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Introduction:
Carlo Botta, the Italian
historian, in his History of the War for Independence, says: "In
that fierce struggle, the War of the American Revolution, the women
of Carolina presented an example of fortitude more than manly. I
know not the history, ancient or modern, which has recorded a story
of devotion exceeding or equaling that exhibited by these heroic
beings to their American country.
Far from considering the
epithet a reproach, they gloried and exulted in the name of Rebel
women. Their example was inspiring, and it is owing principally to
the firmness of these patriotic Carolinians that the name, as well
as the love of liberty, was not extinguished in the Southern
States."
In the not distant future, let us hope that some
foreign historian, reading this record of facts, and touched bv the
witchery of the theme, may, like Botta, tell another continent, in
another tongue,how the descendants of those Carolina women of the
Revolution, in the third and fourth generation, "presented an
example of fortitude more than manly." But he will have to add that,
while the heroines of the first Revolution lived to exult with their
surviving sons and brothers in a victory glorious and complete, the
South Carolina Women of the Confederacy saw their cause go down in
gloom and defeat; that cause which, throughout all the horrors of
the Reconstruction era, they regarded and still hold in "boundless
love and reverence and regret."
The purpose of this book is
to record, in part, the work of South Carolina women during the War
for Southern Independence, not only in making banners, "binding her
warriors' sash," and those offices which the cold-blooded
materialist classes as "sentimental";but woman as a potent factor in
furnishing food and clothing for the men on the battle line, and for
the wounded and dying in the hospital.
It is confidently
expected that this book will furnish abundant material not only for
the poet and novelist who would forcibly portray "the strength and
beauty of woman's devotion," but for the statistician and political
economist who seeks to explain how the armies of the Confederate
States could for over four years win many victories and hold
Richmond and Charleston against tremendous odds on land and sea, the
Northern ports all the time drawing freely upon Europe for men and
supplies.
The Commissary and Quartermaster Departments of the
new government, the first year of the war, were unable to clothe and
feed the armies of the South, and probably the majority of the
soldiers had not the means to furnish their own uniforms. When the
commissaries and quartermasters had organized their departments in
1862,1863 and 1864, the supplies of food, clothing, and medicine
scarcely ever equaled the demand, and during the last year of the
war cracked corn was the chief support of many a starving regiment.
It may be questioned if the war could have been prolonged for four
years but for the constant and untiring aid of the women of the
South.
An officer, closely identified with South Carolinians,
who doffed the garb of a minister of God to wear the Confederate
uniform, describes the work of the women of the South in terms
which, in the minutest detail, will be amply verified by letters and
reports in this book. He says: "Houses were stripped of their
blankets and carpets that the shivering soldier might be protected
against the winter's cold. Delicately nurtured women, unaccustomed
to labor, toiled the livelong day for the soldier. The morning dawn
lighted them to their labors, and the midnight lamp witnessed their
close. The factories being inadequate to the emergency, the handloom
was made to supply the deficiency. The spinning wheel
again uttered its once familiar music as it was turned by hands
accustomed only to the instruments of the drawing room. Fairy
fingers, used-alone to toy with delicate embroidery, boldly seized
and made the coarse garment of the soldier. The ordinary pursuits of
life were interrupted and ordinary associations ceased."
No
"Sanitary" or "Christian Commission," heavily endowed by leading
capitalists or government funds, brought nourishing food and
medicine to the wounded or fever-stricken Confederate. South of the
Potomac, it was the mission of woman to attempt, and in hundreds of
thousands of cases to successfully perform, this self-imposed and
unprecedented task.
There can be no question of the need for
such a work as this, in justice to those who are gone, and that
those who come after us may rightly estimate the character and
services of the womanhood of South Carolina during 1861-65; but a
brief account of the origin of this book may be of interest. Mrs.
Thomas Taylor, as early as 1896,had urged upon Wade Hampton Chapter,
Daughters of the Confederacy, of Columbia, the importance of
collecting the photographs
and records of women who had been
active in Confederate work during the war, and, assisted by zealous
co-workers, gathered valuable data regarding the establishment
of Wayside Homes at the State Capital.
At the Convention of
the State Division, held in Abbeville in 1897,on motion of Mrs.
Augustine T. Smythe, a committee was appointed "to collect
statistics of Woman's Work in the War." Mrs. Smythe was appointed
chairman and, with two other members of the committee—Mrs. W. W.
Williams, of Greenville, and Mrs. James Evans,of
Florence—immediately began the work. These ladies diligently and
persistently sought throughout the State for records, and invited
reports from those who had taken active part in soldiers' relief
work. The section of this book relating to Hospital and
Soldiers' Relief Societies is proof of the assiduity and rare
judgrtient of Mrs. Smythe and her associates, and a cursory perusal
of their report is sufficient to prove its value to the future
historian.
At the Convention in Greenville, in 1899, Mrs.
Thomas Taylor was elected President of the South Carolina Division.
By resolution,offered by Miss Bythewood, of Greenville, a State
Division historical committee was created "to collect historical
material with reference to publishing the same"—Miss M. B.
Poppenhcim, Chairman. During the years 1900, 1901, and 1902, Mrs.
Taylor gave close attention to this enterprise, believing that the
invaluable services of the women as a factor in the war should be
demonstrated as a part of the power of the commonwealth. The subject
was kept before the Chapters, and in each Annual Convention was
presented in the President's address as an important
consideration.
At the Convention held in Sumter, Mrs. Taylor,
the retiring President, recommended the appointment of "a committee,
who should petition the Legislature to appropriate a sufficient sum
of money to enable the Daughters of the Confederacy to publish the
records of the South Carolina women, these records being necessary
for the presentation of a complete history of the war." Mrs. James
Conner,the President, appointed Mrs. Thomas Taylor as Chairman of
such committee, with power to act. Circumstances making it
impracticable to call together the representatives of the Chapters,
Mrs. Taylor, accompanied by Mrs. J. W. Flinn, in January, 1902,
appeared before the joint committee of the two chambers and, with
the hearty cooperation of Senator J. Q. Marshall, of Richland,
successfully proved to the satisfaction of the committee that the
House and Senate, "in the State's interest, might consider the
question whether it were worth the expenditure of the State's money
to enable the association of her daughters to put into the country's
history the story of her womanhood as it was displayed in the war."
The committee agreed to recommend, and the Legislature subsequently
confirmed, the appropriation of $500 for the purchase of 300
copies,which should be distributed to schools and
institutions.
The editing committee appointed by the
President—Mrs. James Conner—in 1902, consisted of Mrs. Thomas
Taylor,Chairman; Miss M. B. Poppenheim, Mrs. August Kohn, Miss M. B.
Washington,and Mrs. A. T. Smythe, and to the excellent editorial
judgment and unremitting labors of this committee, and that
appointed under Mrs.Smythe's resolution in 1898, the merit and value
of this work are due.
The committee is indebted to Mr. A. E.
Gonzales, of The State,who has offered every facility, advantage and
aid at his command, and to Mr. August Kohn, of The News and Courier,
whose judgment and advice have been of material
assistance.
Holding in lifelong recollection the constancy and
devotion of those "South Carolina Women in the Confederacy" who are
dead,the writer of this introduction would say to each and every
survivor of that noble band:
Forgive this feeble script which doth thee
wrong,
Measuring with little wit thy lofty love.
Yates
Snowden.
Report of the Work of the Women of
South Carolina During the Confederate War.
At the Annual Convention of the South Carolina
Division, Daughters of the Confederacy, held in Abbeville in
December, 1898, a committee was appointed to collect statistics and
facts in regard to the work of the women of this State during the
Confederate War.
This committee consisted of the following
members:
Mrs. Augustine T. Smythe, Charleston.
Mrs. James
Evans, Florence.
Mrs. W. W. Williams, Greenville. It was
intended that the report of the committee should embrace the work
done by the women at their homes, whether in towns or on
plantations, in soldiers' relief associations and in
hospitals.
Their report is now presented to you, and is
necessarily very incomplete and unsatisfactory in many ways. This
incompleteness comes from no want of effort on the part of the
committee, as they have done everything in their power, by
correspondence and otherwise, to elicit the desired information.
Many of their letters were never answered, but such answers as were
received were valuable and interesting.
As before reported,
it has been impossible to find files or even many stray numbers of
newspapers published during the war, except the Charleston
Mercury and the Charleston Courier, of which complete
files are kept in the Library of that city.
Because of this,
our information as regards the lower districts is fuller. In fact, a
complete history of the relief associations of Charleston could be
had, but much has been omitted.
Mrs. Augustine T. Smythe.
Mrs. James
Evans.
Mrs. W. W. Williams.
The State of South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20,
1860. In the Charleston Mercury of January 3, 1861, we
see the following:
Charleston Mercury, January 3, 1861.
"The Surgeon-General respectfully and gratefully
acknowledges the patriotic response of the ladies to the suggestion
to supply bandages. They are rapidly coming in. They should be two
and one-half and three inches wide, and six yards long. The ladies
of Colonel Jacobs' family have the honor of having made the first
contribution."
One of the "ladies of Colonel Jacobs' family"
is Mrs. Philip Wineman, of Charleston, who remembers well the making
of those bandages.
While no time was lost in making
preparations, the following editorial shows how little the terrible
events and necessities of the coming days were generally
realized:
Charleston Mercury, January 3, 1861.
"The brave
and the fair. "We suppose that everybody knows by this time that
all the good ladies of Charleston are busy preparing creature
comforts for the gallant men who are keeping watch and ward on the
ramparts and breastworks which defend our city.
"We might
enumerate a host of good things which we have been the happy
instruments of transmitting to worthy recipients—good things of
every imaginable kind, from mattresses to lint. For the last named
articles we hope that our volunteers may have no special use, unless
it be to stuff the mattresses."
That some hearts were less
confident, and felt the need of help and support, is shown by a
gentle suggestion from a "devoted daughter of South Carolina"
(Mercury, January 4th) of daily prayer meetings. So it is seen that
the women began early with prayers and work that were never to cease
for four long, weary years.
Charleston Mercury, January 5, 1861.
A day
later we read that:
"The Columbia ladies are receiving
contributions for the purpose of aiding in furnishing members of the
rifle company with such articles of uniform and equipment as may be
necessary, at short notice. Several ladies have agreed to make up
the uniforms, and are now engaged in the patriotic work. All honor
to the ladies of Columbia."
The ladies of Savannah had
already made sacks to be filled with straw, and sent to the forts
for beds.
The Quartermaster-General, L. M. Hatch,
acknowledges many articles for his department; among others, bed
sacks from Miss Toye, and a Palmetto flag for Fort Morris, from the
ladies of Mr.Hugh E. Vincent's family.
Charleston Mercury, January 8,
1861. Surgeon-General Gibbes tenders his thanks for a
contribution to his department from "an old lady born the day
Charleston was surrendered to the British—May 12th, 1780."
Charleston Mercury, January 9, 1861. F. F.
Warley, of the Darlington Guards, thanks "three ladies" for an
"appreciated gift" to that company, then on Sullivan's Island.
New Orleans Delta, January 14, 1861.
The
Mercury copies the following extract from a letter of the aged widow
of Gen. Nathaniel Green to one of her descendants in New
Orleans:
"Rather than hear that Fort Moultrie was taken from
South Carolina, I would have myself dragged there, and sit on the
parapet till the last gun was fired."
Charleston Mercury, January 16, 1861.
Another woman writes of herself as "a poor, weak woman
who can do nothing for her country unless to nurse the sick and
wounded, which I would do to the best of my ability. * * * My boys
are healthy, strong fellows. I wish they were old enough
to do duty."
Charleston Mercury, January 18,
1861. Surgeon-General Gibbes thanks a lady of Charleston for two
dozen undershirts for the Richland Rifle Company.
undershirts for
the Richland Rifle Company.
Charleston Mercury, January 18, 1861. Some women
ingeniously turned their minds at once to the home manufacture of
articles for ladies' dress, as for instance Miss Nixon advertises
home-made furs—"a variety of articles of excellent
quality".
About this time, the natural desire of the women to
be doing found relief in making and giving flags to the forts, or to
those companies in which they were chiefly interested.
Charleston Mercury, January 19, 1861. The ladies
of Charleston sent a flag to the Hon. D. F. Jamieson,the "Minister
of War," which was made to be opened for the first time on Fort
Sumter.
Charleston Mercury, January 25, 1861. The
Fairfield Volunteers thank "several ladies of Charleston for
acceptable gifts," while the Palmetto Guard are "indebted to ladies
of Summerville."
The cadets at Fort Morris return thanks to
ladies for hoods, gloves, lint, bandages, etc.
Charleston Mercury, January 30, 2861.
Surgeon-General Gibbes thanks Airs. John Bryce, of
Columbia, for liberal contributions of lint and linen, and
acknowledges the receipt of $5.00 from a lady, for purchase of
surgical instruments.
Charleston Mercury, February 12,
1861.
The Rev. A. Toomer Porter asks ladies willing to
work gratuitously for the soldiers to apply to him. He assures them
that they need feel no fear of interfering with those who work for a
support.
"There is work enough for all."
Charleston Mercury, February 25, 1861.
Mr. James Tupper presents, in the name of a young lady
of Charleston, a stand of colors, to the First Regiment of
Rifles.
Charleston Mercury, March 6 and 11,
1861. Surgeon-General Gibbes acknowledges the receipt of $40.00
from a lady of South Carolina, living in New York; $20.00 from a
lady in Charleston; and $5.00 from a young lady; and calls for more
bandages, on account of the large number of troops ordered out; and
returns thanks for $261.00, given by a lady, for the purchase of
surgical instruments.
Charleston Courier, May 8, 1861. Copied
from Columbia, S. C. "We learn that the ladies of the little town
of Pendleton, hearing that some of the volunteers were in need of
uniforms, have offered to make 500 uniforms, in five days, if
needed. This is practical patriotism, and shows the spirit
animating: the fair daughters of the upper districts. Besides this,
they have raised a subscription for a handsome flag, to be presented
to Captain Kilpatrick's company, now encamped here, and another for
a company in Pickens District,under the command of Capt. J. L.
Shanklin."
Charleston Courier, May 29, 1861. The readiness
of the women to help in any way is showed by their offer at this
date to make cartridges. As flannel and other material became
scarce, dresses and other woolen garments were cut up to make woolen
bags for cannon cartridges. These, as well as the small cartridges,
were made in large numbers by women. Many rough, strong bags had
also to be made, to be filled with sand, and used in constructing
and mending fortifications. Later on, when the bombardment had
become heavy, telegraphic orders for these bags would be sent to
Columbia and, no doubt, to other towns, and the women would work
night and day, and when necessary on Sunday,to complete them.
Charleston Mercury, June 11, 1861. A suggestion
is made that "mothers, wives, sisters, and sweethearts" should begin
to knit socks for soldiers.
This work had already been begun and,
as time passed, every one knitted, some women becoming such adepts
that a pair of socks, or even three feet, became their daily
task.
Charleston Courier, June 18, 1861. Thanks are
returned for "a lot of vegetables, kindly contributed for the use of
the troops, bv Margaret Noisette" (a colored woman).
Charleston Mercury, July 17, 1861. "The ladies of
Augusta, Ga., are preparing sick tents, to be sent to Virginia."
Charleston Mercury, July 18, 1861. Our Western
sisters were much more enterprising in some ways,for we see an
extract from a Vicksburg paper giving an account of a Woman's Home
Guard, "all good shots, and good riders."
On July 21st was
fought the first Battle of Manassas, and from that times dates the
systematic, organized work of Southern women.
Charleston Mercury, July 23, 1861. On July 23d
there is a call for families to prepare and set aside blankets for
the use of soldiers.
Proceeding's of
Soldiers Relief Association.
{Preserved by Mr. Richard
Caldwell, and given by his daughter to the D. of C, of
Charleston.)
The ladies of the Calhoun Monument Association had met
on July 20th for the purpose of effecting an organization to work
for the soldiers. A call was issued for a general meeting, with the
following result:
Charleston Mercury, July 24, 1861. "The good work
of raising help for our gallant volunteers goes bravely on.
Notwithstanding unfavorable weather, a large attendance of ladies
took place at the Depository, Chalmers street, in accordance with
previous notice, Dr. Bachman presiding. The meeting was addressed by
a number of the clergy of this city.
"The objects of the
association were stated by the Chair, and contributions invited. One
hundred and twenty names were handed in as members, and cash
donations of $700, which, with previous donations, make the sum of
$1,200. We refer to advertisement of the association.
"There
was also a full attendance at Trinity Church yesterday,all eager to
get to work. Contributions filled the doorway. Boxes upon boxes of
comforts for the poor sick soldiers have been contributed, and Dr.
E. Bissell kindly offered to go to Virginia to take these
gifts.
"A committee will be at the Young Men's Hall, in King
street, corner of Hasell, this morning, from nine to eleven, to
receive contributions. Boxes close at 12
m.
"Another meeting will be held today at the Young Men's
Hall,when the ladies who have been cutting out will supply work to
those who wish to help.
"The meeting yesterday was opened
with prayer by the Rev. Dr.Girardeau, who requested the ladies to
spend the rest of the day collecting sheets, bandages, underclothing
and books."
On the same day appears the first advertisement
of the Soldiers' Relief Association, of Charleston, which from that
time never ceased its work until the evacuation of the
city.
"The Depository, in Chalmers street, Charleston, will
be open today, and on every Wednesday, to receive contributions from
those who desire to aid our sick and wounded soldiers. Old sheets,
pillowcases, undergarments, old or new, linen or cotton rags,
housekeeping stores, rice, barley, arrowroot, flaxseed, tea, sugar,
brandy, wine, especially blackberry, etc., are desired. These will
be forwarded to Virginia immediately.
"Let every family in
the city aid in providing for the relief of our defenders. Any
contributions will constitute membership in the association. Ladies
wishing to aid are invited to meet at the Depository every day from
10 a. m. to 2 p. m., and from 4 p. m. to 7 p. m.
Work will be
provided for those who will undertake it.
"President—Mrs. George
Robertson.
"Vice-President—Mrs. Wm. Snowden.
"Corresponding
Secretaries—Miss Laura Porter and Miss Blamyer.
"Secretary and
Treasurer—Miss E. P. Hayne.
"Other ladies have cheerfully
consented to act as Managers in their respective
Wards."
Charleston Mercury, July 24 and 26, 1861.
The following list of Managers is published:
WARD 1.
Miss
Brown..........South Battery, corner Church street
Mrs. J.
Snowden....................7 Church street
Mrs. R.
Screven..............Water, near Church street
Miss
Blake......................10 Water street
Mrs.
Dewar....................39 Church street
Mrs. T,
Tupper....................52 Tradd street
Mrs. C.
DeSaussure................26 Meeting street
Mrs. F. Y.
Porcher..................13 East Battery
Mrs. D.
Stoeking..........Meeting and Chalmers streets
WARD
2.
Mrs. H. W. Conner..................23 Meeting
street
Mrs. Fred Fraser............Tradd and Legare
streets
Mrs. Brownfield......................Anson street
Miss
Joye............................King street
Mrs.
Nagel............................New street
Mrs. Cowlam
Gravely..................5 Short street
Mrs. R. W.
Bacot..............Tradd and King streets
Miss Mary
Simons..................10 Tradd street
Miss Ann
Bacot....................5 Orange street
WARD
3.
Mrs. Wiltberger..................23 Laurens
street
Mrs. H. Wigfall......................293 East Bay
Mrs.
Trescot........................4 Anson street
Mrs.
Laval..........................12 John street
Mrs. James
Gibbes..........Meeting and George streets
Mrs.
Myers......................Wentworth street
Miss J.
Elliott......................10 George street
Mrs. Dr.
Robertson....................1 Maiden lane
Mrs.
Simons................................
Mrs.
Moffett........................198 East Bay
WARD
4.
Mrs. Fitch........................12 Smith
street
Mrs. Gray........................Rutledge street
Mrs.
Just..........................34 Hasell street
Mrs.
Graeser........................256 King street
Mrs. W.
Johnson..................74 Wentworth street
Mrs. H.
Price..............Queen and Meeting
streets
Mrs.--..........Lynch and Wentworth
Mrs.
Wineman................Smith and Bull streets
Mrs. M.
Lee....................Bull, near Pitt street
Miss
Horlbeck............Meeting and Calhoun streets
Mrs. D.
Ingraham....................Beaufain street
Mrs. Jos.
Walker................52 Wentworth street
Mrs. D.
Leixas......................Pitt street
Miss J.
Robb......Rutledge street
Miss O. M. Robertson....Smith
street
Mrs. S. S. Miles...6 Green street
WARD
5.
Mrs. M. Mathieson..................Alexander
street
Miss K. Lee......................Alexander street
Miss
C. Gadsden..................Wentworth
street
WARD 6.
Mrs.
Bachman......................Rutledge street
Miss E.
Chisolm....................Rutledge street
Miss A. M.
Lucas....................Rutledge street
Mrs. Pickens
Smith....................Coming street
Mrs. Charlotte
Walker................Calhoun street
Mrs. Bennett
Lucas..................Calhoun street
Mrs.
Bentham....................Vanderhorst street
Mrs. Dr.
Carrere..................37 Radcliffe street
Mrs. Dr. Geiger..
..........Ashley and Doughty streets
Miss
McKensie............Ashley and Doughty streets
Mrs. F.
Blum......................St. Philip street
Mrs.
Bowman................................
Mrs. J.
Cunningham....................Smith street
WARD
7.
Miss
Weston..........................Hampstead
Miss
Tucker..........................Hampstead
Miss
Windsor......................18 Drake street
Miss Rose
Torre......................Hampstead
WARD
8.
Miss Whilden........................Ashley
street
Miss Wagner......................Rutledge street
Mrs.
Wash. Ancrum....................Bee street
Mrs.
Tisher..........................Bee street
Mrs.
Allan........................Rutledge street
Miss C.
Smith......................Rutledge street
"Persons desiring
work apply to any of these ladies."
Charleston Mercury, July
25, 1861.
A notice of the meeting of the Ladies' Association in
Aid of Volunteer Soldiers, held at the South Carolina Hall. The hall
was overflowing. Nearly $1,000 collected. Officers were elected, but
the list was not ready for publication. Objects of this association,
to procure proper clothing for volunteers, who in many instances are
in need of the veriest necessities.
The same paper has the
following:
"Help for Soldiers. "While our sons and brothers
are exposing their lives upon the plains of Virginia for our safety,
and while many are languishing in hospitals on beds of pain and
suffering, it is gratifying to know that our wives, sisters and
mothers are laboring so zealously in their attempts to provide help
for the soldiers. It has been again verified that the ladies are the
most energetic portion of every community,as the work they have
performed in twenty-four hours has been truly marvelous.
"A
preparatory meeting of the members of the Ladies' Christian
Association Auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association, and
many other ladies of the city, was held on Tuesday, when first steps
were taken, and by yesterday at two o'clock they had prepared enough
luxuries and necessaries for soldiers to fill twelve cases, and
valued at over $1,000. These were immediately dispatched to Virginia
in the care of Dr. E. H. Bissell.
"Up to dark last evening
the ladies had cut out, and given out to be made, over 400 garments,
and will today resume their work. A meeting of the ladies will be
held at ten o'clock today at the Young Men's Hall, for the purpose
of more thorough organization, appointment of committees, etc.
Merchants and others have responded nobly to the call, and fabrics
have been sent in valued at nearly $2,000, while over $1,000 in
money has been subscribed. The goods
have been forwarded by Adams
Southern Express, through their agent—Woodward—free of charge. It is
the intention of the ladies to send forward all articles in charge
of some responsible person who will attend faithfully to their
proper and judicious distribution."
Charleston Mercury, July 26, 1861.
"The Ladies' Auxiliary Christian Association is now
thoroughly prepared to furnish whatever aid may be required by our
sick and wounded soldiers.
"The committees are organized and
working efficiently. Those appointed to cut out and fit work will
meet daily at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, in
King Street, opposite Beaufain. Several ladies will be in attendance
at the same place every day from ten to twelve in the morning, and
from six to seven in the afternoon, to receive contributions,
distribute work and materials to those wishing to contribute labor,
and to receive the garments which have been made.
"Money is
needed to purchase materials and to pay transportation expenses, but
donations of old sheets, pillow cases, undergarments,morning gowns,
rice, barley, wine, blackberry brandy, jellies, jams or any
nourishing articles for a hospital will be thankfully
received.
The following ladies have been appointed the
Committee on Donations, to whom the contributions may be sent, as
well as to the officers of the association:
Miss Mary Campbell, President.
Mrs. Wm. J.
Johnson, Vice-President.
Committee:
|
Mrs. Dr.
Pettigrew. |
Miss
Brodie. |
Mrs.
Gibson. |
|
Mrs. B. R.
Carroll. |
Miss S.
Perronneau. |
Mrs. Maria
Lebby. |
|
Mrs.
Venning. |
Miss M.
Seabrook. |
Mrs. Z.
Davis. |
|
Mrs. E. M.
Grimke. |
Miss
Huntington. |
Mrs. Thos.
Mathews. |
|
Mrs.
Limbecker. |
Miss E.
Johnson. |
Mrs.
Greenfield. |
|
Mrs. Frank
Pelzer. |
Miss H.
Parker. |
Mrs. Dr.
Carrere. |
|
Mrs. David
Bell. |
Miss M. J.
Legare. |
Mrs. C. H.
Simonton. |
|
Mrs.
Cuttino. |
Miss M. J.
Ross. |
Mrs. A. J.
Salinas. |
|
Mrs. Benj.
Evans. |
Miss
Bissell. |
Miss Martha
Buist. |
|
Mrs.
Browning. |
Misses
Whitney. |
Miss Elizabeth
Hammond |
|
Mrs. Wm. A.
Courtenay. |
Miss Marian
Robertson. |
Miss S. J.
Robinson. |
|
Mrs. W. Walter
Smith. |
Miss Euphemia
Gordon. |
Miss Sallie
Davis. |
|
Mrs. Wm.
Greer. |
Miss Rosa
Dibble. |
Miss Carrie
Webb. |
|
Mrs. Fleetwood
Lanneau. |
Miss Rebecca
Armstrong. |
Miss Alice
Mathews. |
|
Mrs. Jas. K.
Robinson. |
Miss Olivia
Sass. |
Miss H. L.
Hall. |
|
Mrs. S. T.
Potter. |
Misses
Wilkie. |
Miss H.
Miller. |
|
Mrs. Samuel
Burrows. |
Mrs.
Fuller. |
Miss Rosa
Clifford. |
|
Mrs. James
Copes. |
Mrs.
Fludd. |
Miss
Harsey. |
|
Mrs. Pickens
Smith. |
Mrs. Wm. J.
Smith. |
Miss
Douglass. |
|
Mrs.
Paxton. |
Mrs. H.
Sollee. |
Miss Elizabeth
Dewees. |
|
Mrs. J. C.
Smith. |
Mrs. T. O.
Bennett. |
Misses
Nelson. |
|
Mrs. Dr.
Mood. |
Mrs. E. Q.
Rell. |
Miss S.
Adger. |
|
Mrs. Palmer
Lawrence. |
Mrs. J. B.
Bissell. |
Miss
Laval. |
|
Mrs. Henry
Venning. |
Mrs.
Wilbur. |
Miss Jessie
Kirkwood. |
|
Mrs. T. W.
Bliss. |
Mrs. S.
Cogswell. |
Miss
Wilbur. |
|
Mrs.
Currell. |
Mrs. Margaret
Will. |
Miss
Wotton. |
|
Miss S. S.
Gantt. |
Mrs. S. G.
Courtenay. |
Miss
Burgess. |
|
Miss Mary
Moffett. |
Mrs. Jas.
Gilliland. |
Miss Mary
Walsh. |
|
Miss M. W.
Hagan. |
Mrs. Wm.
Dillingham. |
Miss Catherine
Stuart. |
|
Miss C. E.
Gadsden. |
Mrs. Thos.
Smith. |
Miss Catharine
Murrell. |
|
Miss Mary
Robinson. |
Mrs.
Lee. |
Misses
Bee. |
|
Miss K. A.
Tupper. |
Mrs. Wm.
Bell. |
Miss Eliza
Johnson. |
|
Miss G.
Moore. |
Mrs.
McDowell. |
|
Charleston Mercury, July 27, 1861.
A notice that Dr. Logan will go on to Richmond in
charge of articles sent by Ladies' Auxiliary Christian
Association Ladies' Auxiliary Christian
Association.
Charleston Mercury, July 29,
1861.
Additional names are published of
the committee of the Ladies'Auxiliary Christian
Association.
|
Mrs. Charles
Graves. |
Mrs.
Alexander. |
Mrs. E.
DeTreville. |
|
Mrs. H.
Mitchell. |
Mrs. E. E.
Courtenay. |
Mrs. Dr.
Honour. |
|
Mrs. John
Martin. |
Mrs. C. E.
Chichester. |
Mrs. Wm.
Harrall. |
|
Mrs. L.
Chapin. |
Mrs. L. B.
Whitney. |
Mrs. T. A.
Whitney. |
|
Mrs. Theo.
Jeffords. |
Mrs. Dr.
Bruns. |
Miss
Bates. |
|
Mrs. Jos. T.
Caldwell. |
Mrs.
Thayer. |
Miss
Enslow. |
|
Mrs. D.
Dibble. |
Mrs.
Whilden. |
Miss C.
Stuart. |
|
Mrs. Jas. M.
Caldwell. |
Mrs. Dr.
Cain. |
Miss Martha
Buist. |
|
Mrs.
Doucin. |
Mrs. C. H.
Ingraham. |
Miss S. L.
Gantt. |
|
Mrs. L.
Eason. |
Mrs. O. A.
Bowen. |
Miss E.
Hammond. |
|
Mrs. Ellen M.
Heidt. |
Mrs. John
Dukes. |
Miss M.
Moffett. |
|
Mrs. Geo. W.
Williams. |
Mrs. Wm.
Vardell. |
Miss S. J.
Robinson. |
|
Mrs. John
Bowie. |
Mrs. Thomas
Smith. |
Miss M. Von
Hagen. |
|
Mrs. Rich.
Butler. |
Mrs. O. L.
Dobson. |
Mrs. James
Lamb. |
|
Mrs. L.
Wheeler. |
Mrs. Titus Bissell
Jr. |
Mrs. A. S. J.
Perry. |
|
Mrs. James
Steedman. |
Mrs. T. R.
Walsh. |
Mrs. A. S.
Johnson. |
|
Mrs. J. W.
Stoy. |
Miss A. A.
Rodger. |
Mrs. W.
Lambert. |
|
Mrs.
Walsh. |
Miss Lydia
Mowry. |
Mrs.
Trapier. |
|
Mrs. wm.
Laval. |
Miss Eliza
Dukes. |
Mrs. W. W.
Hughes |
Charleston Mercury, July 29, 1861.
"Another large
shipment was made on Saturday by the Ladies'
Auxiliary Christian Association, consisting of ten
cases, containing a variety of articles for the use of our soldiers
now lying in hospitals at Richmond, Charlottesville, Cnupeper,
Louisa and Manassas. They were placed under special care of Dr.
Legare.
"The ladies will continue their labors as long as the
wants of our soldiers require, which will doubtless be to the end of
the war. A meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon at 5 o'clock, by
order of the President, Miss Mary B. Campbell."
Charleston Mercury, July 30, 1861.
There is a notice that boxes containing articles for
the wounded had been sent on from Summerville.
Charleston Mercury, July 31,
1861.
"Helena, a small station on the Greenville
Railroad, recently contributed the sum of $90 for the relief of
soldiers in Virginia. Among the contributors were a number of
negroes, who were as anxious to add their mite as any one."
Charleston Mercury, August 1, 1861. "The
treasurer of the Association for the Relief of Families of
Volunteers acknowledges the receipt of $10 from Miss A. S. Porcher,
the superintendent of a society of schoolgirls."
Charleston Mercury, August 1, 1861. "Richmond
papers notice the arrival of Dr. Isaac Branch and wife, Mrs. Dr.
Turner, and J. M. Latimer, of South Carolina, who will act as
volunteer nurses. They brought with them fifty boxes of hospital
supplies."
Charleston Mercury, August 3, 1861. An account of
a little girls' entertainment for the benefit of wounded soldiers at
Mme. Togno's, 46 Meeting street. A collation, prepared by
themselves, to which they invite all ladies and gentlemen on their
way to and from the Battery. Two evenings of the week, Friday and
Saturday, from six to ten.
Mme. Togno's was at that time the
fashionable boarding school of Charleston.
The young girls of
the State did their full share of work for the soldiers, not only by
assisting their mothers, but by originating societies and
entertainments of their own, planned and carried out by
themselves.
Letter from Miss S. E. Waring, written in
1899.
We are told of an entertainment in Charleston, gotten
up by two little girls very early in the year '61. Seeing the
earnestness of the children, housekeepers interested themselves, and
a large sum of money was made.
It is claimed, though modestly,
and with the acknowledged possibility of a mistake, that the first
entertainment of a musical kind given for Confederate purposes was
suggested and carried out by a few Columbia girls.
Letter from Miss Grace Elmore, written April 8,
1898.
"Miss Garnett, a music teacher in Columbia, and a
valued friend of all the best people, had a class of young girls,
none over sixteen, who, under her direction, gave the first concert
that I ever heard of in the Confederacy. It was given between the
15th of June and the 18th of July, 1861. It was intended that the
proceeds should be used in sending supplies to Hampton's Legion,
then in the field in daily expectation of a battle. The girls were
Susan Preston, Rosa Elmore, Annie Hampton, Kate Bauskett, Helen
Niernsee, and Sallie Hampton. They would have no help from any but
those of their own age, but finding that not one of them could sing,
they asked me to join them for that purpose only.
"All
arrangements were made entirely by these girls. The concert was
given in the chapel of the Methodist College, and the result was
$150.00 in silver, and Miss Garnett, I remember, kept the money tied
up in a silk stocking till called for by the girls. I think a part
of it was used in sending a box to the Legion after the first Battle
of Manassas. I believe the remnant of the $150.00 was the first
money put into the Treasury of the Young Ladies' Hospital
Association, from which sprang the Wayside Hospital."
Charleston Mercury, August 6,
1861. Entertainments for the purpose of making money were
promptly given all over the State. We see in the newspaper that the
Charleston Brass Band, F. Muller, leader, offers to give a concert
at White Point Garden for the ladies' societies.
The Ladies'
Auxiliary mentions another shipment of boxes to Virginia, "the most
valuable yet."
Charleston Mercury, August 7, 1861. The Ladies'
Relief Association speaks of the before mentioned concert, and says
that the amount of money received from it will be immediately sent
to Virginia.
On the same date we see the following notice
from the
"Ladies' Clothing Association.
Mr. Editor: Having been informed that the
object of our association is misunderstood, permit me, through your
columns, to explain. This society, to avoid confusion, shall be
designated as the Ladies' Clothing Association for Troops in Active
Service. This association is for the purpose of purchasing
materials, cutting and making warm undergarments for our troops in
active service, not confined to those of this city, but the soldiers
of South Carolina.
We are industriously employed, and invite the
aid of ladies and gentlemen of the country and city.
"There
will be a committee of gentlemen who will distribute the clothing
judiciously.
"We solicit donations of money and materials
from the State at large.
"Such ladies as were unable to
subscribe on the 25th ult., from the large assemblages, are
requested to send in their subscriptions and donations, which will
he gratefully received by
"Miss Hester T. Drayton,
President,
"No. 2 Ladson Court.
"Miss
Hess D. Drayton, Vice-President,
"No. 2
Ladson Court.
"Miss Emily Rutledge, Secretary and
Treasurer,
"West End Calhoun
Street.
CONSTITUTION.
"Art. I. This association shall be called the Ladies'
Clothing Association for Troops in Active Service, and shall meet
monthly.
The subscription shall be fifty cents per quarter,
or $2.00 per year, payable in advance, and whatever amount of labor
each lady is able to give. Donations of any amount, either of money
or material,from gentlemen as well as ladies, will be gratefully
received and applied to objects of the association.
"Art. II.
The management of the association shall be entrusted to a President.
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and twelve managers. The
President shall preside, preserve order, and see that the rules are
carried out.
She shall also give all orders on the Treasury,
and the casting vote, when required. Vacancies in the Board may be
filled by President and Board at their regular meetings.
"In
case of sickness or absence of President and Vice-President,the
Board may select one of their members to preside, and fulfill the
duties of President.
"Art. III. The Secretary and Treasurer
must take charge of the books and accounts, keeping a journal of
each meeting, also taking charge of and accounting for all money
received and paid out. The books and accounts to be open for the
inspection of the managers at every monthly meeting, and annually to
the members at the anniversary.
"The Treasurer must have
written order for the payment of all money.
"Art. V. After a
sufficient quantity of clothing shall be completed, the captains of
various companies shall be invited to make known to the President,
by writing, the number of men in their command who require aid of
the association, when it will be placed in the hands of a committee
of gentlemen for distribution. Work given out on Wednesdays until 3
p. m. by Miss Hess D. Drayton, No. 2 Ladson Court; Mrs. E. M.
Fuller, St. Philip street, four doors above Morris street; and Miss
C. E. Gadsden, corner Charlotte and Alexander
streets."
Having seen the account of the organization and
first work of three societies in Charleston, it should be realized
that at the same time, a little earlier or later, similar societies
were being formed all over the State, not only in the larger towns,
but in villages, and even in country neighborhoods, where neighbors
met together at stated times to distribute and return work for the
soldiers and to pack boxes of clothes and provisions to be sent to
Virginia either direct or through the larger
societies.
Almost immediately, the Hospital Aid Association
of South Carolina was formed by gentlemen of the State. Of this Dr.
M. LaBorde, of Columbia, was President. The Rev. Robt. W. Barnwell
was established at Charlottesville, Va., in charge of the work
there, and to him were sent all articles for the sick and wounded
soldiers of South Carolina.
The various societies throughout
this State sent their supplies to him, to be distributed as
needed.
We give here a list of names of such of these women's
societies as we have been able to collect by a close scanning of the
newspapers available. Of course, and greatly to our regret, many
names are missing from the list.
Where possible, we give the
names of Presidents or other officers,or, failing these, of any
ladies mentioned in connection with the work of a society.
It
should be recorded that, after the war, in many places these relief
associations became memorial associations, caring for the dead as
they had done for the living.
Women's Associations in South
Carolina for the Relief of Soldiers.
|
Date of
Organization. |
Name of Association |
Officers. Etc |
Location |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. Steedman,
Pres. |
Aiken |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. E. Bradley,
Pres. |
Claremont |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. R. R.
Yongue |
Orangeburg |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. S.
Williams |
Society
Hill |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
... |
John's
Island |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. Ellen
Gregg |
Marion |
|
Aux. Soldiers'
Relief. |
Mrs. Tracy, Miss S.
S. Seabrook, Pres'ts.
Miss Phoebe Morral. Sec.
Mrs. T.
E. Screven, Local. |
Grahamville
|
|
Aux. Soldiers'
Relief. |
... |
Wadmalaw |
|
Aux. Soldiers'
Relief. |
Mrs. Wm. Sinkler,
Pres.
Mrs. Catherine Palmer, 1st Div.
Mrs. Thos. W.
Porcher, 2d Div.
Mrs. James Gaillard, Sec. and
Treas.
Mrs. T. W. Porcher was president later. |
Eutawville |
| Aug. 14,
1861 |
Black Oak Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. Morton Waring,
Pres., Mrs. J. S. Porcher, Vice-Pres. |
Black
Oak |
| Aug. 9,
1861 |
|
Mrs. T. F. Porcher,
Sec. & Treas. |
Pinopolis |
| July 19,
1861 |
Ladies' Aid |
Mrs. Perry Duncan,
Pres, Mrs. Pinckney McBee, Vice-Pres. |
Greenville |
| 1861 |
Soldiers'
Relief |
Soldiers'
Relief Presidents in order of service: Mrs. D. J.
McCord, Miss Hampton, Mrs. Campbell Bryce, Sec. & Treas.,
Mrs. Rufus Johnson |
Columbia |
| 1861 |
Ladies'
Hospital |
Presidents in order
of service: Mrs. George Howe, Mrs. John Bryce, Mrs. J.
P. Adams, Sec., Mrs. Wm. Wallace, Treas. |
Columbia |
| July 26,
1861 |
Young Ladies'
Hospital |
Miss Preston, Pres.,
Miss Isabella D. Martin, Sec., Miss E. Goodwyn,
Treas.
Ladies' Clothing Mrs. D. J. McCord,
Pres.
Ladies' Industrial Mrs. Levy,
Pres.
Young Girls Mrs. Monteith, Mrs. Lauchlin,
Miss C. Veal |
Columbia |
| Aug. 3,
1861 |
Aux. Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. Ladd, Pres.,
Mrs. J. S. Stewart, Sec. & Treas. |
Summerville |
| Aug, -,
1861 |
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. James Hemphill,
Pres., Mrs. A. Q. Dunnovant, Vice-Pres., Mrs. a. G. Stacey,
Vice-Pres., Mrs. S. W. Mobley, Treas., Miss M. E. McKee, Cor.
Sec., Mrs. J. J. McLure, Rec. Sec. |
Chester |
| 1861 |
Soldiers'
Aid |
Mrs. W. W. Harlee,
Pres. |
Mars Bluff &
Hopewell |
| Aug. 27,
1861 |
Soldiers'
Relief |
Miss H. M. Trapier,
Pres., Mrs. P. C. J. Weston, Vice-Pres., Miss S. T. Atkinson,
Cor. Sec., Miss Anna White, Rec. Sec. |
Georgetown |
| 1861 |
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. W. W.
Graham |
Williston |
|
Young Ladies'
Aid |
... |
Winnsboro |
| July 20,
1861 |
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. Geo. Robertson,
Pres., Mrs. Wm. Snowden, Vice-Pres., Miss E. Hayne, Sec. &
Treas., Miss F. M. Blamyer & Miss L. Porter,
Secs. |
Charleston
|
| July 23,
1861 |
Ladies' Aux.
Christian |
Miss Campbell, Mrs.
Leonard Chapin, Presidents in order of service |
Charleston |
| July 23,
1861 |
Ladies'
Clothing |
Miss Hester T.
Drayton, Miss Hess D. Drayton, Vice-Pres. |
Charleston |
|
School
Girls |
Miss A.
Porcher |
Charleston |
| 1861 |
Ladies |
Mrs. Gregg, Mrs.
McIntyre |
Marion |
|
Soldiers'
Aid |
Mrs.
Thompson
Mrs. Lemon
Mrs.
Winter |
New Hope,
Fairfield.
Jackson Creek, Fairfield.
St. James Goose
Creek. |
| 1861 |
Ladies's
Aid |
Presidents in order
of service: Miss Harriet Chestnut Grant, Miss Sally
Chesnut, Mrs. Walker, Vice-Pres., Miss L. Salmond, Treas.,
Miss E. C. Reynolds, Sec., Miss Harriet Lang,
Sec. |
Camden |
|
Ladies |
|
Woodville |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
|
Hamburg |
|
Aid Society |
|
Carmel, Anderson
District |
|
|
Mrs. J. A.
Fripp |
Legareville |
|
Ladies' Aid |
|
Mechanicsville |
| 1861 |
Ladies |
|
Pinegrove |
| 1861 |
Ladies |
Mrs. Walker,
Vice-Pres. |
Kershaw |
| 1861 |
Soldiers'
Aid |
Mrs. M. E.
Godfrey |
Cheraw |
|
Soldier's
Aid |
|
Barnwell |
| 1861 |
Allgood
Society
Soldiers' Aid
Ladies' Aid &
Relief |
|
Spartanburg District
Pendleton
Marlboro |
| 1861 |
Ladies |
|
Florence
Mizpah
Christ Church |
|
Volunteers'
Aid |
|
Beech
Island |
|
Ladies'
Relief |
|
Darlington |
|
Juvenile |
|
Summerville |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. R. H. Inabinet,
Vice-Pres |
Edisto
Fork |
|
Soldiers'
Rest |
A. F. Dickson, Tres.,
Mrs. Salley, Mrs. Albergotti |
Orangeburg |
|
Sabbath School
Relief |
Mrs. R. A. Carlisle,
Sec. |
Spartanburg |
|
Aux. Relief |
Mrs. Julius DuBose,
Pres., Mrs. R. Couturier, 1st Dir.,Mrs. H. M. Snowden, 2d
Dir. |
Pineville |
|
Ladies
Aid |
|
Oak Lawn, St. Pauls
Parish |
|
Ladies
Aid
"
" |
Miss N.
McLaughlin
|
Newberry.
Sumter.
Bishopville. |
|
Ladies'
Sewing |
Mrs. Wm. C. Wardlaw,
Pres. |
Liberety
Hill |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
|
Allendale |
|
Baptist |
|
Edisto |
|
Soldiers'
Aid |
|
Hills
Church |
|
Ladies'
Aid |
Miss M. E.
Boyd |
Newchapel |
|
Ladies'
Aid |
|
Timmonsville |
| Mar. 12,
1862 |
Soldiers' Res (Branch
of Ladies' Aid) |
Mrs. Catharine Lee,
Pres., Mrs. Bonney, Treas. |
Camden |
|
Ladies'
Hospital |
Mrs. J. A. Bradley,
Pres., Miss H. E. Henry, Sec. |
Chester |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. John C. Peay,
Pres. |
Longtown, Fairfield
District |
|
Ladies'
Aid |
Mrs. M. P.
Mayes |
Brick Church, Sumter
District |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
|
Beaufort |
|
Soldiers'
Relief |
|
Bluffton |
|
Ladies' Aid |
|
Anderson |
|
Ladies'
Relief |
Miss S. W.
Henderson |
Walterboro |
|
Ladies'
Hospital |
M. E. Y.
Powelson |
Plantersville |
| 1862 |
Soldiers'
Relief |
Mrs. W. H. Wallace,
Pres., Mrs. Jeter, Treas., Miss F. M. Blamyer, Sec. |
Union |
|
Soldiers'
Aid |
Mrs. Armstead Burt,
Pres., Mrs. Thos. Perrin, Vice-Pres. |
Abbeville |
|
Knitting
Society |
Mrs. J. W. Marshall,
Pres., Mrs. W. H. Parker, Vice-Pres. |
Abbeville |
|
Hospital |
Mrs. Robt. Wardlaw,
Pres. |
Abbeville |
|
Hospital |
Mrs. M. C. Tilman,
Pres. Calhoun Mills
Mrs. Squire Giles, Mrs. Chas. Haskell,
Mrs. Tilman Monterey |
Abbeville
District
Abbeville District |
|
Hospital |
Mrs. Johnson, Pres.,
Miss S. E. Seabrook, Vice-Pres. |
Grahamville |
|
Bethany
Relief
Betheden Aid
Soldiers' Relief
Palmetto
Girls
Ladies' Aid
Soldiers' Aid
Soldiers'
Aid
Soldiers' Aid
Hospital Club
Ladies'
Relief
Lamont
Soldiers' Aid
Home Guard
Soldiers'
Aid
Ladies' Aid
Military Aid
Soldiers'
Aid
Palmetto Aid
Rehoboth Aid
States' Rights
Upper
Three Runs
Warrenton Aid
Wadsworth Aid
Waterloo
Ladies' |
|
Edgefield
Newberry
Sullivans
Island
Charleston
Cokesbury
Cedar
Springs
Dantonsville
Enoree Mill
Anderson
Indian
Towns
Grahams
Lowndesville
Mountain
Creek
Manning
Milford
Laurens
District
Oakland
---
Edgefield
Charleston
---
Abbeville
---
--- | |
