The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-20

SttcSSlOI tHllSt WIFI lIut ltllllHlllt uTuOT
and devotion, and bore the trials Of the long
conflict which weighed SO heavily on them,
with great hcroism. They were IN no wise
dauntcd by poverty and deprivation. but
suffered uncomplainingly the loss Of friends
they loved and upon whom they depended,
and readily parted with comforts TO which
they were accustomed
They proudly sent their husbands, lovers
fathers, brothers. and sons to the war, and
in their mourning for their fate when they
fell on the battlefield were consoled by tho
conviction that the slain wore the crown OF
the martyr for liberty and right, and had
left "a glorious heritage of gallantry. a
legacy held beyond price by brave women.
Skulkcrs from the battlefield and evaders Of
the conscription received no feminine favor.
They were chased from women's society
with contempt and loathing 1t was better
for them 10 endure hostile bullets than the
aversion they had to stand at home. Many
men, therefore, were fairly driven into the
army by spirited Southern women, who
were the best recruiting agents Of LEE and
JACKSON. JOHNSON and BgAUREGARp. They
hated the North with u perfect hatred, and
the blue uniform was an odious emblem in
their sight In all ways they were alert TO
help their friends and to crcumvent the
Union soldiers.
This was natural and inevitable. and II
the Southern women had felt and done
differently, they woudlhavc bclied feminine
character and forfeited the regard in which
they were and are held by men everywhere.
They could not otherwise have exhibited
their loyalty TO the soldiers who were fight
4
example OF womans devotion, constancy,
and self-sacrifice. These are feminine
virtues which always stand out conspicu-
ously against the bloody background OF
that most horrible result Of human injustice.
folly, greed, or passion, a fierce and pro-
tracted war between civilized and Christian
communities.
But 1t sometimes happened that though
Southern girl might hate our army Us u
whole and hope and pray for its defeat.
some individual soldier in il would grow
pleasing in her sight. She would receive
him coldly as al enemy and yet part with
him sadly rs n lover. For no finer lot OF
young fellows ever marched out 10 battle
than many Of those who wore the blue uni
form in the South They were brave. they
were handsome, they were scrupulous IN
their regard for women, and they knew how
10 make themselves agreeable to them even
under adverse circumstances No wonder,
therefore, that they sometimes conquered
the hearts arrayed against them. Such
romances occur in all wars, no matter how
bitter they may be, and many poems and
novels have been devoted to their celebra-
ton.
Our war brought about good many more
or less serious love affairs between Northern
men and Southern girls. and some mar
riages. You may find your enemy in arms
TO be u very engaging fellow after all, and
though you may hate the cause for which
he fights, how can you help liking him per-
sonally, so deserving OF affection Besides,
1t is very easy to make excuses when your
heart hrs Keen taken captive, and when you
discover noble and lovable qualities in n per-
sou you had made up your mind to dctest,
he grows all the more attractive, and your
irst Injustice makes your later atonement
more complete. A mans political opinions
may b. odious TO you. and yet you may lind
him charming company.
Oh yes, there were romantic affections be-
tween Northern soldiers and Southern girls
c: which no record will be made In history.
Some of them were stifled at the start, some
died out with time, some are still cherished
as secret remembrance, n faded flower
which blossomed amid dcsolation. and others
had their fruition in more or less happy
marriages after the war. Any way, falling
in love was better than falling into line and
fighting, as many Of our old soldiers will
now freely testify, and the South was then,
as 1t is now, full OF girls who could subdue
heart OF steel II they tried. In truth, love
dehes not only bars and bolts, but also the
clashing Of arms and national anInosities
and antipathes. 1t knows no North or South
or East OF West, and may be blind to the
color of d uniform whether IL is blue OF gray.
These characteristics Of love are plainly
exhibited in the following letter from Mis-
| sour girl-a mature maiden now who ton
derby recalls "A Union Adjutant who won her
heart al the close Of the war. II no is free
now, the best thing for himto do is to has ten
TO take possession OF his prize:
"sm Years ago. in the summer ol Co. l was very
young girl, ana lived IN little Missouri town, quite IN
the heart OF Dixie, when II part OF religion
ats and tear even tie sight OF blue coat But then
came the crash the emf oi all hope and all chaos
It's not for 10 rocapate the horrors
passed through the indignios heAped by our loyal
neghbors and our former slaves
"One day Obliged 10 ash the protection u the
military, The AiutAnt General IN command WAS a
handsome, grand looking OF 50, and my golden head
AMI gray found In his sight 90 return
kindness bestowed, were compelled TO be courteous
ANA polite We'll was the same old story from heartily
haung him principle grew to heartily adore him.
but not without struggle part to be true to
my country and creed. and much wOOng and devotion
On his Looking back from this standpoint OF middle axe,
even set believe that lac loved me tendery aud truly.
Tor WAS beauty IN those old DAYS, aud yOung a. was,
hat iai the devotion many hearts siycn to me; 50
tond dettetA spurious affection, think seeing
much Of the true.
some months aer had known the Adutant lis
command was ordered TO headquarters ~ be mustered
"u1 OF 'erNoe when he lett me he vowed eternal dcvo
ton, Of course, but doubted him he was an enemy
All uhAhowh stranger ana ny mother dlslked ana dis
approved nm hey hd measure, W had little fifth IN
ever seeing him AGAIN kept gres and tears t. my
Sei Tor should have been ashamed to acknowledge TO
any one any interest IN our snenlos We'll, in a lew
weeks le came back, dressed is ciule. no LONGER
soldier and II Toe. but my kindly devoted lover The
happy weeks hew by, ul OF pleasant walkA and drives
AMI sehtlest. iuiiest Devotion And then he SAID he
must 70 ont into the world again w his old pro
/