17, "The Women of the Revolution"
There is nothing more striking in the proceedings connected with the revolution now in progress, than the part taken in it by the women of the South. They are bearing their full share of the burden, and performing to supererogation, duties they have undertaken on the impulse of a devoted and self-sacrificing patriotism. In sharing the privations, and assuming a share of the labors essential to the final success of the cause in which the country is now engaged, the ladies of the South have not forsaken that gentleness of demeanor, nor those retires and modest habits that make them so engaging and so lovable. What they do is performed under impulses that are kept within the sway of propriety, with the calmness of well-regulated reason, and the circumspectness that flows from good sense.
The have all the warmth of patriotism, and the desire to render personal service in their country's cause, that distinguished that miracle of her sex, Joan of Arc. [sic] But they have no wild imaginings, no mystical dreams; they hear no strange voices calling them to their country's aid, as did the inspired maid of Orleans. For the women of the South of this day to know their country requires their aid is enough-they need no other call. Neither with Joan of Arc [sic] do they step from that gentle and loving domain where their mild graces, their quiet dignity, and their modest attractions make them so powerful, and so irresistible. They assume not, with the martyred Joan, [sic] habiliments unbecoming her sex; they put on no coat of mail, they wield no sword, they march not at the head of advancing armies, nor mix in the blood and carnage of the battle. The pattern they imitate is no Joan of Arc, [sic] issuing the work of command, amid the clangor of arms; no Charlotte Corday, [sic] apostophyzing [sic] liberty at the guillotine; but Florence Nightingale, [sic] the noble woman who has demonstrated that patriotism can be allied with benevolence, and active service in the cause of the country with the retiring characteristics of the female sex.
Since the war broke out, how many thousands of our gentle countrywomen, ladies raised in affluence whose fingers were more familiar with the piano keys than the needle, have spent months in laboriously sewing at the coarsest material to make clothing for our young men in the field. We have seen them from "early morn to dewy eve," seated patiently in some school-room, church or vestry, toiling as faithfully as the unhappy heroine of "The Song of the Shirt" at their laborious task. A rude, rough, harsh task it was, but "the boys" wanted clothing, and the country wanted the boys, and that was incentive enough and payment enough.
At the moment we are writing, hundreds of the gentlest ladies of the city are leaving their elegant homes where all the appliances and luxuries wealth procures surround them, to spend the day in hospitals, where sick and wounded soldiers are detained from their active duties in the field by wasting suffering. Overcoming the disgust that the least fastidious must feel at entering rooms crowded with beds, in which lie patients moaning with pain or wasting with disease, they seat themselves beside the sufferers couch; no, not crouch, but plain, prosy, hospital pallet, and look on and aid while the physician lays bare gaping wounds, while blood flows, and the lance pierces the torn flesh. They cool the brow with icy applications, smooth the pillow, administer the necessary potions, kindly coax the sufferer to partake of food offered with smiles, and reasoned with words of sympathy, and soft, womanly winningness, that is of itself the best of all medicine to the sick and suffering soldier, who can have no fond mother, no loving sister to watch, and soothe, and comfort in the pain, the lassitude, and the weary, weary hours of sleepless restlessness. Often we have watched delicately raised ladies performing kindnesses such as these, and more than it is necessary here to specify, until we have felt fully the sentiment experienced by a grateful Irishman, when he said of one who kindly nursed him in his sickness: "When I began to get better I used to lie for hours in my bed watching her, expecting every minute the wings would start from her shoulders, and she would fly back to heaven where she belonged."
But the Southern women do more than these things-they give their sons to their country. Stifling the pleadings of their hearts, subduing their fears, conquering the anguish that is rending their souls, deliberately encountering the days of fearful expectancy, and nights of despondent sleeplessness that must be their portion during the absence of their children, they send their loved ones forth to the battle. These are the sacrifices which "the women of the revolution" are making.
An incident that occurred in this city yesterday, which is mentioned in another part of this paper, illustrates the spirit that prevails among the ladies of the South at this moment. A soldier arrives mortally wounded from the field; the lady to whom he is engaged-one standing high on account of her attractive powers, amiable disposition, and unusual talent and acquirement-in order that she may have a wife's sacred right to lavish upon him all her cares, all her wealth of love, all the treasures her heart has hoarded up with a miser's care, to pour upon him when he should be her own-united her fate with his, and his few days will be gladdened, his sufferings lightened, his last moments soothed by the accomplishment of the great wish of his life.
When we contrast woman's' devotion, her cares, her toils, her self-immolation, her untiring labors, with what man does in the struggle of war, how striking is the difference! Man's path is strewed with carnage and deluged with blood; devastation, flame and death mark his desolating course; but woman's toils and efforts are all for good. They are glorified with the halo of charity; sympathy, gentleness and kindness immortalize her deeds. She seeks to shelter the houseless [sic], clothe the shivering, cure the sick, and assuage the sufferings of the wounded. With such attributes of affection and mercy about her, a sacred beauty, a holy purity environs her, and consecrates her works of mercy.
The history of the Southern revolution that will be read by future generations, will recount great deeds performed by brave and gallant men, heroes who died on the battle-field for their country's gain; but the story will be one of destruction and death. How bright will be the page in which "the women of the revolution" are mentioned-with what reverence will their deeds be regarded -- what a solemn sanctity will enshroud their memories! Earnestly will the women of the future commend to the imitation of their daughters the lofty virtues of "the women of the revolution."
Memphis Appeal, April 17, 1862.
17, Report on the Cherokee Legion
Colonel Thomas of the Cherokee Legion.
In the Richmond Enquirer of the 8th we find the following allusion to our friend Colonel Thomas, and his aboriginal warriors:
In the mountains bordering on the line of Tennessee and North Carolina, dwells a remnant of the once warlike and formidable Cherokee nation. After the removal of the Cherokees to the far West, many families still remained in their old hunting grounds, among the Smoky mountains, and on the upper waters of the Little Tennessee. Many others, after accompanying their nation to the banks of the Arkansas, wandered back to their mountains and clear streams. But in those mountains and forests the Cherokee had no home; his hunting grounds were the property of the pale face, and he could only exist as a vagabond, and on sufferance. Colonel Thomas, a gentleman of North Carolina who owned a great tract of mountain country, looked with interest and kindness on their desolate condition and had heart enough to sympathise with their yearning and craving desire to dwell in the hunting grounds of their fathers. He set apart a large district for their residence, containing not only forests stocked with bear and deer, but also some fertile valley capable of producing corn and fruits. Here the "lost tribes" of the Cherokees have lived in peace for thirty years, fishing in the bright waters of the Hiwassie and Tennessee, hunting and cultivating the soil.[1] A gratifying return is now made for the braves of this small colony to the kind pale face who gave them back a home.
Memphis Daily Appeal, April 17, 1863. [2]
17, Report on the Knoxville Fugitive Slave Case
"The Fugitive Slave Case at Knoxville -- Schofield Frees the Boys."
Correspondence of the New York Tribune.
Knoxville, Tenn., April 2, 1864. The Fugitive Slave case, to which I briefly referred in a previous letter, has had a happy termination-at least, for some of the parties concerned. The whole affair may be summed up this: They boy "Jim," 13 years old, seized, ironed, stripped of clothing and flagellated on the naked flesh half an hour by two strong men (loyal) total weight avoirdupois 360 pounds; ordered by Gen. Schofield to be freed from is late masters' control and placed under the protection of the United States Government.
His brother "Bob," who rescued "Jim" from his confinement and ill-treatment aforesaid, at the risk of his life and under the nose of the guards, being twice fired at by the overseer, and afterward captured and locked up, also to be freed and placed under Government protection.
"Quincy," a black boy, about the same age and size of the first-named, kidnapped out of Hospital No. 4, Dr. Griswold's, under cover of a dark night, and afterward placed under guard at the house of his late master, also made free and protected.
Having carefully weighed and examined all the facts in the case, and satisfied himself of the illegal and violent course pursued by the claimant and his overseer in the capture of treatment of his alleged property, Gen Schofield made an order, of which the following in a copy:
Headquarters Department of the Ohio. Knoxville, Tenn, March 28, 1864.-Brig. Gen. S. P. Carter, Provost Marshal General, East Tennessee:-The Major-General Commanding directs that you release Mr. Elias Smith's servant Bob from confinement, upon Mr. Smith's giving security that Bob will keep the peace.
The General also directs that you give protection papers to the colored persons Bob and Jim, declaring them free from the control of their late master, Mr. William Heiskell, of Knoxville, and under the protection of the United States Government.
I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully you obedient servant
J. A. Campbell, Maj. and A.A.G.
In obedience to the foregoing, Gen. Carter yesterday dispatched the same guard who had been ordered to, and who did arrest Bob, to bring all three of the boys to his office. Here papers were made out and duly signed, a copy being handed to each person; the following is a copy of Bob's paper, the other two only differing in the name inserted:
Provost Marshal's Office, East Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., April 1, 1864.-By direction of the Major General commanding the Department of the Ohio, the mulatto boy, "Bob Heiskell," is hereby declared free from the corneal of his late master, William Heiskell, of Knoxville, Tenn., and is placed under the protection of the United State Government.
S. P. Carter, Brig. Gen and P. M. G. East Tenn.
Nashville Dispatch, April 17, 1864.
17, U. S. S. Peosta conducts anti-guerrilla operation
"...after midnight the Peosta landed at Crump's landing and sent out scouts. They returned with six prisoners at 5:30 am who were found to be within the Peostas [sic] lines. That afternoon a detachment of the crew exchanged small arms fire with rebels across the river from Savannah. Such patrols and exchanges between the crew of the Peosta and area guerrillas were repeated during the next few days.
U. S. S. Peosta Daily Deck Log.
[1] It may have been more practical a matter for Thomas. The land he "gave" to the Cherokee was now defended by his own game wardens who managed the land in a fashion that led to sound conservation-management practices, thus protecting Thomas' investment. Moreover, he would not have to expend money and time in constantly tracking them down and expelling them from his land holdings.
[2] As cited in PQCW.
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-532-1550 x115
(615)-532-1549 FAX
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