USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 25
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"What mistake is that, general?"
"Why, sir! at the beginning. we appointed our worst genes- als to command the armies, and all our best generals to edit the newspapers. As you know, I have planned some compaigns and quite a number of battles. I have given the work all the care and thought I could, and sometimes, when my plans were completed, so far as I could see. they seemed to be perfect. B :: when I have fought them through, I have discovered defects. and occasionally wondered I did not see some of the defects in advance. When it was all over, I found by reading a newspa- per, that these best editor generals saw all the defects plainly from the start. Unfortunately, they did not communicate their knowledge to me, until it was too late. I have no asitition by: to serve the Confederacy, and do all I can to win our indepeni- ence. I am willing to serve in any capacity : which the suthc ::- ties may assign me. I have done the best I could in the fets. and have not succeeded as I wish. I am willing to steld my place to these best generals, and will do my best for the cause editing a newspaper.
"Even as poor a soldier as I am. I can generally discover mais- takes after it is all over But if I could only induce these mise gentlemen, who see so clearly beforehand, to communicate With
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me in advance, instead of waiting until the evil has come upon us, it would be far better for my reputation. and (what is of more consequence), far better for the cause." * X Perhaps our readers have had some curiosity with regard to the subject of dress at this time, as feminines have always had the reputation for a partiality to indulge themselves in this par- ticular. Silks, satins or velvets were not procurable at all, but a few merchants at the capital, with an eye to business, ran risks of blockade runners, and kept themselves supplied, to a limited extent, with a nice quality of woolen goods. The prices were, however, fearful to contemplate, fitty dollars per yard for a good article of merino (the cashmere of the present day). forty for alpaca, thirty for calico and bleached domestic, seventy-five for white Irish linen, and twenty for unbleached domestic, and a cotton dress goods manufactured at the Alamance mills in North Carolina, which bore the trade-mark, "Alamance Plaid." This was quite the style, made up with a cape of the same, and afforded quite a respectable street dress. Embroideries, laces, trimming of any kind could not be purchased at any price. nor was much time consumed in making it by hand, as more impor- tant work was pressing.
The mills at Manchester, just across the river from Richmond, manufactured a good article of woolen cloth, both grey and black, which became quite fashionable for cloaks made in the style of a long, loose sacque falling to the bottom of the skirt, with straps crossing at the back of the waist, confined with but- tous, shaping it to the figure. With a cape, this cloak served the two-fold purpose of wrap and dress, as it effectually concealed the costume beneath, and made double-breasted, closing with two rows of buttons, was quite a stylish outfit.
Old dresses that had been relegated to the attic, were hunted up, old clothes bags, trunks and chests gave up their long hidden treasures, every scrap of lace or trimming was carefully removed. washed and pressed to do duty elsewhere. It is wonderful how much ingenuity was exhibited. It became common for friends to purchase articles of clothing from each other, especially when those who laid aside colors for mourning, had no use for things unsuitable, and so many were now wearing sombre hues as badges of grief for dear ones slain in battle, or wasted by dis- ease.
There was a regular establishment, -an old clothes bureatt- where ladies took articles of wearing apparel they did not need, and exchanged for others, purchasing often two skirts of different colors, and if the material was wool or silk, when cleaned and dyed one color, and made up, lo! a new suit was the result.
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Ofter a zouave jacket and skirt was the preference, when the old shirt bosoms of the gentlemen afforded the white vests. linen collars and cuffs of the period.
Women exchanged their ideas and inventions with each other, as all were interested in having the best results from the most limited means, rivalling even the French women in their de- vices and expedients.
Plaiting wheat straw for making hats, became the fancy- work everywhere, and the different methods and patterns were subjects of absorbing interest.
After the straw was soaked in water all night and plaited (one soon grew expert in manipulating it nimbly . it was then sewed into shape, taken to a milliner and pressed. and if desired black. the dyer again came into requisition. Chicken, goose and bird feathers were used as decorations, and feather flowers were made by a tasteful grouping of colors under practiced hands.
There was quite a trade in the stripped palmetto from South Carolina. This light substance was easily converted into bunches of artificial flowers-the fibre susceptible of being shred into trailing pendants-the hats looking like the light chip substance sometimes so much liked.
With one of these chapeaus poised daintily above a fresh young face, dressed in a costume perhaps manufactured from one worn by her grandmother, with rare old face, an heir-loom in her family, shading throat and wrists, the Confederate beauty was an entrancing picture to all beholders-queen regnant over all the disadvantages of her situation.
Cloth shoes were worn at this time, and here again woman's skill found a solution for the problem of being nicely shod. A pattern was obtained from an old pair of shoes, the upper part cut from the discarded broadcloth unmentionables of male rela- tives, neatly stitched together and then soled by the shoemaker for ten or twenty dollars. It is wonderful how many pairs one garment would supply, and how long they would last with con- stant wearing.
I have heard of wooden sabots being made and worn in the Confederacy, similar to those in use by the European peasantry, but never knew of any made at Richmond.
The hosiery of males and females was knit at home by hand. every spare moment the females of all classes devoting them- selves to knitting socks for the soldiers.
The cotton was raised in the South, carded and spun by hand, and then knit. Both young and old took great pleasure in this . work for the soldiers, the common suffering bringing forth that divine smypathy inherent in every breast, and Ending expression in every act, possible. for the benefit of others.
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Often when sending off a box of clothing to some particular command (it went impartially where miost needed, girls would amuse themselves slipping in tiny notes, with their names and addresses, and some kind wish for the soldier who happened to get the articles. What fun was anticipated as they pictured the expression on the face of the unknown recipient, when a mies- sage was found snugly tucked into the toe of a pair of socks, and read far away in camp!
Occasionally letters of thanks would be returned, a corre- spondence would ensue, and acquaintances were formed thus unceremoniously which were often a pleasure to recall. Thus interwoven with the dark skein of sadness and grief were golden threads that brightened the whole by contrast. and lent a radi- ance to the surroundings, while over all events both of a public or personal nature, hung the mystic halo of romance, that in- describable charm so pleasing, yet so difficult to analyze.
It suited woman's fancy to sit day by day preparing some ar- ticle for the unknown soldier, and dreaming, as she wrought, of the hero for whom she was devoting all her time, who wore the Confederate gray, upon tented field and bloody battle plain, fighting the battles of theit common country.
The reflection of this care upon the soldier, when such addi- tions to his tattered, worn clothing were replaced by fresh gar- ments daintily wrought, speaking in unmistakable tones that while they suffered, there were those to sympathize, and while they marched in heat or cold, or met in deadly conflict, there were those to bind up every wound, and to pray God's eternal blessing to rest upon and give strength for the occasion, must have been powerful in its mighty stimulus to fresh exertion.
Woman's encouragement and support never faltered; she never grew weary. Her zeal was unremitting, her industry indefati- gable. She met the demands of the hour with a bravery unsur- passed, and acted her part so nobly as to forever refute the old allegation of the weak dependence of Southern woman. She, literally, forgot herself, and all the inconveniences and hard- ships of her lot, and became the stay and comfort to others in this darkest hour of her beloved country's existence. During the devastation in the valley of Virginia, one of the Federal generals was asked why he waged war against the women.
"Because, madam, but for you women the South would have been subjugated long ago."
Among the wounded of the Texas brigade left upon the bat- tle-field of Gettysburg, was Colonel R. M. Powell, of the 5th · regiment. When General Lee's army was withdrawn, he was taken prisoner. His wound was in the arm, and after receiving
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a little attention from the field surgeon, he was able to walk around and survey the havoc of the terrible harvest of death.
Wandering about listlessly, with the crushing reflection that he was a prisoner for an indefinite length of time, anxious for the army that had dared so much in storming the grim heights by which he was surrounded, and shocked at the dumb misery and suffering of a battle-field. he saw upon a plateau, where a lot of wounded confederates were gathered, a group of ladies at work, relieving their wants and ministering to their necessities. He stood at a respectful distance, and watched them intently. One, in particular, attracted most of his attention, and as she passed and gave a kind word and some trifling service to the dusty soldiers who wore the gray, she seemed an angel of mercy. Others were there, but none seemed quite so womanly tender, none so sympathetic of human suffering, as this fair-haired young lady, who seemed to forget she was doing something unusual, and was wholly absorbed in the duties before her, without regard to anybody's opinion.
The question arose, who were these ladies, so refined and modest, caring for the Confederates with such a homelike air of proprietorship? Was it possible the despised rebeis had friends within the lines of the enemy, friends who were working in an organized manner, seemingly bound together for the purpose?
Upon inquiry, he learned that they were members of the Con- federate Relief Association of Baltimore, and had come down to the Gettysburg battle-field, with a car load of supplies, in charge of a committee, to relieve the sufferings of the wounded Confed- erates, and do whatever was required for their comfort. Com- mittees from other female relief corps were on the ground, attend- ing to the Federal wounded, but no others devoted themselves exclusively to the gray jackets.
With nothing to do, and time hanging heavily upon his hands, he almost wished he had been more severely hurt, so he, too, could be the recipient of such care from true woman. With his arm only in a sling, however, and able to walk about, there was slim chance for him to be noticed, when there were so many pit- iful wrecks of humanity suffering extreme torture that even a cup of cold water could alleviate.
The long, hot. July day passed, and from his position under a tree he took in all the surroundings.
Perhaps there is nothing to a man quite so fascinating as to watch a woman's movements around the helpless and suffering. There is something in her nature then shining forth most re- splendent, something unexpectedly independent and helpful, an intuitive grasping of the requirements of the occasion, and a tact
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proclaiming her mistress of the occasion, that is incomprehensi- ble to the steruer sex.
He can proclaim and demand his rights, dare to defend them with his heart's blood; can march up boldly to the cancia's mouth amid showers of shot and shell, and plant his colors agon contested battlements, quivering with victory and inspired by shouts of the conqueror. When the hapless victims of strife faint and fall smitten with disease or the missiles of destruction, then he stops in despair,-he does not understand how to deal with this. He is willing to render assistance, God knows he is will- ing to do all he can, and would dive down into his pocket and draw forth his last dime to pay somebody to soothe their agony. 'Tis then, most of all, he values the deft hand of woman, aaj is amazed to see the power she exerts by even a touch upon the fevered brow, the simple act of bathing the dusty face or holding a cooling draught to the parched lips.
One of his fellow prisoners rallied the Texan on his absorbing interest, when he exclaimed: "Laugh at me, if you will, but I intend to marry that fair-haired girl over yonder, if I ever get a chance. I've been noticing her all day, and that kind of a woman has always been my ideal of a wife."
"Well," said the other, "that would be a genuine romance. to find your wife upon the battle-field of Gettysburg, amongst the wounded."
"Stranger things have happened, and that may also become true."
Colonel Powell finally concluded to approach the ladies, and became engaged in conversation with some of them, who seemed friendly. He learned there were two sisters in the party. the Misses Grace, of Baltimore, Spanish residents of the city, who owned large estates in Cuba, were slave owners, and amongst the most prominent of that class known as Southern sympathize:s. They had spent large sums of money in relieving the watts of Southern soldiers in prison, had excited some hostility with the extremists of the opposite side, but claiming protection under the Spanish flag, were accorded respect and deference by reason of their social position and influence.
The elder sister gave him her address, and requested him to write her when he reached his prisou.
He told her about his friends, and the circumstances of his capture. Being a whole-souled woman, alive to every good work, she promised to look after him while an exile, and to ren- der him any service in her power.
He was, of course, delighted, but too wise to request an intro- 'duction to her sister, who was busy with other matters, and in-
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different to those slightly wounded. With her he got no oppor- tunity to exchange a single word.
By that mysterious magneti-m which attracts persons to one another, she, too, had noticed the gallant Texan, and by an in- tuitive knowledge, read in his eyes, even at a short distance. the intense interest she had awakened, though seemingly too care- less, or shy from the revelation, to break the spell by gliding into an acquaintance through the conventional medium of con- versation.
Towards evening, the arrangements being complete, the guards gathered 'the prisoners together (they had been on parole all day ) and prepared to take them on the train to their distant prison.
Remembering her promise, with the address safely stowed away for future reference, the only solace for his lonely lot, it is not to be wondered he cherished her kindness. With no friend north of Mason and Dixon's line, he determined to open a corre- spondence, which would at least be a relief to the monotonous routine of prison life.
His place of destination proved to be Johnson's Island, and as soon as he became settled in his new quarters, with no hope of an early exchange, he wrote Miss Grace, at Baltimore, and re- quested the pleasure of a regular correspondence, as one of the greatest benefits she could bestow.
When the letter came, the lady, being much engaged with her numerous committees and works of philanthropy, requested her sister to reply. The correspondence grew to be quite interesting, and was the one gleam of brightness to his forlorn existence.
Many delicacies and donations of money came from this source, which somewhat chafed the pride of the haughty Southron, but which he was compelled to accept or endure privation, so mag- ing a virtue of necessity, took it in the manner intended, and was grateful that Providence had given him a friend in a land of alien strangers.
After several months had passed, and letters always eagerly read, he ventured to enquire about her sister, when lo! he made the discovery she it was who had so graciously replied to all his epistles.
The Gordian knot was already untied in such a singular mas- ner as to be amusing. Writing to one woman for the sake of another, and then to know it was she who was taking an interest in him, seemed marvelously fortunate. It is needless to relate that he followed up his advantage, which perhaps through ao other means would have been so successful.
Letters are white-winged messengers of peace. Soul speaks to soul through this medium as nowhere else possible, and the best
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impulses of our being there find expression which are frequent- ly checked in personal contact by that unexplained sense of the presence of another, always a check upon the most glowing thought. When writing letters, we turn as it were, from the world and its busy care: its rude jars and jostles do not there intrude, but fancy rambles, with that other spirit with whom we are communing, in a realm set apart from the rest of the world. Our best expressions convey the ideas we cherish; we sit down together in our holiest of holies, that sacred precinct of our im- perial being where so few are allowed to enter, and there reveal long-treasured secrets and grandly soaring aspirations, otherwise masked by policy or bound hand and foot by the trammels of pride.
The best we have at our earthly disposal is served with a rel- ishing variety of humor and repartee, and given without stint to our friend, and a spiritual kinship is revealed and recognized, which becomes the charm and perfume of existence, with its subtle essence lingering around our pathway ever afterwards amid the most checkered scenes of life.
After months of an interchange of thought like this, to grow more tender seemed a natural result. Did they not know one another better than if meeting casually in the usual way? Was not theirs a true bond of feeling?
Plighting mutual vows of constancy, they promised to devote themselves to one another through life.
Miss Grace now made every attempt possible to effect Colonel Powell's exchange, but failed, after many disappointing trials. She never despaired, as her acquaintance with influential officials was very extensive.
Finally, when General Grant decided upon the exchange of prisoners, his case was one of the first brought to notice.
Friends who had learned to sympathize with this war romance, gave her every assistance, and the glad news was telegraphed to Johnson's Island that he would soon be free again.
When he reached Baltimore she met him at the provost mar- shal's office, and there, in the presence of military officials and her own friends, they were married, -married to a man with whom she had never spoken until plighting their vows together.
After tearfully bidding adieu to her mother and sisters, and supplied with an abundance of gold, she stepped on board the flag of truce boat and was soon on her way to Fortress Monroe, going with her stranger husband to throw her fortunes with the Confederacy.
They reached Richmond, and leaving her at the hotel, he came out to the camp of the Texas brigade and reported for duty.
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There, of course, he was gladly welcomed. He was invited to our quarters, and relating his experience in prison, bis mar- riage under such strange circumstances, he exacted a promise I should meet his wife very soon.
Next day I called while in the city, and found her a lovely lady, both in person and character.
Everything to her seemed strange at the seat of war, but the strangest of all was not being able to purchase articles she thought necessary when she had plenty of money. We had so gradually reached the present state of affairs as hardly to re- alize what we had undergone, but to be suddenly thrown into the Confederacy, when want was staring everybody in the face, must have been a dreadful transition to one who had seen only the most luxurious side of existence.
She, however, bravely accepted the situation with its incon- veniences, and made herself at home as much as possible, fre- quently coming down to our camp cabin and envying us our po- sition. Separation from Colonel Powell seemed to oppress her with fear.
As there was no better place, he found her a quiet location to board on the Lynchburg road. She went off, in company of an orderly detailed for the purpose, with the understanding when I vacated my place in the spring, she would return and take pos- session. Unexpected events, however, were to occur that dissi- pated all those plans, which will hereafter be related. X ×
The subsistence of the armies, as before stated, was almost in a state of exhaustion. The assistant commissary-general testi- fied before a secret committee of Congress: "On the 5th of De- cember I brought the condition of affairs to the attention of the Secretary of War, coupling it with a statement of subsistence on hand, which showed nine days rations on hand for General Ice's army, and quoting his letters that day received, stating that his men were deserting on account of short rations. I urged prompt action, but none was taken." On December 14th, nine days afterwards, General Lee telegraphed Mr. Davis that his army was without meat.
In January, in secret session of Congress, the following report was made:
"First. There was not meat enough in the Southern Confed- eracy for the armies in the field.
"Second. There was not in Virginia either meat or bread enough for the armies within her limits.
"Third. That the bread from other places depended absolute- ly upon keeping open railroad connections of the South.
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"Fourth. That the meat must be obtained from abroad, through a sea-port, and by a different system from that which had hither- to prevailed.
"Fifth. That the bread could not be had by impressment, but must be paid for at market rates.
"Sixth. That the payment must be made in cash, which, so far, had not been furnished; and, if possible, in a better medium than treasury scrip.
"Seventh. That the transportation was not adequate, from whatever cause, to meet the necessary demands of the service.
"Eighth. That the supply of fresh meat to General Lee's army was precarious; and if the army fell back from Richmond and Petersburg, there was every possibility that it would cease alto- gether."
The true state of affairs was not generally known outside of official circles; the army, it was true, lived on greatly reduced rations, but the brave spirits, who had borne so much, treated the matter rather as a joke, and laughed at their own discom- fiture, consoling themselves that "Marse Bob," their hero, was sharing their privations, and were all devoted to a sublime cause -that of justice, and the right to govern themselves.
Congress was totally unable to grasp the vastness of the sub- ject, and provide anything tangible, although they enacted, dur- ing the last days of the session, a scheme for raising several mil- lions in specie to purchase supplies from "those persons in the Confederacy who were no longer willing to take scrip for their commodities." This, however, was never put into execution.
The love for General Lee was one of the most touching pect- liarities of the soldiers of the army under his care. They knew he had their personal welfare always near his heart. It is re- lated that one night some soldiers were overheard discussing the tenets of atheism around their camp fire, when a rough, hon- est fellow cut short the discussion by saying: "Well, boys, the rest of us may be developed from monkeys: but i tell you none less than a God could have made such a man as "Marse Robert.'"'
One day he met a gallant Georgian coming to the rear during a fight, whose right arm was badly shattered. "I grieve for you, my poor fellow," said the great chief; "can I do anything for you ?"
"Yes, sir!" replied the brave boy with a proud smile, "you can shake hands with me, general, if you will consent to take my left hand."
General Lee cordially grasped the hand of the ragged hero, spoke a few kind words, which he would never forget, and sent him on his way rejoicing that he had the privilege of suffering under such a leader.
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While reconnoitering the countless hosts opposed to them. one of his subordinates exclaimed: "I wish those people were all dead."
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