text:
December 1862 - May 1863
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 13, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Having removed the publication office of the Appeal from Grenada to Jackson, we have to request that all letters and communications, as well as the exchange favors of our editorial contemporaries, be hereafter directed to the latter instead of the former place.
The interval of two weeks, lost in the removal of the office, will be made up to all subscribers now on our books.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 13, 1862, p. 2, c. 8
Important to Soldiers' Aid Societies. The following notice, from the quartermaster-general's department, is published in the Richmond papers:
It is announced, for the information of all concerned, that the quartermaster's department will pay for shoes, blanket and other articles of clothing, which may be contributed by the people of the counties in the several States of the Confederacy, to their soldiers in the field, at the prices stated in the following table, provided, that such articles are supplied under the direction of the county courts or other county tribunals:
Caps.............................$2 00 Drawers.........................$ 1
Jackets..........................12 00 Shoes............................. 6
Pants............................. 9 00 Woolen socks................ 1
Flannel shirts...................3 00 Overcoats (with capes...... 25
Cotton shirts..................1 00 Blankets (per pair).......... 15
Striped cotton shirts.......1 50
Payment will be made upon delivery at the nearest quartermaster's post on the line of railroad transportation, and the articles will be sent or issued to the chief quartermaster of the nearest military department, by whom they will be issued, so far as may be needed, to the particular troops for whom they were intended. In all cases, however, where such troops shall be already supplied, the articles will be issued to others who may require them.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 4
We clip the following items from the San Antonio Herald of the 22d ult: . . .
A Good Example--We saw a day or two ago an excellent quality of jeans, which was manufactured in this place. The cotton and wool were carded and spun, and the cloth woven by the ladies of one of our wealthiest families. They have produced a sufficient quantity to clothe the family, white and black, and to give liberally to destitute soldiers. We should like to give the names of these useful and patriotic ladies, but as true merit is generally modest, we fear such notice might be offensive.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 17, 1862, p. 2, c. 7
Salt! Salt! Salt!
lbs. Iberia rock salt, at $30 per bushel.
25,000 lbs of Bisteneau Salt at $25 per bushel.
J. C. McAllister.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 18, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
The Spirit of the Women.
the Charleston Courier.]
The women of this revolution, their efforts and sacrifices, and sufferings in the cause of their homes and country, and justice, and virtue and truth, against the beastly aggressions of the Caliban of Lincolndom, deserve a special and enduring record. We commend the subject, and the timely preservation and record of materials, and incidents and documents, to our brethren of the press and especially to correspondents.
As one of the incidents of the war in this respect and as an illustration and exhibition of the kind character and spirit of the women who are suffering, in too many cases, the absence and exposure of their fathers, and brothers and husbands, enhanced by the presence and vile practices of extortioners, we give the following extract from an appeal lately made to the citizens of Augusta, Va., by Col. J. D. Imbodon:
On the 9th inst. I halted, near sunset, by a log cabin in one of the wildest gorges on the Dry Fork of Chert. An aged mother and several daughters were the only members of the family at home. The father has been in Camp Chase over a year on a charge of being a rebel, and an only son is a soldier in one of my companies. I asked for corn to feed two hundred horses. The old lady said they only had a little, raised by herself and daughters, but I was welcome to it if I needed it. I took half she had and paid her for it, when she seemed to doubt the propriety of receiving money from a Southern soldier, as she thought it a duty to give us what we wanted. Her son's company was not along, and she had not seen him. The eldest daughter said: "Colonel, tell brother we are all well and doing well. We expect our papa will soon be released from Camp Chase and come home. Tell him to be contented in the army, and to write to us if he can. If we had known you were coming we would have had all his winter clothes ready to send to him, but we will have no other chance when you are gone. Tell him we will have enough corn to do us, and have plenty of meat. We have caught five large bears in a pen and salted them down for winter. The Yankee sheriff came, with five soldiers along, to collect the taxes, and wanted to take the mare, but I had sold the bearskins for money enough to pay him, and I hope it is the last time I will have to pay Yankee taxes."
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 18, 1862, p. 2, c. 4
That Kentucky jeans.--So much has been said about the amount of jeans brought out of Kentucky, that the correspondent of the Mobile Register procured a semi-official statement as to the quantity obtained. The total amount received was 150,000 yards, which would make suits for 95,000 men only. Of this amount, General Kirby Smith received 90,000 yards, and General Bragg 23,000 yards. There was also brought out about 50,000 yards of calico and flannel.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 19, 1862, p. 1, c. 7
How to Color Thread.--Prepare a lump of beeswax by mixing into it while in a melted state enough of soot to make it perfectly black. When cold it is ready for use. By drawing a white thread of cotton or silk over this twice, you will have gray thread, and by repeating it you will have black and good enough for nearly every purpose.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 19, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Match-Making Establishment.--Start not ancient maiden, buxom widow, or bouncing belle. We have no reference to matrimonial matches, but to the friction match manufactory of M. Stern & Co., in this city, whose advertisement appears in another column. They are now turning out immense quantities of these matches of the very best quality, and are prepared to fill all orders on short notice. This is a branch of public enterprise which should, and we have no doubt will, receive a liberal share of patronage. The manufactured by this firm are equal to the best Yankee production. Let it be encouraged.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 19, 1862, p. 2, c. 7
Rebel Matches, Rebel Matches! Rebel Matches!!
The undersigned having established a Match Manufactory in the city of Jackson, would inform those wishing to purchase, that all orders from a distance, accompanied with the cash, will be promptly filled. M. Stern & Co.
Christmas Gifts!
Auction Sale,
Tuesday, December 23d inst., at Messrs. George Fearn & Co.'s store.
French China tea and toilet sets,
Motto Coffee Cups and Mugs,
Cologne Bottles and Powder Boxes,
500 Toy Dinner and Tea Sets,
450 pair Decorated China Vases, worth from $50 to $100 a pair;
Cut and Engraved Wine Sets,
Fowls and Preserve Dishes, with or without covers,
Pitchers Salt Cellars, Finger Bowls,
And a great variety of articles suitable for Christmas presents.
I will also sell Ivory handled Knives and Forks, Plate Warmers, Chafing Dishes, Brass Fenders, Andirons, Shovels and Tongs, twenty sets rich patterns Oval Waiters, inlaid with Pearl, and one small Heating Stove, etc. Sale to commence at 10 o'clock.
J. H. Boyd, Auctioneer.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Letter from a Servant Girl to Her Mistress.
The following letter, written by a servant girl in New Orleans, to her
refugee mistress in this place, has been handed us for publication:
New Orleans, November 13, 1862.
My Dear Mistress: At the time you and master left your comfortable homes, I expected to have seen you again before you left for good. Master went away and never bid me good by, and this has caused me to think of it often. I feel very bad about it. I have been worrying day and night about you and master ever since you left. I have not been able to sleep or eat a part of the time for thinking of you and master, wondering if you were well and comfortable, (for happy I am sure you are not) and if you have ever thought of your poor Jane you left behind to fret and suffer from the Yankees. My dear mistress, you and master went off and left your poor Jane. She never, never, never would have left you. Oh, why did you not take me with you? I see plenty, yes thousands of negroes wandering about the streets, who have left their masters and mistresses, where they had comfortable homes, following the Yankees about, for, they know not what; they are without homes, and soon they will be wretched and miserable enough and I shall not pity them. Oh! my dear mistress, my heart is ready to break when I think of you and my dear, kind master. I hope God will protect you both, that I may once more see and be with you and see you happy, as you were before the Yankees came here. Well, mistress, I have just heard that master has been very sick, but is fast getting well; oh, how unhappy I am to think that I could not be with him to nurse him. What did he do without his poor Jane to nurse him. I h hope he did not suffer. Mistress, I have got a person to write to you for me, and writes just what I say, just as though I were talking to you and master.
Now, my dear mistress, I want to tell you all that I can think of that has happened since you left. About three weeks after you left, some Yankee officers from the custom house came and took your nice house. They did not eat, but only slept in your house. Oh how it disturbed me to see those coarse people occupying your nice room and sleeping in your beautiful bed and using your nice things (many of which I am sorry to tell you, fast disappeared,) and drinking master's nice wine. When they had been there about three weeks, a Yankee officer turned them out and ordered the house put in order for himself and wife, and now we have the house nearly ready for them, and expect them to move in every day. Oh, my dear, dear mistress, if it were you and master coming, you Jane would be the happiest girl in the world. Oh my mistress, shall I ever again see you and master? If you do not come home I do not want to live; I can't live and be happy away from you and master, and yet I cannot ask you to come where these Yankees are, but, mistress, I will do the best I can to please them for your sake, because you left me in charge of the house, furniture and everything else, so I must remain and take the best care I can of it for you.
Now, mistress, let me tell you and master about the plantation. Since you left, the housekeeper's husband has run off to the Yankee camp; Reuben, the blacksmith, the Yankees came and took to their camp; John has gone into camp and left his wife; the overseer has not been down for a month; Fannie is here with me she has not got her clothes from the plantation; she speaks with me often and very kindly of you and master, and sends her respects to you both; she, too, wonders if she shall ever see you and master again.
Now, my dear, dear mistress, that I have found out where you and master are, I have determined to write to you and tell you how miserable I am here alone, away from you and master. Oh my dear mistress, when, oh, when shall I see you again; I have no one to care for me but you, and n o one to love but you and master. I feel more than ever how good and kind you have been to me. This makes me love you both and desire to be with you until I die. Mistress, please do write to your poor unhappy Jane. You know how to get a letter to me, and tell me when you are coming home--do please, mistress. I hope this letter will reach you, mistress, and have taken much care and trouble to have it written. I have not said half I want to, but this will give an idea of things here. God bless you my dear, kind, generous mistress and master; I shall pray God to protect you and master from sickness and harm, and return you safe once more to your homes when there shall be no Yankees to annoy, oppress and deprive you of your property, that you have worked so hard to get together. Once more I say, God bless you and master, and this shall be the constant prayer of your true and faithful servant. Jane.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Clothing Manufactory.--We have taken a look over the extensive workshop of Mr. McAllenny, and are astonished at the large amount of work he is daily turning off. His arrangements are so complete that he can, by extra exertion, equip a regiment weekly, and beside accomplishing this benefit for the soldiery, he is giving profitable employment daily to hundreds of industrious ladies, many of whose friends are absent in the ranks. He is thus accomplishing a double good. See his card in another column, and give him a call.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 6
Notice to Quartermasters.
undersigned is fully prepared to manufacture five hundred complete ARMY SUITS
per week, and invites the attention of Quartermasters to his facility at Armory
Hall, Jackson, Miss. Immediate
orders solicited.
J. S. McAlenny.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 22, 1862, p. 1 c. 6-7
Practical Hints for Hard Times.
A writer in the Savannah Republican
has contributed a series of valuable articles on the subjects of shoes,
clothing, food, etc., embodying practical hints, showing what others have done,
and what we also may do, to help ourselves in time of need.
We append his suggestions relative to shoes as peculiarly applicable to
our situation at present:
1. The earliest protection to the human foot was the sandal. This was a simple sole, or at best, an open shoe, fastened to the foot by thongs. If we are to infer its history from its name, (derived from sanis sanidos, the Greek for board,) it was at first made of wood, though afterwards more commonly of leather, and sometimes among the wealthy, of silver and gold. The earliest sandal was a flat sole; then it was improved by a raised and hollowed piece at each end to keep the foot from slipping lengthwise, and lastly, the sides also, were slightly elevated so as to give a nice fit all around the foot. The want of elasticity in the wooden sandals was in some measure atoned for by giving to the bottom of the sole the same curve that is to be seen in the human foot.
Now, it must be admitted that the sandal is a very poor substitute, especially in winter, for the nice high quartered shoe, or boot, to which most of us moderns have been accustomed, but it is certainly better than no shoe at all; it is also within the reach of every shoeless man, woman, and child; and more than this, being the only shoe worn by our Savior during his three and thirty years' pilgrimage on earth, it may be well endured, for a while, without murmuring, by those who revere him as an example.
2. The French Sandal, or Sabot, used extensively among the peasantry of Europe, and sometimes to be seen in America, is nothing more nor less than a shoe made out of a solid piece of wood. It looks for all the world like a large flat shoe last, hollowed out to receive the foot. Those which were worn by old and young of a colony of Europeans that settled in the upper part of Georgia a few years since, were made principally of the poplar or tulip tree. The only tools necessary in their manufacture are an auger, two or three gouges of a shape suitable for excavating the interior, and a drawing-knife for shaping the outside. Of course, they are clumsy and noisy, and no one would ever think of putting them on to help him in a foot race; still, they are substantial and cheap, outlasting, it is said, two pairs of leather shoes, and costing not more than a franc (20c) a pair. Being perfectly impervious to water, it is questionable whether, aside from its cheapness, it is not the best shoe possible for our rice plantations, and for all persons who work in wet soils.
3. The American Sandal or Moccasin.--A barefooted Indian could shoe himself in the course of an hour. The process was this: Planting his foot upon a piece of tough deer skin, which he drew up close around the ankle, he made a seam at the heel, and another from the toe to the instep, and after trimming off the surplus leather, his work was done. The Indian did not usually have the sole in his moccasin any thicker than the sides, but this is no reason why the white man should not; the Indian made his shoe of deer skin, the same substance which supplied him with clothing; the white man may construct his of leather, cloth, canvass, osnaburgs, or anything else of strength and thickness sufficient for the purpose. Whosoever would make a thick soled moccasin of cloth, carpeting, blanket or water-proof osnaburg, would do well to sew the sole to the uppers first, and then draw the uppers around his foot or a shoe last of the proper size, for the purpose of sewing the same.
4. The ancient buskin (bootkin, little boot,) or cloth urnus of Rome and Greece, was high heeled and thick soled sock of cloth or soft leather, worn by tragic actors on the stage, for the purpose of adding to their hight [sic]. It was a kind of half boot laced pretty high above the ankle; or it may be described as the product that would arise from uniting the gay, high topped moccasin of the American Indian, with the thick, wet weather sandal of the early Hebrews. It was a favorite shoe with shepherds. For winter wear it will be found excellent.
5. Of anything in the shape of real shoes, the simplest and most easily made, as well as the cheapest, though not the most graceful, is a shoe with a thick wooden sole, to the sides of which the uppers are strongly fastened with ordinary three or four-ounce tacks. The making of it requires no awl, no needle, no thread, not even a shoe last, but only a properly made sole, and the uppers cut right and fastened together by a hammer and tacks. To make it shape out a sole of wood rather thicker and narrower than usual, and fitting close up into the hollow of the foot, let the uppers be made in two pieces, as chamber slippers are sometimes seen to bee--the heel part in a kind of new moon shape, having its sharp point tacked not quite half toward the toes, and the toe and instep part extending back so as to overlap the heel piece and tacked about half way of the heel. The uppers may be of two thicknesses of osnaburgs, blackened with a water-proof mixture, or, what is better, of enameled cloth, lined with strong canvas. Any person who would make a shoe of this kind without loss must first of all make himself a pattern of cheap materials, and try its fitting.
6. The fatigue shoe, used of late in European armies, and occasionally to be seen in our own, consists of a soft hempen sole, very grateful to blistered feet, and an upper of soft leather or cloth. To make the sole, take the ravellings of a rope, and plait three strands together into a flat braid as wide as the sole is to be thick, say five-eighths of an inch. Then, on the same plan by which a negro makes a mat of braided corn shucks, put your braided strands together, and sew them flat sided, in the shape of the sole desired. The upper and the soles are then sewed together by means of a large needle; but the operation will require a last. The bottoms of the soles may be saturated with waterproof and made available for outdoor use.
7. Grass shoes.--Among the curiosities brought home by travelers in China and Japan, are those made entirely of tough grass. A thick sole is first plaited, beginning at the bottom; then the long ends of grass which are left projecting from the upper part of the sole, are woven around a last so as to form the upper part of the shoe, the long ends at the toe being turned back toward the heel, and the long ends at the heel being turned toward the toe, crossing each other and being crossed by the ends projecting from the sides. It is said that even their horses are sometime shod with grass shoes which endure an incredible length of time. Why would not the tough wire grass of our piney woods serve the purpose as well as the grass of China? It is made into the most enduring of hats; why not shoes? The tough inner bark of the Wahoo tree, and the still tougher filaments of the bear grass or silk grass (Gucca filamentosa) may prove good materials for the purpose.
8. Shoes of White Oak Splints.--Some one was speaking a few days since, within the writer's hearing, of having seen, in the upper part of Georgia, a shoe sole made of white oak splints. The process was not described, but the following thought occurred--if the sole can be made of it so can the upper, as is proved by the Chinese with their grass shoes; and a most enduring shoe the white oak would make. It would be necessary that the uppers be made of splints finely divided, and that the shoe be lined. And why may not the tough leaf of the cabbage palmetto be converted to the same use? The ancient Egyptians wore sandals woven of the palm; and nothing is more common with us than a palm leaf hat.
9. Knitted Shoes and Boots.--Persons skilled in crochet work can produce a fabric which is as thick, as tough and as inelastic as leather. It has been proposed to make shoes on this plan and to render them fit for out door use by giving them a sole, and by saturating the uppers with waterproof or enamel.
10. Brazilian Boot.--On the extensive pampas of South America, afar from awls and shoemakers, it is said that the hunter's worn out boots are substituted by a very simple, though it must be confessed, not a very inviting process. A suitable portion of the green hide, in tubular form, from the leg of a recently slain cow, is stripped off, tied or sewed at the smaller end, then drawn on the foot and leg of the bootless man, and there allowed to dry--a process which, in that pure climate, requires but a few days. Now, whether this "traveller's story" is true or not, it may suggest to some one a cheap and easy plan for manufacturing a pair of extempore boots for shoeless feet, and half the horror of the process will be avoided by suffering the green hide to dry upon a pair of boot lasts instead of upon the living leg.
11. One word, in closing, on the subject of leather and its substitutes. There are two modes of preparing skins for use: one is by tanning and the other by tawing. The first of these require months or years; the last only a few weeks; the first produces thick leather, the latter thin. In tawing the skin is soaked and scraped to get rid of the hair and putrescrible [sic] parts; then treated with alum and salt; then stretched, and scraped and rubbed to make it flexible, and in some cases saturated with animal fat. It is only by custom and convenience that we are confined to leather in the making of our shoes. Any substance which will exclude water and which will endure rubs and thumps given by the foot will do for shoes. A hatter can make an excellent shoe out of the same felt and by the same process which he uses in making hats; using one other mold, and some water proof mixture in the sole to keep out the wet. A farmer may make very pleasant shoes out of an old wool hat, by providing a suitable sold; and he may provide a suitable sole by combining several thicknesses of felt with a little wax and rosin, or wax and India rubber, or tallow, rubber and rosin, inserted between the layers to keep out moisture. Osnaburgs boiled in linseed oil, or linseed oil and wax, and then blackened, will do very well for the uppers, only it will require a lining of osnaburgs again to make it sufficiently strong and to keep the blackened fabric from defiling the foot. The skins of a pair of squirrels tawed, would make a pretty and pleasant pair of shoes for a lady. Soles of shoes for men (besides the substitutes already mentioned,) may be made of old saddle skirts, leather gin-bands, gutta percha bands, several thicknesses of tough cloth of any sort sewed together and saturated with water-proof--or they may be compounded of several things--the outer of leather or hardened felt, the inner of cloth or double osnaburgs, or duck, and between the two a broad and flexible split of white oak, hickory, palmetto stalk or birch bark.
This is the time for the exercise of Southern ingenuity, and these hints are thrown out merely to give that ingenuity a start.
Marooner, Sr.
P.S.--Since writing the above, and just in the act of sending it to you, I am informed of what appears at a little distance to be a beautiful French gaiter of slate color, made by a lady of this place for herself, of ordinary osnaburgs doubled. The osnaburgs were used as "the upper" of the shoe; and to the rest she was indebted to one of her worn out shoes (ladies seldom wear out soles) which she trimmed so as to give her a nice sole with heel and toe.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 22, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Robbery of a Lady.
We learn from the Memphis Argus
that during General Hovey's late expedition into this State, a lot of soldiers
went to the plantation of a Miss Hill, on Coldwater, twenty-two miles from
Friar's Point, in Coahoma county, and ransacked her premises, taking from her
$30,000 in gold, and a large lot of Confederate scrip; also sixty mules, and
much other property. Miss Hill's
father died a few weeks ago, and had left her an immense estate, which has been
taken from her in a single day. There
was no white male person on the premises when the stragglers entered, but one
man, the overseer, who ran away at lightning speed.
Miss H. went to Helena, accompanied by her guardian, on the 13th, to endeavor to recover her property, when she received only fair promises from the Federal commander. No clue was obtained as to the whereabouts of her property.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Concert--Attention is invited to the notice of the concert, to be given to-morrow evening. The ladies will be assisted by Madame Rhul. Christmas Eve spent at Concert Hall, will be an occasion of enjoyment within the reach of all, as well as affording an opportunity of contributing to a commendable object.
The ladies of Brandon have determined to hold a fair on Christmas eve, for the benefit of the village hospitals; and on Christmas day to give a substantial dinner in aid of the convalescent soldiers. The fair will be held in the hall of the Shelton house.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 5
Our Noble Women.--The South Carolinian reports:
A friend on a committee to collect the names of non-combatants in Charleston, in anticipation of their removal, informs us that many of the women positively refuse to leave the city under any circumstances, declaring that they can carry powder, water, etc., to the troops, and are determined to remain during a bombardment. One venerable old lady of sixty said she would prefer that General Beauregard should send her a musket instead of an order to leave, as she could use it, and would then not be a non-combatant.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 23, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
Owing to the failure of a supply of paper of our usual size, which has been in transit several days, to reach us, we are compelled to lay before our readers a smaller sheet than heretofore. The difficulty will be overcome in a short time, and meanwhile the quantity of reading matter will not be lessened, as we shall fill our present space with as small type as possible.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 23, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Having exhausted our supply of our large sized paper, and owing to the difficulty of procuring freight for it from the mills, we will be compelled to make our appearance for some days upon a small sheet. We have an agent at the mills in Georgia, and hope, in a short time, to be enabled to greet our readers again on a sheet of our usual size.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 27, 1862, p. 1, c. 4
"Just in Time."
Messrs. Editors: "Just
in time" was I the other evening when, returning to our city of Jackson
after a whole years' absence in the wars, to find myself under "high
pressure" in the concert Hall, where, under the especial auspices of our
suburban and generous patroness of everything good and kind--Mrs. A.--a great
gathering of the lords and ladies of creation had assembled in honor of our
brave soldiers, for whose benefit the "concert and tableaux" were
given. And "just in time"
will "everybody" be THIS evening, to get "their money's
worth" in doing good, who goes to the hall.
A new series of tableaux, for the same object as the first, will be
presented. We want no change in the
"X.," in the Mississippian of the 25th, though undoubtedly an appreciative lover of the beautiful, didn't find himself, as I did that evening, "just in time" to fall in love with everything he saw, or he would have had some word for sweet little "Norval," the "queen of fairies," and "Robert," the "king."
And then, in that scene of fortune telling, there was Miss C____ss, the "Gipsey" of the Magic Power--(let him who doubts it, try,)--and Miss F. C_____, whose attitude, as she knelt before the dark unveiler of the future, would have ope'd the gates of Heaven. Truly, though we dislike all venturers on the future, we could not but envy our friend the Major his nearness to those drafting upon it.
When the world and its occupants (before man) was created, it was pronounced "good"--with man and woman, "very good." Now, though opposed to the seclusion of convents and nunneries on principle, the picture of Miss C. C____, taking the veil, with Miss D____, Miss F. F____, Miss B. C____, and Mrs. and Mr. F____n, as officiating Priest, was so striking that, I had to say involuntarily, "good--very good."
I wonder, Messrs. Editors, how we should take that saying in the good Book, which tells us of the sons of God falling in love with the daughters of Man [?]. The Tableau we had of Miss C. C____, Miss D____, Miss F. F____, Miss G____, and "My Love Lies Dreaming" might, I should think, excuse it. Will Miss S. H____ render this in her next "dream," as
It had been asked of me of late
When chatting matters over,
"What is the most peculiar trait
I can in thee discover?"
Take then, a term for fashion used,
Add three-fourths of a river
Which made Achilles as supposed,
Invulnerable ever.
Unite the two, and thou wilt find
When rightly they've divided
The term by which I am inclined
To think thy manners guided.
And then--O! "X"--you have not a word for Miss F. F--the beautiful "Circassian Bride." Just think of her. "Going--going--gone, to the highest bidder." why Lieut. R____ who falls upon his knees in admiration as the father, Gen. R____ removes the veil, but faintly expresses our idea of loveliness, or that of Lieut. M_____, and Mr. F___ ___, the bidders.
Why, "X," it must have been you that played the game of "high die with his satanic majesty." F__n, and lost! If it was, those Imps," G____ and A____ though very good looking devils, must have borne you away so rapidly that it accounts for your not giving even a nod of recognition to Miss C. C____, Miss D____, Miss F. C____, Miss F. F____, Miss G____ and Miss B. C____ss, your guardian angels.
The President told us yesterday--and we all believe him--that victory will crown our efforts in the war now so cruelly waged against us; and when that time comes, we shall not only wreath garlands and flowers around the brows of those who have proved noble and worthy, but they will share with our domestic idols, our whole treasure of love. And Miss B. C____ may then again crown Gen. R____, who headed the forlorn hope at Chapultepec, planted, in this war, the first gun upon the Potomac, and hopes to fire the last one upon the Mississippi. And our young friend, Major B____, may, too, in that coming time, find in Miss C. C____ hands beauteous enough to crown a king. And Capt. H____, and Lieut. R____, wearing the colors of Miss D____, and Miss F. C____, may well contend for such a prize of victory.
And there were other scenes--but come "X," come to-night. You'll be "just in time" to tell us all about it.
December 27th, 1862. Y. Z.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 27, 1862, p. 1, c. 6
The Charlotville [sic] (N.C.) Democrat has been informed by a soldier from Kingston, of rather a novel incident, which occurred there recently. A short time ago, some recruits were brought into camp, for a company from Caldwell county, among whom was a man named Blaylow, who was drafted in Caldwell. Week before last, Blaylow got a discharge, and immediately another soldier applied for a discharge, stating that he--or she--was the lawful wife of Blaylow. It appears that when Blaylow was drafted, his wife cut her hair off, put on men's clothing, and went with him into camp, and enlisted for the war. She drilled with the company, and was learning fast, when it became necessary to make her sex known, in order to accompany her husband home.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 27, 1862, p. 2, c. 6
the undersigned at his room, at Mrs. Shackelford's boarding house, a RED WOOL
CARPET SATCHEL, containing a revolver, (Colt's) No. 148,814, and a final account
of soldier's discharge, which will be of no service to any one but the owner.
Also, some clothing--one pair homespun pants, two shirts, and a pair of
woolen gloves. I will pay ten
dollars to any one who will deliver said Carpet Satchel with contents to A.
Vaigt at McAllister's store.
J. D. Ellis.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], December 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 3
Interesting Captured Federal Correspondence.
Among the spoils taken in the late surprise of the Federals at Holly
Springs, were the following series of letters, written by the correspondent of
the Indianapolis (Ind.) Sentinel, for the transmission of which to their
intended destination he was probably awaiting an opportunity. We are under obligations to Gen. Loring for the opportunity
of laying them before our readers, and the editor of the Sentinel and his
correspondent can only censure Gen. Van Dorn for his dash and daring, which so
materially interfered with their arrangements.
The letters will be read with interest in the South.
Holly Springs, Miss., December 18, 1862.
It would be interesting, I know, to your readers, to hover over the town and see things as they are. No daguerreotype can do them justice. It would have been interesting even in the piping times of peace, for though this is not a watering place, as I had supposed, and though there are no springs here, except a very insignificant one, which in past ages was called the Holly Springs, simply because in the swamp at its source a number of hollies grew, and from which, without designing it, the town of gradual growth gradually took its name, adding for euphony the terminal s, so as to make it Holly Springs, yet this is a most beautiful place, or was in its better days. . . . It was the home, in peace, of the principle rebels. Wealth had been here concentrated, and the refinement of Southern life found here, its chief representatives, and with scarcely an exception the intensity of a man or woman's hatred of the government, has been in proportion to his wealth and social position.
The ground is beautifully undulating, and the well built houses and highly adorned yards indicate both taste and wealth. Here were the principal depot and machine shops of the Mississippi Central railroad the great road from Indianapolis to New Orleans, via Cairo. It is, by the way, one of the best built roads I have ever seen, not inferior to the Baltimore and Ohio. Its depot building here is the best of the kind I ever saw, containing a large dining room, and offices fitted up in a style of magnificence not equaled by anything in our own city.
But war has made its havoc. This was for a long while the headquarters of a large rebel force, and if the testimony of the citizens, as well as the evidences left behind them, are to be believed, the town and its vicinity fared quite as badly in their hands as in ours, and in some respects, worse. And the grave yard tells a mournful story. Not less than a thousand new made graves contain the remains of those who died here from their various skirmishes and battles hereabouts. Here and there are empty graves from which the hand of affection has removed what was left of their dead, that they might moulder near kindred clay in the family grave lot, and be wept over by living loved ones. These who sleep here in this promiscuous burial were no less loved, but poverty prevented the same act of friendship and affection.
Theorize, apologize or strategize as you may, this is an Abolition crusade. . . . But, as I told one of the feminine she-sesh, they were so stubborn, fought so desperately, and withal behaved so rebelliously that I have concluded to let our army make its mark as it goes. And sure it does. Twenty years hence its track can be traced by the traveler as distinctly as you can trace afterward the track of the whirlwind which levels the forests and destroys the work of ages. It *abolishes* as it goes. Fences, farms, stock of all kinds and provisions, and it would abolish the negroes too if their masters had not sent them south before our army came along. There are no negroes to abolish here. Early last summer a few thousand negroes fled to our army and were mustered into mule driving trench digging and other services, but of late they have been sent south. If we go south far enough--and we will have to fight if we go much farther--we will have our hands full. But that is a trouble which I don't intend to fret about. The South will have it so, and if their cows, hogs, horses and negroes all fall victims to this war, they must not blame me for it.
Our army is largely living off the country here. The amount of corn here surprises me, as it does all who see it, and I can't but thank the rebels for their foresight in cultivating corn this year instead of cotton. Cotton is good for breast works and for shirts, but it is not digestible. Just now we need corn here more than cotton. And, to further accommodate us, they have built hundreds of corn grinding mills, which we are using. Our boys here have corn bread, thanks to Jeff Davis for his forethought! Hundreds of bales of cotton, of the old crop chiefly, are going from this place North. T.A.G.
Holly Springs, December 18, 1862.
There are green spots even in the life of an army follower occasionally. These are not when he has to travel all day without dinner or supper, up to 10 o'clock at night, as most of my travelling companions did yesterday, including sundry women and children, and as would have been my case but for the prudent forethought of a female friend of mine to whom I had often been indebted for similar favors. I only regretted that I had not enough to make everybody as comfortable as his lunch made me. But the prospect of arriving at the end of the road, at the hour of ten, of a very cold night, the town a half a mile from the depot, and the hotels all more than full already, and twenty cotton buying Jews seeking quarters, and the hotels, poor things at best, was anything but a green spot. . . .
There are daily transactions in the army here, which, if isolated, would be vastly interesting, but which are lost in the multiplicity of such events. Yesterday Gen. Grant shipped North some 700 prisoners of whom the reporters had given us no notice. They had been taken in numerous petty engagements, such as occur almost every day, and were educationally, physically, and politically, fair specimens of Southern soldiers.
I was surprised to see the number of extreme youths among them. There were some not over fourteen years of age, and a majority of them were certainly under eighteen--the late conscript. Most of them express a desire to be early exchanged for they want to "fight the invader," but quite a number of them profess anxiety to close the war on any terms, yet not such a number as to indicate anything like a subdued spirit. It is war to the knife yet, even with the prisoners. And the women are worse than the men. It is with them a question of life and death, they think, and they act and teach accordingly. One said to-day, that she never could cook--no she would die first, just starve to death, that she would, and as this war must end with the destruction of slavery, she wants to fight till death. And this is the sentiment of the women of the South. They care nothing for the Union unless they can have slavery with it.
I met a case yesterday illustrative of more than ordinary sense in the slaveholder. A few weeks ago the slaves of his neighbors had taken unceremonious leave of them, and his own were manifesting some uneasiness, whereupon he called them all together and formally acknowledged their freedom. He told them that they doubtless thought of going, but if they did he wished them to leave openly. He said that it was doubtful whether their condition could be bettered by going away, but if they thought it could, they were at liberty to go, but if they wished to stay he would give them wages *from that day forward.* They returned to their quarters and resumed their labor and are yet cheerfully working, and he says they are doing more than ever before. Of course the legal status of his slaves is not changed, and the whole may be a mere ruse to secure the services a little longer, but it shows that he is sharp, and that after all the darkies do not like to leave their homes, and will not, if even the semblance of freedom can be given them. . . . T.A.B.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Lost. A breastpin, made of the hair of a deceased relative, set in a cluster of grapes. The finder will be liberally rewarded by leaving it at this office.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
The following are Prentice's latest, as we find them in his Journal:
A writer from LaGrange, Tenn., says that the rebel women are suffering grievously for the want of snuff. Their noses are terribly starved. Their prayers for peace, like Yankee psalmody, are uttered through the nose.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 7, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
From the Richmond Illustrated News.]
Mississippians Never Surrender.*
by J. I. [?] M'Cabe, Jr.
there's a shout on the Southern breeze,
As it sweeps from the mighty river,
So wild and full of defiance proud,
That our hearts with triumph quiver.
It comes from the men with iron hearts,
From the women true and tender--
"Go tell your chief we'll die at our post--
Mississippians never surrender."
hear! 'Tis the same proud cry
That rang through thy grand old mountains,
When the warm life-blood of the hero band
Gushed out in immortal fountains;
'Tis the same great shout that wildly burst
From the heart of each brave defender,
When Leesburg's hills were drenched with gore--
"Mississippians never surrender."
Shiloh's plains it soared on high,
Far o'er the roar of battle,
And 'twas answered back in thunder tones
By the deadly rifle's rattle.
It rang in the ears of the startled foe,
The knell of the base pretender,
And the heroes proved to a gazing world--
"Mississippians never surrender."
now their haughty navy lies
Below the "Queen Hill City;"
With lustful eyes foes wait the prize,
And hearts untouched by pity.
A stern demand to yield her homes
The boastful tyrants send her.
Hurrah! She answers them with scorn--
"Mississippians never surrender."
men of the south, may the same proud cry
Nerve your arms to deeds of glory;
Ye may fall, but your gallant sufferings
Shall live in your country's story.
And maiden, and mother, and sister, and wife,
Though it wring your hearts so tender,
E'er teach your loved ones like heroes bold,
To die, but "never surrender."
*The answer of Col. James L. Autry, Military Governor, to the demand for the surrender of Vicksburg.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We learn from the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel that the cotton card manufactory of Messrs. Lee & Co., Cartersville, has been removed to the State Penitentiary at Milledgeville, Ga. In a few weeks other machines will be duplicated, and they will be able to fill every heavy order. It is the design of the authorities of the Empire State to put the cards at a small margin on cost, which in the course of a few months will enable families to supply themselves with cards at about $5 a pair. This will be bad news for the speculators in those articles of necessity.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Tribute to the Ladies.
Camp Rodgers, Miss., Jan. 5, 1863.
Editors Appeal: I have lately returned from Iuka, the place to which our wounded who fell into the hands of the enemy at Corinth, after the battle at that place, were conveyed. Having frequently noticed articles in your paper eulogizing the patriotic conduct of Southern ladies, in their kindness toward our wounded soldiers, I feel that it is but just that an honorable mention be made of the disinterested kindness of the ladies of Mississippi and Alabama to those who were so unfortunate as to be left at the mercy of the enemy upon Corinth's bloody field. After the battle the wounded men, to the number of eight hundred, were left in the hands of the enemy--the greater number being left upon the battle field; the remainder in houses nearby. Two days after the battle these wounded, with a sufficient number of nurses, detailed from among the prisoners, were sent to Iuka. When they arrived at that place the condition of the sufferers was truly pitiable. They were almost entirely destitute of blankets, and their clothes were in many instances torn entirely off in dressing their wounds. In this condition they remained for several days--many who were horribly mangled being compelled to l lie upon the bare floor without a single blanket to cover them.
The hospital being within the enemy's lines, it was impossible for any aid to reach them from our army, and the Federals did nothing for them but to furnish provisions.
The citizens of the surrounding country had suffered too much from Yankee treachery and barbarity during the summer to venture much at first. But it was not long before a few ladies ventured into the town. These, finding that they were permitted to visit the place, were soon followed by others, bringing wagons laden with clothing; blankets, pillows, mattresses, and numerous other articles that were needed; so that in a short time, through their exertions alone, the condition of the sufferers was so changed that they were quite comfortably situated. When the scarcity of the articles contributed is taken into consideration, it may be known that the cost was not inconsiderable. One hundred thousand dollars would scarce suffice to pay for the goods which were gratuitously distributed among the wounded. Nor did they stop with this, but as fast as the men recovered enough to bear moving, they were taken to private homes and boarded free of charge until they were able to return to their commands. Many ladies from Florence, Alabama, remained for weeks together in the hospitals, superintending the cooking, and daily feeding with their own hands those who were so disabled they could not use their hands. There are many whose names I could mention, but as I cannot mention all, I will mention none.
In conclusion, permit me to say for myself, that I am no writer, this being the first article I ever attempted to prepare for publication; nor would I have attempted this had I not feared it would be entirely neglected. Missourian.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 12, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Hindman's Address to his Troops before
the Battle of Cane Hill, Arkansas.
Headquarters 1st Corps, Trans-Mississippi Army, }
In the Field, December 4, 1862. }
Soldiers: From the commencement to the end of the battle, bear constantly in mind what I now impress upon you:
1. Never fire because your comrades do, nor because the enemy does, nor because you happen to see the enemy, nor for the sake of firing rapidly. Always wait until you are certainly within the range of your guns, then single out your man, take deliberate aim, as low down as the knee, and fire.
2. When occasion offers, be certain to pick off the enemy's officers, especially the mounted ones, and to kill his artillery horses.
3. Don't shout except when you charge the enemy--as a general thing, keep silent, that orders may be heard. Obey the orders of your officers, but pay no attention to idle rumors, on the word of unauthorized persons.
4. Don't stop with your wounded comrade; the surgeons and infirmary corps will take care of him; do you go forward and avenge him.
5. Don't break ranks to plunder; if we whip the enemy, all he has will be ours; if not, the spoils will be of no benefit to us. Plunderers and stragglers will be put to death on the spot. The cavalry in rear will likewise attend to it.
Remember that the enemy you engage has no feeling of mercy or kindness toward you. His ranks are made up of Pin Indians, free negroes, Southern tories, Kansas Jayhawkers and hired Dutch cut-throats.
These bloody ruffians have invaded your country, stolen and destroyed your property, murdered your neighbors, outraged your women, driven your children from their homes, and defiled the graves of your kindred. If each man of you will do what I have urged upon you we will utterly destroy them. We can do this; we must do it; our country will be ruined if we fail.
A just God will strengthen our arms and give us a glorious victory.
T. C. Hindman,
Major-General Commanding.
R. C. Newton, A. A. General.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Cotton Cards!
The subscriber has for sale at Meridian, Mississippi, Twelve Hundred
Pairs Cotton Cards without the backs, which he will sell in lots to any
purchasers, in their present condition, or he will contract to deliver them
ready for use in a short time.
To persons wishing to transport them to a distance, their present form is desirable, as two hundred pairs occupy a space of only three cubic feet and weight about seventy-five pounds. They are of the most approved manufacture, and any carpenter can supply the backs.
A note addressed to the undersigned, through the mail, will receive prompt attention.
W. C. Harkins,
ja12 Meridian, Miss.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Medical Purveyor's Office,
Jackson, January 7th, 1863.
Bids will be received at this office until the 15th instant, for making Fifteen hundred to two thousand (or more) Hospital Bunks, according to pattern to be seen at my office. The lowest bidder to have the preference--the right being, however, reserved to reject any bid not deemed responsible. Richard Potts,
ja7t15th Surgeon C.S.A. and Medical Purveyor.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 15, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Baton Rouge as it is--a Sad Picture.
A correspondent of the New York Times, who recently visited Baton Rouge,
La., with the fleet, gives the following sad picture of that once beautiful and
happy city:
But what a picture of desolation the whole presented as one's solitary footsteps echoed through the quiet and deserted streets. Scarcely a store of any kind open, and even those with nothing in them--every private house hermetically sealed, with here and there a melancholy female face furtively peeping through the jalousie blinds, or some meditative old man pacing along his gloomy verandah, and evidently scowling his anathema at you as you pass; idle and neglected darkies, sauntering purposeless along, or grouped at distant intervals in knots of two and three, to discuss, in timid whispers, passing events, their relation to which they understand full well--were the only human objects that met the eye--except now and then we chanced to cross the path of some solitary secesh prowling about, with nothing for his hands to do but play with the bottom of his empty pockets, and who was sure to meet us with a fixed stare of defiance. Not a single white female or decently dressed child to be seen in the streets--(most of them having left, and the few remaining being concealed in their houses), not the sound of a single wheel to break the painful silence, any more than in the water streets of Venice; the very dogs and other animals you chance to meet seem to hang their heads and tails in despondency, and even the poor, barefooted little urchins, who appear to divide the whole town with the darkies, have evidently forgotten what it is to play. Had some dreadful and unsparing pestilence just swept over Baton Rouge, it could not have presented a more gloomy and mournful spectacle than it did when we entered it this morning.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 16, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Speculation in Produce.
Port Hudson, January 14, 1863.
Editors Appeal: You have heard, no doubt, a great deal in regard to the patriotism of our ladies. They have done a great deal, but if they would take their husbands in hand (those who are yet at home on their farms and plantations), they could yet accomplish much. There is great cry against speculators. Well, sirs, the greatest and certainly the most honorable of the class are those who sell butter at a dollar per pound, pork at fifty cents, turkies at five dollars, etc., and these prices to the soldiers; and the majority of our producing class only sell their surplus when constrained by the want of a little spending money. . . .
What have the ladies to do with this? Much. They can remedy it at least. Let them gather all that they can spare in the shape of farm produce, mutton, chickens, eggs, butter, lard, preserves, and, above all, vegetables--place them in the hands of some reliable servant and send them to the *private soldier*, and charge a moderate price for them. . . . Ladies, persuade your planter husbands to not wait for the pedlars [sic], but to forsake that miserable old Southern fashion of "selling only that which cannot be eaten on the place," and forsaking the attitude of "eyes to Port Hudson and Vicksburg, and hands in pocket," to commence sending all they can spare to the cramped and crowded soldiery who throng those points of defense. "If our people cannot defeat us with meanness and supineness, the Yankees can never whip us," is a common saying in camps.
Ladies, the hospital and clothing rooms witness your patriotism; let this new field of devotion to the brave men who are defending your homes be filled by you. . . Attend ladies, to seeing that your husbands cease cursing the speculators, and remove themselves from the ranks of this class. Ladies, don't let this fall on deaf ears, but next week let there be a surplus of *goodies* down here at Vicksburg. R.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 16, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
[Summary: Excellent article
by a young lady of the bombardment of Fredericksburg, VA]
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 17, 1863, p. 1, c. 5-6
The Resources of the South.
Egypt, Illinois, November 24.
To the Editor of the Chicago Times:
In the Atlantic Monthly, for October, I find an article, under the above caption, which was evidently written by one laboring under a desire to speak correctly on the subject he undertakes to discuss, and to make deductions therefrom calculated to enlighten public sentiment; but as both his statements and deductions are full of errors, and calculated to mislead the country, I will undertake, with all due respect, to correct the one and expose the other . . . As to the supply of dry goods, implements of husbandry, etc., it must be confessed that the advances made toward supplying their own wants are matters of astonishment, and worthy of grave consideration at our hands. At Augusta a large cotton factory is in full operation, employing several hundred hands, nearly all females, and turning out a large amount of heavy cotton fabrics. These are sold at auction on regular days, once in every week, and are thus supplied to buyers all over the Confederacy. The fabric manufactured is very superior, and is sold exclusively for cash, and generally sells at forty to forty-five cents per yard. Yet the writer of the Atlantic asserts that domestics could not be had at one dollar per yard. But I very much doubt if he has ever heard of the above establishment, although he undertakes to write on the "Resources of the South."
There are several other cotton mills in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina, all of which are being pressed to their utmost capacity in producing fabrics. Besides these, several new companies are now forming to build other mills, as capital thus employed yields a large per. cen., and the inducements to men of means are great. . . . Shoes and boots are scarce, and their army is greatly in want of these, as well as blankets. In other clothing notwithstanding the statements made about rags and nakedness, I think there is no great lack. The portions of the army which I have seen have generally been well clothed, with good, stout, though homely, woolen cloth. In the manufacture of shoes, government has taken great pains to stimulate exertion. The hides from the army beeves are carefully gathered up by agents appointed for this purpose, and are delivered to tanners, who are required to tan them, and deliver the leather all back to government, compensation being allowed for their labor. . . .In the manufacture of minor articles, such as percussion caps, lucifer matches, etc., considerable progress has been made, and the latter article I purchased in Mobile--where they were manufactured--at ten cents per box although they were selling but a few months since at fifty to seventy-five cents per box. I found manufactories of soap and candles at many places, while carding machines, spinning jennies, and looms were getting to be much in use. . . . Old School Democrat.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 19, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Depredations of the Enemy at Oxford.
The army correspondent of the Chicago Times
gives the following narrative of the depredations committed by the Hessians
under rant, in and about Oxford, in this State:
Nor is pillaging by any means rare in the line of our march. Dozens--scores--of instances came under my own observation. Houses were entered and robbed unblushingly every hour of the day and night and on almost every block in the town of Oxford. Women were compelled to get out of bed in their night clothes that their beds might be searched for money, or other valuables. Pistols were held to their heads with threats of instant death if they did not strip the jewelry from their persons and hand it to the robbers. Their clothing was taken and torn to shreds, and then burned. Men were stopped in the streets in daylight, their watches and money taken from them, and turned loose after suffering terrible indignities. Deserted houses were entered and the contents stolen and destroyed from pure maliciousness. Pianos were demolished with axes, in the presence of their owners, until scarcely a piece a foot square was left of the whole instrument. Libraries were scattered in the mud all over ten acre lots. These and countless other outrages have thus far been committed with impunity by Federal soldiers, who are professedly fighting to maintain the Union, the Constitution, and the laws, and to perpetuate the blessings of civil and individual liberty and rights. If anyone doubts this statement, or thinks I have "set down aught in malice," let him ask the first intelligent man he meets with who was the [illegible] the advent of our army, and he will speedily learn that the half has not been told. I hear also that the conduct of our troops on leaving was equally bad--that houses were fired in many instances--and that it was with great difficulty they were restrained from burning down the town. On the Monday night after Van Dorn's departure from Holly Springs four dwellings were burned between midnight and daylight by our troops in different parts of the town.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 20, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
One of our exchanges publishes a new recipe for making coffee, which we recommend to the steward of our boarding house. Take coffee grains and pop corn of each an equal quantity. Roast the same together. The corn will hop out, and what remains will be unadulterated coffee.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 24, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Letter from Ripley.
Ripley, Mississippi, January 12, 1863.
Editors Appeal: Having a leisure hour, and being confined to the house of a friend by a very painful wound, received in Holly Springs some weeks since, I have concluded to send you a few lines which you can publish or not as seemeth good unto you. This war has developed much of good and evil in our people. The long slumbering energies of home industry have been aroused, and the noble, brave-hearted women of our land, many of whom have gone to work with wheel and loom, heart and hands, and bid defiance to Lincoln's blockade. The wife of Chaplain E. H. Osborne, of this place, once sported her moire antique, and double jupe brocade, and fancy gaiter boots. Now she sports a pair of boys boots, No. 3 and a homespun dress, the manufacture of her own hands, rejoicing in her independence. She is of the opinion that Jeff Davis is an appreciative gentleman. But while a spirit of independence has arisen, among our honored country-women, who toil rather than depend on the Memphis cotton trade for linen and flummery, there are hundreds of wagons going from this county of Tippah to Memphis, laden with cotton, which they exchange for goods and greenbacks, introducing the latter into the country, depreciating our currency, buying up greenbacks in order to trade with the Yankees, giving two dollars in Confederate money for one in greenbacks. . . . this war has introduced a regular system of *jay hawking*. Robbery and horse-stealing is the order of the day. Our boys jay hawk the Union men, and the Union men and the Yankees jay-hawk the Southern men. I am told that Ripley was once a beautiful, flourishing village, with churches, and Sabbath schools, and quiet homes, and happy citizens, where all the social and domestic virtues were in full fruition; alas, as I hobbled around I gazed upon ruin and desolation. Empty storehouses, deserted homes, broken furniture, and all the lonely insignia of war, told that the Federal army--the Plymouth Rock Puritans, the philanthropic amalgamationists--had bivouacked here, in this garden of Eden, and left it a barren wilderness--a "deserted village"--poverty, doubt, and sorrow, and dread, and alarm, sit brooding on almost every face you meet. Every now and then the Yankees make a heroic raid in this place--a gallant descent upon the women and children, and conscripts--and rob them of money, bed-clothes, wearing apparel, etc., levying contributions upon the larders and pantrys [sic] of the frightened people hereabout. Mules, horses, negroes, hogs, cattle, geese, chickens and *pies* seem to be the grand perfection of all their endeavors. . . . T.W.P.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 24, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
A Veritable History.
We publish below a chapter of Chronicles, written by a Yankee after the
defeat of McClellan at Richmond, and printed in a Yankee newspaper called the Funny
Fellow. The paper from which it
is extracted was taken from the pocket of a dead Yankee in the streets of
And it came to pass in the days of the great rebellion;
Being in the year two of the Confederate States,
That the hordes of the North came rushing down upon the capital, even upon the royal city of Richmond;
Coming by way of the Chickahominy,
Led by a mighty man, even McClellan,
Who, it is said by some, and by others denied, was recommended that way by one Stanton, and who advised a sea voyage that the health of his men might improve;
And whom it has also been whispered, in the dark aforetimes, leased of the Ruler of the South a certain swamp for a national cemetery.
And the men were landed on the Peninsula, even between the rivers.
And they went down toward the city;
Even toward the capital of the Confederate States.
And they came so near that they could hear the clocks strike.
Yea, it was even averred that watches should be heard to tick in the fobs of the F. F. V.'s,
And that babies could be heard crying in the nursery, refusing the maternal breast, but leaping with joy at the sight of a pistol,
Like unto one Beauregard, a valiant captain.
Now it came to pass in the days when the warriors of the North came so near,
And had even filled several corner lots in the before-mentioned cemetery;
That the anger and pity of the South were aroused.
But their wise men and great warriors said, one unto another,
This thing shall not be: Selah!
Our hearts ache for them; yet, lo! they are our enemies;
That, though we welcome them to a resting place, we want not a Golgotha among us.
And our anger is stirred by their coming so near.
Now it came to pass that a warrior arose in their council and said:
Lo! I will go in behind them and see what there is to hinder their going back.
And this warrior's name was Stuart, even a horseman.
And he went,
And he returned and reported that there was nothing in the way.
Then the chief ruler said:
Arise, oh, ye valiant sons and drive them back.
And a righteous man, the follower of the great Jefferson--even one Stonewall--arose and went forth,
With many others,
And did the bidding of their rulers.
Then the Chief of the Northern's said:
Lo! I have changed my base, and have done much harm to the enemy.
Orlando F. Glascock, "Grampion."
August 29, 1862.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 24, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
To the Ladies of Mississippi.
Early in the month of October last, the undersigned, in connection with
several other ladies, addressed to the President of the Confederate States, a
memorial suggesting a plan for organizing an association to be known as the
Confederate Soldier's Aid Society.
A communication from the War Department, dated the 24th December ult., has been received containing the following announcement:
Your letter of the 13th October ult., has been received by the President and referred to this Department for replay. * * * We are now required to depend upon ourselves entirely, for all supplies for our army.
The labor of the women of our country has been bestowed with liberality and judgment to overcome the difficulties that have attended the equipment of our armies. The plan you have proposed for organizing their labor and directing its application with system, meets with the approbation of the President, and promises to produce the most successful results. The Secretary of War is authorized to make the necessary arrangements for the reception and forwarding of all articles necessary for the army, and will do so with cordiality. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant. For Secretary of War, J. A. Campbell,
Assistant Secretary of War.
The plan is briefly as follows: That an association be formed called the Confederate Soldiers' Aid Society. That there be appointed, or elected in each State, ladies as president, vice-president and secretary. That it shall be the duty of the president of each State, to request the ladies to organize auxiliary associations in their respective towns and neighborhoods, to prepare for the use of the army various articles of clothing and hospital supplies. That these associations report monthly to the president the articles of supplies they have prepared for delivery. That these packages be shipped free of expense to the societies to any point directed by the president to agents in each division o the army.
Let the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, send their contributions to the armies of the East; Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and that portion of Louisiana east of the Mississippi river, apply theirs to the Western Division; Missouri, Arkansas, Western Louisiana and Texas, supply the trans Mississippi division.
Now to carry out the plan as proposed and approved by the president, it is thought advisable to request the different aid associations of the State to send delegates to a convention at Jackson, Mississippi, on the 17th of February, proximo, for the purpose of a State organization. That all societies now in being, or that may be formed before the assembling of the convention, will be represented--if impracticable to send delegates, then address a communication to the president o the convention, signifying their approval and request some one to act for them. We fondly hope the ladies will most promptly respond to the call. Individual assistance is necessary to enable the government to overcome the many difficulties by which it is surrounded, and met promptly the just demands of our gallant soldiers.
Mrs. Jos. G. Moore.
Forest Home near Newton street.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 24, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Wanted. 10 or Twelve Families of Boys and Girls, from ten to sixteen years old, at the Pearl River Mills.
Ja24-10t J. & V. Gesen, Jackson, Miss.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 27, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
A Soldier in the Social Circle.
Forest Station (Miss.) January 21, 1863.
Editors Appeal: . . . Forest Station is rather a small town, about half way on the Southern railroad, between the capital and Meridian. It is the legitimate offspring of a railroad, and was born of steam, that mighty procreative power that has spawned a progenity of small towns, some of whom reflect no credit upon their progenitor. Its population was omitted by the census taker of the "Late United States," therefore I cannot give you "officially" the number of its inhabitants, but if there was a right smart dog fight to bring them all on, I think we could count forty five, this of course includes "all pussons of culler" who, under the old constitution, were always received as an integral part in the representation, and therefore I shall not omit them. . . . The fact is Forest and the country "circumadjacent thereto" is all pine, and as rosinous as the accumulated aggregations of an ancient niggers fiddle bow. But then there is manhood here, what few there are left, and last, best gift of all, womanhood too. We had a party here the other night, none of your stiff, stuck up concerns, but a genuine, whole souled, off hand, extemporaneous party, in which there was true sociability. Like the Boston mountains in Arkansas, where there are ten rocks to one dirt, our little assembly had four ladies to one man, but then, this disparity is only an evidence of the patriotism of the county, although the men in camp may envy the position of the privileged few who were present on the occasion.
This entertainment, storm-party dance, ragout, breakdown, or whatever may be the proper appellative for this latitude, was the result of the united efforts of the hospitable Messrs. Harper, aided and abetted by the representatives of the important department firms of the army of the West, seconded and encouraged by the spontaneous co-operation of all the younger ladies of the place, and was convened at the excellent hotel of Messrs. Simmons & Pevey. Though no *Brussels* was nigh or Waterloo imminent, yet beauty and chivalry were gathered there, and the "glorious hours" were *chased* with flying feet till the "wee small hours of morning." We have none of your fancy "note tunes"--none of your Ole Bulls, or Pagganninis to Germanize and polkerize and mystify the good old time quadrille into a creation so foreign as to be incomprehensible. But Pomp, the prince, discoursed such strains (on a favorite violin which, unfortunately, had the bronchitis,) as Otto Goldsmith never heard, although he had been playing "second fiddle" to Jenny Lind for the past half dozen years. It is needless to add that all the military who were able to sport boots were there. Of the ladies it were but justice to say that they were the most elegant and accomplished of the country, and as all acquitted themselves with such graceful propriety, it were invidious to individualize. Suffice it to say, in the language of Davy Crockitt [sic]: "we wer theirn tel deth;" for be it known that bold soger boys are computed here at not more than thirty-three per cen. discount. Finding ourselves thus much above the "par" of Confederate bonds and shinplasters, it were superfluous to assure you that we "went in" at a "double quick." Memphis, Meridian, Morton and Oxford all vied with each other, as well in contributions of gaiety as in the contest for the *garlands* and *spurs.* Young American retired before the simultaneous "charge" of the Memphis legion and the 4th Kentucky. St. Louis was actively engaged in *heavy skirmishing*, while Old Bourbon, from Callaway, commanded the reserve--and whether quietly surveying the field as "through a *glass* (of old peach dimly"), storming a half dozen dashing widows or presiding at the "funeral pyre" of a Federal railroad bridge, he is the same complacent, genial, but incorrigible rebel. The clothing battalion, in the absence of its chieftain, the gallant Carter, of Boone, was led by the young Texan marshal, Ney, from the Rhine, who maneuvered his corps agreeable to the most approved evolutions of the terpsichorean art.
All things must come to an end and the inflexible rule of the seasons that makes morn succeed the night, admonish all that "time was up," and as the shrill whistle of a huge locomotive pierced the gray dawn, scattering stray cattle from the iron pathway, and waking rose fat babies in their cribs, so did it fall upon the ears of bright ladies and gay gallants as they jogged along to their respective homes, the "breaks" had been "put down," and all sought the "station" house. Reunions of this character even in these war times are not without their beneficial results. The rude soldier schooled in the rugged discipline of the camp, forgets for a time the hardships that patriotism has entailed upon him, and as the "bright formes of human beauty" pass in review before him, his heart thrills and warms like the Scottish hero to the domestic tartan again, to the hearthstone far away with all its cherished objects, making a "thousand streames of affection roll back in Alpine torrents upon the heart." Desolate as this war has been, let not the cheerful influences of social life be altogether neglected--the flashing eye and the radiant countenances of to-night may to-morrow stare with leaden gaze and ghastly features, but let the soldier carry to an honored grave the recollection of the sweet garlands he gathered in life although the laurel and the cypress may decorate his tomb. Thoughts like these I have not deemed inappropriate after a night's festivity. There was wisdom as well as a moral in the practice of the old king or philosopher who at his most brilliant feasts always had a skeleton at the board. "Times up" and I am done. Valley Tan.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], January 28, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
An Adventurous but Unfortunate Female.--
readers are aware that when Colonel Mundy's regiment were encamped across the
river, it was discovered that one of Colonel Mundy's command, who went by the
cognomen of Harry Fitz Allen, was a female.
She had endured and performed all the drills, musters, sentinel and
picket duties with an unusual aptitude and celerity, and it was with
considerable incredulity that Colonel Mondy could enter the intimation that his
youthful and active volunteer was of a different gender than that required by
the army regulations. It was,
however, another instance of "murder will out," and the youthful
trooper acknowledged that her name was Mary Ann McGee, and her nativity
Scotland. She declined giving the
reasons of her enlistment, which she alleged were sufficient, and fearing an
impressment into a confession of everything, Mary deserted, and, still wearing
military clothing, was arrested and returned to Colonel Mundy, who assigned her
duty in one of the Lexington hospitals as a nurse.
She disliked that occupation and fled to Western Virginia and there
enlisted in the cavalry service. In
the little town of Polka, on the Kanawha river, her sex was again discovered and
the commanding officer, suspecting her as being a rebel spy, caused her to be
arrested and sent to Wheeling, where she is now incarcerated in the military
prison to await the action of the authorities in Washington.
Mary has for six years been a resident of this city--Cincinnati Enquirer.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 2, 1863, p. 1, c. 6
The Comfort of the Troops.--For several days past the quarters of Major Mason, chief quartermaster of Lieut.-General Polk's corps, have been the scene of unusual activity. Wagon after wagon, loaded with clothing, shoes and tents, have been dispatched to the various regiments and brigades. Our brave boys will soon be comfortably clad in new clothes, well shod with serviceable brogans, and protected by ample tents. The woolen mill at this place is daily turning out a fine supply of goods for the use of the army. Our troops indeed are rapidly being provided with all that is necessary for their comfort. Captain A. S. Camp, of Gen. Cheatham's division, has of course been actively engaged in supplying the wants of his command. He is never absent or negligent where the brave Tennesseans' wants are to be supplied.--Shelbyville Banner.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The Destruction at Holly Springs
Holly Springs, January 22, 1863.
Editors Appeal: I am about to undertake a task, for the accomplishment of which I feel sadly my utter incompetence. I am past the meridian of life, and have been taught from my earliest youth to regard with suspicion and distrust the Puritan character, to detest and dread the perfidious New England fanatic, but experience alone could have induced me to believe that there existed in the free States, forming the once "glorious Union," an army amounting to twenty-five or thirty thousand men so devoid of the attributes of civilization, so debased and fiendish, that the acts committed by them in this city and county, sanctioned, too, by nine-tenths of their officers, would cause a blush of shame to mantle the cheeks of the Vandals themselves. On the 13th of November, 1862, about thirty thousand men, consisting of infantry, cavalry and artillery, chiefly Illinois troops--several regiments, however, hailing from Wisconsin, Kansas and Iowa--passed through our city on their way South, their destination, as they averred, Vicksburg, their intention, to "wipe out" Mississippi. With a grand flourish of trumpets, beating of drums, and insolent flaunting of flags in our faces, they passed on, leaving about two thousand men as a garrison in our city, under the command of Colonel Murphy. Up to the morning of the 20th of December, on which Gen. Van Dorn made his brilliant and successful dash upon them, they had accumulated an immense amount of ordnance and commissary stores, which were deposited in all the buildings at the railroad depot, consisting of a large and elegant railroad hotel, a round house of great capacity, with turning table in the center, a commodious depot house, extensive blacksmith and workshop, a building for the manufacture of cars and machinery, and an immense armory, covering eight or ten acres, belonging to the government; in addition to this, a large stable on the public square was like the railroad buildings and armory filled with ordinance and commissary stores, clothing, arms, etc. Our merchants were turned out of their business houses to accommodate the sutlers of the various regiments, whose stocks were full and complete; these were all destroyed by the gallant Van Dorn, unfortunately, in the destruction of the ordnance stores. Every building at the depot, the armory, the east side and half of the north side of the public square, was destroyed by the explosion and the fire caused by it. The buildings for two hundred yards from the court house had the glass broken in the windows, and in the most of them the sash were shattered to pieces. The surprise by Gen. Van Dorn occurred very early on Saturday morning. The Federals manifesting no desire to fight, laid down their arms and surrendered, except a cavalry company, which sneaked out of town, at a slow pace, being ready to fly or surrender, as circumstances occurred. But meeting with no Confederates after having moved slowly for half a mile west of town, I saw the cowardly poltroons put spurs to their horses and run for their lives. Several gentlemen of high position were eye-witness to this "skedaddle," which Grant in his order lauds highly as commendable, and denominates "cutting their way out." If any Federal officer, on that day, drew his sword, it was to present the hilt and not the point. this is strictly true, and cannot be controverted.
On Sunday morning, the 7th Kansas cavalry "Jayhawkers" dashed into town, firing their guns and pistols, and yelling "Here come the blood hounds." About midday the infantry came in, conspicuous among which was the 1st Kansas infantry and the 17th Wisconsin, composed of murderers, thieves, and incendiaries. Their first act was to tear down fences and rush into private residences, breaking open smokehouses, store houses and kitchens. While thus engaged, others were pouring into the dwellings of peaceable and unoffending citizens, entering by breaking open doors and windows, leaping in, and by means of axes, breaking into wardrobes, bureaus, drawers and trunks, and stealing every thing they could lay their hands on, and smashing furniture of every description for pastime; using the most insulting and obscene language, threatening even the lives of defenseless ladies, and committing acts too monstrous to be recorded here. Very few dwellings escaped a complete sacking. Every store in the town was entered and completely riddled; what was not stolen was entirely destroyed. Iron chests, show-cases, and fixtures all destroyed. The pretext for such vandalism was, that the citizens, particularly the ladies, manifested their joy at the entrance of Van Dorn. On alluding to the ladies, they invariably applied to them the vilest epithets. Having done all the harm they could, they threatened to burn the last house in town. How nearly they have accomplished this diabolical design, the haggard appearance of our citizens can well attest, few, if any of whom have doffed their clothing for the past month, but kept a vigilant guard of their premises, night after night, till dawn of day. Every night were our terrified citizens admonished of their danger, the sky being lurid with the flames of burning buildings. Our once beautiful city now presents a sickening spectacle. Besides the large number of residences reduced to ashes, the large and elegant hotel of Messrs. Bradley & Phillips, on the square, is destroyed by fire, together with a number of adjacent buildings. On the southeast corner of the square two fine store houses were consumed. It was not their fault that the entire town was not laid waste. At least one hundred buildings were fired but extinguished. To the efforts of Col. Loomis, commandant of the post, and Lieutenant-Colonel Gilmore, both of the 26th Illinois regiment, and Lieutenant Lathrop, of the same regiment, our citizens are indebted for their untiring assiduity in guarding property and saving it when fired. I am the more anxious to do justice to these officers, because they were, with a few others, the only ones who did not sympathize with the men and encourage them in their atrocity. I venture to assert that their acts of barbarism here, has no parallel in the civilized world. The churches are all shamefully desecrated. They entered the Episcopal Church with axes and destroyed the organ, tore up the pews, stole the cushions from the pulpits, carried off the carpets, broke the lamps, tore the Bibles into fragments, destroyed the library, defaced the altar, and played cards upon it--in a word, made a perfect wreck of that, as well as the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Even out cemetery did not escape desecration. They burned the fences and defaced many of the monuments. Nearly all, if not every residence between Oxford and this city was burned. Lastly, by telling our negroes that President Davis intended to kill every negro found in this section, the poor creatures were so bewildered and alarmed that they fled from their homes, nine out of every ten having left Holly Springs. Most of the families have lost every negro they had. I lost six, five of whom were grown, and as likely as any negroes in the State. Mrs. Autry, E. P. Govan, Joe Mattison, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, W. H. Waller, and Dr. Willis, lost every negro they had, and many others that I do not remember at this moment, while scarcely a family in town have more than one or two left. As to the county, it must be nearly depopulated. Such a stampede is almost incredulous. Negroes on foot, whole families trudging along, gangs in carts, wagons, on mules and horseback, poured into town and made their way to the depot, and were sent off on the different trains.
I omitted to mention above, that while the residences were burning, the fiends would not allow the family to save anything, not even a garment, but threatened death to any one who dared attempt it. I could fill a volume as large as a merchants' ledger with details of the atrocities of the fiendish horde that invaded our State as soldiers. I have given you a few facts, in which I have said nought in malice, nor have I exaggerated an iota. I could not do so if I would. I leave this task to those who are better capable of detailing such monstrous deeds than myself. May a swift and merited retribution overtake the devilish mob headed by U. S. Grant.
* *
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 3, 1863, p. 1, c. 8
The Women and the Private Soldiers. The following is an extract from a private letter written by an officer now in the army to his wife:
You are the most incorrigible patriot I know. Hang me, if I don't believe you would sacrifice me for the cause. These women, as old Stein used to say, "are the devil;" but if they were entitled to that distinction in times of peace, they are certainly the incarnate deities of a revolutionary war. I do not say this in disparagement of the sex; for I really believe that if we ever achieve our independence, the glory of it should belong to the women and the private soldiers of the South. The great work will be due to the ungrudging spirit of devotion and sacrifice animating women, and stimulating and supporting the tireless energy and heroic endurance of the soldiers. Take my word for it, the people who stay at home have no conception whatever of the splendid metal of our soldiery. The tones it sends out when struck by the wild hand of war, will ring through all history in a purer and grander key than was ever realized in the olden ages of chivalry. The mailed warriors of ancient romance were sickly children of sentiment compared to the stern manhood and unconquerable grit of Southern soil.
For my part, there are but two classes engaged in this war who command my respect and admiration--woman and the private soldier. I love, cherish and obey the first as becomes a Christian gentleman, and I honor and reverence the last as the only living impersonation of a pure and unselfish patriotism. May God protect their lives, and give to their country that peace and independence for which they re so nobly struggling.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 7, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
The Soldier's Wife.
males the country bears;
But daughters give up more than sons."
--Mrs. Browning.
wearily the days go by,
How silence sits a guest at home!
While she with listless step and eye,
Still waits for one who does not come.
sunshine streams across the floor,
A golden solitary track;
The flies hum in and out the door;
The olden clock goes click-a-clack!
And baby sitting wonder-eyed,
Watches the kitten's noiseless play,
Till sleep comes gently, and he lies
At rest through half the summer day.
twilight brooding dim and gray,
She sits beside the open door;
Before her lies the graveled way,
O'erhung by ancient sycamore;
And through the eye she hears the cry
Of whippoorwills that shun the light;
She sees the stars of evening die,
And all around her reigns the night;
Then "By-lo-baby, baby-bye!"
She sings her little babe to rest,
And muses with its rosy face
Held warm and close against her breast.
her couch she weary kneels,
And clasps her hands before her face;
Ah! only Christ knows what she feels,
A lonely supplicant for grace.
She prays for one who does not come,
And draws an answer from her hopes;
And then, within her silent home,
While stars slide down night's silvery slopes,
She nestles close beside her babe,
And one arm o'er it shielding throws,
And dreams of joys that day denies,
Until the rose of morning blows.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 7, 1863, p. 1, c. 8
For the Ladies--Paris Fashions.
Le Follet for January.]
The fashionable world has now returned to Paris, and opportunities for admiring as well as describing "La Modes" are numerous. We commence with a description of some new mantles, and we would recommend, as the most distingue, those of plush, made with sleeves and a [illegible] back. Some are made of velvet plush, lined with quilted black taffetas. A silk cord to match is placed all round the edge of the mantle. A thicker cord, with tassels, fastens it together in front just under the little collar; the same shaped mantle is also made in golden-brown plush, lined with white quilted taffetas. Collets [sic?] of black velvet, trimmed round with a deep guipure, are also worn. Rich embroidered medallions are placed round the mantle, and between these and the lace a kind of mossy trimming, formed of black feathers, which has a very elegant effect. Fur, as a trimming, is still greatly in favor; it is, perhaps, more generally worn on black velvet; but ermine or chinchilla may be used with violet, blue, brown, or drab. Cibeline [sic?] and sable are always fashionable. Astracan should be of the best quality, that of an inferior kind had become so extremely common. Both rotones [sic?] and paletots are made this winter in woolen velvet. At present poplin and taffetas are the materials most in voge [sic] for simple toilette. Visiting dresses are much more luxurious; they are composed of splendid moire, rich brocatelle, China satins of chereux de la Reine light brown color, faded rose leaf, or Mexican blue. Generally these magnificent robes, being of so thick a material, have very little ornament. The skirts are full, and cut pointed, forming a very decided train. The trimming of passementerie for the body is frequently put on like a veste Figaro. Scotch plaid poplins are much worn, especially by children. Velvet dresses are trimmed with grecques, festoons, or bands of velvet; these are, of course, of black on colored robes, and colored on black, and are always edged on each side, either with a gipure [sic] ruche, or with stars and hanging drops of passementerie.
A dress of Mexican blue velvet, cut up in turrets round the bottom over a black velvet flounce, about ten inches wide which forms a train, and is put on in thick hollow plaits under the skirt. Above each turret is a rosette of passementerie. High body, imitating a Figaro veste, with black velvet and passementerie. Spanish sleeves. As the velvet is rather heavy, and only suitable for grand occasions, we would advise that this dress be made in taffetas; it has a very good effect, above all, in black taffetas, spotted with violet [illegible] and the flounce in violet.
The following is an elegant dress: A white thick foullard, with lozenges of white taffetas round the bottom of the skirt, edged with white terry velvet. A wide sash of white taffetas, also edged with terry. this material is much used for hoods for evening wear. Lace flounces will be very fashionable for ball dresses; no other ornament can replace them; the mixture of flowers and ribbons, which our great modistes employ, absolutely exacts the use of lace. Many double skirts are made the upper one about sixteen inches shorter than the lower; the former being trimmed with bouilounes [sic?] ornaments; while the latter has a lace flounce.
We will conclude our list of dresses, with a charming toilette de bal. The lower skirt is made of white satin, with rose colored dots. The second skirt of white tulle, much shorter than the other, and made in large festoons, with rose colored satin ribbon hemmed in, and edged on each side with full white blonde. The white satin skirt is trimmed with rose colored ribbon, from the bottom up to the festoons, ending under large rosettes. This trimming is repeated on each breadth of the skirt, which is trimmed round with buillonne covered with tulle, lined with satin, and trimmed with rose colored ribbon and frills of blonde.
Among the newest bonnets we may mention a capote of white crape, the drawings far apart, trimmed with a curtain of plain velvet, blue Solferino of Lavane; the front edge also of velvet, at the side of a large rosette of black lace, in which is placed a bunch of flowers in velvet, the same shade as the curtain, mixed with the ends of ostrich feathers, forming a fringe. These bonnets are sometimes trimmed with a simple bouquet of curled feathers, or one flat feather. Some of our modistes have been using fur as a trimming for bonnets; but it is not all generally employed, although it has a very pretty effect.
The furs used are chinchilla, ermine and swan's down. Felt bonnets are also worn; a very pretty one was trimmed with a velvet curtain, the same color as the bonnet, which was drab; on the front, a full piece of velvet, ending at the sides in two bows, and fastening two ostrich feathers. The strings of piece velvet were cut on the bias, lined with silk and edged with lace. In the inside a quilling of Mexican blue velvet and coquilles of black lace.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
A Refuge--The Raymond Gazette speaks earnestly in behalf of those in Vicksburg who may be forced to fly from their homes, and says: The poor of the city, as well as many families of absent soldiers, are still there, without the means of getting away as well as without places to which to fly. Something should be done for these people, and that at once. Are the families of men who are now absent in the armies of the country to be left in Vicksburg to endure the hazards of the bombardment, and the terrors of the siege? Where is our boasted humanity? Where our patriotism? Where our men, so boisterous two or three years ago, who have not shed one drop of blood in this conflict, and yet have not spent all they possess?
In this connection it may not be improper to state that some time since Capt. Inman Williams, proprietor of Cooper's Well, and also of the Mississippi Springs, offered the entire use of the spacious apartments at the springs to the poor of Vicksburg during the bombardment, free of cost. So far as we are advised, not a Vicksburg family is yet at the springs, nor has any public notice been given through the press of that city, that so desirable a place has been placed at the disposal of the indigent. As we are informed, the place is still open to the poor of Vicksburg, and, in addition, that all necessary firewood will be furnished free.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Generous.--We invite attention to the card of Mr. McAllister, proposing to donate one hundred bushels of salt to as many widows of deceased soldiers, who have not the means of procuring the necessary article. The gift is a princely one in these days of high prices.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
A meeting of the citizens of Hinds county is called to assemble at the court house in Raymond, at 11 o'clock A.M., on Saturday next, to make arrangements to accommodate Vicksburg families in private houses.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Yankee Oppression in Florida.--A dispatch received in this city last night states that eighty-five women and children, banished from St. Augustine by the Federal authorities, arrived at Lake city yesterday. A transport with the balance of the citizens of St. Augustine, who have fallen under the Yankee displeasure, is daily expected at Jacksonville.--Savannah News, 7th.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 18, 1863, p. 1, c. 6
How to Dye Different Colors.
1. It is important to cleanse the wool or other material to be
dyed, from grease and all foreign matters, which might prevent it from taking
the dye. Wool must be well washed
in warm soap suds, rinsed in warm water, squeezed as dry as possible, and then
put into the dye. Cotton and linen
must be thoroughly wet in boiling water, and then squeezed or wrung out of it,
and put in the dye wet.
2. Use a copper cauldron for all light and delicate colors, and an iron pot for black and dark colors. The shades of color will be regulated by the strength of the dye, the number of times the article is dipped, or the length of time it remains in the dye.
3. Many dyes that will color cotton will leave wool and linen untinged, and some that will color wool deeply will dye cotton a very light shade.
4. What is used for brightening and making the colors durable are called mordants. The mordants used here are copperas, (sulphate of iron), blue vitrol, (sulphate of copper), alum, wheat bran, lye and lime water. Those who cannot obtain copperas (now a scarce article) use the water from one of the mineral springs, which is strongly impregnated with iron.
5. The best seasons for dyeing with bark is in the spring and summer, while the sap is up in the tree. Autumn is the best season for dyeing with leaves, and winter is the season for dyeing with roots, because the sap of the tree goes into the roots.
6. Bark and roots must be cut in small pieces, let the caldron be two-thirds filled with the pieces, then fill up with water, and boil for several hours until the color is as deep as desired. If leaves and twigs are used, fill the boiler with them, and cover with water. Two or three hours steady boiling will extract the color from the bark, roots and leaves. Then strain off the liquid carefully from the sediment, and put it back into a clean boiler, add to it the alum or copperas, or both, according to the color desired; let it be completely dissolved and well mixed with the dye, after which immerse the wet wool, yarn or cloth in the dye, and proceed according to the definite directions for each color. By mixing different barks, roots and leaves together in the same dye, a variety of shades of different colors are obtained by those who are skilled in the art of preparing domestic dyes. The following named trees are much used for dying wool and cotton:
Sassafras bark and roots are used for dying worsted a permanent and beautiful yellow and orange color. Use a copper boiler, and five ounces of alum to one pound of wool or worsted yarns.
Kalmia, or dwarf laurel, dyes cotton a fine drab color. Use a copper boiler. The leaves and twigs of the kalmia and about one tablespoonful of copperas to three gallons of dye. Scald the cotton material in the dye for twenty minutes, then rinse in cold water, and hang to dry in the air.
Willow.--The bark dyes wool and linen a deep blue black, and dyes cotton a dark slate color. Use an iron boiler. For black, three ounces of copperas to four gallons of dye; for slate color, one ounce of copperas is sufficient. Boil in the dye for twenty minutes, rinse in cold water and hang to dry. The dye may be deepened by a repetition of the same process in fresh dye.
Red Oak.--The bark and roots dye a fine shade of chocolate brown. Use an iron boiler, two ounces of copperas to four gallons of dye. Boil twenty minutes in the dye and rinse in cold water. This dyes cotton. The Spanish oak dyes another shade of brown.
White Oak.--The bark dyes cotton lead color. Use an iron boiler; two ounces of copperas to four gallons of dye; scald in the dye twenty minutes, and rinse with cold water. Oak bark will not dye wool.
Pine bark--all the varieties found in our woods--dyes cotton slate color, combined with the Kalmia it dyes dove color. For each color put one ounce of copperas to four gallons of dye, and boil in it for twenty minutes. Rinse the slate color in cold water and the dove color in cold lye.
Sweet gum bark dyes cotton dove color. Use a copper boiler; a spoonful of copperas to three gallons of lye, and scald in the dye for twenty minute; rinse in cold lye water , and hang to dry in the air.
Guinea Corn.--The seed dyes wool lead color, and will not dye cotton. Use an iron boiler, a little copperas, and rinse in lye.
Maple--The bark dyes both wool and cotton a fine dark shade of purple. Use an iron boiler and two ounces of copperas to four gallons of dye; scald in hot dye for twenty minutes and rinse in cold water.
Beech.--The bark dyes dove color. Use an iron boiler and one ounce of copperas to four gallons of dye; rinse in cold water, or in lye for another shade.
Sumach--The leaves and berries dye black. Use an iron boiler, and four ounces of copperas to four gallons of dye. Boil the cotton yarn or cloth in the dye for an hour, and rinse in cold water.
Walnut.--The bark and roots dye cotton fawn-brown and root-color, according to the portion of bark or of roots and copperas used. The leaves boiled in dye color cotton purple and wool black; when used without boiling the leaves dye wool fawn-color. The green shells of the full grown nuts dye black with copperas. What is dyed black must be rinsed in cold water; the cotton to be dyed purple must be rinsed in lye. The fawn, brown and root color must be rinsed in cold water. The proportion of copperas used for black is two ounces to four gallons of dye; for the other shades use much less copperas.
To make a cold dye for wool, fill a tub with alternate layers of walnut leaves and wool, then pour on water till all is covered. The next day take out the wool and dry it in the sun, then replace it in another tub with alternate layers of fresh walnut leaves and pour it over the wool and fresh walnut leaves; let it remain again till the next day. Repeat this process for one week, adding as much water from day to day as to make the dye sufficient to cover the wool and fresh leaves. This is a fine, permanent fawn-colored dye.
Madder dyes wool red. Mix four quarts of wheat bran with four gallons of water, and set it to ferment. When it is quite sour strain of the water and dissolve in it a lump of alum the size of a hen's egg. Set the liquid on the fire in a copper kettle, and just before it boils mix well into it a half pound of fresh madder for every pound of wool or worsted stuff to be dyed, and let it remain immersed in the dye for an hour, turning and pressing it frequently, during which hour the dye must be kept very hot, but must not boil, lest the color should be tarnished. When the wool is taken from the dye pot it must be rinsed immediately in cool strong lye, or in lime water, and then dried.
Spanish brown is used for dyeing cotton red. Put a pound of Spanish brown, powdered into a little bag, and rub it out in a gallon of hot water till the bag is completely emptied of its contents. Then put the cotton yarn into the painted water, and rub the color into the yarn till all the coloring matter is transferred from the water to the yarn. After which put two tablespoonsful of linseed oil into the water and boil the yarn in it for fifteen minutes, then hang the yarn to dry. If the linseed oil cannot be obtained, boil the painted yarn in new milk for fifteen minutes.
Solferino pink.--Cut a piece out of the end of a pumpkin large enough to admit the hand, take out all the seeds and leave the strings in. Mash poke berries into a pulp and fill the cavity of the pumpkin with them, stir them up well with the strings and put the worsted yarn into the mixture, then cover it up close with the piece of pumpkin that was cut out. The next day take out the yarn and dry it in the air; when dry put the yarn back into the pumpkin as before, and cover it up again till next day. Repeat this process every day till the desired shade of pink is obtained, then rinse the worsted out in cold strong vinegar, and dry it for use. It will take a week to dye the deepest shade of pink.--Charleston Courier.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 18, 1863, p. 1, c. 7
Asa Proveth Himself a Man of Parts.
No. XIV.
Henceforth call me Smith. I
have an indisputable title to the rare and euphonious cognomen of Smith.
Smith in Congress--Smith in parliament--Smith in the penitentiary--Smith
the parson--Smith the reprobate--Smith the learned--Smith the idiot--General
Smith--Smith--are all bound to me by ties that cannot be severed.
And when Atropos, with her murderous shears, shall spitefully clip the
cobweb strand which keeps in tune my harp of a thousand strings, I want a very
tall white stone raised over my grave, bearing the simple
Let it now be known why I am Smith:
The good ladies of a pretty little town in Mississippi, called _____, have a weakly [sic?] and hebdomadal habit of giving entertainments for the benefit of Gen. Peggs's Lapstone Rangers. They are called tableaux. Klubs says it is table ox, with the "ox" left out. All the good old ladies of the surrounding country engage in it--all the pretty young ones take part. Seven half-grown and half-raised boys get round the piano whenever a y young miss goes to play a piece on the programme, and heighten the effect of the music and the attractions of the performer by cracking peanuts and playing with the ribbons in her hair.
Whilst the music is thus entertaining the seven rowdy boys, to the disgust of the audience, a green curtain hides the preparations on the stage for a "life pictur." The music ceases and a tobacco-colored citizen of African descent, standing at the back of the stage--wheels up the curtain. Seventeen candles shed their combined light upon "Belshazzar's feast." Several pretty misses, and a number of young men just old enough to hide from a conscript officer, seem to have been caught in the very act of having a high old time generally, and were ashamed to move. Scene visible for a minute and a half, during which time a tallow candle, sconced directly over Belshazzar's head, has been shedding its greasy superfluity upon his nose. (B. knows it, and screws his face into contortions which would have been creditable to the "ugly man.") Tobacco-colored nigger proceeds to let down the curtain. Curtain reaches Belshazzar's head and sticks there. Balt. makes a desperate grab at the obstinate curtain and jerks it down.
Riprorious applause, and up goes curtain again, revealing scene as before. The mystic characters on the wall--"mene, mene," etc.,--seem to have been copied from the hieroglyphics which usually adorn the cover of a pack of Chinese fire-crackers. The resemblance is complete when the aforesaid nigger touches a lighted candle to one end of the sentence, and a bright, fizzing flame runs through every letter. Curtain falls.
Asa and Klubs are seated together in front, delighted spectators. Motherly old lady comes down from the stage and comes up to our "box." Conversation ensues:
LADY--Excuse me. You are an officer?
LADY--What rank?
LADY--Couldn't you be a Captain for a short time, just to oblige some young ladies?
ASA--Yes'm; was a Captain, once, for a short time, just to oblige myself. Can be it again, if it will oblige the ladies, or benefit the Lapstone Rangers.
LADY--Ah! thank you. Please come up on the stage.
Followed her up, amidst the wondering admiration of the audience. Female of angelic loveliness met me behind the curtain, and begged to know if I would take the part of Captain Smith and have my valuable life spared through the heroism of Pocahontas--adding that the Captain Smith selected for the occasion had been that evening caught by an enrolling officer, and reduced to the ranks in a conscript camp.
Agreed to be Captain Smith, if the fair managers of the tableaux would allow us to rehearse the scene, and let Klubs be the big Injun from whose sanguinary tomahawk the happy Smith is rescued. Proposition accepted and Klub sent for. Was introduced to the sweet and self-sacrificing Pocahontas. Lovely girl; seventeen; hair curled and hanging in ringlets down to her shoulders; complexion alabaster; eyes watery blue; and face, generally, possessing all the expression usually found on a rutabaga turnip. At the first glance supposed her to be a large sized wax doll, fresh from the window of a toy-shop--stuffed with saw-dust from her shoulders down, with a piece of wire coming out at the back by which her eyes might be opened and closed at the will of the operator. Was fascinated with the doll, and could with difficulty cease wondering if it was provided with the wire.
The rehearsal took place. Klubs made a desperate attempt upon my life with a pasteboard broad-ax. My sweet little wax-doll of a Pocahontas rushed in with a double-breasted vim, threw one arm round Asa's devoted neck, and interposed the other between the almost doomed Asa and the wrathy Klubs. Oh! what a thrill of ecstacy [sic] ran through this bosom! Little Italian violinists seemed to be playing their sweetest extravaganzas on every nerve, and each one of the five senses with which a man is supposed to be endowed, went of into separate raptures on its own hook.
Wanted to rehearse again, but Pocahontas naively suggested that I was perfect in my part, and didn't need another rehearsal. Was obliged to forego the pleasure, but the idea of that wire stuck fast to my mind. The seven half grown boys were lulled into silence long enough for the "lecturer" of the evening to inform the audience that a real live officer had been secured to personate the captain, and that the next scene would be "Pocahontas saving the life of Captain Smith."
Got into position for the scene. Bloodthirsty Injun, (Klubs), with look of concentrated hatred, had raised his terrible (pasteboard) tomahawk. Pocahontas, with prettily rounded right arm lovingly encircling Captain Smith's (Asa's) neck--had raised her left to ward off the terrible blow. Asa liked the position wonderfully, and just as the curtain was about to rise, told Pocahontas to hold on just as she was till Klubs could take the Memphis APPEAL out of his coat pocket and fold it up so the audience wouldn't see it. Pocahontas held on. Klubs consumed only two minutes of time; but, oh! ye small fry gods! it was an age of bliss. The curtain went up--and the house (figuratively) came down. Whispered to Pocahontas that it was a good thing--audience liked it--mustn't be in a hurry. Rather think that scene was about the longest given that evening. Curtain dropped. Pocahontas withdrew her arms, and Captain Smith simmered down to Asa Hartz.
The war may continue for three thousand years, and Asa may live to enjoy the peace which follows. Jackson may become populated with honest tradesmen. Yea, even stranger things may happen, and blot out from memory's scroll the most indelible record of life's scenes; but even when the resurrection reveille shall call upon me to turn out, will Asa recollect the blissful time when he was Captain Smith. On that great morn he will satisfy himself whether his Pocahontas can open and shut her eyes without the aid of a wire.
Does any young lady with alabaster complexion and pretty curls want to play Pocahontas to the Captain Smith of ASA HARTZ?
Jackson, Miss., Feb. 1863.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 8
For Sale. A No. 1 Fly Shuttle Hand Loom. It can be had cheap if application is made soon at Armory Hall. J. L. McAlenny.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], February 25, 1863, p. 1, c. 4--[Summary:
Report on the Magnolia Hospital, in Magnolia, MS.; no women nurses--one
matron mentioned and several visitors]
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Special Correspondent of the Appeal]
Richmond, March 2, 1863.
. . . Mr. Wigfall's bill for placing the Confederate hospitals under military organization can have no other effect than to diminish greatly the comfort of our sick and wounded soldiers, and give to several hundred officers, who are wanted in the field, safe and snug places where they can do not nothing [sic] efficiently. There are no nurses like the women. The hospitals of Richmond are many of them models of comfort and cleanliness, and their good management is due to the untiring energy and administrative capacity of the noble women of our city, ladies of gentle birth and high culture who are proud to give their time to the holy work, and who ask no earthly remuneration, whose reward will be on high. A writer in the Whig, Colonel P. W. Alexander, well known as the correspondent of the Savannah Republican, testifies to the admirable routine of the hospital kept in the Baptist Institute building under the matronly superintendence of Mrs. Lewis N. Webb, of Richmond. Col. Alexander speaks from personal experience in the matter, having been himself an inmate of this establishment during his recent illness. It is to be hoped that his letter will have some effect upon the minds of Congress. . . . Dixie.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 14, 1863, p. 1, c. 8--Summary:
Article on flag of the 6th Louisiana
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 17, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
On the Wing, Ripley, Miss., February, 1863.
Editors Appeal: Thinking that perhaps a letter from this portion of the "moral vineyard" would be interesting to your readers, I have concluded to drop you a line. . . . These Southern jayhawkers may be doing some good for their country by capturing and confiscating wagons and their contents, as they return from Memphis with salt, domestic, cotton cards and calico, yet it does seem to a "man up a tree" that it would be more honest and more patriotic to burn the cotton on the road to Memphis than to give the Federal government the benefit of the cotton, and all the benefit which might arise from the owners having to take the oath of allegiance. . . . The trade to Memphis should be stopped. Yet, a single bale of cotton exchanged for the absolute necessities of life will go very far to send comfort to many a poor widow, whose husband died battling for his country's rights, and who has learned that the "milk of human kindness" is all dried up since the war commenced, the supply on hand being a little scarce ever since Adam yielded to the solicitations of his beautiful bride! . . . Pontotoc.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 17, 1863, p. 2, c. 3--Summary:
Prices from Mobile.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 18, 1863, p. 1, c. 8
From the Mobile Tribune.]
The following extracts from a private letter, written by a Memphis lady, will amuse your readers, and perhaps be of considerable interest to our friends who are going to the "up country" to spend the summer.
North Alabama, March 1, 1863.
Dear Brother: * * * We live among the poorest and most ignorant people in the world. I have seen but one lady of any refinement since we arrived; and the people all say "she is a mighty strange kind of a woman." It is no wonder they think so. She looks like another race of beings.
An old woman, with brown yarn gloves and madder-colored homespun apron and sack, with blue and black homespun dress (all honor to her industry!) called on us the other day. She walked, she said, "nigh about four miles and a half jest to ax us if we knowed anything about her son Lazarus, what went to the wars from the Mississippi State, last gone September was pretty nigh three years ago, and she hadn't heard from him in all that time." I ask his name, and she said Dixson. I asked her to spell it, and she replied, "I don't know as I ken jest now, but it begins with 'E E.'" "To what regiment does he belong?" I asked. "Well, now, bless your soul, that's what I don't know; not the regiment, nor the company either; but he was about to get married when he went away, and he didn't marry, because, he said, he wouldn't leave no wife to grieve for him; and if I know'd the gal's name I'd git somebody to write to her, for me and my son can't write nor read, and I told him when he were a boy to learn, and he wouldn't." Then she got to talking about the times and said, "I've had only this one pin for three months, and I'm just as partic'lar how I puts it in my clothes for fear I'd lose it, and I can't tell where I'd get another from. But before the war I lived here nigh on to seven years and never bought but one store coat yit."
When you wrote that you were preaching and starving in Mobile, the doctor said gravely you might take his dancing class, and that his patrons would pay something if you'd "pas the hat around."
Tell sister that I have seen more than she has since we parted, if she has been only to the city of Mobile. It is nothing to this place. You never saw such people in your life. One old lady hearing Dr. R's name, said, "why the Lor [sic?] me! I've got plenty of kin by that name;" and hearing that his wife was a Battle, exclaimed, "Well, bless your soul, my oldest child is named Erasmus B.--that stands, you know, for Battle. Old Rasmus Battle done more for me than my old man did, and so I and my old mother said lets name the baby Erasmus Battle;" so you see some of our kin married some of their kin, and he was kin to us too."
The doctor teaches our children to dance; and in order to make up the set, gave notice that he would teach dancing school free of charge. It is right funny to see how he looks in a class for hours calling out cotillions. One of his pupils, the merchant's daughter, walked in with a white tarleton veil on, and very deliberately pulled off her shoes and stockings preparatory to dancing. Another one of the scholars said, "If the fiddler would hush that fuss, she could dance better." Doctor hires the fiddler for five cents a night, and he plays "Chicken Pie and Pepper, O"--commodities which have vanished from these regions to live only in songs of the bards hereafter.
You say that you intend to establish a "Mary Magdalen society" in Mobile. Mother says have nothing to do with either the Mary or Peter Magdalens; it will do no good, and may do harm.
I must not do my children the injustice to keep them in such a country as this. Where shall we go? When will we have peace? * *
We are poorer than we ever were in our lives. Nothing to eat--no school--no church--no priest--nothing! Do come and give us holy communion and let us feel that we are in a Christian land once more.
Your affectionate sister, M.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Convention of the Ladies of the State of Mississippi.
A convention of lady delegates from various soldiers' aid societies of
the State of Mississippi met at Meridian, March 4th, 1863, to
organize a Confederate Soldiers' Aid society for the State of Mississippi, upon
the plan suggested by Mrs. J. G. Moore, and approved by President Davis.
On motion, Mrs. Georgia McGavock, of Lowndes, was elected to preside, and Mrs. Dr. Lee, of Clarke, secretary.
Prayer by Rev. W. C. Emerson.
The following societies were represented:
Enterprise--Mrs. O'Ferrall and Lee.
Garlandsville--Miss M. C. Chatfield.
Columbus--Mrs. McGavock.
Meridian--Mrs. Lilly and J. T. Ball.
Stonewall--Mrs. Coleman and Lacey [?].
Aberdeen--By proxy (Mrs. S. A. Ball)
Center Point--By proxy (Mrs. Clinton)
Mrs. President was delighted to see that the patriotic fires of '76 glowed so brightly in the bosoms of the ladies of Mississippi. Their determination o do their part in the great cause was evident. In conclusion she regretted that the ill condition of the railroads had debarred a larger attendance.
On motion, the representatives of the press, who might be present, were invited to seats on the floor.
On motion, the following ladies were appointed a committee to report a constitution: Mrs. O'Ferrall, Coleman, S. A. Ball, Wilkerson and Miss Chatfield.
Adjourned till 2 o'clock P.M.
Afternoon Session.
The meeting was called to order by the president.
The committee on the constitution reported the following, which was adopted:
Of the Ladies' Confederate Soldiers Aid Society
of the State of Mississippi
Article I.
The object of this association is to furnish articles of clothing, blankets, and other comforts and hospital supplies for the army of the Confederate States operating in Mississippi and adjoining States, east of the Mississippi river.
Article II.
Each subordinate society shall be entitled to one representative in this society, and one additional representative for every twenty members.
Article III.
The officers of this society shall be a president, three vice-presidents, (1st, 2d, and 3d,) a corresponding secretary, a recording secretary and a treasurer.
Article IV.
1. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the
meetings of the society, and perform the duties devolving upon such presiding
2. In the event of the absence of the president from any session of the society, one of the vice presidents shall preside and perform the duties of president.
Article V.
1. It shall be the duty of the recording secretary to keep the
minutes of the action and proceedings of each meeting of the society, which
minutes, after being approved, shall be recorded in a book to be kept for that
2. It shall be the duty of the corresponding secretary to conduct such correspondence as shall be required by the society, and report her correspondence to each meeting of the society.
Article VI.
It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive and disburse the money of this society, as she may be required by this society, or its authority, and to report the amount of receipts and disbursements, at each meeting of the society.
Article VII.
There shall be a commissariat committee, consisting of ten ladies, whose duty it shall be to receive all articles of supply that may be furnished, by subordinate or auxiliary societies, and safely keep and preserve the same from waste or injury, and disburse the same under the direction of this society as it may by resolution order and direct at each meeting thereof. And the said commissariat committee shall report its action at each meeting of the society.
Article VIII.
There shall be an executive committee of five members, whose duty it shall be to provide a suitable room for the regular meetings of the society--to make publications, and direct such correspondence by the corresponding secretary, as in the judgment of said committee, the best interests of the society may require. And also extend its endeavors to raise funds for the use of the society in supplying the necessities of our army, as contemplated by this association.
Article IX.
Societies auxiliary to this, organized in the different counties and neighborhoods of this State, shall be recognized as such upon reporting their organization to the corresponding secretary o this society, and shall be entitled to membership according to the basis of representation provided by this constitution.
Article X.
All the officers and committees provided for in this constitution shall continue in office for one year from the first of May, 1863. And the annual election of the officers of this society shall be made at the meeting in May of each year during the continuance of this society. And the annual meetings thereof shall be held at such place as this society shall determine.
Article XI.
The following items shall be strictly observed by this society, viz:
1. The stated meetings of this society shall be on the first Wednesday in March and October in every year, and the president may call a meeting of the society whenever she may deem it necessary.
2. The election of officers shall be by nomination of a committee appointed to nominate, and confirmed by a majority of the members present at the time of election.
3. The committees provided for in the constitution shall be appointed by the president of this society from names proposed by the society.
4. All propositions or motions to amend this constitution shall be in writing, specifying the particular amendment proposed, and if approved by a majority of the members present (they constituting a quorum) the amendments shall be recorded by the secretary as a part of this constitution.
5. Representatives from a majority of the subordinate societies shall constitute a quorum to transact any business of this society.
6. Subordinate societies may be represented by proxy if notice thereof shall be given to the president prior to the meeting of the society.
On motion, the convention dissolved itself into a nominating committee--the president in the chair--and went into the election of officers, with the following result:
Mrs. J. G. Moore, of Newton county, president.
Mrs. Geogia McGavoc, of Lowndes, 1st vice-president. Mrs. Judge Watts, of Jasper, 2d vice-president. Mrs. Dr. Knapp, of Hinds, 3d vice-president.
Mrs. Governor Pettus, of Hinds, treasurer.
Mrs. T. A. Lilly, of Lauderdale, recording secretary.
Mrs. Wm. R. Cannon, of Lowndes, corresponding secretary.
The following ladies were appointed the commissariat committee: Mrs. S. A. Coleman, of Lauderdale, Elias Brown, of Blarke [sic?]; Augu. Sykes, of Monroe; J. T. Ball, of Lauderdale; T. Bush, of Noxubee; ____ Egerston, of Warren; F. Semmes, of Lauderdale; Jessie Warren, of Lawrence; _____ Walter, of Marshall, and J. Thompson, of Lafayette.
Executive Committee--Mrs. O'Ferrel, of Clarke; Misses Chatfield, of Jasper; Mary Fearn, of Hinds; Mrs. Dr. Hibbs, of Lauderdale, and _____ Ferris of Noxubee.
The committee having arisen and the convention resumed its session, on motion, it was
Resolved, That so much of the letter of Mrs. J. G. Moore as relates to the plan of the aid societies be published with the proceeding of this convention.
The following is the extract from Mrs. Moore's letter:
That an association be formed, to be called the confederate Soldiers' Aid Society. That there be appointed or elected in each State, ladies as president, vice president and secretary. That it shall be the duty of the president of each State to request the ladies to organize auxiliary associations in their respective towns and neighborhoods, to prepare for the use of the army various articles of clothing and hospital supplies. That these associations report monthly to the President, the articles of supplies, that they have prepared for delivery. That these packages be shipped, free of expense, to the societies, to any point directed by the president, to agents in each division of the army.
Let the States of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida send their contributions to the armies of the East; Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and that portion of Louisiana east of the Mississippi river, apply theirs to the Western division; Missouri, Arkansas, Western Louisiana and Texas, supply the trans-Mississippi division.
On motion it was
Resolved, That the various soldiers' aid societies of Mississippi are hereby requested to become auxiliary to this association.
On motion it was
Resolved, that the supplies that may be furnished by the association to the various divisions of the army for which they may be designated, be sent by a special agent, to be employed by the president of this society.
On motion it was
Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be furnished to the editor of the Meridian Journal for publication, and that the other papers in the State and those of Mobile be requested to copy.
On motion the convention adjourned sine die.
Mrs. G. McGavock, President.
Mrs. Lee, Secretary.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
A Card of Thanks.
L. C. W. Brown:
Dear Madam: Your letter, with one thousand dollars, contributed by the ladies of Natchez for the support of the Soldiers' lunch house, was handed me this morning by Mr. Howe. Allow me, in behalf of the brave soldiers whose sufferings they nobly wish to alleviate, to thank the patriotic ladies of Natchez for their very liberal donation. The Soldiers' lunch house in this place was opened on the 8th of February last, and fed during that month 595 soldiers, and lodged 669. We have succeeded far beyond our expectations, and have the gratification of knowing that our streets are no longer crowded with hungry soldiers. The grateful soldiers bless the ladies of Mississippi, and go forth with fresh courage and renewed strength to meet our foes. Let me, in conclusion, assure them that the money shall be used as directed.
Yours very respectfully,
Mrs. C. S. Knapp,
Vice-President M.A.S.
Jackson, Miss., March 24, 1863.
Soldier's Sabbath.
By a Lady Contributor.
Editors Appeal: Not long
since I had the pleasure of hearing preaching in camp for the first time; and
perhaps it may not be uninteresting to some of your readers, who have not had
that privilege, to give a few items of my observation on that interesting
occasion. We started at an early hour, on a beautiful spring morning--one of
those mornings in which a loving peace seems to breathe throughout nature; and,
after a pleasant ride of three miles, we arrived at the spot chosen for Divine
service, near the shores of the "Big Black," and found the soldiers
quietly collected on a green sward in the skirts of the forest--such a spot as
you would imagine the sylvan deities to haunt.
We soon secured pleasant seats, erected for the ladies, under a fairie
canopy of evergreens.
And now our attention was called to the Rev. Mr. Rodgers, the speaker of the day, as he read in his clear deep tones, that beautiful psalm commencing with the words--"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork." After finishing this psalm, which seemed to impress every one, by the quiet stillness that reigned around, and the fixed attention manifested; that sublime hymn "Before Jehovah's awful throne," was chanted by more than a hundred voices, and as it floated upward on the morning breeze, though unaccompanied by the measured praises of the organ or choir, yet methought it must pierce the vaults of heaven with a ten-fold power, breathing as it did the out-gushing praises of man to his God; and I felt, like David, while listening to this soul-stirring pathos, "Oh that I could take the wings of the morning, and flee away and be at rest."
Again we were listening to the deep toned voice, as he expounded the Scriptures in a highly instructive and edifying sermon founded on the fourth verse and fifth chapter of Galatians. As he proceeded in his discourse, he fixed the attention of that striking throng--and methought there were tears in his clear dark eyes as he lifted up his voice in tones of solemn warning, but fatherly tenderness, to the soldier. Indeed, it was a scene long to be remembered: there we were met in "God's first temples," surrounded by stern warriors, crested with victory from many gory battle fields, hymning praises to God, or bowing in childlike meekness at prayer. The doxology was read, and again the voices of the congregation were lifted up in praise; and I found myself speculating whether the "miseres of the Sistine Chapel," could equal in grandeur the singing of this anthem--the feathered songsters flitting by in fearless proximity, were warbling nature's minstrelsy, and seemed to be the tenor voices in the vast choir, while nature's grand old forest harp, tuned by the fitful breezes, gave a fitting symphony.
Verily it seemed as if the whole creation had joined in one song of thanksgiving to the great Creator. When the benediction was pronounced, with a mental prayer for the brave and noble Arkansians, and one more peep at the handsome stranger in the distance, I rejoined my companions, and we were safely deposited in the Ambulance, thanks to the gallantry of Lieutenant T., and soon were rattling o'er the "stony creek," homeward bound.
Edwards' Depot, March 23.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 27, 1863, p. 1, c. 2--Summary:
20th Tennessee flag
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
The cost of manufacturing a five pound bunch of spun cotton.--A gentleman who for many years was engaged in manufacturing cotton yarn and cloth in this State, has furnished us with the following estimate of the cost:
When cotton was selling at eight cents per pound, the cost of manufacturing a five pound bunch of cotton thread, including the raw material, was about seventy cents, and including labor, wearing of machinery, etc. Then, the usual selling price was ninety cents a bunch paying a profit of about thirty per cent. nett to the manufacturer. Suppose the raw cotton is at this time worth sixteen cents a pound, (most of the manufacturers had already laid in more than six months supply at half that price) and the cost of manufacturing to be double former expenses, (which is not true); but at double rates for material, labor, etc. the nett cost of producing five pounds of yarn will not exceed $1.40 at the outside. Add seventy five per cent to this which is allowed by the conscription law ($1.05, a very large profit on one bunch of yarn) and the selling price will be $2.45 per bunch.
The same rule will apply to cotton cloths, and restrain the manufacturer's price to a trifle less than twenty-five cents per yard.--Iredell Express.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], March 31, 1863, p. 1, c. 5--Summary:
More on the Twentieth Tennessee's flag
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Female Spy Caught.
The Baltimore Clipper says Antonia J. Ford was the principal spy and
guide for Captain Moseby [sic] in his recent raid on Fairfax court House, and
aiding in planning the arrest of Gen. Stoughton Wyndham and others.
She was arrested and brought to Old Capitol prison Sunday last, with
$6,000 Confederate money on her person. The
following is a copy of her commission:
To all whom it may concern: Know ye that, reposing special confidence in the patriotism, fidelity and ability of Antonia J. Ford, I, J. E. B. Stuart, by virtue of power vested in me, as brigadier-general provisional army Confederate States, hereby appoint and commission her my honorable aid de-camp, to rank as such from this date. She will be obeyed, respected and admired by all heroes of a noble nature.
Given under my hand and seal, headquarters cavalry brigade, at Camp Beverly, 7th October, 1861, and first year of our independence.
J. E. B. Stuart.
By the General, L. T. Bryan, A. A. G.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 4, 1863, p. 2, c. 7
To The Ladies!
Confederate States of America,}
Surgeon General's Office, }
Richmond, Va., March 19th, 1863.}
Medical Purveyors will make endeavors through cards published in newspapers, to induce the ladies throughout the South to interest themselves in the culture of the Garden Poppy. They may thus render the Confederacy essential service.
[Signed] S. P. Moore,
Surgeon General, C.S.A.
Medical Purveyor's Office, }
Jackson, Mississippi, April 2d, 1863}
In compliance with the above order from the Surgeon General, I would respectfully call the attention of the ladies of Mississippi and Louisiana to the importance of the cultivation of this plant, the juice of which exuding from the punctured capsules, when sufficiently hardened and carefully put up, may be sent to this depot.
Richard Potts,
Surgeon C.S.A. and Medical Purveyor,
ap4 1m Department Miss and East Louisiana.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 6, 1863, p. 2, c. 4-5
Federal Reports from the Rio Grande.
the New Orleans New Era, March 30.]
The United States steamer Honduras, arrived here yesterday, from the Rio Grande, bringing about two hundred and sixty Texas refugees.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Stancel, we learn the following interesting particulars:
The Honduras left New Orleans on the 2d inst., and arrived at the mouth of the Rio Grande on the 6th.
On the morning of the 15th, a rebel force of about one hundred and fifty men crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, at the mouth of the river, and captured Col. E. J. Davis, of the 1st Texas cavalry, Capt. W. W. Montgomery, of the same regiment, and three soldiers.
About one hundred and fifty refugees were lying there waiting an opportunity to get on board the Honduras; they being prevented by rough weather.
Lieutenant Raditski and Captain Houston made their escape to the steamer, when they immediately started for Galveston, and brought the bark Arthur back with them.
The Mexican authorities immediately demanded the return of the prisoners kidnapped under their flag. Accordingly, on the 18th, Colonel Davis and the three soldiers taken were returned by the rebels to Matamoras. They did not return Captain Montgomery, however, and would not tell where he was. Private advices say he was hanged by the rebels, which is undoubtedly true. Col. Davis and Capt. Montgomery were taken from the house of the commandante.
The raid was made just before day on the morning of the 15th. Lieut. Col. Jessee Stancel, Capt. Hustin, and Lieut. Ruditzki, narrowly escaped the grasp of the marauding traitors. These three officers, with half a dozen Mexicans, afterward drove about fifty of the rebels from the front of the commandant's house to the river, firing into them and wounded three or four, two of whom, it was afterward ascertained, died that same evening. Some sixty others, who lay concealed in the sand bank in the rear of the little village, now came out and had the place completely surrounded, and the officers and their small party of Mexicans being unarmed, with the exception of a few six shooters, were entirely at their mercy.
They tied Col. Davis when they got him over into Texas, but untied him when they started for Fort Brown. They also tied Capt. Montgomery on his horse. He and Col. Davis rode together until within five miles of Fort Brown, when the captain was ordered by the rebel Major Chelton [sic--Chilton] to fall to the rear, since which time nothing had been heard from him, except a report that he had been hanged.
Capt. Brewer, a traitor of Northern birth, after Col. Davis was taken from the house, returned and said to Mrs. Davis, "Madam, this expedition was gotten up as much for your benefit as your husband's. You must leave here."
After the return of the captured officers and soldiers by the rebels, the refugees (numbering 116) were got on board the steamer. There are a number of families included in the number. About seventy-five men were left at Matamoras, not being able to get on board the steamer on account of the rebel raid.
The bark Arthur, after she had been brought around from Galveston, threw two shells into the rebel quarters, on the night of the 25th, at which time the Honduras left for this city, which place she reached on the 29th, and anchored in the river until this morning.
Col. Davis, Lieut.-Col. Stancel, Capt. Montgomery, and two lieutenants, were officers of the 1st Texas cavalry, recruited for General Hamilton's brigade.
Col. Davis was on board the steamship Cumberland when the rebels laid a trap for her capture in Galveston Bay. He returned on her at that time to this city, and subsequently reached the Rio Grande by another route.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
The Fashions--Spring Modes in Paris.
Le Follet de Paris.]
Among the various fashionable materials, Indian foulard is at present much in request, and will, no doubt, be as great a favorite as it was during the autumn. It is manufactured in different colors and designs, suitable to the period of the day when it is intended to be worn. For instance, made up for walking dresses, for evening wear, or for "at home" soirees, both colors and patterns are selected to suit the occasion, and so as to produce the best effect.
Black, brown, or a violet ground, with white or colored spots, flowers, or small designs, are in good taste for the morning; or, in a ground, the color of Russian leather; or, in iron gray, with flowers in various colors, among which violet or red predominates. An excellent assortment of the fabric is offered for evening wear, in white, pink, or violet.
A white ground, with Pompadour flowers, or very narrow stripes, in a beautiful shade of Secres blue, has a charming appearance. This article, in some of the lighter colors we have named, is especially adapted for young ladies.
This material is generally trimmed with white or blue taffetas, a narrow flounce, headed with a ruche, being placed at the bottom of the skirt. With this dress is worn a long, wide sash, also edged with a rouche, and tied behind.
Sleeves are made small and open, either open or closed down the front seam, at the choice of the wearer. Jockeys and revers are no longer worn. The sleeves are trimmed to correspond with the skirt; or, when this is not practicable, small ruches or insertions are the ornaments employed. In the richer materials, the sleeves are left open to elbows, and accompanied by other ones, trimmed with white lace falling through the opening.
For morning wear, deep linen cuffs, fastened with three buttons, either gold or precious stones, are the most fashionable. For more dressy wear, the cuffs are made in the same shape, but of Vallenciennes lace and embroidered insertion. With satin and velvet the sleeves are occasionally trimmed with white or black feathers, a band of the same being placed on the skirt of the dress, en tablier, and round the veste or body.
Velvet zouaves are worn with white muslin dresses, and velvet vestes, trimmed with white feathers or fur. Gold embroidery is no longer well worn. Vestes are also made of white cashmeres, and the skirts of the same trimmed with sable or chinchilla.
As we informed our readers last month, satin ball dresses are very much worn this year. They are trimmed either with a narrow flounce of lace at the bottom, and bouillonnes, crossed with light wreaths of flowers, or with a skirt of tulle buillonne, with or without flowers and a tunic of satin caught up at the side by bouquets; the satin body opens over a plasteon of tulle buillonne. The satin tunic is frequently replaced by one formed of wide lace, which can afterwards be used as trimmings for the bottoms of other dresses.
For simple toilette, white or colored tarlatane is used, with alternate [?] pieced of white and blue, or white and green, [illegible] ornaments are slightly waved, and the berthe is trimmed to match. Dresses of this [illegible] are also made with very [illegible] flounce about fifteen inches deep on the bottom, trimmed at each end with a very heavy full ruche, trimmed by alternate pleatings, white and striped. These dresses have nearly always ribbon sashes to match, tied behind.
Our list of dress this month is confined entirely to full dresses. The gay season, which les belles dames Anglaises doubtless now anticipate, will render our description of full dress doubly acceptable.
A dress of gold colored tulle, trimmed round the bottom with three very wide bouillones, separated by Chantilly lace flounces, eleven inches deep. Bows of golden and satin ribbon and pomegranate [illegible] are placed on every breadth of the flounces. The body has a drapery formed of [illegible] tulle [illegible] of satin, with a bunch of pomegranate [illegible] and ribbon in the center. The sleeves are very short, and made of small [illegible] of tulle.
A white tarletane dress embroidered with bees, trimmed round the bottom of the skirt about a quarter of a yard up, with bouillones of white tulle, forming festoons. A second skirt, trimmed round with a flounce of English application, forms a tunic, and reaches to the top of the boullionnes. The body is trimmed with tulle, put on in flat plaits, piped with white satin. The sleeves are formed of one bouillone of tulle, finished off with a frill of lace, to match that on the tunic.
A pink tulle skirt over and under one of rose satin. The underskirt trimmed with bouillonnes of tulle, and the upper one with bunches of roses, surrounded by moss placed on each breadth. The body has a berthe of fine guipure, fastened at the centre [sic] by a bouquet. The sleeves have wide guipure lappets hanging at the back, trimmed round with pink tulle ruches piped with satin.
A white dress made with several tulle skirts over a white satin one. The trimmings of this dress are tulle buillones, in pink. The skirt has also seven long ends, white satin, edged with ruches. Pointed body, entirely covered with pelisses of tulle and white satin bias folds and trimmed with lace, forming a berthe, which is closed at front with a bouquet of daisies. Boullonnes of tulle form the sleeves.
A white tarlatane dress embroidered with wheat ears. The under skirt is of satin of the same shade as the wheat, and trimmed at the bottom with bouillonnes of white tarlatane. The tunic, of embroidered tarlatane, is eleven inches shorter than the satin skirt, and is looped up by wreaths of flowers. Similar flowers trim the body, which has also a berthe of lace.
A robe of mauve satin, with flounces set on in wide plaits, with a tunic of white lace. A low body, with a satin berthe trimmed with lace, and a ruche of mauve satin, headed by Valenciennes lace, forms a tucker about an inch [illegible]
A toilet for a young lady, rather similar in style to the last, was made of tulle in bouillonnes, over which were sprinkled large gold stars. A bouquet of white camellias on the body. The hair dressed in front with a gold star, and a camellia close to the ear.
For the newest styles of bonnets we refer our readers to the following elegant models:
A bonnet of royal velvet in silver gray. A boutet [sic?] of leathers of the same color fastened with a barbe of black lace, falls over on the front edge on to a bandeau of wild roses, made of silk, and mixed with black lace.
The same style of bonnet is also equally elegant, and, and perhaps more generally becoming, when trimmed with ponceau feathers and flowers, mixed with black lace. Sprigs of ponceau ribbon.
A bonnet of white tulle Mallnes, with small fanchon Marie Stuart of blue silk. The point of the fanchon, as well as the strings, is trimmed with a very n arrow fringe of marabouts, which falls over a front edge. At one end of the fanchon is placed a bouquet of exquisite pale roses. Blonde cap and diadem of roses to match these on the outside.
Pink cape bonnet, quite plain. Curtain of pink terry velvet. On the front, a bow of frosted feathers, crossed by a branch of leaves formed of white blonde. In the cap, a rose crossed with tulle and surrounded with leaves of blonde. Strings of pink ribbon trimmed with blonde.
A bonnet of Mexican blue crape; curtain of velvet the same color. A drapery of velvet coming from the cap, fastened on one side with a bow of black ribbon, has a very a pretty effect. The cap is trimmed with buds of the tea rose and leaves. Capete [sic?] of crepelisse, rose color; black lace curtain and torsade of black figured tulle, fastening a bunch of ostrich feathers, over which is placed a papillon bow of black chantilly. In the inside a small tuft of feathers and bouquet of pinks mixed with black lace.
A bouquet of light blue quilted silk, trimmed rosebuds, and long, hanging bows of blue velvet. Blue ribbon strings, and cap of blonde trimmed with bows of velvet and rosebuds.
A figured tulle bonnet, quite plain on the shape, with curtain of blonde, edged with "Tom Thumb" fringe of white feathers, surmounted by two rows of green velvet. The edge of the front is bound with green velvet. On one side is placed a bouquet of white feathers; on the other, an aigrette of white Ulace, mixed with ivy leaves. Bandeau of green velvet, and white lilacs.
For evening dress, wreaths are much in favor. A very pretty one is formed of blue bind weed and gold berries. This wreath falls in long ends over the shoulders. A diadem of white narcissus, mixed with heath green pine berries, and leaves of the hollyhock.
A coiffure of ponceau velvet, with tufts of white roses and heath on one side; on the opposite [oops!--didn't copy final two paragraphs]
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
A soldier from Chattanooga gave a very fair idea of the attractiveness of the place in the following manner. Several were speaking of the lack of accommodation there, when he remarked: "Well, if I were to be sent to h--l, and had five days furlough to stop in Chattanooga, I should say, 'drive on boys!"
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 9, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Paper mills burned.--The Bath paper mills in South Carolina, a short distance from Augusta, Georgia, were destroyed on the 2d inst. These were the largest mills in the Confederacy, and the loss is a serious one to the proprietors, as well as to the papers of the South.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 7
To Your Tents, Oh Israel! For sale, one large round tent, 100 feet in circumference, made of heavy ship canvass. Apply to H. Cassidy, at the Tent Manufactory, near the Post Office, Jackson.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 13, 1863, p. 1, c. 8
The Want of Printing Paper.
The Augusta Constitutionalist of Saturday last appears in a half sheet.
The editor says:
The destruction of the Bath paper mills, from which we derived our supplies of printing paper, may entail on us the necessity of suspending the issue of the Constitutionalist. At this time it seems impossible to obtain paper from any other source. All the paper mills of the Confederacy are now monopolized to their fullest capacity by press engagements. Under these circumstances, we prefer not to receive any more subscriptions. We request all persons contemplating remittances by mail or express to withhold them, at least until we can announce definitively whether we will be able to continue the issue of this paper. Should we be compelled to suspend we will resume our publication as soon thereafter as practicable. It is wholly impossible, however, now to make any calculation as to when it can be.
These remarks apply equally to the publication of the Southern Field and Fireside.
It would be vain for us to attempt to express the depth of our regret at this great calamity. It is one of those terrible providences to which we must bow, and we feel our subscribers will do so likewise, without any other sentiment toward us than that of regret at a common misfortune.
Under these circumstances we will be compelled, for the present, to publish our daily on a half sheet, and to condense or perhaps leave out our contract advertisements.
The Macon Telegraph of Monday also appears on a half sheet. The editor says:
What we have for a long time foreseen and dreaded as inevitable has come upon us. We are obliged to take to a fragment of a sheet and even then can only promise that it shall be as large as possible. For the reasons which impel this step we refer the reader to an article copied elsewhere from the Charleston Courier of the 3d instant--and so stringent are they as to force that old, wealthy and influential sheet to a suspension for a few days. Nothing remains for us and all other Confederate newspapers but to diminish our consumption to the lowest possible limit consistent with keeping our readers advised of current events, and this must be done by throwing out all standing advertisements and restricting that branch of our business to the smallest possible limit.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
A Bold Experiment.
the Richmond Examiner.]
The reader will find in the report of evidence in the police court, the true account of a so-called riot in the streets of Richmond. A handful of prostitutes, professional thieves, Irish and Yankee hags, gallows birds from all lands but our own, congregated in Richmond, with a woman huckster at their head, who buys veal at the toll-gate for a hundred and sells the same for two hundred and fifty in the morning market, undertook the other day to put into private practice the principles of the commissary department. Swearing that they would have goods "at government prices," they broke open half a dozen shoe stores, hat stores, and tobacco houses, and robbed them of everything but bread, which was just they thing they wanted least. Under the demagogue's delusion that they might be "poor people," "starving people," and the like, an institution of charity made a distribution of rice and flour to all who would ask for it. Considering the circumstances, it was a vile, cowardly and pernicious act; but the manner in which it was received exhibits the character of this mob. Miscreants were seen to dash the rice and flour into the muddy street, where the traces still remain, with the remark that "if that was what they were going to give, they might go to h-ll." It is greatly to be regretted that this most villainous affair was not punished on the spot. Instead of shooting every wretch engaged at once, the authorities contented themselves with the ordinary arrest, and hence the appearance of the matter in the police report of the morning.
If it were the only thing of this sort which has appeared in Southern cities, it would not be worth attention. But as the reader has already seen from our columns, some two weeks ago there was one in Atlanta, immediately followed by one in Mobile; which was succeeded by another in Salisbury; then in Petersburg; and the very next day by this in Richmond. Now if these were unconcerted tumultuous movements, caused by popular suffering, they would not, could not, have this regular gradation of time from one city to another in the line of travel from the South to North. It is impossible to doubt that the concealed investigators in each case were the same. Having done the work in one city, they took the cars to the next. That they are emissaries of the Federal government it is equally difficult to doubt. For some time past the Northern press has teemed with intimations of some wonderful secret machinery which was at work to overthrow the South. This is what they meant. No doubt the next arrival of Northern newspapers will be filled with lies about these thief saturnalia, which will shame Munchausen. As three hundred Yankee prisoners went off by flag of truce on yesterday, the whole story, with all the additions which malice and invention can supply, has already got as far as Old Point.
No doubt either that they will be represented as "bread riots!" Bread riots! while this and every other city of the South has always had large appropriations for the poor uncalled for; when labor is so scarce that everything in human shape that is willing to work can make from two to four dollars in the day; when seamstresses refuse two dollars and a half, with board, because the said board does not include tea and butter! Plunder, theft, burglary, and robbery, were the motives of these gangs, foreigners and Yankees the organizers of them.
One thing is certain, that if any exhibition of the sort appear again, it must be put down in such a manner that it will never be repeated. There would never have been but one if the magistrates and citizens of the town in which they occurred had done their duty. A most contemptible notion, that such disturbance is a shame, which must be hidden, (as well try to hide the sun!) led them to coax and wheedle the audacious miscreants engaged in it. That course ensured their recurrence. It always does so. When an individual permits himself to be black-mailed by a scoundrel, he is always bled again and again till he is exhausted; so too a community which permits itself to be bullied by its criminal population, must expect to find it bolder every day until it rules all. We know that a street rabble, of which a cowardly king was afraid, once got such possession of Paris; that it produced an anarchy of blood and horror which lasted two years; lasted till the mob met a Corsican lieutenant who was not afraid of it or aught; when it vanished in a whiff of powder smoke and never was heard of again. Times of revolution and war are always fertile in this species of crime, and unless checked properly it becomes exceedingly dangerous to the public cause. There is only one way to check it properly. The opportunity to do so should not be avoided, or approached reluctantly, but eagerly sought and pursued to its very utmost extent of availability.
It is useless to dwell on this truth. For citizens who have arms in their hands and yet permit their money and property to be ravished form them by cowardly burglars and thieves, because they are incited to come in a gang of fifty in broad day light, instead of by twos or threes at midnight, we have no sympathy. If the officers of the law, with the ample decision and energy to do more than arrest highway robbers and disperse a mob of idlers at their heels, whose presence there deserved immediate death quite as well, no words or arguments can furnish them with the pluck they lack.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
A Mob in Columbus.
An event which we had been long expecting, transpired in this city on
this morning. A company of women, led on and encouraged by a few vagabonds
whose presence is a pestilence in any community, and especially so in ours,
congregated near the new bridge in the upper part of the city, organized
themselves into a "seizing" party and proceeded down Broad street for
the purpose of making impressments of private property on their own account.
The company numbered about sixty-five viragoes, some of whom were armed with pistols and knives, all cursing and swearing, and threatening what they intended to do in case speculators or merchants refused to grant their reasonable requests. They proceeded down nearly the whole length of the business part of the street, when they came to a halt in front of Mr. George A. Norris' dry goods store, entered it and commenced helping themselves to whatever they wanted, when the police was called in and the mob dispersed. A competent guard has since been furnished by Major Humphreys, of the ordnance department, and no further apprehension is felt.
One man, a graceless vagabond, by the name of Brooks, generally known as "Shanghai" Brooks, who accompanied the mob to the store, and who stood outside the door encouraging the Amazons in their seizures, was arrested and is now in jail. What disposition will be made of his case we are not advised.
This is some of the legitimate fruits of what Governor Brown is pleased to call "impressments" for the benefit of the people." It began in this State with the functionary, two years ago, in Atlanta, or other markets in Georgia, where salt was selling at ten and twelve dollars per sack, and has culminated as we witnessed in Columbus this morning.--Columbus Sun.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 15, 1863, p. 2. c. 8
[From our Morning Edition.]
The Richmond Riots.
The virago who headed this outbreak is thus referred to by the Examiner:
The case of Mary, huckster in the market and the leader of the woman's riot, was called. The prisoner was a good specimen of a forty year old Amazon, with the eye of the Devil.
It was in evidence before the mayor that this Amazonian huckster had been threatening and arranging for a riot for some time. She seems to have gone for her means largely into the speculation business in provisions. Two weeks ago, it was shown, she purchased two veal calves near the city for fifty dollars each, and asked immediately, seventy-five dollars each.
One of the women engaged is the wife of a man who is receiving good and full wages under the government. Another woman is receiving twenty-five dollars a week as a tent maker; the husband of another is flourishing at large under consular protection, and several of the women were shown to be the wives or daughters or sisters of men of comfortable means and resources.
The mayor remarked during the investigation:
"There is no reason why there should have been any suffering among the poor of this city; more money has been appropriated than has been applied for. It should be, and is, well understood that the riot yesterday was not for bread. Boots are not bread; brooms are not bread; men's hats are not bread; and I never heard of anybody eating them."
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 17, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
A Handkerchief Flag.--We clip the following paragraph from the local column of a New Orleans paper sent to us a few days since by a friend:
Miss P------, a young lady who sympathizes with the rebels, was yesterday forenoon walking through the street waving a secession flag which had been worked in one corner of her pocket handkerchief. She met a naval officer and waved it, if not in his face at least very conspicuously before him. The officer came to a halt, and she waved it again, whereupon he arrested her and took her before the provost marshal general. While answering the questions of that officer, she employed her pretty teeth in eating the flag out of the handkerchief. The general sentenced her to forfeit the handkerchief, and to report in person every day at 1 o'clock, for one month, to the city provost marshal. Thus Miss P_____ will be reminded thirty times that she is under the protection of the United States government, and that it is not becoming for such to go through the streets waving the ensign of traitors. We trust that her thirty journeys to the marshal's office will make her a wiser woman.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 22, 1863, p. 1, c. 1
Soldiers' Lunch House.
Among the many efforts of the ladies of the South to contribute to the
comfort of their brave defenders in the field, few, perhaps, have been more
successful in accomplishing their original purpose than the enterprise of
establishing a lunch house for the passing soldier at Jackson.
The association has quietly pursued its generous work, until after
contributing to the comfort of thousands from every State in the Confederacy, it
has become an institution favorably known in every corps that has had individual
members detained in our city. Modestly
pursuing the purpose of their organization, the leading spirits in the good work
have gone on with great energy and perseverance, until they have placed at the
disposal of the soldier a home. True,
it is plain and simple, still it is a retreat that has proven a benefit to
thousands who would otherwise have suffered.
In this praiseworthy movement we are pleased to learn a number of ladies from all parts of the State have participated, and all of these can rest assured that every day their enterprise is filling its mission of relieving the distressed and toilworn soldiers, whose blessings upon the kindness and thoughtfulness of women are constantly ascending. The monthly report recently published shows that the hearts of the noble women of the State are enlisted in the work they have undertaken. The institution, to the honor of its supporters be it said, is not a local one, any more than are the benefits it confers confined to the soldier from any particular locality. And as far as the latter is concerned we know a soldier of the Confederacy is always welcome.
We commend to the ladies at other important points in the State, the example furnished by the ladies engaged in this work. There are other places where a few vigilant workers can accomplish the same beneficial results we have witnessed here. At Meridian, Grenada, Vicksburg, and elsewhere, we have seen our soldiers suffer, when they might, by similar efforts, have been relieved. Let the women reflect and act--the men will aid and assist. The burden will not fall upon the weaker sex alone.
We refer to the lunch house at Jackson, fully appreciating the good that has been accomplished by its establishment. And, because we believe it is accomplishing so much, we bespeak for the ladies connected with it every assistance that the charitable can possibly afford them. Of course its continued success depends upon the liberality of the public, and to this we would appeal. No matter how small the contribution, or what its nature, if of any value whatever, prudent managers will turn it to account. Nothing can come amiss. We hope the public will continue to respond to the call of the ladies, as heretofore, in order that there may be no intermission in their good works.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 7
J. N. Cannon & Co. have just received--
500 ounces Quinine,
100 ounces Morphine,
200 pounds Calomel,
200 pounds Blue mass,
100 pounds Green tea,
500 pounds Lamp Black,
200 lbs best Glue
12 dozen Medicinal Brandy,
500 assorted Violin Strings.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 7
Soap! Soap! Soap for the Million. All of you who want bar soap, put up in boxes, can obtain the same at as reasonable prices as the times will permit by applying at the Soap Factory, near the Confederate House, Jackson, Miss. G. T. Lynch, Proprietor.
P.S.--I will sell Soft Soap at 15 cents per pound. It will be of first rate quality. All parties wishing the same must furnish barrels. Brigade commissaries and others will do well to have all the Grease they can spare shipped to me. I will pay a high price for the same. All orders accompanied with the cash, or grease shipped will be punctually attended to.
G. T. Lynch.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 5-6
The Paris Fashions
Modes for April.
Le Follet, of Paris.]
We have now arrived at a period of the year when "la mode" may be said to be in a transitory state. Velvets must give place to taffetas and furs to lace. Moire antique and poult de soie are also much worn this season; and truth compels us to repeat, what we so frequently said last year, that foulard is still one of the materials most in vogue. Seeing that it can be obtained in all shades and in such a variety of charming designs, it is not surprising that it should so long retain its sway in the fashionable world. All colors are worn, but brown--from the Havana brown to the lightest shade, approaching nankeen--and blue, are those most frequently seen.
Irish poplin makes a very suitable and elegant dress for the month of April. We this year find those made in checks or narrow stripes much worn. Taffetas, of a light color, with narrow strips of spotted velvet, or dotted over with velvet flowers, is exceedingly elegant. Many walking dresses of this material in black are richly trimmed, either with designs in stamped velvet or with medallions of a new style of passementerie. Taffetas antique continue in favor.
Brading [sic], wide insertions of lace, and narrow flounces of guipure may, perhaps, be specified as the three styles of trimming most appropriate for spring dresses; but taffetas are also used, in ruches, either pinked or bound, or in narrow quillings, which must on no account be placed higher than ten inches above the bottom of the skirt. Very narrow flounces are still in fashion.
The vest Figaro is as universal a favorite as ever; and frequently the body of the dress is trimmed so as to appear like one. Bodies are also made with small position basques, or with a band; but with the latter we may mention a novelty consisting of a long Spanish sash of taffetas, which is twisted twice round the waist and tied in a bow at each side.
Sleeves are almost invariably made narrow and straight, a fashion which has now lasted some time; though we think it highly probably that, as the warm weather approaches, we shall find dresses of thin material made with wider sleeves.
The usual form for spring mantles is either the regonde, small collet, santoses [sic?] basque (or short jacket), and the scarf. They are very frequently made of the same material as the dress. Those in taffetas are all trimmed with lace.
A description of some of the newest and most elegant dresses will gratify our patrons with the taste displayed in the selection of the materials and trimming.
A dress of poult de soie antique, color of Russian leather, with a very wide skirt forming a train. Round the skirt narrow fluting [sic?] of the same material as the dress. Plain high body, with point in front. Sleeves with a seam at the back, opened and trimmed with hanging buttons.
Dinner dresses of mauve-colored moire antique, all the trimmings in white taffetas, very wide, forming a drapery, covered with black lace. A low body, with a berthe of taffetas edged with lace.
A robe of taffetas, of a rather deep shade. Skirt with a train trimmed at the top of the hem with an insertion about ten inches wide. High body, with a postillion basque, and an insertion laid on the front of the body in the style of a Figaro veste, and carried round upon the basque sleeves with revers, trimmed with lace.
A dress, emerald green Irish poplin, the front of the skirt and body trimmed with guipure insertion, laid on in squares, and an ornament of passementerie at every point where the insertion intersects. A similar trimming is placed upon the sleeve.
A dress of taffetas antique in Mexico blue, with a small pattern in black. The bottom of the skirt trimmed with three rows of blue ruching, edged with a plaiting of black taffetas; the bottom put on straight, the others waved or vandyked. The body is simply trimmed with a narrow ruche on each front plait, but three are placed at the bottom of the sleeve, which is bell-shaped.
A dress of taffetas antique, color chaveaux de la reine. The bottom trimmed with one flounce of guipure, rather more than five inches wide. A second guipure, two inches narrower, forms a tunique, being carried up the front. The body is plain and h high, with a small pelerine, trimmed with a guipure. Quite narrow sleeves, square at the bottom, opened up the side and trimmed with a white guipure, which forms an undersleeve.
A robe of point de soie, black ground, with small embroidered flowers and jet intermixed. The skirt is trimmed at the bottom with three insertions of lace, over bands of white silk, edged with an elegant passementerie. Another band of white silk, covered with lace, forms a square on the body, which is high, and a similar band is formed upon the sleeve.
For morning dress the polonaise will be worn all through the summer. It is made all in one piece, with small sleeves, with the seam up the back and the skirt quite plain. They will be trimmed with passementerie in front of the body, up to the seam of each shoulder, and on the sleeves, wrists and pockets.
Robes de chambre are generally made plain, without a seam in front, and large plaits at the back. The fronts of the skirts are trimmed with revers of plush or quilted taffetas or braid of the color of the taffetas lining. A cord and tassels round the waist.
Robe of poult de soie chine, color autumn leaves. At the bottom two wide ruches, trimmed with narrow black ribbon more; the ruches are waved all round the bottom of the dress. The body and sleeves are quite tight fitting. The sleeves have a row of buttons up to the elbow and a ruche round the wrist.
A dress of fawn colored silk, trimmed up each seam with a double ruche of black lace, in the center of which is a narrow chicoree of Solferino silk. Low plain body, with short, flat sleeves. Jacket of black lace, trimmed with ruches of lace and Solferino silk. A ruche of the same [skipped line?] which re not very large. A robe of light green silk, trimmed with flounces of black lace, placed a little distance from each other. Over each flounce is placed a ribbon, the same color as the dress, plaited in the middle. Plain body, covered with a jacket of black lace reaching to the waist, trimmed round with two rows of lace sewn together, and slightly fulled on. The same trimming forms the jockey. The sleeve is open, square at the bottom, and trimmed with lace to match the rest of the jacket, and a wider one falling over the arms. The bottom of the jacket is trimmed at the back with a lace as wide as that on the skirt, which is made narrower toward the front. Two papillon bows of lace are placed on the front of the body; a third is placed at the waist, which has long ends reaching to the flounces on the skirt.
The shape of the spring bonnets are much the same as those worn during the winter, but not at all exaggerated. They are trimmed with bouquets of feathers or flowers. Marabout feathers are much worn; not the plain marabout, but long fringed marabouts, resembling the saule feather, but not so long. The marabout dechiree is certainly the prettiest and most graceful trimming for a dress bonnet one can find. Some good houses are using leather trimming for bonnets, but we cannot admire nor recommend this style, although the utmost has been done with such a material for the purpose.
We will describe a few bonnets so trimmed, and leave our readers to form their own opinions.
A bonnet of crape, Russian leather color; curtain of silk to match, edged with a fringe of leather, headed by a band of the same. One the front a scarf of ribbon, edged with a leather fringe, is crossed and fastened by a band of leather. The inside of the bonnet trimmed with a corsade and wheat ears of blue crape.
A straw bonnet trimmed round the front with leather buttons; curtain of white silk, also trimmed to correspond. On the front three bows of white ribbon, with a leather button on each bow. Three other bows fall over the curtain, and are drawn together by a band of ribbon. Lilac chrysanthemums, mixed with green and lilac heath, ornament the outside and inside of the front.
The last bonnet of this style we shall describe, was of green crape, trimmed with three rows of full crape, over which were placed ornaments of leather, resembling oak carvings. At the side a band of white chrysanthemums; the same flowers inside the bonnet.
Let us turn to the others, and, to our taste, more elegant styles of trimming. For instance, a bonnet of brown crape, trimmed with a fanchon of chantille, forming vine leaves and falling over. The front edge, raised by a bouquet of brown feathers and monthly roses.
A Belgian straw bonnet, with a curtain of black lace, pointed. The front is covered with small roses of Chantilly lace, with branches of maize, hyacinths, and long leaves, powdered and browned by the March sun.
A capote of tulle malines, trimmed with an insertion of blonde at the front edge, and bouillon of tulle under which is place a white or green ribbon. At the side, a tuft of violets and moss; the same vis de.
Lilac crape bonnet, with marabout de hiree, white and lilac. The cape of blonde, with marabout feathers.
A bonnet of rice straw, trimmed with ribbon, of the new color known as ble des Indes, and tea roses and two white marabout feathers.
A white crape bonnet, with puffings of white tulle and white daisies under the puffings. The inside of the bonnet to match.
A bonnet of Marie Louise blue crape. On the front, three bows of ribbon of the same color, fastened by a bow of lace with two ends.
A bonnet of white and pink crape, in checks, with aigrettes of pink hyacinths at the side, fastened with an aigrette of pink ribbons. Curtain made of ruches of pink crape. Capote crown, crossed by a band of ribbon, forming the strings. Coquilles of tulle illusion, crossed with pink ribbon and aigrettes of hyacinths.
A drab crape bonnet, the crown and front trimmed with a large bow, formed of a plaid scarf in bright colors, with a fringe on the ends. Strings of the same ribbon, also fringed. Crape curtain. An insertion of black lace is placed all around the front edge and curtain, and a red velvet ribbon is placed under. A plaiting of drab crape, mixed with tulle illusion, bouquet of red berries, moss and heath.
A bonnet of white fancy straw. The curtain of Mexican blue silk, cut in three rounded pieces, trimmed round with fringe and hanging buttons of silk of the same color. The outside trimmed with a bow of blue and white plaid ribbon, fringed, and the inside with coquilles of narrow tulle, placed on a wide tulle, behind which is a row of blue fringe, to match that on the curtain. On one side a tuft of blue violets, strings of blue and white checked ribbon are placed very high up the sides and fringed at the ends.
Round hats are beginning to appear with the fine weather. Those we have seen as yet are principally of felt or velvet, trimmed with ribbons and feathers. The shape for the season will be more decided in another month.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], April 30, 1863, p. 1, c. 8
Rye Straw.--A writer in the Edgefield Advertiser gives the following directions for preparing rye straw for braiding:
The rye must be cut while in bloom. Cut as carefully as possible to prevent breaking, early in the morning, and bundle it immediately, before the sun has much power on it. It must then be taken to a kettle of boiling water, and each bundle steeped three minutes, then open the bundles and spread out to dry and bleach, a clear sun being almost indispensable to fine color. After it becomes properly dried, put into a bundle again to be kept in a dry place, where the dust cannot soil it.
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], May 4, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Is This a Time to Dance?
breath of evening sweeps the plain,
And sheds its perfume in the dell--
But on its wings are sounds of pain,
Sad tones that drown the echo's swell;
And yet we hear a mirthful call,
Fair pleasure smiles with beaming glance,
Gay music sounds in the joyous hall--
Oh God! is this a time to dance?
notes, as if a spirit sighed,
Float from the crimson battle plain,
As if a mighty spirit cried
In awful agony and pain--
Our friends we know there suffering lay,
Our brothers, too, perchance,
And in reproachful accents say--
Loved ones, is this a time to dance?
lift your festal robes on high!
The human gore that flows around
Will stain their hues with crimson dye;
And louder let your music sound
To drown the dying warrior's cry!
Let sparkling wine your joy enhance,
Forget that blood has tinged its dye,
And quicker urge the maniac's dance,
stop! the floor beneath your feet
Gives back a coffin's hollow moan,
And every strain of music sweet,
Wafts forth a dying soldier's groan;
Oh sisters! who have brothers dear
Exposed to every battle's chance,
Brings dark Remorse no forms of fear,
To fright you from the heartless dance?
fling your festal robes away!
Go don the mourner's sable veil!
Go bow before your God and pray!
If yet your prayers may aught avail.
Go face the fearful form of Death!
And trembling meet his chiding glance,
And then, for once, with truthful breath,
Answer, Is this a time to dance?
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], May 5, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Savannah Wove Socks.--We have upon our table a pair of soldier's thick cotton socks woven by machinery by Mr. Hacket, of this city, which are superior to any we have ever seen, either of domestic or foreign manufacture. We understand that the machine is capable of weaving several pairs of socks per hour, which only require a little finishing at the heel and toe by hand to complete a most perfect and serviceable article--Savannah News.
DAILY APPEAL [JACKSON, MS], May 6, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
The Paper Question.--The Montgomery Mail says:
After diligent inquiry we are able to present the following list of paper mills now in operation within the limits of the Southern Confederacy:
Alabama 1--At Spring Hill in Mobile county.
Georgia 3--At Columbus, Marietta and Athens.
South Carolina 5--One at Greenville and four others
North Carolina 8--Lincolnton, Shelby, Fayetteville, Salem, Concord and three others at Raleigh, viz: Neuse river, Forrestville and Mantua.
Virginia 2--Both at Richmond.
Tennessee 1--At Knoxville.
It will be seen that there are twenty paper mills now in operation in the South, and there can be no doubt that they would be able to supply the newspaper demand if the materials for manufacturing paper could be obtained at reasonable rates.