The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-13

presentation in Selma, on april q, 1861,
OF a flag To the Magnolia Cadets. The
ceremonies took place at the Watts hail.
The flag bore a magnolia wreath ON one
side, with cross and eight stars on
the reverse. 1t was presented on behalf
of the ladies by Mr.. James Ayerette and
received by Lieut. McGraw OF the cadets.
This was, perhaps, the first rag prescn-
tation in Dallas county to command ia
the Confederate army.
a meager account is eXtant OF anothe-
flag presentation. On July 50, ISL, the
ladies of Selma presented n handsome
banner TO the Dallas Rangers. II was
presented on behalf of the ladies' by the
Rev. \. NJ. Small and accepted by the
Rev Mr.. Watkins, u member Of the
Rangers.
In common with other counties, societies
of the women were carly formed in Dal-
las county for the purpose OF supplying
clothing and other comforts TO the sol
diers in the field.
The first meeting of the Ladies' Mill
tary Aid society of Selma, OF which any
notice has been preserved. was held june
in the Watts hall, where the ladies en-
ployed themselves in making bandages
and lint to be sent to the seat of war.
A second meeting of the society was
held in the same place June Is, to which
the ladies brought contributions Of cloth.
ing. there to be packed preparatory to
their being forwarded to the army.
On July 20 Governor Moore published
card addressed ITO the Ladies of Ala
bama," in which, after referring to the
known fact that they were anxious to
do all in their power for the comfort
of the soldiers in the service OF the Con-
federacy, he suggested that each one OF
them knit one pair of substantial socks,
to be deposited with the probate judge
of her county, who would forward them
to the governor at Montgomery whence
they would be sent free of cost to the sol,
diers in the field.
While the governors suggestion was
pleasing to the women of Alabama, 1t Is
certain that even before its publication
they had been unwearied IN their pa
trotie work for the defenders OF their
country But whatever The ladies' aid
societies may have hitherto cone In an
informal manner in supplying the soldiers
with socks, they now everywhere zeal
ously responded to the governors request,
The names of eight of these aid So
cietes of Dallas county have been pre-
served. together with some record or
their beneficant labors-the Ladies Mill
tarv Aid society OF Selma the Ladies'
Military Aid society of Plantersville,
Summerlield Ladies' Soldiers Aid society,
Ladies' Aid society of Pleasant I'LL, La
dies Relief society of Centre Ridge, La
dies Aid society of Orrville and Pine Flat
and River Beats Aid society. 1t Is re-
srettable loss to Confederate history that
not one of the constitutions ana rules OF
these ladies' soldiers aid societies have
been preserved. In Dallas county IL
seems that four months was the term or
service Of the officers.
The Summerfield Ladies' Soldiers Aid
was regularly organized july 49, 1881
Prior to that date it had been in exist
far a irregular body
and had made many contributions to the
southern cause.
The Ladies' Military Aid society OF
Plantersvile was organized July 20, 1861,
in the church of that place. Mrs. Kate
Peoples was elected president: Mrs. Mary
A. Peoples, vice president; Miss Georgia
Driskell, secretary, and Mrs. Georgia f.
Vincent treasurer. Misses s. Driskeu, l..
WALES S. and e. Peoples were appointed
a constitution and bylaws committee for
the society. Mrs. G. S. Driskell, Mrs. NJ.
A. Peoples and Mrs. S. Butler were APP
pointed a committee OF arrangement.
The first formal action of the society was
the tender of their services for making
ND the uniforms and other clothing for
the Brooks Light artillery, then preparing
to start for the seat of war
Tableaux vivants and suppers were
some of the means devised by the ladies'
of Dallas county that proved very serv-
for the soldiers and money for the Con-
federate hospitals. These entertainments
were very common in 1861 and 1862.
But the aid and sympathes of the
women of Dallas county were not con-
fined to the soldiers of Alabama In Dc
tober, 1861. n public appeal was made by
Mr. John Robbins, Mrs. w. j. Milton and
Miss H. l.. Ickes in behalf of the Mary
land soldiers serving in the Confederate
army To this appeal there was n gem
erous response. November IL the llrsl
shipment of clothing was made TO the
Maryland soldiers. part or TINS con-
tributlon came from the ladies' aid as
sociatons Of rniontown. Perry county.
on the evening of the I'D, tableau was
given By the ladies of Selma by which
additional supplies We're raised Tor the
MarNlanders.
The Pine Flat and River Beats Aid so
ciety was very Jealous In making It's
contributions TO the soldiers in the held.
The report of its efforts during August
and September shows the itemiZed result
OF this work in the quantity of clothing
made and forwarded to the soldiers IN
addition to this they sent off many things
for hospital purposes: among these seven
dozens bottles of cordial. The names OF
some of the members of this society that
have been preserved are: Mrs. T. M Adj
ans. Mrs Phillip Milhous, Mrs. Harris
Walker Mrs. j. Winnemore, Mrs. Upton,
Mrs William S. smith. Mrs. f.. \.
Reese. Mrs I. IL. Davis. Mrs. r. NJ. Vas
ser, Mrs. w. Davis. Miss Clara Minter,
Miss NJ. Adams, Mrs. j. Il. Duke, Mrs. j.
IL. Hickson, Mrs. Ann NJ. Barnes, Mrs.
]. c. Barnes Mrs. kornega and Mrs.
Carter Cleveland. Ladies who were not
members of this society, but who literally
co-operated with them in making contri-
buttons for the soldiers, were Miss Clisby,
Mrs. Maggie Hudson Mrs. f. Maddox
and Mrs. Kennedy it may be well to
state that some articles of clothing were
voluntarily made and forwarded to the
society by some of the negro servants OF
Mrs. Reese and Mrs Cleveland.
The four months term of office or the
Ladies' Military Aid society of Selma
having expired October 30, 1861, the fol-
lowing new officers were elected MIS-
w. Plattenburg, president. MISS ~ +,
Eereuson. secretary; Miss ALA ParlIman,
assistant secretary and MISS same
Nance. treasurer There was board of
eipbt directors; also purchasing COM
Inittee consisting of Mrs. Lindsey, Mrs.
~ waller. Miss Sallie Nance and Miss
Ella Murphy ,,
WhiIe in session tho society acknowl-
edged the receipt of a roll of wooden
goods presented by Mrs. Elisha Key
nolds, of Shelby Springs.
on New Years eve q fancy ball was
given nv the ladies of Selma, followed
~, q lunch the next day. The proceeds
~ the two were donated to the Magnolia
cadets and the Governors Guards in Nir-
gina. .,, :, .or,,-
,oo NJ the officers of the Ladies Military
Ala society of Selma having expired, Mrs