"The soul of the second inscription is in the lines :

" 'Splendid in Fortitude,
They strove while they wept.'

"In defeat and amid want, mourning and with threatened
chaos, they were steadfast and unafraid.

"The concluding sentence of the inscription pays tribute to the
services of the women of the Confederacy after the war.

" 'In the Building after the Desolation'
"It was around the women that the forces of civilization
developed strength and won the victory of the South today."



Honorable Mention.

The four inscriptions given below were submitted in the order
named by Dr. George A. Wauchope, Dr. E. S. Joynes, the Eev.
A. M. Fraser, of Staunton, Va., and W. Banks Dove:

EXHIBIT A.

This Monument is erected to keep alive
in the hearts of future South Caro-
linians the Virtues, Services and
Sacrifices of the Women of the
Confederacy
who
by their Constancy under the Trials and
Sufferings of war, by their inspiring
sympathy with the men at the
front, by their tender Ministra-
tions to the sicli and wounded
and by their material aid and unwaver-



Women's Monument 21

ing fidelity to the Common Cause

have won the Undying Love and

Gratitude of the People of the

South

and have Bequeathed to their Children

from Generation to Generation the

Priceless Heritage of their Memory.



EXHIBIT B.

To the Women

of the Confederate South

Whose Constancy

Sustained the Courage

Of the Confederate Soldier

in Camp and Field,

Whose virtue protected his Home,

Whose service ministered to his needs

Whose tender care nursed his sufferings

Whose affection cheered his dying hour

And brightened the Poverty

of his

Desolate Home.



EXHIBIT C.

They knew their cause was just. They put their trust in God. They
gave their men to the war, and cheered them on to immortal deeds and
endurance and to death. They ministered to the sick, the wounded and the
dying. They braved unspeakable dangers in their defenceless homes. They
welcomed poverty as a decoration of honor. In defeat and desolation they
inspired the rebuilding of States. They have adorned the whole land with
monuments to their fallen heroes.



EXHIBIT D.

Erected in memory of those who in the sorrow of their silence and separa-
tion endured the agony of a conflict they might not share, whose courage
sustained the Southern Soldier amid the carnage of the battlefield, whose
love and fidelity soothed the suffering of his sickness, whose gentle hand
brushed from his pale face the gathering dews of death, whose faith and
fortitude faltered not in the darkest hour, whose inspiration transformed
the gloom of defeat into the hope of the future, and whose memory shall
not be forgotten even In the hour of peace.



22 Stories of the Confederacy



RECOLLECTIONS OF A SCHOOL GIRL

Colonel U. R. Brooks :

Having read your beautiful tribute to the women in the war,
asking for contributions for your forthcoming book, I herewith
hand you the "Recollections of a Confederate School Girl — 1861-
1865."

My first memory of the war was seeing the "Liberty Pole"
raised in Aiken. It was very tall and painted white. The flag
of the State (a home-made flag) was a green Palmetto tree upon
a white ground. The State had seceded, and the people were
ready to defend their rights. There was a brave sadness in all
their speeches.

Why did the North want to fight the South? Was it to free
the negroes? The people of the North had brought them here,
and we paid the New England traders for them.

South Carolina had fought 137 battles for the Union. We did
not want to fight our Northern brothers, but we would defend
our rights and our homes. This was the attitude of our people.

My father had been elected one of the chancellors — equity
judges — of the State. We moved to Columbia in 1861. For a
while it was quiet enough. We girls went to school to Madame
Sosnowski and her two daughters. She was the widow of a
Polish officer. Our teachers were great Southern sympathizers,
and we learned not only from books, but also how to make haver-
sacks, roll bandages, scrape lint and knit socks.

Companies in City.

The companies of soldiers were constantly passing through the
city, and our teachers would often take us in procession to see
the troops go off. On one occasion, I began to feed the cavalry
horses near me, which were in a train of cars. Of course my
example was quickly followed. The station master (freight agent)
was in despair. "That hay is private property!" he exclaimed.
I was sorry for him, but glad I fed the horses.

The Hampton Legion was encamped near the city. We loved
to go out to see them drill. What a fine display the legion made !



Recollections of a School Girl. 23

And, well they fulfilled our hopes of them. Dear, brave Hamp-
ton Legion !

One morning a cousin came and took us to see the first assign-
ment of prisoners to our State. I went to the station, but I did
not want to see the prisoners. I felt sorry for them, and yet I
remembered they were invaders, killing our men and destroying
our homes. Then I felt more sorry for ourselves. When the pris-
oners came out of the cars, I was surprised to see so few oflficers.
Some of the men were hatless and some coatless, and, yes, some
shoeless. Four companies surrounded them, one of the com-
panies being the "Chicora Greys," Captain Radcliffe command-
ing. This company Avas made up of the boys of the city, and, of
course, we girls admired them greatly.

At recess we used to drill. I was the captain. We used for
our text book, "Hardee's Tactics." On one occasion we saw^ the
boys coming, and the girls insisted that "our company" march
out and "present arms" to them in recognition of their services.
The captain (myself) was rather amused by the performance,
but the Greys returned the salute gravely. There was no sound
of mirth in their ranks, but their eyes were sparkling with merri-
ment.

We had an endless round of entertainments. The young people
were ever ready to have some bazaar, or supper, or tableaux, to
get money for some w^orthy cause. Often it was to help the hos-
pital, our "Wayside Hospital," was an excellent idea. The ladies,
and almost everybody in the city, either attended or sent con-
tributions of stores every day. The doctors met the trains, and
by their skill and kindness made the wounded soldiers comfort-
able by dressing their wounds afresh. The ladies looked after
them and gave them refreshments and a resting place to sleep
until their train came, when the kind negro nurses helped them
on board. During the Franco-Prussian war this plan of ours was
adopted by the Prussians.

How hopeful we were ! Truly we believed —

"He Is thrice armed who hath his quarrel just."

What sacrifices our dear people made ! And how faithful our
servants were ! Had they been then what too many of them are



24 Stories of the Confederacy

now, when Lincoln freed them, God only knows what would have
become of the defenceless women and children.

Bishop Henry Whipple has written that "there was no uprising
of the slaves," speaking volumes for the white people of the South
and volumes for the negroes.

I remember going with my aunt, Mrs. Bartow, wife of General
Bartow, to visit our "Ladies' Hospital." The hospital had been
used formerly for a railroad car shed. It was almost where the
Columbia hospital now stands. The cots were white and neat.
The lady visitors came with offerings of eggs, fruit, flowers, and
sometimes money. One of the soldiers, I remember, had been
fearfully w^ounded in the head. Was he despondent ? No, indeed.
He was eager to get well and join Lee and Jackson in driving out
the Yankees.

I knit twenty pairs of socks and wanted to knit more, but I
had to study, too. Madame Sosnowski would teach all the winter
and go to Virginia to nurse in the hospitals in the summer.

Our dear President Davis kept us constantly upon our knees
in prayer. Our people, while wonderfully cheerful, were always
prayerful. Israelites and Christians kept the solemn fast, and
I truly believe this pious custom helped the South to bear
defeat so bravely. Our Israelite neighbors often went to Trinity
with us.

Just before Sherman entered the city, we had a wonderful
bazaar in the State House. Each of the Southern States was
represented. The Mississippi table was where I waited. Our
badge was a cotton boll, tied with a pink satin ribbon, with
Mississippi printed upon it. Mrs. James P. Adams was the lady
manager. The tables were arranged like Turkish booths, with a
canopy over them, and the coat of arms of each State was painted
upon a shield and placed in front of the booth. Our shield was
painted by Professor Devilliers. It represented an eagle upon a
cliff, with the sun rising before him. What did we sell ? Every-
thing pretty and surprising. Remember, we had clever blockade
runners, and the people poured out their treasures of gold and
silver. Then, too, some planters gave bales of cotton, and got
them through the blockade, too. It was for the hospitals — a
grand effort and would have done credit to any age or any people.
I was told we made $300,000 — "a bale of money."



Recollections of a School Girl. 25

Making Fortifications.

One morning there was a request in our daily papers to the
Ladies of the city to meet at the store of James Gibbes to get the
cloth and learn to make sand bags for Fort Sumter. How gladly
we attended ! One of the gentlemen showed us how^ to make the
bags. Then we took the cloth home to make it up. My sisters
and I had three pieces of 4G yards each. It was hard work with a
double scam and stout thread, but we made up our share. Brave
Fort Sumter ! It never surrendered !

One Sunda}' morning in February, on our way to church, we
were startled by the ringing of the city bell. Well we knew what
that meant. Sherman was coming and all soldiers on furlough
in the city must report at headquarters. We went in tears to
offer our prayers. What fate awaited our beautiful city? What
loved one might lose his life in its defence? Some of us almost
envied the quiet sleepers lying so peacefully in God's acre. They
could not be disturbed by war's rude alarms.

My father had gone to St. George to make some arrangements
for his family. We were in despair lest some terrible fate should
overtake him. He passed the town of Orangeburg an hour and a
half after the Yankees reached the place. "Too soon for the
bummers to scatter in search of plunder." The big bay just flew
over the icy roads. How thankful we were to see our dear father
safe and sound. "When the Yankees, without warning, began to
shell the State House, our house, which was not far down from
it, was in danger as some of the Parrott shells flew screeching up
Gervais street. Our servants fled to a place of safety. Who can
blame them? The horse was waiting with his harness on, ready
to be put to the buggy. I will never forget how coolly my father
walked out to the stable. I went with him, and helped him to
harness up.

Leaving the City.

We women had expected to remain in the city, but our father
was one of the signers of the ordinance of secession. He, at our
urgent request, consented to leave. Soon our uncle. Dr. LaBorde,
came in and insisted that we leave until the shelling ceased. We
started for the eastern part of the city, towards the Charlotte
depot. On our way we saw father coming back to the house. We



26 Stories of the Confederacy

went back to see what he wanted. The governor had given us
places in his special car, which was to leave at 2 p. m. One small
trunk was all that could be allowed. The governor did not leave
the city for hours, near midnight. We were fourteen hours going
thirty-seven miles. Our engine broke down, and we were left on
a siding for hours. To brighten us up, Major Tom Woodward
found a violin and came under the car window and serenaded the
way-worn party. Finally, he found an engineer who took our
car on his train as far as Winnsboro. True to his promise, we
had "coffee and biscuits" in the "wee sma' hours" of the morning.
The next evening the major called us out to see the western
horizon glowing with the fires of the burning city. "I knew that
vandal would be in the city," he said. "God help our friends !"
Our next move was to Winnsboro. Here we stopped in the home
of the Eev. Mr. Obear. This house was full of refugees, friends —
friends we loved — who willingly shared their fire and food with
us. The army of 60,000 invaders passed through the town, a
sight never to be forgotten. After each army corps what a rabble
of followers came! Even now I laugh at the fancy toilets some
of the dusky belles wore. Who could imagine such a combination
of colors ! When they began to burn the carpenter's shop next
door, we were sure our turn would come next, but, much to our
content, a kind soldier climbed upon the roof, saying, "We have
had enough of this," and promptly put out the blaze. One of our
storerooms was destroyed. Our barrel of sorghum, grits and flour,
all were thrown upon the ground. Fortunately, we had other
stores upstairs. One of our servants was braver than he knew.
William came with a note from our uncle in Columbia, telling
us that our house had been burned. We did not trust William, as
he was not an inherited servant. One day he overheard one of us
say, "I am afraid William will go off with the Yankees." When
he came, clothed in a Yankee blue overcoat, he took special pains
to say, "You see. Miss, I did not go off with the Yankees," and
he was as ever a helpful and faithful servant. For the few days
he rested with us, before returning to the burned city, he was busy
bringing in burned cross-ties, and doing anything he could for
our comfort.



Recollections or a School Girl. 27

At Winnsboro.

"WTien our father came to Winnsboro, he brought our aunt's
carriage and horses and good servant, Sheldon. We were again
with friends, and journeyed over icy roads to Ninety-Six, on our
way to Roselands. Oh, how dreary that journey was ! Even for
miles around Winnsboro the cruel work of the marauders could
be seen. They killed the poor tired mules when they found fresh
ones, and left them all along the road. The first evening we
stopped at the house of a Mr. Babb. I remember one incident
distinctly. '\Anien father asked if we could get anything to eat,
and if we could get food for our horses, he said, "Yes, my faithful
servants helped me to hide some stores. You wnll have to wait
until one of the boys goes after the fodder." I well remember
seeing the man coming across the field almost hidden by the big
bundle of fodder he was carrying. Horse and rider were almost
covered up by his load. Then how skillfully the negro ferryman
took us over the high waters of the Broad River. Oh, that steep
and muddy river bank ! What a hard pull up it was ! The next
night we spent near Newberry. One of our father's friends
opened his home and heart to the refugees (ourselves). On our
way to his house we passed a young man who seemed to be under

a guard. Mr. S , our friend, said : "I must speak to that

man. He is a Mason, and has given me the signal of distress.'
Off he went to help him. I have admired Masonry ever sinc4
that dark day.

LiLLA Carroll.



28 Stories of the Confederacy

THE QUEEN OF THE TOURNAMENT

She stood at the mirror looking radiantly fair,
As roses, then jewels, she placed in her hair.
And, which shall I wear? — is the murmur'd refrain,
As first one, then the other, are tried on again.

"I shall be queen of the ball tonight,"
She said it right proudly, as well she might,
For the bravest and best had chosen her queen,
Because of her beauty and right royal mien.

"I shall reign in truth," she laughingly said.
As the crown of the morn'g she placed on her head ;
In triumph she nodded and smiled with delight.
As she thought of the homage in store for the night.

But a sudden change comes over her face,

Roses, laces, and diamonds are swept from their place.

She pauses awhile, then turns slowly away,

And takes from a casket a ribbon of grey.

"The hearts that so lov'd it have moulder'd to dust,
But 'twas bequeath'd to me as a sacred trust.
I promised to honor it, when best I may,
And, at the ball tonight, I shall own its sway."

She has donn'd her robe of wine red hue,

Starr'd with silvex*, and barr'd with blue,

But the soft silken tresses are comb'd smoothly away,

And tied with a ribbon of simple grey.

There's a proud high look on the fair young face

As she enters the ball with her usual grace.

All eyes seek her crown, but she hastens to say,

"As your queen, gentle knights, I am wearing the grey."

There's a hush, and a murmur, then a burst of applause,
As all bow'd in reverence to the sacred lost cause.
And each knight in his ardor, vow'd, that then, and alway,
They would honor her most, who thus honored the grey.

Mrs. S. I. Blackwell.



Forgives but Cannot Forget 29



FORGIVES BUT CANNOT FORGET

I was asked by a friend a short time ago to give him an
account of one of many of my experiences during the War — that
of secession between the North and South. It is by no means as
bad as some other trials which I passed through. This particular
one occurred in New Orleans, and was a small specimen of the
gross cruelty of the Yankee soldier. They were all under the rule
of General "Beast" Butler and showed no feeling but that of
hatred to the born native of the South. If their general felt it,
they were apt scholars.

I was very ill, my little baby not two days old, when one of
their officers came to my dwelling to inform us that he wished
us to leave the house, as he wished it for himself, and that the
grounds about it were just what he wished for parade ground
for his soldiers. Dr. J., my husband, informed him that it was
an impossibility, as his wife lay ill and should not be disturbed.

"Ah," this colonel answered, "unless I see for myself I will not
believe it." Then he said, "Show me your child, and the room
occupied by your wife."

Ah ! in time of war, one has to submit to insult, and to degrada-
tion to avoid insult. Dr. J. came to me, and, as I knew the officer
could be a friend, if he desired, I told my nurse to take my little
one to my chamber door, that the truth would speak for itself.
It did, for this man, this officer of Butler, told us that we could
stay where we were for three weeks, then we must go.

We did not wait that time. There was a schooner about to
leave for Pascagoola, and, as we were hungering for dear old
South Carolina, with a party of solid, true, Confederates, we
sailed on the Serena for home.

We were not without adventure on the trip after we reached
Mobile, for we found that an addition had been made to our
party in the shape of a most lovely young lady, who pointedly
seemed attracted to me. I saw my husband watch her closely,
and as soon as he could get the chance to speak to me, warned
me not to converse with her. We reached Mobile in safety and
went direct to the Battle House. There an elegant carriage and



30 Stories of the Confederacy

horse were awaiting. The driver said: "For Dr. and Mrs. J."
It was sent by the cousin of a wealthy friend of a dear old New
Orleans friend of mine. She claimed me for her guest. Her
husband was an Englishman, so she made it safe and pleasant
for us. But, as we were leaving the Battle House, there was a
great excitement, for the beautiful young lady had turned out a
Yankee spy, and I found that I had been in peril when she had
paid me such close attention.

Now, I had to see the commanding general of New Orleans
before I could accomplish all that I am telling you. Captain
Turner, a friend of ours, took me to the officer who had been put
in Butler's place. We were told by the soldier who guarded the
office door "That it was useless to attempt seeing him or anyone
else," but my old friend. Captain Turner, persevered, and in a
short time we were informed that we could see the general. As
we entered, the office was filled with uniformed men, who were
dismissed. Then General K., looking with pity at my deep
mourning, said kindly:

"What can I do for you, madam?"

I had experienced so much rudeness from former officers that
I felt the kind- voiced question, and at once I said:

"I want to get out of New Orleans."

"Where do you wish to go?" he asked.

"To my home in South Carolina."

"You do, do you ? Now, let me advise you, it will be difficult
to go there."

"I will risk it," I answered.

"Do not," he replied. "Take the oath and you shall be repaid
for all your losses."

Looking him steadily in the eye, I answered : "I will die first."

My friend told me after that he expected that I would be
dismissed with scorn and anger, but instead the general asked:

"Well, what do you come to me for?"

"To allow me to go to my own, if they are living — ^myself, hus-
band and two children."

"How will you go?" he said. "The roads are all torn up. I
cannot give you a pass."

"I do not ask it, general."

"Then tell me what you do want."



Forgives but Cannot Forget 31

"To leave here without your help ; only let me take more than
three days' rations, for I have a little baby to nourish."

With that he looked at me sadly and said: "You shall do as
you wish. I will give you a permit. Send your husband to me
tomorrow and I will make it right for you."

Well. I thanked him, and when I went home and told Dr. J.
of the result of my visit to General K. he declined going to him,
as General K. desired, but I talked him into it. He went, and
was received with great kindness. The general gave him per-
mission to take his instruments and all that I had asked to take
when the interview ended. General K. asked Dr. J. : "Was the
hidy who came to me your wife?" Dr. J. answered: "Yes."
"Well, sir; she is a brave little lady," he said.

With all our care on the journey home it was almost perilous.
The Yankees had torn up roads and eaten all provisions, and the
iittle we obtained we gave to our children. At times we could
not obtain even a glass of water. At last, after great difficulty,
we took the train from Augusta for Charleston. Coming in at
times I recognized familiar faces, but no one seemed to recognize
us. I did not seem to care. But, on reaching the old home in
Charleston, through all the gladness of our dear ones there was a
strange look at me. My mother — God bless her memory — kept
giving nourishment by the spoonful, and when I asked "Why not
let me drink it, mother," with eyes full of tears she replied, "After
a while, dear; not now." And when I was put to bed and my
husband and children cared for, I did not realize it myself, but
afterwards they told me I was almost starved to death. Dr. J.
could not obtain, on the whole road, a morsel of food, the North-
ern army having eaten and taken off everything eatable. Whole
towns were deserted.

Ah ! my friend, this is but a little of a tale of sorrow. As I
roll back the j^ears of the war and feel even now the sorrow that
falls upon those who outlive those days, I miss almost everyone
of a family that made up my life. I only am left, with my two
daughters. I have tried to feel forgiveness for that which fol-
lowed my younger days. Most of our enemies have gone into the
great beyond, but some of our brave men are left to our care,
old and disabled. They still can tell the sad story of days that
have passed. They can unroll the pages of a history of other



32 Stories of the Confederacy

days and memories too sad to be lightly treated. God bless the
dear old Confederates.

On returning to New Orleans, after peace was declared, I took
my two children to join Dr. J., who had preceded us. From
Charleston, on board the steamer, were many tourists, whose desire
was to see the South in ruins. Wlien we were near Fort Sumter
the captain came to me — I was down in the saloon — to go on deck
and bid adieu to the grand old fort. I went and found quantites
of tourists — women whose curiosity led them to look at every-
thing they could see. As I advanced toward the side of the
steamer about fifty of them turned to look at me, as if I was a
curiosity, and shrank from me as if I was some wild animal. I
was truly disgusted at such an outward show of dislike. How-
ever, it did not hinder me from looking, with a sorrowful heart,
a loving sad adieu to our grand old fort. What a contrast years
have brought. Thank heaven for it all.

I hope, my dear friend, you will have patience with this poor
attempt of mine. I have condensed everything I have said as
much as possible and trust you will have patience to go through