Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-07-18
Home Hardships In War.

The third year Of the war called In
to service our entire male population
1t was remarked by some that the
cradle and the grave had been rob
bed. Only small minority tried to
shirk duty, and they were caught by
the conscript act The young men
had long since learned that "only
the brave deserve the fair.
Every day the encircling lines OF
war were becoming more and more
rigid. Imported food and raiment
had long been cut of by the "block-
ade.n But is there any possibility to
starve the Industrious and ingenious
on this green earth : Sugar, coffee
and tea were fast becoming things OF
the past. By some means the sorg-
hum plant, OF which u kind OF molasses
is made, was introduced among us
and actively cultivated. I've seen
many a lady formerly accustomed
only 10 the parlor around the distill-
cry besmeared with dust and ashes
attending to the boiling OF sorghum
to delicious syrup. 1t became
great success, and after using IL few
months no Porto Rico molasses was
ever more palatable.
For coffee and tea the ladies sub
stituted parched rye and parched
sweet potatoes, and many other
things. Every family who had any
of the genuine article reserved it for
particular occasions. Special invita-
tions to dinner implied that coffee
would be served. | recall with
pleasure several savory meals, the
chief dishes being fried ham. biscuits
and real coffee. But TO sho% what
creatures OF habit we are, heard a
lady after returning from such din
ner remark at her own table at sup
per, while slipping parched rye, Il
believe | like it better than sure
enough coffee"
For clothing we turned to resources
within our reach. The wheel and
cards and loom were put in active
operation, which made lively music
that could be heard all over the land
In nv first homespun dress i felt
as proud as II robed in silk.
Formerly fine dresses adorned only
the wealthy imported goods and
STYLES from foreign markets were
their glory. Now an opportr-
nity was presented for the poor, but
industrious and ingenious, to emulate
in dress. The achievements In home
manufactures by all classes were
really marvellous Plated hats OF
wheat straw were very beautiful,
gloves made OF scraps OF fine black
merino, embroidered on the back with
white silk. looked like Partisan work.
And such lovely dyes, concocted from
the roots and bark OF our native
wood, were scarcely ever beheld.
In those times OF exigencies were
resources discovered never thought Of
before, and there was given to us one
unfaiIing source Of help-"of hog
and money" we had plenty.
The negroes-the bone eofcontention
between the belIigerents-were as
faithful workers as ever. That war
was being waged they knew-but Tor
what purpose they seemed ignorant.
There were many inequalities about
the war. One was that among the
people were persons who did not own
a slave, did not believe In slavery.
| know OF such an instance-spent
the night with the family just before
the war. They had ten living chill
dren. four daughters and six sons
all quite grown and but one married.
On this particular evening. after sup
per, the old mother sat in the corner
and picked cotton, looking the very
picture OF contentment. The daugh-
ters, with their work, gathered
around.
A neighbor or two dropped in, and
several OF the sons-noble-iooking
young men, clean and wei brushed
swelled the circle. One Of the sons
drew forth his fiddle, another his ban
10. and with work, talk and sweet
music the hours few by on golden
wings. No such pleasant scene was
ever witnessed there afterward- The
war came ON, and within the first
wear five soDs had volunteered In
less than one year four had fallen.
only one being left to tell the sad
tale, and he still survives. After the
brothers left for the battles the sis