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
pocket that would have done harrum to some people, so I chewed them
all up and ate them; but I wouldn't take the oath, and I never did
take it. The flags were brought in on dirt-carts and as they passed
the Federal camps them Yankees would unfurl them and shake them about
to show them. My journey from Burkesville to Petersburg was from 11 in
the morning till 11 at night, and I sitting on my bundle all the way.
The Yankee soldiers in the car were cursing me, and calling me a damn
rebel, and more ugly talk. I said, 'Mabbe some of you has got a mother
or wife; if so, you'll show some respect for me.' Then they were
quiet. I had to walk three miles to Captain Buckner's headquarters.
The family were in the house near the battle-ground, but the door was
shut, and I didn't know who was inside, and I couldn't see any light.
I sat down on the porch, and thought I would have to stay there all
night. After a while I saw a light coming from under the door, and so
I knocked; when the door was opened and they saw who it was, they were
all delighted to see me because they were afraid I was dead. I wanted
to go to Richmond, but would not go on a Yankee transportation. When
the brigade came down, I cried me heart out because I was not let go
on with them. I stayed three months with Mrs. Cloyd, and then Major
Rawle sent me forty dollars and fifty more if I needed it, and that
brought me home to New Orleans."
Mrs. Rooney is still cared for and cherished by the veterans of
Louisiana. At the Soldiers' Home she holds the position of matron, and
her little room is a shrine never neglected by visitors to "Camp
Nichols."
WARNING BY A BRAVE GIRL
[Our Women in the War, pages 63-64.]
I know of a girl who rode through the storm of a winter's night, many
miles, to give information to our soldiers when Sherman was on his way
to Atlanta. The country far and wide was filled with soldiers, and
skirmishing was of constant occurrence. By her efforts many lives were
saved, and as she returned homeward the shot and shell were falling
thick and fast around her. Later, a desperate encounter took place in
her father's yard between contending armies, and her courage was
wonderful in assisting the wounded and baffling inquiries from the
Yankee officers, who made headquarters in her home. She still managed
to give important information, and defied detection. This girl is of
an ancient family, and soldier blood is in her veins. Her grandfather
was a general in the United States army before her mother was grown.
A PLUCKY GIRL WITH A PISTOL
[Our Women in the War, pages 37-39.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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