The Anderson Independent Mail has an interesting article by Kirk Brown highlighting the service of Southern women during Lincoln’s invasion in the 1860s. The article also includes many pictures of a recent Southern heritage memorial service in South Carolina:
The keynote speaker at a Confederate memorial service in Anderson Saturday paid homage to women who served as spies and fought on the battlefield during the Civil War [sic].
Martha Van Schaick, president general of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, devoted a portion of her speech to a young West Virginia woman named Belle Boyd who “used her femininity to mask her work as a Confederate spy.”
After describing Boyd’s service to the South, the article speaks more generally about Southern women during the war:
While highlighting the daring exploits of several women, Van Schaick also noted that the vast majority of Southern women struggled at home during the Civil War [sic]….
“These women are the true steel magnolias of the South,” Van Schaick said. “The great majority kept the crops growing, the factories running and tended the children.”
“These women have earned our undying respect,” Van Schaick said. “As long as we remember, they will never be forgotten.”
State Sen. Daniel Verdin also spoke at the service, recalling how his great-great-grandfather left his farm near Townville at age 19 to serve in the war.
Verdin, a Republican from Laurens, also said members of the news media have asked him to repudiate the legacy of his ancestors during events marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War [sic].
But, Verdin said, it is modern society that deserves to be repudiated.
“You want to take 21st century America and compare it to the 19th century America and you want to take it as a whole and you want to identify a good society? It is a no-brainer,” he said. “We didn’t have issues of homicide by child abuse 150 years ago. We didn’t have the issues of spousal abuse.”
“We are not descended from evil people,” Verdin said. “We are not descended from people who maintained an evil civilization.
“It is very important that we remember today, that we remember tomorrow,” he said. “Remember, don’t retreat and never repudiate.”
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But, Verdin said, it is modern society that deserves to be repudiated.
“You want to take 21st century America and compare it to the 19th century America and you want to take it as a whole and you want to identify a good society? It is a no-brainer,” he said. “We didn’t have issues of homicide by child abuse 150 years ago. We didn’t have the issues of spousal abuse.”
“We are not descended from evil people,” Verdin said. “We are not descended from people who maintained an evil civilization.
“It is very important that we remember today, that we remember tomorrow,” he said. “Remember, don’t retreat and never repudiate.”
This is so very, very true! It’s so wonderful to see people standing up for their Southron heritage. This along with a post on the Rebellion blog about the American South rediscovering it’s Confederate heritage has put the biggest smile on my face today, and a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart surpassed only by the love of God.
Southern women have always been and always will be the best and strongest women in the world.
There aint nothing a Southern woman can’t do once she sets her mind to it, especially a rural girl. City women can be kinda weak (my opinion no disrespect meant to anyone).
While were at it, I’d like to put in hoorah for the women of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The amount of work they have accomplished to build memorials, restore and maintain cemeteries, transcribe muster rolls, etc, etc,etc is truly inspiring. They do not get the credit they deserve…
That’s true, James. Most of the Confederate monuments I’ve seen around the South were put there by the UDC. They have done great work and deserve to be recognised for it.