, 1884-09-14
THE OTHER SIDE.
Scenes which a Confederate woman
Saw IN the War.
curfo.ites or Fashion and Wonders
Of rhs Cuisine Department During
h stormy Days or the
Rebellion


Charleston New and Courier.l
We'll DO 1 remember, though but a LITTLE
slip Of a girl, the wild excitement over seces
sion, when all fierce, rebel maidens wore
the badgs OF sympathy. Ny school books
were never taken unless tho badge adorned
the left shoulder for the street. On all sides
nothing was discussed but the subject Of
sso.ssion. There Was u feverish excitement
pervading the atmosphere Of tho school
rooms. and 1 remember 4 rebel concert given
In which every pupil wore a distinctive COS
tune Of Confederate colors. songs OF southern
zeal and fun OF battle spirit were sung to the
roll Of a drum, which was supported by n
child which was draped in a banner. The
widest enthusiasm prevailed when the 200
girls sang in chorus Of their love for the
AOutbern land, for her brave soldiers, and for
their vaior, yet to be proven.
By this the Confederacy was filled with
battle songs, breathing the very spirit Of
music, and overlooking with sentiments and
pathos- Wen conquer or Wen die" "When
this cruel war Is over and any Maryland
were the familiar household songs, and
Father Ryan's poems. and those Of many
Others scarcely less gifted in this line, were
received with a depth OF feeling unknown,
save in days OF warfare. Soon "The va
cant chair and songs in the minor key pre-
vailed, for sorrow envelopod the land as a
vol. Literary cultivation was almost
classical, for few novelists existed then in
our borders, and ancient works were ro-read
and borrowed freely. The texture Of Con-
federate newspapers was something marvel
ious, and the columns were filed only. with
war and rumors Of war.
Irecoivsd once a collection Of papers sn1
illustrated monthlies from Virginia, sent me
by an officer whose command had surprised
the enemy's encampment and routed them
10 take possession OF all they pr~ecipitately left.
The valuables were priced very highly, and
what made them especially valuable was
suggestions in regard 10 fashion.
The most ingenious dress | remember dur
ing the war was q black silk, made from tho
covers Of worn parasols, tho umbrella form
being pre- srved II was regarded as being
very stylish, and was lined with mosquito
noting, which had been presented tho young
lady by an officer who had been stationed on
James island. Tho bu.sons on the dress had
been in battle. and were much valued by tho
owner.
Bonnots OF palmetto were much in vogue,
a. were those OF ornamental gourds. Tho ex-
IRENE weight rendered these dressy articles
more beautiful than comfortable. Yet for
summer wear tho palmettos were cool In APP
pearance. A friend of mine possessed a tarl.
ntan bonnet made Of six yards OF the cloth,
with $40 worth Of goose feather fiowars
ndorning tho inside. Once, by some odd
chance, a young lady of my acquaintance
was 80 fortunate as TO hnvo sent her a hat
and a pair Of balmoral boots, with a skirt to
correspond. These treasures were sent by a
blockade runner and a reception was held to
display them and to allow others the privilege
Of trying them On. l afterwards often Jaw
the balmoral skirt, worn very guilelessly,
with simply an antique velvet jacket
In those days Of self-denial there were
wonderful things in the cuisine Department.
much that was mysterious. Raspberry leaves
were used for tea. Persimmons and black
pepper formed favorite ingredients for fruit
cake, blended with hickory nuts and walnu's
Ground nuts and rarched okr1 made eoffea.
and sometimes sweet potatoes manageable
delicaeies were originated. Perslmmcns
dried ia brown sugar replaced dates and figs.
A young friend OF mine informed mo that In
her bome dessert was much enjoyed ia thi
manner; After dining she would take down
from it's place their cookery book and read
aloud some choice selections 1t wu-
customary at entertainments for the
ladies to enjoy the repast first very
oeen the gentlemen left the room I'm
til their enjoyment was over. once
an entertainment I attended was elegant in
all arrangements for the feast, and it was
whispered around that chicken salad in rro-
fusion would be given The aides were frs.
served, and, the hostess said, when the les
favored ones entered the room for rafresh.
mehts, IA tall, unga'nly soldier-boy com
meneed looking A%nxiously over she board,
and finally, in a disguised manner, said; ~
believe, In my heart, tho blamed women
have eaten all tho saiail7 He was only ap-
rsasod by Confederate fruit cake-strong OF
molasses and pepper.
Orr town was filed with refugees from all
points, and their society was highly appre
ciated in our midst As II rule, they were
cultivated and charming additions to any so
ciety, and represented the best phase OF home
life from their respective cities.
Amsng our refugees was a bright young
woman from New Orleans, who was so en-.
ragged by all her belongings being inspected
as she was leaving the city TO Join her friends
outside of Gen. Buffers rule, she exclaimed
to an Officer; you haven't inspected thai
trunk, and 1t contains both powder and caps
This announcement aused much excitement,
and the officer was much chagrined TO dis
cover at the bottom OF the trunk In question
a box containing an old lady's supply OF caps
and innocent face powder.
Every southern woman became interested
In sewing societies, and knitting was the
ia hionable fancy work. invariably knitted
the first sock OF a pair a size smaller than the
second, and was thus compelled TO always
give In two pair 10 others one in order to 80
cure matches The military ardor OF an &c
centric woman known 10 me induced her to
send TO a certain regiment In VirginiA a kind
Of helmet for each soldier. made Of the gay
est kinds Of figured cloth. She was IA year
manufacturing theAe fantastic ~disguises, and
| was informed nfter sending them TINT they
were useless and perfectly unnecessary.