The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-12

In specializing in a rare delicscy at that
period-salt. He accompanied a two-mule
load of salt some distance further South.
When he returned his colored driver was
cracking bis whip over three mules instead OF
two. "Gclly De boss had to buy snudier
mule to help haul back de money he got fur
de salt" be explained. In February, 1863.
paid 5000 for pair Of boots, and in March
81 800 for a spring suit. One as good now
can be bought for slS. 1t was great time
for sellers, Any could dispose OF anything
he had, and almost at his own price. Cap
italists were the most disconnected persons.
Almost every man having all the money he
wanted. few had anything to exchange for
money. Creditors preferred renewals of
notes 70 payment of them, but debtors were
looking up liabilities to settle them. Per-
hars one reason for there being so much
money in the homes was the very little shop
ping done by ladies. Dry goods stores we're
not the gorgeous establishments they now
are. Silks, satins yelvets and laces were en-
tirely out of fashion and out OF stock. In
the latter mo1 tbs OF the war girl in new
calico dress Is the envy of her friends.
When marriage was to occur, the prospect
i've bride conferred with her chosen maids
as to the stripes or checks ID which her
wedding (couon) dress should be woven by
the hand loom. Linens muslins and the
finer shirtings and sbeetiDgs were about
as scarce as dress goods. Hosiery and gloves
were the exclusive products OF knitting
needles in the hands of the ladies. There
were no hoopskirts; the blockade shut them
out from the South. as it did corsets and
millinery goods. The ladies were conse-
quently never so deliberately attired as We
now see them. but, as l recall them, they
appeared fully ss charming. To the wounded
IN the hospitals perhaps no fsrer visions
have ever since come to their fanciss than
the homespun attired gentle ones who
visited their couches with food prepared by
their own hands, with flowers their only
| adcrnments.
The closing OF Southern ports preventing
| importations from the tropics. coffee was
soon an unknown article. The sorghum
cane furnished very poor substitute for
sugar and syrup, but the travesties on
coffee were ludorous. One household
used parched rye, another sweet
potato clippings psrched quite brown, while
another would prefer a mixture of the two.
The rye devotees punned upon having rye
instead OF Rio coffee. For tea. ssssafrss
took the place Of Oolong. But the people
became accustomed to these slops drinking
them with an air of satisfaction suggesting
that the benefits supposed to be derived
ftom the genuine beverages are only imsgin-
airy.
The family, at home as a rule was uncom
planning whatever the depriv alton, remem-
bering that the members of it at the front
were even more poorly supplied. There
were thousands and thousands of households
composed only Of women and children,
fathers, husbands aud brothers being in the
army. But the devoted colored servants
were safe protectors, and there was no law.
lessness. No language is too strong for char
acterizipg the noble behavior Of the colored
people in those days. On many plantation
q negro was intrusted with the sole direction
OF affairs. Scarcely less than the anxiety of
! wife and children of the master. was that of
the servants to hear how he had Jared when
battle had been reported. and / recall an
incident at the grave OF one whose remains
had been brought home from q Virginia
battle ground, when more than fifty negroes
he owned, were msnifesting seemingly as
poignant grief as the children of the de-
ceased.
In reviewing the situation from 1852 to
April, 1865, the wonder grows how the pso-
pie Of the South kept up courage for contin-
uipg the war. They had the greatest diff.
Guilty in keeping the armies supplied aud
during the last twelve months of the
conflict the arms of thousands of
soldiers, especially of State troops, were
about as serviceable as would have been
Chinese fire crackers. Governor Brown, Of
Georgia, had O brigade ef militia armed with
pikes-a wooden staff six feet long and the
size of o spade handle, with an iron spear
head on one end. At Griswoldville. Ga.s the
Confederate Government established IA
armory. where guns and pistols with cast
iron barrels were made. l had . large,
Misunderstanding six shooter made there. One
day took aim at mark and pulled trigger.
Every barrel of the concern went Off almost
simultaneously. Before II had stopped
smoking was a hundred yards away and
still running. If some one else has not
picked 1t up the Griswoldville pistol is lying
still where parted company with 1t.
There was here and there man OF 'con
scription age" who could not be persuaded
nor pulled into military service. These we're
usually subjected to harsh criticism, particu
larry from ladies whose kinsmen were in the
ranks. One FESTIVE under comments upon
his Sinking the front, addressed q circular
letter to his critics, in which he plead: 81
is solely out of regard for our osn soldiers
that do not volunteer. In battle would
be just as apt to Shoot them as to shoe. ths
Yankees. l am so near sighted can mo-
tell my grandmother from an umbrella at
distance OF ten feet"
There was another case OF a devout bu