Page 113 - Arkansas Confederate Women

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98 Confederate Women of Arkansas

NO CHUllOHES OR SCHOOLS.
For two years I had no chance to attend a prayer meeting

or go to church. I read my Bible and prayed the good Lord to
forgive me if I was not serving him as I ought. There was no
school, and I taught my children the common branches of an
education. When my husband came home there was joy in the

house. I have now been a widow for 21 years. The good Lord
has blessed me and has made me unspeakably happy in so many

ways that I am now contented and happy and just waiting for
Him to call me home.

GENERAL FORREST'S TRIBUTE.

There is a story told by General Forrest which shows his

opinion of the pluck and devotion of the Southern women. He
was drawing up his men in line of battle one day, and it was

evident that a sharp encounter was about to take place. Some
ladies ran from a house which happened to stand just in front
of his line, and asked him anxiously: "What shall we do, Gen-
eral, what shall we do?" Strong in his faith that they only
wished to help in some way, he replied, "I really don't see that
you can do much, except to stand on stumps, wave your bon-
nets and shout, 'Hurrah, Boys.'

"A young nurse in the Confederate hospital was noticed

gazing thoughtfully at all there was left of her patient. 'I

don't know what did make that man die,' she said, "for the

doctor gave him some of all the medicine in the drug store.' "