Page 22 - Arkansas Confederate Women

REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE

STATES.

By Mrs. Eugene R. Goodwin, of Augusta.

In April of 1861, there was the wildest excitement in Augusta,
Ark., when the first company of mounted rifles was being
formed. Manly hearts burning to go to the defence of their
country, and yet yearning anxiously for the loved and defence-
less ones they must leave behind them. Wives, mothers, sisters,
and sweethearts struggling bravely to conceal their own bitter
heartaches, that they might strengthen and cheer their dear ones,
for the hard duties that lay before them. But there was neither
time, nor opportunity for any sentimental indulgence of any of
these feelings : the most strenuous activity was imperative.

Women must be taught the use of fire-arms that they might

be able to defend themselves and their homes. Their first awk-

ward efforts proved the occasion of much grim mirth, while

some soon became good marksmen.

There was no government to supply clothing for the

soldiers, so the merchants furnished material, and women
gathered in numbers to cut and make the grey uniforms and

knitting socks became the pastime and rest-work of busy fingers
in all the odd minutes.

But as we look back, all this seems but pleasure compared
with what followed. Orders soon came for "all volunteers to
report in Little Bock." Now, the romance is all gone, and the

fearful realities are upon us. We must make them a flag,

and it must be presented in due form. In the presence of an
immense crowd, our gallant boys clothed in their grey uniforms
and mounted on their war steeds were reined up in line before
a stand from which a frail girl, trembling with emotion, after
an address full of martial fervor, patriotism and confidence in

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