Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-29
WAR TINE SOCIETY.
Mr. ALFRlENo's ARTICLE ON LIFE IN
RICHMOND DURING THAT PERIOD.
Srp and Rafe Psctnres az Starvation Par
tiss.-The Presiaenrs Receptions
PROMINENT fiearss Of THAT bay.

Mr.. Edward Alfriend. formerly OF Rich
snord. but pow Of Ne0 York. contributes
60 the c0smopcisan for December the fol-
lowing very interesting article ca Social
Lille IN Richmond During the War;" which
Is illustrated with pictures of Mrs DETER
son Davis. Samuel Barron aud Cooper de
Leon, MIR. Edmund Ruin, Albert Richie,
Mrs. Philip Haxali, Mrs Russell Robinson.
Colonel Harry Gilmer, Mrs.
Governor pickens. Captain Edward Owens,
General Fitzbugh Lee. Mrs. William B.
Myers, General JebStuart. General George
J.. Pickett. and the author.
For many months after the beginning OF
the war between the States Richmond
was On extremely gay, bright. and happy
ETY.. Except that It's streets were nlled
with handsomely officers and thai
TROOPS constantly passed through u, there
was nothing 10 indicate the horrors or sOr-
rows Of war or the fearful depriyations
that subsequently, befell il. As the war
progressed its miseries frightened their
BLOODY grasp upon the city, happiness was
nearly destroyed, and the hearts OF the
people were made TO bleed.
During the time OF McClellan's invest
tnent of Richmond and the seven DAYS
fghting between Lees army and his own
every tbuhOn Luht was EItu GOulU Db htulu
Ia every homo IN Richmond, and as every
hOme had ITS son or sons at the front IN
Lees army il can be easily understood how
great was the anguish of every mothers
heart in the Confederate capital. These
mothers had cheertully given their
sons to the southern cause. illustrating as
they sent them forth to battle the heroism
OF the Spartan mother, who, when she gave
her son his shield, told him TO return with
or on II.
HAPPY PHAsxs TO SOCIAL LIFE.
And yet during the entire war Richmond
bad happy phases TO its social life. Enter
iainments were given very freely and very
lioerally the frst year of the war, and at
them wine and suppers were generously
furnished, hut as the war progressed all
this was Of necessity given up and we had
Instead what were called starvation
parties"
MED by their male escorts lgenerRliy Con-
federate officers on leave) would assemble
a. fashionable residence that before the
war bad been the abode of wealth. aud
have music and plenty OF dancing, but not
morsel of food or drop OF drink was
eeeu. And this form of entertainment be-
came the popular and universal one IN
1lchmond. Of course no food or wine
was served simply because the host could
not get 10 or could not afford IT. And ~
shese starvation parties the young people
OF Richmond and the young army officers
assembled and danced as brightly and
happily as though a supper worthy OK
1ucullus awaited them.
The ladies were simply dressed, many OF
Them without jewelry, because the women
OF the South had given their jewels to the
Confederate cause. Often Oh the occa-
eiOn Of these starvation parties some young
southern girl would appear in an old gown
belonging to her mother or grandmother,
or possibly still more remote ancestor,
and the effect Of the antique garment was
very peculiar; but no matter what was
worn, no matter how peculiarly any one
might be attiTed, no matter how bad the
music. no matter how limited the hosts
or hostess's ability 70 entertain, everybody
laughed, danced, and was happy, although
the reports of the cannon often boomed III
their ears, and all deprivation. all dehclen-
cies were looked on as q sacrifice to the
southern cause.
TnE DRESS OF A GRANDMOTHER.
remember going TO q starvation party
during the war with Miss NJ, sister OF
Amelie Rivos's mother. She wore dress
belonging 20 her great-grandmother or
Grandmother. and she looked Tegally
handsome In il. She was young LADY OF
rare beauty and ss thoroughbred an every
feature OF her face aud pose and line OF
her body as a reindeer. and with this OLD
dress on she looked as though the portrait
of some ancestor had stepped out OF us
frame.
Such spectacles were very common at
pur starvation parties. On one occasion
I attended a starvation party at the resi-;
dence Of Mr.. John Enders, an old ana
lonored citizen of Richmond. and, OF
course, there was no supper. Among those
present was Willie Allan, the second son
OF the gentleman. Mr. John Allan, who
adopted Edgar Allan Poe. and gave him
his middle name. About o'clock IN the
morning he came to one other gentleman
and myself and asked us to 90 TO his home
Just across the street, saving he thought
he could give US some supper. OF course,
we eagerly accepted his invitation and ac-
pompaned him to his house; lie
brought out half dozen cold NUT
ton chops and some bread, and
we had what was to us royal
supper. | spent the night at the Allan
home. and slept in the same room with
Willie Allan. The next morning there
was tap on the door. and | heard the
mothers gentle voice calling; Willie,
Willie.n Ho answered. I" Yes, mother;
what is IL ?" And she replied: Did you
eat the mutton-chops last night lie
answered: "Ye8n when she said: We'll,
chen, we haven't any breakfast"
FRIGRrFUL CONTRASTS.
The condition Of the Allan household
was that of all Richmond. Sometimes
The contrasts that occurred if these social
gayeties in Richmond were frighttul,
CHASTITY. A brilliant. handsome, happy;
Joyous young officer, full of hope and
promise would dance with lovely Rlrl,
return to his command; few days would
elapse, another starvation party would oc-
cur; the officer would be missed, he
would be asked for, and the re-
ply came, "Killed in battle u; and fire.
quently the same girls with whom he had
danced few nights before would attend
his funeral from one OF the churches Oh
Richmond. Can life have any more terri-
ole antithesls than thlsI
A Georgia lady was once demonstrating
with General Sherman against the conduct
of some of his men, when she SAID ;
General, this is barbarity"; and Gene
raj Sherman, who was famous Tor MS
pregnant epigrams, replied; Madam
war is barbarity.h And so IT -.
On one occasion when l was attending
n starvation party in Richmond the
dancing was at IT'S height and every BODY
was bright and happy. when the hostess,
who was a widow, was suddenly called our
OF the room. A hush fell on everything,
the dancing stopped, and every one be-
came sad all having a premonition IN
those troublous times that something fear.
full had happened. We were soon told
that her son had been killed late that eve
ming in skirmish in front OF Richmond O
few miles from his home.
Wounded and sick men and officers
were constantly brought into the homes
of the people of Richmond to be taker
care Of, and every home had in 1t a sick OF
wounded Confederate soldier. From the
association thus brought about many .
love affair occurred aud many marriage
resulted. l know OF several wives anc
mothers In the South who lost theil
hearts and won their soldieE husbands II
this way, so this phase of life during The
war near Richmond was prolific OF 70
snance.
GENERAL LEE KISSED THE GIRLS.
General Robert T. Lee would often leave
The front, come into Richmond, and at
tend these starvation parties. and on sucl
occasions he was not only the cynosure o
ali eyes, but the young ladies all crowded
around him. and he kissed every one o
them. This was esteemed his privilege
snd he seemed 10 enjoy the exercise OF il
On such occasions he was thoroughly ur
bane, but always the dignihed patricial
soldier in his bearing.
~ -. IL IL