The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-12-27
Memories of the Civil War.
. Paper by Mrs. Augusta Frederick, Read
in the Ladies' Alliance, Dec. ID, 1917.

When requested to give some recol]ec-
1ons of the Civil War, it seemed very
.mple thing, but to start up the mental
aachinery that has lain idle for more
han half century, and manufacture an
-ricle, that shall have, at least, the
1aSe of interest is anything but SIM
shall not attempt anything like the
Use of the war, further than that South
rolina woke up one morning with a
-evance; big grievance, which proved
contagious it spread through seven
ates, and later more were added, and
ally resulted in the determination to
ssolve partnership with the North, and
of up business on their own account.
IN 1857, at the earnest solicitation of
en-. J, w. Webster, then Adiutant Gen
al of Maine, strong military spirit
as aroused, and two military companies
ere formed here, one of artillery and
of Infantry, under the name of the
Belfast City Greys." This uniform was
cadet gray, with black and gilt trim
ngs, cap to correspond, surmounted
~ a tall white plume. They were a very
posing, fine looking company. While
thought that they would ever see ser
ice was entertained, they held their re-
earsals, and weekly drills, and main
med their companies with full ranks
the Rebellion in which both COM
MES participated.
The 18th of June, 1858, an imposing
display took place here, The
Icampment was on the East side of the
yer, where the field was dotted with
nts. marques, Officers quarters cam
OF and other war-hke arrangements.
several military brigadeS were repre-
nted, and many distinguished people
ere present, among them Governor Nor
and his suite, and distinguished Sen
from Mississippi, the Hon. Jefferson
is, more familiarly known later as
IF Davis" To him was given the
aor of reviewing the troops and it was
nd he performed it in very graceful
4 impressive manner" | rode over
at day with my father, and thought it
sthe finest affair ever witnessed and
ssibly never should see anything like it
-aiu The festivities lasted three days,
nd we're a series of brilliant perform
ICES. There were receptions, banquets,
nners and grand ball concluded the
-ercises. At all of these gatherings,
Hon. j. D. was the big planet that
he little stars revolved around
For months the Southern mutterings
reW louder, and more pronounced. They
cid frequent meetings and finally an
ounced their intention to secede, and
I'M government of their own, styled
The Confederate States of America
notice to that effect was sent to Presi-
ent Lincoln, they seized all the public
roperty belonging to the United States,
ustom house, post office and arsenal in
narleston, and all the forts except
inter which was garrisoned by U. S.
oops.
An enthusiastic meeting took place.
etFerson Davis was elected President,
nd his cabinet was composed of men of
lie same stamp. One silver ongued
-ator declared that grass would grow
all the northern thoroughfares, and
lie Secession flag would float triumph
My over the dome of the Capitol at
before May LIST, and event
ally overtFanue.l Hall in Boston" |
ont think it ever did, for should have
1own it. 1t was two horizontal red
.rlpes, with white stripe in the center,
nd blue Union in the corner with nine
ars arranged in circle. The flag was
hanged several times during the war,
It this was the flag of 1861.
Once when was in Savannah Memo
al Day, April Goth, the Southern flag
.lS carried in the parade with broad
and of black Grape across the end. No
tarS and Stripes were seen that day ex-
ept on the Custom House In Rich
lond, Va, the executive mansion, the
White House" of the Southern Confed-
Eacy, was pointed out to me as the home
President Davis" In New Orleans,
j the Confederate Memorial Building,
Il entire room is devoted to j. D. IS pos
His cradle, high chair, crib,
Fess coat, ETC., and about ton of his
onfederate money, the meanest stuff on
cord.
In all these years, when l have spent
o many months in the South, I have
to keep check-rein on my
mgue, and have thus far, succeeded in
.eeping out of the police court at least,
It it does make my Yankee blood boil
70 have these cherished relics of "our
ate President" held up for admiration,
md hear the sad details of "our lost
auSe." His sole object in coming to the
toresaid "Muster" was to look the sit
alton over, and find the vulnerable point
q strike. But enough of J. D., and with
ne more allusion from different stand
ONT, we will leave him. In riding
.1ud at Fortress Monroe, our colored