The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-11
The Women of the South.

campaign Of 1864 between Lee and Grant.
Every one felt that all the previous expe-
ricnces of the war were to be dwarted by
what was coming, the very winds that
sighed through camp and home were full
of solemn whisperings, that admonished
all to grid up their loins for the Titanick
strife The Respondent were already in
despair 5staint-hearted men were shrinking
from their duty, and the frmest and most
hopeful were impressed painfully with the
doubtfulness of the issue. AT this dread
moment the Confederate army was rein
forced by the women of the South. They,
"the wives, daughters, sisters and friends"
of the Confederate soldiers came oppor-
tunely to the rescue in soul-stirring and
heart-bracing address, which contained
such words as these:
"For your stricken country's sake, and
ours, be true to yourselves and our glorl-
GUS cause. Never turn your back on the
flag, nor desert the ranks Of honor, or the
post of danger. You arc constantly
present to our minds. The women of the
South bestow all their respect and atfcc-
tion on the heroes who defend them"
Before these words were so lovingly
spoken, Lee was morally already beaten,
having only $4,000 troops to oppose
Grants 10000 after, he was Grants
equal, if not his superior. The "fair" had
come to inspire the timid and TO cheer the
;'brave," and most effectually did they
succeed. They brought Lee few in num-
bers, perhaps, they gave his little army
almost resstless strength. Every soldier
in grey knew then that gentle hearts were
praying for him. If he had no wife, nor
daughter, nor sister, under the word,
;fricnds," was, perhaps, mother, or,
of surety, some ono whom he loved.
He struck for her, with an arm nerved
with thrce.fold vigor, and with soul
fired to dauntless heroism. 1t was all in
vain but the history that relates the
deeds of the Army Of Northern Virginia,
in the campaign of 1864, must also tell
how the marvellous daring and endurance
of those days were inspired.
The brig ght record has not yet been
made of the sacrifices Of Southern women
to the liberties of their country. Their
heroism and devotion are remembered in
the very penctralia of many grateful
hearts, but their deeds are yet unchroni-
cled and unsung. Is it possible that so
much that is capable of enlisting the ad-
miration and sympathy of mankind is to
be allowed to collapse into cold oblivion !!
Where is tho poet of the South that will
consccrate himself to the inspiring theme,
and by that very conservation be made
equal to the task? Much remains un-
sung, indeed; heroes that deserve opicks,
and hcroincs worthy of apothcsis. Where
is the novelist who wishes material ready
to his hand, out of which he may con-
struct work that shall teach the world
fresh lessons Of selfabnegation, which
shall give now cxcmplars Of the noblcr
virtues, and which shall touch the univer-
sal heart by its pictures of the constant,
the tender and the pure? Who're is the
historian who seeks to wed his name to
illustrious deeds that need only to be re-
cited to be cherished in immortal recol-
lection? Let them all turn to the South
ern women in tho late struggle and behold
the grandest vision Of the age; the beau
tiful and gentle exhausting themselves in
all patriotic and hallowed ministration
upon the brave and true.
Southern women were the most ardent
of original seccssionists, the most hopeful
and indefatigable Of bclligerents, and to-
day their submission is the most tardy
and reluctant Southern independence
once the object of their steady affections,
they clung to it with all the strength OF
their impassoned natures, and they sur
rendered it with hcart-rending emotions:
They are now the pious custodians OF all
that is Confederate in memory. Men
have forgotten much, and what they still
remember no longer affects them; but
women have allowed nothing of the past
to escape them-hoarding its glorics and
its misfortunes with q jealous love and
vcncraton. It is for this reason, there
fore, that the manned soldier is their pc
culiar pcnsioner, that the war widows and
orphans are their cherished wards, and
that the mutitudinous tombs of the fallen
are their sacred charge.
If the future shall retain any distinc-
tive features of the South as we sought to
establish it against Yankee invasion and
Puritan innovation, il will be duo mainly
to our wives and sisters, mothers and
daughters They will guard the retreats
of homo from the pcvading and prevail.
ing temptations and cocrcions, and
through their care and influence it will be
that our postcrity shall not degenerate in
soul. We shall not eNhort Southern wo-
men to faithful performance of their
trust. They need no incentive. South
ern manhood, overcome, wounded, mana
cIod rcclinos for succor and comfort on
their bosoms, and they who chcercd the
warriors to the fight, and whose smiles
were ever the reward Of valor, will not
be forgctful of their duty to their coun-
try in the present hour Of her distress
and adversely.
In school recently, Il teacher took