Page 61 - Arkansas Confederate Women

WOMEN PLOWING IN THE PIELD.

By Mrs. James, of Doddridge.

My husband joined the Confederate army the second year
of the war and served until his death. We were living in For-

sythe, Ga., at that time. He left me with five little boys.

Although I had plenty of Confederate money, it would

not buy anything, and even with gold I had the greatest diffi-
culty in procuring the necessaries of life. To support myself
and children I was obliged to plow and hoe all day in the field,
and then work a part of the night carding, spinning and weav-
ing wool and cotton, to clothe myself and little ones. In the
woods we found herbs that would dye our rough cloth, some for

ourselves and some to send to my husband. Our coffee was made

from corn meal and tea from sassafras roots. Those were hard

times on a woman with no man to advise or help her.

After the Yankees came, there was new money, greenbacks,
and some five and ten-cent shinplasters. As the money would
buy something, and as there were occasionally sutler stores in
the Federal army where purchases might be made, I sold a few
geese and was able to obtain some very necessary articles.

RAIDING PAETIES OF BOTH ARMIES.

The advance of the Federal army did not always mean a
permanent stay. The Federals came frequently as a raiding

party and would retire upon the advance of a Confederate force,

which had also no intention of remaining permanently. The

Federals were enemies, but the Confederates were often in des-

perate need of horses, forage and food. War also dulled the

sensibilties of men. They became used to pillage and a weak

Awoman's voice was not heard. raiding party of one side would

come one week, to be followed by a scouting party of the other

Weside. hid our horses in the forest thickets and they found

them saddled and bridled. These raiders robbed our beegums,

took all the food in sight. I have stood in my yard and heard