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Augusta County : Women's Issues and Activities

Note: When you select an article from the list below you will be taken to the appropriate page of the newspaper. You may need to scroll down in order to find the particular article you are interested in reading.

Republican Vindicator, August 11, 1865, p. 1, c. 5: "What It Takes to Make A Lady?"
This article argues that expensive or fashionable clothing does not necessarily "make a lady" in a republican society.

Republican Vindicator, November 10, 1865, p. 1, c. 7: "Four Idle Daughters."
The article mocks young women who pretend to be "ladies" by refusing to do household work and dressing in fine clothing.

Republican Vindicator, November 24, 1865, p. 1, c. 7: "Anti-Marriage Movement."
The paper reports on a spreading, world-wide movement against marriage begun by bachelors concerned with the expense of "keeping a wife."

Staunton Spectator, December 12, 1865, p. 2, c. 4: "Tribute to the Ladies."
Praises "the ladies of the South" for "particular merit and a special praise" for their efforts during the war.

Staunton Spectator, January 9, 1866, p. 1, c. 5: "Resolutions of Respect."
A series of mock resolutions from an imaginary committee, designed to disparage the ideas of women's rights, especially suffrage.

Valley Virginian, January 10, 1866, p. 4, c. 1: "The Judgement of Women."
The paper lauds the "judgement of women." "The man who thinks it beneath his dignity to take counsel with an intelligent wife stands in his own light, and betrays that lack of judgement which he tacitly attributes her," the author asserts.

Valley Virginian, March 7, 1866, p. 4, c. 1: "The Women of the South."
The paper prints extracts of an article from the Courier des Etats Unis defending the honor and reputation of Southern women. The women of the South, the article argues, acquitted themselves bravely during the war, and behaved according to accepted gender roles. Their actions stand in stark contrast to Northern women who embraced a variety of radical causes.

Republican Vindicator, March 23, 1866, p. 1, c. 6: "Romance of the War--Thrilling Adventures of a Young and Beautiful Woman."
Relates the story of Loretta DeCamp, who disguised her sex and served as an officer in the Confederate army.

Republican Vindicator, April 6, 1866, p. 3, c. 1: "Local Items."
The Augusta Soldier's Cemetery Committee, composed of the ladies of Staunton, is raising money to improve the burying ground near Staunton and has authorized Charles Turner to receive contributions for that purpose.

Staunton Spectator, April 10, 1866, p. 2, c. 1: "New Duties of Southern Ladies."
Argues that women "should now be not only ornamental, but useful" and urges every daughter to learn "the arts of sewing, knitting, and cooking."

Republican Vindicator, May 4, 1866, p. 3, c. 1: "Local Items."
Suggests that "the ladies of the South might unite" to mourn the Confederate dead on May 10, the anniversary of the death of Stonewall Jackson.

Republican Vindicator, May 18, 1866, p. 1, c. 5: "Lovers and Husbands."
Urges husbands not to neglect their wives after doting on them while courting.

Republican Vindicator, May 25, 1866, p. 1, c. 6: "The Mitten."
Discourages young women from marrying rich young men without a "calling by which he can make a living if he were thrown on his own resources."

Republican Vindicator, June 29, 1866, p. 1, c. 7: "Hark Ye Girls!"
Urges women to remember that men want wives who can perform important domestic chores, explaining that one cannot make a dinner from a piano. Women who know how to cook and keep a house, the author contends, will make themselves "worth catching."

Valley Virginian, July 11, 1866, p. 1, c. 6: "All About Women."
This article laments the trend toward educating women in literature and the arts in order to attract a husband, rather than in practical domestic skills.

Staunton Spectator, July 24, 1866, p. 1, c. 6: "Southern Devotion."
Praises the "ladies" of the South for keeping alive "the most lovely features in the character of our people" by displaying "so warm a sympathy for their destitute fellow-citizens."

Valley Virginian, July 25, 1866, p. 2, c. 3: "Southern Women."
The paper reprints this article from the N. Y. News honoring Southern women.

Valley Virginian, August 22, 1866, p. 1, c. 5: "Important Truths for Wives."
This article argues that wives are the key to a husband's happiness. Their management of simple household tasks can create either contentedness or discord at home.

Staunton Spectator, September 11, 1866, p. 4, c. 3: "All About Women."
Laments the fact that women are neglecting "practical" skills like cooking and sewing in favor of music, dancing, and foreign languages, making them "incapable domestic partners."

Republican Vindicator, May 3, 1867, p. 1, c. 6: "About Titles."
The article argues against using the word "female" interchangeably with "woman"; the term is "neither fit nor fine" and can be construed as "vicious and course."

Staunton Spectator, June 25, 1867, p. 4, c. 2: "Do-Nothing Young Ladies."
Disparages women who do not know how to perform useful tasks such as sewing or cooking and warns men who encounter such a woman to "shun her as you would the chills and fever."

Valley Virginian, June 25, 1867, p. 4, c. 1: "An Item Which Every Man Should Read."
This article reminds gentlemen of the negative effect idle words and gossip may have on a woman's reputation.

Staunton Spectator, July 2, 1867, p. 1, c. 6: "No One Like a Mother."
Encourages readers to consider how much they appreciate their mothers and asks "Do you try to save her trouble and lighten her burdens?"

Staunton Spectator, July 9, 1867, p. 4, c. 2: "How to Avoid a Bad Husband."
Offers women advice on what types of men to avoid, including fops, gamblers, rakes, and strangers.

Republican Vindicator, July 12, 1867, p. 1, c. 6: "For The Girls--How To Get A Husband."
The article advises young women to concentrate on their homemaking skills as the best way to land a husband, rather than cultivating an appreciation of the arts.

Staunton Spectator, August 13, 1867, p. 3, c. 2: "Local News--Advice to Young Ladies."
Encourages "young ladies" to "talk not of the beautiful white skin and soft delicate hands--the fine appearance of the young gentlemen," but instead to look to "the hearts and habits" of men.

Valley Virginian, August 14, 1867, p. 2, c. 4: "The Model Wife."
The paper prints advice on how to be a model wife.

Republican Vindicator, August 16, 1867, p. 1, c. 4: "The Model Wife."
The article contains an abstract of a preacher's sermon that lists the characteristics of a woman worth making a wife. His model, of course is based upon a biblical portrait of femininity, which he suggests is more suited to the rugged reality of post bellum life.

Staunton Spectator, November 12, 1867, p. 3, c. 3: "To the Ladies of Virginia."
Calls upon the women of Virginia to support the Ladies' Davis Association of Mississippi, who are endeavoring to collect enough money to provide a home for Jefferson Davis and his wife.

Republican Vindicator, November 15, 1867, p. 1, c. 5: "Has She a call to be a Wife?"
Through a series of rhetorical questions, the author of the piece identifies traits unbecoming of a wife.

Valley Virginian, December 4, 1867, p. 1, c. 7: "The True Woman."
This article describes the "perfect" woman. She who "accepts the place that properly belongs to her in the social system," not those who are "womanly in form but not in spirit" are the best.