Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-26
An ELOQUENT PEN PICTURE---SUF-
FERING AND DESTTTUTION IN THE
sng-TH

NNHs H.
From the Memphis Avalanche.
The following extract from letter writ
ten bv the widow of a gallant Confederate
officer, and addressed TO prominent gentle
man. will give some idea Of the desolate
widowhood and weeping orphanage Of our
muchloved, but suffering South:
-November-, lS6G-CoLONEL: HAY
irg seen in the 1drocaie that you were
laboring to put in operation a plan for the
reliefOf the destitute Of the South, ! thought
/ would make known TO you my situation,
hoping thereby 10 obtain aid in this, an
hour Of utmost need. / am the widow Of
Doctor, who graduated at the Nashville
Medical College; was practicing medicine
at At the first call Of his country
he raised a company for the Confederates;
vas elected lis Captain, attached 10 the
First Regiment -, Col commanding;
was taken prisoner when Bragg's army left
Kentucky; was sentt 10 Camp Chase; after
ward was exchanged and sent 10 NiCksbuTg
Miss, and died in November, 1862. From
thattlme my miserable struggle commenced.
! had no money, save Confederate bonds,
they worthless in, --. / supported myself
and two little girls by my needie-work; but
at length my strength gave way. / could
no longer work; then we suffered want
ia its most ghaslly form. And alas As
if 10 add 20 the many sad yicissitudes with
which my unhappy destiny was already
crowded, became entirely deaf Thus de-
prived by the dispensation Of Providence
from following the pursuits ofothers. Vainly
] stroye, thus iettered and alone 10 discover
the path in which ] must walk. At length
the dark chariot Of War had driven by; safe
Peace once more folded her wings in our hap
less land Then, as a dernier resort | sold
all / had left, and set ont a mid-winter's
journey TO Alabama, in search Of my hus-
bands brothers. ! found them; but, alas
the war had reduced them 10 penurv. They
could not aid me in any way So / returned
last winter, homeless, penniless with despair
Juggling at my heart-strings. | have been
liyingat iirstOne place and another, working
for my board. have two little girls. The
eldest is at the Female College at, sent
there by the Free Masons, my husband was
a Mason.) But this il all they can do for
me, they have so many 30 care for.
/ am home sick-ahOpeliss invalid-with
those helpless little ones to care for. They
are lovely, and most tendely beloved, and
OH ! have wandered still / am worn and
weary seeking home for them-and found
none. Colonel $, God grant You may
send relief think If Icould once more have
humble home, and procure a sewing.
machine, | could support myself and little
ones. ! wish, through you, to make an
appeal TO all the friends ofthe cost cause"
Tell them, for the sake Of the beautiful
yineclad land they so much love, that my
husband sacrificed his all-even hisprecious
life. Any contributions-be much or little
will be most gratefully received. Help mel
and when that time shall come TO you which
must come TO all living, YOU will not regret
having listened 10 the prayer of the desoiate
widow. And in that last great day will il
not stand in the golden line ola cup of cold
water