The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-06
ROME HARDsHIPs IN WAR.
A North Carolina Lady Describes Some
OF Her Experiences.
From the Raleigh w c. Netos.

OF Her Experiences.
From the Raleigh w c. Nelcs.
The third year Of the war called into SER
vice our entire male population. IL was re-
marked by some that the cradle and the
grave had been robbed. Only a small
minority tried to shirk duty, and they were
caught by the conscriDt 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. I'm
ported food and raiment had long been cut
off by the 'blocakade." But is there anv
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 Sorghum
plant, Of which kind of molasses is made,
was introduced among us and actively cul-
tlvated. I've seen many a lady formerly
accustomed only to the parlor around the
distillery besmeared with dust and ashes
attending to the boiling Of sorghum to a
delicious syrup. 1t became a great success,
and after using it few months no Porto
Rico molasses was ever more palatable
For coffee and tea the ladies substituted
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-
served. | recall with pleasure several
savory meals, the chief dishes being fried
ham, biscuits and real coffee. But to show
what creatures of habit we are, | heard a
lady after returning from such dinner re-
mark at her own table at supper, while
slipping parched rye, II 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 my first homespun dress felt
as proud as if robed in silk.
Formerly fine dresses adorned only the
wealthy; imported goods and styles from
foreign markets were their glory. Now an
opportunity was presented for the poor. but
industrious and ingenious to emulate in
dress. The achievements in home manu-
features by all classes were really marvellous
Plated hats of wheat straw were very beau
tiful, gloves made of scraps of fl 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 there were
resources discovered never thought of be-
fore, and there was given to us one unfail-
ing source of help-''of hog and hominy'
we had plenty.
LILO noB lOoS-bu0 OOLo u contention De-
tween the belligerents-were as faithful
workers as ever. That a war was being
waged they knew-but for 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 be-
heve in slavery / know of such an instance
spent the night with the family Just be-
fore the war; They had ten living children,
four daughters and six sons-all quite grown
and but one married. On this particular
evening, after supper, the old mother sat in
the corner and picked cotton, looking the
very picture of contentment The daugh-
tiers, with their work, gathered around.
A neighbor or two dropped in, and sew
clean and well brushed-swelled the circle.
One of the SONS drew forth his fiddle, an
other his banjo, and with work, talk and
sweet music the hours flew by on golden
wings. No such pleasant scene was ever
witnessed there afterward. The war came
on, and within the first year five SONS had
volunteered In less than one year four
had fallen, only one being left to tell the
sad tale, and ne still survives. After the
brothers left for the battles the sisters
pretty girls-were driven by necessity to
the cotton field. With their brothers. old
coats and hats on. behind the plow or hoe in
hand, they might have been taken for the
boys ghosts, SO much alike we're they
The parents of this family had always
been noted for piety. but this catastrophe
greatly shook their faith. The old father
| said he had not done anything to bring on
the war-was free from the charge of hav-
ing sympathy even in the main cause that
| occasloned lt-and yet he had been made to
pay the highest forfeit He could not under
stand how just God permitted such in
equality. 1t was whispered about by many
of his friends that he was on the verge of
| infidelity. But am thankful to state that
when the old man died-and neither parent
lived long after this-it was with Jobs
faith, Though he sIay me. vet will trust
him."