Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-10-31
sTAUNToN 0sp ECTAToR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.
COMMUNICATED.
For the Spectator.
WOMAN,s HEROISM.

Mn. EDITOR .--W hat is more touchingly beau
tiful, and sublime than the heroism and courage
of womanf How many striking illustrations OF
this have been recorded during our late war
and many, many more have been performed a.
midst the hustle and confusion of stirring events,
and have been passed by unnoticed, save by
few interested persons. The fame and herolsm
CT the Grecan women have been lmmortallzed by
the poets verse how, when their land was IN
yaded BIZ hosts as countless as the s.lesves in VAL
lambrosa's Vale" they gave their HAIR FOR DOW,
strings and their girdles for sWord-bets, and
while their hearts rings were cracking sent
their lovers from their arms to fight and perish
for their country" The bravery and herolsm OF
he women of all ages have been recorded by the
impartial historian; but candldly think, that
heroism Of that pure, unselhsh anu sell sacfln-
cling class, such as has been exhibited by our
noble women of the South, in our recent strug-
| gle for independence, is unsurpassed, aye, even
unparalleled in the History of either Ancient Or
| Modern timesl How much they have suffered,
| anguish and privatons endured, no pen can de-
scribe much less such q feeble one as mine.7
While we toiled and bed and suffered, the fair
daughters of the South, reared and nurtured III the
| lap of luxury, and whom we "permItted not the
winds of summer to visit too roughly" with their
fairy hands, wrought our uniforms, land at the
same time cast golden wool around our hearts, J
cooled the parched and burning tongue OF the
sick as they lay in crowded hospitals, far from
home and friends; wept Ger the corse OF ''only
q soldier as il was borne to the common soldiers
resting place; and when the poor elbow returned
from the field of slaughter on crutches, bleeding
and black with the smoke of battle, it was then
that their spirits rose within them, and they
shone forth from their highest and purest atti-
tudes: Whether with the sick, wounded and dy-
ing in hospitals, strewing flowers along the stony
and rugged paths of The weary soldier, or mount
ed behind an officer and plotting him on an al
vance or retreat, they have exhibited that he
foism and devotion to their country, which am
afraid we s.lords of Creation cannot boast
And now we frequently hear young men wha
fought valantly, exclaim, 81 have no lndlcement
to remain here; l have nothing here to live for ;
lSelfsh, narrow hearted creatures! They have
never taken one CAIN, comprehensive view of the
situa ion of their country, which now more than
ever needs their assisian And then to tall
of turning heir backs upon this beautiful land
and deserving it in the midst OF It's trials ane
afHcton. Tney can see no Frightening day u
our future; the clouds of adversely have hidder
the sun of prosperity from their view, and they
lhave forgotten that those clouds have silver
lining We have returned from the field of slaugh
ter which has drunk the best blood of our sum,
lSouth.
This soil has been hallowed, and consecratst
by The blood Of our fathers, anu brothers which
was poured out freely i'll what they believed to 81
la Just Cause and now are we not most sacred,
bound by all the ties of censangunity, and re
spect and yeneraton for the fallen braves, to llV'
and labor in this devoted land !? Most lndubi
tahy we are. We also have THESE hills
rock ribbed, and ancient as the sun; ihest
wales stretching in pensive quletness between
these venerable woods rivers that move II maj
iesty, and the complaining brooks that make ths
meadows green" all Ger Swallowed by these
Towering mountains, whose bald peaks rear theil
lheads above the clouds. Truly this is u oeauti
4 full land though filed with desolation. The i'm
press of the hand of the destroyer is upon it. For
four wears it was scourged with fire and sword
and has been turned into vast charnal house.
And now who is to raise it out of the dust TO its
former magnifcence and glory7 IL 1t not GU,
ldutys We. who by the al-wise providence Of
lGod, have been permitted to see the end OF the
struggle Aye, most emphatically it is, say.
| The spirits of Jackson, Johnston, Polk, S uart
Rhodes, Ashby, Pegram and other gallant dead
/ sswho being dead yet speake'h," call pom us moi
to desert our land And we wilt not. We will &C
to work. and and by the assistance, and counse
of those fair creatures, who watched and prayed
| for our success and safe return, those 'sModeri
! Maccarias" will fulfil higher destiny than W.
anticipated, and by u lifelong devotion 10 them
will endeavor to repay them for their privatloni
which thew endured for US. In conclusion,
would say TO them, I'VE could not love you
1 dears. so much, loved We not honor more"
/ MICHIGAN.
BIs4K House, Oct. II, 1865.