Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/296

 290 Southern Historical Society Papers.

heads of these bureaus labored. They were organized without even a nucleus, and organized and put in vigorous operation after active hostilities had begun, and while armies were fighting in the field. The staff corps, including the adjutant and inspector-general's and engineer departments, were equal to any in the military establish- ments of modern times, and although material to supply them was scarce, they were able to meet the exigencies of a stupendous de- structive war in a satisfactory manner, and kept armies in the field which often defeated, by their irresistible courage and discipline, the finest armies in Christendom. They enabled these armies to continue an unequal struggle for four years, and command the admi- ration of the world by their dashing courage, fortitude and sacrifices.

Now, when we can look back and calmly survey the fields of our embarrassments, and dispassionately contemplate what was accom- plished in the face and in spite of them, it does appear "almost phenomenal."

Who of those trying days does not recall the shifts which the Southern people had to adopt to provide for the sick and wounded: the utilization of barks and herbs for the concoction of drugs, the preparation of appliances for hospitals and field infirmaries? What surgeons in any age or in any war excelled the Confederate surgeons in skill, ingenuity or courage ?

Who does not recall the sleepless and patient vigilance, the heroic fortitude and untiring tenderness of the fair Southern women in pro- viding articles of comfort and usefulness for their kindred in the field, preparing with their dainty hands from their scanty supplies food and clothing for the Confederate soldiers, establishing homes and hos- pitals for the sick and disabled, and ministering to their wants with a gentle kindness that alleviated so much suffering and pain ? Do the annals of any country or of any period furnish higher proofs of self-sacrificing courage, self-abnegation and more steadfast devotion than was exercised by the Southern women during the whole pro- gress of our desperate struggle ? If so, I have failed to discover it.

The suffering of the men from privations and hunger, from the wounds of battle and the sickness of camp, were mild inconve- niences when compared with the anguish of soul suffered by the women at home, and yet they bore it all with surpassing heroism. No pen can ever record the half of their sacrifices, and no tongue can ever do justice to their imperishable renown. The shot and shell of invading armies could not intimidate, nor could the rude presence of a sometimes ruthless enemy deter their dauntless souls.