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 Articles Indexed by TopicAugusta County : Women in the WarNote: 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. |
The Spectator, May 14, 1861, p. 2, c. 7:
"For the Spectator."
Writer supports secession based on the assumption that the goal of the
North is to steal Southern property and ravage Southern women.
The Spectator, June 18, 1861, p. 1, c. 2:
"Meeting of Ladies."
Announces a meeting of the women of Staunton to adopt a plan
for providing relief and comfort to sick soldiers.
The Spectator, July 16, 1861, p. 1, c. 2:
"From A Georgia Soldier."
A letter from the editor of the Central Georgian, a
Georgia soldier, to his paper regarding the exemplary treatment his regiment
received in Augusta County, especially from the women of Staunton.
The Spectator, August 20, 1861, p. 1, c. 1:
"Killed his Wife."
Mr. Randolph killed his wife in Middlebrook on August 17 when he
stabbed her in the
abdomen and the arm. He had previously been tried as a spy, and had stabbed Dr. McChesney
and shot Mr. Prubeck recently.
The Spectator, April 15, 1862, p. 1, c. 1:
"The Patriotic Ladies of Augusta."
Applauds the women of Augusta County for supporting
the war through their sewing, ministering to sick soldiers, and raising money so that the
Confederacy can build an iron-clad ship. Reprints a resolution in which the Confederate Congress
expresses its appreciation to the women of the Confederate states "for the energy, zeal and
untiring devotion" they have contributed to the Confederate cause.
The Spectator, October 14, 1862, p. 2, c. 6:
"For the Spectator."
Prints a letter in which "A Farmer" urges citizens to revive Soldier's Aid
Societies.
Staunton Spectator, December 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 3:
"Military Officers and "Foolish Girls.'"
Prints a letter from the Rockingham Register in which
a woman criticizes "foolish girls" who admire officers who are safely in town while many genuine
heroes are fighting in the field or suffering in the hospital.
Staunton Spectator, December 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 7:
"Wounded and Killed."
Comments on the grief felt by families and friends as they read the
lists of wounded and killed in the newspapers and find their own loved ones' names.
The Spectator, June 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 2:
"A Word in Season."
The Richmond Dispatch encourages women to embrace simplicity in
fashion and to buy nothing that is unnecessary.
The Spectator, August 11, 1863, p. 1, c. 6:
"The Industry of Southern Woman."
As part of a tribute to the industry of Southern women
and their efforts to support the war effort, this article comments on the willingness of Southern
women to work in the field and manufacture their own textiles.
The Spectator, August 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 2:
"The Ladies Forever."
Describes the prodigious efforts of the women of Greenville, who
have furnished the sick and wounded soldiers with large supplies of provisions. The article pays
tribute to women and declares that "This would be a poor world without the kind ministration of
the ladies."
The Spectator, August 25, 1863, p. 1, c. 4:
"To the Soldiers of the Confederate States."
Reprints an appeal from Jefferson Davis for the
populace to redouble their efforts in fighting the war. This appeal describes the dire consequences
of failing in the war, and at the same time claims that victory is still attainable. President Davis
also calls on the women of the Confederacy to use their considerable influence to see that all men
return to their duty.
The Spectator, August 25, 1863, p. 1, c. 7:
"Woman."
Advises men looking for marriage partners to select a woman of strong sense
and notes that "weak minds are not capable of the loftiest grades of passion."
The Vindicator, September 11, 1863, p. 1, c. 6:
"'Where Are All the Ladies . . .'"
These exchanges between the Augusta Constitutionalist,
the Mobile Advertiser, and the Savannah Republican discuss women's choice for dress material
and explain women's use of calico (cheaper, cooler) over homespun, which might be considered
more patriotic.
The Spectator, September 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 4:
"The Valley and Its Ladies."
In a letter dated September 17, 1863, a correspondent only
identified as J. G. R., Capt. P.A.C.S., offers a flowery tribute to the patriotism and sacrifice
exemplified by the women of the Shenandoah Valley during the current conflict. He also calls
upon women both to use their influence on backsliders and to bolster the spirit of the populace in
the continuation of the war effort.
The Spectator, November 3, 1863, p. 2, c. 2:
"'The victory of Gen. Imboden . . .'"
The "Yankee forces" have been taking out the
frustration engendered by their recent defeat at the hands of Gen. Imboden on the women of the
Shenandoah Valley. In at least two occasions the army has punished women for their support of
the Confederacy.
The Vindicator, November 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 2:
"A Bride Worth Having."
Lucy F. Roller, the daughter of a wealthy farmer in Rockingham
County, married recently. She made everything she wore, from her straw hat to her shoes to the
material for her dress and cloak. She was not compelled by poverty or necessity but by a desire to
demonstrate her independence, "showing the world how independent Southern girls are."
The Spectator, March 8, 1864, p. 2, c. 5:
"For The Spectator."
R.D. Lilley thanks women of Staunton for sending socks and gloves to
his regiment.
The Spectator, March 29, 1864, p. 2, c. 4:
"A Wife!"
Explains to young men what they should look for in a wife.
The Spectator, April 5, 1864, p. 2, c. 5:
"Paragraph Matrimonial."
Compares women to china and fabric in explaining to young men
how they should go about picking a wife.
The Spectator, May 3, 1864, p. 2, c. 2:
"From The Blackwater."
Provides an account of a raid of black soldiers in Isle of Wight and
Nansemond counties. The article claims that the soldiers were turned loose and attacked
women.
The Vindicator, May 13, 1864, p. 2, c. 2:
"Our Wounded."
A large number of soldiers wounded in recent battles are in the hospital at
Staunton and have been well supplied by the women of the area with "little delicacies prepared for
them." The editor calls on readers to do what they can to ameliorate the soldiers' conditions and
especially asks persons living in rural areas to do their "patriotic and humane duty."
The Vindicator, September 9, 1864, p. 2, c. 3:
"Communicated."
Charles H. Harris, Assistant Surgeon in Charge of Field Infirmary,
Augusta County, writes to the ladies of New Hope and its vicinity to thank them for their "kind
attentions and invaluable services" rendered to wounded soldiers.
The Vindicator, January 6, 1865, p. 2, c. 4:
"Special Notice to the Ladies of the Valley."
Henry St. Leon, 2nd Company, Richmond
Howitzers, Cutshaw's Artillery Battalion, Army of the Valley, advertises that a soldier in the
Artillery of General Early's army, camped near Fishersville, wants to correspond with young
women in the Valley, "with a view to matrimony." He has been in the army since the beginning of
the war, has been in every battle his company has been engaged in, and has been wounded twice.
He is about 22 years old. For more information, interested parties should send full particulars
about themselves to Henry St. Leon.
The Vindicator, January 20, 1865, p. 2, c. 2:
"For the Vindicator."
J. S. Hoffman, of Pegram's Brigade, writes the ladies of the Churchville
soldiers' Aid Society on January 4, 1865, to thank them for the feast they prepared for his brigade.
He notes that the soldiers enjoyed the feast as much for what it was as for where it came from and
that the "patriotic kindness of the noble dames and beautiful damsels of Augusta shall not be
forgotten."
The Spectator, June 30, 1863, p. 1, c. 7:
"Adventures of a Young Lady in the Army."
Discusses the remarkable escapades of a Mrs.
Laura J. Williams of Arkansas, who
under the guise of being a man participated in a number of military actions on the Confederate
side.
The Spectator, July 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 3:
"Catherine Graham, Yankee Spy."
Discusses documents captured from the enemy that
indicate that Catherine Graham was acting as a spy when she travelled in company with several
Southern women.
The Vindicator, July 10, 1863, p. 1, c. 7:
"'Sir: I Have the Honor . . .'"
Michael Graham of General Banks' Secret Service wrote
Major General H. W. Halleck, Commander in Chief, USA, Washington, on February 15,1863
about his wife's travels through the Shenandoah Valley.
The Vindicator, July 10, 1863, p. 2, c. 3:
"A Female Spy."
This short article refers to the letter published on page one about the travels
of a Union officer's wife through the Shenandoah Valley. The editor praises Mrs. Kelly of
Staunton and Mrs. Kennedy for their participation in the deception of a female spy and warns that
others might be more easily taken in by the spy.
The Spectator, July 21, 1863, p. 2, c. 6:
"Sent South."
An interesting account of a women, Mrs. Alice Williams, who donned a
Confederate uniform to participate in a number of battles. She had assumed the name of
Lieutenant Buford.
The Spectator, August 11, 1863, p. 1, c. 6:
"'During the Retreat of the Yankees . . .'"
Describes the capture of a Union soldier in
Tazewell County by a pair of heroic Southern maidens.
The Spectator, September 22, 1863, p. 1, c. 7:
"The Female Lieutenant."
Records the arrival in Richmond of "Lieut. Harry Buford," nee
Mrs. Williams, the woman who donned male clothing to participate in a number of battles. The
article describes her continuing adventures, her divorce from her Yankee husband, her subsequent
remarriage to Mr. Jeruth DeCaulp, and her recent commission as a Captain in the Confederate
army.
