The Women of the ConfederacyUnderwood, J. L. (John Levi)
History
The Women of the Confederacy
Underwood, J. L. (John Levi)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Anecdotes; Women -- Confederate States of America
The finding of the court is approved. The prisoner is pardoned,
and will report to his company.
R. E. LEE, _General_.
During a subsequent battle, when shot and shell were falling "like
torrents from the mountain cloud," my attention was directed to the
fact that one of our batteries was being silenced by the concentrated
fire of the enemy. When I reached the battery every gun but one had
been dismantled, and by it stood a solitary soldier, with the blood
streaming from his side. As he recognized me, he elevated his voice
above the roar of battle, and said, "General, I have one shell left.
Tell me, have I saved the honor of Mary and Lucy?" I raised my hat.
Once more a Confederate shell went crashing through the ranks of the
enemy, and the hero sank by his gun to rise no more.
SHERMAN IN SOUTH CAROLINA
[Cornelia B. Spencer, in Last Days of the War, pages 29-31.]
A letter dated Charleston, September 14, 1865, written by Rev. Dr.
John Bachman, then pastor of the Lutheran Church in that city,
presents many facts respecting the devastation and robberies by the
enemy in South Carolina. So much as relates to the march of Sherman's
army through parts of the State is here presented:
"When Sherman's army came sweeping through Carolina, leaving a broad
track of desolation for hundreds of miles, whose steps were
accompanied with fire, and sword, and blood, reminding us of the
tender mercies of the Duke of Alva, I happened to be at Cash's Depot,
6 miles from Cheraw. The owner was a widow, Mrs. Ellerbe, 71 years of
age. Her son, Colonel Cash, was absent. I witnessed the barbarities
inflicted on the aged, the widow, and young and delicate females.
Officers, high in command, were engaged tearing from the ladies their
watches, their ear and wedding rings, the daguerreotypes of those they
loved and cherished. A lady of delicacy and refinement, a personal
friend, was compelled to strip before them, that they might find
concealed watches and other valuables under her dress. A system of
torture was practiced toward a weak, unarmed, and defenceless people
which, as far as I know and believe, was universal throughout the
whole course of that invading army. Before they arrived at a
plantation, they inquired the names of the most faithful and
trustworthy family servants; these were immediately seized, pistols
were presented at their heads; with the most terrific curses, they
were threatened to be shot if they did not assist them in finding
buried treasures. If this did not succeed, they were tied up and
cruelly beaten. Several poor creatures died under the infliction. The
last resort was that of hanging, and the officers and men of the
triumphant army of General Sherman were engaged in erecting gallows
and hanging up these faithful and devoted servants. They were strung
up until life was nearly extinct, when they were let down, suffered to
rest awhile, then threatened and hung up again. It is not surprising
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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