Old Times in Dixie Land
transports have also gone by on the river crowded with soldiers. Heaven protect our beleaguered men-so few against so many! A Lieutenant Francis was perfectly radiant this morni
ld return 'to de faderland,' but he thought they would 'vip' us at Port Hudson. When a negro and a white man came together through the backyard for water from the cistern, with horrible oaths and imprecations he drew his sword and with t
s we call him, was among the number. They introduced each other and then very pressingly requested me to play t
union was faith
ke brothers we were
t Northern
d nothing.' 'In all true republican governments,' I answered, 'the voice of the people is the voice of God; we do not live under an aristocracy or a monarchy.' 'But,' said the man, 'two-thirds of the people were not permitted to vote; your negroes did not go to the polls.' 'They are not freemen,' I replied-'but being a woman I know nothing'-and again the tears rus
ged the war. Mrs. French said she only wished to be protected from insult, and from hearing such frightful profanity. 'Madam,' said he, 'this war is enough to make any man swear. I swear myself.' 'But,' said s
en in such an army. They offered us a guard which I declined, telling them we were Southerners, so not afraid; for it galls me to be obliged to have Yankee protection. Mother has been so worried since, and Clara reproached me so severely for refusing the gua
een much worried. One of these Yankees was sick and asked permission to lie on our front gallery. Mother brought him some cold mint-tea which he at first declined, but when he saw her taste it he changed his mind and drank it. The man said afterward
wo young lady guests on their way to Bayou Goula saw her and were indignant wi
, propped up in the rocking-chair, we all ran out to the lot, and mother talked so to him, Clara and I assisting volubly, that he agreed to take only
husbands and sons will quit fighting and come home to provide bread for you. On what ground can you expect protection?' he asked my mother. 'Is your husband a Union man?' 'No, indeed!' I struck in, 'he is a true Southerner.' He saw a spur hanging up, and re
l!' This was too much for Asa Peabody, who seemed to be a friend to our sick soldier; he informed the lieutenant in command that he was on gu
the girls at the window, drained his cup and taking off his cap to them shouted: 'Success to our cause!' 'To ours!' I called back. 'No,' he said, 'I drink to the Union. I hope to get to Port Hudson before it falls!' One impertinent fellow ask
amned if I will do so any more! You are right.' He was a brave, good man. We heard of his kindness to many women along the march, and I h
ublime-an old negro woman said she knew the world was coming to
kindly took a note from mother to Gen. Grover, and promised to intercede for her. The General came immediately, and said nothing more should be taken unless it was paid for. Mother declared she would beg her bread before she would buy it with their money; but I told her she had begged the bread of the family, which already belonged to us, by prayers and intercessions and tears enough to make it very bitter food. Some of the quartermasters have since given her statements of what has been taken from Myrtle Grove. 'Corn we must have,' said one man, 'but I will leave this unt
we ought to send or go at once to his headquarters and ask for protection. I find the following copy of
, in Command of U. S. T
ar
e all absent. We are all natives of Louisiana, and, though we cannot bid you welcome, we hope and trust w
ct fairly and honorably, and to do nothing unworthy the high character of Judge Merrick, who is the head of this family. Therefore, we expect to prove ourselves
that to grea
crown, nor th
runcheon, nor t
ith one-half
rcy d
respec
ne E. M
which I presented in pers
s, Departmen
Army
ntation, Ma
and Pa
y, with their carriages and drivers, to th
d. B.
. Gen
The number of soldiers' graves is astonishing. From morning until night negroes are constantly digging them for instant use. General Lovell inspected our battery the other day and said he wa
nt in the late Spanish-American war. One out of the four of my father's great-grandsons who enlisted for the Spanish-American struggle lost his life in an unhealthy Florida camp before he could be sent to Cuba. It is plain to every fair-minded investigator that many of these fatalities were due to a lack of those essentials in which every housekeeping woman, by nature and training, is especially qualified. It was a re
ir hands. It is strictly the woman's part, and men understand it so. Every man is on his knees before ladies carrying lint; whereas if they stir an inch as thinkers o
Until women," said this young officer, "furnish this government for its defense with soldiers and sailors from their own ranks they should be prohibited from voting." "
would rather march up to the cannon's mouth than to lie down to meet her peculiar trial. He further stated that when their hour came the
n and slaves at home and the armies in the field; they raised the wool and cotton that clothed the soldiers and the hogs and cattle that made their meat; they spun and wove the crude product into cloth for the home and the army; their kn