The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-17
RICHMOND DURING THE WAR.
"E"iNiSCENcES OF SOCIETY IN THE
CAPITAL OF THE CONFEDE-
RATE STATES.
LADIES as Departmental CIcrks-"DancIng
over Crater"-Rcceptions mt the
Jef.-Davis House-Noted Union
ists-Nlarriagcs. &C.


Jeh'-Davis House-Noted Union
ists-Marriagcs, &c.
the following are extracts from Mrs. NJ
L. llandy's sketch Of Richmond during the
war recently published in the Philadelphia
Weekly Times:
by the census Of 1850 the population OF
Richmond, Va, fell short OF 10000; three
years later estimates, based on semi-officia
authority, placed it anywhere between So.
600 and 10000. This rapid increase was OF
course due to the choice OF the city as the
capital OF the Southern Coniederacy,
Thither came the members OF the various
branches OF the Government, many OF them
with their families. Refugees from all
parts OF the country fiocked to it for safety,
and the war added host OF Government
employees, men and women. more or less
closely connected with military matters.
Itwas a somewhat difficult problem how
TO accommodate this sudden influx Of pop-
ulation. But few new dweling.hou
could be built, for building-materials were
scarce and their cost excessive; moreover
the Government had need OF all such for lis
host OF offices, barracks. hospitals, prisons,
etc, and hesItated not TO impress whatever
it needed. Hotels and boarding-houses
were filed TO oyerflowing, rooms over
stores were eagerly sought by families, and
soon not single vacant house was left in
the city. When all other means Of accom-.
failed q sort OF doubling-up sys-
TEN was adopted and private houses were
opened to the strangers. Friends and rel.
atiyes claimed shelter from those who had
spare rooms in their houses. until finally
families who did not either take boarder.
or let rooms TO lodgers became the rare eX.
ception.
WOMEN AS ACTIVE AIDS.
Naturally the war was the centre a
everything, the pivot on which all plans
and interests turned. Richmond was the
heart OF the COnfederacy. and there the
pulsations Of the conflict were strongest
Uniforms filed the streets, martial music
sounded from morning until night; troops
came and went IN a perpetual procession,
and the city, waking TO the reveille at
dawn, saw the sun set to the tattoo OF
drum. Social life in those days was as
military as that i'm western outpost OF to-
day, aud "news from the front" was the
topic OF most interest in all circles. In
deed, the women Of Richmond took no in
part in the struggle for seces-
sion, and did everything except bear arms.
The various partments-TreaSury, Com
miSsary, Naval, etc.-werc filed with wo-
men clerks, in order that the men who
would else occupy them might do duty in
the field. Many OF these clerks belonged
to the best families OF the State, such ap-
pointmcnts being eagerly sought by refugees
a. means Of support. So far rs possible,
women were also employed in the Confede-
rate workshops, and many OF them lost
their lives in the explosion OF large car
fridge factory in 1868.
"DANCING OVER A CRATER"
The refugees who crowded the city rep
resented much OF the beauty and intelli-
gcnce OF the State, and never before had
society in the city been so brilliant or gay.
Caustic editorials and eloquent sermons
likened their mirth 10 the laughter OF
FOOLS" and spoke severely OF "dancng
over crater" Still the revelry went on
so many young people could scarcely be
gathered together and fail TO enjoy
Hops at one or other OF
the large hotels were OF almost
nightly occurrence, and were crowded
with the beauty and fashion OF the
city-the officers uniforms, resplendcnt in
gold braid, making up fully for all neces-
sary deficiencies in the costume OF the la.
dies. Social clubs were organized in
various circles, meeting every week at the
house OF some one of the members. At first
simple refreshments were provided at such
but the high price Of all delica-
cies, and later the actual scarcity Of pro-
soon put a stop TO this, and "Star-
yation parties" at which nothing eatablC
nor drinkable was furnished, became the
rule.
4 leading club. which numbered many
names among its members,
was called "The Starvation Club" and
one of its bylaws was the prohibition OF
at its meetings. The men,
bers made up among themselves the price
of the music for dancing, and the only eX-
pense incurred by the lady at whose house
it met was that OF fire in both parlors-
an unusual extravaganza, since coal was
dear. Had not this plan been
adopted only the very few could have
their friends, since 1t re-
quired Il long purse to give suppers
or dinners with provisions OF all sorts
at war prices. The wedding feast, fur
nished by rich army contractor on the
occasion OF the marriage OF his daughter In
1863, was said to have cost 5 1000 in Con-
federate mOncy-enOugh, even allowing Tor
the depreciation OF the currency, TO have
bought either good farm or a comfortable
city residence. Yet, although no possible
expense was spared and much Of the ban
quet was imported to order per blockade
runners. it was merely what would in or
binary times have been considered " sat
spread
The wine alone furnished at another no.
table supper party cost $1,000 and at such
prices it will be readily understood that ii
was costly pleasure to feast ones friends.
Country people coming to visit city rela-
tives sometimes brought their rations with
them. well knowing that any addition to Il
scantv larder would he welcome, and that
the cost OF their entertainment might else
be heavy tax.
MR.. DAvIs's RECEPTIONS.
The Presidents house was, Of course,
omen on the evenings OF regular receptions
TO anv man who had clean face and wore
a decent coat. The crowd gathered there
on such occasions was motley assemblage
Wide latitude was allowed in the matter OF
dress. and the hideous (though patriotic,
homespun figured side by side with the
nretty toilet, whose possessor had run the
hlockade or come south under flag OF truce
Sucb dresses as these last were rare, and
merely served to emphasize the new cali
Goes and carefully-preseryed silks and
woollens in which most OF the ladies pres.
ent were arrayed. Mr.. Davis invariably
wore citizens dress at these receptions, but
the blaze OF officers uniforms made bril-
liant the spacious rooms Of the old-fashion'
ed mansion. ,c
Probably the President OF the Confede'
rate States was the most unpopular mar
within their limits. Grave, gentle, cordial