire. The droning play, and while those who liked dancing
sound of the spinning-wheel is rather waltzed in the casemates, others who
pleasant, and it is not arduous labor, but preferred "al fresco" pleasures walked
the weaving is a most tedious occupa around the parapet or chatted with their
tion.
friends upon the big guns. Then a col-
The comfort which I missed most was lation would be served in the mess-hall,
a supply of matches. A match factory and afterwards the pleasure seekers
was indeed established at Richmond, would bid adieu to the old fort and
and these furnished us thence were bet the handsome regiment and return
ter than none, only they had a way of gayly to their homes by the light of the
going out before the candles could be in moon. The apparent strength of Fort
duced to ignite, so they were a great Sumter and the magnificent drill and
trial of patience, and we were more apt discipline of the garrison presented a very
to trust to a fire coal or a piece of light martial appearance, and gave us great
wood on ordinary occasions. Oh! confidence in their powers of resistance
blessed pine trees. What a resource you in case of an attack upon Charleston by
proved to be in our difficulties. The sea. The spirit of the men was high,
Confederates were all fire worshippers. the cannon were heavy, and the walls
Wood was the only luxury that we looked strong enough to resist the world,
could enjoy without stint or fear of I to our inexperienced eyes; but alas!

14
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
those high and broad ramparts were des- ll the streets from our capital. “A reliable
tined to be knocked to pieces in a few gentleman” had invariably "just ar-
week's time over the heads of their rived,” with a wonderful budget of in-
brave defenders.
ventions, so that we actually became
afraid of the approach of this day of
THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER.
unrest until we learnt to be too incredu-
On the 7th of April the long expected lous to believe anything we heard out-
side of the churches.
feet of ironclads attacked Fort Sumter
There were votaries devoted to three
and was defeated and driven off, badly
ogcupations in Columbia at this time:
crippled by the fire of that fort and the The “Sewing Society for the Soldiers,"
batteries around the harbor, as we all which met during the morning hours;
know. This was a great victory for old
"Prayer Meetings every arternoon at the
Charleston to win in the teeth of all the
Presbyterian Church,' and "Surprise
skill and money which had been ex-
Parties” at night. Oh! the tedium of
pended on these gunboats to make them these last mentioned entertainments! I
destructive and invulnerable, and we
yawn at the bare recollection of them!
were overjoyed by our success. Look-
They were conducted in this way: About
ing back upon the events of the past, I am
fifty girls would meet at some friend's
really surprised at the calm composure
house, where they would be furnished
we all showed in view of this anticipated
with a piano and a room, but no supper.
fight, as every Yankee newspaper for
Ten or twelve cadets from the Arsenal,
months before its arrival had told us
belonging to the youngest class of
that this irresistible ironclad fieet was
the State Military Institute, would
to “take Charleston.” We went about
join them; and if it was a favor-
our usual avocations as quietly as though
able occasion, a surgeon from
our formidable antagonists were not ex-
the hospital, and a quartermaster, would
pected to appear off the bar any morn-
also appear; or perhaps a couple of re-
ing. Henry Timrod expressed our feel cruiting officers, and some young man
ings perfectly in his beautiful lines on furlough. If one of the latter "rara
called "Charleston:
avis” happened to be an acquaintance,
and talked to you more than five min-
Shall the spring dawn, and she still clad in utes the eyes of the forty-nine girls be-
smiles,
came so fixed upon you that your only
And with an unscathed brow,
desire could be to get rid of him as soon
Rest in the strong arms of her palm-crowned
isles,
as possible. As for the little cadets they
As fair and free as now?
resembled each other so closely that I
never could distinguish one from
We know not in the temple of the Fates,
another, and was obliged to adopt the
God has inscribed her doom;
plan of calling them all by the same
And all untroubled in her faith she waits,
The triumph or the tomb."
name. A rather aggressive youth said
to me one evening in an aggrieved tone:
After this attack we were left in quiet "I have been introduced to you three
until the 10th of July, when the fighting times, and I don't believe you know me
for Charleston, which was to continue yet.” “I really don't think I do," I re-
almost to the close of the war, began plied, in calm despair. Perhaps if I had
again on Morris Island. Our anxiety been less anxious about Fort Sumter I
now grew terrible, as Morris Island was might have liked dancing with the other
fought for and then evacuated, and Fort girls to bad music, or have concentrated
Sumter was torn to pieces by the cross my attention upon the cadets, so as to be
fire which was brought to bear on her able to know them occasionally; but
from the immense guns the enemy under the circumstances I found sur-
mounted on Morris Island and those of prise-parties a weariness to the spirit,
the fleet. We knew that there were and infinitely preferred the prayer meet-
140,000 pounds of powder in the fort, and ings, where the Rev. Dr. Palmer used to
that the First Regiment Regular Artil offer up the most beautiful prayers that
lery, which was shut up there, had no can be imagined.
bomb-proofs or any protection from the I wonder if Dr. Palmer remembers a
rain of shells which fell around them. sermon he preached one Sunday, for the
edification of the murmurers, who were
AT THE CITY ON THE CONGAREE.
growing tired of the deprivations and
We were sent off to Columbia at this discomforts they had to bear. This was
period, being non-combatants. On Sun-
the text, "And the Israelites murmured
against the Lord, and said unto Moses,
day no newspapers were published, and
give us of the leeks, and of the flesh-pots
dreadful reports circulated wildly about Il of Egypt.” Just as we returned home

OLD CONFEDERATE DAYS.
15
after listening to this eloquent discourse forts, and more than one blockade-run-
some very nice butter happened to arrive || ner was wrecked upon the Sullivan's
from my uncle's farm near by, and my Island breakwater or shoals within the
aunt to have a little joke on Dr. Palmer harbor after escaping all the perils of the
at once put some in a jar, and sent it to sea.
him with her compliments, saying that Late one evening I was in a row boat,
she "hoped he would accept this little with some friends, and a blockade steamer
flesh-pot, and regretted that she had no passed close by us, on her way to Nas-
leeks.” Dr. Palmer laughed heartily at sau. She looked like the veritable phan-
this commentary on the sermon and re tom-ship of tradition as she glided past.
plied that he "liked fiesh-pots very No ghost could have moved more si-
much, he confessed, but Liberty better. lently, or looked more mysterious; and
An occasional jest kept us from growing we all felt a sort of mystical enchant-
down-hearted with sad thoughts.
ment as we watched her rapid, stealthy
REMINISCENCES OF BLOCKADE-RUNNING.
progress. She was painted a smoky
gray color, and could scarcely be distin-
Blockade-running was a subject which guished in the light mist which envel-
interested us deeply, for as the war pro-
oped her. Not a lamp gleamed aboard;
no sound could be heard, except very
gressed all the muskets and equipments
faint echoes from her revolving wheels,
which were furnished to our troops
and no smoke seemed to be thrown out
came to US in this way, One-third of by her engine. Everything to ensure a
every cargo brought in by John Fraser successful trip had been carefully stu-
& Co. belonged to the Confederate Gov died and prearranged. She passed like
ernment, which had no ships of its own.
a spirit through the midst of the block-
When the first Confederate Congress sat ading squadron, and twenty-four hours
at Montgomery it had been strongly later dropped anchor in the sparkling
urged to send out a large quantity of cot tropical waters of her Nassau haven.
ton to Europe, (whilst our ports were Three requisites were needful in this
all open,) which could be sold and the
dangerous traffic to ensure success; these
proceeds of the sale placed in the Bank were, a bold captain, a swift steamer,
of England to furnish a fund with which
and a noiseless crew.
cruisers could be bought to prevent
a blockade of Southern harbors, and
THR SHADOW OVER THE SOUTH.
supplies of clothing and munitions of
The years rolled by and the war
war procured for our armies. If we
must have a war, it was advised, let it
dragged its weary course to a conclu-
be conducted in a vigorous, energetic, sion, while the dark gloom of hopeless
aggressive way; but Mr. Davis an effort overshadowed us more and more.
nounced that it was to be a long war,"
Our ports were closed one after another,
and the Government adopted the policy
of a slow defensive warfare, by
the people at home lost heart, and the
which means we were gradually armies, which from the first had been
exhausted, and worn away to a half clothed and fed, were at length in
state of inanition, dying at last with rags, and the men and their horses
hardly a death-struggle. The blockade hardly had enough provisions given
of the port of Charleston became stricter them to keep life in their bodies. Yet
and closer from year to year, until at last they fought on gallantly to the end, con-
it was almost impossible for a vessel tending ever against tremendous odds
to slip through the hostile fleet without and terrible privations. At last Gen.
being captured. Ships could always run Joseph E. Johnston was replaced by
out of the harbor much more easily than Gen. Hood in the command of our forces
they could enter, because they could near Atlanta, and the “Army of the
choose a dark or foggy night and the time West” was marched away into Tennes-
of tide which would help them most. see, where it was cut to pieces. As the
Coming in they had to trust to luck very waves of the sea dash madly against a
much and just make a rush across the rock-bound coast only to recoil broken
dangerous bar. When the captains kept and spent, so that valiant army was
cool and were wary, they managed to hurled upon the tremendous fortifica-
elude pursuit, and I have heard that tions of Franklin, soon to retreat with
Capt. Lockwood, who came and went shattered ranks and grief-stricken souls.
continually, never lost a boat, but some Gettysburg and Franklin were the great
of them got so excited when they were disasters of the war, the heart-breaks of
chased that they would keep up their the South
speed, even after they were perfectly Meanwhile, Sherman having no one to
safe and protected by the guns of our || oppose him marched his army down to

16
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Savannah, and thence through our de- || ruly steeds. One of my sisters had a
voted State, carrying the torch to sub little baby a month old, and she was
due the women and children whom they still feeling weak and delicate, which
met in their manly course of devastation. made this journey particularly distress-
The track of this noble army could be ing to us. It is almost a wonder that
followed at a distance of twenty miles she survived it. Another had such a
with the naked eye by the columns of severe sore throat that she could scarcely
smoke which ascended from every speak. Regiment after regiment passed.
homestead, village and town it passed by us, with their glorious smoke-stained,
near. Ashes and charred timbers were tattered flags, and after a while we saw
the unvarying tokens that these modern the well-known Falmetto buttons on
Vandals left behind them, while the some of the grey coats. “What com-
houseless children shivered in that bit mand is this ?'' asked one of us. “Mani-
ter, inclement January weather. I can gault's South Carolina Brigade,” anch
not understand why Sherman should presently Col. Irvine Walker came
deny that his men burnt Columbia, stepping briskly along, splashed with
when there are so many living wit mud, but looking as soldierly and erect
nesses of the fact, and hundreds who at the head of his men as if they were
can testify to their having remorselessly returning from a holiday parade. Many
burnt every house and village in his of the men were barefooted and had
line of march, from the Savannah River their feet tied up with a few pieces of
to the boundary line of North Carolina. rag. I remember one boy, who did not
Where the truth is so evident I don't see look more than 15 years old, who was
the object of telling a falsehood.
very lame and foot-sore, vet as merry as
a lark. "Have you marched all the way
FLYING FROM THE INVADERS.
from Tennessee ? "Oh, yes.” “Were
When this invading army entered you at the battle of Franklin ?" "Yes,
South Carolina, my sisters and myself
| my brigade had a showing,'' replied this
youthful hero, with perfect noncha-
sought refuge in Eufaula, a little town
lance, as if a battle was the most ordi-
situated on the Chattahoochee, in south nary event in the world. “Would you
Alabama. At the time that the downfall like to have a cake ?" "Yes, indeed.”
And the poor fellow was as much
of Jerusalem was foretold it was said,
pleased with a few cakes and biscuits as
“Pray ve, that your flight be not in the if we had given him a fortune.
winter.” Ours was just at that season, After a most fatiguing day's drive we
and the coldest, most rainy winter I ever reached the Oconee, which had to be
remember. We reached Augusta in a
crossed on a pontoon bridge, Sherman
pouring rain, and found the depot and having burned the former one. This
adjoining street under water, a heavy river was swollen to twice its usual
freshet in the Savannah having partially width by the heavy rains, and looked
flooded the city. From Augusta we went wild and stormy. The pontoon bridge
on the cars to a place called Maysfield; was constructed of flatboats tied loosely
there we found that Sherman had had
together by ropes. These "flats” all
the rails torn up for a distance of forty | swayed about, and those in the middle
miles. We rested here two days at all of the river were carried so far down by
friend's house, and then set off to cross il the force of the current that the bridge
this “gap" in a rickety old ambulance had the shape of a horseshoe. Of course
drawn by two mules. The remnant of
there were no "arms" or ropes to pro-
Hood's army was at this time retreating tect the sides, and our mules tried their
over this road, and the wagon trains best to push each other overboard,
and artillery had cut furrows a foot bracing until our wheels would reach
deep in the mud. The sun now
the extreme edge, first on one side and
shone, but the weather was in then on the other. They were very
tensely cold. "Even running water was much frightened, and had to be urged
frozen, and great icicles hung from the and coaxed when they had to jump from
wheels of several corn mills which we
one flat to another, as these sometimes
passed near. Every jolt of our crazy, yawed apart until there was an interval
open vehicle seemed almost to dislocate
of two feet between them. How the
ur joints, for the ground was frozen as soldiers got their artillery over I cannot
hard as iron. Our mules walked when-
imagine.
eevr the road was tolerably smooth, but
CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR.
tore frantically down every hill, whilst
the high-perched conveyance rocked Having arrived at Milledgeville, we
and pitched wildly about, threaten- | spent the night at a hotel, which had
ing to upset at every bound of our un- l not a pane of glass in the windows and

YANKEES IN MADISON PARISH.
17
was horribly dirty, and the next morn 11 ordered that it be hid where no Yankee
ing drove out to the railroad, about fiye could find it.
miles from the town. There a large One evening a crowd of Federal sol-
number of soldiers were camped, cook diers surrounded the house, and rush-
ing, and warming themselves by cheer ing into my room, with pistols in hand,
ful fires. We had not been there long Il demanded all the firearms on the
when a train came up bringing the last premises.
of the “Army of the West. At the door "Take all you can find," I said, feel-
of a box-car stood Gen. Hood, on his ing certain that they would not find
cratches, but not a cheer greeted his ar any.
rival, and if there was ever a sad and The house was thoroughly searched,
gloomy looking man on earth he was, and they were about to leave when a
most assuredly. No one spoke to him, Yankee, who was prowling around my
and after a few moments he turned back yard, calling me, asked where my
back and sat entirely alone; for there poultry yard was situated.
was apparently “none so poor to do him "You can hunt for it," I answered,
reverence."
getting a little angry as I thought about
At last we reached Eufaula, where we my chickens, which he would probably
remained until the next summer. It confiscate.
was there that we heard of Lee's sur He dashed off to hunt the yard, and
render. One evening the Episcopal after an absence of several minutes re-
clergyman, who was a kind friend, came turned, not bringing with him the
in and said, with agitation in his chickens, as I expected, but dear me!
manner: "I have very bad news to tell; “Old Betsey” and the pistols.
Gen. Lee has surrendered his army." "Your ducks and turkeys sit on for-
He then drew from his pocket a tele midable eggs,” he said, with a comical
graphie dispatch, which had been sent grin on his swarthy face.
to the mayor of the town, and read the I told him that I only wished every
official announcemont in a broken voice. Southern turkey, duck, chicken and
The hot tear-drops were our only reply,
hen could hatch such "eggs, and that
as we thought of the lives that had been each one could be made useful in killing
given in vain, and the sorrows that were a Yankee, adding that I was ready to
to overwhelm our unhappy country. ll attend such a hennery when it was
“God's will be done,” said our good started.
friend solemnly.
I had secreted the pistols under a sit-
ting turkey hen, lifting up the straw of
the nest, and under it placing the pistols,
No. 4.-Yankees in Madison Parish. replacing the eggs and turkey. I en-
veloped “Old Betsey” in a blanket, and
laid her quietly to rest under a long row
(By Mr's. Emma Stroud, of Havana, Ala.) of ducks' nests. My plan of concealment
would have been a success, but for the
treachery of my dining room servant,
In 1862 I was living with my husband who had watched me, and revealed the
and children on Walnut Bayou, about
hiding place to the Yankees.
After some months of constant visita-
twelve miles from Vicksburg, Miss.,
tion by scouts from Grant's army, my
and five miles from the Mississippi husband proposed that we leave our
River. Soon after Grant's arrival in home, take our slaves that were left, and
front of Vicksburg he commenced cut-
move thirty miles further west, to a
plantation owned by us and managed
ting his canal, which was not far from my
by an overseer. Consenting at once, the
home. The cannonading from the batte move was made, and we found our-
ries at Vicksburg jarred the windows of
selves snugly, and to all appearances
safely, ensconced in our new home on
my home, and the morning drums could
Bear Lake, which was ten miles distant
be distinctly heard. We lived in con from Milliken's Bend on the Mississippi
stant dread, for we hourly expected a River. We did not think the Yankees
visit from some scouting party sent out
would ever find us in that wilderness-
looking country.
from their encampment along the canal.
I had carefully hid away all the fire UNWELCOME VISITORS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
arms in our possession, consisting of a
We had been living in our happy se-
shotgun and a brace of fine pistols. My
husband was greatly attached to his gun,
clusion only a few months, when on the
which he called “old Betsey," and had | Christmas evening of 1862 my daughter

18
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and myself went to visit a neighbor
THE GALLANT FEDERAL OFFICER.
across the bayou. A slave of mine fer-
ried us across in a skiff, and immedi It was several miles to the nearest
ately returned home, with instructions neighbor's house, and I was afraid to go
to return for us later in the evening. As
so far at night while the road was filled
we were returning home we could not
help feeling joyous, for it was one of
with soldiers. Therefore, clasping my
those beautiful evenings that are pecu-
children in my arms I kneeled down in
liar to our Southland. We had no thought the piazza and prayed, as I had never
of the sorrow and fear awaiting us at done before, that God would not forsake
home. My husband had remained at me in my trouble. Scarcely had the
home; my only son was in the army.
prayer passed my lips when an officer
We were surprised to find our skiff rode up to the gallery. Bowing politely,
awaiting us, but no servant with it, and he asked if the soldiers were troubling
my youngest daughter understanding us. It was now nine o'clock at night.
the rowing of boats put us safely over. Feeling instinctively that the officer was
Nearing the house I saw the yard full of a friend, I excitedly told him of the con-
Yankees, and as I entered the gate my duct of his men. Dismounting, he im-
cook came running down the walk, cry mediately ordered every Yankee out of
ing and greatly excited.
the house and yard into the road. Then
“Master has been carried off, God seating himself on the gallery, he re-
knows where, by some Yankees,” she mained until the entire command had
exclaimed breathlessly.
passed. The division was composed of
Almost paralyzed with fear, I tottered
six thousand infantry, one hundred and
to the steps of my house, for I feared my
fifty cavalry and several batteries of
artillery, all under the command of Gen.
husband would be killed. I knew what
a staunch Rebel he was, and that
Burbridge, of Kentucky. They were
he did not hesitate to express him-
moving towards Delhi, burning railroad
self freely on the subject, and I knew
bridges and confederate cotton, of which
there were several thousand bales stored
that no torture the Yankees could in-
away not far from our home.
vent would make him take the oath of
allegiance to the Federal Government.
Col. Brown, of the 2d Iowa Regiment,
was the officer that was so kind to us.
Entering the house I found trunks
He deprecated the manner in which his
broken open, drawers pillaged, furniture
army treated Southern people, and
turned over, in fact, every thing scattered
stated to me that if he had known the
around, while the Yankees hunted for
South had to be conquered by such cru-
money and jewelry. My pantry was
elties as he had seen inflicted on defence-
robbed of all my Christmas cakes, my
less old men, women and children, he
dairy of milk and butter, my smoke-
would never have enlisted for the
house of all its meat. We had just
Union. His whole demeanor indicated
slaughtered forty fine hogs, and every
his refined sensitive feelings, which
pound of the meat was taken.
were shocked at the lawless plundering
I appealed to an officer in the yard, propensities of his army, which he was
who was drinking whiskey with my powerless to control. This man was as
slaves, to protect myself and daughters brave as he was noble, for he was subse-
from the insults of the drunken crowd. quently killed on the Yazoo River
He replied with a terrible oath, “that it while leading his men in an assault upon
was not his business in the South,” pro a fort.
tecting women and children.
The next evening my husband re-
I turned away in utter misery. No turned home. The joy felt by all in
one to call upon for aid, myself and being together again soon made us for-
daughter's alone, and entirely at the get our harsh treatment. He had been
mercy of this uncivilized drunken hurried before the officer at Milliken's
crowd of two hundred soldiers and Bend, who insisted that he take the
nearly a thousand negroes from adjoin oath. This he politely refused to do,
ing plantations who were going along at the same time declaring his allegiance
with them. Going to a cavalryman be to the South, for he had sent his son to
longing to Captain Montgomery's com the army and all his sympathies were
mand, I inquired why my husband had with the Confederacy. As the old man
been carried away.
warmed up with his siabject he informed
“Oh! he will be back soon; they only the officer that he would die before he
want him to take the oath.”
would swallow that oath.” Although
4 I well knew that if his return depended treated with kindness by the command-
on his taking the oath he would never ing officer, he was dismissed and sent
come back.
Il home on foot, this officer keeping his

YANKEES IN MADISON PARISH.
19
horse, which was a fine spirited animal. 1 After Reuben's conversation with my
After this adventure we decided to husband the previous evening, the
move further west, although my hus colored traitor had collected all the ne-
band disliked so much to abandon his groes on the plantation and explained to
plantation, for he knew his dwelling them master's move," at the same time
houses would be burned in his absence. advising them to take the boats and
Late in the spring of 1863 we determined make all speed to their “deliverers” —
to send the most valuable of our slaves to the Yankees. Filling the boats with
Texas, believing implicitly that the their household goods, men, women and
South would be victorious. The bottom children, pushed across the inundated
lands of the Mississippi were entirely fields to Milliken's Bend. I afterwards
covered in water, and to move required learned that most of them died of dis-
a number of flat boats and skiffs. These ease while living with their "deliver-
were built and everything made ready
ers. One orphan girl about eight years
for the move on the following morning; of age was sleeping in the house. My
still the secret had been kept from the little daughter, being attached to her,
negroes. The night before the contem claimed her as her waiting maid and
plated move my husband called up his would not allow her to remain in the
foveman. Reuben, in whom he had the quarters. The negroes left her in their
greatest confidence, and explained mat flight.
ters to him, at the same time asking his After the storm came the calm, and
assistance in getting the negroes away. we busied ourselves about some break-
Dat is right, Mars Alf,'' Reuben re fast. My husband cut some wood and
plied, "I will do my best for you."
started a fire in the stove. My daughter,
My husband informed me of his con Miss Tradewell, and her grandmother,
versation with Reuben, but I could not Mrs. Traywood, refugees staying with
sleep, as I believed something would go us, and myself, marched in a body to
wrong before morning, and I had ex the kitchen, and, by exercising our com-
pressed my belief in Reuben's treachery. bined culinary knowledge, prepared a
I accordingly awaited anxiously in the breakfast, but it was not worth bragging
early morning for the servants to come about, as we were hungry, and we ate
and kindle fires, commence house-clean in silence this our first meal prepared
ing and breakfast. No one came and my without the assistance of any “Aunt
husband called our waiting girl, but no Chloe.'
reply.
THE MIDNIGHT RAID.
DESERTED BY THEIR SERVANTS.
Our slaves, after reaching “their
“Yes, they are gone, and I knew it," I friends,” the Yankees, informed them
said.
that “Old Master'' had lots of silver and
"You knew the cow ate the grind gold buried under the "big house," and
stone," my husband answered, laugh-
ingly, hurrying on his clothes.
that “old Miss' had a bushel of silver-
V Going down along the negro quarters
ware hid in the house. So much glori-
he found them deserted—not a negro
ous information aroused their thieving
was to be seen anywhere. Returning
faculties, and visions of boxes of gold?
hurriedly to the house he rushed into floated through their brains. Accord-
our room.
ingly, armed with guns and pistols, a
"Wife! wife!” he exclaimed, “every party of twenty "Union soldiers,” ac-
negro is gone to the Yankees.''
companied by a crowd of negroes, stole
Woman like, I could not resist the away from their camps at night to attack
temptation of saying a word.
one old man and his family and make
"Who believes now that the cow ate them "disgorge'' their gold. It was past
the grindstone ??
midnight and all were sleeping uncon-
*Oh! wife, out upon that'grindstone.? scious of any danger when these “brave
What shall we do??
men” noiselessly surrounded the house,
The poor man was greatly distressed, placing guards at every window that no
as he could not bear for any one to even one might escape. Three of them stood
hint that his slaves would leave him, he at the front door, which they kicked
being an indulgent, kind master, treat furiously, yelling at us, “Wake up! you
ing them as children. I threw my arms
confounded Rebels, and open the door!
around him, and told him we could Wake up! or we will kick it down!''
work, and still be so happy, without the Started out of sleep and frightened be-
negroes--that it was only a question of yond physical control, I hurriedly threw
time, when they would be free, and that a wrapper around myself and attempted
the present was a good oppcrtunity to to light a candle. My hand trembled so
begin to learn to wait upon ourselves. violently, however, that I failed to touch

20.
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the wick with my match, while the surrounded grandma, while one of them
Yankees, kicking and cursing at the proposed to search the “old woman."
door, threatened to burst it open. My
little daughter, seizing a match, with a
A NOBLE AND FEARLESS GIRL.
steady hand succeeded in making a light At this moment Miss Lizzie Tradewell
when we opened the door. The Yankees
sprang to her grandmother's side. Her
cursed us for keeping them waiting so eyes flashed defiance, while her attitude
long in the dark. They then instantly and gestures plainly showed she was in-
rushed into my bedroom, and with pis sensible to fear. With withering words
tols against my husband's forehead de-
of contempt for the wretches before her,
manded his money.
she dared them to touch grandmother.
I am now seventy-five years of age; The appearance of this noble girl, SO
still the scene that night in my bedroom grand in the defence of her aged relative,
is indellibly photographed in my mem sent a thrill through every heart and
ory. Mrs 'raywood and her grand awed the ruffians into silence. With
daughter, a young lady of eighteen, my bowed heads they walked out of the
self and my children, all dressed in our room. Day was dawning when the
night garments, and with bare feet, for raiders left us for their ca.nps.
the Yankees did not give a moment for It is impossible at this day for those
dressing; my husband, in his night who did not suffer such things to under-
clothing, seated on the bedside, his gray stand our true condition. We were a
hairs, his defiant eye, and three power party of five females and one old man,
ful "Union soldiers swearing they several miles from any neighbors, with-
would "blow his brains out unless he out a firearm of any kind on the place,
handed over his money, complete the completely at the mercy of a band of des-
picture. Threats, however, failed to perados, who could have murdered us
make my husband tell anything. Our without being punished by their officers.
keys were demanded, and if not in After this experience we determined
stantly given trunks, drawers, ward-
to send our daughters to Munroe, fearing
robes were broken open, and beds tum another visit, when we might not get off
bled on the floor, and carpets ripped up, so easily. Some friends offered to assist
in fact every portion of the house was us in moving; but this was impossible,
searched where they thought treasure as we had cattle in the swamps, and
might be hid. A Yankee stood guard there were no wagons to haul our furni-
over us while this search was made.
ture; so we decided to remain.
Meantime a crowd of negroes and My husband left in a few weeks with
Yankees were under the house digging his cattle for the West, leaving me alone
for the hidden “gold," and failing in with the little negro girl that I have
their search the Yankees assembled on mentioned; and one morning while
the piazza and after consultation, or busily engaged in my work three burly
dered my husband to be brought out. I
negroes forced themselves into the house
knew what they now intended to do if and demanded this little girl. I refused
he went alone. They had determined to give her up and they cursed me, and
to hang him until he did tell. I gave the moving away said they would go across
order to move to the piazza and all went, the lake for some Yankees, and would
my husband surrounded by five females
return and burn my house. An Irish-
who were willing and determined to man, a hermit, lived back in the swamp
suffer with him.
one and a half miles, and I decided to
Reaching the gallery, we seated our carry the girl to him. Hand in hand we
selves together and waited the Yankees' went through fields covered with weeds
movements. The moon was shining in
about six feet high until the hut was
all her beauty full upon us, and I have reached, when leaving the girl I re-
often thought our white garments in turned home alone.
that moonlight made us such a “phan As I neared the house I peeped cau-
tom party” that the raiders were over tiously around, looking for the Yankees.
awed and conscious-stricken. At length I crept behind the outhouses every
our spectre brigade” was marched back
moment expecting to be shot; still I de-
to my room.
termined to enter my house and boldly
Grandma Tray wood, old and feeble, walked in. Nothing had been molested
sank into a chair, and her watch fell
in my absence. I remained alone that
from its hiding place. I instantly seized night, feeling secure in God's protec-
it and put it back, but the keen eye of a
tion.
Yankee saw me and he demanded that
MOVING AGAIN.
the watch be given to him. Grandma
Traywood refused. Calling other Yan Unable to bear the loneliness of my
kees to his assistance, three Bluecoats. Il situation I decided to move again, al-

YANKEES IN MADISON PARISH.
21
though my husband had not returned || burned, and the owners scattered.
and there was not a human being or a Nearly every house on Walnut Bayou
horse to help me. Taking a large sheet had been burned, and there was not a
I emptied the contents of several trunks fence rail to be seen.
into it until it was so full I could scarcely I cannot describe my emotions when
tie the corners. Taking it on my head we reached what had once been our
and then on one side, then the other, I home. Tall weeds grew in the yard,
carried this huge bundle two miles and only the fallen brick remained to
through fields and woods to the house of mark the ruins. Not a home of any
a neighbor who had taken the oath, and kind was to be seen-all had been de-
who had not been molested by the Yan stroyed. The cavalry horses had broken
kees. This neighbor stated that while down my shrubbery, while my shade
his oath forbade him assisting Rebels, trees had been split into firewood. It
still he would care for my goods if I was useless, however, to cry over the de-
would bring them to his house. He struction, and pitching our tent in the
loaned me an old horse, which I mounted yard we commenced life anew-hoping
without a saddle, and returned home, and trusting in the same God who had
determined now to move in earnest. so often cared for us. Not a foot of lum-
All day long I went backward and for ber could be had with which to build.
ward, like Crusoe to his ship, and by Eut fortunately Grant had left piles of
night I had carried my clothing and hewn logs, which were intended for
feather beds to my Union neighbors. bridges, and these my husband collected
Next day two Yankee deserters came to and soon erected a "log cabin," which
my Union neighbor, riding some of the was very comfortable.
poorest mules that could be found in the The farmers of Madison Parish were
parish. A gentleman friend learning generally wealthy men, having good
my condition, kindly procured a wagon homes filled with elegant furniture.
and with the deserters' mules hitched to Whenever this furniture was left by the
it we loaded what I had brought on my fleeing owners it was seized by the Fed-
pack-horse the day before, and, seated erals. The Mississippi River furnished
on the top with my little negro girl, we easy transportation to the Northwest.
bade adieu to my home and drove to- | In my musings I often picture to myself
wards Delhi. All of my furniture, which a "sweet Western girl” entertaining her
was valuable, was left behind.
beau with music on a piano which she
Nearing Delhi, I met my husband in boastingly says “Papa captured in the
the road, returning from the West. I war," while her mother dashes around in
shall never forget how he looked. Stop a damask lined carriage that was once a
ping his horse by the wagon, he looked Rebel's property, and the little children
up in my face without speaking a word. of the brave Union soldier nestle together
Great tears were rolling down his fur on a confiscated mahogany bedstead.
rowed cheeks, and extending his hand, Some may say, "Oh! those were only
his voice trembling with emotion, he camp-followers and bummers who pil-
spoke :
laged your private residences. Not-
"Thank God !” he said, "we are out of withstanding, the pulpit, the press, pub-
the Yankees' clutches." Mounting the lic sentiment urged and applauded every
wagon we went along telling each other indignity that was heaped upon us.
all our troubles. We grew merry after Those Union officers who devastated our
a few miles' ride, for we were now once fields and burned our cities have been
more breathing freedom. At Delhi we rewarded with honors and princely
telegraphed to friends in Munroe of our emoluments of office, while others who
coming, and the cars soon carried us to were gentlemen are forgotten.
our daughter's and a warm welcome A lady, while visiting Minnesota with
from friends who awaited us.
her husband some few years since, met
For months I had been under contin a man, holding an important office, who
ued excitement, which kept me from boasted of the part he took in burning
sinking under my troubles; when this Delhi and the private residences on Wal-
excitement was gone I fell sick, and for nut Bayou. His recital of how he made
months I was kept in my room.
“the Rebels scamper seemed to afford
him intense pleasure. After listening
A SCENE OF DESOLATION.
quietly for a time with suppressed in dig-
After the surrender we made prepa nation to his adventures, she informed
him that her home was in Madison
ration to return to our home on
Parish, and then giving him her opinion
Walnut Bayou, near Vicksburg. We
of Yankee raiders in a style that only an
found destruction from Delhi to Vicks “unreconstructed” Rebel woman is capa-
burg. The fine residences had all been ble of doing, left his presence. This

22
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
lady was the little girl whose steady
hand made a light when the midnight
raiders came to my house.
We have years ago forgiven all who
wronged us, but do not ask us to forget.
For
"The terrible past
Must ever be ours while life shall last;
Ours with its memories-ours with its pain
Ours with its best blood shed like rain-
Its sacrifices, all made in vain.
Forget? Never!”
No. 5.-How the Arsenal was Taken.
(By Mrs. Eliza B. Stinson, of Mecklenburg
County, N. C.)
The town of Fayetteville, North Caro-
lina, although situated amid the piney
woods, may be called a picturesque place.
It is built on three natural terraces on
the Cape Fear River, and the big Claren-
don Bridge is the most conspicuous fea-
ture in the landscape and the only bridge
on the river. Doubtless, the horses, if
they could speak, would say the river
hill was a very important consideration,
as they have to haul all the merchandise
brought to Fayetteville up its steep and
often muddy though comparatively
short ascent, but the inhabitants at large
seldom see or think of it. I never saw
the river at this point till the day "every-
body” went to “see off” the two first
companies that were raised in the county
to join the Southern army. In my grand-
father's day the town was really on the
river, and the shabby old dilapidated
buildings that still remain were the
abode of the élite, but, like the course of
empire, it has gradually taken its way
westward, and one does not see a single
substantial dwelling for half a mile, and
not a store is to be seen until the second
terrace is reached, nearly a mile from the
river. The market is just at the top of
this short steep ascent.
The second level extends about half
a mile westward where Haymount begins
to rise, or "The Hill" as it is called by
the town people. The town is intersected
by three large creeks, two of which are
beautiful, clear and swift running
streams, furnishing in ante-bellum days
water power for a number of grist mills
and three cotton factories. There were
besides a carriage manufactory, known
all over the South, besides turpentine dis-
tilleries and smaller workshops, which,
including two other factories in the vi-
cinity, gave us the notion that Fayette-
ville was quite a manufacturing town.
The corporate limits were at the foot of
Haymount, but practically "The Hill"
settlement was a part of the town. It was
laid off in streets and squares and the resi-
dents, my father being one, were almost
without exception men doing business
in town. Several of our largest dealers
and most prominent lawyers lived there,
and every morning early numbers of one-
horse rockaways might be seen convey-
ing them down the hill to business, and
their daughters to school. The hand-
some residence surrounded with flowers,
immediately to the right as you left be-
hind the town proper, was the home of
the late E. J. Hale, editor of the Observer'.
On the hill were the most beautiful
flower gardens and some of the hand-
somest houses; here also was the United
States Arsenal.
The old original Arsenal counted the
handsomest collection of buildings the
town could boast of, included three fine
residences for the officials. The build-
ings were all painted cream-color, with
brown trimming, and were arranged in a
hollow rectangle with the citadel in the
centre. This was a large oblong three
story building with an observatory on
each end of the roof. The intervening
grounds were laid out with walks and
drives and set with grass and evergreens.
Large oaks dotted it at intervals. The
whole was surrounded by a high
wall having a tower at each corner and
surmounted by an iron railing. The
powder magazines were outside the en-
closure, in the rear, at a respectful dis-
tance. The Arsenal grounds were one
square back from the main street, and
fronted at right angles to it toward the
east. The ground fell away rapidly to
the south and east, giving it a command-
ing position in the direction of the river,
about two miles off. The view from the
citadel was very fine. The town lay at its
feet and two very large ponds, they
might be called lakes, sparkled in the
sun to the south. Altogether we thought
it a very pretty place. We brought our
visiting friends here. 'Twas our cen-
tral park on a small scale. But to-day
there is not one brick upon another, and
one of the chief grudges which the peo-
ple bear Gen. Sherman is for the
destruction of their Arsenal.
A TOWN OF THE OLDEN DAYS.
Before the days of railroads, Fayette-
ville had a large trade from the western
part of the State and upper counties of

HOW THE ARSENAL WAS TAKEN.
23
South Carolina. In my day, however, || was done. Twas but child's play as
she had lost all but the turpentine trade compared with the work done after-
of the piney woods country. She had wards by the Confederate Government.
been for many years apparently a fin Now, however, all was changed; there
ished town. There were no fine public was a large quantity of arms and ammu-
buildings nor elegant houses, no very tion stored here, and suppose towards
wealthy people in the place, but there Christmas, when the negroes were gen-
were neat and convenient houses, well erally supposed to be taken with annual
furnished, and a great deal of solid com longings to "rise.” the munitions of war
fort. The parlor of one of our well-to should prove a temptation too strong for
do citizens might be taken as a fair type them to resist? Timid people began to
of the whole house. The people liyed ask each other how Capt. Bradford and
weli and were whole-hearted in their his old gentlemen were going to guard
hospitality. They cared for the desti them. Men's hearts were failing them
tute and unfortunate at home. Being for looking for those things that were
fifty miles from the railroad, the place coming. The scent of war was in the
was really a large country village, though air. The negroes might take the infec-
ranking third as to population among tion. The end of all the talk was that a
the towns of the State, and took things request was sent from some of our citi-
slow and easy. Wilmington laughed at zens to the secretary, asking that a guard
her being a year behind the fashions, but of soldiers be sent to protect the Arsenal.
she did not mind that, caring litle for vain The request was complied with, and the
display. The place was originally a Scotch people breathed free for a while.
settlement, and first called Campbel-
ton, and the coin paratively isolated situ-
ARRIVAL OF THE ARTILLERY.
ation which she had held for so many I was a very young miss in my teens,
years, tended to preserve the original
then, but I remember as well as yester-
characteristics of her fathers almost in-
tactin her people to the breaking out of the
day my impressions on seeing the first
war. They preferred plain comfort and real soldiers I had ever beheld, except
the education of their children to that
our post commanders, who always wore
feverish striving after display, often with
citizens' clothes. The morning they ar-
very slender backing, which is so char-
rived we were wending our way down
acteristic of co-day in our fast little rail-
the hill to school, and met them march-
road towns. They were cautious, econom ing up to the Arsenal. There were forty
ical, industrious, in earnest about every-
men, including officers. It was a driz-
thing, and not a little stubborn in their
zly fall day and they were wrapped in
prejudices. They were religious and,
their long overcoats. They were artil-
considering their means, supported their
lerymen, and carried no guns upon their
churches well. Fayetteville was to them
shoulders, and as they walked quietly
the only place in the world really worth
along without fife or drum I thought
living in, and they had a smile of supe-
they looked very poky and humdrum,
ior pity for the fastness of their neigh-
not near so martial as our volunteer
bors on the railroads who laughed at companies on the glorious Fourth, par-
their old-fashioned notions.
ading with their gleaming bayonets, gay
When Secretary Floyd, of Buchanan's
uniforms and plumed hats, to the music
Cabinet, moved a quantity of arms and of a band playing “Hail' Columbia !”?
ammunition from Northern arsenals We thought very little more of them at
and distributed it among those located the time, but the day came when they
at the South, he added to the small quan-
became suddenly invested with a fear-
tity of stores in the Fayetteville Arsenal.
ful importance in our inexperienced
Then the citizens began to find out for
eyes.
the first time what an arsenal was made
The winter wore on, as winters will
for. Previously it had been especially always, whether men's hearts are heavy
supposed to be mainly useful as a com-
or light; the spring came and with it the
fortable berth for old Capt. Bradford,
inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, and
who generally held the place of port the proclamation. The character of our
commander, and kept bachelor's hail in people being such as I have described,
one of the fine houses, having several
it is not surprising that like the border
other old gentlemen as his assistants in people generally they had hitherto hesi-
taking care of the empty building. We
tated at taking the serious step of sep-
children thought it was a jolly place for arating from the Union, but when
fireworks on the Fourth of July. There
Abe's proclamation in a twinkle.
was a machine shop of some kind run
Stirred up the blood of Rip Van Winkle,"
by a thirty-horse power steam engine,
but nothing of any great consequence ll they sprang to arms as one man. It

24
will be remembered how North Carolina || middle aged physician, who stood at
then went out of the Union without any the head of our "faculty," and was
ceremony, and companies were raised generally believed by us to be the
and equipped, and regiments formed, first doctor of the age, mounted on
before the State had time for the formal a prancing steed, with a feather in
secession, which took place on the twen his hat, on duty as a staff officer.
tieth of May. Fayetteville had two com There was a well known portly old
panies, fully equipped, in Raleigh be lawyer, pompous but true hearted,
fore that day. We had already two holi marching as private in the ranks by
day volunteer companies, of not more the side of a white haired merchant
than forty or fifty men each. They pro whose spare form held a heart beating
ceeded to fill up their ranks, and soon had with the resolute blood of the Scots.
over a hundred each on their rolls. The Bald headed presidents of banks, and
women were as anxious to do their part grizzly bearded clerks walked side by
as the men, and there was plenty for side, resolved to do or die. Few of these
them to do. The volunteers were to be old gentlemen probably had shot a
fitted out, and there were miles of sewing squirrel in thirty years, or taken as
to be done, to get all the needed gar long a walk as the distance from the
ments put together. But before we got rendezvous up hill to the Arsenal, but
well started with our needles Governor they swelled the ranks of the mighty
Ellis sent orders to Gen; Draughan, who army, and doubtless helped to convince
commanded the county militia, to call the handful of men who held the strong-
out his men and take possession of the hold that "resistance was useless.''
Arsenal, before the authorities at Wash-
ington could send in reinforcements.
A MORNING OF GREAT SUSPENSE.
Ah! then there was hurrying to and fro. But would there be any resistance on
Monday was the day appointed for the
the part of the forty drilled and disci-
great undertaking. I have forgotten the
exact date, but it was about the middle of
plined soldiers who comprised the gar-
April. The ladies had been at work fix rison? That was a question which filled
ing up hats for the volunteers. It had the hearts of the women with fear, for
been decided that all the superfluous or there was not a house that did not have
naments should be removed from the one or two men in the field that day.
coats of the old members of the compa Brevet-Major Anderson, the captain of
nies, and these garments put on a war the company, had already resigned his
footing. They were now to be put to a commission, but had not heard from
different use from that for which they Washington. He was sick in bed more-
were originally made. The fanciful hel over, and Lieut. De Lagnal was in com-
mets, with their bright colored plumes, mand of the men. The lieutenant's pre-
were to be exchanged for soft hats. But
we thought that soldiers must have a orderly sergeant had deserted with the
plume in their hats, so it was decided intention of joining one of our compa-
that a black feather would be the correct
thing with which to go into real war, arrive and was in hiding, some of our
and there was a call for contributions of young men could doubtless have told
feathers, which came in from the ladies where. The relations previously exist-
in abundance. It was in the midst of ing between the garrison and towns-
this decoration of hats that the order for people had not become strained since
our men to take their first march up to the preparations for war set in. The
the cannon's mouth was given. It was officers went and came to the hotels as
necessary to go to work after service usual, where they boarded with their
Sunday to get all the hats ready in time wives. Of course it would be folly in a
for next day's work. Cartridges, too, handful of men so far from their base,
could be made by the women, and all and in the heart of a hostile country, to
hands were busy.
resist, as eventually they would be
All the county militia were put in obliged to surrender or die.
requisition for the deed of daring, and But should they consider it their duty
early next morning in every direction to destroy the Arsenal or resist its cap-
they were coming in Young and old, ture, with their superior discipline and
rich and poor, flocked to the place of their artillery within the shelter of the
rendezvous. There was a company of walls, they might mow down hundreds
"Home Guards” formed for this special of our raw militia before they could be
occasion, comprising the citizens over
age, and every man in town that could
shoulder a gun, except the preachers, old iron guns of small calibre which had

HOW THE ARSENAL WAS TAKEN.
25
on the glorious days of our Republic. || hands of the General's staff, demanding
My father had died only two months the surrender of the Arsenal to the forces
previously, and the brother who had of the State of North Carolina. Lieut.
taken his place in the large family was DeLagnal was in command at the time.
in the ranks with his townsmen. The He observed the proprieties of the occa-
position of the Arsenal, surrounded with sion with becoming gravity. Gen.
dwellings, with the town close at the Draughan with his staff conducted him
foot of the hills, would have necessita under the flag of truce to survey the at-
ted fearful havoc among our houses from tacking force, and he was convinced that
the use of artillery Fayetteville had it was useless for him to contend against
been burned up twice in the business such odds. He asked of the captain of
life of my father, but a common home one company “how many rounds of
made fire, though fearful enough in it ammunition his men had ?
self, would be rendered a hell with fly “Three,” was the answer.
ing shot and hissing shells added to the “Do you consider three rounds suffi-
horrors of the scene. So thought and cient to go into battle with ?”
felt our women on that eventful morn "When that is gone, sir, we'll club our
ing. The men all professed to be confi guns."
dent that the place would be surrendered It was a warm day for the season, and
on deinand by such a large force as we the new soldiers were very thirsty and
proposed to send up the hill. Neverthe saw no reason why they should not re-
less they looked serious, and probably fresh themselves with a drink of water
during the four years of the war never while waiting to hear whether or no that
was a morning of greater suspense en hour might be their last. But one valiant
dured than on the eventful day “when captain who had worked himself up into
the Arsenal was taken."
the proper frame of mind for the stern
The mention of that day excites a realities of war, thought doubtless it was
smile now in Fayetteville. It appears very unsoldierly to be complaining of
in the light of a burlesque upon war; thirst after so short a walk under an
but our sufferings were none the less April sun. He sternly informed his
real at the time. I have always regretted men that they did not come there to
that we did not turn out to see our band, drink water, but to die. After much
twelve hundred strong, as they marched parley and what seemed an almost inter-
up the hill, but at our house the elders minable delay on the part of the waiting
thought it advisable that the women and anxious women, it was agreed that
should keep quiet at home, and we | the Arsenal and all its contents were to
missed the imposing sight. There is a be given up to the State troops on con-
very deep cut in the road at the steepest dition that the garrison should be al-
part of the long hill, however, and from lowed to salute their flag before lower-
the top of the bank on either side a good ing it and should have the liberty of re-
view of the advancing host was had by turning to Washington with their bag-
the Hill people near by, whose terror gage in safety. DeLagnal being the only
was overcome by their curiosity. But officer available, considered it his duty
as we lived more than half a mile further to stay by them till they were put in
on we saw nothing of it. Doubtless as charge of the proper authorities. So the
the Home Guard passed irreverent girls Arsenal was taken.
were found to laugh. It is not often in The salute was fired first, the Stars
this world that any situation of affairs and Stripes were lowered, then our men
can be found where school girls will not marched in and raised the State flag
find something to laugh at. “Dear me! and saluted it. The United States troops
how much fighting can these old men left the old flag behind when they went
do? "Do look at old Mr. He away and some of the ladies afterwards
looks as if a feather would knock him converted it into a Confederate flag,
over!" "Lawyer - looks as if he when the Stars and Bars had been settled
thought himself Napoleon himself; and upon. When Col. Childs, with his com-
I'll venture to say he's tired half to pany of Confederate soldiers, evacuated
death now." "Don't you know some of the place before the march to the sea
them are scared?” “Goodness! Lucy, overwhelmed it, he carried off the old
let's go home; suppose they should send flag, and the final fate of it was to be
a volley of shells right over here?" and torn in strips and distributed among his
so on.
lady friends as mementoes. I have one
THE CAPTURE OF THE ARSENAL.
of them still in my possession.
In the meantime, in our little neigh-
But the regiment passed on its way,
borhood on the very verge of the Hill
nd arriving at the proper distance, ll settlement, half a mile from the Arsenal,
halted and sent in a flag of truce by the ll and half that distance from the main

26
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
road, we were cut off from sight of the || our way, and cousin - is almost
hill summit by groves of trees, and crazy.
could not see the flag, nor hear any That was the promptest errand I ever
thing that was going on. We were very | did, and probably among the most ac-
quiet at our house and tried to go about ceptable in its results.
our usual employment, but the servants
were frightened half out of their wits.
THE SLY OLD WARRIORS.
With wild eyes the middle-aged cook So passed that eventful day, at that time
came in.
doubtless the most anxious that Fayette-
"Mistis," she said, with trembling
lisp "I hearn them people was gwine
ville had seen in that generation. Some
ter throw a bum over dat way and one simple souls imagined the war was over.
over dis 'er way, befo' dey give up de One old lady remarked that she had seen
Ars'nal, and I jis come ter tell you I was one war, and hoped never to see another.
gwine down in de holler.”
But the provoking part to us females
We heard afterwards that the gulleys was to hear, as we discussed the day
in the hillside were lined that morning with our returned braves in the evening,
with the frightened negroes.
how it had come out that the heads on
Our nearest neighbor was a near rela both sides had had a private consultation
tion, a maiden lady, one of those persons beforehand, and the terms of the surren-
who always look for the worst. The dear der had been agreed upon and papers
old lady was in a terrible state of mind, signed in a very friendly manner. The
and we all felt the responsibility of sup parade of the day had been a mere com-
porting her in the trying hour, although edy to set things right at Washington,
her own status in the contest was not but of course the rank and file were kept
greater than that of her neighbors all in ignorance of this fact till after all was
round. We had all been accustomed to over.
hear salutes fired on National festivals Lieut. James DeLagnal took his men
by our town's people in a slow and de at once to Washington and handed them
liberate manner, with an interval of sev- over to the department. The o
eral minutes between shots; but when || lieutenants belonging to the company
the United States soldiers fired off their had never been to Fayetteville. They
thirty-one guns in rapid succession with | sided with the Union, and we heard
scarcely a second between, 'twas an aw- l that this company was among the regu-
ful sound in our ears. We thought || lar troops who bore the brunt of the first
surely it was a broadside mowing down Il battle of Manassas, and that it was
our devoted band. Our excited neighbor almost annihilated on that field. DeLag-
seemed to take it for granted that her nal was offered a commission as captain
brother and his son "had rushed into Il but declined the honor, and resigning
the field and foremost fighting fell” at his commission joined the Southern
the first shot, and she began walking up army in Virginia. He behaved with
and down her front piazza, wringing her great gallantry at the fatal conflict on
hands, screaming at the top of her voice, Rich Mountain, and was long supposed
“Oh, my poor brother! Oh, my poor to have been left among the slain. He
John !” She could be heard all over the dropped out of my record after that, but
neighborhood. All the rest of us were I believe he survived the war.
as much frightened, but we did not I well remember how his eagle eye
scream.
and soldier-like bearing were admired
At length I remembered that the flag by our school girls, while Major Robert
could be seen from the house of a neigh Anderson commanded much less of our
bor, perhaps three hundred yards off, l attention. The Major, as he appeared
but out of hearing.
in church with his wife, dressed in a
"I'll run over to Mr. W's and see if Il neat business suit, was a stout, comfor-
the flag is up,'' said I, and away I sped table looking gentleman who would be
though it was towards the field of battle; taken for a substantial merchant or
and when I put my foot on the high bank officer rather than a soldier. But
piazza-lo! the bare flag-staff greeted my appearances deceive. The Major was
delighted eyes.
given command of the Fourth North
The lady of the house was seated on Carolina Regiment, and proved himself
the piazza apparently calmly sewing, in the field not only a soldier, but a man.
(she was one of the women who helped Accustomed to the discipline of the reg-
to bear the burdens of the world,) but I ular army he was strict with his men;
had no time for a visit to our good friend he required every one to do his duty,
that day.
at the same time he was equally careful
"I must run right back,” I said, "every to see to their comfort in every way
body is frightened nearly to death over ll possible, and made sure that they got

HOW THE ARSENAL WAS TAKEN.
27
their share of everything that was ll the others off without feathers in their
going. When he was promoted to the hats or parade suits, and requisitions
rank of brigadier-general they never had to be made on our family supplies
had another colonel who took such good of blankets and carpets to supply this
care of his, men. When he died of lock needful article, as well as to respond to
jaw from a wound in the foot received at calls made on the part of destitute com-
Sharpsburg, the Southern Cause never panies abroad; and many families in
lost a braver soldier nor one that was moderate circumstances gave blankets
more faithful to his duty in every respect. they could have used at home without
After the Arsenal was off our minds having too many. I never nestled under
for a time, we returned to the serious my blankets of a cold or rainy winter
work of finishing the equipment of our night but my last thought was for our
men for the terrible work before them, soldiers under the blue star-spangled
although the most experienced among roof of heaven, or the dark and pitiless
us scarcely realized how terrible it was rain clouds. All through the terrible
to be, nor the privations they would be struggle the women of Fayetteville were
called upon to endure in the field, or ever ready to respond to any call on
those we would have to bear at home. their time or labor, or means, (so far as
The school-girls were wild; no use was they continued to have any,) ever faith-
it to mention books to them; it was their ful to the cause which they had at heart
plain duty to sew for the soldiers, and with all the earnestness of their Scotch
sew they did, though I much fear some blood.
of the work might have been criticised Although not subject to the horrors of
by particular persons. There were dress actual battle, many of our people en-
parade suits and fatigue suits to be dured privations never before dreamed
made, as well as underclothing suitable of. Those called “the poor” got along
to camp life-tents, haversacks, canteens as well as ever probably, as they did not
to be covered, in fact every part of the scruple to ask for help; but the suffering
outfit except the knapsacks, was made by was among those families who were ac-
the voluntary labor of the women. They customed to every comfort, and were
assembled in bees from house to house, above asking or even receiving assist-
where the most experienced ladies could ance from others, and many families of
oversee the difficult parts of the work, this class found great difficulty in pro-
such as the making of coats which could curing the bare necessaries of life. I
not be trusted to novices. And when have known cases in which corn bread
our two first companies left us, we felt formed the sole bill of fare at meals in
that they were as well provided for as families accustomed to comfort and even
soldiers could expect to be, and us girls luxury. Imitation coffee often became
were proud to feel that we had done our a luxury out of reach of many unless
part as well as school-girls could be ex taken without sugar or cream, especially
pected to.
during the last two years of the war. If
a family could afford a slice of meat
THE REAL WAR BEGINS.
around for dinner, and home-made mo-
These companies represented in the lasses at other meals, they considered
themselves fortunate, and pitied the
main our best educated and well-to-do
poor. The town was never a very good
classes. They were among the first to
market for fresh meats, butter, &c., but
arrive in Raleigh and were both putinto when it became crowded with refugees
the 1st North Carolina Regiment. It was from down the river and the increase
fortunate for Fayetteville that this regi attendant on the many new operatives
ment was sworn in for six months only,
and officials employed in the new and
as our companies returned home at the comparatively extensive works carried
end of that time, and the men were scat-
on at the Arsen:1, these articles became
tered among other regiments mostly as luxuries reserved for those whose wealth
officers. Though the town lost heavily still continued available, and they were
of her sons during the war, the loss was by no means a large class. New clothes
probably less than it would have been if couldn't be thought of by the majority.
so large a number had remained in a
What wonderful triumphs of genius
single regiment throughout the war.
were then achieved by the ladies
But woman's work was by no means
who had been taught good use of
done when these two companies had left their needles, in the “reconstruction of
us. Other companies were formed more old dresses, in making auld claise look
slowly, and there was plenty of work to las maist as weels' the new." How garrets
be done. We became plainer in our
were ransacked for old discarded gar-
notions. however, as materials began to ments, that were brought out and sur-
be less plenty, and were content to send 'prised by having a fresh lease of life

28
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
given them in new characters. What Il wrung our hands. "March on to victory
nice bonnets were made of old black silk or death !" was our cry. In the midst of
dress bodies, trimmed with goose feath our excitement we saw a group of horse-
ers, and lined with red or blue satin men coming down the road towards
from the lining of old coat sleeves, hats town. We ran to meet them, hoping for
constructed of old discarded ones of news, aud our hearts fell to the lowest
feathers, trimmed with old coat collars place when we saw Gen. Holmes, Col.
and cock's plumes cut off the rooster in Peter Mallett and some other officers
the yard. Space fails me to tell of all riding slowly along towards home.
the shifts that were made-not that we What upon earth were these gentlemen
thought so much of our personal appear doing here! Gen. Holmes had married
ance as in happier times, but women in Fayetteville and we had all known
will always try to "look decent”' at least, him from our earliest years.
and young girls will not often be found “Oh, General,” we cried, “can it be
too sad to refuse to consider the set of a that Lee has surrendered ???
dress or the becomingness of a hat. I "Yes,” said the old general from a full
wish our women to-day would still re heart, his voice trembling with emotion.
member the lessons of those days, and “Yes, all is over. The South is over-
practice a part, at least, of the enforced come. Fayetteville has no cause to blame
plainness of “war times." We should herself. She has done her whole duty,
then hear less of mortgages and liens, and if all people everywhere had done
and the miseries of the credit system. as well, it might have been different."
But through all the privations, real or As they passed on we returned home.
relative, not one of us ever thought of We had no more to talk about that eve-
the possibility of giving up. To the ning. The war had ended as we had
bitter end we believed firmly in the jus never believed possible; all the days of
tice and final success of the cause, and agonizing suspense, our wives, mothers,
even after the devastations of Sherman's sisters, and sweethearts, had endured,
army we did not lose faith, but while their loved ones were hourly ex-
thought "some way” would yet be found posed to deadly danger, the nights of
out of the difficulty, and the surrender sleepless anxiety, wishing yet dreading
of Lee came upon us like a thunder for the morning-all the privations, self-
clap.
denials, losses, had been in vain. All the
WOMANS' FAITH AND HOPE.
precious lives had been sacrificed, and
for what? Defeat at last. Desolation
One pleasant evening in April, 1865,
met our eyes all around. Want was
we heard that a battalion of cavalry was lurking among us. The earth seemed
to pass up the road, and "the girls” in turned upside down, and chaos seemed
our neighborhood hastened out to the
to reign.
But not long did Fayetteville lie weep-
main road with flowers and encouraging
ing in the dust. 'Twas not in her na-
smiles. We had little else to bestow, for ture. She gathered herself up and went
the rations of our people had been cut to work again. She bought from the
down so low by Sherman's requisitions United States the millions of brick left
upon our smoke-houses and pantries in the ruined walls of the Arsenal with
that the bacon had ceased to go round which to repair her waste places, and she
the family. It was harder still to make has struggled on all these years with
ends meet--in many families they didn't adverse circumstances. But to-day all
quite meet. At home we always had is about to be changed. She is to have
enough, though it might be plain, but I very soon a railroad completed to con-
can't say as much for all our neighbors. nect her with the high-roads of the
But our hearts were as stout as ever; nation once more. Modern progress
that the war was over had not come into has laid its coal of fire upon her
our heads. As we stood dispensing our back, and before many years old-
flowers or passing a word with a linger fashioned Fayetteville will be no
ing soldier, or having a little chat with more. It will be simply a common-
an officer, somebody came up and told place, modern, railway town. The young
us that news had come that Lee had sur-
ladies will no longer be behind in the
rendered. We refused to believe such a fashions, but daughters of parents in
story. "Lee surrendered !" "Lee would moderate circumstances will be seen
never surrender.” Women are so un fashionably attired in satin bought with
reasonable, they can't see what they the money that should have been spent
don't want to see really.
in new sheets and towels for family use.
We begged the soldiers not to give up. Elegant parlors will be seen in houses
It could not be possible that the South where the doors are left carefully closed
was really subdued. We wept and ll on bare bedrooms. The lady who used

HOW THE ARSENAL WAS TAKEN.
29
to say (I heard her) that she preferred || &c., to raise money for the hospitals,
her friends should know her told last were the few officials at the Arsenal and
winter's bonnet had been brought out the hospital and those of our soldiers
again,” will be superseded by the lady who happened to be at home convales-
who cannot possibly wear a dress two cent on sick leave. The “bomb-proof”
seasons, therefore has no means to ex young gentlemen were all strangers in
ercise the comfortable, if not showy nor Fayetteville, if my memory does not fail
lavish, hospitality which was gracefully me, except two, and they were among
exercised by the old bonnet and care the six months' men, I think, who had
fully preserved black silk. The old contracted ill-health in the Yorktown
stage coach in which every child of old Peninsula. But these strangers ac-
Fayetteville has doubtless been turned quitted themselves handsomely of the
over in the dead of night, (I have en onerous duties required of them as
joyed that privilege) wilí be forgotten gallants to a whole town full of bereaved
and her people will be mashed up on
fast mail trains.
ing, eyer ready to give us the use of
their spare time and their talents in all
FAYETTSVILLE'S LOSSES BY THE WAR.
our undertakings, to serve as best men
I have no means at hand for ascertain at the rather mournful weddings, to bear
ing the exact loss of life Fayettville sus-
our dead to the graves. We would have
been badly off without them perhaps,
tained in her sons by the war. As an
and we wish to give them due thanks.
illustration it may be interesting to give
the statistics of one family. Our family
connection, which was large, sent eleven In these lines I have tried to give
men to the war, five of whom were mar-
some account of what the war was to a
ried and, with one exception, had young
families. We had but three men left at
somewhat isolated but not inactive
home amenable to military duty. These community, and one which I feared
were all men with large families de would otherwise be neglected in this
pending on their earnings for a support.
series. What I have said of her women
None of them made a cent by the war, should not be called egotistical as I was
only managing to get a living through too young to take a woman's part in that
it. It was perhaps a little remarkable troublous time. I only write what I
that only three out of the whole number remember of my sister townswomen as
of married men in the connection had I saw them. It has been sixteen years
fathers-in-law living, and one of these since I saw Fayetteville. The last
didn't count. These three were volun glimpse I caught of it was from the deck
teers. One died of a wound received at of a little river steamer bound for Wil-
Seven Pines, and lies buried in a pretty mington. There was the New Bridge
village churchyard, and his widow sits and the unattractive river hill, and a
in the village church with her sweet sad party of my young friends who had
face still shaded by the widow's veil. come to bid me good-bye. As I waved
Her resolute spirit refused to allow her my handkerchief to them there stood by
to remain entirely dependent on her my side one of the boys in grey who had
aged father with her four little children, followed Col. Robert Anderson from a
and she taught school and sewed day western county to the war. He, too, had
and night in the endeavor to ease the been a faithful soldier, though he had
never been wounded by a bullet. But
children are all grown now and settled the more insidious but often not less
in life. She is not old yet, but her eye deadly enemies, in the coarse and often
sight is nearly gone, and in the enforced scanty fare, the cold winds and deep
idleness of many of her hours doubtless snows of the Virginia mountains, the
the bitterness of that parting with her driving rains, the barefoot march over
young and talented husband is often the rough and rocky mountain paths, all
these left their marks upon him, and he
these things be? Five in all of our struggles to-day with a constitution en-
boys died a soldier's death. Two of them feebled by the hardships of his soldier's
were the only children of their mother, life.
and she a widow. One of the survivors
I realize that not yet have the anxieties
limps to-day from a wound received in and cares occasioned by the war ceased
battle.
to sadden the hearts and vex the lives of
During the war there was not a beaw Southern women. And not till the last
of us who remember vividly that
ants the girls had to depend upon when Il mighty struggle is laid to rest will the
we had tableaux, concerts, charades, ll war be thought of simply as a matter of

30
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
history, and the bitterness be past. Not || at her while speaking a package marked
till all our disappointed hopes and al bon-bons.
tered lives, our constitutions battered "No bon-bons for me,'' answered Cecil,
by the effort to adapt ourselves to a stepping lightly aside to avoid being
state of society which our education pelted; you can't make me good-natured
and early training had not fitted us | unless you join the Minute Men.'
and early training had not
to encounter, not till all are laid under Her tall sweetheart looked at her mis-
the sod will the bloody shirt be folded chievously, and taking her hand asked
away forever and real peace be given to how a Citadel Cadet could do that?
the land. But, though our generation “If you were born here in Charleston,
may not realize it, I believe we can see as I was, you would find a way," she
the dawning of a new day, and our answered with a pout; "but you people
children will be better and nobler men from the upper part of our State are
and women for all we have gone colder.”
through, and will be able to understand "Kiss your cousin if you would have
that the war was not in vain.
him warm,” he replied demurely, “and
then I'll tell you a secret.”
Best tell me first, or I make no such
No. 6.-Just One Family.
He bowed his curling hair over her
(By Caroline Joachimson, of New York City.)
the little pink ear. The words seemed
electric as she beamed with delight and
gave him an impulsive hug, while call-
reading from an open letter and telling ing out: “Lizzie! Katie ! he has left the
us its contents. “Your brother is com Citadel and joined the Minute Men.
Isn't it delicious ?'' and standing on tip-
ng home; he will be here in a few days.
toe she bestowed the promised kiss and
I'm glad 'till I'm foolish with joy."
fastened the blue badge with its silver ·
“Oh, it is glorious !” we five girls all star on his breast.
cried in one breath, but father looked
"Make Leo join them too,'' Lizzie then
said with all the gravity of premature
very grave and thoughtful.
girlhood, or tell him I will never speak
“Wife," he said, “Marion is our only to him.”
son, and there is war ahead. I wish he "No! little one, I must let my young
would have been persuaded to remain brother remain in the Citadel. Who
away. He was nicely fixed in Baltimore knows but they will get a showing, now
and could have there practiced den that the Secession Ordinance has passed.”
tistry. I'd give all I am worth to keep “George, are the companies forming?''
him in Maryland.”
asked his aunt.
My mother sighed, and quickly shar "Rapidly. The Palmetto Guard, a rem-
ing his anxiety, exclaimed, "That is nant of those who fought in Mexico, are
true!" but we girls, impulsive and ex adding to their numbers and I shall
citable, indignantly scoffed at the idea shortly join them. Girls, all of you
that there could be two sides to the ques-
tion.
hour and take you to see our first gun-
Cecil, the eldest daughter, was busy boat launched-the Lovely Sue. Aunt,
making a "minute man's” badge, of a
sky blue ribbon with a silver star, and "Well, I hardly know myself, George.
the letters "M. M." on the corner. Liz Your uncle is going to insist upon his
zie was knitting a stocking, and brown remaining away until the end of March
eyed Katie was shredding palmetto to at least. I am afraid only his respect and
make up into cockades. A few minutes obedience will make him yield so far,
more and the circle was increased. A for in a letter received to-day he tells
young man entered, grand in his mag us he will be at home in a couple of
nificence of figure, showing symmetry weeks, and this commanding him to
and repressed strength in every limb, wait till events take a more decided turn
over the general height by several will be fearfully trying to my boy."
"Uncle Felix is right. Marion will be
portions. He in addition to this pos in the midst of it soon enough. Come,
sessed a face such as might have be Cecil, sing for me.
longed to an Apollo and looked a won-
derfully perfect specimen of physical ‘Oh, if I were a hero and people would fall
health and beauty as he stood radiant
Just wherever I wished them to lie,
I would make my Belinda the queen of them
with high spirits and life.
“Cecil, here I am !” he said, throwing And live by the light of her eye.'

JUST ONE FAMILY.
31
"That is my song! only my voice is their cheers and shouts when Anderson
lacking, and readily enough he joined || gave up. He pictured to them Wigfall
in a hearty laugh at the unmusical waving above his head the Palmetto
sounds his voice had produced; but flag and going to receive the surrender
just then the drum drew them all to of the coveted stronghold, and in excite-
the streets to learn from the bulletin ment the girls clapped their hands and
board what new excitement was thus shouted, "Bless the fort, for it is ours
heralded.
forever!” and nothing but joy prevailed
till Marion spoke again.
THE CAPTURE OF FORT SUMTER.
"I was too late for that fight,” he said;
Days and weeks passed away and a "but I have sent in my letter for admit-
sigh comes through the forest, soft and
tance to the Lafayette Artilley. I
wish to lose no more time now that I am
warm, for April is here and the five
here."
girls-two of whom are young enough to For a moment our mother turned pale;
rank as babies and bear no active part in then she said : “My son, I cannot keep
this sketch-are gathered under the roof you back."
of their country mansion, on a planta "And I,” added his father, "I, who be-
tion bearing the Indian name of Tipsie lieve that we shall be forced to return to
boa. The family is seated at table where the Union, I still say, fight for your
dinner is served, when suddenly the State, from the moment you enter her
booming roar of cannon is heard. The borders.”
sound is borne distinctly to their ears "Thank you, father; you and mother
over the water, for the plantation bor get me ready to begin the good work to-
ders the Ashley River, and is but six morrow; no harm will come to me, so
teen miles from Charleston. Almost in don't fret. I shall come through all
stantly the table and the house was de right."
serted, and each and all rushed down to With a tear and a smile, the mother
the water's edge, watching the cloud of kissed her dark-eyed boy, who, always
smoke and listening and gazing intently, full of hope and sunny of temper, had
as if eye and ear could pierce the dis never failed to look on the bright side of
tance and witness the conflict.
every thing. The girls made him up a
"What is it?" asks Cecil in a thrilling soldier's wardrobe and filled his needle
whisper.
book as if for a woman's use; then they
“Our troops are recapturing Fort crocheted him a cap of gray chinchilla
Sumter and driving Anderson to sur worsted with a crimson border for his
render,” her father answered, rightly comfort in camp, and before many days
guessing at the truth, then shout he was one of those attacking the enemy.
ing aloud, "Lisbon, saddle the sorrel Weeks and months of patient work
mare at once and come to me."
these girls went on with, shirts, drawers,
In a few moments a messenger was socks and men's outside garments, all
sent to the city for news.
were fashioned by these little fingers,
Ah! the wild excitement of that Fri that previously only embroidered, or
day. Not the smallest child of them all played at sewing. One by one they
ever forgot the 12th of April. Who gave up their expensive ornaments, their
would win? Who would be hurt or jewelry, their silk dresses-nothing was
wounded? Watching and waiting is held back or bestowed grudgingly-and
harder to bear than even certain grief, proud of doing all they could, the pro-
and when on the next day Marion ar duce of the plantation was devoted to
rived, as well as the black courier, whohad feeding the soldiers, though it might
gone to Charleston for news, the tidings have bought them from the blockade
of the victory almost seemed to unnerve running merchant ships the makings of
them with its sudden joy. Marion had beautiful garments. Many a heavy dress
only reached Charleston in time to see of common homespun plaid, spun and
from the Battery the attack on Fort woven within the seceding States, they
Sumter, and he nearly made the girls wore from choice, not only at home in the
wild with enthusiasm by the details of private family circle, but on grand occa-
how Gen. Ripley, with one well-directed sions, on fête days, and at evening
shot, knocked two guns from the para parties; for parties and balls were con-
pets With a powerful glass Marion had stantly given, sometimes on the very
seen a burning shell thrown from Castle eve of battles.
Pinckney that set the beleaguered fort in
DANCING ON THE EVE OF BATTLE.
a flame, and finally he rehearsed with ex-
The privates of the beloved army were
ultation the ardor of our men when
Virginia's venerable patriot, Ruffin, as dear to the female hearts as the most
fired the guns of Moultrie, and told of ll gaudily decorated officer, and each and

32
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
all wished to dance, and to make love, Il desired, from the treasures of the beau-
and even flirt, never once being ap Il tiful gardens through which they wan-
palled by the fear of quick coming dan dered at will.
ger. The three eldest girls were some Such roses they were ! five different
times in their plantation home, manu colors, or rather shades of color, growing
facturing by turns needed garments for on one stem-for the "Russell cottage
the soldiers, or mixing superb Magnolia was in full bloom, and became at once
punch to drink with a Virginia regi the favorite garniture. Every stem pos-
ment quartered on their native soil; sessed a wine or claret-colored rose, a
waltzing with these heroes at night, and pale pink, a bright red, a deep buff, and
perhaps nursing them when wounded a pure white, with their lovely heads
to-morrow; writing for the poor mangled touching each other, and making the
sufferers to their absent ones, and sooth green leaves vanish and become alto-
gether invisible. A wreath formed of
whispering to the convalescent with in such clusters surpassed the most superb
nocent girlish gaiety, “Hurry and get French millinery, and the abundance of
these floral gems gave a feature of yo-
giment a splendid fête champêtre at Ac mance to the unpretending dresses of the
cabee. Oh! we shall have a grand time young girls present.
of it if I can just heal up these hurts
quickly enough.”
LOVE AMONG THE ROSES.
And a “grand time of it they had. Far off, under the shadow of giant
What a beautiful sight it was the men
in gay uniforms, the girls of various
oaks, we watch Cecil wandering with a.
sizes and ages, but all alike in their sim young officer. Suddenly a large rabbit,
ple style of attire, cotton cloth of thick crosses their path and Lieut. Alexander
or thin texture, spun, dyed and manu asks: “Is that a mule-hare ?'
factured in the South, made up so as to “A what ?" says Cecil laughing.
accurately fit the full statuesque lines of He repeats the question, and she
their superb figures. Every dress fabric I mimics thus: “A mule h-a-rr! does
must look well on women so perfectly harr signify rabbit?''
formed, and they were artistically fash “Why surely, that is a hare," he
ioned, so as to leave the tiny feet visible, answers, spelling the word and laugh-
and free to dance with French vivacity, ing, too.
while yet in the promenade or ordinary “I never should have guessed it," she
walk an almost Spanish languor was says mischievously, and with a grave
preserved by the stately motion with and thoughtful shake of the head, adds:
which these fair "rebels' advance.d “You Virginians are so high flown in
For ornaments the girls wore jewelry your language; if you wish me to mount
of their own making. Cecil had a sim the stairs you say, 'mount the stars,
ple dark chain on her white throat and and I am not able to get up so high,
bracelet to match, cut out by her own even if I turn into a witch upon a
industry from water melon seeds, linked broom !'"
one within the other, and then varnished Leaving this bantering couple we
and dried. Lizzie had her handicraft come across Lizzie strolling along with
displayed in palmetto earrings, pin and the tall form of hig:h-private Otho West
bracelets, cut into lacelike fibres and so in proximity.
prepared and cured as to be cream-tinted "What a glorious fight the Palmetto
and very becoming to her dark complex- Guard have made within Fort Sumter,
ion. The rosy fairness of Katie was set he says.
off by gleaming pearl-like flowers, formed
of bleached and polished fish scales with you have any near relatives in that com-
which she had made a fairy-like neck-
pany?!
lace and a spray for her long; curling “Oh! yes, several, and after the affair
hair.
The grounds were prepared for dancing of Palmetto Guard in Fort Sumter. It
by bunting stretched over the grass, and was published in the Charleston Courier,
the martial music belonging to the mili and Capt. Cuthbert, of that company,
tary for the time being played only the sent Cecil a beautiful letter with compli-
"Kiss Waltz'' and "Les Lanciers.” Most mentary resolutions passed by his men
of the men wore the kind of hat then in
fashion, namely, the "Beauregard cap,'' She considers both as badges of honor,
and the girls all had flats of the Watteau || but says her acrostic was not good
style, bent into a deep curve back and enough to deserve them.'?
front and wreathed around with natural "I would like so much to read it.
roses, which they renewed, whenever so I Have you a copy ?"

JUST ONE FAMILY.
33
"No! not here at least; but there is an And mingles its voice with artillery's
poem about Fort Sumter she dedicated roar.
to Lieut.-Col. Stephen Elliott that has
Mark how each missive destruction will
bring,
come out only a few days ago in the
(Bearing down on that Fortress-proud
Courier, and I think Katie cut that one bride of the sea !)
out of the paper and carries it about her. Like the angel of death, with its wide sweep-
I will make her show it to you."
ing wing,
"Let's find her, then. I saw Capt.
Wreaking vengeance, on those who have
dared to be free!
White's head between those magnolia A far in that city of grief and despair
trees yonder, and I'll warrant he is with In that beautiful city more precious than
Miss Katie.”
life.
Then ensued a chase after the roving
Hear the cry of a heart, as it trembles with
fear
couple, and soon they came upon them
In accents of grief-hear the voice of a
seated beneath a magnificent magnolia
wife:
grandiflora, inhaling its powerful per “Oh, Father! I pray Thee, Thou wilt not re-
fume, which in the open air is deli-
ject
The prayer that I offer for him whom I love;
ciously intoxicating, and with a down-
Now shield Thou the Fortress he tries to pro-
ward glance from her almond shaped
tect,
hazel eyes Katie toyed with one of its And help human weakness by aid from
great creamy white flowers, and wan-
above."
tonly defaced its petals by writing with
Misty and gray is the face of the sky,
a pin held between her slim fingers the
Low mutters the wind with an obstinate
name of her present admirer.
sound;
"Very pretty and pastoral, upon my Calmly, but darkly, the billows all lie.
word !'' exclaimed Otho West, but we As stern as the Fort that their waters have
bound.
must break up this idyl. Miss Katie,
Grandly she stands 'midst the enemy's ire,
please let me read that poem of your
Stripped are her ornaments from every
sister's. I have an idea that Miss Cecil
part;
has some special hero in the Palmetto Though in her ruins they bathe her with fire,
Guard, and I want to judge by her
Kindle the surface, yet reach not her heart!
A far, in that city of resolute will,
verses."
In that beautiful city most precious on
"Which ? the poem on Fort Sumter ?"
earth,
asks Katie to gain time, while she slyly Hear the words cry aloud, from the soul that
pockets the defaced magnolia leaf. “Weli,
they fill,
here it is, but we cannot delay our return In prayer for a son and the land of his
birth:
home much longer, so let me read it to
Father, protect him and teach him to live
you. I wonder how you knew sister | To guard the fair Fortress so gallant and
wrote it, for it is only signed 'C?'"
brave;
*The birds of the air told on her. I Or, if it is needful, then nerve him to give
am listening, so please begin.”
His life for the bride of the salt ocean
wave."
A clear young voice then read, with
some pathos, as follows:
"Hurrah for Miss Cecil ! she will be a
real poetess a few years from now, if
FORT SUMTER.
future time does as much to develop
Gaily the sun gleams out on the ocean,
her tastes in that direction as the pres-
Brightly the billows leap up in the light,
ent seems to have fostered, or called
Softly the winds with the fondest emotion,
into life.
Dance o'er the waters and dazzle the sight.
But I am no wiser than
Fair in their midst with its i urreted splendor before; those verses tell me nothing of
Rises the Fort-like a bulwark oi pride! her secret if there be one; perhaps she
Kissed by the waves, that have met to de-
will whisper it confidentially to me on
fend her,
our way back, for the boat has come up
(Sentinels guarding that great ocean bride.)
Afar in that city of mirth, and of pleasure,
to the landing, ladies, and we must say
In that beautiful city, more precious than adieu to Accabee."
pearl,
"Yes,'' answered Lizzie, and to-morrow
Hear a young human heart, as it pleads for
we girls go down to our Charleston
its treasure,
house. My brother is now at Green
In accents of joy, hear the voice of a girl.
“Oh God! in the walls of the Fort, thou hast
Pond with the South Carolina Rangers,
placed him,
and we want to get an India rubber
Though the war rages on, he will there be
blanket to him, for it is unhealthy along
secure,
For the strength of that work, like a shield
the Savannah Railroad, and at night he
has to lie on the wet swampy ground,
has encased him,
And thy mercy forever I humbly adore !" where the water forms a pool under
the spot his body presses. He has no
Dark are the heavens, and, foamingly white,
comforts at all, but the hard fighting
Madly the billows are dashed on the shore,
I makes him contented.”
Loud howling the gale, shrieks forth to the
Thus chatting
night,
| they made their way to the river banks

34
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and soon were rowing swiftly over the || his part. At last they heard the train ap-
Ashley, the men making for camp and proaching, and holding each other by
the girls for home.
thehands, panting and rushing on,
they strained every nerve to in-
A MISSION OF LOVE.
crease their speed. When within
Meanwhile George had been wounded but one yard of their goal they saw
in the very first battle of Virginia, and
the cars leave the depot behind and
pass on! Without daring to look at
was granted a furlough and sent to his pa-
each other, like three little children they
rents in the town of Sumter, S.C., where, burst into tears, and so they were found
as soon as the limb began to heal, he a few moments after by one of the rail-
grew impatient of restraint and resumed road office clerks. He tried to console
active service on James Island, in them, and said: “Come again to-mor-
Charleston harbor. Cecil amused him row; start a half hour earlier, and if you
by her lively letters, and when food grew get here too soon you can wait under
scarce with them she wrote: “My shelter.” Too tired to smile, too weary
brother when he was in the same pre and sun-baked to look bright, the low,
dicament had to devour a baked cat. soft voices thanked him for his kind
He said it was very nice, only a little thought, and with slow, dragging steps
acid. Now, you should not be more they retraced their way. But when
dainty. Cure yourself of prejudices and rested and quietly seated in their own
taste fiddler pie. The whole beach will city house, they cheered up at the pros-
supply you with these little shell fish, pect of sending the package on next day,
which doubtless are fine, if people would and went to bed that night, rejoicing
but try them. I will give you a receipt that only a few hours more had to inter-
how to make it, and you must let me vene before to-morrow became to-day.
know the result. Soon after she had an When morrow dawned, however, hope
indignant reply, telling her that the departed, for the wind was high and
dish was too horrible even to be digested heavy black clouds hid the blue sky,
by an ostrich.
while thunder every now and then
George then went on to say in his let shook the walls like the heaviest roll of
ter that he had helped raise a company artillery. What was to be done? Their
in the county of Sumter and its neigh horses and carriages were left at the
borhood, in which he was first lieuten plantation to follow them down next
ant, and that he would meet her in week; street cars were then unknown-
Charleston the next week, as they had a thing of the distant future; not even
been ordered to the West. All of his was their parents' advice available, for
cousins were by this time in the city, the girls had been sent ahead of them,
and the prospect of seeing him de with their old nurse and cook, who had
lighted them.
been in the family previous to their
The girls had been endeavoring to birth, and a butler and maid, all of
send a bundle to Green Pond for Ma whom had once belonged to their grand-
rion's use, but it took time and skill to parents. These servants would serve
procure and make up the needful arti them willingly, but where sense and
cles. At last, however, all was ready, management were needed it was useless
and after diligent inquiry they heard to ask their assistance, so after putting
that if they went themselves to the depot on shawls and overshoes of rubber the
and saw the freight agent on the Savan girls made an early start for the Savan-
nah Railroad he might be persuaded to nah depot. No one knew then of that
undertake the delivery of their package. Northern, convenient protection for
It was a fearfully hot day and the hour women, the gossamer rubber coats, nor
just noon. The causeway leading to the even had the thicker water-proof cloth
depot was two miles in length and cov reached the South for ladies' use, but
ered with fine crushed and rolled oyster slenderly covered as they were, no
shells-a dazzling white surface that thought of giving up the attempt was
caught every ray of light. There were harbored. At first they talked and jested
no trees or shade of any kind to soften while the rain steadily poured down
the midsummer glare, but the three on them, but after a while this became
girls, with their feet almost blistering in impossible; the fierce wind turned their
their thin Southern slippers, made of umbrellas inside out and finally
the softest kid, with soles no thicker wrenched them away, and they found
than paper, toiled on, their eyes nearly themselves driven before the gale like
blinded. They never paused an instant, autumn leaves, dripping wet, saturated
only thinking of their dear Marion, who through at every point, and gasping for
had greater hardships to bear, and vet breath, while vivid flashes of lightning
who was always ready and willing to do ll circled in fiery serpents over and around

JUST ONE FAMILY.
35
them, everywhere the vibration of heavy | sured as triumphantly as though fit for
thunder, and only the three girlish | an empress. In a half hour the tables
forms visible on that lonely causeway. were cleared, and the negroes, laden
Never once did the little hands loosen with bundles, were as proud as pea-
their hold on the soldier's package, and cocks as they carried off the purchases
never once did their courage ebb or their of their owners.
steps turn back. Onward in water, in Mr. Cunningham had actually suc-
wind, in storm, till at last they reached ceeded in getting boots of French make
the station, covered with mud and trem for his five girls, boots with high heels
bling with wet and fatigue. But the bun and pointed toes with the lower portion
dle was sent and carried for them: who of bronze morocco and the upper of
could refuse such petitioners ?
dull black kid. so that they looked when
on as if the foot was encased in a black
A VISIT TO THE BEE SALE.
stocking and a bronze morocco slipper.
“Girls," said their father one day, Lizzie, whose feet rivalled Cinderella's,
"tell your mother to come, and all of
was wild with joy over her's, but the
glory of these boots seemed as nothing
you put on your hats; a blockade-run-
to Cecil and Katie when compared with
ner came in last night, and I am going the dresses. You may think perhaps
to take you to the Bee sale, and find you these were silks, or velvets, or at least
some pretty shoes and dresses, if it is broadcloth ? No, indeed, something
possible.”
less costly. Well, then. fine merino or
"Oh ! father, thank you! that will be cashmere? or sheer India organdie mus-
such fun," said Katie.
lins ? Wrong! They were simply Scotch
"People tell me the boots from Nassau gingham, small plaided gingham only,
are fit for a queen," added Lizzie.
some pieces of green and white, others
"We shall be ready in precisely two lilac and cream and the last blue and
minutes," called Cecil, running off to dove, while mother had a gray of two
tell mother.
shades. Yet these people were the own-
Twenty-two minutes she should have ers of rich rice and cotton lands, with
said, for it took some little while to find hundreds of slaves, and accustomed in
Mrs. Cunningham, who had been visit times of peace to dress handsomely and
ing the wounded in the hospitals, and travel some months out of every year
was just a little bit unwilling to stir for their own pleasure, spending in
about afresh. Besides, she had been en board at the large Northern hotels more
gaged since her return home in showing in a day than their simple materials for
her two youngest children how to serape five dresses now cost. But they wil-
and pack up lint. Nevertheless they lingly sacrificed luxuries for the sim-
persuaded her to come, and finally an plest comforts in those dark days when
eager group started out to the sale.
the South needed all her children could,
I wish you could have seen the build contribute.
ing, crammed with animated faces from
end to end, men holding up half-grown
DARK AND DREADFUL DAYS.
girls on their shoulders so the younger In the winter of 1864 Marion again
members of their household should not
exchanged into another company, and
be crushed, women wedged against each
other and trying to peep over the sea of
this time he joined Hart's Battery of
heads by standing on chairs or any Flying Artillery, so as always to be
available article that raised their height, sent to the front. In nearly every battle
and behind all an array of negroes, who of importance fought on Virginia's soil
took as keen an interest in the sales as Hart's Battery was given a conspicuous
any one, and whenever their masters place, and yet, so far, Marion was safe
made a purchase such rows of ivory and sound. Often his sisters forwarded
teeth as their broad grins would bring to him letters smuggled through by one
to view would have made a dentist's for means or another, and written by a
tune. What would such an establish young girl in Baltimore, to whom he had
ment as A. T. Stewart's have thought of pledged his faith, promising to return
the merchandise thus offered, not dis and marry her, and never did he doubt
played in tempting showcases, not held for a moment that such an end would
up into the artistic drapery of cunning be consummated.
folds, but piled, one over the other, on Mr. Cunningham's family divided
rough tables, anything and every-
their time as heretofore, passing
thing, from a household or kitchen some months on his plantation, and
utensil to a lady's robe, all tumbled others in their Charleston house, not-
together pell-mell, and all contended withstanding that their beloved city
for with the same eagerness, all trea- ll was undergoing a siege. All the ele-

36
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ments seemed combined to crush || Mr. Cunningham, who at this time
Charleston. The fire of two years pre was located in Tippsaboa, became very
yious had swept away her most beauti anxious to remove once again into the
ful and costly portions, and since the beleaguered city, but unfortunately he
throwing of shell into the city had had been prostrated with a severe attack
begun the destruction of property and of of fever, and still remained so ill as to
human life itself ceased almost to raise a be unable to leave his bed. Neverthe-
remark. Only a few companies of Con less, each day the foe drew nearer, and
federates were now within its limits or fresh tales of rapine and violence at last
stationed around it for Charleston determined him that he must of two
would never surrender till the last hope evils choose the least. Therefore, though
was over. But active warfare was for sickness kept him where he was, he re-
her now out of the question. Women, solved to send his wife and children to
children and old men only peopled the Charleston. But his devoted wife, for
city, yet these still maintained a sullen once, refused him obedience, and said
and obstinate, if passive resistance, al wherever he was there would she re-
lowing themselves to be burnt alive main and keep her two little ones with
with fiery combustible fluids thrown in her; but the three elder girls must go in
hollow shells from the block ading fleet, their city house alone till their father
and permitting themselves to serve as was able to leave his bed and join them.
an eternal target for a red-hot iron rain. For though the city would, doubtless,
Letters came but seldom, even from soon be taken possession of by the en-
our own troops, so cut off was our city emy, and for three lonely young girls to
from all aid and comfort, yet now and be found there, without father or mother,
then they were joyfully welcomed, and was almost sure to draw on them vile
bright, hopeful news reached Cecil from insults, yet the isolation of the planta-
George, telling her he did not give up tion was even more dangerous, and Mr.
yet. "We are bound to win,' his letter and Mrs. Cunningham hoped to meet
said. He spoke, too, of himself joyfully their daughters in Charleston before the
and looked forward to his return. He enemy should enter it. What a sad
told her he had taken away with him a parting it was! the mother kissing her
small porcelain picture of her, which he children and praying no harm might
obtained by having, unknown to her, a come to them; the father suffering in-
copy made from an old daguerreotype. tensely in body with his young daugh-
This, he said, should be his safeguard, ters weeping to so leave him, while he
and serve as a talisman to bring him thought but of them.
back.
"My darling,'' he said, "recollect you
The months went on and good news
are not to get frightened. Remember,
came seldom, while death and defeat ap-
Cecil, that you and Katie are well prac-
peared to be waiting on our doomed
ticed in pistol shooting. I look to you
cause. Even the youngest children be-
to use your Colt's revolver if it be
gan to have an anxious look, and the year
needed. for you are both good shots and
of 1865 seemed to bring only misfortunes
need not be afraid. Lizzie, my dear
to the whole South. The city of Colum-
child, don't cry so; we will all be
bia, the capital of South Carolina, was
together in a few days, please God!"
terribly injured by a freshet, which over-
flowed the rivers, and scarcely had it re-
“Yes, and brother, too, for he writes
covered from this when it was whispered
that the war is virtually over; that Lee's
that Sherman's march towards it would
surrender of the army will shortly take
be outlined by fire. Very shortly these
place, and he will soon be home again
forebodings were verified, for he set the
and with us. Is it not sad that such a
beautiful Garden City in a blaze, ruth-
home-coming seems almost joyless ?”
lessly burning and pillaging wherever
"Don't call it so, Lizzie,” her mother
he found no troops to oppose him. Tales | answered quickly. "Don't! Even
of outrages became the topic of the hour though our cause is lost I must be glad
and carried terror to the hearts of the that my boy is safe, and I do thank
women and their old fathers, who on the Heaven to get him back again.”
various plantations some miles from The two little children were kissed by
Charfeston were away from all protec their sisters, and then after a thousand
tion and surrounded only by their slaves. "good-byes” spoken to father and
The slaves would soon be set free, and it mother, they were in the carriage and
was feared that they would be urged on driving to the city. In two hours and a
by their liberators with precept and ex half they were in their Charleston
ample to commit every outrage that law house, but feeling very strange and
lessness could practice.
lonely without the protection and pres-
In the face of such a prospect, llence of their parents.

JUST ONE FAMILY.
37
GIRLS RUNNING A GAUNTLET OF FIRE. || them the lot of the one who must watch
Soon after their arrival in Charleston
and wait.
Mr. Cunningham's dwelling was situ-
“the beginning of the end” was seen. ated just three houses above Bee street
"The very last of our companies are in Ashley street. The Arsenal was at
ordered to leave here Katie, Cecil said
the corner of Ashley and Bee, whereas
the Charleston Battery, or "White Point
one day, "and take to the swamps, so as
Garden” as it used to be called in ante-
to avoid encountering Sherman How || bellum days, was at the other extreme
God-forsaken we shall feel after they are | end of the city. The distance was so
gone! The order came for them to leave
o leave | great that Cecil and Katie were often ex-
so suddenly that no rations but of the || hausted by the weight of the basket, and
very poorest description can be supplied. ll it was nearly dark before they reached
Suppose we go together down to the Bat their destination. Many warm-hearted
tery and carry cooked provisions for as women who lived nearer had reached
many of them as we know? Ef all the there already and made haste to retrace
women do this at once none need depart their steps over the unprotected region
half provided."
of the burnt district, so that our two
"All right, Cecil, I will immediately young girls were now alone with the sol-
pack a basket, while you go up stairs diers, and the officers and men ques-
and tell Lizzie. She is not fit to join us, tioned them as to reaching home un-
for we must pass all down the burnt dis harmed.
trict, where nothing shields us from the “Oh! we did not have any chance to
shells of the blockading fleet, and Lizzie get hurt,” said Cecil. “While coming
is not at all well, and much too nervous here the intervals for firing seemed very
to pass over such a pathway.”
far apart, I should judge about twenty-
"Yes, but it is almost as bad to leave five minutes at least, and the balls and
her here alone; nevertheless, we must be shells invariably burst on houses and
off at once and reach the Bathing-house lots most distant from us and gave us
where the company is to meet as quickly neither alarm nor trouble.”
as we can. If not we will be returning "That could not have been the case in
when it is so dark that Lizzie will get the burnt district,” said private Edmund
anxious about our safety. Take what Baker, looking very pathetically at
ever there is, Katie, but don't make the Katie.
basket too heavy for us to carry between
"No," said that brown eyed maid,
us.''
“but we walked rapidly through that
Cecil told Lizzie the state of affairs. region and not one shot or shell was
The poor child was suffering from a bad fired until we had crossed it. We are
attack of acute rheumatism in her ankle, going right back now, and hope to be
and unable to make one of the party. equally lucky. But tell me before we
She cautioned them to be careful.
say good-bye, is it true that this com-
"Listen for the hissing of the shells pany is to make its way through swamps.
and balls." she said. “Don't forget it to avoid Sherman and finally join our
and don't talk to each other, or you will troops in North Carolina? and is it true
not notice the sound enough to guess that to-morrow the Yankees will enter
where they will fall and burst, and you Charleston? It is reported that orders
have to do that carefully so as to dodge have come to give up the forts and the
them and get out of their line when they city to-morrow.''
come to the ground. You are going over "I am not positive about the last, but
the most dangerous part of the city, so I fear it is true, and concerning our
be watchful and get back as quickly as marching orders there exists no doubt.
you can.”
You have heard the actual facts.”
Not for a moment did she try or even “Oh !! cried both girls together,
desire to persuade them to give up their I "would to heaven we were going with
mission. Cecil only stayed to remind || you.” Then they added: "What a
her that the distance was almost the misery it will be to see our dear streets
whole length of Charleston, and there Il filled with enemies and we alone in the
fore she must not expect them back too midst of them.”
early or she would become unnecessa-
rily anxious at the delay. Then, with a
FLYING FROM A BURSTING SHELL.
quick embrace and a parting kiss the Sadly enough were their farewells
girls each did their part. Two went to
spoken, and with dragging steps and
carry succor, bearing between them the
basket with food, and the other waited sorrowful faces they turned to retrace
with longing heart for their safe return, their way. They almost ceased to think
and by far the greater trial appeared to ll of the departing companyfor they

38
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
TI
talked only of how it was possible to | invaders were plundering neighboring
bring their father and mother under the country seats, and told him there was no
same roof.
way to escape their depredations and vio-
"Perhaps they may be with us to lence. Tippsaboa contained more than
morrow," Cecil said at last, hopefully. two thousand acres, and on these acres
"For the past day or two we have had Mr. Cunningham and his family were
no letter, and no news is invariably the only whites. The negroes had
good news, therefore I conclude that always found him a kind master, but
they are busy getting ready to move their minds were led astray by fictitious
here. Probably father is better and we tales of wealth and splendor with which
shall see them in the morning or by to the Northern army filled their ignorant
morrow night.”
fancy, and few of them would be able to
"Cecil, you have such a hopeful spirit. resist the golden bait, or suspect that
But you forget that by night the city liberty and hard work would soon be-
will be put under military rule and they come for them synonymous terms.
may refuse to let any more Confederates On March 6, 1865, a company of black
enter. What are we to do then?"
troops from Michigan, under command
“Wait and see! don't anticipate mis of Capt. Montague, a white officer, forci-
fortunes, 'sufficient for the day is the bly took possession of the plantation.
evil thereof -a musty proverb, but” — They allured the negroes from their alle-
very applicable in their case, for the giance and set the cowboys to drive up
blockading fleet had made the intervals into small inclosures the hundreds of
of firing much shorter, and now every cows, sheep and hogs owned by Mr.
five minutes they were startled by these Cunningham and at large in his broad
fiery intruders
pastures. The same thing was done
Nearer and nearer the girls drew to with the innumerable flocks of poultry.
the burnt district where the iron rain They then, having distributed among
was most unavoidable, and on entering the company all they could carry and
it they walked in the gathering darkness
made liberal donations of the herds and
swiftly and almost silently.
feathered tribe to the "freed men,” in
"Katie,'' asked Cecil, "if a shell should cold, cruel vindictivess cut the throats
fall just near by what would you do?" of the cattle and the poultry that re-
"Řun and get out of its way, and mained in such numbers that the earth.
shriek, too,” answered Katie promptly. seemed running with blood, after which
“So would I run, but the sentence
they surrounded the house itself and
was never finished.
pulled down some of the wings and outer
Suddenly both girls clasped each other buildings, forcing open the front door
quickly round with their arms and stood and threatening to burn it down if its
perfectly still and mute. A shell had owner did not come out.
fallen, and in their despair and horror Mrs. Cunningham, holding with each
neither screamed nor moved an inch, hand her little baby girls, walked for-
but pale as death held by each other. ward to meet them. Capt. Montague
Not a word was spoken while it burst; thundered out, while rudely thrusting
then they held hands, and literally fled || her aside, “Where is your husband,
across the remaining ground, with but | madam? We want him.”
one idea, one hope, to leave that burnt
"In his bed, sir, illand perhaps dy-
district behind them before another ing. Take all we have, but leave him
came.
in peace.”
And they succeeded, toiling on, strain-
Ne rushed past her, followed by his
ing every nerve, till they neared home, troops, and by main force roughly threw
and at last the gate was reached, where the sick man on the floor, saying, “Put
Lizzie in the growing darkness outside on your clothes at once, and come with
had found fresh food for anxious fear. us, or say good-bye to your house and
Not till they had been inside with her your wife.” Then with scarcely a cover-
and taken breath did they discover that ing of garments they bore him out, and
their dresses were burnt to a crisp and while they shouted like fiends, and set
their under garments badly scorched. fire to piles of his books, his pictures,
Whether a tiny fragment had reached barns, &c., they hemmed him in with
them, or whether the burning hot air bayonets, and ordered him to take the
from the ignited shell had withered up oath.
the light fabrics, neither could ever tell. “I have nothing more to lose,” he
said. “You have emptied out my hogs-
A WHITE OFFICER WITH A BLACK HEART.
heads of oil, of molasses, of vinegar, of
Meanwhile Mr. Cunningham had not wines and whiskey; you are now drink-
grown better, but worse, and his wife ing more of the two last that you have
every day brought him reports that the Il reserved for that purpose; my cattle are

JUST ONE FAMILY.
39
slain, my slaves are set free; begone! I set his foot on the last step, and would
will take no oath. I have no fear, for have entered, but that her slight person
the house is already half pulled down, filled up the narrow space.
and you are now welcome to finish it by “What do you want here?'' she asked.
fire.”
“Why do you and your troops rush into
"You have nothing to lose, you say? my house ?"
Men! into that d-d Rebel's den, and We want quarters here, and quarters
seize his woman and her kids.”
we will have. Move aside and let us
Saying this Capt. Montague turned in.”
his prisoner round that he might see his "I shall not; we don't take boarders,
wife and children, who were kept from and I have not invited you as guests.
joining him, but forced from a window Go away at once, or I will report you to
to witness his treatment. Suddenly the general in command."
that wife was surrounded by black "
D n you, move aside, or I will
demons.
throw you down.''
Then in great agony he spoke.
"Keep your hands off if you are wise,”
“Stop your men! I swear any oath said Cecil, instantly placing one of her
you ask. I do it by coercion.”
own in her pockct, and never removing
The oath was administered to him, and her steady eyes from his face.
night found him alone in a dismantled “By God! I believe you have got a pis-
house with his little ones and his wife, tol; let's search her person for arms."
to whose share it fell to gather what she "I have a pistol and shall shoot the
could for their daily wants, to nurse her first person that touches me, even if you
sick husband and tend her children till all strike and kill me afterwards. Leave
some unforeseen aid should come.
this yard. and do it at once. By 3 o'clock
Only two of the slaves remained faith I will give you an answer if you come
ful--the woman who had nursed her here for quarters then; now go!"
children and the cook. The rest had "You little Rebel devil! we will be
followed the black troops towards back, and we will stay next time, be
Charleston.
sure; and will take that same pistol from
you, too."
A PLUCKY GIRL WITH A PISTOL.
With an extra volley of fearful curses
Charleston was under an iron heel they departed and the girls rushed out
the heel of despair. Every house had
to Cecil, who, after the excitement was
over and nerve no longer needed, turned
its shutters closed and darkened, all the white and faint. Then they all sat down
rooms overlooking the streets were and cried, feeling like desolate orphans.
abandoned, the women endeavored to
A half hour after three white officers
unceremoniously walked in, but when
give a deserted and dreary aspect to
Cecil confronted them they apologized
every mansion, and lived as retiringly and explained that they had thought the
as possible in the back portions of their house vacant. She then told them of the
dwellings, hoping that the Northern
lawless demand made by the Michigan
company, and asked for a written pro-
soldiery in the city would suppose such
tection against their carrying out their
houses to be deserted and therefore threats; but Lieut. James Bible, of a
would not search them.
Rhode Island company, said that though
he would have the house watched to pre-
But this did not save Mr. Cunning-
vent their return, yet the only way she
ham's house. By a strange coincidence could obtain such a paper was to see Gen.
it was again a company of black Michi Schimmelpfennig, who would then pre-
gan troops, with a negro in command, vent not only their search for concealed
that burst open the locked gate, tore up arms, but also secure the household fur-
the flower garden, and finally streamed niture from seizure.
up the back piazza steps, armed with “Will he grant us a permit, too, for my
muskets and glittering bayonets that parents to come to this house; they are
shone in the noonday sun, their faces beyond the city limits, and we are
blacker than ink, their eyes red with alone?''
drink and malice. The three girls saw “Yes, I think so; you can try him.''
them from the dining room and shiv "I will write him a note then, if you
ered, but not a moment was lost. Cecil will see it delivered.”
pushed the other two into the room, “That will not answer; you must see
saying, “Stay here, I will go close this him yourself.”
door and go out and meet them," and “Where is he?'?
advancing quickly she reached the en *In the Citadel, where your Cadets once
trance to the piazza, just as the captain l were.”

40
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Will I have to pass through any i sound the pulses quickened and they
soldiery to reach him?"
would rush forward to greet him. One
“Yes; several black companies sur day a tall, gaunt soldier, worn and
round and fill the Citadel.”
wounded, who brought a letter for Cecil
"I cannot go among those men, sir." from Chattanooga, called, and anxious
“I will see you safely in and back though she was, she cared for the poor
again if you will permit me,'' the lieu fellow, dressing his wounds and refresh-
tenant said.
ing him before the letter was read, be-
No answer came for awhile, and the lieving all the while it came from
three girls consulted in undertones | George. Then she turned it over and
together. The need was urgent, but Ce i looked startled by the unfamiliar
cil's repulsion to being on the streets writing which had directed the envelope.
with a Yankee officer was so great that "He, too, is hurt," she cried and tore it
she hesitated. She knew, however, that open.
it was her doom now to be humbled, and Then with a shriek of pain and horror
she said shortly that she would go.
she fled to Mrs. Cunningham.
It had commenced raining heavily. “Oh, George is dead, mother!”' the poor
and Lieut. Bible raised his umbrella and girl cried, "dead and gone, killed near
held it over Cecil, without a word. She Chattanooga !”
ignored its shelter, however, and passed Sobbing she buried her head in her
from under it. This was repeated twice, mother's lap, and Mrs. Cunningham
then he told her she would be drenched cried too, deeply moved.
through.
"My poor sister, my sister's son !!!
"I prefer it,” Cecil answered, and he she said sadly. “Ah, she thought him over
knew that she meant “prefer it to being the danger of war, and he was so bright
so close to you,'' and he resignedly gave and beautiful!"
up the struggle and let down his um Just then Mr. Cunningham called
brella, thereby proving he was not with Cecil. His wife motioned to Lizzie who
out a certain kind of pride that urged was weeping with her sister and trying
him to share the wetting...
to soothe her to go and tell him; but it
The young officer served her well and was too late, for he came to the door with
faithfully, however, even though he his face dark and troubled and his eyes
knew she felt bitter hatred towards the cast down, so that he did not see the
whole Northern army, and he obtained group.
and forwarded to Mr. Cunningham a “Come with me, Cecil, I want you."
permit to rejoin his daughers, while she At the altered husky voice they all
brought back with her a paper granting grew chill, and Mrs. Cunningham asked
protection to the girls personally and him if he wished to speak of George and
also to the house; but she never asked if it was his death that had so stricken
him on reaching the front door to walk him.
in, nor did she give him her thanks at "Ah yes! yes, my love, it was; let Cecil
parting. Yet two days after, when her come.
parents arrived, they were grateful for With terror, a new dread creeping up
the assistance Lieut. Bible had rendered into her heart, Cecil went to him. Then
their daughters, and so expressed them Lizzie and Katie and their mother read
selves while they shook hands with him. a letter written to Cecil by a lady in
That yery night gloom spread over the Chattanooga telling her George had
city, for everywhere it was rumored taken the place of his captain who lay
Lee bad surrendered !
ill, and had led his company on as a
forlorn hope to retrieve a battle and fell
TERRIBLE NEWS FOR CECIL.
mortally wounded. He had afterwards
Bands of broken-hearted soldiery been brought dying to their house, and
began to straggle back into the city,
in a few moments expired. She wrote
by his last request and said they had
their heads bowed, their brows sullen,
buried him with Cecil's portrait just
and cautiously the shutters and blinds where he carried it over his breast and
over the streets were opened an inch or interred him in their city cemetery.
two by watching women and a thousand
questions asked in low tones about ex-
THE LAST SAD BLOW.
pected dear ones. A kind of sombre Mr. Cunningham left the house with
gladness filled these loving hearts, be-
his daughter. He walked across his
cause of the Lost Cause, and because of
the gain of having their darlings safe broad grounds and flower garden, passed
once more. All said that Hart's Battery through his plots of planted grass, under
would soon be at home, and Marion the deep shade of the trees where the
would be with them. Then at each || gathering twilight cast weird shadows,

BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE WAR.
he put his arm round the girl's slender | very childish lisp. We lived in Rich-
waist, drawing her close to him and with
his free hand pointing upwards spoke :
mond, Virginia, afterwards the capital
"God," he said, “has taken my boy;
of the “Southern Confederacy,” and I
be still for your mother's sake!!!
would frequently hear the older mem-
"With only a low, terrified moan she
bers of the family, seated round the
looked at him; then wan and snow-
white, with pale, quivering lips, she
table, exclaim, “By all means let us fight
whispered, “Are you sure??
under the Union Flag; South Carolina
"Read," he said, and handed her a may secede, but it is clearly poor policy.”
newspaper.
I had just read in “Peter Parley's Child's
"I cannot; not one word can I see.
Tell me, my father.”
History about the war between the In-
They sat on the garden seat, and with dians and our first settlers, and my hair
his silver gray hair resting on the girl's fairly “stood on end”'when I thought of
breast, the old man gave way to his
the Yankees tying the children up in
heart's agony, and she clasped his head
on her bosom, silently weeping, uttering
bags and knocking their brains out
no sound aloud, though trembling and against a tree. So fully was I persuaded
shaking in every limb.
that we would be thus treated, that in
Yes, one week after his cousin had
died, Marion was taken, too. Born with-
the midst of the most earnest discussions
in one week of each other, he was killed going on in the parlor, or dining-room,
just seven days after. Shot in the very among politicians, I would crv out, “Cut
last battle of the war !—the battle of
the treeth down ! cut the treeth down! all
Bentonville, North Carolina, and buried
over Richmond." Just across the street
on the field by his comrades, with the from us was the beautiful home of
letters "M. E. C.” on a wooden shingle
the Van Lews-Unionists to the last-
to mark the spot.
and though they felt differently from us
During the hottest part of the struggle on the slavery question, and the elders
a dangerous duty required specially of our house argued hotly with them,
brave men. The captain of Hart's Bat yet often has my childish heart been
tery called for volunteers, and so despe relieved of its torture by stealing over
rate were the chances only four men an-
into the lovely moon-lit garden, and hav-
swered the call. Marion was one of
ing “Miss Bett,” (who after the war was
these volunteers. They had to advance
appointed postmistress of Richmond.)
on open ground, right within full view to allay my fears with her kind por-
and aim of the enemy's guns, and hurl
traiture of the Yankee heart. Here, at
to a distance the shells as they were least, was a haven for us should that
thrown before they could explode and dread day arrive when our beloved
destroy numbers of their men. He suc city would fall into the hands of the
ceeded in his mission, and with a victo enemy.
rious shout was just ready to return,
But one spring day in April, 1861, all
when a shot pierced his heart, and he
Richmond was astir. Schools were
died instantly.
broken up, and knots of excited men
And this was the tale that the father gathered at every street corner. Sumter
and daughter had to bear to the devoted had been fired upon, and Lincoln had
mother, the tale of her first-born-of her
ordered the men of Virginia to rush
only son !
upon their brethren of the South and
Peace was proclaimed, but well these put the rebellion down. Now “the die
women know “the price they paid for
was cast, our lot was with theirs, and
peace.”
come weal or woe, we would fight for
independence. How merrily the sun-
beams danced that day! how proud we
No. 7.-Boys and Girls in the War.
children were of the great preparation
for the illumination that night!-how
few recked of the great underthrob of
(By Miss Sallie Hunt, of Lynchburg, Va.) misery, grief and want! Every patriotic
citizen had his house ablaze with a thou-
sand lights, and the dark ones were
I wonder if the grown folk or children marked. I remember distinctly my
will care to hear a child's impression of father taking us to see the Exchange
"the war,” for I am going to commence
Hotel and Ballard House with the glass
balcony, stretching over the street and
when I was a wee bairn, just going out
connecting the two houses, all glittering
to school and learning to read with a ll and reflecting the crystal lights. To us

42
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
it was a grand spectacle, and our hearts | upon the scene and handed the minister
swelled with pride to think we could a notice. He arose and read aloud to
say to our tyrants: "Thus far shalt thou the congregation that the Pawnee was
come, and no further.”
coming up the river. The men were or-
The excitement permeated the schools, dered to Rocketts at once, and the
and those of our number who lived in women requested to make and send car-
the dark houses, or the non-illuminators, tridges to them as speedily as possible.
were dubbed “Yankees," "Abolition What a scene our parlor presented just
ists” and “Black Republicans," and a short while afterwards! The men had
virtually ostracised. Saturdays we would all gone off, leaving only women and
spend in the lecture-rooms of the differ - children at defenceless homes, but no
ent churches we attended, where our stern warrior ever stood at his post of
mothers and grown-up sisters were busy duty with truer heroism than these
plying the needle, and cutting out brave “Women of the South.”
clothes for the soldier boys, and indulg We had living with us a lovely old
ing in such talk about the vile usurpers Virginia matron, Mrs. Eliza Carrington,
as would fire our young hearts with in whose head, "all silvered o'er,'' had
dignation. Snatches of song improvised passed through the trying times of 1812.
for the emergency--- Maryland, my She quietly remarked to the busy crowd
Maryland," "John Brown's Body, seated round the parlor, that there was
(There's life in the Old Land Yet,'' &c., no cause for fear, the British had tried
grew as familiar as "I want to be an that trick before and could not get over
Angel.” In fact, we had a parody which the bars. Yet her dear old hands kept
ran thus:
busy fashioning what seemed to us curi-
I want to be a soldier,
ous parlor ornaments-cartridges--so her
And with the soldiers stand,
skill in this line had come into requisi-
A knapsack on my shoulder,
tion the second time. After all her
A musket in my hand;
words proved true; the Yankees gave up
And there beside Jeff Davis,
that little game and we were left in peace
So glorious and so brave,
I'll whip the cussed Yankee
as far as Richmond was concerned.
And drive him to his grave.
Then our courage grew stronger and
stronger, no matter if we did give up
BOYS FIGHTING MIMIC BATTLES. our old established way of living, and
Il curious dishes and vestments did take
But what were our boys doing while the
the place of costly viands and rich ap-
girls were sewing up sand-bags to fortify
parel. Rye coffee was good enough for
Dewry’s Bluff? It seemed the “Demon us at home, when our poor soldiers way
of Destruction” was possessing the whole
off on the battlefield had no better, and
after a little while it would all be over-
land. The boys were keeping their
“Stonewall Jackson was in the field !''
patriotism warm by playing “Yank” Then homespun dresses became a per-
and “Reb” in mock battles, and so sorely fect rage, and bonnets trimmed with
did these young archers wound each other
chicken feathers, dyed every conceiva-
that steps had to be taken by the city ble hue. We would show the Yankees
authorities toward the suppression of we could do without their miserable old
these hostilities. I remember being on trades-people who made all their money
Church Hill on one occasion, when the out of the Southern folk, with their
rowdies from Rocketts, calling them wooden nutmegs, paper-soled shoes, &c.,
selves Yankees, came upon our boys and forsooth we wore no more paper
who were unarmed. Immediately our soles but good, honest"wooden bottoms”
party of little girls flew to a coal-house that let folks know when we were com-
near, which happened to be open for re-
plenishing and filling our little aprons
with the dusky diamonds ran into the
THE DEATH OF STONEWALL JACKSON.
midst of a hot battle, screaming with One day I was out on the pavement
all the enthusiasm of our young natures,
“Kill them ! kill them !
playing when our old Union friend,
We bound up
heads and filled pockets with "ammuni Miss Van Lew, called out, “Sallie, does
tion” till our nurses, noticing our esca your mother know Stonewall Jackson is
pade, came to carry us to our mammas dead ?” Never will I forget the Cas-
to be punished for soiling our dresses. sandra-like dirge that rang through my
Our bravery increased with our suc childish heart. "No Jackson, no vic-
cesses. Nonews came but of victory, till tory," I thought, and with streaming
one Sabbath morning, we were all seated
eyes ran home and gaining mother's lap
reverently and calmly at church, when a cried out,“the Confederathy ith lotht! the
messenger arrived almost breathless || Confederathy ith lotht!” Never for one
ing.

BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE WAR.
43
moment afterwards did I hope for suc-
cess. It seemed that God would not
take such a holy consecrated life from
a good cause; that we must have made
some mistake.
It was just about this time that a
colored man belonging to my blind
uncle made his escape to the Union
army. He wrote back to his old master
saying that he had left from no ill-will
toward him, and should time prove the
success of the cause he had espoused and
Fortune's frown be on his master he
would consider it a privilege and honor
to assist him by any means in his power.
He thus feelingly closed his letter
written with his own hand: “You have
taught me to respect the sentiment
uttered by Patrick Henry, "Give me
liberty, or give me death,' and if liberty
be dear to the white man, why not to the
colored? I am fighting for the freedom
of my race, not from hatred to the
whites.” Young as I was, this touched
a vein of sympathy, and I wondered if
we were not really "in the dark.” After
the war, my uncle had occasion to visit
Washington, and he was touched at his
old servant, who held some government
office in that place, begging an absence
of several days to lead his old master
around.
But to recur to those old days. Our
fathers thought the Yankees had an-
other motive than the freeing of the
slaves—the long pent-up hatred toward
the Southern people who held them-
selyes so aloof from them. “Human na
ture is only human nature; we often
plead a good cause the more zealously
when along with it we can promote our
own welfare or gratify our passions."
After Jackson's death the raids around
Richmond became more frequent. Often
did our gentlest girls wend their way to
school all bedecked with the parapher-
nalia of war. Then prisons and hospi-
tals were crowded. Our private houses
were opened for the sick and suffering
and right here it might well be said that
no class of our people responded more
readily to the calls of charity constantly
being made upon them than our colored
people. Ragged, worn, barefoot, hatless
soldiers would weep over us children
as we handed them the little our store-
rooms contained, because “Sissy looked
so like the little girl they had left at
home, and would never see again." And
these men were our best, the flower and
chivalry of our land. God bless them !
they died for what they deemed right-
the protection of home and loved ones-
and be the cause blameworthy or not,
there can be few hearts so base as not to
honor the heroes of the "Lost Cause.'
From garret to cellar of our once
bright home there came the moans of
the sick, wounded and dying. One
young man, just eighteen, a brother of
Governor Brown, of Georgia, had run
away from college and joined the army.
Instead of carrying home the wreath of
his hard earned victory as his diadem,
in a few short weeks death claimed him
as his own, and he was taken from us to
his far away, sunny home with the wreath
of that “Great Victor" on his brow.
How many such pure, young lives were
given on the altar of their country,
which might have been spared had not
hot-headed politicians "carried the war
into Africa.
LIFE IN THE COUNTRY.
It was at this time, the fall of '63, our
father wisely moved us to his country
place, where he hoped we would not be
disturbed by "war's rude alarms, but
mother's high spirit could not stand the
inaction. She organized a Soldiers' Aid
Society, and as there was a chapel on
the edge of our place, it was decided to
hold prayer meetings there every Friday
afternoon, and the business of the Aid
Society immediately afterwards. We
had only one preacher in the neighbor-
hood, old “Parson Roach,'' a Baptist
brother, and he was called on to conduct
the services. We bound ourselves,
women and children, to go without meat
every Friday, and send that much more!
to the soldiers.
By this time homespun clothes and
squirrel skin shoes, feather flowers,
Confederate candles, sorghum molasses,
rye coffee, &c., were no longer a rage, but
had become a necessity. Our old col-
ored mammy in her various manipula-
tions for the comfort and support of the
family actually brought once to the
table an urn of coffee made from parched
black-eyed peas. The patriotism of a
Bayard or a Washington could not long
have held out under that infliction.
The sight of a man about those parts
would scare us all but to death, as we
held no man had any business at home,
and whenever we saw one we concluded
at once he must either be a deserter or a
Yankee. My oldest brother was off at
our uncle's, in the same county, pre-
tending to study with his cousins; but
he tells wonderful stories about their
sitting till the wee sma' hours of the
night over a pine torch making plans
about "going to help fight.' At last,
doubtless to their boyish delight, the
“High Bridge in Prince Edward
County was threatened and the
force to protect it was inadequate,

44
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
If that were seized, all communication || my brother won his winter boots from
between Richmond and that part of the old gentleman by "taking off” this
the country would be destroyed. So our scene.
band of twelve-year-old schoolboys During this fall I had been at school
shouldered their guns and "marched off at my uncle's in Lynchburg, Va., and as
to the war.” To escape detection at he affected none of the innovations,'' I
home they walked to the second station knew little of what was going on in the
on the railroad, intending to "board the country in the way of sorghum, &c. On
train' there; but an old neighbor hap going home at Christmas I found them
pened to meet them on the road, and all completely "submerged”'in sorghum;
seeing their warlike appearance, ap it seemed to absorb the whole family
prised my uncle of their exit. This un and to give occupation to numberless
cle was the gentlest, most loving old darkies. Girls from the cities would
man in the world, but with the keenest trade their ornaments for what was
sense of the humorous. Calling up his really our currency then, and sorghum
oldest son, who chanced to be home "on cakes were a "dainty dish to set before a
furlough,'' he told him to get on the king.” I had found in Lynchburg, for
train as it went down that morning, and my little sister's Christmas gift, what
when the boys started to get on at the was very rare in those days, a fancy bot-
second station to have them put off and tle filled with cologne. Seeing sorghum
brought home. His orders were carried at so high a premium, and enjoying its
out to the letter, and when the culprits novelty myself, I emptied the bottle of
its contents and refilled it with sorghum.
them with these words: "Boys, you all On Christmas morning I ran in mother's
have been very bad; you ran away from room to see Kate's delight at my gift.
home without telling any one, and I am That little lady was about five years of
obliged to punish you, for fear you may age, and in that short time had wearied
try to run off again; to-morrow morning of all that smacked of “war-time
you must all come in the garden for me doings,” so when she spied her pretty
to whip you.”
bottle, and found it filled with sorghum,
she straightened herself up, and with-
A DOMESTIC “COURT MARTIAL.
out a word or look toward any of us,
The wardrobes of our urchins were | marched into the yard and possessing
il herself of two large rocks, placed the
coveted bottle on one and forth with
of scouring old chests and trunks they
crushed it to atoms with the other, while
managed to wad themselves very com the bystanders were convulsed with
fortably, especially when they had de laughter at the donor's chagrin.
pieted the school-room of all copy-
books, and folded them securely under
A PHILOSOPHER IN AN APRON.
Mother used to keep an upper chamber
in our country home as the "prophet's
the older boys to protect themselves,
room," and as we lived not far from
had been the search of the ransacking Hampen Sidney we would frequently
party that the only success that have visits from a grave theological pro
Crowned his efforts was a pair of linen fessor on his way to his preaching place.
pants and several jackets. Accoutred This gentleman was from South Caro-
thus, he sallied forth, confident that he lina, and had all the fire and enthusiasm
could so mancuvre as to keep the of a boy. One night we were all gathered
stripes confined to his upper region. | round a roaring log fire in our drawino-
The boys were taken according to their room, and "Dr. Peck' was apostrophiz-
ages, and screamed in a most profes ing in glowing language the beautiful
sional style. Will's time came last, and spirit of our Southern matrons in meet-
he scorned to cry as long as his machi-
nations were successful, but an ill bravely. About this hour every eve-
timed stroke fell when he was least pre ning it had been our custom to gather in
pared, and his movements thereafter one room, and while one read aloud the
were said to resemble those of a supple others would busy themselves picking
jack, which he imitated to such an cotton from the seed, or as we called it
extent as to compel his pursuer to take "seeding cotton." Having been reared
in the whole compass of the garden, in a city all these domestic pastimes had
amidst the screams of the exasperated the charm of novelty, but on this night
family, who saw their whole depend we expected to indulge in a little holi-
ence for vegetables thus ruthlessly day, out of respect to our guest. His
trodden down. For years afterwards ll eulogy was so inspiriting, however,

BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE WAR.
45
and my mother's sense of humor || anon there would come to our house
so strong, that with a very grave squads of soldiers begging bread. Father
face she informed Dr. Peck that would give as long as it lasted, but the
we were in the habit of spending SO look on his face was no longer proud
much time every evening for the good and brave, but sad and thoughtful, and
of our country, and we expected what at times we could hear these men sav.
ever guest we had to join us with a good “Yes, we can't stand it much longer."
will. What was our surprise, a few Neighbors would gather and shake their
minutes later, to see a large apron spread heads ominously. All, all had a grave
over that dignified gentleman's lap, and in their hearts, but they hid “the vital's
the snowy flakes flowing thick and fast gnawing fox'' under their cloaks, until
from his fingers, while he discoursed of one day in April the news came that
things grave and gay, and made the eye "Lee had surrendered." Then it was
ning pass all too soon.
brave spirits quailed; a pall seemed
PREPARING FOR THE RAIDERS. thrown over our whole country; even
we children stepped more Softly y when
“Miss Bettie, law! Miss Bettie; the
we saw the agony on the faces of those
Yankees am jes a pa-raiding all round so dear to us.
and will soon be here."
We were only seventeen miles from
Thus spoke “Aunt Ann," our colored
the scene of the surrender, and for days
mammy, as with a bold, defiant air she
the distant rumbling of the cannon had
strode round picking up the silver and
been sounding in our ears; but we
such articles as she thought would tempt
dreamed not of the end so soon. So
the cupidity of our foes.
soon! Four weary, toilsome years,
"Jes gin'em up to me chile. Ed's
ragged, foot-sore and bleeding at every
done tuk up a plank in my house, and
pore, yet strong to suffer and endure,
we're gwine to bury your things in a
'till the great heart of Robert Lee could
hole and nail the plank down agin. I
stand the sight no longer. The 9th of
jes dares one of um to come in my
April, 1865, is a day never to be forgot-
house.”
ten in the history of our country.
My sole possession was a silver knife
I suppose all over the South the chil-
and fork, the gift of my godfather, and
dren were slave-holders by the time
the excitement of hiding it myself was
they could talk. Our parents had an
more than I could forego, so I mustered
idea that the sense of proprietorship
my little force of brother sister and
would form a tie between us, and as we
small darkies, and spent one of the most
grew up together these ties would be
exciting afternoons of my life hiding
strengthened by mutual dependence.
things from the Yankees--things which,
So when father announced to his family
if discovered, would have provoked a
his intention to have the servants assem-
smile from the sternest warrior. In a
ble in the large kitchen, and there tell
small atic room "Aunt Ann' had se-
them of their liberty and his inability
creted mother's pickles and preserves.
to keep them all under his changed cir-
A young cousin who was staying with
cumstances, our hearts almost broke,
us proposed that we might just as well get
It was hard enough for the field labor-
the benefit of these goodies as the Yan-
ers to go, but to give up our maids and
kees. So each day we would go up and
house servants was more than we could
regale ourselves, enjoying them all the
think of. It is difficult for people ac-
more for their being stolen, but never
customed to hirelings to realize the
for one instant suspecting the theft
affection in which we held this class of
would be discovered--for we would leave
friends. Why, they know all the "inner
this sin to the Yankee's account. How-
workings of their family," and our
old mammies would feel all a Virgin-
ever, the Yankees determined not to
come that way and we were left to the
ian's pride in telling your genealogy in
sad reflection, besure your sin will find
all its ramifications. Many a skeleton
you out." In our haste and fear of be-
has been closeted in their faithful
ing discovered we had made use of the
breasts, and in our deepest sorrows no
readiest instruments for feeding, viz:
distance could separate them from the
"children, as they always persisted in
our digits, and being told to see to the
calling even the hoary heads they had
jars being restored to their proper places,
we both fell to crying. How the trouble
watched over in infancy. Well, the hour
ended the reader may be left to conjec-
arrived, and the heads of the colored
families were seen coming up from the
ture.
"quarters, leading the children by the
THE SAD SPRING OF 'SIXTY-FIVE.
hand. After they had all assembled,
During the early spring of '65 a new || father went in and told them of their
phase of life presented itself. Ever and Il liberation.

46
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“You all know," he said, "that I have || jes got me all dis harness you see hear
done what I could for you all through behind, an dese hear spurs for Sunday,
your lives. These last years have taken l and come long home-den when I git
much from me, and I cannot afford to my lan, an mule, I'll be jes ready to
keep you all, nor do I expect all of you 'sot up.'”
will wish to stay, but I cannot drive any The other day I saw Uncle Ammon,
of my old servants from their home, old and gray, carrying up coal into a
and those who care to stay with us will house on Main street in Lynchburg. He
meet with the same treatment they have had no appearance of having "ridden on
ever received at our hands.''
the high places of the earth.”
Thus closeth the “Book of the War;"
SERVANTS LOATH TO LEAVE THEIR OLD
but the years that come after are more
MASTER.
replete with tragedy, with heart-stirring
Within “the house there was the sorrows, with "hope deferred that mak-
keenest anxiety about certain servants
eth the heart sick," with battles fought
by women with hardship, misfortune
to whom we were especially attached.
and distress, than ever stirred the pages
When father came in, saying, "Edwin, of any “History of the War.”
in the name of his family, desired to
cast in his lot with ours,'' there was
No. 8.-Closing Scenes in Florida.
universal rejoicing, for of all our at-
tachés we loved them best. There were
hot tears shed that day, not in sorrow,
(By Miss Emily R. Jones, of Washington, D. C.)
but gratitude, for surely, to a God-fear-
ing master, this proof of changeless
affection, at a time when low, debased
"carpet-baggers” were filling our land Early in the summer of 1865 several
and firing the darkey heart against their ladies, among them the writer, travelled
old masters, was more than words could
from Tallahassee to Virginia under the
tell. So all of our best servants staid
with us. Those who left we were better
care of the general officer late in com-
without.
mand of the Confederate troops in the
"Uncle George Jones” came in to
Department of Florida. Everywhere
make excuses to “Mars Jeems” for his
over the Southern country refugees and
leaving, saying his wife had been such
an invalid for years, and so much ex officers on parole were returning to their
pense that she really would give more homes. Friends who had been separ-
trouble than help, so he was going to
ated during the four years met once
Richmond to seek employment and let
“Jane” rest; but we soon after heard
more. There was generally a more
"Mrs. George Washington Jones” was hopeful anticipation of the future than
cooking at a hotel in Farinville for sev could have been expected, and little fore-
enty boarders. Who will venture to as-
cast of that long period on which all
sert that freedom is not the best medi-
cine in the world-taken moderately ?
were entering, which was to demand
Uncle Ammon said, if “Mars Jeems'' every reserve of courage and fortitude,
would jes len him a mule, and let him
every sublime effort of patience and en-
go to the Surrender, and pick up some
of dem leffings of the Yankees, he would
durance.
come back and work. So he bestrode a For many weeks before the fall of the
mule, and was gone two days. When he Confederacy Florida was in nearly the
returned we ran out to inquire into his same state of isolation as the Department
luck, and found no change in his out of the Trans-Mississippi. Between Tal-
ward grandeur but a pair of enormous lahassee and the scene of the surrenders
brass spurs, seeing which my brother
of Lee and Johnston a devastating army
called out, "Hello, Uncle Ammon, what had passed. Railroads were torn up,
are you going to do with those spurs.??? bridges burned, telegraphic communi-
Seating himself sideways on the mule, cation was interrupted, and the news of
Uncle A.'s face assumed a most impor Lee's surrender reached us through the
tant expression, as he replied: “You enemy and was scornfully rejected.
see, Mars Lonza, de Yankees is gwine Even after the Grant and Sherman arti-
give us forty acres of lan en a mule; cles of capitulation had been signed, the
some of dem niggers down dar spent all general in command of the department
der time picking up trash, but you see, issued a stirring order, in which he de-
sir, my head want in no wise turned. I || clared that not having been officially in-

CLOSING SCENES IN FLORIDA.
47
formed of the surrender he discredited morning brought the news of the cap-
the rumor, and encouraged the people to ture of Mr. Davis.
hope and, if possible, still to strive for On the 21st of May the Confederate
the success of their cause. He reminded commander with his staff officers and
them that only a few weeks before they family, and several ladies who were
had defeated and driven back the enemy anxious to rejoin their friends, left Tal-
who had advanced to within twenty lahassee under escort. We found a
miles of Tallahassee. A copy of this crowd of people of all degrees gathered
order, printed on coarse paper, is now at the depot for a last greeting. It was a
in my possession. A few days after it melancholy scene. Many women were
was issued its object was defeated by an weeping. You did the best you could
order from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, for us, but it's all over,” said one. There
informing the Confederate commander was one feeling present with all. The
that hostilities had ceased, and directing last vestige of Confederate authority
him to accept for his command the was effaced.
parole guaranteed by the terms of sur-
render.
A VIEW OF JACKSONVILLE.
We crossed the Suwanee River in the
THE FLAG OF THE CONFEDERACY LOW-
ERED.
night, and on the morning of May 22d
Early in May the Confederate com-
we reached Baldwin, where we found
mander met Gen. McCook and made a
ambulances and wagons sent by Gen.
Vogdes to convey the party to Jackson-
formal surrender to him of the Depart-
ville. At Jacksonville we expected to
ment of Florida. The white flag of the find the steamer Delaware in which we
were to make the short voyage to Hilton
weeks elapsed before the flag of the Head. A great part of the way to Jack-
Union floated in its place. The people sonville lay through a dense pine forest.
were spared the outward and visible The ambulances, with curtains drawn,
sign of their defeat until the Confederate were closely followed by the mounted
commander and his staff should have escort. When we came within sight of
quitted Tallahassee. These were weeks the town we looked eagerly towards the
river, but the steamer's funnel was not
dent of the Confederacy was known to visible, and we learned that the Dela-
be in South Georgia. It was believed ware was caught on the bar and could
that he would cross the Florida border not come up to the pier until the tide
and try to effect his escape to the coast. lifted her keel. A delay of even a few
The strictest precautions were taken. hours was unwelcome, but it soon be-
A cordon was stretched around Talla came evident that the Delaware was
hassee and every point on the sea-coast fixed on the bar beyond the power of the
was under military surveillance. Sev tide to float her off, and we were forced
eral persons, however, among them the to prepare for an indefinite stay at Jack-
writer, were aware that a prominent sonville.
member of the Cabinet at Richmond had At that time Jacksonville was little
succeeded in entering the town and was more than a military post. Long rows
concealed in the house of a friend. Be of barracks-wide spaces covered with
ing in friendly relations with Mr. Davis tents and the headquarters of the gen-
and his family, the writer believed that erals in command-had quite effaced the
the President and his party would seek modest and pretty little town. On our
arrival we were driven at once to the
the edge of the town, in a thick oak headquarters, which were in a large
grove between two roads, one leading white house situated in the centre of the
town, with galleries in the Southern
in the grove, but the house was screened fashion on every story. Gen. Vcgdes
by upper and lower galleries close cov placed the rooms not in use by himself
ered in by Venitian shutters, and by a and his staff officers at the disposal of
high hedge of oleander and pomegran the ladies of our party. Mattresses
were brought from the hospital and laid
and the outer doors were left open, that on the floor. We might have slept
the fugitives might enter without lous more easily on these but for discovering
ing the servants. The writer was greatly on them great stains of blood which
startled one evening, when expecting filled us with shuddering thoughts of
news of an arrival, to see the face of a physical torture.
In the morning, after a toilette per-
pane. It was a reminder that others I formed before a military shaving glass
were alert and suspicious. The next || hung on a nail against the wall, the

48
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
writer stepped out on the gallery and I long immersion had become corroded
was greeted by the sight of the Union and worked heavily. As she rolled at
flag floating over an encampment of the pier therefore she did not present an
negro troops. After a moment spent in attractive aspect. A thin coating of
outward contemplation of this spectacle clean paint had not effaced the traces of
and an inward review of the new order of the bed of river mud on which she had
things it signified, it was a pleasure to rested during more than a year, and the
return to the quiet house surrounded by labored beat of her engine as she got up
luxuriant gardens, now in full bloom, steam did not inspire a feeling of confi-
and to the river stretching between its dence in her seagoing qualities. Such
low banks to the sea. There was no as she was, however, she offered the only
news of the Delaware that day.
means of reaching Hilton Head, and we
EXTRACTING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS.
might hope by taking the inside passage
to make the short voyage in safety.
In conversation with the Federal
A ROUGH VOYAGE TO HILTON HEAD.
general, the writer found that he had
On the morning of Friday, the 26th of
considered well the duty before him,
May, the St. Mary's left Jacksonville
and was prepared to act in a generous
and magnanimous spirit toward the
with a small detachment of troops on
people. He gave them full credit for board and our party. At the mouth of
their courage and patriotism, and relied the river we passed the Delaware, a fine
on them to aid him in restoring order screw steamer, still fixed on the bar.
and a good state of feeling. It was Her cargo and passengers were being
the season when the least neglect of the taken off in lighters. We soon discov-
crops would have brought a year with- ered that the voyage was not to be made
ered th
out a harvest throughout the State. The || by the inside passage, and the St.
negroes were demoralized, and in every | Mary's, shuddering through her rotten
direction fields were abandoned. It | frame at every hoarse beat of her en-
was his own influence strongly Il gine, put to sea. The weather changed,
exerted that induced the negroes to a rain storm blew up, and our clumsy
return to the plantations and carry on little craft forged heavily on through a
the usual labors of the season, and in rough sea, the rain pouring over her un-
this way untold loss and destitution sheltered deck. In Fernandina Bay
were prevented. He had another and she narrowly escaped rolling over
more difficult class to deal with the and going to the bottom. It
avant couriers of the ignoble army of was impossible to move about
carpet-baggers, ex-chaplains, ex-poli on the slippery deck with the vessel
ticians, hangers-on of every sort. These pitching and no guards to prevent our
all had schemes of reconstruction on a going head first into the sea, and we sat
spoliation principle to suggest, and crowded together under umbrellas until
were ready at the least check to their the ship's officers allowed us to make
schemes to degrade themselves into use of the only shelter on deck, two
spies and impeach his loyalty and recti sheds of unplaned board. In these
tude toward his own government. Bis sheds, without other opening to the air
treatment of these officious advisers was than the chinks between the planks, we
dashed with a soldier's impatience of passed the thirty-six hours of our voyage.
ungenerous treatment toward the con- | Shawls fastened against the walls
quered. In those chaotic days much and umbrellas hoisted between our heads
depended on the personal character and and the leaky roof kept us compara-
influence of the military commanders of tively dry during the day. At night we
districts.
slept stoically on the wooden benches,
Day after day passed and the Delaware whilelittle pools gathered on the floor and
still stuck fast on the bar, As no other small rivulets trickled through the roof
steamer could be looked for with any and down the walls. The morning broke
certainty we were finally obliged to cold and rainy. We were glad to have a
make the voyage to Hilton Head in the share of the coffee made for the men
St. Mary's. a small steamer which had over the galley fire. We were already
been sunk by the Confederates early in twenty-four hours out of Jacksonville
the war at the mouth of Black Creek to and had expected to make the trip in
obstruct the river navigation. When fourteen hours. The rain continued all
Jacksonville fell into the hands of the day and about noon the engine gave a
enemy, the St. Mary's was raised and heavy throb and ceased beating, and we
made in some sort seaworthy. Cabin drifted for several hours until the ma-
she had none, the decks were unpro chinery could be put in motion again,
tected by guards and the engine from ll and so alternately breaking down and

CHARLESTON DURING THE SIEGE.
49
gathering herself for another effort the il formed that he was not yet allowed to
St. Mary's crept on toward Hilton Head, receive visits or other expressions of
which was reached on the evening of 1 sympathy.
Saturday, the 27th.
ROUND ABOUT RICHMOND.
SCENES AT HILTON HEAD.
On the way up the James River to
The discomforts of the trip and our
Richmond little was to be seen but de-
own water-soaked and depressed ap-
serted homes and waste flelds. Rich-
pearance were forgotten at sight of the
mond was half in ashes. For miles
magnificent harbor, ample enough to
around the city every yard of the soil
float the navies of all the nations. There bore witness that here had been the
was a delay at the wharf until it was as scene of the most prolonged struggle of
certained whether we would be allowed
the war. Long, long after the graves
were green, charred wood and heaps of
to leave the vessel without taking the
ashes in a blackened circle on the
oath. The courtesy of Gen. Gillmore
ground showed where camp fires had
finally waived the point and we were
been:
permitted to land. As we walked up
the narrow board walk laid along the
“But noble souls, through dust and heat,
sandy street we were made aware that
Rise from disaster and defeat,
The stronger.”
we were the objects of much curiosity.
One person in a fresh summer toilette
How to shape a future which shall ac-
stepped out on her piazza and levelled complish this for us and retrieve the
an opera glass at us, leisurely screening past, is a question that is still being an-
the glass to exactly the right focus to swered.
sweep our damp and fatigued party.
Our costumes, be it remembered, were
No. 9.-Charleston During the Siege,
full four years behind the mode, and sea
water and rain had not improved them.
At Hilton Head we were again obliged
(By Mrs. Pauline Dufort, of Charleston.)
to wait for a steamer. We stopped at
the hotel which was situated near the
beach and commanded a view from its
“The surly drums beat terrible afar
tiers of galleries of the harbor and fleet.
With all the dreadful music of the war.”
Here we found a colony of officers' wives
Broome.
and daughters and schoolmistresses en-
gaged in teaching in the schools, lately Now that years have passed since the
established for freedmen. Barracks, sullen clouds of fratricidal war have
military storehouses, magazines, camps,
rolled back and the azure sky of peace
sutlers stores, schools and hospitals,
with the hotel, which was the rallying
again droops like a liquid canopy over
point for the society of the place, and a our Southern, sunny land, it well be-
row of officers' cottages constituted Hil comes the patriotic women of the South
ton Head.
to embalm in song and story the hero-
One morning a fussy little propeller
foamed up to the wharf where it lay for ism of their sex during that terrible
several hours. We were told that Mrs. struggle, as well as to narrate the appall-
Jefferson Davis and her sister, Miss
ing incidents which were of almost daily
Howell, were on board, but as they were
quasi prisoners of war they were neither
occurrence during the latter part of the
allowed to leave the vessel nor to re struggle for Southern rights. Our family,
ceive visits.
like many others in Charleston, were
We had hitherto been spared any per-
compelled to fly from the city just before
sonal indignity, but at Hilton Head our
trunks were opened and searched. On
the memorable battle of Secessionville,
another occasion the provost marshal which took place June 13, 1863, and take
appeared among us to administer the
refuge in the capital of the State. The
oath.
At Hilton Head our party separated,
family consisted of my mother, two
several members of it going to New married sisters and myself. My hus-
York in the steamer Arago, one to band, having been previously assigned
Charleston, others to Norfolk in the
to duty in Charleston, could not accom-
Champion. The writer made an attempt
at Fortress Monroe to pay a visit of
pany us to Columbia, and, not being
friendship to Mr. Davis, but was in- ll able to reconcile myself to the separa-

50
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
tion, with his consent I returned to the Il gars description. During the sermon,
city for a short visit with my children, I which was delivered by a chaplain on
but never left it afterwards. One of my || furlough from his regiment, the alarm-
sisters also removed to Grahamville ing whiz of shells and the bursting of
near that place—and later my mother terror in our hearts, but we remained at
returned to my home in Charleston. our posts. Suddenly there came a tre-
My other sister, having no children, re mendous crash, shaking the church to
mained in Columbia with her husband its centre, and a young lady of the choir,
until after the burning and sacking by frenzied through fright, shrieked out "A
Sherman's troops--the horrors of which shell! a shell! A great commotion and
they have never forgotten.
almost a panic followed, but the
Our home in Charleston being situ brave chaplain, as calm and composed
ated in the extreme northern section of as the priest before the altar at
the city, and consequently out of reach Saragossa, when he traced the air with
of the shells, it became a refuge for the symbol of forgiveness and uttered
many. My parlor was given up to an the "Et Sanctus Spiritus” ere he closed
old gentleman afflicted with paralysis, || his eyes forever, requested all to keep
and to his wife. At the same time a quiet for the danger was over. The
lady and her daughter were occupying calm, however, did not last long, for
my brother's room. He, like all other within a few minutes' time another
patriotic Southern men, was in the ser- | shell struck the Elliott Mansion, imme-
vice of his country. Those occupying diately in the rear of the church, and the
apartments in my house had been driven stampede became general. With the as-
from their homes by the sheils, and sistance of my husband I gathered to-
were remaining with me until they could gether my music, and as we hurriedly
find more comfortable shelter. They left with the retreating congregation I
remained several months, and shortly could distinctly hear the priest endeavor-
after they left an old lady with her niece ing to calm the fears of those within.
and an afflicted son came to beg permis A few brave ones remained with the
sion to remain in my home for the night. pastor until the services were concluded.
She did not ask for a bed, but a shell
had struck the house where she resided, east corner of the church tearing the
and the danger was too great to return. organ to pieces. It was only after this
I at once assigned her to my brother's that the pastor, the good and brave
room and gave her the use of a lumber Father Fillion, could be persuaded to
room, suitable for the storing away of leave his home adjoining the church.
household articles, for her furniture, He remained with us for a short time,
which was costly and beautiful. The until he could find a home in our
three remained with me for several locality.
months before being able to get better
Church service was sometimes con-
ducted under great difficulties during
These facts are mentioned to show the this period. Many are familiar with
condition of the people in the central the accounts of the midnight masses in
portion of the city. Whenever more the mountains of Ireland, with sentinels
Powerful ordnance was brought to bear on the lookout to keep off the blood-
against the city, the shells would be ii hounds of the law, and during the siege
thrown higher up and in this way hun of Charleston there were some queer,
dreds of persons were continually com quaint and curious impromptu places
pelled to move from one place to another
for Divine worship. The dissecting
and throw themselves upon the mercy room at the Almshouse was the best
of those whose homes were out of range.
The entire lower portion of the city was
Divine service, which was arranged
deserted, save by a few who were too every Saturday by Miss K, and myself.
poor to find shelter elsewhere, or who, A small melodeon had been kindly
like the prowler Thèmardier among the loaned by Mrs. D. Mrs. C., with her
dead at Waterloo, remained to pillage
the unoccupied houses.
myself formed the choir. The master
and matron of the Almshouse, Mr. and
A SCENE AT CHURCH.
Mrs. J. W., gave all possible assistance,
One Sunday while attending Divine and the good Father was very thankful
service at St. Joseph's Church-I was
for all that was done.
then organist, and that day we had a
ANOTHER SCARE AT CHURCH.
number of Louisianians assisting in the
The city was now deserted from the
choir-a scene occurred that almost beg- || Battery to Calhoun street. Grass and

CHARLESTON DURING THE SIEGE.
51
moss were growing upon the crumbling | the curious cryptogamic plants and fun-
walls, and all that was required to in gus growth that abounded.
tensify the horror of the desolation was My mother owned the large bakery on
the cry of the voracious hyena. Save East Bay below Broad street, and as
the occasional whiz and crash of a shell, that section was in a better condition
there was nothing to break the monot than other portions of "Shell district
ony of the silence drear, and the mute we turned our steps in that direction.
angel kept sentinel over all.
On reaching the place we found the
The husband of the lady who had so bakers at work, and learned that the
kindly loaned us the melodeon died, baking was done in the day time, as the
and he was to be buried in St. Mary's 9 danger was less-the shelling being
church-yard in Hasel street, the very heavier at night. Sixteen shells had
centre of "Shell district." I was re already struck the building, but no one
quested by the bereaved widow to play had been hurt and the oven was still fit
the Requiem at the church, and though for use. One of the shells, like Truth,
anxious to oblige her, I hesitated when lies hidden in the bottom of the well.
I thought of the danger. She pleaded The master of the establishment made
and assured me no harm would come, us quite welcome, and as a token of his
for God, who was ever good, would hear appreciation presented us with a hot
her prayers for our safety. Yield loaf of bread, all he had to offer. On
ing to her entreaties I started, our return we sat down on the steps of
in company with my husband the Bank, at the corner of East Bay and
and my little boy of seven summers, for Broad streets, and ate our dry bread
the church. While waiting for the doors with a gusto more easily imagined than
to be opened a shell fell in front of the described. How strange ! how unlike
Charleston Hotel, but did not explode. those ante-bellum times, when our care
This was somewhat of a relief, for it was was to guard against a surfeit of foreign
a rare thing to have two shells strike in and domestic luxuries. I could not re-
the same place on the same day. It was frain from remarking to my companion:
apparent that the artillerymen shifted “When in after years we tell our children
their guns a little every time they fired. that we sat on these stone steps eating
The funeral services were concluded dry bread, for the want of something
without any further annoyance, but just || better, they will hardly believe us.'
as my husband was closing the organ
another whiz was heard, then a flash
A DAY NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.
was seen, followed by a tremendous ex On the night previous to the evacua-
plosion. A shell had burst in the rear
tion of the city by the Confederate forces,
of the graveyard. We were glad to
hurry away, and a week later St. Mary's
the fiery glare of the gunboat, which was
organ was smashed by a shell.
being destroyed by fire, at the head of
Columbus street (Hampstead) and that of
A WALK IN "SHELL DISTRICT."
the burning bridge of the Savannah Rail-
Occasionally the enemy would grant road, reddened the skies and lit up the
whole of the upper portion of the city.
us a period of rest, and sometimes for
The wierd, restless light, together with
days no shells would be thrown into the
the pervading silence, struck even the
city. It was during one of these inter bravest hearts with awe. For some time
vals that I, in company with a lady, my previous to this memorable night our
two little boys and their nurse, under homes were guarded only by women.
took to make a tour of the doomed por My husband was compelled to leave the
tion of the city. It would be impossi city, and my only brother was in the
ble to fully describe the harrowing feel army elsewhere. My sister's husband
ings which came over us as we viewed was with the regiment which had re-
the destruction caused by the improved treated from Grahamville, while she
ordnance of civilized warfare. Large with some other ladies were compelled
stores, with brick, stone and iron fronts, to live in box cars on a turnout
were torn and shattered into shapeless in the road, their cooking being
wrecks. Window panes of the greatest done in open air. Fortunately
thickness were shivered to millions of in those days there was not much to
pieces, while bricks and broken plaster cook. Only a short time prior to the
were scattered in promiscuous confu evacuation she returned to my home
sion. The most active business por and was, on the night above mentioned,
tions of the city were the most battered; sick in bed with a dying infant of only
grass and rank weeds were growing five days. My mother was suffering
along the streets, while in the cellars, agony with an affection of the eyes,
rabbits and vermin found shelter among which finally terminated in total blind-

52
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ness. Who but those that have wit- || had just died, I inquired the cause of
nessed such scenes can imagine our feel- || her excitement. She quickly answered,
ings? As the dawn of day came we felt “I am going for a cart or something to
relieved, for we had spent an anxious remove the poor sufferer, for he cannot
night with a fearful gloom and awe be left there to be blown up!"
hanging like a pall over us.
Imagine, cool and gentle reader, the
At 7 o'clock in the morning the last of anguish we helpless women experienced
our brave tried troops. hitherto sta during that trying ordeal. I never can
tioned at James Island, were leaving the forget it! After a while the consoling
city, and as they passed our home, with information came to us that the order to
firm and gallant tread, we bid them blow up the buildings had been counter-
farewell, and turned away to hide the manded, and to make sure of the truth
tears which gushed from the fountains of the report I crossed over to Henerey's
of our hearts.
Foundry to inquire from those sta-
tioned there. They assured me that I
THE CITY SHAKEN BY AN EXPLOSION.
had been correctly informed. Oh, mer-
As our provisions were exhausted and ciful Heavens! what a relief!
we were informed that the commis-
A SCENE OF WILD CONFUSION.
sary stores were being given for Con-
But our trials were not yet ended, for
federate money, I collected what
there came another terrible explosion-
amount we had in the house and with
louder than any yet—the smoke of
my servant started for the quartermas-
which darkened the sun as its hideous
ter's department at the head of Colum-
folds curled skyward. It was the North-
bus street. Before reaching there a tre-
eastern Railroad depot that had been
mendous explosion which shook the
city to its very foundation brought us to
blown up, and with it a number of per-
a halt. Crowds of frightened women sons who had gathered there in search
and children, white and black, came of provisions. Some were killed out-
running towards us, some of them say right and their mangled bodies and
ing “Don't go there," "youll be blown limbs were scattered and buried under
to pieces," &c.
the burning ruins. Many were wounded,
Scarcely knowing what to do or how burnt and disfigured for life. The flames
to act, we took our stand in front of the spread rapidly to the adjoining houses
railroad workshops on Meeting street, and soon a fearful conflagration was in
and others joined us. We had not been progress. Confusion became worse con-
there long before some one hurrying by founded every moment, and the wings
said: "Ladies, how can you stand here of the dark angel seemed to have been
when those workshops are to be blown outspread over every dwelling. The
up?' One of the ladies who had already Rev. Dr. M— had been called to the
been frightened on hearing this ran up wounded and we were waiting on him
the street in wild alarm and we were no to baptize our little babe who was
less terrified. I reached home and for a breathing life fast away. Finally he
while was almost frantic. All of those came in great haste, and seizing a cup
around me were panic stricken and help near by filled it with water and per-
less, and the good Father F- was in formed the ceremony. He left imme-
the next house in a dying condition. diately to attend Father Fillion next
I appealed to Heaven for aid and at door, and the child died that night.
once commenced preparations to have The city was now a scene of wild dis-
my sick sister removed. There was no order, and we were to be still more hu-
time to be lost, for we were very near miliated-it was to be given up to Fed-
the railroad shops, and should they be eral authority. Quiet was at last re-
blown up we would certainly be de stored. We had surrendered! Old
stroyed. I sent to an acquaintance who Charleston, hitherto invincible by land
lived above Line street, asking permis or naval forces, while her gallant sons
sion to remove my family until after could remain to defend her, was given
the danger. Her answer came that the up; but it was a ruined people and a
shops on Line street were also to be shattered city, and the sight softened
blown up and that she was preparing to Il and touched the heart of the enemy.
fly. At this juncture, while standing at The following day, Sunday, was quiet,
the street door, I saw the dignified and our little babe in its coffin was car-
Mother T - the Mother Superioress ried to St. Lawrence Cemetery by three
of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, gentlemen, relieving each other on the
running by in wild haste and greatly | route. It was impossible to obtain a
excited, and fearing that Father Fillion ll vehicle of any kind, as every horse had

CHARLESTON DURING THE SIEGE.
53
been pressed in service by the Govern I by a companion who also was to be ex-
ment. Two days afterwards Father F., changed; he drank it with great pleas-
that true and tried soldier of the cross, ure, the last spark of life was waiting
died, and we buried him on the 22d of
upon the water, and in a few minutes
February, at midday, amid the boom afterwards the youthful soldier breathed
ing of guns from all the batteries.
his last, and now sleeps in an unknown
THE FAMILY DEATH-ROLL.
grave on the Federal side.
Besides the afflictions and troubles at
CLOSING SCENES.
home, the condition of those of our fam After the close of the war, in the beauti-
ily who were in the field increased our ful month of May, when the troops were
fears and anxieties, and several of them returning home, I awaited anxiously to
who started out with hope and promise welcome two survivors, an only brother,
now iie "under the sod and dew await F. D., and another cousin, L. B. They
ing the Judgment day." My brother had both served the Confederacy to the
in-law, John L. D., while in service in end. What anxiety, what eagerness, to
Virginia, was stricken with fever, and behold the brave fellows-our dear ones
while in the hospital a shell came very --who had suffered and endured so
near striking his bed, but fortunately much! The glad tidings at last reached
did not explode. The hospital was pro me that my brother was coming on
nounced unsafe, and my brother-in-law,
horseback and the gates were opened as
being no longer fit for duty, was sent wide as our hearts to receive him. But
home. Having no means of transporta alas! What a change! That grand
tion, he walked his way home, and colossal frame, which at one time seemed
when arrived his condition was such constituted to bear the weight of a hun-
from exposure that notwithstanding dred years, was bent and worn, from the
the most careful nursing, he died in a hardships and exposure of camp life.
few months. My nephew, Virgil D., a
His aged mother, who had become blind
young lieutenant of only 19 years, and during his absence, saw him again be-
beloved by his regimental commander,
fore her "mind's eye” only like the
Col. Simonton, who had nicknamed him sturdy young oak that he was when he
the “Virgin of the regiment," was first buckled on his armor and departed
wounded in a fight along the Weldon with her blessing on his head. To us,
road in August, 1864, and taken prisoner who were blessed with sight to look on,
to Fort Monroe. His sufferings were so the meeting was sad and touching in the
great that he was commanded against
extreme. After such an embrace as
his desire to return home on parole. On
his return home, his youngest brother
only a mother and son can give after
took sick with the smallpox of which he years of separation, he exclaimed:
died, and the noble young officer, whose "My poor, dear mother, you cannot
system had already been exhausted
see me!'?
from his wound, contracted the disease "Never mind, my son,” she replied.
and was buried five days after. My "I can feel you, and have you with me
cousin, John M., a bright boy and the in the future.”
hope and comfort of his widowed mother, But, alas ! this hope and comfort was
entered the service at the age of sixteen shortly to be crushed. On the 6th of
as a corporal in the Charleston Riflemen. September of the same year, notwith-
He was taken prisoner and confined in standing the most careful nursing, he
Elmira and from the hardships of prison died and was added to the silent ma-
life soon became prostrated. Like a caged jority of our heroes.
bird, he pined for liberty, for he was The young cousin, too, L. B., of the
anxious to serve his country in the Washington Light Infantry, whose sys-
field. With him, as far as this world is tem was entirely shattered before he
concerned, the darkest hour of his life reached home, was kindly, lovingly
was just after dawn, for when about to nursed, but he drooped and drooped day
be exchanged with the prisoners at by day. He died in August of the same
Point Lookout his strength was SO year, aged twenty years. His name is
much exhausted that he was sinking inscribed on the monument at Magnolie
rapidly. A cup of tea was handed him Cemetery.

54
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 10.--Three Days and Nights of Terror. fast setting into darkness. We had
piled up the logs in the huge old coun-
try fire-place, hoping by the warmth and
(By Helen Clifford, of Walhalla, s. C.) brightness of the room to banish some-
what the gloomy aspect nature wore, and
the deeper gloom pervading our hearts.
When the tocsin of war rang through-
The war was virtually over and with it
our hopes for the noblest cause for which
out the South summoning brave men to
heroes fought and trusting women
bleed and die for a righteous cause, it
prayed. The arch genius of desolation
called no less upon the daughters of the could have desired nothing more com-
South, bidding them put on the breast-
plete than had been wrought by the
ruthless destroyer. Ashes and black-
plate of endurance, and, by a proud in-
ened ruins marked his course, and the
domitable spirit, animate the patriot's South reeked with the blood of her slain.
zeal-by an unbending heroism temper Out of our immediate household two
slept on nameless graves on Malvern's
the soldier's courage. In response to
bloody hill, "their martial cloaks around
this mandate we, a happy family dwell-
them;" while he who once more sat be-
ing in the City by the Sea,'' armed our side us, battered and worn, bore witness
warriors for the fight, and, bidding them
to the terrible stonewall-like stand our
soldiers made as they struck their last
Godspeed, saw them depart for the dis-
blow for the homes and altars of their
tant fields of the “Old Dominion.”
sires.
Tearful, busy and anxious, welingered
THE SUSPICIOUS STRANGER.
in the desolate old home until Carolina
While we watched the bright leaping
was invaded by the merciless foe, then,
flames on the hearth and endeavored to
when Governor Magrath, in his earnest
beguile the evening with cheerful topics
proclamation, portrayed the sufferings,
and dangers worse than death, that would of conversation, we were startled by a
inevitably follow the foul invader's knock at the front door. Visitors were
steps, we gathered our little band and rare at anytime in our mountain home,
bidding a long adieu to our native city, and the announcement of one at such
refugeed to a "leafy retreat we owned || an hour alarmed us in no sligh degree.
amid the grand towering hills of the “A gentleman who wants to spend the
Blue Ridge. Here we lived in compara night,'' a servant announced, and a mo-
tive security during the dark months ment later the “gentleman” was ush-
that followed, overlooked by the fierce ered in.
hosts that not more than fifty miles The stranger was a short, thick-set man
away were devastating with demoniacal with a heavy stolid cast of countenance.
hate fair homes where only helpless He was clad in a coarse suit of jeans,
women were found to weep over the an article we learned to make and value
ruin and desolation that marked the during the stringent days of the block-
conqueror's path. It was not until Lee's ade, and was to all intents a veritable
worn and ragged boys had laid down countryman. He appeared to be tho-
their glory-crowned armsatAppomattox, roughly chilled, and asked so earnestly
and Johnston vainly striving to stay the for food and lodging, that, though we
ruthiess Sherman's march to the sea, were opposed to entertaining "strangers
that this secluded place became the prey unawares,' we agreed to receive him
of as fierce a band of Vandals as ever for the night, and, our spirit of hospi-
ventured beyond the limits of barbarous tality once aroused, we placed before
lands.
him the best our larder afforded, and
At the time of which I write our || when he had appeased his appetite gave
household numbered four-a fearless him the warmest corner beside our
little sister-in-law, a younger brother of | brightly burning fire. He was taciturn.
fifteen years, and a one-armed soldier speaking only in reply to some remark
who had gone from us four years before addressed to him, and meanwhile hang-
in the full tide of health and strength, ing closely over the fire as if his one ob-
and returned bent and broken by the ject in life was to get warm. Finding
heat of conflict. He was a wreck of his him a mauvais sujet for conversation, we
former self, but dearer to us in his weak turned to each other and left him to his
ness and dependence than if crowned own reflections.
with the fairest honors with which king's After some moments had elapsed, Iris,
and states are wont to deck their heroes. | the young wife of our soldier, beckoned
A cold blustering day in April 1865 was ll me to follow her from the room.

THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF TERROR.
55
"I don't like him," she whispered ex “I shall deeply regret it if he has pene-
citedly as the door closed upon us. He trated the rooms where the trunks and
has a stealthy way about him which boxes are secreted.”
looks suspicious. When we return watch These trunks had been entrusted to
him closely, and you will see how keen our care by friends and relatives who
and ugly the glances he gives each of had remained in Charleston, and were
us when he thinks no one is regarding filled with richly carved plate, rare and
him."
costly jewels, and silken fabrics of an-
I did as she directed and was startled cient make; all valued heir-looms in
by the dark sinister expression with families of wealth and distinction.
which he was regarding my wounded Added to this handsome collection were
brother, Earle. As he turned away he our own possessions; and here all had
caught Iris's eye fastened upon him, and remained in safety, and it was impossi-
though he immediately resumed his ble to believe that now the war so nearly
stolid indifferent expression, he was evi over they would be torn from their hid-
dently embarrassed. We watched him ing places. How mistaken we were in
closely the remainder of the evening, our conjectures the sequel will show.
but detected nothing more to excite our
fears. Soon after he pleaded fatigue
THE RAIDERS APPEAR.
and desired to be shown to an apart It was the first of May, and all glorious
ment.
Two hours later as Iris and I passed
shone the sunlight of the happy spring-
his room our olfactory organs were re-
time. No immediate results having fol-
galed by the odor of a fragrant Havana lowed the advent of the spy, our fears
cigar. We looked at each other in as slumbered, and as the days rolled into
tonishment. Odoriferous cigars were weeks we only recalled the incident as
things of the past with Southern gentle another unpleasant one belonging to the
men, and our suspicions regarding our war. Our soldier was improving in
guest were once more aroused. He was health, and this fact alone lent a brighter
evidently not what he had represented hue to life and its duties. On the morn-
himself to be-"a countryman living ing above mentioned, feeling stronger
some twenty miles distant and belated than usual he determined to ride to the
on his journey.” We accordingly re nearest town, ten miles distant, where
traced our steps and whispered the dis he had some important business to
covery we had made. to our younger transact.
brother, who, boy-like, made light of He had been absent several hours, and
our fears.
we were anxiously expecting his return
“You girls are so fanciful," he said when, suddenly, a sharp cry fell start-
sleepily. "What do you know of Havana | ingly upon us-words So horrible, SO
cigars? Well, suppose it is one. Can't full of dreadful import, as to banish the
such things run the blockade? He is a blood from the face of the bravest of us.
lucky fellow to have gotten hold of it." Again the cry rang out-unmistakable
And with this cool, unsatisfactory re and fearful-uttered in half frantic, half
joinder we were forced to be content.
jubilant tones, by the negroes on the
Next morning our mysterious guest place.
was missing. His door was open, the “Yonder dey come! De Yankees ! De
floor sprinkled with cigar ashes, and on Yankees! My how dey ride! an' Lor?
the table a slip of paper containing the if dey aint got Mas' Earle bound han'
following:
and foot, an' he so weak he can hardly
"I go but I will return. That dark sit in de saddle!"
eyed girl penetrated my disguise last We sprang to the door and saw an
night. I will be even with her yet.” armed band, whose numbers seemed le-
We regarded each other with white, gions, clad in the uniform of the Federal
frightened face, then simultaneously ex army, riding rapidly towards the house.
claimed:
They were a hard looking set, and our
“We have entertained a spy !".
hearts sank as we beheld Earle bound
There is no telling what part of the and helpless in their power. On each
house he did not explore during the side of him rode a man, one glance at
night when we were wrapped in sleep. whose brutal countenance was enough
Earle chided us for not imparting to him to strike terror to any heart, much less
our suspicions, but we had purposely re those of weak, unprotected women. But
frained from so doing, not wishing to well we knew this was no time for boot-
excite or annoy him in his weak, help less tears, the life perhaps of our loved
less state.
one depended on our courage and nerve.
"We must look around and see if any Iris was the first to regain a fearless
thing has been disturbed,'' Earle said, Il demeanor. As the men reigned up in

56
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
front of the house, she sprang down the || shouts of savage exultation as the heavy
steps, and reaching Earle's side, de old chests were drawn from their hiding
manded the meaning of such atrocious places and the rich contents exposed to
treatment. The men were evidently im the greedy gaze of the plunderers.
pressed by the fearless dignity of the Looking at the wealth before them, their
girl, They fell back and for a moment cry for gold was for a time silenced, and
silently regarded her. One of the least with coarse jests and triumphant laugh-
ferocious-looking seemed about to reply ter they began the work of appropria-
to her indignant demand when a tall, tion. Haversacks and pockets were
dark ruffian, who appeared to be the filled, and when no dint of pressing
leader, and whose evil face bore the sig could put more into them, snowy cases
net of every vice, approached and with a
fierce oath, exclaimed:
into sacks into which they stored their
“Enter into no explanations. If we booty.
were to hang this rebel dog here on the With feelings difficult to analyze, I
spot it would serve them right. But followed the robbers up stairs, deter-
we'll let him off this time if he will show mined if possible to rescue some of the
us where the Confederate treasure is jewels at least. These now lay scattered
hidden. You need not deny having it," over the floor, and the men down on
shaking his fist menacingly in Earle's their knees were making selections. So
face, "for our spy traced it here from intent were they on their work that at
Columbia. Come here, Charlie, and see first they did not observe my entrance.
if this young Rebel woman will recog I watched them quietly until I saw the
nize you?''
wretch styling himself “Colonel” take
A man, dressed like the others in up a ring, which, more on account of as-
odious blue, stepped out from amongst sociations than for any intrinsic value, I
the troop, and in him we recognized the highly prized.
spy who had crept into our house, par "You will not take that," I said, step-
taken of our hospitality and gone forth
again to pilot his miserable comrades “That ring was the gift of one now
into our midst.
dead, and I cannot afford to lose it.”
"You know me, I see," he exclaimed "Some d-d lover I suppose, whose
with an insolent laugh. "I told you I bones I trust are now bleaching on the
would return, and here I am. But I'll battlefield! Well, give me a kiss and
forgive you, pretty one,” he continued, you shall have it."
approaching Iris, "for suspecting me of I recoiled with the disgust I felt de-
playing off that night, if you will con picted in my face.
duct us to those rooms where you have “You won't? Well, then, I'll keep it
and give it to my mother or sister when
Davis's gold. They were seen in Colum I get back to Boston,'' and so saying, in
bia months ago, and it is well-known nasal tones that were hateful to my ears,
were received here to be taken care of the ruffian pocketed the only souvenir
until we Yanks left the country. You I possessed of "the tender grace of a day
understand now how well posted we are that could never come back to me."
about the gold, and if you refuse to "Have such creatures as you mothers
deliver it we will burn the house to the I and sisters?" I asked, growing reck-
ground and hang this fellow to the less.
highest tree we can find."
"D-n you, yes,” he answered, looking
"You dare not harm a hair of his head, ll up from a superb urn he was examin-
nor will you burn this house, though I
tell you there is no gold here!”
you, my scornful rebel, if they were
Iris spoke boldly, but well she knew down here they would soon teach you
that there was nothing too dreadful for what Yankee women think of this
these creatures to dare and do.
cursed rebellion. You'd get no mercy
“You will see, my fine lady," was the from their tongues, you wouldn't. Weli,
impudent reply of the spy, as the leader
ordered his men to conduct their pris rades, "this has the true ring, all silver,
oner into the house.
and I'll just take it home to the old
woman, whose existence this fine rebel
PLUNDERING THE HOUSE.
is inclined to doubt.”
In a second of time the rooms swarmed He laid the urn aside with other pieces
with armed men intent on finding the
he had selected and began examining
more of the costly plate.
treasure.” Fearful oaths and threats
Scarcely knowing what I was doing I
were heard as they explored the house took my seat in a chair on which a

THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF TERROR.
57
come."
“Sister !” exclaimed my young | latter hesitate any more than did their
brother, who had followed me into the infamous prototypes to secure it by deeds
room, "get up. You are sitting on a of violence.
gun, a Yankee's gun, in every part of With wildly beating hearts, but betray-
which lurks treachery."
ing no outward signs of fear, we awaited
"You d-d rebel!" exclaimed several the march of events. They returned to
of the men at once, and pointing their the lower portion of the house filling the
weapons at the boy. “Say that again rooms with their dreadful oaths, and
and we'll soon let you feel what does calling on the negroes to give what in-
lurk in a Yankee's gun-something that formation they could relative to the
wont take long to send you to kingdom treasure.
“Come here, you black imp," said the
The youth looked defiantly at them, colonel, whose euphonious appellation
and would have given a bold reply, but was Unthank, to an old negress who had
I, thinking discretion the better part of come into the room, "and tell us where
valor in his case, caught him by the these white people have hidden Jeff
hand and forced him to leave the room. Davis's gold. Out with the truth and
As the door closed upon us I heard the you shall have this,
Colonel say with an oath:
He drew out of his knapsack a white
"Plucky, like all the rest of the d-d crêpe shawl of exquisite texture and
South Carolina women. I have never threw it around the sable form.
seen one show the white feather yet !!! "Ki, what I want with Missie's
While this wholesale robbery was go shawl," the woman answered, taking it
ing on up-stairs the prisoner sat in one off and carefully folding it; "and all I
of the rooms below guarded by three ruf can tell you is dere ain't no gold yere."
'fians who stood prepared to shoot should "You are lying like the rest,” he re-
he attempt to leave his chair. Iris stood plied, using a fearful oath, “but you will
near by intently watching their move all lower your tones before I am done
ments, her pale resolute face bearing no with you.” Then turning to Iris he ex-
trace of the great anxiety she felt. Earle claimed: “I see you have a piano; let me
was not allowed to speak, and it was not hear it."
until later that we learned the particu "I can play but two pieces,” she an-
lars of his arrest. When within a few swered quietly, though her face grew
miles of the town he wished to visit he very white, and those I do not sup-
heard the tramp of cavalry, and deciding pose you will care to hear.”
they were a detachment of Wheeler's “What are they?"
men, who often swept through this part 66 'Dixie and the 'Bonnie Blue Flag.'”
of the State, he rode on until a bend in For a moment they looked fixedly at
the road revealed to him a body of each other. Then he said in a voice in-
horsemen wearing the Federal uniform. dicative of suppressed passion: "Play
With a wild yell they surrounded him, them."
addressed him by name, and said they Earle started forward, but a gesture
were on the way to his residence where, from his guards stopped him. I clutched
it was well known, the gold belonging Iris's dress and begged her not to at-
to the Confederate Government had been tempt to play either piece, as those well
sent for safe-keeping.
known rebel airs might enrage the men.
But there was no alternative left her.
BOUND TO HAVE “THE TREASURE.”
The man had opened the instrument
Meanwhile the men up-stairs had re and was impatiently waiting for her to
sumed their cry for the shining yellow
begin. How she ever succeeded in play-
ing the two melodies through is a mys-
metal. Splendid as was the treasure
tery for her trembling - fingers and
unearthed their avaricious souls were quivering lips told how trying the ordeal
not satisfied. In the parlor where we she was subjected to. As she finished
sat, anxious and expectant, the revived and was leaving the piano her tor-
cry reached us, curdling our blood with mentor placed a crumpled soiled piece
terror, for we had seen enough of these of paper before her. It contained the
wretches to know that if resolved to words of “Yankee Doodle,” and had
vent their disappointment on one, or all | evidently been torn from a book of
of us, no prayers nor tears would avail songs.
to turn them from their fell purpose. "Now let me hear Yankee Doodle. I
The Spanish adventurers of the sixteenth guess you can play an accompaniment,
century could never have shown a and I'll help you sing it.”
greater craving for the precious metal "Never,” answered Iris defiantly; and
than did these Yankee adventurers of a before he could guess her intention she
far more enlightened age, nor did the || had torn the paper into pieces.

58
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
The man regarded her in blank amaze- | this hour of trial, and amongst these was
ment; then as his rage gathered and the old mauma who had refused the
burst he rudely seized her arm.
shawl given her by the Colonel.
What the sequel would have been I By this time the shadows had length-
cannot tell, for at that moment a series ened and night came swiftly down. This
of yells so deafening, so exultant, re night stands out with fearful promi-
sounded without that the Colonel rushed nence in my life. The diabolical scenes
to the door and exclaiming, “Those fel enacted then are as fresh and vivid on
lows have found the gold,” disappeared the tablets of memory as if written yes-
in the direction from which the voices terday. The moon looked coldly down
came.
on the mad revellers, and brought no
The curiosity of Earle's guards proved stray beam of hope to us, sad silent
stronger than their willingness to obey | watchers, hourly expecting to see the
orders, and commanding him not to stir Hwretches redeem their threats. The very
from his chair, they followed their lead songs of the night birds sounded wilder
er's example and hastened to the scene and wierder than ever before, and seemed
of uproar.
to us in our desolation to be fraught with
We seized this moment to remon ominous forebodings of evil. All night
strate with Iris, impressing it on her long the men kept up their wild orgies;
that a fearful penalty might yet be ex quarrelling and even fighting meantime
acted for her reckless defiance of the for a fresh distribution of spoil. The
man at whose mercy we were. The poor newcomers wanted their share, and at
girl admitted she was wrong, “but," the point of the bayonet urged their de-
firing up again, “I was determined to mand.
play only those two pieces for him. He To make matters worse, the negroes
shall not think he can frighten me into held a revel of their own to celebrate the
performing whatever he commands.'' advent of their “Northern bred'rin."
A WILD NIGHT REVEL.
For hours we could hear them dancing
and shouting, and calling down all man-
Meanwhile the tumult outside in ner of blessings on "Ole Mars' Linkum,"
creased. Fresh voices appeared to swell
until overcome by excitement and the
the chorous of yells, and we soon learned
whiskey they had imbibed they fell ex-
hausted into a drunken sleep.
that the Yankees had been joined by
When day dawned again comparative
another troop of horsemen. These, with silence prevailed. Most of the men had
the negroes, who had by this time cast succumbed to the effects of the liquor,
off all restraint, and who numbered fifty and lay in groups about the rooms and
or sixty, were holding a wild revel over out on the ground sleeping heavily.
several barrels of whiskey-for it was Only the men who mounted guard over
the latter, and not gold, that had called Earle were wide awake in the room
forth such jubilant cries. Unfortunately, where we still lingered.
only a few days before, this liquor had But as the day advanced it proved but
been stored away for safe-keeping in an a duplicate of the preceding one; only,
out-house. It belonged to parties living that, if it were possible, the ruffians
in the mountain fastnesses whointended grew more ferocious. Their demands
shipping it to a distant town, but, hear for gold became more frequent. and
ing the place had fallen into the Yan their threats darker and more signifi-
kee's hands, had asked permission to cant.
store it away on our premises until they Again as night setin, whites and blacks
could venture to deliver it.
held their mad carnival of drink and
And now followed a succession of hate and, as before, slept the sleep of ex-
scenes that beggars description. The haustion. It was midnight when Iris
ruffians drank and swore, and some sit- li left the room after having so far won on
ting astride the barrels uttered the most the better nature of the guards as to pre-
horrible blasphemies. Others, with a vail on them to allow Earle to rest upon
canteen of whiskey in one hand, while a lounge. He was very weak still, and
the other brandished a gun, filed in and the intense excitement he was suffering
out of the house, filling our ears with told upon him physically.
threats of what they intended doing if
the gold was not soon found. The ne-
A BRAVE WOMAN'S DEED.
groes, half crazed by the liquor they had I knew by the resolute look on Iris's
imbibed, and urged on by the Yankees,
face that she was bent on some desperate
crowded into the rooms, taking liberties
they had never before attempted, and
purpose. As she closed the door I heard
appropriating what little spoil the men her run up-stairs, and a moment later
had left. Only a few proved faithful in detected stealthy footsteps passing out-

THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF TERROR.
59
side in the hall. The guards heard them || to comply with the demands of our op-
too, listened intently, and, deciding it pressors. This "d-d sulking obsti-
"was a dog or something of the kind." nacy,” as they termed it, on our part,
gave them no second thought.
with the non-discovery of “Jeff Davis's
When morning broke again and the gold,” soon brought matters to a climax.
men gathered around the barrels they It was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon,
found the bungs drawn and the casks when the Colonel, followed by some of
empty. A fiendish yell announced their the most desperate looking of his ruf-
discovery and disappointment.
fians, rushed up to Earle, and shaking his
I stole a glance at Iris, and knew by gun at him exclaimed, in a voice quiv-
the triumphant light in her dark eyes ering with passion :
that she could a tale unfold.
“Curse you! We wont wait another
"I determined last night,” she said, as moment on you to deliver up the gold.
together we sought an unoccupied room, Tell us where it is, or by G- I'll shoot
"that this fearful drinking should stop, you down.”
and later, when the cries of these I saw Earle's eyes flash fire, but for
wretches ceased and I felt sure that our sakes he kept quiet.
most of them were asleep, I wrapped a "Do you hear ?" the villain continued,
dark shawl around me and stole to where and raising his gun he struck him
the whiskey was. The floor was liter sharply on the head.
ally covered with drunken sleeping “Wretch!” cried Earle, striving to
creatures, and it was difficult to make break from the guards who now sur-
my way between them, but with the rounded him. "I'll teach you to deal
assistance of the moonlight I did so, such cowardly blows! Villain !” The
drew the bungs after some difficulty, last word leapt from his lips and told
and, as the whiskey flowed out, passed how the wild rage ran riotous through
swiftly from the room and ran as if our ll his blood. A second blow had been dealt
very lives depended on it. It seemed as | but had fallen on Iris, who had thrown
if I was hours drawing the stoppers, and herself between her husband and his
the suspense was fearful! I could not persecutors.
nerve myself to do it again."
"No more of that, Colonel,” said an
It never entered the minds of the men officer who had been sitting for some
that one of us might have done this time apart from the others examining a
thing. They accused one another of casket of jewels. "Take the fellow out
haying neglected to replace the bungs. and shoot him or break his neck as soon
Some of them, in their fury and as you please, but let that girl alone or
craving for more drink, caught up bot I'll take her under my own wing.'
tles of "Ayer's Cherry Pectoral” of "Bewitched by the magic of rebel
which there were several dozens on eyes, I'll swear !” the man answered,
hand, and drained them to the dregs. with a coarse laugh.
Nausea and unconsciousness were thein "Don't repeat the blow, that's all I
evitable results, and for hours they lay have to say, and, with real or assumed
apparently dead, or moaning and swear indifference to what was transpiring
ing with pain, while their wiser com around him, the officer resumed his in-
rades, who had abstained from the nau spection of the jewels.
seous beverage, made them the targets
HANGING A WOUNDED CONFEDERATE.
for obscene jests.
Meanwhile our provisions had been In a shorter time than I can relate it,
exhausted. Only a few weeks previous
the inhuman wretches dragged my help-
we had been called upon to feed a troop
less brother beneath a large maple tree,
of Wheeler's men, and we had not suc-
ceeded in very bountifully replenishing and placing a strong rope around his
our store-house. It did not take the neck prepared to execute their threat.
Yankees long to empty it again. We Ah! the agony of that moment! We
had only a small quantity of rye flour
read of “the times that tried men's
left when they ordered us to prepare hearts, but where is the pen that can
with our own hands "a tip-top dinner." ever portray the depths of suffering
The wretches laughed in our faces when which have been fathomed by the hearts
we showed them the flour.
of Southern women during the dark
"You have something more than that days of secession!
d-d stuff, and you had better trot it out, "Perhaps the coil of hemp around his
or we'll know the reason why !!
neck will make him open his mouth,
There are times when woman's wit said one of the ruffians, giving the rope
will enable her to devise ways and means a sudden jerk.
out of a dilemma, but in this case it was "You have already been told that there
of no avail, and we did not eyen pretend ll is no gold here, and now I add that if

60
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
there were tons of it I would rather die || must have been the last, time when the
twenty deaths than deliver it into the unexpected appearance of several armed
hands of such a band of robbers and cut men put an end to their nefarious pro-
murdering their victim that they were
received with a volley of curses, and the not aware of the arrival of the new
order was given to “draw him up.".
comers, who seemed to be officers high
The rope was tightening, when one of in command, until a peremptory voice
the men exclaimed: “Where's his wife? ordered them to release Earle.
She must see him swing !” and, as if in The men fell back astonished and
answer to his call, Iris sprang forward
and tightly grasped the rope.
the leader exclaimed:
“You dare not! You shall not kill "You are on the wrong track alto-
him !" she cried, her face blanched to the gether! That d-d old traitor's gold has
dreadful whiteness of death.
gone in quite another direction, and we
“Who will stop us, you cursed have orders for you to mount and join
Rebel," asked the Colonel, who of all the brigade immediately. But what
those brutal creatures seemed to me the the devil have you done! That fellow is
most inhuman. “Here, men, pull her almost dead; quick, bring some water !!!
off; and if she won't keep her distance, And jumping from his horse he ap-
make her!”
proached Earle who was lying insensi-
Rudely they tore her hands from the ble on the ground with Iris bending
rope and held them firmly despite her over him.
efforts to free herself. Then I saw the "Save your tears, madam," turning
rope tighten once more and my poor from the unconscious form, and address-
brother swing into mid-air. I had sup ing the poor girl, who was vainly striv-
pressed all exhibition of weakness dur ing to suppress her feelings. "I have
ing these terrible hours, but this last act seen a good deal of this kind of thing,
of cruelty was more than a sister's heart and can assure you your husband will
could bear in silence. I rushed into the get over this, though he has been rather
room where still sat the man who had badly served. Now, boys, mount and
interposed in Iris's behalf. To him I ap be off!?
In a short time we were relieved of
done to a Yankee! I have since often won their presence. Five miles distant they
dered if he would have gone to Earle's rejoined Stoneman's brigade, from which
they had been dispatched to secure the
could he have stayed the lawless men || Confederate treasure.
bent on shedding blood? I have given They had gone, but traces of the ruin
him the benefit of the doubt, for of all and desolation they had wrought looked
the sun-dyed, hardened villains who upon us from all directions; but our
that day tried our courage and powers of loved one, though worn and bleeding,
endurance and almost shook our faith in
and sorely tried, still lived, and for this
a Supreme controlling Hand, this man mercy vouchsafed in the midst of much
alone looked as if some of the milk of misery, we thanked God.
human kindness still coursed through
his veins. But I did not wait to hear his
answer. A fresh chorus of shouts ming No. 11.--The Costumes of War Times.
ling with a woman's scream-a scream
full of intense relief and deep heartfelt
thankfulness-called me back to the (By Mrs. I. V. Franklin, of Augusta, Ga.)
scene of violence, where I found the
work of death had been suddenly and
War times! War days! How long ago
A PROVIDENTIAL INTERFERENCE. it all appears, after the lapse of years
Truly, “the drift of the Maker is dark,
full of recollection and reminiscences !
an Iris hid by the veil !!! When hope
So far back, it seems, those days so
was dying in our hearts His arm was
eventful then, and so historic now, must
stretched out to save! After I had gone
have their birth from eternity itself.
into the house they had twice drawn Yet often memory brings back very
Earle up and as often cut him down, vividly all the tumultuous emotions of
each time calling upon him to confess
where he had hidden the gold. Faint,
those exciting hours, and even yet, often
almost dead as he was, they were pre- || in social meetings, Iriends who suffered
paring to hang him the third, and what || together in those anxious years will
red

THE COSTUMES OF WAR TIMES.
61
converse lingeringly over the war and || occasion, and was at the time full of
its manifold experiences.
ardor in his arrangements for the active
There are many whose glowing pens field.
will portray strange and sad events,
THE SERIOUS SIDE OF WAR.
giving histories replete with pain, death,
privation, wrong and exile. Homes
Years after I saw one memorial day a
lost like "a leaf in the storm, as Ouida procession of young girls placing upon
calls the desolation of a village during
the soldiers' graves laurel crowns and
the times of the Commune, to hun-
dreds in the South, can never again be
emblems of a warrior's deathless fame.
seen, save in delusive dreaming. Noble My interest became more intense when
lives given up on crimson fields have I saw in my widowed mother's face a
left that tender silence upon hearts that look which rested there for years. Her
held them dear, which must ever bring boys eagerly rushed to the battle call,
back, most sorrowfully, any thought of and there came a day when in every
war, and to these writers a vivid reality home the leave-taking was universal.
in description must be given, as the Often now I recall the going of our sol-
ablest writers are those who feel most diers far from home and tender love to
deeply.
battle and to death, and imagination
I could write of Sherman's march, tell cannot create a more gallant picture of
ing of Atlanta with her blackened chim the soldier than our Southern youths
neys standing like grim sentinels over afforded. It was marvellous how
the ruins beneath. I could tell of “The bravely they bore the life of danger and
City by the Sea,” looking over the waters exposure. Among old letters I read
with ruin in her walls, and picture the with unabated interest still the details
anxious days and months with the of fights, skirmishes and battles, in
enemy encam ped about the islands near. which those dear to me bore active part,
Years after the shells had ceased to and amazement fills me to observe there
startle the alarmed air I stood upon the was never one murmur over privation
Battery alone, and in the peaceful silence and wounds.
saw yet evidence of war. In the moon The battles of Seven Pines and around
light I wandered by the ruined Cathe Richmond brought anguish to many
dral, and saw the Circular Church homes, and in my own home anxiety
wreathed with creepers, all silvered by beyond words filled us, when, after a
the light, which softened but revealed long silence, a message was brought,
the ravages of bursting shell. The ocean summoning aid from home to those
dimly murmured far away with an un who lay at death's door, from terrible
quiet roar, as if the troubled waters wounds. Never can I forget the his-
could sing in monotone a story of the tory of that journey which a loved one
sorrow borne over the foaming waves in took. The fight was raging near Rich-
those blood-red days, the days of hatred mond, and hourly hundreds of the
and of strife. Let me bring back some wounded were brought within the
other themes in connection with Con limits. All day long, outside the build-
federate life less sorrowful.
ing, which was filled with dead and
Well do I remember, though but a dying upon the floors, could be seen the
little slip of a girl, the wild excitement
excitement coffins in construction, and the rude
over secession, when all fierce, rebel hammering filled the air. The food at
maidens wore the badge of sympathy. this time of panic consisted solely of
My school books were never taken un buttermilk and blackberries, in this es-
less the badge adorned the left shoulder pecial building, and the sufferers were
for the street. On all sides nothing was almost perishing for water. Fortunately,
discussed but the subject of secession. assistance was soon rendered. Expe-
There was a feverish excitement pervad- riences full of suffering were endured
ing the atmosphere of the school-rooms, by members of my family, in following
and I remember a rebel concert given in the army, to join the wounded, and to
which every pupil wore a distinctive render nursing attention. But these are
costume of Confederate colors, songs of stories of horror, and I will instead give
Southern zeal and full of battle spirit some glimpses of home life in those de-
were sung to the roll of a drum, which moralized times.
was supported by a child who was By this time the Confederacy was filled
draped in a banner. The wildest enthu with battle songs, breathing the very
siasm prevailed when the two hundred spirit of music, and overflowing with
girls sang in chorus of their love for the sentiment and pathos. “We'll conquer
Southern land, for her brave soldiers or we'll die,” “When this cruel war is
and for their valor, yet to be proven. over,” and “My Maryland,' were the
Gen. T. R. R. Cobb was present on this familiar household songs, and Father

62
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Ryan's poems, and those of many others || during the war was a black silk, made
scarcely less gifted in this line, were re from the covers of worn parasols, the
cited with a depth of feeling unknown, umbrella form being preserved. It was
save in days of warfare. Soon "The Va regarded as being very stylish, and was
cant Chair and songs in the minor key lined with a mosquito netting, which
prevailed, for sorrow enveloped the land had been presented the young lady
as a veil. Literary cultivation was al | by an officer who had been stationed on
most classical, for few novelists existed James Island. The buttons on the dress
then in our borders, and ancient works had been in battle, and were much
were re-read and borrowed freely. The valued by the owner. At this time,
texture of Confederate newspapers was North and abroad, dresses were worn
something marvellous, and the columns very high in the throat and the skirts
were filled only with war and rumors of quite gored and tight in front. The
war.
women of the Confederacy wore their
I received once a collection of papers dresses the same length all around, a
and illustrated monthlies from Virginia, little longer if anything just in front,
sent me by an officer whose command necessitating a slight holding up by the
had surprised the enemy's encampment aid of one hand always. The neck was
and routed them to take possession of very much exposed, being worn half
all they precipitately left. The valuables high often. Once I saw a very thin
were prized very highly, and what made woman attired in this style, wearing
them especially valuable was suggestions around her throat a chain and locket.
in regard to fashion. How infinitely ab The latter had slipped around and was
surd that any interest should have at half hidden down in the hollow of her
tached to style among Southern women. collar-bone, just beneath her left ear.
But it was certainly true, more particu In her unconsciousness she was de-
larly as our prevailing modes were a di lighted with her toilet, and indeed so
rect contrast. Individuals in society was I. The first lady who visited our
were well known by their garments, town wearing a high dress at the throat,
many making no effort whatever ir re with a ruche above, was regarded with
gard to change or alterations. Ex much suspicion, it being commonly be-
changes were, however, sometimes made lived the throat was badly scarred, from
to insure variety and freshness.
her effort to completely hide even a
glimpse of its slender column. So we
GROTESQUE BONNETS AND GOWNS.
perceive both styles of dress claimed
Among the strange articles utilized disadvantages.
were Guinea feathers in the formation of
An aunt of mine was in Europe du-
ring the war, and immediately upon its
bonnets. I saw one once, completely
close hastened to Georgia longing to look
covered with them, which gave the once more into faces of relatives and
beholder temporary vertigo from the in friends. The first Sabbath at church
numerable spots. The front of this she wept unceasingly, and smiled at
marvel was filled in with twenty camel times. Coming home she said, no one
lias made of goose feathers dyed. Bon could possibly imagine how queerly
nets of palmetto were much in vogue, everything looked to her in point of
as were those of ornamental gourds. costume, each form seeming a comic
The extreme weight rendered these picture and appearing almost as if there
dressy articles more beautiful than had been a rivalry in each to excel the
comfortable. Yet, for summer wear the other in these effects. This impression
palmettoes were cool in appearance. A existed only in regard to the women.
friend of mine possessed a tarlton bon She wept in realizing how painful must
net made of six yards of the cloth, with have been the years and anxious
forty dollars worth of goose feather months to those so dear to her, when
flowers adorning the inside. Once, by the effect was evidenced even in any
some odd chance, a young lady of my thing so paltry as mere dress.
acquaintance was so fortunate as to have
sent her a hat and a pair of balmoral
MYSTERIES OF THE CUISINE.
boots, with a skirt to correspond. These In those days of self-denial there were
treasures were sent by a blockade run-
ner, and a reception was held to display
wonderful things in the cuisine depart-
them and to allow others the privilege
ments-much that was mysterious !
of trying them on. I afterwards often Raspberry leaves were used for tea.
saw the balmoral skirt, worn very guile Persimmons and black pepper formed
lessly, with simply an antique velvet favorite ingredients for fruit cake,
jacket.
blended with hickory-nuts and walnuts.
The most ingenious dress I remember ll Groundnuts and parched okra made

THE COSTUMES OF WAR TIMES.
63
coffee, and sometimes sweet potatoes. Il experiences were annoying and, in some
Innumerable delicacies were originated. respects, quite amusing. For two months
Persimmons dried in brown sugar re- a command of Yankees were stationed
placed dates and figs. A young friend on her plantation, and every day her
of mine informed me that in her home
house was filled with soldiers. She in-
dessert was much enjoyed in this man formed me her scant and unfashionable
ner: “After dining she would take
wardrobe was subjected to cutting re-
down from its place their cookery book marks. The soldiers unhesitatingly
and read aloud some choice selections.” opened her bureau and wardrobe for
It was customary at entertainments for
free inspection.
the ladies to enjoy the repast first; very
THE FASHIONABLE PASTIME.
their enjoyment was orer. Once an en Every Southern woman became in-
tertainment I attended was elegant in
all arrangements for the feast, and it
| terested in sewing societies, and knitting
was whispered around that chicken was the fashionable fancy work. I in-
salad in profusion would be given. The variably knitted the first sock of a
ladies were first served, and the hostess pair a size smaller than the second, and
said, when the less favored ones entered was thus compelled to always give in
the room for refreshments, a tall, un-
two pair to other's one in order to secure
gainly soldier-boy commenced looking matches. The military ardor of an ec-
anxiously over the board, and finally, in centric woman known to me induced
a disgusted manner, said: "I believe, her to send to a certain regiment in Vir-
in my heart, the blamed women have ginia a kind of helmet for each soldier',
eaten all the salad !” He was only ap made of the gayest kinds of figured
peased by Confederate fruit cake-strong cloth. She was a year manufacturing
these fantastic disguises, and was in-
Our town was filled with refugees from formed after sending them that they
all points, and their society was highly were useless, and perfectly unnecessary.
It was an amusing scene to watch the
they were cultivated and charming ad various objects contributed to relieve
ditions to any society, and represented
the best phase of home life from their from time to time, and again it was
respective cities. As our college build very beautiful to note the spirit of self-
ings were useless, and furnished many
homes under one roof, they were occu Nothing was too valued or too rare for
pied by families who had fled to our walls the use of our loved soldiers.
for safety. The old buildings reverber Perhaps the most superb body of men
ated to soldiers' tread, and to the flying I saw during the war were the soldiers
feet of Southern girls, in light dancing, of Gen. Williams, of Kentucky. Their
often on summer nights. The refugees fine horses gave an air of invincibility
seemed to accept their exile cheerfully, to the command, and the men were so
and whenever any soldier came home stalwart and splendidly developed. I
his sojourn was enlivened by merry- recall a young officer who was mounted
making and cheery society. You on a superb steed, glossy and black as
might see at some picnic, given in honor night. The dashing cavalryman, in his
of several returned soldiers, many young suit of gray, with boots and spurs and
girls, clad in homespun, with faces as floating plumes, was a young Mars from
coquettish and arch as those that are his golden' head to his horse's hoofs.
now shaded by rich velvets and soft They looked—these Kentuckians-like
plumes.
ideal soldiers, and were brave and gal-
Among our refugees was a bright lant enough. If our soldiers were brave,
young woman from New Orleans, who so were our women in a high degree;
was so enraged by all her belongings but to others l yield the graceful task of
being inspected as she was leaving the eulogizing Southern womanhood.
city to join her friends outside of Gen. I know a girl who rode through the
Butler's rule she exclaimed to an offi storm of a winter's night, many miles,
cer: “You haven't inspected that trunk, to give information to our soldiers when
and it contains both powder and caps.'' Sherman was on his way to Atlanta.
This announcement caused much ex-
citement, and the officer was much cha with soldiers, and skirmishing was of
grined to discover at the bottom of the constant occurrence. By her efforts
trunk in question a box containing an many lives were saved, and as she re-
old lady's supply of caps and innocent turned homewards the shot and shell
face powder.
were falling thick and fast around her.
I had a relative in Mississippi whose II Later, a desperate encounter took place

64
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in her father's yard between the con faces one would never have imagined
tending armies, and her courage was they had even dreamed of festivities.
wonderful in assisting the wounded and I rode some distance during the war
in baffling inquiries from the Yankee on one occasion to witness a camp-meet-
officers, who made headquarters in her ing far in the country, a novel spectacle
home. She still managed to give impor to me, and it was in a section where all
tant information, and defied detection. the men, all the horses, all the mules
This girl is of an ancient family, and had gone "to the war,'' as the country.
soldier blood is in her veins. Her people expressed it. I mention this to
grandfather was a general in the United give some idea of how the people man-
States service many years before her aged some matters when left to their
mother was grown.
own devices. In front of me was slowly
moving one of those old-fashioned high-
UNBIDDEN GUESTS AT A FEAST.
up carriages, with the interior steps all
A singular evening entertainment was folded up; the kind driven by our parents
attended by me late in the war. A young
and ancestry generally. A near ap-
proach revealed that two little oxen
soldier having returned home on leave
were harnessed to supply the lack of
of absence, his parents gave him a wel horses, and they leisurely strolled along
come, with all his friends, to enjoy an in spite of the repeated adjurations of
evening's dance. Superb arrangements the superannuated daddy who drove
for that time interested the family, and them; occasionally he would lie down
the attendance was unusually large. against the dashboard, to better enable
Just in the rear of the house where the him to reach them with his whip. This
entertainment was given a Texas brigade equipage was the property of a worthy
was en camped, and during the day many family that had gone heart, and I may
of the command in passing back and say purse, into the cause, and they es-
forth discerned some excitement was teemed it all lightly. These small mat-
prevailing on the premises. Several ters are scarely worth mention. save for
soldiers announced openly their inten this reason: They serve somewhat to
tion of being present, and as the guests give an idea of what were the inconveni-
commenced to arrive, including the offi ences endured by Southern women, who
cers of the brigade, the astonishment freely gave their all to the Cause, and to
of those present cannot be portrayed, prove how ingenious necessity will
when I say the command also arrived. render us in providing substitutes for
The beautiful grounds were filled by what was once esteemed absolutely in-
the soldiers, and the entire house over dispensable.
flowed with them. Their officers could
not influence them, or would not, and
PREPARING FOR THE RAIDERS.
nothing remained for the guests but to Not very long after this an alarm was
quietly await their going. Many of them
given our town by the report of a near
were under the influence of drink, and
the officers assured the host the best
approach of the enemy's forces. Now
course to pursue was simply not to indeed “there was a hurrying to and
notice them. They were perfectly re fro," and in every household panic pre-
spectful to the ladies, and did not intrude vailed. The first night of the alarm a
into the parlors at all, but remained tempest raged, and in the midst of pour-
waiting for supper they said. The sup ing rain my sister and myself carried a
per room was opened, the supper van large box of silver to the remotest cor-
ished, and gradually so did the soldiers. ner of our large garden to secrete it
Among the guests were a number of safely in the earth's deep breast. Well
quartermasters, &c. All these officials do I recall how difficult I found the hard
walked home bare-headed, their hats frozen ground to impress, and it was
being exchanged. Many humorous only by the blinding flashes of light-
things occurred that will at present, ning we could see what
however, be too lengthy to detail. The plishing. We alternated in supporting
supper was not even seen by the gentle our umbrella, which was dyed in some
men who were guests, but I fancy after Confederate discovery, and in the toil be-
all it was well bestowed. Later this fore us until both were exhausted.
command was removed several miles Upon returning to the house we dis-
out from the city, and I had the pleasure covered the rain had so completely
of attending service held at the encamp saturated the umbrella the dye was
ment. There was something very im pouring in inky floods from every point
pressive in the hymns and prayers rising and had converted both of us into min-
heavenward from beneath the arching strels to outward seeming. This dye
forest trees. From the earnest listening I was a superior article I ascertained in

CONTRABAND CONSCIENCE.
65
my vain efforts to remove the traces || After his downfall he once again became
effectually. The morning after this a wanderer, and when I last knew of his
episode we concluded for some reason fate was in service prominently under
to remove the silver, and the storm had the Khedive of Egypt.
so completely obliterated every trace of In the square next my home, upon
our work a week was required to regain the morning of Yankee domination, an
its possession, as neither of us could elderly gentleman was just issuing from
exactly locate the spot. We were quite a gate having enjoyed a morning call
persuaded for some time that the treach upon relatives, little dreaming of the
erous lightning had betrayed our occu consternation all over the entire city.
pation.
He was politely accosted by a mounted
A near neighbor came to see us in this horseman, who desired to ascertain the
time of peril, and in consequence of her hour of day. Most courteously he re-
having arrayed herself in dresses over sponded, and in an instant the watch
dresses, in order to save at least cloth had changed owners. It was a fine
ing in the event of a stampede, she found specimen of sleight-of-hand.
it impossible to ascend our flight of steps At night the neighborhood discussed
from the weight of her garments. Be many little incidents that had rendered
ing conducted to a back entrance near the day memorable. I can see the home
the ground she entered, but then dis picture still under the light of Confeder-
covered she could not sit down. I ac ate tapers, which, by the way, looked
companied her home, and then discov antique. They consisted of yards upon
ered a small child of her family strug yards of cotton thread, twisted into
gling in the effort to pull on a second strong cords and wound in pyramidal
pair of shoes, preparing for flight. I form, the summit being ignited, wax,
met a lady at this time who was wearing oil, &c., being freely used in the com-
a bustle of spoons and forks, and whose position. In the fading light our circle
movements were considerably impeded sat, bearing within our hearts the knowl-
thereby. When our actual refugeeing edge that our hopes and fears were
took place we were too much alarmed to ended in connection with our Confeder-
enjoy the innumerable ridiculous things ate dream. Furled indeed was our ban-
which now occur to me through the mists ner, and wearily it rested in silent
of years.
hands.
AFTER THE SURRENDER.
At last there dawned that day so mem-
No. 12.-Contraband Conscience.
orable to us all, the surrender. We
could not at first accept it as truth; but I (By Mrs. M. V. Rives, of Portsmouth, Va.)
remember, one bright and beautiful day,
The soul of the brave Saint of Orleans is here !
an officer of the Confederacy on his way It thrills in the voices, it burns on the
to the Trans-Mississippi came to my
cheek
home, telling us much of vital interest Of women who heed not the wail of despair,
And scorn the false words which a craven
and asserting he would never surren-
would speak.
der. I recall, as we were talking with
Submission, ah yes ! we'll submit when the
that keen interest which always follows sod
any question of great moment, that a Lies blackened and bare on the tombs of
servant asked if the Colonel would for
our race;
one moment go to our gate, some one
And retreat when the merciful conquest of
God
desired to see him ? His body servant
Bids us disband in His Kingdom of Grace.
was in waiting with two superb horses,
[Paul H. Hayne.
and his intention was to leave our city
in the afternoon, avoiding the Yankees Strange times those of '63 and ?64.
as best he could through the country.
Shut in, hemmed in from the rest of the
All his plans were altered in one ino-
ment's time; he discovered in one
world, Norfolk and Portsmouth seemed
glance the Yankees were upon us and to be guarded by sentinels, at their most
he was taken in charge, with his watch important inroads, which could only be
and horses, belonging now to some one
passed by those loyal to the Union.
else. The faithful negro refused to leave
his master, and next day after he had Said loyalty had no reference to con-
been to headquarters with the Colonel science, for those that could be bought
decided to follow his fortunes. This
were especially loyal-a kind of super-
officer left the United States and became
lative loyalty. Into the hands of such
very conspicuous in the household of
the ill-fated Emperor Maximilian. Il people business had drifted, and the best
9

66
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and purest of the citizens held aloof. Il gencies, and hide by dint and cunning
The boiling cauldron, a seething mass, what they wished to save. They proved
the scum uppermost, was a true type of equal to the occasion.
those turbulent times; though the froth
“IN THE TALONS OF THE EAGLE.”
was topmost, the unseen force held the
heat. That hidden force had its heart As to conscience in those days, I dare
centre in the front ranks of Virginia's
battle-ground, and where heart-strings
say it was a contraband article. Woe be
are entwined women will do and dare.
to those who possessed one; they had to
Their sufferings and privations can stand up valiantly and suffer for it, for
never be adequately told, or the ways those New England Puritans whose
and means they devised to aid their "freedom to worship God” applied
loved ones.
only to those who worshipped as they
I once saw a lady dressed as follows: did, and banished Roger Williams
Her feet encased in men's No. 7 boots, at the outset, dictated our thanks-
and in them tucked the gray breeches givings and prayers. Churches were
intended for her husband; hoops and locked, and the little band, denied ac-
full skirts were worn in those days, and cess, sent up their petitions and praise
her skirts were made of double width on the green sward inside the church en-
fiannel to be remodelled into shirts; closure, led by Rev. Isaac Handy, who
over all a capacious gray cloak, style was soon "in bonds” for the daring.
known as Arab, so arranged that no Our own Methodist tabernacle was shut,
scissors had marred its length or breadth and the minister banished, because it
in order to make it shapely for the pres did not strike the cymbals when At-
ent wearer, and which was intended for lanta fell. St. Mary's, in Norfolk, re-
the soldier's coat; a man's felt hat, wired fused daringly a direct command to hold
and shaped and adorned with ribbons service. The defiant answer from the
and feathers, completed the outfit. With priest was, that "he'd see his church in
her own wardrobe in a trunk that had flames first." Father Ryan heads the
stood inspection, she obtained a pass to list of a long roll of true Southrons of
visit in the country, and went South to the same faith. The name of Plunkett
clothe her husband. So this woman gleams in the galaxy.
plotted and planned, eluded the senti We "Secesh Rebs were indeed a de-
nels, dared the dangers to-aid her loved fiant set and contrived many ways to
one. Was she blameworthy ?
get letters from our fathers, brothers
The soldier on the tented field slept and sweethearts while in the lion's
not less wary than those wives and clutches. I forgot; it was not a lion, for
sisters at home, who hourly expected that belongs to Johnnie Bull; it was the
their houses to be searched, ransacked talons of the eagle. But we felt the same
from garret to cellar. Sacred relics respect for it as awarded the buzzard-
polluted by the vandal touch-family they were so much alike just then.
letters and records, reverent and holy, Imagine a scene of those days: The
that belonged to the dead, were carried door-bell rings; you admit a lady with,
off, and women who had the spirit to perchance, the exquisite feeling of hope-
resent the intrusion often insulted. One ful expectancy, or sometimes a dull
instance I will mention: The guards |thud of premonition; scarcely a word
stopped in front of the porch where the is uttered if a servant is passing:
ladies, inmates of the house, were sit some slight allusion is made to the
ting one summer's evening, in the twi weather. Then—"Are we quite alone?
light's dusk, no lamps having been no one listening?" Ah, the caution!
lighted. The soldier said he had orders “Go and see. No one at that door? none
to search the house.
at this ? All right; here is a letter from
"We can not keep you from it, or we Dixie. If you wish to send reply send
would," replied the lady of the house. to my house,” giving directions, after
“Well, madam, since it is to be done, nightfall. One dollar, good money, post-
we would like to have lights.”
age.” Thanks expressed and the "Fe-
"You can rest assured, sir, that I'll mail” carrier leaves you to your letter
not furnish such. If you want lights, of tears of joy. A big gun was fired by
you get them; you shall not have mine." some Yankee general if one was caught
So to the nearest grocery they hied receiving a letter, then came imprison-
to buy their candles and proceeded ment and confiscation of property; if
with their work. They did not tame any one blockade running, carried the
the women, who defied them at their mail, the penalty was death. No won-
every turn.
der we were watchful even though we
Women endured many things, and dared it.
had to brace themselves for these emer- | Who wouldn't dare it? You, mother,

CONTRABAND CONSCIENCE.
67
with your first-born on the battlefield, hated color, and so the barriers grew.
his curly locks perhaps gray now. Contempt was shown on all occasions
Hold still," the sages say; "don't possible, dearest friendships ruptured.
move, when one's hand is in the lion's We stood as foe to foe and wished it
mouth; keep quiet. Wouldn't you known. When Beast Butler assumed
stretch that hand to receive tidings from the command at Fortress Monroe he
that boy, if the lion shut down so hard said he'd stop it. He had infamously
that you left half behind? And the tried to stop it at New Orleans. He be-
wife? and the sweetheart? Ah ! these gan by compelling all heads of families
were true ones thén, true to the end to take the oath of allegiance to the
and after. The women had the grit, the United States. The silver item, I should
same kind our boys displayed on the mention, preceded this. The order was
field of battle. Some little incidents re that all silver and plate had to be weighed
vealed more of their daring than the in order to be taxed. All such as be-
depths of feeling they were endeavoring longed to Confederate officers and sol-
to display, for, of course, we could feel diers, when found, was confiscated.
in silence and shed tears and prayers in Honorable warfare! Meum and Tuum
the quiet closet over Stonewall Jackson's had lost the savor of the golden rule.
name. We were proud that he was Teaspoons were hidden and dear old
ours, and we dared to let the foe know prized shotguns of grandfather's, in-
we girls had a right to weep, and show tended for the only great-grandson, had to
the insignia of our mourning. Every be hidden by ripping up the planks in the
Southern girl wore a badge, or rosette of floor and secreting them. Up to this
crape, and to show that she did it in de time many honorable men who stayed at
fiance it was put on her hat or left home, some honorably discharged from
shoulder, in full view, so that he that Confederate service, old men and feeble
ran could read. Yes, indeed, there were ones, had held aloof and given up all
many raspings about it; this one and business, as such could only be con-
that up before the provost, but he did ducted by Loyalists. Even doctors
not stop it. I give the word of credit could not practice without this oath of
due a friend or foe, and I think many allegiance. The order came from Butler,
will accord it to the provost marshal in with only ten days' grace, or they would
charge of Portsmouth in '63. Not so be thrown into prison. The men sub-
much can be said of the one in our sister mitted.
city. Of course I managed to get into a Time rolled by and another "Whereas''
scrape about my badge of mourning. I was called forth, because the first order
was ordered by some overbearing das applied to male members or heads of
tardly sergeant to take it off, or he would, families and they were the only ones
which he did not do, or I either, and who recognized it, for the female por-
there was glory for me.
tion were as defiant as ever. No Union
officer, it was asserted, but was liable to
A SOCIAL AND POLITICAL GULF.
their public gibes or silent contempt.
Between the Loyalist and the Seces I wonder they expected otherwise,
sionist a gulf yawned, social as well as
since hot blood and daring spirit fired the
hearts of our women who had brothers,
political. Oh, it rankled deep! I don't
sons and husbands on the battlefield.
know as I have outgrown it yet, while Shame on the order that Benjamin F.
for twenty years I have been cultivating Butler issued to compel women and girls
a genuine Christian charity for North from 16 years and upwards to take the
and South and the whole broad world, oath of allegiance to the United States,
recognizing the rights of each as man and to swear they did it, not from com-
and brother, and the same good God as pulsion but from love of the Union !
judge and ruler over all. Yet somehow All were ordered to the courthouse to
a blue dress trimmed with red braid and register, and at the end of three weeks
a bonnet decked with red and blue roses detailed men were sent around to every
riles me now. I illuminate our house house, and the heads of families sworn to
when a Democratic victory comes, but I facts. If any in the house of 16 years
don't stick litle Union flags out and all and upward had not complied, notice
about. Lay all of these together on the was given that on such a day a flag of
shelf, dear heart, and go on digging for truce would be sent up the road
charity till our crops bear fruit, covers and the hapless ones would be
up and hides eternally all of the colors. carried out of the lines and left to sink
Still in the unhappy days of old the or swim according to their helplessness.
Southern girls held their own and no Such a war against women and children!
red was admixed with blue. They No doubt many signed such an oath
shunned those that did wear the T without punctillious misgivings; yet.

68
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
yet?
many signed it with tears and fears, answer. Down in my heart I felt that
and no cowards either. Weak ones the wealth of Croesus could not tempt
with no alternative, and where no ques me to such an enormity, much less the
tions were asked, accepted the situation few thousands upon which I placed a
and obeyed. But some did not take the too little estimate. I had known no
oath and bravely as well as consci-
privation, or perhaps I had been more
entiously went up and registered as those sordid. But youth and hope go hand
declining the oath. To this day I do not in hand, and since I would go, the same
rue it.
uncle made it as easy as possible by
hiring a private conveyance, and my
INCIDENTS, GRAVE AND GRAY.
aunt went with me to Gen. Vogdes,
Several strange incidents occurred whose headquarters were just opposite
during those days. One day an aged
our home, to get a special pass, so that I
would not have to go by flag of truce in
lady, bent with years, her two sons in
the crowd.
the Southern army, came up to the pro Gen. Vodges was an old army officer,
vost:
and when my aunt stated my petition
Do you wish the Federals to conquer for the private permit he used persua-
in this war or the Rebels?” asked an
sion at first and then said it was useless
officer.
for me to go. I would have to return in
"Let God's will be done,” said the good six months as they'd whip the South by
old saint, as she was.
that time. He tried to refuse by send-
“You go home, old lady," said the
ing us to Gen. Vielle, but my aunt told
officer; “when you come down here and
him I was contrary, and since I would
say you want the Rebels whipped, we'll go they wished to make it as light as
swear you in, and not till then.”
possible. So the gentlemanly General
Such coarseness rasping on the deli-
conceded my wish. He told me he had
cate sensitiveness of our Southern
his compunctions, that he had taken an
ladies, do you wonder that it rankles
oath not to give aid or comfort to those
rebels, and whenever he let a pretty girl
Of course the order included male as
go South he had some conscientious
well as female, and the boys of 16 years, twitchings. But he fixed my permit
so an estimable matron appeared before and added little harmless items, such as
Gen, E. G. Vielle and asked “if the boys tea, sugar, candy, blankets and my ward-
of 16 years and upward would be sent robe. I extend him my kindness to this
South by flag of truce if they declined day. He then brought me a large pound
the oath."
pear and told me to give it to the pretti-
“Madam, do you suppose we intend
est Union girl I met.
to reinforce Lee's army? No madam,
we send those to prison until duly ex-
THE PRETTIEST "REBEL GIRL."
changed.??
I did not extend my hand for the
Oh, the Spartan mothers sending un-
tried boys away to their duty! I think the
proffered fruit, but said, “Thank you,
dutiful and honorable boys were among General, I have nothing to do with the
those three hundred who left Norfolk Union girls !" and seeing he still held
and Portsmouth by running the blockade
the pear to me, and I disliking to seem
and joining the fortunes of the South
already at an ebb.
to hesitate on his account, for I appre-
I must acknowledge I was one of the ciated his politeness, I added, "if you
favored ones during these stirring times. will say the prettiest rebel I will do it.??
Born with the traditional silver spoon "Ah well!” he answered. "Then you
and having never known want, buoyant will eat it."
with the hopes of my eighteen summers, “No, sir,” emphatically. “Had you
conscientious in my Methodist faith, said the greatest rebel, I would.”
with a will that some called obstinacy, I “A little too strong,' said Gen.
dared go South to earn my living. In Vogdes. "Give it to the prettiest rebel
vain did my guardian, who was my girl you meet.”
uncle, expostulate. He could not deter So I carried the pear to Raleigh and
me if he wished, for the General's orders my little cousin ate it.
were that no compulsion be used. I was From Suffolk across the Blackwater
Teasoned with: "Your property will be River to Murphy's Station, from that
confiscated," they said. I had no valua place to Weldon, North Carolina, thence
tion on such, my answer was. “I am a to Raleigh, where I tarried for more than
minor," I added, and the Yankees can a week with my goodly cousin. At all
not touch it.” "But might is right in these of these points I was either met by ac-
times of lawlessness," was urged. No !! quaintances and placed in charge of some

CONTRABAND CONSCIENCE.
69
kindly new friend so that I felt my lines || fried and boiled and boiled and fried,
had fallen in pleasant places. From | tried my housewifely skill in making
Raleigh my destination was Petersburg, sorghum pies-a truly war-born pie.
Virginia, to spend a week before I made And, oh, when the freshet in the James
Richmond my home pro tem., in accord came! wasn't it fun ? Our refugee home
ance with a letter from my cousin, an was at the Richmond Navy Yard, oppo-
officer in the Confederate service, whose site Rocketts. We walked to church via
family were refugeeing near the city of Mayo's bridge, to hear the gifted Dr. J.
Kichmona, and upon whose influence E. Edwards, at Broad street, and on re-
relied to get a situation in the treasury. turning home found our cottage an
Leaving Raleigh for Greensboro' I had island, entirely surrounded by water.
the kind care of a wounded Confederate To be taken from the railroad embank-
Captain, who attended to my bag and ment in a boat, and landed à la Venice,
baggage, and while in conversation with at the porch steps-did'nt I say it was
him awaiting the train for Danville a glorious ? and did'nt the housewifely
gentleman, I haven't forgotten his name, cousin, with her many discomforts OC-
joined in. He was the freight-master, casioned by said freshet, threaten to an-
a pretty good position he allowed; for nihilate me? How the water would lash
instance, he said: "Sometimes we have the cottage floor! Did'nt we enjoy the
a heavy freight of flour, government next day in a boat, going all over the
property. We delay it, let it get a garden fences, and down by the real
good sprinkle of rain and report it dam river, while a flag of truce boat came by
aged, condemned of course, and we buy from Varina, laden with our exchanged
it cheap as dirt--not hurt, oh, no! soldiers. Fan and I waved a welcome,
There's where we make a spec, don't and Willie pulled hard at his oars to
you see?
keep out of the current.
"Yes sir, I see, and I don't wonder And so I laughed misfortune in the
why the Confederacy is still struggling. face, and tiring of waiting for the treas-
I think the contest uneven. While some ury appointment I advertised as teacher
men give their all and down in Norfolk and secured a quiet, pleasant home with
and Portsmouth we have men, who, a widow lady in Powhatan County, Vir-
too feeble to fight, are aiding their cause ginia, in March, 1865. I found Mrs. W.
even in the midst of the enemy and re to be a very pleasant lady and I shared
fuse the idea of money making in these the room with her and her children, as
times that try men's souls; yet here, in it seemed more protection than apart.
the very heart of the Confederacy, those I had hardly become accustomed to
who should uphold are pulling down my new position, however, when strag-
the fabric with the greed of gain, and gling, ragged, war worn veterans stop-
Confederate soldiers are starving. I call ped to be fed or passed on to cross Appo-
what you did cheating the Govern mattox River en route to Anelia Court-
ment."
house, and the booming of the distant
Mr. Shylock was silenced. On the guns caused us to hide, to bundle and
Danville bound train he offered me a make preparations to meet the enemy,
position as teacher and gave his address. daily and nightly expected. Those re-
I did not accept.
verberations were the dying throes of
At Burkesville Junction, I parted with the Southern Confederacy. Then came
my attentive friend, the Captain, who the lull, the still of death. For six
placed me under the care of Gen. Henry weeks we were as completely lost to the
A. Wise, who was also en route to outer world as Crusoe on his island. A
Petersburg. I passed a week in Peters kind of trance possessed us. We knew
burg, lulled to sleep at night by the not if the other part of the world had
picket firing, and then went to Rich been swallowed up and we only left to
mond. My application was filed for a tell what had been.
position in the treasury and the next The dawn soon came. The world had
vacancy promised.
jogged along without us. We were all
paroled prisoners. I am yet. Lincoln
LAST DAYS OF THE CONFEDERACY.
was killed. Poor man! I always felt
I spent three happy, quiet months with sorry for him and his poor "Carlotta.”
Then the iron horse from Richmond
dear relatives, and still the gods were
snorted from station to station, and I
kind. I enjoyed many comforts and bade my kind friend a good-bye, for
luxuries during the last days of the Con *some one came for me. He too was a
federacy, albeit I had been patriotic paroled prisoner, volunteering when 18
enough to make the best of potato and years old, in 1861, following Chambliss,
parched meal coffee, sometimes with
Jeb, Stuart and Wade Hampton through
sorghum, without a frown, enjoyed rice, ll it all. I won't leave you to guess it, but

70
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
on the Richmond bound train the hand enough to enlist, ranged themselves at
that had been pledged to him for three the call of their country among the de-
years was promised when September fenders of the South, did she flinch from
came, and so the tryst was kept.
the trial? Did her heart fail and her
patriotism grow cool? No; she was loyal
to her heart's core. When she saw them
No. 13.Unto the Bitter End.
going forth in all the confidence of youth
and strength, a deathly faintness seized
her heart. With pale and trembling
(By Florida Saxon, of Clarendon Co., S. C.) lips, but with resolute glance and a
bright smile, she waved a farewell, and
In the Female Seminary in Tallahas then, rushing to her chamber, gave vent
see a bevy of girls was gathered, on a to her mingled feelings. “Oh God," she
bright winter morning in 1861, around a
cried, "be with my darling brothers, and
smile upon my country's cause." What
dark-haired maiden who had mounted a
a dreary feeling of apprehension filled
bench and with flushed cheeks and her heart, and yet what a glow of pride
shining eyes was making what the girls as she felt in her inmost soul that they
called a "Secession speech, but which
would never prove recreant to her trust.
For not a drop of coward blood flowed
was in reality a defence of her native
in their veins and well that sister knew
State of South Carolina. The school was
it.
about equally divided in sentiment,
When the battle of Seven Pines was
fought, her eldest brother, while gal-
part being in favor of the Union
lantly leading his company, fell pierced
and part for Disunion; and never through the heart. The second brother
did politicians plead their cause sprang forward, caught his brother's
with more impassioned earnestness than
falling body, laid it tenderly down, and,
grasping his sword from the fast relax-
did these impulsive young creatures.
ing fingers, waved it above his head
Katie Weston was the speaker on this and shouted, “Come, boys, follow me,
occasion. “Who would be a thrall of and avenge your captain's death !" He
fought with the fury of des-
the Yankee,” she said; “who in this
peration, and at the close of the
crowd”-looking scornfully around day he too lay bleeding wounded seri-
“dares to blame the noble old State of
ously but not fatally. Ah! now was the
South Carolina for rising in her might
sister's patriotism put to its seyerest
and throwing off the oppressor's yoke.
test. Crushed like a flower she lay
I glory in her pluck; I am glad that
moaning in her agony. “Oh my
she was the first to shake herself
country, the sacrifice is indeed great.
free from the galling shackles of tyranny, Thy freedom will be dearly bought
and I am proud to know that my adopted when its price is paid in the life blood
State, the beautiful Land of Flowers, of thy noblest sons. But thy liberty
was not slow in stepping to her side. I must be achieved-my country must be
have five brothers. I wish they were free! This was but one among thous-
all old enough to fight!" So carried ands of similar instances.
away was she by her enthusiasm, she
did not notice that one of the teachers THE SOLDIER'S RELIEF SOCIETY.
had entered and was listening with a
The brave and loyal daughters of the
look of intense amusement on his face,
until a slight stir in that part of the hall
South, though their hearts were bleed-
caused her to look round, and observing ing at every pore, sat not down in idle-
the arch smile on his lips, she sprang ness. There was work to be done, and
from her perch and covered her face with they did it. The elderly ladies formed
both hands to hide the burning blushes. themselves into a "Soldier's Relief So-
The ringing of the bell now called them ciety,'' and the younger ones were united
to books, and in the study and recita in another under the direction of a
tion of lessons all else was for a time matron, Concerts, tableaux and festi-
forgotten.
vals were given, with the proceeds
of which cloth and yarn were
LOYAL TO HER HEART'S CORE.
purchased, which busy fingers
Now let us see how this fair champion soon fashioned into clothing and
of her country's honor stood the test.
socks. At one time the news was
brought that a Kentucky regiment had
When her two brothers, both passion-
been cut off from their homes and were
ately loved by her and scarcely yet old ll suffering terribly from the cold. Soon

UNTO THE BITTER END.
71
the Senate Chamber, where the society | moment doubt they will be come back
used to meet, was a scene of activity. and you will find me true, and I am sure
All day they stitched away on coats, you will not love me less that I pre-
pants and shirts, and when the shades
ferred the honor of my native land to
of evening sent them home the busy
my own selfish pleasure.”
"click," "click" of the knitting needle
could still be heard. Dainty fingers that
THE “BOMBPROOF" SKULKER.
had never known rougher work than the
While the girls were doing all in their
hemming of cambric rufiles or the
manufacture of delicate lace, were
busily making the coarse cotton yarn the army, it is not surprising that they
into socks. No time had they for loi showed no mercy to those who shirked
their duty. Henry Jackson was a strong,
be sent off. In every pair of socks was hale and remarkably handsome fellow
placed the name of the donor, together who had what was called a “bomb-
with a verse of poetry,'a tract, or a note proof” office, one which exempted him
containing words of sympathy and
cheer. In many instances the receipt of imagined that he would have a fine time
the socks was acknowledged—and very
with the girls, as the other boys were all
touching were some of the missives sent away. But it did not take them very
in return by these brave Kentuckians,
long to undeceive him. He was capti-
who, cut off from all communication
vated by the charms of our fair Katie,
and, though he had been repeatedly
deeply grateful for the kindness of these
taunted by her with his want of bravery,
daughters of the far South.
his vanity was such he did not seem to
SENDING HER LOVER TO THE BATTLE
doubt that he would ultimately become
FIELD.
the possessor of her hand and fortune.
One evening at a social gathering a
But we must not lose sight of the
| party of young people were standing
heroine of this sketch. We meet her round the piano singing the “Bonnie
Blue Flag.” Katie was the performer.
again in 1863, not the fiery little orator,
After the last verse had been sung, she
not as the proud, fond sister sending
continued in a clear voice, with a dis-
her young brothers forth to battle for
tinct utterance and with a significant
their rights, nor yet as the busy worker
nod at young Jackson, who was stand-
in the Relief Society. See her as she
leans upon the arm of a handsome
young soldier, while he pours forth the “And now, young man, a word to you
If you would win the fair,
tale of his love. The soft, tender light
Go to the field, where honor dwells,
in her dark eyes, the blush which comes
And win your lady there.
and goes upon her delicate cheek, tell us Remember that our brightest smiles
that he does not woo in vain. But now
Are for the true and brave,
he is pleading for an early marriage:
Who fill a soldier's grave.”
“Why should we wait, love? Why not
unite our lives and be happy while we This was too much, coming from her,
may ? I will hire a substitute and we and the laugh that followed plainly
can enjoy at least a season of happi-
ness, and should subsequent events that company. His cheek flushed hotly
compel me to leave you, it will with mortification and anger, and turn-
be so sweet to know that I ing abruptly on his heel he seized his
have a dear little wife at home pray hat and hurried from the house, having
ing for me." The tender light in her at last learned the lesson that Katie had
eyes grows tenderer as her heart thrills for some time been trying to teach him.
to the music of his words. But she does
THE WAR TASKS OF WOMEN.
not forget the cause that is so dear to her
heart. Proudly raising her eyes to his Though times continued to grow
she replies: "Do not urge me more.
darker our women never despaired.
Could you for one moment think of leay-
They united steadily in working to alle-
ing your country's cause in the hands of
hirelings in this, her hour of darkness viate as much as possible the sufferings
and suffering? No, no! God only knows of our soldiers. A number of them
how bitter to me will be the partiug. visited the hospital ministering to the
But I cannot detain you one hour from sick and wounded there. I have in my
her service. Go; bravely do your duty; mind one dear old lady who daily went
and, when the war is over and our with her Bible and a basket of fresh
liberties achieved, as I do not for one Il flowers, and often a more substantial

OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
offering. Many an eye brightened as || and want wherever they went. Mr.
she approached and many a blessing | Weston, accompanied by two of his boys,
followed her when she departed. She left home early one morning to attend
delighted in pointing the suffering sol to business at some distance from home.
dier to the Saviour she loved. The goud While the rest of the family were seated
seed, sown there by her, will doubtless at dinner a servant came rushing in cry-
bear fruit in eternity.
ing, "The Yankees are coming! They
A "wayside home'' was established at are at the gate!' Soon they came stamp-
the depot where passing soldiers were ing rudely in, five in number, four
supplied with substantial meals. accom negroes commanded by a white corporal.
panied by smiles and words of cheer, Seating themselves at the table they
which will long live in the memory of ordered coffee and immediately com-
the grateful recipients of their kind menced an attack upon the dinner from
ness. But not until
which the family had just risen. The
servants had fled. Mrs. Weston, over-
THE BATTLE OF OLUSTEE
come by her fears, sank nearly fainting
was fought did the women of Tallahassse into a chair and poor Katie was the only
realize fully the horrors of the war. one left to do their bidding. Though
When the telegraph announced the re the indignant blood was lingling through
sult of the battle a call was made for her veins, she felt that she was in their
lint. All the available linen was col power, and had no alternative but to
lected, and, gathered in groups of three obey their insolent commands. When
or four, the ladies might be found scrap they had finished their meal the leader,
ing lint. When the cars commenced whose bold looks had, from time to time,
bringing in the wounded, the dying been cast upon her, rose and with out-
and the dead-then might be seen stretched arms approached her and ex-
pale and stricken faces, then were claiming, “Now, my pretty one, give me
heard wails of agony. One noble a kiss and then let us proceed to busi-
young man who had just a short ness. There is a foraging party behind;
time before led to the altar a lovely
we rode on to reconnoitre. But be good
bride was brought home to her in his and quiet and we will let you off with
coffin. Husbands, brothers, sons and just two kisses apiece." With blanched
friends were borne home to their loved cheeks and lips but blazing eyes she
ones, martyrs to the cause. Nearly
confronted him like a tigress at bay.
every private house was opened to re-
“Coward," she said, have you no spark
ceive the wounded Confederates. The of honor in your breast? How dare
public buildings were converted into you to insult a lady !! With a coarse
temporary hospitals for the prisoners. laugh he seized her in his arms, but at
The wounded negro prisoners were the same instant a stunning blow sent
taken to the Seminary, and on the very him reeling to the wall. The blow was
spot where Katie had delivered her dealt by his superior officer whose ap-
6.Secession speech were stretched the
proach had been unperceived by the
burly black forms of the captured and group. Sternly he ordered the brutal
suffering foe. Those walls which had so wretches from the house, and turning to
often resounded with mirth of happy
the ladies expressed the deepest regret
school-girls now echoed groans and even at the manner in which they had been
shrieks as the knife of the surgeon mer treated, politely assuring them that they
cilessly cut its way into the quivering should not be farther molested if it was
flesh. A victory had been gained, the in his power to prevent it. Still, he
enemy repulsed and the threatened in said, he had been sent out with orders to
vasion checked at least, but still a pall seize provisions of every kind; he was
of gloom enveloped the whole commu compelled to obey orders, and, unpleas-
nity. The scenes of horror by which
ant as was the task. he was obliged to
they were surrounded, and perhaps the ask them for their keys. With trem-
dark shadow of coming events. com bling fingers Katie handed them to him,
bined to fill all hearts with apprehen and then commenced a scene of plunder.
sion.
Smoke-house, pantry, barn, fowl-house,
A VISIT FROM INSOLENT RAIDERS.
and in fact the whole place was ran-
sacked, and when at last they took their
Mr. Weston now deemed it prudent departure, scarcely enough was left to
to retire farther into the interior; ac-
cordingly we find him with his family
on his plantation in Southwestern Geor-
gia. The enemy soon after invested
BLOODSHED
Tallahassee, and plundering parties were constantly reaching their ears, kept them
sent out in all directions, carrying terror ll in a state of anxiety and alarm. Could

BETWEEN TWO ARMIES.
73
they have felt that they were battling i success of the Cause that was dearer to
against an enlightened and civilized foe || her than life-one who has since passed
--as the white soldiers for the most part through many bereavements and trials,
were-there would not have been such but who, looking back, records the day
an awful dread of their visits. But those above described as the most hopelessly
dreadful negro wretches, whose very dreary one of her life.
look betokened their brutal natures,
caused an indefinable thrill of horror
and loathing, by their presence, to
No. 14.-Between Two Armies.
women who had been reared in an at-
mosphere of refinement and whose lives
had been tenderly guarded from every-
(By Mrs. C. M., of Memphis, Tenn.)
thing coarse. Though our friends suf-
fered much from privation and still more
Persons living remote from the seat of
from a constant dread of further out-
war can have but a faint idea of the
rage, they were mercifully shielded from
actual suffering and violence. They
hardships to which those were subjected
could receive no direct communication whom fate threw between the two ar-
from the seat of war. Vague rumors
mies. The town of Holly Springs was
came to them of defeat and disaster, but
Katie's cheerfulness and unswerving
situated fifty miles southeast of Memphis
faith in the success of the cause kept up and directly on the line of every expedi-
their spirits. She considered it treason tion sent out after the occupation of the
even to hint at the possibility of failure.
latter city by the Federal troops. Holly
Her sanguine spirit would not entertain
a doubt of the final issue. Woman like,
Springs was entered more than fifty
she clung to and trusted in the cause she times by bodies ranging from a maraud-
loved, even when cooler and wiser heads
ing party of a few hundreds to an occu-
clearly saw the impending doom and
prepared themselves for the inevitable
pation by Grant's army, fifty thousand
stroke. Even in the darkest hours strong. In 1860 every foot of the way
her hopes were bright and firm, and between Memphis and Holly Springs
when the blow came, it found her all
was ir the highest state of cultivation.
unprepared. When she heard the an-
nouncement
Cotton and corn fields and lovely wooded
pastures followed each other in graceful
“LEE HAS SURRENDERED !!!
succession, and the traveller was rarely
her very soul seemed to stagger beneath
out of sight of a snug farm-house. In
the blow. All her fond hopes were
1863 the country was worse than a wil-
dashed to earth. The cause was lost for
derness. On the desert or in the midst
which she had worked and suffered and
of the ocean the traveller is alone with
prayed, and for which she felt that she
could have severed the dearest ties of
his God; but here as he journeyed on he
earth and even have offered her own constantly met nothing but blackened
heart's blood. For a time it seemed as chimneys which stood the monuments
if her very faith in Heaven was shaken.
of dead hopes, and he felt himself sur-
Angry and rebellious thoughts filled
her breast, and even the presence and
rounded by the ghosts of a happy past.
safety of her lover failed to comfort her. Within the fifty miles there was hardly
But there is a friend who sympathizes even a fence standing—not a cow, nor a
with us in our sorrows and pities the horse, nor anything.
weakness of our human nature. So In the Town of Holly Springs were
when He whispered in her ear: "What about two thousand old men, women
I do thou knowest not now but shalt and children, with no visible means of
know hereafter," the waves of her grief support. There was not an able-bodied
subsided and she was able to say "Thy man in the town, and if there had been
will be done!" But the awful stroke he would have been entirely without
left her with a sore and wounded heart, occupation. There was not a store in
and though time has healed the wound, the town, nor a fenced field in all the
ever and anon, like the old flesh wounds surrounding country. Every mouthful
of many of our Confederate soldiers, it of food had to be hauled fifty miles in a
breaks out and bleeds afresh.
wagon, over badly washed dirt roads,
These lines may seem sensational, but which had not been worked for years,
they truly record the heart history of and which were, in some p es, almost
one whose hopes were bound up in the ll impassable. Provisions were sold in
10

4
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Memphis at enormous prices, and for “There comes a Confederate soldier!"
"greenbacks,” which the Southern peo In another instant she turned as pale as
ple had no means of procuring.
death, and running towards me, cried
out, "Oh, he's drunk, he's drunk !"
which was undertaken the journey I tried to comfort her, and assured her
which I am about to describe, the only that he would not be allowed to come
excuse for which was stern necessity. into our room; but it was a vain assur-
Late one afternoon in October of 1864 I ance, for in a moment we heard him in
was startled by the sight of a horse and the hall making directly for our room,
cursing and yelling at every step. He
many months, and proved to be that of burst in, accompanied by his mother
a friend, who, with his wife and two and his poor young wife, who tried in
babies, had driven through the country vain to restrain him. He had a large
from his farm, fifteen miles below Mem knife in his hand, and his one thought
phis. He told me the object of his jour was to kill something or somebody.
ney was to buy some cotton which was In the wildest consternation we moth-
hidden away in the country; that on his ers snatched up our babies, who would
return to Memphis he would send out a gladly have slept though the hubbub,
large government wagon with six mules but who now, by their screams, were a
to haul the cotton. It would be empty, noble accession to the confusion. My
and if I would go with him to Memphis friend, Mr. B., was a man of great coolness
he offered to let me fill it with supplies. and courage, so he went to the drunken
I accepted his offer joyfully, for we had man with perfect confidence, and accost-
been paying just one hundred per cent. ing him kindly endeavored to divert his
for the hauling of goods. After a few mind from its murderous intent. His
days spent in mutual sympathy and words seemed to be having the desired
consolation (we knew nothing of enjoy effect, when, unfortunately, he laid his
ment in those days, we set out one af hand on the man's arm. The hand was
ternoon at three o'clock, intending to thrown off with a yell of rage, and be-
spend the night at Mount Pleasant, a || fore Mr. B. could spring back the drunk-
ff. and to reach ard's knife was at his throat. Nothing
Memphis the next day. There were six | but the greatest strength and agility
of us, the gentleman, his wife and two || could have saved him. After a struggle
babies, and I, with my year-old urchin, jhe overcame the man, whose rage had
as big, heavy, restless a child as ever expended itself, and he was removed
belabored a delicate mother. I was from the room.
just 22. W
After this adventure Mr. B resumed
We had gone but a few miles when his seat with perfect coolness and con-
suddenly and without warning it began tent; but not so his poor wife who,
to rain; gently at first, but as night came during the whole engagement, had been
on it poured steadily and heavily. butting the baby's head into the drunk-
Being in an open wagon and having but ard at every assailable point, assuring
one umbrella among us, we despaired of
creature and would not hurt him.
looking about for a refuge from the Nothing would induce her to remain
storm. After to what seemed to us an another moment under the roof with
interminable time we saw a large frame "that dreadful man.” So once more we
house some distance back from the road. found ourselves in the rain and the dark,
As it was not yet dark we made our way going we knew not whither.
We had to trust to the instinct of the
were overjoyed to learn that we could be horse to take us back to the highroad,
taken in for the night.
after following which for several miles
We were shown into a large, comfort we arrived at the village of Mount Pleas-
able room with a big wood fire, and we ant. On applying for shelter at the only
mothers began with eager hands to un- | house in the place which took in stran-
roll our drenched babies, and to lay gers, we were informed that we could be
them, warm and dry once more, in the accommodated if some of us would sleep
softest embraces of a snug feather bed. on the floor. By this time I had a fright-
Oh, how good it was to be under shelter, ful headache, which was so much aggra-
vated by the jolting of the wagon that I
gladly consentea to sleep anywhere that
I could be quiet and get my big boy out
AN EXCITING ADVENTURE.
of my arms.
After a half hour of delightful rest Starting very early in the morning,
my lady companion was standing at the we arrived in Memphis before the close
window, when she joyfully exclaimed: ll of the day, without any other adventure.

BETWEEN TWO ARMIES.
75
At this time the purchase of goods was
hedged about with many difficulties.
You had to beg them before you could
buy them.
The General in command of the post
had refused to grant any permits, but
being temporarily absent, his substitute
granted a number to his friends, of
whom my brother happened to be one.
After a permit was obtained it was sub-
jected to a board of supervisors, who
hacked it to their heart's content, and it
frequently came back to its owner so
much mutilated as to be hardly worth
having. These permits were limited to
a very few days, and if by any accident
the owner was detained beyond the
limit they were forfeited.
Mr. B.'s wagon and mules were on his
plantation. fifteen miles below Mem-
phis, and Nonconnah Creek having been
rendered unfordable by a recent freshet,
I waited, in the greatest anxiety, day
after day for their arrival. Finally the
last day of grace arrived, and I found
myself obliged to have my effects hauled
on drays outside of the picket lines,
there to await the coming of the wagon.
The picket lines were three miles from
the city, and if I could have gone so far
on my way home it would have been
convenient enough; but, while my road
lay directly east, the wagon was coming
from the south, and I had to go to meet
a hard box, hemmed in on all sides by
packages and barrels, with my baby in
my lap, and no companion but the
driver, an old family servant. These
were the circumstances under which I
set out on my long, weary, perilous
journey homeward.
We were obliged to make a wide cir-
cuit in order to keep outside the picket
lines, for if we had once gotten inside of
them we would not have been allowed
to come out again. There was no road,
so we had to find our way through woods
and hollows, after retracing our steps.
Whenever we came in sight of a picket
station we were halted, catechised and
overhauled. I underwent six of these
detentions during the day. Once when
a number of negro soldiers had been
nursing and romping with my baby. I
found that his shoe was gone, and from
that time his chief occupation was in
kicking off his stocking.
After many worries and detentions we
at last emerged from the woods into our
homeward road, but the last beams of
the setting sun as they shot down the
long, dusty track, reminded me that the
day was done, and we were just six
miles from Memphis. We pushed on
for six miles more, but our team was
jaded, we had eaten nothing all day, and
the air growing chill we determined to
seek a shelter for the night. But where
should we stop? I knew that the
country was infested by robbers and
desperate characters of every kind, and
I remembered with horror ourencounter
with the drunkard.
I would say to myself, "I will certain-
ly stop at the next place," but as I ap-
proached it my courage would fail, and
I would decide to drive on a little
further. At last the old man grew SO
tired and sleepy that he began to re-
monstrate, and seeing a light about a
quarter of a mile away in the woods I
ordered him to make for it. In response
to our application we were told that we
could not be accommodated, so we had
to find the main road and take up our
weary journey again. After going
what seemed to us for hours, we
drew up in front of a little
white house, and in response
to our "hallo," a woman's voice
said, “Who's there?' I shall never hear
a sweeter voice than that woman's! All
my fears were gone in a moment, and I
walked into the house perfectly confi-
dent that I should receive care and pro-
tection, and I certainly did need it. I
had sat all day long in one position, on a
hard box, with a heavy baby in my arms,
who, at every jolt of the wagon, pounded
me as though I had been in a mortar. I
PASSING THE PICKETS.
On every road leading out of the city
there were stations where traveller's
effects were overhauled, and every pack-
age compared with the permit. In ad-
dition to this, we were subjected to a
most disagreeable personal examina-
tion. Fortunately the woman who per-
formed this most disgraceful duty was
out of the way, and a young officer had
undertaken to perform the task of per-
sonal inspection. I could not resist
the temptation to tease the young fel-
low a little, and insisted on his undress-
ing the baby, who I assured him from
his weight might have any amount of
gold and silver hidden about him. He
positively declined to touch the baby,
and thoroughly ashamed of his undigni-
fied position and occupation, passed us
by with a very cursory examination.
On arriving at the farm-house where
we were to pass the night we were de-
lighted to find that the wagon had
already arrived, and we soon had it
filled with meal, flour, bacon, dry goods,
children's toys, &c., ready for a very
early start in the morning. Next morn-
ing, just at daybreak, I took my seat on

76
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
could not sit up for a moment longer, i despondent than I can express, and felt
but went supperless to bed, while two that I would forget cold, fatigue and
sweet girls (shall I ever forget them?) danger if I could only be in motion
took charge of the child.
once more.
The brave ola darkie plodded off to a
by THREATENED WITH DEATH.
neig boring house, and after what seemed
The dawn of day saw us on the road a long time came back with a man car-
again, but a good night's rest and the
rying a lantern and an axe.
They managed to patch up the har-
consciousness that this was to be our last
ness. and once more we enjoyed the
day renewed our courage and we plod blessed privilege of "moving on. We
ded on very cheerfully. The sun was soon came to “Cold Water” bottom. A
setting as we passed through Mount wooden bridge crosses what is in sum-
Pleasant, but we determined if possible mer an insignificant stream, but a wide
to reach home that night. We were waste of white sand beyond shows that
hardly out of sight of the town when I when swollen by winter rains it be-
saw two men approaching on horseback. comes a restless torrent, laying waste
I thought they were romping, as every many a fair field. As the pale moon
little while they would come together shone on this ghastly plain, and I looked
and a hat would be knocked off in the at the dark fringe of trees which sur-
struggle. But I was soon undeceived. rounded it, I exclaimed, “What a place
One of them was our old friend, the for robbers! Here they could survey
drunkard, and the other a young their victims and count them with per-
man wild with drink and flour fect accuracy while they themselves lay
ishing a huge army pistol. They rode up hidden by the woods."
to us and cried halt! The latter de-
manded whiskey, and flew into a rage
SURROUNDED BY HIGHWAYMEN,
when my driver told him we had none. As though my words had conjured
His companion, however, who was sober,
them up, just as we reached the middle
gave me a reassuring nod, and succe ded
in enticing him away. We bad gone but
of the plain I saw them ride forth-two,
a few steps when again the cry rang out
four, six, eight, twenty!
"halt!". I told the driver to go on, but As our wagon dragged its noiseless
in an instant the man was at my side, way through the sand the men ap-
and placing his pistol against my temple proached us as silently, and I felt that
threatened to blow my brains out. I I was going to my doom. I knew well
knew the pistol was loaded and cocked, who they were. All along our borders
and felt the cold steel as it was dra ged there were bands of desperate men;
across my forehead by his unsteady hand, robbers, consisting of deserters from
but I lifted up my heart in prayer to both armies, and some who had fled
God, and with perfect calmness was en from conscription. There was no law
abled to soothe him. When his parox to restrain them, and they had become
ysm was over his friend took him away, accustomed to bloodshed. In perfect
and we were soon out of his reach.
silence they surrounded us, and then
We now had before us the most tire cried halt!" They were proceeding
some part of the journey. The road lay with great coolness to appropriate my
over long, steep, badly washed hills, and effects when one of the men said im-
our progress was very slow. I thought pertinently, “Who are you, anyhow?"
it must be midnight when we arrived at The sound of my name had a magical
the little settlement called Hudsonville. effect. Their leader knew and admired
The night had grown so cold and we my husband, and while carefully con-
were so exhausted that we determined cealing his identity he restrained his
to go no further, but applied for admis men, and even offered me an escort
sion at a farm house some distance from through the woods.
the road. We were told by the inmates Another danger past, we took fresh
that they could give us no provender for courage and jogged along patiently till,
the mules, and rather than have the about midnight, from the top of a high
poor things suffer we determined to hill, we caught sight of the moonlight
push on for home.
shining on the roofs of Holly Springs.
In order to reach the main road we Exhausted as I was, I stood up and
had to go through a deep, rocky hollow, screamed and clapped my hands for joy.
and in pulling up the hill a part of the Another hour brought us to the foot
harness gave way and we were brought of a long hill which forms the northern
to a dead stop. What were we to do? We limit of the town. Half way up the mules
could not stay there and we could not go called a halt, and on examination we
on. I sat down by the roadside more I found that the right wheels had gotten

SHERMAN IN GEORGIA.
into a quick sand and the tired team |
could not dislodge them.
I thought at first that I would just run
away home and leave the wagon, but I
could not give up thus all the results of
my toil and suffering, and so, without a
ray of hope, I went up to the first house
and called out a faint hallo."
To my great surprise an able-bodied
man came out (he was at home on fur-
lough,) and informed me that he had
just helped another party out of the
same trouble. He waked his wife and
built a good fire, acquainting me with
the fact that he would have to pry up
the wagon and put a plank floor under
it before it could be moved.
This was my last adventure, and as I
laid my tired head upon my pillow that
night (or rather morning,) I prayed that
the Lord would "shorten those days”
and send us peace.
No. 15.-Sherman in Georgia.
(By Mrs. Nora M. Canning, of Macon, Ga.)
Late in August, 1864, my husband,
Judge H- , was called to his planta-
tion in Jefferson County, Ga., and we
left our home in the beautiful City of
Macon in the care of faithful servants,
intending to be absent about two weeks.
On arriving at the plantation we found
everything in confusion, the overseer
having been "conscripted," and as there
was no one left to attend to the business
we had to remain there until another
overseer could be procured. In the
meantime, Atlanta having been evacu-
ated by our army, we thought the City
of Macon would certainly fall into the
enemy's hands, and, sharing the fate of
Atlanta and other Southern cities, be
burned to the ground. It being im-
possible for Judge H- to leave the
plantation, I returned to Macon and
packed all our valuables and such
things as we would need in a country
home if our home in the city should be
destroyed, and returned to Jefferson
County, not dreaming that twelve miles
from a railroad we would ever see a Yan-
kee soldier, much less a Yankee army.
Unfortunately my trunks were very
heavy, and the negro man who lifted
them out of the wagon that brought
them from the station, noticed it and
said: "Hi! Mistice! you must have a
heap of gold and silver in dese here
trunks; dey feels mighty heavy." I
made some remark about having some
china and glassware in them for the
table and thought nothing more of it.
Indeed, we felt perfectly secure and
thought we would not be molested "way
down in the Ogeechee swamp;' but, alas!
we were sorely disappointed in our cal-
culations.
About the 24th of November we heard
that Sherman's army were in possession
of Milledgeville and were on their way
to Savannah, burning and destroying
everything in their course, and our
home being directly on the wagon road
from Milledgeville to Savannah we, of
course, expected them to lay everything
in ashes that they could find. A few
days afterward we could hear of Kil-
patrick's cavalry all around us, and see
the heavens illuminated at night with
the glare of burning gin-houses and
other buildings. We could hear of
houses being pillaged and old men being
beaten almost to death to be made to tell
where their money and treasures were
concealed. All these tales of horror we
heard, and deeply sympathized with the
sufferers, expecting every hour to see
the cavalry ride up and treat us in the
same manner. But to our great joy they
passed us, coming no nearer than six
miles, and when they had passed we
hoped the main army would do the same.
We thought it best, however, to take
such precaution to conceal our stock so
as to prevent them being found if they
should make us a visit, and stockades
were built in the dense swamp of the
Ogeechee, impenetrable, as we thought,
to any one not acquainted with the sur-
roundings.
PREPARING FOR THE DESTROYERS,
For several days squads of Confederate
cavalry-Wheeler's command-would
pass and tell us where Sherman's army
were and of the depredations they were
committing, and warn us to prepare for
the worst as they were showing no
mercy, and on Sunday, the 28th of No-
vember, we heard that the destroyers
were encamped just above our upper
plantation, about four miles from our
home. That night the heavens looked
as if they were on fire from the glare of
hundreds of burning houses, and early
Monday morning a negro man came
from the upper plantation and told us
they were crossing the river and that
some of them were in Louisville, about

78
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
two miles off; also that they were search SWOOPING DOWN LIKE VULTURES.
We hardly got the meat inside the
and setting fire to them, and killing all
the stock they could find. He proposed
house before hundreds of the “Blue-
to hide a number of hams we had hang-
ing up in the smokehouse-where we man came up to me and asked if I could
had been making salt by leaching the tell him how long since the last “Rebs”
dirt from the earthen floor-and we passed the place. I made no reply to
gladly accepted the proposition. He him, whereupon he cursed me and de-
accordingly dug down about two feet, manded to know why I did not answer
laid plank at the bottom of the excava his question. 13
tion and placed the hams on them, "Don't you know the Southern women
covering them up securely and putting know no such persons as 'Rebs?' ” an-
syrup barrels over the place. I told the other soldier observed.
cook to prepare enough food to last us
tell me, madam, how long since the last
have anything cooked while the Yankees Confederate soldiers passed here?"
were on the place. We also gave the I told him Gen. Wheeler's men had
negroes a month's rations, thinking been passing for several days, and that
they would be better able to keep it some of them had passed that morning.
than we would.
"I suppose," I added, "that they are
That morning Mrs. S—, the over-
waiting for you down in the swamp,"?
seer's wife and myself had gone into the
and I hoped in my heart that they would
woods and buried my valuables. Judge
give them a warm reception.
H— was in the swamp at the time,
In our fright we had forgotten our
having the stock put in the stockade
dinner, and when we went back into the
and turning the fattening hogs out in
dining room everything was gone. Not
the swamp, thinking they would be less
a morsel of anything to eat was left. The
liable to be killed running at large. He
dishes were all gone and even the table
had his watch with him. When he came
cloth was taken. They no doubt were
back to the house, I got the watch from
very much delighted to find a nice din-
him, and gave it to Mrs. S- with the
ner already prepared for them, a large
request that she would hide it in some
turkey, a ham and various other thing's
safe place.
nicely cooked. We were too much
frightened to feel hungry then.
About noon, just as we were ready to
As we were outside the picket line we
were not molested during the night.
came running in half-breathless from
The army regulations were very strict,
fright.
requiring all to be in camp before dark,
"Marster,'' he cried, "dey's coming and we were not able to get a guard.
down de lane."
That night, however, about 9 o'clock,
“Who is coming," asked his master. we heard a slight knocking on the win-
“Two white man's wid blue coats on,"
dow.
the little negro answered.
“Who is that?!' asked my husband.
"A friend," was the answer; “I am a
We left the dining room and looked Confederate soldier."
out. Instead of “two white men with Upon opening the door a young Con-
blue coats," we saw about a dozen at the federate officer came in. He said his
negro houses, talking to the negroes. name was Carter and that his command
My husband went out and two of them being near by, he had come into Louis-
came up and spoke very politely to him, ville to see his wife, who was visiting
asking if he could let them have some relatives there. She was a sister of
thing to eat. They said they wanted Gen. Ranse Wright. That morning be-
some flour and were willing to pay for fore daylight he left Louisville, hearing
what they got. They looked around the that the Yankees were in the neighbor-
pantry and smokehouse and one of them hood and knowing that he would be
said: "You had better have those pro taken prisoner if he were found. His
visions carried into your house; some friends had provided him with provis-
of our men are not very particular to ions to last him several days. He had
ask for what they want,” while another been hiding in the woods all day and he
offered to take down some pieces of meat | came to ask us if we could direct him
that were hanging up in the smoke to a safe place in which to conceal him-
house and bring them into the house for self until the enemy passed by. Judge
me. I began to think they were not so | H directed him to a place in which
change my mind.
Il danger of being discovered. The young

SHERMAN IN GEORGIA.
79
"how do you like the looks of our little
fire. We have seen a great many such
within the last few weeks."
I had grown desperate, and I told him
I didn't care. "I was thankful that not
a lock of that cotton would ever feed a
Yankee factory or clothe a Yankee sol-
dier's back."
He turned with an oath and left me,
but after a few minutes came back,
having discovered that my home was in
the city of Macon and that I had heard
nothing from there in sometime, and
told me, with a chuckle, that the army
it and then burned it to the ground.
man accordingly provided himself with
some water and set out, having avoided
letting the overseer or any of the negroes
know of his visit.
Early Tuesday morning the Yankees
began to come in from every quarter.
One could not look in any direction
without seeing them. They searched
every place. One of them loudly de-
clared that he had heard we had a Con-
federate officer concealed in the house
and that he was determined to find him.
The intruders thereupon looked into
closets, trunks, boxes and every con-
ceivable place. One man came in and
said: "I know you have got a Rebel
officer hidden away in here somewhere;
he was seen to come in here last night.”
He accordingly began to search the bu-
reau drawers and even opened the clock
and looked into that. "Sir," I said half-
laughingly, just as he was about leaving
the room, "there is one place in the room
you have not looked into." "Where is
it?'' he asked.
I pointed to a small pill-box on the
mantel and asked him if the Confederate
soldier might not be hidden in that. He
turned away with a curse upon all the
Rebel women.
About noon some of the men insisted
that my husband should go down to the
swamp with them to show them where
some syrup was hidden. He called a
negro man who had assisted in hiding it
standing by, and he interrupted him.
"Madam,” he asked, "have you friends
in Macon ?''
I told him I had a home and a brother
there.
He then turned to the miscreant and
looked him squarely in the eyes.
“Why,” he demanded, “do you lie so
to this lady? You know we did not
touch Macon, but passed it by. God
knows she will have enough to bear
before this army leaves here without
being made the target of lies. I am glad
you have a home outside of Sherman's
track," he continued, addressing me,
"for Heaven knows you will need it
before many days pass. You will have
sisted that he should go himself. He
told them he was old and feeble and not
able to walk so far. One of them there-
upon went and brought a mule and put
him on it and three of them started with
him to the swamp. I felt very uneasy
about him, but was assured by some of
Just then I saw my husband coming
up on a bare-back mule with a Yankee
soldier on each side of him holding him
on. He was brought up to the piazza,
lifted from the mule and brought into
the house. They took him into a small
room and I followed. He turned to me
and requested me to give the men his
watch.
him.
APPLYING THE TORCH.
While my husband was absent the de-
stroyers set fire to the gin-house, in
which were stored over two hundred
bales of cotton and several bales of ker-
sey, which we had hidden between the
bales of cotton. The granary, in which
were several hundred bushels of wheat,
was also set on fire. The negroes went
out and begged for the cloth, saying that
it was to make their winter clothes. The
cruel destroyers refused to let the ne-
business with your watch.”
“Give it to them,” he repeated, with a
gasp, “and let them go. I am almost
dead."
Mrs. S. was standing by and I told her
to get the watch. She, without think-
ing, asked me if I meant Judge H- 's
watch, and I answered yes.
Of course the Yankees inferred from
her remark that she knew where other
valuables were concealed, and they
made her yield up everything.
HANGING A HELPLESS OLD MAN.
I got my husband to his room as soon
as possible, and found that he was very
faint, as I thought, from fatigue. Imag-
ine my horror, therefore, when he re-
vived sufficiently to talk, to hear that
the fiends had taken him to the swamp
them they knew it was to make clothes
for the "Rebs.”
One man, who had been particularly
insulting, came up to me and laughed
harshly.
“Well, madam,” he said, sneeringly,

80
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and hanged him. He said he suspected || them say: "We liked to have carried
no harm until he got about two miles that game too far.When he was able
from the house, when they stopped, and to sit up they placed him upon the mule
taking him from the mule, said, “Now, and brought him to the house to get his
old man, you have got to tell us where watch.
your gold is hidden.” He told them he When Mrs. S- went to get Judge
had no gold, that he had gone down to H- 's watch, which was not with our
his plantation for a short visit, and had other valuables, the plunderers com-
left his money at home in bank. They pelled her to guide them to the place
cursed him and told him that story where everything of value that we had
would not do, that his wife had gone up was concealed and she came to me when
to Macon, and brought it all down, for a she returned to the house and, with
negro man had told them she had trembling lips, said that she hoped I
brought a trunk full of gold and silver would not blame her for showing them
down there, and that he could scarcely where our silver was hidden.
lift the trunk, it was so heavy. They "I couldn't help it,” she cried "They
then said they had brought him to the threatened to kill me if I did not tell.
swamp to make him tell them where They said they had hanged Judge
it was. If he would give it up without H- until he was nearly dead, and
force, all right; if not they would hang they would do the same to me, if I did
him until he revealed its hiding place. not show them where everything was
He repeated his first statement, and told concealed. So I was obliged to tell them.
them he had no gold. They then took They even threatened to burn the house
him to a tree that bent over the path, down if I kept back anything.”
tied a rope around his neck, threw it Poor woman! I did not blame her.
over a projecting limb and drew him up Life was dear to her, and she did rightly
until his feet were off the ground. He to save it.
did not quite lose consciousness Oh! the horror of that night! None
when they let him down and said: but God will ever know what I suffered.
"Now, where is your gold ?" He told There my husband lay with scorching
them the same story, whereupon one of fever, his tongue parched and swollen
them cried : “We will make you tell and his throat dry and sore. He begged
another story before we are done with for water and there was not a drop to be
you. So pull him up again, boys!" had. The Yankees had cut all the well
They raised him up again, and that ropes and stolen the buckets and there
time, he said, he felt as if he were suf was no water nearer than half a mile.
focating. They again lowered him to Just before daylight one of the negro
the ground and cried out fiercely: men offered to go to the spring for some
“Now tell us where that gold is or we water, but there was not a bucket or a
will kill you, and your wife will never tub to be found. Everything had been
know what has become of you.” “I carried off. He at last found a small tin
have told you the truth-I have no gold,” bucket that some of the negroes had
he again repeated, adding:"I am an I used for carrying their dinner to the
old man and at your mercy. If you field, and brought that full-about half a
want to kill me you have the power gallon.
to do it, but I cannot die with
ONE GOOD SAMARITAN.
a lie on my lips. I have
no gold. I have a gold watch at the
The next morning, Wednesday, a
house, but nothing else. One of them, rough looking man from Iowa came to
who seemed to be the leader, said : the window and asked me if he could be
“Swing the old Rebel up again! next
of any service to me. The negroes were
time we will get all the truth from him."
They then lifted him up and let him
afraid to come near the house during
fall with more force than before. He the day, but came at night and brought
heard a sound as of water rushing in wood and did all they could for us.
through his head and then a blindness I told the stranger that we had no water
came over him, and a dry choking sen and nothing to eat. He offered to bring
sation was felt in his throat as he lost some water if I would give him a bucket.
consciousness. The next thing he re I told him every vessel had been carried
membered he was some distance from off and we had nothing. He then left
the place where he was hanged, lying and in about an hour returned with a
with his head down the hill near a wooden pail, such as the negroes used in
stream of water, and one of the men was carrying water to the fields. In other
bathing his face and another rubbing days I should have hesitated to drink
his hands. For some time he was water from such a vessel, as it certainly
unable to speak. Then he heard one of ll did not look very clean, but I was

SHERMAN IN GEORGIA
81
thankful to get it and expressed my j| toes the soldiers were jeering him and
gratitude to the man.
calling him “old Secesh.” He paid no
The good Samaritan then took from attention to their taunts, however, but
his pocket two envelopes, one contain kept bringing in the potatoes as long as
ing about two tablespoonfuls of parched he could find a place to put them. We
coffee and the other about the same were obliged to keep everything in the
quantity of brown sugar, and handed one room we were occupying, and even
them to me. Nothwithstanding my then they were not safe if the plunderers
trouble I could not help being amused happened to see them.
at his telling me how to make coffee. Some amusing things occurred, al-
He brought me a small tin cup and said: though I was in no mood to enjoy them.
"Now take this coffee and grind it, if One man was searching for ammunition.
you have a mill, if not put it in a rag Having found a rifle which had been
and beat it until it is fine. Then put it hidden, he took it for granted there must
in the cup and pour boiling water on it be ammunition concealed somewhere
and let it boil a few minutes. You will and, going into the dining-room, began
then have a good drink for your sick searching on top of the safe, where he
husband." I thanked him, but did not found a large gourd as he thought full
let him know I knew how to make of powder. He filied his powder-flask
coffee. I know one thing, I never ap with it and came in and told the others
preciated a cup of coffee more than I did of his great discovery. Several of them
that one. That man was rough-looking, went out and supplied themselves, taunt-
but his heart was in the right place. ing me at the time with having told
He certainly acted the part of the “Good them there was no powder in the house.
Samaritan."
I said nothing until they were lost in
With one exception the only kindness the crowd. I then remarked to those
or humanity I received was from the remaining in the house : "I only wish
Western soldiers. There were no doubt your ammunition trains were filled with
in that large army others with some that kind of powder. It is nothing but
feelings of kindness, but it was not my tobacco seed. To prove this I threw
good fortune to meet them. But I am some of it in the fire and the explosion
digressing. My object in this sketch is they expected did not occur. Some of
to give the facts alone—not to speculate them seemed to enjoy the joke, others
on what might be.
seemed crestfallen and walked off to see
By the time Judge H- had finished what else they could find.
drinking his coffee, which he relished
A GALLANT YOUNG NEW YORKER.
very much, and had bathed his face,
the Yankees began to pour in from every Seeing Judge H— in bed, some of the
direction. Everywhere one looked they
worst of the rabble insisted upon
could be seen. They were so thick in
my room I could scarcely turn round.
making him get up, saying they knew
They took everything they could find. he had gold hidden in the bed and was
One took the clock and started out with only feigning sickness to keep it from
it. I begged him to leave it, and to my being found. Two of them came up to
surprise he did; but in a few minutes the bed and were about to pull him out,
another came and carried it off and when I implored them to let him alone,
threw it in the horse lot, where it was telling them how he had been treated
found by some of the negroes and taken
and declaring that he was not able to
care of.
get up. At last I cried out, “Is there no
Not far from the house there were one in this crowd of men who will pro-
about a dozen banks of potatoes that the tect this sick man and prevent his being
plunderers began to carry away by the killed ?" One young man about 18
bag-full. They would come into the years old from New York--Colton, I
house, take any article of clothing they afterwards learned, was his name-
could find, tie a string around one end of stepped forward bravely.
it and make a receptacle to carry off po "I will do my best, madam, to protect
tatoes. My Western friend, the good you," he said. "I have no bayonet on
Samaritan who gave me the coffee, came my gun, as none but guards are allowed
to the door and said: “Give me a basket to use bayonets, and they know I have
and I will bring in some of those pota no authority to act as guard, but I will
toes before they are all taken, for you stay by you and do all I can to protect
will need them." I fortunately had a
basket in the room and gave it to him. He took his stand near the bed and de-
He brought in about three bushels and clared that the first man that touched
put them under the bed on the floor. All either my husband or myself would do
the time he was bringing in the pota- ll it at the risk of his life.
you."
11

82
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Just then a mean, cadaverous-looking || cook found she could come into the yard
man, that had been very insulting dur without being interfered with she came
ing the morning, rode up to the door and cooked our supper, which I relished
and threatened to set fire to the house. very much, being all the food I had
He got off the mule he was riding, and tasted since Monday morning at break-
came in and began to curse and swear, fast, except a few potatoes which I
declaring that he would pull the old roasted at night.
Rebel” out of the bed any way. I thought Wednesday night, for the first time
of my husband's being a Mason, and ap since Sunday night, I lay down and
pealed to the crowd to know if there slept. But my slumbers were not happy
were any Masons in the room.
as Judge H- was still suffering from
“No," the newcomer thundered, with the effects of the inhuman treatment he
a horrible oath, "we have none of those || had received. His nose would bleed,
animals with us. We left them at home. and bloody water would ooze from his
They are rather inconvenient to take ears. His eyes were bloodshot and
along."
pained him greatly. Occasionally he
"My Major is a Mason," young Colton would spit up blood and his tongue was
whispered, “and if I can get any one to swollen.
stay with you until I can go to my tent Thursday morning Col. Winkler came
I will bring him." He then said, turn in to see how we were getting on and
ing to his comrades, “Can I find a man said he had reported to Gen. Slocum,
who will protect this lady and her sick whose headquarters were a short dis-
husband until I come back ?"
tance from the house, the indignities we
The Iowa soldier whom I have men had received and that the General was
tioned before came in from the yard and anxious to identify the parties. But, of
offered to stand guard.
course, that was impossible, and Gen.
"I will do it, if it costs me my life," he Slocum knew it.
declared; "but my gun is at my tent."
Colton then handed him his gun, ad-
THE FATE IN STORE FOR SOUTH CARO-
LINA,
vising him to use it, and knock down
the first man that dared to touch my During the day quite a number of of-
husband or myself. He then left, and ficers came in to “pay their respects,"
in a few moments returned with an of-
as they said. In conversation with a
ficer whom he introduced as Col. Wink-
ler, of Wisconsin, who was the officer of
very intelligent man, an officer, about
the day.
the horrors the war brought upon the
"Mrs. H__," he said, after I had women and children of the South, he
greeted Col. Winkler, you will have no spoke freely of the terrible way in which
further trouble with these men. Our South Carolina was to be punished.
picket lines have been extended, and "You think the people of Georgia are
you are now inside of them and will be faring badly,” he said, "and they are, but
protected. I regret very much that you God pity the people of South Carolina
have not been inside the lines all this when this army gets there, for we have
time.”
orders to lay everything in ashes-not
I was astonished to see the room and to leave a green thing in the State for
house cleared of Yankees almost in an man or beast. That State will be made
instant. No one remained but Col. to feel the fearful sin of Secession before
Winkler and young Colton. The plun our army gets through it. Here our
derers had vanished as if by magic, and soldiers are held in check, as much so as
in a short time Col. Winkler sent Col it is possible with such a large body of
ton to procure a guard and we were sub men, but when we get to South Carolina
jected to no more insult. Unfortunately, they will be turned loose to follow their
however, as I told Col. Winkler, we had own inclinations."
nothing left to protect but our lives, as How well that order was carried out is
we had already been three days at the well known to the world.
mercy of “Sherman's bummers,'' as he | Early Friday morning we rejoiced
insisted upon calling them, saying that to hear that the Yankees were preparing
they were not representatives of the to leave. They were busy getting their
army, but were bummers and foragers. army trains ready to move on. Gen.
He seemed to regret very much the Slocum had for his guide an old map of
treatment we had received, and said if Georgia, in which was a small place
any of the men could be identified they called Birdsville located in Burke
should be severely punished. He then County. He was trying in vain to find
sent to the camp and got coffee, sugar, some one who could direct him to it.
rice, beef, flour and other articles, The place was only remembered by
enough to last several days. When the ll some of the old inhabitants as the resi-

SHERMAN IN GEORGIA.
83
|
The poor negroes had fared no better
than we had. Their friends had stolen
everything from then as well as from us
dence of a wealthy family by the name
of Bird, and which only contained a
postoffice, a store and a few dwelling
honses. It had long since passed away.
He was told that there was now no such
place known.
Everything was enveloped in a dense
fog that morning. Nothing could be
seen fifty yards off. In starting their
trains, therefore, they had floundered
about in the fog, and were completely
lost. They had taken the wrong road
and were going back the same way they
came About 10 o'clock, however, they
got righted and Gen. Slocum's division
of Sherman's army resumed their
"Grand march to the Sea.'' Gens. Dayis
and Hooker with their divisions had
been passing several days. Late that
afternoon the guards were withdrawn,
and the last one of the Yankee army
disappeared.
walking up just after dark Friday night.
He had concealed himself during the
four days in a cavity at the root of a
rations, thinking they would be able to
save it, but alas! they had provisions,
clothing and everything taken from
them; even their shoes were taken from
their feet. Their chickens had all been
killed and their beds and bedding all
carried off. Poor creatures! They
looked disconsolate, and when they saw
their master the older ones burst out
crying.
"Marster, they asked piteously,
"what we all gwine to do now? Every-
thing gone-nothing left for us to eat!'?
"I can't tell,” he answered sadly. "It
looks as if we would all have to starve
together, I never saw starvation staring
me in the face before.?",
He seemed almost in despair, and be-
gan to calculate as to how long we could
subsist on what little food we had left.
I tried to encourage him and told him I
did not believe the good Lord would
allow him to starve. He had fed too
many poor people and had befriended
the needy too often, and I believed it
would be paid back to him now, in his
extremity, and that friends would be
raised up to him.
I remember well the distress of one of
the negro women. She was sitting on
her door steps swaying her body back
and forth, in a manner peculiar to the
negro, and making a mournful noise, a
kind of moaning, a low sorrowful sound,
occasionally wringing her hands and
crying out. As we approached her, she
raised her head.
"Marster,” she said, rolling her eyes
strangely, "What kind of folks dese
here Yankees? Dey wont even let de
dead rest in de grave.”
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You know my chile what I bury last
by the small roots of the tree. He said
he thought several times that he was
discovered, as the Yankees were so near
him. Once he was about to call out that
he surrendered, as he saw some of them
coming as he thought directly to him
just ready to shoot, but they passed on.
He had kept closely hidden during the
changing bis position and walking
around a little after everything became
ing very thankful that he did not fall
into the hands of the enem
The rear of the army encamped that
night about four or five miles from us.
We could see the glare of fires and knew
from our own experience that the work
of destruction was going on. The citi-
zens of Burke County being wealthy the
spoils were great.
DESOLATION AND RUIN.
a scene of desolation and ruin. We
could hardly believe it was our home.
One week before it was one of the most
beautiful places in the State. Now it
was a vast wreck. Gin-houses, packing
screws, granary-all lay in ashes. Not
a fence was to be seen for miles. The
corn crop had not been gathered, and
the army had turned their stock into the
fields and destroyed what they had not
carried off. Burning cotton and grain
filled the air with smoke, and even the
sun seemed to hide its face from so
gloomy a picture.
tap of de groun for de hog to root. What
you tink of dat, sir ?
Her story was true. We found that
the Vandals had gone to the grave-
yard and, seeing a new made grave, had
dug down into it and taken up the little
coffin containing a dead baby. no doubt
supposing treasure had been buried
there. When they discovered their mis-
take, they left it above ground, as the
poor mother expressed it, “for the hog
to root.”
We soon discovered that almost every
thing we had hidden had been found,
and either carried off or wantonly de-
stroyed. All around the grove were
carcasses of cows, sheep and hogs, some
with only the hind quarters gone, and

84
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the rest left to spoil. There were piles || gratitude came into our eyes and we
of carcasses all around where the army Il could not express our thanks.
had camped. Some of them had been Mr. A. seemed perfrctly happy to be
killed and left without being touched. able to give us this timely relief.
The negroes went to work and saved a "Don't thank us, Judge,” he said over
great deal of meat. They could have and over again, “we are only paying our
saved enough to have lasted them just debts."
through the winter if the weather had Before the day was over three more of
been cold enough, but it was unusually those little covered wagons came up
warm for the season, and the most of the to our door on the same errand
meat was lost. The hams that were of love and deposited their freight
buried in the smokehouse were not dis as expressions of gratitude to one
covered by the plunderers, and we were who had befriended them in their early
rejoiced to know we had enough meat to married life, as they expressed it,
keep us from suffering for some time, if “helped them to get a start in life.”
we could get bread. The question of Verily it was as “bread cast upon the
getting anything to eat was a very seri waters to be gathered up after many
ous one. The stores were all burned, days.” It was very gratifying to Judge
not one being left within thirty-five H and dispelled the gloom and
miles. The mills were all destroyed, or almost despair that was settling down on
partially so, railroads were torn up, his spirits. He seemed to take courage
bridges broken, all our stock carried off from that moment, and believe that the
and the fences burned. There seemed God whom he served would not forsake
to be nothing left to live on during the him, but would provide some way for
winter. Oh! the first of December, him to live and feed those dependent
1864, is indelibly impressed upon my upon him.
mind. We had more than a hundred From day to day we gathered up the
negroes to feed and clothe, and to all remnant of what was scattered over the
appearance there was nothing to do it place. Some of the cows escaped and
with. We almost wished all had gone came back. Out of about seventy-five
with the army, as there seemed nothing head of cattle, six milk cows and one
but starvation left for those who re pair of oxen came back to us. Out of
mained.
about two hundred sheep, twenty came
up a few days after everything got quiet.
BREAD CAST ON THE WATER RETURNING.
The negroes found several lame and
On Monday morning we saw in the sore-back mules that had been left by
distance coming towards the house a
the Yankees, and they did ús good ser-
vice after they had been doctored up
small covered wagon such as is used by and fed. We found a considerable
the poorer class of people in the piney quantity of corn left in the fields and
woods for carrying their produce to
there being no stock running at large
there was nothing to destroy it until it
market. Walking by the side of it was
could be gathered. Some of the hogs
a tall, thin man in his shirt-sleeves and
escaped the sharp-shooters and came up
rough straw hat. He came up to the to the pens where they had been fed
house and Judge H- recognized in before the Yankees came. We, there-
him a man whom he had formerly fore, got along much better than we
known and befriended.
thought possible. We had plenty to eat,
"Judge,” he said, "when my wife and though the Yankees did not leave
heard that the Yankees had been here my husband or myself a complete
and destroyed all you had, she said, change of clothing, we did not suffer. I
'Mr. A. we can't let Judge H- suffer was fortunate enough to save several
for something to eat while we have any bolts of unbleached homespun, known
thing ourselves. Don't you remember as “Macon Mills,” and it was very much
how he helped us when we were first in demand. I exchanged some of it for
married ? He gave us a cow and a calf colored homespun and made me some
and a pig and provisions to last us until dresses, in which I was just as happy as
we could get started. As long as I have I had been in my silks. We saved a
anything to eat I will divide with him.' few pieces of kersey of which I made
So she made me fix up the wagon and my husband a suit of clothes and an
bring you something."
overcoat. He said he felt prouder than
He then began to unpack that little he had ever done of his broadcloth. As
wagon. There was meat, meal, flour, soon as it was possible we received as -
lard, butter, chickens and various other sistance from our friends in Macon, and
things, enough to keep the wolf from having a plantation in Southwestern
the door for some time to come. Tears of ll Georgia we got mules and supplies from

STIRRING DAYS IN CHESTER.
85
there with which to make a crop another No. 16.-Stirring Days in Chester.
year.
I often think of the conveyance we
used for some time after Sherman's (By Mrs. F. G. De Fontaine, New York City.)
army passed through. It was a wonder-
ful vehicle, made of a small wagon body
The 16th of February, 1864! What a
on the springs of a buggy and some odd train of memorable events, sad recol-
wheels picked up in the Yankee camp.
lections and buried hopes this date re-
A blacksmith had put them together
and made a very comfortable riding
calls. The day opened bright and
wagon. To it was hitched a small sorrel beautiful, and with the cheering news
mule that was found after the Yankees that the enemy had been repulsed and
left. The harness was made up of odd
Columbia was safe. At four o'clock the
pieces of leather and rope was used for
reins. We put chairs in this wagon,
situation changed. Cannon and mus-
and with a negro man to drive we went ketry were distinctly heard across the
to church and visiting in great style,
river, and troops were hurrying hither
feeling thankful we had even that much
and thither in a state of excitement.
left us.
We remained on the plantation until
Baggage wagons, quartermaster's and
March, 1865, when we left for our home
commissary's stores were being sent to
in Macon. Milledgeville, fifty-four miles
the rear in the most expeditious man-
distant, was the nearest point of railroad
ner, and every one who could leave the
communication. The roads were in a
city was hurrying in the direction of
fearful condition, having been cut up
the depot.
badly by the wagon-trains of Sherman's
Our preparations were expedited by
army. We accordingly made very slow
the bursting of a bombshell, which so
completely demoralized us all that the
progress. We left Louisville Tuesday
subsequent packing was rather on the
morning, the 16th of March, just as the
sun was rising. My husband and my-
unique order. For instance, a pair of
chickens which were in the stove being
self were in a double-seated buggy,
roasted for dinner, were taken off and
drawn by two mules and driven by
jammed into a jar half filled with pre-
a "negro man. We had also a serves; a handsome crape veil I found a
wagon with two mules, in which was
week afterwards tucked in a bag of
meal; knives and forks were huddled in
bedding, provisions and provender for
among bonnets and laces, and every-
the mules. We had with us a family of thing else was done in the same pecu-
negroes we were taking to Macon. liar, warlike style.
My servants all proved faithful in this
Everywhere we saw the track of Sher-
emergency with the exception of a
man's army. Chimneys standing to bright mulattress, who showed unmis-
show where dwellings had been burned, takable signs of disaffection, laughing
everywhere was the mark of destruc hysterically whenever the report of a
tion. It was a heart-sickening sight, gun was heard and acting in a most un-
and one I shall never forget. Early in usual manner. It was impossible to gain
the afternoon on Thursday it began to her attention in any way. Observing
rain very hard. Being in an open buggy
this, and fearing that it might demora-
we encountered many difficulties and lize the others, who were doing all in
endured many hardships. It was a their power to help me, I quietly walked
weary journey, but we received many to the mantel-piece, took down my pis-
kindnesses on the route, and at last we tol, and strapping it about my waist,
reached Milledgeville where at 3 o'clock said, "Nancy, I am still your mistress,
Monday afternoon we took the cars, and and as such I demand respectful obedi-
about dark arrived at home in the city ence from you. If the Yankees take the
of Macon, after an absence of six months. city and you prefer going with them to
I have made this sketch much longer remaining with me, you are at perfect
than I intended when I began it. Yet liberty to go, but now you must obey
while narrating simply facts that came
me.''
under my own eye, I feel that I have Looking first at me and then at the
but imperfectly described the sufferings pistol she accepted the situation tempo-
and trials of the four days I spent inside
rarily, but made her way to the enemy
of Sherman's camp.
Il the next day.

86
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
During the afternoon Col. Wm. John- || fast asleep except myself. My baby
son, then president of the Charlotte and being restless kept me awake. Soon I
Columbia Road, sent me word that if I heard in the distance sounds that re-
desired to leave the city he would re sembled the approach of another train,
tain a place for me in his special car; although it was understood that ours
but I still entertained hope in the ability was the last which would leave the city.
of our army to repulse the foe, who were The sound grew nearer and more dis-
even then thundering at our very gates. tinct, and there was now no doubt but
This hope, however, was soon dispelled that another train was right upon us.
by the bursting of a shell, thrown from Quick as a flash the thought came to me
the enemy's batteries just outside of the about the “signal light," and arousing
city.
my husband, who sat next to me, I said,
jumping into a wagon in which our Quick, for God's sake, take that candle
goods were thrown helter-skelter, we and wave it in front of the door, for
made our way to the depot in the midst something tells me that the signal light
of the cursing and shouting of the team is out."
sters, who were hurrying the army It was the work of a minute, but that
trains to the rear. This, with the lurid minute saved hundreds of lives. In an
light from burning buildings in the instant a sharp whistle sounded upon
background, that seemed to reach to the the still night air, and the approaching
very heavens, produced a pandemo train stopped only a few feet from us.
nium which only the Inferno of Dante The engineer entered our car as pale
could equal.
as death, saying, "In God's name where is
the brakeman? and why was there no
FLYING FROM THE FEDERALS.
signal light? If it had not been for
Reaching the depot everything was that little light which some one waved,
bustle and confusion Hundreds were
you'd all have been in eternity by this
time, so you may thank the one who
seeking admission to the already well-
waved it for your lives."
filled cars. Husbands looking for wives "No," said 1, "thank the baby, for if
and wives calling for husbands, and she hadn't wakened me none of us would
children screaming in affright at the have heard your train."
glare of the flames.
In the morning, before we were ready
The President's car was a small coach, to start again on our journey, Major
attached to the rear of the train. In this Robinson, of Winnsboro, played the part
we found several friends already seated, of our good angel, and sent us a donation
who greeted us in a sad, distracted man of biscuits and coffee which were the only
ner.
things that stood between us and starya-
The passengers on this train, which tion. Biscuits and coffee will never be
was the last of sixteen already ahead of eaten again with such relish.
us, were an odd mixture, consisting of
the Governor of the State, several ex-
UNIQUE HOMES IN CHESTER.
Governors, the treasury department, Arriving in Chester, we found all the
which had been removed from Rich-
mond to Columbia, a number of colored
old, discarded cars which had been
prisoners and a company of "galyan switched off on one side, fitted up as
ized Yankees,” as deserters from the dwellings for the refugees.” In these
Union army were then called.
they had placed their "little all' that was
We felt that "touch of nature which left of the general wreck. From one is-
makes the whole world akin." Each was sued sounds of a harp, from another a
leaving home and friends behind, for we piano, and the inmates seemed as happy
were all refugees, going forward to an and contented as if residing in their own
untried future in which there seemed beautiful homes.
little happiness in store. As the train We were too late to secure one of these
pushed out from the depot the young palatial residences. The only shelter
ladies of the treasury department struck left in the village was a pitched roof
up “Home, Sweet Home.” Everybody attic, over a drug store. This magnifi-
on the train joined in the song, and there cent apartment had once been the abode
was scarcely a dry eye in the company. of a shoemaker. He had left arabesque
When near Winnsboro' we came to a designs, in grease and wax, over every-
standstill, the train just ahead of us hav thing capable of receiving an impression.
ing jumped the track, and we were The walls were painted a deep dark,
compelled to remain quiet until it was desperately blue, the sort of color that
restored to its position.
is calculated to take all the sunshine out!
Every one on the car, worn out by of one's nature and provoke thoughts of
the fatigue and anxiety of the day, was ll suicide. The windows were so high

STIRRING DAYS IN CHESTER.
87
from the floor that in a standing posi- || the "Bee store” in Columbia, at the risk
tion your chin just reached them. The of life and limb, and at an enormous ex-
fireplace was large enough to accommo pense, I determined, if possible, to re-
date a family. The furniture consisted tain them.
of a set of shelves and two broken
chairs.
WAITING FOR THE ATTACK.
This was a pleasant picture to contem-
The night before the attack was ex-
plate, after a long, tedious ride, hungry
and tired. At first I thought I should
pected all of the arms-bearing men left
go mad. I cried until I was hoarse. the town to the care of the women and
After that I felt better, and began to phi children and a few disabled men who
losophize, and with one coup d'oeil took were in charge of the Government stores.
in the situation and prepared to make At midnight when the echo of the last
the most of it.
horses' hoofs died away, carrying from
Soon after our arrival Mr. Loftos Clif our midst Gen. Chesnut and staff, a
ford sent over to us a bedstead, with the feeling of utter desolation and despond-
message "that he was sorry the screws ency took possession of us. Hagar in
could not be found." Here was a di the wildneress was not more disconso-
lemma, a bedstead without screws. I late.
rose to the emergency, however, and tak Most of the night I spent at my attic
ing four boxes in which my household window watching the pale stars looking
effects were packed, I laid the sides and down, seemingly in pity upon us, and
ends of the bedstead upon them and the glimmer of lights from every win-
placed the slats crosswise. Then placing dow told that the inmates were awake
my bed, which I had brought with me, and anxiously awaiting their fate.
upon this structure, we soon had a very Shortly after daylight I walked out
respectable-looking couch. Our dining upon the balcony, and in the distance
table was a large dry goods box which saw a cloud of dust. My heart stood
the cobbler had left behind. We sat on still with fright, and calling a lady friend
boxes covered with shawls, and our to my side, who was pale with fear, I
pantry was made of bedslats nailed in said, “Courage! the cavalry are coming;
the floor and hung round with table in God's name what shall we do?"
covers of various hues. Despite all of I determined in spite of my terror to
these drawbacks to elegance we enjoyed stand my grouud and await their arrival.
this roughing it immensely, and en Soon a ragged, wretched-looking, devil-
tertained in our little blue attic many may-care feilow, in advance of the lead-
whose names have brightened the pages ing company, rode up and halted just in
of history.
front of us, saying, "Where're all the
Gen. Hood called one day, and hear men of this town???
ing the sound of his crutches upon our Still thinking they were Yankees I
rickety staircase, I said: “General, is replied in an independent tone, "They've
your life insured? You are in more I left for parts unknown, and the town is
danger from those steps than a dozen in possession of the women, and we
Yankee bullets.”
mean to hold it.”
In his wonted graceful style, he re “God bless your soul,” said he, "I
plied: "The cause is worthy of the wish the men had half your pluck."
effort, and if I fall, I fall."
“Who are you ??? I inquired; “Stone-
Chester was threatened with a raid, man's cavalry?”
and some of the events which occurred "In the name of God," said he, "you
during that time were exceedingly don't take us for Yanks, do you? Why.
ludicrous. Everything of any value
we're Wheeler's cavalry, sent here by
was buried or mysteriously se Gineral Beauregard to protect this town,
creted. I was for several days a and we're a goin' to do it, by Jupiter."
perambulating conveyance of assorted Seeing that he was a desperate sort of
goods. Besides my war pockets, which
fellow, whom it was better to have as a
reached to the hem of my dress, I car friend than a foe, I determined to enlist
ried, hung upon a heavy cord about my him in our behalf and asked him to pro-
waist, one piece of flannel, twelve yards tect our house in case the enemy came
of dress goods, twelve yards of muslin, in. With an oath he swore that he would
two pounds of tea, five pounds of coffee, do it.
two pounds of sugar, a silver cup, two i After reconnoitering for about an
dozen silver forks, the same of spoons, hour, they returned to camp, which was
spools of cotton, silk, needles, pins, &c., on the outskirts of the town. In passing
&c. In my skirts were sewed my the house this same man pulled off his
watch, money and priyate papers. As
war-worn hat, which was only held to-
most of these goods were purchased at ll gether by a freak of cohesion. He was

88
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in a terrible rage, and the oaths rolled | joy was mingled a deep sorrow, when
from his mouth.
we witnessed the bowed beads and
“What is the matter," said I; "you broken spirits of the brave men who
seem very angry about something ?? for four long years had stood in the
“Why," he replied, "one of them d-- breach and were now returning to
commissary chaps says we shan't have || homes, many of them made desolate by
any rations; that we're spies and they'll war.
drive us out of the town and take our
OFF FOR SPARTANBURG.
hosses. If they do drive us out, it'll be
We left our attic and made our way to
by the puttiest fire they ever see in all
the days of their life. As to takin' our Spartanburg in a wagon drawn by Con-
hosses, by Jupiter, one of Wheeler's federate mules that had been relegated
cavalry hosses wouldn't tote a civilian.''
to the “retired list.”
Here he slapped his horse on the flank,
threw his remnant of a hat high in the
Owing to the want of "going;” capacity
air, and, with a loud yell, dashed off. in our team, we were compelled to
camp one night on the roadside. The
A TERRIBLE SECRET.
next morning we performed our ablu-
About noon of that day Mrs. Gen. C. tions in a spring near by. After this I
called and said she had a terrible secret
returned to the back of the wagon,
where I had left my hair switch hang-
to confide in me. “Promise me," said she,
ing, preparatory to arranging my hair.
“that you will not divulge it, for it may The switch was gone; I questioned
cost me my life.”
Primus, the driver, about it, but the
“Oh! dear,” said I, “if it is anything only satisfaction I received was this:
so terrible I don't want to know it.” "I dunno nothin' 'tall 'bout no switch,
"But you must know it,” said she with Miss G- , but I see dat black mule bin
a look of mysterious bewilderment, de chaw 'pon somethin' dat looked like
somebody must know it or I'll die try a hosse's tail; I specs dat's whar your
ing to keep it; but first tell me which hair done gone, Missis.”
way your husband went. There's a cou Picture it! think of it! a woman's
rier here and he wants to see the Gen whole crown of glory gone into the
eral, for if he don't see him the town will stomach of a miserable uncompromising
be burned if the Yankees enter."
mule, our ports blockaded and not the
“How do you know this?'' said I. remotest probability of getting another
"That's the secret,” said she, coming for months. I entertained serious
near me and whispering in my ear. thoughts of having the wretched animal
“It's the notice of an armistice that he's killed and dissected.
brought with him, and I've broken the We took our breakfast, which con-
seal of the dispatch. I know it's a pun sisted of fried bacon, rve coffee and corn
ishable offence, but I couldn't help it; bread, at a house nearby. When I asked
only think of it-an armistice !"
for a little more sugar the dish was
"If you are sure," said I, “that this handed to me and I put the spoon in,
man is not a spy, and that this is a bona and finding that it struck the bottom
fide paper, I will tell you where our looked in and discovered that sorghum
husbands are. If he will go at break was the long sweetening” used on this
neck speed upon the Union road he occasion.
will probably overtake them."
Rice, potatoes, rye, peanuts and
The suspense that day was something various other things were employed as
awful. The fear lest Stoneman should substitutes for coffee, casina berries
reach the town before the dispatch was and herbs in place of tea. The exchanges
delivered to the commandant of the post, carried on between refugees and those
and the ardent desire to proclaim the from the rural districts amounted to a
news from the housetops, were conflict regular traffic, and were sometimes very
ing emotions which kept me in a con amusing.
tinued state of unrest.
Just before the fall of Columbia we
When the General arrived late in the invested in a large amount of candles.
evening and found it really was a gen These subsequently proved a perfect
uine dispatch containing information God-send to us, the farmers being will-
of an armistice, I went up to my hus ing and anxious to exchange any of
band's printing office and ordered a their produce for these wax candles
number of notices to be struck off in We let our "light shine'' to the best ad-
large type, and posted in the most con vantage you may be assured.
spicuous places in the town. It was "When I left Columbia it was with
done and delighted the eyes of all who | flying colors, my dress being trimmed
looked upon them, although with our || with State buttons, bearing the motto

CLUSERET IN THE SOUTH.
89
"Animus opibusque parati, but soon Il shrined in our hearts; there is its mau-
after my arrival in Chester a dear old
soleum, and from it shall rise an incense
minister called and insisted that if I of love and gratitude, purified and sanc-
"valued my life I must have those but tified by the memories of those who
tons cut off." In order to satisfy him I sacrificed their lives in the endeavor to
stood up and was shorn of my glory. make us a nation among nations.
A CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.
A rather curious coincidence occurred
No. 17.-Cluseret in the South.
not long since at one of my evening re-
ceptions in my New York home. One
By Mrs. Flora McD. Williams, of Louisville, Ky.
of the guests of the evening, a grand-
son-in-law of John Quincy Adams, in It was during the winters of ’62 and
looking over a large book of war photo '63 and the poor old town of Winchester
graphs, came across a picture of Atlanta had been again evacuated by the troops
after its destruction by the Northern under Gen. Jackson. Many of the citi-
army. “Ah,'' said he, “here's the very zens had gone South, but the sudden
house we burned down to see how the occupation of the place by the Federal
chimneys were built.”
soldiers caught a good many in their
I overheard the remark and replied, lines who had not intended to remain.
"I presume then, that your curiosity Among them were the two young
must have been thoroughly gratified daughters of a prominent citizen who
when you finished with Columbia, for was at the time in the Confederate ser-
you left nothing but chimneys remain vice.
ing there."
Finding that the occupation was likely
He confessed that he was in Columbia to be permanent, they concluded to ap-
some time before its burning, but being ply for a pass to go South, though hav-
confined to rather close quarters, had
very little opportunity for seeing much
ing many misgivings about getting it,
of the city.
as their sentiments were well known to
"Why,' said I, “what were you doing the officers in command. Gen. Cluseret,
there ??
a gentlemanly Frenchman, was at the
"Serving my time out in your jail,”
said he, "for having visited your fair in
time in command of the post. Making
the disguise of a Confederate naval offi-
application to him in person, to their
cer, and flirting with all the pretty Co amazement he granted them the pass
lumbia girls.”
without imposing a single restriction or
Struck dumb with amazement I re-
garded him earnestly for some seconds,
condition. Elated with this singular
and then said: “You are the blue-coated piece of luck they pushed forward their
Yankee that kissed his hand as I passed preparations in good earnest, and in
the jail one day and happened to look up
three days from the time they received
at a window."
"Ah," said he, then, it is to you
it were ready to start.
that I owe a grudge, for I was placed in They had hired a carriage and trusty
the back of the jail, my liberty re pair of horses, as well as a respectable
strained and my rations reduced for white man in whom they felt confidence
throwing that kiss."
to act as their driver, as it was necessary
"I'm delighted to hear that I was in to drive some eighteen or twenty miles
strumental in bringing at least one up the Valley, where they expected to
Yankee to punishment,” said I, "and find friends. They started off in the
now, only think of your being an in gray dawn of a winter's morning with
vited guest in my house."
every reasonable prospect of a safe and
It would be possible to fill a volume pleasant ride.
with the incidents, humorous and Upon reaching the second and last
pathetic, which came under my observa picket, some four miles from town, they
tion during the eventful "four years;'
found no less than two hundred men
but many of them would only serve to || quartered there. At this point they
reopen old issues and embitter the feel were compelled to leave the main road,
ing, which policy teaches us it is better which was blockaded by huge piles of
to bury with the dead past. It is en- || rocks and rails, and drive through
to
12

90
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
woods and unfrequented by-ways for || not comprehend the reason of such
nearly a mile further. All obstructions treatment. They did not know that
now being passed, they returned again during the interval of receiving and
to the turnpike and congratulated them using their pass Gen. Cluseret, from
selves that they were at last out of sight whom they had obtained it, had been
of the Yankees.
superseded by a ruffian who outranked
“Do you think we will have any more him. When the carriage reached the
trouble now, Mr. Higgins ?” said one picket it was brought to a halt, while
of the girls, addressing the driver.
the leader of the party who had made
“Well, I'm beginning to think we are the arrest rode off to consult an officer
about through the woods now myself, who was brought to the door of his tent
Miss;' and thus saying he stood up and by the sound of the returning carriage.
looked back over the top of the carriage. The soldier communicated something,
"Bless my soul, ladies !” he exclaimed, and the officer looked towards the car-
"here come a lot of them cavalry jest a riage where the girls sat waiting in
flyin' up the road !”
breathless anxiety to know what was to
"Whip the horses! Make them fly, become of them. After parleying with
Mr. Higgins !” said one of the girls, and the cavalryman for some minutes, he
catching up the whip, she laid it on sey came towards the carriage and looked
eral times.
in, then turned and went back to the
FLYING FROM THE YANKEES.
man again. The girls then heard him
say, "I will not; I will resign first." He
They were now going at their topmost then went into his tent, and presently
speed, and both girls were standing up,
returning to the carriage climbed up
and took his seat beside the driver. He
looking alternately through the window
gave the order to move on, and with a
in the back of the carriage. It was evi guard of four cavalrymen on each side
dent they were being pursued.
they took up their line of march for
"If we can only keep ahead awhile Winchester.
longer," said one of them, “I know they
will be afraid to follow very far.”
A GALLANT IRISH OFFICER.
"But,” said the other, "see how they As soon as they had gotten well under-
are gaining on us, and the carriage is so
way, the officer, who proved to be a
heavily laden they must overtake us
soon. It is useless to try."
humane Irishman, turned to the girls
So they relaxed their speed, and in a and said: “I had orders to have your
few moments were surrounded by a persons and baggage searched at my
body of cavalry.
post, but I would not do it, I don't care
"I have orders to arrest this party, what the consequences are: I shall take
Driver, turn your carriage around at you to Gen. Cluseret, from whom you
once," said the foremost one, who rudely obtained your pass, and who alone has
thrust his head in the window.
the right to arrest you, and only then,
"I can't turn just yet; it is too narrow in the event of your having violated the
here,” said the driver.
conditions upon which you obtained it."
"Well I can,' returned the soldier, “We are certainly fortunate in having
and catching the horses heads he wheeled fallen into your hands, if it was in-
the carriage short around, and barely tended that we should suffer such an
escaped turning it down the embank indignity as that,” said one of them.
ment.
"But our passport was granted without
Two of the pursuing party had been any conditions, and I can't understand
stationed a little in advance as soon as at all why we are not allowed to go on."
they came up to the carriage, evidently “It seems to be the fate of all the expe-
to watch and warn of any attempt at ditions to Richmond that originate in
rescue. Their great hurry indicated Yankee lines,” remarked the other
serious fears that a masked battery sister, "and I suppose we will have to
might open on them at any moment. submit to the disappointment as well as
“We are travelling under a pass from the rest."
Gen, Cluseret,” remonstrated one of the The officer smiled good-naturedly at
young ladies. “By whose authority are her audacity, saying:
we arrested, pray?”
"I think that Milroy must have or-
"That is none of your business, or dered this arrest. He suspects that as
mine either, for that matter," answered there were no conditions imposed, or
the fellow grufily.
oaths required, you go South freighted
The carriage was surrounded on all with a mail from the citizens of Win-
sides, and both the girls and driver were chester, and he hopes to capture it."
closely watched. Of course they could "He will be greatly disappointed.

CLUSERET IN THE SOUTH.
91
one."
Obtaining the pass as we did, we were || favorable moment to carry it out. The
especially careful to carry nothing that carriage was soon recognized, and the
had any reference to your army or their wondering citizens began to throng
movements. Indeed, the few letters around to find out the reason of its
that we have might, with perfect pro return, but none were allowed to come
priety, have been sent by 'flag of truce,' near enough to speak. Presently notice-
as they relate entirely to domestic mat ing an acquaintance, who stood very
ters."
near a point which they had to pass, one
Their conversation was necessarily of the sister's watched her opportunity.
carried on in an undertone and very and when she got very near leaned for-
cautiously, as the guard watched them ward from the carriage and said in her
closely.
loudest tones, "Tell sister to come
"If you haye anything at all on your to Milroy's headquarters." It was done
persons," said the officer, “that will be so suddenly that the guard did not have
apt to compromise you in any way I time to prevent it. But the one nearest
will take it and keep it for you until her put his hand on his pistol and shook
after you are searched, for Milroy is un his head in a threatening manner.
scrupulous, and would as soon send you They had now reached an imposing
to the 'Old Capitol as not."
looking building where Milroy had es-
At this the girls exchanged glances. tablished his headquarters, and as they
The officer had put himself in their passed through files of armed men their
power now undoubtedly.
friends, though pressing near, were not
"I have a pistol," said one of the girls, allowed to speak. They were conducted
"which is my own private property, and up two flights of stairs and ushered into
which I will not willingly resign to any a room where four or five officers were
assembled.
"I fear the consequences for you if it The girls walked in and took their
is found on your person,'' said he, "and seats in a dignified and fearless manner.
will take it and keep it for you until Conscious of no offence, they felt there
after you are released, if you will give it could be no cause for fear.
to me.”
"Is it asking too much to want to
"I can't very well get it off," she said, know the ground for this singular treat-
"without being seen, and it would cer ment, sir?'' said one of them, turning to
tainly place you in an ugly position if I Major McGee, a member of the staff.
am discovered giving it to you. Be "Madam," he replied, with an obse-
sides all that,'' she continued, "it would quious smile, “we have not been ad-
be an admission that I do wrong to wear vised of the General's reasons for this
it, which I am not willing to concede at arrest. They are doubtless well grounded
all. I thank you very much for your though.?"
kindness, but will keep it."
"You are suspected, and with good
Soon after this they reached Win reason, I imagine, to be carrying aid
chester and the carriage was driven first and comfort to the enemy,' said another
to the headquarters of Gen. Cluseret,
official.
who appeared in the parlor as soon as it "We have only what belongs to us, I
drove up, and in an excited manner and assure you."
unmeasured terms denounced the au "Assurances don't count much on
thority that had “overstepped the boun such occasions as these, madam; proofs,
dary of decency and civilized warfare." positive proofs, are the only things that
"Take ze ladies avay; dey have no of have any effect."
fense,” he continued, emphasizing his
A LITTLE TARTAR.
language all the time with angry gesticu-
lations.
At this point one of the girls opened
AT GEN. MILROY'S HEADQUARTERS.
her cloak and deliberately untying the
scarf which had been given a brother
They were then driven to the head-
on the battlefield in return for kind-
quarters of the heroic Gen. Milroy, by
ness shown by him to a Federal officer,
whose order the arrest had been made. and which confined the pistol around
They asked permission to send for an her waist, took them off and laid them
elder sister to be present at the inter on the table by which she sat. A sig-
view with Milroy, but the guard refused,
nificant smile passed around the faces of
saying: “Their orders were positive the officers.
that no intercourse should be al "Do you suppose for a moment that
lowed with outside parties." you will be allowed to keep that,
Whereupon one of the girls made madam?'' one of them asked, laughing.
a plan of her own, and only waited a I have no idea of resigning it I assure

92
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
DECLINING TO BE SEARCHED.
Now the two girls were sent, one at a
time, into an adjoining room. The offi-
cers did not say what for, but the first
one that went found crouched in the
farthest corner a figure with a welcome
black face.
“Why, aunty," she 'exclaimed, “what
am I sent in here for ???
"Lord knows, Miss; I is a heap wuss
skeered 'an you is, but the Gen'l told me
to see ef you all had any 'spatches 'bout
"Don't be too hard on unent it." an-
you.'
'
you. I merely take it off to show you
that I am not carrying concealed wea-
pons. If you would like a trophy of this
event, however, I have some military
caps in my trunk, which I have braided
for some 'rebel friends. You may keep
those, as I doubt your ability to get them
in any other way, and when I get South
I can make more. I doubtless will find
plenty more worn-out pantaloons, of
which I made the others.”
"Don't be too hard on us, Miss Reb., if
you please; you might repent it, an-
swered one of them maliciously.
The conversation was here interrupted
by the entrance of two soldiers, each of
whom had several pairs of cavalry boots
thrown across his shoulder. Depositing
them in a corner of the room they went
out again.
“You wouldn't be so willing to part
with the boots, maybe. They ain't so
easy made as caps, eh?'' said the officer
who had just spoken.
“As they don't belong to us, we have
no opinion about them,” answered one
of the girls.
"Oh, I expect they do," he answered,
in a tantalizing tone.
The door opened again; this time the
men brought in some boxes and placed
them alongside the boots.”
"Where did those things come from ?''
asked Maj. McGee.
“All come out of the carriage, sir,"
answered the man.
"Well, they do not belong to us, any-
how,” exclaimed one of the girls, ex-
citedly.
"Indeed, I assure you that we never
saw them before,” said the other.
"I am sorry for you, young ladies,
but you can't get out of it in that way."
"Do you suppose we are telling an
untruth?” they almost screamed in their
anger at the injustice done them. Both
girls felt now, for the first time, like
giving up to the tears which they had
been choking down for some time.
Their unfeigned looks of surprise, as
well as their protestations of innocence,
must have had some effect on the offi-
cers, who seemed to have resolved them-
selves into a court-martial over them.
One of them soon left the room, and pre-
sently the men who had brought the
things there returned and carried them
out again.
It afterwards transpired that the
things belonged to the driver, who had
secreted them in the carriage, to dispose
of them at big prices when he got into
"Dixie, where all such articles were at
a premium,
“Well, aunty, the girl answered,
"you will have to take my word for it,
because I wont submit to your searching
me." And so saying she quickly re-
turned to the next room, and the other
sister went through very much the same
interview. Upon returning to the room
the one who owned the pistol missed her
property from the table on which she
had laid it.
“What has become of my pistol?" she
asked at once.
"I turned it over to the General," said
Major McGee.
"Can't I see the General?" she asked.
"I am not going to resign it without a
a struggle to keep it, anyhow.??'
"I guess you can't see him, he an-
swered.
Just then the door opened, and their
sister, for whom they had sent so ab-
ruptly, came in.
Both girls now gave way to the tears
which they could no longer restrain, at
sight of a sympathizing friend.
"Why girls, she exclaimed, “what is
the meaning of all this? I am shocked,
amazed; sir," turning to one of the offi-
eers, "is nothing sacred in the eyes of
your officials? Is a pass from your
highest officer not a pledge of security,
at least until that pass is known to have
been violated? What civilized nation
under the sun would arrest two defence-
less girls, travelling under protection of
an official paper, and subject them to
such treatment as this, without positive
knowledge that some offence had been
committed on their part???
The officers did begin to look ashamed
of themselves.
"I have just left the room below here,
where I found, after searching, unaided
and rebuffed at every turn, your trunks
spread open, and being searched by the
officers, Gen. Milroy, himself, superin-
tending and assisting in the manly oc-
cupation.”
Is it possible, sister ?" exclaimed
both the girls.
"It is, indeed, a mortifying fact. I

CLUSERET IN THE SOUTH.
93
expressed my surprise at so unusual a curious ornament for a lady, but I guess
mode of proceeding, but they continued you can have it."
their search in my unwelcome presence He apparently realized that there was
until convinced that they contained no getting rid of so importunate a girl
nothing unusual in a young lady's out in any other way.
fit, when Milroy left the room a wiser, Major McGee now handed it to her,
but I am afraid not a better man." Then and thanking him, she said: "I do not
turning to the officer, “How much wear it as an ornament, General, but
longer is this to last, sir???
find it a necessary protection in the
"Not long, I sincerely hope, madam.! present state of the country.”
They were now thoroughly convinced Maj. McGee, who had seemed all
of the gross mistake they had made and along to regret the arrest, or as soon as
sought to atone for it. Presently Major it became evident that nothing on the
McGee returned and told them they were part of the girls had merited it, now
at liberty to go, and soon getting ready said: “General, can you not give these
he preceded them down stairs.
ladies a pass to go beyond your lines
"Am I not to have my pistol ?" asked now?''
the one to whom it belonged.
"Certainly,” said he, “I will," as if
"The General says he thinks he will anxious to get rid of them on any terms.
have to confiscate that, madam," he an "Thank you, General, but I think the
swered pleasantly.
next pass that carries us up the Valley
By what authority does he do it?'
will be signed by Gen. Jackson," said
she returned; "can't I at least see him one of them.
and ask him for it?"
"Do you suppose for a moment,” said
"I asked him to let me bring you to their elder sister, “that I would let them
him, but he declines to have an inter run the risk again that they have just
view,” said the Major.
passed?"
"Very well,” she said; but she had "But, madam, it would not occur
made up her mind to see Milroy before again,' said he.
she left the building.
"I am very sorry, sir; but I could
have no faith in any guarantee that you
FACE TO FACE WITH THE GENERAL.
could give me after this, so we will
She kept carefully in the rear of the bid you good morning and bide our
party as they came down the stairs, and
time."
So saying they left the apartment.
just opposite the foot of the first landing
The pistol was held aloft, as they reached
she noticed a door with Milroy's name the street below, in token of the victory
on it, and under it "private room.” they had gained, for througs of acquaint-
ances waited to hear the cause and result
Quick as thought her hand was on the
of this unwarranted arrest.
knob and the door open before any of
the party in front had an idea of it.
TRYING TO MAKE PEACE.
Sure enough there she stood face to face Milroy sent several times, offering
with this conquering hero. He stood on
the rug in front of the fire, and looked
them passes, transportation and an es-
in amazement from one to the other of cort, under flag of truce, to any point up
the party who had now joined her.
the Valley, but they invariably returned
"I came for my pistol, Gen. Milroy,"
the same answer that had first been
said the owner of it, in a tone of voice
which seemed to preclude the possi-
given to this offer: "That Gen. Jackson
bility of a doubt as to her getting it, and would sign their next passport up the
seeing it lying on one end of the mantel-
piece she advanced towards it as she Alas! they little knew that the im-
spoke.
mortal Jackson would never more re-
The old General was taken as com turn to his beloved Valley.
pletely by surprise as if a masked bat Major McGee was sent again to solicit
tery had been opened in his rear. He their acceptance of this offer, and upon
looked first at one and then the other, as again failing, he said: "Is there nothing
if to demand the cause of this intrusion, that I can do for you to show you how
when Major McGee came to the rescue.
heartily sorry I am for the whole affair.
The young lady insisted upon seeing and especially my part in it?"
you herself, General, and came in of her "Nothing at all," she said, but upon
own accord to see if she could not re reflection, added, "There is one thing.
cover her property.'
Major, I would like to write my father
"Well,'' jerked out the old General in a true account of how we have been
a spasmodic sort of a way, "it is all treated, and say all I think about it.
Valley.

94
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Would you promise to send the letter by || field. They had not the vaguest idea
'flag of truce ?'”
that a battle was impending. That Gen.
"I will," he replied, “with pleasure.”
“But," said she, "remember, if I say
Johnston would retreat toward Atlanta
all I think it will not be very compli and leave them in the lines they fully
mentary to a good many who wear the expected, and had made their arrange-
United States uniform. Gen. Milroy,
ments accordingly, sending off what
least of all, and if he sees the letter I
am sure it won't be sent at all.”
valuables they could and packing up
“He shall not see it, I promise, and it and storing away the balance. But that
shall go," said he.
he should halt at Resaca and make a
“Very well, I will venture it," she re-
desperate stand there astonished them.
plied.
“Is it impossible to convince you that And when they found that their home
I mean what I say?" he answered im would be in the battlefield, that their
patiently.
very house would be hotly contested for,
“Well, Major, it is right hard, I con-
fess, to convince me that any good thing
as it was a large, strong building stand-
can come out of Nazareth, after the ex ing on a hill, commanding two fords,
perience we have just had.” But, as the and it would therefore be impossible to
sequel proves, she did him an injustice,
remain in it, they were filled with dis-
for she wrote an account of it to her
father, and such a one as would never
may. When should they go? All their
have gone under an ordinary flag of stock and vehicles of every sort had
truce. She sent it sealed to Major Mc-
been sent off, so they could not ride
Gee himself, and her father certainly
received it, just as it was written. So
away. And it was impossible for an old
he kept his word, making one of the ex man and a lot of delicate woman to
ceptions which proved the rule that she march perhaps for miles. Even if they
had applied to the majority.
could stand the march, where should
GENERAL CLUSERET'S RESIGNATION.
they go?
It became apparent now why Milroy
All day long we had been running out
had shown such anxiety to have these
to the fence to see the troops pass by
young ladies go South. Gen. Cluseret,
and to speak to any friends who might
who had given them the pass, made use
chance to be among them. By them we
of such language to his superior officer
were assured that a fight on the morrow
because the pass that he had given had was inevitable, and their distress at our
been dishonored that he caused him to
dangerous position did not tend to raise
be placed under arrest. Whereupon he
our spirits. By night we found our-
(Cluseret) resigned and demanded an
selves in the midst of a camp. The light
investigation and sent the officer who
of the camp-fires lit up the horizon far
had so kindly befriended the girls at and wide, and the hum of thousands of
the picket post and afterwards to re-
human voices was like the roaring of a
quest them to appear as witnesses in his mighty sea. By to-morrow night how
behalf. But their friends, fearing they
many of these voices will be stilled,
might become further involved, de I thought; and indeed how many of us
clined to allow them to appear, and will be left?
Gen. Cluseret left the United States
My musings were interrupted by the
army finally, because he had not joined
arrival of my friend's son. Capt.
it, he said, to fight against women.
Mitchell was in the engineer corps and
had been busy all day laying pontoon
bridges across the Oostanaula River at
No. 18. Eight Mlles Under Fire. Resaca. He was tired and jaded; but,
full of anxiety. he had come to inquire
what his father expected to do, and was
(By a Georgia Woman.)
appalled to learn that they all contem-
plated remaining in the house.
On the 14th and 15th of May, 1864, the
battle of Resaca took place. I was stay-
IN A PERILOUS POSITION.
ing at the time with some friends on "You will all be killed !” he said, in
their farm, nearly two miles north of | horror.
the village, but on what afterwards “Where shall we go ?” they asked.
proved to be a hotly contested part of the l “Suppose you go down to the river

EIGHT MILES UNDER FIRE.
95
and get under the bluff. That will be a
men. Capt. Mitchell was frantic to be
capital hiding-place."
off, but his sisters insisted that they
The river, like most mountain streams, must stop a moment to pick up "their
had very high banks.
things."
"Yes, but if the Yankees try and "Thing's !'' he cried. “Is this a time
cross there, as it is likely they will, to talk of things? The fight may com-
said one of his sisters, "we might be
mence at any moment, and can you all
caught by an enfilading fire and so perish ride two or three miles under fire ?"
miserably like rats in a hole. No, if we "I'll be ready in a moment,” said one
must die let us die above ground."
of his sisters, looking up from a large
“Yes," rejoined another, in an aside trunk she was hurriedly packing with
to me, "I might fall into the river and china and dresses.
get drowned. I always was afraid of Just then the sudden “boom” of a
water."
cannon was heard.
Then the distracted captain proposed "Good Lord !'' cried the Captain, leap-
that we should all lie down on the side ing as if shot. There! the fight has
of a neighboring hill and so escape the commenced !” and taking up an arm-
shot and shell. But some one suggested ful of clothing he threw it into the trunk,
that our troops, in charging, might run dashed down the lid, and turning to the
over us and trampie us to death; and so drivers, cried: “Here, put it in the
we would all be slain by the hands (or wagon."
rather feet) of our friends. With a deep The sister had no idea of giving up
groan he acknowledged this danger, and her beloved things, but she saw it was
as a last suggestion proposed that we useless to contest the point with him, so
should lie down on the floor close to the she resorted to subterfuge.
wall. As he seemed so distressed we "You had better look after mother,”
all promised, though we knew none of she suggested. “I'll bet she is turning
us were going to do it. Indeed, one of round and round and doing nothing."
his sisters confided to me that she in The Captain fell into the snare and
tended to get up on the fence and stay hurried out of the room.
there, and see all that she could see; "Here,'' cried she to the men, “drop
that she had long desired to witness a that trunk. I'll not send it off half
battle, and this was her chance.
packed, battle or no battle."
Then the unhappy captain bade his The two soldiers surveyed her with
family adieu, neither ever expecting to grins of admiration at her pluck. The
see the other again. His mother was war of artillery and the sharp rattle of
quite overwhelmed at the parting. She musketry filled the air. Hastily open-
was the most timid creature I ever saw, ing the trunk, she hurriedly packed it,
and had sat all this time in a state of and had just filled it to the top when
collapse; but I believe now she was her brother was heard approaching.
more distressed at the danger her son "Hurry, hurry!” cried she to the
must run on the morrow than of any she men, "or the Captain will catch you. I
might encounter. At last, worn out and am more afraid of him at present than
weary, we fell asleep, and slept soundly of all the cannon.''
till the roar of the human sea the next In the meantime Capt. Mitchell had
morning aroused us. It must have found his mother turning round and
been nearly 8 o'clock when, as I was round, too frightened to do much,
talking to some soldiers, I spied though she had found time to pack her
Capt. Mitchell galloping up, followed bureau drawers with valuables to be
by two army wagons that Gen. Johnston left, and which she never saw again.
had kindly loaned him.
This work done, with her Bible and a
large turkey-tail fan, from which she
A HURRIED FLIGHT.
was never known to be separated sum-
"Pack up and come away at once," he mer or winter, she stood ready to de-
part, praying and fanning herself; and if
said. "The fight will begin directly and
her daughters had not looked after
you will then have to ride under fire."
her clothing she would not have had a
I had been offering my services to a change to her back.
surgeon as a field-hospital nurse, but at
Luckily the girls were as brave and cool
as their mother was faint-hearted and
this news I ignominiously forsook him
excited, and in an incredible short time
to pack up my things, and I never saw had affairs in marching order. As very
either him or his hospital afterwards. few trunks could be put into the wagon,
Even in the hurry of flight I could but every sack and pillow-case was pressed
notice that the instinctive love of prop-
into service, and garment after garment
erty is much greater in women than in ll was rolled up into tight balls and

96
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
crammed down into them, and these cannonading. They looked mournfully
bags were then packed into the wagon. at us as we rode by. Then something
jostled the wagon, some one lost their
THE FOUR TABBY CAPTAINS.
balance-it may have been one of the
The demand for bags, of course, was cat captains-and in the confusion an
elbow was thrust into the looking-glass
great, and as there was no time to look
breast-plate and shivered it, so the frag-
for them an amusing scene took place
ments were cast out. The line of vet-
between one of the ladies and her niece, erans broke, the men darted forward to
old Mrs. Mitchell's pet grandchild, a secure the bits of glass, and eagerly
girl of eight or ten, who, far from con scanned such little strips of their faces
cerning herself to save anything of as they could see.
value, had appropriated one of the val The little village of Resaca is situated
uable bags for the use of four gray kit at the junotion of two mountain rivers,
tens, named after four Confederate cap which here fiow together and form the
tains of her acquaintance. With this Oostanaula. This river was spanned by
great treasure she was marching off, a fine railroad bridge, and for these
when her aunt spied her and capturing reasons Resaca had been considered as a
the bag, indignantly tilted the four tabby strategic point of considerable impor-
captains out, who joyfully scampered tance, and had been closely guarded for
away.
a long time. The line of hills which
"Are not your grand-parents clothes surrounded the village bristled with for-
of more value than four cats !" she tifications. At the foot of one of these
scornfully demanded, when the little chains stretched a little plateau, and on
girl made a tearful remonstrance.
this ran both railroad and dirt road. As
In answer to Capt. Mitchell's cry to our heavily laden wagons jogged slowly
make haste, as the firing had com along a 'shell flew over the breastworks
menced along the line, and if they did and sailed toward us. It was still some
not hurry they would be forced to ride distance from us when a little stream of
for miles under fire, the household sal white smoke issued from it. Old Mrs.
lied forth, all the ladies with something Mitchell had never seen one of the
in their hands, looking very much like pernicious things, and it attracted her
people flying from a house on fire-old favorable notice.
Mrs. Mitchell with her Bible and turkey “What is that up there with the white
tail fan, and her granddaughter with smoke?'' she calmly demanded.
another sack containing the four cat As has been said before the old lady
captains, whom she had run down and was nervous and timid, and had she
captured. They were mewing and known the dangerous nature of the
scratching, and were a very disagreeable object of her admiration she might have
piece of baggage to sit near, as they taken a fit. After jumping to the con-
clawed everything within reach.
clusion that it was too far off to hurt us
One of the sisters, it should be men some one informed her that it was only
tioned, was so thoughtless as to come a shell.
forth empty-handed.
"Ah!" said the old lady, “is that so.
"Are you carrying off nothing?'' the Why, they are very pretty things."
others demanded reproachfully.
Here the driver turned round in his
A bashed she fled back into the de saddle and surveyed us, but I have no
serted house, and snatching up a large idea whether he thought we were heroes
looking-glass, for which she had no or idiots. His contemplations were in-
manner of use, clasped it in her arms terrupted by an officer leaping on the
after the manner of a breastplate, and breastworks and shouting, “Double-
sallying forth in this dazzling armor, quick that wagon! Double-quick it!”
climbed to her place on top of the bag A little farther on we met a squad of
gage in the wagon.
horsemen. They proved to be Gen.
At last every one, servants and all, Polk and his staff, and Capt. Mitchell,
were packed in the wagons and we who was serving under him, rode up
started off.
beside his father to speak to him.
JOGGING THROUGH THE LINES.
THE WARRIOR PRIEST.
For about two miles the dirt road and It was the first time I had ever seen
railroad ran close together. Drawn up the warrior priest, and it was also the
along the railroad was a line of soldiers || last, for he was killed during this cam-
waiting for their time to take a hand in
He was a
man,
the ball, which was now being opened and I will never forget the courteous
at Resaca, two miles away, by a grand | grace with which he bared his head and

EIGHT MILES UNDER FIRE.
97
passed.
bowed in token of sympathy as well and then involuntarily at a shell flying
over head.
"Where are you to cross the river, She was so busy tattling to the Cap-
Captain ?'' he asked.
tain that she had not noticed it.
At the lower pontoon, General. I “And your sisters, how are they?!!
think it the safest.”
“Very well, I thank you," he said po-
We had not gone very far before one litely, not wishing to be outdone in cool-
of his aides came flying after us.
ness.
"The General says you had better "And our friends, the Turners-have
cross at the upper bridge. The firing is you seen them lately?"
not so hot there."
He gazed at her in astonishment. The
As we rode through Resaca the little forest trees around were being riddled
village seemed fairly to rock from the by shot and shell, but she was so busy
tremedous cannonading. Many of its talking about her neighbors she did
houses had been struck.
not notice them, their whistling sound
When we reached the pontoon bridge being drowned in the louder noise of
it was thought best that we should dis the cannonading. Men were lying
mount and cross on foot, and it fell to around wounded and dying, but she did
my lot to escort Mrs. Mitchell over. No not see very well, and she probably con-
sooner had we started than a Federal cluded that they had assumed those nos
battery not far off opened fire upon us. tures to escape being hurt. I believe
The soldiers on the opposite side of the had she known the real state of the case
river, protected by the high railroad she would have died of fright.
embankment, became quite frantic at While she was prattling thus with her
our danger and kept screaming to us to old friend I noticed a little group not
"Run! run, ladies! for God's sake run, far off-a squad of soldiers with a woman
and get over here."
in their midst, and a horse with a side-
All of this was lost on old Mrs. saddle on it, standing near. I judged
Mitchell. She could not hear what they that she had just ridden there, for she
said for the roar of the cannonading to stood, with her face dropped in her
which she had now become accustomed. hands, by the side of a man who lay
Neither did she know that we were stiff and stark upon the ground; while
under fire, though the balls were splash the group around, by their looks and
ing in the water on each side of us. She gestures, testified their sympathy. Did
did not see very well, so she did not she come too late? I wondered.
notice them, and no one felt called upon While I thus mused the wagons crossed
to draw her attention to the fact. She and we were hurried into them and con-
objected to running, preferring to walk; tinued our flight till we reached Cal-
so taking her by the hand we ambled houn, some six miles distant, being
along. Half way across we passed a kept on the alert all the way by the
soldier on guard, whereupon she stopped shells crashing among the tree-tops.
to ask him if there was any danger On reaching Calhoun it seemed almost
there. He was a stolid looking fellow, as if we had jumped from the frying-pan
but he fairly gaped at her; language into the fire, as the town was being
failed him. Before he could find his shelled and the citizens were flying for
tongue I hurried her on, declaring their lives in every direction. A fierce
that "it was against orders to fight was going on. The Federal cavalry
speak to the guard.” For I knew that were trying to cross the river and the
if she ever discovered the danger she Confederates were trying to prevent
was in, her knees would give way under them. We could stand in the street and
her, and I would have the pleasure of witness the fray, as the town was right
carrying her the rest of the way.
down on the river. But here we had to
give up our wagons, so we all dis-
THE GOSSIPING OLD LADY.
mounted, glad to be relieved from our
At last we reached the other bank and
cramped position, and from the four
were under cover of the railroad em-
cat captains, who had escaped from their
bag and had been disporting themselves
bankment. Then the officer in charge
on the backs and shoulders of the com-
of the pontoon came up to speak to us. pany. We took refuge in a little de-
He was an old friend Mrs. Mitchell had serted house from which every one had
not seen for years, and she greeted him fled.
cordially.
Excitement is a very good tonic, but
"How do you do, Capt. Harris? I am it can't keep one up forever. We had no
so glad to see you. How is your wife?" I breakfast and were all extremely hun-
"She is very well,” said the astonished | gry. The cook, provident soul, ha
Captain, looking first at the old lady I come off with a large basket of bread.
13

98
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
self."
Some other thoughtful creature, just || fence, or any where else that we could
before our flight, had turned all the I get a good sight of the fighting going on.
milk into the water bucket, thinking We could be in no more danger in one
thus to save both. This idea had met place than another, and preferred to be
with Capt. Mitchell's warm approval as shot out of doors to have the roof come
he chased up and down the house, hur crashing down upon our heads. As for
rying everybody.
Daisy, who had so long desired to see a
"A very good notion,” said he, “I'll battle, she hung upon the gate, and
see to that being taken care of, my being anxious to help in the good cause,
handed water to every thirsty Soldier
So the milk was consigned to his who passed. It was really strange to
charge, and when every one clamorously see how many of them were athirst.
demanded these viands, the captain Commonness of interest did away with
said he would enjoy a drink of milk. ceremony. We frequently asked how
“I take great credit to myself for say went the fight, and many a soldier,
ing it,” he added complacently.
taking pity on us after seeing our
The cook produced the bread. The anxious faces, tried to cheer us with
milk, ah ! where was it? Nowhere to hopes of victory.
be found ! The last known of it was when Daisy, who was very young and ro-
it was seen on the hall table just before mantic, was thrown into ecstacies of ad-
we left home, and I make no doubt miration over a handsome young caya-
some thirsty Confederate had long since lier, who, half reining in his galloping
consumed it. A battery of reproach steed, with a graceful wave of his gaunt-
ful eyes were leyelled on the captain, leted hand, cried, "Don't be alarmed,
who looked extremely foolish.
ladies, we will defend you !
“You would never have made a good "Oh! is he not a brave defender !'' she
butter-milk ranger. You are unfit for cried, using a cant phrase of the time.
the position,” said Daisy severely as she Soon after there jogged by the rough-
sorrowfully devoured her dry bread. est sort of a cavalryman, who, wishing
to throw in his meed of sympathy,
STILL UNDER FIRE.
drawled out in a harsh, nasal voice,
But the fury of the fight around us "Skeered, gals ???
soon diverted our minds from our
"He is also a brave defender,” said I,
as Daisy turned away in disgust.
private sorrows.
Some officers climbed a very high hill
HOMELESS REFUGEES.
in front of our little house for the pur • After two days anxious waiting in
pose of reconnoitering, and the Federals Calhoun for the battle to be over that we
opened fire on them in fine style. The might return bome, we learned with dis-
shells came whistling over our heads may that Gen. Johnston was slowly re-
striking the houses and shivering the
treating, and found ourselves numbered
trees across the way, causing the officers
to beat a hasty retreat. As for old Mrs.
among the vast army of homeless refu-
Mitchell, I thought she would have had gees. The home we expected to return
a spasm. It was the first time she to in two days we never saw again for
realized she was in any danger. As two years, and then it had been swept of
every shell burst, she leaped up crying, everything and was in ruins.
“Lord preserve me!" and as they burst Journeying on the trains with the sick
every minute or two, she came nearer and wounded soldiers we at last reached
obeying the Bible injunction to "pray M— , where kind friends welcomed
without ceasing? than any one I have us. Mrs. Mitchell, recovering from her
ever seen. By night the dear old lady ll. fright and fatigue, discovered that she
was very sick, and we were all feeling was a war-worn veteran. She also
quite auxious about her.
learned with great surprise that her trip
Early in the day Capt. Mitchell left us, from home to Calhoun was a far more
after giving strict orders that we were dangerous affair than her disagreeable
to remain closely indoors, and not ex experiences in that village, and as it was
pose ourselves to the gaze of the soldiery, far pleasanter to think of, she was never
who constantly passed to and fro before weary of saying to the gaping old ladies
the door. As he seemed very anxious who came to see her, while she gently
and worried, we thought it best to fanned herself with the turkey-tail fan,
faithfully promise to obey him; but "And I actually ma'am rode eight miles
just as soon as we made sure he under fire!"
was out of sight we sallied | “And never knew it,” I wanted to add,
forth and stationed ourselves upon the Il but didn't.

THE FALL OF RICHMOND.
99
No. 19.-The Fall of Richmond.
However, out of our very scantiness
we sometimes made good jokes. Usually
there would be but one cook for the
(By Virginia E. Dade, of Washington, D. C.) entire household, a colored woman who
would cook often for five or six differ-
The spring of 1865 found my younger
ent families, and it was wonderful how
sister Fanny and myself living at the she would keep the different lots of pro-
corner of Franklin and — streets, visions separate, always making for
Richmond, Virginia. We were room-
each family a loaf of bread hot for break-
fast every morning, and sending up to
keeping there, and in the same house each the exact quantity of fiour or num-
lived twelve or fifteen other ladies and a ber of potatoes sent down to her. I re-
member though one yery ludicrous mis-
few gentlemen, mostly wounded and
take which occurred in this connection.
discharged soldiers, or men otherwise
I had given out for dinner for my sister
incapacitated for duty in the field, and and myself two slices of ham, two large
who were now serving in the various sweet potatoes and a cup of rice; our
Government departments in the city.
dinner was served, and my sister had
just helped herself to one of the potatoes
As "room-keeping” is a term and and broken it open when a little mulatto
mode of life which had its origin in the girl came running in, in eager haste, ex-
war, some explanation may be neces-
claiming: “Aunt Chany say how dat
Mis Brown tater you got !” And sure
sary. Richmond was so crowded by the
enough on looking at the smoking tuber,
women and children who had sought which Fannie was at that moment rais-
refuge there when their homes were
ing to her mouth, I found that it was a
red skinned “tater," while all that I had
taken possession of by the advancing
bought were vellow. However, the
Federal forces, that rents soon became mischief was quickly remedied, the
incredibly high, and it was rarely the pieces placed together and carried to
case that a single family, even of
Mrs. Brown, and in the one which she
sent back I readily recognized, by its
large means, could afford to occupy
rotund shape, my own golden "sweet.
a whole house to themselves, and
even the mansions of the rich were
A MEMORABLE SUNDAY.
pointed at with indignation and con Sunday was always a day prolific of
tempt if they were known to have one
startling rumors, owing, I suppose, to
unoccupied chamber while so many
homeless refugees were begging for shel-
persons on that day being idle and prone
ter. Consequently a house of average to collect in groups at street corners and
size would usually contain from two to other convenient places of rendezvous,
six families, each occupying one, two or and any little passing spark of a report
three rooms, and each having their own of a battle, a retreat, or any other mili-
private table, but all using a common tary movement was soon caught and
parlor when the guests to be entertained fanned into a flame, gathering in yolume
were not intimate enough to be brought as it flew from street to street.
to the family room. We had to practice On the memorable Sunday, 2d April,
the closest economy even in the veriest 1865, having been kept from church by
necessaries of life, counting out the pota the illness of my sister, about the time that
toes for dinner and the grains of coffee I supposed the congregations would be
for breakfast, when we were so fortunate dispersing from their various places of
dispersing stopped to the door to inquire
as to have the grains to count.
My sister and I always managed to from any passing acquaintance the news
have a slice of meat apiece once a day,
from the front;" for all that day and
yet, if an unexpected visitor came in the for many previous the battle had been
slices would have to be judiciously cut a raging around Petersburg, and the
little thinner to make them "go around.” distant roar of artillery had been
The necessity for such economy will be sounding in our ears the death-knell.
l'eadily understood when I quote from we feared, of many of our loved and
my book of household expenses, March, loving ones, and what was scarcely less
1865, one barrel flour $300, one pound
dear to us, the fate of the Southern
coffee $40, one pound butter $25, one Confederacy” was hanging in the bal-
pound beefsteak $13, &c., &c. At the lance. At any moment we might hear
same time we were paying $80 a pair for
either a shout of triumph brought from
shoes and $4 or $5 apiece for spool
our victorious army, or the news of a
cotton.
Il defeat which would be the crushing out

100
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
of our last hope, for on Gen. Lee's suc- || the dreadful communication I had to
cess there we all felt depended the life of Il make. On reaching Mrs. Wright's door
our young nation.
I found her running from room to room,
The first person I saw at the door was wringing her hands, tearing her hair,
a fellow-lodger, Miss Bowers, who came and crying, “Oh, my poor child! and
tottering up the steps, pale and agitated, her father not here to protect us! and
exclaiming: "Oh! have you heard the they say the black wretches are in the
dreadful news? Gen. Lee's right flank very front of Grant's army, and will
has given way; he has been compelled rush into the city before any decent
to retreat, and Richmond is to be evac white men are here to restrain them !
uated immediately! While Dr. Hoge Oh! what is to become of us??
was in the midst of his sermon a mes Meanwhile her lovely daughter Lulu,
senger came hurriedly into the church, a beautiful girl of sixteen, was clinging
walked up the aisle, handed him a note, to her mother, and begging her not to
and quickly left. Dr. Hoge glanced weep so, for she did not believe that all
anxiously over the mysterious paper, Yankees were as bad as people said they
bowed his head for a moment in silence were, and that may be Gen. Lee would
on his desk, then rising, said: drive them back yet.
‘Brethren, trying scenes are before us. “Oh! my child, you don't know what
Gen. Lee has been defeated; but re you are talking about, and have little
member that God is with us in the idea what is before us."
storm as well as in the calm. Go quietly Finding I could say nothing to com-
to your homes, and whatever may be in fort her I helped myself to the brandy,
store for us let us not forget that we are and hastening home gave it to my sis-
Christian men and women, and may | ter, and then broke the news to her as
the protection and blessing of the gently as I could.
Father, Son and Holy Ghost be with
you all.' Tearfully, for the congrega-
LOOKING FOR THE YANKEES.
tion was composed almost exclusively My married sister, Mrs. Carter, with
of women and children, but with a
|| her little daughter Daisy, four years old,
silence that told more than words the
intensity of their feelings, they all left
and an infant of four weeks was then
the church.”
living a few squares from us, her hus-
Next came Mrs. Porter from St. Paul's band being at the front with Gen. Lee.
Church, crying “Oh! Miss Lucy, have Thinking we could better bear what
you heard that the city is to be evacu was before us when we were all together
ated immediately and the Yankees will to comfort and strengthen each other, I
be here before morning? While we brought her and her little ones around
were in church a horseman dashed up to our room. There we sat all huddled
to the door, dismounted, and entering together in almost breathless suspense;
went up the aisle and handed a paper to our thoughts one moment being with
the President, then spoke in a whisper the absent dear ones, of whose fate we
to some members of the Cabinet who had not, nor could we hope soon to have
were there and they all arose and went the slightest tidings; the next filled
out. What can it all mean? and what is with terrible forebodings of what
to become of us poor defenceless might be before us. All through the af-
women, God only knows !”
ternoon friends and neighbors were run-
"Don't be so desponding, Mrs. Por ning in and out, bringing fresh rumors,
ter,” said I. “I don't believe they are some hopeful, some des pairing. About
going to evacuate, for that has been the four o'clock we heard an ominous
false report so often, it is nothing but “boom," "boom," "boom" like the sound
one of our Sunday rumors.”
of artillery nearer than any that we had
"Ah! my child, no! The calamity has previously heard. For a moment oui
indeed come upon us at last; I feel that hearts almost ceased to beat. We thought
it is true.”
the enemy must be very close at hand,
Though I spoke hopefully and tried and as the booming continued various
to look as if I did not believe the rumor, conjectures were made as to what quarter
a nervous shiver came over me and my we might look for their approach, some
limbs were so tremulous and weak tnat thinking the sound came from one direc-
I thought I should fall. Asking Mrs. tion and some from just the opposite one.
Porter to sit with my sick sister, to pre In order to hear more distinctly, Mrs.
vent any one from breaking the news || Porter and I stepped to the door to listen;
suddenly to her before I came back, I hearing it much more plainly outside,
ran down to the house of a neighbor, we followed on in the direction whence
Mrs. Wright, to ask for a little brandy it seemed to proceed, until we reached a
to give my sister to enable her to bear ll neighboring stable door, when, to our

THE FALL OF RICHMOND.
101
great amusement, we found that it was my sister and they were much shocked
nothing but the kicking of a horse against at her pale and emaciated face. Scarce a
his stall, which certainly sounded enough word was spoken, but each knew full
like the distant firing of a cannon to de well the sad forebodings that filled the
ceive any but the most practiced ear. hearts of the others. One of them
Another incident, which gave us the dropped on his knee beside the bed, and
luxury of a smile even at this gloomy taking the little thin white hand in his
crisis, I must here relate. Seeing the he lifted it to his lips and pressed upon
it a silent and tearful adieu, and they
household was thrown by the news that were gone, to meet us in this life again
the "Yankees?? were coming, our little nevermore.
mulatto maid Lettie, while sympathiz Left to ourselves our first thought was
ing with the alarm and distress of her that it would be well to sit up all night
to be ready to meet the first warning of
derstand exactly what the threatened
evil was. So, anxious to get a little light cided that the best preparation for the
on the mysterious subject, she crept morrow, which we felt was to be one of
shyly up to my side and whispered tim those days that try men's souls,'' would
idly: "Miss Lucy, what sort o' looking be to gain all the strength and refresh-
things is Yankees? Does dey have
horns? 'Cause, ef dey does, I seen one sleep were possible. So kneeling we
on 'em at de show, and he had a tail like offered our united prayers for Divine
a cow." Her little brain was evidently protection through the darkness of the
sadly confusing Yankees and buffaloes. night, and the probably still darker
All through the day the various gen scenes awaiting us, supplemented by
tlemen belonging to the house had been little Daisy's lisping petition, "Dod bess
running in to get their haversacks, can dear papa, and bing him home safe to
teens, blankets, &c., with a view to fol mama and me:") and then we sought our
lowing the retreating army, and each couches, though we all remained in one
one would be besieged by the crowd of room for mutual comfort and protection.
ladies with eager cries of: "Oh, Mr. A., I suppose we must have been completely
do you believe they are going to evacu exhausted by the mental and physical
ate?" or "Mr. B., have you any idea excitement and fatigue of the day; for as
where Gen. Lee will make a stand ?" I have heard is often the case with a
But we would only receive the unsatis criminal on the night before his execu-
factory answer: "We know nothing pos tion, we soon fell into a profound slum-
itively but that we are ordered to pack ber, though our last waking thoughts
up all the public documents as a pre were filled with visions of black-faced,
cautionary measure."
blue-coated ruffians, with savage yells
and gleaming sabres.
A SAD FAREWELL.
It seemed as if but a few moments had
Just at nightfall two soldier friends passed when we were awakened by the
whose duties had detained them in the
most awful and terrific sound that has
ever sent the life-blood curdling to my
city till that moment, came to bid us
heart. It appeared to me, in the excited
good-bye, for they were then hastening state of my nerves, and in the pitchy
to the train which was awaiting the darkness which comes just before dawn,
President and staff five miles out of the to be nothing less than "the wreck of
city. They asked if they might have matter and the crush of worlds.” For a
the privilege of going into the room to moment after there was a death-like
say good-bye to Miss Fannie, for we stillness; not a word was spoken, though
each felt that the others were awake.
"Certainly,” said I, for this was no Even little Daisy only nestled more
time to regard empty conventionalities, closely to her mother's side, and seemed
and I led them to her bedside. It was a intuitively to feel that this was no com-
mon calamity. The first sound that
suits of grey, armed and equipped with all broke the stillness was the ejaculation
they could carry for a long and perilous
banishment, looking desperate and de Southern Confederacy! and all the blood-
termined, but with eyes moistened at shed and suffering of our poor soldiers
thoughts of the defenceless women and gone for naught!
children they were leaving behind them.
"BLUE COATS" ON THE STREETS.
these two men entered the chamber of
illness which we feared was even shad-
From that time, 4 o'clock A. M., there
owed by the death angel's wing. It had was no more sleep for us, for explosion
been many weeks since they had seen I followed explosion in quick succession

102
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
all through the day. It seems that the Il piring, for little realizing the situation
retreating soldiers had put slow-matches they rather enjoyed the novelty and ex-
to all the government storehouses, arse citement of the occasion.
nals, &c., and the fire was now reaching
them one after the other. About 7
THE CITY IN FLAMES.
o'clock it reached the armory, where, I About 9 o'clock the terror-stricken
am told, there were lying 75,000 bomb-
face of Chany appeared at the door, she
shells, and those who have only heard
these explode one at a time can form but
crying in dismay, “Oh! Miss Lucy, de
little conception of the pandemonium town burnin' up! And so indeed it
when dozens are bursting at once for was. The first sight that met my eyes
hours in succession. One shock was so on reaching the front door was Dr.
violent that we thought the house had Reed's (Presbyterian) Church, corner of
been struck, for the window-shades were 8th and Franklin streets, enveloped in
knocked from their fastenings and fell flames, and in a few minutes the fiery
to the floor with a terrible crash, and tongues had lapped up and around
poor Fannie, with the supernatural the steeple, which they encircled
strength of terror, sprang from her bed in a serpent-like coil, fascinating
and fell prostrate and fainting many my gaze with its fatal beauty, till it
feet from it, and the still burning fuse swayed, tottered a moment, and then
from a shell was picked up in the yard. fell with a terrible crash where it had
Our toilets that morning were very stood for half a century like a sentinel
hasty, and we were just making on the watch tower of Zion, and it
a feint to eat our ill-cooked break seemed to my excited fancy to exclaim
fast, for poor Chany was the most ter with its dying wail, like Montcalm at
rified of the family, and persistently de the fall of Quebec, “Thank God! I will
clared her belief that "de judgment day not live to see the city in the hands of
done come,'' when about a quarter-past the enemy. Casting my eyes to the
7 Eddie Mills, a boy about 12 years old, south and southeast I beheld the most
came running into the room exclaiming: sublimely awful spectacle that it has
"The Yankees are coming! I went to ever been my fortune to witness-the
the front door to ascertain if this was whole city in that direction seemed one
really so. It was true indeed; for there, sheet of fire, while dark clouds of smoke
riding quietly up the street and looking hung like a pall over the scene, and
cautiously and inquiringly about them, Tolled in vast volumes to the north and
were two cavalry officers, the first “blue west. Every moment the devouring
coats" I had seen, except as prisoners of monster seemed coming nearer and
war, since a happy, light-hearted girl, nearer to the place where I stood, and
I bad danced with them at “Old Point where the old frame buildings offered
Comfort to the music of the military tempting food for its ravenous maw;
band, little dreaming in my thoughtless even now it did not appear to be more
glee that the time would ever come when than two blocks off. One frightful fea-
I would regard those same "charming ture in the scene, investing it with
officers' as my own and my country's an almost unearthly horror, was the
bitterest foes; but "times change and death-like silence that prevailed.
we change with them." However, No cries of fire, no ringing of
these two looked very harmless, and, a fire bells, no rattling by of en-
little surprised to find that their sabres, gines, not even the shrieks of women
instead of being drawn and carried and children, for all seemed dumb
naked and threatening, merely hung with terror, and shrank pale
peacefully in their scabbards, I felt and mute into their dwellings.
much relieved, and took a cheering re- | Ho
- How I longed for one loud manly cry of
port to the eager listeners in the back fire, or one clang of a fire bell to break
room.
the dreadful spell. But there was noth-
Very soon after we were told that ing but the eloquent silence to tell us
there was a soldier with a gun standing that our beautiful city would soon be in
by our front steps who, on inquiry, ruins, and the voiceless helplessness
proved to be a guard stationed there by was almost suffocating. .
the Union authorities; for to their credit The reason that up to this time no
be it spoken, the first act of the Federal effort had been made to check the pro-
commander on entering the city was to gress of the fire was that every Confed-
place a guard at every street corner for erate male not maimed, halt or blind,
the protection of person and property. except those in charge of the sick, had
Every few minutes the children of the left the city the evening before, and the
household were running in with ac Federals just coming in had not had
counts of everything that was trans- | time to organize a fire department, nor

THE FALL OF RICHMOND.
103
knew yet where to find the engines or || and rolling over our heads, the silent
any of the appliances for suppressing and deserted appearance of the streets as
the flames. As soon as possible, how we passed along, and the novel and re-
ever, they went to work and by blasting markable aspect of my little squad of
and all the means within their reach foragers, as we trudged timidly but reso-
did their utmost to save the city, and lutely on, presented a scene worthy of a
thanks to their efforts the fire was better pen than mine.
kept chiefly within the business quar On our route we saw sights to make a
ter; so that comparitively few homes toper's heart ache; for in the gutters in
were destroyed, though we had numer several places flowed streams of wines,
ous alarms from the falling of cinders whiskeys and brandies, the hoardings
or burning brands upon our house, of loving mothers and other provident
which did actually take fire three times, women for the use of the soldier boys
and it was with the utmost difficulty ex who might be brought home sick or
tinguished by the little water that wounded; these were now poured out
women and children could carry up in into the streets for fear they might fall
pails from the hydrant in the yard to into the hands of plunderers, and make
the skylight in the roof.
them indeed the ruffians we so much
Little Eddie Mills quite distinguished dreaded. One bottle, however, I res-
himself by the heroism with which he cued for the use of my sick sister, and
kept his place on the roof, with the kept afterwards hid in a little cuddy to
burning coals falling all around him, which there was no access except by
for we had stationed him there with a means of a ladder, though all these pre-
broom to keep wet the blankets spread cautions proved to have been unneces-
over the shingle roof; and nobiy did sary, for the privacy of our home, or of
this young “Casabianca” stand to his any other to my knowledge, was never
post till the danger was past, for intruded upon. B
he was, he well knew, the eldest On reaching with my little band my
male in a household of twenty-five sister's deserted house I found the walls
persons, and seeming to feel his re already hot to the touch from the close
sponsibility, he gallantly refused to be proximity of the fire, and haste was im-
relieved by the various ladies who perative, so seizing two hams I placed
offered to take his broom from him. one upon the shoulder of each of my two
But there was a spice of the ludicrous, youngest assistants, then spread a table-
too, even amid these awful scenes. The cloth upon the floor, into which I threw
fire at one time seemed rapidly ap pell-mell tea, coffee, sugar, spices, dried
proaching the block where my sister, apples, black-eyed peas, infants' cloth-
Mrs. Carter, lived, and where her store ing, shoes, &c., &c., which, as it may be
room was pretty well filled for war supposed, presented a most incongruous
times with provisions which her hus and ludicrous medley on being reopened.
band had collected for their sustenance This I tied together by the four corners
when he should be absent in the field, and put on the head of number three.
and his delicate wife and little ones have Dipping into barrels I filled a pillow-case
no one to provide for them. So, know from the contents of two of them, which
ing these stores would probably be all afterwards proved to be equal parts of
that our united families would have to corn meal and flour. This I handed,
live upon in the state of chaos to which with a jug of molasses, to number four.
we were now reduced, we determined to Taking a sheet I filled it with bed and
remove them, if possible, to our own table linen and clothing of all descrip-
apartments, and Mrs. Carter not being tions. This huge bundle I threw on my
able to bear the fatigue, I undertook to own back and held it with one hand,
transfer them.
while with the other I helped number
five to drag along a tin can about three
A FORAGING EXPEDITION.
feet high and one in diameter, which
Mustering all the force I could, which contained a few pounds of lard, to which
consisted of five little children, two
I had added a ham or two, several bars
of soap, &c., &c.
whites and three blacks, ranging in age
Thus loaded, the procession issued
from six to ten years, the larger ones forth. Though fully impressed with the
being busy "toting water to the roof, awfulness of the occasion, and the
and encouraging them by the promise of solemnity of the fact that I was making a
a lump of sugar to each, a rare luxury desperate effort to ward off threatening
in those days, off we started on our famine, my pack almost rolled off my
foraging expedition. The lurid glare of shoulders in my convulsions of laugh-
the flames in the burning district, with ter at our ridiculous appearance when I
the masses of smoke-clouds swelling fancied what Col. --, Capt. -- and others

104
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
with whom I had so recently prome any three who will undertake the daring
naded and flirted, and who had always enterprise."
seemed to imagine that I was not strong The next volunteer was Mrs. Blaine.
enough to bring my own prayer-book and Mrs. Mills, emboldened by her ex-
home from church, would think could
they see me now! But my mirth was collecting all the veils from the assem-
soon checked by the thought that they bled household, we donned three apiece,
were at that moment going through and linking arms together and followed
sterner scenes and harder trials with our by the hopes and prayers of all the rest.
we sallied forth. On we went, our fea-
grin and distress when on reaching || tures set in grim determination, scarce
home and triumphantly opening my a word spoken. No human being did
bundles to display my dearly-won treas we pass on the streets save the
ures, I found the tea, coffee, sugar and
spices intermingled in sad confusion, joying the sight of the city they
while the meal and flour were well
shaken up together, and the bars of tur enter. To our surprise, we were
pentine soap had slipped down to the treated by these with the greatest
very bottom of the lard can! However, respect and courtesy, always giving us
people on the brink of starvation must the sidewalk and ever checking rude
not be too choice, and we shall hear laughter whenever we drew near. Still,
from some of these things again.
so strained were all my nerves, so agi-
tating and conflicting my emotions, and
SEEKING FEDERAL PROTECTION.
so different the scene from our accus-
As nightfall drew near vague fears be tomed walks through our beautiful city.
that I felt like one walking in a dream
and was startled after passing the cor-
the daylight would vanish most of our
ner of Seventh and Grace streets. A rust-
courage, and again we began to picture ling sound causing me to look around. I
to ourselves desperadoes, under cover found we were treading almost ankle
of night, forcing entrance into the house. deep in some places through burnt
Again our little household was assem papers, many of them charred and
bled in conclave to devise some means || smoked, but on others the writing still
of safety, when in came our next-door legible, so that we could see that they
neighbor, Mrs. Blaine. We all regarded were public documents which had been
in amazement at her hardihood ven destroyed, I suppose, to prevent their
turing out, for of course everything falling into the hands of the enemy; and
like business was suspended, but she as I now saw them blowing hither and
soon explained by telling us she had thither in every direction, I thought
heard that by going down to the provost them a fit emblem of our nation's hopes
marshal's oflice we could get protection Just scattered to the winds.
papers,'' which would insure safety to Passing by our own beautiful Capital
the holders of them.
Square, the tenderness .welled up from
my heart and well nigh overflowed in
claimed we all, “but,” thinks I to my tears as I thought how dear was that spot
self, “we are very much in the fix of the to every Virginian, our pride as well as
council of mice, who decided that it our joy, how her young men and maid-
would be an excellent plan to bell the ens had loved to stroll through those
cat, when one old grandfather among shaded walks, their merry laughter riv-
them inquired, "Who will put the bell alling in melody the music of the band
which was wont to enliven the scene, or
Everybody thought the protection the old, old story seeming all the sweeter
papers ought to be gotten without delay, as the gentle maiden listened to it min-
for the shadows were ominously length gled with the plash of the fountain in
ening; but nobody was willing to go to the summer moonlight. Spring had
just spread her first fresh carpet of green
dreaded Yankees,' to ask for them. A over the sward which we had deemed
protracted pause-the case seemed des almost too sacred to be pressed even by
perate--something must be done, soon it the dainty foot of childhood; but now
would be too dark to think of venturing with indignation akin to disgust we be-
out. On one hand the idea of making held there groups of negro soldiers, the
our way into the midst of the terrible blackest, it appeared to me, I had ever
Yankees, on the other scenes of horror seen, looking all the blacker, I suppose,
that might be in store for a house full of from contrast with their bright blue
unprotected women.
uniform. These were lolling lazily on
"I'll go !" said I. "I will be one of ll our beautiful grass, many of them cook-
on ?'"

THE FALL OF RICHMOND.
105
ing their dinners there, as we saw by the , sion. But should my friend, Major - ,
iron pot swinging from a tripod and the never see this, yet if it ever happens to
smoke curling up through the tender come under the notice of any other
young leaves of the graceful elms, while Federal officer or soldier who did one
their mules were browsing near and deed of kindness to any Virginia
profaning the spot with their coarse woman in that her dark hour of need, I
hoofs. But without trusting ourselves beg that he will accept my thanks in her
for one word of comment, we silently behalf. Here let me say, and be it ever
pressed on to the provost marshal's office spoken to the honor of the American
at the corner of Capitol and Eleventh flag, that, so far as I know, the triumphal
streets.
entry of the Federal army into Rich-
AT THE FEDERAL HEADQUARTERS.
mond was not disgraced by one deed of
insultor oppression to any woman, or
Here we found the portico and halls indeed to any citizen. All their efforts
densely crowded with soldiers hurrying
seem to have been directed toward con-
ciliation, and to bringing order out of
to and fro, and to our surprise and relief
chaos, affording protection to person
many other ladies were there, but on the and property, and endeavoring to re-
same errand as ourselves. Here, as lieve, as far as possible, the want and
everywhere else, we were treated with suffering which they found here; and
the utmost courtesy. Between two files I have never heard an opinion contrary
of soldiers with fixed bayonets to pre-
to this expressed by a single person
serve order, we were politely conducted who remained in the city after they came.
by an officer to the official who was But to return to the provost marshal's
busily engaged in making out such pa office. In a short time our protection
pers as we were in quest of. There we
paper was handed us, which forbade
had to await our turn, and, meanwhile, any one entering the premises on "pain
turning to an officer writing at a table, I of death,' and authorizing the guard to
asked if he would be kind enough to in shoot any person thus trespassing. Seiz-
form me how long it would be before ing the precious document we hastened
postal communication with the North
home, feelirg much relieved that we had
would be open to the public, as I was
succeeded in “belling the cat,” though
very anxious to communicate with the sequel led us to think there had
friends there.
really been no need for any such pre-
"It will probably be four or five days,
caution.
but take your seat here, Miss," offering
Immediately on the occupation of the
me a chair, pen and paper, "and write
city rations were issued by the Federal
your letter, and I will not only see that
commander to such as needed them, and
it is sent immediately, but you shall re-
few there were who did not. Most per-
ceive the reply promptly. Tell your
sons had invested all their available
correspondent to direct to care of Major means in Confederate bonds. My sister
and I then had our little all lying in our
With sincere gratitude I accepted his
trunks in Confederate "promises to
kind offer, and wrote my letter, which I pay,' representing ostensibly miany
remember was in these words:
thousands of dollars, but now worthless
"Fannie is very ill, but we are more com-
as so much waste paper, and our only
fortable than we could have expected under
available cash a silver half-dime, worn
the circumstances. Write immediately, care for years as a memento, which we now
spent for medicine. In this state of
Then handing the pen to my gallant things it is not surprising that even
enemy (?) I asked him: “Will you be ladies reared in ease and luxury now
kind enough to read that letter and add crowded to the ration office to get their
your address?" He took the letter, but allotted portion of codfish, fat pork and
without reading it wrote his address yellow meal, for this was all there was
and sealed it. I have always been sorry between them and starvation. The
that, in the excitement of the moment, scene which the artist Rogers has per-
I failed to take particular note of his petuated in marble of "drawing rations"
name, and only remember that it struck is no fancy sketch, for I saw the counter-
me as being German; but should this part of it when, with little Lettie to
by chance ever meet his eye he will carry the basket, I made my way
please hereby accept my grateful ac through the hungry throng with min-
knowledgment of the courtesy and of the gled feelings of gratitude and humilia-
true gentlemanly delicacy with which tion to receive our share. Though we
it was extended-an acknowledgment knew our army had been defeated and
not the less sincere that it has been was retreating we knew not whither,
eighteen years delayed in the expres- ll yet hope still flickered in our hearts, for
of
14

106
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
we thought possibly Gen. Lee might be show, it was “deep” if not "loud."
able to make a stand at some point Nearly every one in the house was sick,
further South, and our Confederacy yet either suffering with sore mouth or some
take a place among the nations of the other malady caused by the constant use
earth.
of salt food, which was all that any of
GEN. LEE'S SURRENDER.
us had, except Mrs. Brown, who was
furnished by a friend she had in the
This continued till on the night of Sun-
army with luxuries which sounded
day, April 9, we were sitting in our dimly tempting to our half-famished ears as
lighted chamber, for the destruction of the fancied gurgle of water which aggra-
thegaspipes in the great conflagration had
vates the sufferings of the parched tra-
veller in the desert. One day, about
found us unprepared for the emergency;
dinner time, Miss Bowers came into
and now the only means we had of pro our room to ask our opinion
ducing light was by putting a cotton upon a matter of conscience, about
string into a cup of lard, (thanks to niy which she was much exercised.
foraging party we still had lard) and set She looked pale and haggard from
ting fire to it; but this dim taper in our anxiety and insufficient and unpalata-
large room only served to make dark ble food, but Mrs. Brown had just sent
ness visible. The hour of our evening to ask her to come up and dine with her
devotions drew nigh, the time when our on lamb, spring chicken, lettuce, canned
thoughts were wont to turn with pecu fruits and other dainties, which the for-
liar tenderness toward our dear wan tunate possessor of greenbacks was able
derers about whose fate we were still in to secure. Miss Bowers wanted to know
painful suspense. We were sittingin si if we thought it would be right for her
lence, our thoughts busy with our loved to accept this invitation to feast with an
ones, when the stillness of the night was enemy of her bleeding country. While
broken by the boom of a cannon, fol we were yet trying to help her decide
lowed in quick succession by a number the contest between the cravings of hun-
of other reports. Volumes of surmises ger and patriotic devotion the tinkle of
rapidly chased each other through our her little bell announced her own dinner
brains. "Was Gen. Lee returning to and settled the mooted question. "I'll
recapture the city ??? “Was Mosby com go to my fat pork and yellow meal,"
ing?" "Was there a riot going on which said she, and, with a polite "No, thank
they had resorted to the artillery to sup you, to Mrs. Brown's call from her
press?“Was itan outburst of triumph room, she descended to partake of her
at news of another victory over our dinner of rations. Many a less heroic
poor tattered soldier boys. Our hearts sacrifice to principle has been sounded
quailed at the thought, when the door
by poet and minstrel.
burst open and in rushed Mrs. Brown,the
claimant of the red "tater” who, though
THE ENTRY OF THE VICTORIOUS ARMY.
a native of Ohio, had always professed
It was a lovely spring morning, a few
to be a Southerner in sympathy, and as
days after the news of Gen. Lee's sur-
such had obtained and held a lucrative
clerkship under the Confederate Gov render had extinguished the last spark
ernment; but now, throwing off the in the smouldering ashes of hope, when
mask which policy had drawn over her the sound of gay music caused me to
face, she rushed triumphantly in, clap look out upon the most imposing
ping her hands and shouting: “Gen. pageant that it has ever been my fortune
Lee has surrendered! Gen. Lee has to behold the entrance into the city of a
surrendered !!' And such indeed, as it portion of Gen. Grant's army. Pride
proved, was the cause of the firing we forbidding me to allow the invaders to
had heard. It was a salute in honor of see me evincing interest in the tri-
the (to them) joyful news just received umphal entry of the victorious army
at headquarters.
into our captured city, and yet feminine
For some time not a word was spoken, curiosity impelling me to devise some
and I scarcely knew which predomina means of witnessing the gorgeous spec-
ted, anguish at the extinction of our tacle, I effected a compromise between
country's last hope, or indignation and the two by climbing to the top of the
disgust at the heartless demonstrations house and peeping through the balus-
of joy of this deceitful woman over the trade surrounding the skylight; for here
destruction and despair of her whilom I felt safe from observation, as I did not
friends. Though we did not deign to suppose any one would think of casting
express in words the contempt we felt glances so high. It was indeed a grand
for her duplicity, yet, as a little incident | sight. As far as eye could reach was one
which occurred a few days after will l unbroken column of troops, with their

THE FALL OF RICHMOND.
107
fine horses and wagons, and equipped in | out of the provisions secured by
elegant uniforms and accoutrements, my foraging party we made some
which to my eyes, accustomed to look delicacies (?) pies. To be sure the dried
ing only at our poor, ragged, and often apples were a little flavored with tea, and
times barefooted boys, appeared as if the scaly particles in the pastry betrayed
newly donned for some gala day. The the presence of meal, while in the lard
effect was beautiful from the elevated there was evidently a soupçon of soap,
point from which I viewed it; for I could but we had always heard, and our own
see them winding over Church Hill in observation had shown us, that soldiers
the far distance, and then down into the are not very dainty. So giving Lettie a
valley and up over Shockoe Hill; their basket full of the tempting looking patés
bayonets brightly gleaming in the morn she hopefully set off. Seating herself on
ing sun, the Stars and Stripes in count the curbstone she pressingly offered her
less numbers waving in the breeze, and inviting wares to the passers-by, telling
this enlivened by innumerable bands of them that they were made by “nice
music at short intervals, which seemed white ladies, and not by niggers;" but,
in their choice of tunes to be amiably eyeing them curiously for a moment,
trying to harmonize the spirit of “Dixie they would pass on, till one of the sol-
with that of “Yankee Doodle;'' for first diers, hungrier I suppose than the rest,
would come the stirring strains of “Hail
ventured to take one, and placing the
Columbia,' while the next band that price in Lettie's hand, he broke the pie,
passed would bring a tear from our poor and put a piece into his mouth, when,
stricken hearts by the loved tones of giving poor Lettie an inquiring look, he
"Dixie;"' next "Star Spangled Banner," asked, “Did you say white ladies made
"Mocking Bird," "The Union For these?" "Yes !” said she, with pride
ever” and “Bonnie Blue Flag,'' would in her young mistress skill, but he, evi-
each in turn suggest thoughts of the dently confirmed by this fact in his sus-
two sections lately arrayed in deadly picion that an attempt had been made to
conflict, but which it would now be the poison him, hastily ejected every crumb
policy of that army to weld again into from his mouth and hurried on, think-
one. My predominant feeling, as I ing, doubtless, that these Southern
beheld their grand procession, was ad women must indeed be the "she-devils'?
miration for the courage of our own he had heard they were, and not listen-
braye little army, and the sentiment ing to Lettie's eager explanation that
arose almost to reverence when I re the ingredients were all clean, but had
flected that in the face of such a foe, with gotten slightly mixed. After sitting
unlimited resources at his back, they had several hours longer, with no further
held out through four long years of dis success, she became discouraged and re-
couragement, and not only with insuf turned home with only five cents to show
ficiency of food, clothing and munitions for her day's work. We could not af-
of war themselves, but with the con ford to waste so much food, conseqnently
sciousness, in some cases, that their the whole family had to make our sup-
wives and children were lacking the per that night off the meal pies; but so
necessaries of life, and in others that sick did I become in about an hour after
they were homeless refugees. One eating them, that there is no telling
striking feature in that scene was the what the result might have been had not
fact that all the doors and windows in nature provided her own remedy. The
the fronts of the houses were closed,
rest of the family fared little better. At
and not one white citizen was to be seen, all events, even five cents was better
though how many eyes were peeping
than no money at all, so the next morn-
through cracks and crevices I will not ing Lettie iook it, and provided with a
venture to say.
little basket, went to market for the first
time since the evacuation. She returned
A WONDERFUL ENTERPRISE.
with a half a peck of “greens” which
Returning to our room and seeing my
made our fat pork much more palatable,
and though I bave frequently since
invalid sister languishing for want of
dined at Delmonico's, I never enjoyed
comforts which we had then no means his choicest salads, or most delicate bis-
of providing for her it occurred to me cuits glacés more than we did our first
that we might make a little money by mess' of greens. However, soon after
selling eatables to the passing soldiers; an officer of the United States Sani-
but where to get the materials to make tary Commission called, presenting a
them was the question. However, sum letter of introduction from friends in the
moning our little dark-skinned maid,
North, and placed at the disposal of my-
Lettie, to the conference, her quick wit self and sisters any dainty or luxury in
suggested a plan. We went to work and ll their possession, that might aid in re-

108
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
storing us to health, and from that time I had reached us of the vandalism of our
till definite arrangement were made for foes that we expected no mercy, and
us by our friends not a day passed that were determined to prepare for the
we were not the recipients of some kind worst, in so far as we could, upon such
attentions at their hands.
short notice.
Mrs. S— had an infant of six months
ONLY MEMORIES LEFT.
old to care for, and ensconcing the sleep-
In about two weeks our male relatives ing child safely, as she thought, in the
began to return to their homes one by
very middle of one of those tall, high-
post bedsteads, such as were fashionable
one as they were paroled. Things began
a hundred years ago, she was in the op-
to readjust themselves, and now, in 1884, posite end of the house packing up for
the war is already spoken of as some dear life, when the pitiful cries of her
thing in the long ago; feelings of baby suddenly reached her, sounding
sectional animosity are gradually | yet more startling from the mournful
softening, “Dixie” or “Yankee | accompaniment of the never-ceasing
Doodle' is listened to with almost | pitter-patter of rain that fell all through
equal pleasure beside the pictu that anxious night. When she found
resque Hudson or the historic James; the child he was in the very middle of the
prattling children, in whose veins is floor beneath the bed, completely hidden
miugled the blood of Federal and Con from view by the balance, and fright-
federate, listen with eager faces to tales ened half to death, although apparently
of caring and deeds of heroism, uninjured by his high fall. Oh! the
whether the brave heart of the hero beat | hapless babies of Confederate days-
under a "jacket of grey” or the army those children saw enough of the downs,
blue,' and all unite in placing floral if not so much of the ups, of life.
tributes upon the mounds which cover Daylight found us already quite ex-
the mortal part of those who fell in the hausted from our vigorous efforts at
path of what they believed to be duty, hiding things, and still no enemy had
and whose spirits have now met in that appeared. Mrs. S— , her young sis-
land which knows no North, no South, ter, with the three older children of the
no East, no West. God hasten the family, were dressed in two or three
happy time when all evidences of the suits of clothes apiece, with cloaks and
devastations of that war will have hats on top of these, to save them from
passed away, and when our country will being stolen. They all felt very much
once more have cause to rejoice that not stuffed-up indeed. The ladies, in addi-
only peace, but unity and prosperity, tion, had each made for themselves
reign throughout her borders.
little bags of coarsest osnaburgs (almost
the only kind of cotton goods procura-
ble) which were stuffed full of silver
No. 20.-Sheridan at Charlottesville. forks, spoons, jewelry, &c., and these
hung around the waist by means of
attachment to a belt. They were con-
(By M. S. S., of Virginia.)
cealed beneath the outer garments, of
course. Her young sister being of a
The exact date has escaped my mem-
most obliging disposition, Mrs. S-
ory of the dark, rainy night in March, asked her-if she did not mind--please
1864, when the University people were to tie one or two of the children's silver
aroused from their slumbers by scouts
cups on to her hoops, which were also
supposed to furnish conveniences for
to be informed that Sheridan was upon
hiding purposes. With all her amiabil-
them. In a few hours that General ity, the young lady found herself no
would reach Charlottesville with a force little incommoded by the inevitable
of 5,000 cavalry, and citizens were ad-
jangling that ever attended upon her
movements.
vised to hide their valuables, meat, and
ACHING HEARTS IN THE UNIVERSITY.
above all, wine or spirits of any kind, to
lessen as much as possible the horrors While most of the gentlemen in town
of invasion.
felt it necessary to put themselves in
In a moment the whole place was astir, concealment to escape imprisonment, the
lights were flitting from window to win professors somehow attempted nothing
1 of the sort, and a deputation was ap-
dow, there was a sound of nailing and
pointed to go out and meet the invaders,
hammering and footsteps, heavy and I deprecating any injury, especially to the
light, hurrying to and fro. Such reports | University buildings, and other prop-

SHERIDAN AT CHARLOTTESVILLE.
109
erty. Oh! how lovers of that dear in and saw as little as possible of the sol-
stitution trembled ! and apparently with diory, whose uniformsthrough the
justice. For, had not venerable Wil force of association, had grown so hate-
liam and Mary College been burned ful and hideous in our eyes. We heard,
to the ground, and had not Lexington though, that the march had been de-
shared a similar fate. Was it not sheer layed on account of the desperate condi-
presumption to hope to fare better? tion of the roads, and that Albemarle
Ah! there were aching hearts that day clay had done its best for the common
within the University's walls, and one cause by presenting an almost impassa-
at least felt, as the hours of that dread ble barrier to the progress of invasion.
ful day of suspense dragged wearily The muddy, bedraggled condition of
along, that her heart would break if the Sheridan's men prevented their appear-
University was destroyed, with all its ance from being imposing in any re-
glory, past and future. She felt that she spect, save one, viz., that of multitude.
could thankfully go forth with her Unused as our eyes were to seeing
family to poverty or distress, provided large bodies of men massed together
only the University was spared.
Sheridan's raiders looked like a count-
The sky cleared up, but sunshine less host, and when darkness fell upon
brought no joy with it to us that day. the scene and the blaze of camp-fires
There the family sat, waiting, waiting, in a perfect circle around us sħowed
heavily accoutred, as we have described how completely we were environed, the
them, with nearly all their worldly pos impression of uur besieged and forlorn
sessions piled upon their backs.
condition came yet more forcibly upon
At last the youngest boy called out in
us.
despair: “Well, I don't know what the Requisition was made upon each fam-
Yankees will do to us, but if they're ily for a certain portion of fresh hot
coming I wish they'd come along !"
bread for the officers' supper, but other-
Mosby, with his usual daring, was wise there was no interference of the
closely watching the movements of the people that night. We were none of us
enemy, and one hour before Sheridan so secure of protection, however, that
occupied the place, was standing in a we could take our natural rest, and
knot of gentlemen on the lawn in front when we lay down for a few hours of
of our house, talking as calmly and troubled slumber it was in our clothes,
quietly as if there were no thought of cumbrous about us as they were.
danger. His very presence and air in-
A QUIET SUNDAY.
fused hope and confidence wherever he
went. With a countenance youthful The next day was Sunday, but there
almost to boyishness, and a tall, slight
was little or nothing to mark the sacred
form, such as does not betoken strength,
General Mosby's spirit caused him to
character of the day. Out of doors
be looked unto as a very tower of there was carnival among the soldiers
defence in those stormy, troublous and a certain set of negroes; in the
times.
houses a gloomy, dejected, but not hope-
THE INVADERS APPEAR.
less set of Confederates, for stout-
hearted we still were. All the servants,
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the
however, were demoralized for the time-
Federal advance-guard appeared, and being, and friendly though they seemed
for the first time in the war we were to be, were evidently excited and inca-
pable of regular work. No one attempted
within the enemy's lines, and helplessly
to order them, but somehow meals ap-
subject to military rule. We did not peared on the table as usual, of which,
know that the near prospect of the war however, nobody had any appetite to
ending in victory to themselves was partake.
making the authorities at Washington
At Mr. S- 's the young dining-room
issue strangely lenient orders. Look servant, a lad of fourteen, seemed
ing upon everything as soon to be theirs greatly agitated just before the arrival
by right of conquest, they were not of the Federal troops, and asked his
disposed to destroy National property. mistress, with trembling lips and face
The University deputation going to of ashen hue: “Miss Mary, will the
meet Gen. C— , under cover of a white Yankees hurt we?! Ere the same hour
flag, were graciously received, and a had returned the next day he was in the
mighty load lifted from the minds of us Yankee camp, as proud as could be,
all by the promise that a sufficient guard astride of a confiscated horse. The
should be set and all University prop nurse, a good-natured girl of twenty-
erty respected.
four, deserted her charge for the nonce,
We women stuck closely in the house ll but returned to her old moorings after

110
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the raid was over. Good, steady old haste it might have fared worse yet
Chaney, the cook, said not a word, but with the whole party. We were only
kept on making the same snow-white reconnoitering, and sorry am I to tell
bread and crisp muffins as ever, and her you that we have lost Aunt Maria's
old husband, a far inferior character, splendid carriage horses.
stuck to her side.
* Just here there was a diversion of ideas,
Quite early Sunday morning a widow for, down the arcade, was seen approach-
lady in the neighborhood sent to beg Mr.
ing the lieutenant's younger sister, a
S— to come to her assistance, as a party fair, slight girl of sixteen. Sensation-
of soldiers were abusing her property loving Aunt Sophie, on first glimpse of
dreadfully. Mrs. S— was now left in "Mars' Charlie' as a prisoner had darted
a large house alone with three small off in all haste to alarm "Miss Rosie''
children, for her sister had ventured to with: "La! chile, come home! come
pay a visit to an intimate friend, a few home! Dey done got Mars' Charlie.
doors off. She was advised not to lock ?Ef you does want to see him onct
the door, but was too nervous to heed more mek haste! mek haste! Your
this counsel, and so barred herself in as sis? Mary say come home torectly."
best she could.
Devoted as she was to her brothers-
Soon there was a violent ring at the there were five of them in the army—the
bell. With palpitating heart she an young girl's heart was torn by grief and
swered it herself. There stood a Fed apprehension of all things dreadful.
eral officer of the captain's rank, “sword Down the long arcade she came, her face
and pistol by his side," and a red scarf buried in her hands, and weeping as
tied about his waist. He asked for the if her heart would break, to take, as she
gentleman of the house, but when told feared, a last farewell of her darling
that he was not at home, walked quietly brother.
off, remarking that he would call again. Meanwhile, the four or five Federal
Let me not omit to mention that he came soldiers who took part in this scene as
escorted by quite a little mob of colored guards, were amused and delighted
boys, who had evidently been employed spectators of the stormy emotions expe-
as guides to the house.
rienced by these two Rebel women.
They began to think more highly of
THE CONFEDERATE PRISONER.
their own people in capturing one whose
Mrs. S— had hardly recovered from || imprisonment could stir up such a com-
the little shock given by this visit
motion. Still, the young lieutenant
went on to excuse himself to his elder
when lo! there was another summons
sister for running into such danger.
to the front door. Putting the baby on “And for all that, Mary, they would not
the floor she again opened to the callers,
have gotten us if they had not been
when what should meet her startled Jessie's Scouts dressed in our Confede-
vision but her own brother, 1st lieu rate grey."
tenant in Company I, Wise's Brigade,
dressed in his full uniform of Con-
DENOUNCING JESSIE'S SCOUTS.''
federate grey. At his back were three This was enough to suggest to his
soldiers in the Federal blue, and the
sister's mind a whole train of wrong and
truth flashed upon her instantaneously-
he was a prisoner. Stung by this con-
injustice done her country by its wily
viction, instead of greeting her un foes, and her wrath falling in a more
fortunate brother, and utterly uncon legitimate direction, she turned her eyes
scious of the oddity of her conduct, she for the first time full upon an open
drew back in horror first. “What, enemy, and in scathing words addressed
Charlie, you here?" Then, passionately, the most conspicuous one, an officer,
with an access of feeling that had all the who stood fronting her at the foot of the
look of fury, “How dare you? And in steps:
your uniform, too !!!
"Yes, it is in this way only you get
The poor fellow, who had plead hard no the advantage of us. In open fight the
doubt to be permitted to visit his family, field is ours. You violate, you shame-
stood a minute in embarrassed silence, fully violate the recognized laws of civi-
then mildly suggested to his sister that lized warfare. Outnumbering us as you
instead of being angry she had better do, are you not ashamed of such a law-
spend her breath in giving thanks that less body as those Jessie's Scouts ?"
she saw him with his head upon his And thus she was going on in full
shoulders; “for," said he, “one com tide of indignation to reproach one sol-
rade was shot down, mortally wounded dier with the wrongs inflicted by his
they say, at my side, and if the other class, when her husband came up, hav-
had not thrown on a blue overcoat in his l ing discharged his neighborly duty to

SHERIDAN AT CHARLOTTESVILLE.
111
the widow. As soon as he could possi 1 One little fragment only of table talk
bly gain his wife's ear, he whispered : that day has been preserved from obliv-
"Do you know that you are talking to ion. Mention was made of the excesses
the very man who has been the one to being perpetrated by the Northern army
protect the University and save our upon the neighboring farm-houses
families from molestation !!
while guards preserved the University
In a moment the current of feeling and town from spoliation. Again Mrs.
was changed, and before any one could S— 's feeling got the best of her dis-
hinder her she had turned to apologize cretion and she spoke with indignation
to one who, by his own action, had of such proceedings.
proved himself superior to the baseness "Madame,'' said one of her brother's
which she had been censuring. Warmly guards, "you had better thank us for
she thanked him for his efforts in be the mischief we fail to do. We could
half of the University and general treat the people a great deal worse. Be
kindness to the people.
thankful-"'
"If possible,” in still greater disgust, "Thankful!” echoed she. “I am
her husband said, under his breath, "I thankful, devoutly thankful, but not to
should have refrained from the abuse, you. When Daniel was saved from the
and been spared the need of such apol mouth of the lions, I never heard that to
ogy."
them he gave thanks. Not to the lions,
Dignity is a trait not to be over-valued, but unto God belonged the thanks and
but what woman of lively sensibilities the praise.”
could alvays keep her equilibrium under It was Sunday, and yet one of the
the sudden revulsions of feeling so fre Federal soldiers sat down at the piano,
quently occurring in those dreadful days and without ceremony began playing
of civil war?
waltzes and polkas, in a clumsy fashion,
As a great favor, the lieutenant was his sabre dragging on the floor at his
allowed to stay to dinner and pack up a side. Music grated upon the feelings
few necessaries in a satchel to carry with anyhow at such a time; but Sunday-it
him (how far?) into a Northern prison. was intolerable. Mrs. S— politely re-
But two armed soldiers dogged his steps
quested him to desist, as in their commu-
everywhere, allowing him not one syl nity piano-playing on Sunday was a
lable of private conversation. And yet thing unheard of. The man paid no
if the soothsayer's gift had been vouch heed whatever, but played on until he
safed that family and the veil of futurity was tired.
lifted, they would have given fervent In another hour the bitter parting was
thanks for an imprisonment that almost over, and the prisoner carried off to be
certainly sayed the life of so cherished a kept in duress, with many others, until
member. The company of which Charles the order for marching came.
was a member, stationed at this very time
A SON CHASTISING HIS MOTHER STATE.
near Petersburg, soon took part in one
of those desperate sallies that was like Late in the evening the Federal officer
nothing but rushing into the jaws of
who had asked for the master of the
death, and his cousin, the gallant cap-
tain, was killed at the head of his men
house in the morning called again. He
making a charge, and his body, to the now reported himself as an old acquain-
great grief of his friends, could never tance of boyish days—a Virginian too
be rescued. Yes, if Charles had not forsooth-the brother of a most esti-
been taken prisoner he could hardly
mable, indeed, distinguished minister.
have failed to fill likewise a soldier's
"Ah!” said Mrs. S— , with undis-
grave.
guised surprise, "The brother of D-
AN INDIGNANT WOMAN.
why, he is a fine man ???
Ah! it was delightful to have him sit
Determined, however, not to repeat
the mistake of the morning, she kept
down with them to dinner, but then that very silent, for some time sealing her
dreadful drawback. Could they sit down lips resolutely; for did she not scorn to
and eat with those desecrators of Virgi converse with a renegade Virginian,
nia's soil—their ruthless and cruel foes?
whose treachery to his State was in-
They did however all sit down together, famy inexpressible? However, by-and-
but there were no silver spoons, and
by, being a cavalryman. he began to
very little eating done on one side. In boast of his wonderful achievements
fact, from the trying associations the and those of his comrades, at the same
very articles of food presented during time and in the same proportion depre-
Sheridan's raid could not for months,
ciating the valor of the Confederate cav-
nay years afterwards, be partaken of alry. Most contemptuously he spoke of
with appetite.
all our cavalry, and still no reply was

112
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
vouchsafed him, until presently he made || day I care not for life, for myself or .
an especial attack upon the particular them?' -
brigade of cavalry to which one of her The captain laughed, but the poor little
brothers had belonged since the opening children heard their mother's words
of the war. Two brilliant Confederate in trembling fear. And a few weeks
victories had been recently gained by later, when the Confederacy had received
this very cavalry, of which Mrs. S its death-blow, and the children beheld
knew the particulars, so that she could grief and consternation on every face,
not forbear putting in the questions: they had a separate anguish of their own.
"How was it with your men at Brandy ? With awe-stricken looks they came up
How at Trevyllians? The regiment of to their mother, whispering, “Mamma,
which you speak so lightly has won will that soldier come back to kill us?
many a fight, but never have been made Do you think he will come?'
to run yet, you must admit.”
It was some time before the little crea-
And now that the ball of conversation tures were perfectly assured that they
had once been caught up, it was kept were not themselves to be offered up as
flying for some hours.
victims upon the shrine of country, and
The captain was asked if he felt no although the mother mourned that her
shame and remorse, in turning his words had cost pain to innocence, she
sword against his native State, as he did not and does not regret that thus,
aided, for instance, in the desolation of perhaps, was impressed upon their ten-
the beautiful Valley, destroying its har der minds a conviction that, on the Con-
vests, burning down residences and federate side, war was only waged from
frightening the women, in some in a solemn conviction that justice and
stances to death. Of course, denying right were the forfeits at stake.
participation in any evil inflicted un-
necessarily, he said that he gloried in
A DRINK OF FIG-LEAF WATER.
his task, he was but helping to chastise Monday there was an alarm that
Virginia for her good, and speedily an-
every house would be searched for meat
ticipated the pleasure of seeing her re-
turn to her duty and allegiance to the
and arms. As the professors' salaries
Union.
in Confederate money were merely
A STOUT-HEARTED WOMAN.
nominal, the only support was deriva-
ble from such stores of salt meat and
If she would only ask, he told Mrs. corn as had been laid by in the fall,
S— she need no longer be deprived of hence the abstraction of meat meant, in
the eyes of those families, starvation.
real coffee, white sugar, &c., but that,
Appeal was made to the commanding
upon petition, he would send her a
officer, as it turned out, with effect; but
bountiful supply of such dainties as the fears of the inhabitants were not re-
they had not seen in her community
lieved until the last raider had turned
his back.
since the war began. He drew a lively
In the afternoon Mrs. S- was sitting
picture of the immense riches of the alone with her baby in her lap, when,
Federal commissary stores. She told hearing a clicking, clanking sound be-
him that she wanted nothing they had, | hind her, she turned her head, and
making no complaint of hard fare, since there stood right over her two rough
it was better, alas! than our soldiers had. blue-coated soldiers, with pistols in
Rather would she content herself upon their belts and long swords dangling at
rye coffee and boiled beans all the days their sides. She clasped her baby to her
of her life than see his boastful party breast, but they let her know, in few
come off victorious,
words, that their errand was to search
At this he exclaimed in wonder, en the house for firearms, and something
larging upon the advantages to be de to drink, too, the sequel shows, although
rived from a return into the Union, and they did not say so. Every drawer,
the interview closed, after many pro-
wardrobe and closet was ransacked, the
voking remarks on his side as to the lady following them and facilitating
heinousness of secession, by the lady their search; but when they came to her
saying-her four little children grouped aunt's room there was found on a closet!
around her—"I believe not in the com shelf a tempting looking row of wine
ing victory of which you boast. Rather bottles. With undissembled glee the
than see the Confederacy fall I would tallest soldier seized one, pulled out the
prefer to die. Yes, when you have con cork, threw back his head and took a
quered, as you say you will come back full draught. Bah! What a spitting
and slay me, with every child I have; and spluttering followed, not to mention
we shall thank you for it. Beyond that I cursing.

THE SACK OF COLUMBIA.
113
It seems that fig-leaf water had been || she had been cut off all these days. Mrs
proved excellent for cleaning black C— was a woman of exalted character,
dresses-here was a fine lot in store, and beautiful, good, and beaming with the
this brandy-loving soldier was the first brightness of a rare intelligence. With
to try its virtues, inwardly applied.
all her heart and soul she was devoted
Another pair of soldiers, meanwhile, to the Confederate cause because she be-
were being marshalled through the lieved it true and just. Her faith then
lower story of the house and storeroom. was too deeply planted to be shaken by
A fine gun was confiscated, nothing else any passing storm, and her spirit was
contraband found, but kerosene was so now serene in secure trust that our peer-
precious in those days that what small less Gen. Lee would surely be per-
store of it remained was likewise care mitted some day, with his scarred and
fully bottled, and laid on shelves. well-tried veterans, to proclaim the vic-
Another man as thirsty for liquor as his tory won at last.
comrade above stairs acted over pre "Yes,” agreed both women; never
did my spirit rise so high, never did I
ment was yet severer, and his grimaces feel so confident of victory as when com-
of rage and disappointment after swal pletely surrounded and in the power of
lowing a good gulp of kerosene fur our enemies. The greater their number,
nished those hapless Confederates with the stronger the proof of their power,
the only temptation to laughter that had
God could yet work out deliverance for
his people that trust in him.”
And yet in how few days was the cup
Tuesday morning came, and with long of sanguine expectation dashed rudely
sighs of relief the people heard that or-
from their lips.
We tell the tale; let others draw the
ders for marching had been received,
moral. For ourselves this is enough.
and that “On to Richmond” was again “For now we see through a glass darkly,
the cry.
but then face to face; now I know in
The women who had had no heart to part, but then shall I know even as also
I am known.''
upon the terraces, rejoiced to behold the
departure of their exultant foes.
And it seemed to our unpracticed eyes
No. 21.–The Sack of Columbia.
that the long line would never be seen
the last of. The procession was swelled
by crowds of servant boys and men on (By Mrs. S. A. Crittenden, of Greenville County,
horses stolen from their masters or their
S. C.)
neighbors; while many women, too, we
The Federal army, under Sherman,
heard, insisted on testing the sweets of
jubilee, and followed on in the rear. lay just on the other side of the Con-
This, I must say, is hearsay—the reports,
however, of trustworthy prisoners who
steadily, without, however, doing much
were marched along, under guard, in
sight of the disorders attending the re-
damage. Hampton, with a feeble force,
was left in command of the defence of
do not remember seeing any such at the Capital, when Gen. Joseph E. John-
tendants of the camp myself. But
ston withdrew towards North Carolina.
that infants were found in the canal on
the line of march, evidently thrown
To the women and children of that
there by their mothers, that (worse than doomed city things began to look gloomy
the heathen) they might be rid of such in the extreme. Many refugees who had
incumbrance, I have from the testimony
come from Charleston, and other parts
of others, whose word, I must be-
lieve. On hearing of such horrors,
of the low-country, resumed their flight,
who can help re-echoing Madame Ro seeking safety in the upper districts,
land's cry: "Oh! Liberty! how many
nearer the mountains. Many residents
crimes have been committed in thy
of Columbia followed them; in fact,
name.''
As soon as the grounds were thor nearly all who could get away fled,
oughly and certainly cleared of the ene leaving their household goods to the
my's presence Mrs. S — with her baby
mercy of the invaders. Shells and can-
in her arms, for the nurse was still roam-
ing wildly about, ran over to confer
non balls have voices of singular persua-
with a beloved neighbor from whom ll siveness to induce non-combatants to

114
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
"move on,” and not many willingly || and nothing else shall be injured. Go
keep reserved seats to listen to their home and sleep in peace, Mr. Mayor;
music.
your city shall be safe."' How well he
Never shall I forget a little incident kept this promise let Columbia's burn-
that occurred on Thursday afternoon ing homes, her desolate streets and her
before the occupation on Friday morn houseless, starving children tell.
ing. I was promenading the front I hope but few of my readers know
piazza, listening to the dull boom of from experience what the sacking of a
cannonry as it came borne on the western city is. I hope fewer still may ever
breeze from across the river, feeling all know. Columbia had foes without and
the horrors of the situation, when my within, for though the slave population
attention was attracted to a ragged little had behaved well during the war, it was
darkey-one of the institutions of all but human nature when freedom
Southern cities—as he went whistling came to them so suddenly that they
quite unconcernedly on the opposite side should receive it extravagantly, and go
of the street. Suddenly a bombshell with outstretched arms to welcome their
came hurtling through the air, struck a deliverers. I heard of some of these
limb just over his head, shivering it deluded people who actually knelt in
into a thousand pieces. Like lightning the street before the incoming troops,
the little Arab rolled himself into an like the heathen throwing himself be-
inconceivably small black ball, crouch fore the car of Juggernaut for the wheels
ing against the fence, with scarcely any to roll over him. Well, the wheels did
thing visible but the whites of his eyes, roll over many of them. Of the thou-
which he turned in amazement towards sands who left Georgia and the Caro-
the shattered limb. For one brief mo linas to follow the fateful fortunes of
ment he lay there, then springing up he the Yankee army few reached Virginia,
exclaimed in accents of the most abject and fewer still returned to their old
terror, "Fore God, I thought he had homes, which they sighed for when too
me !'' and fled like the wind.
late.
A friend told me of one old mauma
THE BELEAGUERED CITY.
who was more fortunate than many of
On Thursday night there was little her compeers. On Tuesday, when the
sleep in the beleaguered city. I had
army was leaving with its motley train
of camp followers, this old woman was
dressed a day or two before for any
seen seated in a stolen carriage, drawn
emergency, and did not remove my by stolen horses, dressed in the enor-
dress for a week. I had taken an apron mous headgear of aristocratic, ante-bel-
of strong Scotch ginghams, doubled it lum days, fanning herself-February
up and run casings in it, and into these though it was-with a huge palmetto
casings stowed away important papers fan. My friend accosted her:
belonging to my husband, some money “Halló! Aunt Sallie; where are you
and a few articles of jewelry. This I
going?"
wore as a bustle and was undisturbed in "La, honey, I's gwine back inter de
its possession. Others were not so fortu Union !”' with a complacent and patron-
nate. Many had their clothing torn off izing nod of her sable head.
and their persons searched by the law-
less soldiery and the mob who reaped
THE CITY IN FLAMES.
such a harvest on that fearful night of No pen can adequately depict the hor-
February 17, 1865.
rors of the burning of Columbia. Every
On Friday morning, while we were at
breakfast, a sound of musketry broke
hearthstone was an altar on which the
the ominous stillness, and we learned Yankees sacrificed to their gods-Ven-
that the Yankees had crossed the river geance and Hatred—and every blazing
on pontoon bridges, and that the city roof-tree will be a burning record against
was virtually in their hands. The mayor their wanton cruelty in the day of final
and some of the chief municipal officers count. All day the storm had been
had gone to Gen. Sherman's headquar gathering. Here and there some out-
ters and surrendered our beautiful Capi rageous act gave a foretaste of what was
tal, and received from him the comfort in store for the "Rebs" between the set-
ing assurance that Columbia should be ting and rising of the sun.
as safe as it had been under Mayor Good Mr. B., among other merchants, had
wyn's own administration.
struggled hard to protect his property
Some of the public buildings, such through the day ; but his store had
as the Arsenal and Armory, will have repeatedly been broken open, and
to be destroyed,” said Sherman, “but I Yankees, negroes, and, oh shame, some
will select a calm day for the purpose, | Southern whites, had plundered it at

THE SACK OF COLUMBIA.
115
will. Seeing how useless it was to con-
tend for order among the disorderly, and
for law among the lawless, he abandoned
everything and came home, where we
waited, in a treacherous calm, the un-
folding of events.
About 10 o'clock P. M. the signal
rockets began to go up, and soon the in-
cendiary fires blazed out. I was told
that squads of drunken soldiers, fol-
lowed by a rabble of drunken and ex-
cited negroes, paraded the principal
thoroughfares, entering about every
fourth house with torch and oil, and
soon had blocks and whole streets one
mass of living flame.
We stood in the observatory and saw
these fires—these tokens of a nation's
shame and sin-kindle, one by one,
along the horizon's verge. Soon they
flashed out of the darkness, nearer and
nearer, rose higher and higher, spread
wider and wider, until nearly the whole
city became one seething sea of billowy
fire.
My husband, being Northern born,
though strongly Southern in feeling,
many persons thought his home would
be spared, therefore the house was
packed from basement to attic with the
furniture of our neighbors sént hither
for protection; but, alas ! the Demon of
Destruction was no respecter of persons
or property, and at 2 o'clock in the
morning I took a little bird in its cage,
which I could not bear to leave to the
flames, in one hand and my little child's
hand in the other, and walked out from
under our burning roof into the cold
and pitiless street. Hundreds, nay
thousands were there before me; some
not so well off as I, for they were inva-
lids. None of us had any pillow but the
frozen ground, nor any covering but the
burning heavens.
The terrified lowing of cattle, the
frenzied flight of pigeons circling high
above their blazing cotes, the ribald
jests and brutal assaults of our drunken
conquerors, the dun clouds of despair
rolling between us and the pitying eye
of God, made up a picture whose coun-
terpart can be found only in the regions
of the eternally lost.
A Federal officer said to me next day:
"I knew when General Sherman sent
for the seventeenth (Logan's) army
corps, that he had black work for it to
do."
"VÆ VICTIS.
we venture back to look at the ruins of
our once beautiful home.
Oh! the utter, utter desolation of a
city in ashes and its people wanderers !
Even the very landmarks were lost, and
you stood a stranger on your own
threshold. Nothing was left but the
smokeless chimneys, keeping ward over
the widespread ruin. Hundreds of
Yankees, with ramrods and bayonets,
were prodding the still smoking soil in
quest of buried treasure.
On Tuesday morning the blue lines
formed and the invaders left Columbia-
a city once a synonym of all that was
beautiful and elegant-a heap of ruins;
her living homeless and scattered, her
dead insulted and desecrated. To me the
curse of the broken-hearted sounded
above their steady tramp and martial
music. Confusion and terror went be-
fore them and want and despair hovered
in their rear. Voe Victis may not have
been inscribed on their banners, but it
was written in characters of blood and
living fire on the hearts and homes of a
conquered people.
I remember going, a few Sabbaths after
the destruction of the city, to hear one of
our ministers. He was one who had
been personally abused by the Vandal
horde in their mad riot on that fatal
night, and a just and holy indignation
still burned in his clerical bosom.
"My friends,'' said he, warming in his
discourse, "Let us be faithful in follow-
ing our Divine Master until we come to
the New Jerusalem, the golden city,
not a desolate place like this, but ever
bright and fair, and I assure you, my
friends, there will be no villanous Yan-
kees there.” Then remembering that
he was pledged to preach a doctrine of
forgiveness, he added reluctantly and
doubtfully, “Unless they have entirely
new hearts.”
I could not refrain from adding a men-
tal amen to this sentiment.
Necessity is said to be the mother of
invention. If this be true Columbians
should have been the most inventive.
people on the face of the earth during
that spring of eighteen hundred and
sixty-five, for their needs were certainly
great.
Left without shelter, clothing or food,
and with no means to obtain either,
their condition was indeed deplorable.
I heard of many persons sustaining life
for several days upon the corn picked
up around the feeding troughs of the
Yankees' horses.
A lady whom I had known in her days
of prosperity came to me, with the tears
streaming down her cheeks and said:
“If you have anything divide with me
On Saturday morning we took refuge
with some kind friends in the suburbs
whose house had been overlooked rather
than spared, and not until Sunday did |

116
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
-my little children are at home crying
for bread."
Alas, I was but little better off.
LOYAL AND NOBLE NEGROES.
To the eternal honor of the negroes be
it spoken, that many of them aided and
sustained their former owners in these
trying times, with a devotion as surpris-
ing as it was noble.
One old fellow brought a store of pro-
visions and laid it before his former
mastersaying: “Massa, it nearly
breaks my heart to see you in dis old
shanty, but it would break entirely to
know you were hungry and couldn't get
nothing to eat.”
“But, Peter, my good fellow,” re-
turned his master, “I cannot take these
things from you and leave you and your
children to starve."
"No danger of dat. Peter's used to
helpin hisself, and dat, massa, you never
could do, you nor ole miss neither.
"Peter," said the master with a sus-
picious moisture about his eyes, "we
have fallen upon evil days; but, perhaps,
I might live to repay you."
“You's done dat already, massa; you's
took care of Peter a good many years,
and I's sure it's his time to take care of
you and ole miss.”
All honor to Peter; and to all, who
like him, did not forget-
"The tender grace of a day that is dead.”
My friend, Mrs. H., with whom we
had taken refuge, had some negroes left
in her charge by a relative who had fled
from the city. It became a serious ques-
tion how they should be fed, as she did
not care to drive them away, and they
showed no disposition to leave.
"I'll tell you what I will do," said she,
"I will go to Sherman and demand food
for them. Will you go with me?"
“Although a disagreeable mission, I
did not like to refuse, so with a few
. other ladies, who, like myself, were
refugees, we set out to find Gen. Sher-
man's headquarters. I believe they
were in the old Meyers house; at least
we found them without difficulty, with a
sentinel pacing up and down in front of
the gate.
"Where is General Sherman ?" asked
Mrs. H.
"He is not here,” replied the sentinel.
“Where is he, then ?? impatiently.
“I don't know,” indifferently.
"When will he be here?''
“I don't know."
Turning at the end of his beat he saw
Sherman coming around the corner.
"That is General Sherman,” indicating
the approaching figure.
Mrs. H., with characteristic impetu-
osity, rushed towards the General, ex-
claiming: “General Sherman, what is
to become of these people?'' pointing to
the negroes who had accompanied her.
"I really do not know," he replied,
with an amused twinkle in the eyes that
travelled from her face to the stolid
darkeys.
"Are they to starve ?" she exclaimed.
"I hope not,'' he replied composedly.
"But they will," she cried excitedly,
“if you don't give them something to
eat; and it is your duty to do it," she
continued, disposed to read the General
a homily. "You don't make war on
them. You say you are their friend.
They have nothing to eat and will starve
unless you feed them, General Sher-
man, will you let them starve ???
"My friend,'' said he, going to her
and patting her on the shoulder, “my
friend, don't get excited. Be calm.”
I forget whether he promised to pro-
vide for her dependants or not, but all
the provisions they, or anyone else, did
get from the Government was a very
small portion of beef from some poor
condemned cattle which were left in the
city park when the Yankees took their
final flitting.
A SHAMEFUL OUTRAGE.
Here let me give you an incident that
occurred in our sister State of North
Carolina. A surgeon-dentist, a man of
position, ability and unquestioned in-
tegrity, lived within that broad swathe
of desolation cut by the Federal army in
its victorious march. He afterwards
came to Columbia and from him I heard
an account of the shameful outrage.
Years had passed and Columbia, rising
from her sackcloth and ashes, had
clothed herself anew in the beautiful and
strong garments of energy and enter-
prise. We had accepted our trials as a
part of the fortunes of war, and were
disposed to forgive if not to forget.
Conversing one day with Dr. G., our
dentist, he expressed an undying hatred
for the men who had cause him so much
grief.
"If anybody,' said he, "hates the
wretches who followed Sherman's army
more than I do, it is because his
capacity for hating is greater than
mine. This is strong language, but I
am justified in using it. When Sher-
man's army passed through my place in
North Carolina, some of his camp-fol-
lowers, in their greedy search for treas-
ure, entered the graveyard, dug up my

THE CITY OF CHIMNEYS.
117
dead children, opened their coffins, and
left their bodies exposed to birds and
beast, less vile than they. Tell me to
forgive them? Never! My outraged dead,
with their mute lips, cry out against it !
The desecration of all the nameless
bones of my countrymen, left to bleach
on our hillsides and valleys, forbid it.
Every instinct of my manhood is hatred
towards those human jackals."
were packed away for such a length of
time was the surprise of us all, to whom
a new ribbon was a rare treasure,
and a hat that had been altered only
three times a God-send. Let the young
ladies of to-day imagine how the Con-
THE “CITY OF CHIMNEYS.”
proudly a palmetto hat, plaited and
made at home, was bravely worn
trimmed with the Secession cockade.
DESERTED BY THE GUARD.
As the blustering, windy day wore on
there were whisperings that perhaps it
would be best to secure a guard; where-
upon we were provided by
a kind friend with the semblance
of security in the shape of a
foreigner in Yankee cloth, who could
scarcely understand or be understood
by us, but who, nevertheless, managed
to let the servants know he was on the
hunt for silver and wanted to know
where ours was hid. After making a
pretence of eating his dinner he extended
his hand to the youngest of us, then four
years old, who told him very curtly she
didn't shake hands with Yankees."
Whereupon he tried to explain to the
little Rebel that he was not a Yankee,
Scenes in Columbia During and After the
Great Fire-Keeping House Under Dif-
ficulty.
(By A. P. S.)
The 17th of February, 1865! What a
day! Who that lived through that night
of horrors and the subsequent summer
of privation and utter hopelessness can
ever forget its events? Looking back
through all these years, persons and
occurrences are so indelibly stamped
upon my mind as to seem a very part of
my existance. After the evacuation of
Columbia by the Confederates, my father
being absent in the Government service,
we, like many others, were left without
a protector and at the mercy of the
enemy, then pouring by the thousands
into our town. True we were surrounded
by our servants, who on other trying
occasions had shown their loyalty and
devotion to us; but what guarantee had
we of their present fidelity? And as it
proved in two hours after the surrender
all, except one, were on the streets get-
what they could from their Yankee
benefactors, and returning so drunk as
to be perfectly useless and almost un-
manageable.
Happening to look out of the front
window of the home we occupied I ob-
served a pyramid of carpets coming down
the street with very uncertain steps,
when, upon calling my mother's atten-
tion to the sight, we discoyered our man
servant who had just become possessed
of an elegant Brussels carpet "donated”
to him by a Federal soldier. Upon his
mistress asking him to what use he in-
tended to put his property, he replied
| her or those much older than this South-
ern babe. By 8 o'clock he let us know
he was going, as he wanted to see the
fun.
Imagine us four children with only a
delicate mother for our protection. At
this time the fire was raging all around
us with only one way to leave our house.
The younger children were dragged out
panic stricken; little M. with one shoe
and stocking on, the other lost in the
confusion, had to be replaced with a
soldier's sock. As hats could not be
found a square of homespun was torn off
tin
little head.
As soon as we left the front door there
was a rush through the back way by
Yankees. One sober servant tried to
going to cut it into blankets sure, thank
God." While trying to persuade him
that it was not lawfully his, another of
our contrabands appeared loaded with
half of a millinery stock, which she in-
trusted to "Mistress” while she was ab-
sent on another "snatching?' expedi-
tion. How such quantities of things
prevented by a kick from a Yankee,
which sent trunk, darkey and contents
rolling over the floor. He, with an oath,
told her “to help herself to what she
wanted as he would take care of the rest.”
A FRIEND IN NEED.
After going a few steps we were met
by Major James G. Gibbes, who offered
his services to my mother, inquiring if
we had any valuables concealed, as he
would endeavor to secure them. Alas!
Il he didn't know the nooks and corners

118
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
where the mother of invention dictated || hero minus two of the treasures. They
we should place our treasures. One ele were actually taken from around his
gant breastpin and earrings were in the Il neck, and in his bewilderment were not
back of a sofa, dozens of spoons and missed by him.
forks packed in a mattress in the third At sunrise we wandered up to the Lu-
story, while down in the basement in a natic Asylum, where we got breakfast
hogshead of corn another larger amount and were housed two days and nights.
reposed. Of course to save all was an How many homeless wanderers found
impossibility, so with my lead up he here a place to rest and something to
rushed, and by the glare of the burning stay their hunger it is impossible to esti-
houses tore one mattress open and gath mate. The grounds were covered with
ered what we could. The other was one moving, miserable mass of beings,
dug out of the ruins some days after in old and young, from the aged man to
a melted, ruined condition, but its re the babe a few weeks old. All received
covery meant bread for the actually the same courteous attention from the
starving Owners during the succeeding superintendent, Dr. Parker. Some-
summer. Armed with our spoons and times the permanent inmates of the asy-
forks we rejoined our party, where I lum would elude their attendants and
found our nurse, (who had by this time mingle with the new-comers, who, in
recovered from her intoxication,) with their hasty toilets made the night be-
her infant in her arms and a few pounds fore, would present such grotesque
of sugar on her head, ready to follow us figures as to look much more in need of
out of the immediate range of the fire. the surveillance of the keepers than
While on our way, (I with M. in my those for whom they were engaged. We
arms) we heard a great scrambling be met one lady who came crawling to-
hind, and on looking around L. and I wards us in a most peculiar manner,
saw to our great amusement a soldier who told us she and her young baby
trying to take the negro's child in mis were quite well, but she found locomo-
take for some coveted prize. When we tion rather difficult as she had the whole
said, "Let him have the child, Agnes, of her baby's wardrobe tied to her hoop-
and keep your sugar," she replied, "I skirt, as that was the only means she
rather keep my child than have ten had of saying it. Another poor soul was
pounds of sugar.” So much for ma 1 limping, and when asked the cause of
ternal affection.
her ailment, replied she had several
By the time we reached a shelter we gold and silver dollars in her shoes
were nearly spent with our tedious walk. which had blistered her feet so as to al-
While resting in Major Gibbes's parlor most prevent her moving.
mother met one of her neighbors, who After the Yankees left the town of
informed her that nothing had been chimneys," with only a few houses
saved for her family, as she was unas standing, the negroes recovered from
sisted and had her hands full to keep their intoxication and began to look
her children together, and to accomplish | about for their former masters. Two of
this she had counted them twice in the ours found us after two days' search and
last two hours. Poor Mrs. M--! she did what they could to relieve our ne-
did indeed remind one forcibly of the cessities. The houseman came with an
old woman in the shoe; only she had offer of a house if we would take imme-
neither broth nor bread for the nu diate possession, for it had been given
merous mouths clamoring so eagerly for to him by the Yankees. Of course we
"something to eat."
accepted the place, and we went to in-
FLYING FROM THE FLAMES.
spect it. Residences were not to be had
After remaining two hours we were
for the asking, and any place outside of
a refuge for the insane seemed welcome.
told to move on farther up town, as it
was safer from the flames, so with fifty
IN A NEW HOME.
women and children we took up our Not a lock, bolt or bar on door or win-
weary tramp to the northern part of the
dow-not a chair, one old bedstead so
town, where we hovered around until
daylight in an open square. We fortu-
mean as to escape the destructive clutches
nately saved several pairs of blankets, of the plunderers, and one bench with a
three of which were intrusted to the only foot off, constituted our furniture. After
man of our party-aged seven. Finding “looking around the question was
them too cumbersome for his arms, asked, “how are we to sleep?" At length
mother tore a hole in them and put them it was decided we would go back to the
on his neck, Indian like; but to our con hospitable walls of the State institution
sternation, when we halted and began to for another night at least. Next day we
count up our savings, here was our little lI made a second attempt at housekeeping

THE CITY OF CHIMNEYS.
119
which resulted in our staying. By some
means mother succeeded in borrowing a
moss mattress two inches thick, which
was for her and the two younger chil-
dren's use, L. and I contenting ourselves
with a blanket over some boards put on
trestles and resting our heads on the
side of the big bed for a pillow.
We realized now the anxious and
pressing needs of our little ones from
day to day. How our mother stood the
trial is a marvel. Husband and broth-
ers in the Yankee lines; no home, not
one cent, scarcely a change of raiment,
and starvation at our very door. Then
it was the Southern woman showed her
true worth. Uncomplaining and help-
ful, she accomplished more to make.us
comfortable than one would imagine
from the poor means at her command.
The second morning of our establish-
ment in the house of somebody else we
heard a tremendous thumping at the
steps and on going out found our good
friend, Mr. J. J. McCarter, loaded with
biscuits his wife had made and sent to
us. Never was the greatest dainty so
devoured as those biscuits were by us.
After his departure who should come
hunting us up butold Mr. Alfred Huger.
Having missed us from our place at the
Asylum he never rested until he knew
where we had gone. I think I see him
now taking an inventory of the things
in the cottage, and his exclamation, My
God !” when we showed him our sleep-
ing accommodations. I remarked to
1 that we had nothing to wash our
faces in that morning and we had to go
to the well, which was not so nice.
Thereupon he spied some old rusty dish-
covers in the back of the yard, and after
unscrewing the handles, stopped up the
holes with cork, and handed one to
. with the suggestion, "Now you
can use that for your pretty face." He
also volunteered to furnish us with
looking-glasses to any number, if we
"were not particular as to the shapes,
for he had a great number." Thanks to
Yankee ingenuity his once elegant mir-
ror was converted into these of smaller
size at short notice.
Only one thing now was wanting to
make our toilet department a success.
-a decent comb-which was supplied
soon after by a Confederate soldier much
to our delight, for we were seriously
thinking of relieving ourselves of our
"crowns of glory," which were fast be-
coming unmanageable snarls. Being sat-
isfied with our present arrangements in
this line, mother now turned her atten-
tion to our pantry.
A PEEP INTO THE PANTRY.
The only thing we could call our own
was a box left by one of our runaways,
who, although anxious to leave and ex-
perience the delights of freedom, was not
unmindful of “mistress and the chil-
dren. In her divided state of mind
the said box, packed by her, contained
such a conglomeration of provisions as
to make its utility a serious question of
doubt. Starch and rice tied in the same
bag, while tea, sugar, coffee and salt in
small quantities well mixed represented
her generous intentions towards us. Of
course the last named articles had to be
thrown away with many expressions of
regret. The rice we managed to boil-
shall I say eat?—and it had a more de-
cided resemblance to starch than the
small grain soindispensable to all South-
ern tables.
About this time, Dr. Goodwyn, the
Mayor of the city, had his hands full.
Accepting Sherman's generous "dona-
tion” of the poor and disabled cattle too
inferior for food for his army, the Mayor
pastured them in the city park, and,
after some days of rest, the least objec-
tionable were butchered and distributed
from a small building on Plain street,
known as the “Ration House, which
for many days was the resort of all,
Another kind friend, Dr. Simeon Fair,
told us of this market, and gave us the
additional information at the same time
that meal would be distributed also. In
proof of which acceptable news he took
out his handkerchief with his share of
meal-one pint-and handed it to mother
as his contribution to our storeroom.
Each morning ever after, L. and I could
be seen trotting to market, as to be late
meant no breakfast or dinner for that
day.
One morning as we passed the ruins of
the house we had Occupied we heard a
noise, and looking more closely, what
should bound out to meet us but Joe's
dog. He, boy-like, had grieved so much
over his loss, it was with great rejoicing
we returned home, although the basket
carried for our daily prog was even
lighter than usual. Since the market,
such as it was, came to be a certainty the
actual want of sustenance was not such
an hourly dread, for although the sup-
ply was neither varied nor great still it
was infinitely better than parched corn,
which many less fortunate were only
too thankful to secure.
Having bread and meat our next task
was to get seasoning for the same. Salt
all during the war was scarce and com-
manded fabulous prices. How was it

120
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
possible to get the much desired article? || and after sawing vigorously until the
On one of our rounds from market L. glass became hot, cold water was poured
suggested that we return by Main street
so as to vary our monotonous walk.
When half way up we saw persons dig Care had to be taken how the "tumblers'
ging in the ruins of the stores and to our were used, fearing we might cut our
greatest delight saw bushels and bushels mouths; but so long as they lasted they
of salt. To fill our aprons took very little were in demand and popular with us all,
time and even less to return every one and when company called they were
of us with something to gather up and brought out for their use quite as readily
carry the prize home for our immediate as if made in the most graceful designs.
use. Coffee and tea still remained un-
known to us, however, except when
THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING DRESSES.
friends would send in a pitcherful on Mr. Gibbes, ever on the alert to help
rare occasions.
misfortune, had succeeded in saving
The kitchen conveniences were so
meagre it scarcely requires more than a
several bolts of cloth from his store on
Main street. His home being in danger
culties under which we prepared our from the flames he threw his dry goods
repast. One oven propped upon bricks, in the well on his premises as the only
and one frying pan—those were all, and way of preserving them, and there they
not having much to cook, the scarcity of remained several days. After the with-
utensils was not so serious a matter as drawal of the Yankee troops he fished
one would suppose. A superfluity of up his goods and opened store again in
them would have occasioned some per the second story of his kitchen. Al-
plexity as to the uses to which we could though his stock was not so large nor as
put them, and given aggravating sug elegant as I have since seen, still no
gestions to the appetite not possible in | store was more thronged or goods in
any manner to be gratified.
such requisition. My dress looked as if
an ink stand had been upset over it at
THE TABLE FURNITURE.
irregular distances and L's had a de-
Our table furniture consisted of four cidedly washed out look, but it was a
new dress, and what girl of sixteen has
plates, different sizes, one cup, knives
not a weakness for that garment? The
and forks with and without handles, and
making of the dresses was an event.
one very delicate dish. Finding it a
They were cut out with a pair
very inconvenient, not to say unsatis of gigantic scissors lent us by
factory, way of quenching our thirst, we a lady who had been a “clip-
were at our wits' ends how to get a sup per”' of bills in the treasury department.
ply of cups or tumblers, when we were As we did not have laces or embroidery
shown a novel way of cutting glass as a garniture for our robes, the shears
known only to the Confederate boys, could be used without much difficulty
who had to tax their ingenuity too in and very effectively in our first attempt
the matter of household contrivances. at mantuamaking. In stockings and
About a week or ten days we were socks we could supply ourselves, for be-
cut off from all that in any way per ing in the Confederacy meant that each
tained to the Government, so dear to woman could handle her knitting
every Southern heart, and were wait needles with a dexterity seldom equalled.
ing-waiting for news, when one The difficulty of getting shoes was a
evening about dusk we heard the tramp serious consideration with us, and a per-
of horses, and on going to the door we
plexity which occasioned many uneasy
beheld the glad sight of two soldier's glances as the poorly tanned leather
dressed in the old grey, dingy and worn, would begin to look the worse for wear.
The store had none, so little M. had to
and such were always welcome, and the discard the shoe she wore on the night
provisions were shared with them to
of the fire, and when she was shod again
the last crust. We had neither lamps found the new shoes much too uncomfor-
nor candles, but a bright fire of light-
table for quick walking and so bad a fit
wood knots supplied the deficiency and
as to be discarded upon urgent occasions.
furnished light for our first reception.
Noticing our want of crockery they
GENEROUS THROUGH ALL.
offered to cut us tumblers. But how?
It was wonderful how generous and
Getting a few empty bottles they tied a
eager each was to help the other in
strap around them, and providing them-
those days. No one was so poor as not
tions. Each took an end of the string, Il to be able to give from her little stock.

THE CONFEDERATE CHIEFS.
121
One friend, hearing of my mother's ill During all these weeks not only domes-
health, came with a small flask of tic cares pressed upon the heads of fami-
brandy, a little bag of flour and a cup of lies, but the sick soldier had to be cared
loaf sugar for her especial use. As soon for too. Many too feeble to be moved
as she had left all the precious things had to remain in the Campus and be
were repacked and sent immediately nursed and fed at the Government ex-
by L. to some other sufferer more pense. (?) They were representatives of
in need of them, and who being in the a dead nation, and unless provided for
country could not secure them on any by individuals would have suffered
terms. Delicacies made at a sacrifice more in those months than in all their
for the sick were sent from one friend to
previous war experience. Each lady
another until they reached the original pledged herself for so much, and that
source. Such self forgetfulness as ex word was redeemed even if her friends
hibited by the Southern women has had to go on short commons. Little
rarely been seen. Gen. Lovel called to children were willing to be denied when
pay his respects and announced his the sick soldier was the recipient of their
presence, not with the orthodox visiting bounty. It was a sad and touching sight
card, but by sending in two baskets, to see these men when able to be up sit-
one containing a peck of coffee and the
ting in the grounds cutting off the offend-
other as much sugar. Having suffered ing buttons with the C. S. A., to be re-
severely himself by the fire his generos placed with the sober black horn, thus
ity was doubly appreciated by us.
tossing down the belligerent grey and
Lee's and Johnston's surrender ended transforming themselves into peaceable
the long struggle--and how to live
citizens.
through the long summer ahead of us
was the problem. Dr. Goodwyn, finding
No. 22.-The Confederate Chiefs.
his means at an end for providing for
the town, appealed to the Yankees in
command of the post for wagons to bring
food to our city, which teams were en-
(By Mrs. James Evans, of Florence, S. C.)
trusted to Mr. Joseph D. Pope, who was
In the winter of 1860-61 were heard
fortunate enough after a trip over into
Georgia to bring back provisions which
the first mutterings of the storm which
lasted some while longer. The generous was destined to overwhelm the whole
friends over the line did indeed respond
country with ruin and desolation. The
to our cry for help in no niggardly man-
ner. Cloth was cut from the looms and
question of "State Rights,” which had
sent, while boxes of clothes and bags of lain dormant for many a year, awoke to
bacon and corn were despatched at the full life and vigor. South Carolina took
earliest moment. Vegetables fortunately
the lead, and the "Fire-eaters” of that
were plentiful, but how could we buy
when our pockets were guiltless of green-
State were eager for the fray. Some of
backs! It was no unusual thing, how the other States, and Virginia among
ever, to see the freedmen and their wives
them, were more conservative, and
come into town and sell their prog for a
waited to see whether the matter could
dress or vest, as the case may be. A
veil brought an untold amount in chick not be settled by arbitration rather than
ens and eggs. The blacker the vendor by an appeal to arms. The president of
the more ardent her desire to appear
the convention which met at Richmond,
genteel, and like the "white folks,'' and
as nothing gave her that appearance to
Virginia, was Mr. John Janney, a law-
the extent of the formerly prohibited yer of considerable distinction, and one
head gear, any price must be paid for of the leading men of the State. In per-
the possession of respectability, to say
son Mr. Janney was tall and very erect,
nothing of the protection of delicate fea-
tures and complexion.
of a stern countenance, clean shaven,
Fruit we had, too, thanks to my friend and with snow-white hair, which, to-
Mons. Grenavault. His basket, brought
gether with his far-seeing wisdom, won
by himself, helped us eke out our ra-
for him the nickname in the convention
tions, which but for his generosity we
would have found scanty more days
of the “White Owl.” In manner he was
than one. After a while his visits were grave and dignified. Mr. Janney was
looked for quite as a matter of course by
by birth and education a Quaker, and as
us all, and a disappointment keenly felt
if the peaches disappeared altogether
such was opposed to war, and did his
before he made his tri-weekly visit. Il utmost to preserve peace. But after the
16

122
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Ordinance of Secession was passed by were strong Unionists, and gave infor-
her sister States, Virginia loyally joined mation of every movement to the enemy.
them, and threw all the weight of her These people, during the whole war,
influence, and it was great, on the side acted as spies, and caused much trouble.
of the South.
If a soldier went into the town he was
Up to this time there was much diver informed upon, and in a few hours the
sity of opinion among the people. The Federal troops would be there to search
younger portion were anxious for Seces for him. They would go at any hour of
sion, seeing in the war which must fol the day or night and search the houses
low only glory and fame. The elders, from attic to cellar.
with the wisdom which age brings, were The first troops sent to L. were
totally opposed to it. They saw only the from South Carolina, Col. Sloan's Regi-
horrors of war, stripped of its mantle of ment, and right hospitably were they
glory, with its long train of attendant received. They remained but a short
evils. But when the deed was done, the time, however, being recalled to take
rubicon passed, all united, and went to part in the first battle of Manassas. We,
work with a will. As fast as companies distant forty miles from there, were
were formed, the ladies undertook to fit daily expecting to hear of a fight. On
them out. In that time of pressing need Surday morning, July 21, we were made
self was forgotten, and their whole time aware that a battle was in progress, by
and energy was devoted to making the booming of cannon, which was
clothes for the soldiers. In our little plainly heard. Oh, the suspense and
town of L. the courthouse was the place anxiety of that day! It was useless to
of meeting, and thither all the ladies attend church, for who could join in
resorted to pass the day at work. prayer and praise or listen to a sermon
Some would cut out garments, others for thinking of loved ones in such a
work the machines, while still others time of peril? The next day tidings of
would finish them off. Coats, overcoats, the victory reached us, and our sorrow
pantaloons and havelocks were made was turned into joy.
in great numbers. Ladies who had In a short time a brigade under com-
never done harder work than that with mand of Gen. N. G. Evans was sent to
a cambric needle now stitched indus occupy the place and remained there
triously on coarse cloth, making heavy until its final evacuation, after the battle
garments. They seemed to find no of Ball's Bluff. This brigade was com-
thing too hard for them. Besides this, posed of Virginia cavalry and artillery,
they knit quantities of socks of the and Mississippi infantry troops. The
coarsest yarn, and so engrossed were Colonels of these regiments were all men
they in their work that when they went of some note. Col. Burt, of the 18th
to visit their friends they would take Mississippi, was a noble man, a genial
their knitting, some even knitting as companion, and a gallant officer. He
they walked or drove, and ply their fell fighting bravely at the head of his
needles as they discussed the all-absorb troops, at Ball's Bluff. Col. Feather-
ing topic, the war. Then came the part stone, of the 17th, was a member of Con-
ing with fathers, husbands, brothers, gress and resigned on the secession of
lovers. But there were none craven the State. He has again been elected,
hearted enough to bid them stay. In and now represents his State in Con-
deed the women urged them on, and did gress. Col. Humphreys, of the 13th, has
any of the men hold back they soon felt been Governor of Mississippi since the
the scorn of the weaker sex and were in war. One company of the 18th Regiment
cited to their duty. The women would was commanded by Capt. Brown, who
help them don their equipments and was in the United States Senate. He
bravely send them off with a “God likewise resigned and hurried home to
speed,” though there might be a tear raise a company. He was a stern disci-
in the voice and in the eye.
plinarian, but exacted no more from his
men than he was willing to do himself.
QUAKER SPIES.
When on a march he would walk through
After the companies left there was a mud-hole, and rather than let them
quiet for a time, only interrupted by the
break ranks would make his soldiers
do the same. He bore all hardships
quartering of some troops in our midst.
with them, and they were devoted to
L. was nestled among the foothills of him.
the Catoctin Mountains, a spur of the Five hundred sick and wounded had
Blue Ridge, and near the Potomac River.
been sent to L. from Manassas, and
which separated us from Maryland. A this, together with the arrival of new
few miles above L. was a settlement | troops, gave our patriotic women full oc-
of Quakers from Pennsylvania, who llcupation. Hundreds of the soldiers

THE CONFEDERATE CHIEFS.
123
were sick with measles and typhoid | assailed my ears. On the next morning
fever. Every available building was I took the cars for Richmond, and
used for a hospital, and the ladies were joined the vast company of refugees
engaged in nursing the sick and prepar which flocked thither from all parts of
ing food for them. Many of the sick the Confederacy.
were taken to private houses, where The winter of 1861-62 passed quietly
they received every attention. No one enough, for the contending armies were
as yet felt the privations of war, and the in winter quarters, while in the city
appetites of the most fastidious could be there was much gayety. Numbers of
gratified. While the elder ladies were the officers and soldiers, taking advan-
thus ministering to the sick, the young tage of the lull, left the army to visit
ones found pleasant pastime in adding their homes, and were constantly pass-
to the enjoyment of the well. Every ing and repassing. The usual bustle at-
evening the dress parade was attended tendant on furnishing a great army was
by numbers of young ladies, and the apparent at all times, but as yet priva-
soldiers visited a great deal and seemed tions and harships were scarcely felt.
to find soldiering a very pleasant thing. As the spring opened, however, the
There was much riding on horseback, scene changed. All was activity. Bodies
in which the Virginia ladies excelled. of troops were constantly in movement.
One evening I went for a ride towards In May, 1862, the advance of Gen. Mc-
the river, to see the fortifications be Clellan up the Peninsula, with the view
tween our troops and the Federals. My of capturing Richmond, caused a panic,
horse took fright and ran away with me, and numbers of the citizens left their
and, much to the consternation of my homes to seek safety elsewhere. I was
escort, a gallant captain, bore me oyei among this number, and went to Han-
the lines. I checked him, however, in a over. But in a few days we were again
few moments, and returned before the compelled to seek safety in flight, and a
Federals, whom we could plainly see, battle was fought there the day after we
could capture me. I did not venture so left.
near them again.
It was October before I again found
myself in the city. All during the sum-
A GAY WINTER IN RICHMOND.
mer we were kept in a state of dread by
In September it was thought prob-
the fighting on all sides. Stonewall
able that this part of the country could
Jackson was performing prodigies of
valor with his troops in the Valley.
not be held, as the Federals were in
They seemed ubiquitous, for one day
large force just across the river at a dis they were here, another day there, and
tance of not more than two miles. My still another somewhere else. They
friends, therefore, determined to send were called “The Flying Infantry.”
me to Richmond. The railroad from There was much gloom felt in the city
Alexandria to L., which had only from the effects of the recent battles, and
been completed a year previously, this was increased by the great battle of
and which was the nearest route to Fredericksburg, which took place in De-
Richmond, had been destroyed by our cember and closed the military opera-
troops immediately on the evacuation of tions of that year. i
Alexandria, and all communication was
A REAL OLD VIRGINIA WEDDING.
by private conveyance. Dispatches
were carried daily between L. and the During the winter of 1863 I attended a
main army by couriers, who kept us in-
real old Virginia wedding. The groom
formed as to its movements. I set out
in a carriage with my brother to go to
was surgeon on Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's
Culpeper Courthouse, where the army staff, and he was killed in a little more
then was, that being the nearest point than a year after the happiest event of his
where I could take the cars. It was a life, while attending to the wounds of
wearisome journey of thirty or forty Gen Dunovant of South Carolina.
miles, and when we reached there we Among the guests at the wedding were
could see nothing but soldiers. On Gen. Fitz Lee, nephew of Gen. R. E.
every side were encampments, and the Lee, a brigadier in Gen. Stuart's Divi-
bustle and stir of thousands of troops, sion; Gen. Rosser and Major Von Borcke,
and all that goes to make up a vast
a Prussian officer, who was on Gen.
army. The hotel was crowded with Stuart's staff. As all was quiet along the
visitors, like ourselves on their way to
lines at that time, many of the officers
the Capital. Although everything was obtained permission to attend the festiy-
far from comfortable, my fatigue, after
ities, which were kept up for two or
the day's journey, caused me to sleep
three days. Gen. Stuart, however, took
soundly, notwithstanding the din which I the precaution to have daily communi-

124
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
cation with his command, which was || of him that, if a difficult work was to be
not far distant, and kept several cou done, Stuart would acccomplish it if it
riers there for that purpose.
were within the compass of human en-
An incident occurred on this occasion deavor.
which showed Gen. Stuart's gallantry to Maj. Von Borcke, who was an officer
the fair sex, which was proverbial. in the Prussian army, attracted by the
Capt. F., an officer in Gen. Lee's brigade, fighting, had come over to this country
had asked his permission to attend the on leave of absence. He attached him-
wedding and had been refused. He ap self to Gen. Stuart's staff, and threw
pealed to Gen. Stuart, and was again re himself, with all his heart, into the
fused. He determined, however, to go cause of the Confederacy. He received,
without leave, being ignorant of the fact at a later day, a wound which well-nigh
that both these officers were to be pres proved fatal, and which caused him
ent. He, with the other groomsmen, many months of pain and languishing.
was awaiting the summons to the mar After the war he returned to Belin,
riage, when Gen. Stuart entered the where he belonged to a noble family.
room. He greeted them with his He was anxious to take back with him
hearty "Well, Boys," and glancing one of Virginia's fair daughters to grace
round to see who the boys were, his eye the Court of the Emperor, but she de-
fell upon the culprit. He looked at him clined the honor thus thrust upon her,
a moment with his eagle eyes, but spoke preferring a more humble lot among her
not a word, then turned and moved own people. Maj. Von Borcke was a
away. But the captain knew that his man of noble presence, standing over
fate had been determined. As a friend six feet without his shoes, and of size
Gen. Stuart was genial and even fami corresponding to his height. He was
liar with his soldiers. As a general, he remarkably handsome, of a pure Ger-
brooked no insubordination, and Capt. man type of beauty, and his manners
F. knew that nothing less than a court combined a courtly ease and elegance,
martial awaited him. He laid his case with much dignity, which only contact
before one of the ladies, who promised with the best society could give. He
to intercede for him. During the even was quite the rage with the girls, and
ing all went merry as a marriage bell, his attractions were enhanced by his
Towards its close the lady said laugh speaking English very brokenly. That
ingly to Gen. Stuart: “General, I have made him altogether charming. He re-
a favor to ask of you."
mained in the army until it was dis-
“Granted before it is asked," replied banded in '65.
the General instantly.
She then pleaded the cause of Captain
MR. DAVIS'S RECEPTIONS.
F. Gen. Stuart listened silently until During these winters it was the cus-
she ended. After a little hesitation, he
told her that as he had promised to grant
tom of President Davis and the Gover-
her request, he could not now refuse. nor of Virginia to have weekly recep-
But for that Captain F. would have been tions at their respective mansions. Gov-
broken of his commission, and tried for ernor Letcher, after his term of office,
desertion. It came near being a serious which embraced the period of the seces-
frolic for him.
sion of Virginia, was succeeded by "Ex-
tra Billy Smith. These levees were
GEN. STUART AND MAJOR VON BORCKE.
thronged, and the President, who was
Gen. Stuart was a brave, daring of very feeble in appearance, often looked
ficer, ever on the alert, and executing the
completely exhausted. One evening I
attended one of these levees and carried
orders of his superior officers with the
in my hand a bouquet composed of helio-
utmost dispatch. He was much censured trope and mignonette. On being pre-
for what was termed his vanity and love sented to Mr. Davis he remarked on my
for admiration. In truth he was chiy flowers and quite an animated discus-
alric, devoted to the ladies, and they sion ensued as to our favorite flowers,
poured their homage at his feet. He the mignonette being his favorite. He
would go forth sometimes at the head of impressed me as a man of extensive in-
his troops covered with garlands of formation, speaking of flowers and their
flowers, his horse's head and neck like cultivation with as much ease and fluency
wise bedecked. He was as full of frolic as he did on matters of statesmanship.
as a boy when there was no fighting to On that same evening I was intro-
be done, but when the war-cry sounded duced to Gen. John Breckenridge, who
he was eager for the fray. Gen. Lee had happened to be in the city. He was, I
a just appreciation of this, the greatest think, the handsomest man I ever saw.
cavalry officer of the century, and said ll Not only was his countenance of re-

THE CONFEDERATE CHIEFS.
125
markable manly beauty, but so majestic Among the refugees in Richmond was
was his figure that a stranger passing the family of Hon. James M. Mason,
him in the street would pause and tu.n who, with Mr. Slidell, had been sent as
to look at him, and he was as brave as commissioners to the Court of St. James.
handsome. On another occasion I met They had been compelled to leave their
Gen. Jack Morgan, the great cavalry homes in Winchester, Va., on the occu-
officer of the Army of the West. One pation of that place by the Federals, and
was sure at these places to meet all the suffered all the privations of refugee life
distinguished persons who were in the during his residence in Europe.
city.
It was only during the winter, while GEN. LEE AND JUDAI P. BENJAMIN.
the armies were in winter-quarters, that Gen. R. E. Lee was well known to the
any gayety took place. Sometimes, how-
people of Richmond, frequently visiting
ever, movements of troops took place
during the winter, and it was beart-
his family there. He was as remarkable
rending, in the latter part of the war, to for his piety as for his other noble quali-
see the condition of the men, ragged, ties. It was the custom of the Episcopal
dirty, barefoot or with tattered shoes in ministers to hold services at their
sufficient to protect them. One day Gen. churches during the Lenten season at 7
Hood's division passed through the A. M. The weather was often intensely
street on which I lived. In the house cold, but Gen. Lee never failed to be
were some thirty boarders, school girls, present when he was in the city, though
and, it being dinner-time, they asked I neyer head of his participating in any
leave to give their dinner to the soldiers. I of the gaveties going on in the evening.
On receiving permission, each girl took Mr. Davis, too, was a frequent attendant
her plate, and rushing to the door, on these early services, and he always
emptied it into the hands of the first attended both morning and evening
soldier that passed. The yell of satis services on Sunday, unless some press-
faction that was raised fully repaid ing affairs prevented. One Sunday
them for the sacrifice of a meal. Some morning, when a battle was expected,
times, too, we would see parties of pris he was suddenly called out of the
oners led through the streets to the church, and after that the eloquence of
prisons, and their appearance was ab the minister for once failed to chain the
ject and squalid in the extreme.
wandering thoughts of his congrega-
As the years passed on the difficulty tion. As soon as the service was over
of obtaining provisions and clothing in there was an eager questioning as to
creased. To those who had plenty of what was the news.
Confederate money it was difficult-how Another prominent character was the
much more so to those who had but Hon. Judah P. Benjamin, secretary of
little of the filthy lucre. Not only was war, who could be daily seen walking to
there a great scarcity of supplies, but and from his office. He was small in
the most enormous prices were asked person, with marked Jewish features
for them. The refugees found it very and the impersonation of neatness and
hard to live. Many of them, especially trimness. His administration of the
those in the departments, lived in one affairs in his department gave an earnest
or two rooms, barely sufficient for their of the distinction at which he arrived
actual necessities, poorly furnished, before his death.
doing their little cooking for themselves, In April, 1863, was fought the great
glad to get enough food to supply their W battle of Chancellorsville, a grand vic-
need. There were many devices to tory for the Confederates. But the re-
make old clothes look almost as good as joicings over the victory were changed
new, much turning and contriving, and to lamentations, for the death of Stone-
the costumes which were the result of wall Jackson caused a nation to mourn.
this ingenuity were much admired. His remains were brought to Richmond
albeit they were not equal to Worth's. and laid in state in the Capitol, and for
A new dress was a luxury not often in three days it was viewed by immense
dulged in, and worn with great respect numbers of people who thronged the
and tender care. I well remember one building, entering by one door and
summer, which I was to pass in visiting passing out by another, each pausing
friends, the only dress I purchased was only to drop a tear for the lamented
a calico, for which I paid an exorbitant dead. The fine statue of Stonewall
price, and which I wore with great Jackson, presented by the English
pride. The country people could spin through J. Beresford Hope, to the
and weave and make their own cloth, ||
Southern people, and now standing in
but those in the towns had not that ad the Capitol Square in Richmond, is a
noble testimony of the esteem and ad-
vantage.

126
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
miration in which he was held as well || was early on a cold morning in January,
abroad as at home.
1865, that the knot which united us, for
Nexu came the advance of the army weal or woe, was securely tied by two
into Pennsylvania, and the terrible bat clergymen. Immediately after the cere-
tle of Gettysburg in July, '63. The whole
Confederacy was again plunged in This was not long, for so surrounded
gloom, both for the loss of the battle and was Richmond by the Federals that one
the personal loss to so many Southern could not journey far without meeting
families. The fall and winter of '63 were them. The snow had fallen all the day
spent by the Federals in efforts to reach before, and as the train filled with a
the James, while our troops remained motley crowd of citizens and soldiers
on the defensive. In the spring of '64 moved out from the station the sun rose
Dahlgren's famous raids around Rich and shed its beams over a scene of
inond took place, and one party came resplendent beauty. The earth seemed
very near the city. The gentlemen of covered with a mantle of ermine, span-
the city, who for various causes were
exempted from the regular service, were the Seven-hilled City rose behind us on
formed into a battalion to be called to the frosty air. Our destination was
the field in case of danger to the city. Charlotte Courthouse, and the station
was reached by 5 P.M. But after leaving
whole male population, was ordered out
to meet the raiders, leaving the women before us, and only a four-seated
and children wholly defenceless. Great vehicle, with one poor horse, to
was the anxiety felt by them. So near convey seven persons. This had been
was the fighting that the musketry fir provided for us, but my husband gave
ing could plainly be heard, while the up, his seat to a lady, and tramped
boom of the cannon was continuous. through the snow, whiie I, a bride of a
My sister was visiting friends in the few hours, assumed the reins and drove
country, twenty miles distant, and was to the village. There, however, a warm
welcome awaited us, and we were
all stopped. She was so overwhelmed compensated for the discomforts of the
with anxiety about her family that she trip. We were sumptuously feasted on
promised her trunk and its contents to roast fowl, with dried apple pies for
two negroes if they would take her to dessert, a third course of cracked wal-
the city. They got a hand-car and nuts, while to complete the luxurious
pushed it all the way to the city, she feast was coffee. I will not attempt to
sitting on the trunk, which she left with make my readers believe that at that
them on her arrival in Richmond.
period of the Confederacy we had real
During this raid the gallant and daring coffee. But by a clever admixture of
Stuart lost his life. His remains were okra seed and sweet potato, flavored
brought to the city and interred in with extract of coffee, and sweetened
Hollywood Cemetery. On the day that with sorghum, we were actually be-
he was buried, although it rained inces guiled into the belief that we were
santly, a large concourse of people fol drinking coffee.
lowed him to his grave. As we stood The time allowed by the furlough,
beside it, the booming of cannon around which required the signatures of six
the city, mingled with the sullen roar of general officers to obtain as many day's
Heaven's artillery, seemed to do honor leave, soon drew to a close. Just at this
to the departed hero. Dahlgren himself time a freshet washed away the railroad,
was killed in the raid, and a report said and my husband found himself between
that on his person were found orders to
kill Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet, to wait until the road was repaired or walk
pillage and burn the city and kill men, forty miles in the depth of winter to re-
women and children. Our joy was the join his command. He seized the one
greater that we should have been deliv most agreeable to him, feeling that his
ered. The raiders at one time ap devotion to the Confederate cause did
proached within one and a half miles of not need this final test. In a few
the city. All during the fall and winter days the road was in running order,
of 1864-65 Grant was besieging Richmond and he left for the South, while I re-
and Petersburg.
mained behind to watch events, and
await the end which was nearer than we
A BRIDAL TOUR THROUGH THE SNOW. believed.
It was during that winter that I deter THE PRIVATIONS OF REFUGEE LIFE.
mined to link my fortunes with those of During my residence in Charlotte I
one of the Confederate soldiers, and it ll experienced more severely than ever the

THE CONFEDERATE CHIEFS.
127
hardships of refugee life. One of the || worse off than most of us, but they bore
greatest wants was that of lights. In the || their privations in a truly heroic spirit.
early period of the war, after the ante There were among us few even of the
bellum supply of candles was exhausted, comforts of life. What we had always
they were made by passing a wick regarded as necessaries now became
through a mixture of beeswax and rosin luxuries. Some few persons managed
several times, until it was the size of a to keep a little tea and loaf sugar for use
quill, and then winding it around a in cases of sickness, not to be touched at
wooden frame. This answered the pur any other time. Coffee was made of
pose admirably. But as the supply of various things, usually rye, but sweet
wax diminished these candles were kept potatoes and okra seed both made a bet-
for special occasions, and we sat during ter substitute than the rye. The rye
the winter evenings by the firelight, coffee had a disagreeable taste, while
which, though rather conducive to drow the other was simply a hot beverage.
siness, served to knit by, that being our Buttermilk was much sought for, and
only evening work. In summer we used many persons used nothing else when it
a taper consisting of a wick floating in could be procured. Words would fail
some kind of oil, which served to light to tell of the devices to make palatable
the house. There were a few new books, dishes of the few materials that we had.
among them "Les Miserables,” by Vic One lady made a pudding of corn meal
tor Hugo, and “Great Expectations,'' by and dried apples boiled together, and
Dickens, which were published on coarse eaten with a sauce of butter and
brown paper by a firm in Mobile. These sorghum, which was considered a mas-
were eagerly read, and the books were terpiece of the culinary art.
lent from hand to hand until they were
well thumbed, if not entirely worn out.
FLYING FROM THE FEDERALS.
The refugees eked out their scanty sub The difficulty of communication was
sistence by raising fowls, vegetables, &c.
so great at that time that weeks would
One day we visited a lady,and her father,
an old officer in the Mexican war, came
elapse without my hearing a word from
into the room and said, very trium my husband, and we only knew by the
phantly, "Now I am going to have plenty occasional papers which reached us of
of chickens. When asked his reasons the movements of the enemy and of our
for knowing this, he said he had bought own troops. Sherman was making his
a great many eggs and was going to set famous march through the Carolinas,
all his hens. The change in his counte spreading terror and desolation on every
nance was quite amusing when told he side. Towards the end of March rumors
could not compel the hens to set.
reached us of the probable evacuation
Among the refugees at Charlotte was of Richmond. At length the dreadful
a gentleman from Alexandria, who was news came that Richmond had fallen!
living when hostilities began in Illinois, This was soon followed by the news of
near the city of Chicago, where he had Lee's surrender. Everything was alarm
invested his means in real estate. His and confusion. We, whose friends were
legal adviser during his residence in the with the army further South, were afraid
West was President Lincoln. He re of being cut off from them and knew
turned to Virginia immediately on the not what to do. At Charlotte was a
Secession of that State to cast in his for family of refugees from New Orleans,
tunes with her, leaving his property in friends of the President. The hus-
the hands of Northern tenants. He band of one of these ladiesand
confidently expected it would be con brother of the other, was Mr. Davis's
fiscated or sold for taxes. Through the namesake and one of his aides-de-camp,
kindness of Mr. Lincoln it was pre and consequently a person of considera-
served intact, and he even sent him a ble importance in the eyes of the Fed-
safeguard to proceed to Chicago and look erals. He arrived one evening with a
after it. Though he did not avail him wagon train to take his family some-
self of it then, it was chiefly instru where, anywhere out of the line of
mental in his getting possession of his march of the enemy. Knowing my
property after the surrender. I men anxiety to rejoin my husband, they
tion this incident as it illustrates one proposed that I should accompany them,
phase of Mr. Lincoln's character, that and I gladly assented. There was little
he was a man of warm attachments and time to consider the matter, for they
a true friend.
were to leave early the next morning.
Another family of refugees was from So hastily packing my trunks, I pre-
the North, people who had left home, pared to join them, and bade farewell to
property, everything behind them for my friends in Charlotte. The train con-
the Southern cause. They were really | sisted of four wagons, guiltless of

128
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
springs, and each drawn by two mules,
A VISIT FROM THE FEDERALS.
and the party was composed of Captain
B., his wife and child, sister and two
I went into the country to visit an old.
brothers, both officers, and myself, with schoolmate, and while there the first
the drivers, one of whom was also detachment of Federals passed through
the cook.
that section. They camped near the
We travelled a few miles, and halted
at noon for dinner, which consisted of
house and the owner, Mr. C., thought
fried ham, biscuit and coffee. This, that the best way to save his property
with the occasional addition of milk was to show some attention to the com-
and eggs, which we would procure at mander, Gen. Kerfoot, and his officers.
farm-houses, constituted our meals He visited their camp and invited them
three times a day for two weeks. After to take supper with him. This they
dinner we resumed our journey until i willingly did, while we most unwil-
sunset, when we halted again for the lingly received them. They behaved
night. We were very glad to alight and like gentlemen, and the evening was
stretch our limbs, for riding in a road passing quietly away when Gen. Sheri-
wagon, jolting over rough country dan was mentioned. I very rashly said,
roads, is not one of the delightful ex * I hate Gen. Sheridan." Gen. Kerfoot
periences of life. It was a novel feeling arose from his seat and walked into the
to the ladies to be out for the night, with middle of the room.
no roof but the tent of the wagon, no Gentlemen,'' said he, "we cannot sit
bed but a mattress spread in it. The here and hear a lady say she hates Gen.
gentlemen camped out in army fashion. Sheridan.”
But the scene was worthy of the gypsies. "Yes, I do hate Gen. Sheridan," I said
The wagons were placed in a square, again. "No one could help doing so
the mules tethered and fed, a fire after his burning all the barns and
lighted, and then all gathered around it houses at their home, and destroying
to watch the operations of that impor everything."
tant personage, the cook. The most de I put on a bold face, but was really
licious viands would not have been
I very much alarmed, for many had been
more enjoyed than was our homely || sent to prison for a less offence. Mr. C.
meal, eaten in our fingers, with a tin cup came to my relief, however, and ex-
for the coffee, which had the merit plained matters, and the General re-
of being hot and continuing so sumed his seat and said nothing more on
for a provokingly long time. The only the subject.
thing to mar our pleasure was that the The civility of the family did not pre-
smoke always would come towards us, vent their being robbed. The next
and kept us constantly moving from morning the house was surrounded by
side to side. Thus passed the first day soldiers, who took everything they
and night of our journey, and the rest could lay their hands on, though only a
were, with little exception, like it. The few entered the house. My friend was
tent of the wagon formed an agreeable the youngest and the darling of the
shade, and with books, and talk, and house, whose slightest wish had been a
song, we contrived to while away the command. As we saw one of the sol-
time, while our mules plodded wearily diers leading off the last of the carriage
along. One night we passed in a house. horses she said to him: “Please don't
We camped near it, and to our surprise take our last horse, for we cannot even
found that it was occupied by a family go to church." He looked at her very
of refugees from New Orleans. weil unconcernedly and said: “This is no
known to Mrs. B. The lady of the house time for jiggeting and gallivanting
insisted on our spending the night with about," and led the horse away.
her and treated us most hospitably. At The next morning tidings reached us
the end of a week we reached Halifax of Johnston's surrender at Greensboro',
Courthouse, and stopped for a day to and of the consequent cessation of hos-
rest. The day after we resumed our || tilities. One old horse was found which
journey, intending to cross the Dan had been turned out to graze, and with
River and get into North Carolina. But that I managed to return to the village
before we reached the river we literally to await some news of my husband. In
stuck in the mud, so deep was the a few days he arrived, having ridden
swamp, and were obliged to return to horseback from Greensboro'. After a stay
Halifax. Leaving the ladies in safe of two weeks he set out to ride to South
keeping, the gentlemen, after giving us Carolina. He was obliged to depend
some of the mules to pay our board, upon the liberality of the people during
rode away, and we heard no more of the whole journey to supply his wants,
them for some time.
and notwithstanding the poverty to
ILL

FAITHFUL OLD NANCY.
129
which they had been reduced, their || the risk. I was allowed to get off at
losses by the enemy and the frequent Washington, and after a delay of two
demands upon their hospitality, he was hours went on to Baltimore. There I
only once refused food.
spent four days, and then took a train
ONCE MORE IN RICHMOND.
on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad,
which took me to within a few miles of
I, with five Mexican dollars, which my home, to which I returned after an
my husband received on the disbanding
absence of nearly four years.
of the troops, was to endeavor to make
my way back to my home on the Poto-
No. 23.-Faithful Old Nancy.
mac. It was so disagreeable travelling
on the regular train, which was filled
with soldiers and negroes, that I decided
(By Mrs. Cornelia E. Screven, of LaGrange, Ga.)
to try and reach Richmond in some
other way. I parted there with my tra During the war I resided in the
velling companions, but learned after-
pleasant village of Dorchester, Liberty
wards that Miss B. had married in Hali-
fax and made it her bome.
County, Georgia, situated five miles
I joined a party going to Richmond, from the seacoast. It was selected as a
which consisted of three gentlemen, two point suitable for the encampment of
ladies and three children. We received
soldiers who defended the coast of our
permission to go on a special train, con-
sisting of an engine and one car, divided
county, and from this point pickets
into two compartments, which carried a were sent out in various directions for
party of Federals repairing the telegraph
our defence. One company was fre-
wires. They had all been broken down.
One of the gentlemen of the party had
quently exchanged for another, but it is
been in charge of the prison at Ander-
remarkable that we had always the good
sonville, Ga., and was much afraid of fortune to have in our midst gentlemen
being recognized, and we were careful
of respectability, education and good
never to call his name. We set off on
Monday morning, and reached Rich-
morals, which rendered their sojourn
mond, 100 miles distant, on Saturday among us pleasant and agreeable. With
night.
the exception of a detachment from the
It was a relief to be once more in the
Third South Carolina Cavalry, whom
Capital city. But what a change! Where
stately buildings had stood, nothing re-
we gratefully and pleasantly remember
mained but blackened walls in the for their watchful care and gentlemanly
burnt district, and the people were in a attention, our coast was guarded by
terrible state of depression. The Blue troops from various portions of our own
coats were everywhere, and martial rule State.
prevailed. I parted with my travelling Occasionally a false alarm would star-
companions again, as I wished to spend | tle our little community, throwing us
a few days in the city. During my stay into considerable excitement for a few
I for the first time met that grand old days, but nothing of consequence OC-
soldier, Gen. Lee, who was residing curred to disturb the "even tenor of our
quietly at his home there. He was way” for several years, and our soldiers
much annoyed by the curiosity of North who were compelled to lead this inac-
ern people who flocked to the city and tive life wearied and chafed under the
would wait near his house for a glimpse necessity, and longed for orders to pro-
of him when he would go out for a walk. ceed to the front, where active service
So greatly did it annoy him that he at and, as they hoped, all the honor and
last would only go out after nightfall. glory of war awaited them. In time
I obtained a pass from the Federal their ambitious desires were gratified,
commander to go on a steamer to Alex and one company after another left their
andria. Joining two ladies, who were quiet encampment on the borders of our
also going there on a pass, we made a little village for the battlefields of gal-
very pleasant trip down the James, up land Old Virginia, some to sleep the
the bay to the mouth of the Potomac, sleep of death under her blood-stained
and up that river to Alexandria. Here soil; some to languish in gloomy prison
my two friends left me, for I determined cells, enduring hunger, weariness and
to go on to Washington and take a train cold; while others returned to homes
for Baltimore. I had some fears in and families wounded, scarred, dis-
doing this, as my pass was only to Alex abled for life, and with hearts bleeding
andria. However I determined to take ll for the "Lost Cause."
17

130
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
It was not until December, 1864, that || of the girls who had left me but a short
the horrors of war burst upon our vil time before. Everybody was in a state
lage in real earnest. We were aware of excitement. Nothing was to be
that Sherman was advancing toward the gained by a further suppression of the
coast, but his near approach was stu truth, and the news that the enemy were
diously kept from women and children near by had flown like lightning over
by our forces for fear of producing an the village, striking terror to the hearts
excitement among them. Couriers were of all. I exchanged a few words with
kept out at various points to gain what some of my neighbors, who were feel-
ever information they could respecting ing the crisis more seriously than they
the movements of the enemy, and daily liked to express. Miss Maxwell tried
reports were sent in to the encampment, to establish cheerfulness by assuring us
thus preparing our men for the impend that the natural civility of Americans
ing advance.
would be a protection to us; but she
I pass on to the memorable morning of failed to remove the anxiety that sat
the 13th of December. The day was cool upon the faces of all.
and brilliantly beautiful, and my When we arrived at home Charles was
daughters and Miss Maxwell, a niece there.
who was visiting me from Athens, pro "Jist as I tell you, missis,'' said he;
posing a walk, wandered off into the “de Yankees is comin' shure 'nough.
village while I remained at home to Lieut. say he will be here shortly.
superintend some work which had to be "Well, Charles," I answered, "I want
done in my garden. While giving direc your assistance now, and I want to
tions to the servant I was attracted by know if you are going to be true to me
the clatter of horses' feet some distance in this emergency."
up the road, but very rapidly approach “Yes ma'am,” said he emphatically,
ing. Looking intently in the direction “I'll never leave you, missis, 'till you
of the sound a horse and rider came tell me you don' want me no more.”
fully into view, and seemed to pass be “I believe you," I replied, "and as we
fore my dizzy sight upon the "wings of have no time to lose, you must give me
the wind.” Pressing the rowels into your help at once. Make a pen in the
the sides of his panting charger, all thicket the other side of the stable and
flecked with foam from head to heels, hide the hogs we are fattening; be quick
and urging him at every step to greater about it, as the Yankees are only ten
speed, he passed rapidly out of sight, miles off.
and left me wondering what the matter Just then Lieut. Conyers called at the
could be.
gate. Miss Maxwell and myself went
“Some one must be going after a out to meet him, and, to our surprise,
physician,” I said,
saw the whole company drawn up in
Charles, the servant who was working marching order a little distance from
the garden, looked at me for a moment the house.
and then spoke.
"Why, what is the meaning of this?"
"I don't want to relarm you, missis,' I inquired; "are you retreating ?"
he said, “but I tink dat's one of dem "We are,'' he replied. "It is madness
carriers Mars Wimberly sen' to spy Il to attempt to contend with such tre-
'pon dem Yankees what dey 'spectin'." mendous odds. Our forces are dwind-
An indescribable terror seized me, ling to a mere name. Men are badly
which I could not at once define, but in wanted in the field, and it is best we
a moment I comprehended the whole should save ourselves for future use."
situation, and I said quickly: "Run to “How shall we receive them ?" I in-
the camp as fast as you can and ask quired.
Lieut. Conyers to send me word if any “With dignity,” he replied, and
thing is the matter."
without the least sign of fear. You can-
Seeing my terror, the poor negro be not prevent their entering your house;
came excited beyond control, and with therefore you had better conceal all ar-
a cry like a warwhoop he bounded over ticles of value that you possess. I have
the fence, not waiting to open the gate, no time to lose,'' he continued, extend-
and took a bee-line for the encampment, ing his hand to both. “Please thank
jumping palmetto bushes and little oak | the ladies of Dorchester for their kind-
scrubs with the activity of a wild deer. ness to our company. We shall ever
gratefully remember them. Good-bye.
AN EXCITED VILLAGE.
and may God protect you.” Another
I ran into the house and, hastily
pressure of the hand and the gallant
lieutenant, with his little band of men,
snatching a hat from the rack, hurriedly
were making all haste to avoid the ad-
ay into the village in search "vancing enemy.

FAITHFUL OLD NANCY.
131
I appreciated the situation of the com-
pany, and approved of their course, but
ir course, but
as I proceeded to the house I felt as
though my last hope had expired; that
we were desolate, alone and in the power
of a vindictive and relentless enemy,
who had declared vengeance against
our homes and firesides. A look of pro-
found sorrow passed over the usually
bright face of Miss Maxwell as she real-
ized our unprotected condition, but,
quickly rallying from the depression,
she drew from the folds of her dress a
beautiful little dagger, which had been
presented by a young Confederate, and
laughingly said, as she brandished it
around. "I am sorry to part with our
brave boys, but this will protect us in
the hour of need."
I proposed that we should collect and
conceal the articles of silver and jewelry
in our possession and she assisted me.
with my daughters, in doing so. In our
sitting-room was a sofa, which stood
near the fireplace and just outside,
under the curve of one arm, a place had
been accidentally cut in the haircloth;
this I considered a safe place to conceal
the silver and slipped in fifty-four pieces
in the way of spoons and forks. A tea
set was hastily hidden away in a large
box, and a great pile of old "Southern
Literary Messengers” were thrown care-
lessly upon it, and it was left in the
library to take its chance. My younger
daughter, a girl of thirteen, placed some
of her treasures in a small box, and
without my knowledge hid it away
under the front steps. Trunks, bureaus.
and wardrobes were securely locked
and the keys placed in my pocket.
Nothing nore could be done, an
palpitating hearts, and a keen sense of
our utter helplessness, we sat down to
await the issue.
THE FRIGHTENED NEGROES.
It was not long before Charles rushed
into our presence, intense fear depicted
upon his countenance, and followed by
every negro in the yard.
"Oh, my God, missis !” he exclaimed,
"don't you hear dat shootin' up de road ?
Lord! Lord !” he continued, "all Cap'n
mens is goin' to be kill."
"I hope not, Charles,' I replied;
"things look very dark for us, but you
all must try to be calm, and look to a
Higher Power for protection.”
"Yes, ma'am,” he said, but I noticed
that he trembled fearfully. Indeed, all
of the negroes were much alarmed, and
Sophy, Miss Maxwell's maid, and Delia,
our house servant, were sniffling audi-
Nancy, our cook, was the only fearless
one in the crowd. and she held forth in
this wise: “I tell Charl', missis, he
oughter shame to git so sca'd, an' he a
man, too. I neber see shish a skittish
nigger sence I born; settin' shish a zam-
ple to dese young niggers. I can't man-
age dem none at all."
Another volley of musketry reached
our ears, much nearer than the first.
The utmost consternation prevailed.
The negro girls ran up stairs and hid
under the beds, while Nancy went out
to her younger children. Suddenly we
were startled by the tramping of horses
and voices shouting in the distance. We
ran to the windows and saw one of our
Confederate soldiers flying for his life
and pursued and fired upon by two reg-
iments of cavalry. Charles stood close
behind me, and in an undertone as
though afraid of being heard said,
"Lord how he do fly ! He coat-tail jist
a' arguin wid de wind.” The poor fel-
low was certainly minus a coat-tail, but
Charles's excited imagination supplied
one.
We had the pleasure and satisfaction
of seeing the distance lengthen between
the pursued and his pursuers. Our sol-
dier had the advantage. His horse was
fresh, while the Yankees, as well as
their horses, were jaded and worn by a
long and tiresome march through our
State. We afterwards learned that he
plunged into the depths of a swamp, and
after several days of hardships and
perils succeeded in making his way
once more into Confederate lines across
the Altamaha River.
The two regiments proceeded to the
old dilapidated town of Sunbury, imme-
diately on the coast, for the purpose of
communicating with their fleet, which
lay just outside the bar. For a signal to
this fleet they fired the old Baptist
Church and burned it to the ground.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon we
were surprised by a straggler calling at
the front gate. Miss Maxwell and my-
self went out on the verandah, and he
asked for a glass of water. I called
Charles to take a bucket of water to the
gate, but he was nowhere to be found;
so I took it myself and sitting it on the
verandah, he came to the steps and
drank like a famished beast.
TERRIBLE NEWS RECEIVED.
We were extremely anxious about the
company whom we were certain had en-
countered the enemy, and could not for-
bear asking him if he had seen anything
of some Confederate soldiers a mile or
two from the village.
bly.

132
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
"I should think I have,” he replied. || ing and a small Bible, which has the
"They are all lying dead up yonder at name of 'Lieut. James Campbell' on one
the forks of the road."
of the blank leaves; below the name is
"Dead?" I cried. "Merciful Heaven ! written, 'A gift from my mother. I
our men all dead, did you say?"
presume he values it for her sake, and I
“Yes, all of 'em dead; they'll never will take pleasure in restoring it to him
fire another gun. Here's a watch," he if you will undertake to do so when the
continued, "that I got from one of the opportunity offers."
bodies," and taking a handsome gold I assured him that I would gladly re-
watch from his pocket, asked if I recog turn it to the owner. He thanked me,
nized it.
and said: "I regret that I am not per-
I do not," I replied. He smiled, and mitted to return the clothing, but of
returning the watch to his pocket, asked
course you understand the rules of
the way to Sunbury. We directed him, war."
and mounting his horse he rode away. They rose to leave, and I inquired if
I looked at my niece, who had been we would probably be disturbed during
hitherto silent; her face was as white as the night by stragglers. They both
death, and her eyes burned with indig assured me that we could rest in perfect
nation and grief.
safety, as their rules were very stringent
We passed into the house and com and all privates required to answer to
municated the sorrowful intelligence to roll call at a certain hour.
my daughters, who were horror-stricken "I am Adjutant Mitchell," he said, and,
and wept unrestrainedly at the sad fate turning to the other, “this is my friend
of our soldiers.
Lieut. Baker, both of the Third Ken-
Evening's dusky shadows were gath-
tucky Regiment, and if you will permit
ering slowly over our little village when
me, I will call in the morning to see how
two more men presented themselves at you are faring and give you all the pro-
our gate. They dismounted, secured tection in my power.”
their horses, and coming up to the ver I thanked him, glad to avail myself, in
andah, bowed respectfully and asked if || this frightful crisis, of the least kindly
they might take the liberty of asking assistance.
for a glass of water.
“Certainly," I replied, and again
"DON' CALL MY NAME SO LOUD."
placed the bucket on the steps, from After they had left, I went out to look
which they drank immediately. They
for Charles, but he was not in the yard,
sat on the steps awhile and rested them-
selves, and I thought they were cer-
and none could tell me where he was.
tainly the most wearied and exhausted I went to the back gate and called loudly,
looking beings I ever beheld-ragged, “Charles ! Charles! Oh Charles !” Sud-
filthy, and covered with dust from head denly, I heard a whisper not more than
to feet; but their demeanor and address ten feet from me. "Hush missis, don'
denoted the gentleman. They apolo call my name so loud."
gized for their appearance, and said: "Why, Charles," I said rather start-
“We hope to be relieved by supplies led, "what on earth are you doing in
from our fleet, which we understand is that clump of palmetto bushes ?"
in sight."
"Oh, missis, dat Yankee!” said he
I inquired if they could give me any Il rising slowly and looking suspiciously
information respecting the skirmish around. “I was dat scared when I seen
which had taken place that morning at him comin up to de house I bleeged to
the forks of the road, between their run and hide myself, and den I gone an'
forces and ours, and one of them re fa!! to sleep, and now you see dat; I
plied: "Oh, nothing serious hap obersleep myself My, my, I ought'n.
to done so."
“Why," I said, “one of your men "No you ought'nt,'' I said rather
passed by here a while ago and told us sharply, "and I'm very much surprised
our men were all killed."
at such conduct. It's very cold and
He looked irritated, and said: “There there is no wood cut to make a fire in
is not a word of truth in it; the cruel the house."
hound only wanted to distress you. "Well, missis, I'll make dat all right
Your men made their escape into the directly,” said the good-natured crea-
swamp on the left of the road, and not ture; and then with a look of real alarm
knowing what snare might be set for us he said, “but spos'n dey hear de axe."
we did not pursue them but a short dis “Well, spos'n they do," I said, and
tance. I picked up,” he continued, “a | partly provoked and partly amused I
knapsack belonging to a Confederate, ll returned to the house.
which contained a few articles of cloth- | We soon had a blazing fire, and after
pened."

FAITHFUL OLD NANCY.
133
securely fastening the doors and win Il find, and a carpet, which was cut up for
dows we took tea; the last plentiful horse blankets. He searched the bed-
meal that we had upon our table during ding and even divested the pillows of
the whole Yankee raid.
their cases. He next went to the bureau,
After tea we discussed the events of but, catching a glimpse of his hideous
the day and the probable horrors of the face in the mirror, he seemed to forget
morrow The night wore slowly away; everything else, and, taking up the hair
we did nou retire to our rooms, but took brush, proceeded to arrange his fiery
it by turns to sit up and watch. None red bristles, which stood off like "quills
of us slept. and the next morning we
upon the fretful pocupine.”
were weariea and worn from excite-
ment and want of rest. We were anx-
A FICTURE OF A NONDESCRIPT.
iously awaiting breakfast and a cup of I shall never forget that picture, as he
coffee, when we were startled by the
stood before the bureau. He wore a fine
tram ping of horses and jingling of
metal. We all made a rush for the back
silk hat, stolen of course; the nose un-
door, from whence the sound proceeded, derneath turned up to the rim, lips like
and saw that the yard was crowded with an African, with two snags between,
men and horses. They were coming eyes blood-shot, a ragged coat made of
into the house, when we met them at the three different patterns of carpeting,
door.
pants with the knees out and shoes with
Miss Maxwell hastily whispered, the toes out completed the picture
"Now, aunt, be brave; show no sign of which so fascinated him in the mirror.
fear."
Some one called him down stairs, which
The leader of the thieving band ap broke the spell that bound him, and the
proached me and demanded my keys. other rooms escaped being searched.
"What do you want with my keys ?" One of his brother-thieves met him in
I inquired.
the hall and said: "I'm terribly hungry,
"I am ordered by the commanding let's get something to eat; there's some
officer to search your house for fire breakfast in the kitchen, we can begin
arms."
on that."
"I have none," I said emphatically. "All right, go ahead," said the car-
"I must obey orders,” he said. "and peted brute, "I'll look into this room
if you do not give me your keys I will first."
break down every door in your house.'' It was a shed-room on the back piazza,
By that time we had been pressed which I used as a storeroom, and
nearly to the front door by the crowd which was moderately well filled with
who were rapidly filling the hall and groceries and provisions for those times
parlors. I produced the keys, and he of scarcity and high prices. I had
said, “Come on boys, we'll go up stairs neither time nor place to conceal them,
first."
and was compelled to leave them to the
His impudence nerved me with un mercy of the enemy. In a half hour
common strength of will, and taking the room was entirely emptied of its
my stand on the stairs, I said, "I am contents and the provisions sacked and
forced to submit to this order, but I hung around their saddles. By that
defy another man to put his feet upon time the breakfast had been demolished,
these steps. I have already been prom all the chickens caught and decapitated
ised protection, and am expecting an and hung on their saddles, and a fine
officer every moment to guard my pig, belonging to the cook, slaughtered
house."
and given to her, to prepare for their
This seemed to intimidate them, espe dinner, which they would take on their
cially the ringleader, and he com return. They then departed for other
manded them to stand back. Miss Max houses, where they joined their brother-
well took my place on the steps, while I thieves, who were committing the same
followed the thief up stairs. He un depredations upon others.
locked the wardrobe, and, drawing his I blush to say these men were Ken-
sword from the scabbard, proceeded to tuckians, belonging to the Third and
pick out all wearing apparel upon its Fifth Regiments of Kentucky Cavalry.
point. They were dashed upon the floor, We were standing in the hall, discus-
trampled upon and badly cut. My bon sing the lack of breakfast, when we saw
net and crape veil were so badly crushed Adjutant Mitchell and Lieut. Baker dis-
and cut that I never wore them again. mounting at the gate. They came has-
He extracted many articles of clothing, tily forward, and with real sincerity the
which he distributed among negroes; a adjutant said, “I fear we are too late to
valuable telescope, ten fine blankets, have saved you some trouble."
leaving us only five, which he did not “Yes," i said, "we are completely torn

134
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
up, provisions all gone, everything they || was convinced that they suspected the
ould find of value appropriated, and truth, though they took no further no-
last, but not least, every particle of our tice of the occurrence. They remained
breakfast eaten up."
with us until 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
His face reddened, and he said, “I am || when they returned to Sunbury. The
very sorry, but we could not possibly silver was removed.
get here sooner.”
They both looked much improved, and
DEAR OLD "NANA,"
as though they had been enjoying the as we called her, upon whose dusky
benefit of a bath.
bosom all my children had rested in in-
My younger daughter came out on the
verandah to ask me a question, and
fancy, did not desert us when starvation
while I was replying she discovered a stared us in the face. She managed all
ragged, dirty creature creeping from of that day to ward off the pangs of
under the step with her treasured box hunger which threatened us, and that
in his hands.
night, after every thing became quiet,
“Oh!" she cried, "that man has got she brought me a really nice cup of corn
my box," and looking imploringly at coffee which I quite enjoyed.
the two men, she said: “Please take it "I know it ain't good like de rale
away from him, papa's picture is in coffee,” she said;' you mus' try to drink it,
there, and I would not lose it for the it'll keep off de headache. Heap of debil-
world."
ment goin' on Missis,'' she continued,
They rose hastily, and demanded the "but dere's a jes God dat's going to
box, which was given up without any punish dese Yankee severe. I like to
trouble, and restored to my daughter, faint wen I hear dey gone an' bun down
who thanked them and retired.
de house of God; but I mus' tell you all
"Is your husband in the army ?" in good night, an' go to my little chillun,
quired Adjt. Mitchell.
dey git so scary 'bout dem Yankee.”
“My husband is dead," I replied.
The night passed quietly away, and in
“Pardon me," he said, with a delicacy the morning Nancy supplied us with a
known only to sensitive persons.
scanty meal-the best she could do for
“I suppose you have relations in the us. About 8 o'clock Adjt. Mitchell and
army."
Lieut. Baker called to say that they had
“I have a son only sixteen years of received marching orders, and to leave
age,'' I replied.
the Bible for Lieut. Campbell, which he
"Oh what a pity !” he said. “Why did had forgotten to bring the day before.
you let the boy go ?”
"I hope when this cruel war is over,
"His country required him," I said. the Adjutant said, "we will be a band of
“But he is so young.”
brothers again, and none will welcome
“Yes, he is young," I said, “but he the day more joyfully than I.”
has an old head on those young shoul Enclosed in the Bible was a note for
ders, and an eagle eye and a steady hand, Lieut. Campbell, which I had the pleas-
and is considered a never-failing marks ure of delivering at a later day, and
man."
which was appreciated.
“He certainly has the requisites of a That day a new set, the scum of the
good soldier,” he replied, smiling at my army, encamped at Medway Church,
enthusiastic description of my son.
swarmed over our village. My house, it
It was rather cool on the verandah, is true, had already been rifled of every-
and I invited them into the sitting-room, thing valuable and comfortable which
where a bright fire was burning. They they could find, but notwithstanding
met my daughter and Miss Maxwell, that, they made it a thoroughfare, which
and, bowing politely, they both took
was annoying and disgusting. Chewing,
seats on the sofa. Lieut. Baker was a smoking, singing indecent songs and
heavy man, and as they sat down the using profane language was the order of
sofa jarred considerably, one roller being 'the day. We could not escape it, for
off, and the silver jingled perceptibly. they were everywhere. At length night
Both looked around suspiciously, and threw her friendly mantle once more
Miss Maxwell, with her usual ready over our little village, and again we
tact, rose and placing two chairs, said: were free from the rabble.
“The springs of that sofa are so loose I sent Charles that night on a "forag-
perhaps you will find these more com ing tour,” but he could get only a bushel
fortable."
of corn and a peck of sweet potatoes. He
They rose to take the chairs, and again ground on a hand-mill in the kitchen
the silver jingled, much to my discom some of the corn, and the next morning
fiture and alarm. They glanced at each || Nancy prepared a dish of hominy and a
other with an amused expression, and I || few potatoes for breakfast. Before it

FAITHFUL OLD NANCY.
135
could be brought into the house a squad ll this house to-day, or I shall have a thous-
of Yankees rode up and devoured it. and spasms, because I am powerless to
She again prepared more, which met shoot the insulting hounds."
with the same fate. The grist had all The boy drew from his belt a revolver,
been used, so Charles had to grind more, and commenced walking through the
and no sooner had it been finished than ball, from back to front steps. Miss
another squad rode up and demanded it Maxwell and myself retired to the sit-
for their horses.
ting-room, and, overcome by the terrible
Nancy could stand it no longer. She excitement, burst into tears.
ran into the house in great excitement, At length the yard was once more
and said, “Missis, for God sake come cleared of the thieving horde, and the
out yer, and see wat you kin do long door of the room being open the boy
dese yer debbils. I done cook two entered. We were still in tears-tears of
breakfus for you, and dey eat it up fas the deepest indignation. He took his
as I kin cook it, and now dey goin' to seat, and looking sympathizingly at our
take de grist Charl jist done grinin' for distress said: "Ladies, do-d-don't cry. I
me to cook more.''
never saw a woman cry in my life but
Much against my inclination, but for what I had to cry too,” and with the
the sake of my two younger children, back of his hand he wiped away the fast
who had had no supper the night before, falling tears.
and were complaining of being hungry, We looked at each other, Miss Max-
I went out into the crowd, determining well and myself, greatly surprised. The
to accost them politely. As I stepped in position was really touching, but at the
the kitchen door I saw that the grist had same time so ludicrous that we burst
been appropriated by one man, who had into an uncontrollable fit of hysterical
it in a basket and was coming to the laughter. Two Southern women and a
door.
Yankee crying together was no doubt a
I approached him, and said: “Please rare occurrence at this time, when Yan-
don't take that meal, my children are kee brutality and vengeance was so se-
very hungry, and we have nothing else verely visited upon unprotected women
to eat."
and children of the South
He looked savagely at me and said: Nancy and Charles foraged around
"D-n you, I don't care if you all starve; and succeeded in getting us something
get out o? my way or I'll push you out to eat during the day. Our young pro-
the door,'' and thrusting the basket tector did not partake with us, saying
against me, did push me out of the door. he had some hardtack in his knapsack,
Some one caught me and prevented my which he insisted upon sharing with the
falling to the ground.
younger children.
Nancy flew out of the kitchen and Our brave little champion, whose name
cried: "My God, I neber 'spected to see was Hughes, and from Pennsylvania,
shish doins.'
took his departure that evening about
sunset, and we never saw him again.
"HURRAH FOR THE LITTLE REB !!!
That night our breakfast of sweet pota-
Miss Maxwell, who was standing on toes was cooked in the ashes in our fire-
the back piazza, ran to me; her eyes lit-
place and despatched in the morning
before the Yankees arrived.
erally glared with anger and indigna-
About 10 o'clock Capt. Hayes, who
tion, and her feelings were beyond her represented himself as one of Kilpatrick's
control. "Oh you intolerable brutes !" staff officers, appeared at the door. He
cried she; "if I was a man I'd blow out made some inquiries as to our condition;
every particle of your brains; if I had said he understood we were receiving
a pistol I'd do it anyhow, woman as I rough treatment at the hands of their
am."
soldiers, which they did not permit. I
The vile wretches raised a perfect simply stated our real condition to him,
shout. "Hurrah for the little Reb! and he departed to see about the other
Hurrah for the little captain !!
ladies," as he said. But more of this
I took her by the arm and said: "We champion of the “ladies' at another
had better get into the house."
time.
As we approached the steps a bright Our situation had become most criti-
looking fellow stepped up and said: cal and starvation seemed near at hand.
"Ladies, I am at your service; if I can I could procure no corn for the hogs,
do anything for you let me know it which the Yankees had never discov-
now."
ered, and concluded to have them killed
"Well, come into the house and keep and salted up. Charles accordingly
those brutes out,'' Miss Maxwell replied, made every arrangement to do the work
"Don't let one of them place a foot in ll in the dead of night, but unfortunately

136
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
he overslept himself, and did not get that Savannah had been evacuated by
through till some time after daylight. our forces, on the night of the 20th.
While he was engaged in cleaning them | They crossed the river on that wild and
a Yankee drove up, in a stolen buggy, of stormy night by means of a pontoon
course, and demanded that the meat bridge, and those stationed at Thunder-
should be cut up and placed in the bolt, Whitemarsh and adjacent points
buggy. Charles ran in, greatly dis crossed in steamers from Fort Jackson to
tressed, and related what had happened. Screven's Ferry. The evacuation was
Miss Maxwell and myself went out and successful in every detail. The city
remonstrated with the thief, but it did was emptied of all army stores and of
no good. I said: “If you will not re every soldier, except a few who de-
turn the whole of the meat to us, let us serted. The passage of the river was
have a part of it.”
unattended by any serious accident,
"Not a rib of it, not a single rib of it; and the esprit du corps excellently main-
so you might as well shut up your hoe tained.
cake trap and go about your business.” A heavy burden was in a great
He whipped up his horse and drove rap measure lifted from my heart; thus far
idly off.
my son was safe, but I trembled to
& We'll get even with you yet,'' cried think what the future might bring.
Miss Maxwell, little realizing how soon The Yankees did not return to the vil-
her words would be verified.
lage the next day, nor the next, and
Sunday morning, which was Christmas,
THE EVACUATION OF SAVANNAH.
dawned beautiful and bright. The day
The next day not a Yankee was to be was soft and warm, and the balmy
seen in our village, and though nearly
sweetness of spring seemed to have sud-
denly broken upon us. Tempted by
starved out and literally living "from
the beauty of the weather, and feeling
hand to mouth,'' we enjoyed the quiet, assured that the Yankees were still in
the rest so sweet after days of such anx the interior and upper part of the
ious and torturing suspense.
county, I determined to visit a sick
Late that afternoon I learned that the friend. It was the first time I had left
whole of Kilpatrick's division, with the the premises since the morning of the
exception of two regiments, had pro 13th. Miss Maxwell and my eldest
ceeded to Col. Anderson's plantation on daughter walked over to sit awhile with
the Ogeechee road, eight miles from Sa our next-door neighbor, and my younger
vannah. My heart sank at this infor daughter, with her little brother and
mation, for I could well understand sister, remained at home in the care of
what this movement portended--the our faithful servant "Nana.”
probable storming of our beautiful and I had scarcely arrived at my friend's
beloved city.
house when my little boy came running
My thoughts instantly reverted to my in with breathless haste to tell me that a
son, who was a member of Col. Yankee was at our house, and that he
Symons's regiment of boys, then sta was talking to "Sissy.''
tioned at Thunderbolt. I was wild I immediately returned with all possi-
with apprehension. What would be the ble speed, but when I arrived at home
fate of my child, in whom every hope the Yankee had departed. My daughter
of my heart was centered, and to whom was sitting just where I had left her, by
I looked in later years for comfort, hap the window, with her little Bible in her
piness and protection ? At one moment hand, and without the least shadow of
I pictured him wounded, bleeding, dy excitement upon her face.
ing; at another, the horrible prison cell "My child, ] said, “were you alarmed
would present itself to my excited imag when that man came and found you
ination; then Hope, sweet Hope, which alone?''
(reigns triumphant” in every human “No, mamma, not in the least. Nana
heart, would suggest the possibility of a ran in and stood right behind my chair
safe return and brighter days, and a ray all the time, and I knew she would not
of comfort would be imparted to my let him hurt me."
distracted mind.
Nancy was still in the sitting room, and
Several days passed, during which still excited. "No chile,” said she, "he
time we were sorely troubled in the would'n a dare to tech you wid he leetle
anticipation of sorrowful news from our finger wile I was yere; I would 'a' jump
city. The Yankees had ceased their on um like a wile cat. He ax Sissy,"
visits to our village for several days, she continued, turning to me, "to play
and were desolating other localities in on de pianner, but I tell um missis don'
the interior of the county.
low dat insermunt open on Sunday none
On the 23d we received intelligence Il at all. He say 'taint Sunday, its Christ-

FAITHFUL OLD NANCY.
137
mas. I say it's Sunday and Christmas
too. Den he git up and say, well, I got
to go down yer a piece, but I'll be back
in tree hours, and den you shill play a
amined it. It contained thirty dollars
in green backs, sixty-five in Confederate
money, a set of goldstone jewelry, some
bill, which revealed his name-James
Pope-and to which the children at-
tached "hog-thief;" and last, but not
least, a love-letter, which ran as follows:
DEAR JIM: I receve your knote, an I have
not."
"JAMES POPE, HOG-THIEF."
At three o'clock he returned and
again asked to have my daughter play.
Miss Maxwell and myself both in-
stantly recognized the hog-thief. He
flung himself lazily on the sofa, and
did not again ask for a “chune," as I de-
cidedly refused to allow my daughter to
play.
It was not long before three more ap-
to the wars--do don't let them rebble injins.
kill you. I hope you will come back safe an
soul. Your luvin,
SALLY ENNIS.
P.S. What was that you drump about me?
As Miss Maxwell predicted we were
even, but sooner than I anticipated. I
was amply paid for my hogs. We
never saw the man again.
The next morning the Yankees were
They were extremely boisterous, used
very profane language, and were dis-
posed to be very familiar with the
young ladies. One of my daughters
made an attempt to leave the room and
was prevented by one of these rough
creatures immediately getting between
her and the door. I became exceed-
ingly alarmed, but made every effort to
conceal it. It was a fearful situation.
We were in the power of fiends incar-
nate, and none to protect us from their
brutality. I lifted my heart in silent
prayer to God for deliverance from this
terrifying situation, and oh ! joy un-
We heard a step on the verandah, and
a young man appeared at the door. I
instantly recognized him as a soldier
who had brought me a letter secretly
from my mother, who lived some distance
away. He was a Kentuckian by the
name of Coffie, and a gentlemanly young
man. I managed to whisper to him very
soon after he was seated : “For
Heaven's sake, get these men out of my
house." He comprehended the situa-
tion at once, and said: “Don't be
alarmed.” And, after talking in a
friendly way to them for a while, man-
aged very skilfully to effect their exit.
Before he left he offered to leave his
pistol with us on account of our unpro-
tected condition, and presented it to my
younger daughter, who was standing on
the verandah with us. “Now,” said he,
"go and hide it until you have occasion
to use it.” He bade us good-bye, and
going out to his horse, rode away.
My daughter and little boy took it in
the house, and raising the lid of the
piano, placed it safely away from Yan-
kee eyes. As she turned to leave the
room she discovered a pocketbook lying
on the sofa, in the identical corner where
the hog-thief sat, and bringing it to us
on the verandah we opened and ex-
gentlemanly in their deportment came
in the house and sat with us. They
seemed to be a check upon the others,
and we were glad to have them. They
had not been there long before we heard
peals of boisterous laughter in the yard,
and while I was wondering what the
matter could be Nancy came running in.
A BUTTING MATCH.
"Missis,” said she, “I wish you come
out yer and stop dese Kankee f’om dey
debilment.”
“What is the matter?" I inquired.
“Dey jis makin' Owen and Jim Hart
butt one-a-nudder same like goat. De
chillun is mos' butt dey brains out, and
dey nose is jis a bleedin' all ober dey
nice clean shirt buzzom I put on dem
Christmas day.”
Remembering my experience in in-
terceding for the grist, I did not venture
to interfere in the butting match, so I
said “perhaps these gentlemen will go
out and put a stop to it.” They rose in-
stantly, and going out, quieted the dis-
turbance.
Poor Nancy was much exercised, and,
ordering the children to the negro house,
followed them with a switch in her
hand. "You lem me ketch you out yer
agin,” said she, touching them up at
every step, “I'll lick you to deat', I'll
mek you know how to fool long dese
yer Yankee." The two men who quieted
of Sunbury.
About noon my eldest daughter was
a man stealthily crept around the house
and stood before us. We were entirely
alone-all the Yankees having disap-
peared and Miss Maxwell and my
younger daughter having gone up-stairs.
"Have you any meal ?” he said.
18

138
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
"No," I replied, "we have none.” then at his feet and seemed at a loss how
“I know that's a lie,” he said; to reply.
"where's your meal???
“Dake off dem zhoes,” continued the
My daughter crimsoned with indigna man,
tion, and rising from her chair and “Oh, massa, I can't take off my shoes,
stamping her foot, she said, “Begone dese all I got,” said Charles.
out of our presence, you insulting brute; "Dake off dem zhoes, I zay,' in a voice
how dare you say that my mother lies ??? of thunder. "I vill zhoot you," and
I was very much alarmed, but instead thrusting his bayonet alarmingly near
of resenting the rebuke as I thought he the poor negro's head, he dropped to the
would, the miserable wretch only ground and hastily took off the shoes.
laughed, and took his seat on the steps. “Vat ish you doin' mid dem foine
I wore Miss Maxwell's watch for safe zocks? Dake dem off too,'' commanded
keeping and concealed the chain within the Dutchman.
my dress, but unfortunately a small Charles looked up pleadingly at the
portion of it had escaped between two of man, and said in a reproachful tone,
the buttons and his greedy eyes discoy “Lord, massa, you ain't gwine to take
ered it.
my stockin too."
He sprang quickly to his feet and ap Off mit dem,” and another thrust
proached me. "What have you got of the bayonet warned him it was use-
hanging to that chain?'' said he.
less to resist. The man then took his
“What chain ?" said I, not being seat on the ground, and pulling off his
aware that any part of the chain I wore own shoes and socks, which were broken
was visible.
and filthy, compelled the poor negro to
“That,” said he, pointing at it. I put them on while he appropriated
looked down and saw that a small piece Charles's “foine” ones.
of it hung from my dress. I said noth "Now you plack dog, I vill dake dat
ing.
hat an dem gloze," said the greedy mon-
"Is it a watch ?” he asked eagerly. ster.
“Yes,” said I, “it's a watch."
Poor Charles did not again remon-
“Well, give it to me instantly," he strate, but pointing to the stable, they
said coming so near that I could not rise. both walked in that direction. In a
"I will not," I said with determina very short time they emerged from the
tion.
stable, where a complete transformation
“Give it up, or I'll choke you to death,'' had taken place. The Dutchman in
he said, laying his hands on me vio Charlie's suit, rolled up fully six inches
lently.
around the ankles, and Charles in the
My daughter stood by me like a hero Dutchman's filthy rags, six inches too
ine, commanding him to release me, and short. “Dutchy” went his way, and poor
while in that position, actually in the Charles, mortified and crestfallen, pro-
clutches of the brutal wretch, Providence ceeded to the kitchen, where he related
again sent me deliverance. . The same his grievances to the ever sympathizing
two men that befriended the cook in
Nancy.
separating her little boys and the Yan January came, and the Yankees
kees, rescued me from the peril which were no longer in our midst. The en-
threatened. As the thief saw them he campment at Old Medway Church was
released me and escaped through the abandoned, and peace and quiet once
front gate. They had called to bring me more reigned in our county. But oh
some potatoes and a quarter of mutton what desolation met our eyes on every
the first meat we had tasted for many side! The torch had been used un-
days.
sparingly and house after house lay in
CHARLES AND THE DUTCHMAN.
ashes. We made every effort to escape
from the county and impending starva-
Poor Charles, who had become quite tion, but the Altamaha River was fear-
consequential, and very familiar with fully high, and it was impossible to
the Yankees, met with a misfortune
cross. My servants remained faithful to
the last, and the contents of the Yankee's
which I must relate: In crossing the
pocketbook we turned to account on
yard that day, all dressed in his Sun many occasions. After long weeks,
day best, he was accosted by a Dutch when we had ceased to expect a Yankee,
man who was meeting him in the fol we were greatly surprised one evening
lowing manner :
late at a knock at the door. Charles,
“Hello! you tamn plack niggir, vat ish who had resumed his butlership, an-
you doin' mit dem foin shoes on your swered it. To our utter consternation
plack veet???
two Yankees walked into the sitting-
Charles looked at the Dutchman and ll room. They were dressed in new and

STARVATION IN THE VALLEY
139
handsome officer's uniform; I recognized of the room. 'Twas a blustering night,
at once Capt. Hayes, who introduced his but they built a fire across the road and
friend, as Capt. Messenger, of Virginia. sat there in their handsome uniform, en-
They had "business in the county, and veloped in clouds of smoke, until morn-
thought they would call to see the ing, when they departed, fully convinced
ladies.” I was exceedingly indignant at that they would never be received as
this presumption, and treated them dis guests of Southern ladies.
tantly. In the course of the evening The Confederate soldiers who escaped
Capt. Messenger went to the piano, and when the Yankees appeared crossed the
striking a few chords, asked for a light. Altamaha River and joined Col. Hood's
“We have nothing but the firelight," I battalion, stationed at Doctor Town.
said; “your men have destroyed all of We remained in our desolated home
our candles.”
until the month of February, when Col.
"Ah, indeed !” he replied; "If I had Hood, with some others, came to our
known that you should have been sup relief and removed several of our fami-
plied from Fort McAllister."
lies into Confederate lines. When we
arrived at Doctor Town Gen. McLaws
THE YANKEE'S CRUEL THREAT.
furnished us with a special train and
Ten o'clock came, and still they did free transportation to Thomasville,
not leave. At length Capt. Messenger
where Miss Maxwell's father met us and
took us to his hospitable home in Early
yawned, and stretching his arms over
County.
his head, said to Capt. Hayes, "Supper Months passed away, during which
time, is it not? Whereupon Capt. time we received at intervals the most
Hayes took out his watch, looked at it, depressing intelligence from our army.
and said "rather late, and he yawned. At length tidings which wrung all loyal
"Gentlemen," I said, “I have no sup hearts reached us. Lee had surrendered.
per to offer you. We are reduced to two Our last hope of success had perished,
scanty meals a day; we never have sup and the blood of our brave men, sprin-
per.'
kled like sacrificial dew upon the altar
"Ah,” said Capt. Messenger, "if we Il of our country, had been in vain.
had been aware of this fact Col. Murray I had heard nothing from my son
would have supplied you from Fort Il since the evacuation of Savannah, and it
McAllister."
is needless to say I was sorely troubled.
Silence reigned for a while. Atlength Day after day I watched and waited for
turning to my niece Capt. Hayes said, him, and when hope had almost sub-
"Miss Maxwell, how long do you sup sided into despair my anxious, troubled
pose this war will last ?
heart was relieved of its burden. My
"Until the South is victorious," she child was restored to my arms, and our
replied.
joyful hearts overflowed with gratitude
The South will be conquered at an to the “Giver of every good and perfect
early day," he said.
gift for this great blessing, which
"How will you do it?'' she asked. brought once more to our little family
“We will draw your men from the circle peace and contentment.
field, by starving the women and child-
ren," said this magnanimous champion
of the ladies.”
No. 24.--Starvation in the Valley.
"Never,” cried Miss Maxwell; "you
don't know the women of the South.
They will dig one common grave, and
(By Shenandoah, of Warren Co., Va.)
lie down and die in it before they will
call their husbands from the field, but During the late war there was perhaps
she continued, “with oyster banks to no section of the country subject to such
the right, and palmetto roots to the left, continued and yaried trials as the north-
we will live and defy your cowardly
tribe, renegades and all."
western portion of the Virginia Valley.
Capt. Messenger colored and said, It was "debatable land," lying near the
"Did you mean to imply that I am a dividing line of the armies, and knew
renegade?"
not to-day whether to-morrow would
She replied scornfully, “If the cap fits
you, sir, you may wear it," and with the
find it under the dominion of the Blue
air of a queen she swept from the room, or the Grey. Scattered through the
followed by my eldest daughter.
country were farm-houses, inhabited at
The gallant Captains became fully
this time solely by women and children
aware that their presence was unwel-
come, and rising bowed themselves out | and old men too decrepid to handle

140
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
weapons in the field or implements of || lady and relative of the writer, lived on
husbandry at home. These were de a snug farm, washed on one side by the
pendent upon their own exertions for quiet Shenandoah, and overshadowed on
the necessaries of life. Too far from the the other by the blue Massanutten moun-
Potomac to run the blockade and obtain tains. Her only two grown sons were
supplies by trading across the border, in the army around Richmond, and she
and levied upon for the sustenance of was left in her lonely, isolated home
each army in turn, their condition was with a house full of children to support
most unenviable. All that could be and protect. Up to this time they had
prudently spared, in the first place, had struggled along bravely enough, even
been patriotically donated to the sup after their old servants had deserted
port of the Southern army. Then came them. The boys, though young, man-
that inhuman order of Sheridan's: aged to cultivate the garden and some
"The Shenandoah Valley must be de small patches of grain. The girls milked
vastated till the crows passing over it the cows, fed the pigs and poultry and
will have to carry their rations with helped with the housework generally.
them." This edict was carried out with The cooking-stove and wash-tub took
a zeal worthy a better cause. Midnight the place of sewing machine and piano
skies were livid with the flames from in the once cozy sitting-room, yet despite
burning mills, where was being con their privations they kept brave hearts
sumed the breadstuffs gathered for and always had a wholesome meal and
winter stores by each little neighbor cheerful words for any Confederate that
hood. Helpless women and children might pause at the hospitable door.
looked on while granaries, meat-houses, But at last came a woeful day when
hog-pens and hen-houses were rifled of these means of livelihood at one fell
the meagre stores that had been col- swoop were taken from them.
lected with much labor and privation. of blue coated cavalrymen came to
Cows were driven off, sheep there were “clean 'ein out," and the meaning of this
none, and every horse that could drag a phrase can only be understood by those
plough or draw a cart was impressed who have suffered the process. Every-
for the use of the Federal army or shot thing eatable, dead or alive, was confis-
to render them useless to the Confede cated. One of the little girls, hearing
rates.
the piercing squeals of the butchered
Then came the vital question to these hogs, ran out, and with streaming eyes
sorely tried people: “What are we to do? begged for a small porker that was about
Without horses to till the ground or haul to be sacrificed. The tough soldier had
fuel for winter fires, how can we keep a soft spot, (as who has not?) and touched
our children from freezing and stary by her entreaties gave piggy into her
ing?' Up to this time the ladies, many keeping. The rescued innocent was
of whom in ante-bellum days had never thenceforth domiciled in an outer room
learned to use the broom-frail, delicate and christened “Job” because of the
women-had, with the help of grand afflictions it had seen in the wasting of
fathers and children, or the desultory its household. They were fortunate
aid of freedmen, managed to cultivate enough to have concealed in the kitchen
enough of the pasture lot and garden to "loft” a few bags of grain, intending to
supply the family needs for food; but send them to the mill a little later. By
even this without horse power would be parching and pounding this they
come impossible. Equally impossible managed to make cakes that could be
without some mode of conveyance was it eaten, and upon this, with a little sor-
for these unhappy people to seek food ghum molasses and dried fruit that had
and protection within the Southern been hidden away, they subsisted for a
lines. There seemed nothing left for time.
them to do but to subsist as long as they
"JOB,” THE PET PIG.
could on the herbs and roots from their
little gardens, and after that death by
In all these days of death "Job" never
starvation, or deliverance by the South failed in his portion; his little mistress
ern army. The latter hope seemed a
forlorn one, and the approaching winter
and he grew and fattened as only such
was looked forward to with feelings that
will long be remembered in the Valley.
an admired animal could. Indeed, he
became quite an important member of the
A WIDOW'S WOES.
family, following his owner from room
It was at this period and in this locality
to room like a dog, and seeming to
realize his dignity as one of the only two
that the incident which I am about to
four-footed beasts remaining on the
relate occurred. Mrs. B., a widow ll place. The other quadruped was a

STARVATION IN THE VALLEY.
141
superannuated horse, blind in one eye, || if they would only go for it there. Only
and so clearly unfit for the commonest just wait and let us see if it is so.'
duties that the Yankees had not thought
"Old Bet”' worth killing. They little
ANYTHING TO SAVE JOB.
guessed the abilities buried in that old The child's pleadings prevailed, and
skeleton,
during the day there was a confirma-
On one occasion some Federal officers
stopped at the house, and seeing the
tion of the morning report. An old,
piano in the unused parlor, requested gray-haired neighbor stopped at the
one of the young ladies to play. She well for a drink. He had a meal sack
complied, sorely against her will, but on his arm, and told them he was on his
afraid to refuse. Her little sister, at way to M., six miles distant, to draw
tracted by the unwonted sound of music, rations for his family of orphan grand-
stole into the room to listen. "Every children, and advised them to lose no
where his mistress went,'' Job, like the time in following his example.
much parodied lamb, "was sure to go.” The Federal authorities, smitten with
So in he walked, grunting his apprecia late regret for the vigorous measures
tion of the performance and gazing with that had reduced the Valley to its pres-
placid curiosity at the officers. These ent condition, had really sent a store of
latter, surprised and shocked at such an army supplies to the neighboring vil-
addition to their audience, expressed lage, from whence each family could
their unreserved opinions of the same. draw rations enough to at least sustain
The little girl, indignant at this reflec life. But this clemency was accom-
tion upon her protégé, stepped to the panied by such conditions as to render
front with flashing eyes, exclaiming: it a great trial to any Southerner who
"If it is a pig, I'd rather have him in
availed herself of it. Besides, it was a
my parlor than a Yankee soldier. He
difficult matter for women and children
always behaves himself and YOU don't.”
to walk so far and carry away a suffi-
cient supply for even a very small
Discharging this Parthian arrow she
family, and there were no other means
retired in good order, followed by her
of transportation. The matter was dis-
uncouth attendant and amid roars of
cussed pro and con in the widow's
laughter from the astonished officers.
household, and the motion “laid upon
Perhaps in the days of prophets the
the table'' over night.
widow's little store of grain might have
Next morning, while breakfasting on
been miraculously multiplied and the
a few small potatoes, minus salt, there
keg of sorghum increased, but in that
appeared at the door Mrs. S., the wife
degenerate time no such thing occurred.
of a neighboring farmer. She was
Day by day the supply diminished and
mounted on a queer specimen of a steed,
the caskes grew thinner, till at length
the remains of what had once been a
one morning the mother announced with
stout plough horse, but now a sad
tearful eyes that the last of them ap-
wreck of its former self. Having been
peared on the table before them. An
for weeks hidden in the swamp it was
ominous silence ensued, broken by the
gaunt and fly-bitten, and one of its feet,
entrance of Job, who walked around to
which had been stung by a snake, was
where his mistress sat and waited for
swollen to the size of a man's head.
his accustomed food. A sudden look of
Still even such a "mount,' as this was
intelligence flashed into the faces of the
considered rather a “swell' affair in
older members of the family, and the
those days, and they all flocked to the
mother, reading their thoughts, said:
porch to welcome their visitor.
"Nellie, I'm afraid it has become a She, too, was full of the tidings that
question of Job's life or ours; he is very “there was corn in Egypt," was on her
fat and would last us a good while, or way now to M., and wanted Mrs. B. to ac-
else we could exchange the meat with company her.
Bob Crow for some corn, and hold out "But, how can I go?'' quoth the latter.
till the Southern army comes and leaves "I can't walk so far with such a load,
us something. It can't be long before and your horse can only carry you."
they come to help us now."
"Saddle Old Bet there and try her.
“Kill Job!” cried the child, “I'd just She ought to last you there, and, maybe,
as soon eat a piece of Emma as to eat live to bring you back. Anyhow, it's
him. Oh! mother, just wait, anyhow, worth the trial.”
until to-morrow. I heard Uncle Jake "All eyes turned upon Old Bet, who
tell Bob Crow this morning that the was at that moment calmly munching
Yankee General had brought a whole the contents of a straw bed which had
lot of things over to Middletown and been emptied upon the ground the even-
that the Rebels could get a plenty to eat || ing before for her benefit. And all saw

142
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
that though the spirit was there, the flesh with laughter and jeers by the young
was ominously weak.
orderlies and privates lounging around.
“Besides,” added Mrs. B., “I've never “Halloo, sis !!' cried one, as the swollen
asked a favor of the Yankees, or placed foot of Mrs. S.'s horse caught his eye.
myself in a position to be humiliated by “Halloo, sis! you've been living so high
them. I don't believe I could do it." at your house that your horse has got
“Yes you can," was the reply. “Any the gout-you can't want any rations."
thing rather than see the children suffer. "No! no !” cried his comrade, “they've
And as for favors, I don't consider that been running a race, this one has lost
we're asking any favor of them. It's his shoe and they've shod him with a
only getting back a little of all they've camp kettle!!!
stolen from us, and I believe in doing A little further on another group
that whenever we can. Come, get ready, seemed struck with the corrugated ap-
and let us be off.”
pearance of the poor fly-bitten animal's
“Yes, mother, anything to save Job,"? back, and one exclaimed:
summed up Nellie. And before she "I say, boys, alligator hides is the
knew what she was about, Mrs. B. found fashion for horses to wear this fall."
herself perched upon a dilapidated sad Then they were besieged with offers
dle on old Bet's back, hobbling down for their steeds. One wanted Bet for a
the lane in the wake of her enterprising work-bench, another thought she'd
neighbor, bearing on her arm the empty suit him for a hat-rack. There were
sack that was to bring back food to the wagers laid upon the comparative speed
waiting household.
of the two poor beasts, and amid this
They might almost as well have been clamor and raillery they made their way
mounted on snails for the progress they to the store. Here the weary waiting
made, and when they came to the river, for their turn to be served, the questions
which had to be forded, it proved a very asked, the impertinences to which they
Rubicon to them. It was crossed though, were subjected, need not be chronicled
as all Rubicons are, in the course of time, by me. Enough, that they finally ob-
and noon found them at their destina tained the supplies, and struggling back
tion, where
to their waiting horses with their bur-
dens, they remounted and set out for
A STRANGE SCENE MET THEIR SIGHT.
home, when the sun had already com-
From all quarters were coming the menced its decline.
wretched inhabitants, intent, like them-
If the morning's journey had been
slow and painful, much more so was the
selves, upon securing food for the hun-
return, for the poor tired animals had
gry mouths at home. Here a tired the increased weight of the full sacks to
woman, with a babe on one arm and a carry. Sometimes Old Bet's strength
little toddler clinging to her skirts, ap seemed utterly to desert her at the foot
peared with a home-made basket to of a hill, and she would stop in the full
carry away her treasures of flour and belief that she could not budge one inch
meal. There a twelve year old boy, further. Then Mrs. S. would call out:
dragging a little wooden cart of his own “Mrs. B., it is nearly dusk. These
construction, and very proud of over woods are full of Yankee raiders, and we
coming the difficulties of transportation. must cross that river before dark."
Old men, bent and gray, leaning on their Then Mrs. B. would pluck up courage,
stout canes, and having slung over their || wipe a furtive tear from her eye and
shoulders the cast-off haversack picked || gently urge Bet a little further on. But
up from the deserted battiefield. Aged this process, often repeated, consumed
women, hobbling along, accompanied by much valuable time, and when they at
tow-headed grandchildren, and bringing length reached the river bank night was
neatly folded in hand their calico "bun upon them. Arrived there, they found
dle”-handkerchiefs. Shy young girls, to their dismay that the stream had risen
with basket and bag, blushing under the some inches since morning, it having
impudent leers and coarse jests of the rained in the mountain the night before.
loafing soldiery. All were there, but If the fording had been difficult when
never a man appeared among them capa their horses were comparatively fresh
ble of bearing arms. These were all and the river at its usual height, it
with Lee and Rosser at their posts of would be sheer madness for Bet to at-
duty. Two or three sorry wrecks of tempt it in her present exhausted condi-
horseflesh, similar to those we've de tion. Holding a council of war, Mrs. S.
scribed, were fastened near the commis said:
sary quarters, with these exceptions, the "Now, you know, Mrs. B., I've got
applicants were all afoot. As our two to go back to my sick baby to-night
friends rode into view they were greeted || at all risks. My horse is stronger than

STARVATION IN THE VALLEY.
143
yours, and both he and I can swim if || terrible solitude. She continued to
necessary. You couldn't swim a stroke struggle blindly on, till at length old
if your life depended upon it, and Bet, who had been giving unmistakable
mustn't try to cross. But, I'll tell you signs of failing, stopped short with a
what you can do. Go to Mrs. Harris's groan, trembling in every limb.
just through the woods, there's a near Accepting the inevitable with the
cut through the fields, and stay there all calmness of despair, Mrs. B. dismounted,
night. I will call by and tell the children took off the sack and saddle and pre-
not to be uneasy about you."
pared to camp for the night. She first
But,' cried Mrs. B., “How can I took some meal from the bag and held
find my way to Mrs. Harris's. It's too it to the horse's mouth. It was eagerly
dark to see the road.”
devoured, and as much more as she felt
“There's no road to see. Just cross she could spare. Then the night being
the corner of this field and skirt the edge a cool one even for autumn, she wrapped
of the woods for a little way, and you the saddle blanket about her, and so re-
can see the lights from the house just clining on the saddle with her head rest-
below the hill."
ing on her precious stores, she waited
with what patience she might for day-
A LONELY NIGHT IN THE WOODS.
light and release. The wind sighed
With these directions she was com mournfully through the dry rustling
pelled to content herself, and waiting
broom-sedge where she lay, and the air
seemed full of moans and whispers.
on the bank she saw her companion
Sometimes there came from the woods
plunge into the stream. Then she heard the hoot of an owl, then the cracking of
the splash and struggle through the a dry branch, sharp and sudden as the
rushing waters, and, after what seemed report of a pistol, would startle the over-
an eternity, heard the faint sound of the wrought nerves. Many times she fan-
horse's hoofs as he struck the further cied she could hear the muffled tread
shore. Then a feeling of forloraness of horses or stealthy steps of soldiers ap-
came over her such as she had never proaching, and her blood curdled in her
felt before, as she turned to seek the veins, and she waited with bated breath
house of the neighbor with whom she and closed eyes, fearing the fate that
purposed spending the night. She fol might befall her. The half-charred, half-
lowed the directions given as well as she bleached stumps around assumed un-
could, but, after stumbling along through canny shapes in the dim, weird light.
the darkness awhile, and finding no Sometimes they seemed like crouching
signs of human habitation near, felt sure beasts of prey, ready to spring upon her;
she must have lost her way. Once she sometimes they seemed misshapen hu-
heard the baying of dogs, and tried to man figures rising from the ground.
guide herself by the sound, but it grew Then again she seemed in the midst ofan
fainter, and she knew she was going old neglected burial ground and these
away from instead of approaching them. were the grotesque stones that marked
The reader must recollect there were no the forgotten graves. Then came to her
enclosed fields then; the fences had been remembrance all the horrible tales she
long ago devoured by a hundred camp had heard when a child, stories of ghosts
fires. The country was like open prairie, and demons, of sorcery and crime, told
roadways were abandoned in favor of by the negro nurses as they sat by the
"short cuts and were overgrown with blazing kitchen fire in the old home.
brambles and grass, old landmarks had | All the vague superstitions buried with
disappeared, and one might wander her childhood returned to haunt her
without let or hindrance for miles now with redoubled horrors as she cow-
through the desolated country with but ered alone in the gloom and silence
little to guide his way. Hence it was there. Then, too, there were the real,
impossible for Mrs. B. to guess where tangible troubles, the ever recurring
she was or what course to pursue. By thought of the children at home, their
the faint glimmer of the stars she could unprotected condition, their grief and
see that she was in an old stump field despair if she should never live to get
-an impassable river on one side and a back to them. The only comfort she
dismal wood on the other. In her de had through the cold, weary hours of
spair she thought of shouting aloud for that dreadful night was the proximity
help. Then she remembered that the of old Bet. 'Twas something to have
camp of the enemy could not be very near her a living, breathing creature of
far distant, and her dread at being dis whom she was not afraid. And the
covered by some of the roving parties of horse, either attracted by the food or
soldiery was greater than her fear of with a vague sense of companionship,
spending the chilly, lonely night in this remained close beside her, occasionally

144
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
rubbing her gently with her nose, as u Instead of "Job" it should have been
though to assure her that she, too, was "Tabitha,'' or “Elizabeth," or "De-
keeping vigil.
borah.” This fact received confirma-
tion when as time passed, she
MORNING AT LAST.
presented her mistress with a
Finally, when the chill and loneliness number of infantile copies of
and fatigue had become almost insup-
herself. These grew and flourished
wonderfully to a pig, and furnished the
portable, she heard a cock crow quite
small family not only with bacon, lard
near, then another, and she knew that and spare ribs the next season, but
morning was at hand. The dawn at last enough was sold of their flesh to supply
faintly streaked the eastern sky, and many a deficiency in other necessaries
soothed and relieved by the sight the of life. "Mrs. Job” herself, as we must
tired woman sank into a profound slum now call her, was not sacrificed to these
ber. The sun shining full in her face needs, but lived to a green old age, the
awakened her, and rising stiffly she progenitress of many a family of
rubbed her eyes, looked around and re curly-tailed descendants. Even when
membered where she was. The horse peace was declared and the sons of the
was still near, and 'twas the work of but house returned to their "own vine and
a few moments to saddle and equip her figtree,' the broken fortunes of the
for her journey. A column of smoke family rendered such addition to their
ascending above a hill to the left sug means of subsistence very necessary.
gested that a dwelling was not far off. The writer remembers attending an
Turning in that direction and proceed entertainment in honor of the returned
ing a few hundred yards, she came in soldiers after the close of the war and
sight of the very house she had sought meeting with Miss Nellie clad in a very
so yainly the night before. It was too becoming "store-bought dress with ac-
provoking to think her having been companying ribbons, and a pair of fine
within such easy reach of shelter and cloth boots upon her feet. Remarking
safety and to have missed it as she did. upon the unwonted resplendence of this
The cause, too, was apparent enough attire, she asked the young lady if she had
now when she looked back to her start received, as was very common then, a
ing point. Instead of moving in the di box from some friends residing in the
rection indicated, she had been all that North. "Oh no,'' she replied. "Job got
time traveling in a circle and going over these for me. At least, the last lot of
the same ground.
pigs I sold brought the money for them.
She was soon made welcome to her And, more than this, only think, I sent
neighbor's house, and had sympathetic on and bought mother some real 'store
listeners to her story of “hairbreadth tea’ and coffee too.”
'scapes.”' All possible aid and comfort
was afforded her. One of the boys car-
ried her across the river in a small boat, No. 25.--Fayetteville and Wytheville.
and conveyed her bag of provisions from
thence to the house for her. There how
she was welcomed and made much of By Mrs. James Kyle, of Argyle, Clinch Co., Ga.
and pitied; how that precious sack was
opened and part of its contents converted As the United States Arsenal was situ-
into a savory dinner, such as had not ated at Fayetteville, the first act was the
cheered them for weeks; how Job was
released from durance by his little mis-
order that the militia should be sent
tress, who had previously hidden him
out. The Independant Company (organ-
in the cellar for safety, it is not my part ized in 1793) and the Lafayette Company
to tell. But I must relate the fact that
were the two organized companies of the
old Bet survived that journey, and as
soon as she felt strong enough for the
town, and they marched to the Arsenal
undertaking left Mrs. Harris's protec April the 19th, 1869. Col. Anderson was
tion and struck out for home. There in command, but he being sick, the com-
she appeared one morning standing ex-
mand devolved upon Col. De Lagnal,
pectantly before the door, and was re-
ceived with joyful acclamations by the
who, finding it useless to make any re-
whole family, and another straw bed was sistance, asked permission to salute the
emptied for her delectation.
flag, which was granted, and he then
Little Nellie's devotion to her
swinish protégé brought its own reward.
turned the Arsenal over to the forces.
Events proved that there had been a The Arsenal was then garrisoned by the
mistake in the christening of the animal. || Independant Company, and this Com-

FAYETTEVILLE AND WYTHEVILLE.
145
pany and the Lafayette Company of- || returned home in November flushed
fered their services to Governor Vance with hope and victory, but they were
and entered for six months. My hus soon in the field again. My husband
band and cousin were both members of was first lieutenant in a Randolph com-
the Independent Company.
pany.
On the day the companies marched The year of 1862 our hearts were con-
away our work commenced. We imme tinually cheered with good news from
diately organized our Soldiers' Aid As the army, though now and then some
sociation, determining, with the help of brave fellow from our midst would fall
God, that no soldier's family should suf in battle. In 1863, however,
fer. Our first act was to write to
Raleigh, N. C., and ask for a contract to
THE CLOUDS COMMENCED TO GATHER,
make drawers and shirts. The material
and in that year one of the most painful
was furnished us and we cut the gar-
and harrowing deaths that I ever saw
ments, giving them to the soldiers' wives
to make.
occurred at the Wayside Hospital in
The Independent and La Fayette Com Wytheville. A Mr. Gregory, of Georgia,
panies were sent on to Virginia and took having started home sick became worse
part in the memorable battle of Bethel, and stopped there a few hours. Soon
which occurred June 10, 1861. Of course after he reached the hospital he was
our town was filled with mourning and taken with lockjaw. The Rev. F. A.
lamentations when the news of the battle Goodwin, of St. John's Episcopal
reached us, for so many from our midst Church, my pastor, watched with me
were there that we could not help think that night. The unfortunate soldier was
ing that a part of them at least had fallen. perfectly conscious, and that made
Our mourning was soon turned into joy, it so much more painful for us to
however, as we heard that we had not see his great agony. Every now
lost a single man from either of our com and then Mr. Goodwin would
panies.
repeat passages from the Scriptures and
In a few days I left with my mother || pray for him to try and comfort him,
for our summer home in Wytheville, and we could see from his countenance
Va., where I found plenty of work to | that he understood all that was said.
do, as Floyd's Brigade was quartered Just as the morning dawned his spirit
near the town. The measles, one of the took its flight and he was freed from all
evils of camp life, broke out. Mrs. pain and suffering. We closed his eyes
Alex. Stuart, a sister-in-law of J. E. B. and folded his hands with an earnest
Stuart, and as noble a woman as he was prayer to our Heavenly Father that his
a great man, and myself rented rooms in sins might be blotted out and that he
the old Haller House, and sent word to might be received in the army of the
Gen. Floyd that we were ready to take Good Shepherd. We laid him to rest in
charge of the sick. We had thirty-two the cemetery in that place and I wrote
cases of measles from the Patrick Com to his mother, giving her an account of
pany at one time. After his command his last moments. She seemed very
left the building was turned into a grateful that loving hands performed
Wayside Hospital and taken charge the last offices for him.
of by the ladies of the town. On the 17th day of July news was re-
As it was right on the railroad ceived that a raiding party was making
troops were constantly passing, its way towards Wytheville by what is
and it was a haven of rest to many called the Big Sandy Road, led by
a poor, weary soldier. Whenever we Lieut.-Col. Powell. That same evening
received telegrams saying that troops my sister's little boy was so ill that she
were coming we were always at the had just had him baptized. Mr. Good-
depot with lunch for them.
win had not left the house more than a
I returned home with my mother the half hour when one of the servants ran
1st of October, and then it was that our in and said the Yankees were coming
work for the soldiers commenced in down the hill. I had sprained my
earnest. Every carpet and curtain that ankle the day before and was not able to
was available was turned into blankets, leave my room. My mother was in the
as we felt we must make every effort to room with me, and my sister brought
have everything in readiness for the all of her children and mine in the room
winter campaign. We worked then with us. There was no gentleman in
with willing hands and light hearts. the house, and the children seemed per-
With Lee and Jackson as our leaders fectly paralyzed with fear. To calm
how could we think of anything but them my sister said: "Dear children,
victory? Everything seemed so bright we have no one to look to but God; we
and hopeful. Our six months' troops I will seek His protection in prayer.''
19

146
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Just as we arose a servant came in cry- some of her own clothes and a few of the
ing, “They are firing into the other children's clothes.
room!”
My sister's home was just as lovely a
Just then a ball passed through the spot as was ever seen. It was elegantly
room which we were in. Of course we furnished with everything that could
were terror-stricken. I seized a towel, add to our comfort and enjoyment. For-
pinned it to my crutch and put it out tunately they did not find the wine cellar.
the window, hoping to attract their at That was in the basement at the end of
tention. In a few moments steps were the passage, filled with choice liquors
heard on the stairs. My sister opened and wines.
the door and said she would like to see It was no light matter to be turned out
the commanding officer. He stepped of doors at night with eight little children
forward and asked what she wanted. and not a change of clothing. Every-
She said: “Sir, I ask your protection. thing in the worid that we had was de-
You see my helpless condition-my stroved. All of the buildings that my
mother old and infirm, my child in a brother-in-law used as quartermaster
dying condition and my sister not able were destroyed, and a good many more
to walk. If your men are hungry they buildings. There is no telling how much
will find everything they need in the damage they might have done, but the
dining room, or you can take all whistle of the train was heard and some
you wish out of the house. All we ask one told them we were expecting troops.
is a shelter." He replied, with an oath, Lieut. Powell was shot at our gate just
“My orders are to level this house to the as he was coming out by a young boy.
ground. It has always been the head My husband was wounded on the 6th
quarters of all the Rebels.”
of May, 1864, at the battle of the Wilder-
By that time the house was filled with ness, and was captured the 20th. Not
his men. My sister turned and said : hearing from him I wrote to my cousin,
"Children, follow me," and she went who was in the same command. He
down the stairs, my mother following said he was left with the wounded and
and her little ones clinging to her. My he had not heard from him since.
nephew handed me my crutches and After he was captured he wrote me a
just as I reached the door a man snatched letter, giving it to a man at Port Royal,
them from me, cursing all the time. I Va., to mail, which he did not do until
would have fallen, but was caught by the latter part of July. Just imagine
one of the servants and she and my my terrible anxiety, not hearing from
nephew carried me down stairs. As we him in all that time. But I was com-
got to the hat rack my mother reached pelled to control my feelings as my
out her hand to get her bonnet and mother's health was failing rapidly.
shawl. They were taken from her.
Indeed she was never well from the
In that short space of time they had time we were turned out of our house in
broken to pieces the elegant parlor fur the night. She pined so for her moun-
niture, had it piled in the passage as tain home that with her physician's ad-
high as the wall, and it was burning. As vice I started with her and my four
I was carried by they
children across the country in a car-
riage. She died just ten days after we
THREW MY CRUTCHES ON THE FIRE.
reached my sister's. Death, just at that
I saw them in the parlor breaking the time, seemed a happy release from all
mirrors and glasses. My sister calmly
the cares and trouble by which we were
surrounded. My grief was so great that
walked out of the house, without once
I could not shed a tear and it did
looking back, with her children follow not give way until the latter part of the
ing. My mother had my little boy by month, when I received a letter from
the hand; the others were clinging to my husband. When I saw his hand-
the nurse. When I reached the front writing
door they put me down to rest. An
Irish soldier picked me up and started
TEARS CAME TO MY RELIEF.
to take me to a house across the street; In October I started home, leaving my
but one of the men said to him, “We are
little daughter with my sister, who ex-
going to burn that too.'' so he carried
me back of the Methodist Church. One
pected to follow me the next month. I
of the servants returned to see if she took my little ones and my niece, who
could save anything, and she said they was a young lady, with me. My sister
made a fire on each bed, I suppose they was taken ill and I did not see my little
thought this necessary, as the house was girl until the following July. My hus-
perfectly fire-proof. They permitted band, being still a prisoner, was carried
her to take out one small trunk with ll with the officers to Morris Island, and

FAYETTEVILLE AND WYTHEVILLE.
147
was under fire there for forty-two days, || uncle, myself and two servants
and from there he was taken to Fort Pu were kept busy the whole day.
laski. How I lived through that winter Three of my neighbors and myself
I cannot tell. After Christmas I applied prepared the bread and meat. It was
to Dr. Fessington for a situation as as enough to make anybody's heart ache to
sistant matron to the lower hospital. see the ragged men. One came forward.
They were bringing the wounded from He looked like a boy of eighteen or
Fort Fisher, Wilmington and other nineteen. He had a little iron pot and
points. We already had one hospital I said: “Child, you look so tired, why
and were establishing another. I shall do you carry that iron pot?' and he an-
never forget the doctor's look of swered : "I keep it to cook with.” I of-
amazement when I applied for the situ fered him a twenty dollar Confederate
ation. My reply was: “Doctor, I don't note for it, with which he bought twenty
want any pay, but I must have constant loaves of bread and divided it among his
occupation or I will lose my mind. I comrades. When night came on I closed
went every morning at nine o'clock and the door with a heavy heart. They were
staid until one, and I always went late still coming.
in the afternoon to see that the wants of About 9 o'clock they sent for me to
the patients were attended to during the come to the hospital, and the horrible
night. I always dressed all the wounds scene I witnessed there I shall never
every morning, and I soon found that forget. The wounded had been
my grief and sorrow were forgotten in brought in from Longstreet, where a
administering to the wants of the sick. portion of Hardee's men had had an en-
Such patience and fortitude I have gagement with Sherman's men. I staid
never seen. Not one murmur did I with them until just before daylight and
ever hear escape their lips. My Prayer | did all I could to relieve their wants.
Book was my constant companion. I Even then I did not hear a single mur-
carried it in my pocket, and many a mur. Such fortitude has
poor soldier have I soothed and com-
forted with holy prayers. One day as I
NO PARALLEL IN HISTORY.
entered the hospital I noticed a new Next morning I had breakfast pre-
face. I made my way to him as I was
pared for some of them, but on reaching
struck by his gray hair and said: "You
are too old to be here." He smiled and
the hospital I found only two patients
his answer was quite a rebuke: "One there. Those who were not too ili had
never gets too old to fight for one's been carried away in the ambulances,
home and fireside. I had no sons, so I and the worst cases were sent to the up-
came myself. He proved to be a Mr. per hospital. Two ladies of the neigh-
Johnson of Georgia. I made him my borhood were there with the sufferers.
especial care, but to no avail. He died I had been in the hospital only about
on the 8th of March.
a half hour when an officer came up the
Now I will speak of another soldier steps and said: "Ladies, if you have a
who died the same day. His name was || home and children you had better go to
Sanford, and he was just in the prime them, as Sherman is entering the town."
of life. It was really pathetic the way I finished binding up the arm of a sol-
he spoke of his wife and home. The dier, and when I got to the door I found
surgeon promised him a fürlough, and the street crowded with men. I said to
when I went and told him we had writ the officer: "Sir, mount your horse and
ten for his wife to come and take him fly;'' but he replied, "I will see you
home I shall never forget his expres safely across the street." He was cap-
sion as he exclaimed: “Am I to see my
tured by a Yankee just as we got across
wife and my home.” Alas! the poor the street. I made every effort after-
fellow did not live to see his wife again. wards to find out the brave officer's
On the 10th of March Hardee's men name, but was unsuccessful.
commenced to pass through Favette I had gone only a little distance when
ville. It was a day of humiliation and I met one of my servants, who begged
prayer. When I left the hospital I told me to hurry home, saying they were all
them they would have to do without me "frightened to death." Looking up the
next day as I wanted to do what I could street towards the courthouse, I saw a
towards feeding some of our hungry Yankee soldier make a man take off his
soldiers, as we had nothing but bread clothing in the street. When I reached
and meat to give them. My uncle, Dr. my room at home I sank into a chair
Kyle, went with me, and we stood in and felt that I must give up. My nurse,
the store door on Hay street. We soon fortunately, did the best thing for me,
attracted the attention of a soldier and Il placing my little boy in my arms. I
told him what we wished to do. My I then felt I must be brave. I said, "God

148
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
alone can protect you, my children. Hell seventh. Soon after Mayor McLean
delivered Daniel out of the lions' den, went out and met the army and surren-
and if we will only look to dered the town. The Federal officers
Him, He will deliver us." In insisted on putting the soldier that had
a few moments my cook ran just died in the grave with one of the
in and said: "Oh, Miss Annie, they three, but I would not allow it. I went
have broken open the smoke-house and to the mayor and got a permit for a cof-
are carrying everything off.” One of the fin and the hearse. Then Mrs. Guion
men came up on the porch and said: and myself, with two of the men from
"Madam, where is your meat? We want the hospital, followed his remains to the
meat.” I certainly did feel a little place where we had been burying the
triumph when I replied: "I gave the soldiers.
meat to Hardee's men yesterday. He The next day Sherman's army crossed
rejoined: "Hardee's men won't want the Cape Fear river, the bridge having
meat or anything else long after we catch been destroyed by our own forces.
up with them.” They entered the Most of the things that were stolen by
kitchen and took our dinner that was the invaders were carried down as far
cooking, with the pans, ovens and all, as Wilmington and put on board a ves-
and they searched my house from top to sel bound for New York. The vessel
bottom, taking everything they could was burned just before it reached its
carry. My uncle soon got me a guard, harbor, and we had the comfort of know-
and I felt greatly relieved.
ing that none of our handsome furni-
ture and household treasures reached
OH, THE HORROR OF THOSE DAYS!
their destination. Just a few days after
It is impossible to write or to tell Sherman left I went to a few of my gen-
what we endured, and it never will be
tleman friends and raised sufficient
money to buy twelve coffins and to have
known until we stand before the judg-
thirty graves dug. I had the six bodies
ment seat of God. After the fall of Har in the hospital yard and the others that
per's Ferry the families and workmen were buried where they camped disin-
were removed to Fayetteville, in con terred, making twelve in all. Major MC-
sequence of which a number of hand Lean went with me to the cemetery
some dwellings were added to the Arse-
to select a spot where we
nal grounds. It was a lovely spot, and
could have them all buried together.
we justly felt proud of it. But Sher We could not get a square large enough
man's torch reduced it to ashes. Fay to hold them all, so he gave us the back
etteville suffered more than most towns, part of the cemetery, overlooking Cross
for we had five cotton factories in the
Creek, a very pretty situation, with
town and one at Rockfish, just a few room for all, and a space large enough
miles away, and they were all burned to left to place the monument. Eighteen
the ground, leaving hundreds of
were buried in a field across the creek
people without work or any means and we had them all taken up, and just
of gaining bread. And as we had been at sunset Dr. Huske, rector of St. John's
robbed of all we had, we, of course, Church, read again the words: "I am
could not help them. As soon as night the resurrection and the life, the coffins
came on we could see fires in every di were lowered to their resting place, and
rection, as all the buildings in the coun the souls of the dead entered into the
try were burnt. I can compare it to rest of Paradise until they should arise
nothing but what I imagine Hades
to meet their Lord and Saviour.
would be were its awful doors thrown
open. But for the kindness of my ser-
vants I don't know what would have
No. 26.-Hospital Scenes.
become of me. They were very faithful.
One walked up and down the passage
all night, and the other stayed on the
(By Miss Emily V. Mason, of Lexington, Va.)
back porch. Still I was afraid to close
my eyes. But for my nurse we would One day there was brought into the
no nave had one mouthful of anything
hospital a fine looking young Irishman
to eat. She hid some things in her
own room, and in that way saved them.
covered with blood and appearing to be
One morning I had a message from
in a dying condition. He was of a
the upper hospital asking me to come. I Savannah regiment, and the comrades
went up and found that six men had
clied and been buried in two holes in the
who were detailed to bring him to us
yard just wrapped in their blankets. I stated that in passing Lynchburg they
yot there in time to close the eyes of the lI had descended at the station and hurry-

HOSPITAL SCENES.
149
ing to regain the train this man had
A STORY FOR BANK CASHIERS.
jumped from the ground to the platform.
He was with his regiment at Bull Run,
Almost instantly he was seized with
and after the battle, seeing a wounded
vomiting blood. It was plain he had
Federal leaning against a tree and appa-
ruptured a blood vessel, and they had
rently dying, he went to him and found
feared he would not live to get to a hos-
he belonged to a New York regiment
pital. Tenderly he was lifted from the
and that he was an Irishman. Support-
litter and every effort made to staunch ing the dying man and praying beside
the bleeding. We were not allowed to
him, he received his last words, and
with them his watch and a one hundred
wash or dress him, speak, or make
dollar banknote which he desired
the slightest noise to agitate him. should be given to his sister. Our Irish-
As I pressed a handkerchief upon man readily promised she should have
his lips he opened his eyes
this inheritance "when the war ended,"
and at the earliest opportunity sewed
and fixed them upon me with an
the money in the lining of his jacket and
eagerness which showed me he wished hid away the watch, keeping them
to say something. By this time we had safely through every change and amidst
every temptation which beset the poor
become quick to interpret the looks and
soldier in those trying days. He was
motions of the poor fellows committed
sure that he would "some day” get to
to our hands. Dropping upon my knees, New York and be able to restore these
I made the sign of the Cross. We saw
things to the rightful owner. Even at
this late day he held the same belief and
the answer in his eyes. He was a Cath-
could not be persuaded that the money
olic, and wanted a priest to prepare him was a fortune of war; that he had a
for death. Softly and distinctly I prom right to spend it for his own comfort. or
ised to send for a priest, should death be to will it to whom he would; that even
imminent, and reminded him that upon were the war over and he in New York
his obedience to the orders to be quiet, it would be impossible to find the owner
and not agitate mind or body, depended with so vague a clew as he possessed.
his life and his hope of speaking when "And did you go barefoot and ragged
the priest should appear. With child and hungry all these three years,'
like submission he closed his eyes asked the surgeon, with this money in
and lay so still that we had to touch your pocket? Why, you might have
his pulse from time to time to be as sold it and been a rich man and have
sured that he lived. With the morning done a world of good.”
the bleeding ceased, and he was able "Sure, Doctor, it was not mine to
to swallow medicine and nourishment, give,'' was the simple answer of the
and in another day he was allowed to dying man. "If it please Almighty God
say a few words. Soon he asked for the when the war is done I thought to go to
ragged jacket, which, according to rule, New York and advertise in the papers
had been placed under his pillow and for Bridget O'Reilly and give it into her
took from the lining a silver watch, and own hand.”
then a $100 United States banknote "But.” I urged, "there must be hun-
greeted our wondering eyes. It must dreds of that name in the great City of
have been worth $1,000 in Confederate New York; how would you decide
money, and that a poor soldier should should dishonest ones come to claim this
own so much at this crisis of our fate money ?)
was indeed a marvel. I took charge or "Sure I would have it called by the
his treasures till he could tell us his his priest out from god's holy Altar," he
tory and say what should be done with replied, after a moment's thought.
them when death, which was inevitable, It was hard to destroy in the honest
came to him. Though relieved from fellow the faith that was in him. With
fear of immediate death, it was evident the priest who came to see him he
that he had fallen into a rapid decline. argued after the same fashion, and as
Fever and cough and those terrible his death approached we had to get the
"night sweats” soon reduced this stal good Bishop to settle this matter of con-
wart form to emaciation. Patient and science money.'' The authority of so
uncomplaining ne had but one anxiety, high a functionary prevailed, and the
and this was for the fate of the treasures dying man was induced to believe he
he had guarded through three long years || had a right to dispose of this little for-
in battle and in bivouac, in hunger and tune. The watch he wished to send to
thirst and nakedness.
an Irishman of Savannah who had been

150
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
a friend, a brother to him, for he had "Mighty colicky, anyhow," broke in
come with him from the old country.” an old man.
And for the money! he had heard that The men laughed, but I went on tak-
the little orphans of Savannah had had ing no notice of a fact which all ad-
no milk for two long years. He would mitted.
like all that money to be spent in milk "Peas are the best fighting food.
for them.” A lady, who went South the The Government gives it to us on princi-
day after we buried him, took the watch ple. There were McClellan's men eat-
and the money and promised to see.car ing good beef, canned fruits and vegeta-
ried out the last will and testament of bles, trying for seven days to get to
this honest heart.
Richmond, and we, on dried peas, kept
them back. I shall always believe that
A TEMPEST IN THE PEAPOT.
had we eaten his beef and they our peas,
As the war went on, and provisions the result would have been different."
became scarcer, and our appetites more
This was received with roars of laugh-
ter, put the men in good humor, and they
voracious, only peas, dried peas, seemed
ate the peas which remained, washed
plenty, and these were old, often musty, the floor and cleaned the walls.
and generally filled with worms. We Such is the variable temper of the sol-
made them up in every variety of form dier-eager to resent real or imaginary
of which dried peas are capable, only wrongs, but quick to return to good
they were not canned. In soup they humor and fun.
appeared one day, cold peas the second, But the spoiled one-armed man had
then they were fried, (when we had | Gen. Lee's socks put on him and went
grease;) baked peas came on the fourth
to his regiment the next day.
day, and then began again the soup. I
could but sympathize with the conva-
THE STORY OF GEN. LEE'S SOCKS.
lescents who clamored loudly for change,
Speaking of Gen. Lee's socks-an
but what could we do when there were "institution” peculiar to our hospitals-
but peas, corn bread and sorghum ! At
I must explain its origin and uses.
length convalescing nature could stand
Besides that. Mrs. Lee spent most of her
it no longer. I was told the men
time in making gloves and socks for the
had refused to eat peas, and had
soldiers. She gave me at one time sev-
thrown them over the clean floor,
eral pair of Gen. Lee's old socks, so
and daubed them on the freshly
darned that we saw they had been well
whitewashed walls of their dining-
worn by our hero. We kept those to
room. The unkindest cut of all was,
apply to the feet of those laggard "old
then, that this little rebellion was
soldiers” who were suspected of pre-
headed by a one-armed man, who had
fering the "luxury of hospital life to
been long in hospital, a great sufferer,
the activity of the field. And such was
and in consequence had been pampered
the effect of the application of these war-
with wheaten bread and otherwise
like socks that even a threat of it had
"spoiled. Like naughty school boys,
the effect of sending a man to his regi-
I found these men throwing my boiled
ment who had been lingering
peas at each other, pewter plates and
months in inactivity. It came
spoons flying about, and the walls and
to be a standing joke in
floor covered with fragments of the
the hospital infinitely enjoyed by the
offensive viand.
men. If a poor wretch was out of his
"What does this mean?” I asked.
bed over a week he would be threatened
"Do you Southern men complain of food
with "Gen. Lee's socks," and through
which we women eat without repug-
this means some most obstinate chronic
nance? Are you not ashamed to be so
cases were cured. Four of the most de-
dainty? I suppose you want pies and
termined rheumatic patients who had
cakes.”
7 .They are filled with worms, a rude
resisted scarifying of the limbs, and
what was worse, the smallest and thin-
voice cried. "I do not believe you eat
nest of diets, were sent to their regi-
the same ?
ments and did good service afterwards.
"Let me taste them," I replied, taking
With these men the socks had to be left
a plate from before a man and eating
on several hours, amidst shouts of laugh-
with his pewter spoon. "This is from
ter from the "assistants,' showing that
the same peapot. Indeed, we have but
though men may resist pain and starva-
one pot for us all, anl I spent hours
tion they succumb directly to ridicule.
this morning picking out the worms.
which do not injure the taste and are
A HEROIC YOUNG OFFICER.
perfectly harmless. It is good, whole It was after the battle of Fredericks-
some food.'
Il burg—the Wilderness perhaps-we were

HOSPITAL SCENES.
151
ordered to have ready eight hundred || Louisiana regiment, (the Washington
beds, for so many our great field hospi Artillery, I think,) for he came from
tal accommodated. The convalescents Washington on the Red River. One
and the "old soldier," with rheumatism could see that he was of refined and
and chronic disorders, who would not cultivated people, that he was the darl-
get well, were sent to town hospitals, ing of the parents of whom he constantly
and we made ready for the night when spoke. Yet he never complained of
should come in the eight hundred. The his rude straw couch or seemed to miss
Balaklava charge was nothing to it. the comforts which we would fain have
They came so fast it was impossible to given him, nor did he lament his un-
dress and examine them. So upon the timely fate or utter a murmur over
floor of the receiving wards (long, low pangs which would have moved the
buildings hastily put up) the nurses stoutest heart. He could not lie upon
placed in rows on each side their ghastly his back, for a gaping wound extended
burdens, covered with blood and dirt, from his shoulder far down upon it, nor
stiff with mud and gravel from the little ge upon one side, for there the arm was
streams in which they often fell. The crushed. We were forced to swing him
female nurses, armed with pails of toddy from the ceiling. And soon the terrible
or milk, passed up and down giving to leg became covered with the fatal gan-
each man a reviving drink to prepare grene, and all the burning of this proud
him for the examination of the surgeons, flesh could not keep death from the
while others, with water and sponges, door. In the burning fevers, in the
wet the stiff bandages.
wild delirium, every word betrayed a
As I passed round looking to see who pure and noble heart full of love
was most in need of help and should first
be washed and borne to his bed, I was
TO GOD, TO COUNTRY AND TO HOME.
especially attracted by one group. A Only could he be quieted by the sound
young officer lay with his head upon
the lap of another equally distinguished
of music. We took turns, my sister and
looking man, while a negro man-ser-
I, to sit beside him and sing plaintive
vant stood by in great distress. I of hymns, when he would be still and mur-
fered a drink to the wounded man, say mur "sing, pray, pray," and so we sung
ing: “You are badly hurt, I fear.”
and prayed for three long weeks, till we
"Oh no," he replied. "Do not mind saw the end draw near, and lowered him
me, but help the poor fellow next me, in his bed that his dull ear'' might hear
who is groaning and crving. He is our words and his cold hands feel our
wounded in the wrist. There is nothing warm touch. One evening he had been
so painful as this. Besides, you see I lying so still that we could hardly feel
have my friend, a young physician, with his breath, and the rough men of the
me, and a servant to ask for what I ward had gathered about the bed, still
need."
and solemn. Suddenly the pale face
So passing on to the man with the lighted with a lovely glow, the dim eyes
wounded wrist, I stopped to wet it again shone brilliantly, and he rose in his bed
and again, to loosen the tight bandage with outstretched arms as if to clasp
and say a comforting word, and so on some visible being, and his voice clear
and on, till I lost sight of this interest and cheerful rang out:
ing group where all were so interesting, “Come down beautiful ladies, come.''
and forgot it till in the early morning I "He sees a vision,'' cried the awe-
saw the same persons. The handsome stricken men. We all knelt. The young
young officer was being borne on a lit soldier fell back-dead!
ter to the amputating room, between his In another ward lay upon the floor two
two friends. His going firsi of all the young men just taken from an ambu-
wounded heroes proved that his was the lance dead, as was supposed. Their
most urgent case. Rushing to his side, heads were enveloped in bloody ban-
I reproached him with having deceived dages, and the little clothing they had
me with his cheerful face.
was glued to their bodies with mud and
"Only a leg to be taken off," he said. gravel. Hastily examining them, the
"An every day affair.” di
surgeon ordered them to the "Dead
I followed to see him laid upon the house.” I prayed they might be left
terrible table which had proved fatal till morning and bent over them with
to so many. Not only was his leg my ear upon the heart to try and detect
to be taken off at the thigh, an operation a faint pulsation, but in vain. But
from which few recovered, but he had neither of them had the rigidity of
two wounds beside.
death in their limbs, as I heard the sur-
From this moment I really lost sight geon remark. Turning them over he
of this doomed man. He was of a pointed to the wounds below the ear, the

152
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
jaws shattered, and one or both eyes || having been a South Carolinian, he told
put out, and reminded me that even || his father he had gone to fight for his
could they be brought to life it would || mother country, and for his mother's
be to an existence worse than death. || grave! Traced to Charleston, he was
Blind, deaf, perhaps unable to eat, and known to have gone to the army of
he muttered something about "wasting
time on the dead which was needed for the battle of the Wilderness as color-
the living."
bearer to his regiment, in bare feet. As
"Life is sweet," I replied, “even to nothing had been heard of him since the
the blind and the deaf and dumb, and battle, he was reported dead, but his dis-
these men may be the darlings of some tracted friends begged that the hospitals
fond hearts who will love them more in about Richmond might be examined to
their helplessness than in their 'sunni see if any trace of him could be found.
est hours.'"
We saw instantly that this run-
And so I kept my “dead men,'' and away boy was our unknown patient.
the more I examined the youngest one Informed of our suspicions, the assistant
the more was my interest excited. His surgeon-general came himself to see and
hands, small and well formed, be examine him, being himself a Caroli-
tokened the gentleman. His bare feet nian and a friend of his mother's family.
were of the same type, though cut by But the boy either would not or could
stones and covered with sand and gravel. not understand the questions addressed
to him. And so weeks passed in the
bundles of rags, we forced a small spoon dimly lighted room to which he was
punch and had the satisfaction to per fore we could lift the bandage from the
ceive that it did not ooze out, but disap one eye; before he could hear with the
peared somewhere, and all night long in one ear and eat with the wounded mouth.
making our rounds and passing the Fed with soups and milk, he grew
"dead men, we pursued the same pro strong and cheerful, and was suspected
cess. At length, with the morning, of seeing a little before he confessed it,
the great pressure was over and as I often saw his head elevated to an
we found a surgeon ready to angle which enabled him to see the pretty
examine and dress again these girls who came from the city to read
wounds, and we were permitted to to him and bring him dainties. These,
cut away by bits the stiff rags from their moved by compassion for his youth and
bodies, wash and dress them, pick out romantic history, came to help us nurse
the gravel from their torn feet and wrap him, and risked daily choking him in
them in greased linen. With what joy their well-meant endeavors to feed him.
we heard the first faint sigh and felt the At last all the ban lages were removed
first weak pulsation! Hour after hour, save a ribbon across the lost eye, and
day after day, these men lay side by our “dead man came forth a handsome
side, and were fed drop by drop from a youth of 18 or 19, graceful and elegant.
tube less we should strangle them. The And now the surgeon-general claimed
one least wounded never recovered his him for his father, and with much re-
mind, which had been shattered with gret we gave him up to the flag of true
his body. He was rather of the earth boat, and he was lost to us till the end of
earthy and soon returned to his mother the war. Sent to England he had a new
earth, while the younger one, though he eye made, and came to see us after the
could neither speak nor see, and hear fall of Richmond, bringing me a fine
but little, showed in a thousand ways il present, his enthusiasm and his grati-
that, though his mind wandered at times, tude nothing damped by time and
he was aware of what went on about change. Even with the two eyes, he
him, and was gentle and grateful to all saw so imperfectly that he was soon
who served him. As he had come in obliged to seek for a life companion to
without cap or knapsack, and there was guide his uncertain steps. In Charles-
no clue to his identity, over his bed was ton he fell in love with one of his own
marked
family connection, and like the prince
and princess in the fairy story, “they
"NAME AND REGIMENT UNKNOWN.''
were married and lived happy ever
In the meanwhile, by flag of truce from after.'
the North, had come newspapers and let-
THE BREAD RIOT.
ters making inquiries for a young man Everyone who has known hospital life,
who, in a fervor of enthusiasm, had run || in Confederate times especially, will re-
away from school in England to fight Il member how the steward—the man who
the battles of the South. His mother ll holds the provisions—is held responsi-

SHERMAN IN ORANGEBURG.
153
ble for every short-coming by both sur- | old enemy the steward had been sent to
geons and matrons, and more especially town to buy it. Accompanying the ring
by the men. Whether he has money or was a bit of dirty paper on which was
no, he must give plenty to eat, and there written:
exists between the steward and the con-
valescents, those hungry fellows, long
FOR OUR CHIEF MATRON,
starved in camp and now recovering
IN HONOR OF HER
from fever or wounds, a deadly antag-
BRAVE CONDUCT
onism constantly breaking out into
ON THE DAY OF
bovert acts. The stewart is to them a
THE BREAD RIOT.
cheat-the man who withholds from
them the rations given out by the Gov-
It was the ugliest little ring ever seen,
ernment. He must have the meat, but it was as "pure gold” as were the
though the quartermaster may not fur hearts which sent it, and it shall go
nish it, and it is his fault alone when the down to my posterity in memory of the
bread rations are short.”
brave men who led the bread riot, and
Our steward, meek little man, was no
who suffered themselves to be con-
exception to this rule. Pale with fright, quered by a hospital matron.
he came one day to say that the conva-
lescents had stormed the bakery, taken
out the half-cooked bread and scattered No. 27.-Sherman in Orangeburg.
it about the yard, had beaten the baker
and threatened to hang the steward.
Always eager to save the men from pun-
(By H. J. B., of Atlanta, Ga.)
ishment, yet recognizing that discipline
must be preserved, I hurried to the Says George Cary Eggleston: “During
scene of war, to throw myself into the the latter part of the year in which the
breach before the surgeons should arrive
war between the States came to an end,
with the guard to capture the offenders.
Here we found the new bakery, a
a Southern comic writer, in a letter ad-
"shanty made of plank, which had dressed to Artemus Ward, summed up
been secured at great trouble, levelled
the political outlook in one sentence,
to the ground, and two hundred excited
reading somewhat as follows: 'You may
men clamoring for the bread which they
declared the steward withheld from reconstruct the men with your laws and
them from meanness, or stole from them things, but how are you going to recon-
for his own benefit.
struct the women ? Whoop-ee!!” That
"And what do you say of the matron ?''
there is "far more truth than poetry” in
I asked, rushing into their midst. "Do
you think that she, through whose this somewhat uncouth vet decidedly
hands the bread must pass, is a party to expressive sentence, no one who is
this theft? Do you accuse me, who havé
familiar with the spirit displayed by our
nursed you through months of illness,
making you chicken soup when we had
Southern women both during and since
not seen a chicken for a year, forcing an the war, can deny. The explanation is
old breastbone to do duty for months
simple enough. The men were "drafted,"
for those unreasonable fellows who
wanted to see the chicken, who has
or "enlisted," and went to the war, first
made you a greater variety in peas than from a feeling of genuine patriotism,
ever was known before, and who latterly and fought courageously and well, but
stewed your rats when the cook refused
afterwards, when hunger, cold and "grim
to touch them? And this is your grati-
tude! You tear down my bakehouse,
despair had dulled the glittering edge
beat my baker and hang my steward ! of that patriotism, then they struggled
Here guard take four of these men to the on against the overwhelming odds more
guardhouse. You all know if the head
from the force of necessity than any-
surgeon was here forty of you would
go."
thing else.
To my surprise, the angry nine Not so the women. Heart, body and
laughed, cheered, and there ensued a soul they were en isted in the "glorious
struggle as to who should go to the cause," as they termed it, and heart,
guardhouse. A few days after came a body and soul they remained in it till
"committee of two “sheepish” looking the curtain was rung down upon the last
fellows to ask my acceptance of a ring. sad scene in the drama-nay, beyond
Each of these poor men had subscribed this. They sent fathers, husbands,
something from his pittance, and their ll brothers to the bloody scenes of battle;
20

154
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
they laid the very nearest and dearest of forced to leave Atlanta, but now I was
their heart treasures upon their coun literally at my “row's end, I could go
try's altar, and remained at home to no further. For the time being I had
encounter fiercer conflicts than even found a safe and pleasant refuge in the
those enacted upon the fields of carnage; family of my sister-in-law, Mrs. Dr. S.,
to endure pain, hardships, suffering who owned the fine old plantation on
that would have made even the men's the banks of the South Edisto, where
hearts quail Abused, insulted, starved, the scenes enacted in this sketch are
and often driven to the very verge of principally laid.
desperation, they indeed played the 5. We were both the wives of Confederate
tragic part in the awful drama of war soldiers, my husband being with Kirby
fare. And yet through it all their loyalty Smith in Tennessee, and her's a surgeon
never wavered, or could their fond in Johnston's army. The house we then
belief in the righteousness of the “glori occupied stood and still stands one mile
ous cause” ever be shaken.
from Binnicker's bridge, on the South
From the beginning until the end it Edisto River, and was justly considered
was still the same. When hope died in those days one of the largest and
within the souls of the men the divine finest in that section of country noted
spark” was but newly kindled within for its many commodious and hospitable
the hearts of the women; when grim Southern manor houses, in spite of Gen.
despair stalked abroad within the camps Sherman's assertion in his memoirs that
of the soldiers, brave cheerfulness sat at the people in and around Orangeburg
endless feast within the homes of the were of an inferior class and many of
soldiers' mothers, wives and daughters. their dwellings scarcely habitable.
Said a commanding general upon the I neglected to state that the bridge
fields of Petersburg, as he took off his across the Edisto at this point had been
hat and bowed his head in reverence to destroyed by Capt. Kanapaux and his
the band of dauntless young women men a few days before for the purpose of
who, amid the storm of shot and shell, obstructing the passage of the enemy,
stood immovable and chanted the “Song as he vainly hoped. The bridge gone it
of the Camp,' “God forever bless these seemed almost impossible that they
women! Each one of them is worth a could effect a crossing, as all the swamps
whole regiment of men !''
in the vicinity were overfiowed, and
BINNICKER'S BRIDGE.
even the construction of a pontoon
bridge seemed for the time impossible.
As my pencil pauses over these last The Confederate forces consisted of a
words I happen to glance at the calendar
part of a Georgia regiment, commanded
by a Col. Johnson, I believe, the num-
hanging above my desk, It is the 9th of
ber of which I do not now remember,
February, and strange coincidence !-
but that it was a mere handful of men I
this night nineteen years ago Sherman's
know upon good authority. Little did
army crossed the South Edisto at Bin-
they think, poor fellows, that just across
nicker's Bridge and camped in the fields
the river, and almost within sound of
that surrounded our dwelling.
them, lay the bulk of Sherman's army.
Never can I forget that night of horror.
Somehow the impression had gotten
Even the minutest detail of it remains
abroad, doubtless by his own adroit
now engraven upon my brain in letters
maneuvering, that Sherman, with
>f fire. All day long we had been ex-
the full strength of his forces, was bear-
pecting the enemy, waiting his dreaded
ing upon Augusta, and had left merely
approach in fear and trembling. A help-
a raiding party behind him to complete
less band of women and children, our
the destruction of the railroad from
ears having long ago grown familiar
Bamberg to Orangeburg. Very little
with the countless stories of the deeds of
apprehension was at first entertained of
brutality and violence enacted by Sher-
their intention or desire to cross the
man's men on his “March to the Sea,''
river at the point, where but a mere
what concession could we hope for at the
handful of our men guarded it. For two
hands of men who neither respected the or three days they had kept up a slow
helplessness of old age, the virtue of
kind of desultory firing, occasionally
woman, or the innocence of childhood ?
"picking off a stray “blue-coat” as he
Who had sworn when once their feet
carelessly exposed himself upon the
had touched Carolina soil they would
river's bank.
lay the proud old State in sackcloth
and ashes.
STARTLING NEWS.
I had "run" from the enemy once be- || However, on Tuesday afternoon, just
fore, being one of the many unfortunates before sundown, one of our colonel's
whom his rain of shot and shell had Il aides came rushing up to the house to

SHERMAN IN ORANG EBURG.
inform us that it was Sherman himself, || heads, tattered clothing and pinched
with his centre corps who had been for hungry-looking faces they passed with
the past two or three days in camp on slow, monotonous
the opposite side of the river, and worse
than all, they were on the point of effect-
TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP ALONG THE
ROAD,
ing a crossing at a point a short distance
below. Quite a number of the neigh Many moments I stood and watched
bors had met with us that afternoon to
them with an agonized heart. With
decide upon a course of action in case
the Yankees did succeed in effecting a
passage of the Edisto, and the conster ance and protection seemed snatched
nation this news of the soldier created away from us, and I dreaded, beyond
in our midst can better be imagined the power of pen to describe, what I
than described.)
knew we had to encounter, for my sister-
Previous to this startling announce in-law was a timid young creature and I
ment we had about come to the conclu-
sion that we would try to get away if we to me for everything. I prayed fer-
could. ?Tis true that Sherman had made vently to God to give me courage to
official announcement that if we would meet the foe with firmness, and that I
remain in our homes they would not be might never forget that I was a true
destroyed, neither would we be molested Southern soldier's wife, and I believe
so long as we remained passive. But, that prayer was answered, for when the
with the full details of the many deeds time of trial came I never faltered.
of brutality enacted by his men, of As I saw the rear of the small body of
which helpless women and children our men passing the gate I ran out to
were the victims, while hoping against them and entreated them to tell me how
hope,” we yet awaited the inevitable long it would be before the Yankees
with sinking hearts. We knew now came. An officer answered at once hur-
that it was impossible for us to get away, riedly and excitedly:
time was too short, besides the weather "For God's sake, madame, go back to
was bitterly cold, and the roads wet and the house, unless you want your head
almost impassable in many places. Some taken off by a sharp-shooter. They are
of our children, too, were sick, and right up the lane, not a half mile away.
we dreaded the exposure for them.
Do you not hear the firing ?”
NO sooner was the information given I was not long in getting back to the
house after this, you may imagine. I
hastened at once to their homes to hide went into my sister's bedroom and
their mules, horses and other stocks in found her terribly excited.
the hammocks and swamps, and the "Janie,'' I said, "let us go into the par-
masculine portion of them, old men, lor and meet them there."
boys nearly grown and a few soldiers She demurred at first, but finally con-
home on "sick leave, to conceal them sented in fear and trembling, and we
selves wherever they could, for well went, followed by the poor, frightened
they knew that no mercy would be children, who were too young, thank
shown to youth or respect to gray hairs
when once they were caught.
The sun was just sinking as our men sister-in-law became dreadfully nervous,
began their retreat. Poor fellows! how and begged that we should go back to the
sad and forlorn they looked as they filed room we had just quitted. She was
slowly by the gate. I stood upon the afraid, she said, that we would be shot
piazza and watched them with the tears at through the windows, (the beds of
rushing down my cheeks—the first and which were wide open,) for the pund
of the firing up the lane was gradually
during the whole of that dreadful time. growing nearer. I tried to pacify her,
My heart was in a perfect agony of sus but in vain, and finally we went back to
pense over the future fate of my sister-in the bedroom. There I took up a book
law, myself and our young and helpless pretending to read, in order to show
children, yet there was not a cord within her, as I hoped, that I was not afraid.
it but ached keenly as I gazed upon this But I couldn't distinguish one word
forlorn band of worn and defeated he from another. The whole page was a
roes who had nobly born the brunt of a blur before my eyes. I grew nervous
hundred battles and must yet retreat and restless myself. The intense silence
ignominiously before the advancing oppressed me. I began to grow anxious
hosts of the enemy and leave the help for them to come. Anything to end the
less women and children. I could well dreadful suspense.
imagine their feelings, as with bowed U Arising, I went to one of the windows

156
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
to reconnoitre. The night was bitterly || stood close to our door on the point of
cold and the moon was shining clearly entering, replied:
and brightly, so that all outward objects "Yes, sir, she said, "and the ladies
were clearly discernible. While I stood want to see you a few moments in the
there I saw a man, whom I rightly
parlor."
guessed by his musket and uniform to We had instructed her to say this, as
be a Yankee soldier, enter the yard by a we desired to ask for a guard to protect
side gate and move slowly and cau us as soon as the officers came.
tiously towards the rear of the house, I listened anxiously for the answer,
followed by another and still another. and all too soon it came, falling upon us
They were sent in advance to see if the with brutal, stunning force.
way was clear, I was sure, and in a little "The ladies, the d-1! If it hadn't
while, apparently well assured of this been for them encouraging and egging
fact, they retreated to a small strip of on the men to fight the war would have
woodland in plain sight of the house. been squelched years ago.”
For a few moments I felt completely
A NIGHT OF HORROR.
dazed by this speech. Were these the
But a few moments elapsed after this men from whom we were to ask mercy
and protection ? I tried to move across
preliminary inspection until the whole
the hall to the door of the parlor, which
army came in upon us in overwhelming
had just closed behind them, but for the
numbers. The lawn, the yards, the halls, moment I seemed rooted to the spot.
every room in the house, not excepting Making a mighty effort I recovered my
the one bedroom we had reserved for composure and my courage at the same
ourselves, were soon filled with the time and turned and spoke to my trem-
struggling, cursing mass of blue coats. bling young sister-in-law.
For a time Pandemonium reigned su “Come, Janie,” I said, "let us go now
preme. The most terrible scene pictured and get through with this hateful busi-
in the Inferno could not compare with ness as speedily as possible.”
it. Their first object seemed plunder. “No, no, I cannot !” she said, bursting
Closets, bureaus and trunks were vio into tears and looking at me so pitifully
lently opened and ruthlessly rifled of that I saw it would be a cruelty to force
their contents. Nothing seemed sacred her. There was then no other alterna-
from their vile touch-pictures, old let tive for we than to
ters, locks of hair, pressed flowers and
other hallowed mementoes of the dead
"FACE THE MUSIC” ALONE.
were scattered about and trampled upon As I entered the parlor two of the
as worthless objects.
officers who were sitting in front of the
You could hear their clothes cracklo
and snap as they moved about, for ac-
fire arose at once and politely greeted
cording to their own accounts they had me. I was sure neither of these could
waded through the swamps up to their have been the speaker of the language I
waists, and every garment was frozen had heard from the hall.
stiff, and when their work of plunder I told my errand at once, which was
was finished their next desire seemed to to beg a guard for the house.
be to get to the fires to warm and drg They answered that they had no au-
themselves. And, pushing and jostlind thority to grant the request, and I would
and swearing, they crowded us away be forced to wait until the General
from even the one fireplace and styoo arrived.
Chere turning themselves around before I replied to them that we had under-
the cheerful blaze as they could find stood Gen. Sherman had promised pro-
room to do so, the ice as it melted run tection to all those who remained in
ning in pools of water from their cloth their homes, and we expected that pro-
ing and the smoke and steam arising tection, and if we did not get it right
therefrom making the close atmosphere away, we would not need it when we
almost unendurable.
did get it, for the men were at that very
'Out in the yard, and all around the moment plundering the house and lay-
plantation we could hear the work of ing violent hands upon everything
destruction going on-Cows lowing, pig's worth appropriating.
squealing, lambs bleating, turkeys, No sooner had the words been uttered
geese, chickens and ducks squawking. than both turned at once, and, going
Very soon the officers in command ar into the hall, each caught hold of the
rived. I heard their tones of authority first soldier that came in his way and
as they came into the hall. I also heard gave them orders to clear the house im-
one of them ask if the house was occu mediately, and to keep guard until re-
pied, and our own home servant, who Il lieved.

SHERMAN IN ORANGEBURG.
157
In a few moments we were alone and “Are you a rebel soldier's wife,
unmolested, but, alas! our home was madame ?” he questioned again.
bare—our larder especially so, not a "I??
day's provisions having been left to us. “Yes, you."
Very soon the General and his staff "Am-I said the word slowly and
arrived. As the men had done before then paused to look into Gen. Sherman's
them the officers began crowding into face with the most innocent stare imag-
every room where there was a fire to inable.
warm themselves. I left my room at "Well?” he questioned, impatiently.
once and went again into the parlor, as "I am the"-I go on, then another
I wished particularly to see Gen. Sher pause--"wife'' —I say again, pause-"of”
man, although I was uncertain as to -pause-"a Confederate soldier, and
whether or not he had vet arrived.)
glory in the thought'--the last words
The room was completely filled the being rolled out with a volume and an
second time, and I did not meet with the intensity that surprised even myself.
ready politeness and attention the two At this moment the book was shut up
officers had at first shown me.
with a vicious snap, and the back of the
As I made my way to the fireplace my hero of the March to the Sea” was
attention was at once attracted to one of politely turned upon me.
the officers who sat in the corner with a "I say, my little man,” exclaimed one
map open on his knee. From the pic of the officers present at this juncture, as
tures I had from time to time seen of he patted my little nephew Willie upon
him I knew at once that this was
the head, did you ever see so many
Yanks before ???
GENERAL SHERMAN.
“O yes, sir,” the child answered
But I determined to feign ignorance so quietly.
long as I could. The map proved to be
“Where?"
"In Atlanta."
a complete diagram of all the farms,
“Are you from Atlanta, madame !!!
roads and rivers in Orangeburg County. the man turned to ask of me.
As I advanced towards him he raised his “Yes, I answered. "I am one of
those whom Sherman's shells drove from
head at once, and without any prelimi-
a dismantled city. He has made some
naries whatever, asked abruptly :
of us women wade through seas of pain
"Whose farm is this, madam ?"
and suffering, I can tell you; butas
Dr. S.'s, sir." I replied at once.
much as we have suffered from his
Another officer, whom I afterwards cruelty, there isn't one of us who would
learned was General Howard, standing exchange places with him in the next
near, questioned me at this point:
world for all the wealth and stores he
"Is he a Mason???
has allowed his men to steal from we
"He is, sir,'' I answered again.
poor down-trodden rebels, as he terms
"I want nothing but the truth, re us. By-the-by, how long before he will
member,” said Sherman again as ab be here? I am nearly Gying with curi-
ruptly and as offensively as before.
osity to see him. I hear he is the very
"Unlike yourself," I answered hotly,
"I am incapable of anything else, sir."
"HANDSOMEST MAN IN THE ARMY.'
A slight flush of annoyance gathered As these words escaped me a broad
upon his face for a moment, but in the
smile went the rounds of the officers,
same brusque, methodical manner he
went on with the questioning:
and Sherman himself, who without doubt
Is Dr. S. in the rebel army???
saw through my feigned ignorance,
"He is a surgeon, sir, in the Confed turned at once and said sharply:
erate service.”
"I don't think your presence is fur-
"Ahem! In what command is he at ther needed here, madame. You may
present?"
retire,' and putting on his hat he himself
"He is a member of a regiment that walked towards the door.
owns that glorious old hero, Joseph E. "Thank you, kindly, for the permis-
Johnston, as their commander-in- | sion," I said, with broad sarcasm, as he
chief.”
passed me.
"There is no need for such answers as A moment later the door closed upon
these, let me assure you, madame,” he his retreating form, and that was the
said, for the moment losing control of first and the last time my eyes ever
himself. “Pray remember monosylla rested upon Gen. William Tecumseh
bles are preferable, where there is no Sherman.
necessity for more elaborate words."
As I also turned to leave the parlor
I bowed, half mockingly.
my attention was attracted by an un-

158
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
usual noise in the adjoining room, “Where is he now ?”
which was the family dining room. "In the branch at the head of the
Knowing that the servants had placed lane,” they answered, as coolly as if
several sacks of meal and flour in there,
and had, as I thought, secured the doors, feather bed.”
my suspicions were at once aroused. "Gentlemen," I entreated, "will you
Making my way to the door that stood not have him brought to the house? If
between the parlor and dining room, I really Major Hulsey, he is related to us;
and if he is not Major Hulsey, it is all
gry and amazed at what I saw that for the same; he is one of our soldiers, a
the time I could only beckon to one of || brave defender of our rights, and as
the officers. He came at once, just in || such I crave-nay beg the privilege of
time to see three or four burly soldiers Il ministering unto him."
"skedaddling down the steps that led I think I touched the right chord when
into the yard, each with a sack of flour
or meal upon his back. The manner in that they were gentlemen, as well as
which they had effected their entrance officers, their after conduct showed
was plainly evident as the officer and I plainly. My earnest, entreating words
stood beside the door through which seemed to have the desired effect upon
they had made their hasty and igno them. They arose at once and went out,
minious retreat. They had broken the and a half hour later the wounded young
lock.
officer was brought in on a stretcher. I
"There goes our last morsel of food, had him at once carried into the dining-
I turned and remarked to the officer, room, where a large fire was now blaz-
feeling too indignant and too entirely ing, and laid upon a mattress placed
outraged to have resort to woman's upon the floor.
usual refuge in times of trouble-tears. Soon a crowd had gathered within,
"I am sorry, madam," he said kindly. whether from pure curiosity, or a desire
"I will speak to the general about it. He 1 to warm themselves before the roaring
will see that you do not suffer.”
fire, I could not decide. Doubtless it
As I passed through the parlor on my was from both.
return from the dining-room I chanced One glance into the face of our brave
to overhear several words of a conversa young soldier, ashy gray in its pallor
tion going on between two officers. They where it was not covered with clots of
congealed blood, convinced me that he
and among other things spoke in terms had not long to live. The bullet had
of the highest admiration of the daunt done its fatal work, passing in through
less bravery of a young Confederate of the Jeft temple and lodging in the brain.
ficer who, throwing himself in the rear I saw, also, that it was not Major Hulsey.
of his men, had tried to rally them even
after they had commenced to retreat, mind that I would, for certain reasons,
and was shot down in the act: My sym keep this knowledge to myself.
pathy was at once aroused. He was a As I stooped above him to render what
"boy in gray," he had fallen fighting for assistance I could, it was all that I could
must know all that I could about him.
If still alive he must be found and taken ghastly wound, which looked ten times
care of; if dead then his body must have ghastlier now as the warmth from the
such burial as became a soldier and all fire caused the congealed blood to
hero.
afresh. I knew this would never do,
Stepping to the side of the officers I and making a brave effort at control, I
asked them to tell me the name of the strove zealously, but, alas! Vainly to
brave young commander. They an staunch the flow of blood. Just as I had
swered,
almost given up in despair a kind-faced
"MAJOR HULSEY."
young officer made his way to my side,
and bend ng above me said gently :
My feelings of sympathy were now
"Madamie, I have a flask of brandy
changed to keen pain and intense here. Get a spoon and we will see if we
cannot force him to swallow some.”
relative of my husband's and sister-in-
I did as bidden; but, alas! it proyed
fruitless. With all our efforts we could
law's families.
not force it past the tightly clenched
"Is he dead?” I asked.
teeth, and in a little while his struggles
“I suppose not, madame," he replied, ceased, he lay passive for a few mo-
“or at least he was not when we found ments, and then with a few hoarsely
muttered, disconnected sentences and a
him."

SHERMAN IN ORANGEBURG.
159
nervous twitching of the muscles of the || turn them to me if it lay within his
lips, the brave young soldier had
power.
FOUGHT HIS LAST BATTLE.
A FAITHFUL DOG.
As the last breath escaped him I burst
Returning to the bedroom, where
into tears, folded the hands, still stained
my sister-in-law awaited me almost in
with their own life blood, across the || ay
hysterics, I called our faithful dog Lion-
who through all themelée had remained
pulseless heart that would never stir
again at sound of the martial reveille.
crouching under the steps, and thus
Tenderly bathing the face and hands
escaped what would surely have been
of the dead young soldier, and smoothly
his doom if some of the soldiers had dis-
brushing the soft dark hair, I prepared covered him in the yard or hall-and,
to leave him in charge of two of the sol locking the doors, laid down on the rug
diers, who, through the sympathetic in before the fire, and with the faithful,
terest of the young officer who had prof watchful brute between my sister-in-law
fered me the flask of brandy, were de and myself we passed the night without
tailed to watch over him until morning. I once closing our eyes.
when I had determined to see the com The wretchedness and horror of the
manding officer and arrange for a proper long hours that passed can never be de-
burial.
scribed. With all my enforced bravery
I can never forget the kindness of this I felt like screaming out more than
young officer, whom I afterwards learned once. All through the night the men
was Capt. L. M. Dayton, aide-de-camp to came tramping through the house, and
Gen. Sherman. He was considerate, every now and then the knob of our
courteous and gentlemanly in every in door would be turned as though by some
tercourse with us, and but for him our one seeking entrance. Every time the
trials and sufferings would have been latch would click Lion would spring up
increased tenfold. Wherever he may be and growl, and then with a muttered
now, if living, should these lines chance curse the would-be intruder would turn
to meet his eye, I beg he will accept this and walk away. How earnestly we
grateful tribute from a Southern woman, prayed for daylight, and how rejoiced
who admired him for the generous, chiv we were when it came at last no one but
alrous man he was, as well as the brave ourselves could know.
and noble officer-though he wore the The next morning I spoke to Gen.
blue.
Mower, who had been left in command
While arranging the clothing of the by Gen. Sherman, of the annoyances to
dead young soldier I had noticed that which we had been subjected during the
all his pockets were turned wrong side night. He apologized for his men by
out as though they were hastily rifled of saying he supposed it was those who
their contents; while a portion of his had come to him for orders and mis-
watchguard, which had evidently been taken our room for his.
cut, still hung from a buttonhole in his On going out upon the piazza I was
vest.
amazed to see a chain of breastworks
I at once made known these discov almost completely surrounding the
eries to Capt. Dayton, who upon institut house, and asked the General when it
ing a series of inquiries, soon found out was done.
that the burly officer, who had at "During the night," he replied, evi-
tempted to give me the rebuke, was the dently much amused at my surprise and
one who had shot him down; that he, consternation.
also, was the one who had rifled his I asked him why it was done, bnt this
pockets of their contents and that he time he shook his head without reply-
still had in his possession his horse, ing. I afterwards learned that they still
watch, pocketbook, some letters and entertained doubts as to whether or not
papers and one or two photographs. our men had retreated. They still be-
Then and there I made up my mind lieved they were somewhere near in am-
that I would never rest until I had each burc, and I did all that I could to en-
one of those articles, with the exception oushage the belief.
of the horse, of course, in my posses After breakfast, which was certainly
sion. They would be sacred treasures to the sparest and most frugal to which we
his relatives and friends, whoever and had ever sat down, I sent my little
wherever they were. I believed that I nephew Willie to hunt for Camden, our
could trace them up by means of the colored carpenter, who had also been
letters. I they enlisted Capt. Dayton in left in charge of the plantation during
the work, and he promised he would re- || Dr. S.'s absence in the army.

160
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
As soon as Camden came I told him I y others there were four letters, written
wanted him to make a real nice coffin | by himself on the morning of the day he
for one of our soldiers who lay dead in lost his life. I read each one of them,
the dining room.
not from curiosity, but with the holy
"Oh, Mittie, please ma'am don't ask purpose in view to find out what I could
me,” he entreated in genuine fear,
of his family and friends, so that I could
“And why not, Camden? I ques write to them of his death and burial
tioned, secretly provoked with him for and turn over to them the few articles
acting so.
that had come into my possession.
"'Cause the Yankees '11 kill me if I The contents of one of these letters I
do. They done threatened me now what remember distinctly, and I hope it will
they'll do if I waits on you uns.”
not be looked upon in the light of a
I saw that the negro was badly fright want of proper reverence for these sa-
ened, and believed every word he uttered, cred relics of the dead, or of delicate
and remembering what a good and faith consideration of the feelings of the liv-
ful servant he had been in the past I re ing that I make an extract from it here.
frained from the scathing rebuke that It was to his brother-in-law, and ran as
trembled upon my lips, and sent him follows:
away in silence.
"I write this setting upon a log, just in
Sending next for Robin, another old sight of Cannon's Bridge. I am sent to cover
family negro who had often been tried the retreat. My men are completely de-
and not found wanting, I made the same
mora ized, and I fear when the crisis comes
they will be found wanting. Nevertheless,
request of him. I found him even more
I shall do my duty. Coming events,' tis
violently alarmed than Camden. In fact said, 'cast their shadows before,' and even
he was completely demoralized.
now I feel a presentiment of evil. Perhaps
"O Mittie, ma'am, for de good Lord's
I ghall never see another sun set, but if I fall
it will be with my face to the foe.”
sake don't ax me to do it. De Yanks
How quickly this presentiment was
done swar ef I waits on any ob de white
verified his tragic fate gave full evi-
folks wid out dey gives me de permis-
dence. Never fell a nobler or a braver
sion dey string me up by de neck, sure."
man. Even his enemies praised him
I now saw that I would be compelled
for his dauntless courage. “Why,"
to appeal to Gen. Mower. I went at
said they, "he rushed on us with the fe-
once and begged that he would have a
coffin made for the dead young officer.
rocity of a tiger, cheering his men on
to the last, and fell with the war cry
He treated me with respect and courtesy
and promised that it should be done at
still ringing from his lips !”
We buried him just in front of the
once.
gate, under a spreading live oak, and
While waiting I went again to the
dining-room, to see if there was any-
his grave is there to-day, marked
thing I had left undone. While there I
simply by the plain marble head stone,
some unknown friend sent afterwards,
made the discovery that the dead Con-
federate's boots and socks had been
which bears the simple record of his
stolen during the night, but otherwise
birth and death.
the body was undisturbed. In the broad
glare of the sun, that penetrated the
now curtainless windows, I had a better
No. 28.-The Bride of '61.
view of the young soldier, as he lay in
his last dreamless sleep. He was a
noble specimen of manhood, large and
(By Sarah D. Eggleston, of Mississippi.)
finely proportioned, with a finely-
When the first talk of the secession
rounded head and a face handsome and
pleasant even in death.
movement reached me at my father's
That afternoon as I was sitting on the plantation in a remote district of Missis-
piazza waiting for the soldiers to bring
sippi it had an unpleasant sound to me.
out the coffin containing the dead, Capt.
Dayton brought me the recovered
Southern born and bred as I was, and
articles, the watch, letters, papers, &c.,
with my full share of indignation at the
and from the latter I learned for the first arrogant assumptions of Northern dema-
time the name of the intrepid young
gogues and their cool diszegard of the
hero. It was
constitutional rights of the South, yet I
MAJOR ROBERT NEWTON HULL,
dreaded to see that fatal plunge into the
of the Sixty-sixth Georgia Regiment, waters of a Rubicon from which there
and a nephew of Gen. Wm. and Major I could be no retreat except with dis-
Noble Hardee, of Savannah, Ga. Among || honor. But after Mississippi had fol-

THE BRIDE OF '61.
161
lowed the lead of South Carolina, and tioned. After all that we have passed
singly and in pairs other Southern States through, I find it very difficult to real-
wheeled into line, gallant old Virginia ize that I ever had certain notions that
being the last to take the field, but once were general throughout the South.
moving promptly to the front when she For instance, a relative of my husband's
did, oh, how the blood coursed through was so kind as to offer us his furnished
the veins of us girls! My sisters and house, his own family being out of the
cousins and former schoolmates gathered city for the season, and my widowed
in the old plantation house-as with sister kept house in partnership with us.
flushed cheeks and flashing eyes we Our only servants were two negro girls,
talked over the battles yet to be fought sent down by my father, who were by
and dwelt upon the speedy triumph of no means thoroughly trained as house-
the Southern arms, just as if it were maids, having spent most of their time
already an assured fact.
in the cotton field, and iuis in connection
In every village and hamlet compa with them that I am reminded of cer-
nies were rapidly formed and their ser tain notions once prevalent in the South,
vices eagerly offered to the Confederate the very existence of which at any time
Government, then recently established or place it is hard now to realize.
at Montgomery. The war spirit was so We thought it a bold undertaking to
fully aroused and so general that nearly keep house with only two servants, and
always there were more volunteers than what is still more remarkable, every-
were needed to make up the comple body, from Louisiana to Virginia, with
ment of the company, and many had to whom we became sufficiently well
be rejected. I can well remember how acquainted during the year 1861 to
serious a trial this was to many young mention the subject, regarded our ex-
men. "The war will be over before I periment as a capital joke. What seems
get into a fight,” are words that were now to be the funny view of it is, that
frequently heard in those days.
three young people living together could
These early companies were enrolled have thought they had any possible use
and drilled with no little ostentation, for two servants of any sort.
all having fancy names and flags of But there were some incidents con-
their own-and their departure for the nected with that first housekeeping of
seat of war or the training camp was ours which seem funny even now, and
generally attended with much cere which in these strictly personal reminis-
mony. When the Fencibles, of Ray cences may not be considered as irrele-
mond, got marching orders one of the vant.
girls in our set, noted for her personal There was a magic gate connected
and intellectual charms, was invited to with the house. The yard was fenced
present to the company a silk banner in by a brick wall about seven feet high,
made by the ladies of the place. I can in which was a solid wooden gate, or,
see her before me now, as she stood in perhaps more accurately speaking a
her dazzling beauty, handing the flag to door. That was the only passageway
the captain of the company.
from the street to the yard, and conse-
"The ladies of Raymond," she said, quently to the house itself. Incredible
"feel assured that the company will as it may seem five different people were
bring this flaş, back to them untarnished forced to climb that gate during the
by defeat."
month that we occupied the house.
Alas! at the end of the four years I was the first victim. The very day
there came back to the place less than a that we moved into the house my sister
baker's dozen out of the one hundred went out shopping, and, after seeing her
and four brave fellows who cheered my to the street car, I returned to the gate,
friend's speech that day, and of these and to my horror found that I could not
few some wore empty sleeves and some open it. There was but one thing to do,
were on crutches. When they marched and watching a chance when the street
away, with the flag flying over their was free of passengers, I did it. That is
heads, there were moist eyes all along the
to say,
line. They saw the tears and heard the
I CLIMBED THE GATE.
sobs of mothers, wives and sweethearts,
The next day an express wagon drove
who ha l come to take a last look at them.
Shortly after that event, which was in
up with two servants from the country.
the spring of 1861, I was married to a Again the gate took a notion not to be
soldier who was
opened. Vainly my sister and I tried
IN FOR THE WAR,
on the inside and the negro girls on the
and our honeymoon was passed in New other side.
Orleans, where he was temporarily sta- || "There is but one thing to do, Sucky,”
21

OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
I said, speaking from the gallery that || received there with a delirium of joy,
looked down on the street. "You and but I felt as other Southern women felt
Milly will have to climb it."
when news came of victories. I could
"Hi, Miss Sarah, we cyan't clam now," not rejoice until after I heard how it had
glancing at the expressman.
fared with my brothers and other near
"He is busy with the trunks and will relatives who were in the battle. And
not see you,” I said.
this reminds me how fearful a sound
So the servants climbed over in full used to be the cry of the newsboy an-
view of a small crowd that had been at nouncing the latest news from some
tracted by the unwonted spectacle, and of battlefield, and the list of the killed and
whose presence the climbers had not wounded
been aware until they faced the street I soon heard that no one in whom I
after getting astride of the wall. A
was interested had even been wounded
One morning three guests sat at our at Manassas, and then I gave myself up
breakfast table-my father, over seventy to the full tide of joy over the glorious
years old, Lieut. M- and P , the news.
owner of the house. All three had been A week later I was reminded that
provided with latch keys, and it was amidst the shouts of triumph I had been
thought that all had slept in the house hearing, women's tears were falling
the night before.
near at hand, and that was when I saw
"That's a most infernal gate of your's,'? passing by my door the funeral proces-
sion of one of the Washington Artillery,
it last night, and finally had to climb killed at Manassas.
it.??
I spent the winter of '61-2 at Norfolk,
"Since you mention it,” said Lieut. Virginia, and even there, with the war
M- , “I climbed it too."
so near to their doors, people were still
“And I would have climbed it," said living very much as they had always
P- , “but I was afraid a policeman lived. There was still an abundance of
might catch me in the act and take me everything, for the effects of the blockade
to the guardhouse, so I slept at the hotel had not begun to be seriously felt, and
last night. I shall send up a locksmith Confederate money was at par. But
to the gate this very day.”
occasionally one might see living illus-
About this time I witnessed in New trations of what was in store for most of
Orleans the funeral of Col. Charley us.
Drew, the first Louisianian that was Crossing one day, from Norfolk to
killed in the war, and I have often Portsmouth in the ferry boat, I entered
thought of it since, on account of its into conversation with a lady sitting near
marked contrast with subsequent fune me and learned from her that she was a
rals of Confederate soldiers, after we
had learned that war was a stern reality, occupied by the Federal forces. I re-
and not a mere pageant. Col. Drew had member wondering that the lady could
been a rising politician in the Crescent bear so great a trial as that so calmly as
City, and perhaps the most popular man she did, and thought how fortunate it
there. He was among the first to don was for me and my sisters that our Mis-
the gray, and he lost his life on the Pe sissippi home was so remote from the
ninsula, under Magruder, leaving a seat of war that it was not within the
widowed bride behind him. He was the range of possibility for us to have to
sort of man to merit the funeral honors undergo what this poor lady had suf-
that were paid to him, to be followed to fered. And all the time the home that
his grave by almost the entire popula seemed so safe from danger was on the
tion of a great city, with flags at half line of Grant's future march from
mast and draped in mourning; amidst Bruensburg Landing to Jackson.
the booming of minute guns, and with Norfolk, always noted for its generous
military bands playing the Dead March.
And yet had he been killed two years at this particular time; for there were
later than he was, he would simply have stationed in its suburbs three or four
been laid in his bloody gray clothes in | regiments from the far South, and balls
the common grave with his slain com- | and picnics were the order of the day,
were observed at the burial of Latané time, but the time had not yet come for
had to be denied to the vast majority of the typical Confederate wedding.
our Confederate dead.
I have said that people in Norfolk still
I was in New Orleans when
lived as they had always lived, yet at
the hotel where we were staying there
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS
were some changes for the worse. Coal
was fought. Of course, the news was l had disappeared from the grates, and

THE BRIDE OF '61.
163
green pine log's taken its place, to remain || Men may have reasoned and made cal-
unconsumed. It was here that I became || culations about the matter, but few, if
acquainted for the first time with Con any, women did. Final defeat was a
federate coffee. It was made of parched thing too horrible to be even thought of
meal, and not only was it the first I ever at any time; but, now, after our great
tasted but the last, for after that I took victories-why, we believed that Mr.
cold water in preference to any and all Lincoln himself was convinced that he
counterfeits of coffee.
had undertaken a hopeless task.
In Richmond, whither I went from While McClellan's army lay before
Norfolk, and spent there the greater Richmond, ladies were in the daily
part of the summer of '62, the expense of | habit of going out to the neighboring
living was already so high as to be al heights to witness artillery duels, that is
most beyond the reach of persons with to hear the reports and watch the flash-
moderate means. Boarding, in my case, ing of the guns. And another thing I
was out of the question, so I was fortu remember about those days when the
nate in being invited by my aunt, who battles were raging around Richmond,
was a resident of the place, to keep house when the ambulances would return
in partnership with her. At the time every evening to the city filled with the
our troops were falling back from Ma wounded and the dying, (the dead were
nassas and the Peninsula before the ad. left on the field,) every woman watched
vance of McClellan, and panic prices with feverish anxiety lest an) ambulance
even in the necessaries of life were be might stop at her door, bearing some of
ginning to prevail. Confederate money her dear ones.
was rapidly deteriorating in value, for I I attended St. Paul's Church in Rich-
believe it was generally thought, even mond where the President had a pew.
in high circles, that
On one Sunday a messenger came to
him during the service, and after a few
THE CITY WOULD SPEEDILY FALL.
whispered words, both left the church.
A common subject of conversation The incident caused intense though
then when ladies met in social inter-
suppressed excitement.
From Richmond my husband was or-
course was that of bombardments. I
dered to Mobile. After a residence in
used to bear maids and matrons cooly the latter place of a few months I found
discussing the average loss of life among | myself once more on
non-combatants in a city under bom-
bardment, and whether the cellars
THE OLD PLANTATION.
would afford safe shelter from the When I had left it, more than a year
enemy's shells. They were expecting a
before, I thought that it was as remote
siege like that of Saragossa or Sebasto-
pol, and had made up their minds to bear
from this war as it had been from the
unflinchingly all the hardships and Mexican war and destined to remain so,
dangers inseparable from it.
but now we could hear from time to
That the whole Confederacy was timea dulljarring sound, like that of dis-
already in a state of siege was brought tant thunder off towards the north west.
home to me by a little incident. My It came from Vicksburg, distant about
husband, in the retreat from Norfolk, thirty miles on a bee line. The war was
after the evacuation of that place by our really coming home to our doors then !
forces, had lost all his clothes but the We became accustomed to the omin-
suit on his back. He wrote me that he ous sounds, as people sooner or later
had borrowed a couple of shirts from a become accustomed to anything that is
friend, but was much in need of draw inevitable,
ers. I went in search of material for A radical change had taken place in
drawers, and after having tried in vain the household economy. I found my
nearly every dry goods store in the city, sisters dressed in homespun. The shoes
was about to give up in despair, when a they wore were made by the plantation
shopkeeper handed me down some dam cobbler, and their stockings were knit
ask table cloths. My husband pro- from cotton spun and twisted on the
nounced them the best drawers he had place. The hot loaf-bread and rolls that
ever worn.
ħad never been absent from the break-
Jackson's brilliant campaign in the fast table a single day in the olden times
Valley, followed by the Seven days' bat (for we are Virginians) had now given
tles, gave us other topics than bombard way to corn bread in various styles. We
ments to discuss. I, for one, had never made a joke of having as many of these
had the shadow of a doubt of the final varieties as we could invent-making
success of our cause, and I am sure I up the dough for the different sorts with
felt as every other Southern woman felt. Il more or less water, or milk, or sorghum-

164
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
for this homely syrup had usurped the || horses were levied upon by the quarter-
place of the golden syrup of Louisiana. || master's department, and there was on
Excellent pound-cake, too, we learned | incident connected with it that amused
to make of corn meal.
and delighted us when it happened.
There lived near us one Mr. S., a
life before the war, and that event put to wealthy planier noted before the war
a severe test its power of self-mainte for his love of the almighty dollar, and
nance. It stood the test triumphantly. after it began for his Union proclivities.
We had always been the most depend It happened that the impressing agents
came to Mr. S.'s during his absence and
ized, as it is feared we have again be took his carriage horses to Jackson, dis-
come so, but during the war a well tant about twenty miles. He was in a
equipped Southern plantation proved to towering rage when on returning home
be a little world in itself, supplying in he learned what had happened; but
abundance all the necessaries of life in after sleeping on his grievance he de-
the way of food and clothing and many termine the next morning to try what
of the luxuries. There were no reven conciliation would do toward the re-
ues coming in, but we had no more use covery of his favorite horses, and forth-
for money than Robinson Crusoe had on with dispatched a servant to Jackson
his island. There were abundant food with a pair of inferior horses to ex-
crops of every sort, but especially were change for them. When the negro rode
the corn-cribs almost bursting with their up to the artillery camp with the fresh
heaped up treasures of grain, and that pair of horses he was hailed by the cap-
ensured an abundance of animal food; tain.
fat beeves, and hogs, and mutton, and "Bring them this way, old man. We
poultry, with an endless supply of butter are badly in want of another pair.”
"Marster, say how "
indispensable things that the planta-
uon could not supply, and the salt ques we are much obliged to him. And now
tion became a very serious one, and all you toddle home, old man. before you
sorts of devices were resorted to to ob get killed by a stray shot from some-
tain it. I remember that the earth in where."
the floors of old smoke-houses was dug And so it happened that our Union
up and placed in hoppers to be drained neighbor contributed four horses when
of what salt it might contain.
he had been expected to give only two.
Old time hand looms that had been Like other women who sought to be as
driven into the obscure corners of out much with their husbands as possible,
houses by the manufactured goods of I performed an unusual amount of
New England were once more brought travelling during the war, for when-
from their hiding places under the dust ever the place where my husband was
and cobwebs and vigorously put to stationed was thought to be threatened
work. I knew of refined young girls by the enemy he would send me away
who growing impatient with clumsy from it and recall me again after the
slave labor took the shuttle in hand them danger had passed. Ir that way I went
selves and wove patterns that would not from Norfolk to Rickmond and then
be ill-looking even in this era of
aestheticism.
mond to Ralegh, N. C., and back; while
WORKING FOR THE SOLDIERS
from Mobile, where my husband was
stationed for the longest time and to-
was our constant occupation. In every wards the close of the war I made fre-
village and hamlet and country neigh-
quent trips to my father's house in Mis-
issippi and later in Macon, Gary whither
borhood societies were organized for
my family finally went as refugees. Of
that purpose. We made clothes and ali
THE PICTURES OF THE WAR
prepared delicacies for the hospitals or
for our own kinsmen in the field, and so
that are stamped upon my memory
it happened that the women of the South
did something towards feeding our
travelling are still the most vivid and
armies and still more towards clothing
the most terrible. It was attended with
them. We were ready to make any
sacrifice that might possibly advance
great risks, for the rails and the road-
the cause.
bed and the running gear of the cars
About the period now under consider were all worn out. The conductor's
ation, in the country contiguous to lantern was the only light inside the
Jackson and Vicksburg, all the pleasure Il train. We sat in darkness all night,

THE BRIDE OF '61.
165
jolting over uneven rails and rickety | “min'al' taste." The wonder to me was
bridges, and when at last the sun rose, that it had not proved fatal to him, for
thankful that we had been spared to see he was not content with a single sip as I
it.
was.
The cars were always crowded, sad-
BORROWING A BABY.
looking women and crippled soldiers
forming a large percentage of the pas-
To passenger trains on most roads
sengers. Before the war it was not cus there was attached a "ladies' car," from
tomary in the South for ladies to travel which all but the gentler sex and their
without a male escort, even when two
escorts, when they happened to have
or three ladies were in company. After
the war began, we though nothing of
any, were rigidly excluded. This car
scuffling along single-handed. On one was far more comfortable than any of
of the many trips that I made without the others, and of course, men travel-
an escort or even female companion, 1 ling without any female companion
had sought in vain for a seat in the would often make efforts to elude the
crowded car, and was standing by the vigilance of the guard at the door of the
stove with my bundles in my arms and ladies' car and get a seat in it. Conse-
trying to hide my tears, when the con- | quently, ladies travelling alone often
ductor came along, lantern in hand, and had pressing offers, generally from sol-
offered to find me a place.
diers going home on furlough or return-
“Will you make room here, please??? ing to their commands, to carry bundles
he said, touching on the shoulder a or valises from one train to another
woman whose body was extending over when there was a change of cars.
some package that rested on two seats "Please lend me your baby, inadam,''
and was partly covered with a shawl. 1 once heard a soldier ask. He formed
As she raised up and turned her haggard one of a group standing on the platform
face towards us, we saw that she had at a depot where the train had just
been clasping in her arms a rude coffin!-- stopped. The lady spoken to was sit-
doubtless containing the remains of her ting next to me with 2 crowing baby in
husband that she was taking home for her arms, and without the slightest hes-
burial from some hospital or battlefield. || itation she handed it to the stranger
Alas! passengers and freight of that sort ll through the car window. Soldier and
were common enough in those days. baby both disappeared for a time. When
On one trip that I made I had a nomi next they were seen they were coming
nal escort in the shape of a boy twelve into the ladies' car unchallenged by the
years of age, the son of an intimate deluded guard. Thank you, madam,"
friend, whom, in truth, I was escorting. said the soldier, handing the baby back
As might have been expected of an to its mother, and then dropping into a
urchin at his time of life, he was too rest comfortable seat. Just then the whistle
less to remain seated more than an blew, or doubtless the baby would have
hour at a time, and, as was also to be been borrowed over and over again until
expected of him, he made his desire to all the soldiers had got into the ladies'
drink an excuse for leaving his seat so car, and the bewildered guard been
often, and made the open bucket in made to believe that he had been pro-
which the drinking water was kept in moted to the command of a travelling
a rear corner of the car, the objective baby show.
point of his excursions.
On one occasion I was travelling alone
This water has a peculiar taste, from Macon, Ga., to Mobile, for the pur-
George," I said, handing him back the pose of rejoining my husband at the
cup he had brought me, after I had latter place. We changed cars at Mont-
taken a single sip of the water.
gomery, and soon after I had taken ny
"It's jus min’al water, Cousin S.,'' he seat I heard a gentleman say that an
said, with his peculiar lisp.
order had been issued by Gen. Maury,
The next morning at early dawn I the commanding officer at Mobile, for-
went to the water bucket myself, that I bidding non-combatants to enter the
might get a cupful of water to dampen city, for it was thought that the place
my towel, and relieve my hands and would soon be attacked. I was in dis-
face of some of the dust and soot in order may at hearing such news as that, for it
to make myself more presentable. I was doubtful whether I had money
found a poor soldier bathing his wounded enough to get back to Macon.
and shattered arm, which seemed then “What I say is certainly true, the
almost in a gangrened condition, in the gentleman said, when I questioned him
bucket of water that had been provided on the matter, "for some ladies were
for the passengers to drink. No wonder | made to leave the train at Pollard last
that George thought the water had a ll night.”

166
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“But if you have a pass,” he con brought about by the war. On the latter
tinued, "there will be no trouble about occasion the bridegroom, who had come
your getting through.”
on furlough from the Army of Northern
But I had no pass. What to do, I Virginia, was married in a calico shirt;
knew not. Only I had made up my and thought himself lucky to have a
mind on one point, and that was to go on new one. My bridal present to my
to Mobile or be put off the train by main sister was a pair of kid gloves that had
force. Just before we reached the line cost $50 in Mobile. When the bride was
that non-combatants were forbidden to about to put them on it was noticed for
cross, I saw the glare of a lantern and the first time that both were right hand
heard the word "passes ! Throwing gloves.
myself down on the double seat, I pre "I am glad of that,” she said,"for now
tended to be sound asleep. The officer I shall be forced to wear one at a time,
at last paused at my seat. "Pass !” I and so they will last twice as long."
heard him say, but I gave no answer. That thing of wearing one glove at a
Twice more he repeated the word, and time got to be common enough in
still I pretended to sleep. Then he Mobile, and doubtless in other places
passed on possibly taking it for granted where gloves were worn at all.
that any one who could sleep so soundly My bridal veil was used by my sister.
must necessarily have a mind absolutely as it had already been by two other
at rest on the subject of passes, and in brides in Mobile. Of the four whose
deed everything else.
brows it decked, all but the writer have
“What would you have done,'' I have been widows for many years past.
since been asked, "if the man had per I was in Mobile when the Federal
sisted in waking you up?'
forces, under Grant, marched from
"Pretended to be deaf and dumb,” was Bruensburg to Jackson, preparatory to
my answer.
enclosing Pemberton's army within the
At the time that I slept so soundly, I lines of Vicksburg; but my sisters were
was returning from the wedding of one still on the plantation. They were five
of my sister's. I remember that when I in all, the oldest being 22 years old and
was going on to Macon I mentioned to the youngest hardly ten. My father,
the conductor the object of my trip and when he heard that Grant had landed at
the hour appointed for the ceremony. I Bruensburg, eadeavored to take a part
“Then you'll be too late," said the of his negroes to the east of Pearl River,
conductor, "for we are behind time and and so the girls and our little brother,
cannot possibly make connection at 12 years old, were left without even a
Columbus.”
nominal protector.
“You must not talk that way," I said. It was quite apparent that everything
“Get through in time and I'll invite you on the plantation was in a state of disor-
to the wedding.'
ganization, and yet the negroes that
He entered into the spirit of the thing, were still there were, with one excep-
and actually pushed through in time. tion, kinder in their manner and more
Before concluding the account of my respectful, if possible, than ever before.
railroad experiences during the war, The girls, remaining in the house all
which I have written without any the time, were not aware that Federal
chronological order, I must mention one troops were on the place until a squad of
am using incident connected with it. I them had been encamped for several
had taken my seat in the train bound days within a quarter of a mile of the
west from Meridian, when I saw a house. From the subsequent behavior
strange woman with her eyes fired of these men, there is little doubt but
directly on me, elbowing her way they were stragglers acting without
through the crowded aisle.
orders. Finally, the girls saw the blue
"Please ma'am,” she said, when she at coats at the front gate. They came
last reached my seat, “try to make the swaggering in and ordered all firearms
conductor pass me over the road free. I there were in the house to be delivered
think I ought to travel free, for I am a to them. couple of boys' guns and an
poor widow. I have had two husbands old Mississippi rifle were handed the
killed in the war!”
leader of the squad. In the meanino
the others were "going through the
A CONFEDERATE WEDDING.
house--searching in wardrobes and bu-
There was a marked contrast between |
reaus and closets-in a word, wherever
my sister's wedding as a refugee at
they thought anything of value might
be found, and appropriating whatever
Macon and my own a little over two
came to hand. Fortunately the silver-
years earlier-that is, before any mate ware had all been buried, and the girls
rial change in the way of living had been l had taken the precaution to let out the

THE BRIDE OF '61.
167
contents of a barrel of brandy in the . At length the girls made up their
cellar.
minds to leave the place at all hazards,
BOLD THIEVES IN BLUE.
and although one of them was on
My sisters soon became aware that crutches on account of a wrenched ankle,
they had fallen into the hands of a set of all five of them and our little brother
men that were common thieves rather took to the public road on foot, carrying
than honorable soldiers of a great gov with them a few changes of clothes that
ernment. They stole everything that had been hastily tied up in bundles.
they could lay their hands on and were Fortunately at a few miles from the
coolly insolent with it all. The girls, house they met our father returning
thinking that a fearless bearing on their with a wagon, and he and they together
part was the best policy, spoke to the made their way to Enterprise, Missis-
scamps boldly enongh.
sippi, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad,
"You stole that ring,” said S. to the and thence to Mobile. At the last
leader of the band, who came into her named place they arrived in a sad plight
presence flourishing on his little finger indeed, two of them bareheaded,
a ring belonging to one of the family.
After the Federal lines were closed
“Yes, I did steal it.” was the reply. round Vicksburg, our old neighborhood
"I scorn to tell a lie about it.”
fell once within Confederate lines, or
There was a fire and burglar-proof rather on the side of the "debatable
safe in the house with a combination land” that was nearest to them. Some
lock. How our little brother happened of my sisters returning to the place
to know the combination is more than I found everything very much in the con-
can tell, but perhaps it is well that he dition that they had left it, and they
did, for two of the brutes held cocked succeeded in transporting to Mobile
pistols to his head and forced him to many things that proved of value to
open the safe. They found only a few them as refugees. Many of the old
dollars to reward them for their valor family servants cast their lot with them
ous act.
and accompanied them first to Mobile
For nearly a week my young sisters and then to Macon.
were in the power of these people, and
shut out from all communication with
LIFE IN MOBILE
the ouside world and knowledge of the during the war was, perhaps, gayer
great events that were taking place so i
than in most other places. There was a
near to them.
The men did have the decency to go
stampede from there immediately after
to their camp at night, but they lounged the fall of New Orleans, but when the
about the house all day long, to the un first panic was over, Mobile came to be
speakable annoyance and disgust of the regarded as one of the safest points in
family.
the Confederacy. Like Norfolk, it was
The leader of the band put on the most always famous for its hospitality, and
consequential airs imaginable, and was added to that feature was the fact that it
piqued at the small degree of awe that was, during the greater portion of the
he inspired.
war, the only seaport in the South that
"You don't know who I am," he said remained in our possession. Conse-
one day. “I am a far more important quently, it was the objective point for
man than you take me to be.”
all young officers belonging to our West-
".0, yes," answered one of the girls, ern armies who longed for a little gaiety
"we suspected all along that we were after hardships in the field. There was
entertaining Gen. Grant in disguise.” a round of receptions and parties and
The fellow took the sarcasm literally balls, none of them attended with any
and was evidently so pleased at the sup serious expense, but no less enjoyable
posed compliment that there was a notwithstanding that. At these fash-
change in bis manner for the better. ionable gatherings the gentlemen, as a
But still the situation was almost unen ruie, wore homespun, and the ladies
durable.
dresses that had been turned and
Sometimes the man intimated that "adapted,'' perhaps, several times over.
they had orders to burn the house down, Gloves had long become obsolete. I
and they constantly threatened to bang have heard the ladies of Mobile criti-
my father the moment he returned, as cised severely for indulging in this
he had appointed to do by a certain apparent levity while our brave soldiers
time.
were enduring every hardship and peril
"We treat you like gentlemen,” they in the field, and our cause trembling in
said one day, but we cannot answer for the balance.
what other troops may do when they But gaiety of manner is not necessa-
come along."
|| rily a proof that the heart is not bleed-

168
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ing. In the whole South there were no , lander who died at Mobile in the midst
truer woinen to the Confederate cause of strangers; and yet he was nursed as
than those gay daughters of Mobile. If tenderly as he could have been by those
they did "fiddle while Rome was burn nearest to him, and when the time for
ing, they also fought the fire” as nursing had passed, his bier was lov-
bravely as any of their sisters elsewhere. ingly decked with flowers and mois-
They were ever ready with their means tened with women's tears. As calami-
and their time to help on the cause ties thickened round our common cause,
nursing in the hospitals when the op we felt bound in closer ties even than
portunity offered, and working with those of kindred.
both sewing and knitting-needles in be As I had heard the guns before Rich-
half of the soldiers in the field.
mond in the early stage of the war, I
High prices during the winter of could now, in the last stage, hear those
1864-65 made it difficult for people of lim at Spanish Fort across the bay from
ited means to obtain even the necessaries Mobile, for the attack on that place had
of life. Gold was selling at from $40 to begun. I was attending service at
$45—that is to say, one needed that many Trinity Church, the distant booming of
dollars in Confederate money to buy
to buy the cannon being heard from time to
what could be bought for one dollar in time above the voice of the minister and
gold. Besides this apparent rise in mer the responses of the congregation, when
chandise of all sorts, there was a real I heard the sound of shuffling feet along
rise in the price of many articles on ac the aisle, and looking towards the door,
count of their scarcity. Ordinary shoes I saw some men in thread bare gray
sold for $150 a pair; calico, $30 a yard; | bearing a coffin towards the chancel.
flour, from $400 to $600 a barrel; corn Without a word being exchanged be-
meal, $50 a bushel. How any class of tween the strangers and the minister the
people except those who had gold to ex latter proceeded to perform the burial
change for Confederate money could live service for the unknown dead, all the
under such a state of things is a mystery. congregation devoutly taking part. Who
It is not surprising that there were nar was he? Only an obscure soldier who,
row escapes from bread riots more than the day before, had been brought over
once in Mobile, and doubtless in other from Spanish Fort mortally wounded,
cities of the Confederacy. I witnessed and had died that morning in a hos-
a demonstration of the kind in Mobile. pital.
Dauphin street, for several blocks, was After the services were over, the ladies
thronged with poor women, mothers and lingered round the church door listening
wives of soldiers in the field, demanding sadly to the bombardment.
food for themselves and children. I "All that I have in the world is there,”
heard that finally the fire engines were i said one of the ladies, my only child is
ordered out, and the poor women dis under that fire".
persed at the point of the nozzle. At "And my husband is there," I said.
that very time the ostentatious display Two months had passed since the day
of luxurious exíravagance by certain at Appomattox, when my husband and
officials of the quartermaster department | I, going on a visit to my old home,
was the common town talk. During the drove up to the tavern in the village of
time that I spent in Mobile I witnessed Raymond.
"You back here, B- ,' I said to the
THREE FUNERALS
one-armed host, who came forth to re-
that are worthy of mention as illustra ceive us, for I had known him as a boy,
tive of the spirit of the times. From the and remembered that he still was one
house in which I was boarding a widow when he went off to the war with the
started forth all alone to bring home the Fencibles.
remains of her eldest son, killed at Mal "Yes, ma'am," he answered; "since I
vern Hill six months before. She got lost my arm at Sharpsburg, I have been
back to Mobile on the day she had ex trying to make a living at this sort of
pected when she left, bringing the body business."
of her son with her, and firmly believ "Yonder in that grove was the
ing that she owed her success in finding camping-ground of the Fencibles when
it in the midst of the long array of the they were first organized. I see some
dead to the direct interposition of Provi white objects there," I said. (I am
dence. The burial services for the quite near-sighted.)
widow' son were performed at the "What you see,” explained B-
Cathedral, with all his kindred around "are the tents of the negro regiment,
him, and with the impressive ceremo now camped on our oid ground."
nies of his mother church.
And such a change as that had taken
It was different with a gallant Mary- ll place in a little more than four years !”

A BAND OF HEROES.
169
No. 29.-A Band of Heroes.
one more star to the Southern Confed-
eracy.
In a short time Virginia was as a great
(By a Virginia Woman.)
camp. From mountain to seaward, the
excitement was immense. New compa-
Being in Richmond during the session
nies were formed, old ones filled
of the Convention which withdrew my up. Boys of fourteen and fifteen
loved State from the Federal Union, and
having been in Virginia from the begin-
tion, and organized themselves into
companies. Sewing societies were form-
ning of the war to its close, I can jot ed by the ladies to work for the soldio.s
down some incidents which may be and do whatever they could for two
more or less interesting to those conver-
general good.
sant with them, and to save from
THE FIRST MARTYR
oblivion persons and scenes which are to the cause in Virginia was a youth of
passing away from memory, and place a not more than 17 years.
few just laurels on the graves of some of
When it was reported in the streets of
our known and unknown martyred Richmond that the Pawnee, a vessel of
dead.
war, was below Richmond for the sup-
The spacious parlors of the Spottswood
posed purpose of attacking the city,
the excitement was intense. Old men,
Hotel were nightly filled with ladies
young men, boys, armed themselves
who warmly discussed the topics which with whatever was available, to repel
were debated in Convention by day. I
can give no idea of the enthusiasm of Young Henry St. George Tucker was
the Virginia women at the probability appointed by Governor Letcher one of
his aides on the occasion. He caught a
ereignty and joining her sister States in severe cold riding hither and thither
their struggle for independence. Very during the night (the first Sunday after
few of our women were opposed to Se Virginia's secession) carrying dispatches
cession; they were not only willing, but from one end of the city to the other. In
impatient for the Convention to withdraw a few days his young life passed away
Virginia from the Union. Governed by from the effects of pneumonia. He was
feeling, they thrust judgment into
the back-ground, and were for Christian boy, as faithful to his Captain,
immediate action. We taunted our Christ, under whose banner he had
grand old mother State with her enlisted from his earliest childhood, as
prudence, her slowness—indeed, some he was to his native State. His mother
were so unfilial as to say she was a daughter of a former minister to
was in her dotage—but we since have the Court of St. James, and he a nephew
been compelled, with bitter tears, to of one of Virginia's most honored sons,
confess what simpletons we were, how
blind, not to appreciate her glorious doing her loyal service in Congress.
I now lay my simple wreath on the
beginning what would be the result to grave of this youthful martyr.
the whole South if our cause was lost. When the telegram was received in
Experience has taught us how grand Lynchburg announcing the secession of
she was in her conservatism, and when Virginia, excitement was at fever heat.
all her efforts for an honorable peace That night the Confederate flag was
raised on the heights across the river,
with its glorious "Sic Semper,” around low fires were kindled on the cliffs in
her coerced sisters, she bared her bosom honor of the event, and also of the fall of
to the foe and received their daggers, Fort Sumter.
even to the hilt.
Well I remember my enthusiasm. I
I returned to my home a week or two imagined our independence almost
before the secession of Virginia, but my achieved, that all our victories would be
husband kept me daily advised of the bloodless. I thought of Virginia going
progress of events. Fort Sumter fell on forth in her might, “conquering and to
the 13th of April. Lincoln's proclama conquer, not widowed and conquered.
tion, calling on Virginia for 75,000 men How deep the sword has pierced the
to coerce the South, was met with the souls of the women of the South words
warmest indignation everywhere, and and time would fail me to tell.
on the 19th of the same month she as In a few days business was almost sus-
serted her State sovereignty and added Il pended in the town. Male schools were
22

170
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
closed, new volunteer companies were | panies. After a month or two this com-
organized, old ones recruited, and were pany was ordered from the Potomac to
under marching orders. How busy our the peninsula. At the battle of Wil-
hands and how full our hearts in work liamsburg he was severely wounded,
ing for our loved ones, who seemed as if shot through the lungs. Gen. John-
they were preparing for a téte,
ston evacuated the peninsula the night
after the battle of Williamsburg. This
INSTEAD OF BLOODY GRAVES.
youth remained in the old city and he
Ah! how well do I remember see was the recipient of loving kindness.
ing a boy, as bright as he was beautiful,
He was an inmate of a home of those
who had known him in his earliest
drilling, in the absence of an officer,
childhood, Williamsburg having been
a party of raw recruits. As it happened, the place of his birth. One of our own
one of the recruits was his teacher, a surgeons was left in charge of our
gentleman of very high culture, who wounded. This boy received the most
had been engaged in teaching for many skillful attention and nursing, and at
years, having been a graduate of the the end of five or six weeks was well
University of Virginia and Princeton. enough to be carried to Old Point,
Being a warm secessionist from the first. where he was exchanged and returned
determined to show his devotion to his to his home.
principles, he enlisted as a private, You may well imagine how joyfully
when upwards of 40, and would never and thankfully he was received by his
accept higher rank.
family, to whom he was so dear; as
When I first saw them, the beautiful beautiful as ever, and having the prestige
boy was double-quicking at a furious of being wounded almost to the death
pace, his teacher, who seemed almost ex for his country at 16 years of age, you
hausted by the exertion, not being of may know what a hero he was in their
very delicate proportions. The next eyes.
time I saw the boy, I laughingly remon In a few months time he received an
strated with him for making his teacher appointment in the navy and was ordered
run about so much. His eyes sparkled to the Palmetto State at Charleston. After
with fun as he replied: "I am only pay remaining there for a month or two, he
ing him back for some of the discipline was sent to the school ship Jamestown at
he put me through at school.”
Richmond. He soon wearied of the inac
Alas! both these gallant spirits, the tive life and routine, and became restive
boy, brave as he was beautiful, and tal under the discipline, and before long
ented as he was brave, sealed their devo joined Mosby's command. We know
tion to their country with their lives. the sad sequel. He gave up his young
This boy's career was so remarkable life at the age of 19 years and a few
hat I must give a short sketch of it. He il months, and left bleeding hearts behind
joined one of the companies which were him.
preparing for the field, but his father A short time after the secession the
made him resign, thinking it would be young men from Virginia who were at the
as "destroying seed corn, to send one United States Academy at West Point,
so young to the war, but when he went after a circuitous route, reached home.
with his command to Leesburg he took I was at camp on the outskirts of the
his son with him. After having been city. having gone to see the soldiers go
with his father a week or two, the boy through their evolutions the evening of
was stricken down with fever. The the arrival of the cadets. Some of them
physician who attended him had him
were brought up to my carriage to see me,
carried to his own home, where he was I having known them at West Point the
most tenderly nursed. His father was previous fall. Among them was young
ordered to the field before the convales Rosser, who would have graduated had
cence of his son, who temporarily joined he remained that summer. He was
one of the Leesburg companies.
made a brigadier, and was a dashing
He was in the battle of Leesburg, and cavalry officer. He is now a successful
fought so courageously as to draw on railroad official. The next was James
himself the attention of the general Dearing from near L. He also attained
commanding, who in his report men the rank of brigadier. He was one of
tioned him as
the handsomest men I ever saw. At
the time of his return he was not 21,
“THE YOUTHFUL HERO.''
having been at West Point about three
He soon returned to his home, and
years. He was dangerously wounded a
few days before the close of the war, and
the next spring his father permitted || brought to our ladies' hospital, where,
him to join one of the Lynchburg com- || after a week's time he died, leaving a

A BAND OF HEROES.
171
1
.
young wife, a widowed mother and only || well as circumstances would admit, and
sister to mourn his loss.
this was the beginning of
The next was Pelham,
“OUR LADIES' HOSPITAL,"?
"THE GALLANT PELHAM,”
which did good service to the end. Mrs.
as Gen. Lee called him. He was as
Lucy W. our president, was known
beautiful, and as modest and gentle
far and wide, and many had come to
as a woman, but brave as a lion. He fell
bless her. The ladies advertised for
the second vear of the war at the head || furniture, provisions, money, all of
of his battery, mourned by a
which were cheerfully given. Our
The youngest of the lot who returned matron, whose services were gratu-
from West Point, was a youth of rare itous, remained in charge until,
talents and character. He did his coun and for several weeks after the
try good service for four years, and is close of the war. Mrs. Feaglis' name is
now nard fighting the battle of life as a remembered with gratitude by many
journalist to provide food and raiment still living, who were the recipients of
for his family.
her faithfulness. Mrs. Oley and herself
For one or two months Lynchburg have both died, but their remembrance
was as an enormous camp. New com is blessed.
panies filled with raw recruits from the In July we realized that our victories
mountains and adjacent counties were were not all to be bloodless. Bull Run
ordered there to be drilled. Some of the and Manassas are too well known for me
returned cadets from West Point and to dwell on them.
the Virginia Military Institute were the The anxiety we women felt, and the
drill masters.
suspense we were in when we learned
Soldiers from many parts of the that a battle was imminent, may be con-
South poured in before going to the ceived, but not told.
field.
Some of our men who were not in
The first two was the Oglethorpes
from Savannah, a splendid body of men, in their power, as the emergency might
and a company from Mobile, composed require. How anxiously and prayer-
of the best elements.
fully we waited their return.
It gave the people of Lynchburg Many of our private homes, as well as
much pleasure to do all in their power hospitals, were filled with the sick and
for the comfort of the soldiers, by hav wounded.
ing them at their houses and doing for Gen. Kirby Smith was brought from
them as far as they could what their own Manassas to Lynchburg. He was the
mothers and sisters would have done. guest of a family whose hospitality I do
The strangers were taken in and shel not believe was excelled, rarely
tered as if they had been sons and broth equalled, by any then in the Confed-
ers. We "cast our bread on the waters,” eracy.
eracy. From the beginning to the close
F
and in many instances it came back to of the war they were princely in their
us.
benefactions, supplying to the wounded
About the middle of May our own and sick in hospitals such delica-
company, the “Home Guard,” the "Rifle cies as the Government could
Greys," the “Wise Troops, and others not supply. Gen. Nicholl was also
were ordered to the field made up of our one of their most cherished guests
husbands, sons, brothers and other rela for months, he having lost an arm and
leg in the service of his country. Alas!
of it without a pang. We sent them sad reverses have come on this gener-
forth, with prayers and blessings, to do ous family. Death has been busy with
and dare, for what we believed a most this household. Their head died seve-
righteous cause.
ral years ago; his widow and only child
A few days before a regiment from are bravely at work in the city of Balti-
Arkansas was ordered to the field the more. There they have opened within
colonel came to one of our most promi the last three or four years a seminary
nent and active ladies (who had then five for young ladies. If merit can com-
mand success they will be most liberally
twelve to send,) and requested that if it patronized. I will say en passant that
was possible that she and the other when Gen. Smith returned to his home
ladies would make some arrangements in Florida he carried with him a fair
to take care of ten or twelve men who Virginia bride, a daughter of the Hill
were unable to march. She found she City.
could get two rooms, which had been Time with its manifold changes rolled
used by a club. These were arranged as ll around. So many sick and wounded

172
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
were brought to the ladies they were | fought until he received a wound, which
compelled to enlarge their borders.
though painful was not dangerous. He
A vacant hotel was loaned, and they was with the army when Gen. Johnston
went to work with might and main to
take in all that applied, and that were
EVACUATED THE PENINSULA.
permitted to come to their hospital by On arriving at Lynchburg, he was
the surgeons.
At last when the army of Virginia was
placed under treatment. After his fur-
merged in that of the Confederacy, and
lough had expired, he was sent to the
the government moved to Richmond, army of Northern Virginia, where he
the ladies thought they could
remained about twelve months. He
was then transferred to Tennessee.
DO BETTER FOR THE CAUSE
This youth went through the whole
by having their hospital placed on the campaign, through summer's heat, and
same footing as the government hos-
winter's cold, without a serious attack
of sickress. He returned after the
pital. There being opposition to us
snrrenderto Lynchburg, where
from some in authority because we his family were refugeeing, in June,
were an Jutside organization.
went with them to their home
My husband being in Richmond, I in Williamsburg, and on the first day of
was requested to go down and find out September, 1865, died from pneumonia,
what could be done. The day after I contracted from bathing, leaving father,
reached Richmond he called on Mr. mother, sisters and brothers, and many
Benjamin, who received us most courte friends to mourn him. There were none
ously.
braver who fought for their country
As soon as my mission was made than young Thomas Hugh Mercer. He
known to him, he said he would com was a warm-hearted, affectionate boy,
mission us as a regular hospital, on the full of life, and a favorite with all who
same footing with the others (but an in knew him.
dependent one) a ladies' hospital. That During the first year or two of the war
he would send us a surgeon already. in the people would, in spite of their sur-
the service, or appoint any we might roundings, sometimes be very happy.
name.
When no battles were imminent, and
We were most grateful to him, and in their friends being on furlough or sick
a short time everything was satisfactorily leave, they would have quite a gay time.
arranged. We had our own surgeon, Concerts, tableaux, charades and private
steward, matron, (the same who was theatricals were gotten up on several oc-
with us when we had only two rooms,) casions for the benefit of the Ladies'
male and female servants, and I think Hospital.
added much to the comfort of the sick One of the most beautiful scenes of
and wounded by this arrangement. I tableaux and pantomime I ever saw was
will now add another wreath to those I "The Powers of Europe recognizing the
have already twined.
Southern Confederacy, performed by
When Virginia seceded old William
some of our young ladies and young
and Mary closed its halls as an institu men who were in town from the field.
tion of learning. The young men who I remember seeing "Richard III,"
were attending lectures at the time en acted entirely by soldiers. It was very
tered the service and became soldiers. amusing-more of a comedy, as it was
Among them was one who deserves a acted, than a tragedy-and with all my
tribute at my hands. I knew him from partiality for
early childhood. He was a soldier by
inheritance.
OUR YOUNG DEFENDERS
His great grandfather was Gen. Hugh I do not think they threw Booth and
Mercer who fell mortally wounded at
Barrett in the shade. They enjoyed it,
the battle of Princeton, during the Rev-
olution of 1776.
and that was sufficient. I remember
Young Mercer loved all the details of "Richmond” was personated by our
a soldier's life. He would sometimes young hospital steward (who was quite
pay the soldiers to let him keep guard a favorite with us) dressed in Confede-
when their turn came, and was never rate uniform.
much happier than when acting sentinel. Scores of weddings took place, a num-
The company to which he belonged | ber of them being in my immediate
took part in the battle of Williamsburg. circle of friends.
His captain having been wounded, and Two or three of them which began with
seeing the men demoralized, he seized the. such brilliant prospects have ended in
flag and calling on them to follow him ll clouds and darkness. It makes the

A BAND OF HEROES.
173
heart sick to recall some of the changes rate army. Her only daughter was mar-
that have taken place.
ried to a young officer from South Caro-
Being in the city of Richmond in the lina.
fall of '63, I was a guest at a dinner party When Commodore A. returned to the
given by the President and Mrs. Davis United States and decided to remain in
in honor of a young married pair. The the Union, his wife was of course greatly
youthful bride was, of course, the ob grieved. He was, however, put on the
served of all observers, attractive, retired list.
bright, a daughter of the Sunny South, In the latter part of 1863 she went
the groom a young Virginian, not more under a flag of truce to Philadelphia,
than 21 or 22 years, a captain in the where he was stationed, expecting to re-
army, stationed at one of the arsenals turn to her family, but in the course of a
in the South. Among the guests few weeks she died, and now lies in a
was a son-in-law of an ex-President of cemetery near Philadelphia.
the United States, and his wife was the The conflicting feelings she labored
granddaughter of a junior member of under were too much for a frame already
Congress, and also a great niece of greatly enfeebled. While she remained
Patrick Henry.
in Virginia she did all in her power for
Another guest was one of the promi the welfare of the hospital, and was most
nent men of Virginia, a lawyer of emi tender and kind in her ministrations to
nence and a statesman. I remember the sick and wounded
well his appearance and that of his wife. The ladies' hospital received officers
There were several other guests at the as well as men. We made some warm
dinner.
friends among them. One most highly
Twenty-one years have passed since prized by us was from South Carolina.
that entertainment. “Now look on this He came to the hospital in '63 and re-
picture, then on that."
mained several weeks on the sick list,
The young bride, after several years of but when he learned that a battle was
suffering, died from a fatal disease, imminent, he hurried tơ the field and in
hastened on by grief, on account of the half an hour after joining his command
death of a dearly loved brother, 'who he was wounded. He would have been
was lost in the Pacific Ocean.
killed, but for a cross he had on his
The then groom is now fighting a watch guard. This cross, the gift of
hard battle to provide for the wants of a l a friend, saved his life by turning the
large family.
ball from its course.
The son-in-law of the ex-President He was brought back to the ladies
died in extreme poverty five or six hospital, but erysipelas having broken
years after the war. His wife is still out, the surgeon requested me to have
living, working to support herself and him moved to my home, which I did
educate her only child.
with much pleasure. A
The lawyer died in the city of Wash He was a favorite with all who came
ington eighteen months after the sur in contact with him, being courteous
render, while engaged in carrying on a and considerate to all classes.
very important suit, for which, had he I did not see him for more than twelve
lived to see it decided, he would have months after he again joined his com-
received a very large fee.
maand, but in the battles around Peters-
I must hasten to bring my remin burg he was shot through the leg, which
iscences to a close. The ladies' hos was badly broken.
pital
He was again our cherished guest and
CONTINUED TO DO MUCH GOOD.
was with us in many trying scenes.
I could fill a book with incidents con-
At one time we thought he would die.
His friends were informed of his critical
nected with it, some of them very sad condition. His nearest and dearest were
and touching.
with him till the close of the war. He is
I cannot close, however, without men-
still living, most honored and beloved
by those who know him.
tioning the other lady who was con-
On the morning of April 25, 1865,
nected with it from the beginning, and my husband came in, when we were at
pay her a passing tribute.
breakfast, and said he could hear from
Mrs. Lucy W. was the president of the our front gate
hospital, and the vice-president was the
wife of a commodore in the navy of the
THE BOOM OF CANNON.
United States, who was at the time of
We all paused to listen. It was the end
Lincoln's election with his ship on the
coast of Africa. She was a Virginia wo-
of so many cherished hopes and illu-
man, and had two sons in the Confede- sions. A telegram was soon received,

174
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 30.-On Neutral Ground.
saying that our beloved Robert E. Lee
had surrendered. I will not dwell on it.
Words cannot express our grief.
That evening and night our house was
filled with our brave boys, who had
come up to join, if possible, Gen. John-
ston. One poor fellow was so exhausted
that he was sent to my dressing room
while supper was being prepared. He
slept so heavily that he could not be
aroused until the next morning.
The last soldier I saw in uniform, fully
equipped, was Col. Mosby.
He came a week or two after the sur-
render to Lynchburg, I think to be pa-
roled, having been informed that he
would not be molested. My husband
being on the street, heard that notwith-
standing the general's promise that he
should not be molested, there were
threats made to do iim harm. He re-
turned to his office, where Col. Mosby
was, and informed him of what he had
heard, so he might be prepared for vio-
lence.
Col. Mosby was not of commanding
presence, being small and not erect; but
I learned that on that occasion he was
well worth seeing.
He took his pistols from their holsters,
placed his back against the door oppo-
site the one they would come in, and
determined to sell his life at a dear rate,
as he would not be taken prisoner.
His eyes were very fine, My husband
said, his form became erect, his nostrils
expanded, and his eyes seemed to burn.
His expression I remember well was
"that it was a sublime sight to see him.”
Happily for all parties they did not
put their threats into execution. We
went up to the general's office, walking
through the streets.
I cannot close these desultory remin-
iscences without saying a few words
about the Richmond women. No place
in the Confederacy did the sick and
wounded receive more loving care than
in Richmond. I am sure there are
many still living who remember all
their kindness with the warmest grati-
tude.
I have endeavored, in a very humble
manner, to show to those who may read
what I have written, what some of our
women went through during the war.
I have gathered up only a few frag-
ments, and much that I know has been
unsaid. I have endeavored to twine a
few wreaths for our dead, who gave up
their lives for a cause that was lost, but,
I trust, still loved by our women. I
trust the remembrance of the dead, who
shed their blood for us, will be tenderly
cherished as long as we, the women,
live.
By Mrs. Susan Archer Weiss, of Richmond, Va.).
In the winter of 1861-2, I found my-
self in Warwick County, on James River,
pent in between the opposing camps of
Newport News and Young's Mills, the
former of which was at this time in
command of Gen. Phelps, and the latter
of Gen. McLaws, under Gen. Magruder,
at Yorktown. The residence of Capt. Nel-
son Smith, in whose family I was stay-
ing was about five miles distant from
Newport News, and over eight from the
Confederate camp, whose outlying pick-
ets, however, were stationed within a
short distance of the house, on the oppo-
site side of a broad creek which formed a
sort of boundary line between Confed-
erate territory and neutral ground, as it
was called, extending thence to New-
port News.
This name had been given in conse-
quence of Capt. Sunith's and one or two
other families, not Southerners born,
professing “neutrality” on the question
of the war, a position which exposed
them to the distrust and suspicion of
both sides though as regarded my host
—a retired English sea captain-there
were officers in both camps who justly
respected him as an honest and well-
meaning gentleman; as a general thing.
however, no one would believe in neu-
trality as a question of a political strug-
gle such as this, ana in consequence the
family was closely watched by both
Yankees and Confederates, with many
and dire threats of vengeance in case of
any treacherous dealings on the oppo-
site side.
Meanwhile parties from both camps
constantly called at the house, generally
in search of information in regard to the
last visit of "the enemy," with much
cross-examination and many hints
thrown out as to the supposed secret and
treacherous dealing of the family, to-
gether with suggestions from the Con-
federates of withdrawing them into their
lines, and from the Yankees of burning
down the house.
Such had been the fate of many a resi-
dence within a dozen miles of the Yan-
kee camp, and as far as the sight could
extend over the level country were to be
seen blackened and half consumed
abodes standing in the midst of unculti-

ON NEUTRAL GROUND.
175
vated fields. The very orchards were
destroyed, and the wells and springs
rendered unfit for use by the bands of
Federal soldiers under the name of
scouting parties, who constantly roved
about this desolated district, visiting the
few families who, too poor to seek refuge
elsewhere, had been compelled to trust
to the me
he invaders, and helping
themselves to whatsoever they fancied in
the way of provisions, and even furni-
ture. I saw one man with a broom and
bed quilt and another with a coffee mill,
taken from these poor people, whilst a
third displayed an old-fashioned gold
ring, a wedding ring evidently, which he
had appropriated from a woman to send
North to his sweetheart as
"A REBEL RELIC"
Capt. Smith's family had not escaped
similar depredations; pigs, poultry and
forage having disappeared with every
visit of the Yankees to the place. A val-
uable mule and wagon were at one time
taken, and shortly after Mrs. Smith's
beautiful riding horse was appropriated
by Col. Taylor, of the First N. Y. Regi-
ment. She afterwards, towards the
close of the war, recovered the animal by
order of the provost marshal, Col. Chris-
tensen, a Dane by birth, and a most
honorable, courteous and kind-hearted
gentleman, to whom the ladies of Nor-
folk were much indebted during the oc-
cupancy of that city by tho Federals.
I was assured by the poor families in
our neighborhood that, though some-
times visited by scouting parties from
the Confederate camp--who were always
hungry and short of rations--not a man
among them had taken "so much as a
turnip out of the field” without permis-
sion and offering to pay for it. Indeed,
Gen. McLaw's orders on this head were
most rigid, and the punishment of a
transgression severe, considering the
temptation to half-starving men. But
once had they in any manner molested
Capt. Smith's property, when two cav-
alrymen of Cobb's Legion crossed the
creek, and, on his declining to sell them
a mule, had taken the animal as their
right, with many and severe reflections
on his neutrality," and the peace and
luxury in which he and his family were
supposed to revel while the South was
expected to starve and freeze, and fight
and lay down their precious lives in pro-
tecting them and their property,” Mrs.
Smith made complaint to Gen. Cobb of
this proceeding, on which the mule was
promptly paid for, and the men as
promptly punished for disobedience of
orders.
It occasionally happened that cavalry
horses would stray from the Yankee
camp, and once, when several of these
had been for some days grazing about
the fields in a drove, Major Hawes, of
the Tenth Georgia, was sent across the
creek with a company to capture them,
in order to replace some which had been
lost by our cavalry. The Major was a
tall, fine looking man, superb in a
brand-new gold-laced uniform and a
tiger-skin cloak, and he was apparently
gratified by the effect of his appearance
on the young ladies of the family, as he
rode past our house on his war-like en-
terprise. It was, therefore, somewhat
amusing to behold him returning in the
evening at the head of his company, who
were acting as escort to two shaggy
wretched skeletons of horses, plough
horses which had been left behind by
their owners in their hasty flight from
the Yankees, and had since run wild in
the woods and fields. Two on the men
were dragging the animals along by
rope halters and others urging them
from behind, while a poor little colt,
wild with fright and weak from starva-
tion, tottered after its mother. I took a
pencil sketch of the scene, which I after-
wards presented to the Major, whose
brilliant capture of war-chargers became
A STANDING JOKE IN CAMP.
Capt. Smith, in anticipation of being
subject to a seige between the two
camps, had taken care to lay in an
abundant stock of provisions. Warned
also by his first experience with the
Yankee foraging parties, he now re-
moved everything movable into the
comparative security of the dwelling
house, making a special sanctuary of
Mrs. Smith's sleeping-room, a long,
double apartment on the first floor,
originally intended for a summer saloon.
Here a person seated at the back windows
could look upon a foreground of hand-
some bed-room furniture, and thence
across a desert of polished floor to a dis-
tant perspective of sugar and spirit
casks, terminating in a horizon of moun-
tains of wheat and potatoes piled against
the walls. What riches in the shape of
plate, money and jewels lay hidden
beneath these honest looking specimens
of farm productions, the Yankees never
discovered, though they several times
ransacked the house from garret to
cellar, on the pretence of searching for
concealed Rebels. The potatoes they
spared, having an abundance in camp,
but the spirits were made free with; and
these being of a choice quality, polite
calls on Capt. Smith thenceforth became

176
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
much in vogue, with delicate intimations
JOIN JEFF DAVIS'S ARMY,
that "a drop of something” would be
appreciated. I
as he believed the South to be in the
In time the spirits disappeared, and right in this contest. He begged me to
the call was then for hot coffee; so that show him the way to the nearest picket;
this, too, began to fail, and finally gave
and fearing lest should he venture alone
out. We were then compelled to resort
he might be fired upon, I accompanied
to substitutes, such as parched wheat
and corn, and sweet potatoes cut to the him down to the creek. At sight of his
size of coffee grains, roasted and ground; tall blue-clad form looming above the
but none of these could boast the flavor bushes the three picket-men on the op-
and aroma of the genuine Arabian berry. posite bluff sprang to their arms, but
In this distress Mrs. Smith earnestly my appearance reassured them, and at a
considered by what means a supply of signal one of them crossed the creek,
the much needed coffee could be ob here at its mouth very broad, and at
tained. To have held any commercial high tide deep. The Yankee stood mo-
ealings whatever with Yankee sutlers, tionless, intently watching the advanc-
who were amiably selling at an immense ing rebel, with a sort of grim smile on
profit to themselves, to supply any and his thin lips, probably at the very un-
all of our wants, would have been, to use military appearance of the tattered hat
Mrs. Smith's own expressive phrase, and homespun suit. The wearer was,
"to bring a Confederate hornet’s-nest however, a manly looking young fellow,
about her ears;' while, on the other with bright keen eyes which as his horse
hand, though stores might be had in came dripping up the bank, he fixed
Williamsburg and Petersburg, it was sternly and rather suspiciously on the
doubtful whether she could obtain per new recruit. I explained the situation
mission to pass the pickets for this pur and requested him to take the man into
pose.
camp; but just then a thought struck
Finally, it was suggested that I, being me, and I hastily wrote on a slip of paper
known as a genuine Southern woman, addressed to Gen. McLaws:
might have some influence with Gen. *General, I send you about two hun-
McLaws, even though he had openly dred pounds of Yankee flesh and blood,
expressed his distrust of Mrs. Smith as for which I shall expect, according to
a Northern born female, and probably your promise, an equivalent in coffee."
secretly inclined to her native side of This the South Carolinian promised to
Mason and Dixon's line. This insinua deliver into the General's own hand;
tion had given her great offence, inas- then turning to the deserter quietly de-
much t hat she had sent him a spirited manded his arms. He produced a
message to the effect that she was a huge claspknife and a silver pencil-
Scotch-Douglas, and a woman was no case and tooth-pick, with which these
more a Yankee for having been born at valuable additions to the Confederate
the North than a man was a horse for armory, the gallant Carolinian recrossed
being born in a stable.” Henceforth the creek, the new recruit mounted be-
there had been declared war between hind him.
the two, and it was with much misgiv Unfortunately it turned out that the
ing that I ventured to convey her re deserter was suspected of being some-
quest in regard to the coffee.
thing of a "crank." Accordingly I re-
In reply to my pathetic appeal, rein ceived from Gen. McLaws a very elabo-
forced by a gallon of fine oysters from rate reply, in which he explained that
our beach, Gen. McLaws sent a note, "my consignment proving to be in a
saying that he would propose Shylock's somewhat damaged condition about the
terms-a pound of coffee for every pound head, I surely could not consider him
of Yankee flesh and blood. Thereupon bound by the terms.?? &c. So Mrs.
we, of course, considered the matter as Smith's negotiations ended, and no more
at an end, and that we must henceforth oysters from her beds found their way to
console ourselves with potato-water cof the General's tent. As for the deserter, I
fee as the imaginative marchioness did heard iong afterward that he fought well
with her orange-peel wine.
through the battles between Yorktown
It so happened that some days after and Richmond, and this is all that we
this, while rambling about the hedges in ever knew in regard to him.
search of evergreens, I was startled by We had one deserter to the Yankees
the sudden appearance of a gigantic, from the Tenth Georgia-a New Jersey-
stern-looking Yankee soldier in blue man, by-the-by, who at Newport News
overcoat, who informed me that he was gave as reason for his defection that he
a deserter from Newport News. I was was half starved." Beside the Yankee
anxious to go over to the other side and I just mentioned several others came over

ON NEUTRAL GROUND.
177
to our side from the Federal camp. One || spread a tablecloth on the dry sands,
of these swam the creek on a cold night with plates and the necessary adjuncts
and hailed the picket, to whom, as they of an oyster-feast, while two or three
sat around the embers, he expressed negroes, wearing blue Yankee over-
himself eloquently in favor of the Con coats, waded out into the black marsh
federate cause, declaring himself to be a left by the receding tide in search of
Southerner by birth and in heart, though oysters.
brought up at the North. About three The feast was at its height when sud-
months subsequent, on a dark night, one denly there was a wild shout, a charge
of the picket men caught the sound of a of horse and a gleam of naked swords,
breaking twig, and then a slight splash and we all, grown people, children and
in the water, and fancying it to be caused servants, rushed wildly up the bank,
by a wild duck threw a stick in the our screams and the shouts reaching the
direction of the sound. Instantly there ears of a family nearly a mile distant,
was a dead silence, which exciting the and sending them flying in terror into
man's suspicion he gave a challenge, the woods for refuge. When, gaining
and than cried
the lawn we paused to look back, we be-
“HALT! OR I WILL SHOOT YOU DEAD."
held the attacking cavalry party in gray
uniforms standing with their swords
On this there emerged from the creek a sheathed and plumed hats lifted in
tall form, which on being led to the
earnest apology and explanation.
They had happened to ride down to
camp fire was recognized as the former
the picket in time to see a great smoke
pretended deserter from Newport News. above the bank near our house, and a
He had carefully concealed about his number of Yankees, as they thought,
clothing and protected from injury by moving about, and eager for a skirmish
the water, a number of maps and charts had crossed the creek, and screened by
of fortifications about Richmond and the high bank came suddenly upon the
Yorktown. He was sent back to Rich supposed marauders, scattering terror,
mond, and I do not know what became to say nothing of broken crockery,
of him.
among our innocent and unoftending
It was a wretched life that which the party. There was a little tearful indig-
pickets led in sight of our windows. nation expressed by the young ladies,
Poor fellows, there on the high bank humble and profuse apologies from the
they always stood, exposed without officers, and finally the feast was re-
shelter to the bitter winds and the blind sumed by all together with much
ing rain and snow, and often after a laughter at the ludicrous appearance
stormy winter's night encased in an icy presented at the moment of the sortie.
coat of mail. Their rations at this time I remember that one of these officers was
were poor and scanty, consisting of corn Capt. T. MacIntosh, of either Charleston
meal and salt bacon, with occasionally or Savannah, whose subsequent death at
potatoes or rice. I have seen them at
them at Gettysburg was so much lamented by
their picket fire thawing frozen corn Gen. McLaws, whose aide he was. He
bread in the ashes and making "tea” of was a frequent visitor at Capt. Smith's,
sassafras roots, and they considered it a as were many other of the Southern
lucky day when ebb-tide left a few mus officers, who were always welcomed and
sels and oysters stranded at the foot of most kindly entertained by the family,
the bank. These were abundant on the who, despite their neutrality in the
beach above, and we could get them for question of the war, did certainly mani-
the trouble of picking them up, so that fest great preference for the society of
there was no danger of our being starved Southerners.
out, even if other provisions failed.
ONE OF OUR CHIEF TROUBLES
Once, I remember, it was agreed that we
should in the lack of other amusements in this troublous time was, the ambus-
and by way of variety have a family
cading of Federal soldiers on our place.
roast-oyster picnic on the beach. It was
a pleasant day in March, and we chose a
They would come in large or small par-
spot not far from the house, whence we ties and, concealing themselves within
could command a view of the Yankee the garden hedge, patiently await the
approach and thus be enabled to retreat appearance of "rebel” visitors, upon
in case of an alarm. No one feared the whom they would fire with as eager en-
Confederates, who now never molested joyment as if engaged in a deer hunt.
the family, but were indeed on rather The major of a Georgia regiment had
friendly terms since Mrs. Smith had been thus killed, and several others
generously taken to sending hot break wounded; to avert which sacrifice in fu-
fasts to the pickets. We built a fire and ll ture, I invented a "danger signal” from
23

178
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
my window, which all the pickets un surface of the water. At length I came
derstood, and by means of which, doubt in sight of a lookout, perched in the
less, many a life was preserved. For a branches of a tall tree, and thereupon
time we rested secure in this signal, but waited until an officer came to me, when
it at length began to be suspected by the I explained the whole situation. I had
Yankees. One day a party of forty came not been a moment too soon, for when
upon the place, and, having placed sen the lookout descried me the scouting
tries under the windows looking toward party had been in the act of starting for
the picket, ambuscaded as usual behind Capt. Smith's. I returned home by the
the garden fence, with their muskets road, with
thrust through the interstices, command-
A HEART SO LIGHT
ing the approach from both the creek and
the road by which the Confederates fre-
that I cared nothing for the black looks
quently care from the pickets higher of the soldiers behind the hedge, who,
up.
recognizing me, suspected my errand.
Now it so happened that just previous
to the appearance of this party I had
But I can never forget the excitement of
been informed by a poor picket man, that wild walk to the picket, and the
who had come to the house to beg for a agony of the fear lest I should be too
piece of bread," that at Lee's picket late. And it is a rather curious circum-
(about a mile distant) was a party of stance that the officer to whom I on this
about twenty cavalry who were going occasion gave my warning I recognized
toward Newport News on a scouting ex as having met once before in a dance
pedition In this case I knew that they at a fashionable party in Richmond.
would stop at Capt. Smith's, and the Some days subsequent to this adven-
question now was, how to warn them of ture I was quietly reading at my win-
the danger and certain death lurking dow, while in the yard below a poor
behind the hedge? In vain did I go to man named Bonneville was sawing
my window. There stood the German wood for Mrs. Smith. Too lame and
sentry. who each time lifted his musket sickly to be of use in the Confederate
with the warning to "go pack, or he army, he remained at home with his
would kill me dead." Then I looked at family in a little farm house so near our
the crouching forms of the blue coats lines and so buried in the woods that it
and the long line of glittering steel in had not yet been discovered by the Yan-
the hedge, and my Southern blood I kees. On this occasion he wore a blue
boiled, only to chill again with horror overcoat, and lest this should expose
at the thought that at any moment the him to being mistaken by the picket for
gray uniforms might come into sight at a Federal soldier, he had bound about
the entrance of the avenue, not three his hat the well known white band
hundred yards distant.
which served in our army as a Confede-
Something must be done to save them, rate badge when gray uniforms had
and I resolved to make a desperate at given place to many-colored rag's and
tempt. In front of the house, facing the tatters. Suddenly there was a wild
river, no sentry was posted, for the tide commotion without, and I saw a squad
was high and the waves beating roughly of Yankee cavalry gallop into the yard
against the foot of the perpendicular and surround Bonneville, while their
bank. Watching my opportunity I flew leader, a corpulent, red-faced Ger-
across the lawn, dropped from the edge man, struck him down by a blow
of the bank into the water, and support across the head with the back of
ing myself by the tough roots projecting his drawn sabre, under the impres-
here and there, made my way to the sion of his being a Confederate soldier.
mouth of the creek, on the opposite side They then demanded the “rebel young
of which the Watts Creek picket was sta woman,” meaning myself, upon which,
tioned. The men seeing me thus natu against the persuasions of the family, I
raily imagined that I had fled from some went out and inquired why they wished
danger, and running to their horses were to see me. The leader, (a New York
about to cross; but knowing that this butcher, by-the-by,) told me that I was
would expose them to danger, I waved a prisoner, and must mount behind one
them back, and made the best of my way of the dragoons, as they meant to carry
up the creek, through tangled thickets, me to New port News, This I refused to
and marsh and mire, in mortal fear, not do, and informed him that I should cer-
of the enemy, but of snakes. More than tainly report them to Gen. Phelps by
once I could not suppress a scream, and the first opportunity, as I was sure that
once stood half paralyzed with terror, as || he knew nothing about these visits to
the end of a black crooked stick upon Capt. Smith's place.
which I had stepped darted above the 11 He looked considerably astonished,

ON NEUTRAL GROUND.
179
and even attempted a sort of apology, || of books, which lay half-consumed on
but they nevertheless put Bonneville, the heavy floor, and the yard without
bleeding and half unconscious, into was strewn with broken mirrors, French
Capt. Smith's cart, and having helped china and marble slabs of furniture
themselves to what forage they could which had been thrown from the win-
carry away, deparied with their pris dows. Still further on I found in front
oner. An hour after the poor man's wife of a burned dwelling a large family Bi-
and daughter made their appearance, in ble, carefully covered over with Mo-
the greatest distress, and implored me rocco, and containing genealogical
to go to Newport News and “get him records of the Gilliam family, extending
off.” A council of war being held, it many years back. It was lying open on
was decided that somebody must go; not its face, with the binding partly burst,
only in behalf of Bonneville, against as though having been thrown or kicked
whom the Germans might bring any out of the doorway. I took it up, care-
charge to justify themselves, but in or fully wiped away the mud, and con-
der to report the ambuscading, and, if cealed it where I could find it on my re-
possible, get the return of the cart and turn. Years afterward it was restored
mule. Nobody else being willing to to its family owners, who had mourned
undertake this possibly dangerous mis its loss as one of the most treasured of
sion, and I having formerly known Gen. their possessions.
Phelps at Fortress Monroe, it was de Passing on my way I presently saw
cided that I was the proper person to go. two tall, rough-looking Yankee soldiers
Accordingly on the following morn with muskets, advancing briskly to-
ing I set forth for a five-mile ward me out of a cedar thicket. For
walk to the enemy's camp, without the one moment my heart failed me, but the
shadow of a fear of any danger that next I quietly awaited their approach,
might offer-a feeling which I believe and answered in reply to their questions
to be in itself the best protection against that I was going to Newport News to see
danger. Instead of the road I took the the General commanding. They spoke
solitary beach, once or twice turning a a few words together, and then re-
little aside on coming to the ruined marked that they would accompany me
dwelling's sprinkled along the high part of the way as there was "a bad
bank. The first of these, a small farm- place to cross above.?? They inquired if
house, had not been burned, probably 1 were "a Secesh lady?" "Yes,” I
its vicinity to the Rebel pickets being answered, "a Virginian and a Rebel,"
its protection. The floors were white and I noticed that this knowledge did
and polished-Christmas decorations of not in the least abate their respectful be-
holly berries and cedar were still upon havior. At the "bad place" they pulled
the parlor walls and some common fur down a fence and laid the rails across
niture remained, the rest having been the mire to prevent my getting my feet
carried off by the Yankees. On one of wet-an unexpected courtesy for which
the posts of a bedstead was stuk I thanked them. They were New Jer-
an old-fashioned pasteboard “band seymen, I think they said. Farther on
box," flanked on the opposite post I encountered several more stragglers
by a leghorn bonnet of antique and passed them in nearly the same
pattern and trimming, through whose manner without a sign from them of
crown was visible several bayonet rudeness or disrepect, even though I de-
thrusts. I could not but faney the grief clined to answer the inquiry of one of
of the poor old lady, the owner, could them, a corporal, as to the nature of my
she have beheld this desecration of her business at Newport News.
So I came atlength in sight of the outer
TREASURED “SUNDAY BONNET.”
picket post, a tall brick house, sur-
In the yard, under an apple tree, was rounded by a cheveaux-de-frieze cf wag-
a little stool, set off with bits of gay-
ons, carts, ploughs and branches of trees,
with the entrance
colored china, and beside it, faded and
sodden with many a rain, lay a little
GUARDED BY TWO BRASS HOWITZERS.
child's calico bonnet. So hasty had been Here I desired the sergeant on guard to
the flight of this family when the news
send a note to Gen. Phelps, who, in re-
came that "the Yankees had landed and
were burning all before them.” A little
ply, sent two officers with a polite mes-
further I came upon the handsome villa sage that he was at that moment engaged
of Capt. Pembroke Jones, late of the in pressing business with officers just
United States navy, but now in the Con arrived from Washington; but that he
federate service. Several attempts had | could see mein about an hour, if I could
been made to fire it by means of heaps ll wait until then. I declined to wait, but

180
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
made known my errand to the two offi- || explained by the appearance in the
cers, who courteously assured me that midst of a light wagon, wherein sat Mr.
the matter should be attended to; that Bonneville with his head bandaged and
the General knew nothing of the "law his arm in a sling, guarded on each side
less doings” of these straggling Ger by a dragoon, whilst in the wagon stood
mans, and they both expressed an opin a tall sergeant, waving over his head an
ion of the Teutonic element in the immense flag of truce. About a dozen
Federal army not at all complimentary officers led the yan, and the rear was
or eulogistic. Indeed, I never heard the brought up by Capt. Smith's mule and
Germans and Dutch soldiers spoken of cart, at sight of which Mrs. Smith, in a
by the native-born Americans in the gush of gratitude, hastened to produce
Federal army save in terms of the great her most carefully concealed treasures
est contempt, as “brutes," "hogs” and of wine and brandied peaches, with
“fit food for powder-while on the plenty of pumpkin pies and other edibles
Southern side it was very different. I which had been reserved for rebel visi-
have no explanation of this.
tors, and so entertained the Yankees as
The officers would have persuaded me she had never before voluntarily done.
to remain and see the General, saying, The officers sent up their cards to the
that there were ladies in camp, wives of ladies, and it was thus that I became ac-
officers, who had formerly known me; quainted with several Northern gentle-
but I preferred returning home, declin men, including Col. Olmstead and Col.
ing the offer of a conveyance under a Christensen, before mentioned, and at
flag of truce. I was presently overtaken this time provost marshal of Newport
by an officer in naval uniform, who in News, of whom in all my subsequent
troduced himself as Lieut. Morris, of acquaintance with them I cannot speak
the Cumberland, which noble looking too highly, as courteous, kind-hearted
vessel, together with the Congress, the and honorable gentlemen.
Minnesota and several others lay in full During this visit I pointed out to one
view, guarding the passage of the river. of the officers our three picketmen across
He knew my family, he said, and one of the creek, standing on the bluff, watch-
my relatives, Dr. Richard Jeffrey, of the fully eyeing the blue uniforms and the
navy, was an old friend and comrade of || flag of truce, now conspicuously
his. He was himself a Virginian; and mounted upon the piazza. It was his
when in the course of our talk, as we first glimpse of a "rebel,'' and as he
walked along the river bank, I glanced gazed at the ragged figures and heard
over the burnt and desolated country, from Mrs. Smith that their rations that
and remarked, “this is Virginia, your day consisted of corn-meal and rice, he
mother State,” his eyes filled with tears. expressed the greatest surprise at their
We paused for a moment to look at the being “willing” to endure it. “They
Federal men-of-war, and in special the will have to give up,'' said one of the
Cumberland and the Congress, the proud officers to Capt. Smith, with an air of
est and stateliest of them all, with not conviction; but the other replied, "I am
a thought of -how near their fate was, confident that men such as these, backed
when one would be in flames and the || by the Southern women, must win in
other engulphed beneath the waters the end, if they can only obtain food and
upon which she now so proudly rode. arms." And, no doubt, he was right.
He saw me safe in sight of Capt. Smith's Thenceforth there was no further am-
residence, and though we never again buscading on our place, nor were we
met. I am mistaken if. remembering favored with any more "surprise par-
how he looked and how he talked, this ties” from the German camp. Unfor-
gallant but recreant son of Virginia did tunately, other families in the neighbor-
not, before the war was over, suffer hood did not fare so well, for, not long
many a pang of remorse for the part he after this, I came upon a procession of
was taking against the State which he two or three hundred Federals who had
professed so to love and revere, even clearly been on a foraging expedition
though he had at first considered it among the farm-houses. They had cab-
his duty to fight under the “Old Flag." bages and fowls stuck on their bayonets
On the day following this expedition and two slaughtered cows and some pigs
ine we were all greatly surprised by on a wagon, while in a farm-cart sat a
the appearance of
woman, with two little children, and a
baby in her arms. Behind the cart, in
A BRILLIANT CAVALCADE,
the midst of the soldiers, walked a
in blue and gold and crimson sashes, white-headed old man in
dashing up the avenue from the direc-
BLOOD-STAINED SHIRT-SLEEVES.
tion of Newport News. It was presently His head and feet were bare, and his

THE LAST PLACE CAPTURED.
181
lips firmly compressed in a sort of fixed No. 31.--The Last Place Captured.
despair. Some miles away rose several
columns of black smoke, where these
marauders had been burning the houses
(By M. R. T., of Asheville, N. C.)
of these poor people, whose greatest of-
It seems to me that of the hard expe-
fence was that they had sons and hus-
hands in the Confederate army. I have
riences at the beginning of the civil war,
never forgotten that scene, and to this the hardest was that of any officer of the
day my heart burns with pity and indig United States army, whose convictions
nation when I recall it. Nor was this
the doings of those whom the Yankees
and love of his own State obliged him
called "beastly Germans,” but the work to resign his commission and join the
of certain regiments of New York vol Southern cause. Such was the experi-
unteers under their own officers, and by
ence of my father. A native of North
command or permission of Gen. Mans-
field.
Carolina, a graduate of West Point, a
Meanwhile, we were all anxiously
true and brave officer throughout the
awaiting the appearance of the Merri war with Mexico, he was occupying an
mac, or the Virginia, as she ought to be honorable position in the quartermas-
called, concerning which the Federal
ter's department, with the rank of major,
officers made many a joke. There was a
Methodist prvacher at Newport News,
when the first news of Secession reached
whose name I have forgotten, but whose him in far-off Fort Riley. For it was
vindictiveness toward everything South-
far-off in those days, in the then Terri-
ern struck me with horror, as being not
only the reverse of Christian. but almost
tory of Kansas, and only connected with
inhuman. I well remember the malig the outside world by stages to Fort Lea-
nant delight with which he anticipated venworth, the nearest army post. Across
the "blowing the Merrimac to atoms,
the Kansas prairies travelled the news
with every rebel on board." He after-
ward wrote an account of this battle for
that North Carolina had seceded, and
the Northern papers, making it out to with it came the great change of my
have been a great Federal victory, not childhood.
withstanding that he had beheld with his
But I was not old enough to under-
own eyes the Cumberland sunk. the Con-
stand much of what Secession portended.
gress burnt, the blockade broken, and
My life, as I then knew it, was full of a
the little “rebel” fleet led triumphantly
child's happiness, and of the frolic and
past the guns of the fort and the fleet to
Norfolk. I would not, of course, speak
fun of a girl, with, I am afraid, rather
tom-boyish proclivities. As it happened,
a word of irreverence against "the cler-
my only playmates were boys ---my two
gy,'' but, in all my experience, I have
brothers and the three sons of an officer,
observed that at the North the most vin-
dictive enemies of the South were, first,
who afterwards became a general in the
Federal service. I had always known
the Methodist preachers, and next, the
and loved the blue uniforms of the
women.
United States soldiers, the drum and fife,
Concerning this grand naval battle, and bugle, the flags and cannon, the
(which I witnessed from beginning to marching, the drilling, the parading-
end,) I can only refer to it very all the sights and sounds of a garrison.
briefly in passing, and tell how after Even the guard house-before which
this event McClellan's army began to oftentimes a soldier, for some misde-
pour in at Newport News, and how they meanor, would stand still on a stump
sent down artillery and drove in our for hours; where the prisoners,
pickets preparatory to an advance, and with ball and chain, worked day
then commenced their “On to Rich after day, an armed guard watching
mond'' march, with the events of which them; where a stately sentinel gravely
every Southerner is familiar. Thence paced up and down, at all hours of the
forth no dingy gray figures were seen on day and night. Even the guard house
the bluff, except that the negroes de held a fascination very dear to a child
clared that in crossing the creek they whose years had been passed at Fortress
had seen the figure of a rebel soldier Monroe and Fort Snelling. And though
marching up and down in the old place, the army life was not all play-not all
which melted away and vanished as they marbles and ball, and many gallops over
approached. And to this day the site of the prairies on Indian ponies, yet pro-
the Watts Creek Picket is said to be bably the every day hours of regular
haunted.
Il study, and the Sunday lessons and read

182
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ing--made me all the happier. How- || FAMILIAR SPOTS IN THE OLD NORTH
ever it may be, the parting from the
STATE.
garrison home was sad enough, and chil-
There had been very little fighting in
dren's tears can be very bitter, though
their sorrowo be short-lived.
Western North Carolina, and there were
AN OFFICER'S DAUGHTER'S EXPERIENCE.
few Confederate troops there. To be
sure there had been raids from the
I wish I could recall more distinctly
"bushwhackers” of Tennessee, and the
our journey South. We crossed the lines
Il formidable and altogether horrible
by flag of truce, (my father had pre-
“Kirk” was held in constant terror in
ceded us and joined the Confederate Asheville, but the town boasted of but
army,) at Fortress Monroe, and went two batteries for its protection. One of
immediately to the capital of North
these, Battery Porter, a hill in the midst
of the town, is now looked upon, I un-
Carolina. There we were soon in the
derstand, as the future peaceful site of a
midst of all the excitements of war handsome hotel. And the other, over-
time, and, attending as I did, a large looking the town and commanding it,
school, I soon learned to think as did as well as a most extensive and glorious
the girls around me; I soon learned to view of the surrounding country and
hate the "Yankees,' and to love the the distant mountains, is the far-famed
South, as if I had always lived there. "Beau-Catcher,'' possessing now though
And yet it was at first so new a life. I a much more attractive name, that of
remember one thing that struck me as “Beaumont.” With the new name it
being so strange. In walking or riding became the property of a Charleston
for I had my horse and saddle-every gentleman, and when the handsome
negro I met spoke to me politely—how house which now crowns its summit is
d' ye" being the usual words of saluta filled with the gay, and the young and
tion. It seemed so odd that these ne mirthful, no one will dream that a spot
groes, whose black, unfamiliar faces so charming has been a Confederate bat-
were such a curiosity to me, should bow tery, with heavy earthworks and brist-
and smile and speak as if they had ling cannon, intent on death and de-
known me for years. And yet I learned struction. But, however ready the "im-
to like the kindly greeting, and rather plements of war the town was destined
miss it, these latter days, when "colored Co be taken without one blow struck in
persons are too particular to speak to its defence.
any one without having had an intro We were much startled and excited,
duction, and even then the greeting is one day, hearing a large "Yankee" force
not the simple, humble, polite ac was approaching Asheville from South
knowledgment of old days, but is most Carolina. Our commanding officer, Gen.
apt to be an affected little laugh, or, per Martin, immediately sent a flag of truce
chance, a careless nod.
to meet and confer with the enemy, and
It was in February, 1865, that, my soon after the generals on both sides,
father being ordered to Asheville, we with their respective staff officers, as-
left Raleigh and went to this mountain sembled on the roadside and an amica-
town in Western North Carolina. At ble meeting took place. It seems there
that time the cars only ran to Morgan was at the time an armistice between
town, sixty miles from Asheville, and Gens. Johnston and Sherman, and know-
those sixty miles we travelled in an am ing this neither Gen. Martin nor Gen.
bulance, spending one night at Pleasant G- , (the Federal general,) could ex-
Gardens, a place familiar to all travellers pose their troops to battle. It was
among the North Carolina mountains. scarcely likely that Asheville, with its
Asheville itself, at that time, was a vil few soldiers, could have withstood Gen.
lage of perhaps one thousand inhabi G- 's force. The most we could have
tants, but to us it seemed a land of done would have been to arrange terms
plenty-a land, indeed, flowing with of
milk and honey,'' after the dearth of
HONORABLE CAPITULATION.
food we had met with in Raleigh. That
it was so far from the railroad, so much
I do not know whether or not this
out of the way of ordinary travel, so fact was known to Gen. G- probably
hidden in its circuit of mountains, was not. At any rate, it was decided that
probably the reason of its abundant
the Federal troops should have safe pas-
supplies, else poor, starving Confeder-
ates, or eager, destroying Federals
sage through our lines, proceeding on
would long ere these last months of the || their way to Tennessee, and as they had
war have despoiled it of its good things. I no rations, Gen. Martin agreed to fur-

THE LAST PLACE CAPTURED.
183
nish a certain amount of provisions, to rapidly up and down the road in front of
be returned at a reasonable time.
the house. We could not distinguish
I will say just here, that these pro their uniforms, and I can't recall that
visions were returned through Gen. we heard a single shot or any unusual
Thomas, to whom Gen. Martin wrote, noise. But the very air seemed impreg-
stating the facts of the case, several nated with some subtle element of dis-
months later, and somewhat to our ad turbance, as I hastened home, fearing I
vantage, for the citizens of Asheville knew not what. At the door I was met
had only been able to give the Confede by mamma, who hurried me into the
rate rations to Gen. G--'s three thou house, drawing me into the dining-
sand troops, while Gen. Thomas re room with one of my brothers, the
turned the rations of the United States other being in Virginia-locking the
soldiers, which included coffee and front door, and telling us the Federals
beans. These rations, if I remember had returned, and the town was at their
aright, were divided amongst the towns their mercy. Mamma had pulled in the
people, in the same proportion in which window-shutters, and she bado us stand
the other rations had been given.
in the corners of the rooms away from
Both generals pledged themselves, if the windows, in case the soldiers should
either received news of the cessation of attempt to shoot through, and I remem-
the armistice, to give the one ignorant ber my fright, as we stood huddled to-
of the fact a notice of twenty-four hours gether as far from the windows as
before attempting any hostile move possible.
ment. A pledge, alas! deliberately A while we waited, and then the
broken by the Federal general, as the trampling feet were heard, the rattle of
sequel will show..
muskets, then footsteps on the front
Everything being thus satisfactorily porch and a thundering knock at the
arranged, Gen. G- and some members door. Mamma went bravely and quietly
of his staff dined with Gen. Martin, from the room, making us promise to
and I remember thinking how strange close the door behind her as soon as she
it was that officers should dine compan had passed out. We heard her in the
ionably together, who, a day later, might hall endeavoring to parley with the
be doing all in their power to compass soldiers, before unlocking the front
one another's capture or death. But door, but they were im patient to enter
such are the changes and chances of and she found she must turn the key at
war!
once. Then, with noise and rude jost-
To see the “Yankee" troops march ling, they came in. Fortunately there
through the town I, with several girls of were not many of them--eight or ten,
my own age, betook myself to
perhaps-and they did not seem in-
the front balcony of a friend's house, clined to murder us in cold blood, as I
which faced the road, and there we bad fully anticipated. They were more
watched the blue uniformed figures anxious to obtain plunder than any-
tramp slowly past and listened with thing else, and eagerly sought any spot
pleasure to the brass band, which we where they thought valuables could be
thought very fine. We looked at one found.
another in dismay, though, and made PLUNDERING A GENERAL'S HOME.
more than one grimace as suddenly the
The table was laid for tea, and one of
band struck up “Yankee Doodle; in-
deed, I believe several of us were femi-
the men, spying several silver napkin
nine enough to put our fingers in our rings, dexterously transferred them to
ears. But as the strains of “Yankee his pockets, napkins and all. What eat-
Doodle'' died away and were instantly ables were on the table they helped
followed by those of our much-loved themselves to without ceremony, and
"Dixie,'' well rendered, we felt we wandered round the room, peering into
could forgive our enemies much. Could every nook and corner. As it happened,
we have foreseen the events of the next we had very little furniture, and the
evening, Wednesday, April 26, 1865, cer room was rather bare, but on the wall,
tainly we wouid not have been in so over the mantelpiece, was a very fine
charitable a frame of mind.
portrait of my father. Before this one of
the soldiers stopped, and my heart
SURPRISED BY THE FEDERALS.
quaked lest he should destroy or muti-
The following day passed as usual, and
late it with his sabre; but he only looked
steadily at it a moment, and then que-
in the afternoon I walked to a near
ried of me:
neighbor's to pay a friendly visit. *Whose picture, Sis?”
There, as dusk was approaching, we “My father's," I answered bravely,
were startled by the sight of men riding Il but scared out of my senses.

184
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Not being myself labelled, this answer Il guard being appointed and we being no
was scarcely calculated to give the man more disturbed.
much information, but he seemed satis The officer, who had thus summarily
fied, as he continued :
put an end to the depredations of the
“A darned rebel, hey? But it is soldiers, had come to the house with my
mighty like Gen Grant, anyway, blast father and several other Confederates.
me if it ain't!!
who had been taken and then paroled
A direr insult he could scarcely have to report to Gen. Stoneman, in Tennes-
offered, but I wisely refrained from ex see. But they never did so report, the
pressing myself to that effect, and with following letter being received by Gen.
another look at the portrait the man Martin just as the officers were starting
passed on.
on their way to Tennessee. It speaks
Finding so little of value in the din for itself, and probably no experience of
ing-room, the men, no doubt disap the last days of the war was quite like
pointed, called for lights and required to this of the officers and soldiers of Ashe-
be shown over every room in the house. | ville. A capture and yet no capture, a
They were looking for arms, or hidden parole and yet no parole.
rebels, they said, but it was strange that
they peered into eyery trunk and box,
A LETTER FROM GEN. PALMER.
every bureau and closet, if their search
HDQRS. OF E. TENN. CAVALRY Div.,
were, indeed, only for these. We held
HICKORY NUT GAP ROAD, April 28, 1865.
the lamps and candles for them as they
General: I could not learn any of the par-
poked and stared about and helped them-
ticulars of your capture, and of that of Col.
selves to anything they saw fit to take. Palmer and other officers and men at Ashe-
They possessed themselves of several ville on the 26th, and, as my troops at that
pieces of jewelry, and, among other
point were obliged to leave immediately.
there was no time to make the necessary in-
things, I remember an old-fashioned and
vestigation. I, therefore, ordered your le-
very pretty silver card-case--now in my
lease on a parole of honor to report to Gen.
possession-which one of the soldiers Stoneman.
slipped into his pocket. All these arti On further reflection I have come to
cles we were fortunate enough to recover
the conclusion that our men should
have given you, under all the circumstances,
later, the officer in command actually
notice of the termination of the armis-
obliging the men to give them up on tice, and that in honor we can not profit by
complaint of their having been stolen any failure to give this notice. You wili,
from us.
therefore, please inform all the officers and
soldiers paroled by Gen. Brown, last eve-
AN OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL
ning and this morning, under the circum-
stances above referred to, that the parole
What mamma most feareas we passed
they have given (which was by my order) is
from room to room with the "Yankees? not winding, and that they may consider
that it was never given.
was, that on reaching the closet where
Regretting that your brother officers and
there was a demijohn of whiskey, the
yourself should have been placed in this deli-
cate situation,
men would become intoxicated, and
I am, General, very respectfully,
there would then be no saying what
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAMI, PALMER,
dreadful things they might do. So she
Brev. Brig-Gen. Comd’g.
delayed as long as possible approaching
Brig-Gen. J. G. Martin, Asheville.
this closet. But finally there was no After the receipt of this letter the offi-
cers all went to Franklin, N. C., where
help for it, and in much trepidation she
they remained until they heard of the
opened the door. It was a large closet,
surrender.
on the lower floor, opposite the front Young as I was at the time, the uncer-
door, and the men crowded in. But just
1 tainty, anxiety and terror of that April
night were not soon forgotten. And yet
as they would have taken the whiskey a
our adventures were very tame com-
noise was heard outside, the front door pared to those of some of the olher
was opened, and an authoritative voice, households of the town, where the Yan-
kees showed more cruelty, more hatred,
approaching the open closet, exclaimed
and more love of plunder than with us.
sternly:
Asheville, I understand, boasts of be-
"Men, what are you doing there? Go ing "the last place captured," and
to your quarters, immediately!
though I don't know that there is any
There was no evading such a com especial advantage attached to that fact,
mand from one evidently in authority. || I earnestly trust my second experience
The men slunk away and our ex of capture, first or last, will never come
periences for the night were over, a ll to me, or to any one dear to me!

WILSON'S RAID IN GEORGIA.
185
No. 32.-Wilson's Raid in Georgia.
sage, thyme and rosemary; its spread-
ing scuppernong vine and strawberry
bed; the apple trees, and peach and
(By Mrs. C. B. Howard, of Atlanta, Ga.) pear, all proved the humble abode one
For four years had the cloud of war
where peace, plenty and content had
their perpetual home. Truly Southern
rested upou our homes. Very nearly by birth and feeling, they profoundly
had it touched me, for husband, brothers sympathized with their neighbors, whose
and many near and dear kindred were
dear ones were in constant peril, but
being childless the severe pangs of cease-
in their country's service, and yet so for-
less anxiety had been spared them. Afar
tunate had I been that none of my very off had the smoke and din of battle
dearest had gone never to return. My seemed to them, so tranquil and un-
home was situated in that signally
eventful had their lives hitherto been,
that it almost transcended the bounds of
favored belt of middle Georgia, the very
their imagination to suppose that a
last to be visited by an invading army. tornado of passion and malice could as-
Living upon an ample plantation, and
sail them, leaving desolation and dismay
behind.
raising all our provisions in abundance,
But day after day the rumors of ap-
we esteemed it a pleasure and privilege proaching danger increased; the enemy
to entertain our friends from the sea was slowly but surely coming nearer
board and mountains, as in turn their
and nearer; wondrous tales of their un-
feeling cruelty, of their wanton and
homes fell into the possession of the
malicious mischief were heard; and
Federals. Our house at times was full could they hope that their dear home
to overflowing, and with attentive ears would be spared? They trembled with
apprehension, yet, conscious of their
and sympathizing hearts did we listen
own inoffensiveness to all mankind, a
to narrations descriptive of perils either
sense of protection rested upon them and
by gunboats on the coast, or hasty re in blind security they pursued their
treats before Sherman's advancing army
daily tasks serenely, and at night lay
down to rest with a feeling akin to an-
on his "March to the Sea.”
cient Job's, when he said.
One incident was so graphic, so alto-
gether rare and unexpected, that I can-
"I WILL DIE IN MY NEST."
not refrain from incorporating it in this
So it came upon them, at last, like a
"o'er true tale" of personal experience.
Old Uncle Bobbie and Aunt Carrie H.,
thunderbolt from a clear sky, for one
as they were called by all who knew sunny afternoon when Uncle Bobbie
them, a most estimable couple, plain was calmly enjoying his post-prandial
unpretentious, but respected and loved pipe, and Aunt Carrie busily polishing
by all their neighbors, lived not far her shining tins and glossy stove, an
from Atlanta. They had labored and unwonted noise of trampling feet
saved in their youth in order that com and rude voices caused them to
fort and repose might be theirs in their spring to the open door in alarm,
declining years. Devotedly pious, and they knew the hour of fate had
their hearts were not set upon their come! In shorter time than it takes
earthly stores, but the self-denials of to relate the soldiers were dispersed
early life and the gradual process of over the premises. Old Sorrel was
acquirement, had caused them to place quickly saddled and bridled, with U.S.
a just value upon their property. Every Ā. conspicuously outlined upon the sad-
Cow had a history; their horse was dle blanket. Four pretty calves, with
almost a member of the family; each | two of their mothers, whose affection
pig had a personality; while their || had prompted them, on this very after-
feathered pets were loved as they can noon above all others in the year, to re-
only be when, day after day, their food turn to their young sooner than usual,
is dispensed to them by the hand of were soon driven among the already
their mistress.
captive herd; the pigs were speedily
Their little cottage, a model of neat shot and appropriated, while the chick-
ness, with its spotless floors and snowy ens found no quarter, but rapidly aug-
beds, its shining water-bucket and mented the larder of the foe. Not con-
daintily clean gourd on the orthodox tent with these achievements, the smoke-
Southern shelf at the end of the shady house was emptied of its contents, the
porch; the well swept yard and carefully Il wheat house, corn crib and pantry were
cultivated garden with its borders of visited in turn. Aunt Carrie's blankets,
24

186
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
quilts, snow-white coverlids, spoons and to remain at home should a raid ad-
cutlery were stowed away in the capa vance upon us. There had been no need
cious saddle-bags, while Uncle Bobbie's to follow his advice up to that date. One
Sunday shoes, hosiery and underwear bright spring morning, however, news
were gleefully distributed
came that Gen. Wilson's command was
The worthy couple stood aghast as the approaching Columbus, only sixty miles
plunderers peered into every nook and away. We knew the defence there
corner, taking everything that they would scarcely be strong enough to re-
could possibly use and much that they pulse them, and doubtless they would
could not. In silence did they listen to march without the slightest opposition
the rough jokes and profane exclama to Macon. In that case we would be di-
tions of their enemies; in each breast was rectly in their path.
the tide of feeling surging higher and My overseer had long since gone to
higher; at last it broke forth over all "the front,” but, fortunately for me, I
barriers, and it was Uncle Bobbie's had my brother-in-law, on the adjoining
voice that rang out clear and loud and plantation, to consult in regard to my
startled all within its sound by its unex movements. He was recovering from a
pected and unparal eled purport, "Glory, painful wound, received some months
glory, glory Hallelujah!"
before, and was still on crutches. I lost
Never in the old brown meeting house. no time in going to him. We decided
when revival joy was highest, had the to make our preparations as rapidly as
old mar experienced such an over possible for fight, leaving before sun-
whelming sense of God's special father rise the next day for a point some fifteen
hood to him; never had he read more miles below us in a thinly settled neigh-
clearly or more rejoiced to read his borhood, which was too poor to attract
"title clear to mansions in the skies.?? stragglers from the main column
"Yes!'' again sounded his triumphal I returned home and hastily acted.
shout: “Glory to God in the highest ! There were five or six negro men, the
Thank God, I have a mansion in the most intelligent and trustworthy on the
skies, a house not made with hands place, to whom I determined to speak
eternal in the heavens, where such as privately and separately, assuring each
you will never come to mclest me! of my confidence in him, and saying
Yes, thank God, my eternal treasure is how much I depended on him and his
laid up above, where thieves cannot i influence to assist me in carrying out
break in and steal."
my husband's wishes.
Here Aunt Carrie could stand it no The first I saw was Adom, the shoe-
onger, and as her train of thought had maker. My special point with him was
been in a different vein, she most un the fact that he had come from my fam-
sympathetically exclaimed: “You, Bob ily, “my side of the house, and be-
bie, hush! Don't be such a fool. Ain't longed to me before I was married. I
you got any sense? Don't you see these dwelt upon this circumstance, hoping
wretches have ruined us, and what do it would influence him (as truly it did)
you see to shout about, I'd like to to show the faithfulness and loyalty
know."
which I knew he possessed. He de-
“Old lady,”' interposed one of the men, clared I should not regret my confi-
"you don't seem to be as good a Christ dence, that he would deserve it, and
ian as your husband.”
promised in response to my request to
“No, I ain't," was the emphatic reply. signify his determination to go with me
"I wish the devil had the last one of before my assembled people that night.
you, and it would rejoice me to see him In turn, I spoke to the leaders of "the
roasting you."
ploughs,'' of the "hoe-hands,''the black-
It would be a neat ending of this true smith, the carpenter, the coachman, and
incident if I could relate that the sol had a satisfactory interview with each.
diers, conscience-stricken, restored their By nightfall my preparations were
ill-gotten possessions, but such was not completed. My family consisted of two
the fact; they deliberately kept all they sons, thirteen and eleven years old, two
bad taken and rode away.
daughters, aged seven and two. At that
time, as it happened, I had but one
PREPARING FOR FLIGHT.
guest, a beloved and congenial first
As I have said, my home was in mid cousin, a young lady of talent and forti-
dle Georgia, and not a Blue-coat had I
tude, the one above all others of my kin-
dred I should have selected in those
seen up to April, ?65. Hy husband, in
troublous times to cheer and sympathize
leaving me on a plantation with nearly with me always and ever. Our personal
two hundred negroes, had said he felt effects and household movables were
no fears in doing so, but charged me not || carefully packed in trunks. My hus-

WILSON'S RAID IN GEORGIA.
187
band's deeds and other papers I wore || been but an idle word, who has unwa-
about my person. Bedding, carpets, veringly cast in her lot with her former
cooking utensils, provisions and proven owners; who had virtually declared,
der for man and beast, sufficient for our "entreat me not to leave thee, or to re-
maroon of uncertain length, filled five turn from following after thee; for where
wagons.
thou goest I will go, and where thou
I had given instructions that immedi lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be
ately after supper all the adults on the my people, and thy God my God. Where
plantation should present themselves at thou diest will I die, and there will I be
my back piazza, and promptly was the buried; the Lord do so to me, and more
summons obeyed. It was a picturesque also, if aught but death part thee and
scene as row after row of dusky figures me." I still am blessed with one of
gathered around, the flickering torches these; she, who nursed my children, and
revealing their curious and excited who, haying none of her own, lavished
countenances. Standing upon the piazza upon them the tenderest affection, still
were my cousin and myself and my four "belongs to me." Through prosperity
little children, the only white faces on and adversity she has always been by
the premises. I thought, then, what a my side, has never once contemplated
revelation it would be to the Yankees to leaving us; never spoken of "wages;"
see with what confidence I regarded our but, fully identified as one of our family,
“slaves,” living among them without blended with all our interests, her chief
a quickened pulse of apprehension for aim in life seems to be to shield me
years, and now calling them to my aid from fatigue and over-exertion, and, so
in order to avoid a meeting with those of often beyond her strength, unless I
my own race and color.
watch her, she quietly performs for
"love" duties that “money” would not
A GLOWING TRIBUTE TO THE COLORED
win from her. As my children grow up
PEOPLE
and marry, each one endeavors to seduce
Now, right here, I wish to pay a trib-
her from her allegiance to me, telling
their "Da'they need her more than I
ute to the exceeding unsurpassed loy-
do; but no argument or persuasion suc-
alty of our quondam slaves. Can his-
ceeds; she, who was my playmate as a
tory proauce a parallel? Women and child, my maid as a young lady, the
children left alone on isolated planta nurse of all my children, declares that
tions for years with negroes whose faith no place can be home to her but my
ful services continued as unchanged as roof-tree, and there will she live and die.
if the lurid cloud of war had not risen
above our once peaceful horizon. Such
A SAD FAREWELL.
was my case, yet never a disrespectful But to return to my assembled audi-
word or look did I observe. The regu-
ence as they stood with curious expect-
lar routine of plantation life continued,
seed time and harvest, winter and sum-
ancy, awaiting what I had to say. In
mer came and went, and duties were few words I reminded them of their
performed and responsibilities met in a master's absence; how he had committed
way to spare me all perplexity and an his wife and children to their care; how
noyance, the strong ties of affection be desirous I was to be able to tell him on
tween mistress and servants remaining his return that they had deserved his
to the last. Can I ever forget our Sab confidence to the fast, as fully as they
bath evening prayer meeting, when my
had up to that present moment, but
full heart ran over as their simple, earn now they would find that the hour of
est prayers ascended to our common trial had arrived; the Yankees were
Father to protect “our dear master and near, might arrive the next day; it was
bring him safe home to us again ?? It highly improbable that they would mo-
is such recollections that make us older lest the women and children, therefore
ones regret the Lost Cause” and our they could remain at home with safety,
"dead institutions;' for where now are and I would feel no anxiety about them;
those loyal hearts?
but the men I wished to accompany me,
Alas! unmarked graves claim many, for they would most assuredly be taken
and of those who remain how often in captive. "Therefore," I concluded, "all
sickness and want do they need the who would promise to go with me
watchful nursing and care that was could signify their determination by
always their portion. Ah! how it taking one step forward."
touches us to read now and then, in the Immediately the men to whom I had
gazettes of the day, an obituary tribute previously spoken did so, their prompt-
to an aged faithful servant, one of the ness influencing the others, who fol-
"old régime,” to whom freedom has | lowed their example with two excep-

188
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
tions, both protesting that I should find "Confed.," and his uncle, though
them there on my return, but they were wounded and unable to walk, was to
unwilling to leave the women and chil him a tower of strength.
dren unprotected. Of course, I had to
consent. I then advised the women how
THE FEELINGS OF YOUNG CONFEDERATES.
to act, giving them the keys, directing The feeling regnant in the breasts of
them to secrete the contents of the
the little "Johnny Rebs” of that time
smoke-house, which were sufficient to
last them till the following year, sug-
was illustrated by an incident which en-
gesting to them to tell the Vandals, if livened that "long, long, weary day.”
they commenced to destroy the corn A tallow-faced urchin, bringing his
cribs, wheat-house or syrup vats, that calves from pasture, halted in open-
these supplies were for them, and by mouthed astonishment as we came in
their loss they would be the chief suffer sight. Standing upon a little elevation
ers.
upon the side of the road, he presented
It was late ere we slept, and by dawn a typical appearance with which we are
of day I was up, marshalling my forces. all familiar-barefooted and in his shirt-
The horses and mules were hitched to l sleeves, with copperas-dyed pants, sup-
the already packed wagons. My little ported by a home-knit "gallus,” verit-
ones and nurse, cousin and I, in our old ably in the singular number, extending
family carriage, headed the procession. diagonally across one shoulder and
Before sunrise we filed slowly up the fastened to his rolled-up trousers with a
long avenue, being joined at its head by wooden peg. So negative a character
my brother with his family and caval did he seem that my brother, to amuse
cade.
himself and us, addressed to him this
It was a lovely morning, and as I query: “Well, my little man, suppose I
looked back at my beautiful home was to tell you I was a Yankee, what
thoughts far too deep for expression would you do?' To our astonishment
were mine. The comfortable mansion. his face brightened, with a very positive
planned and built for my convenience jerk of his head and flash of the eye, and
just after our marriage, was I looking he replied: "If ye was to, and I was to
at it for the last time? Those shapely think ye was a-tellin' of the truth, I'd
trees, water oaks, elms and magnolias, knock you off that hoss and pick up a
some of them planted by my own hands; light-?od knot and bust yer brains out!!!
the hedges of Cherokee roses, the It is needless to say the laugh was
clam bering vines, ere sunset how tram turned upon my brother, in which he
pled and scorched might they be around most heartily joined.
a smouldering heap of ruins. The sweet As sunset approached, we turned into
home, where till this cruel war hap a narrow private road, and soon pre-
piness had ever dwelt; and then, there pared for the night by placing mat-
came thoughts of him who made that tresses in a small deserted house by the
happiness, far away in hourly peril. Oh, wayside. Our gentle cow, companion
what wife that has lived through that of our pilgrimage, gave the little ones
fearful time can ever forget it?
their usual supper, and supplementing
Slowly we wound along the road, ever our cold lunch with hot coffee, we went
and anon fancying we heard in the dis to our broken slumbers, having placed
tance the measured tramping of armed sentinels around our cabin. At early
men. What a long, long day it was; how dawn we resumed our march, and in a
often we pa used in our talk and strained few hours established our camp on the
our ears to listen to we knew not what; borders of a swamp, where we thought
how impatiently we crept along to keep ourselves comparatively secure. We
pace with our slower teams, or halted so pitched our tents on a level sward, with
as not to be too far in advance.
the primeval forest trees towering over
My eldest boy, on his pony, acted as us; soft pine straw to quite a depth, Cov-
courier under his uncle's directions, ered with carpets, formed our floor; im-
riding back and forth, with all the impor provised bedsteads, with bedding in
tance of a field marshal on parade, car abundance, made us very comfortable;
rying messages, hurrying up the lag our cooks prepared hot meals for us, and
gards, secretly hoping, I much sus if it had been simply a maroon, we
pected, that he would see the Yankees would have much enjoyed it. The
before the day was over, for, in his in forest leaves had attained their full
tense Southern partizanism, he endowed growth, but were still in that tender
them with every evil trait humanity and fresh stage which is so beautiful;
could know, in which cowardice stood the air was laden with the fragrance of
pre-eminent, therefore be felt that the hickory, the wild grape blossom and
many could be put to flight by one ll the honeysuckle, blended with the de-

WILSON'S RAID IN GEORGIA.
189
licious perfume of the bay ard mag- || a prolonged rising of partridges from
nolia buds in the adjacent swamp. As cover. Then from the chaos of indistinct
we lay in the door of our tent and gazed sounds came below the breath, as it
into the sky, intensely blue in its were, words of terror, "Yankees! Yan-
speckless beauty, we thought: “And kees !” A rush to the swamp by the
only man is vile."
maid servants and some of the men.
Then we talked of what we should do In the midst of the confusion a few
if, after all our precautions, we should little incidents stand out in bold relief.
still be overtaken. My cousin and I, My nurse flies by with my baby girl in
after forming and rejecting many plans, her arms, feet up and head down. My
finally determined upon one thing only, brave little courier, with dilated eyes,
and that was that we would assuredly his little brother close in his lead, darts
break our demijohn of whiskey ! for, up to me: "Mother, must we hide?''
we agreed, it would never do to let the hardly waiting for my assent before he
Yankees get hold of that; bad as they seeks the shelter of a huge tree, only to
were sober, we fancied Pandemonium peep from behind it, like an ostrich,
could not present their parallel if drunk ! with reversed position. One old negro,
Mules might have colic, negroes might with a pair of trace-chains in his arms,
be snake-bit in the future, but, the first ashy with fear, quite unconscious of
sight of a Blue-coat, we made a firm
what he is doing, races round and round
compact. was to be the signal for the re in a circle. Jingle! jinglo! jingle!
lentless destruction of that five-gallon go the chains, adding to the great confu-
demijohn!
sion. “Put down those chains !" thun-
TERRIBLE NEWS.
ders my brother. "Yes, marster!”
replies old Ellick, and jingle ! jingle!
My children and their little cousins jingle! still he circles with no motion
played gleefully and without a care the towards obeying the order, which is re-
peated without the least effect
livelong day; the negroes basked idly
A silly little episode, but one which
in the sunshine; the horses and mules
was very vivid at the time, and has
grazed slowly within their prescribed given us many a hearty laugh as a remi-
limits; our gentle cow chewed her cud niscence: My cousin and I, fearing we
in mill wonder, perchance, at her sur might be surrounded and prevented
roundings; and our second night of from executing our pet project, eagerly
refugee life closed in upon us. At mid seize the demijohn without casting a
night we were aroused suddenly by glance behind us, only intent upon not
some one hailing our little encampment being noticed until we had accomplished
with the inevitable Georgia greeting, our purpose. We drag the demijohn
"Colonel ! oh, Colonel!”
behind a tree, and lift it, with the inten-
My brother hastily responds, “Is that tion of letting it break by its own weight
you, Colonel ?"
falling upon the ground; but our arms
"Yes, Colonel !!
are weak and tremulous, and the carpet
"Well, what is the news, Colonel?" of pine needles is all too soft for that,
"O! great news! terrible news! so it rclls over unharmed, and we are
Columbus has fallen, the Yankees are foiled.
coming on rapidly, burning and laying "Cousin! I know where there is a
waste as they come. Negro men are hatchet !!
carried off by force if they are unwilling "Run, get it,” said I.
to follow. They will probably pass here In a moment the sharp tool was raised
to-morrow. I came over to tell you as, aloft, and simultaneously with the sound
of course, you would like to know how of shivered glass, deluged with the
matters are going."
whiskey shower bath we stood! But
My brother thanked him and he gal the demijohn was empty!
loped away. He was a man who lived Then, drawing a long breath, we
on the road over which we had passed turned to look at what was passing near
the day before. Our sleep was not so us.
profound the remainder of the night,
ONE SOLITARY HORSEMAN,
and the day brought us increased mis-
givings as to our safety, with the con-
clad in blue, was the centre of a group,
viction also that a crisis in our condi momentary increasing. My brother, on
tion was approaching; therefore, it was his crutches, was conversing quietly
hardly more than we expected when
with him, while his wife and children
soon after dinner a sudden noise was
heard; exclamations of surprise and
stood close by. Old Ellick, embracing
alarm, a loud whirr all about the camp his beloved trace-chains, but quiet now
I can compare it to nothing better than ll as ever was the Greek slave, gaped

190
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in wonder. We hurried towards || fondly their memories are cherished by
them to inquire the meaning of this the women of '61.
new surprise, and were told this single I was going North to finish my educa-
soldier had been sent to tell us an armis tion, and had reached the little town of
tice had been declared, and we might go T-, accompanied by my mother. The
home in peace.
morning after our arrival the firing be-
After many questions, we withdrew to gan at Fort Sumter. Mother said, "My
change our drenched garments, followed child, we must turn back; there will be
by various ejaculations of regret at the war now; your brothers will certainly
loss of so much “good whiskey," and go; we will be cut off from all communi-
declarations that if “Mistis” had only cation with the South, and I should go
told them, they could have hid it where wild! Oh! my boys, my noble boys !
it would never have been found. The they will all be killed, for well I know
scout, unbuckling his pistols, placed they will defend this South-land to the
them at some distance, and confidingly last. Oh! my Lord, what shall I do?!
laid down to sleep. On being asked if My poor little Yankee cousin, who
he was not afraid to do so, he replied: had been making me a six months'
“O, you darsent hurt me, 'cause the visit, and with whom we intended re-
armistice is out.”
turning North, was wild with grief.
Early the next morning we began our “Oh, auntie, what shall I do?" she
return, truly glad our exodus had been cried; “I can not go on alone. My home
so brief and so happily terminated, that -my mother !-what shall I do? Please,
the comic had preponderated, where we auntie, go on and take me home !!!
had feared the tragic. When late in the It was decided we could go no further;
evening we drew near our home its fa so we, Fannie and I, bravely asked for
miliar features greeted us, unharmed the school of that town, which, we
by torch or axe. In a few days learned needed teachers. She had
all traces of excitement were over, the taught a year; I was just from a Geor-
smoke-house refilled, our dwelling in gia college, but mother thought me
order, and with the exception of one of quite ignorant, since I had graduated so
the men who had refused to go with me, young, and was very anxious to finish
and two others who had slipped off, tak my education North. We could not re-
ing valuable horses with them, our whole turn to my home, for it had been repted
family, white and colored, had resumed for the two years which mother ex-
the even tenor of our lives, waiting only pected to spend North with me.
for the glad day, which soon arrived, So we remained in T_ that year,
when the husband, father and master and made quite a success of our school.
returned, welcomed and beloved by all. Brave little Fan helped to pay for, and
was even present at the giving of a
beautiful blue silk flag to the "T-
No. 33.-A Child Wife of 1863. Guards."
The day on which the presentation
took place their gallant captain offered
(By L. F.J., Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory.) his heart and hand to dear little cousin,
You ask me to tell that story over-
and when she modestly told him "she
had no heart to return, for she had left it
the story of the child-wife of '63. Will
at the Burlington University, way up
it waken deeper love for the “Boys in in chill, Republican Vermont," he
Grey," who sleep on an hundred fields, looked at her with dewy eyes and told
wrapped in the shreds of the Bonny Blue
her the folds of his "Bonny Blue Flag??
should guard her even to the gates of
Flag? Will it make my boy, who looks
"Washington City.” It did, my boy.
at me with his father's eyes, honor Under a flag of truce she was passed
more truly than ever, memories so sacred over "the lines and committed to
still to me? Ah! well, I'll open then
those who
this heart so sad, so weary, with its long
CARRIED THE YANKEE GIRL SAFELY
HOME.
waiting here, and tell you its story of
sorrow, pain, woe-but, even now, per-
“Return to your lover in peace," said
haps, I'd best leave untold this sad, true
this gallant Southron, “I fight Yankee
story. Yet for your sake, my boy, I
men to the death, but wage no war
will tell it to their sons, and let them
against their women."
Little Fan, noble and true, would say,
know how brave, how true, are those “Oh, do stop this cruel war, I don't
who sleep "under the daisies," and how I want you to kill my dear friends down

A CHILD WIFE OF 1863.
191
South !” even as she had begged the || daughter,” said mother, it is about all
Confederate boys not to kill her dear he has to cheer him now."
ones up North. Brave little girl, often Then came the wild news of battles !
did I look at you through tears during battles! Then the wilder, sadder tale of
that cruel year of ’62.
the “Laurel Hill fight, in the bleak
I was now in my fourteenth year; my mountains of Virginia. Then, oh, God!
"soldier lover' had written me one let-
ter. A Confederate flag was stamped on
MY SOLDIER-BOY WAS LOST !
the envelope. Ah, how well do I re All that could be learned was, his gray-
member the afternoon on which I re-
haired father, the captain of the com-
ceived it! Sitting on the top step of the
front veranda, I saw the kind gentle-
pany, was determined not to surrender,
man with whom I boarded, coming up and that he and his men were cutting
the white gravel walk, bordered with its their way on hands and knees through
spring flowers. He said, as he held up a the Laurel-lost on the mountains.
letter, "Now this little girl can't deny After a few days they were telegraphed
she has a soldier lover in the Confederate "safe.” My soldier-boy's mother had
army !!
gone on to Virginia, wild with grief. as
I was glad and frightened, too; I knew soon as she had heard they were lost, for
the chirography, but I feared for mother all she had, husband and two sons, were
to discover that I had ever dared to there, save her eldest boy, an officer in
think of a lover. With trembling hands "Hampton's Cavalry." When she found
I broke the seal and read the contents. them my poor boy was sick with
"Fort Pickens'' said the date, while typhoid pneumonia, from the terrible
merrily wrote the soldier lad. He told exposure, while his father was prostrate
me how sweet I had looked at his from the six days' hunger," for not a
"senior picnic at the old “Rock” near mouthful had they, excepting “birch
the College; how fair were the wreaths bark” and a weed called "sheep sorrel,"
of jasamine which I had twined about but McClelland did not capture them !
his hat that day, but how much fairer Do you wonder I cannot bear, even
was I; how sweet the birds had sung in now, to see bread wasted ?
the "cedar bowers," but how much While my heart was aching for my
sweeter my voice had sounded to his soldier lover, news came that my own
ear. Ah, what a genial, rolicking sol brother had lost his arm in the battles
dier-boy's letter it was-the first from around Richmond. My father, wild
camp! Not a gun had been fired; the with grief, went to find him. Way up
First Georgia Regiment was drilling in Eastern Virginia, under a car-shed,
into battle order. Ah, it was only fun on a board, he found the poor fellow-
then! The writer modestly hinted what maimed, almost dead, and he brought
a pleasure it would be to have a young him home! His right arm was gone:
lady correspondent, and wished I could but when the surgeon and chaplain told
see the young “Lieutenant's handsome father how noble he was, how brave on
suit”-it was quite becoming." Yes, the field of battle-how much nobler
son, this is the same letter, all yellow when it came to amputation, begging the
with the finger prints of time, all blot surgeon to wait on the other poor fel-
ted with countless tears! Mother said lows first, and leave him to the last-to
when she read it, “Well, he is a dear, give them the chloroform, as there was
good boy; you can write to him and but little, he could do without it--wait-
cheer him-he'll need it by and by."
ing till midnight, then letting them cut
We now returned home. The letters, off the mangled, shattered limb, way up
stamped with dear little flags in red, to the shoulder, without a murmur or
came and went faster and faster. The groan-by the dim light of a tallow can-
regiment moved again and again, now dle, too-ah! well, mother said he was
in South Carolina, now in North, then her brave boy; do you doubt it?
to the wild mountains of Virginia. But, Just before father came home with
amid the swamps of the "Savannah,”; him, dismissed from service, my second
the tar kilns of North Carolina and the brother had died in camp. Mother said,
wild, bleak mountains of Virginia, the “He is in Heaven; I am satisfied.”
"soldier boy' was ever the same. When they brought my eldest brother
No word of complaint, no murmur, no home to die-my mother's idol !-his
regret.
men begged to come to him, and wept
"My soul I give to God, my heart to like little children when denied; they
thee, my life to my native land," he told how like a father their captain had
wrote, when the clouds of war grew been to them, and sent fond "good-byes”
dark and fierce.
by every mail, until our hearts ached to
*Write bright, happy letters, my I see how they loved him. Calmly he

192
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
folded his arms on his breast and said, || Returning home, he heard my lover's
"I am glad I am born to die; I only story of "robbery and danger, and
wish to live for my wife and my quickly begged pardon for all unjust
country. Like a child going home to its suspicion. Now, a “Child-wife,'' I went
father's house, so I am going home to with my soldier-husband to his distant
God. Mother, stand there, where I can home, determined to be brave and
see you, and sing,
strong as mother said I must be, though
"I WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAYS.''
I knew her heart was breaking when
she gave reup. One short week and
Without a word or tear, my mother my husband's furlough recalled him to
stood in full view, and sang, all through
his regiment, now stationed at “Lake
City." Florida.
this grand old hymn! I looked at her
Now I knew the pain of parting-oh!
in silent wonder and thought, "she will it was cruel thus to tear his bride away.
not disturb the peace of his death." Ah! that year of grief and woe. My
Darling mother, one by one the cruel God, how did I live it through! In bat-
war broke all your heart chords, and tles here, in battles there,
without one word of murmur or com-
plaint, when it was all over, you laid
MY BOY HUSBAND FOUGHT.
down in the green church yard too! Only twice did I see him, and those
You could not keep your boys on earth,
you would not take them back from
were flying visits. Then they brought
your South-land's altar-all you could
him home to me, all shattered with
do was to go to them!
disease, and bade me nurse him back to
Now came the news of my lover's life. Only sixteen months of married
father's death; then his next older life, and yet it had seemed an age of woe
brother was killed, while bravely charg and pain! But you, my baby, my boy,
ing a battery at Gettysburg. Our loved you comforted me and cheered me; your
ones were all going from the fields now; dear little face, all full of innocent
none were left us, save the eldest brother smiles, which your father now looked
to my lover, and the youngest to me. upon for the first time, blessed him, too,
My soldier lover now had a "fur and bade him live on, if but for your
lough,” for the first tinie, and he begged sake and mine.
to come to see me. Poor boy ! he was Six weeks passed, and the physician
sad and sorrowful enough now. Earn said my husband was out of danger, yet
estly he begged to make me his wife; so urged him not to return to camp. But
mother consented, if he would wait until the calls of duty grew louder and louder,
the next March, ²63. I would be about so he kissed wife and "ittle one,” and
16 then, and she disliked for me to went back to his regiment, now sta-
marry younger. The boy lover pleaded tioned in Charleston, S. C.
in vain; mother would not consent until In a short time he wrote back to me
March. So back to camp the disap there would be an “armistice of ten
pointed soldier boy returned; but March days” around Atlanta, and if I wished,
soon arrived. The appointed day came go to see mother during this armistice.
--no groom was there. Two days of So I took my nurse and babe 'and went
suspense passed by. My own heart said, home. Oh! mother was so glad to see
“he is true.”
me, and kissed you, my boy, in wild de-
"It is war times daughter, trust him," light. Alas! only one night's sleep un-
said mother.
der the dear old "roof-tree, and then
"If he proves false," my youngest they told me the “Yankees' were com-
brother said, “I'll kill him.”
ing. Mother kissed me sadly, and said
“What then, my boy?”' mother asked. "return at once to your husband's home,
“I'll get into the thickest of the battle my daughter; the railroad will be de-
and be killed too.”? he replied.
stroyed. You will be nearer your hus-
"He is true," replied mother, “wait band, in your own home; your first duty
my children.”
is to him." So I gathered baby to my
Then this, our youngest pet, whom war breast and told mother good-bye.
could not claim because of his youth, My youngest brother had been
returned to his regiment, which he had knocked senseless by a shell while
left to attend his only sister's wedding, fighting in the “ditches around At-
Looking into the up train, which lanta," since my marriage. So shattered
passed him on his way back, my were his nerves by the shock it had
brother saw my lover on his way to me. thrown him into “St. Vitus's Dance,''
It was too late then to get aboard this and the surgeon had sent him home to
up train-so he had to go on to the next recruit. Mother had nursed him back
station, and wait for the night line. || to moderate health, and as he was now

A CHILD WIFE OF 1863.
193
only fourteen she had insisted on his
taking a country school until he should
entirely recover his health. He had
done so; kind friends had given him a
position, and he was teaching on the
railroad. As I had to pass him on my
return home, I consoled my sad heart
with the thought of stopping to see him.
I had just spent two days with him,
when at dinner on the third he came in
bringing me a letter, which had been
forwarded to me from my mother's
home. It was from my husband, beg-
ging me to return to him at once; he
would meet me at our home. He had
been in the fight on “James Island,"
had fallen fainting on the battle-field.
been carried back to the hospital, and
was now advised to return home until
stronger. So he had accepted the physi-
cian's certificate and obtained a fur-
lough. I at once got aboard the cars
and hastened home to meet him.
Ah! can I ever forget that wild, storm-
ing night? I was only a child, and my
baby and nurse were all my attendants.
Augusta was under "martial law." Ex-
actly what to do I did not know. But
every where I had been compelled to go
some kind friend had been raised up to
meet my emergency. Thus it happened
that sad night.
A KIND "SOLDIER IN GREY,"?
was on the train; he passed me safely
through Augusta, and put me under
care of the conductor on my next train.
At 3 o'clock that night I reached the
station at which I got off. From this
point I went to the village in which I
lived by carriage.
When the train stopped, the storm was
so wild and fearful, and it was so dark,
I did not know how to get to the hotel,
though but a short distance. Here
again the kind "Confederate,” who was
ever ready to protect woman, came to
my aid.
Madam, you seem to be travelling
alone; can I assist you ?"
"If you please, sir,” I gladly replied,
have my baggage put off and taken up
o the hotel.”
He did so--then came to me, took my
babe and guided me to the hotel through
the fearful storm. Here he bade me
good-night, and hastened back, just in
time to catch his train, I suppose.
I called for the porter and asked for
a room. Thesharp lightning and heavy
thunder frightened me so, I could
scarcely speak. My husband's mother
had a servant hired at this hotel who
was father of the nurse with me. She
spoke to the porter and said, “Uncle
Sam, is my Daddy here?”
“Who is your father?'' he asked.
"Why, Uncle Sam, don't you know
me? I am Ann-Handy's daughter."
As it he had been shot, he whirled
around and said to me, "Is this
Mrs. -_ ?
“Yes," I replied; don't you know
me, Sam?''
Why, no, mistis; you is so bundled
up, and the storm is making sich a
powerful noise, I didn't know you."
"Did you meet Jim?" he continued.
"Jim? What Jim?" I asked.
"Why, marster's Jim. He went
up the railroad arter you de day before
yistiday.”
“Why, Sam, what did he go for?
What is the matter?'
“Why, my Marse W.'s very sick," he
replied.
"Oh, my husband !” I cried, “where is
he? What is the matter, Sam ? He
wrote me that he would meet me here
to-morrow. Where is he, Sam ???
"In Charleston, mistis; don't feel so
bad, please mam, he is better now. De
best thing you can do is, go up to your
room, mam. Dey expected you, mam,
and your room is ready."
"Strange," thought I, "why should
they expect me?"
"Sam, please let me see Mrs. F.-the
landlady-at once? I want to ask about
my husband.”
"Oh, no, Mistis, you can't; she is dun
gone out into de country, dis very even-
ing, to see her kinfolks.”
This made me feel more strangely than
ever, for I was sure I had heard her
voice in the next room since I had come
in.
"Oh! Sam, please let me go home." I
cried in my agony.
"No! no! Missy, not dis wild, stormin
night. Ah! Mistis, I caint; dare is no
horses here; dey all hired out to some
soldiers to go out in de country, dis very
evenin."
“Stranger still," I thought, "for there
is a livery stable here."
“Mistis, please go up stairs to your
room and go to sleep; I'll wake you jist
as soon as it is light, and send you out
home.'
So I went to my room, not to sleep, but
to walk its floor in my agony. As soon
as day came my nurse went out to her
father's house. Just before breakfast
she returned, and her eyes were red with
weeping.
"Ann, what is the matter? I cried.
“Miss L- ,' thus she called me,
“Daddy say come down to de back
poarch.”
I hastened down. Handy stood there
sobbing, like his heart would break.
25

194
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Oh! Handy, do tell me what you all || For the first time I thought of danger,
mean?' I cried.
and told him we had no cellar.
“Where is my husband, Handy ?"
“Go into the back rooms, then, and
"Ah! missis, my marse W. is dead ! stand in front of your middle chimney.
Ole miss had a telegram one day he Here, take this poor baby and put him
comin; next day got anudder he dead.” on a pillow in that fireplace."
"Ah! my boy, do you wonder mama Soon mother, myself and the little
could rot reply? Do you wonder that negroes were all huddled up at the fire-
they bore me faint and mute to the car places, while the bullets rattled like
riage, which had been waiting all night hail-stones against the house.
for me, and carried me back to my home The "fighting had continued but a
without one word ? Kind-hearted Sam, short while, when a second soldier
he knew I was
rushed into the room where we were
and exclaimed: "My God, ladies, we
A POOR LITTLE CHILD WIFE,
are fighting the whole of Sherman's
weary and worn. His heart beat kindly, army; we thought we were fighting a
if it was under a black skin, so he would
skirmishing party, but its the whole
army. Take care of yourselves, ladies,
have me sleep, as he thought, till the
we'll have to run, and that fast, or we
morning light; "then I could bear it will be captured."
better," he said. Ah! me, my boy, nearly “Oh! what shall we do? What shall
twenty years are gone by, and I cannot we do? Please stay with us." I cried.
find 'the better, even now-only this. "I would gladly do so, if I could do
"Thy will be done."
you any good, but they will take us
Just one month had passed, when one Il prisoners right off. Lock your doors;
dreary night we waked, mother-in-law keep inside. If the Yankees come to the
and I, to hear the clatter, clatter of doors, unlock them and stand in them,
horses hoofs on the streets of our pretty Be sure to ask for a guard. Be polite,
little town,
and you will not be mistreated, I hope.
"What can it mean?'' said mother as Good-bye; God bless you ladies; it is the
she sprang to the window.
hardest thing I ever did to run !"
“Soldiers;" I answered "but whether I now looked out. Over the fences and
Yankee or Confederate, I cannot tell." fields our Confederates were flying. The
There had been fighting up above us, last horse I saw leap the fences was that
towards Macon, the day before; we had rode by the kind soldier, who had come
heard the heavy roar of cannon, and in to speak to us. One wave of his cap,
knew Sherman was coming; but we sup and he was gone, like a flash.
posed that he would follow the Central The fighting was now over, so I ven-
Railroad and pass through our little tured to a front window. These windows
village. Alas! for our hopes, “Sherman faced the two roads leading to the capital
is coming!'' was the cry at day-break, of Georgia, at that time. Looking out. I
and the soldiers we heard, during the screamed in horror. It seemed to me
night, were skirmishers from Hood's
army, who were skirmishing with the
THE WHOLE WORLD WAS COMING.
enemy's "advance guard."
Here came the "wood-cutters”-I do
Solemn and sad rose that November
not remember the military term-clear-
sun. Breakfast past, untasted. Con-
federate soldiers were stationed in bat ing the way before the army. Men with
tle-lines, even up to our front doors. axes on their shoulders, men with
Sitting in the parlor windows, I could spades, men with guns. Men driving
put out my hand and touch the files of herds of cattle- cows, goats, hogs, sheep.
soldiers. Soon the skirmish fighting Men on horseback with bunches of tur-
began; volley after volley was poured keys, bunches of chickens, ducks and
forth and returned by the advancing guineas swinging both sides the horse
army. Now a horse came wildly rush like saddle-bags. Then the wagons-
ing through the ranks; see, a dying Oh! the wagons--in every direction-
soldier in grey is being dragged at the wagons ! wagons!
stirrup! Oh, God, how horrible that "What does it Glean? Have they
sight! Here falls a man, yonder others. stripped the whole country?" I thought.
Wildly beats my heart, and regardless "Oh! we will perish."
of danger, I spring into the window, and Then they began to stop, and I saw
would have sprung into the ranks be they would camp in our town. Now
low, when a Confederate soldier rushed came the soldiers, cavalry and infantry.
into the room, saying, "For God's sake, | One thousand men is a heap; but when
ladies, go into your cellar! Don't you it was all the corps of Sherman's great
know these bullets will kill you?"
army, I could easily be excused if I

A CHILD WIFE OF 1863.
195
eat.”
thought it was the world-certainly the || through the midst of the soldiers out
world was well represented.
into the garden spot, broke some peach
Now the rush of Yankee ruffians ! tree switches and started "full tilt" for
Our doors were well barred and locked, the negro boys.
but they shooked them so we knew "You little black thieves," she cried,
they would soon break them down. So "put my chickens down. If I don't
mother and I went to open them. know what to do with Yankees, I do
Fierce-looking men confronted me-the know what to do with niggers; I'll
veranda was full!
switch you good.”
"Piease, gentlemen, you will not The soldiers roared with laughter and
harm women and children, will you ?'' clapped their hands in a hearty cheer,
I said-remembering that our soldier as they saw the crest-fallen look of the
friend had told us to be polite.
little darkies, who stood tremblingly
I don't know why, but they shrank holding out the chickens to mother. An
back, while the man nearest me stam officer stepped up: taking the chickens
mered, as he pulled out a five-dollar in his hands, he gallantly presented
greeu back and said, “We want provi them to mother, saying:
sions; we'll pay you for something to
as you have these little negroes, they
Mother was indignant; she told him would have been conquered too."
to put up his green back, that he well Mother blushed as she took an old
knew they would take all they wanted; rooster and several hens from the offi-
it was useless to sham !
cer; but, nevertheless, she carried them
But the fellow offering the money did into the house and pushed them under
really look ashamed.
an elegant bed! There the old rooster
All day long, the men and wagons and the frightened hens sat, mute as
poured into the town. “Rip! rip,” went mire, and forgotten, until the morning
the yard and garden fences, as they tore on which the Yankees left. Then sud-
them down and pitched their white denly, to the surprise of every one, out
winged tents at our very doorsteps-no stalked the rooster, flapped his wings,
yards, no gardens, were spared in our and crowed lustily several times, while
ill-fated village. Now the soldiers, with one by one came forth the trembling
hateful leers from their red eyes, would hens, gazing around at their strange
walk up to the steps of the back veran home in queer surprise! It was too
da, on which we stood, and throwing funny! The whole affair was so ludi-
down the hams and shoulders of our crous aud the behavior of the old rooster
meat, which they had fouad, would cut so comical, I never recall it without a
them up with savage delight, in our very good laugh.
faces! Next, they found the sugar, But to return. Before the long rows
flour, lard, salt, syrup, which mother of "officer's tents,” pitched in our back
had stored away in a cellar, dug beneath yard, white tables were spread for the
one of the negro houses, by a trusty ser evening meal. Several officers had been
vant. The significant nods which they into the house through the day, sat
gave us as they brought out these things, around the bre and talked to us; while
said plainly as words, “You see, you other officers, Masons, had come in,
can't hide anything from Yankees.” during the day and given me the "Ma-
Like statues mother and I stood look sonic jewels,'' telling me to keep them
ing on, and saw them take all the pro safely and hand them to the first Masons
visions we had, then kill the milk cows who came back home after their army
and other stock about the lot-saw them left. These officers told me their men
find the wheat and grain we had hidden had rifled the Masonic hall before they
in the attics between the walls; stood could prevent it, and they had gathered
silent and sad as we saw the potato 11 up all the jewels they could find, and
hill” robbed. and knew that now our having been told my husband was a
last hope for food was gone. Yet, even Mason, they brought them to me. I
in the midst of our sorrow and distress ripped open a feather-bed, hid these
jewels and returned them afterwards in
A LAUGHABLE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
safety to our village lodge.
One of the officers had ordered some One of the officers, while sitting
little negro boys, who were following
around our fire that day, had told me
how sorry he felt for the landlady of the
the camps, to catch mother's chickens.
“M- Hotel.” His men, he said, had
As they were running them down,' taken all her silver-plate and carried it
in the back yards, mother stood on the off before he knew it. As this officer
veranda looking at them. Involunta passed out to the supper table, his ser-
rily she sprang down the steps, ran || vant, a negro, who had heard him tell-

196
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ing me about the silver, said softly to || barns had been ours; now not one
me, "Missis, you needn't b’lieve one crumb of bread could we command !
word of dat, 'bout dat silver; you jist look Husbands, father and sons, brothers-
on his own table; you'll see da' silver.” all_slept under the blood-red turf,
As his table was against the very door while their widows, clothed in weeds,
step I leaned over the railing, and there it sat hungry and cold at their heart -
was, marked "M-- House." My gallant stones! Outside courtless white tents
officer scornfully kicked a beautiful sil gleamed in the chill night air, while
ver pitcher, which had been filled with thousands of cruel soldiers walled in
fresh water and placed near his seat. As two lone women! It was too sad for
it rolled out on the ground “M-
words; so mother and I sat mute, while
House” shone out in large letters, and I I hushed poor Baby to sleep on my ex-
knew
hausted bosom. Never can I forget
HIS SYMPATHY WAS ALL A SHAM!
"OLD BLACK TOM."
That night we went to bed supperless; He had told us, at dark, that he would
all day long we had fasted, for our break keep watch round the house, and come
fast was untasted because of excitement, to a certain window and tap every few
and dinner we had none. What to do I hours.
did not know. Sadly I had seen the "Ill tell you what's gwine on outside,''
rice, sugar, coffee and lard taken from he said, "and if anyting berry serious
the storerooms on the back veranda, but am a gwine to happen, den I'll git you
sadder now was the thought, “the cows off to de plantation somehow."
are all killed; I will be so hungry I can About every two hours during that
not nurse Baby !!!
fearful night he would come under the
I remembered that a sugar-dish, full of fig tree, which hid this window, and,
nice sugar, sat in the china-closet, and tapping softly, say: "Don't be skeered,
that the Yankees had not yet discovered Missy; dere's noting serious is gwine to
this closet; so, I thought, I will get a take place; be easy and sleep, ef you
stocking, pour this sugar into it, and kin; I'm keepin' watch !!
put it, a la bustle, around my waist ! Ah! me, how changed the relations
Then, if the Yankees remain after to between the races by that cruel war!
night, I can get "sassafras roots” and Then it was all friendship and harmony;
make tea for poor Baby, like I had seen now, hatred and discord!
the negroes make it--"to purify de blud," "I'll eat dirt and sleep in de leaves
Maum Hannah had told me, when a lit 'fore I'll leave my ole Mistis and my
tle girl.
young Missy,” said gallant "black
Just as I had finished fixing up my Tom' next morning, when told by the
sugar, one of the housemaids ran in, Yankees he was free.
crying and wringing her hands.
But one of our servants accepted their
"Oh, Missy, de bu'ful courthouse is all freedom and followed after the army-
burnin' up; and dem soldiers say dey is this one was old Tom's daughter. He
gwine to burn dis town, dis berry night. persued her to the next town, found her,
Please Missy, you an ole Miss go out to give her a sound thrashing and brought
de plantation-dey will shorely burn her home. As he led her into mother's
you all up!”
room he said: “Dar she is, mistis! I'se
Poor Betsy wrung her hands and wept tried mighty hard to make gemmen and
bitterly. Now I shut my mouth firm ladies outer my chillun, but it'pears dis
and hard, packed some of Baby's clothes one won't do right no how."
in a small carpet-sack, and placed it he Dear old Tom! Can I ever forget how
hind the door, where I could easily put he “roasted potatoes” for us which he
my hand upon it, if I must go.
had gotten somehow; forget how he ob-
I had told the Masonic officers, when tained some of the meat of a hog, which
they gave me the Lodge jewels, that I had been killed by the soldiers, and
was a Mason's daughter, had asked them tried to "fix it up without salt or pep-
for "a guard," and they hai placed one per in his fryingpan. since the Yankees
at either door. I now went to one of had destroyed all our cooking utensils.
these guards, and asked him if the town But I could not eat the stuff however
would be burned.
kindly prepared by Tom and his wife,
"Not to-night," he answered; "the as I had been raised on "the fat of the
courthouse is a signal fire."
land” and “fared sumptuously every
Lonely and sad, mother and I sat day."
around the little handful of coals in the All that day, the second of their com-
fire-place that dreary night. In the ing, the army ravaged the town. Houses
morning plentiful storehouses and full ll were entered, property destroyed or car-

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
197
once."
ried off, until mother and I had to divide || all destroved, a number of servants were
even our clothing. Somehow we fared to be fed. We could not dismiss these
better than most of our neighbors; it "faithful friends;'' even though we knew
might have been “mothor's peach-tree they were free, homeless and penniless
switches." All over our town the camp we could not send them from us.
fires burned, until the stench of the It was now winter, too late for crops;
garbage was intolerable, while the what were we to do? The prospect was
smoke was so dense we could not see truly appalling to two delicate women,
across the streets.
but we lived through it all, and have
At the close of the second day, as I lived to see the South, rise again like the
stood on the veranda near our guard, fabled Phoenix.
my babe's low wails fell on our ears.
Why does that baby cry so?'' said
the "guard'-a boyish fellow
No. 34. In the Track or Sherman's Army.
"He is hungry," I replied; "I have
had nothing which I could eat in two
days now, and I cannot nurse him." (By Mrs. A. P. Aldrich, “The Oaks," Barn-
TEARS FILLED THE GUARD'S EYES.
well, S. C.)
"I will be relieved soon,” he said: "I Some months ago the name of Gen.
draw my rations this evening, and I will Wm. Tecumseh Sherman, as a fit nomi-
bring them to you."
nee for President of the United States
Sure enough, about sundown this | by the Republican party, appeared in
guard came to our back door, tapped the papers. When I saw this notice it
softly, and said, “Here is some flour and
made the blood course rapidly through
ground coffee, and here is a pan of green
coffee. Do have some food cooked at
my veins, and my heart beat fast, bring-
ing vividly to my mind the ordeal
I called our cook, gave her the provis through which I and my helpless chil-
ions, told her to borrow some cooking
utensils from the camps, and prepare as
dren passed when the left wing of his
good a supper as she could with this ma arniy marched through Barnwell in that
terial. She hastened to comply, and in memorable February of 1865. And I
about an hour brought in "bot biscuits
said to myself, can it be possible that
and coffee.” We had set the table as
nicely as we could, and when the supper
man will ever have it in his power to
was ready I asked mother to let me in oppress Southern women and children
vite my little friend, the guard, to eat again? Although over three score years
with us.
“Certainly,” she replied.
have left their mark upon my face
I went out the back steps, on which
and form, I then determined to
he sat again keeping guard, and asked avail myself of the columns of
him to come in and take supper with
THE WEEKLY NEWS AND COURIER
uş. Without a word of comment, he
spoke to an officer in a tent near by, ask-
to add one more contributor to
ing permission to go to supper with me. my Southern sisters “Our Women in
Permission was granted, he was in the War,'' to put on record some of the
stantly relieved, and came to our table--
events which transpired at that time in
so a Boy in Blue" supped with the
the widow of a "Boy in Grey,"' right in
our home and grounds. Hence my nar-
the midst of the enemy's land, sur rative-"In the Track of Sherman's
rounded by the Federal army ! Charity Army.'
"the greatest of these three,' shone Early in the morning of the 5th of
beautiful and bright.
February we heard the anticipated
I cannot recall the horrors of those sounds like a death-knell, the bombard-
nights spent in the midst of an invading ing of the fortifications on the Salke-
army, and those days of sadness and hatchie, three miles below our town. I
want without a wish "To learn war no have often thought since what mirth
more, forever!" If a whirlwind had that structure, a mere mole-hill, must
swept over our beautiful little yillage have created in the great Union army,
its streets could not have appeared more as they looked upon our puny efforts to
desolate save
ave that its homsteads were ll stay their march even for one hour.
spared, though ransacked and pillaged, The first detachment that entered the
by Sherman's hired hordes. Our horses town was Kilpatrick's Cavalry, which
and cattle were all taken, our provisions must have been some time in advance of

198
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the infantry. He made headquarters at when the milk was removed. This
the largest and best house, in the centre prize they were not long in finding,
of the town, leaving his soldiers to range which seemed soon to infuriate and
for miles around the country, commit rouse all their evil passions, so that the
ing the most ruthless depredations.
work of destruction began in earnest.
It was a party of this cavalry who, Tables were knocked over, lamps with
crossing the beautiful little stream which their contents thrown over carpets and
separates our place, a half-mile mattings, furniture of all sorts broken, a
beyond, from the town, came dashing guitar and violin smashed. The piano
up the avenue as if they were afraid escaped in the general wreck-why I
some of their comrades might outstrip could never understand. Provisions as
them and secure the booty they hoped much as they wanted were carried off.
to grasp. As I stood upon the piazza The policy of the first comers seemed to
and looked at these first “blue-coats'' be not to ruin or destroy any food, but to
approaching, I will not deny that my leave all they did not require for those
heart sank within me, and I felt like that were to come after.
falling, for I remembered the horrible The infantry soon appeared and were
accounts we had for months been listen ten days and nights passing through in
ing to of the brutal treatment of the detachments. During that time their
arty to the women of Georgia in their tents were pitched all around us, and
march from Atlanta to Savannah. The || our park lit up by their camp fires, and
courage of which I had always felt lour yard and home filled with hundreds
myself possessed, I confess, foorsook me || of rude soldiers. When one swarm de-
then and I prayed God to protect me | parted, another “more hungry for spoil
and my little ones from the invaders. I would file in. And so we lived for days
The first of the soldiers who rushed into and nights, with guns and bayonets
the house seemed only intent on flashing in our faces, and the coarse lan-
searching for food, and when guage of this mass of ruffians sounding
the safe was opened to them, in our ears. Having no one to send to
headquarters for guards, we were often
ATE LIKE HUNGRY WOLVES.
subjected to worse treatment than our
So soon, however, as they were satis more fortunate neighbors who lived im-
fied, their tramp through the house be-
mediately in town.
One day a wretch who looked as if he
gan. By this time they were pouring in
nad been brought from Sing Sing for
at every door, and without asking to the purpose of terrifying women and
have bureaus and wardrobes opened, children, came into my piazza where I
broke with their bayonets every lock, was standing surrounded by a more de-
tearing out the contents, in hunting for cent crowd than usual, carrying a rope
gold, silver, and jewels, all of which in his hand, with which I learned after-
had been sent off weeks before, and in wards he had three times
the burning of the Convent lost! Find-
ing nothing to satisfy their cupidity so
HUNG UP ONE OF OUR SERVANTS,
far, they began turning over mattresses, who had been reported to him as having
tearing open feather-beds, and scattering
aided me in hiding my silver. Here I
the contents in the wildest confusion.
Some scenes occurred as they pillaged
will state that I permitted none of our
around which were so ridiculous as to negroes to know anything connected
afford us amusement when recalled long with concealing valuables, from the
after, but not then. For safe keeping I fact that I was well aware they could by
gave to my faithful old poultry woman bribes or threats be induced to tell all
a large pair of shears, with which I cut they knew. Each of the three times
out the clothing for the negroes, to con that this man suspended poor Frank in
ceal in her trunk for me, knowing if the air he would let him down and try
they were carried off or destroyed I to make him confess. Not knowing
could not replace them at that stage of anything, of course he could not give
the war. Hearing a noise toward the the coveted information. Frank's neck
poultry yard, I discovered a soldier with remains twisted to this day. With this
my shears cutting off a turkey's head! rope shaken in my face, the monster said:
He had evidently been down to the bot "Madame, if you do not tell me in five
tom of Maum Besse's trunk. We were minutes where your silver is buried I
surprised to find their sympathy for the will set fire to your home.”
"poor negro' did not protect them any Fortunately I had asked, not long be-
more than the whites from robbery. fore, a very gentlemanly looking sol-
Unfortunately a few bottles of whiskey dier--there were some of this class, of
had been overlooked in the wine closet || whom I shall speak in the course of this

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
199
narrative-if Gen. Sherman permitted || "To what company do you belong?
houses occupied by women and children Il and what regiment ?'
to be burned ? and had been told he did Each was answered and recorded.
not. So I promptly replied to the ruf "And you were the guard for this
fian.
"You dare not burn my house,'' Isaid, "I had no authority to do so," he said.
"for Gen. Sherman has forbidden it.”
Just then I was greatly surprised to “So much the greater reason why you
should have been faithful. You shall
lady alone; you have no right to insult answer to Gen. Sherman for this act.
her after taking everything you could Go up to headquarters, sir."
find. As to her silver, I can tell you it Now this may have been the last of it
is not here; it has been sent to Camden probably was; but the officer looked
Bank for safety!"
like a man who meant what he said. At
I turned and looked at the pleasant, any rate it was most comforting to feel
humane looking face of this soldier in myself in the presence of
wonder and gratitude for his timely in-
terference.
A GENTLEMAN AND A PROTECTOR.
Soon my housekeeper came near and A few days after,a kind hearted lieu-
whispered: “I told him, and begged
tenant, as he came up our avenue, saw
him to protect you from the wretch who
the housekeeper going out the front
This good han stood nobly by us in gate, and said:
several trying scenes after, and repeated "Madam, are you leaving your home
ly expressed his disapprobation of the filled with soldiers? Why it will soon
war, and his sorrow for what he saw Il be in flames over your head."
going on around him. Of his sincerity "I am not the mistress; she is inside.
we could only hope.
I am going to try and get a guard at
headquarters.”
were swarming in and around the house, "Go back and help to save your home,'
a faithful servant, who had stood by us he kindly said. “I will procure a guard
in many troubles, came to me and said: for you."
"Mam, I have with a tub of water fol Mrs. E. came and reported his warn-
lowed a soldier under the house and put ing, and said: “You follow them on
out the fire four times as soon as he left the lower floor, while I go up-stairs.?'
it, and now he is building one under She was none too soon, for, as she
the parlor, and swears he will blow my reached the landing, she heard a match
brains out if I destroy his work again.” scratched and great laughter. Running
"You have done all you can Moses," I into a chamber beyond, she found a
said, "don't endanger your own life, I party of the "Boys''—this seemed to be a
will see what I can do."
pet name for the privates by their
As I went down the front steps I saw officers-surrounding the bed, on which
an officer-by his uniform-entering the
gate, and ran to him for help.
and applied the match. She sprang for-
When I told him what was being done.
he seemed indignant, and asked me to the floor, exclalming: "My God, do
show him the man.
you intend to burn us up!"
This greatly amused them, one fellow
began to burst from under the house,
saying: "No, we are only making a fire
and both of us stooping down saw the
to warm by.”
The same day ny seamstress ran in to
man creeping out. The officer ordered
him to go back and extinguish the fire,
tell me a fire bad been kindled in a small
and looking up quickly, be recognized
house within five steps of our dwelling,
one in authority, and obeyed.
in which was kept cotton for spinning
our negro clothes, with yarn and other
When he came out and stood upright,
materials most suitable for effecting a
I exclaimed: "That is the man who
quick conflagration. I flew out, and saw
came an hour ago and offered to stand
two men jumping from the door, well
guard to protect my home.”
nigh suffocated by the smoke they had
The officer-he was one of the few created. Without speaking, I rushed by
gentlemen I had met in that fearful them, and with a sley used for weaving
crowd-said in an excited and indig cloth scattered and threw out of the door
nant tone; •Give me your name," at the burning cotton and yarn. A few mo-
the same time taking a note book and ments later, and nothing could have
pencil from his pocket.
saved our house.
The name was given and put down. These are a few only of the incidents

200
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
which kept us oa the watch day and || Hethanked me, and followed my direc-
night to counteract the attempts of these || tions, and when he had slept over an
incendiaries. Through rain, sleet and hour, we heard low knocks at the back
cold, we had to walk guard ourselves. door. Before I could reach him, he
Occasionally we were fortunate enough sprang up, and seizing his gun, went
to secure one who proved faithful. And out. We listened to a low conversation
of that class was
some time between him and the new
comers. At length he returned and told
A GOOD MAN FROM CHIO,
me a party had been sent from head-
by the name of McCloskey, who late one quarters to open the iron safe, which
afternoon, finding us without protec-
stood on the back piazza. Numbers of
the soldiers had tried that day to open it
tion, said:
with the key I gave them, but the lock I
"Lady, I can't see you go through the suppose bad rusted from long standing,
night in this way, especially as a fresh and they failed to get inside. The key
detachment is now coming in town. I was lost in the crowd, but a report of
will go and get authority to stand guard the unopened safe had been carried up
for you.''
to "headquarters,” and hence the
“But one of your soldiers made us the
same offer," I quickly replied, "and
MIDNIGHT DEPUTATION.
then tried to set fire to the house. Can I asked the guard if they intended to
I trust you?
blow open the safe with powder, for that
He looked sorrowful and said he
would not follow his fellow-soldier's ex-
it contained only valuable law papers,
ample.
belonging to widows and the estates of
Afterwards I expressed regret for my orphans, which had been committed to
suspicions, as well as gratitude for his my husband's care, and would be a
kindness and sympathy.
great loss to the parties if destroyed. I
It was not long before he returned handed him an axe which I kept in the
with his rifle and took up his march room for cutting our wood, and told
around the house. Some hours later him to beg them to use that if possible
the rain began to fall in torrents, and to open the safe, and to save the papers
the wind blew a gale. I went to the for me, which he promised to do. I
door and waited until his round brought looked up a basket, and asked Mrs. E.
him face to face with me, when I asked to accompany me to the door. As I
him if he could not protect us as well opened it the wind and rain blew out the
indoors, and said, "if so, come in to the lamp, but I called to Mr. McCloskey to
fire.”
take the basket for the papers, and to be
Mrs. E., myself and the children had careful not to let any blow out.
huddled together every night without A gruff voice said, "You women go
undressing, in our room, that at the cry bacl; you have no business here."
of fire we might the more readily make The pleasant-spoken guard, reaching
our escape.
out his hand for the basket, said he
"If you are willing, I will accept your would do as I requested.
offer," he replied, "for it is known that With the axe they did succeed in chop-
I am guard for this house to-night and ping into the safe, and found neither
you are perfectly safe.''
silver nor gold, but only papers! I sup-
He came in, leaned his rifle against pose they retired in disgust at the failure
the door and took the chair offered him. of their enterprise.
"Ladies," he said, after looking into I think it was the day following that a
the fire for some time, it makes my fresh party, searching for valuables,
heart sick to see such as this. I never found the coat in which one of our only
approved of fighting your people, and two sons, a Lieutenant in the Company
would not volunteer for the war, but of Citadel Cadets, 6th Regiment of
lately I have been drafted into a new South Carolina Volunteers, had been
regiment, I have no family of pay own, desperately wounded at Trevelyan Sta-
but my mother and sisters are as little tion.
in favor of this trip as I am. I can't This coat was carried up to "head-
bear to see women aud children ill quarters," by orders, I presume, and
used."
that afternoon an officer, speaking to
Finding he had marched a long dis Mrs. E., said: "That lieutenant must
tance that day, and seemed overcome by have been badly wounded, to judge by
sleep, I asked him to take a chair and the condition of his coat, the shoulder
turn it under his head and lie down on of which is all torn to pieces.”
the rug, promising that if we heard any We never knew till then that the coat
noise we would awake him.
was in their possession.

IN THE TRAOK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
201
When asked if they would not return | McCloud, of Virginia, and tell her be
it to us, the officer replied: "Oh! no; captured her guitar."
we like to keep all these little things." As be galloped off the second time, the
Heinquired where the wounded "Con silk skirt filled with air, and presented
federate was, and on being told he bad quite the appearance of a balloon. This
gone up to Augusta to report to the ludicrous sight brought peals of laughter
hospital, laughed and said: "He is a from his comrades.
lucky fellow.” Meaning, we suppose, A very smart housemaid, possessing
that if he had been found here he would so much dramatic talent that we often
have been taken prisoner.
said if Rose could only have her face
Thus other days and nights went by, whitewashed, and be put upon the stage
'til that "Jeft wing had well nigh she would make a good actress, seeing
passed on to turn Columbia. Here let her young mistress's dress departing,
me say, notwithstanding Gen. Sherman rapidly pursued the lieutenant and
denies that he committed that act of van called out, "Oh, massa, please give me
dalisn, his soldiers, right in this house, that dress, you aint got no use fur it."
said, when they heard our three eldest He drew up his horse and asked her if
unmarried daughters had been sent to she would wear it if he gave it to her.
the Convent, with most of our valuables "Yas. sir, dat I will, I nebber had a
"You had better have kept them at silk dress in all my life.”
home; they would be safer here, for
Off went.the dress, and into Rose's
rejoicing arms it was folded. Immedi-
COLUMBIA IS TO BE LAID IN ASHES,
ately she donned her prize and went
and as for that Convent, we are bound to dancing off, to the intense amusement
get in there, for we hear is concealed in
of the bystanders.
Almost the last division that composed
its vaults half the treasures of the rich
that "left wing," was an Indiana regi-
nabobs of this State.”
ment commanded by Gen. Hunter--SO
This-the burning of the city-I his soldiers (or"Boys' as he called them)
thought most likely, judging by my ex addressed him. My youngest son, adju-
perience of the "fire-fiend” spirit which tant on Gen, Young's staff, came by on
possessed them. But I now felt dis his way to Virginia, a short time after
tressed about my children, for I had the Federal army left Savannah, to bid
been told that the Catholic Brigade of me good-bye, and when about to leave
the Army protected all the Church In said: "Mother, when the army comes
stitutions in the line of their march —as surely it will always try and get a
through Georgia, and supposed they general officer to make headquarters in
would do the same in our State. How the house or at the gate, and you will be
true, I know not, but it was stated after protected. Remembering this, when I
the distruction of the Convent that this found the new arrivals pitching their
same brigade was not permitted to cross tents by the front gate I sent at once to
over the Congaree until after the city ask protection, and in reply was assured
was fired.
that I should be safe from intrusion. Very
Here I will record one of the few soon, however, the soldiers began to walk
amusing episodes just occurring to me. into the library, and help themselves to
A dashing young fellow, belonging to books and papers as they liked. After a
Kilpatrick's Cavalry, got possession of while the General himself came in and
the one guitar left unbroken, and came drew a chair into the piazza, and with
out of the parlor playing a tune. As he only a nod of his head to me, seated
met Mrs. E. he asked to whom the bimself. His face I will never forget.
instrument belonged?
"The young lady of the family,' was
IT WAS THAT OF A FIEND.
the reply.
Several of his officers joined him. I
He went out, mounted his horse,
have often thought they must have
guitar in hand, with a silk dress he had
picked up, buttoned around him, and
found him most uncongenial, for they
rode off.
were courtly, elegant gentlemen; two
He had gone only a short distance, especially-Capt. Wheadon and the sur-
when he returned. Mrs. E. rose to geon, whose name I have forgotten.
meet him, thinking he had relented and They came to the library door and said
came back to restore the guitar, for most respectfully: “Good, morning,
which she begged him as he left the madam.''
house. But not so. Riding up to the A few moments after, one of the pri-
steps, he gallantly lifted his cap and vates walked in and took an armful of
said ; "When Miss A. comes home, books from the book-case. I thought
give her the compliments of Lieut. Il tais did not look much like protection,
26

202
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and as he passed me going out, I stepped || ers, so I said: “Go, then, you and Daisy,
to thə door and said:
if you wish."
“General, I understood you to say my The Captain, holding each by the
house should be protected,” pointing to hand, led them away, and Mrs. E., after
the man with the second supply of a little, with the baby in her arms, came
books.
looking for the others, and hearing
With a sardonic smile, he replied: where they had gone, said: “Come,
The boys are all fond of reading. I darling, you shall not lose a nice, hot
guess they will not hurt the books." breakfast, I will carry you too.” When
Of course, I never saw them again. she reached the tent and asked for
The surgeon, a tall, fine-looking man, breakfast for that little one also, Capt.
with one of the most magnetic faces I Wheadon immediately prepared a plate
ever saw, knocked at the front door that I and handed it to her, asking her to
evening, the first one of that army who allow him to bring her a cup of coffee
had observed such etiquette. When I for herself, which she emphatically de-
invited him to come in, he took off his clined.
cap, and stood before me.
Heinsisted, saying, “You had better
Mrs. A.,'' he said, “we have learned take a cup, it is very fine.”
that you have a fine piano, and having "I do not doubt it,” she said, in her
along with us a good performer, we brusque straightforward manner, "as I
would be glad to enjoy his music if you know the source from whence it came.”
do not object.”
Whether or not any of our groceries
Sir, I have no power to refuse," I re had found their way to this particular
plied.
tent, of course we could not tell.
He bowed his head sorrowfully.
This was the last good breakfast the
"I beg your pardon," he said, bowing, little ones got for many a day.
"but no foot shall enter your house to I think it was in the afternoon of that
night that can offend you. I will see same day the news was brought me
to that.”
that the stables were on fire. Along side
He went on to say that the German of them was the corn house, containing
musician should tune the instrument all the corn not consumed by the army,
and leave it in beautiful order.
and all on which we were to subsist,
As this had not been done during the after we were left amidst desolation and
war, I was quite willing to receive this ruin. I ran out to the General's
remuneration for the pleasure con tent, and found him seated outside,
ferred on this courteous gentleman, and surrounded by his staff. They arose,
told him he was welcome to use the with cap in hand, most respectfully. He
piano.
kept his seat, his hat pulled over his
I had several interviews with him eyes. It was the first steeple crown or
during their stay, and was always im sugar-loaf feit hat I had seen, and
pressed by his courtly bearing, thought his head fitly crowned by that
The next morning Capt. Wheadon, bandit style. Never have I looked at
who made the most exquisite toilet I one since that the face of that monster
had seen for a long time, and wore the did not come vividly to mind. I im-
most immaculate linen, looking quite plored him to come with me and have
like a Frenchman, a sunny face the fire extinguished.
with bright blue eyes and a winning "Madam, I have very little control
manner, soon made friends with the over the 'Boys,'' he replied. "You
children. He came when I was walking must remember we are in South Caro-
in the yard with two of them, and after lina now; we entered this State with
saying "goor' morning,'' asked me to let 'gloves off!'"
him take the children to his tent and He then looked like a hyena gloating
give them break fast. This I declined. over his victim.
thanking him for his attention and tell “For Heaven sake, General, come and
ing him I knew they would be afraid to save my corn house. Surely you do not
go so far from me. “Why," he said, intend to destroy our last provisions
turning to my little adopted daughter, and leave us to perish? Do come”
“You won't be afraid, sissie, to go with At last he reluctantly arose and slowly
me; we are good friends, you know.'' followed me.
The child looked pleadingly in my
I hurried on, looking back and
face and said:
begging him to quicken his pace or it
“AUNTIE, DO LET US GO, I AM SO
would be too late. When he got in
HUNGRY."
speaking distance, he called out; "Boys,
I knew there was nothing in
put out that fire.”
the
A dozen or more “Boys” leaped the
house for them save some broken crack- ll fence and soon extinguished it.

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
203
I turned to him and said that did not u In proof of this story, some of the young
look as if he had lost control over them. men of the town, with others around
He approached nearer to me and said: the country, went out to the Far West in
"Madam, this is war—the war which search of fortunes, which they knew it
you women helped to bring on your was useless to work for here under
selves."
Radical rule that scourged our land for
"Yes," I said, “but we did not expect eleven long years. From the Pacific
to deal with barbarians-rather with Coast some of these fortune-hunters
men who claimed tc be chivalrous and were brought back, we suppose, by the
honorable, and who have wives and powerful magnet of "Turkey Creek,”
children of their own."
and have never since lost sight of its
“You women can soon stop this limpid waters.
thing," he rejoined, “by bringing your After the last division of that "eft
husbands and sons out of the army to wing? had departed, I learned that
protect you."
around their camps a good deal of meat
"Ah," I said, "they would be of little as well as other provisions had been
service to us under such circumstances," left. I called up the old poultry woman,
pointirg to the smoking stables !
who also had charge of the little negroes,
When I told him we could not bring and told her to collect her crowd and
them from their pust of duty if we come with me. They went to work and
would, and we would not if we could, picked up bones and joints of meat,
he laughed a laugh that rang in my ears sometimes with only a few slices cut
long after, and said: “Madam, the end off, enough to fill several baskets with
will soon come when we have finished the fragments.
our work in this State."
We met others on the same errand,
As he struck his tents and moved off, and it was funny to see Maum Bess seiz-
the corn-house I had tried so hard to ing upon every piece of meat she saw
save was discovered in flanes.
tied with a blue string. Recognizing
I always believed Gen. Hunter gave her own handiwork, she would rush
the order.
upon the possessor and jerk the prize
I do not remember the day our town out of their hand, exclaiming: "Gimmy,
was burned, or the division of the army dat ur meat, I bin tie um wid dem same
that accomplished it, but I do remember string fur hang up to smoke." While
the spectacle presented the first time I his was going on T looked upon the
beheld its ruins. All the public build-
ings were destroyed. The fine brick
RUIN THE VANDALS HAD WROUGHT
Courthouse, which cost the State be around me. My beautiful avenue of
tween $12,000 and $15,000, with most of the
stores, laid level with the ground, and
oaks, which I had transplanted years
many private residences, with only the before, from my childhood's home far
chimneys standing like grim sentinels; away, had been ruthlessly cut down or
the Masonic Hall in ashes. I had always killed by camp fires kindled at their
believed that the archives, jewels and roots. The park fence was burned up,
sacred emblems of the Order were so the large entrance gate cut down, and
reverenced by Masons everywhere, the undergrowth and straw scorched as
whether belonging to friend or foe, that black as midnight. As I gazed upon
those wearing the "Blue" would guard this scene of desolation, I wondered if
the temple of their brothers in “Grey." this was indeed the forerunner of the
Not so, however. Nothing in South "end" of which Gen. Hunter had boasted.
Carolina was held sacred. All fell under And the dread of such a calamity, with
the heel of the oppressor alike.
all its woe, grew strong as I dwelt upon
The picturesque little Town of Barn it, and hung like a pall on my heart.
well has been greatly admired for its On these scraps of meat, washed and
fair old oaks and fine evergreens. It dried, together with a small quantity of
is built upon a hill, at the base of which corn obtained from our plantation six-
runs a beautiful clear stream encircling teen miles away, we subsisted for weeks.
two sides of it, and which in long The manner in which I possessed my-
droughts furnish drink for the famished self of the corn I have daily cause to re-
stock for miles around. And here the member, as it cost me the dislocation of
Federal army, with its thousands of my left wrist, which for want of being
men and horses, slaked their thirst. properly reduced--we had no surgeons
Methinks those cooling draughts might then-remains stiff to this day. The
have abated the fire of their revenge. public highway over which the army
There is a legend connected with this I marched to Columbia ran through our
stream: that any who come and drink of | place, lying on both sides of the Edisto
its waters will return and drink again. | River, across which was a bridge known

204
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
as the “New Bridge.” Gen. Sherman || almost half way to Edisto one wheel of
saw by a map of the country that the vehicle suddenly sank deeply into
his most direct route to the capital was the mud, the other resting on a clay hill.
to cross the river at this point, and I My chair upset and I fell upon my
think the two wings of his army united wrist in such a way as to dislocate it.
there.
August ran to me and said, “Missis, is
By a mistaken strategy this bridge bad you hut?” and lifted me up. I soon
been destroyed a few days before by found I could not use the hand, and it
Wheeler's Confederate cavalry, a mis began to pain me very much. With
take which only served to delay the the boy's assistance I got back into the
army long enough to rebuild it and to wagon, but discarded the chair, and sat
destroy for us everything on the planta on the boards. After moving a short
tion-the cotton crop of two years, all distance I found the jostling over the
the provisions they did not consume, rough roads increased the pain so much
ginhouse. corn crib, stables and fences, all that I got out of the wagon and pur-
laid to waste. Cattle and sheep not used | sued my journey on foot the remaining
were driven ahead of them when they | eight miles.
left, and of course the horses were all By reason of the accident, and my
taken, and carts and wagons carried off slow progress walking, nightfall found
or burned. But for this, a portion of the me three miles away from the planta-
small quantity of corn bid in the swamp tion, at the gate of a cottage owned by a
by the overseer, and saved, could have widow, and occupied by her the last
been brought down to me. As it was I time I passed that way. Now, as I came
had to put my own wits to work to de nearer, I discovered a crowd of negroes
vise a plan to obtain it, and nothing coming out of the house. My heart beat
short of securing food for my children fast, and I mentally exclaimed, "My
would, I suppose, have suggested the God, what shall I do?"
thought of going myself. There was The first man who came near me I
no one near me whom I could trust recognized as the coachman of a friend
to send for the precious freight, for living twerty miles below on the South
starvation seemed to stare everybody Carolina Railroad. I addressed him as
in the face, so that if any one was quietly as I could.
found on the roads with provisions a “Why, Gilbert, what are you doing up
"stronger than he would capture his here so far from home?'' I asked.
prize. Our yoke of oxen, with their His eyes dropped, and in a very re-
cart, had been driven off by the soldiers, spectful tone he said, “Well, you see,
but their organ of locality being more ma'am, we has feared de Yankee would
fully developed than in their more val teck us 'long wid dem. an' we run all de
uable companions-our nilch Cows way up yer to git out de way.”
they ran away and came back. An army I, of course, knew this was only a sub-
wagon, broken down, had been left in terfuge to cover his real motive, and in
our park, to which, with a little fixing, this conclusion I was correct as I learned
the oxen could be attached. In this I afterwards that they had driven the
decided to make the trip, and in order poor widow out and taken possession of
to bring as heavy a load of corn as possi her cottage.
ble I had the body of the wagon re “Miss A.” Gilbert said, lifting his
moved, and a chair for me to sit in head, “wat meks you walk long de road
placed on the boards. As driver I took dis late ma'am ??
a boy fourteen years old, who had been I told him I was going to the planta-
So alarmed lest the Yankees should tion on business, and of my accident,
carry him off he had hid himself in a whereupon he seemed greatly concerned,
large chest of his mother's to escape and recommended several remedies, for
them. I thought August would prove which I thanked him.
more faithful than some older negro, The respectful manner of Gilbert in-
and so we
sured me the like behavior from his
companions who stood by in silence, but
SET OFF ON THE PERILOUS JOURNEY.
I could not help fearing as I walked.
I was not unappreciative of my dan away that I might be followed by some
of them, and when we got out of their
ger from lawless negroes roaming all
hearing I said to my boy, "Keep a sharp
over the country, and I took along a
look out, August, and if you see any one
loaded pistol, which I had learned to approaching hand me the pistol,” which
use pretty well. The roads had been so
lav on the floor of the wagon under a
heayy shawl. We were then passing
cut up by the army wagons as to be
a dense grove of pines, which
almost impassable in places, and when I hade
thro

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
205
THE DARKNESS MORE APPALLING, kee bin gone, an' been sabin fur you.”
I thanked each and every one, and said
so with the pain of my arm and the
they did quite right.
dread of pursuit, one can readily con Having heard that the army had
ceive the state of my mind. After left them in a most demoralized condi-
emerging from the shadows cast by the
tion, I was surprised to see the respect
and attention with which they all lis-
tall pines around me into an open field
tened to me. I told them no matter how
I took courage, quickened my pace and much they had heard from the Federal
hurried on to complete the remaining army of freedom, no law had yet been
three miles of the frightful journey. passed setting them free, and until Con-
About 9 in the evening I reached the gress did so they were still slaves. But
first cabin, which was near our own even if they were free, or when they
dwelling, then occupied by a family of became so,
refugees. The negre quarters lay sey-
eral hundred yards beyond, in a line
FREEDOM COULD NEITHER FEED NOR
with the overseer's. When I went into
CLOTHE THEM
the cabin I found the woman cooking without work. I begged them, like sen-
her supper. She was evidently sur-
sible people, to go to work at once re-
prised to see me, but seemed glad. I told
her I had come for corn, and wishing to
building the fences around the grain
return early next morning wanted to crops, and preparing the lands, to put in
talk with all of the people that night. 1 the new crop, which would be more to
requested her to leave her cooking for a their intesest than ours, for we might
while and come with me. When the find means after a while to procure pro-
overseer came down to "The Oaks to visions from abroad; but unless they
tell me about the corn he had saved, he worked and made a crop, they and their
told me that a great many of my valua children must perish, and whatever was
bles, which I had sent to him to bury in made on the place would be divided
the Edisto Swamp, had been found and with them if they were set free. More-
distributed amongst the negroes, who over, when a law was passed liberating
then had them in their houses. One ob them, we, their owners, would be the
ject I had in trying to collect them up at first to tell them the news and make ar-
my yard that night was to give the over rangements with them for their future.
seer the opportunity to search their They had never known me to deceive
houses before they had time to remove them, and trusted me then. In an or-
any of the goods, if so disposed.
derly and respectful manner they de-
Before those at the quarters learned I parted to their cabins, and greatly to
was in the place I went down to the my gratification, when I arose next
overseer's house as quickly as I could morning after a night of great suffering,
and told him to follow at a distance, and I found most of the men out at work.
as I called each family out to join me he picking up the scattered rails that es-
was to enter the house and collect what caped the fire and arranging for a fence,
ever he recognized as my property. Of while the women cooked their breakfast.
course, they too, were astonished at my There was one person who did not wil-
presence, but likewise expressed them lingly follow my advice-a man who had
selves as being delighted to see me. I only recently come into our possession
gave them to understand my appre from my father's estate, and who was not
ciation of their pleasant reception and present when I spoke to the others the
asked them, as I did Sally, to accom night before. He came to me next morn-
pany me to the yard, assigning the same ing, and in a dogged manner said: "I
reason I had done before of wishing to have no intention of going to work here,
leave with my load of corn so early in ma'am; I am going to remove my family
the morning that I would have no time back to the old place''--meaning my
to talk with them. They followed with father's, eighteen miles away.
out hesitation, and while I was har-
"Albert." I said. very calmly. "'if you
anguing them the overseer dia accom do not obey me and follow the example
plish his mission.
of the rest of the hands, you will regret
As the contents of the different it hereafter."
baskets were put on a large table in my I then repeated to him all I had
piazza and each recognized the china, spoken to the others. But I saw he had
cut-glass, bed and table linen, with other made up his mind to have his own way,
articles so recently in their possession, it and did not pursue the matter, know-
was somewhat amusing to hear them ing I had then no power to enforce obe-
exclaiming in succession: “Yes, missis, dience. True to his resolution he did
dem de tings we pick up after de Yan- ll move back to the "old place.” A week

206
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
later a detachment of Wheeler's cavalry, | books he had collected in Europe as well
calling themselves "Regulators," went as on this continent-many of them out
through the country restoring order on of print, which, even if he had been left
the plantations and putting the hands the means, could never be replaced.
to work. They always inquired on These treasures were well-nigh as dear to
each place if there were any who did not him as wife and children, and this blow
belong there. Learning that Albert had broke the great man's heart,
no right to be on the estate place, did - Now I will record an example on the
not belong to us, and ought to be on other side of faithful attachment. Moses
Edisto, they gave him orders to report Hays, the good man who helped to save
at his proper place, and if not found at our house when fired by the guard, had
work when they returned to that sec been with us at Charlottesville, Virginia,
tion he should certainly be taken in where'we remained four months, nurs-
hand and disciplined. Being very smart, ing our wounded son. His devotion to
he took in the situation at a glance. He his young master was such as to attract
knew those who had preached freedom the attention of the family, where he
to him and were then in power were at had been permitted by the chief sur-
that time too far away to stand by their geon, Dr. abel, (before the war the pro-
word, and in their place was a mili fessor of medicine in the University,) to
tary organization with authority to con remove the wounded boy. When we
trol him. He therefore came at once to were about to begin our journey home
me, in the most humble manner con our kind hostess said to me, “Do send
fessed his fault, and said: "No matter me a servant like Moses." Also the
who tells me I am free hereafter, I will young surgeon--whose patient Alfred
r disobey vou, ma'am, again." And was-remarked one day. “Madame. I
he kept his word. Long after emanci have never met but one like Moses be-
pation he remained at his post, behav fore. He belonged to a Georgia colonel,
ing well.
and was as tender and devoted to his
This is a peculiar race, and few, save wounded master as a brother could have
them to whom they belonged, or were been.''
brought up with them, can understand After the war was over Moses and his
or manage them. They possess charac good little wife, who was nurse to my
teristics anl idiosyncracies not to be two youngest children, and whom she
found in any other race on the globe. often folds to her bosom now, just as she
With some exceptions they have neither did when infants in her arms, remained
gratitude nor resentments. One in with us long enough to save sufficient
stance of the former sentiment being of their wages to purchase a little farm
utterly wanting I will give. When the of eight acres, a half mile from us. To
"right wing of the Federal army swept this we added twenty acres of our land
round the home of one of South Caro adjoining, and when I handed Moses
lina's most gifted sons,
and Della the recorded deed securing
to them and their children the land,
W. GILMORE SIMMS,
they looked the gratitude they could not
historian, poet and novelist, Gen. Sher well express. I told them that gift was
man's appreciation of literature caused
to show them I was not unmindful of
their faithfulness, both before and
him to place a guard around "Wood-
since they were free. Each said: "I hope,
lands" - beautiful "Woodlands''-and ma'am, you will always find us ready
while Columbia was burning one of and willing to serve you and your chil-
the officers came face to face with Mr. dren at all times you may need us."
Simms, and learning who he was, said: And so we have.
'Sir, you do not belong alone to the And now, as my narrative approaches
South, but to the whole country, and its close, I come to record
you need have no fears about the safety
of your home and library. A guard has
THE GREATEST TRIAL OF MY LIFE.
been left to protect it, with orders to re After the army crossed the Savannah
main until the last straggler shall have
River into South Carolina there was
passed on."
And so it escaped destruction at the much anxiety felt in every part of the
hands of the enemy. But months after, country between them and the capital o
before Mr. Simms found it possible to the State, as to what would be the line of
bring his family home, it was burned by their march. Some thought they would
his body servant, Isaac, to whom that move along the coast; others, on consult-
humane master had ever been kind and ing the map, concluded their direct
considerate. His library was consid course lay through Colleton and Orange-
ered the finest in the South, containing Il burg, and in our county higher up.

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
207
With this uncertainty resting on our || ton” was forced to take refuge with her
minds each one began to speculate upon I sisters in the carriage, and leave her
thesurest means of safety for themselves brother's war horse, who had escaped un-
and property. Many at once decided to hurt when his master was shot, in Vir-
refugee up towards the mountains; ginia, to fall at last into the hands of the
others to cross over into Georgia; but I enemy.
said, "if I lose everything else I must The journey was accomplished in
stay at home and try to save a shelter for safety, the children placed in the Con-
my large family."
vent and Mr. A., reporting to the Gov-
My husband entered the war with the ernor, was ordered on public duty to the
very first volunteers as quartermaster northern part of the State.
of Gen. Bonham's Brigade; and when The fate of the city soon after is
that distinguished gentleman was called already history, and the last scenes in
home to occupy the highest office in the the Convent, the night the Nuns and
gift of the State, Mr. A. joined Gregg's children were compelled to fly for their
Brigade which was soon after ordered to lives, I give in the words of one of my
Virginia, and in a railroad accident be daughters, among the sufferers.
low Columbia was thrown from the cars
and his right shoulder dislocated Thus
THE BURNING OF THE CONVENT.
disabled, he of course came home, leav “After these twenty years, we, who for
ing the family to be represented in what
a long day and longer night, listened to
we deemed a righteous cause-by our
only two boys. They were “boys”
the roar of the artillery across the Con-
indeed-within their teena.
garee, bombarding the beautiful Capi-
In view of the army coming through tal, can truly say, "When the sound of it
that section, we naturally felt much is lost, send the echoes to roll from soul
anxiety concerning our three eldes. un to soul. I will not attempt a detailed
married daughters, none of them grown, account of my experience in that city of
and we determined when danger came fire, but only the most vivid scenes in
near that their father should take them which I participated.
up to Columbia and place them with "The pure honest nature of the Mother
that grand and noble woman, the Superior, relying upon the pledge of
Mother Superior of the Ursuline Con Gen. Sherman that her Convent should
vent, who is a sister of our lamented be sacred, did everything to pacify the
Bishop Lynch, and, like other members excitement of her school and keep us all
of their family, singularly gifted. They quiet through that terrible day and
belong to history.
night. As the darkness came on some-
Business of an urgent nature called thing of that noble Christian calmness
Mr. A. from home at that time, and it fell upon us, and notwithstanding the
was agreed between us that if the army windows of the building continually
approached our town before he could re shook from the concussion of the shells
turn, I would send the girls to join him falling around us, and the warning of
at our Edisto plantation, as I haye before friends without, seeing our danger,
stated, on the road to Columbia. AC coming in from time to time beseeching
cordingly, the day before the attack on us to leave, we still lingered, beguiled
our "mole hill" fortifications, I packed by that treachervus promise. Alas!
their baggage wagon and sent it off. alas! but for the Mother Superior's
Early next morning the carriage was faith in Gen. Sherman, she could even
ordered, and I bade farewell to my at that late hour have taken the young
children. The eldest of the three was a bzings under her charge and fied to
fearless rider and determined to mount Valle Crucis, where the Convent now is,
her wounded brother's splendid charger, and thus escaped all the horrors we
and ride on horseback to Columbia, afterwards had to endure.
hoping in that way to save his nobie "About 9 in the evening the Nuns
steed, “Staunton.” Several hours after, were sent to collect us all in the big
when Kilpatrick's Cavalry arrived, some class-room, next the chapel, to pray
of them heard of this horse and his together for that which we now see
rider and they determined to try and was fast passing away from us-our
overtake them. But after pursuing home. How many hours we remained
several miles, they were told at a mill upon our knees, poor affrighted creatures,
on their road that the party were too far I can't tell, but I do remember how we
ahead to be easily captured. And so the were suddenly brought to our feet by
girls proceeded in safety on their way the awful cry, the convent is on fire.'
and were joined by their father. The Simultaneously with this cry came a
next morning the rain fell fast and fearful crash, and the chapel doors gave
heavy, and the brave rider of “Staun- | way before the battering-rams of some

208
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
of the fiends, and rapidly the sacred | been furnished a guard by the Com-
home was filled with soldiery. We | mander-in-Chief when he had us turned
heard afterwards that men were seen out of the Convent. This satisfied his
setting fire to the roof, in orderof conscience, I suppose, for that night!
course, to drive us out, before too late "This temple of God proved only a
for them to pillage it.
place of rest for a short time, however,
“Good Father Lawrence collected us Feeling that we were safely sheltered
all in the lower hall preparatory to there, and being exhausted by our ex-
marching us in some order to the citement and loss of sleep for nights be-
Catholic Church at that time beyond fore, we threw our bundles on the floor
the falling houses and tierce flames. A for pillows, and soon slept as only the
few friends and myself ran into the base young can sleep. Soon we were awak-
ment-room where the trunks were kept, ened-hideous yells, enough to raise
and with the strength of despair suc the dead, who then we thought more
ceeded in smashing the ends of our fortunate than we, aroused us. The
trunks and drawing forth a few caskets sanctuary no longer protected us, for
of jewels and silver. Even then, I called dozens of living demons rushed in to
to mind the last words of my married sis tell us to fly, for the church was to be
ter when I left home: 'Remember, if any blown up by a mine laid that evening.
thing happens to the Convent, save my This false report was to drive us out.
jewels if you can, for they may feed my that they might secure the little parcels.
babies when we have nothing else left.' we had saved, and with few exceptions
“Having no wrap, I threw over me they succeeded.
a huge velvet cloak of my sister's, "This new danger produced a fresh
which was not only valuable in protect panic, and the children, not thoroughly
ing my casket, but the only covering awakened, were well-nigh crazed by the
my little sisters had for days and nights sight of the demoniacal faces around us,
after. The Misses H., Miss C. and my lit up by the fires from the adjacent
self were among the last to leave the buildings, and in the wildest confusion
Convent. And we were hurried off by they ran hither and thither. I told my
the soldiers pouring down upon us, little sisters to hold fast to my dress,
saying, don't you know everybody has and clutching my casket, which even
gone with the Catholic priest; what are then I realized meant bread, we hurried
you girls doing here.' "Trying to save a from the church, over tombstones and
few things from you.' I said. And on every other impediment, towards the
we went to join our companions. A fence in the direction of the river,
sorrow-stricken cortege we were, fur How my blood surges when I
nishing a picture always to be remem close my eyes now, and recall
bered as one of the most tragic in the
THE SCENES OF THAT NIGHT!
burning of Columbia.
And the wicked acts which caused the
"THE PRIEST WITH UPLIFTED CRUCIFIX
terror and distress of the helpless chil-
beaded the procession. Behind him fol dren and those holy women set apart for
lowed the Nuns-not more beroic were
God's service, Sunspotted from the
world, driven from their sweet seclu-
those “Moravian Nuns,' of whom we
sion into the blazing streets, sur-
read in poetry—their pallid faces, black rounded by bordes of boisterous, un-
habit and dignified bearing, lit up by the bridled soldiers. I wonder if this black-
flames on either side through which we est page in all that dreadful campaign
had to pass, presented a weird scene sad will not be avenged by a just God.
enough for tears even now. Behind the "The guard after a while succeeded in
Nuns came the school girls, some of convincing us that this last diabolical
them little things, clinging to their older scheme to drive us from our retreat was
companions in terror, lest they might be false, and persuaded us to return. Only
torn away. Several of the sick, wrapped a few, however, could be persuaded to
in blankets, wended their way as best lie down again, and only the most ex-
they could. The Convent, which was hausted slept. Some of our party re-
originally 'Clark's Hotel,' as all famil mained outside of the church watching
iar with the city in bygone days will the awful magnificence of flame. Kins-
remember, was situated on the corner of ler Hall, with the drug store beneath
Main and Blanding streets. We left it filled with its barrels and casks of chem-
on that memorable night by the side icals, colored the sheets of fire that
door opening on the latter street, down licked and wrapped the building in a
which we marched to the one leading to 'glory of flame,' reminding one of the
the Catholic Church. The crowd in the Sardanapalus Palace as we have it de-
street did not interrupt us, as we had scribed in prose and poem.

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
209
"When the gray light of morning at l companions who were not so fortunate.
last broke upon us what a sight of deso "I said to Dr. Solomons: "We are
lation was revealed! I can never forget nearly crazy for want of sleep, but are
the weary faces gathered together, the afraid to lie down. He assured me, if
infinite peace of holiness,' which rested I would go with my sisters into a small
upon many of the faces of those dear room at the rear of the house and sleep,
Nuns, whose lips had never ceased to he would keep guard at the door and
move in prayer during the whole of that wake us if danger approached. We laid
ghastly pilgrimage—the young chil ourselves down on the floor, with tho
dren trying to collect their scattered rescued cloak for a pillow, and slept
senses, hardly realizing where they several hours of refreshing sleep.
were, or what their surroundings-the "When we returned to the churchyard
older ones wondering what would be we found that the Mother Superior had
the next act in the drama. Soon the lit received a message from General Sher-
tle ones were reminded by their craving man that he would see her himself.
for food, that they had eaten nothing for Justice McCarthy in describing the
many hours, and some said, 'Oh, we are meeting between Lady Macnaghton and
so hungry!'
the savage chief who had slain her hus-
"This remark was overheard by one band, says few scenes in poetry or ro-
who now 'sleeps his last sleep and has mance can be more thrilling with emo-
fought his last battle.' Was it a foreshad tion than such a meeting as this must
owing of his own sad fate that turned have been. Our war furnishes a parallel
his horoscope and caused him to look quite as thrilling in the treachery of the
within? Was it by that 'sad power of commander-in-chief of the United States
future war when the savage blade would army as that of Ak bar Khan. No won-
pierce his own brave heart, that it der the man's eyes shifted and sought
throbbed with kindly enough impulse the ground; no wonder he nervously bit
to order food sent to these helpless girls ? his moustache and tried to hurry through
the interview he knew he had to bear,
"BRAVE, GALLANT CUSTER !
and yet would have avoided.
For deeds of kindness like this, a general "There he stood before that majestic
wail went up from Southern hearts, as
form clothed in her dignity of grand
womanhood and the garb of her cloister
well as from your own land, when the
life, her face unsullied by recollections
tidings reached us of your heroic end. that were false to her God, herself or her
And many of us remember you did not human kind. He, the husband of her
wish to make war upon helpless women former friend, the father of her once
and children. And so of your true soul loved pupil, the leader of an army to-
we say, 'Requiescat in pace.'
wards whom her religion taught her
"The waiter of hot breakfast was neutrality, and whose Catholic Sisters
brought to us, as we stood grouped to had nursed and tenderly cared for the
gether, the Misses H., my sisters and I Federal soldiers in their sickness and
in one corner of the churchyard next suffering. This woman he had lured
the street. The hungry children thought into his power by a pledge and had bro-
only of their pain, and wanted to partake ken it. Such treachery stands alone.
of the hot bread and coffee, as did we all, | We of the Convent
but in our young minds tales of poison-
ing by Sherman's bands were too fresh,
KNOW WHO BURNED COLUMBIA.
so we refused the tempting meal.
“General Sherman told Mother Supe-
"The morning dragged itself along, the
rior she could take possession of either
sun rose upon our woe, and we knew
not where we were to break our fast.
the Methodist College or the Preston
Never will I forget good Dr. Solomons, Home, these being larger than any
of Charleston. He was the first to give other buildings which had escaped the
us food. He had known us, in his pro flames. The former, as the most com-
fessional trips to Barnwell, and hearing modious, she decided to occupy. But in
we were among the refugees in the the midst of her sufferings and priva-
churchyard, found and took us over to tions there, which were shared alike by
a little cottage inhabited by Mrs. Ring Nuns and children, she did not forget
gold, whose name protected her and her her friendships. It was through her
larder from the army with whom her benevolence that the beautiful old home
husband had formerly served. In her of the Prestons-once owned by the
home we refreshed ourselves, and would Hamptons -- was saved. These good
have enjoyed the Doctor's kindness as it people had espoused her cause when the
deserved, but that we could not forget Convent was first established in Colum-
the number of dear Nuns and young || bia and fanatical feeling ran so high
27

210
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
there against the church. They were ||
| Not a word that they were safe from
her friends always, and she embraced harm, under the wing of the Mother Su-
the offer of Sherman to occupy their perior, in the building provided for her
home, and save it from the vandals, only by the destroyer of her Sacred Home.
too eager to destroy anything valuable With this assurance I could have been
to Wade Hampton. Gen. Woods had content. But the picturo presented to
his headquarters in this fine old man my mind was my young daughters,
sion, and the Mother Superior was told turned into the streets amid thousands
by one of the officers unless she took of brutal, and, perhaps, drunken sol-
possession of it quickly the torch would diers ! I had passed through enough to
be applied so soon as Woods and his unhinge a stronger mind than mine, but
staff vacated. Several of the Nuns, with this stroke was more than the mother's
a number of the pupils, were selected to | heart could bear, and nature suc-
go round and occupy the home of the cumbed !
Hamptons.
It was weeks after before I recovered
"When we reached there the last of strength to resume my domestic duties,
the officers were just leaving, and when and but for the good woman frequently
we entered, the rooms gave evidence of mentioned in this narrative "may her
luxurious war. Wino glasses, freshly soul, through the mercy of God, rest in
drained, ends of cigars, &c., were scat peace”- I do not know what would have
tered around. In one corner of the become of me and my children then.
library stood the beautiful work of art, She was the most perfect specimen of a
Powers's Eve, executed by the gifted true-hearted, unselfish women I ever
sculptor in grateful remembrance of his knew.
benefactor, Gen. Preston. Some one of A little while after this, a gentleman,
the army, not capable of appreciating whose family refugeed here, came down
such a piece of statuary, conceived the from Columbia and brought the joyful
ridiculous idea of bedecking it in an old tidings of my daughters' safety. Hope
uniform coat and cap and painting a began to revive in my heart, and I
black mustache upon her 'faultily looked about to devise means to bring
faultless' lip. My hand had the privi them home. It so happened that a gen-
lege of restoring the l'arian marble to tlemen of this towu procured a buggy
its original purity.
to go up to Columbia for his two sisters
“After remaining in the Preston and, hearing of my distress, sent a
Home until it was quite safe, we re kind message that he would escort my
turned to the college, where we re children back if I wished him. I knew
mained until sent for by our mother." his buggy could hardly accommodate
his own family, so with many thanks
SAD NEWS FOR A MOTHER.
for his offer I sent him a roll of Confed-
Rumors reached us here that Colum erate money and begged him to try and
bia had been burned, but even then I had
hire something on his way up to bring
the girls bome. He found on this side
an abiding faith that the Convent was
of the Congaree wagons which had car-
saved. All means of communication ried from Augusta provisions to the
having been destroyed with us, I could perishing people of Columbia.
hear nothing of the real condition of my GOD BLESS OUR NOBLE SISTER STATE!
children for some time. Then came a
In later perilous times she came
letter, hurriedly written, to a family in
our town, and sent by one of their ser-
promptly and courageously to our aid.
vants coming home. In a spirit of kind South Carolina never finds Georgia fail
ness---of course it was so meant—that let her when she needs help! Doctor P. en-
ter was sent to me. The words were
gaged one of these wagons to take his
literally burnt into my heart and brain,
and are as fresh in my memory now as
party as far as Aiken, on their way back,
when I read them-at least the portion where he felt sure he could procure a
relating to my children, which ran thus:
vehicle to complete the journey, as that
"The city is still burning. The citizens
have had to fly to the woods for safety.
town had not lost very heavily by the
The Convent is in ashes, and this morn-
army. He crossed over into the city of
ing I went in search of Mrs. A.'s children, ruins, found his sisters, and delivered
and it made my heart bleed to find the my letter to the Mother Superior asking
poor things with only the clothes they for my children. She was only too
wore and half starved. I am now hav thankful to be relieved of three mouths,
ing something cooked, which I will take which, with all the rest, she had been
to them myself.”
Il dealing out economically to the hard-

IN THE TRACK OF SHERMAN'S ARMY.
211
tack, rationed to her by the commander kind protector reminded them that six-
in-chief before he left.
teen miles of their journey still lay
In a little skiff, which threatened con before them; so, reluctantly, they arose
tinually to capsize, the doctor recrossed and went forward, with tattered gar-
the river with the ladies. Then, what ments and sore feet. Ten o'clock at
was his horror and surprise to find the night found them at their home! And
wagons gone! Turning to my daugh when I folded them to my heart I felt
ters, he said, “Shall I take you back to very sure that Sherman and his “boys'
the Mother Superior, or have you cour had failed to rob me of these treasures !
age to undertake the walk of sixty And so ended that walk of sixty miles,
miles ?” The eldest looked upon the to the recital of which their children
boiling, seething river just crossed in so and grandchildren will doubtless listen
much terror, and over at the burnt city, in after years.
then at the long weary miles which Weeks after, when the war did really
separated them from their home. And end, we were permitted to collect our
yet she preferred "the ills she knew not family--not one missing around us,
of” to those from which they had two sons, and six daughters.
escaped; and she said, “we will go on.” For this great mercy to us, when so
And so began their tramp of sixty many were left childless, I humbly
miles. The buggy could hardly hold thanked God, and prayed whatever of
each one's bundle of the one blanket and misfortunes the future had in store for
a change of clothing, with the doctor', us, we might cling together, sustaining
baggage and his invalid sister; the little
and comforting each other.
bag, containing their scanty supply of
food, did not occupy much space. At
"LET THERE BE PEACE.”
night they took refuge in some farm I cannot close this narrative of facts,
house by the way, the shelter of which
without a few words relative to my
they were generally welcomed to, but
quickly informed there was nothing for
change of sentiment regarding our
them to eat, as the army had swept Northern brethren. I had met but few
everything. So they journeyed on, weary from that section in ante-bellum days;
and worn, until they reached our own
those few I must say impressed me
Edisto plantation
And then there occurred a scene that favorably. But after passing through
brought out the characteristic of the the ordeal of the war, and the "reign of
negro race. When they recognized who
terror” which succeeded, the hope was
some of the new-comers were they
raised a most jubilant yell, first one
strong in my heart that I might nevei
woman and then another embracing look upon the face of a Yankee
"our chiluns," as they were wont to call again. Later on, however, some of my
the children of their owners. But when
children found it necessary to go North,
they found their pets had walked
and there met many of the best people
“CLAR FROM COLUMBIA"
of that country, who extended to them
their cry of joy was turned into one of
great kindness, and indeed elegant hos-
lamentation, and they cried one moment
pitality, assisting them in enterprises
and laughed the next. Finding how
which, but for such efficient aid, must
hungry they were their sable friends
have failed. Some of these same good
began to vie with each other for the
people have since been our guests,
honor of cooking a good square meal
whom we have found refined and culti-
for ‘Missis chiluns. The old nurse of
vated, with warm, sincere hearts. Now
the eldest finally carried the day, and
I freely admit all bitterness cast out of
soon the poor things with their fellow
my heart, and am willing with those we
travellers were seated at Hannah's table are wont to call our foes to "smoke the
enjoying her bacon, eggs and corn
pipe of peace,” under the “Stars and
bread.
Stripes," with a strong desire that the
The girls were so happy to find them-
misfortunes so graphically recorded by
selves once more on our own soil, in the
“Our Women in the War" may illus-
trate the idea of blessings in disguise,''
midst of friends, willing and able to
and be for us and our children the har-
render them assistance, that they would bingers of that perfect Union designed
gladly have tarried long. But their ll by the founders of this great republic !

212
OTR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 35.-A Refugee's Experience. garden and vegetable garden in perfect
order, for our enjoyment in the future.
The rent was to be paid in Confederate
(By M. R. Porcher, Charleston.)
currency, $3,000. Our household at this
juncture consisted of three,mamma, Eliza
On the 23d of August, 1863, the morn-
and myself, and our servant Julia who
ing after the first shell was thrown into cooked, washed and did our household
the City of Charleston, papa bade all of work. Our sister Emma was paying a
his womankind good-bye at the South
visit to a near relation in the low coun-
try about forty miles from Charleston.
Carolina Railway depot and sent them
Papa was in the city and both of our
off as refugees.
brothers were in the army.having served
It was ous good fortune to find a home already four years. The heavy rain
storms early in January by destroying
for the next eighteen months with a
the railroad between Alston and Colum-
pleasant family in a charming town in
bia separated our family completely, a3
the western part of the State, and save letters were delayed an interminable
for the sad tidings which came after
time and for weeks we were cut off from
all communication.
every battle, making widows of loneiy
These weeks were full of anxiety to
wives, and carrying the gloom of death three lonely women in their large house;
into many a household, that town knew the weather was intensely cold, and in
not the meaning of war. Plenty reigned;
order to save precious fuel we collected
everything for our comfort in one room
in the beautiful gardens bloomed the and lived there. Money was now be
gayest and loveliest flowers; the fields coming of little value, and it was hard
yielded their increase, and all was order,
to procure anything but bacon and
grist. Our fare consisted of bacon,
quiet and peace.
hominy and corn bread, and we were
We had tableaux and concerts, straw thankful to have enough. One day, after
berry feasts and fairs for the benefit of living for some time on this fare, a
our soldiers. Every woman and girl
wheaten loaf was sent to mamma, and as
it was uncovered we gave exclamations
knit shirts and socks, and some carried
of delight. It was a greater treat than a
their zeal for the cause to such an extent rich cake would have been, but even
that the knitting basket was present on while polite messages of thanks were
being given to the servant to carry to
her mistress, I discovered that all the
the waking moments of the night in
crumb of the bread had been picked out
plying the needles to and fro. We all of the loaf and nothing remained but the
learnt to card and spin, some became
hollow crust. I think we could have
fallen upon that little negro girl and
made her remember that loaf of bread
intricacies of threading the loom, and for a long time after, but we restrained
the art of weaving evenly and quickly
ourselves, and swallowing our disap-
became a desired accomplishment.
pointment, the hollow loaf became a
standing joke in our little family,
It is strange to recollect how these oc-
cupations interested and amused, and
A LETTER FROM THE ABSENT ONE.
how little the fact that many were suf While we were suffering from anxiety
fering the horrors of war affected those and suspense, Emma was in the house
remote from the field of action. The of affliction. Our cousin had died and
dark opening of the year 1865, however, been laid to rest on the first of the year.
caused all hearts to fear, and the call of Emma wrote a most touching letter, de-
the State upon hoys of sixteen to take scribing several events of every day
life, and we did not hear from her again
need and desperate condition of our
until Sherman had reached Savannah
and was gradually approaching Colum-
country to all who were not wilfully
bia. Then rumors came of the evacua-
blind.
tion of Charleston, but nothing positive
'In was in January, 1865, that our host could be heard. One thing alone was
and hostess, declining housekeeping, left positive, and that was that we were
us in possession of their home, a large completely cut off from the scattered
and comfortable mansion, with flower ll members of our family, and we could

À REFUGEE'S EXPERIENCE.
213
only wait and hope that they were safe || the night at Mrs. D's. In the middle of
and well.
the night the house was surrounded by
I cannot describe the utter feeling of Yankees, and fired into from all sides,
loneliness which came upon us as day some of the balls entering the room
after day, then weeks, passed and no where Mrs. D. and her children were
line, no message reached us. It was as sleeping. The scouts determined to sur-
if midnight darkness had settled around render at once, knowing they y could not
us, and we were oppressed. However, prevent their capture in the end, and
we kept up our spirits very bravely, not wishing to endanger the lives of the
and when our stock of bacon threatened women and children. This one had been
to become short we laughed at the very wounded slightly, and had managed to
slices we cut, and how far we made slip out of the house unperceived, and
them go! Soon we learned that Colum had made his way over here for assis-
bia had been burned and Charleston tance.
evacuated, and we knew raiding par We were horrified at this story, and
ties were scouring the country, terrify believed that many of the reports which
ing and robbing the defenceless women, had reached our ears must be true.
yet we could only pray that our dear ** * * While Marianne and I were still
ones were not molested, and they would excited over our morning's adventure
be kept from harm,
with the scoct, we heard the tramp of
At last on Friday, March 3, after many horses, and looking out we dis-
leaving the little church where we were covered a number of Yankees galloping
accustomed to assemble for daily prayer as fast as they could past the house.
and while walking quietly home, we They rode up to the stables, and finding
saw our girl of all work, Julia, running there sufficient booty to satisfy their
towards us as fast as she could.
greed, they went off as quickly as they
"Oh, miss,” she shouted, halflaughing, came, carrying every horse and mule on
half crying. “Master has come. Oh, the place.
missey, your pa has come."
"Marianne and I watched their pro-
We all flew down the road, but mamma ceedings almost breathless. Imagine
ran the fastest, and when we reached the our relief when they left the yard, not
house she was in papa's arms.
even glancing at the house. The transi-
This was indeed happiness; to have tior from anxious dread to assured
papa in person with us once more was safety was so great that we changed Ash
bliss almost too great for our unstrung Wednesday into a day of thanksgiving.
nerves. However, we were soon listen We feel to-night brave and hopeful for
ing to his account of how he had marched the future. Samuel has returned in
with the army to Charlotte, North Caro safety. The scout reached Ophir, and
lina, and from there had made his way by giving him assistance we still have a
to us. He was distressed at our having mule in our possession. Marianne has
no news of Emma to give him. I will told Samuel to claim him as his own
here insert extracts from a note book, property in the event of another raid."
which Emma wrote when it was safe to On March 10, Emma made this entry
do so. After describing her emotion on in her diary: "Life has been made en-
successive days, as the cutlook became joyable and full of excited interest by
more and more gloomy, and alluding to almost daily visits from our scouts.
the evacuation of Charleston and her fear They are doing good work in the neigh-
of Yankee raiders, she wrote under date borhood, as they are very bold, and act
of March the first:
to some purpose if an encounter with
"The Yankees have come. Before day the raiders takes place. We are partic-
light this morning Quoikoo banged at ularly delighted with one Dennis, and
the door to rouse us. Marianne, fully hail his coming with joy. Marianne
expecting to meet the enemy in full keeps a supply of food ready for our
force, went to answer the summons, and guests, and provender for their horses
was greatly relieved to find her house is provided ad libitum. They are the
boy and one of our own scouts in the link which puts us in communication
piazza. The scout had just made his es with the outside world. If it were not
cape from the next plantation, and being for them we would hear no news what-
wounded had come here for assistance. ever, and it is through them that I hope
Marianne sent him oft well mounted and to receive letters from papa and the rest
sent Samuel on a mule to show him the of the family. It is now nearly a month
way to Ophir, from where we hoped he since I have heard anything concerning
would receive further assistance, and be any of my loved ones.”
able to join his brother scouts.
MAKING MERRY OVER POVERTY.
"His story is, that he, in company
with several other scouts, were spending 11 While Emma was in ignorance of our

214
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
welfare we were utterly wretched about || try to procure some tin plates and cups,
her. Ferguson's scouts were being and she would have some tubs made to
sent into the low-country, and we de act as wash-basins. Alick said he had
livered letters to their keeping, trust to report to the health officer in Green-
ing that in the course of time they ville, and he would be sure to bring
would reach their destination, and she back anything he could pick up for our
would reply in the same way.
convenience. Accordingly, the next
About the middle of March, while morning Alick left us, and we went to
seated at dinner, a weary footstep was continue our preparations in the hotel.
heard in the piazza, and in a moment We found to our delight that kind
we were embracing Alick-our Alick, friends had sent a few kitchen utensils.
whom we had sent into the war a strong, and we marvelled at our riches while
robust man, and who came home examining the following articles :
wrecked in health and spirits. Four
One digester-Just the thing to make a
years of camp life had been too great a good soup.
trial for his constitution, and he re One large iron pot-Tip-top fur boiling
turned to us, barely twenty-one years
clothes,
One small iron pot-With a hole in it.
of age, with scarcely strength to walk.
One Dutch over-Wilhout a lid.
We women suffered then in not having
One Dutch oven-With many holes but a
nourishing food to place before our in good lid.
valid, but we laughed at our poverty, One rying pan-With a broken handle.
made the best of what we had, and he Mamma's eyes beamed with pleasure
soon rallied more than we had dared when late in the day two waffle irons
hope when we first saw him.
and two pots suitable for cooking
Towards the end of March it was re hominy were sent in, while Eliza and I
ported that the war department was to hoped we would have the materials to
be moved from Richmond and the seat make waffles out of, for just then we did
of government to be for the time our not have any wheat flour nor could we
little town of A
Col. T- coming purchase any.
to A--and deciding to bring his family The dining room furniture was simple
there, proposed to papa that if he would in the extreme, a long, very long table,
give up his fine residence, he (Col. T- ) and five chairs constituting the whole
would give him in exchange as many set, and as the chairs were the only ones
rooms as we wanted in the third story we had, they were carried with us when
of the Marshall House. When the prop we wished to be in another room. The
osition was laid before mamna she de table served two purposes; we kej one
cided at once that Col. T— 's offer was end as a pantry, and the other as our
to be accepted, as it would take the dining table.
heavy rent of a fine house from us, and It was imposible to have any carpen
then the care of providing the family ter work done, and indeed we could not
with food would be enough without the procure the boards, in order to have
additional burden of house rent. Col. some small tables made, and we were
T- 's offer was therefore accepted, and compelled to borrow a few plates, to uso
mamma, Eliza and I made merry over until our tin set should be procured.
our intended move.
The one trouble ahead was, we owned
CHEERING NEWS AND BRIGHTER PROS-
PECTS.
no furniture. Three mattresses and
some silver forks and spoons, together When Alick returned he found
with three silver cups, formed the sum
the family in their new quarters
of our worldly possessions, and we did
not at first see how we would manage to
in the hotel. We had left a nice house
keep house on so little. Mamma said we with the promise of an abundance of
would be able to get on, and we went to fruit and vegetables, and were living in
the hotel to clean up our apartments. the third story of a hotel with no out-
Our delight was great when we discov door interests whatever. The wounded
ered a piece of furniture in each room, scout who had been sent on his way
and by taking the odd pieces and put by Marianne had made a safe journey to
ting them together, fitting drawers to Greenville, and the intelligence he gave
drawerless bureaus, screwing on knobs, of Marianne and Emma still being un-
tying up bed posts and gathering to molested was most cheering.
gether all of the chairs we could sit in, After giving us this news, Alick
we found ourselves possessed of quite a amused us with his difficulties in getting
respectable amount of household goods. our plates. Greenville had none, Pen-
When we returned home after our dleton was equally destitute and so was
morning labors, mamma suggested that Anderson, but while in Anderson he
Alick should go off on a little trip and I had seen a man with a large tin box, and

A REFUGEE'S EXPERIENCE.
215
after some bargaining had obtained the || March, while seated in the dining-room
treasures from him. He had been for after breakfast, Quoikoo exclaimed:
tunate enough to secure six tin Miss! I see de Yankee coming down
plates, and a good sized dish-pan. Our the avenue. It was too true. A party
friends hearing of our destitution, had of negro soldiers, followed by a herd of
contributed a few articles out of their plantation negroes, were tearing towards
small stores, and when Alick opened the house. When they reached it, instead
his box we were amazed at its peculiar of stopping and coming in at once, they
contents. As he produced each useful rode round and round, circling the
present we gave exclamations of de house again and again, uttering shrieks
light, and a set of handsome porcelain and screams, mingled with curses and
could scarcely give as much pleasure to demoniac laughter. Marianne and I
day as the display of odds and ends of watched them with no feelings of terror,
crockery did then.
but disgust. At last, however, one who
We could now boast of a few articles seemed the officer of the party halted
of glass and cups to drink out of, for out and walked up to the piazza steps with
of that friendly box appeared one tum two others. Marianne met them at the
bler and one goblet, three cups and front door and asked what they wanted.
saucers, one china bowl, four china "We intend to search the house for
plates, (whole,) two china plates, men and ammunition,' they replied.
(sightly broken,) three dessert plates, "Marianne said there were no men on
one china candlestick, several canales, the place, but, denying her assertion,
wax and tallow, two meat dishes, and with an oath, the apparent chief led the
the tin-ware which Alick had had way into the house and began to open
made.
closets. Then he went to the bureaus
We were now tolerably well provided and pulled out the drawers, emptying
with a table set, and the only difficulty their contents on the floor.”
in the way was that our menu was not “ 'No men could be in those drawers,'
sufficiently varied to tempt the appe Marianne said, with great coolness, 'nei-
tites of our invalids, and that was a sore ther is there any ammunition, but if you
trouble. Once we had a great treat. must look I will open the drawers my-
Eliza and I found in a barn some cow self.'
peas scattered on the floor. We gathered "The wretch seemed impressed by her
together enough to make a good soup, com posure, and actually forebore to
but when the soup was ready to be touch a thing while she went from drawer
served, we suddenly became aware of to drawer and opened wardrobes and
the lack of a tureen or dish of any kind closets for his inspection. After search-
to serve it in. For a few moments we ing carefully down stairs Marianne went
wavered between placing the digester up to the second story to superintend
in front of mamma, or using the dishpan the search there.
as -a tureen, and finally decided on the "I meanwhile remained below, and as
latter. We accordingly sat round a little Isaac, a child not yet three, was in
table furnished with tin and silver the piazza with the nurse, who was as
mixed in a most incongruous manner, frightened as she could be, I stood in the
but we enjoyed the soup.
doorway in order to be where I could
While we were gradually becoming watch the boy. A negro wretch was
more comfortable in our new quarters, walking up and down the piazza, and
Marianne was living a life of excite on one of his rounds stopped to speak to
ment, as we heard afterwards. After the the child. Isaac drew away from him
visit of the Yankees, when all their with contempt, not fear, in his gesture,
horses were taken, Emma and herself whereupon the negro cursed and swore,
seemed seized with the spirit of unrest, and threatened to run him through with
and ventured about the country alone, his bayonet. I could not help exclaim-
It was a dangerous experiment, but they ing, "Don't harm that child,' when the
were not molested in any of their excur brute came up to me and spoked such
sions, taking care to yisit the neighbor language before me that I was rooted
ing plantations the day after a raid had to the spot with shame and indignation.
been made upon them.
He heaped upon me all of the oaths,
Just after they had been lulled into a curses and foul epithets which his im-
feeling of security, not having been vis agination could invent, and when I re-
ited a second time by the raiders, they covered my senses sufficiently to turn
were subjected to the trial. I copy from and walk into the house away from him,
Emma's note book :
he placed the point of his bayonet be-
A VISIT FROM BLACK RAIDERS.
tween my shoulders swearing he would
run me through.
"One morning, about the middle of 1. "Maum Beckie wept and screamed.

216
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
"Miss Emma's being murdered,' she cried || observed with surprise that Quoikoo
and called loudly for help. I felt but the and James were using chipped plates
slightest twinge of fear, but believe if I and granite-ware dishes, common tum-
had had a pistol in my possession it blers and no silver, if they could supply
would have given me pleasure to shoot its place with iron spoons and steel
the wretch down. Having no weapon, I forks. As the time approached when we
walked down the long hall, the bayonet thought the raiders would return, Ma-
pressing against me, and reaching the rianne and I shut ourselves up in our
stair case, I called to Marianne, asking room, and stayed there until the negroes
her to tell the Captain to come down and had glutted themselves. Valley, faith-
keep his men in order. This infuriated |ful Valley, insisted on coming in to see
him, and I did think for a moment us from time to time, and did all she
that my last moment had come, but the could to show us that she was true to us,
appearance of others on the scene stayed and spoke with scorn of the threat of
his hand
death they had made if she ventured to
A WILD REVEL.
take any notice of us.
After the revel was over and peace
"While this was going on in the house
had settled upon the house again, Quoi-
the others were scouring the plantation, koo summoned us to our dinner, and
and taking whatever they could carry we went into the dining-room to find
off in the way of provisions and proven -
the table laid as usual with French
china, &c., and that the wretches had
der. At last they clamored for wine.
not carried off any silver, our case in
Some time before Marianne had had the this respect being a peculiar one, as
wine all buried, not only to save it, but most of the houses in the neighborhood
in the event of a raid to prevent the de had been robbed of all silver, watches
mons from getting drunk. One negro and every valuable thing that could be
only knew of its hiding place, and old found. The servants behaved that eve-
Tommy had been chosen to assist in ning as if nothing had happaned, and
burying it because we thought him per when we went to bed, the house having
fectly honest and reliable. In some way been shut up as usual, and the ordinary
it was discovered by the negroes that he routine followed, we wondered what
knew the secret of the wine, and falling wouid be the result of this singular ter-
upon him they swore they would tear mination to a terrible day.
him to pieces if he did not give it "The next morning we soon knew
to them. Tommy hed his own for some what the result had been. Not one ser-
time but at last came to the house and vant came to the house. Maum Beckie
begged Marianne's permission to show did come later in the day and take
where the wine was. Marianne, of Isaac, but she acted as if she were under
course, told him if they were going to orders to do nothing at all. We subse-
kill him for it, to lose the wine rather quently learned that all of the negroes
than his life-and a few moments after had been told not to resume their old
the wretches were sharing out the bot occupations on pain of death it they
tles of choice old Madeira. They would were found out, and the poor creatures
not stop to draw the corks but breaking were acting accordingly. Valley came
the necks of the bottles drank until they to the front again. She is a tiny little
could drink no more. At that stage the thing, but insists upon cooking for us
very negro who had used such language and doing what she can.
to me sent into the house one dozen bot "Marianne and I have not clothes
tles as a present to Marianne. What enough to do without washing even for
prompted this generosity no one knows, a week, and I will go to the washtub. I
but it must have been the effect of par do not think I could iron, but Marianne
tial intoxication. After the emptying says she is equal to that part of the
of the wine, they left the plantation in labor. My longing to communicate
order to treat some other household in with the rest of the family is so great
the same manner, but left orders that that I feel unfit for anything. It is
they would dine there and the servants more than six weeks since I have heard
must prepare a feast for them,
one word concerning any of them."
"Marianne and I then were subjected
to the knowledge that turkeys, fowls,
NEARING THE END.
geese, everything that could be caught Towards the end of April the town of
were slaughtered for the wretches' din-
- was filled with soldiers returning
ner, and our servants came into the
house and laid the table for the recep-
to their homes. The lower story of the
tion of the negro brutes. Marianne hotel in which we were staying was
took notice of what was going on, but || turned into a hospital for the relief of

A REFUGEE'S EXPERIENCE.
217
the foot-worn and sick soldiers who at salt fare, we were all afflictɔd with
last had to lay down their arms in de scurvy, and our sick brothers could not
fence of the cause we all loved so despe eat the meals prepared for them.
rately. On the 2d of May the President
At last we were compelled to beg our
and his staff entered the town, but as friends who had tables well supplied to
they rode through the public square, send something at each meal for our re-
which was thronged with soldiers, not a lief; and it is with greatful feelings that.
cap was raised por a cheer sounded. No. I mention that until we were able to
one knew of Johnston's surrender the place wholesome food on our table, our
day before, but the silence was ominous sick brothers were kindly supplied with
of its end. As the distinguished party every necessary and delicacy which
passed our hotel, Alick waved his cap could then be procured.
and shouted three cheers. It was not Marianne and Emma were now the
taken up, but the President looked our
only absent ones, and we were more
way and bowed. The poverty of the
than ever anxious to have them with us.
cheer made the stillness more noticeable, How they fared after the raid upon them,
and we watched the party as they rode Emma's note book will tell.
slowly down the road with tears in our
ANOTHER LEAF FROM EMMA'S NOTE-
eyes.
In the afternoon, hearing that the
BOOK.
Yankees were only a few miles off, it Wednesday, March 29.--I have to ack-
was deemed expedient for the Presi-
nowledge that I was not born a washer-
dent's party to push on and across the
woman, and it takes more than a good
Savannah River. That night about mid-
night, therefore, the order of march was
will to make one succeed at the wash-
given, and slowly and wearily the sol tub. As no one came to take out the
diers went out of the town. The train clothes last Monday, Marianne and I
of ambulances and wagons brought up
went to work very bravely. She had a
the rear, and as the last white top disap-
cut finger and could not possibly wash,
peared in the darkness, we felt very sol-
so I went to the tub and she drew the
itary and desolate.
water and hung out the clothes. I have
The next day, Wednesday, the com scrubbed and rubbed until my poor
missary stores were distributed to all
|| hands are skinned, and my only conso-
who would take them. Our stock of
lation is that the clothes ought to look
provisions being very low, and what very white and clean. To-day, to my
money we had utterly worthless, we
great delight, Mary, the old washwoman
begged papa to get what he could in the has come up to the house, looking very
general distribution. He succeeded in
grumpy, and as if she acted very unwil-
getting five hams, a barrel of sorghum
lingly, but still taking possession of the
and a roll of sole leather. What use he
clothes saying, she could not sit quiet
intended to make of the latter we did
and let ole massa's child do the wash.
not know, but as we soon had several
We do not mind how disagreeably she
chairs with comfortable leather seats
looks at us, if she will only do the work,
added to the household furniture, it and hope that as she has begun, she will
contributed greatly to our comfort.
continue.
For days after the town was in a state April 3.-The negroes are exhibiting
of fermentation, everybody preparing such a degree of excitement over their
for the expected raid, and as horrible ac freedom that I feel very uneasy at our
counts had reached us of the experience being in a house alone. I have made
of Anderson Village, it was thought we James, Valley's father, grind a carving
would suffer likewise, but happily the knife down until it has assumed the
raid was never made, and the first Yan shape of a dagger. This I will keep
kee company entere, the town after the
a after the ! about me and use it if necessary. I am
war was over, and no excuse could be convinced that if I should be called upon
made for a wholesale robbery of private to defend myself against the insult of a
houses.
negro, I would be able to plunge my
About the middle of May our eldest weapon with a steady hand into the
brother returned to us, his health also wretch's heart.
gone, and we had the agony of seeing April 4.-Marianne has taken a cellar
both of our soldier brothers, who had room underneath our chamber as her
escaped unharmed in the heat of battle store-room. She buried a quantity of
during the four long years of active hams and smoked meat before the raid,
service, suffer for want of proper frod. and saved it all. If it were not for this
It seems a very slight matter to be supply which had been left us we would
compelled to live on bacon and corn be utterly destitute of food. We are
meal, but after months of that constant ll very much afraid of being robbed, and
28

218
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
I have suggested to Marianne to keep a Marianne and Isaac occupied one seat,
kettle of boiling water always on hand,
and a young cousin drove a pair of thin,
and as the door of the store-room is di-
worn-out animals. The trunks and pro-
rectly under a window in our room, we
might scald the thief in the act of break-
visions were in a wagon drawn by two
ing the lock. Last night we were afraid equally poor animals, and all were bor-
of a burglar, as we heard unusal sounds
rowed excepting Marianne's mule.
near the house. * * * * I have made
several tooth brushes lately, and find
The weather was intensely hot and the
they answer capitally. The old handles journey a very long one, about 250 miles,
are in great demand, and I have a bun-
to be undertaken in this Nineteenth
dle of loose hair and hogs' bristles which
has been a boon to the family already by
Century in a vehicle drawn by borses;
supplying them with the much-needed
but as no railroads were in running
toilet article. * * * It' is now nearly order in “65," the only way of moving
three months since I have hear from or from one part of the State to another
of my home people. The suspense and
was by the means of horse power.
anxiety are telling on my strength, as I
The great difficulty on the road was
know I am failing.
getting something to eat. They had in
April 16.-Marianne and I drove to
their possession, as the entire riches of
church this morning and then learnt of
the party, one $50 green back bill-and
when they stopped for the night or for a
Lee's surrender on the 9th. Our hearts
meal this $50 bill was always offered,
are heavy with despair.
but as no one could change it no pay
April 23.-We went to church again
could be taken. It afforded them great
to-day, and were ashtonished by the
amusement to hear the comments of the
news of Lincoln's assassination. The
various people at whose houses they
general impression made upon the
lodged, and as they met with unusual
people by the unexpected stroke for our
kindness all along the road, they did
country is that of a happy event. Even
not fare very badly. When no house
the minister so far forgot his position
was convenient and the weather would
as to make an allusion of a political
permit they camped out, and always
character in the pulpit, and spoke as if
enjoyed a night spent in that manner.
a benefit had been conferred by the
Emma had begun to improve from the
murder. In these dark days we never first moment of the journey, and on the
can tell what is for our good; we can only 12th and last day, when they arrived in
pray for deliverance from evil.
A- , she looked very different from
May 31.--At last I have a letter. It the sick woman who had been placed in
has reached me after being ten weeks on the carriage.
the road. I am so weak that I could not I am sorry to say that two of the poor
keep back the tears when it was hand animals that played such a prominent
ed to me, and I have scarcely strength part in rearing her to health did not sur-
to be glad over it.
vive the journey, and never returned to
June 2.-More letters !-all written
their owners.
more than a month ago, but they are my
Thus after months of anxious and
life; I am gradually becoming too weak
painful suspense we were again a united
to walk; my only wish is to get home.
family and all helped to soothe and cheer
June 29.-Marianne has made arrange-
our sick brothers who had spent their
health and strength for their country.
ments to carry me home. I am com-
pletely broken down; the suspense of
But before a year had passed they were
both laid to rest under the church-yard
the last three months was too much for
sod.
me.
The servant Vally showed unselfish
A REUNITED FAMILY.
devotion to the interests of her mistress
to the end. When leaving the planta-
Emma's note book ends with the last
tion where she had always lived, she
date, and on the 9th of July she was wel found employment as a child's nurse in
comed home, having found health and
this city. ne night while walking
through a passage with the baby in
strength on the journey. This trip was
her arms and a lamp in her hand, she
performed in a carriage. A mattress saw the wick fall into the lamp. Throw-
was stretched from the back to the front ing the child from her, she placed it be-
seat for Emma to lie upon, and when she
yond the reach of danger, while she,
Vally, was so badly hurt at the explo-
was placed there no one thought she
sion of the lamp that she died in conse-
would ever reach the end of the journey. ll quence.

THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE.
219
No. 36.-The Hospitals at Danville.
(By Annie E. Johns, of Leaksville, N. C.)
My first recollection of thinking there
was anything serious in the newspaper
war, to which we are more or less ac-
customed at every Presidential election,
was in the autumn of 1860. I was walk-
ing with some friends through the woods
bordering on the beautiful Valley of
Dan River, in Rockingham County,
N. C. Every member of the party, ex-
cepting myself, was an owner of low-
grounds lying on the river, and we
were all slaveholders. The conversation
I remember how much I was struck
with the new words that now formed
the vocabulary of society, words un-
known before except in history or
romance. Regiment, company, drill,
parade, uniform, haversack, and for us
women, cordials and comforts, lint and
bandage.
Tbe ladies of our neighborhood soon
formed themselves into a Soldiers' Aid
Society; officers were elected; everybody
went to work in earnest. That was a
society in which women did not gossip.
The uniforms were distributed by the
county to the ladies to make up, and in
the breast-pockets of the coats we put
small Testaments or Prayer-books. We
the country, when a gentleman-a law-
yer and man of fine sense-exclaimed,
"If Lincoln is elected I do not consider
that my property is worth one cent!"
From that moment affairs assumed a
much more serious aspect in my mind.
My next recollection is the blue
cockade, the girls making them for the
boys and they merrily wearing them as
part of a holiday attire. I had passed
the heyday of youth and moreover was
strongly attached to the Union, so I
looked askance on the blue cockade.
And then came the call of the President
of the United States on North Carolina
for troops to aid in suppressing the re-
bellion. What a revolution was made!
Now there was no time for parleying.
Husbands and sons, brothers and lovers,
with one voice echoed the words of the
Governor, “You can get no troops
from North Carolina.” If never before,
Rip Van Winkle was now awake.
Our clergyman--more law-abiding
one could possibly be had. For, apart
from the proof-armor of the soul, might
it not turn aside a bullet from the heart?
LEAVING FOR THE BATTLEFIELD.
On the morning of one of the memora-
ble days on which "our boys” left for
the war, I was in the village of Leaks-
ville, Rockingham County, N. C., dis-
tributing some little gifts to the sol-
diers assembled for departure. My
brother (the only one living at homo)
and brother-in-law were among the
volunteers, leaving only my old father
at home with us women. Just before the
time to start arrived a messenger from
home came hastily up to my brother-in-
law and told him that his wife said he
must come back for a moment--that she
must see him again. Mounting a horse
he rode hurriedly back home, not far
distant.
"How weak," I thought of my sister,
how unlike a Spartan woman; now all
"that parting is to be gone over a second
time,' and on returning home I re-
proached her for her want of herois.
Sister,” she replied, "as he went down
the hill I thought I would never see him
again. Now I haye seen him again and
feel better."
No one was so demonstrative on my
brother's leaving as our old colored ser-
till the church could act in the matter,
used as usual the prayer for the Presi-
dent of the United States at morning
of the prayer, a prominent layman rose,
protested against it and left the church.
grandfather, who had nursed us all, and
who spoke her mind with all the free-
dom of that privileged class.
My next recollection is the organiza-
ion of the hospitals, those in Danville,
Va., being nearest to us. And between
the boys in the field and the hospitals,
many-some times all-of our home-
comforts were divided. Our feather
pillows, many of our magazines and
some books went to the hospitals. Late
in the war I recognized an old volume
the congregation except his wife and
child, the good lady being more con-
servative than her husband.

220
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Fill up the breach! His next of blood,
A calm, heroic form,
Which braved Manassas's bloody field,
And pestilence fell storm.
had poured in childhood, in a hospital
in Danville.
The chief luxuries that the Confed-
eracy afforded were either sent in boxes
to the camps or saved to be consumed
by “our boys' on their return home on
furlough. His plate at table was dif-
ferent from any other. Stationed be-
side it was real coffee, if possible; if not
the best of rye with sugar in it, if sugar
could be had. Milk, that great boon to
a soldier, and every green thing, was for
him. There was some show of protesta-
tion at first on the exclusive use of these
dainties, but finding it inevitable, "our
boys' submitted with praiseworthy
equanimity.
I had the honor of being secretary of
the Soldiers' Aid Society-correspond-
ing secretary--we did no recording in
those days, our records were deeds. It
was my duty to write the letters that ac-
companied the boxes to hospital and
camp, letters of course abounding in
every heroic sentiment. How well I
remember quoting to three of our
Rockingham captains, with an inspira-
n as great perhaps as Byron felt when
he wrote the lines:
“Of the three hundred give but three
To make a new Thermopylæ.”
How honored I felt to hear that the
colonel of the gallant 13th North Caro-
lina, (now our representative in Con-
gress,) read my letter before the assem-
bled regiment. Semiramis-Zenobia-
Queen Elizabeth--your laurels paled
before such glory!
Perhaps it is not amiss, as showing the
spirit of the "women of the war,” to
insert here a few lines written about
this time for the Greensboro' Patriot-
lines now lost to fame, preserved on the
pages of an old scrap-book :
ROCKINGHAM VOLUNTEERS.
They come! they come! a gallant band,
As ever met the eye;
The brave in war-the true in love-
Carolina's chivalry!
Foremost is one, whose upward eye
Looks for a better land-
Christ's soldier, best and bravest-yea,
Of all the gallant band.
And see, the knightly Bailey comes,
He who has ta'en his stand.
God grant that it may be to live,
Not die for Dixie's land.
All honor, ye, who leave fair homes,
A private's place to fill,
And ye, who wives' and children's bread,
Leave to your country's will.
0, countrymen! No fears have we,
If ye are good as brave,
If by pure, holy, righteous lives,
Ye call on God to save.
Our only other brother was living in
Somerville, Tenn., when the war broke
out. He was at that time captain of a
company, and he and his company vol-
unteered in a body in the spring of 1861.
Our brother from home was in camp
near Yorktown, Va., for nearly a year.
Then about the same time the regi-
ment of each-the 13th North Carolina
and 6th Tennessee—was ordered into
active service. The 13th North Carolina
commenced the retreat from Yorktown
to Richmond, culminating in the Seven
days' battles, and the 6th Tennessee the
series of movements which led to the
battle of Shiloh. As news of the im-
pending battles reached us from either
source, we knew that we might at the
same time hear of the death of one or
both. I remember with what a strained
spirit I went to church one day, looking
for the Waterloo of America to be fought.
But there was comfort in going to
church.
One day in April, as I sat writing in
the family room, my father came in from
the postoffice with a paper in his hand,
saying:
"I THOUGHT SO—WILLIE IS KILLED."
I rose and mechanically put the writ-
ing materials in their proper place, and
remember nothing else for a while. The
paper contained a letter giving an account
of the battle of Shilob by an eye-witness,
winding up with a list of the killed. I
remember the words-"I only give the
names of those whose bodies 1 saw in
riding over the field”-and among them
was "Capt. John, 6th Tennessee."
In another part of the paper was a
second letter, giving a vivid account of
the battle-and here again just then
fell wounded, and poor John, of
the gallant 6th, paid the price of liberty."
John, not Johns--what hopes clung
around that omitted "s, even though
we felt that it was hoping against hope.
Several letters breathing high hopes
and enthusiasm reached us from him
during the next few days, but all bear-
ing date previous to the 6th, and were
And he whose heart quick answer gives
To sorrow's melting sound,
But where the death-bolts deadliest pour,
There shall brave Slade be found.
Your arms reverse flow woman's tears-
One noble head lies low;
One voice is stilled to earth for aye,
One's met the conq'ring foe.

THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE.
221
read as letters from the dead. The day | ONE OF THE MOST TERRIFIC FIGHTS
week on which the fatal news had
reached us my father went, for the first
the world ever saw. Hundreds upon
time since then, to the postoffice. I was hundreds of cannon, tens of thousands
in the yard, engaged in some domestic of rifles and muskets. I felt as if I stood
work, when Hannah, one of the servants,
amid 'the war of elements, the wreck
came running up, saying: "Miss Annie,
a man going along the road told me
of matter and the crash of worlds.'
Marse had got a letter, and Marse Willie * * * Gen. Cheatham dashed up to us
is not dead." I dared not let myself be-
lieve it till my father came with the time, charge 'em boys! Officers and
letter.
men sprang to their feet, we called on
He thought at first it was like the I our brave boys to followand on we
others, written before the 6th, but on went upon our enemy's lines just in
opening it behold the date the 12th. front of our regiment; they had two
That letter, how it was read and re-read, regiments and a light battery which
and listened to at home and abroad. It were on the edge of the wood, while we
was to me-would our reader like to had to charge across an open field for
hear a little of it?
more than a hundred yards. As soon
"On Friday evening, the 4th of April,” as we charged out into the field they
a sentence began, “Gen. Cheatham's di-
opened their fire upon us, and minnie
and musket balls and 'shot and shell'
vision took up the line of march for the
and grape and canister fell around us
like rain-drops thick and fast, but our
stayed that night-for we could not troops rushed on to the charge. As we
sleep, as all our tents and nearly all our rushed up to the enemy's battery I
baggage had been sent to Corinth, and broke my sword-belt and stooped to pick
the rain poured down in torrents all up my sword and pistol. As I did so I
night long, and the wind blew as 'twald noticed the enemy 'limbering? up his
blaw its last.' Saturday morning we guns and making off as fast as
took up the line of march for the battle possible; just then my orderly ser-
ground on the river. We marched geant cocked his rifle and fired
twenty miles that day on a beautiful at an artilleryman. I said: 'Seabrook,
road, and the day was, oh! so bright and you fired too high. The words had
beautiful, and everything seemed so full scarcely passed my lips when a ball,
of life and hope and peace. But strange fired from the left, struck me in the
sounds filled the air—the sweet songs of breast. I reeled backwards and fell. I
birds were blended with the stirring told the boys to go on. I thought I was
notes of the bugle, the deep tones of the mortally wounded, but I turned over on
drum, the heavy rattle of the artillery my face and began to get up. Before I
carriages, the high and boastful neigh could do so another ball struck me in the
ing of the horses, the clanking of arms, forehead, glanced over the head,
the muffled tramp of armed men-all through my cap, and I fell forward upon
proclaimed that there was war in the my face, thinking the ball had entered
land. At night all our forces, perhaps the brain; but after awhile I recovered
sixty thousand men, had taken their from the shock and put my finger on the
places in order of battle, and we biv wound and found that the skull was
not broken. I dragged myself up to Dr.
filled with hope and anxiety for the Palmer, a member of my company who
events of the coming day, on which a had fallen near me shot through the leg,
hundred and fifty thousand men were to and asked him to examine my wound;
meet in the shock of battle. The next he did so and pronounced it not mortal.
morning some of my men aroused me and * * * Palmer and myself each re-
told me the skirmishing had commenced. ceived our third wound-mine a
* * * In a short time the firing be spent ball in the hip, his in the leg.
came intensely hot, and every descrip My third wound was the most pain-
tion of arms that human ingenuity can ful, though the slightest of all.
invent hurled death into the ranks of We made the first charge about
each army. About 9 o'clock the twelve o'clock, and I lay upon the field
until nearly three o'clock. I then recov-
we came upon the ground on which the ered sufficiently to make way to the sur-
fight opened-and oh! the mangled and geon's quarters and have my wounds
bloody bodies of hundreds of men, dressed. * * * Let me tell you
both friend and foe. At 10 o'clock the one thing, sister dear, that occurred at
entire army except the reserves on each Corinth after the battle. You will par-
don me, I know. I was standing with a

222
OTR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
group of citizens and soldiers looking at || were paid like other government officials.
Old Frank,' as we call Gen. Cheatham, My first month's pay, $35 in Confederate
when he came up to me, took my hand money, was used to buy pictures to dec-
in both of his, and said: "Captain, I stop orate the bare walls of the hospitals. I
to compliment you for the brave and remember some of them, an Evangeline
gallant manner in which you led your seated on a "lone rock by the sea,'' look-
men to the charge on Sunday. Ah, my || ing out on the watery main, the picture
sister, the words of my General sent the of a beautiful woman, presented to the
hot blood bounding and leaping through soldiers “with the hope that her eyes
my heart. The old War-Dog' was near might never rest on a scene unfit for
me when I was shot down, and told me them to behold, or her ears be greeted
he thought he had lost me.”
by a word unfit for them to hear." Also
Soon after the week we mourned the a picture of a death-bed scene, bought
supposed death of our brother of the 6th with the hope of teaching what a death-
Tennessee tidings came that the brother bed should be, but which was removed
of the 13th, who had been for some days || by order of the surgeon, and a picture
lost to view in the battles around Rich of the Crucifixion,
mond, was wounded and in Richmond.
WORKING FOR THE SOLDIERS.
But we soon had a letter from him say-
ing that he was not seriously hurt.
How we worked for the soldiers ! Each
My gallant brother of the 6th Tennes-
one vied with the others to render her
see was promoted to lieutenant-colonel department most perfect. How hard we
of his regiment after the battle of Shiloh, tried to get baths established for the pa-
thus fulfilling the dream of his boyhood, tients—and failed. As spring came on,
"to be a field-officer and ride a fine I remember one of the ladies put boxes
horse." But, alas! never strong, fatigue of tomato-plants in the windows of her
and exposure and wounds had done their hospital, and what a pretty, cheerful ap-
work, and his health gave way. He fol pearance they gave the place.
lowed the regiment about in an ambu It was a strange life, but pleasing, and
lance for some time, but growing no full of interest. Our attention was drawn
better, he was compelled to resign and from the field to the hospital. We were
came home to us.
too busy to brood over what was and
what might be. Our society was com-
IN THE HOSPITALS.
posed of the government officials con-
Shortly after this I received a letter nected with the hospitals, some of whom
were refugees and had their families
from the surgeon in charge of the hos-
with them. I remember the gallantry
pitals in Danville asking me to come
with which one of these officials came
down and take charge of the hospitals to my aid in an unforeseen difficulty,
as chief matron. This office had been not exactly within the supposed
established by the Confederate Govern range of an “angelic" undertak-
ment and consisted of chief matron, as ing. There was of course a large
sistant matron and ward matrons. With quantity of hospital bedding to be
Florence Nightingale's example before washed, to say nothing of the soldiers'
one's eyes it seemed impossible to re wardrobes-alas! poor fellows, scanty
fuse a call like this. But I doubted my in detail, large in aggregate. The ques-
fitness for the office and went down first tion arose, where is the soap to come
on a tour of investigation. The chap from for this wholesale washing? The
lain assured me that the influence of answer was, from the ashes and grease
woman would be that of an angel in in the government kitchen. And whose
the hospitals, and with such a prospect business is it to bring these contrary ele-
before me what could I do but accept ments together in the form of soap? Her
the position? I chose the place of as business who has the clothing in charge
sistant matron, however, that of super -the assistant matron. Make soap ! Be-
intending the clothing, as suiting my yond "Aunt Lucy's" general assertion
capacity better than the culinary de that enough lye should be put in to “eat
partment, and several other ladies were up the grease," I knew nothing of the
induced to accept the other positions. manufacture of soap. I could darn the
The tobacco factories of the town were soldiers' socks, I could write their let-
used for hospitals. They served the pur ters home, I could minister at their sick
pose admirably, being large, airy and beds--but make soap! how could I do it?
comfortable, three stories in height, "But you must do it,' responded some
with numerous windows, and heated by of my coworkers. "Miss Sally — of —
stoves. A house was furnished and pre hospital does it beautifully; her soap
pared for the matrons near the hospitals. is a marvel of hardness and whiteness.
Rations were issued to them and they | Would you be behind her?”
RAT.

THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE.
223
At this trying juncture a young man,
a hospital steward, stepped forward. "I
will make the soap," he said, "and to be
sure of success I will get a sassafras
stick to stir it with."
And so the large pots were put to boil,
the sassafras stick was procured, and I
walked down on a summer evening in
my white dress to see my friend super-
intend the soap-making. And then I
wrote some lines, addressed to the sur-
geon in charge, of which I recall a few
words:
"Now, doctor dear, don't think that I
Can with Miss Sally cope;
Bitter the ashes, fierce the lye,
That I will turn to soap.'
INCIDENTS OF HOSPITAL LIFE.
One of my first efforts to do good in the
hospitals-alas, for high hopes and heroic
sentiments--proved an ignominious fail-
ure. My duties gave me opportunity to
walk around the various wards and min-
ister here and there, as need might be,
to the patients. On one of these occasions
I came across a soldier lying on his bed
suffering from a violent headache. I
immediately essayed to cure it by rub-
bing with my hands, and to my mortifi-
cation afterwards learned that he was a
convalescent soldier suffering from the
effects of potations with which ladies of
the temperance cause have little smpa-
thy. I expressed my intention to give
him a serious talk when I saw him next;
but he recovered with such amazing
rapidity that I could never find him
again.
Alas! sadder mistakes than this were
made, though I hope they were rare,
and but for the care which caused the
one I am going to relate, many more
would have occurred. One day I re-
mained for many hours by the bed-side
of a boy-soldier who was very ill and
would not consent that I should leave
him. In the evening as the surgeon was
going his round I heard him say to the
ward-master: "Did I not tell you to
stop giving him veratrum at 9 o'clock
this morning?' The ward-master re-
plied: "You told me to always go by
the book, and it is not directed there."
The doctor said no more. In the multi-
tude of his prescriptions that one item
had been forgotten. The poor boy died
shortly after, and his old father came
and the nurses told him never had a
soldier received such attention from the
doctor and chaplain and matron, which
was true, and yet he died the victim,
probably, of a fatal mistake, as much a
martyr of the South as if he had died on
the battle field.
The 1st of March, 1863, a genuine
March day, a number of soldiers were
sent from Richmond to the Danville hos-
pitals crowded in box cars without fire.
The poor felllows told their pitiful story
to us, which resulted in a card to the
Richmond Dispatch, signed by our
names in full, relating the whole occur-
rence in no measured terms. It was im-
mediately copied in the Danville papers,
and we were surprised the next day to
hear that we had in our zeal unconsci-
ously reported not only Richmond sur-
geons and railway officials, but our own
surgeons. However, the thing was done,
and if it did the soldiers any good we
did not regret it. I was kept busy for
several days by the chief surgeon, tak-
ing the depositions of the soldiers in re-
gard to their treatment, which never
would have been heard of but for us.
The soldiers were not brought in that
way any more.
The railroad runnirg from Danville
to Greensboro, N. C., now the line of
the great Richmond and Danville Rail-
road, is a legacy from the Cunfederacy. I
remember that convalescent soldiers
had to wait till the road was finished be-
fore they could start on furlough to their
Southern homes,
THE SOLDIERS LONGING FOR HOME.
And in this matter of furloughs, too,
we gave trouble to our good surgeons.
They argued that if convalescent sol-
diers were permitted to go home till
able for field service, they would be
scattered all over the country, and there
would be great difficulty in getting them
back again, besides, their orders were
to this effect. The soldiers-aidea and
abetted by us-argued that as soon as a
man could leave the hospital he should
spend the time at home till he was fitted
for field service—that he would re-
cover more rapidly at home-that he
would be no expense to the Govern-
ment-in short, that it was very hard
that he should not go there under those
circumstances.
In one of these instances we resolved
that if right remained in the Confede-
racy a soldier should go home. He said
that his wife was dying, that he was
able to get to see her and not fit for the
field. I wrote my most pleading, power-
ful note to the ward surgeon-no reply.
Feeling hopeless as to the humanity of
doctors, I sought, through a mutual ac-
quaintance, an introduction to the com-
mandant of the post- now Senator
Withers, of Virginia He listened at-
tentively to the appeal, and said that he
could aid me in getting the man home,

224
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
but it was somewhat irregular, and if he || friends to marry now or wait till after
failed to return it might get him in the war??? He answered seriously :
trouble. I, of course, stood sponsor for "Tell them to marry now, but they will
the soldier, and before our energy was hate it a great deal worse going back
half exhausted, to his home he went. I to the army." His youthful bride went
saw him afterwards on his way back to on to see him a few months after he
the field. I emember his pleasant face returned.
now, as, among a number of soldiers in One night as I sat in my room there
the Wayside Hospital, he called to let was a knock at the door. I opened it,
me know that he had kept his word and there stood a brother of my cousin's
and his wife did not die.
wife. His business was told with mili-
tary brevity. “I am on my way home
“MAN'S BEST FRIEND."
with the body of Capt. Lawson. My
I am obliged to confess that before I sister is at the hotel, and I have come for
became quite acclimated to hospital-life
you to go and stay with her to-night”
I felt that sudden illumination by whieh
I made another mistake. But as this is
we see things as they are in a moment of
the last, and I am telling a truthful his unexpected trial, then I announced my
tory, I will give it as an instance, that readiness to go. I dared not ask even to
prima facie evidence is not always to be see the body of one whom I had loved
taken. As a general thing the soldiers almost as a brother, for fear of giving
were wonderfully patient; like women, the stricken young wife li ore suffering.
they learned to "suffer and be still,” I remained with her all night and re-
and many of them “died and made no turned to the hospital in the gray of the
sign." But occasionally we came across
morning. Here are some lines from the
one quite the reverse, and in oneinstance, same old scrap-book, on
I remember, a blister had to be applied
by martial law.
THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER'S BRIDE.
One day while I was walking through
the hospitals I was struck by hearing a They said I must not wed thee, love,
profane exclamation from a soldier
They told me I must wait
Till these dark days were o'er, before
whose wounds the nurse was dressing.
i link'd with thine my fate;
I took mental note of the man, determin-
ing when I had opportunity to try and But hearts that love not cannot choose
bring him to a better state of things. A
For hearts that love like mine;
few days after this I was again walking
All-all-that life can give of strength
Is mine, now I am thine.
through the same ward when to my sur-
prise and pleasure I saw a Bible lying If thou should'st fall, to bear through life
on the bed by the side of the man who Thy precious, honored name;
had used the profane language. I stop-
When Freedom smiles o'er this fair land,
ped and entered into conversation with
A widow's weeds to claim.
And bear perchance to thee, belov'd,
him. Alas! so far the Bible had appar-
Son of a sire like thee-
ently done him little good. He was From love and times like these there'll
fretful and impatient. With my eye on
spring
the Bible and watching for an oppor-
A royal progeny.
tunity to introduce it in the conversa-
And thou wilt see, my hero-love,
tion I said, “You should not talk so with
My cheek more richly glow,
your best friend here at your side.” A My smile more brightly beam on thee,
moment's pause and then came the re-
As nearer comes the foe!
ply, “My best friend is at home-my
Who spoke of fear when thou art near,
God's and thy country's son,
wife.”
Thou who in heaven-on earth beneath-
I nearly lost my breath, but it was
Fear'st but thy God alone.
war times and I recovered quickly, and
said, laying my hand on the Bible, I stood one day by the side of a dying
This is what I mean; this is man's best soldier belonging to a Florida regiment.
friend to help him to suffer and to en "I want to go home," he said.
dure.'' He said nothing and I walked “Where is your home?" I asked.
away not exactly feeling covered with "In New Hampshire,” he replied, and
glory, but heroically resolved to treat
in a few minutes he had gone home.”
him all the same, anyway.
How strangely was the ludicrous min-
I had a dear cousin in the army of
gled with the tragic in this hospital life.
Northern Virginia who was married
I do not know what did make that
while I was in the hospital. He called man die,” said the nurse one day as we
to see me on his way back to his regi stood looking at all that was mortal of a
ment after his marriage. I said to him soldier, "for the doctor gave him some
playfully, "Shall I advise my soldier- ll of all the medicine in the drug store.”

THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE.
225
The nurses in the hospital were sol- || time the surgeon went on his round to
diers unfit for more active service. I prevent his being sent there. As famil-
remember what a pet with us one little iarity, however, mitigated the fear of the
nurse was who had lost a leg, till alas ! dread disease, the smallpox patients
this became too common to notice, as were simply removed from the various
others came in who had lost both legs wards in which it appeared to a hospital
or both arms. In any special emer in a line with the others' appropriated
gency orders were sent from headquar for that purpose. The clothing and bed-
ters for every man who could possibly ding, instead of being burned as at first,
bear arms to be sent to the field, and were washed by slaves who had had
sometimes there was great scattering smallpox, and used as before.
among our hospital employees.
And I would here give my testimony
In the autumn of '63 our hospitals to the efficacy of vaccination-when it
were removed from the tobacco factory takes. We went daily into hospitals from
to a large vacant building, formerly a which smallpox patients were carried.
hotel, near the depot of the Richmond I lent my books to a man with varioroid
and Danville Railroad. The lower part on the floor above us, and when he re-
of the building was used as a wayside turned them I only threw them in a
hospital for the benefit of the soldiers window to air.
constantly passing and repassing to dif-
ferent parts of the army. The upper
A STRIKING FEATURE OF HOSPITAL LIFE
rooms were appropriated by the sur was the visits of the wives and mothers
geon in charge and his wife, refugees
of the patients. Sorely beset were we at
from Fredericksburg, and the matrons of
the hospital. The third story was some times to know what to do with them.
time used for the patients, though the Late one afternoon, during a pouring
hospitals were chiefly long, narrow rain, there was a knock at the door lead-
wards ranged side by side near the ing to our rooms. On opening the door
main building, and built by the Gov I found several women, with two babies,
ernment for that purpose.
who had walked between twenty and
The rooms of some of the matrons, in thirty miles that day, to take the train
cluding myself, were just above the the next morning to visit their husbands
Wayside Hospital. There was no way in camp. A woman in my neighborhood
of admittance to our rooms except said that she could not get along without
through the Wayside, and the crowd of talking to Mr. - her husband. As
soldiers was often so great that I found to whether he expressed the same desire
some difficulty in getting to and from to hear her talk, I did not understand.
my room. And sometimes the soldiers Another poor woman came from
were so crowded that they would mount Georgia to see her sick son, after send-
the staircase and seek a resting place on ing him sage in a letter to make tea for
the floor in the hall adjoining our rooms, him, and arrived in time to see his dead
and I would be roused from my slum body. I remember the name on his
bers at night by hearing a soldier acci headboard, "B. Still," and characteristic
dentally strike against the wall as he it was of him,
turned uneasily on his hard couch. But One day an order was received from
I never felt a sensation of fear. I rather the Government, which surprised me
felt as if a body guard lay between me much, though on farther experience of
and all possible danger. A soldier-even the subject I confess that I understand
the most common--was to us an embodi it better. It was that all alcoholic
ment of chivalry, and rarely did we liquors used for the sick soldiers should
have occasion to look upon him in any be taken out of the hands of the hospital
other light.
stewards and surgeons and put in those
The tobacco factories were now con of the matrons. It was a responsibility
verted into prisons for the Federal sol which I did not in the least desire, but
diers, and on the hill above us hospitals there was no help for it, and my neat
similar to our own were prepared for the | clothing-room in which I took such
sick among the prisoners. The matrons pride was converted into a receptacle
of these hospitals were all ladies of posi not at all included in its original pur-
tion, refugees from Fredericksburg. pose. I gave out the spirits according
The smallpox hospital was at first lo to the surgeons' prescriptions, except on
cated in the country a short distance occasions of extra and alarming haste,
from the town. The soldiers had a great which were not frequent, in fact I only
horror of this place where they were left remember one such.
to the tender mercies of men only, and Just before they left for the field I
in one instance, I remember, a man who gave a number of beautiful blankets to
had varioloid vacated his bed about the Il a party of rejoicing soldiers made of
29

226
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
carpets taken from the floors by a Rock- || ing on his forehead, but thought "He is
ingham lady, The girls of the county suffering so much he don't know they
cut up their merino dresses-though dim are there," when he said, “Take the cor-
and distant was the prospect of another ner of the sheet and wipe my forehead.”
-to make shirts for the soldiers. My I took my handkerchief-he shook his
young cousins lined their brother's head-but I wiped it and passed on.
blanket with oil-cloth to protect him "I am from East Tennessee,” said an-
from the weather; my sister took her other man, "and did not go into the war
new one from the table to line her. for slavery, but for the Union.”
husband's blanket.
"Is there anything I can do for you?''
We held frequent communication I asked, not wishing to discuss the sub-
with our neighbors on the hill in charge ject.
of the hospitals for the Federals, and “Will you send me some milk?" he
our hearts were moved to hear of the said pleadingly.
sufferings of the sick prisoners. The I promised to do so and we left the
orders of the Government were to treat hospital.
them just as our own sick were treated. Returning in a few days we found the
But alas! we had not the comforts re beds of the men of the letter and the
quired by sick people for either. The handkerchief each vacant-they had
chief matron of our hospital--a refugee gone, not back to prison, but to their
from Fredercksburg-and I agreed to last resting place. The man to whom I
visit the sick prisoners and see if there had sent the milk told me he believed it
was anything we could do for them. As had saved his life. Since the war I have
we approached the hospital we saw with seen his name, Carter, of a Tennessee
regret that the windows were down-the regiment, in the Federal cemetery in
same trouble that
Danville.
The feeling between the Confederate
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
and Federal prisoners seemed to be that
had in the Crimean war. She would go of entire cordiality. I have known
round after the surgeons and order the
Confederate soldiers as they passed
through Danville to take the provisions
windows to be thrown up. From the
rom their own haversacks and give them
deadly stench that met us at the door o Federal prisoners on their way to
one would think that common sense i Salisbury-
would have taught the nurses to raise the
windows. That was our first work.
HUNGERING THEMSELVES TO FEED THE
A Federal soldier, originally from
ENEMY,
Lynchburg, Virginia, was sweeping As the war advanced provisions be-
the floor: another nurse was scouring
Every bed in the long ward was filled-
came more scarce with us. I heard one
many of them with very ill men. I ap-
of our surgeons, Dr. Carmichael, of
proached a man with an interesting Fredericksburg, say that he saw a nice-
countenance lying in a corner.
looking Confederate soldier pick up a
"How are you?" I asked.
piece of bread which lay on the ground
“Little hope left for this world,” he and eat itsaying: "Here is a good
replied.
piece of bread some fellow has thrown
*You have hope, then, of a better," I away." One day a group of soldiers
said.
came to the foot of the stairs leading to
He bowed his head, and added, "I Dr. Carmichael's room, clamoring for
have a sister, who lives at Saratoga bread, The good doctor was silent. I
Springs, now in the South looking for know that his great heart was ready to
me. Will you write her at Saratoga burst; but Mrs. Carmichael sent them
Springs and tell her I am here?"
down a basket of apples, all she had to
I promised that I would, and passed give them, and they quietly dispersed.
on. The letter was written. Was it The Federal prisoners confined in the
ever received ?
tobacco factories made various attempts
I next stopped at the bedside of a man to escape. Those on the lower floor took
with rheumatism; not a muscle of his up the planks and dug down and
body could he move, except the head, through the earth beyond the guard,
but he was cheerful and light-hearted. with what instruments it would be hard
My attention was next directed to a to say, but anything that could be con-
boy who had lost an eye, and then to a verted to such a purpose. When this
man with a quiet, strong face leaning was discovered they were removed to
in a sitting posture against the wall, the upper floors of the building. But
who seemed to be suffering with violent this did not deter them. An officer made
pneumonia. I saw the large drops stand- || a daring attempt to escape. His follow-
III

THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE.
227
ers failed him at the appointed signal, || burg,) a rosy-cheeked, dark-eyed boy in
and he was shot and badly wounded and his nurse's arms, a lovely sunbeam,
taken to the hospital on the hill.
I had some lemons placed in my hands
GILDING THE DARK CLOUD OF WAR,
by Dr. Porcher, of Charleston, for South whom I have never seen since, baby
Carolina soldiers, and hearing that the
and Government having passed away
wounded man begged for lemonade I
sent to ask the doctor's permission to
from Danville before my return. I left
send him some of the lemons, which at midnight, under the care of Dr. Hill,
was readily granted. I visited him of Mississippi. He met me on the stairs
with the matron on the hill, and re leading to our rooms and asked me to
peated passages from the Bible to him. go in front, as the Way-side Hospital was
He died shortly after. Before he died thronged with Soldiers, and they would
he asked the nurse to bring a Bible and give way for me, but not for him. I led
read the verses I had repeated to him. the way without difficulty, and on reach-
And now changes, like the shifting
ing the train entered a crowded car, a
scenes of a panorama, awaited us. Or-
wounded soldier making room on the
ders were received to remove all the
seat beside him for me, and Dr. Hill
Confederate sick, except those belonging standing.
to the guard, to Richmond and fill our “We are going to have an arduous
hospitals, also, with Federal sick. This campaign this spring,” said the woanded
created quite a commotion among us.
man.
One of our matrons sent in her resigna-
How arduous we little knew then.
tion and left. Others were refugees and
I reached my aunt's hospitable man-
could not do so, even if they desired it.
sion in safety. Her only son, a boy of
And some, like myself, who could have nineteen, and a son-in-law had fallen
left, decided to remain. There was no during the war. Her husband and a
need for me at home. My sister was
beautiful young daughter, a bride of a
with our father. My brother, of the 6th
year, had died sirce the commencement
Tennessee, had so far recovered his
of the war. The family now consisted
health as to become an enrolling officer.
of three widows, six children, and the
My other brother, a physician, had been
widowed son-in-law, detailed to look
appointed assistant surgeon of the 45th after the estate, to which a number of
North Carolina regiment. Our good slaves belonged,
chaplain and noble band of surgeons My wardrobe, on reaching Lynch-
could remain and labor as before. My
burg, was not that which is gene-
duties did not necessarily call me in per-
rally considered essential to a visit
sonal contact with the sick prisoners to a city. It consisted of three
zinless I chose it, as I had already done
dresses—a Virginia, a North Carolina
before it became my official duty to min and a Georgia homespun. How
ister to them. And beyond all, and more
proudly I wore my first homespun dress,
than all, the unanswerable reason for
with the gilt buttons presenting such a
staying was-while we were yet ene-
martial appearance. But the pomp
mies, Christ died for us.
and circumstance of this part of war
The number of Federal sick being
had passed away with too frequent
repetition, and I am afraid that I was
divided they were more comfortable than
heretofore. His great desire in prison,
ready to meet my kind aunt's and
one of them said, was "to have fresh air
cousins efforts to make me present a
more aesthetic if less patriotic appear-
and see ladies sometimes." And strange
ance. And, notwithstanding one of my
as it may seem, I felt, in standing among
cousin's children proposed that my hair,
those men, if danger assailed me they
which curled naturally, should be cut
would defend me as soon as our own
off for the ship which was to carry the
soldiers.
hair of the women of the South to France
And now came orders that the Federal
to be sold to pay the Confederate debt,
sick should be sent to Richmond. They
proposed by a niece of James Madison,
were delighted at the prospect of going, near the close of the war, I hesitated in
hoping for an exchange of prisoners. making the sacrifice. Perhaps I felt
The 1st of March, '65, feeling the need some doubt as to a bald-headed woman
of change, and there being now little having the power to do any good to the
work to do in the hospitals, I went to soldier.
Lynchburg, Va., on a visit to relatives The day after I reached Lynchburg
residing there. A few hours before leav the approach of raiders on the Orange
ing I stood sponsor at the baptism of our and Alexandria Railroad threw the in-
chaplain's baby (the chaplain and his habitants into quite a state of excite-
wife were refugees from Fredericks- ll ment. The fortifications were strength-

228
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
it?''
ened without delay in the threatened wild disorganization before him-his
quarter, and the guard reinforced by noble face clouded with the deepest dis-
militia from Danville. Little was talked tress.
of but the serious aspect of things. They approached Lynchburg-hus-
Neighbors met and gathered around the bands, sons and brothers among them.
one fire in the “living room" without There was no thought in our minds ex-
ceremony, parlor fires being out of the cept to feed and bless them on their way
question on account of the scarcity of through. None dreamed that, as an
fuel caused by the impending attack. army, they would never reach us.
And as the days wore heavily and anx On Sunday morning, April 9th, we
iously on events assumed a darker I heard the report of cannon in the direc-
shape. A vague rumor, something inde tion of Appomattox Courthouse, twenty
finite, impalpable, none knowing from miles below Lynchburg. About two
whence it came, floated on the atmos o'clock a servant came running into the
phere, that Richmond must be given up; house, saying that soldiers were coming
the beautiful city that had so long with up the back street. Thinking they were
stood the assaults of the enemy must at an advance guard of our army, my
last fall into his hands.
cousin and I, taking a man-servant with
On the morning of the memorable day | a basket of provisions, started down on
that Richmond fell my cousin and I the street toward them. A group of gen-
went down on the street to make some tlenen stood in conversation on the
purchases. As the clerk took down the brow of the hill. As we approached, one
three hundred-dollar calico dress, he of them said: “It is rumored that Gen.
asked if we had heard the rumor that Lee has surrendered."
Richmond had fallen.
The possibility of such a thing had
We had not. “Don't let us get any never occurred to me before. As we
thing more,” whispered my cousin; walked down the hill we met a gentle-
“it's like Nero's fiddling while Rome man. "It is rumored that Gen. Lee has
was burning.” I paid $475 for the calico surrendered," I said; "do you believe
dress and a pair of shoes, and we left the
store. The faces of the people we met "Certainly not,” he replied, looking at
bore the stamp of an impending sorrow, me with some surprise.
but all was quiet-there was not a word "It is only the croaking of those stay-
of demonstration. And soon the sad i at-home people,” said I indignantly to
tidings was confirmed:
my cousin.
We reached the soldiers, a wild-look-
RICHMOND HAD BEEN GIVEN UP!
ing, ill-clad body of men without arms.
our army was falling back; President There was a general rush at the proffered
Davis and Gabinet had retreated towards
basket of provisions, and in a momentit
was empty.
Danville, and Virginia would now be
"It is rumored that Gen. Lee has sur-
given up.
rendered," said I, "is it so ??
The Southside Railroad, leading from "If he has, I have not,'' said a man.
Petersburg to Lynchburg, along the line The others were silent, and one of them
of the approaching army, was in the gave an order to march, and they passed
hands of the enemy. All means of com on.
munication being thus cut off, we were Later in the afternoon detached bodies
at the mercy of the wildest rumors of cavalry entered the city, some of
though no rumor equalled facts. Our which stopped before my aunt's door.
great fear, however, was that our soldiers Her son-in-law, Mr. Pollard, went out
would suffer for food, and great was our and entered into conversation with the
relief to hear that car-loads of provisions officers, whilst we busied onrselves in
had been sent to them from Lynchburg. collecting everything in the house to
Well was it that we did not then hear eat and sent it out to them.
that they never reached them.
"I fear that these men are stragglers,"
Along that last terrible march our said Mr. Pollard, re-entering the house.
soldiers were pursued, flanked, and "From what I can gather, the condition
finally surrounded by the enemy. Bodies of our army must be desperate. If Gen.
of cavalry cut off detachments of men
Lee has not surrendered, I think he will
from the main army,whilst others, hope be obliged to do so in a short time.”
less and despairing, threw down their Later still straggling bodies of in-
arms. My brother-in-law told me that fantry passed our door. Among them I
he saw Gen. Lee on the morning our recognized a soldier whom I had known
army reached Farmville. He was riding in Danville. “We have given out
on his well-known gray horse, watch everything we had to eat," I said to
ing the troops as they lay in a state of him; "go on to the next house and get

THE HOSPITALS AT DANVILLE.
229
something, and then come back to see || design of pillage. On one side of the
me. I remember the man's sad face street.ran a stream of alcohol, poured
now. He returned no more. The main out by order of the Governor before he
body of the army, however, did not pass left. We sprang over the flowing stream,
through Lynchburg, but cut across the fearing that the fumes might intoxicate
country towards Danville in a more us, and ran to the other side of the
direct line south.
street. Reaching the hospital we found
It was not until I heard the words of every soldier who was able to go pre-
the surrender read by a soldier that I paring to start on foot across the country.
realized that
One of them took the letter.
We returned home to make our pre-
GEN. LEE HAD SURRENDERED.
parations for the enemy. My cousin's
And then over all things there fell a husband, who had fallen in the war, was
calm-a calm like that after the cyclone's
a Freemason, and she hung his masonic
emblems on the wall of her room. The
devastating march. But not that only-
family silver was already buried in the
over and above all came the thought, earth. My cousins stitched their gold
"The Lord reigneth."
pieces in the jackets of their unconscious
But all the Lynchburg boys did not
little boys.
return. I remember one who sleeps in At one place there was peace—the
an unknown grave-Georgie Langhorne. church. Who that was present can
His mother was an intimate friend of forget the sermon of the Rev. Wm. H.
my aunt, and Georgie and Charlie Saun Kinckle at that time-took joyfully the
ders (my aunt's son) were playmates spoiling of your goods, knowing that ye
from childhood. One day while Georgie have in Heaven a better and an endur-
was on a visit to Charlie, they had a ing substance."
falling out. "Georgie Langhorne," said The very air was rife with rumors.
Charlie, his dark eyes flashing beneath At one time it was reported that a French
their long, fringed lashes, "I will not fleet had appeared in the Gulf of Mexico
fight you at my own house. I will lend for the defence of the Confederacy; at
you my horse to ride over to the top of another, that England had acknowledged
the hill, and then I'll give it to you." her independence; and when the news
True spirit of Southern chivalry! How of President Lincoln's assassination
the mothers had laughed over this inci reached Lynchburg it was regarded by
dent of their childhood. And now- many as only one of the flying rumors
"Dead—both my boys''—the dark-eyed of the day, too wild to be credited. And
one at Upperville, the blue-eyed one at then in quick succession followed the
Petersburg.
tidings of President Davis's capture.
As soon as the tidings of Gen. Lee's
surrender was confirmed, Mr. Pollard (a
ONE PRESIDENT SLAIN-THE OTHER IN
brother of the author of "The Lost Cause”
IRONS.
and nephew of the Hon. Wm. C. Rives,) About ten days after the surrender
and a few friends started on horseback
the Federal troops marched into Lynch-
to North Carolina, to offer their services
to Gen. Johnston. Not one word of
burg and took quiet possession of the
objection did I hear from the three city. Private property was undisturbed,
widows and six children, whose only and altogether, owing to the period of
natural protector he was--and the Fed Occupation, Lynchburg suffered less
eral troops daily expected in Lynchburg. than other Virginia cities. Family sil-
The time had come when every man ver was unearthed and restored to its
must go.
usual place. Little children were re
The guard was now disbanded, the lieved of their mysterious hoards. The
guns spiked, and for a few days we first time I heard the clink of silver for
lived without law.
four years was at the collection talven up
The morning after the surrender my at church the Sunday after the surren-
cousin and I went down on the street to der.
the ladies' hospital to see if we could When my cousin and I went down to
find a soldier going across the country the hospital, after the occupation of
to take a letter to my father. On our Lynchburg by the enemy, all along the
way down we met the Governor of Vir street lay the Federal troops—their blue
ginia on horseback, with a single atten coats contrasting strangely with the gray
dant, evidently fleeing from the city. we loved so well. At this hospital the
My cousin spoke sorrowfully of his young and gallant Gen. Dearing (a lineal
spirited address of a few days before. descendant of the Lynch of Lynch-law
On reaching Main street we saw a mob fame) was lying mortally wounded.
collected at a warehouse, with evident ll I met acquaintances from Danville

230
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
bere-the gallant Dr. Green, so long held || with everything to "substitute” and but
as hostage for Rucker, and his sister and little at last to eat all this, taxing our
brother in attendance on him, and with woman's powers to the utmost, deserves
them I returned in an ambulance across to be chronicled; and if any word of
the country to Danville.
mine in the following sketches-first,
Before I left we had heard once from of the war as it dawned and expanded;
Mr. Pollard. A note brought by a second, of its climax, and third. of its
straggling negro boy, whom he had met close-may help to perpetuate the fame
on his way to North Carolina, and fol of these mortal female combats, I shall
lowed by his own return. Gen. Johnston indeed be proud.
had now no need of soldiers.
It was in the fall of 1860 that I picked
I reached Danville to find all changed, up a letter written to my father by one
and to hear of scenes similar to those in of Georgia's leading Senators, and this
Lynchburg.
expression was in it: "I think we shall
When President Davis and his Cabinet bring Georgia through in a solid pha-
were in Danville with the Government lanx for secession. Secession! It was
specie, Dr. and Mrs. Carmichael, al a new word in my vocabulary, and
though their beautiful home in Fred sounded like a distant signal gun of
ericksburg had been rifled, and
alarm. The words I haye quoted hung
“All was lost except a little hope,”
to and haunted me; all sorts of terrible
possibilities loomed up, as they echoed
refused to offer a dollar of their Confed and re-echoed through my brain. “Geor-
rate money for gold.
gia a solid phalanx for secession!" To
Some sad leave-takings, and then I what horrors might not this lead? But
returned to Leaksville, to find that my the subject was too fraught with dread.
brother of the 6th Tennessee had gone I put it forcibly away; and the sun went
with friends in Johnston's army on on flooding my life's sky, cloudless as
horseback to Somerville, Tenn., to the ever!
fair betrothed who awaited him with The election had passed, and Lincoln
unswerving loyalty. My brother, the been declared the nation's choice for
surgeon, who had remained with the President; when again the friends who
wounded of his regiment after the battle gathered around our fireside looked
of Gettysburg, and who was afterwards llominous as
talked of the future:
sent a prisoner to Fort McHenry, was at and during the winter of 1860-61 (the
home; and my brother-in-law, one of first winter of my married life) my hus-
the eight thousand that surrendered band constantly devoured the New York
with Gen. Lee, was also at home. We | Herald, with growing indignation, until
were an unbroken family-circle to begin one night he laid it down and said em-
life after the war.
phatically:
"This thing must end in a fight. I be-
lieve, before another year is over, we
No. 37.-A Woman's Story of the war. shall see the country torn by war.”
My heart stood still. The dreadful
spectre seemed steadily moving nearer
(By Mrs. Kate Burwell Bowyer, of Bedford and nearer and would not down! And so
County, Virginia.)
settled became my husband's convic-
tions about the scenes which awaited us
I have often thought there should be that he at once began preparing to meet
written a Woman's History of the War,
them. He ordered "Hardee," and, after
wherein all military movements and
diligently mastering it himself, pro-
ceeded to organize an infantry company
army details should be ignored, and a of picked men, which company he
simple narrative of the war given, as laboriously drilled, night after night,
women fought it desperately, over the
by squads, in his office, when the busi-
ness of the day had ended, until, as
battlefields of love and loyalty, with no
spring opened, the men were ready to
hosts but their own emotions, no ord be daily mustered and drilled in a va-
nance but fortitude and only the tactics
cant lot fronting our house.
No pen can tell what I felt as I heard
of ingenuity and endurance.
the words of command ringing out,
The department of dress alone, when watched the evolutions of the men and
our exigencies became so great to pre realized for what a tearing of heart
sent a decent appearance without stores
strings all this was a preparation.
Still the political horoscope gave forth
to draw from or material to manufac-
uncertain signs, and while there is one
ture; and again the Confederate culinary, Il ray of hope, how the human heart will

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
231
cling to it. But alas! this remaining ray | Our home-made “Dixie” too—just
was suddenly torn away and dashed into
when this air was at fever heat in the
utter darkness when Lincoln's call
sounded through the land for 75,000
popular heart, and already being appro-
Virginians to aid in subjugating the priated as a Southern rally cry-ran, as
South.
well as I can recall, thus:
THIS ROUSED EVERY HEART,
Say. have you heard the joyful news,
and even my fear of war was lost in the
Virginia does old Abe refuse.
ardent longing to show how, instead of
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
assailing her sister States, Virginia would Virginia joins the cotton States,
stand by them and defend their rights The joyful cry each heart elates,
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
with her own. She is ever a cumber-
We'll fight for old Virginia, hurran ! hurrah!
some, deliberate old dame, however, and
We'll fight for old Virginia, hurrah !hurrah !
now would not move with sufficient
Hurrah !
alacrity to please some of her impulsive
Hurrah!hurrah! We'll fight for old Virginia !
children.
When first 'twas told in Washington,
Our own family sentiment rapidly de-
Old Abram said, “my mission done."
veloped for secession-secession une-
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
quivocal and instanter, without any “My heart is sick, my spirit fails;
"reference back to the people,” which
I'd rather far be splitting rails,”
only looked like indecision. We turned
Hurrah! hurrah! burrah! hurrah!
I'd rather far be splitting rails, Hurrah !
the popular airs of the day into seces-
hurrah!
sion pæans, and in place of “Wait for I'd rather far be splitting rails than fighting
the Wagon,” as then universally ren-
old Virginia;
dered, we sang :
Hurrah! hurrah! than fighting old Virginia.
South Carolina,
See, quickly wheeling into line,
A fiery little thing,
The yood old State of turpentine.
Said she wouldn't stay in a Government,
Hurrah ! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah !
Where Cotton wasn't King.
Brave Tennessee and old Kentuck
So she called her Southern sisters--
Will show old Abe their Southern pluck,
They one and all replied,
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
Just wait for the wagon,
They'll show old Abe their Southern pluck,
And we'll all take a ride!
And fight for old Virginia !
Chorus:
The Stars and Bars we fling on high,
Wait for the wagon, wait for the wagon,
Beneath them fight, for them we die!
The dissolution wagon, and we'll all take a
Hurrah ! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah !
ride,
Our cause is right, our quarreljust,
We in the God of battle trust!
The wagon's very strong and wide,
Hurrah ! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah !
The spokes and wheels are good;
Our cause is right, our quarrel just! Hurrah !
Tis stuffed with cotton round the sides,
hurrah!
And made of Southern wood.
Our cause is right, our quarreljust, we'll fight
Georgia 'll be the driver,
for old Virginia !
Carolina by her side;
Hurrah! hurrah! we'll fight for old Virginia !
Alabama 'll help to crack the whip,
And we'll all take a ride!
With the proper observance and in-
Chorus:
terspersion of "hurrahs,” which come in
Wait for the wagon, &c.
effectively with chorus voices, these
lines will be found by any musical con-
Then spoke up little Florida,
noisseur well grounded in "Dixie” to
The smallest of the band,
And said, if sister Georgia
meet all the requirements of that vene-
Would but take her by the hand,
rated air.
She'd ride in any wagon,
At last the day came when we saw the
Over roads however steep,
old “mother” wheel into line. Other
If it took her out of company
efforts having failed Lincoln rolled her
She did'nt want to keep.
out with a powerful lurch, and when she
Chorus:
did move it was with all the earnestness
Wait for the wagon, &c.
and purpose which ever mark her steps.
Then hurry old Virginia,
Now the whole world around us looked
You're getting mighty slow.
suddenly changed. Staid business men,
If you don't make haste we'll leave you; gray-bearded lovers of the Union, and
And then where will you go?
bright-eyed youths alike abandoned
We hate to leave Virginia;
their usual avocations and stood in
But she won't make up her mind,
So I reckon after all we'll have
groups about the doors and in the streets
To take her up behind!
with determined looks and grave voices.
Chorus:
A sort of hush seemed fallen over the
Poor old Virginia! Poor old Virginia !
whole land like the pause nature makes
Poor old Virginia! see herswinging on behind 11 before

232
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ONE OF HER AWFUL COMBATS. Leigh street, when there came the style
The shock once over, however, it was
of answer I expected and rejoiced in:
"Come right along, my dear, when you
appreciated that the moment for action please and stay as long as you choose.
had come. Immediately telegrams flew If this city gets so crowded and there is
in all directions, asking for information
nowhere else to put you, you shall sleep
under my piano and imagine it a high-
and looking to organization. My hus-
posted bedstead.” This made me en-
band telegraphed Governor Letcher that tirely easy and settled as to my own ar-
he commanded a company of picked rangements for the campaign, and left
men ready to be ordered whenever and nothing to fill my mind except bitter
wherever the Governor might indicate. grief and
The reply summoned this company to
Lynchburg, Virginia, where a camp
DREADFUL ANTICIPATIONS.
would at once be established for the
Every family now became busy with
massing and organizing of troops.
Before this crisis arrived I had begun
preparations for the comfort of its sol-
gradually to realize that some difficulty
diers. My father, then a grey haired
was bound to occur, and made out in man of 52, now New Orleans editor new
my own mind what seemed a most sat series De Bow's Review, enlisted as pri-
isfactory and inevitable programme of vate in my husband's company, and our
the events we might look for. There inexperienced minds invented for these
would be a battle. I conceded that jointly every style of camp parapher-
much-and a big one-fought near Rich nalia. Bedding which might be easily
mond, of course, where we must rout transported, and yet protection against
the enemy completely, when the whole ground dampness, all sorts of head gear
misunderstanding would at once be ad to shade from the sun, and foot trapping
justed, the war ended, and all the com to prevent weariness on a long march.
ba ants go on their several ways, leav And while the Yankees had only to is-
ing the South to proceed undisturbed sue "requisitions” for certain dozens of
and prosperous to the end. Now, I re complete equipment, and draw from the
solved to follow personally all this pro world for their appliances, our Southern
jected train of events; to be at Rich hearts were the inventors and our homes
mond when the fight should occur and the factories for whatever military
on hand to render any aid that mortal necessaries our gallant soldiers were
woman could in case of an accident to furnished. And I must say, some
those I loved, which I shuddered to con of these accoutrements were rare
template and prayed God would avert. and curious in the extreme,
In view of this plan, I pronounced at bearing decided marks of their original
home my determination to go to the conception ! In the matter of tents, par-
war with my husband and stay a month, ticularly, our Bedford companies were
or probably even as much as six weeks, no doubt as strikingly provided as any
as I should not return until the whole other troops in the field. These tents
thing had ended and peace been re consisted of small pointed sections of
stored. Accordingly, I addressed a letter blue bed-ticking, which were entered
to a Richmond relative, with the simple by elegantly lifting one corner and
request that I be allowed to go to her || gracefully crawling beneath; and, while
house and "remain during the war!” the effect of the sun streaming through
Now, this relative, belonging to that old, the brilliant blue stripes of the ticking
well regulated type of Virginian, who re was perhaps novel and somewhat enliv-
mains balanced under all circumstances, ening, it was at the same time found not
made me indignant by replying:
conducive to the preservation of a sol-
"I shall be very glad to see you at any dier's eyesight.
time, my dear, but cannot promise to In the beginning of course our larders
keep you during the entire war, as we were well stored and our barns filled,
are planning, some time the coming so that it was hard to believe a day of
year, to break up at Richmond and re scarcity could ever come to us; and no
move to the country."
household had a higher pleasure than
What a cold-hearted, narrow-minded showering upon its soldiers every luxury
woman I now found "Cousin Mary” to in the eating department that Virginia
be! When she had been always consid culinary lore could suggest. In our own
ered the loveliest woman in the world, case, the negro carpenter belonging to
too. She is evidently not able to stand the estate was caused to build a most
the test of these times. Nothing daunted, capacious and attractive mess chest"
however, I next preferred my modest though this military term, by which to
request to good Cousin Walter B- , of 1| designate it, was then unknown to us-

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
233
with divers compartments and stored | were, at intervals, replenished from
with the choicest coffees and teas, loaf home; but in the majority of cases, the
sugar, crackers, pastries, confections and men having exhausted their picnic sup-
condiments, with a solid foundation of plies, and being actively and continu-
old Virginia ham and beaten biscuit. ously engaged in the mysterious (to all
And thus fortified we moved in a body parties) evolutions of infantry drill, nat-
to the camp at Lynchburg, where cousin urally became hungry, and presently
Robert Preston (Montgomery County) as ravenous, when a great cry for bread!
Colonel, awaited the filling up and organi went up to the sky, and for the first
zation of the 28th Virginia regiment, I time the attention of those in command
which he was commissioned to command. was drawn to the important fact that the
How can I ever tell what a heart of men must eat! Col. Preston confidently
chivalry beat in that old hero's bosom, ordered a supply from the Lynchburg
pure and true, with the gentleness of a Bakery; but this was soon exhausted,
woman and the courage of a lion com and the men still starving and clamor-
bined. His devotion to the cause of ous, when an inspired voice was heard :
right was only equalled by his iron reso "We ought to have a commissary-a
lution to lay down his life, if need be, to commissary is what we want!"
defend that right. And it did seem some "What is a commissary ??? asked one
horrible rightmare as I tried to realize of the men. "If that's what's wanting
and could not, how we were allsuddenly let's have one by all means.??
translated from our ere-while happy And thus the all-important word,
homes--where the gentlest courtesies which afterwards became so familiar
and brightest interchangings were all among us, was inaugurated with all the
we ever knew--to this desolate hill-side, potent machinery which it represented.
covered with blue bed-ticking tents and I was at this camp every day, wit-
MEN DRILLING FOR BATTLE.
nessed all its embryo military phases and
quandaries, actually heard the colloquy
It was simply impossible that the civil given above, and can recall now my sense
human mind could at once accommo-
of relief when the commissary inspira-
tion was delivered; and what an admir-
date itself to this highly military situa-
ably fitting word it then seemed to me
tion; and when, after having been in for the whole situation.
camp for a week, I one evening asked
Col. Preston if he would order fresh
THUS DID OUR WAR OPEN
straw for the men to sleep on, Gen. as it closed-most unequally. With, on
Early, who was present, gave me a
the one side, men wholly inexperienced
shock. He, by reason of Mexico and
other experiences, had much more de-
and without a nucleus of organization;
veloped military views than our own, unprovided with the most ordinary ap-
and immediately piped out in his fine, pliances and equipments of war. On the
incisive voice:
other, having unlimited means and sup-
“What do you want with fresh straw ?" plies, and with all other nations of the
"The old has become broken and earth to draw from at will.
needs renewing," I replied spiritedly. In the early days I am describing,
The General looked contemptuous when, as I say, our store-rooms were as
and went on: “Let the straw alone. full as our hearts, it was the unfailing
The sooner the men do without it the custom for Southern troops passing
better; for the time is coming when they through our section of Virginia to be be-
will be glad to get a sharp fence rail to sieged at the trains by servants from the
sleep on."
different households, and conducted to
I burst into tears, and felt that so un our houses, in companies of ten, fifteen,
feeling a monster as Gen. Early ought twenty, to eat the most sumptuous meals
not to be permitted to live; while dear, we could prepare. These impromptu
good "Cousin Robert” said soothingly, entertainments were, at that time,
and in the most unmilitary way in the quite the business of the day; and
world:
I can well remember how our
"Well, they shall have the straw while Avenel front porches would be laid
they can get it. Shan't they Kate ? I'll with little tables, washbowls and towels,
have it hauled this day, my dear.”
wherewith these Southern strangers
Ah ! the time did come when, as Gen. might make ready, after their long jour-
Early said, a fence rail was considered ney, to enter our dining-rooma, where
luxurious; but how could we bear to see one instalment after another would be
it then ?
fed. Of course these moving troops had
Many of our boxes of elegant edibles, only an allotted time in which to hurry
while this Lynchburg camp life lasted, I through their ablutions, refresh them-
30

234
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR,
selves with a meal and return to the l as this, follow a phantom fashion, now
train awaiting them at the depot. Many ll only come to us dimly and with un-
of these gallant men left us their names; certain voice, even as a rumor through
from some of them we afterwards re the blockade.
ceived notes of compliment, &c., and At our sad little prayer-meetings a
this exchange of enthusiastic greeting lady began here and there to appear in a
was a mutual help-we wishing the sol novel-shaped bonnet, unlike anything
diers Godspeed, while they assured us our Confederate eyes had ever rested
of victory!
upon, with a sort of front portico and
But I digress from camp life at Lynch balustrade addition, and this covered
burg. When we had lain there for three artistically with more or less of ribbon,
weeks a telegram flashed along ordering laces or flowers, as circumstances might
the Twenty-eighth Regiment to "Ma admit.
nassas.” Here was a sudden and com I presently-even through my tears-
plete revulsion of all my admirably-ma became aware of this change gradually
tured plans. "Manassas!"? Who ever taking place in the female architecture;
heard of such a place as that? What and learning upon inquiry how word
could be the meaning of so unreasonable, had come through the blockade that
so wholly inexplicable an order as that? “bonnets were being worn larger in
I said firmly, that disappointed as I front," I waxed indignant, and pro-
was at not going to Richmond, and dis nounced uphesitatingly, that any South-
appointed as my friends must naturally ern woman who would do so frivolous
be not to have me there, I should never an act as sit down in a time like the
theless go on to Manassas and there present to build
await the turn of events, convinced that
some unravelling of this confusion must
A VESTIBULE TO HER BONNET,
soon be evolved.
and this because it was believed the
My husband ventured to suggest and
Yankees had the same to theirs-any
even advise that I go back home for
awhile until things should become a lit-
woman who could so demean herself, I
tle clearer, keeping my trunk packed, of declared, ought not to be allowed to live
course, so as to be ready to move at any in the Confederacy, but beincontinently
moment, as Manassas was an unsettled thrust out into the enemy's country.
sort of place with no hotel accommoda Next there came a dim, mysterious
tions, and was no doubt only a sort of whisper through the blockade that
detour to Richmond, where I could soon "bonnets were being worn larger be-
rejoin the army and
hind!" Immediately female activity
was bent in that direction, and in an in-
SUPERINTEND THE FIGHT.
credibly short space of time there were
I reluctantly yielded to these mild observed excresences, of divers hues
views and retuned home accordingly,
and contrivance, obtruding from the
backs of the ladies' heads-sheds, as it
where my trunk did remain packed for
were, built on to the original body of
the space of six weeks, and I in a con the bonnet- which, taken in conjunc-
stant state of readiness to depart to Rich tion with the change already undergone
mond at any hour of the day or night. in front, and in consideration of the
Alas ! how our poor woman's views meagre millinery now to be had among
of the war gradually enlarged and en us, presented a highly variegated and
larged, and widened out and widened striking appearance.
out, until, in place of confining the war Time wore on, and day by day this
to any imaginary limit, it seemed to irresistible disease of the bonnet-a sort
spread overall time, and as if, like the of elephantiasis of that organ-spread
brook, it must go on forever !
more and more through the congrega-
Once more at home, I found comfort tion, until whole rows of ladies having
only in attending our daily prayer caught the contagion, might be seen sit-
meetings, held alternately by clergy ting up in a state of deep satisfaction
men of each denomination, where fer under these ingenious and picturesque
vent petitions were unceasingly offered arborescences, and presently it be-
to the Great Disposer of all events for came so conspicuous not to have
the success of our cause and the deliver this bonnet elaboration that oh!
ance of our dear ones.
weak, weak, weak woman's nature !)
But how shall I say it? Even here even I sat down and, through
was our common human nature strongly floods of tears, threw out my little
set forth, and particulerly our poor, wire arbor in front and covered it
weak woman's nature, strangely fea with the accustomed millinery incon-
tured. She must, even in such an hour ll gruities. Just anything relating to bon-

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
235
nets which one might chance to possess, ll special care, and even, if need be, to per-
no matter of what shade or texture, form deeds of valor in our defence.
would meet these requirements.
Thus we journeyed on towards Rich-
And thus do we take a pathetic peep mond-the day hotter and hotter, the
at Confederate fashions !
crowd denser and denser, until the very
How the dreaded news of an approach foundation of the social system seemed
ing conflict at Manasses now came; how upheaved and breaking in waves and
finally, the booming of guns, betokened surges through the length and breadth
its progression, was heard in our town of the land. As we proceeded there were
like distant thunder; and how the clarion more and yet more people assembled
note of victory afterwards thrilled every about the different depots until the mind
fibre in the land-it would be hard to became too dazed to take them in, and
depict. Of all this, as well as of camp they impressed one like shoals of red
life at Manasses, where I went as soon ants or other animalculæ.
after the memorable battle as I was per Finally, as we neared Richmond, a
mitted to go, a description may some new and unprecedented species of the
day be essayed.
genus homo began from time to time to
In August, 1862, being accidentally in be added to our population. This latter
formed that after the victories around class all bore one stamp, and yet they
Richmond, our army would probably entered the car at divers points and
move next into Maryland, I resolved seemed wholly disconnected with each
to disregard my husband's express in other. At last one of these creatures-I
junction never to leave home for any could never determine of what sex-hav-
point within the lines without permis ing the gaunt figure of a man, and yet
sion being first had and obtained from wearing the greasy remnant of a woman's
him, but to precipitate myself unre hood, drawn closely around a swarthy,
reservedly upon Richmond, as being miserable face, with a squalid green
probably the last opportunity for seeing wrapper buttoned close to the throat,
him (as he was now commanding artil from which garment great flat, bare feet
lery attached to Gen. Dick Taylor's Lou protruded, fixed its dreadful eyes upon
isiana brigade) before his perilous cam me. Soon this monster, standing near
paign in the enemy's country.
us, (for the very aisles were now packed,)
In the hottest part of the hottest sea rudely ordered my servant out of her
son then, the train being densely packed seat, and flung itself down beside me.
with human beings from all points in I was
the Confederacy and out of it, every
TRANSFIXED WITH TERROR,
grade and condition of man and woman, when a mysterious cane with deter-
surging about on all sorts of missons
mined expression, was seen to penetrate
and movements, and the whole land now
in its most intense state. like one vast from a remote seat behind and plant
cauldron, I telegraphed "Cousin Wal itself firmly between the shoulders of
ter B " to meet me at the Richmond the green wrapper! This proved to be
depot, and set forth from my homein the cane of my unknown protector, and
Bedford County with my dear little war with it came a command in stentorian
baby, (now a few months old,) my nurse tones:
and a trusted man servant. The latter, Get up instantly and give the lady's
my mother insisted, should accompany servant her seat."
us, neither she or myself realizing that, Upon this, our Barbarian fell to using
when once he should be made to occupy violent and profane epithets; while my
the car appointed for colored people and chivalric Tennessean, continuing to ply
I bestowed elsewhere, our eyes would his cane, shouted for the conductor who
not again meet on the journey. How presently coming, reseated my servant.
ever, this arrangement served to com After this I was nervous and demoral-
fort the home people, who shuddered to ized enough, and when the train ran into
see us launch on this troubled and un Richmond became even more wretched.
certain sea without a rudder, as we may "Cousin Walter,” failing to appear,
say, and who manifested so much anx while iny Tennessee champion went to
iety in placing us on the train as to engage a carriage, and the more respec-
attract the sympathetic attention of a table class of passengers slowly sifted
kind old gentleman from Tennessee, out, I was left in the car—a soldier sta-
also travelling towards the army to see tioned at either door, and our forlorn
after his soldier boys. I was unaware little party-baby, nurse and self-
of the generous interest this old cavalier locked in with the frightful band of
had conceived for us or of his inward de harpies I have described ! As one of
termination (afterwards expressed) to these, before my eyes, seized upon the
make baby and myself the objects of his ll good old Tenneseean's shawl and hat

236
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
box, over which I stood guard, I could | to spare for repose except "under the
only cry out in piteous desperation, piano!'') not caring to disrobe myself,
"Please, please don't take that! It is and only intent upon taking
not mine, indeed."
Upon this the conductor came forth
THE DAYLIGHT TRAIN FOR HOME AGAIN.
from some secluded spot, and peremp The possibility that my husband, on
torily ordered the bandit to "leave those
learning at Lynchburg I had passed
articles alone." saying amid curses and
jargon of every sort:
down, should come straight back again
You needn't any of you think you and thus pass me a second time was
can carry the things you've stolen out of distracting, and this, added to the in-
this car. No, its useless to throw those creasing heat and my own prostrated
portmanteaus out at the window either. state of nerves, made me an irresponsi-
I've got men watching you all around, ble creature. When we reached the
and detectives wbo have been tracking Junction' at two o'clock I believed
you up for days.”
my march was ended, and incapable of
Here was indeed despair I said, further effort, actually resigned myself
distractedly to my servant :
to be trodden under foot of men in the
"Caroline, we shall all be carried to great current and press of humanity
jail!"
gathered there.
"Ob, no," she answered, soothingly, I wonder if anybody could give an
"don't you cry Miss Kate. Dey know adequate idea of what, in those times,
you's a lady. Dey ain't gwine do nothin' that junction at this hour every day be-
to you. Don't you be 'feared.”
came? Trains seemed to arrive simul-
Here the conductor again came for taneously from all quarters of the globe
ward, assuring me of his protection, and and there pour out the aggregate popu-
explaining that the band of robbers in lation of those several latitudes, leaving
various disguises around us had come a vast concourse of agitated and frenzied
on from the slums of New Orleans, and beings, which it is impossible to de-
been for weeks infesting this section of scribe. Men, women and children,
Virginia in the wake of the army.
pushing, jostling, whirling each other
Before Cousin Walter' did present about in eddies, each screaming, gesti-
himself, I had so nearly lost my mind culating wildly and entreating to know
that when he put his head in the win which train must be taken to reach a
dow calling out my name, and asking if given point-for at this junction there
such an individual was there, I posi must be a change. This melée lasted
tively failed to recognize him, and half for the space of two hours, while all
doubted whether to confess my own four trains stood snorting and blowing
identity! He finally restored me to rea off steam by way of rendering the crowd
son, however, but, I thought, looked more and more frantic with the possi-
grave as we slowly drove into the city. bility of being left. As at many other
It was only when I arrived at his important points in the Confederacy
house, after that day's adventures, that there was, at this awful junction, no
Mrs. B- met me in the porch and ex head or management-not a word to in-
claimed:
dicate the car for any particular route,
“What a pity! What a pity! You've
ou've and thus the entire travelling public
passed Tom on the road! He went up would be daily precipitated upon this
this morning on two days' furlough be big platform, there to scramble, strug-
fore leaving with General Taylor for gle and scuffle, and find out what to do
Louisiana.”
with themselves the best way they
What could I do but break utterly could.
down and sink in the doorway, cover It was at this junction, then, at two
ing my eyes with my hands?
o'clock on the hottest of hot days and
The necessity, however, for immedi under circumstances such as I have tried
ate return over the route I had just come || to depict, that I seemed lost to every
soon nerved me for further exertion, thing around and was falling beneath
and surrounded by the kindest, most the dense wall of human beings about me,
pitying of friends, I presently became when suddenly, even at my side, there
sufficiently composed to hear their ex appeared a fat, kindly, reliable looking
pressions of approval about my little boy. He reached out his hand and said:
snow-drop Lilian upon her first intro "Madam, you are fainting! Sit down on
duction, and afterwards watched by her this portmanteau;' as he pressed the
all night as the battered, exhausted lit crowd aside and thrust a portmanteau
tle form lay on a comfort spread on the before me.
parlor floor (for the house was now I could only say childishly, reason
crowded, indeed, with literally no place ll being now fled ana the events of yester-

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
237
day ever before my eyes : "Oh! but it is || The night before setting out for this
not my portmanteau.'
new field of action, I was summoned to
"I don't care whose portmanteau it is," the door by a "Biobolical" old servant
the boy replied imperatively; "sit down,” who, in all form, bade me a solemn fare-
giving me a gentle pressure downward well. In the course of his valedictory,
as he spoke.
“Uncle Charles” said: "Now, Miss Kate,
I felt that this boy had come direct I don't spec you knows what in de worl
from Providence, and having no longer to do wid dis here poor little baby.”
will power of my own, yielded unhesi I confessed to having not much lore in
tatingly thereafter to his smallest com this department, when he went on:“Well,
mand.
marm, I jes wants you to member dis
Presently, stooping down, he asked: one scripter,” (with unction and empha-
"Madame, which way are you going ?” sis,) “Bring her up, marm, in de nurcher
I faintly articulated, "Lynchburg," and ammunition of de Lord.”
when he grasped me authoritatively by I thanked the old man and promised
the arm, motioning may nurse to follow, to bear his injunction in mind; and
and pushing his way to a certain car, often, afterwards, as I laid the child in
placed us within and resolutely took his her ammunition box with a comfort
seat opposite. Then for the first time in spread over straw in the bottom, her
our journey, my
only cradle, I laughed at the practical
application of Uncle Charles's text!
PATIENT LITTLE WAR BABY,
It was at Dublin that my sister, by
who seemed to comprehend that these way of seeing the curiosities of camp
were extraordinary times and must be
life and ourselves at the same time, came
to pay us a visit. Here we were sur-
endured, gave away and cried piteously.
rounded by a military family of agree-
Immediately the providential boy, able officers, and domiciled in several
sitting solemn and silent before us, rooms of a deserted old hotel, so that my
dashed up, placed his fat, kind, excel-
lent thumb into baby's mouth, made a
ARMY LIFE AT DUBLIN
rapid circuit of investigation, resumed will always afford many bright reminis.
his seat, looked profound, and oracularly
cences; though, alas! like everything
pronounced, “cutting teeth, mum !!
Reaction had now set in and the ridicu-
else belonging to the war, that was hung
lous phase of life began to reappear to with shadows, too, and went down at last
me. I laughed until the car rang again in a storm it would be hard to forget.
thanked the boy-found he was a young Sister had been with us a few days
medical student and therefore versed in when she fell ill, desperately ill, her life
all the ills that flesh is heir to; and in being even despaired of, and this seemed
wardly resolved to remember that boy indeed the very midnight of our trials;
with my last breath, and never to forget but there were yet darker days in store.
to thank Providence for having raised It was hard to see one all uneducated
him up to me in that hour. He must be to the privations of campaign life, deli-
past middle age now-perhaps gray cately reared and the darling of her
bearded-but he will ever be the “boy?' home, lie stricken and dying, as it
of my recollections; and should this seemed, without the barest comforts of
sketch chance to meet his eye, it must life-for we had middling and molasses
inform him that though I sincerely to eat and straw beds to lie on. Our poor
grieve to have lost his name in the con mother, who could only increase the diffi-
fusion of those times, he will vet ever be culties by coming to us herself, con-
remembered as one who, on that hot Au ceived, like a true old Virginian, that
gust day, saved a life "fallen by the way nothing could so relieve the situation as
side."
a multiplicity of darkeys, and so sent
Arrived at Lynchburg, I was rejoiced one after another until, with those
to meet my husband, who, being by na already about us, our colored retinue
ture a collected man, and not knowing numbered nine.
where to strike in my eccentric orbit, We watched night after night by my
quietly stopped until I should revolve sister's bed--often thinking she would
again.
never again see the dawn-when a slight
Finding me so broken down in health, change came for the better. The worst
he obtained a transfer from General Tay seemed over now; and yet she still lay
lor's command to the department of helpless as a child and unequal to the
Southwest Virginia, where he was com slightest agitation.
missioned as major of artillery, and I It was just at this crisis when my hus-
soon became established at Dublin as band one evening proposed a ride for
headquarters.
me; and in the depths of a grand old

238
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
forest-I shall never forget the scene-he || the baggage piled high on a third;
suddenly reined up and said: “Kate, I while Mr. Caperton and I brought up
want to see how much of the heroine is the rear on our horses.
in you? Now the season is fairly open Ah, it was now that the nine darkeys
and the roads improving, I believe we were found to embarrass the situation,
may any day expect a raid from the as no old Virginian could believe possi-
enemy, who will strike for this point, to ble! But we managed even this per-
break our unguarded lines and destroy plexity, and the whole caravan looked
our stores."
so imposing, as it wheeled into line, that
“But what could we do with sister ?" if Powell had beheld it his entire move-
I said in despair.
ment might have been abandoned.
“Well," he answered, "that's not the As we slowly proceeded down the road
way to think about it. Something leading from Dublin in the direction of
would have to be done with her, and I New River, the boombing of guns could
want you to keep things in hand and be be plainly heard from Wythville, where
ready to move at an hour's notice. But our men were arrived and the fight even
above all, don't let your sister dream then going on.
there is any cause for apprehension. Who could portray that hour? One
Keep a cheerful face where she is."
gun after another--and who could tell
The sky looked darkened. My reins which echo meant the death of all my
hung listlessly from my hand, and I hopes ?
could not speak again during the ride. Woman's nature must have utterance !
But the word of warning was fitly My head dropped on the horse's neck,
spoken, for in twenty-four hours, as ! and a long, passionate cry went up to
sat by the sick bed and bent my head to Heaven, as the guns still sounded on the
catch the faint tones which proceeded evening air, and the grand old mountains
from it, my husband stepped briskly looked down solemn and pitying upon
into the room, whistled an air as he took me.
his pistols and other paraphernalia from Thus we moved slowly along the
the wall where they hung, and lightly ambulances in front, and I not daring to
tossing me a scrap of paper as he passed look into one lest tle revelation there
out. I read-could it be?-my eyes should stop my heart from beating!
swam as I looked. Yes, it was—an or Night settled upon us. The stars
der from General Jones in these words: came out. All was hushed and over at
“Major B- will proceed at once with Wythville. Strange contradiction-
all available men to Wythville and hold but I thought it would be a relief if I
that place at all hazards against the could hear the guns again!
enemy's cavalry, coming in twelvehun We stopped at New River Bridge, at
dred strong.” For a moment I seemed the hospitable mansion of dear old Doc-
tor R- , who was too appalled by
TRANSFORMED INTO STONE;
our sudden coming and the direful
but there was no time to lose. A young news we brought to comprehend it. He
passed to and fro, in a sort of liturgic
officer friend was requested to take
soliloquy: "Good Lord, deliver us! Oh,
charge of my husband's family, while he Lord, have mercy upon us !". Now and
hurried on the regular train, detained again breaking off suddenly and coming
one hour to carry our unorganized little
back to me, as if he must make an ef-
fort to collect himself and realize things,
handful of men to meet the enemy's
he would ask over and over: "How
thoroughly drilled and equipped twelve many cavalry did you say? Well, what
hundred cavalry, now rapidly approach time did you leave Dublin ??
in under Kelly and Powell.
Sister, meantime, had been carefully
Having few elegancies to preserve and lifted from the ambulance to a comforta-
an organized system of packing admira ble bed, and though she faintly whis-
bly adapted to the alarm of raids, we pered that she “must die that night,"
proceeded, as usual, to empty the straw 11 she was actually found next morning to
from a huge bedtick and fill the same be stronger than when our march begun.
with a heterogeneous collection of every But the most astounding news now
thing we possessed, from a pair of rub flashed over the wires from Wythville!
ber boots to a pearl breastpin. This Our little company of seventy, rivalling
mode of packing being simple and ex Falstaff in its make up, had placed hors
peditious, we were soon ready to de de combat a number equalling their
camp, with sister in an ambulance, on the own, of the much vaunted twelve
best imitation of a bed we could com hundred cavalry! and killed one of their
mand, our dear little war baby, with her leading officers, desperately wounded
nurse and appliances in another, and I another and

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
239
REPULSED THE ENEMY EFFECTUALLY. Il coat tail straight behind him, calling
aloud as he passed,
Major B—, not believing, however,
but they must rally and return, hastened "THEY'RE HERE! THEY'RE HERE !”
to hold the fortification at New River, Now my sister had, in her own pecu-
and proposed that as his future line of liar case, reached such a state of readi-
defence, while our little refugee party, ness to receive the Yankees that she
now greatly strengthened and refreshed, became restless with leisure and just at
moved on to the hospitals at Montgomery the last said: "I haven't seen a neighbor
Springs, under charge of Doctor J. L. for all these dreadful days. Think I
Woodville. Here we rested for a week must run over to Mr. D— 's and see
and then fell back in good order to what they are doing with their things.''
Avenel, our Bedford home, where I was So over she went and was confused to
induced to take a furlough and retire see, standing in the doorway, George
temporarily from the service.
D— , a slender lad of the week before,
It was in the summer of 1864 when our now assumed unnatural dropsical pro-
beautiful Piedmont, Virginia, began to portions and having a swollen, helpless
be threatened with its first invasion. look.
We heard ominous mention of Hunter “Why! what's the matter with
and his celebrated twenty thousand, and George?” sister exclaimed, when his
of the preparations making to move mother whispered imploringly: "Don't
upon Lynchburg, but felt almost too se say anything to George. He's got on
cure behind our wall of big blue moun all the clothes he possesses. I had the
tains to realize that danger could await greatest trial to make him put them on,
us. But events thickened. Day by day and if you say a word he'll take them
accounts reached us that Hunter assur-
off."
edly approached, while McCausland's Sister had proceeded only this far in
cavalry brigade retreated, until the ex her investigations of the D- family:
citement rose to fever heat. Couriers when the last wild cry of the last courier
rode swiftly past from hour to hour, re rent the air. She heard "They're here!
porting the enemy near and nearer.
They're here!'' and had but sped across
We felt and acted very much as the the road and in at our gate when the
people at Herculaneum and Pompeii head of the Yankee column moved
might have done had they been posi slowly in view; amid flaunting banners
tively informed that the storm of lava and ear piercing strains of “Yankee
was upon them and they striving to Doodle”-that most trying of airs.
make ready for it.
May I be delivered from ever hearing
Every family fell actively to hiding another measure even akin to it, after
away its valuables and belongings in the associations of that day.
the most possible and impossible places. Now as soon as this raid was found to
In our own case it seemed like getting be inevitable, I resolved that we must
ready for the entertainment of some gather ourselves up and adopt some
horrible company, who must have tre regular system of female tactics with
mendous preparations made for their re which to meet it; and after due reflection
ception, no matter how terrible the anti concluded thus: We shall owe our de-
cipation Servants ran in all directions. liverance to personal influence on the
A dozen orders were given in a breath as Yankee soldiery, there being no other
we dashed excitedly from one point to defence to look to, with our men all gone
another. Of course, we never desisted and every appliance relating to fire-
from hiding our things by day or night, arms hidden out of sight.
being, as I say, ably assisted in this by our Plainly we could not hope, unaided, to
faithful servants, who seemed as much exert this electric influence over un-
interested for us as we for ourselves. known masses of impracticable Yankees,
Finding time left after all arrangements Dutch, Italians, Irish, Russians, Prus-
were complete, we knew so well where sians, Poles, Austrians and Hottentots;
our valuables, our beloved white sugar for the motley collection represented all
and tea, brandy. &c.. (for we still pre- | nations known upon the earth, mixed
served remnants of these treasures for up with hundred-day men.” Evidently
desperate straits,) had been bestowed, we could not expect to sway this multi-
that it seemed impossible others should tude without the powerful support of our
not also divine their places of conceal new black alpacas.”
ment. So we constantly devised newer The war has now so long passed by,
and deeper hiding places, and were going and all its features become dimmed
on in this way indefinitely when the last fading paler and paler as the years roll
courier swept by like a streak, his very ll on—that I verily believe there are to-

240
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
night men and women in this Southern taking a lighted lamp in my hand and
land (particularly among the rising gen feeling the dignity of my black alpaca
eration) who fail to comprehend the full arise within me, majestically moved
significance of that term as known to forward, gained the door, beheld the
the female Confederate-her new black Yankees, and making an elegant bow,
alpaca."
stood-still lamp in hand-awaiting
flow these words thrilled her inmost what might follow.
being! These cherished and almost Really, at that moment, I felt nerved
adored garments were procured from beyond what could have been conceived
foreign lands at great risk and with an posssible; actually seemed to rise
outlay of untold Confederate dollars. several inches taller than ever before in
Prized above. rubies, every hook-and my life (five feet one, exactly,) until,
eye seemed to us a gem—the very silk being always aided and abetted by the
that sewed them like our heart strings--- exalted garment aforesaid, I absolutely
and now a deliberate proposal to expose towered.
these--these of all else-to the ruthless The soldier nearest at hand began,
hand of the invader? The crisis was insolently, “Can we find anything to
tremendous, but our magnanimity arose eat here?"
equal to it.
The alpaca and myself, drawn up to
We did, in actual fact, array ourselves our full height, replied by turning to a
in the black alpacas, arranged our sev servant and saying grandly: “Jordan
eral hairs with exact picety, and, in lieu can you hand this gentleman a lunch ?"
of breastpins, which we feared the ra We would have descended from our
pacity of the combined nationalities throne to touch it.
might not be able to withstand, we wore At once several of those exceedingly
neat black bows, embroidered for the ready lunches were brought out, while
occasion, in white, and not calculated to the Yankee spokesman went on: "This
excite the cupidity of any.
is the first time our troops have passed
Attached to our persons were long here I believe."
pockets containing each one spoon, one "The first time,'' I tersely answered.
fork, and a mug in case of being driven “What did you expect to see us look
into the woods, for none knew what to like?” he pursued.
expect from the brute Hunter.
I drew up to a greater altitude than
A large basket, containing ham, bis ever and answered: "I was perfectly
cuits and other necessaries of life, was prepared for the color of your skins."
next prepared. like an awful picnic, and With this the man, bending down
secreted under mamma's bed, as being upon his saddle bow and giving me a
the most sacred spot known to us, and searching look-when, I shall ever be-
one that must be respected by the Yap lieve, he first felt the full force of the
kees, if any in the confines of the Con black alpaca-instantly changed his
federacy could be. Divers lesser lunches whole manner and saying quite courte-
were made ready and placed con ously, “Madam, we are much obliged
veniently where, in any emergency, to you,'' moved quietly away.
they might be produced without a Almost immediately another detach-
moment's delay. And thus was our ment appeared, and I was wondering
raid studied deeply, systematized, and whether our next encounter would end
all our tactics settled upon
so successfully, when the leader of the
second party, evidently an officer, ac-
BEFORE THE ENEMY APPEARED.
costed me.
All this done, then, just at night-fall, “Is this the home of Maj. B- ?"
on the evening of June 15th, Hunter's
Amazed I answered, "It is sir.”
Still further amazed I heard, “I am
advance moved in, as I have described.
! detailed by General Powell to guard the
Immediately a half dozen horsemen premises for the night."
dashed down to our back porch, where And now I recalled what had been for-
our good "mammy," who never flinched gotten in connection with the Wythville
from us for one moment, was waiting fight; how Col. Powell, threatened with
outside to see what would happen and violence as he lay a wounded prisoner,
whether the heavens would indeed fall. when Major B. (an accomplished surgeon
She hurried in where we were huddled in civil life) dressed his wounds and
together by a dim light, and said, in an assured him of protection, had said:
awe-stricken whisper: “They are here “This shall not be forgotten, and if you
at the door, and say they must have or yours ever need protection which I
something 10 eat.''
can render, rely upon receiving it."
For an instant we sat paralyzed with Now behold the need, and the promised
the dreadful realization. Then I arose, !| help was not forgotten. Col. Powell, re-

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
241
covered and restored to his command, il cleared our premises. This officer gave
led the advance cavalry in Hunter's his name as Major McCain, of Ken-
movement. We thanked God for his tucky, and spent several hours in con-
timely deliverance, and sat all night versation with us, inquired about our
around the little bed in which our baby former lives, thought ours looked like
calmly slept away the hours so full of a house where we had "had a good time,”
horror and dread to ourselves. For approved it as a place for headquarter
though the guard was faithful, it was when they "returned from Lynchburg
hard to feel secure with
and held the country,” &c. Upon this,
THE CLANG OF YANKEE SWORDS
OUR CONFEDERATE IRE WAXED HOT,
and the tramp of heavy boots around us, and we indulged in many patriotic
lurid camp fires at our very doors, and pleasantries, which, of course, could
crash after crash telling how our enclos only have been hazarded with one like
ures were being laid waste amid the yells Major McCain, of culture and intelli-
and curses of many voices.
gence.
Day dawned at last and with it the This officer seemed really to have con-
division camped about us for the night ceived some regard for us during his
moved off. A lull succeeded. We ven (visit," and presently, his command be-
tured to open a shutter and peep out. ing far ahead, he evinced it by saying:
Could it be that this dreaded raid was "Ladies, I can't bear to leave you un-
over? Certainly the host we saw last protected, when I think of the army
night had departed; and if this were in followers you will soon be expused to,
deed all how could we ever be suffi far, far worse than anything you have
ciently thankful? But even while this yet seen.”
blessed hope fluttered before us an in We shuddered at this and felt almost
distinct roar was borne on the breeze, as if we must cling to this particular
and lo, the yard became blue with all Yankee, and could not permit him to
types of humanity! After the stretch leave us.
of sunny road beyond us, a halt was al He called up a footsore, poor creature,
ways ordered under our grand old oaks, who seemed to have lost his very iden-
and with this the men scattered in every tity. To this man Major M. handed
direction-climbing trees to peep in at a written order, to the effect that he,
the upper windows and burrowing under the man, was detailed to guard these
the house to search for treasure that premises. We could but thank the gen-
might be hidden there. We could hear erous officer and was really pleased,
innumerable headsbumping beneath after the war, to receive from him a note
our feet as the ventilators were torn out of compliment and kind inquiry.
and this rummaging went on
The individual left with the scrap of
At one time when our trees and our paper, was now become our salvation,
porches and our cellars and our garden, and upon him, then, our whole female
and the very air seemed blue with the battery was turned. He look hopeless
creatures, and the heavy doors about indeed. Finally I ventured: "Have
yielding to their bombardment, I rushed you a mother???
frantically into the line and appealed He looked leaden-eyed and said "yes."?
for help to the best imitation of a gen Again, "Have you any sisters ?”
tleman I saw there, being inspired
“Yes," as before.
with confidence by his clean duster. “Well, would'nt you be sorry to think
This officer at once dismounted, followed they are having as much trouble to-day
me, and cleared our grounds in five as we are-surrounded by as many peo-
minutes time, showing that the soldiers ple who were trying to destroy them ?''
were under control and might readily This seemed dimly to penetrate the
have been made to respect persons and boy; and I was thus laboring along al-
property had the officers so willed. most hopefully, when a great strapping
When this regiment moved on and fellow came swaggering up and called
the same destruction threatened us out: "Hello, Charley! what are you
again, I cast a hurried look at a fine doing here ?"
looking man actually riding into the Charlie, sluggishly: "I'm the guard ???
back porch where we were now all as The man with contempt-"Guard in-
sembled--the other doors being barri deed! You ain't goin to guard me!”
caded-and exclaimed: "Sir, you seem I realized the brink upon which we
a gentleman, may I ask your protection stood and hastily interposed: “I see
for ourselves as ladies ? Ho instantly you have some spirit, sir, and am glad.
rode out of the porch, stepped upon the you've come to infuse it into your
ground, and with one wave of his sword || friend.”
31

242
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Instantly the big fellow seized | oped Confederate ingenuity, which was
Charlie's "order and his musket, better than a battalion of men. Flinging
dashed into the garden, where our last the huge middlings on the grass before
remaining onion was at that moment her house, she sprinkled small particles
lying exhumed, flourished both gun of flour over the whole, and standing in
and paper as one with authority, and her door, arms akimbo, when the Yan-
driving the last marauder away, came kees swarmed up, she called out: "You
back triumphant, and saying: “That's can take that meat if you want it. Mc-
the way you must do it, man; drive Causland's been along here and done
them off. You're the guard.”
something to it-I don't know what."
Our interrupted political barangue, There was at once closer inspection
Charlie's and mine, was now resumed, made, specs of flour discerned, and the
with modifications, of course, to suit the meat left undisturbed.
new auditor, and I seemed almost on But to come back to my narrative.
the point of making two Confederate The night succeeding this awful day,
converts when a third character entered June 16, 1864—for it was more like the
upon the stage. This time a man of day of judgment than anything I ever
elegant appearance and with all the expected to pass through in this mortal
bearing of a gentleman, Handsomely existence-as again we sat encircling
attired and his horse richly capari baby's bed, who should suddenly appear
soned, this new character rode up to the like an apparition among us, but Major
door where we sat, asked for water, B- ! He knew the country perfectly
which was given him, and as he stood —was a good woodsman-and simply
wearily leaning against his saddle, could not resist flanking the pickets to
seemed inclined to hear my discourse. see whether we were living or dead. The
At once its tone was altered again to guard of forty men, left to hold our town
suit the fresh listener, and after we had while Hunter made his march upon
held an agreeable half hour's interview Lynchburg, lay all around us, and when
(for a gentleman always is refreshing, with a whispered greeting Major B-
and especially under circumstances like moved out again like a shadow, and
those surrounding me that afternoon,) dropped down into the darkness from
he turned gracefully towards me and the door, can anybody tell how tenfold
said: "Madam, if you will show me more miserable it left us? But next day
where your gates once stood I will at ii a faithful old servant brought us messa-
least ride out there."
ges of his safe return through the lines
How grateful this courtesy was to my to rejoin Breckenridge's command-not,
torn and lacerated spirit, no tongue can however, without a little irresistible
tell! And thus we parted, with mutual bush whacking and sharp shooting at de-
complaisance and good will, never to tached parties of the enemy, as they
meet again, until the last great day of
roamed over the country on missions of
account.
destruction.
At last "Hunter had passed,” and our When three more days had passed,
duo-guard moved off as the twilight during which time we had never dis-
came down. I must ever believe that robed ourselves for sleep, our servants
“Charlie's' whole moral tone had been came in a tumult one morning at day-
elevated by these hours of association light and said: “They've come back!
with myself; for when I said at parting, The town is full of 'em !” which latter
"Well, Charlie, you've done us all the collective pronoun was now always
good you could, I would like to do some understood to refer, generally and par-
thing for you in return. We poor Con ticularly to Yankees. And the town
federates have not much, but if there is was full of "?em !” They literally
anything you particularly need I would poured in, though this time moving by
like to bestow it on you. What do you a different road, which gave us the mis-
want most of everything in the world, erable stragglers to contend with, with-
Char ie?'' And he hoarsely answered out the opportunity for appealing to the
"SOAP!!
better class for protection.
We were indeed in despair, when two
All these experiences, personal to our-
young men with pleasant faces and wear-
selves, were of course varied in a ing the insignia of the regular guard
thousand ways in other households, and presented themselves, and said they
for weeks nothing was heard among us, were Philadelphians; that they could
except comparing of notes, interchange not bear to see the ruin which their army
of incidents, &c. One old woman near spread through the land; that they could
by, unable, in the hurly-burly of the only select one house at each point over
times, to get help for secreting her meat, which to constitute themselves guard,
made requisition upon her well devel- ll and would to-day preserve ours,

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
243
THESE GALLANT PHILADELPHIANS separating for the night, I said: "If a
stranger were present to-night, he would
sat with us during the whole day, often
say of Gen. Lee, "That old gentleman is
driving off hordes who would otherwise the only one in the room who knows
have torn us to pieces. Many times did nothing about the war.'"
Our matchless Lee ! Amid all the
our distracted neighbors-informed of
ruin, he stood like a tower, and no other
our good fortune-send to "borrow our
heart was ever burdened with the
guard," and we were always neighborly shadow that had fallen on his own,
enough to lend one for a short while ! “Care sat on his faded cheek, but under
Houses about us were ravished from brows of dauntless courage," and none
attic to cellar and their inmates treated could look upon his silent fortitude
with gross indignity, while when our without the assurance that "souls know
destruction seemed inevitable a timely no conquerors !”
hand was ever stretched forth in our de In the fall of 1864 it became apparent
fence--and who shall say how far the that our war fortunes would again re-
potent spell of the "black alpacas" may volve in the direction of Richmond, and
not have achieved this great result ?
I knew what a finishing school one win-
But all things have an end, even the ter in that besieged city must be for
wild Yankee stampede, which poured any woman who could, comparatively,
through our town like a cataract until have acquired but the rudiments of do-
sundown, when the welcome guns of mestic Confederate science elsewhere. I
Early's and Breckenridge's advance also knew the arms and munitions
were heard over the hills! What a day needed for the conduct of my campaign in
of triumph and deliverance! What an the city must comprise, first, the heavy
evening of thanksgiving to God!
ordnance of meat and flour, with light
We tried to stay in the cellar, while a artillery of lard, molasses, butter, &c.
sharp skirmish took place across our Our solid shot," in the way of two
house and balls rattled on the roof, but barrels of flour, for which we paid a
the excitement proved irresistible! No thousand dollars each, certain bacon
longer able to endure our imprisonment hams, costing in proportion; and a me-
we rushed up into the yard again, and dium sized firkin of butter, had in ex-
found ourselves surrounded by our change for an exceedingly good horse,
dear, dear Confederates, whom we knew was procured in Botetourt County and
so well, when there were handshaking had been shipped by canal to Richmond.
and tears and cheers, and the wildest This left the grape, canister and lesser
enthusiasm on both sides. At once our stores for my personal luggage.
doors were flung wide open, and so re Now, in early times when, as a young
mained during the night; while officers lady, it was ever my wont to pass gay
and men poured into and through the seasons in Richmond, in those days my
house; slept on the porches and cooked chie fest concern was whether my winter
in the kitchen, and thus surrounded we wrap would exactly match the bonnet,
lay down and slept the first sweet sleep with other matters of equally high im-
of security for many nights.
port. My trunk would then be filled
I have observed that every individual with well-selected dresses, choicest
is apt to have his or her own personal ruches and ribbons, delicate laces and
raid, which he or she ever delights to the thousand etceteras of a fashionable
relate, and the smallest circumstance of wardrobe. Now, alas! how changed.
which becomes to the mind of the one After packing the bottom with Irish
concerned magnified into tremendous potatoes and onions and the tray with
proportions. Especially was I im rye-coffee and beans, Ihastily pushed
pressed with this peculiarity of the Con about in crevices a few odds and ends of
federate mind when. soon after the war, the most indispensable attire; this last
dear Gen. Lee rode across the moun being wholly secondary to the substan-
tains from Lexington to pay my mother tials enumerated above. Added to this,
a visit.
a huge carboy of sorghum (the Confed-
The first night of his arrival, of erate confectionary) in lieu of the quon-
course, there was everything to be said, dam lady's bonnet-box attachment, and
and we sat up until past midnight, re our exceedingly well-drilled company,
counting our experiences to him. Other bahy, nurse and myself, was ready to
friends, happening to be in the house at march, my husband having sometime
the time, these had likewise to relate before rejoined the Army of the Poto-
their several raids. So we all descanted mac.
voluminously, while sainted Gen. Lee Arrived at Richmond and estab-
sat silent and sympathic. At last, as lished in a commodious and ready-
the clock struck "12 and we were all || furnished suite of rooms, rented from

244
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Cousin Walter B-,' still on Leigh more and more hilarious, until I have
street, where we were allowed joint positively known these impromptu
privileges with himself in cook and little tea evenings to last until the small
kitchen, my pickets were at once thrown hours, our spirits, meanwhile, dashing
out and forces disposed for action,
and sparkling along, rising high and
Mrs. B- first appropriated to my higher until they rushed over the gaunt
use a store-room on the basement floor, figure of care and drove it utterly away
while our sleeping apartments were two for the hour. Indeed, an unwitting
stories removed. But this cruel and looker on might have said that care did
complete separation from the onions not belong to the circle of our acquaint-
and heans of my soul, not to mention ance!
the warm tie which bound me to the It was on an occasion like this that I
sorghum, proved too much for my one night proposed each lady should
nerves. Throughout the still watches I give an exact and unreserved account of
could only listen with strained ear to her every-day life, omitting no detail
catch the faintest murmur of disturbance and concealing no expedient; and it was
which might proceed from below, tor then that remarkable revelations were
mented with the nightmare imagination brought fourth, revelations even to our
that even then the midnight raider might tutored Confederate ears. Each narration
be revelling in my flour barrel or ravish was hailed with burst after burst of merri-
ing my sorghum! Then did sleep for ment-awful mirth,'' no doubt, like that
sake mine eyes, until health and reason spoken of in thu hymn; but the human
demanded an appeal for relief.
mind must have some relief, and without
Good Mrs. B- being but a Confed these spasmodic reactions I do not be-
erate woman herself, instantly embraced lieve we could have endured the strain
the whole situation, and forth with caus and retained reason. Without these, the
ing the cherished possessions to be placed whole Confederacy, I am convinced,
in a little passageway, even at my cham must have been one
ber door, tranquillity was restored and I
HQWLING WILDERNESS OF RAVING
slept again!
And now did the death struggle set
WOMEN !
in fiercely and in earnest. Every My “confessions” were begun with
atom of food became but another thread
what had never before seemed to me
holding us to life, for we knew not how
near
anything except the severest system
THE WOLF OF WANT
of domestic economy, but which grew
into absurdity as it took the form of
might stand to devour us. We appointed
words. Premising with the announce-
to ourselves stated rations--a bare sub ment that Sherman would never know
sistence and held to this regimen un how intimately his movements were
Hinchingly. Two meals were alloted to
connected with my dinner every day, or
how perfectly he controlled the order-
each day, and at one of these potatoes ing of that meal, I stated how it could
used strictly as a substitute for bread. never be given out until the morning
Tea, and such like delicacies, were un paper had been first glanced over. If
known to our every-day life, but there the telegrams contained alarming ac-
were times when "Cousin Walter," counts of Sherman's progress, the editor
(whose business lay in connection with urging Johnston's reinstatement and ex-
procuring blockade supplies) would in pressing general apprehension, I in-
the parlor at night, carefully unfold stantly ordered sorghum pudding, with
from his pocket minute packages of a reckless amount of butter. If, on the
various teas, and smacking his lips, even other hand, however, things seemed
as he spoke, propose we should try these hopeful, the dispatches encouraging,
several samples and pronounce upon and the editorial strengthening, I would
their relative merits.
that day eschew sorghum pudding in
Now this was understood to be strictly toto. In the one case it was imperative
a business transaction; but when the we should consume our own sorghum,
teapot had been produced and the sugar lest the enemy enter and grow fat upon
contributed from my dining-room, near the same. In the other, Richmond
at hand, our whole enterprise assumed might be held indefinitely, and who
very much the general air and effect of a could contemplate the dreariness of ex-
spree! The unwonted exhilaration of istence there without the sweet solace of
our beverage, together with the neces sorghum ?
sity for drinking several cups before any After this, "Sherman puddings, as
reliable conclusion could be reached as
could be reached as they are to this day known in Rich-
to their respective excellencies, made us ll mond, became matters of grave consid-

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
245
eration. Mrs. B- not having time to || loss of friends in Confederate times
read the morning paper, by way of which, taken in conjunction with the
learning the complexion of its news, stern necessities of those times, had to be
would hurry by the kitchen and anx met with sad practicability.
iously inquire of cook Lizzie whether As soon as one was known to mourn
"Miss Kate would that day have a sor the death of a friend, and this, alas! was
ghum pudding?"
but too often, it became the imperative
When Lizzie answered: "No, marm. custom to send to the stricken house any
she ain't gwine have none to-day.” “Oh articles of mourning apparel not then in
splendid news this morning,” Mrs. B use, and request an exchange for the
would think; "Kate wont have a sorghum colored habiliments which might be
pudding.” But if Lizzie should say: there discarded. Thus in this indis-
"Yes'm, she gwine have a real good one criminate barter did all sorts of incon-
wid plenty of butter in it.” Mrs. B— 's gruities arise.
heart would sink within her.
Any lingering tendency towards fol-
And here I may add, so admirably lowing a fashion had long since been
was this difficult problem of the sor beaten out of the female mind, and
ghum adopted that in the last dread women now aspired to nothing beyond
hour, when Richmond was about being the mere wearing of clothes, irrespective
evacuated, the last drops of this sacred of style, shape or texture. Large women
confection were drained and com appeared squeezed into garments of
pounded into a horrible cake for our smallest proportions-small women
subsistence in the flight.
floating about in almost limitless space;
But we will not anticipate.
while women of tall stature dangled
THE HEART-BREAKING SCENES
below circumscribed skirts, and others
trailed about in fathoms of useless ma-
of that terrible winter sadly outnum terial. To all these
bered and oveshadowed any little gleam
ECCENTRICITIES OF COSTUME
ings of brightness which may have been
the Confederate eye had become inured,
vouchsafed us, with our worn and ex-
hausted men moving back and forth,
as well as to the striking effect of blue
their horses and themselves like spec-
bonnets with green plumes, red dresses
tres,
with purple mantles, &c., &c., until these
One evening as I walked briskly along extraordinary modes failed to offend
Franklin street, a line of these sunken even the most fastidious.
eyed and tottering soldiers stretched on Indeed, expedients of the most des-
either side of me as a cavalry halt was perate sort had now to be resorted to in
called. A figure, princely in any guise, all directions. The flooring of our coun-
stepped from the ranks, and with a try meat houses, saturated with the salt
courtly obeisance expressed great joy drippings of years, was dug up and
to meet me. 1 stood perplexed, and prized as a salt-substitute in horse-food.
then gradually comprehended that the The ashes of corn-cous was much es-
officer before me, one of nature's no teemed in lieu of soda. Sorghum, as I
blest type, was Capt. James B-, of the have abundantly illustrated, was the
Second Virginia Cavalry, whose lovely received substitute for sugar, while
bride my sister, now, alas! beneath the wheat, rye, chestnuts, sweet potatoes,
sod, had but lately been. The picture, in short, anything in the vegetable
as he so recently stood by her side-both kingdom, was found to supply the place
radiant and regal-arose before my vis of coffee, and so on ad infinitum.
ion, and as its contrast with this bleak, For a Virginian of the old régime,
miserable scene (for it was on a March who had always lived on the choicest
day) came over me, I could have fallen of edibles, to smack his lips and relish a
in the street with a shriek of despair. decoction of burnt chestnuts, sweetened
But Confederate women must never with sorghum, was considered (es-
despair. Their darkest hours must be pecially by himself) as highly patriotic !
hung with the drapery of hope for those It was at once amusing and pathetic
they love.
when these cavalier old Virginians
I never looked upon this noble face would meet and innocently endeavor to
again. He passed on to the closing scene assist each other in sustaining our vari-
near Appomattox and there, almost vol ous Confederate delusions.
untarily as we believed, laid down his As, for instance, when my husband's
gallant life, preferring death rather than father came down from the “Greenfield"
a prolonged existence with the lights, place to visit my mother in Bedford
both of home and country extinguished. County, something like this would oc-
There were some features about the ll cur at the breakfast table.

246
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Mrs. B you must allow me to take an ner, relied chiefly upon the rarity of a
other cup of that delicious coffee. It is mince pie for their regalement, which
so rarely I meet the genuine article now pie failing to appear in a reasonable
that I really cannot resist.”
time, the lady sustained light conversa-
My mother, delighted!y: "Certainly, tion as long as she could control her
sir. I am glad to see you enjoy it.”
feelings, and at last excusing herself
Old gentleman resuming: “Indeed, from the table hurried to the kitchen,
madam, you must pardon me if I ask for
and exclaimed:
a third cup. It is a long time since I “Mary, where is the pie?!!
have tasted the genuine Mocha, but it is Mary answered desperately: "Miss
still recognizable.'
Jane, 'I dun eat de pie. I ain't see no
My mother, rejoining: “Certainly, sir, pie for so long an' it smell dat good, I
with pleasure.”
couldn't help taceing it; an' arter 1 tace
When the meal bad ended my mother, it, I was blice to eat it."
folding her hands as if for a crisis, and Here was no remedy. The lady re-
turned to her guests and described the
HAZARDING A WINK,
disaster so cleverly that one of the gen-
meant to be cute, upon the assembled tleman present (who came immediately
and initiated family, slowly proceeded:
from the table where the incident oc-
curred and related it to me) declared he
“Now, Mr. B., what do you think this
would not have had it fail to happen, as
coffee is ?''
the "joke was far richer than the pie
Mr. B., emphatically, "Think it is? could possibly have been,” though I
madam, I do not often now, as I said, always doubted the sincerity of this as-
taste the genuine article, but still I can sertion.
never be deceived when I do come across Notwithstanding we had stood for
it. This is the real old Mocha !!"
months as on a rock environed by the
My mother, who prided herself upon séa," and feared to picture one day what
her own particular admixture and ad the next would bring, it was yet like
justment, as did other housekeepers,
with equal right, pride themselves upon
THE SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE
theirs, now came forth deliberately and when Gen. Lee's lines were first found
with triumph,
“This, sir, is cracked wheat, with a
to be breaking up around Richmond.
little rye and a few roast chestnuts
My husband hurriedly packed us up
added. I never put sweet potatoes in and, pushing our way through the
mine!"
thronged streets, succeeded in thrust-
Mr. B., rising in eloquence: "If ing us into one of the last trains which
such a drink as this can be compounded left Richmond before its evacuation;
without coffee, I find we have in our and these have so often been described
time expended hundreds of dollars use by abler pens than mine, that I pass the
lessly upon that product, and if the war subject by with little more than an al-
should end to-morrow I protest I shall lusion.
never desire any better drink than the The car in which we stifled was packed
cup of coffee you gave me to-day.”
with double tiers of human beings, as
Here the dear old gentleman begged they sat in each others' laps and almost
the receipt—which was always in order stood on each others' heads, and sur-
and went on sustaining the Confederate rounded by a frenzied mob threatening
cause in his own person, with this mul to impede its course because no longer
tifarious coffee, heightened in effect by able to cling about its platforms or upon
sorghum, until his hands actually be its sides. The confusion was so dire
came covered with sores, and his very that the train even seemed to be with-
life almost paid the forfeit.
out its necessary corps of management.
It is now years since, in the fervor of No conductor or other employee was
patriotism, his declaration was made; seen, and it appeared at last as if by ac-
but I have observed that, despite Mr. cident that the engine fired up and
B.'s enthusiasm about the wheat-rye puffed slowly away.
chestnut decoction, he has some time We moved laboriously along in the
ago resumed the use of the much-con dark, for the whole machinery of the
temned "old Mocha!”
road was now worn out, the very lamps
Talking of the Confederate hostess, I being broken and useless, and after
am reminded of a severe test to which about two hours of this travel with a
one of this esteemed class was brought terrible bump we came to a sudden halt.
during the winter I describe in Rich Nobody knew why. A third hour of this
mond.
uncertainty next ensued, when a man
This lady, having two friends to din- || whom we never saw screamed out from

A WOMAN'S STORY OF THE WAR.
247
the door: "Train off the track! Pas- || sently came back, transported with what
they had received. and even bringing
We obeyed, of course, amid the wildest the little mendicant's mother a slice
scene of pushing, pressing, jostling, of delicious apple pie, the inemory of
rushing, struggling, screaming, cursing, which dwells with her even unto this
praying—and all this, too, in impene hour.
trable darkness! I first found myself Finally with many adventures, some
thrown out of the car in some mysterious
way-my feet plunged in water many
inches deep, and I called to my nurse to more to cast anchor in the blessed haven
reach the baby to me. This she with of home. The trip from Richmond to
almost superhuman effort chanced to do this point, (Bedford County,) properly
successfully, afterwards herself de made in tive hours, occupied as
scending; and if there was ever on this many days, and during these days,
earth a picture of utter forlornness it was while we were cut off from all regular
ours this night, as we stood, ejected communication, the dreadful event had
from the only shelter at hand, chilled in happened. Richmond was now eva-
the water and surrounded by thick cuated! In seven days thereafter, when
darkness, with literally no idea which General Lee's exhausted remnant of an
way to turn for another step.
army was delivered up to Grant at
Appomatox
come ray of a lantern, and an order was
heard to "put all the women” into a car,
THE GREAT CONFEDERATE HEART
CEASED TO BEAT.
not far off, from which cattle had just
been unloaded.
Now, if the Confederate passenger
and a little quivering about the ex-
cars were in the condition I have de-
scribed (and far, far worse, for I do not
tremities, but soon all settled into that
care to go into revolting details) what stiff and soulless body which has now,
must those devoted to Confederate cattle for so many years, lain in state in our
have been !
Southern hearts.
For the moment, any prospect of Now did confusion reign, as Lee's dis-
change was hailed with relief; but when banded men, without money or provi-
we came to be rudely dashed from one sion, individually and without organi-
hand to another and crowded into this zation, tired to reach their distant
close box-car, as the cattle had lately homes. The roads were alive with men,
left it, I implored to be taken out, and riding and on foot, horses, wagons
found myself happy to be once more in and ambulances—all rushing pell-mell
the deep cut,
through the country: and yet there were
no deeds of violence committed or fear
MY FEET LAVED IN WATER AND MUD.
of disturbance within our houses. These
As daylight dawned a freight train facts at once speak the eleinent of which
passed and took us up as far as the junc-
our Southern army was composed; for if
ever there was temptation goading men
tion. Here we were again dropped, and
on to deeds of wrong, it was in the want
after camping by the roadside a third and misery of these disbanded soldiers,
chanced along, which brought us on our left to their own devices and finding
way to Farmville, where we hung up in themselves in a country without law or
a wrecked car for two successive days restraint of any kind.
and nights.
Yes, we are a law-abiding and mag-
The provision for sustenance on the nanimous people, and these dreadful
journey had long since given out, and days proved us so.
there being no means on the route for In the midst of the turmoil described
obtaining a fresh supply I resolved to above, my husband, with some brother
see whether the country around could officers, passed along to North Carolina,
afford enough to keep starvation off believing that Johnston's army survived
from a baby, and making mine as pre and that the struggle for our Confederacy
sentable as the circumstances would must still go on, but before many days
admit, I instructed the nurse to carry they returned, convinced that all was
her to any respectable looking house in indeed over.
Ah, who can tell the darkness of that
case, ask for any morsel to eat which the hour!"Now sunk the sun; the gene-
inmates could spare. This experiment
of the child, literally begging her bread war in its opening had hung like a pall
from door to door, proved eminently over the land, how trebly was this so in
successful. Both servant and child pre- ll its close! Then "hope beckoned with

248
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
delusive smile.” Now the very mid- u deeply interested in hospital work, and
night of despair was come!
from the beginning to the end of the war
We knew not where to pick up the devoted much of my time to
broken threads of existence. Our homes
OUR SUFFERING COUNTRYMEN.
laid waste, the very superstructure of
our social system all gone, and its Several battles were fought near the
graces, joys, comforts dashed into frag-
town, and the hospitals were often filled
ments and cast out to the winds!
with the wou'nded of both armies. Dur-
FOOT NOTES.
ing Fremont's campaign our village was
For the benefit of those outside, whose
three times in as many days in the hands
credulity may seein overtasked in some of opposing forces, and all was confusion
details given above, I would say that and fright among the citizens. When
they are accurately true in the smallest
the Federals were known to be approach-
particular and will bear the closest in ing most of the surgeons, hospital stores
vestigation.
and patients, who could bear transporta-
As an explanation of the peculiar fact tion, were hastily removed. A few
that my leading names are denoted by
of the worst cases were hurriedly placed
the indiscriminate use of the letter "B" together in an upper room, where it was
it may be added that so long as Bur supposed the townspeople would look
well, Bowyer, Blair and Breckenridge after them, until a Federal officer took
retain their present orthography this charge of the place.
cannot be avoided.
The hospital stood nearly opposite the
house of the good uncle with whom I
was living, and I had long been in the
No. 38.-Hospital Memories.
habit of going daily, as did many other
ladies, to visit the sick, carrying them
little delicacies not included in the hos-
(By Orra Langhorne, of Lynchburg, Va) pital bill of fare. The day Jackson's
army passed through our village on the
Our village in the fair valley of the way to fields of victory I went early in
Shenandoah had been the abode of peace
the morning to look after the few soldiers
and plenty until the war began, when
whom I knew to be in hopeless con-
dition in the building. The yard was
we soon found that we were on "the de-
filled with men and teams hurriedly
batable ground, and after Ashby's cav moving stores, but the house appeared
alry, a body of fine luoking men, irregu-
to be deserted, and I found five men, all
larly armed and disciplined, and dressed
of them seeming to be in a dying con-
dition, in one of the upper wards, appa-
in a sort of hunting costume, passed rently quite forgotten in the excitement
through the town in the summer of 1861, of the hour.
we were constantly surrounded by
| The war had accustomed us all to such
scenes, and I quietly entered the room
camps and hospitals and ever subject
and remained by the almost uncon-
to war's alarms. The Valley being con scious sufferers, occasionally moistening
sidered the "storehouse of the Confed the pallid lips and giving such comfort
as I could to those whom it was evident
eracy” was equally valued by the lead-
would soon be beyond the reach of mor-
ers of both sides in the national quar-
tal aid. I felt sure that some one would
rel, the Northern army being always as soon come to my assistance, but after
anxious to take it as the Southern sol I some time, as no one appeared, and not
a sound was to be heard in the house,
diers were to keep it.
I went into the front porch, then through
Only a little while elapsed after fight the large halls and found that I was the
ing began before the building used as a only person in the place except
school house in days of peace was con-
verted into a hospital, and from that
MY DYING COMPANIONS.
time until the summer of 1865 it was
I had been so much occupied with the
never without the sick and wounded.
As the war progressed other buildings
sick men that I had not until this time
were used in the same way, and some noticed that the main body of the army
times all the churches and vacant build was passing. A broad column extend-
ings in the town were hastily fitted up ing as far as the eye could reach, was
for hospitals, while nearly every private slowly passing by, and even if I had
house would have its quota of sufferers. been willing to leave my helpless charge,
Like most women at that time I was ll it would have been almost impossible

HOSPITAL MEMORIES.
249
for me to cross the street. I therefore 11 In one of my visits to the hospital, I
returned to the ward where the sick lay, found one of these Dutch soldiers, a
and remained there for what seemed to I great swarthy stalwart man, minus one
me a long, long time, until at length, the leg and strangely arrayed in a stout
army having left the town, some ladies, cotton garment, evidently intended by
anxious as to the fate of the patients the original owner for female and not
they knew had been left in the hospital, masculine wear. I could scarcely re-
came to look after them.
press a smile, when I first approached
One of the men was a Georgian, dying the cot, and beheld the dark, coarse face
as hundreds of Southern soldiers died on with its bushy beard and the muscular
Virginia s vil, of pulmonary complaints, neck and arms, freely displayed in the
caused by exposure after having the feminine garb so unexpected in such a
measles. When I first entered the ward | place. The man had suffered amputa-
that morning the poor fellow looked tion of his wounded limb in very hot
pathetically into my face as I approached weather, but being remarkably strong
his bed, and said with faltering lips, and vigorous bad at first shown no signs
“Will you tell my mother- ???
of feebleness. He seemed very good
Cold sweat stood on his brow, and as I humored and patient in his affliction,
wiped the death-damp away, I bent low and evidently deeming me a sympa-
and tried to catch the whispered words. thizing friend, always received me with
Again and again he strove to collect a beaming smile and cheerful greeting,
his thoughts, and struggling to speak given in very broken English.
distinctly, repeated in trembling tones, For a day or two he had a fine appetite
"Tell my mother-.".
and one morning after giving him some-
He never articulated anything more thing to eat, I asked, pointing to the
that I could comprehend, and though I great brawny arm which lay bare before
remained beside him for hours, sooth me, where he got the garment he wore.
ing him by every means in my power, He answered in a lively tone in his
smoothing the pallid brow, moistening broken way, that he had supplied him-
the parched lips and bending close to self from the wardrobe of a country-WO-
hear the message that might carry some man at whose house the soldiers had
ray of comfort to the aching heart in stopped for food. With a confiding smile
that distant home to which the wanderer and apparently sure of my approval, he
would return no more, only the faintly added that he had found many nice
whispered accents,
things in the dwelling of the unlucky
Virginians, and had secured a silk dress
"TELL MY MOTHER”
for his wife with sundry other articles
ever reached my ears. He sank into a which he had been compelled to leave
stupor while vainly trying to articulate with the baggage wagon. I reflected
the words, and died leaving them un that Jackson would be likely to inter-
spoken.
cept the presents intended for his yrau.
A day or two later the house was filled but did not attempt to argue with my
with the sick and wounded of Fre new friend on his method of securing
mont's army, and it was found necessary such mementoes.
to open another hospital building for The weather was sultry, and but little
the Federa's and a few wounded Con attention was bestowed by surgeons or
federates who had fallen into their nurses on the wounded, the Federals
hands.
being in much excitement as to their
The town and country around was next move, or rather that of the Confed-
swarming now with soldiers in blue erates, and many of the hospital patients
uniforms, much demoralized by their died, chiefly from neglect. The stalwart
recent defeat. Fremont's division in German who had adopted feminine at-
cluded a brigade of "black Dutch," tire was one of the first to sink under
odious, ill-looking creatures, said to be the heat and loss of blood, and I could
the poorest soldiers in the service of the but look with pain on the huge frame se
Union and notorious thieves and out sadly changed in a few hours, as
laws. The difference of their behavior
in what they deemed the enemy's coun-
THE PALLOR OF DEATH
try and that of Gen. Banks's well-disci overspread the once ruddy face, and the
plined and orderly troops, who had oc-
vigorous form grew limp and tremulous.
cupied the town not long before, was
very striking and the citizens now
He lingered but a day or two, and one
thought almost lovingly of "the Yan morning, the third or fourth after his
kees” whom they had greatly feared and coming, as I left the hospital I saw a
loudly denounced but a short time be great wooden coffin at the foot of the
fore.
| steps, and a moment later two men ap-
32

250
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
peared, one bearing the head, and the || tard plasters to be applied to his limbs,
other the single foot of the brawny Dutch which had roused him considerably, and
man still arrayed in the stolen garment. he had hopes that his patient would re-
There was something grimly grotesque vive entirely. The doctor and I stood
in the appearance of the dead man in watching the pale, handsome face, drawn
such strange attire and I hastened from with lines of pain, and listening to the
the scene, but the heavy fall of the body plaintive words, at first soft and loud,
as the soldiers tossed it into the coffin, but gradually growing louder and
from the porch where they stood, reached stronger as the sick man continued to
my ears, as I hastily closed the gate. moan, “Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! O! oui
In one of the rooms of the hospital Je suis miserable! O! oui Je suis malheur-
several wounded prisoners had been eux."
placed, other beds being occupied by
Federals. Such mingling of the North-
AS THE MUSTARD BEGAN TO BURN
ern and Southern soldiers was common more severely he suddenly raised him-
all through the war and the combatants
self in bed, and evidently losing faith in
thus brought together, usually forgot all
about national grievances, or having
finding relief by his French, shouted,
made friends themselves amicably dis “Fire! fire !" in excellent English and
cussed the causes of the war and its pro stentorian tones which, a few minutes
bable results.
before would have seemed impossible
In this ward, however, two fiery for those pallid lips.
spirits, one minus a leg and the other All the other patients in the ward
with a broken arm, chanced to meet, joined heartily in the laughter, which
and one day while discussing the "un the surgeon made no effort to repress,
pleasantness between the sections, as he moved the mustard to fresh a sur-
both became greatly excited and pro face and gave a stimulating draught to
ceeded from angry words to blows, the fast reviving invalid. -
throwing pillows, medicine bottles, The remedies applied for a time seemed
hard tack, or any convenient missiles at to have brought the sick man to life
each other, to the infinite amusement of from the very gates of death, and for a
their cool-headed companions and at the day or two he continued to improve
imminent
steadily. When the Federal forces has-
tily retired and the streets were filled
RISK OF BOTH THEIR LIVES.
with joyous crowds hurrahing over the
Several of the other patients called return of the Confederates, he smiled
loudly for nurses and doctors, who soon
brightly and inquired with much inter-
est if the shouts were for “Zhackson."
appeared and separated the wrathful
Probably the excitement and noise were
patriots, already well-nigh exhausted too much for him in his enfeebled con-
by their efforts.
dition, for when I returned to the hos-
In the room with this doughty couple pital next morning, the death-like pal-
I found a very fine looking Confederate lor had returned and the strong man, no
soldier, who had been prostrated by the || longer struggling against his fate, was
beat or violent exertion made in march | rapidly yielding to the Great Conqueror.
ing with the battery of artillery to which He was half unconscious again, and
he belonged. He was from Louisiana || lay murmuring to himself in French,
and seemed to know very little English, perhaps recalling the names of absent
but constantly murmured French words loved ones, mingled with expressions of
in his half-delirious state. The low suffering.
melancholy tones in which he kept re The tone of his voice was so pathetic,
peating, "Que Je suis miserable! Que Je
and the aspect of the manly form, fast
suis malheureux !!" attracted my atten sinking into helplessness, so sad, that I
tion as I entered the room, and when, drew near, longing from my heart to
slightly raising his voice, he uttered in utter some word of
dismal accents: “Oh, mon Dieu ! Mon
Dieu !?I inquired of the surgeon who
COMFORT TO THE PARTING SOUL.
stood beside him, and seemed to be As a school girl, I had studied French
watching him closely, what caused such
with much pleasure; bad learned to read
lamentations.
The surgeon, who was trying to mus the language with ease, and to improve
ter a little French in order to talk to his my accent, bad committed various por-
patient, answered that the man was ex tions of scripture, short poems, &c., to
tremely ill, but he thought the case not memory. In the careless, idle life so
quite hopeless, and finding him sinking common with Southern girls, that had
into unconsciousness, had ordered mus- Il filled the interval between my leav-

TROUBLOUS TIMES.
251
ing school and the breaking out of 11 bodings to await the revelations of the
the war my little learning was
coming morning, at which time the news
never anything to speak of, had
been fast slipping away from me,
reached us that Major Anderson had
and now I reproached myself bitterly spiked the guns at Fort Moultrie and
for forgetfulness, as I stood beside the
taken possession of Sumter.
dying stranger, far from home and
This act surprised and aroused the in-
friends, and yainly strove to speak some
word in his own familiar tongue, that
dignation of the people. Then came the
might suothe the agitation of that quiv summons, "To arms!” and our hus-
ering form, might tell of hope and rest bands, sons and brothers left their homes
to that troubled spirit ere it winged its
flight from earth. The surgeon had
to obey the call of duty. Our hearts
quietly approached the bed and again
grew faint then, so little we dreamed of
and again had spoken to the sick man in the real terrors of war yet to be experi-
kindly tones which seemed to fall un-
enced. We felt forlorn and forsaken,
heeded on the dying ear. Suddenly, as
if by inspiration, the words of the Lord's
but at the same time the true “rebel”
Prayer, as I had learned them long ago spirit and resolution burned in our
in my French Bible, seemed to rise to hearts, and we were ready to do and
my lips, and leaning over the pillow,
suffer all that was in weak woman's
scarce whiter than the cheek which
rested upon it, I began to repeat slowly
power.
the words, "Notre pére, qui est en ciel, We moved into the city and remained
ton nom soit sanctifié-
there during the winter of 1861, and in
Scarcely had I uttered the first words
April passed through our first trial of
before the stranger started, seemed to
listen intently and, as I continued, the suspense and distress. Our batteries
restless motions ceased, the moans of attacked Fort Sumter, and during the
anguish died away, the trembling hands
attack we were cut ofſ from communi-
were reverently clasped on the heaving
cation with our men; exaggerated ru-
breast, and with unexpected firmness
the faltering lips took up the familiar mors of the number of lives lost spread
words, repeating each clause as I uttered through the town until the suspense
it Towards the close the voice began to
seemed too great to bear. The truth at
sink again. I could hardly distinguish
the accents as "à toi soit là pouvoir, la last brought joy and gratitude, for not
gloirs à jamais,” were spoken with the one had perished. After two days'
last faint effort. The amen was softly
struggle
breathed and followed by a gentle sigh,
as the soldier's spirit was wafted out on
MAJOR ANDERSON SURRENDERED.
the unknown sea.
The fact of our firing upon the "fag"?
inflamed the entire North, and the war
began in earnest.
No. 39.-Troublous Times.
The remainder of the summer and fol-
lowing winter our lives, though filled
with anxieties, were, outwardly, un-
(By E. L. L., of Charleston.)
eventful. In May, 1862, however, danger
threatened Charleston, and we deemed
On an evening in December, 1860,
it best to move to the interior of the
whilst seated around the tea table, at a State: so. packing up our household
farm about two miles from Charleston, effects, we left for Abbeville Courthouse.
There we spent six months of much
our family circle was much startled by
mental excitement and sorrow, caused
the boom of cannon-two reports only-
by the intelligence which reached us
but sufficient to arouse our fears to the from the seat of war of the deaths of
highest pitch. In silent wonderment
many very near and dear to us. Such
was the unity of feeling in the com-
we gazed at each other, as if asking an
munity that the engineer of the train
explanation. The unusual hour, the which brought the daily news some-
.condition of the affairs of the country at
what relieved our eagerness by blowing
preconcerted whistles before reaching
the time, made us naturally tremble
the depot, signifying victory or defeat.
with an undefined dread of what was to
Finding that the anticipated danger to
come. We retired with gloomy fore- || Charleston had passed for the time be-

252
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
built by the enemy in the marsh off
Morris Island, whence its name. A con-
year and remained in the quiet enjoy-
ment of our own homes until July, 1863,
when the Yankees began to shell the
town.
THAT NIGHT OF TERROR
will ever be remembered by the resi-
dents of Charleston, who were suddenly
and cruelly aroused from slumber by
unknown and unearthly sounds, which
rent the still air and sent a quiver of
terror through every nerve.
Surely God's merciful providence
o'ershadowed us then, as always, for to
my knowledge nolives were lost, though
the shells burst in every direction, and
through many dwellings. One such
night completely demoralized us, though
up to this time we had thought ourselves
thing, we again fled, this time to Green-
ville our family consisting of my three
children, my sister and myself. In
Greenville we met with much kindness
and care for the hearts of the people
were open to the refugees--and we re-
mained there for eight months, nothing
disturbing our private life. After that
lapse of time, being assured that our
house was beyond the range of the guns,
though a fuse shell did burst in the air
sending a fragment into a building only
a square off, and longing for our home,
we made up our minds to return, March,
1864.
THE PARROTT SHELLS CONTINUED TO
SCREECH
through the city, both day and night,
but at irregular spells, just as it suited
the enemy's fancy. Some sounded as if
coming straight for one's head, and the
involuntary feeling was to dodge aside.
Oh, we can never forget that sound! it
made our flesh creep.
Frequent prayers were offered in the
churches for the country's welfare. One
afternoon while walking to St. Paul's,
through Vanderhorst street, a shell fell
not many yards in front of me, passing
through a building and burying itself
in the earth. I stopped and hesitated.
the harbor, and often we would lie
awake at night listening to the broad-
sides poured into our blockade runners,
and which shook the city to its founda-
tions, and many an earnest, heart-felt
prayer went up for the brave, devoted
men, who dared so much for our good,
and their country's help. Supplies of all
kinds were then very scarce, and they
brought much aid and many comforts
to the suffering people. I
We had just begun to think ourselves
secure in our home when the alarm
came that Gen. Sherman, after his
destructive march through Georgia, had
reached Savannah. It was the general
and most natural conclusion, that he
was on his way to Charleston, as he had
threatened such dire
VENGEANCE UPON THE “CITY BY THE
SEA,"
Warning was given that those who
could had best leave the city, and at
once, and knowing that if we remained,
all communication with our dear ones
in the army'would be cut off, we did not
take long to decide what to do, and chose
Columbia as our place of refuge.
Just at this time one of my sisters at
Graham ville, on the Savannah road,
hearing of an approaching raid, escaped
in a wagon with her three children,
under the care of a colored man, who
proved very faithful and devoted, after-
wards assisting in her support from his
own earnings. She came in safety to our
home and joined us in our flight to Co-
lumbia.
I was just recovering from an attack
of illness, and still confined to my room,
when I had to be taken up and carried to
the depot. We left in the morning be-
fore day break on the day before Christ-
mas, and such was the condition of the
road that we did not reach Columbia un-
til midnight, travelling all day in cars
crowded to overflowing. We had sent
on ahead of us a faithful man servant in
charge of provisions and furniture ne-
cessary to our comfort, which he took to
rooms procured for us in a cottage not
far from the Asylum.
On our arrival the landlady received
us pleasantly, and took us to our rooms,
where a cheerful fire was burning,
Worn, weary, and sick, we were only too
glad to throw ourselves on the bare mat.
tress for the rest of the night. The next
day, Christmas though it was, we spent
in unpacking, arranging our rooms and
making ourselves comfortable.
io go on, but before taking many steps
I hea :d the dreaded report and another
for my courage, eo I turned and, with
rapid steps, retraced my way home.
My faith failed then entirely.
So that summer passed, and our ears,
as well as nerves, became completely
lccustomed to the demon visitors sent

TROUBLOUS TIMES.
253
Being persuaded that we were in || heads bowed as if in great sorrow, rode
safety, we settled down comfortably in slowly and sadly past. Bare-headed
our new home, but after a month's women rushed out of their doors, ask-
stay we heard, to our utter consterna ing what was the matter, and entreating
tion and dismay, that Sherman was on him not to leave them. After riding on
his way to the Capital. Instead of flying apace he sent one of his aides back to in-
from him, we had run into his very form us that they were retreating, and
arms, so to speak. Time was too short that the city had been surrendered by
then for us to make any arrangements the mayor.
to leave; besides, we knew not where to "What! leave us?" was the agonized
go. Therefore,
cry which burst from every lip; "leave
us in the hands of the dreaded foe?
WE WAITED IN DREAD
Then God have mercy upon us poor
the approach of the army. Nearer and helpless, deserted women.'
nearer it came; to describe our feelings
That prayer was answered, for with
the emergency came the strength to
is beyond mortal power. To meet the
bear, and a calmness that only God's
foe face to face was a fact which we had
grace could give in so awful an hour.
never allowed ourselves to contemplate. Col. Stone was the first officer to enter
A few days before Sherman entered the town, and our old doctor petitioned
the city we entertained three soldiers, him for a guard for our house, and he
whom we took to be Wheeler's men, at refused. This sent a chill of warning to
dinner and they told us of the creat size us as to what we we.e to expect from
of the approaching army, which had ad their mercy. Daring the day the troops
vanced, day by day, until they reached gradually spread over the city, entering
the Congaree River on Thursday, the houses and taking the dinners already
16th of February, and sent shells into prepared in the kitchens; going into
the city. Throughout the day the rifle stables and helping themselves to the
shots of the skirmishers, mingled with horses, destroying all vehicles; asking
the reports of the cannon, could be the time of day, and then taking the
heard, and the people were busy bury watches; amusing themselves generaily,
ing valuables under ground, and in and conversing with such as would join
every conceivable hiding place. My in conversation.
sister raised one or two boards of our Until the evening, we had been spared
store-room floor, and with some diffi their actual entrance into our house,
culty, the clay soil being as hard as rock, though small squads had been in the
dug a hole in which she hid away some yard and kitchen. We felt like victims
bottles of brandy. Fearing they might awaiting our execution.
be lost, she sewed up one bottle in our
mattress.
THE FIERY ORDEAL.
On the next morning, that painfully Towards twilight two men passed our
memorable day, the 17th of February,
house kicking a turpentine ball from one
1865, we were startled from sleep by a
terrific but accidental explosion, caused
side of the street to the other, and
by the blowing up of the South Carolina although we had no idea of their burn-
depot.
ing the town, each act aroused the
In trepidation and haste we dressed lurking suspicion of our minds.
ourselves and children, and waited, in Sherman had assured our mayor that
great anxiety, the further development. neither he nor the people need fear, as
Breakfast was served, but we were too all private property would be respected,
much disturbed to partake of it; then, though he could not answer for the
too, the enemy sent their shells again, public buildings. Thus the fears of the
reminding us of their proximity. One people were somewhat lulled, and the
falling in the yard where my sister was greater part of the inhabitants ventured
staying, just across the street, made us to retire, very soon to discover how
start from our seats and run out, eagerly
cruelly they had been deceived.
inquiring where to seek
But to go back a little; as the night
drew on, a lurid glare deepened around
PROTECTION FOR OUR LITTLE ONES.
the horizon; again our fears were
No place was to be found, so we aroused, but the answer to our “what is
nerved ourselves and prayed for
that light?'' was "only the camp fires !!!
when they knew that it was the fire set
strength to meet our fate. While stand-
by their torches, and which was gradu-
ing on the porch to see, if possible, some ally encircling the town like the coils of
one who would or could tell us wbat to a deadly serpent. Nearer and bri
expect, Gen. Beauregard and statf, with lit glowed, until we could no longer be
ater

254
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
deceived, and the cry was heard "the || and went out into the passage, leaving
town is in fiames, and we are lost !"
our rooms unmolested, though a large
I smile, now, at the remembrance of Il silver pitcher stood in tempting reach
the remarks my sister made in her ex of them.
citement and agony of mind, when we My room was on the front porch, and
first discovered that the town was on I though the blinds were pierced and
fire. “Can't some one order out the en shaken by their bayonets they were
gines ?" she asked, so little could she never unclosed; but the fearful oaths
believe the truth that the engines had and threats came distinctly through
been the first things destroyed by the them to our ears. Every other room
enemy upon their entrance.
was upset and ransacked, but surely
At the given signal, in rushed How-
ard's lawless 15th corps, to wreak their
THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN
vengeance upon an unprotected town of guarded that chamber of the helpless
women and children. But again an
and innocent, for it suffered no farther
over-ruling Providence and merciful
Father said, “Thus far shalt thou go,
intrusion from the ruffians.
and no farther, or what would have Our storeroom in the basement was
remained of us?
passed apparently unnoticed, which we
felt to be God's protecting care in our
ON CAME THE FLAMES,
extremity, for had they entered our
driven by a fierce wind and augmented provisions would have been destroyed,
by the cruel torches of the fiends, who
as were my sister's. Ruthlessly they
emptied the flour, grain, &c., upon the
unrelentingly applied them to building
ground, and mixed them with the sand
after building, as they rushed from and earth, leaving her witbout food.
block to block in their fury. The streets She, with her children, came over to
were bright as day, and the air was rent our cottage, and the eldest, poor little
with the screams and cries of distress, girl, took refuge in my bed, where she
mingled with infant wails, and the imagined she was quite safe. Oh, for
demon yells of the tormenters. Who the simple faith of childhood!
can picture that scene, except to compare About midnight every evil was at its
it with the lower regions?
height. Party after party assailed our
It was then between the hours of 10 cottage, each determined on its destruc-
and 11, and every house was over-rua tion. They had cotton saturated with
with soldiers, the whole town was turned kerosine and turpentine, which, on the
into a fearful bedlam. Alcoholic spirits end of their bayonets or rods, they ran
flowed freely, adding to the surround up between the weather-boarding and
ing horrors. The men decked them plastering. The room just below mine
selves with artificial flowers from the contained many combustibles, in tbe
milliner's stores, and danced in the shape of paper and shavings, remaining
streets. Musical instruments were from the packing and moving of provi-
dragged about and strummed upon; the sions, &c. To these they applied the
cruel laughter and mocking jeers of the torch, and so persistent were their efforts
brutes, called soldiers, heightening the to burn the house that all hope forsook
demoniacal scene.
my brave and heroic sister, Feeling un-
Our house was filled with soldiers, equal to announce to me what she thought
drunken and sober, and three of the to be a fatal fact, our kind old landlord
drunken ones had been turned from my came into the room, and taking his seat
door by our kind old doctor. But when at my bedside, told me as gently as such
my infant was only an hour old, another tidings could be told, to prepare for the
party, with cigars in their mouths, but worst, as the house had been set on fire,
fortunately sober, burst into the room. and that they would have to move me.
My sister, the only other occupant of the Two of the soldiers, on hearing my story,
room, sprang from her seat with my showed more heart than the officers had,
baby on one arm, and the other out and offered to make me a stretcher, if
stretched in agonized entreaty: "For my sister would give them a strong quilt.
God's sake. leave the room: my sister is Taking boards from the fence they began
very ill and you will kill her!” They their work, and each stroke of the ham-
calmly surveyed the room and an mer
swered: “We won't hurt you," and
WAS AS A NAIL IN MY COFFIN.
passed into the adjoining room, where About 1 o'clock they sent for our old
the children had been asleep, but who
doctor to know what should be done
now set up loud screams of fright.
Again they spoke: “Don't cry, little
with me. He came, much distracted
ones, we are not going to trouble you,” land crushed, and told us that all he now

TROUBLOUS TIMES.
255
possessed in the world was the clothing in this they escaped the ordeal of being
he had on. All, all, had been destroyed, searched, to which many others were
and his family had sought refuge in the subjected.
Asylum yard, already crowded with the I cannot begin to tell of the demorali-
homeless. He advised that I should not zation of our household; each member
be moved, unless the house was past would fly through the rooms bringing
hope, for where was I to go? No one accounts of terrible threats or of deeds
knew. Death seemed to stare me in the done. Our old nurse lost her wits com-
pletely, and all she could say while
"Rebel" spirit spoke: “Better to be going in and out was: “Lord, what is
burned than be taken out by Yankee dis? what is dis ? Dem debils, oh, dem
soldiers !” I was not, however, un debils!” Many moments I would be
grateful to these two kind soldiers, entirely deserted, and to be calmly pas-
whom I believe were Iowa men, and sive at such a time was harder than the
who, as a general rule, showed the most active excitement of the others.
mercy. But the scenes of that night had The loving care of our Heavenly
not engendered love in our hearts to-
wards them.
rival of a cup of arrow root and brandy,
My sister had gone almost into the sent by a tender, thoughtful heart,
streets pleading with each officer or pri through all confusion and danger. I
vate that passed for help; indeed, she plead never knew how it came, or who brought
so unceasingly throughout the night it, but it reached my bedside in time to
that by morning she had completely lost restore my sipking frame, as the intense
her voice. Her distress at last attracted excitement had well nigh extinguished
the attention of a captain. On hearing the vital spark. That Christian act I
her name, he found it to be the same as can never forget.
that of an intimate friend and chum About 5 o'clock in the morning the
of his who was a colonel in some New order to cease the terrible carnival was
York regiment, and a very distant rela given, and the immediate quiet which
tive of ours. Upon this he promised to followed was passing strange, yet it
save the house, and he kept his word, showed the thorough discipline of the
fighting hard with every new party that. mighty army: besides. it proved most
set the fire, and succeeding in extinguish - clearly that permission, if not express
ing the flames. Thus the much-dreaded command, had been given
stretcher was never needed.
Such was the effrontery and impu-
TO BURN AND SACK THE TOWN,
dence of some of the soldiers, that in the notwithstanding the oft repeated asser-
midst of all that torture of mind, one of
tion that "the soldiers had got beyond
them seeing a sheet of music, with my
sister's name upon it, in the parlor, sent
one of our servants to request hur to which had fallen into their hands."
give it to him. We were struck even As soon as possible in the morning,
then, with the completeness of the farce.
the inhabitants turned out with one con-
Another sent for some saleratus, to make sent, to learn the fate of their relatives
his bread with, which my sister hastily and friends. One can well imagine the
bestowed, thinking to conciliate them, varied experiences each one had to re-
and prevent them forcing their way into late. The homeless were taken in by
the room. Some of them said, they the more fortunate, and food and cloth-
knew where to come, after the war, for ing were shared with the destitute. It
wives
was our pleasure to provide breakfast
for our kind old doctor on his morning
SOUTHERN WOMEN WERE SO PLUCKY.
visit.
It was something ludicrous to see how Again and again, during that day, we
suddenly stout some of our household
were startled by explosions which made
our house rock on its foundation and
grew that night. Two or three suits
our hearts sink. The enemy was blow-
were added to the children's clothing as ing up the public buildings, but our
well as the grown persons, and hoop private houses were protected by guards.
skirts proved safe receptacles for valu The captain, who had been so kind in
ables of all kinds. My sisters were saving our house from the fury of the
weighted down with jewelry and gold, flames, continued his watchfulness while
not to speak of shoes and other articles the army remained in Columbia. Under
his protection, two of my sisters went
with a large shawl thrown around her, to Gen. Wood's headquarters, and re-
covering desks, &c., appeared to weigh quested a guard, which was not refused
two hundred pounds. In spite of all ll this time.

.256
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
In the evenings the soldiers would chop || my husband, and, the railroad having
down fences for camp fires, and if you can been destroyed for many miles above
imagine the number of axes all cutting Columbia, the three walked the desolated
at once you will not wonder that the road. On the way terrible tales were
strange and mysterious sound made us told them, which filled their hearts with
think that some still greater calamity an agony of dread as to our condition.
was coming upon us. Our guard ex Weary and foot-sore they reached us at
plained it, as he did all unusual sounds, last, and finding us brought in safety
and calmed our fears in a measure, but through the ordeal, tears of joy and grat-
we could not, and did not, believe him itude coursed down their cheeks.
implicitly.
After that time there was no event of
On Sunday service was held in the moment in our lives, excepting a threat-
churches that had been saved and quiet ened raid of colored troops from Sumter,
was observed by the army.
till May. when the crushing news
Then came Monday, the day of depar came of
ture. The long train of wagons, laden
LEE'S SURRENDER.
with every kind of provisions, comfort
and luxury, passed our door. The men
"It cannot be true,"' we said; "Lee
were splendidly equipped, the horses could not, would not surrender!”
fat and strong. What a contrast to our Such was our faith in our great hero.
half-clad, half-starved men, and lean,
The news proved only too sadly true,
broken-down horses ! Though these
horses of ours, we were told, when the
however, and throughout the length and
order came to charge,'' would spring breadth of the Southern land, tears of
forward with new life and strength, as ll bitter, bitter disappointment were shed,
if they possessed
alike by war veterans and broken-
hearted men and women.
THE UNCONQUERABLE SPIRIT
We then united our families in one
of their masters. The trains were so house, and remained the summer in
long in passing that the ear grew weary
Columbia. A garrison was stationed
there, and many little incidents, both
of the grating of the wheels, as they
provoking and amusing, took place,
dragged their heavy loads along.
which I do not remember well enough
At last they were gone! Then came to relate.
the overwhelming sense of our destitu Our families parted in October, when
tion! The great stillness after the storm two of my sisters left for Charleston.
of destruction was oppressive, stifling! The railroad had been destroyed for
What next?
many miles, and they had a weary and
As night drew on dread of the strag. uncomfortable ride in a wagon, to reach
glers seized us, for we had heard of their the City by the Sea
lawless deeds. Vigils were kept in A month later we considered our-
every house, as very few ventured to selves very fortunate in securing an old
rest. The old men organized themselves carriage, and in having a much shorter
and patroled the town, which gave us distance to ride, for the road had been
somewhat the feeling of security, and repaired as far up as Hopkins Station.
God, in tender mercy and compassion, We reached home in safety, and with
spared us further trial.
hearts full of gratitude to see it once
Many negroes went with the army; more. We found the house stripped of
some returned before going very far; every article, still it was "Home, sweet
some, suffering from exposure and hard home, that name so full of rest and
ship, stopped on the way, and several quiet.
died. Our servants were faithful and One morning, shortly after our arrival,
devoted during the whole war.
we were much disturbed by our butler
As soon as practicable wagon loads of coming up stairs, greatly excited and
provisions were sent from Sumter and saying a Yankee officer wished to see
other sections which had escaped the me.
destroyer's torch. These provisions See me? what on earth could he wish
were distributed daily to the inhabitants, for everything was already gone.
my sisters going regularly with the rest The demand, however, was so impera-
of the sufferers for their “rations," tive, and we so completely in their
which, though plain and coarse, were power, that I dared not disobey, and,
most acceptable.
with trembling steps, I went down.
Two weeks later my father and bro First, though, I must tell of his en-
ther, who were on furlough from Virginia, trance into the house. The servant was
hearing of the burning of Columbia, left | preparing the table for dinner, when he
Abbeville to learn our fate. They met
sawt s officer and a lady walking in

THE INAUGURATION OF MR. DAVIS.
257
through the back entrance, without || No. 40.--The Inauguration of Mr. Davis.
leave or license. This incensed him at
once, for his ideas of politeness and eti-
quette were very strict, and he felt it
(By Mrs. E. P. Morrisette, of Montgomery, Ala.)
AN INSULT TO A GENTLEMAN'S FAMILY."
"There is a land of every land the pride,
Not very courteously he demanded Beloved by heaven oer every land beside;
There is a spot of earth supremely blest,
“What he wanted ? why he had not rung
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.”
the bell and waited to be asked in?
Campbell
didn't he know that ladies were in the
house? he wasn't accustomed to such
The invitation of THE WEEKLY NEWS
manners! While speaking he con AND COURIER to the women of the South
ducted them back to the street, where
for reminiscences of the late war meets a
the lady resumed her seat in the car-
riage that awaited them, and he brought
ready response in all our hearts. Women
the officer in through the front door, are now no less indifferent than were the
and, conducting him to the parlor, sum Israelitish mothers, wives and daughters
moned me.
in the olden time, when they sang praises
When I entered, the officer remained
seated, and giving no salutation what-
to David returning victorious from con-
ever, entered at once upon his business. test with the oppressions of his coun-
Treating me with marked insolence of
try. Soon these historic women had no
manner, he said: "I wish to see the
house, and want to know what furniture
land to claim as home, but they were
it contains, as I wish to take possession." true in all after ages to the heroes that
I stood amazed, turning over in my had lived, to the traditions of their past.
mind what and how to answer, our
All that is left us is the memory of our
faithful servant standing, meanwhile,
just outside the door, to protect me from
struggle, the names of those who made
insult. Vexed and frightened, I man it glorious, and the belief that the prin-
aged to reply: "I think you have made ciples for which we contended with
a mistake, sir; this house belongs to my
husband.”
tongue, pen and sword will yet be vin-
Not at all,” said he, rising from bis
dicated as the true exposition of the
seat in evident irritation, "it is on the Constitution.
books of the Freedmen's Bureau."
I do not propose to write personal
"That cannot be, and to satisfy your-
self, would you be kind enough to call
recollections, for I was very young when
again when my husband will be at fighting began-that struggle“not for the
home ???
slavery of the colored race, but for the
He went off without even a "good
freedom of the white race from the
morning.”
My servant's indignation, knowing no abuses of a majority. I can only re-
bounds, gave vent to invectives and member that about the time that I was 6
oaths of all kinds, and the faithful crea years old my invalid mother was
ture threatened to kill the officer if he re strangely excited, and how, one evening,
turned. However, we heard nothing she who rarely left us little folks at night
more of him, though, for awhile, we ex went to the theatre to hear Yancy speak.
pected to be turned into the streets.
The air resounded with his name, and
As a tribute to the memory of our the community was wild with enthusi-
faithful servant, I would record his love asm for him, and with the fervor of pa-
and devotion to my brother, whom he triotism he woke in their souls. I have
accompanied throughout the entire cam heard men since the war say that there
paign of Virginia, following him on was more in the man and his magnetic
Gen. Stuart's raid through Pennsylva influence than there was in his addresses
nia, when he was tempted to leave his before an audience, and have thought
master and be free, which he declined, that that comparison in Macaulay of
preferring to follow him through all logic and politics was here anplicable.
dangers and privations. He was the Alluding to the awkward framing of an
servant of my brother's “mess,' and Act of Parliament which secured great
known to them as "Old Titus.'
liberties to the English people, he said
In closing my experiences of the war, that such words must be judged not as
I would add that with advanced years, words elegant or rhetorical, but as deeds
and in the blessedness of peace, though affecting the end they contemplated.
true "Rebels” still, we bear only love Judging the orations of Wm. L. Yancy
and good will towards our fellow-men. Il either as specimens of eloquence or as
33

258
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
potent factors in the war, how great they | The recollections which come next are
were! That he honestly gave his voice of my mother's anxiety to get the news-
for secession, even those who were papers every day; a change, as the war
strongest for "fighting in the Union" do progressed, to coarser food and plainer
not doubt, and for a man like him to be clothes, learning to sew and to knit, that
possessed with this conviction, how nat I too might put something in the boxes
urally it followed that his companions forwarded to our soldiers.
and associates should feel and think with As I neared 11 years of age, old enough
him.
now for patriotism to be thoroughly
The next excitement that made an im awake, how my heart ached as all
pression on my mind was
seemed about to close in defeat. How
crushed and humiliated I felt that soft,
THE INAUGURATION OF MR. DAVIS.
spring day when blue-coated soldiery
The day of this ceremony, the 18th of marched into Montgomery. Already,
February, 1861, will live in memory as
the evening before, huge black volumes
of smoke had told us that the warehouses
long as live any, even the remote de-
were being burned to keep their stores
scendants of the men who framed at from enriching the enemy. I know now
Montgomery the Confederate Constitu that they contained a hundred thousand
tion. The 13th of this month will be bales of cotton, worth many millions of
cherished by all the Southern States, es dollars. I never expect to see, unless I
pecially by Virginia, she taking the lead witness a volcanic eruption, anything
in the Peace Convention which assem more awfully sublime than was this
bled in Washington, our national capi conflagration. First the huge, dense
tal, on that day. Her son, ex-President volumes of smoke, looking as if they
Tyler, presided, and made there his elo came belching from the opened mouths
quent, almost his last, appeal for tri of hell, then the lurid flames leaping
umph of country over party, for justice through the iron-barred windows, then
and right. Death spared him the bitter the whole structures glowing flame-col
ness reserved for others, not less true ored against the night sky, in their lu-
anu' devoted, “who wrote their own eulo minous brightness, obliterating the stars
gy in their country's history." In overhead and making those on the op-
"characters bright, resplendent, glo posite side of the heavens look pale and
rious, vivifying,' do the heroes of the dim.
dead 'Confederacy stand in history. The Ero long came the news of the final,
women of the South are deaf to the complete surrender, and even the suck-
voice of detraction-these names they ling babes of Southern women then
will love and revere as long as are ven missed all gladness from their mothers'
erated the virtues of courage, patriot faces.
ism and self-sacrifice, saying only in • A few times I had seen Confederate
Tyler's words: "If this be delusion, let soldiers. I remember that one evening
me embrace it as reality."
they said the Tuskaloosa cadets (the
A dim picture, hazy with childish im cadets of the State Military Institute) had
pressions, that inauguration scene rises been called on. One of my cousins was
before me. The white Capitol building among them, and how my heart beat and
loomed large on the grass-covered emi pulses throbbed as this young company
nence. Outside a narrow space, reserved trod to martial music of fife and drum
vacant immediately in front, a vast con through our streets just after dark.
course crowded. The attending military These boy-soldiers acquitted themselves
looked stern and terrible to me clinging nobly in repelling a Federal raid on the
to my father's hand. Soon the pale, reso railroad near Chehaw, above this city.
lute face of Mr. Davis appeared in the Once, I remember, a soldier had called
midst of giave men on the portico, and at my mother's in search of Mrs. S. L. A.
he began his address. Rarely in all the Bibb, who was at that time president of
annals of history did an audience listen the Ladies' Hospital of this place, and I
as did this audience, and never to a was sent to guide him to her house, and
braver, truer man. Clear his tones rose, felt honored in doing even so slight a
chaste, simple and fervid were his words, service for him. Mrs. Bibb once took
and at last, in expressions that even a me with her to this hospital, and I can
child could comprehend, he called on never forget the impression made on me
God to witness
by the spectacle of so many strong men
THE HONESTY OF HIS PURPOSE, laid low by sickness and by wounds.
and invoked Divine aid in the discharge
MRS. S. L. A. BIBB
of that high office to which he had been is a revered relative and it is of her and
called.
her work in the wards of the sick and

THE INAUGURATION OF MR. DAVIS.
259
dying that I mean to write. Her maiden || accepted, the cool, healthful locality sur-
name was Miss Sophia Gilmer, daughter mounting the inconvenience of distance,
of Mrs. S. M. Gilmer, of Oglethorpe added to the important consideration of
County, Ga., and sister of Governor its being a free gift to the society, whose
Geo. Gilmer, of that State. Mrs. Bibb's funds were limited. The greatest nun-
mother was Miss Lewis, of Virginia, a ber of sick here at any one time was
daughter of the Lewises distinguished twenty-eight. The ladies hired a faith-
for patriotism and courage in Revolu. ful old German and his wife to stay
tionary times. In her marriage she was there night and day, and they went out
singularly blessed, her husband, Benajah every day in their carriages to minister
S. Bibb, now in his eighty-eighth year, with their generous associate, Mrs. Bel-
having been the companion of her child lenger, to the suffering. In several in-
hood, and a husband who gave to her stances a soldier was carried from there
the first and only love of his life, a to the private homes, that his improve-
love that has beautifully stood the ment might be more rapid. The house
test of sixty-five wedded years. He of Mrs. Bibb's daughter-in-law, Mrs. W.
is known and honored throughout his J. Bibb, was the first that so honored
native State, which he served in her itself with such a visitor. Among the
early Legislatures and as Judge in her first engaged in this noble work were
Courts. His brothers, Wm. Wyatt Bibb Mrs. Dr. Bellenger, Mrs. S. L. A. Bibb,
and Thomas Bibb, were the first two Mrs. W. J. Bibb, Mrs. Crawford Bibb,
Governors of Alabama. So you can Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Hausman, Mrs. Coles,
easily see that with Mrs. Bibb heroism Mrs. Elmore and others. Mrs. Bellen-
and patriotism were an inheritance of ger is still living in the same place, a
blood, and that this was fostered and white-haired, gentle old lady, and she
encouraged by the perfect sympathy of loves to recall these past scenes.
her noble husband. Nor will you deem
"Once a great many of the poor fel-
it strange that I sought her permission lows had measles here,' she told me,
to put on record a course of devotion to "and Dr. Bellenger said 'suppose, wife,
her country's service of which her every you give them some hot punch; nothing
child and grandchild is justly proud. Of would be better to bring the measles out
her and of him our earnest prayer is that thoroughly. So I went out and said to
"their worth may plant itself honorably them: "How would you like some hot
forth into new generations."
punch?' And oh, what a smile went
Southern women may have done no round! They took it, and it did them
more than those of any other clime and
age, under similar circumstances, but In the following December the ladies
never did women feel more and try to rented a larger building more centrally
do more. All classes, from highest to located. A question which from the
lowest, laid aside every duty and de first gave them much concern was, what
voted themselves to some kind of labor shall we name the house? One sug-
that might relieve or benefit our armies gested “Soldiers' Retreat." "Never!
in the field. While the men, from broke forth Mrs. Elmore, "our soldiers
schoolboys to grandfathers, were volun will never retreat." This high-spirited
teering for army service, the women woman could not bear such an associa-
were not idle. They sought every op-
tion of ideas with a cause as dear to her
portunity of equipping and supplying as life itself, for which her son was
the armies in the field. Montgomery be-
fighting, and which she honored even
ing a central point on the great thor in defeat. The name was soon decided
oughfare of the Confederacy, great num by the parting remark of a soldier who
bers of sick and wounded soldiers were called to say good-bye to his brother sick
sent or detained here. Before any pro in the house. “Well, I will write our
visio nad been marle for these a soldier mother that you were not carried to a
had been sent to the poorhouse. Already hospital, but to a soldiers' home.” The
the ladies of Montgomery had formed first president of the Soldiers' Home was
themselves into a society for making
MRS. WM. L. YANCY,
garments to be forwarded as they were
needed. As soon as the news was brought
wife of our "silver-tongued orator.” The
to this association of the sick soldier,
friends of this lady often teased her about
they began to discuss plans for a hos her extravagance in so soon spending
pital.
the money her husband, on going to
MRS. DR. BELLENGER
Europe, put int) her hands for family
offered some new unoccupied houses on
expenses. It all speedily went, much of
her lot just outside the city limits for it purchasing belp and comfort for
this purpose, and her offer was eagerly | Southern soldiers, and she had to write
good."

260
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
him that he must give her orders for For some time the home was self-sup-
more. The next president was Mrs. porting. Judge Bibb was known from
Geo. W. Petrie, still living, the wife of Huntsville to Mobile, and his wife
the venerable pastor of the Presbyterian almost as well-known as he, for aviong
Church of this city.
this rare gentleman's most lovable
Mrs. S. L. A. Bibb, who had been an characteristics were devotion to his wife
active member of the sewing society, and an unconquerable habit of praising
who with her daughter-in-law had been her. Contributions poured in to Mrs.
assiduous in her labors at the hospital Bibb from many counties far and near:
outside the city limits, and who had been money, provisions, wine, clothing,
active vice-president from its very begin quilts, everything that could be useful.
ning, was now chosen president. Each The Hebrews were munificent in their
year she resigned, to leave the office open contributions, those of ordinary means
to any who might be preferred. Each year giving often in these hard times one
she was re-elected, and continued to be I hundred dollars or its worth in commo-
president, and a constant, untiring tidies.
worker in hospital service till the close One wardrobe was reserved for burial
of the war. In 1866, she remarked in clothes. When a soldier died here,
conversation, "During the Confederacy, away from his home, beyond the
I gave every day in my life to it, and if reach of the ministry of mother, wife
it were to do over again, I'd give the and sister, then indeed did all that
nights.”
was tenderest in the heart of Mrs.
Mrs. Bibb was so fortunate as to have Bibb seek to supply every loving care
at home a daughter who relieved her of and attention. She saw that each was
all household cares. Every day she neatly dressed, wrote name, home and
went immediately after breakfast down regiment in the Home records, and fol-
to the Home, where she was busy till lowed every one who was buried in the
dinner time, then right back again to cemetery here to the grave hallowed by
stay till night. Often she would have a soldier's form. A card bearing the
ignored her dinner hour, but her idol. same data was placed in each coffin and
ized husband could not bear to miss her the headboards were marked in the same
loved face from the head of his table. In way. Time effaced the writing on these
her little ofice room she consulted, di frail headboards; the records of the
rected, received and dictated letters, cut Home were destroyed after the ladies
out clothes and supervised the business had sent them off for preservation just
of the establishment. She daily in after the war. So, in consequence of this
spected every department of the build effacement, and this loss, a gravestone
ing, kept her carriage at the door for now here and there in the soldiers'
general use, and this energetic lady, un enclosure, bears
willing that any moment should not be THE SAD WORD "UNKNOWN.”
improved, kept her knitting in her
pocket and her busy fingers plied the
Many sick ones given up by the at-
needles as she moved about. She knit || tending physicians were nursed back to
two hundred and twenty-seven pairs of life and health by the unwearying ladies.
socks. One of her small economies in Mrs. Bibb recalls particularly four cases.
the establishment was to convert waste Two of these were brothers, one only 18,
material into excellent soap, for which weakened with fever, worn and emacia-
there was plentiful demand there.
ted, for whom the doctors said they
PRESIDENT DAVIS
could do no more. A room was thor-
often called at the Soldiers' Home on his
oughly cleansed, freshened with white-
wash, and prepared with two beds for
visits to Montgomery, and he made Mrs. their reception. They were borne into
Bibb's heart glad with the assurance that it on their mattresses and gently lifted
nowhere in any part of the country had down to their fresh beds, were treated
he seen a hospital more perfectly kept, with warm sponge baths followed by
The average number of sick at a time rubbing with olive oil, and fed regularly
was one hundred; once the inmates and in small quantities with good meat
numbered five hundred,
broths. Health and strength returned,
At one time early in its history many and they went out again to risk their
soldiers were suddenly brought here, lives in their country's battles. The
and piles of fresh straw were laid bed third was a soldier whose home was
shape on the floors, and sheeting spread near Greenville. His case grew des-
over and tacked tightly down; on these perate and for him at last there was
the sick lay, and an order was speedily nothing that medical skill could ac-
sent to Pratt's Mills in Prattville for complish; he too, under the super-
several hundred cots.
intendence and ministry of these de-

THE INAUGURATION OF MR. DAVIS.
261
voted women, recovered, and rejoined || B. Bell. “Aunt Sophy" he called the
his regiment. The fourth was from former, for by this name she was best
Richmond, Va., and was one of the known to the patients. Stretching out
many who were during the war carried his arm towards the Gulf, with glowing
to Mrs. Bibb's private residence. His cheeks, his voice vibrating with feeling,
disease arrested, he pined but for his he said, "I'd do anything at the bidding
mother's face.. So Mrs. Bibb had him of Aunt Sophy or Mrs. Bell. I'd jump
warmly wrapped up, took him in her into that bay, this moment, to serve
carriage to the depot, entreated the con either of them.” Many felt grateful de-
ductor to be careful of him and to pass votion no less intense and sincere to both
the word along the line that this soldier these faithful women, for both have lived
boy might in the home of his mother long enough since to have received just
get well. One day not long after this such messages of appreciation.
she was standing busily engaged in the When all was over Mrs. Bibb nad still
president's office, and turned to listen a labor of love for the Lost Cause. Ame-
to the sound of hurried steps. Before morial association was formed with in-
she could see who it was that rushed in tent to replace the wood with marble
at the door she was encircled in the em over the Confederates buried in our cem.
brace of the soldier-boy to whom she etery, and to erect a monument to their
had been almost, but not quite, a mother, undying fame. Many of the same true
Her face lights up now as she says, “He women who had engaged heart and soul
was so robust and well;" and then it in the hospital service brought the same
saddens as she adds--for he was passing spirit to this work. A stone now marks
through on his way to the field"I never each grave, and a fair marble shaft rises
heard of him again.”
on the spot in commemoration of duty
Once came a box of clothing froin some done by those who sleep around. On
young ladies, each shirt being made every 26th of April one chosen by the
with a little side-pocket. In each pocket Ladies' Memorial Association pro-
the fair makers had put a letter or note. nounces a eulogy over their graves.
The dignified Southern dames consulted Some have suggested that it is time
over the propriety of allowing the notes
to leave this off. I am not suffi-
to remain, but as they were found to be ciently a historian to say what ex-
merely appeals to patriotism and valor, amples have been set by women
or assurances of admiration for some of other lands as to the perpetu-
well-known glorious Southern conflict, ation of such a memorial service over
or pity for suffering no less known, these the fallen soldiers of an immortal cause.
messengers of cheer were undisturbed. I can only recall what the most eloquent
If any romance was ever connected with chronicler of chivalric deeds says in re-
the result, these ladies never learned.
gard to the celebrations, kept up for a
For a long time the Home was sup century, of the superhuman valor of the
ported by private contributions; but at desperate Protestants of Londonderry :
last the aid of the Government was "It is impossible not to respect the senti-
solicited, and Mrs. Bibb yet speaks of ment which indicates itself by these
the jolly and generous commissary, tokens. It is a sentiment which belongs
to the higher and purer part of human
MAJOR CALHOUN,
nature, and which adds not a little to the
with grateful remembrance for his strength of States. A people which take
no pride in the achievements of remote
prompt reponses to her every demand.
ancestors will never achieve anything
The ladies were wonderfully fortunate
worthy to be remembered with pride by
in their first matron, Mrs. Walton, a remote descendants."
French woman, who had spent much of Imbued with just such sentiment was
her life in England. She was judicious, Mrs. Bibbin the formation of the Memo-
skilled, sunny-tempered, tender-hearted rial Association, of which she was at once
and courageous. Her health was delicate unanimously made president, a position
and her death, two years after she entered to which she has been re-elected year
on her duties, was a loss which could after year. Mrs. Bibb feels that as long
never afterwards be fully repaired. as she can do anything she will place
Other matrons were employed, but none flowers on these graves as each anniver-
were so dutiful as this pure, good wo sary returns; and as long as her heart
man, whom many rose up to call blessed. beats, and her tongue can speak, she
I met in 1879, at one of the resorts on will cheer others on to the same
the Gulf coast, an ex-soldier of the Con-
· LABOR OF GRATEFUL LOVE.
federacy, once an inmate of the Home,
who, finding I was from Montgomery,
With no pensions for the living, no
inquired after Mrs. Bibb and Mrs. Wm. ll Governmental care for the dead, this is

262
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the sole tribute in our power to the hero- || of the regiments of our State that fol-
ism of our fathers, brothers and sons,
lowed the glorious banner of Lee, and
who offered their lives in the defence of
principles they regarded as the heritage
were true and faithful soldiers to the
of the founders of this Union.
last.
In the beginning the Memorial Asso I cannot restrain the promptings of my
ciation gave public entertainments, con-
heart, and must mention the names of
certs, &c., to raise funds. In these the
school girls took part, learning from our
two heroes who belonged to that band of
elders love of country and veneration Carolinians in the Western army, both
for the dead. In one of these how well of whom fell in the forefront of their
I recall hearing recited the exquisite
brigades, dying, as said the gallant
verses of Father Ryan on -The land
without ruins.” Of all his war poems, I
Gregg, "for South Carolina.” The
believe none expresses more fully what names of Brig.-Gens. States Rights Gist
we feel :
and Clement H. Stevens, written by the
"Yes, give me the land where the ruins are women of Charleston in enduring brass,
spread,
will never be forgotten by their children
And the living tread light on the hearts of
the dead;
while the spirit of their State animates
Yes, give me a land that is blest with the
the hearts of their mothers.
dust,
And bright with the deeds of the down-trod At the period of which I write Atlanta
den just:
was invested by the army of Gen. Sher-
Yes, give me the land where the battle's red
man. To be near my husband, I had
biasi
Has flashed to the future the fame of the
removed with my little boy then just
past.
3 years old, to a town in Georgia, near
Yes, give me the land that hath legends and the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad, and
: lays
forty miles from the besieged city. Here
That tell of the memories of long vanished
I had a comfortable house, and here I
days;
Yes, give me a land that hath story and
could receive letters or telegrams from
song!
my husband, and we thought ourselves
Enshrining the strife of the right with the most fortunate in the arrangement. His
wrong!
letters had apprised me of the results of
Yes, give me a land with a grave in each
Gen. Johnston's campaign and of the
spot,
And names in the graves that shall not be battle of the 20th of July under Gen.
forgot.
Hood. I was given fully to understand
Yes, give me the land of the wreck and the that Atlanta was in danger, and that
tomb;
hard fighting for it was before our army.
There is grandeur in graves, there is glory in
gloom.
We could
For out of the gloom future brightness is
HEAR THE GREAT GUNS
born,
As after the night conaes the sunrise of mora.
occasionally, and now that the seige had
And the graves of the dead with the grass
commenced my letters did not come and
overgrown
May yet form the footstool of liberty's throne. I was in all the anxiety of constant sus-
And each single wreck in the warpath of pense. Those only who have felt this
might
Shall yet be a rock in the temple of right.''
anxiety know what it is. With nothing
but the great fact ever before us, that
any moment might record our deepest
sorrow and loss, what had we to relieve
No. 41. The Confederate Officer's Wife. our hearts but a sense of His protection,
whose providence could cover the heads
of our loved ones in the day of battle
(By Palmetto, of Greenville, S. C.)
and deliver us from trouble.
From my husband's letters I was en-
From the four years of our Confeder-
couraged to hope for the best. It was im-
ate history I select a brief period of the possible for me to remove from the place
last, the summer of 1864, as embracing
where I was living, as our little daughter
was but six days old. On this day, as I
some of my most trying experiences.
lay in bed, the only white adult in the
My husband was an officer of one of the house, a lady friend rushed into my
four South Carolina regiments of inſan chamber and exclaimed: “Mrs. -
try that belonged to the Western army
the town is full of Yankees !”
The famous raiders were indeed upon
--regiments that did as hard fighting
us! I had no one with me but my nurse,
and lost as many gallant men as any four Il a faithful, free colored woman from

THE CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S WIFE.
263
Charleston, two young servants, my little One of the soldiers walked up to the
boy and babe. Vivid pictures of the barrel and took a pair of socks. The
cruelty to which so many of my country. nurse pleaded with him to spare me the
women and their children had been stockings as they could be of no use to
subjected rose to my mind and agitated him. Her earnestness overcame him,
my heart. I felt almost overcome.
and throwing back the old socks he ran
One thing saved me--a powerful sense his hand round among them and turned
of God's omnipresence, and an almost away from the barrel, little dreaming
immediate remembrance of an incident what was hidden there. As soon as he
of which I had recently read in the wars left the room Maria took the silver and
of Napoleon. A cottage lay right in the concealed it more effectually. But for
path of his conquering army, the her activity and intelligent thoughful-
inmates of which consisted of an ness all of it, including the valued and
aged grandmother and her grand valuable gifts of our marriage, must
children. Dreading the approach of have gone into the treasures of the
Napoleon's army and trembling raiders, for the trunk from which Maria
with apprehension the aged Christian, took it was broken open and robbed of
at family prayers that night, had prayed everything in it.
that God would raise up a wall of de The lady who brought me the news of
fence for them against their devastating
the presence of the soldiers had prom-
foe! This was the prayer of faith, but ised to spend the night with me, but her
the young people ridiculed the prayer heart failed her, and well it might. She
and told her that this was not the day of resided in the family of a most excellent
miracles. During the night, however, gentleman, a Methodist preacher, the
the snow fell heavily and drifted before Rev. Mr. B-, whose house was im-
the winds in great banks, so that the mediately opposite ours. He promptly
cottage was literally hidden from the proposed that I should be brought over
highway by a "wall of snow," and the to his house for safety, and accordingly,
invader passed by! This incident came I was put into an easy chair and carried
to my mind with so much force that I across the street, Maria bringing the
felt strengthened for the terrible ordeal baby, with her flag pillow, the house
that was before me. Nothing, I telt, and its contents being surrendered to
could harm me unless it was the will of Gen. Gerrard's soldiers, who made good
my Heavenly Father, and if it was His use of their opportunity, breaking every
will that I should be molested, it was trunk open and emptying them of their
my duty to submit.
contents.
HOW THE FLAG WAS SAVED.
At Mr. B- 's I was put on a bed in a
chamber on the first floor, the baby on
I was nerved to think what I had best
another, and the excitement being in-
do to save the huge flag of my husband's tense everyone rushed out to be ab-
regiment, which he had sent me to work || sorbed in the scenes of
the names of battles on, and which hung
from the staff in one corner of our cham-
DISORDER AND CONFUSION.
ber. I got the nurse to tear it from the As I lay on my bed I heard the uproar
staff, which she hid under the house,
of voices in the street and the passage-
and, taking the flag from her hands I
folded it up and wrapped it around a lit-
way, the tramp of horses on the stone
tle pillow, sewed one case over it, and pavement of the yard leading to the
slipped it in another in the usual way, smoke-house, the rude demands of the
and put the little pillow under my baby's soldiers and the pleadings of the ladies
head. I then concealed some pictures to be spared something for the family to
and little articles I valued about my live on.
person, but finding I became feverish I feared every moment that the door
and over-excited, I determined to let would be forced open and that these
everything else go, for I was looking for raiding soldiers would enter my room.
the soldiers to come in and rob the house Alone in the chamber with my baby,
every moment. My nurse saved our too weak to take her from the bed on
silver. This was ber expedient: Tak which she was to my arms, and my
ing it from a trunk in an adjoining shed || heart beating at fever heat. I remem-
room she put it into a carpet-bag, mean- | bered my little boy and wondered where
ing to bury it in the garden, but while he was, for in the haste and confusion of
in the act of leaving the room the sol my removal he had escaped from my
diers entered the house. Hearing them, chamber before I had time to tell him to
she threw the bag into a barrel contain remain. He was only three years old,
ing some bran, and threw a number of and he might be trampled by the sol-
old stockings and socks over them.
diers under their horses' feet, or for

264
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
their amusement they might have taken After four such days Mr. B- told
him up for a ride.
Il me that he must either risk my removal
I could not call to any one, and my or return to his command. We resolved
only refuge was in prayer. Too weak to on the risk.
stir and fearing the worst, I resigned my Ben was commissioned to pick up an
boy to God's holy keeping, and tried to old broken-down horse left by the
compose my anxious heart. At this mo raiders, to take what was left to us with
ment the door opened, my little son our young servants in a cart to Madison
came running in his face beaming with and to wait for us there.
intense excitement, and exclaimed : Mr. - obtained a carriage from a
"Ma! you know pa is come !"
kind friend who resided nine miles
I cannot describe my feelings at this from -- in our way to Madison, and
announcement. How could he escape putting me into it, with our children
capture, or death! Every man capable and Maria, we bade adieu to our friends
of bearing arms was being seized, and in -----, and I was driven safely to Mr.
resistance was death, for he must be the G.'s, the kind old gentleman who had
only Confederate soldier in the town ! loaned us the carriage and invited us to
Revolving these thoughts in hurried stop at his home to rest. My baby was
succession in my mind, the door a rain only ten days old, and it was evident
opened and my husband entered the that I could not go on to Madison. The
room, kissed me and the baby, hastily delay was necessary to my life, but it
explained that he had just arrived; that made me more unhappy, for the Federal
the raiders had cut the railroad and torn cavalry was reported within a few miles
up the track for miles; that the sol of us, being in
diers in town were only stragglers from
Stoneman's command; that our cavalry
RETREAT AFTER THEIR DEFEAT
were after them; that to prevent capture and the capture of their general at Ma-
he and his faithful servant had left the
cars and had walked more than forty
con. The cavalry actually passed at
miles since the night before, and had
night, and my husband again left me to
been
escape capture, and again I was in dread
"DODGING YANKEES ALL THE MORNING !!!
of the presence of the soldiers in my
He told me that, learning from Gen.
chamber.
After a few days of such anxiety of
Hardee that was in the track of mind, we learned that the cars were now
Stoneman's raid, and taking advantage coming within five miles of us and we
of the time when our army had fallen determined to go on, for Mr. - told
back to the trenches of Atlanta, he had me he could not remain another day.
obtained leave for a few days to remove But what were we to do for horses ?
me, if possible, to South Carolina.
The retreating raiders had stripped the
At this moment we were warned that place of every available borse and mule,
a squad of cavalrymen were approach and left only poor, jaded and broken-
ing the front door, and in another mo down creatures in their places. Select-
ment my husband was gone. He had ing a pair of these Mr. - hitched them
arranged with Ben where he would be, to the carriage, and again we were on the
and going into a wood back of the house road. It was a terribly rough way, full
he passed the night there, his faithful of stumps, and great bills to climb. To
servant taking him a blanket and some reach the train for Augusta it was neces-
thing to eat.
sary to drive fast, and the jolting at one
Oh! the horrors of that night!
time was fearful to endure !
When the morning came my husband A thunder and rain-storm coming up
again entered the room and assured me the horses refused to pull on a steep
that the cavalry were all gone.
hill, and the carriage commenced to de-
But how was I to get away from the scend the hill.
town?
Mr. — jumped down and held it,
Now that my removal seemed impos and after working to no purpose with
sible, the perplexity of my husband, the horses, he took us out in the rain,
and his anxiety to return to his regi forced us up the hill, carried me up and
ment, only made me feel more miser put me back on the pallet in the carriage.
able,
We knew that all this was running a
The baby grew sick and cried inces fearful risk of my life, but I had de-
santly, and hourly alarms of "Yankees liberately chosen it rather than be left
coming!'' kept me fearfully nervous, for in the country which my husband
I knew not at what moment I might feared would be overrun by the Federal
be apprised of my husband's capture or cavalry.
death,
We reached the railroad just in time

THE CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S WIFE.
265
to get on the train about starting for Arrangements were being made by
Augusta.
my mother to remove from the planta-
At Madison we took up Ben, who told tion, and before they were perfected my
us that the retreating raiders had husband arrived from the West, badly
robbed him of his money and of all he wounded and worn down from the long
had to eat; had "swapped horses with journey. He decided to take me to the
him;' had again ransacked our effects, up-country of our State, and as soon as
and that he had shipped the remains on he could travel we went to Charleston
to Augusta. ee
and thence to Columbia.
I cannot express my sense of relief, A friend had imported successfully
the power of hope, the feeling of restful through the blockade supplies of provi-
ness that came over me when, as we left sions from Havana and offered to share
Madison, Mr. -- told me all danger of with us if we would go up to S , and
his capture was now over, and that we this decided our destination.
would be in South Carolina by morning. We remained in Columbia until it was
Arriving at Kalmia, near Aiken, very announced that Gen. Sherman's army
early the next morning, my ever kind was approaching the city, and were
uncle and aunt were waiting to greet us. among those who left on a crowded
I was made as comfortable as the tender train, probably the last to leave from the
est love and kindness could make me, Charlotte depot before the arrival of
and at 3 o'clock I bade
Sherman.
It was intensely cold, the freight carin
FAREWELL TO MY HUSBAND,
which we were being without doors,
who took the train for Augusta and re and crowded with people. My baby
turned to his regiment, leaving Ben to
was very unwell and fretful, my hus-
band too lame to be of much use to me,
rest a few days and to bring him tidings
and my head throbbing with a violent
from me.
sick, headache! We could get no milk
My nerves were shattered. The re for the baby, and some kind ladies fed
action came, and I was fearfully pros her with bread and water.
trated. But for the loving care of my Our route was to Blackstocks, then by
sister and my ever kind aunt Imust have stage across to the Spartanburg and
died. Every emotion that can stir the Union Railroad. The journey was ter-
heart had kept me up under the excite- || rible to contemplate in such weather.
ment of hourly dangers, but now that I Arrived at night at Blackstocks, there
was safe uuder the roof of affection, my was but one room for the accommoda-
bodily weakness made itself felt.
tion of every one, black and white, with
The mails were interrupted, and I no chairs and no bed. A lady from S-
could not hear from Atlanta, except that had a lounge mattress which she kindly
the city was closely besieged, and that put at my disposal. I was too sick to
our gallant men were falling daily in the hold my head up, and most thankfully
trenches.
rested on this mattress in one corner of
This burden of anxiety which I was this crowded room.
now to bear in my weakness, none can The next day we crossed Broad River
ever know but those of my Southern sis and took the train for S— , where we
ters with whom I shared it in common. arrived in safety, and were most kindly
The remainder of the summer of '64 welcomed and cared for, until my hus-
was passed at Kalmia, and in the fall I band could make arrangements for our
went to my mother's plantation in the living.
upper part of Charleston district to spend A cottage was taken together with a
the winter.
brother soldier and we arranged to live
Atlanta had fallen, and my husband together, my husband thinking it for-
was now with Gen. Hood on his unfor tunate that he could leave me in good
tunate Tennessee campaign. Early in hands when he
December I received by telegram intel-
ligence of his being severely wounded in
RETURNED TO HIS COMMAND.
the battle of Franklin, where so many of Nothing worthy of note occurred here
our soldiers gave their lives for the Con-
except our visit from the brigade of the
federacy, and among them the able and
Federal General Palmer immediately
GALLANT BRIG.-GEN. GIST.
after the surrender of our armies.
The army of Gen. Sherman was in At - , near Atlanta, I had not seen a
vesting Savannah, and it became appa-
single soldier, though they were in the
same house with me. Now that they
rent that our low country would be
were riding into S ---, I was intensely
overrun by the enemy.
Il excited, for we had not heard of the
34

266
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
arrangement between Generals Johnston || wholesome food which our families en-
and Sherman, by which hostilities had || dured, and of the pain we suffered in
ceased east of the Mississippi river.
My knees trembling with excitement for the sheer want of proper nourish-
ment and comforts-of the heartaches
their approach and to make the best of which telegrams and letters brought in
it.
from Virginia and from the West-of
The sight of those soldiers changed the sad bereavements which befell us in
my feelings and fired me with indigna the loss of those we loved most dearly-
tion. I realized for the first time how of the ruin of our home and the wreck
men could fight with zest in a war like of our property-of the grief and disap-
ours. All my fear left me, and ridicul pointment which defeat and surrender
ous as it now seems, I felt an impulse brought. Here I leave the record. I
hard to suppress, to hurl defiance at the write with no bitterness, and without
whole of them. Capt. - , with whom the feeling of resentment which I once
my husband had rented our cottage, was felt at the bare mention of the events I
too much disabled from his wound, re have referred to.
ceived at Battery Wagner, to rejoin his The sense of duty done, and the
command, and we were now under his knowledge of God's providence over-
protection. To secure us from harm, he ruling all things have brought peace and
invited two officers to make their quar quiet to my heart, and many blessings
ters in our house.
have come to my life to make me feel
One of these officers, an Ohio man, abundant gratitude to Him, who is the
asked my little boy to come and sit by God and Father of us all, and whose sov-
him. This was too much for my indig ereign will orders all things well.
nation to stand, and I promptly forbade
his complying with the request. I had
fully purposed not to speak to orbe No. 42.-In and Out of the Confederacy.
spoken to by these officers, but my reso-
lution was overcome when the Ohio man
said to Capt. "I would like to talk
(By Miss E. V. Mason, of Fairfax County, Va.)
this whole matter over with you, but it
We lived on the border, and were the
whipped you."
first to feel the shock of war; yet the last
"I would be ashamed," I said, "to
mention it, since you have taken four
Virginian thought it possible for a hos-
years, with the help of every nation un-
der the sun, to crush, not to whip, a
handful of Confederate soldiers.”
Old Dominion that mother of all States.
He looked amazed, made no reply,
It seemed impossible that the brothers
and resumed his talk with Capt.
I astonished him again at supper. He
with whom we had always held affec-
remarked that he admired
tionate intercourse, with whom we had
“THE PLUCK OF SOUTHERN WOMEN,"
married and intermarried, could invade
our quiet homes and drive us from
and said if he were not a married man
he would like to marry one of them.
ravings of wild politicians; the clouds
I could not keep quiet, and, in spite
would soon blow over, and show the
of my resolution not to open my mouth
to these officers, I exclaimed, boiling
sunshine brighter than before. But as
over with indignation, “And what the days went on, and rumors came
Southern woman do you suppose would louder, I went to Washington to bring
marry a Yankee?"
The other officer, a lieutenant from
home news, and to get advice as to our
Massachusetts, looked daggers at me, conduct in the crisis. We were told to
but the Ohio captain, who was evidently
stay at home, protect our property, and
a gentleman, behaved very well.
were promised that the war would be
Palmer's Brigade did not remain long
in S. The general, as we learned, was
over in three months.
in pursuit of President Davis, and it The first gun had sounded when I
was with great satisfaction I saw our reached Washington and the first
Ohio and Massachusetts protectors leave
the cottage.
seventy-five thousand men had been
This is but the record of a few facts.
"called out.” That very night 20,000
It tells not of the long privation of ll men rushed "over the border." With

IN AND OUT OF THE CONFEDERACY.
267
what agonized hearts we heard their dull , valid could spare us, and relying upon
tread—with what streaming eyes we this we determined to set out as soon as
hung our heads from the windows to see we could place the family in safety. An
them pass on the pavement below! Our influential “Union” friend agreed to
tears rained upon their heads. We could take the house and its contents and pro-
not bless, we dared not curse them. Yet tect them with his own presence, while I
these were the first to carry death and flew to the stray lamb so far away from
destruction to our devoted people.
our fold. The family carriage had long
Early next day I was upon their steps. since been "cut up" by Billy Wilson's
Already the sentinels were posted far boys-even had we possessed it we could
beyond the town, the terrified people not have used it, nor were we permitted
flying before them. We had to get to take any more than the contents of
passes from the commandant to get to one trunk for the whole family. Some
the homes to which we carried the ter "loyal” man of the town was found to
rible news. Already we were prisoners take us to the "lines," about seventeen
in these homes and must have permis miles away, for the moderate sum of
sion to pass in and out of them. There thirty dollars. And so leaving behind
must be a pass "for the cow to go to pas our house-linen, books, china-all our
ture," another for the horse to be shod, household gods and goods-oven our
a third to go to the postoffice, a fourth winter clothing, furs and silk dresses,
to go to church, another for town, and we went forth into exile from a home we
so on interminably, the restrictions never saw again. At the close of the
multiplying daily till at one time I held war were blackened ruins where had
no less than thirteen passes for myself once lived a happy household-a deso-
and family.
late plain where once were flowers and
But though we were forced to have fruits and blooming trees.
passes to get out, there needed no per Every one who lived in those terrible
mission for those who wished to get in to times must remember how quickly
us. Half a dozen soldiers would enter grew hatred and suspicion between the
while we were at breakfast, clear off the contending parties, and how rife was
table, drink all the milk in the cellar, dig unkindness and uncharitableness. It
our potatoes from the garden and cook was easy enough for me to get into the
them with the wood from our fences or North and receive my old affectionate
out-houses. We were never safe from welcome, but soon came embarrassment
these intruders.
and discomfort. The newspapers (those
THE "BILLY WILSON BOYS”
mischief makers) announced that
A "SECESH" SPY HAD COME TO TOWN,
were the least ceremonious of all. They
helped themselves to our gold thimbles and then followed a description of my
and earrings, rummaged our drawers personal appearance little flattering to
under pretence of looking for "arms," my vanity. Soon came the mayor, a nice
(we were four unprotected females,) and gentleman, full of apologies, bringing
took what they liked. Our days were some letters to me which had been inter-
spent in hiding from these wretches, and cepted-friendly letters from my home-
our nights passed in hopeless terror be telling how they had distributed the
hind barricades of tables, chairs. ward contents of my store-room alike to friend
robe and piano, which were piled be and foe, and that after the battle of Ma-
fore doors and windows. In vain we nassas they threw open the house, had
appealed to the commandant of the coffee and milk ready for the fainting
town. With the best disposition in the fugitives, adding: “We have done as you
world, he had no power over these un directed, and as do all Virginia women--
disciplined troops, and strongly advised we gave food and drink to our enemies.''
our leaving this exposed situation, even From the moment of this disaster the
at the risk of losing our property, and Northern heart was so "fired” that my
falling back into our own lines to which position became more and more painful,
he would "pass'? us.
and my desire to get away more eager.
At this period came news from the Watched and threatened, I dared not
North that the best beloved child of venture into the street, but impertinent
our household was there ill-her condi people came to see me-to look at a
tion aggravated by anxiety for our fate. Secesh, and as the papers now an-
I was urged to go to her instantly and nounced that I had made drawings of
to take with me our colored "mammy,” the fortifications within reach, inter-
whose nursing was deemed infallible. viewed the Democratic leaders, and was
It was promised by one high in power ready to depart with all necessary in-
that we should return as soon as our in Il formation for the "Robel leaders,”

268
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
many whose sons and husbands had
been captured at Bull Run came to ask
me to take letters and packages to them.
In vain I explained that I had come to
the North on a mission of charity, that
I could not hope to get away, and that if
this were possible I would not be allowed
to carry letters. It was easier for them
to believe me a spy. Moved by their
distress I agreed to take the letters,
learn them by heart, and promised if
ever I came to Richmond to find their
dear prisoners and repeat the contents to
them. During the many sleepless nights
which intervened between this and that
happy day I often mingled with my
pravers the words of these ill-spelled
letters, to keep them fresh in my mind,
beginning with "my dear son," and
ending with “your affectionate mother."
And now that the necessity for my
stay was over, I grew more and more
alarmed at a position which threatened
me with imprisonment and was com-
promising to every one with whom I
associated, especially go to the family
who sheltered me. The powerful friend”
who had promised to restore me to my
suffering country had reckoned without
his host," and was as much frightened
as I was. To give me an idea of the
state of feeling about and around me, he
said that at a grand dinner with the sec-
retary of State the secretary was called
out to receive a telegram of importance,
setting forth that in such a town and
such a family the detectives had dis-
covered a Southern woman spy, (naming
me,) who was so clever that at a glance
she could carry away details of fortifica-
tions, arms and equipments important
to the "Rebels." My friend prayed me
to remain quiet, to see no one, speak to
no one, in fine, he saw Fort Lafayette
for me, but I saw further than this.
How to get away was the question, and
whither to fly? I could not counsel
with my friends, for they were afraid to
let me out of their sight, lest I be
"taken." Nor could I compromise them
by making them abettors in an escape
which was forbidden by the Govern-
ment. A thousand plans were suggested
by my busy brain only to be dismissed
as impracticable.
At this juncture a friend came from
a remote town in Pennsylvania to make
us a visit, and to her I confided my de-
sign. It was agreed that we should ex-
change trunks, she taking my clothing
home with her, leaving her's behind,
and that when the moment was "ripe”
I should come to her, take up my bag-
gage, and
FLY TO THE HOSPITABLE WEST,
where I had sympathetic friends who
would receive me and hide me, if need
be. To these friends I wrote, through
her kindness, in mysterious terms, say-
ing that "on or about the first of Novem-
ber”' they would meet an old friend who
was akin to them.
And, now, I must have money for
the dargerous journey before me, and
must go to New York, where I had a
small sum in bank, and where were
some North Carolina bonds, long since
deposited by one of my family.
I set out for New York with the un-
willingness of a prisoner to his condem-
nation, afraid of being known, my er-
rand suspected, and seeing the gallows,
the spy's fate, before me. Nor were my
fears allayed when I remarked that in
every omnibus I entered there came the
same man, taking his seat near the door.
In vain I went into shops and changed
my "lines," there was my persecutor.
At last I found myself with an old
friend, far up town, and told her the
story of my woes, for which she had
been prepared by the odious newspa-
pers.
"Calm yourself,” she exclaimed, “we
will outwit your detective. He shall
wait on the front some time, while we
escape by the back door."
Taking me into the stable we entered
the carriage, drove through several
alleys to another street, then far out on
the Bloomingdale road. Returning to
the city by many crooked ways we
stopped near my bank, where she left
me, and returning presently said that
all was safe. She then conducted me to
a private room, where we sewed the
Carolina bonds into the lining of my
dress and my $500 in gold into the "puffs
of my sleeves, and so she took me to the
ferry and we bade good-bye, not to meet
again in long years.
In fear and trembling I entered the
ferry-boat and mingled with the crowd,
dreading lest my detective should be at
my heels. Presently some one touched
my shoulder and I looked around to see
the kind face of an old gentleman-my
childhood's friend, who had come from
the West a long journey-moved by the
accounts he had seen, and afraid to have
found me in prison ! Dear old man ! he
did not feel safe in my dangerous com-
pany, though armed with a double pan-
oply of Unionism. How much he must
have loved me to peril so much! He
told me his wife had read in the papers
of my danger and had sent him to res-
cue me. 11 money could buy mo out of

IN AND OUT OF THE CONFEDERACY.
269
trouble it was not to be spared. In a provisions to the army of Western Vir-
few words, it was arranged that I should ginia, then in active operation. I had a
meet him at 11 o'clock the next night, in letter to the commanding general, whom
Philadelphia, when he would take me I had known in happier days, and was
beyond the mountains to
sure he would put me through the lines
by flag of truce should I get there before
SOME PLACE OF SAFETY.
he had communications from Washing-
The next morning I went to drive ton. The gentlemen to whom I was re-
with my invalid, asked to be left to
commended were to set out the next
morning, and were most kind in offering
walk home, and with a beating heart
to take me with them, eager to oblige my
hurried to the railroad train, which took friend. So behold me on board with
me to my Pennsylvania friend. She two kind men, one a volunteer officer,
was ready with my luggage, and, with a the other his brother-in-law, a physician,
man to protect me. we reached Phila and both of Boston. They were too po-
delphia in due time, and with my old lite to ask my errand and I was too pru-
friend I was by midnight far on my dent to disclose it. If they assumed that
journey.
I was going to the Union army to nurse
As we neared the great Western city, soldiers, it was not necessary to disclaim
to which our steps tended, I parted with it. We discussed everything but poli-
my dear old friend, who went to relieve tics on that journey of three weeks, and
the anxious heart at home, and I never became fast friends. We only travelled
saw him again. My kinsfolk received by day, as both sides of the river were
me with open arms, and it was resolved said to be infested with Rebel scouts and
that I should apply to be sent South to a cavalry, ready to fire upon us at any
man powerful in the Union party, who moment, and I was not allowed to go
had been in times past a friend of my upon the guards of the boat, lest I should
family, and who knew me to be a lady be
and incapable of the crimes imputed to
A MARK FOR THEIR BULLETS.
me. To him I went speedily, but found
him from home. His brother, however,
Longingly I looked for the Rebel cav-
opened the door, and, as I hesitated to alry and prayed they would come and
tell my name and business, he said, “I take us and thus end all my difficulties.
knew you at a glance, and in truth we
have been expecting you for some days."
But they did not, and we feasted on
"Expecting me?" I exclaimed, “why “Uncle Sam's” oysters and champagne,
--I have just run away from the North, which I enjoyed the more as I knew it
and nobody knew my intention."
would be long before I should taste
To this he replied that his brother hav again such dainties. In the midst of our
ing had occasion to go to the Custom feasting one day we ran upon a "snag,''
house, saw there a list of the names of and to save our steamer were obliged to
suspected persons a thousand strong, and give to the waters all our grain and
amongst those was mine, and opposite it forage. My trunk only was saved from
written, “Dangerous-to be watched." the wreck, and empty handed we pro-
Dropping into a chair I burst into tears, ceeded to our destination. When about
and wished that the earth would open ten or twelve miles from "headquarters"
and swallow me. It was plain to see my gentlemen left me to report the dis-
that I should never get to my family. aster, and by them I sent my letter of
This gentleman reassured me, prayed introduction to the commanding gen-
me not to be alarmed, and exhorted me eral, with one of my own, reminding
to walk forth openly in all the power him of our former acquaintance and
of innocence;'' but I had no faith in the stating the circumstances which had
power of innocence in those dreadful brought me to his camp, saying that I
days; nor did I wish to test the power? waited at a respectful distance, not to see
of his brother, whom he was sure could what he would wish concealed from my
release me if I should be imprisoned. people, and assuring him if he would let
So I went away to hide myself till I me pass through his hosts and send me
should hear that they had some plan to to my own lines I would not in any way
propose by which I could go South. It make use of any knowledge I might
was no easy matter, with all their influ obtain to his disadvantage. In a few
ence. Dozens of poor ladies had been hours came a telegram saying that a flag
waiting for weeks and months, but at last of truce would go out at daylight next
I received the wished-for summons morning, and that his own servant and
armed with a letter I was to go to a hotel ambulance wonld be sent for me during
where were some gentlemen going on a the night.
Government steamer to carry forage and l While waiting the answer to my mis-

270
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
sive, I bad observed that the steamer 1 whole group of patients, examine them
was being loaded with great bundles and tell me their real condition, so that
discharged from wagons on the bigh I left them in his hands, and departed
bluff above us, and that these bundles with their thanks and blessings. And
came sliding down from the banks on a this was the beginning of my ministra-
plank-way, falling heavily upon the tions amongst soldiers, which lasted to
Tower deck.
the end of the war, and which became
“What are you loading ?" I asked of the life of my life.
one of the boatmen.
It was midnight when I left the steamer
“These are sick men come in from with a thankful adieu to my kind hosts.
camp,” he replied.
“Once more on my native beath," though
“An outrage upon humanity,'' I ex seated upon my trunk, with rain and
claimed, and ran down the companion sleet beating in my face, I felt neither
way to examine the live bundles, which cold nor fatigue, for, at last, I saw home
were coughing, groaning and moaning and friends before me.
audibly.
After crossing a mountain, over the
Here were men in all stages of measles, worst road imaginable, we reached the
pneumonia, camp fever and other disor camp at daylight, through miles of white
ders incident to camp life, sent in tents and formidable looking out-posts.
wagons over thirteen miles of moun We drove to the general's tent, and his
tain road, on a December evening, with orderly came to say that I must go to a
out nurses, without physician and with lady, whose house was within the camp,
no other covering than the blanket in and there I should rest, get breakfast
which each man was enveloped. They and be ready to set out by 8 o'clock. By
assured me they had been sent out in this time my strength had given out-
the early morning without food or medi want of sleep, fatigue and excitement
cine, and were expected to remain with had made me really ill. I had to be
out any attention till the sailing of the lifted from the ambulance, put to bed
steamer to a hospital twenty miles be and fortified by sundry cups of coffee to
low.
prepare me for an interview with the
In spite of the remonstrances of the general and for my departure.
boatmen who declared the company” I have had the opportunity many
had let the boat to the Government to times since to thank this lady for her
transport horse feed and not men, I had kindness, and to talk over with her the
the poor fellows taken into the cabin and strange fortune which brought us to-
placed in the berths denuded of mat gether at this juncture. The camp was
tresses and bed covers, and then pro upon her plantation, and on the top of
ceeded
the mountain above us was stationed
TO PHYSIC AND FEED THEM
her husband, an artillery officer of the
Confederate army, whose guns were
as best I could. No entreaties could pointed towards the camp, but who
prevail upon the steward of this "loyal” could not fire without endangering the
company to give me anything for them
lives of his wife and children. The kind
general came to greet me and give in-
to eat. I had tea, however, in my cabin and
structions for the journey. Should these
some crackers. The doctor had a box of words ever meet his eye he will see that
seidlitz powders, a great lump of assafoe here, as elsewhere, I have spoken of my
tida and a jug of whiskey! There were gratitude to him and of my admiration
thirty men to be fed. To the chilly ones for his conduct as a Christian and a sol-
I gave hot whiskey and water, the most dier. He warned me to be careful of my
popular of my remedies; to those who luggage, as he was obliged to employ on
wailed the loudest the pills of assafoetida
escort duty men noted in camp as
proved calming, and the seidlitz powders
were given to the fever patients, whose
THIEVES AND FREE-THINKERS.
tongues and pulses I examined with But over these men he placed two ex-
great care, and where there was doubt
perienced officers, who would see the
and fear of doing harm the tea was
safely given.
men did their duty and treated me with
Hardly was the jug emptied and the proper respect. How accomplished his
last pill and powder administered when thieves must have been may be inferred
the captain and the doctor returned from the fact, though I sat upon my
from camp and announced that the am trunk and carried my bag in my hand,
bulance waited for me. The doctor was not only were my combs and brushes
not a little indignant at my having ap stolen, but my prayer book and my
propriated his whole medical supply, Thomas-a-Kempis, for which they could
but was kind enough to go around the ll have had no possible use.

IN AND OUT OF THE CONFEDERACY. I
271
The general further reminded me that me to knock loudly. In answer to our
I should follow in the path of war, that summons, appeared a tall dark woman
ruin and desolation would be on every with flashing eyes and jet black hair, be-
side, and that there was but one house | hind whom peeped a fair girl in contrast
which he could count upon where I to our yirago, who without waiting for
might find shelter before I reached the us to speak, waved us off with a most
Southern lines. In this house, once the imperious gesture.
finest in the country, I would find a Go on,' she said; "this is no place
woman beautiful as Judith and as fierce. for you. You have done me harm
enough. There is nothing more for you
his side for many months. Driven to steal."
almost to madness by the depreda Leaning from the ambulance I im-
tions of his soldiers, her husband plored her to take me in for the night.
and son driven to the mountains, Halt dead with cold and fatigue I could
for safety, her cattle and horses stolen or go no further. I assured her that I was
mutilated, she waged war upon her ene a Southern woman trying to get to my
family, of whom I had had no news
betray them to the Southern scouts and "You are in very bad company for a
while the fighting went on, would sit Southern woman,' she rejoined, but
upon her horse and pick off his men as you are a woman I will let you come
with her pistol. She had been summoned in, but these men shall not enter my
to his camp to answer for these mis doors."
demeanors, but always defied him, bid After explaining that this was a flag
ding him, “Come and fetch her. In of truce, and that if they abandoned me
vain had he tried to protest and appease I could never get on, as she had neither
her. Living in this fine house at the horse or wagon to give me, she con-
foot of a great mountain he counselled sented to admit the two officers, and to
me to force myself upon her if necessary allow the men to sleep in an outhouse.
and demand shelter for a night, and if I By a blazing fire she told me the story.
should be ill to stop there and send on of their sufferings, gave me a good sup-
the flag of truce for succor.
per and bed, and next morning I took
I parted with tears from these the last my last taste of real coffee for many a
friends of "the other side,” though I did long day; but the officers did not find
invite the General to come to Richmond it so good, the pretty blonde daughter
and he promised to do so, but never vented her spite upon them by with-
camie so far. My lady friend loaded me holding the sugar, and they were too
with messages for her husband and much afraid of her to ask for it.
family, praying them to come and release
her from her forced sojourn with the "lines." As we approached these our
enemy, and at the last moment gave me escort became unwilling to go on and
a package of clothing for a poor woman declared they were afraid of "bush-
on the mountain side whose house had whackers,' and it was necessary to use
been burned the previous day and whose
How my heart bounded when I saw
been destroyed by the soldiers.
THE FIRST "MAN IN GREY,"
As we drove off the General dropped a
gold piece into my lap saying, "that is and found that, in spite of all reports to
the contrary, he was well armed, well
and before I could thank him the escort
"closed up,' the white flag of truce led
dressed and looked well fed. We fell
the way, and we were
upon the pickets from a South Caro-
lina Regiment, and I was proud to show
OFF TO DIXIE'S LAND.
to my escort that the men were all of re-
We found the poor woman sitting finement and elegance.
It was impossible for me to get to the
amidst her ruins, the snow making
Confederate camp that night and im-
more hideous the scene of desolation.
possible to allow the flag of truce to ap-
The road on every side was marked by proach nearer. I was forced to sleep in
burned houses and barns and torn and one of the two log buts belonging to the
disordered fences, now and then a half pickets ---while the other was allotted to
starved dog or a ragged negro would the officers. There was but one bed,
peer from the ruins and then hide from and either they must sit up or sleep to-
us. Over mountains, fording streams, Il gether. I was informed next day by the
we reached at last the inhospitable man- | Ohio gentleman who commanded our
sion at which the General recommended || flag of truce that there was a long

272
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
struggle between the representatives of || for clean beds and clothing. With the
the different armies as to who should aid of the one least ill, we brought in
occupy the bed. At last it was deter clean straw, had water heated in the big.
mined they should sleep together. "I iron pot standing in the chimney corner,
had no objection to sleep with a South bits of rags served for towels and tooth
Carolinian," said the Northern officer, brushes, and we soon changed the at-
"but I can imagine what it cost him to mosphere and the aspect of things. The
sleep with a Yankee.”
water of boiled rice made them a drink,
The flag of truce went back next and when the Doctor came to see me he
morning with a letter of thanks from prescribed and promised to come out
me to the General.
from the camp every day and visit them.
Then came from the Southern camp **Do not be afraid of losing them," he
a carriage exhumed from some long dis added, "you cannot kill an East Tennes-
used coach-house. It was driven by a sean."
little Irishman, who announced that he I did not feel so sure of this. So be-
had heard a Yankee lady had come fore parting we prayed together (they
through the lines, and he wanted to see were good Baptists) and begged that God
what she looked like. So far already would spare us to meet again, and I
had the two countries drifted apart that promised to come back in a week or ten
the people spoke as if the separation had 1 days, armed with power to open a hospi-
endured years instead of months.
tal and bring them into it, and here I
Mounting the ladder steps of this pri will add that at the end of a fortnight I
mitive vehicle I drove through a camp had the happiness to see my East Ten-
of thousands without inding one fami nesseans drive up to the hospital, wav-
liar face, though every man came to ing their caps to me,
stare at the unwonted sight of a carriage
and a woman.
NOT ONE OF THE SEVEN MISSING.
As my courage was about to give way The night before the anxiously ex-
I was greeted by the familiar voice of a
pected “stage” arrived, I saw drive to
young physician--a family connection-
who hurried to my assistance, got into
our door a wagon, which deposited a fine
the carriage and promised to find me looking young officer. He walked feebly,
shelter and set me
and I went to meet him. He was look-
ing for the coach to take him to his
"ON TO RICHMOND.
family in Richmond. I saw that he was
Alas! shelter was not easy to find. very ill, and found that he had been six
Every house near the camp, every barn,
weeks in camp with fever. He begged
that I would not let the people of the
every cabin was filled with sick and
house know it, or they would refuse him
wounded soldiers. There was no town a lodging. We took the young girl into
within twelve miles, and the "stage'' to our confidence whose kindness had se-
Richmond passed only twice a week. I cured me entrance, and soon we helped
must wait somewhere two days. We our patient up the steep ladder-stairs,
drove from house to house--the poor and saw him fall heavily upon the bed.
people either had their rooms filled, or While she went for bot water, I drew off
they had suffered so much from disease with difficulty the heavy spurs and wet
resulting from their hospitality that il boots, rubbed the cold feet, and soon
they were afraid to take any one in. I bathed them, washed his fevered mouth
was fainting with fatigue when, at the and administered hot tea. When fairly
door of a neat-looking house, a young into bed, and I had promised under no
girl, who heard her father's refusal, circumstances to leave him behind, he
cried, "Father, let the lady come in; I exclaimed: "This is heaven!" and
will give her my bed."
heaven sent him refreshing sleep.
Upon the assurance of the Doctor that Next morning we left our kind hosts,
I had no disease and was only ill from the sick man resting his weary head on
fatigue, they admitted me to a delicious my shoulder, and so we jolted over the
feather bed from which I only emerged rough way till we reached the neighbor-
the next day at dinner. At the table I ing town, and drove to the office of the
observed the mistress of the house pre medical director to ask what should be
paring sundry messes of "bacon and done with my precious burden-by this
greens" to send to some sick men in one time delirious and unable to proceed
of her outhouses. I followed the servant further. After some delay (for the town
to find seven East Tennesseans lying on was filled with sick and dying) we found
dirty straw in every stage of camp fever. a good lady who agreed to take him,
The air was stifling-the men suffering though every room in the house was
in every way, especially for medicine and full. I saw the poor fellow comfortably

WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA.
273
disposed in her drawing-room, where feeling. It was therefore with all the
he was as carefully tended as by the
old childish dread intensified, that I
mother who was soon summoned to his
read and heard the constant predictions
aid.
AND THIS WAS WAR!
of a civil war--one so much more to be
This was the first campaign of a terrible
dreaded than the other. The Charleston
winter which proved so fatal to South-
Convention brought no hope; the elec-
ern men summoned from luxurious
tion of Lincoln, the broken promises of
homes, where they had never known
the Administration in regard to Fort
ice and snows, to die amidst these cruel
Sumter, and then the attack on and cap-
mountains with every disease incident to
ture of Sumter fell like a thunderclap.
cold and exposure. In this village every It was war now. There was a call for
woman opened her house and gave her volunteers, and then we know it had
services. The churches and courthouse
come to our homes.
were turned into hospitals. I went
through one of the former to aid in
The gentlemen of our town had formed
giving food and medicine. In every themselves into a company, and dressed
pew lay a patient, cheerful sufferer, and up in their uniforms were a goodly
to the enclosure around the altar they
were constantly carrying the dead wrap-
looking set of men. They were the
ped in a single blanket. Side by side flower of the county-men who knew no
lay master and servant-rich and poor. fear, and would do and dare with the
War, like death, is a great leveller. I
bravest. As long as it was only the
saw come in from the camps ambulance
after ambulance with their sad loads,
dress parade, barbecues, balls and pre-
the dead and dying in the same vehicle, sentations of honors, it was well enough;
and tried in vain to stay many a parting but when the time came to do-when
breath.
How could I leave such scenes where
the committee sent to the Governor with
there was so much to do? Impelled by offers of service returned to say the
the hope of coming back with aid and company was accepted, and must be
comfort I hurried away. One day in ready to report at a moment's warning
Richmond was enough to assure my -the reality of the thing that was upon
family that I was alive and well to go us made many a poor woman's heart
and recite my letters to the prisoners, stop its regular beat-the sickening
to ask for nurses and hospital stores dread that to-day the call might come!
and come back to the mountains-quite None were willing that husband, sun
enough. To enter a filed of duty or brother should not obey the call, but
which lasted till the cause died and the still the dread of it made the days miser-
last man left the hospital, was all which able and banished sleep at night. We
1, in common with other Southern WO were ashamed of it, and tried to hide
men, asked for and received.
the feeling from others, but we could
not help it.
At length (all too soon) the company
No. 43.-War Tiines in Alabama. was ordered to Montgomery, and had
only a few days' notice. The uniform
was Federal-of course it was of no use
(By Mrs. Mary Rhodes, of Alabama.) to wear to camp-and it was hurry-
hurry to get the gray shirt and pants
Reading when a child of the Revolu made up. All who did not hayo mem-
tionary war, and hearing the tales told bers of their own families going assisted
by the family and the old negroes of
those who had, and in a few hours the
hurried preparations were finished, the
hair-breadth escapes and the terrible
last good-byes said. and the women
cruelty of both “Redcoats" and "To turned to their lonely homes,
ries," I had imbibed a horror of it, and
FEELING DESOLATE INDEED.
from my earliest years dreaded lest I
We not only nad the children but the
too might live to see one. The deeds of
negroes and the plantations to care for
daring which made the boys wish there
and manage, and felt that we were in
might be another war, for me had only
competent, and at first that it was use-
the dark and suffering side, and Simms
|| less to try. None but those who went
utterly failed to awake in me any other ll through it know the effort, or the

274
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
pain--and above all, and through all, fighting. To us it was a novel idea. We did
the dread for the safety of those gone! not know whether our men were being
It seems as if I never could sleep again, paid or not that was the last thing we
and being obliged to be up and doing over thought of-certainly not in that
was an absolute blessing.
light.
I lived four miles from the postoffice,
THE FURLOUGH WAS OUR JUBILEE,
and we only had a mail once a week.
You may imagine the anxiety when it and whenever a soldier came home,
was due. My husband was in Pensacola
every woman went to see him, to hear
and wrote that they led a lazy life, and
there was no danger. During the bom-
more particularly of the absent ones.
bardment of Fort Pickens we heard the
They were feasted and entertained, and
guns distinctly, and though the men every one did all in their power to do
had written to say there would be no them honor. We gave them the best we
danger to them, we could not rest, and had. Our cakes were made of molasses
sent messengers each day to the nearest and dried grapes, watermelon rinds,
telegraph office (twenty miles distant) to preserved first in molasses, answering
get the news, which travelled so slowly as raisins and citron, and a very good
by mail: and to us the boom of each gun substitute they made. Of poultry, meats,
inight be the death-knell of some one milk and butter we had an abundance,
we loved. I sat on or walked the piazza and could still obtain a little sugar (at
all night-too restless and nervous to fabulous prices) to sweeten the more
sleep. The letters came. None of our dainty dishes. To look at a supper table
friends were engaged; as we ought to all that was missed was the frosting to
have known, it was an artillery fight, and the cake, and confectionary, and the
we scolded ourselves and each other for soldiers, the only ones we were seeking
having been so foolish-to be as foolish to gratify, never seemed to miss them.
the next time the same thing occurred. Some times we had tea and coffee, some
Then came the removal of the troops times not, but all the substantials were
from Pensacola to Mississippi and the there. The boys in their blue shirts and
battle of Corinth, the first battle in home made pants, stuck, perhaps in a
which our company were engaged. I pair of calvary boots, danced with some
cannot tell the feeling of utter hopeless lady in silks of ante-bellum times, who
ness-it comes back now, as it did then, thought the honor her's, not that of the
and sickens me-those three weary days boy in gray at her side. A few of the
and nights! Too anxious to work, too soldiers had tried the old black dress
nervous to keep still, and thus the anxi coat, but gave it up as "incongruous.”
ety was kept up. Brothers were in Vir The hospitals and parole camps were
ginia and Mississippi, and in the trans- written to, and they sent sick soldiers,
Mississippi army. A letter told all were too far from home to be sent there, to ús
well and safe in one army, but what of to be nursed back to health. We did not
the others? And the bullet of the Yan know who they were and never saw
kee was not all we had to dread-at them again, but they were welcomed be-
Corinth the whole company was sick, cause they wore the gray” as did so
many died of neglect and want of care. many of our loved ones. It was reward
I had a letter picked up in the Yankee enough to see them regain health and
camp. It was from a Yankee woman to strength, and they never gave us cause
her husband. She told all the minutiæ to remember then save with pleasure.
of her everyday life, what she did and "Send me some of your privates,” I
where she went, and then she told of her once heard a woman say, "I am not afraid
anxiety and that the pay he was getting but that your officers will receive plenty
in the army did not compensate for the of attention.”
pain she was suffering, and protested If he wore the gray it was sufficient
against his enlisting again. She had a passport.
horror of the South, and the Rebels to The keeping of the men in clothes was
her were so many demons. She con a constant source of anxiety. After the
cluded as follows: "If I thought you first year it was impossible to buy any-
never would come back I'd die, and thing, and we had to rely on home-
pray I may die before I ever hear it. || made clothes. The old looms were
Will the money you are getting pay me ll hunted up and repaired, and every lady
for all this pain? Whether he was || went to work to weave cloth, not only
killed or had dropped the letter in his | for the soldiers, but for the family and
hurry from camp, of course we did not ll negroes. I was perfectly ignorant of
know, but I often thought of her. She | the first principals, but I knew I could
so far away was suffering the same that || learn. I went soon after I had com-
I was, but for the pay for which he was ll merced to get ready.Ito weave, to visit

WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA.
275
pany
some friends, who also were busy || tance they looked like gingham, and we
"making cloth," and I was taken by were very proud of our work. We dyed
the gentleman of the house to
them very prettily, and were more anx-
HIS "LOOM-HOUSE”?
ious to learn a new process of dyeing
than we ever had been a new stitch in
to see the weaving, where I found an crochet or worsted work. We knit all
old negro, assisted by a girl, "making
the undershirts the soldiers wore, also
socks and gloves, besides those required
harness.” This was just what I wanted
at home. We often knit until midnight,
so much to learn, and, taking the place after all the day's work was done, and
of the girl, I was soon very much inter ladies knit as they rode in their car-
ested. My friend proposed leaving me riages. We made hats of straw and the
and calling for me on his way back, and palmetto, not only for men and boys,
I gladly consented, and before his re but for ourselves and girls. Some were
turn had learned all I wished to know. very pretty, woven of the narrow strips
It was a source of great amusement to a of palmetto, and beautifully white. We
city lady who was of the party, and on trimmed them with palmetto plumes
my return to the house she asked me and heads of wheat, or with home-made
very gravely:
plumes of feathers. Indeed, we were
"Did you really wish to learn to make very busy, and in the constant employ-
harness, or were you putting it on for ment of hands and brain found our
effect?";
greatest comfort. I heard more than
I answered that I really wished to one woman say: "I never go to bed un-
learn how, as I had to teach the servants til I am too tired and worn out to
at home, not one of whom knew any think.” And through all the trials, and
thing about it.
troubles, and work
"Well," she replied, in a compassion-
ate tone, "you are incomprehensible to
THE LOVE OF THE SOUTH KEPT US UP.
me, and from my soul I pity you.”
We never would listen to the thought
We not only had to furnish clothes for
that we might fail. We fully realized
our own immediate soldiers, but there
were others belonging to the comp
what defeat meant, and dreaded it so
whose friends were entirely out of much that we were willing to risk our
reach, and we clothed them to the end all rather than submit to it. We had the
of the war. The clothing for the negroes hardest lot. Themen were moving about;
was a heavy item and all supplies of to-day a fight, or looking forward to one,
that kind were cut off, and we could the constant excitement keeping them
only give them what was made at home. up, and even when not on duty the camp
On every plantation, and almost in seldom failed to provide amusement,
every house, was heard the constant ! It was constant change, constant excite-
hum of the wheels, and the click of the ment. We at home had to "sit still and
looms. The planting of cotton was wait.” It was terrible ! One after an-
abandoned, but there was an abundance other the luxuries failed, and we had to
on every plantation, made the first year of || provide substitutes. In the place of
the war, to last many years for clothing. sugar we made molasses of sorghum and
The soldiers' clothes were made always found it a good substitute. Coffee and
of wool. To make the gray jeans part tea were things of the past, the little
of the wool was dyed black, then mixed we had being kept for sickness. Salt
carefully with white and carded again we made ourselves from the salt mills
and again until it was equally mixed, in Clarke County. The overseer took
when it was spun into yarn. It took a the wagons with a set of hands and all
great deal of time and much patience the large pots and kettles he could find
and the mistress of the family had to and camped out. The mill was simply
give it her personal superintendence. a hole dug, into which was fixed a rude
The warp was bought from the factory, pump, and the water was boiled down
and then we took it to some good weaver to salt. It was white and strong. The
and had it woven. For the men and government got a certain portion; the
boys at home we did not go to so much rest was taken home and we always had
trouble; the yarn was dyed after being an abundance.
spun. The soldiers' clothes were a con Now in those last two years all of our
stant care; as soon as one suit was sent medicines gave out and we had to
another was made, for they often lost go to the woods for bark and roots and
their clothing, and it had to be ready to herbs. We made “quinine” of dogwood
send at a moment's notice.
and poplar, boiled to a strong decoction.
Wo wore homespun dresses, which and then to a paste. We had to do the
were really very pretty. At a little dig- ll work of a chemist, without his labora-

276
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
tory. We made our own mustard, and the same book, turned over the page,
opium and castor oil. This last, with all || and saw how to ride over the one and
the retining we were capable of was a pull the other up.
terrible dose and only used in extreme “The corn woman" was a feature of
cases. Some said these all served a good the times. The men in the counties
purpose, but I always felt they were only north of us were mostly farmers, own-
a'make out." Shoes had to be made either ing small farms which they worked with
at home or at some neighboring tan the assistance of the family. Few owned
yard, all of which had to be arranged for slaves, and they planted grain crops
by the mistress, now the master of the chiefly. The men were now in the army,
plantation.
and good soldiers many of them made.
The wife of the soldier whose family During the last two years, for various
had been supported by his labor had to reasons, many of the wives of these sol-
be cared for, now that their means of diers failed in making a crop, and were
support were cut off, and they were sent with papers from the probate judges
furnished corn, salt and neat. These to the counties south to get corn. No
women were generally good spinners doubt these were really needy, and they
and weavers and had all they could do, were supplied abundantly; and then
and at the highest prices. Some of them thinking it an easy way to make a liv-
were
ing, others not needing help came. They
neglected to plant crops, as it was far
TRUE AND STAUNCH TO THE CAUSE;
more easy to beg all the corn they
others grumbled and "wished the wanted, than to work it. Women whose
thing over anyway,” as they had to
husbands were at home, who never had
been in the army, young girls and old
work so hard and the war would not
women came in droves-every railroad
benefit them. Already it bad deprived car and steamboat were filled with
them of many things; they had nothing
"CORN WOMEN."
to gain, nothing to lose, and as to love of
country, they had none of that; one
They came twenty and thirty together,
place was as good as another, so it was got off at the stations and landings and
not too hot or too cold, and one Presi scoured the country for miles, visiting
dent would be as mean as the other every plantation and never failing to get
President. "There was no choice in their sacks filled and sent to the depot
rotten apples;"" "they hated all rich or river for them. Some had bedticks;
people;" "the Yankee was fighting for one came to me with a sack over two
money, and the Southern man for his yards long and one yard wide that
niggers or fear of the conscript officer," would have held ten bushels of corn,
and "if John had not been a fool he and she had several like it. They soon
never would have gone to help any of became perfect nuisances. When you
them.”
objected to giving they abused you;
The overseers were in a constant fight they no longer brought papers; when we
with these poor women; they hated to had no corn to spare we gave them
give them the corn they were compelled money, which they said they would
to give. The Government and the over rather have. It would save the trouble
seers were also at loggerheads; the of toting the corn, and they could buy
"tenth” was a constant irritation, and it at home for the money. I once gave
when the impressing officers cameround, them twenty-five dollars, all I had in
and horses, mules, and cattle were driven the house at that time. “Well, this
off, they got outrageously mad. "They wont go to buy much corn, but as far it
could not make the crop without them, do go we's obliged to you,” were the
and could not see how they were ex. thanks. I saw a party of them on a
pected to make enough to pay the 'tax steamboat counting their money. They
in-kind' when they were deprived of had hundreds of dollars and a quantity
the means of making enough to feed of corn. The boats and railroads took
home folks, and soldiers' families.” Then them free. I was afterward told by a
we had to persuade and argue, and try railroad official that their husbands and
to keep the peace. All of this grumbling fathers met them at the depot and either
we had to listen to. We could not do sold the corn or took it to the stills and
without the overseer, and of course we made it into whiskey. They hated the
had to see that the Government claims army and all in it and despised the
were attended to. Then the hands were negro, who returned the compliment
impressed to work on the Government with interest. The very sight of a corn
works. The Confederates took the book woman made the overseers angry. They
and built stockades, and put obstruc regarded them as they did, the army
tions in the river, and the Yankee took | worm.

WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA.
277
All of these things the Southern || thought of without a shudder. From
woman had to contend with. There Selma they passed into the adjoining
was no one now between her and all county and stole or destroyed all they
that was conflicting and disagreeable.
could find.
She had to face and settle them herseif,
at what cost of health and strength none
THOSE WERE DREADFUL NIGHTS
knew, and she never complained. Her
after the fall of Selma. Confederate sol-
letters sent to the army were bright and
diers were scattered, trying to get back
cheerful; it was the class before spoken
of who sent the letters which made men
to their commands and unwilling to be
deserters. The negroes worked faith taken prisoners. Citizens were flying
fully and cheerfully; they were de for their lives. At all hours I was called
prived of a few luxuries, but we made
up to feed half-starved men, and give
plenty of meat, and bread, molasses and them a bed until daylight. The house
tobacco for them. They had heavy was full, and the piazzas were full; they
cottons in the place of wonllen clothing, lay down with a chair for a pillow and
and that was all, but they could have slept as soundly as though it were a bed
done a great deal of harm. All of them of down. At daylight they had break-
knew of Lincoln's emancipation procla fast and were gone, and at night it was
mation.?? I lived alone with my little the same thing over again. For many I
children on the plantation, two miles bad to hunt up clothing or shoes. All
from any neighbor, and surrounded by Il were weary, sick and foot-sore. The
large plantations on which no white Yankees were within four miles, but
person lived.
never came nearer.
After a while things settled down. The
THE NEGROES WERE MY PROTECTORS.
citizens returned to their homes, the sol-
A negro man slept in the nearest out diers no longer came through; they had
found their commands or joined others.
house, and I could call him if I needed
The prisoners (Home Guards) were re-
him. But during the four years I was
leased and sent home, except the officers,
never disturbed. Would any woman who were taken by Wilson to Georgia,
venture to stay there now in the present just for pure meanness.” Soon we
state of things ? A thousand times, no! heard of Lee's surrender. I cannot write
The early spring of 1865 saw the war of that. We were just congratulating
for the first time in all those years that at least we had escaped a visit from
brought to our doors. Wilson's raiders the Yankees Mobile had been taken,
were coming through. Selma had been and then came Johnston's capitulation.
surrounded with earthworks as a pro It fell on the women of the South liko
tection to the Government works in that a thunderbolt on a clear day. We had
city. The regular troops. could not be refused utterly to see or believe it possi-
spared, and the "Home uards” were ble; had shut eyes and ears alike; it was
called out. There were but three men il too awful to think of, and we turned
left in our town, and not a boy of fifteen from it with a shudder. Never will I
years. Doctors and preachers all joined forget the Sunday the news came; there
and responded to the call. It was on a were no men in the church, and every
bright evening in April that the Yan woman's head was buried in silent an-
kees were seen coming down the Sum guish, and the faces of the children were
merfield road, and it did not take long white and scared; there was something
for them to ride over the works so dreadful-they knew not what. The
feebly manned. But few as they were, voice of the minister trembled as he
the "Home Guards” made many an prayed; it was like the funeral of
empty saddle. They were beaten back,
however, and Wilson and his ruffians
SOME BELOVED DEAD ONE.
entered the city. They burnt all of the There was no sermon; the pastor
public buildings, some of the churches,
| raised his hand and prayed for comfort
entered private dwellings and forced
women and children into the streets,
and blessings on his afflicted people, and
cut up furniture through their wanton silently we passed out. A grasp of the
ness, stole everything they could lay hand as friend met friend, and we went
their hands on and ruined carpets and to our homes feeling that the cause was
bedding. I heard a lady say she be- || lost. The trials, hardships, dreams of
lieved he had collected his men from four long and wearylyears
"Five Points, New York,'' and that the We were a conquered people!
officers in many instances were worse l And oh! wbat a sad coming home for
than the men. They were beasts, not the soldiers! worse almost than death.
men, and it will be long before they are | The sympathy for “the boys in grey"

278
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
was our deepest feeling; it was years be I swamps. The silver had been buried
fore I could say in this "Thy will be some time since (where, I did not know,).
done." Days of anxiety passed; we with the exception of a few spoons and
could not hear from the soldiers; the forks. I had some spoons made in the
mails were broken up, and there was blacksmith shop, and these, with steel
nothing but confusion and perplexity. forks and knives were in daily use. I
“Surely they will come to-day. But gave the children their supper, put
many days passed and they came not. them to bed without undressing them.
Now came the news that Major Perry Then some soldiers came in and I gave
with part of an Indiana or Illinois regi them supper. They told me the whites
ment was coming through the country among the Yankees were not more than
from Mobile to Montgomery, that they 75 or 80; they had been watching them
were stealing mules and horses, and sil all day, and would be in the woods near
ver and jewelry, and pressing the negro me next day, and if I needed them all I
men to take the mules and horses to had to do was to blow a horn. But their
Montgomery. Major Perry claimed orders were imperative: there had been
to be a graduate of West Point a cessation of hostilities and unless in
and a nephew of Commodore Perry. defence of the women they could do
All again was anxiety; the sad experi nothing.
ence of our friends in Selma had not And then I was left alone. I locked
lessened in the least our dread and de up the house, took my keys and went
testation of the Yankee raiders, and the round to every trunk, drawer, door,
reports coming in represented them as desk, everything that locked, and put
being no better than Wilson's. They the key in the lock. Then to the smoke-
were stealing everything, or as one of house, storeroom and dairy, leaving the
the Yankees himself said: “It was the keys in the locks. All night I walked
last chance, and they were making their the piazza, too excited to sleep. I was
everlasting jack.' The provisions they in hopes they would take the direct
did not need they destroyed. I again road to Montgomery which would leave
had a houseful. Many old men were me undisturbed. That night seemed a
afraid to stay at home and came to me, year long, everything was as quiet as
or slept in the roads. One old gentle the grave. This was only for a night;
man was afraid they would hang him how did the poor women stand it who
for the gold he did not have in his pos had to go through it for days, and weeks,
session. He was wealthy, and the ne and months? I had breakfast next
groes thought he had large sums in gold morning at daylight. I remember the
buried. His health was wretched, and I breakfast, consisting of corn bread,
often feared that he would die on the hominy, milk, butter and some cold
steps before I would get him into the ham, left from the soldiers' supper.
house, or that if ever he met the Yankees A few moments after breakfast one of
he would drop dead, such was his dread the children called out that
of them.
One evening I was sitting on the steps
THE YANKEES WERE COMING.
and heard a horse coming at full speed. “White ones and black ones, droves of
In a few moments a young boy dashed
them !"
up to the gate and halted. "The Yan-
kees are in town," he shouted. "Not a
I hurried to the door and counted
great many white men, but crowds of them as they passed the gate. There
negroes--hundreds of them.” For a were fifteen white inen. I tried to count
moment I turned sick and felt as if my the negroes, but as they were riding in
heart had stopped beating,
no kind of order, I could not. They
"Are you sure?" I asked.
passed down the road into the planta-
"Sure! Well, yes, I expect I am. tion and I hoped I had seen the last of
I've had a pretty hard run of it. I'm off them. In a few moments, however, my
to the swamp; I want to save my horse,” house servant came to the back door and
and he galloped off.
asked if any of them had come in. Just
then a man dressed in Confederate gray
WELL THEY HAD COME AT LAST,
rode up on a mule to the gate and came
and I was here alone with these little up to the steps.
children, to face men who were repre-
“There's a Yankee now, missis.”
“Why, he's a Confederate soldier," I
sented to be devils. But it would not
answered.
do to give way, and I walked up the "No mam; he's Yankee. I seen too
steps as calmly as I could, and com many not to know them, and he slipped
menced making preparations. The off,
horses and mulos were sent off to the ll I went to the door; the soldier touched

WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA.
279
his hat and said Major Perry had sent "D-n you! if you don't I'll make you.
him to see if I had any arms.
Where is your silver and yourjewelry ?!
I told him I had none.
"If you have,” he replied, "you had where they were.
better give them up."
"You don't know ! you are a liar !
I told him I knew it was of no use to Bring it, I tell you, or I'll make you.
deny it if I had, but everything of that The niggers told me you had both."
kind had been taken off weeks before, By this time I was too angry and in-
and he could come in and satisfy him dignant to think of consequences. I
self if he wished to do so. He seemed could have killed him with pleasure.
"Are the women you are in the habit
pocket and said Major Perry presented of associating with so given to lying that
his compliments and asked me to give. when a lady speaks the truth you do not
him some brandy or whiskey, as he was believe it? I have told you the truth. I
very unwell. I told him to say to Major do not deny having the silver, but it has
Perry I had none; I had given the last I been taken off, and I do not know where
had to a sick soldier the night before. it is. But if I did know, it is mine, and
He bowed, wished me good morning not yours, and you should not steal it.
and rode off.
"Major,'' said the man in gray,'' lets go;
He had been gone but a few moments she has told the truth, and we will make
nothing by remaining."
of coming in at the back gate from the Major Perry dismounted and came in,
woods and I ran out to meet him.
followed by the others. He must have
"Where are you going? Have you met served a term as a detective, (do they
the Yankees ?
teach it at West Point?) I never heard
“Yankees! No; where are they?" of such a search, conducted by a United
"Down on the plantation, and I am ex States officer, to steal silver and jewelry !
pecting them here every moment."
Trunks were pulled open and the con-
“What shall I do?''
tents scattered over the floor, the linings
torn out, bureau drawers pulled out and
sat on his horse as if paralyzed.
I seized the horse by the bridle, opened turned out and scattered, books pulled
the front gate and led him through; but down and pictures pulled to pieces. In
still he looked dazed.
searching my husbands wardrobe they
"Hold on to your bridle, sir.”
saw a pile of white shirts which my
He took it up, and catching up the nurse and seamstress had mended nicely
limb of a bush lying on the ground, I and done up with her own hands and
commenced whipping his horse run placed thein ready for his coming home.
ning by his side, until I had him in a Major," said the Irishman, "here are
pretty fast galiop, and in a few moments some shirts and you be needing some.”
last I heard of him was, “Yes, I'll do as
THE MAJOR SURVEYED THEM CRITICALLY.
you tell me."
"D--n patched things” he exclaimed
and threw them on the floor, spat to-
house I saw the Yankees all coming
back. They halted in the grass outside
bacco juice on them and walked on them
of the gate, and
with his muddy boots.
MAJ0Ꭱ ᏢᎬᎡᎡY,
Jane had followed him into the room
and had watched him closely, but
the young man in gray, and an Irish-
silently. This was too much for her,
man with a two-story nose as red as and regardless of my orders to hush,
whiskey could make it, rode through she abused him for everything she could
the flower garden up to the steps. At think of, and ordered him out of the
Major Perry's saddle bow was tied a room. I expected to see him kill her;
white bag, evidently containing silver; ||
in fact I could see the prongs of the into the dining-room, where the remains
forks sticking out. I was on the piazza. of the breakfast and the iron spoons
Major Perry was first to ride up, and he called into use his favorite expletive.
did not touch his cap or bow, but At last they came to a large press in
roughly asked me where I kept my which I had kept preserves, and just in
table-ware.
front as they opened the door was a bot-
I had heard of the kitchen ware, but tle marked brandy. I had filled it with
for the moment could not think what very strong pepper sauce, and neglected
he wanted, thougb I should have known, to remove the label. The Irishman
and I answered that I did not under clutched it, put it to his lips and took a
stand.
long pull. I saw it, but had no time to

280
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
speak. He dropped the bottle, staggered
to the door, and it was several seconds
before he caught his breath sufficiently
to curse. Ho sat on the steps gasping,
“Water, for God's sake water, I am
burning up!"
“What for you meddle wi' udder peo-
ple tings, ah? sabe you right !” said the
cook as she handed him a gourd of
water.
He staggered off to his horse and rode
off. The Major, satisfied that he could
find nothing, stalked up to where I was
sitting.
“When last did you see any Confede-
rate soldiers ?” he asked.
"Last night.”
"Where?”
“Here. I gave them supper."
“How many ?”
"Fifteen or twenty.”
"Armed ?"
"Yes, with rifles, swords and pistols.”
“What are they doing, and where are
they?"
“Watching you; they are not far off-
in hearing distance of me,'
"Why did you not tell me before?''
“You never asked me."
“We must get out of this," and using
his expletive once more freely, he
mounted his horse and rode off.
Calling the officers together he spoke
rapidly a few moments and rode off at a
galiop, followed by the negroes whom the
soldiers had vainly tried to get into some
sort of order.
In a few moments more they came gal-
loping back, and took the road through
the swamp, following a negro who acted
as guide. And now followed a scene of
THE WILDEST CONFUSION.
The negroes had as much idea of what
the order "Fall in-right face-wheel”
meant as they had of geometry. The
Yankees cursed and swore; the negroes
cursed and swore; guns were fired,
mules kicked, horses ran off; there was
a perfect panic, and for a half hour it
seemed as if the infernal regions had
been emptied right there. At last, how-
ever, they were made to comprehend
which way they were to go. The sol-
diers got behind them, striking right
and left with their swords, and drove
them into the road they wished them to
take. Soon they were all gone, the ne.
groes who had failed to get mules or
horses running on behind.
And now for the first time I gave up.
My house was literally torn up; it
would take weeks to replace things
which were scattered in every direc-
tion. I sat down and cried; I could not
help it.
Just then an old family negro cam
up from the quarters to see what the
Yankees had done.
"An' what you cryin' for ?'' she asked.
“Crying for ? Look at the house-
and that Yankee cursed me- called me a
liar !!!
"An you cryin' fer dat? Ain't you
nebber yeddy say you can't spec nuttin
from a hog but a grunt? What you spec
from Yankee den, eh? What dey do
plantation? Dey teif ebbery hoss an
mule an press all de mans ceptin two,
and dev hide out, and dey empty do
whole lowance ob meal in de mud. Cuss
nuff ter sen dis heah whole plantation to
de debbil. but dat berry well fur Yankee.
Now you quit cryin' an I git you an de
chillan some dinner. Harriet done skare
to det."
The old woman's words brought com-
fort. I could expect no less from the
Yankee, and ought to be thankful it
was no more. Things settled down at
iast; the men came home and bravely
faced
THE NEW ORDER OF THINGS.
They had done their best and it was no
use to grieve. But the old men never
got over it. One after another died out
until none were left. The terrible days
of carpet-bag rule and Reconstruction
was too much for them.
Of Major Perry I must tell the end.
He knew of "peace being declared,"
and his raic was a private speculation.
The authorities at Montgomery, when
called upon to return the mules and
horses, knew or pretended to know
nothing of it. He passed through once
on his way to see a widow who was very
wealthy, and on the way met and beat a
poor old man nearly to death and robbed
him of thirty dollars in silver. He
played similar pranks once or twice
after, the commanding officers at Selma
were told, and complaints were lodged
against him. He then disappeared from
Selma. We supposed he was only sent
somewhere else.
I cannot tell of the terrible days of Re-
construction, when every indignity was
heaped upon the South. The women
were never conquered. We told the
Yankees things the men could not, and
more than one Yankee left his office
"because of the women. They are
never unlady-like, but scorn and con-
tempt lose none of the sting because
clothed in polite language, and when
they seem most polite you feel as though
you were being skinned alive-and I
rather think they see it and enjoy it."
I had often vowed I never would give

IN THE CRADLE OF THE WAR.
281
a Yankee anything to eat if I saw him || ing the lists” with her more fortunate
starving, but a letter from the trans sisters; while they were at their books
Mississippi told of a young brother, who laying up stores for future use, the pres-
had been a prisoner for many months, sure of the times caused the Southern
who escaped by bribing the guard with girl to lay aside her books and learn to
two dollars and a half, and who would knit socks for the soldiers, pick lint.
have been retaken
roll bandages, make cartridge-bags and
various other things that women found
HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE WOMEN.
to do at that time; for so dear was "the
They took him in, fed him and after cause' to the heart of every Southerner
his pursuit was over dressed him in
that the women vied with each other,
each doing her utmost to help the men.
woman's clothes, made up a story for
Charleston being "the cradle of the
him and got him safely home. I was
war, we were among the first to or-
done, and when the Yankee soldiers ganize soldiers' relief societies, and the
passed, I gave them the best I had in
services of every woman were needed,
gratitude to those women who had cared
and only too gladly rendered, for the
for him. Before that I confess I had felt enthusiasm of Southern women knew no
like the old steamboat captain. They bounds.
had burnt his boat and regarded him as I imagine few of us haye forgotten the
a most unmitigated Rebel. He would trials accompanying the knitting of our
play Dixie in spite of all they could do, first sock, the mistakes and even tears
and at last they brought him up before a over
court-martial.
THE TURNING OF THE HEEL!
"What do you answer to the charge
against you?'
My first pair of socks were of coarse
"Faith and which one ?"
woollen yarn, most uneven thread, with
"That you refused to take the bodies
sticks and burrs throughout. Diligently
of dead Federal soldiers on your boat to
I set to work to remove all flaws, but bo-
Montgomery."
fore I had gone very far, being naturally
"No, no, that's not true. God knows
indolent, and like most girls fond of
it would be the pleasure of my life to
commencing but not finishing work, I
take the whole Yankee nation up the
got very tired and thought the sticks and
river-IN THAT SAME FIX !'
burrs knit in would help to "fill up."
Sometime after, in discussing with some
of my young friends my mode of pro-
cedure." I have never forgotten the re-
No. 44.-In the Cradle of the War.
proof from my mother: "And did you
never think of the poor, bleeding feet?''
I was conscience stricken.
(By a Charleston Woman.)
My grandmother of 85, a cripple, con-
The transition from girlhood-nay,
fined to a wheeling chair, occupied her-
self in picking lint and rolling band-
even from childhood—to womanhood
ages for the hospitals.. So diligent was
was owing to the pressure of events
she about it that I remember her having
very rapidly at the South during the corns on her fingers from the constant
war, and the child of '60 was a woman
picking. And as she kept on at her
patient work many a story did she tell
before the close of '61, bearing her
us of the days of '76 when she was a
share of the struggle that nearly every “wee one," and again how the then pres-
family knew. In the way of self-reli ent troubles would have been averted if
ance many of the lessons unconsciously
the State had acted as she should have
and Nullified in '31.
learned then have been of inestimable The Sunday before the battle of Sum-
value since. But, on the other hand, ter the ordnance department decided
every girl's education was marred just
there was a scarcity of cartridge bags,
and asked assistance from the ladies.
at the time when the need of it was most
The thought immediately was, in such a
valued, and for these there has been a holy cause can we hesitate? Is not that
felt incapacity, which has stood in the a work of necessity? And many a.
way of many a woman who, under more
woman plied the needle the whole Sun-
day making cartridge bags for
favorable circumstances, would have
THE BLOODLESS BATTLE OF THE WAR.
been an independent "bread-winner.”
God only knew the prayers woven
The knowledge of an incomplete edu-
with the stitches! As this was consid-
cation has been a barrier to her "enter- ll ered most particular work and the officer
36

282
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in charge one of the "old school who From private residences the Govern-
carried particularity so far as to count ment was allowed to remove the leads
how many stitches must be contained in from window pulleys; leads of all kinds,
an inch, it was, of course, considered an everything possible was gladly given to
honor to be selected for this duty, and be moulded into bullets for
the lot only fell on seamstresses of repu-
tation.
“Back of lines that never quailed
fer from battle-banners' flash-
In the spring of 1862, when Gen. Beau-
There were lips that moaned and wailed,
regard was urging the removal of non-
And how many eyes that wept,
combatants, women and children, we, Tho' they heard no cannon clash
among others, were preparing to go.
Nor the terror-storms of lead,
We had in the house quite a stock of
And they sighed the while they slept
When they dreamed their own were dead.
comforts we had busied ourselves with
Mothers, wives and children fair,
during the winter for the soldiers Back of all the ranks they fought,
socks, mufflers, caps, &c. When the Knelt adown in holy prayer,
time came to move it was necessary to
And in Heaven only sought
In their infinite despair
dispose of these things, and the question
Gleams of hope to light the night
was under debate to which association
Darkly gathering o'er the Right.”
we had best send them. One morning
as the family were at breakfast, and I From 1862 with our refugee life began
was just ready to join them, a company the struggle for food and house comforts.
marched by to the depot en route for The up-country towns from the influx
Virginia. The thought immediately of the low-country refugees became over-
crossed my mind, "why not give my crowded, provisions scarce and prices
share of the work to these men ?" The exorbitant. The men of course had to
execution was as quick as the thought. be in the army, and there were few to
As they came near I threw out socks, work crops. In the upper counties negro
caps, &c., much to the astonishment of labor was comparatively smali, the work
those in the breakfast room, who at first on the farms being done by the farmers
could not understand the game of themselves. Under this state of things,
"catch'' that was being played in front and this class having no confidence in
of the house. The smiles and thanks of Confederate currency, (remembering the
those men were most encouraging to story of Continental money) and having
me, and with renewed energy I set to no sympathy with "the cause," looking
work again.
upon it as
It was about this time that the call
was made for church bells to be recast
A WAR OF THE ARISTOCRACY,
into cannon. St. Philip's Church, many of them refused to take currency
Charleston, was one of if not the very
in exchange for their produce at any
first to give its
price, and untold were the sufferings of
CHIMES TO THE CONFEDERACY,
the refugees for the actual necessities of
but there seemed to be a tacit agree life-flour, bacon, wood and other things.
ment everywhere that if possible the
Fortunate were those who had anything
for barter. Household goods, clothing,
historic chimes of St. Michael's were to
in fact almost anything except money,
be spared. They were moved to Colum was of a marketable value, and thus
bia for safe-keeping, and at the time of through necessity our stores of such
Sherman's raid became so much injured were reduced to the lowest ebb.
it was feared they would never be of Not long since in a description of fash-
service again. But through the energy ions during the war there was mention
of a patriotic son of Charleston living in made of "Garibaldi” waists, which re-
England, who hunted up the foundry minded me of the fate of one of mine.
where they had been cast, and inter On a foraging expedition into the coun-
ested in the cause an old workman who try I wore one of these waists—white
remembered hearing his father speak of dimity embroidered in black. The
having been one of the men who made woman with whom we were trying to
these bells, the original moulds labelled "trade''-as close a bargainer as was ever
as such were found, our bells recast, met-suddenly turned to me and said:
and when they came back to us, old and "I'll give you a turkey for your jacket.''
yet new, a strong link with our never I refused, saying it was not for sale, but
to-be-forgotten past, there was hardly a she insisted, and at last said, "I'll give
dry eye to be met on the street as, you a pair of turkeys." This offer was
on the still evening air, they sounded not to be resisted when I remembered
forth "Home Again” in the voice we were eleven in family, and fresh meat
familiar to all from babyhood.
Il of any kind a rarity. Of course I could

IN THE CRADLE OF THE WAR.
283
not give up my jacket then and there, || well as young for the present sufferings.
but made arrangements for its delivery Our refugee house was at Anderson
next day when she sent the turkeys. Courthouse, in the extreme northwest of
And we went home grateful that my the State, about 26 miles from the “Blue
supply of “Garibaldis'' admitted of the Ridge." It seemed to have been sought
barter of one.
for its retirement and, therefore, safety
I never realized how strong the pres by about seventy families of refugees,
sure of events had been until not long mostly from Charleston and the adja-
since I heard the mother of a family cent islands. It was here that we were
say: "I hope my children will know subjected to a raid on the first day of
more of youth than I ever did. I was May, 1865, some two weeks after the sur-
ten years old at the breaking out of the render of Johnston's army; the news of
war; we were among the first driven this surrender being brought us by the
from our homes; from that time all raiders, for owing to the great storm in
seemed to lose sight of the fact that I February. 1865, when nearly all the rail-
was a child, and expected me to bear roads in the Confederacy had been
my share of the burdens of life. After washed away, ours had shared the fate
the war I went to school, but my early of the many, and we had been cut off
life had been so full of care that I had from rail and postal communication with
long since left childhood behind.” Her the outer world for more than two
caso was not the exception, but the rule. months, and were only kept informed of
From the early part of the war shoes events by chance arrivals. And at this
were most difficult to get, and fabulous time when every man was needed at the
were the prices paid. Before the end front,' arrivals were rare. After the
of the war $250 was a common price for removal of the Confederate treasury
ladies' shoes. The shoes were made of from Charlotte, N. C., it was brought to
coarse leather, badly prepared, and such Anderson as one of
as we would not have thought of giving
our servants, but we were now glad
THE SAFEST POINTS IN THE CONFEDERACY
enough to wear them. English shoes About the beginning of 1865 we con-
were obtainable through the blockade,
stantly heari rumors of approaching
but they were so ill shapen and low in
the instep that one was compelled to get
raiders, but after the burning of Colum-
many sizes larger than ordinary to be
bia and Sherman's “march to the sea”
able to get them on at all. Of course this we thought Anderson safe, and these
caused them to crease and soon wear in constantly-recurring rumors were only
the creases, so economy suggested that a cry from the timid of "wolf.” But the
the coarsest of "home-made'' was better. wolf did come, and so little was he ex-
It is true these prices were paid in a pected that most of the young people
depreciated currency, but it was all we were out at some neighboring mills en-
had. Those who were early driven from joying a May-day picnic. And a lovely
their homes, where they were sur-
May day it was! the air fresh and baluiy
rounded with all that wealth could pro with the breath of spring. The picnic,
vide in most cases,
composed entirely of women and chil-
dren, was rudely broken up by these
LEFT ALL SOURCES OF REVENUE
marauders, who not only went through
behind them, and even Confederate cur the baskets and demolished the eatables
rency was hard to get. Those who held
but carried off the forks and spoons, and
the women and children, almost par-
"Planters' bonds,” considered at that alyzed with fright, were left to make the
time one of the safest and surest invest best of their way home, not knowing
ments of the South, were cut off from what awaited them there.
their income. The planter driven from For some weeks previous about three
his home, his individual services needed hundred of Wheeler's cavairy, who had
in the army, where as a private his pay been cut off from their command, had
was $17 a month, all he could scrape to been waiting in Anderson for a chance
gether was needed for the support of his to rejoin. As soon as they heard the
family and negroes, whilst his creditors Yankees were really coming we saw
had to do as best they could. But all them preparing to leave, and as they
privations were willingly and cheerfully rode by we called out to them:
borne; the "star of hope' was eyer be “Are you not going to stay and help
fore us and failure was never allowed to us in our distress?”
enter our thoughts; croakers were si "Ladies," one man said, "it goes hard
lenced, and the enjoyments in store for with us to leave you, but we are only
us after the war, when we returned to three hundred and the enemy about ten
our homes, were a palliation to old as ll thousand.''

284
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
The Confederates were hardly out of house with her, in her panic rushed to
sight when down came a column of cav the gate and asked a man in citizen's
alry, charging through the public square, dress who was riding by, "Sir, is it true
firing pistols right and left, screaming: the Yankees are coming? I have yet to
“WHEELER TO THE RESCUE!!
hide my silver." "Hush, madam!said
the stranger, "don't tell me. I am one,
Their dress was so motley, and we so and they are all over the place."
often saw Confederates dressed in Yan-
She rushed back to the house, gathered
up her silver and valuables and threw
kee overcoats, that for a few moments we
them down the well. All went well with
doubted whether they were Yankees or her until night, when a body of men
not. The doubt lasted but a few mo came demanding silver. Upon her reply
ments, when the pillage began. Stores that she had no silver, they searched, de-
were broken into, private residences in stroyed everything they could lay hands
vaded, everything of value taken off, and on, compelled her to open her trunks for
what could not be removed destroyed. their inspection, and whilst she was
Various were the devices resorted to bending over a trunk one man struck
by the treasury employees for the safety her on her back and said, “You are an
of their gold, but in most cases of no
Irish woman, are you not??? Upon her
avail. One gentleman, who was absent
answering "No," he said, "I thought you
from home at the time of the raid, had
must be, you lie so.” Her wedding ring
in his house a wooden box containing was taken from her finger, and many in-
about ten thousand dollars in gold, dignities were heaped upon her.
which had been moved from the trea-
Of course her case was no worse than
sury for concealment, and had not yet that of many another woman, and this
been disposed of. This house was one raid no worse than those that occurred
of the first that was pillaged and the all through the Confederacy, and was
mistress, in trying to save the valua borne as the "fortunes of war; but it
bles, had entirely forgotten the gold. In
must be remembered that this was
the midst of the search she remembered
AFTER THE SURRENDER,
it, and taking her baby in her arms
seated herself on this box, making some after the so-called peace, and by a body
remark to the rufians about having of men whose sole object was plunder,
left her no chair to sit on. The box was
who came under command of a general
so common looking, and no effort hav-
ing been made to conceal it, they took it
calling himself Brown. I say "calling
for granted it could contain nothing of himself," because Brown is supposed to
value, and although they went so far as
have been an assumed name. This I
to kick it, they passed it over and the
gold was saved only by the coolness
was told some years since by an officer
of a brave woman.
of distinction in the United States army,
Unfortunately for us, added to the de who expressed just indignation at the
sire for plunder was the demon of drink.
outrage.
A wealthy importing firm of Charleston
had their wines stored at Anderson, and
The late Governor Orr, himself a loser
although orders were given for it to be by these raiders, endeavored to get re-
destroyed in case of a raid, this raid was muneration from the United States Gov-
so sudden and unlooked for that there ernment for himself and all others who
was no time to destroy it. So you may had property destroyed. He claimed it
well imagine what we underwent in was not the fortune of war, but done
those two days and nights; and most dis after peace by men belonging to the
gusting was the sight of
United States army. He, however,
failed in his attempt, as the Government
DRUNKEN SOLDIERS REELING ABOUT,
claimed the army register bore record
breaking the necks of bottles against of no such a command as Brown's. It
the walls or whatever was most conven-
was generally thought to be a part of
Stoneman's command. Of course Gen.
ient to them.
Stoneman himself was not with them.
Most families went through the form He passed through Anderson in the
of asking for "a guard," but in many dead of the night, after the raiders had
cases they asserted the guard made no left, and as they rode through on the
effort to resist intruders, and in some night of the 3d of May, so quietly they
instances joined the search.
went and so weird they looked in the
A relative of mine living in rather a moonlight that one might well have
secluded part of the town, no near neigh- imagined their horses hoofs were muf-
bors, and only her little children in the ll fled, and that they were

A NIGHT WITH JAYHAWKERS.
285
PHANTOM HORSEMEN.
since the occurrence of these events, and
others have come thick and fast in the
They rode on, and from all sides came
life of are, a share of the burden of
the report that the rights of citizens had
which has fallen to the lot of most of
been respected and nothing touched. those who refugeed at Anderson, and un-
We have always thought it was the re-
like most events it cannot be said "one
nail drivest out another," but the recol-
port of Stoneman's approach that caused
lection of this raid will be as vivid with
the abrupt departure of Brown's men;
us as with those who suffered at the
for seemingly their preparations were
burning of Columbia.
made to pass another night, when, to
their own surprise, the call “boots and
saddle” was sounded and their exit was
No. 45.-A Night with Jayhawkers.
as sudden as their approach.
Of course there were no men save a
few non-combatants, and only women
(By Mrs R. M Rodgers, of Mars Bluff, S. C.)
and children to bear the brunt of the
raid. Some of our men returning from At the time when the following inci-
the North Carolina campaign reached
dent occurred, my father, Mr. Henry D.
the outskirts in time to hear exagge-
rated accounts of what was happening to
Mandeville, my sister and myself were
their wives and children. Imagine the residing on his plantation, situated on
sufferings of these men, dispirited and
Tensas River, in the State of Louisiana.
heart-broken from defeat, the future
black before them, to be within reach of
@ur whole section was on the border-
their helpless ones and unable to render line between the Yankees aud Confed-
them any assistance.
erates, alternately overrun by one or the
After having passed a "night of hor-
other of the contending parties, and
rors," with one set at dusk, the next
morning they moved off to make room
affording a good field for the operations
for another set. When our guard was of those renegade Southerners called
leaving, his parting words were: "Good Jayhawkers. After the fall of New Or-
bye; I'm sorry for you. The Michiganers
leans and the occupation of Natchez by
who are coming now are the worse men
in the whole army." However, it is due
the enemy, all of our slaves quitted us
to the Michiganers to say they were no in a body, leaving the crops in the fields,
worse than their comrades from Illinois.
and we were forced to gather corn
The former done the work of pillage so
enough for our own subsistence and that
well that nothing was left but the torch
for their followers; and after the fate of of the few animals we had been fortunate
Columbia you may know that it was cer enough to save from Confederate neces-
tainly with no enviable feelings that at
sity and Yankee rapacity.
daybreak we heard the proposition to
During the rest of the war we suffered
"BURN THE REBELS IN THEIR BEDS.”
much from want of food, being, at
Thank God this hour wins spared us, times, in an almost destitute condition.
but there was grief yet in store for us To add to the horrors of our situation,
when on the afternoon of May 4 poor MC the cutting of the levees by Gen. Grant
Kenzie Parker, in the buoyancy and brought upon us a yearly inundation of
pride of his youth, was shot through the the Mississippi river. The devastation
heart by a straggler. These two men
caused by the overflow which immedi-
rode on the square and stopped to in-
quire which way the command had
ately succeeded Gen. Grant's act was
gone. In a moment a small circle had something never to be forgotten by
collected around them, and McKenzie those who witnessed it. Growing crops
Parker, who had a gun in his hand,
joined the crowd. The Yankee imag-
were submerged, orchards and gardens
ined he pointed the gun to fire, and im-
destroyed, stock of all kinds drowned in
mediately fired, the ball taking almost countless numbers, fences and houses
instantaneous effect. For days it was as swept away, and in some instances loss
though a pall rested over the whole com of life occasioned by the flood. In fact,
munity, and it was with feelings of our whole country was destroyed and
deepest sorrow we paid the last tribute from being a magnificent and highly
of respect to our young friend.
cultivated cotton region, was considered
It is now more than eighteen years I one of the

286
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
"DESOLATE WASTE PLACES OF THE the part of the mob neither friendly or
EARTH.
desirable; and to this simple acu of jus-
About that time my father had on the
tice and right feeling we attributed it
that we had lived all the terrible time of
place about 800 bales of cotton, and even
the war in sight and sound of Bob Talia-
at this late date I look back with joy ferro's jayhawking bands without having
upon the lofty patriotism which made us been molested by them.
cheerfully submit to every extremity of
After the surrender of Lee's army we
hard living, rather than use it for trad began to hope that they would speedily
ing with the Yankees. Later on it was disperse, and we might be left to enjoy
all burned by an order from headquar in peace and security the few comforts
ters, and for days the atmosphere was and necessaries with which the war
heavy with the smoke of burning cotton, peculiarly desolating in our section-had
and the river was covered with half con left us still in possession; when on the
sumed bales floated down from above.
night in question we were rudely awak-
I well remember that my sister and my ened from our false dream of safety by
self used to go out in our skiff and dis. a loud knocking at our front door, with
lodge them from the brushwood and un an angry summons to open it imme-
dergrowth in which they would often diately, accompanied by the threat that
become entangled, and we fondly hoped if it were not done the door would be
that by so doing we were giving assist broken down.
ance to our beloved cause. With the de-
WE WERE HORROR-STRICKEN,
struction of our cotton perished the last
chance of redeeming ourselves from knowing too well what manner of per-
hopeless poverty; for even then wise
sons they were who thus demanded ad-
men were beginning to see a disastrous
mittance at such a late hour, and in such
termination to the war; but we never
a brutal style. We knew that in that
faltered in our devotion to the Confede-
wild waste of waters we, my sister, my-
racy, nor murmured at any of the trials,
self and our invalid father. were alone
deprivations and losses which that de-
with that reckless gang of robbers and
votion entailed upon us.
murderers, men grown callous in crime,
It was during the spring flood of 1865
and through long immunity, fearless of
that the Jayhawkers paid us the visit
which is the subject of my sketch. Up
punishment. But we had faced war's
to this date we had not been troubled by
stern visige too long to give way to fear
them, though some of our neighbors had
now, or, at least, to betray to our foes
the fears we really felt.
suffered many cruelties at their hands.
We had frequently seen them riding
Their first step was, of course, the ar-
rest of my father.
through the plantation, and often heard
“Mr. Mandeville, you are my pris-
the report of their guns, as they shot
oner," they said.
down great numbers of hogs and cattle,
which the high water had driven up on
By whose authority do you arrest
the ridges; fearful accounts had reached
"That does not matter,” they replied,
us of the outrages they had, at various
and one laughed and said: “You will
times, perpetrated upon the defenceless
find out that later."
inhabitants of our section, and there was
At the same time a loaded pistol was
a great horror of them upon us, but we
placed at his head.
had never been molested or even threat-
ened by them.
It was not an encouraging sight to us,
and I felt more frightened than ever be-
JUDGE TALIAFERRO,
fore in my life; but my sister boldly
ordered them to put their pistols away,
father of the notorious leader of the band
as there was no necessity for using them
which infested our part of the country, on people so helpless as ourselves, and,
was an avowed Unionist and in consid strange to say, the ruffians did not resent
erable danger of suffering from the too
her temerity, but seemed, on the con-
open expression of his views at a time,
trary, almost cowed by it. Her bold-
during the early days of the Confederacy,
ness did not, however, avail to save us
when overheated Southern blood made
from the most complete and wholesale
scant allowance for difference in political
robbery to which a luckless family was
feeling. My father, though a staunch
ever exposed, but
Confederate, contended that every man IT CARRIED US BRAVELY THROUGH IT.
should be allowed the right to his own
opinions, and by his interference was
At last, after scattered articles of jew-
largely instrumental in securing the old elry had been appropriated, drawers
Judge's immunity from attentions on ll emptied of clothing, mosquito bars and
me ?

A NIGHT WITH JAYHAWKERS.
287
blankets packed away in the skiff, every i do not we will tie you and whip you:
mouthful of provisions the house con here are the ropes all ready and here is
tained taken except a few quarts of the whip; now give up your money."
meal, mercifully spared to our necessi One look at my sister's blanched face
ties, boards torn off of walls and ceilings showed me that her proud spirit had
in the desperate hunt for hidden plun-- sunk before these fierce looks and this
der, there seemed to be a pause in the vile threat. One look at my father,
ruthless work, My sister and I for the brave and unmoved, but helpless
first time that night left our father and
among
retired to our chamber to rest, mind and
THOSE DESPERATE WRETCHES,
body both exhausted by the dreadful
strain to which they had been subjected
| and I dashed away the hands which had
for so many hours. As we sat and spoke seized him, threw myself on his breast,
in low tones, we heard the Jayhawker,
and clasped my hands tightly around
who had been left on the front gallery as
a guard, call to us in tones as low as our
his neck,
own, “Ladies, come here.”
With a fearful oath, the ruffian grasped
Literally, the very blood curdled in me by both my shoulders and attempted
our veins; we did not dare to move; well to drag me away.
scarcely breathed, but held each others "Leave the room," he ordered; "this is
hands tightly and waited for what was to no place for women, and what we are
follow.
going to do is nothing for you to see.”
Again that guarded whisper, "Ladies, "I will never leave," I said, “you
you must come; it is important--your may kill me, but I will never let go my
father-"
hold; if you touch him it will be over
"Sister," I said, "I will go to the door; my dead body."
I must bear what he has to say."
I felt as if my father's very life de-
But she prevented me, and we sat pended upon the feeble protection I
silent, breathless.
could afford him, but soon a darkness
He came closer then and whispered, came over me and I had no further con-
"I say, your father and fearing that sciousness of friend or foe, of fear or an-
evil was intended against him, I obeyed guish, of hope or despair.
the thrice repeated summons and went When sense returned I felt only my
to the door, though trembling in every dear father's kiss on my forehead and
limb and shrinking from the man with my sister's arm around my waist. The
an inward horror. And often since, upon horrible night was over, the figures all
my bended knees, have I thanked God gone, and instead of oaths and impre-
for that
cations, we heard only the sound of
ONE TOUCH OF MERCY
their oars dipping in the water as they
rowed away through the silence and
in that bad man's heart and prayed for a
quiet of the starry night.
blessing on his desperate head!
The outrages perpetrated in that one
This is what he told me in a low voice: visitation make it memorable in our
"Stay with your father; they will not
section, and others, even more than our-
selves, have reason to look back with
harm you, but they will hurt him; they
horror upon
are bad men and have done bad things
to-night, but they will not touch you.''
THAT NIGHT WITH THE JAYHAWKERS.
I hope I thanked him; I do not know, Two persons, a man and an old lady,
but we both went back immediately to
died in a short time from the effects of
the lower part of the house where we
had left the men and our father.
the ill-treatment to which they were
As I opened the door I seemed to have then subjected; and others suffered all
a confused vision of half a dozen vil the pangs of hunger, having been de-
lanous faces pressed close to my father's, prived of what provisions they had and
knives drawn and pistols cocked, while being unable, on account of the high
angry voices demanded gold and silver. water, to procure more.
Up to this time the Jayhawkers had I firmly believe that my father would
been almost civil, sometimes even jocu have been murdered but for our pres-
lar; but they had been disappointed at ence; indeed, it was said on the authority
not finding a large sum of money, and of the Jayhawkers themselves that such
were now thoroughly aroused and fiend would have been the case. "His daugh-
ish in their rage.
ters saved him.” So they confessed the
One, the darkest and fiercest of that tell purpose of their hearts.
wild band, said savagely: "You have In after times, when the protection
money and you must give it up; if you ll war gave to license and cruelty was re-

288
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
moved, bold hearts and quick hands || or the colored man would have none of
were employed in the search for such of it! Accordingly schools sprung up as
the Jayhawkers as ventured to risk thick as mushrooms, and the most press-
their lives by remaining in those parts, ing invitations were given by the school
and rigid bodies were seen swinging ma’ams to come in and be taught.
from wayside trees-ghastly tokens that The negro's nature is essentially sen-
stern justice had overtaken the guilty, sational joined to an intense curiosity,
and that the wicked work done by des and this carried young and old to these
perate men during four long years of
TEMPLES OF LEARNING.
lawless tyranny was thus finally and
fearfully avenged. Of the seven Jay-
Nothing daunted, the strong-minded
hawkers who visited our home but one women commenced their labors, first
escaped this awful fate. Perhaps it was stipulating the advance of a dollar or
the one, more merciful than the rest,
two, or in default of that a silver cup,
who warned us of our father's danger. spoons, jewelry or any other valuable of
But we never knew.
that kind in the possession of the negro
as a mark of the scholar's appreciation of
the philanthropy of the teacher, and her
No. 46.-The Yankee School Ma'am.
great self-denial in leaving home and
friends to come South to teach them their
rights.
(By Mrs. Izard, of Meridian, Miss.)
Instantly there was a rush, and heaps
of incongruous but valuable articles
The cannon had ceased thier hoarse bel were piled up before their guide and
lowing around the Harbor of Charles-
model. The little colored people and the
big ones, the old and the young, were
ton, South Carolina, incendiary fires
marshalled to the seats prepared for them.
had eaten out the heart of the old city, The little people giggled and stuck their
and the silence of death was over all! fingers in their mouths, the old ones
showed the whites of their eyes and tried
A cluster of Federal soldiers here and
to look dignified and wise.
there on the streets, and the Stars and
The school ma'am rose from her seat,
Stripes waving over the Citadel and the and with majestic attitude called out-
ruins of Fort Sumter, told the sad story
"Attention !!
of a people's heart-break!
Then advancing with dignity to the
side of the room, chalk in hand, she
Steamers were coming in laden with made an immense A, calling out the
all sorts of adventurers from the New name and desiring her scholars to re-
England and other States; among them
peat after her; and in that way she
in shoals were Yankee school ma'ams, WENT THROUGH THE ALPHABET.
to teach manners, morals and arithmetic
All this was delightful to the colored
to the heathen South !
people; it produced a new sensation to
The white inhabitants being rather
yellin full chorus after the school ma'am;
but when it became the pupil's turn to
shy of these new comers their energies
lead, and call out the names of the letters
were concentrated upon the unfortunate himself, great was the rolling of eyes,
--to disabuse them, in the first place, of scratching of heads, and consternation
their instinctive belief that there was a
generally. To that succeeded the wild-
est guessing, as to them a name was a
difference and superiority in the culti-
name, and in their philosophy there was
vated, refined white man over the igno no reason why B should not be called Z,
rant, careless negro. To forget the life-
or P. S.
long care and kindness of old Massa and
After weeks of harder work than pick-
ing cotton or hoeing rice the alphabet
old Missis, was another lesson, alas! for was indifferently learned. But there
poor human nature, too easily learned were three little boys of ten or twelve,
by these children of a larger growth!
who could not remember A until a little
girl, whose old "Missis' had taught her
After being sufficiently inflated with
to spell as far as Baker, (she was the
the new idea of their immense impor learned one of the class) offered to teach
tance in the body politic, the colored man these boys their letters.
resolved to become learned, with the aid The school ma'am gladly turned them
of these missionaries of Liberty, Fra- over to her, and taking them to the other
ternity and Equality. It must be done, side of the room, Abby's voice was soon
howeyer, quickly and by a conjuration I heard in her new rôle of teacher.

THE YANKEE SCHOOL MA'AM.
289
"What you call dat?” pointing to the || came from; but I wanted so much to
letter A.
come South and help you all by teach-
There was intense rolling of the eyes ing you your rights and how much you
and writhing of the body, but no res had been imposed upon; that I gave up
ponse.
my home and friends, and I hope you
"Enty you hear me say, wha' do you will be grateful and not let me lose by
call dat?''
it.
No answer, and contortions greater "I dunno mum, we all berry poor; got
than ever!
some few tings of old Misses, dat is all.
Abby, waxing wrath and speaking But you say I jist as good as my old
with great emphasis, “You stupid; what missis ?
for you say when dey, call you? enty you "Yes, Auntie, just as good.”
say ay-dat de name, you big fool ???
“Well mum, my old Missis nebber
With much tribulation and anguish 'sociate with dressmakers and dem sort
the three reached the letter I-and then of folks, and I aint gwine to do so
neider; so I wishes you good morning,''
A DEAD STOP.
and she left, to put in practice the lesson
"Well, stupid, what you call dat ??? she had learned
“I knows it, but I don't just 'member
For some months the school continued,
de name,'' said the little fellow, shifting
the scholars coming irregularly, and
gradually falling away, as the lessons
from one foot to the other like a turkey became irksome, and the novelty wore
on a hot plate.
off.
“What you been see wid ? enty you The approach of summer brought
see wid your eye-dat is de name !!
visions of country fever, and yellow
However, by this time they were in fever, or, as it is called, "strangers?
such a state of bewilderment the three fever," appeared in the distance. Little
roared out in concert, "I dunno."
more was to be gained from the negroes,
"You dunno, you big fool! I know and their teacher gave notice the school
what Itink; if de school marm git a stick would be closed, and requested all the
and bang your heads maybe she put scholars to assemble on a certain day
some sense dar,' and throwing down
the book she gave up the task.
TO SAY FAREWELL
TEACHING "AUNTY” HER RIGHTS,
and receive a token of her affection, and
At this stage of the performance an
each was desired to provide her, or him-
old negro woman was seen peeping very
self, with a dollar or some such farewell
offering, on their part, that the affec-
curiously in at the door, and was hailed
tionate and pleasant relations between
by the school ma'am with, “Come in aun them might never be forgotten by her
tie; come in and take a seat; you are very in her far away home.
welcome, and have as much right to do Accordingly, on the appointed day,
so as the greatest lady in the land. I
the room was filled and groups of ex-
have come South to teach you all your cited and chattering negroes were dis-
rights. And you must remember always cussing the finale of the educational
you are just as good as your old mistress,
scheme.
and have as much right to fine clothes, “What you tink she gwine to gibwe?"
and to ride in a carriage as she had. queried one.
So hold up your head and take your place “What you bring for she ?!? asked an-
among the best of them !”
other.
"Yankee Missis,” said the old WO "I brung a dollar,” said one.
man, making a low curtsy and taking a "I hab a silver fork,” said another.
seat.
"I hab two silver spoons,” said a
"You must break yourself of the habit
third.
of saying “Missis' and 'Massa.? There 6.Whar dey come from ? asked one,
are no Missis and Masters now. You less fortunate, who had nothing to offer
are just as good as anybody; so remem but a fine old china bowl.
ber that always."
"Whar dey come from? Out of old
"Yankee, mam, tankee berry much. Missis' closet. Where else you 'spose
You been always school-teacher where
dey come from? But you know dey tell
you come from, mam ?" queried the old us,'' pointing to the teacher, “we work
woman.
for dem, and dey is more belong to we
A LESSON PUT IN PRACTICE.
den to old Missis, and dat is de trute !”
"No, Auntie; I used to make bonnets
THE PARTING SCENE.
and dresses up in Maine, where I || The teacher, after recapitulating the
37

290
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
good she had done them and the great | For several years we had been living
sacrifices she had made in coming in Florence, South Carolina, but in the
South, harangued them on their rights year 1864 my father thought it best to
and the cruel wrongs they had endured move his family to some other place. In
from their former owners.
addition to being an important railroad
She then kissed each scholar, present centre Florence had been selected as
ing at the same time a cheap photograph the place for a "stockade," where the
of herself and receiving in return what Federal prisoners were placed when
ever valuable they had to offer.
moved from Andersonville, Ga., so it
No doubt the scene was tender and was most probable that a large number
sublime, but to me it was uncommoniy of Northern troops might be sent there
like sheep-shearing, the fleece being a at any day. Being a member of the
golden one!
Army of Northern Virginia, in Hamp-
ton's cavalry, my father was away
from his family all the time and was
No. 47.-Potter's Raid.
anxious to secure a quiet home for
them. He owned a plantation near
Manning, and thinking its inaccessibil-
ity and remoteness from any railroad
(By M. R. R., of Florence, 8. C.)
would save it from the unpleasantness
Who can read without strong emotion
of a visit from the Yankees, he decided
to send us there. As often happens,
and fervent admiration the history of
however, we ran from an imaginary
our brave Southern women during the danger into a real one, for in some unac-
late war? While their loved ones, their countable way Florence remained safe
protectors, were far away in the battle-
and undisturbed, while Manning re-
ceived a visit from
field, or worse than that, perhaps pris-
oners of war, immured in some dark and
GEN. POTTER AND HIS ARMY.
gloomy prison, our women were left at | We lived on this plantation for some
home exposed to the insults and cruel- || time, but as it was a very lovely place,
ties of their foes, often suffering for surrounded by dense pine forests and
the very necessities of life. Yet they large "bays” in which lurked many
wavered not, nor murmured when all
deserters and lawless characters, we con-
cluded to leave it and moved into town.
was dark and dreary around them. They
This was near the close of the war, and
passed long days and nights of terrible the colored people were becoming very
suspense, fearing, knowing it was but impertinent and unmanageable as they
too probable that any moment might
began to realize their power, and the
freedom soon to be given them; so to
bring them tidings of woe, that on some
live on a lonely farm, surrounded by
distant battlefield lay the lifeless forms them, was neither safe nor pleasant. In
of those wnose presence alone seemed to
addition to this the deserters had in-
creased in numbers greatly, and as they
make life worth the living. Surely, if
were generally men of very bad charac-
"they also serve who only stand and ter, they were naturally dreaded by the
wait,” our Southern women, who often unprotected women and children, as
had not only to “stand and wait,” but to
much or more than our Northern ene-
mies, who came only in organized bands,
“do and dare,” can claim a large meed
while these deserters moved about
of praise and gratitude from all who love secretly and stealthily, doing all the
the South. We cannot think their hero harm they could. Some of these men
ism was any the less, though more quiet
seemed to possess a bitter hatred for
those who were true to their country,
and ofttimes unknown, unseen by the
and lost no opportunity of showing their
world, than that of our brave soldiers who ill-will to them."
so often faced death “i’ the imminent
Manning was in 1865 quite a pretty lit-
tle place, with only a few hundred in-
deadly breach.” But it is useless to
habitants, and nearly all the houses in
dwell on this subject, for long in the it were built on one long straight street
pages of song and story will live the re about a mile in length. On the north
cord of our Southern women's patriot-
and east the town was surrounded by
large swamps whose dense undergrowth
ism-their unfaltering loyalty to the
and many deep lakes seemed to render
"Lost Cause."
it impassable save by a long narrow

POTTER'S RAID.
291
like
causeway directly north of the town. As I took his men on to Sumter, where it
we shall see, however, the very inacces- || was probable that others would join this
sibility of these swamps proved a God- || little band and make it possible for them
send to the sick and disabled soldiers || to meet Potter if he advanced beyond
who were in Manning when Gen. Pot Manning. In order to gain time in
ter made his somewhat unexpected ap their preparations and delay the foe as
pearance there. The men, who were much as possible, Col. Conners had the
quite familiar with every portion of thirteen bridges across the causeway on
these swamps, found in them a safe re Pocotaligo swamp torn up and burned.
treat, where they remained until Potter Manning was now left to the mercy of
left the town. Some of the sick soldiers the Federals, and that night many fer-
suffered very much from the fatigue and vent prayers ascended to God from the
exposure, as they often had to stand for lonely and defenceless women there,
hours in the water and had only such prayers for the preservation of the lives
food as could be sent them secretly, but of themselves and their children, and
this was their only chance; it was im the safety of the fathers, husbands and
possible for them to make any defence, sons who had gone forward to await the
and to have remained in the town meant enemy's coming. What a terrible night
certain death to some of them, capture of suspense that was to those lonely,
and imprisonment for the others.
sad-hearted women, and there was no
In April, 1865, and only two or three hope of succor save from Him who
days before the surrender, Potter and promises to be a prayer-hearing and
his raiders entered Manning. Only the | a prayer-answering God. There was
day before this the little town looked
NO SLEEP IN THE TOWN
THE VERY ABODE OF PEACE,
that night, for any moment might bring
the report of a gun or the yell of an ad-
and happiness, too, for many of the
vancing foe; so all welcomed the com-
soldiers who were at home on sick fur ing of day, even though it brought their
loughs were preparing to return to their enemies nearer.
. It was difficult to get any true, relia-
commands, and on this day a large pic-
ble accounts of where Gen. Potter was
nic had been gotten up in their honor.
or the number of his troops. During the
There had been many rumors of Potter's morning dozens of reports were brought
approach, but nothing definite was | iu by parties, who probably for the first
known, and, in the hope of snatching time in their lives had been called on to
some few moments of pleasure before act in the capacity of scouts. These
returning to the hard and perilous duties rumors were wild and unreliable. One
of their soldier-life, these boys in grey party would come in and report the
resolved to run the risk of staying one enemy 15 or 20 miles away, others would
day longer among their loved ones. A say he was even nearer than that, and
few hours before the time decided on for still others would say it was all a mis-
the picnic, however, some scouts coming take about Gen. Potter's coming at all.
into town reported that the Federals were The soldiers collected in Sumter were
really coming and were not very far suffering from the same uncertainty, and
away; so all idea of merry-making was the officers in command there could
at once abandoned, and preparations not determine on any plan of action.
made for the arrival of the dreaded foes, Several roads were open for the
though it was not supposed that they Federal troops to reach Sumter by, so it
would reach the town till the next day. was absolutely necessary for the Con-
There was no hope of defending the federates to have reliable accounts of Pot-
place, for the few soldiers then there ter's movements and his numbers. See-
were but a handful, some of them with ing this, two brave soldiers who were
out arms.
then in Sumter, volunteered to go on
As soon as the news spread, Col. Con and ascertain whatever they could. One
ners, who was in charge of the old men of these men belonged to McIntosh's
and boys, came promptly to the town Battery and had come home to recover
with all the force he could muster from an injury received in Virginia, and
hardly a "corporal's guard” in all-for though quite badly crippled he was too
be it said to to the honor of Clarendon thoroughly brave and loyal to hesitate
that all her able-bodied men rallied one moment before undertaking his
around their country's flag at the first perilous mission. The other volunteer
call for men. After a consultation among scout was a member of Hampton's cavalry
the older men, it was decided that no and had often seryed in that capacity,
thing could be done in Manning, and at being noted for his great courage under
1 o'clock in the morning Col. Conners Il all circumstances.

292
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
These scouts reached Manning in the || scout, who was still in the house, seemed
afternoon and being tired from their to have formed some plan which he began
long ride of twenty miles, not knowing immediately to put into execution, or
either how much farther they might else he thought escape hopeless and had
have to go, they concluded to stop there resolved to sell his life dearly. The
and seek rest and refreshment for them Yankees at the gate had been informed
selves and for their horses. They were by the servant who held the horses, no
both friends of my father, and came into doubt, of the presence of these two men,
our house for a lunch, leaving their who and what they were, so they were
horses in charge of a servant at the front prepared for his appearance. As the
gate, with orders not to unsaddle them scout passed through the house he
and to rush them to the front door if any seized his gun which he had left near
alarm of the enemy's coming was given. the door, stepped boldly out on the
The same wild, contradictory rumors piazza and went on to the front gate
about the situation of the Yankees had where the cavalrymen awaited him.
met these two scouts on their arrival in They had their guns pointed at him, and
Manning, so they were entirely unpre cried,
pared for what followed.
"SURRENDER! SURRENDER !”
My aunt, then a young lady living
with my mother, told these soldiers as ||
and he answered coolly, “Oh, that's all
they started down to the dining room right." By this time he had reached
that she would remain at the front door the gate, where his horse was standing
and
“WATCH FOR THE YANKEES,”'
on one side and the Yankees on the other,
and vaulting into his saddle, he raised
little dreaming how near they were even
his gun and fired at the man nearest
then. She stood on the piazza, looking him. not more than three feet distant.
down the street, and in a few moments and exclaimed, "That is the way I sur-
saw a number of cavalry coming toward
render to a Yankee.”
Instantly his horse sprang off, and he
the house. So quietly had they entered
threw himself to one side, supporting
the town that she thought at first they himself by clinging to the animal's neck.
were some of our own men, who had been The soldier who was shot, a Mr. Pratt,
sent out as scouts, but in a few moments feil dead from his horse, and before his
more she saw, with horror, that they comrades could recover from the sur-
were the advance of Potter's command, prise and confusion caused by the un-
and trembling with fright and dismay, expected act of the scout it was too late
knowing that the scouts in our house if to capture him. He got nearly a hun-
caught would be in all probability shot dred yards from them before they re-
without mercy, she ran down to the covered from their consternation, and to
dining room, crying, “Fly, for God's that little delay he owed his escape. In
sake, for the Yankees are at the gate."
a few seconds, however, the pursuit of
They started up at once, and the one the scout began. Volley after volley
who was lame said, "It is too late now; was fired at him, but he seemed to bear
how can we escape ???
a charmed life, and went on unhurt and
With a woman's quick wit in an
undaunted. The Yankees sent curses
emergency, my aunt thought of one way loud and deep with their leaden megsen-
in which he might escape, though it was gers, but all in vain, and, after pursuing
but a slender chance so greatly were the him for over a mile, they gave up the
odds against him. Seizing him by the chase, having lost sight of him at the
arm she told him that his horse had al-
intersection of several roads, and being
ready been captured and that he must
undecided as to which one he had taken.
follow her. She ran with him down the It was fortunate indeed for the scout
garden at the back of the house, assisted that the Yankees turned back when
him in climbing the fence, which was they did, for very soon after his horse
quite high, and certainly not easy for a gave out, and he had to dismount and
lame man to get over. After climbing hide in the woods. The Yankees did
the fence he was in a rather thick under not forget him, and when they after-
growth which partially hid him from wards reached Sumter they searched for
view, and this undergrowth became him everywhere, declaring that they
more dense as it neared the swamp. He would have him shot by the whole
reached the swamp in safety, but like army if they found him. He was never
the others I have mentioned suffered captured, however, though at one time
very much from exposure while in the
the Federals passed within a few yards
water.
of his hiding place.
While this was transpiring, the other || In her exciternent my mother had fol-

POTTER'S RAID.
293
lowed the scout to the front door, and
standing on the piazza had witnessed
his daring deed. She remained there
anxiously watching the course of events,
and very soon the enraged Federals be-
gan to utter terrible threats against her
for
SHELTERING AND FEEDING THE REBELS.
They vowed that her life should an-
swer for their comrade's, and that as soon
as night came they would burn down
her house, with her and her family in it;
and knowing how merciless they were
sometimes, especially the colored troops,
it seemed but too probable that their
threats would be put in execution. They
thought the other scout must be still on
the premises, and tried to force her into
telling what had become of him; but she
would not answer their questions, fear-
ing they would pursue and cap-
ture him. She asked them to bring
the dead soldier into the house, think-
ing that would protect her, but they re-
fused with bitter oaths, reiterating their
threats of burning the house as soon as
it was dark. Taking up the body they
carried it into a house on the opposite
side of the street, where lived an aged
couple, Mr. and Mrs. B. The soldiers
took the corpse into the room where the
old lady, who was very ill, was lying in
bed, and commanded her to rise, wash
the blood from his face and head and
dress him in some clothes which they
gave her. In vain she pleaded with them,
assuring them that she was too ill to get
up. They repeated their order, threat-
ening her with dreadful penalties if she
did not obey immediately. They then
locked the doors, barred the windows
and went away, leaving the poor old
lady to spend the long, dreary night
alone in the room with the corpse. When
some of her friends went to see about
her, the next day, they found her almost
dead, after the fearful ordeal through
which she had passed.
While the soldiers were enforcing
this unpleasant task on Mrs. B. a negro
servant told them that Mr. B. had
buried a quantity of gold and silver
down in the cemetery on the edge of the
town. This was true, for Mr. B. was
such an old man, so venerable, univer-
sally beloved and respected, that no one
thought the Yankees would be cruel
enough to molest him, and many per-
sons in the town had entrusted their
valuables to his keeping. After receiv-
ing this information from the servant
the soldiers at once seized the old man
and dragged him down to the cemetery,
commanding him
TO UNEARTH HIS TREASURE.
He refused, and they tried many plans
to force him into yielding. Among
other ways of punishment they tried a
novel one, for with a hoopskirt which
they had picked up somewhere they
hung him up until life was almost ex-
tinct. This is the only case on record, I
think, where that much-abused article
has ever been put to such use. Think-
ing him suficiently subdued after this,
they took him down; but still the brave
old man remained true to his trust, and
they at last had to release him. Per-
haps such heroism in one so old and
feeble woke feelings of respect even in
those hard, cruel men. Mr. B. said that
at one time while in the cemetery they
passed within a foot or two of the buried
articles. In speaking of this affair after-
wards, he seemed always to be particu-
larly indignant at the idea of being hung
up with a hoopskirt. He spoke of that
as adding unpardonable insult to injury.
While such things as these were going
on, the majority of the soldiers in
town were preparing for their work of
pillage and destruction About day-
break the next morning they set fire to
the fine courthouse and jail, only finished
a short time before, and both were en-
tirely consumed. Then the stores and
warehouses were burned, but be it said
to the credit of the officers of this com-
mand, that not a dwelling-house was de-
stroyed.
As soon as Gen. Potter arrived in town
my mother sent to him explaining what
had happened at our gate, and asking
him for protection. He complied with
her request, and sent a member of his
staff, Major Campbell, to her. Although
he was mine enemy” it is but just to
say that this man proved to be a gentle-
man, and treated us with the greatest
kindness and courtesy. He went through
the house searching, according to their
rules, for arms and ammunition, but he
soon showed that all of our possessions
were
SACRED IN HIS EYES.
Taking up a very handsome ebony
work-box, inlaid with pearl, he hid it
himself, saying that some of the com-
mon soldiers would most probably ap-
propriate it if they happened to see it.
Thanks to this officer, we were well pro-
tected, and suffered less than any family
in the town from insult and robbery.
The soldiers were scattered all over
the town, and many were the cruel,
heartless deeds perpetrated by them.
It seems hard to realize that men with
| mothers, sisters and wives would have

294
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
been so unkind to helpless, defenceless || in state-entirely ignoring the remon-
women and children; but those ladies strances of the rightful owner. Many
who passed through that dreadful time things like this our Southern women
can testify that there seemed no limit to had to endure, and they were certainly
"man's inhumanity to man,” One old trying to women of their bigh spirit and
lady living near us was most cruelly, courage, but they were powerless to
inhumanly treated by some of these help themselves; resentment but brought
soldiers. Her servant told them greater injury.
that the old lady had stored away The news of Gen, Potter's arrival in
some fine brandy, and they re Manning had been carried to Sumter by
solved to have it at any cost. The some of the men who had succeeded in
negro had told a malicious falsehood; escaping from the former place. There
her mistress had no brandy, but could happened to be in Sumter a regiment of
not make the Yankees believe her when Kentucky cavalry, I think, and the
she told them so. This old lady, like desperate resolve was made to unite the
the other one whom they so harshly command of old men and boys and the
treated, was ill in bed, but they forced few furloughed soldiers, who had all
her to rise and search for the brandy. volunteered their services, with this re-
Unable to endure the exposure, fatigue giment, and try to check Potter's ad-
and excitement, she fainted and fell to vance. Our men were poorly armed,
the floor, where she remained while the and many of them were sick and feeble,
soldiers coolly stepped over her pros yet they unhesitatingly went forward to
trate form, continuing their search. do battle with an army more than ten
These instances which I have mentioned, times their number and splendidly
and sad to say, I could record more, will equipped. Leonidas and his men at the
serve to show that none were too young, Pass of Thermopylæ deserved no more
too old, or too weak to escape. Even the laurel wreath of fame than did that
gray hairs and tottering limbs could not little band of Confederates, who fought
procure immunity from insult and in and died at
jury. Well, it is all over now, and God
hath said, “Vengeance is mine, I will
THE BATTLE OF DINGLE'S MILL.
repay."
Orders were given to concentrate the
Gen. Potter remained in Manning a
Southern forces at Dingle's Mill, three
part of one day and all of the following
night, and the next morning prepared
miles south of Sumter, the only posi-
to move on to Sumter. Now followed tion in the line of march from Man-
scenes pathetic and ludicrous, strangely ning which could be defended with any
mingled together. In leaving the town possibility of success. The Confede-
the white troops marched first, then rates had two small brass howitzers
came the thousands of sea-island negroes which were placed on an eminence on
with their rolling, bloodshot eyes and the north side of the mill, in such a po-
thick lips, having more the appearance sition as to have a sweeping fire across
of brutes than of human beings. After the mill dam, as it was probable that
these came a host of negroes whom they
the Federals would attempt to charge
had persuaded to leave their homes and across that. The floodgate of the mill
follow them to some
was raised so as to flood the swamp bo-
low the dam and make it difficult for the
MYTHICAL "PROMISED LAND.”
enemy to cross below. The mill pond,
Conspicuous in the procession, as it it was thought, would render it impossi-
passed our house, was the fat, jet-black
ble for them to cross above the dam.
Lieut. McQueen, a gallant young Con-
cook of one of our neighbors, and she
federate officer, then at home on a fur-
shone resplendent in her mistress' best lough, and Lieut. Pamperais, a member
silk dress, fine white crape shawl, and of the Washington Artillery of New Or.
handsome new bonnet. Imagine the leans-as brave and dashing a soldier as
lady's feelings at seeing her best bib and ever wore "the grey”- with a few other
tucker” so unceremoniously appropri experienced soldiers, volunteered to take
ated, and worn with such evident satis charge of the two howitzers. The infan-
faction by her whilom cook. They try were placed in position on the north
offered my nurse a similar outfit to the side of the mill pond, near these two
one described-my mother's best silk, guns.
shawl and bonnet-if she would go too, The Federals made their appearance
but no bribe could tempt her to leave us. on Sunday afternoon, and having so
One old negro coolly took a horse be many friends among the colored people,
longing to his mistress, hitched it to her who were flocking to them from all quar-
buggy, and he and his wife drove away || ters, they knew perfectly well the weak-

AFTER THE EVACUATION.
295
ness of the force they were to meet, and damage. The Federals were scarcely
the surroundings of the site selected by fifty yards away from him, and yet he
the Confederates. Of course this know stood as calmly and bravely as though
ledge was of the greatest importance to he had hosts at his back. The soldiers
them, as it enabled them to practice a were so near that they could see his
ruse of war on the Confederates. The every movement, and as he pulled the
Yankees carne bravely forward, but in lanyard they fell to the ground, the shot
stead of making the attempt to cross the passing over their heads, but gallant
swamp by the causeway, the only posi Pamperais paid for his deed with his
tion on which the artillery could be life, for as the soldiers rose up they fired
used to much effect, they made a detour at him.
from the main line of march to Poco A brave Federal' officer who had been
taligo swamp, into which this mill watching the young lieutenant tried to
stream emptied some half mile below restrain his men, exclaiming, “Spare
the mill. They then followed Pocotaligo that man, don't fire at him, for he is too
swamp up to its intersection with the brave to die,” but the order came too
mill swamp, and after marching up late, and in a few moments the soul of
this a short distance the command was . the hero went up to meet his God.
given to ford the stream and attack the After leaving the mill, Potter marched
right wing of the Confederates.
on without opposition to Sumter, and
In the meantime a large body of Fed soon after reaching that place received
erals occupied a threatening position in the news of the surrender.
front of the Confederates, nearly Oppo
THE WAR WAS AT AN END.
site the artillery, and while closely
watching these troops the Confederate
Those dreadful scenes are over now,
forces suddenly discovered that the
and peace reigns in all our land, but
greater portion of the Yankees had
many of our Southern women who saw
forded the swamp and were nearly over
their bravest and best taken from them
before their presence was known. Then
during those cruel years, still find it
hard to say, “Thy will, not mine, be
commenced a desperate struggle be-
done.” Remember, though, ye sorrow-
tween
ing women of the South, that you are not
OUR BRAVE LITTLE BAND
alone in your grief, for from the far
and Potter's thousands of troops. The North, too, comes the cry of many a
struggle was a short one, for the Fed-
Rachel, lamenting for her children, and
finding no solace on earth, no surcease
erals came in overpowering force, and
of sorrow. They too weep over the
were sooni able to surround the few Con graves of many loved ones, and surely
federates and force those who could to this should prove a bond of sympathy
escape and others to surrender.
between North and South. God grant
Among the men who were killed in
that in all the ages to come we may
this battle were some who had gone
never again be called upon to pass
through the whole war, only to lay down
through the horrors of an internecine
war.
their lives at last, a vain sacrifice for
their country. One young man who had
served bravely during the whole war,
No. 48.-After the Evacuation.
and who was at home on a furlough,
was killed in this battle, when the war
was virtually at an end. He was the
(By E. T. H,, of Osborn, S. C.)
eldest son of aged parents who had hoped
to iean on him as the support and com-
I was but a child when the terrible
fort of their declining years; but it was struggle between the North and the
not to be, and the mother's heart broke South began, which ended so disas-
when they bore her son's lifeless form to
his last resting place.
triously for the South, but the events
Brave Lieut. McQueen, too, was killed which then occurred either impressed
in this battle, while fighting like the themselyes with a remarkable degree of
hero he really was. The saddest death
clearness upon my memory, or the oft-
of all, however, was that of
repeated tales, told again and again
LIEUT. PAMPERAIS,
around the fireside at night, when our
who still stood to his gun when all his elders become garrulous and wax elo-
comrades had fallen, and with lanyard quent over the history of their wrongs,
in hand stood ready to fire, awaiting the || have become so familiar as to seem to
moment when his shot could do most ll be remembrances.

296
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Towards the close of the war we were During the second day, the necessity
staying temporarily at M, on the South to find us something to eat became imper-
Carolina Railroad, in order to be near my asive. As a last resort, Mr. D., the con-
father, who was then quartered at P, and ductor, called in a train hand, and giving
my earliest recollection is of our flight him a piece of gold, directed him to go
from that place to A. R., 'some fifty miles to some house near at hand and endeav-
nearer Charleston. The enemy were at our to procure food of any description.
Tulefinny; sharp skirmishing was going "All right, sah," said the grinning
on every day. M. had become rather darkey, who was doubtless in the same
warm in consequence, and it was thought fix we were; “but what is I to tell um ?''
best for us to seek a quieter and safer "Anything," answered Mr. D.; "beg
home.
it if you can, if not then buy, and if that
We left in a pouring rain; it was during I fails, steai it!
the month of December and bitterly Off went the boy, and after an bour
cold. Fortunately, however, we were of eager anticipation we were rewarded
not entirely exposed to the inclemency by his reappearing with about two
of the weather, as a kind friend, Major quarts of home-beat rice and a fowl.
S., of the Confederate service, had placed
a Government wagon at our disposal, in
AND SUCH A FOWL!
which we were at least kept dry.
A most venerable bird, evidently the
Arrived at the depot, where it was our
patriarch of some neighboring roost
intention to take the train for C., there
was no mode of conveyance to be found,
whose drooping head and ruffled plum-
except a Georgia baggage car, and the age were eminently suggestive of the
conductor thereof kindly consenting to haste with which he had been torn from
take us aboard, we were packed into an the bosom of his family.
empty freight car with all our freight, He seemed to be a “companion in
both living and inanimate. The car was misery," and was warmly welcomed,
ventilated and lighted only by a half nevertheless in a few minutes he was
open slide or door through which the ruthlessly divested of his feathers and
wind and rain constantly poured. Oh! put to boil, with the rice, in the pan that
the discomfort of that ride. The close had previously done duty as a teapot.
atmosphere and gloom; babies crying, Atlength the pillau” was declared
and our poor mothers, with sick heads | done and we gathered round with glis-
and sad hearts,
tening eyes as our turn came to be
TRYING VAINLY TO COMFORT THEM. helped.
It seemed an interminable journey;
Alas! for the fallacy of human hopes.
"Hunger could not lend à sauce" to such
two days and a night passed in accom-
a dish, sharpened though it was by our
plishing a distance of less than fifty keen appetites. The rice was hard and
miles. Sometimes we would be "run gritty and pervaded throughout with
out for five or six miles then hastily the stifling odor of lightwood smoke, and
"backed' into a station and be switched the “chicken” had undergone a most
off” to allow a Government train with remarkable metamorphosis in the pro-
troops to pass.
cess of boiling, which had converted it
In the hurry and excitement of leav into something closely resembling pieces
ing, my mother had not been able to pre of sole leather, or a substance nearly as
pare a lunch, which negligence she soon indigestible!
had serious cause to regret, the journey The one gleam of light that brightened
proving so much more tedious and that weary journey was the amusement
lengthy than she had anticipated. TO afforded by the peculiar dress and un-
wards evening we began to complain, couth manner of our conductor, Mr. D.
and the next morning found us clamor It was with the greatest difficulty that
ously hungry! At length so denon we restrained our merriment. Around
strative did we become'in our demands his head was bound an immense red
for breakfast, that our mother appealed handkerchief, (to alleviate the pangs of
to the conductor, who seemed to hide a toothache, we afterwards learned, the
kind heart beneath a very rough exte ends thereof being tied in a huge knot
rior. He could do nothing further than under his chin and surmounted by not.
give our nurse a drawing of tea, and less than two hats and a cap, (placed
loaned her an old tin pan, in which she there for safe-keeping, as he afterwards
presently brewed several cups of that informed us.)
refreshing beverage which, however, This head-dress, worn in conjunction
comforting it proved to the ladies, was with a very short and tightly fitting
totally insufficient to satisfy the needs jacket, which had evidently seen better
of half-famished children.
I days, presented to our astonished gaze a

AFTER THE EVACUATION.
297
tout ensemble not less remarkable than || women." Ladies, many of them were,
it was ridiculous.
who had been cradled in luxury's
I cannot forget the dignity with which lap,'' and who had now to perform the
he presided over the tin pan of pillau," most menial offices without help of any
attired in this costume; he had provided kind, and this with an insuficiency of
himself with a “drumstick,'' which I food and clothing, that only the bravest
have reason to believe furnished him determination and their unflagging en-
with food (for reflection, at least) until ergy enabled them to endure! To make
we arrived at our destination, where we their case more desperate an epidemic
were met by our anxious relatives and swept over the city to which many of
where, for a short time,
them fell victims. I think it was a se-
OUR TROUBLES WERE AT AN END. vere type of "broken-bone” fever, but
am not sure.
Just one week afterwards my young-
At this time many families were in
est sister was born, and she was but such a destitute condition a kind of com-
three weeks old when hearing that I missary was established by the Yankees,
Sherman, with his dreaded army was
and tickets were given to those who were
advancing towards us we prepared for a
known to be in need; these tickets when
second flight.
presented at the commissary, drew salt
It was impossible for a handful of deli pork, grist, rice flour, vinegar, &c., and
cately nurtured women and children to
for weeks these supplies were the sole
remain unprotected in a house upon an
support of a great many persons.
isolated plantation, exposed to the depre-
I remember my mother was very ill
dations of the lawless band that infested
with fever, and as soon as convalescent,
the outskirts of the army, yet it was
was compelled to resume her neglected
with the greatest difficulty that our
duties without proper medicine or nour-
preparations for the move were made.
ishment. Our food consisted entirely of
We could depend upon but few of the the supplies drawn from the commissary,
negroes for assistance, excited and ren and to a person of weak appetite and just
dered insubordinate as they were by recovering from a severe illness, such
rumors of their approaching emancipa-
food, though sound and good of its kind,
tion; there were two faithful slaves,
was little less than loathsome. And yet,
however, who were of inestimable value
during this tryipg period, I do not recol-
then and afterwards; who followed us
lect ever hearing one word of complaint
to the city and remained with us until pass her lips. She was a woman, however,
peace was declared and our father re-
of singular energy and self-reliance, and
stored to his family.
throughout those four years of anxiety
My mother and aunt made desperate
and trouble behaved with singular and
efforts to save a portion of their rice and
commendable courage and fortitude. At
corn that was stowed up in the granery;
one time, for nearly two weeks, she
the grain was poured into handsome
passed her nights in a large chair placed
Brussels carpets, hastily torn up for the
against the door of our bed-room, neither
purpose, tied up securely, and in that undressing or lying down for a nights'
way transported to Charleston.
repose during the two weeks, subjected
They also succeeded in getting two
at all hours to the visits of armed men,
large coops containing sixty fine tur who roamed at will about the house and
keys to the depot at A. R., where it was were only with the greatest difficulty
found impossible to take them further,
prevented from intruding upon the pri-
and they were compelled to open the
vacy of our chamber
coops and allow their contents to take
More than once did the soldiers at-
refuge in the woods. We accordingly
tempt to invade the sanctity of this
arrived in Charleston with the barest
apartment, but she met them at the door
necessities of life.
with a small pistol, which my father
No pen can describe the hurry and
had very wisely left for our protection,
confusion that prevailed on every side.
in her hand, and quietly forbade their
Shortly after our arrival, it was the
entrance. I knew as well as they did,
night before the evacuation,) the burn-
that
ing of the Northeastern depot and New
THE WEAPON WOULD BE USED
bridge took place. I recollect watch-
in case of their persistence. After some
ing the flames leaping up into the night
and lighting the city with a strange
slight impudence, they sullenly de-
lurid glare, equally terrible and
parted, one of them saying, when
nearly out of ear-shot: "Confound these
FASCINATING TO MY CHILDISH EYES.
women; those 'Rebels'. would have
After this ensued many weeks of the
given up long ago if it warn't for them !"
bitterest privation and want for “our | She was afterwards protected from
38

298
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
these invasions by lodging a complaint | The officer then raised his hat respect-
with the provost marshal, who treated | fully to the ladies, at the same time
her with the utmost courtesy and con promising them protection from these
sideration, and after requiring her to assaults in the future.
take the oath of allegiance, which at "Madame,” said he, addressing my
first she was loath to do, immediately aunt, "allow me to congratulate you on
took measures to prevent a recurrence possessing, in a superior degree, that
of the annoyance.
courage which we have found character-
One of my aunts, a lady of more istic of Southern women."
timid disposition, was not so fortunate; With a bow and a smile he then took
she allowed those wretches to search Il leave of them, and my aunt, whose re-
her entire premises and actually to open lief from her trying position was all that
her trunks and wardrobe, and stir up could be imagined, inquired of the lady
their contents with the points of their who had gone for help, how she had ac-
bayonets, obliged at the same time to complished her mission so rapidly?
listen to the coarse humor and rude “Oh," said she, “I ran into the street
oaths with which they freely inter bareheaded, as you saw, and on turning
spersed their remarks.
a corner suddenly, came into collision
My mother was so indignant when my with the gentleman who has just left. I
aunt confessed to baving permitted this at once grasped his arm and without cere-
indignity that she almost shed tears and mony began pulling him along. "Come
very forcibly deplored my aunt's cow sir, quickly, we are in great distress,
ardice, or "discretion, whichever it was all I could say, and he at once fol-
might have been.
lowed me and came in by the back en-
On another occasion the house of a trance without anyone being aware of
friend was invaded by a tumultuous his presence."
mob of idlers, who then thronged the I could cite many instances of liko
streets, with not a few soldiers among I nature of which this is an example,
them, who threatened to break up the but frequently incidents of a less disa-
furniture and commit other outrages. greeable nature occurred which were
The ladies were in a state of extreme scarcely less humiliating to the sensitive
alarm and took refuge in the upper por- || delicacy and refinement of our women
tions of the house. A grand-aunt of ll than indignities of a graver character.
mine, who was present, hastily directed | They were obliged to do their own
one of them to go out by way of the errands, which often carried them on
back stairs and seek assistance as quickly the streets. One of my cousins, a young
as possible. She then boldly advanced lady
to the head of the front stairs, which
POSSESSED OF GREAT ATTRACTIONS,
they threatened to ascend. and with a
determined air, commanded them to re while out on one of these expeditions,
tire. Said she, "If you attempt to pass it had to wear shoes several sizes too large
will be at your peril, and over my
body!"
for her and not over new. On passing a
For a few moments they stared irreso-
group of soldiers who were engaged in
lute at the apparition above them. My discussing the passers-by, one of them
aunt has frequently described that scene loudly exclaimed, at the same time
to me. Of slender build and petite fig drawing the attention of his comrades
ure, with flashing eyes and pale cheeks, to her advancing figure,
she must have presented a strange sight "I say boys, you have heard tell of the
to view, holding that excited and
small feet of these fine Southern women,
DISORDERLY CROWD AT BAY!
what do you think of those as a speci-
men; by — ” (supplementing his re-
She says her heart was sinking within mark with a forcible oath.)
her, but she did not allow a sign of trepi-
This sally was received with a shout of
dation to manifest itself.
laughter, and my cousin walked by
Suddenly a
with cheeks crimsoned with indignant
faltering was visible in those below, and mortification. She was too young to
turning, she perceived a Yankee officer wear her poverty as proudly and bravely
in full uniform beside her. He at once as did her elders.
commanded the crowd to disperse and I have seen my mother go out in the
threatened to take the number on the
morning in a costume, the skirt of which
caps of the soldiers present to report at was superb brocaded silk, and the body
headquarters. They at once slunk out of commonest jeans. I also remember
of the house, and the remainder dis-
our whole family appearing in dresses
heartened by the turn affairs had manufactured from a set of flowered
taken, speedily tooktheir departure. Il chintz curtains, with aprons of bed-

THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
299
ticking, and what was worse, we had the grey," and lay away carefully in some
tbe bad taste---poor children-to be ex safe hiding place the dear old uniform.
tremely proud of them !
One of these days, perhaps, our children
Some of the officers of Gen. Hatch's will come across it and then the worth-
staff were ordered to collect all the prop less bundle will be hustled up into a loft,
erty which had been deserted by its where the rats and mice will complete
owners and confiscated to the United the ruin that time has begun.
States Government. My mother occu A new generation is springing up and
pied a house of a gen leman who had soon the time will be when the late un-
refugeed” to the up-country, and on pleasantness will have become a thing
their rounds they paid us a visit; after of the remote past. The bitter feeling
conducting them from room te room, she between the North and South is growing
paused with her hand upon the door of surely less and less personal in charac-
our chamber. “Sir,” said she, turning ter; our boys and girls, perhaps, will
to the officer in command, "this is my wonder at the animosity which has ex-
sleeping apartment; I give you my word isted between them.
of honor that every article in it belongs And yet the graves of those who
exclusively to myself, except one, and fought and died in that "Lost Cause'?
that is a mirror, at which I straighten my are forever silent reminders of the des-
hat before appearing on the streets. I perate struggle which once convulsed
am willing to take an oath to that effect." our nation, and over and anon suffice to
Madame," he returned, with a humor revive the sore feeling of regret that
ous sparkle in his eye, "your word is suf once embittered our hearts towards our
cient; as to the mirror, I will not de Northern neighbors. Ah, well!
prive you of your only solace,” and
"Hushed is the roll of the Rebel drum,
after apologizing for the intrusion, re-
The swords are sheathed and the cannon
lieved her of his presence.
dumb,
I may say just here, that it was our And fate, with a pitiless hana has furled,
good fortune in after life to meet this
The flag that once challenged the gaze of the
gentleman again. Indeed, my father
worid.”
and himseli became warm friends,
despite their difference of opinion, po-
No. 49.--The Battle of Managsas.
litically, and so remained until his
death, which occurred a few years ago.
It was my privilege to visit his family
(By a Virginian, of Baltimore, Md.)
in their Northern home, where I was
In the early months of 1861, while the
treated with the most unfailing and af-
fectionate hospitality, and where I
statesmen of the South were inaugura-
learned to overcome my deeply rooted ting with hopo and zeal the new Con-
prejudice against
federation of States, and men and boys
"THOSE YANKEES.''
were arming for its defence, the women
I could go on filling page after page
were not behindhand with words of sym-
with reminiscences of that time but that
pathy and encouragement and such ser-
I fear to be tiresome. Only those who
vice as their willing hands could give.
went through with it all can appreciate
From one home-a Virginia home near
our manifold distresses. Our women
the border—an ardent woman wrote
were high-spirited and hopeful, and not about this time to her nephew at West
withstanding the suffering they were
Point as follows:
called upon to undergo, it was bitter
"It delighte me to find you so true to the
as death almost, when the last sad day
Old Dominion, the mother of us all, the State
came that saw the beloved and blood which, of all others, has moat to excite the
stained flag of our Confederacy low love and veneration of her children. You
ered and furled, and the dear ones are quite right to stay where you are and
who had gone from us with proudly
make the most of your time. A true son of
Virginia labors 10 be worthy of the State
beating hearts and measured tread to
which has given to the world so many great
the sound of the trumpet and beat of the men. You will know when she wants you."
drum, assured of victory, return with
This lady went to see a niece at the
weary steps, bringing home to us "only
the scars of war."
North in the following May, and lost no
"A Lost Cause' indeed. Loss of life! opportunity even there to advocate the
of love! of property! Oh! maimed
Southern cause. From Maryland, where
hearts and forms and homes, no pen can
estimate the extent of your loss!
she had been visiting relatives, she
We can but give our love and tears for || wrote to the home circle:

300
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
"I turned back one volunteer, a man I | The heights of Arlington were occupied,
spoke with on the boat coming from Anap-
the turnpikes guarded. Such a state of
olis. He was born in Georgia, looked like a
dissipated fellow, but showed he had been a
affairs soon became unendurable to the
gentleman. When be heard I was from the little family at — hill.
South he told me his story. He had been in The young West Pointer, in the mean-
Boston since bis fourteenth year, had gone
while, had come home at Virginia's call
at one time to Nicaragua. He came on here
and was
with a company to which he belonged in
Boston. His heart failed him when he got to
DRILLING RECRUITS AT RICHMOND.
the Relay House and he turned back. He
remembered his people in Georgia, his His brother, though a mere boy, was
mother and sisters, and got his discharge.
The 'fellows' pressed him to go on, I held chafing to join the army, and so it was
on to him till I saw him in the cars bound
decided that the widowed mother and
for New York, and reminded him how, when
he came to die, he would never forgive hina her daughters should follow their dear
self for having lifted his hand against his ones into the Confederacy, to return, it
childhood's home and his own people.”
was confidently believed, before the sum-
On the 23d of May, it will be remem mer's close, when the war would surely
be ended and the Southern cause tri-
bered, the vote took place in Virginia
umphant.
which placed her
So leaving the sweet home they were
OUT OF THE UNION.
never again to inhabit, and which they
From a young girl's contemporary jour-
were to see at the end of four years so
changed and laid waste as scarcely to be
nal we quote the entry of the following
recognizable, the little party of refugees
day:
turned glad and hopeful faces south-
"The election passed off quietly in Alex-
ward, carrying with them only a few
andria. The secession vote polled was nine trunks of summer clothing. Ah, what
hundred majority. In the evening speeches cared they for the morrow, or the winter!
were made, the band played and there was
It was enough to leave the oppressive
much cheering. We heard it distinctly
atmosphere of the enemy's lines, to
through the clear night air. To-day the
town is occupied by Federal troops. They
breathe again the air of liberty, to be
ca me down at 4 A. M. Picket guards sta. once more one in the exultant life of
tioned at the bridge gave the warning to our their beloved Dixie !"
soldiers and they all went off in the cars,
They told afterwards of the long drive
burning the railroad bridges behind them
A portion of the Fairfax Cavalry were taken
of twenty-seven miles before railway
prisoners, but the other companies of horse communication could be reached; of the
escaped. Ellsworth, of the New York relief felt as the Federal pickets were
Zouaves, was killed, shot by Mr. Jackson, of left behind, and the Southern ones, some
the Marshall House, while attempting to
of the famous “Black Horse Cavalry,"
take down the Secession flag which floated
over the hotel. One of the company then
came in sight, some eight miles only
ran a sword through Jackson, not killing separating the two. The travellers
him directly, but he has died since. It was a stayed a night at Manassas, meeting
brave, rash deed, defending his flag at the
many friends among the Virginia troops
peril of his life. Alas! this is but the begin.
stationed there. The immense encamp-
ning of bloodshed.”
ment looked beautiful lighted up with
The writer of the above in her quiet camp-fires. The troops were all in fine
country home was now within the ene spirits, the soldiers danced round their
my's lines, and began to feel, negatively fires and sang in full chorus “Dixie''
at least, some of the hardships of war. and other national airs until the taps
"What is to become of us?” she mused.
summoned them to bed.
“No North or South. The Federal troops
have complete possession of the country
THE AMAZON'S ADVENTURE.
about here. Sentinels are stationed all
Meanwhile an amusing story from
along the turnpike, and no one can enter
or leave Alexandria without a pass. To-
Alexandria reached the refugees through
night they have a patrol in the lane." a friend's letter. There lived on the
A night or two afterwards she walked turn pike, a short distance from town,
up the road a short way accompanied by two large, raw-boned young women,
a friend and was turned back by a senti who supported themselves by taking in
nel.
washing. They were very pronounced
“We are prisoners in our own houses,"? in their Southern sentiments, and shared
she exclaimed. “How long is this to in the irritable feeling of the community
last?"
at the presence of Federal troops. One
Four days had elapsed since the enemy of them had occasion one day to go into
came down among them. Their tents Alexandria, but she had neglected to
whitened every hill-top in the vicinity. Il provide herself with a pass. The senti-

THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
301
nel stopped her and told her she could l of the captured city left behind. In July
not go on. She declared that go she the great victory of Manassas thrilled all
would, and when he, with perhaps un hearts and intoxicated all heads here, as
necessary roughness, reiterated his neg throughout the South. Now indeed, the
ative, she indignantly seized his gun, dream of war had become a near and
(the sentinel being about half her size,) dreadful reality to those light-hearted
threw it over the fence, knocked him soldiers so lately seen dancing round
down, and after scratching him vigor their camp-fires. On that
ously took her triumphant way into the
town. She went straight to the colonel
MEMORABLE SUNDAY,
there, and reported the unfortunate de the 21st of July, the battle of the 18th
linquent, and this officer, doubtless en-
having been the prelude to this greater
tering into the humor of the situation,
declared if she did not think the soldier struggle, our journalist wrote:
sufficiently punished, he would inflict The report from persons coming down on
some penalty on him himself. Whether the cars to-day is that they have been fight-
the Virginia amazon proved inexorable ing at Manassas since four this morning.
our informant does not say.
God be with us and protect our loved ones.
We have been standing out in the field
An incident that was reported from
straining our ears to catch the sound of the
Manassas a little later, is further illus distant cannonading. We can hear the guns
trative of the spirit of the women of the
when the air is still. Oh, this wretched day!
South. Some of our guerillas were
On the issue of its bloody events hangs the
happiness or misery of thousands, perhaps
wandering about in the neighborhood of
the sovereignty and independence of Vir-
Fall's Church, where five or six regi-
ginia."
ments of the Federals were encamped.
The guerillas went into the house of a
Soon all the particulars of the yictory
friend and one of the young ladies of the
were known and the rejoicings in the
family observed that there were some
Fauquier household were unalloyed,
officers visiting at a farmhouse not a
happily, by personal losses. Many
great distance off, whereupon the Con-
were the exciting recitals that came by
federates expressed a strong desire to
letter or word of mouth from the flushed
capture them. Their informant im-
and weary victors. The boy private,
mediately offered to manage it for them.
who had but a short time before joined
Acting on the principle that
his regiment, wrote that he had not
taken off his equipments-cartridge-
ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR, box, belt, haversack and other things
she walked over to this place as if to
for days; that he had marched unceas-
ingly in this time, slept every night on
make a social visit, and of course when the ground without shelter, and some-
she got up to return one of the gentle times not even an overcoat; was out in a
men offered his escort. On the walk
heavy rain a day and night wet to the
back, two of the guerillas at a given
skin, and sleeping almost in the water,
and yet was never better in his life.
point, as had been pre-arranged, sprang
out of the woods and capturing the luck-
except for a slight cold in the head.
less captain, made off with him to Cen-
From an enthusiastic Southern girl
treville as fast as possible,
near Alexandria came the following
But to return to the young girl from
graphic accounts of the reverse of the
whose journal we have already quoted.
picture:
She was now with her mother and sis MANASSAS SEEN FROM THE REAR.
ter in the beautiful home of a kind
"I will not tell of my feeling on Sunday, as
friend in Fauquier County Soldier
I heard the incessant boom of the cannon.
friends were coming and going in this in that you can sympathize, as you must
hospitable mansion, which was filled to I have beard it too It was awful, a day I can
its utmost capacity with a large family
never forget. Mother was very desponding,
but I can truthfully say my faith in our men
connection. Work was carried on all
never wavered, not even when an officer told
the time for the “boys,” gaiters were
Mrs. — that he had received a dispatch say-
made for them to march in, havelocks ing that Bull Run was taken, and the 'Grand
for their caps, not to speak of more pro-
Army' was marching on; not even when,
saic garments. Now and then a sick
late at night, I was told that Manassas was
taken and that thirty thousand Southerners
soldier from among the “cousinhood,"
had laid down their arms. My indignation
or even a stranger, perhaps, was brought pa-sed all bounds at this.
to the house where they were guests, to "The first thing I heard in the morning was
be nursed by the gentle mistress and
from Miss C., who came over and told me
her bevy of eager assistants. And all
that Dr. B., had escaped and was at their
house, and the Federals were pouring down
was hope and joy and pleasurable ac-
the road, the Confederates in full chase. Oh!
tiyity, in striking contrast to the gloom ll if it had been altogether true! And so they

302
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
continued to come all day, the Yankees, i sad, too, watching the long lines of bag-
twenty or ibirty at a time, sometimes fewer;
gage wagons, artillery and infantry
but early in the morning it was one con-
tinued stream of broken-down, beaten, fam.
winding their weary way
ished men They declared that for two days
BACK FROM MANASSAS.
they had had nothing to eat or drink. We
all, in the neighborhood, sent them every
Even after night the infantry kept
available thing in the house, and mother had pouring along. At about 9 P. M., on
coffee made and sent to them. And what do
March 10, the Legion started. They rode
you think? They actually thought it was to
sell! They were treated in the same way in forth, two by two, on their gallant
town, everyone opening hearts and hands to chargers, looking quite Oriental with
a broken down, conquered foe.
their long lances gleaming in the moon-
"I certainly never saw such a torlorn set.
light, each lance decorated with the
Some had even thrown off their shoes and
jackets; to see one with a knapsack was a
"Rebel” colors. A “reserve' was left to
rarity, and very few were armed. Some were guard the bridge until the army had all
perfectly infuriated and swore they would passed, Mr C. among them. After tea
pay us Southerners for it if they ever gou a
the refugees went down to the bridge.
chance; but most of them seemed to have
The moonlight on the water was beauti-
been inspired with a pretty wholesome fear
of Bull Run and have no desire to return. ful, and the guard around the camp-fire
One old Irishman, who was asked by some added greatly to the scene.
one as he came hobbling by grumbling at
On March 14 the refugees left the
hem big batteries,' why they did not take
Springs in a wagon, arriving in Cul-
them, declared frankly, Faith, sir, and we
could'nt; they's been building them batte.
peper after dark, and saw the camp-fires
ries and digging them pits those three years, of our army gleaming from every hill-
and all the South was in 'em and behind 'em, side. It was a beautiful sight and gave
and could ye expect the men to take them ?'”
to an inexperienced eye an imposing
CHANGING SCENES.
idea of the strength of the forces. The
lights dotted the hillsides along a belt
In October the scene changed for the
of woodlands stretching more than half
refugees whose fortunes we are follow way round the horizon, rising like-an
ing. A removal was made to Warrenton amphitheatre till they seemed to touch
the skies. A band was playing in the
Springs, where there was at this time a
distance at one encampment as they
number of visitors. Later on, in De-Ijogged along, while the soft notes of a
cember, the hotel was transformed into
cavalry bugle came, borne to them on
a hospital, and the elder lady of our
the breeze, from another direction.
trio was appointed its matron. Here for Their new home with a family near
the first timó since the beginning of Culpeper Courthouse was a beautiful
hostilities death was brought home to place, and the family was very kind.
their observation, the death of the soldier They found the house full of relatives
far from his family, in the lonely wards and friends flying like themselves, be-
of the hospital. As there was no chap sides Gen. W., who had made the house
lain to perform the religious offices for his headquarters. Everyone was send-
the sick and dying, the matron, with the ing off servants and driving stock up
assistance of her daugbters, sought as far into the mountains; and one might see
as possible to fulfil these duties. The long trains of wagons carrying women
church service from the Prayer-book and children with baggage and all their
was read also to the convalescents on household treasures, going southward.
Sunday, with sometimes a short ser Such desolation and distress; the wealth-
mon, and hymns were sung in which iest were made poor, lands deserted and
the soldiers gladly joined when they whole fields of grains lost, burnt rather
were able. For a short time there was a than be left to the enemy; servants run.
cavalry troop stationed at the springs ning off, poor deluded creatures, afraid
the gallant “Jeff Davis Legion, from of being pressed into our army and
Mississippi, and its presence served thinking that freedom among the
much to enliven the usual sombre tenor Yankees meant ease and exemption
of hospital life. Watching the evolu from work.
tions of the legion, looking at guard The refugees reached Richmond after
mount and listening to the sweet notes
a journey of twenty-four hours in the
of the bugle were occupations of never cars from Culpeper. Such was the
failing interest to the younger members
crowd and confusion, their trunks were
of the household at the Springs. But left at Gordonsville and were not re-
the winter months had slipped away; it covered for several days. It was a most
was now March, and the army was fail fatigueing trip, and they were so long
ing back from Manassas, so Fauquier without food, they thankfully accepted
would soon be left to the enemy.
a loaf of bread brought into the cars at
It was an interesting sight, and yet || Gordonsville by some

THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
303
SISTERS OF CHARITY,
women collected outside. I read part of the
burial service out of our Prayer-book, and
who were refreshing hungry travellers mother lined out a hymn, "Why should we
start and fear to die," and made an appro-
from their simple table. After a short
priate prayer. I heard one or two poor fel-
stay in the crowded house of a kind lows sobbing. It was altogether a very im-
pressive scene. It was raining hard while
relative at Richmond the wanderers
his comrades sarried the beardless soldier to
were anchored at length at Charlottes his lonely grave. His brother is here sick.
ville, where they were joined by another They are from Mississippi, the one eighteen
member of the family, and where the
and the other twenty, come hither, like so
many others, to die on Virginia soil in de-
work of the hospital was again taken
fence of their far outhern bome."
up. This time they boarded within
walking distance of the hospital build-
THE REPORTS OF JACKSON
ings, the two "matrons" spending each in the valley rejoiced the public mind
day in the wards and the other members
about this time, and our refugees tell of
of the party carrying things to the sick
the visit to Lynchburg of sixteen hun-
almost daily.
The sojourn bere proved to be but a dred Yankee prisoners captured by
transitory one, however. In April there Jackson's army near Winchester. They
were rumors of Jackson falling back to were out on a hill not far from the hos-
Gordonsviile, and timorous people be pital, and many persons went to see
gan to leave. As the army fell back them. It was amusing to hear them
from any place, of course the cars were talk when they were asked what they
taken off the track, and then it was no came to Lynchburg for
easy matter to hire vehicles, as their "To put down rebellion," was the ans-
owners naturally feared they would wer from all of them.
never be returned. From their window, Rebellion against Yankees! What
on Easter morning, our refugees looked humbug! Those the refugees talked to
out, watching the wagons going by however, were very polite, intelligent
from Staunton, filled with families flying apparently, and disposed to listen to
at the approach of the foe. Early in both sides. All were dressed in blue
May they found themselves established uniforms and brass buttons, presenting
in Lynchburg, where the large build a much more comfortable appearance
ings of a former college were used as a than our poor soldiers who guarded
hospital, and where, in one of the pro them. These were tired and worn out,
fessor's houses, the surgeons and ladies both in looks and habiliments, and not
had their rooms and “mess."
two were uniformed alike or indeed
The writer of these memorials recalls with any uniform at all. Brave, gallant
gratefully the kindness of utter stran fellows, true soldiers and patriots !
gers to her and hers; the one claim of In the hospital, with much light-
refugee was sufficient to insure atten heartedness and merriment among the
tions, and no other letter of introduction convalescents, there were, of course,
was necessary. Lynchburg had its many
gaieties though it was “war times,” its
SCENES OF SADNESS.
entertainments, public and private.
On June 24 a youthful soldier from
There was a concert at which a certain
Monsieur Alphonse rendered the Mar-
the far South somewhere lay on his cot
seillaise with true French fire and effect, dying. His volunteer nurse, one of our
and for the word “soldats” in the line
refugees, who had selected him as her
“Vengerces feroces soldats," he sang
pet, was always greeted with smiles by
with great gusto,
the little pale-faced sufferer, and, when
"VENGERCES FEROCES YANKEES," all other food was refused, he would
take what she prepared for him. He
an amendment which was, of course,
amused the other inmates of the ward by
highly applauded. But to turn again
asking for a blue veil to shade his weak
from the gay to the grave side of war eyes, and no amount of quizzing or
life: a funeral service as performed in
laughter could persuade him to part
with this veil, which he was accused of
the sick wards at Lynchburg, is thus
wearing as a becoming contrast to his
described by one of the refugees :
red hair and fair skin! Alas, wasted
"I went in the hospital this evening to
with slow disease, he lay for weeks.
read a chapter over the body of a young sol. always gentle and uncomplaining, and
dier who died here yesterday. The coffin growing too ill at length for kindly joke
was brought in the large central hall and laid
or banter, he died finally, more fortu-
on the floor, and some thirty or forty men
assembled, one sick soldier lying on his pal-
nate than most of them in having a
let pear the coffin. The servant men and I brother with him in his last hour.

304
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
They did not all die though, happily, il young officers in their show v uniforms
and more than one grateful patient, mingled in the throng, while
nursed back to health, served to drive
"Soft eyes look'd love to eyes which spoke
off despondency from the hard-working
again.
surgeons and matrons.
The battles of the seven days around All the amusements of watering-place
Richmond make memorable that mid- || life, the bowling-alley, the billiard-table
summer of 1862, as Manassas had seemed and the ball-room, had their votaries,
to the writer the great event of the while the whole presented a brilliant
former summer. And here the loss of a and enjoyable spectacle. And who could
dear friend and relative made real to blame them? The "hurrying to and fro"
her, as nothing had done hitherto, the was soon to follow, and for many a light-
horrors of battle. For days this friend's hearted cavalier thus enjoying his short
fate was unknown. Was he killed or leave, the morrow of
taken prisoner? He had been slightly
wounded and had been in Lynchburg
DISASTER WAS SOON TO FOLLOW.
on a few days' leave, but had hurried Our refugees returned to Lynchburg
back to the scene of action as soon as his in August and continued their good
wound healed. And now, of one of work in the hospital. Soon the cam paign
these last engagements, it was reported in Maryland began, and enthusiastic let-
that his regiment had gone into battle
ters came from the army of Lee. The
with two hundred and fifty men and
ex-West Pointer, now on the staff of a
come out with one hundred and fifteen, brigadier-general, wrote to his mother:
while his name was
"We have crossed the Potomac. I have
ON THE LIST OF "MISSING."):
sprinkled this paper with and dipped my
pencil in its waters. Its waves are sparkling
Many went through with those heart in the light of the sun and the bayoneis of
our soldiers are glittering above its surface
sickening anxieties which it is a pain to
while I write. i am sitting on my borse at
remember even at this distance of time, the water's edge. God bless the Potomac!
All well. The band has struck up the "Mar-
when the papers were searched fever-
seillaise' on the Maryland shore. Now they
ishly for the list of killed and wounded, are playing My Maryland.'"
and the fate of the prisoner was coveted
The young private of the first months
for the missing one, as in life there is
of the war was now transformed into a
hope even in a Northern fortress. At
midshipman and visiting Lynchburg on
length silence and suspense was followed
a short leave in October. Some items as
here by the sad certainty of
to the prices of things at this time may
DEATH ON THE FIELD OF HONOR.
not be uninteresting to note. The mid-
shipman writes of a shopping expedi-
We next find the refugees at Mont tion in Richmond:
gomery Springs, one of Virginia's
"I gave up all hopes of getting a new suit
lovely mountain resorts, and this visit of uniform, finding it cost the moderate sum
of $112, and I had but $60. A pair of boots
was a great relief from the strain of hos-
cost me $20, and I was told that it was cheap.
pital life and a needed change after re Everything is most absurdly dear; halt a
dollar for a box of blacking. The commonest
cent grief and anxiety. While Mont-
homespun is over $1 a yard, merino $7 a
gomery Springs was used partly as a
yard, shoes $15, a tooth brush $2, and a
hospital for convalescents, who occupied
paper of pins $1 50.”
the cottages, there were a number of Our refugees moved to Richmond,
visitors at the hotel, mostly ladies with where the soldier of the family had pre-
their children, who sought only a quiet ceded them on a sick furlough, and the
place for the summer, and desired no midshipman being near enough to see
greater amusement than an occasional them often, the little group were all to-
picnic in the mountains. Not far gether again for the first time since
distant, however, at the Alleghany the commencement of the war. But
Springs, there were soine two hundred this pleasure, of course, was short lived.
and fifty young people, and here all was | Soon the sick leave expired, and hope-
mirth and jollity. Like the allies at ful letters then came from the battle-
Brussels, the gay world of fashion which field
had assembled its beauty and its chiv. Soon the smallpox began its ravages
• alry amid these wooded glens and rocky || in Richmond, and the streets were
heights enjoyed in music and the dance thronged with ambulances, hacks and
a brief forgetfulness of the vexed battle- omnibuses, all carrying the unfortu-
tossed world without. Gaily dressed nates to the various hospitals.
ladies filled the verandas, and handsome || But not to close the record of this

WAR SCENES IN RICHMOND.
305
eventful year with battles and epidem- 11 suburban cottage, where many luxuries
ics, we will look at a hospital camp and many of the comforts of our old
home were deried us, and it was in the
ON CHRISTMAS EVE
new home that I was enabled to befriend.
and Christmas Day. A happy little many soldiers wounded and sick. The
family party was there assembled in the
first regiment brought into the old Fair
Grounds, on Main street, Richmond, was
low-roofed rooms with their plank par-
the -th Mississippi, a noble band of
titions. The midshipman came from men. The company, commanded by
Drewry's Bluff on forty-eight hours' Capt. M-, we knew when they were
leave, and his sisters left the city for the full of bright anticipations, when the
holidays to join the two matrons at the war seemed like a frolic to them. We
suburban hospital.
saw them go forth just before the first
The war had lasted now eighteen battle of Manassas with light hearts and
months, and as we have seen, the block bouyant spirits. In their earliest en-
ade was felt in many ways. But still gagement many of them fell. We knew
there was no lack yet, certainly in the the survivors when footsore, and weary,
Richmond hospitals, of the wherewithal and ragged, they came back through ice
to make merry at Christmas. The and snow, some of them to die. Then.
Christmas dinner prepared by the other battles occurred, in which quite a
ladies of Camp for the soldiers under number were wounded and killed, and
their care included a number of good it was my privilege to nurse several
things, and it was delightful to see the of them back to health, I will say just
enjoyment of the four hundred conva here, that when Lee disbanded the army
lescents who were served with chickens, at Appomattox Courthouse, there were
ducks, pies and cider, while the sick left of that regiment, if I was correctly
and wounded in the wards had turkey inforined,
and stewed oysters, and, to crown all,
JUST NINETEEN MEN.
egg-nog.
The next to reach the Fair Grounds
was Col. Tom Cobb's command of Geor-
No. 50.-War Scenes in Richmond.
gians. During the summer, measles,
camp fever and other diseases prevailed
(By Mrs. Dr. Shaver, of Atlanta, Ga.) in their camp, and it was my mission to
furnish a number of them with food
When war was declared between the
suitable for the sick, such as hot teas,
North and the South I had been for soup, mush and many delicacies un-
several years an invalid; and my family known in camp. For many weeks din-
and friends thought my case hopeless.
ners were suspended in my house, giv-
ing to the family cold lunches and meat
I had struggled against my infirmity suppers, that the entire stove might be
and helplessness, rolling myself across filled with vessels of soup and other
the floor in an arm chair until I learned
things to be in readiness for the coming
of the nurses for the daily supply. Need
to use my lame side with a crutch. My
I say this work was gratuitous, that it
husband often lifted me to the library was a contribution to the wants of our
below for family prayers, and sometimes “braves.??
to the dining-room to make one of the
It was during the stay of this regiment
in the old Fair Grounds, that a pleasant-
home circle around the table, but when
faced youth came to me one morning to
the cry "to arms !” echoed through the sell the rations of his mess. He said
South, I felt impelled to extra efforts to
they were tired of beef and wanted a
get about. Naturally energetic, I knew
change.” The meat was nice and fresh,
and after questioning him about his
that as mother and wife I could do much right to part with it, I bought the meat,
to assist and protect. My daughters, and when I paid him, he asked:
though children in years, had learned to
"Can you write ?"
bear many burdens during my long
It seemed to me a very absurd ques.
tion, but I answered, "Yes! certainly.
protracted illness, but as school-girls Surely you can write too."
they needed a mother's watchful care He shook his head sadly, and said, "I
and such I strove to give them.
haven't been taught.”
He then explained that he wanted it
It became necessary for us to exchange set down that the mess might be satis-
our home in the heart of the city for a ll fied with his trade.”
39

306
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
I was very indignant at the thought || I offered him a chair and he told me his
of a youth like that having been so neg story.
lected, but when I mentioned it to my “Madama,'' he said, “I have been told
brother-in-law, Major G- , who was a that you are a friend to the soldiers, and
guest in our house, he said, "if you could I have come to see if you can help me in
go through some of our Virginia regi my distress. I am a planter from -
ments you would find a great deal of ig County. My name is J When the
norance, and in the backwoods of the war between the States was declared, I
mountains in our own State not only had two brave boys just ripening into
ignorance but stunted morals and great manhood, who gladly responded to the
depravity." Months after this, while I call. My wife and I were anxious to
was going daily to Chimborazo Hospital, obtain substitutes, but our boys would
a distance of several miles through the not hear of it and relinquished college
city from home, to visit and supply the honors, every thing,
wants of a dear relative who could not
be moved, I saw that Georgia youth
TO FIGHT FOR THE SOUTH.
WOUNDED UNTO DEATH.
"They both sickened with feverin camp
and were brought to Winder Hospital
I was going through the ward offering
in this city. As soon as the news came
cooling drinks and distributing tracts
to us I hastened to them to find them
and the Gospels bound as pocket com-
both dangerously ill. I have been here
panions. I offered him one and he shook ten days going back and forth trying to
his head and said, "I cannot read.” His obtain furloughs for them or hire sub-
cot was near a young man wounded in stitutes. This morning I succeeded in
the same way, apparently worse, only getting furloughs and hastened to the
that the other was educated and culti hospital to find my firstborn dead, and
vated, occupying his time with books the younger one delirious; will you tal e
and papers, forgetting his wound as far him in ?"
as possible. I am sure that thus he was My tears were flowing freely. How
saved while the other occupied himself my heart ached for the mother far away,
with his wound, worrying himself liter with her bed chamber in readiness for
ally to death for want of mental occupa her sons ! What a home coming! I
tion.
could only express my sorrow for the
The hardships of camp life told heavily poor father and tell him my spare cham-
upon our men. Many more of them it ber was filled, and my own child dying.
seemed succombed to disease than died With all the comforts of life waiting for
of wounds. A very few became har them they never knew again a mother's
dened to camp life. It fell to our lot to care. The next day while we wept over
receive into our family many of these our own dead, I heard that the younger
sick and wounded; and while they died son had died the night before and the
all around us, not one, however ill, that father had started with their remains for
came to us died under our roof. Some his distant home.
of these young men who missed a And this was not an isolated case. A
mother's love and tenderness trusted few days later, as I sat by the window, I
and confided in me, and to this day I saw a man hatless and shoeless and coat-
meet now and then with those who were less, coming up the gravel walk to my
inmates of our home in Richmond. They door. Unwilling for the servants or
say they have never forgotten the kind - children to see him in that plight, I
ness extended to them,
went myself hastily to the door. He
In the spring of 1862, when the battles was one of the Mississippi soldiers who
around Richmond were being fought and had worn out his shoes and lost his hat
the cannonading and musketry were and coat on the march. I at once looked
heard distinctly in our yard, my one over our stock of clothing and supplied
guest chamber, that was never empty him with shoes, hat and coat, all of which
longer than to give it a thorough clean- || before the war closed some of my own
ing and airing, was filled with wounded li family would have worn
family would have worn.
soldiers. I was sitting in my own room
one afternoon holding the wasted form
“IN THE BATTLE OF DRURY'S BLUFF”
of my little Lillie, when a servant came a nephew of my husband was seriously
to tell me a stranger in the parlor wanted
wounded. Through all the hours of the
to see me. I hesitated to leave my darl-
ing, but she slept, and laying her gently
night the wounded and dead were being
down I went down-stairs. A middle brought to the city, and he was taken to
aged man, hat in hand, waited my com to Chimborazo Hospital. We lost no
ing, apparently bowed down with grief. Il time in going to him and giving him our

WAR SCENES IN RICHMOND.
307
personal attention. We spared neither || orchard destroyed, horses taken, fow!
money nor time daily supplying his yards sacked and granary emptied I must
wants and nursing him back from dan have food for my children; can you dis-
ger·to a comparatively healthy condi- | pose of this for me?” I have walked
tion, and I had the satisfaction, when miles, going into every little shop, to
we moved him to our home, after two dispose of trifles for friends under such
months, of hearing his physician say, circumstances. Upon one occasion I ob-
"But for your food, and nursing, and tained $900 in Confederate money for a
cheering, madam, he would have died.” dress pattern for a friend, and it bought
But he died in our house in Atlanta in for her nine pounds of sugar and a few
1868, from the effects of that wound.
pounds of coffee.
During this time of peril, death came A dear young friend came to me once
again into our household, snatching from in deep distress. She had just had her
us in a few short hours a little son aged month's salary counted out to her by the
five years, who seemed in perfect health, treasurer. It was in $10 bills. When
but I had no time to mourn my dead. she got home she found she had $10 more
The wants of the living, the sick, the than was due her. She was a refugee,
wounded and the dying claimed my at and the dear ones at home were depen-
tention. Supplies ware very difficult to dant on her work.
obtain but although my friends still re Sickness was in the household. They
garded me as an invalid, I managed to were out of fuel, out of food, and she
accomplish things that now seemed im said, you cannot tell what a temptation
possibilities. When I could not help the that small sum was to me, and when I re-
needy from my own larder, I managed turned the money to Mr.
D
h e said,
to get my husband to make appeals from some one is underpaid, I guess. That
the pulpit, raising by voluntary contri night some kind, unknown, friend sup-
butions sums sufficient to relieve their plied our wants almost miraculously, and
wants. Several times during the war, I am sorely grieved that I had so little
my husband's paper, a religious journal,
faith."
was suspended. He became gray and I might multiply these things. The
thin and dispirited, and it devolved upon scenes of sorrow, of anguish and pain,
me to cheer, to counsel and to become from
the burden-bearer. We were greatly
THE WEEPING OF THE CITY,
reduced in finances, and of course were
as one heart, over the body of Stonewall
denied still more comforts and theluxu-
ries of our former living. I was con Jackson,” to the humble scenes where
stantly meeting and finding old and the only son was brought home dead to
casual acquaintances reduced to want.
a widowed mother, to the anguished
Some of them,
cries of a young wife over her husband, to
REFUGEES FROM HAPPY HOMES, an orphan's wail for a dead father, to the
were reduced to knitting socks, plaiting
casket containing the body of a hero borne
straw, making flowers of chicken fea-
to the grave covered with white flowers,
while the wife and parents were over-
thers to eke out a living in humble
whelmed with sorrow—these and many
lodgings. For the first time in my life, more.
I moulded candles, dyed old clothing I have tried to speak words of comfort
and made new garments from the "rag to many who sorrowed, but the most
bag.” As the war went on these hard sorrowful scenes I witnessed was a
ships grew, comforts and luxuries de mother, poor in this world's goods, who
creased, and delicate women and chil sat weeping over the blood-stains on her
dren suffered greatly. Many more of us parlor floor. “This,” she said, "will
would have sunk ander these things but always be here; it is a part of my boy's
for the hope of final success, never to be body, and I am glad the floor was bare
realized. Our soldiers were suffering when they brought him home; this, and
for supplies cut off by blockade and the a lock of hair clotted with blood, is all I
enemy tearing up our railroads. They have left, and they will be never far from
were greatly disheartened and strength me." She it was who mourned longest,
as well as spirits gave way.
refusing to be comforted. I think I see
Frequently during these days of sor her, even now-that anguished face and
row I had commissions from friends at a wasted form-crying out for her first-
distance, sending a rich dress pattern, a born. He was only a private, and buried
Brussels carpet, or a piece of silver, or without honors.
some expensive apparel laid aside for In the midst of these scenes of trial
mourning with such requests as this: there often came most ludicrous scenes,
"With in the army, our fences down, II even in the burial of the dead, but they

308
OUP. WOMEN IN THE WAR.
must not be repeated for merriment. punishment was greater than I could
The most
bear. Between me and the North then
COMIC EXPERIENCES
there was
A RIVER OF BLOOD,
that I had was the coming of verdant
couples to our parlor to be mar that it seemed impossible to bridge over,
ried. I was often needed as a wit but I have learned to accept the will of
ness and not unfrequently offered God, to feel and known that since he has
the only words of congratulation. permitted these things I must say “Thy
Upon one occasion, a boyish-look will be done.”
ing young man and a girl came with In every household there were miss-
their license. They were made one, and ing ones. My dear old father died
the youth asked, "What do you charge ?” broken hearted when his grandsons
The reply came: "I never make a came home wounded. The only sister I
charge," when he quickly said, “much have gave up her first born to the first
obliged, I'll send you a bag of turnips." sound of the war tocsin. He was a fine,
(Which never came.)
manly youth, just 21. A member of the
Upon another occasion, a gray-headed “Greys of Petersburg, Va., he went
man came to the city to meet an old with his company to "Sewels Point"
woman by the boat. They were to and was in that engagement, where
unite their destinies and leave on the many of his childhood's friends fell
afternoon train. There was a delay of around him. Then came his appoint-
the boat and we kept a fire all night in ment as lieutenant in his uncle's com-
the parlor, as it was bitterly cold. It mand at "Arkansas Post." He was there
was late in the day following when they when the post” fell, was carried a pris-
came wrapped and bundled up in an old oner up the Mississippi through ice and
"carryall.” After the ceremony, when sleet to the enemy's hospital in St.
the old man seemed very merry, he said Louis. The morning papers gave an
to mo, "I have raised fine potatoes this account of the prisoner, and his uncle,
year and will send you down some.” (A then mayor of the city, being refused ac-
-promise never kept.)
cess to this hospital, disguised himself
Then came the evacuation of the city, as a baker and sought his nephew.
the blowing up of the powder magazine, Finding him very ill, a permit was ob-
that shook our dwelling to its foundation, tained for his wife to go in and out and
and the horror and dread of the incom minister to the wants of the sick nephew.
ming Federal troops. We know not He died there, and though a casket was
what was to be our fate. We were agree furnished and an urgent request made
ably disappointed, for though the city for his body, it was refused and he was
was burning and thousands of people buried in the
were rendered penniless by the destruc-
FEDERAL BURYING-GROUND.
tion, there was no blood shed, no rapine
thanks to Our Father in Heaven!
My only living brother for sympathis-
The news that my husband's office was
ing with the South was banished in the
beginning of the war to Illinois, and
burning came home to us as
though afterwards recalled, remained
DESOLATION AND RUIN.
till the close of the war. Of the three
We had hoped so much from the close sons given to the Confederacy not one
of the war. In a few hours our all was remained to tell the fate of the others.
gone, savo my husband's brain, and that On his return to his despoiled home in
has had to food and clothe us, and, though Missouri after the close of the war he
half paid, to educate our children. I sickened and died.
often wonder that we did not sink under But there was no feature of the war so
the heavy blow, but we were wonder distressing as the moral influence it had
fuily sustained through it all.
on the youth of the South. Schools were
There were many ludicrous scenes suspended, parents away, and boys
that Sunday night before the memorable turned loose in the streets with every
3d of April. An old woman, who had evil influence surrounding them. Chil-
much of this world's goods, left her dren who had been nurtured and watched
home to burn, taking only her Bible over in homes of plenty were thrust out
and a broom; thus displaying her charac to work for their own living, and to
teristics --love of God and love of cleanli help their mothers, struggling with
ness. A man of some prominence lost want. In many instances the boys were
his life trying to save his whiskey. the only bread-winners in the family.
Many saved trifies, while valuables Just verging into manhood many of
were left. Days after, when I went to a them found themselves penniless. Is it
high point, and looked down upon the a wonder that so many mothers' hearts
smouldering heap, it seemed that our l are aching over disappointed hopes ?

A BRAVE COLORED WOMAN.
309
No. 51.-A Brave Colorod Woman.
ging four or five feet under some freshly
stirred earth, in the belief that valuables
had been buried there, and I did not
(By Mrs. E. A. Steele, of Black Mingo, think that Ann's trick would stop them.
S. C.)
Here we were, three helpless women,
and four little frightened children cling-
I will never forget the night mother ing to us and every moment expecting
called us all to her and read the follow-
to see that
ing letter, which she had just opened,
AVALANCHE OF TERROR
and how she had to pause now and then sweep down on us. You may imagine
to control her voice. It was dated and
that we did not sloep much those four
nights following, and we all huddled
ran :
together in my room, half crying as we
BARNWELL C. H., Jan. 15, 1865. talked in whispers of them. Ann slept,
My Dear Yody:
or rather lay, on a rug by the fire all
Can I possibly picture to you all the night, and she would try and cheer us
horrors we have undergone since I last up a bit. Every bark of our old dog,
wrote you? I will try, for I know your every rustle of the leaves outside made
dear heart is bleeding to hear from the us start and listen in breathless silence.
home folks, and of course you have seen Then the gray morning light would
from the papers that Sherman's men come slowly up over the world, and we
have been here. What that means, dear would feel thankful that we had been
child, you cannot know without feeling spared that night.
it as we have.
Thus for four wretched nights we
On the first of this month they entered kept watch, Delia and Ann taking turns
the village, and of course we could not with me. Then the beautiful Sabbath
hope to miss them, but our house being sun rose on our still troubled vision.
so far away from the main road we did This day, the holy day of days, was to
half hope they might pass by. But alas! be desecrated by those brutal creatures
our expectations were vain, for on the called men. We had just risen from our
third day we heard some of the wretches ll hastily gotten breakfast when Ann came
were at the old Rouse plantation, and running to us. “Oh! Missis, dey is
had burned down the old house, Miss | comin', sure enough.”
Ellen having left as soon as she heard of Our first impulse was to flee, but we
their approach.
thought of our old home, which would
Well, that happened on Wednesday certainly be burned did we leave it, and
and I was quite sure they would reach so we stood there, the children crying
us before Saturday. Of course most of
and Delia and Ann trying to quiet them,
the negroes on the place just took short while Addie, Lizzie and I stood silently
leave, when the Yankees came near, but waiting the entrance of the men. We
Delia and Ann remained true to the end. could now very plainly hear their heavy
It was at the suggestion of the latter tread and an occasional loud, coarse
that I stored quite a supply of meat, laugh, followed by a general uproar.
corn and potatoes in the loft over our Then we heard the short, sharp bark of
bed-rooms. You can remember that
littie Fido and Carlo's low growl, but in
one corner of my room was not sealed an instant both were hushed, two sharp
over head and this opening afforded us pistol reports followed the last growl as
a good door into the loft. I had very the faithful dogs bounded forward only
little idea that the provisions would be to fall in their tracks, dead. A horrible
safe there, but concluded that one place oath rang out as the brutes entered the
would suit about as well as another and yard and came to the house.
even allowed Ann to take up a lot of Even then I took in the picture we
bedding and some of our old family sil made as we waited there. At the back
verware. When the things were all sat window Lizzie was standing shedding
isfactorily put away she came down and silent tears at the fate of her
told me she was “not done yet.” She
DEAR LITTLE FIDO.
lighted a huge fat splinter and holding
it close to the aperture smoked the Addie stood holding on to the back of
edges all around.
the chair she had just risen from, Delia
When asked her idea for this freak, and Ann were half sitting near the fire,
she replied, “Why, Missis, ain't you see their arms around my children and I
de big tags of smoke what is settle on still sitting in my chair, half pushed
de edges. In course dey wont tink any away from the table. I don't know how
body been frough dere lately."
they came in, but in a moment the whole
I smiled, for I had heard of them dig- ll house was full of the dirtiest, most vil-

310
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
lanous set of men it has ever been my || and run the risk of being searched.
lot to see.
Only a few moments after Ann had put
"Look here, madam, we want a hot those three men out of the room two
breakfast; quick, too!” said a man who more came in, and went directly up to
seemed to be the leader of the mob.
Addie, saying, “One of your nigs told
Ann was up in a moment hurrying to me you have a gold watch, and I want it
help Delia with the meal, while the men without any to do.”
were going into every room searching Addie turned to him with not a ves-
bureaus, closets and trunks with a vim. tige of fear on her face, and answered:
I was glad to learn that breakfast was “Then, sir, you will have to go to Au-
to be prepared only for the head men, gusta, Ga., to the jewelry store of
and hoped they would leave us enough Stephens & Co. I sent my watch to
for dinner.
them only last week, and am more than
In this I was disappointed, however, glad I did."
as the other wretches completely cleared I don't think the wretches believed
out the smoke-house and pantry. They her; for, after a whispered conference,
stored all they could carry in their they came farther into the room, and
wagons, and then seeing that a good deal Delia must have guessed they meant to
was left they destroyed it, breaking search Addie, for she stepped quickly be-
open a large barrel of syrup and letting tween her and the men as they came
it run on the ground and scattering the forward, and, with arms akimbo and
corn and rice so that it could not be eyes flashing, she gave those Yanks
gathered. They shot a great many of Il such a lecture as I am sure they never
the chickens and the rest they carried | heard from the lips of a "colored lady'
off. Of course they took the two horses. before.
They also burned the stable and fodder **Fore God, buckra! ef one of yunner
house.
put your nasty hand on dis chile ob
We, of course, then expected they my ole missis, you got to knock Delia
would burn the dwelling-house, but one down fust. De watch is in 'Gusta, en I
of the most decent-looking officers told tank de Lord dat sech white trash wont
us they would spare the house, as we git hold ob it dis time. Dey tells me
had not "sassed” them.
dat yunner tryin to set we free, but
When the men had eaten, Ann and when I gets my freedom I wants honest
Delia came in to us and stayed by us all folks to gib it to me! For de Lord sake
the time. We all went into my room man, where yunner raise any how, dat
and closed the door. A moment after a you cum down here acting like a parcel
brute pushed it open, with the injunc of hyenas ?"
tion, "Let that d-d door stay open. We I think those men wanted to choke
want no secret conferences here."
Delia just then, but her color and kinky
Then another one came in and took hair insured her from harm, and after
the bed covering away, and a third, see an awful volley of oaths they too left
ing the aperture, remarked that "some the room, vanquished, but “mad as
thing might be up there, and three or fury,” Delia said.
four advanced into the room.
It was late in the evening before they
This aroused Ann's temper and she left us, and when we heard their wagons
gave them her mind.
rumbling down the avenue and saw the
"I clar,” she said. "I nebber een my last straggling couple disappear we only
life seen such a ting. People what calls thought then to look around at the
demselves white folks jest teafen like a wreck they had made.
nigger rilla! Yes, climb up een de loft Poor old Carlo lay dead between the
ef you wants to, en you'll clean de place house and gate and Fido, also stiff and
of smoke en spider web, anyhow. Put cold, lay under the jessamine bush close
dat table here, Delia, en let's help dese by. Not a solitary chicken was to be
white gentlemen to git de rats outen de seen, they having shot and eaten all
loft."
they could not catch. We had a fine sow
Ann's tirade had the desired effect, and and six pigs in a pen near the barn.
glancing up at the smoked edges one re The sow they carried off and the pigs,
marked that nothing had been through being very young, they killed with an
there," and went out leaving
axe right in the pen. You don't know
how pitiful it looked to see those poor
ANN TRIUMPHANT.
little creatures butchered up just for
You remember, Addie has great-grand spite. Outside the smoke-house door
mother's watch. She was afraid to hide
lay a great puddle of black stuff, which
we saw was the hogshead of syrup they
it for fear it would be stolen, so con-
had broken open, and being fearful that
cluded to keep it inside her dress front we might be able to

A BRAVE COLORED WOMAN.
311
GATHER SOME OF IT,
then brought from the house a small
had afterwards taken a hoe and
brown parcel which she opened very
carefully, and, with a spoon handle, put
thoroughly mixed in dirt with it. From
a small quantity of white powderin each
the kitchen they had taken every cook incision and then filled it up with salt.
ing utensil except an old one-legged
She then had the meat put back in the
house and cautioning the negroes not to
oven and a frying-pan.
tell the Yankees it was poisoned, quietly
When we re-entered the house we awaited the result. They did come, too,
went from room to room, finding them the same crowd that visited us, and she
almost bare. In one of the bed-rooms said she was even left more desolate
the mattress was gone, the feather-bed than we had been. When they first
cut open and the feathers left piled on entered the house
the floor, the mirror smashed and the
THEY CURSED AND RAVED
door broken from its hinges. In another
the bedstead was destroyed, and some of
about her "Rebel sons,” and swore they
the furniture cut into by axes, com would burn down the dwelling-house.
pletely ruining it, of course. In the Mrs. Ray, her daughter and grandchild,
parlor the pictures were either stolen or
were the only white occupants at the
broken, and the furniture defaced, and
some of it completely destroyed. The time, and after the creatures had taken
dining-room was bare and desolate with all they could find in the house their at-
the exception of the table and a broken
tention was directed to the barn and
dish.
This is a mere shadow of the desola-
smoke-house. A few moments after
tion we saw that day. Here is just what they had entered the latter there was a
they left us. One mattress, one feather general leave, and such oaths Mrs. R.
bed, one blanket and two quilts, which
said she never heard from a tongue be-
were in the loft, one bedstead, three
chairs, whole, one broken dish, one
fore. Of course the negroes had told
broken oven and a frying-pan. We them the meat was poisoned, and she
were lucky in saving a half barrel of said although she was dreadfully
flour, six hams, a bushel of rice and || frightened, she could not help being
some of our clothing, all in the loft. amused at the way in which they quit
We had quite an impromptu supper the house. A large Newfoundland dog
that first night, helping ourselves to the had got hold of a piece of the meat and
bread from the oven, and using for one of the men chased him all around
knives and forks our fingers. We drew the yard before he could be made to
coffee in Ann's tin bucket, and each took drop it. Then the women were ordered
their turn at a sip. I can smile over it out of the house and fire put to it, the
now, but it was a serious affair just then. wretches remaining till it was burned
The next day one or two stragglers
down.
came by, but one glance into the house Mrs. Ray says that during the en-
conyinced them there was nothing here, tire day she and her daughter never
and they went on cursing their luck. spoke only when addressed, and one
Some of our more lucky neighbors, of the men remarked that "They'll
who happened to miss the raid, heard of get over that d---d pride when
our visit of destruction and sent us they see the house burning down,”
material aid in the shape of bedding and but even then they were disappointed,
provisions.
for they quietly left it, little Ellen being
Addie will persist in saying she was the only one who showed any signs of
justified in telling a lie to save grand being repentant, and she begged one of
mother's watch, and we all think so too. the men, "Oh, sir! please don't burn
I had a visit from old Mrs. Ray yester grandma's house," but being repulsed
day and she was telling us how she had with an oath she never spoke again.
sayed all her meat. She had killed about As they left late that evening a man
twenty hogs just two weeks before the called out: "You can live in your
Yankees came, and you may be sureshe smoke-house now, and make a hearty
did not relish the idea that she would supper off that d d poisoned meat!
loose all her nice hams. Well, a bright Good-bye, old Reb grandma!"
idea struck her a few days before the Mrs. Ray is living in the smoke-house,
enemy reached her. She had all the and has dined many times on the pois-
meat brought out of the smoke-house, oned meat. The mysterious white pow-
and after it had been carefully looked der which saved it was only wheat flour.
over she made a negro cut a circular || I hope, dear Tody, you will not have a
hole in each piece near the joints. She ll visit from the fire tiends.

312
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 52.-Sherman's "Conquering Heroes.” memories unless clad in the habilaments
of woe and deprivation ? Perhaps a few
favored of heaven can recall those days
(By Alice Brooks, of Birmingham, Ala.) with only a sigh-a few who had no dear
one to march away at his country's call,
We, the living, know, and it is marked full of hope and heroism, to return no
down for posterity to learn, the cause of more.
From our own home went one dear
the late war. There is no need then for
brother, so talented and promising, his
my pen to attempt a review of the dis-
young heart throbbing with heroic im-
agreement of the North and South. I pulse. But his youth (he was only sev-
will tell only of the experience which
enteen years of age) unfitted him for the
rigors of war. Our father obtained for
the war entailed upon myself and
him an honorable discharge from service
Southern women.
after months of bitter experience-of
The fire of war had smouldered for sleeping upon the hard, bare ground,
some time, growing in intensity until
and marching on half rations and bare-
foot through the snow. How we eagerly
it broke into flame with the secession of
expected his coming, and what delight
South Carolina. Then came the rattle could exceed that which his arrival
of the kettle-drum, the buglet call of gave! But he came only to die, after
cavalry, the drill of volunteers, all un-
two short weeks at home. Oh War!
War! may our country never know
skilled in the ways of war, and tears
again thy direful needs!
and partings.
Although a girl, scarce old enough for
As each State seceded from the Union,
grave thought, the sights and misfor-
tunes of those days wrought impressions
casting its lot with the Confederacy for
never to be forgotten. I can remember
victory or defeat, another star was well when fashion, governed by neces-
added to our new flag of Stars and Bars, sity and not by taste, fabricated many a
and its accession was celebrated by a
wonderful costume. As a fellow-feeling
grand illumination and torchlight pro-
makes us wondrous kind," so a kindred
cession. Every one who could afford
poverty produced an utter absence of
the gratification joined in to do honor to
criticism in regard to wearing apparel.
the occasion, and it was a beautiful Happy the possessor of a hoard of
sight to see every house for squares in
DRESSES OUT OF STYLE,
every direction ablaze with light. Sky-
rockets rent the face of night; tar barrels
perhaps a grandmother's finery stored
and bonfires burned their brightest; men
away for the dust and moths of the garret!
seemed almost wild with joy and pa-
How they were ripped and cleaned and
raded the streets with torches, tossing
fashioned over ! The old-time gourd
their hats in the air and shouting buz-
and palm-leaf patterns again saw the
zah for the seceding State and infant
light and no more seemed hideously out
Confederacy. At the Courthouse square
of date. Many a girl and woman, how-
speeches were made to hundreds of en-
ever, who in ante-bellum days would
thusiastic people; hearts burned with
have scorned a calico dress, now wore
patriotism and fired their words with
homespun dresses; ayo, and wore them
eloquence. Hope's finger traced a pic-
with an air of pride, for what could
ture of an independent Confederacy
suit a Southern girl more completely
with its own laws and law-givers-a pic-
than cloth made in our own Southern
ture of victory crowning our South land
looms, and hats made from palmetto
from
a queen in her own right. But alas !
the swamps and riversides of
'twas but phantasmagoria-delusion at a
Florida? Ah! many a languishing
fearful cost. Poverty and suffering was
Southern beauty has given heroic reso-
the cost-desolated homes was the cost-
lution to our soldiers by glances from
beneath the palmetto hat. There may
orphaned children was the cost-bones
bleaching on battlefields was the cost-
be some poetic thought connected with
a cost too frightfully great for the prin-
this much of our dress; but, oh! the
ciple involved.
impossibility of writing, or even think-
Secessions of other States followed,
ing, poetically of our shoes! They in-
and thus we were fairly launched upon
spire naught but the strictest prose, for
they were irredeemably homely. No
THE SEA OF WAR.
description would do justice to either
Like gaunt phantoms its recollections shape or fit. The daintiest foot became
rise up before me, for where is there a almost literally a stumbling-block to its
Southern woman who can conjure up its || possessor. Perhaps some faint idea can

SHERMAN'S “CONQUERING HEROES.”
313
be gained of our shoes from this in-
formation--they were made to order,
(Heaven save the mark !) of oilcloth, in
a smoke-dried cobbler-shop, by an old
negro wholly untaught in the art-born,
as it were, a maker of shoes, instead of
poetry. I once became the happy
owner of a half-dozen pairs of real
Yankee-made gaiters; but, oh! unkind
fate! one size too small for my dainty
foot, yet,
LIKE CINDERELLA'S UGLY SISTERS,
I would have almost cut off my toes
rather than forego the pleasure of
wearing them. "Pride knows no pain"
'tis said, but it is certain Pride's votary
suffered while those shoes lasted. Of
imported articles and things obtained by
blockade running there was a dearth in
the land, so that the prices paid for them
seemed almost incredible. We went
shopping with a basket full of money or
"shinplasters," and came home with a
handful of purchases. I cannot now
recall the prices, but such commodities
as tea, coffee, soda and spices, were
within reach of few in the South. Coffee
was substituted by parched meal, rye, or
sweet potatoes cut in small cubes, the
rye being the nearest imitation. So
accustomed did we become to the substi-
tute that it was really preferred to the
best Java, so the necessity became a
virtue. So closely did the planters and
farmers of the South confine themselves
to the production of cotton, that there
was a scarcity of even corn and wheat,
thus making breadstuffs dear. Many a
barrel of the very necessaries of life lay
for years in the cellars of grasping mer-
chants waiting a greater rise in prices
until they became infested with vermin.
How often have I seen flour for which
enormous sums had been paid, almost
. able to promenade the pantry with its
plenitude of vitality! Not being fond of
corn meal in any form save when green
and on the ear, many a tear have I shed
over the vanished days of biscuit and
johnny-cake! When through a stroke of
fortune we were enabled to buy a sack
of fresh, uninhabited flour, what a joyous
sight was it to mine eves to see the rows
of nicely browned, butter milk biscuit
brought to the table. With fresh butter
(no oleomargarine with the rest of our
misfortunes, thank kind Heaven !) rye
coffee, perhaps sweetened with sorghum
in preference to wormy sugar, if not a
banquet fit for kings," it was at least
A FEAST FOR A HARDENED REBEL.
Although food was so scarce, whenever
troops or reinforcements passed through
Columbus the ladies always found
something relishing to refresh them
with on their way to the front. Such
crowds of women and even children
would gather at the depot bearing
baskets loaded with substantials which
nad been accummulated in many cases
by rigid self-denial, that many a falter-
ing heart and failing courage has been
strengthened by the memory of the kind
hands that gave them food.
Only once was I brought face to face
with grim-visaged war-only once heard
the rattle of muskets and the boom of
cannon, Battles had been fought for
four years and the changing smiles of
victory had filled our hearts with fear.
Atlanta had been burned and Sherman
was marching through Georgia. Nearer
came the enemy-nearer to our own
little city. No longer was war to be a
hearsay, a report-we should now see
its reality-see the blue-coated Yankee
with his grimy knapsack, his musket or
sabre with all the implements of camp
or march. Just across the Chattahoochee
on the Alabama side intrenchments
were dug-breast-works thrown up.
Every household sent out its protector
if any had been spared from the roll call
of death. The few who rallied to
THE DEFENCE OF COLUMBUS
felt how vain was any show of resist-
ance, yet after hasty good-byes they
marched away to fight in the very
shadow of their homes. Perhaps the
few shots fired from the trenches would
be called by a scarred veteran only a
frolic or a pastime, and will never be
amongst the chronicles of history, but
to us that had never beheld a Yankee in
uniform, it was fraught with all the re-
ality of a Manassas, a Gettysburg, or
Seven Pines. As was expected, the boys
were forced from the trenches, coming
in hot baste across the foot-bridge into
Columbus. There comes a Yankee cav-
alryman urging his horse to greater
speed as he sights the form of a flying
Confederate. The fugitive turns a cor-
ner to the right—to the right charges the
horseman, but the Confederate has van-
ished from sight. Ah! the doors were
all open to the boys in grey, friend or
stranger.
Many amusing scenes occurred during
the retreat into the city. A brother of ours
being exempt from service was one of
the few in the fight that night. Running
at full speed, (in fact I think he regis-
tered his best record in that retreat,) he
passed our home and on to the lower and
more retired part of the city. Leaping
over the fence into a friend's yard, he
ran around to the back door where he
encountered the young lady of the house,
| Taking him to be a Yankee in the dim
55
40

314
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
twilight, she threw up her hands in total were accustomed more to the handling
demoralization, crying out:
of shovel and hoe than to manipulating
the ivory of the key-board. But so in-
“MY GOD! I SURRENDER.”
tent was the rabble upon plunder that
To this day I do not think she has anything was taken without selection.
ceased to be twitted about the impor-
Rooms in the upper Stories of store
buildings occupied by gentlemen as
tance of her surrender.
sleeping apartments were invaded, car-
Our home at this time was centrally pets torn from the floors, pillows, bed-
located and we thus had ample opportu ding and furniture carried away.
nity of witnessing the scenes and the Numbers of houses found protection
lawlessness and rapacity which occurred from the rougher element amongst the
in those dark days. Everything of any soldiery in the presence of a guard who
value we had removed to a place of was held responsible by his superior
safety in the suburbs, since it was gen officer for any indignity offered to any
erally feared the business part of the city of its inmates. We of course had this
would be burned. We remained at home protection in the shape of a dapper
retaining only a few actual necessaries little fellow who fell violently in love
and comforts. In the morning after the with my sister. He nursed his passion
raiders came what a sight greeted our vis in secret, not daring to presume giving
ion ! The streets where lined with Yan it expression to his fair enemy until
kee soldiers, their horses tethered to trees after the cruel war was over, when she
and awning posts, and a gathering rab received a genuine love-letter from
ble of negroes and a low class of whites.
THE LITTLE YANKEE.
Actuated by greed and in many instances
by spite, the crowd piloted the soldiers
How we laughed! She, not being re-
around to those stores which they desired
constructed could not reciprocate, and
to ransack. The doors of grocery stores,
dry goods stores, hardware stores, crock-
poor fellow ! long has he waited a reply,
ery stores were burst in with axes, and but it cometh not!
such wanton waste and stealing the sun But I digress. Many houses, unless
scarce ever beheld. Down stairs to our
right was a large crockery store. Guided
guarded, were entered by the soldiers
thither by some who were
themselves and searched for valuables,
GREEDY FOR PILLAGE,
and lamentations were vain to him who
had not "taken time by the fore-lock"
the Federals forced the doors. In rushed and consigned his treasures to the guar-
the crowd furious as the maelstrom, dianship of mother earth. In those
struggling and fighting as they endea-
occurrences "silence was golden," for
those who bridled their tongues fared
vored to seize anything that could be
much better than others who gave vent
borne away. One crowd comes out with
to their just indignation. In the former
their ill-gotten possessions; another
case, after a search and perhaps a confis-
rushes in, their yells and screams ming-
cation of such articles as suited our con-
ling with the oaths of the soldiers as
quering heroes, they departed with
they smash crokcery right and left with
sometimes quite a Chesterfieldian bow.
huge sticks, making a very pandemo-
I heard this "I tell as 'twas told to me')
nium. Just to the left of us a large
of a lady in our vicinity who violently
grocery suffers a like fate Barrel heads
repelled their intrusion. Regardless of
are burst, out streams molasses, vine-
her protestations, not only did they
gar, whiskey in a mingling flood. Boxes
indulge in a liberal search of house and
are burst and contents scattered to the
premises, but before bidding her adieu
rabble. There goes one loaded with
they obtained from her storehouse a bar-
hams, another with flour, while one old
rel of molasses. This they conveyed to
woman, for want of better means of
the parlor, and after liberating a gener-
transportation, carries her apron full of
ous stream of the sticky substance over
sugar. One ragged specimen of hu-
the carpet, into it scattered the contents
manity had possessed himself of a hand-
of a feather bed,
some pair of vases. Another congratu-
lated herself upon being the envied
The night following the occupancy of
owner of part of a china tea-set. AC-
Columbus by the Federals began
tually a negro was seen to haul
THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION
A PIANO AWAY TO HIS CABIN!
All manufactories and Government
of all his possessions the least useful or stores were doomed. Some of the con-
needed by such as he, whose fingers Il flagrations would have been grand had

A DOUBLE WEDDING.
315
not the occasion been pitiful. It seemed
No. 53.-A Double Wedding.
almost a spiteful display of power, for all
knew, no matter how unwilling to admit,
that the fate of our Confederacy was (By Miss M. Mumford, of Pittsylvania County,
sealed. How much more generous would
Virginia.)
it have been to leave a defeated people,
already impoverished by the needs of
1884! And I glance back; I look again,
war, the means in our manufactories of and I gaze eagerly back over the bridge
retrieving our prosperity under the ban of years to 1864! How we elderly (?)
ner of peace. The rolling-mill and foun maidens can recall that past, for it is
dry, two cotton factories, several flour
bright in song and story-youth, and
and grist mills and the Government
the romance of our lives—and though
granary were early laid in ashes, and for
"the light of Freedom's star falls sadly
days the air was heavy with the scent of
now on many graves, dug by the hand
burnt grain. One mill was spared be-
of cruel war,'' and we mourn our brave
cause its owner enjoyed the fortunate
heroes gone, alas! many of us, all
distinction of being a Union man. The
of youth and happiness along with
powder magazine flew heavenward with
them, yet it is a pleasure, as a pain, to
a horrid crash. The very earth seemed
go back and be a girl once more, to
to visibly leap forward with the concus-
cherish those little incidents now gleam-
sion.
ing as bright-gilded pictures down the
The most frightful scene that it was
corridors of time.
my lot to witness was the firing of the
How well I remember that bleak
railroad depot and adjoining warehouse.
morning in January, 1864, when the
In it had been stored a number of shells.
principal of the “Academy for Young
When the flames reached them one after
Ladies and Misses” announced, "though
another exploded with terrible force,
with no desire to create a panic, or even
hurling fragments of the deadly missile
to alarm in the slightest degree,'' that in
to our very door. It seemed to my eyes
consequence of the near approach of the
a Vesuvius, and my heart seemed to
enemy,” he deemed it expedient to allow
stand still with fear while
such of the pupils as might desire to re-
MY GAZE WAS FASCINATED.
turn to their homes, and a dispatch from
my father notified me to repair to Rich-
All around eyes streamed with tears mond, via the Central Railway.
but for years we had wept for sorrows With what feelings of rapture did I
deep-tears had been shed like rain.
hail these announcements! After three
years' seclusion, climbing the hill of
The brightest day of spring was clouded
science, “far from the madding crowd's
by the smoke of battles far away where ignoble strife,” thus, suddenly, to find
dear ones, perhaps, were sleeping the myself transported to Richmond, the
sleep of heroes. Never in four years
very capital of the war! to see the war!
the pride, and pomp, and glorious cir-
did the sun shine bright save when the
cumstance of war! I remember there
news came of a battle won, and even
were some soldiers in grey uniform, the
then our hearts sank low at thoughts of
first I had seen, seated near me on the
victories earned at so fearful a sacrifice train, but I withdrew my gaze in dis-
of blood.
dain, for I had pictured
No need to tell our joy when we be-
held the vanishing form of the last de-
MEN IN CONFEDERATE GREY,
parting foe, their work of war and waste with burnished muskets, proudly drawn
well done. The ruin around us—the up in battle array, and I fancied these
solitary chimneys, like sentinels, guard to be deserters en route for “Castle
ing the ashes of ruined hopeg- bade us Thunder prison. As my views
fold our hands in despair. But the widened, however, I found that they
future, with hope for its artist, bade were soldiers on furlough, meditating a
us "be up and doing.” No one looking short holiday at the Confederate Capital.
to-day upon our busy, thriving city, As I approached the city my next
with its numerous industries, its flying solicitude was a vague idea about pass-
spindles and busy looms, could form a ports, and, not having one, I feared I
remote idea of its forlorn appearance might have to stand disconsolate, like
after the departure of Sherman's raiders. the Peri, or the Yankees, at the gates of
This is an "o'er true tale,” but as I re the promised land; but, as my experi-
call those scenes, it seems a tale of hob ence in war times still farther enlarged,
goblins, exaggerated and magnified bo I found the aforesaid passport to be a
yond belief. Yet they tell me I know necessary script only upon leaving the
nothing of the miseries of war.
11.city. Then how bountifully was the

316
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
coachman repaid, with the roll of Con head officials, and it grew to be a mat-
federate notes, after depositing the lug ter of some pride, as well as emolument,
gage at my refugee home in Richmond. to find one's self the recipient, through
That new home, at Richmond, on the the postoffice, of one of those "approved
James, with its Capitol square drills, applications” under signature of the
and its Franklin street promenades, and quartermaster-general, or the commis-
its Holywood rambles, and, alas! its sary-general, or the secretary of the
whitewashed wards, where the dead and treasury.
the dying lay, how it looms in the In our bureau of the quartermaster-
shadows of the past! endeared and general's office we were favored with
hallowed by so many fond associations special privileges, such as receiving
with the soldier boys, who did not mind friendly visits, as well as official visitors,
the walks from camp, those bitter-cold which relieved the tedium of work and
evenings, to drink hot coffee "with the em boldened us to the perpetration of
girls."
numerous jokes in these intervals of
Oh! those parties we would have, labor, one of which was a quarterly re-
when we liked to dance with the boys, port of our own bureau sent in to the
though the coarse camp shoes tore long quartermaster-general in the name of
rents in our velvet carpets, and the the officer whose duty it was to forward
hands which clasped our own were such reports; and, as it will serve as a
burlesque on quartermaster reports in
of something-in rude camp life-but general, I give it, as follows:
we did not mind, for they were soldiers
from our sunny South, and had come,
A MODEL REPORT.
with brave steps, and hands with hearts
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
in them, to protect us in our Southern
QUARTERMASTER - GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Capital. So we endeavored to give them
RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 1, 1865.
Gen. A.R.L., Quartermaster-General-Sir:
the best of cheer, poor fellows! bearing
Having heard of the abuses in this room, I
up under the privations of camp life, determined to make a tour of investigation,
oh, so stoutly!—and, like Desdemona, and, accompanied by Major B., the gentle-
oftimes we listened to the stories they
manly proprietor thereof, I proceeded forth-
with.
would tell, of dreary marches through
The first desk inspected was that kept by
Miss B. Armed with an eraser she seemed
escapes at the cannon's mouth, until a to employ most of her time in obliterating
. pitying, loving heart would follow the the previous day's work.
soldier back, and on, on to perish midst
I found Miss C. slumbering over a mass of
unregistered letters, wbilst her partner, Miss
Virginia's snows, where a mound is
L., was deeply engrossed briefing a huge loaf
kept, ever green, in memory's haunts, of bread and butter.
watered with some maiden's tears.
I would respectfully suggest that Capt. W.
Fair Richmond, on the James ! As I
W. L. be ordered to report in trans-Missis-
sippi department, and that Miss M. be left
in charge of quartermaster returns.
buildings rearing proudly over the ashes
of others, consumed in the great fire on change of position for Mrs. D., a widow, in
"Evacuation day," that April dawn in which I and I have been forestalled by sev-
1865, when we stood upon your seven
eral gentlemen.
I found that the ladies had torn down the
hills and watched the retreating soldier-
rules, both salutary and sanitary, especially
columns as they burnt the bridges after
regarding their chewing and smoking, be-
them, and saw the flames advance and I can
cause Capt. Dep. had suggested that any
wreathe about old familiar spires, and. lady who chewed must expectorate as a gen-
much-loved homes.
tleman. I would respectfully call the atten-
tion of the quartermaster-general to this spe-
Across the street from yonder Capitol
cies of vandalism, and I would, moreover,
square is the former site of the quarter suggest that it be made the subject of a spe.
master-general's office of bellum days, cial order. Sitting on the desk is positively
where several of us served as clerks in prohibited, yet I observed it was the prevail-
ing custom. I also respectfully suggest that
A BUREAU OF LADIES.
this be made the subject of a special order..
I would respectfully call the attention of
Each had her respective books to keep. the quartermaster general to small bags of
Amongst my records I kept the dates of
confirmation of post quartermaster ap-
persons of most of the ladies, designed to be
used as face powder, and which, I judge, were
pointments throughout the Confederacy,
drawn as "rations. I consider this a wanton
and I still recall the face of the soldier
and wicked waste of corn, especially in view
wag who wanted to know if I was keep-
ing a "parish register." The female ens the State of Virginia; and I would res-
clerks in the various Government de-
pectfully urge the following question upon
the serious consideration of the quarter.
partments at Richmond were treated

A DOUBLE WEDDING.
317
plies, that feline pets and favored dogs || the bosom-for patriotic women of the
should be enticed into this department and
Confederacy had long since sacrificed
fed in cherry pies?
I found that an infinite number of cherries
precious stones to "the cause.” The
and innumerable groundnuts had been sent building was crowded with congratulat-
to the ladies of this department by prowling ing friends, and all went merry as a mar-
young men, which I would suggest be made
riage bell-but, I shuddered as the words
the subject of a special order, unless two-
fell from the man of God-
thirds be turned over, as a tithe, to the
quartermaster-general's office. I would sug.
“UNTIL DEATH YE DO PART.”
gest that an order be issued to prevent their
How serenely joyful the couples ap-
turning over the ink, also, under a misap-
prehension of duty.
peared as they traversed the old church
I would, moreover, respectfully suggest aisles, regardless of the whole outside
that so much of Special Order No. - Series world, of the narrowing Confederacy
No. -, excluding all those likely to create a
around them; each happy in a mutual
melancholy penchant in the hearts of the
ladies department, as relates to lieutenant.
affection, they thought only of the pres-
majors and br gadier-generals, be revoked. ent, or, with the sanguine hope of youth
I have the honor to be, General, very re and love, dreamed of the blissful joys
spectfully, your obedient servant,
of a lifetime “when this cruel war is
A, B, Z ,
Colonel and Assistant Q. M. General.
over."
Before Petersburg was to be assailed
WEDDING BELLS.
in force all the railroads by which the
Confederates were supplied were to bo
A few squares above the quartermas-
cut or captured behind them. In pur-
ter-general's department-and 'I mark
suance of this object, Sheridan moved
the site of a sacred building connected
up the Shenandoah valley, routing the
with the old war times. There the sol-
remnant of Gen. Early's command at
diers would gather from the fortifica-
Waynesboro', and crossing the Blue
tions around, and the convalescent hos-
Ridge mountains took possession of
pitals, to assemble on the Sabbath; and
Charlotteville. He tore up the railroads
many a social band has stood about its
for miles around, and destroyed the
altar, whilst the organ pealed forth a
canal along James River. We all remem-
wedding march, down long dim aisles,
ber how Lynchburg was saved, the high
as the Confederate soldier stepped forth,
waters in its stream preventing the
in all his manly beauty, to claim his
passage of his forces; but the expedition
Southern bride; feeling more like the
succeeded in joining Gen. Grant, after
conquering hero than, when, with beat-
pillaging some of the most productive
ing drum, and colors flying, he marched
sections in the State of Virginia, and
triumphantly after a victory at Fair
having broken most of the lines by
Oaks and Seven Pines, or Cold Harbor,
which Lee's troops were supplied.
or Manassas, or Antietam and Shep-
Grant continued to extend his lines to
herdstown. Yet, alas! as the fate of such
the left so as to sweep round Petersburg
times, the flowers that blossom for the
and seize the remaining line of supply
bridal must fade upon the tomb; and the
or retreat when he received a bloody
bride of a day is the widow of the mor-
check at Hatcher's Run. Though the
row.
end of the Confederacy was fast ap-
It was in 1865. Throughout the win-
proaching, yet the news from Hatcher's
ter Lee, who had been made, nominally,
Run revived for the moment our flick-
commander-in-chief, lay in his long lines
ering hopes as, with anxious hearts, we
in front of Petersburg and Richmond,
watched for fresh telegrams that should
holding them with less than forty thous-
allay the fears of those who had some
and men, against nearly two hundred
friend or brother there. Alas! amongst
thousand. Although they could be
the "young, who suddenly beheld life's
poorly spared, two gallant young officers
morn decline,” foremost in the ranks,
obtained furloughs to visit Richmond,
falling in the battle's brunt, were our
that they might be united in marriage
with the "fairest jewels guarded in the
TWO GALLANT YOUNG BRIDEGROOMS.
Confederate capital ;' for the two sisters And again we repaired to the old
had decided to render the occasion still church where, a few days since, we had
more impressive, with a double cere assembled a congratulatory crowd, now
mony, and, on the eventful evening, I a band of mourners, to pay the last sad
thought I had never witnessed a fairer tribute of respect and affection to the
pageant in the old church. The golden soldier dead, upon whose noble, peace-
haired blonde contrasted with her dark ful brons bad flashed, like Pelham's,
eyed sister; and the long line of lovely "the light of a divine surprise.”
female attendants, each by way of orna About the time of Sheridan's move-
ment, in uniform decoration, with all ments above referred to, I had gone up
single white japonica pinned about to Charlottesville on a visit of a few days,

318
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
fearing no obstacle to my return to trusted with the knowledge he betrayed
Richmond. One morning I started out from some exalted position of power be-
for a ramble on the outskirts of the town, hind the throne.
taking the Richmond Examiner, for, But the information afforded by the
bracing as the morning was, not to say deserter came too late to avert the on-
cold, I had a romantic, school-girl idea ward march of Sheridan; and although
of perusing the "news of the war re he met with disaster at Five Forks, he
clining on a moss-covered stump, with a returned next day supported by rein-
distant view of the shadowy hills, "the forements, who fell upon the Confed-
everlasting hills," magnificent Blue erates and completely crushed and
Ridge!
routed them.
I had just seated myself, and, draw The next day the thin lines of Lee
ing my wraps closely about me, was en were pierced at Petersburg, and the en-
deavoring to settle the sheet of paper suing night that place and the city of
against a stiff mountain breeze, when a Richmond were both evacuated-the
tall haggard-looking veteran approached 3d of April, 1865.
me and abruptly inquired if I was from The whole of that memorable Sunday
the “Sesesh Capital.”
night we citizens, male and female,
Taking for granted it was some Con young and old, were in transit in a state
federate soldier, wishing to learn of of indescribable precipitancy as the
home or friends, I answered promptly troops slowly threaded their way through
that I was from that city.
the blockaded streets thronged with citi-
I deemed the allusion to Richmond zens and vehicles of every description.
but a bit of pleasantry, for, in war We had realized very suddenly that the
times, we did not stand upon formali city was in a state of evacuation, and
ties, and I inquired, in turn, if I could much had to be accomplished ere we
do aught for him there, as I proposed to might expect
return in a day or two.
THE TRIUMPHANT FOE
I shall never forget the expression of
that face, of mischievous malice, as he to march ruthlessly into our midst. We
glanced furtively around, and with a anticipated their taking inmediate pos-
knowing wink, replied:
session of all vacant buildings, towards
“You'd better be about your trip at quartering troops, and thus, many of
once, then. That railroad will be in our people were engaged in removing
other hands before this time to-morrow,'' from closely packed premises into others
andwith another malicious grin, he so immediately vacated by our military
was off at a bound.
or Government officials. It was impos-
"It is an ill wind that blows nobody sible to foresee how we should fare for
any good.”
necessary food in the surrendered Capi-
I could not help pondering the adage,
tal, even if a sadder fate than famine did
as I surmised the origin, distinction and not overtake us, and hence many old
motives of my. singular informant. men, as well as ladies, were to be seen,
Whatever it might presage, I resolved all through the night, rolling barrels of
upon one decision-to take the afternoon flour and meat, &c., along the streets,
train for Richmond. That day
for the Confederate commissary stores
THE LAST CONFEDERATE LOCOMOTIVE
had been thrown open to the public.
The whole city kept open house that
ran over the road from Charlottesville to night, and we felt like one united fam-
Richmond, and was scarcely out of ily, as we stepped in at that door and
sight of the invading foe, when Sheridan then at another to discuss the situation.
entered the former.
When the morrow dawned to find that
Safely located on the train, the first the destruction of the public warehouses,
object that attracted my attention was stores, vessels, and bridges had set fire
the same haggard, evil-eyed soldier of to the city, wild consternation pervaded
my morning's encounter, ensconsed be all classes, which was still further in-
tween two military men in Confederate creased by the entrance of Grant's army:
grey, I noticed on minute scrutiny that though, I will add, to the credit of that
his soiled and tattered garb was “Yan General, that his strict orders regarding
kee blue;' and I found him, in truth, a private property and personal safety of
deserter from the ranks of "Uncle Sam,'' the citizens were most rigidly enforced;
bent upon perpetrating all the treachery and when the Federal troops had suc-
in his power, as he talked volubly and ceeded in quenching the flames the
intelligibly regarding Sheriden's pro ladies of Richmond felt that in the midst
posed operations; and, as his prophetic of dire calamity they had something
plans all matured at a very early day, still to call forth prayers of gratitude-
I think the rascal must have been en- | that the city was not sacked!

THE FOOTPRINTS OF POTTER.
319
No. 54.-The Footprints of Potter. cause and bidding the loved ones cheer
up, the parting would not be long. Then
the letters came less frequently, and
(By Mrs. E. A. Steele, of Black Mingo, S. C.) there were months of anxious waiting,
Was it a dream I wonder! That first
waiting that drew the very life-blood
from some of those hearts at home.
dim recollection of mine where I saw There were eager famished eyes.to glance
my father in his gray uniform and heard over the “Army News” column of the
that he was going to the war, seems now
Courier, and, oh! with what heart-throbs
the lists of dead were scrutinized.
like a vague, misty picture; but the
Filled with sadness as our homes were
after events are clear enough. We chil in those days, our women were noidlers.
dren watched him as he drove slowly
How the dainty daughters of luxury
down the wide road and then we turned
took on their young shoulders the
arduous duties of farm overseer and the
again to our play, our young hearts not various other masculine duties, only our
taking in the solemnity of this final women in the war can tell.
parting. We had seen him leave with
And the work did not stop here. The
loom was at work throughout the South
his company for North Island, and
and Yankee silks and velvet were laid
mother and we children had gone down aside for the new Rebel cloth. Sewing
there to see him and had camped all
societies were organized in various
night under his tent and enjoyed our-
places and fair fingers, which before had
never known the art of the needle, now
selves greatly, gathering up the beau-
fashioned garments for the soldier boys
tiful shells that were scattered on the in grey. Dainty feet worked the loom
shore.
treadle, and white hands spun yarn and
We had seen the men parading in their
knit socks for the same cause. Then
beautiful uniforms, had heard the drum
when the call became more urgent our
beat, had partaken of the meals pre-
women did not hesitate to
pared by the black army cooks, and
SACRIFICE THEIR JEWELS
lastly had stood directly under the folds
of our loved flag. To us this was army
to supply the necessities of body and
life and I often wondered why mother
soul on those long, wearisome marches
and aunt grieved so when nother call
in the West.
was made and “Company E” was or-
But the drum-beat comes nearer home.
dered out. To be sure I know this time
It is coming, that dark line of blue coats,
they had gone to the war, but what that
in whose pathway the smoke and curse
war meant I dreamed not.
of war follows hard, the curse of a ban-
The first few months after our home
dit war, for no honorable warfare ever
band had marched away a settled shade
left such curse in its wake. Desecrating
the sanctity of the temples of God, turn-
seemed to rest on all our homes.
Fathers, husbands, brothers and sons
ing out widows and orphans into the
had left the fireside, mayhap never to
highway, applying the torch to homes,
return. Aged mothers had stood that
and polluting the virtue of the purest
and best wives and sisters in our land;
day in the doorways and watched with
tear-dimmed eye that hopeful band of
yes, these all followed the footsteps of
patriots, watched till the last gray uni.
Sherman in his march to the sea.
form had faded from sight, then turned
War! Yes, but such a war as no
other country has ever been visited with
to the quiet hearthstone with
since time began. On coines that track
A PRAYER ON THEIR LIPS,
of ruin! From Virginia, North Carolina
a prayer that only a mother can make. and Alabama we hear the war-cry and
Wives were clasped passionately to the know that soon for us, too, will come
breast of husbands, and the hearts, too that dread day. One, two, three months
full to speak, had been almost torn by and they have entered our State.
the silent farewell. Sisters wept as they It is just here, kind reader, I would
saw the brother's form slowly go out of beg your attention for a short while. It
the old gate up the home avenue, and was not a warrior blue-coat we were ex-
sweethearts clasped hands in silent pecting to-day, not a mighty army of
agony, young lips were pressed in one valient soldiers from the cold Northern
long kiss, and then they had gone-gone hills, but a band of mongrel hyenas, an
out hopefully and bravely to meet the army of soulless creatures called by the
unknown dangers and trials of war. honest name of men.
First there were letters t
that came What wonder that the hearts of our
home, letters speaking hopefully of our ll women grew faint as that war tramp

320
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
sounded nearer. What wonder that the || Fancy for a moment a frightened bevy
name of Sherman brought terror even to of young ladies filing in solemn order
the hearts of children and the aged through that dark archway in the man-
grandsire whose tottering form and gray per represented above! But ridiculous
locks that banded mob had insulted as the in-going would be, once inside
throughout
there was safety for themselves and
THE BLOODY MARCH,
those mysterious though precious pack-
ages of letters, which our girls never
To-day we have heard that a detach-
trusted to be hidden away with the fam-
ment of Potter's raiders are between here ily ware, buried under the garden arbor.
and Georgetown, only a few miles from
Tuesday evening came and with it a
Black River, and making directly for
group of anxious girls bent on an im-
Brown's Ferry. The "home band,"
portant mission, where to hide them-
an impromptu cavalry made up of young
selves and those precious letters. All
men, boys and old men, have gone down eight of the inseparable friends were to
there to intercept them. They will de-
cast lots together
stroy the bridges and flats, thus causing
the blue-coats to take a much longer
IN THIS HOUR OF DANGER
march in reaching us. Here, in this lit-
and, with the exception of cousin Sallie
tle corner of Williamsburg, with the
Wilton, were on hand early. The de-
wide waters of Black River between us
tails of the arrangement were all settled
and that fire-fiend band, we can hide in
very soon, indeed there was not much to
safety for a few more days.
settle. Each member of the fugitive
News has come back to us that our
band was to take with her only such
boys reached the ferry, destroyed the
articles as she could not part with at
flat and gave Potter's men a few short
anycost. Two old trusty negroes, a
pointed salutes from their muskets,
man and woman belonging to grand-
causing them to file on up the river car-
mother, were to be taken along to cook,
rying two wounded comrades with
for of course they expected to stay there
them. The crossings at Potato Ferry
several days. Then there was a box of
and the lower bridge were destroyed in
provisions to be taken by each one. Of
turn, and the blue-coats kept on the
course the boxes must needs. be small
other side of the river, our little band
else they could not be dragged through
keeping even pace with them and occa-
the hog path. Then there were the com-
sionally making a target of some stray
forts for the camp bed, one to each in-
fellow that had loitered behind in a
dividual, and a cup and saucer, a coffee
greedy search for plunder,
pot and an oven. At last the list of
Secure as we felt ourselves to be there
necessities ran so high it was feared the
was a universal belief that the Yankees
“dining-room" would not accommodate
would be amongst us in a short time.
them all and there was a general hubbub
consequently there was grave question-
as to which articles could be left.
ing as to what would be done in case
In the midst of the final business Sallio
they did come. Aunts Carrie and Elea-
Wilton came in, and for a few moments
nor, with some half dozen friends, were
the talk quieted down.
to meet at our house on the following
"What had kept her so late?'' "And
Tuesday evening to discuss the import-
the business is all settled already," and
tant subject. Mother and aunts had de-
“What's the news?" and "Heard from
cided that a place known as
the blue boys ?" were questions that had
THE DEVIL'S DINING-ROOM''
followed in rapid succession, while Sal-
lie took off her homespun bonnet and
was the best place for concealment in
sank into the nearest chair,
the neighborhood, so good indeed that
"News enough, girls. Potter bas
it was doubtful if anyone could get into rounded us and we won't have to go to
it at all. It was a dense growth of low-
the 'dining-room' at all. Aunt Mar-
land, composed of briar and a mixture
garet's Jim came to grandma's to-day
of low and high shrubbery that grew in and says Potter left that section on last
such tangled and close confusion it was
Wednesday, taking in the direction of
impossible for the rays of the sun to pen Charleston. Here is a letter aunty wrote
etrate it. Inside this green wall was an to grandma, and which one of you can
island-like opening, smooth, high and read aloud. The wretches have played
dry, and which was accessible only by
havoc over there."
a narrow hog path, which ran through
the close, outer wall of briars close to
POTTER'S FOOTPRINTS.
the ground. Any human being entering Aunt Carrie took the letter and com-
this wild acreage would have to crawl menced to read, while all sat silent and
on hands and knees.
attentive. It ran :

RAVAGES OF THE FEDERALS.
321
leto
to
them
Witae leges
BLACK RIVER, February 8, 1866, firm and silent. All at once I cried out, and
My Dear Old Mother: I know you have then a loud laugh broke from the wretch as
been quaking for us over here, and well you he loosed the rope from his neck. I had told
might, for Potter has been here and left his them where the money was hidden, and was
footprints It will relieve your mind to tell you half crazy, repeating over and over, "In the
at once that we are all alive. I expected that garden under tne big rose bush."
Mr. McClough would be cruelly used, but am
I WAS PERFECTLY DAZED
thankful his person received no hurt. His
gray locks and bent form were targets for
as Mr. M. and I walked back to the house to-
low, coarse jests-such remarks as these :
gether, followed and surrounded by the negro
"There's a half dead old Rebel:" "Hello,
band. They made me go with them to the
hunapback Confed !'' and such like, which
garden and stand by till the box of money
he bore in silence. The house swarmed
was unearthed. “I tell you what, ole woman,
with the dirty crew in ten minutes after they
it will be a mighty sorry day for you ef dat
first entered the avenue, Our own negroes
box ain't there,” one of them remarked, and
were foremost in searching the closets, ou-
another added, “Yes, we burns down dis
reaus and trunks, loudly declaring that Mr.
house 'fore we leaves ef dat silver and gold
M. had lots of money bid” somewhere Out
don't show itself directly." I knew we were
of our fifty negroes there was only one wao
entirely at the mercy of the brutes and did
took no part in the plunder. Mollie never
not open my lips, but oh! bow it hurt to take
touched anything at all, but stayed with the
such words from dogs. They got the box
children and I in the dining room. I could
directly, and after some more cursing for the
not think of staying in the bed rooms or par.
trouble we had put them to, left.
lor, for these were packed with a crowd of
I truly hope you may never see war as we
mixed men, cwsing and quarrelling over the
over here have seen it. Come over as soon
stolen goods. They found one bag of money
as there is a fall in the river and you can
and 100k that, thinking it was all that was
cross at Johnson's Swamp, Perhaps by that
hidden, They literally
time we will have gathered up a few mouth.
fuls to eat. Your daughter,
CLEARED THE PLACE
MARGARET MCCLOUGH.
in an bour, and when I was beginning to
There was a general feeling of relief
hope they were about to leave an officer came
in and grufily asked for Mr. M. We have when this letter was read, for we felt
orders," he said, "to destroy all salable pro sure the enemy had passed beyond us
perty, and I want the key to your gin-house, and would not be likely to turn back.
where, the negroes tell me, you have a lot of
So the removal to the Devil's Dining-
seed cotton. I want it to set ore to the bales."
*You don't mean to burn it all, sir ? Surely
Room" was not undertaken; but till to-
you will leave me something to buy bread
day Aunt Carrie naver speaks of war
with," Mr. M. answered. "Not a bale will I times without referring to the day when
leave! Thirty-five bales of cotton will make they all met to discuss that important
a comfortable fire for this cold day, ha! ha!”
piece of swamp land, and smiles as the
he laughed as he turned to go. The cotton
was piled up under the gin-house and packed
picture of that anxious group stands be-
so closely they had to move it about before fore her, and she looks back at the trials
the fire would burn it. We sat or stood out and tribulations of our women in the
on the piazza and watched it till the flames
reached the building above and around it,
and then it got so hot we had to leave. Some
of the live oaks in the front yard were
No. 55.-Ravages of the Federals.
scorched and the yard palings drawn by the
heat of the burning mass, over seventy yards
off. They left us at dark, with not a mouth-
ful of food in the bouse, but we happened to
(By Mrs. Mattie H. Jarnagin, of Terrence
find corn enough for our suppers, and had it
Landing, Miss.)
ground in the band-mill at the negro houses,
Of course we hoped we were over the worst In the year 1861, I, a young girl four-
now, but on the following evening I was
horrified to see a small company of negroes
teen years old, was going to school in
coming up to the house. Mr. M. said at once
Shelbyville, Kentucky, to the well-
that they had heard of the money he had
buried and were after that, but that
known, and much beloved Mrs. Julia A.
HE WOULD DIE
Yevis. My uncle and guardian, who
before he would tell them where it was. He
lived in Desoto County, North Missis-
said he was old anyhow, and did not have
long to live, but the children and I would sippi, finding that I would soon be cut
need it; only he and I knew the place it was
off from him, sent for me, and placed me
in. The negroes marched right into the
house and called for him. He went out and at the State Female College, Memphis,
I heard angry words and loud cursing from
them, andaknew he had refused to tell where
Tennessee.
it was. Presenily they all went out to the When I arrived at Memphis the city
gate and I thought they had compelled him
to tell; but I shuddered the next moment
was wild with excitement and full of
when I saw a great strapping wretch fasten. Confederate soldiers, companies being
ing a rope around the old man's neck. I ran
out and up to the wretches begging them
formed, others drilling, and all anxious
not to hang my husband. Their only answer
to "do or die” for the land they loved.
was: “We hangs him or gits de money," and
kept on fastening the rope, Mr. M. standing || Among the number, was a young soldier
war."
41

322
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
boy from Austin, Mississippi, who took | then under whip and spur was soon out
my heart with him when he left for the of sight.
Army of the Tennessee. Our homes More of the Federals now came up;
were not far from each other, on the the house and yard were filled with
same grand old river, and we had been them. They broke open all the doors
little sweethearts from the time I that were locked, went into the smoke-
was four years old, my aunt having house, took the meat, and threw what
married his father. At that time little they could not use to the dogs, taking
did we think when we told each everything else with them, such as
other good-bye, with tears and promises sugar, coffee, and a few jars of pre-
to be true always, that four long years serves. None of these things could be
would pass ere.we should meet again. replaced, so it was
Not knowing it, he was happy in being
A GREAT LOSS TO US.
able to serve his country, even with his
life, while I was proud of my soldier
Some took the carriage out, and after
lover, and thought him handsome, braye
cutting all the leather and cloth into
and good.
strips, poured a can of turpentine, which
Memphis all the time was a scene of
they found in the carriage-house, all
life and jollity. As one crowd of soldiers
over it preparatory to setting it on fire.
left others came in. All the while closer
While this was going on outside,
and closer came the Federal army to our
others were going all over the house,
beloved city. When it was positively
and into everything, breaking up what
known that Memphis was to be given
they did not want and taking what
up and all the Southern soldiers taken
pleased them. Upon finding no silver
away, the citizens who were able made
they became very angry. The silver had
preparations to go South. All was in
been rolled in a black cloth and placed
confusion, every train of cars was
as far up the chimney as the arm could
crowded with refugees, some leay-
reach. The tea tray being large enough
ing everything they had in the
to go across the chimney it was easy to
world, going out homeless, to be near
secure it there.
While those in the house were looking
LOVED ONES IN THE ARMY.
for the silver, and those in the yard had
I left at this time and went to my
gathered to have the bonfire, the alarm
was given that a large number of South-
uncle's home, thirty miles from the city,
ern soldiers were coming. In a very
where I was as lovingly received as a
few moments the Federals were off,
daughter. I was the first to get there,
but the house was soon filled up with
never waiting to touch a match to the
carriage, and as they left it, so it re-
friends and relatives, two young ladies
mained to the end of the war: only the
among the number. As we were still in
top was taken off so we could use it and
Dixie, and two companies of Confede-
funny enough it looked.
rate soldiers encamped near us, the girls
All the evening we could trace the
had a delightful time going to parties
route taken by the Federals by the
and picnics and taking rides on horse-
smoke from burning gin-houses, the
back.
only thing they burned on that raid.
But this was soon to have an end. As
As the darkness deepened it was quite
yet we had not felt the heavy hand of
cold, and when we left the dining-room
war; now, however, it came in all its
we saw a bright light in the sitting-room,
horror-the lines of our army were
caused by a large fire made in the
drawn farther South, and we were left
room by a man servant we kept about
between the two, belonging to neither.
the yard. When we got in there, the
Raiding parties came out from Memphis
silver was a soft mass in the fireplace.
every few weeks, and took all they
could find; then a crowd of our own
Strange as it seems now, these things
never grieved us, for worse than this
boys would come, and all we could live
was happening every day to others in
without would be given to them,
At one time a Southern soldier came
the loss of loved ones
up to the fence to get some directions.
BY DEATH OR CAPTURE.
My uncle was out talking to him, with About this time I heard that my own
his baby girl in his arms, two small home on the Mississippi River was
boys near him on the fence and a young broken up. It was a beautiful planta-
lady standing by his side, when four or tion, and on it were two hundred of the
five Federal soldiers came suddenly best and most faithful negroes in the
around the bend of the road and fired South, who loved me, as I did them,
directly into the crowd, fortunately with a warm, true affe3tion. So much
hurting no one. The Southern soldier || confidence had my father in them that
turned on them, firing several shots, ll on his death-bed, three years before the

RAVAGES OF THE FEDERALS.'
323
war, ho called them in to tell them || nothing for me, that he thought the
good-bye and told them to take care of "marine fleet”
his wife and child. I will tell you fur-
A DISGRACE TO ANY ARMY.
ther on how well one fulfilled this trust.
On this place was a large three-story I was in Memphis several months and
house, which was finished and furnished could not not go home, the lines being
four years before the war. There were closed. News had been brought that
horses, carriage, buggy and everything Gen. Forest with his troops were on
for comfort, and even luxury, and think their way to the city, but it was not gen-
ing that perhaps something might be erally believed. A few nights later, how-
saved, I went to Memphis with my ever, we could hear strange noises in
uncle in a buggy. When we reached the yard. We crept to the windows and
the city we drove to the house of an el could see men hiding behind the trees
derly widow lady, a cousin, and the one and shrubs. Soon we heard firing all
with whom I had boarded when at school. along the Hernando road, and knew it
My uncle, after getting his supplies, was Forest and his brave men.
went home, leaving me there to see Gen. We dressed ourselves and waited for
Washburn about my place, and to spend them. It could not be long-they were
a while with these cousins, for I was getting nearer-We could tell by the
very fond of them.
firing and yells of the soldiers. As soon
They lived at a lovely place, with a as they were near the back door, it was
large yard filled with flowers and trees. thrown open to them. In the joy of
In front of the yard was a large en seeing them we had forgotten that the
campment of Federal troops, who did front yard was full of their enemies,
all in their power to make themselves firing around the house, it being a line
disagreeable to the people of the place. between the two. Soon all the doors
They would come into the yard and take were opened so that our men could pass
what they wanted, unless a guard was through, and in a short time they were
placed at the house to keep them in possession of the yard.
out. Before my cousin had asked for a Forgetting all danger we ran out in
guard the soldiers would
the midst of the soldiers, where the fight-
COME IN CROWDS
ing: was going on. One of the Southern
officers cried out to us, "For God's sake
to get water from the cistern. They go into the house and shut the doors."
would soon have emptied it, there were We were so excited we really never
so many of them, so the crank was taken knew what we were doing, only feeling
off and brought into the house. They that if our boys were around us we had
demanded it, and, as it was not given to nothing to fear.
them, they were furious, but left, and As we went in a ball crashed through
after a little while came back with a a window near us, burying itself in the
crank made of wood.
wall; others came faster, and we went
They laughed and danced around the into the back rooms that we might be
cistern in great gloe, as they turned the better protected. As the firing grew
wooden crank, looking all around to see more distant, We looked out to find that
if anyone was watching them. They the Confederates had driven all before
could see no one, all the blinds being them on their way out of the city.
closed, but two of us were peeping
through at them. Just as the water be-
AFTER THE FIGHT
gan to pour out, and five or six were we picked up hands full of balls in and
ready with more buckets, the crank l around the house, and two shells in the
broke and we screamed with delight yard. The Memphis ladies, finding that
"good ! good!” They then broke off the | a number of our own men lay dead about
top, so that they could turn the wheel the streets, asked permission to have
with their hands. At this the dear old them buried in Elmwood, that beautitul
lady went out and placing her arms over city of the dead. They were not allowed
the top, wheel and all, told them they to have the bodies removed out of the
dared not touch it, and they did not. streets until that evening. All day long
She thought it best to see Gen. Wash they laid under the hot sun. Warm,
burn and get a guard. I went with her loving friends had to sit still and bear in
to see if he could or would do anything silent pain this knowledge, unable to
to protect my home, or rather the things raise a hand to help them. The next
taken from it. He would not see us, but | day they received permission to bury
referred us to Adjutant-Gen. Morgan. them, and from the grave of Major Lundy
The adjutant-general detailed a soldier | his sister was taken to Alton prison.
as a guard for her, kindly listened to all I was then very anxious to leave Mem -
I could tell him, and said they could do ll phis, but no passes were to be had on

324
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
any of the roads leading from the city.
However, Dr. Owen, a friend of my father,
and a minister, who was going with his
wife to their home, near Austin, on the
Mississippi river, offered to take me
with him. I was delighted to go, for I
could visit my aunt, the stepmother of
the young and brave soldier to whom I
was affianced.
I had heard that they had suffered
severely by the Elliot fleet, the one that
ruined my home, but never did I dream
it could be as bad as I had heard until,
on the arrival of the steamer, I saw but
one bouse where the pretty little town
once stood. Chimneys and blackened
patches of ground told their own story
of sorrow. My old aunt and uncle were
homeless. All the men had been taken
to the boats as prisoners, as soon as the
fleet landed, and the women were told
they had twenty minutes to save what
they could. My uncle's family con-
sisted of his wife, a young married
daughter with two little girls, and a sin-
gle daughter. They were doing all they
could, when
A YOUNG SOLDIER,
hardly more than a boy, came in and
helped them, and when the little three-
year-old girl said to him, "My poor
danma won't have no house to put her
head in,” his eyes filled with tears.
He said he would never, never witness
such a sight again.
The little one asked him for a drink of
water, and he gave it to her, and asko
her to kiss him.
"No!” she said, "I won't tiss you, but
I will pay to God for you.”
He will long be remembered for his
kindness, and he was the only one who
showed any kindness, all the others
stealing what they wanted, then firing
the houses and releasing the owners to
see them burn.
By night the place was a smouldering
ruin, around the embers of which the
men sat and watched the little their
wives and daughters had saved until
morning.
All the women and children were
sheltered in the house that was left, ex-
cept one lady who camped out. She
took a dreadful cold which caused her
death.
The day after Austin was burned Dr.
Owen, who had a lovely home not more
than a half mile from there, gave up his
house to my uncle and moved into a nice
office in the same yard; his wife being
away at the time, he did not need such a
large house. It was with Dr. Owen I
came from Memphis, and at his home I
found these dear friends.
Several days after my arrival, a gen-
tleman on his way from Helena, called,
and learning who I was, told me that a
negro man who claimed to belong to me
was sick several miles off. He had been
trying to get to my uncle's, and from
there to me. We sent for him, and he
proved to be one of the
BEST AND MOST FAITHFUL
of them all. He ran away from the Fed-
eral army at Helena, determined to
find me, and from him I received the
first direct news from my own home. I
asked him to tell me all about it, at
which he said:
"Poor little miss! you ain't got nothin;
the Yankees done took it all.”
He said the carriage, buggy and wag-
ons had been hauled out and thrown in
the river; the horses, mules, corn, meat,
cotton and all the furniture light enough
to carry had been put on the boats; what
they could not take they cut to pieces,
such as the doors, drawers and tops of
bedsteads. After stripping the house and
breaking the glasses out of the windows,
the slats out of the blinds and the locks
off of the doors, they called up the ne-
groes, marched them to the boats, put
the men in the army, and took the
helpless women and children to St.
Louis, when they were turned loose and
told to take care of themselves. As the
boats left the landing they threw shells
at the house until they knocked the
chimneys off. Among a large number
of books they carried off our family
Bible, the only thing which they sent
back. I think they feared to keep such
a good book among such bad men.
After Dick had told me all this, he
said, “Poor chile! you ain't got nobody
but me to take care of you, and as mas-
ter told us all to do it on his dyin' bed
I am goin' to do it," which he did by
hiring himself out and bringing me the
money to live on, although he knew he
was virtually free.
Once Dick went to the plantation and
found a white man living in the house
and working as much of the land as he
wanted to. Dick knew he had moved
there without asking permission, so he
asked him for the rent to bring to me.
The man refused to pay any rent, and
one night
DICK TOOK THE BEST MULE
he had and brought it to me, a distance
of one hundred miles saying, I ought
to have rent on the land, and as the
man would not pay any he took the
mule for rent. It was very hard to get
him to take the mule back to the owner.
At last, however, he did it; but he was
never convinced that it was right. A

RAVAGES OF THE FEDERALS.
325
more faithful friend would be hard to || we could make but slow progress; after
find, although his skin was black.
we crossed Cold Water River, however,
I sent Dick out to the home of my we were in the hills, and the roads were
guardian, I remaining with the dear good. We were enjoying this part of the
friends near where Austin once stood. trip when we saw that a storm was brew-
My uncle, who had been trying to find ing, and being near no house except a lit-
a house to rent, that he might not keep tle hut, and so far from that that we would
his kind friend and his wife any longer have to ride very hard to get there be-
out of their house, found a place nearly fore the rain fell,
a mile back from the river, into which
OFF WE WENT AT A GALLOP,
he moved just before Christmas. Soon
getting there and in as the rain began
very cold weather came, and with it
rain and snow, which beat through the
to pour down. It was a dreadfully
roof and in the windows and doors, mak-
lonely place-one little room, all black-
ing it a very hard life for the dear old
ened with smoke-and we had to move
several times from under the leaks. It
people who had been used to every com-
fort. Even the necessaries of life could
seemed to be the home of two rough-
looking women, one of whom had lost
not be had for love or money; there was
no sugar, coffee or flour in the house;
an ear. The gentleman by talking to
but they stood the trial bravely, for they
them ascertained that in a fight her sis -
were Christians.
ter-in-law bit the ear off.
With us young people the condition
The rain was soon over and gladly we
of affairs made little difference. Every-
left there, arriving safely at the home of
thing looks bright to young eyes, so we
my guardian, where I found several
were never troubled. There were three
changes had taken place since I left
of us in the same house, and we read,
them, five months before. His young
daughter, now a widow with three little
sang and laughed away the hours. On
children, and two nearly grown step-
one occasion a young lady friend came
daughters, had come to live with him,
to see us in a very queer looking spring-
and the family numbered fifteen, all
wagon. We asked her where it came
from and were told that it was a hearse
young people but two. We were madly
with the top taken off. We all took
merry from morning until night.
We soon beard it whispered about that
A RIDE IN THE HEARSE,
the Southern armies were going to sur-
render, but could not believe it. Alas!
with three young gentlemen friends,
it was too true. Late one evening as we
who were at home for a few days on fur-
sat in the firelight there was a knock at
lough, following on horseback, with
the door. One of the girls opened it and
handkerchiefs to their eyes and moan.
invited a soldier to enter. He said he
ing and sobbing as if at a funeral, an-
was from Camp Chase, and had been
swered by bursts of laughter from us,
paroled. He gave the girls messages
not one of us thinking how often aching
from their brother Charlie, who was a
hearts bad followed to the grave the cold,
dead forms lying where we were then
prisoner at the same place. We lit our
lamps, composed of eggshells filled with
sitting. We were not heartless, but
lard, and a soft cotton wick which was
young and gay. If we had thought of
pulled up over one edge to light; these
these sad trips our hearts would have
were placed in goblets filled with meal
been very sorrowful; as it was, we only
so they would not turn over. As the
thought it a ride few in life had taken,
light fell on the soldier there was a glad
and enjoyed it for the novelty connected
cry of
with it. Since then how differently I
view it!
“CHARLIE ! OH! ITS CHARLIE !!!
My visit to these friends had been pro from sisters and mother. Joy now filled
longed for several months. I had waited all hearts, which was soon turned to sor-
for a suitable escort to make a trip by row, alas ! for he brought the news of
land of thirty-five miles, and at last the surrender. Our cause was a lost one,
found an escort in the person of a dear and a dark cloud settled over us.
cousin of my mother's. who loved me But the return of the boys who wore
and was willing to do anything for the the grey soon made our hearts light
child of one who had been as a sister to again, for we wanted to make happy
him. The trip had to be made on horse their short holiday, before they took up
back, as the mud was so deep for ten or life's burdens in earnest, and with wil-
twelves miles that a buggy could not get ling hands and stout hearts worked for
through it, and early one morning the the support of aged fathers and mothers
horses were brought to the door and and young sisters. The boy I loved,
after a tender good-bye, we started.
then only 22, left his father in a pretty
At first the roads were very bad, and I home practicing law, and found him

326
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
working in the field to feed and clothe il able things, to a place deemed perfectly
his dear old wife and little daughter. || safe. Thus it came to pass that our city
He went to work with his father, and was really a grand art gallery as well as
before the year was out we were married, a treasure house for the persecuted chil-
those so dear to both of us making their dren of our State. Renowned paintings
home with us, where we tried to shield || by world-revered artists, valuable pieces
them from every sorrow. Our dear of sculpture, besides hundreds of family
father has gone to a brighter land, and portraits were carefully treasured, as in
his sweet old wife only waits her Father's an ark of safety
call to join him there.
Alas! for the uncertainty of earthly
My husband and I have spent nearly hopes! The news of Sherman's steady
nineteen happy years together, and had advance brought grave anxiety to the
but few sorrows. As we look back at thousands of helpless women, who hay-
those four years of war, we think it has ing with loyal trust armed fathers, hus-
taught us, among other goods lessons, bands, sons, and even beardless boys,
self-denial and patience, and we find - for the defence of their country, awaited
in prayerful hope the issue. Many
“There is many a rose in the road of life,
thought Columbia So unavailing as a
If we would but stop to take it;
And many a tone from the better land,
strategic point, that an experienced
If the querulous heart would maake it.
general would not deviate from his line
To the sunny soul that is full of hope,
of march to make war upon women and
And whose beautiful trust ne'er faileth; children--nevertheless, to be prepared
The grass is green and the flowers are bright,
for any contingency, the various depart-
Though the winter storm prevaileth.”
ments transferred articles of value to
"It is better to weave in tbe web of life
some more remote spot. As horrible
A bright and golden filling,
rumors of the violence and unscrupu-
And do God's work with a ready heart
lous acts of the soldiery in Georgia
And hands that are prompt and willing,
reached us, all mothers who could pos-
Than to snap the delicate minute threads
Of our curious lives asunder,
sibly send their young daughters far
And then blame heaven for the tangled ends, away from what was presumed would
And sit and grieve and wonder."
be the line of march, gladly availed
themselves of the kind invitations of
distant friends. The probability of rail-
roads being destroyed and the surround-
No. 56. Fighting Fair Women.
ing country devastated by the approach-
ing army induced many prudent house-
(By Old Dominion, of Columbia, 8. C.)
wives to fill their storerooms with
everything in the shape of provisions
The winter of 1864 found the beautiful which could be obtained. Not only
Capital of our State teeming with an
were immense households dependant
upon such supplies, but our poor. sick
overflowing population, Refugees had and wounded soldiers, who filled our
been driven from their ruined, desolated crowded hospitals and depots, stretched
homes all along the coast of the State by IMPLORING HANDS TO THE WOMEN
ruthless invasion. The lower portion
for sustenance and help. How faith-
of Carolina had long been the cherished fully, and with what entire self-sacri-
home of a large proportion of her sons, fice that help was daily given, only He
the extreme fertility of soil, the rich
knows who enabled the widow of
Sarepta to give her last loaf to the
tropical luxuriance of fruits aud flowers,
Prophet, with what seemed the certainty
the lovely sites for homes, often com of death to her son and herself.
manding fine views of bays and rivers, Our country had been so exhausted by
having from the first settlement of the
war, blockade, and the constant de.
mands of our own army that luxuries
province induced men of wealth and
had long been abandoned. The utmost!
culture to make this favored land an care and ingenuity had to be exercised
abiding home. Besides the many who
to extract from plain, coarse food, deli.
sought refuge in Columbia because in-
cate nourishment for the sick. Again
and again, in those days, just as a hun-
satiable war had bereft them of lands,
gry family were seating themselves at a
houses and goods, those who dreaded meal a messenger would announce that
the onward progress of the Federal
so many soldiers had just arrived with-
out provisions and would have to leave
army were glad to transfer their house-
in a very short time. In a moment the
hold gods, silver, jewels and other valu- ll entire meal would be sent to our fam-

FIGHTING FAIR WOMEN.
327
ishing soldiers, with scarce a regret for rection of Columbia. At first it was
our own needs.
presumed that, as usual, only the pub-
Thus the weeks so fraught with cares lic buildings would be destroyed; but
and anxieties to aching hearts passed. .soon the increasing glare and glow
At length came thenever-to-be-forgotten showed too truly that
month of February 1865. The news con-
THE CITY WAS IN FLAMES.
stantly received of the advance of Sher-
man's army, the passing of our own
After three days of toilsome travel
troops who were evacuating the lower
we reached the shelter of a kind friend's
country, added daily to the depressing
house in Lancaster. My husband that
forebodings and anxieties. Finally, on
night buried our trunk and box of valu-
the 16th the enemy reached the west
ables and left us to join his command.
bank of the river, and commenced shell-
A few days of rest and careful nursing
ing the city, the conspicuous yellow
of our invalid followed. Then came
flags marking the sites of hospitals,
-rumors of the approach of the enemy
where our poor wounded and stricken
and we were soon informed that they
soldiers lay sick and dying, being se-
had reached the Catawba and were mak-
lected as fitting targets.
ing pontoon bridges to enable them to
On the evening of that day, the last
cross the river.
train from Charleston, bearing Gen.
At daylight on the morning of the 22d
Beauregard and his staff came in.
or 23d my aged mother was engaged in
her devotions, her room being down-
My son, one of that
stairs. In a moment, her arms were
GALLANT BAND OF CITADEL CADETS seized by rough soldiers who exclaimed:
who bravely fought at Tulifinny swamp,
“Get up old woman, praying will do
was seen by Gen, Beauregard's son,
you no good now, for Sherman's bum-
mers are upon you !
stretched helpless and ill, on the plat-
Her gold spectacles were torn from her
form at - Young Beauregard imme-
eyes, her pocket rified, her bureau, va-
diately petitioned his father to rescue
lise and dressing-table stripped of every
his classmate, and my son was taken to
article of value or comfort.
the hospital, whence Surgeon P. sent
Hearing the noise, we ran to her and
him to me with this advice: "If possi-
found the soldiers all over the house,
ble, remove your son from the city.
engaged in their work of pillage and de-
The hospitals have been under fire all
struction. We supported the trembling,
day, and we are informed that the butch-
terrified old lady up-stairs, where we
ery of every Confederate soldier will at-
had left our children, and in a few mo-
tend the entry of the army."
ments the noise of many feet on the
About 10 o'clock that night a recon-
stairs and the oaths and threats of men
noitering party of Hampton's men came
warned us that our trial approached. A
in, and relatives who were with them
lovely little girl of six years, who had
urged our speedy departure. Prepara-
treasured her pet doll and a cake of sweet
tions, therefore, were at once made.
soap, (a great luxury in those days,)
A bed was arranged in the carriage for
during all her journey, sprang out of
our poor boy, ill with pneumonia. My
bed, seized her treasures, and, childlike,
mother, sister and three little children
darted under the bed for refuge.
prepared to accompany us. Besides the
The same disgusting scene of pillage
medicines, stimulants and concentrated
and violence was occurring in the room
nourishnient for our son, we took only
as had happened below. At length one
changes of clothing. our trunk of silver
of the men approached the bed, and
and a very valuable box of jewels, in-
finding it warm, in dreadful language
trusted to our keeping by a friend. As
accused us of harboring and concealing
we left our comfortable home at two
a wounded Rebel, and swore he would
o'clock, that bleak February morning,
have his heart's blood! He stooped to
whose day and night were to witness
look under the bed, and seeing
such horrors, my husband handed the
keys to my faithful maid, saying, "Move
THE LITTLE WHITE FIGURE
your family at once into the house. Use crouching in a distant corner, caught
all of its stores in any way you think her by one rosy little foot and dragged
best for the preservation of the house. her forth. The child was too terror-
Should none of us return, it will be stricken to cry, but clasped her
yours,"
little baby and her soap fast to the
Our invalid was so exhausted that we throbbing little heart. The man
were obliged to stop for rest and refresh wrenched both from her and thrust the
ment about twenty miles from home, little one away with such violence that
and at 12 o'clock that night our attention she fell against the bed.
was directed to the lurid sky in the di- |! Having searched every nook and cor-

328
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ner, ripped up the bedding, tore up the in then said, "the General wishes to speak
carpet, and taking whatsoever they to one of the ladies of the house."
listed, from a woman's thimble and My sister went down stairs with him.
scissors to gold watches, they turned to The General and staff were seated around
enter my son's room. I stood in the the fire, with their boots off, No one
door and asked for their officer, and arose as she entered, and after a moment
when he appeared I represented to she asked, who wished to speak to her.
him the extreme illness of my son, of "I do," replied Gen. Atkins; "take a
fered to hand them everything in the
seat.”
room, save the bed, and in the name of She found a chair and obeyed.
humanity requested that they would He then questioned and cross-ques-
not snap the slender thread of life by a tioned her as to
noisy and violent entrance into the sick
HAMPTON'S FORCE,
room.
“I can promise nothing," he replied,
position, stores in Columbia, railroads,
"Every restraint is removed from our
roads and bridges. Finally, her evasive
men in South Carolina. I will try to
answers or dignified refusal to reply,
exhausted bis patience.
get them to go in one at a time, but that
6You know less than any woman I
room must be searched."
ever saw," he said, but all this will
Accordingly, they entered, sometimes
one, sometimes two. Invariably they
not avail to save you. Our forces are
went first to the bed, and with threaten-
throughout the length and breadth of
ing curiosity peered into the pale beard-
your State. We shall soon see the proud
women of Carolina, as those of Georgia,
less face of my boy. The room was
with tears in their eyes, begging crusts
robbed of every particle of stimulant
and nourishment, save what my faith-
from our men for their famishing chil-
ful old nurse had concealed about her
dren. O, it was glorious to see such a
sight! Now Hampton takes no pris-
person,
Besides the pillage of everything of
oners. We take none! I saw eighteen
this morning with their throats cut."
value or comfort, for two days and until
My sister interrupted him.
10 o'clock at night we were subjected to
successive bands of these marauders.
“My God, sir,” she exclaimed, "why
do you tell me these things?"
They uttered many threats of burning
"Because you women keep up this
the house and swore
war! We are fighting you! Now what
VIOLENCE TO ITS INMATES.
right have you to expect anything from
On the third day towards evening, a
Upon this her terror gave way to
large number of well-appointed cavalry
indignation and she rose to her full
rode into the yard. In a few moments
height.
fencing and outhouses were torn down
I expect nothing, sir," she said,
and evident preparations were made for
proudly, “but one thing I will have. I
a camp. Our servants informed us
that the house would that night be made
demand of you, a general in the service
of a civilized country, protection from
headquarters for an officer of rank and
insult this night! I demand that a suf-
his staff, and Gen. Atkins and staff soon
ficient guard be placed at the foot of the
came to the house.
stairs to preventintrusion upon a party
We hoped for rest and quiet, but the
of helpless women and children, from
General's answer to our request for a
whom your men have taken every article
guard was the same as that of his officers.
of food and almost of clothing."
Soon after his arrival, however, he sent
Upon this he smiled in the most
his surgeon to visit the sick boy. The
amused manner and said, “Well, be it
surgeon asked what was his disease?
How long he had been sick? Where
He then asked the same questions rela-
he came from? Why we left Columbia ?
tive to our invalid the surgeon had pro-
Had he ever served in the regular army?
His age and other questions. To the
pounded.
last two questions I replied, saying, "he
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
is 18 years old; a State Cadet, and has My sister returned to us flushed and
never served in any other capacity." excited, saying, “We are in the den of
The surgeon said, he was too feeble the lion: nothing but the mighty power
and needed stimulant, and asked why I of God can save us."
had not supported him?
Soon afterwards there was a knock at
"Because your men have taken every- | the door and the General's cook came in
thing from us," I answered.
with a tray of flour, a plate of coffee and
"I will send him stimulants and food l a bag of dried fruit for the ladies.
when the wagon comes,” he rejoined, and ll During the day, when the soldiers were
us."
so.”

FIGHTING FAIR WOMEN.
329
rifling the smoke-house, and killing all || his life, was a sad wreck. It stood in
the poultry, pigs, &c., two North the back yard, shorn of its curtains, its
western men, who seemed to feel some cushions all gone, its polished sides
pity, brought us several pieces of bacon, wounded and torn, its silver mountings
saying, "For God's sake, ladies, hide wrenched off-to Daddy Lewis "a solemn
this. They will not leave you a mouth mark of the frailty of human greatness”
ful of food." So we felt quite rich with which drew tears from his eyes.
such a store of provisions.
During all this time the rains had de-
Soon afterwards we heard the guard scended heavily, almost without inter-
placed at the foot of the stairs. Our ruption, the pitiful heavens seeming to
faithful servants stretched themselves weep unavailingly over the calamities of
across our doorways, and we ventured our devoted State. The roads became
to get mother and the children to bed. almost impassable from the mud, which
We were too excited for sleep or repose. the passing of heavy army wagons ren-
The terrors of that night, God only dered daily deeper and more tenacious,
knows. We were not intruded upon. Bridges were swept away by the swollen
but the agonized fear of my boy being streams, and thus the left wing of the
murdered before my eyes next morning, great army was delayed, and for nearly
wrung my heart. “We take no pris two weeks companies and squads of men
oners." "I saw eighteen with their continued to pass through our premises.
throats cut,” rang in my ears and seemed One evening about dusk our servant
graven in letters of fire before my eyes. handed me a little crumpled bit of
If he was spared, I determined to ask a brown paper. I recognized my hus-
written protection for him.
band's writing, and read: "I have come
The next morning I sent and requested safely through the enemy's lines; am
an interview with
concealed a mile from your house; at
GEN. ATKINS.
what hour will it be safe to see you?''
“Come between 11 and 12 o'clock," I
He came to the foot of the stairs fresh
from his toilet and entirely changed
wrote. “You will be safe in the house
in manner from the previous night.
until daybreak.”
"I will write a protection for the house
WITH INTENSE ANXIETY
and you ladies, which will be respected
as long as my men are passing,'' he said,
we awaited the hour, every noise, every
after I had addressed him. “My sol-
shot, causing terrified apprehension. At
diers represented to me yesterday that length he came.,
you had a Rebel soldier concealed feign-
"I have come,” he said, "to take our
ing sickness. I sent my surgeon up,
son through the lines. His life is in
determined to take him this morning. jeopardy so long as a single soldier of
The surgeon confirms the statements of this army remains in the country. I
you ladies relative to him. His being a
have brought brandy, powerful stimu-
Cadet has saved his life. Several of my
lants and nourishment.” Weimmedi-
officers were guarded between Charles ately began giving to our boy strong
ton, Florence and Macon by Cadets last
food and brandy, and towards morning
summer. They met with so much kind-
he was so revived that his father began
ness and courtesy at their hands that
dressing him. Our dear old nurse,
we gladly avail ourselves of every op-
whose extraordinary increase in size
portunity to return their civility. Your
had amused us all, now produced from
Cadet will not be molested by any of the recesses of her person a wonderful
my people. I regret that under much
array of flannels, woollen socks, &c., &c.
aggravation I used last evening such
His cadet uniform had been carefully
roughness towards you. Send at once
sewed up in a cushion, upon which one
and gather up all the provisions wasted
of us always sat. Thus he was com-
in this camp. They will last you a long
fortably clad for the dark damp night.
time. Good morning.”
My husband promised if they escaped
He left a guard as well as the paper of to send a messenger to announce the
protection, but the guard left abruptly
fact, who should reach us early the next
at 1 o'clock, learning from a courier
afternoon, and they then departed
that
guarded by a faithful negro, who knew
HAMPTON WAS COMING.
where the sentries were posted.
The next day wore slowly away; then
Nothing could exceed the despair and
the afternoon and night, and not until
indignation of our old family coachman noon of the third day did the messenger
after the raiders left. For besides the
bring
loss of his darling blooded horses, which
GLAD TIDINGS OF THEIR ESCAPE.
be openly professed to love better than
his wife, the family coach, the pride of || They had been seen, fired upon and
42

330
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
were compelled to make a large detour || descent. There was no stopping his un-
to avoid parties of the enemy.
broken steeds, however. In a moment
After this time the days wore slowly they plunged into the deep, rapid stream,
away. The corn gathered was labor The water rushed through the carriage
and the little mule's ears alone were
hominy for the children. For ourselves visible. He was
SWIMMING FOR LIFE,
the tough outer skin, and then for many
hours in pure water, so that it became a but not one inch could the creatures
coarse kind of big hominy. The little move the carriage. Accordingly the
store of tea, coffee and sugar had long other team was brought, and as on many
been exhausted. Our kind servants succeeding occasions, the four managed
were untiring in their efforts to serve
us, but not a drop of milk could be ob the dashing, foaming stream. We
tained for the young children. Mills reached the house of a kind relative,
who had escaped devastation, met our
killed, railroads torn up and bridges dear son, and for a few days enjoyed a
gone.
haven of rest and refreshment.
At last we learned the troops had all Having heard from Columbia that our
passed, and wo breathed freely. A few own home had escaped the flames we
days afterwards my husband returned resolved to return at once to our stricken
with horses, borrowed from a friend, de-
city and friends, and with substantial
termined to remove us from this deso aid. in the shape of provisions from our
lated country. He and the servants friends, we began the journey home.
worked indefatigably upon the much Nothing could exceed the depressing
abused carriage, and, with the aid of effects of that journey. All along the
strong white oak-trace-chains and ropes, road, as far as the eye could reach, gaunt
it was rendered fit for use. Some chimneys reared their blackened forms,
scraps of india rubber cloth found about where smiling happy homes had stood.
the camps aided to make curtains, and Slaughtered cattle of every kind festered
corn bags were tacked up when that sup on all sides. But the brave Southern
ply was exhausted. The same sacks heart was still true to its noble instincts
filled with straw, or our scanty clothing, of hospitality. Never were we refused
covered the bare seats. Behold the two shelter. At the humblest hut we were
carriages
welcome.
"I have no food, but such as I have
READY FOR THE JOURNEY!
give I thee,'" was invariably our greet-
Mounted on the lofty dickey of the
ing.
parti-colored family coach sat our faith We had repeatedly the pleasure of
ful and once-dignified coachman. His
dividing our stores with these
crown knocked in, surmounted his grey
FAMISHING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
locks. His dress was composed of a At last we reached the long, red hills
Yankee overcoat, military pantaloons of Fairfield. The manner in which our
sadly the worse for wear--and a huge old coachman was forced by his illy-
pair of cavalry boots. He held, as if matched team and ill-fitting harness to
perforce, a pair of rope reins to guide the descend those hills, cannot be re-called
without excessive amusement. He would
shuck collar, and trace chains on the always begin the descent with much
right, and the rough unbroken little preparation and dignity. holding as tight
mule on the left likewise caparisoned. reins upon his team as their wriggling
On one side of the dashboard was a bag bodies would permit. But about half
of corn, on the other a sack of bacon. way down they would escape from some
We had no luggage, for the soldiers had of the chains, and as fast as they could
carried off all our silver, jewels and run would dash to the bottom. The corn
clothes.
sack would fly out on one side, the bacon
Thus equipped, we began the journey. and flour on the other. Then, when
My husband went before to sound the fairly down, the mules would stand
depth of mud and streams and the car breathless, and the groans of their driver,
riages laboriously followed. We finally as he sat with the reins in his hands and
reached a much swollen creek with a all the harness on the ground, his ex-
most abrupt descent. Our adventurous pression of wounded dignity and intense
coachman thought he could get across, contempt, may be imagined; they can
but, to prevent the carriage running too never be described. At last our perils
rapidly upon his untried mules, he by flood and field came to an end and
locked one wheel to make the precipitous ll we approached

TWO FAIR SENTINELS.
331
OUR DESOLATE HOME.
city of Lexington, Rockbridge County,
Virginia, a place that has become so
The few houses left were affording
closely associated with the history of the
shelter to many houseless ones, so we
great civil struggle that some trifling
could only obtain two rooms in our own
description of it may not be altogether
house. We found, although she could
out of place. Since its foundation, now
not prevent the sacking of our house,
upwards of a century ago, up to the
our loyal servant had preserved our
present day there has scarcely been a
home. With wonderful courage and
period in which Lexington has not fig-
tact she met the officers when they en-
ured in the history of Virginia Beau-
tered the city, represented that she had
tifully situated on the banks of North
such comfortable quarters for them that
River, surrounded by wooded hills,
she soon filled every room with officers.
blessed with pure and abundant water, a
She provided for them abundantly with
healthful and bracing atmosphere, in the
all the house contained, only stipulating
heart of a thrifty, prosperous region,
that the house should not be burned.
Lexington early attracted the attention
Several times it was fired and extin-
of the Executive, and Gen. Washington.
guished by her efforts and entreaties.
recognizing the greatness of its natural
The trials and privations of that memo-
advantages, moved here and firmly and
rable summer may not be recalled.
finally established the institution of
They were cheerfully, uncomplainingly
learning which bears his name.
borne for the sake of our brave men
Years after the Military Institute also
who, with breaking hearts, realized the
was located in Lexington, and she be-
"Lost Cause."
came the alma mater of learning in the
"Let the dead past bury its dead."
South. Here the gallant sons of Vir-
ginia and her sister States for genera-
tions received the training, both mental
No. 57.-Two Fatr Sentinels.
and physical, which enabled them to
bear themselves right bravely in forum
and on tented field; and here, like-
(By M. G. McC., of Nelson County, Va.)
wise, many of them learned in later
days, from contemplation of a noble
I must preface the distressing tale I Christian life, the resignation and for-
bearance, the generosity and proud hu-
have to relate with the candid acknowl-
mility with which adversity may be
edgment that the experience is none of borne.
mine. The story, true in every particu-
BEAUTIFUL LEXINGTON!
lar, came to me from a sister of my
fair, still and tranquil amid the soft en
father's, who was for many years a resi-
circlement of yerdure-clad hills, gray
dent of Rockbridge County, was inti and hoary, and worn with memories
mately acquainted with all the actors in and traditions, the houses mossed thick
the drama, and whose own husband took
with legends of the past, thy narrow,
rugged streets bringing back the echo
part in the final scene. My aunt is
of the steps of giants who have trod
rather a matter-of-fact woman and would thy causeways, thy churches, scarred by
not, I feel convinced, knowingly exag the hand of time and man, still filled
gerate a single incident of the sad trag-
with the memory of Jackson and of
Lee, thy colleges abounding in the
edy, and heaven knows that the baldest,
records of the men who have honored
most unvarnished statement of the facts themselves and thee, and thy sacred
is pitiful enough to need no upholster-
burying ground, within whose hallowed
ing, nor trick of language, to make it go
precincts is garnered all that is noblest
of a lost but unforgotten cause-- we bow
straight to the heart,
at thy shrine and hold thee blessed among
I cannot relate it perhaps as graphi the cities of the South
cally as my aunt does, having as I have Among the leading people of Lexing-
already stated, the disadvantage of not
ton from time immemorial the family
being an eye-witness, but I will do my of W— have held a conspicuous posi-
best. After all it was more a misfor tion. There have been W- 's in Lox-
tune than a fault to have grown up since ington ever since the place was big
the close of the war and to have been enough to support a W— ; and they
unable to share the trials, hopes, suffer have been always respected, liked and
ings, anxieties and vicissitudes of those looked up to by the community. The
eventful four years.
particular family of W- , with whom
The scene of my story is the little hill Il we have to concern ourselves, consisted

332
OUP. WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in the year of grace 1864 of a widowed
mother, several daughters and one son,
a rather wild young fellow named
Matthew
"Mat?' W-, as he was commonly
called, was in good truth a bright,
manly sort of fellow, very popular
among young and old, very kind-hearted
and full of fun and frolic. The gravest
and worst of Mat's faults he shared with
hundreds of his age and social standing
in all parts of the country. He was a
little too fond of a glass, and when
drunk, like many a better man, was apt
to make a fool of himself. A few
months before the June of '64 Mat took
unto himself
A SWEET YOUNG WIFE
and joyfully set up an establishment of
his own; not far removed, however, from
the parent neste
When Hunter made his. celebrated
raid through the Valley of Virginia in
the summer of 1864, swooping down like
a night hawk from Staunton, Mat W-
with many of the Lexington boys,
was with McCausland's command. Hav-
ing timely notice of the enemy's move-
ments, McCausland crossed the James
River to the Lexington side and de-
stroyed the bridge, thus securing to
himself valuable time in which to effect
his retreat. There had been some skir-
mishing all during the retreat, »ut no
regular fighting, and the bridge was
fired without a particle of opposition.
The Confederates rested several hours
in Lexington before continuing their
retreat, and the soldiers whose home it
was embraced the opportunity of seeing
their families and procuring such no.
cessaries as were obtainable with eager-
ness, Matthew W- most unfortunately
stopped along with a mob of soldiers
near the Courthouse and got to drinking
with them and discussing the incidents
of the retreat and the burning of the
bridge. Astheindifferent liquor mounted
to his brain he commenced boasting in
very bombastic style of the number of
Union soldiers he had sent to their last
account the day before, Samson with his
tens of thousands of victims to a jaw-
bone being evidently, in Mat's estima-
tion, a puny weakling compared with
himself. His companions observing his
condition, in a reckless spirit of mis-
chief egged him on to wilder and wilder
accounts of his exploits by a cunningly
simulated disbelief in his prowess.
Apart sat two quiet-looking men, in
worn gray uniforms, who took little
part in the scene, and were apparently
utterly uninterested spectators of it.
Afterwards it was discovered that
THEY WERE FEDERAL SPIES,
and that not a word or a look escaped
them.
How many Yanks did you make
bite the dust, Mat?" inquired a tall,
rollicking fellow, refilling poor W.'s
already too frequently emptied glass.
"Seven," hiccoughed Mat, thickly,
seven d--- Yankees, as sure as you
are a living man. I picked 'em off as
fast as popping partridges; bowled 'em
over like nine-pins; blamed if I didn't.”
Whereabouts was all that carnage,
Mat?' queried another soldier, incredu-
lously. "I was right there myself all
the time, and I didn't see a sign of it.”
"Just beyond the bridge, in that big
clump of trees, outside of Mr. C 's
yard, replied Mat, adding with the ob-
stinacy born of intoxication, "I did
shoot 'em, sir! shot 'em all-own-
hand."
"All right, old fellow," cried the first
speaker as he prepared to depart, “we'll
just stick you in the rear when old
Hunter presses too close upon our track.
It'll save a battery."
“Is that true? inquired one of the
quiet men indifferently. "I was in the
van myself and didn't see any fighting.
Were seven Yankee's really killed ?"
“No, not a bit of it,” replied one of the
men.
"I was right alongside Mat
W all
the time, and there wasn't a blessed
Yank in sight. Mat always talks tall
and wades in gore when he is drunk.
He'll beggar St. Bartholomew if you
give him whiskey enough. Liquor al-
ways bloodies his discourse, although or-
dinarily he is the sweetest tempered man
alive. Sober, Mat wouldn't hurt a fly
in cold blood-nor drunk either, for that
matter, for all his top-lofty talk.”
POOR ILL-FATED MAT,
confused by his potations and guided
only by instinct, reeled quietly home to
his wife, who put him to bed and suffered
his regiment to depart without him, re-
joicing doubtless, poor soul, that acci-
dent, even such accident as this, had
preserved her husband to her for a few
days or hours longer.
On the 10th of June the Federal forces
entered Lexington, and one of the first
orders given was one for the arrest of
Mat W— It was well-known that he
was still in the town, that when the gal-
lant Greys marched away poor Mat was
utterly incapable of accompanying them,
so that the bird was safely in the fowler's
net. The Federal spies had been keenly
alive to all Confederate movements, and
they were positive that their man had
not left his house.

TWO FAIR SENTINELS.
333
it.
The detachment sent to make the ar- || olute look and gleaming bayonets, and
rest had no difficulty in carrying out the specious voice of the captain of the
their orders; first, from the fact that guards, going over the same promises,
Mat's wits were still somewhat scattered, repeating again and again the same as-
from the effects of his frolic; and second, surances of safety. As they hurried him
from the earnest desire he evinced to away at last Mat hastily placed his
shield his wife and make light of the watch, ring and shirt buttons in his
arrest before her, his solo idea being to mother's hand, bidding her in a hoarse
reassure her and treat the whole occur whisper carry the watch to his wife with
rence as a matter of course. Wildly she his undying love.
clung to him, clasping him frantically and
entreating him not to leave her, to stay In an old-fashioned country house near
with her.” She could only be induced the site of the burned bridge lived two
to unclasp her arms and let him go by young ladies of the name of C-
the most positive assurances on the part They were sisters; bright, clever, attrac-
of the commanding officer of the guard tive girls, brave and high-spirited, for
that
they had been reared in a time which
NO HARM SHOULD BEFALL HIM
called forth every power of mind and
body, sharpened every faculty and ren-
worse than having to take the oath, or
dered courage and endurance absolutely
suffer some slight imprisonment in the
second nature. Southern women of this
event of refusal. Nothing serious could
generation have been drilled in a severe
result from the arrest, they affirmed.
school; they have been born and nurtured
Not one word was breathed of the
in adversity, they have known suffering
slaughter of the seven imaginary Yan-
and privation, met poverty, war and
kees, not the faintest allusion made to
death with heroic fortitude, and like
the burning of the James River bridge,
silver tried in the furnace of earth, they
or any of the events of the late retreat,
and it is needless to say that all recol-
have been purified and ennobled.
Around the home of my two heroines
lection of his silly boasting had van-
the Federal troops were encamped for
ished from Mat's mind, evaporated with
days, burning the fences for firewood,
the fumes of the liquor that engendered
destroying the out-buildings, making
Leaving his wife at length somewhat
away with portable property and dis-
organizing all domestic and plantation
quiet and reassured, building largely on
life. There was not a white man on the
the officer's promises and fully per-
place, and the young ladies were vir-
suaded that after some few forms were
tually the sole persons in authority. But
gone through her husband would be al-
they were not afraid. Bold in the
lowed to return to her, Mat accompanied
might of
his captors silently. He was not at all
comfortablein his mind, and was haunted
THEIR INNOCENT WOMANHOOD
with a strange presentiment of coming
evil. He had dissembled bravely before
they defied even ruffians to molest or
harma them, and personally they were
his wife, and apparently put unlimited
safe even from rudeness.
confidence in the officer's words, but
The Federal main body had passed
down in the recesses of his own heart
was none of the confidence he professed
the river and gone on into Lexington,
leaving only a detachment to guard the
to her, and almost unconsciously he
braced himself for what might come to
crossing, but the usual stragglers which
hover like buzzards in the vicinity of
him. He was fully aware that in the
every armed force infested the country
event of his refusal to take the oath
and made it unsafe for people, particu-
death or a long imprisonment awaited
him, and he knew that he meant to re-
larly women, to walk abroad much.
One afternoon, during the Federal oc-
fuse.
Their way led past his mother's door,
cupation of Lexington, the girls noticed
from their window a party of Yankee
and as they neared the spot old Mrs. W.,
soldiers cross the river and approach the
who had been informed of her son's ar-
rest, rushed into the street and clasped
house, marching in a solid squad, and
with the resolute air of men bent on
him in her arms, while the sisters gath-
serious business. Entering a clump of
ered around him weeping. It was
trees near the house the ranks opened,
A PITIFUL SCENE,
and the sisters, watching every move-
the women with streaming eyes and ment with strained attention, saw that
wringing hands, the brave young fellow they had a prisoner among them.
holding back his own emotion fiercely Swiftly the final, deadly preparations
that he might soothe and comfort them; || were made, every man moving as part
the file of dark coated soldiers, with res. Il of a horrible machine of death. Forcing

334
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
their prisoner down on his knees with || heart, and breast, and shoulders, his
his back against one of the trees, two life blood in a pool on the ground at
soldiers bound him there securely. their feet. Nothing to be done, save to
Then some order was given, seven care for the poor remains. One of the
men detached themselves from the girls bent and tried to unfasten the
rest and ranged themselves in front cord that bound him to the tree, but the
of their victim. with muskets raised and weight of the body against the rope
levelled at his breast. With bated breath strained on the knots and made it im-
and sickening hearts the involuntary possible. Some soldiers passed along
spectators clasped each other spasmodi the road, paused a moment and regarded
cally as they gazed. The officer ad them suspiciously; a dark shadow
vanced. raised his hand and gave the skimmed slowly along the ground. back
word. Seven shots rang out in a thun and forth, back and forth, telling of
dering peal, which the cliffs on either birds of prey hovering near.
side of the river caught and echoed and Gravely the brave girls consulted over
re-echoed with weird, deadly reverbera the dire emergency. They could not
tion. Then the seven actors in
move the body-iudeed they dared not,
THE HIDEOUS DRAMA
there was no telling what vengeance
fell quietly into ranks again, and with
might overtake any one, rash enough to
interfere in such a matter; equally cer-
scarcely a glance around the party of
tain it was they could not leave the
avengers of an imaginary crime turned
corpse of their friend alone through the
silently away from the scene of a real
awful night, alone in the silent wood
one.
For moments that appeared hours-
where not even the majesty of death
years in their awful intensity-the girls
would protect it from foul beasts of
stood staring into each other's blanched
prey.
Clasping each others hands tightly the
face with terrified eyes. What did it
noble girls arranged their plans. They
mean? Was it a military execution, a
would watch beside the dead themselves,
deserter or a spy shot? The distance
through the night, guarding it from
was too great, the shock of the whole
harm; alternately they would undertake
scene too tremendous for them to notice
the color of the prisoner's uniform, and
the vigil and keep guard, hoping, pray-
ing that with the morning would come
indeed before the full realization of the
deadiy import of the scene had come to
assistance.
And bravely, firmly, these noble
othem the deed was done.
women carried through their self-ap-
But why were their grounds selected
pointed task. keeping watch not only
for the execution ? Asickening con-
that one night, but all through the next
viction that there was more in this than
day and the night following, for they
met the eye seized both sisters. They
must, they would fathom the awful
could get no one to help them remove
the corpse to the house. Fancy those
mystery. Shivering with dread, yet
unable to remain supine, the girls
hours in the dark, in the night,
turned from the window without a word
ALONE BESIDE THE DEAD,
and walked straight out to the scene of
the tragedy.
with a hostile camp filled with rough
Nearing the spot, the first shock was
soldiers near by, with the ever present
the discovery that the dead man was a
terror of insult, the dread lest they
Southerner, for the torn, blood-sodden
should have to abandon their task from
uniform was the well-loved grey. This
fatigue before help should come; the
was a friend, then, who had been slain
constant vigilance necessary to keep at
at their very door. The body had fallen
bay all beasts of prey-and then remem-
slightly forward, the head drooped to-
ber that the deed was performed by two
wards the breast. Gently one of the
young girls, tender, delicately nurtured,
girls lifted the gray cap from the cold,
carefully guarded from every rough
white forehead, stooping so as to obtain
wind, and uncover reverently to the
a good view of the set face.
noble courage which sustained them in
A friend! This was more than a
their fearful undertaking.
friend; this man foully murdered be-
On the third day the enemy's camp
fore their very eyes was a neighbor, an
was struck, and after nearly four days'
old companion, a boy who had grown up
occcupation the Federal troops with-
beside them, played with them, ridden
drew. As soon as all danger was over,
with them, borne arms in their defence.
one of the brave girls, leaving her sis-
ter in charge, went into Lexington and
“OH THE PITY OF IT, THE PITY OF IT!”
told her story to the first white man she
And now what was to be done? The met. A party was collected as soon as
poor fellow was dead; seven bullets in Il possible and proceeded out to the C-

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL-HOUSE.
335
farm where the body of poor Mat W mind is ever filled with ideas of impend-
was found still bound to the tree in the || ing calamity and whose last look at
position in which he had received his night and first in the morning is to see
death wounds. Sadly and quietly a lit-
if everything is safe, or if the enemy is
tle procession formed and bore the body approaching.
of the ill-fated young man back to the I shall never forget the occasion of the
home of his childhood, and the follow first Northern troops passing through
ing day loving hands laid him gently to our village. I had heard our family and
rest in the beautiful old cemetery.
the neighbors talk of the Yankees,” in
And for the two noble girls who so fact there was little else even thought of
bravely fulfilled a trust thrown suddenly in those days among us. Several miles
upon them, words of commendation are from us they had shot two "Rebels"
too poor. They can best be recompensed who had unhappily fallen into their
by the unvoiced admiration which rises hands and this had been the subject of
spontaneously in the heart at the thought great indignation and much talk, and
of their courage and faithfulness.
childlike I had come to regard the “Yan-
kees” as monsters bearing some sem-
blance to humanity, possibly, but of a
No. 58.--The Village School-house. different type and related to the
GIANTS AND OGRES OF MY FAIRY TALES.
(By Louisa Lewis, of Norfolk, Va.)
We were all in the village school-house,
or academy, as it was pretentiously
The war! What memories sweep over called, fifteen or twenty children and
us at the mere sound of that word! And
our teacher, a young lady who was a
mere girl herself, and suddenly there
at any allusion to an event which took
came into our view through the win-
place during that memorable period
dows overlooking the village a large
how our minds run back over month number of soldiers dressed in the blue
after month of dire calamity to some of
uniforms of the Northern men. The
tramp, tramp of the marching kept on
us, or perhaps to the more fortunate of
and the men still poured into our little
only excitement and fear! Happy, in village until the whole road and the
deed, might that household esteem itself yards around were filled with them.
The entire place seemed alive with them
which could look round at the close of
and my amazement at discovering that
those dark days and find itself intact, after all a Yankee was a man, was ex-
with all of its members spared to gather tremely ludicrous..
again around the family fireside, or meet
But my discovery did not lessen my
fright. nor make me any braver than
once more at the festive board.
my schoolmates. How we all clung
How well I remember the war with around our young teacher who was her-
its perils, its excitement, its constantly self nearly as much terrified as we were !
We closed the shutters and bolted the
shifting scenes and even its occasional
door and sat down in semi-darkness and
funny phases! I was only a child at the
almost total silence. Every now and
time when on the beginning of hostilities then one a little more courageous or
our family removed from our old home
mcre curious than the rest would take a
in Norfolk, Virginia, to a country place
peep out to see if they were moving on;
but no; instead of going, thoy were mak-
in North Carolina. Here, in Camden ing active preparations for passing the
County, we were during the four years, night comfortably, and the sentinels
just on the border-land as it were, just were stationed up and down the road.
where we were swept over by raid after Finally, having stayed in the
raid of the Northern troops; where our school-house until it was beginning to
own Southern soldiers could come to us, be near dark, we ventured out into the
sometimes in large numbers and oftener yard. Wethen divided into two parties,
by twos and threes. When these las: one who should try going home and one
were in the village we lived in constant who waited to see the result of the exs
fear and dread of a sudden raid and con periment. I was in the first party and
sequent capture of the boys in grey. well remember how my heart beat as
In this little village we settled down we opened the little gate and stepped
to a regular country life-settled down, out into the road and how we trembled
that is, as much as one could in those as we passed the first and second guards.
dreadful days of excitement. No one But the men took no notice of us and
can feel very quiet or at ease whose || we fled home with a sense of

336
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
RELIEF TOO GREAT FOR WORDS.
clothing, &c., for it often happened that
a family surprised by a sudden raid and
After seeing our success the second
not having opportunity to conceal their
party gained courage for the attempt
effects were robbed of everything; even
and they too reached home without be-
things that could not in any way be of
ing molested.
value to the soldiers, such as ladies'
These raids were very disastrous to
clothing, were stolen and carried away
our village; every horse that could pos-
Once or twice some of the Northern
sibly be made to do duty was taken, and
troops came up to our house door and
often through sheer wantonness ani-
threatened to burn us out if we did not
mals were carried off that could not by
give some desired information about
any means be of service to the raiders,
some of the Confederate sharpshooters
thus leaving the inhabitants of the
who lived in the county. My mother,
county without any means of getting
who was one of the bravest of women,
about or of cultivating their fields.
defied them as often as they canne, and
Then, too, all the poultry was stolen, a
determinedly refused to provide food
serious loss in those times when almost
for any of the Yankees. I have heard
all the men were away fighting for their
her tell the men who were demanding
country and the ladies and children
food that she had nothing for them, and
were left alone, and we depended a great
that when she did have she intended to
deal on the chickens, ducks and turkeys
keep it for our own soldiers, until they
which could be raised at home, poultry
would be so angry they could not con-
and eggs being often our main stay.
trol themselves, and would curse and
With each raid all of the feathered tribe
that could be caught were taken, the
swear dreadfully, all of which
bogs killed and everything, even to our
MOVED HER NOT AT ALL.
clothes, carried off.
But on one occasion even we were
Generally we would be warned of the
compelled
approach of the enemy-a man or boy
to furnish provisions for
them. Five thousand negro troops,
would come rushing in hot baste to the
accompanied and commanded by twenty
village, with the always startling inform-
ation: *A raid is coming!'' Then all was
white men, camped all night in our
hurry and bustle. At our house we had a
village. That night, after repeated re-
kitchen which was set up about a foot
fusals, mother agreed to provide supper
and a half from the ground. This space
i for the two principal officers, on condi-
we had boarded up closely all around
tion that they would prevent their men
and when we knew the Yankees were
stealing our property. In accordance
approaching, we would take down one of
with this novel agreement, we furnished
the boards and drive all our fowls under
the supper and the officers set guards
the kitchen and again fasten it up. Here
about our house and yard, so that none
they would be in such darkness that, be-
of the troops were permitted to enter,
and wo escaped very well.
ing deluded into the belief that it was
night, they would go quietly to sleep and
The next day when they were all out
in this way be saved to us.
of the neighborhood we found that ex-
cept at our house there was not a
WHAT QUEER IDEAS
chicken, duck, turkey or pig in the
of time and the seasons those chickens whole village. Across the road from us
must have had, if they considered the lived a widow lady of considerable
matter at all!
means, who had four or five children.
Then into a hole in the wall which let Everything available on her premises
us into a large space over our dining had been killed and eaten. After half a
room, we had to stow away everything dozen white men had eaten at her table,
valuable half a dozen times a month. they called in and seated in her dining-
This hiding place was between the ceil room crowd after crowd of negroes,
ing and the roof, and was accessible by until there was nothing more on the lot
removing two boards behind a door at which could be killed and cooked. The
the head of the staircase and gave us remainder of the village people shared
ample room to conceal our property. in the same experience, and when the
Here the silver spoons, sometimes hastily raid moved on were left almost without
snatched from the table, watches and all sufficient food for a single meal.
jewelry, blankets, cloaks and even silk Often have my mother and I sat up all
dresses had to be hidden away until, as night watching the fires kindled by the
my mother often declared, the things soldiers in the fields around us. One
were worn out by constant pushing in night I remember so well; there was a
and pulling out.
large fire in a small lot next to our gar-
This we were compelled to do, how- l den on the one side, another in the field
ever, to preserve our own necessary ll opposite us, and in the field adjoining

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL-HOUSE.
337
our yard on the other side two or three. the house on fire if we did not tell them
LARGE FIRES BLAZED,
where the animal was.
kept up by fuel from our wood-pile,
By looking carefully around the edge
of the window curtain, we could see
which was conveniently pear. In the
them: two soldiers who were angrily
afternoon we had five or six cords of
stamping up and down the front porch,
wood piled up there-the next morning
and not five feet from us. They kept
found only a few sticks. All night we
could not sleep, and putting out our
this up for some time, greatly to my
light we crept from room to room and
terror.
Mother, in the mean time having
from window to window watching the
invaders and wondering with vague
dressed, now cautiously drew aside the
curtain a little to look out again, and one
alarm what they would do next.
of the men saw her and immediately
Then one quiet day suddenly came the
hissing of a shell, which buried itself
struck his bayonet through the shutter-
and exploded in the field behind our
less window, grazing her cheek and
cutting her face very badly with the
house. How we all hurried out in the
yard, and in fear and trembling awaited
glass and narrowly missing one eye.
the next, which came a few minutes
Now that the glass was broken, there
was nothing to prevent their putting a
later. It was in winter that our little
hand through and opening the fastening
village was shelled, and in carts, wagons,
of the window and raising the sash.
or any available vehicle, all left our
This we knew, and so mother lighted a
homes and fled to the neighboring
lamp, after handing her watch and a few
county. I remember being put in a cart,
other little things hurriedly gathered, to
wrapped in a blanket, and going with
the rest of the family to another
me as I lay covered up in bed, and
taking down the bar, opened the door,
County. Here we remained until the
craft which was shelling the village had
and they walked in.
left, when we all came back to find the
Mother placed the lamp where its
fields and gardens torn up in every di-
light could shine out in the yard, and
rection, but not a house damaged except
standing in the door in the full glare of
by having the windows broken by the
the light watched the road,
explosion of the shells.
HOPING FOR HELP.
Our most terrible experience was one
night in midwinter. We owned one
In turning over the contents of the
horse, the finest animal in the county,
bureau the men came across a small pic-
and we had been at great pains to keep
ture of my uncle and asked who it was,
to which mother replied: "He is my
him from being stolen. Whenever we
knew of raiders being within ten miles
brother; he is in the Southern army, and
of us we always sent the horse to the
I wish he was here now for your sakes."
woods to be hidden in a sheltered spot
"Oh !” responded one of them lightly,
which had been arranged for his accoma-
"he could not do much with both of us.”
"He would be quite sufficient for both
modation; sometimes we sent him every
night to guard against sudden and un-
of you and for any number like you,"
expected enemies. On this night tho
answered my mother, "for no one but
horse had been sent away as usual, and
cowards molest defenceless women,
my mother and I, having seen that
After overturning the contents of
boxes, trunks and bureaux and taking
everything was safe,
all sorts of things, spoons, jewelry,
WERE QUIETLY SLEEPING ALONE.
clothing and even sheets, hemen walked
Suddenly we were awakened by a out remarking as they left that the next
loud knock at the door. My heart time they came we "had better tell them
seemed to stand still with fear, but my where that horse was.”
mother, although terribly startled, asked No one can tell what a fearful night
quietly: "Who is there?
that was to us; all alone and without any
"Open the door,' came in a gruff one to protect us, with hostile soldiers
voice, accompanied by another thun beating with curses and threats at our
dering knock on the door.
door! my mother's face cut by broken
This mother refused to do, and again glass and grazed by the bayonet! our
the order was repeated, this time with property stolen! All these combined
curses, followed by the inquiry :“Where to produce such fear, alarm and excite-
is your horse?"
ment that we were completely ex-
To this mother replied that the horse hausted when the welcome morning
had been sent away.
light once more dawned upon us.
This angered them all the more, and The whole village was enraged when
the oaths and curses increased in vio the matter was made known to them,
lence as they declared they would set ll but they were utterly unable to help us
43

338
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in any way. The men, although diligent i was put up between the University and
search was made for them, were never
Charlottesville.
found. Like the Arabs of ancient story,
they had silently stolen away,
Although Occasionally disturbed by
Surely the trials of our noble Southern rumors of meditated raids that never
women were greater than those any one occurred, here hundreds of sick and
else was ever called upon to endure.
wounded were accommodated until the
Deprived of not only the luxuries, but
the comforts and often of even the neces
close of the war, with the memorable
saries of life,
exception of Sheridan's three days' visit
in March, 1865.
THEY STOOD UP BRAVELY
From the very inauguration of a hos-
and were never lacking in any emer-
pital in this neighborhood the ladies of
gency. In our neighborhood the first
this community showed the deepest in-
Federal troops who came through car-
terest in the welfare of the sick sol-
ried off with them all our servants.
diers, who thus found a home in their
Women, who all their lives had been
accustomed to be waited upon in all
midst, and did all they could in the
cases, were suddenly left without a ser way of supplying them with delicacies
vant on the entire premises, and were at and home comforts. It was not usual,
once obliged to cook, wash, sweep and however, in our hospital, for young
attend to all the manifold duties of a ladies to visit the wards in person, but
housekeeper who is also a wife and ministrations of that sort were left to
mother. To all this they rose superior,
the married and elderly. But early in
and without a murmur they took up the
1862 Senator Mason's daughters came to
heavy burden of labor, nor laid it aside Charlottesville directly from their old
until forced by physical weakness.
home at Winchester, where the women
I have known my mother to ride in an were particularly noted for their devo-
open cart, in the bitter winter weather, tion and systematic attentions to dis-
from where we lived to Norfolk for abled soldiers. These ladies suggested
necessary supplies for the family. This the establishment of a dispensary, to be
was a distance of about fifty miles by the annexed to our hospital and put in the
road, and one can readily imagine what charge of ladies, subject, of course, to
a severe ordeal it was. Nothing could the orders of the surgeons. This sug-
be obtained, however, without getting it gestion was eagerly adopted and acted
from Norfolk, and as each person was upon by a few
only allowed to carry what the custom-
house officers decided to be necessary,
NOBLE, DEVOTED LADIES,
some one from each family was com who continued their unselfish labors,
pelled to undertake the trip.
with unflagging zeal, to the (literally)
Thus we lived through the war, in a
constant struggle with fear and excite-
bitter end.
ment, work and privation, and as if all Miss M. M— and Miss E. D— first
this was not enough, to some of us-alas! proceeded, with much trepidation, to lay
to many, came the far, far greater and the proposition before our revered sur-
overwhelming trial of being called to geon in chiet, Dr. J. L. Cabell, and were
surrender as martyrs to the enemy's quickly set at ease by his cordial accept-
bullet those we loved dearer than life. ance of the proffered aid, and his promise
to smooth their way as much as possi-
ble. On April 15, 1862, then, the ladies'
No. 59.-The Ladies' Kitchen,
kitchen of the Delavan Hospital was
duly organized, and commenced its reg-
ular ministrations of mercy, to be con-
(By M. 8. 8, of Virginia.)
tinued every day, Sunday included, for
three whole years.
When the bospital, which had been Circulars were struck off and dis-
established at the University of Vir tributed, appealing to the citizens in
ginia, July 22, 1861, to supply the extra-
town and country for such help in this
good work as they could bestow, and
ordinary needs consequent upon the first most hearty and generous was the re-
battle of Manassas, was broken up in sponse on all sides. One good lady,
September, that the institution might
Mrs. Wm. Hart, of North Garden, Albe-
marle, sent daily during this long period
be reopened at the usual season, in its
ten gallon cans of milk and buttermilk
stead a regular Government hospital | both, besides eggs, poultry, fruit and

THE LADIES KITCHEN.
339
vegetables without stint whenever they I those who bled for us. Who could have
could be spared. There was a book done differently?"
kept in which every donation was re The whole thing was systematized,
corded, but the lady who has the best each lady being upon duty, some for a
right to know thinks that it must have week at a time, others for one day in
been destroyed at the time of the great each week, from 7 o'clock in the morning
Yankee raid. But with no thought of until 7 o'clock in the evening. Even
self-seeking were those gifts made, and little children would help by keeping the
surely we may look for their record on flies off the sick in hot weather, and
high, although every vestige of them proud enough they were of being found
may have departed from earth, save in
THE MEMORIES OF À FAITHFUL FEW,
Beef tea, broth, chicken soup, and
The arrangement was for a storeroom, valids were made here in the nicest way,
where provisions were kept, and a
so that the poor soldiers really enjoyed
kitchen, where the ladies cooked with
greater comfort than they could have
done
their own hands such food as the sur-
IN THEIR NOW IMPOVERISHED HOMES,
geons prescribed. They did not con-
fine themselves to dainty preparations,
and quick were they to find out from
such as custards and jellies, although their ward master and nurses that these
these were made with rare skill, out of
nice things were not prepared for them
materials often inadequate to their pre-
by menial fingers, and you may depend
sentment, according to prescribed rules.
Unused to labor as they were, they
upon it that the knowledge that they
kneaded huge trays full of bread, and
were thus cared for sweetened many a
withheld not their hands from any task,
morsel and rendered many a hard couch
softer.
however irksome and laborious.
The necessities of the times taught
In their season flowers were freely
those apt scholars many a strange lesson
scattered through all the wards, and
of economy and ingenuity, combined so
ladies of suitable age were constantly
that if the receipts for many a dish con-
found to visit the sufferers, lending
cocted to suit the exigencies of Confede-
books, or reading them aloud when de-
they would haye added a valuable chap-
pet establishment of the whole environs
ter to the culinary lore of our country,
and its fame spread far and wide.
Thither naturally gravitated the earliest
The commissary furnished the store-
room with the substantials of meat,
ripened fruit, the freshest pats of butter,
flour, sugar, and also fuel, but to volun-
and, in short, every dainty procurable,
in the assured conviction that they would
all else, and seldom was their larder
be impartially and judiciously dis-
tributed, according to the necessities of
empty.
their various patients. The best part
two in the storeroom and two in the
about such offerings was that they most
kitchen, with a man servant to clean
frequently came from those who had to
kettles and pans and keep up the fire.
practice strictest self-denial so far as
When the bringing in of
their own tables were concerned, and
did not give of their surplus, but fre-
A GREAT MANY WOUNDED
quently all that they had of what was
at one time, after some severe battle, re-
delicate and tempting.
To many a sensitive woman the fact
quired a great deal of extra service, that her husband and brothers were
helpers were not wanting from among
those ladies who could not ordinarily be
field, made comfortable diet actually
distasteful. How could she feast while
spared from home, and hence were not
those whom she loved better than life
to be found ordinarily at the kitchen. were faring so differently? No, give
Young unmarried ladies consequently her the plainest possible thing, and let
bore the brunt of the burden, and nobly everything superfluous be sent
did they acquit themselves of their self-
denying task, accounting their sacrifice
TO HOSPITAL OR CAMP.
as naught for the love they bore the The writer is convinced that no part
cause in which the soldier suffered.
of our war was more peculiarly note-
Even in the retrospect, with tears in
their eyes, they say We did but please
worthy, nay, more marvellous, than the
ourselves in what we underwent for

340
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
an agricultural people, dependent upon || so, which she knew it could not do with
annual crops for yearly supplies, ob honor. She said:
tained mainly by the labor of servants
who, now that every white man capable
"WE WILL FIGHT FIRST.”
of bearing arms was called into the
His reply was memorable.
field, were to do the same labor under
“You cannot fight! Your worst enemy
the supervision only of women and aged
men. Our servants had been, for years
is in your midst. Let us but sound the
before the war, tampered with, and tocsin of war and your slaves will rise!
urged to insurrection and murder by
Why, you will have murder and cutting
our enemies, and still they worked
of throats in every house."
quietly and humbly during those slow-
That lady returned home with a bur-
dragging four years of war, obeying
den upon her spirit that she had never
their mistress when, perhaps, she was
known before. Not that the dread of
alone with her tender family in the
servile insurrection ever disturbed her
midst of at least a hundred colored men
peace, but she felt that her people had
in the very strength of their years.
determined foes in the fanatics of the
Armed with good consciences and the
North who only watched and awaited
power of habit the women moved fear-
the opportunity for coercing us into do-
lessly about their homes, cutting out the
ing their will.
usual garments for “the hands," knit-
The above conversation has been re-
ting their socks and distributing medi-
called not for the purpose of stirring up
cine where it was needed in their cabins
sectional feelings again, but that we
without a qualm of uneasiness, lest con-
Southerners may recognize the merciful
dign punishment should oyertake them
dealings of a kind Providence towards
for their participation in
our women and children, especially in so
6THE UNPARDONABLE SIN OF SLAVERY."
signally shielding them from horrors
that beforehand were deemed by dis-
The war coming unexpectedly at last, passionate persons as the legitimate, the
and finding no granaries filled with necessary result of a slaveholding na-
provident stores, while we were cut off
tion being brought into a state of civil
warfare.
from the charities of the outside world,
While every topic under Heaven is so
we must yet thankfully look back and freely discussed nowadays it is strange
acknowledge that as a people we were
how silently has been passed by, how
fed and knew no lack. This subject has
indifferently regarded, the wonderful
spectacle presented throughout the en.
not been considered and commented
tire South, during the war, of perfect
upon in its bearings as it deserved to be.
That our Northern brethren had no
DOMESTIC PEACE AT HOME,
expectation of such an anomalous con-
while all who could have enforced it
dition of affairs when they declared war
upon us we well do know. The very
were abroad.
first time it ever dawned upon the
Moreover if the circumstances had
writer's imagination that there was se been given beforehand, and the ques.
rious danger of a war between the sec. tion put as to how a people in such a
tions, she was seated on the deck of a caso could be fed and how clothed, what
Hudson River steamboat engaged in human wisdom could have devised the
pleasant conversation with an intelli answer, as it now lies unfolded before
gent Northern gentleman, when, a Pres us, when we pause and reflect upon the
idential campaign being in progress, a strange paths by which we were led, in
man came around to take up the votes. which we ever found "the manna" by
At home they had even laughed at the the way. Like the Israelites, too, the
rabid attacks of the newspapers upon quails might be lacking and the flesh-
the South, and said, “Oh! such is the pots left behind. But who was heard
voice of hired politicians. The sensi hankering after them, or bewailing their
ble people of the North cannot believe loss?
such wicked nonsense.” But to her The question of how we Confederates
horror the lady heard one vote after were clothed is one involving too ample
another given for che Republicans, an answer to be more than touched upon
until her own immediate party was here. May it be fully treated by some
demonstrated to stand single and alone pen more competent to the task. The
in its political affinities. She let her
writer was made happy at the opening
amazement be known to her compan-
of the war by the ingenuity of a friend
ion, and then they began to talk. Pres who kindly constructed for her a coal-
ently he said the South must do so and || scuttle bonnet of loftiest dimensions,

THE LADIES' KITCHEN.
341
whose foundation was a piece of stiff || common dark calico to make my baby a
pasteboard taken from the last box of short dress, eighty dollars.
candles she ever owned. In this for Our feats in the way of remodelling
midable headgear she was still to be old frocks, and particularly in the pro-
seen arrayed when that peace dawned cess of dyeing, are best recorded in the
which was not a peace. She was for following clever parodycomposed
tunate enough to have a long new cloak “while her hands were in,'' by Mrs.
when the winter of 1861 came, and this Letty Lewis, daughter of the elder Gov-
garment, too, went through the war ernor Floyd, of Virginia, sister of the
with credit, and was
younger, and a most noble, venerable
matron, who happily still survives to
THE ENVY OF MANY BEHOLDERS.
bless a large and loving circle of ad-
Oh, the knitting! Everybody knows miring friends :
how we knitted until nobody could rest.
THE DYEING CONFEDERATE LADY,
"Of all slow work over invented knit-
I am dyeing! Hessie, dyeing !
ting fine cotton stockings is the slowest,
Boils tbe kettle hot and fast,
and if there had not been some patient With the bark of the plum and walnut,
old lady in almost every family I very Gathered in the days long past.
much fear some of the prettiest little
Reach a hand; wh! Hessie, help me!
ease thy giggle and look bere;
feet in the Confederacy must have needs
Notice this great pile of garments
gone bare before the war was over. Thou alone and I would wear.
Kuitting for the soldiers, though, that
was a different thing, far more interest-
Though my torn and faded dresses
Lose their blackness evermore,
ing and then so much easier. The
And my well-worn shawls and stockings,
slowest of us could do something in that
Tell how war bas made me poor;
way out of coarse, warm varn, but how Though no glittering silks are with them,
we did envy those who had been trained Prized by every woman still-
to such industry in the good old days,
I must mend and change and alter,
and resolved to do better in the bring-
Dye my Sunday garments still.
ing up of our little girls, starting them Let pot fashion's heartless daughters
right away.
Mock this crape, this garb of woe.
For once the whole nation of women
'Twas no woman's hand that tore it,
was a Yankee's soiled it so.
were freed from the shackles of fashion,
Haste then, Hessie, bring your dresses
and we dressed as we pleased, or rather
hrst like mine they were and gay,
as we could, without dread of criticism Throw them into this big kettle;
from any. We plaited straw hats, which They're too good to throw away
our fathers wore out of coin plaisance,
heavily though they weighed upon their
Should the rich folks that have plenty
Bneer at bark dyes in the towns,
brows. Rye straw, however, really We will say, if they don't like them,
made quite a neat hat, especially when They can send us better gowns.
half the straw was dyed black, and after
I must dye my web of linsey
awhile when corn shucks were used for
To be woven e'er the spring,
Judy waiteth for her filling;
ladies' hats, they were
And this color is the thing.
LIGHT AND PRETTY BESIDES.
So be quick my laughing Hessie,
In the glove factory wesucceeded bet-
Gather up our moucnful pile;
Don't expect to light that dry wood
ter, and some girls made exceedingly With the splendor of thy smile.
Hand me here those capes and dresses,
nice gaiter boots with only a little aid
Take thy veil and wrap with mine;
from the shoemaker. Most of us con So we'll be in style next Sunday,
sented to encase our feet in thick leather
Triumph in that cloak of thine.
shoes with leather shoe strings, and were
This is dyeing, Hessie! dyeing !
thankful at that. Of our homespun Starts a tear drop in thine eye?
dresses we were really proud, and fan Wipe it off my bonnie Hessie,
cied that we looked quite presentable.
Tatters are not worth a sigh.
The pattern I remember was the shep-
See! that stick will break that kettle.
Hessie dear! this is the knell
herd's plaid, plain black and white, you
Of cherished hopes! the dye is thrown
know, which is a style that never looks Reconstructed ! fare i hee well.
amiss. In 1862, I scolded my husband
well for his extravagance in bringing me
A VISIT TO A HOSPITAL,
a black alpaca dress that cost three dollars A family of very young children
per yard. How I blessed him for it after claiming my almost exclusive attention
wards. In 1864, I gave five dollars for a Il during the whole of the war, I had been
piece of muslin such as we could now || unable to render that efficient aid in the
get for twenty-five cents, and for enough l hospital wards which I admired so much

342
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
in my sister women, but one morning || A CAPTAIN OF A COMPANY OF CAVALRY,
in the summer of 1864 I received a sum-
whose regiment, however, I have for
mons to which I could not turn a deaf
ear. Mrs. P. wrote to me from the gotten entirely. He lay upon a very
tent," begging that I would come down low bed, and at his feet sat a good-look-
and see a poor wounded young gentle-
ing young colored man called Tom, who,
man, who had formerly been a univer-
I was told, was his body-servant, whom
sity student, and would doubtless be.
gratified to receive some attention from
he had brought with him from Louisi-
the professors families. She asked me
ana, and who had been his inseparable
also to bring him a little blackberry
attendant in every campaign. Mr.
wine if I had any very good, as he was
D proved to be deaf, an infirmity,
drooping and evidently needed some-
superadded to his evident prostration,
thing of the sort.
that effectually prevented any prolonged
Before proceeding, let me explain
conversation. He did manage to ex-
what "the tent' was. An excellent old
plain, however, that he had not himself
bachelor physician, Dr. Harris, of Aa-
attended the University of Virginia,
gusta County, who was not a commis-
having been prevented from entering
sioned surgeon, however, had come to
upon his collegiate course by the break-
the Delavan Hospital with a request
ing out of the war, but his brother and
that he might be allowed to put up a tent
other members of his family in past
himself in the open field near by, (the
generations had been educated there, so
season being summer,) and have com-
that he felt attachment for the institu-
mitted to his care any cases of gangrene
tion. Everything about bim betokened
or other hopeless disease that were des-
the refined gentleman, both as to his
paired of, or that might possibly be
appearance and manners, ill and lan-
benefited by the freer access allowed
guid though he evidently was. His
features were regular and finely cut, his
THE FRESH BREEZES OF HEAVEN complexion fair, and his blonde hair
in a tent than could be the case in a
and beard were glossy, smooth and
neatly trimmed-while his linen was
walled building. He, too, through the
immaculately pure. I did not tax his
press, asked for help in the way of lint, strength long, but speedily took my
milk, &c., and it soon being bruited leave after promising to call again soon.
Mrs. P , however, insisted upon
abroad that in the tent” were to be
taking me through the whole tent, and
found the saddest, most pitiable cases of introducing me to her other patients. It
all, to that point public sympathy was touching to see the gratitude shown
turned, and volunteer helpers among for the smallest interest manifested in
the ladies appeared here, too, to nurse them by
the sick, as well as supply their other
THOSE POOR FELLOWS,
needs. Although Mrs. P - was mis-
tress of a family, part of every day she and I inwardly resolyed to do something
was to be found at the tent minister for them all, and that without loss of
ing in every way possible to the wants
time. That something proved to be only
of its inmates.
As quickly as possible, after securing
a freezer of coffee ice-cream, and if it
her note that morning, I bunted up a only gave the recipients half as much
bottle of nice blackberry wine, and pleasure as the giver found in its be-
adding a few delicate crackers and other stowal it was enjoyed.
things, proceeded with great timidity, My next visit to the tent was Sunday
however, to pay my first visit, (with one morning, on a clear, pleasant day, when
exception, when I had a companion,) to we stopped on our way to church. Mr.
the inmates of a hospital, a thing that to D- was lying asleep, so that we could
many of my friends was of daily occur not disturb him, but left the custard
rence, and a matter of course.
brought for him with Mrs. P- More
Mrs. P- , however, appeared the mo- delicate, fair and retined than ever he
ment I asked for her at the entrance, looked in his slumber; freshly dressed,
and her kindness, with the friendly too, to greet that holy day. Again I was
looks I met wherever my glance fell, led through the double line of cots, this
soon charmed away my fears of intru time being greeted as a friend, no longer
sion.
a stranger. Having a hymn-book in my
She led me immediately to the couch hand, I could not resist my impulse to
of the sick man whom I came to see, read a few comforting verses by the bed-
and introduced him as Mr. D— , of side of one especially afflicted. After I
Louisiana,
had finished I was touched to see big

THE LADIES' KITCHEN.
343
tears rolling down the cheeks of an lputated, and survived the operation
elderly man in the adjacent cot, and only a few hours.
surprised when he beckoned to me to Mr. D— also was dead and buried !
draw near.
Some interesting particulars concerning
"Ah lady ! how often have I heard my him were furnished me by a pious gen-
sisters at home sing those very words. tleman who had closely attended him
Oh! how they go to my heart. Please during his illness. The doctors said in
read me some more of the same sort." the beginning that his wound, which
I tremblingly made another selection, was in the foot, was slight, and ordina-
and read :
rily would not have been deemed serious,
"Now, lady," he said, “I have some but his constitution seemed to be pecu-
thing to say to you by yourself.”
liarly sensitive and he seemed not to
Mrs. P. immediately withdrew to a have the slightest “rallying power."
distant cot and he then went on in a low Tom watched him night and day with
tone.
unfailing devotion, never leaving him
"I feel as if I must ask somebody's save to see if all was well with his mas-
advice. I want you to help me to decide ter's horse, which was well cared for,
whether I must have my right arm cut since they seemed to be well provided
off. The doctor says it should be done, with money. Everybody tried to do
but if so, my livelihood is gone, for I am what they could to mitigate the trials of
a carpenter. My wife is dead, but I sickness to the poor gentleman, but he
have
was sunk in deep depression from which
TWO SWEET LITTLE GIRLS,
there seemed to be no rousing him.
Finally, there came a letter from home,
with nobody else to depend upon. Tell
containing the heartrending news of a
me, lady, can I give my right arm up ?" beloved sister's death. She was married,
I was thrilled through and through. and her husband with their only child
Young as I then was, to be appealed to
visited her grave to adern it with fresh
flowers. As the lovely little girl stooped
for advice in a crisis of such vital im-
down to add to the wreaths already there,
port, was too much for me. With my a poisonous serpent, lurking under-
peculiar dread, too, of the surgeon's neath, stung her hand and she too was
knife, how could such a poor little crea-
ture as I venture to advise? For an in-
STRICKEN WITH DEATH.
stant I was speechless. Then I essayed The unhappy brother and uncle, re-
to remind him that the surgeons were
ceiving such distressing news upon his
the only ones competent to give an opin-
ion in his case; they had knowledge, we
own bed of languishing, at the same time
were ignorant; that the particular sur received a death-blow from which he
geon in whose charge he lay we knew never rallied, but under whose stroke he
was tender as well as wise, and would sank surely and rapidly. All that gave
surely recommend the gentlest course. joy to him in life having departed, kind
I begged him to accept his sentence,
nature granted him a gentle release from
whatever it might be, as the will of God iᎦᎾrᎩ. .
towards him, and as such to be received We heard further that Tom had seen
as the ordering of a tender Heavenly that every possible respect was paid the
Father who never willingly afflicts his remains of his master, at whose loss he
children, but if he put his trust in Him seemed deeply grieved. A handsome
would surely make even this sore trial coffin was procured, and the grave dug
work for his eternal good.
apart from the long ditch where most
With awed feelings and aching heart who died in the hospital were buried in
I bade good-bye to a suffering fellow common, Mr. D-'s grave was distinctly
being, who had drawn so close to me, a marked, being placed beneath two trees,
stranger, who was never again to see and provided with a head and foot-stone,
him in this life. Various domestic hin his name being inscribed upon the for-
drances kept me at home during the mer. Afterwards his remains were re-
early part of the week; then it poured moved to their family cemetery by some
down rain incessantly, and not until surviving relatiye, but so quietly that
Thursday, when I sent some ice to the no one knew it at the time.
tent, could I even get a message to in Not until every duty had been per-
quire after the patients, about whom I formed that affection could suggest did
felt such deep solicitude. The reply the faithful Tom mount his master's
that came was
horse and ride away to the far South,
MELANCHOLY ENOUGH,
bearing with him the sad news of the
tragic fate of one who had evidently been
The anxious father had had his arm am- Il to him friend as well as master.

344
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 60.--The Arrest of a Spy.
fit to be seen. Our uniform, so to speak,
was a clean calico dress that, at least,
could be washed. Labor was the
(By Mrs. C., of Camden, 8 C.)
cheapest of all things. Our dresses
were gathered at the waist by a belt,
During the summer of 1863 there came
and we wore large boops. The immense
to me a telegram from my mother, say bishop's sleeves, then the fashion with
us. bad this merit-bands could be
ing she was ill.
thrust therein when gloves were miss-
Fortunately for me Col. Jefferson
ing, and could so be protected from heat
Goodwyn, the mayor of Columbia, his
or cold. Everything of
wife and his two daughters were on the
OUR ANTE-BELLUM OUTFIT
eve of a journey westward, and he kindly
was mended and darned to death. It
offered to take care of me as far as Mont-
was always being altered and changed
gomery, Alabama.
steadily for the worse. The bodies
I telegraphed at once to my husband,
of dresses wore out before the skirts,
who was then in Richmond, for per-
and a favorite way of utilizing the
mission to go, and he as promptly re skirts which remained was to wear
fused to give it:
a Garibaldi waist of flannel in winter or
muslin in summer. The general effect
"No. You must not go, Railroads too
dangerous. Cars too crowded. Too bot. Too
of all this, as you may suppose, was far
from brilliant. And yet a pretty girl so
great risk OI lever.'
disguised did not suffer. She had as
In utter confusion of mind I read this
many admirers and lovers in her calico
aloud. The silence which followed was as she cared for. I appeal to the memory
broken by Miss Kate H-'s soft voice. of the girls of that period. Were not
men, frantically in love, as plenty as
“What a comfort it is to know what
black berries? Was pot the soldier lad's
one's duty is. To be uncertain about
love song "Ever of thee?!!
that is the only trouble.”
Well, those poor, rusty Confederate
Did she think my duty was to obey
women were shabby enough. We give
that up. While they had hope they
my husband? I did not so decide. I
cared for none of these things. They
obeyed the natural impulse, which bore were single-minded, and their one idea
me away to my mother, who was ill and was to win in the Cause.
bade me come to her.
The contrast then was sharp if smartly
dressed strangers appeared. They were
After all I ventured to assume all
as flaringly conspicuous as flamingoes
risks, as there was nobody to be hurt who had strayed in among a brown covey
but myself.
of partridges.
Already I was staring at three fine
So the next morning, bright and early,
dames (and their attendant cavalier) who
I was to be found on the train with the sat near us. They were gorgeously ar-
Good wyns. Dust and dirt we had beyond rayed, resplendant creatures, the like of
our expectation, but there was no crowd. which I had not seen for a long time.
On the part of the soldiers there seemed The most notable personage in this
no hurrying in hot haste to join Pera group was a tall woman, thin and
berton's army in the West.
straight. She wore a gay, yellow, much-
"Now, I will give you a hint,'' said betrimmed travelling dress. Her ring-
Col. Goodwyn; "suspicious characters, lets were long and glossy black. If her
from all accounts, are aboard to-day.” cheeks were neither as broad nor as
"What is the matter with them? Who red as the pulpit cushions,' (for no Bet
are they?'
Bouncer was she.) all the same she was
"They tell two stories--say they came a highly rouged dame or damsel. Airy
in on a flag of truce, and say also that and easy in her manners, she was abso-
they ran the blockade to nurse a friend lutely absorbed in a flirtation with a con-
in Mobile. See if you can ind them federate major (the aforesaid cavalier.)
without my showing them to you. They Everything about this Major was brand
are well watched. Look! Can you pick new-spic and span-without spot or
them out?'
blemish, and in spite of the star gleam-
That was easily done.
ingon his collar, the general etlect of
We female Contederates had all ot our him was decidedly Yankee. His face
feathers in a sadly moulting condition was clean cut, fresh and untanned by
just then. Our old clothes were hardly Il exposure to our sun. It was odd to see

THE ARREST OF A SPY.
345
a man so little sunburned. He was | everything, and always in ear shot of
florid, wholesome, handsome. That I these devoted strangers. In one of his
must say, were he
rare waking intervals he spoke casually
FRIEND OR FOE.
to Col. Goodwyn. And as he walked
away, the Colonel asked:
Facing this man and this woman, sat "What do you think of him ???
two other splendid creatures. They
“He is one of the seven sleepers."
He bad, however, a keen greyhound
fairly shone in the sun. The prettiest of
face; his expression was eager and in-
the two, with all of her good looks, had quisitive, not what one might have ex-
a hard Northern face. We set her down pected from so sleepy-headed a person.
at once as a sharp Yankee. She too was Col. Goodwyn took my book from my
covered with feathers, flowers, lace and hand and wrote: "He is a Richmond de-
jewelry, and at the back of her seat, she tective and is following these people."
had thrown a cashmere shawl. Her My book was one of DeQuincey's, and
companion was distinctly of a German I have it now with all these notes as they
type, not bad looking, though heavy of were scribbled therein that day.
features. She it was also who had be We called the sleeper Mr. Bucket, in
trayed them. Col. Goodwyn gave us to memory of Lady Dedlock in Bleak
understand this with a knowing nod. House. But he had no fat finger. He
So for our convenience in talking--and was a lean and hungry Cassius. No
we talked of nothing else—we named Confederate waxed fat in those days-
them Yellow Gown, Cashmere Shawl that goes without the saying.
and Frau Judas.
Then a fair and comely youth came to
If they were spies, they were very the front of the battle. He quietly took
foolish ones. They had shrill voices, a seat behind Cashmere Shawl and Frau
and they were noisy and reckless. We Judas, and sans céremonie opened a con-
could not avoid hearing what they said, versation. He was too young looking
and I confess we listened with all our to be in any uniform at all, poor boy!
might. How they bragged of New York but the Confederate grey was very be-
--the comfort, the prosperity, the wealth coming to him. Indeed I think it was
of the North. They laughed at our to everybody!
sordid destitution and poverty. Frau
In a furtive way, looking back as if to
Judas took up her parable and de see who was listening, he whispered au-
scribed even the butchers' shops in New dibly enough:
York, "where you could get any 'out' "Plenty of good Union men in Ten-
you wanted, and were served on a cool, nessee. I came from there. You can
clean, marble counter."
trust me."
"A queer way they are behaving, if Fancy my feelings. That boy a traitor
they are spies,” we said again and again, after all! And he looked so young, so
while we had no thought but for the innocent,
flamingoes.
AND SO FOOLISH.
Suddenly I noticed a man who beld a
paper in his hand and read from it in a
I wrote down my discovery for Col.
strong voice:
Goodwyn's benefit. He was surprised,
“Vicksburg has fallen. Pemberton has
and he took good care that Mr. Bucket
surrendered it to the Yankees."
I wonder if I will ever be so misera should see what I had written in one of
ble again in this world. It nearly his brief moments snatched from sleep.
knocked the life out of me. My heart
The book came back to me with these
seemed to stand still. For a moment I
words, pencilled by Bucket's own fin-
neither could see nor hear.
gers: "He is one of our understrap-
The next thing that I remembered
was my indignation at the unholy joy
Before long this efficient young subal-
betrayed by the suspected party. They
tern was introducing his superior officer,
exulted at our rage and humiliation.
Mr. Bucket, to Cashmere Shawl. After
Now
this we gazed in open-mouthed wonder
THIS WAS HARD TO BEAR.
at our Bucket. His munificence! his
"That opens the Mississippi,” said a
magnificence! More like a horn of
loud voice behind us, “cuts it in two.
plenty, he was pouring out his gifts
upon the Tennesseean's two new
Only a question of time now.”
friends-fruit, watermelons, pinders-
But we must go back to our spies.
everything our poor country afforded.
A man whose seat was opposite to Sleep no longer hanging heavy on Mr.
them, had the gift of sleeping under ad Bucket's eyelids, he was as good as a
verse circumstances. He slept through 11 play.
pers."
44

346
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
And so the long hours passed, and we
slowly ran up to the station at West
Point.
We were overheated, tired to death,
wornout by smoke and dust; and we
felt there was mischief in the air. The
cars were still; not a sound was heard
but the giggling and flirting of Yellow
Shawl and the devoted Major.
The door opened with a bang, and in
stalked the tallest and most cadaverous
Confederate officer I had ever seen.
There was an unmistakable dignity in
his slow movement. A war-worn
veteran, every inch of him. He was
lame, and leaned heavily on the arm of
another man in uniform. He wore his
sword and red sash. No doubt from his
lameness he had been lately wounded,
and his awfully sallow face spoke of
swamp or camp fever, too.
! When he reached the Major's party
(he came in at their backs) be stopped and
rested upon the arm of the seat oppo-
site; then he reached across and put his
hand on the Major's shoulder.
The Major was murmuring low in his
lady love's ear, happy and unconscious,
but at this unexpected touch he started
and turned his head to meet the grim
face and stern eye of that pale man in
Confederate grey.
Instantly every drop of blood left the
Major's face. He was pale as death!-
terror stricken! A spasm seized his
throat-indeed,
HE WAS A PITEOUS SIGHT.
As for me, I was awfully sorry for
him, no matter what his crime might
be.
“Look at his face! Don't you see how
guilty he is.”
But Col. Goodwyn took things coolly.
His voice was by no means low or sweet
at any time, and now he spoke out dis-
tinctly.
"Ho is not half so stunned as you
were when the thunder clap came about
Vicksburg," he said. "May be the fel-
low has something wrong about his
heart.”
The officer in the red sash then asked
the Major to show his commission,
which he did at once. He had it handy,
ready for exhibition..
The officer, who seemed to be sitting
in judgment on the spy (so-called,) read
the commission carefully, and then,
striking it lightly with his finger, said:
"This is unusual. It is filled out and
signed in the same hand. This is not
Mr. Seddon's handwriting."
The Major hastily interrupted him.
"I own that I am from Maine; but I
have fought for the Confederacy from
the very first.”
That word Maine was a cold blast from
the North. It fell upon our ears chill-
ingly.
It was very awkward, and people ex-
changed significant glances.
"I was in the commissary depart-
ment,'' he went on, "but I got a dis-
charge from the service because I have a
disease of the heart.”
"Colonel, he heard you !"
“Well, poor devil, he is ghastly enough.
See; he breathes with difficulty."
The poor Major was in a quandary.
Our hearts failed us, and we could not
bear to look at the spy in his agony.
When the delinquent spoke of his dis-
charge our officer smiled.
"In the Confederate service a disabled
officer is allowed to resign. He is not
discharged. Come, now ! put an end to
all this. Teil us where you acted as
commissary, and we will telegraph im-
mediately. Until we hear, you will be
under arrest.”
There was a great deal more of this
painful scene; and then they led him off,
MORE DEAD THAN ALIVE.
He was corpse-like in his ghastliness.
The voice in the rear was again heard :
“Ladies, I am not that fretted because
one Yankee is likely to be hung as a
spy. I think of the thousands and thou-
sands of fine fellows, good men and true,
who were killed no doubt before they
let Pemberton surrender. And the
women and children of Vicksburg, they
are driven out of their homes! Think
of that New Yorker, Pemberton, giving
up on the 4th of July! I can hear their
rejoicing—the cock-a-doodle doing-and
the Yankee doodle doing. I can hear
their cussed bands in full blast.”
There was a perfect Bable of voices.
Maddened by a sense of defeat, such as
the Vicksburg matter brought with it,
every one was excitedly talking to any
one else who would listen. Failing to
secure an audience of one even, a few
bursting with rage and patriotism stood
up and vented their fury and indigna-
tion at large. They denounced every-
body in authority--generals, Govern-
ment and all at one fell swoop.
'he Yankee contingent left without
its head.

THE ARREST OF A SPY.
347
Soon after our wide-awake Bucket was | was devoted, and she received his atten-
seen to re-enter the cars. He had fol tions as pleasantly as if there were
lowed in the wake of the forlorn Major,
and now we had eyes and ears for nobody
NO MAJORS IN THE WORLD
but Mr. Bucket. Hitherto he had failed whose fate hung heavily on the rest of
to become acquainted with Yellow Gown
us.
and her Major. Indeed he had not
seemed aware of her existence. He took
The Tennesseean stuck like a leech to
the vacant seat by her side now, and the the other two.
Tennesseean promptly rising from his
The topic with them seemed gratitude
piace behind Cashmere Shawl formally
and admiration of Mr. Bucket.
introduced them.
Yellow Gown was still in tears. Alas! “What would we have done if a kind
she could not turn pale. Her colors Providence had not caused him to come
were too fast for that; but her whole
to our relief?”.
countenance had changed; the whites of
her eyes were lurid, and she wiped them
At Montgomery we saw the last of
upwards, well knowing the damage them. Our road lay in one direction-
water would do to her complexion.
theirs in another. But that final glimpse
Cashmere Shawl showed signs of great
showed our Bucket gallantly offering
internal disturbance, but held her peace.
his arm to Yellow Gown, and she was
FRAU JUDAS
giggling and coquettishly accepting it.
ate her watermelon with a relish, and The Tennesseean walked off with Frau
smiled serenely. There was Dutch
Judas and Cashmere Shawl tightly
tucked, one under each arm.
phlegm for you!
"There she goes,” cried one of our
The sympathy and condolence now party, "tripping along in all her proud
poured out by our Bucket upon Yellow attire."
“Gay and débonaire,” added another.
Gown was abundant. He gradually
"She must have a good conscience,
grew confidential.
she is so light-hearted. See! She is
"He had gone out after the Major," he looking into Mr. Bucket's face just as
said. And it was evident that he had
she looked at the Major."
"The jade !!' croaked one gruff voice
heard something that had shocked him
from the rear. “She has forgotten her
greatly while out there.
first man already. And I wouldn't
"I did stay until the cars began to
stand in that Major's shoes this minute
move off slowly,” insinuated the mis-
for all that is in this world. No, I
wouldn't.'
chief-making Bucket. "It is a very dis-
agreeable thing to repeat to you, but I
WHAT BECAME OF THEM?
left him trying to clear himself at your Who knows? That they came to no
expense. I did, indeed."
harm, you may be sure. Our Government
"Why, what could that man say
was never harsh to women. The worst
about me. I hardly know him," wailed
that could befall them was to be hustled
Yellow Gown.
as hastily out of our huge Confederate
"He said you were sent here to breed
barracks as they came in. And after
dissatisfaction among us; that was your
business here. That you were trying to
their short and sharp experience of the
make him turn traitor” –
ills we suffered, independently of their
"The liar ! traitor himself," she
personal danger, no doubt they joyfully
howled out, fairly cursing him, by all
her gods. "And to think I never laid
hailed anew the flag of truce, which was
eyes on him until to-day” -
ordered to bear them away, and shake
Col. Goodwyn, in an audible tone the dust of the doomed Confederacy
aside : "They are all one party-they
from their feet with infinite satisfaction.
came from Richmond together."
The loud-mouthed man cried out from
And the spy, what became of him? I
behind us: “I thought they were court-
do not know. We left him to his fate at
ing and that they would be married as West Point Station. Let us hope that he
soon as they could find a parson.”
And now Mr. Bucket seemed to
proved innocent of the charges made
occupy the Major's place in every sense
against him. He was in a wretched
of the word with Ỹellow Gown. He ll plight—that I saw.

348
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
me.''
No. 61.-Chaos in the South.
“Where is your husband ?"
"Dead."
“Have you much quinine ?"
(By Mrs. Jane Pringle, of Georgetown, S. C.)
A bottleful."
“Are you the bearers of letters or
It was not easy for two women alone
papers to the South ?"
to travel in the autumn of 1864, but it I answered, that "neither Mr. Slidell
was necessary. We had spent the four
nor Mr. Mason had sent even a message
for fear of in any way compromising
years of the war in Europe, and now a
new departure had to be taken. The old Then both generals told me how ut-
régime was done and we must go home terly hopeless the struggle had become
for the South, and one of them showed
and start a new life. Advice as to how
me a map of Georgetown district with
to cross the border was not wanting, and
every plantation and the owners' names
certainly the easiest way was to cross the marked on it. They advised me to take
Potomac at night in a rowboat, but my salt with me, as the salt works had been
destroyed everywhere and there was a
daughter resolutely refused, as we might
salt famine, but in this they were mis-
be fired at and could only trust to luck. taken, and I dragged about a lot of salt
She insisted on taking all "her clothes," || quite uselessly for a few days and then
which were contained in many trunks,
gave it away.
The general in command said he would
and also persistently refused to run the
run a special train to the last village in
risk of being shot at. To go by sea was the lines, after which there were forty
to me a terrible alternative, as the block miles of neutral territory before reaching
ade was then very strict, so the only
and
CROSSING THE BLACKWATER,
course left us was to throw our-
selves on the mercy of the general in
where we would come on the first con-
command of Norfolk and asked to be
federate post. He said he would take
the same occasion to send back some
allowed to go through the lines to South
refugees for whom he had no use and
Carolina.
who were a very bad lot.
A dear young relative offered to escort Next day we started, and the general
us to Norfolk and he started from New
most kindly sent an officer, I think
one of his aide-de-camps, to see
York with all our trunks and got to
us safely on our way. There was
Baltimore that night. We were to care also a very intelligent reporter who,
fully hide our name, but as the head when he reached the terminus, kindly
waiter of the hotel knew me at once and helped me to hire a carriage and
stood behind my chair during dinner, horses, which I certainly never
I confess I did not see the use of so could have got without him, as all
filmsy an attempt at concealment. the horses were hidden, and their
Thinking it over that night before tak existence stoutly denied. For $40 (in
ing the steamer down the Chesapeake gold) we got an open carriage with a
Bay, I came to the conclusion that it negro driver and a cart for the luggage,
took too much time and trouble to tell and here we took leave of our escort and
lies consistently and I decided to stick plunged into the unknown. Certainly
to the plain truth in this our very haz if over ignorance was bliss it was then.
ardous expedition, and so not, if possi No idea of evil entered our minds; we
ble, bring about any complications. It traversed a desert with this strange
turned out decidedly the best policy, and negro, with a calm sense of all absence
I always stuck to it during all the trou of danger which seems, in looking back
bled times that followed.
with the lurid light of after days, to have
When we got to Norfolk we applied to been either idiocy or inspiration!
the general, who appointed an interview, At sunset we crossed the Blackwater,
and we went to his office and found him and saw for the first time the gray jacket
with another general. They asked a of a Confederate picket. We reached a
number of questions.
small, dirty house, with a wide piazza,
"Why do you want to go into the some time before the party of refugees
South?"
who had been following us, and, as I
I answered, to save what I could of our now believe, constituted a very great
property.
danger for us and our luggage. How-
“Where are your sons ?''
ever, we kept ahead of them and drew
"In Hampton's cavalry," I said.
up at the tavern, where an ugly, sour-

CHAOS IN THE SOUTH.
349
faced woman asked us “What we || What was the danger? Suddenly I
wanted," and "where we came from." recollected our negro coachman, whom I
I told her civilly we wanted a bed had paid generously and who was keep-
room to ourselves and supper when it ing guard over the precious trunks,
was ready.
might help us, and I asked him if he
She said we must wait for the bed could give me Confederate bills (which
room to see if two ladies would allow us were perfectly worthless there) for green-
to sleep in their room, as she could not backs, dollar for dollar. He grinned
give us a room to ourselves.
largely and agreed gladly, so that I was
When the refugees arrived they were able to go back to the dreadful landlady
and pay her bill, as she had insisted, in
ing, which was true, that our baggage Confederate money. Her face fell and
had not been examined by the Federal she glared at me furiously. There was
officer, whilst their's had been very then nothing seemingly to prevent our
strictly searched. At the moment I did going down to the railroad station to take
not see the aim of this declaration, but I the train, and we walked away to wait
noticed that the attitude of the landlady for it. At the little station I found my
became very aggressive, and as soon as opposite neighbor of the supper table
the so-called ladies had agreed to let us talking with great excitement in French
share their room we went up-stairs, my to another man about us. They were
daughter innocently leaving our bundle both in uniform. We were, he said, to
of wraps and umbrellas in the entrance be immediately arrested as Northern
hall-needless to say, we never saw spies.
This, then, was the danger. I imme-
once with a violent headache, and so dis diately addressed the provost marshal
appeared from the scene.
and said, "I think it right to tell you that
I never shall forget the supper-table I understand what you are saying, and
I sat down to. It was under ground and that you are quite wrong.'
a more ruffianly-looking set of men I He was very much surprised, but
never saw. We were told afterwards they took off his hat-he was from New Or-
were blockade-runners. I noticed that leans-and then proceeded to argue the
one man who sat opposite to me had an matter in French.
What security had I to give that we
and looked altogether of a better sort than were not spies? We had been sent in
the others. I also noticed that he stared by special train; our baggage not
searched, and only the week before a
to eat the dirty, greasy food and this woman and her daughter had been ar-
gave great offence. I found out my op rested for less cause on suspicion and
posite neighbor was
THEY WERE IN PRISON.
THE PROVOST MARSHAL,
"I have only my name and position to
as he was pointedly addressed as such by
the woman at the head of the table, look-
but these are enough, and you must
ing fixedly at me as she did so. Of
recollect that two women, situated as we
are, can only rely on your knowledge of
the world to protect us against the vile
stances at the time and only recollected aspersions of the sort of people who have
them afterwards.
denounced us, and who are very low.
As soon as possible I left the table and as it is evident they have done it from
went up to bed. The two women talked envy and malice. Were we really spies
loudly long into the night and I was so we certainly should not have been sent
tired I fell asleep while they were talk in a special train."
ing. Next morning I asked for my bill,
which was $60, and for which I offered I said my intention had been to go di-
greenbacks. The woman burst out with rectly to Charleston, but hearing there
a torrent of abuse and refused to take was yellow fever there I should now try
anything but Confederate money, which to join my sons, if I could find out where
course, I had not. I took they were, which would not be difficult.
the bill and walked out on the piazza to "Ah! if you do that," he said-
reflect.
“I most assuredly shall," I answered,
Here one of the women of our bedroom if you will let me go."
came up hastily and said, "Ma'am, you Send Lieut. Edwards,” he called out,
are in great danger; take care.” She had and Lieut. Edwards appeared.
tears in her eyes and looked quite He gave the lieutenant orders not to
frightened as she spoke, and hurried || lose sight of us, and to guard us to where
away.
Hampton's division had camped.
8h

350
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Lieut. Edwards turned out a very || through the prestige exercised by the
nice fellow, and never seemed to doubt planters over their slaves. The in-
that we were "all right." Ho recom stances of this imaginary power made a
mended us to a farm-house, where we curious part of the history of that sad
stopped, whilst he went on to announce time, and certainly preserved the whites
our arrival to my son, which he faith from having their throats cut, and their
fully did; and, after a night ride of fifty wives and daughters reserved for a
miles, my boy joined us for a few hours, worse fate.
after so many terrible years of separa Habit was stronger than freedom, and
tion.
it is to the credit of both races that the
sudden upheaving which took place and
It was early in April, 1865, and the shattered the homesteads in no instance
spring of that year was exceptionally involved
beautiful. Since February there had
THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD.
been no frost to check the early vegeta-
Only one example took place in the
tion, and the gardens of the South
neighborhood in which this story is
blazed with red camelias and roses.
placed. The negroes took out a wretched
The scent of the magnolias was
overseer, formed a platoon and shot at
heavy in the air, and the mocking birds
him until he fell riddled with buckshot.
sang all the day long; the sun was
But on the very same day a young
bright, and the river ran clear and
planter, who had ventured to go home
full; the order of nature had not sympa-
and was seized and carried out to be
thized with the terrible confusion and
shot, was saved by one of his former
trouble that reigned in the land, and
slaves putting him on a fast horse, hid
there had not in many long years been a
in a thicket, and bidding him ride for
season so propitious to crops that, alas,
his life, while he amused the negroes
were not planted that year.
with a shotgun. They let the boy get
In February the Confederacy laid
away and then killed Skinner, the over-
down their arms, after a fierce and fruit-
seer.
less struggle of four years, and bleed-
These were the events of the day on
ing, exhausted and hungry,
that beautiful morning in April, when a
THE GREY JACKETS SUBMITTED
lady and her daughter sat at breakfast
unconditionally to the Northerners. The in their pretty home. The plate chests
Federal army manned the Southern
bad been taken in time to Columbia, the
towns, and their gunboats steamed up
old Madeira secretly put under the
the rivers, and landed cautiously at
shingles of the roof by two faithful
points where there was no cover for
negroes, and then these ladies, not know-
lurking sullen sharpshooters, who
ing where to go, decided to remain on
snapped their fingers at discipline and
the plantation, and let the wave go over
them. They drew their robes around
resented bitterly the peace which to
them was ruin.
them, to die decently, if need were, at
The negroes were free, and believed
home.
Suddenly a loud shouting was heard,
that each black man had a right to "forty
and a terrific stamping from the adjoin-
acres and a mule, and that in a short
time all the houses and lands and barns
ing plantation, only separated by a
and mills would be theirs, and their
hedge of Cherokee rose from the avenue
leading to the house in which these
masters would, as they expressed it, be
the lower rail and they the upper rail.
ladies lived.
Meanwhile they profited by the occasion
"What is that noise, Elias ?" said the
to give up working the land, and with
elder of the two to the servant.
true negro restlessness swarmed over
The negro's face took a most sinister
the face of the country, and the roads
and insolent expression, as he answered,
were black with them, aimlessly wander-
"It's the people amusing theirselves.”
The ladies went out of the breakfast-
ing.
All the planters left their houses, and
room and, passing through the garden,
took their families into the interior of the
walked to the rose hedge, and saw how
State, as if one place were safer than
the people were “amusing themselves !"
another at such a time; the truth being
They were pulling down the house on
that the real peril lay with the negroes,
the next plantation and
and that only the neighborhood of
DANCING AROUND THE RUINS.
Northern troops could keep these in It became necessary and prudent then
check, if they willed to murder their not to leave their house for a moment
former masters That they did not mas uninhabited, and the ladies hurried
sacre the whites, who were wholly in back and pursued the usual routine of
their power, can only be accounted for ll their lives.

CHAOS IN THE SOUTH.
351
Two carriages soon afterwards drove || gers. Then he made a tour of the room,
up the avenue. On the box of the first opening every drawer, and poking into
one sat Elias, directing the coachman to every corner behind the bangings.
the house. Following the carriages were Just then the younger lady looked out
five or six hundred negroes. The car of the window and uttered an exclama-
riages came to the front door and the tion at the frightful scene before her.
elder lady at once threw the door open Packed as close as they could stand,
and said: “Whom have I the honor of there were perhaps a thousand negroes,
receiving?''
all with bags under their arms, waiting
There were two very common looking to sack the house. In their excitement
white men who seemed greatly taken they rolled their hideous eyes till noth-
aback and hesitated; but the question ing but white seemed visible, and
being again put, the answer came hesi showed their glittering white teeth as
tatingly, the provost marshal and his they laughed and jeered. But by the
assistant."
force of old habit the sight of
"Walk in provost marshal," said the THE NEGROES IN FULL REVOLT.
lady, "I am very glad to see you at this
roused the blood of the lady, and she
time, and the men entered the dining-
said to the man when one of the boldest
room and looked around.
pressed his fiat nose against the window
The younger of those two ladies had
pane: "Please order that negro away."
taken up her knitting and seated her-
The so-called provost marshal shook
self as far from the men as she could.
his fist at the negro, who instantly slunk
Both ladies were in the deepest mourn-
away; then the search in the room con-
ing. Death had been lately in that
tinued.
household, for the second time within
At last on the sideboard, in an oaken
the year, and death then seemed some-
paper box, the man found and pulled
thing actual that sat at every hearth, and
out a photograph of the young lady, and
by use had lost half its terrors-it seemed
said to her: "Is that you ?”
such an easy, natural thing just to die
The young lady burst into tears.
without more trouble or sorrow, but
“It was me," she said.
there is always the instinct of life, which
“Give it to me,” he answered.
compels as it were a struggle.
“But you have got it."
"Give up your money and your
Was it an inspiration? The answer
arms !” said the soi-disant provost mar-
saved the ladies, and subsequently the
shal.
man, for the answer was, "Take it,” and
Out of her pocket the elder lady took a
he took it, and then the tide turned.
roll of
Elias had forced his way into the room,
CONFEDERATE NOTES,
and stood greedily gloating over what
which were then not worth the paper || he was to get; but the elder lady said to
on which they were printed, and handed
the provost marshal, “That vile negro
it to the man. Around her neck were
has lied to you; he knows that there is
no silver here, and he told you that the
hidden her son's watches and around
her waist was a belt with gold, for noth-
house was 'crammed' with it."
How dare you lie to me!" exclaimed
ing was safe except what was worn on
the provost marshal fiercely to the ne-
the person, and not always then.
"Why, this is good for nothing stuff,
gro.
Order him out at once,” suggested
said the man, tossing the roll of notes
the lady.
into the fire. "And now, tell me, where
So with a fierce oath he bid Elias go,
is your husband ?"
He is dead."
and never dare to put his foot on that
place again.
"And where are your sons?''
Elias started off at a run, and never
"In Virginia, in Hampton's cavalry."
stopped till he reached a far off planta-
"Oh! then, I must confiscate this
house."
tion; and he never did put his foot on
that place again.
The lady took this for a bad joke at
“But,” said the lady, "you must also
the time, though, as it proved, the man
send away all those negroes.''
knew no better, and not knowing ex-
"I will," he replied, and going out he
actly what to say, she asked on what
flung himself on a led horse and charged
ground?"
"Oh! you are all d-d Rebs, you know,
into the midst of the
and I dare say there are some at this
MASS OF TERRIFIED NEGROES,
moment about the house."
who fled in every direction panic
With this he rushed at some gloves stricken.
lying on a bookcase and tried them on, Then back came the officer and said,
but could only get in the tips of his fin- || what else can I do for you?”

352
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Give me a protection,'' said the lady, |strength. That ignorance probably pre-
and produced pen and ink.
vented a repetition of the scenes of St.
With considerable halting and diffi Domingo.
culty the precious paper was written, Something of a lull fell upon the seeth-
and signed "Pro Mar,'' and after offering ing tumult. The negroes in masses
a five dollar bill to the young lady, trooped into the town where the Federal
which she threw at him, he brought in headquarters were established. The
stolen silver, which he gave to the elder plantations were well nigh abandoned,
lady. (She took it and returned it sub and the fields lay fallow in the sunlight.
sequently to the owner.) Then the two In vain did the friends of the negroes
men left the room, got into the carriage, tell them of "the dignity of labor." To
on the front seat of which was a sheet their minds freedom meant the liberty
filled with silver, and drove away.
of inaction, and where there was labor
The younger lady then stood up to go there was no dignity. So they lounged
to her room, but fell forward. flat on her about and made the place dark with
face, in a dead faint-but the house was their numbers, until an order was issued
saved. We
that all the colored people should go
The “protection, though it proved to to their homes, and none should be al-
be à forged paper, yet did its work, and lowed to come into town without a pass
subsequently saved the house from a from their former masters stating their
night raid of twelve negroes armed to business. With a fine irony the plan-
the teeth, under a white sergeant, who, ters were ordered to keep the negroes on
luckily, could not read, and took the the places and in their quarters at night.
paper for what it was given.
This was
The so-called provost marshal turned
A FIRST CHECK TO THE NEGROES,
out to be a marine, amusing himself by
making a raid on his own account. He
for, as they said, it was “berry hard case
was discovered by the photograph in his dat free nigger must be orderly.” But
possession, and arrested by the naval they swarmed back again and waited for
officer in command. He was brought in something else.
irons to the bouse he had spared for evi It was in those days that, having been
dence to convict him, but the evidence a very long time without any news, the
was refused, and he could not be con ladies in question decided, not very
demned.
wisely, to drive to the village in the pine
"And was the photograph stolen or woods, twelve miles off, where some
given ?" was a question put.
communication was always kept up with
It was given," was the answer.
the army of Virginia. Gen. Lee's sur-
After this, those ladies were taken render was not immediately followed by
under the especial protection of the fleet, that of Johnson in North Carolina, and
and shown every attention and kindness Hampton's cavalry was known to be
by the officers, who at first could not with Johnson. Wno was alive and who
believe that they were really living was dead? That was the question.
alone, surrounded by such fearful dan Transportation was not easy. Early in
gers; they thought that the sons of the the winter all the horses and mulos had
house must be somewhere near. watch-
been stolen under pretence of impress-
ing over their mother and sister. Later ment for Confederate scouts, in reality
they knew that the men were
to plough the fields of Confederate de-
ALL AWAY IN LEE'S ARMY,
serters from the army, from whom they
and they offered to station a gunboat in
were later on recovered in a dying con-
dition from work without food. Only
the river before the house to protect it
one old mule had been left behind as
from blacks and whites, but the offer worthless, and this animal was harnessed
was not accepted, lest the sons should to an open buggy and early in the morn-
return suddenly and resent the safety ing a start was made.
owed to those whom they had so lately To understand this drive it must be
fought against..
recollected how rice plantations lie. The
There was hardly a day at that time rice fields are a belt of cleared cane and
unmarked by something new and terri cypress swamp, and must border on the
ble. War, such as that was, with the river, from which they are watered by
horrors of a servile race added to all the ditches, so that they make a long line of
rest, is something that cannot be under little breadth. On the most convenient
stood except by those who went through knoll of sand raised above the swamp,
it. The negroes on the whole behaved and usually where there are oak trees,
with wonderful moderation, though the houses are built, and naturally these
much of that undoubtedly was due too are, for beauty, on the banks of the
to the unconsciousness of their own ll river, so that all

CHAOS IN THE SOUTH.
353
THE LIFE OF PLANTATIONS
three loud taps on a drum were given by
is near the swamp, and the boundary an invisible sentinel, and as they reached
line on the neighborly road is marked
the line two negroes started up from be-
by a high bank, usually planted with
hind the high hedge, armed with guns,
Cherokee rose or casina, with its thick
and the taller of the two leaped from the
growth of varnished leaves and bright
bank on to the road, brandishing a huge
scarlet berries. The road is a straight axe and looking most formidable. He
dead level of sand, with plantation banks
was evidently, from his appearance, one
on one side, and interminable pine
of the Northern blacks who had lately
woods on the other, and as there are, of
come to the plantations, and who led
course, roads running to all points for and influenced the slaves in all things.
THE MULE STOOD STOCK STILL,
main road is as solitary as the Desert of
and the second negro jumped down and
Sahara.
It was soon that day. The wild
went to its head. The tall man, speak-
fiowers in the woods were in full bloom ing good English, then said, "Who are
and beauty. The blue and white lupins you, and where are you going?”
made a carpet, they grew so thickly;
pink azaleas were scattered as far as the
eye could reach, under the growth of
information that we were going up the
lofty pine trees; and there was the dog road, were in a hurry, and would be
wood with its great masses of white thankful if he would help us on our way
stars, like so many milky-ways, and the by giving the mule a start.
delicate fine-fringe tree, with its grace For a second or two, which seemed an
ful drooping branches. But the crown hour or two, the man appeared to ponder,
ing glory of the woods, and one of the looking full at the ladies, and then he
most beautiful of all flowers, was the said gravely, “Certainly; good morning
yellow Carolina jessamine, flinging its ladies; start that mule sir."
golden bell-flowers from every tree-top, The two men then presented arms, and
and filling the air with the scent of the carriage spun away.
Parma violets. Perched on the tops of The remainder of the long drive passed
the bushes on the plantation side the without their seeing another soul, and
mocking-birds, which never go into the the ladies had time to recover them-
woods but keep to the gardens and selves, for they had been very much
fields, sang their loudest and sweetest alarmed. On arriving about midday at
spring songs. No ball-room decorations the village they found messengers just
and no ball-room orchestra were ever come in from the army, bringing news
more beautiful than the accompani that Johnson had surrendered and dis
ments of that solitary drive
banded his army, and that the men were
THROUGH THE CAROLINA WOODS.
coming home. Many refused to believe
in the final extinction of all hope-there
Only the mule was the drawback; he
were no letters, only verbal messages,
would not, could not go faster than a for in those last days of confusion post-
walk, in spite of all manner of urging. offices and mails were all broken up,
But still he walked and sidled on past and communication was carried on en-
three plantations, till the line of the tirely through trusty negroes, who made
third plantation was reached, and here their way unsuspected through the
there was something new. This was the lines, and brought back tidings, mostly
a few words on wrapping paper, just to
show that the writer was still alive.
There was no news, for the end had
lent and dangerous. They had quietly come.
pulled down the fine large house, and There was great distress for food in
divided among themselves the Turkey the pineland settlement; the poultry on
carpets, family portraits by Sir Thomas the plantations had been stolen and sold
by the negroes, and there being no gar-
books, and hundreds of dozens of old dens allowed in the pineland from sani-
Madeira.
tary regulations, it was getting difficult
It was curious to see the road strewn to live. A kind friend shared some
for miles with pages of the latest French sweet potatoes with the ladies, and then
novels, which they had torn up for some they set off again, and the mule took
reason unknown. The latest idea was them at a round pace home, where they
to throw up a line of earthworks and arrived late at night and found all quiet
hoist a red flag at the boundary line of The men came back from the army
the plantation on the road. As the and began to work at home quietly and
buggy driven by the ladies appeared I hopelessly. No one could tell what the
45

354
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
day might bring, no one looked forward || at dinner time because they were
or tried
hungry, and whatever there was on the
TO PLAN A FUTURE.
table was shared with them freely and
without comment, and the host did not
In June, when the rice field malaria
feel generous nor the guest grateful,
begins, all the families of the planters
Time wore on and things quieted down
crowded together in the pineland settle-
into desolation.
ment, where the great danger was the
ease with which the village could be
surrounded any night by the negroes,
No.62.-Fun in the Fort.
and a general massacre of the whites
take place. White men were forbidden
to carry arms; every black had a gun
(By Esther Alden, of Plantersville, S. C.)
given to him; the odds seemed fearfully
against the white race, but the negroes May 29, 1863.-Heigh ho! I am to
knew that many of them would be killed
leave school to-day never to return! I
before the whites were overcome, and
each negro feared that he might be one
suppose I am grown up! The war is
of the foremost to stand against those raging, but we, shut up here with our
fierce returned soldiers, who counted
books, and our little school tragedies and
their lives for naught in that moment of
defeat and humiliation, and who would
comedies, have remained very ignorant
fight like heroes to defend the women. of all that is going on outside. Now, I
All day long the planters spent on the suppose I will know more of the excit-
plantations and the women and children
ing events taking place, as I am going
were quite alone in the pine woods. The
negroes would no longer be the servants,
to Charleston to-morrow and we will
and it was curious to see ladies with stay there as long as it is considered safe.
little white hands carrying pails of water, We have had some hardships to endure
the parson milking the cow, and the old
this winter. Our fare has been very poor,
ladios cooking the dinner.
The negroes who had been to the war but much better than that of poor C., who
with their young masters in all cases writes that at his school they have not
returned with them and behaved exactly
had meat nor butter, tea nor coffee for
as in former times, only being paid
a long time, but have lived entirely on
wages instead of being clothed, fed, and
cared for; these were civil and willing squash and hominy! I do not think
to do their work. During the war many girls could stand that; they would rebel;
of the young men on going into battle
but the boys all recognize that the mas-
gave their purses to their body servants,
to be taken
ter is doing his best for them. We have
HOME IN CASE OF THEIR DEATH.
always had meat once a day; our supper
In no instance was this trust abused;
consists of a huge tray of corn dodgers
after the battle the money was invaria which is brought into the school-room
bly given back intact.
and placed on the table, that we may
Food now became the great question. help ourselves, and the dodgers are the
How were those thousands of negroes hardest and the driest I have ever seen.
to be fed if no crops were planted. The We do help ourselves and the tray goes
rice fields lay abandoned and rapidly out empty. Most of us have been very
growing up in a crop of formidable quiet about it, but not long ago one of
weeds. Then from headquarters in the the girls left and it seems she had stowed
capital came forth the decree that the away some dodgers in her trunk, which
plantations were to be planted on shares she displayed to sympathizing friends
with the negroes, the planters furnish and relations when she got home, mak-
ing the land, the seed, the animals and ing a melancholy story of her suffer-
feeding the negroes till the next crop, in ings. The dodgers, with age added to
default of this, the crop to go to the their actually adamantine character,
Government. These conditions were were simply indestructible, and there was
never modified, and all that summer quite a stir made outside about our woes.
the plantations were worked for the ben We who remained at school, however,
efit of the negroes and to the ruin of the disapproved of her conduct as being
starving planters.
very disloyal. In our own homes even
The suffering was fearful, but it was there are many privations now, and we
bravely borne. Those who had gave to are rather proud to feel that we are shar-
those who had not; the communion of ing, at a very safe distance, some of the
charity was perfect. People walked in ll hardships borne by our brave soldiers,

FUN IN THE FORT.
355
Charleston, June 20.—It is too delight prospect, a figure in a white coat loomed
ful to be at home! In spite of the war up through the darkness. It proved to
every one is so bright and cheerful, and be Mr. W., who offered us his buggy, and
the men are so charming and look so soon after Dr. S. offered us his carriage,
nice in their uniforms. We see a great so we got here comfortably and without
many of them, and I have been to a most delay. I have not been here before, so I
delightful dance in Fort Sumater. The peered anxiously out to see what sort of
night was lovely and we went down in place it was. The moonlight made
rowing boats. It was a strange scene, everything look very weird and unlike
cannon balls piled in every direction, other places. I think it must be quite
sentinels pacing the ram parts, and within pretty, though the white sand, which
the casemates pretty, well-dressed looks so like snow in the moonlight,
women, and handsome well-bred men may have a very different effect
dancing, as though unconscious that we
BY SOBER DAYLIGHT.
were actually
UNDER THE GUNS
July 15.-The moonlight surely was
.flattering; the place is by no means
of the blockading fleet. It was my first
pretty; a queer old-fashioned house
party, and the strange charm of the sit facing north, with a lawn of white sand,
uation wove a spell around me; every if that expression is permissible, in front,
man seemed to me a hero-not only a and scrub oaks in abundance beyond.
possible but an actual hero ! One looks Within everything looks very homelike
as a man so differently when you think he
and cosy, a piano, two indeed, (our own
may be killed to-morrow! Men whom up being out of tune, papa has hired one,)
to this time I have thought dull and com and all the dear things from home.
monplace that night seemed charming. I This house has been lentus by the widow
had a rude awakening as we rowed back of an old friend of Pi's who lives in the
to the city. When we came abreast of village of S.; she and her family are the
Fort Ripley, the sentinel halted us de kindest and most generous friends; in-
manding the countersign, (I believe that deed, the whole neighborhood is remark-
is what they call it;) the oarsmen stopped, able--very cultivated, agreeable people,
but Gen. R., who was steering the boat, and so very kind and generous, I am
ordered them to row on. Three times not accustomed to receiving, and I fear
the sentinel spoke and then he fired. I do not yet understand how to accept
The ball passed over the boat and Gen. with proper grace and gratitude. The
R. ordered his men to row up to the fort, village is about three miles from us, and
called the officer of the day, and ordered we have one or two neighbors quite
the sentinel put under arrest! Of course near. They keep us supplied with fresh
I knew nothing about it, but it seemed butter, milk, eggs, vegetables and fresh
to me frightfully unjust, and I was so meat of various kinds, not to mention
indignant that I found it hard to keep lovely flowers which come nearly every
quiet until we got home. This circum day. Papa placed us here because the
stance destroyed much of the pleasant plantation, Cherokee, is no longer safe,
impression which the evening had left (the gunboats constantly run up the
on my mind.
river and shell the plantations along its
The Lodge, July 10.-This morning we banks,) and he does not think the enemy
were aroused at day break by the sound will ever come here, there being nothing
of heavy firing. It is an awful sound. to bring them. He has bought a tract
The enemy have opened fire on Morris of land in North Carolina, about a day's
Island. We got up at once, and throw journey from here, to which he has sent
ing on our clothes hastily, met to con a number of negroes that they may
sult as to what we should do. It was de learn to spin and weave clothes as well
cided that we should leave the city at as make a crop of provisions and some
two. We began packing immediately cotton. We will call that place the
and by twelve everything was ready. Refuge, as, if the enemy ever will reach
Just before we left I got a letter from us here, we could retreat to it.
H. entreating us to leave the city at once. July 17.-Yesterday I received three
He is in the battery at Cummings letters, one from M. full of news from
Point. God protect him. We reached the city, and very cheerful. P. is well
the s. depot at midnight, and not hav but they have not seen him at all since
ing had time to write, our own carriage the attack conmenced, and can only
was not there, and it was impossible to communicate with him through the
hire one, so we had the pleasing pros mail, though his gunboat is in sight.
pect of waiting until a messenger could H.'s letter was very gloomy; I fear he
be sent to the Lodge, a distance of three thinks affairs nearly desperate; his re-
miles. As we stood talking over the ll sponsibility is very heavy, as he com-

356
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
mands Battery Gregg at Cumming's Il teen, and in her gathered purple home-
Point. The letter was so spattered with spun dress she is
ink I could scarcely read it, for which
QUITE A LITTLE SHOW.
he apologizes, saying a shell had explo-
Mine perhaps looksworse, as it is intended
ded near, and
to be a close fit, but fortunately the
A FRAGMENT BROKE THE INK BOTTLE! cheval glass is not here, and I can only
see a small portion of myself at a time,
It makes one shudder to think of our
and so am allowed to remain calm in
brave men in such peril day and night
mind, and fancy it a trim fit. I can
and we can do nothing for them but weave myself, after a fashion, but I can-
pray-that we can do.
not learn to spin Papa bought us each
a pair of shoes in Columbia, but they
July 19, Sunday.-Just as we were leav-
are so huge it is difficult to get on in
ing for church the paper came, and therein
them, still, as my old ones are com-
was the dreadful intelligence that J, had
pletely gone, I struggle about in these
died of his wound. It is too dreadful !
long, low, very broad craft. They say
If I could I would hope that this, like
they are English shoes, if so I'm sure I
the first, might be a false report, but
would prefer French; we are knitting
something tells me it is true * * *
socks and making shirts for the soldiers
Oh, that terrible Gettysburg! * * *
all the time. I wish I could knit faster.
Just returned from church; had a beau-
C. was sixteen last month; he has gone
tiful service. Mr. K. is rector here, and
I like him very much, but to-day a Mr.
to the Arsenal,
Wilmington, February 26, 1864.—I have
O., a stranger, preached. He gave a
been here a month and have found
beautiful sermon, not at all like a ser-
it very pleasant, only I wish I was not
mon; he seemed talking to us so earn-
so shy; it takes away so much from my
estly that it was impossible not to feel.
pleasure in seeing people. I went the
His text was, "Be ye not troubled; ye
other evening-very soon after I came
believe in God; believe also in me.”
here-to a party. I am passionately fond
It is very appropriate to this time, when
of dancing, and was much pleased to go.
every heart is filled with care and anx-
As I entered the room a very handsome
iety, and so many, alas, with sorrow, Oh
man was introduced to me and he asked
the noble lives being daily sacrificed !
me to dance. I answered promptly,
August.--We are becoming quite recon-
"With pleasure," when he further in-
ciled to our new home. Mamma is such
quired, "Do you dance fast or loose?” I
a manager, she has made everything
was completely upset by this, to me, in-
very comfortable around us; she has
comprehensible question. I did not
turkeys and chickens, and pigs and
like to say "fast, I could not say
cows, a nice vegetable garden, and even
"loose.” I had not the vaguest notion
a pasture planted for the calves. We
what either meant, but they both
have only the house-servants here, but
sounded disagreeable, so I stammered
Nestor is most capable and takes as deep
out that I had made a mistake and did
an interest in having things nice almost
not dance at all. So I did not dance, and,
as mamma herself; he works in the gar-
moreover, will have to continue not to
den and the pasture most of the time,
dance while I am here. It is too bad !
and leaves the house work very much
I soon found out what the question
to little Aaron, who enjoys his import-
meant, for about half the couples in the
ance immensely. We live pretty well,
room were waltzing in a natural way,
but I cannot get to like sassafras tea or
while the rest of the couples were sim-
any of the substitutes for coffee. I have
ply holding hands, which gave the ef-
tasted fodder tea, which certainly had
fect of what the children call stiff-
some resemblance to black tea, but then
starching. These people looked at the
I detest black tea, and perhaps a person
who liked it would not find out the re-
"fast" dancers in a very superior man-
semblance. Clothes are our greatest
ner, as though from a moral eminence,
trouble, and I confess I do like nice-
but really the loose” dancers were
looking clothes. We are now in a uni-
much worse to my mind. It is a case of
form-a purple calico--not naturally an
HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE,
ugly thing, but when you see nothing and the effect was truly funny. I have
else it ends by being hideous. Papa done a little shopping since being here,
bought an immense piece and we each but money goes a very little way. I had
have two dresses of it. It is distracting! to give $50 for a pair of corsets, $16 for
Mamma has a loom going here and had two black belts, $24 for two pair of kid
dresses woven for J. and myself, but gloves, and $19 for buttons and needles.
they are a very curious color--a plaid. J. The people of the town are very warm-
is an uncommonly plump child of thir- | hearted and hospitable, and many of

FUN IN THE FORT.
357
them very pleasant. Gen. and Mrs. farm-house, and all the furniture
Whiting are charming, and the staff is a and pictures from the house in town
very pleasant one, but I am such a coun look strangely out of place. Many
try mouse that I shall be glad to get valuable things are stored away here,
back home.
glass, china, silver and a quantity of
The Lodge, March 17.--I am so happy old wine; this last has been packed in
to be at home again, though I have en hogsheads and rolled into the lake!
joyed my stay in Wilmington very Mr. T., the agent in charge of the place,
much. I find papa here, which is a came yesterday to make a call." He
great pleasure; he is so seldom with us, is a sharp-faced, lean, yellow man, and
and now I hope we will all be together looks much more like a Yankee to my
for a little while.
mind than like one of our people; the
The Lodge, May 20.--We got back here "call” was a prolonged business one
Wednesday, after an absence of two and conversation was difficult. After
months, and oh, what desolation has one of many long pauses, he pulled out
fallen upon us in that time! It seems a pipe and proceeded to smoke, asking
like years since mamma and I left here in each of us in turn to join him. Upon
answer to that sudden summons. * * * our declining, he said to me: “Yo'
Life looks too dreary and forlorn ahead. doant smoke? Wall, then, yo' chews ?”
August 20.-Poor M. is much wor-
No, again. “Wall, then, surelee yo'
ried by her new and arduous duties in
dips ?" No, again. “Wall, ma'am, yo'
looking after the business. P. always
wouldn't find a lady of your age in this
arranged everything for her, and now
county that doant do one or the other !"
she has no one to consult or advise with
This was a great shock, for we had no
at all. B. is with Kirby Smith be-
idea we had come into
yond the Mississippi, and we very
rarely hear from him. It is very hard
SUCH A STRANGE REGION.
to get clothes and medicines for all the
M. is always wishing for a lodge in
people. Having just had to make out lists
some vast wilderness. I really think
of everything for the executor, I know
she has come very near finding it now.
just how many there are-
We are all charmed with the place and
FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY,
very reluctant to return to S. H. and
and I do not see how M. is to provide civilization, but we must go next week.
for them all. She has made quite a crop The Lodge, October 4.-We got down
of rye here, and has sent some of it to be from the Refuge the afternoon of the
made into whiskey, as it is greatly 29th. Received a letter from D. to-day;
needed in sickness among them.
she mentions the funeral of Mrs. Rose
The Refuge, September 20, 1864.—This
Greenhow, who was drowned while run-
is a lovely place. The house is on a
ning the blockade. It seems a very sad
high hill overlooking a small lake. I
fate, after all the trials she endured at
suppose it might be called a pond, but I
the North on account of her Southern
prefer to call it a lake. The woods are
feelings. I am reading Gen. Jamieson's
beautiful, made up of a great variety of
“Bertrand du Guesclin," and have thus
trees, not like the everlasting faithful
far found it very interesting. Poor
scrub oaks of the middle country. The
Gen. Jamieson died of yellow fever
river is about a mile from the house, a
in Charleston the other day. J. is in
rugged, pretty walk, and the riyer banks
Fort Sumter and H. also. I truly
are very picturesque. It seems strange
hope they may escape. * * * M. sent
that this is the same river that glides so
the wagon for the whiskey to-day, but
peacefully through the rice fields at
Daddy Andrew came back with a sad
Cherokee; here it is noisy and shallow
story. He said when he tried to get the
and foams with rage as it meets great
whiskey he was very badly treated,
rocks and boulders in its way. M.
beaten and pursued by armed men on
had to come here to see after the busi-
horseback, so M. says J. and I must
ness. Things on the farm do not progress
go with him to-morrow on horseback
well, but the negroes seem cheerful and
as a guard.
contented; some sorghum has been made October 6.-This morning J. and I
on the place and now it is being made mounted our horses and rode along with
into molasses to their great delight, the wagon to the distillery, twelve miles
"sweetnin'' having been scarce of late. away. We had a charming ride, and
The cattle and sheep are here and look old Daddy Andrew felt quite strong in
ing well, and Buster, the shepherd dog our escort. We went and returned with-
P. brought from abroad, seems much out adventure of any sort. * * * *
happier than he used to be in the low The news for the last few days has
country. The house is a regular ll not been good; there have been re-

358
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
verses in Virginia, and many of our
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
cavalry killed.
those two, with wonderful contrivance,
January 31, 1865.-A cold, dreary, rainy got the huge box down the front steps
day; it keeps one shivering over the fire. and buried it directly before the door.
Since the fall of Wilmington everyone has It is so well done that no one would
been very gloomy. I got a letter through know there had been any disturbance
a flag of truce saying Gen. Whiting was of the ground. Mamma, with the help
doing well; he fought with great gal of our kind neighbor, Mr. E., bas buried
lantry. A few minutes ago Mrs. A. the box of silver in the woods. I have
sent a runner over with a paper con buried the jewelry and watches of the
taining good news. France and England family, also the miniatures and every-
are said to have recognized the Confed thing of value, even our photographs,
eracy ! South Carolina is to be defended ! for we hear that they always tear up
Johnston to command here, and Lee's photographs. J. and I have become
army to come to our assistance. I don't accomplished in burying valuables; we
think it can be true. We do need some take a large cloth with us, and remove
good news so much, things seem to get the top of the earth carefully, then dig a
worse and worse, but
hole, put the things in, fill the hole
again, and then with great care replace
"HOPE ON, HOPE EVER."
the top of earth, fitting all the pieces to-
The Lodge, February 2.-We have sent
gether, and no one would ever suspect
all our saddle horses by a friend on to
anything, even if they examined the
Butler's brigade, where they will be in
spot. The greatest difficulty is to mark
service, but if any survive we will get the exact spot so as to be sure of it again.
them back at the end of the war. J. and I To-day we took up the boards of the
send our great pets, hoping they will
garret floor and laid the rest of the old
carry brave men into battle; the three wine in there, with what sugar, coffee
others we do not feel so much parting and flour we still have. Fortunately
from, though one of them is a great the boards of the fioor were not
beauty; he looks like an Arab.
nailed down, but they rattle and
February 27.--Things look very black. clatter so that it seems to me
Our army is passing through this place every one who walks over them must
every day on their way north. It is said
know their secret. Tea is so precious I
they will make a stand at Cheraw. I do
have hidden the one caddy that we have
not know how it will be. Some of the men
in a hollow tree near the house, where
are in high spirits, some very much dis-, it will be perfectly safe and yet easily
couraged. Those who have been shut up reached if we need it. H., when he
in forts and earthworks are rejoiced at the
passed through, loaded a pistol and asked
prospect of active service in the field, me most earnestly to keep it near me.
poor fellows! Every day some one that I have put it in the étagere drawer in
we know drops in weary and hungry, the sitting room; it is very much carved
and we have the pleasure, when pleas and does not look as though there was a
ures are very rare, of giving them a drawer at all. The preparations to meet
good meal and sending them on their the enemy, if they were not tragic, would
way refreshed. They suffer greatly in
be absurdly funny in many instances,
leaving, for when Butler's men go we
Mrs. H. has made an array of long
will be left to Sherman's tender mercies,
pockets of some strong material, which
February 28.--Our dear boys C. and I. she wears under her dress. In these she
have stopped to see us. It was too has stored provisions for an indefinite
pitiful to see them bowed down by their period, besides spoons and forks by the
heavy knapsacks and accoutrements.
dozen, tea, coffee, &c. To add to this
They do not look as if they had enough
burden she wears three dresses, not
to eat. We gave them one square wishing to lose them. Fortunately, she
meal at any rate. We are living very
is a tall, slender, erect woman by nature,
well now, for, as Sherman will soon be
so she can carry all this and only look
here, there is no use to keep our tur like a very robust woman moving with
keys and chickens for him.
slow and quiet dignity. I have even
March 1.- All the men who come in
ask us if there is any wine or whiskey
BURIED MY JOURNAL,
in the house, and entreat us to destroy which is a thick book, and have made a
it. We have a good deal of old wine, little soft book of writing paper that I
which mamma often says may be our may keep it in my pocket.
only salable property after the war. C. March 2.--This morning we had a fear-
spent one night with us, and he and ful moment. Two of Butler's scouts
Nestor packed the piano box full of the came in last evening to see us, and spent
finest old Madeira and in
the night. We promised them break-

FUN IN THE FORT.
359
fast at day break; they had just finished || looking and watching for them these
breakfast and were mounting their two days, since our men left, and at last
horses in the gray dawn of the morning we had begun to hope that this little
when we heard rapid firing in the road place might be altogether out of their
about half a mile behind the house. Of line of march. Wesprang up from table,
course we thought it was the advance and before anyone knew what she was
guard of Sherman's army, and the mo doing J. rushed out and threw her arms
ment of their departure, which would round her little spaniel's neck. He was
have been painful any way, was positive barking furiously on the back piazza as
agony. They rode away rapidly as we he saw strange men ride full speed into
thought into the very jaws of the enemy. the yard and rush up the steps. I shall
Later in the day we heard from the ser never forget the picture the child made
vants that the firing was only negroes I with her arms clasped tight around the
shooting hogs. It shows what we have dog, looking up fearlessly at the soldiers
to expect—that they have begun at once who rushed past her into the house.
to shoot all the hogs they can find-but Her face said as plainly as possibly, "If
I'm sure I am very glad they should you shoot my dog you must shoot me.”
have them instead of Sherman's men. A number entered the house, loudly de-
Just before Mr. P. left this morning he manding
begged mamma for God's sake to pour out
the demijohns of whiskey which she had
FIREARMS AND WHISKEY.
hidden away. She has sent some to the Mamma told them she had neither in
Refuge and some to Cherokee, where it
the house, but they were very scornful
has been a great blessing in cases of ill of that declaration and proceeded to
ness, also some she sent to the hospital, search. M. showed them the way to the
but she still has two demijohns here. storeroom, which was in a cellar under
Mr. P. said the consequences would be the house, and remained there while
too awful if they were found, so after he they searched. Her quiet dignity, fear-
left mamma called Nestor and Daddy less manner and beautiful countenance
ndrew and had the demijohns put on a must have influenced them somewhat.
wheelbarrow and rolled to the branch But after much breaking and searching,
and there poured out. It was a melan. they came upon a box which contained
choly procession. Poor old Daddy An quite a number of bottles, and then it
drew was in tears. He has great love was terrible to hear their triumphant
for whiskey under any circumstances, yells and oaths. We, up-stairs, knew not
but this, his own child you may say, what was going on below, and the sounds
that he had taken to the still as rye and were fearful. To add to our dismay,
been beaten for, and finally brought Polly ran in crying and saying, “ole
back in triumph, now to see it poured Miss will be kill! him will stay long
into the branch! It was too much. He dem mans, an' dey de drink an' de cuss
went down a little below and lay down an' de swear! do missy go beg um fo?
upon the ground and
come up.! But mamma had told us to
remain together, (D., J. and myself,) on
DRANK FREELY OF THE BROOK.
no account to leave the house. so we
Nestor was less demonstrative, but it begged Polly to go and remain near M.
was a sad sight to him, they were both She told us afterwards that when the
so proud that "Miss” had provided for soldiers found the bottles they yelled
"we people” what no one else's people and made so much noise that she
had. Shortly after this good faithful could not make herself heard, and
Nestor came to mamma and begged her they proceeded to knock off the
to let him go. He said he would hide heads and take copious draughts of
in the woods until Sherman had passed; sweet oil, whereupon the disgust of those
that he knew too much of the things who had been so fortunate as to get a
that were buried to be willing to meet bottle and the delight of those who had
the enemy. He said: "Miss, I don't not succeeded in getting one was in-
know what I might do if dey put a pistol tense. In the meantime another party
to my head.” Of course M. told him had entered the house and commenced a
to go, and gave him a good supply of most thorough search from top to bot-
provisions to carry. Daddy Andrew has tom, asking loudly for firearms. I let
been sent off into the swamp with the D. answer all the questions, for my little
carriage horses to try and save them. pistol (of which she knew nothing) lay
March 4.-To-day, as we sat at dinner, heavy on my mind. They left not an
mamma just beginning to carve a very article on the étagere untouched, break-
nice turkey, Polly rushed in, crying: ing some and putting in their pockets
"Miss, dey comin'. We all knew well Il everything they thought of any value.
enough what that meant. We had been ll One party had found out the dinner in

360
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the next room and were very merry over I have things indefinite given to them
that. D. had been with us but a short || by the Yankees, instead of having any.
time and her trunk was in her bedroom, thing taken away. Margaret came in
packed and locked. They entered and crying, her money and brooches and a
demanded the keys. She did not at first long list of things, including her
give them up, but they called for an axe blankets, having been taken. By dark
to break it open, so she gave them the they had all gone, (they had seemed in
keys and sat by to see every article of great haste all the time and fearful of
apparel held up to examination and de surprise,) and quiet was restored to our
rision. “What's this?" "How do you dismantled house. Thanks to the hid.
put it on?'' with endless coarse talk. D. den supplies, we have had a frugal
sat perfectly still and silent,
supper. None of us could make up our
minds to go to bed, so we inade up the
THE PICTURE OF INDIGNATION.
fire, and are sitting around it now.
I know now why he made me promise
March 6.-Twelve o'clock at night and
to keep that pistol; if I had seen one of
we still sit whispering by the fire-our
those creatures touch my beautiful sister
faithful old Polly on the rug nodding;
I would have shot him. We had for D., with her feet extended, trying to
safekeeping the trunk of —, who had rest, and I on a stool, scribbling to while
been killed in Virginia. It had been away the time until dawn. One more
sent home without the key, and re quiet day has passed, thank God, and
mained unopened, treated with all the we hoped for a quiet night, but shortly
tender reverence which a heroic death after 9 Polly came up to say she heard
commands. After finishing with D's them coming, though thus far none have
trunk, they turned to this one. She stopped; it was only the noise of their
told them, when asked, that it belonged passage along the road, which is quite
to others and that she had not the key
near. The feeling which comes over
and did not know its contents. They
me at the thought of seeing them again
broke it open and just on top lay the
is indescribable, and yet everyone says
sword and pistol of the dead! These
our experience of them has been mild.
they seized and turning to D. one of them They did us no personal harm, but their
cursed her, calling her a liar !” It was presence and manner is an insult--they
terrible! She bore it in a most wonder are so low, so incapable of appreciating
ful manner. It seemed to strike one of courage in man or woman. They de-
them with a certain compunction, for light in making terrible threats and
he took out of his pocket the ornaments then gloat over our misery. Yesterday
he had taken from her trunk, and care a captain was here who pretended to be
fully selecting one of very trifling
all kindness and sympathy. He was
value gave it back to her with all the air comparatively polite and did not enter
of one making a present! It was bitterly
the house. Perhaps he knew it was not
hard to bear. Ope party went up into
worth while after the foragers. He
the garret and poked into every dark asked for something to eat, and we gave
corner with their ramrods, and all the
him what we had, on the piazza. When
time to my ears the tell-tale boards were
he began to talk he proved almost
crying, "Take us up! take us up !" But worse than any of the others; said he
they did not listen to the boards, and had vowed never to take
came down as they had gone up, and our
A REBEL PRISONER,
hidden stores were untouched. The
number was increasing all the time, the and that he would take delight in cutting
killing of every living thing was going one down, and often did it! My disgust
on in the yard, some were walking was intense, but I tried very hard to
around the house with their ramrods keep cool. He asked: “Do you know
sounding the earth, but thank God not what you are fighting for? I answered
one entered by the front door, so the big "Existence.” He said: “We won't let
box of mine has not been found. They you have it." With a fearful grin he
all came up to the back of the house, went on, "In four months we'll have the
which is near the road. Now the maid Confederacy on its knees." I answered,
servants in the yard came in
"You must kill every maan, woman and
IN GREAT DISTRESS.
child first." He said, “We'll do it, too.
At the beginning of this war I didn't
Their boxes had been opened and all care a cent about a nigger, but I'd rather
their "tings'' thrown about and every enlist for ten years longer than let the
thing of value taken. They had not South have her independence.” Then,
thought of hiding away their valuables with a chuckle, he exclaimed, “We'll
as we had done, the general impression starve you out! Not in one place that
among them being that they were to Il we have visited have we left three

FUN IN THE FORT.
361
meals." At something D. said he ex- | Well I doubt if I ever again have a horse
claimed, “Oh, I know what you mean; to ride, so I shall not miss the saddle.
you mean the Almighty, but the Al March 13.--Byron came down from
mighty has nothing to do with this war!” North Carolina to-day. He had seen
Such blasphemy silenced me completely. dear C. at Wadesboro' and marched
I felt it was wrong, or at the least impru six miles with him to carry his musket.
dent, to talk to such a creature. We He says he was well, but had had to
hear of unrestrained plunder and de throw away all his clothes because of
struction in every direction. The poor the severe marching, and so he was very
negroes suffer also, and I fear we are all ragged and dirty. Byron brings a very
destined to feel the pangs of hunger. earnest message from Daddy Hamilton
But after hearing that man talk I had saying Mr. Thad ordered the people,
rather do anything, suffer anything, than large and small, to leave the place and
submit. But to think of the noble, return to the low country, so mamma
glorious men we lose by the hands has determined to go to-morrow up to
of such wretches! Though everything the Refuge. Our journey will be directly
looks black around l feel that we must in the track of Sherman's army, and Mr.
succeed. I pray it is not presumption. E., our kind neighbor tried to dis-
Sunday, March 12.-The day is bright suade M. from attempting it, but
and beautiful; everything looks full of wben he found she was determined he
peace and joy, and thank Heaven ! offered to accompany us, which is very
there are none of the enemy near us. good of him, for he is going on horse-
But we cannot tell what terrible battles back and it is thirty miles, and he is by
may be going on far away, for we can no means young.
hear nothing from our army. This Refuge, March 14, Tuesday.-We left
morning we all walked to church and the Lodge early this morning, M. and I
got there in full time, though it must be in the carriage and Mr. E. on horseback.
three miles. There was not a vehicle of Anything more frightful than the day's
any kind to be seen, but one mule cart. journey I cannot imagine. First of all
Every one looked cheerful; indeed, the the terrible state of the road, which was
reaction has made every one feel one continued slough of despond; then
brighter than usual. The sense of re the perpetual sight of dead creatures and
lief is so great that I feel as though a the sickening stench arising therefrom;
heavy burden had rolled from my the misery, desolation and hunger of the
shoulders. Everyone has suffered, people living on the road. It is like
more or less, except our dear neighbor,
SOME HORRID NIGHTMARE,
whose preparations had been complete
to stand a seige, his house being far When I shut my eyes I see nothing but
from the main road, and
creatures and human beings in agony.
The poor suffering horses! Some for-
SHE NEVER SAW A YANKEE.
tunately dead and out of their misery,
We, I think, fared better than most, others groaning in death pains, some with
but we hear dreadful rumors of their
disabled limbs feebly hobbling about to
glean a blade of grass; the cows and oxen
doings at the Refuge-not a bushel of
slaughtered and left to rot! I counted
corn left on the place, nor a mule, por eight beautiful calves lying dead in one
ox, nor cow, nor sheep; they burned the pen; many times we saw two or three
gin-house with the cotton, ard, worst of and many, many times mother and calf
all, eighteen tierces of salt. Salt now is lying dead side by side! Our horses were
as good, or rather better, than money; it terrified and Daddy Andrew had trouble
is so scarce throughout the country that in quieting them. Our whole journey
one can obtain all supplies in exchange was made at a walk, and we reached here
for it. When they were leaving they set weary and hungry. We had lunch with
fire to the house, but the negroes put out us, but it was impossible to eat a morsel
the fire. They have destroyed the on the way. The houses which we passed
things in the house, carried off the sil were all shut up-no look of life about
ver, of course, and drank up all the old them. We stopped at one house to get
wine. There is nothing left on the place water. After some time a woman and
but a little rough rice. Only three boys child ventured out, seeing we did not
went off with them. Mamma is greatly look warlike. They had lost every-
distressed and says famine is inevit thing and were facing starvation.
able. Daddy Andrew has returned with March 15.-The negroes on the place
the two horses which he hid in the met us with as much pleasure as over,
woods. He is full of tales of wonderful apparently. Their experience of the
escapes, in one of which he left my side Yankees has not been pleasant. To see
saddle hanging on a tree in the swamp. I the gin house with the salt burned, and
46

362
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
all the provisions, except what they could || women and children at home, the dead
save by stealth, destroyed was not to creatures are buried no where. Surely it
their thinking the conduct of deliverers. must bring a pestilence. We find C.
They have managed to save some corn here with typhoid fever. Seventeen can
and rice, and when they bring it into not stand up against scant rations and
the barn it may be enough to ration them forced marches. She looks
for some time, but the question is how
OLD, GAUNT AND HAGGARD,
the next crop is to be made. We have
March 18.-We have taken up all of our
no beds or comforts of any kind, and
buried things but the silver and the
are living as though in camp. The wanton
destruction in the house is extraordinary.
wine. Everything is uninjured, and we
have lost nothing but the caddy of tea,
Everything is cut to pieces with swords;
not a chair remains whole; the white
which I thought myself so smart in
putting in a hollow tree. Either some
marble from the cellarette lies on the
one saw me put it there and has taken it,
floor in fragments, the cellarette itself
or the hollow is a bottomless pit; in
has been chopped with swords or
either case the tea is gone, and now we
hatcbets; two exquisite figures of Night
want it so much for C.
and Morning lie on the floor in a
thousand pieces; two very handsome
March 28.--Mamma not having heard
from Cherokee for a long time, sent
old mirrors are shattered. It is enough
Toby down to find out how all the peo-
to make mamma ill-things she has
ple were, and to tell Mr. B., the over-
been so careful of, things many of which
seer, to send up the mare and colt, also
have accompanied her
the two larger colts, as she thought they
FROM YOUTH TO AGE DESTROYED. would be safe here now, the enemy hay-
ing passed. Toby was gone a week and
Never was man more astonished than
returned yesterday with the information
Mr. T. was when he came this morning
that the very day Sherman's army
and found us here. He never indagined
reached this place and Kilpatrick
ladies would attempt the journey up here
camped at the Refuge, a small party of
at this time. Soon after he came the
Yankees went to Cherokee. They took
country people began to drop in, and
off the oldest colt with them, and when
after staying a long time in their fashion
Toby told Peter, Miss J. told him to
one said, “Wall, I would like to know
bring back her colt. Peter laughed and
when the auction is to begin, for I've
said: “Miss J. colt indeed! de Makus
got some what to do.” Mamma said
colt now!” That is his son. He repre-
very quietly, “there will be no auction
here to-day," upon which they all lett.
sents the demoralization among the ne-
groes as complete. All the young men
It seems Mr. T. had announced that he
have enlisted in the Yankee army, and
would sell at 12 to-day all the things re-
are now drilling in G. The Yankees
maining on the place and the country
rushed into the Cherokee house, fol-
people had assembled for that purpose.
lowed by all the negroes. They de-
When mamma asked Mr. T. the mean-
stroyed and carried off everything, sawed
ing of his conduct, he replied that he
down the mahogany banisters, took off
had done what he thought best in order-
the doors, shutters and sashes, and
ing the negroes to leave the place, that
hewed down with axes the marble
“no one in the country had provisions
mantelpieces! The stock has been di-
for themselves, and to have a lot of
vided among them. They wished to
starving niggers among them would'nt
drive Mr. B. from the place after taking
help matters." Mamma told him she
the keys from him, but he appealed to
had arranged about their provisions and
Col. Brown, who told them to let him
would see that they were not in any
remain on the place. He now receives
danger of starving, that she had no in-
rations along with the negroes.
tention of allowing them to be driven off
the place, and that in future she would
OLD PRIAM KEEPS THE KEYS!
dispense with his services. He was Toby answered all our questions with
astounded, for he thought there being apparent truth and willingness; says
only a woman to deal with he would there is no one on the four plantations
have things his own way, but this is the who dares "take up for Miss;" that the
end of him as far as we are concerned few who feel for her have to whisper to-
Mamma has put Daddy Hamilton in gether in secret. These he says are his
charge of the place.
father and mother and eight others, all
March 17.-We made the frightful jour old people. He says the Yankees have
ney down to-day, and I pray God we promised to divide the land among them!
may never see such desolation again. Our boat was coming up the river with
The sights and smells were worse than ninety-four tierces of rice. The authori-
when we went up. There being only | ties at the navy-yard turned it back,

REFUGEEING IN BARNWELL.
363
knowing Sherman was up in this direc- || ofthe plainest, it was given with a hearty
tion, and not knowing that the enemy good-will and courtesy that might have
had possession of the lower part of the graced a royal board, and that was gen-
river. Of course it fell into their hands. erally fully appreciated by the recipients,
If only that rice could have escaped we many of whom were themselves gentle-
would have no fear of starvation for men and accustomed to the amenities
some time to come; but now! The ne of society in the days before the war."
groes here and at the Refuge have be How well I remember the group that
haved so beautifully, it is a great shock used to draw around the wide, old-fash-
to hear all this from the plantation; but ioned hearth on those winter evenings,
poor creatures ! I suppose it is quite listening to the long stories and easy
natural, being led on and incited to deeds talk of the young men about their camp
of violence by those wretched men. life or adventures in Virginia or the
Who would not be upset by the idea of West; stories that were for the most part
humorous and gay even when telling of
cious few! It is more than freedom hardships and sufferings that might
these people purport to give them; it is have saddened or hardened veterans,
land, horses, wealth in fact. What won-
der they are intoxicated !
youths. With what eager eyes and ears
April 1.-Last night Majors -- and --- would Mr. Taylor's boys listen to the
came in suddenly; they came direct soldiers' chat and long for the time when
from Raleigh, and oh, what sad, sad they too would don the grey uniform
news they bring ! * * * Oh, the pity and ride away
of it, the pity of it!
TO JOIN THE ARMY.
There follows a blank of some weeks But soon there came a time when fur-
in the diary; the writer evidently could loughs were only granted to men too ill
not record the downfall of the Confed to do further duty, and when those has-
eracy in which she believed.
tening back to join their companies
brought tidings of Sherman's rapid ad-
vance through Northern Georgia, and
No. 63.-Refugeeing in Barnwell. of the utter destruction and devastation
which marked his route. Then as we
sat around the blazing lightwood fire of
(By 8. B., of Charleston, S C.)
evening, we no longer laughed and
jested of far-off dangers, but discussed
A recent number of the Century con gravely what we should do in case-
tained a sketch of Gen. W. T. Sherman,
though it seemed an almost impossible
contingency-the Northern army should
written by a warm admirer of the ex-
ever come our way; whether to stay and
commander-in-chief, in reading which face all dangers in the hope of protect-
one is strongly reminded of the old ing the house and property, or to "refu-
story about the two sides of the shield.
gee" and leave everything to its fate,
Involuntarily one asks oneself can it
When I say “we”? I mean Mrs. Taylor
possibly be that this much lauded indi and myself, for there would be no ques-
vidual is identical with that Gen. Sher-
tion about Mr. Taylor and the two elder
boys remaining to be shot or taken
man who passed through South Caro-
prisoners.
lina in the spring of 1865, heralded by a As I look back to that period and re-
reputation which the arch-fiend might call all the dreadful stories constantly
have envied, and leaving behind him a
brought to us from across the river re-
detested memory which time may have
"the Yankees on their march through
I had been spending the winter of 1864 Georgia, I wonder how we ever made up
our minds to remain at home, and can
lower part of Barnwell, and their resi only conclude that we were encouraged to
dence, being situated upon the direct do so by the belief that Sherman would
road from Augusta to the coast. was a surely be checked before reaching Sayan-
convenient resting place for soldiers nah, or that, should be succeed in cap-
from our army going home upon fur turing that city, he would make Charles-
lough or returning to their commands ton his next objective point, leaving our
upon the seaboard. Hardly a night obscure neighborhood unmolested.
passed without some of these men find While comforting ourselves with these
delusive hopes, Sherman reached and
ble roof; and though the fare was often ll captured Savannah, crossed the river and

364
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
turned northward, having selected for 11 the same time, to obtain some provisions,
his goal, not Charleston, as we had ex their hasty retreat allowing scant time
pected, but “the army of Gen. Lee, to prepare the coarse rations they car-
nearly a thousand miles distant, at Rich ried with them.
mond, Va." The rapid falling back of After eight o'clock our men ceased
our men, who had been guarding the
straggling past, and the road, which
coast between the two cities, was the first could be seen for a considerable dis-
intimation we had of danger and in all tance towards the South, became per-
haste Mr. Taylor set about making fectly deserted. In what way the women
preparation for flight with his sons, employed themselves in their quarter
negro men, horses and mules to some we did not know, but only the cook and
place out of reach of the enemy; while, housemaid appeared in the yard all that
at the same time, he did all he could to day, and they moved about their work
secure provisions for those who were to in a solemn, speechless way, oddly at
variance with their usual ceaseless
toes brought into the house or concealed
CHATTER AND QUARRELLING.
his wife to appeal to the first Federal Once or twice, indeed, the cook relapsed
for a few minutes into one of the melan-
A cold, drizzling rain falling cease choly chants with which she was wont
lessly from a leaden sky added not a to relieve her culinary labors:
little to the feeling of depression and
"Don't grow weary, brother, don't grow
disquiet we all experienced upon that
weary,
last day within our lines. Group after Don't grow weary for the day's most gone.
group of cavalry rode slowly along the Keep your lamp trim en burnin',
highway before the house, wrapped in
Keep your lamp trim en burnin'-
overcoats or grey blankets and with bent Then suddenly would break off in the
heads before the chilling rain. Some midst of the stanza and continue her
of those who had formerly been our work in silence.
guests came to the house
What a strange, stiil, lonely day that
TO BID'US GOOD-BYE.
was and how slowly the hours dragged
along! Mrs. Taylor and I passed most
In the course of the morning Mr. cf it upon the sunny piazzą, our fingers
Taylor and his party took leave of us busily employed in knitting socks for
and set off in company with some of the soldiers, a work which required
Wheeler's cavalry in the direction of little thought and with which we had
Augusta. Of course, the parting be been accustomed all winter to fill up all
tween Mrs. Taylor and her husband and intervals of leisure. The children played
sons was, under the circumstances, a about us in a subdued, spiritless man-
very painful one, but the gentle little ner, no doubt impressed by the unusual
woman kept up bravely until the little stillness of the day.
procession disappeared in the distanco I cannot now imagine anything more
among the sombre pines; even then, forlorn than our condition was during
after the first incontrolable outburst of that interval when we occupied the bor-
emotion, she quickly recovered herself der ground between the two armies; for-
and was busy all the remainder of the saken by our friends and hourly ex-
pecting the appearance of our enemies,
our men as required it. Several times and yet I cannot recall that we were
throughout the day the dull boom of really very much frightened, saddened
distant guns came to us through the or anxious. I remember how we talked
rain and mist, giving the assurance that and even laughed over the items of local
the Federals were not entirely unre gossip just as usual, and that we did not
sisted in their advance, although the dwell much upon what was painful in
our position, nor speculate as to the fu-
State was entirely inadequate to hold ture. At intervals, over the fields of
them in more than momentary check. sedge-grass and the level lines of blue-
For sometime after dark the muffled green pine woods, we would see a col.
tramp of horses along the sandy road umn of smoke suddenly rise, spread
would be heard at intervals, but we out in the form of a thunder-cloud in
thought it wiser to extinguish all the summer, and then blacken in a way
lights so as not to invite attention to the which infallibly indicated a cotton fire,
house, and we were allowed to rest un each a little nearer to us than the last,
disturbed until daylight the following and we know that Sherman was signal-
morning, when the last of our troops ing his approach by burning the home.
called in passing to warn us of the near I steads and gin-houses along his route,
approach of Sherman's raiders, and, at ll and yet we neither exchanged words or

REFUGEEING IN BARNWELL.
365
looks of dismay at the sight. We sim- || dismounted, fastening their horses to
ply awaited our fate.
the fence and leaving their caps and
Towards nightfall the sound of drum swords upon a bench in the piazza when
and fife told us that the enemy was going they went in to breakfast. From their
into camp at no great distance from us, nonchalant manner one would have sup-
though up to that time no sight of the
posed the enemy miles away, whereas
"blue-coats" had greeted us upon that they had discovered a considerable force
portion of the road where it crossed a of Kilpatrick's cavalry camped less
slight eminence, a point towards which than a mile away, who might surprise
our eyes had many a time been directed and capture them at any moment if
during the day. It was with little appe they came in any other direction than
tite we partook of supper, and then, along the open highway.
after fastening the doors and windows While Mrs. Taylor attended hospitably
as securely as possible under the cir to their wants I stood guard upon the
cumstances, for many of them had not piazza to warn them of danger, and be-
been locked or barred for years, we lay fore they had finished a very hearty
down to rest without undressing, for we meal a group of soldiers in Federal uni-
were not at ail certain that the house form appeared in sight. At my hasty
would not be fired before morning. A summons our scouts seized the accoutre-
glow along the southern sky showed ments, and buckling on their swords as
where the long line of camp fires ex they ran to their horses bade us a hur-
tended, and, knowing the foe so`near, ried farewell and rode away into the
our uneasiness prevented us from sleep woods. As there was no doubt that they.
ing for some hours; but as the night had been seen we fully expected they
wore on and nothing occurred to alarm would be pursued. but probably fearing
us,
an abush the Yankees wisely allowed
FATIGUE CONQUERED ANXIETY, them to escape and contented them-
and both Mrs. Taylor and I fell into a selves with setting fire to a great barn
sound slumber, from which we were not
and gin-house belonging to one of our
aroused until the gray light of dawn was neighbors which stood near the road-
creeping into the room.
side.
The sound of drums beating the rev. With considerable apprehension we
eille assured us of the continued near awaited their next movement, fully ex-
ness of the enemy, but up to breakfast pecting that our time was about to come.
time we had no other indication of it. but they seemed in no haste and occu"
Just as we were finishing that meal the pied themselves for some time around
clatter of hoofs made us spring from the the burning buildings. Presently one
table and hasten to the door, when to our of them mounted and rode slowly to-
infinite relief the familiar grey uniform wards our house, keeping a sharp look-
of our own cavalry, and not the dreaded out in the direction in which our scouts
blue, met our sight. It was two of had disappeared. This first specimen
Wheeler's men who had returned upon of a Yankee cavalryman was certainly
a scouting expedition with the object of not calculated to
gathering some reliable information re-
STRIKE TERROR TO OUR REBEL BREASTS.
garding the position and force of the
Federals.
A sorrier horse or a more awkward
One can imagine the revulsion in our rider I never saw, and the picture he
feelings after having experienced for presented as he drew up at the gate was
twenty-four hours the sensation of being so ridiculous that we both had much
utterly deserted and defenceless. I difficulty in answering his inquiries
think the two young soldiers must have about them d—-d Rebels" he had
been rather surprised by the warmth of seen leaving the house. His stirrups
our greeting, but they had the good grace were so short that his knees projected
not to show any amusement it may have absurdly, and that, with his round
caused them, and perhaps after all I am shoulders and claw-like hands grasping
wrong in attributing any such feeling to the pommel convulsively at every
them, for they seemed fully to appre movement of his horse, formed a sight
ciate and pity our desolate condition. that effectually dispelled our fears re-
Having prudently declined our invita garding the much-dreaded "raiders.?' I
tion to breakfast until they had accom never have been able satisfactorily to
plished the object of their mission, they account for this creature's appearance,
rode on in the direction of the Yankee for, though none of Kilpatrick's cavalry
camp, and it was with no little anxiety rode with the easy grace we had been
we awaited their return.
accustomed to see in our local troops,
After nearly an hour's absence they many of whom had passed half their
reappeared, rode leisurely up and I lives in the saddle, they were generally

366
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
passably good horsemen and men of me- || Whenever during the day the cook
dium stature, not such apes as he. How had endeavored to prepare some food
ever he got among them, he had a very for us it had been seized and devoured
happy effect upon Mrs. Taylor and me, almost before it was cooked, and so, from
for as soon as he turned away we en.
the early breakfast we had had nothing
joyed a good laugh at his expense, to eat. Towards evening the children,
which relieved the tension of our nerves who were worn out with excitement and
and enabled us to bear more quietly the fasting, began to cry, and, seeing how
events of the day. I
rapidly the store-room and smoke-house
Our first visitor was soon followed by were being emptied, fancied we were all
a host of others, who did not hesitate to about to starve to death. One good-
enter the house and wander through natured fellow, Overhearing them, went
every part of it in search of valuables. out and secured a considerable quantity
On the approach of a numerous party of ham and bacon, which he stowed
Mrs. Taylor and I had retired to the sit away under a table in the corner of the
ting room and taken our places beside room, telling the children reassuringly
the hearth, the children sheltering them that this supply would last them a good
selves as much as possible from obser while, but the moment his back was
vation between us and the wall, and turned some of the others unceremoni-
these positions we maintained through ously took our provisions away.
out most of the day, during the whole of The determination Mrs. Taylor had
which the house was never free of the
expressed of seeking protection from
raiders. They would come in groups
some Federal officer was not carried
more or less numerous, dismount and into effect, owing to the fact that through
enter the house, go from room to room out the day no one wearing even a ser-
opening bureaus, trunks or closets, over geant's stripes was to be seen among the
hauling their contents and pocketing multitude that thronged the house. As
whatever article happened to take their the behavior of the soldiers had in
fancy; then when their curiosity was general been so orderly we did not mind
satisfied they loaded their horses with
so much about securing a regular guard
provisions and rode away to be succeeded during the day, but when the evening
by others.
drew on without our having discovered
After all the sensational reports we had any one to whom we could apply for
heard regarding Sherman's men upon protection during the night we grew
their march southward through Georgia, seriously uneasy. At last one of the
we were agreeably surprised by the civil-
men who had been sitting guietly beside
ity of their manner towards us. We
the table for some time, and had heard
would hear them laughing and talking Mrs. Taylor inquire anxiously of several
noisily as they stamped through the where she could find one of their officers,
house, with sabres rattling and a jingle came near us and asked why she was so
of spurs as they went, and more than desirous of seeing an officer. She ex-
once someone strummed upon the piano,
plained frankly her purpose, where-
which was in the parlor at the further upon he told her she need have no
end of the house. while his comrades
anxiety upon that score, as the orders
joined their voices in a noisy chorus. were imperative that all should be in
But whenever they entered the room camp at tattoo, and straggling after
where we were sitting they became or-
dark was most severely punished. If
derly enough, either passing through it we could have put faith in this assertion
without taking any notice of us, or bid-
it would have saved us much needless
ding us good-day and generally touching alarm, but after the other soldier's assur-
their hats or removing them as they ance that plundering was not allowed,
did so.
we had grown dubious regarding these
Occasionally one would draw up a
orders, or at least of the attention paid
chair and enter into conversation, and to them by the men. In this case, how-
nearly all who did so expressed astonish ever, after experience proved the good-
ment that we should have remained at faith of our informant. for during the
home to encounter
week which followed, throughout which
SUCH SCENES OF PILLAGE
Sherman's army was passing, we never
once were disturbed nor heard a foot-
as those going on around us. “Bless step near the house after dark.
your soul, it is not allowed; this As the shadows lengthened our vis-
plundering is not allowed," one told us itors grew less numerous, and finally
impressively, and presently we saw him the last footstep was heard descending
riding away with a pile of provisions the steps of the piazza and the sounds of
behind him and chickens tied by the feet voices and horses' hoofs died away in
and hung over his horse's neck,
ll the distance, but it was some time before

REFUGEEING IN BARNWELL.
367
we felt fully assured they had all de- || had been forgotten or overlooked by
parted. Then the servants, whom we their comrades, and about 9 o'clock we
had seldom caught sight of all day, came saw a long column of cavalry file past
in and Mrs. Taylor was able to get some under command of Gen. Kilpatrick. To
food for
see the perfect order and decorum that
prevailed in the ranks one would hardly
THE FAMISHING CHILDREN
believe them
and ourselves. This finished, we lighted
candles and proceeded to investigate
LAWLESS MARAUDERS.
what damage had been done by the During the remainder of the day an oc-
casional straggler hurrying to overtake
disorder met us that we were impelled his command alone called at the house
to put down our candlesticks and enjoy for food, and these, lacking the support
a hearty laugh. One would naturally of numbers, behaved quite civilly, taking
suppose "a good cry” would have been no more than they were given; but be-
moro in accordance with our feelings times next morning we saw the infantry
under the circumstances, but I think in their ugly light blue overcoats, not
the relief of feeling that the first day of coming by the road as the horsemen
our trials was past and we still had a had done, but swarming over the fields
roof over our heads counterbalanced and through the woods, ofttime halting
everything else.
to examine everything which they could
Fearing that the barn and corn cribs suspect of containing valuables. These
might be burned even if the house was were generally much rougher men than
spared, Mr. Taylor had taken the pre the cavalry, with quite a number of for-
caution to have many bags filled with eigners among them who, oddly enough,
shelled corn and stored in the house
some time previous. Whether because the “d-d Rebels” than we ever heard
they suspected valuables to be concealed, from any of the native soldiers.
like Joseph's cup, in the corn sacks, or In this instance, as before, no officers
because they wanted the sacks as they were visible though we watched closely
had the pillow slips to carry away some for them, feeling our need of protection
other booty, they had emptied the corn much more than we had previously
in heaps upon the floor where it lay done, but there was so little worth car-
mingled with the contents of the trunks rying away, except corn and potatoes, of
and drawers in the wildest confusion. which they had abundance, that they did
Every blanket, quilt and sheet had been not halt long and were merciful enough
stripped from the beds and carried off, not to burn the house and leave us ex-
ornaments of various kinds had either
disappeared or been broken, and from many of our neighbors.
a handsome India shawl several strips
had been cut for scarfs. In the parlor tinued passing and we grew quite accus-
the top had been thrown from the piano, tomed to their visits and to the sound of
some keys broken and wires cut, the drum and fife at tattoo and réveillé,
music and books lay strewn about the though we did not become used to the
room and yard, and a valuable violin of scarcity of food and the discomfort to
Mr. Taylor's had been taken, while most which they had reduced us. - As to put-
of the pictures had sabre thrusts here ting the house in order we gave up all
and there in the canvas; perhaps a feel efforts to do so after two or three attempts
ing of superstition alone had saved the rendered useless by the next raiders
mirrors from destruction, for they were who came. But at last they all passed
almost the only unbroken articles in the by and we were again left to a solitude
room.
unbroken for days by any visitor or the
With some difficulty we collected sightof any human being upon the roads.
sufficient clothing to replace the bed Meantime the servants had ceased their
covering as a protection against the attendance upon us; enjoying, I dare
chilly night, but between cold, discom say, the sweets of their new found free-
fort and anxiety we slept but little, and dom by sleeping and eating all day long.
were thankful to see daylight come For days not one of them appeared in
once more. The previous day had been the yard and Mrs. Taylor and I never
what is sometimes called "a pet day,'' thought of going to the quarter to look
coming in the midst of disagreeable after them, but did what little work was
unrefreshed that Monday morning we ly for the appearance of some familiar
found it again raining. Only a few face.
Yankees visited us that morning in Suddenly one morning at daylight we
search of milk and any odd trifles which I were awakened by hearing some one

368
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
splitting wood, and looking out beheld | ture. This was all very interesting for
the cook busy in the kitchen, from awhile until the novelty of these expe-
whence her voice was soon heard chant riences wore off, but after a little the
ing the old refrain:
fund of incidents was exhausted and
Keep your lamp trim en burnin”
people began to tell what had befallen
For the night's mose gone."
them over and over again, until one felt
inclined to put their hands over their
Soon afterwards the house girl arrived
ears and run away so soon as a friend
and began laying the table for breakfast
commenced with the detestable formula:
with elaborate care, although there was
only one spoon and two knives in the
"WHEN THE YANKEES CAME.”
house, and hardly an uncracked plate or And after all it was not so much
сир.
"You may depend upon it, they have
“When the Yankees came" as after
heard something,” Mrs. Taylor said,
they were gone that our hardest trials
laughing. “I think our refugees must befell us. In very wantonness they had
be returning."
carried off quantities of articles for which
And soon after I heard the cook fore-
warning one of the others who refused
they had no use or means of transporta-
to do something as to her fate
tion, and around their camping grounds
"WHEN MASS JIM GIT BACK."
and by the wayside lay heaps upon
heaps of provisicns, clothing, books and
Sure enough, before nightfall the wag-
an endless variety of things whose loss
ons came home, having fortunately
was a serious one to people impoverished
escaped any meeting with the enemy,
by years of war, and who had neither
though one after another the negro men
money to replace them nor an oppor-
had slipped away from them under the tunity to do so had the means been forth-
cover of night, until only a few of the
coming. As all the mills within many
old family servants remained, who
miles of us had been burned down we
were compelled for a time to live upon
thought it beneath their dignity either beaten hominy with an occasional thin
to run off to the Yankees or to desert slice of bacon to give a relish to it, and
their master in his misfortunes.
I have still in my possession a spoon cut
from a bit of cedar wood which did duty
And just here let me say, I do not be-
for a considerable time in place of those
lieve there is any other people upon the the raiders carried off.
face of the earth who would have be But what made these hardships So
haved as well under the circumstances doubly hard was the certainty of defeat
of so suddenly acquiring, not only free which soon came to us. Through all the
dom, but citizenship, as our negroes did.
long years of the war, in our darkest
For months we were almost at their days, no matter what befell us, we
mercy, and it was the exception when always consoled ourselves with the firm
one of them took advantage of it.
belief that we must ultimately succeed,
For a little while people were rather and that our dearly-loved Lee would be
reluctant to go any distance from home, the one to lead our armies to final vic-
not feeling quite sure that we were en tory; but when, in the early spring,
tirely rid of our unwelcome visitors, rumors began to reach us through va-
but when they overcame this timidity rious sources, there being neither mails
and began to resume their usual neigh nor telegraphs at that time, that Lee had
borly intercourse what adventures each surrendered, our darkest hour had
one had to relate! In hearing how much come. We tried for a time not to be-
worse many of our acquaintances had lieve it, but at last the dreadful truth
fared than we many of them having
had to be admitted, and I never can for-
been left homeless and destitute of al get the feeling of utter despair the con-
most every necessary of life, Mrs. Tay viction brought with it. In reading
lor and I came to look upon ourselves as lately a paper by Burton Harrison,
specially fortunate in baving got off so which appeared in the Century, on “The
easily. Despite the actual want and suf Capture of Jefferson Davis," I was
fering they had undergone almost every vividly reminded of those last days of
one had some ludicrous anecdote to tell, the Confederacy, and when the story
but whether the stories were grave or was ended I laid down the book with
gay they invariably began with the something of the old despairing feeling
phrase: “When the Yankees came,'' at my heart with which I had first lis-
until it grew as conventional as the
ened to the tale nearly twenty years
"once upon a time," of, childish litera- ll ago.

DRINKING THE WORMWOOD.
369
No. 64. Drinking the Wormwood.
(By Mrs. E. C. Foster, of Fincastle, Va)
Early in April, "and all save the spirit
of man was divine.” Birds were twit-
tering on the apple boughs, blue belled
hyacinths and violets were nodding
gracefully to the sweet-scented zephyrs,
and shouts of little children were blend-
ing merrily with Nature's glorious car-
niyal of woodside sacrament and bene-
diction. The great but incompleted
C. and O. Railroad was astir with busy
life, and our corps of engineers might
be seen late and early at their post of
duty, hurrying to and fro to adjust mat-
ters as though some fearful evil was im-
pending that would scatter plot and pur-
pose far more disastrously than our
present deadly explosive agents.
There had been for months a far-off
rumble and stifled calm, such as presage
the coming earthquake heave and havoc,
and every ear and eye was turned north-
ward to learn its ominous import. There
was a fierce tumult, as of horses and
chariots and men rushing to battle, and
the waters grew red from the tide of
human blood, and we thought of the
vision of Patmos, and knew now that
God's curse had fallen upon us, as we
saw His holy temples profaned and His
high priests offering incense to strange
gods! War! war! Hark! can it be that
brother has met brother in deadly con-
flict, and old Hecubas and Priams are to
cast ashes on their heads and Andro-
maches weep and wail over their Hec-
tors, till Troy shall fall or Greece con-
quer? Women now grew faint at heart.
and longed for peace tokens of olive
branch anà calumet; for men were
drunken with the taste of human blood,
and its strange powers had mad-
dened them; and a long, dark, stormy,
bloody midnight must gloom the land
ere they clasp hands again as brothers
across a sea of blood.
Well, to our own home band: An eager
little group, sad-eyed and leaden-hearted.
met for the last time around the morn-
ing board.
"I'm off to-day for Harper's Ferry,”
cried our draughtsman. "And I'll follow
on the morrow" rejoined the resident
engineer, rodman and leveller. “And
we must organize a home guard to take
care of the women and children,'' wisely
supplemented a fifth official.
"Oh, we'll not be afraid," replied I,
"for only snake-fangs and spider-stings
daunt me."
•What! do you not know that there will
be hundreds of starving Irish laborers
left on the work? and your lives will not
be secure a moment when they know that
all civil law is null and void,” inter-
posed another; "and 'Long Ellen' her-
self can shoulder a barrel of flour as
easily as any man, and take it from
Major K's store to her cabin a mile dis-
tant; and you're not afraid of her?"
"No, not afraid of 'Long Ellen; she
may be an ogre to men, but brave women
do not fear her."
But this was no hour for humor or
levity. We were all about to part for-
ever after a sweet communion of many
months, and our hearts were very heavy.
Besides there were tender, very tender
blood ties to be ruthlessly severed by
this cruel need of going out to battle for
home altars and gravestones. The sud-
den peal of the trumpet, and the upgird-
ing of our loved ones for death or vic-
tory, was a terrible thing, next to
THE JUDGMENT CALL OF GABRIEL'S
CLARION.
The next day's struggling sunbeams
fell upon a desolate home, set deep in
the heart of a late penetrated forest, and
misty eyes were at windows watching
retreating forms, some never more to
leave the impress of their footprints on
that long-familiar highway. The pile of
family blankets had been ominously re-
duced, rough haversacks improvised,
Bibles packed, and the last soft whisper,
"with or upon your shields !” burning
doubtless in sorrowing hearts. The ter-
ror of powder, shot and ball was lost
now, under the tender love-wail for
bandages and lint..
But blinding tears must be wiped away
for life's loud clamor-cry for sterner duty.
From room to room I hastened. setting
aside carefully every straying relic, for
everything of value had been left in my
charge, and I must see to its safe keep-
ing. Wedged in by Union foes and un-
employed Irish, with my "Stars and
Bars' ever floating within a few feet of
my threshold, how could I promise my-
self an hour's repose or security? One,
only one engineer would return that
night and remain indefinitely at his old
post of responsibility. A few days later
and whose protection could we claim,
for all were gone?
And now a new trial awaited me. A
thundering bang at the hall door aroused
me from a sorrowful revery, and the
next moment a young girl with a bright
eye and brighter outfit stood beside me;
47

370
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and before I could speak excitedly in-
quired, if I knew that "grandma had the
matches and kindling ready to set fire
to my house?
| "Why?" I returned eagerly, but striy-
ing to stifle all emotion.
"Oh! because she don't like you Se-
cesh, and wants the Yankees to come in
and take off the niggers, so that poor
white folks can get work. I can show
you the very place, right under here,'
stamping her foot near the hearth; "She
says there's a pile of shavings under
there, left when they built the house."
I made no comment, but resolved, if
possible, to see the chief engineer, the
kind and sympathetic Charles B. Fiske,
at an early day, and ask his advice how
to pro
That night I was startled from a deep
slumber by the sound of footsteps and
suppressed voices near the house, and
catching up my cloak and slippers crept
stealthily out into the darkness, expect-
ing to see the old incendiary applying
the match to the rubbish under the
floor; but hearing naught but the muf-
fled drum of my beating heart I walked
around the house several times to re-
assure myself that my fears were ground-
less, and returned to my bed, but not to
sleep.
A visit from my friend, the noble old
chief, was the most cheering event of
that week; he called, he said, to inquire
if I needed counsel or assistance from
him, as he well understood and appre-
ciated my helpless condition. I told him
of the threat, and my fears, when he as-
sured me he would, on his return to the
White Sulphur, call at the little cabin
at the foot of the hill, and threaten its
occupants with summary vengeance
should any injury be done me or my
children during my defenceless condi-
tion. They were
A TREACHEROUS CLAN
who would not have scrupled to do me
any private wrong, and though I heard
no more menaces they were my secret
foes to the day of my departure for safer
quarters. Before I left the place, indeed,
I was not surprised to hear that the
famous Amazon, "Long Ellen," had
said to her friends that she knew
where she could get the genuine coffee
after her store of rye was exhausted, and
if I refused to sell to her she would take
it by force. This menace likewise proved
no soothing lullaby to my midnight
vigils, but, hearing that it was my cus-
tom to keep a pistol by my side night
and day, she thought that discretion
would prove the better part of valor, and
this evil, too, was averted.
Many laborers and their families still
lingered on the work, not knowing what
they could do to procure the necessaries
of life. They did not understand the
causes that led to the war, and had been
taught that the old flag of the Union,
under which they had taken refuge
from oppression at home, was to be
trodden in the dust by the Southron to
preserve the institution of slavery; so
the predilections of many were for its
old pre-eminence. Growing desperate
at last under the vulturous gnawing of
hunger, they assembled on the highway
to discuss the policy of joining the army
as the last resort from starvation,
I had heard of a late repulse our army
had suffered, and, growing reckless, I
called to a poor Irishman who was har-
anguing his fellow-sufferers, and in-
quired why he and his comrades did not
join the Confederate army in its struggle
for independence. I reminded him of
England's yoke and its galling power
upon the great soul of his down-trodden
countrymen. I told him of the patriot
Emmett, and all the true, brave hearts
of the Green Isle that had perished in
the struggle for liberty; of tithes and
imposts, and exactions, cruel and rigid,
that his powerful master had imposed
for the greed of gold and power. My
brain and heart took fire under a God-
endowed inspiration of oratory that I
never possessed before nor since, and
when I grew calm a score or more of
sturdy, earnest-eyed, true hearted advo-
cates for human rights and liberties
offered me their hands, as an earnest of
their appreciation, and swore eternal
fealty to Dixie and her flag. Poor fel-
lows! as far as I ever learned they nobly
kept that oath, as sacred and inviolate
as Hannibal's hate to Rome, or that of
the brave Regulus when Carthage tor-
tured. What less could I do? Starya-
tion ahead, as all the public works had
been suspended, or an honorable chance
for bread and life in the Confederate
army.
Well, the days moved on, and battles
were lost and won, and seas of human
faces turned sadly up to God in bitter
throes of mortal woe. But all this is left
for the manly historian's pen to chroni-
cle, for weak woman could not write it
through her tears. In the sterner do-
tails of field and camp, I would speak of
one only, the greatest and grandest, of
all the conflicts, because fought and won
by raw, undisciplined troops, unused to
hardship and suffering and privation,
poorly equipped in clothing and weap-
ons of war. I mean the heroes who wore
the grey, especially the dauntless Stone-
wall band, the nerve and sinew of our

DRINKING THE WORMWOOD.
371
invincibles, who met and routed the |a part of it, I determined to make them
Federal hosts on the ever-memorable a visit. I hoped to see some of my old
21st of July, 1861. I, too, on that fatal pupils, and was much gratified to recog-
day threw upon our high altar of sacri nize old familiar faces and receive so
fice a noble boy, and right nobly did he hearty a greeting from them all.
win his laurels. We did not, or we "God bless you, my poor exiles," I
could not, improve that victory, and all exclaimed, as I clasped their hands.
was lost.
“How can we thank you enough for
There were as fierce battles fought coming to us in this sore hour of need ?"
around hearthstones, and as signal vic I had left them years before little
tories achieved, but the writhe and children at my feet, clinging, depen-
agony in the wrestle for the right were dent; now bold, self-reliant, stalwart
seen by God alone, who kept the regis men, who had followed the bugle call to
try. The worid will read it when He victory or death, stood before me. One,
wills it. It is for Virginia mothers, a sweet, bright-faced youth on the gene-
wives and sisters to tell their story of ral's staff, was asked by a comrade if he
suffering; and the famous little Spartan knᎾw mᎾ.
boy will be forever forgotten, for her soil "I know her? why shouldn't I ? she's
was the great slaughter pen, and the thrashed me many a time about my les-
mongrel world trampled on our reeking sons;" and seeking me out amongst the
hearts to hurl the death shafts at our crowd he gave me a warm welcome.
brothers beyond.
"Why C.," I exclaimed, “what are you
At Malvern Hili my darling first born doing here? you have too amiable a face
fell, not by the hand of death, but nerv for your stern profession."
ous prostration from the recoil of the "Oh no,'' he returned, “the enemy de-
gun under superhuman efforts to stamp stroyed my father's portrait when they
renown upon Carpenter's Battery, and burned our house in G., and I mean to
WIN THE DAY FOR SOUTHLAND.
be revenged," and the memory of the
outrage gloomed his face as a coming
The shock fell upon me like the terri-
tempest does the heavens.
ble visitation of burning lava upon the That autumn four of them made us a
fair Campanian cities-it turned me all brief visit; a few weeks subsequently
to stone! The next day's stage bore me half the number fell in the great wrest-
to Gordonsville, where he had again ling ring of liberty in a moment of vic-
fallen in attempting to follow the army tory and earnest hope!
into Maryland, refusing to be carried to I well remember how their young
a hospital whilst he could follow his cheeks glowed with enthusiasm and
brothers to victory or defeat. Ah, that their eyes kindled with patriotic fire
long, anxious, wearisome journey of when my daughter, an old schoolmate,
abstinence and vigils, shall I ever forget then a helpless cripple, played Dixie
it? And that killing search and suspense over and over again at their request
until one wild anguish cry of my until, faint and exhausted, she closed the
mother !” told me my darling still sur piano. Has old Cabell ever gathered in
vived; but ah, so wrecked that only his her noble dead? Let her not forget to
love for me told his identity.
lay away very tenderly those young
I took him before the medical exam martyrs to freedom. In vonder silent.
ining board of Richmond and received solitary plain they lie forgotten by the
for him a furlough for thirty days. The busy plotting world, as it whirls on in
next day found me homeward bound, its giddy circuit of pleasure or glory.
with my precious charge scarcely able Oh, death! we are all mourners in thy
to travel. Ah, mothers, you, and you funeral train, our broken hearts feel thy
only, know the agony of those anxious, tread, though no note comes from thy
weary months, when no cheering change noiseless footsteps. Brilliant victories
told of returning health in mind or were being won by the heroes in grey,
body-every harsh or discordant note and pæans of triumph entranced the
sending a thrill of horror through the nations, and a pillar of flesh, instead of
shattered nerves and functions, threat Jehovah's arm, was our fortress of
ening at times a total eclipse of reason, strength.
or extinction of the vital powers, had Suddenly the heavens were palled in
not the most powerful restoratives been darkness; a note of lamentation from
resorted to.
strong men rent the air, and a multitude,
Hearing at this time that Gen. Jen pale and terror-stricken, swayed back as
kins's brigade of cavalry was quartered if smitten by a mighty whirlwind.
indefinitely at the White Sulphur, and
that a company of Border Rangers from
JACKSON WAS DYING!
Kentucky and West Virginia constituted |and he could no longer raise his right

372
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
arm to Heaven in prayer. God of Love! I human sepulture? The enemy had in-
who now was to wall those beautiful || vaded our homes at an unexpected hour,
plains and shield them from desecration and no appliances of ease or comfort
and ruin? Morning dawned, but no were available. As invading and re-
bright tintings flushed up among the treating forces had drained our larders
dark masses of lowering clouds that and granaries of life's sustaining ele-
fringed the eastern horizon. Deep in ments, and our fields had been but par-
the frowning distance boomed the heavy tially cultivated, there was but little left
cannon, while ever and anon rattled the now to meet he exigency of the hour,
deadly musketry; but Southland's great and suffering and privation must of
anguish cry, Jackson has fallen !'' was necessity fall to the lot of all. But some
all her people could hear.
shelter must be sought for the sick and
'Twas now again deep midsummer, wounded, and the
but still the camp-fires burned through-
BEAUTIFUL WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
out our land, and thunder bolts from
Jehovah's hand convulsed the earth as a spot ever associated in the mind of the
the eternal roar of man's artillery star stranger with elegance, fashion, ease
tled the heavens.
and gaiety, was from dire necessity
"A battle is being fought just beyond converted into an hospital for the sick
the mountain there," exclaimed my poor and wounded of both armies, who,
boy wildly one burning afternoon as he bleeding and dying, were congregated
sat at an open window inhaling the fresh here in indiscriminate confusion. For
air.
nearly thirty-six consecutivo hours
“How far from us, my dear child ?” many received no nourishment but the
cried I frantically.
coarsest food, and that scantily doled
"About four miles in a direct line, and out, for all this section was literally in
it must be at Dry Creek: Listen ! oh, a state of partial starvation, scarcely
listen, don't you hear the roar of the equal to the task of supporting its aged
cannon, and the rattle of musketry, and men, women and children.
the cries of the wounded? Let me go, Having heard that Capt. -, who
oh let me have my uniform and cap, for commanded a Pittsburg battery com-
our men are retreating and it must not posed of convicts, was wounded, and
be. Give me my uniform, for they will had ordered his men to burn me out for
not suffer me to enter the lines in civil refusing to have my flag cut down, and
ian's clothing, and they are needing us for divers other uncompromising and
all to drive back the invaders.”
daring measures, I requested a faithful
He tremblingly arose, but soon sunk servant, who still did us service, to cook
down again overpowered. I whispered several baskets of provisions for my
to his sisters to hide his artillery suit daughter and myself to take to the hos-
and every weapon they could find; but pital the following day. There were
he struggled to escape from the room, but few horses in the neighborhood, all
until overcome by utter weariness, like having been pressed into service that
a tired child he sank into a profound were suitable, so we nerved ourselves
slumber.
up to walk a seven miles journey
The following day was ushered in un through the heat and dust of that burn-
der a cloudless sky and consuming sun, ing day on an errand of mercy. The
but my two little boys entreated to be news of the battle and its disastrous is-
permitted to visit the battle field with a sue had brought from every quarter for
friend, who offered to take them in his thirty miles around kind nurses for the
charge. The frightful scenes and sounds sufferers, who supplied them with
of that little field of carnage will never everything their helpless condition
be forgotten through life. Bodies swollen required, but yet there was enough of
half beyond their natural size; faces human woe to be seen to rend
blackened by smoke and decay; wild, hearts of adamant. Yearnings for home
blood-shotten eyes, staring from glaring and its loved ones; incoherent mutter-
sockets-but enough! enough! God of ings and appeals for help, to those who,
Love! what a thing is war when our lan perhaps, never knew their tragic end.
guage, full as it is, and teeming with an One poor creature appealed more piti-
influx of the most powerful and expres fully to my sympathies than any other,
sive words from almost every dia for his sufferings maddened him. He
lect, is too meagre, too barren to define was a major in the Federal army and
its havoc, horrors and humiliation, its had received three or four wounds, one
wantonness and wretchedness, its rapine || from a ball that had entered his breast
and ruin, its sorrow and suffering! Did tearing a cavity in which an egg could
some friendly hand ever give those have been inserted; the right arm too,
fathers, husbands, sons and brothers ll was shattered by a ball, or shell, and

DRINKING THE WORMWOOD.
373
the left lay paralyzed by his side. When Il effected the prisoner escaped to our lines,
I visited the hospital again his couch was and upon being asked by me to explain
empty, and he sleeping in a strange land, the difference in his flight and the pur-
with no wife or mother to cast a flower suit of those ordered to recapture him,
over his lonely grave.
he replied, with a sneer, that he "never
I requested to be shown to Capt. — 's knew a woman who could ask a sensible
room if he had no objection to see me. question. However, the Captain was,
Such was the nature of his wound that in a few hours after, exchanged for
only a recumbent position afforded him another of our officers, and it appeared
any relief. I very delicately touched that nothing was to thwart the fulfil-
upon the subject that had given me some ment of the prophecy.
uneasiness, when he replied with much Our lives were now to know no re-
emotion: "Madam, you visited me a pose, for all had grown weary of blood
fallen foe, you brought food to nourish, and battles, and the foe more determined
wine to refresh, and books to cheer me, than ever to humiliate us by submis-
and now would you transform me into a sion. One day my poor invalid, ever
fiend to injure you and your helpless anxious to hear from the seat of war,
little children? No, no. I expect to be proposed to accompany me to the post-
taken to Richmond as soon as I am able office to learn what was happening in
to travel and cast into prison, and I the great world beyond us. Deeming it
prophecy that I will be exchanged prudent to observe some precaution, as
for a Confederate officer, but if you rumors were afloat that an immediate
will hand me my testament from yon raid upon us was contemplated by the
der stand I will upon its fly leaf fur enemy, when within a half-mile of the
nish a written refutation of the charge, office he said, "It would be wise for you
and make a request of those under my to go ahead, and drop your handker-
command to do no wrong to any person chief if your suspicions should be
in this section after such Christian kind aroused by anything unusual. I fear
ness as has been sbown me and my that column of smoke beyond those
friends."
trees is from camp fires, and I'll remain
I was very favorably impressed by here a while until you give me the signal
his frankness and genial manner; in to proceed or retreat."
deed a Christian spirit was manifest in I hurried on until within a few yards
all he said, and when I arose to leave he of the office, when lo! though ten o'clock
shook my hand with the warm cordiality the milkmaids were espied in merry
of an old friend; then requesting my mood, protesting that old Brindle, Star,
daughter to read aloud the 10th verse of Pink and Cherry would soon be milked
2d chapter of Revelations he turned to by whiter hands, now tenderly gloved
me, and with a sweet smile remarked and jewelled.
that upon that promise
"Oh!" exclaimed “big Fanny,” the
saucy, sleek laundress, "here's Mrs. -
HE BUILT ALL HIS HOPES.
and yonder's her son running through
I left, promising to visit him again, if the bushes, going to the mountings. I'll
possible, before he left, for which he
tell the Yanks, I bet I will."
"Fanny,” whispered a faithful house
thanked me, saying "the conversation
servant, "would you be mean enough to
had greatly cheered him.”
do such a thing ?"
Passing down the stairway we encoun "Let her do it if she dare, aunt Sally;
tered a repulsive creature of sardonic all the armies of Julius Cæsar couldn't
physiognomy, detailed as Capt. — 's take him or his mother a prisoner,' I
nurse, who muttered as he passed some said, and turning to the insolent negro I
thing about “old she Rebels,” and on added, “You'll see, old saucebox, how
other occasions he looked vindictively I'll confront those soldiers who are
after me as though wormwood and not crossing the creek yonder."
"the milk of human kindness” flowed The glitter of buttons and tinsel and
in his heart. But it is all over now, and burnished steel reflected by the bright
the hated and hating, will soon stand ad morning sun assured me they were not
judged before the Great Searcher of hu humble privates. The next moment
man hearts, for love we are told is the they dashed furiously within a few steps
fulfilling of the law.
of me, as if they wished to trample me
At the expiration of the ten prophetic under foot, but
days Capt. , who had been removed
to Richmond, was in verity exchanged
I STOOD LIKE ONE TRANSFIXED,
for a commissary officer who had grown when they suddenly reined in their high
faint at heart under the fumes of gun mottled steeds.
powder. Before the exchange was fully || “Good morning, gentlemen; do you

374
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
belong to the Yankee army?'' was my || and our poor, decried Government issue
excited salutation.
depreciating in value, and many refused
"No, madam,' returned the best it for life's simplest commodities. Even
equipped, "not the Yankee, but Federal the floors of mills had been scraped by
army," throwing a pungent emphasis the raiders for the musty deposit of
on the first term. "Who are you, years, scraps of rancid meat and skins
madame?
laid away for soap kettles devoured
"An uncompromising Rebel wife and with eagerness, and every substance
mother," boasted I.
capable of mastication submitted to the
They smiled, and inquired where I impossible process of digestion. Rumors
lived. I answered in perfect truth, so were afloat that several soldiers of a
describing the house and its surround Iraiding army had been poisoned by a
ings that it couid not be mistaken for poor woman who sold them some pies
any other, adding. "And my flag, not and cakes, or, as the story ran, "some
yours, floats there yet, though very pisin cakes, and threats were made that
much tattered.”
certain houses in a suspected section
“Does it, really?" queried another, should be burned through revenge. Our
smiling kindly, as though he had been own condition was perilous in the ex-
addressing an artless little child. "Have treme, and our security of life and pro-
you any friends in the army?"
perty a disputed point.
"Oh, yes; a great number, for I recog-
THE OLD TORN FLAG
nize no man as my friend who is too
cowardly to fight under our banner." still floated before my door, and protests
"Who was that running through the from my friends were often made against
bushes just as we caine in sight???
such rashness. Our poor invalid, over
“My son, sir, who has been disabled yearning to return to his old post of
since the battle of Malvern Hill not duty, improved so gradually that the
by your bullets though; his nervous change was scarcely perceptible. We
system was terribly shocked by the re avoided all discussion of exciting topics
coil of one of the guns of Carpenter's in his presence, and if bad news was
Battery."
heralded never alluded to it when he
"Will he return to the army?''
was near
“Certainly, as soon as he learns its Though October now, the day was af-
present position, perhaps to-morrow.” fectionately bland, and I proposed he
I could hear the quick pulsations of my should accompany me to a neighbor's,
heart and wondered if they could. What hoping that such recreation would in
if those winged-footed chargers should some degree dis pel his habitual melan-
be sent in pursuit? But I prayed to God choly. His eye beamed with pleasure
as I never did before to be my refuge in as he assented, remarking it would be
this my hour of trial.
well for me to borrow a dress from our
"Do you know you are nearly subju servant, as I might encounter some
gated ?" interrogated one calling himself straggler from the enemy's lines and not
a Virginian,
be able to whip him.” So we rummaged
A blush of shame burned my cheek as the house to complete the feminine out-
I answered, "Tell it not in Gath, pub fit, and a "carpet-bag to fit him” was
lish it not in Askalon, that the old ll also provided for the occasion. Fully
mother ever yielded an inch of her equipped, we trudged over rock and
sacred soil for the foothold of a traitor ravine and soon reached the home of my
friend. Passing an Irish cabin where
"None of you know what you are several were engaged in earnest conver-
fighting for, scornfully asserted the sation, as I lingered a moment to laco
first speaker.
my boot I caught a remark or two from
For the kingly heritage of freemen, one who narrowly eyed me, as he said to
for our home altars, for the preserva his neighbor: “Mike, I am sure that's
tion of our time-honored institutions, no woman; faith, and I'd be willing to
and for the holy principle of honor, bet she's a man.".
truth, right and justice," I answered "Well, Patrick," oried Mike, "and its
caustically.
no business of ours, and sure it is not;
Much more I said, and then they and I'd not be the sowl to meddle if she
waved a polite adieu and galloped off does walk like any other man.'
spiritedly.
Reaching Mrs. —'s, we were ushered
But now drew on another winter of
into the reception room and introduced
our discontent." The nearest mill was to Major , whom some important
three miles, and a supply of bread must war errand had brought to our section,
be laid in to meet the demands of a fam as "Mrs. — and her daughter, Miss
ily of ten. Grain was alarmingly scarce, il Sally.”
son."

DRINKING THE WORMWOOD.
375
He was a man of genial nature, a Il bility to fight in defence of her rights
humorist, and phenomenal in some aggravated his extreme nervous depres-
traits of character. I observed how sus sion, though letters from his kind, sym-
piciously he watched my soldier daugh pathetic captain, excusing him from
ter, who soon withdrew to another apart camp, and commending his heroism and
ment to disrobe. Upon his return a valor when in the ranks, gratified him
loud laugh from all, in which the Major when everything else failed.
joined uproariously, told how much he The season had unfolded its magnifi-
too enjoyed the farce. Upon being cent tribute of flowery meed and eme-
pleasantly rallied by our hostess on his rald field, and we were endeavoring to
celibacy, he replied, “Oh, I'll marry some solve the perplexing problem of main-
man's daughter some day, and when I taining ourselves another year under
do Mrs. - hero shall be one of the first our adverse surroundings, with the
to know it." Some months later a pa harassing fear of being burned out by
per from him came to me, containing a Unionists, or the invading enemy, when
notice of the marriage of Major - to several government wagons stopped
Miss — of C- , with pleasing com. near the house, and the baggage-master
ment upon the event.
handed a letter from a major in the com-
A dismal season of cold, stint and con missary department, who had been our
stant dread of encroachment from the friend in happier days. It signified his
enemy was rapidly drawing on, and we earnest wish that I would accept his
nerved ourselves up to meet it. A little offer to move my family to an adjoining
boy in the service of Gen. — 's family county, where security of life and prop-
at - Springs had actually died of star erty and a fairer hope of a support for
vation, and but for the generosity of the my family would be afforded me. Most
Rev. —, a noble Presbyterian minis joyfully I acquiesced in his wishes, and
ter, we too must have suffered, but he the following day found us on the road
was too humane and patriotic to refuse seeking refuge in C- County.
our Confederate money in exchange for The last summer of the war had
grain.
dawned upon us, and our poorly-clad
At Christmas we were agreeably sur and worse provisioned armies were
prised by a visit from three of our old suffering repulses at every quarter,
friends of schooldays' memory, be though struggling like gods for a cause
longing to the Border Rangers. We unwon, and a handful of heroès had to
awoke early to find the great pines en stand against the world. Soon themel-
cased in bright armor, and spikes of ancholy days' came, not for the despolia-
silver hanging from the eaves of our tion of forest and fields alone, but to des-
dwelling. Spirit fingers had left a poil our hearts of the last faint budding
weird tracery upon window panes, and of the little flower of hope that had so
crystals upon trees; shrubbery and dead cheered us through our weary, sorrow-
grasses glowed as if each had a sun ing war path. We secured no recogni-
prisoned within. Ere this beautiful tion from the nations after our wasted
panorama had dissolved,
blood and bravery, our trials and tears,
our suffering and sacrifices. But it was
LAUGHTER PEALS AND MERRY VOICES
no marvel that the world refused it, for
without heralded our guests. How we such hideous, repulsive caricatures as
enjoyed the renewal of that long broken the North had drawn to provoke its con-
communion of ante-bellum days, and tempt and derision could not fail to im-
we half forgot the cold and privation press it most untavorably and unchari-
and home-sickness of the far-away tent tably. The Christian world was holding
and the perils of the battlefield. But a jubilee of love and thanksgiving in
the hours flew by on golden wings, as memory of the Manger Child of Bethle-
all pleasant ones do, and that brief in hem, but in our land men were rejoic-
terval of rest and peace was over. So ing over a carnival of death, and human
away to camp again they hurried and blood drenched the fields like rain from
we never saw them more.
heaven! All hope of a distinct na-
Three long, dark, weary months of en tionality was at an end, and a few
tombment and our senses were again months more of strife and sorrow and
attuned to life, and we raised our coffin sackcloth, and might would triumph
lids to see everything aglow with God's over right, and the sword of the van-
bright presence. My poor soldier boy
quished would be surrendered to the
was yet unfit for duty, and 'twas now victor.
too apparent that years must elapse be The grandest column of the Temple of
fore the return, if ever, of his old strength Liberty had fallen, and others were tot-
and vigor. His anxiety for his coun tering, and soon its dauntless defenders
try's fate and discontent under his ina- || would be cloven down in the wild, mer-

376
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ciless sweep of the last great battle || soldier clothes; sewing machines made
shock! My poor darling went out to the music for the household, while those
meet it, but a merciful Providence again who could knit rode about in their car-
returned him to the security of home. riages knitting on soldier socks. As au-
The Holocaust was complete. Midnight tumn set in, and the earth teemed with
deepened into storm and tempest, pre vegetation, larger quantities than usual
saging the darker morrow's dawn upon were saved, that the soldiers could be
were sav
old Appomattox! The combat deepens, supplied. No train ever left for Bowl-
and trodden in the dust lies the Confed ing Green that pound cakes, pies,
erate banner—the proud labarum of the pickles and many other toothsome arti-
Southman's rights ! Alas ! for the gal cles were not sent to Camp Trousdale
lant braves of the intrepid Lee, as he for the boys in grey. Time wore on and
with god-like majesty surrenders that our young men, unaccustomed to ex-
faithful sword to the conqueror. The posure, got sick and were sent back to
white mist disappears, and the last Nashville for treatment. Our wholesale
wreathing column ascends to the skies, stores and warehouses were converted
freighted with the anguish-heaves and into hospitals, where our most wealthy
writhing of a mighty nation's last death and elegant ladies ministered to the
throes!
wants of the sick and dying. Many
private families took sick soldiers into
their homes and almost every house was
No. 65.-Foraging Around Nashville. an improvised hospital. Soon our medi-
cines became scarce and substitutes were
produced. For gum arabic we had starch
(By Miss A. M. B., of Jacksonville, Fla.) boiled and mixed with oil for an emul-
sion, beside many other things I could
My home was in Tennessee when the mention. Those living near made hot
demon of destruction, War, spread his coffee boiled with sugar and milk, I
dark wings over our beautiful and pros-
have crossed our suspension bridge with
a negro woman and a big bucket of coffee
perous country. Our State being the
which I served to the wounded soldiers
old home of Andrew Jackson, the Ten myself for weeks in succession. We
nesseeans appeared to have a kind of sometimes took milk and buttermilk, for
patriotic pride for the memory of the old
which the most feeble would raise their
hands to get a drink.
veteran with a desire to preserve the Thus the first year of the war passed
Union at all hazards. However, June 8, with us. January, 1862, dawned without
1861, Tennessee cast in her lot with her
any advance movement from the Federal
forces, but we knew that a battle was not
Southern sisters, declaring herself one
far distant. Finally about the 10th of
of the Confederacy. Nashville, the seat February, 1862,
of government and the pride of the State
FIGHTING COMMENCED
became the headquarters of Gen. A. S.
between Grant on the Federal side and
Johnston and other Confederate officers, Floyd and Pillar on the Confederate.
Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, and Our daily dispatches gave us no encour-
the earthworks at Bowling Green being
agement. They said: "Enemy rein-
forced every day since the engagement
our means of defence. Volunteers from
commenced.” Saturday, the 15th of Feb-
Louisiana, Texas and other States com ruary, was a rainy, drizzling, sleeting,
menced coming in large nuinbers; sounds chilly day, when the bell toiled from
from the fife and drum echoed from the
our market house, ordering the citizens
to assemble in solemn conclave. One
hillside, while the "Bonny Blue Flag,'' or
old marketer on hearing its mournful
the “Stars and Bars,'' floated from many echoes said. "I have done bin cummin'
houses and every marqué. Some of our
to this market for these twenty years
and I never heard that bell make such a
old men shuddered for the consequences.
queer noise before !” We told him our
“We have entered upon a struggle," they forces at Donelson would have to retreat
said, “which will cause many of us and we would be in the hands of the
veterans to sweat, as it were, drops of
enemy. The following Sabbath was a
day long to be remembered by those in
blood before it is finished.”
and around Nashville, The Confederate
Nashville was the centre for supplies forces were retreating South, and no
also. Ladies who had never made gar citizen was allowed to cros the bridge
ments before commenced working on II until the army were all over. Hurried

FORAGING AROUND NASHVILLE.
377
words of parting were said by the young H. Many of the Southern soldiers in
men who stopped at their homes, while private families were moved to the coun-
many mothers pressed the manly forms try. Civilians had no means of crossing
of their sons to their hearts for the last the river but in little row boats. We
time, and printed the good-bye kiss on went and returned unmolested. During
their lips, while the tears choked their one of my visits to the city I found a
utterance. Everything was in a state of poor emaciated Kentucky soldier who
confusion, commissary stores were was anxious to get across the river where
thrown open to the citizens, and stalwart he would have better food and less
women commenced rolling flour barrels, anxiety about the fate of those taken
shouldering sides of bacon, and gather prisoner by the enemy. I had him
ing up clothing until they had sufficient carried down from his room and put in
supplies to open a neighborhood store. a hack, which he endured very well. We
Gens, Floyd and Pillar after the army then were driven to a privato ferry at
had crossed ordered the suspension and the foot of Broad street when the hack-
railroad bridges over the Cumberland man lifted him out and set him down on
destroyed as a strategetic move for a the river bank. I asked some citizens
successful retreat of their forces.
who were passing if they would not
Every day we expected to see the Fede carry my sick brother to the boat, which
ral army; but a week passed when, on they did. The effort had exhausted him.
Sabbath morning, the 23d of February, He leaned forward and gasped. I held
Buell's advance of a hundred cavalry him up with one hand while I dipped
entered the suburbs of Edgefield and water with the other, which after a little
camped. The citizens were much ex I saw he could swallow. I procured help
cited, but our apprehensions for safety to put him in a buggy which I found
were quieted when a friend told us the standing on the opposite shore and drove
Federals “were having their horses shod, to the house of a friend where, after
paying for the work in gold, and be being carried in, everything was done
having themselves very well.” No at for his relief and comfort. Next day I
tempt was made by the enemy to cross returned with a carriage and took him
the river for another week, when thirty in the country two miles to the residence
transports under protection of ten gun of Judge J. B. White, where he com-
boats, commanded by Gen. Nelson, came menced improving very rapidly. His
crawling up the Cumberland slowly as father having been informed of his
though each bluff was a masked battery, whereabouts arrived in a couple of
and every mile of water a net work of weeks.
torpedoes. The skies, as if in sympathy "Is my son Richard alive!” was his
with our reverse, had wept constantly, first exclamation. "I had about made
covering the whole face of the country up my mind I should never see him
with water. What remained to grace again."
the triumph of a conqueror was only What a joyful meeting ! The dead alive!
some old men, women and children, 1 The lost found! Tears fell like rain
with a few Confederate soldiers, too while cries of joy rent the air. All
sick to follow their commands. It was present were moved and sympathized
deeply. A suit of citizen's clothes was
A SILENT SURRENDER
furnished the young man, who left in a
with no exclamations of triumph or dis few days with his father for their Ken-
play of pageant. The Union flag was tucky home.
raised on the capitol building, while a The Federal army after their arrival
few women waved small flags with the soon took possession of all the unoccu-
"Stars and Stripes,” whether from patri pied houses. The residence of Gen.
otism or fear I never have determined; Zollicoffer appeared to be an object of
but the Union soldiers were not favora-
special aversion. The soldiers with their
bly impressed with the movement, as bayonets punched holes in the faces of
they responded: "Ah, you turned too the family portraits as though these
quick !” Some of the most patriotic
SILENT SENTRIES OF THE HOUSEHOLD
officials commenced canvassing our hos-
pitals for the purpose of administering were responsible in any manner for the
the oath of allegiance to the sick. imaginary errors of its former occu-
Whether this ordeal was designed for a pants, while everything of value was
benefit to the soul or body I never could sent North as a trophy or destroyed..
surmise, as most of them were beyond The enemy soon commenced construct-
the reach of human aid, and would soon ing earthworks for the defence of the
enter that world where allegiance to no city. Houses were filled with ordinance
government but that of King Jehovah stores, and piles of cannon balls and
would be recognized.
torpedoes were placed on the sidewalks.
48

378
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No one dared smoke a cigar in the streets 11 the doors unlocked. One foraging day
for fear of arrest. The same feeling of they walked in with great deliberation,
security was felt which would accom roamed all about the premises, took
pany the venturesome tourist while spools of thread, shears or anything they
walking over a smouldering volcano could find, broke open the storeroom,
which, might burst any moment. Orders took out all the provisions, then visited
were issued for citizens to come up and the smoke-house and left not a pound of
take the oath of allegiance, or be gent meat. They put a smoke under the bee
through the lines.”
hives, robbing the bees of all their honey,
Foraging and raiding now commenced and set the dry grass on fire in the yard,
in earnest among the Federal forces, as which threatened the destruction of our
John Morgan, our military chieftain, had dwelling. The servants filed in dismay
cut off their source of supplies from the to their cabins, where they found the
North by destroying the railroad where soldiers busy fitting keys to their trunks
they took their means of sustenance and rummaging in their boxes. When
from the surrounding country. Federal they left on that day there was nothing
soldiers scoured the supposed haunts of to eat and twenty human beings, black
Morgan, but this "Wizard of the Saddle" and white, to be fed—while the children,
eluded all his pursuers. Finally Col. who had eaten nothing since morning,
Heffron came to Gallatin, where Morgan were crying with hunger. Our neigh-
was frequently heard from, with a de bors kindly sent in rations for all, which
tachment of men, and arrested every lasted a day or two.
male citizen in the town, after which he Next morning I went to Nashville to
started for Nashville with them on foot. see if we could not get a protective order,
Gen. John Morgan soon afterwards came as no member of the family was in mili-
up with his troops, who were well tary service against the Union. Gen.
mounted, and pursued them. After con Negley was in command. I went to head-
siderable skirmishing the citizens were quarters and asked to see the General,
rescued and brought back to Gallatin but he was very busy in exchanging
that night.
prisoners, who were standing outside
The following morning a regiment of under a flag of truce. This was about 10
picked men from the Federal army who o'clock in the morning. The General
were in pursuit of Morgan came to town afterwards rode out to Fort Negley for
and fought a battle in the suburbs of the the purpose of superintending the work
city. Forty or fifty Federals were killed then in progress. The aide-de-camp
and a number more wounded. The came in at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and
enemy then retired leaving their wound said: “The General has gone to dinner.”
ed in the hands of the citizens. A lady "I can wait until he returns,” said I.
living near the hospital went in to offer "Oh," replied he, "I thought you
her services in behalf of the injured and might want some dinner too."
dying, and, meeting the surgeon, the "No," said I, "fasting is something to
following conversation took place be which I am becoming accustomed, as on
tween them.
forage days we think ourselves fortunate
“Are you a Northern woman?”
to escape with our lives, the luxury of
“No, sir, I am a Southern woman, a eating being never thought of, much less
native Tennesseean."
enjoyed.”
"Well, madam, I must say you have a The day wore on and the shadows of
lot of brave men down here, for we have evening commenced to lengthen, sol-
travelled farther, worked harder, and diers came and went with dispatches,
got the — whipping that ever a set of citizens brought complaints of ill-treat-
poor devils had.''
ment from the soldiers. all of which I
"I am glad of it," was the lady's re heard but said nothing. Finally I com-
sponse.
menced to reconnoitre. Capt. Lowrie,
Squads of soldiers from the encamp chief of staff, was sitting at his desk.
ments in the vicinity were constantly The General was out. I rose from my
prowling about stealing and killing seat, approached the Captain and said:
stock, entering our houses and asking "I know you are tired looking at me,
for food, when, as a recompense for our and I am tired staying here. If you will
hospitality, they walked off with the
only give me a protective order I will
silver spoons given them to eat with go and not trouble you any more."
tucked up their coat sleeves. Regular He smiled a little, which gave me
foraging days were as much to be dreaded courage, and soon wrote, and handed me
a document in which he said. “Officers
THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT.
and soldiers are requested to respect this
order.”
At first we remained in our houses with 11 On our clear autumnal mornings of
as

FORAGING AROUND NASHVILLE.
379
1862 the echo of forage trains could be || just in time to halt them. I said: “You
heard for miles. A short space of time cannot keep that stock; it is all we have,
decided the direction. The advance guard and I am going along and will get it
of cavalry and artillery was always seen back again.” Two of the soldiers on the
first. The officers in charge were usually wagons raised their guns to intimidate
respectful. They halted occasionally, but me and fired. I saw their aim was too
when we told them we had no supplies high and told them I was not afraid.
hardly for ourselves and produced our They then insulted me with the foulest
protective order they passed on. About of language, but as I had no redress I
three miles beyond us was a distillery was silent. The wagon train soon moved
which they appeared to find by instinct. towards Nashville, when I rode back to
God only took care of us when they re the house on an old lame horse, which I
turned full of new whiskey--most of the had ordered a servant to bring me be-
men being too drunk to steal, or exert fore I left. The soldiers had just de-
themselves in any way. Some days stroyed over thirty swarms of bees for
were
another neighbor and were stung in the
MORE TERRIBLE THAN OTHERS.
contest until their eyes were closed.
They asked me if our bees were not
One day will linger in my memory while Rebels. I told them we had not classi-
life lasts. It was a lovely morning in fied them; that they had
the month of November, our Indian
summer, with a silvery haze in the at-
THE BITTER AND SWEET TOGETHER.
mosphere, and the hush of the dying I found a few stragglers sneaking around
year around us. One of our neighbors, the stables and watched them come out,
Mr. Wm. D. Phillips, had his barns and and they asked me if a piece of canvas
cribs full of new hay and golden grain. they saw, which had been used as a
A Federal wagop train was heard ap thrasher apron, was not a piece of a
proaching. They had come for the for secesh tent." We had succeeded in keep-
age-and while some were loading others ing them out of the house all day by
were going around the heighborhood on locking the doors and diverting their at-
voyages of discovery. The pike was tention in conversation, but when the
covered with wagons, horses and men. sun sunk to his home in the west we
They kept asking us for something to were glad to be numbered among the
eat. We told them we had nothing for living after so severe an ordeal. Our
ourselves. I spied a small procession of neighbor from whom they had foraged
them coming towards the smokehouse came over and exclaimed, "I am glad
for the salt. Two of them had filled their they have taken all I had, for now they
buckets. I told them to put it back, that can't come again!”
we had a few hogs and no money to buy
The country in and around Nashville
salt, and we had protection for every had been foraged from until, nothing
thing on the premises, and also de hardly remained. They had robbed the
manded to see their authority for taking Davidson County Poorhouse of all the
our salt. They then turned it back and supplies the poor afflicted paupers had
"allowed if I'd bin talkin' to the raised. I went to the city with one of
Gen’ral they'd let it alone.” I mounted the commissioners to obtain rations for
guard on the barrel, where I remained them. The Federal lines were guarded
over an hour, when, suddenly hearing with chain pickets through which only
the planks bursted from the hen-house, a military escort could pass out, but we
I turned to see a pair of blue breeches came in without difficulty.
crawling in and disturbing a hen with Christmas week came with bands of
maternal intentions. I told him she had marauders riding about the country
been sitting there for the last six weeks, day and night. A neighbor, Mr. Wag-
that she was nearly the age of any mem goner, living on White's Creek, was
ber in the family and I would congratu murdered under the following circum-
late him on his good teeth if he could stances: Five men who came on horse-
eat her, when his movements for chicken back dressed in Federal uniform as-
ceased. .
saulted the house about midnight, de-
My attention was then directed to the manding admittance. Resistance was
hill beyond the house, where I saw the useless, and Mr. W- arose and
soldiers driving up a few remaining dressed himself, when they entered and
hogs, four poor cows and a couple of commenced searching the house. They
yearlings, our only hope of sustenance said he had money and they were going
in that direction. I hurried through the to have it. They rummaged every-
cornfield, jumping the fences, and, after where until they came to his wife's bed.
sticking fast among the cockle burs Mrs. Waggoner, being paralytic, was
many times, arrived at the gap first, II unable to rise, but they lifted her up

380
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and searched, finding over four hun federates advanced to Shelbyville and
dred dollars, which they took. After the Federals took possession of Murfrees-
leaving the house the thieves discovered boro'. If the enemy claimed a victory
that one of their horses had strayed, they were too badly crippled to follow it
when they returned, accusing Mr. W-
up.
of hiding it, which he denied. A pistol A week afterwards, accompanied by an
shot was heard and Mr. W never old gentleman friend who was anxious
came back. Mary, his grown daugh to know the fate of his wounded son, we
ter, being alone, was afraid to go out in started from Nashville on horseback for
search of her father, and waited until Murfreesboro'. I had an immense car-
day broke before she knew his fate. pet-sack swung to my 'saddle filled with
When she looked out it was only to see underwear, socks, pins, and bandages,
his lifeless form in the cold embrace of for the wounded soldiers. Thirty miles
death. She walked over a mile to the travel in time of peace and through an
nearest house, where she told the terri army demoralized by fighting were two
ble news. When the report spread and different things. At no time were we
friends gathered for miles around. The away from the sight of soldiers on both
cold-blooded murder of a worthy, inno sides—the Southerners seen in the dis-
cent neighbor was a deed which made tance. Miles of Federal wagon trains
the stoutest hearts tremble with appre met us on their way to Nashville for
hension for their own safety.
supplies, as the railroad was destroyed
Our citizens were afraid to go into and cars burned. The wagoners drovo
Nashville for fear of arrest and impris close to me allowing no space for passing,
onment Lieut. Osgood, of Gen. Mitch and they kept trying to break my horses
ell's staff, was provost marshal, and he legs by running against them. When I
took delight in offering insults to all of discovered their purposes I turned out
our Southern people who approached in advance of meeting them. and rode
him for any purpose. Our feelings were through the fields, as there were no fences
so outraged all we wanted was a good to obstruct our travelling anywhere.
chance at him outside the lines.”
Dead horses and mules were thickly
As the Confederates were near Nash strewn in every direction, the number
ville it was nothing unusual for de increasing as we approached the battle
tachments to be seen riding about the field. A few houses only were standing
country, to which we always gave ail with no enclosure or out-houses. We
welcome and a corn-dodger. One Fri met a poor forlorn looking lady in an old
day evening I was seen by some Tories carriage, followed by a plantation wagon
living near with
in which was some furniture. She said
to us that she was trying to get into the
A GROUP OF OUR BOYS
back country. “You can look over there
seated around me in the yard eating. I and see the desolation of my once pleasant
went to town next morning with a lady home," she continued sadly, “with my
friend, taking along a present of some house full of soldiers. I can't stay there
flowers for the General, to whose head alone."
quarters we repaired without delay. He We saw the trenches each side of the
appeared flattered, requesting us to be pike where the dead were buried, and
seated while he issued an order for our the rails from the fences, where the fight-
passes, and sent his orderly to bring ing had been the worst, tumbled flat,
them from thə provost marshal. Our while many tree tops in the vicinity were
Tory neighbor had carried the news of taken off by shells and balls as though
my feeding the foe and was waiting to with a sharp axe. The heavy rains had
see me walk in and be refused , pass washed
home. How crestfallen they looked
when the aide came in with the dis-
THE BLOOD-STAINED FIELD
patch from headquarters for my pass. and we were spared the sight of human
When we brought presents to the Fed blood. We crossed Stone River, entered
eral officers they felt that they were not the town just before sunset, and pro-
the promptings of friendship, but con ceeded to the residence of Col. Reedy,
ciliatory gifts for favors, and would say having a verbal message for Mrs. R, the
in reply: “Now, don't ask us for some. mother-in-law of Col. John Morgan, the
thing we can't give you?''
purport of which was that if any of John
Heavy skirmishing now commenced Morgan's men were taken prisoner by
on the Murfreesboro' pike and a regular the Federal army no quarter would be
engagement took place which ended shown them. We had difficulty in pro-
January 2, 1863. This was known as the curing a stopping place, each of us in
battle of Stone River and was one of the
separate and remote parts of the city.
fiercest contests of the war. The Con- || The burning buildings of absent owners

FORAGING AROUND NASHVILLE.
381
furnished light for the city several days spoke to me, and asked what was the
after the Federals took possession. when trouble?
the following order was issued by the I told him I had been detained with a
Confederates :
cloud of calumny resting on me.
"If the burning of our houses is not stopped Gen. Rosecrans then asked Gen. Davis
in Murfreesboro', we will burn every Union if he knew me.
house in Shelbyville."
“Yes," said the General, “she was the
Morning dawned and breakfast being delegate from her neighborhood and
over we started for the hospitals. The visited my headquarters several times
Soule College, beside all the churches, while I was encamped over the river.”
were occupied by the wounded Confed “What was the object of her mission?''
erates. Tho weather was cold and the “In behalf of relief for the poor."
poor fellows had no protection for their "Oh, then." said Rosecrans. "She is
bodies (their clothing having been re good to the poor; I think more of her."
moved to dress their wounds) but a We were not permitted to leave until
blanket. I had a pair of thick yarn a courier was sent to Gen, McCook, from
socks which I put on the feet of a poor whom I had also received passes.
Arkansas captain after washing them. Gen. Rosecrans and staff were in the
I stretched my other garments as far as elegant residence of Col. Kibble, then
they would go, and finally tore open one | absent in the Confederate Congress.
of my skirts and laid it across the breast
of a poor wounded soldier to keep him
THE PATHWAY OF DESTRUCTION
warm. The groans of these poor men was marked in every apartment. The
were terrible during the dressing of beautiful bookcases, with their well
their wounds, and while the slugs of filled shelves were being despoiled
putrid flesh were being extracted, rapidly. I heard one officer say, "That
and thrilled us with horror
is a shame, to be breaking up those
We continued on our mission of mercy beautiful sets of books bound in calf.”
until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when a Gen. Garfield was seated here trying
man dressed in black belvet stopped up to collect the papers and army records
and handed me an envelope which on as executed by Gen. Garoche, who had
opening I found contained an order for been killed in the last engagement, and
me to report at the provost marshal's Garfield was now promoted to chief of
office and be sent through the lines. staff in his place.
When I entered the office of the My firm and fearless manner appeared
provost marshal, whom I had seen many to make them treat me with more re-
times in Nashville, I said, "Ah, captain, spect. The General had preparations
am I arrested?-and what for?!) "For made for our supper after they had
carrying letters,'' he replied.
eaten.
"I have brought none," I answered, Time wore on, when a little before 9
when he told me to go and see the Gen at night the courier came in with the
eral.
dispatch from Gen. McCook. The con-
The General, on hearing my arrival tents being in my favor, we were al-
announced, seemed in a terrible rage, lowed to leave and report in the morn-
and commenced pacing the room like a ing. Sentinels were stationed at every
caged lion.
corner, and the rattle of musketry was
"The Rebel mail carrier from that part heard and repeated on the approach of
of the country where you live is cap any one, but as we had a guard we were
tured at last."
allowed to proceed. At 10 o'clock the next
"That has not been my mission since morning we visited headquarters, and
the war commenced," said I, “but I after considerable parloying were per-
have tried to assist those of our neigh mitted to leave without further deten-
bors in trouble and I do not fear a truth tion, after obtaining a pass for our-
ful in vestigation of the whole matter selves and a permit for our horses.
under consideration."
We started home through the back
He made several remarks in regard country, thinking it sater. The destruc-
to Rebel women, to which I retorted with tion around us and the misty rain
full force.
above our heads were not inspiring, but
"Dressed like a lady and educated, we rode on in silence for about ton
you think you can do as you please, do miles, when the approach of night
you?
warned us to seek shelter. Our people
"General," I replied, “if I am found living in the country were glad to re-
guilty I intend to die game. There is ceive any one who was a friend, and
no flinching woh me."
although rations were scarce, a hearty
He retired when I saw Gen. Davis welcome was not lacking.
coming up the steps, and he, on entering, || The following morning found us again

382
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
on our way homeward bound. The Il situation of affairs, and none foresaw
weather had turned cold during the they were to become the dramatis per-
night, the day being clear and cold, with sonce in a tragedy to last for four long
snow enough to hide the neighborhood years. They associated battle only with
roads through the woods. The rain bands of music, gold lace, plumes, gor-
that had falleh froze as it came down, geous trappings, prancing steeds and
the forest trees being covered with
icicles, from which the sun reflected the camping at the Fair Grounds, near Rich-
irridescent hues of the rainbow and a mond, where troops were daily being
sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight, mustered in from every quarter, a
reminding us of the gorgeous glories of favorite pastime of the ladies was to
our heavenly home About midday resort thither to witness the afternoon
we rode through a cedar thicket drill. Great was the enthusiasm. What
where the birds were feasting on more stirring than the sound of the
cedar berries. There was the robin drum! What more inspiring than the
singing bis song of joy, the red graceful manoeuvres of the “Zouaves,”
the "Rifles,” or the “Rangers !” A'lady
oriole catching the refrain, while the il having returned from witnessing such a
thrush warbled the ocho chorus. This || display, congratulated herself upon hay-
retired retreat was their home, so thickly | ing at last achieved her heart's desire-
set with foliage no rude winds could she had seen Gen. Lee !
visit them, or wicked hunters find them, “Gen. Lee," exclaimed a gentleman
and all was peace in the dwelling place || friend. “Surely you must be mistaken
of God's orchestra. Just before dark -he is not in the city.”
that day we arrived at our homes, weary "Oh, I am quite sure I saw him," she
from travel and heart-sick from sorrow | replied, "he was walking in front of all
ful sights, but thankful our lives had the rest, wore a tall, very tall stiff hat-
been spared through all the dangers we was gorgeously apparelled, and every
had passed.
now and then turned and waved some-
thing, (a sword I suppose,) which every
No. 66.-In the Valley of Virginia.
one else instantly obeyed.'
It was sometime before the gentleman
could sufficiently recover from a fit of
laughter to assure his companion the
(By Mrs. Gilmer Breckinridge, of Fincastle, Va.)
personage she had taken to be the com-
In writing a sketch of the times which
mander-in-chief was only the drum
major, and the imaginary sword was his
tried men's souls," I deem it but proper
baton, with which he was beating time
to give a glimpse of a household which for the musicians who followed him.
furnished five soldiers to the army of Thus, it will be seen, women had to be
the Confederacy. Imagire, then, in the
educated to the stern realities of war,
and when at last their eyes were opened
Valley of Virginia an old homestead
gray with age, mantled with ivy and "The spirit-stirring drum, the piercing fife,
situated on a gentle elevation in the
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride and circumstance of glorious war."
midst of the estate, while through the
To wear the coarsest material, to stint
lowlands ran the Catawba, and far away
one's self without a murmur, to knit
theatre the Blue Ridge and the Allo-
the blankets from the beds and even the
carpets from the floors if any poor, shiy-
ghany Mountains.
ering soldier required covering, became
The original proprietor of the place
served his country in peace and in war,
EVERY WOMAN'S RELIGIOUS DUTY.
having been a soldier of 1812, and a The oldest of the five young men pre-
member of Congress for many years viously alluded to equipped a company
afterward. He lies buried in the family
at his own expense. The wool from
graveyard, situated upon a hill clothed which the uniforms were made was the
with evergreens, which can be seen from
growth of his own flock, and was spun,
the windows looking to the northeast,
and it was reserved for the five young the plantation. Mother, sister, aided by
men before mentioned to go forth in | ladies from the nearest town, made up
defence of their inheritance as well as of the cloth as fast as it came from the
the last resting place of their grandsire. loom, covered canteens, contrived visors,
and finished off haversacks. When all
sounded, few women appreciated the I was ready a dinner was given to the

IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.
383
company in a grove of oaks, the soldiers l) some declaring after all there was very
engaged in athletic sports and "all went Il little difference between ri-o and ry-e.
merry as a marriage bell." Then there It was not so easy to supply the place of
was a dinner at "Grove Hill,' the old the beverage "which cheers but not
mansion. Tables decorated with flowers inebriates," and tea made from dried
were set out on the lawn under waving raspberry leaves was taken with an
trees and cloudless skies, and a patriotic aversion which nothing but patriotism
poem, composed and set to music by could have alleviated. White sugar was
the young Captain's wife in honor of his not to be thought of. In the effort to
company, was, as an especial compli procure enough to "ice" a wedding cake
ment, printed upon white satin and pre a lady drove forty miles, only to be dis-
sented to the author.
appointed at the end of the journey.
All seems too sad as looked upon When the absent succeeded in getting a
through the dim vista of years; so many furlough the treasures of the storeroom
bright hopes shattered, so many brave were brought forth, and dried cherries,
hearts pulseless. When they were gone dried currants and berries of all sorts
willing hands worked on still, keeping were used in concocting pies, cakes and
over a stout heart, and writing cheering even plum pudding, which last was
letters to the absent; looking always to always eaten with "Rebel sauce."
the time when the vacant seats around Boys still went to school and mothers
the hearth-stone would be filled, and the sent them boxes, which, however, were
family circle reunited once again.
filled with edibles of a very domestic
Little was thought of the comforts and kind. As G
was at that time a
elegancies gradually given up one by pupil at the Virginia Military Institute,
one by those at home. Very soon great his mother was not neglectful of the
inconvenience was caused by the small time-honored custom, The box reached
supply of shoes in the South. One had its destination, the contents were, of
constantly to keep in mind the children course, divided and devoured, but, said
and servants, and jealously to guard 'G "the catsup was rather insipid."
against inroads on sole and instep to It turned out that the hungry cadets had
prevent dependants from having to go consumed a bottle of blacking which a
bare-foot. Mrs. B. having sent her careful mother, knowing the scarcity of
nurse's shoes to the cobbler, after wait- the article and the strictness of military
ing in vain for them, called in person to regulations on the subject of neatness,
see if they had been mended.
bad made from the juice of the elder-
"Why, madam,” rejoined the man, berry.
"I've worn them shoes out long ago." All the ink used at Grove Hill was of
Upon the lady's expressing some sur home manufacture; the “Mistress”
prise, he laughingly replied: "I can't even tried her skill at pharmacy, and
help it, ma'am; your nurse had two the writer vividly recalls a prescription
pair and I had none. I'm an old man of which she became the victim. The
and she's a young woman. You'll nave tonic was made of iron-filings steeped in
to excuse me."
vinegar. One dose sufficed! The whole
Not knowing which was the most as vocabulary of medicine never contained
tounding, the candor or the audacity of anything half so nauseating, and what
the man, the lady said nothing, but was most remarkable--for a whole day
from that day forth his shop was everything in the shape of food or drink
avoided as a bad place for soles. On seemed to have turned to iron-filings.
one occasion, in a moment of dire ne "Throw physic to the dogs" was never
cessity, an old-fashioned bronze mo quoted more feelingly, and, concluding
rocco needle book was ripped up and it was better to suffer than be strong by
converted into a dainty pair of boots for such means, the bottle was put aside,
the two-year-old
never to be brought to light except
under very unforeseen circumstances;
PET OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
but of that more anon.
But even the children were patriotic,
Lights were very scarce, especially in
and no sooner did the little girl get into
the towns. A great many sat by fire-
her boots, than, clapping her hands
light only in winter, and went to bed in
with delight, she sang.
darkness dnring the summer, unless the
moon should kindly shed her beams.
"Hurrah for the bonny blue flag
A few persons living in the country re-
That wears a single star.
sorted to sycamore balls split in half and
Barley, sweet potatoes, the root of soaked in the drippings of pork or other
dandelion and rye were all used as sub fatty substances. Upon the larger plan-
stitutes for coffee, and the decoction was tations candles were made from beef
swallowed amid jest and witticism, Il tallow; but here, too, a difficulty pre-

384
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
sented itself, as there was no candle rest. The writer offered her services,
wick
which were wisely declined, she never
TO BE HAD FOR LOVE OR MONEY.
having handled a razor in her life; but
the beard grew apace, and, as it grew,
Finally, old cloth was torn into very became more intolerable, owing to the
narrow strips and fastened in the moulds, fact the wearer had been accustomed to a
and the experiment proved successful. smooth face since his boyhood. Then,
Some children were always bursting out came a work-box-from it a sharp
their buttons--what was to be done ?
PAIR OF LITTLE SCISSORS.
Pins were the only substitutes, and a
paper of those cost five dollars! The old The patients eyes being closed, the
colored "mammy” gathered a supply of operation commenced. After a long
persimmons, extracted the seed, bored time, the towel was taken from under the
holes into them with a sharp instru chin, and a looking-glass held before the
ment, and sewing them on each little invalid Examining the instrument
garment found them far more durable which had worked such wonders upon
than either pearl or porcelain. Be it to his physiognomy, joyfully he ex-
the credit of "Aunt Maria,” she is still claimed: "My dear, I believe if you
faithful to the family, still lives on the could only get hold of a pair of large
old plantation and continues to sew on scissors you could easily build a house!"
buttons (gratis, if she might be al There were no piano tuners in the
lowed.)
country and one would fain "make a
"But what shall we do for artificial joyful sound” when "the boys' were at
flowers,” exclaimed J , as she home. The broken string was removed,
planned her costume for a coming wed its place supplied, the discordant notes
ding.
attuned to harmony, all a home job, and,
Long was the matter discussed. Non done by woman's fingers.
plussed at last, no one ventured to offer It remained, however, for a lady in an
a suggestion--for at the time all thought adjoining county to accomplish what no
nothing but Aladdin's lamp or the wand other female in the South ever attempted.
of a fairy could supply the deficiency. The farm was deserted by the male sex,
But here woman's pluck signally dis her only brother in the army. The water
tinguished itself. The momentous night on the place becoming unfit for use, the
arrived, the wedding came off. J , two ladies not only drew it off, but one
radiant and happy, with snow-white of them was let down to the bottom of
flowers in her hair and on her corsage, the well and cleaned it out.
attended the entertainment, and more As time went on “Grove Hill” be.
over had the satisfaction of hearing the came a place of frequent resort for friends
japonicas she wore extravagantly ad and relatives whose homes were within
mired by Capt. J- , who said he' the enemy's lines. Soldiers were con-
knew those exotics grew no where stantly passing to and fro, and cavalry-
else but in Miss R.'s conserva men often encamped on the plantation
tory. The young lady waived the to recruit their broken down horses. By
subject, but the two old geese which request two patients were sent from the
sounded a clarion note of alarm when crowded hospital in Richmond in order
they lost their breast feathers, equal to that they might be revived by mountain
the noise of the sacred geese in the tem air, country fare, and female attention.
ple of Juno, could have told a different One of these young men was propounced
tale had they been gifted with the power on a decline, in fact one lung said to be
of disclosing facts. Indeed one rarely entirely gone. There was no cod liver
saw anything without setting to work til in the whole country, but, the hos-
to think out a substitute in case of neces iess subsituted the purest of cream as a
sity, and, when Miss -- walked up the remedy and had the happiness of seeing
aisle ono Sunday morning wearing a Mr. K. become a well man.
coarse straw hat braided by unskilful Notwithstanding every effort to shut
fingers and trimmed with a palm-leaf ope's eyes to the possibility of a failure
figured stripe of Gen. A's dressing gown, of the Southern cause, affairs were grow-
scarcely any one smiled—the situation ing ominous. A great shadow too, fell
was becoming pathetic.
upon the old homestead. John, the boy
A dear old gentleman who, like Lord of seventeen who laid aside his school-
Bacon and John Wesley, considered books for the sword, was the first to fill
"cleanliness akin to Godliness," when a soldier's grave. And here, it may be
recovering from inflammatory rheuma allowable to quote from the journal of a
tism was greatly distressed at not being gifted young creature who was just en-
able to shave. Every able-bodied man tering upon the threshold of womanhood
was in the army, the barber among the ll at the commencement of those

IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.
385
nine miles from Baltimore. Miss D. con-
tinues in her room and is the centre of attrac-
tion; amused us very much talking of mar-
riage, says she has tried single life for sixty-
nine years and thinks double life must be
happier.
A word about the lady here mentioned :
She was a resident of the City of Rich-
mond and one of the most brilliant of
her sex. She never married, it is true,
but it was not for the lack of many op-
portunities. The sparkle of her con-
versation, her originality, her great
strength of character made her the centre
of every social circle whether young or
old. During the struggle of the South
for independence she gave herself
wholly to the cause. As generous as she
was patriotic, she made it her one object
in life to visit, feed and work for the
soldiers in every imaginable way. When
for relaxation during the summer
months she resorted to a more healthful
portion of Virginia, even there she made
her morning
DARK AND STORMY DAYS.
GROVE HILL, August 12, 1862.-I am going
to keep an "Acta Diurna. It will be a
suitable employment for war-times when we
have no visits to pay, no material to work
upon and no inclination to read anything
but our Bible and the papers. We are mucb
scattered now. Mamma is at “Glen Cary
inaking arrangements for sister M. to come
here to stay during the war, as brother L. is
surgeon and away from home constantly.
Papa came home after dinner bringing news
of a victory over Pope. After the latter issued
those cruel bulls, how I do wish we could get
bold of him! Col. S. and brother G. are here.
After tea we sat in the portico 'till a late
hour enjoying their conversation, and I
learned a great deal that I never knew be-
fore; one thing was, that Calhoun was not a
secessionist but a revolutionist-just what
papa is and just what Gen Washington was.
G. is at home and took a fox-hunt. A thing
or such rare occurrence now deserves men-
tion. Started a "Red," had a bully chase."
Music and Hector led the pack. Old Promp-
ter started the fox although one hind leg was
almost off and he ran the chase on three legs
only, &c.
Later on she writes: It rained steadily all
day. G. and J. sat in the library talking.
He is a funny boy. I never loved him so
much before. John and I were nearer the
same age. I never formed a plan for the
future in which he did not bear some part.
God takes our nearest and our dearest ones.
What a sad summer it has been ! J. came
home the 17th of May; the ten days he re.
mained we tried to banish all sadness and
make him happy. The 27th he leit. We
begged bim to stay but he thought there
would be a battle in a few days and con.
sidered it his duty to be at his post. Five
days after he left he was mortally wounded
at the battle of Seven Pines. Late Monday
night, as E. and J. lay awake talking, we
heard a strange footstep in the hall, then a
scream of agony, and mamma, almost faint-
ing, came in and handed us a dispatch. She
intended starting for Richmond next day
but was too ill to travel On Wednesday got
as far as B. but was detained there by a slide
on the railroad. The next morning news
came that our noble boy was dead! Those
hours of intense anguish seem like some
dark dream. E has put a wooden cross at
the head of his grave with the inscription
"HE HATH ENTERED INTO PEACE.”
Sunday, September 7, 1862.--Soon after
breakfast fourteen of us arranged ourselves
in the two carriages and two buggies with a
few riding horses and went to church. Mr.
W. preached a beautiful sermon and read
the whole service which we liked very much.
Afterward Mr. G. assembled us around him
and read the news, and glorious news it is!
Our army at Munson's Hill, in sight of Wash
ington ! but, the Yankees have been quite as
near Richmond, We were so distressed Mr.
8. was killed; his poor wife heard it just as
she was coming out of church ! On our return
home, after tea, Mr, W. had service for the
servants; there was quite a good congrega-
tion; cousin K and sister J, Eang the hymns.
September 10 I spent the morning making
envelopes, and knitting for the soldiers,
Afterward we occupied ourselves reading
and talking; at dinner-time got the mail; the
papers say we have captured Cincinnati !
Jackson gained a victory at the Relay House,
ROUNDS OF THE HOSPITAL
in the town of B. just as she had done in
the city of Richmond. When going
through one of the wards as usual on a
hot summer's day, she paused near the
bedside of a poor fellow lying there with
locks unkempt, matted and damp.
"My child," said Miss D., bending over
him, “I am going to comb your hair;
you will be much more comfortable, I
assure you."
There was a mute, appealing look
from the patient which said as plainiy
as words could say, "Oh don't, I beseech
you."
With keenest intuition, divining his
scruples, yet nothing daunted thereby,
Miss D. continued: “I have combed
them out of the heads of captains and
colonels-you just lie still and don't
mind it in the least."
At this stage of the proceedings the
old lady's companion turned aside to
suppress a smile, but it is to be hoped
that in the desire of a warm and sympa-
thizing nature to make the poor private
feel in good company, under what might
have proved a very trying ordeal, Miss
D. had unintentionally drawn upon her
imagination for her facts.
She is the same lady whose name has
passed into history, and who figures in
à book of English Novels" as the
heroine of an amusing episode during a
visit to Mount Vernon. In the fervor of
her devotion to the memory of Gen.
Washington she left her party and went
alone to shed tears over the tomb of the
"Father of his Country.” When the ex-
cursionists had refreshed themselves,
and had all started on their pilgrimage
49

386
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
to the shrine, she rejoined them, only to Referring to the journal we find the
find she had wept over the ice-house. shadow of coming events in the follow-
In returning to the journal from which ing:
quotations have been made, be it re-
June 16, 1864. How much excitement we
membered, the hand that penned each have been in for the last few days! On Sun.
line is cold in death; nor did the writer day we heard the Yankees were in B., so we
commenced secreting things in the servants'
ever dream that anything she wrote
houses. I basted all of T's letters in my
would be made public; in fact, in order filannel skirt. On Tuesday morning E, and I
to make the paper hold out (it was very buried the silver.
scarce then, the writing is so fine, the
I ACTING GRAVE DIGGER
lines are so close together, the manu had a hard time of it. After dinner the
script is almost illegible. To return to Yankees were really in F. Papa would'nt
its pages:
believe it and rode off to town. Some of the
servants standing on a hill saw papa ride up
It rained steadily to-day: in the afternoon
to the Yankees and soon after heard them
cleared up and we walked down to the gar-
shooting, and ran home to tell us they had
den, when G. told us of a conversation he
killed him. I never had such a shock in my
overheard between “Uncle Phil” and some
life, but soon the brave blood rushed to my
of the younger servantmen, Uncle P- tel.
cheeks; I stopped fainting and started to
ling the direction they must take should
town to see papa, when some one exclaimed
they wish to run off to join the Yankees. We
"there he comes !” Sure enough he had
always treated him more as a friend than a
slipped off from them. I was so burdened
servant. Slavery in a troublesome institu-
with letters, journals, silver, &c., I don't
tion; I wish for the sake of the masters it
think I could have gone far.
could be
June 19.-They are here at last! Yesterday
ABOLISHED IN VIRGINIA.
we were sitting at dinner feeling very secure
December 29, 1862.--These last ten days
when we heard they were coming. We stood
have been very peculiar. They reminded on the lawn watching for them, and soon
me of a piece of poetry, by Hood, called "No saw some of them rushing down the lane.
vember.” We had no servants, no dinner,
Then we sat down very composedly; I had
no supper, no comfort, November. When my pet bird feeding him when they came up.
the holidays are over, I think I will write an
They insisted we had “Rebels” hid in the
Ethiopian parody, having de servants, de house. One maan rode up, thrust a bottle at
carriage, de pies, de dinner, de cook, delight, me, ordering me to fill it with brandy. I
December. On Friday E, and I really worked
told him very calmly we had none, where.
hard, helping Matilda make cakes for her upon he said "d-n you, I'll make you fill
party. I learned all about baking. In the it, and started to get off his horse. I was
evening made a beautiful head-dress for
not alarmed, but sister J., seeing my danger,
Susan and carried it over to "Aunt Suky's." ran down the steps and implored the protec-
They begged E, and myself so hard to come tion of a looker-on. Some of the men in.
to the wedding that we went. The bride sisted upon going up.stairs, into the cellar,
looked very pretty, dressed in pink tarletan. and everywhere, to find drink. Three of
I arranged some ivy leaves for her. The them were fearfully insolent, Oh, God !
Episcopal service was read by “Uncle Ned." what a time that was. We wrote to the offi.
After the marriage Polly and Susan begged
oer in command, (Col. Putnam, of Ohio,) and
us to go to Polly's house to see the dancing.
asked his protection. He came up, and tak-
They had banjos and fidales and danced
ing his seat in the porch, said: "Are all
quite prettily.
of you married? If not, we'll send some
March, 23, 1863.-On Sunday we receivad Yankee's here to marry you; that's the way
letters telling about Brother C.'s capture.
we'll build up the Onion again." He left a
Later we heard he was killed. An officer guard; kind, but oh, so insulting in the way
told Mr.
C he saw him fall. Until this we
they talked about the South, I sat in the
bad been hopeful.
door, listened and prayed more fervently
March 27.-This is the day appointed by
that our noble Southerners might be suc.
President Davis for fasting and prayer. [
cessful. The guards talked 80 unkindly
wish we could have attended our own church. about the negroes; there were three hundred
I felt miserable for fear we should hear bad with them, tired and dirty, and yet, ten of
news of C., but, oh joyful! there was an ex-
our negro men joined them; dear little Josh
tract from a Northern paper saying among
went too; the older servants made him go.
the prisoners was Major B, a relative of the
All of our cattle and horses were taken. Papa
traitor Vice-President, Gen. J. C. B. I've behaved beautifully. My sakes, how Mr.
been happy ever since I heard that news,
Ross, one of the guards, abused the nabobs
of the South; said where he lived no man was
With such tidings as the above, with
ashamed to use the implements of agricul-
ture, but his wife was too proud to let a
frequent reports that the enemy was
negro enter her house. The next morning, I
coming toward that portion of the coun-
had forgotten it was Sunday, and I went
try hitherto considered unapproachable, down, picked up my knitting and went to
with rumors of disaster and dreadful car-
work in order that I might look as uncon-
nage by day and by night, then anxious
cerned as possible, when mamma came into
the ball, reminded me what day it was, and
watching for the news, and when it came
took my needles from me.
gathering around the reader and hearing
the list of killed and wounded with pal Yes, it was too true, the Yankees had
lid lips, and breath coming thick and come! Often a whole night bad been
fast; this became the situation at "Grove spent in packing up valuables, and when
Hill," as it did at every other fireside. Il the alarm turned out a false one persons

IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.
387
had to dig up enough spoons to put upon "Now, this place is beautifully adapted
the breakfast table. When too much to the growth of the vine.”
hurried to store away silver or jewelry, Still no answer.
articles were sometimes secreted about "I tell you what, Uncle, one of these
the person; and the dear girl writes in days all of this plantation will be cut up
her journal she had become quite tired into forty-acre lots, and will be a blos-
of wearing the sugar dish and cream somin' like the rose.”
pitcher under her skirts. There were No rejoinder could be extorted from
the noble old pater familias, and Mr.
SOME LAUGHABLE EXPERIENCES
Ross, turning his attention to myself
during those dark days; a little fun and sisters, added, "Ladies, the day is
went a long way, and no one could enjoy coming when this eighteen-months'-old
a joke without sharing it with his neigh child will ask you what sort of a looking
bor. The enemy came upon us at creature a negro was—there won't be
nightfall. My mother, sister and my one in the whole country.”
self clung together for safety around our "I thought you were proud of them;
only protector, who, though stricken you have several hundred with you,'
with age, sat erect, calm and unmoved in my mother ventured to remark.
his portico. We heard the approach of ne "No, indeed; we don't want them; we
groes, when a mile and a half away. Ad have no use for them; why, you have no
ded to the sound of wheels rattling down idea of the immense superiority of the
a rocky hill, there was the bellowing of North over the South,” continued Mr. R.,
cattle, neighing of horses and the bleat now striding up and down the hall, our
ing of sheep which had been seized on little boy in his arms, and apparently
the different plantations through which addressing his conversation to him in-
the invader passed. Above all this din stead of to the older members of the
arose a wild chorus chanted in time to family, who seemed to turn
the banjo, which some contraband”
A DEAF EAR TO ALL HE SAID.
strummed vigorously as he followed in
the motley procession, and we very soon "Why, the North has seats of learning
became aware we would be at the mercy opened to all alike. Persons may receive
of one of Hunter's wagon trains. For an education free of charge. We have
some time we asked in vain to be told our free shools, our universities, our
who was in command, but finally a ser academies. Why, I haven't saw a free
geant took pity on us, and offered to school since I came to Virginia."
take a note to the Colonel.
We smiled (inwardly,) the only reply
In the meantime men dashed around we dared give to such an assertion,
the lawn upon sporting horses, calling made by such a person and on such an
out: “Search the eaves, boys; search occasion.
the eaves of the house; they have treas Our supper having been eaten for us,
ure hid there.” Some went to the as night wore on we retired to the second
kitchen where supper was being pre story, but not to sleep; no one touched a
pared for the family; in a few moments bed that night. Once we were sum-
everything in the shape of food had dis moned down-stairs to be told if there
appeared. To the negro women in at- | were any treachery on our part the
tendance who had remained faithful to house would be in flames in five min.
the family, it was: “Sis, get me some utes. Assuring them there was no dan-
bread; sis, make me a cup of coffee ; ger, we returned to our place of retreat
sis, I'd be much obliged for a drink of in order to consult as to what might be
water." Upon our remarking to the done with the whiskey which had been
sergeant upon the rude conduct of the secreted in a far away closet up-stairs in
men he replied, "the boys had gotten case of illness. Since the marauders
several barrels of apple-jack coming were wild with "applejack,” we deemed
along and hardly know what they were it safer to destroy the precious article.
about.” The guard, though rough, self It was at length poured into a tall tin
asserting creatures, were welcomed with vessel, carried down the back stairs at
heartfelt joy. One of them (Mr. Ross) the rear of the house and smuggled to
carried on an animated conversation, all the brow of a hill, whence the last drp
on his own side, though directing his re was emptied to the ground beneath.
marks to the silent, dignified old Vir Under cover of the darkness of mid-
ginia gentleman sitting in the portico, night the parties returned in safety, but
whom he invariably called "Uncle."
it was a hazardous expedition, and those
“Uncle," said Mr. R., "I guess this who joined in it were in momentary
house has been in the family over a hun danger of being shot at as Rebel soldiers
dred years."
in disguise.
There was no reply.
While the scenes just related were

388
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
being enacted in the old home some Now, although the man never found
what similar occurrences took place in it out, Mrs. P. knew he had only taken
the town of B., twelye miles distant, a heavy dose of iron filings, the identi-
where resided the old bachelor uncle cal medicine prescribed as a tonic, and
who had been so successfully shaved put into a bottle from which I had for-
with the scissors. It happened that many gotten to remove the original label.
articles of value belonging to the writer After dire threatenings, and language
were in his house at the time, and at the more expressive than eloquent, the man
first alarm were packed and sent down who supposed himself, poisoned went
the river for safety. But followers of the off for a while. Presently he returned
camp branched out in every direction,
and opened the conversation with “Your
the boat was captured, silver and jewelry husband is colonel of a Louisiana regi-
pocketed, the harp torn from its box and
I ment."
strummed upon by the rabble as they “He is,” said Mrs. P. proudly.
brought the instrument back through the "We've captured tho whole set of
town. On first reaching the opposite side them.”
of the river, however, the enemy shelled "Indeed?" said Mrs. P. with a pro-
the place. The old gentleman, just alluded voking smile of incredulity.
to, having no cellar of his own in which "You had a son, a pupil at the Louis-
to take refuge, positively refused to seek iana Military Institute."
safety in any one else's, and sat during "I have,” replied Mrs. P. with appar-
the whole time with folded arms in an ent unconcern.
uncovered portico. His niece, Mrs. P.. “We have taken him prisoner."
of New Orleans, unwilling to desert "You have ?"
him, sat beside him. Perceiving no “Yes, and I'll have the pleasure of
warlike demonstrations on the part of giving him a good thrashing."
the inhabitants, the Yankees contented "And he will have the pleasure of re-
themselves with burning the bridge, turning it," said Mrs. P.
and soon poured into the village. As Thoroughly out-done, the man went
they swarmed into the house Mrs. P.
out among the servants to plan some
followed them from room to room, other mode of revenge..
watching them with flashing eye and Mrs. P. returned to the porch and met
scornful expression as they tore open a fresh supply of marauders. She ap-
wardrobes, pocketed towels and made pealed to the first one she saw for a
themselves disagreeable in every imag- . guard, but "for heaven's sake do not
inable way. When a table drawer was send one of Hunter's rapscallions."
opened and a package of papers taken Unfortunately the person addressed
out, forbearance became no longer a belonged to Hunter's command, and
virtue.
firing up in an instant, replied, "If you
"Private letters, gentlemen,'' said Mrs.
were a man I would put my sword
P. "Read them.''
through your body."
"What do you mean? We wouldn't
"I am only a woman, rejoined the
do such a thing."
lady, “but if you choose to make use of
Indeed? I should think gentlemen your weapon, you will find me equal to
who would steal towels wouldn't hesi the occasion.''
tate to examine private correspon The hero of the bottle of iron filings
dence."
was all this time consulting with the
A scowl and an oath was the only man-servant about burning the house,
answer.
but be it to the credit of that faithful
Going into the hall, Mrs. P. dogging negro, he made every excuse for Mrs.
their footsteps all the time, one of the P., saying she was only mistress of her
men opened a press, seized a bottle uncle's establishment for the time being
labelled
and that her home really was in Louis-
"BLACKBERRY WINE,”!
iana.
held it to his mouth, and swallowed the
In the course of the day she succeeded
in procuring a guard, and under their
contents at a gulp. No sooner had he
escort walked beyond the town into the
done so than, dashing the bottle from camp of Gen. Averell and demanded the
him with an oath, he yelled out in a harp which had been captured. It was
rage, "My God, you have poisoned me!" restored, proved to be uninjured, and
You have poisoned yourself,'' re has cheered many solitary hours since.
plied Mrs. P. with provoking com To return to the old homestead, a few
placency.
days after the raid described some of
“Why did you not tell me it wasn't our men followed in hot pursuit. Then
wine ??
every one went to work, everything edi-
“You did not ask me,'' replied Mrs. P. Il ble was served up in the kitchen for

HEROISM AT HOME.
389
THE BOYS IN GREY."
h'er favorite brother, the soldier bey of
Firkins of butter which no “green-
seventeen.
1Of the five brothers who went forth in
backs” could purchase were taken from
defence of their home, the oldest lost his
their hiding places and the house was
ransacked for socks and clothing for the
life in storming "Fort Kennon,” the
needy. And here I make an extract
youngest at "Seven Pines," a third, the
hero of “Kelly's Ford,” fell fighting, we
from the journal:
know not where. Two only returned,
About a hundred of Gen. Ransom's men one of whom bears a memento of the
came for ice water, bread and buttermilk.
struggle in the shape of a wound in the
Sister J. commenced telling some of the sol.
leg and a sabre cut over the brow.
diers how her jewelry, silverware, &c., had
been captured on the boat, and then a dear
little fellow handed her a pair of her sugar-
tongs, which she recognized directly. They
were taken from a haversack left on the field
No 67.-Heroism at Home.
when we defeated the enemy at Hanging
Rock. He declined any reward, but namna
presented him with a suit of new clothes no
(By Mrs. Allie Travis, Conyers, Ga.)
poor soldier could refuse. Oh! 'twas a joy.
ful sight! We were looking from the attic
What event of great consequence to
window when the first detachment came.
Then we went out on the lawn, the soldiers the world was ever recorded, in either
cheered and galloped down the lane.
sacred or profane history, in which
I beg leave here to state that most of
woman did not play an important part?
the servants remained faithful, and in
every instance except one the supplies
She had a share in the introduction of
confided to their keeping were returned. sin and death into the world; through
Later on the journal says:
her was the promise made of Christ's
Attea-time mamama wanted lights brought victory over these, the greatest. de-
in, and called for Susan and Matilda. Vir-
stroyers of man's happiness. She gave
ginia said they could'nt be found, as they
had gotten religion. We all hoped the rest her presence with her sympathy and
of the servants would wait until after supper.
E. asked Nelson if they were having a revival
tears to the agonizing scene of the Cross,
Hesaid they always "had 'em" at that season and on the morning of the Resurrection
of the year. What singular creatures they
are! I do not think our prospects for peace
she was the first to receive the glad tid-
were ever so dark, we have met with so many ings that the Lord had risen. It is a sad
disasters of late. I wish the women could
fight; their sufferings are so great anyhow, a
fact that the long, cruel wars of the an-
leg shot off, or a head either, would hardly
cients were sometimes directly caused
require a greater degree of endurance. I would
shoulder my pistol and shoot in a moment if by woman's influence, and the loss of
I were allowed,
crowns and the subjugation of nations
And here we close the book; so many were frequently due to her fascination.
dark days followed, so many hopes were In the late war between the States the in-
shattered, that although “the sunshine
of wit sparkles through the pages like a
fluence of Southern woman was felt from
thread of gold running through a darker the beginning, and its history would cer-
back-ground," wo drop the curtain at tainly be incomplete without a record of
the threshold of a lonely fireside and her trials and triumphs. It is true she
whisper, bush !
passed no ordinances of Secession, but
When Confederate money depreciated when they were passed she entered
so rapidly that $70 was paid for a skein heartily into the endeavor to achieve the
of black patent thread. and $600 for an independence of the South. Her smiles
ordinary mourning dress, we knew the and patriotic words encouraged the boys
South was doomed, and it was not long to don the gray. Her busy fingers, dur-
ere the cause for which woman fought ing the four long weary years of the
with a firm will, if not with weapons, struggle, were constantly employed in
was lost and the conquered banner spinning, weaving and knitting to sup-
furled forever.
ply the wants of our soldiers. In the
The beautiful young girl from whose hospitals she was an angel of mercy,
journal we have quoted became a bride. dispelling the gloom with the sunshine
Two weeks only of wedded happiness of her presence. Her gentle ministra-
were her's when the bridegroom was re. tions did much to relieve the sufferings
called to the army. They met no more
of the wounded and dying, while she
until after the surrender. Two weeks pointed them to Him who was "mighty
later the bride of six months lay in her and able to save."
coffin. Her grave is close beside that of || But even this list of her labors is in-

390
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
complete. In many instances, in addi- ll of transportation were inadequate to the
tion to manufacturing the clothing, she demand, so that many were compelled
followed the plough and used the hoe, in || to trust that which they prized most to
order to raise the provisions for the fam the carriages with which nature had
ily while the husband and father was furnished them. As self-preservation
fighting his country's battles. Ah, the was the motto of the Home Guard and
story of her sufferings, toils and sacri hospital retainers, the road deemed
fices during this time of trial will never safest was soon filled with a hurrying,
be written. An innate modesty will pre pell-mell crowd, on whose faces was
vent her blazoning to the world her acts written, "escape for thy life,” and no
of devotion to her country's cause. A angel was needed to hasten their efforts
spirit of bravery and independence was in that direction.
developed in the women of the South This stampede furnished instances of
altogether new to them. As an illustra fright perhaps only surpassed by the
tion, I will give an instance that oc famous Bull Run 'retreat. One man,
curred in Middle Georgia:
tall and lank, who was a member of the
A woman, whose husband and eight tribe known as
sons were in the army, assisted only by
'HOSPITAL RATS,?!
a daughter,
PLOUGHED, PLANTED AND HOED
had long attracted attention by his woe-
begone, dying-by-inches look and his
a field of corn that was to furnish her slow, snail-like pace. The reported
future bread. When it was in roasting proximity of the Ỹankees infused new
ear, and had become her pride and hope, life into his veins, and he was soon
a squad of soldiers made a raid upon it. seen rushing comet-like through the
With the spirit of "a hero determined to air, his long hair streaming in the
do or die,” she seized a pistol, walked to wind; and as his reserve force was all
the fence, told them it was her depend brought into play he soon out-distanced
ence for bread, and ordered them out, all competitors. A lady who had
declaring that she would shoot the one come from Alabama to nurse her
that dared remain. Strange to say, ad wounded husband was looking out at
miration for her courage, or possibly our front door when the racer flitted
some other motive, caused them to beat past, and, in spite of her distress, couid
a hasty retreat. Did the feats of Nancy not restrain a laugh, while she cried
Hart during the Revolution excel this? "Look at Duncan ! look at Duncan !"
But yet brighter examples of heroism But Duncan was gone.
were found among those reared in lux A citizen who was unused to the sad-
ury and ease, who were, by the vicissi. dle, and who seemed to think that every
tudes of war, deprived of home and of addition of motion was an increase of
even the necessaries of life. For these speed, was making frantic efforts to
to patiently loarn to earn their daily hasten his horse by jumping up and
bread, and at the same time to write down in the saddle. The horse, being
hopeful, cheering letters to fathers and more of a philosopher, and either not
husbands in the army, was to display a afraid of Yankees or unconscious that
heroism that the courage of the battle he was individually interested in the
field never surpassed.
escape, was disposed to take things
Although called upon to surrender more deliberately.
their heart's richest treasures to the Mo Two men, one old and gray-headed,
loch of war, and to endure hardships the other a wounded soldier at home on
unknown to them before, the women of furlough, in a state of reckless frenzy
Georgia know but little of the want and attempted to defend the town, and killed
suffering that followed the tread of the two of the raiders. The friends of the
invader, until the summer of 1864. My two killed were so enraged that it was
own experience began Friday, July 22, with difficulty their officers could re-
of that year, when the citizens of Cov. strain them from burning the town.
ington were suddenly filled with horror The Yankees affirmed that they had lost
by the report that a large body of two of the best scouts they had in their
Yankee cavalry had captured the up army, and, of course, two of the citi-
train at Conyers, only ten miles away, zens must die in retaliation. The old
and were rapidly approaching the town. man who fired on the invaders. pierced
Then ensued a scene of the wildest | by bullets, fell on the sidewalk mortally
excitement and dismay. Horses and wounded. As he lay gasping in death,
mules, in fact anything that could pull his heart-broken daughter kneeling over
a vehicle, were hastily harnessed and him, mingling her tears with his blood,
hitched to whatever would serve as a they were the objects of ridicule and
transport for valuables. But the means Il sport to the group of inhuman sol-

HEROISM AT HOME.
391
of
diers ranged around. One of them || tomber, when every heart was filled
laughed and said: "Boys, don't she with consternation by the announcement
cry?” Another held his hat and sug-
gested that they "catch her tears; and
THE FALL OF ATLANTA.
still another comforted (?) her with the
assurance that "if her father had had a
A great many of our citizens at once
thousand lives they would have taken refugeed, and as the hospitals had been
them all;" and to give certainty to the removed soon after the raids, our town
assertion, one of the group walked up, looked deserted, indeed.
placed the muzzle of his pistol in her "The Yankees are coming!" was the
father's gray hairs, and
cry that every few days greeted the ears
SCATTERED HIS BRAINS ON THE GROUND,
of the people who remained. This re-
port during two months proving false,
The soldier who fired on the raiders we had almost concluded that they
was more fortunate. They made every would vex us with their presence no
effort to find him, but were unsuccess more. After a night of fancied security
ful, although ho made many hair imagine our dismay when we learned
breadth escapes during the day. Yankee that Yankee scouts had been in the town
revenge, however, was not to be cheated. while we were sleeping, and that Sher-
An English resident, who belonged to man's whole army had encamped only
the State troops, and was at home on a few miles from us.
furlough, had that morning put his Who can describe our feelings on that
little girl on the train. Hearing that morning! All human aid was gone, and
the Yankees had captured it, and not we felt as we never had before, that in
knowing the fate of his child, he grew God only was our "refuge and strength,?'
frantic, and said that he would go to her, and we trusted that He would be a
or die in the attempt. While waiting "present help.” Prayers for personal
at the deport for his horse, the raiders safety went up to Heaven from the
arrived. Unarmed and guilty of no depths of woman's agonized heart, and
greater offence than haying a cartridge were heard and answered. Sherman told
box on his person, he was arrested and the mayor, when he asked the conditions
carried to the woods, ostensibly to be of surrender, that he had just issued an
tried by court-martial, but really order to his troops that everything in
to furnish another victim for their the houses was to be respected, but
revenge. Two of the raiders going everything out of doors was to be con-
over to the town met a citizen and in sidered Uncle Sam's.' Had all of the
quired : "Who is this man George citizens been informed of this order,
Daniel ?" He not knowing the circum much that was lost might have been
stances, and hoping to save Mr. Daniel saved. As might have been expected,
from being taken a prisoner, replied that however, the order was not strictly
"he was a citizen and a merchant of the obeyed, and "Uncle Sam's" proved to be
place,” which was true before he joined the lion's share.” No houses were
the army. Without another question, searched, but anything seen in them
simply saying, “We'll have that man to that the Yankees fancied was considered
shoot, the two soldiers dashed rapidly theirs by the right of capture, and was
away and in a short time the victim of seized accordingly. From the conver-
their wrath was left a corpse in the sation of some soldiers, who were ap-
woods just where he fell. His three or propriating the contents of our store-
phan daughters knew nothing of their room, mother learned their orders, and
sad loss until several hours later a Yan succeeded in bringing some provisions
kee told some one in town that they into our dwelling, else we would have
“had left a dead Reb in the woods.'' suffered for something to eat, as they
After a search was made Mr. Daniel's carried off everything in that line they
body was found, pale and motionless, could get. I
but a picture of undaunted bravery.
The street in front of our house was a
Of course the raiders tore up the rail moving mass of "blue coats”-infantry,
road, destroyed the Confederate prop artillery and cavalry--from 9 o'clock in
erty, seized all the arms and carried off the morning to a late hour at night. All
all of the horses and mules they could during the day squads would leave the
find, but, with a few exceptions, did Il ranks, rush into the house and demand
little damage to other property. This I something to eat, seize what they could
raid, however, was followed in a week ll get, then go to the yard and garden to
by Stoneman's, and the raiders carried || chase chickens and pull up turnips, and
off and destroyed property as it pleased || rush to the street again only to be suc-
them. After they had passed we had ceeded by others.
comparative quiet until the 1st of Sep- l When the first squad arrived the chick-

392
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ens were still in their house, so the task | were appropriating all that she prized.
of catching them was easy. But when | She soon filled the yard with her
they were turned out, as the Yankees
SHRIEKS AND LAMENTATIONS.
killed them with sticks and clubs, there
were many instances of
A Dutchman in our house at the time
“DYING GAME,
inquired, “What's de matter wid dat
worthy of the cause in which they fell.
nigger ?"
Early in the morning, during a short
"Your soldiers," I replied, "are carry-
ing off everything she owns, and yet
calm in the storm, my mother secured
you pretend to be fighting for the
two fine turkeys from the yard, and negro."
slipping them into our house, put
"Fight for de nigger! I'd see 'em in
de bottom of a swamp before I'd fight
them separately in dark closets. The
for 'em,” he answered angrily.
darkness and solitude so awed them that The girl was afraid to say anything to
they kept perfectly quiet, and so escaped
the white men, but when she saw a col-
Yankee rapacity.
ored soldier wearing her newest style
Our nearest neighbor locked up one of hat her wrath knew no bounds. Going
her turkeys in a large room in the house. up to him and shaking her fists in his
The light and noise kept it so uneasy
face, she exclaimed: "Oh! if I had the
that it paced the floor uttering its gob power like I've got the will, I'd tear you
ble! gobble! gobble!" every few min to pieces."
utes. It proved to be a regular apple of
Once during the day she was standing
Tantalus to 2 squad of Yankees in the
by my mother, who was telling a crowd
yard. As it would change its position
of soldiers that "the Lord would be re-
in the room, and its cry would come venged upon them for their treatment
from different directions, they would of us."
rush from corner to corner of the house,
One of them answered, "Oh, yes; you
exclaiming "Oh, itis right under here, talk about the Lord now, but there is no
and I'll have it directly." As their Lord for the poor negro when you've
search afforded such amusement to the got him tied up, giving him six or seven
family, and proved to be so fruitless, hundred lashes a day.'
they finally gave it up, perhaps decid-
The colored girl instantly replied,
ing that it was either a phantom turkey "I've never got that much yit."
or the work of a ventriloquist,
He answered, “Oh, you'll tell any lie
How still and calm everything was now," then added, “Will you allow
for a few days after the Yankees had your race to live in bondage all their
passed!
days when you could be free?"
"Well, of course," she said slowly, "if
Not a crow was heard, not a single note,
the whole universal was free I'd want to
The dawn's dead silence breaking.
be free, but I expect to live in the 'Con-
A few of our chickens escaped by se federick' as long as there's a Rebel."
creting themselves so far under the Later in the day she was standing by
house that they could not be reached. the front gate, when a soldier marching
But they were thoroughly demoralized. down the street said to her, "Oh, yes, the
It was a day or two before they reap Rebs said we never could get Atlanta,
peared, and then they came to the cor but you tell’em I say the Yanks can go
ners of the house and stretched their anywhere."
necks as if looking for Yankees, Ever "Thank God you can't go to Heaven,"
after they had a horror of blue pants, as burst from her lips, while she quickly
was attested by the fact that every time moved back from the fence.
an old colored man who wore a pair Stopping a moment and looking as if
given him by the Yankees would come at a loss what to say, he asked, "Why!
in the yard they would beat a hasty re do you think you'll get there ?"
treat.
"I don't know about it,” she answered,
But I must not forget to mention "if you don't quit coming through here
the conduct of a colored girl of ours kicking up such a fuss; you won't give
while the Yankees were passing. She me time to pray."
was standing in the yard, viewing with Another Yankee said, “The niggers
apparent indifference the passing pa here are the greatest Reb niggers I ever
geant, when she recognized some of her
clothing in the hands of a soldier re "O, yes,” she replied, "the farther
turning to the street. She immediately South you go, the more sense the nig-
investigated the matter, and found that gers got."
they had broken open her house and || She was our cook, but it was only
saw."

HEROISM AT HOME.
393
after a great deal of persuading that she || must be at a loss for tunes, as they were
could be induced to cook supper for playing one of ours." If they had heard
OUR YANKEE GUARD.
me they could not have changed the
She protested, "Miss Liza, it ain't right
tune quicker to “Yankee Doodle." Tak-
ing my friend by the hand, I led her in
to give him vittels that we've had such
immediately, saying "We will not listen
work to save, when we need it our-
to that tune. A friend, living several
selves."
miles out of town, told me that a Yankee
Knowing the strength of my Rebel
officer informed her of the incident, and
sentiments, my mother, in those days,
inquired my name. After the surrender
had exhausted every argument to con-
a cousin, who was a prisoner at Point
vince me of the rashness of expressing,
Lookout at the time of "Sherman's
them, should we ever again fall into
march to the Sea," brought me the army
Yankee hands, She succeeded so well
correspondent's account of it, clipped
in frightening me that for several hours
after the arrival of Sherman's army I
from a New York paper. In it there
was so silent that I might have been
was especial mention made of the Cov-
taken for a probationary disciple of
ington ladies. It said:
Pythagoras.
They were very pretty and intelligent,
Knitting socks for the Rebs ?'' elicited but great Rebels. While the bands were
playing 'Dixie' they were all smiles, but as
no reply, as my sister and I sat quietly
soon as they commenced Yankee Doodle'
knitting from balls whose hearts were
they went in, shut the doors and closed the
gold watches. But alas! when greatly blinds."
provoked it is hard to preserve self-
But I have written enough about those
control, and, after witnessing the depre-
dations of the raiders several days, and
times of trial. How rejoiced we should
be that they are passed. Secession is
when an officer came in and attempted
dead, I hope, never to be resurrected,
to reconstruct me by arguments to prove
not even by Massachusetts, which I be-
the sin of Secession and the certainty of
lieve was the first State in the Union to
our subjugation, my tongue was loosed
and my heart was fired.
ever threaten it. The animosities en-
gendered by the war are passing away,
During the long controversy that fol-
lowed, devotion to our cause and fears
the last faint traces lingering only in the
hearts of those who fought and endured
for my personal safety produced such a
conflict of emotions in my heart that I
the least. Peace and good will are tak-
would frequently rise to my feet as some
ing the place of sectional strife. Promi-
nent men from both sides can now meet
answer to his arguments would come to
and amuse each other with accounts of
me seemingly by inspiration; then, at
the entreaties of my sister, I would recol-
their war experiences. But I must say,
I prefer they would not laugh over the
lect myself, sit down and endeavor to be
number of chickens and turkeys cap-
calm.
At length unable to answer, he rushed
tured by Sherman's army on their
from the room, saying, "I see it is no
march through Georgia. That seems too
personal a matter, and with all my re-
use to argue with you."
"Nor I with you,” I called after him,
constructed ideas 1 have never been able
to see any fun in it yet.
for
The tone of the Northern papers in-
"If you convince a man against his will, dicate that a better feeling prevails for
He's of the same opinion still.”
the South, and the time is coming when
I heard afterward that a soldier went
no editor can be found “with soul so
to the house across the street and said
dead” as to allude in sneering terms to
to some comrades: "Boys, you had
the provision made by the Georgia Leg-
better not go to that house over yonder;
islature for supplying maimed soldiers
there is one of the rankest secesh gals
of the "Lost Cause" with artificial
there you ever saw; she used us up, and
limbs, and complain that no such pro-
looked like she might lick us, too, if we
vision had been made for
didn't mind."
THE GEORGIA MULE.
The remark was not very flattering,
but still I liked the idea of being Let our brother in Blue tell of his ex-
thought true to the South.
ploits during the war, but let him
In the afternoon a young friend in feel and express only respect and admi-
sisted so much on my going to the front
ration for those who wore the Grey, and
door with her to hear the music that I who fought so long and so well for what
consented. When we reached the door
they believed to be a just cause. And
when he speaks of the sin of slavery let
THE BAND WAS PLAYING "DIXIE.”
him not forget that he once owned
I smiled and remarked to her that "they ll negroes himself and that his ships
50

394
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
brought the race from their native land. | site of old Fort Washington, built by
The North and the South can never Washington during the revolution. No
be cemented into a real union remains of the fort exist, but upon one
until each respects the other and is corner of the site now stands a large old-
willing to admit that in "the late un fashioned red brick house with a green
pleasantness" each was actuated by yard on either side and a porch opening
love of country and guided by honest directly on the street. It was from this
convictions of duty. When that day point that the writer viewed the war in
dawns, and the rosy light is even now Winchester, and no better point could
gilding the eastern sky, giving promise have been chosen, Directly upon the
that the last murky cloud will soon pass crown of old Fort Hill, the top of the
away, then shall the sun pour his glad house commanded a view of the whole
beams over a land enjoying a peace and country around, and we—my two sisters
prosperity unknown to the earth before; and myself- used to call it our Point
and as the Stars and Stripes fioat proudly Lookout. From there we watched the
on the breeze, the salute of every Amer battles on the hills around with such in-
ican heart will be:
tensity of interest in the wavering and
“Flag of my country, long may it wave!"
struggling lines of blue and grey that!
we quite lost sight of any danger to our-
selves. I can well understand how sol-
No. 68.- The Old Red House on Fort HH1
diers in the fight face danger with such
wonderful courage. Intense excitement
destroys fear. Gen. Jackson was, of
(By Mrs. Mary Tucker Magill, of N. Y. City.) course,
OUR VALLEY HERO,
To any one who lived during the war and when he appeared we felt secure
between the States it would be useless
that everything was going right, until
experience taught us that “the battle is
to give any description of the little city
not always to the swift.” The bitter
of Winchester in the Valley of Virginia, trial came to us more than once of see-
but, as a new generation has sprung in- || ing our fathers, brothers, spns and
to existence since that time, it will per-
friends, with Jackson at the head, knock-
| ing at their own doors and driven back
haps be as well to describe it with a few
by superior numbers, leaving us in the
of its classic associations. Winchester hands of an enemy rendered all the
is situated near the head of the Valley
more bitter against us for the struggle
made.
of the Shenandoah, about thirty miles
from Harper's Ferry, so well known as
Do you want to know how women
feel in a beleaguered city when an
the scene of the John Brown raid, and enemy first comes upon them? Memory
nearly the same distance from Martins brings back a vivid scene. Let me paint
burg, while Charlestown, where John
it for you: It was about one year after
the war began. Winchester had been
Brown was hanged, is directly on the
often threatened but had never fallen;
turnpiko road leading from Harper's and in our pride we boasted it would
Ferry to Winchester. This same turn stand true to the dear old mother to the
end.
pike was the great highway for the two
One bright sunny afternoon the
cry was raised that the enemy were ap-
armies during the struggle, as it led
proaching on the Martinsburg road. "We
directly through Winchester up the Val laughed in derision. The same old
ley to Staunton, and the abundant crops
story--they will find Jackson there and
will turn back. But Jackson him-
of that section formed an important item
self appeared, riding at full speed. I
in the calculation of the South, so dur-
could draw his picture from memory.
ing the time these crops were to be He was not a graceful rider-that must
gathered the Confederates occupied be confessed. His body was thrown for-
Winchester as an outpost. In this way ward slightly, his knees drawn up and
the little city became a bone of conten- | his eagle eye looked into the distance.
tion for the two armies. It changed To see his power you must see his eye.
hands eighty times during the four "Old Jack has his war look on," said
years' struggle and was the field of some one of the party.
of the most exciting battles of the war. The hero was a warm personal friend
Standing upon the main street of the of ours, and when he saw us he stopped
city, just at the entrance of the town, and invited conversation.
upon the valley turnpike, indeed-as at "Oh, General !” exclaimed ono, "is
this point it entered the town-is the ll there really going to be a fight?"|

THE OLD RED HOUSE ON FORT HILL.
395
"I think so," was his answer, with his guard of the hated foe; then we receg-
usual quick utterance, then catching nized Gen. Ashby, who had remained
sight of some dismayed faces, he added, with a few picked men to see the Yan-
"not frightened, I hope?"
kees enter Winchester. Such a tumbling
"A little,” confessed one timid spirit, down stairs you never did see as we did
"I am so afraid our men will run."
when we were assured of this facta
"I think not, I think not,” he said, There was surely not very much heroism
"but if they do I will call out the ladies.” in the manner in which we three rushed
A general exclamation followed, out into the street-Niobes, all of us.
“They will run at the first fire."
“What are you doing here still? Has
"Never !” exclaimed the hero, with Gen, Jackson changed his mind? Have
enthusiasm, "a woman never deserts the Yankees retreated ?"
the post of duty. You do injustice to "No," Gen. Ashby said, sadly dashing
your sex, Only give us your prayers all hope. He was the rear guard of the
and we will succeed, I am confident. I Confederates.
am ready for them."
Then our tears broke forth afresh.
"May the God of battles go with you,'' "Tell our friends," I said, with a dolor-
prayed a lovely Christian woman pres ous sob between each word, "that-we-
ent. "Through Him you will conquer." aro-bearing-t-it - as - cheerfully-as-
"I know it! I know it !” he ex we-can."
claimed, wringing her hands, and in Gen. Ashby could not help smiling,
another moment he was gone.
though he was very sorry for us.
But his hopes and ours were destined And now there appeared in the dis-
to another disappointment. The enemy tance a shimmer dancing like a heavy
did not advance, but camped a few miles dow on the grass, and then each blade of
away. That night
grass brought forth a blue man, and Gen.
Ashby slowly retreated before the ad-
GEN. JACKSON
vancing foe, while we precipitately
and his faithful cavalry officer, Gen. dashed into the house and closed and
Turner Ashby, made, in person, a re-
double-locked the doors.
connoisance of the position of the foe,
The invaders soon came, singing "John
and the fact was disclosed that the im-
Brown's Body;" then formed in front of
mense force of the enemy had nearly
the old red house on the hill and gave
belted the town.
three cheers for the Union, which was
Only one point of egress was open-
answered in the distance by Ashby and
that by the valley turnpike-so the fiat
his three Confederates with three cheers
went forth that Winchester must be for the Confederacy.
abandoned before morning.
WINCHESTER HAD FALLEN!
Gen. Jackson was staying at the house
of my brother-in-law, and, calling the For days no one went out of the
family together, he told them the sad, houses; no window was opened. The
inevitable conclusion. He had hoped, Yankees might have thought they had
he said, to have saved the old place once taken a city of the dead. I must make
more, but his duty to his army forbade, an exception in favor of the old red
and he must leave us. He then gave house on Fort Hill, for on the second
wise counsel about prudence under our day of the occupation, Gen. Shields took
altered circumstances, and was gone be it for his headquarters and we found
fore we had time to realize the impend ourselves crowded into two rooms, while
ing blow.
the rest of the house was occupied by
It was a night of weeping and wailing the enemy as offices and dwelling rooms.
in our "deserted village;" sad for those In order to save our silver my mother
who left, and worse still for those who decided to keep house for them, so we
were left behind, as imagination pic were obliged to sit at the table with
tured indescribable horrors. The morn them. One privilege accorded us was
ing dawned on empty streets, and as permission to lock up our front parlor,
soon as we could see we went up to while the back room served as an office.
"Point Lookout' to inform ourselves as Now I am going to confess to an act in
to our situation. How well I remember connection with this arrangement only
the sight!-the sun just rising upon an authorized by the existing condition of
ominously quiet city, not a sound affairs.
broke the stillness, and the only life in Gin, Shields and the bulk of his army
the picture centered in the forms of four went up the valley in pursuit of Gen.
men with white bands around their right Jackson. He told us at the breakfast
arms, who were riding towards us upon table, saying with a contemptuous snoer,
the Martinsburg road. Our first dr
“Who is this man Jackson you all make
ful thought was that it was the advanced || such a fuss about? I should like to see
d-

396
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
him. He runs whenever I come near some one we loved. But we were con-
him. I am going once more to find him, fident that Jackson would not fail. We
and if I succeed he will not make more would see them enter in triumph
than one meal for myself and my men.?? Night closed in upon our hopes and
We made very defiant answers. I re fears. We had heard constantly con-
member saying to him, “You will sing flicting reports, but we all believed that
a different tune when you come flying the Confederates would be in possession
down the valley pursued by Jackson.” in the morning. When I started out at
But for all our brave words our hearts day dawn, however, my heart sank at
were very heavy as we saw the magnifi. sight of the blue uniforms in the dis-
cently equipped army start off in pur tance. Then I met a friend wringing
suit of a few ragged boys. For two days her hands and crying, “Jackson's army
we watched and waited for news, Atis cut to pieces; all our soldiers are dead
length an orderly arrived with dis or prisoners; I am just going to look for
patches. He had all we wanted to my boys.” She had four sons in Jack-
know. The temptation was too great son's army.
and I ran into the front parlor, locking It was even so. After one of the most
the door behind me, crept under the gallant fights of the war Jackson had to
piano, which we had placed against the retreat with heavy loss. But his object
folding doors opening between the two was accomplished-the portion of the
rooms, and lying flat upon the floor, put Federal army which had started to Ma-
my ear to the crack and heard the news. nassas returned to protect Winchester,
Shields and Jackson had not met. Jack and Johnston fell back from Manassas
son still retreated up the valley with his without the loss of a man !
handful of men and Shields was return And now I must tell you the story of
ing in despair.
my banishment from Winchester. When
Relief and mortification in a word ! Gen. Shields gave up our house as his
There had been no fight. But Shields headquarters he left a young lieutenant,
would again taunt us with the remark C., very ill in one of the upper rooms,
that Jackson was afraid to meet him. He had his own nurse and physician,
And he did. He was very angry at his and the understanding was that we were
failure to bring on a battle and made us not to have anything to do with him.
feel it. He condescended to visit upon But during the confusion incident upon
helpless women his own want of suc the battle of Kernstown his nurse went
cess. He told us what was without off taking with him everything of value
foundation, that he had fought Jackson the sick man had. There were so many
and killed and wounded three hundred wounded in the town that the physician
of his men, and sent him fying and forgot his charge, and we found our-
beaten before him. Oh, the agony of the selves obliged to give him the attention
suspense! We did not half believe him, he so much needed. This we did faith-
because of my eavesdropping adven fully. There was no war beside the sick
ture; but the mere doubt, when so much bed. It was some days before we could
was involved, was terrible. But that get a physician to come, but at last we
was the last day of that trial. Shields succeeded, and the robbery was discov-
left us, having found other quarters ered, but not the robber, who was never
more convenient.
found. Another nurse was appointed,
A few days afterwards the battle of but my mother watched over the sick
Kernstown was fought. Jackson re man as if he had been her son. His
ceived orders to return to Winchester mother, brother and uncle came on to
and engage the enemy. The strategic see him and were there for six weeks or
points of this move we did not know till more. The battle of Winchester was
afterwards. Johnston was falling back fought during that time, and we had the
from Manassas. Shields and Banks, delight of seeing
with their large force in Winchester
could prevent this by a march of one
JACKSON ENTER IN TRIUMPH.
day across the intervening mountain. He only remained, however, long
Indeed, a large body of troops had enough to gather up the immense sup-
already started when Jackson, with his ply of commissary stores which Banks
TWO THOUSAND RAGGED BOYS
had left behind him.
We then had three sick men in our
came down the valley and offered battle. house, two Confederates and one Yan-
Oh, how we trembled and triumphed ! kee, and our hands were full between
It was the first cannonading and mus them. Soon after the battle of Win-
ketry we had ever heard and few wanted Il chester our sick Yankee was taken
ever to hear it again. We felt as if every home by his friends, but in spite of the
explosion 'sounded the death knell of || difference in politics a warm friendship

THE OLD RED HOUSE ON FORT HILL.
397
had sprung up between us and resulted 1 my excitement. I did not tell my mother
in a correspondence between Mrs... C. and sisters what I was doing for fear
and myself.
they would disapprove, as it was a very
Milroy was placed in command of the unsafe proceeding in those days to put
post of Winchester and our troubles anything in a letter which could not be
reached their height. He was a low, seen by the whole world. As the mails
Western Yankee, with all the will to were under the strictest surveillance
emulate Butler in New Orleans, with nothing was considered sacred in the
none of Butler's ability. He furnished rebellious community. I will give an
his headquarters on Main street by extract from the letter. After sym-
pressing furniture from the different pathizing with her over some troubles
residences in the town, giving a certifi confided to me in her last letter, I said:
cate that it should be paid for at the
close of the war, if the owners should
"And now. before you read farther, I want
you to take your Bible, and, turning to the
be found to have sustained the charac-
21st chapter of First Kings, read the chapter,
ters of "loyal citizens' during the strug and then listen while I give you a second
gle. Of course this was the most useless edition of it from our lives.
form, as they did not take the property "Our Naboth, the Rebel, had a house in a
of "loyal citizens," so-called.
very pleasant garden, where he had sur-
Presently Mrs. Milroy and her child rounded himself with everything which was
suitable for the comfort and convenience of
ren were brought on to share the gran-
his household, and when he went off to the
deur of the General. She was a woman wars be left his wife and daughters well pro-
not above but below the stamp of a ser vided for.
vant. We amused ourselves very much "Now it happened that this beautiful house
with her general appearance and man of Mr. Naboth's was hard by the head-
ners. When she arrived she was much
quarters of Gen. Ahab, then commandant of
disappointed that her appearance created
the post at Winchester, and Gen, Ahab, cast.
ing his eyes upon it and remarking its com-
no military enthusiasm. Putting her
maodiousness, its fair proportions and its ad.
head out of the carriage she said: "I'm mirable situation, desired it with a great de-
the wife of Gener'l Milroy, why don't sire. Daily would be bend his steps or his
you hurrar?' But they still refused to
horse's steps in the direction of this house,
and bourly did he present the question to
"hurrar."
himself, bow would be accomplish his ends?
Mrs. Milroy was much dissatisfied
After some time this perplexity and this un-
with the quarters provided for her. gratified desire 80 preyed upon the mind of
With all the fine houses the "Rebels" Ahab that his countenance showed the traces
had she did not see why she should be
of his trouble, and he would return from the
daily inspection of the coveted possession
stuck down on Main street in the dust.
heavy and displeased.
The result was the seizure of Mr. Lloyd
"Now, what a man lacks in himself he
Logan's beautiful house, which was ap often finds in his wife, and this was the case
propriated to the use of Gen. Milroy and with Gen Ahab. Seeing him thus going
his staff as headquarters. Mrs. Logan
about daily as under a burden, Jezebel, his
wife, went unto him one day and said unto
and her daughters were very summarily
him: Why art thou sad, and why eatest
disposed of. Mrs. Logan was an invalid,
thou no supper?' and Ahab answered: Be-
and had been for years. Her husband cause I want the house of Naboth for my
was a way, and she had her three young
headquarters and I cannot get it? Then
said Jezebel unto him: "Dost thou indeed
daughters and two sons with her. Gen.
command the post of Winchester and
Milroy refused to allow her to take any-
wantest what thou durst not take? Get up
thing out of the house, even a silver
directly and eat thy supper and I will give
spoon with which to take her medicine. thee the house of Naboth.
"So Abab arose and ate his supper, and
He placed a guard over the ladies while
committed the cause to Jezebel, confident
they packed up their personal clothing,
that she would accomplish her pleasure
and then exiled them. As the ladies
without assistance.
went down the front steps to take the "Then Jezebel wrote an order in Abab's
ambulance Mrs. Milroy and her brood
name, and sealed it with his seal, and sent
it to the captain of his provost guard, saying,
stepped out of a fine carriage and took
Take with thee, at an early hour on the mor-
possession of the house. Of course the
row. a guard of some dozen men, and go to
community was terribly excited at the the house of Naboth, the rebel, and search it
outrage, for which there was not even diligently; be not sparing of thy patriotic
the pretence of an excuse.
talk, and provoke the women to answer.
Report to me when thou returnesti
It so happened that I had a letter from
uso the captain of his guard did as she had
my friend Mrs. C. to answer, and I
said, and the result was what might have
determined that I would send her the been expected. The words of the women
account of
were reported to Gen. Ahab, and he saw in
them am le ground for their banishment
THE LOGAN OUTRAGE.
from the town. So the order was issued,
and with a guard over them to see that they
I was absolutely in need of an outlet for ll took nothing out of the house, the women

398
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
end."
proceeded to get themselves ready to start | I held out my hand for it, but he drew
that evening.
it back, saying: “Oh, no! You don't
“Now, Mrs. Naboth was weak and sickly in
body, and the physician had ordered a medi-
tough this letter, you don't. This letter
cine for her recovery compounded from the
is of some importance. I hold on to this,
fat of the codfish liver, She said unto the I do."
captain of the guard. 'Give me one of my “On, well!" I said, trying to be very
silver spoons that I may have wherewithal
cool, "I don't care very much about it.
to take the medicine prescribed for me by my
physician.' Then answered the captain of
I wrote it, and, of course, know the con-
the guard wrathfully, 'Thou wife of a per tents."
verse and rebellious man! Thinkest thou "You own up, do you !” said my ad-
that my general will permitthee to take from
versary rudely, "Jest as well. I had
this house any of the valuables it contains?
No! They are carefully confiscated for the re-
run you down. Now, what do you think
bellion against the best Government in the is going to be your punishment for this
world. Ahab himself has use for thy silver.' wicked letter ?
And he bastened away in a rage and gave "I suppose I shall be sent to Dixie," I
orders that a closer watch should be kept
said: "that is not much punishment:
upon the siaver and the gold, the hangings
of the windows and the silken garments;
you do not make Winchester so charm-
lest any of these should chance to go to ing that we long to say.”
strengthen the hands of this most wicked re “Wall, don't you feel skeared ?" he in-
bellion against the best Government the sun
quired.
ever shone upon.”
“Not very much," I said, most un-
Having finished and directed this truthfully, for my heart was trying to
epistle, I took it to the postoffice in a get out of my bosom. "One should
sealed envelope, thinking it was very never be afraid of telling the truth.”
safe as it was addressed to Mrs. Commo “Truth! Why, young woman, this
dore C. I did not think they would dare letter is jest a lie from beginning to
to open a letter so addressed. But I
reckoned without my host; it was opened "How dare you speak that way to
as soon as I left the office, and was me!” I exclaimed, all fear gone in an
handed over to Gen. Milroy's special de instant, and feeling the strength of ten.
tective, one Purdy by name, who at men in me.
once set about to trace out
The man was a coward, and I found
that it was the real way to manage him.
THE REBELLIOUS OWNER
I went on excitedly, proving every fact
of the initials "M. T. M.' Some days asserted, and he had nothing more to
elapsed before this was done. I was say. I will not repeat the whole con-
comfortable in the thought that my versation. He went away, taking the
friend had received my effusion. when. letter with him, but promising to come
one afternoon while my sister E, and back and burn it before me. He did not
myself were seated beside the sick bed come until the next morning, when he
of our mother there was a loud ring at made his appearance at the door, accom-
the door bell. E. answered it and I soon panied by a Yankee with a gun over his
heard her calling me. I went to the shoulder.
parlor and there stood Purdy with my I met him at the door.
letter to Mrs. C. in his hand. I knew at "Well," he inquired, “how long will
once that I had no quarter to expect it take you to get ready for Dixie ?"
at his hands, and so addressed myself to "Not many minutes," I answered.
the task of meeting the consequences of “I have only half an hour to give
my act as coolly as I could.
you," he said.
Purdy was a tall, lank specimen of "Very well,” I said, with the utmost
humanity, with a ratty expression of calmness. "I shall be ready.''
eye, as if he was always on the search I saw he wanted to shock me into ask-
for food. He knew that he had found it ing a favor of him, and this I would
at last. He was not unknown to us even have died rather than do.
before this episode, as he was continually Just then my mother appeared upon
coming into prominence as the author the scene, weak from illness and nearly
of some mischief to the community. He fainting from agitation, and my captor
boasted that he know all that went on in took advantage of the situation.
every household in Winchester, and, "You see the condition your ma's in,''
although this was far from being true, he said; "she aint in no condition for you
there is no doubt that he did have his to leave her. Now if you will just write
spies among the negroes, who reported an apology to Gen. Milroy I'll see that he
to him and were paid for it.
forgives you and lets you stay."
"I've got a letter here directed to Mrs. "And I'll tell you what," I said,
C- ,' said he, as I entered, holding up every drop of blood in my body at
the document for my inspection.
Il boiling point, “I would not write an

THE OLD RED HOUSE ON FORT HILL.
399
apology to Gen. Milroy to save his or in the enemy's lines again during the
your life. I have said nothing but the war. And these lines might be thrown
truth, and shall never apologize for that.” forward any time, so I had to be a
movin' on.” A little son of the friend
MY BRAVE LITTLE MOTHER
in whose house I had taken refuge drove
rose up notwithstanding her weakness me in an open wagon to Woodstock, a
and her fears and said: "Bad enough distance of eighteen miles; from that
to have to go, but apologize to Milroy, point some one drove me a few miles
never!"
further, and so at last I got into
"Wal,” said Purdy, “this man must
THE CONFEDERATE LINES
see you pack your trunk while I go
down town."
and went to Richmond, where my
Off he went, while my guard with friends were. I used to return to
his gun followed us to my room and Winchester whenever the Confederate
seated himself to watch the operation of army went back and always took care to
packing.
leave with them. Once I had to escape
In about ten minutes the redoubtable on horseback and rode sixty miles, but
Purdy returned, and with hat on his I was never in the Yankee lines again
head and hands in his pockets marched till Richmond fell. I got a position in
through the hall and into my room, the examining office of the commissary
monarch of all he surveyed.
department, where there were about
(Wal," he said, "it's time to be off.” sixty ladies, from all parts of the South,
"The time is not nearly out yet," I many of them exiles from their homes as
answered quietly.
I was, all sufferers in the same cause. If
"My time is precious and I can't wait these pages should reach the eye of any
for you any longer," said Purdy.
of these co-workers I would say to them
I was kneeling before my trunk, but that the memory of those days, with
his tone of insulting power over me their anxieties and their strange expe-
brought me to my feet before hima.
riences, have never faded from my mind
I think it is time you understood our and memory. The Confederacy is folded
position," I said. "You came here to away out of sight, but like our dead
my own house and order me to leave it treasures it holds the most sacred place
for an indefinite time, graciously giving in my heart.
me half an hour to get ready. Long I might multiply interesting incidents
before the time is out you come here of my life during these four years, but
and order me to leave. Now I tell you I time will only allow for two stories,
will not leave until I am ready. Let the which will close my sketch. During
half hour go. You shall wait my con Gon, Jackson's occupation of Winches-
venience!”
ter, in November, 1862, after the bloody
And he did. He sat down sulkily, but battle of Antietam, when the town was
did not say another word until he used as a field hospital, the market-
ordered two soldiers in to take out my house, courthouse, warehouses and pri-
trunk.
vate houses were full, and even along
By this time all the neighbors had the streets the sufferers lay, affording a
gathered in, and the scene is painful to moving picture of the horrors of war.
remember even now. They were weep The rapid transitions of the army had
ing and wailing over the terrible revela rendered it impossible to supply the
tion of our utter powerlessness-that sick and wounded with such comforts as
this coarse, vulgar man, that these in they needed. A pallet of straw and
vaders of the sacred soil of Virginia had coarse army fare was the lot of all, no
the power of breaking down the doors matter of what condition or rank.
of her homes and forcibly taking away In this state of affairs it may be in-
one of the inmates, to what further dan ferred that the ladies of the town were
gers we knew not. And our natural pro not backward in their efforts to supply,
tectors were meeting death far away! so far as their means allowed, what was
But I am simply to give you theincident. lacking, and when these resources were
1 was put into an ambulance with a exhausted they still gave their time and
guard of twenty-five cavalry around it, services. Night and day found them in
and three soldiers inside, and was driven attendance upon the poor sufferers. They
out eight miles from town and there even took the hospitals under their on-
left. And as I stood in the road alone tire charge, and with all their energies
one of the cavalrymen cursed and swore | and affections strove to mitigate the
at me. Well, I knew every one in that | sufferings they could not prevent.
part of the country and went to the | But an obstacle occurred which threat-
house of a friend; but I dared not stay, leped to be serious. Our shoes wore out
as I had received orders not to be found and there was not a shoenaaker out of

400
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the army. We could not go to the hospi urer, and two weeks after the Confede-
tals even in bare feet, and it was rapidly racy fell.
approaching the stage when that alter Some months later I was travelling
native was to be considered. In this from Washington and met the Rich-
emergency it was suggested that a shoe moond orator. I told him the circum-
maker might be detailed from the ranks stances, how his eloquent tongue had
to supply our wants. Acting upon this wiled away my treasures, and he
idea the writer, as representative of her promised that he would consider it a
companions, wrote Gen. Jackson upon debt from him to me and it has con-
the subject, in which she took the ground tinued ever since.
that although nature and custom ex-
cluded women from more active partici-
pation in scenes of warfare, yet were No. 69.-Talks with the Children.
they, in pursuing their walks among
the sick and suffering, and relieving the
destitute, as truly the soldiers of the
(By Mrs. W. A.)
South as the men, and as such their ab-
solute wants should be supplied. A Now, children, before the gas is lit, let
definite request was then made that us enjoy a quiet chat around this bright
Sergeant Faulkner, a young tradesman
of the town, might be detailed to make
wood fire. It reminds me of the war
shoes for the ladies. Gen. Jackson sent times. Teli you about those days? Very
the following reply:
thankful were we when we could have
A LETTER FROM GEN. JACKSON.
such bright fires as these of oak and
NOVEMBER 14, 1862. pine. Then, for a long time, we had no
"My Dear Miss Mary: Your application of
other light at night for our sewing,
the 12th inst. bas been received, and be as-
sured that if I had the authority it should be knitting, reading and writing. Even
granted. But whilst I have no authority for
splinters of "fat lightwood” were very
making a detail for such purposes, yet, if
Sergt. Faulkner applies for a leave of absence precious. Carefully, too, we gathered
and it receives the approval of the inter-
mediate commanders, I will regard it not
large pine burrs and dry corn cobs
only as a duty, but it will be a pleasure to grant
which blazed brightly, though lasting
11. Bo assured that I feel a deep and abiding
interest in our female soldiers. They are
but a few minutes
patriots in the truest sense of the word, and I
Was corn scarce then? Oh yes. I ask
more than admire them. Please give my
kindest regards to your dear sisters and in you when you are enjoying nice syrup
imitable mother, and believe me your much
or butter with your batter cakes and
attached friend,
T. J. JACKSON."
biscuits, and meat or milk with your
The following day the Confederates hominy or rice, to think of the times be-
evacuated Winchester, the Yankees
tween '63 and 65 when it was difficult
came in and shoes were plentiful.
for the refugees, especially, to get food.
Now for my last incident.
Your own great-grandmother and aunts
A few weeks before the close of the
and many others at the last, for, I dare
war a large audience assembled in the
not say how long, lived on the plainest
negro Baptist Church, on Broad street,
cornbread and cowpeas for breakfast,
Richmond, to hear some patriotic ad-
dinner and supper, with only water to
dresses upon the situation. A gentle-
drink. Yet they never had better ap-
man spoke most eloquently and forcibly
petites or health, and patiently and cheer-
upon the emergencies of the times, and
fully they endured these privations.
fired my patriotic heart to the very core.
Atlast, in the district near the moun-
Amongst other things he said:
tains, where they had fled for refuge
“When the women of the South are from the shelling of the city, each year
ready to do as the matrons of Rome did their house rent was doubled, and
-throw their ornaments of gold and neither cowpeas or corn could be bought
silver into the treasury and redeem the or borrowed. They would not borrow
Confederate bonds-the Confederacy will if they could, because there was no prog-
be safe.”
pect of being able to return. At this
I at once turned over in my mind a time I came from another part of the
list of my treasues. Sadly small it State to visit them, and try to persuade
was. Of jewels not one was left. But I them to move again to another district,
had two beautiful pieces of silver-a leg where food could be bought, where a
acy from my grandmother. Surely they comfortable house was offered to us, and
could not be better applied, so the next where, together, we would be nearer
morning I sent them down to the treas- ll our soldier boys. You know they were

TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN.
401
all in the army-sons, brothers and
uncles.
Meanwhile, however, corn must be
found, for, besides our large white fam-
ily, our servants and their seven chil-
dron depended on us for food. We heard
that on a farm, twelve miles off, on the
railroad, a negro bad corn to sell, and
the next morning my sister A. and my-
self, after earnestly seeking help and
guidance from our Heavenly Father,
started at daybreak with all the money
we had in our pockets-fifty dollars.
Some
ADVENTURES WE HAD ON THE WAY.
It was bitter cold when we started, the
ground frozen hard, but soon the sun
shone forth brightly. My mother
thought it so improbable that we would
succeed, she said that if she had a purse
of gold she would offer a grain of gold
for every grain of corn that we would
find. We replied, "We can but try, and
fancy ourselves the sons of Jacob going
down into Egypt to buy corn.” The
first place we stopped at we fortunately
asked, before the train went on, how far
we were from Mr. L.'s farm. We were
told, "three miles only." Preferring to
go by steam to going afoot, we stepped
on again, alighted at the right station
the next time, and walked to the nearest
residence, Col. Go's, where we were
treated with the greatest hospitality and
kindness,
Mr. L.'s house was pointed out to us
not far off, and soon meeting the mis-
tress we inquired if we had been rightly
informed that one of her negroes had
corn to sell.
“Oh, yes,” she replied, “I think he
still has some of his own crop he can
spare. I'm sorry ours is all engaged, or
sold. I'll call Jack and you can make
your own bargain with him."
No bargain had we to make, as we
were too glad to get the corn, and at any
price, Jack soon came in and agreed to
sell us all he had left at the market
price, ten dollars a bushel. We paid
him fifty dollars without seeing the
corn, he promising to send it to us by
the next day's train, which he did.
Jack's mistress kindly insisted on our
dining with her. While we waited she
told us how she had contrived to dye
the beautiful shade “Solferino" pink.
She was knitting
A VERY PRETTY HEAD-DRESS
of wool yarn of her own spinnings and
dyeing. You want to know how she did
it? I'll give you her own words, as I
remember them:
"Just take a good, large, ripe pump-
kin; bave your yarn and pokeberry
juice ready, cut a good piece of the stalk
end of your pumpkin, scoop out the
seeds, leave the threads and juice, mix
in your pokeberry juice, pack your yarn
well in, put back the piece you had cut
off the pumpkin and let it soak all
night."
About the copperas added afterwards
I do not remember so clearly; but bring
me my old album receipt book Ah!
here is the identical receipt; also many
more copied by A. You see here they
are: For yellow, sassafras; for drab,
kalmia or dwarf laurel; willow bark for
siate color in cotton, and blue black in
wool or linen; red oak bark for choco-
late-brown; white oak bark for lead
color; pine bark for slate color; sweet
gum bark also dyed cotton dove color;
the seeds of Guinea corn dyed wool lead
color.
How did I lose so many leaves from
this book ? During the war, when writing
paper could not be bought, I cut them
out and used them for letter writing.
Our envelopes we made often of brown
wrapping paper, and turned and re-
turned them.
But-to return to Jack's mistress.
The train in due time stopped for us,
and with glad, grateful hearts we re-
turned home. From these good people
at P. and their negroes my mother and
sisters and their household received
many kind tokens, letting them buy
vegetables, &c., until they moved in the
following winter. But you are tired and
it is your bed time. Good-night.
The Second Eyoning's Talk.
Of our life at the dear “old Place" in
D. District, where the invaders came
upon us, we will talk to-night. As to
the house, it was a comfortable dwelling
of wood, two stories high, with seven
rooms and a spacious piazza extending
across the entire front. It was pleas-
antly situated on higb ground about a
hundred yards from the road, among
superb oaks, and a deep, rapid water
course ran at the back, far beyond the
out-buildings, which were a kitchen,
smoke and other out-houses. The veg-
etable garden was near the dwelling;
beyond were well filled corn cribs. The
main road forked, a few rods beyond the
front fence, and near this fork stood the
gin-house, quite a long building, and the
cotton screw beside. Our nearest neigh-
bors were a mile off. On the farm lived
several families of faithful negroes, be-
longing to the owner of the place-En-
trim, Derry and Lambs, with their wives
and children. The children attended
our home Sunday-school. Our family
51

402
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
connections with their master and mis ring and precious cornelian seal, were
tress secured their devotion to us in put into a trunk, which the enemy
every day life as well as when the dragged from its hiding place and robbed
enemy came.
of its entire contents, excepting a small
Here I must tell you, my dear chil pair of scissors with chased gold handles,
dren, of our ladies' private prayer which, having slipped under the lining
meetings. What comfort we found in of the bottom of the trunk, they did not
them! Once a week about a half soe.
dozen ladies of several denominations Our tea set, spoons, forks, &c., watches.
met with us. We met to pray for our and some jewels, we put into a deep tin
country, especially for our loved ones can-once used for lard—with a cover,
far away exposed on the battlefield, and and buried and saved it-how, you will
for ourselves. Never can I forget your hear presently. Your Aunt M. buried
other grandmother's petition to God to her silver and so forth in the garden and
spare us, if possible, from the invasion planted corn over it. Undisturbed, it
of our homes; “yet if the enemy were there remained until the corn was seve-
permitted to cross our thresholds, to ral inches high, Every article of cloth-
soften their countenances towards us, ing, towels, &c., left in our trunks,
to give us courage, patience and wisdom, bureaus and wardrobes, and even the
and send us peace in due time.”
week's wash in the wash kitchen, was
Another noble Christian woman of stolen by the Federals. Some things
that little circle encouraged us by her they gave to the servants, who brought
example of patience and fortitude. Her them back to us-among these, my work-
husband had been wounded and cap box here, your large English wax doll,
tured. For months she had not heard L., and my mother's black silk shawl.
from him, and feryent and eloquent For our servants' sake, as well as our
were her supplications for him, and her own, we knew it was best not to let
prayers that kindness might be shown them know when or where we hid any-
him. The petitions were signally an thing before the enemy came; for they
swered.
would be
In February, '65, we were almost cut
off from communication with our dear
FORCED TO BETRAY US.
ones in the army. Frequently soldiers Now about our silver. In our employ-
on furlough passed by, and from these ment was a most faithful hired man.
rumors reached us that Sherman's army well named Excel. He belonged, with
had entered South Carolina, and,
his family, to a gentleman living about
twelve miles from us. One cold. bright
BURNING, PILLAGING AND DESTROYING
afternoon, when we thought Excel was
everything in its progress, would sweep off in the woods gathering fuel, your
through the. D. district. At first we did great-grandmother and I, each carrying
not believe these reports. Friends, how. a bundle under our shawls, went to the
ever, advised us to secrete provisions, garden, and put them into a deep tin
silver, watches, jewels and all valuables. can we had buried under some brush
Do you wish to hear how and where we the day before. Not knowing why we
tried to hide these things? I will try to had not asked him to help us, and unseen
make the long story as short as I can. by us, Excel had followed. As we were
First, I must tell you to remember hastening to cover our valuables a voice
that Aunt M. and your mamma were startled us, for a moment only.
married during the war, when it was "Missis, the voice said, "you better
almost impossible to get nice clothes, not hide the stuff in sich a place. Yankee
and then only at enormous prices. You sure to fine out. Lemme tote it, can and
know how plain a Neapolitan straw all, to a better place, off yonder, down
your mamma's wedding bonnet is, (it is by de water edge."
one of the few things saved,) and yet it We did not hesitate or exchange a
cost forty dollars trimmed only with thin
word.
sarcenet. A relative in England had “Yes, Excel,'' my mother replied,
sent her a box of substantial things. "you are right, and I'll go with you to
Only a part had been used, as we did not know the spot, or we may not be able to
get them until after the wedding, and find it afterwards.”.
the remainder were repacked in a box Over the rail fence she climbed, Excel
and put into the storeroom. Precious helping her, and having easily removed
were its contents-linon sheeting, hucka the tin can, they disappeared down the
back towelling, envelopes, buttons, hill beyond the barn. All that can con-
spool cotton, tapes, &c. Your mamma's tained was saved. Excel buried it in a
best things. bridal gifts, velvet cloak. sure place indeed. As a slight token of
broché shawl, &c., with my diamond ll our appreciation of his honesty and good-

TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN.
-403
ness, a few months after this I marked
his name on one of the teaspoons, and
presented it to him. It is said that some
have tried to buy it from him. offering
him more than its sterling value, but he
will not part with it.
After leaving my mother and Excel I
went back to the house. The sun had
set, and I gave the children (one of them
the mother of you younger ones) their
supper of cold cornbread and sweet milk
and they went to bed. Soon after my
mother came in, followed by Excel..
After a few moments reflection and
consultation with my sisters and self, we
said to Excel: “Now, Excel, when the
enemy comes, and that will be soon, you
will be cross-questioned about where
our watches and silver are hidden. We
do not want you to be tempted to tell a
lie, or to suffer. We know that you
would not betray us, unless forced to do
so. The best plan for us all is this, for
you to go back home to your old master
and misses. When the enemy meets
you there and questions you, you can
truly say you don't know, for your
owners have already hidden their things.
We must try to do without you 'till this
trouble is over.”
Excel obeyed, and it proved to be a
wise course.
Frances, Derry's wife, also saved a
small box of precious things, which we
entrusted to her, and which she hid or
buried under the nest of
ONE OF HER SETTING HENS.
Daddy Laurens, Nellie's husband, tried
to save another parcel of value by
throwing it down the well. Then, while
the Yankees were approaching the well,
he saw it floating. In dismay he reached
it with a rake, and brought it to me, say-
ing: "See 'em comin' up now, Missie !
Gie 'em back to this nigger. While you
do talk to de Yankee, I run roun', creep
under de house and shove 'em under de
bottom step where you stan' now.” So
he did, and saved a very precious parcel.
Poor old Daddy! freedom did not help
him much, and he is dead and gone. As
another negro said to me a few days ago,
"I was freer 'fore dey free me dan now.
My massa neber let me want for any.
thing. Now to keep head 'bove water
I work, work from mornin' to nito."
But to return to old Daddy L. He and
his family were shamefully treated when
the Federals came. Some rushed into
the kitchen and helped themselves to
his nice new overcoat and a fine razor
his master had brought him from Eng-
land, taking all his wife's and children's
best things, even "de good luck money."
"I hide um always clean down in de
bottom of de chest. Dey jeg' tun ebry
ting bottom side up, mam ! Lo, de stock-
in 'wid de chillum good luck money
cum fuss. Dey grab dat.”
What's the good luck money? In those
days and always before the war, before
they were taken from us, when a little
negro was born its mistress gave the
mother all the clothes it needed, and the
members of the white family went to
wish the mother joy with her new baby
and see it, each giving it a silver coin,
which the mother called its "good luck
money," and kept carefully. Thus Nelly
had six or seven of these collections
almost sacredly preserved. Old Daddy
L. said to me the morning after hiding
the parcels under the front steps: "Not
much use, mam, fur hide frum dem
Yankee. Dey done tell we doy got ma-
chine like compass; stick em in de
groun an ee pintstrate whar dey bury de
watch an do silver an de gole.”
But enough for to-night.
The Third Evening's Talk.
You ask, dear children, how we hid
our meat? Through the merciful deal-
ings of our Heavenly Father, in January
and February of that last year of the
struggle we had been able to provide an
ample supply. In our strong smoke-
house the ceiling was closely hung with
well cured hams, sides, shoulders and
jowls. Our friends advised us to hide as
much of it as we could, at the same time
to leave enough to satisfy the enemy in
his demands when he came. But where
and how to hide meat was a difficult
problem for us to solve. If buried, the
disturbing of the earth would be seen
and betray us. Hear how others did:
An old woman not far from us hung her
meat on saplings she bent down, and
then they straightened. Creatures who
steal from women and helpless children
never dare to look up, and she saved her
meat. Another woman threw her meat
out, scattering it recklessly about the
yard and road, and sprinkled it lightly
with flour. When the Yankees came
and asked what it meant, she said,
(Rough fellows have been along here
stealin' my meat and sprinklin' some-
thin' on it they call strychnine.” They
did not take any of that meat.
“But you have not yet told us how you
hid yours, grandmother."
We too used a strategem, after failing
in another effort, and saved some. Yet,
oh what toil before it was done. Neces-
sity is the mother of invention. This
we proved. Now listen. We could not,
for reasons obvious, let our servants
know where we hid anything. Two of

404
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
our little black girls slept in one of our | had gathered a quantity of walnuts,
bedrooms. We had found that there which were in two barrels, under the
was an empty small room over the shelves of the smokehouse. We now
pantry-entered only through a window emptied the barrels, and scattered these
by a ladder from the yard. Here we nuts conspicuously, hoping that after the
thought would be the best hiding-place fatigue of so much stealing in taking the
for our meat. Your Uncle F. was at meat they would sit on the benches, and
home on a furlough to be married. He rest and divert themselves, cracking
could help us. The moon shone brightly, nuts with the butt end of their guns. I
and after the children and servants were saw them do it! They did not discover
all asleep we worked nearly all night the buried box, but helped themselves
removing as many pieces as we could to almost every piece from the ceiling.
from the ceiling of the smokehouse to The mere recital is wearisome. Child-
this upper-room, Uncle F. taking them ren, you must rest now. To-morrow
down, and we helping him to carry evening I hope to answer your question
them piece by piece as quietly as possible -how the enemy came, and how we met
across the yard. Then he climbed the bim?
ladder, we handed the pieces of meat to
The Fourth Night's Talk.
him, and he put them down in the room
Sherman's raiders were in our home
as noiselessly as possible.
Now, can you imagine our dismay, in
and all over our premises and neighbor-
the morning, when the little girls Maria hood six days—from February 26 to
and Rosie came grinning and giggling March 3, in 1865. The rumors of their
to us with this speech, “Unna (you all) coming in a large, lawless body, burn-
tink we ain't see you movin' de meat || ing and destroying everything as they
out o' de smokehouse las' nite, an' hide rushed along, caused us great anxiety
um in dat leetle room? We yeddie and fear for weeks before the storm
(hear) all de time, an' we git up an seo burst upon us. Any sound in the night
in de moonlite !"
would alarm us, rousing us with cold
HERE WAS A DILEMMA!
chills. How fervently we prayed that
they might not come in the night! They
All that meat we had to put back in did not. The weather was very cold, and
the smokehouse and Entrive another yet we were advised to put out our fires
hiding-place quickly. This happened and keep the house dark, which we some-
before we sent Excel away. Not far times did, but not often. We had given
from the smokehouse there is still a all our blankets to the soldiers-using
wide, deep place in the yard from which, cotton comforts and quilts and our
years ago, clay had been dug for mortar shawls. Our worsted curtains, too, had
when the house was built. Weeds had all been cut up into shirts for our de-
covered the sides and bottom. We got fenders. The linings of our chintz cur-
Excel, in the night, to dig a pit in the tains made dresses for our little girls,
middle of the smokehouse and sink into (your mammas and Aunt L.) and the
it a box about four feet square and three linings of your great grandmother's
feet deep. The earth removed was care drawing-room furniture covers were
fully scattered into the pit in the yard made into under-garments for her little
and did not look suspicious. Some of negroes. So we had few curtains, and
us directed Excel and some remained by the house was without outside shutters.
the sleeping children, watching, to pre. Sometimes the dread of the coming
vent their slumbers (especially Maria's invaders was as terrible and distressing
and Rosie's) being disturbed. We as facing them! Our only refuge was in
packed the box with hams and God, our Saviour. Three times a day
some of the other best pieces, leav we met for family prayer excepting
ing more than half of our supply when the foo was in the house. Then, I
hanging to the ceiling for the coming may safely say, every breath was silent
foe, and also because it was impossible prayer or praise, for mercy was mingled
for us to conceal any more. Putting the through it all. When we seemed to be
lid on the box, which was a few inches in the valley of death a divine support
below the surface of the earth-floor, we and strength was given to us which
packed the earth on it as tightly as we more than compensated for the fiery
could. The next question was. how trials. Remember this, my children.
were we to conceal this part of the Another great mercy was that we were
smokehouse? We replaced two heavy able to subdue hate and a spirit of re-
bench-like frames (used to stand upon venge towards these foes-yes, even
to reach the meat) right over this soft when they were burning and destroying
earth, and they more than covered the our goods. Continually the teachings
place. Your mothers, children then, of our Lord, about how we must treat

TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN.
405
our enemies, came to my mind, and whether they could get horses at the
when they were acting so shamelessly place the girls had just left. The sol.
the words of the hymns and psalms diers also advised them to drive on, for
learned in childhood seemed to be in an hour the army would cross the
breathed into our souls, one in particu road. They did and passed seven Yan-
lar-
kee camp fires. Randolph's loud talk
“When men of spite against me join, and the clank of his canteen seemed to
They are the sword, the hand is Thine." startle the soldiers, for frequently fires
Fill your memories with sacred truth. were suddenly covered. They were
But to return : Our good friends and
needlessly afraid of Confederates in
neighbors had advised us, when the ambush Randolph, on a Bible I had
promised signal of the near approach of given him sometime before this,promised
the enemy was received by us, to send me to take good care of your mammas
the little girls with their aunt (a bride on that flight. His word was faithfully
the bridegroom returned to his post in
kept. He conducted them through those
the army) to the house of our friends,
woods to their destined place of safety
Col. and Mrs. L., three miles distant by midnight, where they met their older
from us, and they would send them and sisters and friends.
their daughters and the mamma of you
In the morning Randolph returned to
older ones and her babe, your brother, to
Col. L. to meet the foe, who robbed that
a friend's house in C. District, to a more well-furnished house of everything they
remote place of concealment. Each child wanted. All the flour saved out of many
had a bag containing as many garments
bushels was a small bagful Mrs. L. had
as she could carry, which were saved.
HIDDEN IN THE BABY'S CRADLE.
Threo miles of
THE FLIGHT WAS AFOOT.
There a horseman pranced his steed up
the piazza steps and pointing his pistol
The evening of February 25, just be with finger on the trigger right at your
fore supper, a horseman rode up rapidly, Aunt M.'s forehead, he said: “You are
and shouted, "Send off the children be the woman who hid the stuff here; pro-
fore night. The enemy is only six miles duce it or --
from here. You will see the Yankees She fixed her eyes upon him and said:
in the morning.”
“I am not. I am a guest here."
Some of them can remember that His arm dropped and be backed out,
hurried home-leaving, their absence for but years of suffering have followed
more than a week, and their remarkable from the shock this scene gave the ner-
preservation.
vous system of your Aunt, as you know,
When the children on foot and laden even until now.
reached Col. L's. some of the girls and Let us now go back to the old place
the young mothers with their babes and listen while I tell you some other
had left in the carriage. Our girls waited things which happened to us. After
there, kindly cared for until the next the children and Aunt M. were sent off
day, when they and our friend's young only my mother, your Aunt A. and my-
est daughter started off to the place self remained with the servants. We
previously agreed upon, a negro WO three retired that night, but had other
man's house only a mile off, where Col. thoughts than sleeping and dreaming.
L's man Randolph met them with a We remained together up stairs until
mule and a little wagon. Then off they morning, which dawned sleety and
went for Mr. C.'s at 2 o'clock, to drive cold. From the front window I soon
twelve miles--four little girls! When saw Sambo walking from his quarters
at sunset they reached Mr. J.'s they rapidly towards our front gate with a
were told that their sisters had gone and thick roll in his hand, which he pre-
they must follow, for the enemy were sented to me, as I met him in the piazza,
near by and part of the army would saying, “Dey comin' fur true, mam. I
cross the main road in an hour. They dun meet’um. See wha dey trow way!
must hasten, therefore, before they came I pick'um up for you all. You aint hab
to join their older sisters at Mrs. G. B.'s. So mach writin' paper sence dis war
To add to their terror Randolph turned broke out. Dey ax me all sort o' ting
back to replenish his canteen. He was 'bout de people livin' in dis house an' I
a kind hearted creature, but not a mem gie'um you pedigree.”
ber of the temperance society. He told What the faithful creature meant by
the children to drive on, which they did, this term I never could exactly discover.
and he soon followed, but not before Looking down the road he said hur-
they were met by two Federal soldiers riedly, "Here dey come-three on mules.
with swords and guns and armed to the I gwine,” and off he went, leaving the
teeth, who stopped them, and asked | roll of foolscap paper for us.

406
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
The three mounted Federals now rodell away to this Psalm-the 60th--so often
up and stopped at the gate. The fore sung in our daily prayer-meeting in Co-
most did not dismount, and, as I looked lumbia:
at him, the first thought was that your
"Lord, Thou hast scourged our guilty land;
dear, good grandmother's petition was
Behold Thy people mourn."
granted: “If they are allowed to cross
our thresholds, may their countenances My mother's fine copy of the New Tes-
be softened towards us." This man re. tament and my Bible were picked up at
mained quietly in his saddle outside the
the spring, just where the fire stopped.
gate, while the others,
My mother had in her drawer skeins
of fine white thread. These they knotted
WHO WERE ILL-LOOKING MEN,
together in a most curious manner, cut
hitched their mules to the fence palings them half-way through alternate strands,
and came very hurriedly up the steps, so as to make the thread entirely useless,
passing me and going into the hall to. and then threw it out on the road. See
wards the stairs.
this piece which I picked up and kept as
I said to them, “If you want food,
a curiosity. My mother's caps they
come and get some here on the break-
crushed as small as an egg, and crammed
fast table. Do not alarm my mother, an
them into the corner of her bedstead.
old lady, up there in her bed-room.".
Window curtains they tore down, plait-
On they rushed, and my mother met ing threes together tightly, like ropes.
them.
Her carefully kept envelopes, turned
"Who are you? what do you want ?!!
and returned, they scattered over the
she asked.
floor and trampled on them. Here is
"We are Yankees, foraging and search-
one of her visiting cards, also so treated.
ing for firearms,” was the reply.
See the marks of their boot-nails on it.
There she stood, while they rumaged
But you have had too long a story to-
around, finding only her shawl to steal.
night, so let us wait until another even-
Meanwhile we, down-stairs, offered
ing to talk about the burning of the gin-
the best food we had to the man at the
house. Good night, darlings. Be thank-
gate, who took it and ate as he slowly
ful for peace
rode off. One of the others also took
the meat and bread which I handed to
The Fifth Night's Talk.
him; the other threw his on the ground
We well remember the big old gin-
after receiving it from me, and asked
for flour. I told him to follow me to
house on the road, a little beyond the
the storeroom in the basement, where I dwelling house, and the screw, too, by
divided our bag of meal with him, lend-
the gin-house. Why do they call it a
ing him a bag, which he promised to
gin-house? Gin is only a quaint abbre-
return, but did not.
Scrutinizing the few things in the
viation of engine-the machinery for
storeroom, keeping his eye on the Eng separating the seeds from the lint in
lish box of dry goods, he said, "You
cotton.
ought to hide anything you value, for
The morning of that day of terror and
there are some rough men coming here
exhaustion, entering the dining room I
soon.
opened my mother's Testament and
“I'd like to know where we could hide
Psalms, and the words which met my
anything from you Yankees,” I replied.
eyes were, Phil. iv., 11-12, and especially
He said nothing, but left.
the thirteenth verse: “I can do all things
Before we could take any breakfast
through Christ which strengtheneth
they came in numbers, not only alarm-
me." I feasted upon the truth they con-
ing but bewildering us by their wild,
veyed and closed the book, dwelling on
excited way of rushing in and out of
the words as I placed bread and meat on
every room, opening and emptying
the table. Just then my mother entered
every drawer, trunk and bureau, closets
and wardrobes, injuring and destroying
the room, opened the Testament, read a
few moments to herself, then remarked
the things they did not take, or else
"This is a very precious verse for us,"
scattering them along the road. See this
reading aloud the same. Then the
photograph of your Uncle G., torn in
colored children same in, as usual, for
half and the frame broken off-smashed
on the mantelpiece. They gathered
family worship, which was scarcely
finished when several Federals rode up,
ᎾyᎾry
alighted, hitched their horses, and
BIBLE AND HYMN BOOK
tramped towards the house. We sent
they could find, took them out of doors our black boy, Bob, who was rather
and tried to burn them all up. A hand- || weak-minded, to ask what they wanted.
somely bound hymn book was burned || He soon came back followed by one of

TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN.
407
the intruders, who said to us, sharply, 11 All this took place in less time than
"Deliver up your firearms !”
the recital requires. One band of raiders
"We have nothing but a harmless little had scarcely left when a fresh set came,
pocket ptstol, which is out of doors in Many came, as by magic, over the back
the rabbits' house."
fences. In an interval of their absence
"Produce it ! and also the revolver Frances, Derry's wife, came in and asked
that boy says you have hid.”
what she could do for us.
"I am sure I have no revolver to "Put this string of new towels around
hide!”
your waist, under your frock, Frances,
“But Miss M. got rewolwer, ma'm,' and try to save them for us. They are
Bob said; “I see 'er hide one in de wad very valuable. There-that will do
robe up stars."
nicely. You do look like a barrel
“And I'll get it quick enough,” the not too heavy. They will help to keep
Yankee responded, and then said to me you warm this cold day, and the Yankees
excitedly, “Give me yours, quick !”
do not know you are not so stout as you
“You need not be in such a hurry," look now."
said I, “I'll get it.”
We could not help laughing she looked
He followed me out to the rabbits' so funny and so pleased. But she saved
house and I took the pistol out and them all for us.
handed it to the warrior, telling him I At this time my mother and sister, in
valued it for tender associations.
other rooms, were trying in vain to re-
"It's of no use, sure enough,” he said, strain the plunderers. Time fails to re-
and threw it under the steps leading to hearse these vexatious details, so vividly
the piazza.
remembered. Tell you more? Well, in
The yard was now filled with Fed our guest-room we had a deep tin case
erals, one of whom picked the pistol up with a cover, hasp and padlock. In this
and put it into his pocket. I only looked was a bag of infant's finest embroidered
at him in silence.
garments and a morocco case containing
The other Yankee, meantime, had a beautifully chased silver fish-knife
gone up-stairs and found Miss M.'s re and fork, the latter of which was too
volver, and had also appropriated many long for the case in which we had put the
other articles from our bureaus, which buried silver; also new boots from Eng-
till then we did not know could be land for the children, a small bag of coffee
called
and letters and papers of value. Seeing
“FORAGE" OR "FIREARMS,”
SOME OF THE YANKEES
and therefore did not try to hide-em-
broidered Canton crape shawls, silk going into this room, in which there
dresses, books, photographs, letters, &c. were also several trunks of clothing, I
Your Uncle F.'s beaver he clapped followed them and opened the tin case
on his head, and it proved a mark by for one who was ready to burst it open,
which we knew him as the thief who as they did the trunks, had I not un-
made our colored servant Scipio strip off locked it. Why did we not also unlock
his pants in the yard, and putting them the trunks? We did, but one of them
on, left his old pants for Scipio.
amused himself with locking them up
“What have you done with them, and carrying off the bunch of keys. As
Scip?" we asked, when he came in.
I opened the tin case he seized the bag
"Dey mos' done burn up by dis time of coffee.
mam, he replied, indignantly. “See "That is all we have,” I said, “and we
yonder, blazin' under de cow (peas) pot || keep it for the sick. Will you not leave
whar I poke'um wid a long stick. What us some?"
I want wid he old greasy pantaloons ?”. I spread an apron (can see it now) on
"Why did you put on your best Sun the bed, and poured about a pint of the
day pants, Scip ???
coffee into it, when another raider, who
To save um from de Yankee mam; was behind me, clutched it and crammed
aint you know how dey tek pa obercoat it into his coat pocket. I only looked at
and ebergting in ma an pa room dey kin him, turning back to the coffee-man,
lay dere han pon. I nebber tink dey who was now deep in the box and in a
gwine do dis 'ere way, nebber. Look at moment after had my morocco case
dat Yankee, dat same Yankee now, opened in his hands.
mam."
I asked him what he was searching
There he was with your aunt's beau for ?
tiful guitar slung across his shoulder, “Firearms, and we are foraging."
tying a rope around the neck of our pet “But," I replied, “that is not a pistol
dog "Breton” and taking him off. We and we have no firearms.”
were thankful that he did not hang him, "We will see about that," he retorted,
Away he strutted with his spoils of war. || quickly closing the case of silver and

408
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
pushing it down into his overcoat yell, as if from a band of wild Indians,
pocket.
rent the air-then volley after volley
I said no more to him, wondering if of shot--and right past us rushed a
he would also steal my baby's clothes. troop of Yankees, dashing like hungry
He did "see about the silver and tigers after the two Confederates. Death
everything else there, for we never saw seemed inevitable, and we poor women
them again. One pair of the children's shut the gate, and right there dropped
new boots your Aunt A. saw hung by on our knees and besought our Heavenly
the string on a young soldier's arm. Father to save our "Boys in Grey.” It
"Well,” she said to him. I could not seemed as if a whole regiment of cavalry,
have believed that an Irishman would yelling and firing, raced past us. Wait-
steal from another Irishman's child." ing there to see what would happen
"What do you mean? How do you next, or to receive, perhaps, wounded
know that I am an Irishman ?"
men, we noticed that some of the pur-
By your brogue. Those boots belong suers slackened the speed of their ani-
to the grandchild of an Irishman and mals and turned back. Our men had
you have taken them !
escaped; unhurt, too, as we heard after-
"Here, take your boots," he said, wards.
abashed.
Now, some of the Yankees, disap-
My sister hung them over her arm, pointed in their prey, pranced up to us.
but they were taken off by another We were standing just within the gate,
raider a few moments after.
and they demanded "those other Rebels"
Enough for the present. I left the we were hiding. I
room too tired to attempt more ploading "The idea ! Our men and boys are all
with those lawless men who were search in the field.”
ing the trunks and stealing and scatter As we then supposed, we told them
ing the contents. Did they steal those that those men were probably scouts
beautiful baby clothes which came from from a part of our army not far off.
Paris? Yes, and those left were torn or Soon the rest trotted up, all dismount-
trampled with loose papers and letters ing and hitching their horses and mnles
over the floor. Worst of all, they stole to the front fence, filling the whole space,
locks of hair of our departed loved ones. as it seemed to us, while they ran wildly
Good-night.
to the house. We had no time to think
The Sixth Night's Talk.
of what we ought to do, when Nelly ran
up to me
We did not leave the dining room for
IN GREAT TERROR.
several nights. Alternately we rested
on that sofa now in your parent's par-
Miss M., dey set fire to de gin-house.
lor, but did not sleep. Your Aunt A. read
Tek de fire out de kitchen. See de
smoke risin' a'ready. Dey gettin' light
aloud Clark's Scripture Promises, and 'ood now to put under de four corner of
we cast out our four anchors, faith, pa de house; dey tell me dey gwine do dis
tience, hope and love, and waited for mam."
the day. After family worship we put As she spoke flames burst from the
all the food we had on the table-a large large old building and the Yankees now
side and a shoulder of boiled bacon, corn stood more quietly watching their work
bread and milk, Before there was time of destruction. This building was in a
to taste breakfast, Mareea, the wife of fork of the road, and they thought had
one of the field-hands and an excitable prevented their first shot killing our
woman, came screaming and tossing her men, Others came dashing round from
arms wildly about her head, “Dey com the back yard, and the words, “They
in', dey comin' mam, again. An dey's com passed me about like bees,' came
bunnin' down all de houses, ebery ting into my mind. (But I thought these
in ee' track. De woods is full uf ladies were like hornets.) "In the name of
flyin' fur dere life! Put on all de clothes the Lord will I destroy them." I
you got an' run !"
wished to destroy their wicked deeds,
We made due allowance for Mareea's not themselves. This feeling gave me
fright, but her advice about putting on calmness and courage. Taking this
extra clothing we followed, and tried to little book of Promises out of my pocket,
keep calm. In a few moments two I said to the man nearest to me in the
horsemen, in Confederate clothing, rode crowd, "You are all very excited. I
up to the gate. Alarmed beyond ex wish you would stop a little and think
pression for their safety, we ran down to of what you are doing."
them with entreaties to turn their "We are not excited,” he replied.
horses and fly for their lives, as the "Then you are all doing yourselves
enemy was at hand. In a moment a ll much more harm than you are doing to

TALKS WITH THE CHILDREN.
409
us. Stop now and listen : The property || would not be empty, and thus the more
you are destrovingthat house now liable to be fired. This fresh company
burning, is the property of an aged of Yankees then reined up beside me
widow. We three here are widows." and the smouldering ruin.
"Oh, yes,” he answered roughly, "all "Hi! looks as if Yankees had been
the way we come in Souh' Calipa along here to-day !" the leader shouted,
nothin' but widders, widders-go on." looking down at me.
"Do you want to know what is written I replied with another question, with-
in the Bible about those who injure the out stopping to think: "Are you not
widow ?'
Yankees !!!
"You kip read--we b'lieve the Bible.” He gave me a savage glance, spurred
By this time a number crowded around up his horse, and trotted towards the
and I opened the Bible right here, where house followed by his band. I, too, fol-
your Aunt A. bad been reading aloud to lowed rapidly and was on the front steps
us in the night: "Ye shall not afflict any as soon as they.
widow or fatherless child. If thou afflict “There is food on our breakfast table,"
them in any wise, and they cry at all I said, "If you and your men are hun-
unto me, I will suiely hear their cry. gry, come in," and I led the way.
And my wrath shall wax bot, and I will He looked through the piazza window
kill you with the sword: and your wives at the table. then whistled to the men,
shall be widows, and your children who shouted to the others coming up
fatherless,' emphasizing the pronoun and they crowded in; others rushe 1
and looking into their eyes.
through the house and yard to the back
And so on down the page. See where premises and some tramped up-stairs.
I marked it that day when I returned to Such a crowd around the table ani
the house.
the piazza, house and yard filled too!
What did they do next? They said, asked myself and the Lord, “where can
“We won't burn your house if you stay we get food for this multitude ?” I saw
in it.”
my mother in the closet near me look-
Did not our Heavenly Father help us ing for more bread, but there was none
according to His promise?"In Thee there. She found a dozen eggs, however,
the fatherless findeth mercy.” That and sent them out to be boiled, but thor
whole band went off and we noticed that were captured by one man.
although the building had fallen and I thought if I could but conyince these
was a pile of ruins, the fire was spread men that God was with us, they would
ing among the piles of dried leaves be be subdued and restrained, as their com-
tween the building and the garden fence, rades had been an hour before. Think, my
which ran on one side towards the barn children, of Christ as our King, not only
and corn cribs, and on the other towards subduing as to himself, but restraining
the dwelling-house. We called the terri and conquering all His and our enemies.
fied servants to help us stop this fire, to These truths flashed through my so
bring the axe and some buckets of water. and silently for a moment invoking !
The axe and one bucket of water were help, I rapped on the table with or of
brought by them, but old daddy L. said, the knives, before they had time to eize
"Sure, Missis, we want for help unno and devour the food, speaking as slowly
(you,) but dem Yankee say, fus one ut and as calmly as I could.
you rase a han to put out dat fire when "We are accustomed in this house," I
we cum back direc’ly we trow um in de said, "to ask a blessing before meals.”
middle uf dat fire. But gimme de ax, Instantly the heads before and beside
my Missis, I kin chop de fence."
me (I did not look round) were uncover-
My sister was trying to do this. She ed, the guns dropping suddenly on the
gave the axe to him and he struck off the floor, while I asked in few words the
palings as far as was needed
usual blessing, with thanks for the food
and for the pardon of our sins for Jesus'
TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE FIRE.
sake.
My mother raked the burning leaves Nelly then pushed through the crowd,
together and Maria poured the bucket of and pulling my arm said, “Please, Mam,
water over them. I helped her as she fetch de key uf de smoke-house. Dem
threw the burning fence rails, on another Yankee gwine brok open de door.”
side, into the field. There it could Quickly I followed, thankful that I
spread no farther.
had this key in my pocket. As we wenu
Now we heard hoofs approaching, and on, Nelly told me how they threatenec
the servants ran off towards their quar her if she did not bring that key or else
ters in haste and terror. I entreated my tell where the meat was. “I tell um I
mother and sister to follow and to go dunno no oder place we hab for keep
around to the back door, so the house Il bacon.”
52

410
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
The yard was filled with the lawless | its relics of Fort Sumter. Then looking
soldiery, but with an unusually steady around, I saw the hero of the beaver hat!
hand I put the large brass key into its and Scipio's pants, sword in hand, charg-
curious hole, unlocked the door and ing and chasing the bantam rooster
throwing it wide open said, sall our round the yard. A band had rifled the
meat is here." Liko hungry wolves storeroom, pulled out the English box
they rushed in, and some climbing like and emptied its contents on the muddy
monkeys pulled down piece after piece, ground-spools of cotton, buttons, en-
while others carried it oft or handed it velopes and other things were scattered
to their comrades on mule or horseback as useless. The precious piece of
in the yard. Then, with satisfaction and double-width linen sheeting they were
thankfulness, I saw some sitting on the cutting with knives into squares, while
benches cracking the walnuts they others were filling them with our sweet
gathered from under the shelves, just as potatoes and bacon. They had found
we had hoped they would do.
our whole crop of potatoes, carefully
While watching this my attention was banked, and took every one! They were
diverted by one demanding the key of choice luxuries to us, I tell you, my
an out-house near. In this we had tried children. One corner of this square of
to hide our soldier boys' trunks and some linen these experts twisted (this way,
other precious things, putting empty see,) around their plunder, bitched it on
boxes before and on them and then pur. their saddles and off they trotted--for a
posely leaving the door unlocked. This while,
key had also been carried off by the mis Nearer the house I saw another group,
creants who locked the doors and with an armful of our best dresses; they
trunks in the house. I told the man I had pulled them from our bureaus and
did not have the key, but as it was a pad wardrobes, carefully put away as unsuit-
lock he was able to
able to wear when our land mourned.
I saw your Aunt A.'s beautiful Irish
REMOVE THE HASP WITH HIS BAYONET
silk poplin, trimmed with velvet, its
if he must search that room. The hasp ample skirt spread out on the ground,
was soon off and his bayonet thrust aside with the body and one sleeve drawn to-
my boxes. I was so unwilling to have gether and the other sleeve twisted
my boys' clothes and little treasures round ingeniously and knotted-1
stolen that I stood before them till the thought of Yankee ingenuity then-to
little room was crowded with Yankees. make a receptacle for bacon and sweet
I slipped out and saw them force the potatoes! This, too, was gathered to-
trunks open. At the sight of a uniform gether like a bag and carried off.
coat once worn by my son-in-law in the At this time my mother in her bed-
Citadel Academy and given to my young room was vainly expostulating with and
est son, they set up another Indian yell trying to restrain the plunderers, and
or war-whoop. Then one garment after my sister, in the guest room was trying
another they took, piling them on their to save
arms. They were chiefly boys' summer
AN ABSENT SISTER'S TREASURES,
clothing and some few other things very
precious from tender associations.
and partly succeeded. I think she saved
"Those are my sons' clothes," I said, a gold thimble and a pair of fine scis-
"which they do not need, but we expect sors. While in that room, one of the
to give them to our negro boys."
men who had been only a looker-on
“What do we care for the negroes?' picked up a bit of paper and turning up
one answered.
the butt end of his gun, wrote and then
“Are you not fighting for the negro?!! in a respectfulmanner handing the paper
“No, we are fighting for the flag. Your to her, said:
boys are lying on some battle field," "Lady, this is my address. If you
and, carrying his armful off, he sang: survive this war will you please write
“Who will care for mother now ???
and let me know it. This is my first
They had also found the valuable pack and it shall be my last foraging expedi-
age of tea, and the mustard your tion. Look out there at those fellows
kind great uncle in Europe had with their arms filled. Is that lady
sent us, and which we kept care standing there looking at them the
fully, to be used in case of sickness. mother of the boys the clothes belong
I saw them tear them open, empty to?''
them on the earth and trample the tea “Yes," was all my sister could say.
and mustard in the dirt. But silenced She has lost the bit of paper.
and weary, still fasting, you know, I Another man, in soiled white kids,
waited till they came to your uncle's came skipping through the hall and
desk, which I saved. See, here it is, with ll whistling. Exhausted, we retired to

LIFE IN THE LOW-COUNTRY.
411
the dining-room and dined on a few || servants brought us huge pieces of beef
sweet potatoes we found in the chimney. || picked up along the path of the retiring
This whistling Jim came in and sat army. The Society to Prevent Cruelty
down, and we asked him if it was true to Animals was not then organized.
that Columbia was burned. He put his What happy changes we see! Thank
hand on his head as if in deep thought, God for them and pray for the time to
then looking up said, “Columbia ! Co hasten when the nations shall learn war
lumbia ! there was once such a place as no more.
Columbia, but there is no trace of it left.
You will never see Columbia again."
No. 70. Life in the Low-County,
Bob now.rushed in, saying, "De gen-
tleman, Misses, say he want de silver
spoon and fork; dey gwine eat dinner.
(By E. L. C.)
An' Nelly hab to rost de tukey an' bile
ham fur um."
In writing this sketch I will state at
Without waiting for an answer, he
the outset that I do not intend to de-
seized the basket from the closet con-
taining the few pieces of silver, which
scend into the lowest depths in that vale
we had kept for our use—among them of human woe which we Southern
my papspoon with my name engrayed women have dwelt in, or picture the
on it in full-and handed it to the gen-
saddest scenes which have been traced
tlemen” dining in the kitchen.
My mother quietly said: "Gentlemen!
with a pen of iron and in drops of blood
I do believe if they thought our teeth | upon the hearts of our suttering people
had gold in them they would send for since War unfolded his crimson banner
or take them next. Bob is such a goose."
and the bloody tide of battle first swept
In his hurry, poor simpleton, he left
an eggspoon in the basket, which we
over our bonny Southern land. But I
found in a corner of the hall several will gladly occupy some space in re-
days after the departure of these gen lating other events, not so stirring or full
tlemen.”
How much we dreaded the conceal- ||
of pathos as they might be, I know, yet,
ment of any of these men up-stairs or perhaps, not the less interesting, as they
coming at night. Our friend assured us, portray life in country villages during
however, that we would not be disturbed
some of the stormiest periods in our four
at night. We were thankful for this,
and told him so. He blamed the
years' struggle.
My home during the period of which I
SHAMELESS CONDUCT OF HIS COMRADES,
write lay in a little pineland settlement,
but no restraint was made. The army,
which constituted the summer resort
he said, which was sweeping through
the State was sixty miles wide from tip
for about twenty-five or thirty families,
to tip of its wings. He explored the who were compelled to migrate during
upper rooms as night came on to be sure three months from their more stately
there was no one there.
homes upon the plantation on account
In that room we remained two days
and nights longer. Exhaustion pre-
of unhealthy localities. Situated about
vented our leaving our chairs. A table twenty-five miles from the town of
spoonful of chipped beef was all we had
Beaufort, fifteen from Port Royal and
that day. The next, still fasting, wait-
ing and trusting, we remembered the
three miles from the nearest railroad
words of inspiration, "I have been station, it formed a quiet, secluded spot,
young and am now old, yet have I not a sort of Arcadia, in which the days
seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed were born, grew into weeks and then
begging bread.”
glided on into months in so peacefully
Before 9 a kind old neigb bor brought
and undisturbed a flow that Time
us a bag of meal, saying: "The enemy seemed to have lost his flight. In the
did not notice my son's place in those sweet, unchanging sunshine of those by-
backwoods. He has escaped and has gone days Want turned aside, and
just sent us some meal and we are glad rarely, if ever, obtruded his ugly vis-
to divide it with you. The Yankees tried
age within our sacred precincts, and
to hang me yesterday, and have twisted Sin, which we as mortals must hold,
the necks of my poultry, so if you will
and Death, "the wages of sin," seemed
send to my place you may have roast
the only serpents which marred the fair
fowl for dinner."
beauty of our earthly Eden. So that when
Thus were we provided for and our || the first dull sounds of coming trouble

412
OCR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
smote our ears we turned aside, as from l call the morning when we gathered there
something that held too little reality to Hin preparation and had our first glimpse
disturb the even tenor of our way," and of the horrors of war.
it was only when the great boom of battle We cleared the church of all its
came sweeping across our land and benches, and bringing mattresses, sheets
stirred even the sleepy air of our village and blankets from our own homes, pre-
that we awoke and knew that war, with pared couches of them, while others, by
all the ten-fold horrors of civil conflict, sewing together numerous bedspreads,
was upon us.
formed a large curtain with which they
Then it was that we arose, and with enclosed a small part of the church into
one word offered up on our country's a separate room for the use of those who
shrine our heart's most sacred treasures. might have to undergo amputation of
One following another, we saw fathers, limbs. Thus were our hallowed spots,
husbands, brothers, don our own be whose walls had echoed only to the
loved grey; while we buckled their voice of Gospel tidings and the sweet
swords upon them and sent them forth music of prayer and hymn, by the pe-
to fight and bleed, and die, perbaps, cessities of our land converted into
leaving us helpless and unprotected, with death chambers, and the moans of suf-
only our prayers and a woman's life ferers were the sounds which now rent
portion,
the calm of God's holy temple.
"TO WATCH AND WAIT.''
We were soon engaged in scraping
Truly, thought I might our land be
lint, preparing hot coffee and other
stimulants for the relief of the wounded,
termed a Ramah, filled with Rachels
and never shall I forget the sickening
6sweeping for their children, when, horror with which those wagon loads
near the close of the war, the ranks of of human freight filled our souls as
our brave, unflinching army that had they drove up in front of the church.
marched away with light hearts and gay Over fifteen miles of rough road, upon
songs of coming victory had thinned wagons that were destitute of all springs,
down to a mere handful of destitute, bad they been driver in an almost dying
suffering soldiery, and while the cry for condition. Stimulants had to be applied
help was still being echoed from the before they could be removed into the
mountains to the sea." I saw my sis. church, and out of all that crowd of
ter's boy, a lad of sixteen, not yet out of wounded but one recovered from the
the monotonous routine of school-day effects of that
life, and scarcely yet turned from his
LONG AND FEARFUL RIDE.
childish sports, shoulder his musket
and march away to the dread reality of Some time after this word was brought
bloody and disastrous war. We gave to me that our sick were unable to eat
up everything except our Own life's || the food which was provided for them
blood, and willingly, ayo gladly, would by means of the meagre hospital fund.
we have answered our country's cry of A consultation was held, and a plan pro-
distress, and yielded that up too, if it posed which was immediately carried
might have saved her that crushing, into action. A smali room was erected
that death-giving stroke, defeat.
near the center of the village, and fitted
The first visible experience which we up with a stove and cooking utensils.
had of the war was early in the year Thither repaired daily one or two ladies
1862. Some time previous to that hos from our midst, and prepared with their
pitals had been established in Our vil own fair hands such delicacies as the
lage for the sick of regiments stationed sick might fancy, delivering them over
some miles below in the defence of the to the hospital nurses, who were sent
coast. The Episcopal Church School each day to recievo them. We called
house, billiard-room and an untenanted it our "Hospital kitchen,'' and many an
dwelling-house were thus occupied, hour have I spent within its four dim.
when news reached us of the battle of inutive walls, beating up eggs and stew
Port Royal, with the request that some ing down chicken broth, which was to
place might be prepared by the ladies go towards bringing back the fighting
for the reception of the wounded, who strength into some poor convalescent
were then en route for our village. soldier.
Owing to the disordered state of the Boxes of supplies reached us from
country some of the families had re time to time-sent down from the upper
moved to their plantation homes, and at counties, where the land still (flowed
i hat time we were still collected in -- with milk and honey”-and they were
ville. The Presbyterian Church was the
in greater demand each month, as our
nly other available building besides own private supplies dwindled away.
our private residences; and well do I re Besides articles of food, clothing and

LIFE IN THE LOW-COUNTRY.
413
bedding were often found stowed away through the length and breadth of our
in these boxes, and one quilt do I re. land, standing beside the piano where
member in particular which "dear home some lady played a low, sweet accom-
folks" had made and sent to one of the paniment, and, as "Uncle Mose," of
soldiers. Upon some of the patches Texas Siftings fame, would express it,
naues were embroidered, which would "makin' dat dar fiddle talk."
have caused many a tender memory and In order that we might make these
heart-sick longing to rush over the soul weekly gatherings something more sub-
of the man as he lay beneath its folds stantial than "cold-water parties, we
through the long drear winters that fol agreed amongst ourselves that each fam-
lowed.
ily attending should bring one or per-
The summer of 1862 was unusually haps two dishes of their own providing.
quiet, hostilities seemed for the time be and thus banquets of no mean character
ing to cease, and as the hot weather ad were continually spread out, while the
vanced soldiers in the unhealthy dis. expense fell upon no particular family.
tricts were brought up and their regi We threw our doors wide open and took
ments encamped just on the outskirts of in all who came to us,
our village. Life in --ville resumed
its old routine, and but for the presence
FRIENDS AND STRANGERS ALIKE,
of the hospitals and the gloam of the some whoso very existence we had never
white tent-cloths flashing back the sun heard of, even coming from adjoining
light as they nestled like
States; and I need scarcely add that we
received 10 remuneration. When the
A FLOCK OF SNOWY DOVES
hospitals, with their limited accommo-
beneath the overshadowing grandeur of dations, bacame too full to receive the
our "sighing pines,” we could almost sick who were brought to them, they
have forgotten that the spot of the leper were taken into our private families and
(hatred between brothers of a common nursed and tended as we would our own
soil) had appeared upon the fair surface loved ones.
of our country's fame, and that the sword These Confederate parties had been
had been unsheathed from its scabbard. going on for some little time when a
There was very little discomfort and novel request was sent to me by the
much pleasure attending the presence soldiers themselves. Most of the regi-
of those soldiers in our midst. Many a ments and squadrons surrounding us
heart young and blithe on that day can had just received their pay, and as there
recall tender associations connected were numbers of soldiers whose imme-
with the enjoyments of that quiet sum. diate wants did not call for their dis-
mer, that came like a breathing space or posal, they begged that we might pre-
lull in the tempest Friendships were pare an entertainment which would be
formed whic'a death itself could not open to all, and allow them to buy their
break, and love scrapes innumerable own refreshments; thus placing in our
were gone through with, some reaching hands a sum of money which our
the full fruition of love's young dream." woman's wit might devise some method
while others proved themselves the of making use of, to the best advantage.
mere pastimes which young folks will Well, of course we did it, confining our-
indulge in the world over.
selves to the preparation of eatables,
We had an unusually gay crowd of with the exception of small Confederate
young girls in - ville at that time, flags, which the girls made and found
pretty and charming enough to turn the no difficulty in disposing of to their most
head of any man North or South, and favored admirers. A gayer, merrier
it was not long after the soldiers moved crowd could not have been found any-
up before evening gatherings begun, where, and the sight of those horsemen
giving the young gallants whom we riding back to camp with those flags
favored with invitations ample oppor decorating their horses' heads and
tunity to forget for a brief space of waving in the summer breeze, comes
time the hard road that lay before them, readily before me, while the sound of
and flirt and dance and talk with our their cheers and shouts of laughter seem
village belles to their hearts' content. again to fall upon the evening air. I for-
Musical parties were sometimes the or get the exact amount of money col-
der of the day, or, I should rather say, lected, but its appropriation was to assist
night; and those of our soldier friends in building a Charleston gunboat.
who possessed musical talent of any Thus the summer months glided by
kind were always invited to take part. pleasantly, aye, almost too brightly, in
Often have I seen the gallant Steve their.contrast to the dark days that were
Elliott, the fame of whose brave and following so fast upon their heels, and
wonderful exploits was yet to ring ll before we realized it fall was upon us

414
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and the stir commencing for the winter's || they were most horribly cut up by the
campaign. One lovely October morning enemy's shells.
several of us had gathered upon the front Oh, who can know, except those who
porch of my dwelling enjoying the have experienced it, what the horrors of
bright sunshine and the warm, fragrant being near a battlefieid aro-near enough
air of our Indian summer, while keep to hear the sounds of conflict, or the
ing up a constant banter and laughing booming of the cannons, but too far to
war of words. Suddenly across the know on which side the tide of victory is
quiet landscape we saw a horseman fly turning, and who are living and who are
ing-flying as if for lite or death, and dead? To be obliged to wait patiently
going in the direction of our camp.
in our helpless state, to do nothing but
"There's a courier," I cried, as we all pace the floor and wring our hands in
with one impulse sprang to our feet and an agony of dread as some did, or like
gazed with startled eyes upon each other. others, to sit with folded hands and
*David," I called to my servant, "run, white lips, ever lifting our hearts heav-
run, I say, to the camps and find out onward in constant pleading prayer
what news has been brought."
and wait and wait, while every sound of
But e're my order could be obeyed, the cannon that travelled towards us
clear and shrill rose the sound of the bu seemed to smite like a sword within our
gle, and we knew that a "call to arms breast, was terrible. Once or twice dur-
had been made. As we rushed to the ing the day we got some stray reports of
windows and looked out upon the scene how things were going on below, but it
which had lain so peaceful in the sun was not until night, and the soldiers
shine a few moments before, we found it were beginning to return, that we heard
had become one of the wildest excite. that victory had once more smiled upon
ment. A summons had been brought us. At that moment I could have fallen
to go as quickly as possible to the relief upon my knees, and in tears of unspeak-
of those at Pocataligo, about four miles able joy, thanked God that the blood of
distant from us, where an attack had my loved remained as yet unsacrificed.
already begun upon our lines. We I remember an incident that occurred
watched the horses being brought out about this time, and with which the
and in an incredibly short space of time Charleston Light Dragoons were associ-
saddled and mounted. Then as the dif ated. Dr. H. stated that although there
ferent regiments began filing by wo were numbers of his patients who were
crushed back
now sufficiently recovered to be dis-
charged, yet he was unable to discharge
THE WILD TERROR
them on account of their having insuffi.
that surged through our hearts, and saw cient clothing against the cold of the en-
husbands, brothers and friends, go forth suing winter, and that unless warm
to the battle, and waved our pocket flannel shirts were provided certain
handkerchiefs, smiled and cheered them death would be the result of their re-
on their way to answer duty's call, as turning to duty. Hearing of this, the
we have, and would ever do, were our
own hearts to break in the attempt. I
CHARLESTON LIGHT DRAGOONS
remember noticing particularly a Vir. raised a subscription amongst them-
ginia regiment whose elegant uniforms, selves, and collected an amount
gay spirits and apparent eagerness for which would cover all expenses.
the coming fray, attracted my attention. One of their men was then de-
It was one of the noblest looking bodies tailed and sent down to Charleston to
of men that I have ever seen, and as I make the purchases, but upon arriving
watched them waving their caps and there he found, to his dismay, that every
wildly cheering as they passed each mercantile house in the city was com-
house, upon the steps and piazzas of pletely barren of all flannel goods.
which were gathered women and chil. After searching in every nook and cor-
dren, I little knew that when nightfall ner, and failing to secure the desired
came they were to return, weary and I article, he was forced to the necessity of
wounded, their bright uniforms bes buying shawls, and I remember the odd
pattered with mud and gore, leaving feeling of destructive power which camo
numbers of their comrades stretcbed over me, as we drove our scissors into
upon the battlefields below in that the soft, warm material, cut them up
dreamless sleep which knows no earthly and fashioned them into shirts.
waking. The gayest to go forth in the Winter's approach brought new duties
morning were the saddest to return at upon us, and we began our first lessons
night. I afterwards learned that it was in the art of invention which we after-
in crossing a causeway through one of wards carried to so high a point of excel-
the open rice fields at Pocotaligo that ll lency. Pieces of carpeting were rav-

LIFE IN THE LOW-COUNTRY.
415
elled out and then knitted up into close- || our shuck bonnets would occasionally
fitting caps for the soldiers to use when die out, even if necessity did call for
sleeping upon the ground. Wool mat their revival, and give place to bonnet
tresses were ripped up and the wool squash hats, which were then considered
taken out, carded, spun and woven into "the style." These latter were formed
coarse fabrics, which we made into arti out of the thin inner coating of a certain
cles of clothing for ourselves and ser squash or gourd, which, when taken out
vants. Coffee begun to be diluted with and dried, formed a sort of lace work
rye and our packages of tea and sugar to formation, which our inventive minds,
be hoarded with the jealous care of a sharpened by necessity, would transform
miser over his gold. Finally the sol into a bonnet.
diers were all called away, most of them Coffee finally lost its existence alto-
to Virginia, and the village became do gether in the concoctions of parched
serted by all save women and children, groundnuts, okra, rye and other sub-
who were left completely unprotected stances, entirely foreign to the nature of
amid the thousands of restless and ex coffee, which we were obliged to fall
cited slaves, so we gradually closed our back upon. While drinking the non-
establishments and moved away to the satisfying beverage, our only solace
upper portion of the country, where would be that of the children's when
things wore a quieter aspect, scattering they say: "Let's play that it's coffee."
hither and thither, all seeking points We never could find anything that
which might promise a greater degree would begin to take the place of tea, and
of security.
when any of us would be so extravagant
I found a resting place in the town of as to draw the genuine article, an invi-
B, where many family connections were tation must necessarily be sent to our
already gathered, but it was a false hope nearest friends to come over to tea or
of safety which was held out to me, for lunch, as the case might be, as we were
in that town did the “dark days” speed to have "real tea," and an invitation so
ily overtake its inhabitants and reign supplemented rarely if ever met with a
with an evil and searching power. For refusal. “Long sweetening,” became
a while things ran smoothly enough, too common an occurrence to excite com-
and although we underwent many pri ment of any description, and we soon
vations and discomforts, there was not found ourselves more than thankful
enough of real suffering to cause us to when even that could be obtained.
forget our smiles and our laughter, as As Confederate money decreased in
we found we had done in the after years, valuation things rose to an almost fab-
when engaged in that deadly combat ulous price. A capable woman servant
'gainst
was hired out to a farmer at thirty dol-
lars per month, and at the end of the
THE "WOLF AT THE DOOR."
first, came home bringing with her one
But as 1864 drew near the lines of care pound of coffee as an equivalent for that
began to form upon our faces, and it sum. But these statements are nothing
seemed as if all life had been merged now. Almost every Southerner knows
into one great thought of how to provide by personal experience of the fifty dol.
the "wherewithal to be clothed and fed.'' lar pair of shoes and the one hundred
The supply of clothing with which we dollars paid out for a dress of coarsest
had begun the war was either worn out, material, and therefore I will not waste
or we had long ago exchanged it for time in relating what must be "common
coarser and therefore, more suitable
property” so far as experience goes, but
material in our reduced state. Home hurry on to the closing act in
spuns became “quite the rage" now,
OUR TERRIBLE FOUR YEARS' TRAGEDY.
and when any of us were so fortunate as
to receive one which laid claim to hay The suffering of the children was
ing a pretty pattern we learned to feel what we found hardest of all to bear.
quite as well dressed in it as we did in We could bend our necks to the yoke
our brocaded satins of ante-war days. and patiently take up the heaviest bur-
Hats were ripped up, turned and trim dens that fell to our lot, knowing why
med again, while Peter was robbed to it was we suffered; but the little inno-
pay Paul until not a vestige of them was cent children, too young yet to clearly
left. Then we would resort to stripping discern between right and wrong, or
shucks, plaiting them and framing them realize what the full sweetness of liberty
into what we called shuck bonnets.
was—'twas hard to see them bending
I assure you that Dame Fashion did with us beneath the heavy load of want
not relinquish her hold upon us, her and care, to hear their piteous cries and
rightful subjects; but made her power helplessly watch their falling tears. Oh !
felt, in even our destitute kingdom, for || the throes of anguish that have grap-

416
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
pled, as with a death grip, our mother- | Yet even then the canker worm, despair.
hearts, when those little ones have had not found its way into our hearts,
flown to us in their sorrow, and we and Hope's star yet glittered above the
could not comfort them.
"waves and billows” that swept over our
There were many of these wee suf souls. Something must be provided for
ferers in our household, and it was hard the children though, something done to
work sometimes to find sufficient food render the day a little less dark to them,
to fill their little eager mouths. On one so the result of our deliberating counsel
occasion little Floy, one of our youngest, was the secret boiling of a pot of mo-
and scarcely more than two or three, be lasses candy, which with the making of
came quite sick and seemed to crave a few rag dolls, I think, and some old
that which it was impossible to obtain battered china ornaments, constituted
for her. She would lie for long hours, the material which we had for stocking-
conning over in her baby language the packing
list of things which she wanted. One It was a comical picture, and yet one
great longing seemed for “pond cake'', that was full of pathos, too, which our
(pound cake,) and to induce her to eat same little Floy made, on Christmas
the tasteless corn bread, which was all morning. While eating her breakfast
we had, some one unfortunately gave it she sat contentedly bolding within her
that name. When told that it was her chubby hands her Christmas gift-the
"dear pond cake" she would sometimes stump of what had once been a china or-
attempt to eat it, but her baby mind nament, and probably adorned the what-
must have often puzzled over the strange not in some drawing-room, but was so
transformation which it had undergone. far attesting the truth of "going through
When, by some fortunate accident, real the war” as to be only recognizable
pound cake was had and a slice carried now as a bit of colored chipa. The ludi-
in triumph to Floy, she could not be crous side of the picture attracted us all,
persuaded to taste it, but would only and with a merry peal of laughter her
shake her small head, mournfully reit mother, who was sitting near, took it
erating again and again, "I don't like from the child's hand, and calling to one
pond cake any more." And finally of the servants said: "Diana, take this
another name had to be substituted be over to Miss Hettie, (one of our neigh-
fore she would test its good or bad qual bors,) and ask her it it doesn't look
ities.
like the last of the Confederacy.”
Our attempts at merry-making were I remember an incident occurring
sometimes ludicrous in the extreme, and some time previous to this which is
the recollection of our twistings and somewhat novel in its character and
turnings will create many a laugh now, illustrates the way in which we were
although at the time there was too much "put to it in securing the common
hard reality at their foundation to afford necessities of life. A young lady of an
any degree of amusement. Christmas ingenious turn of mind, and resident of
was the dreariest of all such seasons to --ville, my former home, on learning
us, it had always been one of such uni. that a goose had been killed at a neigh-
versal joy amongst ourselves and our boring house went over and begged that
servants upon the plantations and in the the feathers might be given he
hér. This
town. But its festivities had been grow was done, and out of them she con-
ing fewer and fewer each year as our structed a short mantle or tippet, which
resources failed, and when Christmas of was sold for some hundreds of dollars,
1864 dawned upon us it seemed as if the the proceeds of which only bought her a
last extremity had been reached.
dress of some common material. When
A long consultation had been held be the dress was near completion it was
tween we older folk, and the capacity discovered that not a button was to be
which the house held for a home jubilee found which could be appropriated to its
was solemnly viewed and talked over by use. She was not to be baffled though,
us. For ourselves we cared nothing: one and she resorted to a method which per-
day was alike all others to us now, for haps bas never before been heard of in
our hearts felt sick and heavy. Jack the annals of civilized life. Persimmon
son, our beloved, our heart's hero, our seed were collected, drilled with holes,
Stonewall of defence, and Stuart, brave, and in triumph sewn upon the dress,
gallant, song-loving Stuart, with many which, marvellous to relate, wore quite
another of those to whom we looked in a stylish air.
our hour of need, had all given their Thus we toiled on, hoping against
country the truest test of their tidelity hope, making much out of little, until
and died for it, while
one bright morning in January, 1865,
THE IRON HEEL OF POWER
we found ourselves waiting in passive
was crushing our Confederacy down. | dread what we thought the finishing

LIFE IN THE LOW-COUNTRY.
417
stroke to our misery, while an air of resemblance to that which we shall all
silent terror seemed to brood over the experience when the day of
town.
RENDING HEAVEN AND EARTH
"THE YANKEES ARE COMING !"
dawns upon us. We were brought to a
That was the cry, and it seemed to sudden realization of our immediate sur-
strike like a death-knell upon us, for roundings, though, by the wild cries of a
tales too horrible to relate of outrages
young servant girl, who standing near
bad. like us, fallen upon her knees, but.
committed by that vast horde of con-
unlike us, set up a series of most un-
querors on their onward march floated earthly yells. Her terror was explained
like a pestilential breath before them. some few hours afterwards when the
Very little preparation was made for
Yankees were dispersed throughout the
town, and she had seen several in "flesh
them, for what could we do in our de. and blood.” Coming into the house
fenceless state, with not one spot upon and going up to Mrs. A., her mistress,
our land, or in our houses, held sacred
she said, with astonishment depicted
upon every feature: "Why, Miss ! they
or made secure against their intruding
looks like other men.''
feet. A handful of men were sont down “What in the name of earth did you
to a river one or two miles distance from think they were, Delia?” asked Mrs. A.,
us, and stationed at the head of a road in her turn astonished, and then it came
which led into B., and on the line of out that Delia was under the full con-
march which we knew Kilpatrick's viction that they were blessed with
men were taking.
horns.
On the morning of that eventful day I had almost forgotten the children's
we gathered together a few of our most
part in property hiding. Out in the
valuable things, such as silver, and at yard was a bantam hen with seyeral
tempted to save them by secreting them chickens which were considered their
in the most unlikely place of search. A especial property. Knowing that poultry
small bundle of spoons and forks was would be one of the first things to at-
made up, rolled into rags and then tract attention, these were run down,
thrown into the darkest corner of a dark caught and imprisoned under one of the
closet, beneath the staircase, while beds up-stairs, where the children
empty boxes and barrels were placed in guarded them with never-ceasing Care,
front, filling up the enclosure, Another and as it happened the yard was stripperi
package was given to one of our faithful of all poultry which we possessed, this
serva ats, who saved it by packing it in a lone family remaining.
basket of her children's soiled clothes, But to return : On and on they came,
Silver and jewelry to the amount of till shouts, the firing of guns and the
thousands of dollars were buried by tramp of their horses' feet could be dis.
all those around us, many of them work tinctly heard; and then we descried our
ing, in the dead hours of the night in the own brave men driven like a handful of
woods and in the centre of the streets autumn leaves before the blast of the
where some thought there would be less tempests. Through the streets they
suspicion. But with all their caution went, firing every foot of the way,
many a hiding-place was discovered and through the town to the woods beyond.
robbed of its treasure, if not at the time, where the Federals refrained from fol-
by our released slaves afterwards.
lowing. It was hardly worth while pur-
While waiting the approach of the suing scarcely more than a dozen men
enemy the children were all called in, when a field of such rich harvest lay
and, like ourselves, clad in two suits of before them; so a few moments after
garments. I don't think our Northern entering the town, the “whole gang,"
invaders could have been much im as one of our servants expressed herself,
pressed with the sylph-like proportions were let loose upon us, and again began
of we Southern women, as I believe that oft-repeated story of pillage and
that dodge was pretty generally prac plunder. Into every house they swept.
ticed.
Too eager to begin their work to lose
About 10 or 11 o'clock the cry was time in passing through gates, they
raised, “They are coming! they are kicked down the fences. Then they
coming!" and as we looked from our settled down upon us like a flock of
windows and saw in the dim distance | birds of prey, ransacking drawers,
the cloud of dust and smoke which pro breaking open trunks, taking whatever
claimed their nearness to us, in ono im they considered of any value, tossing
pulse we fell upon our knees, with a the rest hither and thither like a pack of
feeling which I think must bear some || worthless trash, until some other would
53

418
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
come in and find amidst that discarded il conduct aroused our respect and esteem,
heap something he considered worthy of and when he was going Floy's mother
appropriation. Then when articles Il presented him, as a memento, a little
were too cumbrous to take with them, blue velvet bible, which had once been
yet of too much value to leave "the a gift to herself, and in which she wrote
Rebels, with the spirit of devils incar something expressive of our regard for
nate they were crushed into a thousand him.
pieces. Oh! what will the human pas I saw an amusing display of what is
sions, when once aroused, lead men to termed "woman's cowardice, which I
do? Our fellow-men, our brothers, not will relate here. Several young ladies,
content with our falling, they would living in the same town, had come to me
with the request that they might ro-
GRIND US INTO THE DUST,
main all night, as for some reason, which
A beautiful guitar was in one corner I forget, our house was considered safer
of our drawing-room, a wedding gift than the one which they were occupy.
from a mother to a child. I saw that ing. That night when the house had
taken out and battered to pieces against somewhat quieted down, and for several
the fence, and when a servant, thinking hours been clear of intruders, these
that she might save it for her young girls were gathered in one room, with
mistress, went out of her own accord some of our own household, discussing
and begged the soldier not to destroy it the probabilities of their return and the
but to give it to her, his only response course of action to be pursued forth-
was that if she did not hold her tongue with. They were
he would run his bayonet through her
FULL OF LIFE AND SPIRIT,
head. I saw a barrel of the finest and
most expensive china, brought out from and when one of them suggested the
an opposite house, set upon the ground, idea of a defence it was immediately
and a soldier getting inside stamped up seconded by the others. Two huge
and down upon it until it seemed a mass candlesticks upon the mantel, with
of shivered pieces; but for fear that ends heavy enough to fracture the skull
some stray piece might have remained of any man if wielded by a strong arm,
uninjured and be made use of after were seized, the shovel and tongs were
wards, he upset the barrel, pouring its also called into use to aid the heroic re-
contents upon the ground, and. wherever solve of these fair defenders; and there
such a piece could be found it was im they stood, with flashing eyes, de-
mediately stamped out of existence. termination wiitten upon every feature
Thus all day long was the plundering while brandishing their weapons and
kept up, the very streets filled with solemnly attesting what they would do
those who were searching for gain, if one of these “hateful Yankees were
marching up and down, running their to come in. Suddenly their wish for re-
long bayonets into the soft earth, and nown seemed about to be gratified, for
whenever a suspiciously hard object ob heavy steps were heard approaching.
structed their passage stopping to dig, First there was only a pause in their
in hopes of finding buried treasure. excited vociferations, while the wea-
When the houses were sufficiently pons were still held aloft, but as the
emptied to be of no further use steps drow on and finally paused just
to them, then begun the work outside the door, with one simultaneous
of the flames, and they seemed to shriek the weapons were cast down
especially select the darkness of and our warlike heroines filed precipi-
night for the perpetration of their evil tately from the room in a helter-skelter
deeds. The Courthouse, hotel and Ma race of who should be foremost. It
sonic lodge were soon in ashes, and pri proved to be only the return of one of
vate dwelling-houses began to be en. our own family, who, hearing some
veloped in the lurid flames of their bon noise beneath the house and fearing that
fires.
fire was being set, had taken a servant
As night approached and threats of with her and gone on a reconnoitering
burning the house over our heads be expedition.
came more and more frequent we sent I also knew of some instances of
to one of the officers and begged that a women's bravery just about this time,
guard might be provided us, which was which it would now be unfair not to
done; but most of them were scarcely "give a showing." One was connected
less threatening than the soldiers at with a negro woman in our yard and
large, and inspired us with very little occurred some days later. The enemy's
feeling of security. There was one ex work had gone on so successfully that in
ception, though, one who by his kind- || a short time we found ourselves with
ness, consideration and true gentlemanly ll not enough food in the house to keep us

LIFE IN THE LOW-COUNTRY
419
from actual hunger. We lived I scarcely l as the bravest in the land. The war had
know how, picking up something here been a bitter reality to her. One son
and there, not knowing in the morning had been brought home shattered by a
where the food for the day was coming shell, and for long months she had seen
from, and often accepting from our ser him in the agony which no human
vants that which it had once been our tongue can describe, while another, in
place to bestow, for what gleanings the the freshness of his young manhood, had
cavalry left, not in mercy, but because been numbered with the slain. She was
they were stocked to the full with their a widow, and having the care of two or-
booty, the infantry, coming immediately phan grandchildren upon her. was ex-
afterwards, reaped, until we were lite periencing the same difficulty in obtain-
rally a bare and barren field. On the ing food that we were. One morning
day to which I allude the children had she had made repeated efforts to get
been crying all the morning for some something cooked, but failed as often as
thing to eat, and we had failed to get she tried, for just as soon as it was ready
enough to satisfy their hunger. Out in to be eaten in would walk a soldier
the kitchen old Chloe had been busy all and march off with it, expostula-
day cooking for different soldiers, who, tions or entreaties availing naught.
bringing in packages of raw food, would || Finally, after some difficulty, a
order her to prepare it for them, this little corn meal was found which was
food being taken from some other poor mixed with a hoecake and set in the oven
unfortunates like ourselves,
to bake. Determined not to lose this,
Late in the day one of them walked in Aunt Myra, the lady in question, took
with a bundle of flour and told her ho her seat before the fire and vowed sho
wanted some biscuits made. Chloe set would not leave the spot until the bread
about kneading them in her usually was safe in her own hands. Scarcely
obedient style, not betraying by word or had she done so when as usual a soldier
sign the purpose which she had formed made his appearance, and seeing the con-
in her mind, while he took his seat by the tents of the oven took his seat upon the
fire to await them. They were put into
opposite side and coolly awaited its
the oven, and soon came out again, but baking. I have since thought what a
before the man could take possession of picture for a painter that would make-
his property Chloe had eluded him, and upon one side the old lady with the proud
with one bound was out of the door and highborn face of a true Southern gentle-
racing across the yard like some wild woman, but, alas! stamped with the
animal. Bursting our door open, and seal of care and sorrow; and upon the
thrusting the plate of smoking bread other, the man, strong in his assumed
within, she was off again like a flash; power, both intent upon that one point
but by this time the disappointed man
of interest, a baking hoocake. When it
had followed her into the yard and stood || had reached the desired shade of brown-
there cursing and swearing. She was ing, Aunt Myra leant forward to take
not to be frightened in that way, for possession, but ere she could do so that
once safe upon her own threshold she other hand was before her and she saw
turned and defied him, swinging her it taken from her. Rising to her feet
long arms and presenting a perfect
and drawing her small figure to its fullest
height, the old lady's pent up feelings
PICTURE OF AN AMAZON
burst forth, and she gave expression to
as she ordered him "to be off," for if he the indignation which
put his foot within her kitchen she
THIS LAST ACT CAUSED TO OVERFLOW.
would “split his head open with an axe."
The man's good nature prevailed, or else "You thieving scoundrel !” she cried
there was something too formidable in in her gathering wrath. “You would
the appearance of those brawny arms take the very last crust from the orphans'
and wild gesticulations for, unexpect mouths and doom them to starvation
edly to us all, he turned and quietly before your very eyes.”
walked away.
Then before the astonished man could
Another instance was that of an old recover himself with a quick movement
lady, a relative of ours, and living in a
she had snatched the bread back again.
distant part of the town. Small and tra Scarcely had she got possession, how-
gile-looking, with soft, gentle manners, ever, when a revulsion of feeling took
it seemed as if a whiff of wind might place, and, breaking it in two, she
have blown her away, and she was not tossed them at him in the scorn which
one who was likely to tempt the torrent filled her soul as she said: "But if your
of a ruffian's wrath. But how often can heart is hard enough to take it, then you
we judge of appearances, for in that tiny may have it.” She threw them with
body was a spirit as strong and fearless ll such force that one of the hot pieces

420
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
struck him in the face, the other imme-
diately following. Strange to say he
did not resent her treatment of him; but
it was too much for Aunt Myra's excited
feelings when he picked up the bread
and commenced munching upon it in
the most unconcerned manner possible.
Again snatching it from him she flung
it far out of the window, where it lay
rolling in the dirt, crying as she did so:
"Indeed you shan't eat it; if I can't have
it then you shan't.'
Such were the numberless scenes
which we passed through in that week
of horrors, and when tinally there was
nothing more to be had, and they left
us, we found our hearts and our lives
well-nigh emptied, many of us home-
less and adrift upon the world, for news
had come that --ville, with all our
plantation homes, many of which were
made sacred by the feet of our ances-
tors, who had held possession since be.
fore the Revolutionary war, were laid
low in ashes.
In the weeks that followed the de-
parture of the Federal troops we existed;
we did not live. For days our only
supply of food was that which our ser-
vants could collect by going out to the
deserted camp grounds and gathering
the corn and other articles which the
Federals found too abundant to take
with thein, and which lay scattered
about upon the ground.
But that was not the finishing stroke,”
as we thought; that caine when the
sword of Lee had flashed for the last
time upon the field of battle, and passed
forever from the hand of our beloved
Confederate Washington-not so fortu.
nate as the "Father of our country," but
equally as well beloved and honored by
we Southern people.
Yet with hope expired, with despair
and poverty staring us in the face, and
sorrow an over-dwelling inmate of our
bearts, we could look upon our dead
Confederacy and not know one regret
that we had ever bid it live, and although
our part was not to bleed and die for it
as our men of the South did, might it
not be said of the women, "They also
serve who only stand and wait.”
first settled of the Colonial towns of the
Old Dominion Tradition, more hoary
than history, tells us that it began its
career under the Indian name of Ki.
coughtan, and furnished a happy home
for some of the Cavaliers of England,
even before the famous landing at James-
town. However this may be, there were
survivors of our late civil conflict who
could tell of the vicissitudes of three
wars, when this little town bared its
breast to the foe and bore the brunt of
battle, the first to suffer and the first to
sacrifice, yet so unassuming withal that,
like the brave men who lived be-
fore Agamemnon," she is not "un wept,''
indeed, but "unhonored and uneung,''
sscaret quia vate sacro."
Memory, looking backward with sad
and wistful eyes across the dark chasm
of more than twenty years, paints her
canvas with scenes our hearts would
fain keep forever fresh, and reproach-
fully asks: "Ungrateful ones, will ye
too forget ?'' Loyalty and patriotism
alike respond: "Nay, nay, dear native
Soil, though the vibrations of the mod-
est melody of "Dulce Domum,' SO
faintly struck by a woman's hand (be
silenced by the music of noisier lyres,
and lost midst the grander harmonies of
history, the trumpet-tongued!”
And so yielding to the tender spell of
retrospection we pause, first before a
picture of peace, a bit of still-life, a
pastoral: At our doors, the blue waters
emptying into the majestic Hampton
Roads, (the proximity to which has ever
cost us dear,) reflecting every hue of the
varied beauties of the sky, so that we
looked daily into two heavens, the one
below differing only from its lofty pro-
totype by the addition of earthly shad-
ows. Weeping willows girding the
shore made a mirror of the sea, wherein
they beheld "what manner?' of trees they
were, while the waves danced and rip-
pled in the sunshine and anon broke
forth into solemn dirges :
"O Fons Bandusial, splendidior vitro.
Dulci digue mero, non sine florebus!”
We sigh for a breath of the briny fra-
grance which filled the air as the "sweet
girl graduates" took their "constitu-
tional," upon the long bridge which
connected the town with Old Point, and
formed the daily promenade. There
young and old found health and exer-
cise, and the scene was gay and ani.
mated, indeed enlivened by the bright
uniform of the Cadets of the Hampton
Military Academy, a soldierly corps,
whose individual members were to win
for themselves rank and distinction in the
No. 71 - The Burning of Hampton.
(By Lee Hampton, of Richmond, VA)
Three miles from old Point Comfort,
now so well known as a delightful sum-
mer resort, stands the village of Hamp.
ton, one of the most ancient, if not the

THE BURNING OF HAMPTON.
421
fate.
coming strife which was so soon to take to drive them back. Life itself became
the place of their
an epic, and every day an era big with
DAILY DRILL AND MIMIC WAR.
The large yards were full of rare roses,
Early in May, President B. S. Ewell,
of William and Mary College, a former
for in this respect the town was almost
a vale of Cashmere. Beds of old-fash-
graduate of West Point, was appointed
to the command of the volunteers then
ioned flowers, dear to our grandmothers,
attracted the gaze of the passer-by, and
organizing on the peninsula, and John
often proved too much for the cupidity
B. Cary, principal of the Hampton Mili-
and gallantry of the cadets. Petty lar.
tary Academy, was commissioned Major
ceny was the order of the day, "in the
of Virginia Volunteers, and assigned to
duty under Col. Ewell, in immediate
spring,” when.
charge of the troops in and around
"The young man's fancy
Hampton. These companies, consisting
Lightly turns to thoughts of love."
of about two hundred men, hardly or-
Floral offerings were numerous and ganized, poorly equipped and utterly
cheap, being easily secured at the cost
undisciplined. were confronted by an
of a pimble spring over the fence, and army of 10,000 men, not three miles dis-
many a flower-loving Rachel mourned
tant, and constituted at that time the
for her favorites because, in the morning sole barrier that stood between Fortress
"tbey were not. Complaints were made, Monroe and Richmond. A single act of
charges preferred, culprits detected and violence or indiscretion might have pre-
sorely punished, but the regal hyacinths
cipitated hostilities and endangered, at
bloomed at the throat of the village the onset, the safety of that city destined
beauties all the same, the gaudy tulips to become the stronghold of the Confed-
made gay her dressing-table, and the
eracy and famous in the military annals
dainty violets, carefully pressed within of the world.
the clasic leaves of Virgil or Horace, The situacion was one of painful sus-
breathed their sweet secrets to the musty pense. The Ordinance of Secession had
old poets, while .The heathen raged not yet been ratified by the people, and
in vain !
Virginia was nominally a State in the
There are no such days, nor skys, nor Union, Instructions had been received
flowers since the war. The buttercups are from Gen. Lee to abstain from any ac-
not so large and yellow, the clover seems
tion which might provoke a collision,
to have lost its fragrance and the "four-
but to watch closely the movements of
leaved its cunning, no longer bringing the enemy, and if he should threaten an
good luck. Our Man mies have doffed advance to throw obstructions in his
their gay bandanas and have ceased to wav byafelling trees and burning bridges.
regale our eager ears with stories of the Thus passed two weeks of terrible and
ancient alory of the family when our almost sleepless anxiety. “It was not
mother was young missis.” Our dusky war," but it was a state of even greater
playmates have gone to school and “got peril and responsibility.
ten an education, and Hampton, dear, Upon the evening of the 23d of May,
serene, old fashioned Hampton, has been (election day,) the large and already ex-
burped to ashes, and no house, nor tree, cited crowd was thrown into a state of
nor flower remains to tell the story of
tumult by the announcement of the
her happy past.
picket on duty that a regiment of United
"There is nothing so deceitful as facts States troops was approaching, supported
save figures,” said Sydney Smith; never-
by a battery of six field pieces! The
theless we recall a few dates and days citizens rushed forward en masse, armed
"red-letter days" literally, which are with any weapon they could find to
written in blood and fire upon our hearts repel the invaders; but Major Cary
and memories. On the 13th of April promptly directed his small body of
Fort Sumter was bombarded; on the 15th
men to assemble at the Courthouse and
Lincoln issued his proclamation calling
to fall back beyond "New Bridge,''
for 75,000 volunteers from the different
(which crosses a fork of Black River
States; whereu pon, on the 17th, Virginia about one and a half miles from Hamp-
passsed her ordinance of Secession, (sub. ton, on the road to Bethel,) and await
sequently ratified by the people by a ma-
orders there. Then calling to his as-
jority of nearly 100,000 voters,) and on
sistance Lieut. Cutshaw, of the regular
the 20th large reinforcements were
army of the Confederate States, his
landed at Fortress Monroe
commandant of cadets at the Academy,
(afterwards colonel of artillery under
THE DOGS OF WAR"
Stonewall Jackson, and now the accom -
were thus let loose at our very hearth-|| plished engineer of the City of Rich-
stones, and our people, to a man, arose ll mond,) and causing

422
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
THE BRIDGE TO BE SET ON FIRE,
they proceeded across it to ascertain the
meaning of this incursion. Seeing the
rising flames, the enemy advanced at a
double-quick pace, and Lieut. Cutshaw
was directed to ride forward and inquire
with what intent he came. The response
was that he had orders to march into
Hampton. Major Cary then met Col.
Phelps and remonstrated with him upon
this invasion as an act of war not justi-
fied by the existing state of affairs, stat
ing that the town was filled with women
and children whose security would be
endangered by this stop. Col. Phelps
insisted that he must obey orders, and
attempted to arrest the fire by destroy.
ing the timbers of the bridge. At length
the matter was compromised by mutual
pledges that no violence should be com-
mitted on either side, and Major Cary
having ordered the flames to be extin-
guished, the Federal troops marched
into town with Col. Phelps and himself
walking together at the head of the regi.
ment.
Murmurs, not loud but deep, were
heard on every side, and the excited
citizens could with difficulty restrain
their wrath, but it was the old story of
the "King of France with 20,000 men,'?
and the excitement was soon quelled
by the countermarching of the troops
and their return to the fort. But,
had a single shot been fired, the result
would have been the destruction of
the town with the loss of many innocent
and helpless lives and the permanent
occupation of Yorktown, (then beld
by three companies of infantry, under
Maior, afterwards Col. Montague.) which
was for twelve months afterwards one of
the great obstacles in the "on to Rich.
mond.'
Gen. B. F. Butler was at that time in
command at Old Point, and held posses-
sion of a number of runaway slaves,
who had escaped from Hampton. Upon
the complaint of prominent citizens,
Major Cary sent a flag of truce to Gen.
Butler, probably the first of the war,
asking for a conference with the view of
learning the line of policy he proposed
to adopt towards the people. Gen. But-
ler responded favorably, and that after-
noon (the 24th of May) was appointed
for the meeting. The details of this in-
terview have been reported with toler-
able accuracy in a Northern campaign
paper engaged in the futile attempt to
raise a boom for Gen. Butler for the
Presidency. The general vaunted his
State-rights doctrines claiming credit
for having voted for Jefferson Davis
fifty-two times in
THE CHARLESTON CONVENTION,
and stated that he had come down to
Virginia to teach the people Jeffersonian
Democracy; to which his interlocutor
replied that he was not aware that Vir-
ginia needed instruction in political
science, but that if such were the case
she would certainly not select him as
ber preceptor. The discussion pro-
ceeded pleasantly for two hours, during
which the general applied for the first
time, it is believed, the title of "Coptra.
band'' to the slaves of the Southern peo-
ple. When about to separate Major
Cary remarked he had only one request
to make personal to himself, which was
that he might be allowed to move his
library to a place of safety, (the port of
Hampton being blockaded and no in-
gress or egress being allowed by water.)
This favor Butler promised to grant on
the plea that "books neither fed nor
clothed an army, and the next day he
sent the required “permit” to take them
to Smithfield, Va. Hampton, however,
was evacuated on the following Monday,
before there was any opportunity of
taking advantage of this courtesy; but
Gen. Butler was not forgetful of his
promise, as will be seen from the fol-
lowing communication voluntarily sent,
under a flag of truce after the engage-
ment at Bethel:
"H DQRS, DEPT, OF VIRGINIA, I
June 22, 1861.
Major John B. Cary-- Dear Sir: Finding
that your library had been disturbed at
Hampton, I have done that which I advised
you to do-brought it to Fortress Monroe for
safe-keeping, where it awaits your requisi-
tion, ueless you deem it safer there than any.
where else you can send it.
I have the honor to remain, very respect.
fally, your obedient servant,
BENJ. F BUTLER,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.”
Every effort was made to profit by
this unexpected kindness, as the books
possessed a value far greater than their
intrinsic worth. Communications were
sent and interviews sought twice under
a special flag of truce; but the rest was
silence," and the library was never ro-
covered. After the war, it was found to
have been placed in the hospital, (now
the Soldiers' Home, near Hampton,)
where a few scattered and defaced vol-
umes were collected and brought away
as souvenirs of the traditional
FAIRNESS OF LOVE AND WAR.
On the 27th of May the enemy landed
troops at Newport News, which ren-
dered Hampton untenable, and made it
necessary to evacuate the town before all
chance of retreat was cut off. So Major
Cary ordered his battalion to fall back
to Bethel (where two weeks later occur-

THE BURNING OF HAMPTON.
423
red the first engagement of the war,) | and so had these gentlemen, (pointing to
notifying the citizens that "New Bridge those around him who owned property
would be burnt that afternoon. The in the town,) than see it shelter the
families of the soldiers; unwilling to be enemy.”
separated from their natural protectors So as soon as it was dark four com-
made ready in haste, and the exodus panies, two of infantry and two of cay-
was universal. Every available means alry, under the command of Col. Hodd-
of transportation was seized upon to ers, of Portsmouth, (who was, how-
convey the distressed women and chil-, ever, to be guided by Major Phillips's
dren to the neighboring towns of York advice, on account of his familiarity
and Williamsburg. Their altars and with the place,) entered the town to burn
firesides were deserted, and the home. it. The infantry. (save twenty men de-
tailed by Major Phillips to "picket the
stopped not to save their most precious Hampton Bridge,) were stationed at the
relics. The old portraits were left hang Il "Old Church.'' in the western portion of
ing on the walls, (afterwards to be the town, while Major Phillips with his
hacked by ruthless swords,) the family dragoons, (dismounted,) went forward
china was not taken from the closet, to fulfil the hard duty assigned them.
nor even the sweetmeats from the pantry.
And this recalls a letter written by a each squad in charge of one fourth of
dainty old maiden-lady, who thought the town, and many with heroic heart
with John Wesley, that cleanliness was and hand, applied the torch to their own
next to godliness. After describing the homes, so that ere-long the victorious
vandalism which broke up all the fur flames leaped up to the starry skies, and
niture, cut the piano into pieces with an | tongues of fire proclaimed afar the fate
axe, and shattered the cut-glass, she of our little Moscow..
adds-waxing yet more indignant as she
reaches what she considers the climax there was not a single house left stand-
of all this iniquity-"and, God forgive
them! They smeared preserves all over ter a sick and infirm old woman. Not
a murmur escaped the lips of those who
This was the first evacuation of the thus sacrificed their all and counted
war, and, from that unhappy day until their losses gain for the sake of the cause.
the last tragic scenes of defeat and des. What a wanton and useless sacrifice it
pair, the unfortunato refugees of this proved to be was never realized until
little town wandered from pillar to post wretched peace had come again and the
struggling with untold privations and weary exiles returned to the blackened
anxieties, homeless and almost ponny ruins, and found themselves, indeed,
less for four long and weary years.
anaidst “the abomination of desolation
"My heart is torn everyday," writes spoken of by the prophet." The host
one of the officers from Yorktown, "by of negroes had built up a wilderness of
the sufferings of our people, of the huts and cabins in place of the old
wives and children of the privates, with homesteads; there was not a landmark
nothing to live on but the pittance of the left of other days,
soldier, and provisions so scarce and
high that a good meal is unknown even
THE LARES AND PENATES
to the wealthy. Only yesterday our old were swept away, and even the blue
friend, J. M., had to make a coffin for his waters seemed sad and sluggish. Peace
own child !
On the 7th of August Gen. McGruder, forever more!
(then encamped near New Market,) or But, sad as was this burnt offering of
dered Major Jeff. Phillips, of the Third our homes and household gods, it bore
Virginia Cavalry, (which regiment con. no comparison in depth of anguish and
tained the Old Dominion Dragoons from blackness of despair to the fall of Rich-
Hampton and vicinity,) to report to him mond and the evacuation thereof."For,
at a house about two miles from town,
in the beginning of the struggle hope
was buoyant and courage undaunted;
gentlemen. He said to him: “I have patriotism was all aglow, privations
determined
smiled at sacrifices easy, and to die for
one's country” was, indeed, "a sweet and
TO BURN HAMPTON.
beautiful thing." Ah! how we loved
“An article appeared a few days ago in osthe Cause,'' wo Southern matrons and
a Northern paper, stating that the United maidens! How fervently we prayed
States troops would make Hampton for victory and success! How proudly
their headquarters during the coming we sent forth our loved ones, dearer to
winter. I would rather see it burned, 1 us than “the ruddy drops that visit our

424
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
sad hearts, inspired by our ardor,
girded by our prayers, baptized by our
tears, and often, alas! mourned over as
our slain! We said as did one before us:
"Better a country without a husband
than a husband without a country.''
Verily this "amor patrio'' was a pas-
sion with us like the romance of early
love, and though so ill-starred, it is well
for us to have known it; it enables us
to comprehend Joan of Arc, Charlotte
Corday, and Madam Roland; it teaches
us to appreciate the pure patriot, and to
train up the new generation to worship
PRINCIPLE INSTEAD OF POLICY
and right instead of might knowing
verily, that failure in the cause of truth
is better than success unworthily gained.
Our noble struggle for the right of self-
government was no "rebellion."
"Treason never prospers-what's the reason ?
Why, if it prospers, it is not treyson!"
And this was the difference between
Washington and Leo--the war of the
Revolution and the war between the
States ! But this lofty patriotism was
struck dumb and lifeless by the blow
which wrecked the Cause, and we have
buried it in the graves of our dead
heroes, saying: "They were united in
life, in death let them not be divided."
Within its empty shrine we have placed
the stern and sad images of Duty and
Loyalty--may God help us to hold thena
sacred ! * * * * * * *
During those sad days a friend sent
us some tender stanzas, which were but
the translation into verse of the heart-
meditations of many a gentle maiden.
They were entitled "My Soldier," and
were as follows:
Is my darling sadly dreaming on his lonely
watch to-night
of the home where happy faces beamed with
such a loving light?
Does he hear the merry laughter, hear the
old sweet songs again,
entle touch of fingers softly sooth-
ing heart and brain ?
Ah! too dimly, ah! too sadly, die the smiles
and gongs of yore,
Till God sends the dreaming soldier to our
longing hearts once more!
Is he lying sorely stricken, fever-scorched on
lips and brow,
Murmuring faintly names of dear ones, dear
ones all unanswering now;
Shrieking out each gastly vision, dark with
dread, or mad with pain,
Visions such as naunt the chambers of the
sick bewildered brain ?
God have pity on my darling, give those sad
beseeching eyes
Slumbers such as used to bless them, morn-
ings such as used to rise !
Is my darling daring nobly where the battle
thunders peal,
Fiery-eyed and gallant hearted, dashing on.
ward steel to steel!
Or with front of stern defiance, does he breast
the foeman's way,
Standing where the headlong billows break
and sink in scattered spray ?
God protect him, God preserve him in the
hour of desperate strife,
Or from earth'& poor faintexistence raise him
to Heaven's perfect life!
But these prayers and dreams were all
of no avail, and there came that sad Sun-
day which none of us can ever forget,
when we first heard the dreadful intelli-
gence that Richmond, the capital of our
Soutbern Confederacy, was to be sur-
rendered. Every woman and child had
her own individual experience on
THAT EVENTFUL DAY,
and with each one it was a tale of un-
precedented woe. For ourselves, the
tale may be told, but not the woe; the
events depicted, but not the anguish.
The account bas often been written bow
President Davis was summoned from
St. Paul's Church by tidings of the re-
verses at Petersburg, and how the news
that Richmond was to be evacuated
spread from lip to lip, as the various
congregations poured forth from the
churches. We could not believe it. It
burst upon us like the traditional clap
of thunder from a clear sky, and
we were confounded beyond ex-
pression. Every heart realized that
if this report was true, our cause
was lost and our desperate struggles and
sacritices were all in vain. We were
living in the country, about four miles
from town, just outside the fortifications
surrounding the city. That Sunday we
had driven into church with our father,
thon on duty in Richmond, leaving the
rest of the family at home quiet and un-
excited. We waited only long enough
to ascertain that our worst fears were
realized, and then drovo rapidly home-
ward burdened with the news we had to
break to the helpless ones so totally un-
prepared to hear it. Incredulity, dis-
may, despair and dumb endurance each
in turn greeted our sad recital. They
had not believed it possible that the God
of battles would permit our defeat and
overthrow, so firmly convinced were
they we "had our quarrel just."
The whole of that terrible night we
did not close our eyes, nor even retire to
our chambers, but were busily engaged
assisting the head of the family, our only
stay on earth, in his preparations to go
forth on the morrow's dawn, leaving us
to meet the foe alone and unprotected.
Life has not many such supreme mo-
ments or reason could not stand the
straip. As we calmly and quietly plied
our task, our present bereavement and
the future terrors which threatened us

THE BURNING OF HAMPTON.
425
stood out distinctly before us, just as with the salutation of good morning,
they tell us the drowning man sees the uncle !"
panorama of his whole life. We suffered "By your father's, or your mother's
WHOLE “ILIADS OF WOE,"
side ?'' was the insolent query of our
but we gave no sign; no word of en-
compulsory escort.
Words failed us to respond. This same
treaty or cowardly fear escaped our lips
to keep our loved ones from the path of
lieutenant told us thatit was the proudest
duty and honor. No, should our hearts
moment of his life, when he entered
Richmond, at the head of his negro com.
break, as we felt they must, he must
follow the retreating army and defend
pany, singing “Babylon is fallen, Baby-
our forlorn hope. And so, as the day
lon the great is fallen! We mentally
broke upon that terrible 3d of April,
continued the quotation "and is become
we bid farewell to the dear father after
the habitation of devils, and the hold of
he had committed us to God's keeping
every foul spirit, and a cage of every un-
clean and hateful bird."
in a few words of agonized prayer, and
Another officer from Connecticut, told
were left alone in our desolation, help-
us "he could understand, now, since he
less and hopeless, without money and
without friends, to await the coming of
had seen the Southern women, why the
the unscrupulous and exultant enemy.
men fought so bravely and held out so
The earliest rays of the rising sun
long as they did.”
But why dwell on the anxious waiting
shone upon a company of splendidly-
mounted Federals, in full pursuit of our
and watching of those days of captivity-
when we could hear no word of the fate
retreating men, and by breakfast time
numbers of armed negroes, in the uni-
of our loved soldiers; when we felt we
form of the United States army, filled
would coin our hearts into drachmas
our yard, broke open our barn, took the
and give them all for one glimpse of the
pittance of corn left therein and finally
beloved grey coats; when the enemy
would visit us and retail the rumors of
departed, accompanied by every ser-
vant on the place except one young girl.
our losses and their victories, (all of
The battery, within a short walk of our
which were received "with a grain of
salt," not unmixed with anxiety.) and,
house, proved to be manned by negro
troops, and never can we forget the
finally, how the news was brought that
thrill of terror with which we recognized
Lee had surrendered and disbanded his
army. Ah! how terrible is the memory
them as our conquerors and realized
even of those dark days, when not one
we were entirely at their mercy. Feel-
ray of promise illumined our gloom and
ing the imperative need of some protec-
tion, our mother sought the colonel in
helplessness! Strange that we could
command and requested him to give us
ever learn to be glad again
a guard for the house. He heard “E'en in cowslip time, when hedges sprout!"
her with much politeness, (he was
But God is good, and Time, the great
a Frenchman,) and assured her,
healer and consoler, teaches us that
in his broken English, that he
would use every means to preserve
Hope itself can smile at length,
discipline, though he frankly told
On other hopes gone from us.
us he feared it would not be easy to keep But even in the midst of our grief,
his elated negro troops in check, espe. and wrath and humiliation, there were
cially, madame, as your husband is with touches of humor that for a moment
Lee!" He promised, however, to use
LIT UP THE DARK
his influence in our behalf, and he did
so. Let me here record it for we were
and made us smile—the smile that ever
the only persons in the neighborhood
lies so near the sigh in times of excited
who escaped further pillage and insult!
feeling. Two of our neighbors came
We were very lonely, cut off as we were
over to share our loneliness, and one of
from the outside world. No one was
them (whose irrepressible tongue and
allowed to visit us without a guard, nor
irresistible repartee so infuriated her
could we go to them--so, occasionally,
hostile visitors that it became unsafe for
we called upon some of our neighbors
her to stay at home alone with her in-
escorted by one of the lieutenants. One
valid brother) kept us laughing often in
morning as we were walking along the
the midst of our tears. She gave each
grassy lanes on our way to see a friend,
one of us a soubriquet appropriate to
under the unwelcome espionage of a
our views of the situation. Our mother
dapper little
was "Faith;' our younger sister (who
would never despair) was "Hope;' and
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCHMAN,
the poor colonei, her brother, with his
we met an old negro man whom we gout, rheumatism and patriotism, each a
accosted, after the Virginia custom, ll sore "thorn in the flesh,” she christened
54

426
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Long-Suffering;" while we tried to ap The women of the South braved all,
propriate the name and character of endured all until the end, and after-
“Patience between us, but both sig wards, and when the issue was decided
nally failed to deserve either the title or they took up the burden of the altered
the attributes of this sweet Christian situation with cheerfulness and resigna-
grace ! At last we awoke one morning tion. They had not lived four years in
and found every one of our dusky ene the midst of civil conflicts, of retrench-
mies gone-ordered to Texas-and great ment, of daily, yea hourly sacrifice, with-
was our relief and self-congratulation! out coming forth purified from the
And then came the sad home-coming flames and strengthened for that after-
of the paroled soldiers ! Weary, dis math of sorrow yet to come.
pirited, dejected, heart-broken they It is my purpose in this sketch to
came, one by one, and day by day, each speak of our deprivations and how we
greeted with streaming eyes and ro bore them, and of our ingenuity in over-
sponding with such tears as strong men || coming them and supplying these defi.
seldom weep. It was all over at last, and ciencies. The lady who folds away her
the blood so freely poured out and the sealskin of to-day, or who arrays her
sacrifices so gladly made all went for person in lustrous Ottoman, has only to
naught; while upon innumerable battle let her thoughts wander back twenty
fields throughout the sunny Southland years to recall
sleep the silent army of the dead, who
A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE.
gave their liyes in vain-
"The goodliest fellowship of famous knights,
When the war opened we had plenty
Whereof this world holds record,
of good clothes to begin with, every
Such a sleep they sleep, the men we love !" family of average means being supplied
with a wardrobe for a year to come,
with the exception of gloves and shoes!
No. 72.-The Way We Lived Then.
Perhaps I should make an exception in
the case of clothes of growing children.
Children outgrow their little garments
(By Rose W. Fry, of Bowling Green, Ky.)
from month to month, and a child will
run through a pair of shoes in six weeks.
It has often been said that the heroism Leather then became an article much in
demand. All the heavy grades were re-
of the Southern woman lengthened the
served for the army, and the most fas-
civil conflict several years, and that the tidious belle was glad to incase her
efforts of those in the field were sus dainty soles in soft calfskin or sheep-
tained by the courage of the women at
skin
home. Be this statement true or other-
The great difficulty lay in the fact that
we had always looked to the North for
wise, it is conceded that the women of
everything, from a hair-pin to a shoe-
the South threw their whole souls into string, and from a cradle to a coffin.
the struggle and did their utmost to im-
The South was agricultural and not in-
ventive. But with the war came the
part courage and comfort to the soldiers
blockade, a stoppage of all commercial
in the field.
intercourse between the two sections.
The contrast between Southern women Hence came our first trouble in obtain-
and their Northern sisters was striking. ing supplies.
The Northern woman was never called The merchants? counters were quickly
upon to endure. She lived far from the depleted, and wares which had been
seat of war and carnage; the sword did laid on the shelf for years as useless
not cross her threshold-the smoke of now met with a ready sale. We were
battle did not dim her sight—the foe did often in need of a needle to patch our
not trample her heritage, burn her clothes. The blockade-runners imported
barns, rob her orchards, devastate her
what they could, but far from sufficient
firésides, pillage her altars, and drive to supply our ever-growing needs. The
her forth a homeless wanderer on the
advent of a sutler in camp or town was
face of mother earth. One only throe
hailed with delight. He carried such
they shared in common, the loss of their
essential articles as pins, needles, thread,
sons and brothers.
buttons, tape, domestics,
In those cruel days women moaned in Prices rose steadily from 1861 to 1865.
the anguish of desolation.
The first year we paid 50 cents in Vir-
“Dead! one of them shot by the sea in the
ginia currency for English calicoes; the
East,
second, $1 in Confederate script, per
And one of them shot in the West by the sea,
yard, and so on up to ten and twenty
Dead! both my boys!"
Il dollars per yard! I went

THE WAY WE LIVED THEN.
427
THROUGH THE WAR IN FOUR CALICOES, | shirts and skirts. The click of the
and when I close my eyes I can see those
needle was heard in every household.
My mother knit on an average three
precious calicoes yet! The first was
an English calico, black and white; the
pairs of socks per week for the boys in
the field, whenover the material could
second a purple, such as old ladies dote
on; the third a black with pin dots, and
be obtained.
the fourth a lilac, which figured up in
Our shoes were carefully husbanded;
happy was that maiden whose lover
the nineties. But the supply even of
captured and sent her a pair when out
the most antiquated fabrics did not
equal the demand. We turned and
on a raid. Sheepskin made a soft but
stretchable shoe.
twisted and stretched our store goods to
I remember having
my measure taken for a pair which were
their utmost tension. We cut off our
laced inside fashion, and which came
trains and shortened our skirts.
Our household (a set of refugees) con-
home to me
sisted of eight females. Picture the
TWO INCHES TOO LONG!
amount of domestic requisite to cover that || But what did that matter? They were
agregate of femininity! We cut up the shoes! We gave as high as $125 for a
household linen. Wo wore calico bed pair of kid boots !
gowns. We quilted winter petticoats. We We formed ourselves into co-operative
dyed our faded merinoes. We knitted cot societies. I have seen the most delicate
ton hose. We borrowea of each other. fingers toiling over a coarse fly tent,
We had our times for staying at home.” coarso jean trousers or jacket, heavy
We each took it in turn.
woollen shirt, cloth. cap, and cloth over-
Our grandmother's treasures were coat. We quilted comforts. We pieced
overhauled, and a harvest of old laces quilts. We made carpets. We utilized
rewarded our search. We hemstitched every stray rag or paper which came
linen collars and kerchiefs. We braided Il in our way. We did what we could.
straw for hats, dyed and varnished them, No Southern lady failed in hospital
twisted a gay ribbon around the crown, duty, in nursing the sick and wounded,
and voila tout, the hat was done.
in conjuring up delicacies for those toss-
We laughed at these experiences, but ing in fever-wards, or spinning out a
we were young and in a garrisoned long, dreary convalescence in the hospi-
town, where oficers in grey with gold tal wards. And always her toars fell
lace flourished. Ergo, it became us to upon the sod of the untimely dead!
look beautiful in their eyes, to put on | We had mutual benefit societies. I had
goodly apparel, and, to the extent of our a twin sister, and as we had always
ability, we did, after the manner of
dressed alike up to the period of the war,
THE MAIDS OF ISRAEL.
we now covered our deficiencies by
converting two half-worn dresses
Sometimes in spite of our care we were
into one. We each lost a wornout gar-
clad in motley garments, but we wore
ment, but gained by the exchange one
them with all the grace of true Southern
pieced but whole garment. For girls of
women.
twelve would keep on growing even if
Our fingers were never idle, nor did
the wardrobe at home was empty and
they stop at the adornment of self. We
the war at its hottest crisis. I soon out-
stitched incessantly. What a precious
grew my gray cloth cloak, it was cut
thing a needle was in those days! Bone
down into a jacket. Later on my aunt
and wooden knitting-needles were used
gave me an old black cloak which did
when steel failed. In those days we
duty until the winter of 1865.
turned manufacturers. The hum of our
We had one velvet jacket amongst
grandmother's spinning-wheel was
five girls. It was aired on all festive oc-
heard all through the land; we picked
casions, and came out triumphantly at
wool and cotton, carded and twisted it,
the close of the conflict.
and where there were no mills, spun the
To sum up all in a word, we bore
yarn and wove the fabric.
bravely every reverse of fortune, penury,
We wove domestic and linsey-Woolsey.
want and privation, for were not'our
Black and white check was very popu-
boys in the field? We sent them there
lar; gray and brown flannels piped with
with
scarlet, made very pretty and service-
OUR PRAYERS AND OUR TEARS,
able suits. Then Garibaldi's came into
Vogue; these were made of every mate and we sent after them our hearts and
rial from velvet to muslin, and worn our aspirations. We spurned soft living
with black or plaid skirts. Cotton and when their pillow might be the cold
woolen yarn was used for a hundred ground, their fare a crust. We followed
different purposes. It was knitted into them in dreams. We welcomed every
gloves, caps, jackets, conaforters, socks, ll soldier in the name of our common

428
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
cause. We gave to them if nothing tions : "What shall we eat and drink?".
more, a draught of milk; it was our all. || The economy they practiced, the devices
The plainest soldier represented per-| they resorted to to swell their menu
chance a husband, brother, father in cur would fill volumes.
eyes.
Wheat, rye, corn and chestnuts were
The shadow was always over us in used as substitutes for Java and Mocha.
those days; we know not at what mo Sassafras and other herbs were infused
ment it might fall. It did fall upon as teas. These were sweetened with
some of us very early in the struggle. brown or maple sugar. Molasses and
A brother, the eldest born, only twenty strained honey were in demand for put-
two, lay with the dead heroes at Manas ting up fruit and manufacturing con-
sas, shot through the heart.
serves. Sorghum, made from the Chi-
My first mourning was very simple. nese sugarcane, was an acrid syrup in
A black calico, a black ribbon twisted high favor at the table and for making
round my leghorn hat, a dyed marino black and ginger cakes. Very fre-
that was all-but oh ! the horror of it, quently these cookies were called ginger
the unutterable sadness of that first merely in compliment. Spices were
shadow, long, long did it last. That hard to obtain and often of most indif-
manly form, that fresh heart, that fer ferent quality. Dried fruits were our
vent manhood hidden away in an un great stand-by, as these could be pre-
timely grave! Afterwards came others; served without sugar. Molasses and
the surrender, a dead father, a forsaken | apple pies formed our great rallying-
home, poverty, toil and trouble—but point wherever the question of dessert
nothing can over efface the darkness of presented itself to our vexed minds.
that first shadow !
Doughnuts were great favorites with the
Oh! well might the anguished mother soldiers, and the best our boards afforded
weep, as her boy, in his gay uniform were always set before them. Butter-
with the proud, firm tread marched milk was a favorite draught. corn-bread
away from her thai, bright June day. pones baked in a Dutch oven took the
Oh! well might the giri at her side weep place of sweetened puddings. Eggs and
in dumb, silent sympathy; they were butter were often scarce, and impossible
destined never to behold their beloved to buy in the winter season. I
again.
At Christmas our skill was taxed to
Yet there was marrying and giving in the utmost to spread the festal board as
marriage in those disturbed days. The in days before the war. The smoking
great difficulty lay in procuring a suita turkey was there, but where were the
ble trousseau, yet what girl would marry generous dishes that
without one? A friend of mine was
married in the winter of 1862. Her
FLANKED IT IN DAYS OF YORE!
mother's household linen, consisting of The flaming plum pudding, the rich
sheets and pillow slips, furnished her fruit cake, the spicy mince pie. We
underwear, which was trimmed with substituted black cake and moiasses, or
hand-made embroidery. The wedding suet pudding, eaten with sauce. Dried
gown, a brown silk, shot with gold, currents took the place of raisins, and
came from Richmond. It cost five
home-made wines of claret and Ma-
hundred dollars. The bonnet was of deira.
mauve velvet with gray plumes. The
Cordials were carefully made and kept
groom's present was a purse of two hun. for the sick. Medicines were scarce and
dred dollars. On another occasion a hard to obtain, so we fell back upon na-
groom was
ture and old ladies' simples horebound.
MARRIED IN A BORROWED COAT
mint, catnip tea and other decoctions,
roots and extracts. Turpentine gotten
and boots. An engagement ring, a plain in the forests of North Carolina was our
gold band, cost $270 in the winter of 1864. most valuable remedy. It was used in
A young widow had difficulty in fevers, colds, sore throats, bruises,
procuring a widow's garb. In her ex sprains, aches, &c. Morphine, and qui-
tremity she applied to me. My black nine came to us in small quantities from
merino and grenadine were exchanged the surgeons' chests. Mustard, black
for a cherry silk and gay colored lawn, and garden peppers also played a promi-
and with this exchange we were both nent part in domestic pharmacy.
mutually gratified.
Confederate receipt books aided us in
But if the younger ladies' ingenuity the simplification of household economy.
was taxed, as to that important question: They were small pamphlets bound in
“Wherewithal shall we be clothed ?” the coarse brown paper, and containing not
matrons had an equally difficult prob. a few useful hints for the distressed
lem to solve in answering the other ques- | housekeeper, such as a receipt for mak-

THE RAIDERS AROUND AIKEN.
429
ing apple pie without apples, by substi We were not Northen born and bred,
tuting crackers soaked in water and fla and we laid no claim to distinctive Yan-
vored with citric acid.
kee inventions-such as the manufac-
Lemons and oranges came to us from ture of paste shoes and wooden nutmegs
Florida, and goobers and pecaps from -but, when put to the test, we proved
the Carolinas and Georgia. In summer the truth of the old adage, that woman's
we lived upon a vegetable and fruit diet, wit never fails, and that woman's inge-
but in winter, corn bread and pork nuity will surmount all obstacles in ex-
formed the bulk of our living. The tremis.
country people fared better than those The war has receded into a background
living in cities, and who were dependant of nearly two score years; but the lessons
upon the market. A roast potato or bowl we learned then and the mountains we
of mush and milk often formed our bill overcame bear fruit to-day in our lives
of fare for supper in the hard season. and those of our children.
As the war advanced we were reduced
to cotton tablecloths and a most motley
"Rise, woman, rise,
To thy peculiar and best altitude,
assemblage of dilapidated tableware,
Of doing good and of enduring ill-
broken-nosed teapots, cups minus And reconciling all that good and ill
handles, ill assorted plates and miscel. Unto the measure of a perfect end !"
laneous knives and forks. Our best
things were laid aside for holiday occa-
sions. Glassware was especially hard to No 73 The Raiders Around Alken.
replace, while our cut-glass was reserved
strictly for ornamental use.
Home manufactured tables, chairs and
(By Matron, of Charleston, S. C.)
stools, covered with chintz, replaced
broken furniture. Toilet tables and Gen. Kilpatrick, the commander of the
commodes were fashioned from wooden Federal cavalry, made his appearance
boxes, set on end and draped with mus-
in Barnwell County, near Aikon, and
lin. Rugs were patched and rag carpets
woven, while parlors and halls were
established his headquarters at a little
OILED AND WAXED
wayside station on the South Carolina
in many households. Paper blinds cov Railroad, known as Johnston's Turnout,
ered our windows, and oiled paper
more familiarly called by the people
patched our broken panes! Wails were
lined with this useful material. It was
around, from a little stagnant pool close
spread under carpets and between com by, "Polecat Pond," a fitting abode for
forts. It was used wherever paste could
all vermin, if only for a time. On the
be applied, in short it served an hundred
morning of February 10, 1865, this
useful purposes after its prime use had
been served. Time would fail in re magnate in the grand army," in Con-
counting its many facile services in federate terms, (''prince of highway rob-
household and decorative art, from the bers,'') encamped at the turnout, and his
lining of a cap to the ornamentation of a horde of dastardly ruffians were imme-
mantel.
diately turned loose to rob and pillage,
Rags were never wasted in war time; to destroy and burn dwellings, barns
they, too, had a double mission to fill. and mills, to insult helpless women and
They were bought up for the paper terrify old men and children, about the
mills and returned to us in the shape of only residents left in that portion of
paper, or they went into the weaver's country, whose men had responded
loon. Linen rags were carefully treas bravely to the first call of their State to
ured up for lint and hospital bandages. arm and go forth for defence of her
The lint was made by tearing the linen coasts, or rally to the aid of sister States.
into strips, and shreding it with a knife The railroad was quickly torn up and
or pair of scissors! Many a time have I rails bent and destroyed by fire to within
seen a fair young band, (may Randall a mile or two of Aiken, where some of
pardon a free version :)
Wheeler's men, there stationed, gave
“Sifting lint for the brave who bled,
battle to the band of cavalry sent to burn
And watched their fingers float and flow that pretty little town, and after some
Over the linen as, thread by thread,
sharp fighting drove them back with
It flaked to their laps like snow"
some loss of life and Soveral wounded.
Some time when the rumor of an ap Had that gallant little band pursued the
proaching battle reached our ears we fugitives for a few miles, so affrighted
would collect together at
were they at the unexpected defence
SOME FRIENDLY HOUSE
that their entire camp might have been
and wear away the day in this fashion. | captured, as the flying cavalry, headed

430
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
the constration of the tow would not be
by their valiant commander, (as was | sounds already enumerated the screams
afterwards told by some of the people of the poor feathered community as they
living near,) dashed in, ordered tents were chased and killed, the squealing
struck, men to boot and saddle, wagons of pigs and the neighing of horses, the
limbered, and everything ready for crash of broken glass and china, and the
hasty and immediate retreat. But alas ! pandemonium was complete. Mirrors
our little band of defenders, as was too were smashed, doors broken down with
often the case, were too few to pursue the butts of their rifles, and bureaus,
the enemy and had to rest content with presses and trunks ransacked and their
the consciousness of work well done in contents eagerly examined and appro-
the preservation of the town.
priated, or else torn to shreds and scat.
The advantage gained could not be tered over the large halls.
followed up, and the neighborhood for This, as before remarked, had to be
many miles around was left perfectly witnessed and heard, not imagined.
at the mercy of a horde-not of men, The constant clashing of their swords as
but of demons, emphatically so termod they rushed up and down the wide stair-
by an old gentleman whose home they case, their eager cries for gold and silver,
fired whilst yet he and his wife were demands for firearms and ammunition
within it, although pledged not to de caused uproar and confusion beyond de-
stroy it, by its mistress giving up to one scription.
who seemed to be in command a few gold The lady of the house, one of the ma-
pieces in her possession. The aged trons of the land, whose two noble sons
couple, bereft of home and shelter, for within one short month of each other
every building on their place was burned, had laid down their young lives in their
were compelled to walk some miles bo country's cause, now approached one of
fore daylight and seek a shelter from a the better looking of the gang and asked,
friend and relative.
"Are you an officer ?”
About two miles west of the station "I am, madam."
was a comfortable home built in the "Then I claim your protection for the
midst of a hilly section and thickly sur ladies seated in this room, whom some
rounded by the pine forest of that re-
of your men are terrifying with their
gion. It had been deemed sufficiently threats.'
secure from invasion, and safe for the “You shall have it, madam. God
females of the family to remain, and knows I am disgusted with all this." T
even receive for protection some friends Assured somewhat of his prompt ac-
and relatives from the city. Their quiet quiescence, as he left her presence, and,
and peaceful life was rudely broken into as she thought in her simplicity, went
on the morning of February 10 by the to summon a guard, she walked into the
rapid galloping of about sixty horse next room filled with raiders, and to her
men,
surprise there beheld him hard at
WHO DASHED INTO THE YARD,
work with all the others, with hearty
almost riding their horses into the piazza good will filling his pockets with valua-
at the back of the house, and crying out,
bles from a trunk which had been packed
"Here we are ! Come and see the Yan with care and placed for safekeeping in
kees and bring out all your firearms, a lady's bed-room. Simpletons that the
and tell us how you like us." They soon women were to think that any spot could
dismounted, turned their horses loose, or would be held sacred from such
and their numbers, increased by fresh thieves! And here, en passant, it may
arrivals, soon filled the large house. not be amiss to chronicle that when some
Then commenced a scene which must months after the so-called peace this
have been witnessed to be conceived or little episode was related by a lady eye-
believed, and which, with the respite of
witness of these scenes to a Federal
only a few hours after nighifall, con. officer, his undisguised mirth could
tinued for three days!
not be concealed, and as he asked pardon
The fearful yelling, cursing, singing, for laughing, said, "Excuse me, madam,
whistling, banging upon two pianos at but I did not know our men were so
the game time, and shouting to each smart."
other as some new treasure thought to
have been safely concealed was found,
SO MUCH FOR YANKEE SYMPATHY!
turned the place into a pandemonium. At one time a horrible looking ruffian
They ordered the negroes, who were all strode into the room where all the ladies,
gathered in the kitchen. to turn around some eight or ten in number, with four
sharp and cook them a dinner. And little children and their white nurse
then the constant crack of the revolvers were seated, and shutting the doors,
filled the air as they shot down the poul said, "Now I know there are gold
try to furnish the dinner. Add to the I watches in this room; every one of you

THE RAIDERS AROUND AIKEN.
431
women turn out your pockets." This as well to say here that the silver hap-
modest little request was complied with pily escaped discovery and some time
by the alarmed group, and whilst the after was made available by the widowed
villain, with oaths and curses on each laùy to whom it belonged. This was the
one in particular and all in general, was first day's experience of a Yankee raid.
gloating over two gold watches, sundry Next morning early a terrified little
purses and some jewels this mancuyre darky rushed in, crying out, “Oh, Misses !
had procured him, the lady of the house Misses ! dey's all a comin' again. I hear
quietly opened the doors, and calling de guns and de horses a gallopin' down
to one of her faithful servants who had de road. Oh, Misses! do hide and do
remained as near as he could all the time, hide me too, 'cause yesterday dey broke
bade him stay in the room. The fidelity into paupa house, smash up he box, tak
of this most excellent creature during way he good coat Mass Frank bin gib
this trying time, indeed throughout the hima, tek all mammy's blankets; dey
whole war, whilst his master was absent, find 'Uncle Sol's silver watch he bin done
and long after, until his death, deserves bury under the door sill; and, oh,
to be recorded in letters of gold. He Misses, dey eben tief my comb and my
took his stand just at the back of the teet brush !"
young mistress to whom he was devo Poor Joe, who was quite a pet in the
tedly attached; and there, with folded establishment, far from receiving the
arms and ready heart, stood steady as a sympathy and condolence be craved,
rock to do her bidding.
was greeted with a shout of laughter
"Now," said the Yankee, again ad from the whole group to whom he was
dressing the lady of the homestead, tearfully disclosing his grievances—for
"you've got to tell me where you have this last theft of his "teet brush” capped
hidden the silver belonging to this large the climax.
establishment Tell at once, or I will This day passed like the preceding-we
burn your house over your heads this were in constant terror. The weather
night.”
was bitterly cold, and the crowd outside
Finding it not possible to destroy her and indoors forbade the servants to bring
calm or obtain any other answer savo in any wood to keep up our fire. One
the one already given, that the silver good servant, however, the nurse of one
had all passed into the possession and of the children, crept round through a
pockets of his comrades early on that side window with an armful of light-
same day, he walked up and down the wood, and when she entered the room,
room uttering oaths 80 profane and ap and saw the devastation and destruction
palling as to be happily not understood of all that she had always held sacred,
by many present, expectorating in burst into tears and went out sobbing
every direction, regardless of even the to tell the others in the kitchen, “Dem
ladies' dresses, and with a fearful oath debbils jist is ruined everyting in de
informing the mistress that she was not house."
telling him the truth. Then he sud The suffering was not confined alone
denly turned upon the man seryant, still to cold, for throughout the entire day
at his post, caught him by the ear and no food had been allowed to come into
holding his pistol to his head said, “You the house for its inmates. Five times
are as big a Rebel as any of this lót; tell did the cook try to get some little nour-
me where is all the silver I know belongs ishment smuggled in, and each time
here, or your hour is come; I'll blow your was it taken from her and devoured by
brains out."
some one of the many who continued to
The good follow never quailed or spoke, arrive each hour almost.
but suffered himself to be dragged from The head of the house, with a view to
the room by the wretch, who, finding the comfort of his family, had secured a
himself foiled in his hopes of discovering fine supply of provisions, sufficient to
hidden treasure or of terrifying the last for months. Little listed he who
negro into a betrayal of trust, sent him would partake thereof, else he might not
out of the house with a volley of abuse. have been quite so lavish. A smoke-
This most excellent and trusty fellow house well filled with home-cured hams
had in the dead of the night before and bacon, corn in quantity for the ne-
really buried a box of silver left in groes and the animals, flour enough for
charge of the family by an absent friend; the year, sugar and coffee, and a barrel
but in view of instant death, with
of rice, (of which more anon,) were
preyed upon by the raiders.
THE PISTOL HELD TO HIS HEAD,
The poultry yard, the cow and hog
he never gave the least clue to the place pens were soon left without a single oc-
of concealment or betrayed the trust re cupant, save one large turkey, a gobbler,
posed in him. Peace to his ashes ! It is || which, at the first onslaught on his com-

432
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
panions, fled for safety under the kitchen, expect aught save a very sad looking
where he remained concealed from the group, if you do but cast your glance
keen eyes of the ever hungry crew until outside this room and see the destruc-
the morning of the third day, wben, tion you have wrought in a home which
venturing to put his head a little further you entered yesterday to find in comfort
out than was conducive to his well and will leave in desolation."
being, he was seen by
"Oh, well! well! you could not have
expected anything else. You are getting
OUR FAITHFUL SENTINEL,
only what you deserve, and had better
who quickly caught and hid him in the be grateful that you are not worse off.
top of a thick wild orange tree, whence And now, as my men tell me that my
he was brought after the departure of the meal is ready, I'll wish you all good-
enemy and served as food. Corn picked dav."
up by the negroes where it had been With a sweeping bow he went off.
strewn to feed the horses of the raiders, I know more than one in the group he
washed and boiled by these same faith left who would not have shed tears had
ful friends, cracked in a large wooden his meal choked him. The dining room
mortar and eaten from a tin pla e with where he and his fellow-officers sat
a small wooden paddle fashioned by Joe, down to a plentiful repast, gotten up
of "teet brush' memory, with the only regardless, adjoined the sitting-room of
knife left in the house, was a staple the family
article of diet for several days and was
THE POOR LITTLE CHILDREN,
served up with the turkey.
Every article of crockery, glass and who had been nearly twelve hours with-
china had been broken up. Not a plate, out even a roasted potato, and who of
cup, saucer or pitcher, not a knife, fork course were nearly famished, were sent
or spoon was left; and many a long day by the mistress with their white nurse
had to elapse before these necessary to the valiant captain with her compli.
articles were again in common use and ments.
the little wooden spoons, so useful then, "Please let the children have some-
hold now an honored place on the thing to eat, as they are now very bun-
étagère in the parlor. And yet withal gry.
there was no word of complaint from With a wave of the band and a scowl.
any who had so suffered. All were ing look at poor Mary, who was a most
cheerful, and each had some little adven unwilling messenger, he replied: "The
ture of her own to provoke the mirth of children! Ah, well, yes, certainly; when
the whole when assembled at night and we have finished they shall bave some-
relieved for a few hours from the pres thing."
ence of an odious foe.
True enough, when they had cleared
About midday of the second visita the table, even chewing up the bones of
tion, the group in the sitting-room were the turkey and chickens, be filled a plate
accosted by a tall, stout man, who, look with sorghum syrup, and picking up
ing around, announced himself as cap the eldest girl, a lovely child of four
tain somebody or other, of Ilinois, and summers, seated her in the middle of
said he would take a seat there with the the table, placed the plate in her lap,
family while his men were preparing and said: “Here, my dear, don't say now
him some refreshment with the aid of that you have nothing to eat."
the household cook---said aid not very Previous to the arrival of the unwel-
willingly accorded.
come and most distasteful visitors,
“A very sad-looking group, ladies,” when the tidings of their march through
he said.
Georgia and the depredations and out-
No word of answer from any one of rages there committed would reach the
the group.
quiet household. the entire seclusion of
“A rather mournful looking party," the residence and its distance from town
he again ventured; "cannot some of the or village would to them seem certainty
young ladies give us a little music on of its and their safety. Not all of them,
that piano?"
however. The venerable grandmother
The young ladies' eyes seemed glued before mentioned, from the boom of the
to their fingers, going twice as fast over first gun against Sumter had predicted
some knitting taken up with pretence of these identical scenes, and, though
work at his entrance, and still no word laughed at for her phrophecy and fore-
of answᎾr. .
boding, she remained arm in her own
While he was clearing his throat as if conviction, and now, that the Yankees
to speak again, the dignified grand really had arrived, could not help a lit-
mother of the home spoke.
tle triumphant feeling, but was never-
"I do not see,” she said, "how you can ll theless very nervous. Armed with the

THE RAIDERS AROUND AIKEN.
433
parlor poker, which she felt she could u she, too, subsided, and that the favorite
wield, not for her own defence, but for that pastime of target-shooting was not re-
of her daughter and grand-daughter, she sumed until months after.
took her stand in the doorway; but alas
These were among some of the funny
for her boasted valor! with the first
things-furnishing food for mirth when
cry for firearms, by the first fiend who other provender was scarce. In after
entered the house, the poker was quietly days, although at times it became diffi-
deposited in its accustomed corner of the
cult to refrain from laughter, not so
fireplace and the dear old lady just as much as a smile was ever seen amongst
quietly subsided into her rocking-chair,
the quiet collected group in the presence
only emerging from her silent accept-
of their invaders. One dear old lady
ance of the situation to be spokeswoman
was in her bedroom when they broke
when some hardened wretch, more im-
into it, and seeing the top of her trunk,
pudent than the others, would address
where all her best"ante-bellum" articles
the helpless group.
of clothing had been packed for safe
Another noteworthy instance of wo.
keeping, ruthlessly knocked off, she
man's valor (?) is worth recording was almost beside herself with fright,
here. The eldest daughter of the house,
and turned to a friend close by and be-
a girl of eighteen summers, was the sought her almost tearfully "For God's
heroine. A fearless rider, an excellent sake! do save my dress caps !” She was
shot with rifle and pistol from lessons overheard by the miscreant who, at that
and practice with her father and brothers,
very moment, was twirling one of the
she felt during all the war no alarm
pretty lace fabrics on his sword's point.
while riding from house to house through Tossing it yet more rapidly around he
the country mounted on her fleet and
threw it in her direction, and said, "Take
sure-footed pony, with her brother's pis your cap, and you had better be thank-
tol buckled at her side. Now that the ful it is not your Rebel head on my
time seemed to have arived for display-
sword's point.”. She scarce waited to
ing her prowess she rose to the occaslon.
see the fate of the rest of her wardrobe,
The trusted revolver was deftly fastened
but almost ran from the room lest, as
in its usual place, a long apron tied on she said, "he might be tempted to make
to entirely conceal it, and promises of for her head.”
protection were given most earnestly by The white nurse, who had made occa-
the hitherto fearless girl to some of the sional trips to her room to ascertain the
weaker and more timorous inmates of fate of her belongings, ran in to assure
the household. But how fared it with all the ladies that she had been the
this champion of the room full of almost
means of procuring them, as well as her-
trembling friends ? Alas! that it should
self, protection of which they might feel
have to be written. No sooner was the sure, for a countryman of her own, stray-
order given to turn out pockets, give up ing into her corner, had been attracted
watches, purses, firearms and jewelry," by her rosary and prayer-book, and
than the obedience of
hearing they were hers had helped her
THE FEMININE KNIGHT-ERRANT
to move her trunk, place it at the head
of the stairs, until he would return with
was even more prompt than that of the help to hide it from the others, advising
others, lest, if a closer search should be her meantime to take a seat upon it to
instituted, and her pistol discovered,
protect it until he came back. Filled
with the exulting thought of being the
some fearful penalty might be inflicted.
only one who had secured a friend, poor
Pale and agitated, she bosought an older Mary could not resist the desire of being
friend to try and get with her to one of
for the nonce protectress of the family,
and seeing the coast clear for a time, has-
the rooms up-stairs which, by some
tened down to impart the happy tidings
lucky chance might be empty of visitors, and beg them all not to be frightened
and happily reaching an almost un any more. Oh, misery ! her trunk had
looked-for haven, the buckle was hastily
been too conveniently placed for the in-
spection of a fresh gang, and she reached
unclasped with trembling fingers and
the spot in time only to find it cleaned
the hitherto cherished weapon, but now out, all her treasures carried off or scat-
a dreadful incubus, was taken off and tered and her new shoes, for which she
thrust between two matresses where, had paid the week before "the matter of
strange to say, it was found some days seventy-five dollars” thrust toe-foremost
after the Yankees left, although the bed into the fire. On the next day early one
ding had all been dragged off and some of the children, an earnest, truthful
of the pillows ripped open in their little fellow, came almost breathless to
search for treasure. Need it be said that ll his aunt saying he knew that nothing
55

434
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
would be taken away that day, as with passing reported the camp deserted, and
his own eyes he had seen
the enemy gone on its path of destruc-
tion; yet for some hours it almost seemed
THE GOOD IRISHMAN
as though the unnatural stillness which
who had promised Mary to save her prevailed where a short time since chaos
trunk coming from the store-room with reigned must be broken by the resound-
a ham and a bag of sugar. There was ing steps of the ruffians, whose rude
not much faith after that sight placed words and curses still echoed within the
by any one in the promises of this friend walls. The only stragglers, however,
in need.
were some miserable, gaunt, broken-
On the third day the raiders were down horses. left in exchange, mayhap.
if possible more reckless, boisterous for the pretty carriage ponies and fine
and destructive than ever, possibly work mules stolen from the stables.
as it was known to them, though The pressure removed, thought had at
not to the family, that it was once to be taken for immediately pro-
their last chance there. Articles for curing something like provisions for the
which they had no use, or could not household, white and colored. The ne.
conveniently carry off, were broken up; groes, without exception, had been
clothing, male and female, was torn to
shreds; the little girls' dresses were tied
TRUE AS STEEL;
around the horses necks; sheets, towels, they never wavered in their fidelity, and,
table-cloths were torn up and converted | although pretty well assured by their
into bags, when the pillow-cases had all visiting friends (who nevertheless stole
given out, for the carrying off of flour, all they could from them) that they no
sugar, meal and corn. The only thing longer owed service or obedience, they
they did not care for was the rice. One refused neither, but in every capacity
of them said: “The cursed stuff wasn't evinced docility, concern and affection.
fit to eat."
More than once were the fire fiends frus-
"Why, then," asked the mistress, who trated in their design of burning down
heard him, "have you so wantonly de the house by having the torches taken
stroyed it ??
from them by these faithful dependants;
"Oh," he replied, “when we are gone and now they cheerfully went to gather-
you all can pick it up and wash it and ing up the corn scattered about, pounded
while eating it think of the friends who it in a wooden mortar to make what is
gave you something to fill up your called “big hominy”—all the food to be
time."
had until the good citizens of Aiken and
The whole barrel had been emptied Augusta sent down meal and flour.
out on the floor, a large bag of small No time was wasted in taking up the
seed (millet) and flaxseed stirred in, broken threads so rudely and suddenly
and the whole, well trampled over, had a snapped; and the heavy losses, destruc-
coating of sorghum syrup and tobacco tion of household goods, and in some
quids poured on.
cases entire demolition of homes, were
Books, letters, valuable family papers borne with cheerfulness. There was no
were either torn up or thrown into a word of complaint save from the lady
fire kindled in the yard, which was of the lovely dress caps, who could not
fresh cause for alarm, as a high, keen quite forgive or forget their loss, and
north wind might have blown the did lament over her dainty laces. One
sparks and flames to the house at any other inmate did lift up her voice in
moment. Some of the letters were car earnest protest. She was a con-
ried off and strewn along the road, firmed invalid for the time, and
where they were gathered up for days bitterly complained that while all the
after. Some very choice paintings and rest "chewed the cud of pounded corn"
rare pictures were scattered over the she was expected and, indeed, forced to
floor, and a mixture of tomato catsup eat an egg-produced by the only hen
and sorghum syrup artistically applied left on the place in the negro quarters,
to heighten the tints and give effect to and most unselfishly brought by its
the whole. In fact, everything that the owner to her "nyung miss”-as the only
ingenuity of wicked men could invent edible to be found which could at all
to waste and destroy was brought to cater to the delicate appetite. All were
bear upon this devoted homestead. cheerful and ready to suggest and aid
This is no fancy sketch, but a plain, un in whatever could contribute to the help
varnished tale of facts. Many other in and comfort of each, especially of the
cidents come to mind, but these are aged inmates and the little children.
enough for one sitting.
These last, happily unconscious of dan-
Inoxpressible was the relief on the ger, had through all these days of terror
fourth morning when a countryman II and dismay, kept good and quiet, only

DAYS THAT ARE DEAD.
435
occasionally breaking into song at the Il routine of every-day life, their quick
wrong time, when some bars of the Southern blood stirred to its utmost.
"Bonnie Blue Flag? or “Dixie' would Only a frolic of a few weeks or months
be hastily silenced, to their incompre and then they would return covered
hensible surprise at the hushing up of with glory-not scars-and again settle
what hitherto had been encouraged and down to their hospitable, pleasant life.
admired.
There was much rushing to and fro,
Thus ended this experience with Kil much laughter and busy doing nothing;
patrick's raiders. Should another ever the masculine portion of humanity en-
come about we could scarcely with John gaged in making hot speeches, much
Gilpin say, “May we be there to see.”' drilling, also much anxiety about the fit
of their new uniforms, which would not
be soiled ere they returned, and great
No. 74.-Days that are Dead.
solicitude concerning the brightness
of their arms and warlike paraphernalia,
upon which Pomp, Josh, Tom, Cuffee,
(By Miss A. C Cooper, of Atlanta, Ga ) and a host of other fat, lazy, idle darkies
were kept at work polishing, &c., &c.
"I can but remember such things were.”
The feminine portion busied them-
selves about the many needful things
Sitting at my window this lovely morn-
conducive to the comfort of these samo
ing I look towards the west and see the helpless men-helpless in regard to the
brown bosom of "Mother Earth," all things which only a woman's quick ir-
seamed and scarred by breastworks and
tuition and deft fingers can supply. The
younger portion of these women, girls
rifle pits, mute reminders of the fearful
in the school room, who were just tast-
struggle through which we passed a ing the first sweet drops from life's jew-
score of years ago. Many of the hands
elled cup, and to whom care was but a
fable or a song, wrought early and late
which helped to dig those trenches have
on some delicate trifle dainty enough for
long since become dust; many a brave a lady's boudoir as keepsakes for
heart that beat high with hope and
THEIR GALLANT TROUBADOURS.
loyalty when first the ground was broken
There was a shimmer of bright rib-
has ceased its throbbing forever, while
bons, silk, beads, glossy satin and downy
others to whom fate was less kind still
velvet, and willing fingers soon trans-
live to suffer and mourn over a "Lost formed these delicate materials into
Cause."
smoking caps, slippers, tobacco pouches,
cigar cases, and portfolios stocked with
Where my dwelling now stands the
the contents of their own escretoires,
battle raged fiercely, and the ground rose-tinted and scented papeterie, &c.
now clothed with fragrant white hya Oh God! how inexpressibly sad it is
cinths was once covered with dead forms to look back at those happy, idle, rosy
clothed in the blue and the grey” and days! To think with what gay insou-
red with human blood alike of the loyal ciance we laughed, danced, flung gay
sons of the soil and that of the ruthless jests while we stood upon the brink
invader.” Small wonder, then, that in of a grave that, ere long, swallowed all
quiet moments my mind reverts to days that was so bright and beautiful-a grave
when the struggle began and lingers that even then yawned its dark portals
over the pictures, some grave, some gay, and cried for its victims. We have since
hungon memory's wall, and which faith realized the truth of a saying that, “We
fully portray the many scenes ere it dance to-day on the loom that will weave
ended.
us a shroud to-morrow."
To arms! to arms! was the shout that "Forward, march !" With many fare-
woke the echoes in the sweet Southland, wells, much loud drum beating and
thrilling through the mountain heights, shrill fife-playing, banners flying and
running like wildfire through the low arms glittering-some dim eyes in the
lands and dense pine forests,and, answer - ranks, not from any presentimentof evil,
ing to the call, poured forth the Southern or that the trip was aught but a frolic,
men-and even boys - eager for the fray but from sympathy with the fair friends
(or frolic.) There was not, at first, much and relatives, down whose cheeks
serious thought about it. It was only a streamed the hot tears-off they marched
frolic, a playing at war, and they would with heads erect and much attention
soon return-those handsome, stalwart paid to position of the feet, keeping time,
fellows, roused from their dolce-far &c. Many were the laughing promises.
niente existence; wakened from the dull ll given with the last farewell, of the "spoils

436
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
of war” to be brought back as keepsakes. worked very hard, as we thought, giving
Some were to have "hard-tackto re concerts, tableaux, &c., by which to raise
mind them of what our boys were com money with which to purchase articles
pelled sometimes to eat while in camp. for these boxes. I can see even now the
Others were to have a bracelet or brooch bevy of bright-eyed, red-lipped, white-
wrought from a musket or minnie ball, handed girls, flitting hither and thither
provided any were fired-there might | in their dainty dresses and bright rib-
be a slight skirmish or two, while all bons.
were to have-
What a lovely picture they made trip-
ping about, or kneeling by the huge
“Gay letters mailed
With kisses, stories of camp life, and how
boxes, packing parcels marked for John
They all loved us, and soon would come home or Lieut. So and So.
to be spoiled
I smile with a sadness akin to pain as
With their green-laurel boughs.
I recall the contents of those first boxes,
Thus with gay laughter and buoyant
the proceeds of what we called labor!
hearts off they filed down the dusty
Wines, jellies, mammoth cakes and
road, while streaming eyes looked after
confections, dainty toilet appurte.
till the last fluttering pennant waved out
nances, china and majolica shaving
of sight and the last strain of the ear-
cups, inlaid dressing cases, per-
piercing fife was lost in silence.
fumery, &c. There were bursts of
Then the reaction came. All had been
silvery laughter and little shrieks
done that could be, and the boys were
of delight as we found one more
place where something could be stowed.
really gone! Suppose something should
happen. Suppose they should have an
There were books, too-small, blue and
encounter and some be wounded ! Sup.
gold bound volumes of the poets, inter-
pose they should sicken and die! Alas!
lined with pencil, and holding between
dreadful thought!
the leaves a cluster of blue-eyed violets,
Wrinkles and sadness settled down on
purple pansies, or a geranium leaf clasp-
the brows of patient mothers who had
ing on its green heart a rosy oleander.
held up so bravely, and on wives who
Somebody's darling had said that gera.
had fastened on their husbands' swords.
ll niums and oleanders were his favorite
Heart-sobs filled every household and
flowers, so a shy little maiden with
echoed in all the highways and by-
cheeks rivalling the bloom of the olean-
ways. It appeared as though we were
der embalmed these in Tennsyson and
having a big funeral, and it was our
sent them as a "preservation against the
funeral; not mine nor yours, but ours !
heart's forgetting.” Poor, happy, simple
It was not my father and your husband;
little lassie! It is well she did not hear
not her son, brother or lover, that were
the remarks made round the camp-fire
gone,
one gloomy day as the dainty bouquet
IT WAS "OUR BOYS."
was handed around from one to another,
now by a stranger at a game of cards,
It mattered not whether they were then tossed down and soon crushed out
American, German, or Irish-whether of all semblance of leaf and flower by
they came from Georgia or elsewhere. careless masculine feet. It is well she
We knew not even the names of some in did not know this, for even so small a
the ranks; but we knew they "wore the thing has power to sting a woman's lov-
grey” and espoused the Southern cause, ing heart, particularly if she is only a
therefore they were "our boys," and girl just learning the sweetest of all life's
they were gone!
lessons—to love! He wrote that he
Time assuaged our grief. No one would keep the gift "forever," that with
whom we knew personally died, and such a talisman next his heart he need
there was no one killed. The gay let-
FEAR NO YANKEE BULLETS.
ters, mailed with kisses, came regularly,
bright and sparkling, full of mischief Perhaps 'twas kind in him to tell this
and stories of camp-life, and promises of little bit of a story for the sake of the
marching home very soon. Ever and sunshine it brought into her young
anon some favored one drifted home on life. She never knew the fate of her
furlough, and then what a gay time we gift, and though she is a matron and
had and what a spoiled man! Picnics, little human cares hang about her chair
parties, rides, &c., were had for his a faint shadow steals over her fair face
amusement, all smiled and flattered, and at sight or scent of those flowers.
he was astonished to find how many Time passed and the shadows deep-
friends he had, and how pleasant it was ened into clouds. There were battles
at home.
and battles. Our boys did not come
Then came the pleasant duty of send home “with green laurel boughs, but
ing boxes by him to camp. We girls || after the first few battles, in which some

DAYS THAT ARE DEAD.
437
of our own particular band were killed || same God was over all. The sky was
outright, some of them drifted back, as blue, the sun shone as brightly; the
haggard and gaunt, tattered and torn, trees and grass were just as green, the
bronzed and battered till we scarce flowers were as fragrant, and the breeze
knew them, leaving limbs on the battle danced in as lightly as it did, but that
field-poor broken wrecks of humanity. was all. We knew that all things in
And yet there was a call for more nature were just the same, but we could
men to the front.”
not realize it to us all bloom and
At home there was a sense of priva beauty, all glory, had died and been
tion. Luxuries faded into things of the buried. The world had gone out-it
past, while ere long comforts dwindled was dead!
away, leaving only necessaries, and Were these the same people—these
these in the course of time became haggard, wrinkled women, bowed with
almost unattainable Prices went stead care and trouble, sorrow and unusual
ily up and up all the time, while many toil? These tame, pale, tearless girls
things could not be bought at all, be. from whose soft flesh the witching dim-
cause they were not in the country. To ples had long since departed. or were
quote prices in the latter part of 1863 : drawn down into furrows-were they
Flour $50 per barrel, bacon $1 25 per the school girls of '61? These women
pound, butter $1 per pound, salt 70c. per who, with coarse, lean, brown hands,
pound, meal $2 25 per bushel, tobacco $4 sadly and mechanically stowed away
per pound, soda $4 per pound, beef 40c. into boxes (not large ones) meat, bread,
per pound, sugar $2 per pound, chickens cabbage, dried fruit, soda, syrup, home-
$1 75 each, lard $1 15 per pound, shirting made shoes and coarse home-knit socks,
$1 75 per yard, osnaburgs $2 per yard, garments of osnaburg and homespun-
nails $1 50 per pound, whiskey $20 per home-woven clothing of every descrip-
gallon, eggs 60c. a dozen, tallow $1 per tion-these women with scant, faded cot-
pound.
ton gowns and coarse leather shoes-these
Fearful prices-and for just the most women who silently and apathetically
common necessaries, but how could it packed the boxes, looking into them
be helped ? The army had to be fed, the with the intense and sorrowful gaze that
whole country was drained for this pur one casts into a grave-were these, I
pose, and there were so few left to make say, could these be the same airy-robod,
food, while we had no help from the white-fingered women, so like flowers,
outside world. The North had the who, months and months ago, (it ap-
whole world from which to draw food, peared an eternity,) packed away, 'mid
supplies or anything else. We had laughter and song, smile and jest, those
everything to make within our lines, articles de luxe for the boys at the front?
and the whole country was unsettled
Alas! yes; and that pale woman who
and suffering.
is storing away a string each of onions
As I said before, the army had to be
and red-pepper is the heroine of the
fed and clothed, and women had to do
oleander blooms. Fred does not need
what they could to assist in this. The
Tennyson or oleanders-does not need
loom and the wheel were hauled out
anything—not even a shroud-for one
from unused rooms and brought into
day there flashed over the wires: “Shot
play Cotton cards were handled by
through the heart-buried where he
hands that had known no heavier toil
fell." She stands here in the sunlight;
than to thrum the strings of the guitar, he lies asleep by the Potomac. It is
harp and other musical instruments.
well with one of them, but which one?
Home-woven garments were made by
Alas! the pity of it. I often wonder
fingers never accustomed to heavier
which suffered the most-the boys at the
work than that of silken embroidery. front or the women who remained at
Among that class who owned no slaves
home. The boys who went into battle
the wives and mothers gave their hus.
with banners flying and war steeds
bands and sons “God-speed," then
neighing, drums beating and shrill fife
turned to pick up the plough-handles, the
playing, the roar of shot and shell dead-
hoe and the reaper and worked with
ening the shriek of the dead and dying,
them cheerfully; for were they not mak-
the flash of the sabre and crimson of
ing food, not alone for the helpless little
streaming blood before their eyes-I
ones at home, but also for the army?
wonder if these men suffered more than
"Our boys' needed help, and still we
the women who remained at home and
sent them boxes, but such boxes! I can
fought life's battle silently.
see the same women and girls preparing Oh! that silent, terrible battlefield
these later boxes, but
where the women of the South fought so
HOW DIFFERENT THE PICTURE!
bravely and patiently! That horrible
The world was just the same; the Il battlefield where we

438
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
WRESTLED WITH WANT,
privation and despair, with never a
moan, coming from the fray bruised and
sore wounded with sharp thrusts. I
sometimes wonder if those men could
suffer as we did during that long strug-
gle.
See how sad it was to commence life
so joyously and to have it end so sud-
denly in such bitter, black despair.
There were days and days when but to
breathe was bliss; there were no clouds.
We toiled not, neither did we spin.
Some of us knew nothing of what we
know now as work, nor did we know
much of the value of money. The world
was but a place in which to be happy, a
dazzle of gold and blue, scarlet sunsets
and pearly gray mornings, when we
opened our eyes to a new sense of beauty;
nor want nor care had part or place in it.
This was all well enough, but after our
boys went to the front how different.
Then there came other days-Sun-
days and Mondays, week days and
work days, baking and darning days;
mail days, when letters brought news
of father, son, husband, lover and friend,
who had “been taken prisoner," "shot
through the heart," "shot through the
head," "died in prison," or "died on the
road home, or, worse than all, was
"missing." Ah, God ! how did we stand
it to fight this battle and still live?
There were days, too, when the express
brought home a trunk of clothes, tat-
tored, torn and muddy, rents sewed up
by unskilful fingers.
“A red flecked relic of the fray.
A shell-torn coat of faded gray."
One sleeve shot away, and a ragged rent
just over the heart. Sometime it brought
a pine box in which "it" lay, a ragged
hole in the forehead, showing where the
grand, pure life went out. "It is noth.
ing but an empty shell, the spirit had
left before it started from Virginia. Did
he suffer as much as we did and are still
doing? Hardly, I think.
Darker and darker grew the clouds as
the storm came nearer, and we re-
alized, ere long, that the lowest depths
had not yet been reached. The boys at
the front grew fewer in number, while
the number of graves and desolate house.
holds increased, and still came the cry
for "more men." All the vigorous, able.
bodied men (save those who had "bomb-
proof positions”) were in the field; then
came a call for the Benjamins of South-
ern homes, and sending them to the
front we then saw
“Young eyes, that last year looked in ours,
Now point the rifle's barrel:
And bands then stained with fruit and
flowers,
Bear redder stains of quarrel.”
With these smooth-cheeked boys
went the stay of many a household, and
the food supply became more and more
scant.
Darker and darker grew the clouds;
Sherman marched into Georgia, and
trouble of all kinds came thick and fast.
Those of us who could refugeed to the
lower part of the State; but we found
want and care, poverty and grim endur-
ance there before us. The whole coun-
try was
FILLED WITH REFUGEES.
Some were not fortunate enough to
find dwellings, and these, making the
best of circumstances, lived in box-cars
on the railroad. This may seem im-
probable now, yet it is nevertheless
true, as many can testify. In the vil-
lage to which we refugeed there were
many families living thus. Some of
these cars remained on the side tracks,
while others were shifted to the ground,
and most of them were the only homes
of refined women and delicate children.
Some of them were fitted up comfort-
ably and even handsomely with fur-
niture brought along from the old
home. One car would be fitted up with
Brussels carpeting, easy chairs, books,
and sometimes a piano, another as a bed-
room, while still another would serve
as cook and servant's room. Marble
steps were used for egress and ingress,
and in fine weather the occupants would
sit out on the shady side of the car or
betake themselves to the near woods,
while the children were allowed to run
wild" in the charge of a “black
mammy," a trusty negro, who was
devoted to them. What these "box
people, as they were termed, did on
rainy, dark daysI do not know, as I
visited them only in fair weather. Some
of them averred that life on such days
was excessively dreary, yet they were
content to live thus indefinitely pro-
vided we could only "win the battle.”
Some of the women, gently bred and
cultivated, assured me they rather liked
this nomadic existence, after they be-
came somewhat accustomed to it. If
they became tired of one place or be-
came frightened at fresh reports of the
near approach of the enemy, they
simply had their homes coupled on to a
passing train and steamed away to new
fields.
Many pleasant social hours have I
spent with these "box people," and my
mind often reverts to calm summer eve-

DAYS THAT ARE DEAD.
439
nings spent with them, when we car ments in honor of the occasion, and that
ried our rockers outside the boxes, and those boys might not become disheart-
passed the happy hours in pleasant chat ened to see to what straits we, at home,
or in listening to the songs of the ne were reduced. Most of us had money
groes, who, having built a huge bonfire (Confederate.) but goods were not in the
of rich lightwood knots, gathered round market.
it and passed away their time in sing I remember that at one time some man
ing, playing the banjo or 'patting juba." brought a small stock of goods and
Even now I seem to hear the tbrum, opened a "store.” How vividly I recall
thrum of the banjo, and the song:
the sensation the event created! We
scarce waited for him to unpack ere we
Oh chillun in the mornin',
besieged his door. The place was so
When de sun'gins to shine;
When de robin am a hidin,
small we could not all get in at once, so
In de black be'ry vipe.
we went in "squads,” and when we left
When de owis quit a booten
he was "out of business," for we took
An’de roosters 'gin to crow
the whole stock; yet there were not fifty
Dat's de time 10 go a scootin'
of us. How we gloried in the possession of
Wid de shovel and de hoe.
a small piece of bleached domestic (same
Chorus-Den take up de s-h-o-vel and de hoe.
quality as that of which flour-sacks are
Oh, chillun when you hear
now made,) foi which we paid only
Dat dinner horn blow,
$12 50 per yard-s0 cheap! Spool-cotton
When de sun shines clear,
$1 per spool, brass thimble $1, common
And de winds duz blow.
porcelain buttons $1 50 per card, &c. He
When de mules 'gin to whicker,
had no pripts, for that was out of even
Den de nigger goes slow,
It stops de cotton picker
his reach.
And we flings a way de hoe.
Many of us made our own shoes, and
Chorus-An' we flings away de hoe.
it was no uncommon sight to see a
bevy of women-each with her own last-
Oh, chillun, when you see
engaged in soling her own shoes; the
De sun 'gin ter set,
uppers made from jeans and other rem-
De moon risinin de east
Ses its gwine to be wet.
nants of goods left from the clothing of
De owls 'gin to hoot,
the soldiers. I remember I was engaged
De 'possum'gin to prowl,
one whole week in manufacturing a pair
De chickens 'gin to scoot,
--which was the envy of all-black cloth
And de dogs 'gin to howl.
with velvet toes.
Chorus-Den we lays down de shovel and de
For hats we sometimes crochetted
hoe.
them of home spun cotton, bleached,
Ah! how those magnificent voices starched, pressed, and trimmed with odds
rolled out on the night air and echoed
and ends of ribbons and flowers made of
through the dense pine forest which
goose feathers; sometimes we made them
formed a dark background for the weird of palmetto, bleached, split and plaited-
scene.
the palmetto we obtained from Florida.
We were more fortunate than the "box Those palmetto hats, without trimming,
people,” for we succeeded in finding cost only $30. We trimmed them with
refuge in a house, crowded it is true, but ornaments made of palmetto or dried
natural grasses, wheat ears, &c. Hats
"THE MORE THE MERRIER.”
for the boys and men were made of rem-
There was quite a crowd of us and we
nants of the soldier's clothes, or of
resolved to make the best of the inevit-
rushes, sometimes of pine needles
able. The majority of us were, of course,
twisted and sewn together with strong
homespun twisted and dyed thread.
women, and in spite of war, in spite of
Heavy? Yes, but what would you do?
"hard times” and deprivations of all
kinds, we were cheerful and compara-
They could not go bareheaded.
tively happy. There was no rivalry in Stylish jackets were contrived out of
dress, as we were uniform in homespun the cast off clothes of some male mem-
and leather or woollen shoes. Our jewels ber of a family, and all were glad to
had gone long since, and but few articles make over old clothes which in ante-bel-
of handsome wearing apparel remained. lum days were scarce good enough for
These few we employed our time in re the negroes.
modelling. Truly did we “gar auld Money we had in plenty, but as I have
clothes to look amaist as well as new,” said, some things were not to be bought.
but after we had renovated them they One dollar was good for a piece of gin-
were carefully laid away for high days ger bread five inches square, but the
and holidays, these coming but seldom. syrup and flour was home raised, and
When some of the boys came home on ginger there was none; fifty cents would
furlough we donned these good gar- ll buy a pint of "goobers, but they, too,

440
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
were home raised. “Striped candy" for open, so rudely was it put together. Yet
the little ones was not come-at-able, but it was as good as the village afforded,
we boiled our home-made syrup, and there being no good lumber and no effi-
that answered as well.
cient workman. The family of the de-
When we who had money to buy what ceased looked on in a dull, apathetic
we could were deprived of so many of fashion, seemingly almost indifferent.
the mere necessaries of life, what must A little girl in our crowd asked the sis-
have been the condition of those who ter of the boy if she would not "be lone.
had not money or lived in a section re some, now that Tommie was dead?” She
mote from a railroad, where it was im answered dully : “Yes, I suppose so;">
possible to get what we did? God alone then looking up brightly, added, "But
knows! Almost daily
there will be more bread for us—he will
not be there to eat." Poor fellow ! how
GAUNT, HAGGARD WOMEN,
often he must have been hungry, yet he
faint from want of food, would come in never begged when selling his fruits, &c.
and beg for bread-not money, for the There were other phases of suffering
little of that they could hope to get which we had to endure. We organized
would not buy the bread nor meat a "home"
Suppose we gave her five dollars, at this
TO FEED THE SOLDIERS
time it would only buy one pound of ham.
Sometimes these women were those who as they passed to or from the front, and
had never wanted for anything—wives we made a success of it. Every family
or mothers of small farmers. They had in the surrounding country, for miles
lived comfortably within their means and miles, divided their little store of
and knew not hardships, and when, crockery, cooking vessels, tinware, cut-
early in the conflict, their husbands or lery, table lipen, &c., towards equipping
sons had been taken from them by the || it, and though money was not at this
bullet or disease, they were left help-|| time so plentiful as it had been we did
less, with no idea of business. One by not feel the want of it. From every sta-
one their negroes went for debt, piece | tion on the railroad, in several counties,
by piece their land, till nothing was || were sent in contributions—the roads
left.
making no charge-of any and every
- Before the close of the conflict I knew kind of food. From the country about
women to walk twenty miles for a half came in wagons every day, bringing all
bushel of coarse musty meal with which that could be spared in the way of veg-
to feed their starving little ones, and etables, milk, butter, game, meats, &c.
leave the impress of their feet in blood For instance, when the wagon would
on the stones of the wayside ere they start from one house it would contain
reached home again. When there the one or two cabbages, a few pods of okra,
meal was cooked and ravenously eaten, a few ears of corn, balf-dozen eggs, &c.;
though there was not even salt to be at every house something would be
eaten with it. Yet these women did not added, if 'twas only two eggs, a pint of
complain, but wrota cheerful letters to milk or a quarter-pound of butter and
their husbands and sons, if they were by the time it reached us the wagon
yet living, bidding them do their duty would be full. All that came to our mill
and hold the last trench.
was grist, and we made good use of it.
Some persons made a tea of the sassa Those who had nothing to give came
fras root or the blackberry leaf with and worked, and worked with a will.
which to wash down the dry bread. No one can tell how many thousands
Coffee was not to be had-parched meal, of soldiers we fed in this way, and it
rye, wheat and okra being used as a was pathetic to see the ravenous man-
substitute even at botels and boarding. ner in which they ate, some of them,
houses. Parched sweet potato was the officers at that, devouring dry bread
best substitute found, but that was not while waiting for things to be dished
discovered till late. How many people up. We fed hundreds every day, and
lived on bread alone, and not enough of then could not feed them fast enough.
that, will never be known, as people But the saddest, most pitiable sight
generally were reticent about their was that we were called on to endure
troubles.
when the trains rolled in bringing the
One afternoon there was a funeral in wounded from the battlefield. Most of
our village. A boy of whom we had them were unable to get from the car to
often bought wild fruit and nuts had the home, and we were compelled to
died, and we went to see him buried. carry the food to them. Ofttimes the
When we reached the cemetery we found wounds had not been dressed, and I
his body encased in a rough pine box, have held the cup of milk to the lips of
which, in lowering into the grave, burst ll one, with my eyes fixed on the crushed

DAYS THAT ARE DEAD.
441
bones of a lower limb protruding and flee, but there was blank silence
through the ragged flesh and skin, or when we asked “Where shall we flee?"
fed with a spoon another with one eye Ah, heavens! the hurry, the worry, the
shot out and a sabre cut on the head, excitement. So much to be done and no
from which the blood had not yet been time in which to do it. Hurry-skurry,
washed. Sometimes those whose homes run here, run there, run everywhere.
were in the hands of the enemy, or who Cram this into an open trunk, ram that
lived too far to be sent home, were left into a goods box, no matter if it does
with us, and then began the task of
break in the ramming process. Women
cried and prayed, babies yelled and lay-
NURSING AND DRESSING
ing their dust smirched faces on the floor,
those ghastly wounds, until the patient went off to sleep with a sob, dogs howled
recovered or was carried out to the and yelped, mules brayed, negro drivers
little churchyard and left to sleep, the swore while negro girls giggled, more
sobbing of the wind through the trees from excitement and fright than from
being his requiem.
any mirth-proveking cause, and could
Sometimes these poor fellows, Texans, not be made to do anything at all.
Mississippians or Tennesseeans, were
taken to homes in the country, in well-
OUR PRETTY JENNIE
to-do families, made much of, petted and ran about with her head tied up in a
nursed back to life, health and strength, towel and packed her gray travelling
then wended their way back to Virginia dress with its jaunty plume of snow
to fight the battle over again.
white goose feathers into the box with
At one time Wilson raided through the tea-kettle and stew pan, then
the place, but was so hurried that he could rammed the molasses jug filled with
do but little damage; only burned the scorched sorghum” into the hat-box of
rolling stock, the warehouse and de her pet Saratoga, where it incontinently
stroyed the furniture of our "wayside tipped up and emptied its contents all
home.” We refurnished it, though in a over her dainty lingerie-laces and rib-
poorer manner, and continued our work bons, cherished relics of her “brave at-
of love. We were only women, almost tire'' before the war. Kitty became
helpless, yet we did what we could. angry and discouraged and flopped down
At last these busy days were broken on a pile of half wrapped bedding (flopped
into by rumors of another raid, one that is not, I am aware, a very nice word,
carried destruction with it, not alone of yet no other will fully express the vim
property, but of human life. Thick and ! and abandonment with which she went
fast
e rumors fi
o one knowir down) and declared: “Yank, or no
exactly from whence or whom they Yank, raid or no raid," she would do
came. For three days there was a regu "not another thing."
lar uproar, the whole country was roused, Just then Zip (one of the quarter ne-
convicts from the penitentiary were groes) came running in with eyes like
taken out and armed, cadets, mere beard - saucers and white teeth fairly chatter-
less boys, taken from school, brought ing with fright, declaring that “Mars
out to resist the invader. The capital of Jim Phillips wus out dar, an' his horse
the State was threatened and these boys, wus all of a lather, and he sea as how us
&c., were to protect it at all hazards. all had better be a-gittin'-fur he had
The excitement increased; we could seed de Yanks a-cummin, and dey had
neither eat nor sleep. Scouts were sent sot fire to all de houses, and wus just
out up this road, down that, across the a-killin' all de fo’kes-wimmen and
country, everywbere the roads teemed chillun, white fo’kes and niggers-an'
with foam-flecked, hard-run horses be you could hear they guns a hundred
strode by tired, excited men, and the miles, 'sides which some on ’em had
greater part of these men were disabled horns !!
soldiers, who had come home to rest and Of course, we knew much of this re-
recover, if possible, from grievous port was exaggeration, yet this fact did
wounds. These scouts would ride into not tend to allay the excitement. Kitty
the village almost exhausted and, not jumped off the pile of bedding and
dismounting, take their food from the began to work again, doing everything
willing hands that would carry it out to wrong, while tears streamed down her
them, then off again in the direction cheeks and her teeth chattered with
from which it was thought the raiding fright. Finding it impossible to work-
party would come.
even to pack anything-we rushed out
Reports varied; one would be that the on the front veranda and listened for the
enemy would be upon us erelong, as a few guns. We could not have heard a can-
blue coats had been seen in the distance, non, for from every house in the village
and we women were advised to pack up || came the sound of weeping and heart-
56

442
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
rending cries. The streets were filled
WHERE COULD WE GO?
by crowds of frightened negroes who,
We had but little money at this time,
having no one to oversee them, had
and we had no friends further South to
dropped the shovel and the hoe and
whom we could go. We decided to stay,
were sharing in the general excitement.
and if worse came we could but endure
Some believed that death was immi-
it; and we watched the train steam out
nent--these prayed and cried; others
of sight, not knowing whether we
had heard that they would be freed--these
should ever see our friends again if the
laughed and were insolent, obeying the
truth must be told, not much caring, for
orders of no one, while all were
anxiety, care and excitement had ren-
MORE OR LESS FRIGHTENED.
dered us somewhat stolid and in-
different.
Only one set of these negroes were do-
Only a few minutes had the train
ing anything, and they were a part of the stopped; then we turned to our scouts
force belonging to the man with whom and the bleeding enemy. We hauled
out a mattress, washed his wound, made
we refugees boarded, and they were
him as comfortable as possible, and
burying the syrup-ten barrels—which
then turned to hear the particulars
had just been received, and the spades
of his capture. He had been captured
were flying fast in order to get it in and
by these scouts while brutally mistreat-
covered before the enemy came in.
ing a defenceless woman, who lived some
Many of the white women were using
miles away, the wife of one of the still
the spade and hoe burying their treas.
absent men, and had been shot-not by
ures, not gold and silver, but pieces of
them, for they were bringing him un-
homespun jeans and factory cloth, in-
tended to be made up for the soldiers,
harmed to town, but by “Mars Jim Phil-
also home-knit socks, pieces of bacon,
lips," who, suddenly coming upon them
in the turn of the road, and who, under
&c. The scene would have been laugh-
able had it not been so pathetic.
the influence of "pine-top whiskey” and
fright combined, fired at them, thinking
We heard no guns, though every ear
the whole posse were the enemy. The
was strained; saw no smoke from burn-
ball passed through the sleeve of one of
ing homes, though our eyes scanned
our own men and buried itself in the
every point of the horizon Mars Jim
enemy.
Phillips had galloped away to take
another look at the Yankees, if he could
Then we learned the truth, the fearful
truth! We were not threatened with a
see any, for when his story was sifted he
mere raiding party, it was Sherman-
had seen none, only heard that they
Sherman on his “march to the sea," and
were expected from the quarters in
which he had been
we lay in the course of his march. We
were indood paralyzed. Had we not all
Ere long another courier-one who
had served well and was at home with a
heard of him? Like
useless arm-trotted in reporting the
A HUGE OCTOPUS,
raid all a false alarm, so far as he could he stretched out his long arms and gath-
see. He had been out ten miles and ered everything in, leaving only ruin
heard nor seen anything of it. How we and desolation behind him. Had not
laughed and jested, how relieved we || the very heavens glowed with the reflec-
were. We had had all our packing for tion of the fires lit by his orders? Were
nothing, but why did not the other there not among us, even then, those
scouts come in? There were eight or whose homes had been laid in ashes by
ten scattered about.
his soldiers, and they themselves turned
Very soon another drifted in-"No
out without a second suit of clothing?
Yanks in sight." Another long hour Sherman was near us—there were not
dragged its slow length away, when the twenty men, all toldto protect us.
next scout galloped in with the news What, what should we do? We had
that two or three of the enemy had been packed for nothing. There was not a
sighted. Then the excitement began place to which we could flee, for that
again, and the three scouts galloped off army would spread for miles, and we
again, only two returned after a lapse of would be at the mercy of the common
time, bringing with them a wounded soldiery. There was nothing to be done
Yankee!
but to clinch the hands till the nails cut
My God! it was true! The enemy the flesh, grate the teeth together hard
were near! Just then a train of cars and wait; and we did it!
steamed in filled with refugees as badly One by one the scouts came galloping
frightened as were we. We had some few in hot haste, verifying the truth of the
friends among them who implored us | near approach of the enemy, and be-
to come on board. But how could we? || sought with tears and entreaties of the

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.
443
women who begged them to save them- | the city. Rushing out to see what it all
selves, for we did not wish to see them meant, we were told that the steamboat
shot down in cold blood, they galloped Silver Wave was expected down the
off. We gathered in the street and river with arms and ammunitions for
watched the road down which the enemy the United States armory at Baton
would come. For some time we saw Rouge, and that the troops were ordered
nothing, So we drifted back into the out to capture her. They encamped
house and stood on the veranda. One about a half mile above the mouth of
man stayed with us, but he remained on Glass Bayou and named the place "Camp
the street. All at once he threw up his Pelters,'' after the Governor of the State.
hands and exclaimed: "All— 's turned They went into camp on Saturday, and
loose! Save yourselves !” then turned
on the next day almost every man,
and went down the street. Just then we
woman and child in and around the city
heard loud shouts, and the air was
visited the encampment. We Lived
RENT WITH PISTOL SHOTS.
near "Camp Pelters, and our house was
Three of our scouts, their horses white
crowded all day. And such a day! All
with foam, flashed by shouting a "good-
were excited, and yet it was the excite-
bye;" bullets thick as hail whistled past
ment of some foreseen but inevitable
and around us, burying themselves in
disaster, and the faces of all thinking
the pillars and back of the veranda
persons wore an aspect of anxious fore-
where we stood so paralyzed we could
boding.
not move, yet fortunately none struck
In Vicksburg and throughout Warren
us; then came a blue streak of yelling
County the "Whigs” were largely in
the majority, and consequently the peo-
men, firing as they came-Sherman's
cavalry in hot pursuit of the almost dis-
ple were strongly imbued with Union
abled couriers. While a part of them
principles, and, though there had been
kept on in the chase, part of them rode
repeated warnings of such a crisis, no
their horses at the palings and, bearing
one had realized their significance, and
them down, rode up to the veranda,
at the sudden and unexpected evidence
some of them even riding their horses
of the coming revolution many strong
up the steps. While these came in front
men, as well as weak women, were
others had swept round to the back; and
bowed down with grief and sorrow.
when we regained the use of our limbs
But while there was grief there was no
and senses and went in we were con-
fear, while there was sadness there was
fronted by squads of Bluecoats, who
no hesitancy as the line of duty was de-
even then were commencing to search
veloped. The prompt response of the
the house, their sabres clattering dis-
three organized companies to intercept
mally up and down the steps.
and take possession of arms coming
This happened at sunset, and ere the
South for coercive purposes showed
shades of night had fallen the only man
that there would be a manly defence of
(white) in the place had been captured
our rights whenever occasion might re-
and put under the surveillance of four (!)
quire.
guards, and we women and the little
Though our impromptu army were
only in camp a few days, they had some
ones were left to the mercy of forty
thousand of Sherman's army!
rough experience. It began to rain on
Sunday night; the tents leaked and the
water rushed down the hillside under
them. There had been no thought nor
No. 75. The Siege of Vicksburg.
preparation for cooking, and for about
forty-eight hours the rain fell so hard
and fast that it was almost impossible to
(By Mrs. Lou Clarke, of Vicksburg, Miss.)
send the soldiers anything to eat. But
Though the fall of Sumter is looked
they faithfully stuck to their post, and
when the steamer came down the river,
upon as the beginning of the war,
she was fired upon, when she hastily
“Vicksburg boys” were the first to arm, came to the shore. She had no munitions
march to an encampment, pitch tents of war on board, however, and. was al-
and enter upon "soldier duty” in behalf
lowed to proceed. The encampment was
then broken up and the companies were
of “Southern rights.”
discharged from further duty until again
Sometime in December, 1860, I cannot called for.
give the exact date, we heard the sound You ask for the war experience of
of martial music and the tramp of a Southern women-the experience of the
small army crossing Glass Bayou bridge. women of Vicksburg began then. The
Glass Bayou then formed, and I believe men being suddenly and unexpectedly
does yet, the northern boundary line of ll ordered to camp while only vague

444
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
rumors of the cause were to be heard, met that idea with such sound argument
the hearts of wives and daughters, that other reasons must be found.
mothers and sisters, were filled with “We have no money," said Mrs. C.
care and anxiety, as one after another, “But you have wood and potatoes,
young and able bodied-men were dis butter and pumpkins. I will take such
charged from employment.
things for pay,” replied Madge.
War was inevitable and every arms By such bargains and taking scholars
bearing man must be free to join the at reduced rates and sewing after school
army. No set of men ever were more hours she managed to live comfortably.
willing or anxious to go to the front. Only those whose loved ones were gone
Company after company was raised, to battle can understand the anxiety and
tendered their services and waited for weary waiting and watching for letters.
orders. As the orders came, wives and the almost breathless suspense that fol-
daughters, mothers, sisters and sweet lowed the news of every encounter until
hearts gathered at the depot with par some assurance of safety of their loved
cels and packages, keepsakes and ones reached them. Sad indeed was the
bouquets, to bid their beloved soldiers lot of those to whom disastrous tidings
“God.speed" and farewell. Their hearts came.
seemed crushed, their eyes were filled
A BLIND SOLDIER FOR A HUSBAND.
with tears and their lips quivered with
deep emotion, and yet their words were One Sunday in November a carriage
brave as their hands were clasped in the drove up to the house and a soldier got
agonizing good-bye.
out and came in. Not until he spoke
did Madge recognize the sunburnt
A BRAVE WOMAN.
man, with green glasses over his eyes,
""Why did you shed no tears?" was as her husband. He had come home
asked of a young wife and mother discharged because he was unfit for
in my presence, as the train rushed duty, and a resident physician was
from the depot with her husband among called.
the company on board. Because," she "Madge,'' he said, “I fear you will
replied, 'my storeroom is empty and have a blind husband. A week's time
my pocketbook is empty, and he knows will tell. Weak eyes subjected to ex-
it. I had to seem brave to keep him posure and the glare of bayonets have
from breaking down."
caused it."
She was not allowed to want for any "With great care and good nursing we
thing. The citizens of Vicksburg took may cure him," answered the brave
care of those who were dependent upon woman.
her soldiers. There are few things, how Ah! what an anxious week that was.
ever, more galling to proud, sensitiye For four days he was blind, but just as
Southern women than being cared for hope seemed to be dying out he began to
by others than those upon whom they improve. For some months he was un-
have legitimate claims. History will fit for duty, and they left the city for a
never record the privations endured by point where a larger and more remune-
them, because they will never tell them rative school could be obtained.
they endured and were silent.
On the day of the first bombardment
To none was the idea of such depend of Vicksburg the rumbling of the can-
ence more revolting than to Madge nons could be heard by them, and feel-
Brown, the young wife to whom al ing himself, at least, equal to home duty,
lusion has been made. At first there he hastened to the city, but not finding
was only the needle to resort to—there any pressing need for his presence, he
was plenty of sewing to be done for the returned home, and, as soon as he could
soldiers, but it was rough and heavy, moved back to the city and joined a com-
and not very remunerative. By sewing
pany of artillery stationed there. On
early and late she could barely make
account of his eyes he was allowed to re-
enough to buy the necessaries of life. main at home, except when on duty,
But no thought of complaint entered her provided he was always present at "roll-
mind; she seemed to think it almost call.” Then hard work began, indeed.
criminal for her to fare better than the Madge had obtained some palmetto from
soldiers.
the Louisiana swamps, and had learned
TEACHING SCHOOL UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
to make very nice hats. She made some
for twenty and thirty dollars apiece, but
In August, 1861, she concluded to try the supply of palmetto was soon ex-
to get a little school. At first the idea of hausted, and there was nothing left to
sending children to a private school do but baking bread, pies and cakes for
while the war was going on, and "times soldiers. She was ambitious to help the
so hard," seemed preposterous, but she || Cause as well as to maintain herself.

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.
445
True, her help was like "the widow's || miles, but do not be afraid, God espe-
mite,'' very little, but it was very earnest cially cares for the desolate and afflicted.
and sincere. At her request her hus He will be with you and you will suc-
band drew neither food nor clothing ceed.”
from the commissary department; she "I will go,” she said; and she went.
supplied both and kept him as neat as a Some time after the surrender of the
dry goods clerk. This continued until city she wrote she had gotten to the
THE SIEGE OF VICKSRURG.
boats tired and muddy, had been kindly
Obtaining necessaries when one had the
received and sent home. On arriving at
money was often a very difficult matter.
home her husband had met her at the
gate. She had endured troubles and
A marble yard, decorated with monu-
hardships without faltering, but joy
ments and slans, many of them inscribed
with the names of deceased whose
overcame her. She fainted in his arms.
friends had grown too poor to pay for
and it was some time before she could
after ordering, became a depot for lard
hear his story. Her husband had been
and vegetables, and later for flour. A
wounded, and crawling to some bushes
millinery store had soft soap for sale.
for shelter, was overlooked and left
where the engagement had taken place.
There was no impropriety in asking for
He was afterward found by some kind-
anything at any place, but the time lost
hearted person and cared for until able
and worry one was subjected to was very
to travel. He then sought her parents'
trying.
No grown person was allowed to pass
house, believing she would hear of his
around and through the city without a
disappearance, believe him dead, and re-
turn there as soon as she could. He had
military permit, nor could any one
only arrived a few days previous.
leave the city without a special permit.
A short time previous to the siege a
Being a German, he felt no special in-
terest in either side, and chose to fight
young German woman, still in her
"teens," whose husband had been one of
no more.
the first volunteers from Milliken's
COOKING UNDER FIRE.
Bend, La., came to the city to get per-
When the siege of Vicksburg began, a
mission to go home to her parents in
Illinois.
detachment of fifteen men with two
After a battle in Virginia news had
guns from the company to which Mr.
reached her that her husband was among
Brown belonged, he among the number,
the missing. Having no ties in the
was ordered to the right in great haste.
As soon as they were located he sent
South her heart yearned to return to her
parents and home.
word to Madge how and where to find
Gen. Pemberton, who was in command
him, and that cooked provisions would
here, had temporarily moved his head-
be very acceptable. She borrowed a horse
quarters to Jackson, making it necessary
from a neighbor, and filling an old-
for ber to go there to get a permit.
fashioned carpet-sack with cooked bra-
Madge's sister-in-law went with her.
tions,” went to his encampment. On
The General, in a fit of extreme caution,
arriving there she found that the detach-
ment was divided into three squads, or
refused the permit and told her she must
be content to remain in Vicksburg, as
"messes," and she determined to keep
he would not allow any one to pass
the one her husband belonged to in
through the lines at that time.
bread and such other things as she had
or could get. She could borrow the
GOING THROUGH THE LINES.
horse two or three times a week, and if
She returned disconsolate and asked at any time she failed to get there, the
Madge what to do. Madge thought for officer in command, who was one of the
a few moments and said, “I would go mess, agreed to send a man for the sup
home;' then walking to the door, she plies. The distance from where she
added: “Do you see those gun boats lived, which was near the extreme left
above the point? I would go to them of the lines, to the encampment was
and ask to be sent home." "How would about three miles.
you get there?”
there ?? asked the woman.
asked the woman. || By this time most of the citizens had
Madge replied: "Go to the provost mar excavated caves in the sides of hills for
shal's office and get a permit to visit places of safe retreat during the shelling
around the city; with that you can man of the city, and his commanding officer
age to get across the river and then you very kindly sent her husband home for
can walk to the boats. When you get one day to prepare a place for her and
there ask for the commanding officer; her mother and family. Her father had
tell him your story and ask him to send joined the army some time in 1861, and
you home. I am sure he will. You will they had since moved together for mu-
have a long, rough walk, for it is several || tual aid and protection. Both Madge

446
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and her mother refused to entertain the some one to take his wife's address and
cave idea, and after some search a com. write to her. Madge agreed to do this, but
fortable and safe place was fourd on a said, “We can't spare any soldiers now;
kind of extended shelf about half-way tell me what is the matter and we will
down the side of a deep ravine, and try to doctor you.” He replied he
there during many nights and long hours thought he had pneumonia. She fixed
of firing during the day they spent their him a bed, made a hot mush poultice
time. Their house being so near the ex and put on him, gave him some physic
treme left, or northern limits of the lines, and then taking a little sister went in
the northern end of the house soon be search of a doctor, but none was to be
gan to look like a pepper-box from the found--they had all gone to the "rifle
numerous perforations by minnie balls, pits to attend the wounded. Return-
varied occasionally by a shell.
ing home she renewed the poultice and
The cooking had to be done at the he seemed to get easy. The next morn-
house, and it required some ingenuity ing he was able to eat break fast. Dis-
and patience to get it done. During the liking to leave a sick man alone she con-
day the firing was almost incessant, and cluded to remain at the house, and her
the only way was to cook at night with mother said as there was no firing going
closed doors and darkened windows, for on they would all stay awhile. In a
the least glimmer of light would be short time firing commenced. One of
answered by a shell. Think of cooking the first shots struck the house—the very
in May and June in a room so closely room the sick man was in. For an in-
shut up! Dangerous as it was, Madge stant all listened, and then rushed to
remained at the house and washed and the room and found the man unhurt.
ironed clothing to carry frequent changes For some unaccountable reason he had
to her husband; and several times the just changed his position and was lying
"minnie” balls passed so close they across the head of the bed, which strange
almost stunned her. After a while the freak saved his life, but the shock so
horse she rode became too lame for use, aroused him he felt well enough to seek
and she would go out on the hillsides safer quarters and left in haste.
with a bridle, and, catching any horse
STARVATION IN CAMP.
she could find, she would not fail to
At the beginning of the siege, Madge
carry those "rations.”
and her mother had expended nearly
RACING FROM THE ENEMY'S SHELLS.
all the money they had for a supply of
The most exciting part of those trips flour. As soon as Madge had made her
was riding races, as it were, with shells arrangements to feed the five men at
from the mortar guns ou lhe upper side camp she insisted on dividing all their
of the Louisiana point. They seemed to supplies, not thinking it right to use her
be thrown on a line with, though mother's in that way, as she had six
always beyond, "Whistling Dick.” The children to provide for. Then noting
large guns were all named. "Whistling
how much she was in the habit of eat-
Dick'' was mounted on a prominent ing, allowed herself only one-half as
point about half way between the much. It was no uncommon thing to see
mouth of Glass Bayou and the present soldiers staggering for want of food, and
National Cemetery, familiarly known as such as they got was revolting to look at.
the “Devil's Backbone,” and about one Meals carried to them in the pits on
half mile below, ranging on a line with duty consisted of pea soup and pea
the “Brooks” gun. To ride near the meal mush, all cooked with little or no
line of these two points, wait for a shell meat. Many died of starvation as they
and then gallop on was fascinating ex could not eat what was given them.
citement. Many times it seemed as if
SINKING OF THE "CINCINNATI.”
certain guns were fired at her as she
rode down the Warrenton road; shells
The sinking of the Cincinnati was one
would burst just before and behind her
of the most exciting scenes witnessed by
and to the right and left, and as she
Madge during the siege. The Yankees
neared the lower lines rifle balls often
were in the habit of hoisting flags of
passed so close to her that she could feel
truce and running their boats provok-
"the wind” from them.
ingly near the point on the Louisiana
shore opposite, a short distance above, to
SHELLING A SICK SOLDIER.
what was known as the “Water Bat-
One night while busy cooking at the tery." This was done apparently as
house some one knocked at the door, amusement. Our men did not like it.
and on being told to come in, opened it but they had too much honor to disre-
and almost fell in. It proved to be a gard the truce flag. After this had been
very sick soldier. He said that he carried on for several days the Cincin-
thought he was going to die, and wanted || nati, with a flag of truce, came steaming

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.
447
around the point, and when she got so |versation, called out to her to stop. She
near that the guns of the battery could I told him she must go on, and did not
not be depressed to fire on her, she low- l halt. He then called out, “Madam, I
ered her flag of truce, hoisted her colors command you to stop.” As she did so,
and ran in right under the battery
he added, "Now tell me your business
To see the men just ready to jump and I will have it attended to." In vain
ashore and make a charge, the battery. she pleaded that it was better to risk her
men abandon their cannon, seize their life than that of one of his men. He was
rifles and prepare to receive the charge, inexorable, and calling an orderly he
while the air seemed thick with shot and sent for her husband. Rifle balls were
shell from the Federal guns just north whizzing through the air on the hill,
and east of the battery, was indeed thrill and the moments of that man's absence
ing, but it lasted only an instant when a were filled with intense anxiety. Madge
a shot from the Brooks gun (a pivot felt that she had taken a man's life in her
gun) about a mile below, went through hands, and his safe return was a joy-
the hull of the boat. Then to hear the ful relief. Her husband came with him,
cheer from our brave artillerists, to see | received the things she had brought,
the rapid movements on the boat as she and told her of another path lead-
backed out, the lowering of her colors ing to the encampment by which she
and the running up of that same white could get near without coming in con-
flag, of which our men for once deemed tact with Gen. Barton's encampment.
it honorable to take no notice, but kept He also told her that the shower of min-
on firing, was exciting beyond descrip nie balls she had just heard had been
tion. Her officers managed to run her provoked by one of their men going
far enough up in the bend to be beyond down the hill to a spring between the
our reach before she sank, and as the lines of the two armies to get a bucket of
water was shallow her men got ashore. water. They were in the habit of get-
Madge had stood in a deeply-worn ting water from this spring under cover
cattle path on a hill a short distance of night, but that an exploding shell had
below and overlooking the battery dur wasted their supply for the day. The
ing the scene, and a shell had struck a weather being very warm, the men were
small knoll near and thrown the dirt suffering so intensely for it that one of
into the path burying her up to the them volunteered to get some if he
knees, but she waited till it was over could. Fortunately the brave fellow
before attempting to extricate herself, succeeded and returned unharmed.
which she had some difficulty in doing.
Some things floated from the sunken
A GREEDY SPECULATOR.
boat, and our soldiers picked up two A few days after this the proprietor of
chests of clothing. They were very | the marble yard before mentioned sent
much in need of clothing, and some of || Madge word that he had some flour to
them asked and received permission to | sell. This seemed very strange. How
wear it. This was reported to the Yan | could he get flour at this time? There
kees, and, taking advantage of the op was only one way-he must have had it
portunity, one of their men managed to before the siege began. This conclusion,
get within our lines, walk boldly around coupied with visions of staggering,
our streets in full uniform and gather hungry and suffering soldiers, filled her
up information for several days before with indignation. She determined to go
he was arrested. Although acting as a and see though she had no money to buy
spy he could not be treated as such.
it with, without borrowing, and she
would not borrow to give away. She
A WOMAN UNDER FIRE.
could not make up her mind that it would
Once, when Madge went to carry ra be honest to do so, and yet her
tions to her charge, she found that they flour was getting low. When she asked
had changed their location, and in seek his price he said $500. $150 and $75 a bar-
ing for them rode around the point of a rel had been the highest prices paid
hill, coming suddenly and unexpectedly when the visible supply was exhausted.
upon the temporary headquarters of She told him that she wanted two bar-
Gen. Barton. One of the officers ad rels, but could not pay that price. At
vanced to meet her and, in answer to first he talked as if he did not have two
her inquiries regarding the battery she || barrels to spare, but finally, after she
was looking for, told her it was just told him of several persons that wanted
over on the hill adjoining, but that the | it, he agreed that if she could make ar-
firing was too heavy for her to go there. rangements to take ten barrels he would
She answered, "My husband is there; I sell it at $350. This was what she
can go where he is," and she started; I wanted to know, and after asking how
but Gen. Barton, who had heard the con- ll and where to send for it, and thus find-

448
OUP. WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ing out where it was stored, she pro rooms and were braced with heavy tim-
ceeded to Gen. Pemberton's headquar bers. Beds and other furniture was
ters and asked for him. He being ab. moved into them, making them compara-
sent she was received by his adjutant. tively comfortable abodes. Such was the
She told him of this man's having a one belonging to the family mentioned.
quantity of flour and bis exorbitant It was well braced, but three very large
price; of the hungry soldiers she saw shells fell successively over the mouth
daily, and that she could not bear to of it, some of them entering the hill very
think of. flour being stored away in deep caused the caving.
cellars while the soldiers were suffering Once, while passing within range of a
so. She told him that she did not ac shower of shrapnel shells, a ball passed
tually need bread, but that if the siege through Madge's dress, but the only
lasted much longer she would. He scar she received was from a cut caused
asked her what she gave to soldiers, she by falling through the floor through
was so zealous for others to give? She which a shell had passed; but though a
replied: “I carry rations to five.” While little painful, and she still wears the
they were talking Gen. Barton had come scar, it was not much of a wound.
in. He called the adjutant aside for a The surrender took place. That seemed
few moments, and after a short conver like death and the pageantry of the vic-
sation the latter turned and said to her: tor's entrance like the mockery of a State
“Well, madam, I am very much funeral. The hearts of our brave people
obliged to you, and shall not forget you." were filled with despair and all felt,
Almost as soon as Madge reached though many hesitated to admit it, that
home an orderly arrived from Gen. Pem the Confederacy was doomed and that
berton's headquarters with an order for bravery, zeal and self-sacrifice, crippled
her to Gen. McCardle for a bushel of by poverty and encompassed by obstacles
meal. She thought it best to send for of every description, could not avail
the meal, use it herself, and save her against endless wealth and power.
flour for the soldiers. Gen. McCardle
OUT ON PARADE.
sent the meal and a kind invitation to
There was a clause in the articles of
send for more when that was out.
surrender prohibiting the parole of any
THE SURRENDER OF THE CITY. of the men within the Vicksburg lines.
On the fourth day of July, when the
Madge's husband being in no condition
to go into "parole camp," she prevailed
surrender took place, sbe had one-half
upon the commanding officer to let him
bushel of the meal and three pounds of
go to Memphis to be paroled. He could
flour left. A few days before the sur-
be of no service in the army, and so de-
render her husband's eyes had become
sired an honorable truce. She obtained
so inflamed that he had been sent home
permission to accompany him. They
for treatment and had been laid up with
had to go with a number of prisoners.
fever, so that he was not on the lines at
By paying for it they secured a room in
the time of the surrender.
the cabin of the boat and meals at the
How ominously still everything be-
table. They left Vicksburg on the eve-
came on the 3d. Just after dark one
ning of July 23. Nothing of special im-
cannon was fired by our men, caused by
the misunderstanding of a signal. It
portance occurred until the boat ran on
a sand-bar ninety miles below Helena
has been said that one more shot would
Ark. Every effort was made to get her
have ended the truce then existing and
off, but the river, already lew, was fall-
brought upon us such an avalanche of
ing, and it soon became evident that the
shot and shell that the city would have
boat was fast until the river rose again.
been utterly destroyed, and that Gen.
Grant had prepared to celebrate the 4th
A CONTEMPTIBLE CAPTAIN.
in that way. There were many inci. A gunboat coming in sight was hailed,
dents of hairbreadth escapes by the citi and after viewing the situation the
zens and but few casualties.
captain concluded to take the prisoners,
Mr. Groome, father of one of the pro with the officers in charge, as far as
prietors of the Vicksburg Herald, was Helena, and then telegraph to Memphis
killed by a shell and also a Mrs. Flem for a transport boat to carry them on.
ing. Two or three were wounded and Boarding the gunboat from the yawl
two or three were injured, and, I believe, was something novel. A short ladder
one was killed by the caving in of an was used, but it was rather embarrass-
extra largo cave occupied by a family ing to ladies. On reaching the deck the
named Fleckenstein. Most of the caves captain escorted them to the cabin,
were only holes in the hillsides large which contained the same luxurious
enough for their owners to creep into, furniture and carpets as when only a
but some of them contained several || fine steamboat.

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.
449
As the supper hour arrived the table
PATRIOTIC STAY-AT-HOMES,
was loaded with a tempting repast, o this threat quieted them. They could
which the officers partook. It was then
sneer at but had no idea of testing
cleared of everything and some plates of
“Rebel prowess.”
"hardtack," or sea biscuit, placed upon
After reaching Memphis, Capt. W.
it, and the “cabin prisoners" (Mrs. Smith
found it inexpedient to allow Messrs.
and husband, two ladies, whose hus Brown and Smith to be parolled there,
bands were below, and Madge and her and decided to take them on to St. Louis.
husband) invited to supper. As soon as This was quite a disappointment and
they were seated coffee was brought to
created a revolution in their plans.
them. Mrs. Smith soon began to com-
plain; Madge entreated her to eat and
IN JAIL AT ST. LOUIS.
say nothing; told her that there were
They arrived in St. Louis on the morn-
listeners enjoying her discomfiture, and
Ning of August 3. Capt. W. allowed them
to go out in town to secure a boarding
begged her to give them no cause for
merriment; but her appetitne conquered.
place for their wives, the latter remain-
Calling a waiter, she asked if he couldn't
ing as hostages during their absence.
"bring back some of that beefsteak and
On returning they, with the other pris-
things he had taken away." He replied
oners, were marched to Gratiot street
that he would see, and, wearing a speer-
prison, Capt. W. promising their wives
ing smile, began bringing back the re-
they should be paroled in time to take
mains of the officers' supper. Taking
them to the hotel before night. But
a "hardtack” in her hand for her
they failed to return, and when the sun
little girl's supper, Madge left the
was nearly down the two wives, with
table, with feelings of contempt. both for
their little ones, sought the hotel alone,
the woman's weakness and the littleness
and took one room with two beds in it.
of an officer who could stoop to avenge
Madge did not undress or lie down.
an apparent indignity in such a manner.
To her it was a long night of anxiety
By paying fifty cents apiece they were
and suspense. She had heard at the
allowed to occupy staterooms for the
supper-table that the prisoners arrived
night. For breakfast the remains of the
that day were to be sent off next morn-
officers' meal were left upon the table,
ing at 7 o'clock. If that were so her
but Madge took only "hardtack” and
husband would be sent off before any-
coffee. She said nothing and did not
thing could be done. What must she
know that any one was noticing her, but
do? What could she do? How would
as she left the table she overheard the
she find him again? True, her permit
remark: "I wish we could keep you
read: "Permission to accompany him
awhile, you'd get over that.” Soon after
to his final destination, but now being
break fast the boat reached Helena, and
separated from him and with strangers,
would that be of any use? If left alone
the "prisoners” were all put ashore to
wait for a boat.
in St. Louis with very little money what
could she do? These and a thousand
The weather was cloudy and threaten-
other anxieties and perplexities ban-
ing, and the officer in charge advised the
ished sleep from her eyes.
ladies to go up in town for an hour or
Mrs. Smith slept soundly all night. A
two to avoid the rain, promising not to
thousand dollars in gold belted around
leave them,
her waist, of which Madge afterwards
They took his advice and missed being learned, banished uneasiness from her
in a heavy shower, but after returning a mind. Madge sought the breakfast table
light shower made them unpleasantly early to gather farther information, and
damp, and then the sun came out in full learned that it was the next morning
July force, making their “waiting time" the prisoners were to be sent off.
particularly unpleasant.
PLEADING WITH A PROVOST MARSHAL.
About 3 P. M. the Welcome came Learning at what hour the provost
in sight. The exiles met with only
marshal's office would be opened they
kindness on her, but just before they
determined to see him and find out what
reached Memphis they met the City of could be done. Arriving at the office
Alton with an excursion party on board. they found a number of persons as-
She ran as close to the Welcome as she sembled in an ante-room waiting to see
could and her passengers amused them the provost marshal. Presently a rather
selves singing insulting songs and re-
seedy and officious-looking old man
peating taunts of every description to
came to them and began asking ques-
the prisoners, until Capt. W., who had
tions. His manner more than his words
them in charge, threatened to arm them
was offensive, and Madge told him her
and allow them to resent the insults.
business was with the provost marshal
As the excursionists were only
general and she did not desire to talk
57

450
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
with anyone else. He turned off, seem. || signed it to him, telling him it was very
ingly, saying no one went into the pro necessary it should receive attention
vost marshal general's office without his that evening; to-morrow would be too
permission; that it was his duty to find late.
out people's business and determine He invited her into a small office, tore
whether it was of sufficient importance open the letter, remarking it was his
to be brought before the provost mar business to read and brief all letters ad-
shal-general or not. Madge feared that dressed to the postmaster general, which
she had been hasty, but it was too late remark was very discouraging-she
to regret it. After waiting a while she knew she had made it as brief as possi-
told Mrs. Smith to keep the children and ble under the circumstances.
remain there until she returned. She It afforded her no little relief to see
then went to the Welcome to inquire that he only wrote a few words at the
where Capt. W. might be found. She bottom and replaced it in the envelope.
felt some embarrassment going down to Looking at his watch he said, “The
the steamboat landing alone, as it was hour of closing is so near I will go and
an unusual thing for a Southern lady to look for the General; he went out a few
do in those days. A clerk of the boat minutes ago.”
saw her and very kindly came to meet In a short time he returned saying,
her. In answer to her inquiry he told the General would see her in his office,
her the captain was still on board the to which he conducted her.
boat, and invited ber in the cabin while After asking her a few questions, the
he looked him up." When the captain General called an orderly and instructed
came in he seemed very much surprised him to go to Gratiot street prison and
that the men had not been paroled, as he bring the man named in the order he
had been promised it would be attended handed him. On hearing this, Madge
to at once. He told her to return to the reminded the General of the Mr. Smith
hotel and he would certainly have it at mentioned in her letter, whose wife had
tended to after dinner. With some mis been led to expect the same terms for
givings she returned to Mrs. Smith, at her husband. The General then made
the office, and they went to the hotel to the order read for both men, and in-
wait. About 12 o'clock a fearful storm structed the orderly to bring them in
arose, and Madge, feeling sure that no haste. It was then time to close the
one not especially interested would go office, but the General said that he would
out in it, concluded to make one more wait half an hour,
effort herself.
During the interval he asked many
Going to the clerk she asked for writ questions in an interested and deferen-
ing material, addressed a letter to the tial manner about the siege. It was not
provost marshal-general, stating her long, however, until the orderly re-
case as briefly as she could, and also turned bringing the two men. There
that of Mrs. Smith, and, though it was were several officers or clerks in the
still raining hard, she determined to de room at their desks, but their day's
liver it herself.
work being finished, all had become in-
Returning the remaining writing ma terested, and when, in reply to a ques-
terial as she went out, she asked for an tion from the General, Mr. Brown said:
umbrella. The clerk replied that they "I volunteered at the beginning of the
had none, though there were several war and have served ever since when
visible. As she turned to go without, able, and now being unfit for duty, de-
he called to her that he was mistaken, sire to be paroled, promising on the
and offered her a very good one. She honor of a soldier to observe the rules
felt like refusing it, but reflecting that it and restrictions of an honorable parole."
might save a spell of sickness, which There was a subdued murmur of ap-
she could ill afford at that time, over proval. There was not time to prepare
came her resentment and accepted it. regular papers that evening, so paroles
She had a rough walk. It still rained were given for twenty-four hours with
hard, and the wind blew so that she car instructions to call for properly exo-
ried the umbrella with difficulty.
cuted paroles next morning.
On arriving at the office, the hour of
closing being near, she hastily pulled
SHAKING HANDS WITH A “VOLUNTEER."
the letter from her pocket as she neared While waiting for the temporary pa-
the top of the stairs. By the time she had role the General gave them some very
it out a man put his hand on it. Re useful information in regard to their
membering her experience of the morn conduct while under parole, and then
ing, she cautiously asked, "Do you re dismissing them in a kind manner asked
ceive the postmaster general's letters ?" || to shake hands with a "volunteer” as
"I do,'' he replied; whereupon she re- ll they were now getting scarce.

VILLAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
451
A happy trio returned to the hotel. No. 76.-Village Life in the South.
Leaving the gentlemen in the parlor,
Madge went in search of Mrs. Smith,
telling her there were some gentlemen
(By a Girl of the Time)
in the parlor that wanted to see her, and
even thought they could help her.
"Fleet-footed is the approach of woe,
But witb a lingering step and slow its form
JUST A LITTLE SPITEFUL.
departs"
Mrs. Smith, remarking rather sneer Perhaps there was no portion of the
ingly, "I know you could do nothing." Southern States that suffered less, in
prepared to go down. Taking the some respects, than many of the quiet
children Madge followed. Mrs. Smith | villages in the upper part of South Caro-
was very much and very pleasantly sur lina during our late civil war, while nu-
prised when she saw who the gentle merous homes elsewhere were devas-
men were, but turning to Madge said, tated by fire and sword. We were far
"I knew Capt. W. Would attend to it.” removed from Sherman's fiery track.
But Madge was too happy to care
We felt nothing of the fearful jars that
what she thought, though it did not dis shook Virginia to her very centre by
tress her to hear Mr. Smith tell his wife
actual contact with contending armies,
the next day that as they left the P. M.'s
office that morning after getting their
sometimes retreating, leaving the help-
paroles they met Capt. W. just going in. less women within the enemy's lines,
He seemed surprised to see them, and
then advancing and enfolding them, as
said his business there was in their in-
terest, and he was very glad it had been
it were, in the very heart of the Confed-
attended to in time to prevent their be erate army, and even then with only a
ing sent on to Indianapolis.
temporary sense of safety. The only
SHE COULD READ WRITING.
personal experience we had with either
One more little episode and I shall
army was an occasional night's enter-
have finished my chapter. When
tainment given to a few straggling
horsemer, who claimed to belong to
Madge rented a house it was necessary
to give a reference. She told the agent
Gen. Morgan's cavaliers or other com-
she knew no one, and he replied that if
mands, and once or twice, after Gen.
Mr. Wood, the proprietor of the hotel
Lee had surrendered, by a visit from a
where they were stopping, would give
small squad of Yankee soldiers belong-
her one, that would do. With some
ing to some of the numerous troops that
hesitation she asked Mr. Wood. “Why
roamed upon every highway and by-
certainly,” he replied, and after a short
path through the land in pursuit of our
time he brought it to the parlor and ap-
ill-fated President and his party.
peared as if he were about to read it.
We knew comparatively little of the
terrible privations, exposures, sacrifices
Just then a lady stepped in and asked
and losses of our sisters by the seashore.
him to see her husband, who was in bad We can never fully understand the ex-
health, for a few moments.
perience of the Charleston women dur-
ing the bombardment of their fair "City
Again he said “certainly,'' and, hand-
by the Sea." And a brilliant gleam of
ing the paper to her, asked her "to read
light, like an aurora borealis, in the di-
it to that lady," pointing to Madge. rection of our beautiful capital was all
Seeing the crimson hue that overspread
that we know of Columbia's fearful vis-
itation from Sherman's merciless raid-
Madge's face and surmising the cause,
ers. But while far removed from all
she remarked, "Perhaps the lady would these horrors, we had our experiences,
rather read it herself."
which were sad and gloomy enough.
Looking as if thunderstruck at his Our losses by death-the death of our
own stupidity, be handed the reference best and best-beloved-exceeded in pro-
to Madge, begging a thousand pardons, portion the losses in many sections in
and adding that he had so often been the South. We mourned over as many
told that so few Southern ladies were
OPEN GRAVES AND MISSING BOYS,
educated that he had not supposed a
private soldier's wife could read writing. Il and look back to our homes as many

452
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
precious forms, bleeding and torn by
bullet and shell, after "the cruel war
was over''-in some cases only to die in
our arms-as any other portion of "Dixie
Land.” Beside this we bore our full
share of burdens and privations in many
other ways; and the story of our experi-
ence, even if it does not compare in
thrilling adventure with some others, is
nevertheless a part of the history of
those eventful years. That excitement
of action, under the necessity of move-
ment, which supported many women
driven ruthlessly from their homes, and
enabled them to meet bravely each fiery
ordeal as it came, was not at any time a
part of our experience. Still we knew
not what day or hour might bring the
dreaded evil; and all too soon we learned
the lesson that suspense is as potent a
factor in the sum of human misery as
the worst realizations. Then, remote as
we were from the scenes of strife, when
a battle had been fought and news of the
slaughter was flashing over the electric
wires, we could only stand still and
wait-one, two, three, and sometimes
ten days—enduring cruel torture; wild
with anxiety, and yet afraid to hear, lest
that fearful list of "dead and wounded”
might contain the name of our dearest
and best beloved-perchance a father, a
lover, or the dear brother with whom
we had sported through all our happy
days of childhood.
Every battle brought its list of dead
and dying to our village, when at last,
its fatal results were known, and one by
one, each home within its borders, was
desolated. Ill news came heralded by
signals well understood. Loud, pro-
longed and piercing screams (I might
call them) from the “iron horse," which
broke the stillness of the night, as it
came rushing in with
ITS BLOODY FREIGHT
of dead. Each quivering heart stood
-till-waiting for the aged father, with
low dragging steps, to return from
where the news was read with messages
which gave relief to some and confirmed
the bitterest and most dreaded fears of
others. Sympathetic hearts could only
gather round the stricken household.
But what words of solace could be
spoken to that poor mother as she stood
amid her weeping daughters with loud,
wailing cries for her lost son, her “Ben-
jamin, her baby boy, whose place
none other of her numerous family
could ever fill? The message next, per-
haps, was carried to an aged widow, as
she sat with dreamy brow beside her
lonely hearth, thinking of her gallant
soldier boy-in fancy, sees him rear aloft
the drooping banner, snatched from a
falling comrade's hand, and hears him
as with bated breath and flashing eyes
he cries: "Come on! Come on! They
fly! they fly!” She follows, she sees
him halt; with victory crowned turn
back, just as the kindly friends and
pastor, with tearful eyes and solemn
face, come in. She reads it all before
they speak. With pallid cheek and glar-
ing eyes sbe stretches forth her withered
hands and shrieks: “O, God! O God,
they have not slain by boy !". Alas!
proud, doting mother. It is even so.
Your only joy and pride—the hope of
your old age-is gone. The intrepid.
dashing youth, his colonel said, "was
to have been promoted for his brave and
gallant bearing on that seif same moun-
tain side.” Alas! "the paths of glory
lead but to the grave.”
A YOUNG WIFE'S PITEOUS GRIEF.
While still the recollection of this
widow's piteous moans are saddening
all our hearts, the "bugle blast to battle
calls again;" again long days of tortur-
ing suspense pass slowly by. Then
comes the messenger! This time for
yonder young and beauteous wife.
Friends already crushed with bleeding
hearts come in to comfort her. “No,
no!” the loud, heart-searching scream
replies,"my loss is greater than all, for see
those little ones.” She points to children
mute, who tremble to behold their
mother's grief, more appalled and dazed
by her loud, frantic tones and gestures,
as she clasps the rudely-wakened new-
born babe to her wild throbbing breast,
than by a proper understanding of their
great loss, and her's so plainly told in
the cold rigid limbs extended there with
blood still oozing from the ghastly
wounds.
While the realization of such calami-
tous sorrow was daily experienced by
many Southern women, others lan-
guished and pined through long-drawn
and torturous days of unending suspense,
after seeing on the dreaded "list” the
one word "missing?' opposite the name
dearest of all to loving mothers and
sisters. At first, still full of hope, they
listened eagerly for a message or a word
of cheer from the comrades who stood
next to him in the ranks.
One wrote: "I am sure he lives. I
saw him shot, but I cannot think his
wound was mortal. Don't give up, we
will hear from him yet in the enemy's
hospital-perhaps in prison."
Another comrade wrote: "I dare not
raise false hopes; I think he must be
dead. I saw him reel and fall and
throw his hand up to his side just as he

VILLAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
453
fell, and after that was seen by some
one crawling off behind a tree. Had
not our dead fallen in the enemy's
hands we might have found his body."
Another wounded comrade soon after
that came home and told just how he
saw him lying near a fence, but could
not tell if he were dead, because his hat
was on his face. And so conflicting
tidings multiplied, while the sorrowing
mother and sisters struggled on-one
day hoping against hope, the next in
a very abandonment of despair. will-
ing, anxious to hear anything, the very
worst positively, rather than live on
with this undying monster of suspense
forever coiled about their aching hearts.
Then again there were others assured of
their loss, denied the poor privilege of
seeing or burying their dead, knowing
only that they filled honored graves
heaped up by loving hands in the far off
BLOOD-STAINED BOSOM OF VIRGINIA.
Others only knew their dead were left
in the enemy's hands, and the tale of
how and where they were laid was never
to be told. Not even was a wretched
widowed mother, known to us all, who
had given up her only wealth, six sturdy
husband men, to the cause we loved so
well, permitted the small comfort of
bringing back to rest in the old church-
yard a single one of her five dead sons,
who one by one had been slain on yon-
der dismal fields. These were some of
the ordeals that tried our souls. The
unseen gnawings of deep burning sus.
pense through three long months of
hopes and fears. The slaughter which
brought
“One woe upon another's heels,
So fast they followed.”
Oh! those harrowing days and scenes,
Human hearts must undergo such trials
to appreciate them. Imagination can-
not portray the living truth. 'Tis like a
portrait taken after death; the breath-
ing, palpitating anguish of the moment
is beyond the power of human pen. Let
us pass them by. Let us rather recall
the lesser trials of the times and tell the
girls of to-day how we girls of the war
managed to meet our wants at home, and
how our mothers taught us to provide
for the comforts of our "boys in grey,"
whom all alike, white-haired sires, dot-
ing mothers and loving wives, and sis-
ters, had hurried with the wildest enthu-
siasm to the front ranks. vainly! ah,
so valnly dreaming of their early return
crowned with victory and freedom.
HOW THE GIRLS KEPT UP APPEARANCES.
When our ports were first blockaded,
and we found ourselves cut off from all
resources, it seemed like pastime to ex-
ercise our ingenuity in devising suita-
ble articles of wear for the girls in the
family. As I look back now it seems
strange that wardrobes should have been
so speedily exhausted. I think the only
solution of the mystery, however, will
be found in the fact that girls in their
teens will grow, and, almost before the
full import of blockaded ports was
realized, girls' dresses were growing so
unfashionably short as to create no
small concern about the wherewithal to
renew them. At first old trunks and
bureau drawers, top shelves in out-of-
the-way closets were ransacked, and an-
tiquated garments, long since cast aside
as worthless, or laid away as relics of
our mothers' and grandmothers' younger
days, were brought to light.
Yes, even the treasured articles were
unearthed. which in our childhood we
had only been permitted to see and not
handle as we stood tiptoe with eager
eyes and curiosity peering into the depths
of a drawer beside our mother's knee
and watched her as she laid them back
with a sigh and said, "These were my
poor mother's." Each feeling of regret
was hushed and swallowed up in the ne-
cessity of the hour as they were lifted
from their various hiding places, and
then with right good will and persever-
ance ripped up, sponged and pressed,
turned inside out, upside down, and
twisted and stretched and pieced, and
finally converted into most respectable
articles of apparel. None of your
"shabby genteel” affairs either, for we
would have the girls of the day under-
stand from the outset that, sorely pressed
as we then were, we felt quite as much
appreciation of the neat and tidy girl as
they who now have every material to
supply their needs and money where-
with to buy it.
MAKING CLOTHES FOR THE SOLDIERS.
Money was almost as unavailable as
material with us for a time. “Uncle
Sam's' treasury was not accessible to
“Rebels.” Our government was young,
and Confederate bonds and money yet
in their infancy. We could do nothing
more than await developments, and try
to meet emergencies as they trooped up
before us. In the meantime, children
grew a pace. Our village stores were
emptied and deserted. Our armies
in the field became grand realities. All
resources were cut off. Our government
could poorly provide food and clothing
and ammunition for its armies. Then
it was our mothers' wit was tested,
and did in no sort disappointment our
expectations. Spinning wheels, looms

454
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and dye pots were soon brought into || Alas! that her song should so soon have
requisition. Wool of home production been changed to the plaintive air of
was speedily converted, by loving “Let me kiss him for his mother.”
hands, into warm flannels and heavy
THE INGENUITY OF SOUTHERN WOMEN.
garments, with soft scarfs and snugly-
fitted leggings, to shield our dear During all that time, when every
boys from Virginia's wintry blasts and woman vied with the other in working
fast-falling snows. Later on, when the for the soldiers, there were needs at
wants and privations of the army grew home too urgent to be disregarded.
more pressing, societies' were formed to These, too, had to be met, and how, was
provide supplies for the general demand. not long the question. For those very
Southern homes withheld nothing that women who had been reared in case and
could add to the soldiers' comfort. Every
affluence soon learned practically that
available fragment of material was con “necessity is the mother of invention,"
verted into some kind of garment. After and the story of their ingenuity, if all
the stores of blankets in each home had
told, might surprise their Northern sis-
been cheerfully given, carpets were util ters, who always regarded them as in-
ized in their stead, and portioned out to efficient, pleasure loving members of
the suffering soldiers. Wool mattresses society. Whatever may have been the
were ripped open, recarded and woven fault of their institutions and rearing,
into coverings and clothing. Bits of new the war certainly brought out the true
woollen fabrics, left from former gar woman, and no women of any age or
ments, were ravelled, carded, mixed with nation over entered, heart and soul, more
cotton and spun and knitted into socks. enthusiastically into their country's con-
Old and worn garments were carried test than those who now mourn the
through the same process. Even rab “Lost Cause." While our armies were
bits' fur was mixed with cotton or silk, victorious in the field hope lured us on.
and appeared again in the form of neat We bore our share of privations cheer-
and comfortable gloves. Begging com-
fully and gladly.
mittees went forth (and be it truthfully We replaced our worn dresses with
said, the writer never knew of a single homespuns, planning and devising
one being turned away empty,) to gather checks and plaids, and intermingling
up the offerings from mansion and ham colors with the skill of professional "de-
let, which were soon cut out, made up, signers.” The samples we interchanged
packed and forwarded with all possible were homespuns of our last weaving,
speed to the soldiers.
not A. T. Stewart's or John Wannama-
SINGING AS THEY SPUN.
ker's sample envelopes, with their elab-
And who can tell what pleasure we
orate display of rich and costly fabrics.
took in filling boxes with substantials
Our mothers' silk stockings, ofanto-bel-
and such dainties as we could secure for
lum date, were ravelled with patience
the hospitals. Old men and little boys
and transformed into the prettiest of
were occupied in winding thread and
neat-fitting gloves. The writer remem-
holding brooches, and even knitting on
bers never to have been more pleased
the socks when the mystery of “turning
than she was by the possession of a trim
the heel” had been passed. The little
pair of boots made of the tanned skins
spinning wheel turned by a treadle,
of some half dozen squirrels. They were
became a fascination to the girls, and
so much softer and finer than the ordi-
with its busy hum was mingled oft-
nary heavy calfskin affairs to be bought
times merry strain of patriotic song.
at the village "shoe shop," that no
Northern maiden was ever more pleased
Listen and you'll catch the words as with
flashing eyes and cheeks aglow she sings:
with her ten-dollar boots. Our hats,
made of palmetto and rye straw, were
"Our wagon's plenty big enough, the running becoming and pretty without lace, tips,
gear is good,
or flowers. Our jackets were made of
'Tis stuffed with cotton round the sides and
the fathers' old-fashioned
made of Southern wood;
cloaks, in
Carolina is the driver, with Georgia by her
vogue some forty years agone-those of
that style represented in the pictures of
Virginia'll hold the flag up and we'll all take Mr. Calhoun doing splendid service by
a ride."
supplying all the girls in the family at
Or, perhaps, this couplet from "Caro once. We even made palmetto jewelry
lina Forever, the Palmetto girl's favor-
of exquisite designs, intermingled with
ite war refrain:
hair, that we might keep even with the
“She has sworn she will never submit to op.
boys who wore "palmetto cockades.”
The flowers we wore were Nature's own
pression,
And her sons are willing to die for Seces beautiful, fragrant blossoms, sometimes,
sion.”
when in patriotic mood, nestled with
side,

VILLAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
455
symbolic cotton bolls. For our calico | ously dipped in melted wax, round an
dresses, if ever so fortunate as to find old candlestick. Imagine, if you can, its
one, we sometimes paid a hundred dol unsightly proportions.
lars, and for the spool of cotton that A favorite night's employment was
made it from ten to twenty dollars. The found in making envelopes, for we
buttons we used were oftentimes cut wrote letters then as well as you do now,
from a gourd into sizes required and girls. No bits of white paper, suitable
covered with cloth, they having the ad for writing with pen and ink, could be
vantage of pasteboard because they were wasted in envelopes; these had to take
rounded. On children's clothes per the place inside and bear our messages
simmon seed in their natural state, with of love and cheer to the boys, who ap-
two holes drilled through them, were preciated them quite as much as your
found both neat and durable. In short, lovers of to-day. Thus it happened that
we fastened all our garments after true wall papering and sheets with pictures
Confederate style, without the aid of on one side, taken from old books of
Madam Demorest's guide book, or “United States explorations,” served to
Worth's Parisian models, and suffered make envelopes neat enough, as far as
from none of “Miss Flora McFlimsey's" outside appearances went, to please the
harassing dilemmas.
most fastidious. These we stuck to-
gether with gum from peach trees. Ink
WHAT THEY ATE AND DRANK,
was manufactured from oak balls and
The things we ate and drank come in green persimmons with rusty nails in-
too for a prominent position. Our first stead of copperas to deepen the color.
duty, after the blockade cut off all sup The noisy goose supplied our pens.
plies, was to store away what groceries With these materials were sent as lov-
and luxuries were left in as safe places ing missives and, we fancy, as warmly
as possible for sickness and in view of welcome as those now penned with gold
the return of wounded friends. So, then, on dainty, gilt-edged sheets of dazzling
our coffee was made of rye, wheat and whiteness.
sweet potatoes chipped, dried and
ALONE WITH THE SLAVES.
parched; also okra seed and other sub-
stitutes too numerous to mention. It In addition to these light privations,
was sweetened, if at all, with sorghum wives and mothers were burdened, as
or honey. For tea the leaves of black they had never been before, by the di-
berry vines were gathered and dried rection and oversight of the numerous
with as much care as a Chinaman ma slaves, on whom alone they depended
nipulates his "Young Hyson” and for the homely supplies necessary to the
“Oolong.” “Dixie cookeries,” abound maintenance of the whites as well as
ing in recipes for molasses cakes and pud blacks. And be it said to their eternal
dings, were quite the fashion. Our fruit credit, no race was ever more submis-
cakes were made of dried apples, cherries, sive and helpful than they during those
pears and plums, and without any spice four years of bloody strife. And had
at all. For medicines we used roots and not their ignorance been abused and
herbs, glad to make use of the red man's tampered with by designing scalawags
medicinal skill. Salt, white and pure, Il and carpet-baggers they might have
was obtained by digging up the earthen been so still, and though freed, lived on
floors of long used smoke-houses, drip till now in peace and harmony with
ping water through it in hoppers and their former masters. They even took
boiling it down. When the long winter a pride in feeling themselves the only
evenings closed in the lights we used protectors of the mistress at home, de-
were simple curiosities. We had no prived of her natural support and guid-
gatherings then round brilliant lamps ance from the stronger sex, all of whom
with dainty embroideries and fancy had volunteered in our country's cause.
crochets in gay worsteds and silk. Our And yet again, there were thousands of
constant work was knitting coarse socks men in the army upon whose daily la-
for the soldiers. Full directions for the bor their families depended for bread.
length and breadth thereof being printed Deprived of this and widowed and or-
for the benefit of the inexperienced. phaned, as they rapidly were by the
Our best lights were tallow candles, but deadly battles which followed in quick
these were too scarce to be used except succession, they were left suffering and
on special occasions. The ordinary starving, thrown almost entirely upon
lights were knots of pine, supported on the mercy of these wives and mothers,
iron racks at the back of the chimney to who bravely met this additional de-
let the smoke fly upwards. Another odd mand upon their charity.
light, known as a wax taper, was made But why need I writo further? The
by winding thirty yards of wick, provi- ll list of things we wore, and ate, and did,

456
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
and the list of things we thought, and | ture President Davis. At any rate, they
felt, and dreamed, might be written of were checked in their career of theft
forever and then leave much of the truth within a mile of our village (for the
untold. Yet, for all that, barring sus fame of their ill deeds had gone before
pense, we were content with just such thema) by a company of school-boys and
comforts as we bad. A sprig of the old men, organized for home defence,
Sherb called content" can make the who frightened them into believing the
poorest soup taste as rich as the lord place was ably defended,
mayor's turtle, and our sacrifices seemed Retreating, they scattered and turned
as trivial nothings in comparison with the aside from the direct road, swarming
þardships, privations and dying agonies like a herd of of hungry animals, by cir-
of our suffering and impoverished boys cuituous routes, among the country
kalong the Potomac,' where the light homes, where only old men and weak
of the camp-fires gleamed,' and from women were to be found. Of the details
whence no word of murmur ever came. of their various visits I have no per-
Yes, our "own boys;' for where was sonal knowledge beyond our own house-
ever such an army known before? No hold. I must therefore confine further
hirelings of the nation. No tall and fair remarks to what came under our imme.
faced Hessians, who fought for price, or diate observaiion.
sons of Erin's Isle, who needed but a I seem to see and hear them now as
floating bit of crimson cloth to fire their they came rushing on their wicked er-
love of fight. But noble sons of patri-
rand of plunder. For their crimes “are
otic sires! The flower of high-born, written with a pen of iron and the point
Southern chivalry! Who fought for
of a diamond” on our hearts. Perhaps
right! for freedom ! and for justice! of not more than twenty minutes before
the loftiest type-aye! must I tell it? warning had come of their presence sev.
Fought in vain, but to be mowed down eral miles away, and even while we
like grass, before the keen-edged blade waited irresolute, deciding what course
of base oppression. If the treasured was best to pursue, employed the while
suits of hair, a woman's pride and glory, in sealing up and securing such articles
could have been shaven from the heads of jewelry and silver as we could, they
of Southern women, and utilized for the came charging and yelling as if they ex-
comfort of such armies, whole bales pected to be met by the Stonewall
would have been ready for transporta brigade instead of the terrified women
tion. But alas! alas! All the eager en of a conquered people-conquered,''
thusiasm, high-spirited defiance, and did I say? I take it back and insert in
passionate vehemence found an end in
its place "overpowered-with oaths
the slow-burning furnace of humiliation upon their lips the like of which we had
when the 9th of April, 1865, closed upon never heard before. From above stairs
that memorable scene at Appomattox. I heard the mother's voice, in wild en-
Let the pall of silence overshadow that treaty, urging the white-haired father,
ill-starred hour. We cannot picture the infirm and feeble as he was, "to fly for
despair, for
God's sake anywhere beyond their
"'Tis with feelings as with waterg-
reach.” News of how they had sub-
The shallowg murmur, but the deeps are jected old men of any position what-
dumb.”
over to all manner of indignities, for
what purpose only God in heaven knew
IN THE HANDS OF THE BUMMERS.
had made us more alive to his danger.
Shortly after Lee's surrender our com As his bent form was lost to sight be-
munity was visited by the party of Yan hind the garden palings close by, a loud
kee raiders before mentioned. Our shot to the front was heard, followed by
armies had been disbanded; their shat a dying moan, which told of the faithful
tered remnants, heartsick, hungry and watch dog's fate. Bewildered with dis-
penniless, scattered to seek their homes tracting uncertainty I seemed unable to
as best they might Our Capital was move until the rude insulting demands
deserted; our President bad fled for his reached my ears: “Where's the man of
lite; no show of resistance was to be the house ? "Your firearms?" "Your
seen in the most rebellious quarter, and money, Madam?" Dizzy with fear lest
we had reason to suppose that the privi they might overtake the father in his
leges of war would no longer be exer flight, we know not whither, or per-
cised by our foes. Then it was they chance, trot him off on some jaded, bare-
came and insulted, ill-used and robbed back mule in our very sight, or torture
us, simply because they could. Perhaps the mother to make her disclose his
it will never be certainly known to what hiding place, I descended the stairs with
command exactly they belonged, though as much composure as I could command,
they were a part of the host sent to cap- ll there to be confronted with the same

VILLAGE LIFL IN THE SOUTH.
457
demands, accompanied with fierce oaths | Free-Masonry, that part of it at least
and accusations of falsehood, couched in allowed to them for purposes of security.
no mild terms, but the surly words, With the sign of the Order still fresh in
“YOU ARE A LIAR !"
mind it was thought advisable to try its
powers; but after unavailing efforts to
blurted out in such tones as made the convince the would-be officer of
very blood to curdle. They were seven
'A MASONIC WOMAN'S CLAIMS
in number-one an Indian, the most in-
upon his humanity, the effort was aban-
sulting of all a Michigander, fired with
doned in despair. He sat with stolid in-
drink. After hasty and vain efforts to difference throughout the entire per-
extort the father's hiding place they formance, leaving the honest convic-
began searching for him and also for
tion that either he was no part of a
hidden treasure. But even a child can
Mason, or else those signs given to ladies
be an instrument in the hands of the
were something of a humbug. Girls
Lord for good, and as they started bo had also been practiced in shooting pis-
hind the garden, a quick-witted little tols for further self-protection, and when
African seemed to think her duty was the burly Michigander walked out with
to thwart them, and so she spoke out our brace of pretty Smith & Wesson pis-
boldly and said: “Master didn't go that tols, and triumphantly displayed them
way, he went in the garden." This to his commanding officer, one of us
turned their course. Failing to find him said politely, "Those are mine.” With
they went out at an orchard gate beyoud, a sneer that might have done Voltaire
leaving him unfound, in safety, not ten credit he replied, with an oath, "Not
steps from where they passed, with only now, my lassie." That was the only re-
the garden paling between. Truly, "the mark ventured, as we thought "dis-
Lord preserveth the righteous man," cretion the better part of valor. At last
and under the “shadow of His wings” gathering up the stolen goods, besides
what enemy can harm ?
the guns, and even two pairs of old navy
They were evidently in great haste, as and duelling pistols, in disuse twenty
we afterwards learned they feared pur years or more, and a valuable telescope,
suit from the village company. But they took themselves off with five
they managed to execute a great deal in horses, which they had seen in coming
a short time. Every trunk, drawer, through the plantation where the negroes
wardrobe and closet was entered. were at work and ordered them brought
Watches, jewelry, silver and every in. At the front door was left the heap
trinket of value extracted. Locks burst, of plough-gear, and one jaded, worn-
beds torn to pieces, and indeed every down animal, so utterly exhausted it
room thrown in the wildest confusion. never moved for hours. The next day it
What they could not take they de was claimed by a man from whom it
stroyed, cutting in pieces such valuable was stolen twenty miles distant.
things as boots, clothes and books, shat-
SHOT BY ACCIDENT.
tering glasses, china, combs and in short
Retribution oftentimes overtakes the
singling out the very articles they knew
wicked suddenly, and that “without
could only be replaced with difficulty.
remedy.” So it happened to this party
Entering the library, the keys of the
a few hours after they left us thankful
desk were demanded, which being in the
for life and shelter. They had entered
father's pocket, of course, could not be
the house of a minister of God, pillaged,
produced. They then proceeded to rip
and were just leaving well-freighted
it open on every side with their bayo-
with jewelry and valuables when the
nets. Finding nothing but Confederate
Michigander, by accident, shot himself.
money they remunerated themselves for
Mortally wounded, his comrades were
the trouble by tearing up and scattering
puzzled to know what to do. The man
to the four winds every paper to be
of God took advantage of the occasion
found, many valuable ones disappearing
to reprove them in his Master's name,
never to be seen again Practice had
whereupon they agreed to give back the
made them perfect, for they left "no
stolen property if the minister would
stone upturned” in their search. The
take care of the fallen dragoon and bury
Indian with his national characteristic
him decently. The family physician
"captured” a crimson plume, which had
was summoned and every act of mercy
only served to make gay the baby's cap.
needful performed, but the rifle had
One of the party sat outside on his horse
done its work well and within twelve
watching. He claimed to be an officer,
hours this soldier, too, had entered upon
and yet when appealed to for protection
the untried realities of eternity.
answered: "I am sorry, but I can't
control these men.” Previous to that A SCENE OF OUTRAGE AND PLUNDER.
time many ladies had been initiated in ll A month from this period, one pleas-
58

458
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ant May morning, after the President || what mothers' and what sisters' hearts
had been overtaken and the troops were could have borne the intensity of its
returning from Georgia, two of the same burning torture! Thus forced, on the
party of raiders before mentioned, with one hand, to see our dear old father, his
others, called "once again to greet us." head already bowed with sorrow and
Being quite at leisure that time they the snows of many winters, bound to
excelled themselves in deeds of unpar his chair by fierce threats of injury and
alleled outrage. Entering stealthily with torture, and kept motionless, more to
out a moment's warning, front and back save us from additional suffering in see-
doors at the same instant, a pistol was ing him harmed than any fear of death,
drawn on our father's white head, as he conscious of our weakness and inability
sat on the porch without thought of to resist superior strength, feeling the
danger. There, with insulting menaces, hopelessness of an appeal for mercy,
held prisoner by one of the band dur seeing their wicked enjoyment of our
ing four hours or more, while the others helpless misery as they revelled in this
proceeded with their disgraceful work display of malignant hate; and, far
of insult, theft and vindictive over worse than all else, compelled to stand
bearing at the expense of an aged, trem aloof and witness the unholy desecration
ulous mother and two frightened girls, of that sacred spot, our brother's grave,
with great deliberation they enumerated to see it dug into, spit upon, and listen
long list of articles minutely. Calling for to their fiendish rejoicings over the
those slaves by name who had aided in “death of this one hated Rebel”—all
concealing the valuables, they were or combined was
dered at the point of the bayonet to show
A REFINEMENT OF TORTURE
where the mistress had put such and
such things as they named. In a few beyond anything the “Camanches or
instances the more ignorant and less Spanish Inquisition ever dreamed."
trusty slaves were bribed and duped Our whole beings yet quiver with
into believing that they did God service anguish at remembrance of the recent
by disclosing family secrets. From one scene when that new-made mound was
of this class, who was an alien without silently heaped on the cold, still form of
kindred, but recently come among our our darling hope and pride. He was our
slaves, and jealous of the trust imposed eldest born the best among us, the
in others, had been obtained the in favored one who was bound to our
formation now flaunted by these heroic hearts, not only by the ties of kindred,
conquerors. The faithful, trusted head but "grappled to our souls by hooks of
servant had concealed many valuable steel, for his many deeds of loving
clothes and other things in his house. kindness. Generous, true and noble we
and a trunk of clothing to save, if need knew him; the hope of aged parents, his
be, by claiming it as his own. But from young life, so full of promise, we realized
some reason, never explained, he was then had been, like so many thousand
suspected and accordingly reported by others, an unavailing sacrifice. With
the slave alluded to, and now called by many hair-breadth escapes he had
name and forced by threats of instant safely borne the strife and turmoil of
death to show where were concealed his four and twenty battles while comrades
slain young master's clothes, the watch, fell around him “thick as autumnal
the pictures and relics of that dear soldier leaves that strew the vale in Valam-
brother whose life-blood flowed with brosa.” Full of life and hope at last he
Chickamauga's dismal stream. Singling fell to suffer and to die alone, aye! all
out with peculiar discrimination every alone! upon that dreadful field of carn-
item of the master's property, they mu age where the “River of Death” mur-
tilated and despoiled what they could mured a mournful dirge o'er the graves
not take. The wife of the man servant of a thousand dead. Had we yet forgotten
only saved one of the pictures from de the solemn hour that brought him back.
struction by tears and entreaties and That mournful procession; the deep
claiming it as her own.
rumbling of those heavy wheels,
But for all this, hard as it was, we might freighted with a narrow s
X of
have forgiven them had they been con pino, as, at the midnight hour it slowly
tent to stop there. With diabolical hate approached the door, where stood a
still insatiate, they hurried, with scoffs white-haired, weeping father; a mother,
and curses on his head, to the very grave wild with frantic grief for her "poor
of him so cruelly sacrificed, searching boy;" sisters, crushed and stricken by
even that hallowed spot for “worldly the overwhelming calamity of their
treasure.” God forgive them! Had not first great loss and sorrow. Friends and
a kind Father looked down in pity, and kindred, full of sympathy, stood by, for
tempered the wretchedness of that hour, ll they too had loved the noble, generous,

VILLAGE LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
459
youth, as also had that dusky throng of || libation, I suppose, to their great vic-
slaves, who crowded round with loud tory over the weaker sex.
wailing and lamentations, wildly tossing
to and fro the fiery torches which alone
THEIR DRUNKEN REVEL
lit up the weird, heartrending scene. happily ended at last, they rudely or-
Their hearts all full of love and sympa-
dered dinner served, refusing to eat
thy for poor old master," they gathered
closer and yet closer, touching rever-
until assured by their dusky ally the
ently the sacred box, and calling aloud family had partaken of similar food, lest
on the name of its cold and silent in-
their precious palates might be tickled
mate. This was the scene that yet
burned in our hearts, and now made
by a rare bit of poison. I wonder if they
this exercise of vindictive hate and ty thought they deserved as much ? No-
ranny so hard to be endured from these body asked me what I thought, and I
relentless foes.
never said. After hours of such tanta-
And what soul can feel more abhor-
rence of base and cowardly oppression
lizing and exasperating outlawry, the
than the woman subjected to its fury? gallant troop departed, leaving one of us,
Every form of justice was trampled un at least, hoping her eyes might never
der foot, Silver and jewelry, which be-
rest again upon another soldier from the
fore had escaped, was now unea
Every petty annoyance and insult con-
ranks of the “Grand Army of the Re-
ceivable were resorted to with jeers and public' south of “Mason and Dixon's
taunts which could only be met in si-
Line,” at any rate. Of that, however,
lence. The cherished remnants of
she has thought better since. They even
crushed sugar, coffee, tea, sweetmeats, carried off by force the loval old slave.
wine and such things as were rare luxu-
who had proved his fidelity beyond a
ries to us then, were wantonly destroyed shadow of doubt, in the face of his be-
before our eyes. Jugs in which they
seeching wife, to serve them, as they said,
had safely undergone burial were burst
"in the capacity of guide. Not until
open on the ground. Sugar was fed as
the party reached Asheville, where they
salt to their horses, and that with every-
found their command, was this "freed-
thing else scattered beneath their feet to
man" allowed to go free, and then only
be despoiled beyond recovery. This
by direct sppeal to the commanding of-
may seem a trivial matter now, but
ficer, who (for the satisfaction of sym-
when it is remembered with what care pathetic readers I will here insert) pun-
and painstaking these treasured edibles ished the delinquents by putting them
had been packed and sealed securely on double duty, though he seemed to
enough to be buried and hoarded up, doubt his ability, and graciously de-
how they had been sparingly used in
clined to make them restore the watch
sickness occasionally, and when needed
stolen from the slave's possession. For-
to gratify the cravings of wounded, in-
tunately for us, however, and thanks to
valid boys sent home suffering for
the ready cunning of these creatures of
proper diet in the hospitals to recruit a
color, the raiders missed at last our most
few days—let all this be first understood
valuable boxes of silver and jewelry.
and our feelings then will be better ex Notwithstanding they left us many un-
plained.
pleasant reminders of their visit in the
Another trusted slave was marched absence of loved and treasured relics.
before a levelled gun to a fish pond near Let it be well remembered! All this
by to raise the bottles of wine there transpired a full month after peace had
sunk for safety. In spite of threats, been declared. With such peace! what
however, the African was wily enough wonder Southern women were never re-
to save a portion by a little deception in constructed. But this subject opens up
reference to the quantity hidden away. another chapter. One word more and I
Over this, when returned from the pond, am done. Southern women are still
they made great merriment, amusing charged with never having learned the
themselves by making drunk the half meaning of Reconstruction. Be that as
curious, half frightened assembly of it may, the charge is not refuted. But
little darkys attracted by the novelty of after the lapse of nearly nineteen years,
the position. With rude boisterous I think, I may safely say for them, in
laughing they toasted and drank to the that period they have learned well this
fill. Their horses were also invited to truth: Time is an instrumentin the hand
join them in a "Secosh drink,” prefaced, of a merciful God, and with it He soothes
of course, with the necessary oaths to en every wound. The wound may remain
force the merit of the joke. What was and occasionally ache, but the first agony
left they poured out on the ground, as all of its recent infliction is felt no more.

460
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
No. 177.-Killed in Cold Blood. Il it "home,'' indeed. The golden-haired
sisters had sent their lovers, with
their brother, off to the wars to
(By Mrs. Mary Beeman, of Charlotte, N. C.) fight for home, their sires, and sweet
love's sake, and now were lonely days.
In 1864 I left my home in Washington,
Uncle W-- kept the hotel for the place,
N. C., for Marianna, Fla., for the double giving daily bread to those unable to
purpose of visiting relatives and attend pay him, and receiving the most aston-
ishingly high sounding sums for the
ing school. Being a small inland town,
board of others. You remember the
without a railroad, its very insignifi Confederate money made a mighty
cance was its best protection from the sound to name it, but little real
invaders. There it lay among the hills,
value was attached to it. For in-
stance, my uncle would hand his girls
quiet, calm, serene even to monotony.
over three hundred dollars to get a calico
Very lovely it looked to me with its rose dress with. Now, I am a mother in
gardens, orange trees and jossamine moderate circumstances, I often make
hedges, surrounding comfortable but
my little boys proud by saying: “Ah!
boys, your mamma has worn her five
unpretentious homes, where the horrors
hundred dollar dresses, and that when
of war were heard from a distance but she was a little miss of twelve years."
never had been experienced. True, all
The little boys are getting big ones now
and trip me in my speech of pride by
the men fit to serve had long since been
answering with a laugh: “Yes'm, in
"off to the war." Many had said "good Confed' money." God shield you, little
bye" on marching day, and it was "for men, from such times as those! I dwelt,
ever” with them, for many there were
while there, with a married daughter of
Uncle W.'s, whose home was about a
who had "crossed o'er the river” and
third of a mile from the town, on a very
now “rested under the shade of the high hill. So much higher was our hill
trees.” 'Twas thus I found Marianna than the town that we could look down
upon it, and at night one could see Mari-
sweet name, unknown to fame, but not
anna lying asleep in the moonbeams,
to woe, as I shall show you. Arriving away down below us; 80 quaint and
there I at once commenced school in quiet, like a little nun in gray, a way
company with the sons of my great-
from the sins of the world. Ab ! but
sin and death did soon enter there-
uncle W-, my two cousins, Charles
'twas even then almost in sight.
and Woody, aged respectively 15 and 17
years. Our instructor was a Mr. Tucker,
THE DARK CLOUD.
a man of noble parts, who at that time
One morning in September, when the
dew was on the grass, the grapes were
had all the youth of both sexes under his
at their purple and the woods between
charge.
us and town, with their autumn tints of
Woody's seventeenth birthday was red, gold and brown, with enough of
only a few weeks off, and its approach summer's tender green still left to make
was a source of sadness to his father and
it lovely in the early sunlight of that
sisters, for the draft law would then perfect day. Why could not that azure
claim him; not because they did not sky o'er head reflect, as in olden times,
love their country and its cause, but that army winding its way along the
their hearts were still bleeding over the shady road, with the rich flowery per-
loss of a noble brother and son, whose fume arising from the bright blossoms
cap and gun hung behind the hall door
growing so luxuriantly beside them in
awaiting the hour Woody would come the woods? I have often wondered if
to take them and "go forth to avenge their cold Northern hearts were touched
poor Buddie Joe." Poor young Josie by the loveliness of the homes of those
had died in Georgia, calling in tones of whom they had come to destroy. Did
piteous entreaty for "Pa, dear pa, please pot nature say to their senses in a hun-
take me home to die;
dred sweet tongues: "See how God
"OH, COME TO YOUR POOR BOY !"
must love these people to give them such
a glorious abiding place." On this
His father only reached him as his morning my little cousin Dell, (aunt
corpse was being placed in his coffin Willie's daughter) and myself took our-
he had died from the amputation of an selves off for school, away down the
arm. A tender Father on High had white pebbled road, across the branch,
healed the poor broken body and taken ll and swiftly up Marianna's hillside we

KILLED IN COLD BLOOD.
461
go, with many a pleasant word between || "HURRY UP, THE YANKEES ARE COM-
us—a smile on our lips, a laugh in our
ING!"
voices, because of our very light-hearted-
As an old war-horse (I was only 12)
ness. Ah! little list we of the "woo and
scents danger from away, so I scented
heartache waiting for us down the road.'' Yankees-and that near by! Turning
PLUCKING THEIR LAST FLOWERS.
to wondering Dell, I said: "I do believe
those confounded Yankees are actually
Now we are at Mrs. H— r's corner,
going to follow me clear here; certain as
we peep through the fence just as we do you live, that's what's up now."
every morning at the pretty roses, de-
"o, no,” said ignorant Dell, “this
is Court week. Don't you remember,
clare them lovelier than ever before,
cousin Marmaduko D—-n was in town
reach up over the gate and steal our yesterday??
usual cluster of jessamine, stick it in the "Court week, indeed,'' sniffed I, "just
bib of our aprons, and go on our way re wait a minute, you'll see.”
joicing, little dreaming this to be our By this time we had reached the hotel.
last stolen sweet from o'er this gate. We Across the street was the Courthouse sit-
were now fairly in town and and were ting in a large, square yard. This yard
soon curious to know what was amiss. was filled with crowds of angry, excited
Something was wrong an rould plainly men and boys, all gesticulating and talk-
be seen. Women stood bareheaded talk ing loudly. There stood Mr. Tucker in
ing in groups on the sidewalk or at the the midst of a crowd of his school-boys,
gates, with a look of startled expectancy his grand figure towering above their
on their faces, all talking so eagerly and youthful heads, talking earnestly to
all at once as in a chorus, while the little them, while they listened in serious at-
children grasped tight their mothers' tention; and as we entered the gate a
hands, or dress skirts, and gave little shout arose loud and shrill from boyish
terrified glances up and down the street. throats. Over there, cousin Lou and
School-boys we met running swiftly Mag tore around like mad, bundling up
homeward, with their books under their valuables in the shape of family pictures,
arms, their caps set well back on their jewelry, silverware and many little
heads and the air of boys who have an un household treasures, and packing them
expected holiday written all over them. in the wagon at the door.
Men hurry along with angry faces, “Yes," said cousin Mag, “the Yan-
at every corner glance expectantly kees are coming. You, Mary, I do be-
down that street, then this way, lieve, are going to prove a veritable
as though they were bound to Jonah among us.”
find what they looked for, one “Yes,” called out cousin Lou, "they
way or the other. Everybody in town say there are ten thousand of them.”
must be mad to-day; no one smiles at us Well, then,” said I, in a tone of con-
as we pass along, save some negroes fidence, “they'll swallow Marianna."
who lean over yard fences; wagons, carts "Let them try it," returned she, roll-
and carriages drive hurriedly up the ing some silver up in an old flannel
street, while in many yards carts and skirt, “they'll have to swallow us, guns,
wheelbarrows even stand at front doors, bayonets and all. We won't sit ready
being heavily laden as on moving-day, greased for the eating."
Women would rush to the door with "I know Yankees better than you all
sheets tied up full of something, dump -a plague on them,” cried I, “Your few
it in the carts and fly off like mad for soldiers will only be enough to.rouse
another load. And the men sat impa their anger, and then it will be all the
tiently in the wagons, calling out: worse for them and us; but I wish we
“Hello! hurry up there, unless you had men enough to kill the last one
want them to come before you get these coming.”
tricks off. These words have a familiar “What's that, little Reb? called out
ring of days passed in my far-off home, Woody, as he came bouncing in the hall
Why, yes, have I not seen scenes like where we were all at work with tongue
this hundreds of times before? and over and hands; “want me to bring you a
so much more exciting, when women dead Yank for that bloody speech after
half clad at the midnight hour would the battle?”
hurry along under the stars, with their “Yes, lots of them,” returned 1, "if
arms filed up with helpless little babes, you can. Nothing would please me
while the children halt led, and often in better."
their excitement partly dragged along “Well, here goes!” cried be, taking
the old grandmothers; young girls and Josie's gun and cap from behind the
mothers rushing here and there, crying door and proceeding to don one and load
out to each other :
up the other.

462
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
FO
“Put in lots of shot," I called to him. | zeal which inspired them “To do or die.”
"Aye, that I will. Good-bye, all of My body was much too small for the
you. I'm in for it now.” And he gave mighty feelings within me. I wished I
me a pinch on one cheek, while he laid had hundreds of uncles and cousins to
a hearty kiss on the other.
fight the despised invaders. I wanted,
As he went down the steps he called O, so much ! to help them myself.
out to me: “Don't you wish you were a Another shout from them! I jerk off
man ?" and went across the street look. my white sun-bonnet and wave it high
ing back laughing at the wry faces I and shout back with might and main.
made him in answer. Ah ! dear boy, My soul is aflame with patriotism, my
little we dreamed that this was your eves brim full of tears. Before me. in
eternal good-bye! Teams rushed by the ranks, are grandfathers, shoulder to
every moment, all going out the end of shoulder with grandsons; many a patri-
the town opposite from where the enemy arch with the Benjamin of his old age
was said to be coming in Every man trying to keep "the steps" beside him,
and youth of the town, joined by those pass us by, armed with muskets old and
from the country who had come in to muskets new, with and without bay.
Court, were soon armed and equipped onets; shotguns that could scarcely kill
for the fight. One company of cavalry a bird, but now in the hands of boyish
alone had we-its captain's name I have | heroes, and, in defence of so just a cause,
forgotten-and it was not worth remem might kill a man. There goes Woody,
bering any way. More troops from near | beside him fifteen-year-old Charlie
by were telegraphed for, or thought to with sunny curls, eyes of brightest blue
be, but just here I have to write that and lips as sweet as any girl's—the baby
which causes my cheeks to burn even of the family. They kiss their hands to
now. No telegrams for aid was sent that us as we turn down the road for home.
day.
We are soon there, telling our distress-
A TRAITOR IN THE TOWN.
ing news to the calm-eyed mother sit-
The operator proved an Arnold-cut l ting there in the midst of her little ones,
the wires between us and the surround blissfully ignorant of all strife in town
ing country. And this place was his but now peace was banished from her
home- a beautiful home, too, wherein breast, and long months did pass ere it
dwelt his father in honorable old age, a found an abiding place there again.
proud mother and school-boy brother-
HIDING HOUSEHOLD TREASURES.
all things to endear it to him, and yet he
did this sbameful wrong. His name I Such hiding of treasure in the most
know well, and all who knew of that unheard of places, some suggested by
time or place will pronounce it, even me, as one having had experience in
now, in tones of disgust as their eyes such matters. Of course my hints were
fall upon these lines; but I will not accepted. Hearths were taken up to
write it.
afford beneath their bricks a hiding
Uncle William had now gone off to the place for treasures dear to my aunt's
river swamp to hide his load of valua heart; pistols were buried deep down in
bles and to return for more. When stands of lard; holes were dug under
Dell's father came over and bade us re rose bushes and roots of trees, for valu-
turn out home, sent directions to his able papers and jewelry. Some darkies
wife for the disposal of his papers, a suggested down the well as a nice place
kiss and his love, little Dell threw her to put a bundle of daguerreotypes and
arms around his neck and begged him paper money; "for," said they, we seed
with tears and sobs to "Please come dat done in Virginny, just before Mrs.
go home with us." She did not care Ed’in bought us." We let them help
anything about her country; she only hide our trunks, having great confidence
wanted her own dear alive papa;" "she in their fidelity, if not in their judg.
did not want to live a minute after her ment; and I will mention just here that
papa was killed and she was cer they did take great care of all they could
tain, certain he would be.” He un lay their hands on when the enemy came,
loosed her clinging arms and told me and took care to carry off everything
to be a woman and take her home they could, with their precious selves in
and bome we started. No tears were in the lot. I distinctly remember how
my eyes, but right heavy felt my heart. they took my trunk with all its
I was too much of a Spartan to show it, nice dresses my kind mother had
and when the little band of heroes, made for my visit. I often used to imag-
headed by that one company of real sol. line how that shiny little black imp,
diers, came marching past us and they called Dinah, looked arrayed in my
gave a "hurrah," loud and long, I felt lovely white Swiss, with a certain pink
my heart burn with the same patriotic | sash, once so dear to my heart. How

KILLED IN COLD BLOOD.
463
“I'd a-gloried” in knowing she was laid closely pursued by the Yankee cavalry,
out in them !” We had some fine wines while over towards our friends shots were
and brandy about the house; this was falling thick and fast. Every shot pierced
moved to the near woods and orders were our heart with the fear that that very
given to a servant to be certain, on the one might then be speeding its way into
approach of the first Yankee, to stave the tender flesh of some one of our dear
the heads of the casks in. That he ne friends, but our worst fears never pic-
glected these commands, we lived to re tured the horrid reality then being en-
joice in after weeks. All things safely acted. The battle had gone against us-
hidden, we betook ourselves on the front we lost the day through the cowardice
veranda, which commanded a splendid of the cavalry, for, as improbable as it
view of Marianna and the road on may sound, that such a few could have
which the enemy was looked for every withstood so great a number of the en-
instant. Just where the road terminated emy as there were—'tis even so. The
at town stood the house and beautiful enemy said that had they been opposed
grounds of Mrs. Ely, and just beyond on that third charge as they were on the
her place, in a grove, was stationed our first and second they were going to turn
little army. That narrow street proved back for good, not being able to see how
a "Pass of Thermopylæ” to many.
many troops we had, they being mostly
ambushed. After the cavalry fled, our
BATTLING WITH THE FOE.
boys were slowly driven back, fighting
We had not been out long before one as they went, until the next corner was
of our number glanced up that road, reached. Here they were headed off by
which seemed to possess a terrible fasci negro troops. To retreat or go forward
nation for us, and compelling our gaze was now impossible. Some took refuge
thither, exclaimed: “Yonder come in the neighboring houses, while many
some troops to help us; just look !” I fled to the cover of the beautiful little
jumped into a chair and did look at that Episcopal church, which stood on the
which made my heart give a great bound corner, surrounded by a graveyard.
and then stand still. Hundreds of gleam Smoke began to curl up from the church.
ing bayonets shone brightly in the mid-
SHOUTS OF BRUTAL RAGE
day sun in and out among the woods
beside the hill, and now an open space came from the throats of these black de-
made plain to our eyes those coats of mons as the flames leaped high about
hated blue. What orderly steps! The the church. Guns commenced firing
rise and fall of many feet looked like again. The houses of Mrs. Saunders and
the undulations of waves in the distance. Hunter on the other corner opposite the
We strain our eyes on them as we see church were now burning. The smoke
them coming nearer and nearer to the became so dense that we could see but
grove wherein our treasures lay. One little, which only added horror to this
moment of suspense only, then the ter dreadful hour. Shrieks rose above the
rible reality! Bang! bang! one, two, a hoarse cries in childish shrillness and
hundred guns go off; horrid yells go up we knew it was from the lips of boys,
with the smoke, a scent of powder is in sounding so pitifully childish and so
the atmosphere. Why, can it be true? out of place amid that scene of horror.
There flies in great disorder back o'er How mother's hearts must have broken
the hill the enemy? Yes! yes ! just as they heard their darlings death cries,
hear the shouts of triumph from yon as they were shot and cut to death in amid
grove! They had repulsed them! But the flames. Our souls were numbed
not for long, for back they come charg with terror. At last the din grew less,
ing down upon our little band. Low the housestoppled in, and we tried to
sounds of pitiful appeal to the Father of calm ourselves; but all this time our eyes
Mercy to guard our loved ones arise still wandered over that fearful place,
among us, almost drowned by the cries striving to discern some familiar form.
of little Dell, whose voice rises shrill Tis needless to add we looked in vain.We
in its agony of terror-begging us to saw soldiers dragging the dead down
"pray for papa, all of you pray for the road towards our house out of the
papa.” For now hundreds of guns heat of the flames; dragging them by the
are firing away—the noise is deafen feet as we would some dead brute. Thus
ing. But o, thank God! they turn the time passed. Down in the low-land
and flee again. Short time for rejoicing between Marianna's hills and ours we
and thanksgiving have we, for a third saw groups of women and children
time they come charging down with crouching about among the bushes.
cries of defiance and fury, and now, These had fled from those burning
down the street we see flying our own homes on the hill, and my aunt sent for
cavalry on whom so much depended, ll them to come up to our house, which

464
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
they soon did. Among them was a lady || sire to cry out my awful news, but I did
with a babe only a few days old. She control myself.
was brought from the burning house on The evening was fast drawing to a
a mattress and laid out there under the close, when from down Marianna's hill-
trees. How sad and pale the poor tired side came a figure familiar to us in
creatures were. But never a lament happy hours. It was cousin Loulie,
over the loss of their homes. They sat dear, brava little woman, coming to see
there and talked cheerfully, comforting || how it had fared with us during this
one another, bidding each other be of trying time. I remember yet how we
good cheer, and could look at the ruins all cried out in joy at the sight of her,
of their once happy homes with brave Beside her walked a man, just Woody's
eyes wherein no tears dwelt. They only size, and this fact must have struck Dell,
trembled and turned pale as they for she laughed as she said, “Look, there
doubted the safety of some loved one. is uncle Woody, all smutted up like a
Ours were
negro to get out from the Yankees." I
longed to cry out “Woody's dead," as I
SOUTHERN WOMEN WITH HEARTS OF
had been saying over and over to myself
GOLD.
all the evening. When they drew nearer
They went through the fire and came the house all could see that it was a
out purified. We could hear no tidings
mulatto who belonged in the family and
who had come for safety to cousin Lou.
from town; no soldiers came out to our
A glance at her pale face and rigid
place. I, for one, grew too restless to re mouth where smiles were wont to stay
main ignorant of the day's doings. I confirmed Josh's tale of death. I ling.
had a plan of my own; I would not men-
ered on the steps, awaiting to hear those
tion it to any one, so that if I failed no
who ran down the walk, so eager to
one would know of it. I stole out the
greet her, cry out, as I knew they would,
back way to the fence where a young
on hearing what I felt that she had come
negro boy stood looking curiously to to tell.
wards town. Going up to him I said,
A CRY OF AGONY
“Josh, don't you wish you could know fell from aunt W— 's lips, and I knew
what is going on over yonder ?”
she had found out now that her brother
"'Deed I do, Miss Mary,'' said he. was lying up yonder dead, while Dell
“Well, Josh, why don't you go ?”
threw herself with bitter sobs into my
“Cause I'se afeard, marm.”
arms. As soon as cousin Loulie com-
“Sho', what are you afraid of, I'd like posed herself she began telling us how
to know ?”
things were going on. When our men
"The Yankees,” said Josh."
and boys took refuge in the church the
“Why, you goose, they'd never hurt Yankees set fire to it and burned them
you on the earth. You don't know Yan out. As they came from doors and win.
kees, boy. Why I've seen them hug dows they were instantly surrounded
and kiss many a negro (truth, too,) in by the black fiends, who shot and cut
Washington, and they might give you them down, regardless of their cries of
something nice.”
surrender or for mercy. Some were
He looked on half doubtful still. I wounded and fell so near the flames
waxed eloquent and soon had him fully that they were literally roasted. Woody
instructed as to what to do. First and and Lyttleton M- , with his brother
last, I urged him to search well the bat Jack, started out together. Lyttleton
tle ground for the killed. make haste M— was shot through the head, dead.
back and let no one else see him on his Woody's leg was broken; he fell, but he
return. I saw him off with many mis struggled to get from the heat. Unable
givings as to his return, but he did come to rise, he was dragging himself along
back in quite a short time. I reckon he | by catching at the rank grass with his
was disappointed in his reception by hand. He had reached a monument near
them. Anyway, here he was back, and by, when he was set upon by a negro.
in a few moments I was talking with Thus wounded nigh unto death, and
him. “Marster warn't killed, but Mars utterly defenceless, already scorched by
ier Woody was lying most burnt up; so the fearful heat, there prone at his en.
was Mr. Lyttleton M— ," and many emy's feet he lay. O God! that some
other names ho called of those lying who loved him could have been near to
there dead and roasted. I warned him ward off that brutal blow which sunk
not to tell any one else these sad tidings, deep into his temple, where oft in sunny
determined not to tell those in the house bours a sister's warm kisses had been
until I was compelled to do so. Sus laid. Ah! cruel, cruel war! Was it
ponse was bad, but not as bad as this cer: thus Josie was to be avenged ?
tainty. I could scarcely resist the de- || Jack M made his escape. Soma

KILLED IN COLD BLOOD.
465
preferred to die in the flames, and did. || upon the white, upturned face of a dead
They either would not or could not, on Yankee. I remember that he had
account of wounds, come out. Uncle freckles, which showed so plainly on
E- (Dell's papa) surrendered to a cav the dead-white of his skin, even now.
alry officer, but was set upon so fiercely As I looked on his face I could not hate
by the soldiers after this that the officer I him as I wished to. It came over me
pushed him under his horse while he like a flash, "cast one look of pity on
fought the wretches back until he placed this poor face for someone's sake far
his prisoner in a place of security. away who loves him.” On either side of
Uncle
W and Charlie were in prison us smoldered the ruins of homes which
with him; they were using the Court had been beautiful and happy in the
house for this purpose.
morning sunlight. Before us lay the
"Why, how came Uncle
W in the embers of our church and the bodies of
fight? We left him going off on the our dead. The sacrificial altar had been
wagon."
lit here, indeed, and on the very altar
"Yes," said cousin Loulie, "just as he there had been offered up the sweetest of
got back to the house the Yankees came young lives and the most beautiful old
in at the other end of town. We ran to age alike-burnt offerings to their coun-
our front door just as Lieut. Butler came try's cause! Monuments were cracked
around our corner, closely pursued by in twain and slabs broken about the
the Yankees, He turned in his saddle graves. No vestige of the flowers that
and shot back at them, but missed his had bloomed in the graveyard that
man. They returned the shot in a sec morning; only blackened bushes here
ond's time, and Lieut. Butler fell from and there. Many a poor scorched and
his horse, dead, just by our steps, and blackened body lay here in the ashes.
his horse, only a few yards further on, As we got there poor widowed Mrs.
dead also enly to think, he visited us
M- was helping, with her own hands,
last night, and he was so lively! Little
did he dream, as he stood on our steps was home from the army on a visit, and
in the moonlight last night, humming that morning, before he went into the
"Then you'll remember me,” that to fight, he had gone to his mother and
night he'd be lying there dead."
given her some letters and a picture.
“Pa witnessed all this, and he was so
They were those of his betrothed; he
excited that when he saw Lieut. Butler had a presentiment of ill, and, if he fell,
fall he snatched a gun standing near,
these were to be sent to her, and that
ran to the door, threw it up and fired on
morn was the last of earth and human
the Yankees. They had covered his love for him, for there before us, under
form with their carbines ere the shot
that sheet, lay his poor murdered body.
left his gun, and cousin Loulie threw This sacred scene was rendered awful by
herself on his breast and dragged the
gun down in time to cause the discharge
racing horses up and down the streets
to enter the ground. while both girls
and through the ruins, some bareheaded,
others arrayed in costly silks much too
ing to the officer who rode up to them to small for them, ladies' hats and bonnets
spare their old father, and to take him surmounting their own caps, some hat-
in custody so as to prevent him from ex less, with a fancy bed-quilt about their
posing himself again. This the officer shoulders after the fashion of an Indian's
did without injury to him. Their house blanket; from under the skirts would
was filled with soldiers. The courtyard dangle the end of a sword or carbine.
being headquarters, made their place Up and down the street, with drunken
the most public in town; still she had song or blood-curdling yells, interming-
been advised to bring us in town for the gled with obscene jest and blasphemy,
night, as it was safer than on the out these wretches, clothed in the uniform
skirts, because of stragglers, and our of a soldier of the Union, raced. The
little procession was soon wending its streets swarmed with white soldiers,
way to town.
often obstructing our passage, while
DEATH AND DESOLATION.
they gave us a scowl or passed some in-
sulting jest upon the ladies of our party.
As we came up the hill, there lay the
dead we had seen being dragged thither home, was reached. Over in the court.
in the morning. We could see their yard was a swarm of blue-coats,
blue coats before we reached them, and this being headquarters, hospital and
I felt very much as though I'd like to prison, all in one, some cooking
trample on their bodies. There was a and eating, others lying prone on
negro disembowelled. I shuddered and the green grass, their elbows on the
turned my eyes off, only to let them fall ll. earth, their chins in their palms, appear-
59

466
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ing to enjoy their rest as heartily as any | white in the moonlight. Those silver
tired schoolboy, guiltless of blood, could beams fell upon many a dead face dis-
have done. On one side of the Court torted still with the pain of dying; cold,
house, where the shade was coolest, was still faces that human kisses, however
a group of wounded with bandaged warm, could never wake into life's glow
heads and arms. Some officers sat again; but yet, in their agony, that poor
tilted back against the trees chatting father and sister rained kisses down
quite merrily, and all this went on upon that dear, dead face, clanamy with
where our boys had stood only this September dew. Ah! press your lips as
morning. How strange the house in healing upon that cruel wound! God
looked all crowded with soldiers, save has been before you; in heaven, we trust,
one room, and over this the same kind where on earth that brow wore its death
officer who took Uncle W— that morn wound, it is now covered over by a
ing placed a guard. Night was fast crown. But time is up for the poor
coming on. It was just at twilight that father, and back to his prison he turns
Uncle E- , accompanied by an officer, and leaves the dead lying there. Who can
came to see us. They had already been tell the woe of that fond sister's heart that
out on the hill, but found that we night! But her's was too brave a heart
had just left for town, and now I to break. She had not long returned be-
he had found us. With his arms full fore a hand grasped the handle of our
of his dear ones he told us of his door from without, and a boyish voice
escape from death in the morning and dear to our hearts called out: "Are you
how he had seen Woody die. But he in there?” Wide swings open the door,
soon banished this gloomy topic and and there stands Charlie, tbeir baby
talked so cheerfully and so much with brother, and beside him Lieut. Gillespie.
the air of one who was confident that all With low sob and little cries of love those
would fare well with him, that he im fond women pounce upon him and near
parted some of this feeling to his family devour him with their kisses, while
before he left us. And another thing he “Oh Woody, poor Woody !" comes in
did was to call up the Yankee officer tearful tones from them between their
who brought him, but who had, with embraces. "You can keep him a little
great delicacy, stood aloof while we con while with you,” said Lieut. Gillespie,
versed, and introduced him to his wife "if you promise to hand him back all
that she might thank him for his kind right when I return. I am taking some
ness to her husband. I have long since other prisoners around to see their fam-
forgotten the names of all those I know, ilies." This assurance was given, and
who came and did us deadly hurt, but he left Charlie with us. While there, he
the name of this man with a golden told us that in the melée he had become
heart, who did sweet deeds of mercy, separated from Woody. One rushed into
sounds most musically, even now, as the church for refuge, one into Mrs. H.'S
memory recalls it. It was Lieut. Gilles house—this last one was Charlie. He
pie, of Wiscasset, Maine.
and some others went to the front win-
OUR LAST KISSES WERE GIVEN
dows, and it was this girlish face of his
the soldiers without mistook for that of
to Uncle E— and repeated, and then a woman, and it was his hand that sent
he passed out into the darkness, and it the ball crashing into the cheek of the
was nearly a year before he was with us commanding officer as he stood beneath
again. Soon Uncle W- came, under the window urging his men on. Soon
guard on his way to the battlefield, the house was filled by furious Yankees
where his boy lay dead out yonder in after the woman who shot the colonel.
the darkness. Cousin Loulie went to | As you may imagine, no woman was
him and said: "And I, too, will go with found; and when some time later a 15-
you, pa,' and nothing we could say of years-old boy in a cap and round-
the horrors without could daunt that about was taken prisoner up the street,
brave spirit. "He is old and in trouble; they little knew that this was their
God has taken his sons, but I will be woman! Presently Lieut. Gillespie
with him in his hour of trouble. Come came and took our boy back,
pa;" and through our tears we saw them
A NIGHT OF WRETCHEDNESS.
go out on their mission. What a scene
that rising moon must have revealed to After he left we shut our door and
that tender young girl and that gray bolted it, and then commenced one of
haired old father, then over threescore the drearest nights we ever knew. We
and ten! The embers glowing brightly had no light, for there was a window
red amid the ashes; the sickening smell in this room which opened on the back
of burnt flesh-human flesh; the shat- l verandah, and this had no curtain. So
tered monuments gleaming ghostly || we huddled together on the side of the

KILLED IN COLD BLOOD.
467
bed, while "old mammy," the nurse, ll see, only the dead horse lying darkly in
with her lap full of the little children, the white street. I fly back, shut the
sat on the floor up in another dark cor door between me and that dreadful
ner, away from the moonbeams which "out there," while I cry, as I lay myself
came in through the uncurtained win in my aunt's arms, "they are ail gone.”
dow, where many ugly faces and curious
YES, FRIENDS AND FOES WERE GONE.
eyes peered in, and as the moonlight
would reach us we'd shift to another The next morning's sun shone upon a
dark corner. The little ones in their sad little town. All our friends gone as
fright pressed their sweet baby eyes prisoners; no men left to bury the dead,
close against faithful old mammy's
save one or two very old ones. Mothers
breast and fell asleep. In the parlor laid out their dead sons with their own
next tojus someone thumped away on the hands, and in two instances that I could
piano on some Southern airs, which mention they helped to dig their graves.
they found there, many voices singing One sick man on the outskirts of town
regardless of time or tune, while overhead died just as the battle raged, and this
in Cousins Loulie's and Mag's bedrooms man's wife and children made his coffin
beavy boots thumped distractingly, and and buried him; the oldest child was
now and then the sound of falling furni only twelve years old. Wives and
ture would startle the little sleepers over daughters prepared the bodies of dead
there in mammy's lap. A drunken sol husbands and fathers for the grave. The
dier came to the door, shook it, kicked want of coffins was keenly felt. They
it and swore he knew that there was a were made so slowly that bodies were
lot of d-d rebels in there, and he would often in a state of decomposition before
come in, and in we thought every mo burial could be given them. Uncle
ment he would be, from the kicks and W— prepared the bodies of Woody,
bangs he gave. His noise proved his Lieut. Butler, Cousin M--- D--, who
own defeat, for suddenly the noise at was killed, and that of a soldier whose
the piano ceased, a voice called out: name I have forgotten. This he did
"Leave off there, will you; I am on early in the morning, then rang his
guard at that door; git or I'll help you !" prayer-bell and assembled his family
Our tormentor left and our guard went together for morning prayers.
back to his music, but many times the I shall never forget that morning
same face would peer in at the window, prayer. Just as we rose from our knees
only to be baffled by the darkness.
Charlie came running up the front steps.
About midnight Uncle William came He and a comrade had made their escape
home to us, free through the kindness from the Yankees, and here he was at
of Lieut. Gillispie, and before he had home unhurt. The Yankees had gone
been with us long the long, low roll of back the same way in which they had
a drum was heard, followed by a cavalry come, leaving many wounded privates
bugle, just as I had heard for roll-call at and several officers, high in command,
night in my Carolina home many a to the mercy of our people, and most
night. Presently a stillness falls every tenderly were they nursed back to life
where about us, and as the time wears by the people whom they had so bitterly
on and all but my aunt and I are asleep wronged. The commanding officer rode
in the stillness, a great desire to see if off in Uncle William's fine carriage, be-
the Yankees have not stolen away ing seriously hurt, and this is why they
overcomes me, and I am soon tipping turned back. They took every horse out
to the door, despite my aunt's counsel to of Uncle William's stables, among them
remain, I stop one moment, and then a fine pair of new carriage horses. Our
softly open it. Out in the wide, long pantry floor had very much the appear-
hall the lamp has burned out, while ance of a huge unboiled plum-pudding,
from the half-open front door the light flour, rice, jams and jellies, "sugar and
of the moon came in, making weird spice and everything nice,” all in a mix-
shadows on the white walls, O! how long ture of about six inches on the floor, with
the distance was from this door to that l crushed jars and china thick over all.
one! I trembled with awe, but I would But enough was left for my uncle to
not turn back now; soon I went with divide with many whose pantry was
what felt like leaden feet past the open stripped, and here, for many days, many
parlor, where I felt terrible eyes star came and ate. After the first day the
ing at me, while from down the big stench from the dead became so foul in
staircase more awful eyes peered out of the air that the surgeon at the hospital
the darkness, With a powerful effort I gave us some deodorizer to purify it, but
look neither way, but hurry to the door, this was impossible. Many dead per-
My eyes travel over the deserted streets sons were found from time to time in
and still courtyard. No living thing I ll back gardens, and under houses; often

468
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
children, attracted by the swarming | Government was formed for the good of
of buzzards, would find a half-rotted the States, and when that good was de-
human being; sometimes they could be stroyed by the want of a common in-
identified by their clothing only. At terest, the Sonth ever claimed the right
our door the hogs partly devoured the Il to leave the central Government and
dead horse lying there before it could be form a new confederacy.
moved. Ah! the sickening sights Now, it is a common plea made that
which I witnessed during those hot we fought for the negro. Never was
September days can never be forgotten. there a greater mistake. With one heart
The dead of the Yankees had been and mind, and with a chivalry which
buried so shallow that after the earth belongs to the past, men, women and
settled a little a boot was seen sticking children joined in a struggle for inde-
out in one place, a hand in another, pendence for their own freedom from an
while the stench at early morn and ever-encroaching element in the North-
during the night was most horrible ern States, which would keep all they
arising from this trench. As soon as had and get all they could. It was the
help came they were decently reburied. old story, “Taxation without representa-
As the days wore on they carried away tion," for by the Constitution the ma-
with them all outward signs of strife jority of two-thirds of the States passed
and death-only the scars on tender any law, however objectionable to the
hearts remained, which many years interest of one locality, and on the en-
could not beal. Our prisoners, those trance of Kansas the North carried that
who lived out the prison days, came proportion. Enough; we fought man-
home just before the war closed; and fully, actuated by that true mettle which
our Yankees, nursed into life and makes the thorough soldier, to do our
health. found their way back in return. duty, come what might. For four years
After the war was over Lieut. Gillespie we struggled, suffered, bore all things
visited Ma ianna, and he was treated by cheerfully, and then the end came, un-
the men and women of that place much looked for, indeed; the end, when, from
as I have read how Lafayette was fêted overwhelming numbers drawn from the
on his visit to America.
Old World, we were overpowered, never
And now there is no more to add.
conquered, never yielding that we had
fought for-all we held and still hold
dear. We had fought a good fight, we
No. 98.--Shadows of the Strife.
had kept the faith of the Constitution,
and henceforth there is laid up for us,
not the crown of glory here, but one of
(By "Tilmonah," of Beaufort, 8. C.) cypress and sorrow.
In this practical age when a project is
THE SPIRIT OF '61.
started, the first questions asked are,
Oh! if we could make the children and
"Qui bono ??? What is to be gained ? Is
youths realize now the enthusiasm which
there money in it?” This is so un pervaded our land when the news went
questionably the spirit of the age, that forth that, December 20, 1860, "Carolina
we can hardly be surprised to find that
has seceded,'' or, as the children shouted
"succeeded," In my brother's Bible is
the rising generation look with won-
written, under date of December 20, 1860:
der on the Secession movement; that the "11 o'clock P. M.--I have just returned
South, with her untried forces, should
from Secession Hall, where I heard the
"Ordinance of Secession' read and saw
have ventured a contest with the now
it signed by the members of the con-
known power of the Federal Gevern. vention. This ordinance was passed at
ment. It seems so sad that our youths 1.15 o'clock this morning. The glorious
and maidens should thus view our "Lost
little State of South Carolina has this
day dissolved her connection with the
Cause," that I gladly give this sketch to
other States, never again to be united
try and make them realize the fact that with any of them, except in a Southern
even in this nineteenth century, there
Confederacy."
Alas, if it might have been! Our boys
lived, and still lives, a people who fought
left their colleges and schools-our men
with an overwhelming enthusiasm for
gave up their pleasures and occupations
the principles they deemed right-the to join the soldiers in the field, leaving
grand and never dying principles of self-
only the old men, women and children
at home. Even these showed the same
government, the same which actuated
temper, and you can judge of the spirit
our revolutionary forefathers in 1776. The which pervaded all when one child of

SHADOWS OF THE STRIFE.
469
four years said: "It is my 'juty' to go to || rather disconcerting him by her quick
Virginia; nobody shall stop me; I've gesture, meant as a retort.
been at home long enough." The first In those days the leaders even were
gun of the war was fired by the Citadel very hopeful. I remember one, Hon.
Cadets, stationed on Morris Island. R. W. B, said: “You ask me, 'Watch-
Our brother wrote werd he had the man, what of the night?' I reply, "The
honor of ramming the first ball which night is far spent, the day is at hand.”
struck the Star of the West, the vessel Happy days of ignorance ! for we had
which was bringing supplies to Fort all it was in the power of our country to
Sumter, when a reporter said the give, and no amount of anxiety would
Charlestonians showed their usual hos- have lessened the blow which fell early
pitality by giving them balls as soon as in November, 1861. In the annals of
they entered the harbor. Then followed war I doubt whether there can be found
the capture of that fort. the happy a parallel case to that of Beaufort, S. C.,
bloodless victory which filled us with when our forts fell during the naval
joy. Our brother-in-law joined in the attack. Without any preconcerted plan,
fight with the Palmetto Guard, to whom every inhabitant left the town in less
the following acrostic was written in an than three days, preferring to be home-
ticipation of a short struggle:
less, rather than submit to the insults of
ACROSTIC TO THE PALMETTO GUARD.
the foe. Many families carried only
their clothing, leaving furniture, silver,
"Peal out three cheers with gleeful cry,
Afar let shouts of joy resound,
house-linen, and everything they valued
Light up the scene, for victory
as property. The steamer Cecile, under
Must over rest on hallowed ground.
Capt. Peck, made trip after trip to bear
Each Guard has made himself a name,
off the women and children from Beau-
Twine laurels green around his brow
fort and the adjacent islands. On one
To shine with never ending fame
On futuro ages, bright as nuw.
trip he was ordered to leave them and
Give three times three for every State,
carry the baggage of the soldiers, but
United by a southern tie.
the brave old seaman replied: "The
Arise! with victory elate,
women and children first.”'
Resistless is our happy fate,
Doomed still to conquer or to die.”
I WILL NOT OBEY THAT ORDER,
In spite of the fights in Virginia-Ma.
even if they bring a regiment !"
nassas and others-the same hopeful The town was given up to the troops
spirit filled our hearts all that summer, of the United States fleet, and to the
and in this locality we felt so secure.
ravages of the soldiers and negroes.
Did we not have three forts in our har-
Houses were broken into, and when they
bor, and a Parrot gun, and was not the could not find keys, the closets and doors
B. V. A. in command, led by Capt. S. E.?
were cut through with axes and hatchets.
Why, we felt quite equal to oppose the The church organ was broken up and the
armament of the world-certainly, aay
pipes blown by negroes through the
fleet the United States could send-with
streets-ruin and desolation every where.
our dear “mosquito fleet” controlling Some few females bave returned since
our harbor.
the war (that one date of the Southerner,
The boys and men all wore cockades
as our Northern friends declare,) but
of blue ribbon, with a brass button in the greater part haye found homes else-
the centre, and a rhyme of the period where, many "where the wicked cease
was
from troubling and the weary are at
"A blue cockade and a rusty gun
rest."
Will make a Yankee run like fun.”
We "refugeed” in W- , where we
Whole companies from our State wore met with the greatest kindness, one
cockades of palmetto made to imitate the family for months dividing their beef
tree, or in stars. Generally these were with us, another sending butter every
the work of some young lady friends of week. One gentleman, who owned sev-
the captain or lieutenant. (We have eral cottages, loaned them to refugees
now the faded one worn by our sailor during the entire war. Although the
boy, which he enclosed in a box of cedar enemy never reached that place, yet
with glass cover.) Oue soldier's pal there we met with the privations and
metto cockade was worn in 1868 by our deep sorrow of that trying time. There
sister, in her hat as an ornament, while we learned to dye daily, when we used
on a visit to Washington. She was run to ask “why wo were like St. Paul?'
ning up the steps of the Capitol when We soon became adepts in the mystery
she heard a bystander say, “That young of card-combing, spinning and weaving;
lady must be a South Carolinian; she and with what pleasure was the cloth
walks as if the capitol belonged to her." taken from the loom, made-up and worn.

470
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
ly were we at work that darkness did | fabulously cheap, for then, if "one was
not make our labor cease, for we could worth his salt," it was no mean value.
knit at night with ease, and even when Calico was bought for the infants at $14
reading. At last it seemed strange to be per yard and cloth for $40. We never
idle when the Sabbath would cause us to realized that our money was underval-
lay aside our needles. I remember the ued, only "things were so high." Dresses
delight of one of us when Gen. S. E. were turned and re-turned, and wben a
showed the hand of his paralyzed arm, vessel ran the blockade, what rejoicing
encased in a glove of her knitting, as he there was ! One was wrecked off Morris
said: "I do not know what I should Island, and our sailor-boy proposed to
have done without this."
his captain to let him try his hand as
wrecker, having visited the one in ante-
THE “NASHVILLE'' SAVED BY THE MID-
bellum days off Bay Point. This he did,
DIES.
and recovered so many things that it
Our second brother had entered the became quite a rage, so that nearly
Confederate navy and run the blockade everything of value was taken from her
from Charleston, on the Nashville under hold. He shared his booty with the
Capt. Pegram, before the fall of Port officers and crew, and sent us up a good
Royal and knew nothing of that disaster supply of calicoes, shoes and many use-
until his return from Liverpool, when ful articles, even tooth brushes. One
his vessel was run into Beaufort, N. C. thing was a bolt of black silk, which he
Capt. Fegram at once went to Richmond had taken to the floating battery in the
with his dispatches, leaving his “mid harbor, and from it, with the help of a
dies" on board. They received notice man, he had washed out the salt, dried
that the Yankee fleet was off the coast and re-rolled it, so that we wondered
and an attack was to be made on Beau whether it could ever have been under
fort. They knew the Nashville would water. He sent our father a handsome
fall into the enemies' hands, and the saddle and bridle, butone of the generals
Confederacy would thus lose one of its claiming to having sent to Nassau for
largest steamers. These boys, for our's one, the saddle was returned.
was only 16, conceived the bold plan of
"JEHOVAH JIREH."
running the ship out of the harbor and
entering some other port. They all Those were the days of corn bread and
bore the name of Willie, and our boy long sweetening. Many substitutes were
was the second in command by the date tried for coffee. We found groundnuts
of his commission. They put out, made a drink more like chocolate, while
as they thought, all the lights, white potatoes and grits were like noth-
and at midnight made the peril ing you could imagine drinkable. One
ous attempt, which proved success lady of our household took to drinking
ful, although they were fired at and pur hot water, but we found three parts
sued. They found the blockade too okra seed with one of real coffee, which
strict around Charleston, So put had run the blockade, very drinkable
into Georgetown, where they ar for the elders, while the young people
rived safely, and there a Methodist min. were quite content with “Adam's ale."
ister from Beaufort, also a refugee, met Pine knots gave a fine light in place of
our brother and told him of our safety, oil and gas, which were unknown, al-
having stayed with us on our plantation though excellent candles were made
as he was leaving Beaufort. Our elder from myrtle wax, which quite threw in
brother was one of Hampton's aids, and the shade the tallow dip. The most
when Gen. Hampton introduced him to primitive light I saw used, however, was
President Davis, just after this episode, a small cup of lard, with a piece of paper
Davis said: “You have reason to be screwed up and placed in the centre.
proud of that brother." Yet, such is Although we would often not know
History, the credit of the deed is given where the next day's supply would
in "Marginalia'' to one of Pegram's sons, come from, yet we were never without
who was with him, however, in Rich good and necessary food. One day,
mond at the time.
I remember well, our mother came where
What days were those in W -, and we were busy about our daily work,
how cheerfullyall privations were borne ! saying: “What am I to do? there is
For weeks, no salt was to be had for love nothing for dinner but hominy and po-
or money, until they commenced to boil tatoes ! One of us, trying to cheer her,
the salt water in the neighborhood and said: "Mamma, let us try the plan of the
thus meet the demand for that necessary good minister; lay the table as usual,
article, never valued before, which was and let us pray for the dinner.” She
worth its weight in gold. In latter years, followed the advice. We took our seats.
when buying it for the family, it seemed || Papa offered up the usual grace and

SHADOWS OF THE STRIFE.
471
commenced to help us, when there came || taken in those brightest days of our Con-
a ring at the door. The servant returned federacy, while victory still crowned
in a tew minutes, and we thrilled with our banners, ere his bright spirit was
delight, I could say awe, as he placed on dimmed by disappointment. He rests
the table a large turreen, saying: "Rev. now in our quiet "God's acre' with his
Mr. P- sends this, sir." When the brothers, who have all followed him to
cover was removed it proved to be a rich the "better land,” each pursuing the
calf's head soup. “Jehovah Jireh" has path of duty and falling with their armor
ever since been our motto.
on.
Mr. P-- was afterwards told the cir-
Their duty done, they did not fear to die.
cumstances, and he never failed to send
Weep not for them! Go, mark their high
us that soup when his turn came in the
career;
market. With the little ones these pri They knew no sbame, no folly and no fear.
vations had almost a pathetic side, as
We continued to live in W- until,
one of them in his evening prayer, after
Charleston and Savannah being threat-
saying, “Give us this day our daily
ened by Sherman's army from the West,
bread," continued, "butter, too, mam-
it became necessary to go further up the
ma;' and on seeing his tooth, which
country. So a car was hired, and we
ha been taken out, he looked rather
were once more pilgrims seeking a new
cheerful, saying, "It won't eat any more
resting place. It was a very unfortunate
dry hominy.” On seeing a Christmas
move. however, for W
was never
box, which was being packed to go to
his uncle in service, one said with a
visited by the enemy, and we went right
into the lion's mouth.
sigh, “I wish I was Uncle W—-.'
Their little speeches show the spirit of
WHEN DANGERS IS HIGHEST, GOD IS
the times. Our youngest brother, dic-
NIGHEST.
tating a letter to his brother in service, Some of us, with the little children,
said: “You must not be a coward, for went before the general move, so as to
then you and Lincoln will be mates;' reach a place of safety in case of a nearer
for he was to them the personification approach of the enemy, as W- was
of all that was mean and cowardly. One | beyond the line of defence. The
little fellow, our next door neighbor, family where we were staying were
was born in Philadelphia, where his also refugees, who had made their
parents lived for many years. When home near Sumter after leaving Beau-
ever the children were vexed with him fort. Their son came home sick
they called him “Yankee,'' much to the from camp, so that we were invited
anger of his younger brother, who one by one of the neighbors to stay with
day replied: "He ain't any Yankee; if them, and while there the march of
you put a peach tree in a plum patch, Sherman through our State took place.
that don't make it a plum ! An origi We were staying with an old couple
nal idea.
who had a dread of the Yankees finding
A YOUNG HERO'S DEATH.
firearms in the house, so that they en-
treated us to hide ours, which we did,
One bright episode was when our sol with their silver-ware and jewelry, un-
dier brother came from Virginia on his der a stump, and covered them with
way to join his general out West. How leaves. Sherman, however, with his
gallant he looked in all his manly beauty, army from the West took another route,
just approaching 21, and with what pride passing us by and visiting Camden and
we watched him as he rode away, touch Columbia, burning the latter, as is so
ing his hat, which bore the palmetto, well known now in history. We felt
placed there by his father, and which, he and heard the explosion of the magazine
wrote word, "should never fall to the on February 17, 1865. For six weeks the
dictates of any foe until shattered or cut | rest of the family in W— were cut off
down by the stern hand of death." Pro from us by a freshet, but just after
phetic words. In less than a month came 1 the fall of Colambia they reached
that fearful telegram, on New Years Day, us in safety. Our car however, with
'63 :
everything we had saved or gath-
“Your son fell in battle yesterday ered during the years of war, was
while exhibiting the most conspicuous run by the railroad-where? We do
gallantry,” His general, Stephen D. not know--but it never reached its des-
Lee, wrote: "He was the bravest, purest tination or has been heard of to this day.
and best man I ever met. I loved him We found ourselves in Sumter, a large
as a brother. He had only to be known family with all the male members in
to be admired and loved."
service who were able to do military
Twenty years have passed away, and duty, homeless and with scarcely a
now I can feel “It is well!” He was ll change of clothing for many of its mem-

472
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
bers. Our Father in Heaven raised up from Massachusetts,) we can never for
kind friends, and in less than three days get, for he prevented the negro soldiers
a lady, who had been a friend of my from coming into the house, excepting
mother's when they were girls together, two who dodged in. These he collared,
heard of our situation, and came to offer and while shaking one, the other slipped
us a home if one of us would teach her off with a carpetbag, which was the
two daughters. You may judge how only thing stolen from the inside of tbe
gladly this offer was accepted, and we | dwelling. The two officers who first
had a happy home provided for us until came into the house, a captain and lieu-
the close of the war, a few months after, tenant, were very surly and rude in their
happy as far as they were concerned, mode of asking questions, and accused
though, while there, we passed through us of falsehood. They walked into
stirring scenes.
every room, searching for firearms
Although so far apparently from the and Mr. G., who had gone off with the
coast we were not to be exempt from a horses, mules, &c., into the swamp to
personal encounter with the enemy, for try and save them from the enemy, and
early in April we heard that Potter, with who they thought was hiding in the
his negro troops, was on his way to house. They came into my chamber,
Sumter. I give here the account of his where I took my seat near the trunk in
raid, as written for me by mother a few which I had valuables belonging to
days after the event:
others, but they made no attempt to
search anywhere but the closet. They
THE RAID ON SUMTER.
demanded the keys of the storeroom,
SUMTER DISTRICT, April 26, 1865. smoke-house and other buildings where
You have requested me to write an stores and articles of value were housed.
account of the visit of our cruel enemy As the officers came up-stairs, the young
to this place on Sunday before the last, ladies all ranged themselves with folded
which I will endeavor to do, but no lan. arms against the railing and looked
guage can describe the scene. You may defiance from their stern eyes whose
like to retain the particulars, however, glances from the 6 windows of
which memory may not keep before their souls,' told plainly, if their
your mind's eye when the weird scene tongues were still, that their brave
of their vandal desolation comes before hearts were true as steel in this trying
your vision. On the 16th of this month, hour, and the scorn they felt for the
a lovely Sabbath morning, we heard the cruel invaders of our once happy and
dreaded tidings, "the Yankees are com beloved Carolina! As they demanded
ing." The young ladies of the family to be shown up-stairs, your father
and children were advised to remain said: “There are only ladies up there."
up-stairs, while Mrs. G., your father One replied: "I have found as strong
and myself stayed below. I can never Secessionists among them as the men.'
forget my feelings as I saw the cruel foo He answered: “You will find them up
coming up, for in number their name there." As if to provoke you, they hung
was legion," and the dark appearance of their swords low, so as to clank as they
their colored troops, with their mighty walked, and the girls would hold their
host (ten regiments) made me think of skirts as they passed to prevent them
the Locusts of Egypt,” (Exodus x ch. from even touching their dresses.
15 v.) Two officers first came in and
BEDLAM LET LOOSE.
rode up to the steps, while others soon
followed and dashed off in the direction By this time the scene around the
of the buildings containing cotton, pro house beggared description. It seemed
visions, &c., to set fire to the same. as if Bedlam had been let loose. God
Your father, with his brave spirit, calmly grant we may never witness such an-
walked down the steps, met the captain other! The black volumes of smoke
and asked “for protection of the house. curling up from the large cotton house,
hold," saying there was no male in the as well as the corn, rice and rye build-
house but himself and one little boy, ings, the crackling flames, cursing sol-
but seven defenceless ladies.” Soon diers, intermingling with the shouts of
after a surgeon, Dr. Briggs, rode up, and the negroes, sacking and pillaging all
a motley throng of white and negro they could lay their hands upon; one
troops, women and children, began to riding off with a jug of molassos, another
cluster around this peaceful home. Your a bag of ground nuts, some rolling away
father appealed to him saying: "If you barrels of flour; while trunks of cloth-
have a mother and sisters at home, will ing, letters and articles of value, were
you protect the ladies in this house as broken open and their contents carried
you would have yours protected from off or thrown away on the premises.
This rabble?” This officer (Dr. Briggs, || Barrels of molasses, flour and vinegar

SHADOWS OF THE STRIFE,
473
were opened in the cellar and left to | flames while tearing down a burning
scatter their contents, so that you can fence and was not aware of it until your
judge of its condition--such wanton de || father rushed up and tore off the burn-
struction !
ing clothing.
The negroes of the place, having had I cannot conclude this sketch without
their freedom proclaimed to them by stating what heartfelt thanks I felt to our
the Yankees, joined in the work of pil prayer-hearing God for thus protecting
fering Soon they appeared, with their us from the violence of the cruel foe. "I
bundles on their heads, ready to join sought the Lord and He heard me.”
the throng of several thousand mis Soon after, the sad, sad tidings reached
guided creatures, led away by the new ex us that Lee had surrendered. Can I
citement of the scene and the imaginary ever forget that day? We felt crushed
joy of a life of ease, to follow this wicked -all our sorrows, privations, years of
army to their doom, for many were suffering for naught. We spoke in sad-
drowned! The poultry, turkeys, ducks ness, and went about our duties as it
and fowls were killed by the soldiers, there was a death in the house. Oh my
and some picked when alive. One fine country! my country! would to God I
gobbler was seen in this cruel condition, could have died for thee, my dearly
struggling when borne off. As I looked loved and lost Confederacy!
on the horrid scene the thought arose, The boys commenced to come home,
this is Easter Sunday, when we are in but still we could not give up all hope.
vited to come to the table of the Lord in We heard that our sailor boy had been
charity with all men. So. following the
taken a prisoner and then there was a
Bible command, "if thiné enemy hun silence. One day our father called to us :
ger, feed him,” we had the table spread “Girls, look out the window, there is
with food in the piazza. Dr. Briggs one soldier not subjugated !! To our
begged that it should be removed, as delight we saw a wagon going by bear-
they had taken so much outside, and he ing a Confederate flag, and all ran joy-
also advised one of the servants, who fully to the gate to see that flag, perhaps
was crying, not to go, unless she wished the last ever waved in the State. Judge
to, as there was a great deal of suffering of our delight and surprise when it
among the large crowd who had joined proved to be our own brother. In after
them. They threatened to burn the years, when on the Indian seas, he flew
house, but he protected it, saying we the same flag as his ship's emblem and
should not be molested, when I told him heard one merchant say to another, in
how kindly we had been taken in and Bombay, "It is some Masonic sign.''
befriended by these friends when we As it is, after the death of a loved one,
were homeless. Your father said to him we know that life has to be lived, the
at parting: “Your conduct has been that world still goes on, and yet it is hard to
of a gentleman.”
take up the severed threads, so it was in
After the guilty throng had nearly
those days of grief and sadness. The
concluded their fiendish work, a Col.
troops were scattered through our land;
Cooper came dashing up and appeared
want and privation still continued; crops
had been destroyed, me
shocked at the conduct of the army.
indeed.
With his gleaming sword he rode among
food of all kinds stolen, so that for weeks
them, hurrying them off so quickly that
our meals were hominy, with milk or
five minutes after his arrival there was
clabber, for breakfast and supper, while
not one blue-coat to be seen in the
dinner was hominy, with pea soup one
yard, except the colonel, who expressed
day and groundnut soup the next. Sugar
himself as very much surprised at our
was an unknown luxury, and even mo.
regrets because the old nurse had been
lasses was scarce. When white loaf
forcibly carried away by the soldiers,
sugar was first seen by the youngest
saying: "I do not see why you care so
member of the family he drow back
much for these old negroes !” There is
from it as if frightened and would not
just where the difference lies. We really
touch it.
care for them, and the Yankees only
FAITHFUL OLD SERVANTS.
want to make us suffer through them. I cannot refrain here from saying
As soon as they left, the young ladies something of the devotion of our ser-
and your father went out to endeavor to vants during the entire war. We have
stay the work of destruction from the now among our relics a ten-dollar bill of
fire, which had commenced to spread Confederate money, which our old nurse
rapidly. This you succeeded in doing, brought my mother when we were
although eight buildings were consumed, homeless in Sumter, saying, “Missis,
and the flames arrested just as they please let me help you.” She would
reached the large corn house. The heat take no refusal, and although it could
was so intense that one of you was in Il never be used, yet it speaks even now of
Өat
60

474
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
her love and unselfishness. It is won- | organs, and the former Sunday-school
derful, when we consider that our men was the only place of public worship
were in the service, only women, child in the town for the whites, as
ren and old men at home, and in both the large churches had been
many cases whole households left un used as hospitals, as well as the houses
der the care of the family ser which had been bought in by the Gov-
vants, and yet through the length ernment for that purpose when the tax
and breadth of our land you heard of sales took place. In November, 1866,
nothing but kindness and protection they offered these houses for sale, as the
from these people, whom our Northern Government commissioners said, "for
friends would tell us we oppressed and the taxes due.” Ours was included
treated like slaves-a term I never heard among the number, and long will that
applied to them until now. We never day be remembered in the Southern part
locked our doors, and the key to the outer of the community when their homes
door was always kept by the butler, so were bid up by different parties, in spite
that he could come in early without dis of the assertion of the real owners that
turbing the family. Can the Northern they were homeless and wished to try
ers live tbus with their white servants ? and purchase or redeem these homes by
The family of one of our friends was told paying the amount claimed by the Gov-
that their servants held nightiy meet ernment. Our father succeeded in out-
ings in their kitchen, and they thought bidding a "Northern philanthropistº
that their servants were making arrange who "wanted our home for a charitable
ments to desert them for the Yankees. institution, and the commissioners
One night a low, earnest sound was heard promised to give him three days to visit
from the kitchen, so two of the young the City of Charleston and try to make
ladies crept softly down to hear what arrangements for the payment of the
the conspiracy might be. Judge of their sum, which was six times more than the
feeling as they saw the entire group of amount of taxes due.
servants kneeling in prayer, while one
GENEROUS ACTIONS.
of their number was offering up an
earnest petition to his "Fader in Heben I am glad, among so many acts of un-
to bless dere Missis and childen, par-
kindness, to be able to record the follow-
tickier dere young masters in de wah,"
ing. The day before my father could
In the fall of '65 we returned to W-
possibly return two Northerners heard
where we spent nearly one year, and that the commissioner intended to sell
then once more our "Father in Heav the house at private sale, after sunset,
en’s” guiding hand opened the way for unless the money was paid before. They
our return to Beaufort. In a large four collected the required amount, at their
horse wagon we came back, packed, as own risk, and one of them went to the
we said, "like sardines,” and in spite of commissioner and paid it down, just
all happy to see once more the salt before the time was up. As he was leay-
water, and our dear old home, which the ing the office, the sun set, and the party
authorities would not allow my father to who expected to purchase entered, so
hire, for fear he might show them that that he heard the commissioner say :
“possession was nine-lenths of the law." “You are too late; the money has been
We succeeded in hiring it, however, in paid." We shook hands with the North-
the name of our uncle, who lived with erner that night, though up to that time
us.
we had said we would never give a hand-
shake to any Yankee
PEOPLE ROBBED OF THEIR HOMES.
The house of one of our friends was
And now comes one of the strangest bought in for him by a Frenchman who
facts in modern history, which I believe was here on a visit, and who sympa-
is unknown at the North, and only half thized very much with the Southerners,
understood in our native State. I refer and would not even leave his address on
to the sale of the land on our sea islands going away, so that the money ad-
for taxes during the war, a sale which vanced could never be paid. I must say
was continued even eighteen months in justice to them, however, that many
after peace—the so-called peace-had of our Northern friends would not buy
been declared, when we were promised property here, unless they could pur-
our rights of life and property. On our chase from the true, original owners,
return here we found nearly all the or, at least, buy their titles. Strange to
houses occupied by negroes or Northern say, the plantations are still known by
families who had come here, “in the the names of the Southern owners.
wake of the army," as one of them ex These lands and homes thus forfeited
pressed it. The churches were dis here have never been returned, and the
mantled of pulpits, pows, carpets and ll surplus tax money has never been re-

SHADOWS OF THE STRIFE.
475
funded to the owners, and get the jus-
For stiff lies the arm, which was strong in its
tice and honesty of the Federal Govern-
might,
ment is extolled.
That fought for our altars and inglesides
bright.
To give an instance: The papers, even
in Washington, have had lately a full When the bugle note sounded, so shrill and
account of the desolate condition of the
so clear,
grave of ex-Secretary Paul Hamilton on
'Twas valiantly wielded 'mong enemies
there.
one of the plantations on this island.
No blot ever stained his escutcheon so bright
Now, it so happens that this grave with From lite's early morning 'till death's gloomy
all the rest of his family enclosure was
night.
sold at tax sale by the Government in
1863. The iron fence surrounding the
Aye, where the proud banner of red, white
and blue
enclosure was destroyed or carried off Was unfurled o'er the Southern hearts, fear-
during the war, and the stones levelled
less and true;
by the troops or other parties. This In thirty red battles my boy, true and brave,
property was bought by a Northern col-
Did all that man could do his country to
save.
ored man, who, from feelings of com-
mon humanity, has never planted over Ah, methinks I now see him, my brave sol-
the spot. A naval officer while out bunt-
dier boy,
ing came across the sacred grave, and
The pride of our household, with heart full
being attracted by the stones, dis-
of joy,
A-buckling the blade on his fine, noble
mounted and found out whose resting
form,
place it was. He applied to Congress That gleamed like the lightning in war's
for money to put the grave in order.
fiercest storm.
One hundred dollars was generously ap-
propriated for this object, and the grave
He fought for his country, for truth and for
right;
has been enclosed with galvanized wire. He trusted in God, and the strength of His
Would it not have been more suitable
might,
for the Government to have purchased And his loved ones commended “to Him
the grave and enclosure from the pres-
whose right arm
Can shield us from toes and can save us from
ent owner, who holds their titles, so that
harm.”
future owners of the soil may not en-
croach on the spot where rests one of How fondly we gazed on his clear open brow;
the country's heroes ?
Ah! how nis tones echo around my heart
now,
AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
As he said, “Cheer up, mother, we soon will,
be free!
Nearly twenty years have rolled away, Independence and peace will secure liberty.”
and yet each time we read of the war
Each cloud has a silvery lining, and there
and go over those four years of a nation's Will soon be a future, auspicious and fair;
Sure everything here will be ordered aright,
struggle for freedom we feel as one of
Then hope for the best, it is wise, it is right.”
those prisoners of old must have felt,
when placed in the fabled room where Now hope is all dead and our country is
day after day they saw the windows
crushed;
Our heroes, our freedom, all, all in the dust.
lessen and the walls closing in. A strug-
Then lay down the sabre, unsheath it no
gle of four long weary years when we
more-
lived not by months, days or even hours, It is darkened with rust, it is clotted with
but by deeds done and hearts broken,
gore.
by tidings of the battle now afar, now Once brightly it shone by the side of the
near at hand and by vain hopes of
brave
freedom won.
Who rests 'neach the sod in a far distant
Our country is lost, our hopes are
grave.
dead! vet we must be still," and know
So hang it with crape, for our country is
bound,
that He who doeth all things well will And the brave hand that clasped it is under
show us the why and wherefore in His
the ground.
own good time. If not now, at least
then the verdict shall be, “Thy works,
Yet wreathe it with cypress and leaves that
ne'er die,
oh, Lord ! pass understanding. Thy
For their memories shall live while there's
mercies are very great."
truth 'neath the sky,
The following lines were written by And our children shall ever be true to the
my mother:
trust
And save from pollution our heroes' blest
MY BOY'S SWORD.
dust.
Ah, bring me the sword of my dearly-loved What though our Confederacy is crushed by
the throng
I'll sheathe its blade sadly, its work is now || of motley crowds gathered in multitudes
done;
strong,
son,

476
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
Her name and her martyrs shall nevermore
die;
In the urns of our hearts their asbes shall lie.
And when desolation and death meet our
view
We'll think that our foes "know not what
they do."
Then lift up the prayer of our Saviour on
high,
And "Father, forgive them," we'll earnestly
ory.
Oh! still let us trust God, although he shall
glay
And take our sweet homes and our loved
ones a way;
With our inner hearts seek for the mansion
above
That was made without bands in His king-
dom of love.
Willie Hamilton.
The young naval oficer who is mentioned
in the preceding sketch was well known to
the writer, and, by reason of his devotion to
the Confederate cause, his gallantry, and his
fortitude, deserves more than a passing
word.
Willie Hamilton was a midshipman in the
Confederate States navy, and was on the
Nashville during her voyage to England and
back in the winter of 1861-62 On the arrival
of the vessel at Beaufort, N. C., the crew were
discharged, with the exception of three or
four men, and the whole of the officers, ex.
cepting Tieat. Whittle, Midshipman Ham-
ilton and perbaps two other young officers,
were ordered to Richmond to report for
duty. Mr. Whittle was in charge of the
Ateamer, and, as narrated in the sketch,
ran the Nashville out from Beaufort and
succeeded in bringing her safely into
Georgetown, S. C.It was a most daring feat
as were were hardly sufficient men aboard
to keep up the fires. The young officers
themselves were continuously on duty. They
had no nautical instruments, and borrowed
a chronometer irom the master of a vessel in
port at Beaufort. Midshipman Hamilton
was left in charge of the Nashville at George
town when Mr. Whittle went on to Virginia
and remained in charge until the vessel was
sold to John Fraser & Co.. At this time, it
should be remembered, he was but little
more than 16 years old.
Mr. Hamilton served throughout the war
in the Palmetto State, the Chicora and other
Confederate vessels, and was aboard the Con-
federate ironclad Albemarle, as a volunteer,
during her victorious engagements with the
enemy's squadron below Newbern in 1864,
After the war Mr. Hamilton worked his
passage to England on a schooner. During
the voyage the crew were attacked with
yellow fever, and his cousin, who had sailed
with him, died. There were not hands enough
to handle the vessel. The helm was lashed,
and the vessel allowed to run before the
wind until some of the sick were con.
valescent. Upon arriving at Liverpool
Mr. Hamilton shipped as a seaman on
a vessel in the South American trade, and
upon his return to port he passed his exami-
nation and received a certificate as second
mate in the British Merchant service
Through the kindness of Mr. Charles
K. Prioleau, of the firm of Fraser, Trenholm
& Co., he was appointed mate of the Royal
George, a dne ship running between Liver
pool and the East Indies. After each voyage
he was promoted, and in a short time be
came master of the ship.
In 1872 Mr. Hamilton returned to South
Carolina for the first time since 1866, and
was married here in Charleston. Finding
that his wife could not endure the long voy-
ages to Bombay and Calcutta, he left the In-
dian service and went to the Mediterranean.
The next year he accepted the command of
the Atlas, a Clyde steamer trading between
New York and the West Indies. The rapid
changes of climate proved too much for a
constitution that had already been weakened
by hardship and exposure, and in 1875 he
came back home to die.
The writer only knew Mr. Hamilton while
he was on the Nashville on the voyage from
Southampton to Beaufort, but then con-
ceived an enduring admiration for him, Gal.
lant, amiable, courteous, he was a model offi
cer, and his career proved him to be a model
man. In the willingness with which he be.
gan at the foot of the ladder when the
war ended, and in the perseverance with
which he combatted adverse fortune, he set
a noble example to the Carolinians of his
day. Could his whole story be written as it
was known to a few of those nearest to him,
it would form a brilliant chapter in the his.
tory of the American navy, Union and Con-
federate, which is already so rich in its
record of daring, of loyalty and of virtue.
It was said of Willie Hamilton that wher-
ever he went he took the Confederate flag
with him, and that oftentimes in the In.
dian Seas,far from prying eyes, he flew the old
Stars and Bars at the peak of his gallant
ship and renewed for a little while the hopes
and fears, the defeats and triumphs, of the
fallen Confederacy. A knightly soul he was,
and the pity of it is that so little can ever be
known, in this world, of a character so
limpid, so generous, so lofty and so true.
F. W. DAWSON.

THE POETS OF THE CONFEDERACY.
477
No. 79 - The Poets of the Confederacy. even who, under ordinary circumstances
|| had laid no claim to poetic talents, felt
that nothing short of poetry could give
(By "M. 8. 8.," of the University of Virginia.) adequate expression to the ardent pas-
sions that burned within their souls. As
If apology were needed for calling to
might also have been expected, many of
mind the poets and poetry of the Con these effusions were but the mawkish
federacy, let it be found by reference to emanations of the mediocre mind, sery-
Æsop's Fables, that unfailing fount of
ing but to garnish the corners of village
newspapers, speedily thereafter to be
wisdom.
hurled into complete oblivion. But it
A trumpeter had been taken captive was not to be always thus, that the move-
by the enemy after battle and pleaded ment of sentimentality was to be mis-
taken for the inspiration of the true
most piteously for his life: “See! I am
poet; such productions, like all counter-
without arms, I have nothing at all but feits, but betokened the existence of
this trumpet.” “Indeed, we shall slay their prototype.
you, though,” was the fierce retort. THE VERY FIRST POEM OF THE WAR
*You are more guilty than the common which deserves the name came from a
soldiers, since, without fighting your-
worthy source. It was witten by a
young man in the prime of life, who
self, you get constantly urge all others
was soon to seal by his death the in-
into the mélée.”
tegrity of his faith in the justice of the
Who shall gainsay the justice of that cause for which he fought. Lieut.
verdict?
George Tucker, the noblescion of a gifted
In taking a retrospective yiew then of stock was the author of "The Southern
that great internecine struggle whose re Cross," written just before war had
membrance is so fast becoming obliter been declared, while the hope was still
ated before the busy activities of the cherished that the North would consent
present, shall we overlook or hold at to let her Southern sisters go on their
naught the part borne in it by orator way in peace, and ere the device had
and poet?
been decided upon for the banner which
As it is the spark which ignites the was to be lifted up by the recent Re-
powder magazine, so there may be public, in assertion of her claim to a
greater responsibility in the utterance place among the nations. Public taste
of that one word of genius, which ex hinted strongly at the choice of that
Cites the multitude to act, than in the brilliant constellation, which is so dis-
multitude itself, be their consequent tinctive a glory of the Southern heavens.
exploits of heroism or daring stu Under such circumstances was penned
pendous as you please. Driven on by "The Southern Cross."
an impulse from without, which they It was the writer's privilege to have
feel to be heroic, how many rush into known its author from his boyhood, and
action who are but the blind tools of although the term may seem inappropri-
some superior genius, who may be cool ate in speaking of a man, his counten-
and collectedly conscious all the while ance was nothing short of lovely, while
of the tenor of his influence, or himself the bright intelligence that spoke in the
equally an honest enthusiast, using a play of expressive features redeemed it
gift that he believes himself endowed from any want of manliness. The pious
with from on high for the furtherance of son of a pious mother, holiness seemed
Divine ends.
written upon that brow, so clearly
If we may suppose an impartial spec stamped with the seal of gentleness and
tator of such a scene, no one who was in good will to man. He did not die in bat-
the South at the time when war became tle, but of consumption, consequent
imminent could fail to perceive that the upon exposure endured in the field.
whole people were under the influence But a few verses from his poem will give
of intensest excitement; that they were a better idea of his genius than many
swayed to and fro by passion, like the comments upon the same.
grass upon some trackless prairie, which
THE SOUTHERN CROSS.
bends before the breath of the coming
tempest. Young and old, men and Oh! say can you see through the gloom and
women, were all equally absorbed in
the storm,
what they felt to be the vital issues of
More bright for the darkness, that pure con-
stellation ?
the hour.
Like the symbol of love and redemption its
PASSION FINDING VENT IN VERSE.
form,
As it points to the haven of hope for the
And, as might be expected, many
nation;

478
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
How radiant each star, as the beacon afar,
II,
Giving promise of peace, or assurance in Call on thy children of the hill,
war.
Wake swamp and river, coast and rill,
'Tis the Cross of the wouth, which shall ever
Rouse all thy strength and all thy skill,
remain,
Carolina !
To light us to freedom and glory again!
And if peace should be hopeless, and justice
Cite wealth and science, trade and art,
denied,
Touch with thy fire the cautious mart,
And war's bloody vulture should flap it's
And pour thee through the people's heart,
black pinions,
Carolina !
Then gladly to arms! while we hurl in our
pride
Till e'en the coward spurns his tears
· Defiance to tyrants and death to their
And all thy fields and fens and meres
minions!
Shall bristle like thy palm with spears,
With our front in the field, swearing never
Carolina !
to yield,
Or return like the Spartan in death, on our
VII.
shield!
Girt with such wiles to do and bear,
And the Cross of the south shall triumph-
Assured in right and mailed in prayer
antly wave.
Thou wilt not bow thee to despair,
As the flag of the free or the pall of the
Carolina!
brave.
Throw thy bold banner to the breeze,
Lieut, George Tucker was already widely
Front with thy ranks the threatening seas
known as the author of a popular novel,
Like thine own proud armorial trees,
"Hansford,” possessed of high merit, and
Carolina !
afterwards re published without authority by
Peterson & Co. under a different title.
Fling down thy gauntlet to the Hung.
And roar thy challenge from the guns,
When, however, men really felt that
Then leave the future to thy sons,
war was upon them, such was the tense
Carolina !
strain upon their every power of body Yet it would be unjust to the “trum-
and mind that difficult was it to engage peter” of the Southern cause to repre-
even momentary attention for aught
sent him as wholly the mouthpiece of
save the one absorbing topic of the day:
war. Timrod was a very troubadour in
“News from the army.”
spirit, while his lyre was wont to swell
into loftiest strains of martial ardor, yet
THE FOREMOST AMONG SOUTHERN WAR it was plain that the true atmosphere
POETS.
which he delighted to breathe was one of
But suddenly spoke a voice from Caro-
peace, gentleness and love. Witness the
lina which, clarion-like, made its clear,
first and last verses of his grand "Car-
men Triumphale," written after one of
sweet notes heard even amid the din of
war. Men paused to listen-were
the first victories which crowned the
stirred, were strangely thrilled; again
Southern arms in the first year of the
the clangor of warfare closed in around
war.
"CARMEN TRIUMPHALE.”
the poet and his song. Eternity alone
can disclose its true import-whether “Go forth and bid the land rejoice,
the poet's message was taken into the
Yet not too gladly, Oh! my song!
Breathe softly, as if mirth would wrong
heart, heeded and acted upon, or passed
The solemn rapture of thy voice
away an ineffective agency, remembered
as we do the startling phantasms of a Be nothing lightly done or said,
fitful dream, We allude, of course, to This happy day! Our joy should flow
Accordant with the lofty woe
the poems of Henry Timrod, whom we
That wails above the noble dead.
pronounce, without fear of contradic-
tion, to be facile princeps of all the poets
While down the swelling current glides
whom the South produced at that event-
Our ship of State before the blast,
ful epoch of her existence.
With streamers poured from every mast,
He was a young man of great modesty, Herthunders roaring from her sides.
quiet and unpretending in every way,
and, despite the fiery ardor of his tem-
Lord ! bid the frenzied tempest cease,
Hang out thy rainbow on the sea!
perament, of so delicate a constitution ass
Laugh round her waves in silver glee,
not even to attempt to follow his com-
And speed her to the ports of peace!"
panions, who were to a man rushing
into active field service. Yet "he did Timrod was not only the eulogizer of
what he could,' and from his retirement peace, but had the enlarged aspirations
sent forth "A Cry to Arms," a passionate of the Christian Hear what were his
appeal to patriotism, whose title tells its hopes and expectations for the new Con-
aim, and speedily afterwards Carolina," federacy, which, if she never lived to ful-
from which we quote a few stanzas as a fil, are alike creditable to the heart of
specimen of the poet's style:
ll her poet, false seer though he were, and

THE POETS OF THE CONFEDERACY.
479
the principles in which he had been
reared :
"But let our fears-if fears we have-be still,
And turn us to the future ! Conld we climb
Some mighty Alp, and view the coming
time,
The rapturous sight would fill
Our eyes with happy tears !
Not only for the glory which the years
Shall bring us; not for lanos from sea to sea,
And wealth, and power, and peace, though
these shall be;
But for the distant peoples we shall bless,
And the bushed murmurs of a world s dis-
tress;
For to give labor to the poor
The whole sad planet o'er,
And save from want and crime the humbled
door,
Is one among the many ends for which
God makes us great and rich !
The hour, perchance, is not yet wholly ripe
When all shall own it, but the type
Whereby we shall be known in every land
Is that vast gulf which laves our Southern
strand,
And through the cold, untempered ocean
pours
Its genial streams, that far-off Arctic shores.
May sometimes catch upon the softened
breeze
Strange tropic warmth and hints of summer
seas."
On taking leave of Timrod it may not
be uninteresting to quote entire the
beautiful verses 80 modestly entitled
“A Common Thought,” in which the
poet so exactly foretold the circumstances
and hour of his own death. They be-
come doubly interesting when told that
Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, the
prominent and determined opponent of
the South, was wont shortly before his
decease to repeat them admiringly and
with emphasis; finding no words so fitiy
to express the forebodings of his soul in
view of death as those of this most pecu-
liarly Southern man and poet. How
should it modify sectional antipathies,
when we behold how speedily the bit-
terest enemi
nies must be brought together
in close sympathy on the plane of one
common humanity.
A COMMON THOUGHT.
Somewhere on this earthly planet,
In the dust of flowers to be,
In the dewdrop, in the sunshine,
Sleeps a solenan day for me.
Among the compositions that made
their way to the heart during the first
year of the war was, "All Quiet Along
the Potomac To-Night.” The author-
ship of this poem has been claimed for a
Northern lady and for Lamar Fontaine
of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, C. A., but,
however the disputed question of the
origin may be settled, there is no doubt
of the sweet mournful impression made
by its strains upon the hearts of the war-
ring people, both North and South.
And many were the tears shed over the
fate of the poor picket “Off duty For-
ever," and in his person over the daily
increasing host of noble privates, who,
while they died for their country, yet
dropped into unkown and unmarked
graves.
“DIXIE."
But assuredly it were time to speak of
"Dixie,” which the Southerners adopted
as their national song, somewhat as
“Yankee Doodle' had been adopted by
the Americans years before, or as the
Wesleyans adopted their sobriquet of
“Methodist.” And a queer song is that
same "Dixie.” Say, if you please,
“There is no music in it," "there is no
sense in it;" and yet if you happen to
make one of a Southern audience, quiet
and sober though it be, just let a band
strike up "Dixie," and you will in-
stantly feel the thrill of excitement that
is electrifying the whole assembly. By
some strange spell that uncouth,jig-like,
comic medley of sounds has a firm hold
upon Southern hearts, and you perceive
that for them somehow “Dixio wears
its primitive signification of “Country
dearly loved,” and while they listen
each soul makes inward vow (in some
sense) “to live and die for Dixie.”
An intensely characteristic song was
“Stonewall Jackson's Way," which was
never heard in parlor or camp without
eliciting a burst of enthusiasm. With
what abandon was it rendered by those
spirited Confederate girls. Its echo
sounds yet in the ear of at least one of
their delighted authors. Its author,
Des Rivieres, is otherwise unknown to
fame, but from internal evidence af-
forded by his work we should judge him
to be a soldier and a cavalryman, It
has a dash, a sort of devil-may-care
tone of gushing merriment, peculiarly
the attributes of the trooper ever in the
saddle, yet withal there is manifest an
undercurrent of genuine reverence for
piety as seen in the character of Stone-
wall Jackson, besides being so faithful
and poetical a reproduction of the actual
events of the day as to make this lyric
a valuable contribution to historic liter-
ature.
At this wakeful hour of midnight,
I behold it dawn in mist,
And I hear a sound of sobbing,
Through the darkness-hist ! oh hist!
In a dim and murky chamber,
I am breathing life away,
Some one draws a curtain softly,
And I watch the broadening day
venitaw me
As it purples in the zenith,
As it brightens on the lawn,
Tbere's a hush of death about me
And a whisper, "He is gone!”

480
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
“Riding a Raid" was its fellow.
part of the reader to identify himself
Those Confederate cavalrymen ! What with the tragedy. Might not the same
a merry set of fellows they were, ruin at any moment overwhelm him-
with Stuart at their head! Nor were self and his?
music and song neglected among them,
for, as all the world knows, that noted
MARGARET PRESTON'S EPIC.
chieftain, whom one of his chosen com Truth spoken in simplicity, fervor of
rades, John Esten Cooke, in his ballad piety, and an unreserved immolation of
of "The Broken Mug," so fondly denom self upon the altar of country, permeate
inates "the cavalier of cavaliers,” amid the whole poem with a vitality which
all the restless activities of his lite enforces a conviction of the reality of the
found time and opportunity to patronize scenes depicted, and the high-souled
and bring into exercise the talents of character of the woman who has re-
many a gifted minstrel.
corded them. Those who know Mrs.
The comic song "In Camp” beggars de Preston assert that in very truth her
scription, nor shall we hazard the repro-
poetry is her least claim to admiration
duction of even one couplet. Some of
as a woman. Her strength of mind and
them were inimitable, but they are gone
soundness of judgment are said to be
without a traco-gone with the short masculine, her attainments in history
iived gayety from whence they sprung. and literature extraordinary, especially
And who now would have heart to call when it is remembered that, like Pres-
up the ghosts of those fleeting joys, or cott, she has been a sufferer from eye
try to wake laughter from the jests disease for the greater part of her life.
uttered by lips which have long since "Beechenbrook” is written in that easy-
been hushed in death? So let us shift flowing, twelve-syllabled measure, in-
the scene.
troduced and made popular by Tom
POETRY BECOMING MORE PASSIONATE.
Moore. Without, perhaps, soaring over
to the highest plane of poetry, it is pleas-
As still the war progressed and the ing, dignified and of sustained interest
struggle grew more stubborn and more throughout-so connected that no ex-
deadly, the poetry evoked, if more rare, tract can be made without doing in-
when it did appear, was of a yet more justice. This work has justly brought
passionate type than before, tinged with Mrs. Preston fame in her lifetime, and
the sombreness and gloom of spirits will embalm her memory forever in the
now made familiar with suffering and hearts of her countrymen as that of one
woe.
who has borne truthful testimony to the
In the third year of the war appeared motives which impelled Virginians, at
Beechenbrook," whose evidentaim was least, to engage in a cause which, to the
to spur up the flagging zeal of the still
eye of the sober thinkers, threatened
resolute Confederates.
them with certain ruin from the first.
Critics have demonstrated that the
theme for a fine epic poem is not to be
PAUL H. HAYNE
found in events transpiring around us. we cannot think happy in his war pieces,
However thrilling and momentous the and John Esten Cooke is singurlaly un-
scenes enacted before our eyes, the rhet equal in his ballad of "The Broken
orician advises the poet not in the pres Mug.” Part of it is poor, part as pa-
ent to seek his inspiration. Now, Mrs. thetic and full of the fire of inspiration
Margaret J. Preston with her modest, as could well be desired.
unpretending approach offering merely Mrs. C. Warfield must dispute the
“A Rhyme of the War,” should cer palm with Fanny Downing for spirited
tainly not in any case be required to war ballads. Both of these truly gifted
bring it up to the same criterion of merit ladies infused into their songs so fiery a
as a regular epic. Yet her rhyme, de-|| spirit of enthusiasm as was not too pro-
spite all the difficulties incident to its noncé at the time of their appearance,
creation, deserves the name of poem--if | but from the intensity of expressions
a poem, an epic or what else? The con- used, almost provokes a smile now, even
ditions for such a work are certainly ful- || from their sympathizers. to-wit: "You
filled, for, it is a poem in narrative form, cannot win them back," by the former;
presenting heroic actions and principles “Our Chief,' by the latter.
in elevated style. "Beechenbrook” met Woman's pen was indeed busy as her
at once with an enthusiastic reception, hand in aiding the cause she loved, and
Even at this distance of time it is dif we turn with pleasure from the more
ficult to realize the power with which it bloodthirsty specimens of their skill to
appealed to the sympathies of the whole such sweet and tender strains as those
people. Then it required but little of Marie Lacoste, of Georgia, who wrote
stretch of the imagination Jupon the ll "Somebody's Darling,' an exquisite

THE POETS OF THE CONFEDERACY.
481
little poem, too familiar to need more to army, even when drawn up in inimi-
than an allusion, and “Enlisted To cal array one against the other.
day," by a nameless mother; also "The On a mild spring evening, when the
Soldier that Died To-day.”
two great hosts lay encamped on oppo-
If it is rather to anticipate time, par site sides of the Rappahannock, prepar-
don the mention, in this place, of that atory to action—as was usual-the bands
beautiful appeal to North and South, to of music struck up on both sides at a
cease from strife for the sake of common certain hour. On one side was played
woes, which is couched in the lines en "Yankee Doodle,'' ainid bursts of en-
titled “The Blue and the Gray," of thusiasm, while from the other side
which we cannot forbear quoting a few arose shouts of derision. "Dixie,” too,
stanzas:
was struck up in the liveliest, most de-
fiant tones. And so it went for some
THE BLUE AND THE GREY.
while. But on a sudden the air was
"From the silence of sorrowful hours,
changed. "Home, Sweet Home, came
The desolate mourners go,
stealing across the waters, and instantly
Lovingly laden with flowers,
Alike for the friend and the foe;
there was a husb-a stillness, say eye-
witnesses, which might be felt. One
Under the sod and the dew,
chord had been struck which vibrated
Waiting the judgment day;
alike in the breasts of these warring
Under the roses che Blue,
brothers, who, in that solemn hour, felt
Under the lilies the Gray.
strangely knit together in the bond of a
Sadly but not with upbraiding
common faith and many a common hope.
The generous deed was done;
The lamented John R. Thompson em-
In the storm of the years that are fading.
balmed this circumstance in verse, ex-
No braver battle was won.
pressed in his usual chaste and elegant
Under the sod and the dew,
manner.
Waiting be judgment day;
And at last the weary war was over,
Under the blossoms the Blue,
and both armies free to go bome, the one
Under the garlands the Gray.
to the joys of triumph, the other to the
No more shall the war cry sever,
bitterness of defeat, humiliation, pov-
Or the winding rivers be red;
erty, and, in short, to beginning life
Our anger 18 banished forever,
anew. Mrs. Downing aptly enough de-
When are laurelled the graves of our dead.
scribes the feelings of
Under the sod and the dew,
A RETURNED SOUTHERN SOLDIER.
Waiting the judgment day;
To live for Dixie! Haraer part!
Love and tears for the Blue,
To stay the hand, to still the heart,
Tears and love for the Gray.”
To seal the lips, enshroud the past,
o have no future-allo'ercast-
LET US HAVE PEACE!
To knit life s broken threads again, &c.
And why should there not be peace A sister remembers well the greeting
and good will between the two sections, exchanged with the first of six soldier-
who should no more be rivals, but, if brothers returned from the war, after
they love their country, should join hand the surrender. She ran to meet him.
in hand to build up her waste places ? "Oh, Willy, I am so glad to see you
Should they not do all they can to repair back !” In a voice almost choked with
the havoc made by war, that there may emotion, he replied: "Not glad to see
be no plague-spot left to portend the de me in this way though !" And like
cay of our common Republic, ou whose scenes were being enacted in homes
stability seems to hang suspended the throughout the South. Yet the poet did
faith of all people in man's right of self not seem to think that his mission was
government. If the United States fall, ended with the laying down ofthe sword;
who will be found so poor as to do and some of the finest poetry written on
honor" to Republican institutions?
the theme of the war appeared after the
It has been said that of all classes of struggle was over. Father Ryan's "Con-
the community our brave soldiers, South quered Banner," as poetry, seems a well-
and North, found least difficulty in re nigh faultless production, and giving
turning to friendly and cordial relations voice, as it does, to the deepest feelings
with their late opponents. Even during of which a stricken people were capable,
the war it was strangely so; there was must be cherished as long as any South-
little rancor or bitterness in the army, erner remembers the cause for which his
save when a battle was being fought. father toiled and bled.
Pickets used to encourage civilities Gen. Jackson had already been eulo-
often; sometimes there were touching gized in song beyond all his comrades,
instances of sympathetic flashes of feel yet the poem which perhaps will be re-
ing having been transmitted from armyll membered longest belongs to post-bel-
61

482
OUR WOMEN IN THE WAR.
lum days, and was penned by a Federal || Another poem which undoubtedly
officer upon the occasion of visiting his made its mark in those chaotic days im-
grave. We quote the last verses of
mediately succeeding defeat was, “In
the Land where we were Dreaming,"
STONEWALL JACKSON'S GRAVE:
by Daniel B. Lucas, of Virginia.
Young April, o'er his lowly mound,
Whether the fact recorded be to the
Shall shake the violelo from her hair, credit of Southern literary acumen or
And glorious June, with fervid lips,
not, there was something about it
Shall bia the roses blossom there.
which fell in with the vein of preva-
And round about the droping bee,
lent feeling. Men read it and said
With drowsy hum shall come and go; “Amen” without well knowing where-
While west winds all the live long day, unto. If Gen. Jackson were repre-
Shall murmur dirges soft and low.
sented, and that in the supreme crisis of
The warriors stormy fate is o’er,
bis fate rather as a retiring play-actor
The midnight gloom hath passed away;
than the sublime hero that he was-it
And like a giory from the east,
were all one-the extravaganza aspect
Breaks the first light of freedom's day. of the performance was unbeeded. Now,
as popular instinct seldom goes far
And white winged pence, o'er all the land
Broous like a dove upon her nest;
astray it must be conceded that this
While iron 'war with slaughter gorged, mystical lyric had a merit of its own,
At length hath laid bin down to rest. if disfigured by strained metaphor and
an unnatural collocation of similes.
And where we won our on ward way,
With fire and steel, ubrough yonder wooa, We have not pretended in this article
The blackbird whistles, and the quali
to give a complete synopsis of all the
Gives answer to her timid brood.
poetry emanating from Southern sources
Yet oft in dreams his fierce brigade
during the war, but only to take note of
Shall see the forni tney followed far
those efforts of the sort which seemed
8till leading in the furthest, var-
to make an impression and have an
A landmark in the clouds of war.
influence in swaying public senti-
ment; or, if not so, at least have
And o t when white-baired grandsires tell
Of bloody struggles past and gone,
the historical significance of indicating
The children at their spees will hear
the spirit and temper of those stormy
How Jackson led his columns on!”
times.





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