Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16

LII 1OA ~ - AxA ~ = v -
town. directed the citizens to take the
women and children out OF the range OF
tho guns OF both armies, TO take them
back and behind the hills forming our
southwest boundary.
The artillery ard long-range muskets
OF the enemy soon opened fire pom the
town. and our lines upon the heights OF
''Bizzarc," 10 which prompt and vigor-
Gus response was made by our southern
soldiers and, with a dashing. brilliant
charge OF our cavalry, the "blue-coats'
were repulsed and driven back upon their
reserves" losing a number OF prisoners
and one OF their distinguished generals.
General Lee held his position until his
trains were In safety. the enemy repulsed
and checked, and then resumed his march
10 what became the fated field Of Apo
mattox.
When the Confederate forces had all
left. when the last dashing cavalrynan
had disappeared. then came scene OF
pandemonium let loose" Yankee sol
diers rushed in and for time "confu-
sion worse COMPOUNDED" ran riot. IL Is.
however. but just to say that as a rule.
the conduct OF the Yankee officers and
the real soldiers who honestly wore the
blue" was better. more creditabie ana
honorable than had been expected or an
ticipaTed: but the camp-followers,
thieves. and plunderers invaded every
house not protected by guards. stealing.
not only everything In sight, but hunting
and searching the homes ard grounds
Of our citizens for what they supposed
had been hidden, or put out Of view.
Farmville was at once strongly gar
risoned and placed under military rule
and government. and Grant, with his
Iegions, passed on TO Appomattox, where
our flags were at last TO be furled and
where the curtain was 10 fall" upon
drama that bathed the South In tears.
that shook the trust and faith Of many
in an overruling Providence, and left the
darkest, deepest blot and stain that
marks the annals of the nineteenth CEN
fury.
This reminiscent sketch must not be
finished without paying just, hardly
earned, and most richly deserved tribute
to the fortitude and herOism OF our
southern women"-the Mothers and
Daughters OF the Confederacy." And
here we pause and must confess our
enlbarra ssment, our lack OF words with
which to give expression to the yenera-
ton, the honest pride and the exalted
admiration We cherish for the constancy
and courage that for four long years
they so grandly and nobly illustrated In
hardshps that gave strength and In
spiratlon to every southern heart. and
silenced the murmurings and dissatis-
faction Of our suffering soldiers In the
field. The Spartan mother achieved an
immortality unchallenged adown the
lines and pages of history. but that re-
nown and immortality met and suffered
eclipse in the fidelity, devotion, and pa
trlotism Of the Mothers and Daughters
- .bo Tho Epa woman
gave shield and charge" TO her son.
The Confederate woman gave Shield ana
charge" to father. husband, brother. and
son.
Beautiful, grand, and peerless "Con-
federate woman'-bred and reared In case
and luxury, cultured and refined, pure
and spotless. elevated IN character
tender and loving In disposition and de-
portmen, cared for, cherished, and pro-
tected by the chivalrous devotion which
has ever distinguished the men Of the
South, she put aside her comforts her
iuxuries, and her pleasures; self-stinted TO
plainest fare, she cheerfully accepted the
soldiers ration" without murmur
she cut Up her bridal trousseau" for flags
and banners and bandages for the
stricken and the wounded, and gave her
jewels 10 the treasury. Clad In simple,
plain, and homemade costumes, she un-
linchingly met all the privations and
hardships Of state Of war; her deft and
skilful hand were ever busy in meeting
the wants and necessities OF the day and
hour. At home. day IN and day out"
she worked and toiled for the absent
loved ones in the field. and in the tents
and hospitals for the sick and wounded
her tender ministrations her cheering,
comforting and encouraging words and
smiles brought life and health and
strength TO many, and softened the
couches and smoothed the pillows Of the
dying.
Ministerlng angels Of mercy and OF
love, OF devotion and fidelity to land and
blood Of piety and patriotism, illustrators
Of all that ennobles our common hui
mainly, we shout the loud acclaim: All
halt and all honor 10 the mothers and
daughters OF the Confederacy"