The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-02
5000 For a Turkey.

I'VE had some very memorable Christmas
days in the south during the war, said Mrs.
Zebuon B. Vance, wife of the junior United
States senator from North Carolina to Buffalo
Express writer, That of 1861 was different
from any that had preceded it. because we were
in arms against the federal government, and
many of the male guests at southern homes
that day wore confederate uniforms. Much of
the talk at the Christmas dinner table was of
sisges and battles and marches But we were
all full OF hope and confidence For southern
bravery and fighting blood there could be no
such word as fail ia such a struggle. and we hsd
not the slightest doubt of the triumphant sue
cess Of our cause. The old-uime prodigsity OF
southern hospitality was at its hight that Christ
mas.
THE negroes came up from their quarters in
the cary morning for the Chris mus gifts and
as each one was Literally remembered with such
tokens as the cherished African nature most de-
lights in, every ebony face shone with deli Cht,
and loud and characteristic were their express
SiOnS OF pleasure. Great bowls o. eggnOg and
punch had been prepared and were set out in
the great halls Wood fireS-JuSt to take de
chill off'-went roaring up the wide f1replaces.
invited guests gathered about the heRrthstone,
and there were Teasing, music and dancing.
Christmas, 1862, found us but poorly pre-
pared to ce citrate It, Our supplies were few,
and confederate money WAS at q heavy dis
count, Wood was 3 cord and turkeys Sill
each, but even at those prices many were still
able TO enjoy them, and there were still some
toys to give the little folks. Then came the bit
o
the defeat at Gettysburg. With sad faces, har-
monizing well with their dresses of coarse black
stuff, the women Of the south devoted them
selves to picking lint and spinning and weaving
for husbands, fathers brothers and sweethearts
in the field. Christmas cheer-such as could be
obtained-cOst a fabulous sum. for one bright
golden dollar was then worth S2s in confederate
money. Sugar was from IS to $40 per pound
turkeys $50 apiece and flour $25 per barrel
Christmas lS64-the last Christmas of war
times-dawned, aud what gloomy festival it
was for the people of the south OF manu-
Our hairpins were made Of long. black thorns
with ball Of sealing wax on one end. We had
made into dresses every scrap Of available ma
terial and now. our gowns consisted of window
curtains, home spun and paper muslin or
colored cambria that had once done duty as a
lining, while our feet were incased in home
made cloth shoes. At a Christmas dinner in a
typical southern home that day the festive
board presented turkey that had cost $500, a
ham worth $500, hOmlny ana potatoes at cor
respondingly high prices, and black molasses-
as deserJ-at $50 per gallon. The conf derate
dollar was then worth just cents in gold.
Wood was S101 cord. beef S35 pound, flour
$500 per barrel, butter $40 per pound and sugar
$50 per pound. All was silent in the negro
quarters. There was no singing and dancing
there as usual. The slaves having all heard OF
de mancipatiOn proclamation knew that they
were free and had all scattered away. Desola-
ton seemed to reign over everything. OF all
tie Christmas days l have known, that last
Christmas in the south in wartime is the one Of
all others that am most certain never to for
GET"