Page 111 - Arkansas Confederate Women

96 Confederate Women of Arkansas

to eat or wear the next. Spinning and weaving constantly was

one part of our work. When our homes began to look comforta-

ble, the federal raiders would come and take horses, food and

Weclothing. had then to begin all things over again.

My husband was killed at the battle of Shiloh, and the

whole work of rearing the family fell upon me. Many times

I grieved that I could not give them something good to eat, but

it was only when they began to grow into manhood that their

life became what I wished it to be. My three sons are now

living, one a doctor, another a lawyer and another a merchant.

EXTRAVAGANCE AND PRIDE OF THE YOUNG.
The present generation thinks that the old folks are too
economical in their ways. If they had gone through the war
times they would not be so extravagant. Nor would they be

working to place themselves above one another. In the old
times all were on an equality. Those that never had to work

had to learn very soon or do without much clothing. Then
they were glad to get their poor neighbors to show them how
to spin thread and weave cloth to make their dresses, and when
they were made those fine ladies were just as proud of them as

if they had the finest silk.

PROUD OF BEING A SOUTHERN GIRL.

In the war times we were proud of being Southern girls.

We gloried in the name and felt greater pride in it than in

glittering wealth or fame. Hurrah for the homespun dresses

that our Southern women wore ! These goods were really nice,

so that you could not always tell them from store goods, though

Mywe did not have ribbons and fringes to hide defects. chil-

dren, when they see this poor writing, may feel ashamed of

their old mother's inability as a writer, but it will be the

first time in their lives that they did not love what the old lady

did. ;.

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