The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-17

share Of the ill-feeling towards her brother
| in-law.
Mrs. Lee was an invalid, whose delicate
health confined her almost altogether to her
own house. She held the Office OF presi-
dent OF the Soldiers Aid Society by the
wish OF the whole country, but the active
duties OF the post devolyed chiefly on the
vice-presidents. Her daughters were. Of
course, leaders in society, and were loved
and admired no less for their own attrac-
tions than their fathers sake.
Wealth had little or nothing to do with
social position. Nearly every one was
straitened alike and priyations were ac-
cepted as sort OF honorable martyrdom,
OF which people were proud rather than
ashamed. The refugees who thronged the
city belonged. many OF them, TO the best
blood in the State, and iupresented families
whose historic homes are OH the James and
York rivers and in the Northern Neck.
But little OF their wealth was portable
State bonds paid no dividends and the stay
law prevented the forcible collection OF
debts therefore, they were iain TO earn q
scanty living by hard work. The men
were in the army on beggarly pay, while
the women toiled i'm the governmental Of
fees for mere pittance. Thus many Of
the most refined and cultivated people in
the city were in actual want OF all but the
merest necessaries Of life, and sometimes
even OF them.
RENTS IL TIE SOCIAL FABRIC.
During the earlier part Of the war sol
dier-worship was carried to the greatest
lengths, and the women OF the South rilde
heroes OF all who wore the gray. A uniform
covered any number OF sins, and rs dis
gusted small girl, brought up IN the most
exclusive circle. expressed it, it really
seemed rs il any man with n stripe on his
trousers thought he had Il right to speak to
any lady whom he met. Virginia society
Of the best sort is provcrbially aristocratic,
prIding itself on ITS cavalier blood, and
looking scornfully down on all OF less an
cient lineage. The war-fever changed all
that for the time being. and the parlOr-
doors OF many IN exclusive house opened
to those who but for the Uniform they wore
would have been entertained in the library
or Office bv the gentlemen OF the family
without even a glimpse OF the ladies. Some
enthusiastic girls carried their devotion to
the cause so far as to correspond with all
and any soldiers who cared TO write TO
them-a piece OF QuiXOtsm promptly sup
pressed by prudent parents and guardians.
ROMANTIC EPISODES.
There were many romantic episodes.
such as marriages in hospitals, at the bed
sides Of wounded or dying lovers. in order
that the wife might nurse her husband in
sickness or mourn as his widow after his
death. One OF the saddeSt stories OF the
time was that OF Miss c., a refugee
beauty and belle, who three weeks after her
marriage to Confederate general was left
n widow, her husband being killed Instant
ly in battle.
The latitude allowed in some directions
was counterbalanced by strictness in
others. and the standard OF morals was
never relaxed. Thus when a beautiful
girl. whose family name is among the oldest
| in the State, appeared in tableauX as a sta
tue, with her perfect figure displayed in
stockingnet, with only cradle-blanket
thrown about her waist by way OF drape-
rv. Richmond society was Mortified, and
felt the shock through all It's circles. After
that the young lady was voted fast" and
people shook their heads obviously when
her name was mentioned.
There were very few esclandres, but
many persons will remember an affair
which shocked and astonished them be-
yond measure. a charming young widow,
well connected and a great fayOrite IN So
ciety, was engaged to an officer who lost
his life in skirmish near the city on the
day before that fixed for their marriage.
The grief OF the bride eXpectant was such
that her friends feared for her reason, and
society mOurned with her over her crushed
hopes and broken heart, petting and MAX
| ing much Of her-attentiOns which she re-
ceived almost with apathy. As time passed
on it became apparent that she had trusted
her fance too far, and society, outraged,
turned her the cold shoulder. One day she
quietly diappcared, leaving no trace. To
| This day her fate remains mystery to most
OF those who knew her.
CHANGES IN THE CITY.
Factories were turned into hospitals and
prisons. and iron fOundrieS throbbed night
and day with the beat Of machinery, which
could not keep up with the demand for
ordnance nor furnish sufficient rolling
stock for railroads worn out with carry
inc troops and supplies TO the all-deyour-
ing "front." Only two church-bclls were
| left i'm Richmond to call worshipperS to
church: the rest were melted into cannon
during the war. The two exceptions were
TIE Ufli~ ti Cls Il Ni'l ANAAiViiNI tiiN w -.
Johns (EpiscOpaD, the latter being refused
by the Confederate Government on account
oi IFS antiquity, dating from colonial days.
The churches were stripped OF their cush-
ions 70 serve as mattresses in the hospitals:
the Unsuitable Moloch OF war deyoured all
hxuries. and the people sacrificed them
selves and their belongings uncomplain-
mglv, nay, eagerly.
UNIONIsTs IN RICHMOND.
There were few UnionistS in the city
who neither went North nor yet pretended
In espouse the southern cause. These were
for the most part people OF northern birth,
nromincnt on account of their wealth.
They were ostracised by nearly everybody
in town and lett severely to Themselves
treatment which, il must be confessed,
they did not appear to mind very much.
Asa rnle they were cautious, and although
outsnoken. did nothing openly which
could cause their arrest. The wife OF
leading merchant was detected in
sending information TO the enemy, and
wa. arrested in consequence, but nothing
vos done 10 her beyond keeping her un-
der surveillance in religious institution
| Tor a few months. Her arrest excited much
astonisbment since the lady had not pre-
viouslv been among the number OF sus-
nected persons, and at the time OF her ar
rest was stayingat the house OF prominent
PRESBYTERIAN minister then absent In Eu-
rome on n mission for the Confederate Gov
eminent She was the intimate friend OF
bis vic and none OF the household sus-
ncrtin0 her the subject Of his mission was
ireelv discussed i'm her presence. The in
| ,oroo,,,od disnatches contained, together
win other matters, information designed
TO lead to the capture OF the blockade
runner on which the minister referred TO
was expected to return home.
Chief among open Unlonists were the
Van Lews. Miss Van Lew was constant
and unremitting III her attention TO the
Federal prisoners, often sending them food
and clothing. All such packages Were