The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-25
ny WILL II. HALE.

While the Tennessee soidiers-seces-
sion and union--were in the field fight
Ing for tho right, as they saw it, from
1851 to 1863 "A glance at what was
going on back at home will he tllumi-
mating Except ia East Tennessee.
when that section was under control
of the Confedcracy. the families of
Federal soldiers did not suffer and
make such sacrifices as those OF the
Confederates: wherefore this sketch
will have TO do mostly with the WON
en- OF the Confcderacy including those,
of course of Tennessee.
Almost from the very beginning of
the War Between the states the south
ern ports were blockaded. so that the
people were thrown on their own in
genuity for maintaining life. While
the ancestors had made a fine begin
ming in manufactures. this spirit Was
allowed 10 langush when II was found
that cotton was so profita Bile: so that
nj the commencement OF hostilities the
South was an agricultural region, hav-
ing world monopoly on cotton. to-
bacco and sugar. With the wealth Of
these crops she bought everything she
wanted. and manufacturing within her
borders We're at discount. Blockaded.
her people required a thousand neces-
safies and had To rely on thems selves
for the greater part
As there was no attainable market
for cotton now, and as there was a
great need 70: grain the Confederate
government ordered that the planters
should put only one-tenth OF the land
in cotton II any at all. and that the
farmers should give one-tenth OF all
provisions grown to support the
armies The cotton planter was not a
success with grain growing. especially
IN the far South. while much of the
land WAS not adapted To the cereals
To make matters worse the Confed-
crate government never successfully
met the money problem. Confederate
money soon became practically worth
less In So treasury notes 10 the
value Of billion dollars were in cir
cnlation. besides those issued by
states. cities. Insurance companies and
railroads Even the grocers nut out
'shinpiasters' II is historically true
that sixteen-penny nails passed cur
rent at FIVE cents each. while postage
stamps were used FOR money.
OF course prices went up. Before the
ond OF the war cotton sold at sl25 r
pound; beans. $50 a bushel. Hour. 81. -
COO a barrel salt Sic a pound: coffee
from $50 To s'0 n pound. General
French-one OF the twenty-sx North
crn born generals in the Southern army
says that in 1861. In Columbus, Ga.
tho lady who became his wife paid
500 for hoopsllirt. SO for a half
yard OF crepe, and 5000 for twenty
yards OF black calico.
The writer recalls how. in Tonnes
see, white ashes were used as a sub
stitute for soda, and when a lad he
wore jeans clothing dyed with walnut
hulls. In place or New Orleans mo-
lasscs a little brown sugar WAS stirred
IN bacon grease Such substitutes were
common.
AS soda was needed even for the
mixtures of corn meal il was some
times obtained by burning corncobs-
red cobs were the best for the purpose
water poured on, a spoonful or more
OF the mixture being used at a time
Coffee" was made of okra seeds. or
chopped and parched sweet potatoes
OF chestnuts, or wheat. or corn meal
The women on the big plantations
learned TO spin and then taught the ne
gro women. In message as early al
January. 1862. President Davis said:
In the homes OF our noble women
the loom and the spinning wheel may
be heard throughout the land"
The writer remembers we'll when
cotton dresses were made and worn
proudly. \ design was made by wrap
ping different colorcd threads around
stripes, wide or narrow, according 10
tastc-and then given TO the weaver
to follow. The cotton was dyed with
tho products of the woods-hulls OF
black walnuts made dark brown;
roots OF pine trees made a deep gar
net: the leaves of the myrtle made
gray. Old iron nails and pieces OF