Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-09-12
Stories About, Virginia Women
in the War.

There were about 70 ladies present at
the sessions Of the Southern Historical Asso,
citation, at the Montgomery Springs last
month, aud Gen. Early Cold Jublo') ok
occasion in his war "reminiscences to tell
some stories about what their sex did dur
ing the civil conflict A letter to the Rich.
mond Enquirer gives condensation Of
his anecdotes as follows:
He had been called woman hater it
arose from the fact OF his being opposed to
ladies' following the camp They were to
ar army what Caesar called ianpedinaento
= this was the mildest way to put it He
though the true place of woman was at
home, praying and working for the soldiers,
and not running around the camps He
had called to see General Lee on one occa-
sion. and rushing into his tent without warn
ing. found there two ladies. He fell hack
iu not very orderly manner, and Gen. Lee
told that he said to another officer, My
God, is The commanding general democrat
lied p General Lee sent for him and intro
"These are two of my daughters have
great many daughters, and feeling a
fatherly affection for them, l do not wish
them to be running about camp unprotect-
ed I therefore appoint you and General
Edward johnson to escort them p 1t must
be confessed, said General Early, II skalk
ed p
In 1868, while in command number
Of ladies wanted passports. He cited one
case. A widow with whom he had hap
pened to 90 to school be would not tell how
long ago that was came for a pass. She
was told she would have no chance, but
she said she'd try. and she did. and came
gushing into headquarters, and said ''Ju-
bic. don't you remember little Julia = q
pledge YOU my word she weighed 200
pounds.) Turning to bis assistant, he said,
"Give her pass" Woul you believe it,
she was worse mad with me for cutting of
her story, than if had refused her the
pass
Shortly afterwards three ladies came in
for passes He asked the first why she
wanted to 60 through the lines. She wish.
ed to 90 to her home in Winchester. Of
course | gave it-that was the proper place
for her The other two ladies wanted to
90 home with her For what? "Oh, to
STAY little while.'' "And get little 6nery,
bounets and fxings?'' After awhile they
confessed they wanted to get a few things.
He knew their father. an estimable gentle
man, who lived in Charlottesville. He re.
fused the pass, told them to 60 home, that
If they went to Winchester and bought their
bonnets and filings, all the other girls in
the county would be jealous Of them. The
girl to whom he gave the pass got up with
a bale Of dry goods on, and putting her foot
down, said !: Come on. girls it S no use
he amt going to give it to you. Turning
to his officers, he sid j: That girl I'll
bet on !" #a
The next year in battle at Winehes-
ter, the one in which General Lilly lost his
arm-that night the battlefield being in
charge Of neither army-a number of ladies
from the town came out to administer to
the wants Of the wounded and dying =
Among these was Randolph Rdgley, Sc
verely wounded, AMI these young ladies had
40 means Of carrying away from the field
the wounded, and while the others went
back to town TO get some vehicle, this same
young lady staid there out in the dark night,
administering to the wounded Confederates
Ridgley afterwards got well
In 1868, when going into Pennsylvania
and near Winchester. it became necessary
to dislodge the enemy from the town, and
they were marching around the town so as
to get possession of the hills commanding it,
when turning curve in the road they came
upon little girl 13 years Of age on horse
back with large bundle Of miscellaneous
goods tied up before her and her little
brother behind her. When she saw them
she was at first frightened. but on discover,
in the gray color, she pulled of her bonnet
and hurrahed She had been sent from her
home by her parents because the enemy
we're throwing SHELLS into their, house. and
knowing of the approach of the Confeder-
ates, they supposed the shells were thrown
opt Of righteousness you" said the
General, s'have no idea of the effect of that
little girl on the soldiers, but her influence
was felt that evening when we captured be-
tween 5000 and coo prisoners, 200 or
800 wagons and over 20 pieces Of artillery. y
! In 1864, in passing lady's house near
Charleston, she was standing at the gate.
and he said to her. ''You must have very
hard time with the enemy" She smiled
and said. 1--WE do; but there are green