21, "Let us show them that we are as fruitful in expedients to preserve life, as are terrible in avenging our wrongs;" a patriotic appeal to southern women to produce homespun clothing
From the [Nashville] Republican Banner
Provision for the future -- "Something for the Women of the South to Consider."
We desire to call the especial attention of our reader and also of our contemporaries of the Southern press, to the important suggestions made in the following letter, written by one of the leading men in the State -- one who fully comprehends our situation, and is as competent as any other to anticipate the future:
Editor Banner: -- I beg to leave to trouble your readers with a few practical, but as I deem them, very important considerations. Tennessee is now fully committed to a state of war with Mr. Lincoln, and had pledged her whole strength upon this issue. The struggle will be arduous and deadly -- perhaps protracted. I am not one of those who fear the final result, but I am forced to look to the ways and means. Some opportunity of knowing our public resources, and the radical change in our relations in trade, brought about by the action of the State, induced me to call the attention of the whole people to necessity of providing future supplies of clothing but the means of domestic industry. There was a time in the history of the State, when nine-tenths of our population were habitually clad in home-spuns. This was necessary, because no other resources were at their command. Now that same necessity is pressing upon us. -- that same necessity is pressing upon us. -- Few goods have been brought from the North this Spring, owing to our troubles. We are soon to be blockaded on all sides, so that we will be driven to self-reliance. Are we equal to the occasion? I say we are. Our mothers and sisters all over the State, will at once resurrect their wheels and spinning machines and looms, and make them teem with linsey, jeans and domestic, to clothe their husbands and brothers who are fighting the battles of the country, as well as themselves. And let no ladies feel humiliation in turning her hand to his divine task of patriotism, or in being clothed in fair cheeks, the product of her own toil. I would that every man, woman and child in the State, were this day covered with the homely garb of our ancestors! There would be a moral power in the spectacle, but I am not I pursuit of a mere fancy. Where, I ask, are your soldiers to get their supply of clothing next fall, unless it is manufactured at home? It is not that we may want the money to buy with, but the material cannot be imported. We must make it, or the soldiers must suffer -- and now is the time to begin. Let no one wait for another, but let all alike, rich and poor, at once, and without a moment's delay, inaugurate the good work, and the busy hum of their industry. In this way our women can become benefactors, and help us fight the great battle before us. The soldier will bless the beautiful lass who was not to proud to labor for him, while he was toiling and periling life [sic] for his country. But I wish to say a word to the men who remain at home. Make all the leather you can, for it will all be needed. Let not a foot of ground lie dormant but make it yield something for subsistence. Our enemies say they will starve us out -- that we will soon be naked and famishing, and compelled to surrender. Let us show them that we are as fruitful in expedients to preserve life, as are terrible in avenging our wrongs. I say then to all, mothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts, fathers, brothers and sons, beset yourselves without hesitation! Let us all pull together in the glorious work of defending the State against the enemy, and feel that in doing so, we are indulging in privilege rather than performing a task. Messrs. Editors, I merely intended to call attention to these matters of grave moment, and I would thank you to give your brother editors of the Sate a hint to insert this communication in their columns. It may do good.
Volunteer.
Nashville, June 11, 1861
As cited in: Clarksville Chronicle, June 21, 1861.
21, "I do say I never imagined people could live so." An aristocrat visits mountain folk near Beersheba Springs
* * * *
Yesterday we rode out to see some of the "mountain people." I do say I never imagined people could live so. One house was clean – but everything seemed to be dropped just where they were done using it, and left there until they wanted to use it again. Somehow I never conceived of anything so wholly untidy and uncomfortable….Mrs. Armfiled said these people were the "aristocracy" of the mountain and she took me to see them as a curiosity. The strangest thing to me was that they showed not the slightest embarrassment, but appeared to think themselves all right, and just a good as anybody living. At Walker's we found a young soldier home on furlough and it was astonishing to see how the service had improved him, and how much better he appeared than his surroundings.
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, June 22, 1863
21, "…from under the crinoline of the fair ones were taken four large revolvers." Frank M. Guernsey's letter home to Fannie
Memphis, Tenn
June 21st, 1863
Well, Fannie dear, how do you do.
I have been sitting here in my tent this pleasant evening thinking of home and Thee, and listening to the varied sounds of the camp, as they are borne to my ear by the gentle evening breeze; in one part of the camp is heard the shout and laugh of the boys engaged in some frolic, in an other part and directly in front of my tent is a club engaged in singing glees and sacred music, it sounds very good, and brings to my memory the evening I spent with two of my dear friends on the shores of our lake, do you remember the time Fannie.
There has nothing hapened [sic] to disturbe [sic] the even tenor of our ways since I wrote you before. Yesterday the Rebs come a grab game on some of our Cavalry and took quite a number prisoners. They were the fifth Ohio I believe. I understood they were feeding their horses, when they were surprised and taken. There was quite a laughable affair happened on our Picket line to day. There has been strict orders issued to search every one passing out through our lines to see that no smuggled goods pass. To day a man drove up to the Picket with an old horse and wagon with two quite pretty women in, and wanted to go through, they of course had to undergo a search there was nothing found on the man, but from under the crinoline of the fair ones were taken four large revolvers; they were arrested and sent to Camp where a more thorough examination took place by the Hospital matron.[emphasis added] She also found four large revolvers, making eight in all, which these pinks of perfection were trying to smuggle through to the Rebs. They were all loaded and ready for use. I tell you what Fannie, if all women are walking magazines as these were I shall look out, and keep clear of them, for there is no telling when they will explode.
I commenced this letter Saturday evening and it is now Monday and it is not finished yet. I got my mouth all made up for a letter from you this morning, but somehow or other it did not come. I guess I shall get it to-morrow morning. Our Col. is sick and gone home again to Wis. the adjutant has not yet returned although his leave of absence expired a week ago, consequently it is folly for me to think of getting home yet awhile, so Fannie you need not hope to see me until the war is closed, which will probably be in about five years. Is not that encouraging? There is some talk of mounting this Regiment. I hope it will be done as I am getting tired of this kind of soldiering. If I have got to fight I want to be at it. I suppose I am rather impatient but I am of such a mercurial temperament that this inactivity is nearly as hard for me as an acting campaign in the field. No news from Vicksburg yet. I guess they are going to make an all summer job of it. The Rebs are making a desperate effort to throw off the folds which are tightening slowly but surely around them. But my sheet is nearly filled and I have written all I can think of so I will close. Please give my love to all your people, write soon and believe me affectionately yours.
Frank M.G.
Frank M. Guernsey Collection, University of Memphis Library, Special Collections
21, "I do say I never imagined people could live so." An aristocrat visits mountain folk near Beersheba Springs
* * * *
Yesterday we rode out to see some of the "mountain people." I do say I never imagined people could live so. One house was clean – but everything seemed to be dropped just where they were done using it, and left there until they wanted to use it again. Somehow I never conceived of anything so wholly untidy and uncomfortable….Mrs. Armfield said these people were the "aristocracy" of the mountain and she took me to see them as a curiosity. The strangest thing to me was that they showed not the slightest embarrassment, but appeared to think themselves all right, and just a good as anybody living. At Walker's we found a young soldier home on furlough and it was astonishing to see how the service had improved him, and how much better he appeared than his surroundings.
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, June 22, 1863
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