Life In Dixie During The War - free ebook by Mary Ann Harris Gay

LIFE IN DIXIE DURING THE WAR.

1861-1862-1863-1864-1865. MARY A. H. GAY. THE THIRD EDITION. ( ENLARGED. ) ATLANTA, GA: CHARLES P. BYRD. 1897. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1897, By Mary A. H. Gay , In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington....

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INTRODUCTION.

I am asked to write a few words of introduction to these reminiscences of a lady who, in the pleasant afternoon of a life devoted to deeds of mercy and charity, turns fondly and sympathetically to the past. But there is nothing to be said. What word of mine could add to the interest that inheres in this unpretentious record of a troubled and bloody period? The chronicle speaks for itself, especially to those who remember something of those wonderful days of war. It has the charm and the distinct

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PREFACE.

By way of preface to “Life in Dixie During the War,” I scarcely know what to say. I have long felt that it was the duty of the South to bequeath to posterity the traditions of that period; for if we do it not ourselves they will be swallowed up in oblivion. Entertaining this opinion, I have essayed the task of an individual effort, and hope that others may follow my example. No woman who has seen what I have seen, and felt what I have felt, would be apt to write with less asperity; and yet, now

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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

THE TOCSIN OF WAR. The tocsin of war has resounded from Mason and Dixon’s line to the Gulf of Mexico, from the snow-crested billows of the Atlantic to the tranquil waves of the Pacific. War! War! War! is the battle cry of a people, who, long suffering and patient, but now, goaded to desperation and thoroughly exasperated, are determined, at all hazards, to protect the rights for which their forefathers fought, bled and died; and which their own Thomas Jefferson embodied in an instrument of writi

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CHAPTER I.

THE MAGNOLIA CADETS. Notwithstanding the restful signification of “Alabama,” the State bearing that name had passed the ordinance of secession, and mingled her voice with those of other States which had previously taken steps in that direction. Then followed a call for a convention, having in view the election of a President of a new Republic to take its place among the nations of the earth, and to be known throughout the world as the Southern Confederacy. As an intensely interested spectator I

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CHAPTER II.

THE WAR RECORD OF DEKALB COUNTY. DeKalb county, Georgia, of which Decatur is the county site, was among the first to enroll troops for Confederate service. The first volunteers from Decatur were James L. George, Hardy Randall, L. J. Winn and Beattie Wilson, who went with the Atlanta Greys the last of May, 1861. The first company from DeKalb county was that of Captain John W. Fowler. It was called the DeKalb Light Infantry, and was mustered into service in Atlanta, as part of the 7th Georgia Volu

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CHAPTER III.

LABORS OF LOVE. Musical—Decatur. To a woman who lives and moves and has her being in the past, an invocation to time to “turn backward in its flight,” would seem superfluous. The scenes of other years being ever present, it would also seem that time, as a loving father, would linger fondly around her with panaceas for decay, mental and physical; that her heart would never grow old, and her person never lose the attractions of youth; but, in the economy of Him who doeth all things well, such is n

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CHAPTER IV.

LABORS OF LOVE. Knitting and Sewing, and Writing Letters to “Our Soldiers.” A patriotic co-operation between the citizens of Decatur and Atlanta soon sprang up, and in that, as in all things else, a social and friendly interchange of thought and feeling and deed existed; and we were never so pleased as when aiding each other in the preparation of clothing and edibles for “our soldiers,” or in some way contributing to their comfort. Many of us who had never learned to sew became expert handlers o

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CHAPTER V.

THE THIRD MARYLAND ARTILLERY. Some Old Songs. At some time in 1863, it was my privilege to meet a gallant band of men whose faith in the justice of our cause was so strong that they were constrained to turn their faces Southward and imperil their lives in its defence. These men represented the highest type of manhood in Maryland. Sickness entered their camp, and the good ladies of Decatur insisted upon providing the comforts of home for the sick and wounded. Those to whom it was my privilege to

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CHAPTER VI.

A DARING AND UNIQUE CHASE. The Capture and Re-capture of the Railroad Engine, “The General.” In the early spring of 1862, there occurred an episode of the war which, up to that date, was the most exciting that had happened in our immediate section. The story has often been told; but instead of relying upon my memory, I will condense from the written statement of Mr. Anthony Murphy, of Atlanta, Georgia, who was one of the principal actors in the chase. Mr. Murphy begins his narrative by saying: “

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CHAPTER VII.

Coming Home from Camp Chase—The Faithful Servant’s Gift—A Glimpse of Confederate Braves. “A letter from Marse Thomie,” said our mail carrier, Toby, as he got in speaking distance on his return from the post office. “What makes you think so?” I said, excitedly. “I know his hand-write, and this is it,” selecting a letter from a large package and handing it to me. The very first glimpse of the superscription assured me of his confident assertion. The letter was addressed to our mother, and bore a U

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CHAPTER VIII.

SOME SOCIAL FEATURES. Morgan’s Men Rendezvous near Decatur—Waddell’s Artillery—Visits from the Texans—Surgeon Haynie and his Song. In the winter of 1864 there seems to have been a lull of hostilities between the armies at “the front.” Morgan’s men were rendezvousing near Decatur. Their brave and dashing chief had been captured, but had made his escape from the Ohio penitentiary, and was daily expected. Some artillery companies were camping near, among them Waddell’s. There was also a conscript c

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CHAPTER IX.

THOMIE’S SECOND HOME COMING. He Leaves for “The Front”—His Christian Labors in Camp—He Describes the Battle of New Hope Church—The Great Revival in Johnston’s Army. Early one morning in the February of the winter just referred to (that of 1864), as my sister lay awake, she heard some one step upon the portico and knock. As Toby opened the door, she heard him exclaim: “Why howd’y, Marse Thomie!” Her first thought was, “now he is back just in time to be in the battle!” for a resumption of hostilit

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CHAPTER X.

A visit to Dalton—The fidelity of an old-time slave. “From Atlanta to Dalton, $7.75. From the 23d to the 26th of April, 1864, to Mrs. John Reynolds, for board, $20.00. From Dalton to Decatur, $8.00.” The above statement of the expense attending a round trip to Dalton, Georgia, is an excerpt from a book which contains a record of every item of my expenditures for the year 1864. This trip was taken for the purpose of carrying provisions and articles of clothing to my brother and his comrades in Ge

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CHAPTER XI.

A PERILOUS TRUST. “It is most time to go to the post-office, ain’t it, Miss Mary? We are going to get a letter from Marse Thomie this morning.” “What makes you so certain of it, Toby?” “I don’t know’m, but I am; and every time I feels this way, I gets one; so I’ll just take my two little black calves and trot off to the office and get it;” and suiting the action to the word he struck a pretty brisk gait and was soon around the corner and out of sight. Then Decatur received but two mails per day—

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CHAPTER XII.

A SCENE IN AN ATLANTA CONFEDERATE HOSPITAL. “Well, my boy, our patients are all getting along nicely in the Fair Ground hospital,” was the comforting assurance I gave to Toby, who was my faithful co-worker in all that pertained to the comfort of our soldiers. “Suppose we go to the Empire hospital and see what we can do there.” “Yes’m, I have always wanted to go there.” Taking one of the baskets we had brought with us from Decatur, and which contained biscuits, rusk, broiled and fried chicken, gr

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CHAPTER XIII.

Concealing Confederate Clothing—Valuables Carried to Atlanta—Toby Taken Ill. On the way to the post-office early one morning in the sultry month of July, 1864, to mail a number of letters which I deemed too important to be entrusted to other hands, I was accosted as follows by “Uncle Mack,” the good negro blacksmith, whose shop was situated immediately upon the route: “Did you know, Miss Mary, that the Yankees have crossed the river, and are now this side of the Chattahoochee.” “Why, no!” I said

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CHAPTER XIV.

The advance guard of the Yankee army—I am ordered out—A noble Federal. The day clear, bright and beautiful, in July, 1864, and though a midsummer’s sun cast its vertical rays upon the richly-carpeted earth, refreshing showers tempered the heat and preserved in freshness and beauty the vernal robes of May and kept the atmosphere pure and delightful. Blossoms of every hue and fragrance decked the landscape, and Ceres and Pomona had been as lavish with their grains and fruits as Flora had been with

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CHAPTER XV.

The Battle of the 22d of July, 1864—The Death of Toby. The excitement incident to the morning and evening of yesterday left my mother and myself in no frame of mind for repose, and we spent the night in suspense and painful apprehension of trouble yet to come greater and more dreadful than that through which we had passed. The medicine left for Toby by the physician summoned last night was faithfully administered according to direction, and the morning found him better, though able to sit up onl

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CHAPTER XVI.

EVERETT’S DESERTION. During the early spring of that memorable year, 1864, it was announced to the citizens of Decatur that Judge Hook and family, including his accomplished daughter, Mrs. Whitesides, and her children, from Chattanooga, had arrived at the depot, and were domiciled, pro tem. , in cars which had been switched off the main track of the famous old Georgia Railroad. This novel mode of living, even in war times, by people in their monetary condition and social standing, naturally attr

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CHAPTER XVII.

A visit to Confederate lines—A narrow escape—My return—The fall of Atlanta. No news from “the front;” no tidings from the loved ones in gray; no friendly spirit whispering words of cheer or consolation. Shut up within a narrow space, and guarded by Federal bayonets! not a ray of friendly light illuminated my environment. The constant roaring of cannon and rattling of musketry; the thousand, yea, tens of thousands of shots blending into one grand continuous whole, and reverberating in avalanchan

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CHAPTER XVIII.

THE TEN DAYS’ ARMISTICE. Going out with the Confederate clothes—Scenes at Atlanta and at Lovejoy’s Station—The visit to Granbury’s Brigade—The last interview with Thomie. After every morsel of food had been taken from the people, and every vestige of nutrition extracted from the earth, the following order, in substance, was proclaimed throughout the land held by the right of conquest: “All who cannot support themselves without applying to the United States Commissary for assistance, must go outs

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CHAPTER XIX.

THE RETURN HOME. From Jonesboro via Augusta—Scenes and Incidents by the way—The lonely journey from Stone Mountain to Decatur. Dazed by a full realization that my brother and every male relative and friend were in the octopus arms of war, cruel and relentless, I stood riveted to the spot where my brother had parted from me, until a gentle hand touched my shoulder, and a pleasant voice gave me friendly greeting. Turning I saw Mrs. Anderson, sister of the brave and gallant Robert Alston, whose tra

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CHAPTER XX.

ON THE VERGE OF STARVATION. A worn-out army horse is found—Uncle Mack makes a wagon—I make a unique trip—Starvation is warded off—Dangers and scenes by the way. “What is it, Ma? Has anything happened?” “No, only Maggie Benedict has been here crying as if her heart would break, and saying that her children are begging for bread, and she has none to give them. Give me a little of the meal or hominy that you have, that we may not starve until we can get something else to eat, and then take the rema

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CHAPTER XXI.

A SECOND TRIP FOR SUPPLIES. Gathering “fodder” from a cane-brake as a preliminary—The lonely journey—Changing Yankee’s name—I meet the Federal raiders. At an early hour in the morning of a bright autumnal day, that memorable year 1864—the saddest of them all—Yankee was roped (not bridled, mark you), and crocus sacks, four for him, one for Telitha, and one for myself, thrown over his back, and we three, boon companions in diversified industries, scampered off to a neighboring cane-brake—a favorit

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CHAPTER XXII.

NEWS FROM THE ABSENT BROTHER. He marches into Tennessee with Hood—Extracts from his letters written on the way—Two ears of parched corn—The night burial of a soldier. After the majority of these sketches were written, I was permitted by my sister to take a few extracts from the cherished letters of our brother, which she numbered and carefully laid away as her most precious treasure. To these we are indebted for all that we know of his history during those trying days and weeks of which I have j

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CHAPTER XXIII.

AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR. Related to the writer by Hon. Roger Q. Mills, of Texas. The night was black as Erebus. Not a scintillant of light from moon or star penetrated the dense forest, and no eye save that of God discerned the danger of the situation. Hill and dale, mountain and precipice, creek and surging stream, presented barriers that none but men inured to hardship, and unknown to fear, would have attempted to surmount. Obedient to the command of the superior officer, the remnant of that ma

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CHAPTER XXIV.

Picking up minie balls around Atlanta—Exchanging them for bread. After mingling renewed vows of allegiance to our cause, and expressions of a willing submission to the consequences of defeat—privations and evil dire, if need be—with my morning orison; yet I could not be oblivious to the fact that I was hungry, very hungry. And there was another, whose footsteps were becoming more and more feeble day by day, and whose voice, when heard at all, was full of the pathos of despair, who needed nourish

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CHAPTER XXV.

The Decatur women’s struggle for bread—Sweet singing in hard places—Pleasant visitors—I make a trip to Alabama—The news of my brother’s death. The tug of war was upon us from the mountains to the sea-board, and ingenious was the woman who devised means to keep the wolf, hungry and ravenous, from the door. The depreciation of our currency, and its constant diminution in value, had rendered it an unreliable purchasing commodity, and we had nothing to give in exchange for food. I, therefore, felt t

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CHAPTER XXVI.

MY MOTHER’S DEATH. Rev. Dr. John S. Wilson performs the funeral service In sympathy with a disappointed people who had staked all and lost all in the vain effort to defend the inherited rights of freemen, and had not yet rallied from the depression occasioned by defeat, the spring of 1866 had withheld her charms, and, instead of donning a mantle of green, decorated with pansies, violets and primroses, hyacinths, bluebells and daffodils, verbenas, phlox and geraniums, and bloom of vine and briar

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CHAPTER XXVII.

A REMINISCENCE. “Sister, you are not paying any attention whatever to my reading, and you are losing the most beautiful thoughts in this delightful book.” “Yes, and I am sorry to do so; but I think I see one of Rachel’s children—Madaline or Frances.” My sister closed her book, and, looking in the direction indicated, agreed with me that the negro woman, clothed in the habiliments of widowhood, who was coming up the avenue with a little boy by her side and one in her arms, was one of Rachel’s chi

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

HOW THE DECATUR WOMEN KEPT UP THE SABBATH SCHOOL. A Brief Sketch of the Old Churches and the Union Sunday School—The Resumption of Church Services. Before the war there were in Decatur but two churches, the Methodist and the Presbyterian; although Baptist and Episcopal services were occasionally held. The churches first mentioned had been organized about 1825. The Presbyterians first worshipped in a log church, and afterwards in a frame building, but in 1846 had erected a substantial brick churc

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CHAPTER XXIX.

POSTAL AFFAIRS. The Postmaster, Hiram J. Williams—A life that was a reality, but reads like a romance. The north side of the court-house square at Decatur is intersected by a public road leading to North Decatur, Silver Lake, the Chattahoochee River, and points beyond. On the eastern corner of this intersection stands the well-known Bradbury House. The house itself is an unsightly object, being almost untenable through age and neglect, but occupying a most desirable location. From its site lovel

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CHAPTER XXX.

THE TRAGIC DEATH OF SALLIE DURHAM. The closing days of the war—A sketch of the Durham family—The death of Sallie. On the 9th of April, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Lee had surrendered his army of twenty-five thousand men to Grant with his four-fold forces. One after another of the Confederate Generals had been forced to yield to superior numbers, and by the last of May the war was over. “The North had at the beginning of the strife a population of twenty-two millions; the South had ten milli

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CHAPTER XXXI.

THE DEATH OF MELVILLE CLARK. The lamented death of Miss Durham was not the only one in our community to be traced to the results of the war. The period of reconstruction, forcing upon the Southern states the obnoxious Fourteenth Amendment, so humiliating and so unjust, especially at that time, had intensified the prejudices of the negroes against the white people—prejudices already sufficiently aroused by previous abolition teachings and the results of the war. Several times in this little volum

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CHAPTER XXXII.

THE MORTON FAMILY. Incidents thrilling and affecting. In several previous sketches references have been made to the Misses Morton. Not only they, but the whole family, bore an interesting and heroic part in the scenes of the war. Mr. Edward L. Morton hoisted the first Confederate flag that ever floated on the breeze in DeKalb county. This he did as soon as he heard that Georgia had passed the ordinance of secession. A few miles from Decatur there was a large mill known as Williams’s Mill, situat

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CHAPTER XXXIII.

HON. JOSEPH E. BROWN’S PIKES AND GUNS. (This chapter, and the succeeding one, were not placed in the chronological order of events, because they would have broken the continuity of personal experiences). After an appeal to physical force, as the only means of redressing our wrongs, was fully determined upon, we made many important discoveries, chief of which was that we were not prepared for war. This fact had often been impressively and earnestly set forth by our greatest statesmen, Alexander H

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CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF THE ANDREWS RAIDERS. Captain William A. Fuller and his comrades of the pursuit.—The race of the engines, “The General” and “The Texas.” In the early part of 1862 the army of the Cumberland and also that of the Tennessee had grown to gigantic proportions. The history of that memorable era establishes the fact that in the month of February of that year the army of the Cumberland, commanded by General Buell, had captured Fort Donaldson and several other strong strategic p

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CONFEDERATE LOVE SONG.

Over the mountains of Winter, And the cold, cold plains of snow, Down in the valleys of Summer, Calling my love I go. And strong in my woe and passion, I climb up the hills of Spring, To listen if I hear his voice In songs he used to sing. I wait in the fields of Autumn, And gather a feast of fruit, And call my love to the banquet; His lips are cold and mute. I say to the wild bird flying: “My darling sang sweet as you; Fly o’er the earth in search of him, And to the skies of blue.” I say to the

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TO THE READER,

Who has kindly perused these sketches, I would say, as they have already attained length and breadth not anticipated from the beginning, I will withhold the sequels to many of them for, perhaps, another volume of reminiscences. Were I possessed of the Sam Weller genius and versatility, and the happy faculty of making the reader wish I had written more, I would throw open the doors of the store-house of my war memories, a structure as capacious as the “Southern Confederacy” and canopied by the fi

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APPENDIX.

The author has selected the article, “Gleanings from General Sherman’s Despatches,” as an appendix for these sketches, not because of a desire to keep up the issues of the war between the States (for she would gladly bury them so deep they could never be resurrected until the great Judge of all issues calls them up to receive sentence by his unerring judgment), but rather, because of the persistent insistence of Northern Republicans to make it appear to the world that the Southern people are a s

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SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA.

(Reprinted by Permission of the Illustrator Company. From the April, 1896, Number of “The Illustrator.” Copyrighted. All Rights Reserved.) It is a proud thing for Americans to feel that there is little to bring the blush of shame to their cheeks in the contemplation of their country’s history. It is a glorious thing for our young manhood to know that the annals of their race tell of the earnest and upward progress of a people, Christian from the first, toward an ever higher civilization. It is w

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TESTIMONIALS.

State of Georgia , Executive Office , Atlanta , September 1st, 1894. “Life in Dixie During the War,” by Miss Mary A. H. Gay, presents a striking picture of home life among our people during that dark period of our history. While such presentation is hardly looked for in more elaborate history of those times, Miss Gay’s conception was a wise one, and the record she has given will preserve a most desirable part of the history of our section. Her book deserves to be widely circulated. W. J. Northen

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