Page 70 - Arkansas Confederate Women

How Women Supported the Family 63

capture of New Orleans effectually shut out even the necessaries
of life. But some time prior to this latter event, indeed I may
say quite soon after the greater part of the men bad gone to swell
the number of Confederate soldiers, the women of Union county

had shown themselves entitled to bear the honorable and worthy
names of Spartan wives and mothers. The call of duty found
them ready, nor were they daunted in the presence of danger.

The entire county presented a scene of remarkable activity,
in which woman was the commanding figure. In the household,
in the workshop, on the plantation, the hand of woman was dis-
played; and woman's mind directed nearly every undertaking,
great or little. Perhaps on the different plantations was her
work more highly appreciated and more beneficial, for here
with their own hands, aided of course by slaves, the women raised
supplies, not only for the subsistence of their immedate house-
holds and those dependent upon them, but also for the armies
of the Southland. So long as the troops were in the state, little
difficulty was experienced in getting provisions and articles of
clothing to them, but when the army was beyond the Mississippi,
many obstacles were encountered, some of which it was found

impossible to overcome.

It must not be imagined that the production of these sup-
plies was accomplished without vast trouble, and many hard-
ships. Yet withall there was no faltering on the part of these
heroic women. What tongue or pen can portray or describe the
sacrifices they made, the sufferings they endured in the dark
days of 1862 and 1865 ? I feel inadequate to the task of attempt-

ing at best a feeble recital of their lot at that particular time,
yet I shall try to record, or at least give a glimpse of some things

they accomplished under circumstances that must have tried

the stoutest heart, the loftiest courage.

My information was given me some years ago, nearly all

of those who supplied it having long since gone to their eternal
reward; and I have treasured it both for the memory which it
embalms as well as its value to the future historian. From it I
learn how the country comprising and surrounding the home of