Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-05-24
The Women Of VIRGINIA.

NOnoberrace of women exist on this earth.
They are excellent wives, Observation-Disclosures,
virtuous, chaste, modest and Intelligent
They are the creme de le creme of woman-
kind. Wes not this merely topraise them,
but because we believe it 10 be true They
have suffered much and endured much dur,
ing the terrible conflict through which our
country has just passed. They bore all the
privations and hardships they were compelled
to suffer, unmurmingly, patiently. and with
the greatest furtitude. In the darkest hour
they had faith in the final success of the
Southern cause. and inspired, with hope and
courage. the dropping spirits of their hus-
bands, their brothers, their lovers-the sol>
diers of the South. In the hospitals they
were ministering angels to the wounded and
the dying, and in their homes and parlors,
they were sisters and friends to the Southern
soldiers, cheering them by their presence and
by their enthusiasm aud moral cOqrage, nerv-
lug their hearts to the performance of nobier
deeds Of PATRIOTISM We DO hope that in the
future, some historian will arise, worthy of
the task, some NJ 'Cauley, who will paint Ill
truthful colors, the noble conduct of Virginia
women during the war, the deeds OF true
herOism they performed, the patient suffering
which they endured, the warm out-gushing,
sincere sympathy which they extended to all
Southern soldiers, their seif-sacrfcing spirit,
and in a word, their whole unselGSh, patriotic,
glorious department. 1t is but their just due
that such history should be written, but it
makes no matter if it be not, for they would
prefer to live as they will ever Go, ill the
memories of the many gallant spirits who are
now scattered all over the South who were
the recipients of their gentle ministrations
tbn,, cin al MI yvo11DdaH in, tho
hospitals of the State; and better still, the
record of their kind deeds has been written by
the recording angel of Heavens chancery
aud there they will receive their ust reward
We know of many instances which would
illustrate the selt-sacrifcjug conduct of our
women ; but We have space to relate only one,
which was told to US by Virgiuia officer,
since the war. and which we believe to be
true. 1t exhibits as much true moral hero;sm
as any noble deed during the war:
in 1862, in one of the battles around this
city, soldier belonging to Il Florida regi-
ment, was badly wounded and brought to
Howard's Grove Hospital, to receive the ne
cessary medical attention. One day lady of
this city, of wealth and position, on her visits
to this hospital, happened to pass by this
wounded mau, spoke kindly to him. and de-
sired to know how she might alleviate his
suGerings. He thanked her, and said what
he wanted most, was the service Of Il little boy
to fan him She promised to secure him !;
servant. The next day, however, having OBJ
tained the consent Of the surgeon, she had the
wounded man removed to her mansion in the
city, aud there she and her. lovely daughters
bestowed upon him every attention necessary
to his comfort, until his wounds were healed.
About this time the surgeon who attended
the soldier at her house, Informed the lady
that his disease had developed itself into
case Of malignant small pox, and that he must
be removed to the smallpox hOsnital. AS
founded, as she was at this intelligence. she
replied No, Doctor, if there be any danger
TO US, it is too late now to preventit; let him
stay here, and we will nurse him through it.
She aud her daughters did nurse hi'u during
his confinement with this loathsome di.case in
the way in which only women eau TO, until
he entirely recovered and afterwards, il re-
lating the circumstances to our Informant, he
said lie believed that he owed his life to the
kind attentions of these gentle ladies. Heaven
seemed to smile upon their heroic conduct
and rendered harmless the conta@jOn of the
louthsome disease. None of the tami!y was
affected by it. Comment is unnecessary.-
Such deeds speak for themselves The glory
of them will never he forgotten.
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