Just a couple average southern belles

[Stoney Dee]

Noticed this portion of an official letter found in the OR while researching a POW named Dr. J E Dixon. Names of these two ladies are not known to me, but I bet they had some pretty interesting adventures together.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Washington, D. C., May 18, 1863.
Lieutenant Colonel W. H. LUDLOW,
Agent for Exchange of Prisoners, Fort Monroe, Va.
COLONEL:
The two women sent down by the steamer on her last trip to whom Mr. Ould refers were not arrested nor sent forward on account of their personal character but for serious acts of disloyalty, being confirmed rebels, and it was not to be expected that in their position in life their morals could be very correct; nor was that examined into. They were sent South simply because they were determined to give the rebellion all the aid in their power. For their grossly outrageous conduct on the boat they should have been properly disposed of and punished on board the steamer, and certainly their obscene language should not have been permitted to reach the ears of ladies.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. HOFFMAN,
Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

 

[Patrick H]

Well, it's provocative for sure. There's a back story here, and we all want to know it.

 

[DBF]

After studying the ladies for several years I have come to discover when men under estimate what women are capable of doing, men do so at their own peril.

 

[DBF]

Here's another tale of spirited women published in the Nashville Dispatch in their November 1, 1862 edition. It concerns a Mrs. Buchanan, Miss Winnie Buchanan and a James and William Buchanan. They are charged with "disturbing the peace of one Mistress Doyle by violent and abusive language and words calculated to provoke a breech of the peace".

According to their first witness a Mrs. Nicholas Coyle who lived opposite the barracks on College Hill and say the behavior claimed that

"on Sunday evening, about three weeks ago, the above- named defendants hurrahed for Jeff. Davis, and said that Col. Morgan was to be made Governor of Kentucky—that she (the witness) was to be tarred and feathered and ridden on a rail—that witness replied she would not be tarred and feathered so long as Governor Johnson was here— that they replied that "Governor Johnson was played out," and that one of them was to kill Governor Johnson—that Mrs. and Miss Buchanan called her a d----d Union woman—that one of the boys waved a rebel flag in presence of all the defendants, etc., etc."

Then Mr. Dolye took the stand to support his wife:

"testified in substance the same as his wife, and in addition that they had called him a d----d Union pup, and his wife a d----d Union ****, threw rotten apples at them, and threatened violence toward them, unless they would leave the place, because of their Union sentiments."

The defense brought forth their witnesses, including William Gallimore, who was raised in the family and had never seen any flag ever waving in the hands of either Mrs. or Miss Buchanan and additionally had never heard the ladies swear or use any words the Doyle's claimed they had.

The defense continued with their witnesses including Lieutenant Buchanan, an officer in the Federal army. He testified that:

"he had made the acquaintance of Mrs. Buchanan and family some two months ago, and had visited them frequently, spending an hour or more at each visit. Gave them an excellent character; believes them to be all Union people; can tell a Union lady when he meets her in the street; they appear more sociable and agreeable than secesh ladies."

Miss Winnie took the stand to defend that:

"she had never heard her mother use such language as that imputed to her; denied the expressions imputed to others in her presence, and denied that a rebel flag was ever seen in her hands, or waved by any of the persons named, in her presence."

After the attorney for the defendants spoke regarding the reasons the Doyle's brought this case as they were "evidently angry with defendants, and desired to persecute them"; the case was submitted to the judgment of the Recorder, who discharged all the defendants.

All italics from:
http://www.southernhistory.co/2014/10/

 

[Stoney Dee]

Here's another tale of spirited women published in the Nashville Dispatch in their November 1, 1862 edition.

I enjoy these types of stories that give us a glimpse into more than the battlefield horrors.

 

[DBF]

enjoy these types of stories that give us a glimpse into more than the battlefield horrors.

and like your example it seems they were charged more for their words/actions than any actual crime.

 

[DBF]

Here's another story under the title "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"

This little article made its way into the Nashville Dispatch on October 25, 1862. It states about a dozen girls (young and good-looking) were witnesses and defendants in a case of disorderly conduct. In what was described as "mixed evidence" a young lady named Sarah Mosely received a note from Mary Edwards (possibly Ellington). In it Mary challenged Sally to "mortal combat" on College street. At the time, Sally ignored her invitation but at a later date informed Molly that she was - -

"at any time ready to meet her on neutral ground, and whip her and forty like her, at the same time complimenting her and some of her friends in a few choice epithets."

The girls met at Dick Finn's grocery when Sally made a remark and Mary renewed the challenge. Mary came ready for a fight as she had huge knife up her sleeve which she was determined to sharpen on Sally. As the story continues:

"Mary Fox and Frank Williams were near at hand, and by their united efforts the courageous little Sally was prevented from rushing "into the jaws of death." It was asserted that Emma Hill was bottle-holder for Mary, and that Miss Lizzy Hall was to be umpire, but these assertions were not clearly proven."

The story concludes since nobody was hurt the Recorder of the court imposed a fine a $5.00 upon Mary and discharged the other parties.

and they say "Sugar and Spice and everything nice; that's what little girls are made of!!"

{*} https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=cw_newstitles

 

[Stoney Dee]

Here's another story under the title "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"

This little article made its way into the Nashville Dispatch on October 25, 1862

Is this from the same source from the earlier post "southern history"?

 

[DBF]

Is this from the same source from the earlier post "southern history"?

I didn't copy/cut/paste my text enough so I've added the source. I think you will find many interesting stories in it.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The two women sent down by the steamer on her last trip to whom Mr. Ould refers were not arrested nor sent forward on account of their personal character but for serious acts of disloyalty, being confirmed rebels, and it was not to be expected that in their position in life their morals could be very correct; nor was that examined into. They were sent South simply because they were determined to give the rebellion all the aid in their power. For their grossly outrageous conduct on the boat they should have been properly disposed of and punished on board the steamer, and certainly their obscene language

I've read this report before .... and it's still funny !

They were no different than many young Southern girls today.

Especially after the young ladies consume WAY too many adult beverages before a Southeastern Conference college football game.