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THE COUNTRYMAN.
75
M.j Glr&td^FafJeer’s (I hair.
“De omnibus rebus, et quibusdam aliis.”
BY W. W. TURNER.
Vol. f DECEMBER 1, 1862. No. 5.
God Bless our Southern Women !
From tiio hovel of the poor and the tent
of the soldier, the bivouac and the hospital,
ascends this earnest prayer to the Creator.
In the heart of every true Southerner, be
he rich or poor, warrior or civilian, the sen
timent finds an echo. A whole nation, uni
ting as one man, invokes the choicest fa
vors Heaven has in store, on the heads of
the fair of our land ; the ministering angels
who, with such noble abnegation of self,
such untiring persistence of benevolence,
are devoting themselves to the. task of ad
ministering to the v ants and alleviating the
sufferings of those who give up everything
to fi£bt for their country.
In the beginning of this war, a spirit of
restlessness, adventure, romance, had much
to do with the business of raising companies
to go forth against the enemy. The hearts
of young men beat high with pride and am
bition, and a military ardor infused itself in
to the bosoms of all in the least susceptible
of it, as they listened to the tones of martial
music, or looked upon the measured tread,
erect ports, and eagle eyes of those who had
already organized themselves into corps for
service. Even thus early, woman had her
part assigned by nature’s self, and well
did she perform it. Words of encourage
ment, soul-stirring appeals, were required to
arouse those who were disposed to be cold
and indifferent. Those who had already
enlisted had to he confirmed and sustained.
Banners? were made and given away ; ad
dresses were spoken and responded to. In
receiving their colors,youthful warriors were
inspired with firm resolution, and many a
well-kept vow did they mako as they took
in keeping the flags delivered by the fair
ones of their acquaintance; wrought by
their hands ;'consecrated by their touch ;
hallowed by being associated with them in
conception, construction, and presentation.
He who went to the field was strengthened
and buoyed up when he remembered the
words of encouragement that came from the
lips of the women of his home. As the
snorting iron horse bore him away from
familiar scenes and faces, he dwelt up
on every accent and look that accompa
nied the hour of parting, but most of all did
the language of the ladies who bade him
God speed, ring upon his ears and nerve
him to deeds of valor and heroism. Nei
ther the hurry and confusion of journeys,.
nor the varied scenes of camp, nor the
uproar and danger of battle fields could ob
literate its effect, and often when weary,faint,
arjd failing, the thought of those for whom
he was enduring the hardships and dangers
of war,revived his sinking spirits, and he was
rendered strong to endure and accomplish.
About every soldier, when he first enters
upon camp life, there is much of this enthu
siasm and romance. Especially was this
the case with the first who went into ser
vice; and these feelings were for some time
kept alive by such thoughts as I have spo
ken ot. But the time came when all that
passed a\vay ; the novelty was lost; the
enthusiasm died out; the romance had
gone. Then, unless a sense of duty, unless
firm, unyielding principle came to his aid,
he drooped and faltered. It was then that
he ceased to remember so much the kind
and inspiriting words of woman, and her be
nevolent acts began to impress themselves
upon his mind.
Nor did it require long for woman to dis
cover and begin to discharge her new du
ties. Theivshe commenced to work, as be
fore she had talked and smiled. To-day the
true heart of woman manifests itself, and
substantial deeds of kindness and charity
betray the benevolent instincts within-
The hospitals are visited by those who
dwell near them ; the sick and wounded
are taken into private houses and nursed,
and waited upon by kind hands ; the depots
along our great thoroughfares of travel are
constantly watched by bands of noble wo
men, and .the poor soldier, parched with
fever, weaiy with travel, mutilated bv the
weapons of the enemy, is furnished with
water, towels, change of clothing and food.
Some of the proudest, wealthiest dames in
our land occupy themselves constantly in
such employment. In our cities, on our
railroads, almost ’on the very battle field,
are found true sistevs of charity, ministering
to every want of those whom they can reach
Away from hospitals and dries and rail
roads, in small villages and sparsely-settled
country neighborhoods, the same spirit pre
vails. All over the. country, woman is at
work. She sows or knits, spins or weaves.
Those who, a few years ago, never made
any further attempt at industry than is the
accompaniment of a cambric needle and a
piece of muslin, now knit the substantial
woelen sock, or make the coarse shirt, or
jacket. It is when wrapping himself in the
blanket or quilt furnished by fair hands,
that the soldier in camp ; or when etijo\ ing
the luxuries provided by ladies, that the
poor sick one in tlie hospital, prays, with
all the fervor of which the human heart is
capable : “ Oh God of mercy bless our
Southern women ! Shield them from all
barm. Confuseand destroy the vandal hordes
that war upon them and our country !”
And God will bless them. They need
not fear. In working for the soldiers and
their families, they are choosing the better
part, in comparison with those who, in this
their country’s hour of need, indulge in the
same old extravagance, luxury and idle**
ness. Their own consciences recompense
them. L>o they not, in their new vocations,
experience a holy joy to which, before >
many of them were strangers 1 Gould the
frippery and folly of fashion ever give them
half the. d elight as the consciousness that
they are now warming many a cold one,rais
ing to health many a sick one,cheering those
who are desponding,makingall around them
comfortable 1 Great indeed is their reward !
There is but little romance in nursing the
sick, feeling the hungry, knitting socks,
sewing oil kerseys and osnaburgs. It is
not like making silk flags, and presentation
speeches, and many were not sure whether
Southern women would ever go heartily in
to anything so plain and useful as attending
hospitals, or getting up coarse, comfortable
clothing. How little did the*e doubters
understand those on whom they sat in judg
ment ! How small was their knowledge of
the instinct that has made woman a blessing
to the human race in all ages of the world !
In this war, she stops not to ask whether
she can perform some deed of daring that
shall astonish the world, but how she can
be useful. She does not wait for an oppor
tunity to do something that will entitle her
to a place on the page of history, but ex
erts herself wherever want is to be relieved,
or suffering alleviated. With the spirit
and the intellect to accomplish all that the
favorites of Fame have done, she hesitates
not to act the smaller and obscurer parts
that are necessary to be sustained in this
the great drama of the age.
God bless our Southern women ! They
are rearing for themselves a monument more
lasting than the brass that perisheth.
Search history as you will, you can find no
record more glorious than that they are
making. Not Sparta nor Rome could af
ford mothers more heroic, wives or sisters
more devoted. No war, either ancient oi
modern, tver developed a purer patriotism
or more ardent love and support of a just
cause than they display. Generations to
come shall rise up to call them blessed.
The poet will wreathe his brightest garlands
with which to deck their memory, the
historian will choose the story of their deeds
as his most pleasing theme, and never, so
long as civilization shall last, will the South
ern women of this age, or their good works,
be forgotten.