April 1862
Sewing societies were organized long ago and every neighborhood has one. Ours meets first at one house and than at another, and all of us sew steadily all day long. Mother cuts many of the garments and Mrs. Manning helps her, that is, when they meet with us.
July 1862
Three days of each week are devoted to sewing for the soldiers. Often we sew steadily for days at a time, that is when we are getting up a special box to be sent by some soldier, who has been on a visit home and is returning to camp. Cousin Henry Bradford will take the box we are making ready now, he is a Major and certainly looks handsome in his beautiful uniform, just a single star on his collar and chevrons on his sleeves.
Quoted from my ancestor, Susan Bradford Eppes.
Southern women rose to the occasion as demanded by the needs
of war. They kept the homefront running, but they also provided a great deal of
support for the Confederate soldiers. The Confederate government was in its infancy
when the war ensued and the Commissary and Quartermaster Departments of the new
government were never able to completely catch up to the needs of its soldiers.
There was no government legislated “Sanitary” or “Christian Commission” to perform
this task. The women of the South saw it as their mission to stand in the gap.
Soldier's relief societies and 'Wayside Homes' were organized in communities
across the South. Societies met in private homes, churches, schoolhouses, town
halls—wherever was convenient.
Thanks to diaries and newspapers of the day recording activities of
the ladies, and the fact that some of the societies kept detailed records, we
can know with some specificity the sorts of efforts that were made to feed, clothe,
and contribute medical supplies for the men. Being in South Carolina, I have
chosen to focus primarily on the ladies of this state, though my quoted ancestor above lived in Florida.
Following are some excerpts from the Charleston Mercury and Charleston
Courier.
Charleston Mercury,
January 3, 1861
The Surgeon-General
respectfully and gratefully acknowledges the patriotic response of the ladies
to the suggestion to supply bandages. They are rapidly coming in…”
Charleston Mercury,
January 5, 1861
The Columbia ladies
are receiving contributions for the purpose of aiding in furnishing members of
the rifle company with such articles of uniform and equipment as may be
necessary, at short notice. Several ladies have agreed to make up the uniforms
and are now engaged in the patriotic work. All honor to the ladies of
Columbia.”
Charleston Mercury,
March 6 and 11, 1861
Surgeon-General
Gibbes acknowledges the receipt of $40.00 from a lady of South Carolina, living
in New York; $20.00 from a lady in Charleston; and $5.00 from a young lady…and
returns thanks for $261.00, given by a lady, for the purchase of surgical
instruments.
Charleston Courier,
May 8 1861
We learn that the
ladies of the little town of Pendleton, hearing that some of the volunteers
were in need of uniforms, have offered to make 500 uniforms, in five days, if
needed….Besides this, they have raised a subscription for a handsome flag, to
be presented to Captain Kilpatrick’s company, now encamped here, and another
for a company in Pickens District, under the command of Captain J. L. Shanklin.
Charleston Courier,
May 29, 1861
The readiness of
the women to help in any way is showed by their offer at this date to make
cartridges.
Later we see the relief organizations mentioned. The
associations seem to have been very organized and apparently the common
practice was to immediately elect or appoint officers. They also had serious objectives, such as the
stated purpose of the Hospital Aid Society of Spartanburg, which read, “to provide garments, hospital stores, and
other comforts for our sick and wounded soldiers, and secondly to furnish
underclothing, socks, and other articles needed for our soldiers in the
field—these objects to be carried out by voluntary contributions of money,
material, and labor.”
Similarly, the Greenville Ladies’ Association in Aid of
the Volunteers of the Confederate Army stated, “firstly, to relive the sick and wounded among the soldiers, by
forwarding to them linen, underclothing, cordials, bed ticks, socks, etc.,
etc., secondly to make winter clothing for the Volunteers in the Confederate
Army.”
The Calhoun Monument Association issued a call for a
general meeting. It was recorded in the Mercury as follows:
Charleston Mercury,
July 24, 1861
The good work of
raising help for our gallant volunteers goes bravely on. Notwithstanding
unfavorable weather, a large attendance of ladies took place at the Depository,
Chalmers Street, in accordance with previous notice, Dr. Bachman presiding. The
meeting was addressed by a number of the clergy of this city.
The objects of the
association were stated by the Chair, and contributions invited. One hundred
and twenty names were handed in as members, and cash donations of $700, which,
with previous donations, make the sum of $1,200… There was also a full
attendance at Trinity Church yesterday, all eager to get to work. Contributions
filled the doorway. Boxes upon boxes of comforts for the poor sick soldiers
have been contributed…..Another meeting will be held today at the Young Men’s
Hall, when the ladies who have been cutting out will supply work to those who
wish to help….The meeting yesterday was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr.
Girardeau, who requested the ladies to spend the rest of the day collecting
sheets, bandages, underclothing and books.
The Soldiers’ Relief Association of Charleston also met
that day as noted:
The Depository, in
Chalmers Street, Charleston, will be open today, and on every Wednesday, to
received contributions from those who desire to aid our sick and wounded
soldiers. Old sheets, pillowcases, undergarments, old or new, linen or cotton
rags, housekeeping stores, rice, barley, arrowroot, flaxseed, tea, sugar,
brandy, wine, especially blackberry, etc., are desired. These will be forwarded
to Virginia immediately.
Charleston Mercury,
July 25, 1861
A notice of the
meeting of the Ladies’ Association in Aid of Volunteer Soldiers, held at the
South Carolina Hall. The hall was over-flowing. Nearly $1,000 collected.
Officers were elected, but the list was not ready for publication.
Charleston Mercury,
July 26, 1861
The Ladies’
Auxiliary Christian Association is now thoroughly prepared to furnish whatever
aid may be required by our sick and wounded soldiers.
The committees are
organized and working efficiently. Those appointed to cut out and fit work will
meet daily at the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association in King
Street, apposite Beaufain. Several ladies will be in attendance at the same
place every day from ten to twelve in the morning, and from six to seven in the
afternoon, to receive contributions, distribute work and materials to those
wishing to contribute labor, and to receive the garments which have been
made.
Charleston not only formed associations, but was so
detailed as to designate “ward managers” in the various parts of the area. The
managers are listed by name per “ward” and where the particular managers met
with their ward volunteers.
According to a Mrs. Brunson of Greenville:
The ladies of our
town met at McBee’s Hall, and the basement of the Baptist Church, to sew for
soldiers. Country neighbors also formed sewing circles, and some of the old
ladies were so expert as to be able to knit as she walked or rode along….I
think it was twice a year that a member of the Butler Guards would come with
measurements for the men’s clothes, and then the ladies would work hard until
these uniforms were finished….The woolen socks were most acceptable to the
infantry, as they were soft to their feet while marching….Boxes filled with
hams, sausages, dried beef, butter, bread, dried fruit, pickles, etc., were sent
on to the soldiers by their families…..Cloth was woven by small hand looms,
both cotton and wool. Miss Rydes, a country lady, spun and wove a nice gray
woolen cloth and sent it on to General Beauregard as a present.
Ladies of
Greenville made nice buckskin gloves, also knit many gloves and scarfs for men
of the cavalry and artillery. I could go into the woods now and find the same
kinds of leaves with which we colored the wool and cotton. Indigo was planted
and used for coloring both wool and cotton….Maidens found, in chests and
drawers, a few skeins of scarlet wool, to crochet and knit stripes in scarfs
for young friends in artillery service….The flocks of sheep seemed to grow
patriotic, giving us fine wool.
Churches in the
South had services several times a week, and earnest prayers ascended on high
for the safety of our armies, and for consolation to those who had lost their
dear ones. Women had been told of their grandmothers’ loyalty and industry
during the war with England, and were trying now to show the same love to their
defenders.
If one, six, or
more men sought shelter and food at private houses while passing through town,
they were invited in and entertained….Housekeepers gave away their blankets to
any soldiers who needed them….All over the South, ladies met trains, provided
with baskets of food and hot, steaming rye coffee for traveling soldiers.
Mrs. Virginia C. Tarrh of Cheraw writes:
Soon after the fall
of Sumter, when the best and bravest were making ready to go, the women established
a society for making clothes for the soldiers….Every woman learned to knit—even
little girls—and I recall one friend, now the wife of a veteran, who learned to
spin and weave, and who turned her knowledge to good advantage.
Miss S. C. Waring of the Ladies Auxiliary of Black Oak related:
The ladies knit and
kept supplied many companies in socks and gloves, caps, shirts, and comforters.
For four years we worked unceasingly, and even at evening parties the knitting
needle was a regular attendant.
Mrs. W. W. Harlee mentions a fundraiser:
Twice we held
entertainments to raise money for the soldiers—one, an exhibition of tableaux,
was held in the house at Mars Bluff Depot, and the second was a fair, held in
the “Goodwin house,” as it was then called…This fair was quite a success, the
articles for sale having been contributed by the ladies of the neighborhood….
Miss Anna Simpson from Pendleton remembered:
Spinning wheels,
looms and dye pots were brought into requisition. Wool of home production was speedily
converted by loving hands into warm flannels and heavy garments, with sort
scarfs and snugly-fitted leggings….Later on, societies were formed to provide
supplies for the general demand…Every available fragment of material was
converted into some kind of garment.
Miss C. O. Barnewell from Beaufort recalled:
In the summer of
1861, the ladies of this town organized a society for the purpose of working
for soldiers. They made coats, pants, caps, comfortables and shirts, which were
given to Dunnovant’s regiment, stationed near town.
Mrs. J. P. Adams, a member of the Soldiers’ Relief
Association in Columbia, the state capitol, recorded:
Of course, the
girls in Columbia, as everywhere else, learned how to knit. Even children could
manage suspenders. Some of the girls were expert enough to read aloud while
knitting, and in this way the few new books that reached us during the war (Les
Miserables and Great Expectations, among others) were often read to an absorbed
but industrious group.
The Minutes of the Ladies Relief Association of Fairfield
[County] list officers, members, and lists of goods and monies collected. There
are the expected items listed such as socks, shirts, drawers, and blankets. But
many other interesting items are also specifically mentioned such as the
following:
Seventy-two wool
comforters
Five pairs gloves
Two quilts
One bushel hominy
One pound black tea
Two bottles honey
One bottle acid
drink [citric acid]
Six towels
Ten pounds soap
Four pounds ground
coffee
Slippery elm
One bag rice
One bag sugar
Sixteen
handkerchiefs
Four tablecloths
One [package]
farina
Three bottles lime
juice
Six spoons
One jar honey
One-half bushel
grits
Nutmegs
Four Hymn Books
Two pounds tapioca
Two spittoons
Two pounds Hyson
tea
Pickles
Dried peaches
Six combs and
brushes
Similarly, the Greenville Ladies’ Association sent along
the basics, but also sent interesting items such as:
12 towels
14 pillowcases
2 curtains
Tracts
2 Bibles
Sage
Sugar
16 tin pans
6 small tin cups
8 large tin cups
1 dressing gown
1 can plums
Cinnamon
Testaments
Hoarhound candy
Sweet potatoes
3 lbs arrowroot
1 ham
60 chickens
The Hospital Aid Association of South Carolina was formed
by some of the men of the state in Columbia. A Dr. M LaBorde was president and
located in Columbia, and a Reverend Robert W. Barnwell was established up in
Charlottesville, VA. Many of the women’s societies sent their supplies to Dr.
LaBorde in Columbia who then sent them up to Reverend Barnwell to be
distributed as needed.
Lists of articles sent to the hospital in Columbia
include many items such as:
Four dressing-gowns
Twelve pairs
drawers
Twelve shirts
Twelve pairs socks
One scarf
Twelve comforts
Twelve pillow
Eight pillow-cases
Four bottles brandy
Three of whiskey
Two bottles
blackberry vinegar
Two quarts
blackberry wine
Five pints
blackberry wine
Four dozen candles
Two packages dried
fruit
One cake of salve
One small bundle
soap
One package herbs
Seven carpet
blankets
Four pairs gloves
Many of the associations continued their work until the
close of the war. As more and more injured soldiers began to arrive, some of the associations became wayside rests for those going home, and some became hospitals out of
necessity. After the war, a number of these organizations became memorial
associations.
As noted in the introduction to the published minutes of
the Greenville Ladies’ Association in Aid of the Volunteers of the Confederate
Army, the records and narratives of the Southern states ...Apart from their purely local significance, however…serve a broader
purpose in chronicling a typical segment of the economic and social life of the
Confederacy. The records of the weekly meetings of the society reveal in bold
relief the activities which were characteristic not only of this small
community, but of the Civil War experiences of women through the South….all
disclose in concrete form the patient efforts with which these women exerted
themselves to meet the greatest crisis in their history. (1)
1. James Welch Patton, ed., Minutes of the Proceedings of the Greenville Ladies' Aid Association in the Aid of of the Volunteers of the Confederate Arm, 12.
