The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-07-13
SARGE PLUNKETT.
All Praise for the sWoman's Relief
Society" Movement.
Atlanta Constitution.

ties" indicates that the ladies are
getting a little enthused, and when
they do then we may look for war
sure enough.
The work on this line reminds us Of
the "Wayside Homes in the days Of
the Confederacy. We had forgotten
these homes till the organization of
these relief societies brought them to
mind. Every old Confederate will re-
member these wayside homes and
what blessing they we're in their
day. There was a splendid one in
Atlanta and at all the great railroad
points, but the best one, according to
the talk of those days, was at Macon.
The mission of these homes was to
receive the soldiers, sick and wound
ed, and give them place to sleep and
something to eat when the bad sched-
ules of those days threw them to lay
over. But for these homes thousands
would have suffered, but as they were
run every old soldier felt at home
there and they proved one of the
greatest blessings. Especially did the
"Wayside Home at Macon do great
part. The ns-Mississippi depart
ment covered all the country west OF
the Mississippi River and there was
no more communication between this
side and that than there will be be-
tween us now and some country held
by the Spaniards. These "homes'
made it special pleasure to take care
of soldiers on this side who we're en-
tirely cut off from their friends and
home, and the people Of Macon being
especially active on this line, caused
much praise to be given the city, and
I venture that it is most lovingly re-
membered till yet by thousands who
received the kind attentions for which
these homes were instituted.
Besides these "homes' at every
prominent railroad point, there were
bands of women that met every train
at almost all the towns. When the
train stopped at almost any station,
provisions and water was passed into
the cars, and it was god-send to the
soldier and sacrifice by the women
which has never been forgotten and
never will be till the last man that
wore the gray has passed over the
river. Those acts of the noble Con-
federate women can never be apprecia-
ted by those who never felt the stress
Of those days. All through Georgia,
Tennessee, Alabama and the Carolinas
these "homes' existed, and the Gus
tom of the women to meet the trains
was kept going, but Virginia surpass-
ed them all and everything. Never
will an old Confederate forget the wo-
men of Virginia. They never tired,
and from the beginning to the end
they never saw the day that they
would not share their last crust with
the soldier. I verify believe that
there never was such people in any
land as the people Of Virginia during
that war-and every Confederate sol
dier will bear me out. When the bat
tie ragged around Richmond the women
crowded the streets doing whatsoever
they could. All their linen was torn
up for bandages, they filed buckets
with water that the soldier might dip
cup as he marched, sausages were
handed to men as they double-quicked
through the town, these and many,
many other good deeds were perform
ed and never tagged through all the
war. At that time there was not so
much organization as there is now,
but the work of the sisters OF char
ity' through those years showed us
what organization can do and | am
glad to see it begin, though I have
ever claimed that there was too many
societies.
AS we go along preparing to take
care of the soldiers there is especially
me other class that should be remem-
bered. I mean the poor mothers with
little children.
1t has not come to the point that
many Of these poor women with little
children are compelled to be left alone,
but the time may come, and perhaps
you could find few now if you will
look-.no doubt there are some in At
'lanta, and they should be given your
most loving attention. l can tell you
that war is hard on poor women left
alone, and they never have, and, l
fear, never will receive the attention
that they should. There is no excite
ment for these women-they must re-
main at their homes and take care of