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
There is one bright, shining record of a patriotic and tireless woman
which remains undimmed when placed beside that of the most devoted
Confederate women. I refer to Mrs. Rose Rooney, of Company K,
Fifteenth Louisiana Regiment, who left New Orleans in June, 1861, and
never deserted the "b'ys" for a day until the surrender.
She was no hanger-on about camp, but in everything but actual fighting
was as useful as any of the boys she loved with all her big, warm,
Irish heart, and served with the undaunted bravery which led her to
risk the dangers of every battlefield where the regiment was engaged,
unheeding havoc made by the solid shot, so that she might give timely
succor to the wounded or comfort the dying. When in camp she looked
after the comfort of the regiment, both sick and well, and many a one
escaped being sent to the hospital because Rose attended to him so
well. She managed to keep on hand a stock of real coffee, paying at
times $35 per pound for it. The surrender almost broke her heart. Her
defiant ways caused her to be taken prisoner. I will give in her own
words an account of what followed:
"Sure, the Yankees took me prisoner along with the rest. The next day,
when they were changing the camps to fix up for the wounded, I asked
them what they would do with me. They tould me to 'go to the devil.' I
tould them, 'I've been long in his company; I'd choose something
better.' I then asked them where any Confederates lived. They tould me
about three miles through the woods. On my way I met some Yankees.
They asked me, 'What have you in that bag?' I said, 'Some rags of my
own.' I had a lot of rags on the top, but six new dresses at the
bottom; and sure, I got off with them all. Then they asked me if I had
any money. I said no; but in my stocking I had two hundred dollars in
Confederate money. One of the Yankees, a poor devil of a private
soldier, handed me three twenty-five cents of Yankee money. I said to
him, 'Sure, you must be an Irishman.' 'Yes,' said he. I then went on
till I got to the house. Mrs. Crump and her sister were in the yard,
and about twenty negro women--no men. I had not a bite for two days,
nor any water, so I began to cry from weakness. Mrs. Crump said,
'Don't cry; you are among friends.' She then gave me plenty to
eat,--hot hoecakes and buttermilk. I stayed there fifteen days,
superintending the cooking for the sick and wounded men. One half of
the house was full of Confederates and the other of Yankees. They then
brought us to Burkesville, where all the Yankees were gathered
together. There was an ould doctor there, and he began to curse me,
and to talk about all we had done to their prisoners. I tould him,
'And what have you to say to what you done to our poor fellows?' He
tould me to shut up, and sure I did. They asked me fifty questions
after, and I never opened me mouth. The next day was the day when all
the Confederate flags came to Petersburg. I had some papers in my
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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